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15 Sep 22. Please find the final exhibitor list for DVD2022 at https://www.theevent.co.uk/exhibitor/exhibitor-list/
There is also a full programme of presentations taking place at DVD2022, details can be found here – https://www.theevent.co.uk/dvd2022-programme-of-events/
MoD Defence Agencies at DVD
Land Equipment Operating Centre (LEOC)
Land Equipment is a customer-focused Operating Centre within Defence Equipment and Support, which exists to provide front line support to the British Armed Forces. It supports and sustains equipment and delivers logistics throughout the operational cycle with the agility and responsiveness as agreed with the Front Line Commands and Permanent Joint
Head Quarters. Supporting a wide range of areas, including Joint Military Users, Other Government Departments and the Special Forces community. Land Equipment Operating Centre (LEOC) consists of six subordinate teams supported by a headquarters:
- Future and Common Support Services
- Land Combat Vehicles
- Ajax
- Fires, Infrastructure and Manoeuvre Support
- Vehicle Support Team
- Soldier, Training and Special Projects
Future and Common Support Services (FCSS)
FCSS has been created to deliver the Land Integrated Operating Services (LIOS) programme of activities. The programme will develop, model and assess the viability of 4 future operating models to support the design of a future that will see reduced cost of ownership and improved platform availability for customers. It will aim to deliver through-life capability options including updates, upgrades and increased vehicle availability.
Fires, Infrastructure and Manoeuvre Support (FIMS)
Fires, Infrastructure and Manoeuvre Support is made up of Artillery Systems (Arty Sys) and Operational Infrastructure (OI)
Artillery Systems (Arty Sys)
Arty Sys is responsible for through life delivery and support of 15 projects, both in-service and procurement, from sensor to shooter. The team is grouped into;
Surveillance and Target Acquisition Systems responsible for the Acoustic Sound Ranging Programme (ASP), Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR), Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar (MAMBA) and Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar (MSTAR). The next generation weapons locating system, SERPENS (Cat A project) will replace MAMBA, ASP and LCMR, and is currently in the Concept Phase of development. Ground Based Surveillance Radar (GBSR) is currently being developed to replace MSTAR. This group has also just procured the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrator (D-JFI), a suite of equipment that provides enhanced precision targeting information for Fire Support Teams.
- Indirect Fire Platforms responsible for the 105mm L118 Light Gun and 13Pdr Guns used on ceremonial duties. Mobile Fires Platform (MFP), another Cat A project, will replace AS90 as the fires capability to enable manoeuvre at the divisional level or in a medium limited intervention. This will be combined with a new generation of longer-range, more accurate and lethal ammunition.
- Precision Long Range Artillery responsible for Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the GPS Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).
- There are also Command, Control and Targeting Software Applications that manage the Fire Control Battlefield Information System Application (FC BISA) and the NATO Armaments Ballistic Kernel (NABK). FC BISA v4.0 is currently being developed which will improve FC BISA functionality and allow digital fires and enhanced interoperability with allies. Finally, there is the Defence Targeting Toolset (DTT) that provides a suite of targeting software to enhance rapid and effective communication between target acquisition and weapon systems.
Operational Infrastructure (OI)
OI has a broad remit to deliver and sustain deployable living and working infrastructure & battlefield utilities, through life, in order to equip and support current and future operations for our Armed Forces. OI covers 10 OBIs that are used across all of defence on overseas and UK operations and major capstone exercises. The portfolio is a balanced mix of new capability projects and In-Service Support.
OI enables defence deployable activity, from recent land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the storage and protection of the RAF’s fleet of aircraft and the deployable technical workshops aboard the QE class aircraft carrier.
OI is organised into four delivery pillars:
- Infrastructure: Domestic, technical and HQ accommodation systems (SJTFHQ, HQ ARRC, 3 (UK) Div, 1 (UK) Div), force protection engineering (Sangars, HESCO walling, HQ buildings), expedient surfaces (temporary trackways to F35 landing pads), and support to all Defence field hospitals.
- Utilities: Deployable power (FEPS, LFG), fuel (JOFS2) and water (CWSS).
- Specialist Tools & Equipment: Workshop tools and test equipment, military equipment tool solutions, general purpose test & measuring equipment and deployable technical support systems.
- Bridging: Amphibious (M3), Short, Medium and Long Gap (MGCC, BR90, TYRO and TRITON (WWGC)).
Future and Common Support Services (FCSS)
TD6 Programme
The TD6 Programme seeks to understand the benefits that can be achieved by the installation of Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) technology into both in service and future platforms. The TD6 Team have built experimental HED prototypes based upon the MAN SV, Foxhound and Jackal platforms which all feature different electric driveline configurations for evaluation purposes. The HED platforms have been undergoing an extensive Trialling and Testing programme at UTAC Millbrook, designed to understand
the effect that HED technology has to economy, emissions, performance, reliability, and supportability by benchmarking the HED platforms against the current in-service Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) variants. The TD6 programme will also examine, and in time define the role that such HED platforms could have in the provision of on and off platform electrical power in both the field and in barracks as all the TD6 experimental
platforms can generate, store, and distribute large amounts of clean electrical power.
Land Combat Vehicles (LCV)
LCV is a through-life team responsible for a number of (mostly) Land Environment projects. As a through-life team, LCV is responsible for the full CADMID life-cycle of the projects in its Portfolio.
Current projects within the LCV Portfolio include:
- Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) Boxer Programme
- Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme (CR2 LEP)
- Future All-Terrain Vehicle (FATV) – this is a Royal Navy programme, providing key equipment for the Royal Marines
- Material Distribution (Land) 25 – initial focus is on Heavy Equipment Transport
LCV is also responsible for work on Land Open Systems Architecture (LOSA) and the emergent Technical Design Authority (TDA).
LCV are at Stand Off Road at OR-14a
The Ajax Portfolio Team
The Ajax Portfolio Team is responsible for the Demonstration, Manufacture and In-Service support to a large major programme. It also has an order book for the support for in service turret weapon systems to major Army investment programmes for armoured vehicles and the demonstration, manufacture, and In-Service support to CT 40mm Cannon. The major Cat A project within the Ajax Portfolio is:
Ajax: A multi-role family of Armoured Fighting Vehicles with substantially better lethality, mobility and survivability than many vehicles worldwide. Its introduction will see a step change in how the Army is able collect, process and distribute information and intelligence. Whilst AJAX is the flagship vehicle focused on Armoured
Reconnaissance, the programme will also deliver five other variants, named ARES, ATHENA, ATLAS, APOLLO and ARGUS which are designed to cover roles ranging from specialist troop carrying to recovery and command and control.
Vehicle Support Team (VST)
VST is responsible for the in-service support of all fighting and logistical vehicles used by the Front Line Commands. Our Armed Forces rely upon us to support their demanding and often dangerous roles, whether they are training, at readiness or deployed onoperations.
VST is organised around three Delivery Areas:
- Operations is about keeping safe, reliable and fit equipment in the hands of the user.
This is where our vehicle fleets are managed on a day to day basis and continuously improved to meet the demands of operations. It is organised around our order book items, incorporating everything from Quad Bikes to Main Battle Tank.
- Operations Support drives up our collective intelligence. Through understanding our equipment and all that goes into it through data. The work here underpins availability and sustainability of our vehicle fleet, contributing specialist functional support to our order book items such as through life support, supply chain management and integrated logistics.
- Service Management Function is the focal point for service delivery contracting in Land Equipment. It drives the Service Provision Transformation Contract, improving our close relationship with industry on platform maintenance and repair, as well as our MOD white fleet function.
Soldier, Training and Special Projects (STSP)
STSP and its four portfolios exists to deliver integrated Dismounted Close Combat, Training and Search & Countermeasure systems and services for the Joint, Land and UKSF customer to equip and support current and future operations. STSP does not operate alone and works with partners across Industry, Defence, Allies and others to deliver what our Armed Forces need. The team is broken down into four portfolios:
- Specialist and Autonomous Mobility (SAM) – provides modified vehicles and remote controlled systems for Special Forces and specialist personnel working across all Front-Line Commands.
- Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) – provides lethality (weapons), survivability (body armour, helmets) and surveillance and target acquisition (weapon sights, night vision devices) equipment to all members of the Armed Forces and Special Forces engaged in dismounted close combat.
- Specialist EOD&S, Exploitation and Countermeasures (SEEC) – provides equipment and capabilities for specialised users in Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Search (EOD&S) and Counter Terrorism roles.
- Training and Simulation Systems Programme (TSSP) – Provides simulated individual, crew and collective training systems for Joint and Land users.
Soldier, Training and Special Projects (STSP)
STSP are at Stand Concept 3 at C3-200 and on the Steering Pad at SP-01.
Strategic Supplier Management (SSM) Team
The SSM team is part of MOD Commercial and is the MOD focal point for the provision of advice and guidance to companies interested in becoming defence suppliers. Its staff can explain how to become a UK defence supplier, where to find opportunities and the processes and procedures that the MOD uses to buy a wide variety of goods and services.
The team acts in an advisory capacity by:
- Operating a Defence Suppliers Help Desk facility.
- Providing an overview of how MOD acquisition, its pipeline and the various procedures.
- Signposting to the Defence Sourcing Portal: the free e-sourcing platform and one stop-shop for contract opportunities, tendering and information.
- Providing information on becoming a defence supplier, which includes the ‘Doing Business with Defence’ brochure Strategic Supplier Management (SSM) Team
Enquiries
The SSM team helps companies of all sizes, including SMEs.
Further information about the SSM and how to become a defence supplier can be obtained by contacting:
- Defence Sourcing Portal; The e-sourcing platform and one-stop-shop for contract opportunities,
tendering and information on doing business with the Ministry of Defence.
Logistic Support Operating Centre (LSOC)
The LSOC was recently formed by merging the Logistics Delivery Operating Centre (LDOC) with the Support Operating Centre. The new LSOC sits with the Strategic Enablers Domain within DE&S. Led by Roger West, LSOC is the functional lead for DE&S logistics and support activity, leading the iLog function to provide continually developing and skilled people to delivery operating centres.
The LSOC covers the following programme areas:
- Postal and Courier Service. The British Forces Post Office is the organisation
dedicated to providing postal and courier services to the UK Armed Forces. They
deliver both personal and office mail to over 650 locations around the globe.
- Defence Equipment Sales Authority. The sole authority within the MOD for the sale of
surplus equipment and inventory from the UK Armed Forces.
- Storage Distribution and Freight. The Commissioning and Managing Organisation
(CMO) is the MOD’s main point of entry to the Logistics and Commodities
Transformation (LCST) contract with Team Leidos.
- Fuels. Defence Fuel Acquisition Programme (DFAP).
- Commodities Support Services. The Commissioning and Managing Organisation
(CMO) is the MOD’s main point of entry to the Logistics and Commodities
Transformation (LCST) contract with Team Leidos.
- Logistics and Support. Transforming the materiel supply chain at lower cost and higher performance to deliver the needs of our Armed Forces.
- Support Chain Services. defines and designs Defence support processes and standards; enables support performance measurement and provides support chain shared services that underpin effective decision making and enable customer-driven continuous improvement.
DESA is the sole authority within the MOD for the sale of surplus military equipment and inventory from the UK Armed Forces. It offers an alternative way for customers and international Governments to acquire proven capabilities in a cost effective manner. The DESA uses its close working relationships with UK defence industry to facilitate bespoke
refurbishment and through life support packages for our customers.
DESA has four key objectives for all of its sale activity:
- Maximise the receipts for the MOD.
- Ensure that legal and environmental requirements are met.
- Provide Defence Engagement opportunities as a result of our sales activity.
- Provide opportunities for British industry as part of the prosperity agenda.
Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA)
The UK DSE team is responsible for maximising defence, security and cyber security exports and foreign direct investment to realise the potential of UK companies. We:
- help UK defence and security industries export their products
- maintain relationships with overseas governments to promote British defence and
security products
- work with the MOD and industry to ensure defence and security products have export potential
- provide UK defence and security companies with specialist support to sell their goods
At the DVD exhibition we will be keen to promote the DSE faculty, which focuses on providing information, advice and support tailored to the UK Defence, Security and Cyber Security sectors.
As a member of the Faculty, UK companies will receive notification of our forthcoming events, explore new export opportunities, find contact information and also get exclusive access to our growing library of past webinars. Our vision, is for the DSE faculty to be a community for SMEs in this sector. Sharing best practice, profiling successes and utilising the opportunities to expand international growth.
The Future Capability Group
The Future Capability Group (FCG), part of the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) explores innovative acquisition methods to help Defence prepare for future acquisition.
Established in 2019, FCG is the central hub for DE&S innovation, providing early insight into emerging requirements, in support of Front Line Commands. The group’s primary mandate is to discover, explore and deliver innovative capabilities, in addition to developing novel acquisition and commercial processes.
FCG operates between the Front Line Command innovation hubs, DSTL and DASA and the DE&S delivery teams in DE&S. Low technology readiness level (TRL) capabilities or solutions are handed over to FCG to iteratively develop further. FCG then tests, exploits, and iterates the technology sometimes into early operational use in low, but unsupported
numbers.
FCG focuses its efforts on Operational Advantage, working with the FLC’s to put low numbers of capabilities into the field to inform, influence, and redefine requirements, resulting in constant technological iterations which are better suited to real users. This enables a more agile, fast and direct approach to developing an operational capability that is more suited to the end-user.
Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) delivers high-impact science and technology (S&T) for the UK’s defence, security and prosperity. Dstl gives the UK clear advantage across science, technology, cyber and information.
Dstl is a proven national asset and is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) providing world-class expertise and delivering cutting-edge science and technology for the benefit of the nation and allies.
Dstl is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field. Dstl supplies specialist services to MOD and wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support.
- supplying sensitive and specialist science and technology services for MOD and wider government
- providing and facilitating expert advice, analysis and assurance on defence procurement
- leading on the MOD’s science and technology programme
- understanding risks and opportunities through horizon-scanning
- acting as a trusted interface between MOD, wider government, the private sector and academia to provide science and technology support to military operations by the UK and her allies
- championing and developing science and technology skills across MOD
We help MOD to implement the recommendations in the National Security Strategy and the Strategic Defence and Security Review, in particular to:
- identify and monitor national security risks and opportunities
- protect the UK and our interests at home, at our border, and internationally, in order to address physical and electronic threats from state and non-state sources
Dstl works mainly with MOD, but because of our expertise and facilities, particularly in
the wider area of UK defence and security, we work across government for more than 40 government departments and agencies.
We work with our partners in industry, academia and internationally, using science and technology to help to solve defence and security issues.
We sustain and grow science and technology capabilities that must remain in government, and help develop capabilities that are managed elsewhere, for example, in industry and academia.
Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), finds and funds exploitable innovations which support defence and security faster and more effectively, to help maintain security and military advantage over our adversaries. DASA’s robust competition structure enables the Army and other Front Line Commands to reach out to industry and academia to scout out, fast track and develop innovative solutions to the most pressing issues in defence.
Our vision is for the UK to have strategic advantage through the most innovative defence and security capabilities in the world. We achieve this by welcoming ideas from innovators small and large, providing support to those who have not previously worked with Government.
DASA supports the development of suppliers’ innovative ideas from potential application and beyond to help get new equipment into the hands of military personnel and generate economic growth and prosperity for the UK. By working locally, supporting and advising innovators of all shapes and sizes, we provide a critical link to pull through innovation to help the Ministry of Defence, Army and other Front Line Commands source
the most innovative equipment and ideas and keep the UK safe by staying ahead of the threats we face.
23 Aug 22. Army Headquarters and DE&S Land Equipment announce the much-anticipated return of DVD.
DVD2022, Millbrook, 21st – 22nd September, 2022
DVD is a biennial Defence industry exhibition staged at UTAC Millbrook that enables focussed engagement between Defence industry, DE&S Delivery Teams, Army HQ staff and other Defence community users of Land Equipment.
It is a well-established two-day event held at UTAC Millbrook jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment) and Army Headquarters – the MOD teams responsible for equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces for current and future operations.
DVD provides an effective and efficient forum for all those involved in the Land Equipment sector to develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements. DVD remains an important event enabling this coordinated engagement through informal discussion, briefings, demonstrations and displays. Other stakeholders from across the MOD are also welcome to attend to broaden perspectives and encourage innovation.
DVD2022 will showcase the development and delivery of world-class capabilities across the spectrum of Land Equipment, reflecting current procurement and upgrade programmes and future capability requirements.
THE EVENT for Land Equipment stakeholders will bring together acquisition teams and Defence industry, focusing on future requirements and opportunities over two days of informal discussions, engagement with users, briefings, seminars, demonstrations and live displays.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of equipment on display, from both industry and the military, including everything from specialist vehicles to the equipment and services necessary to support land-based military operations.
Major General Darren Crook, Director Land Equipment explains: “I’m delighted with the announcement of DVD2022, following 2020’s disappointing cancellation due to COVID 19. DVD is an important and valued event that brings together industry, international allies, and partners; DE&S and the British Army have been hosting it for many years, enabling visitors to gain hands-on experience of cutting-edge equipment.
“I’m looking forward to finding out more about new and emerging technologies and developing ideas for how these could benefit the UK’s Land Forces. DVD offers a unique opportunity to enhance our shared understanding of the challenges we currently face in the Land Equipment industry and the opportunities for future engagement and collaboration.”
Exhibiting at DVD2022
Industry exhibitors are encouraged to share their experience and innovative ideas. They can do this through demonstration of equipment and/or services, engagement with MOD staff and contributing to workshops. By doing so we can mutually develop solutions to meet existing and future Land capability requirements.
Applications to exhibit at DVD2022 are now being taken.
There are two distinct areas where applicants will be able to exhibit their products or services:
- Indoor 16 Sep 22. Alec Shelbrooke appointed as new Minister For Defence Procurement (MinDP) in sucession to Jeremy Quin MO. The Rt Hon Alec Shelbrooke is the Conservative MP for Elmet and Rothwell, and has been an MP continuously since 6 May 2010. He previously held the Government post of Minister of State (Ministry of Defence).
l scheme or space only stand within a carpeted venue
- Outdoor exhibition space where you will be able display both your larger static displays and static or demonstration vehicles
For further information and to register as an exhibitor visit www.theevent.co.uk/
23 Aug 22. DVD2022 to demonstrate a new Decade of Delivery.
As visitor and media registration opens for DVD2022, Army Headquarters and DE&S announce the themes for this year’s event. On 21st and 22nd September at UTAC Millbrook, industry and Defence in the Land Equipment sector will meet to discuss Future Soldier and the Land Industrial Strategy (LIS), bringing ‘A Decade of Delivery: Transformation and Sustainment’ to life through themed areas, presentations, and a ‘Boxer Village’.
DVD is a biennial Defence industry exhibition that enables focussed engagement between Defence industry, DE&S Delivery Teams, Army HQ staff and other Defence community users of Land Equipment.
The primary objective of DVD2022 is engagement and communications with industry and key MOD stakeholders to realise the following benefits:
- MOD: Develop a greater understanding of the land equipment sector across MOD stakeholders; and to promote UK Defence industry and innovation.
- Army HQ: DVD provides an opportunity to develop intelligent customer knowledge and market awareness to inform capability planning, requirements setting and equipment management. And explain land equipment requirements and activity to industry and key MOD decision makers.
- DE&S: An opportunity to engage with industry, alongside Army HQ and HQ Field Army staff as the customer and user; and to develop a common understanding of the industrial base and review technology. As well as developing DE&S staff knowledge, skills and experience.
- Industry: Gain a better understanding of MOD needs through direct engagement with Army HQ staff, with the expertise of DE&S staff available to advise on procurement and support issues. DVD also provides an opportunity for industry-to-industry engagement.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Tickell KBE explains: “I’m pleased to see the return of DVD, following the 2020 hiatus. The land equipment sector has inevitably changed since our last event in 2018 and DVD2022 presents us with an exciting opportunity to take stock of the past and look ahead to a new ‘Decade of Delivery: Transformation and Sustainment’.
Transformation – to Future Soldier – and Sustainment – through the Land Industrial Strategy – remain paramount to maintaining world-class capabilities across the spectrum of Land Equipment, reflected in our current procurement and upgrade programmes and in our future capability requirements.”
For those involved in Land Equipment for Army Headquarters, DE&S and Front-Line Commands DVD2022 provides an ideal opportunity to identify innovation, develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements. To register as a visitor please visit www.theevent.co.uk/visitor.
Providers of equipment and support for the UK’s Land Forces who would like to exhibit at DVD2022, are encouraged to register their interest at www.theevent.co.uk/Exhibitor.
11 Sep 22. Imperial College to shut joint research ventures with Chinese defence firms. Two Chinese-sponsored aerospace research centres to close after warnings of ‘sleepwalking’ into aiding Chinese military.
will shut down two major research centres sponsored by Chinese aerospace and defence companies amid a crackdown on academic collaborations with China, the Guardian has learned.
The Avic Centre for Structural Design and Manufacturing is a long-running partnership with China’s leading civilian and military aviation supplier, which has provided more than £6m to research cutting-edge aerospace materials. The second centre is run jointly with Biam, a subsidiary of another state-owned aerospace and defence company, which has contributed £4.5m for projects on high-performance batteries, jet engine components and impact-resistant aircraft windshields. The centres’ stated goals are to advance civilian aerospace technologies, but critics have repeatedly warned that the research could also advance China’s military ambitions.
Now Imperial has confirmed the two centres will be shut by the end of the year after the rejection of two licence applications to the government’s Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), which oversees the sharing of sensitive research with international partners. The closures follow a warning in July by the heads of MI5 and the FBI of the espionage threat posed by China to UK universities, and highlight the government’s hardening attitude on the issue.
“You can say with a high degree of confidence that this decision has been taken because the government is of the view that continuing licensing would enable the military development in China, which is viewed as a threat to security,” said Sam Armstrong, director of communications at the Henry Jackson Society thinktank. “The government has made it clear to universities that there is an overall shift in the weather such that these collaborations are no longer possible.”
When the centres were launched in 2012, the Conservative government was enthusiastic about such partnerships, and some universities – notably Imperial College and Manchester – accepted substantial funds from state-owned companies that supply the Chinese military with fighter jets, surveillance software and missiles. In 2015, the then chancellor, George Osborne, accompanied the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, on a tour of Manchester’s graphene institute during a state visit.
But as relations between China and the west have deteriorated, with concerns over human rights in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang region, behind the scenes there has been a crackdown on academic partnerships involving “dual-use” technologies that have benign civilian uses, but also potential military applications.
In addition to the two centres due to shut at Imperial, another five collaborations have been quietly terminated in the past three years – all but one of those in the UK highlighted as “high risk” in a 2019 analysis by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). This includes facilities at Imperial and Manchester sponsored by the Chinese missile manufacturer Calt, whose parent company is reported to have supplied drones deployed in the Xinjiang region. The government’s Export Control Unit has rejected three licence applications from Imperial and five from Manchester linked to China collaborations since 2018.
“The fact these two [latest Imperial] facilities have been closed down is not enormously surprising,” Armstrong said. “It’s difficult to see how you can partner with Avic without furthering the aims of the Chinese military.”
Charles Parton, a China expert at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said that the UK had been “sleepwalking” into partnerships that posed a threat to national interests. “Finally we’ve woken up and are now beginning to get an idea of what’s going on,” he said. “The distinction is narrowing between what is a civilian and military use. We really shouldn’t be helping a hostile power. (Source: Google/The Guradian)
27 Aug 22. South Korea, Poland sign $5.8bn tank, howitzer contract. Two South Korean companies have signed a $5.76bn contract with Poland to export tanks and howitzers, Seoul’s arms procurement agency said on Saturday, after Warsaw agreed to ramp up arms imports amid tensions with Russia. The contract, signed in Poland on Friday, is part of South Korea’s biggest ever arms deal, clinched last month with Poland, which has been seeking to beef up its military in the face of Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Hyundai Rotem Co. (064350.KS) will ship K2 Black Panther tanks, and Hanwha Defense, the defence unit of Hanwha Corp (000880.KS), will send K9 self-propelled howitzers to Poland, said the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The parties have not announced the value of the entire deal, which South Korean media estimated at up to 20trn won ($15bn).
“As defence exports are extremely important in terms of sharing weapon systems, mutual logistics support and strengthening security alliances, this export deal is expected to contribute to our efforts to build solidarity with European countries and expand the boundaries of our security capabilities,” DAPA said in a statement.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, has vowed to beef up security cooperation with European countries sharing the values of democracy and market economies, while boosting the country’s defence industry amid North Korea’s evolving nuclear and military threats.
Yoon became the first South Korean leader to attend a NATO summit in Spain in June as an observer, warning of threats to those values.
Poland agreed to buy 180 K2 tanks, an unspecified number of howitzers and 48 FA-50 fighter jets under the deal. Friday’s contract covers a first instalment, DAPA said, without elaborating on the numbers. An agreement for the jets is expected next month.
The Ukraine invasion, which Russia calls a “special military operation,” has raised security fears among many former Eastern Bloc countries. NATO member Poland has vowed to boost military spending to 3% of gross domestic product and more than double the size of its army to deter any attacks. ($1 = 1,341.8100 won) (Source: Google/Reuters)
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