Defence`s Feeds

Length of video : 187'
You may manually download this video in WMV (1.7Gb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Length of video : 145'
You may manually download this video in WMV (1.3Gb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Americas

• The US Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to pass a $602 billion defense authorization bill, despite President Barack Obama’s threat to veto the annual policy measure over issues including a ban on closing the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Passing of the bill was ensured with a compromise on the use of Russian RD-180 rocket engines. Lawmakers eased a ban on their use late last year, worried that it could drive United Launch alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, out of business and leave only privately held SpaceX to transport satellites into space.

Middle East North Africa

• Despite much global interest, Israel has not received any export orders for its Iron Dome short-range missile defense system. Developed by the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Iron Dome has gained notable world recognition since its first successful intercept in 2011 of a Hamas launched rocket from Gaza. Despite a 90% interception rate, Rafael execs have been working to entice customers with an expanded mission set including sea-based defense, drone killing missions, and the ability to intercept anything from mortars to precision-guided munitions.

• Rafael has completed its first export orders of its Spike SR (Short Range) shoulder-fired anti-tank missile to an unknown customer. Designed to respond rapidly against so-called targets of opportunity, the Spike SR can be fitted with two warheads, one to target tanks and fast traveling vehicles and a blast fragmentation penetrator designed for bunkers. As a next generation missile, the Spike SR allows infantry in congested urban environments to utilize a versatile, short, small diameter missile with an augmented penetration capability and a range from 50 metres to 1.5km.

Africa

• Gabon has signed a number of defense orders which will see French manufacturer Nexter provide a positioning system, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), and mobile medical shelters to the west African country. The deal was announced by the company after signing, at the ongoing Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, although no details have been given on the value of the sale. UGVs such as the Nerva LG and NX-100 UAVs have already been deployed in the current UN peacekeeping mission in the central African Republic, where Gabonese soldiers have recently begun operations.

Europe

• French and Italian defense ministers signed a “Cooperation Arrangement” agreement in Paris to jointly develop the Aster 30 Block 1 NT missile. Tuesday’s signing will see the development program encompass not just the upgrade of the interceptor, but the modernization of the SAMP/T air defense system as well. This will see an increase in French and Italian air defense capabilities – notably against ballistic missiles – thereby making essential contributions to the NATO program in this domain.

• Airbus has announced a successful live firing of its HForce plug n’ play weapon management system on an H225M in Belgium from May 25 to June 3. The system is comprised of a central core unit, Thales Scorpion monocular helmet mounted sight display (HMSD), an electro-optical system (EOS) from Wescam as well as gunner armament weapon grips and weapon pods. Weapons fired during the trial included 12.7mm guns, 70mm rockets as well as 20mm cannons.

• JAS-39 Gripens operated by the Royal Swedish Air Force have been equipped with the latest MS20 software upgrade and showcased at the annual Tactics, Techniques and Procedures exercise. Materiel System 20 is an update of both equipment and software in the aircraft, and involves everything from upgrades in the presentation areas and linkages to new and enhanced abilities. New weapons on the aircraft include the METEOR missile and the GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (GDB).

Asia Pacific

• After a rather public shunning of the Italian defense industry, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has begun the task of searching for alternative suppliers to meet a growing range of weaponry requirements. Its latest cancellation of a $200 million deal to buy 98 Black Shark torpedoes from Leonardo-Finmeccanica subsidiary WASS leaves not only torpedoes on the shopping list, but also network-centric capabilities and naval gun solutions for its submarines. One alternative may be the German defense industry with reports of a deal to buy SeaHake torpedoes from Atlas Elektronic. Also in the mix is the purchase of six conventional submarines with air-independent propulsion technology under the Make in India program with negotiations between the MoD and ThyssenKruupp Marine Systems underway.

Today’s Video

• Rafael’s Spike SR:

Iron Dome concept
(click to view full)

On August 16, 2011, Rafael and Raytheon announced a partnership to market the Iron Dome system in the United States. This rocket interception system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has an all-weather range of up to 70 km (43.5 miles). To make the system mobile, the detection/tracking radar and battle management/control parts of the system are carried on trucks, while the missile firing unit is mounted on a trailer.

Then in November 2011 the Jerusalem Post reported that the US Army had expressed interest to protest its bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. South Korea is also reportedly interested. While exports remain tentative as of the end of 2011, several systems have been fielded in Israel in recent years.

Israeli Deployment

Iron Dome was selected by Israel’s government as its short range defensive solution back in 2007. At the time other options were also on the table such as the THEL/Skyguard laser-based system. In February 2010 IAI announced a $50 million export contract for the radar component of the Iron Dome system. After the US Congress approved $205M in military aid to procure 9 Iron Dome batteries, Israel said that it would start deploying the systems by the end of that year to protect civilians from rockets, mortar and artillery fired by Hamas.

The IDF announced in April 2011 that the Iron Dome battery deployed in Be’er Sheba intercepted two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at night. However, beyond the initial investment, at issue is the cost asymmetry between improvised rockets at maybe $500 a pop vs. intercepts estimated to cost $50K+ each. More broadly, which approach to take for missile defense has been a subject of intense debate in Israel for years. This cost vs. benefit public discussion is still very much alive.

On August 7, 2011, Israel’s High Court of Justice answered a petition from a group of towns in the Gaza area by ruling in favor of the Defense Ministry which refuses to fund Iron Dome systems in all towns more than 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) from the Gaza Strip. Still, on August 31 planned deployments were continuing with the 3rd battery being stationed outside the city of Ashdod.

For larger, longer-range threats, IAI has developed the Arrow theater missile defense system with Boeing.

Updates

June 16/16: Despite much global interest, Israel has not received any export orders for its Iron Dome short-range missile defense system. Developed by the state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Iron Dome has gained notable world recognition since its first successful intercept in 2011 of a Hamas launched rocket from Gaza. Despite a 90% interception rate, Rafael execs have been working to entice customers with an expanded mission set including sea-based defense, drone killing missions, and the ability to intercept anything from mortars to precision-guided munitions.

American MH-47 Special Operations Transport Helicopter

Forty experts from fifteen participating EDA Member States gathered in Malmo (Sweden) on 8-9 June 2016 to discuss the final arrangements for the multinational Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) exercise Bison Counter 2016 (BC16) to be hosted by the Swedish Armed Forces from 15 to 27 August 2016.

During this final coordination conference, discussions focused on logistics and planning arrangements. According to the information compiled during the meeting, more than 200 troops from 20 European and non-European countries, as well as some 700 Swedish troops will take part in BC16.

The exercise plan is to evaluate the full C-IED concept from the first responders’ perspective until delivery of C-IED related intelligence production, so as to tackle all the C-IED work strands. A large number of different C-IED enablers ranging from Military Search, Military Working Dogs, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Improvised Explosive Devices Disposal (IEDD), EOD divers, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and explosives (CBRNe) experts, Military Engineers and Weapon Intelligence Teams from Land, Maritime and Air domains will take part in the exercise. The Forces will be split up in different components such as Task Force C-IED, Brigade Level Staff, Training Teams, Observers and Lessons Learned among others.

The scenario will see a large number of C-IED dedicated tasks being implemented in several locations in Sweden including maritime C-IED tasks at a naval base.

The inclusion of the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) deployable capability (JDC) marks the first time the laboratory will deploy in its fully operational mode. Previously, the laboratory has been recently sent on a first expeditionary deployment to a Spanish exercise (Interdict 16). This time, more than 20 exploitation experts between lab members and observers will provide a 24/7 service.

Major Lars Samuelsson (Swedish Armed Forces) pointed out the challenge of running such a complex and specific exercise (the only full C-IED dedicated exercise worldwide);he is expecting representatives from 20 different nationalities to attend.

The first Bison Counter exercise took place in The Netherlands in 2013. Building on this experience, the EDA’s C-IED Project Team decided to institutionalize Bison Counter as a bi-annual C-IED dedicated activity under the umbrella of the EDA.

A Distinguished Visitor’s Day is planned for 25 and 26 August.

 

More information:  

• First C-IED workshop successfully completed (webnews)
• JDEAL: ready for deployment (webnews)
• EDA Project Page: C-IED

Rheinmetall is unveiling its new ground-based air defence system, Skynex, at Eurosatory 2016.

Length of video : 185'
You may manually download this video in WMV (1.7Gb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

"I condemn in the strongest terms the atrocious terrorist attacks that have taken place in recent weeks, notably in Baghdad, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and most recently in Orlando. I express my deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the innocent victims and I wish a quick recovery to those injured."
"Terrorism cannot be justified by any reason or ideology. We must stand united with all the states affected by acts of terrorism in condemning and combatting it in all its forms. The fight against terrorism should be global and, in the frame of its responsibilities, our subcommittee will remain committed to enhancing international security."
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Thanks to Anderson for the link! Is it just me or does anyone else in the Marine Corps look at those Fast Raider Boats with a bit of jealousy and huge dose of want!

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

MMP is the latest (fifth) generation land combat missile system designed for dismounted infantry as well as for integration on combat vehicles. Featuring both fire-and-forget and man-in-the-loop...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Note:  All pics via Warfare Technology Blog. Iveco/BAE ACV Contender.  One thing I'm curious about is whether or not the Italian Marine Corps is still interested in going with this...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Rheinmetall (External Stands D261/D211) has unveiled its latest Lynx tracked infantry fighting vehicle, developed as a private venture to meet a perceived gap in the market for a vehicle that is capable of being used for a wide range of battlefield missions.

China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) (Hall 5, H521) is showing its total fire support capability at Eurosatory this year, albeit in model form only. This includes an extensive range of tracked and wheeled self-propelled (SP) artillery systems, but also towed artillery systems, artillery rocket systems, ammunition and the essential target acquisition systems.

Israeli UAV house Aeronautics (Hall 6, Stand D732) is in the final stages of developing the latest member of its Orbiter family of UAVs.

Following a competition that included extensive trials with 22 prototype vehicles each submitted by AM General, Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh Defense, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) design submitted by Oshkosh Defense (Hall 5, Stand D608) was selected as the winner. It is being shown at Eurosatory for the first time.

Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) (part of the Polish Defence Group) (Hall 5, B801) has been awarded a contract to supply the Polish Army with 64 Rak 120mm 24-calibre M120K self-propelled mortar systems and 32 all-wheel drive command post vehicles, all of which will be based on the Rosomak (8x8) platform.

Thales has unveiled the latest member of its Ground Master air defence radar family. Drawing on technology from the larger Ground Master 200 and 400 radars, the Ground Master 60 multimission radar offers exceptional range in a fully mobile system that provides forces with a search on-the-move air picture capability.

Israel Military Industries is showing its Iron Fist-Light Configuration (IF-LC) active protection system for the first time. Derived from the full-size Iron Fist system designed for large infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks, the IF-LC is intended to provide hard-kill protection for smaller vehicles against a variety of threats.