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18 Dec 23. DACA proposes Dawon for Indian Army’s tactical operational requirements. Indian defence vehicle manufacturer DACA War Trucks has proposed its Dawon 4×4 all-terrain vehicle to the Indian Army, the company’s co-founder Yash Srivastava told Janes in mid-December.
The Indian Army has initiated several vehicle procurement programmes, and DACA has offered Dawon for the service’s all-terrain vehicle procurement programmes, Srivastava said.
“Official user trials of Dawon have already been conducted along the Line of Control (LoC) in [the] Jammu and Kashmir region by the Indian Army, and trials are now being planned in [the] Ladakh region,” Srivastava added.
According to the company specifications, Dawon is a general-purpose utility (GPU) all-terrain vehicle. The vehicle features a 4,400 cc Caterpillar diesel engine pushing out 200 bhp and 800 Nm of torque, an Allison automatic transmission, and Dana’s differential unit.
The vehicle is equipped with four-bar link coil spring suspensions with an 18 inch vertical wheel travel, as well as disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and an anti-lock braking system (ABS), DACA said. (Source: Janes)
27 Dec 23. Littoral overhaul: Brazilian Marine Corps to buy MBTs and swimming ACVs. The Brazilian Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais: CFN) is implementing an ambitious effort to replace several of its older platforms, acquire new capabilities, update infrastructure and organisations, and simultaneously bolster the local Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB).
Marine Materiel Command (Comando do Material de Fuzileiros Navais: CMatFN) under General Command of the Marine Corps (CGCFN) is in charge of acquiring equipment as part of the Marine Corps Combat Power Strategic Program (PROADSUMUS). Equipment acquisition under PROADSUMUS is meant to bolster command-and-control (C2), mobility, survivability, and firepower capabilities for the marine air-ground task forces (Grupamento Operativo de Fuzileiros Navais) in the Fleet Marine Force (Força de Fuzileiros da Esquadra: FFE) by 2032, Commander of the CMatFN Vice Admiral Rogério Ramos Lage said in a recent interview. The marine corps comprises the CGCFN, the FFE, four marine regional units, and three riverine operations battalions. The task forces are composed of command, air combat, ground combat, and logistics elements, Vice Adm Lage told Janes in October. (Source: Janes)
19 Dec 23. GEARS of war: US Army picks 3 companies to advance autonomous resupply. The U.S. Army and the Defense Innovation Unit selected three companies to help create heavy-duty vehicles capable of independently navigating rugged terrain and restocking soldiers in the field.
Neya Systems, Robotic Research Autonomous Industries and Carnegie Robotics bested dozens of other contenders to conduct autonomy prototyping for the Ground Expeditionary Autonomous Retrofit System project, or GEARS.
The initial arrangements, announced earlier this month, are worth ms of dollars. Future phases will yield additional work and payouts.
“The name of the game of this program isn’t developing something new and novel,” Neya’s Kurt Bruck said in an interview. “The name of the game of this is to field autonomy.”
The Defense Department is pouring money into artificial intelligence, autonomy, computer vision and similar capabilities to augment future fighting. Robots and other advanced machinery can introduce additional firepower to the battlefield or explore areas considered too risky for human travel.
In this case, the Army and DIU are looking to existing commercial experts to embed autonomy aboard the Oshkosh-made Palletized Load System, a popular logistics and freight truck. Doing so will keep troops safe while also streamlining the flow of supplies, representatives from each company said.
“Convoys are one of the hottest targets of an enemy. If you can take out a convoy, you can do a major disruption of a resupply mission,” Bruck said. “Driving these vehicles is one of the most dangerous jobs in the DoD right now. If we can make them autonomous, we’ll get the soldiers out of harm’s way, but also we’re able to increase uptime. Soldiers have to sleep.”
The Russia-Ukraine war shows as much. Clogged vehicle columns and lumbering logistics lines were battered in the opening days of the conflict, now approaching its third year. They continue to be targeted.
The Army’s thinking on the matter is distilled into its contested logistics concept — an understanding that an opposing force, like Russia or China, will try to hamstring production and harass resupply with the intent of starving U.S. troops. The service earlier this year established a cross-functional team to tackle the issue.
“In the global war on terror, for the last 20 years, a combat logistics patrol could be a 15-vehicle, 20-vehicle convoy with security, and that is a large, slow, soft, moving target,” Phil Cotter, with Robotic Research, told Defense News.
“In the next fight, against an adversary that has long-range precision fires capability and advanced target identification and recognition capability, we’re going to have to fight in a more dispersed and distributed manner,” he added.
The agreements awarded to Robotic Research, Neya and Carnegie this month call for the delivery of four autonomous prototypes. They will be evaluated throughout fiscal 2024.
One contractor will eventually be picked to furnish a total 41 prototypes, according to the Army. Soldier feedback will inform the process, much like any other tech-development effort.
“We’re ready to go. They’ve given us a pretty tight timeline,” Carnegie’s Eric Soderberg said. “We have familiarity with, of course, all the sensors, and we’ve done similar automation projects. Really, it comes down to pulling those together to make this particular project work the way the Army wants it.”
Vehicles beyond the Palletized Load System are also being considered for conversion. The service did not specify make or model in its announcement, though.
“If you solve this problem well on a PLS truck,” Soderberg said, “you’re probably at a 95% solution for almost any other vehicle you could think of.” (Source: Defense News)
27 Dec 23. Big moves ahead on light tank, Bradley replacement and robot vehicles. The Army’s ground combat forces will see three new vehicles arrive in 2024. The service announced in mid-2023 it was naming the Mobile Protected Firepower Vehicle the M10 Booker, in honor of two brave soldiers who served in separate eras.
The Booker’s namesakes are both Staff Sgt. Devon A. Booker, a tanker who died while serving in the 2003 Iraq invasion, and Pvt. Robert D. Booker, an infantryman who died while serving in Tunisia in 1943 during World War II.
The light tank is “an armored vehicle that is intended to support our infantry brigade combat teams by suppressing and destroying fortifications, gun systems, entrenchments and, secondarily, then providing protection against enemy armored vehicles,” Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for ground combat systems, told Defense News.
The first vehicles were delivered to the Army in November to undergo testing for planned fielding to the force in 2024.
General Dynamic Land Systems is under contract to deliver 26 vehicles initially, but the Army can buy up to 70 more Bookers during the initial production phase, Defense News reported.
Industry competitors are building prototypes of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The XM30 is the Army’s replacement for the Bradley, a legacy platform that’s been in service since the early 1980s.
American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General Dynamics Land Systems were selected in 2023 out of five total bidders to continue with the program. They’re scheduled to deliver prototypes in late 2024.
Current plans call for the Army to select a winner by fiscal year 2027 and fielding to commence in fiscal year 2029.
A new light tank and fighting vehicle will help the ground forces add firepower and improve troop mobility. But to get after a host of new threats on a more complex future battlefield, the Army is also going after robotic vehicles to serve as “wingmen” for existing vehicle crews.
Robotic Combat Vehicle (Light), RCV(L), prototype during Soldier Experimentation at the National Training Center, NTC, Fort Irwin, CA from July to September 2023. (Savannah Baldwin/Army)
McQ, Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Defense were selected in September by the Army to build Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light prototypes by August 2024 for the Army to review, Defense News reported.
The RCV-L will serve as a scout or escort for manned vehicles.
The service plans to pick one of the four companies in FY25 to continue to the second phase. That phase will require the company to deliver nine prototypes to the Army by FY26 and field the robotic vehicle by FY28. (Source: Defense News)
19 Dec 23. On the evening of 19 December 2023 AM General uploaded the accompanying photo of the first JLTV A2 prototype to social media with the following description:-
“This is the first JLTV A2 prototype unveiled at the Association of the United States Army – AUSA ‘s Annual Meeting and Exposition back in October. The AM General JLTV A2’s evolution brings with it a large number of improvements including upgraded powertrain, electrical systems, noise reduction, and Improved corrosion protection over its predecessor.”
Background: In August 2015 Oshkosh Defence was selected for the initial eight year JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) production contract. In February 2022, in response to US Congress having earlier mandated a recompete to bring down costs, a Presolicitation Notice was issued for a five years plus five years option follow-on (JLTV A2) contract. Two companies, Oshkosh Defence and AM General, submitted bids. On 09 February 2023 AM General LLC was awarded a $230,874,512 contract for JLTV A2 production and at the time it was stated that deliveries were expected to begin 17 months after contract award; i.e. July 2024.
Externally, the JLTV A2 prototype displayed at AUSA 23 does not appear to be markedly different from the current in-service Oshkosh JLTV, with the one noticeable exception being the redesigned radiator grille panel, which has styling parallels with that on the AM General HMMWV or Humvee, and its surrounds. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
23 Dec 23. British Army’s Ajax vehicle rounds out positive year.
The Ajax Programme is making positive progress towards the delivery of a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles that meets the Army’s needs.
- Ajax vehicles have driven more than 20,000km in trials so far.
- Field Army units continue to train and experiment with Ajax vehicles.
- Cold Weather Trials scheduled for the New Year.
The Ajax Programme has turned a corner and is progressing towards the delivery of a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles that meets the Army’s needs, against a revised delivery schedule that sets realistic and achievable milestones.
The MOD continues to work closely with General Dynamics to deliver the 589 vehicles, of which there are six variants, all based upon a common base platform.
Reliability and Growth Trials (RGT) are well underway. AJAX, APOLLO, ATLAS and ARES variants have now driven more than 20,000 kilometres through different terrains, completing a variety of representative battlefield missions. RGT allows significantly more activity to be completed compared to regular unit training.
Since June, units of the Field Army have been training on the current Ajax variant (Capability Drop 1), focusing on individual and crew training. This training is enabling troops to learn how to operate the armoured vehicles and use the systems integrated into them. The training will also enable the crew to develop skills, experience and competence ahead of the delivery of the Capability Drop 3 vehicles, the upgraded fully deployable variant.
Capability Drop 3 vehicle production continues at Merthyr Tydfil with all production lines operating and all six variants in progress, with delivery to the Field army starting in 2024.
Senior Responsible Owner for the Armoured Cavalry Programme, Chris Bowbrick said:
I’m thrilled with the progress made across the programme over the last six months. We must maintain momentum to deliver this new generation of armoured fighting vehicles for the British Army.
The New Year starts with Ajax Live Crew Clearance Cold Climate Trials taking place in Sweden. This is the first time Ajax will be firing with Field Army Crews outside of the UK, a significant milestone for the programme. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
21 Dec 23. Rheinmetall builds first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle for Hungary in Hungary. Rheinmetall continues to expand Europe’s armoured vehicle production capacity. Following the opening of the Group’s production, development and test facility for armoured fighting vehicles in Zalaegerszeg, the first Lynx infantry fighting vehicle to be built in-country in Hungary has now rolled off the assembly line. It is currently undergoing commissioning.
In mid 2024, following comprehensive function, performance and quality inspections in Zalaegerszeg, the first Hungarian-built Lynx will be transferred to the Hungarian armed forces.
“Rheinmetall is steadily expanding its production capacity in Europe in order to meet growing demand from our customers and to support European security”, states Rheinmetall executive board chairman Armin Papperger. “Opened in August of this year, our new plant in Hungary is the most advanced production and testing facilities for armoured vehicles anywhere in the world,” notes Papperger, going on to point out that it will further strengthen the Group’s global production network.
“We’re proud of our team in Zalaegerszeg and of our colleagues in Germany, who reached this milestone in record time”, declares Paul Walf, managing director of Rheinmetall Hungary.
The Hungarian ministry of defence awarded Rheinmetall a contract in September 2020 worth over €2 bn to supply Hungary with Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and related products and services. In the first production phase, Hungary is taking delivery of 46 Lynx IFVs made in Germany. The first vehicle was already transferred to the Hungarian military in October 2022. Starting at the end of 2023, the remaining vehicles will be produced in Hungary by Rheinmetall Hungary Zrt., a joint venture company co-owned by Rheinmetall (51%) and the Hungarian state (49%).
Opened in August 2023, Rheinmetall’s ultramodern facility in Zalaegerszeg will enable the development and production of state-of-the-art wheeled and tracked armoured fighting vehicles for the Hungarian armed forces. These include the Lynx KF41 family as well as the Evo version of the Panther KF51 main battle tank.
The contract originally envisaged seven variants of the Lynx KF41 for the Hungarian military: the standard infantry fighting vehicle; a command post vehicle; a reconnaissance vehicle; a forward artillery observer vehicle; a mortar track; a field ambulance; and a driver education vehicle. As a further variant, Rheinmetall will develop a Lynx mobile air defence vehicle with a Skyranger 30 turret. The contract for the conceptual development of this variant was signed in December 2023. (Source: ASD Network)
21 Dec 23. Defenture Signs Contract With Armasuisse for Delivery of GRF. Armasuisse, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement in Switzerland, signed a contract with Defenture for the delivery of the GRF (Groundforce) for the LAUF20 program. The signed contract is a follow-up of the initial prototype delivery from 2021. The LAUF20 programs foresees in equipping the Swiss Army with state-of-the-art mobility capabilities with the light tactical and air transportable GRF.
The LAUF 20 program foresees in the delivery of a batch of a user centric configurated Defenture GRF. The baseline GRF will be equipped with a wide range of sub-systems, e.g. weapon system, communication suite, various (optical) systems, and a mast solution. Defenture as GRF OEM (original equipment manufacturer) will also act as system integrator for the delivery of the complete system. For the delivery of the systems, close collaboration with internationally well-known OEM’s is in place, among others General Dynamics and Comrod. Apart from sub-system integrations, the vehicles will also be delivered in a specific bodywork variant.
Henk van der Scheer, CEO Defenture: ‘’For Defenture it is a great complement that a high-quality focus organization as armasuisse selects Defenture as one stop shop mobility supplier. After a thorough test and verification period with a full prototype system, we look forward to the further cooperation with armasuisse. Armasuisse joins the ever-growing international user base of Defenture platforms, confirming the international requirements for battlefield proven and truly MOTS systems, dedicated developed for those who serve to protect us and our societies.
Defenture places high demands on mobility, safety, payload, modular design and also focuses on the lowest possible lifecycle costs. These requirements are combined and integrated at every stage of the design of our vehicles. Defenture vehicles are built from the ground up to be mission-winning assets. A strong lightweight design, impressive construction techniques and dynamic driving characteristics create improved mobility for troops and specialists.
Defenture as a Netherlands based OEM of light tactical and air transportable vehicles, in a range from one up to nine tons, is already proud mobility partners of various special forces and para units, among others, the Dutch and German Ministry of Defence. (Source: ASD Network)
20 Dec 23. Silent Arrow to Develop a Long-Range Powered Cargo Drone for AFWERX. Silent Arrow announced it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR contract focused on the Silent Arrow CLS-300 (“Contested Logistics System, 300 Nautical Miles”) to address one of the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The CLS-300 is based on the commercially successful Silent Arrow GD-2000, the world’s first heavy payload, autonomous and attritable cargo delivery aircraft designed to carry 1,500 lbs. of cargo over 35 nautical miles when deployed from cargo aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin C-130, Boeing C-17 and Airbus A400M. Whereas the GD-2000 is a glider, the new CLS-300 can travel nearly 10 times as far by utilizing an innovative propulsion unit and propeller system that are inexpensive enough to allow the entire cargo drone to be attritable. In addition to being air droppable, it will also be capable of taking off from the ground including from unimproved surfaces, naval vessels and other launch points.
“We’d like to thank the U.S. Air Force, AFWERX, AFRL and our Air Force Customer and End-User organizations for their confidence in awarding this disruptive program,” said Chip Yates, Silent Arrow’s Founder and CEO. “We are looking forward to a compressed schedule with propulsion tests in the first half of 2024 followed by flight tests in the second half of 2024 so that we may rapidly deliver this critical capability to warfighters operating in harm’s way as well as to humanitarian and disaster relief organizations serving those in need.” (Source: UAS VISION)
19 Dec 23. Systecon Secures Game-Changing Contract with Australia’s Department of Defence. Systecon, a global leader in providing cutting-edge solutions for optimizing system performance and cost-effectiveness, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) at the Department of Defence Australia. This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering excellence and innovation in defense and logistics optimization. It comes with a primary goal of providing governance and assurance to upskill CASG employees while also delivering modeling work for CASG projects.
Andrew Perkins, Country Manager at Systecon Australia: “Systecon’s collaboration with CASG places us in a unique position within the defense industry. As a trusted partner of CASG, we will work closely with high-level management, combining our expertise in cost-effective solutions and data-driven optimization to enhance the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force. This partnership sets the stage for an exciting journey in which we will be instrumental in shaping the future of defense logistics and acquisition”.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Unprecedented Efficiency: Our collaboration with CASG is aimed at streamlining defense acquisition and sustainment processes. By leveraging our advanced analytics and simulation tools, we will optimize logistics systems, enabling the Australian DoD to make informed decisions leading to significant cost savings while maintaining and enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Systecon brings to the table state-of-the-art technology, including the renowned Opus Suite. This powerful software suite will empower CASG with the tools to model, analyze, and simulate complex defense systems, ensuring they are both cost-efficient and performance-optimized.
- Holistic Solutions: Systecon’s approach encompasses the entire system lifecycle, from concept and design to sustainment and disposal. We will collaborate closely with CASG to ensure that defense capabilities remain at the forefront of technological innovation while achieving long-term cost savings.
- Governance and Skill Enhancement: One of the primary objectives of this partnership is to provide governance and assurance in upskilling CASG employees. We will work in tandem with CASG personnel, transferring knowledge and expertise to enhance their capabilities in defense logistics and acquisition.
- Modeling Work for CASG Projects: In addition to upskilling CASG employees, Systecon will play an important role in delivering modeling work for CASG projects. Our modeling expertise will assist CASG in making informed decisions, ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and cost-effectively.
- High-Level Management Involvement: This partnership offers an exceptional opportunity to inform and engage high-level management within CASG and the Department of Defence Australia. Our team of experts will work directly with decision-makers, providing insights, recommendations, and data-driven solutions to enhance the efficiency of defense acquisitions and sustainment programs.
Summary
Systecon’s collaboration with CASG at the Department of Defence Australia is a crucial moment in the world of defense logistics and acquisition. Together, we are charting a course toward more efficient, cost-effective, and high-performance defense systems. We look forward to working hand in hand with high-level management and CASG employees to create a brighter, more secure future for Australia’s defense capabilities.
For more information on this partnership and to stay updated on the latest developments, please visit our website, or contact us directly.
About Systecon
For over 50 years Systecon has developed methods and software that allow organizations across the globe in different industries, from defense to renewables to transport, to make informed, smarter decisions in life cycle management. We have the methodology, tools, and experience to understand and analyze the factors that affect the performance and costs of technical systems – e.g., aircraft, trains, or wind turbines – and to optimize operations, system design, and maintenance solutions based on our customers’ conditions and objectives. Today Systecon is a thought leader in analytical LCM and some of the world’s most complex technology projects rely on our tools and expertise. (Source: PR Newswire)
19 Dec 23. Patria to deliver more Tracked Bridge Layer Vehicles to the Finnish Defence Forces. Patria and the Logistics Command of the Finnish Defence Forces have signed an agreement on delivery of new Leopard 2L Tracked Bridge Laying Vehicles. The Finnish Defence Forces procures six new bridge layers that can transport, launch, and retrieve LEGUAN bridges of different lengths. The bridge layers will be built by Patria on the Finnish Defence Forces’ Leopard 2A4 main battle tank chassis. The complete value of the procurement without value added tax is approximately 23,6 m euros and its employment impact in Finland is approximately 70 person-years of work.
“The agreement further strengthens Patria’s position in the Finnish defence industry as the leading supplier of system integrations and engineer corps’ heavy equipment to the Finnish Defence Forces,” comments Jussi Järvinen, Patria’s Executive Vice President for Finland Division.
The agreement covers already the third delivery batch of Leopard 2L bridge layers from Patria. The previous delivery projects were conducted in 2005–2008 and 2018–2022. Deliveries of the new bridge layers are scheduled for 2026–2028.
20 Dec 23. Czech Republic wants to piggyback on German Leopard 2A8 tank buy. Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová has announced her country is advancing negotiations with Germany to carry out a joint acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks, and is also nearing the completion of talks to buy C-390 Millenium transport aircraft and F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
Teaming up with Berlin to purchase new tanks is expected to ensure “better conditions from the manufacturer, especially in terms of the price, delivery time,” the minister told local news site CZDefence.cz in an interview.
“The negotiations are ongoing at the moment, and we anticipate that there should be clarity over the course of the next year,” Černochová said.
In 2022, the Czech Republic donated its Soviet-designed T-72 tanks to Ukraine to support the country’s combat against Russia’s ongoing invasion. Under its so-called “Ringtausch” program, Berlin transferred a batch of Leopard 2A4s to Prague to allow the Czech military to maintain its combat capabilities.
Last July, the Czech Ministry said in a statement that Prague is considering to buy “up to 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks.”
Discussing her nation’s military acquisition priorities for next year, Černochová said the ministry plans to sign a deal to buy two C-390 Millenium aircraft from Embraer in 2024 after talks were kicked off earlier this year.
In addition, a contract for the purchase of 24 F-35s for the Czech Air Force is to be concluded “in a matter of weeks,” according to the minister. (Source: Defense News)
19 Dec 23. Rheinmetall wins follow-up order from Vienna: Austrian Army procuring more trucks – potential additional sales of over €300m. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) has just scored another significant sales success in Austria, winning a request for tenders for a further lot of logistic vehicles for the Austrian Army. A corresponding enlargement of the existing framework agreement with Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BGG) of Vienna, the Austrian procurement organization, envisages delivery of up to 300 trucks, primarily from the HX family of vehicles. The expanded contract for the newly won lot runs for 48 months and offers the possibility of flexible call-offs of vehicles with an aggregate value of over €300m.
In spring 2023, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles won all six military lots in a request for tenders for a total of 23 lots of trucks. The resulting framework contract runs for seven years and envisages delivery of up to 1,375 vehicles from RMMV’s HX, TGS and TGM series. Order volume could be as high as €525 m. For Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, the award of an additional lot brings the framework contract volume to over €825m.
The expansion of the framework agreement concluded just last spring forms part of a comprehensive modernization of the Austrian Army, whose “Build-up Plan 2023” calls for substantial investment in the country’s military capabilities. Improving the mobility of forces in the field is a key element of the plan, reflected in the now well-endowed BBG framework agreement.
Austrian defence minister Klaudia Tanner recently visited the RMMV plant in Vienna’s Liesing district, where she praised the work of the Viennese staff: “I’m impressed by the professionalism of the work being done here. And I’m very glad that the Austrian armed forces have such a reliable partner as RMMV at their side.”
“The expansion of the framework agreement with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH is another strong sign that the Austrian Army is modernizing, but this applies all the more so to the Austrian economy”, declares Michael Wittlinger, managing director of RMMV. We’re proud not only of our Vienna plant’s contribution to Austrian value added, but also of being able to enhance the resilience, autarky and sustainment of the Austrian Army.”
The Austrian Army has been a very good customer of RMMV for many years, with vehicles from the company’s TGM, TGS und HX lines successfully in service. Under the new framework agreement, the first half of 2023 witnessed an order of 850 TGM trucks with a double cabin and swap body build-on system as well 15 HX81 armoured recovery vehicles, including an 8-axle trailer. Furthermore, HX trucks with a three-sided tipper build-on and rear crane are slated for delivery in the next few years, as are TGS 8×8 vehicles with a Palfinger hook system. At the end of 2021, moreover, the Austrian Army placed an order with RMMV for exchangeable integrated armoured cabins. These can be mounted on existing HX vehicles in very short order in line with operational requirements.
RMMV is a joint venture company in which Rheinmetall AG holds a 51% stake, with the remaining 49% held by MAN Truck & Bus SE.
18 Dec 23. Bumar Łabędy Renovates Tanks and Armored Vehicles for Poland, Ukraine. Summary of Activities in 2023. The past year was a very intense and busy time for Zakłady Mechaniczne “BUMAR-ŁABĘDY” SA. The company successively delivered modernized and renovated vehicles as part of ongoing contracts and executive agreements. The Polish user received 14 Leopard tanks modernized to the 2PL version, and four more are being prepared for acceptance, which should take place later this year. Increasing the number of modernized tanks compared to previous years was possible thanks to the optimization of the entire work process performed at individual stages of modernization.
The company also transferred 29 T-72 tanks to the army after renovation and modification; two more vehicles are undergoing field tests and will be ready for acceptance later this year.
The plant also carries out major and maintenance overhauls of PT-91 tanks on an ongoing basis. Projects related to the renovation of technical security vehicles (CTM) are also continued.
The implementation of all the above activities resulted in the Company ending with a profit for another year in a row. We still have to complete several tasks that will affect the final financial result of our company, however, the forecast indicates that it will be around PLN 50 m.
As part of activities supporting Ukraine, this year the company established a service hub for armored equipment used by the Ukrainian army. Due to the seriousness of the situation, the work related to this appointment was completed in a record time – less than two months. The company dealt with the equipment in a comprehensive manner, starting with verifying the damage and assessing the actual condition of each of several vehicles. The first tanks were efficiently restored to full combat readiness and returned to the front. Work on further vehicles is ongoing.
The plant’s experience in both production and inspection, renovation, retrofitting and modernization of armored equipment is a key help in maintaining the defense capabilities of Ukraine’s troops. In the coming years, the company will gain new competences in the area of artillery equipment, thanks to the ongoing investment project related to the construction of a new technological line for the production of Krab gun howitzers. The plant received PLN 850 m from the State Treasury for this investment, and its completion is scheduled for the end of 2027.
The launch of a new production line planned in Gliwice will allow for a sharp increase in the number of self-propelled howitzers produced. It is also an example of optimization of potential and production capabilities within the Capital Group. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Bumar Łabędy Mechanical Construction; issued Dec. 15, 2023)
18 Dec 23. Strykers from Fort Cavazos will deploy to South Korea in 2024. A Stryker-outfitted cavalry regiment from Fort Cavazos, Texas, will deploy to South Korea in the early months of 2024, according to an Army release. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, part of the 1st Cavalry Division, is slated for a “winter deployment” to replace the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team on the peninsula. The “Brave Rifles,” as the regiment is known, will likely spend nine months in South Korea as part of their routine rotation, barring unforeseen events.
The cavalry regiment last deployed in 2018-19 to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve and the war against ISIS. Around 60 of its troopers earned combat badges there, mostly from enemy indirect fire and improvised explosive devices.
The outgoing brigade, headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado, was the second Stryker-organized unit to rotate to the peninsula since the service stopped sending armor brigades there. Leaders made the decision in summer 2022 largely because of the sharply increased demand for U.S. tank units in Europe in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine early that year. The higher need for armor units threatened significant strain on an already stretched-thin tank force — a problem slightly eased (but not resolved) by sending Strykers to the Korean peninsula.
Army will no longer rotate tank units to Korea — but the tanks are staying
The move comes after a sudden jump in overseas duty for the service’s armored units after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The service now maintains a brigade’s worth of M1 Abrams tanks on the peninsula as a prepositioned stock, so a brigade can rapidly deploy from the U.S. and fall in on them should a conflict begin. (Source: Army Times)
18 Dec 23. US Army’s Common Tactical Truck programme to test electric drive. Mack Defense will work with BAE Systems to deliver an electric drive system for the Common Tactical Truck (CTT) prototypes. US-based Mack Defense is teaming with BAE Systems to deliver “alternative propulsion solution” – effectively an electric drive system – for the CTT prototype vehicles to the US Army for testing.
The move is intended to reduce fuel demand among US Army vehicles, with the US Army instructing industry to “provide solutions to maximise operational efficiency” of the CTT in areas such as fuel demand reduction, ahead of the determination of the programme’s final requirements, stated David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense in a 12 December release.
To this end, BAE Systems supplied its Gen3 propulsion and accessories power management systems to Mack Defense for integration on the CTT truck variants. The Gen3 includes an electric motor/generator and power electronics to create an alternative power method for military vehicles.
BAE Systems has fielded similar systems to other Volvo Group companies, and Mack Defense has been able to leverage this experience and apply it to the CTT programme, the company stated.
The prototypes will be tested to determine the final requirements for the next generation of trucks to begin modernisation and replacement of the US Army’s fleet of approximately 35,000 heavy tactical trucks, which perform a wide range of combat logistics, support, and service support missions.
Mack Defense received a prototype contract for the first phase in the US Army’s CTT programme in January 2023, along with a Rheinmetall-GM Defense team, Oshkosh Defense, and Navistar Defense, who will all compete for the selection of the service’s next logistics truck. The final decision is expected by fiscal year 2026. (Source: army-technology.com)
18 Dec 23. Representatives of the Department of Defense Were Working on the Details of the CV90 in Sweden. The Army will Take Delivery of the First Vehicles in 2026. On December 12-13, the first meeting of the joint steering committee of the CV90 project took place. It is supposed to meet twice a year, and is part of the tripartite contract for the CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles, which was signed on May 24 this year. The task of the committee is to control the fulfillment of project milestones and includes the project teams of the client, i.e. the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic and the manufacturer, BAE Systems Hägglunds.
Originally founded as a furniture manufacturer in the 19th century, BAE Systems Hägglunds is headquartered in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. However, the factory soon began to produce means of transport and after the Second World War it received the first orders from the army for armored and special vehicles, which it constructed according to the chassis of one of the Czechoslovak tanks.
“We have more than 60 years of experience in the production of combat vehicles and are constantly improving our products to meet the demands of our growing number of customers,” says BAE Systems Hägglund President Tommy Gustaffson-Rask. He described the proceedings of the steering committee as very constructive and declared that the company is ready to supply the Army of the Czech Republic with the best infantry fighting vehicles.
The contract for the new IFV was signed several years late, so the Army of the Czech Republic will receive the vehicles later than planned. The first should arrive in 2026, so the schedule is quite tight from the start. All contracting parties, i.e. the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, the Swedish government represented by the FMV agency and BAE Systems Hägglunds are well aware of this.
“The meeting of the joint steering committee provides an opportunity to discuss at the highest level the challenges we face in the project to acquire infantry fighting vehicles,” explains Deputy Senior Director of the Armaments and Acquisitions Section of the Ministry of Defense Filip Gantner, who is the committee’s chairman. “Thanks to this, we can avoid some problems with the Swedish supplier and at the same time share information important for the smooth running of the project.”
The committee has seven members and at the first meeting it dealt with, for example, the planned tests and certification of vehicles, the delivery plan, industrial cooperation or the creation of individual project teams, which are focused on various areas from acquisitions to design to industrial cooperation. In addition to debating the details of the project, its milestones and risks, committee members had the opportunity to visit a factory for the production of combat vehicles and test them in winter conditions. There was also a demonstration of the CV90 vehicle, which the Ministry of Defense is acquiring.
General Milčický: Such negotiations are very important
“The construction of a heavy brigade task force is a critical capability for the Czech Army. Achieving it has eluded us for a long time, but now we know that we will park the first ten CV90 vehicles at the Přáslavice garrison in 2026,” says Brigadier General Petr Milčický, committee member and director of the MoD force development section. “Underestimating the control of the manufacturing process on our part, as the future user, could lead to deficiencies in the final quality of the complex capability of the CV90 weapon system or further time lag. We don’t want to accept any of the risks, which is why similar actions are very important.”
“Integrated logistics support for the CV90 is not everything, but without it the vehicle would be nothing. The meeting confirmed to us that the integrated logistics support is well planned on both sides in order to meet the user’s requirements for the operational readiness of the vehicle,” says committee member and director of the Ministry of Defense’s logistics section, Major General Robert Bieleny.
Even before signing the tripartite contract, the Swedish company BAE was obliged to sign contracts with five main Czech subcontractors, as industrial cooperation is one of the key aspects of the entire project. Not only because of the support of the defense industry and the benefit to the Czech economy, but also because of the security of supplies. The army must ensure that it will be able to use combat vehicles at any time, especially in times of crisis, and this will not be possible without the ability of the domestic industry to repair them.
“The infantry fighting vehicle is another of a number of armament projects where we strive for maximum involvement of industry in the development, production and ensuring the life cycle of the acquired equipment,” describes Ondřej Vodička from the MoD’s industrial cooperation section. “The negotiations in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, focused on the schedule for concluding further contracts with Czech industry and the control mechanism of the industrial cooperation program. Supporting the domestic defense industry is among the strategic security interests of the state.”
The next meeting of the committee will take place in the middle of the year in the Czech Republic. The agenda will be quite extensive, and it is already clear that it will follow on from the committee’s meeting in Sweden. The use of time is absolutely key, because within less than three years the first pieces of CV90 must be produced, production transferred to the Czech Republic, all tests including ballistics and the development of some platforms required by the Czech Army, but which have not yet been produced.
“This is really a complex project and every mistake will be multiplied in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously evaluate every aspect in order to minimize the risks,” adds committee member and First Deputy Minister of Defense František Šulc. “What’s more, this project, thanks to the coordination with Slovakia, which purchased the same combat vehicles, has an international dimension. So close cooperation in finding synergies with the manufacturer is essential.” (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Czech Republic Ministry of Defence; issued Dec 14, 2023)
18 Dec 23. The Finnish Defense Forces Acquires Industrial Cooperation Capability-Building Services for the F-35 Project from Patria Aviation Oy. mDefense Minister Antti Häkkänen has authorized the Finnish Defense Forces to conclude a service contract for the development of capabilities for the F-35 project with Patria Aviation Oy. The Finance Committee of the Government supported the procurement proposal on 14 December 2023.
The service contract concerns the development of the industrial cooperation capabilities of the Air Force F-35 project. The object of the procurement is the services of building industrial cooperation capabilities related to the F-35 project from Patria Aviation Oy. The services include one-off work related to building the industrial cooperation capabilities of the F-35 system, as well as machines, equipment, tools and information systems required for production. In addition, the purchase covers the support needed to reach full production speed.
The estimated total value of the contract excluding value added tax for the years 2023–2026 is a maximum of EUR 90m. The share of value added tax (24%) is 21.6m euros, in which case the total price estimate of the contract is a maximum of 111.6m euros.
The set of services is acquired in three stages. The authorization given now concerns the first phase of the procurement of the service contract, i.e. the years 2023–2026, and according to the total price estimate presented above, it is a maximum of 90 m euros. The schedule, costs and pricing of the second and third phase procurements will be specified during the implementation of the first phase.
The direct employment effect of the service agreement for Patria Aviation Oy in the years 2023–2031 is 600 person-years. The employment effects of the acquisition are long-lasting, continuing into the 2040s. The supplier is a domestic company, so all the work is done in Finland.
With the services being acquired now, domestic F-35 system maintenance and service capability will be built and maintained, which will have a critical impact on the military security of the weapon system, which is central to Finland’s defense. The procured services ensure the domestic management of expertise and technology, which is important for the reliability of maintenance of the F-35 system, both under normal and exceptional conditions. Maintenance reliability promotes the F35’s ability to operate independently in all conditions.
The F-35 project construction capability service agreement is related to the industrial cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Defense and Lockheed Martin and the Ministry of Defense and Pratt & Whitney, according to which the aforementioned companies must fulfill the industrial cooperation obligation within ten years of signing the industrial cooperation agreement.
The main focus of the industrial cooperation of the F-35 project is direct industrial cooperation, which creates significant independent F-35 maintenance capabilities in Finland. The industrial cooperation of the project creates significant know-how in the domestic industry from the point of view of security of supply and is significant for the national economy.
“The services being procured now make it possible for Finland to build a strong service and maintenance capability for the F-35 system. This is central to the military security of the F-35 system. In addition, these services acquired from Patria and the resulting infrastructure and know-how will create an F-35 competence center in Finland, which will strengthen Finland’s position in the F-35 user community,” says the Deputy Director of the Logistics Department of the Defense Forces, Engineer Brigadier General Juha-Matti Ylitalo.
The share of the domestic industry in building the capabilities of the F-35 project is essential in order to meet the requirements of industrial cooperation and security of supply required in the HX fighter project. Security of supply and industrial cooperation were one of the decision areas of the HX project, and the value of industrial cooperation was required in the HX project to be at least 30% of the purchase price. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Finnish Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 15, 2023)
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