Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
http://www.tekmilitaryseating.co.uk/
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
07 Jul 25. Obscure Turkish APC displayed at Somali graduation ceremony. An Ejder armoured personnel carrier (APC) made by Turkish company Nurol Makina was seen in Somalia for the first time when it was displayed at a graduation event at the Turkish training facility (Turksom) in Mogadishu on 3 July. Television coverage of the event showed the Ejder with a Somali flag on it parked next to a BMC Kirpi II with a Turkish flag on it. Not to be confused with Nurol’s Ejder Yalçın, a 4×4 armoured vehicle that is now in service with several military and security forces, the Ejder is an earlier 6×6 APC that was only produced for one customer. When the Ejder was officially unveiled in February 2009, Nurol said it was an 18 tonne amphibious APC that could carry 12 people. It said that more than 50 Ejders had already been exported, and the vehicle would be submitted for a Turkish Armed Forces requirement for 336 special-purpose 6×6 tactical vehicles. Georgia was subsequently identified as the Ejder customer, with Nurol saying the Caucasian country bought 70 when it announced that the vehicle participated in trials for a new APC to equip Kuwait’s land forces and emiri guard in September 2011. The vehicle used for the Kuwaiti trials was fitted with a one-man turret armed with a 25 mm gun, unlike the ones sold to Georgia. No further orders were forthcoming, and the product was seemingly dropped after the launch of the original version of the Ejder Yalçın in 2013. (Source: Janes)
09 Jul 25. South Korea status rises with Polish K2 order, says GlobalData. The deal positions South Korea as a reliable source of modern military equipment compatible with Nato standards. South Korea’s recent deal to provide Poland with additional K2 Black Panther main battle tanks (MBT) strengthens its position in the European defence market, says leading data and analytics company GlobalData. As part of the $6.5bn deal, South Korea will deliver a second batch of 180 K2 tanks to Poland as part of a 2022 framework that could see up to 1,000 tanks delivered, according to the company. This contract aligns with Seoul’s status as a reliable source of modern equipment compatible with Nato standards, particularly amid heightened security concerns in Europe. GlobalData Aerospace & Defense Analyst Venkatesh Kandlikar said: “Poland’s initial agreement in 2022 covered 180 K2 tanks, with the deliveries of this order still underway. The latest announcement for the additional 180 K2 tanks deepens that relationship and will significantly expand Poland’s armoured vehicles strength.
“The country gains immediate combat capability and a strengthened domestic defence industry, while South Korea solidifies its position as a reliable and strategic contributor to NATO’s evolving security framework.”
The latest deal includes local production of about 63 tanks in Poland through technology transfer from Hyundai Rotem and collaboration with Polish defence companies. In June 2024, the Polish Ministry of Defence confirmed the commencement of domestic production of 180 K2 tanks in Poland for service in the Polish Army, following successful talks with a South Korean delegation. Developed by Hyundai Rotem, an affiliate of the Hyundai Motor Group, the K2 Black Panther is designed to replace K1 series of vehicles and M48 tanks. The new MBT features enhanced mobility and fire power. Poland will also produce other South Korean military platforms, such as K9 self-propelled howitzers and FA-50 light attack aircraft, domestically. The acquisition of the K2 tanks is part of Poland’s initiative to replace more than 300 older tanks donated to Ukraine. Alongside the purchase of 250 US M1A2 Abrams tanks in 2022, these new tanks will enhance Nato’s eastern flank defences and ensure compatibility with allied forces. GlobalData’s report anticipates that Poland’s expenditure on K2 tanks will reach approximately $11.2bn by 2035.
Venkatesh said: “Traditional European defence producers such as France and Germany continue to face limitations in meeting current demand due to decades of reduced production after the Cold War. In this context, South Korea is emerging as a reliable supplier, offering modern, Nato-compatible platforms with rapid delivery schedules, supported by strong industrial and diplomatic backing from the US. As Europe intensifies its rearmament drive, South Korea presents a unique blend of cost effectiveness, mass production capacity, Nato compatibility, and collaborative industrial engagement. South Korea will likely witness soaring defence exports to Nato, as member states aim to allocate 5% percent of GDP to defence spending going forward. The growing cooperation between Seoul and Warsaw reflects a broader shift in global arms procurement, where speed, affordability, and strategic alignment are becoming key factors in defence acquisition amid rising geopolitical uncertainty,” he concluded.
South Korea is also partnering with Türkiye to share technology for the Altay MBT, which is based on the K2 design and incorporates Korean subsystems. (Source: army-technology.com)
09 Jul 25. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles presents new TGS-Mil Protected. At the RMMV Mobility Days, which were held for the first time this year, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) presented its new TGS-Mil Protected armoured truck. The TGS-Mil Protected is based on the TG-generation of military trucks produced by RMMV in Vienna. The TGS-Mil Protected model on display is equipped with a protected cabin for two persons. The solution developed by Rheinmetall complies with current NATO standards and is available in 6×6 and 8×8 variants. Thanks to its modular design philosophy, the vehicle can be adapted to a wide range of mission profiles, including protection levels, communication systems, and specialised payload options. With the TGS-Mil Protected, RMMV is specifically targeting a broad and growing segment of the international market that demands protected logistical mobility combined with long-term cost efficiency. The development of this vehicle highlights RMMV’s commitment to continuously adapt its militarized truck portfolio to evolving mission requirements and geopolitical developments. With the TGS-Mil Protected, RMMV can now offer both protected and unprotected variants within the same modular system, providing flexibility, fleet harmonisation and reduced life-cycle costs for new and already existing customers alike. The TGS-Mil Protected is powered by a MAN D2676 six-cylinder diesel engine with up to 382 kW/520 hp and up to 2,650 Nm of torque. The engine complies with Euro II, V and VIe-standards and is compatible with NATO fuel F34. The drive and chassis systems are based on proven components from the civilian sector, which simplifies maintenance and worldwide service. The all-wheel drive ensures excellent off-road capabilities. The RMMV Mobility Days 2025 were held under the motto ‘Innovation in Motion’. Around 120 participants from 22 countries gathered in Vienna for the event. They received information about RMMV’s current products and activities. The programme included a factory tour at the long-standing production facility in Vienna-Liesing which has recently been upgraded with a state-of the-art logistics system and digitised manufacturing processes. In future, around 4,000 HX and TG vehicles can be produced here each year to meet growing global demand. RMMV also demonstrated the versatility and off-road capabilities of its vehicle families (HX and TG) on an off-road site near Vienna. In addition, future technologies such as tele-operated driving and autonomous mobility were also part of the presentation. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) is the competence centre for professional military and militarised logistics trucks within the Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems Division. The joint venture, headquartered in Munich, is one of the world’s leading providers of defence solutions in the field of land mobility logistics, in which Rheinmetall AG holds a 51 per cent majority stake and MAN Truck & Bus SE holds the remaining 49 per cent. Together with its predecessor companies, RMMV can look back on more than 100 years of experience in truck manufacturing for the most demanding military applications.
07 Jul 25. Medium Protected Medical Vehicle EAGLE 6×6 handed over to the German Armed Forces. During the medical exercise ILÜ San 2025 in Feldkirchen, Lower Bavaria, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) officially handed over the Medium Protected Medical Vehicle (abbreviated mgSanKfz in German) based on the EAGLE 6×6 to the Bundeswehr on July 4th. The symbolic handover of the keys took place at the Medical Training Regiment’s garrison in front of high-ranking guests. The vehicle has a crew of four, optionally including an emergency physician to meet highest standards of medical care. The EAGLE is equipped with a flexible stretcher loading system and state-of-the-art medical technology for the qualified transport of one to two patients. The driver’s cab and transport compartment are protected against the various threats faced on today’s battlefield. With its 229 kW diesel engine, robust chassis with EAGLE-typical De Dion suspension, and third-axle steering, the mgSanKfz sets new standards for this category of vehicles. “We would like to thank our German customers for the continued trust they place in us and are delighted that we can hand over the most modern ambulance vehicle in the world to the German Armed Forces,” said Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Managing Director of GDELS Germany and Vice President GDELS Global Sales.
07 Jul 25. North Macedonia outlines defence priorities. North Macedonian Minister of Defence Vlado Misajlovski outlined the country’s defence priorities in an interview with national television station MRT1 on 30 June, including increasing defence spending from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035. He said North Macedonia would sign an agreement with the UK in July, under which the UK (together with the US) would help the Balkan country develop a new, revised National Defence Strategy and Strategic Defence Review (SDR) with new modernisation goals and projects in the incoming 10 years in line with spending 5% of GDP within the time frame. Misajlovski listed North Macedonia’s priorities for the next 10 years, including building medium-range air-defence capabilities, acquiring more Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) 4×4 and Stryker 8×8 vehicles and various types of unmanned aerial vehicles, developing the domestic defence industry with foreign partners, developing capacities for maintenance and overhaul of military vehicles (in co-ordination with Slovenia and Montenegro for the JLTV), modernising barracks and vehicle parks, and storing equipment such as Mistral short-range air-defence (SHORAD) systems. North Macedonia currently allocates 32% of its EUR330m (USD388.3m) budget to the acquisition of new weapons and military equipment, and it plans to continue to do so. Misajlovski revealed that MBDA had informed the Ministry of Defence in June that there would be a delay in the delivery of 18 Mistral 3s on order from 2025 to 2026, with the company offering to pay penalties for this. (Source: Janes)
04 Jul 25. Sweden call for information before combat vehicle procurement. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) – the country’s defence procurement office – has issued a request for information (RFI) before it procures the Army’s next generation combat vehicle, according to a statement on 3 July 2025. Sweden will soon acquire a new fleet of ground vehicles to replace and complement the existing Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) system, which together with the Stridsvagn 122, forms a central part of the Swedish Army’s ground mobility. According to GlobalData intelligence, the Swedish Army operate around 500 CV90s, some of which were first procured 30 years ago, while there are more than 100 Stridsvagn 122 tanks. Sweden last procured 50 units of the latest CV90 Mk. III C variant from BAE Systems Hägglunds in December 2024 as part of a three-party framework agreement alongside Denmark.
“In order to assess the possibilities of procuring new combat vehicle systems from 2030 onwards, we need to gain an increased understanding of the market’s ability to deliver. That is why we are now publishing an RFI,” said Ola Almesjö, project manager in the Army Materiel business area.
An RFI is essentially market research, where suppliers are asked to describe their products, technologies or concepts. It is an important part of FMV’s preparation work for potential procurements, but does not guarantee a procurement. The responses received will be analysed in the autumn of 2025, as a basis for further planning and possible future inquiry documents. The Swedish army needs to increase its number of combat vehicles. Currently, both upgrading of existing combat vehicles and the procurement of additional equipment and replacement of combat vehicles donated to Ukraine are underway. This is currently being done in various international collaborations. Looking ahead, Sweden is currently involved in the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program, aiming for a 6×6 armored vehicle platform to replace older vehicles like the Patria XA-203 and XA-360. The FMV will acquire 321 CAVS form the Finnish supplier, Patria. Another solution that Sweden is considering to augment its armoured mobility capability, specifically its main battle tank fleet, is the Main Armoured Tank for Europe (MARTE) consortium. MARTE recently gained €20m ($23.6m) in funds from the European Defence Fund. However; the German-led initiative is at a nascent stage, having just entered the initial study and preliminary design phase. (Source: army-technology.com)
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————