Training & Simulation

11 Apr 24. Former Royal Navy ships transferred to Ukraine’s Navy arrive in Portsmouth for multi-national exercise. Detecting and disabling sea mines will be critical to ensuring the security of the Black Sea in the long-term. Two Ukrainian minehunter ships, recently transferred from the Royal Navy to Ukraine’s navy, have arrived in Portsmouth today ahead of a series of multi-national naval exercises. The arrival of the ships, now named Cherkasy and Chernihiv, marks a significant step in the UK’s work to support the transformation and modernisation of Ukraine’s Navy. Having sailed down from where they were previously based in Scotland, the two ships and their crew will start preparing for their first operational exercises since their transfer to the Ukrainian Navy was fully completed.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK is leading the way in helping Ukraine to modernise its Navy. The transfer of these ships and the excellent training provided by the Royal Navy will have a real long-term impact on Ukraine’s ability to defend its waters. We continue to support Ukraine as they deliver major blows to Putin’s Black Sea Fleet. In doing so, they are securing vital corridors to export grain and other materials, supporting their economy in the face of Russia’s barbaric bombardment.”

The transfer of the vessels to Ukraine’s Navy was announced to coincide with the launch of the Maritime Capability Coalition, which the UK jointly leads with Norway, to provide assistance to Ukraine’s navy – including training, equipment, and infrastructure, to bolster security in the Black Sea region.

Ukraine has sunk or disabled around a third of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since the start of the conflict through a series of precision-guided missile strikes and innovative use of maritime one-way attack drones. With support from the UK, Ukraine’s Black Sea activity has meant, despite ongoing Russian strikes against Odesa oblast, Ukraine has almost certainly exported more grain through its seaports in the first months of 2024 than at any time since the outbreak of the war.

Both ships will now be rebased in Portsmouth, where they will be prepared to take part in Exercise Sea Breeze 24, a joint countermeasure exercise between the Royal Navy, US Navy and Ukrainian Navy. This exercise will improve the ability of Ukraine’s navy to operate alongside NATO nations, increase agility amongst NATO navies, and demonstrates the UK and allies’ shared commitment to security and stability.

Transfer of the ships, previously named Shoreham and Grimsby, began last year – with both taking part in Exercise Joint Warrior 23 and Exercise Sea Breeze 23 in UK waters. Their transfer earlier this year was made possible by a buyer credit facility guarantee provided by the UK government’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance.

The ships are currently not able to enter the Black Sea due to the terms of the Montreux Convention, which restricts passage of military vessels through the Bosporus Strait at times of war. However, they will form a critical capability for Ukraine in its future defence of its coastlines as the UK looks to support the longer-term capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy, while they look to protect commercial shipping by detecting and disabling sea mines.

The UK’s dedication to supporting Ukraine has been unwavering since the illegal full-scale invasion in 2022. As one of the largest military donors to Ukraine, the UK has demonstrated its commitment through substantial military aid, committing more than £7 bn to supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine to date. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

11 Apr 24. UK to hold joint military exercises with US and Japan to boost security and strengthen defence ties. The trilateral exercises will build on previous operations between the three countries – underlining the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific. The UK, US and Japan will hold regular trilateral military exercises in the Indo-Pacific from 2025 to boost security in the region and further develop the ability of each country’s armed forces to operate together. The Indo-Pacific is particularly important for the UK due to growing economic ties with countries in the region, and the UK already conducts various exercises in the area – with HMS Spey and HMS Tamar continuously deployed. The trilateral exercises will build on previous operations between the three countries – underlining the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Last year, the Prime Minister signed the Atlantic Declaration with US President Joe Biden, and agreed the Hiroshima Accord with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, both of which committed the UK to further increase defence activity with each country – with a particular focus on bolstering collective security and mutual prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “In an increasingly volatile world where we can no longer take peace for granted, it’s critical to stand united with our allies and partners in defence of democracy and freedom.

Conducting joint exercises sends a strong message to anyone who would seek to undermine the rules-based international order – our defence relationships are not limited by distance and we stand ready to respond to any threat around the globe.”

A safe and stable Indo-Pacific is vital to our collective security, allowing free and unhindered trade and travel, and our world-leading partnerships with Japan and the US further emphasise our commitment to the region.

Next year, Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will be deployed to the region at the head of a Carrier Strike Group, which will conduct a series of operations and exercises with partners and allies – including a port visit in Japan. It follows the successful deployment of her sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to the region in 2021.

Further work to boost regional security is taking place between the UK and US via the AUKUS programme, which will see the construction of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines to be delivered to Australia’s navy. The programme is providing a massive boost to the UK’s defence industry, with the Defence Secretary having visited Australia last month where it was confirmed a British business will partner with an Australian company to build the submarines.

An announcement on Monday confirmed for Pillar Two of the AUKUS programme, which focuses on collaboration around the development of advanced new military technologies, that Australia, the UK, and US will consult with other countries, including Japan, to potentially contribute to the programme.

The UK also works closely with Japan as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which, along with Italy, will deliver a next-generation fighter jet to enter service from 2035 in a significant capability boost for all countries involved. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

10 Apr 24. Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has unveiled its latest experiential tool to support individual and collective training. To ensure military and civil resilience teams are ready to face the most demanding and realistic environments, Babcock has developed the Babcock Immersive Training Experience (BITE), launched at IT2EC.

BITE helps to recreate authentic, immersive training experiences to rapidly train personnel to be ready for any situation. With all visual, audio and biometric feeds being monitored from an external control room, the intensity of the experience can be adjusted in real time, bringing learners closer to the realism of front-line operations more than ever before, in a safe and controlled environment.

Using human performance monitoring technology, exercises can be controlled to ensure trainees remain in the Zone of Optimal Learning in line with prescribed training outcomes.

BITE supports rapid analysis of insights to enhance the effectiveness of after-action reviews, allowing learners to fail fast, putting them in control of what they need to do to improve and succeed. It is scalable and adaptable due to its modular configuration, meaning it can be used across live, virtual and constructive environments.

BITE has been developed by Babcock and BeaverFit, who design equipment to enable focused preparation for modern-day tactical operations and exercises.

Tom Newman, CEO for Babcock’s Land sector, said: “Creating immersive training opportunities for defence and resilience environments is vital to help develop high performing individuals and teams who are prepared for the realities of modern conflict and complex national resilience challenges.

“BeaverFit’s custom-made equipment, along with BITE’s use of advanced game engine software to maintain measurement and control of the experience, unlocks the ability to experience the realistic stresses of modern combat and resilience operations, in a safe environment.”

Tom Beaver, Managing Director of BeaverFit, said: “By leveraging our expertise in manufacturing and Babcock’s leadership in training solutions, we’ve developed a unique set up that equips personnel with the skills and readiness needed to navigate the complexities of modern warfare and national resilience.”

The military variant of BITE, Proteus, is on display at IT2EC (9 to 11 April), it can be adapted to any civil operational environment to incorporate a range of training needs, with changes to the look, feel, sounds and aromas.

 

09 Apr 24. UK seeks Next Generation Red Air pilot training. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking commercial contractors to deliver Next Generation Red Air (NGRA) pilot training for the Royal Air Force (RAF). A tender posted by the ministry in mid-March said the effort is part of a wider modernisation of the UK’s air training infrastructure taking place under Portfolio Mustang, and “is paramount to building and/or keeping maximum combat effectiveness in the air domain”.

“NGRA has an outline objective to provide red air (RA) services to the RAF for a period of up to 15 years from circa 2028,” the MoD said, noting that this represents Project 1 of Portfolio Mustang. (Source: Janes)

 

08 Apr 24. UK, US navies in mine countermeasure exercise Poseidon’s Chalice. US and UK navies participated in joint mine countermeasure exercise in the Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea was the site of combined US and UK mine-countermeasure (MCM) exercise Poseidon’s Chalice between 26 February and 16 March 2024. Royal Fleet Auxiliary Bay-class landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay, Avenger-class mine countermeasures USS Gladiator (MCM 11) and Avenger-class mine countermeasures USS Sentry (MCM 3) participating in training opportunities in mine warfare and explosive ordinance disposal training alongside a team from Task Force 56 that specialises in this mission type.  Mine sweeping equipment was twice deployed to combat moored mines in demonstrations in the Arabian Sea, among other training efforts that included anti-terrorism operations, small boat operations, and an underway replenishment at sea and damage control drill.

“Our collaboration with the Royal Navy, the RFA Cardigan Bay, USS Sentry and US expeditionary mine countermeasures force during this exercise has enabled us to enhance our core mine warfare capabilities and foster a stronger alliance and more effective response to emerging threats,” said USS Gladiator executive officer, Lieutenant Commander Joseph Minnich.

“Through our partnership, we’ve refined tactics, techniques and procedures making us better equipped to promote a collective commitment to maritime security and stability in the region,” continued Minnich.

The Cardigan Bay serves as the primary vessel for the newly integrated Royal Navy Motor Boat Harrier, an uncrewed 11m boat designed to identify underwater hazards as a component of autonomous mine-hunting activities in the Gulf. This initiative is part of a decade-long strategy to modernize the Navy’s fleet of mine countermeasure vessels.

The Harrier is equipped to function autonomously, executing pre-set missions, or to be controlled remotely from a command center on a ship or land. Armed with side-scan sonar technology, it thoroughly examines the ocean floor for mines, immediately alerting nearby land or sea units to their exact locations. Over the next few years, it is expected to work in conjunction with remotely operated underwater vehicles and a mine sweeping system.

In the last 20 years, leading naval forces have significantly invested in autonomous mine countermeasure technologies to mitigate the dangers and consequences of sea mines on naval missions. The US Navy launched the LCS MM Program, which includes the procurement of 48 Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) aimed at performing mine-hunting operations. These uncrewed vessels are designated for Unmanned Mine Sweeping (UMS) and Remote Mine hunting (RMH) tasks. (Source: naval-technology.com)

 

08 Apr 24. Spatial computing company, Hadean, and 4C Strategies, a leading provider of training readiness and organisational resilience solutions, are set to demonstrate an integration of systems for collective training at IT2EC 2024 in London. The two companies have joined forces to demonstrate an integration of commercial and technical innovation that enables collaboration across, services, and technologies in defence and national governance. Following the MoU signing at I/ITSEC 2023, the teams have worked together to combine the super-orchestration of Hadean’s AI-powered spatial computing with the data-driven UI of 4C Strategies’ Exonaut. The integration between 4C Strategies and Hadean enables Exonaut to incorporate synthetics into its interface, powered by Hadean. This enables the synchronisation between real-time actions controlled by Exonaut and their consequences in the realistic and dynamic simulations – and vice versa. With its data exploitation tool in place, the augmented Exonaut capability supports evidence-based decision-making and ensures lessons learned from exercises are applied to future training for continuous and effective capability development. The demonstration at IT2EC 2024 will specifically showcase how a representative crisis in a NATO partner state can unfold while NATO and adversary forces clash. This scenario effectively stretches the local government emergency services’ resources and simulates densely populated areas, reflecting sentiments through heightened social media, including traffic congestion, panic, and unrest.

4C Strategies UK Military Sales Director, Paul Steel, said: “Collaborating with Hadean demonstrates our commitment to be at the forefront of the evolution of training technologies. By combining data-driven training readiness with world leading Generative AI and Large Language Model capabilities we will redefine the transformation of training. Working together we demonstrate the power of SME collaboration through technological innovation and commercial agility ensuring we are able to help prepare soldiers for current and future conflicts.”

Craig Beddis, Co-Founder & CEO at Hadean, said: “Our collaboration with 4C Strategies turbocharges Exonaut’s proven system with Hadean’s AI-driven spatial computing, delivering unparalleled value to users. Created rapidly, this solution exemplifies how agile SMEs can unite to produce essential capabilities swiftly and innovatively.”

 

05 Apr 24. Vrgineers to Participate in F-35 Industrial Cooperation Project for Pilot Training. Vrgineers was selected by Lockheed Martin to participate in a pilot training industrial cooperation project for the F-35 as part of the initiative to supply the Czech Republic with two squadrons of 5th Generation jet fighters.

“We are honored to be part of F-35 Industrial Cooperation Programme in Czech Republic and committed to support pilot training with all the technologies and capabilities our Vrgineers team can offer,” says Marek Polcak, co-founder and CEO of Vrgineers.

In this strategic partnership, Vrgineers will be responsible for the development and delivery of unclassified next generation training simulators, specifically tailored to support Czech pilots. While these simulators may not replicate the precise behavior of the training aircraft with 100% accuracy, they are designed to meet certain training procedures and familiarization requirements. This development marks a significant milestone in ensuring the readiness and competence of the Czech Republic’s pilot training programs.

A notable feature of these training simulators is their non-confidential mode, allowing for operation in non-secure environments. This key attribute enhances accessibility by eliminating the need for specialized secured rooms, making the simulators readily available for pilot training.

“The Czech Air Force has many years of experience in the operational deployment of tactical aircraft. The introduction and use of tactical simulators that can be easily packed, transported and assembled to train tactical scenarios and the broad spectrum of missions outside of the main operational base will enable the currency of our pilots even during long-term deployments. New trends of VR and MR enable this requirement, and thanks to the agreed industrial cooperation between LM and Vrgineers as part of the F-35 contract, CzAF will have an opportunity to use such a system,” adds BG Jaroslav Mika, Deputy Director of the Force Development Division of the Ministry of Defence.

Moreover, the simulators are engineered for quick and easy setup and operation. This user-friendly approach ensures that pilots have continuous access to these invaluable training tools, thereby enhancing their preparation for the challenges and missions they will face. This accessibility not only optimizes the training process but also contributes to overall readiness and effectiveness.

 

05 Apr 24. Czech MoD taps into Thai markets and offers fighter pilot training. The two nations signed an MoU on military and technical co-operation, while the ministers also discussed simulated fighter training for Thai pilots.

Under a new memorandum of understanding (MoU), Czech defence companies will benefit from deeper access to Thai defence markets while the two countries also discussed the possibility of expanding Thai fighter pilot training.

Signed in Bangkok at the end of March 2024, the Czech Minister of Defence Jana Černochová stated “Supporting the Czech defense industry is the goal of every trip abroad, because our companies can offer a wide range of top products and technologies. That’s why I also visited Thailand, which is geographically distant from us, but it makes sense for us to deepen co-operation with this country even more.”

During her trip, Černochová visited the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) – a Thai Government institution specialising in strengthening national defence capabilities through innovative technological solutions.

Since January, DTI has been co-operating with Tatra Trucks, a Czech armoured vehicles manufacturer, and as part of defence co-operation with the republic, Thailand received a prototype of a Tatra multi-purpose vehicle.

“Tatra vehicles are used by the Army of the Czech Republic, but also by the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. They are a top product in their category, which has been tested in a number of demanding environments around the world, and I am glad that Thailand is considering the purchase of more cars,” Černochová attested.

Czech co-operation with Thailand predates this MoU agreement. The Central European nation has trained Thai pilots in their Tactical Simulation Centre, which is part of the Aviation Training Centre of the state enterprise LOM Prague in Pardubice.

In this facility, Thai pilots train on the JAS-39 Gripen multi-role combat aircraft simulator and on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft simulator. According to GlobalData intelligence, the Royal Thai Air Force operates 11 Saab JAS 39C/D aircraft, acquired between 2011-13 as well as 51 F-16A/B units procured between 1988 and 2005.

Since 2015, a total of 12 of these weekly courses have taken place. LOM Prague is also negotiating the possibility of building a simulation centre directly in the Kingdom. (Source: army-technology.com)

 

05 Apr 24. Joint Training Exercise between U.S. Naval Special Warfare and Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare Command. From January 28 to February 29, 2024, Sattahip, Thailand, served as the venue for a joint combined exchange training (JCET) session between a West Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Unit and the Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare Command (RTN SWC). The JCET aimed at fostering mutual understanding and enhancing interoperability through a comprehensive training program that included visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tactics, close-quarters combat, tactical combat casualty care, live weapons ranges and training, airborne water entry training, and mission planning.

The JCET not only concentrated on bolstering U.S. military readiness but also played a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations, contributing to regional stability, and improving interoperability among allies. A U.S. Naval Special Warfare operator emphasized the importance of such exercises, stating they provide opportunities to share knowledge and develop working relationships with partner nations, thereby enhancing integrated special warfare capabilities.

An integral part of the training was a cultural exchange day, organized by the RTN SWC, aimed at deepening the partnership through cultural understanding. According to an NSW operator, this aspect of the program underscored the value of not just focusing on military capabilities but also on building strong cultural bonds between the participants.

The United States and Thailand share a long history of diplomatic relations and security alliance, marked by political, security, and economic cooperation. This enduring partnership underscores a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The JCET is a reflection of this longstanding alliance, highlighting the collaborative spirit and mutual respect between the U.S. Naval Special Warfare community and the Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare Command, both regarded as elite maritime special operations forces within their respective nations. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

04 Apr 24. DIO proudly enables NATO’s largest exercise in decades. Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) proudly enables and supports NATO activity and exercises in the UK and overseas. DIO has been working hard to enable Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024, NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War. The 5-month exercise, which coincides with the NATO Alliance’s 75th anniversary, started in January this year and involves over 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO allies. The exercise has two stages, with the first focusing on securing the Atlantic and a second phase moving forces eastward into central and eastern Europe. Ex Steadfast Defender demonstrates NATO’s ability to defend every inch of its territory and the NATO allies’ commitment to protect each other from any threat.   One of the many ways DIO is supporting Ex Steadfast Defender is at NATO Holding Base Sennelager, in Germany. Sennelager is being used to receive and stage a huge number of military personnel and their equipment as part of the exercise. Staging sees arriving personnel provided with accommodation, food and kit whilst ensuring logistics are in place so the required military vehicles are all simultaneously ready to deploy east on the exercise. DIO provides the required facilities and infrastructure needed as part of the exercise including meals, accommodation, storage, vehicle workshops and all manner of building requirements.

Enabling Group South’s Chief of Staff, Major Laurence Lee tell us more about how DIO are supporting Ex Steadfast Defender in Sennelager.

One example of the unique infrastructure required for large scale exercises like Steadfast Defender is a Primary Bulk Fuel Installation (PBFI) which stores large amounts of fuel. For a modern exercise like Steadfast Defender which involves more than 1,100 combat vehicles including tanks, Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Armoured Personnel carriers, fuel is a valuable commodity.

DIO worked closely with the British Army to find a suitable location for the PBFI in Sennelager with safety considerations being a priority when dealing with fuel. DIO liaised with host nation, Germany to ensure there are no environmental impacts and we are compliant with local legislation.   DIO’s support to NATO takes place on British soil too, for example facilitating NATO exercises like Joint Warrior, or hosting NATO Allied countries for their training in the UK. Our Defence Training Estate (DTE) colleagues enable our Armed Forces to train and prepare for NATO exercises. Before deploying on large scale NATO exercises like Steadfast Defender, participating personnel need to ensure their skills and relevant training is up to date. The DTE team manages the diverse training areas around the UK and overseas, ensuring they are both safe and fit for purpose. This enables our Armed Forces to focus on their important training, practice their combat skills and be ready to deploy on exercises and operations around the world.

B Company 4SCOTS, Section Commander Cpl Sheppard explains how DIO’s work helps his company prepare to deploy on NATO exercises. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

28 Mar 24. Marines, Sailors Arrive in Australia for 6 Months of Training, Exercises. Approximately 2,000 Marines and sailors deployed to Australia’s Northern Territory this week to participate alongside their counterparts in the annual iteration of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, the Pentagon announced today.

“Over the next six months, MRF-Darwin will conduct a series of exercises and training events with the Australian Defense Force and other regional allies and partners to establish a forward-postured crisis response force, enhance interoperability between our forces, and contribute to a more stable and secure Indo-Pacific,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told the media during a briefing earlier this afternoon.

Led for the third year in a row by a California-based Marine Corps infantry regiment, this will be the 13th annual iteration of MRF-Darwin, according to a news release sent out by MRF-Darwin’s media team earlier today.

MRF-Darwin dates back to 2011, when former President Barack Obama and then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced an agreement on force posture initiatives designed to significantly enhance defense cooperation between the U.S. and Australia. While the initial iteration consisted of only a small liaison element and a company of 250 Marines, the agreement intended to “establish a rotational presence of up to a 2,500-person Marine Air Ground Task Force,” according to White House archives.

“The Marines and sailors of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin are honored and excited to continue the legacy of cooperation and interoperability with our Australian Defense Force brothers and sisters,” Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of MRF-Darwin, stated in the news release. “Our strong alliance contributes to stability in the region and enables the readiness of our forces to respond to any crisis or contingency that arises.”

This year’s MRF-Darwin will model itself on prior iterations by incorporating “security partners from throughout the Pacific Islands and the broader region” into the exercise schedule, according to the release.  MRF-Darwin’s rotation is scheduled to conclude in October.

(Source: U.S. DoD)

 

28 Mar 24. Nato partners expand European flight training initiative. The expansion will help to “break down national siloes” by adopting a shared approach to training the next generation of aircrews. A group of countries in the Nato military alliance have expanded the organisation’s European flight training initiative.

Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, Türkiye, and the UK have established the first ever placement of around 50 student pilots in four locations beginning in 2024.

In addition, they have set up nine new training campuses and formed a dedicated industry advisory body that will help to co-ordinate a holistic training approach.

City planning at its core is somewhat ubiquitous. Every city aims to provide the same basic amenities to its residents, from food and water to transportation,

The Nato Flight Training Europe (NFTE) initiative was originally created in June 2020 in the margins of the Nato Defence Minister’s meeting that year. Belgium soon joined in February 2021 followed by Germany and the UK in October 2023.

NFTE pilots learn to fly a range of aerial vehicles including jets, helicopters, and remotely piloted air systems.

Ultimately, delivering pilot training is an increasingly costly and challenging endeavour. Many European allies sent their pilots for training to the US to fulfil their pilot training needs, which resulted in additional strain on US capacities.

The establishment of the NFTE significantly decreases this reliance on existing US training facilities, by making European allies capable of training their own flight crews.

In December 2021, the participants officially designated the Flight Training Centre in Pardubice, Czech Republic, and the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu, Italy as the first two NFTE training campuses.

NFTE expansion

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shown the importance of air superiority in waging a lasting campaign. It has even prompted Western allies to send F-16 Fighting Falcons to be used by the Ukrainian Air Force – its first group of pilots recently completed their initial flight training with the UK Royal Air Force last week.

Since it began twenty years ago, Nato’s air policing mission in Baltic airspace has proven highly effective in projecting a credible deterrence against Russia, having scrambled jets five times between 18 and 24 March 2024 to intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

NFTE’s new campuses and institutions will help to consolidate these efforts as the continent looks to achieve longer term goals into the 2030s, as the EU Commission and the European Defence Agency together unveiled its first ever Defence Industrial Strategy recently.

Nato’s Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană observed: “Unity doesn’t just happen, it has to be earned. One way of achieving this is by systematically training together and forging trusting relationships in the process. NFTE is an excellent example of this.

“This important multinational effort will help us to break down national silos towards a shared approach to training the next generations of aircrews.”

Trainer issues within Nato

Although the group has made substantial efforts to expand its capacity for advanced military pilot training, some Nato members have faced issues with their trainer aircraft.

The Royal Canadian Air Force is currently in a period of hiatus while the service decides on its next trainer aircraft as the country’s existing 18 CT-155 Hawk units come to the end of their 24-year-long life.

As a result, Canada has deferred its pilot training abroad as part of an interim training programme that will see Canadians take to the skies from Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas as well as other Fighter Lead-in Training programmes in Finland and at Italy’s IFTS, where Canada will have two instructors and six students by 2025.

Likewise, there was a long period in which the UK Royal Air Force was undecided in its successor trainer aircraft now that its Hawk T2 was also coming to the end of life phase.

In January 2024, there was concern that the RAF would be left with nothing for real-world training in a physical aircraft that possesses next-generation capabilities suited to a completely new era of aerial warfare other than simulator technology.

However, in March 2024, the UK finally announced it will deliver a Capability Investigation process into the Hawk’s replacement later this year.

Although, it was confirmed that the Hawk will continue to be used right up to its end of life date in 2040, it still gives rise to the concern that the Hawk will not reflect an up-to-date reflection of fifth or sixth generation fighter aircraft, such as the F-35B or the forthcoming GCAP fighter jet. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

27 Mar 24. Launch of the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub.

Strategic Command unveils the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub at Southwick Park, Defence’s home for wargaming and decision support.

Strategic Command’s Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes, has formally opened the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub. The facility, developed in partnership with the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl), will be the centre for experimentation and wargaming in Defence.

The hub will help Defence respond to the evolving global threats we face. The need to constantly learn and adapt at pace has never been more important.

Attended by the Director Joint Warfare, Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, and distinguished guests from across Defence, academia, and industry, the opening ceremony reinforced the collaborative nature of the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub.

The hub’s wargaming capabilities offer a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between military doctrine, technological innovation, and academic expertise. Through simulated scenarios and tabletop exercises, personnel can explore alternative futures, assess the effectiveness of different courses of action, and anticipate emerging threats – thereby enhancing preparedness and resilience in an increasingly complex security environment.

In his opening address, Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes emphasised the facility’s roles as a centre for research, experimentation, and strategic thinking.

He said: “The hub will be the epicentre for strategic brilliance and tactical innovation, and will enable evidence-based decisions to be made at an increased pace. By fostering a culture of experimentation, collaboration, and forward thinking, it seeks to ensure that Defence organisations remain agile, adaptive, and responsive to evolving threats and opportunities. The establishment of the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub is not just the opening of a physical facility, but the start of a new era in Defence strategy and innovation. With its focus on experimentation, collaboration, and foresight, the facility embodies the culture of innovation essential for safeguarding national security in an uncertain world.”

Speaking about the launch, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Ellen, Chief of Staff Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub said: “The launch marks not the culmination, but the commencement of a journey towards shaping the future of Defence and engendering a culture of experimentation, wargaming and development across Defence. Strategic Command’s Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub is based at Southwick Park in Hampshire, and is helping to grow wargaming capability across wider Defence and industry, while delivering a variety of wargames and seminars. The hub will deliver evidence-based decisions faster.”

As the Defence Experimentation and Wargaming Hub matures, it will progress its offering to include:

• at-readiness rapid wargaming service
• +500m² reconfigurable wargaming facility
• a repository of wargaming data, tools and scenarios
• wargaming advice, and design from an experienced team of professionals
• (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

25 Mar 24. Royal Canadian Air Force retires BAE Systems CT-155 Hawks.   

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has retired its fleet of BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk fighter lead-in training aircraft, according to a 4 March release by the service.

The NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) operated 17 CT-155s from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with the first delivered in 2000.

“With the Hawk reaching the end of its service life after 20 years, Canada, along with many countries is faced with the challenges of what will be the next jet trainer in a world of fifth-generation fighter aircraft,” Colonel Adam Carlson, director of Royal Canadian Air Force training, said in an 8 March statement.

The RCAF already sends some trainees to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) programme at Sheppard AFB, Texas, which currently hosts five Canadian instructor pilots and up to six Canadian students. The number of students has been upped to seven, said the RCAF. Additional students are to be sent to the International Flying Training School at Decimomannu, Italy, the RCAF told Janes on 18 March. (Source: Janes)

 

26 Mar 24. India, Mozambique and Tanzania holding joint maritime exercise IMT Trilat. Two Indian naval vessels, the cadet training ship INS Tir (A86) and the Sukanya-class patrol ship INS Sujata (P56), are participating in the India Mozambique Tanzania (IMT) Tri-Lateral Exercise (Trilat) which is currently underway off the southeast African coast.

The exercise is taking place between 21 to 29 March, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between India, Mozambique, and Tanzania, the Indian Navy said.

The two Indian Navy vessels, INS Tir and INS Sujata, are representing the Indian Navy, with INS Tir arriving at Zanzibar and INS Sujata at Mozambique’s Port of Maputo. The Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi is also participating along with Mozambique and Tanzanian Navy ships.

INS Sujata is based at Southern Naval Command in Kochi.

The first edition of the IMT Trilat exercise was conducted in October 2022, with the participation of the frigate INS Tarkash (F50) exercising with the Tanzanian and Mozambique Navies.

The current edition of the exercise is planned in two phases.

As part of the harbour phase scheduled from 21-24 March, Naval ships Tir and Sujata engaged with the respective Navies at the ports of Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Maputo (Mozambique).

This phase began with a Planning Conference followed by joint harbour training activities like damage control, fire fighting, visit board search and seizure procedures, medical lectures, casualty evacuation and diving operations.

The sea phase of the exercise now underway until 27 March covers practical aspects of countering asymmetric threats, visit board search and seizure procedures, boat handling, manoeuvres and firing exercises.

A joint exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surveillance is included during the sea phase.

The exercise will conclude with a joint debrief scheduled at Mozambique’s Port of Nacala.

During the harbour stay, Indian Naval ships were open for visitors and crews partook in sports and cultural exchanges with host Navies.

The Indian Navy said these activities underscore India’s outreach to foster friendly relations through maritime cooperation, aligning with the maritime vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, known as “SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region” with emphasis on the Global South.

In recent months the Indian Navy has been very active off the northeast coast of Africa, and since the Israel-Hamas conflict spilling over to the maritime domain, with Houthi forces attacking shipping off Yemen in solidarity with Palestine, India has enhanced the scope of its maritime security operations.

The navy undertook proactive action during the hijacking of the Malta Flagged Bulk Carrier MV Ruen on 14 December 2023. The Indian Navy said 23 March marked the completion of 100 days of ongoing maritime security operations under the aegis of ‘Op Sankalp’. During this time, the Indian Navy responded to 18 incidents in the Indian Ocean Region.

This included a well-coordinated operation that lasted some 40 hours, culminating in the Indian Navy retaking the MV Ruen from Somali pirates, rescuing the 17 crew members on board and apprehending two dozen pirates on 16 March.

The Indian Navy has a sizeable presence in the Red Sea region, with a dozen warships deployed to provide security against pirates as Western powers focus on attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.

In January, the Indian Navy foiled two hijackings by Somali pirates within days. On 29 January, the fishing vessel Al Naeemi and her crew (19 Pakistani nationals) were rescued by the Indians from 11 Somali pirates after the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel was boarded and her crew taken hostage.

The day before, the INS Sumitra was again in action off the Somali coast when she responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of the Iranian flagged fishing vessel Iman, which had been boarded by pirates and the crew taken as hostages.

The Indian Navy said INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and coerced the pirates to safely release the 17 crew along with the boat. “The fishing vessel was subsequently sanitised and released for onward transit.”

On 5 January, the Indian Navy rescued another vessel from pirates – 21 crew were evacuated from the MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea a day after it was boarded by half a dozen armed men off Somalia’s coast.

Based on the threat assessment in the region, the Indian Navy is conducting maritime security operations in three areas of operations viz Gulf of Aden and adjoining areas, Arabian Sea and off the East Coast of Somalia. Since December, the Indian Navy has deployed over 5 000 personnel at sea, over 450 ship days (with over 21 ships deployed) and reached 900 hours of flying by the maritime surveillance aircraft to address threats in the maritime domain. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

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21 Mar 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has installed enhanced operating software into its Predator Mission Trainer (PMT) simulator that resides at GA-ASI’s Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The new PMT Plus software was developed jointly by GA-ASI and CAE-USA allowing international flight crews to train on the latest version of Operational Flight Program (OFP) software and as well as the latest capabilities including Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC).

“With this upgrade, our international customers can now train on the latest version of OFP for their fleets of MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “For our MQ-9A customers, the PMT Plus will be an exciting enhancement for them, enabling cutting-edge mission training. In addition, the new software will enable us to efficiently upgrade to future OFPs to meet our customers’ operational needs.”

In addition to its OFP and ATLC capabilities, PMT Plus improves the visual graphics for conducting operationally realistic Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission training, including the addition of maritime entities. The improved user interface at the Instructor Off-board Station (IOS) allows instructors to add elements into scenarios more rapidly, either during a lesson or immediately before a lesson, which saves time and enables a more student-centric learning experience.

“Collaboration is critical to delivering efficient mission training at the point of need,” said CAE Defense & Security Group President Dan Gelston. “Our longstanding relationship with GA-ASI enables agile development and rapid integration so customers not only gain enhanced training capabilities but also benefit from efficiencies like a smaller hardware suite, which adds additional value.”

The enhanced software also reduces the PMT’s footprint, enabling a reduction in electrical and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) demand, while producing a quieter learning environment for students and instructors.

The PMT was purchased from CAE and has been a core component of GA-ASI’s customer training at the FTTC since 2020. The FTTC has been the centerpiece of GA-ASI’s customer training capability since its founding. In 2023, GA-ASI announced the opening of a new hangar at the FTTC specifically to support international crew training.

 

20 Mar 24. Preparations underway for Ex Ibsamar 2024. A recent flurry of ashore activity at SA Navy (SAN) fleet headquarters in Simon’s Town signalled earnest intentions for a multinational naval exercise later this year.

Flag Officer Fleet, Rear Admiral Musawenkosi “Kop” Nkomonde, received the Brazilian and Indian defence attachés along with SAN Captain SM Majozi, the designated exercise director for Ex Ibsamar 2024, ahead of the initial exercise planning conference for Exercise Ibsamar later this year. Indian Navy Captain Atul Sapaphia, according to Commander Leverne Nsibande, is India’s defence advisor to Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with Marinha do Brasil Captain Rodrigo Mynssen Fonseca Dos Santos the South American country’s defence and naval attaché to South Africa.

The initial planning meeting held between 11 and 15 March for the eighth iteration of the tri-nation naval exercise led by the Joint Operations Division of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), Nsibande reported, “underscored the commitment of all three nations” to making Ex Ibsamar 2024 a success.

The exercise is seen as a symbol of the shared Brazilian, Indian and South African commitment to maritime security, stability and freedom of navigation in the world’s oceans. “As maritime powers, these nations recognise the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing common challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing and maritime terrorism,” the commander wrote.

Ibsamar is testament to the growing strategic partnerships between the three participating countries. By leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise, Brazil, India and South Africa enhance their maritime capabilities and contribute positively to regional and international security architecture, the SA Navy said.

The successful execution of Ex Ibsamar VIII – with no date given as yet – will show the operational readiness of the three participating navies and provide for an exchange of best practices and boost co-operation and friendship. This extends to support elements such as the SA Air Force (SAAF), SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) and the SAN maritime reaction squadron (MRS).

The previous edition of Exercise Ibsamar took place in October 2022 around Algoa Bay, but there was no Brazilian participation that year. Also notable for the most recent edition was the participation of the first SA Navy multi-mission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV), SAS King Sekhukhune I (P1571), which had been taken into service in May. Two more are joining the SA Navy fleet.

The South African Navy has already hosted one international exercise this year, with Germany, although on a small scale. Exercise Good Hope VIII took place in Saldanha on the Cape West Coast from 21 January to 6 February and was more modest than previous editions in scale due to real-world commitments affecting the German Navy’s ability to send vessels to South Africa and the South African Navy facing challenges in providing vessels.

The German contingent consisted of a Boarding Company from the German Navy Sea Battalion based in Eckernfoerde. The South African contingent was primary represented by the Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) including the Operational Boat Element, Navy divers, 13 Provost of the Military Police, and the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS). (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

 

20 Mar 24. U.S. Army Green Berets and North Macedonian Forces Strengthen Ties Through Joint Training. U.S. Army Green Berets with 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) exercise with Special Forces Battalion ‘Wolves’, Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, and Special Anti-Terrorist Unit ‘Tigers’, in order to strengthen military interoperability between the two NATO allies in Negotino, Republic of North Macedonia, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 22, 2024.

JCETs offer U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) opportunities to train in regional environments from which they may deploy, while in exchange, the host nation’s special forces units receive the benefits of training with U.S. Special Forces personnel.

“This is our opportunity to practice teaching a partner force on unconventional warfare actions as well as the other principal tasks of a special forces team,” said the team commander with 10th SFG (A). “We bolster our fighting force by taking partners with us all the time [on operations], so this training is very beneficial for us to know how to train partner forces.”

A Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFOD-A) team assigned to 10th SFG (A) was responsible for providing tactical training to the North Macedonia forces by training them on breaching techniques, bundle drops, demolitions, small arms weapons training and more. Although the team was focused on training, they had an opportunity to receive language and cultural exposure to North Macedonia society and exchanges in tactics.

An additional key task of this JCET was to build rapport with the partner force. The Green Berets immersed themselves within the North Macedonian culture and language, which provided them with the ability to communicate and move together in a more efficient manner.

Operators with Special Forces Regiment “Wolves”, Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, perform a helicopter extraction. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Evan Cooper)

“I’ve been in meetings with [the Wolves’ and Tigers’] command elements and was able to understand what they were saying, so it’s extremely beneficial to communicate quickly and efficiently,” said the team commander.

According to the DODI 3902.1, during JCETs, the exchange of knowledge, tactics and culture are the largest part of the desired outcome of the training. Likewise, these desired outcomes strengthen the strategic goals of the geographic combatant commander.

North Macedonia became a full member of NATO in 2020 after spending nearly 15 years of working towards full acceptance. During this time, troops from North Macedonia took part of various NATO missions, including the International Security Assistance Force and the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

“The USSOF community gets a lot of experiences from conflicts all over the world and with that knowledge we can have a chance to get updated information on battlefield tactics,” said team intelligence sergeant with Special Forces Battalion ‘Wolves’, Army of the Republic of North Macedonia. “This training is a great opportunity to learn of what’s new on the battlefield so that we can improve and adapt. The nature of war is constantly changing, so for this JCET we focused on some of the basic core components of tactical operations.”

The JCET conducted with the ‘Wolves’ and ‘Tigers’ included extensive training with the U.S. lead K-9 and advanced training with the USFOD-A’s team Intelligence Sergeant. The JCET ended with a three-day culminating event that incorporated training and tactics learned throughout the duration of the exercise.

“I loved working with the North Macedonian ‘Wolves’ and the ‘Tigers’, they are both great to work with and the nation as a whole is eager to participate with USSOF and NATO,” said the U.S. Team Commander. “I applaud their efforts to make this training work and their commitment to the overall exercise.” (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

15 Mar 24. U.S. commandos train for the unexpected in North Korea’s shadow. U.S. special operations troops in South Korea are training and preparing for unexpected threats at a time when global crises are more interconnected than ever, their commander said during an exercise this week.

“Nothing in the history of the United States should give us any faith and confidence that we know where the next threat is coming from,” Brigadier General Derek Lipson of Special Operations Command – Korea said in an interview on the sidelines of joint drills.

Nuclear-armed North Korea in recent years has made unprecedented strides in its weapons programs, including massive new ballistic missiles that can reach the United States and speedy new tactical missiles designed to defeat missile defence systems.

For the first time, North Korean missiles have been fired in combat, with Russia wielding them this year against targets in Ukraine, according to U.S. officials and independent experts.

And in Asia, Korea joins the South China Sea and Taiwan as flashpoints with the potential to involve the region and the world.

Because of that uncertainty, Lipson is trying to inject more flexibility and decision making into his troops’ training – not just how to shoot a rifle, as he puts it, but deciding when and where.

North Korea has condemned the stepped-up joint drills as provocative rehearsals for invasion and proof of hostile intent by Washington and its allies.

Adding to this year’s unpredictability are the upcoming U.S. elections, which are being closely watched around the world.

Lipson said that although politics play a role in military matters, his job is to ensure his troops are ready regardless of who the president is.

“I think (North Korea) would like nothing more than senior military leaders, junior military leaders, service members, (South Korea) and the U.S. to be worried about the election more than they’re worried about their readiness,” he said. “It’s important to make sure that we understand our role is to be ready, not to be part of the argument.”

JOINT TRAINING

During drills on Thursday, a U.S. special operations MC-130 aircraft practiced airdrops with a brigade of South Korean commandos.

As the grey turboprop aircraft circled over the Republic of Korea Special Warfare School Training Range near Gwangju, South Korean troops and a handful of Americans toppled from its doors, jerking and swinging as their parachutes opened.

One U.S. special operations liaison soldier, who spoke on condition of anonymity because his identity is operationally sensitive, said it demonstrated that the allies can work together in a conflict.

Since 2016, U.S. special operations forces have been tasked with countering weapons of mass destruction (WMD), a role with particular relevance given North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal. U.S. intelligence services say Pyongyang also operates biological and chemical weapons programs.

Lipson said advances in North Korea’s capabilities would change how a mission might be executed.

“I’m not going to talk plans, but the ability to execute those where we’re asked and when we’re asked, that’s readiness,” he said. “And that’s what we’re prepared to do.”

During a visit to Army Special Warfare Command on Wednesday, South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik called on special operations troops to hone their ability to “swiftly eliminate” North Korean leadership during a war.

U.S. Forces Korea did not immediately comment when asked whether U.S. troops would play a role in such missions.

The U.S. special operations presence in Korea has grown from about 50 active-duty personnel 25 years ago to a Theater Special Operations Command with some 250 personnel, said David Maxwell, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces colonel who served multiple tours in South Korea.

In a war, their role could involve countering WMD, combat and reconnaissance missions, supporting guerrilla forces in the North, psychological operations, and post-conflict counterinsurgency, Maxwell said.

GLOBAL IMPACT

The 10-day Freedom Shield exercises that wrapped up on Thursday saw participation from an unprecedented number of member states from the U.S.-led United Nations Command, which has operated as part of the armistice since the 1950-1953 Korean War.

As a legacy of that war, which was never officially ended, the United States keeps about 28,500 troops in South Korea, and operates a combined command with the South Korean military.

The two sides named envoys this month to launch a new round of talks for a defence cost-sharing deal to take effect in 2026. South Korean media said the aim was for an agreement before the U.S. election in November. Former President Donald Trump, who is the Republican nominee, during his presidency accused Seoul of “free-riding” on U.S. military might.

Lipson said a key part of special operations in South Korea was to work with other partners around the region.

“When we talk about free and open INDOPACOM, that only comes from those relationships, whether they’re bilateral, trilateral… just an understanding that no one is going to do any of it alone,” Lipson said, referring to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, which stretches from India and Mongolia to New Zealand across the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.

SOCKOR troops said they had recently conducted separate drills with Thailand and the Philippines.

“Nothing happens in this theatre, greater INDOPACOM area or even globally at this point, that doesn’t have an impact somewhere else,” Lipson said. (Source: Reuters)

 

 

13 Mar 24. Eurofighter Typhoons Star During Saudi Arabian Exercise.

Eurofighter Typhoon from RAF’s (Fighter) Squadron have been taking part in Spears of Victory — a multi-national air training exercise organised by the Royal Saudi Air Force in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

During the exercise — which is smaller in scale but similar in complexity to the US-led Red Flag exercise — the RAF Typhoons flew daily sorties.

In total over 60 aircraft took part, including Eurofighter Typhoons, Tornados and F-15s from the host Royal Saudi Air Force. The Royal Air Force of Oman was also represented flying their Typhoon.

In addition, there were squadrons from Pakistan, Greece, the UAE and France, while the US supported the action by providing Air to Air Refuelling capability.

During the sorties, the pilots conducted air operations against a simulated adversary. They carried out a wide range of training mission including, defensive counter-air and offensive counter-air operations, as well as air interdiction training against both live and simulated threats.

The exercise required a large training area and the King Abdulaziz Air Base, Dhahran, located near the Gulf coast in Saudi’s east was ideal, providing a training area covering around 300 sq km.

RAF Squadron Leader Hodgkinson, the UK Detachment Commander, said: “This was an extremely important training opportunity for everyone who deployed.

“Both for the force enablers who had the opportunity to work alongside strategic partners in the region as well as the fighter pilots who were carrying out the missions.

“The pilots and aircrew on this multinational exercise were able to build relationships through shared experiences.”

(Source: ASD Network)

04 Mar 24. Poised for accession, Sweden joins NATO drills in reshaped north. Swedish armed forces joined NATO for exercises on Monday, contributing troops, helicopters and fighter jets as the alliance carries out its largest set of military drills since the end of the Cold War.

Sweden is poised to join NATO, possibly within days, after gaining the final outstanding ratification last week.

The exercises – involving over 20,000 troops from more than a dozen countries – are taking place in a high north being transformed by the accession of Sweden and Finland, who turned their backs on long histories of non-alignment after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago.

In Bodoe in northern Norway, U.S. and Norwegian F-35s joined Finnish F-18s and Swedish Gripen fighter jets flying low across the sky above Camp Bodin military base, part of a first test of a joint Nordic air operations centre, a key part of the drills.

“The new concept now is that we try to integrate even further and that is possible because of the new NATO membership of Finland and the Swedish NATO membership shortly to come,” said Major General Rolf Folland, Norwegian Air Force Chief and head of the new centre.

“Then the last hindrance for total integration is taken away and that makes it possible for us to be able to work as one air power in peacetime, crisis and war.”

More than 300 officers and specialists are working to coordinate and control the aircraft taking part in the exercises, about half of them temporarily operating from Camp Bodin.

The drills in the far north of Norway, Sweden and Finland are part of the alliance’s overarching Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises rehearsing how U.S. troops could reinforce European allies on NATO’s eastern flank and put new regional defence plans to the test.

About 90,000 troops are due to join the wider NATO exercises running through May that include more than 50 ships as well as planes, tanks and other armoured vehicles.

NORDIC FLEET

Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark agreed last year to begin creating a unified Nordic air defence aimed at countering the rising threat from Russia.

Integrating the Nordic air forces will create a regional fleet of around 250 fighters, on par with that of a military power such as Britain, offering credible deterrence against would-be attackers.

“This is going to be a massive contribution in terms of air power and control of the skies over the entire Baltic, Nordic, high north region,” said William Alberque at International Institute for Strategic Studies, a leading research center.

Sweden, which has not been at war in two centuries, has edged ever closer to NATO in recent decades – in part because its own military was scaled back after the Soviet Union’s collapse – taking part in missions in places such as Libya.

“We have a lot of strengths when it comes to operating and connecting our systems together and we can bring that to the Nordic nations and to NATO,” said Major General Jonas Wikman, chief of the Swedish Air Force.

Among Sweden’s strengths are a fleet of Gripens, a rugged fighter that can be readied for new missions minutes after landing and operate from small temporary air strips, a capability generating interest among allies.

“Right now, both NATO and the U.S. are looking quite a bit at Sweden and Finland,” Colonel Peter Greberg, commander of the Swedish Air Force’s 21st wing, said on the sidelines of a demonstration of the jet in Lulea, in northern Sweden.

“I had a NATO general here last week who visited us precisely to look at this concept.”

Sweden’s armed forces may well face the prospect of joining NATO before the current exercises are actually over. “I have a bottle of champagne ready to pop whenever the membership is granted,” Norwegian Air Force chief Folland said. (Source: Reuters)

 

04 Mar 24. US prepares for future threats with $26bn annual investment in simulation.

GlobalData forecasts spending up to 2028 amid the evolving geopolitical landscape.

The US is gearing up for a surge in military simulation and training spending, with forecasts indicating an annual expenditure exceeding $26bn up to 2028.

This initiative is driven by a commitment to enhance military readiness and response capabilities.

Contrary to the traditional focus on combat hardware, this investment emphasises the importance of personnel preparedness and adaptability in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. The allocation of resources into training systems is a strategic move to navigate the complexities of modern warfare.

According to GlobalData’s latest report, titled “United States (US) Defense Market Size, Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape, and Forecast to 2028,” the US military is directing funds towards optimising training systems across air, land, and sea domains. This investment, totaling an estimated $159bn between 2023 and 2028, highlights a shift towards holistic readiness enhancement.

Fox Walker, a defence analyst at GlobalData, emphasises the significance of this investment, stating, “Military simulation and training is the largest sector of the US defence market. The US plans to spend at least $26bn annually, highlighting the Department of Defense’s commitment to building up combat readiness within the armed forces.  (Source: army-technology.com)

 

18 Feb 24. Australia will continue to deepen its relationships with India and like-minded regional partners this month by participating in Exercise MILAN 24. Hosted by India from 19-27 February in the port city of Visakhapatnam and the adjacent Bay of Bengal, Exercise MILAN 24 will bring together approximately 50 nations and around 20 international vessels and aircraft from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Exercise MILAN 24 is a key element in the Australian Defence Force’s first regional presence deployment for 2024 and the first large-scale multilateral exercise on the Navy’s calendar for the year. The Australian Defence Force will be represented by the Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, AM, CSM, RAN, and HMAS Warramunga, with an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, which is currently conducting an Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment.

Pursuing the theme ‘Camaraderie, Cohesion, Collaboration’, Exercise MILAN 24 will feature a six-day harbour phase offering knowledge sharing, leadership engagement and a table top exercise along with a street parade and cultural exchanges. The four-day sea phase will comprise advanced maritime training including anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare exercises along with large force maritime manoeuvres.

Australia’s Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jonathan Ley, said the exercise was important for building international relationships, professional development and for Warramunga’s crew to practise operating at sea as part of a large multilateral fleet.

“Exercise MILAN is an important biennial training activity for the Indo-Pacific region and valuable for advancing Australia’s place as an Indian Ocean neighbour,” Commodore Ley said.

“Our participation in Exercise MILAN 24 will help deepen Australia’s navy-to-navy relationship with India, provide opportunities for naval leaders to contemplate shared security challenges and enhance mutual understanding among the navies of like-minded nations.

“I am very grateful to the Indian Navy for the opportunity to again join the growing number of participants in 2024.”

MILAN 24 will be the twelfth edition of India’s biennial flagship exercise, which began with just four nations in 1995. Australia has been a participant since 2003. Australia’s participation in Exercise MILAN 2024 follows its hosting of Indian-owned Exercise Malabar for the first time in 2023, which drew together naval forces from India, Japan, the United States and Australia for exercises in Sydney and the seas off the NSW coast.

HMAS Warramunga departed for its current three-month regional presence deployment in late January and will participate in several exercises, cooperative activities and joint patrols with partner navies along with regional port visits. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)

19 Feb 24. Training Proves Ship is Ready for Anything. Before HMAS Warramunga commenced Australia’s first 2024 Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment, Commanding Officer Commander Jennifer Graham put her crew through rigorous training to ensure they were ‘fully mission capable’.

Training began in earnest soon after the Anzac-class frigate sailed from its home port of Fleet Base East, Sydney, in late January, and continued while traversing heavy seas in the Great Australian Bight. After a logistics visit to Fleet Base West in HMAS Stirling provided a brief reprieve, the ship’s company was further tested in Navy’s Western Australian Exercise Area in the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coast.

Training covered all aspects of modern warship operations, from core maritime skills such as navigation, manoeuvring, man-overboard drills and small-boat operations using the ship’s two rigid hull inflatable boats, through to helicopter operations, underway replenishment, firefighting, damage control, small-arms practice, engineering incident response and warfare drills at ‘action stations’ – the ship’s highest state of alert.

After months of training and pre-departure preparations, Commander Graham said she was confident in her crew’s abilities and readiness. “Having enjoyed the Christmas and New Year break before we departed, the transit around Australia provided an ideal opportunity to bring the team back up to speed and prepare for the deployment ahead,” Commander Graham said.

Commander Graham said the crew enjoyed the chance to train with sister ship, HMAS Stuart, as it returned to sea for the first time since completing the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program. “Regardless of the mission, whenever an Australian warship leaves Australian waters it must be mission capable and ready for anything … and Warramunga certainly is,” Commander Graham said.

And the hard work has already been paying off. Since commencing the regional presence deployment, Warramunga has operated in company with United States Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warships in the South China Sea, visited Singapore and is preparing for further engagements with regional partners in a range of maritime warfare exercises and cooperative activities.

Regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia’s commitment to, and engagement with, the region. The deployments play a vital role in Australia’s long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia’s interests, preserving a rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies, and developing capability and interoperability. The current regional presence deployment will be completed in late April. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)

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