Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
http://www.tekmilitaryseating.co.uk/
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08 Dec 25. Ajax – Unacceptable, acceptance! As the dust settles on the reported problems on the Ajax vehicle, the reasons for the various reported vibration and noise issues are coming to light. It appears that acceptance of the vehicle into IoC by DE&S was a rushed process which didn’t address the various issues previously reported regarding noise and vibration. These issues relate to maintenance of the vehicle and the new headsets, which ate only now coming into service and the troops have to get used to the two modules required for the new headsets. The biggest issue, which was encountered about 4 years ago, when BATTLESPACE first reported the issues of reversing the vehicle which brought the rear roadwheels too close together causing one to blow a bolt between the legs of the trials engineer – track tensioning. It is a requirement for all vehicles on acceptance to have the proper track tensioning carried out on acceptance and then train the new crews on regular track tensioning prior to any deployments. This is especially critical to Ajax given that the Army and DE&S raised the required weight of the vehicle to over 45 tonnes by addition of new protective armour systems which put pressure on the torsion bar suspension and the metal tracks. Sources suggest that, as we suggested some time ago, the solution is to fit hydrogas suspension with Soucy band track which will reduce noise and vibration and also fuel use. In the meantime the vehicle, as we understand, will continue in service, with the various acceptance issues on the delivered vehicles being rectified, paid for by DE&S. This is the price the MoD has paid for having a large gap in armoured vehicle programmes with the subsequent loss of knowledge and capability.
04 Dec 25. Patria Land Oy (“Patria”) and Valmet Automotive Oyj (“Valmet Automotive”) have agreed to collaborate on the technology transfer related to the manufacturing of armoured vehicles, as well as on the production of the first vehicles.
The cooperation on technology transfer will commence immediately. First Patria’s armoured vehicles will be manufactured at Valmet Automotive’s production facility in Uusikaupunki in Finland during the second half of 2026. The commercial value of the collaboration is not disclosed by the parties.
“Patria is pleased with the smooth and rapid progress of the cooperation with Valmet Automotive. While Patria’s production is at a very good level for delivering all existing and anticipated orders, we are nevertheless seeking additional capacity, especially for future demand. Technology transfer is a natural part of Patria’s business model, and this is the first and important step also in cooperation with Valmet Automotive,” says Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Patria’s Protected Mobility business area.
“We are excited to start our cooperation with Patria. This agreement marks an important milestone in the implementation of our new strategy. We will now have the opportunity to demonstrate in practice that our decades-long contract manufacturing expertise represents an exceptionally high level of quality and is well-suited for serial production of a wide range of products. This partnership with Patria also brings together two strong domestic players,” says Pasi Rannus, CEO of Valmet Automotive.
Patria’s Protected Mobility business, which includes the Patria 6×6, Patria AMV XP, and Patria TRACKX armoured vehicle programmes, has grown significantly in recent years. Accordingly, Patria has substantially increased its own production and is investing in its facilities in Hämeenlinna, Finland and Valmiera, Latvia, while continuing to promote its technology transfer and local manufacturing concept.
01 Dec 25. Otokar Aims to Strengthen Its Presence in South America. Turkiye’s largest land platforms exporter, Otokar, took part in Expodefensa 2025, one of Latin America’s most significant defense industry exhibitions, held on December 1-3 in Bogotá, Colombia. During the event at the Corferias Exhibition Center, Otokar will showcase scaled models of the TULPAR and COBRA II vehicles and highlight its advanced capabilities in land systems. Otokar will focus on cooperation opportunities in South America, particularly those involving industrial collaboration, technology transfer, and local manufacturing.
Otokar has long positioned South America as a strategic market and continues to closely follow the region’s evolving requirements. The company aims to offer tailored solutions for users’ needs in the region by evaluating cooperation opportunities, including industrial partnerships and localized production models. Expodefensa 2025 will serve as an important platform for Otokar to meet its existing users and explore new collaboration opportunities.
“SOUTH AMERICA IS A KEY REGION IN OTOKAR’S GROWTH STRATEGY”
Commenting on the company’s objectives for the region, Sedef Vehbi, Otokar Military Cluster Head, said, “Today, more than 33,000 Otokar military vehicles are actively in service with over 70 end users in more than 40 countries. We have military vehicles successfully serving in South America. Thanks to the vehicles already operating in the region, we closely follow user expectations. Expodefensa is an important platform for strengthening our existing relations as well as evaluating cooperation opportunities involving industrial participation and localized manufacturing. Our goal is to increase our presence in the region.”
TULPAR, A NEW GENERATION COMBAT VEHICLE PROVIDING HIGH FIREPOWER
TULPAR stands out with its mobility, high firepower, and survivability features. TULPAR is designed as a multi-purpose tracked vehicle with variants ranging from 28,000kg to 45,000kg to fully satisfy the modern armies’ existing and future requirements.
TULPAR comes in several variants, including but not limited to Light/Medium Tank, Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Recovery Vehicle, Mortar Vehicle, Air Defense Weapon Carrier, Fire Support and Medical Evacuation Vehicle, all having common subsystems. Tested in the toughest climates and on rough terrain conditions, TULPAR offers high ballistic and mine protection with modular armor.
In addition to its high firepower, TULPAR’s mobility enables it to operate effectively in urban areas, built-up zones, and diverse terrains – including soft surfaces where heavier platforms face limitations. At Expodefensa 2025, TULPAR will be showcased with the 30 mm MIZRAK turret.
COBRA II: MODULAR POWER FOR EVERY MISSION
Actively in service with more than 20 end users worldwide, the COBRA II stands out with its high level of protection, superior mobility, large internal volume, and payload capacity. COBRA II provides protection against ballistic, mine, and IED threats. With its high power-to-weight ratio, COBRA II delivers strong performance. The combat-proven vehicle is operated by armies in different parts of the world under tough terrain and climate conditions.
Suitable for a wide range of weapon and mission equipment integrations, COBRA II is successfully used for border protection as well as internal security and peacekeeping missions. Its modular structure makes the vehicle adaptable for roles such as Armored Personnel Carrier, Anti-Tank Weapons Platform, Reconnaissance & Surveillance Vehicle, CBRN Reconnaissance, Command Control Vehicle, Recovery Vehicle and Medical Evacuation Vehicle. During the exhibition, COBRA II will be showcased with the KESKIN turret. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Nov 25. UK Forces Tactical Truck Fleet ‘Grounded.’
The MAN SV (Support Vehicle) tactical truck used by all UK Forces for operations and routine logistics resupply has been ‘grounded’.
In response to a direct query from JOINT-FORCES, this morning an MoD spokesperson said:-
“The safety and wellbeing of our personnel is our utmost priority.
“A number of MAN Military Support Vehicles have been affected by a mechanical fault. On the recommendation of the Defence Safety Authority, we have paused using the vehicles while action is taken to replace the affected parts. There are no wider underlying safety concerns with the vehicle.
“With the implementation of specified safety checks and risk assessments, some vehicles can continue to be used within certain limitations.”
• Not all vehicles in the fleet are affected but, as a matter of caution, all vehicles will be fitted with replacement parts.
• The MAN Military Vehicles and Support Vehicles are used by the three services and perform a multitude of supporting roles.
• Where vehicles are used on Operations, risk assessments will be conducted to allow their continued use.
• There is no risk to the delivery of Operations or the delivery of any other worldwide commitments.
• The propshaft failures stem from incorrect installation rather than inherent design flaws
Editor’s Comment: The MAN SV, based on the first version of the RMMV HX truck series, entered UK service in 2007. HX-series tactical trucks are widely used across NATO and are both highly reliable and popular with the ‘loggies’ who use them. As far as we can determine, this is primarily an MoD parts replacement procedures issue rather than a specific problem with the workhorse. (Source: joint-forces.com)
28 Nov 25. SA Army vehicles given new life. The South African Army is making great strides in returning hundreds of combat and logistics vehicles to service, with 101 Field Workshop at the Army’s Combat Training Centre (CTC) bringing Ratels and others back to life, and converting trailers to accommodation for deployed soldiers as an upgrade over tents.
Acting Officer Commanding 101 Field Workshop, Major C Motau, said the unit’s main task is to repair and maintain all prime mission equipment (PME), particularly for deployments and exercises like Vuk’uhlome, which culminated in a Distinguished Visitors Day on 26 November and Chief of the SA Army Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha declaring forces ready for combat.
While exercises like Vuk’uhlome can put a strain on vehicles, serviceability this month has been about 90%, Motau said. Technicians have been hard at work for months to ensure enough vehicles are serviceable, and have been assisted by counterparts from Cuba. They are particularly skilled with software issues and have helped fixed cranes, amongst others. The Cubans also built four driving simulators for the SA Army, Motau said.
As part of the Modern Light Brigade initiative, broken and damaged vehicles are being made serviceable, with an emphasis on self-reliance – where possible, work is done in house rather than outsourced to industry in order to save money. Securing a supply of spares can be challenging but the SA Army is refurbishing its own spares to help ease this burden, with much of this being done in Pretoria.
Mbatha said the SA Army has established five regional workshops around the country to ensure the Army remains on its wheels. He added that technicians made the Army proud during Exercise Vuk’uhlome 2025.
At the Combat Training Centre in the Northern Cape, the majority of vehicles being refurbished by 101 Field Workshop are A and B vehicles (armoured and unarmoured) but it is also rehabilitating G5 and G6 howitzers, Military Health Service equipment and other hardware. According to Motau, since August last year over 100 Ratels have been refurbished and dozens more are in the process of being overhauled or getting ready for overhaul. This includes servicing mechanical components, replacing anything that is defective and repainting the vehicle from brown to camouflage.
Ratels awaiting maintenance at 101 Field Workshop.
Motau said it can take a couple of days to several weeks to refurbish a Ratel, depending on the level of work involved. For instance, replacing pistons or wiring can take some time. Even a basic engine service is fairly complicated as changing oil and filters requires the engine to be removed from the vehicle.
A project that improves the welfare of troops and saves accommodation costs is seeing the conversion of trailers into accommodation, with either four, six, or eight beds as well as a fridge, microwave, and stove being installed. Most of the trailers were originally acquired decades ago and used to house spares and equipment or showers and toilets. The trailers are repainted, re-equipped, and have their brakes, suspension and other components refurbished. Work on the trailers began in 2022 – some have already been put into service. About three dozen trailers have been converted this year alone.
Motau said the aim of the vehicle resuscitation project is to help “bring back the glory days” of the SANDF. (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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