Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
http://www.tekmilitaryseating.co.uk/
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
02 Jan 25. Italy gets Lynx fighting vehicle for testing ahead of first contract. Germany’s Rheinmetall has loaned a Lynx tracked vehicle to the Italian army to test, as Italy prepares to sign a half-billion euro contract ($513 million) for a first batch of the vehicles by mid-2025.
The Lynx fighting vehicle was shipped on Dec. 30 to the Italian army’s Montelibretti testing facility near Rome, where it will be put through its paces by experts from the army and from Italian defense giant Leonardo.
“Army engineers and testers will get to know the Lynx and carry out a series of evaluations to test the mobility, protection, fire power and interoperability of the vehicle,” the Italian army said in a statement.
“The loan shows the speed with which the deal is being managed and is also a sign of goodwill to the Italian army,” a source knowledgeable of the arrangement told Defense News.
As it replaces old vehicles and keeps up with NATO requirements, Italy plans to acquire 1,050 new fighting vehicles based on Rheinmetall’s Lynx in a €15 billion program, with the first to be delivered in two years. The Italian army will also buy 280 tanks based on Rheinmetall’s under-development Panther KF51 in an €8bn euro program with the first tank planned for delivery in two and a half to three years. In October, Rheinmetall and Italy’s Leonardo announced a new joint venture through which they will team on development and construction of both vehicles, with the Italian firm contributing armaments and electronics to create Italianized versions of the vehicles. The Lynx KF41 loaned to the Italian army hails from Hungary, which is the only previous buyer of the vehicle. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity while discussing ongoing deliberations, told Defense News the joint venture would likely be up and running by the end of January, with the first contract for a first batch of Italy-configuration fighting vehicles the next step. Worth about half a billion euros, the contract could be signed with Italy’s defense ministry by the summer, the source said.
“If things move fast, the first contract for tanks could be signed this year,” the source added.
Leonardo and Rheinmetall have said they see export potential for the Italian-version vehicles, beyond purchases from Rome. In an interview with German publication Börsen Zeitung in December, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger predicted the joint venture would see orders worth €50bn over the next ten years. (Source: Defense News)
02 Jan 25. The Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium Signs the Contract for the Supply of 76 VBM PLUS for the Italian Army. Signed on 30th December 2024, the contract comes as part of the ongoing supply (“Phase 2”) of Medium Armoured Vehicles to the Italian Army’s Second Medium Brigade and includes an upgrade to the “PLUS” version for the VBM platform, as well as long-term integrated logistics support for all platforms purchased, along with “10×10” rescue and recovery vehicles, ensuring logistical communality among the different tactical platforms in service and representing state-of-the-art vehicles in terms of mobility and protection.
The upgrade of the VBM Combat and Antitank in the “PLUS” version see changes to both the vehicle and the turret.
As regards the vehicle, changes include:
- upgrades to common rail technology for the engine, taking it from 550 HP to 720 HP ready for a future hybrid-electric traction system;
- the implementation of a new generation hull, result of the experience gained over the years with the Centauro II and VBM platforms;
- upgrades to the driveline and suspensions with a significant improve in terms of mobility and an increase in growth potential.
These updates will also ensure a further increase in the ballistic and anti-mine protection of the hull through cutting-edge technological solutions.
With respect to the turret, it has been introduced a Leonardo’s new X-GUN 30mm armament capable of using all types of ammunition from 30mmx173 to NATO standards, including the new ABM (Air Burst Munition) ammunition also suitable for anti-drone use.
The main upgrades in the turret mainly refer to the shooting system by Leonardo, with the introduction of latest generation electronic components compliant with the new NGVA (Nato Generic Vehicle Architecture) standard and capable of interfacing with the new digitized optronics of targeting and search “Janus D” and Lothar SD”.
The new turret provides the crew with an increased level of ballistic and anti-mine protection compared to the previous version. The contract also includes the supply of the new digital intercom and a completely updated CIS system which involves the use of the SDR VQ1 four-channel radio and the new Command and Control system, called C2D/N Evo, both from Leonardo.
The new VBM PLUS distinguishes itself by increased mobility, protection, lethality and integrated C4I, allowing the Italian Army to face the challenges of the coming years with a truly state-of-the-art vehicle, integrated into the net-centric architecture of the digital battlefield. The vehicle will also be equipped with Galileo PRS technology developed in Italy as part of the European Union secure satellite navigation system. In specific terms this means the VBM will be equipped with a newly developed satellite receiver, the first of its kind capable of receiving secure satellite navigation services from both the US GPS and European Galileo PRS systems. (Source: ASD Network)
31 Dec 24. Poland buys Krab SPHs, K9 support vehicles, and Rosomak APCs. Poland’s Armaments Agency (AA) within its Ministry of National Defence (MND) has contracted Polish defence company Huta Stalowa Wola SA (HSW) for around PLN16.5 bn (USD4 bn) for Krab self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and support vehicles for South Korean-bought K9 SPHs. The K9 contract is for over 250 accompanying vehicles such as command vehicles and artillery reconnaissance for the Polish army, with delivery from 2027 to 2029.
The PLN7.6 bn contract includes a training and logistics package.
The contract will be implemented by a consortium composed of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa SA (PGZ), HSW, and Rosomak SA, HSW said in a 27 December press release.
As part of the expansion and modernisation of its army, Poland is procuring at least 654 artillery systems from South Korea.
The K9PL is initially being produced in South Korea before switching to Poland in 2026.
Krabs
In another deal, HSW was contracted for 96 Krab SPHs, scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029.
As well as the Krabs, the PLN8.9 bn contract includes dozens of command and staff vehicles, ammunition vehicles, armament and electronics repair workshops, training, and logistics.
While some of the Krabs will be supplied with the REGINA fire-control module in the same configuration as one agreed under a 2022 contract, others will undergo significant modification with the debut of a version with full-automatic loading, HSW said.
Since 2016 HSW has been supplying Krabs and accompanying equipment to the Polish Armed Forces under contracts concluded in 2016 and in 2022 for a total of over 170 of the SPHs. (Source: Janes)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
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
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-