September 2022 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
 

As reported by LRT, on September 29, the Lithuanian parliament Seimas unanimously approved a proposal to increase the 2022 defense funding to 2.52 percent of the GDP, a NATO demand addressed to all the Allies. The 2022 budget amendment, allocating 298 million euros in additional funding for national defense, passed the Seimas with 123 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions.

Arjun Mk1A (also designated MkII, it appears) is the latest version of the Arjun Tank built by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) and other DRDO research facilities. It is an upgraded version of the Arjun platform, with increased firepower with automated target tracking capabilities, maneuverability, and survivability (thanks to its ERA and Kanchan Indian modular composite armor), designed and developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

According to information published by the Israeli newspaper website "The Jerusalem Post" on September 29, 2022, during a phone call that was held on Thursday, September 29, 2022, the Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz discussed with the German Ministry of Defense Christine Lambrecht about the sale of the Israeli-made Arrow-3 air defense missile system.

On September 29, the demonstration firings of the LYNKEUS project took place in Cyprus. This project is part of the first wave of the EDIDP (European Defense Industry Development Programme). These shots consisted of two shots beyond direct sight of surface-to-surface anti-tank missiles at targets located between 2,500 and 3,000 meters in an autonomous configuration (the drone was operated from the firing vehicle) as well as in a configuration collaborative (the drone was operated by another vehicle). These shots were successful.

The Indian Army is now in the process of procuring another 100 K9 Vajra tracked self-propelled howitzers. The purchase order has already been approved by the Defence Ministry, Dinakar Peri reports in The Hindu. The Regiment of Artillery is also in the process of inducting loitering munitions while it is also looking at procuring Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

During an interview published on September 28, 2022, by the eurointegration.com.ua website, German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldhusen announced that Germany will provide Ukraine with four batteries of IRIS-T air defense missile systems. These systems are still in production and the first IRIS-T and first air defense system will be completed at the end of October 2022.

The development of light tanks for the Indian Army was announced by the Modi government on March 3, 2022. This move was made under the Make-I category of the 2020 Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). India’s search for a light tank could end soon as L&T revealed that it is a partner in the ‘Zorawar Program’ aimed at building light tanks for the Indian Army, with the first prototype expected to be unveiled in late 2023, Ashish Dangwal reports in The Eurasian Times.

The Philippine Army has deployed its new Israeli-built Atmos 155mm self-propelled howitzers to Western Mindanao, Frances Mangosing reports in inquirer.net. Defense department officer in charge Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. and Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. led the send-off ceremony on September 21 for two batteries of four howitzers each at Fort Bonifacio, in Taguig City.

The Republic of China (ROC) Army Command Headquarters has agreed to purchase 5,000 Kestrel close-range anti-armor missiles worth NT$400 million (US$12.63 million) from the Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, according to the military’s latest arms purchase bid notice echoed by Lo Tien-pin and Jake Chung in Taipei Times on September 24. The army asked the institute to complete the order within 13 months.

On September 27, 2022, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of M1A2K tank operational and training ammunition and related equipment for an estimated cost of $250 million.

According to Ajai Shukla in Business Standard on 28th September, since 1976, Indian infantry platoons have been equipped with the 84 mm Carl-Gustaf M3 rocket launcher, designed by Saab and manufactured in India by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). But now Saab believes the obsolescent Carl-Gustaf M3 needs to be replaced by the new-generation M4 version. With the Indian Ministry of Defence promoting the “Make in India” policy, Saab has applied to set up a manufacturing facility in India to produce it.

According to Lionel Ekene in Military Africa, Turkey is training Nigerian military personnel on the operation of its advanced drone systems. Nigeria is reported to have ordered Turkish drones although, the exact type is still uncertain, however, unofficial sources indicate that Abuja opted for either the Bayraktar TB2 or Akinci drone, or even both.

"The modernization of the T-72 tank has been very successful. Today, we witness excellent results achieved with the modernized tanks and the good training of their crews", Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on September 20 after the demonstration of the modernized T-72M1/M2 tank organized at the Novo Selo training ground.

The Dutch Army announced on September 26 that its first modernized CV90 infantry fighting vehicle rolled out of the factory in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, at BAE Systems Hägglunds’ factory. This is the so-called 'first of type'. Series production will follow based on the findings of this test version. This is expected to start at the end of 2023. A total of 122 CV90s will undergo a major modernization called midlife update (MLU).

According to a tweet posted on September 27 by Max Montero, the 1st battery of Rafael/IAI Spyder air defense systems for the Philippine Air Force mounted on Tatra 815 8x8 trucks has been delivered ahead of schedule. An unpublished photo set shows several missile firing units, field support and missile support vehicles. Radar and C2 units might be there too.

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