October 2009 Worldwide news army military Defense industries industry exhibition equipment armoured

The Council of State invalidated this 29 October 2009 the licenses of weapons exports granted on June 8th by Walloon minister-president Rudy Demotte to the FN Herstal. A legal decision, which puts the executive PS-Ecologist-CDH and the FN Herstal in the embarrassment. The Council of State, chaired by Michel Leroy, returned this Thursday a suspension for the five licenses of weapons exports, who was concluded the June 8th, with the FN Herstal, and the minister-president of the Walloon region, Rudy Demotte. These licenses related to a delivery of weapons intended for the army and the Libyan police force for an entire amount of 11,516 million euros. A contract which is the starter of an order much larger: 111 million euros in five years. The company of FN Herstal represents a worldwide state-of-art for the production and manufacture of small weapons. During this crisis period, why associations like the human rights and the National coordination of action for peace can bring legal actions which could endanger the work of many employees of FN Herstal. This behavior is a hypocrisy compared to the many sale contracts of weapons in the world. If it is not the FN Herstal which obtains these contracts, Libya will be able very easily to address itself to other suppliers. It is not the first time that the FN Herstal is attacked about his defence activities. This contract represents an important financial resource for the FN Herstal, and these repetitive attacks against the FN Herstal could endanger the survival of the FN Herstal, and its credibility on a world level. Everyone knows that the sale of weapons and equipment soldier represents a great part of the worldwide economy.
30 October 2009

Pakistani soldiers fire mortars towards Taliban militants position at the Sherwangi Tor village in South Waziristan, October 29, 2009. Around 30,000 troops are taking part in the offensive against an estimated 10-12,000 militants in the semi-autonomous and lawless tribal belt. Relief workers say more than 200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. The military says 264 militants and 31 soldiers have been killed, but the information cannot be confirmed independently because the area is a closed combat zone. The army has said nothing about civilian casualties.
30 October 2009

Initial fielding of FNH USA's Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is expected to conclude in December and a larger follow-on order is anticipated in early 2010 to fully equip the majority of associated units within the group. A total of 1,200 Mk 16 and Mk 17 SCAR weapon systems have been delivered to SOCOM to date, but FNH USA told Jane's that it expected a larger order for around 20,000 weapons next year. The additional orders are expected to include approximately 15,000 5.56 mm Mk 16 SCAR-Light and 5,000 Mk 17 7.62 mm SCAR-Heavy weapons as well as a number of 40 mm Mk 13 Enhanced Grenade Launcher Modules.
29 October 2009

On 28 October 2009, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) handed over the first of 220 LEOPARD 1A5 main battle tanks to the Brazilian army at the company's site in Kassel, Germany. The tanks come from the reserve stocks of the German army and have been overhauled and modernised since the start of this year. Delivery of all the systems is scheduled by 2012. Brazil purchased the main battle tanks in the context of a government-to-government agreement with Germany. The Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement in its turn commissioned KMW at the end of December 2008 as the general contractor to overhaul the tanks and to develop and install specific Brazilian sub-systems. In addition the contract scope provides the South American country with training equipment, simulators, driver training vehicles and local technical support.
29 October 2009

Turks celebrate the 86th anniversary of the Turkish Republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who commanded the Turkish army during the 1919-1922 War of Independence that ended in Turkish victory. Turkish army tanks roll during the Republic Day celebrations in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009.
29 October 2009

Rheinmetall Defence and the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung – BWB) signed a service provider contract today to provide the German Bundeswehr with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the deployment of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system. This bridges the gap prior to the “SAATEG (System zur Abbildenden Aufklärung in der Tiefe des Einsatzgebietes)” acquisition programme. Under the current multimillion-euro contract, the Bundeswehr will lease the UAV system for one year with an option for a two year-extension. This SAATEG Interim Solution programme will significantly contribute to comprehensive situational awareness within the scope of networked command and control in Northern Afghanistan, a region for which Germany is responsible, by providing wide area real-time reconnaissance and surveillance data for German ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) troops. Flight operations will commence by mid March 2010. Compared to UAV systems currently in service with the Bundeswehr, the UAV system to be deployed is capable of covering a substantially larger footprint, while its high-performance sensors can provide reconnaissance data at even severe weather conditions. Rheinmetall Defence and its partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide IAI’s Heron MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV system, including full intheatre logistical and maintenance services performed by Rheinmetall Defence. Missions of the UAV-System will be performed and controlled by Bundeswehr personnel.
28 October 2009

In the aeronautical sector, Nexter Systems has just received an order from Eurocopter for 16
NC 621 pods to equip EC 635 helicopters.
The NC 621 pods may equip light planes as well as helicopters and is especially well suited for air-air and air-ground close range support fire, protection and self-defense missions. It remains the most powerful gun system, which may be integrated on a large variety of helicopters and planes.
In the naval sector, Nexter Systems has just received an order from the Lebanese Navy for 6 naval type 15A mounts to equip its patrol boats.
The ultra light 15A manual mount combines outstanding efficiency with exceptional integration qualities thanks to the 20 M 621 gun’s recoil stresses being lower than those of the 12.7 mm mounts and its light weight and reduced rotation radius. It is the ideal weapon for interception and self-defense missions, especially for small craft. Its very simple implementation also facilitates its use in operation and maintenance.
These latest orders obtained by Nexter Systems in the 20 mm weapon systems show the sharp interest for such systems which combine light weight, operational efficiency and exceptional integration qualities on a large range of carriers in the land, naval and aeronautical sectors.
28 October 2009

Russia will not provide ground-to-air missiles systems S-300 to Iran, indicated this 28 October 2009 the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergueï Ivanov at the conclusion of a meeting of the commission on the modernization of the Russian economy near the president of the country. A contract of delivery of Russian S-300 missiles in Teheran was signed in December 2005, but the forever officially announced beginning of its realization. Referring to the vice-president of the commission of the Iranian Parliament for the international policy and safety Ismail Koussari, official agency IRNA announced in December 2008 the sale by Russia of “components for the systems of missiles DCA S-300”. Later, the Russian Federal service for technical collaboration and soldier with the foreigner officially declared that the information according to which Russia would have approached the fulfilment of a contract of delivery of S-300 missiles in Teheran did not correspond to reality. The possible delivery of S-300 missiles in Teheran causes the preoccupation of the Occident and Israel. Pleading that the deployment of S-300 in Iran could put in danger the safety of the American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Washington is highly opposite there. Before, Russia had sold in Iran ground-to-air systems Tor-M1, which makes it possible to protect the military sites and civilians against attacks of cruise missiles, bombs, planes, helicopters, unmanned aircraft and attacks weapons. Tor-M1 is operational under all the climatic conditions.
28 October 2009

Russia supplies weaponry and equipment for police and special purpose military units in several NATO countries, state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday. "Our main customers are ex-Soviet states, the Middle East, Latin American and African countries, but we also deliver special purpose weaponry and equipment to several NATO countries," said Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov, an advisor to Rosoboronexport general director. More than 300 Russian companies, including 23 defense firms, are participating in the Interpolitex 2009 International Exhibition of State Security Technology in Moscow October 27-30. According to Ovchinnikov, foreign clients are mostly interested in weaponry for anti-terrorism police task forces, optical and infrared equipment, means of individual protection and non-lethal weapons. The official said that at least four foreign delegations at the show have expressed interest in purchasing several types of Russian-made equipment. "The negotiations have entered an active phase and this work will continue after the show," Ovchinnikov said. Delegations from Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Canada, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and Ukraine are participating in Interpolitex 2009.
28 October 2009

French defense procurement agency DGA has chosen Sagem (Safran group) as prime contractor for the Phoenix 2010 program, involving technical and operational tests to improve the efficiency of the French army`s future combat systems. The contract is worth over 10 million Euros and is being conducted with the Land & Joint Systems division of Thales as co-contractor. Phoenix 2010 is a follow-on to the Phoenix 2007 and 2008 programs, for which Sagem was already the industrial coordinator. The Phoenix 2010 program will kick off in the second half of 2010. Running for a period of 18 months, it will organize and carry out field demonstrations in specific areas, using hardware and software from Sagem and its partners, optimized for these trials. The tests themselves will be prepared and performed in conjunction with the DGA and the French army. These tests aim to demonstrate new capabilities in close combat: tracking friend/foe positions, the robustness of tactical communications, continuity between mounted and dismounted phases, surveillance and air-land support. Phoenix 2010 is designed to support the transformation of the French army to integrate network-centered operations, and the development of the associated technologies. Covering the regiment, company and platoon levels (joint services tactical group and subgroup / GTIA and SGTIA, in the French army), Phoenix 2010 will contribute to preparations for “Operation Scorpion”, a comprehensive initiative to support the army’s transformation. The results generated by Phoenix 2010 could also lead to the acquisition of new equipment for integration in the army’s combat platforms to enhance their operational capabilities.
27 October 2009

During his visit in Belarus, the Indian Minister for Defense Pallam Raju will evoke the deliveries of weapons, the modernization of the weaponry and the joint developments military, indicates an official statement of the Indian ministry of Defense. During negotiations which will proceed from October 24th to 28th, it will be a question of equipping the armoured vehicle personnel carrier BMP-2 and the tanks T-72 and T-90 used by the Indian army of firing and command optico-electronics systems, onboard computers and other equipment. The representatives of the Indian public company Bharat Dynamics Limited will meet moreover their colleagues of the Belarus’ research center and production of Tétraèdre to discuss about the modernization of the anti-aircraft missiles (code NATO Dared-AK: SA-8 Gecko) in service in the Indian air force. The development of armaments holds a particular place in the co-operation between the two countries. At the end of 2008, the DRDO and the national Academy of sciences of Belarus were appropriate to establish in Minsk a joint research centre and developments. Under the terms of a protocol signed last December, the Belarus’ part begins to provide a ground to Minsk, and the Indian part to finance the construction of the centre.
23 October 2009

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced plans to procure Iveco LMV light armoured 4x4 vehicles jointly with Slovakia under the auspices of a joint EU battle group comprising military personnel from both countries. Current plans call for the Czech MoD procuring 90 vehicles for the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) in two stages with deliveries of 60 vehicles in the first stage in the near future, with the remaining 30 units following in stage two.
23 October 2009

Russia search to sign an intergovernmental agreement for the protection of the intellectual property on the assault rifle of Kalachnikov, announced Thursday Anatoli Issaïkine, director of the Russian agency of export of weapons “Rosoboronexport”. “We obtained a Chinese national patent on Kalachnikov rifles. The documents were given to the Russian Federal service for the military cooperation and technique which will work out a suitable intergovernmental agreement”, indicated the director to the journalists at Klimovsk, in the area of Moscow.
22 October 2009

A military delegation from Iraq will visit Moscow in the near future to discuss the purchase of Russian weaponry, an Iraqi parliament member has said. According to the Iraqi MP, Baghdad is seeking to sign arms contracts with Russia, Germany, France, Serbia and the United States by the end of 2011 "to complete the creation of Iraqi Armed Forces and security forces." Al-Bayati said the Iraqi leadership is interested in the diversification of arms suppliers, but takes into consideration the fact that "the military experience of the Iraqi army is based primarily on the Russian weaponry." The Soviet Union had been the main supplier of military equipment to Iraq before an international embargo against the country was imposed in 1990 following the Iraqi attack on Kuwait. After the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003, the Iraqi Armed Forces had to be recreated almost from scratch, and they are still not sufficiently equipped with modern weaponry, especially aircraft.
18 October 2009

The French Army’s Caesar truck-mounted 155mm gun has a 52-calibre barrel, and has been fired in combat in Afghanistan at ranges of over 29 kilometers. (French MoD photo)The French Army’s CAESAR (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) truck-mounted self-propelled artillery gun has fired its 52 caliber gun for the first time in combat. Indeed, after initial fire-support firings from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) where they are deployed, and from where they can target the entire zone where French troops operate, a long-range shot was attempted on Sept. 29 by the fire-support element of GTIA (Groupement Tactique Inter-Armes, combined tactical group) Kapisa, consisting of the 2nd battery of the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment. At a range of more than 29 kilometers, this firing supported the withdrawal of the 2nd Company of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment (3ème RIMA) as part of Operation "Camel Trophy," an offensive reconnaissance operation along Main Supply Road Vermont, between FOB Tagab and Lake Naghlu. At this range, duration of the shell’s flight was 57 seconds at a velocity of 954 meters per second. In total, 12 rounds of 155mm caliber were fired with high accuracy. Having arrived in theater on Saturday, August 1, the first four guns belonging to the 11th RAMA were deployed in Kapisa on Friday, August 14. They are operated by gunners of the 11th RAMa, which also currently operate 120mm mortars. The initial feedback allowed the evaluation of the complementarity of the Caesar and the 120 RTF1 mortar, and their operational constraints. On balance, both weapons were found to have a role to play in indirect fire support of counter-insurgency missions like those in Afghanistan.
15 October 2009

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport expressed the hope on Wednesday that it could initiate military-technological cooperation with the sultanate of Brunei. The sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, arrived on an official visit to Russia on Monday and met with Rosoboronexport officials for discussions on the possibility of future arms purchases from Moscow. The sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, was given a multimedia presentation of Russian-made air defense systems and was shown a Ka-52 attack helicopter in action. He also visited a training center for special forces units, and watched a demonstration of spetsnaz tactics. Rosoboronexport has not yet received any orders for the delivery of military equipment to Brunei, a former British colony in southeast Asia, although the Russian company exhibited a variety of military export items during a special presentation in Brunei in 2005. Brunei has a limited military contingent, comprising ground forces, air force and navy, to counter aggression, terrorism and insurgency. The most combat capable force is the Gurkha Reserve Unit, which serves to protect the sultan, the royal family, and oil installations. The Royal Brunei Armed Forces use a wide range of foreign equipment, mostly from Britain, France and the United States.
15 October 2009

The Hungarian Army has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to supply it with tactical command and control systems. The company has signed a five year framework contract with the procurement agency of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence. Rheinmetall has supplied comparable systems to the armies of Greece, Sweden and Spain, where they have proved highly effective. Iniochos is a family of tactical command and control systems designed for use at various echelons and in various platforms – e.g. tactical operations centres, vehicles and at individual soldier level. The first phase of the framework contract envisages equipping an entire battalion with Iniochos application software. It also entails adapting existing radio equipment to create a communications network and supplying a tool for producing cartographic data. For training purposes, systems will be supplied to two bases, and instruction provided to administrators, trainers and troops. Under the framework contract, additional equipment and services can be purchased until every unit in the Hungarian Army is equipped with the new technology. Rheinmetall Defence supplies a wide array of defence electronics systems and software. The company’s Defence Electronics division plans, develops and produces products and system solutions in close cooperation with military customers around the globe.
14 October 2009

Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, has submitted its MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) and SandCat vehicle as part of two proposals with Plasan SASA, Ltd., and JLG Australia for the Australian Department of Defence’s (DoD) Land 121 “Overlander” Phase 4. The Land 121 program’s Phase 4 involves the procurement of 1,300 Protected Mobility Vehicles-Light (PMV-L). The M-ATV, which Oshkosh Defense produces for the U.S. Armed Forces, is a well-protected and highly mobile combat vehicle. Using the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system provides a 70 percent off-road mission profile capability on unimproved roads and rugged off-road terrain. The SandCat is a lightweight and versatile protected vehicle that features a durable modular armor system, which can be configured to meet a mission’s threat level and payload requirements. Oshkosh submitted the SandCat’s Transport variant for the program.
12 October 2009

The equipment of the Russian troops of strategic missiles (RVSN) will be upgraded with new missiles RS-24, and will start as of next December, announced Monday to the journalists the general Andreï Chvaïtchenko, ordering RVSN. “These new strategic missiles with multiple heads will equip before all the regiments with missiles equipped with motorized launching pads to replace the Topol-M missiles, as the latter are withdrawn from the service”, the general specified.
12 October 2009

The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $647 million contract for 352 Stryker vehicles. Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Lima, Ohio; and London, Ontario, Canada. Vehicle deliveries will begin in July 2010. This award continues vehicle production under the Stryker program, which was initially awarded to a General Dynamics team in 2000. To date, General Dynamics has delivered 2,988 vehicles and trained 18,438 soldiers in their operation.
10 October 2009

Azerbaijan is producing a new version of its first small arm, Istiglal sniper rifle. It will be different from the old version IST-14.5 for its caliber and weight. The new rifle will be chambered for 12.7 mm caliber and weight 15 kg, but it will have same specifications as the old version. The new rifles will be produced for the Azerbaijan Armed Forces and will be offered for export as well. 14.5-mm IST-14.5 Anti-Material Rifle “Istiglal” produced by the Azerbaijan Defense Industry Ministry was exhibited for the first time in IDEF 2009 exhibition in April in Istanbul, Turkey. 20-kg rifle is used on vehicle. The 3000-meter range point shooting rifle could be used in temperature -50 and +50 C. It is firm to rainfall, mud, snow and dust. It could be divided into two parts and carried in the bag.
10 October 2009

Following China's National Day parade on 1 October, when the PLA displayed a range of advanced new weapon systems, military sources revealed that the Chinese army would shed up to 700,000 troops within the next two to three years, according to news agency Reuters. China's armed forces consist of 2.185 million personnel, with the army accounting for 1.6 million of these. It also has a further 1.5 million reserve and paramilitary forces. The PLA has already experienced substantial cuts in recent decades, having reduced its head count by one million in 1985, by 500,000 in 1997 and by 200,000 in 2003.
09 October 2009

President Dmitri Medvedev approved the new uniform of Russian manufacture for the Fast Reaction Force (KSOR) of the Organization of the Treaty of collective security (OTSC), which starts mid-October an active phase of exercises in Kazakhstan. According to Colonel Sergueï Tchesnokov, the new uniform will be manufactured in Saint-Petersburg and provided to the collective Force with the expenses of Russia. Each batch is composed of six components: underclothing which remain always dry thanks to the use of modern materials, heating underclothing, insulating combination, jackets and pants of summer, mid-season and winter. The version winter was manufactured by using a synthetic insulator of last generation.
08 October 2009

The Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) officially took delivery of its first General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Steyr-SSF Pandur II 8x8 armoured vehicles on 30 September at the VOP-025 Novy Jicin military repair depot facility. Senior representatives from GDELS, the Czech Army , the Czech government and the Czech defence industry gathered at an official handover ceremony at VOP-025, where the first 17 Pandur IIs, configured as infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variants, were delivered for operational service. Gen Picek said the ACR had an urgent requirement for the vehicles and the first operational theatre where the vehicles will be deployed will be Afghanistan, where the ACR heads a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Loghar Province. The ACR will take delivery of 107 vehicles in total valued at CZK14.4 billion (USD8.2 million).
05 October 2009

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has begun deploying mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) all-terrain vehicles (M-ATVs) to Afghanistan and now expects to order more systems beyond its recent 5,244 requirement. These armoured trucks are urgently needed to provide troops in Afghanistan with the same blast protection as heavier MRAPs but with increased mobility to handle the difficult terrain there. This first deployment comes only three months after Oshkosh Defense announced it had won the highly coveted M-ATV production contract, which was expected to send at least 5,244 of the vehicles to theatre.
02 October 2009

The Thales Australia team has unveiled the design of its groundbreaking next generation Protected Mobility Vehicle for the Australian Army - the Hawkei. The Hawkei was developed to compete for the replacement of the Australian Army’s thin-skinned Land Rover utility vehicles. The Hawkei has been developed by Thales in Bendigo, Victoria - home of the Bushmaster. Drawing on both international and local expertise provided by Plasan, Boeing, PAC Group and numerous Australian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), the vehicle's design incorporates world-leading innovative technologies.
01 October 2009

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for an improved version of its go-anywhere BvS10 Viking armoured vehicle. The company will deliver 24 of the vehicles, known as the BvS10 Viking Mark II, to the MoD in early 2010 so that they can be deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2010. The contract, worth up to £24m, includes fitting a range of urgent operational requirement modifications for service in Afghanistan. Twenty-two of the vehicles will be the troop-carrying variant and two will be in command vehicle configuration. Lessons learned from operations in Afghanistan have resulted in several improvements including levels of protection, a larger and more powerful engine, and a bigger alternator which gives more electrical power. The steering unit has also been improved along with uprated suspension and brakes. The Mk II still retains the same load-carrying capacity as the original vehicle. The modifications are based on experience gained from more than 25 years of articulated vehicle design and production in Ornskoldsvik. The UK MoD has already bought 166 Vikings. Approximately 50 vehicles have been used in Afghanistan by the Royal Marines and other units, where their flexibility and mobility are much appreciated. The BvS10 MkII is also a prime contender for the French VHM requirement for 129 vehicles. A contract in France is expected to be announced at the end of the year.
01 October 2009