Training & Simulation

10 Oct 24. HOLOGATE and the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition of the German Army (WTD 91) have launched a three-year study aimed at advancing the networking capabilities of military simulation systems. Focusing on the example of generic helicopter simulation (GeHSi), the study will work to develop interfaces compliant with standards that enhance interoperability across various systems and make future missions more efficient.

Efficient Solutions for Growing Challenges: The German Army is increasingly using simulation systems for training, mission preparation, and decision support. However, the setup and networking of these systems are time-consuming, costly, and resource intensive. Interoperability—the seamless integration and connection of different systems—is becoming crucial for accurately and efficiently simulating complex, multinational scenarios. At the same time, military organisations face growing pressure to operate in a more resource-efficient manner.

The study aims to use interfaces compliant with standards to improve the networking of systems, ultimately improving operational effectiveness. HOLOGATE’s HGXR division offers a flexible XR solution tailored to this need, enabling the mapping of various helicopter models and mission scenarios within a single XR platform. This adaptability offers a significant advantage in addressing growing operational demands while optimising resource efficiency.

One Platform, Multiple Missions: Since 2022, WTD 91 has been using and testing HOLOGATE’s flexible HGXR SIM motion simulator, which serves as the generic helicopter simulator (GeHSi) in the current study. The HGXR SIM is equipped with advanced motion tracking technology that reduces latency and simulates dynamic forces up to 2g. With a vertical range of motion up to one meter and a tilt capacity of up to 30 degrees, the GeHSi offers pilots a highly adaptable and precise training environment.

The modular XR platform allows for seamless simulation of various helicopter models, including the NH90 Sea Lion, as well as diverse virtual environments, all at the touch of a button. By networking the GeHSi with other XR systems like HOLOGATE’s HGXR M or X, cross-system and cross-location exercises can be conducted. This enables the realistic training of complex scenarios, such as precise landings on naval frigates, where pilots collaborate closely with flight deck officers. Tactical missions, including the transport of Special Commando Forces (KSK) personnel, can also be simulated effectively.

“With our XR platform, we are setting new standards in military simulation technology.” says Leif Petersen, CEO and Founder of HOLOGATE. “The seamless networking of systems and scenarios makes it possible to make training more efficient and realistic. This study will make a decisive contribution to making military training fit for the future.”

HGXR [HOLOGATE press release image]

Networking Fully Standards-Compliant: A key objective of the study is to test the interoperability and standards compliance of networked simulators. Using the GeHSi as a model, the study will go through all stages of certification to ensure reliable and cost-effective use within the network.

The insights and advancements from this study will play a crucial role in making military training more efficient while also laying the groundwork for future technological developments.

 

11 Oct 24.  NATO will begin its annual nuclear exercise STEADFAST NOON on Monday (14 October 2024) with more than 60 aircraft taking part in training flights over western Europe. STEADFAST NOON runs for two weeks and involves fighter jets capable of carrying US nuclear warheads, but does not involve any live weapons.

“Nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Allied security,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. “STEADFAST NOON is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all Allies.”

NATO’s nuclear exercise is a routine and recurring training activity that happens every October. STEADFAST NOON involves 2,000 military personnel from eight airbases and a variety of aircraft types, including nuclear-capable jets, bombers, fighter escorts, refuelling aircraft and planes capable of reconnaissance and electronic warfare. This year’s exercise involves flights mainly over host countries Belgium and the Netherlands and in airspace over Denmark, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. Planning for the exercise began a year ago and thirteen Allies will send aircraft to take part in the drills.

NATO is taking steps to ensure the safety, security, effectiveness and credibility of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent. For example, this year, the first Allied F-35A fighter aircraft from the Netherlands were declared ready to perform nuclear roles. NATO’s Washington Summit declaration makes clear that “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression,” It states that “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.”

10 Oct 24. SANDF, US planning for Ex Shared Accord 2025.

The fifth Exercise Shared Accord with the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and the United States military will be staged in South Africa next year on an as yet unspecified date at a venue still to be decided.

September saw a concept development conference for next year’s combined joint inter-departmental, inter-agency and multi-national peace support operation and humanitarian relief exercise take place at SANDF Joint Operations Division headquarters in Centurion.

Shared Accord was top of the agenda for a meeting this week between US Ambassador Reuben Brigety and Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga. “The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining mutually beneficial relations and continuing to strengthen military-to-military cooperation, contributing to both nations’ defence and security goals,” the Ministry said in a statement, adding Shared Accord “plays a pivotal role in fostering military collaboration and readiness between the two countries.”

Shared Accord 2025 will be, according to the SANDF, the fifth exercise where war fighting and humanitarian scenarios take centre stage with an added benefit to people living in areas close to the exercise sites. This will again see SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) personnel work with their American counterparts providing dental, optical, general medical and veterinary services.

The last Shared Accord was staged largely in northern KwaZulu-Natal with the Free State province getting a show-in for airborne operations in and out of Air Force Base (AFB) Bloemspruit, adjacent to Bram Fisher International Airport outside Bloemfontein.

The 2022 exercise was the first in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and followed 2017 at the SA Army Combat Training Centre (CTC) in the Northern Cape province with the Eastern Cape province hosting the 2011 and 2013 events.

In 2022, the tactical component of Shared Accord saw maritime force protection operations against conventional and asymmetric threats at sea and in harbours, and air support operations to peace support operations (PSO) for landward forces, using AFB Bloemspruit.

Umhlathuze local municipality, which includes parts of Empangeni and Richards Bay, was the hub of humanitarian operations in 2022. Eight clinics were used as sites where medical services were available to local residents.

defenceWeb understands Shared Accord 2025 may take place in May next year. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

09 Oct 24. RAAF and RMAF fighters soar over Malaysia during joint training exercise. During Exercise Elangaroo 24, a RAAF F-35A Lightning II takes off from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, for an air combat training mission.

Australian and Malaysian jet fighters have concluded training together in the skies over Malaysia during Exercise Elangaroo 24.

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs flew air combat training missions with Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornets and Su-30MKM Flankers during the training exercise from 30 September to 4 October.

On the ground, aircrew and maintenance personnel conducted training and engagement activities designed to improve how the two air forces work together.

Wing Commander Paul Simmons, Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron, said six F-35As and approximately 140 RAAF aviators deployed for the exercise.

“Malaysia is one of our most important regional partners, and Exercise Elangaroo ensures we’re ready to contribute with our partners to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific,” WGCDR Simmons said.

“Air combat training allows us to integrate people and systems from respective air forces, learn each other’s strengths, and understand how to fight together.

“Malaysian and Australian aviators have trained together for generations, and Exercise Elangaroo 24 built on our long-standing Defence relationship.”

RAAF fighter squadrons have a long history of training and operations in Malaysia, wit

Exercise Elangaroo 24 involved RAAF aviators working from RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia and Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore.

The RAAF F-35As are deployed to Singapore to support a string of exercises in the region over September and October.

“Exercise Elangaroo 24 allowed our aviators to practice agile combat employment missions to RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia, where F-35As would land mid-mission to refuel,” WGCDR Simmons said.

“Agile combat employment provides greater flexibility in how we employ F-35As on operations, increasing their survivability and resilience against threats.

“This is more complex training than we previously conducted in 2022, when we debuted the F-35A in Malaysia for Exercise Elangaroo 22.”

 

09 Oct 24. Maritime exercise Sama Sama 2024 begins in Philippines.

The exercise is part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series.

The US Navy, US Marine Corps, the Philippines Armed Forces, and allied forces have started the Sama Sama 2024 maritime exercise in Subic Bay, the Republic of the Philippines.

The eighth iteration of the exercise involves maritime engagements for two weeks. It is aimed at strengthening security ties and enhancing interoperability among regional partners.

Sama Sama 2024, a part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, continues to build upon the collaborative efforts of previous maritime exercises.

The exercise is said to have grown in complexity, transitioning into a sophisticated multinational training environment.

This year’s iteration includes participants from Australia, Japan, Canada, and France, alongside the US and the Philippines.

Philippine Navy Delegation head and vice commander rear admiral Jose Ambrosio Ezpeleta said: “Today we witness the deepening of ties between the Philippine Navy and the US Navy along with our partners from Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and Japan.

“This exercise is a powerful investment for our collective movement and an opportunity to address regional challenges together.”

The exercise will cover a spectrum of disciplines, providing training in medicine, legal operations, engineering, logistics, and public affairs.

It will include naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft, supported by specialised teams such as diving and explosive ordnance disposal units.

Participants will undertake drills in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and maritime domain awareness.

Additionally, US assets participating in the exercise include the USS Howard (DDG 83), a P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and personnel from the US 7th Fleet, CTFs 76, 75, 72, DESRON 7, and the Marine Corps’ MRF-SEA.

The Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150)​;​ BRP Waray (LC-288)​;​​ BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC 380)​;​​ the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate ​​HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter; and ​Japa​n Maritime Self-Defense Force’s ​Shin Maywa US-2 amphibious aircraft and Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft​ ​​are​​​ also taking part.

(Source: naval-technology.com)

 

09 Oct 24. Naval Exercise Ibsamar VIII commences in South Africa. The eighth edition of Exercise Ibsamar, the multinational maritime exercise involving the navies of South Africa, Brazil and India, has commenced, marking another milestone in the trilateral collaboration between these maritime nations.

Held every two years, the exercise rotates leadership among the three participating nations, with South Africa serving as the permanent host due to its strategic geographical location.

Exercise Ibsamar provides a platform for the naval forces of these nations to conduct a variety of exercises, both ashore and at sea, aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthening maritime security. The exercise consists of an alongside phase at Simon’s Town Harbour (7-9 October) and a sea phase in False Bay and the Cape West coast area (10-16 October).

The South African Navy has deployed the frigate SAS Amatola, supported by a Super Lynx helicopter, an Oryx helicopter and two Hawk jets. Brazil’s contribution includes the Niteroi-class frigate BNS Defensora, equipped with a Super Lynx helicopter and a Special Forces team. India is participating with the frigate INS Talwar, its onboard Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter and an Indian Special Forces team.

Rear Admiral Handsome Matsane, Flag Officer Fleet designate of the South African Navy, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating: “India, Brazil, and South Africa are maritime nations with extensive and strategically important coastlines, making collaboration essential for the credible safeguarding of our waters. Through Exercise Ibsamar 2024, the South African National Defence Force will have an invaluable opportunity to test our skills as well as improve our competence in the joint interdepartmental, inter-agency, and multinational environment.”

Under the guidance of Exercise Director Captain Sifiso Majozi (SA Navy), the primary aim of Ibsamar is to enhance the operational readiness and cooperation between the participating nations. These exercises cover a wide range of serials, including tactical manoeuvres, search and rescue operations and maritime security drills. Through this collaboration, the navies aim to not only bolster their operational capabilities but also foster greater understanding and interoperability between maritime forces.

Commander Almeida Malos de Carvalho, Officer Commanding the Brazilian Navy Ship Defensora, emphasized the importance of shared knowledge: “The cooperation between Brazil, India, and South Africa reflects our vision of shared security, stability and prosperity for our regions. I expect that this exercise will strengthen our interoperability and effectively prepare us for coordinated responses to maritime challenges.”

Captain Jithu George, Officer Commanding the Indian Naval Ship INS Talwar, echoed similar sentiments: “Multilateral interactions like these are crucial bridges of friendship that increase mutual trust and enhance interoperability among navies of like-minded, littoral nations towards a common goal of a peaceful maritime domain and positive maritime environment.”

Exercise Ibsamar also focuses on addressing shared challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing and drug trafficking. By coordinating efforts and sharing best practices, the participating navies are better equipped to defend their waters and uphold international maritime law.

Captain Dieter Jones, Officer Commanding the South African Frigate SAS Amatola, noted the mutual benefits of the exercise: “We are going through a lot of effort to foster existing relationships, to expand on our knowledge base, to exchange customs and naval traditions, and to practice common doctrine. All of this is because we share a common interest, and that is the ocean, the Indian and Atlantic Ocean.”

A key technological highlight of Exercise Ibsamar VIII is the use of the Indian Navy’s NISHAR (Network for Information Sharing) system. This system enables seamless communication and information sharing between the participating naval forces, enhancing their ability to coordinate operations and develop a common operating picture.

NISHAR uses portable terminals that work on plug-and-play architecture, allowing the participating navies to share text, emails and, when satellite bandwidth allows, images and video conferencing. This level of connectivity is crucial during joint exercises, ensuring that all units can communicate effectively over long distances.

Thus, India, Brazil and South Africa can establish a unified communication framework during operations, enhancing their ability to conduct joint maritime exercises and share tactical information.

As Commander Almeida Malos de Carvalho aptly put it, “Ibsamar is one of the pillars of our defence responses, a high-strength collaboration and exchange of knowledge between our nations.” (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

06 Oct 24. 1,000 UK troops show commitment to eastern Europe in NATO exercise. More than 1,000 British troops have begun one of the largest exercises this year in the Balkans, showing the UK’s commitment to the region’s security. More than 1,000 British troops have begun one of the largest exercises this year in the Balkans, showing the UK’s commitment to the region’s security.

The training will develop the UK’s ability to operate alongside NATO allies and underlines Britain’s commitment to eastern Europe.

With 18 activities taking place across three months, one of the standout training exercises under Operation Chelonia involves the UK’s deployment of troops to Kosovo. These troops arrived via amphibious landing on a beach with no established infrastructure, via a world-leading motorised floating platform.

This training exercise takes place close to Pasha Liman Naval Base in Southern Albania.

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said: “These exercises show our unwavering commitment to standing united with our allies and working hand in hand to boost our collective security. The UK has always had a major presence in the Western Balkans, and it’s important we demonstrate a united front to ensure regional security. Working closely with our NATO partners, we are demonstrating our combined efforts to safeguard peace, stability, and security in the region.”

The landing was led by the Strategic Reserve Force (SRF), a group of 600 Army personnel held at readiness to deploy at two weeks’ notice should pressures in the region escalate. In 2024, the SRF is led by the 1st Battalion of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment.

The scenario required the services of the Mexeflote, a world-leading modular motorised floating platform that can dock on the stern ramp of a ship, load with heavy military hardware (including trucks and main battle tanks if required), ferry the cargo to the beach and enable the cargo to be unloaded.

To put into context the scale of the operation, 26,000 linear metres of vehicles and equipment were landed on the beach. All equipment was brought to Albania from the UK aboard the 13,500 tonne Ro-Ro vessel, Hartland Point.

The Royal Air Force have also undertaken training in the region to ensure all personnel have the training they need to keep us secure at home and strong abroad.

The British Army have previously deployed at pace in Kosovo, with 200 personnel from the (1st battalion) of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (PWRR) sent to the country last year under NATO command, following an increase in tensions in the north of the country.

Other nations involved in these key exercises with the UK include Serbia, Romania, Kosovo, Georgia, Croatia, and Moldova.

This exercise reaffirms the UK’s commitment to our allies in the region. Whilst Putin continues his illegal and reckless invasion of Ukraine and aggressive posturing, it is vital that the UK works consistently alongside our NATO allies to display a united front of our collective strength.

From our continued presence in Kosovo, to our counter-disinformation support in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UK remains completely committed to upholding democracy and supporting our allies in the Western Balkans.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

01 Oct 24. Hadean, a UK-based technology company specialising in AI, spatial computing and real-time globally distributed data, has completed the development of a new AI-enhanced capability that can improve blended live-virtual training for the British Armed Forces. The first phase of the “Populating the World of Training” competition uses multimodal Large Language Models (LLMs) to bridge the real and synthetic worlds to provide more enhanced training for UK Armed Forces. The competition is funded from Army Innovation as part of Army Futures, in support of the Future Collective Training System (FCTS), under a project run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), and delivered to Defence Science and Technology Lab (Dstl).

Hadean’s platform used AI to populate human terrain in a synthetic training environment to deliver more realistic and effective training outcomes – by using AI to integrate realistic, consistent, and representative simulation of A3E (Audiences, Actors, Adversaries and Enemies), whilst tracking and reporting all activity throughout the training exercise. To further enhance this platform for the demonstration, Hadean used an LLM to simulate civilian social media reactions influenced by soldiers’ actions during real-world training. Using multimodal AI to create a human-context-understanding layer over the training environment, aggression from training participants drove negative social media content, which in turn added complexity to real-world training for soldiers. AI was used to assess trainees’ performance by analysing interactions with civilians and radio communications, with Hadean’s platform generating detailed After Action Reports for each participant.

The demonstration, which was carried out at The British Army’s BattleLab in Dorset last month, is the first time that the bridging of the physical and virtual worlds through real-time interactions and multimodal generative AI had been undertaken for the British Army. Whether for a single day of training or extended exercises, the Hadean platform – and this innovation – has the ability to fully map the human terrain to greatly improve training, keep personnel safer, and improve decision-making.

The completion of DASA’s Populating the World of Training (Phase 1) is a clear demonstration of Hadean’s continued direct-to-government support of programmes that seek to modernise and digitise the UK Armed Forces. As a UK-based business, the delivery of this project also marks an increase in UK sovereign capabilities and freedom of action.

This latest project builds on Hadean’s recent delivery of the Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) Pathfinder contract, where they developed and deployed a cloud-native simulation in an austere environment in Kenya to validate a spatial compute platform for the British Army, supporting LVC training delivery and after-action review in expeditionary conditions.

Craig Beddis, CEO, Hadean said: “With this project we have leveraged cutting-edge technologies, such as multimodal generative AI, and rapidly developed them into practical solutions for the end-user. This achievement marks a significant step forward for Hadean as we push the boundaries of defence training and provide a realism and effectiveness not currently available to our service personnel”.

Giles Moore, Principal Scientist, Futures and Innovation Group, Dstl said: “Hadean’s TRL6 demonstration of an LLM-powered training capability for the DASA competition, Populating the World of Training, was an excellent showcase of UK innovation applied to defence – Hadean delivered as good an outcome as I’ve seen”.

09 Sep 24. The second phase of the Baltics region Joint Forcible Entry by US and UK troops on NATO Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE 24 involved a Rapid Air Land, reports Bob Morrison.

Mid-May 2024: Following a 22-hour delay to the initial SWIFT RESPONSE 24 (SR24) parachute insertion at Nurmsi drop zone, about one hour by road southeast of Estonian capital Tallinn, which on peacetime safety grounds had to be postponed because of severe weather, RAF and USAF transport aircraft conducted a Rapid Air Land operation at the former Cold War era airbase on the Baltic Coast near Kiltsi. After photographing the delayed UK and US parachute drop at Nurmsi on the Saturday morning, I drove two hours westward to Kiltsi to watch and photograph the RAL; which originally had been scheduled to commence at first light on this the second day but was now taking place near simultaneously with the paradrop as and when aircraft became available. The early morning parachute drop at Nurmsi was conducted from three US Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, which then joined Royal Air Force C-17A Globemaster and A400M Atlas aircraft for the Rapid Air Land at Kiltsi. By the time I had travelled almost 200km on mostly back roads across Estonia to Kiltsi the RAL was well underway, with WMIK Land Rovers, Jackals and Foxhounds already delivered to secure the airfield and support the first waves of Airborne (3 PARA) and Light Recce Strike Infantry (1 R IRISH) which had fought off the defenders and occupied the base. (Source: joint-forces.com)

 

09 Sep 24. Allied paratroopers jumped into five NATO countries and Moldova as part of the SWIFT RESPONSE 2024 airborne operation in Europe. In the largest airborne operation since the Second World War, paratroopers from France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain [plus UK and UK] jumped into Estonia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Sweden as part of Exercise SWIFT RESPONSE, proving their ability to conduct complex operations with short notice.

Airborne operations require precise timing, and consummate skill from pilots and paratroopers alike. Their ability to insert hundreds of soldiers behind enemy lines makes them a strategic asset to NATO Allies. Because of the inherent difficulty in these missions, frequent practice is required to maintain skills.

That is why the United States leads SWIFT RESPONSE, a yearly airborne exercise that brings Allies together to drop paratroopers throughout Europe. Conducting these drills together helps Allies familiarise themselves with each other’s practices, improving their ability to work together in the event of a crisis. This NATO Multimedia footage, shot near Gothenburg in Sweden and Cluj-Napoca in Romania in May, was published on Friday 06 September and circulated today. (Source: joint-forces.com)

 

16 Sept 24. 14 Ukrainian pilots begin F-16 training in Romania in defence coalition effort. Netherlands has announced that the first cohort of Ukrainian F-16 pilots have begun training in Romania.

Formation of F-16s in delta formations over the North Sea. Image courtesy of Netherlands MoD.

Some 14 out of 18 F-16 fighter jets, provided by the Netherlands, are now in use at a European training centre in Romania, where the first group of Ukrainian pilots has commenced their theoretical training.

The pilots are being trained at Fetesti Air Base, a facility established under a coalition led by the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States to bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has confirmed that practical lessons for the Ukrainian pilots are expected to begin by the end of the year in a release from 13 September 2024. The F-16 coalition aims to enable these pilots to defend Ukraine against ongoing Russian attacks using the fighter jets, marking a significant step in strengthening Ukraine’s military.

The Ukrainian Air Force is sending experienced MiG-29 pilots to participate in the training The conversion programme for the F-16 is designed to be swift but thorough, providing both initial flight training and advanced operational skills.

Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans expressed optimism about the progress. “It’s a great step forward that the first Ukrainian pilots have begun their training. The European F-16 training centre will provide them with a solid foundation to defend their country against Russia’s relentless aggression.”

This initiative forms part of a broader international effort to support Ukraine’s air defences. The Netherlands, Denmark, and the US are at the forefront of both the training programme and the provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. In addition to the 18 jets supplied for training, the Netherlands has pledged to deliver 24 aircraft to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces. Due to operational security, details surrounding these deliveries remain limited.

The establishment of the F-16 training programme has been months in the making. In June 2023, Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced the training programme, initially targeting a summer start. While the timeline for full operational capability was uncertain, she and other defence officials remained committed to fast-tracking the project.

A Netherlands MoD release from 15 June 2023 outlined the key components, including the provision of a swift conversion course for Ukrainian pilots to operate the F-16,  basic or “initial” flight training, and creating a final destination for F-16 training in an Eastern European Nato member state, likely referring to Fetesti Air Base in Romania where the current trading is being undertaken.

Upon the announcement in the Summer 2023, General Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff,  cautioned that it will take considerable time to build a Ukrainian air force capable of competing with Russia’s advanced aircraft, adding that the training was essential step toward fortifying Ukraine’s defences. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

10 Sept 24. Russia launches massive naval drills with China. The Russian military on Tuesday launched massive naval and air drills spanning across both hemispheres and including China in joint maneuvers.

The “Ocean-24” exercise spans the Pacific and Arctic Oceans, the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic Seas and involves over 400 warships, submarines and support vessels, more than 120 planes and helicopters and over 90,000 troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The maneuvers will continue through Sept. 16, the ministry said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in comments to military officials that the war games are the largest of their kind in three decades, and that China’s warships and planes were taking part. China confirmed that on Monday, saying the two countries’ navies would cruise together in Pacific, but gave no details.

A total of 15 countries have been invited to observe the drills, Putin said, without naming them.

“We pay special attention to strengthening military cooperation with friendly states. Today, in the context of growing geopolitical tensions in the world, this is especially important,” Putin said.

The Russian leader accused the United States of “trying to maintain its global military and political dominance at any cost,” seeking “to inflict a strategic defeat” on Russia in its war with Ukraine and to “break the established security architecture and balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“Under the pretext of countering the allegedly existing Russian threat and containing the People’s Republic of China, the United States and its satellites are increasing their military presence near Russia’s western borders, in the Arctic and in the Asia-Pacific region,” Putin said, stressing that “Russia must be prepared for any development of the situation.”

Russia and China, along with other U.S. critics such as Iran, have aligned their foreign policies to challenge and potentially overturn the Western-led liberal democratic order.

With joint exercises, Russia has sought Chinese help in achieving its long-cherished aim of becoming a Pacific power, while Moscow has backed China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and elsewhere.

Russia’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said the drills are aimed to train “repelling large-scale aggression of a potential enemy from ocean directions, combating unmanned boats, unmanned aerial vehicles, defending naval bases, conducting amphibious operations and escorting transports.” (Source: Defense News)

 

10 Sept 24. Chinese troops to join Brazil’s military drills with US forces. Chinese troops will take part for the first time in Brazil’s annual military exercises this week that also include U.S. forces, the Brazilian Navy said on Tuesday.

Pentagon spokesperson Major Pete Nguyen said, however, U.S. and Chinese forces would not be training together at the Brazil’s “Operation Formosa” exercises.

“While the PRC are also present at the exercise, U.S. troops are not training alongside or with the PRC,” Nguyen said. The PRC, or People’s Republic of China, is the country’s official name.

China sent observers last year to the Operation Formosa exercises, but will have troops on the ground this year, the Brazilian Navy, which coordinates the drills, said in a statement. U.S. troops participated as well in 2023.

“In Operation Formosa 2024 we have for the first time the participation of portions of troops made up of both friendly nations,” the Navy said of the two superpowers present this year. It did not detail the size of their contingents.

The Brazilian military will deploy 3,000 troops in the three-day exercises starting on Wednesday, and they will train using aircraft, tanks, armored and amphibious vehicles, artillery and missile and rocket launchers, it said.

The exercises, which use live ammunition, take place outside the town on Formosa, located 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Brazil’s capital Brasilia.

Invited military personnel participate in workshops to exchange experiences, the Navy said, and observers from eight countries will attend the exercises, including Argentina, France, Italy, Pakistan and South Africa.

The Pentagon’s Nguyen said U.S. Marines were only at Formosa to train with their Brazilian partners.

“By working side-by-side with our Brazilian counterparts, we are enhancing our collective ability to respond to regional security challenges,” he said.

(Source: Reuters)

Sept 24. Marshall Provides C-130 Fleet Availability and Readiness Training for RMAF.

Marshall recently hosted representatives from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) at its Cambridge HQ for a dedicated training programme on Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). The two-week course was delivered as part of an ongoing training arrangement between the RMAF, Marshall and AeroPeople, which originated in 2014. The RMAF operates a fleet of 14 C-130H aircraft, all of which share similar maintenance requirements and susceptibilities to fatigue damage.

Marshall’s ILS course enables fleet operators to put in place and monitor an efficient infrastructure that maximises operational effectiveness and minimises costs. ILS also emphasises the importance of ensuring that aircraft are inherently supportable on an ongoing basis.

“We were delighted to deliver this programme for the RMAF as our ongoing training relationship passes the 10 year mark,

“Legacy aircraft are a highly cost-effective option for establishing core capabilities, and occasional specialist training can help operators make the most of those cost advantages, maximising lifespans while optimising fleet readiness and capability.

“We have worked on the C-130 since 1966, and our expertise positions us perfectly to support in-country maintenance for this uniquely reliable and versatile platform.” Mark Hewer, Business Line Director – Aero Engineering Services, Marshall

Specific topics covered within the ILS course included:

• Life cycle costing (LCC)
• Level of repair analysis (LORA)
• Front end analysis (FEA)
• Obsolescence
• Failure reporting and corrective action system (FRACAS)
• Spares analysis
• Reliability analysis
• MSG-3 analysis
• Maintainability analysis

While in Cambridge, the RMAF delegation also visited Marshall’s MRO and manufacturing support facilities, and additionally received guidance from the Aero Engineering Services team regarding the management of fatigue on their aircraft.

Drawing on its exceptional knowledge of the C-130 platform, Marshall regularly develops training and capability programmes for customers, providing the skills and knowledge necessary for them to work proficiently on C-130B through H and J aircraft.

Most recently, Marshall formally gained approval to provide maintenance training for the fleet of C-130H aircraft operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). (Source: ASD Network)

 

01 Sept 24. More than 45,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in the United Kingdom as part of British-led Operation INTERFLEX. NATO Allies and partners, led by the British Armed Forces, are helping turn Ukrainian civilians into soldiers ready to defend their country.

At a training ground in the United Kingdom, the civilians are getting a five-week crash course in military discipline and infantry tactics as part of Operation INTERFLEX, a UK-led effort to replenish the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with trained soldiers. Since 2022, 45,000 Ukrainians soldiers have been trained under INTERFLEX, which includes instructors from 12 other countries.

Each cohort of trainees receives training on everything from trench warfare, urban combat and fireteam tactics, to battlefield medicine, survival skills, counter-drone warfare and instruction on the laws of armed conflict. The curriculum is informed by battlefield intelligence and is constantly updated to ensure that the soldiers receive relevant training. The UK is also equipping the Ukrainian soldiers with uniforms and equipment that they use during the training and will take back to their home country.

This NATO Multimedia footage, filmed last Thursday and released on Friday, was captured during a media day hosted by the UK Ministry of Defence. It was held in honour of Ukrainian Independence Day, celebrated on 24 August, the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Footage includes shots of Ukrainian volunteers learning how to treat and evacuate casualties during combat scenarios, as well as interviews with a Ukrainian volunteer and British Army officers.

(Source: www.joint-forces.com)

27 Aug 24. China spent $15.3bn on Pacific exercises in 2023. China spent about $15bn, or 7% of its defence budget, on exercises in the Western Pacific in 2023, according to a previously unpublished Taiwanese estimate, showing Beijing’s investment in military activity around Taiwan and its neighbours.

The internal research by Taiwan’s armed forces, reviewed by Reuters, offers a rare look into a slice of China’s defence spending as Beijing has ramped up its military presence amid rising tensions in the region.

China claims Taiwan as its own and has never renounced the use of force to bring the democratically governed island under its control despite Taiwan’s strong objections. It is also locked in disputes with several countries over sovereignty of large parts of the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

“This reveals the logic of allocation of their resources,” said a senior Taiwan official briefed on the research. “They are spending a huge amount of resources trying to gain control of the west of the First Island Chain.” The official, and two other people briefed on the research, declined to be identified for this story because of the sensitivity of the matter. The First Island Chain is a collection of archipelagos running roughly from Indonesia in an arc northeast to Japan, encompassing the South China Sea and East China Sea.

In a statement to Reuters, Taiwan’s defence ministry declined to comment on the figures.

“But the Chinese Communist Party’s enormous military investment in recent years indeed has a negative impact to the peace and stability in the region, which is not conducive to global prosperity and development,” it added.

00:14South Korea’s Yoon orders eradication of deepfake sex crimes

China’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and China’s second-highest-ranking military official, said in April the sea should not be an arena where countries can flex their “gunboat muscles”.

Carrying out “maritime containment, encirclement and island blockades will only plunge the world into a vortex of division and turbulence,” he added, in an apparent reference to the U.S. and its allies.

Taiwan’s defence ministry compiled the reports in May based on Taiwanese surveillance and intelligence on Chinese military activity in the Bohai Sea off northeast China, the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the western Pacific Ocean.

The reports tallied China’s naval and air missions there in 2023, then estimated how much fuel and other consumables would cost for each hour of activity. The total was 110 bn yuan ($15.3 bn), including maintenance, repairs and salaries, the reports and the officials briefed on the research said.

The research was designed to help Taiwanese decision makers understand how China allocates military resources across regions, as well as to gauge what Taipei perceives as a “gap” between Beijing’s intentions and its capabilities, three officials briefed on the reports said.

Comparing the cost of the exercises to the state of China’s economy, they said, helps Taipei assess the risks for both Taiwan and China.

The 110bn yuan figure amounts to about 85% of Taiwan’s 2023 defence budget, Reuters calculations show.

It is about 7% of China’s reported 2023 military spending of 1.55 trillion yuan, although diplomats and experts say that number is often opaque or not fully inclusive. China in March announced a 7.2% rise in defence spending for this year to 1.67 trillion yuan.

“It’s like a black hole,” said retired Taiwanese Navy Lieutenant Commander Lu Li-shih, noting that individual spending programmes were not broken out in China’s defence budget. “You can gauge the trend, but you can’t tell what the detailed items are.”

1.7 M HOURS AT SEA

Both Washington and Beijing have significantly increased the volume of military exercises across Asia amid roiling tensions in recent years, though China’s drills still lag in scale and complexity, a study has found.

China’s state-backed Global Times newspaper said last year sending carrier groups into the waters of the Western Pacific was not only about flexing muscles around Taiwan, and that China’s navy needed to get used to operating far out at sea.

“China’s carrier battle group is facing not only the Taiwan authorities, but also the interference of external forces,” military expert Song Zhongping told the newspaper.

Four experts said the reports’ methodology was feasible and could provide valuable information, although they cautioned that it necessarily included some guesswork.

They also said direct comparisons on military exercise spending were difficult; no data was available, for instance, on how much the United States spent on such activities in 2023. But the U.S. Department of Defense has proposed spending $9.9 bn next year on the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, created to counter China’s military build-up.

Reuters could not independently confirm the accuracy of the Taiwanese estimate.

China has stepped up military incursions and war games near Taiwan.

In 2023, Chinese aircraft, including J-10 fighter jets, H-6 bombers, and drones, made more than 9,200 flights in the region, amounting to about 29,000 hours in the air, the report shows.

The Chinese navy made more than 70,000 sailings, including aircraft carriers and destroyers, amounting to a total time at sea of more than 1.7 m hours.

Roughly 40% of the Chinese naval journeys were made in the highly contested South China Sea, about 20% were in the East China Sea bordering Japan and South Korea, and nearly 15% were in the sensitive Taiwan Strait, the report shows.

Taiwan has reported about 1,700 Chinese military planes have flown in its air defence identification zone so far this year, slightly more than the total for all of 2023, according to data compiled by Washington-based think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

China also launched “punishment” drills around Taiwan in May 2024, sending heavily armed warplanes and staging mock attacks shortly after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing considers a separatist, took office.

During the two-day “Joint Sword – 2024A” war games that month, Chinese air and naval forces were estimated to have spent about $13.17 m on fuel and consumables, according to another internal Taiwan defence report reviewed by Reuters.

The estimated spending for that exercise did not include personnel and maintenance, which are usually about three times the cost of fuel and consumables, the three officials briefed on the research said.

Chinese warplanes made more than 100 flights and spent some 300 hours in the air during those exercises, the report shows, while Chinese warships and coast guard boats made about 90 trips.

Chieh Chung, a researcher at a Taipei-based think tank, the Association of Strategic Foresight, said the activity showed the Chinese military was building combat readiness.

“The Communist military is ramping up their training for a Taiwan invasion,” he said. “More aircraft and pilots are now capable of conducting such missions.” ($1 = 32.2830 Taiwan dollars) (Source: Reuters)

22 Aug 24. Vietnam is first nation to integrate new L-39NG trainer jets.

Aero’s aircraft is set to provide pilot training and tactical operations for the Southeast Asian nation. Vietnam has made history as the first nation to bring into operation the L-39NG, the latest trainer aircraft from Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody.

Following site acceptance tests (SAT) conducted at a Vietnamese airbase, the six L-39NG jets were cleared for service, signalling an advancement in Vietnam’s military aviation training and operational capabilities.

The delivery of these aircraft marks the culmination of a handover process, with the final SAT phase involving on-site assembly, functional verification, and test flights. This final approval phase ensures that each aircraft is fully configured and ready for operational deployment.

“I am extremely pleased that the final assembly and flight of the six L-39NGs went well, and our aircraft can now fully serve as a training platform for fighter pilots as well as a tactical platform fulfilling a wide range of missions for the Vietnamese Air Force.,” said Victor Sotona, CEO of Aero Vodochody.

Beyond completing the acceptance tests, the delivery is part of Vietnam’s broader effort to modernise its military forces and enhance the training of its next generation of fighter pilots.

Vietnam is intensifying its military modernisation efforts in response to escalating territorial disputes and China’s military expansion. This is leading to a projected 5.6% compound annual growth rate in its defence budget, which is expected to reach $10.2bn by 2029.

The L-39NG’s compatibility with both Western and Eastern avionics systems positions it as a tool in training pilots for aircraft, including the F-16 and F-35.

The L-39NG contract, awarded in 2021, marked the government’s intent to enhance its air defence capabilities with technology. The aircraft’s combination of modern avionics and combat readiness makes it an asset not just for training but also for light combat and reconnaissance missions.

Approximately 400 companies contribute to the L-39NG’s production, 65% of which are based in the Czech Republic. Aero Vodochody has secured a contract to deliver four L-39NG advanced trainer jets to the Czech Air Force; this deal includes options for four additional jets. The new L-39NGs will replace the ageing L-39C Albatros trainers. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

 

20 Aug 24. US and South Korea hold joint air drills to counter North Korea threat. More than 200 South Korean and U.S. fighter jets are due to fly around the clock for five days this week in what would mark the largest number of sorties flown in training by the allies, South Korea’s air force said on Tuesday.

The drills are part of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises that are designed to boost the joint readiness of the South Korean and U.S. militaries against threats from North Korea, it said.

Aircraft on defensive patrol flights are being diverted to air combat scenarios under simulated drills involving mock enemy aircraft interdiction and cruise missile defence, it said.

Aircraft from two U.S. fighter wings based in South Korea are taking part, the air force said. The United States stations 28,500 troops in the South for combined defence against nuclear-armed North Korea.

North Korea routinely denounces the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which began on Monday and will run through to Aug. 29, for stoking tensions on the Korean peninsula, calling them rehearsals for a nuclear war.

While it is trying to modernize its air fleet, the North faces challenges in introducing new aircraft and relies largely on ageing and obsolete combat aircraft, even some old Soviet MiG fighters that were introduced in the 1950s.

Pyongyang has ramped up its tactical warfare capabilities involving short-range missiles and heavy artillery that are aimed at striking the South, after having made dramatic advances in longer-range ballistic missile and nuclear programs. (Source: Reuters)

 

15 Aug 24. Three NATO ships conducted a successful passing exercise with two Japanese ships in the Eastern Mediterranean on Wednesday (14 August 2024). The ships HMCS Charlottetown and TCG Gaziantep from the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), along with ROS Vice Admiral Constantin Balescu from Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2), conducted the exercises with JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Training Squadron.

A passing exercise allows Allied and Partner navies to develop and maintain mariner skills and strengthen interoperability. During the operation, the ships conducted a wide range of activities from manoeuvring exercises to communications drills. Sailors from HMCS Charlottetown, ROS Balescu and JS Kashima visited each other’s ships in a cross-deck exercise.

“The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has a longstanding relationship with NATO when it comes to Maritime Security. We are seeing more and more that the Indo-Pacific is important for NATO, given that developments in that region can directly affect Euro-Atlantic security,” said Royal Canadian Navy Commodore Matthew Coates, Commander of SNMG2.

“Exercising with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Eastern Mediterranean is a fantastic representation of the interconnectedness between NATO and Japan. These exercises allow us to improve interoperability not only with Alliance members but also our international partners,” he added.

Beyond partnerships, routine exercises at sea between Allied and Partner nations enhance readiness and the ability to operate effectively together.

“The successful conduct of the PASSEX (passing exercise) with our esteemed Japanese counterparts and Alliance members epitomises our unwavering commitment to maritime security and operational excellence,” said Romanian Navy Captain Sebastian Barote, Commander of SNMCMG2.

“This exercise highlights the critical importance of keeping cooperation with our Partners at the highest level. We have to benefit from any training opportunities with our Partners and enhance our ability to operate together effectively and ensure we are always ready to protect global maritime routes. Our commitment to preserving the freedom of navigation and addressing potential threats is vital for maintaining stability and security in our region,” he said.

SNMG2 is a multinational, integrated maritime force made up of vessels from Allied nations to perform various tasks ranging from exercises to the support of operations. They also help to establish Alliance presence, demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits to different countries, support Partner engagement and provide a variety of maritime military capabilities to ongoing operations.

The other participating group, called SNMCMG2 is a multinational naval force dedicated to mine countermeasures (MCM), comprising state-of-the-art minehunters and minesweepers. These specialised vessels are at the forefront of maritime safety, executing complex operations to detect, identify and neutralise naval mines and explosive ordnance, ensuring the secure passage of naval and commercial vessels. (Source: joint-forces.com)

14 Aug 24. Rwanda Defence Force continues to train Central African Republic soldiers. The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) continues to train Central African Republic (CAR) soldiers, with more than 600 graduating in the latest batch.

The Rwandan Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the 634 new soldiers, including 55 women, were on 5 August enrolled in the Central African Republic Armed Forces (FACA) after completing seven months of basic military training. The new soldiers were trained by the Rwanda Defence Force in collaboration with FACA, after 512 graduated in a first batch in November 2023.

The 5 August pass-out ceremony took place at Camp Kassaï military Barrack, Bangui city, and was presided over by Prof Faustin Archange Touadera, the President of Central African Republic, and was attended by Major General Vicent Nyakarundi, the RDF Army Chief of Staff.

Touadera expressed his appreciation for the successful military partnership between Rwanda and the Central African Republic, and thanked Rwandan President Paul Kagame and the RDF for their support.

“This graduation marks the second battalion trained by military instructors from the Rwanda Defence Force, with the ultimate objective of preventing the activities of the enemies of peace,” said the Chief of General Staff of the Central African Armed Forces, Major General Zephlin Mamadou. “I have no doubt that the skills acquired during this course will help in protecting the country and its people.”

During his speech, the RDF Army Chief of Staff, Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, stated that the Basic Military Training programme is the fruit of the initiative of the two Heads of State and aims to train professional soldiers with the skills, techniques, and knowledge required to operate effectively in peacetime and wartime.

The graduation ceremony was marked by demonstrating various skills acquired over the past seven months, which involved firing skills, map reading, and martial arts.

The RDF released photographs showing CAR soldiers wearing the badge and beret of the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) that were first seen in February, when the FACA announced that the new unit had become operational.

The RDF appear to have equipped the troops with ballistic helmet and bulletproof vests as well as Chinese-made Type 81-1 assault rifles.

Rwandan troops first deployed to the CAR in January 2014. Rwanda now has more than 2 000 soldiers serving in the CAR under the United Nations peacekeeping mission. It also maintains more than 1 000 soldiers in the CAR under a separate bilateral agreement since December 2020.

While Rwanda has earned gratitude for supplying the largest contingents of peacekeepers to the United Nations missions in the CAR and South Sudan, some see Rwanda’s military adventures as being about more than bolstering regional security. Alongside the Rwandan blue helmets in the CAR, for instance, another Rwandan detachment is, according to the International Crisis Group and others, ‘helping strengthen CAR’s institutions while securing mining concessions and land for agricultural projects.’ (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

14 Aug 24. SADC readying for regional riverine exercise.

SADC “maritime exercise” planning conference delegates in Namibia.

Preparations, in the form of planning conferences, will see the Southern African Development Community (SADC) stage what is at present called “its first maritime exercise” come October.

The exercise, according to Lieutenant Colonel Mpho Mathebula of the Joint Operations Division of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), will be a riverine operation that will take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and involve Botswana, the DRC, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

It will have five focus points: anti-trafficking; anti-piracy; anti-criminality; anti-pollution; and anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, under the theme “Combined We Combat Maritime Threats.”

Last month (July) Namibia hosted the main planning conference for the as yet unnamed exercise. The Swakopmund conference was attended by representatives from eight SADC member countries, the regional peacekeeping training centre as well as personnel from the SADC Secretariat and the regional bloc development community planning element. The five-day conference followed an initial exercise planning conference in December 2023 in Simon’s Town, South Africa. These efforts stemmed from a decision taken at the Standing Maritime Committee meeting in March 2023.

The Namibian conference, Mathebula reported, achieved objectives as far as establishing working groups, finalising country pledges, logistics and exercise timelines, as well as the appointment of key exercise roles was concerned. Contributions from unnamed member countries will ensure “vessels, patrol boats, medical teams, personnel and communication systems” are available for the exercise. The Mathebula report gives no location or duration for the exercise which, given its riverine orientation, will not necessarily be in a coastal country.

Opening the Swakopmund planning conference, Rear Admiral (JG) Erastus Lazarus, Namibian Defence Force (NDF) Commander Naval Operations, emphasised global concern over the increase in maritime security threats and their potential to disrupt global trade.

“This regional maritime exercise is of paramount importance as it is aimed at enhancing regional maritime security in line with the SADC Integrated Maritime Security Strategy and in support of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050,” he told conference delegates.

SADC has in its ranks four island countries, six with coastal boundaries and six landlocked countries. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

13 Aug 24. New agreement: RAAF to train German Air Force pilots from 2025.

The Royal Australian Air Force has signed an agreement to train pilots from the German Air Force in 2025.

The agreement, a letter of intent, signed by Chief of Air Force Australia Air Marshal Stephen Chappell and Chief of the German Air Force Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, was announced on 10 August.

“I am excited to announce today that the Royal Australian Air Force will be training Luftwaffe pilots from next year,” said AIRMSHL Chappell.

“This announcement follows the recent signing of a letter of intent by myself and Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz.

“This collaboration goes beyond training; it symbolises the mutual benefits and strong ties between our nations. By working together, we enhance our capabilities and emphasises our commitment to global security.”

Lieutenant General Gerhartz, in a published statement by Team Luftwaffe, said the agreement is a brilliant signal for the future.

“It‘s about partnerships around the world,” said Lieutenant General Gerhartz.

“(German) Air Force student pilots will start their pilot training in Australia next year. This is what our Air Chief agreed upon with the (Australian) Air Chief.

“I wish I would have had that amazing opportunity as a young pilot myself.

“This training is a brilliant signal for the future and a strong symbol of our growing partnership.”

The RAAF has already hosted German military aircraft and personnel during the recent air combat training activity, Exercise Pitch Black, in the Northern Territory.

Approximately 140 aircraft and more than 4,000 personnel from France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and embedded personnel from Canada and New Zealand participated in that exercise hosted from 12 July to 2 August this year.

Aircraft operated from RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, with additional tanker and transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

In addition, the Royal Australian Air Force has also recently announced it would host six F-22 Raptor aircraft from the United States Air Force 19th Fighter Squadron throughout this month during flying operations out of RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW.

It’s understood that two of the six F-22 Raptor aircraft will also participate in the Pacific Airshow from 16 to 18 August on the Gold Coast in Queensland. (Source: Defence Connect)

 

14 Aug 24. Royal Air Force takes to Indian skies to participate in exercise Tarang Shakti. The Royal Air Force (RAF) will join the Indian Air Force (IAF) and counterparts from Germany, Spain, and France in the first phase of the IAF’s maiden multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti today (6 August).

The RAF contingent comprising 130 personnel, six Eurofighter Typhoons, two A330 Voyager air to air refuellers and an A-400M military transport aircraft arrived at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu.

The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for the RAF to work closely with the IAF alongside other nations in a more challenging multilateral environment, significantly enhancing interoperability and sharing best practice.

Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said:

I congratulate the Indian Air Force on organising its first multilateral air exercise, Tarang Shakti, and am delighted that the Royal Air Force is one of the key participants.

Our cooperation in security and defence extends across the seas, land, and air. It is crucial that our armed forces work together to preserve stability and enhance prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Group Captain Neil Jones, Air Adviser, British High Commission, said:

Exercise Tarang Shakti adds to a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between the air forces of our two countries. Training in a multilateral environment provides a unique exposure to new challenges as well as integration of our tactics and skills across all specialisations.

For the Royal Air Force, it also demonstrates our ability to deploy and sustain air operations over great distances and maintain an effective presence in the Indo-Pacific, whilst working with partner nations; it is a pleasure for us to be here.

Further information

• the six Typhoons from XI (Fighter) Squadron, from RAF Coningsby arrived in India after participating in Exercise Pitch Black in Australia, where they operated alongside the IAF
• the RAF and Indian Navy’s P8I aircraft flew together for the first-time during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in July 2024. Both nations deployed the P8I maritime patrol aircraft to Hawaii for the largest maritime training exercise in the region
• in March 2023, the IAF debuted at RAF’s multilateral Exercise Cobra Warrior, organised at Waddington Air Base in the UK (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

13 Aug 24. ECOWAS carries out maritime security exercise. Efforts by the East African regional bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) to strengthen maritime safety off its Atlantic Ocean coast saw the third iteration of Operation Safe Domain take place from 5 to 9 August.

It followed Safe Domain I in November 2021 and Safe Domain II in September last year to meet what a statement called “the challenges of maritime security”. A number of ECOWAS’ 15 member states front the Gulf of Guinea, named as a world piracy hotspot by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Under the guidance and leadership of the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Co-Ordination Centre (MMCC) for the bloc’s Zone E which includes Benin, Nigeria and Togo, the five-day exercise saw research, information exchange, maritime and aerial surveillance and operational unit/s intervention where necessary on the to do list.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah said at the start of Safe Domain Three “full operationalisation” of the regional bloc’s maritime security architecture was part of its strategic objectives as regards strengthening regional peace and security. He further told those present the world’s oceans are a major economic and environmental resource where “some 90% of international trade is conducted”.

ECOWAS “development partners” including the European Union (EU) by way of the GoGIN (Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network) project, implemented by Expertise France, were thanked for ongoing contributions. Others named were UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), Denmark, Germany and the United States (US).

Nigerian Commodore Aniedi Ibok, Director of the Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone E, said ECOWAS maritime challenges include piracy, sea robbery, and various forms of trafficking, which hinder economic development and impact local communities.

He highlighted the adoption of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) in 2014, which established a comprehensive maritime security architecture, including MMCCs in Cotonou, Accra, and Praia.

He mentioned a significant reduction in maritime crime incidents, from 49 reported piracy cases in 2018 to two in 2023, attributing this success to coordinated efforts by ECOWAS, member states, and international partners.

Ibok said that over the five days of this year’s exercise, a coordinated deployment of four ships, one Defender boat, and one helicopter conducted extensive maritime patrols and drills within Zone E, targeting threats such as sea robbery, piracy, illegal fishing, and various forms of trafficking.

“Our response through Operation Safe Domain III reflects our unwavering commitment to neutralizing these threats and creating a secure maritime environment conducive to commerce and trade.”

Operation Safe Domain IV is scheduled to take place in March 2025, building on the successes of this year’s operation.

“The continued collaboration of our member states is essential to protecting our shared maritime heritage and ensuring the free flow of global trade,” Ibok said. “Our collective efforts today are paving the way for a safer, more secure maritime future in Zone E.”

ECOWAS is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, and represents Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Atalanta training for Somali maritime forces

Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, three days of shipboard training earlier this month saw two European Union (EU) missions collaborating to up the skills of Somali maritime forces.

As an adjunct to the exercise, a high level delegation met aboard the Spanish frigate ESPS Numancia (F83) to discuss strategic issues around maritime security off the African east coast and furthering collaboration between the EU missions and the wider Somali Armed Forces (SAF). Hosted by Operation Atalanta Force Commander, Rear Admiral Manuel Alvargonzález, the meeting was attended by EU Ambassador to Somalia Karin Johansson, Chief of Staff of the Somali President Abdihakim Mohamed Yusuf and EUCAP (EU Capacity Building Mission) Somalia Head Kęstutis Lančinskas.

From the Somali side the August onboard training saw coast guard elements from the Somali Navy and Police Force as well as the Puntland Police Force on hand for theory and practical applications. Exercises were based on tactical situations with trainees, among others, practicing boarding as well as personnel identification and detention procedures.

Atalanta has maintained a visible presence in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa for 15 plus years executing a mandate which started with providing protection to World Food Programme (WFP) ships carrying nutrition for drought and starvation affected Somalis. Additionally, it is now an anti-piracy tasking and is rated by the EU as “a key maritime security provider”. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

12 Aug 24. South Korea, US to stage annual drills over North’s missile, cyber threats. South Korea and the United States will begin annual summertime military drills next week to ramp up their capability to counter North Korea’s weapons and cyber threats, officials said on Monday.

The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, set to run from Aug. 19 to 29, come as North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile programmes and tries to launch reconnaissance satellites.

The drills will reflect “realistic threats” across all domains, including the North’s missile threats but also GPS jamming, cyberattacks and other lessons learned from recent incidents, the two countries’ militaries said in a statement.

The alliance “will further strengthen its capability and posture to deter and defend against weapons of mass destruction,” Colonel Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a briefing.

Lee said the South Korean military would also support the simultaneous government-led Ulchi civil defence drills, one set in the scenario of a nuclear attack by the North.

About 19,000 South Korean troops, similar to last year, will take part in 48 rounds of combined field training, including field manoeuvre, live fire and amphibious exercises, he said.

Colonel Ryan Donald, spokesperson of U.S Forces Korea, said the annual exercises were among the largest exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, and will be joined by member states of the United Nations Command.

Pyongyang has long denounced the allies for stoking tensions with military drills, calling them rehearsals for a nuclear war.

Seoul and Washington say the exercises are defensive and a response to the North’s threats. (Source: Reuters)

 

09 Aug 24. UK shows commitment to Indo-Pacific following major exercises.

The UK has demonstrated it’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific as a series of major multinational military exercises conclude.

• The Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines have taken part in a series of major exercises in the Indo-Pacific region
• Deployments saw UK personnel operate alongside nearly thirty international partners in exercises taking place in Australia, India, and Hawaii
• Exercises demonstrate the UK’s enduring commitment to supporting security and stability in the region, which is critical for the UK economy

Hundreds of UK Armed Forces personnel have been deployed in the Indo-Pacific region this summer to participate in a series of major multi-national exercises across air, land, and sea in support of collective security and stability.

The Indo-Pacific is crucial to the UK’s economy due to the significant trade volume associated with the region and the UK works closely with partners and allies to promote its stability.

Activity throughout the last month has seen Royal Air Force fighter jets fly more than 9,000 miles to train in a series of exercises alongside aircraft from more than 20 different nations, while the Royal Marines landed on the northern shores of Australia as part of a series of amphibious assault exercises.

The deployments provided a unique opportunity to demonstrate the ability of the UK Armed Forces to conduct global deployments and work closely with partners and allies to integrate and operate alongside each other more effectively.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “This Government is determined to build on our Indo-Pacific commitments. Euro-Atlantic security is inextricably linked to stability in the Indo-Pacific. These deployments of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines strengthen our bonds and interoperability with our important partners. Our deployment of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales next year will further deliver on our commitment to strengthening UK relationships in the region.”

Flying more than 9,000 miles from the UK to Australia, six Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets and a Voyager refuelling aircraft joined more than 140 aircraft from 20 different nations for Exercise Pitch Black during July.

The journey to Australia, called Griffin Strike, was carried out jointly with the French Air and Space Force, further emphasising our deep defence ties during the 120th year of the Entente Cordiale.

In week one, the RAF practiced air-to-air combat engagements against another nation, while in weeks two and three the aircrew focused on intercept scenarios in a complex air environment, meaning participants were divided into either ‘red team’ or ‘blue team’, flying from separate locations attacking one another in varying scenarios. The overarching aim was to practice offensive counter-air and defensive counter-air combat in an airspace that is larger than the UK.

Meanwhile, landing on the beaches of Northern Australia, the Royal Marine Commandos conducted amphibious warfighting exercises with Australia, the US and the Philippines. Exercise Predators Run enabled the Commandos to practice deploying from small boats onto the shore, where they could form the spearhead of an assault onto land.

Patrolling the skies around Hawaii, two RAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft also joined 28 other nations at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises for their longest and furthest range exercise ever. The P-8A is a state-of-the-art multi-role maritime patrol aircraft that excels at anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and search and rescue missions.

And starting this week, an RAF contingent of 130 personnel, six Typhoons, two Voyagers, and an A400M transport aircraft arrived in India to take part in India’s largest multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti. The RAF will fly alongside aircraft from the US, Germany, France, and other nations in the coming weeks.

International alliances are a crucial component of a secure Britain, and domestically the Government will ensure that defence and security are at the heart of economic growth and the prosperity of the UK. In 2023 the defence industry supported more than 200,000 UK jobs to make and sustain the critical equipment used globally by our Armed Forces.

The UK remains committed to upholding the stability of the Indo-Pacific as demonstrated through the Royal Navy’s maintenance of a persistent presence through HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, and in 2025 the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group will deploy to region to exercise with partners and allies to help promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

29 Jul 24. U.S. and ROK Forces Conduct Joint Combined Exchange Training at Kunsan Air Base. An Airman assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron ensures an Airman’s parachute equipment is secured and properly fitted prior to a flight at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 23, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Johnson)

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In mid-July, Kunsan Air Base witnessed a unique event as paratroopers descended from the sky, marking the beginning of the Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) hosted by Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) from July 15-31, 2024. The training, involving U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) forces, aimed to enhance interoperability in realistic combat scenarios.

Paratroopers from both nations were delivered by a U.S. MC-130J Commando II and a ROKAF MC-130K Hercules flying in formation. The nearly three-week exercise included complex scenarios designed to replicate adversarial tactics. “A JCET is where USAF SOF train alongside our ROK SOF counterparts to rehearse mission essential tasks while enhancing our lethality,” said Capt. Raymond Lessig, 320th Special Tactics Squadron drop zone controller and mission commander.

SOCKOR and aligned units regularly train with ROK counterparts, including the ROK Army Special Warfare Command and Naval Special Warfare Flotilla command. The coordination among the 8th Fighter Wing, SOCKOR, the 353rd Special Operations Wing, ROK Air Mobility and Reconnaissance Command, and the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base was crucial for the exercise’s success.

“This is the fourth year we’ve conducted this training at Kunsan,” said Lessig, highlighting the support from the Wolf Pack. Col. Peter Kasarskis, 8th Fighter Wing commander, emphasized Kunsan’s strategic importance, saying, “Kunsan exemplifies readiness in the Indo-Pacific… It’s an agile power projection platform ready for any mission.”

Kunsan’s location and environment played a key role in the training, offering realistic conditions for airborne operations. As the JCET concluded, it underscored the strong military partnership between the U.S. and ROK forces and their commitment to regional security. For many, it was a rare opportunity to witness the seamless collaboration of two of the world’s leading military forces. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

 

30 Jul 24. Russian navy starts major drills involving most of its fleet. Russia’s navy began planned exercises involving most of its fleet in the Arctic and Pacific oceans as well and the Baltic and Caspian seas, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

Russia is considered by most military analysts to have the world’s third most powerful navy after those of the United States and China, and Russia has a significant ballistic-missile nuclear submarine fleet.

The Russian drills, which include 20,000 personnel and 300 ships, will test the readiness and capabilities of the navy at all levels, the ministry said.

The drills will include over 300 combat exercises including practicing the use of anti-aircraft missiles, artillery, anti-submarine weapons and “passive interference, it added.

“Units and formations of the Russian Navy have begun conducting planned exercises in the operational zones of the Northern, Pacific and Baltic Fleets, as well as in the area of responsibility of the Caspian Flotilla,” the ministry said.

“The main purpose of the exercises is to check the actions of the military authorities of the navy at all levels, as well as the readiness of the crews of ships, units of naval aviation and coastal troops of the Russian navy to perform tasks.”

About 300 surface ships and boats, submarines and support vessels, some 50 aircraft and more than 200 units of military and special equipment will be involved in the combat training, the ministry said.

Since President Vladimir Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, the Russia’s Black Sea fleet – the only Russian fleet formation not taking part in the drills – has struggled to adapt to dynamic modern drone warfare and the chief of the navy was replaced earlier this year.

At celebrations of Russian navy day on Sunday, Putin warned the United States that if Washington deployed longer range missiles in Germany then Russia would station similar missiles in striking distance of the West.

Since launching an invasion on Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has conducted numerous military exercises on its own or with other countries, including China or South Africa.

In the past two months, Russia has also conducted a series of mobile nuclear missile launcher drills and tactical nuclear weapons deployment exercises. It has also increased military training with Belarus, which borders both Russia and Ukraine, conducting a series of comprehensive drills. (Source: Reuters)

 

29 Jul 24. Multinational Forces Execute Live-Fire Drills During RIMPAC 2024. During the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise, multinational forces carried out live-fire sinking exercises (SINKEXs) on July 11 and July 19, sinking the decommissioned USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and USS Tarawa (LHA 1). The operations took place in waters 15,000 feet deep, over 50 nautical miles off the northern coast of Kauai. Participants included units from Australia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy.

SINKEXs are crucial for enhancing proficiency in real-world tactics and targeting. According to U.S. Navy Vice Adm. John Wade, RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force Commander, these exercises allow participating nations to refine their capabilities in complex maritime operations and demonstrate their commitment to regional security. The sinking of ex-Tarawa included the deployment of a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, showcasing the missile’s precision and stealth capabilities.

Additionally, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber participated in a QUICKSINK demonstration, highlighting a low-cost method for defeating surface vessels. This initiative, funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, aims to provide flexible and effective options to neutralize maritime threats.

The ex-Dubuque, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned in 1967, and the ex-Tarawa, the lead ship of her class commissioned in 1976, were both decommissioned in the early 2010s. Their preparation for SINKEXs adhered to strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, ensuring the removal of materials harmful to the marine environment. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

The Kenyan Marine Commando Unit (KMCU) has taken part in action-packed training exercises delivered by the UK Royal Marines.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

30 Jul 24. The Kenyan Marine Commando Unit (KMCU) has taken part in action-packed training exercises delivered by the UK Royal Marines, as part of a visit to Kenya by HMS LANCASTER, a British Royal Navy Frigate.

After Royal Marines from 42 Commando delivered training and practical demonstrations, Kenyan Marines-in-the-making took on the challenge of completing visit, board, search, and seizure exercises – tactics frequently used to counter piracy, terrorism, and smuggling.

These exercises are in addition to the basic training that the KMCU receive and show the UK and Kenya’s continued commitment to build a strong, capable, and adaptable Kenya Defence Forces as an anchor of regional stability and security.

The creation of the KMCU is a five-year partnership between the UK and Kenya to establish a self-sustaining training cycle through which the Kenyan Navy will be able to train their own Marine Commandos.

The KMCU made history in May 2023 when the first-ever cohort of Kenyan Marines completed a rigorous training programme which largely mirrors that undertaken by the Royal Marines.

The US Military have also played an integral role in the creation of the KCMU by ensuring this specialist and formidable force are equipped to the highest standard.

British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, said:

It’s fantastic to see that the UK and Kenya have taken advantage of this opportunity to add serious value to the Kenyan Marines training programme – a great example of how our security partnership is making a real difference to Kenya’s military capacity and capability. Together, we’re going far – making Kenya, the UK, and the region safer and more secure.

Commander Chris Sharp Royal Navy, Commanding Officer HMS Lancaster (Port):

HMS Lancaster’s visit to Kenya is a fantastic opportunity for Lancaster’s Royal Marines to train and exercise boarding operations with the Kenyan Marine Commando Unit, contributing to the UK and Kenya’s joint commitment to improve regional stability and security.

HMS LANCASTER visited the Port of Mombasa for a short operational break from patrols and as part of Combined Task Force 150, where it has recently conducted drug busts and completed other maritime security serials. It will then return to her long-standing presence in the Gulf region, focussed on promoting peace and stability. Her visit to Mombasa provides an opportunity to demonstrate the close, historic relationship between the UK and Kenyan Armed Forces.

The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership is an ambitious five-year agreement delivering mutual benefits for the UK and Kenya and keeping our people safe; it is underpinned by the Defence Cooperation Agreement that provides the framework for this training programme.  (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

16 Jul 24. Dominican Republic Air Force acquires decommissioned Pillán training aircraft from Spain. The Dominican Republic Air Force (FARD) has acquired seven ENAER T-35 Pillán trainer aircraft, decommissioned from Spanish Air and Space Force service.

The Dominican consulate in Seville, Spain, wrote in an 8 July social media post that the seven aircraft are being disassembled by FARD technicians at the Maestranza Aérea de Sevilla maintenance centre and will be transported to Santo Domingo via ship “in the coming days”.

Neither the FARD nor the Dominican Ministry of Defence had responded to questions at the time of publication. The service already operates 4 Pilláns, according to Janes: World Air Forces .

The Pillán fleet is the FARD’s second major fixed-wing aircraft acquisition programme. The service is also domestically assembling 10 Flying Legend TP-75 Dulus trainer aircraft, two of which are already operational.

Chilean aerospace company ENAER developed the Pillán as a basic training aircraft. The company is developing a new version, Pillán II, for which design is scheduled to be finalised in mid-2025.

For more information, please see FIDAE 2024: Third TP-75 Dulus under construction in Dominican Republic.

(Source: Janes)

 

16 Jul 24. Belgian Defence embraces future with F-35 simulator training.

Belgium’s first F-35 instructors embark on simulation training in the US.

Belgian Defence is propelling its air component into the future with the initiation of its first F-35 simulator instructor training programme, marking a leap from 4th to 5th generation fighter capabilities.

Belgium is procuring 34 of the aircraft and selected them over the Eurofighter because of more favourable prices. The aircraft will allow interoperability with EU and NATO forces. According to GlobalData’s intelligence on the Belgian defence market, 30% of the components of the aircraft will come from Europe, with Belgium seeking to balance European and US loyalties. For the Belgian Defence, the journey from traditional 4th generation fighter jets to the 5th generation F-35s has officially begun. This shift is being spearheaded by the nation’s first cohort of F-35 instructors, who, since June 2 2024, have been immersed in a five-month training programme in the United States, mastering the intricacies of the flight simulator.

The training regimen, a blend of theoretical coursework, hands-on practical exercises, and simulator sessions, prepares these instructors for integrating the F-35 into Belgium’s Air Component. By the end of their training, these instructors will possess the expertise to create and manage many flight scenarios, ensuring that future pilots receive the most realistic and varied training experiences possible.

Upon their return to Belgium, these newly trained instructors will be stationed at Florennes Air Force Base. Their mission is to train the next generation of F-35 pilots, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to operate these aircraft effectively. This role is vital for integrating the aircraft and maintaining Belgium’s position at the forefront of modern aerial combat capabilities.

In Europe, the growth of the combat aircraft segment is mainly driven by F-35 programmes in countries such as the UK, Norway, Belgium and Finland, as highlighted by GlobalData’s “The Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2023-2033” report.

In other European F-35 developments, Greece is advancing its military modernisation by proposing the purchase of 20 F-35 jets.

This move emphasises Belgium’s commitment to enhancing its military and adapting to the evolving demands of modern warfare. By investing in training and technology, the Belgian Defence is future-proofing its capabilities. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

 

13 Jul 24. 40 Commando Royal Marines, part of the Littoral Response Group (South), has been deployed to Darwin in Australia for Exercise PREDATORS RUN. The LRG (S) consists of Commandos from across the UK Commando Force, RFA Lyme Bay, and RFA Argus. The Commandos are in the Northern Territory to work alongside 1 Brigade of the Australian Army, the lead Littoral Brigade within the Australian Defence Force.

Other participants in Ex PREDATORS RUN include the USMC and other regional partners such as the Philippines, and Timor. The exercise presents a unique opportunity to validate the OF4 Headquarters, ensuring 40 Commando, and LRG(S) are prepared for warfighting operations, in support of our Allies and Partners in the region and across the Globe.

In the build-up phase of the exercise in early July a UK Polaris MZRZ- D4 was, for the first time ever, loaded into a US MV-22 Osprey. With only inches to spare either side the evolution proved that a MRZR can, theoretically, be deployed to any established helicopter landing site in the world by an MV-22. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)

 

10 Jul 24. Pentagon Cancels U.S. Army Exercise in Georgia.

The Pentagon has indefinitely postponed a major U.S. Army exercise in Georgia, originally slated to begin on July 25, 2024. This decision follows accusations that the Georgian government has been conducting an anti-American misinformation campaign, raising concerns about future cooperation between the two countries.

The exercise, named Noble Partner 2024, was to involve approximately 3,000 U.S. and allied troops and take place at the Vaziani and Camp Norio Training Areas outside Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. This annual drill has been a significant event, with previous iterations involving thousands of troops from numerous countries. However, the Pentagon cited “false accusations” by leaders of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who alleged that the U.S. and its allies were pressuring Georgia to open a second front against Russia in the Ukraine conflict and accused U.S. officials of attempting coups against the Georgian government.

The indefinite postponement of Noble Partner 2024 reflects growing friction between the U.S. and Georgia, once a steadfast ally in the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Georgia was the largest per-capita contributor of troops to Afghanistan, deploying over 20,000 soldiers since 2010, many of whom saw combat. The current strain in relations marks a significant shift from this period of close cooperation.

The decision to cancel the exercise comes as Georgia faces accusations of shifting towards authoritarianism and strengthening its ties with Russia. The Georgian parliament recently passed a controversial “foreign agents” bill, which critics say mimics Russian laws and targets media and NGOs receiving significant foreign funding. This move has been met with widespread protests in Tbilisi and has raised concerns about Georgia’s democratic trajectory and its aspirations to join NATO and the European Union.

Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, former commander of U.S. European Command, criticized the decision, suggesting it signals a retreat from supporting Georgia. “Our Georgia policy is being written by our actions and we are backing away from Georgia,” Breedlove said. “That’s a bad message. I believe that our administration is nearly fully deterred by Russia.”

The Pentagon’s announcement also comes ahead of the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., where officials are expected to discuss support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing war with Russia. The cancellation of Noble Partner 2024 underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, with the U.S. balancing its response to Russia’s aggression and its alliances in the region.

Despite the postponement of Noble Partner 2024, the Pentagon expressed its commitment to future cooperation with allies, looking forward to the Agile Spirit 2025 exercise, which traditionally includes participation from both Turkey and Georgia.

 

09 Jul 24. Australian Navy nuclear submarine engineers complete training with Royal Navy under AUKUS.

• Three Royal Australian Navy officers among the first in their Service’s history to qualify as nuclear engineers.
• After nine months of intensive training at HMS Sultan in Gosport they will now serve alongside their Royal Navy counterparts in UK submarines.
• They will go on to help develop Australia’s nuclear submarine capability as part of the AUKUS agreement between the UK, USA and Australia.

The Royal Navy has helped lay the foundation for its Australian ally to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine capability, including through the country’s first UK trained nuclear submarine engineers.

Three Royal Australian Navy officers graduated alongside their British counterparts after nine intensive months of training at HMS Sultan in Gosport.

Lieutenant Commander James, Lieutenant Isabella and Lieutenant Steve will now go on to serve in Astute-class submarines side-by-side with Royal Navy crews, adding practical experience to all they have learned on the Nuclear Operator Course.

Their success marks a significant milestone in developing the skilled workforce to operate Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability.

The three officers are part of a pioneering cohort who will be among the first to operate Australia’s future conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines, having gained education, experience and training in both UK and US shipyards, facilities and warships.

Passing out, they were watched by Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy – and a submariner – and Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, Director General of the Australian Submarine Agency, while the Royal Navy’s Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell took the salute.

Vice Admiral Hammond praised the “exceptional dedication” of the trailblazing trio of officers for their success – and the Royal Navy for the “world-class training” it has provided.

He continued: “This demonstrates the exceptional skillset and knowledge of our people undertaking this unique training from the Royal Navy – a long-standing partner and friend to the Royal Australian Navy.

“The graduation marks another significant step forward for the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to operate, maintain and support Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability.”

As the first nuclear engineers to go through the UK training programme in their navy’s history, the Australian trio have been under the spotlight, with regular visits from senior officers to check on their progress.

“It’s been great that they’ve continually shown interest in what we’re doing,” said 29-year-old Lieutenant Steve.

“I was a weapons engineer, but nuclear engineering is a completely different ball park. I wanted a challenge, something interesting. It’s been very challenging, but also fascinating and much more interesting than conventional engineering.”

At 33, Lieutenant Commander James is an experienced submarine and marine engineer. “I was doing staff work, but it could be a bit mundane, so when the advert went out for nuclear engineers, I volunteered – I wanted to keep myself busy and active. And it’s been very worthwhile.”

He will be assigned to the Royal Navy’s newest hunter-killer submarine, HMS Agamemnon, nearing completion in Barrow.

“The experience of bringing her out of construction, going through trials and training will be hugely important down the line for our programme,” Lieutenant Commander James added.

He and his fellow 16 students have undergone six months of academic training learning how a nuclear reactor works and how to control it, covering diverse, complex subjects including nuclear physics, metallurgy, advanced mathematics, thermodynamics and nuclear safety management.

That’s followed by three months of practice: learning the inner workings of nuclear systems and control room simulators to correctly respond to possible incidents and emergencies.

Instructor Lieutenant Joe Roberts said the course was one of the most demanding in the Navy – students frequently drop out.

“It’s a course which demands the best and the brightest – and the Australians have sent them, three outstanding students who will go far,” he continued.

“It’s been something of an honour because these are the AUKUS pioneers. They will go on to lead their country’s future nuclear submarine programme.”

Lieutenant Kris Waldram, aged 40, from Cornwall, was one of the 14 Royal Navy students who successfully completed the course alongside the Australian trailblazers.

“We have helped each other through the course. A submarine is regarded as being more complex than the Space Shuttle, so there’s an incredible amount of information to grasp,” he said.

“I’ve been able to share my experience of my 23 years on nuclear submarines, the Australians helped with maths and the academic side of things when necessary. I think we’ve all benefitted from being on the same course.

“The banter has been brilliant throughout – we’re very much on a similar wavelength – finishing with an Australian-themed end-of-course dinner, and the room filled with inflatable kangaroos.”

Lieutenant Steve added: “I think what’s been most surprising has been the parallels with the Brits – you can just jump in there, get started. Yes, we take the mickey and there’s banter, but at the end of the day we’re all best mates.”

Their success marks a significant milestone in developing the skilled workforce needed to operate Australia’s future conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability being developed under the AUKUS tri-lateral security partnership between the UK, Australia and the US.

It was a topic high on the agenda during the Prime Minister’s first conversation with his counterpart, Anthony Albanese over his inaugural weekend in office.

The leaders also discussed key challenges facing the region, including strategic competition, climate change and agreed to build on the already strong AUKUS partnership. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

08 Jul 24. US postpones Exercise Noble Partner following claims of political insurgency. The US postponed the exercise after Georgian Prime Minister claimed the US had attempted coups against the ruling party, and was pressing the Georgia to open second front with Russia.

As part of a dramatic reconsideration on the bilateral relationship between the US and Georgia, the US Department of Defence announced on 5 July 2024, that it would indefinitely postpone Exercise Noble Partner, following Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s allegations that the US is pressuring Georgia to open a second front against Ukraine, and that the US had participated in two coup attempts against the ruling party of Georgia.

The US Government has denied the allegations and cites the dispute as the motivating factor for postponing Exercise Noble Partner.

In statements to the state public broadcaster on 7 July, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, the ceremonial head of state for the nation and political opponent of Kobakhidze, described the postponement as a threat to Georgia’s defence capability.

Exercise Noble Partner is a cooperative exercise between Georgia, the US Army Europe and Africa. The exercise in 2022 involved 2,400 military members from the US and 19 other nations, involving situational training exercises, live-fire exercises and combined mechanised manoeuvres, with a significant contribution from combat aviation forces.

A May 3 tweet from Prime Minister Kobakhidze claimed that he had spoken to the Counsellor of the US State Department and “expressed my sincere disappointment with the two revolution attempts of 2020-2023 supported by the former US Ambassador and those carried out through NGOs financed from external sources.”

The allegations by Kobakhidze arose during a political crisis for his government, as widespread public protests sought to prevent the passing into law of a bill designed to drive sanctions down on civil-society organisation that receive foreign funding.

In January Kobakhidze spoke of attempts to pressure Georgia to open second front against Russia in a bid to alleviate pressure on Ukraine, again directly contradicted by the US Government. Kobakhidze described the pressure as stemming from “global war party”.

In June, Ukrainian lawmakers have accused Georgia as acting as vehicle for Russian people and companies to bypass sanctions, placed against Russia as a response to its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Georgia has denied these claims, but the ruling party has suffered severe criticism for introducing policies that are seen as influenced by Russia. (Source: army-technology.com)

13 Jun 24. Allen-Vanguard partner with Hyperion Defence Solutions to deliver innovative mixed reality JTAC trainer for a Middle Eastern customer. Allen-Vanguard, best known for providing customised technology solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, has partnered with Hyperion, experts in developing innovative technology-based defence solutions, to deliver a world class mixed reality Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) trainer for a Middle Eastern customer.  Allen Vanguard will be at Eurosatory, in Paris, in Hall 5a Stand E365 to discuss this and all their RF defeat solutions.

Allen-Vanguard has vast experience in creating successful partnerships to drive forward complex technology integrations to deliver novel capability and they also have a wealth of experience in the Middle East.  Hyperion has deep expertise in Joint Fires support and training, simulation and the establishment and delivery of modern training solutions for defence organisations.  Together, they have developed a cutting edge accreditable JTAC training solution that provides a fully immersive mixed reality training environment to efficiently and effectively deliver complex joint fires training for JTAC students.

The solution is a mobile, trailer-based system, incorporating Varjo’s XR-4 Focal Edition headset allowing the trainee to be fully immersed in the virtual environment, whilst being able to interact with their real equipment.  This innovative system provides a more effective training solution, than live or dry controls alone.   The system aims to be amongst the first to achieve Joint Fires Support Executive Steering Committee (JFS ESC) accreditation for a Battlespace Simulations Inc. (BSI) Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE) and Augmented Reality Mission Observation and Rehearsal (ARMOR) software combination.  This new joint Allen-Vanguard/Hyperion JTAC training solution is truly revolutionary in both the technology used and training methodology applied.

Bobby Strawbridge, Director Business Development for Allen-Vanguard said, “We at Allen-Vanguard are increasingly finding ourselves working alongside other sector experts to help deliver the best possible in-theatre capabilities to meet the needs of our customers.  Whether defeating the RF threat or countering other capabilities, maximizing the benefits of rapidly advancing technology is vital to maintain the battle winning edge.  We are extremely pleased to be working with Hyperion on this project and very impressed with the JTAC training capability we have produced together.”

Chris Derbyshire, Co-Founder and Director at Hyperion said, “Working with Allen-Vanguard has been an excellent experience and collectively we have produced a supremely flexible mobile training facility which using ARMOR software allows instructors and students to draw upon accurate worldwide data to generate terrain for anywhere on earth in minutes; thus providing the user with the greatest possible flexibility to train where and when they want in all possible scenarios.”

 

11 Jun 24. NATO SOF Completes Exercise Flaming Sword 24 in Lithuania.

NATO Special Operations Forces (SOF) from six Allied nations have successfully completed Exercise Flaming Sword 24 in Lithuania. This major training event, held annually, demonstrates NATO’s commitment to enhancing cooperation, collaboration, and interoperability among its member states. The exercise saw participation from SOF units from Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, and the United States.

Hosted by Lithuania, Flaming Sword 24 aimed to train and assess the readiness of NATO SOF units to conduct operations in response to potential aggression against its Allies. The exercise featured a variety of operations, including, for the first time in recent history, a German submarine supporting German Special Operation Forces in the Baltic Sea and ashore. Danish Frogmen from the Danish Maritime Special Operations Force also conducted critical operations in the region.

Major General Steven Edwards, Commander of Special Operations Command Europe, emphasized the importance of such exercises. “Whenever we have the opportunity for U.S. Special Operations Forces to train alongside our NATO Allies, it reinforces our ability to rapidly deploy combat-credible forces in all domains – land, sea, air, and space,” he said. “Our ability to work seamlessly alongside our Allied partners strengthens our collective defense and enhances regional security.”

Flaming Sword 24 serves as a precursor to the larger BALTOPS 24, a premier maritime-focused annual military exercise in the Baltic region. Scheduled from June 7-20, BALTOPS 24 will involve the largest coalition of amphibious and mine countermeasure forces in the exercise’s history. Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, commander of Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKEFORNATO) and U.S. 6th Fleet, noted the historical significance of BALTOPS 24, stating, “BALTOPS 24 is 75 years in the making – the premier example of the strongest and most successful alliance in world history.”

Exercises like Flaming Sword 24 are crucial for fostering interoperability among Allied forces, refining tactics and procedures for seamless cooperation during operations. The event included U.S. East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) engaging in maritime operations, close quarters combat, weapons training, and helicopter fast-roping with their Allied SOF counterparts. This face-to-face training is vital for building a strong and strategic SOF warfighting foundation among NATO Allies.

The senior Naval Special Warfare Operator on site highlighted the importance of these relationships, stating, “The weeks leading up to this exercise allowed my team to integrate with our partner forces from these countries. Having the chance to meet in person, build our operations plans together, and execute scenarios in tandem is invaluable.”

(Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

03 Jun 24. Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), a diverse products and services company providing innovative healthcare, communications, learning and cybersecurity solutions is harnessing AI capabilities to bolster its industry-leading exercise management tool for global military training, MaestroEDE.

MaestroEDE is a Calian-developed exercise management tool to design, develop and deliver complex military training scenarios. Calian is utilizing AI to expand the capabilities of MaestroEDE, building functionality that allows the platform to modify and exploit the synthetic training environment, creating more realistic and adaptive scenarios that prepare users for real-life situations. Exercise developers will utilize the platform to more efficiently design, build and conduct training events and exercises when they cannot afford to fail.

“MaestroEDE gives exercise developers an easy-to-understand landscape of intuitive tools for solving complex training problems. It allows them to see the big picture to create training environments that are designed to match their training audience’s unique requirements,” says Eric Norton, Emerging Technologies Leader, Calian. “AI bolsters this functionality with capabilities to more accurately and efficiently create training content events and injects that meet objectives and help drive decision making during delivery.”

Customers worldwide are looking to harness the power of AI to solve their complex problems. Calian, as a world-leader in design, development and delivery of complex training exercises, is committed to helping clients create leading-edge training environments that contribute to operational readiness. New capabilities within MaestroEDE allow users to more efficiently allocate time, people and money to create world-class training exercises. Exercise developers have the tools to better solve problems and make decisions—resulting in real gains in productivity and cost-efficiency.

“Military budgets are stretched across the globe, so organizations are seeking value and efficiency when building and conducting training exercises,” says Jay Ballard, VP of Defence, Calian. “Exercise developers need critical insights, delivered on-time with work production and end-time support, which MaestroEDE delivers.”

 

31 May 24. Kenya and European Union hold first joint naval exercise. The longstanding European Union (EU) Naval Force in the Indian Ocean – Operation Atalanta – marked up a first this month when it successfully staged a joint exercise with the Kenya Navy.

The exercise, as per a Kenya Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement, was designed to enhance capacity building in maritime operations with the East African country’s maritime partners. On the agenda for the five day exercise that ran from 20 to 24 May, called Usalama Baharini (“safety at sea” in Swahili) was enhancing inter-operability, information sharing among operation centres, and “practical simulation of legal finish of apprehended maritime offenders”.

EU NavFor, in the form of Operation Atalanta, summarised Usalama Baharani as enhancing maritime security, co-operation and dialogue on regional peace and security issues as well as “sharing knowledge among all participants”.

Both the Kenya Navy and Coast Guard Service took part.

A seminar component saw lectures on the legal aspects of operations at sea, and given the recent number of piracy incidents off the East African coast, maritime interdiction operations.

The practical component, with current Atalanta flagship ITS Martinengo (F596) taking centre stage, saw all involved in Usalama Baharini apply training, knowledge and experience in simulated scenarios. This saw the Italian frigate as a suspected pirate vessel, transfer equipment, materials and personnel suspected of involvement in arms and drug trafficking.

Simulations involving helicopters, high speed boats and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) allowed participants to apply protocols and best practices to real-life scenarios. Special attention was given to the topic of legal finishing or prosecution of pirates, given the ongoing maritime security challenges in the Red Sea and resurgence of piracy in the region.

“Kenya and the EU have a common border – the sea – and the security and stability of the sea is the security and stability of our societies. We must open our eyes to the sea,” Atalanta Operations Commander, Italian Vice Admiral Villanueva Serrano said of the first joint EU/Kenya naval exercise.

Usalama Baharini was jointly organized by EU NavFor Atalanta, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. There was also prominent support from the EU Delegation to Kenya, with the participation of EU Ambassador HE Henriette Geiger in the different parts of the exercise.

Around 120 representatives from agencies within Kenya’s National Maritime Security Committee participated, including the country’s navy, coast guard service and maritime and ports authorities, along with partners such as IMO, Go Blue, the EU Delegation to Kenya and the Embassy of Spain in Kenya.

The exercise came as the EU picked Kenya as the second country, after the Seychelles, to accept and prosecute suspected pirates.

The European Union Naval Force last week confirmed that Kenya will assist Seychelles in handling maritime crime suspects due to the rise in number of cases reported.

Geiger said maritime security is a concern as it has led to disruption of trade and that the bloc will work with different governments to suppress maritime insecurity, especially as Somali pirates have stepped up hijacking attempts amidst a surge in Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

“EU Navfor Somalia managed to suppress piracy in its previous years but with the current operation Atalanta, the forces will work with different governments to address emerging piracy and the illegal group at Suez Canal,” said the ambassador.

“Seychelles has played a key role in handling suspects arrested in the waters and now Kenya will be another country which EU has entered legal agreement with, to allow for the trial of suspected pirates arrested by warships,” she said.

On 14 May, six suspected pirates were handed over to the Seychelles authorities for trial by Operation Atalanta, after being involved in an attack on the Marshall Islands-flagged Merchant Vessel Chrystal Arctic on 10 May.

30 May 24. FORC3 partners with Calian to bring a world-class combat vehicle virtual training system to the Canadian Army

The FORC3 team, comprised of multiple Canadian industry-leading land defence solution providers, continues to develop its comprehensive solution for the upcoming Land Vehicle Crew Training System (LVCTS) program. As FORC3 prepares for the final stage of the program, its partners are pleased to announce that Calian Ltd., a well-established integrated training solution provider, has joined the team.

Calian is a preferred provider within the Canadian defence community, as well as for numerous NATO allies. With 25 years of experience delivering robust and relevant simulation and training services for the Canadian Army and NATO, Calian is on the forefront of innovative exercise design and execution support in a rapidly evolving defence environment.

In addition to its military training expertise, Calian is an industry leader in customized multi-domain data interoperability and integration support that enhances both learning and operational decision-making. With a range of products including the Virtual Command and Control Interface (VCCI)) Tool Suite, Calian can federate multiple simulation, C4ISR, and AI-enabled data analytics systems to support cutting-edge training and deliver comprehensive after-action reviews.

The FORC3 partnership

FORC3 includes leading Canadian defence, service, infrastructure, and simulation companies: Rheinmetall Canada (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu), Lockheed Martin Canada (Ottawa), the ADGA Group (Ottawa), Bluedrop Training and Simulation (Halifax), EllisDon Construction and Building Services (London), and REDspace Incorporated (Halifax). Now joined by Calian Ltd., the FORC3 team is strategically positioned to offer the very best training technology and develop Canada’s exportable, industrial, and operational capability.

Collectively, the FORC3 partners currently operate more than 40 global training centres to Canada’s key allies, including NATO and the Five-Eyes Alliance.

“Calian complements FORC3’s technical and operational capabilities. We are very excited and confident that our combined solution and experience represents a compelling value proposition for the Canadian Army” says Pietro Mazzei, CEO of Rheinmetall Canada.

“Calian is thrilled to bring its advanced simulation and interoperability solutions to the forefront of the FORC3 partnership,” stated Donald Whitty, President of Learning at Calian. “With our proven track record in designing and executing comprehensive, multi-domain training environments, we are uniquely equipped to enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Canadian Army.”

 

29 May 24. Affinity FTS introduces students to the world of work through the Jon Egging Trust’s Flagship Blue Skies Programme. Leading aircraft service and maintenance provider, Affinity Flying Training Services (Affinity) recently delivered a series of sessions as part of the Jon Egging Trust (JET)’s long running Blue Skies programme. The three-year programme is aimed at young people aged 12 to 16 who are at risk of falling out of education due to lack of confidence and life challenges. Blue Skies is delivered as an alternative to in-school sessions, helping participants develop key workplace skills such as teamwork, leadership and resilience. It holds workplace visits, which offer unique insights into a range of career avenues, not only within the aviation sector, but also in sectors linked to space and entrepreneurship. These visits aim to expose students to new and exciting opportunities in the world of work which they may have not considered or thought out of reach.

Affinity has supported JET’s Blue Skies programme for several years, during which it has not only hosted Blue Skies sessions but also lent its support for events including graduations and annual dinners. The success of the Blue Skies programme bolsters Affinity’s existing track record as an SME with high levels of engagement with local communities across the UK.

Since the start of the year, Affinity has supported five Blue Skies Level 3 sessions for students across Lincolnshire, giving them an insight into what an aviation organisation does on a daily basis. The Affinity team were on hand to support the employability sessions which highlighted the similarities between work and school, office etiquette, social media tips and tricks, finance, alongside wider practical advice on the world of work. The programme concluded with Affinity’s HR Team alongside other local JET partners holding a series of ‘Sprinterviews’. These Sprinterviews were a new activity introduced this year and allowed students to take part in mock interviews and CV writing workshops to gain greater experience to prepare them after they leave education.

This year, the Affinity team has supported in-school sessions at Priory Witham Academy and Barnes Wallis Academy in Lincolnshire, and also hosted students during visits to RAF Cranwell, where they were able to see aircraft up close, and watch take off and landings from the flight line.

Speaking on the programme Business Operations Director at Affinity, Alex Davison stated: “The Blue Skies Programme plays a pivotal role in opening doors for young people across the UK. Since the beginning of the year, the programme has delivered tailored workshops to give the new generation a flavour of the opportunities that lie in front of them. Affinity has seized the opportunity to participate in this scheme, not only motivating students to explore a range of exciting career pathways, but also empowering them with the confidence to shape their future.”

Fi Collins, Director of Communications and Fundraising at JET stated: “At JET, we simply couldn’t deliver our programmes without the support of our inspiring network of corporate partners across the UK who so generously open up their workplaces and volunteer their time to bring to life career possibilities and build aspiration, self-belief and employability skills in our students. We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Affinity for their dedication to JET and our students in Lincolnshire this past year and beyond.”

About the Jon Egging Trust

Founded in 2011 by Dr Emma Egging OBE, following the tragic death of her husband, Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, the Jon Egging Trust (JET) supports vulnerable young people to build social and emotional learning skills and reengage with education.

Over the past decade, JET has supported more than 40,000 young lives through its long-term Blue Skies programmes which build confidence, resilience, employability skills and aspiration, and link students to inspiring STEM workplaces and relatable role models who allow them to think differently about their futures. Blue Skies programmes are delivered in partnership with JET’s network of high profile corporate and military partners across the UK.

About Affinity FTS

Affinity Flying Training Services is a 50-50 joint venture between Elbit Systems UK and KBR. Since its formation in 2016, Affinity has delivered over 60,000 flying hours across the UK. As a key partner of the UK Military Flying Training System (UK MFTS), the company currently delivers pilot training, procurement, operations and maintenance services, at RAF Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Valley on three different types of aircraft.

 

28 May 24. Israel inducts Ofer training helicopter. Israel has inducted the Leonardo AW119Kx Koala (named Ofer [Fawn] in national service) training helicopter, with the first flight at the Israeli Air Force (IAF) Flight Academy at Hatzerim Air Force Base.

The IAF announced the milestone on 26 May, marking the beginning of operations of the single-engined helicopter that was acquired in 2019 to replace the ageing Bell OH-58 Kiowas (named Saifan [Sword] in national service) it has fielded since 1970.

“Welcome ‘Ofer’! Today was the first flight of the Ofer (AW119Kx) helicopter – the new flight training helicopter of the flight school,” the IAF posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

The IAF decided to procure a new training helicopter to better bridge the technological and performance gaps between the OH-58 and front-line operational types.

(Source: Janes)

 

27 May 24. Russia deploys military helicopters to Belarus, joint exercises announced. Russia has sent more than ten aircraft to Belarus, where joint exercises by the air forces and air defence troops have begun.

Source: the monitoring project Belarusian Hajun on Telegram; Ministry of Defence of Belarus on Telegram

Quote: “According to reports yesterday, two Russian Aerospace Forces helicopters, a Mi-24 and a Mі-8, arrived at the Baranavichy airfield on 25 May. It subsequently became clear that more helicopters had been transferred from Russia to Belarus.

According to an update, eight helicopters in total (Mі-24s and Mі-8s  of the Russian Aerospace Forces) arrived in Baranavichy from Seshcha (Russia) on 25 May.”

Details: According to observers, the following Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft are currently stationed in Baranavichy:

• two Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft
• at least four Su-30SM fighter jets
• eight Mi-24 and Mі-8 helicopters.

The Defence Ministry of Belarus, for its part, has reported that in the period from 27 to 31 May they will be “conducting joint flight tactical exercises with the Air Force and Air Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation under the leadership of the commander of the air force and air defence forces, within the framework of improving the unified regional air defence system of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, and in the interests of increasing the interaction and training of command and control bodies and flight personnel”.

The drills will involve Belarusian military aviation units, anti-aircraft missile troops and radio-technical troops and Russian reconnaissance, fighter, and army aviation crews.

Quote: “The training will address issues of managing diverse aviation forces and organising interaction during combat training missions.

The primary focus during the exercises will be to cover the responsibilities of protecting state and military facilities from air assaults. Furthermore, at aviation ranges, crews will need to work on a number of practical challenges in order to cover ground forces.”

(Source: Google/https://www.pravda.com.ua/)

23 May 24. U.S. Conducts Large-Scale Logistics Exercise With Saudi, Emirati Partners. U.S. and partner forces from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are set to conclude this year’s large-scale exercise showcasing the three countries’ combined logistics capabilities.

The U.S. Marine Corps-led Native Fury 24 — an exercise that’s in its ninth iteration this year — put combined, joint interoperability to the test through a series of complex logistics maneuvers, dynamic combat training evolutions, and convoys spanning more than 1,000 miles across two countries.

More than 600 Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen and took part in Native Fury 24 alongside their partner nation counterparts.

This year marked the first time the exercise has featured bilateral operations with both the Royal Saudi Armed Forces and United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.

The exercise began earlier this month when equipment was offloaded at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port on the Red Sea. The equipment was then transported to a logistics staging area where it was prepared for the long-range convoy along the Trans-Arabian Network, a collection of seaports, airports and road networks connecting countries throughout the Arabian Peninsula.  Along the way, the U.S. conducted bi-lateral, live-fire and airport-repair training alongside the Royal Saudi Armed Forces at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, before conducting a border crossing into the UAE.

Once in the UAE, the U.S. and UAE forces conducted convoy training, as well as refueling operations on Emirati helicopters.

Throughout the journey, U.S. Army forces leapfrogged the Marine Corps-led convoy to set up facilities for overnight stops.

The convoy ended at the UAE Port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman where the equipment was loaded onto a vessel for transport back the U.S.

Marine Corps Col. Matthew Hakola, director of logistics for Marine Corps Forces Central Command and the exercise control group director for Native Fury 24, said the exercise serves as key demonstration of the United States’ ability to carry out complex, combined, joint exercises with partner nations.

“I think we are the best in the world at this type of thing — being able to cross the Atlantic with equipment and unload it in a relatively rapid manner and, more importantly, being able to support it once it’s on the ground,” Hakola said.

Those complex logistics, he said, are vital to the United States’ ability to operate anywhere around the globe.

Throughout the exercise, the U.S. built upon important partnerships with the Saudi and Emirati forces, said Hakola, who served as the exercise control group director for the previous iteration of Native Fury.

He said this year it was evident that the three countries had made long strides in working together.

“I definitely saw marked improvement from the last Native Fury to this Native Fury on them thinking through the same problem sets that we think through,” Hakola said. “The coordination the inter-ministry coordination they provided was almost seamless.”

Exercising that coordination is key to operating together effectively in the event of a real-world scenario.

The exercise also provides an opportunity for U.S. service members to build the bonds with their foreign counterparts that are important to operating effectively together.

“That’s probably the most professionally rewarding part of it,” he said. “We’re all humans, and it’s just rewarding in that sense, and they’ve been great hosts,” Hakola said.

“It’s been a very successful exercise.” (Source: U.S. DoD)

 

21 May 24. Russia starts exercise to simulate launch of tactical nuclear weapons.

• Summary
• Drills ordered by Putin begin in southern Russia
• Simulation will be closely watched in the West
• Putin seen warning against deeper Western role in Ukraine

May 21 (Reuters) – Russian forces have started the first stage of exercises ordered by President Vladimir Putin to simulate preparation for the launch of tactical nuclear weapons, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.

Moscow has linked the exercises to what it calls “militant statements” by Western officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, which it said created security threats for Russia.

Nuclear analysts say the exercises are designed as a warning signal by Putin to deter the West from wading more deeply into the war in Ukraine. Western countries have provided weapons and intelligence to Kyiv but have refrained from sending troops.

The Defence Ministry said the first stage of the exercise involved Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.

It is aimed at ensuring that units and equipment are ready for “the combat use of non-strategic nuclear weapons to respond and unconditionally ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Russian state in response to provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation”, the ministry said.

The drills involve missile forces in Russia’s Southern Military District, which lies adjacent to Ukraine and also includes parts of Ukraine that Russia now controls.

Belarus, where Russia said last year it was deploying tactical nuclear weapons, will also be involved, the two countries have said.

Tactical, or non-strategic, nuclear weapons are less powerful than the strategic arms designed to wipe out whole enemy cities, but they nevertheless have vast destructive potential.

Some Western analysts believe non-strategic nuclear weapons have acquired greater importance in Moscow’s thinking since the start of the war in Ukraine, where its conventional forces struggled in the first two years.

In theory the use of such a weapon could deliver a stunning shock to the West without necessarily triggering a full-blown nuclear war, though the risk of triggering a cycle of escalation would be huge.

‘SPECIAL AMMUNITION’

Russia has about 1,558 non-strategic nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists, although there is uncertainty about exact figures. They are controlled by the Russian Defence Ministry’s 12th Main Directorate, known as 12th GUMO.

The ministry said troops were practising obtaining “special ammunition” – meaning nuclear warheads – for Iskander missiles, equipping launch vehicles with them and “covertly advancing to the designated position in preparation for missile launches”.

It said aviation units were also practising the fitting of special warheads to Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and flying into designated patrol areas.

Video released by the ministry showed missiles being transported in a convoy of military vehicles and placed in position ready for firing.

“The exercises are, obviously, a signal in response to discussion of NATO countries’ troops in Ukraine. The most important features are advance announcement and visibility,” Nikolai Sokov, a former Soviet and Russian arms control official, told Reuters.

Western militaries will be watching the exercises closely and seeking to draw conclusions about how much warning time they would have if Russia deployed such weapons for real, he said.

“The involvement of 12th GUMO can produce insights into how much time the release of warheads takes, how well detectable, how much warning,” said Sokov, a senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.

The involvement of Kinzhal, he said, was “a new element I did not expect to see”, although there was no doubt about its capability to carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.

When Putin ordered the drills this month, Russia’s Foreign Ministry linked them to comments by France’s Macron, who floated the possibility of sending European troops to fight Moscow in Ukraine, and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who said Kyiv had the right to use weapons provided by London to strike targets inside Russia. It also cited the provision of long-range British, French and U.S. ATACMS missiles to Kyiv.

The Foreign Ministry said on May 6 the exercises should send a “sobering signal” to the West and its “puppets” in Ukraine.

“We hope these drills will cool the hot heads in Western capitals,” it said, adding the West should realise “the potential catastrophic consequences of the strategic risks they are generating” and stop short of direct military confrontation with Russia. (Source: Reuters)

 

16 May 24. Finland to double international exercises in 2025. Finland will participate in 115 international events and exercises in 2025, at a cost of €10.75m, following the country’s entry to Nato.

Finland’s defence planning for 2025 will include participation 115 international training events and exercises following decisions laid out by Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen on 15 May 2024, with the expected cost of participation estimated at €10.75m ($11.7m).

This is the first time since joining Nato that Finland has laid out its international training and exercise plan, which has been impacted by significant changes in the security environment, as well as a deepening defence cooperation  with Norway, Sweden, the UK and the US, according to a release from the Finnish Ministry of Defence.

“Our Nato Allies train in Finland with the Defence Forces more often and on a longer-term basis,” said Minister Häkkänen, reflecting on the effect of Nato membership on Finish Defence Forces’ plans.

The Finish Defence Forces website states that the Defence Forces participate in 60-70 international exercises and training events a year, close to half the number of events Häkkänen has planned for 2025.

Personnel participating in international exercise are preparing for military crisis operations, with all Finnish services making an active role in the training events. Military crisis management is one of the Finish Defence forces’s statutory tasks, either for humanitarian goals or to protect a civilian population through operations intended to secure or restore international peace and security. Finland has participated in over 30 such operations since 1956.

Within Europe Finland has participated in the Nato Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission and the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED).

(Source: naval-technology.com)

16 May 24. U.S. Joins Jordan, Partner Nations to Launch Exercise Eager Lion 24. Forces from U.S. Central Command joined with host country Jordan and more than 30 additional partner nations Sunday to kick off Exercise Eager Lion 2024, the Pentagon announced today.

This 11th iteration of Eager Lion serves to underscore the United States’ “commitment to interoperability with our partners in the region, while refining our ability to defend against … threats by state and non-state actors,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.

Considered the most important exercise between the U.S. military and the Jordanian Armed Forces, Eager Lion 24 will focus on training the participating partner nations to develop cooperation and interoperability between military and interagency organizations, according to a Centcom press release on the exercise.

In addition to addressing challenges from across the region’s air, land, sea and cyber domains, the exercise will also support humanitarian aid assistance and multinational disaster response operations, the release states.

“Eager Lion demonstrates the value of working together to maintain a ready and responsive force that truly demonstrates we are prepared to respond together in times of crisis,” exercise director U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jason Benson said.

Benson added that Eager Lion does more than merely demonstrate the commitment to interoperability between multiple partner nations.

“It also demonstrates that our coalition force can maintain a sufficient and sustainable presence in the region. It delivers a clear message that relationships matter,” he said.

“As we work to deter and address aggressive actions by maligned actors around the world, these kinds of exercises and partnerships enable us to meet new and continuing threats together,” Singh said.

She added that the U.S. military participates in more than 80 exercises with partner nations throughout Centcom’s area of responsibility each year to bolster military-to-military relationships that promote regional security.  Eager Lion 24 is scheduled to run until May 23. (Source: U.S. DoD)

 

15 May 24. New name and expanded mandate for EU Mozambique training mission. With just over four months ahead of mandate expiry of its training mission in Mozambique, the European Union (EU) will evolve it to a military assistance one with an extended lifespan.

The mandate of what will be known as EUTM MOZ (EU Training Mission Mozambique) until 31 August will now go through to 30 June 2026 as EUMAM (EU Military Assistance Mission) Mozambique.

The renamed mission has a 14 m plus Euro budget from the European bloc in pursuit of what a statement said are “new circumstances”. This will see it move from a pure training mission to an assistance model, combining advising, mentoring and specialised training for FADM (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mozambique) quick reaction force (QRF) units.

EUTM MOZ is part of the EU integrated approach encompassing humanitarian, peacebuilding, security and development actions and was set up in July 2021. It sole aim was and remains, until end August, training and supporting Mozambican armed forces in protecting civilians and restoring safety and security in Cabo Delgado province, where the security and humanitarian situation has continuously deteriorated since 2017.

The mission to date supported capacity building of FADM units now part of the QRF. The mission provided military training on operational preparation, specialised counter-terrorism as well as training and education on protecting civilians and compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws.

At the height of operations, EUTM MOZ had a personnel strength of 140 spread among three training bases – Dongo, Katembe and Mavalane. Command post exercises (CPXs), offensive, defensive and enabling operations as well as administrative, logistic and tactical deployment along with close air support are on the training curriculum. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

14 May 24. U.S. Africa Command Launches Multi-Nation Special Warfare Exercise. U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual special operations exercise kicked off Monday with an opening ceremony in Côte d’Ivoire, the Pentagon announced today. Exercise Flintlock 24, which runs through May 24th, will see forces from U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, or SocAfrica, partnering with nearly 30 nations and approximately 1,300 personnel in locations hosted by Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

“Flintlock is U.S. Africa Command’s premiere and largest annual special operations forces exercise that works to strengthen combined partner force collaboration in Africa alongside international and NATO international special operations forces,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters during a briefing.

In late February through early March of this year, SocAfrica and Ghana Armed Forces completed a final planning event for Flintlock 24. The event held sessions on the rule of law; civil affairs activities; air operations; and women, peace and security, according to a SocAfrica press release on the event.

“The partnerships that we forge here will allow us to address the threats on the continent. It’s a collective group effort,” U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Ronald A. Foy, SocAfrica commander, said.

“That’s the value of this exercise. And as we go forward in the future, we expand on these relationships.

“Flintlock’s a mechanism that opens doors for all international allies and partners to come together, to train together, to live together, to learn from each other,” U.S. Army Maj. Adam DeMarco, SocAfrica Flintlock 24 lead planner, said.

“And it really builds enduring and sustainable partnerships that will last the test of time, whether it’s in Flintlock or in real-world operations,” Demarco continued.

“We have five out of seven continents represented here at Exercise Flintlock and that partnership is only growing.”

Elsewhere in the Africom area of responsibility, Exercise Obangame Express 2024 has been ongoing since May 6 throughout Africa’s west coast, namely in and around the host nation of Gabon, Ryder said.

Sponsored by Africom and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Obangame Express is a 13-nation maritime interdiction training taking place in the Ghanaian city of Sekondi through May 17.

Spotlight: Value of Service”Through Obangame Express, U.S. forces work alongside participating nations to improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security in West Africa, and increase interoperability the U.S., African and multinational partners,” Ryder said, adding that the U.S. routinely exercises with our African partners to build strong relationships and to ensure the security and safety of the region’s maritime environment.

“The exercises are incredibly important and they are enduring,” Ryder responded when asked about the efficacy of U.S.-led exercises throughout Africom’s area of responsibility.

“Certainly,” he continued, “when it comes to things like counterterrorism, or addressing regional threats, or humanitarian crisis-types of situations, those exercises are central to enabling our forces to not only interoperate, but to understand one-another, and to have those kinds of relationships that — on that day you need them most — they’re there.” (Source: U.S. DoD)

 

11 May 24. NATO warships engage in anti-submarine warfare training. In the frigid waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, NATO’s Dynamic Mongoose 24 exercise has brought together ships, submarines, aircraft, and thousands of personnel from 10 allied nations to sharpen their anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) skills.

Running from 29 April to 10 May, this annual exercise spans from Norway to Iceland in the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom-Norway (GIUK-N) Gap.

Hosted this year by Norway, with events occurring from Stavanger to Reykjavik, Iceland, Dynamic Mongoose 24 focuses on training submarine crews to evade detection while enhancing the capability of surface vessels and aircraft to locate and neutralise potential threats beneath the waves.

For the first time since Sweden’s accession as a full member of NATO on 7 March, a Swedish Navy’s Gotland-class submarine is participating in the drills.

“We are excited to incorporate the stealth of one of Sweden’s advanced, silent Gotland-class submarines into Dynamic Mongoose this year,” stated U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Wall, Commander, Submarines NATO, in a press release.

“We’ve been collaborating with the Swedish Navy for many years, so the interoperability is already there. They bring the experience of a submarine crew well versed in shallow water operations, which firmly enhances our collective defence in the region.”

The exercise also features contributions from submarines of the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with aircraft from Canada, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Surface ships participating include the multinational Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), commanded by Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Joaquin Ruiz Escagedo aboard the flagship ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon, and additional ships from Germany, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Throughout Dynamic Mongoose 24, each unit will engage in a range of submarine-warfare operations, with submarines alternating roles between hunter and hunted, closely integrated with air and surface forces.

Rear Admiral Wall emphasised the strategic importance of such drills in a press release, stating, “As NATO’s maritime force, we leverage exercises like Dynamic Mongoose to hone our team’s proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, safeguarding the Alliance against multi-domain threats. The crew of every single submarine, ship, and aircraft participating in this exercise brings a unique perspective and valuable capability to the table. I continue to be proud of the work they have done, and now it’s time to put it all into practice.” (Source: UKDJ)

 

13 May 24. British Paratroopers and NATO Allies in Hypothetical Confrontation with Russia. In one of the largest NATO military exercises since the Cold War, British paratroopers and forces from 16 other NATO countries engaged in extensive drills, simulating a defensive operation against imaginary Russian forces. The exercise, which took place in Estonia, featured the UK’s latest Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and demonstrated a commitment to rapid deployment and high mobility in potential conflict scenarios.

The main focus of the exercise was on rapid deployment and effective coordination among NATO forces, showcasing the Apache helicopters’ advanced capabilities in reconnaissance, target acquisition, and engagement. The exercises are deemed crucial for maintaining operational readiness and demonstrating NATO’s collective defense posture, especially given the current tensions in Eastern Europe.

British forces, including the 16 Air Assault Brigade, practiced various combat scenarios involving air assaults, parachute drops, and ground engagements. This training ensures that NATO forces remain prepared to respond swiftly and efficiently to any potential threats. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

09 May 24. Royal Navy sails into the Metaverse with Virtual Reality training.

• New hi-tech Virtual Reality simulators installed by Royal Navy at bases in England and Scotland
• Cutting-edge technology used to train sailors for operations worldwide
• £27m investment delivered by consortium led by Capita in partnership with Metaverse VR

The Royal Navy is embracing Virtual Reality to train sailors guiding warships on operations worldwide.

Nine hi-tech bridge simulators – which accurately recreate both the bridge of present-day warships, but also the key waters and harbours they operate in – have been installed at sites in England and Scotland, led by the Navy’s warfare school at HMS Collingwood in Fareham.

The £27m investment, delivered by a consortium led by Capita, in partnership with Metaverse VR and serving Navy personnel, is intended to make learning navigation and running a bridge more realistic, more comprehensive, and potentially faster.

Five simulator suites have been installed at HMS Collingwood: two large ‘full mission’ simulators with wrap-around digital display screens and virtual reality headsets, a smaller version with an LCD display and finally two small trainers – more akin to a video gaming set-up, but with the same features/accuracy as their full-size counterparts.

Each one is named after a famed Royal Navy navigator: Ross (Arctic/Antarctic explorer), Parry (early 19th Century Arctic explorer), Bligh (of the Bounty), Fitzroy (father of the Met Office), and Flinders (the first person to circumnavigate/chart Australia).

Virtual reality plays only a relatively small role in the two theatre-size simulators. Sailors put on headsets on the mock-up bridge wing – and suddenly they are immersed in a 3D world.

Peer over the ‘side’ and you look down on the waves crashing against the hull, look aft (backwards) and the rest of the ship magically appears.

It’s particularly useful for situational awareness, especially when manoeuvring a ship in narrow waters, resupplying at sea or bringing a vessel alongside a jetty or quay.

The Royal Navy has been using digital bridge simulators for training for nearly 30 years. The existing sims were installed in Collingwood in 2002 and though the software has been upgraded since, this is the first true ‘reboot’ in two decades.

Trainee warfare officer Sub Lieutenant Stephen Smallman, aged 28 from Plymouth, began learning his bridge skills on the old simulator – and will complete his training on the new facility.

He said: “The old simulator was good, but you knew you were in a room with some screens. Here, you feel like you are stepping onto the bridge of a warship. It is very easy to become immersed in the situation – it makes everything feel much more real.

“Because you can change the weather conditions, you can practise some very challenging manoeuvres without the real-world consequences.

“It’s second-to-none, invaluable and it’s great to see the Navy investing in us and our training so we can do our job to the highest standard.”

And while the realistic hydrodynamic modelling and 3D/Virtual Reality visuals may grab the attention and immerse students in a digital maritime world, it’s other features which will really assist instructors and those being instructed alike: like dashcam footage from your car, training scenarios can be re-played and analysed.

“The new simulators are fantastic and the debriefing – allowing to accurately run through what’s just happened – is a game-changer when it comes to training navigators and bridge teams,” said Lieutenant Commander Gavin Lowe, Officer in Charge of the Navigational Training Unit, who was also among the first trainees to go through the first generation simulators two decades ago.

“These are very realistic simulators. The more realistic the environment, the better the training we deliver. The Virtual Reality headsets allow us to ‘step onto’ a bridge wing. You can look all along the ship from bow to stern which is fantastic for training complex ship handling manoeuvres such as entering and leaving port.”

Two simulators apiece have also been installed at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth for future officers and to train submariners in particular at Faslane.

They can be used not just by personnel under training but any ship’s team which feels it would benefit from more navigational/bridge time.

“After 33 years of service in the Royal Marines, my commitment to the ongoing success of this partnership with the Navy is personal,” said David Hook, managing director at Capita Defence.

“I am proud that Capita has delivered state-of-the-art navigation simulators to the Navy at pace, using an agile, collaborative approach that demonstrates a step change in training technology and delivery.

“We were able to deliver this capability in under 14 months, to cost, without disruption to current training. The simulators are an example of technology-enabled training facilities that will be a central part of the training transformation we are embedding in training.”

There’s also considerable potential offered by upgrades, from additional ports and harbours to increase the databank of current recreations of waters the Royal Navy uses daily – Portsmouth, Plymouth, the Clyde, Portland and Gibraltar – to adding new ships (Type 26/31 frigates), tidal streams and linking the simulators at the different sites to train the bridge teams of entire task groups.

Additional quotes

Commodore Jo Deakin, Deputy Director People – Training, said:

“The Royal Navy is investing heavily and transforming to deliver a digitally enabled, learner-centric training experience for sailors and marines. The new warship simulator capability delivers a huge leap in technology and significantly enhances the tools available to our trainers. The simulators will positively impact everyone across the Royal Navy, even if they do not directly experience them. They are a key component of delivering a Global, Modern, Ready Royal Navy.”

Toby Everitt, CEO, Metaverse VR said:

“We are proud to play a key role in elevating the Royal Navy’s ability to train their people in an advanced and innovative way. Bridge crew training is an essential phase for operational readiness, and a simulated approach demonstrates the best use of technological advantage.

“We are delighted to continue to support Team Fisher to enable safer and more efficient training as a means to ensure the Royal Navy maximises training capacity.”

Team Fisher is a Capita-led consortium, which includes Raytheon UK, Elbit Systems UK, Fujitsu, the University of Lincoln and several smaller British suppliers,

Team Fisher is combining a range of sophisticated technologies, processes and training management systems to fulfil the 12-year Royal Navy shore-based training contract. It is:

• Reviewing and modernising all training courses and providing accompanying analytics to ensure training methods best meet the Royal Navy’s needs.
• Running live on-the-ground training, and developing and deploying new methods, including digital learning and training simulation technology.
• Managing all the associated Royal Navy training equipment including procurement and decommissioning.
• Providing data through performance dashboards for Royal Navy management and managing IT infrastructure.
• Improving accreditation and apprenticeship management and running Royal Navy learning and development hubs and career advice services.
• Marketing Royal Navy courses to the wider international defence market and identifying further revenue opportunities for the service.
• Delivering a truly collaborative approach with the Royal Navy.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

06 May 24. Leonardo, Textron tout M-346 as ‘no drama’ option for navy’s next jet trainer. Leonardo has teamed with Textron Aviation Defense to offer its M-346 jet trainer for the US Navy’s (USN’s) Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) programme. The service’s current jet trainer, the T-45 Goshawk, entered service in 1991 and has experienced numerous technical issues in recent years. In September 2023 the USN released a request for information for the UJTS. Textron Aviation Defense will serve as the prime contractor for the project, Tommaso Pani, senior vice-president for marketing and strategic campaigns – Leonardo Aircraft Division, told Janes during the Navy League Sea-Air-Space 2024 global maritime exposition in National Harbor, Maryland, in April. (Source: Janes)

 

06 May 24. South Korean ministry plans single-seat FA-50 investment. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has announced a plan to fund the development of the single-seat version of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 light trainer and attack aircraft. The ministry said on 3 May that KRW49.4 bn (USD36.39 m) will be invested with KAI to develop the single-seat version. The project aims to improve the FA-50’s ability to compete in the international market and expand the national “export portfolio”, according to the ministry.

“This development project intended to modify the single-seat airframe and include an auxiliary fuel system to increase operational radius by up to 30%,” MOTIE said.

Janes has previously reported on KAI’s plan to develop the single-seat variant by removing the second pilot and cockpit and installing a 300 gal auxiliary fuel system in that space. In February 2023 during the Singapore Airshow, a KAI spokesperson told Janes that the aircraft’s operational range could potentially be increased to as much as 20% as a result. (Source: Janes)

 

06 May 24. Maxar Intelligence and Lockheed Martin Expand Partnership to Enhance the F-35 Full Mission Simulator Experience. Maxar Intelligence, a provider of secure, precise, geospatial intelligence, announced today a long-term agreement with Lockheed Martin to streamline the procurement and delivery of Maxar’s geospatial products for the F-35 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) flight simulation and training system.

Maxar’s industry-leading 2D and 3D products serve as the geospatial foundation for the FMS, which provides a realistic representation of real-world operating environments to enhance pilot training and mission rehearsal. The new agreement establishes standardized pricing, licensing, and requirements for several Maxar products, including Dynamic basemaps and Precision3D, enabling F-35 customers to begin training and mission preparedness operations faster.

“Maxar Intelligence is excited to expand on our long-standing partnership with Lockheed Martin and further improve the F-35 Full Mission Simulator experience, which represents an industry gold standard for immersive training and mission readiness support,” said Susanne Hake, General Manager, U.S. Government, Maxar Intelligence. “Maxar’s geospatial products, particularly Precision3D, are critical to the success of this system. They enable the highly accurate, precise simulated real-world environments that are brought to life in the FMS, creating an immersive experience that helps improve pilot safety and enhance mission success.”

Maxar’s Precision3D Data Suite provides highly accurate and detailed 3D models of Earth with 50-centimeter resolution and absolute accuracy of 3 meters in all dimensions. The accuracy is achieved without ground control and is consistent on all surfaces and terrain types, including building facades. Precision3D provides a precise, true representation of Earth that not only reflects the terrain in all dimensions but also provides an accurate foundation for additional data sources through Precision3D Registration (P3DR™) georegistration.

In addition to Precision3D, the agreement covers Maxar’s Dynamic imagery basemaps, which utilize the latest innovations in mosaicking, color balancing and image processing to produce high-resolution, high-accuracy image layers configured to meet specific customer requirements. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

06 May 24. US, UAE, and Saudi forces begin Exercise Native Fury 2024.  

The multi-domain training is facilitated by the US Army’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command.

Armed forces from the US, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have launched Exercise Native Fury 2024 (NF24) at the Saudi Naval Port.

The multi-domain training is facilitated by the US Army’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command (1 TSC).

It commenced on 5 May and marks the eighth iteration of the Native Fury series.

The primary goal of Exercise Native Fury is to strengthen the planning and execution of complex and realistic operations across multiple domains.

NF24 is conducted to enhance the interoperability of military forces and demonstrate the collective ability of the partner nations forces to conduct complex operations.

Some of these operations include long-distance convoys, urban combat training, on-load and off-load operations leveraging commercial maritime shipping, along with other training missions in UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The exercise will utilise strategic locations across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, mainly including the Prince Sultan Air Base, a Saudi port facility on the Red Sea, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Prince Sultan Air Base, and a UAE port facility on the Gulf of Oman.

More than 600 US Marines, sailors, soldiers, and airmen from various units are participating in NF24, alongside their Saudi and UAE counterparts.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) media release, NF24 is part of a broader set of CENTCOM-sponsored exercises in the region, including Exercise Indigo Defender, Exercise Eager Lion, and Exercise Iron Union.

This simultaneous execution of multiple exercises aims to showcase USCENTCOM’s ability to project power and conduct advanced training with partner countries across the region.

In addition, the exercise highlights the use of the Trans-Arabian Network (TAN), which spans ten nations on the Arabian Peninsula and facilitates the movement of equipment and personnel. (Source: army-technology.com)

06 May 24. Hadean, the spatial computing company, has been awarded The King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. The King’s Award for Enterprise – now in its 58th year – is the most prestigious award for UK businesses and recognises those that have demonstrated outstanding innovation in their field.

Hadean has received this award for the creation of its transformative AI-powered spatial computing platform, which layers immersive web applications, data, and artificial intelligence to bridge physical and virtual worlds for training, decision support, and massively scalable virtual environments.

To date, Hadean has partnered with companies including Epic Games, Microsoft, Minecraft, Sony, The Francis Crick Institute. Hadean is also trusted by defence and aerospace leaders, including BAE Systems, the UK Ministry of Defence, DXC Technology, the British Army, and ST Engineering.

Craig Beddis, Co-Founder and CEO of Hadean, said: “Since 2015, Hadean’s mission has been to bridge physical and virtual worlds, because we believe that the next version of the internet will be 3D and immersive. Winning this award is testament to the vision and continued drive of the team who are committed to harnessing our technology to solve the most complex problems. Receiving the highest business honour in the UK, while we are engaging with defence industry leaders here in the US makes this recognition even more special.”

This year, Hadean has received continued recognition as it builds on solid foundations in the UK out into the US market. The team is currently accompanying the Department of Defence and Security Exports to Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week in Tampa, Florida. In March, Hadean accompanied the UK Department of Business and Trade on its mission to SXSW in Austin, Texas. Later that month, Hadean was ranked by FT-backed publication as one of the fastest growing start-ups in the UK. Next, Hadean will join London and Partners’ Grow London Global Programme for its Creative Tech Trade Mission in Los Angeles.

 

03 May 24. Australia, Japan and the US commit to trilateral F-35 fighter training. The meeting also addressed broader regional security issues.

Defence ministers for Japan, Australia, and the US have committed to F-35 joint fighter training during the Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting held in Hawaii on May 2, 2024.

The ministers highlighted plans for further F-35 joint training in 2025 and 2026, marking a significant step in increasing operational collaboration and defence preparedness. This includes utilising facilities in Australia and expanding engagement in complex air and missile defence exercises.

The ministers reviewed the progress made since the 2023 Joint Statement, focusing on practical areas of cooperation and activities that enhance the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. They emphasised the alignment of strategic interests among the three nations and reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Key developments include the implementation of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) in August 2023, which facilitated inaugural reciprocal deployments of Japan’s F-35A aircraft to Australia and vice versa. This agreement enhances interoperability and deepens defence ties among the three nations by allowing more streamlined defence force deployments across each other’s territories.

The ministers signed a trilateral Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Projects Arrangement during the meeting, underscoring a deepened commitment to technological innovation and cooperation. This arrangement enables the defence organisations from the three countries to collaboratively pursue operationally-relevant advancements in combat aircraft technologies, autonomous systems, and composite aerospace materials.

The meeting addressed broader regional security issues, including opposition to unilateral actions by China in the South and East China Seas and concerns over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and missile launches. The ministers condemned these destabilising actions and reiterated their support for international law and regional sovereignty.

This trilateral meeting is part of a continuing trend of increased military collaboration and strategic planning among Japan, Australia, and the US, Japan has a long history of establishing multilateral defence partnerships with the US and other nations, reflecting its desire to refresh and renew US interest in the region. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

 

01 May 24. U.S. Africa Command’s Largest Annual Exercise Kicks Off in Tunisia. U.S. Africa Command’s premiere and largest annual joint and combined exercise, African Lion 2024, got underway Monday in Tunisia, the Pentagon announced during a briefing today.

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, will be hosting the exercise across Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana and Morocco; with more than 8,000 personnel from over 27 nations participating through May 31, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.

“African Lion provides an opportunity to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative readiness training in austere environments,” said Singh, adding that the exercise increases interoperability, while strengthening shared defense capabilities and cooperation used to counter violent extremist organizations and transnational threats.

“The exercise is a testament to the dedication participants have to enhancing security and collaboration across the continent.”

Now in its 20th year, African Lion highlights the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with allies and partners throughout the region, thus embodying the military’s partner-led and U.S.-enabled approach to Africa, according to a recent Army release on the exercise.

“We are very grateful for our Tunisian hosts. They continue to demonstrate their professionalism and hospitality,” U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John A. LeBlanc, SETAF-AF deputy commanding general, is quoted in the release. “This multinational engagement is designed to prevent conflicts, deter adversary aggression and ensure readiness to respond effectively to any crisis.”

During the Tunisia portion of the exercise, African Lion will be focused on developing readiness and interoperability among participating countries through diverse training activities. This includes live-fire exercises; explosive ordnance disposal operations; and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, according to the release.

Among the more than 8,000 personnel participating in African Lion, the U.S. military will be represented by service members from three of the nation’s six armed forces.

“It’s important to highlight the fact that those numbers include members of the Army, Air Force and Marines,” LeBlanc is quoted in the release. “I happen to be a New Hampshire National Guardsman myself, and I’m very pleased elements of the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard have flown all the way to Tunisia for African Lion as well.”

Elsewhere in U.S. Africa Command’s area of responsibility, Singh announced that U.S. Naval Forces Africa and U.S. Marine Corps Africa are joining with Ghana’s navy to lead the African Maritime Forces Summit and Navy Infantry Leadership Symposium Africa in the Ghanaian capital of Accra.

During the summit — which is runs through Thursday and has a theme of “Cooperation at sea: Safeguarding African Maritime Security” — military chiefs and government leaders from more than 40 international ally and partner countries are participating in panel discussions focused on maritime security and collaboration, said Singh.

“These discussions and connections will improve interoperability across domains and continents, strengthening strategic-level relationships to help facilitate better regional cooperation when dealing with maritime threats,” she said.

The first event of this kind took place virtually in July of 2021 with more than 16 countries in attendance. (Source: U.S. DoD)

 

01 May 24. The Soldier Academy: Revamped Army training allows more flexibility to choose unit and role. The British Army’s new updated training system – the Soldier Academy – will allow recruits greater flexibility to transfer between cap badges and roles.

Recruits scattered across different locations now follow a common 13-week schedule, which is also constantly updated to address worldwide threats.

Brigadier Andrew Garner, who heads up the academy, told Forces News the Army is also changing the way the training is delivered.

“We talk about a sort of crawl, walk, run philosophy to make sure that we’re not losing too many recruits at the beginning of the process,” he said.

“In addition to creating the new common military syllabus, we’ve created a pre-employment training package for all instructors during basic training so that they can then become much more qualified.”

Brig Garner also said the new training package helps instructors “understand what it is to be a recruit, not from when they were recruits, but what a recruit is expecting now”.

Technology has also become a huge part of the training.

Captain Oliver Pritchard told Forces News all the recruits are now issued iPads that provide individual feedback thanks to a new app called MyTraining.

“Daily and weekly, they can record a reflective diary, how they’re feeling, how much sleep they’re having, how fatigued they are,” he said.

“That’s a personal one-to-one thing, just between the corporal and that recruit, which they can help them with.

“It’s not quite like Bad Lads’ Army anymore. It’s very different. It’s very much the same standard. It’s very much just the approach in which we unlock the recruits’ potential.

“That’s the thing that’s changed, using technology, being more empathetic, but by no means they’ve become soft.  (Source: forces.net)

 

29 Apr 24. Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Triples Progress.

– Three development milestones recently completed

– Flight testing continues, including high angle of attack

Climate Chamber Test: T-7A aircraft APT-3, one of five engineering and manufacturing development aircraft, underwent rigorous testing at Eglin Air Force Base, enduring temperatures ranging from -25°F to 110°F. This test evaluated the aircraft system’s performance, including propulsion, hydraulic, fuel, electrical, secondary power, environmental control, and overall operations in extreme environmental conditions. The aircraft has since returned to St. Louis for testing.

Escape System Test: Boeing and the Air Force conducted a dynamic sled test in February at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. The test focused on design enhancements in the Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, ACES 5 ejection seat and Pacific Scientific EMC’s canopy fracturing system to reduce the risk of injury. During the test, the team implemented variable timing to slow down the ejection seat, using the drogue chute and investigated canopy fracturing system patterns. The team is now preparing to move forward with the next round of development testing.

Flight Control Law: Boeing completed development in February of a new software flight control law and since then, has flown the aircraft more than 10 times, reaching 25-degree angle of attack. Additionally, three of those flights demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to achieve fine tracking while in high angle of attack, a key capability for pilot training. Incorporation of control law 17.5 clears the path for the Air Force to start high angle of attack and departure resistance testing at Edwards Air Force Base.

“The T-7A Red Hawk is poised to revolutionize pilot training, delivering enhanced safety, performance and adaptability, and completing these three milestones shows significant progress in the program’s development,” said Evelyn Moore, vice president and program manager, T-7 Programs. “We will continue with flight testing and the next round of escape system testing throughout this year and into 2025.”

While the T-7A Red Hawk continues to progress in testing and flight completions, Boeing is also building a new production line for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the T-7A. The company is slated to load the first forward and aft fuselages for LRIP midyear as suppliers are already underway developing parts for production.

 

29 Apr 24. US Army’s 5-4 ADAR and 2CR take part in CALFEX in Poland.

The exercise served to test the capabilities of M-SHORAD system.

US Army’s 5-4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment (ADAR) and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) have successfully taken part in a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area in Poland.

CALFEX was conducted as part of the ongoing Saber Strike 2024 exercise, scheduled from 8-30 April 2024.

Saber Strike served as a platform to demonstrate the integration of air defence and manoeuvre units, with the new Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense System (M-SHORAD) being a highlight, reported Leara Shumate.

This system is designed to provide strategic short-range air defence, improve the manoeuvring capabilities of forces and offering increased protection for operations.

US Army Captain Bryce Land said: “The Army Test and Evaluation Command’s (ATEC) CG has charged the Operational Test Command (OTC) and the Army Evaluation Command (AEC) with updating the way we test new equipment and systems.

“The M-SHORAD participation at Saber Strike 2024 is allowing us to gain an understanding of what it will take to conduct testing in contact while utilizing operational fielded unit training.”

The CALFEX refined tactical operations and promoted international defence cooperation, testing the M-SHORAD’s effectiveness in real-world conditions.

CALFEX also saw participation from air defence units from NATO countries, including Germany, Italy, Romania, and Spain, among others.

US Army Sergeant Tristan Haigh, a Cavalry Scout assigned to 2CR, said: “Integrating air defence into our scout operations really helps with our security because we can have our main focus on the ground while air defence has their eyes in the sky. It helps us overall with the security and overall success of the mission.”

Saber Strike 2024 exercise forms part of the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness (DEFENDER) 2024, a series of training exercises.

Said to be the largest US Army exercise in Europe, the DEFENDER 24 involves more than 17,000 US and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and partner nations.

DEFENDER 24 is focused on the strategic deployment of US-based forces, the utilisation of Army prepositioned stocks, and enhancing interoperability across 13 European countries.

The exercise aims to deter adversaries, transform operational mission command, strengthen the NATO Alliance, and build readiness.

(Source: army-technology.com)

18 Apr 24. Hadean, 4C Strategies integrate products to reduce training burden. Hadean and 4C Strategies have successfully integrated a constructive simulation with Exonaut exercise management software, utilising Hadean’s spatial computing platform.

The integrated solution, displayed at the International Training Technology Exhibition & Conference (IT²EC) 2024 in London, enabled Hadean’s Pattern of Life Indicator (POLI) constructive simulation to be controlled from within 4C Strategies Exonaut software.

Exonaut is widely used in the UK and NATO as an exercise management tool, while constructive simulation is fundamental to effective command and staff training. Integrating the two previously separate functions offers the potential to improve training. (Source: Janes)

 

22 Apr 24. Leonardo assures timely delivery of M-346 fighter jets to Nigeria. Leonardo, vice president, confirms commitment to Nigerian Air Force amidst joint partnership efforts.

Nigerian Air Force headquarters, Leonardo Africa sales vice-president Claudio Sabatino reiterates the company’s dedication to delivering the M-346 fighter aircraft, marking a stride in Nigeria’s military modernisation agenda.

During a visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters, Sabatino emphasised the Italian aerospace business’s commitment to ensuring the timely delivery of the M-346 fighter aircraft to Nigeria. Amid discussions with the chief of air staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Sabatino emphasised the importance of the collaboration between Leonardo and the NAF in advancing Nigeria’s military capabilities.

According to GlobalData’s Nigeria Defense Market 2023-2028 report, the Nigerian Air Force previously acquired twelve MB-339A training and light attack aircraft from Leonardo.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception and acknowledging the role of the NAF in fostering a conducive environment for collaboration, Mr Sabatino highlighted the progress made in the aircraft fleet’s manufacturing process, assuring Air Marshal Abubakar of Leonardo’s dedication.

Of particular note was Leonardo’s assurance of long-term maintenance support, a commitment lauded by Air Marshal Abubakar for its role in ensuring sustained operational readiness. Recognising the significance of this partnership, Air Marshal Abubakar proposed the establishment of a dedicated Program Management Office to oversee all aspects of the collaboration.

In other Nigerian military modernisation endeavours, Bell Textron secured a $455m deal with the Nigerian Government. This contract entailed the delivery of 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters to bolster the country’s firepower and enhance counterterrorism and counterinsurgency capabilities.

The acquisition of the M-346 fighter aircraft represents another milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to modernise its military fleet and enhance operational effectiveness. With the first batch of six aircraft slated for delivery before the end of 2024, the partnership between Leonardo and the NAF commences a new journey of enhanced capabilities and operational versatility for Nigeria’s air defence.

Leonardo’s M-346 aircraft is used globally. In 2023, Leonardo teamed up with WZL1 to provide long-term support for the Polish M-346 Bielik fleet, enhancing fleet availability and fulfilling the Polish Air Force’s combat pilot training requirements. Within the same year, the first two M-346 training aircraft landed in Greece, equipped with integrated virtual avionics to elevate pilot training.

As both parties look forward to future meetings to delve into detailed arrangements on logistics, maintenance protocols, and configuration requirements, the stage is set for a fruitful collaboration that hopes to bolster Nigeria’s defence capabilities and contribute to regional stability.

The Italian aerospace and defence player exceeded expectations in 2023, reporting a 3.8% increase in orders totalling €17.9bn and a 3.9% rise in revenues to €15.3bn, driven by a 34% aerostructure recovery. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

 

23 Apr 24. US Navy accepts first two Textron T-54 deliveries. US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) accepted delivery of the first two Textron T-54 Multi-Engine Training System (METS) aircraft at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas, the service announced on 22 April. The aircraft are set to begin training students at NAS Corpus Christi’s Training Air Wing Four in boreal spring 2025, the US Navy (USN) told Janes. The USN intends to operate 64 of the Textron King Air 200-based aircraft, which will replace the Textron T-44 as the service’s main twin-engine pilot training aircraft. Deliveries are set to run through 2026, and the aircraft is meant to operate until 2055.

“This aircraft brings modernised training to student naval aviators and prepares them for the advanced aircraft they will fly in the fleet,” said Captain Duane Whitmer, USN programme manager. (Source: Janes)

 

12 Apr 24. Cole joins Leonardo-led team pitching British Army training. The new teaming agreement will support ‘Team Aurelian’ in their efforts to pitch a simulated training environment to the British Army.

AUS-based training solutions provider Cole Engineering Services Inc (CESI) has joined ‘Team Aurelian’ – now a trilateral industrial partnership including Leonardo UK and Valiant – formed to pitch a solution for the British Army’s Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP).

CESI brings a lot to table: the company is the lead developer and provider of the US Army’s Synthetic Training Environment (STE) software and its immersive Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer. STE bring together live, virtual and constructive (LVC) training environments into a single, blended-training platform to deliver distributed, collective training.

Together, the Team Aurelian partners will be able to update the UK’s systems to ensure that the British Army training remains world-class in the digital age.

In addition to the specific teaming agreement targeting CTTP, Leonardo and CESI’s parent company By Light signed a wider memorandum of understanding that will see the two companies work together to seek out synergies in, and opportunities for, their respective synthetic environment capabilities and other complementary capabilities.

John Wells, Leonardo UK’s campaign director for for the CTTP, stated: “Team Aurelian [has] the skills, proven technology and experience to deliver this long-term, large-scale, highly-complex programme.

“CESI has been competitively sleecte dby the US Army on multiple occasions to provide synthetic training technologies and we will be proud to work with them to transform the training capabilities of our Armed Forces in the UK.”

Stu Armstrong, the CTO of CESI said: “Our partnership with… Team Aurelian extends our working relationships even further to provide best breed technical expertise and untouched technology solutions. We are produce to bring our deep capabilities in delivering innovative and modern synthetic training environments, at scale, to deliver training that allows soldiers to truly succeed.”

So far within the realm of the British Army’s extensive training ambitions, it has made some headway through the innovation provided by deep tech start-ups such as the British company, Hadean. Last year, the company provided a cloud based system to overcome the problem of the servrice’s longstanding training siloes.

Likewise, the service have just announced its new Land Training System (LTS), which is a vision designed to cultivate the sub-unit level with a wide range of skills and competencies in a combined arms environment. Ultimately, the new LTS will ensure that required skills and competencies get to where they need to be at the pace of relevance. (Source: army-technology.com)