Sponsored by MILLBROOK
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
————————————————————————-
18 Jan 19. Australian Defence Minister gifts vehicles to Lebanon. Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne has announced the gifting of 14 refurbished Australian vehicles to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Minister Pyne made the announcement while visiting Lebanon to meet with senior members of the Lebanese government and Armed Forces.
“This visit reflects the warm relationship Australia shares with Lebanon, and builds on the strong and established bilateral ties between our two countries, which include close co-operation in counter-terrorism and law enforcement,” Minister Pyne said. “Promoting security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East continues to be an important national security interest for Australia.”
Minister Pyne said Australia will gift 10 refurbished Land Rover 4×4 Cargo vehicles and four refurbished Land Rover 6×6 Ambulance vehicles to Lebanon.
“The gifting of these vehicles is symbolic of the close co-operation between our two countries. Australia has a deep and enduring interest in Lebanon’s security and stability, underpinned by our strong bilateral and community links, and I am honoured to be able to support the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Minister Pyne said. “This gift will assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and make a direct and positive contribution to Lebanon’s continued stability.”
While in Lebanon, Minister Pyne met with President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Saad Al-Hariri; Speaker Nabih Berri, Minister of Defense Yacoub Sarraf; and General Joseph Aoun, Commander in Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
ADF personnel deployed on Operation PALADIN are serving in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. The vehicles will be transported to Lebanon some time this year. (Source: Defence Connect)
17 Jan 19. Jankel announces two recent contracts for the provision of protected SUVs to the US Marshals and US Customs and Border Patrol. World-class specialist in design and production of high-specification armored vehicles, US-based Jankel Tactical Systems (part of the global Jankel group of companies), have been awarded contracts to supply armored Chevrolet Suburbans and Toyota Land Cruisers to the US Marshals Service, America’s first federal law enforcement agency and, the US Customs and Border Patrol; one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations. This announcement coincides with the US SHOT Show, taking place in Las Vegas 22-25 January 2019.
Jankel Tactical Systems, aligned to the wider UK-based group, is already well-established in North America. In 2018 Jankel’s strong Civilian Armored Vehicle (CAV) business increased growth by a tremendous 300%. This striking increase in sales is attributed to increased orders from Jankel’s core clients: the US Department of Defense; US Department of State; the Canadian Department of National Defense; and Global Affairs Canada, all of whom support operations worldwide. In addition, Jankel secured new customer opportunities with the US Customs and Border Patrol, US Marshalls, and the US Drug Enforcement Agency. The latest contract with the US Customs and Border Patrol has been awarded through a recently granted Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery (IDIQ) contract, a US Federal Government agreement that provides agencies with the required flexibility to meet the demand for rapid and efficient contracting.
At the SHOT Show, Jankel will be meeting with all Jankel Latin American representatives to discuss upcoming vehicle trials and demonstrations in the region to showcase the unique capabilities of Jankel solutions. In addition, Jankel will be meeting with existing customers from around the globe to review performance of current solutions and discuss their ever-evolving future needs. The SHOT Show is industry’s largest dedicated exhibit for firearms, protective equipment and tactical accessories to service law enforcement, armed forces, SWAT and private security.
Jankel’s growth in North America has focused on ‘Hot Formed Armored’ discreet platforms and the delivery of niche armour requirements for platforms indigenous to the country within which they operate; including the Chevrolet 3500 HD Suburban, Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series Double Cab (4×4 and 6×6) and Mercedes Sprinter 3500 XD.
In addition to their wide range of vehicle protection capabilities, Jankel is targeting the provision of specialist seating and survivability systems. Jankel sales programs increased significantly in 2018 with the provision of BLASTech Seating solutions for Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and new production vehicles for the US and allied nations. This growth is only set to continue as the need for vehicle occupant survivability increases as a national priority. As such, the Jankel family of companies are continuing to invest in the product development of the next generation of Blast Mitigation technology, indeed, Jankel will soon be making an exciting new announcement relating to this area of their business.
Cody Baker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Jankel Tactical Systems said: “The USA continues to be a strategically important market for Jankel and we are absolutely delighted to announce these new contracts. Jankel has enjoyed great success in the US to date and the rapid delivery time-scale of these vehicles further underlines Jankel’s agility, reliability and understanding of our clients’ needs and priorities.” He added: “The SHOT Show will unquestionably provide Jankel with an excellent opportunity to network further with law enforcement, defense and security agencies as well as other major global OEMs in the sector.”
16 Jan 19. Thailand looks to procure more VT-4 tanks from China. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is reportedly seeking cabinet approval to procure additional VT-4 main battle tanks (MBTs) made by the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). Local media reported on 16 January that the RTA proposal features the acquisition of an additional 14 units at a cost of about THB2.3bn (USD72.5m). The proposal, if approved by government, will take the RTA’s VT-4 inventory to 52. The RTA ordered 28 VT-4s from Norinco in 2016 for THB5bn and another 10 in 2017 for THB2bn. The initial batch of 28 tanks was delivered in late 2017, making Thailand the first export customer of the VT-4, which is the export version of the MBT-3000 design. The RTA has not yet confirmed the planned acquisition of an additional 14 VT-4s, although Jane’s understands that the proposed procurement is consistent with the service’s requirements.
Announcing plans to acquire a second batch of 10 VT-4s in 2017, Thailand’s Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon stated that the RTA would look to procure additional tanks over the next few years. RTA sources have also previously confirmed to Jane’s an overall requirement within the service to procure at least another hundred MBTs to replace ageing and depleted inventories of US-produced M41 light tanks as well as increasing the army’s size and capabilities. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/IHS Jane’s)
16 Jan 19. The Slovenian MoD has announced a delay in its BOXER acquisition. In February the Slovenian MoD announced on its homepage that they had chosen BOXER as the base vehicle to form two new mechanised infantry battlegroups. Slovenia joining OCCAR by becoming the fourth Participating State in the BOXER Programme will eventually be a reality soon. On 13. March 2018 a “Kick off meeting” took place at OCCAR in Bonn. The OCCAR Director Arturo Alfonso Meiriño welcomed the representatives of the future OCCAR Participating State. The BOXER Programme Manager and the responsible staff of the BOXER Programme Division informed the representatives of the Republic of Slovenia in detail about OCCAR, its organisation, the process to become an OCCAR Participation State and of course about the BOXER programme. The first batch for Slovenia will cover 48 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) in different versions and they will be close to the Lithuanian BOXER IFV configuration . The first series vehicle is planned to be delivered end of 2020.
16 Jan 19. CAF logistic trucks deliveries continue. The Canadian armed forces’ (CAF’s) 2nd Canadian Division Support Base Valcartier in Quebec has received new logistics trucks from Mack Defense, the Canadian Department of National Defence announced on 14 January. In July 2015, the Canadian government awarded two contracts to Mack Defense, valued at a total of $834m, to deliver over 1500 trucks, 300 trailers, 150 armoured protection systems and in-service support. Of the more than 1500 trucks purchased, around 450 will be based in Quebec and will be used by CAF units, including Reserves. The trucks come in five variants ranging in use and size from regular cargo to cargo trucks with a material handling crane. The cabs can also be swapped out for an armoured cab for use in high threat environments. The trucks can carry up to 9.5t payload and will be used to transport critical equipment, personnel and supplies during domestic and international CAF operations. (Source: Shephard)
16 Jan 19. JLTV For Slovenia. Slovenia has ordered 38 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) worth €16m from Foreign Military Sales through the US Government, to be put into service from 2021 under the designation LKOV 4×4 (Lahko Kolesno Oklepno Vozilo). Remote-controlled Kongsberg M153 weapon stations for light and heavy MG and 40 mm grenade launchers are also to be ordered for the vehicles in the first quarter. 18 JLTV are used by special forces. The remaining 20 vehicles will be used by the Middle Battalion Combat Group for national defence and the achievement of NATO goals. The measures are scheduled to be completed in 2023. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
16 Jan 19. Czech IFV Competition. The Czech Ministry of Defence has announced that it will invite four bidders to submit a bid for a new Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). BAE Systems will be competing with the CV90 Mk IV, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) with the Ascod, PSM with the Puma and Rheinmetall Landsysteme with the Lynx KF 41. These four IFVs had already been tested by the Czech armed forces in advance. On the basis of the offers, a development and supply contract is to be concluded in August 2019, under which the delivery of 210 vehicles in the period 2020 to 2025 is to be agreed. The service life is estimated at thirty years. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
15 Jan 19. Russia to test Kornet-D1 SPATGM in 2019. Russia’s newest Kornet-D1 self-propelled anti-tank guided missile (SPATGM) system will enter state trials, which precede the platform’s adoption by the Russian Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnye Voiska – VDV) later this year, according to a source from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
“The system, which is based on the chassis of the BMD-4M air-droppable infantry fighting vehicle [IFV], will be tested at several ranges this year. Compared with the existing SPATGMs, the Kornet-D1 will feature a longer range and improved accuracy,” the source told Jane’s. The new SPATGM is being developed for the VDV’s anti-tank units. However, the source declined to disclose specific details on the performance or architecture of the Kornet-D1. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
————————————————————————-
Millbrook, based in Bedfordshire, UK, makes a significant contribution to the quality and performance of military vehicles worldwide. Its specialist expertise is focussed in two distinct areas: test programmes to help armed services and their suppliers ensure that their vehicles and systems work as the specification requires; and design and build work to upgrade new or existing vehicles, evaluate vehicle capability and investigate in-service failures. Complementing these is driver and service training and a hospitality business that allows customers to use selected areas of Millbrook’s remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.
————————————————————————-