Defense`s Feeds

Americas

The US Navy announced that the next two Virginia Class submarines, which are also the first two of Block V of the class will be named for the sailors who during the Pearl Harbor attack. The USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma, currently referred to as SSN-802 and SSN-803, will be named for the USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma that were sunk in the December 7, 1941, attack and the roughly 1,600 sailors who died on them, the Navy said on Tuesday. The decision brings the names back into active-duty service more than 75 years after the two vessels were in use. The new Arizona and Oklahoma will be the first two in Block V of the Virginia-class submarine program, which have been named about a month after the Navy awarded a $22.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat for first nine vessels of the block.

The DoD plans to cut the construction of more than 40 percent of its planned Flight III Arleigh Burke Destroyers in fiscal years 2021 through 2025, DefenseNews reports. According to a Memo from the White House Office of Management. The proposal would cut five of the 12 DDGs planned through the future years defense program. This would reportedly cut $9.4 billion of the total shipbuilding budget. The memo also outlined plans to accelerate the decommissioning cruisers, cutting the total number of Ticonderoga Class cruisers in the fleet down to nine by 2025, from a planned 13 in last year’s budget. The Pentagon’s plan would actually shrink the size of the fleet from today’s fleet of 293 ships to 287 ships.

Middle East & Africa

The Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated a new base in Garissa County in the northeast of the country, Jane’s reports. The ceremony was held on December 13. Modika Barracks will be the headquarters of the 6 Infantry Brigade and home to the 17 Kenya Rifles Battalion. The 6 Brigade was established as a fully-fledged formation in 2012. The Ministry of Defense announced back in February that 17 Kenya Rifles had already moved into Modika Barracks.

Europe

The Armenian military has received a batch of Russian-made Tor-M2KM wheeled short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, the country’s prime minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on December 21. “The Armenian armed forces have been reinforced by modern Russian-made Tor-M2KM air and missile defense systems. These weapons were produced in 2019 and stand among our pivotal defense procurements this year,” said Pashinyan. The Ministry of Defense declined to detail the number of the SAM systems procured, although a photograph released by the Armenian government’s press office depicted at least two Tor-M2KM combat vehicles. Armenia has received a new variant of the Tor-M2KM mounted on the KAMAZ-63501 8×8 all-terrain truck.

The electrooptical sensors for the Forpost-R unmanned aerial vehicle will be supplied by Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant and NPP Aviation and Marine Electronics. Both will replace the MOSP300 made by IAI’s TAMAM division. Back in August its was reported that Russia’s locally-upgraded Forpost-R UAV had made its maiden flight.The Forpost drone is a licensed replica of the Israeli Searcher MkII, assembled at the Urals Civil Aviation Plant since 2010. By 2018 the Russian army had about 30 Forpost systems assembled from imported parts. The first fully Russian-made Forpost-M, upgraded based on the experience of military action in Syria, were to be delivered for the Russian Defense Ministry in 2019.

Asia-Pacific

The first RQ-4B ordered by South Korea has been delivered to Sacheon airbase on December 23. The RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) arrived at an Air Force base in Sacheon on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula earlier in the day. It is the first of a total of four units that South Korea is purchasing from the United States under a 2011 deal. The three others will arrive around the first half of next year, though the schedule is subject to change. The exact timing of their official deployment for operations is not decided, and will not be officially disclosed to the public, an Air Force officer said. As one of the most advanced intelligence-gathering platforms in the world, the long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, manufactured by US defense company Northrop Grumman, is capable of performing reconnaissance missions for around 40 hours at a time at an altitude of roughly 20 kilometers.

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Watch: Indian Defence Updates : India’s New Anti-Aircraft System,114 Rafale-F3R MMRCA,Navy Airfield Upgrade

Americas

Boeing won a $4 million contract modification for B-1 and B-52 bomber engineering services. The modification is for recurring and non-recurring engineering services to B-1 and B-52 aircraft. The B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber. It is also called „Bone“. The B-52H is the US Air Force’s long-range, large-payload multirole bomber and is known as the Stratofortress or the Buff (big ugly fat fellow). It is the USAF’s principal strategic nuclear and conventional weapons platform, and supports the US Navy in anti-surface and submarine warfare missions. Work will take place in California, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2020

Flightsafety Services won an $11.8 million contract modification for support of the KC-46 Aircrew Training System. The contract modification provides for the exercise of calendar year 2020 operation and sustainment and cybersecurity efforts. The KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft, based on the KC-767 refueling aircraft. The contract for KC-46 tankers was awarded to Boeing in February 2011. The company announced the major suppliers to be involved in the project in June 2011 and the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) for the program was completed in August the same year. Last month the Pegasus completed the first flight around the world last month in a seven-leg trip. The Boeing aircraft is undergoing initial operational testing and evaluation to test its capabilities and effectiveness even as the Air Force flagged concerns with certain issues identified during the inspection, including a problem with the cargo locks. Flightsafety will perform work until December 31, 2020.

Middle East & Africa

The Qatar Emiri Air Force showed off its new AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters for the first time during the country’s annual National Day Parade on December 18, Jane’s reports. The US Department of Defense awarded a $667.5 million contract to Boeing in May 2016 to build 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for Qatar. The first one was handed over in May to the QEAF at Boeing’s Mesa plant in Arizona. The same month, the US State Department approved the sale of a second batch of 24 AH-64Es to Qatar at an estimated cost of $3 billion.

Europe

Poland has taken delivery of the four S-70i Black Hawks it ordered for its special forces. The delivery ceremony took place at 1st Transport Aviation Base on December 20. The European country has paid $177 million)for the rotorcraft, which also includes a logistics and training package. Poland has been attempting to modernize its rotorcraft inventory for several years. The controversial process initially saw Warsaw in April 2015 place an order for 50 Airbus Helicopters H225Ms to be operated by all three branches of its armed forces. However, a change of government saw that contract cancelled in October 2016. Instead, Poland has pursued a piecemeal acquisition strategy: in addition to the S-70is it has ordered four Leonardo Helicopters AW101s for anti-submarine warfare operations by its navy.

The 12 remaining airworthy Saab 105 twin-jet trainers operated by the Austrian Air Force have been grounded after cracks were found in the bolts connecting their tail sections to their centre fuselage. Of the dozen 1970s-vintage Saab 105s still flying out of 40 originally delivered, cracks were found in 10 of them. However the Department of Defense expected the aircraft to be able to fly again in March. The Swedish jet trainer are scheduled to retire at the end of 2020. At the end of November it was reported that they has to be grounded, because of cracks in the bolts. Airspace surveillance has since been carried out by the more expensive Eurofighters.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing won a $35.1 million modification, which provides for the production and delivery of ten Advanced Capability Mission Computers (ACMC) in support of F/A-18 E/F production for the Navy, 66 ACMCs for the government of Australia and 10 ACMCs for the government of Kuwait. The Advanced Capability Mission Computer is an integrated information processing system, providing complete hardware and software solutions. It is built on a well-defined open systems architecture allowing for rapid insertion of emerging technologies. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft was manufactured by Boeing, and flew for the first time on 29 November 1995. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability. Work will take place in St. Louis and expected completion will be in August 2023.

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Americas

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won a $7 billion modification for F-22 air vehicle sustainment. The modification provides for the exercise of an option for additional five year ordering period for comprehensive F-22 air vehicle sustainment. The fifth generation fighter, a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, is designed to project air dominance, quickly and over long distances, and overcome threats that attempt to deny access to the Air Force, Army, Navy and the US Marine Corps UU. The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. The combination of the F-22 Stealth Raptor, supercube capacity, maneuverability and integrated avionics, together with an improved support capacity, represents an exponential leap in the combat capabilities of previous generations of fighters. The Raptor performs air-to-air and air-to-ground missions allowing the full realization of vital operational concepts for the 21st Century Air Force. The work will be carried out in five operational bases: Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base, Alaska; Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and in six support locations: Edwards AFB, California; Palmdale, California; Hill AFB, Utah; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and Warner Robins AFB, Georgia; as well as in other potential locations in the United States and abroad, combat deployment and road support bases, potential locations through deposit association agreements and system program office locations. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2032.

The US State Department approved a $78 million possible sale of equipment, parts, support and services for four P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft previously purchased by Argentina’s government from the United States. Argentina’s government had requested the possible sale to support and maintain its four P-3C aircraft, which it purchased from the US earlier this year. The request also included four turboprop engines for each airframe and four additional engines. The sale approved Wednesday will include communications, radar and optics equipment, as well as aircraft depot maintenance, spare parts and technical and logistical assistance.

Middle East & Africa

Advanced Electronics won a $13.7 million contract modification for the Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA Cyber Protection System and related facilities program. The modification provides for Build 2 of the Cyber Protection System. The scope of the deal effort will include the deployment of a Cyber Security Operations Center at Prince Sultan Air Base, the establishment of End Point Security (data-at-rest encryption using MS BitLocker), and additional System Integration Lab Instances. FMS case SR-D-SAO is for the total package of acquisition and fielding of 84 F-15A aircraft; the upgrade of 70 F-15SA aircraft to the F-154SA configuration; the procurement of associated equipment, weapons, and spares; and the construction, refurbishment and infrastructure improvements of support facilities for the F-15SA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first of 152 Boeing F-15SA (Saudi Advanced) Eagle fighters arrived in the Kingdom on December 13, 2016. The F-15SA is equipped 11 wing weapon stations, two more than the F-15S, extending its 13 tonne weapon payload capability. Upgraded avionics include a digital glass cockpit, fly-by-wire controls, a BAE Systems Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS), Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, a Raytheon APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System and AN/AAS-42 Infrared Search and Track Systems. Work under the Foreign Military Sale will take place at Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force Facilities in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion will be on December 31, 2020.

The 106th Brigade of the Libyan National Army received Terrier LT-79 armored vehicles made by The Armored Group. In March 2018, The Armored Group (TAG), a leading worldwide provider of armored vehicles, introduced its newest law enforcement vehicle, the Terrier LT-79. It uses a reinforced and militarized Toyota VDJ79 chassis. The Terrier LT-79 comes standard in a three-door configuration which offers a 2+6 seating arrangement. Additionally variants are available in 5-door configurations as well as light surveillance, remote firing post (with RWS capability) and aircraft assault platforms which can be customized for any operational requirements. Due to it’s highly customizable nature, the Terrier is popular with law enforcement, paramilitary, NGO and military clientele and can support a wide array of uses in many other industries. The company, which also armors civilian cars and makes cash-in-transit vehicles, says it has manufacturing facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, as well as the United States and Germany.

Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $43.7 million contract action for France contractor logistics support MQ-9 Block 5 and Block 1 aircraft.  This contract provides logistics support activities including depot repair, life cycle sustainment and software maintenance services for the French Air Force MQ-9 Block 5 and Block 1 aircraft.  The French Reaper gained its first weapons capability recently during a firing campaign from Niamey airbase in Niger on December 15 to 17. Four evaluation drops were conducted from Niamey as part of the ‘Barkhane’ operation. In 2014, France’s first MQ-9 flight took off from Niger. The first two Reapers to enter French service are designated Block 1 and use US equipment; further orders are to be modified with European payloads such as sensors and datalinks. Work will take place in Poway, California and expected completion will be on December 31, 2020.

Asia-Pacific

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) recently commissioned the 42nd and 43rd Type 056/056A Jiangdao Class corvettes into service. The two ships have reportedly been named Bazhong and Shuozhou. China’s Ministry of National Defense has not officially acknowledged the commissioning of the latest Type 056A surface combatants.The 41st Type 056/056A corvette, Nanchong, was commissioned at a naval port in Guangdong province in Southern China in the beginning of June. The commissioning of the ship Shandong puts China in a small club of nations with multiple aircraft carriers and the country is reportedly building a third.

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Americas

United Technologies, Pratt & Whitney, won a $58.4 million task order, which provides non-recurring engineering for early identification, development and qualification of corrections to potential and actual operational issues, including safety, reliability and maintainability problems identified through fleet usage, accelerated mission testing, continues engine maturation and evaluates component life limits based on operational experience in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Aircraft for the Navy, Air Force; non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The F-35 combines 5th Generation fighter aircraft characteristics, advanced stealth, integrated avionics, sensor fusion and superior logistics support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history. The F-35’s advanced stealth allows pilots to penetrate areas without being detected by radars that legacy fighters cannot evade. Work will take place in Connecticut, and Indiana. Estimated completion is in December 2024.

Progeny Systems won a $34.8 million deal for the production of MK54 MOD 1 lightweight torpedo kits, proof of manufacturing components, associated production support material, spares and engineering and hardware support services. The modification combines purchases for the Navy as well as the Government of Canada under the Foreign Military Sales program. The MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo integrates existing torpedo hardware and software from the MK 46, MK 50 and MK 48 torpedo programs with state-of-the-art commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) digital signal-processing technology. It incorporates an advanced guidance and control (G&C) section employing COTS processing technologies and tactical software improvements to significantly increase shallow water counter-countermeasure capability at reduced lifecycle costs. These features provide performance improvements in the most challenging littoral scenarios. The MK 54 Mod 1 adds a new sonar array assembly and improved processing capability. Progeny Systems will perform work in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia. Estimated completion will be in November 2022.

Middle East & Africa

The US Army awarded Boeing a $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sale to Israel, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE. Th deal provides for support services for the AH-64D/E Apache helicopters. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter. In July, Boeing was awarded $96.9 million to provide support for Apache helicopters and Longbow crew trainers for the United Arab Emirates. The AH-64E Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. The AH-64E Apache, is being delivered to the US Army and has been selected by several international defense forces. Work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2024.

Europe

The US Air Force tapped Rolls-Royce with an $83.7 million deal for MissionCareTM propulsion support on the C-130J Aircraft, as well as the initial task order in support of the French Air Force. This contract and initial task order provides for the program management, in-country field support representatives, replenishment of spares, MissionCare service, travel and per diem, over and above as well as organizational and commercial depot level maintenance of the AE 2100D3 propulsion systems. The C-130J has been produced since 1996 and is currently operated by a number of US allies and partners around the world. The C-130J is updated with digital avionics, facilitating crew operations, and improved turboprop engines. Work is expected to be finished by December 20, 2029.

MBDA says it has received an order to supply more Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles to the German Luftwaffe. The firm says the contract was signed on December 16. Meteor is the world’s most advanced air-to-air missile, and has a unique ramjet propulsion system that allows it to fly further and faster than any other air-to-air missile – allowing it to defeat maneuvering targets even at extreme ranges. The Meteor BVRAAM can be integrated on Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on December 16 that the Philippine Air Force is evaluating two aircraft for its multirole fighter (MRF) program. “One of the aircraft being evaluated is from Sweden the Saab Gripen and the other is the American F-16V,” Lorenzana was quoted by the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA) as saying, without providing further details. During the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) 2018 exhibition in Manila a senior PAF official told Jane’s that the PAF had budgeted $1.1 billion to procure a multirole combat aircraft over the following five years.

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Americas

Bell Textron won a $27.6 million modification, which provides engineering and logistics services as well as associated equipment and material. The deal is in support of the AH-1Z aircraft production, and AH-1W, UH-1Y and AH-1Z modifications and sustainment. The Marine Corps’ first attack helicopter was the AH-1W Super Cobra. The Super Cobra is used in close air support for Marines under fire and sometimes for coordinating artillery strikes, with pilots ordering the strikes from the air. But the Super Cobra is being replaced with the AH-1Z Viper and is expected to completely phased out by 2020. The AH-1Z attack helicopter, also known as Viper, provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The UH-1Y or Venom is a utility helicopter provides command & control and assault support under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The UH-1Y is the most significant upgrade ever made to the venerable and battle-proven H-1 helicopter. At the heart of the upgrade is a new four-bladed, all-composite and ballistically tolerant rotor system. Bell Textron will perform work under the modification in Texas, North Carolina, California and Maryland. Estimated completion date is in March 2021.

Sikorsky won a $556.2 million contract modification for Black Hawk production, associated services for program system management, engineering, technical data and publications. The Black Hawk, introduced in 1974 and used by the US since 1979, provides combat air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control and special operations support. It’s used by military forces in Japan, Colombia and South Korea as well as the US. In June Sikorsky received $91.2 million for work on all versions of the Black Hawk and $15 million for Black Hawks in Saudi Arabia. Work will take place in Stratford, Connecticut and estimated completion date is June 30, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Boeing Aerospace Operations won a $92.3 million contract action, which provides engineering technical services in support of Naval Aviation weapon systems and all associated systems and equipment throughout their sustainment life-cycle, to include contractor field services in support of the AV-8B Harrier II, EA-18G Growler, F/A-18 Super Hornet, C-40 Clipper, and P-8A Poseidon aircraft for the US Navy and the government of Kuwait. In March Boeing was awarded $87.5 million to maintain the AV-B8 Harrier trainers for Kuwait. In 2017 the contractor received $41 million for upgrades of the AV-B8 and the F/A-18. Work on the contract will be performed at various locations in the United States as well as Kuwait and Iwakuni, Japan and is expected to complete by December 2024.

Europe

Boeing won a $564.5 million Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and the UK for the remanufacture of Apache AH-64E aircraft. Boeing’s AH-64 Apache is used by the US Army and a growing number of international defense forces. In July, the US Army revealed its plans of granting the company a multiyear contract to remanufacture up to 600 Apache AH-64E helicopters, although no value was disclosed with the news. Boeing’s AH-64 Apache has widely been accepted by several militaries across the world. This company secured major orders for this product from the Netherlands, the UAE and the UK, earlier this year. Boeing will perform work in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion is March 1, 2025.

Asia-Pacific

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $15.7 million contract modification for program management office and engineering services supporting the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Systems. The deal combines purchases for the Navy and the Commonwealth of Australia under the Foreign Military Sales program. The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 is an undersea combat system designed to search, detect, classify, localize, and track underwater contacts, and to attack or avoid enemy submarines, floating, tethered, or bottom-attacked mines, and torpedoes. Lockheed will perform work in Syracuse, New York and Manassas, Virginia. Expected completion is in December 2020.

An online auction to sell retired aircraft carrier INS Viraat as scrap on December 17 has failed to find any buyer for the ship. The e-auction followed the Navy’s decision to sell the oldest aircraft carrier as scrap as plans to convert the iconic ship into maritime museum-cum-marine adventure centre didn’t find any takers. Last November, the Maharashtra government cleared a proposal to convert the longest-serving aircraft carrier into a commercial business complex. According to the proposal submitted by the state government to the Union Defence Ministry, the planned Viraat museum would be constructed by laying a concrete foundation in the sea and the location is around seven nautical miles from the shore at Nivti rocks in Sindhudurg district. INS Viraat used to be the flagship of the Indian Army. A new auction will be held again at a later time.

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Americas

Bell Textron won a $815 million deal for the repair, upgrade or replacement of 35 items used on the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopter, along with inventory management, warehousing and establishing supply response time metrics. The UH-1Y utility helicopter provides command & control and assault support under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The helicopter is securable for deck movement up to Sea State 5. Missions include airborne command and control, aeromedical evacuation, troop transport, transport of supplies and equipment and search and rescue. Based on the Vietnam War-era AH-1 Cobra, the AH-1Z Viper is the Marine Corps’ primary rotor-wing ground attack aircraft. The AH-1Z attack helicopter provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions. Work will take place in Texas and North Carolina. Estimated completion will be by December 2024.

The Navy awarded Bell Boeing a not-to-exceed $18 million contract modification to continue to provide technical analysis, engineering and integration for the Marine Corps V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint service multirole combat aircraft utilizing tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. With its rotors in vertical position, it can take off, land and hover like a helicopter. Once airborne, it can convert to a turboprop airplane capable of high-speed, high-altitude flight. This combination results in global reach capabilities that allow the V-22 to fill an operational niche unlike any other aircraft. The modification increases the ceiling to continue to provide technical analysis, engineering and integration for the Marine Corps V-22 aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Pennsylvania and is expected to be complete in December 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Clayton International won a $7.6 million contract to provide depot level maintenance on one AS-61 helicopter for the government of Egypt. Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Clayton International will perform work in November 2021. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

AeroVironment won a $8.6 million Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia. The deal is for the procurement of eight Unmanned Aircraft Systems and initial spares package with operating software. The US Army Contracting Command in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland is the contracting activity. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will take place in Tunisia. Estimated completion date is May 31, 2020.

Europe

The US Army awarded Oshkosh Defense an $803.9 million modification to a Foreign Military Sale to Montenegro. The FMS provides for the procurement of 2,721 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and 16,714 associated packaged or installed kits. The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles is an Army-led, joint-service program designed to replace a portion of each service’s light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets while closing an existing capability gap. Intended to provide protected, sustained, networked mobility for personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations, the JLTV FoV will restore the fleet’s balance of payload, performance and protection. Work under the modification will take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and estimated completion date is January 31, 2021.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippines will ink the contract for India’s BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles in the first or second quarter of 2020. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana added that two batteries will be purchased and they are being bought under “government-to-government mode”. The missile, which can be fired from land, submarines, ships and fighter jets, will be acquired for the Philippine Army for coastal defense missions and for Air Force. BrahMos will become the nation’s first weaponry with deterrent capability. The BrahMos is a medium range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land. It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world. India on December 17 successfully conducted separate trials of two variants of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos to check its capability to hit targets with precision and accuracy.

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Americas

Able Aerospace Services won a $9.4 million deal for the overhaul of the dynamics components on the TH-1H helicopter. The deal provides for the overhaul of the dynamic components associated with the TH-1H helicopter which is used to train and develop pilot skills. The dynamic components provide power-train and aerodynamic functionality to the flight characteristics of the aircraft. The Vietnam-era UH-1H helicopters commonly known as the Huey were modified into a new configuration the TH-1H, back in December 2004 to be used as a new training helicopter for student pilots. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona and expected completion will be by December 2024.

The fiscal 2020 defense budget for the United States is expected to include funds to buy 22 F-5 jets from Switzerland. A spokesperson from Armasuisse confirmed that discussions between the Swiss defense procurement agency and the US Navy took place in July. President Donald Trump is seeking $718 billion in Pentagon funding for 2020, including $39.7 million for the F-5s, an aircraft first delivered to Switzerland in 1978. Today the US uses the F-5 to simulate enemy planes in aerial combat training. Switzerland has been trying to buy new warplanes for years. Voters in 2014 rejected a $3.2 billion order for Saab AB Gripen fighter jets. Switzerland now plans to spend about 6 billion francs on new fighter jets, according to SonntagsZeitung newspaper and previous Swiss media reports.

Middle East & Africa

MD Helicopters intends to upgrade its MD 530G Block II scout attack helicopter with an integrated weapons system made by Elbit Systems that would make the aircraft capable of carrying and firing Hellfire missiles. The addition of the AGM-114 Hellfire semi-active laser-guided missile would give the MD 530G an anti-tank and anti-armor capability it does not currently have. The Elbit Systems upgrade package for the MD 530G is to include a helmet display and tracking system, weapons management system and mission management system, says MD Helicopters. The MD 530G’s current standard configuration includes unguided rocket pods and mini-guns.

Europe

General Dynamics won a $299.9 million contract for fiscal 2020 through 2023 US and United Kingdom Trident II (D-5) Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines Fire Control System, Guided Missile Submarines Attack Weapon Control System, and Support Equipment Rework Facility support. The Trident II D-5 is a three-stage, solid propellant, inertially guided Fleet Ballistic Missile. The missile’s range is increased by the aerospike, a telescoping outward extension that reduces frontal drag by about 50 percent. Trident II is fired by the pressure of expanding gas in the launch tube. When the missile attains sufficient distance from the submarine, the first stage motor ignites, the aerospike extends and the boost stage begins. Work will take place in Massachusetts, Georgia, Washington, Virginia, and Florida. Estimated completion date is December 30, 2024.

Asia-Pacific

India procured the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike LR (long-range) anti-tank guided-missile (ATGM) system to meet Indian Army operational requirements, Jane’s reports. According to Indian Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik the Israeli-made, man-portable, fourth-generation system, which can engage targets in ‘fire-and-forget’ and ‘fire-observe-and-update’ modes, will “enhance operational flexibility and crew survivability”. Developed and designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the missile is equipped with an inbuilt seeker to allow firers to operate the system and engage targets during the day and at night. The ATGMs were purchased under the newly enhanced financial powers of India’s Vice Chiefs of Staff that permit them to acquire goods and materiel worth $70 million without prior Ministry of Defense approval to meet “urgent operational requirements”.

Booz Allen Hamilton won a $9.1 million contract to provide technical security team support services in support of the Pakistan F-16 program. On June 28, 2006, the US DSCA notified Congress via a series of releases of its intention to provide Pakistan with a $5.1 billion Foreign Military Sales package to upgrade the F-16s that serve as the PAF’s top of the line fighters. Pakistan has used the F-16 fighter jets against India, the latest being in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike inside Pakistan by India. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the Block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982. Work under the deal will take place in Pakistan and expected completion is on June 18, 2020.

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Americas

BAE Systems won a $249.2 million modification for the Self-Propelled Howitzer and carrier, ammunition, tracked vehicles and their associated support under the production contract to build and deliver M109A7s and M992A3s. The M109A7 is the latest howitzer in the BAE Systems M109 family of vehicles, the primary indirect fire support system for the ABCTs. It uses the existing main armament and cab structure of a Paladin M109A6, and replaces the vehicle’s chassis components with modem components common to the Bradley vehicle. The state-of-the-art digital-backbone and power generation capability provides significant growth potential for future payloads, and will accommodate existing battlefield network requirements. Also known as the CAT (Carrier Ammunition Tracked) this vehicle serves as a heavily armored munitions carrier. More specifically, munitions designed fore the M109A7 tracked self-propelled howitzer. Work will take place in York, Pennsylvania and estimated completion will be on January 31, 2023.

Ultrax Aerospace won a $13 million deal for spares/repairs in support of the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Automated Flight Control line replaceable units. The UH-60 Black Hawk is a twin-engined medium lift utility helicopter. It is equipped with a single 4-bladed rotor and a single 4-bladed tail rotor. The basic crew compliment for the UH-60A is three; pilot, co-pilot, and crewchief. Ultrax will perform wrk in Montana with a December 12, 2024 completion date. This is a five-year base contract with no option periods.

Middle East & Africa

The US Army awarded AM General a $15.1 million Foreign Military Sales to Jordan for hardware support to reset and upgrade a fleet of 200 M998 High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. The High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle, HMMWV is a lightweight, highly mobile, diesel-powered, four-wheel-drive tactical vehicle that uses a common chassis to carry a wide variety of military hardware ranging from machine guns to tube-launched, optically tracked, wire command-guided (TOW) anti-tank missile launchers. work will take place in Amman, Jordan. Estimated completion date is December 13, 2020.

Europe

The US Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, and Czech Republic Minister of Defense, Lubomir Metnar, signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance finalizing the Foreign Military Sale of four AH-1Z and eight UH-1Y military helicopters on December 12. Bell expects delivery of the first H-1 aircraft to the Czech Republic will begin in 2023 and complete delivery by 2024. The sale totals about $650 million and is the Czech Republic’s largest military purchase from the US. The defense secretary said it is a step forward in the Czech Republic’s replacement of Russian helicopters with NATO interoperable equipment. This procurement supports the National Defense Strategy objectives of strengthening alliances as well as countering Russian influence, highlights consolidated gains made over the past 30 years as the Czech Republic modernizes its armed forces and demonstrates the strength of the US-Czech Republic defense relationship.

Denmark ordered Leguan armored vehicle launched bridges (AVLBs) from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the company announced in a press release on 12 December, two days after it reported that the Netherlands received its first two of the systems. The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation on December 12 ordered six Leguan AVLBs, one carrier vehicle, plus equipment and simulators, with deliveries scheduled to begin at the end of 2022.

Asia-Pacific

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) settled a long-standing wage dispute with employees in a bid to avert future additional work strikes. HAL said on December 11 that the company’s management has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with trade unions representing its workers to settle the wage revision. In mid-October more than one-third of HAL’s approximate 28,000 employees downed tools in protest over low wages. The strike was later ruled unlawful by the high court in the state of Karnataka, where HAL’s head office is located.

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The European Defence Agency has today published its annual Defence Data report for the year 2018, detailing spending by the 27 EDA Member States. Total defence expenditure stands at €223 billion, representing a 3% increase on 2017  and marks the fifth consecutive year of increased defence spending. EDA’s report also finds that Member States are not meeting spending commitments in key areas.   
 

Total defence expenditure returns to pre-financial crisis levels  

The year’s report finds that overall defence spending by the 27 EDA Member States has almost returned to pre-financial crisis levels, €225 billion in 2007 compared to €223.4 billion in 2018. This level of spending represents 1.4% of GDP and 3.1% of total government expenditure. Although overall spending fell by 11% between 2007 and 2013, since 2014 Member States defence expenditure is increasing in line with economic growth.  

“It is extremely positive that defence budgets have almost fully returned to pre-financial crisis levels, with 2018 marking the fifth consecutive year of increased spending. Our report is evidence that Member States have put a renewed impetus into defence spending after suffering heavily in the years following the financial crisis. Nevertheless, EDA’s findings do paint a mixed picture in terms of European collaborative defence, with a worrying fall in both equipment procurement and R&T spending in a European context. While European collaborative defence R&T still remains significantly below 2008 levels, it is encouraging that the value and number of ad-hoc R&T projects under EDA is increasing”, Jorge Domecq, EDA’s Chief Executive, commented. 
 

Shortfalls on collective spending commitments  

Despite the rise in total defence expenditure, spending on fulfilling collective benchmarks has failed to keep pace. Spending on areas where collective benchmarks have been agreed namely: Defence Investment; Defence Research and Technology; European Collaborative Defence Equipment Procurement; and European Collaborative Defence R&T all still remain below 2008 levels. EDA’s report provides detailed analysis of how current spending relates to these four collective benchmarks agreed at the EDA Steering Board in 2007, as follows:

• €44.5 billion on Defence Investment (procurement of new equipment and R&D), representing 19.9% of Total Defence Expenditure against a collective benchmark of 20%; 
• €6.4 billion on European Collaborative Defence Equipment Procurement, representing  17.8% of Total Defence Equipment Procurement against a collective benchmark of 35%; 
• €2.1 billion on Defence Research and Technology, totalling 0.9% of Total Defence Expenditure against a collective benchmark of 2%; and, 
• €153 million on European Collaborative Defence R&T, totalling 7.3% of Total Defence R&T against a collective benchmark of 20%.    
   

Key findings  

However, among the 27 EDA Member States some disparities in achieving these benchmarks can be observed:  

• 14 Member States spent 20% or more of their defence budget on investment in 2018, up from 7 states in 2014;     

• 21 Member States now dedicate more than 10% of defence budget on investments;  

• 8 Member States combined account for 96% of total defence research and technology spending, with the largest four accounting for 85%.   
   

Background 

EDA collects defence data on an annual basis, and has done so since 2006, in line with the Agency’s ministerial Steering Board decision of November 2005. The Ministries of Defence of the Agency’s 27 Member States (all EU Member States except Denmark) provide the data. EDA acts as the custodian of the data and publishes the aggregated figures in its booklets. 

All data is collated (“Total incorporates 27 EDA Member States”), and it has been rounded. Defence expenditure figures are provided in constant 2018 prices in order to take inflation into account and allow for a comparison across years.  
 

More information  

• EDA Report: Defence Data 2017-2018 Key Findings and Analysis  

Americas

Raytheon won a $123.5 million contract modification for fiscal 2020 production of AEGIS Weapon System Fire Control System MK 99 equipment, AEGIS modernization production requirements, and associated engineering services. These services are in support of DDG 51 Class Flight III destroyers and the Spanish Navy’s F-110 program. The modification covers the production of the AEGIS BMD Kill Assessment Ordnance Alteration Kits and Solid State Switch Assembly (SSSA) Special Test Equipment (STE) as well.  The AMOD program fields combat system upgrades that will enhance the Anti-Air Warfare and Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities of AEGIS equipped DDG 51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers. Arleigh Burke Class destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. Destroyers can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups. Work will take place in Massachusetts, Virginia, Rhode Island, and California. Estimated completion is in April 2023.

The Navy tapped DMR Consulting with a $9 million modification to exercise the option for the depot level repair, overhaul and modification for the MK-105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear.  This option exercise is for depot level repair and maintenance of the MK105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear. The MK105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System, better known as the “sled,” is a high-speed catamaran hydrofoil platform, which is towed behind the MH-53E helicopter and is used to sweep magnetic influence mines. The MH-53E is used primarily for Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM), with a secondary mission of shipboard delivery. Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) missions include mine sweeping and ancillary spotting, mine neutralization, floating mine destruction, channel marking, and surface towing of small craft and ships. Work will take place in Panama City, Florida and estimated completion will be by December 2020.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Defense reports that Iran introduced two new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in service with the Naval Forces. The first UAV, designated Simorq, was unveiled in early December 2019 by the commander of the Iranian Navy, Hossein Khanzadi. The UAV, which closely resembles Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450, is the naval mission version of the Iranian Shahed-129 UAV. The Shahed-129 has been operational with the Naval and Aerial Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The vehicle has an endurance of up to 24 hours, a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers and a flight altitude of 24,000 feet. It was adapted for employment by the Iranian Navy in the role of maritime surveillance – detecting vessels far away from the Iranian shore.

Europe

A Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopter crashed on December 11, about 2.5km from Korenovsk airfield. Two crew members were killed. The helicopter was carrying out a training flight at that time. The aircraft had no ammunition on board. Mi-28 Night Hunter, known as Havoc is an attack helicopter analogous to the US Apache. The Night Hunter is a modern attack helicopter designed to carry out search and destroy operations against tanks, armored and un-armored vehicles, and enemy personnel in combat, as well as low-speed airborne targets. It can operate night and day, and in adverse weather conditions.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won a $18.1 million contract modification, which provides for the maintenance and operation of the Australia, Canada, United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL). This effort includes sustainment support for all ACURL systems to include consumables for the F-35 aircraft in support of the governments of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. At present, Lockheed Martin’s supersonic, multi-role fighter jet, F-35, is being used by the defense forces of the United States and 11 other nations. According to Forecast International, a total of 3,401 fighter aircraft are expected to be produced from 2019 through 2028. Notably, the total number of fighters to be produced over the next decade is 17.2% higher than the number of aircraft produced during the previous 10 years. F-35 is anticipated to be the largest fighter program over the next decade. Location of performance is Eglin, Florida and work is expected to be finished in February 2021.

The Royal Australian Air Force received its 12th Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime multimission aircraft, according to a 13 December statement by the Department of Defence in Canberra. The aircraft arrived the previous day at RAAF Base Edinburgh, completing the fleet for No 11 Squadron, said the DoD. Australia is acquiring the P-8A and the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System to replace its fleet of Lockheed AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Canberra has committed to procuring 15 P-8As, 12 of which have been approved for acquisition. The remaining three aircraft are going through the approval process.

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Americas

The US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency awarded BAE Systems to develop new cyber tools designed to help prevent vulnerabilities in electronic files that can lead to cyberattacks. The development ist part of the DARPA’s Safe Documents (SafeDocs) program. Aim of the program is to more effectively identify and reject malicious data in a variety of electronic formats. Every day, individuals and organizations in military, government and commercial industries receive electronic content, such as Portable Document Format (PDF) and digital media files, from unauthorized or potentially compromised sources, which creates security risks. BAE Systems will create two cyber tools. The first tool seeks to recover, simplify, and automatically select safe feature subsets within electronic data formats to help encode the data safely and unambiguously, while the second is a toolkit to help software developers avoid vulnerabilities in the software they create to process complex electronic data.

Bell-Boeing delivered the first MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to go through the US Department of Defense’s Common Configuration Readiness And Modernization program back to the Marine Corps. The company announced on December 10 that the first of 129 Block B MV-22s to be upgraded to the latest Block C standard was delivered back to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, from the recently opened production line at its Philadelphia plant in Pennsylvania. As a Block B configuration, this MV-22 was originally delivered to the fleet in 2005. In 2018, the aircraft flew from Marine Corps Air Station New River back to the Boeing Philadelphia facility for modernization. The next CC-RAM delivery is expected in early 2020.

Middle East & Africa

The Israeli Defense Force inducted two configurations of Elbit Systems’ XACT family of Weapon Sights. The IDF recently selected the company to provide thousands of its XACT th65 and XACT th64 uncooled thermal imaging weapon sights to marksmen of both Infantry and Special Operation Forces. Last year, the company concluded delivery of 4,800XACTth65 weapon sights to the Australian Army. In a Clip-on or Stand Alone configuration, the compact XACT weapon sights enable effective operation in day and night. Featuring a high resolution colored OLED display, image processing capabilities and a Region of Interest algorithm, XACT weapon sights enable effective target engagement even under degraded visibility conditions.

Burkina Faso placed an order with Airbus for a single C295W transport aircraft, the company announced on December 11. No specific timeline for delivery was disclosed. The procurement comes under the Burkinabe Military Programming Law covering the period 2018–22, which the country’s parliament approved in 2017 with a budget of $1.2 billion to reform and re-equip the armed forces. The new aircraft will fill a long-standing capability gap within the Burkinabe Air Force, which has lacked a dedicated transport aircraft since its single PTDI NC235-220 was grounded several years ago.

Europe

The French Air Force’s 16th A400M arrived at Orléans-Bricy Air Base on December 4. The arrival followed its acceptance by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA). The aircraft was the first A400M capable of dropping a 16-tonne load and perform air-to-air refueling. A tactical military transport aircraft with a strategic range, the A400M Atlas has been operational since 2015 and allows the Air Force to carry out regular missions to all overseas operation theaters and overseas locations. It also played a key role during the 2017 airlift following hurricane “Irma.” It is designed to carry up to 37 tons of equipment and carry out all transport missions, including assault landing on semi-prepared strips, parachuting personnel and equipment, in-flight refueling and medical evacuations.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) awarded local shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) a $264.5 million contract to build four additional Solgae (LSF-II) Class high-speed hovercraft for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). The 90-tonne hovercraft, which have a top speed of 40 kt, will join four similar craft, two of which are already in service with the RoKN, with the other two currently being built at HHIC’s Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan under a $125.9 million contract awarded in 2016. The first pair of hovercraft was delivered in mid-2007 for deployment from RoKS Dokdo, the service’s first landing platform helicopter amphibious assault ship. The other two hovercraft, which are set to be delivered in 2021, are likely to be deployed from Marado , the RoKN’s second Dokdo Class LPH, which was launched in May 2017 and is set to be handed over to the service by the end of 2020.

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Americas

Raytheon won a $45.1 million delivery order for APG-79 Radar System spare parts. The AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar is an airborne radar made for F/A-18 E/F aircrafts. It is comprised of numerous solid-state transmit and receive modules to practically eliminate the possibility of mechanical breakdown. With a range of 150 km, the AN/APG-79 provides instantaneous track updates and multi-target tracking capabilities. The AN/APG-79 is strategically valuable because of its active electronic beam scanning. This feature allows the radar beam to be steered at nearly the speed of light, optimizing situational awareness and providing superior air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. Performance location will be California. Estimated completion date is December 30, 2022.

Boeing won a $9.5 million delivery order, which provides Harpoon/SLAM-ER missile system and Harpoon launch systems follow-on integrated logistics and engineering services support for the Navy and various Foreign Military Sales customers. The A/U/RGM-84 Harpoon is an anti-ship missile system capable of being launched by aircraft, surface ships, submarines and shore batteries. The Harpoon is a subsonic missile with a range of over 70 miles and a 488-pound blast/fragmentation warhead. It has been in use with upgrades since 1977 and is a standard anti-ship weapon with 28 countries. The AGM-84K Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response is a longer ranged upgraded version of the original SLAM, which is itself a development of the Harpoon. Work will take place in Missouri and Virginia. Expected completion is February 2022.

Middle East & Africa

The Nigerian Navy ordered a landing ship from Damen. This was confirmed when a ceremony was held at the Albwardy Damen Shipyard in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to mark the start of construction. The Nigerian Navy released photographs of its commander, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, attending the keel-laying ceremony for an LST 100 and said the ship is expected to be completed in May 2020. The new vessel will replace the landing ships NNS Ambe and NNS Ofiom, which were decommissioned ten years ago. They were Type 502 amphibious vessels built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Germany in 1978. The LST 100 is the 100 m-long version of a new range of landing ships offered by Damen, which says the model has a deadweight displacement of 1,000-1,300 tonnes, a range of 4,000 n miles, and an endurance of 15 days.

Indonesia’s PT Pindad and Ghana’s Ministry of Defense have signed a Letter of Intent as part of efforts exploring the procurement of weapons and equipment. The Letter of Intent was signed in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 22 by the Managing Director of PT Pindad Abraham Mose with the Ghana Ministry of Defense represented by its Chief Director, Dr Evans A Dzikum. PT Pindad says Ghana “is very interested in defense and industrial products produced by PT Pindad. Ghana’s Defense Minister Dominic BA Nitiwul said he was very interested and committed to buying defense and industrial products produced by Pindad as well as collaborating on joint development of defense products.” Ghana is apparently interested in procuring items including firearms, tactical military vehicles and amphibious vehicles as well as engineering vehicles such as excavators.

Europe

The German Army received its first of seven new Airbus Helicopters H145 rotorcraft on December 10. The H145 Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), one of a batch ordered in late 2018, was handed over some months ahead of schedule. The remaining six will be delivered through to early 2021. The new helicopters will enable the Bundeswehr to begin the process of replacing its aging Bell UH-1D Huey rotorcraft in the domestic search-and-rescue role. The H145 SAR helicopters are equipped with high-performance cameras, searchlights, emergency beacon locator systems, a full suite of medical equipment, and rescue winches and load hooks that can be used for fire-extinguishing buckets.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea is expected to declare initial operating capability (IOC) for its F-35A on December 17. Media reports say the ceremony will be held at 17th Fighter Wing base. So far, 12 aircraft have been delivered. South Korea has so far brought in 10 F-35As, beginning with two in late March, under a plan to deploy a total of 40 fifth-generation jets through 2021. Last month, the Air Force showcased the next-generation fighters to the public for the first time during the Armed Forces Day event. The fighters can fly at a top speed of Mach 1.8 and carry top-of-the-line weapons systems, such as joint direct attack munitions.

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Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $9.1 million delivery order in support of the MQ-8C Firescout Unmanned Aircraft System. This order is for the production and delivery of eight AN/ZPY-8 radar modification kits, eight forward access panel modification kits and all associated non-recurring engineering and qualification efforts in support of mission processor unit upgrades. Firescout is an autonomous helicopter system that provides real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Target-acquisition (ISR&T), laser designation, and battle management to tactical users without relying on manned aircraft or space-based assets. It has the ability operate from any air-capable ship or land base in support persistent ISR&T requirements. There are two Fire Scout variants. The smaller MQ-8B Fire Scout has deployed on multiple frigates and is currently deployed on a Littoral Combat Ship. MQ-8B Fire Scout has also deployed to Afghanistan to support counter- improvised explosive device (IED) operations. The MQ-8C Fire Scout is the Navy’s next generation autonomous helicopter. The MQ-8C will be equipped with an upgraded radar that allows for a larger field of view and a range of digital modes including weather detection, air-to-air targeting, and a ground moving target indicator (GMTI). Work will take place in California, Texas, and Philadelphia. Estimated completion will be in April 2021.

Fincantieri Marine Systems won a $18 million modification to provide maintenance support for the Mine Countermeasure-1 Class main propulsion diesel engine and ship service diesel generator. Fincantieri is a leading shipbuilding group dedicated to the construction of cruise ships and large ferries. The Company also specializes in building a wide range of ship types, including frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels and submarines, offshore and mega yachts. Fincantieri has built 70 cruise ships since 1990 and other 14 ships are currently being designed or built in the Group’s yards. In January 2013 Fincantieri acquired STX OSV. The company will perform work in California, Japan and Bahrain. Scheduled completion date is in January 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Israel and the Czech Republic have signed a $125 million government-to-government contract for advanced radar systems from Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems. The deal provides for the acquisition of eight ELM-2084 Iron Dome Multi-Mission Radars (MMR). The radars, which have air surveillance and air defense capabilities, will be delivered to the Czech defense establishment over a period spanning the years 2021-2023 and will be interoperable with Czech and NATO command and control systems. The government-to-government agreement enables the transfer of cutting-edge technology and know-how from Israel to Czech partners, whose capabilities will be greatly enhanced. Furthermore, the agreement stipulates the involvement of and collaboration with Czech defense industries at 30% of the procurement, indicating that significant parts of the systems will be produced locally.

Europe

Raytheon won a $26 million FMS contract to Poland and Romania for field artillery C3, Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. The Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFTADS) is employed by the US Army and US Marine Corps units to provide automated support for planning, coordinating, controlling and executing fires and effects. AFTADS supports weapon systems such as mortars, field artillery cannons, rockets, close air support, attack helicopters, and Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) systems. Work will take place in Woburn, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of December 19, 2021.

Asia-Pacific

The Korean Airlines won a $213 million contract for A-10 Pacific Air Force depot support. This contract provides depot support for A-10 aircraft that are stationed in South Korea. A-10s deployed to Korea are based at Osan, south of Seoul. KAL-ASD will perform support work at its MRO facility in Busan. The company also supports other USAF aircraft. The US Air Force introduced the A-10 in 1976 as a close air support aircraft. It is heavily armed, with one 30mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun and up to 7,200kg (16,000lb) of mixed ordnance, according to Boeing. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2029.

The Japan Coast Guard will stop purchasing and operate Chinese-made drones starting from fiscal 2020, Nikkei reports. The service currently uses those drones for rescue and surveillance activities. The drones are reasonably priced and perform well but will be replaced by non-Chinese models. The US Defense Department has banned the purchase and use of Chinese-made drones. China`s DJI, the world`s biggest drone maker, is the chief target. Out of consideration of Washington`s position, Tokyo is strengthening its economic security regulations and systems. The Japan Coast Guard`s move is part of these efforts.

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OCCAR Director Matteo Bisceglia today visited EDA to discuss with Chief Executive Jorge Domecq bilateral cooperation and programmes of relevance to both organisations.  

EDA-OCCAR cooperation has deepened significantly since the signature of an Administrative Arrangement in 2012. As privileged partners in the field of defence capabilities development, EDA and OCCAR share information on projects and programmes of common interest throughout their lifecycle, helping to guarantee a seamless handover in each case, with both parties remaining involved and informed at every stage.  

Today was the second meeting between Mr Bisceglia and Mr Domecq, their discussions mainly focused on the state of play of bilateral cooperation to support key programmes and activities, including the Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF), MALE RPAS and ESSOR. Mr Domecq outlined EDA’s latest developments in these projects, notably the recent high-level coordination mechanism for RPAS ATI held at EDA and updates from the European Secure Software Defined Radio (ESSOR) workshops.  

“I believe that EDA and OCCAR cooperation avoids duplication in the European armament field. We have to take stock and make use of the available resources, and OCCAR has 20 years of proven record in the successful delivery of complex armament programmes. 

I am also convinced that together EDA and OCCAR, in line with our own complementary responsibilities, represent a real strong tool to launch and execute all sorts of programmes for the benefit of the European Nations”, Mr Bisceglia said.   

Mr Bisceglia and Mr Domecq also discussed EDA-OCCAR interaction in areas such as REACH and the Military Airworthiness Authorities Forum.     

“EDA and OCCAR are two important actors in European defence cooperation, our close relationship has been extremely positive for our organisations, programmes and defence cooperation in general, which have all benefited from each other’s expertise”, Mr Domecq commented.

 

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $153.4 million contract modification, which procures special tooling and special test equipment required to meet current and future F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production as well as full-rate production rates. The modification uses aircraft funds from fiscal 2018, 2019 and 2020 and combines purchasing funds of $55.8 million from the Air Force, $51.9 million from the Navy and $22.2 million from the Marine Corps, as well as $17.6 million from non-US Department of Defense partners and $5.8 million from Foreign Military Sales funds. The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. It has three main models: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A (CTOL), the short takeoff and vertical-landing F-35B (STOVL), and the catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery, carrier-based F-35C (CATOBAR). Work on the contract will take place at a variety of locations inside and outside the United States, with the bulk of the work taking place in Rome, Italy, and Redondo Beach, California. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems won a $21.4 million deal for the procurement of long-lead-time material for two Virginia Block V hulls, one Virginia installation and checkout kit, one pre-production unit and associated hardware assets to support environmental qualification testing. This effort will award the procurement of Navy equipment. On December 2, the US Navy tapped General Dynamics Electric Boat to be the lead contractor for the newest iteration of the Virginia Class Attack submarine. Block V is destined to be a multimission submarine, with a strike capability and the ability to delivery large-diameter unmanned underwater vehicles in addition to the more traditional surveillance mission. Lockheed Martin will perform work in Syracuse, New York. Estimated completion date is in December 2020.

Middle East & Africa

The US Army awarded General Dynamics Land Systems a $21.5 million Foreign Military Sales to Kuwait. The FMS is for contractor logistics services, maintenance training and technical assistance. One bid was solicited via the internet with one bid received. Performance location is Kuwait City, Kuwait. Expected completion will be on December 5, 2023.

BlueForce Inc. won a $15.7 million contract modification for continued support for the Royal Saudi Air Force English language training outside the continental US program. The deal involves 100 per cent FMS To the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will take place at King Abdul Aziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is January 3, 2024.

Europe

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic went to Colonel-pilot Milenko Pavlovi? Air Base to inspect the new Mi-35M, Mi-17 and H-145M helicopters that the country acquired recently, local media reports. The president highlighted the multi-functionality of the technologically advanced European and Russian helicopters and their strength in deterrence. “We’ve never had a modern helicopter squadron before… We have implemented difficult reforms and managed to ensure that our military has sufficient strength. These are the keepers of our country and our sky and we are happy and proud to have them in our country,” Vucic said.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to update the Link 16 tactical datalink system for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) fleet of FA-50 light attack aircraft, according to Jane’s. The FA-50 Link 16 Performance Improvement Project aims to enhance security in the encryption system and harden it against interference. DAPA has also plans to sign contracts in the first half of 2020 for similar updates to be performed on nine other platform types, including E-737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, F-15K fighters and KDX-III Aegis-equipped destroyers.

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An important step towards incentivising and facilitating the launch of collaborative defence capability and research programmes in Europe was made today when Alexander Stubb, the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), signed the programme arrangement setting up a Cooperative Financial Mechanism (CFM). The signing took place during a meeting with EDA Chief Jorge Domecq at the Agency’s premises. Initiated by EDA, the CFM was negotiated over the past three years. It is designed to overcome the recurrent problem of unsynchronised defence budgets in participating Member States which can hinder or impede the launch of collaborative defence projects. 

So far, 10 participating Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain) have already signed the Programme Arrangement or declared their intention to join the programme. More countries signalled their willingness to join the programme in the coming weeks. Developed as a so-called ‘Category A’ programme of the Agency, the CFM is entirely voluntary. Member States can freely decide if they wish to participate, contribute and support projects. 

Today, the launch of collaborative defence capability and research projects is sometimes delayed or hampered by the fact that defence budgetary availabilities might differ among partners, for instance for an unexpected budgetary restriction or a shift in national priorities. As a result, it happens that countries interested in a collaborative project cannot join or have to postpone their participation because the required funding is not approved or available at a particular moment. The CFM, acting as trusted platform offering mutual inter-state help, or alternatively outside support from the EIB, was established to mitigate this problem. It will enter into force at the date of the signature of the last country having declared its intention to join.

EDA Chief Jorge Domecq stated: “The Agency’s role is to promote and incentivise collaborative defence projects in Europe and to help create the right conditions for that. The CFM adds a very powerful instrument to our toolbox in the context of an enhanced momentum for defence cooperation fostered by the EU defence initiatives. In future, mismatching budgetary cycles or provisional gaps in funding should no longer exclude member states from participating in multinational programmes”. 

EIB Vice-President Alexander Stubb commented: “Europe has to be at the forefront of the development of key strategic defence technologies, including AI and digitalisation. With cooperation we can improve EU efficiency and innovation ability and strengthen EU capacity to prevent and respond to hybrid threats. A lack of access to suitable financing solutions allowing to better synchronize joint resources is seen as one of the major impediments to the launch or implementation of defence related cooperative projects. This is where the EU bank comes into play. Via the CFM, the EIB can strengthen its lending in support of public sector projects, with, inter alia, potential investments in the fields of dual-use RDI of defence or cybersecurity technologies, including projects envisaged under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation PESCO.”
 

Two pillar structure

The CFM will be structured in two pillars:

• the first pillar foresees the European Investment Bank (EIB) as the sole lender through the conclusion of bilateral framework loan agreements between EIB and the interested Member State having joined the CFM arrangement (CFM Member). To obtain the EIB’s financial support, projects submitted must respect the eligibility requirements set by the Bank’s lending policy, while the volume of the lending facility and the interest rate applied are negotiated on a case-by-case basis by the EIB and the interested CFM Member. The EIB involvement is supported and facilitated by the EDA which will act as the ‘Facility Agent’ on behalf of EIB under its instructions and responsibility, serving as a primary point of contact between the EIB and the beneficiary CFM Member in the technical assessment of the feasibility of each project;

• the second pillar provides for a State-to-State support facility, through a system of reimbursable advances and deferred payments. It can be used to support any defence related project. The facility is structured as a set of individual bank accounts which are opened and managed by the EDA under the control of the CFM Members. Within that pillar, any CFM Member can submit a request for financial support to other CFM Members being part of a same collaborative project. While the Programme Arrangement provides the overarching legal framework setting the general requirements and conditions for State-to-State support, the specific conditions of each advance will be set out in separate agreements to be concluded between the supporting CFM Member, the beneficiary CFM Member and the EDA, as facilitator.
  The administrative and operational costs of the CFM will be covered by existing EDA resources meaning CFM Members will not have to bear additional costs for the management of the mechanism. Notwithstanding any financial support granted under the CFM, projects or programmes subject to such financial support will remain at all times governed and managed according to their own rules.
   

More information:

• European Defence Agency and European Investment Bank sign cooperation agreement (Feb 2018)

 

Americas

General Dynamics won a $145.8 million cost-plus-award-fee modification to exercise an option for Destroyer Designated Guided or Guided Missile Destroyer Planning Yard Services. The modification exercise is for the continuation of integrated planning yard services for Arleigh Burke Class ships. DDG 51 Arleigh Burke destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. Destroyers can operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups. Work will take place in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be finished by January 2021.

For twice a year, a B-25J warbird will travel to the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) at NAS Patuxent River to allow students to broaden their experience by flying the aircraft. Larry Kelley, owner of the B-25J nicknamed “Panchito”, has been doing it for the past 16 years and is only one of three qualified to fly the warbird as part of the school’s Qualitative Evaluation program.

Middle East & Africa

The US Air Force awarded Alliant Techsystems a $37.8 million modification for contractor logistic support for the Iraqi Air Force’s Cessna 208 and 172 fleet. The Cessna 208 is a utility aircraft. The aircraft is in operation in 70 countries worldwide and is known for its capability to use rough fields and airstrips, its economical operation and versatility for high speeds and heavy loads. The Cessna Skyhawk 172 is a high-wing, single-engine piston training aircraft. The Skyhawk 172 will be used to support CAP’s aerial reconnaissance, emergency response, disaster relief, and search and rescue (SAR) missions as well as for glider towing. CAP is a federally-supported non-profit organization and is the auxiliary of the US Air Force. Work will take place in Iraq. Estimated completion will be by December 31, 2020.

South African trade union Solidarity is asking the government to drop mandatory inspections of military exports, on the basis that these measures would damage the national defense industry. Under the National Conventional Arms Control Act (NCACA), which is administered by the government’s National Conventional Arms Control Committee, countries procuring South African-made defense equipment are required to allow inspections, to ensure that controlled items are not sold without permission to third parties. The mandatory inspections were confirmed on November 27 in a statement from the South African Parliamentary Committee on Defense.

Europe

Saab announced that it has delivered the Deployable Maintenance Facility (DAM) to the Hungarian Air Force. DAM is a mobile solution that enables enhanced maintenance capacity for aircraft and other vehicles combined with superior protection. The delivery stems from a contract signed between Saab and the Hungarian Ministry of Defense in December 2018. DAM provides capability equivalent to stationary maintenance infrastructure. The official handover took place at a delivery ceremony at Pápa on December 5. The Hungarian Air Force is currently operating 14 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft on a lease-purchase agreement with the Swedish government. DAM will provide an increased level of flexibility and reduce their dependency on stationary infrastructure for maintenance and protection of their Gripen fleet, Saab said.

Asia-Pacific

Sonardyne International has been awarded a contract by General Electric’s Power Conversion business to provide underwater positioning and tracking technology for the Republic of Korea Navy’s (RoKN’s) future 5,200-tonne auxiliary submarine rescue ship (ASR-II). In a press release the UK-based company said the ASR-II will be fitted with the Ranger 2 Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) system, which will interface aboard the vessel with GE’s Seastream Dynamic Position (DP) control system “providing accurate and fast position reference updates during critical station keeping activities”. The Ranger 2 onboard the ASR-II will also be used to simultaneously track the position of, and communicate with, Sonardyne instrumentation fitted to the new, untethered Deep Search and Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) that is being acquired from UK-based subsea engineering, operations, and services group JFD to operate from the ASR-II, which is expected to be delivered to the RoKN by the end of 2022.

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Watch: PEAN19 French Carrier Strike Group Training – Teaser

Americas

Raytheon won a $28.9 million contract modification for fiscal 2020 Standard Missile-2 and Standard Missile-6 repairs and maintenance and support material. The modification combines purchases for the Navy as well as the government of the Kingdom of Spain under the Foreign Military Sales program. The deal will provide for engineering and technical support, depot and intermediate level repair, maintenance and recertification of standard missiles, sections, assemblies, subassemblies, components for fiscal 2020. The Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) is a fleet-area air defense weapon that provides anti-air warfare and limited anti-surface warfare capability against today’s advanced anti-ship missiles and aircraft. The Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) retains the Standard Missile airframe and propulsion elements and incorporates the advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). It is the latest addition to the Standard Missile family of fleet air defense missiles and provides Joint Force and Strike Force Commanders fleet air defense against fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and land-attack anti-ship cruise missiles in flight. Work under the modification will take place in Arkansas, Arizona and California and expected completion is in December 2020.

L3 Technologies won a $37.5 million deal with a five-year ordering period for precision aiming lasers (PAL). This is a first-time buy for PAL. The PAL combines a range finder with a ballistics and environmental sensor/processor to provide the operator with a ballistic solution for increased likelihood of first-round hit. This procurement is in support of US Special Operations Command, Visual Augmentation Systems Weapons Accessories Program. The Precision Aiming Laser (PAL) combines the range finder with a ballistics and environmental sensor/processor for the Advanced Sniper Rifle for 50-1500 meter system accuracy. L3 Technologies will perform work in Londonderry, New Hampshire and is expected to be finished by November 2024.

Middle East & Africa

Morocco and Saudi Arabia have discussed closer defense-industrial cooperation within the framework of their existing military relationship. Participants in the second meeting of the Moroccan-Saudi Military Joint Commission discussed areas of common interest, including efforts to improve interoperability between the two countries’ Armed Forces. Officials also pledged to continue cooperation activities in 2020. During the gathering, the joint committee discussed various aspects of military cooperation, welcomed the positiv outcome of the cooperation and praised the partnership between the Armed Forces of the two countries. Under a military and technical cooperation agreement, signed in December 2015, the two countries committed to co-operate on training, industrial development, logistical support and other services.

Europe

Saab inked a deal for a mid-life upgrade program of the German Army’s AGDUS combat vehicle simulators. The contract is valued at $18.9 million. The deal means that the German Army’s AGDUS BT 46 system is being upgraded to the latest generation technology. The upgrade includes high fidelity training, wireless technology and augmented reality injected into sights. It also integrates with fire control systems, provides true vehicle silhouette and full ballistic laser simulation. The system is configurable for different vehicle platforms and fully compatible with previous generations.­

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS has secured a contract from Germany to deliver a Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) based on the PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station. The main sensor will be a Hensoldt Spexer 3rd generation radar and the weapon is a 40 mm Automatic Grenade launcher with airburst ammunition. Germany is the first country to acquire a C-UAS solution with the PROTECTOR as a kinetic effector. The emergence of inexpensive, small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also referred to as drones, poses a relatively new threat to both military units as well as civilian infrastructure and events, such as airports, government buildings, power plants, political gatherings and sporting events.

Asia-Pacific

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has told France that New Delhi wants 8-10 Meteor air-to-air missiles delivered with the four Rafale fighters that are scheduled to reach home in May next year, local media reports. The contract for the jets and weapons had stipulated that the missiles were to be delivered several months after the jets are delivered home. An IAF induction team of pilots, engineers and technicians is currently undergoing training in France, which has so far handed over three Rafales to India. Meteor is an active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA.

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Americas

Huntington Ingalls won an $11.5 million contract to accomplish 12 months of execution planning for the repair and alteration requirements for USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78 – aircraft carrier/nuclear propulsion) planned incremental availability. The contracted requirements include the advance planning, design, documentation, engineering, procurement, ship checks, fabrication and preliminary shipyard or support facility work. USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) was delivered to the US Navy in May 2017. CVN 78 will replace USS Enterprise (CVN 65), which entered service in 1961 and decommissioned in 2017. Work will take place in Virginia and is expected to be finished by September 2020.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) tapped BAE Systems to develop software that will enable semi-autonomous multi-domain mission planning. The technology will be designed for military operators to leverage battlespace resources from across various domains, such as space, air, land, and sea, for more effective, efficient missions. Military operators currently use manual processes to assess availability and coordinate use of sensors, communications, weapons, and other assets across domains. DARPA’s Adapting Cross-Domain Kill-Webs program will seek to help operators adapt to dynamic situations with software technology that automatically identifies the best options. BAE Systems will create software called Multi-domain Adaptive Request Service (MARS).

Middle East & Africa

The Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) affiliate Wahaj confirmed that it is working with French aircraft equipment company Rafaut to establish local production facilities in Saudi Arabia, with knowledge and technology transfer. Jane’s reports that during the Dubai Air Show last month the two companies signed a co-operation agreement. Wahaj General Manager Ayman Al-Hazmi said the localization deal reflects its development strategy to become a “global supplier of aviation components”. Rafaut designs and develops auxiliary equipment and non-structural components for military aircraft.

Europe

Saab received an order from the Latvian Armed Forces for deliveries of the shoulder-launched disposable AT4 weapon system. Deliveries will take place in 2021. The order is the third placed within the framework agreement signed in 2017 between Saab and the Latvian Armed Forces. The framework agreement allows the Latvian Armed Forces to place orders for AT4 systems. Saab’s single shot AT4 weapon system is combat proven and provides the capabilities required for mission success, including night and confined space capabilities. Since the introduction in the mid 1980’s, the AT4 has been exported to more than 15 countries worldwide.

Asia-Pacific

The city of Kolkata, India might get an Indian Navy Sea Harrier for display. The city is currently preparing to have a museum displaying a retired Tu-142 and the Sea Harrier might join it. The West Bengal government is setting up a museum featuring the ‘Albatross’ and it is likely to be thrown open to the public by mid-2020, Naval Officer-in-charge, Bengal Area, Commodore Suprobho De told reporters. The Navy is also considering to offer a decommissioned Sea Harrier plane to the city during future talks with the state government, he said.

India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) test launched a short-range nuclear capable ballistic missiles at night as part of its annual training cycle to validate the combat readiness of the Indian Army’s missile forces. The Prithvi-II tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles was test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Dr. Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha at nighttime on December 3. It was the second test firing of a Prithvi-II ballistic missile at night in less than two weeks.

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PJ-10 BrahMos
(click to view full)

Back in November 2005, The Hindu newspaper reported that India’s government had given the go-ahead for exporting missiles, and that India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was looking to market several of its products internationally. The missile systems in question included several products from the decades-long Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMP) set of development programs, and one new success that used a very different approach. DRDO has led the long, turbulent development histories of the Trishul (“trident”) short-range surface-air missile (SAM), the Akash (“sky”) medium-range SAM, and the Nag (“cobra”) vehicle-mounted anti-armor missile. In contrast, the Indo-Russian PJ-10 BrahMos medium-range supersonic cruise missile was developed very quickly, and performed as advertised.

As of August 2010, India has not made an export sale, or even formally decided which countries would be eligible to receive these missiles. The programs themselves have also seen changes and developments, with Trishul canceled, Akash finally ordered, BrahMos expanded, and ongoing IGMP work in other areas.

The Missiles: IGMP + BrahMos

Agni II
by Antonio Milena/ABr
(click to view full)

The IGMP program included a pair of ballistic missiles that will almost certainly not be exported, in addition to the missiles under discussion. Both ballistic missile programs have fielded operational weapons, ad have reportedly provided platforms for development and testing of ballistic missile interceptors as well.

The Prithvi (“Earth”)/ Dhanush (“Bow”) short-range ballistic missile family is used to attack surface targets. It has a range of 150-300 km/ 90-180 miles, carrying a 500-1,000 kg/ 1,100-2,200 pound warhead between in weight (the shortest range Army version carries the large warhead), and accuracy estimated to be 10-50m CEP (50% of firings will be this close to the target). Dhanush refers to the naval versions. The Prithvi-I was inducted in 1994, and the extended range Prithvi-II was inducted in 2006. Prithvi was also the missile used in India’s recent anti-ballistic missile tests. A Prithvi-III is under development to deliver a nuclear warhead 350 km, or deliver lighter conventional warheads 500-750 km.

The Agni (“fire”) Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile as a range of 700-800 km/ 420-560 miles, while the Agni-II as a range of 2,000-2,500 km/ 1,200-1,500 miles. Agni split from IGMP and became its own program. These missiles carry either a 1,000 kg conventional warhead, or a nuclear warhead. An Agni-III with a 3,500 km/ 2,100 mile range is in the final stages of development, but tests have exhibited problems; there are also rumors of an ICBM program.

These missiles will not be discussed further in this article.

Akash: Rajendra Radar

Transparency in procurement, and clear program analysis and accountability, are in shorter supply in India than in the USA. Nevertheless, basic research reveals a few salient facts about the other weapons mentioned as export possibilities. None of them been been exported, so far:

Trishul (“trident”) SHORAD: Failed. This short-range surface-air missile (SAM) that has been described as similar to the Russian SA-8 Gecko with more modern electronics. The Indian MoD finally confirmed its cancellation in 2008, for failure to meet performance specifications.

Akash (“sky”): Semi-success and development catalyst. This medium-range SAM will replace some of India’s SA-3 batteries.

Akash has been described as using a missile airframe similar to the Soviet SA-6, with upgraded seeker heads and a fully modern Rajendra fire-control radar similar to that of the Russian S-300. The ramjet-powered missile reportedly flies at Mach 2.5 (a normal speed for a surface-to-air missile) all the way to the end of its range, instead of accelerating and then coasting like rocket-powered SAMs. It uses a conventional warhead with semi-active radar homing guidance, and reported operating range is 25-30km/ 18 miles, to a maximum altitude of 18km/ 59,000 feet. The missile is supported by multi-target and multi-function phased array fire control radar called ‘Rajendra’ that has a reported range of about 60 km/ 36 miles. Each Akash flight consists of a Rajendra fire control radar, 4 launchers, and a Battery Command Post, all linked to a group command post with a 170 km Rohini (3D CAR variant) S-band search radar, and maintenance/ replenishment vehicles.

Akash
(click for video)

The Akash’s long development period generated skepticism from India’s armed services, but the missile is now headed into full production and deployment. Reports center on India’s North-East, where terrain considerations block line of sight and limit useful SAM engagement range. There, a less expensive semi-active homing missile like Akash can be a worthwhile complement to short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems around key approaches, and in valleys. Reports indicate that it will protect locations like Tezpur, Chabua, Jorhat, and Mohanbari airfields, with some deployment near power plants and some regional cities.

Within India, its MR-SAM and LR-SAM projects with IAI and RAFAEL will provide a complement of 60-120 km range SAMs, but Akash appears to have secured its niche. Beyond India, Akash could face rough going. A wide array of international competitors will be credible sales opponents, from China’s HQ-9 variant of the SA-10/ S-300, to systems like Russia’s SA-17/ 9K37M2 “Ural”, MBDA’s VL-MICA, ground-launched AMRAAM systems, and India’s own MR-SAM/ Barak 8 collaboration with Israel.

Akash industrial partners include prime contractor Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), plus Larsen & Toubro, Tata Power, Walchand Industries and ECIL. India’s state-run DRDL will oversee weapon system integration, and provide support throughout the expected 20-year lifecycle of the missile. The industrial side is where Akash has had the most success, though that may not translate much into exports. Rajendra in particular has had a special significance as it is an electronically scanned array, and its development helped the DRDO. Components of Rajendra has since found their way into artillery locating radars, and an argument can be made that the Rajendra’s lessons have helped India with Active Electronically Scanned Array projects in general, including its missile defense program.

Nag & Namica
by Aja Shukla
(click to view full)

The Nag (“cobra”) anti-armor fire and forget missile: semi-successful. The Nag reportedly uses an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker like America’s Javelin or Israel’s Spike family, rather than the laser guidance and/or millimeter-wave guidance of the American Hellfire and Russian AT-6 Spiral, the millimeter-wave guidance of the Hellfire Longbow or MBDA’s Brimstone, or the wire guided features of Raytheon’s TOW, MBDA’s HOT, Israel’s Spike, etc. Nag reportedly has a 4-7 km range, which is not very far. It’s designed to carry a dual warhead that will supposedly penetrate reactive armor add-ons or Chobham-like composite tank armors on tanks like the M1, Challenger, Leopard 2, etc., and has a top attack option. To date, however, its biggest technical challenge has been the seeker.

Unlike competitors like Javelin, TOW, or Spike-ER/LR, Nag requires a carrying vehicle or helicopter (HELINA variant, still in development). Nag buys currently stand at 443 missiles, to be mounted on 13 of Larsen and Toubro’s 14.5t tracked “Namica” missile carriers (a modified BMP-2), and possibly on India’s Dhruv helicopters.

Brahmos scenario
(click to view full)

PJ-10 BrahMos: success. This supersonic anti-ship/strike cruise missile began in 1998 as a joint project based on Russian SS-N-26 Oniks designs, and is already ready to enter service. It is a 2-stage vehicle whose solid propellant booster and a ramjet engine push it to sustained speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. The kinetic energy of its Mach 3 speed, plus its 200 kg (ship & air launched) to 300 kg (land launched) warhead, give the missile a very strong terminal punch. The 6.9m cruise missile weighs about 6,000 pounds and has a range of 280 km/ 170 miles, which keeps it within the 300 km limit specified in the international Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Since Russia is a signatory, the project fell within MTCR’s limitations.

Brahmos was primarily designed to be ship launched, but a land-launched variant with a heavier warhead has been indicted into the Army for anti-ship and precision strike missions. Over time, it is likely to replace the Prithvi. An air-launched Brahmos-A is in testing for those planes large enough to carry the 5,000 pound payload. The IAF’s SU-30MKI heavy fighters are undergoing modifications to carry the missile, and its existing (TU-95/ IL-38SD) and future (Boeing P-8i) maritime patrol aircraft are also candidates. The air-launched version will have a range of 290 km/ 180 miles, and will use a smaller booster section, in order to reduce mass and ensure stability in flight after launch.

Program Updates

Milan ATGM, India
(click to view full)

December 5/19: Prithvi-II Test Launch India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) test launched a short-range nuclear capable ballistic missiles at night as part of its annual training cycle to validate the combat readiness of the Indian Army’s missile forces. The Prithvi-II tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missiles was test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on Dr. Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha at nighttime on December 3. It was the second test firing of a Prithvi-II ballistic missile at night in less than two weeks.

March 18/11: India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the induction of the indigenous Akash surface to air missiles for the Army, which will join the Air Force in deploying the missile. Indian Express.

March 6/11: The Deccan Chronicle reports that the air-launched BrahMos project is being held up by contract issues between Russian and India. The launcher has been made, and ground tested. The problem is the need for structural changes to strengthen the plane, so it can still perform high-g maneuvers safely while carrying the heavy missile.

Like the missile, the SU-30MKI is a partnership between Russia and India, with India license-producing the airframe and adding a lot of their own specified technologies. The basic design is Russian, however, as are key systems like the radar and engines. NPO Mashinostroeyenia says that if India wants to modify the fighters, India needs to pay for it – reports are vague, but say “many, many hundreds of crores”. A crore is 10 million rupees, and Rs 100 crore at current exchange rates is $.

India’s DRDO responded by comissioning a study from HAL to modify the fighters themselves. HAL says they can do it for much less, but the SU-30MKI agreement has transfer of technology and licensing clauses. Those clauses apparently prevent India from undertaking those kinds of unilateral modifications. Until this is resolved, the air-launched BrahMos program will be delayed.

Dec 21/10: BrahMos Aerospace and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia sign a protocol to ensure there are no price escalation issues during the duration of India’s contract, and pledged to continue working on the hypersonic (Mach 5+) variant. As BrahMos officials so drily put it:

“This makes it a first of its kind in the relationship between India and Russia that there would be no price escalation issue during the duration of the contract.”

The Russian side also committed full support of its specialists to Indian industries for manufacturing elements of missiles which are presently not produced in India. Brahmand, via BrahMos Aerospace.

Dec 2/10: A Brahmos Block III + missile is test fired from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher, at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore, India. The BrahMos Block III adds improved guidance and software, allowing high manoeuvres at multiple points, steep dive from high altitude, and terrain following capabilities that even work in mountainous areas. BrahMos Aerospace.

Sept 5/10: A Brahmos Block-II is successfully tested in a complex trajectory that includes large maneuvers, and steep supersonic dive. The BrahMos JV claims that this is the first time a supersonic dive has been realized by a cruise missile, anywhere in the world.

The Brahmos Block II variant will also be able to hit a smaller target in “a cluster of larger targets.” A fleeing car within a set of buildings would fit that description, making BrahMos an interesting quick strike option within the irregular warfare India must fight on several fronts. Another possible use for such capabilities would be to target vertical-launch missile cells on an enemy ship, if the system can process and differentiate that. BrahMos Aerospace.

Aug 27/10: RIA Novosti quotes BrahMos Aerospace Ltd. CEO Sivathanu Pillai, who says the joint venture will begin producing missile engines at the Kerala Brahmos plant in southeastern India. Pillai reportedly said that the decision stemmed from rising demand in India, implying that the Orenburg plant in Russia is finding it hard to keep up. He believes that within 2 years, production volumes at Kerala will exceed Orenburg’s.

Brahmos uses a a solid-propellant booster rocket, followed by a liquid-fueled ramjet for sustained supersonic cruise.

Aug 25/10: RIA Novosti quotes BrahMos Aerospace Ltd. CEO Sivathanu Pillai, who says the PJ-10 is successfully using Russian-built Glonass GPS receivers for aiming and target acquisition, and intends to continue. Glonass was always intended as a oint military/civilian system, but RIA Novosti points out that Glonass has just 16 functional satellites out of 22, let alone the 24 working satellites needed for global navgation services.

Russia has stated its intent to launch replacement satellites, in order to bring the GLONASS constellation to full performance. During a December 2005 summit, India agreed to share some of the development costs of the more advanced GLONASS-K series and launch 2 of the new satellites from India, in return for access to the more precise military GLONASS HP signal. Export customers would have to make their own arrangements.

Aug 9/10: Defence Minister Shri AK Antony updates the status of various missile programs, in a Parliamentary reply to Shri SB Wankhede and Shri AP Shivaji. Trishul and Akash aren’t mentioned at all; the former presumably owing to its cancelation, the latter because it may no longer be a development program.

The Nag anti-tank missile has completed its validation trials, and is ready to enter production. The reply does not mention orders. The HELINA helicopter-fired variant has been cleared for captive carriage trials and handed over to HAL.

On the ballistic missile front, the Agni-I with a range of 700 km and Agni-II with a range of “more than 2,000 km” have been developed and inducted. Agni-III with a stated range of 3,000 km is described as “ready for induction.”

The PJ-10 BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been bought and inducted in Indian Navy and Indian Army. The Air Version of the missile is under development. Antony adds that: “Except BrahMos, no offer has been received from any country for joint venture in missile development programmes. There is no plan to accept the conditions of Missile Technology Control Regime.” This means India is willing to export BrahMos without complying with the MTCR’s limitations, which includes a 300km/ 500kg range/payload limit. That could place Russia in an interesting position, as it signed the MTCR in 1995. A second response from Antony says that:

“The Inter-Governmental Agreement… stipulates that the missile… also will be exported to friendly countries. Therefore, the Government of India in consultation with Government of Russia will export Brahmos cruise missile to friendly countries taking into account the security needs of the both countries. The Brahmos joint venture has participated in many International Exhibitions and some countries have shown interest to buy. But, no decision has been taken by the Government regarding the countries to whom the missile can be sold… Export will start only after meeting minimum requirements of India.

There is an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed between India and Russia on export of Brahmos missile. This also has approval of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for Military Technical Cooperation for export.”

April 20/10: Brahmand reports that the BrahMos missile is ready for launch from underwater platforms. Indian Defence Minister A K Antony adds that the air-launched version would be ready in 2012, fr use from SU-30MKI fighters, and DRDO has provided INR 500 million for expansion of the manufacturing complex:

“Some parts of the missile components and the airborne launcher are currently being produced in Thiruvananthapuram complex of BrahMos Aerospace. It is planned to set up the integration complex in the adjacent land belonging to IAF, so that the manufacturing of the missile can be from the Thiruvananthapuram complex.”

Feb 2/10: India increases its Akash buy to 1,000. The Indian Air Force issues an INR 42.79 billion (about $925 million) contract to buy 750 more Akash medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) from state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). This follows an INR 12.21 billion order for 2 initial squadrons with 250 missiles total, back in January 2009 (q.v. Jan 12/09 entry). Defence minister AK Antony reportedly said that:

“A decision to place this fresh order with BEL was taken after the IAF expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Akash missiles that are deployed in two squadrons… on a pilot basis. The IAF has decided to deploy the weapon in more squadrons for optimal use.”

Specifically, the IAF has now ordered 8 total squadrons of 125 Akash missiles each. Delivery under this order is expected between 2012-2015. The Hindu | Indian Express | Times of India | Times Now | Bloomberg | India’s Business Times.

March 30/09: An Indian media story carried by DNA alleges that a senior Indian Air Force officer was instrumental in reducing India’s buy of the DRDO’s long Akash missile project from 8 squadrons to 2, and is now doing work related to MR-SAM for Israeli firms following his retirement from service:

“Without naming the officer, Defence Research & Development Organisation chief M Natarajan told a press conference in Bangalore during the Aero India show last month that the officer had slashed his predecessor’s commitment to induct eight squadrons of Akash missiles. The officer had brought the figure down to just two squadrons. Akash has a range of 27km, while MRSAM has a range of about 70km.

A source in the defence ministry confirmed that even for the induction of these two Akash squadrons, the IAF put a condition that the DRDO must first agree to the MRSAM project… “[He] killed Akash, blackmailed us to agree to MRSAM, and is now working for them openly.”

That range difference would appear to be rather significant, all by itself. This situation could reflect a classic bureaucratic strong-arm tactic, executed by a service that accepted the inevitability of some Akash buys, but was unenthusiastic about the system and sought to minimize them. It is also possible that these arrangements could reflect corruption, as they did in the USAF’s Darleen Druyun/ Boeing scandal.

The “revolving door” problem is hardly unique to India, and a political investigation is likely to ensue. Much will depend on the timing of his private-sector employment discussions, and India’s conflict of interest rules for retired senior officers. The MR-SAM contract was reportedly signed on March 27/09.

March 30/09: Tata Power Company Ltd. announces that its Strategic Electronics Division (SED) has bagged a Rs 182.46 Crore (INR 1.82 billion, $32.25 million equivalent) to manufacture 16 tracked Akash launchers, to be delivered over the next 33 months.

Feb 10/09: Top Left Front leaders, Prakash Karat (General Secretary, Communist Party of India – Marxist) and A B Bardhan (General Secretary, Communist Party of India) send a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Opposing the MR-SAM contract to Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), asking the government not to “subvert” india’s indigenous missile effort, which it characterizes as “superior.” The letter also cites the bribery allegations against IAI (see Oct 13/08 entry). See: Press Trust of India | DID’s full MR-SAM coverage.

Jan 26/09: India’s Army places an urgent Rs 592-crore ($120 million equivalent) order for 4,100 of MBDA’s Milan-2T tandem warhead anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), to be assembled under license by Bharat Dynamics, Ltd.

The man-portable Milan-2T missiles will join existing Milan family missiles in India’s arsenal, and will be used alongside the 4,000 Russian AT-14 Konkurs and 443 Nag systems ordered in 2008. Unlike the Nag, the AT-14 and Milan-2T do not require a vehicle carrier like the tracked “Namica.” Milan is primarily a squad-portable missile, though it can be mounted on land vehicles if desired. The Indian Army is reportedly seeking about 7,000 more anti-armor missiles, “a gap that will be filled by producing Milan ER and buying foreign-made missiles,” according to an Indian Army official quoted by Defense News. India Defence | Defense News.

Jan 20/09: Maitri – Revenge of DRDO? India Defence reports that neither MBDA nor India’s state-run DRDO have given up on their “SR-SAM” short range air defense proposal. Rumors peg it as a combination of DRDO’s Trishul and MBDA’s VL-MICA system, though Trishul’s failure and VL-MICA’s techologies mean that claims regarding Trishul technology are likely to be about saving face as much as anything else.

The “Maitri” LLQRM proposal’s positioning would be directly competitive with RAFAEL’s SPYDER, and VL-MICA is deployable as a mobile system. That could affect SPYDER’s future expansion within the Indian military, and might even affect its prospects if program problems crop up. VL-MICA’s capabilities mean that an SR-SAM/Maitri using these missiles would also be directly competitive with India’s indigenous Akash, and might even impinge on the proposed medium range MR-SAM deal involving a longer-range Barak missile.

Jan 12/09: The Indian Air Force has finally placed an INR 12.21 billion (about $250 million) order with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for 2 squadrons of Akash surface to air missiles. The order was placed a full 14 months after the completion of field trials at Pokhran in Rajasthan, though the decision itself was made in May 2008 (see May 11/08 entry). The Hindu reports that:

“Earlier, the IAF had reservations about placing the order as the missile, in its present version, does not meet a few of its operating requirements. The IAF wanted a smaller, lighter missile that had a longer range and was more manoeuvrable. The missile also does not have a seeker. However, batch-by-batch improvements in Akash are expected.”

Jan 10/09: BrahMos Aerospace confirms that 2 Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets have been sent to Russia for a retrofit programme that would enable them to launch the Brahmos aerial version. the official added that in addition to work integrating the weapon into the plane’s electronics, the 9 m/ 29.5 foot long aerial missile will require modifications to the SU-30MKI’s fuselage.

That length may be less of a problem for India’s forthcoming Boeing P-8i maritime patrol aircraft, but there has been no confirmation of plans to fit BrahMos to that platform yet. India’s domain-b business news.

SPYDER MR vs. SR
(click to view full)

Dec 11/08: The Indian Ministry of Defence confirms that it has signed the Spyder contract – and canceled Trishul. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, in a written reply to Shri Tarini Kanta Roy in Rajya Sabha:

“Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with M/s Rafael, Israel to procure Spyder Low Level Quick Reaction Missile System (LLQRM) for the Indian Air Force.

The proposal for Trishul system was foreclosed due to its inability to meet certain critical operational requirements. However, it served as a technology demonstrator and the expertise acquired with the technologies developed during design and development phase of Trishul Missile System are being utilized for developing state-of-the-art Short Range Surface to Air Missile System.”

Dec 8/08: The Hindu reports that final user trials of the land version of Nag will be held in Chandan Air Force range, near Jaisalmer, from Dec 22 – 30/08. Nag project director S.S. Mishra says that up to 7 missiles will be fired during the Army trials, to be followed by summer Army trials in June 2009.

Nag went on to complete the first phase of final user trials, while being fired against moving and stationary targets at different times during day and night.

July 12/08: The Times of India reports that India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation planning the “final developmental flight trials” of Nag at Pokhran on July 27-28/08, to be followed by the “user-trials” in mid-September.

“Over 60 developmental trials of Nag have been conducted over the years but recurring problems in the guidance systems, especially in the “imaging infra-red (IIR) sensor-based seeker”, has meant the missile is still to become fully operational. DRDO, however, is quite confident now…”

June 22/08: Reports by the Press Trust of India indicate that France’s MBDA is looking to partner with the DRDO and Bharat Dynamics to offer a range of short-medium range anti-aircraft missiles. The proposed venture would offer these missiles to the Navy, Air force, and Army. It would compete directly with the Indo-Israeli MR-SAM proposal and the proposed purchase of Spyder short-range air defense, and could effectively sideline both Trishul and Akash. PTI. See also Jan 20/09 update.

June 21/08: BrahMos Aerospace joint venture managing director, Dr Sivathanu Pillai says that they have finished development of the BrahMos-Airborne. Its booster size has been reduced compared to other variants, in order to lower its mass and maintain the requisite aerodynamic stability after launch.

The BrahMos-A missiles will be mounted on the Su-30MKI, and may also see employment from future maritime patrol aircraft. Pillai added, however, that progress on the scheduled flight trials has been slow on account of Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau according priority to the fifth generation aircraft project. Deccan Herald.

May 11/08: Sify.com reports that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to induct 2 squadrons of Akash Surface-to-Air Missiles, each of which will have 18 batteries. The project is now being handed over to public and private sector industries for manufacturing, which may include Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL), along with the private sector Larsen and Toubro and Tata Power.

Feb 27/08: Defence Minister Shri AK Antony offers a written Parliamentary reply to Shri S S Ahluwalia that itemized expenditures to date on each missile system, as of Jan 18/08. Note that these US dollar currency conversions given here will be inaccurate, because they use this day’s exchange rate – not the weighted rates over the 20+ year life of each program:

Missile Reported Cost USD, Feb 28/08 Prithvi SRBM 2.99 billion rupees $75.2 million Agni IRBM (demonstrator) 743.4 million rupees $18.7 million Trishul SR-SAM 2.827 billion rupees $71.1 million Akash MR-SAM 5.169 billion rupees $130 million Nag anti-armor 2.123 billion rupees $53.4 million TOTAL INR 13.851 billion $348.4 million

Feb 27/08: The Indian MoD once again denies that IGMP has been abandoned, while offering budgetary figures. The release does say that “Development of Trishul missile system has been completed as technology demonstration,” however, which tends to imply a low likelihood of fielding. MoD release.

Jan 14/08: IANS, via India Defence:

“After the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army too is hedging its bets on the indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile, saying it would test the weapon before deciding on its deployment… ‘Some of our requirements are still to be met. Only after that will we try out the system,’ [Indian Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor] said of the army version… taken 20 years to develop against a target of 12 years. At the same time, he did not deny media reports that the army had rejected the missile system. While the IAF has initiated steps to induct a squadron-strength… IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major refused to commit himself to the eventual numbers of the missile the force would deploy… A senior IAF officer pointed out that this did not necessarily mean the IAF had accepted the missile. ‘What we witnessed were trials conducted in a DRDO environment. We will now conduct trials in our own environment. Let’s see what emerges from that,’ the officer told IANS, speaking on condition of anonymity. Now, with the army too seemingly unhappy with Akash, it is clear that there is a disconnect between the armed forces and the DRDO, which claims the missile is ready to go into serial production and that it expects orders worth Rs.5 billion ($120 million) from the IAF this year.”

Jan 8/08: The IGMP program is reportedly terminated. Chennai Online:

“India today announced scrapping of the country’s strategic integrated guided missile programme, and said the development and production of most of futuristic weapons systems would henceforth be undertaken with foreign collobration. However, longer range missiles, under-sea launched missiles and furturistic weapons systems like electronic counter-warfare measures would be “undertaken in-house”, said one of the country’s top defence scientists Dr S Prahlada.

…New missile and weapons systems will be developed within a five-year time frame at low costs, with foreign partners and private industries” Prahalda, Chief Controller at DRDO headquarters, said.”

Akash Exhibit
(click to view full)

Nov 26/07: Defence Minister Shri AK Antony sends a written reply to Shri Raghuveer Singh Koshal in Lok Sabha:

“Brahmos Supersonic cruse missile has been successfully developed for Indian Navy and Indian Army as joint effort with Russia. Development of air version has also been sanctioned and is progressing for integration with SU-30 MKI for the Indian Air Force. The re-design and development of the air launched version of missile has been completed and missile is ready for testing. Suitable universal launcher for different types of aircraft has also been designed. The tests would be carried out in 2009.”

Nov 26/07: Defence Minister Shri AK Antony refuses to answer questions re: negotiations with Israel under the MR-SAM program. See July 12/07 entry.

Nov 21/07: India announces successful tests of the Akash missile in Rajasthan’s Thar desert near Pokhran, about 200km/ 120 miles from Pakistan’s borders and a previous site for nuclear testing, rather than at India’s National Missile Testing Range in the eastern state of Orissa. Samir Sinha, spokesman of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation: “The test was a success and we hope Akash will be inducted very soon into the army.”

The Akash system began test flights in 2000, and was expected to be inducted by the Indian Army and the Air Force by 2003; as of July 31/07, Rs 492.41 crore (about $121.4 million) has already been spent on Akash’s devedlopment. AFP report | India Defence report.

July 12/07: The MR-SAM project may be about to take the Barak deal to a new level. If reports are correct, this Rs 10,000 crore (almost $2.5 billion) deal would see a long range version of the Barak enter service as India’s medium-range land-based surface-air-missile system – a move that would probably spell the de facto end of the Akash program, just as the Barak and Barak-NG have effectively killed Trishul.

June 21/07: The land launched version of Brahmos is inducted into the Indian Army. India Defence reports that:

“The Government had approved induction of three regiments of BrahMos Missile system in the Indian Army out of which the Army had initially placed the requirement for one regiment. The delivery of this system was to start from July 2008. However, for early operationalisation of the missile system, the delivery of one Mobile Command Post and two Mobile Autonomous Launchers has been advanced by one year.”

See also RIA Novosti story.

Dec 4/06: Brazil is inquiring about the PJ-10 BrahMos, in both the naval and land-launched versions.

Nov 29/06: India Defence relays an official statement that “Akash, Nag and Trishul Missiles To Be Completed By December 2007.” Such promises have been made before. See the “Related Reports & News” section below for more skeptical assessments.

Brahmos land test
(click to view full)

Oct 27/06: India and Russia intend to manufacture 1,000 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles over the next 10 years through their joint venture company BrahMos Aerospace, selling nearly half of that production to third countries. The two countries have invested $300 million in the joint venture thus far. BrahMos has entered service with the Indian Navy, and the missile’s land-based version is expected to be inducted into the Army in 2007. Initial tests are also underway to modify the Indian Air Force’s SU-30MKI fighters for BrahMos carriage. Read the full article here.

Oct 23/06: An MBDA release confirms that they have “agreed with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to support a number of anti-tank and air defence programmes.” This could mean either a rescue for Akash and Nag, or the effective end of those programs.

Oct 14/06: India Defence reports that research and development work on the Trishul short-range ship defense missile will be stopped in December 2006, according to official sources in New Delhi. Instead, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) will focus on developing an advanced version of the Israeli Barak missile.

Aug 17/06: Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee offers a written Parliamentary reply to Shri Asaduddin Owaisi in Lok Sabha re: the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, He noted that the Akash medium range surface-to-air missile and Nag “3rd Generation Anti-Tank Missile,” were entering the user trials phase and “are expected to be inducted after that.” Of the short range Trishul surface-to-air missile, he simply said that it “has also been developed as a technology demonstrator.” See release, which also covers the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles.

July 28/06: According to India Daily, “Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Parliament on Thursday that New Delhi was selling BrahMos missile systems to other countries, but declined to give details “due to the sensitivities involved with export of the missiles”.” See link at india-defence.com.

July 23-24/06: Not so fast. India conducts test-firings of the Trishul missile on July 23rd and July 24th; it is also reportedly being developed for use by India’s Army.

February 7/06: Trishul’s future may be history. India is deepening cooperation with Israel re: the Barak.

Appendix A: DID Op/Ed Analysis – India’s Export Prospects (Dec 1/05)

Trishul Test

It is worthy of note that development of the Trishul, Akash, and Nag missile systems were all inaugurated under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) begun by the Defence Rasearch Development Organisation (DRDO) 22 years ago in 1983. Unlike the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles, these other three missiles have yet to become operational in substantial numbers, and can be fairly described as still in the testing stage based on the Indian Minitry of Defence’s 2004-2005 Annual Report. It wasn’t until November 2004, for instance, that Akash trials conducted with a live warhead and active terminal radar navigation achieved repeatable performance against test targets.

Indeed, both the Trishul and Akash missile projects have been reported as cancelled several times. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) or politicians usually clarified these reports by noting that the projects had “been converted to research & development projects.” The general follow-up was that testing would continue, while foreign missiles (the Israeli Barak procured by India’s Navy to fill the Trishul’s role, and recent discussions with the USA re: the Patriot) were investigated and/or procured for immediate needs.

India’s Nag project also dates back to 1983, and has followed a similar pattern. Like Trishul and Akash, it has recently made strides toward full operational status, but its IIR guidance has been a consistent problem and advanced versions with millimeter-wave guidance have remained entirely elusive. The Nag will be confined to vehicle-mounted use.

Along the way, India has looked to foreign missiles to fill its niche (Russia’s AT-14 Kornet, the AT-5 Spandarel produced locally by Bharat Dynamics as the Konkurs-M, and the Euromissile MILAN/MILAN2). In 2008, the Indian Army ordered 4,000 Konkurs-M missiles plus 443 homegrown Nag anti-tank missiles and 13 Namica tracked missile carriers, for induction from 2009-2011. In January 2009, the Army ordered another 4,000 Milan 2T missiles, to be built under license by India’s state-owned Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

In many ways, these missile programs are excellent case examples of the systemic modernization and procurement problems that face India’s defense ministry and industry. In contrast, the PJ-10 BrahMos supersonic anti-ship/strike cruise missile began in 1998 as a joint project based on Russian SS-N-26 Oniks designs, and is already ready to enter service. Many consider this program to be a model of Indian defense procurement success, as the missile and can claim equivalent or superior range and performance to the SS-N-22 Moskit/Sunburn that was developed by Raduga in Russia and sold to India’s rival China.

The decision to export these missiles does offer India a broader base of potential sales, which might allow it to recoup some of its development costs over the last 22 years. The DRDO’s Chairman of the IGMDP program and Chief Controller (R&D) said, for instance, that: “even if we market about a thousand missiles, it will be a big thing and fetch something between Rs. 3,000 to 4,000 crores. (USD $66-88 million)”

On the other hand, the missiles have to actually sell abroad in order to generate that benefit.

India will assuredly have a number of clients for BrahMos; but it remains to be seen whether any of its other missile programs will gain traction on the global market. It is possible that Akash will find a niche as an “under the radar” SAM choice that sits between Russia’s SA-6 (generally considered to be unreliable against advanced threats), and advanced S-300 (whose export tends to provoke strong reactions from the USA).

Trishul and Nag, on the other hand, will have to contend with a plethora of capable, modern competitors from Russia, France, Israel, Sweden, Europe, and the USA that exhibit superior performance and/or a more confidence-inspiring record. Neither France nor Russia make political or human rights considerations much of a factor in their arms sales, which would give these competitors an additional edge even if India’s standards end up being less restrictive than those of European or US firms.

Unless India can drive sales based on cost and political support, therefore, export prospects for the latter two missile systems at least do not appear particularly strong.

Appendix B: Additional Readings & Sources – Related Reports & News

• India’s DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organization)

• DID – MR-SAM India Gives Go-Ahead to Joint Israeli Program. This $2 billion project looks set to build on the naval Barak-NG, in order to provide India’s military with a medium-range land based SAM.

• India’s Frontline Magazine (Aug 16-29/08) – Arming India. Favorable coverage of DRDO, mentions the Rajendra radar’s industrial importance.

• DID (Nov 17/06) – India’s DRDO Rethinking the Way it Does Business. The rumbles of dissatisfaction are becoming quite loud.

• The Indian Express (Nov 12/06) – Armed Forces wait as showpiece missiles are unguided, way off mark. They do not give good odds of success for Trishul, Nag, or the Akash. Part of their “Showpiece Projects, Big Blots” article series linked in DID’s Nov 17 article.

• DID (Feb 7/06) – Israel, India to Cooperate on $350M Long-Range Barak SAM Project. The Barak was bought as a stopgap because Trishul wasn’t ready. This project indicates a serious future for the Barak in India, and may spell the end for Trishul.

• Foreign Policy Association (Dec 18/05) – Will the Indian Defense Industry Aim Globally?

• The Hindu (Nov 21/05) – DRDO to Export Missiles

• DID (Nov 18/05) – India’s MoD Releases 2004-2005 Annual Report

Appendix C: Additional Readings & Sources – The Missiles

• Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies – [Indian] Missile Development, 2002-2003. Outstanding source for timelined reports over that period re: all of the IGMDP missiles, including India’s ballistic missile program.

• BrahMos – Official site. Reader warning: as of Nov/07, this site has a number of missing or broken elements.

• eDefense Online – Cruiser & Destroyer Killers: Soviet & Russian Anti-ship Missiles, Part 2 [Google cache]

• Global Security – PJ-10 Brahmos

• Express Computer (Feb 28/05) – The IT in India’s cruise missile

• DRDO Tech Focus (August 2004) – Launching Platforms for Brahmos

• GlobalSecurity.org – Moskit/ SS-N-22 Sunburn

• Bharat-Rakshak – Akash SAM

• India DRDO/DRDL – Official Akash missile site

• Aero India – Challenges in design, development, system integration, testing, evaluation and production of Surface to Air Tactical Missile system – Akash [PDF]

• GlobalSecurity.org – SA-6 Gainful

• Bharat-Rakshak – Trishul SAM

• GlobalSecurity – Trishul (Trident) air-defense missile. Clips a lot from Indian press releases, take with a grain of salt. Does describe some of the program’s difficulties, but only goes to about 2003.

• Israeli Weapons – Barak. Reports that India’s orders of the Barak missile have totalled $360 million.

• Israel Aircraft Industries – Barak Ship Point Defense System

• Bharat-Rakshak – Barak SAM. Lists ships on which these missiles are installed.

• Bharat-Rakshak – Nag ATGM

• Defense News – India’s BDL to Build Milan 2T Missiles. Order for 4,000. Also mentions the 2008 order for 443 Nags, plus 4,000 AT-14s from Russia.

• The Tribune of Chadigarh, India (Dec 26/00) – India to Buy Missiles from Russia. Refers to anti-armor missiles in light of Nag’s slow development.

• Army Technology – Kornet-M Anti-Armor Missile, Russia

• Army Technology – Milan Anti-Tank Missile System (Europe)

• Warfare.RU – AT-5 Spandrel / 9K111-1 Konkurs -M