Sponsored by Bertin Exensor
www.exensor.com
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
03 Jul 24. German budget committee clears over 6bn euros of defence purchases, say sources. Germany’s budget committee approved the purchase of tanks, ammunition and air defence systems worth more than 6 bn euros ($6.48bn) on Wednesday, sources told Reuters.
Days after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz surprised allies by announcing a “Zeitenwende” – German for a historic turning point – with a €100bn special fund to bring the military back up to speed.
The arms purchases authorised on Wednesday include 105 Leopard 2 A8 tanks from arms maker KNDS for 2.93bn euros, the sources said.
There is also a deal to buy up to 200,000 shells of artillery ammunition for up to 1.3bn euros from Diehl and Nammo.
Furthermore, four PATRIOT air defence systems will be bought for a total of 1.35bn euros, according to sources.
“Today, the budget committee once again made important procurement decisions that make the “Zeitenwende” proclaimed by the Chancellor a reality,” members of the committee from the three parties in the ruling coalition said in a joint statement.
The statement did not give details of the purchases or their value but said they would help Germany’s military plan for the next decade and provide Ukraine with urgently needed supplies.
After the meeting with the budget committee, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that in the first half of the year projects with a total value of almost 27bn have been approved.
‘URGENTLY NEEDED’ INVESTMENTS
“These are long-term, important and urgently needed investments in our troops and thus in our security,” Pistorius said.
Some Leopard tanks will equip a German combat brigade in Lithuania being set up as part of NATO’s deterrence against Russia, while others will reinforce the 300-tank force inside Germany, according to a budget draft seen by Reuters.
The German military expects to take delivery of the most advanced version of the tanks between 2027 and 2030.
Opposition members criticised the approval of the purchases given some of the funding has yet to be been clarified.
“The government must finally do its homework and ensure that these important projects are fully financed with the 2025 budget and the new mid-term finance plan until 2028,” said Christian Haase, budget policy spokesperson of the conservative parliamentary group.
Budget infighting within Germany’s governing coalition is jeopardising its plan to meet defence commitments to Western allies even as tensions with Russia rise.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner is rejecting calls by Pistorius to increase annual defence spending next year by 6.7bn euros.
“As things stand today, all we know is that the finance ministry does not want to spend an additional euro and savings must be made in the existing budget. But Pistorius doesn’t say where,” said Ingo Gaedechens, a member of the budget committee from the conservatives.
Pistorius said the government would use commitment appropriations, which are pledges to pay, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled.
“Now we are not announcing what we can afford on the basis of the budget, we are announcing what we need for the country’s defence capabilities and then seeing what we can get through,” Pistorius said. ($1 = 0.9256 euros) (Source: Reuters)
03 Jul 24. Militaries level up individual soldier skills as range of threats grow. The changing face of warfare has prompted militaries to change the way their soldiers fight to confront new innovations.
Militaries around the world are beginning to restructure how they train their soldiers as methods of war continue to evolve in the high-intensity warfare environment demonstrated in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Most recently, the US Department of Defense awarded a $14.26m contract to Alutiiq Solutions on 1 July 2024. The company will provide I Expeditionary Operations Training Group (I EOTG) the ability to teach “select special skills” to US Marine Corps expeditionary units.
I EOTG currently uses contractor personnel to provide the specialised training needed to deploy forces such as Maritime Raid Force training, sniper training, and uncrewed aerial vehicle training in order to prepare I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Expeditionary Units, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Forces, combat advisors, and other designated deploying forces to support geographic combatant commands.
Just as the Army has committed to changing its equipment and platforms best suited for counter-insurgency warfare to meet the needs of frontline infantry in a more direct conflict with near-peer powers, this must be reflected in how soldiers operate.
The contract will also see the contractor “conduct and evaluate the collective training” of the Marine Corps.
This commitment to evaluate soldier training demonstrates the changing face of warfare as infantry will need to change the way they fight to confront new innovations such as uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and, in some cases, space-based assets.
Trickle-down effect in Ukraine
“When everyone has all the equipment – both the Ukrainians and the Russians have jets, air defence, armoured vehicles – what really makes the deciding factor is the quality of the people, the actual human soldier,” argued GlobalData Defence Analyst Tristan Sauer.
This comes down to Western training principles where responsibility trickles down to the lower levels of infantry, giving frontline soldiers a greater level of independence and decision-making.
Sauer added that this is where “the divide comes between the quality of the Russian and Ukrainian forces,” and this was true throughout most of 2022 and early 2023. “But no one stays stupid forever when they’re losing people” on such a vast scale.
Controlling drones for all these people used to be the remit of the commander but we now realise that is no longer tenable. When you take out that commander, you take out that drone and a hundred people do not have coverage. So, the idea is that every small squad needs to have its own systems and the batteries to power them; it is important to promote self-sufficiency.
New Western training schemes
Back in the West, the British Army has implemented a new vision for training its soldiers, known as the ‘Land Training System’ (LTS). This new structure aims to cultivate the sub-unit level with a wide range of skills and competencies in a combined arms environment.
LTS is a programme partitioned into three development phases: Tradewind, Cyclone and Storm.
Tradewind will hone the skills and competencies of troops, with the aim of making training more self-sustaining; Cyclone involves building teams in which a sub-unit trains together (in a ten week timeframe every year) to master individual and collective skills; while Storm constitutes the scale and mass of 21st century fighting.
The Army aims to ‘cyclone’ 70% of its personnel by next year; and by 2027, the service will have fewer courses and more blended learning.
(Source: army-technology.com)
02 Jul 24. Poland defence spending to match the US, outpacing Nato peers.
GlobalData forecasts Poland’s defence expenditure to surge to $48.5bn by 2029, citing geopolitical concerns and ambitions for regional security leadership.
In a move to fortify its defences and bolster Nato’s security framework, Poland is set to ramp up its defence spending over the coming years, reaching an estimated $48.5bn (194.5bn zlotys) by 2029.
This initiative comes amidst mounting regional uncertainties following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, signalling Poland’s proactive stance in safeguarding European security.
Poland’s defence spending surge
According to the recent “Poland Defense Market 2024-2029” report by GlobalData, Poland’s defence budget is projected to rise steadily from $36.4bn in 2024 to $39.9bn by 2025, marking a commitment to enhancing its military readiness.
Fox Walker, a Defence Analyst at GlobalData, emphasised Poland’s heightened focus on military modernisation and readiness, stating, “For at least the rest of the decade, Poland will spend at least 4.3% of its GDP on defence each year, which would place it on par with the US and put it significantly higher than the vast majority of all other NATO member countries.”
The surge in defence expenditure is expected to prioritise key sectors such as missiles, missile defence systems, artillery, and military
Significant investments include acquiring advanced systems like the Patriot air defence system, Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle, and the Homar-A multiple launch rocket system – a HIMAR variant. These acquisitions bolster Poland’s defence capabilities and stimulate domestic economic growth through enhanced defence supply chains.
Defence companies such as Leonardo have boosted Poland’s defence capabilities by launching the AW149 helicopter production line at PZL-Świdnik, marking a step towards enhancing local defence industry self-reliance. This initiative allows Poland to manufacture AW149 helicopters domestically within two years of contract signing, promoting job growth and technology transfer.
Concurrently, Poland has finalised a deal with South Korea to produce 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks locally, reflecting a broader strategy of integrating international partnerships with domestic production goals.
Nato’s largest land army with 300,000 personnel
Beyond hardware acquisitions, Poland is also committing resources to strengthen its military personnel. With plans to increase military personnel spending to $17.8bn by 2029, Poland aims to expand its armed forces to 300,000 personnel, positioning itself as an intimidating land force within Nato.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has highlighted the urgency of fortifying European defence capabilities, warning of a “prewar” era in Europe. This sentiment indicates Poland’s broader strategic objective of assuming a leadership role within Nato, aligning its defence policy closely with Western allies amidst shifting global dynamics.
Walker elaborated on Poland’s aspirations, noting, “Poland aims to become NATO’s largest land army in Europe by eventually achieving a total force strength of 300,000. A military expansion of this size, combined with Poland’s substantial acquisition investments, will make Poland an armed force to be reckoned with.”
As Poland charts a course towards bolstering its defence capabilities, its proactive stance reflects a broader effort within Nato to strengthen transatlantic security cooperation in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. With ambitious modernisation plans and a robust defence budget trajectory, Poland is poised to play a role in shaping the future of European security architecture. (Source: army-technology.com)
02 Jul 24. Lithuania fortifies borders with Belarus and Kaliningrad.
The Baltic nation will construct these barriers and protective positions “in case of a military aggression”
Lithuania will fortify its borders with Belarus and Russia’s western enclave, Kaliningrad. The Baltic nation will construct new barriers and protective positions “in case of a military aggression,” warned Laurynas Kasčiūnas, the Minister for National Defence.
The Armed Forces’ Logistics Command signed procurement contracts that collectively cost €4m ($4.29m). The government ordered various counter-mobility devices with creative names that continue to confound after centuries of use in the history of warfare – dragon’s teeth, cheval de frise and Czech hedgehogs.
The government will furnish 27 areas of concern with these bulwarks. These so-called fortification ‘parks’ are planned to be supplied with the equipment and installations necessary for their full capacity by 2025.
Partner Content
GlobalData Defence Analyst, Tristan Sauer, assessed the tactical use of defensive structures in Ukraine, a hotbed for modern warfare:
“Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have employed such equipment to good effect by combining them with other capabilities such as minefields and electronic warfare systems. This creates complex and layered defensive positions which hamper the opponent’s capacity to conduct combined arms manoeuvres,” said Sauer.
“Such equipment and tactics have allowed both sides to channel engagements within more open and rural terrain, creating a buffer zone between the front lines and urbanised population centres that has arguably helped to reduce the proportion of civilian casualties throughout this conflict.”
Furthermore, the Lithuanian counter-mobility action plan includes reconstructing irrigation ditches in the areas bordering Belarus, development of woodland patches and alleys, refurbishment of roads and bridges, and whatever else is necessary. All the listed steps align in Lithuania’s defence line concept which is an integral part of the Baltic defence line.
Baltic Defence Line
The Baltic Defence Line is a joint initiative between the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – launched in January to reinforce counter-mobility capability along the eastern boarder of Nato while falling in an effective overall line of counter-mobility measures capable of disrupting and preventing hostile forces from crossing the border effectively.
Although the Baltic region is in closer proximity to Russia, meaning its threat perception is more profound, other European countries are also taking steps to strengthen their borders in the face of any further Russian military expansion.
Finland has proposed legislation that will allow reservists placed in border troop units to be ordered to training faster than the currently set three months. The new grounds for reservist training would be intended for situations where border security has been seriously compromised.
Such situations could include rapidly developing disturbances in border security due to hybrid threats in the form of large-scale instrumentalised migration or a situation requiring intensified border control because of a major accident or pandemic. (Source: army-technology.com)
01 Jul 24. U.S. Bases in Europe Go to Higher State of Alert. U.S. commanders in Europe have placed bases in a higher state of alert, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.
Singh wouldn’t comment on intelligence matters, but she said U.S. commanders in Europe raised the threat level in response to “a combination of factors and not related to a single threat.”
Those factors could impact the safety and security of service members and their families based in the region, she said.
“U.S. European Command is taking steps to increase vigilance for our service members, their families and our facilities,” she said during a Pentagon briefing. “This was done out of an abundance of caution. I won’t get into more specifics.”
There are a number of high-profile events happening on the continent, including the 2024 European football championship and the upcoming Olympics in Paris. “There are a combination of factors, including events that are taking place in the theater that, just out of due diligence, it is good to make sure that our service members are taking the precautionary measures that they need for themselves and their families,” Singh said.
In other news, Singh said the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore temporary pier is currently in Israel’s Port of Ashdod because of poor sea conditions off the coast of Gaza. “We’re still assessing when it can be re-anchored,” Singh said. “When sea states calm a bit, will provide an update.”
The World Food Program and other groups are getting aid out of the marshaling yards to Palestinians. “In terms of the distribution, you did see that some distribution did start back up over the weekend,” Singh said. “It is going to take a few days to move that aid out of the marshaling area that had built up over time.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
01 Jul 24. The UK armed forces “cannot defend the British homelands properly” and are unprepared for “conflict of any scale”, according to the senior defence official who was charged with gauging Britain’s military strength. Rob Johnson — who recently stood down as director of the Ministry of Defence’s office of net assessment and challenge — said the UK military was operating with a “bare minimum” that only just allowed it to mount peacekeeping and humanitarian relief operations, civilian evacuation from warzones, and some anti-sabotage activities. “In any larger-scale operation, we would run out of ammunition rapidly . . . Our defences are too thin, and we are not prepared to fight and win an armed conflict of any scale,” Johnson told the Financial Times. “The UK has reached a situation where it cannot defend the British homelands properly.” His comments come as both the Conservatives and Labour are under pressure to demonstrate their commitment to defence ahead of the July 4 general election, weighing the demands of rising global threats against straitened public finances. Johnson said British air defences were “insufficient” to stop long-range missile strikes, the Royal Navy lacked enough ships to patrol the north Atlantic to monitor and deter Russian submarine activity, and the Royal Air Force needed almost twice as many fighter jets as it has now. As for mounting an expeditionary force comparable to those deployed in the Falklands or Iraq wars, British forces “would be under-equipped, leaving troops at risk”, Johnson said. Rob Johnson: ‘The government is not taking the public into its confidence about the scale of the threat because it knows it’s not ready’ © Jim Wileman/FT Johnson, a respected academic who previously headed Oxford university’s Changing Character of War Centre, led the MoD’s assessment office since its creation in 2022 for a full two-year term that ended in May. His unit — based on a similar office in the US Department of Defense that has been in operation for over 50 years — was set up as a sounding board for military chiefs to help prevent “groupthink”. Johnson said he did not want to be alarmist but simply realistic about the scenarios that his department had war-gamed. He said he decided to issue a public warning because he was “deeply worried” about the extra investment the British military needed, particularly to counter the threat from Russia. “The government is not taking the public into its confidence about the scale of the threat because it knows it’s not ready,” Johnson said. There was no security risk in being honest because “the Russians already know this anyway”, he added. His bleak prognosis adds to a chorus of recent warnings by current or recently retired senior UK defence officials, who have said that Britain’s military needs to modernise given the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the potential for conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Johnson indicated that the UK military was unable to fulfil the global role the government set out for it in last year’s integrated review of foreign policy, let alone fight a major adversary. “We have to cut our coat to fit our cloth,” he said. General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing army chief, said in a valedictory message to troops this month that “the urgency and imperative for modernisation is ever more acute”. Retired Air Marshal Edward Stringer, who was a driving force behind the creation of the assessment office within the MoD, told the FT that Britain had “a shopfront military, one that can excel on displays and exercises”, adding: “But when you go behind the facade, there’s precious little on the shelves and no production line behind it.”
General Sir Patrick Sanders, the outgoing army chief, said in a valedictory message to troops this month that “the urgency and imperative for modernisation is ever more acute”. Retired Air Marshal Edward Stringer, who was a driving force behind the creation of the assessment office within the MoD, told the FT that Britain had “a shopfront military, one that can excel on displays and exercises”, adding: “But when you go behind the facade, there’s precious little on the shelves and no production line behind it.” Stringer said that while he agreed with Johnson’s core analysis, the MoD also needed to make sure that “any extra money put in is better spent”. Johnson said the next government should aim to boost defence spending to 3 per cent of gross domestic product at “a minimum”. That level, equivalent to almost £80bn a year, would put UK spending on a par with the US, Poland and the Baltic states. The spending would allow the UK to modernise its nuclear deterrent and have a military “armed and equipped for the conflicts of the 21st century”, he said.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Founded in 1987, Exensor Technology is a world leading supplier of Networked Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) Systems providing tailored sensor solutions to customers all over the world. From our Headquarters in Lund Sweden, our centre of expertise in Network Communications at Communications Research Lab in Kalmar Sweden and our Production site outside of Basingstoke UK, we design, develop and produce latest state of the art rugged UGS solutions at the highest quality to meet the most stringent demands of our customers. Our systems are in operation and used in a wide number of Military as well as Homeland Security applications worldwide. The modular nature of the system ensures any external sensor can be integrated, providing the user with a fully meshed “silent” network capable of self-healing. Exensor Technology will continue to lead the field in UGS technology, provide our customers with excellent customer service and a bespoke package able to meet every need.
A CNIM Group Company
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————