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02 Sep 21. Three vendors submit final offers for multibillion-dollar Czech armored-vehicle race. The Czech Ministry of Defence has received three offers in its tender to acquire 210 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for the country’s land forces.
“All three manufacturers and potential suppliers … submitted their bids to the Ministry of Defence by the deadline” on Sept. 1, the ministry said in a statement. “The completeness of the offers and their contents will now be assessed in detail by a commission consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Army.”
The confirmed bidders include the UK’s BAE Systems with the Swedish-made CV90, Europe-based General Dynamics European Land Systems with its Ascod, and Germany’s Rheinmetall with the Lynx, according to the statement.
A fourth potential supplier, a joint venture between Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall which makes the Puma, pulled out of the contest in 2019, and, as a result, did not submit an offer yesterday.
In what could become the largest defense contract in the Czech Republic’s history, Prague aims to spend about CZK 52bn (US$2.4bn) on new IFVs which will replace the military’s outdated BVP-2 vehicles.
As one of the tender’s requirements, potential suppliers must ensure that the Czech defense industry is involved in at least 40 percent of the IFV contract. This has spurred a partnership between BAE Systems and Czech state-owned defense company VOP CZ, while both GDELS and Rheinmetall established cooperation with local, privately-owned defense business Czechoslovak Group, among others.
Czech Defense Ministry officials have said the contract will not be awarded before the country’s parliamentary election that is scheduled for Oct. 8-9. (Source: Defense News)
02 Sep 21. BAE Systems Offers Advanced, Combat-Proven CV90 to Czech Army in Partnership with VOP. BAE Systems has confirmed its bid submission to provide the combat-proven CV90 to the Czech Ministry of Defence for the BMP II Replacement Program. In partnership with state-owned defense integrator VOP CZ s.p., the team’s offer will ensure the production and delivery of the CV90 MkIV Infantry Fighting Vehicle on schedule and to budget, as well as support the sovereignty of the Czech Army and Czech industry in the service and future development of the vehicle.
BAE Systems Hägglunds, the manufacturer of the CV90, has delivered multiple CV90 export programs to European customers. The team’s highly successful and proven industrial cooperation approach is closely aligned to the Czech Republic’s industrial aspirations, including the co-development and delivery of tracked combat vehicles with VOP CZ s.p.. BAE Systems also has arrangements with more than 30 state- and privately-owned companies, as well as ongoing and planned future collaboration with Czech Academia including the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU).
“We are confident that the advanced capabilities of the offered CV90 MkIV is the best choice for the Czech Army, to protect its soldiers and secure the future of its nation’s defense forces as well its defense industry,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds. ”BAE Systems’ successful industrial cooperation goes beyond the mechanical assembly of the vehicle or the creation of new factories. Our offering is based on Czech defense industries playing a high-value and strategic role in the development, production, training, and support of the vehicle and all its variants.”
The CV90 MkIV offer also includes the most recent turret configuration designed to provide increased capabilities through the integration of the latest generation of sensors and active survivability systems, added weapon capabilities, and enhanced crew and squad ergonomics. Built on combat-proven experience and data analysis from the CV90’s seven existing users, the improved CV90 MkIV turret also reduces cognitive load on crews through greater use of A.I. to meet the growing needs of the modern battlefield.
“We believe our strategic relationship with VOP CZ s.p., combined with the modern, combat-proven CV90 MkIV, is the right formula for a successful program in the Czech Republic,” concluded Gustafsson-Rask.
The CV90 is in operation with seven nations: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. With close to 1,300 CV90s of numerous variants in service, the vehicle has a combat-proven track record and is designed to accommodate future growth to meet evolving missions. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Sep 21. Jankel establishes major UK military vehicle production capability in the Midlands. Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO protection systems, has announced the establishment of a major new UK-based military vehicle production capability. Situated in Coventry in the Midlands the new production line sits in the heart of the UK’s traditional automotive manufacturing hub and is surrounded by an extensive and comprehensive automotive supply chain within easy logistic reach. The new set-up delivers 3600 square meters of open plan floor space supported by 1500 square meters of stores and offices that can be configured to manufacture military vehicles of various types at significantly improved rates over that previously achieved by Jankel.
The establishment of this capability comes off the back of several major vehicle contract wins including the Belgium MOD’s (BeMOD) new Light Tactical Transport Vehicle (LTTV). All 199 LTTV vehicles will be assembled on the new line prior to export. At the same time, Jankel’s other UK production facilities in Rustington and Weybridge will be working to deliver a number of other specialist defence and security sector vehicle orders that have been announced recently or are due to be announced in the near future. On a global level, Jankel also have a significant manufacturing capability in USA.
The establishment of the new Midlands production capability reinforces Jankel’s position as one of the very few UK-based military vehicle companies that can deliver immediate on-shore production of large vehicle orders to the demanding quality standards required of the defence and security sectors. With a total floor space of over 10,000 square meters split across three major sites, Jankel can deliver multiple production programs concurrently, supporting both the UK MoD and export customers, whilst creating and sustaining important skilled jobs in UK.
Andrew Jankel, Chairman at Jankel said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce the establishment of our new production capability that will take us to the next level in terms of UK-based military vehicle production capacity, underlining our successful growth strategy”. He added: “Jankel is one of a very few small to medium (SME) UK defence focussed companies left that is winning global vehicle contracts; designed, developed, built and supported in Britain. We remain focused on innovative, fast and cost-effective product development using and sustaining traditional skills that are becoming harder to find in the UK – Driving Mission Success”. Jankel is exhibiting at DSEi in London 14-17 September 2021 on stand H4-580.
31 Aug 21. Allison Transmission Expands eGen Power e-Axle Portfolio to Address Wide Range of Vehicle Applications and Markets. Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional, electric hybrid and fully electric vehicle propulsion solutions, announces the addition of its eGen Power 100S and 130D e-Axles to its fully electric portfolio of propulsion solutions at ACT Expo in Long Beach, Cal.
“We believe there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to electrification and a variety of products are needed to address the wide range of applications and market segments Allison serves,” said John Coll, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service for Allison Transmission. “Thus we are currently and will continue to expand our family of electric axles.”
Allison first launched its eGen Power 100D in 2020 and has since spent time stringently validating and where necessary refining the e-Axle with most of the major OEMs in North America. This e-Axle features two electric motors, each capable of generating greater than 200 kilowatts of continuous power, with peak combined power of 648 kilowatts.
The eGen Power 100D also integrates a two-speed gearbox within the central housing, enabling the high torque required to get heavy loads moving, while also offering the benefit of superior efficiency at cruise speed. The eGen Power 100D is capable of supporting up to a 10.4 tonne or 23,000 pound gross axle weight rating and also includes differential lock functionality.
Additionally, Allison has expanded its dual motor offerings to include the eGen Power 130D, a variant of the 100D, specifically designed for the European and Asia Pacific markets, where many commercial vehicles require a heavier 13 tonne gross axle weight rating. The eGen Power 130D maintains the same core components, performance, and differentiated value as the eGen Power 100D, including the power ratings previously mentioned for the 100D, but with increased axle weight rating capability.
In further expanding the eGen Power product portfolio, Allison also announces the first single motor variant in the eGen Power series of e-Axles, the eGen Power 100S. Leveraging core components from the eGen Power 100D such as the motor, inverter and shifting mechanism, the 100S offers exceptional performance characteristics in both 4×2 and 6×4 configurations. The 100S uses a single motor to generate 212 kilowatts of continuous power, with a peak power of 324 kilowatts, and 23,500 newton meters of torque at the wheels. The 100S offers a 10.4 tonne gross axle weight rating and features a two-speed parallel axis gear architecture, efficiently meeting application launch and highway cruise demands, while maximizing energy recovery through 100% regenerative braking capability. The 100S expands the eGen Power addressable market to include school bus, medium duty, and heavy duty tractor and straight truck 6×2 and 6×4 applications, including refuse.
Like the 100D and 130D dual motor e-Axles, the 100S is a platform architecture upon which further variants will be developed, is simple to install and easily integrates into existing truck chassis. The eGen Power e-Axle family are designed to be 100% maintenance-free for the life of the vehicle, significantly reducing downtime and enhancing eGen Power’s total cost of ownership advantage. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Aug 21. Chadian military parade reveals new armoured vehicles. Multiple new armoured vehicles were unveiled by Chad’s military during a parade in the capital N’Djamena earlier this month to celebrate the country’s 61 years of independence. A large number of Terrier LT-79 light armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were seen in the parade, operated by the elite Directorate General of Security Services of the State Institutions (DGSSIE).
Terrier LT-79s are manufactured by The Armoured Group, who said earlier this month that 30 of the vehicles were being shipped to a ‘central African country’. The APC is based on a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 chassis, and has a combat weight of 5.6 tonnes. It has all round CEN B6-level armouring, can carry six to eight people and is powered by a 4.4 litre V8 turbo-diesel engine. Chad’s vehicles have weapon stations on their rooves fitted with 12.7 mm DShK-type machineguns.
The DGSSIE elements of the parade also featured two Arquus Bastion vehicles, which according to Janes, are the same APC variant that the European Union delivered to Mali and Burkina Faso as part of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Chad is also part of that force.
Two more Bastion vehicles of the same variant were displayed by the Division of Special Anti-Terrorist Groups (DGSAT). One of the APCS had several antennas, possibly indicating it is used as a command post. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Chad received seven Bastions in 2019/2020, financed by the European Union.
The DGSAT, a force committed to operations against militants in the Lake Chad area, also featured two Ejder Yalçin APCs vehicles and six Nigerian-made Proforce Ara 2 vehicles. The Ejder Yalçin MRAPs are made by Turkish company Nurol Makina and this was their first official presentation to the public, according to Janes, adding Chadian soldiers serving in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali have previously been seen operating Ejder Yalçins.
Chad was the first export customer for the Ara 2, ordering 20 in June 2019 – eight were delivered in May this year. The Ara 2 is built to STANAG level 4569 protection standards with double skin protection of Level 3A and 3B, and an underbelly of 4A and 4B. This protection level ensures an underbelly with a V-shaped hull design that can withstand a 100 kg mine. With the capacity to carry up to 12 personnel plus equipment, the 15 ton Ara 2 can be configured into multiple variants including recovery, command and control, ambulance, field kitchen and reconnaissance. A 12.7 mm machinegun can be mounted on a 360 degree roof turret which can be open or fully enclosed.
The Chadian military utilises a mixed bag of APCs and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). French, Chinese, Israeli, Turkish, modernised Soviet era and US APCs and IFVs have been acquired by Chad since 2010 as the country battles terrorist groups in the region. The latest acquisition was nine ERC-90 armoured vehicles from France in January this year, joining Chad’s RAM, BMP-1, WZ-523, VAB-VTT, Bastion Patsas and BTR-60/80 armoured personnel carriers.
In July 2020, the United States handed over 28 David armoured vehicles to Chad, along with ten trucks, eight water tankers and other equipment as part of support for the country’s anti-terrorism efforts in the Sahel. According to SIPRI, the United States donated 78 David vehicles to Chad between 2016 and 2020.
The David is manufactured by MDT Armor, which says the David is a cost-effective, survivable, light protected all-terrain vehicle that seats four, six or eight crewmembers. Its armoured capsule is mounted on a commercial Toyota Land Cruiser, Hilux or LandRover Defender pickup truck.
In 2013, Chad sent its troops to fight jihadists in northern Mali, during the French intervention Operation Serval. The Chadian army is also part of the regional organization G5 Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad), which since 2017 has been helping France fight terrorist groups in the region. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
30 Aug 21. Joint 6×6 programme proceeds – Patria provides 6×6 armoured vehicles for Finland and Latvia. Finland and Latvia together with Patria have signed a Frame Agreement for a production phase management of the joint 6×6 armoured vehicle system. Within this agreement the parties involved can exercise joint procurement management, achieving technical and economic benefits from the overall procurement scope of the programme.
At the same time, Latvia and Patria signed a supply contract comprising over 200 pieces 6×6 armoured personnel carriers developed under the joint development programme, also including their support and training systems. The vehicle deliveries will take place between 2021 and 2029.
Finland and Patria in turn signed a Letter of Intent on the forthcoming serial order of Finland.
The joint programme is open to other countries with the mutual consent of the participating countries. In general, this common vehicle system will improve the mobility, cost-effectiveness, interoperability, and security of supply of armies in the participating countries.
“The serial production start of 6×6 vehicles is a significant milestone for us, and we at Patria are proud of providing our expertise in the joint programme, which offers a very cost-effective solution for the participating countries. We believe that this will certainly be of interest also to other countries which are keen on enhancing their army mobility”, states Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.
“Patria 6×6 vehicle is our latest product combining excellent off-road mobility and ease of use. Long life cycle and efficient maintainability make it very cost-efficient to operate. It adapts to several mission needs and provides high versatility to match future needs. We think that Patria 6×6 is simply the best of the market for this purpose. We at Patria have potential for creating production and maintenance capacity building up the security of supply capability”, says Jussi Järvinen, President of Patria’s Land business unit.
The Patria 6×6 vehicle combines all the proven features of Patria XA and AMV vehicles. It is simplified, reliable and designed to meet the highest requirements of customers. Its capable off-road mobility is guaranteed by an efficient power unit and the independent suspension familiar from Patria AMV vehicle. Due to the spacious interior and well-defined functions, the vehicle is easy to operate and to train.
30 Aug 21. The Aardvark Group announces the global launch of RANG-R at DSEI 2021! RANG-R is Aardvark’s next generation, class leading, multi-role, autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle [UGV] developed through a collaboration with some of the leading minds in the fields of
Autonomous vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Sensor Technology, and the Human Machine Interface to extend critical missions whilst massively reducing the human burden. RANG-R will be deployed in Defence, Policing, Security and Search & Rescue environs with an advanced toolkit adaptable to match a vast scope of operational requirements.
About RANG-R
RANG-R was borne out of our clients informing us that their operations were becoming more remote, more complex, harder to supply and in vastly more hazardous environments. These factors had resultedin the need to carry high levels of capability, equipment and supplies to maintain the welfare of operators, potentially at the cost of task effectiveness and ultimately increasing the physical burden on the team.
By working with operators around the globe, Aardvark has created an advanced technological solution to these client needs by developing a UGV that can provide crucial support to the front line, reduce the
logistical burden of resupply, whilst delivering security and supporting the sustainment of effort on the task. RANG-R can be fitted with a range of tools designed to mitigate a wide variety of threats whilst
integrating with other advanced technologies to provide enhanced situational awareness.
Official Quote
The Aardvark Group’s CEO, David St John-Claire said: “Our clients required a multi-role UGV solution that embodied the Aardvark ethos of reliability, survivability and affordability and I truly believe that the RANG-R delivers fully against that requirement. I am also incredibly proud of the Aardvark family of colleagues and strategic partners who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to deliver RANG-R to market.”
About The Aardvark Group
The Aardvark Group has a remarkable 40-year history of developing highly impactful technical solutions
through the deployment of innovative technologies, techniques, services and people to deliver Defence and Security Solutions for a complex world.
31 Aug 21. Milrem Robotics to Provide Engineering Expertise for the Upgrade of Estonian CV90’s. The European leading robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics will support the upgrade of the Estonian Defence Forces CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles with engineering expertise as part of a consortium led by Go Craft and Scania Estonia.
In June 2021 the Estonian Centre of Defence Investment awarded Go Craft and Scania Estonia a 29,3 MEUR contract for upgrading 37 CV90 vehicles procured from Norway in 2016.
Over the next two years, the companies with the support of Milrem Robotics will refurbish all 37 CV90’s and convert 31 into different types of supporting vehicles, including fire support, engineering, and anti-tank roles, specifically based on the need of the Estonian Defence Forces 1st Infantry Brigade Scouts Battalion.
Milrem Robotics provides expertise in engineering, manage prototyping of the end products, prepares operator and maintenance-oriented documents as well as conducts operator and maintenance-oriented training.
“Milrem Robotics has developed extensive engineering competence over the last 8 years. We have a strong team in the Nordic countries with competence not only in autonomous navigation, but as well in hybrid drive, electrical and mechanical engineering, and systems integration. The Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle is proof of these competences. This CV90 project is a good example that we can work with more traditional and manned vehicles as well,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.
“Entrusting Go Craft with this technically extremely demanding work is a great recognition of our work so far and we take the responsibility seriously. As the technical task and work effort in the given time frame is ambitious, we have supplemented our team and chosen sub-contractors to support our mission. Milrem Robotics was the best choice to lead the mechanical engineering process to make the final design with the needed and chosen components according to all military standards and as ergonomic and user friendly,” said Tormis Saar, Head of Military Field in Go Craft.
“The CV90 support vehicles rebuild programme is the most complicated engineering project entrusted to the Estonian defence industry. This fact illustrates the maturity of our industry to handle large scale and complex defence projects. Milrem Robotics can definitely be considered as a flagship of those industrial capabilities and we are waiting forward to cooperating with them during the design phase of the project,” said Ivar Janson, Strategic Category Manager for Armoured Vehicles at the ECDI.
Milrem Robotics is the European leading robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator. The company is mostly known for its THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle intended to support dismounted troops and the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle, a wingman for mechanized units.
Milrem Robotics is the leader of a consortium that was awarded 30,6 MEUR from the European Commission’s European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) to develop a European standardized unmanned ground system (UGS). During the project, titled iMUGS, modular and scalable architecture for hybrid manned-unmanned systems will be developed to standardize a European wide ecosystem for aerial and ground platforms, command, control and communication equipment, sensors, payloads, and algorithms. (Source: ASD Network)
27 Aug 21. Patria and CSM sign MoU for 8×8 armoured vehicle project. The cooperation is expected to offer practical training opportunities for secondary and university-level students. Finnish firm Patria and Slovakia engineering firm CSM Industry have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the eight-wheeled armoured vehicle project. The partnership covers the delivery and sale of 8×8 armoured vehicles.
According to Patria, the production capabilities of the Slovakian firm meet the defence industry requirements and will support the project.
Patria Land business unit president Jussi Järvinen said: “We would like to contribute to the development of the engineering and defence industry in Slovakia, which has a long tradition in this country.
“It is also important to look for common opportunities and contribute to the development of this segment in Slovakia with our experience and innovations. By developing the manufacturing network in Slovakia for the 8×8 vehicle project, Patria will create new jobs in the Slovak industry.”
The cooperation between Patria and CSM is expected to result in the creation of new employment openings in the future.
It will also benefit the secondary and university-level students by providing opportunities for practical training.
CSM Industry CEO Tomáš Maroš said: “CSM has represented the traditional Slovak engineering industry since 1967, and the partnership with Patria brings a combination of traditional values and new technology advancement from Finland.
“We are happy to start a new journey together, which means new opportunities for the region with high unemployment and skill development for future generations.”
In January, Patria finalised the fire-on-the-move capability for the land-based variant of Patria Nemo, a single-barrelled remote-controlled mortar turret system. (Source: army-technology.com)
26 Aug 21. Army 2021: Russia orders Shturm unmanned battle tank system. Russia’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed the first contract for a prototype of the Shturm (Project Storm) unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) system based on the T-72 main battle tank (MBT) at the Army 2021 defence exhibition being held in Kubinka from 22 to 28 August, the TASS news agency reported on 24 August. Shturm is a concept based on four T-72B3 MBTs developed by Russia’s third Central Scientific Research Institute and T-72 manufacturer Uralvagonzavod. As originally envisaged, a system would consist of four T-72B3s modified for unmanned operations: one with a shortened D-414 125 mm smoothbore tank gun and a dozer blade, a second armed with RPO-2 Shmel-M thermobaric rocket launchers, a third with two 2A42 30 mm cannons, and a fourth carrying an armament similar to the TOS-1A heavy thermobaric multiple rocket launcher. The UGVs were expected to be controlled by an eight-strong team housed in a fifth vehicle also based on the T-72B3 MBT. (Source: Jane’s)
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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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