Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
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16 May 25. USMC orders new ACV maintenance training suite prototype. A consortium led by XR Training (XRT) has been awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC) to design and deliver a prototype maintenance training suite for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), the company announced at the end of April. The maximum potential value of the prototype contract is USD8 million with delivery in up to nine months. This follows XRT’s development of the ACV driver training simulator, dubbed Wave Warrior, and the subsequent fielding of 81 simulators in 2024, which are now integrated into the ACV training curriculum and are operational at different USMC bases. The new contract is to develop the ACV Suite of Training Systems (STS) for maintenance training, which XRT describes as a “fully integrated digital ecosystem”. It consists of an Electronic Classroom (EC), Diagnostic Task Trainer (DTT), and Part Task Trainer (PTT). The contract is for one EC, three DTTs, and one PTT; the intended locations were not disclosed.
XRT told Janes the “platform will combine the vehicle digital twin with the ACV’s maintenance and operating information to power the immersive EC and DTT applications”.
In addition to XRT, the consortium consists of: Theory Studios (immersive 3D modelling and virtual environment); Enludio (instructional design and digital learning architecture); Talon Simulations (high-fidelity motion simulation hardware); Bubo Defense (interactive defence systems integration); RedShred (secure content and data management infrastructure); Direct Dimensions (precision 3D scanning and model generation); and Hatch Exhibits (physical system fabrication and integration). (Source: Janes)
16 May 25. Airbus US adds L3Harris to its USMC Aerial Logistics Connector team. A computer-generated image of the Airbus US-proposed MQ-72C unmanned aerial logistics connector. (Airbus US Space & Defense) Airbus US Space & Defense and L3Harris Technologies announced a teaming agreement for the US Marine Corps’ (USMC’s) Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) programme at the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) conference in Nashville, Tennessee, on 14 May. Under the agreement, L3Harris will bring its system integration capabilities to the Airbus MQ-72C Logistics Connector, an unmanned variant of the UH-72 Lakota helicopter, according to an Airbus statement on 14 May. L3Harris’ “digital backbone with integrated command-and-control nodes” and a modular open systems approach (MOSA) will enable the marines to “rapidly integrate third-party, commercial off-the-shelf hardware that will enable maximum system versatility and mission adaptability”, the statement said.
The partnership will help the marines evolve their mission sets and “enable more advanced levels of systems integration across the [US] Marine Corps and broader joint force”, the statement said.
“We are focused on accelerating development to get this capability into the hands of military personnel,” Jason Lambert, president for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance at L3Harris, said in the statement.
Partnership
“Partnering with a proven systems integrator opens the aperture on what our aircraft can do operationally in contested and austere environments,” Robert Geckle, chairman and CEO for Airbus US Space & Defense, said in the statement.
One of the important attributes of L3Harris is its “flight-testing facilities in Texas … [it’s] such a force multiplier to move quickly to bring out these prototypes”, Geckle said during a media briefing at AAAA on 14 May. (Source: Janes)
14 May 25. Competitors for Spain’s future 6×6 armored vehicle face off in Madrid. Defense manufacturers eyeing a possible Spanish order for a new 6-wheeled armored vehicle flocked to Madrid this week for the biannual Feindef defense show, presenting new designs or agreeing to work together on armor for the country’s land forces. Spain’s Technology & Security Developments and Grupo Oesía, Turkey’s FNSS Savunma Sistemleri and Belgium’s John Cockerill Defense signed a memorandum of understanding to provide a six-wheeled cavalry vehicle for the Spanish Army, the companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
TDS, Oesía, FNSS and John Cockerill said they aim to offer the Spanish Army an off-the-shelf solution, with local logistics support and life cycle management. Their offer is specifically designed for cavalry operations and providing fire support for expeditionary forces, the four firms said.
Spain’s Ejercito de Tierra operates the 6×6 BMR, a more than four decades-old 15-ton vehicle built by Santa Bárbara Sistemas, now part of General Dynamics European Land Systems, or GDELS. The army is replacing at least part of its wheeled fleet with the 8×8 Dragón, a heavier and more expensive vehicle that‘s faced delivery delays and which local media report has suffered mechanical issues. Indra acquired a majority stake in the consortium that makes the Dragón in October, buying shares from partners GDELS, SAPA and Escribano Mechanical and Engineering, or EM&E.
Separately, Spain’s EM&E presented the Ferox 6×6 armored vehicle at Feindef, after an agreement in February with NIMR Automotive, a unit of the United Arab Emirates’ EDGE, to build six-wheeled armored vehicles in Spain. The agreement provides for transfer of knowledge and “progressive national industrialization” of the vehicle, with design authority in Spain, EM&E said.
“This vehicle marks the beginning of a new stage for EM&E Group in the field of armored vehicles,” Chief Executive Fernando Fernández said.
Meanwhile, Rheinmetall and Indra on Tuesday announced a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on armored-vehicle projects for the Spanish armed forces.
With the MoU, the companies “start a strong alliance to support the efforts of the Spanish Armed Forces to modernize their fleet of combat vehicles,” said Eduardo Veen Martinez, the CEO of Rheinmetall’s tactical vehicles business unit.
For its part, GDELS presented its Pandur 6×6 EVO armored vehicle at the defense show in Madrid, with the company saying its presence as Feindef reflects a “firm commitment” to the Spanish armed forces and the government‘s defense industrial strategy.
The company also unveiled a new tracked artillery system at the show called the Ascod Nemesis, consisting of a 155mm artillery gun module from KNDS mounted on an Ascod tracked chassis by GDELS.(Source: Defense News)
15 May 25. Rheinmetall, Indra to enhance Spanish armoured vehicles. The agreement strengthens the existing collaboration between the two companies. Rheinmetall Landsysteme has entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Spanish defence and technology company Indra to collaborate strategically on armoured vehicle projects for the Spanish Armed Forces. The agreement builds upon the existing collaboration between the two companies, which includes a recent agreement with Rheinmetall Electronics concerning the Leopard 2E Combat System. The companies signed an MoU to propose an upgrade of the Spanish Leopard 2E Combat System in March 2025. The planned upgrade aims to incorporate advanced technologies that align with future command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) capabilities expected in upcoming combat platforms. Rheinmetall Business Unit Tactical Vehicles CEO Eduardo Veen Martinez said: “With this MoU, Indra and Rheinmetall, two leading European companies in the field of defence technology, start a strong alliance to support the efforts of the Spanish Armed Forces to modernise their fleet of combat vehicles.” Rheinmetall is the original designer of platforms such as the Keiler NG Armoured Breaching Vehicle. It also holds a significant technological role in the Leopard 2A4 tank programme. Indra is responsible for designing thermal cameras and manufacturing the Leopard 2E combat system in Spain under licence from Rheinmetall Electronics. It also supplies the Lince Battle Management System currently used in Leopard 2 tanks in Spain. In addition, Indra has developed the MAESTRE Mission System, which is part of the Spanish Army’s VCR 8×8 programme and serves as the main design authority for the Spanish BMS. Indra said it is committing resources to enhance its integration and production capabilities for armoured vehicles in Spain, including the development of dedicated facilities for these activities.
Indra Group chairman Ángel Escribano said: “The agreement with Rheinmetall represents a significant step forward in Indra’s strategy of forming alliances and partnerships to strengthen its military vehicle manufacturing and digitalisation capabilities in Spain’ and he added, ‘This is an example of what Europeans can achieve when working together.”
Indra and Rheinmetall previously collaborated on the joint production of the Leopard 2E Combat System, which includes both the Fire Control System and the C4I system. The partners jointly provide solutions that are compatible with various versions of the Leopard 2 tank. (Source: army-technology.com)
14 May 25. Renk, Steyr set to step up production as Europe’s arms spending fills order books. Growing military spending in Europe drove double-digit sales growth for Rheinmetall suppliers Renk and Steyr Motors in the first quarter and filled out their order books for coming quarters. Their bloated order pipelines are similar to many defence sector peers that have been reporting solid results while flagging rising backlogs, as European governments scramble to increase defence budgets after decades of under-investment. Renk’s and Steyr’s piles of orders stand between four and five times their expected revenue this year, according to an LSEG poll of analysts.
Renk CEO Alexander Sagel told Reuters that the German gearbox maker can digest the order backlog by changing the shift model at its main plant in Augsburg, rebuilding assembly lines to allow more flexibility and adjusting production at its European factories.
“We do not need to build any new plant anywhere in the world, at least for the European market,” Sagel said.
LBBW analyst Stefan Maichl told Reuters that Renk’s order backlog supported its growth ambitions and made planning for the future more secure. (Source: Reuters)
15 May 25. Netherlands agrees to buy at least 46 Leopard 2A8 tanks from KNDS. The Dutch government said on Wednesday it had signed an agreement to buy at least 46 Leopard 2A8 tanks from German-French arms maker KNDS as the Netherlands builds a tank unit for the first time in over a decade. The tanks will be delivered between 2028 and 2031 and form part of a push by the Dutch to increase military spending in order to comply with the NATO target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defence. The new tank battalion, which could be expanded with another six tanks, will be stationed in Germany and include around 500 soldiers, the government said in a statement.(Source: Reuters)
13 May 25. EKA Limited, a leading provider of special to role military vehicle systems, has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to deliver specialist safety and environmental support services for the UK MOD’s fleet of Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and their supporting Repair and Recovery Vehicles (RRVs). The contract, which begins in late April 2025 will initially run for three years, with options to extend based on future requirements. It covers the growing fleet of vehicles, both launchers and recovery vehicles – and marks a key milestone in EKA’s continued growth and diversification strategy. EKA also provides design, manufacturing and through-life support services for a wide range of defence applications. Its expertise includes vehicle-mounted systems, recovery systems and associated equipment, integrated winches, and engineering solutions for specialist vehicle systems. Delivered in partnership with System Design Evaluation Ltd (SDE) – whose core business is the impartial assessment, design, development and safety management of platforms, munitions and weapon systems – the programme will see EKA take on the role of primary contractor, supporting ongoing safety and environmental assurance for both fleets. Scope of work includes hazard identification and analysis, risk evaluation, human factors integration, and the preparation of safety documentation in line with Def Stan 00-56 and associated MOD safety regulations. Outputs will support platform approvals and be formally reviewed through the MOD’s Safety and Environmental Management Panels (SEMPs), which oversee compliance and risk across the fleet lifecycle. EKA was selected based on its deep technical expertise, system-level thinking, and proven delivery in defence engineering. The company has previously led winch system upgrades for the RRV, is leading the development of the A2 RRV variant, and provided through-life support across three generations of military recovery vehicles. Its ability to respond rapidly, remain compliant, and align with MOD and NSPA processes made it a natural choice for this contract.
“This award reflects the confidence that both NSPA and MOD have in our people, our approach, and the value we bring as a UK-based SME,” said Michael Keech, Managing Director at EKA. “While recovery platforms will always be part of our DNA, this contract shows how our core values – capability, value for money and customer focus – translate across the wider defence space. We’ve earned a reputation for doing what works in the real world, and we’re ready to apply that to even more complex challenges.”
He added: “This isn’t just compliance for compliance’s sake. It’s about making sure vehicles and people can perform safely and reliably, whatever the mission demands.”
Gordon Storey, CEO of SDE, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside EKA on this programme. Safety and environmental assurance must be thorough, consistent, and transparent – especially on platforms where risk profiles change over time. Our role is to make sure that assurance holds up in the real world, not just on paper.”
The contract builds on EKA’s and SDE’s previous support to NSPA on the MLRS B1 and A2 RRV configurations, and its role as design agent for the next-generation A2 platform.
It is one of EKA’s most significant NATO-awarded contracts to date and reinforces the value that agile, expert-led UK teams can bring to multinational defence programmes. EKA is committed to supporting operational readiness with proven capability, adaptable systems, and real-world engineering.
15 May 25. TSD, Groupo Oesia, FNSS, and John Cockerill Defense Sign a MoU for the Supply of a 6×6 Cavalry Vehicle for the Spanish Army. The four companies intend to collaborate by providing expertise in the following areas:
- Vehicle manufacturing and assembly
- Armored vehicle design
- Optronic vehicle supply
- Manned turret assembly and integration
With this offer, the four companies aim to provide the Spanish Army with a military on-the-shelf solution, including local integrated logistic support and lifecycle management.
Strategic Collaboration
TSD is a Spanish company active in the design, development, and manufacturing of military vehicles. Over the last 25 years, it has been present in both the Spanish and export markets, with over 15.000 vehicles delivered and in service.
Groupo Oesía is Grupo Oesía is a 100% independent, private and Spanish multinational specialized in dual-use digital and industrial engineering. In its commitment to hyper specialization, it has 5 brands, each an expert in its area: Oesía Networks (digital transformation); Tecnobit-Grupo Oesía (cutting-edge technological products and solutions in intelligent vision, simulation, and secure tactical communications); Cipherbit-Grupo Oesía (cybersecurity and secure communications (encryption)); UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía (guidance, navigation, and control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles); and Inster-Grupo Oesía (technology for terrestrial, naval, aerial, and space satellite communications).
FNSS is a globally recognized land systems company that specializes in designing and producing wheeled and tracked armoured combat vehicles as well as combat engineering vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, hybrid powertrains, turrets and sustainability solutions. As the preferred solution provider of users in various countries, the Company has delivered thousands of armoured combat vehicles worldwide.
John Cockerill Defense is a global leader in advanced defense solutions, specializes in the development of innovative weapon systems and armored vehicle technologies. With a strong heritage in military engineering, the company provides cutting-edge solutions to enhance operational capabilities and firepower for modern armed force. The 3030 manned turret is a modern TRL 9 military on-the-shelf solution, equipped with a 30mm ABM-capable weapon system and protected to Level 4 (STANAG 4569). Its unique fire support capability provides the user with 250 ready rounds, representing a 20% increase in firepower compared to other competitors in this category. Over 300 units of these turrets have been produced, delivered, and deployed into service.
A Technologically Advanced Armored Vehicle Solution
This offer represents the most technologically advanced armored vehicle system, specifically designed for cavalry operations and expeditionary forces’ fire support.(Source: ASD Network)
14 May 25. Somalia receives Tiger armoured vehicles and other equipment from the AU. The African Union (AU) recently handed over a large batch of military equipment to Somalia’s military, including Tiger armoured vehicles, fuel and water tankers, helmets, and vests. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia said the equipment was received on 27 March and included armoured vehicles, engines, medical supplies, fuel and water tankers, helmets, vests, and other essential resources to bolster the country’s security infrastructure and contribute to regional stability. Photos show about half a dozen Tiger vehicles were handed over. Somalia is no stranger to the type, with the Somali National Army having received a dozen Tigers in September 2017 to help fight al Shabaab militants. The vehicles delivered in 2017 were painted in a standard Chinese People’s Liberation Army camouflage scheme, indicating they were second hand vehicles, but the Tigers delivered in March were painted white with AU markings. The 6.5 ton Tiger is manufactured by China’s Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Company. It was first introduced on the international market in 2012. It can accommodate nine soldiers plus two crew. It has a kerb weight of 4 500 kg and useful load of 1 100 kg. An overhead turret can be armed with a machinegun or grenade launcher. The vehicle can withstand 7.62 mm armour piercing rounds. A Cummins ISDE200-30 diesel engine gives a top speed of 115 km/h and range of 600 km. In Africa, the Tiger has also been exported to Mozambique. The new batch of equipment received in March was accepted by Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa. Its delivery was facilitated by an African Union Continental Logistics Base (CLB) team in Douala, Cameroon.
“The Federal Republic of Somalia extends its heartfelt appreciation to the African Union for its continued and invaluable support, which strengthens regional security, supports institutional development, and advances counterterrorism efforts, reaffirming the shared dedication to fostering long-term stability, resilience, and progress across the continent,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia said.
Somalia has received a large number of donated vehicles over the years, including RG31s and Reva IIIs from the United Arab Emirates, Kirpi APCs from Turkey, Storm APCs from Qatar, and MAV 5 light armoured vehicles from Italy. Other transfers include Acmat Bastions, and AT105 Saxon armoured personnel carriers. Six South African Puma M26 APCs were delivered in 2021, followed by six Bell 412 and Bell 205 helicopters from Somalia in 2022-23. The African Union has also provided other support to Somalia, for example in 2017 handing over mobile kitchen units, sleeping bags, mosquito nets, non-metallic bullet-proof helmets and tents. China has also provided equipment in the past – in 2022 it transferred five water bowsers, five fuel trucks, 20 offroad trucks, five high mobility field ambulances and 22 metal/mine detectors to Somalia. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
12 May 25. The light tank that isn’t: Why the US Army’s M10 Booker ended up being shelved.
Find out why the US Army’s M10 Booker got cancelled
The plug has been pulled on the M10 Booker combat vehicle by the US Department of Defence.
It was originally pitched as light, air-portable and air-droppable.
But in reality it ended up not being light, not being air-droppable – and arguably not even being a tank.
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The project was halted by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth in a memorandum on 1 May.
It was titled Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform and the aim was to shut down “outdated, redundant and inefficient programmes”.
General Dynamics Land Systems won the contract to make the Booker back in June 2022, and around 80 of them have been built since.
What exactly is the Booker?
The M10 Booker sits somewhere between a medium tank and an assault gun. It was designed to give the US infantry protected direct fire support.
The US Army doesn’t call it a battle tank, instead describing it as an armoured infantry support vehicle.
It has a crew of four, a 105mm main gun and up to two machine guns. It weighs 38 tonnes and can hit speeds of up to 40 miles an hour.
The system is a descendant of the M551 Sheridan – the famous light tank that saw action in Vietnam and the first Gulf War.
That vehicle was fast and light, and could be air-dropped from a C-130 Hercules.
Despite its shortcomings, the Booker is a serious piece of kit. It’s fast and it uses the same stabilised sighting system as the M1 Abrams tank for the main gun.
And the commander gets advanced thermal optics and modern battlefield communications systems.
The Booker was intended to be a modern replacement for the M551 Sheridan which, unlike the M10, fulfilled the light tank requirements
So what went wrong?
Like so many defence projects, this one fell victim to the dreaded procurement problem known as “requirement creep”.
That’s when extra capabilities keep getting added. The weight goes up and eventually the vehicle can’t do what it was originally meant to.
The M10 got too heavy for many of the bridges at Fort Campbell in Kentucky – home of the 101st Airborne Division, which was supposed to have been one of Booker’s key users.
And two Bookers were meant to fit in a C-17 transport plane. But the US Air Force imposed new weight limits on the airframe so it can only carry one, making it less than ideal for a rapid response role.
And then there was the “right to repair” clause in the contract with General Dynamics.
It restricted what US Army maintainers could fix in the field – meaning more jobs had to go back to the manufacturer, adding to the logistical burden.
All of this combined meant the Booker shifted from its original lightweight infantry support role into something more like a medium tank.
The US Army had planned to buy more than 500 Bookers.
Now the programme’s been scrapped, it’s unclear what will happen to the 80 that have already been built.
But don’t count out the M10 Booker just yet – it’s a highly capable platform, so we may not have seen the last of it.
(Source: https://www.forcesnews.com/)
BATTLESPACE Comment: This is a fascinating dichotomy as it demonstrates the exact same problems which GULSUK faced with Ajax. How do you attain the best protection levels required for a light tank/recce vehicle vs power to weight and performance as well as air portability in an A400m/C-17? Answer, as both projects show, it is virtually impossible. As a paper stated at IAV 2023, armies will have to consider sacrificing protection for performance and weight loss. That is a very difficult decision to make when protecting soldiers in on today’s battlefield. Both vehicles have the same original ASCOD chassis, the only difference being the Horstman suspension on the Booker Vs. Torsion Bar on Ajax.
11 May 25. Poland Receives 19 Additional U.S. M1A2 SEPv3 Tanks to Strengthen NATO Eastern Flank. According to information shared on May 9, 2025, by Paweł Bejda, Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of National Defense, Poland has received an additional delivery of 19 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) from the United States. These tanks will soon be integrated into the Polish Army’s operational formations, further strengthening the country’s armored capabilities. This delivery is part of a broader $4.75bn Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement signed in April 2022, under which Poland will receive a total of 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks. The deal also includes 26 M88A2 HERCULES armored recovery vehicles, 17 M1110 Joint Assault Bridges, and comprehensive packages for logistics, spare parts, and training. Before deployment with the Polish Army, the newly delivered U.S. M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks will undergo deprocessing and inspection at the Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne (WZM S.A.) in Poznań, which hosts the Abrams Regional Competence Center. This facility ensures each vehicle meets Polish military standards and is fully mission-capable before integration into frontline units. The initial delivery of 28 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks arrived in Poland in January 2025 via the port of Gdynia and was quickly distributed across various armored formations. The M1A2 SEPv3 variant represents the most advanced iteration of the Abrams series, featuring significant enhancements in firepower, protection, and situational awareness. Key upgrades include improved armor protection to counter both kinetic and chemical threats, an upgraded electrical power generation system, a new ammunition data link to support airburst munitions, and next-generation communications and battlefield management systems. These advancements ensure seamless interoperability with NATO forces and provide the Polish Army with enhanced lethality, survivability, and command-and-control capabilities in modern warfare environments. The latest acquisition forms part of Poland’s ambitious plan to modernize and expand its armored forces, aiming to become the most powerful tank operator in Europe. In addition to the 250 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, Poland finalized a separate $1.4 bn deal in January 2023 to purchase 116 refurbished M1A1 FEP Abrams tanks. These tanks were delivered by mid-2024 and are already operational within the Polish Land Forces. Taken together, Poland will possess a total of 366 Abrams tanks, including both M1A2 SEPv3 and M1A1 variants. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
15 May 25. New NP Aerospace UK Defence Facility Opened by Coventry MP. NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has formally opened its new 5.73-acre facility in Coventry, supporting UK job growth and global defence needs. The opening ceremony was conducted on Friday 9th May 2025, by Mary Creagh CBE, MP for Coventry East and NP Aerospace’s leadership team and workforce. Located in Coventry, the 80,000 sq. ft. indoor site and large outdoor space for military vehicle fleets, will enhance vehicle integration, armour production, and engineering capabilities – creating jobs and strengthening the UK supply chain. Facilities include vehicle assembly, fabrication, customer support and spares, engineering development, specialist equipment handling, machining and final finishing, and sustainable energy production. The new site is also situated close to NP Aerospace’s armour production site in Foleshill, the area of the city where the company was established as part of Courtaulds Group, approaching 100 years ago. NP Aerospace is a trusted global supplier of defence-related products and services for UK MOD and global defence forces. With this new facility, NP Aerospace is in the ideal position to deliver greater capacity for UK-based assembly and integration of full or partial defence systems, including vehicles and armour, for military customers and vehicle OEM industry partners. It also demonstrates NP Aerospace’s investment in the development of people, skills, and engineering know-how, whilst supporting growth in domestic and export business.
Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East MP said: “It’s a great pleasure to open NP Aerospace’s latest UK defence facility, here in the heart of Coventry. Last week, the Prime Minister showed he knows what it takes to deliver the deals we need for economic growth. This means well-paid skilled jobs, more money in your pocket, and more access to markets so UK-based companies like NP Aerospace can thrive. By opening this new facility, NP Aerospace is expanding their export capabilities and strengthening the UK supply chain. NP Aerospace already has a strong reputation in this city, in the industry, and internationally. In seeing this new facility for myself, I understand why.”
James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace, commented: “I’m thrilled to be opening our new UK facility today, and I’d like to thank Mary Creagh MP for joining us to cut the ribbon and mark this important milestone alongside our team. This investment represents a major step forward for NP Aerospace, strengthening the foundations for our continued growth. As a key defence employer in the West Midlands, we remain committed to developing our people, advancing skills and know-how, and expanding our engineering capabilities—delivering lasting benefits to both the region and the wider UK economy.” He added: “For our international customers, this new facility will serve as a central hub to support the continued delivery of our vehicle and armour export programmes, following the acquisition and contract novation activities completed in 2024. For the UK Ministry of Defence, it enhances our ability to deliver on major programmes, including Protected Mobility and Conventional Vehicle fleet contracts such as PMETS and CVSSP, while also reinforcing vital onshore defence capabilities well into the future.”
09 May 25. US hands over Puma armoured vehicles to Ghana. The United States has handed over 14 Puma M36 armoured vehicles to the Ghana Armed Forces. They are part of a batch originally destined for Niger, but were instead sent to other African nations. An official handover ceremony was held on Thursday 8 May at the 153 Armoured Regiment, Abuga Square in Burma Camp, with US Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer transferring the vehicles on behalf of the US government. In her speech, she underscored the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s northern border, given the evolving security challenges in the region. She reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Ghana in enhancing its defence capabilities through sustained partnerships, capacity-building initiatives and the provision of critical resources. Speaking at the event, Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, expressed gratitude to the United States Government for the support in promoting regional and global peace. He reiterated Ghana’s commitment to maintain the donated vehicles. Ahead of the handover, a group of 40 personnel from the Ghana Army’s 15 Armoured Brigade and the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps successfully completed a four-week orientation training focused on the operation and maintenance of the newly acquired vehicles. The course concluded on Friday 2 May after being held at the headquarters of the 153 Armoured Regiment. It was facilitated by Virginia-based defence contractor AMENTUM and coordinated through the Office of Security Cooperation at the US Embassy in Ghana. The training curriculum included both theoretical and practical sessions covering vehicle identification, interior and exterior component familiarisation, operational instructions, safety procedures, turret and gun port handling, and field driving across various terrains such as sand, mud, and rocky inclines. Participants also underwent practical lessons on how to service and maintain the Puma M36. Thirty-eight Puma M36 vehicles were originally destined for Niger, but after Niger ended military cooperation with the United States and American forces withdrew from that country, these were sent to Benin, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire. On 27 November 2024, the United States officially transferred a dozen of the Pumas to Benin’s military, and a dozen to Cote d’Ivoire’s military on 10 April this year. The vehicles are Puma M36 Mk 6 versions built by United Manufacturing Technologies (OTT-USA). As the vehicles are donated by the United States, they are required to have majority US content. OTT-USA was established in 2016 and has proven performance of supplying B7 level armoured vehicles to the US Government for use by partner nations in hostile environments like Somalia. OTT-USA’s flagship vehicle is the Puma M36, which has had its ballistic and blast ratings certified by, among others, the US Army’s Test & Evaluation Command.
“OTT-USA enjoys reach-back support from its sister facilities in Pretoria, South Africa. Together, they are capable of engineering, design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, servicing, and refurbishment of a range of armoured mobility solutions for military, law enforcement, and other specialty applications like cash-in-transit,” the company’s website states.
OTT has delivered some 600 Puma vehicles to more than a dozen customers across Africa, including peacekeeping contributors – over 200 vehicles were used by the African Union Mission in Somalia between 2012 and 2022 for example, while more than 250 vehicles were used by United Nations missions in Mali between 2014 and 2022. Since 2019, more than 70 armoured vehicles have been built at OTT’s partner facility in the United States – the order for 38 Pumas from the US government was received in 2023. The Puma M36 family of vehicles is available with various drive trains, suspensions and options, ranging from Ashok Leyland to Cummins and other transmission options. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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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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