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01 Sep 22. Israel, Boeing agree to $927m deal for four KC-46A tankers.
Boeing will soon sign a $927m contract to deliver four KC-46A aerial refuelers to the Israeli military, the Israeli Defense Ministry and Boeing announced this week.
The ministry agreed to purchase the planes in January, following years of delays in finalizing a contract that stemmed from budgeting issues and local elections. The aircraft, which will arrive in 2025 and 2026, are coming from Boeing’s Lot 8 production.
In a statement, Israel Defense Minister Benny Gantz thanked the U.S. Defense Department for approving the agreement. “I began promoting this agreement, which includes the expedited implementation of U.S. FMF [foreign military financing], two years ago, in coordination with the Ministries of Finance and Justice. This essential initiative will be launched after the Israel Ministry of Defense will sign the agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense,” he said.
He added that the KC-46A tankers are part of a procurement effort that will see Israel buy F-35 fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and advanced munition to “enable the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to face security challenges near and far. This is yet another testament to the powerful alliance and strategic ties between the defense establishments and governments of Israel and the United States.”
A statement from Boeing confirmed parties finalized the contract for the KC-46A, of which the American company has sold 179 total, primarily to the United States. Japan is the only other country operating the aircraft type. (Source: Defense News)
01 Sep 22. Czech Republic and Slovakia co-operate on CV90 MkIV IFV procurement. Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and his Czech counterpart, Jana Černochová, signed a co-operation agreement on the procurement and operation of the CV90 MkIV tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) during the Slovak International Air Fest (SIAF) 2022 at Malacky-Kuchyňa Air Base on 27 August.
Naď said the two countries would support each other in the operation of the IFVs, training and exercises, and the delivery of spare parts and ammunition, as well as exchange experiences in using the vehicles.
Černochová added, “Given the benefits of lower prices and the fact that more such vehicles will be in the region, we can join forces to contract companies to deliver maintenance and repair services for the vehicles and to produce spare parts… What matters to our country is not only the number of vehicles, but also the price, the speed of delivery, and local industrial content.” (Source: Janes)
30 Aug 22. Jankel’s LTTV production programme changes up a gear. Jankel’s production programme for their new Light Tactical Transport Vehicle (LTTV) has changed up a gear from LRIP (Low-Rate Initial Production) to delivering vehicles at a rate of more than 15 per month. The production plan aligns with a re-profiled delivery schedule following COVID and recent supply chain constraints. The LTTV programme, awarded to Jankel in February 2018, will deliver 199 British designed and built tactical vehicles based on the Mercedes Benz UNIMOG vehicles to the Belgian Ministry of Defence (BeMOD). Jankel’s LTTV can be viewed at the DVD exhibition at Millbrook, 21-22 September.
In September 2021, Jankel announced the establishment of a new production capability in the UK and in November 2021 it was announced that the programme had passed Preliminary Technical Acceptance (PTA) and had formally entered production. Following a period of LRIP (Low-Rate Initial Production) that coincided with COVID working restrictions, recently, the programme has been gathering pace with vehicle 25 entering production in August. From September onwards, the production rate accelerates further with the delivery of all 199 vehicles set for completion in 2023.
First unveiled at DSEi in September 2019 and also displayed at DSEi in September 2021, Jankel’s LTTV is designed to provide a modular and configurable tactical support vehicle that benefits from unique, removable mission modules that enable the vehicle to be re-roled rapidly for operational platform versatility. The LTTV has 3 core variants for Special Operations support, including an ambulance variant. Alongside a user-configurable, fully integrated suite of military sub-systems that includes a removable ballistic protection kit, a Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS), weapon mounts and communications fit, the platform will provide full interoperability with the Fox fleet of tactical vehicles.
Richard Semmens, Operations Director at Jankel said: “I’m very proud indeed of our team and our UK-based supply chain for working so hard to get our LTTV programme where it is today, with vehicles coming off the production line at increasing frequency and being delivered to our BeMOD customer. Throughout the LRIP builds, we have integrated some industry leading production and quality systems tools which ensure our ramp up in delivery will meet the exacting requirements of the customer”.
Andrew Jankel, Chairman at Jankel said: Like anyone else in manufacturing (defence or otherwise) will know, there have been some challenges to face through BREXIT, COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict. Right through that period, here at Jankel we’ve continued to deliver and to export some great UK products and services including our LTTV programme. Indeed, we’re one of a very few UK defence manufacturers that has been continuously delivering and exporting throughout this turbulent period”. He added: “I’d like to thank everyone who has worked with us so closely to help us succeed during this testing period including our suppliers and importantly, our customers. I’ll be the first person to say it’s not been easy but I’m also happy to say we’re succeeding. I’d particularly like to thank our suppliers for their patience, support and agility and I look forward to delivering the rest of the LTTV programme in the coming months. What we’ve put in place to deliver this programme also puts Jankel in a great position to deliver on future UK vehicle build programmes”.
31 Aug 22. NATO customer Norway officially commissions new high-performance Rheinmetall MAN logistic vehicles. On 23 August 2022, in the presence of company officials from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, the Norwegian military procurement agency, NDMA, formally transferred over a hundred new HX and TGS-mil military trucks to the Norwegian Army, the end customer. The ceremony took place at Sessvollmoen military base near Oslo. Major General Øyvind Johan Kvalvik, Deputy Director of the NDMA, symbolically handed over the keys to the Norwegian Army’s second in command, Brigadier General Frode Ommundsen.
“We are proud to be able to transfer these state-of-the-art truck systems today to the most important people in the Norwegian armed forces – the troops!”, declared Michael Wittlinger, chairman of the board of management of Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) in a speech marking the occasion. “We are certain that these vehicles will satisfy Norway’s soldiers, providing them with the best-possible protection and support.”
The roots of the project go back to 2008, when a committee of Norwegian military officials drew up a list of specifications for new military logistic vehicles. Norway gave Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) the nod in 2013. Then, on
31 March 2014, NDMA and its Swedish opposite number, the FMV procurement agency in Stockholm, entered a framework agreement with RMMV to supply of military logistic vehicles, which runs through to 2025. Linked to this is an additional agreement encompassing long-term service support from RMMV. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles is a joint venture owned by Rheinmetall AG, which holds a 51% stake in the company, and MAN Truck & Bus SE, which holds the remaining 49% share.
The first shipments of trucks earmarked for Norway include 109 vehicles of various types: twenty-four 24 HX 8×8 trucks with hook lift systems; fifty-six TGS 6×6 heavy-duty tractor trailers; and twenty-nine TGS 4×4 and 6×6 vehicles.
Michael Wittlinger went on to note in his speech that “this is RMMV’s most complex project to date. Our contract is not just with Norway but with Sweden, too. Owing to the special challenges of the Scandinavian operating environment, the technical specifications are very complex. Moreover, the order encompasses 38 different truck configurations and trailer variants, making this a very multifaceted programme.” Furthermore, each individual variant is subject to an extremely rigid and ambitious timetable for reaching milestones, with highly detailed lifecycle support documentation required at every stage. All of this goes way beyond the expectations of our other customers.”
The new vehicles are intended first and foremost to improve the transport capacity of the Norwegian military’s logistics corps, while simultaneously expanding the operational capabilities of its armed forces. This new high-tech family of vehicles fully meets the comprehensive requirements of its military users. Some of these trucks feature an integrated armoured vehicle cab for protecting the crew from ballistic threats and shrapnel. Furthermore, they can also be equipped with state-of-the-art communication and command-and-control systems as well as remote-control weapon stations.
30 Aug 22. Slovakia and Finland with Patria signed an agreement on Patria AMVxp 8×8 vehicles. Slovakia and Finland with Patria have signed a comprehensive government-to-government (G2G) agreement to purchase 76 armored combat vehicles (ACV) from Patria.
Within Slovakia’s BOV 8×8 programme Patria will contribute to the development of the local engineering and defence industry with transferring high-end armored modular vehicle technical experience and innovations. Geographically, the industrial cooperation covers Slovakia widely. The programme will create educational benefits and jobs that provide work for decades, including life cycle services that come after the project.
“Patria is proud to provide the most modern spearhead combat vehicle solution for Slovakian Land Forces. We’ve had intensive and productive negotiations with Slovakian Ministry of Defence and Slovakian industry. Together with Konštrukta Defence, EVPU and CSM, as well as with other local companies, we have created a long-term solution that provides Slovakia sustainable security of supply. Additionally, this agreement provides Slovakia the possibility to continue stable acquisition of vehicle variants and related support of full lifecycle services under the same contract”, states Jukka Holkeri, Executive Vice President for Global Division in Patria.
In March 2022 the Slovakian Ministry of Defence selected Finland and Patria AMVxp 8×8 as BOV 8×8 programme tender winner. Patria AMVxp 8×8 came out on top after system tests and feasibility study evaluation. In the end of March, the Slovakian government announced approval for the Slovakian Ministry of Defence to start contract negotiations with Finland and Patria. The agreed purchase consists of 76 armored combat vehicles, with three vehicle variants.
30 Aug 22. Paramount, DTI, and Jatunapas to produce Mbombe 4 ICV in Thailand. The tie-up will see the assembly and testing of the infantry combat vehicle in the country. South Africa’s Paramount Group has collaborated with Thailand’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI), and local partner Jatunapas, to manufacture its infantry combat vehicle (ICV) in Thailand.
The announcement was made at Thai Defence and Security 2022.
During the event, the locally assembled ICV Mbombe 4, also called ‘D-Lion’, was handed over by DTI director-general Choochart Buakhao to Royal Thai Armed Forces Chief of Defence Forces general Chalermphon Srisawasdi.
After being assembled in the country, the Mbombe 4 will be tested by the Thai Armed Forces and defence research and development agency DTI.
A part of the Mbombe family of combat vehicles, the ICV is suitable for use in counter terrorism, peacekeeping missions, and conventional and asymmetric warfare.
Armed with advanced technologies, the vehicle offers high degrees of ballistic and mine protection.
The 16t vehicle features an armoured and lightweight shielding system that ensures the highest levels of troop protection.
With a burst speed of 140km/hr, Mbombe 4 is also capable of scaling gradients at a 60% incline. Its rear-door ramp design enables the quick deployment of troops.
The ICV can also accommodate multiple weapon systems and ammunition, among other supplies.
Jatunapas CEO Ploynapas Chaiyasree said: “This project embodies the policy of the Thai Government to promote local production, at the highest level, with a platform that represents the most technologically advanced combat capability.
It will provide the Royal Thai Armed Forces with the ability to address the ever-challenging combat environment.”
Paramount Group senior vice-president Eric Ichikowitz highlighted the necessity of an indigenous defence manufacturing supply chain for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) economy and Thailand’s national security.
In October 2021, Paramount Group developed new add-on armour for its Mbombe 4 infantry fighting vehicle to offer protection against all Level 3 threats. (Source: army-technology.com)
30 Aug 22. Aceview Covers Vehicle Blind Spots. South Korean company Aceview is showcasing its latest vehicle safety products, featuring its proprietary real-time image processing technology, for the first time at Thailand Defense & Security 2022.
Based in Gyeonggi Province near Seoul, Aceview specialises in the development of cutting-edge driver safety products based on indigenously developed image processing technology.
Aceview’s M-AVM (3D Around View) is a 360-degree solution equipped with four multi-channel cameras – featuring ultra-wide-angle, ultra-low light, and full HD capture quality – that enables a driver to safely manoeuvre the vehicle without blind spots during the day or night.
By utilising its patented ‘Around View’ image merging technology, the driver can view the immediate environment around the vehicle with an intuitive 3D perspective rather than a bird’s eye view. It also features high-speed processing technology that fuses the imagery captured by the cameras to present a seamless video at higher speeds. Beside enhancing real-time situational awareness and safety, the saved video imagery can also be used to assist with accident investigations.
Aceview explains that the M-AVM can also be used for airborne and maritime platforms. The company has already supplied the solution to the South Korean fire service where it has been deployed aboard 500 fire engines by December 2021, as well as to the military for use aboard undisclosed types of vehicles. It is also in use by the Korean National Police Agency’s patrol boats.
The company has commenced work on a real-time video facility control platform called F-AVM, which could eventually replace conventional CCTV footage with its video processing, storage, and transmission technologies.
“[We are] South Korea’s first and only 3D Around View development, manufacturing supplier, and K-MARK certified (2021) company,” Aceview told D&S Show Daily, noting that it has also been designated as an excellent product by the Public Procurement Service and the Ministry of National Defense.
The company has also embarked on research that could expand its offerings to support the country’s Industrial 4.0 ambitions, particularly in the area of autonomous driving technology and data management using its image processing technology. (Source: AMR)
29 Aug 22. Defense & Security 2022: Thailand unveils D-Tiger 4×4 tactical vehicle. Thailand’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and private-sector firm Chaiseri have jointly developed a new 4×4 tactical vehicle named D-Tiger.
The 12-tonne vehicle, which is based on Chaiseri’s First Win multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), was unveiled at the opening day of the Defense & Security 2022 show in Bangkok on 29 August.
A DTI spokesperson told Janes that the D-Tiger is the first vehicle to have been developed by the Thai Defense Industry (TDI) company, a joint venture (JV) firm established by DTI and Chaiseri earlier in 2022.
He said the D-Tiger prototype is positioned for both the Royal Thai Armed Forces and for export customers, especially those in Southeast Asia.
The D-Tiger is visually similar to the First Win MPV, although its specifications differ from the baseline version of the latter vehicle. The DTI spokesperson said the D-Tiger also incorporates more locally developed technologies and components and is being developed to meet several mission requirements, including command-and-control and infantry fighting operations. (Source: Janes)
29 Aug 22. More Chinese APCs for Gabon. Three years after revealing it was operating VN1 8×8 armoured vehicles, Gabon’s military has for the first time displayed new VP11 4×4 vehicles acquired from China, although the VP11’s predecessor was designed with South African collaboration.
Thirteen Norinco VP11s were seen at Gabon’s Independence Day parade in the capital Libreville on 17 August, along with Maverick, Aravis and VN1 armoured vehicles.
Janes reports the VP11s are in service with the Republican Guard, which is tasked with providing presidential security and supporting the rest of the country’s armed forces. During the parade, the TV coverage commentator said the VP11s are part of the 2nd Reconnaissance and Combat Squadron of the Republican Guard’s Armoured Intervention Group and have been used by the Gabonese contingent that served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Janes added.
The VP11 is based on Norinco’s 8M, which was developed just over a decade ago by South African company EWI2 and China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco). The 8M mine resistant, ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle was unveiled in June 2012. This 8 ton vehicle is powered by a 5.9 litre Cummins QSB diesel giving a top speed of 120 km/h. The 8M has seating for eight people or a payload of 2 500 kg. It can withstand a 7 kg mine blast under the hull and a 10 kg mine blast on any wheel.
At the time of its launch, EWI2 said that the 8M was the first success in a series of collaborative projects to be completed over the coming years by EWI2 and Norinco after the two companies established a cooperation agreement in 2010.
By 2015, Norinco had made some changes to the 8M and rebranded it as the VP11, with seating for eight and ability to have a 12.7 mm machinegun mounted on the roof. New windows with circular gun ports were also added.
The VP11 has a combat weight of 10 tonnes and offers all-round STANAG Level 1 protection, which can be increased to Level 2 using add-on armour. A V-shaped hull is designed to mitigate mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Gabon has acquired numerous batches military hardware over the last decade. In 2019 it emerged that the VN1 was in service with Gabon – this is an export variant based on the ZBL-08 (Type 08) IFV that is fully amphibious, weighing 21 tonnes. It has a two-man turret equipped with a 30 millimetre main gun and a 7.62 millimetre coaxial machine-gun. It is capable of carrying seven soldiers in addition to three crew members. The modular armoured vehicle is used for infantry fire support, battlefield logistics and quick reaction operations.
Other relatively recently delivered hardware includes Dongfeng EQ2050 vehicles and, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 19 Type-07P IFVs. Gabon took delivery of eight Aravis IFVs from French company Nexter between 2015 and 2016 and 24 Matador APCs from Paramount in 2010. Five VAB-VTT vehicles were supplied second hand by France for Gabon’s UN peacekeeping forces. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
26 Aug 22. New grants program targets Hanwha supply chain. The Victorian government has launched a new grants program aimed at supporting local SMEs looking to contribute to Hanwha Defense Australia’s land systems projects. The Andrews Labor government has unveiled the Victorian Land Systems Fund — a $10m grants program aimed at supporting local firms looking to join Hanwha Defense Australia’s (HDA) supply chain.
Up to $100,000 would be offered to each eligible applicant in support of bids to support HDA’s $1 bn LAND 8116 Self- Propelled Howitzer program, which involves the delivery of 30 self-propelled artillery systems and 15 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles to Army.
The grants are set to be offered through a targeted investment stream as part of the Supply Chain Uplift Program.
This is tipped to fund improvements to SME capability, including upgrading business systems and facilities, gaining international accreditations and certifications, or undertaking research and product development.
Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Ben Carroll noted the benefits of the new grants program for the state’s defence industry.
“This funding is about maximising opportunities for local businesses and manufacturers to enter Hanwha’s supply chain, ensuring more Victorian-made components are used in the company’s products worldwide,” Minister Carroll said. (Source: Defence Connect)
28 Aug 22. Land Rover New Defender In Military Service? Some have asked if we are likely to see the New Defender model from Land Rover in military service and in my opinion the answer is yes, writes Bob Morrison.
No doubt some traditional Land Rover purists will be spitting feathers at the idea of a unibody (i.e. monocoque construction with no ladder chassis) vehicle with comfortable seating and no propensity to leave an oil trail or let in the elements, which most Defender and pre-Defender Land Rover models almost invariably did, being issued to the armed forces… but these are the same type of people who almost 40 years ago baulked at the idea of coil springs on the then new One-Ten model.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that UK MoD is likely to buy several thousand of the New Defender model, built in Slovakia and known by the company as the L663 model as opposed to the earlier L316 model built in Solihull, to replace the roughly 6,400-strong current military TUM (Truck Utility Medium) or Wolf 110 fleet which has been in service since 1996. However as the MoD has procured various Range Rover models almost since its inception in the early1970s, and many different Land Rover Discovery models since the 1990s*, for mostly specialist uses it is a near foregone conclusion that a role will be found somewhere for Land Rover’s latest model bearing the Defender name. Indeed the New Defender might even be in service right now, as trusted sources told me some time ago that the company had already presented the L663 ‘behind closed doors’ to the British Army.
The vehicle featured on this page is a slightly militarised New Defender 110 model which was presented last November by Jaguar Land Rover España at the FEINDEF 2021 defence expo in Madrid. Available in 90, 110 and (since 01 June 2022) 130 wheelbase versions, the New Defender is currently only produced in 3-door and 5-door SUV variants but it is anticipated that Pick-Up Truck versions will also be introduced in the not too distant future to complete the family. Both coil-sprung and air-sprung (i.e. variable ride height) versions are in production and diesel, petrol and hybrid alternatives are already produced with an all-electric version under developed; incidentally, Land Rover actually produced several electric prototypes of the original Defender 110 a decade ago.
Underneath the NATO Green colourscheme was a civilian spec New Defender 110 but it would not take too much work to add military-specific extras such as a comms fit, convoy lighting and mesh protection panels for the glass and lights, in similar fashion to what ARQUUS have done to the Ford Everest for the new French MoD VT4 ~ note that a self-recovery winch and steel wheel rims are already fitted to this vehicle displayed by JLR Spain at FEINDEF 2021 [©BM]
For those interested in technical details, the New Defender 110 measures 2008mm wide by 4758mm long (excl spare wheel) by 1967mm high and offers a load bed measuring 1211mm wide by 1763mm (2-seat configuration) or 919mm (5-seat configuration) in current 5-door SUV configuration; kerb weight is 2415kg. For the coil-sprung version, which is most likely what military specifiers would opt for, Approach Angle is given as being 31.5°, Departure Angle is 35.5°, Ramp Angle is 27.8° and Unprepared Fording Depth is 850mm. With suitable tyres fitted a 45° or 1-in-1slope can tackled and kerb-to-kerb turning circle is 12.84m. If the 2966 diesel engine is fitted, maximum road speed is 188km/h or 117mph and range is just over 1,000km.
Already spotted in police livery in the UK and, as passengers recently passing through Heathrow might have spotted, at Britain’s flagship hub airport, the New Defender has also been ordered by the Czech Police. Supplied by local authorised agents Dajbych of Prague, who also tendered for the (subsequently cancelled) Czech Military Police requirement, it is reported the first batch of 30 NATO green vehicles are intended primarily for border patrol duties.
The nearest straight competitor to the New Defender is possibly the visually quite similar Ford Bronco, redesigned and relaunched in 2021 after 25 years out of production. However this ladder frame chassis construction 4×4 SUV, produced in both hard top and soft top 3-door and 5-door versions, is only currently available in Europe through niche-market importers. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
24 Aug 22. GDLS offers glance at Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle prototype design. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is disclosing additional details about its ‘new, purpose-built’ prototype designed to win over the US Marine Corps (USMC) leaders who are on the hunt for a future Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV).
Phil Skuta, the GDLS director for USMC programmes, provided Janes with an update on the company’s ARV prototype. The company plans to deliver this initial platform to the service in December along with a blast hull for survivability testing and a system integration lab, but has not released photos of what this vehicle looks like.
“This was purpose-built. It will pass and disseminate the data that will be going through their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance network,” he told Janes during a late July interview. “[The prototype is] connecting both to the onboard and offboard sensors, to the uncrewed air, and eventually, ground robotic systems and sensors.” (Source: Janes)
26 Aug 22. Life being breathed back into Hoefyster – with conditions. As Denel readies itself to become a properly functioning entity, the State-owned defence and technology conglomerate appears to have an ally in the form of the also State-owned defence and security acquisition agency Armscor for Project Hoefyster.
Under Project Hoefyster, Denel Land Systems (DLS) was contracted to manufacture the Badger infantry fighting vehicle to partially replace the SA Army’s ageing fleet of Ratels. With the project now well into its second decade, there have not been any deliveries, largely due to state capture at Denel. The decline of the Lyttelton, Centurion, based DLS, once billed as a prime contractor, system integrator and sub-system and product supplier, was put firmly at the door of state capture with Gupta affiliate VR Laser allegedly in the vanguard.
That the landward force would go into the future without the new wheeled fighting vehicles Project Hoefyster envisioned was not entirely written off by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise. Responding to a Parliamentary question in May this year, she conceded there was no progress, with Armscor recommending cancellation of the contract, but didn’t shut the door.
That is now water under the bridge with this week’s Armscor presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV).
In part, the presentation has it “completion of phase one of Project Hoefyster is deemed by both Armscor and Denel to be feasible” with conditions. These include end-user agreement on “waiving non-compliance to identified specifications”; suppliers willing to supply required sub-systems and components; availability of sufficient working capital to continue the project and Denel insourcing necessary personnel.
The PCDMV heard Hoefyster as a project has to be financially ring-fenced with Denel to “find ways of providing bridging funds from existing project funds to restart the programme until payment milestones can be reached”. Denel is working on “a request for contract variation” that, once approved by Armscor, will see more regular payments as progress is achieved, facilitating release of funds to provide for labour and supply chain requirements. Armscor will also be asked to waive penalties on outstanding penalty milestones.
Acceptance of waiving of non-compliances will enable Denel to continue rectification of outstanding non-compliances and complete the Section v ariant development, leading to product baseline level being reached.
“The successful completion of phase one of the project will provide a much needed boost for a significant number of SMMEs that provide components, subsystems and services to the Hoefyster project,” Armscor reported.
“The outstanding work to complete phase one will mostly be performed in-house at Denel, as the vehicle hardware in the main already exists. Armscor requested the SA Army requirement for continuation of phase two (industrialisation and production) be reviewed. Armscor will prepare options with regard to continuation of the project, while taking cognisance of availability of funds.”
Hoefyster is, as far as can be ascertained, presently paused with six parts of the development phase at various stages of completion. They are 72% of hull and turret items common to all variants; 84% of the lead – Section – variant; 83% of the Fire Support variant; 73% of the Command variant; 44% of the Mortar variant and 53% of the Missile variant.
Completed as per phase two (industrialisation and production) started over nine years ago are 33 locally developed main weapon CamGuns and ammunition; 60 mm long range mortar bombs; 15 Patria vehicle platforms; 64 training simulators and four pre-production models of the Section variant.
The original Hoefyster requirement was for 264 IFVs – three battalions – in five variants (Section, Mortar, Fire Support, Command and Missile) with the contract coming into force in June 2007. The original delivery period was set down to start in May that year and end five years later in 2012. Contract value according to the Armscor presentation is R1,048,673,907 in 2006 Rand value. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
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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: David Parkman
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