September 2020 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
 

Russia has reinforced Crimean defense with 2A65 Msta-B 152mm howitzers which can fire ordinary shells and smart munitions. Defense Ministry sources said Msta-B had already been supplied to Crimean units. Artillerymen are currently training to operate the howitzers.

At an automobile show that took place in the Chinese city of Baotou (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), the China North Industries Group Corporation (CNGC, stands for the NORINCO Group brand) presented what seems to be a new 6x6 armored vehicle of the MRAP type, based on the 6x6, 5-ton FAW MV3 military truck.

According to information published on September 23, 2020, the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command began fielding the M18 Modular Handgun System in September 2020. This striker-fired, semi-automatic, 9-mm pistol is based on the Sig Sauer Model P320. The M18 will replace all other pistols in the Marine Corps inventory, including the M9, M9A1, M45A1 and M007.

Knight's Armament Co., Titusville, Florida, was awarded a $13,480,110 firm-fixed-price contract for the M110 semiautomatic sniper system and various M110 configurations. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 25, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.

Rheinmetall and the Dutch procurement agency Defence Materiel Organization (DMO) have renewed and expanded their longstanding framework agreement for the supply of various types of ammunition for a period of at least ten years. The framework agreement envisages annual call-offs of around €50 million, meaning that total volume could come to €500 million. The customer is already preparing for the first call-offs.

Parsons Government Services Inc., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $39,934,030 contract for the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) vehicle. The contract provides for 13 fully operational MRAP RADBO systems (Cougar, Laser, and Arm) and three spares systems that will provide the warfighter with the ability to effectively identify, disarm and clear unexploded ordnance from an airfield while inside an MRAP Cougar (CAT1A1) vehicle, with little to no collateral damage.

Chosen for its durability and high-performance characteristics, Cordura NYCO fabric is being used to produce the next generation of highly advanced uniforms for the Royal Marines Commandos, designed and manufactured by Crye Precision and distributed by Level Peaks in a contract with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.

Ultra is pleased to announce that the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command branch has placed a US $31M order for Ultra Orion X500 radio systems for the Line of Sight Radio System (LRS) Project supported by the Terrestrial High Capacity Communications Program Office. The order will be placed under the $497M indefinite award/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded to Ultra TCS earlier in 2019 in support of the U.S. Army’s TRILOS Radio Program of Record.

FN America LLC, Columbia, South Carolina, was awarded a $78,709,973 firm-fixed-price contract for M249 Squad Automatic Weapons. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 19, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.

According to a press release published on September 21, 2020, Kongsberg Protech Systems USA has been awarded a contract to qualify an XM914 (30mmx113mm) remote weapon station (RWS) in support of the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) Program Manager Ground Based Air Defense Office. The systems will be integrated on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and will include a number of specialized counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) and air defense capabilities. Kongsberg USA will deliver test articles and assist the USMC in performing Design Verification Testing (DVT) toward future production deliveries.

On Sept. 17, 2020, French armored vehicles manufacturers Arquus organized an « Arquus Day » which was an opportunity to concretely present the vehicles and developments unveiled during the Arquus e-xpo, a virtual exhibition put online during the summer of 2020, in particular the flagship of its brand new logistics and tactical range: the ARMIS 6x6.

Nigeria is a very dynamic designer and manufacturer of armored vehicles, be it light, medium-weight or heavy APCs. Why did its army import South Korean K152 APCs appears puzzling, at first glance at least.

According to information published by the Thai Armed Force Blog on September 21, 2020, the Thai army will procure more Stryker ICV ( Infantry Combat Vehicle) 8x8 armored vehicles in the defense budget plan 2021. In September 2019, the Thai army has taken delivery of the first batch of Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles.

Lewis Machine and Tool, Eldridge, Iowa, was awarded a $17,031,520.00 firm-fixed-price contract to order M203/M203A2 grenade launchers and spare parts. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 18, 2025. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

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