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Upcoming panel: Russia’s War on Ukraine

Russian Military Reform - Thu, 03/10/2022 - 02:37

I’m going to be participating in the following panel tomorrow. Great lineup, encourage those interested to sign up.

Putin Invades Ukraine: Regional Fallout?

Russian Military Reform - Wed, 03/09/2022 - 14:38

Yesterday, together with Pavel Baev I participated in a Marshall Center panel on the regional fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. My colleague Graeme Herd put together the following summary of the discussion…

This is a summary of the discussion at the latest workshop of the current series of online Russia Seminar Series (RSS) webinars held on March 8, 2022 by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The summary reflects the overall tenor of the discussion, and no specific element necessarily should be presumed to be the view of either of the participants.

Context

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a devastating impact on humanitarian conditions within Ukraine itself. Critical national infrastructure in Ukraine is under attack. Ukraine’s transport system, hospitals and communication networks are being degraded. The UNHCR reports that over 2 million Ukrainians, mainly women and children, have become refugees in neighboring countries, particularly Poland. At the same time, Russian military advances in Ukraine appear to have stalled in most operational theatres. Explanations for this unexpected outcome include logistical difficulties, poor planning, long and vulnerable supply lines, and an inability to execute combined arms warfare effectively. In places where Russia has taken territory, a hostile civil population protests in the rear, even in Russian-speaking regions such as Kherson. Can captured territory be held?

However, the picture is fluid and Russia is not yet fully committed. While Russia will seek to bombard the pivots and hubs used to supply military materiel through Poland and Romania, its usable precision guided weapon stockpile for this “special military operation” is fast depleting, though reserves are available for operations against NATO. Ukraine is able to create reserve battalions around Lviv and receive air defense and anti-tank capabilities. Poland has offered to hand over its entire inventory of 23 MiG-29 fighter aircraft to the US at Ramstein Air Base in Germany for potential transfer to Ukraine pending a NATO decision. These combat aircraft can be flown by Ukrainian pilots. Romania, Slovakia and Hungary also have MiG-29s in their inventories and some or all of these could also be provided to Ukraine. Russia does not have the troop to task ratio to occupy an unwilling Ukraine. And Ukrainian resistance is growing, with the calculation in Kyiv that any deal made today will not be as good as the one made a week from now.

This deadlock is dangerous as Putin needs a “special military operation” victory to support his “everything going according to plan” narrative. Thus, if “victory is not possible and defeat is not an option” – if the choice is between bloody debilitating occupation or withdrawal – then Putin may seek to escalate by opening new fronts to present the Russian public with distracting mini-breakthroughs and victories in the wider region. Short-term risks in the Black Sea region appears highest. Longer-term risks include disruptions to energy and food exports from Russia and Ukraine, and conflicts around Exclusive Economic Zones in the Black Sea, for example, as borders are redrawn but not recognized. This summary identifies short and longer term spillover risks in both regions.

Black Sea Region

Had the “special military operation” actually gone to plan, Kyiv would have fallen within 2-4 days, and in a “best case” scenario from a Russian perspective, resistance would implode and Ukraine suffer sullen occupation. At this point the risks of spillover to Moldova and Georgia would have been much higher. The ideological narrative constructed by Putin around “Slavic unity” and regathering “ancient Russian lands” may have included Transnistria, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. If not, then this would have suggested EU membership was off the cards for both states and imposed neutrality (“demilitarization”) would have been attempted by Russia.

However, without first capturing Odesa (still possible through a combined air assault and amphibious landing operation) and finding troops to occupy Ukraine in the context of a hostile and debilitating insurgency, military operations into Moldova do not appear viable. Transnistrian forces themselves have no offensive capability and rail links to Odesa region from Tiraspol are cut. Thus, while in Moldova pro-Russian parties and opposition groups in the breakaway Dniester region and the pro-Russian Gagauzia oppose EU accession, Russia aggression in Ukraine propels the majority of the society to support this westward economic and normative reorientation, as is the case in Georgia.

However, the seizure of Georgian territory is possible. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been remarkably passive and inactive and still has the reserves and capacity to act. The seizure of Poti region in Georgia is a possibility, supported by Chechen forces formally subordinated to Russia’s Rosgvardia (National Guard) but actually under the control of Ramzan Kadyrov. If Putin’s power weakens, Kadyrov may also plan to act more autonomously into the Pankisi Gorge, even if in the name of Putinism and justified with reference to Russian national goals. In such circumstances, Azerbaijan might look to complete “unfinished business” towards Nagorno-Karabakh.

In Georgia itself, the Russian invasion of Ukraine further polarizes society. There is pressure on Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and ‘Georgia Dream’ party who have adopted a “neutral” policy towards Russia. Neutrality translates into a policy of not supporting international sanctions and keeping Georgia’s air space open to Russian aircraft. Since 24 February opposition rallies in Tbilisi have protested daily against the Russian invasion outside the Georgian Parliament, demanding: 1. A visa regime with Russia; 2. Banning Russian media/propaganda outlets in Georgia; and 3. Closing Georgia’s airspace to Russia.

The role of Turkey is pivotal. Turkey attempts to avoid alienating Russia by keeping its air space open to Russian commercial flights and not applying sanctions. As a result, Turkey, like Georgia, is not included on the Russian list of hostile states. However, Turkey does send effective military aid (drones) to Ukraine. Turkey, citing Article 19 of the Montreux Convention, has closed the entrance to the Black Sea to the navies of the parties to the conflict. With its “sea bridge” unable to function, Russia is forced to resupply Syria using a more expensive and more limited air bridge. This in turn weakens Russia’s presence in Syria relative to Turkey’s. At the same time, the US and NATO face a difficult choice regarding the sending of combat ships into the Black Sea in support of Bulgaria and Romania. Turkey attempts to dissuade allies from requesting access, but the need to protect two exposed allies is growing.

Baltic Sea Region

The risk of spillovers into the Baltic-Nordic region are less than the Black Sea region, at least in the short-term and while the “active phase” of Russian aggression in Ukraine is ongoing. Risks associated with Kaliningrad proves to be the exception to this general rule. If the closure of air space is joined by cutting rail links to Kaliningrad, then this could generate a Russian kinetic response. In addition, reports of resignations and refusal of Belarusian officers and soldiers to follow orders and deploy to Ukraine suggest that Lukashenka’s regime may be less stable than supposed. Does Russia have the spare capacity to bolster Belarus, when Rosgvardia is needed at home as a praetorian safeguard to quell protest potential in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities in Russia?

The Estonian Center Party has severed ties to the United Russia Party. On 5 March, 103 members of its extended board, with no abstentions, voted to rescind the cooperation protocol signed in 2004. In Latvia, though, the polarization of society is a danger, with pro-Russian supporters using provocative rhetoric to radicalise their potential voters ahead of parliamentary elections. Two potential conflict dates loom – the commemoration of Latvian Legionnaires on 16 March and the Soviet Victory Day on 9 May. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis has stated that Vilnius has no red lines regarding possible sanctions against Russia – including oil and gas.

Non-aligned Finland and Sweden seek even closer defense cooperation with each other and with NATO. Indeed, the potential for NATO membership has increased and this will lead to heightened tension in medium to long-term. Defense spending is set to increase in all Baltic States. Lithuania adds an extra $0.5bn and its parliament agrees to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Spending will likely be on deterrent gaps in capabilities necessary to counter Russia’s way of war, such as air defense and drones.

Points of escalation might be driven by the possible use of thermobaric bombs in Kyiv, and/or the slaughter of Ukrainian refugee convoys struggling to reach the Polish border from Lviv. Such horrific violence would stress-test to destruction the ability of NATO member states to achieve all three of its objectives: 1) apply sanctions to Russia and provide humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine; 2) uphold
national interests, democratic values and principles; and 3) avoid miscalculation, spillover and escalation. As RHSS#3 summary noted: “In the context of mass civilian casualties, how does the West calibrate and balance moral principles that reflect its values with pragmatic approaches in line with interests? At what point does “responsibility to protect” trump other considerations?” Almost certainly risk calculus in NATO would change, with a much greater emphasis on alleviating immediate suffering and the “responsibility to protect”.

Conclusions

• The invasion has also shaken the Putin regime in Russia. The Putinist system, born in the violence of the Second Chechen campaign, has grown organically over the last 23 years. It weathered the ‘Moscow Maidan’ protests of 2011-12 and was boosted by the Crimea annexation of 2014. Putin and the players in the system understood the rules of the game, how these rules could be enforced and the necessity of a balance between the normative state, parastatal entities and oligarchs. In 2022, the pressure of sanctions disrupts and destabilizes oligarchs, the business models of parastatal entities and the normative state moves to a war footing, its lead representatives complicit in the war and war crimes.

• In this context, escalation does not have just to be horizontal – a spillover into the wider region – but it can be vertical. The possibility of an accidental radioactive discharge due to Russian attack on nuclear power plant is high. If nuclear signaling is needed, Russia could withdrawal from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and then promptly stage a nuclear test to intimidate and deter. A low likelihood event involves a Russian “false flag” operation around CBRNE might be considered. A “dirty bomb” fits Russian media narratives that a US-controlled “neo-Nazi” regime would practice genocidal “nuclear terrorism”. The function of this narrative could be to provide a retroactive justification for invasion – prevention of nuclear terrorism – and to place the blame for any nuclear radiation leakage on Kyiv. Such leakages would massively impact on refugee flows westwards. For Putin such flows would be understood in terms of an asymmetric responses by Russia to western pressure.

• Might Putin be tempted to declare martial law or a state of emergency in Russia? Putin may calculate that full mobilization is a necessary means to offset 1) battlefield losses through conscription; 2) economic isolation and rent redistributions to shore up elite support; and 3) evidence the idea that this is an existential fight for Russia, that Ukraine is merely the territory upon which Russia battles the real enemy – NATO. Such reasoning concludes that once battle is joined all measures are justified by Russia if this leads to the defeat of NATO.

• If such reasoning prevails, martial law and mobilization in Russia could prove to be the second and last strategic blunder by Putin. Russian military reforms introduced by Defense Minister Serdyukov 2009-2012 means mass mobilization is not possible – the Russian military does not have the capacity or infrastructure to train such large numbers. Moreover, such a move might precipitate a societal revolt, one in which the Russian security services would struggle to maintain order. Alternatively, it could encourage a military coup, with a charismatic and politically acceptable Defense Minister Shoigu at its head. Given “everything is forever until it is no more”, the entourage and inner-circle around Putin may well calculate that the president himself is the problem and his removal the solution.

• Fear of failure in Ukraine and fear of revolt and removal in Russia likely increases Putin’s isolation and paranoia. He may then adopt a differentiated understanding of risk. At home he is risk averse. Martial law or declaring a state of emergency is avoided. Putin likely compensates by accepting greater risk abroad. This suggests a Black Sea Fleet “special military operation” against Poti could come into focus, or Russia looks to conducts a dirty bomb “false flag” operation in Ukraine. In Putin’s mind, both options would create disruptive situations to generate options and new opportunities for leverage and exploitation.

Raytheon Tapped For AEGIS Support | Turkish AESA Prototype For F-16 To Be Delivered By End Of Year | India Postpones Firepower Demonstration

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 03/09/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Raytheon won a $13.6 million deal, which provides test, evaluation and systems engineering support, to include mission planning, test plans and procedures, mission conduct and data collection, real-time range safety mission support, mission data analyses and reporting, operations research support, and technical management support for the Missile Defense Agency/AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense Program. Work will take place in California, Hawaii, New Mexico. Expected completion date is in March 2026.

A Mirage F1 from Airborne Tactical Advantage Company crashed near Luke Air Force Base on February 10 after having low fuel pressure, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board. The engine flamed out and the pilot could not restart the engine. Unable to reach Luke Air Force Base, the pilot steered the aircraft to a desert area before ejecting.

Middle East & Africa

The Turkish F-16 jet’s AESA radar prototype, developed by electronics enterprise, ASELSAN is scheduled to be delivered by the end of this year. The AESA Radar will be integrated into the F-16 Block 30 platform in service with the Turkish Air Force for further tests and qualification.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries gave the OK for two projects that aim to locally manufacture components for the US-origin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. The information was confirmed by Deputy Governor for the Industry Sector, Eng. Qassim bin Abdulghani Al-Maimani. Riyadh will now manufacture THAAD interceptor launchers and missile containers, reported SDArabia.

Europe

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday said there are “credible reports” of Russian forces committing war crimes in ongoings attack on Ukraine by firing on fleeing civilians. “There are credible reports of civilians coming under fire as they tried to evacuate,” said Stoltenberg, speaking to reporters after a meeting with Latvian President Egils Levits, at the Riga Castle in Latvia. “Targeting civilians is a war crime. And it’s totally unacceptable. We need real humanitarian corridors that are fully respected.”

Asia-Pacific

India was supposed to hold a firepower demonstration today in Rajasthan but Exercise Vayu Shakti 2022 has been postponed. Anonymous sources told the Hindu that the event was postponed “due to the developing situation” and a new date will be decided later. 148 aircraft including 109 fighters were supposed to be participating. The exercise was last held in 2019.

Today’s Video

WATCH: British Army Unveils The NEW CHALLENGER 3 Main Battle Tank!

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Air Force One 17 Months Behind Schedule | US Likely To Give F-16s To Poland | Arlan 4×4 Delivered To Kazakhstan Armed Forces

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 03/08/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $869.9 million contract modification, which adds scope for integrating mission and weapon systems capability development, including flight-test hardware, through system functional review to development test complete on the F-35A, F-35B, F-35C aircraft. Work will take place in Texas, New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland, California, Missouri and Arizona. Estimated completion will be in December 2026.

The US Air Force and Boeing have concluded that delivery of the new Air Force One is now 17 months behind schedule. This means the transport will not be delivered by 2024. The delay was first reported by Breaking Defense, which says the information came from two of its sources. A Boeing spokesperson said the company is working “closely with the Air Force on a new approved schedule baseline.”

Middle East & Africa

The Finnish Ministry of Defense has named solutions by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to advance to the second and final round of negotiations for Finland’s new, enhanced, high-altitude, short-to-medium range ground-based air-defense system (GBADS) requirement.

Europe

The Pentagon is likely to supply F-16 combat jets to Poland if it hands over MiG-29s to Ukraine. NATO rejected Ukraine’s pleas to impose a no-fly zone to halt Russia’s bombing. Its chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would not intervene in the conflict over fears of a direct class with Russia that could spiral into a wider conflict.

Russia has fired 600 missiles since its invasion of Ukraine began, a senior US defense official said Sunday, and it has committed approximately 95% of its amassed combat power inside Ukraine, reports CNN. The US observed ongoing fighting in Kherson and Mykolaiv on Sunday and Russian forces are still trying to encircle Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol, according to the official.

Asia-Pacific

Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE), which is a joint venture between the global aerospace and technology business, Paramount Group and one of Kazakhstan’s leading defense and engineering companies, Kazpetromash, has announced its latest delivery of Arlan 4×4 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in accordance with that nation’s State Defense Order. Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering has for over the past four years delivered several batches of the Arlan APC to the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, where they have since been in operation.

Today’s Video

WATCH: US and Poland “working actively” on a deal to supply Ukraine with fighter jets | DW News

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Sikorsky Tapped For VH-92A Support | German Strela Missiles Offered To Ukraine Not Useable | NATO Increases Presence On North-Eastern Flank

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 03/07/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Lockheed Martin won a not-to-exceed contract modification, which adds scope for the procurement, delivery, installation, and configuration of 22 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training devices. The total quantity of training devices includes full mission simulators, multispectral database, and interactive courseware. Additionally, this modification provides non-recurring engineering to identify and integrate a replacement rechargeable battery module to be installed within the blade server system of pilot training devices in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will take place in Texas and Florida. Estimated completion will be in December 2027.

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $15.9 million modification, which adds scope to provide interim contractor support and procure interior spares for VH-92A low rate initial production Lot II aircraft. The Marine One VH-92A is the next-generation presidential transport helicopter being developed for the US Marine Corps. Sikorsky Aircraft is responsible for the production. Work will take place in Washington, Illinois, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York. Estimated completion will be in March 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Defense reports that the Mozambican army has intercepted and neutralized 3 ISIS drone squads in the north of the country with the tactical systems provided by the Israeli company MCTECH RF Technologies. According to a report by the army, the drones were apparently sent for the purposes of gathering intelligence and bombarding the soldiers. According MCTECH, the system model MC-Horizon D360BP V3 tactical systems were supplied to the Mozambican army at the end of 2021.

Europe

According to local media, the German government had to backtrack on the planned delivery of 2,700 East German-era Strela anti-aircraft missiles to the Ukrainian army. The magazine Der Spiegel reported that  a large proportion of the Strela missiles in the German army depots are not only completely outdated, they are also no longer usable. The German army had already taken the East German-era system out of the troops’ operations in 2014 “for security reasons”, according to a confidential note on the weapon system.

NATO is increasing its presence on the north-eastern flank of Allied territory in response to the Russian troop concentration and subsequent aggressive incursion by Russian forces into Ukraine. Now all four multinational NATO task forces have been reinforced with additional personnel and materiel. Britain, the lead nation of the NATO battalion in Estonia, has sent another 850 soldiers and more Challenger tanks there, plus 350 more troops to Poland. It has also put another 1,000 on standby to help with refugees, and sent another four fighter jets to Cyprus, while sending two ships to the eastern Mediterranean.

Asia-Pacific

Indonesia Air Force Chief of Staff Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo disclosed that a number of pilots have been shortlisted for conversion to the Rafale fighter. “We have prepared several pilots, but we have not determined the number. However, we have readied the criteria and those who are eligible to fly the Rafale,” Prasetyo said on March 4.

Today’s Video

WATCH: How Powerful is Javelin Anti-Tank Missile

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Reaper Surpassed 2 Million Flight Hours | TCG Anadolu Started Sea Trials | Ukroboronprom Repaired Military Hardware And Weapons

Defense Industry Daily - Fri, 03/04/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $22.6 million order, which provides for maintenance support to the E-2D aircraft throughout its entire life-cycle using operationally supportable and interoperable solutions. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in Florida and New York. Estimated completion will be in February 2025.

The MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has surpassed 2 million flight hours in support of global customers. The workhorse unmanned aircraft combines unmatched persistence and mission flexibility with a >90% Mission Capable Rate, which puts the MQ-9A in a class by itself, the company said in a statement.

Middle East & Africa

Turkish Navy’s multipurpose amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu has started its sea trials. Sedef Shipyard Defense Industry Projects Manager Selim Buldano?lu revealed to Daily Sabah the construction of the ship has been completed and that the sea tests have begun.

Europe

The French defense ministry said Wednesday it has deployed Rafale combat jets to Poland. Josep Borrell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, said on February 27 that the bloc would provide funds to Ukraine to acquire fighter jets from unidentified member states.

Ukraine’s state-owned Ukroboronprom said it has repaired and restored several military hardware and weapons for use by the Army as the war with Russia rages on for the seventh day. Over the past two days, the company said it repaired more than 10 armored vehicles, six air defense systems and several aircraft; besides undertaking on-site repair works. It has also ramped up production of machine guns, cruise missiles, Czech Hedgehog anti-tank fortification systems and explosives.

Asia-Pacific

India is now gearing to counter the impact of new economic sanctions on Russia by the US and Europe that could hamper armaments and military spares supplies from Moscow. Russia has been the largest arms supplier to India since the early 1970s. Today, 60% of India’s military hardware inventory is from Russia or the former Soviet Union and the bulk of India’s license-based defense manufacturing comes from Russia.

Today’s Video

WATCH: General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Boeing Gets $17.7M For NGJ Development Support | Kuwait To get Eurofighters | Ukraine Gets More Stinger And Javelin Missiles

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 03/03/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Boeing won a $17.7 million contract modification, which increases the scope to procure the necessary test and engineering support to complete the development of the Next Generation Jammer – Mid-Band system and the phased replacement of the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System currently mounted to the EA-18G aircraft. The AN/ALQ-99 intercepts and automatically processes radar signals and power manages the system’s transmitters to effectively jam large numbers of diverse radar threats with very high effective radiated power. The AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system is part of a larger NGJ system that will augment, and ultimately replace the legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS) currently used on the EA-18G Growler aircraft for Airborne Electronic Attack. Work will take place in Missouri and Maryland. Estimated completion will be in February 2023.

BAE Systems and the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) completed flight test of advanced Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) technology at a Department of Defense flight test range. The technology enables the rapid infusion of new payloads and platforms into the fleet to quickly enhance mission effectiveness and counter adversary technology..

Middle East & Africa

Leonardo, an Italian aerospace firm, is preparing to deliver another two Eurofighters to Kuwait in the middle of this month, Reuters reports. So far, 2 out of the 28 aircraft ordered have been delivered.

Europe

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced that new Bayraktar TB2 combat drones have arrived from Turkey and are being deployed in the field. The delivery comes amidst the Russian invasion into Ukrainian borders. These new drones add onto the 12 Bayraktar TB2s in Ukraine’s inventory being used in the air and naval forces. Ukraine shared grainy aerial images of Russian tanks and missile batteries destroyed by their Bayraktar drones. A black-and-white footage that went viral on Twitter Sunday showed a massive explosion ripping through what appears to be a Russian convoy.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, his country will receive more Stinger and Javelin anti-aircraft missiles from abroad. Turkey will also deliver more drones. Amidst the Russian War in the Ukraine, several western countries like Germany, Finland, Sweden or Denmark have pledged arms to Ukraine to ward off the Russian invasion.

Asia-Pacific

Thailand’s procurement of S26T diesel-electric submarines from China has hit rough seas with Germany’s MTU refusing to supply engines that power the vessels. The Asian country decided in 2015 to buy three S26T submarines, an export version of the Type 039A (Yuan class). A $390 million contract for the first boat was signed with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) in 2017, with delivery expected in 2024.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Why Guided Anti-Tank Missiles—Like Javelins—Are Vital in Ukraine’s Fight Against Russia

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Lockheed To Supply JASSM To USAF | Finland To Send Weapons To Ukraine | DRDO And Safran Close To Developing AMCA Engine

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 03/02/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $128.2 million contract modification by the US Air Force for the exercise of an option for hardware spares and the partial exercise of an option for an additional 123 Lot 20 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) – Extended Range missiles with containers. According to the company, JASSM is a long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile for the US and allied forces. Designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and relocatable targets, JASSM’s significant standoff range keeps aircrews well out of danger from hostile air defense systems. Work will take place in Florida and Alabama. Expected completion date is January 30, 2026.

The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced the awards of three prototype agreements worth approximately $1.8 billion to establish the foundation for Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), a mesh network of 126 optically-interconnected space vehicles (SV). The SVs will provide a resilient, low-latency, high-volume data transport communication system, and be ready for launch starting in September 2024.

Middle East & Africa

Kellogg Brown & Root Services won a $7.7 million contract modification for base operating support at several locations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The work to be performed provides for but is not limited to, all management, supervision, tools, materials, supplies, labor and transportation services necessary to perform galley services, laundry services, facility management, emergency service requests, urgent service, routing service, preventive maintenance, inspection, testing and certification, facilities investment, custodial, pest control service, integrated solid waste, grounds maintenance, wastewater, and base support vehicles, at Jebel Ali, Fujairah, Sas Al Nahkl and Al Minhad, United Arab Emirates. Work will take place in the UAE. Expected completion date is February 28, 2023.

Europe

The Italian Ministry of Defense’s Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness Directorate (DAAA) recently approved a contract for the technical-logistical support of the Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules airlifter fleet. The agreement, which lasts five years and is worth a total of €380 million, was signed on January 28, 2022, between the Italian Air Force and the Temporary Business Grouping (RTI) formed by Leonardo, Avio Aero and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

Finland will send weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Monday. This marks a shift in policy. The shipment will include 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 bullets, 1,500 anti-tank weapons and 70,000 food packages, Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said.

A cruise missile strike at the largest square of Europe, Freedom Square in Kharkiv leading to dozens of victims should be counted as a war crime said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “The cruise missile that struck Kharkiv, fired from the Russian city of Belgorod is terror against the city. There was no military target on the square. Just as in those residential areas of Kharkiv hit by rocket artillery. The rocket aimed at the central square is an outright, undisguised terror,” the president said in a statement posted on the Ukrainian MoD’s website.

Asia-Pacific

An anonymous defense official from India told The Hindu that Paris and New Delhi are close to concluding an agreement to develop the engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and French engine maker Safran will work together to develop the 125KN engine. Meanwhile, Girish S. Deodhare, Director General of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), says design configuration of the AMCA has been frozen.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Italy Signs €380M Technical Logistical Support Contact for C-130J Fleet!

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Leidos To Develop HPM Anti-Drone Weapon | EU To Ban Russian Media | Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile Integration For Aussie Super Hornets

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 03/01/2022 - 05:00
Americas

The US Air Force has selected Leidos Inc. to develop a $26 million prototype advanced high power microwave (HPM) weapon system to counter drones. “The new prototype will be called Mjölnir, the mythical Norse God Thor’s mighty hammer,” said Adrian Lucero, THOR program manager at AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. “Because THOR was so successful, we wanted to keep the new system’s name in the family.” Mjölnir is based on technology from the Tactical High-Power Operational Responder (THOR) program but with significant improvement in capabilities, reliability, and manufacturing capabilities. Leidos will deliver the prototype next year.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) used an Avenger Unmanned Aircraft System and five hardware-in-the-loop synthetic Avengers to autonomously search and follow an artificially-generated adversary. The live-virtual swarm utilized a simulated Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor network in addition to the government-furnished CODE autonomy engine to accomplish the mission.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy’s Mideast-based 5th Fleet last week announced the launch of a new joint fleet of unmanned drones with allied nations to patrol vast swaths of the region’s volatile waters as tensions simmer with Iran. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads the 5th Fleet, told The Associated Press that 100 unmanned drones, both sailing and submersible, would dramatically multiply the surveillance capacities of the U.S. Navy

Europe

Ukraine reported the destruction of the Antonov An-225 Mriya airlifter on February 27, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba saying that the largest aircraft in the world was destroyed in a Russian strike on Hostomel Airport (also known as Antonov International Airport) on the northwestern outskirts of Kyiv.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union will ban Russian state-run media outlets from airing in the EU, as well as bar Russian aircraft from flying in EU airspace.

Asia-Pacific

Zenetex LLC won an $8 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide contractor support services for the MH-60R Multi Mission Helicopter for the government of Australia. The MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It is considered to be the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter. The first low-rate initial production (LRIP) helicopters were remanufactured SH-60Bs, but the following MH-60Rs are all newbuilds. Work will take place in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in March 2023.

The Royal Australian Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth $49 Million to provide Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile integration and test effort for the formers F/A-18 E/F aircraft. This order provides Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile integration and test effort for the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 E/F aircraft for the government of Australia. In February of 2020, the United States had approved Australia’s request to purchase 200 AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) for its F-18 Super Hornet fighters in a contact estimated to be worth $990 million. Australia intends to use the missiles on its F-18 aircraft to provide enhanced capabilities in defense of critical sea-lanes.

Today’s Video

WATCH: EU ups the ante with Russia; closes airspace, bans media

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Defense One Radio: Vlad the Invader

Russian Military Reform - Mon, 02/28/2022 - 15:33

I was on the Defense One Radio Podcast on Friday, together with some other guests, talking about the larger context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. You can listen or read the transcript here. Here’s a sample:

Watson: I’m wondering, what is your read on this next generation of power brokers in Russia, and their interest in Putin’s kind of, you know, revanchist tendencies here?

Gorenburg: It’s, you know, it’s really hard to tell what, how things, you know, what any of these next generation people really think. And, you know, one movie that I think is well worth watching, not just for the history, but also for just when you start thinking about how a bunch of psychopaths interact with the Supreme Leader’s, is the “Death of Stalin.” And you see that kind of cow-towing, right? But also, what the actual history of that time tells us is that the survivors, the people who stuck around in positions of power became very good at hiding their true beliefs while Stalin was around. And so, we don’t really know what a lot of these people think, because the ones that had clear positions that were contrary to what Putin wants have been sidelined.

Watson: What are the long-game considerations that maybe the U.S. officials in the policy community may not have been thinking about as much as perhaps they ought to? 

Gorenburg: Well, I think we’re heading into clearly a time of NATO-Russia confrontation. A lot will depend on how this goes. If this goes well and easily for Putin, then I think the appetite may increase. If it becomes complicated and painful, then there’ll be a time of reckoning, recalculation, or even just a time of trying to assimilate what’s been gained. But if it does go well, then I worry a bit about Moldova, honestly.

Oshkosh To Support JLTV Fielding | Weapons To Ukraine | China Revealed New Landing Craft

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 02/28/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Oshkosh Defense won an $11.6 million contract modification for regional field service representatives to support fielding of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The Oshkosh Defense Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is designed for never-before-achieved speed, power and protected mobility outside the wire. Work will take place in Wisconsin. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2023.

The US Air Force has initiated the process of retiring its JSTARS fleet with the first production aircraft delivered #92-3289 being sent to retirement at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The jet left Robins Air Force Base on February 11.

Middle East & Africa

The Turkish Navy’s Preveze (Type 209/1400)-class diesel electric submarine (SSK) mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme has achieved a new milestone with the successful completion of the critical design phase. Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) approved the critical design phase following the successful completion of sea acceptance trials of the inertial navigation system, salinity-depth-density measurement and cold-water systems, and static inverters in mid-February, according to an announcement by Turkish company STM.

Europe

Germany and Netherlands announced over the weekend that they will be supplying anti-tank weapons and FIM-92 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 FIM-92s will be transferred. Dutch government said in letters to parliament that 200 FIM-92s and 50 recoilless rifles with 400 warheads will be shipped to Ukraine.

The European Union will finance the purchase and delivery of weapons, in a show of support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday. Von der Leyen said the EU’s decision to finance arms purchases was “a watershed moment.” The EU traces its roots to post-World War II peace efforts and began as an economic alliance.

Asia-Pacific

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) has revealed a new utility landing craft that can carry armored vehicles and troops, and complement air cushioned landing craft in large landing missions. The revelation comes amidst hightened rhetoric in Chinese media circles of an impending invasion of Taiwan following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Germany to send weapons to Ukraine in policy reversal • FRANCE 24 English

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

CE in Hungary for high level talks

EDA News - Sat, 02/26/2022 - 10:32

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý visited Hungary on 23-24 February for high level talks with Defence Policy Director Gergely Németh, Chief of Staff Major General Tibor Bozó, as well as the national capability director, Major Gen. László Sticz, the deputy national armaments director, ret. General László Tömböl, and the research and technology director, Brigadier General István Filótás. A scheduled meeting with Defence Minister Tibor Benkő had to be cancelled due to the events in Ukraine. The trip to Budapest was part of Mr Šedivý’s ‘tour des capitales’ around all EDA Member States.

The discussions with Defence Policy Director Németh mainly focused on Hungary’s involvement in EDA’s current and future activities, the need to drive defence innovation in Europe and the prospect of reinforcing EDA's role in supporting Member States in this area, the contributions the Armed Forces can make to the EU’s Green Deal policy, the state of play of the ongoing Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) cycle 2021-2022 and the follow-up on the findings and recommendations of the first CARD report presented in November 2020, the state of play in the PESCO implementation, the functioning of the European Defence Fund (EDF) as well as the preparations for the EU’s Strategic Compass to be approved in March. Hungary provided a comprehensive presentation of the results and future ambitions of the Zrínyi force modernisation programme and its commitment to cooperation in EU capability development. The Chief Executive was impressed with Hungarian progress and outlined the ways in which Hungary can build on that progress and cooperate even more efficiently at a European level.

Hungary participates in 10 EDA projects & programmes including the Agency’s helicopter trainings & exercises, the EU Multimodal Transport Hubs programme, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defence Surveillance as a Service (CBRN SaaS) project, the Multinational Modular Medical Unit (3MU) programme, the Joint Deployable Exploitation and Analysis Laboratory (JDEAL) or the Agency’s research project into Fuel Cells for Soldier Systems (FUSS) for which Hungary is even the lead nation. The total value of EDA programmes and projects in which Hungary participates currently stands at €37 million (Feb.2022).  

"I am particularly grateful for Hungary’s active role in the Agency’s helicopter training and exercise programme. We can count on the country’s important support in this domain since many years. In 2017, Hungary hosted one of our flagship helicopter exercises, called ‘Fire Blade’, and it will host it again later this year, in June, for a second time. Hungary’s leadership in support of our helicopter exercise programme is very much appreciated, and I can only thank the Minister for this. The country also acts as the lead country for an important collaborative defence research project managed by EDA that is looking into the development of new, enhanced soldier-sized fuel cell energy sources.  Another example of Hungary’s engagement is its participation in the CBRN Surveillance as a Service project which was the first PESCO project for which EDA’s direct support was requested and which is now run in the framework of the Agency. The project has even further developed into a Reconnaissance Surveillance System (CBRN RSS) project, supported by Hungary and four other countries, under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP)", Mr Šedivý commented. 

Hungary’s Defence Policy Director, Dr. Németh welcomed the delegation of EDA led by the Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý, for a two-day visit in Budapest, and delivered the apologies of the Hungarian minister of defence, who could not meet the Chief Executive due to his duties related to the sudden worsening of the crisis in and around Ukraine. "Due to the difficulties caused by the pandemic, this was Mr. Šedivý’s first official visit to Hungary since he assumed his position in 2020. The Chief Executive’s trip to Hungary was very much appreciated in this very challenging and busy period. The timing was also relevant in light of the substantial progress we are witnessing in the Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU. The discussion on the Strategic Compass is ongoing, and Hungary is contributing to this document with an initiative in the field of capability development. We believe that the Compass should define a clear level of ambition for CSDP. With EU and NATO membership as the cornerstones of Hungarian defence policy, our country is a committed contributor to Euro-Atlantic security. Hungary highly appreciates the Agency’s work on the defence initiatives, namely the Capability Development Plan (CDP), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the Coordinated Annual Review (CARD). These initiatives will certainly improve collaboration among Member States and help them identify capability development opportunities. Hungary’s comprehensive Zrínyi Defence and Force Development Programme aims at modernising and revitalising the Hungarian defence forces. This wide-ranging development programme gives us the opportunity to benefit from the EU defence initiatives, and it has positively affected the entire Hungarian defence sector, giving us more room for further cooperation. The modernisation programme underpins Hungary’s efforts to become a more active player on the international stage as well, including within the framework of the Agency. As a founding member of PESCO, Hungary is committed to its successful implementation. After the 4th wave of PESCO project generation, we are now involved in 28 PESCO projects, with a special focus on the EUROSIM PESCO project led by Hungary. EUROSIM will be among those 26 PESCO projects, out of 60 projects altogether, which are foreseen to reach their full operational capability by 2025 and produce tangible results. EDA’s support to EU Member States is indisputable. The Agency, with its broad network and expertise, is an essential platform for developing and improving military capabilities through collaboration. We ensure the Agency of our continued support and cooperation We are looking forward to the next CARD cycle as well as to the Agency’s future work on defence innovation", he said.

Russian Media Analysis, Issue 10, February 25, 2022

Russian Military Reform - Fri, 02/25/2022 - 21:45

Here are the abstracts from the latest issue of our Russian Media Analysis newsletter. You can also download the full text PDF version.

This newsletter covers developments up to February 21, 2022. Russian media discussions of Russia’s recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics on February 21, 2022, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, will be covered in the following issue.

1. HIGHLIGHTS OF PUTIN SPEECH

The key points of Vladimir Putin’s speech on February 21 include the following: Ukraine is preparing for a conflict with Western military support. Ukraine will seek to create nuclear weapons, or potentially get Western assistance to do so. Ukraine joining NATO is just a matter of time. Ukraine in NATO is a “direct threat to Russian security.” The US and NATO have sought not only to arm and train but also to integrate Ukraine’s military. These actions present a threat to Russia. NATO military bases are already present in Ukraine. Previous rounds of NATO expansion have not led to an improvement in relations with Russia, as the West has promised. Russia has unsuccessfully sought to cooperate with the West in various formats. Instead, the West has “cheated” and NATO infrastructure is now on Russia’s doorstep. US missile defense and strike capabilities are expanding and will pose a threat to Russia from Ukrainian territory. The West has “ignored” Russian proposals to resolve the current situation and this will have consequences.

2. PERCEPTION OF US GOALS IN THE CRISIS

Several articles discuss Russian perceptions of what the United States is looking to achieve in the current confrontation between the West and Russia. They focus on US domestic problems and fears of a loss of world domination as reasons that Washington is provoking a confrontation with Russia. They also suggest that the current confrontation is just the culmination of a long-term US plan to weaken Russia. They also argue that the US feels that Russia has little to offer in the way of potential concessions to end the crisis.

3. RUSSIAN GOALS IN THE CONFRONTATION

Several articles discuss Russian goals in the confrontation with the West and what Russia has achieved. Unlike Western analysts, who tend to focus on efforts to stop NATO enlargement or reorient Ukraine, Russian analysts address possibilities such as averting a new European missile crisis or forcing Ukraine to carry out the Minsk agreements. Russian achievements during the confrontation including bringing the US and its European allies to the negotiating table on major security issues, while negative consequences include reinforcing Western unity and creating a more negative perception of Russia in the West.

4. THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Two authors discuss the potentially dangerous consequences for Russia of a war in Ukraine, while several offer possible solutions to the crisis. Writing from opposing perspectives, a conservative commentator and a liberal former FSB general agree that Russia is not prepared for war in Ukraine and for confrontation with the West. Possible solutions to the crisis focus primarily on the possibility of a neutral Ukraine, though some propose a broader array of confidence-building measures to reduce the extent of confrontation in Europe as a whole.

5. IMPLICATIONS OF US AND EUROPEAN SANCTIONS

Numerous articles in the Russian press discuss and even dismiss the potential implications of US efforts to impose sanctions on Russia. In Gazeta.ru, Anatoliy Akulov analyzes the challenges of US consensus-building among European actors to sanction Nordstream 2. In Topwar.ru, Aleksandr Staver critiques US targeted sanctions against Russia, arguing that they in essence view the children of Russian investors in the UK as hostages. In Izvestiya, Mariya Vasil’eva focuses on the sanctions’ potential impact on the Russian embassies abroad, arms exports, and electronics, among others. In Voenno-Promyshlennyi Kur’er (VPK), Vladimir Eranosyan writes about the challenges that the US faces in making good on its threat to disconnect Russia from SWIFT as well as about the INSTEX system created in the wake of Iran’s disconnect from SWIFT. Finally, in another article in VPK, Vitaliy Orlov writes about how Russia could transition away from the use of the US dollar for exports of Russian armaments abroad.

6. WESTERN FORCE DEPLOYMENTS GARNER RUSSIAN ATTENTION

As the crisis between Ukraine and Russia heats up, Russian authors have been quick to point out new military deployments by Western powers in the region. American deployments to Poland and Slovakia have been of interest, as well as UK support elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Overall, the articles view these deployments as ominous, but also par for the course given the bellicose trajectory of interstate relations in recent months.

7. UKRAINE ARMS FOR WAR

Many articles in the Russian press are reviewing current political and military tensions surrounding Ukraine. Taking a variety of tacks, articles largely focus on the state of the Ukrainian military and its support by Western powers. They encompass details about military equipment and technology transfers, discuss the broader abilities of the Ukrainian armed forces, and launch critical broadsides against Ukraine’s perceived bellicose position relative to Russia and the separatist republics.

8. BELARUS AIDS IN RUSSIA’S MILITARY BUILDUP

Cooperation between Russia and Belarus are a point of interest for several observers, especially as tensions continue to ratchet up with neighboring Ukraine. Belarus and Russia are jointly undertaking combined-arms military exercises in the form of “Union Resolve – 2022,” which some view as a further step away from any putative neutrality by Belarus. Others noted that Belarus has taken a hard line vis-à-vis Ukraine in terms of public declarations of support for Russia’s side, which is a shift from previous years. Finally, a military doctrine for the Russo-Belarusian Union State has been recently approved, which has further underlined the considerable alignment between the two countries.

9. TURKEY AS A MEDIATOR FOR THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT

An Izvestiya article interviews Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, who discusses Ankara’s offer to mediate the Russia-Ukraine crisis. While Turkey claims that it is “the only country” that can meet both Russia and Ukraine halfway to find resolution, the ambassador has doubts of Turkey’s impartiality, noting its “well-known military-technical ties with Ukraine.” Moreover, the ambassador suggests that Ankara may not adequately understand the extent of Russia’s grievances. He states, “If our Turkish partners can influence the Ukrainians and encourage them to fulfill the previously-made [Minsk] agreements and obligations, this can be welcomed.”

10. SIVKOV CAUTIONS US ABOUT NUCLEAR WAR

In VPK, Russian commentator Konstantin Sivkov extrapolates from what he alleges to have been a statement made by Gen. David Goldfein about “three steps to destroy Russia.” He concludes that a nuclear conflict between the US and Russia would be fatal for both Russia and the United States—and lead to the dominance of other states in the international system. This, he notes, should force “global and US elites to think—should they free up a “place in the sun” for others?”

11. PERSPECTIVES ON INFORMATION WARFARE

In a February 11 article in Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obozrenie (NVO), Yuriy Yur’ev writes about the concept of information warfare as a “component part of hybrid warfare” and traces the evolution of US information warfare concepts, arguing that Russia has lost the initiative to its opponents in this area. In Krasnaya Zvezda, Oleg Martynov discusses the creation in Poland of a cyber defense force. This article traces the evolution of US and NATO concepts in the cyber domain and posits that NATO has long “viewed the cyber sphere as a domain for military action.”

12. NEXUS OF CRIMINALS AND TERRORISTS IN HYBRID WARS AND COLOR REVOLUTIONS

In VPK, Konstantin Strigunov focuses on the nexus of criminal and terrorist groups as a potential globalization trend that weakens state governments. He argues that criminal, terrorist, and other groups are also utilized in “non-classical wars” such as hybrid wars and color revolutions.

13. US EXERCISES AND WEAPONS SYSTEMS

VPK and Kommersant discuss US and allied exercises and weapons systems. In Kommersant, Marianna Belen’kaya discusses Western reactions to the Russo-Belarusian Allied Resolve 2022 exercises and Russian commentators’ perspectives on military activities in the region. In VPK, authors discuss US presence in the Mediterranean for the Neptune Strike-2022 exercises, the testing of the joint air-to-ground missile, and US ballistic and cruise missile programs.

14. CHINESE-RUSSIAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Several articles reported on the meetings between presidents Putin and Xi on the sidelines of the Beijing Winter Olympics: the leaders declared that there were no limits to their strategic partnership; they vowed to counter instances of foreign interference in internal affairs; and Beijing announced that it joins Putin in opposing further NATO expansion. While some articles gloat at these new developments, others are more cautious—noting drawbacks and inequities in the alliance in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Another article argues that the US is trying to use Ukraine to drive a wedge between China and Russia.

15. KURIL ISLANDS DEVELOPMENTS; RUSSIAN-JAPANESE RELATIONS

Several articles report on an alleged US Virginia-class submarine incident that occurred near the Kuril Islands on February 12, which the Russian Ministry of Defense characterized as “a gross violation of international law.” According to reports, the submarine entered Russian territorial waters during a planned Russian military exercise, ignored warning messages instructing the vessel to surface, and was chased away by a Russian frigate. Other articles discuss the Japanese-Russian territorial dispute surrounding the South Kuril Islands, and how potential anti-Russian sanctions from Tokyo might affect the bilateral relationship.

16. IRAN NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS

Two articles discuss the US decision to reintroduce sanction waivers to Iran in hopes of reviving the nuclear negotiations. In an interview, the Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna notes that this step “should have been taken long ago” but welcomes the decision. A different article questions whether this is enough to save the Iran deal, noting Tehran’s lack of enthusiasm in response to the waivers, and the lack of trust that a diplomatic resolution would be upheld by future US administrations.

Sikorsky Tapped For Black Hawk Support | Serbia Ordered C295 | Thailand Ordered AH-6 Helos

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 02/24/2022 - 15:00
Americas

FlightSafety International won a $32 million contract for the exercise of the KC-46 Aircrew Training System (ATS) Production Year 7 options. The contract modification is for the exercise of option contract line item numbers for additional weapon system trainers, boom operator trainers, fuselage trainer, pilot part task trainers, support equipment, McChord site activations, systems engineering and program management, summative evaluation and new refresher training scenarios. Work will take place in Oklahoma. Estimated completion date is January 7, 2024.

Sikorsky won a $42.2 million deal for non-personal technical services in support of sustainment of the H-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. The US Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2026.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered the first F-16 wing and vertical fin to Lockheed Martin, following the reopening of the F-16 wing assembly line at IAI. As a result of increased worldwide demand for the F-16 Block 70/72, IAI reopened the assembly lines that had been established in the 1980s to continue production of the F-16 aerostructures assembled at IAI. The F-16 wings and vertical fins will be shipped to the F-16 production and final assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina, USA.

Europe

The German ministry of Defense has contracted Thales to equip the former’s NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter with FLASH SONICS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing systems. The new configuration of the NH90 Multi Role Frigate Helicopter variant includes the latest processing technology which offers significant operational improvement. These helicopters will be the first to be equipped with the capability to process Thales new sonobuoy SonoFlash in addition to the FLASH world reference dipping sonar.

The Serbian Ministry of Defense placed an order for two Airbus C295 aircraft. The contract was signed in Madrid in the presence of senior government members of the Republic of Serbia and Spain. This contract will be accompanied by a Government-to-Government supervision agreement between the Ministries of Defense of Spain and the Republic of Serbia, which aims to study the development of future defence programmes between both nations. Airbus is committed to maintain and foster its close collaboration with the Republic of Serbia, which already operates Airbus military solutions.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing has won a $103.7 million contract by the US Department of Defense as part of a foreign military sale for eight AH-6 light attack reconnaissance helicopters to Thailand. The contract also includes spares, training devices, support equipment, and technical publications for the Royal Thai Army.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Thailand Orders AH-6 Light Attack Helicopters

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Activation of first capability developed under PESCO points to strength of cooperation in cyber defence

EDA News - Thu, 02/24/2022 - 08:29

For the first time a capability developed within the framework of EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project has been formally activated in an operational context. The Lithuania-coordinated Cyber Rapid Response Teams and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security (CRRTs) typically consists of 8-12 cybersecurity experts pooled from six participating EU Member States – Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania – who can provide assistance in the event of a cyber incident. This week, the CRRTs were activated following a request from Ukraine to help the country's institutions facing cybersecurity challenges. 

EDA Supporting PESCO & Cyber Defence Cooperation

The Cyber Rapid Response Teams project was launched within the first wave of PESCO projects and has been operational since 2019. CRTT was the first of the currently 60 PESCO projects to reach full operational capability (FOC) in May 2021. The cyber experts pooled within the project are available to assist EU Member States, EU institutions, EU CSDP missions and operations as well as partner countries, contributing to the EU common capacity to prevent, deter and to respond to cyber threats.  

EDA also brought its cyber expertise to bear within the project in its early stages, supporting the project for one year (November 2018-2019). EDA’s Information Superiority Unit provided its expert advice on cyber defence and cyber security technology, especially in the development of cyber toolkits for Cyber Rapid Response Teams. EDA continues its cutting-edge work in cyber defence through its cyber defence programme and trainings.  

EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý said: “This marks an important moment in the continued development of PESCO from rhetoric to reality. The Cyber Rapid Response Teams capability shows how defence cooperation projects have an inherent value and benefit from pooled resources and joint expertise. I am proud that EDA helped support this project in its early stages and its activation as an operational capability underscored that PESCO is becoming more operational and beginning to deliver on its aims.  

PESCO remains a process for European defence cooperation, an additional 25 projects are expected to deliver concrete results by 2025. EDA has already provided support to eight PESCO projects and stands ready to support its Member States going forward”.  

Cyber Rapid Response Teams (CRRTs) allow the Member States to help each other to ensure a higher level of cyber resilience and collectively respond to cyber incidents. CRTTs are equipped with a commonly developed deployable cyber toolkits designed to detect, recognise and mitigate cyber threats. Teams would be able to assist with training, vulnerability assessments and other requested support. In practical terms, this could mean support in monitoring the threat landscape, detecting and mitigation of cyber-attacks or supporting the further investigation of cyber-attacks. 

US Army Completed V6 Deployment To South Korea | DoS Approves FMS For Kuwait Defense Ministry HQ Modernization | Saab Unveiled DeployNet

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 02/24/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Collins Aerospace won a $48.4 million contract, which provides developmental design and risk reduction engineering efforts for airborne very low frequency systems modernization in support of Airborne Strategic Command, Control, and Communications Program Office program capability requirements. The risk reduction effort is to meet requirements for the very low frequency integration into a C-130 aircraft. Specifically, this contract provides non-recurring engineering effort to address size, weight, and power cooling in the components, systems, subsystems, or weapons replaceable assembly, model based systems engineering development, weight reduction analysis, cyber security risk assessment, and logistics analysis. Work will take place in Texas and Iowa. Estimated completion is in March 2024.

The US Army has completed the deployment of 24 AH-64E V6 attack helicopters to South Korea. The 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade disclosed that the helicopters were all deployed to Camp Humphreys on February 16.

Middle East & Africa

The UAE Ministry of Defense will soon sign a contract with Chinese company CATIC for 12 L-15 aircraft, with an option to add 36 aircraft of the same model in the future. “We have reached the final stages of negotiations with the Chinese side, and a final agreement will be concluded soon. He stressed that diversity is one of the characteristics of the UAE armed forces to obtain the best capabilities that fit their needs and achieve their strategic goals,” said Tariq Abdul Rahim Al Hosani, CEO of the Tawazun Economic Council.

The US State Department agreed for a local company to construct a Kuwait Ministry of Defense (KMOD) Headquarters Complex for the Kuwaiti Government for an estimated cost of $1 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

Europe

Saab has launched 5G communication system for military and crisis operations at the UMEX 2022 exhibition in the UAE. The so called ‘DeployNet’ was locally developed by Saab in the UAE It provides scalable 5G/LTE wireless network offering high-capacity bandwidth for today’s missions that rely on a multitude of information sources, sensors and user interaction. The compact system can be deployed rapidly, enabling high-capacity bandwidth in geographically remote areas, or reinforcement of damaged or limited local networks.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department of potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of large aircraft infrared countermeasures (LAIRCM) line replaceable units (LRUs) to Australia. The FMS has an estimated value of $122 million and includes associated equipment. The deal also includes LAIRCM control indicator unit replacements (CIURs), advanced threat warning (ATW) missile sensors, smart card assemblies (SCAs), high-capacity cards/user data memory cards (HCCs/UDMs) and simple key loaders.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Many Things You Probably Didn’t Know About C-130 Hercules

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Wiring Harnesses For A-10s And F-16s | C-Dome Completes Live-Fire Test | Bangladesh Gets 4th C-30J

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 02/22/2022 - 15:00
Americas

Legacy Aircraft Services won a $20.5 million deal for A-10 and F-16 aircraft wiring harnesses. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. The A-10C Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions.Work will take place in California. Performance completion date is February 8, 2025.

SpaceLogistics, a Northrop Grumman company, announced a launch agreement for its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) spacecraft, and the sale of its first Mission Extension Pod (MEP). Under the launch agreement, SpaceX will provide launch services for a planned spring 2024 launch of the MRV and several MEPs. Optus, Australia’s largest satellite owner and operator, recently completed a purchase agreement with SpaceLogistics for installation of one of the MEPs on its D3 satellite in 2025.

Middle East & Africa

The Iron Dome of the Sea, “C-Dome,” has completed a successful live-fire test by the Israeli Navy and Rafael Advanced Systems. The launch marks “the end of a process to integrate the Iron Dome on naval platforms. It was operated for the 1st time aboard the Israeli Naval Ship Sa’ar 6 corvette against multiple advanced threats,” a Rafael said.

Europe

SMART SHOOTER has received an order from the Dutch military to provide them with its SMASH AD solution for operational use. The Dutch military has tested the system during the recent year, and decided to purchase it and use the systems immediately, mainly for C-UAS purposes, the company said in a release today.

Asia-Pacific

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced it is imposing sanctions on two American firms – Lockheed Martin and Raytheon – that acted as the main contractors in the latest US arms sale to Taiwan. The companies will be punished based on the related regulations by China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Monday. His statement comes after the US announced its plan on February 7 to sell $100 million worth of Patriot missile upgrades to Taipei.

The Bangladesh Air Force took delivery of its fourth C-130J transport that it acquire from Britain on February 20. The aircraft landed in Bangabandhu after making stops in Cairo and Muscat. Bangladesh is buying a total of five C-130Js from Britain.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Rafael Tests C-Dome Air Defense on Israel’s New Magen Corvette

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Sikorsky To Produce CH-53K Parts | IAI Unveiled Blue Spear | Rheinmetall Introduced Lynx 120

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 02/22/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $42.1 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure ancillary mission equipment in support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lot 16 production aircraft for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-US Department of Defense participants. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion is in December 2024.

Sikorsky won a $37.7 million modification, which adds scope to procure 1,026 various spare parts for the CH-53K low rate initial production configuration aircraft. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. The CH-53K comes with 63% fewer parts than its predecessor, ideally making it easier to maintain in austere conditions. Work will take place in California, Connecticut, Canada and Missouri. Estimated completion will be in December 2026.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is displaying the BLUE SPEAR (5G SSM) surface-to-surface missile. The system, co-developed with Singapore’s leading defense company ST Engineering and marketed by joint venture company Proteus Advanced Systems, highlights the companies’ superior capabilities in both naval and air defense. The BLUE SPEAR (5G SSM) system is an advanced member of the next generation surface-to-surface missile system that is built on the battle-proven Gabriel missile family heritage.

Europe

Rheinmetall unveiled the latest addition to the company’s Lynx next-generation combat vehicle family, Lynx KF 41 IFV. Called the Lynx 120, this platform merges a turret concept and the 120mm smoothbore cannon with the Lynx KF 41 chassis. The new mechanized fire support variant of the Lynx offers the user outstanding fire support and anti-tank capabilities. The Lynx 120 is the perfect additional battlefield asset for Lynx platform users. Featuring off-the-shelf components, meticulous engineering reduces the vehicle’s weight, while customizable protection packages round out the package. The vehicle architecture has been simplified and provides an open ‘plug-and-play’ capability for future upgrades, while complying with, and adapting to, NATO standards.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing won a $103.7 million deal for the AH-6 aircraft. According to Boeing, the AH-6 is a helicopter ideal for Light Attack, Precision Attack, Anti-armor, Close Combat Attacks, Reconnaissance, Security & Escort, Troop Insertion/Extraction, Combat Search & Rescue. The AH-6’s mission computer processes large amounts of data and shares information across all aircraft systems quickly. It also increases safety, improves and aids decision making, enhances situational awareness, reduces pilot workload and decreases aircraft life cycle support costs. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is May 30, 2025.

India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) started reviewing the procurement case for six Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters that will be based on board INS Vikrant. The Hindu reports that the bid received had some deviations from the Request For Proposal (RFP) and the issues is being looked into.

Today’s Video

WATCH: AH-6 Little Bird in Action – Red Tracer Firing – Rocket – Simulation – ArmA 3

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Sikorsky To Provide VH-92A Simulators Support | Elbit Unveiled Skylark 3 | DoS Approved Abrams Sale To Poland

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 02/21/2022 - 05:00
Americas

Sikorsky won a $99.3 million deal, which provides products and support required to rapidly integrate and field VH-92A aircraft simulators and trainers in support of the Presidential Helicopter Program. The products include delivery of technical analysis, technical reports, trade studies, and retrofit kits for ground support equipment modifications that support deficiency resolution, capability/technology insertions, obsolescence redesigns, and reliability/sustainability improvements. The support includes program management, engineering, integrated logistics support, configuration management, system integration lab operation and maintenance, testing support, and Federal Aviation Administration certification activities. Work will take place in New York and Connecticut. Estimated completion will take place in February 2030.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) completed the Final Design Review (FDR) of its spacecraft design for the US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Weather System (EWS) satellite program. GA-EMS has developed a prototype EWS spacecraft utilizing a reliable, redundant bus with a high performance EO/IR weather sensor payload to support the USSF as it looks to transition from aging on-orbit systems to next generation weather satellites.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli aerospace firm Elbit Systems unveiled its new Skylark 3 hybrid small tactical unmanned aerial system at the Singapore Airshow 2022. The Skylark 3 is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system for improved endurance with no change to its size or weight. The system allows the unmanned aerial system to operate for up to 18 hours, significantly increasing mission effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

Europe

General Dynamics won a $19.3 million contract modification for fiscal 2022-2025 US and United Kingdom Trident II (D-5) SSBN Fire Control System and SSGN Attack Weapon Control System support. The Trident II D5 fleet ballistic missile (FBM) is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The missile can carry multiple independently targeted reentry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360km. Work will take place in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2025.

The DoS gave green light to a possible Foreign Military Sale to Poland of Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 Main Battle Tanks and related equipment for an estimated cost of $6 billion. The deal includes 250 M1A2SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle tanks; 250 AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke counter-IED systems; 26 M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery vehicles; 17 M1110 joint assault bridges; 276 M2 .50 caliber machine guns; 500 M240C 7.62mm machine guns; 15 AGT1500 gas turbine engines; 9,168 120mm M865 Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot – Tracer (TPCSDS-T) cartridges; 4,592 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) projectiles; 13,920 120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T cartridges; and 6,960 120mm XM1147 High Explosive multipurpose tracers.

Asia-Pacific

Yonhap News reported that South Korea intends to test fire the long-range L-SAM air defense missile this week.Testing is expected to be carried out at a test site in Taean on February 23. The L-SAM is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at an altitude of 80-100 kilometers.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Elbit Unveils Skylark 3 Hybrid STUAS…

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

Bell To Advance High-Speed VTOL | Iran Started Aras-3 Mass Production | India Showcases Tejas LCA

Defense Industry Daily - Fri, 02/18/2022 - 05:00
Americas

The US Air Force Awarded Rockwell Collins a $99.6 million deal for avionics sustaining engineering services. The deal provides for propitiatory engineering services and support for recurring and non-recurring requirements relating to the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System. The E-3 Sentry aircraft allows the Joint Air Operations Center to obtain battlespace awareness in real time with the system’s command, control, surveillance, detection and tracking features. Work will take place in Iowa. Estimated completion date is February 11, 2032.

Bell Textron announced its advancement to the next phase of the AFWERX High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge, a crowdsourcing effort for the United States Air Force and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Bell’s HSVTOL vehicles blend the hover capability of a helicopter with the speed, range and survivability features of fighter aircraft. This family of scalable aircraft concepts is designed to support a range of missions, including personnel recovery, autonomous ISR/Strike, and tactical mobility, with low downwash hover capability and jet-like speeds of more than 400 kts.

Middle East & Africa

Iran has started mass production of Aras-3 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) besides unveiling a number of locally upgraded missile defense systems. According to Irans’s state-owned Press TV, the military achievements were showcased on February 13 during a ceremony attended by Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, a number of other high-ranking military officials and experts from the Defense Industries Organization.

Europe

The French Ministry of Defense introduced a strategy aimed at broadening the capabilities of anticipation and action of the French Navy up to 6,000 m depth. The French Navy already has mine warfare and hydro-oceanography capabilities contributing to the control of the seabed. But to expand its investigation and action capacities down to 6,000 meters deep, France is going to count on deep-sea exploratory military capacities, made up of underwater drones and remotely operated vehicles.

Asia-Pacific

China exhibited multiple fighter-trainer models at the Singapore Airshow including the JF-17, L-15, FTC-2000G and K-8 trainer. The stall of Aviation Industries Corporation of China (AVIC) at the Singapore Airshow exhibited the light fighter-trainer models with an eye on upcoming procurement in Malaysia which has issued a tender for light fighter -trainers in which the Chinese L-15 light fighter-trainer is participating.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is showcasing its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in Singapore for the first time as part of efforts to position the platform for requirements in the region. The service has deployed three airframes to the country as part of the aircraft’s debut at Singapore Airshow 2022, which runs from February 15 to 18. One of the airframes took part in a static display alongside a delegation of Indian government officials who were there to explain the various features of the LCA.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS | Eyes of the Skies

Categories: Defense`s Feeds

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