October 2018 Global Defence & Security Industry - Military News

 
 
 
 

Turkey's parliament has voted to extend the country's troop presence in neighboring Iraq and Syria by a year because of the continued presence of terror-listed organizations on its borders. "However, the existence of PKK and Daesh in Iraq poses a direct threat to regional peace, stability and the security of our country," read a motion approved by parliament on Wednesday, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported, referring to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and ISIS.

AeroVironment Inc. has been awarded a $13 million, single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, for Raven RQ-11B small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). This contract, awarded on September 30, satisfies recurring requirements for RQ-11B SUAS, spares kits, ancillary equipment, and recurring related training.

The Finnish Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö has authorized the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command to enter into a Framework Agreement with Bittium Wireless Ltd on the purchase of Bittium Tough Comnode terminals and related accessories. The Framework Agreement would cover the years 2018-2020. The maximum value of the purchase authorization for the Framework Agreement would be EUR 8.3 million (excl. VAT).

On 3 October, BAE Systems proclaimed: “We have unveiled Black Night – a working example of our vision for the proposed upgrade of the British Army’s Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.” The company is leading a major strategic partnership of world-leading defence firms – Team Challenger 2 – to bid for the tank’s Life Extension Project (LEP).

The U.S. Army is looking for a new vehicle, unarmored, to quickly transport troops across the battlefield, as reported by Foxtrot Alpha. Qualified applicants must carry nine fully-armed infantry soldiers, work after being pushed out of an airplane, and enjoy a road speed of 55 mph. The Army recently released a market survey for what it’s calling the Infantry Squad Vehicle, or ISV. The ISV is meant to be an ultra-light vehicle capable of hauling troops across the battlefield. Unlike other vehicles, the ISV will merely be a troop carrier not to use in fighting tasks.

AM General, the Indiana-based manufacturer of the US Army’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, Humvee) and a major military vehicle producer, is looking for a new owner. General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles appear interested, an information that needs to be confirmed, as reported by Reuters.

The Land Component of the Belgian armed forces has launched its new Motorized Brigade. The new structure of the Belgian army now includes the Motorized Brigade, the Special Operations Regiment, a Military Police unit, an Information Operations unit, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, a field accommodation unit, a movement control group, four training camps, and an instruction centre for land troops.

Russia has supplied Syria with 49 equipment pieces as part of delivery of the S-300 air defense system (SA-10 Grumble in NATO code) meant to boost security of the Russian military in that country, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. Obviously, there is a will to avoid any further friendly fire like the dramatic one that caused the accidental destruction of a Russian Ilyuchin Il-20 by the Syrian air defense on 17 September.

On 1 October 2018, events took place at Aleksevka Air Base near Tbilisi on the occasion of Georgian Air Force Day in the presence of Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria, and the Chief of Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces, Major General Vladimir Chachibaya. During the events, the Mistral Atlas short-range air missile systems manufactured by MBDA was displayed on French-made ACMAT VLRA 2 vehicles.

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Unitary Rocket Pods and Army Tactical Missiles System (ATACMS) Unitary missiles for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's 1st Space Brigade is getting a new home on Fort Carson, Colorado, early next year thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Zane Ecklund, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, reports.

It’s not often you see infantry milling about the gunline at Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba, but that’s exactly what was going on during a three-week mortar detachment member course run in June 2018 by 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA). Second Lieutenant Ryan Bartlette, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group, reports

Six rounds were fired successfully from the K9 “Vajra” self-propelled howitzer on 26 and 27 September, again six rounds were fired after the 13 modifications were done in the gun. Trials had been done in the same Pokhran Field Firing Range two weeks earlier, on 13 September.

The troops from C Company, 3 Para, are in Bosnia Herzegovina, taking part in Exercise Quick Response 2018 as part of EUFOR’s Multinational Battalion, deepening and strengthening working relationships with international partners, and helping ensure a safe and secure environment for the people of the country, in support of local authorities and the armed forces. Pictures taken during this exercise show the paras with a new jaw protection attached to their helmet.

Russia’s modern Nabrosok artillery system is being under development and will be used in the country’s missile troops and artillery, Russian Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces Col. Gen. Oleg Salyukov said in an interview published on Sunday 30 September.

The 89 first armored vehicles designated VBMR (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle, armored multirole vehicle) Griffon that will be delivered to the French army in 2019 will be spread among four units: 27 to experimentation, training and support units, 21 to the 3e RIMA (Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine), 21 to the 13e RIMa (Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine), 21 to the 13e BCA (Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins), and 20 to the 1er R.I. (Régiment d’Infanterie). These Griffons will replace the ageing VAB (véhicule de l'avant blindé).

The UK will continue to have a military presence in Germany beyond 2020, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced today. Around 185 British Army personnel and 60 Ministry of Defence civilians will remain in Germany, once the withdrawal of British Army units to the UK has been completed.

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