EUROPE
LAND
08 Jan 16. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a four year contract to the UK-based survival equipment specialists, BCB International Ltd, for the supply of a new operational ration cooker and fuel. BCB’s ‘FireDragon’ fuel is an innovative solid biofuel made from ethanol. The contract marks a move away from hexamine fuel which the MoD supplied to troops for over forty years for cooking in the field. Hexamine was a potentially dangerous and outdated substance.
17 Dec 15. EID was recently awarded multiple contracts to supply tactical communications products such as TWH-100 series personal radios to Armed Forces within Europe and Asia. Under the confidentiality terms of the contracts, the company cannot disclose the final customers. Following international competitive tenders and field trials, EID will provide end users with its tactical communications range of products, comprising but not limited to TWH-100 series personal radios, vehicular and portable gateways, as well as core network equipment to support the deployment of IP-based tactical networks. As well as the successful technological and business standpoints, these contracts are also the result of EID’s strong commitment to provide full customer satisfaction during all stages of the projects. (Source: naval-technology.com)
05 Jan 16. FMV awards RBS 97 SAM service life extension contract. Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab’s Support and Services business to extend the service life of the Swedish Air Defence Regiment’s entire inventory of RBS (RoBotSystem) 97 static semi-active radar seeking medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. RBS 97, designated locally as EldE97 (Fire Unit 97), is a development of the baseline Raytheon MIM-23 Homing All the Way Killer (HAWK) SAM system which currently corresponds to the Hawk Phase III system with an upgraded command, control and communications (C3) suite.
According to Saab, ‘the service life extension will implement new capabilities for the system, making it better able to counter current and future airborne threats. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/IHS Jane’s)
SEA
06 Jan 16. H2X and Cegelec to supply six multi-mission barges to French Navy. H2X and Cegelec Naval Defence and SouthEast have received a contract from the French Direction Générale d’Armement (DGA) to supply six chalands multi-mission (CMM) barges for the French Navy.
At the harbours or coast naval bases, CMM will be used in various missions, including underwater work, transportation equipment, pollution control and drivers training. The new ships, with hybrid drive, feature an electric propulsion system, which allows operations either by generators running on diesel (classic mode), or by rechargeable batteries docking or at sea (zero emissions). The CMM will have a maximum speed transit phase in classic mode, and a low-speed operation phase in zero emission mode. With a length of 24m and width of 8m to 53t displacement, the CMM will feature a aluminium composite hull and superstructure that will limit their weight. The ships, which can carry up to 36 naval personnel at speeds of 10k, will be constructed at the H2X shipyard in La Ciotat. Cegelec will be involved in the maintenance of the new ships. The deliveries are expected to be completed between 2019 and 2020. The deal will also provide an option to operate two additional units overseas, including the Caribbean and New Caledonia. (Source: naval-technology.com)
04 Jan 16. Intermarine selected to deliver Italian Navy high-speed multirole special forces vessels. Italian shipbuilder Intermarine has been selected by the Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver two high-speed multirole vessels for special forces support, a source close to the programme confirmed to IHS Jane’s. An agreement was signed on 22 December between the MoD’s directorate of naval procurement and Intermarine for the design, build, outfit, and delivery of