August 2009 Worldwide news army military Defense industries industry exhibition equipment armoured w

The Russian Ministry of Defense will buy only a few sample of the infantryman modular weapon system Félin to compare it with the Russian equipment, announced this 26 August 2009, to the Journalists, the chief of the general Staff of the Russian Armed forces Nikolaï Makarov. “We want to buy a minimal quantity that could be 8 systems to compare them with the Russian material”, indicated the general in comment to the information published on the possible purchase of this French equipment. The infantryman modular system of weapon Félin ((CAT-LIKE, Infantryman with Equipment and Integrated Connections) was presented during the International Air Show of Moscow, MAKS 2009. The system is composed with navigation system, an individual radio, a shock-proof computer making it possible to view information on the adversary and the position of the soldiers of the section as well as equipment optronic. Electronics is fed by batteries of a 24 hour endurance. The similar system Russian Strelets was tested in 2008.
28 August 2009

Renault Trucks Defense has just signed a contract with the American company Globecomm Systems Inc. (GSI) for 17 vehicles Sherpa Carrier. These Sherpa Carrier were retained by GSI as carriers of tactical communications stations and will be qualified by US Army then delivered to NATO for the equipment of the Battalions Signal. The 17 Sherpa Carrier will be assembled on the factory of production of the military vehicles (CPVM) of Renault Trucks Defense in Limoges during the first quarter 2010. Following the recent success of the Sherpa Carrier with Namsa in 2007 and 2008, with Thales Alenia Space in 2009 (Syracuse III program) and NATO with the patrol armoured version, the Sherpa family signs its first success in United States.
27 August 2009

The government decided on Wednesday that the Armed Forces may order twenty-four Archer artillery pieces, in a joint acquisition project carried out in cooperation with Norway. “It is gratifying that the Government has taken this decision; it was awaited, "says Torbjörn Larsson, commander of Artilleriregementet (Artillery Regiment, A 9), the Swedish Army’s center of competence for artillery. Shortly before mid-summer this year, the Norwegian Stortinget decided to authorize the purchase of twenty-four Archers for the Norwegian armed forces. This was one of the prerequisites for Sweden to also buy these artillery pieces, manufactured by BAE Systems in Bofors. “This decision came just in time, so now we can continue to work with Norway to prepare for the service introduction," says Torbjörn Larsson.
26 August 2009

Thales is to supply the Netherlands with 14 new Bushmaster vehicles, bringing total Dutch orders to 86. The standard troop carrier variants will be delivered to the customer in October and November, with nine destined for Afghanistan and five to be kept in reserve. In announcing the news to the Dutch parliament, State Secretary for Defence Jack de Vries said the Bushmaster was of great value to Task Force Oruzgan due to the vehicle's ability to protect troops against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Ian Irving, Vice President of Land & Joint Systems at Thales Australia, said the new order reflected the confidence the Dutch armed forces have in the vehicle.
26 August 2009

Russia has deployed advanced S-400 Triumf air defense systems in the Far East to counter the potential threat posed by N. Korea's missile tests, the chief of General Staff said on Wednesday. "We have already deployed a battalion of the S-400 systems in Russia's Far East in order to guarantee protection from failed launches of [N. Korean] missiles and to ensure that the fragments of these missiles never fall on Russian territory," Gen. Nikolai Makarov told a news conference in the capital of Mongolia. North Korea has test launched several ballistic missiles from its eastern coast since January. The missiles are believed to be Scud-type and traveled up to 500 kilometers (300 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan. Makarov said Moscow was concerned over the proximity of North Korea's missile launch sites to Russia's borders, and would continue to take preventive measures, including the use of sophisticated air defense systems, to protect the country from failed launches.
26 August 2009

The Russian army are interested in the equipment of the French future infantryman system Félin, developed at this moment for the French Army by the French Company Sagem Défense Sécurité , announces a source from the Russian ministry of Defense. The modular system of weapon for infantryman system Félin (CAT-LIKE, Infantryman with Equipment and Integrated Connections) was exposed during the air show exhibition MAKS-2009. Currently, the Russian experts negotiate with the French group Sagem, developer of this system, the possibility of acquiring it for the Russian army. However, the representatives of the Russian ministry of Defense and the Sagem group abstained from any comment. The infantryman system equipment Félin is composed with navigation system, an individual radio, a shock-proof computer making it possible to view information on the adversary and the position of the soldiers of the section as well as optronic equipment. Electronics is fed by one 24 hours duration old batteries. According to a Russian specialist, the French bullet-proof jackets are less powerful than the American or German bullet-proof jackets, on the other hand the electronics components of the Félin system are of great interest for the Russian soldiers.
25 August 2009

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) were the first to try out a new light armoured vehicle variant that provides better protection against improvised explosive devices (IED). Once the soldiers have finished training on the new LAV Remote Weapons Station (RWS), the LAV RWSs will be shipped to Afghanistan for the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). This LAV RWS will replace the Bison and give the crew better protection from IED strikes with additional armour in an up-armour package. The RWS allows the crew to fire from inside the vehicle and ensures that nobody is exposed if there is a blast or enemy fire. The RWS can be mounted with a .50 cal heavy machine gun or a C6 general purpose machine-gun. The stations fire from inside the vehicle and are controlled by what looks like a video game controller. There are four monitors, one for the gunner, one for the commander, one for the driver and one for the crew in the back, to view the action going on outside. It also has eight smoke grenade launchers mounted on the front of the RWS. There are many other new features on the LAV RWS. Inside the vehicle, there are new crew seats and storage compartments on the interior walls. On the exterior, there are front and rear view cameras for the driver; a new Platt swing mount that replaces the pintle mount; and a new type of wire cutters mounted on the front.
25 August 2009

Russia is concluding talks with Saudi Arabia on selling 30 Mi-171B helicopters. "We are in a final stage of talks on the purchase of 30 helicopters and hope to sign the deal in September," the source told RIA Novosti. The Arab state has traditionally bought only Western, mainly U.S.-made, civilian and military equipment, but has recently expressed an interest in acquiring Russian weaponry, including S-400 air defense systems, T-90 tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, and various types of helicopters. Russian analysts linked the Saudi interest in Russian weapons with a change in the kingdom's political priorities and the difficulties it has encountered in purchasing weaponry from the West since the September 11 terrorist attacks, masterminded and performed mostly by Saudi citizens. Saudi Arabia's defense budget currently exceeds $33 billion, and is expected to reach $44 billion in 2010.
25 August 2009

India's defense industry handed over to the army on Monday the first ten T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks assembled under a Russian license at a domestic plant, Indian media reported. The Indian Army was the first export customer for the T-90s, which have been in service with the Russian Armed Forces since the mid-1990s. India ordered 310 T-90s in 2001 following delays in the manufacturing of the indigenous Arjun main battle tank and Pakistan's decision to purchase the T-80 from Ukraine. An agreement was also signed for the licensed production of another 1,000 T-90s. However, production was delayed due to Russia's reluctance to transfer technology, prompting India to purchase another 300 tanks from Russia last year. Licensed production of the tanks had earlier stalled due to a disagreement with Russia over transfer of technology, which was resolved at the end of 2008. The Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, near Chennai, plans to produce 100 tanks per year.
24 August 2009

NATO and Ukraine took their relationship to a higher level by the signing of a “Declaration to Complement the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine” at NATO Headquarters on 21 August. The document was signed by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and by Ukrainian Ambassador to NATO Ihor Sagach on behalf of the Ukrainian President. The Declaration gives the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) a central role to play in the process launched at the Bucharest Summit 2008, when Allied leaders agreed that in future, Ukraine “will become a NATO member”. The NUC will be central to deepening political dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Ukraine, and to underpinning Ukraine’s reform efforts. This Declaration follows up on an agreement reached by foreign ministers in December 2008 to amend the NATO-Ukraine Charter in order to reflect the decisions taken at NATO’s Summit in April 2008 in Bucharest.
21 August 2009

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it was awarded a contract valued at €17 million to provide Finland's Ministry of Defense with high speed radio and data transmission communication systems to be delivered during 2010 - 201. Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land and C4I –Tadiran, noted that the selection of the Tadiran family of communication systems by the Finnish Ministry of Defense attests to the quality of these systems as well as to the customer's satisfaction by the performance of similar, previously acquired systems. Machlis added: "We hope that this contract will be followed by additional orders from both Finland as well as NATO countries and will further strengthen our position as a leading supplier of innovative radio systems worldwide."
20 August 2009

A Russian military pilot killed in a two-plane collision during a rehearsal for the MAKS-2009 air show near Moscow died because his parachute caught fire during the fall, an investigator said on Monday. The Sunday collision near Zhukovsky airfield, east of Moscow, involved two Su-27 Flanker jet fighters from Russia's elite aerobatics group Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights). All three pilots ejected, and two of them were later found on the ground in serious but satisfactory condition. The dead pilot was identified as Col. Igor Tkachenko, 45, commander of the Russian Knights. According to preliminary investigations, the accident was most likely caused by pilot error during an aerobatics maneuver, although the possibility of a technical failure has not been ruled out. The organizer of the MAKS-2009 air show said on Sunday the tragedy would not delay the show, scheduled to start on Tuesday. "MAKS will not be postponed. Although there may be changes to the program of flights, all aerobatic teams - three Russian and two foreign ones - will perform," said Vladimir Borisov, general director of the Aviasalon firm.
17 August 2009

Russia and Libya have signed a contract to overhaul at least 145 T-72 Russian-made battle tanks in service with the Libyan Army, a senior government official said on Monday. Moscow and Tripoli have been involved in talks on the modernization of the T-72 tanks since 2006 as part of renewed efforts to revive bilateral military-technical cooperation.
17 August 2009

Russia's deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday that Russia's military contingent in the former Georgian republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia will number 1,500 personnel in each republic by the end of the year. The Russian General Staff had earlier said 3,700 personnel would be deployed in each South Ossetia and Abkhazia to protect the region, but in mid-June Gen. Nikolai Makarov said the figure was "too large" and it would be reduced. "Presently there are some 1,000 Russian military personnel in Abkhazia and up to 800 in South Ossetia. By the end of the year there will be 1,500 Russian military personnel in each of the republics," Grigory Karasin said during a press conference at RIA Novosti. Karasin also said Russia has allocated 10 billion rubles ($321.41 mln) to South Ossetia for projects to rebuild infrastructure destroyed during the August war with Georgia. "The Russian government allocated 10 billion rubles in 2008-2009 for reconstruction projects," Karasin said. The deputy minister said that some 400 buildings in South Ossetia are currently under construction with the work due to be completed by the end of the year.
05 August 2009

The Russian ministry of Defense declared Saturday 01 August 2009, that Russia is ready to use the force to defend South Ossetia against the Georgian provocations, following shootings with the multiple rocket launcher on the side of Georgia against the Tskhinval capital and several South-Ossetia localities. The firing “causes a deep concern of the Russian ministry of Defense. In the event of more provocations which threaten the population of the republic of South-Ossetia and the Russian peace soldiers deployed in South-Ossetia, the ministry reserves the right to call upon all the means at its disposal to protect the citizens from South Ossetia and the Russian soldiers”, underlines the ministry in an official statement.
02 August 2009

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) announced today that it has received an additional $1.06 billion delivery order from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC). Oshkosh Defense will deliver 1,700 additional MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) to the U.S. Armed Forces by February 2010. The contract also includes aftermarket parts packages to be supplied by April 2010, along with field service support. The delivery order follows an initial $1.05 billion delivery order Oshkosh Defense received for 2,244 M-ATVs on June 30. Oshkosh Defense teamed with Plasan North America to provide an advanced armor solution for the M-ATV. Plasan also developed the armor system used on more than 5,000 legacy MRAPs and thousands of Oshkosh Armored Cab MTVRs already in theater.
02 August 2009

The deployment of a Russian military base in southern Kyrgyzstan has been coordinated with Kyrgyz authorities, an aide to the Russian president. The post-Soviet CSTO security bloc comprises Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Russia's security strategy until 2020, recently approved by President Dmitry Medvedev, envisions the CSTO as "a key mechanism to counter regional military challenges and threats." The leaders of the post-Soviet security bloc signed on June 14 an agreement on creating a joint rapid reaction force, which will comprise large military units from five countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Russia already operates an airbase in the city of Kant, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Some 250 Russian officers and 150 enlisted personnel from Russia's 5th Air Army are deployed at the base, as well as Su-25 Frogfoot strike aircraft and Mi-8 transport helicopters.
02 August 2009

During combat in the valley of Ghayne, in the East of Afghanistan, a French Soldier from the 3° RPIMa of Vannes was killed after firing exchange with the rebels. Two other French Soldiers was wounded, but their lives are not in danger. Herve Morin, Minister for Defense, express his sharper emotion, his sorrow and his recognition with regard to the soldier of the 3° RPIMa, which gave its life for peace in Afghanistan like to his two comrades wounded during a mission in support of the Afghan national army. The Minister for Defense joins closely the pain of his family and pays homage to courage and the professionalism with which this soldier of the row achieved his mission. The Minister for Defense renews all his confidence and his support for the French military forces currently committed on the Afghan theater.
01 August 2009

The Russian Minister for Defense Anatoli Serdioukov, in work visit in Azerbaïdjan, examined Saturday with President Ilham Aliev several topical questions relating to the co-operation of the two countries in the military sphere, announced a spokesman of the minister. “The promotion of this co-operation will constitute an important factor for the guarantee of peace and of stability in the area”, M. Serdioukov estimated quoted by the spokesman. Within the framework of his visit, the Russian minister also went to the radar of Gabala. The Gabala radar is one of the stations of pre-alarm created at the time of the USSR in order to detect launchings of ballistic missiles based on the ground and at sea, able to carry nuclear warheads, like carrying out an uninterrupted control of Space. Operational since 1985, the Gabala radar can control the situation in a range of 6.000 km. Its lifetime is completed in 2012. Since the end of the USSR in 1991, Moscow rents the radar to Bakou.
01 August 2009

Russian paratroopers will receive new weaponry and equipment in 2009 to increase their effectiveness in light of the recent conflict with Georgia, the Airborne Troops commander said on Wednesday. "At the end of August we will receive a battalion of 10 Nona self-propelled guns and two fire-control vehicles," Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov said. "We will also increase the number of wheeled armored vehicles in service with the Airborne Troops," he said, adding that the modernized or even new tracked vehicles, including the latest BMD-4 airborne infantry vehicle, demonstrated limited mobility in the five-day war with Georgia last year. The general said a wheeled armored personnel carrier can sustain substantial damage to its chassis and still continue to accomplish combat tasks, while a tracked vehicle losses the ability to maneuver if its tracks are damaged. "We are planning to modernize and procure the TIGR armored multipurpose vehicle for our reconnaissance units," Shamanov said. The commander also said that in line with current military reforms the Airborne Troops will have reconnaissance battalions armed with spy drones, and will soon adopt a tactical radio communications system with a range of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The Airborne Troops are considered the most capable mobile assault forces in Russia. Various estimates put the current personnel at about 48,000 troops deployed in four divisions and a brigade. According to Russia's military reform plans, the Airborne Troops will be fully manned by professional soldiers by 2011.
01 August 2009

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Bahrain of 25 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, parts and services at an estimated cost of $74 million. The Government of Bahrain has requested a possible sale of 25 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs, missile containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $74 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-air weapons. Bahrain will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Corporation, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
01 August 2009

FN Manufacturing, LLC, Columbia, S.C., was awarded on July 27, 2009 a $ 39,958,331 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons. Work is to be performed in Columbia, S.C., with an estimated completion date of July 24, 2014. One bid solicited with one bid received.
01 August 2009