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04 Jan 18. BTR-3DA deliveries continue in Ukraine. Ukroboronprom’s Kyiv Armored Plant has delivered more than 50 new BTR-3A 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicles to the armed forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and other law enforcement agencies, the company announced on 27 December.
New assembly and welding capabilities enabled the plant to produce more than 100 new and restored combat vehicles during 2017. The BTR-3DA is equipped with the Sturm-M remote weapon system and 30mm automatic gun ZTM-1 with firing rate of 330 rounds per minute. The Sturm-M is equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun and automatic grenade launcher, as well as a complex of Barrier guided weapons. The Kiev Armored Plant also completed restoration of T-72AB main battle tanks during 2017 to increase protection levels. (Source: Shephard)
03 Jan 18. Vietnam, Russia sign truck manufacturing deal. The governments of Vietnam and Russia have signed an agreement to collaborate on manufacturing trucks in the Southeast Asian country for domestic and regional markets. The inter-government protocol, signed on 27 December 2017 in Hanoi, features mainly the localised production of commercial trucks but also covers specialised vehicles for military applications.
Under the protocol, Russian truck manufacturers – including Kamaz and Uaz – will be required to transfer technologies and skills to Vietnam to facilitate production and localised maintenance support. The two sides will also look to penetrate export markets in Southeast Asia.
State news agencies in Vietnam said the protocol provides an incentive for Russian vehicle manufacturers to set up joint ventures (JVs) with local enterprises to produce trucks, utility vehicles, and special-purpose vehicles (including military vehicles). (Source: IHS Jane’s)
02 Jan 18. US Army orders 258 more JLTVs. Oshkosh Defense has received an order worth $100.1m from the US Army to deliver 258 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs). This is the seventh order under the JLTV programme since the contract was awarded in August 2015. The order also includes installed and packaged kits for the vehicles.
The JLTV programme is replacing the US Army and US Marine Corps HMMWV fleet. The programme expects to receive a Full Rate Production decision in 2019, and both army and marine corps Initial Operating Capability in 2020.
Dave Diersen, vice president and general manager of joint programs at Oshkosh Defense, said: “Over time, we are confident that there will be opportunities to expand this powerful vehicle platform to include new variants and configuration. The JLTV programme was designed to provide a new generation of protection, mobility and network capability. We also see significant international market potential for allies requiring a tactical wheeled vehicle proven to provide the ballistic protection of a light tank, the underbody protection of an Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected -class vehicle, the network capability of a mobile command centre and the off-road mobility of a Baja racer.” (Source: Shephard)
02 Jan 18. New in 2018: Army looks to add a light tank to its formations. As future war planning shifts to confront near-peer threats, Army leaders are looking at their ground combat formations and seeing something missing — a light tank.
By late 2018, the Army expects to start trials pitting two companies to produce 12 prototype light tanks each, according to a recently released Request For Proposal.
Originally reported by Defense News, a sister publication of Army Times. the competition will then yield a winner that will build up to 54 of the light tanks, with the first unit receiving the Mobile Protected Firepower, or MPF, in 2025.
The Army plans to spend more than $1.2bn on the program over the next four years.
The vehicle will fill a gap to provide light inf