October 2020 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
 

The U.S.A.F. Security Forces Center is delivering the next generation of ballistic helmets to security forces units as part of its effort to standardize and modernize Defender equipment across the Air Force. Malcolm McClendon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs, reports.

WFEL has received a new contract from the UK’s Ministry of Defence for the supply of 17 sets of its MGB Medium Girder Bridges. This follows a review of the MoD’s modular gap crossing capabilities, which aimed to draw together existing in-service capabilities into a single coherent capability. The MGB contract will be fulfilled by Dec 2025, with the first two bridging sets delivered to the British army by December 2021.

The Russian Army will receive upgraded BMP-2M infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) with a new Berezhok combat module armed with a 30mm gun and a Kornet (NATO reporting name: AT-l4 Spriggan) antitank missile system, the Defense Ministry’s press office said.

The Ukrainian ministry of Defense plans to purchase up to 48 Bayraktar Tactical Block 2 (TB2) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), an Ukrainian news website reported,. The purchase of such a large number of UAVs raises questions of whether the vehicles would be jointly produced or produced locally in Ukraine.

The Latvian army has completed the installation of a new state-of-the-art Team Trainer for Spike issiles. The new system will train Latvian forces to use Rafael Advanced Defense System's Spike LR2 and SR missiles, procured from EuroSpike (a joint venture between Rafael, Diehl Defence, and Rheinmetall Electronics).

Bittium launches Bittium Tactical Power Pack for portable tactical communication devices. The Tactical Power Pack has been designed to be used for example with Bittium Tough SDR Handheld radio and Bittium Tough Comnode device, but it can also be easily used with normal tablets and smartphones through USB connection. The Tactical Power Pack enables uninterrupted field use for the devices.

Russia is beginning to train operators of vehicles on Armata platform. Two military schools will be engaged. The first cadets will be enrolled in 2021 and will graduate as T-14 tank platoon commanders. Senior cadets will be able to acquaint themselves with the modern vehicles in 2020 already. Experts believe the time is sufficient to avoid major errors that can break down the vehicles, the Izvestia daily writes.

« In terms of total number of operative tanks, Serbia is a European power, but that is not enough. The tanks must be upgraded, so that they can keep up with the most modern tanks in their class and we must have the appropriate number of crews so that each tank is useful and usable », said the Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin after attending design tests and field target firing from the upgraded M-84 AS1 tank prototype in the area of the Pasuljanske livade military complex.

According to a press release published on October 5, 2020, the 8x8 armored combat vehicle, AMV XP manufactured by the Finnish company Patria has been selected for the second phase of the Bulgarian vehicle acquisition program based on a tender phase. The final decision on the actual acquisition will be made after field tests and negotiations. Also, General Dynamics has proceeded to the second phase.

The Ministry of Defense of Thailand has purchased an undisclosed number of indigenous NARAC556 assault rifles manufactured by local company NARAC Arms Industry (NRC Ammunition), designated MOD 963 and MOD 963 AR for 20 "and 14.5" length barrel respectively, Thai blog AAG reports.

On 22 September 2020, the Pakistan Army showed-off a newly acquired Chinese-made VT4 main battle tank (MBT) at the Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum, Quwa Defence News & Analysis Group reports. Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, observed the demonstration and “expressed satisfaction over demonstrated performance” of the VT4. The VT4 tanks will join the al-Khalid Improved (al-Khalid-I) MBT (inducted in August 2020) as a new addition to the Armoured Corps.

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