EUROPE
LAND
21 Dec 06. German government has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence AG of Dusseldorf to supply major units of the Bundeswehr with a new state-of-the-art command control and information system. For Rheinmetall, the order represents volume of around EUR170 million. It also underscores the company’s cutting edge role as a technological pacesetter in the process of modernizing our ground forces. The working group awarded with the contract, “FuInfoSys Heer”, in which Rheinmetall holds a 50% stake, will progressively equip some 1,600 armoured and non-armoured vehicles with the new technology by 2011. (“FuInfoSys Heer” stands for “Army Command Control and Information System”.) The programme is thus set to transform a wide array of German Army vehicles into mobile command and control elements. Apart from the procurement and integration of command and control equipment, the “FuInfoSys Heer” package encompasses a full range of logistics, documentation and training services. For the Bundeswehr, the system represents a major step in the direction of network centric warfare. In a global context, too, it sets new standards. The decision to introduce this system takes into account the expanded operational spectrum of our armed forces as well as the new imperatives of international crisis management. The new command and control system enables the networking of multiple vehicles taking part in a mission; it also links these vehicles to the tactical operations centre. This means that relevant mission and navigation data can be exchanged in near real time with higher echelon command elements as well as within the given formation. Whereas tactical communication was once limited to voice radio, the new system features a digital situation map function, for example, which enables units to monitor the unfolding situation in their area of operations on their computer displays. Combat and combat support vehicles such as the Wolf, Wiesel, Bv206 and various command post vehicles will be outfitted with state-of-the-art information and communications equipment specially ruggedized for battlefield conditions. In addition, the command post vehicles will be equipped with NBC protection, air conditioning components and power supply systems.
SEA
21 Dec 06. France Orders Six Nuclear Subs. The French government ordered six Barracuda nuclear submarines on Dec. 21 for €7.9bn ($10.4bn), the defense ministry said. The attack submarines, which are propelled by nuclear power but do not carry nuclear weapons, have been ordered from France’s state-owned naval shipyards DCN and from Areva-Technicatome and were due to be delivered from 2016. The new subs are due to replace France’s Rubis-type models, some of which have been in service for 20 years. French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie had said in October that the contract for the new program was to be ratified by the end of the year. (Source: Defense News)
27 Dec 06. The U.S. Navy on Wednesday awarded a $45m contract to a unit of defense contractor Raytheon Co. to provide depot services in support of the full recertification of up to 200 All-Up-Round Tomahawk missiles. The pact, awarded to Raytheon Missile Systems Co. in Tucson, Ariz., covers missiles for the U.S. Navy and the United Kingdom.
AIR
Dec 06. Irish Air Corps convert two AW139 options to full orders. The Irish Air Corps have converted options for two AgustaWestland AW139s to orders, bringing the total to six. These are scheduled for delivery in 2008, and are addition to two delivered into Ireland on 23rd November 2006 and two more expected in early 2007 which formed the original order for four aircraft. The announcement of the fifth and sixth aircraft was made just prior to Christmas by Irish defence minister Willie O’Dea, and the contract is valued at €26m. (Source: Shephard)
22 Dec 06. BAE Systems has been awarded a £947m contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) that will boost the Tornado aircraft’s avai