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05 Feb 25. European military mobility at the crossroads as funding dries up. With years until the next funding phase, the EU’s plans for enhanced military mobility appear fanciful. Funding for the European Union’s (EU) military mobility fund has run dry, with no finances available for additional projects in the final two years of a multi-year settlement to improve defence logistics and the transit of military equipment across member states’ borders. In an extensive audit of the EU military mobility programme, published on 5 February 2025 by the European Court of Auditors (ECA), detailed some of the issues with the implementation of the EU’s aspirations. Moving military capabilities quickly and efficiently across Europe is a critical aspect of properly defending the continent from potential threats. The ECA determined that the EU’s military mobility policy had evolved since a first action plan in 2018. For the first time, its 2021–2027 budget set aside a dedicated amount for military and civilian dual-use transport infrastructure projects. The game changer was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which turned the bloc’s strategic need for military mobility into a matter of urgency. Under time pressure, the EU published its second action plan in November 2022.
In 2023 EU member states spent a combined €280bn ($291.7bn) on defence, with the figure expected to rise to more than €300bn for 2024. The projects under the EU military mobility programme are 50% co-funded by the bloc and the member states.
Also damning was the scale of the €1.7bn funding set aside for dual military-civil use projects, compared to the overall €27bn set aside for civil-only mobility programmes.
However, the entirety of the €1.7bn ($1.7bn) EU’s military mobility budget has already been allocated, part-way through the funding period.
“There is no money in the pot,” said ECA president Tony Murphy in a press briefing attended by Army Technology, adding that, as a result, there could be a gap until the next funding period was agreed for 2027 and beyond.
“[An EU military mobility budget of] €1.7bn at the level of spending of member states is peanuts,” Murphy said.
Dual-use military-civil funding was “front-loaded” over the funding period, ECA officials said, leaving nothing left for the latter half of the timeframe. From the funding, 95 separate programmes across 21 member states were provided for, averaging around €18m per project.
In addition, one unnamed EU member state funding the first two stages of a military mobility programme, only to not apply for the finances to complete the critical third and final stage. Cross border cooperation was also limited, with just two programmes between Sweden and Finland, and Romania and Bulgaria, intended to harmonise transit of military equipment from one country to the next.
Further, little attention appears to have been given to the best use of the resources that were available for 2022 and 2023 funding requests. In the east of the EU, dual-use projects were approved in countries such as Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania, but none in southern countries like Greece.
ECA issues recommendations to EU military mobility
In its report, the ECA provided six recommendations for the European Commission and European External Action Service to enact in order to ensure future military mobility funding better provides for the necessary infrastructure improvements.
These include: improve the governance arrangements for military mobility in the EU; monitor and report on the progress of each action included in Action Plan 2.0; assess the possibility of using Connecting Europe Facility transport calls to finance dual-use infrastructure projects under the current MFF (2021-2027); take steps to improve the predictability of possible funding for military mobility under the post-2027 MFF; improve the selection process for dual-use infrastructure projects under the post-2027 MFF; and make the design of the EU’s military mobility actions more focused.
The first progress report for the action plan, published in November 2023, did not systematically include progress information, including on issues encountered, for each action but was more of a list of what had happened in terms of military mobility in the EU during the previous year. Member states were not asked to specifically give feedback via a formalised process on their invitations to act, the ECA found.
Overall, the ECA said that it found only four of the 29 key actions at EU level “could be considered completed”, while the vast majority remained a work ongoing.
“There is a lack of indicators and specific targets (with corresponding date), to be achieved for all actions. We therefore cannot give a precise overall assessment of the progress made on Action Plan 2.0, beyond indicating that implementation of actions is ongoing, and progress has been variable,” stated the ECA audit. (Source: army-technology.com)
05 Feb 25. Alstom to sell German plant to defence equipment maker KNDS. French train maker Alstom (ALSO.PA) has agreed to sell its Görlitz plant in Germany to defence equipment maker KNDS, the companies said on Wednesday. KNDS will start using the plant this year to produce assemblies for the Leopard 2 battle tank, the Puma infantry fighting vehicle and variants of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle, they said in a joint statement. Alstom’s production of trams and double-decker trains in Görlitz will either continue or be relocated during the transition, depending on the status of the project, they added. (Source: Google/Reuters)
04 Feb 25. Italy itching to drop $24bn on Lynx, Panther tanks, with amore. Italy’s defense chief has challenged Leonardo and Rheinmetall to deliver a massive, €23bn ($24bn) order of tanks and fighting vehicles as quickly as possible to get Italy ready for an increasingly dangerous world.
Gen. Luciano Portolano said time was of the essence in a speech to the heads of the Italian and German firms on Monday as they gathered to watch a Lynx fighting vehicle fire off rounds at Nettuno test range in Italy.
“We cannot protect you if you cannot support us,” said Portolano.
Leonardo and Rheinmetall announced a joint venture last October to build 1,050 variants of the German company’s Lynx vehicle as well as 272 variants of Rheinmetall’s Panther tanks to renew the Italian army’s near-obsolete tracked vehicle component.
At a briefing before the demonstration, officials from the firms said that once production was up and running there would be the capacity to build 700 vehicles for export.
In his speech, Portolano said, “We will help you export, but you have to help us get our national requirement.”
Officials from the new JV, named Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, gave the first breakdown of their souped-up schedule, starting with the delivery this year of five Lynx’s which are already being assembled by Rheinmetall to supply the Italian program, which has been variously dubbed AICS and A2CS.
The vehicles will match the variants now being built for Rheinmetall’s other Lynx customer, Hungary, which also lent Italy the model used in the live firing at Nettuno.
Between 2026 and 2027, a further 11 to 16 Lynx’s will be delivered with the Leonardo Hitfist 30 turret that Italy wants on its vehicles, complete with Leonardo’s new 30mm X-Gun, representing the template for the Italianized version of the vehicle.
A slide shown at the briefing showed the first Panther tanks would start arriving in 2027, with the total order including 132 main battle tanks and 140 variants split between a bridge building, armored recovery and armored engineering versions.
As the joint venture awaits anti-trust approval, Leonardo and Rheinmetall will set up a temporary company in the next few days to accept a Request for Proposal from Italy which is the next step to formal contracts, the development of the variants and a ramp up in production using an assembly line in La Spezia, Italy.
The peak year for production, according to a slide, will be 2031 with 171 vehicles and tanks produced.
The Lynx will be produced in five variants which will in turn carry out 16 roles between them. The variants are: 120mm, 30mm, Mortar, Air Defense and Non-Turreted.
David Hoeder, Rheinmetall’s designated executive chairman for the joint venture, said he believed the 120mm “light tank” version would become a successful export.
Speaking to Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani, Gen. Portolano said of the Lynx, “I fell in love with this vehicle,” adding that “it meets all the requirements of the modern battlefield.”
He added he was particularly impressed at how the eight soldiers riding inside the vehicle would emerge “ready to fight” after hours of traveling.
Apart from the turret and 30mm gun, Leonardo will also supply the Lynx’s C4I system and electro-optic sensor and radar as well as radio.
On the 132 main battle tanks, Rheinmetall will produce 52 120mm guns while Leonardo will produce 80. Each firm will handle 50 percent of the work on the hulls, while Leonardo supplies the engine and a kit to adopt its Vulcano guided munition system.
“Using a 130mm cannon has not been excluded,” said Leonardo co-director general, Lorenzo Mariani.
Laurent Sissmann, the Leonardo official designed as CEO of the joint venture, said meeting the deadlines would be “hard work” but possible.
He told Defense News, “The prerequisites to achieve it are a clear requirement, good industry teaming and stable funding.”
(Source: Defense News)
04 Feb 25. Sisu unveils GTT all-terrain vehicle. Sisu unveiled its GTT all-terrain vehicle (ATV) at the SecD-Day conference and exhibition held in Helsinki on 29–30 January 2025. The high-performance, multi-purpose platform is designed to operate in all geographical environments, including extreme climate conditions and the harshest Nordic terrain. The Sisu GTT ATV programme combines the design and maturity of ST Engineering Land Systems’ Bronco with the technologies and solutions of the Sisu GTP 4×4 offroad vehicle, which the Finnish company expects to provide security of supply through provision of design and engineering expertise, local manufacturing, and in-country life-cycle support. Sisu said the modular vehicle is suitable for various operational roles and is available. Jyri Ahonen, Sisu Auto’s vice-president, Defence, told Janes on 3 February, “Numerous different configurations within the vehicle’s payload capacity would be possible. The twist lock interface can accommodate any 10 inch container-type system. [The] APC [armoured personnel carrier] cabin is [also] suitable for command, control, and communications use [and] medevac [medical evacuation].” In addition, the cargo platform configuration can accommodate any 10 inch container-type load up to a weight of 5 tonnes, such as a mortar module or any other mission-specific system, according to Sisu. Asked if the Sisu GTT was for a specific Nordic requirement, Ahonen said, “Nordic defence forces have ageing ATVs in their inventories. Sisu GTT would be a very suitable replacement for these ageing fleets.” (Source: Janes)
04 Feb 25. GDLS Successfully Demos ARV Prototype to USMC. On track to deliver SIL2.0 and 30mm variant of Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle. General Dynamics Land Systems announced today that it has successfully completed further testing of its Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) Command, Control, Communications, Computers/Unmanned Aerial Systems (C4/UAS) variant with the U.S. Marine Corps. The ARV is designed for the Marine Corps’ future Mobile Reconnaissance Battalions. Principal test locations from March to December 2024 included the Michigan Technological University Keweenaw Research Center (KRC) in Calumet, Mich., and the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich. General Dynamics Land Systems’ C4/UAS ARV variant is built to serve as the Marine Corps’ “quarterback” on the mobile and multi-domain battlefield. It connects to an array of onboard and off-board sensors, plus UAS and, in the future, ground and water robotic systems. The General Dynamics Land Systems design ensures growth margins and modular open architecture to rapidly incorporate new technology as it develops. In anticipation of potential future requirements, it also incorporates the company’s Next Generation Electronic Architecture, enabling artificial intelligence functionality and control of robotic systems. Marine Corps-directed and company-led tests and demonstrations in 2024 included land mobility, maintenance, logistics and training systems, as well as automotive and mission-profile performance assessments. A focus area in 2024 involved a maintenance and logistics capability assessment by Marines using the ARV. To this end, General Dynamics Land Systems has incorporated modern digital maintenance and prognostic monitoring systems in the ARV. In addition to Marine Corps-directed testing, General Dynamics Land Systems enhanced its demonstrations by introducing its next-generation Digital Training System (DTS), which eventually will enable ARV training at the individual, crew and unit levels for tactical operations and maintenance activities.
“The testing and demonstration activities last year helped us collect additional data to ensure we can meet or exceed the Marine Corps’ requirements for ARV, especially in the critical area of maintenance, logistics and training,” said Richard Trotter, ARV Program Director at General Dynamics Land Systems. “We are confident we can achieve key performance requirements in these areas as we wholistically design the strategic ARV capability and competitively position ourselves for the next phase of the program.”
Testing has included Marines from across the Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) and maintenance communities.
“Partnering with the Marines in the ARV testing and demonstrations provides very valuable feedback,” said Marc Shepard, ARV Program Manager at General Dynamics Land Systems. “Their collaborative, constructive feedback is invaluable as we aim for a transformational, 21st century solution.”
“We have said this before, and it is worth repeating: The ARV is highly mobile on land and in the water, allowing Marines to sense, communicate and connect to kill webs on the future battlefield like never before,” Trotter added. “Recent tests were some of the most extensive to date for us to trial our innovative technologies. We pride ourselves on delivering capabilities for today and also are thoughtful, deliberate and innovative about realizing the future vision of the Marine Corps. We look forward to continuing our long partnership with the Marines and contributing to their efforts to ensure that ARV is a transformational reconnaissance capability.”
In 2025, General Dynamics Land Systems will complete manufacturing and delivery of an ARV-30mm prototype for testing and evaluation. The company also will deliver a second Systems Integration Lab (SIL) for the ARV program. The primary purpose of the SIL, designed to replicate the interior of the company’s C4/UAS vehicle, is to validate the integration of the Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4/I) systems and software. It is envisioned that the SIL also will serve as an immersive experience for ARV mission operators and crew to train and simulate real-world missions with full, representative vehicle functionality. (Source: ASD Network)
31 Jan 25. France orders 100 upgraded Leclerc XLR tanks. The Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, announced on 28 January that it had ordered 100 more upgraded Leclerc XLR main battle tanks (MBTs) on 24 December 2024. With orders for 50 Leclerc XLRs each in 2021 and 2022, this will bring the total number being procured to 200. Under France’s Loi de Programmation Militaire 2024–2030 military funding programme approved in July 2024, 160 Leclerc XLRs are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2030 and 40 by the end of 2035. The DGA delivered the 34th Leclerc MBT to the French Army on 10 December, bringing the total delivered in 2024 to 21. The first prototype of the upgraded tank, designated Leclerc XLR, was delivered to the DGA at the end of 2022. The Leclerc XLR is equipped with vetronics, the SCORPION combat information system (SICS), CONTACT digital radio, and GPS so it can communicate in real time on the tactical situation with other SCORPION vehicles: Griffon 6×6 Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle (VBMR) heavy multirole armoured vehicles, 300 Jaguar 6×6 armoured reconnaissance vehicles, and Serval Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle Léger (VBMR-L) 4×4 light multirole armoured vehicles. SICS and CONTACT will allow voice and data to be exchanged simultaneously among network subscribers, vehicles, dismounted soldiers, and Tigre (Tiger) Mk 3 attack helicopters. (Source: Janes)
31 Jan 25. Shrinking SAAF budget puts Denel’s aircraft maintenance and repair facilities in jeopardy. Answering a Parliamentary question regarding Denel aircraft maintenance capabilities, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga acknowledged the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate faced a skilled personnel shortage as well as having to put up with “a chronic shortage of funds”. She was replying to Democratic Alliance (DA) deputy defence and military veterans spokesman Maliyakhe Shelembe who wanted to know if the Irene, Centurion, headquartered State-owned enterprise (SOE) is able to ensure “combat readiness” of aircraft in the SA Air Force (SAAF) inventory. The current state of readiness of SAAF airframes Denel is responsible for stand at a lone C-130BZ authorised for South African airspace only, a miserly three of 33 Oryx medium transport helicopters and not one of 11 Rooivalk combat support rotary-winged aircraft fit to fly, according to the Ministerial response. As regards 28 Squadron’s long-serving C-130BZ medium lift aircraft Motshekga, in part, told her questioner it “has become difficult to maintain the expertise and plan for succession due to chronic under-funding”.
Denel, the Ministerial reply has it, supplies expertise to the SAAF which does all repairs and support on the C-130BZ fleet at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof, where 28 Squadron is housed. She further pointed out “current funding levels” pointed to Denel losing its accreditation as an aircraft maintenance organisation (AMO) for the C-130BZ. Without the accreditation it will not be possible to maintain the airworthiness of the four-engined transport workhorse.
“A number of experts that Denel uses are employed on a contract basis as some have reached retirement age and have not been replaced due to the uncertainty of future funding being made to maintain the aircraft,” Shelembe was told with the rider that there is “currently no local alternative” to support the C-130BZ. Marshall in Cambridge, England, is one of two organisations – the other is in Portugal – that maintain the American-built military airlifter in addition to manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The SAAF is using Marshall to maintain and refurbish some of the C-130BZ fleet.
When it comes to the SAAF Rooivalk and Oryx helicopter inventory, Denel as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is the only entity able to maintain and support them.
This responsibility has seen an engine and mechanical workshop along with a blade spinning rig and autoclave for the rotary-wing aircraft set up at Denel.
The engine repair shop needs a minimum throughput – which the SAAF cannot provide – to remain operational. The same holds true for the mechanical workshop where helicopter gearboxes and drive trains are serviced and repaired.
A blade spinning rig doesn’t work anymore with lack of funding and the loss of what the ministerial response labels “specialist resources” to blame. This is the human component which is no longer there thanks to either retirement or exit of experienced personnel. Helicopter blades needing balancing are now shipped to France. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
31 Jan 25. ICP marks 20 year anniversary with new vehicles and strategic expansion. With 20 years of experience under the company’s belt, ICP (Integrated Convoy Protection) has been modernising and expanding its fleet, recently launching several new military and security vehicles.
CEO Nadine Rynners said ICP has experienced a significant resurgence, as highlighted by the multiple new vehicles it has developed after substantial investment.
The armoured vehicle specialist’s updated range includes:
A new 6×6 Armoured Utility Vehicle
A new 4×4 Armoured Utility Vehicle
A new 4×4 Armoured Personnel Carrier
A range of Cash-in-Transit Vehicles
The Armoured Utility Vehicles are mine-protected logistical vehicles equipped with integrated ISO container locks, enabling the transport of standard ISO shipping containers in hostile environments. ICP said these vehicles offer high mobility and share common spare parts with the REVA armoured personnel carrier (APC) range, enhancing logistical support.
Additionally, the Armoured Utility Vehicles can be fitted with specialised modules, such as a containerised ambulance or a light recovery crane. They appear to be entering service in the Middle East as the Kasser II (4×4) and Kasser III (6×6). According to Asian Military Review, the Kasser II was unveiled in the Middle East by M4 Industries at IDEX 2021 and is currently in service with the UAE military.
Asian Military Review further added that the Kasser II is the Emirati version of the 4×4 REVA V APC, but featuring a revised grille, two-piece windscreen and other cosmetic changes. It has been fitted with the Raad I remotely operated weapon station that the UAE has acquired from Spain’s Escribano.
ICP could not comment on its clients due to non-disclosure agreements but said it only manufactures vehicles in South Africa. According to National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) annual reports, South Africa exported 27 armoured vehicles to the UAE in 2019, ten in 2020, two in 2021, one in 2022, and two in 2023, but NCACC reports do not specify vehicle type.
The REVA V is ICP’s flagship and the biggest armoured vehicle in its range with full independent suspension. This vehicle is available in various configurations to suit customer requirements. It can seat between six and eight people in the rear in addition to two crew members in the front, and is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. A V-shaped hull provides protection against landmines and IEDs (ballistic protection is to BR7 level Level 4A/B against IEDs and mines). The REVA V is just over seven metres long and weighs 16 tonnes unladen.
ICP is renowned for its REVA range of vehicles, an acronym for Reliable, Effective, Versatile, and Affordable. The REVA III 4×4 APC remains the company’s most popular and best-selling model, with over 2 000 units manufactured in South Africa. ICP has also expanded its manufacturing capabilities globally, establishing a plant in Iraq in 2005 where REVA vehicles were successfully produced.
REVA vehicles have been deployed across various regions worldwide, including Iraq, the UAE, Yemen, Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and South Africa.
In 2023, ICP introduced two new vehicles to meet the growing demands of the security market: the REVA Bulk Carrier and the REVA Light Security Vehicle (LSV). The LSV, based on the Mahindra Pick-Up, features an armoured cab, while the Bulk Carrier is built on a Tata chassis.
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
31 Jan 25. Germany Takes Final Step to Full Member of CAVS Programme. Germany has joined the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) Framework Agreement. By joining this stage of the programme, Germany enables the serial procurement of CAVS vehicles based on Patria 6×6 vehicle. After Finland, Latvia and Sweden, Germany is the fourth nation to access the Framework Agreement.
Germany started its journey within the CAVS programme in 2022 by signing the statement of intent and followed up by joining the Technical Arrangement in 2023. In 2024, Germany joined the programme’s research and development agreement, after which joining the Framework Agreement was the final step towards full accession.
“Patria is very pleased to see Germany moving forward towards the serial procurement phase. The determination and steady progress of Germany taking steps within the CAVS programme has been an excellent example of modern multinational cooperation targeting increased interoperability and the security of supply between allied nations. Together with our German teaming partners KNDS, FFG and JWT we are ready to set up local production with a rapid time scale,“ says Hugo Vanbockryck, Senior Vice President, Market Area Europe of Patria.
Within the CAVS programme, the 6×6 armoured vehicle system development is led by Patria, that has more than four decades of experience in developing and delivering state-of-the-art protected troop transportation and system integration. Vast majority of supply of the vehicles is conducted by utilising the member nations’ local industry capabilities and every new nation is inherently reinforcing the security of supply for the whole collaboration system. Patria has already received orders for over 800 Patria 6×6 vehicles and has delivered more than 200 vehicles. The programme is open to European countries with similar equipment requirements, by mutual consent of the participating countries.
(Source: ASD Network)
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