The Indian Army is planning to import a short-range surface-to-air-missile (SAM) system to replace its obsolete Soviet-vintage OSA-AK (SA-8 'Gecko') and Kub (SA-6 'Gainful') units to counter threats to cities and important installations from enemy aircraft and missiles. In an international request for information (RfI) dispatched on 29 April, the army announced its requirement for a short-range SAM system with active and passive guidance and a 20 km strike range capability to hit multiple and hovering targets simultaneously moving at speeds between zero to 500 m per second. The Indian Army is planning to import a short-range surface-to-air-missile (SAM) system to replace its obsolete Soviet-vintage OSA-AK (SA-8 'Gecko') and Kub (SA-6 'Gainful') units to counter threats to cities and important installations from enemy aircraft and missiles.

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Almost three months after the US Army released a request for proposal (RFP) for the technology development phase of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), developed within the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) programme, three competing teams, uniting key defence industry players of the US and Europe, step up to the plate. The three competitors include the BAE Systems/Northrop Grumman team, the General Dynamics team, joined by Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and MTU Detroit Diesel, as well as the SAIC-led team which includes Boeing and the two German companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Defence.Almost three months after the US Army released a request for proposal (RFP) for the technology development phase of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), developed within the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) programme, three competing teams, uniting key defence industry players of the US and Europe .....

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Force Protection Europe's Ocelot light protected light protected patrol vehicle has been down-selected by the Australian Government to compete in the Land 121 Phase 4 Project for the Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L) prototype.Force Protection Europe's Ocelot light protected light protected patrol vehicle has been down-selected by the Australian Government to compete in the Land 121 Phase 4 Project for the Protected Mobility Vehicle - Light (PMV-L) prototype.)

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State tests of the new model of Kalashnikov automatic rifles will be held in Russia next year, Izhmash Director General Vladimir Grodetsky said on Tuesday. The new model of the legendary assault rifle, the AK-200, is based on the AK-74M and differs in weight (3.8 kilograms/8.4 lbs vs. 3.3 kilograms/7.3 lbs) and the magazine capacity (30, 50, 60 rounds vs. 30). The AK-74, a developed version of the Kalashnikov rifle's first model, the AK-47, was introduced in 1974 and used by the Soviet forces during the Afghanistan conflict. The AK-47 was originally created by Mikhail Kalashnikov, who as a WWII soldier was inspired to design the weapon after being wounded in 1941. While his first attempts were unsuccessful, he was given a position in weapons development, and by 1947 he had perfected his masterpiece. Since then, the AK-47 has become the most widespread and famous assault rifle. Used by some 50 armies around the world, as well as countless urban guerrilla movements, it is also featured on the flag of Mozambique. State tests of the new model of Kalashnikov automatic rifles will be held in Russia next year, Izhmash Director General Vladimir Grodetsky said on Tuesday. The new model of the legendary assault rifle, the AK-200, is based on the AK-74M ....

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"Army's Ground Force has carried out ample research and studies for upgrading the technology and applications of Zolfaqar tanks, and the updated version of the tank will be unveiled in the (Iranian) month of Khordad (May 22-June 21)," Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said in an exclusive interview with FNA today. "Fire navigation system of the new Zolfaqar tank has been updated and Laser systems have been mounted onto the tank," Pourdastan said, adding, "These upgrades have remarkably increased the tank's operational capabilities." Zolfaqar is a second generation of Iran's main battle tank (MBT). The test prototypes of the tank were evaluated in 1993. Six semi-industrial prototypes of the tank were produced and tested in 1997. The tank has a distinctive box-shaped, steel-welded turret of local design. Zolfaqar combat weight is reported to be 36 tons and has a 780 hp diesel engine; the tank has a 21.7 hp per ton ratio. "Iran Army's Ground Force has carried out ample research and studies for upgrading the technology and applications of Zolfaqar tanks, and the updated version of the tank will be unveiled in the (Iranian) month of Khordad (May 22-June 21) .....

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The Supacat SPV400, the all-British, all-new contender from Supacat to meet the UK Ministry of Defence's Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) requirement was, this week, subjected to a second round of blast tests as part of the vehicle's development programme. A number of blast tests were conducted to correlate development work and prove the upgrades and improvements incorporated into the SPV400 design since the first round of testing in December 2009. The results were very positive and consistent with expectations. Whilst for security and competitive reasons the detail cannot be released, the size of the blasts were "very significant" and underwrote Supacat's philosophy of future proofing the SPV400 design by aiming for protection levels above those within the LPPV requirement. Further refinement will now take place prior to another round of testing next month.The Supacat SPV400, the all-British, all-new contender from Supacat to meet the UK Ministry of Defence's Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) requirement was, this week, subjected to a second round of blast tests as part of the vehicle's development programme.

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The common space of defense thus requires that the two armies are equipped with the same equipment, Minsk will be able to receive Russian missile system S-400 and Iskander, announced Wednesday 19 May 2010 to the Press Agency RIA Novosti, Sergueï Gouroulev, president of the Committee military-industrial of Belarus. “Here no voluntarism on behalf of the Defence Minister. We are a union, a common space of defense, a plain regional anti-missile defense system. For that the equipment of the armed forces must be in conformity with a precise project: the law of programming soldier 2006-2015, the annual invitation to tender of the military ordering of State”, it indicated. Russian and Belarus soldiers had evoked on several occasions that Minsk was to receive ground-to-air missiles S-400 and Iskander missiles systems, but according to Sergueï Gouroulev the project of construction of the Belarus Armed forces do not stipulate obligatorily the equipment in this precise type of missiles and systems. “It is written there: “to have systems of type Iskander and ground-to-air missiles S-400”, explained the interlocutor of the agency.The common space of defense thus requires that the two armies are equipped with the same equipment, Minsk will be able to receive Russian missile system S-400 and Iskander, announced Wednesday 19 May 2010 to the Press Agency RIA Novosti, Sergueï Gouroulev, president of the Committee military-industrial of Belarus.

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The Indian Army has ordered and placed fresh orders for purchase of additional 124 homemade Arjun tanks following March comparative trials with the Russian-built T-90 tank. The Defence Research and Development Organisation, which produced the tank, has been urging the Army, which ordered an initial 124 tanks, to order a second batch to make the assembly line economical. The Indian Army has ordered and placed fresh orders for purchase of additional 124 homemade Arjun tanks following March comparative trials with the Russian-built T-90 tank.

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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress May 19 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of 102 Mastiff/MRAP Cougar Category II 6X6 modified vehicles and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $122 million. The Government of the United Kingdom has requested a possible sale of 102 Mastiff/MRAP Cougar Category II 6X6 modified vehicles, tools and test equipment, maintenance support, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, support equipment, spare and repair parts, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $122 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress May 19 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of 102 Mastiff/MRAP Cougar Category II 6X6 modified vehicles and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $122 million.

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A competition to replace the British Army's Snatch Land Rover armored vehicle has approached the end game after the issue of an invitation to tender to the two companies vying to secure the deal. Force Protection Europe with the Ocelot is head-to-head with the rival SPV400 vehicle offered by Supacat to supply an initial batch of 200 light protected patrol vehicles for troops operating in Afghanistan. The winning vehicle, being supplied as an urgent operational requirement, will offer troops better protection and greater mobility than the much-maligned Snatch machine. The invitations issued by the Ministry of Defence are scheduled to be returned in June, with a decision on a winning contractor expected in early autumn. A competition to replace the British Army's Snatch Land Rover armored vehicle has approached the end game after the issue of an invitation to tender to the two companies vying to secure the deal. Force Protection Europe with the Ocelot is head-to-head with the rival SPV400 vehicle offered by Supacat ......

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Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies, announced today that its Defense division has received four delivery orders valued at more than $234.8 million from the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) to supply more than 4,300 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) protection kits. Oshkosh will deliver more than 3,800 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) protection kits, as well as more than 500 explosively formed penetrator (EFP) add-on armor kits and in-field service and parts. Work under the orders is expected to be completed in April 2011.Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies, announced today that its Defense division has received four delivery orders valued at more than $234.8 millions for M-ATV protection kits.

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British military personnel in Afghanistan have started wearing uniforms bearing the first new camouflage design in over 40 years. The new Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) camouflage was unveiled in December last year and began to be worn by soldiers in Afghanistan in April 2010. It will be issued to all military personnel by 2012. The camouflage is intended to help British troops blend into Afghanistan's varied terrain. It was trialled in laboratory tests and field evaluations to assess overall performance, with pilot trials held before the final testing. This included aerial and scientific photography to provide the right colours and brightness for the new camouflage pattern. Colours were fed into a computer and computer modelling was used to represent the Green Zone, deserts and mixed environments in Afghanistan. A number of camouflage samples were then generated based on the colours found in Afghanistan and via the computer modelling trials. The new MTP camouflage will work across different terrains in Helmand province, such as compounds, grassland, crops and woodland - all the areas our troops encounter on patrol. Members of the Royal Dragoon Guards are among the first to be issued with the new patternBritish military personnel in Afghanistan have started wearing uniforms bearing the first new camouflage design in over 40 years. The new Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) camouflage was unveiled in December last year and began to be worn by soldiers in Afghanistan in April 2010.

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FN Herstal, S.A. (FN) received notification from the USSOCOM Program Executive Office—SOF Warrior (PEO—SW) that the SCAR Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) was approved and signed on April 14, 2010, moving this FN program into the Milestone C phase. This decision authorizes the production and deployment of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) MK 16 and MK 17, as well as the Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module (EGLM) MK 13. FN Herstal, S.A. (FN) received notification from the USSOCOM Program Executive Office—SOF Warrior (PEO—SW) that the SCAR Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) was approved and signed on April 14, 2010, moving this FN program into the Milestone C phase.

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US prime Raytheon is entering the automotive market with an innovative new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) aimed at the special forces market. Officially launched at the Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX), held in Amman, Jordan, from 10-13 May, the Hybrid-Defense Reconnaissance Assault (Hy-DRA) vehicle is a small, stealthy all-terrain platform employing hybrid electric drive (HED). With one forward seat for the driver and two back seats facing forwards, the Hy-DRA can carry three fully equipped soldiers, act as a weapons platform or carry one soldier and two litters to extract wounded personnel.US prime Raytheon is entering the automotive market with an innovative new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) Hy-DRA (Hybrid-Defense Reconnaissance Assault) aimed at the special forces market. Officially launched at the Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX), held in Amman, Jordan, from 10-13 May 2010.

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BAE Systems is to open an office in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to support its ongoing business with the Jordanian Armed Forces and collaborative activities with the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). The office will complement the network of offices the company operates across the region and will be used as the focal point for business in Jordan and neighbouring countries. The office is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year and will be developed in line with legal and regulatory requirements of the Kingdom and according to developing business prospects. Jeff McCray, Regional Vice President Africa and Near East, commented: "This move underlines our commitment to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and developing business prospects in the region."BAE Systems is to open an office in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to support its ongoing business with the Jordanian Armed Forces and collaborative activities with the King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau (KADDB).

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Russia creates weapons able to avoid a space attack, declared this Saturday 15 May 2010 Edouard Sigalov, commander of a Russian anti-aircraft system brigade equipped with ground-to-air missiles S-300 PM and S-400. “We are developing new weapons able to destroy targets in space”, indicated colonel Sigalov before adding that the Russian army should soon “protect the sky from Moscow against the space attacks”. The 5th brigade of Russian anti-aircraft and space defence is deployed in the area of Moscow. Strong of more than 4.500 men, the operational units of the brigade are able to open fire in 10 minutes and to destroy all the flying targets in their sector. The systems S-400 “Triumph” (code NATO: SA-21 Growler) make it possible to organize a spread out defence of the sites against a massive air attack. The speed of the missiles reaches 4.800 m/sec and their range operating is of 400 km at an altitude of 30 km. Moreover, the range minimum is of 2.000 m at an altitude of 100 m. They can be put in position of combat in the time of 5-10 minutes.Russia creates weapons able to avoid a space attack, declared this Saturday 15 May 2010 Edouard Sigalov, commander of a Russian anti-aircraft system brigade equipped with ground-to-air missiles S-300 PM and S-400.

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Up to 150 Russian troops will take part in joint peacekeeping exercises with India scheduled for autumn this year, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. A group of Russian officers has already arrived in India to attend the first planning stage of the INDRA 2010 exercise. "During the planning stage, the sides will work out a detailed plan of the exercises, reconnoiter the area where the drills will take place and discuss logistics issues," the ministry said in a statement. Russia is planning to send a motorized infantry company to join the Indian troops in the drills. The Russian and Indian military have conducted joint INDRA exercises since 2003, including biannual peacekeeping drills. Russia's military cooperation with India goes back nearly half a century, and the Asian country accounts for about 40% of Russian arms exports.Up to 150 Russian troops will take part in joint peacekeeping exercises with India scheduled for autumn this year, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday 17 May 2010.

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The Indian Army carried out Monday morning May 17th, 2010, a shooting test of Agni-II medium range ballistic missile, announced Monday the press agency Trust of India. The missile, length 21 meters and weighing 17 tons were firing since the polygon from the island of Wheeler (bay of Bengal). According to the agency, the firing was successful. The Agni-2 missile is able to carry a load of a ton to the distance of two thousand kilometres. Its range can be increased by the reduction of the weight of its warhead. The two preceding firing tests of Agni-2, carried out in April 1999 and in November 2009, had shown a failure.The Indian Army carried out Monday morning May 17th, 2010, a shooting test of Agni-II medium range ballistic missile, announced Monday the press agency Trust of India.

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