Sponsored by TEK Military Seating Limited
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19 Oct 23. Estonia awarded Otokar €130m contract for the supply of ARMA 6×6 Vehicles. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) has awarded Otokar, the global land systems manufacturer of Türkiye, a contract for the supply of ARMA 6×6 Armored Personnel Carriers, at a value of around EUR-130m including maintenance equipment and training services, where the deliveries are planned to be initiated in the second half of 2024 and completed by 2025. The agreement was signed between Magnus Valdemar Saar, ECDI (Estonian Centre for Defence Investments) Director General and Sedef Vehbi, Otokar Military Cluster Head on October 18th, 2023 in Estonia.
The signature ceremony was held in attendance of Estonian Defence Minister, Hanno Pevkur and Turkey’s Defence Minister Gen. Yaşar Güler. Following the LOI (Letter of Intent) signed between two countries’ Defence Ministers, a protocol on cooperation in defense industry between Turkey and Estonia was also signed by Magnus Valdemar Saar, ECDI Director General and Haluk Görgün, SSB (Turkish Defence Industry Agency) President.
The decision to purchase the 6×6 vehicles was made through a strong international competition and very thorough both commercial and technical evaluation of Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) where combat proven ARMA 6×6 stood out with its superior technical capabilities.
“Otokar is proud to have a chance to serve with its ARMA 6×6 Armored Personnel Carrier to Estonian Land Forces” said Sedef Vehbi, Military Cluster Head of Otokar, “Thanks to our combat proven know-how in land systems and related R&D, engineering and testing capabilities, nearly 33 thousand Otokar military vehicles are actively in service in more than 40 countries and nearly 60 end users in different climates and geographies around the world. Specifically ARMA 6×6 has a combat proven success in different parts of the world and Estonia will be the second NATO country fielding ARMA. Being a listed NATO and UN supplier, we value this award very much and consider it as a very important milestone for our ARMA vehicle family. We strongly believe that this initial contract will be a beginning of a long lasting relation between Estonian Defence Forces and Otokar.”
COMBAT PROVEN ARMA 6×6
Otokar’s multi-wheeled modular armored vehicle ARMA is actively used by 5 different users in different geographies of the world. The armored vehicle offers superior mobility, high mine and ballistic protection, as well as medium and high-caliber weapon system integration options. Offering high tactical and technical features, ARMA, available with a wide range of variants, is combat proven in the most demanding terrain and climatic conditions.
ARMA 6×6 stands out especially with its high payload capacity and large interior volume. ARMA can be equipped with various mission equipment, and manned / unmanned turrets according to the user needs. The ARMA 6×6 platform can be used for various missions as surveillance, recovery, armored personnel carrier, armored combat vehicle, command control, reconnaissance, and CBRN reconnaissance vehicle while different armament systems can be integrated into the vehicle.
19 Oct 23. Improper storage damaging $1.8bn in Army ground combat equipment. Around $1.8bn in Army ground combat equipment is “deteriorating or at increased risk of deterioration” due to improper storage, Defense Department investigators have found.
A Department of Defense Office of Inspector General report published Monday uncovered critical deficiencies in how the Pentagon maintains and protects core components of the Army’s land capabilities. The shortfalls, the report warns, could endanger personnel, waste millions, and undermine readiness as the Army attempts to retool its logistical network for conflict across multiple theaters.
Investigators inspected $1.96bn worth of equipment stored at two distribution centers controlled by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the Defense Department bureau tasked with managing the military’s sprawling supply chains. The DLA’s distribution division, responsible for storing and disseminating materiel, handled a total $3.87bn of Army ground combat gear as of July 2022, according to the report.
The spare parts stored at these facilities support some of the Army’s flagship land fighting technology, including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Stryker Armored Combat Vehicle, and the Abrams tank, the report noted.
Two-thirds of the inspected parts — valued at $1.31bn — exhibited “critical” deficiencies, meaning they were “deteriorating and in immediate danger of moving to a lower condition code,” a measure of utility. In all, investigators determined that $1.8bn (92%) of the inspected equipment was crumbling or at “increased risk” of falling apart because DLA storage facilities failed to follow Pentagon standards.
Among the spare parts in critical condition were 80 gas turbines, worth almost $90m, stacked together on a lawn outside of a warehouse. The turbines, meant to be stored indoors, had been there since 2020, investigators learned. Investigators also found tens of millions of dollars worth of tank tracks, vehicle transmission assemblies, and diesel engines stashed away in open-air facilities without proper packaging.
Using appropriate containers and shielding gear from the elements can save millions. Investigators pointed to a case in 2021 when the Army spent $10.92m to repair engines that had been improperly stored.
Inspectors also warned that cluttered, precarious piles of equipment risked injuring personnel working at the distribution centers.
The inspector general largely blamed the storage pitfalls on poor training and oversight.
“DLA Distribution did not provide adequate guidance to its personnel who are responsible for or support” equipment maintenance, according to the report. Investigators also found that DLA’s distribution division “did not have formalized training for the receiving, packaging, warehousing, or inspection personnel who are responsible for the storage and care of Army [ground combat systems] materiel.”
The report claims Army leaders failed to recognize the gaps in its materiel management because the branch does not “adequately oversee” how the parts of its fighting machine are cared for.
The inspector general issued eleven recommendations, including the implementation of new training regimes and regular inspections from the head of Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command. DLA agreed with them all. (Source: Paulo Dominonni via LinkedIn)
19 Oct 23. ADF medical training supported by electric Bushmaster.
The Australian Defence Force has rolled out a Bushmaster electric protected mobility vehicle to support field training at Gallipoli Barracks earlier this month.
The Bushmaster vehicle prototype, which uses electric propulsion technology, was tasked with supporting members of the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment undertaking simulated medical treatment in Queensland.
During the training, the ePMV was able to demonstrate its power storage and supply capability, enabling medical staff to work forward a role-two emergency hospital in an area of operations.
It’s understood there could also be applications to use the electric propulsion technology for greater thermal and acoustic signature management, exportable electrical energy, robotic and autonomous systems connectivity and tactical agility.
The ePMV was previously unveiled during the Chief of Army Symposium 2022 before being trialled and tested in a variety of conditions and by different units to test technological limitations.
The battery-powered prototype has had its engine and gearbox replaced with a pair of lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor driving each axle. It’s the first Australian electrification of a military vehicle and is about two tonnes lighter than a regular Bushmaster.
There is also more space between the driver and crew commander, and a modernised dashboard while the vehicle itself is expected to require less maintenance and be more reliable with no engine or gearbox.
The centre of gravity has also moved rearwards and down, according to Colonel Robin Smith, director of Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office.
“That helps with stability, high-speed and cross-country manoeuvre, and safety under braking,” COL Smith said.
“It’s wickedly fast and we’ll be trialling speeds. But in theory it will do 0-60km/h in a little over three seconds. For a 12-tonne vehicle, that’s amazing. Up to 100km/h will take about 12 seconds where the normal Bushmaster takes 42 seconds.”
“The vehicle’s battery power could run the average Australian home for just over six days. It’s quieter and less warm, lowering the thermal signature, and it’s a software-driven vehicle so autonomy is easier.
“This (ePMV) one uses no fuel but if we do a hybrid, that will use a lot less fuel than a regular Bushmaster.”
COL Smith said his team wanted to “get this into the hands of soldiers and really test its real-world performance”.
The team is also interested in developing electrifying tracked vehicles, COL Smith said. (Source: Defence Connect)
19 Oct 23. SAAF in crisis as aircraft serviceability drops to less than 20%. The continued emasculation of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) was vividly brought to the fore by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise when answering a Parliamentary question.
Her undated response to Kobus Marais, the Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow minister for her portfolio, is specific to the SA Air Force (SAAF) and reveals crisis level rates of serviceability.
As Marais notes in his response yesterday (18 October), “most concerning” is that “a staggering 85% of the SAAF’s aircraft fleet is currently out of action, leaving the nation vulnerable to security threats.”
The majority of the SAAF fleet is grounded due to “a lack of spares or budget constraints to conduct the necessary repairs”. Modise’s reply also informs him unavailability of aircraft implies SAAF defence readiness is “compromised” with aircrew having to regain currency and “the lack of aircraft availability poses a challenge”.
She goes further stating: “The challenge is the severe unavailability of funds to place contracts and it’s not as a result of non-performance by Armscor or SAAF. Armscor had to engage with contractors within limited available funds and, in numerous instances, has not yielded positive results”.
An Armscor presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans last month revealed there are maintenance and repair contracts in place for most SAAF types, but almost all of these are only partially funded.
Marais’ reaction to Modise’s reply is scathing, pointing the finger at government mismanagement and “lack of political will and neglect” as severely compromising SANDF capabilities. He goes as far as calling it “a national crisis” with the “diminishing strength” of South Africa’s military capability posing “a severe risk”.
That South Africa’s air defence capability, vested in Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo’s SAAF, cannot put more than half its aircraft into the air leaves the country “exposed and vulnerable”.
As examples, Modise’s response has it that of the SAAF’s 11 Rooivalk combat support helicopters, three are serviceable with the remaining eight in need of “major repairs/rebuilds” with an ROM (rough order of magnitude) for spares to make six airworthy R1 billion.
One of four Super Lynx maritime helicopters is serviceable with “three awaiting various spare parts by June 2024”. (The most updated information defenceWeb has is that two are serviceable.)
There are five SAAF rotary-wing workhorse Oryx serviceable with two “beyond economic repair”, 10 needing major rebuilds, two more on the major rebuild list following accident damage and 22 “grounded at squadrons awaiting critical parts”. An estimated R2.5 billion is needed to make the 39-strong Oryx fleet airworthy.
Other types in service are in much the same situation with, in one instance, the venerable C-47TP used by Air Force Base (AFB) Ysterplaat-based 35 Squadron for maritime patrol and reconnaissance work at high risk of not flying again. This because no maintenance or repair contract can be placed as there is “no OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for this platform in industry”.
The primary SAAF training aircraft – Pilatus PC-7 Mk II – based at AFB Langebaanweg, is another type to suffer – with aspirant pilots not doing the training hours they should. Six of a fleet of 35 are serviceable with Modise’s response noting “specification for a new contract with Pilatus AG was not acceptable”. It appears the door has not completely closed as “negotiations are ongoing to resolve the impasse”.
R1 billion has been made available from National Treasury to get the C-130BZ fleet airworthy, but there are no maintenance contracts in place for the C-47TP, Cessna Caravan or King Air, although Armscor is in the process of appointing a King Air maintenance contractor.
Defence expert Dean Wingrin pointed out that no air force has a 100% serviceability rate, but around 15% for the SAAF “is shocking.” The major cause, he said, is an insufficient defence budget, ineffectual and inefficient procurement process and a lack of political will and support. “I suppose the lack of understanding by Treasury of the unique defence environment does not help either,” he added.
While South Africa’s poor economy is largely to blame, “the Government has been warned about this for a long time. It comes as no surprise. The effects of a reduced (aviation) capability have been felt throughout the SANDF and it has already led to fatal consequences,” he said. “Talk of an updated defence policy/review/White Paper is too late. The Government needs to do better.”
Darren Olivier, Director at African Defence Review, pointed out that it’s important to note Modise’s statistics are a point in time measurement that does change from day to day, “so what we really need are average rates across each quarter and year. For instance, two Super Lynxes are serviceable now, not just one. Even so, these are bad numbers.”
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
18 Oct 23. US Army overhauling vehicle, weapon maintenance in ‘common sense’ move. After a months-long study that began in May, the Army will drastically slash maintenance requirements for approximately 1m of its wheeled vehicles and rifles by eliminating most time-based service intervals that require soldiers to perform tasks like oil changes based on the calendar rather than how much they use their equipment.
Service leaders, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, heralded the change and said that reducing calendar-based maintenance can save around 632 man-years of effort — or around 230,000 soldier work days — annually. That reduction in labor will translate to better work-life balance, leaders hope. An order from Army headquarters announcing the changes is “in the final stages” and will arrive shortly, officials said.
And to hear the Army’s senior-most maintenance officials tell it, one might wonder what took the service so long to implement the “common sense” moves. Army Times spoke with the service’s top maintenance policy official, as well as four senior warrant officers from the study group.
The warrant officers explained that the current regimen prescribes time-based service for most vehicles in the Army’s fleet long before they near usage-based criteria (such as mileage intervals) for doing the maintenance. In an Oct. 9 press conference, George linked the idea to ongoing efforts to help soldiers spend more time with their families and have more predictability in their lives.
Chief Warrant Officer Five Wilton Toups, who is the top maintenance warrant officer for Army Reserve Command, emphasized that “the rest of the civilian world” from over-the-road trucking to heavy equipment operators collectively observes usage-based service intervals.
None of the officials, some of whom have been in service for nearly 40 years, were certain why the time-based service intervals existed in the first place. Chief Warrant Officer Five Rob Lakes, the senior ordnance warrant officer for I Corps, said the time-based standards may have come about due to inconsistent maintenance compliance decades ago.
“The [time-based] standards have been in place for decades…and where industry evolved [and] took into account changes in filter technology, we didn’t keep pace,” explained Rick Marsh, the chief maintenance policy official in the Army headquarters’ logistics directorate. “We were doing the same old thing — not sure why.”
The study group launched in May at George’s direction following suggestions from the field, Marsh said. The wheeled vehicle platforms evaluated were the Humvee, the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, the Palletized Load System, and the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. The study group also recommended that M4 and M16 rifles receive semi-annual rather than quarterly service.
The Army will evaluate whether other weapons or vehicles could do without or with reduced time-based service intervals, officials added. Soldiers will still regularly conduct preventive maintenance checks and services (commonly known as PMCS) even in light of the changes.
Chief Warrant Officer Five Norman May, the 1st Infantry Division’s top maintenance tech, also pointed toward recent progress in other areas meant to better automate motor pool processes like work orders and vehicle dispatches that are often hand-written and then manually entered into logistics systems.
The service’s leaders, including George, hope that the changes will allow service members to spend less time doing unnecessary services on vehicles that can conflict with real-world — or real-life — requirements.
A former infantry company commander, who requested anonymity to candidly discuss the impacts of the policy changes, explained that before shipping his unit’s vehicles overseas for a deployment, his soldiers had to complete their time-based maintenance for the eight-week voyage before loading them onto trains for shipment.
“We had to pull forward all the services that would come ‘due’ during that 7-8 week period based on time intervals and try to cram as many services we could prior to deploying so we wouldn’t look bad in the system,” the former commander said. “That’s time [my] soldiers could be spending with family.” (Source: Army Times)
19 Oct 23. RoKMC exploring Aron M80 WIG flying ship for marine amphibious operations. The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC) exhibited a model of the Aron M80 wing-in-ground (WIG) effect aircraft at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 held from 17 to 22 October.
Speaking to Janes, an RoKMC officer said the WIG aircraft can provide an edge in amphibious operations with its ability to rapidly deploy troops. The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) and RoKMC are pursuing the ability to conduct high-speed amphibious operations without being detected by enemy forces. With the Aron M80 WIG aircraft, the forces intend to overcome maritime obstacles such as sea mines and reefs through high-speed and long-distance sail, the officer said.
The RoKMC is pursuing the case with the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, which is allocating funds for research and development, the officer said. (Source: Janes)
19 Oct 23. Estonia shops Turkish armored vehicles for $211m.
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) has awarded contracts to Turkish manufacturers Otokar and Nurol Makina to purchase roughly 230 armored vehicles for a total of around €200m, or $211m, the agency announced.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year as Tallinn is accelerating its military modernization efforts in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Estonian officials said that getting new rides as soon as possible was a key factor in deciding in favor of the Turkish offerings.
“The new armored vehicles will be acquired for the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Defence Forces, which has not previously had wheeled armored vehicles,” the ECDI said in a statement. “Furthermore, additional armored vehicles will be purchased for the 1st Infantry Brigade and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of the Estonian Rescue Board.”
Nurol Makina will supply its NMS four-wheel-drive vehicles to Estonia, and Otokar will deliver its Arma six-wheel-drive vehicles.
In a statement, Otokar said its contract is worth about €130m, including maintenance, equipment and training, with deliveries of the vehicles “planned to be initiated in the second half of 2024 and completed by 2025.”
Under the plan, the ordered four-wheel-drive vehicles will be operated by troops from the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades, while the six-wheel-drive vehicles will be delivered to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, according to the statement.
The supplied vehicles are to be fitted with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and smoke grenade launchers, among other systems, the Estonian agency said.
Karmo Saar, the category manager for air, sea, and combat vehicles at the ECDI, said that nine companies from six countries submitted their bids in the contest. In an earlier statement, the Estonian institution did not disclose the names of all of the involved companies, but said that, in addition to Turkey, the bidders are based in Finland, France, Italy, Israel, and Spain.
The signed contracts have a duration of 10 years, and provide Estonia with an option to acquire additional vehicles and spare parts, according to the ECDI. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
18 Oct 23. Allison Transmission, a leading designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions for tactical wheeled and tracked defense platforms is pleased to announce its X1100-5A3™ cross-drive as the propulsion solution for the Hanwha Redback that was recently selected for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program scoped to replace the M113 Armored Personnel Carriers that have been in service since the mid-1960s.
The Redback is Hanwha’s newest tracked vehicle which was selected to be Australia’s Infantry Fighting Vehicle of the future following rigorous competition with other industry leaders. The advanced vehicle weighs over 40 tons, includes a 30 mm cannon and anti-tank missiles, while carrying 11 soldiers.
“Allison has partnered with Hanwha in South Korea for more than 25 years,” said Dana Pittard, Allison Transmission’s Vice President for Defense Programs. “With their latest announcements in Asia, Europe and Africa, Hanwha has become one of Allison’s largest global Defense customers in both wheeled and tracked applications.”
Hanwha has utilized over 4,000 Allison transmissions in various tracked and wheeled applications for the South Korean Army and numerous NATO/European, Asian and North African partners. Nearly half of those transmissions have powered the K9 Self Propelled Howitzer family of vehicles. With the Redback striving to duplicate the success of the K9, Son Jaeil, President and CEO Hanwha Aerospace said they intend to “target advanced markets such as Europe and Australia.”
Penske Australia & New Zealand has been an Allison Authorized Distributor for more than 70 years servicing Allison transmissions using trained technicians and genuine parts. With initial delivery of the Redback scheduled for 2027, Penske will service the X1100 cross-drive transmissions locally, saving significant time and costs for the Australian Defence Force. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Oct 23. IDF fits armour canopies to tanks. Some of the Merkava IV tanks that have been deployed to the border with the Gaza Strip have had metal cage canopies fitted to their turrets to increase their protection from overhead threats. ,Photographs taken of the Israeli buildup in preparation for the operation to destroy the militant group Hamas show that some, but not all, of the Merkava IVs have the previously unseen canopies. One photograph taken north of Gaza on 16 October showed a company of 13 tanks all fitted with the Trophy active protection system and 11 with the new canopy. However, other armoured units massing on the border do not have this additional protection on any of their tanks. (Source: Janes)
17 Oct 23. Roshel details Senator MRAP vehicle. Canada’s Roshel showcased a mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) variant of the Senator smart armoured vehicle at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2023 annual conference in Washington, DC, held on 9–11 October.
“We have delivered over 750 Senators to Ukraine, including over 300 MRAP variants,” Roman Shimonov, CEO of Roshel, told Janes at AUSA 2023. “Every day, we produce five vehicles for Ukraine, the United States, Canada, among other clients.” While not disclosing future deliveries, Shimonov noted that Costa Rica and South Korea have also acquired Senators.
The MRAP has a V-shaped hull design, an underbelly blast protection armour, a 6.7 litre Diesel V8 engine, and a gross vehicle weight of 8,845 kg. The vehicle has an operational range of up to 800 km and a top speed of 120 km/h. The Senator has a seating capacity of 10, according to a company factsheet. (Source: Janes)
17 Oct 23. Defenture Delivers 1st Vehicle of a Follow-up Series ATTVs for the Dutch 11 Air Mobile Brigade. On December 19, 2022, the Dutch Defense Materiel Organization (DMO), now COMMIT (Material and IT Command), awarded Defenture the contract for the delivery of 41 air transportable tactical vehicles (ATTVs). These Defenture GRF vehicles (better known as Vector within the Dutch Ministry of Defense) are intended for the 11 Air Mobile Brigade (11LMB). On October 13, 2023, Defenture handed over the first test vehicle it to COMMIT. This vehicle will first be extensively tested and also equipped with all communication equipment before it is handed over to the 11 Air Mobile Brigade.
Defenture is proud that the Dutch 11 Air Mobile Brigade will be using the GRF. At the same time, Defenture is assembling the remaining 40 vehicles according to the contract. Defenture has been supplying light tactical and air transportable vehicles to the Dutch Ministry of Defense for almost 10 years. The Dutch Ministry of Defense currently has 75 GRF vehicles in its fleet, mainly with the Special Operation Forces (Korps Commandotroepen).
From day one, Defenture has focused on making the GRF the new benchmark within the segment of light tactical and air transportable mobile platforms. Since then, the GRF is the mobile platform of choice for various international Special Operations Forces and Air Mobile Brigades. The vehicle was developed closely together with the Dutch Special Operation Forces (Korps Commandotroepen) and well-known knowledge institutes. The GRF vehicles have now been in operational use for several years. Since then, global demand for the vehicle has been growing tremendously.
In 2020, COMMIT also awarded Defenture a contract for the development, production and maintenance of approximately 300 Military Diesel Quads, the Scorpion, for Dutch Ministry of Defence Defense units such as the Special Operation Forces and Royal Marines. In addition, Defenture is at an advanced stage with the development and delivery of a, from the GRF derived, larger type of vehicle with a payload of approximately 4000 kg. called the Mammoth. This vehicle is being developed specifically for and in cooperation with the German Kommando Speziale Kra¨fte (KSK).
Military-specific modular vehicle systems, based on an identical platform such as the Defenture GRF and Mammoth, are the future. The vehicles have been developed in close collaboration with users and well-known knowledge institutes, ensuring uniformity and interoperability between the systems for countries that have Defenture vehicles in service. The armed forces of both Germany and Switzerland are now using various versions and configurations from the Defenture portfolio.
To facilitate growth, Defenture is expanding significantly in terms of both personnel and housing. Specialists from the automotive and manufacturing industries join forces to produce, supply and maintain the most reliable and safe vehicles with the lowest possible life cycle costs.
Henk van der Scheer, CEO Defenture: “Defenture has invested for years in creating a new benchmark in the light tactical segment. Our vehicles increasingly contribute to global safety and freedom. With the Defenture platforms we guarantee that those who protect us can carry out their missions as secure as possible and return safely from the most extreme circumstances. Our mission is to make the impossible possible every day.”
(Source: ASD Network)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
TEK Military Seating Limited is a UK based designer and manufacturer of ProTEK military vehicle seating which offer the highest standards of safety and protection. The ProTEK brand is well respected across the globe for its robust construction, innovative design, built in modularity and cost effectiveness. Our superior products are supported by our experienced team who endeavor to offer unrivalled service to our customers from enquiry, through design and acceptance, to through life support.
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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