Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
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23 Aug 24. Call for more M10 Booker vehicles in US Army LRIP deal.
The tracked vehicle supports frontline troops and suppresses or destroys entrenched hostiles and enemy fortifications.
The US Army has placed another order for more M10 Booker combat vehicles with the prime contractor and original equipment manufacturer, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), as part of the low-rate initial production phase.
Booker’s unique design is intended to offer the Army’s Infantry Brigade Combat Teams with protected mobile fires.
The tracked vehicle – which lies somewhere between a tank and an infantry fighting vehicle – is capable of supporting troops and suppressing or destroying entrenched hostiles and enemy fortifications.
Valued at $323m, the latest contract will produce additional M10 LRIP units, though the company has not disclosed the exact number. Nevertheless, it follows a string of previous orders for more vehicles: including a deal for 26 more units in July 2023, which marked the second phase of LRIP production.
Originally, the LRIP phase began with an order for 96 vehicles in GDLS’ first M10 contract with the US government agreed in June last year.
Initial operational testing and evaluation are planned for the end of FY 2024. The first unit equipped is scheduled for Q4 2025, consisting of a battalion of 42 M10s.
Each LRIP system is expected to cost approximately $12.8m. Full-rate production M10 systems are expected to cost less than LRIP variants and may include modifications based on operational testing and evaluation results.
Too early to tell what FOC units will look like
The call to increase LRIP units suggests that GDLS is still in the process of ironing out the platform before full-rate production.
It is too early to tell what inevitable changes will be made in the eventual standard platform configuration when the Army reaches full operational capability (FOC) between 2030-2035.
Even so, the M10 production process so far has proven successful as one of the few examples of timely industrial output in an age of intense military demand around the world.
Other programmes have faced enduring delays and considerable cost overruns, such as the British Ajax armoured vehicle or the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s Block IV modernisation. (Source: army-technology.com)
23 Aug 24. Hanwha Aerospace announced today that it has completed the construction of the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) in Geelong, Australia. This marks the first overseas production base established by a Korean defense company.
“This facility represents Hanwha’s commitment to Geelong, Victoria, and Australia, demonstrating that the company is focused on the future of programs in this region, including howitzers, vehicles and other technological advancements beyond our current initiatives,” said Jae-il Son, CEO and President of Hanwha Aerospace. “H- ACE is a significant part of our global defense supply chain, further strengthening the relationship between Australia and Korea. We will continue to collaborate with Australian companies and work towards integrating more of them into our global supply networks.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence The Hon Richard Marles MP, South Korea’s DAPA Minister Jong-gun Seok, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, and Head of Land Capability Major General Richard Vagg participated in the formal opening ceremony of H-ACE, along with other dignitaries from around the world. This facility is expected to strengthen the relationship between Australia and South Korea, bringing high-technology vehicle manufacturing back to the Geelong region.
H-ACE is set to initiate the production of the AS9 Self-Propelled Howitzer and the AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle. The goal is to supply 30 and 15 units of each, respectively, to the Australian Army. Moreover, the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which has secured a supply contract for 129 units, will be manufactured at H-ACE, following the successful delivery of prototype products after 2026.
Hanwha Aerospace is accelerating its entry into the AUKUS markets through the completion of the Australian factory. As demand for defense products increases in the Indo-Pacific region due to geopolitical crises, efforts are being made to utilize H-ACE as a production base not only for Australia but also for major allied countries.
The H-ACE facility, built on a site of approximately 150,000 square meters, includes a total of 11 facilities including the main building, production building, assembly plant, driving test site, and shooting range. Located an hour’s drive from Melbourne and 10 minutes from Avalon Airport, the area’s accessibility provides logistical and hiring advantages.
20 Aug 24. Sweden receives first Sisu GTP 4×4 offroad vehicles. The FMV has received Sweden’s first Sisu GTP 4×4 offroad vehicles, which it plans to begin delivering to the Swedish Armed Forces during the fourth quarter of 2024. (Sisu Auto)
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced on its website on 15 August that it had received the country’s first Sisu GTP 4×4 offroad vehicles. The FMV did not specify how many were delivered nor how much they cost, but 260 vehicles are being procured under a Swedish-Finnish framework agreement signed with Sisu Auto in January.
The 16.5-tonne protected mobility vehicles were delivered in the five-seat general purpose vehicle (GPV) configuration with a double cab and 10-seat GTP armoured personnel vehicle (APC) version. The two configurations have a common driveline and modular hull, enabling the vehicles to be altered for different missions, with possible variants including single cab; air defence; command; ambulance; and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear detection (CBRN) versions.
FMV deliveries of the vehicles to the Swedish Armed Forces are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024. Verification of the vehicles is under way and the FMV will provide Swedish Armed Forces personnel with user and technician training in November.
Designated TGB24 in Swedish service, the vehicles are being procured together with Finland under a framework agreement based on joint security of supply, operations, and production, which Micael Ågren Berner, the head of the FMV’s wheeled vehicles department, said reduced development costs and unit prices. (Source: Janes)
18 Aug 24. Chechen Leader Flaunts Turret Mounted CyberTruck. Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region released a video on Saturday showcasing himself driving a Tesla Cybertruck fitted with a machine gun turret. The video, posted on Kadyrov’s Telegram channel, features the Chechen strongman behind the wheel of the vehicle, which he praised as “one of the best cars in the world,” while promising to send it to the battlefield in Ukraine.
In the clip, Kadyrov is seen driving the stainless steel-clad Cybertruck around the grounds of his presidential palace. He later steps out draped in ammunition belts, to stand behind the gun turret mounted on the truck. Kadyrov claimed the vehicle, which he dubbed a “cyberbeast,” would be of great benefit to Russian forces in Ukraine.
Kadyrov also used the opportunity to extend an invitation to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, thanking him and inviting the bnaire to visit Chechnya. “Elon, thank you! Come to Grozny, I will receive you as my most dear guest,” Kadyrov said. He also expressed his anticipation for future Tesla products that could aid Russian troops in what the Kremlin refers to as a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
There has been no immediate response from Tesla or Musk regarding Kadyrov’s claims or invitation. Kadyrov, who has been sanctioned by the United States for alleged human rights abuses, stated that the truck was provided by Musk, though this has not been verified. This latest stunt by Kadyrov, known for his flamboyant and controversial displays. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
19 Aug 24. Keiler NG – Rheinmetall’s tactical Armoured Breaching Vehicle demonstrated its capabilities in a live demonstration. Rheinmetall’s Keiler Next Generation (NG), the highly protected armoured breaching system, demonstrated its capabilities in a live demonstration. Around 100 internationally invited guests from the armed forces, procurement authorities and industry took part in the event on 14 August 2024 at the Bergen military training area.
In a first section, the Keiler NG demonstrated the rapid creation of mine lanes in the field. The Pearson mine plough was used for this. The mine plough is over four metres wide and can clear mines at a speed of up to 250 metres per minute. The mine plough can be quickly replaced with a dozer blade. This means that the Keiler NG can also clear anti-tank obstacles, fill in trenches or create emplacements and prepared positions if required.
The highlight was the second section, in which the rocket-supported ‘Plofadder’ detonation cord system was used. Plofadder from Rheinmetall Denel Munition can cut a breach 160 metres long and nine metres wide in mine fields and obstacles in a matter of minutes. Fired in overlapping bursts, the Keiler NG’s two Plofadder systems make it possible to overcome deep enemy mine barriers.
In addition to the mine plough and plofadder detonation cord system, the Keiler NG is also equipped with a magnetic signature duplicator that detonates second-generation mines well before the plough. Furthermore, its integrated lane marking system marks the created lanes for the following forces, even in limited visibility or at night.
The Keiler NG, which was presented to the public for the first time at the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair in Paris, also has an integrated crane, which it uses to establish clearing readiness and to load and unload the Plofadder ammunition boxes.
For self-protection, the Keiler carries the ROSY rapid obscurant system and the Remotely Controlled Weapon Station Natter 12.7. The crew of the Keiler NG consists of two soldiers. The possibility of remote-controlled deployment is already taken into account in the system’s concept, as is the fitting of an active protection system and interfacing on the digitalised battlefield.
The Keiler NG is based on the chassis of the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle and thus belongs to the Leopard 2 family. On the one hand, this contributes to the high agility of this 63 ton platform: Top speed 65 km/h, climbing capability 90 centimetres, gradeability 60 percent, trench crossing capability more than 2.50 metres. On the other hand, being part of the Leoben family has a positive effect on interoperability, logistics and training. Existing Kodiak Army engineer tanks can be converted into a configuration similar to the Keiler NG using equipment kits, while existing Kodiak verification guides accelerate the operational readiness of the Keiler NG.
09 Aug24. [auto-translated] Training for the combat use and maintenance of new domestically produced armoured personnel carriers in the armament of the Serbian Armed Forces is ongoing in the units of the First Brigade of the Land Army. These are combat vehicles with anti-mine protection in a 4×4 configuration, intended for the safe transport of soldiers on the battlefield, on all types of terrain and in different weather and tactical conditions. In the first phase, the training is carried out by the permanent crew, which consists of the commander, also the gunner, and the driver, and then the training will continue together with the embarked infantry unit. This is followed by tactical exercises in field conditions and exercises with combat shooting, so that the members of the unit are fully trained for the combat use of armoured personnel carriers, independently and in cooperation with other forces of the Serbian Armed Forces. The [BOV OT M-21] combat vehicle is armed with a 12.7mm turret, has side loopholes and smoke box launchers, and its introduction into operational use improved the capabilities of manoeuvring, firepower, performing attacks from the movement and protection of infantry units of the Serbian Army. (Source: joint-forces.com)
19 Aug 24. Tatra Trucks, represented at Eurosatory 2024 by Tatra Export, unveiled the Third Generation Tatra Force T815-7 military truck family. At the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair Tatra presented their portfolio of medium and heavy logistics vehicles. The main attraction was the world premiere of the latest Third Generation of the Tatra Force model line in the form of a T815-7 flatbed truck on a 6×6 chassis for the armed forces. The ceremonial unveiling of this novelty took place on the first day of the fair. Modern Tatra, Cummins or Caterpillar engines and automated or fully automatic transmissions are available for this new generation of military Tatra Force trucks. The Tatra novelty has advanced on-board electronics and will also bring better safety or a higher level of ergonomics and control. The new Tatra Force was presented in Paris in a version with a standard cab, but armoured cabs developed and manufactured by Tatra Defence Vehicle company from the CSG Defence division will be available later. The chassis uses the proven Tatra concept with a central backbone tube and swinging independently suspended half-axles in a standard configuration with 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 axles. There will also be available multi-axle versions with different numbers of driven and steering axles. (Source: joint-forces.com)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
From its inception ProTEK seats have been designed around a family of innovative seat frames onto which tested and certified modules can be fitted to create a bespoke solution for the user. These include Blast protection to Stanag 4569 standards, vibration reduction, head and body protection, seat risers and turntables, fore & aft adjustment, and seat back rake along with viable seat dimensions without the need for additional tooling costs.
Contact: Paul Fleming
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