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Russia Back Menu
Russia may unveil new super main battle tank T-95 in summer 2010 Russia's new main battle tank (MBT), the T-95, could be exhibited for the first time at an arms show in the Urals Region this summer, the developer and future manufacturer of the tank has said. The development of the new tank dubbed "Item 195" began at the Uralvagonzavod design bureau in the early 1990s. Russia will become the first country in the world to have the 5th-generartion MBT if the military commissions the vehicle. "The work on the project has been conducted for many years. If the government gives us a 'green light' we will exhibit the tank at the [Russian Expo Arms 2010] arms show in Nizhny Tagil this summer," general director of the Uralvagonzavod plant Oleg Siyenko told RIA Novosti in an exclusive interview. "I cannot disclose the characteristics of the tank, but I can assure you that we have met all the requirements put forward by the military," he said. According to unofficial sources, the T-95 will feature better firepower, maneuverability, electronics and armor protection than Russia's latest T-90 MBT or comparable foreign models. It will weigh about 55 tons and its speed will increase from 30-50 kph to 50-65 kph (19-31 mph to 31-40 mph). The new tank may be equipped with a 152-mm smoothbore gun capable of firing guided missiles with a range of 6,000-7,000 meters. In contrast to existing designs, the gun will be located in a remotely-controlled turret to improve 3-men crew survivability. Meanwhile, the T-90 MBT, developed in the 1990s on the basis of the T-72B tank, will be the backbone of the armored units until 2025, according to the Russian military. Russia currently produces up to 100 T-90 MBTs annually and plans to have at least 1,500 vehicles in service with the Ground Forces.
26 March 2010 | | | |
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Sweden (BAE Systems) Back Menu
BAE Systems has been awarded a £135 million ($200m) contract to commence series production of 48 Archer 155mm self-propelled artillery gun systems. BAE Systems has been awarded a £135 million ($200m) contract to commence series production of 48 Archer 155mm self-propelled artillery gun systems and their associated ammunition handling systems for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces. The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011 and production will continue over the following two years. This production contract follows a £100m ($146m) development programme which began in 2003. Mike Smith, managing director of BAE Systems, Global Combat Systems Weapons said: “Archer is an important programme for the armed forces of both countries and for BAE Systems’ land business, as it is in a core area for us and will provide a springboard for future exports. We appreciate the effort and cooperation that the FMV and FLO – the national procurement agencies - have invested in ensuring the procurement of the most advanced and capable artillery system for the Swedish and Norwegian armies.”
26 March 2010 | | | |
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Brazil Back Menu
Russia delivers first 3 attack helicopter gunships Mi-35M Hind E to Brazil. Russia has delivered the first batch of Mi-35M Hind E attack helicopters to Brazil, a Russian state arms exporter said on Thursday. Rosoboronexport spokesman Sergei Svechnikov said a total of 12 helicopters are to be delivered under a 2008 contract, worth $150 million. The Mi-35M is an export version of the Mi-24 Hind that was used extensively in Afghanistan. The Mi-24/35 is unique among dedicated attack helicopters insofar as it can carry a load of troops, in addition to performing its offensive role. The Sao Paulo-based newspaper Valor Economico previously reported that the Mi-35s would be used in the Amazon region, in conjunction with Brazil's Embraer land and ground surveillance jets. The Amazon region borders both Venezuela and Colombia, and is a prime location for trans-national narco-terrorists and drug traffickers.
25 March 2010 | | | |
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| Russia Back Menu
Russian airborne military exercises with drop of new 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled anti-tank gun. Over 300 paratroopers from the 76th Airborne Division will be airdropped during military exercises in northwest Russia on Thursday, Airborne Troops spokesman Col. Alexander Cherednik said. "We plan to airdrop about 300 servicemen and 12 airborne combat vehicles, three of them will be dropped with the crew. In addition, for the first time we will drop the newest Sprut self-propelled anti-tank gun," he said. Exercises will also involve live firing. They will be held under the command of the Airborne Troops chief, Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov. 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.
25 March 2010 | | | |
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India Back Menu
Indian Army has dispatched a global request for 12.7 mm machine gun. The Indian Army has dispatched a global request for information (RfI) for the import of 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (HMGs) capable of firing varied ordnance to a range of 2000 m as part of its Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS) programme, which is currently under development. The 19 March RfI issued by the Directorate General of Weapons and Equipment requires vendors to submit their proposals within four weeks. The HMGs should be capable of firing 450 rpm and should be deployable on light strike vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles, as well as on the ground with a three-man crew. According to army specifications the 1.6 m-long HMGs should weigh no more than 40 kg, including the mount/tripod.
24 March 2010 | | | |
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United States (General Dynamics) Back Menu
General Dynamics has been awarded $37 million for Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support. General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded $37 million for Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support (STS) by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command of Warren, Mich. The award will fund engineering studies on Abrams main battle tanks to identify improvements and replace obsolete parts to maintain the tanks at high operational readiness rates. The work will be performed by existing General Dynamics Land Systems personnel in Sterling Heights, Mich. It is expected to be completed by Dec. 19, 2011.
23 March 2010 | | | |
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France Back Menu
DGA Delivers 3 New-Generation UAVs SDTI to the French Army. The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has just delivered the last of three new-generation SDTI (interim tactical UAV system) aerial vehicles, ordered in August 2009 from Sagem (SAFRAN Group) under the economic recovery plan. This acquisition, worth 5 million euros, also includes an initial support package (spares and technical documentation). An unmanned aircraft weighing 350 kg, the SDTI does not need a runway to take off and land: it is launched from a trailer-mounted catapult, and is retrieved after a parachute descent, once the mission has been completed. The SDTI can operate for several hours at a distance of about a hundred miles from its deployment site while sending, in real time, images and information collected by its optical (day) and infrared (night) cameras to its ground control station or to terminals operated by the ground troops, The three new aircraft that have been supplied are fitted with lightweight wings to increase their range and loiter times, especially in “hot and high” conditions. Operated by the 61st Field Artillery Regiment, based at Chaumont since 2004, the SDTI is used for missions of intelligence gathering, target acquisition and force protection. Used in Kosovo from December 2007 to August 2008, the SDTI has been deployed in the Afghan theater since October 2008. It has flown over 260 missions from the forward operating base in Tora Surobi.
23 March 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russian military gets ready for large-scale drills in Far East. The commander of the Russian Ground Forces has arrived in Russia's Far East to inspect the preparation for upcoming strategic military exercises in the region. The Russian Armed Forces will conduct large-scale Vostok-2010 military exercises in Siberia and the country's Far East in June-July. "Col. Gen. Alexander Postnikov will focus on practical details of the exercises while visiting the locations where the drills will take place," the Ground Forces press service said in a statement. The upcoming drills will involve units from the Far Eastern, the Siberian and the Volga-Urals military districts, as well as the Pacific Fleet. As part of the drills, the Armed Forces will practice the deployment of additional troops in Siberia and the Far East to strengthen the existing military contingent in the region in case of a potential military conflict. Russia holds Vostok strategic command-and-staff exercises every two years. More than 8,000 troops took part in Vostok-2008. The Russian military conducted the Caucasus 2009, Zapad 2009 and Ladoga 2009 strategic exercises, and 15 brigade-level and 161 battalion-level drills last year.
22 March 2010 | | | |
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Vietnam Back Menu
Vietnam hails military cooperation with Russia. The Vietnamese defense minister said on Tuesday that the current visit of his Russian counterpart to Vietnam would strengthen bilateral military ties, which have seen a significant improvement in the last few years. Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov arrived on Monday in Hanoi to meet with the Vietnamese leadership and discuss the prospects of military cooperation between the two countries. "I am certain that these meetings will give a new boost to our bilateral ties in the defense sphere," Gen. Phung Quang Thanh said during talks with Serdyukov. In response, the Russian minister said that Russia considered Vietnam its strategic partner and welcomed the steady development of friendly relations with the south-east Asian state. Russia and Vietnam have cooperated in the military sphere since 1953. In 1998, Moscow and Hanoi signed an intergovernmental agreement on military cooperation, and a relevant Russian-Vietnamese intergovernmental commission was established in 1999. In October 2008, during the Vietnamese president's visit to Moscow, Russia and Vietnam set up a strategy of military and technical cooperation until 2020 by signing an inter-governmental memorandum. Vietnam is gradually turning into the major buyer of Russian armaments after India, with several contracts worth billions of U.S. dollars signed recently. The country became Russia's biggest arms client in 2009, having ordered six Kilo-class Project 636 diesel-electric submarines worth $4 billion and eight Su-30MK2 Flanker-C multirole fighters worth $400 million. The contracts signed since the start of 2010 are estimated at $1 billion, including the order of 12 additional 12 Su-30MK2 fighters.
23 March 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russian Armed Force receive the first 10 new air-defense systems Pantsir S1 (SA-22 Greyhound). The first 10 Pantsir S1 (SA-22 Greyhound) antiaircraft surface-to-air missile systems entered service with the Russian Air Force, a Defense Ministry spokesman said on 18 March 2010. Pantsir-S1 is a short-to-medium range combined surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery system manufactured by the Tula-based Instrument Making Design Bureau (KPB). Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said the new system will enhance the effectiveness, stability and survivability of national air defenses.
23 March 2010 | | | |
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United Kingdom Back Menu
The British Ministry of Defence has selected General Dynamics UK as the preferred bidder for the demonstration phase of the new SV programme. A contract which will lead to the delivery of a new fleet of medium weight armoured fighting vehicles has been announced by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth today, Monday 22 March 2010. The first tranche of the Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme should deliver around 600 vehicles to the front line, with the possibility of further purchases in the future. The Ministry of Defence has selected General Dynamics UK as the preferred bidder for the demonstration phase of the new SV programme. This will include development of Scout, the principal reconnaissance vehicle that will replace the Scimitar vehicle currently deployed in Afghanistan. The Specialist Vehicle fleet will provide improved protection against a wide range of threats and bring significant benefits to the Army, including greater firepower, longer range sensors and sighting systems and a higher level of reliability. Under the proposed solution, around 70 per cent of the work on the vehicles would take place in the UK, which would ensure the creation or sustainment of over 10,000 British jobs within the armoured vehicle sector. The announcement of the first of the Specialist Vehicles comes after the commitment to order an initial batch of 200 new Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) for Afghanistan. The LPPVs being assessed by the MOD are at the cutting-edge of technology, providing the right balance between protection, weight and manoeuvrability required by our Armed Forces on operations in Afghanistan.
22 March 2010 | | | |
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Israel Back Menu
Israel Defence Force IDF will establish a fourth combat engineering battalion. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) Army Headquarters will establish a fourth combat engineering battalion and expand its explosive ordnance disposal capabilities to guard against future conflicts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. The Combat Engineering Corps played a critical role in Israel's December 2008-January 2009 operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is credited with saving the lives of countless Israeli soldiers by uncovering and defusing Hamas improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as well as booby-trapped tunnels. The corps will also upgrade its main heavy armoured personnel carrier (APC), the Puma, which is based on a turretless Centurion chassis.
21 March 2010 | | | |
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Chechnya Back Menu
Six terrorists killed from Al-Qaida connection by the Chechens Police. Thursday, 18 March 2010, the Chechens police force killed six terrorists among whom an Al-Qaïda representative during a police operation announced the Chechen Minister of Interior Rouslan Alkhanov. Vidéo Ria Novista available to World Defense News Television of Army Recognition magazine.
20 March 2010 | | | |
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Israel Back Menu
Airstrikes from the Israeli Army to the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes bombed at least four targets in the Gaza Strip during the night in response to a rocket attack from the Palestinian enclave which killed a foreign worker on a kibbutz in Israel. There were no immediate reports of any injuries as a result of the retaliatory air strikes which hit a tunnel used for smuggling on the Egyptian border, two open areas in Khan Younis and a metal foundry near Gaza City. It was the strong reprisal action Israel had promised after a group linked to al-Qaeda, Ansar al Sunna, admitted carrying out the rocket attack on the kibbutz, just north of the Strip.
19 March 2010 | | | |
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United States (Oshkosh) Back Menu
Oshkosh Defense has received a delivery order for 40 next-generation Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks HEMTT for the United Arab Emirates. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, has received a delivery order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply more than 40 next-generation Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks HEMTT to the United Arab Emirates. The delivery order, valued at $11.9 million, is part of the UAE's Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 missile systems purchase approved by the U.S. Congress. The HEMTT variants included in this contract are the Patriot tractor, wrecker and guided missile transporter. The vehicles will be built and delivered July through September 2011. The order was issued under the Army's Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) III contract.
18 March 2010 | | | |
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Democratic Republic of Congo Back Menu
Ukraine is going to supply the Democratic Republic of Congo with 20 T-72 assault tank, weapons and other military equipment. Ukraine is going to supply the Democratic Republic of Congo with 20 T72 assault tanks, 100 lorries and thousands of arms and ammunitions, according to a document sent to the United Nations. Apart from the battle tanks and transport trucks, the DR Congo will receive 10,000 rounds of ammunition for the tanks, 60 anti-aircraft guns, 10,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles and several hundred thousand rounds of ammunition of various types, said the document seen by AFP on Tuesday. The document, dated January 20, was delivered to the UN Security Council by the Ukrainian permanent mission to the UN in line with a practice that all supplies of weaponry to the DR Congo should be notified to the United Nations, which has a large peacekeeping mission in the country. According to the document, the weapons were due to arrive at the DR Congo's sole Atlantic port of Matadi on March 6.
17 March 2010 | | | |
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United Kingdom (BAE Systems ) Back Menu
BAE Systems Engineers Deliver on FRES Demonstrator Contract for British Ministry of Defense. The BAE Systems FRES Scout contender and common base platform has completed mobility performance trials which verify it meets demanding UK Ministry of Defence growth targets for its top-priority FRES SV programme. BAE Systems engineers completed initial proving tests at the vehicle's planned 40.4 Tonnes gross vehicle weight. It was put through a series of trials which proved that its drive train, brakes and suspension components operate as predicted, verifying the inherent growth potential of the CV90 platform. The demonstrator will go on to complete endurance trials during March of this year as required by the UK MoD FRES risk mitigation contract. The trials have shown that the BAE Systems FRES Scout contender can successfully operate with well over 15 tonnes of add-on protection. "These trials, in common with every other aspect of our bid, were designed to provide hard evidence to show that we can meet MoD requirements within the timescale our soldiers deserve," said Chief Engineer Malcolm Robinson. "All along we have taken a rigorous test-based approach with sound engineering to back up our claims, including investing five years and £50m in world-beating turret technology for FRES Scout and the related Warrior upgrade programme to deliver the best solutions for the British Army."
17 March 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
Iran Stresses Continued Progress in Defense Fields. Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi reiterated on Wednesday that the country is determined to continue its eye-catching progress in different fields of defense in the coming Iranian year (beginning on March 21). Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes. Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country. Iran has attained rapid growth of technology in building missiles in recent years and has, thus, been conducting frequent exercises to test-fire its latest products in the field. In a recent case, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Air Force staged two days of missile wargames in September during which different types of ground-to-ground, mid- and long-range missiles, including hi-tech long-range Sejjil missiles, optimized long range Shahab-3 missiles, were tested successfully. The liquid-fuel Shahab class missiles include a wide range of missiles, including the well-known Shahab-3 which has a range of up to 1,250 miles (2000 kilometers) and is capable of carrying a 760-1,000 kilogram warhead. The optimized Shahab-3 is more precise than the previous models and Iran has promoted its navigation systems. Iran also successfully tested the second generation of Sejjil missile and brought it into mass production in 2009. The solid-fuel, two-stage Sejjil missile with two engines, is capable of reaching a very high altitude and therefore has a longer range than that of the Shahab 3 model. Also, the Iranian defense ministry in February inaugurated production lines of a new anti-armor missile, 'Toufan 5' (Hurricane), and an anti-chopper missile, 'Qaem', both with high penetration and destruction powers.
17 March 2010 | | | |
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Austria (IVECO) Back Menu
The first two LMV Iveco Light Multirole Vehicles for the Austrian Army were presented at the Military Arsenal in Vienna. The first two Light Multirole Vehicles for the Austrian Army were presented at the Military Arsenal in Vienna, Austria, with the Minister of Defence, Norbert Darabos, being present. On December 29th, 2008 the Ministry of Defence had signed a contract (value €104 million) for 150 Light Multirole Vehicles (LMV) in 7 different configurations and related logistics support. The first vehicles are scheduled to be delivered in late 2010. The Light Multirole Vehicles will be used by the Austrian Army for reconnaissance, observation, command and control as well as for military police tasks, for instance.
16 March 2010 | | |
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Germany (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) Back Menu
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) handed over the first series-production vehicle of the Joint Fire Support Team (JFST) FENNEK for the German Army. Munich, March 15, 2010 - Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) handed over the first series-production vehicle of the Joint Fire Support Team (JFST) FENNEK to the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) and the Armed Forces at the artillery school in Idar-Oberstein on Thursday, March 11, 2010. The vehicles feature special equipment for Joint Fire Support (JFS) tasks and will see deployment to Afghanistan as early as in April 2010. More than one hundred guests attended the ceremony at which KMW Member of the Board Jürgen Weber handed over the new JFST FENNEK to BWB's vice president Reinhard Schütte as well as to the Commander of the Artillery School, Brig. Gen. Heribert Hupka. Based on the highly mobile FENNEK all-terrain vehicle, the JFST coordinates indirect fire of land assets as well as airborne and shipboard weapons systems, thus increasing their effectiveness. Two different vehicle configurations work together to provide this vital support: The "ground-ground" configuration as an Artillery Observer and the "air-ground" configuration as a Forward Air Controller. The JFST provides the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) with significantly improved capabilities for the reconnaissance, detection, identification and evaluation of enemy targets. Furthermore, the vehicles are characterized by their additional communication links to other Army, Air Force and Navy platforms.
16 March 2010 | | | |
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Israel (Elbit Systems) Back Menu
Elbit Systems awarded $298 million contract for the supply of Command, Control and Communication system for the Australian Defence Forces. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) announced this 15 March 2010 that it was awarded a contract from the Department of Defence of the Commonwealth of Australia in the amount of approximately $298 million U.S. dollars (approximately $ 331 million Australian dollars) for the supply, integration, installation and support of a Battle Group and Below Command, Control and Communications (BGC3) system for the Australian Army’s Land 75/125 program. The BGC3 comprises a Battle Management System (BMS) for soldiers, Vehicle Mounted Commanders and Headquarters/Command Post Staff. This project, to be performed over the next three years, will enable the Australian Army to achieve a major portion of its defence network centric warfare milestone of a networked brigade with cutting edge technology in battle management and communications systems. The capability will increase the commander’s battlespace awareness, automate combat messaging and assist in the execution of operations. Importantly, this capability will significantly reduce the risk of casualties resulting from friendly fire. This high priority acquisition will assure improved protection and coordination for Australian Defence Forces personnel, allowing missions to be carried out more efficiently, safely and effectively.
15 March 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russian government approves draft deal on joint military base in South Ossetia. The Russian government has approved a draft agreement on a joint military base in the former Georgian republic of South Ossetia, the Russian Cabinet published on its website on Friday. The draft agreement will now be sent to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to sign. According to the website, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed the draft agreement on March 9. A similar draft agreement was signed with another former Georgian republic, Abkhazia, on February 17 in the Kremlin when Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh was in Moscow. The document would allow Russia's Armed Forces to use a base "together with the Abkhaz Armed Forces to protect the sovereignty and security of the republic, including against international terrorist groups." The agreement is for a 49-year term and can automatically be prolonged at 15-year intervals. Russia and Georgia fought a five-day war in early August 2008 over Georgia's two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia recognized the two republics' independence shortly after ceasefire. (Press Agency Ria Novosti)
12 March 2010 | | | |
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Canada Back Menu
Canadian army will deploy new upgraded Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) in Afghanistan. Canada is to field its upgraded Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) in Afghanistan later this year, according to military officials. Lt Col Alan Bolster, Director Land Requirements 3, Armoured Fighting Vehicle Systems, revealed the information during a briefing at the IQPC International Armoured Vehicles conference held in London in February. Canada has leased 20 Leopard 2A6M MBTs from the German Army, of which 19 were deployed to Afghanistan and one retained by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in Germany as a reference model. Enhancements to the Canadian Leopard 2s include external heat shields; bar armour for increased protection against RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs); crew-cooling vests; electronic cooling; an enhanced chiller unit; and Canadian-specific communications equipment. The tanks were already fitted with a mine protection kit (MPK) and have also been equipped with electronic systems to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
11 March 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia's Strategic Missile Forces conduct large-scale drills. More than 2,000 servicemen from Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) are taking part in large-scale command-and-staff exercises that started on Wednesday, a military spokesman said. "The SMF are conducting command-and-staff drills on March 10-12 in line with the annual training program," Col. Vadim Koval said. According to the official, the SMF will practice operations control in scenarios involving conventional and nuclear warfare under guidelines outlined by Russia's new military doctrine. "A total of more than 2,000 servicemen and 150 theater- and tactical-level command-and-control centers take part in the drills," Koval said. Russia plans to complete the modernization of the SMF's command-and-control systems by 2016 in order to improve their ability to overcome missile defenses and increase the survivability of delivery vehicles. The SMF conducted a total of 11 large-scale exercises and two test launches of strategic missiles in 2009. The Strategic Missile Forces reportedly have a total of 538 ICBMs, including 306 SS-25 Sickle missiles, 88 SS-18 Satan and 56 SS-27 Topol-M missiles.
10 March 2010 | | | |
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France (Panhard) Back Menu
Panhard has delivered 80 TC54 trucks and six PVP wheeled armoured vehicles to Togo's Armed Forces. Panhard has delivered 80 TC54 trucks and six PVP wheeled armoured vehicles to Togo's Armed Forces. These vehicles will mainly be used to facilitate the deployment of Togolese units engaged in the MINURCAT mission in eastern Chad. Togo had already acquired 30 TC54 trucks at the end of 2008 for the purposes of that mission. The PVPs have been painted white, in the United Nations colours.
10 March 2010 | | | |
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United States (Oshkosh) Back Menu
Oshkosh Defense Awarded $29 Million Contract to Supply Egypt With Next-Generation HEMTT A4 Trucks. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has received a contract modification valued at $29 million from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) to supply more than 75 next-generation Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks to branches of the Egyptian armed forces. This is the first order for the HEMTT A4 in Egypt and it will integrate with Egypt's current HEMTT A2 fleet. The Oshkosh(r) M978 HEMTT A4 fuel-servicing truck, or tanker, is designed to transport 2,500 gallons of fuel to forward-arming and refueling points (FARP). The vehicle, which is part of the U.S. Army's Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV), features a more powerful drivetrain, improved suspension and a fully air-conditioned and armor-ready cab. "The HEMTT A4 is part of our full line of vehicles designed for international and off-road operations," said Ron Ziebell, Oshkosh Corporation vice president and general manager of international programs, Defense. "In addition to offering severe-duty, medium- and heavy-payload vehicles, our global aftermarket network ensures our customers have ready access to parts and support services." In addition to supplying the vehicles, Oshkosh Defense will provide support and more than 25 spare engines to the Egyptian military. Aftermarket support includes a two-year fleet agreement, vehicle training and 12 months of Field Service Representative support in Egypt. Since 1990, Oshkosh has supplied Egyptian armed forces with tactical wheeled vehicles and aftermarket support.
08 March 2010 | | | |
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China Back Menu
China, Pakistan to hold joint antiterrorist drills in summer. China and Pakistan will hold joint antiterrorist exercises entitled Friendship-2010 in China in summer, the Renmin Ribao newspaper said on its website on Sunday citing the Chinese National Defense Ministry. The exercises are believed to contribute to developing cooperation and friendship between the two states as well as to raise their capability to counter terrorism and ensure peace and stability in the region. The two countries held military consultations in early March, discussing the program of the drills, which will be the third such exercises, and confirming that they would not be aimed against any third party. Friendship exercises were previously held in 2004 and 2006, employing 200 and 400 troops from both sides respectively.
08 March 2010 | | | |
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Iran Back Menu
New production line for short range cruise missile Nasr 1 (Victory) In this photo released by the Iranian Defense Ministry, which says Nasr 1 (Victory) missiles are seen in a factory in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 7, 2010. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi announced on state TV Sunday a new production line of highly accurate, short range cruise missiles capable of evading radar. The missile named Nasr 1 (Victory) will be capable of destroying targets up to 100 tons in size according to Vahidi. Iran frequently makes announcements about new advances in military technology that cannot be independently verified.
07 March 2010 | | | |
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United States Back Menu
US Army MRAP RG-31 Mk5E was hit by a roadside bomb during route clearance. U.S Army's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) RG-31 Mk5E armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb while providing a route clearance for a convoy delivering supplies to the remote U.S. Marine base in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, March 6, 2010. Picture taken March 6, 2010.
06 March 2010 | | | |
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Israel Back Menu
Three men were injured during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank village of Burin. Israeli soldiers take position during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators, not seen, during a protest in the village of Burin, near the West Bank city of Nablus, Saturday, March 6, 2010. Palestinian medics say three men were injured during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank village of Burin. An Israeli military spokeswoman said clashes erupted Saturday when soldiers stopped a group of Palestinians trying to approach a Jewish settlement. Palestinians residents say settlers were trying to bathe in a water cistern in their village.
06 March 2010 | | | |
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China Back Menu
Significant Chinese defence spending reduction provides smallest growth rate in decades. While China’s Premier Wen Jiabao announced that the government is targeting an economic growth rate of 9 per cent in 2009, despite a still fragile recovery process in response to the global financial crisis, China recently issued its draft defence budget for 2010. As only little details of the budget are released to the public, the growth rate is considered the most important and meaningful number. With a planned 7.5 per cent rate 2010 will be the first year in almost two decades not to see a double-digit increase in the defence budget. According to the draft, the 2010 defence budget will amount to CNY532.1 billion ($77.9 billion, €57.28 billion), increasing by CNY37.12 billion compared to 2009, according to NPC spokesman Li Zhaoxing. Defence expenditures account for 6.3 percent of China's total budget, Li said at the annual parliamentary session. The draft, which has been submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) on Thursday, states that these funds will be used mainly to modernise the People's Liberation Army (PLA). While Li claims an increase of transparency on the budget issue and assures that the new budget will help “face multi-faceted military threats and improve capabilities for diverse military tasks,” according to RIA Novosti, experts believe that the official data considerably understates real expenditure. “Chinese officials have often explained in the past that the high rates of defense budget growth were due to strong inflationary pressures. But the past year’s inflation rate has been near zero. If inflation picks up again this year, this would make a return to a double-digit defense budget increase much more likely next year,” Tai explains. According to official Chinese data, the PLA currently numbers 2.3 million active personnel deployed in seven military regions and more than 20 military districts, with over 800,000 reserves. This makes the PLA the world's largest standing military force. Nevertheless, China repeatedly emphasises the defensive nature of its Armed Forces and the adequate level of military spending in relation to its GDP (1.4 per cent according to official figures). On the occasion of the draft budget submission, Li Zhaoxing said that China spends less money for its armed forces than other countries, such as the US, and explains: “The only purpose of China's limited military strength is to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
05 March 2010 | | | |
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Russia Back Menu
Russia reaffirms commitment to destroy chemical weapons by 2012. Russia will complete the construction of chemical weapon destruction plants in 2011 and will destroy all chemical weapons stockpiles by 2012, a government official said on Wednesday. Russia signed the Chemical Weapons Convention banning the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical arms in 1993, and ratified it in 1997. The country has destroyed 18,000 metric tons, or 45% of its chemical weapons stockpiles as of December 2009. Gen. Nikolai Abroskin, head of the Federal Agency for Special Construction, said during a collegiate meeting at the agency that despite the recent financial crunch Russia would meet its obligations and destroy the remaining 22,000 metric tons of chemical weapons by 2012. The country has allocated $7.18 billion from the federal budget for the implementation of the program, and has so far built five chemical weapon destruction plants - in Gorny (Saratov Region), Kambarka (Republic of Udmurtia), Nizhny Novgorod, the Maradykovo complex (Kirov Region), and Siberia's Kurgan Region. Another two are under construction. Abroskin said the completion of chemical weapon destruction facilities remained a priority in 2010. "We should be able to launch the first stage of the facility in Pochep [Bryansk Region], and second stages of the facilities in Leonidovka [Penza Region] and Shchuchiye [Kurgan Region]...which will allow us to finish the construction of all chemical weapon destruction plants in 2011 and destroy all chemical weapons by 2012 in line with the federal program," he said. By 2016-2017, Russia aims to finish all the remaining work under the project, including decontamination and equipment dismantlement, the official said.
03 March 2010 | | | |
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United Kingdom Back Menu
First production hull for the new 'Terrier' engineer tracked armoured vehicle for the British Army. Construction has begun on the first of a new fleet of 60 tracked, armoured, earthmoving vehicles, which will give the Royal Engineers a powerful and versatile route clearing capability. Manufacture of the first production hull for the new 'Terrier' vehicle began earlier this year at BAE Systems' Newcastle factory and will be used in mine blast trials to demonstrate improved protection levels introduced by modifications resulting from experience gained on other vehicles during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The powerful Terrier tracked vehicle will be able to negotiate most terrain, and its earthmoving bucket and side-mounted excavator arm will make short work of digging and obstacle clearance tasks. The bucket can be quickly replaced with a surface mine clearance device, which, combined with a route-marking system, can be used to clear routes of surface-laid munitions.
01 March 2010 | | | |
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