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28 Sep 23. Warrant Officers from across Defence meet for annual conference. Hosted by Strategic Command, the UK Warrant Officer Conference provided an opportunity for discussions on the most pressing topics within Defence. General Jim Hockenhull, Commander Strategic Command opened the event, setting the scene and the context for the remainder of the day with the conference focussing on both the challenges faced now for our people, the next steps, and what we see as our future operating capability, putting people at the heart of all we do. With briefings from Senior Leaders, including Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Gwyn Jenkins and Chief of Defence People, Admiral Phil Hally, the aim was to increase understanding and awareness of strategic issues amongst our Senior Enlisted Leader roles and to improve organisational culture and the value of our personnel.
We had the privilege to have Command Sergeant Major Abernethy (EUCOM CSEL) as a keynote speaker, providing the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) view of the war in Ukraine and how we identify and learn lessons from it for the continued professional development of our own Force.
Enlisted personnel are the lifeblood of any Defence organisation regardless of Nation. And where strategic judgment and thinking may have been the realm of the Officer in years past, it is no longer the case. From traditional fighting infantry, medical specialists, special forces, cyber experts, intelligence analysts – arguably these and other deep specialisations are required for the future battlefield, be it traditional or hybrid, are fundamentally tied to our NCO cadre with a necessity of empowered and strategic mindset. The role of the NCO in Ukraine, illustrates that we have never and should never, remain static.
Understanding the strategic context and engaging with our Senior Leaders remains a key part of our Warrant Officers role, in order to enable greater communication and understanding across the Force, for the betterment of our Service Personnel.
As Senior Enlisted Leaders, our role is about people. Placing our people first, now, next and in the future, just makes sense. Ultimately the day covered our direct responsibility in continued empowerment and investment into the intelligent, curious, skilled and strategically aware workforce of the future.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
12 Sep 23. Army HQ And DE&S Announce DVD2024. With a legacy spanning more than two-decades, biennial Defence industry exhibition, DVD, is THE EVENT for Defence industry, DE&S Delivery Teams, Army HQ and Defence community users of Land Equipment. Staged at UTAC Millbrook since 2003, DVD is a two-day event, jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment) and Army Headquarters – the MOD teams responsible for equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces for current and future operations.
The exhibition provides an effective and efficient forum for all those involved in the Land Equipment sector, to develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements. Deliberately scheduled in the years between the biennial DSEI show, DVD remains an essential event in the Defence diary, enabling coordinated engagement through informal discussion, briefings, demonstrations and live displays. Stakeholders from across the MOD are invited to attend, to broaden perspectives and encourage innovation.
DVD2024 will showcase the development and delivery of world class capabilities across the spectrum of Land Equipment, reflecting current procurement and upgrade programmes and future capability requirements.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of equipment on display, from both industry and the military, including everything from specialist vehicles to the equipment and services necessary to support land-based military operations.
Major General Darren Crook, Director Land Equipment, DE&S explains: “As advancements in science, technology, and digitisation continue to influence the British Army’s major equipment programmes, I’m excited to join industry peers to discuss ‘what’s next’ in land operations and capabilities at DVD2024.
“The relationships we have with our stakeholders are fundamental to our ability to make a positive impact to programme delivery. DVD2024 offers a valuable opportunity to enhance our shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities currently faced in the Land Equipment industry, and continue building future engagement and collaboration.”
Exhibiting at DVD 2024
Industry exhibitors are encouraged to share their experience and innovative ideas. They can do this through demonstration of equipment and/or services, engagement with MOD staff and contributing to workshops. By doing so we can mutually develop solutions to meet existing and future Land capability requirements.
Applications to exhibit at DVD2024 are now being taken.
There are two distinct areas where applicants will be able to exhibit their products or services:
- Indoor shell scheme or space only stand within a carpeted venue
- Outdoor exhibition space where you will be able display both your larger static displays and static or demonstration vehicles
For further information and to register your interest as an exhibitor visit www.theevent.co.uk
20 Sep 23. A strong defence industry is needed to ensure South Africa’s national sovereignty – Makwetla. Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thabang Makwetla maintains that South Africa’s national sovereignty is at risk without a robust defence sector, as a strong defence force is needed to defy any threat facing the country.
Makwetla gave the opening address at the Defence Demo Day 2023 held on 20 September at the Gerotek vehicle testing facility east of Pretoria. Defence attaches, members of industry and representatives from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) attended the demonstration day, which precedes the annual Sovereign Security Conference, this year being held on 21 September by Creative Space Media.
The deputy minister said South Africa’s defence industry underpins its sovereignty and pointed out that the previous government had to develop and sustain its own combat capabilities, with the private sector accepting the challenge. South Africa one was one of a few countries to establish a defence industry that could meet almost all military needs, something the industry needs to try and emulate today by working hand in glove with the South African National Defence Force.
South Africa is facing high levels of crime as well as unemployment and poverty but there is no money flowing from National Treasury in a meaningful way to the security cluster, Makwetla said. “But week in and week out the situation we find ourselves in is where the challenges to our defence force and police are reaching a crisis point. The security cluster is saddled with these issues on a weekly basis.”
Makwetla said South Africa sits on many important technologies that were developed by Armscor and Denel for the defence force, and the industry needs to claw back some of the technologies South Africa developed. He said it was concerning that some asset stripping had taken place and some of the South African defence industry had been disposed of or sold off.
Makwetla said the gathering of the industry at Gerotek is an important moment for government and captains of industry to exchange views about what can be done to grow the defence industry.
Isaac Motale, Business Development Executive at Reutech Solutions, said the defence industry is able, capable and willing to respond to the requirements of the South African National Defence Force, and the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association has been engaging with the industry on dual use technologies and providing equipment to the South African Police Service.
The industry was out in force to showcase its many competitive products, with the Demo Day being dominated by armoured vehicles (shooting demonstrations and a demonstration by sniffer dogs were unfortunately cancelled). The display area at Gerotek was brimming with armoured personnel carriers (APCs), but also included military recovery vehicles from Miller Africa, one of which was towing a Ratel 90. OTT brought its Ratel SLEP (Service Life Extension Programme) infantry combat vehicle as well as its LM13 armoured personnel carrier and a Nyala riot control vehicle – the Ratel and LM13 were demonstrated on the mobility tracks, along with ICP’s Reva, Twiga’s Nyati, SVI’s six-wheeled Max 3 and armoured Mercedes V class and Toyota Land Cruiser.
In addition to its 4×4 armoured personnel carrier, Milkor showcased its 40 mm grenade launchers. Global Command and Control Technologies (GC2T) used a DCD Springbuck APC to showcase its command and control and navigation systems, which included a roof-mounted day/night camera for inputting data into its command and control system, and the ChakaNav vehicle navigation system.
Also using a vehicle to display its products, Hensoldt Optronics featured a mast-mounted surveillance gimbal fitted to a Toyota Land Cruiser. Other exhibitors included Armscor, Gerotek, Atlas Aviation/Atlas Oil, and Bullet Proofing Technology. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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DSEI 2025 – POWERING PROGRESS, DEFINING YOUR FUTURE
DSEI connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the entire defence & security supply chain on a global scale. With a range of valuable opportunities for networking, a platform for business, access to relevant content & live-action demonstrations, the DSEI community can strengthen relationships, share knowledge and engage in the latest capabilities across the exhibition’s Aerospace, Land, Naval, Security & Joint Zones.
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