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21 Sep 23. US Army picks four to build robotic combat vehicle prototypes.
The U.S. Army selected McQ, Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Defense to build light robotic combat vehicle prototypes for a total of nearly $25 million, the service said Sept. 20.
The companies have until August 2024 to build the prototypes and deliver them to the Army for testing and evaluation with soldiers. This marks the first phase of a competition planned to eventually become a program of record.
The selected companies “will concurrently mature and deliver integrated system designs towards Army requirements for a lightweight, modular and upgradeable robotic combat vehicle,” the Army’s statement said. “The RCV-Light will deliver increased situational awareness, lethality, and tactical options for Army formations in support of multi-domain operations.”
Variants of the vehicles will serve as scouts or escorts for manned fighting vehicles, the service added.
The Army is expected to choose a single winner in the second phase of the competition in fiscal 2025 to deliver up to nine prototypes the following year. The service has a production decision slated for FY27; fielding to the first unit is set for FY28.
Bringing the RCV-L capability to the force will provide the service with integrated teams of robots and soldiers. “Human-machine integrated teams are the future of successful ground combat in the land domain,” Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team, said in the statement.
“This marks the official transition for us out of experimentation and movement to a fieldable RCV platform prior to 2030,” Steve Herrick, the Army’s product manager for RCV, said in the statement.
The RCV-L competition is a product of lessons learned through surrogate prototyping and operational experimentation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
Robotic vehicle surrogate prototypes have been in soldiers’ hands since 2022, the Army said. A rotation with the systems wraps up at NTC this month.
QinetiQ North America won a contract in early 2020 to provide those surrogate RCV-L prototypes.
According to FY23 budget documents, the Army plans to spend nearly $750 million over the next five years on the RCV-L effort.
Meanwhile, the Army will also work on RCV autonomous software development over the next two years with the Defense Innovation Unit. (Source: Defense News)
22 Sep 23. US DoD replenishes Saudi Arabia with spares and parts for land vehicles.
Saudi Arabia has requested the replenishment of its land platforms – including Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles among other common equipment.
The Royal Saudi Land Force (RSLF) is seeking to acquire spares and repair parts for a range of common platforms it has with the US Department of Defense (DoD) as part of a Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II.
Under a Co-operative Logistics Supply Support Agreement (CLSSA) worth $500m (SR1.8bn), the DoD will deliver spares and parts for vehicles to the Kingdom, including its fleet of Abrams tanks, M-60 tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, Mine Resistance Ambush Protected vehicles, Light Armoured Vehicles, howitzers, among a diverse range of military equipment.
The proposed sale will maintain Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by allowing the RSLF to continue to purchase the spare/repair parts to operate its fleet, through their current CLSSA programme, to replenish in-country stocks required for general maintenance. The RSLF has participated in the CLSSA programme since 1965 and will have no difficulty absorbing these items into its armed forces.
Regional tensions in the Middle East
Approval for the Kingdom’s request comes just after Kuwait’s $150m FMS deal with the DoD to repair and recertify its PAC-3 missiles, allowing the neighbouring Gulf nation to maintain the missiles’ thirty-year lifespan.
The US Defense Security and Co-operation Agency stated that the proposed sales for equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the Middle East. Instead, both agreements extend the life of their force’s operational viability in the long-run – placing the two Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) partners in a state of military readiness, especially while the backdrop of tensions with Iran remain strained.
The expanding influence of the Kingdom’s geopolitical and strategic rival Iran throughout the Middle East has compelled the country to respond by intervening in the civil wars in Yemen and Syria.
Although the dynamics of the conflict are diametrically opposite between Yemen and Syria, wherein Saudi Arabia is striving hard to crush Houthi rebellion while striving to depose the pro–Iranian Assad regime. However, despite their differences, the common thread between Syria and Yemen has been the principal need to contain Iran’s expanding influence.
Shoring up the Kingdom’s land force
GlobalData intelligence tells us that Saudi Arabia’s defence market is dominated by military fixed-wing platforms, missiles and defence systems and naval vessels.
These sectors are the three largest segments that GlobalData indicates will be cumulatively valued at $15.8bn, $7.4bn and $4.1bn respectively over 2023–28.
This analysis tells us that the country ought to maintain a credible land force fleet as this segment makes up a smaller percentage of the nation’s defence budget. This has prompted the Saudi government, as part of its Vision 2030 programme, to spend at least a 20% increase in troop levels for the RSLF and the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
(Source: army-technology.com)
20 Sep 23. Israel unveils next-generation Barak tank. The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) unveiled a new version of the Merkava 4 main battle tank called the Barak on 19 September.
“The Barak tank incorporates ground-breaking technologies, which provide soldiers of the Armored Corps unique defensive and offensive capabilities that improve manoeuvrability tremendously,” an MoD statement quoted Ground Forces Commander Major General Tamir Yadai as saying.
The MoD released a video showing three completed Baraks at the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate in Tel HaShomer and said the first new tanks were delivered to the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Armoured Brigade earlier in the month. It added that the Barak will replace the Merkava 4 as the main tank for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF’s) armoured forces. (Source: Janes)
20 Sep 23. France, Germany remain committed to new tank, defense ministers say. France and Germany remain committed to jointly developing a next-generation tank in the framework of the Main Ground Combat System project, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told newspaper Le Monde in a joint interview. A separate project by German, Spanish and Italian defense companies to develop a modern battle tank is an industry initiative, and not an alternative to the MGCS, Pistorius said. France and Germany are meeting regularly and are “determined” to continue their joint project to create one of the most modern armored systems in the world, he told Le Monde.
Lecornu and Pistorius are meeting at Evreux airbase west of Paris on Thursday, and Lecornu said the ministers will validate the operational requirements sought by the two countries’ armed forces. The French minister said the project goes beyond replacing the Leopard 2 and Leclerc, and is about defining a next-generation weapons system that includes major technological breakthroughs, and which could be in service for the next 30 to 50 years.
The MGCS project envisages a main battle tank supported by drones and artificial intelligence that will replace Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc fleets. The development is being led by KNDS, a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, with Rheinmetall as a partner, after a letter of intent was signed in 2018.
German lawmaker Andreas Schwarz, who sits on the parliamentary defense committee, earlier this month suggested Germany should further develop the Leopard 2 to save “time, money and nerves,” in response to a Handelsblatt report of doubts around the MGCS project.
The French and Germany governments will set the pace of the MGCS project, and will work with the participating defense companies to define the conditions, Pistorius told Le Monde, in response to a question about a complicated working relationship between the industrial partners. The idea is for the MGCS to be an open project that other EU countries can join, the minister said.
Lecornu said it’s up to the countries to uphold the specifications, as they will be the customers. He said France’s 2024-2030 military budget includes nearly €500m ($535m) for the project.
The project will set a timetable that corresponds to the end of service for the Leopard 2 and Leclerc, according to Lecornu. He said France is renovating part of its fleet of Leclerc tanks to extend their service life beyond 2040. (Source: Defense News)
19 Sep 23. Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cosworth, propulsion experts, to explore the use of hybrid systems in military land vehicles.
Under the agreement, the companies will work together to deliver the systems to convert fuel to electricity in military vehicles.
Babcock will integrate Cosworth’s ‘Cat Gen’ (Catalytic Generator) into a 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser which forms part of Babcock’s General Logistics Vehicle (GLV) family and conduct trials in military environments.
Cosworth’s ‘Cat Gen’ is able to generate 35kW of electricity from a variety of liquid and gaseous fuels, in order to produce power. Successful trials would lead to both silent running and greater vehicle range when compared to existing hybrid propulsion methods.
The ‘Cat Gen’ has only one moving part, making maintenance minimal. It is also able to use fuels ranging from diesel through to zero-emissions hydrogen ensuring that it is a capability for both now and in the future.
Chris Spicer said: “We’ve already had great success working with the British Army to convert Land Rovers into Electric Vehicle prototypes. This new partnership with Cosworth will support Babcock’s development of the next generation of military hybrid vehicles. This is exciting news for the British Army who are already showing tremendous leadership in this field.”
Hal Reisiger said, “Cosworth has successfully expanded into the defence sector over the last eight years. This exciting program showcases our alternative propulsion solution the ‘Cat Gen’ and reinforces the brand’s commitment to supply a broad range of propulsion solutions across the Automotive, Motorsport, Marine, Aerospace and Defence sectors. Babcock are an important development partner for Cosworth, and we look forward to continuing our development partnership”
19 Sep 23. The US Army’s New M-1E3 Abrams Tank Modernization Program. The M-1 Abrams Tank is designed to maneuver under fire and destroy enemy armored forces on the battlefield by means of mobility, survivability, and firepower. The M-1 is named for General Creighton Abrams, a noted World War II armored battalion commander who later served as Army Chief of Staff from 1972 to 1974. M-1 Abrams tanks are the primary major weapon system in Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs). At present, the Active Army has 11 ABCTs, and the Army National Guard has 5 ABCTs. Each ABCT has 87 M-1 Abrams tanks.
The M-1 program began in December 1971. In June 1973, two contracts were awarded by the Army for prototype development to the Defense Division of Chrysler Corporation (which in 1982 became General Dynamics Land Systems [GDLS]) and the Detroit Diesel Allison Division of General Motors (GM). In 1988, GDLS was awarded a contract for the M-1A2 version, and the first M1A2s began to enter service in late 1992. The M-1A2 is the baseline export version of this tank.
Export versions feature a variety of armor and communications packages. The United States has sold M-1A1 and M-1A2 variants to Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia via Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
On January 25, 2023, President Biden announced that the United States would provide Ukraine with 31 M-1 Abrams tanks. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Congressional Research Service (CRS))
19 Sep 23. Norway Donates Cargo Carriers to Ukraine. Norway will donate approximately 50 tracked cargo carriers to Ukraine. “These are important to get supplies to areas where there are no roads,” says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
The vehicle is tracked and is able to maneuver in terrain inaccessible for wheeled vehicles. Therefore, they are important supplement to wheeled trucks to transport goods. The cargo carriers can transport ammunition, food and water to Ukrainian troops in the field.
The vehicle is called M548 internationally, while the Norwegian version is designated NM199. The vehicles have been in storage in the Armed Forces, but are now being maintained. The carriers will be replaced through already planned projects.
Norway has previously donated a wide range of capacities to Ukraine, such as NASAMS ground-based air defense systems and main battle tanks. The government has also decided to donate F-16 combat aircraft.
“Ukraine still has a strong need for military support in the fight against the Russian invasion forces. Norway will continue to support Ukraine as long as needed,” says the defense minister.
The vehicle is tracked and is able to maneuver in terrain inaccessible for wheeled vehicles. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Norway Ministry of Defence)
19 Sep 23. New EDA Project to Advance Work on Hybrid Drive Trains for Military Vehicles. To improve the sustainability of future defence mobility while retaining the highest performance demanded by military vehicles, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has been working on the development of hybrid drive trains for military use. EDA has formally kicked-off the HybriDT II (Hybrid Drive Train Demonstrator-phase 2) – project which involves the design of full-scale wheeled and tracked military purpose demonstrators with hybrid drive trains.
The aim of HybriDT II is the design of demonstrators to verify simulation results and allow for tactical and logistic testing of new technologies.
Phase two will work to identify the best technology for a modular and scalable hybrid architecture best fitting for military purpose which meets the objectives of significant weight saving, and space claim, thermal radiation reduction and fuel consumption reduction. Wheeled vehicles will be the primary focus of the research, with 8×8 and 6×6 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) will be considered. In addition, tracked vehicle applications will be investigated just within simulation.
The kick-off meeting, held on 6 September, has officially started the second phase of the project (HybriDT II) that involves Germany, as lead contributing Member State, Austria, The Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia as contributing Member States. This phase of the project has a duration of 15 months and a total budget 1,7 M€. In the expected follow-on phase (HybriDT III), one or more demonstrators will be developed, manufactured and tested according to the results obtained in HybriDT II.
Pan-European consortium
The project will be executed by a consortium composed of thirteen industrial and research entities: the AVL List as project leader and General Dynamics European Land Systems – Steyr from Austria; the German AVL Schrick, AVL Software and Functions and Institute for Chemical Technology Fraunhofer; DNV, TNO and VDL from The Netherlands; the Polish Military University of Technology and Huta Stalowa Wola Ironworks; AVL Slovenia, Elaphe Propulsion Technology and University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).
Hybrid II project, prepared in the CapTech Ground Systems at EDA’s Research and Innovation Directorate, contribute to develop innovative propulsion and drivetrain systems, which could fulfil production of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV), by introducing the most advanced technological trends in transportation.
EDA’s wider role
EDA supports all EU Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks spanning the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.
Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/EDA)
19 Sep 23. Rolls-Royce Introduces First UK-Assembled MTU 8V 199 Engine. Rolls-Royce completed the first MTU eight-cylinder series 199 engine to be manufactured in the UK. The facility for the assembly and load testing of these engines, which are intended to power the Boxer vehicles for the British Army, is now fully operational at the plant in East Grinstead (West Sussex). Rolls-Royce will be showcasing this engine and its full range of products for land and naval forces on its stand at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London from 12-15 September.
The test run of the first MTU 8V199 TE21 assembled in the UK with an output of 600 kW is now complete. The production of these special engines for military applications in the UK is part of the agreement for the delivery of the Boxer vehicle programme. The “Boxer” is a highly protected 8×8 wheeled vehicle whose modular architecture allows for an exceptionally high number of variants. So far, about 1,500 wheeled vehicles have been ordered, including for Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Australia.
The MTU series 199 is the best-selling tank engine in its power class. The 6- and 8-cylinder engines of the MTU 199 series are characterised by particularly high power combined with especially low weight and volume. Apart from the “Boxer”, the MTU series 199 also powers other armoured vehicles in this size class. The Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems manufactures the engines at three locations: in Friedrichshafen (Germany), East Grinstead (U.K.) and Aiken (USA).
Rolls-Royce is currently developing a variant of the MTU series 199 with even higher power output – 800 kW compared with the current 600 kW – to ensure best possible off-road mobility even for heavier vehicles.
Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers. Annual underlying revenue was £12.69bn in 2022 and underlying operating profit was £652m.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems is headquartered in Friedrichshafen in southern Germany and employs more than 9,500 people. The product portfolio includes MTU-brand high-speed engines and propulsion systems for ships, power generation, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles and for the oil and gas industry as well as diesel and gas systems and battery containers for mission-critical, standby and continuous power, combined generation of heat and power, and microgrids and is intensively engaged in the development of climate-neutral solutions. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Rolls-Royce)
19 Sep 23. Czechs and Swedes Clarify Exact Configuration of CV90s for First Time. Last week, the first meeting of Czech and Swedish experts took place at the BAE Systems Hägglunds facility in Örnsköldsvik. It was the first of a series that will serve to clarify the technical requirements of the new CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles according to Czech specifications before their delivery to the Army of the Czech Republic.
The delegation, led by Colonel Jan Kerdík, head of the ground troop development department of the Ministry of Defense’s force development section, was composed of experts representing individual sections of the General Staff and units of the Czech Army’s Ground Forces as end users. The Swedish team, led by Henrik Gyllencreutz, CV90 CZ project manager from BAE Systems, informed the Czech side in detail about the conceptual solution for each of the seven CV90MkIV variants that the Czech army will receive.
The first meeting at this level, when the technical parameters of all variants of vehicles (combat, command, reconnaissance, artillery observation, engineering, rescue and medical) were resolved, set the basic framework for the following negotiations on individual variants.
“The personal meeting with our Swedish counterparts was also important, because the future close cooperation will certainly be reflected on a personal level as well. The constructive approach and efforts of both parties are a good starting position for the further continuation of the project,” said Colonel Jan Kerdík of his first impressions of the meeting.
The aim of the meeting was to discuss in detail the design concept of the CV-90 vehicles so that the requirements and parameters are equally understood and that the proposed technical solutions fully correspond to the expectations of the Czech Army. The design concept of a vehicle is a complex complex of various components that fulfill its specific roles. “Since we communicate in English, which is not the native language of either party, it was important for us to explain the hard facts of the contract to each other. So that during further work we will be clear about what will be in the vehicle, what it is supposed to do and how to connect everything so that it works,” Colonel Kerdík commented on the meeting.
As part of the meeting, the delegation visited BAE Systems’ production facilities and research and testing facilities. The visit to the test range, where the Czech experts got to know the real vehicle, was also beneficial.
The Czech Army should receive the first vehicles in 2026. Before the first vehicle prototypes are produced according to the requirements of the Army of the Czech Republic, a whole series of technical meetings and tests will take place. The Czech specifics include, in addition to vehicle paintwork according to the AČR camouflage pattern, equipment with fasteners, or, for example, specific equipment for individual vehicle versions. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, so negotiations must take place now. There is nothing to wait for,” emphasized Kerdík.
Negotiations at different levels – project teams, working groups (weapons, vehicle protection, connections, etc. – will take place both planned and ad hoc in case of ambiguities, as needed. Due to the planned involvement of Czech industry, part of the negotiations will also take place in the Czech Republic. The majority, however, will primarily be at the company’s headquarters. In addition, the form of video conferences will be used to the maximum (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Czech Republic Ministry of Defence)
19 Sep 23. Marshall Land Systems is bringing new solar power systems and smart grid technologies to its containerised infrastructure products, giving armed forces access to highly efficient, cost-effective battle winning enablers that reduce logistical footprints and provide mission flexibility. Of equal importance, they are environmentally sustainable solutions that have a place on operations and exercises alike.
Designed to offer battlespace operational advantage through power independence and redundancy, the solar power system is now available on a standardised Marshall Land Systems 20 foot container, combining a 2.5 kW array with a 200 Ah battery management system. These provide
up to 3.5 hours of power for HVAC, lighting and power outlet subsystems on a full charge. The battery
system can be turbo-charged from the grid or a generator, contributing to multi spectral camouflage through silent operation when discharging. Perfectly complementing the strengths of Marshall Land
Systems’ deployable operational infrastructure, the solar power system is mobile, unobtrusive and can be rapidly operational with straightforward set-up. Its low-profile, low-reflectivity panels are
ruggedised, lightweight and proven in military use with the U.S Army.
To further support the warfighter in addition to the new solar power capabilities, Marshall Land Systems is also developing a smart grid system that will optimise the generation, distribution and use
of power across multiple containers and subsystems. This accommodates and combines multiple
power sources, including grid power, diesel generators, solar arrays and stored battery power. The smart grid will be scalable, using networked control links to balance power across multiple nodes. The
system will flexibly offer a choice of control options, ranging from full grid automation to user-defined management of individual containers and subsystems.
Given its system integration expertise, Marshall Land Systems will provide full electrical system design
Marshall Land Systems is bringing new solar power systems and smart grid technologies to its containerised infrastructure products, giving armed forces access to highly efficient, cost-effective battle winning enablers that reduce logistical footprints and provide mission flexibility. Of equal importance, they are environmentally sustainable solutions that have a place on operations and exercises alike. Designed to offer battlespace operational advantage through power independence and redundancy, the solar power system is now available on a standardised Marshall Land Systems 20 foot container, combining a 2.5 kW array with a 200 Ah battery management system. These provide
up to 3.5 hours of power for HVAC, lighting and power outlet subsystems on a full charge. The battery system can be turbo-charged from the grid or a generator, contributing to multi spectral camouflage
through silent operation when discharging. Perfectly complementing the strengths of Marshall Land Systems’ deployable operational infrastructure, the solar power system is mobile, unobtrusive and can
be rapidly operational with straightforward set-up. Its low-profile, low-reflectivity panels are ruggedised, lightweight and proven in military use with the U.S Army.
To further support the warfighter in addition to the new solar power capabilities, Marshall Land Systems is also developing a smart grid system that will optimise the generation, distribution and use
of power across multiple containers and subsystems. This accommodates and combines multiple power sources, including grid power, diesel generators, solar arrays and stored battery power. The smart grid will be scalable, using networked control links to balance power across multiple nodes. The
system will flexibly offer a choice of control options, ranging from full grid automation to user-defined management of individual containers and subsystems. Given its system integration expertise, Marshall Land Systems will provide full electrical system design
19 Sep 23. Marshall Land Systems and Expandable B.V. today announced an agreement to collaborate on the development of a rapidly deployable hydraulic leg system for containerized operational infrastructure.
The addition of ruggedized hydraulic legs as a “custom option” will enable Marshall Land Systems’ standardized 10-foot containers, 20-foot containers, and expandable containers to self-lift and selflower,
providing a highly cost-effective enhancement to overall mobility, ease of deployment/relocation, and reducing logistic footprints.
Gary Moynehan, Managing Director of Marshall Land Systems, said “We’re delighted to be partnering
with Expandable with their world-renowned reputation and engineering skills to co-develop this technology for our customers around the globe.
“Our award-winning deployable infrastructure provides a range of highly mobile and versatile solutions to overcome the many operational and logistical challenges currently facing armed forces with lessons evident from Ukraine. Adding this new solution to our custom offering portfolio will enable end users to deploy from a vehicle-mounted position to a fully self-leveled and operational state more rapidly than ever.”
Thanks to the ingenious hydraulic system and wireless remote control, the jointly developed legs will allow Marshall Land Systems’ containerized infrastructure to be more flexible to deploy and be operational within 15 minutes not requiring cranes or forklifts.
Expandable Trailers, the manufacturer of these containerized systems, is content with this cooperation,
according to Berrie Rieswijk. “We’ve been given the opportunity to apply our knowledge and knowhow
in a field where materials are really put to the test”, says Expandable’s sales director. “We hope
to be a part of a growing market that creates new opportunities for the target audience, just like we realized with ‘Expandable – movable spaces’. We are proud that Marshall sees us as one of the forerunners in the field of rapidly movable units.”
Expandable’s drive to innovate was a natural fit for Marshall’s containerized infrastructure. A prototype has now been created, and the two companies will now work together on testing and
further product integration and bring it to market in early 2024. Key Features
- Operational and transportable in ambient temperature range of -51/+55 °C
- Able to self-level on a 5-degree slope
- Can be powered/charged by a 400v AC 50Hz container power system
- Wireless hand-held control system can be operated safely for loading/unloading from vehicle
- Compatible with nine-high container stacking
- Manual override function to jack the system in case of power failure
- Minimum jacking height of 1700mm on a 5-degree slope
- Maintains multi-modal transportation in C-130, on trucks and for maritime shipping
19 Sep 23. IAG eyes European market with Bulgarian factory. International Armored Group (IAG) is looking to expand further into the European market with the construction of a production facility in Bulgaria.
Sally Stefova-Valliant, vice-president of sales and marketing at IAG, told Janes that the company hopes to offer potential European customers a variety of armoured vehicles by opening a new facility on the Black Sea port of Burgas. Expected to open in the summer of 2024, the Burgas facility will be the company’s first manufacturing site located in a European Union (EU) country.
The company has delivered on contracts for customers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, European states are keen to update and replace legacy equipment with more modern solutions. In particular, Eastern European countries that make heavy use of Soviet-designed equipment are keen to equip their forces with NATO-standard vehicles. (Source: Janes)
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