17 Feb 23. Munitions India to start mass producing 1,000 lb thermobaric bombs. India’s state-run Munitions India Limited (MIL) will start the mass production and supply of 1,000 lb thermobaric bombs from 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said at the Aero India 2023 show, which concluded on 17 February. An official from the DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) told Janes that the technology transfer to produce the 1,000 lb thermobaric bomb has been transferred to the MIL, which is also an agency under the DRDO. An initial order of 500 units from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be delivered by the end of 2023, he said. HEMRL started the development of the 1,000 lb thermobaric bomb in 2018. The munition has been qualified in flight tests, including a demonstration of its blast capability, an HEMRL official said. The weapon uses a British 1,000 lb general-purpose (GP) bomb casing design and has 10-inch (Russian) and 14-inch (NATO) lug spacing to be carried on fighter aircraft, including the IAF’s Su-30MKI. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. SAMAR air-defence system ready for induction into IAF service. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed development of its Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) system and the weapon has entered an initial production phase, the IAF told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show in Bangalore, which runs from 13 to 17 February. An IAF official said the first batch consisting of five SAMAR-1 production units is ready to be delivered to the IAF’s Missile Unit (likely its air-defence missile squadrons). Further orders are expected from the IAF, the official said. The SAMAR is a short-range air-defence system jointly developed by IAF’s 7 Base Repair Depot (BRD) and 11 BRD in association with Indian private-sector companies Simran Flowtech Industries and Yamazuki Denki. The SAMAR-1 system uses the IAF’s existing inventory of shelf-life-expired Russian Vympel R-73E infrared‐guided air-to-air missiles (AAMs) for the surface-to-air role. The shelf-life-expired units are refurbished before being integrated into a launch platform and firing circuits, which were developed by the IAF. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. BDL displays VL-SRSAM. India’s state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) displayed its vertical-launch short-range surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. According to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), VL-SRSAM is a next-generation, ship-based, all-weather, air-defence weapon for integration onto Indian Navy warships as a quick-reaction point defence against supersonic sea-skimming targets like aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The missile has a smokeless propulsion system and is equipped with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) features. A BDL official told Janes that the missile can strike targets within a range of 50 km at a maximum elevation of 15 km. BDL said that the missile has a length of 3,931 mm, a diameter of 178 mm, and a weight of 170 kg. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. India’s SRUAV-W conducting weapons trials. India’s Short-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Weaponised (SRUAV-W) is conducting weapon trials. Based on the Rustom I short-range (tactical) surveillance vehicle, the SRUAV-W is being developed as a short-range unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). A project member with India’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) told Janes that the UCAV’s weapons trials are being conducted using four types of air-to-surface missiles. The ADE is a lab of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The official spoke to Janes during the Aero India 2023 show, which is being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
According to the ADE project official, the weapons include the Helina anti-tank missile and the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). The ADE official said that the third munition being integrated with the UCAV is an anti-personnel missile. The official did not give details about the anti-personnel missile or the fourth missile being used in the trials. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully completed a series of wind tunnel tests of the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Using scaled models of the vehicle, stressed under environments from sub to hypersonic speeds, the robust test campaign validated digital modeling and simulations and proved design maturity of the missile.
“This wind tunnel campaign is an opportunity to put our digitally engineered designs to the test, under conditions that mimic a missile launch,” said Sarah Willoughby, vice president and program manager, Sentinel, Northrop Grumman. “Predictions from the modeling correlated with the testing results, giving us confidence in our model-based engineering approach. Data from these tests will inform future engineering decisions as we mature the design and continue on a path to deliver this critical capability to the Air Force.”
Wind tunnel testing is a key early step in any missile development program because it determines how a vehicle will perform during flight. A team of engineers created seven comprehensive test campaigns, each with a unique set of requirements, to measure how the missile would respond to various atmospheric, load and speed conditions. Tests simulated everything from firing the missile, to stage separation and various flight maneuvers. The team is now updating models to enable full scale predictive environments for the development of Sentinel flight hardware.
“Tests were conducted at industry and government-run facilities across the U.S. in under a year,” said Willoughby. “This is an extremely complex effort proving the value of digital engineering in helping us move to the next phase with certainty.”
The U.S. Air Force’s Sentinel weapon system is a critical modernization of the current land-based leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, replacing the Minuteman III ICBM system that has been in service for more than 50 years. The program represents advancements in technology with the use of digital engineering, advanced tooling, and a modular, open-architecture approach.
16 Feb 23. Royal Navy announces arrival of autonomous mine hunter in Gulf. The uncrewed boat will undertake trials to showcase its capability to operate in harsh weather conditions of the Gulf. The Royal Navy has announced the arrival of an uncrewed boat that can track and identify underwater threats in the Gulf, marking the UK’s commitment to the Middle East.
The uncrewed boat, called Royal Navy Motor Boat (RNMB) Harrier, forms part of the decade-long programme for replacing the navy’s existing fleet of mine countermeasure vessels, and its time in the Gulf will serve as the basis for future autonomous gear.
This 11m-uncrewed mine hunter, during its deployment, will work with the host ship RFA Cardigan Bay to perform a series of demonstrations and trials to showcase its capability to operate in the harsh and demanding weather conditions of the Gulf region.
It can operate both autonomously, wherein it is pre-programmed to undertake a mission or even remotely from a vessel or shore-based remote-control centre.
Harrier tows a side-scan sonar behind it to scout for mines on the seabed and accordingly alerts units operating ashore or at sea.
In the future, the boat will also work with underwater vehicles that are remotely operated, as well as a mine sweeping system.
The tests will be crucial in monitoring how the Atlas remote-controlled mine sweeper boat fares in hot climates after proving its capability in UK waters.
Harrier will be integrated with Royal Navy personnel and units operating in the Gulf region, mine countermeasure battlestaff, the UK’s Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and countries that work with the UK in safeguarding shipping and navigation freedom.
Mine Threat Exploitation Group’s Mission System Team One commanding officer and lieutenant commander Mark Shaw said: “We are excited to be involved in the Mine Hunting Capability programme, which will transition the Royal Navy from a ship-based mine countermeasures (MCM) capability to maritime autonomous off-board systems.”
Shaw further added: “This is the future of Royal Navy MCM, and we are proud to be at the leading edge of its delivery. The deployment of this cutting edge technology to the Gulf signals the UK’s commitment to the region and freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce.”
In June 2021, Royal Navy received the delivery of the third and final autonomous minehunting boat called RNMB Hebe, after the delivery of RNMB Harrier and RNMB Hazard. (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Feb 23. BAE Systems and Leonardo collaborate on interoperable aircraft survivability solution. BAE Systems, Inc. and Leonardo UK recently received U.S. government approval to develop an interoperable aircraft survivability suite consisting of BAE Systems’ AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and Leonardo’s Miysis Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) System. The combined capability will significantly enhance aircraft survivability against advanced threats.
“This layered defense against new and advanced threats will protect aircraft and their crews in the most complex battlespaces,” said Chris Austin, director of Integrated Survivability Solutions at BAE Systems. “Using interoperable, combat-proven systems is a smart, efficient, and cost-effective aircraft survivability solution for our international customers.”
BAE Systems’ AN/AAR-57 CMWS detects incoming hostile fire and missile threats, alerts crews, and automatically cues countermeasures. It is deployed across the U.S. Army’s and numerous partner nations’ rotary- and fixed-wing fleets. More than 3,000 CMWS units have been installed on over 40 different types of aircraft. CMWS has logged more than four million combat flight hours, saving hundreds of lives and dozens of aircraft in ever-changing threat environments.
The Miysis DIRCM system, developed and produced by Leonardo in Edinburgh, UK and chosen by multiple international customers, provides exceedingly dependable, persistent protection from Infrared Man Portable Air Defense Systems (IR MANPADS). It overwhelms a missile seeker head with a sudden and massive stream of coded laser energy that can defeat multiple simultaneous threats.
The BAE Systems-Leonardo solution will allow existing CMWS users to add a proven, readily exportable DIRCM capability in the most cost-effective way. It will maximize the effectiveness of CMWS flare decoying while enhancing aircraft survivability with a highly effective directed infrared countermeasure system.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer this capability to operators around the world in collaboration with BAE Systems. The AN/AAR-57 CMWS is in service on thousands of platforms worldwide, making it highly complementary to our readily exportable Miysis DIRCM,” said Tony Innes, VP Sales Radar and Advanced Targeting at Leonardo. “International customers who operate the AN/AAR-57 now have a fast, simple and low risk way to equip their platforms with gold standard DIRCM protection against infrared missiles.”
AN/AAR-57 CMWS is produced at BAE Systems’ state-of-the-art facilities in Nashua, N.H. and Huntsville, Ala. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Feb 23. DRDO details Pralay missile. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided details of its tactical, short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile known as Pralay at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
A DRDO official told Janes that the missile can carry three different types of warheads and is capable of striking targets between 150 and 400km. According to the DRDO, the missile has a circular error probability (CEP) of less than 10m, allowing accurate targeting of command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) and radar installations; airfields; oil refineries; ammunition dumps; and so on. The DRDO said that the Pralay missiles are canisterised and can be made vertical for launching the missile from an autonomous launcher. A 12×12 launcher equips two Pralay missiles and an 8×8 launcher has one missile with Battery Command Centre (BCC) vehicle as communication centre. (Source: Janes)
15 Feb 23. Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited to Join Hands for ‘Make in India’ 70mm Laser Guided Rocket Solution. Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding for setting up manufacturing facilities in India for precision-strike 70mm laser guided rockets (FZ275 LGR). Through the agreement, BDL will become a part of the FZ275 LGR global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of Indian manufactured components to existing and future 70mm laser guided rockets customers.
This agreement will also provide the opportunity for BDL to offer a ‘Make in India’ 70mm laser guided rocket solution for existing helicopter fleet of Advanced Light Helicopters (WSI) and Light Combat Helicopters of the Indian Government.
BDL was established in Hyderabad in 1970 as a manufacturing base for guided missiles and allied defence equipment. The company is uniquely positioned, with dedicated facilities and knowledge in the field of precision guided ammunition to address such an industrial and technology transfer.
Thales is the original equipment manufacturer of FZ275 LGR, the lightest, shortest and most versatile 70mm laser guided rocket on the market with high level of accuracy.. It can be deployed in day and night operations at ranges between 1.5m up to 7km (on helicopter).
Speaking on this collaboration, Cmde Siddharth Mishra, Chairman and Managing Director, BDL, stated, “We are pleased to partner once again with Thales, this time for precision-strike 70mm laser guided rockets. Leveraging our long experience in building precision guided ammunition and our diverse industrial expertise, we look forward to reaching new heights of excellence with this partnership and contributing to the prestigious ‘Make in India’ initiative.”
Mr. Ashish Saraf, VP and Country Director, India – Thales said, “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Bharat Dynamics Limited. In support of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, this collaboration seeks to further develop in-country capability of producing advanced weapon systems such as 70mm laser guided rockets to cater to export markets besides assisting the Indian Armed Forces in their mission to effectively safeguard the nation.” (Source: ASD Network)
15 Feb 23. Nag ATGM set for Indian Army induction. The Nag anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) has cleared the trials required for induction into the Indian Army, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. A DRDO official told Janes that the Nag ATGM is ready for induction into the Indian Army after completing all required flight and user trials. “We [DRDO] are now awaiting an order from the Indian Army,” the official said. According to the DRDO, the Nag missile is a fire-and-forget, third-generation ATGM. The missile is equipped with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker to engage with static and moving targets. The IIR seeker is capable of operating during day and night. (Source: Janes)
15 Feb 23. North Korea seen launching new ICBM military unit amid troop refurbishment. North Korea may have launched a military unit tasked with operating new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in line with its recent restructuring of the military, state media video footage suggested. During a nighttime parade last week, North Korea showcased multiple ICBMs that are large enough to strike nearly anywhere in the world. The missiles included what some analysts said could be a prototype or mockup of a new solid-fuel ICBM in canister launchers.
A video aired on Feb. 9 by the reclusive country’s official broadcaster and seen by Reuters on Wednesday showed that a previously unknown flag was attached to the new ICBM’s launcher, indicating the military might have created a separate unit to operate the weapons.
Cho Han-bum, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said the flag “effectively confirmed the new ICBM unit” and could signal a forthcoming test of a solid-fuel weapon.
Many of North Korea’s specialised units have their own flags. The ICBMs shown at past military parades were decorated with the national flag or nothing.
The new red-gold flag, with a black missile soaring into the sky inside a circle, was also displayed among other military flags when leader Kim Jong Un and his family walked into the parade venue.
Another flag was seen at the parade, apparently featuring the massive Hwasong-17 ICBM, which can most likely reach the U.S. mainland. It was marked with “2022.11,” which could refer to the date when the North successfully launched the Hwasong-17 as it resumed ICBM testing for the first time since 2017.
The potential creation of the ICBM unit came after Kim called for developing more ICBMs and a larger nuclear arsenal this year to counter threats from the United States and its allies.
North Korea’s state media reported on a restructuring of its Korean People’s Army (KPA) and redesign of its flags this week, saying the change was in line with its push for “building a powerful army.”
“Many units of services and arms of the People’s Army have been expanded and reorganised, major operational combat duties assigned to them as required by the new situation and environment and the strategic and tactical missions of overall units changed,” the official KCNA news agency said on Monday. (Source: Reuters)
14 Feb 23. SINTX Technologies Announces Its New Utah Armor Facility Is Fully Operational. Facility will produce high-performance ceramic armor products for personnel, aircraft, and vehicles. SINTX Technologies, Inc. (www.sintx.com) (NASDAQ: SINT; “SINTX” or the “Company”), an original equipment manufacturer of advanced ceramics, announced today that equipment installation along with key renovations and upgrades to its SINTX Armor facility in Salt Lake City are now complete. This milestone is the result of an intensive effort by the SINTX team to upgrade the facility’s infrastructure and install armor manufacturing equipment that was acquired from Ohio-based B4C LLC.
SINTX Armor is a 10,000 square-foot facility that can manufacture high-performance ceramic armor plates for personnel, aircraft, and vehicles. Products include 100% boron carbide (BoroShockTM), which is a high-strength material designed to protect special forces against high-velocity projectiles. Another product, DuraShockTM, is a composite of boron carbide and silicon carbide that is designed to protect law enforcement personnel.
SINTX’s BoroShockTM and DuraShockTM are advanced material technologies that combine light weight with resistance to projectiles. These features are desired in modern armor systems that must balance high levels of protection against user comfort and mobility. Ceramic armor products are in demand by defense and law enforcement departments worldwide, especially since such products have a finite shelf life, and as newer technologies offer advantages over previous versions.
“SINTX Armor reiterates our commitment toward meeting the global demand for protective ceramic armor,” said Dr. Sonny Bal, CEO of SINTX. “Our expertise in advanced ceramics has positioned us as a leader and innovator in the protective armor industry well into the future.”
After the purchase of B4C LLC and a technology collaboration with Precision Ceramics USA in 2021, SINTX Armor was established as a subsidiary of SINTX Technologies. Since then, SINTX Armor has encountered strong interest and received requests from many customers to evaluate its products. SINTX Armor expects a robust order book in the first half of 2023 and looks forward to participating in the global ceramic armor market – which is projected to reach USD $3.5bn 2027.
For more information on SINTX Technologies or its materials platform, visit www.sintx.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Feb 23. BEL upgrades ZSU-23-4 Shilka. India’s state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has upgraded the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAGs) with the Indian Army. The company displayed a model of the upgraded Shilka at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. According to BEL, the Shilka system is upgraded with a 3D planar active phased-array solid-state radar and an electro-optical fire-control system that provides day and night capability for the detection, acquisition, and tracking of targets. With these upgrades, “various phases of operation such as the rapid acquisition of a fast-moving target, determination of the aiming point for the guns and ballistics of the projectiles, rapid laying of the guns onto the target and firing can be carried out when the vehicle is on the move or at the halt”, BEL said. (Source: Janes)
14 Feb 23. Pinaka ER, DPICM qualify for induction. The extended-range (ER) and dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) warhead versions of the surface-to-surface Pinaka Multi‐Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) have qualified for induction into the Indian Army. An official from India’s state-run Munitions India Limited (MIL) told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show, being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February, that the Pinaka Mark I (Mk 1) rocket, with a range of 38 km, was inducted into the Indian Army in 1999. “The Pinaka Mk 1 ER and DPICM rocket versions have also cleared the trials, and the company now awaits the order from the army,” he added. The official said that the Pinaka guided rocket is also undergoing user trials with the Indian Army. (Source: Janes)
14 Feb 23. UK MPF down to two? Unconfirmed reports on Twitter suggest that all the wheeled contenders for the UK Mobile Protected Fires (MPF) Requirement that is Nexter’s Caesar, BAE’s Archer, Rheinmetall’s HX 3 and Elbit’s SIGMA systems, have been excluded, leaving the Hanwha tracked K9 and Krauss-Maffei’s RCH 155 wheeled Boxer system. Given the procurement timeframe and the fact that the RCH 155 is not on the OCCAR Boxer purchase list, it is likely that the K9A2 would be procured for the MPF buy with RCH 155 being procured post-2cv b027. The twist in the tail is the wording ‘Interim Buy,’ according to a source suggest that any Interim Buy will be for an updated AS90 which will of course have certain drawbacks as not incorporating a 52 calibre barrel.
13 Feb 23. DRDO plans lightweight MPATGM. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is designing a lightweight manportable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) for the Indian Army, a DRDO official told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show, which is being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
The official said that the development of MPATGM is not completed because of its weight. “We [DRDO] are looking at lowering the weight of MPATGM. Since it is manportable, its weight causes a lot of problems.”
The technology and design of the lightweight MPATGM is already decided, and will take at least 2–3 years to develop, the official added.
The official said that the organisation seeks to reduce the weight of the MPATGM by 10–30%. The MPATGM, in its current form, weighs 14.5 kg. It is a “third-generation” anti-tank missile, which has a length of 1,300 mm and a diametre of 120 mm. (Source: Janes)
14 Feb 23. Japan plans to bulk order U.S. Tomahawk missiles by March next year. Japan plans to bulk-order Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States by March next year as it begins a rapid military build-up, Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada said on Tuesday.
Japan wants to conclude a contract during the next financial year, which begins April 1, to buy Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX.N) Tomahawks through the U.S. government’s foreign military sales (FMS) programme, Hamada said at a regular news briefing.
Japan’s latest defence budget, which will jump by a quarter from last year, includes $1.6 billion to buy the cruise missiles, part of its biggest military build-up since World War Two. The government hasn’t said how many it will buy, but local media reports said it wants as many as 500.
Japan wants the cruise missile to give its military the capability to strike targets far from Japan to deter potential adversaries, including China, from attacking. The ship-launched version of the munition, which can fly more than 1,000 kilometres, would have enough range to hit targets inside China. (Source: Reuters)
13 Feb 23. India’s futuristic infantry vehicles to be equipped with Javelin ATGMs. India’s Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICVs) will be equipped with American aerospace company Lockheed Martin’s Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), the company told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show, which is being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
Jagmohan Singh, Lockheed Martin’s regional director of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka told Janes that the companies developing FICVs for the Indian Army are equipping the vehicles with Javelin.
“The companies such as Tata, Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Mahindra, and ordinance factory boards, which are developing FICVs for the Indian Army have asked for Javelin ATGMs to be equipped on the vehicles,” Singh said.
In January, India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of FICVs for the Indian Army. The Indian Army has been trying to procure FICVs to replace its fleets of Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty (BMP)-1 and BMP-2 vehicles. (Source: Janes)
13 Feb 23. Tata unveils 155 mm/52 calibre MGS. India’s Tata Aerospace and Defence (TAD) unveiled a 155 mm/52 calibre mounted gun system (MGS) for the Indian Army at the Aero India 2023 show, which is being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. A spokesperson for TAD told Janes that the company developed the MGS to meet the requirements of the Indian Army under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan. The Indian Army seeks at least 814 MGSs under the plan. According to TAD, the MGS comprises a 155 mm/52 calibre gun mounted on a Tata 8×8 high-mobility vehicle (HMV). The gun has a 360° traverse angle and an elevation arc of -3° to +72°. (Source: Janes)
13 Feb 23. Autonomous minehunter to trial uncrewed operations in the Gulf. An uncrewed boat that can search for and detect underwater threats has arrived in the Gulf, in an important step towards autonomous mine-hunting operations, and a demonstration of the UK’s continued commitment to the Middle East.
Royal Navy Motor Boat Harrier is part of the ten-year programme for replacing the Navy’s current fleet of mine counter measure vessels and her time in the region will lay the foundation for future autonomous kit.
While deployed for operations, the 11-metre boat will work with host ship RFA Cardigan Bay to conduct a series of demonstrations and trials that will prove her ability to operate in the harsh and demanding weather conditions of the Gulf.
Harrier is capable of operating both autonomously (pre-programmed to conduct a mission) or remotely from a ship or shore-based remote control centre. She tows a side-scan sonar behind her to look for mines on the seabed, alerting units ashore or at sea of their whereabouts.
In the future, she will also work with remotely operated underwater vehicles and a mine sweeping system.
The tests will be key for seeing how the Atlas remote-controlled mine sweeper boat deals with hot climates, having already proved her ability in UK waters. She will face water temperatures of more than 30C in the summer, very different from her previous home of Faslane.
Harrier will be put through her paces on integrating with Royal Navy personnel and units in the region – mine counter measure battlestaff, the UK’s Naval Support Facility in Bahrain and countries who work with the UK, protecting shipping and the freedom of navigation.
Harrier will provide another arrow in the quiver of the mine countermeasures Commander and her success will be stepping-stone for complimentary autonomous kit coming available in the near future.
Lieutenant Commander Mark Shaw, commanding officer of Mission System Team One in the Mine Threat Exploitation Group, said: “We are excited to be involved in the Mine Hunting Capability programme which will transition the Royal Navy from a ship-based mine counter measures (MCM) capability to maritime autonomous off-board systems.
“Our task is to prove this first iteration of the capability in an operational environment. This is a step change in the way the Royal Navy conducts MCM, and we are not just proving the equipment and operating procedures but setting the template on how we operate and integrate within the wider force.
“This is the future of Royal Navy MCM and we are proud to be at the leading edge of its delivery. The deployment of this cutting edge technology to the Gulf signals the UK’s commitment to the region and to freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce.”
A move towards autonomous mine-hunting will enable the Royal Navy to counter the rapidly evolving threat of modern sea mines while reducing the risk to sailors.
Commodore Steve Prest, Director Navy Acquisition, said: “It is thrilling to see the first unit of mine hunting capability (MHC) equipment deployed on operations to undertake its operational evaluation phase.
“This activity marks the start of a period of new learning and discovery for the Royal Navy’s MHC programme, all while delivering meaningful operational output, and brings to reality this transformational approach to mine warfare in the Royal Navy.” (Source: Royal Navy)
10 Feb 23. India clears acquisition of mounted gun system. India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved the procurement of the mounted gun system (MGS) for the Indian Army. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement that the procurement, approved through the provision of an ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ (AoN) status under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category, includes 155 mm/52 calibre MGS.
The MoD added that the system should have a maximum weight of 30 tonnes. The maximum firing range of the system should be more than 38 km, and the gun must fire all in-service 155 mm ammunition.
The Indian Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan seeks the procurement of around 3,000 towed and self-propelled howitzers, including at least 814 mounted on 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled platforms.
The Indian Army has been trying to procure the MGS for the last two decades. The first request for proposal (RFP) for the system was issued to five foreign manufacturers in February 2002. (Source: Janes)