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30 Sept 24. Japan explores Type 10 MBT lethality and survivability upgrades. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s (JGSDF) primary land warfare platform, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Type 10 ‘Hitomaru’ main battle tank (MBT), is being lined up for a much-needed modernisation project aimed at improving its lethality and survivability in the contemporary battlefield.
According to a 20 September notification released by the Ministry of Defense (MoD), an unspecified number of Type 10 MBTs with be fitted with an active protection system (APS) as well as a remote weapons station (RWS) armed with a 30mm automatic cannon.
The upgrades will enable the JGSDF’s Type 10 fleet to better address emerging battlefield threats such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAVs), which have proven their effectiveness against armoured fighting vehicles on both sides of the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War.
According to the notice, the APS will be integrated to on-board sensor systems to detect and defeat incoming anti-tank projectiles, while the RWS should be fitted with its own sensor to detect and track UAV threats.
The document did not disclose the candidate systems being considered, but local reports have indicated that these include the Elbit Systems Iron Fist, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Trophy, and the Rheinmetall StrikeShield. The RWS being considered is reportedly the Kongsberg RS6 Protector.
Moreover, the MoD earlier released a separate document in June detailing a similar request for industry to propose “technical measures to improve the capabilities of the Type 10 tank”. The document did not reveal the specifics, but it is understood that the request is also open to foreign companies, provided that they offer technology transfer and localised production.
The JGSDF is believed to operate around 120 Type 10 MBTs since the tank entered service in 2012. MHI continues to manufacture a small batch of Type 10 MBTs each year, with new 12 tanks budgeted for fiscal year 2025.
The Type 10 MBT is a unique tank designed to meet the specific requirements of the JGSDF with a compact physical form and a combat weight of 44 tonnes. It was developed from the mid-1990s by the MoD’s Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI) – now subsumed into today’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) – as a lighter and more mobile complement to the JGSDF’s MHI Type 90 ‘Kyū-maru’ MBT, which has a combat weight of around 50 tonnes and is unable to traverse many of Japan’s rural roads and bridges because of its mass. (Source: AMR)
03 Oct 24. Indonesian military receives more Harimau tanks. The Indonesian Armed Forces took delivery of more than 500 new military vehicles on 2 October, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Jakarta has announced. Among the platforms handed over in an MoD ceremony in Jakarta was a batch of eight Harimau medium tanks produced by local firm PT Pindad, the MoD said. The batch is the second that is known to have been delivered to the military, completing an initial order for 18 tanks. Ten Harimau tanks were handed over to the Indonesian Army in March 2024.
Other PT Pindad-produced vehicles handed over on 2 October included 23 Pandur 8×8 armoured fighting vehicles, nine Anoa 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), and four Komodo 4×4 light armoured vehicles.
The MoD also said the Indonesian Army took receipt of 250 PT Pindad Maung 4×4 tactical vehicles. The batch is the main part of an order for 500 of these vehicles placed by the MoD in 2020. An initial batch of 40 Maung vehicles was delivered to the army in January 2021.
Another local firm PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) handed over nine Rantis 4×4 tactical military vehicles and eight Ransus 4×4 missile launchers, which is a version of the open-top P6 ATAV produced by the same company for Indonesian Air Force special forces operations. PT Ralika also delivered 250 vehicles that the MoD described as troop transport trucks. (Source: Janes)
03 Oct 24. GDLS Delivers TRX Prototypes for US Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle Competition. General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has delivered two prototype vehicles to the U.S. Army as the next step in the service’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) competition. The on-time delivery supports forthcoming Army platform mobility testing and a Soldier touchpoint.
GD Land Systems was one of four companies selected in 2023 to build two prototypes for the RCV program of record. The company’s RCV entrant is its updated TRX (Tracked Robot 10-ton) robotic combat vehicle, which is highly transportable and provides significant growth, interoperability and modularity to accommodate a wide range of future mission modules and payloads. TRX is built to maneuver at speed with all formations and has a class-leading payload-to-chassis ratio of 1:1.
TRX’s architecture enables it to support RCV platform requirements and future growth. It generates significant exportable power to support mission command operations and is hybrid-electric, providing substantial operational benefits and support to the Army’s climate and electrification strategy.
“TRX’s power and size make it an ideal platform for multirole Human-Machine Integrated formations on today’s battlefield,” said Gordon Stein, General Dynamics Land Systems vice president and general manager for U.S. operations. “TRX is an enabling technology in critical battlefield roles, including reconnaissance and surveillance, direct and indirect fire, long-range loitering munitions, short-range air defense, counter-uncrewed aerial systems, autonomous resupply, complex obstacle breaching and electronic warfare.
“We are proud to deliver these TRX prototypes to the Army.” (Source: ASD Network)
30 Sept 24. Australian Army seeks light vehicles for its littoral ambitions. As Australia’s military adjusts to recommendations contained in last year’s Strategic Defence Review, there is a demand for lighter vehicles better suited operations in coastal areas.
First out of the gate in what could be a shopping spree for such rides was manufacturer Polaris, announcing earlier in September that the company had won a contract for DAGOR light vehicles.
The A$22m (US$14.6m) deal entails “several variants in support of joint missions worldwide,” with an undisclosed quantity to be delivered within two years, Polaris said in a statement.
These DAGOR variants cover tactical transport, expeditionary reconnaissance and cargo missions. Australian Army special forces are the likely recipient of these diesel-powered vehicles.
Michael Cannell, a sales and operations manager at Polaris Australia, told Defense News of increased regional interest in all-terrain vehicles in the past two years.
Cannell said: “We’re proud to provide this capability for Australian personnel. The DAGOR all-terrain vehicle will allow teams to move faster, carry more and significantly reduce combat fatigue by navigating complex terrain otherwise covered on foot.”
At Land Forces 2024 in Melbourne, held Sept. 11-13, Polaris also exhibited an MRZR-A vehicle, a bare-bones, ultra-light ride that comes in variants with seats for two or four occupants, according to the company’s website.
Brigadier Doug Pashley, commander of the Australian Army’s Darwin-based 1st Brigade, told Defense News about the formation’s metamorphosis from a mechanized, heavy brigade. “As part of our transition to a littoral brigade, we’re experimenting with a lot of mobility options,” he said.
That includes Supacat HMT Extenda vehicles ordinarily utilized by special forces, since “they’re probably a bit more regionally relevant than some of the heavier stuff that we’ve had in the past year,” Pashley said.
The brigade is also toying with lighter vehicles like the Polaris MRZR. “We’re really lucky we can draw lessons from other forces that have been leading the way in terms of developing littoral capabilities, both the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Marines,” Pashley explained. “Both have procured some light mobility vehicles, so we’re keen to leverage lessons from them.”
Polaris is not the only company seeking to cash in on changing Australian and regional requirements. Also at Land Forces 2024, local company Bale Defence debuted its RTV6 rough terrain vehicle.
This six-wheeled RTV6 joins existing RTV2 and RTV4 4×4 vehicles in its range. Bale Defence delivered 19 two-seater RTVs to the Australian Army in 2014-15, and special forces later ordered dozens of upgraded RTV2s for US$6.2m in 2021.
Martyn Jones, Chief Operating Officer at Bale Defence, lauded the RTV6′s 1.5-ton payload capacity. Such vehicles are ideal for carrying remote-controlled weapon stations, surveillance systems and counter-drone systems, he said.
Supacat was also at Land Forces 2024, unveiling its Medium Utility Vehicle (MUV) based on a Toyota Hilux platform. Both 4×4 and 6×6 configurations are available, the MUV being the fruit of collaboration between Supacat’s British and Australian arms.
Matthew Grech, a sales executive at Supacat, told Defense News the MUV’s target clientele is special operations forces, but other applications include troop carriers, weapons carrier and utility tasks. (Source: Defense News)
01 Oct 24. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) announced on Monday a strategic agreement with Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces for locally assembling wheeled armoured platforms (WhaP 8×8) in its defence manufacturing unit in Casablanca, Morocco.
The WhaP 8×8 has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with TASL.
WhaP 8×8 is a wheeled, amphibious, lightly armoured vehicle. Besides its primary role as a troop carrier, itsmultiple variants include mobile command posts, reconnaissance vehicles for the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) battlefield; amphibious reconnaissance, or as an armoured ambulance.
“This will be Morocco’s first large defence manufacturing plant and the first defence manufacturing plant established outside India by an Indian defence original equipment manufacturer (OEM),” a TASL spokesperson said.
Given its size, protection, versatility and affordability, the WhaP 8×8 is expected to be snapped up by African militaries.
“This contract is of significant size and of strategic importance for us. This not only enables TASL to help initiate Morocco’s defence ecosystem but also acts as a launch point for TASL into rest of Africa for select defence systems,” said TASL’s CEO, Sukaran Singh.
“TASL’s local unit will produce a significant number of the specialised vehicle systems for Morocco and potentially for other countries in Africa,” Singh said.
While the initial contracted quantity is entirely to meet the needs of Royal Moroccan Army, this facility will be a 100 per cent subsidiary of TASL and become an export hub to meet the requirements of other countries, especially in Africa.
The collaboration between DRDO and TASL for WhaP 8×8 makes the armoured vehicle a successful example of partnership within the Indian private sector, as well as between the private and public sectors.
Senior government officials pointed out that this contract hews closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy of developing close relations with African nations, which are feeling their weapons supply lines from Russia squeezed; and an unwelcome aggressiveness from new suppliers like China and Turkey.
TASL was created by merging the defence verticals in several Tata group companies, including Tata Motors and Tata Power (Strategic Engineering Division).
Production facility
The WhaP 8×8 production facility in Morocco is expected to become operational over the next 12 months to deliver the contracted number of units.
A significant amount of the platform will be exported from India, which is required to meet commitments for local employment, value addition and support in Morocco. A production facility in Casablanca covering 20,000 square metres has been identified.
WhaP’s operational capabilitiesDepending upon the variant, the WhaP 8×8 weighs 20-27 tonnes. Variants below 24.5 tonnes can be amphibious, i.e. capable of floating, to cross a river or a lake.
The WhaP 8×8 crew members enjoy modular protection with bolt-on, retrofittable panels that provide protection from small arms bullets. The floor can be reinforced to resist a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED).
Its primary armament is a 30 mm cannon, which is mounted on a gun turret with an upgraded sighting system. The gun turret is being developed by the DRDO in partnership with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
The WhaP 8×8 incorporates state-of-the-art technologies such as a high power, integrated power pack with automatic transmission and modularity and scalability that can be easily customised to cater to various missions and operating conditions of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces.
“Tata Advanced Systems will work closely with the government of Morocco to develop a robust ecosystem which would include engaging with the local supply chain partners and vendors, training and skill development of the workforce and building related capabilities, and to maintain the systems in-country. Further, the facility will adopt global standards in line with international best practices,” the TASL spokesperson said.
(Source: Google/https://www.ajaishukla.com/2024/09/morocco-signs-with-tata-advanced.html)
27 Sep 24. RoK rolls out locally developed K9 engine. The K9 self-propelled howitzer is powered by an MTU 1,000 hp diesel engine coupled to an Allison Transmission X1100-5A3 automatic transmission system. (Hanwha)
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced the rollout of the first locally developed engine for the Hanwha K9 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer.
The new engine – the name of which was not specified by DAPA – is being built by local company STX Engine, which DAPA said won a contract to develop the powerplant in 2021. Since its development the K9 has been powered by a German MTU diesel engine built under licence by STX Engine.
DAPA said a roll-out ceremony for the new engine, which delivers 1,000 hp, was held on 27 September at STX Engine’s manufacturing facility in the southern city of Changwon. DAPA claimed the engine has improved performance and efficiency compared with the MTU version but provided no details.
DAPA also said the new engine would boost exports because South Korea did not require clearances from Germany to sell the powerplant to third parties.
The engine was developed through an agreement, signed in September 2020, between DAPA and South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) to support South Korean import substitution efforts and local defence industrial capability advancement.
DAPA said engine development started in April 2021 with an investment of KRW32.1bn (USD24.25m), including KRW22.8 bn in government funding. The development phase involved several companies and STX Engine was selected as prime contractor for the engine in 2021. STX Engine said that prototype production and performance testing of the engine was completed earlier in 2024. (Source: Janes)
13 Sep 24. Oshkosh Defense Submits Phase II Proposal for RCV Program. Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) business, announced that on Thursday, August 29, 2024, it submitted its proposal in response to the U.S. Army’s Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) for the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Phase II: Production Representative Prototype (PRP) program.
“At Oshkosh Defense, we design with the future in mind,” said Pat Williams, chief programs officer at Oshkosh Defense. “Our offering for Phase II of the RCV program leverages our engineering expertise to provide the U.S. Army with innovative, adaptable technologies to enhance Soldier performance and mission success.”
The Oshkosh RCV is purpose-built to provide Soldiers with the capabilities necessary for increased performance, improved maintainability, and flexibility in multi-domain operations. Developed through multiple iterations of test and Soldier feedback, the modular Oshkosh RCV is payload agnostic and supports the rapid integration of future technologies. Oshkosh’s robust systems engineering approach and design maturity ensures the U.S. Army achieves program milestones within the Rapid Prototype phase of this Mid-Tier Acquisition.
On Monday, August 19, 2024, Oshkosh delivered two RCV Platform Prototypes as part of the Phase I Ground Vehicle Systems (GVS) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) that Oshkosh was awarded in September 2023. These prototypes support platform mobility testing and Soldier touchpoints as part of the Phase II source selection.
“The Oshkosh team, with Pratt Miller Defense and QinetiQ US, has applied early feedback to deliver prototypes and a Phase II proposal that are soldier-centered and designed to keep pace with the evolving battlefield,” continued Williams. “We remain steadfast in our collaboration with the U.S. Army to provide the most capable, mature, and production-ready RCV offering to achieve the program’s rapid prototype and fielding schedule.”
Phase II consists of a base award of $118.9m and calls for down-selected contractors to deliver nine RCV Production Representative Prototypes in early 2026. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Oct 24. Paramount’s new Border Patrol Maatla variant aimed at SANDF. Paramount Land Systems has unveiled a new Border Patrol variant of its Maatla 4×4 Light Protected Vehicle (LPV) specifically for the border security requirements of the South Africa National Defence Force (SANDF).
Revealed for the first time at AAD 2024, the long wheel base variant has been designed and developed in response to SANDF requirements for border patrol missions and counter-insurgency operations, accommodating up to 12 personnel, in a 2+10 configuration due to its additional 675 mm length.
The SANDF is looking for nearly 500 vehicles in three variants to replace its legacy Toyota Land Cruiser patrol vehicles: 210 Section variants, 144 Command variants, and 108 Ambulance variants. Deliveries expected on or before 15 March 2025. National Treasury allocated R500 m in 2024/25 for the procurement of the new vehicles.
The Long Wheel Base Maatla is building on the success of the Maatla, launched during AAD 2022, and in operation with Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose border security forces and Gendarmerie are deployed in what Paramount said are some of the most challenging security environments on the African continent.
“The Maatla offers advanced features and reconfigurability, making it the ultimate solution for border patrol and security operations. Built with versatility in mind, the Maatla and its ‘Smart Floor’ technology enables the vehicle’s seating to be quickly removed and adapted for various assignments, including border patrol, ambulance services, command and control, military support, policing, and peacekeeping missions; from reconnaissance to logistics support to medical evacuation,” said Lindiwe Tshabalala, Paramount South Africa CEO.
The Maatla provides all-round STANAG Level 1 ballistic protection, and can protect against handguns and other small calibre ball rounds, with options for additional scalable armour upgrades. The Maatla can reach a road speed of up to 100 km/h, with a cruising range of up to 600 km when traveling at 80 km/h, and a fording depth of up to 750 mm without preparation. The vehicle is fitted with a 2-speed transfer case and 3 differential locks for difficult terrain. The vehicle can be operated in environments with temperatures ranging from -10°C to + 55°C.
Tshabalala added: “Paramount’s extensive experience over three decades has equipped it to develop tailored, cost-effective solutions that address the unique challenges faced by African armed forces. Internal and border security are our key capabilities, whether it be supplying armoured vehicles, crowd control equipment, surveillance aircraft, forward operating bases, specialist training or fusion cells providing real-time intelligence to support informed decision-making by border security forces. By bolstering our border security solutions with the Maatla, we are able to provide our customers the most comprehensive border security solutions on the continent.” (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
30 Sept 24. RDM demonstrates Plofadder 160AT Mk II minefield breaching system in Germany. Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) has successfully demonstrated its Plofadder minefield breaching system, launched from a Keiler Next Generation highly protected armoured breaching system, for some 100 international guests from various armed forces, procurement authorities and members of industry.
The demonstration took place on 14 August at the Bergen military training area in northern Germany. Rheinmetall’s Keiler NG first used a mine plough before launching a Plofadder 160AT Mk II rocket-fired detonation cord. This can cut a breach 160 metres long and six metres wide in mine fields and obstacles. Fired in overlapping bursts, the Keiler NG’s two Plofadder systems make it possible to overcome deep enemy mine barriers, Rheinmetall emphasised.
The Keiler NG is based on the chassis of the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle and thus belongs to the Leopard 2 family. It was presented to the public for the first time at the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair in Paris. An integrated crane is used to load and unload the Plofadder ammunition boxes.
“RDM, as part of the larger Rheinmetall team, is very proud to have been involved in this event,” the company said. “The demonstration created international interest not only in the Keiler NG vehicle, but also in the Plofadder 160 AT Mk II System itself. RDM is positioning itself to produce the Plofadder 160 AT in volume, in order to serve the growing international interest in Minefield Breaching capability.”
The Plofadder (explosive adder), was developed to provide fast-moving attack groups with the capability to breach Anti-Tank (AT) and Anti-Personnel (AP) minefields with minimal loss of momentum. The modular design of the Plofadder 160 AT Mk II allows easy custom integration with a suitable carrier vehicle or trailer.
Once integrated with a carrier vehicle, the system requires no preparation apart from positioning the vehicle approximately 80 meters from the minefield edge and aiming the system in the desired direction. The system is fired with the remote fire control unit mounted on the inside of the carrier vehicle’s cab.
The Plofadder 160 AT Mk II system consists of a 160 m long insensitive line charge weighing 560 kg which is deployed over a minefield by a rocket before it is detonated. The line charge detonates automatically 20 seconds after complete deployment, and is protected against premature or unintended detonation by a Safety and Arming Device (SAD) at the tail end of the line charge. The safety features incorporated into the systems comply with the relevant military and STANAG specifications, including EMI (electro-magnetic interference) resistance.
RDM also offers the man-portable Plofadder 30AP and 70AP anti-personnel minefield breaching systems. The 70AP is portable by two men and the 30AP by one. The systems are contained in backpacks and weigh approximately 24 kg each. The 70AP can clear a path 70 by .6 metres wide, and the 30AP can clear a path 30 by .6 metres wide.
The Plofadder system is in service with various militaries, including those of South Africa and Spain. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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Contact: Paul Fleming
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