April 2022 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
 

Rheinmetall’s Mission Master Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle has once again proved its versatile capabilities in a demonstration conducted for six European allies. The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP used laser-guided FZ275 rockets from Thales in a live-fire exercise. The demonstration took place at the Trängslet base of the Swedish procurement agency Försvarets Materielverk (FMV) near Älvdalen. Delegations from Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Poland were present. The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP is part of the Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV) family developed by Rheinmetall Canada.

BAE Systems will develop the mission data framework for Space Systems Command’s Enterprise Management and Control (EM&C) system. Under the prototype contract, BAE Systems will create an integrated data management environment, connecting interoperable sources to support fusion and discovery of data, minimize disruptions, deliver near real-time status of assets, and provide curated data for mission needs.

The future of American presence on the eastern flank of NATO may revolve around rotational forces on permanent bases, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the House Armed Services Committee on April 5, Jim Garmone reports.  "Actual presence is always a good deterrent relative to a given threat," said Army Gen. Mark A. Milley. Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III testified before the committee on the fiscal 2023 Defense budget request. 

Following the request from the U.S., the Czech Republic has sent T-72A main battle tanks and BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, Soviet-made BMP-1 produced under license in the Czech Republic, to Ukraine, according to pictures published on the Twitter account of OSINTDefender on April 5, 2022: Czech Television initially reported the shipment, showing footage on Twitter of a train loaded with five tanks and five IFVs. It said the shipment was a gift agreed upon with NATO allies, Reuters report.

According to information published by Fox Business on April 4, 2022, private businesses across America are sending weapons directly into the war zone. Adams Arms, an American gun manufacturer, is sending 2,500 AR-15-style assault rifles to Kyiv:"We're just a passionate group of people, and when liberty or freedom is in jeopardy, then, you know, we take that personally. For us to be able to help has just been an overwhelming feeling, and I'm proud of my team," Adams Arms president Jason East said to Fox Business.

According to information published by the "Ekathimerini" website on April 4, 2022, the United States has asked Cyprus government if it would be possible to transfer Russian-made weapons and combat vehicles in services with the Cyprus armed forces including TOR-M1 and S-300 air defense missile systems, T-80U main battle tank, BMP-3 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) and Mi-35 attack helicopter.

IWI - Israel Weapon Industry, a member of the SK Group and specializing in the production of combat-proven small arms, announces the launch of the Ace Sniper S.A Rifle. Based on the reliable, proven platform of the known Galil-Ace, the semi-automatic rifle with its advanced ergonomics design provides the user with the greatest accuracy and rapid engagement, even in harsh environments and weather conditions.

Nexter has signed a strategic partnership with Hellenic Defence Systems (HDS) to meet the Greek Army's requirement for modernized infantry fighting vehicles with the Philoctetes. By joining forces with HDS, a state-owned company specializing in the design, development and production of weapon and missile systems, and ammunition, Nexter is offering a combat system that meets the highest quality standards and whose success will benefit the Greek industry.

The Indian Army, which has for long been looking for new man-portable air defence systems, has inducted a small number of Igla-S systems recently bought from Russia under emergency procurement, Dinakar Peri reports in The Hindu. However, a much larger contract for Igla-S systems under the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD) deal is still pending and under review by the Defence Ministry: “The contract was signed in December 2020 and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This includes 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment,” one of the sources said.

Otokar, Turkey’s global land systems manufacturer participates in FIDAE2022, the foremost aerospace, defense and security exhibition of Latin America, on April 5-10, in Chile. Otokar is promoting its own design and production of armored military vehicles as well as turret systems, and its capabilities in land systems. Otokar is also providing information about its flexible business model, which incorporates the transfer of technology and local manufacturing.

Saab has signed a contract with the Finnish Defence Forces for the delivery of combat training simulators to supplement the live training solutions already installed with the customer. The total order value is approximately SEK 152 million and the order was booked in Q1 2022.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched his annual report for 2021 on Thursday (31 March 2022), which covers all aspects of the work of the Alliance over the past year. On Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg said NATO had repeatedly warned that Russia was poised to launch a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine: “We prepared for the worst but worked hard for the best. We made every effort to engage Russia in dialogue but Moscow consistently turned us down and ultimately decided to cut diplomatic ties. Last fall, we also took action to heighten the readiness of our forces, deploy more troops to the eastern part of our Alliance and stepped up our support to Ukraine.”

According to a Tweet published by Arvydas Anušauskas, Lithuania's Minister of National Defence on April 2, 2022, in response to the current security situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany has deployed its short-range self-defense air defense system Ozelot in Lithuania. With this air defense system, Germany wants to strengthen air defense capabilities in Lithuania.

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