02 Oct 20. GaardTech gears up for export trial with British Army. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price has announced that Queensland-based and veteran-owned Australian SME GaardTech is preparing to export advanced training systems for the first time, as part of a trial with the British Army.
GaardTech, which manufactures land targets used in training exercises, is preparing to ship 3D robotic tanks, 3D robotic APC’s and 3D robotic SA-6 systems, along with static 2D vehicle targets and dismounts.
The Australian manufacturer’s training systems are expected to be tested by a number of the UK’s military assets, including the Apache Longbow, Challenger 2 MBT, AJAX IFV, 155mm Artillery, and Royal Air Force capabilities.
GaardTech’s founding director Steen Bigaard said the export trial marks a key milestone in the progression of the SME.
“These training systems are unlike anything seen on the world stage, with a dynamic free moving enemy, able to move at over 35Km H cross country, along with our active thermal system and formation control software,” he said.
“No longer will the UK Army be stuck on outdated fixed ranges, nor will they have to shoot at a fixed flank on an enemy target which offers limited training benefit and lack a combat response when fired upon.”
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price congratulated GaardTech on its first export, adding that the firm serves as an example of the “cutting-edge technologies” developed and maintained by Australia’s defence industry.
Minister Price noted that the export trial with the British Army was made possible after the firm met representatives at the Defence Security and Equipment International tradeshow while demonstrating its capabilities at the Team Defence Australia pavilion in London last year.
“I was pleased to lead a record Australian delegation at the DSEI event, where our companies – big and small – were able to promote their products to a global market,” Minister Price said.
“GaardTech’s achievement highlights the niche capabilities developed by Australian businesses supported by the Morrison government’s Defence Export Strategy.”
Minister Price highlighted the contribution of the Australian Defence Export Office and Team Defence Australia in facilitating connections between Australian SMEs and global markets and foreign militaries.
“This is further proof of a highly successful Morrison government program and the government’s commitment to supporting Australian defence industry to achieve export success,” Minister Price concluded.
Sitting within the Australian Defence Export Office, Team Defence Australia is the premier national platform for export-capable Australian defence and dual-use companies to showcase their goods, services, technology and solutions at international trade events.
Team Defence Australia works with defence industry, the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC), Austrade and state and territory governments to help prepare Australian delegations’ attendance at overseas trade shows and ensure they maximise their international exposure. The CDIC supports Team Defence Australia by managing expressions of interest and leveraging relationships with prime companies through the Global Supply Chain program.
Attending an overseas trade show or participating in a trade mission with Team Defence Australia is a cost-effective option for eligible companies looking to export their products and services, benchmark themselves internationally or research their competitors. Team Defence Australia procures the floor space and builds the exhibition stand, with companies only needing to finance their flights and accommodation. (Source: Defence Connect)
01 Oct 20. New Russian military equipment used during ‘Kavkaz 2020′ exercise. The Russian military put new equipment through its paces during the ‘Kavkaz (Caucasus) 2020’ international exercise held in the Southern Military District on 21–26 September, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported in a series of press releases published during the event.
Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) airdropped a company with BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles on 25 September. “The crews of the vehicles prepared the platforms for an airdrop for the first time and followed them,” the MoD said later the same day. The BMD-4Ms were airdropped using Bakhcha-U parachute systems. Some 900 paratroopers and 118 weapon systems were involved in the airdrop. During the exercise the VDV also operated Mi-24 gunships to transport assault teams and Mi-8 utility helicopters to carry D-30 122 mm towed howitzers.
Other new Russian military systems were also used during the exercise, including BMPT fire support vehicles, Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, TOS-2 Tosochka multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) with more powerful TBS-M3 thermobaric rockets, upgraded Su-25SM3 close air support aircraft, Uran-6 mine-clearing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and a new BMP-3-based mine-clearing platform with a hybrid engine. Tornado-G 122 mm MRLs fired an unspecified new rocket with a warhead that detaches in-flight and descends by parachute. A Uran-14 firefighting UGV performed armour recovery operations.
Swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) comprising Forpost, Eleron-3, and Orlan-10 systems conducted battlefield reconnaissance. Bal and Bastion mobile coastal defence missile systems struck simulated sea targets.
Troops also formed multilayered counter-UAV defences to protect field command posts during the exercise. “[The system integrated] Pantsir-S1 and Igla air-defence weapons and the Zhitel [Dweller] and Krasukha-S4 electronic warfare systems,” the Russian MoD said in a 22 September press release. (Source: Jane’s)
30 Sep 20. Thailand’s First UAS Training Centre Opens. The Defence Technology Institute Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Centre (DTI-UTC) was established in response to rising demand for human resources development required by the Ministry of Interior, agencies related to national security, and general public as well as extensive growth in Unmanned Aircraft Systems or drone usage.
Thailand’s first Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Centre is certified by Approved Training Organisation (ATO) in compliance with regulations prescribed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). DTI-UTC has also provided two unmanned aircraft lessons, including 1. Remote Pilot Licence (RPL), and 2. Instructor Remote Pilot Licence (IRPL) to create awareness in safety and national social responsibility, raise technology and safety to the global standard and achieve the DTI-UTC’s vision as the Defence Technology leader in the region to support the Royal Thai Army and ASEAN alliances.
On 24 September 2020, DTI-UTC, led by General Porpol Maneerin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, hosted a ceremony awarding Certificates of Training Organisation Approval. Air Chief Marshal Preecha Pradabmook, Director-General, Defence Technology Institute, received a certificate presented by Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, at Grand Diamond Ballroom, Impact Forum Building.
The new training sessions hosted by DTI-UTC will be open for the public and other Unmanned Aircraft Systems enthusiasts in March 2021. (Source: UAS VISION/Bangkok Post)
30 Sep 20. British Army trains Somali National Army Brigade headquarters. The UK is also supporting Somalia to strengthen its security institutions and governance across the country.
The first Brigade HQ to be trained in Somalia for a generation has completed command and staff training in Mogadishu, and has returned to their headquarters in Baidoa, the capital of Southwest State in Somalia, at a UK provided barracks.
The command and staff course for Somali National Army (SNA) officers from Baidoa, was delivered by British Army personnel deployed on Operation TANGHAM. The course covered planning and conducting stabilisation operations,and 19 SNA officers trained to work alongside national and international security partners including the Somali Police Force and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as they battle against Al Shabaab.
The British Army commander who delivered the training, Lieutenant Colonel Alex Hutton, said: “The Command and Staff course has given the officers from 8 Brigade a strong foundation in planning and control of Brigade-level operations. My team and I are now looking forward to developing their skills and continuing to advise them in-person from our training base in Baidoa.”
The contingent was recently visited by the Somali Minister for Defence and the British Ambassador to Somalia.
Addressing the students and visiting senior members of the Somali National Army, The British Ambassador to Somalia, Ben Fender OBE, said:
Effective planning and oversight of operations is vital to defeat Al Shabaab, and our ground-breaking course for SNA officers will give them the skills that they need in order to plan and conduct effective operations.
The UK is helping to develop the core of a strong professional army that can keep Baidoa and its surrounding areas safer. We are committed to supporting Somalia in its fight against Al Shabaab.
The UK also supports the Somali National Army by providing equipment including uniforms and radios, and a fleet of vehicles including trucks, ambulances and land cruisers, which provide mobility for 8 Brigade to operate in an effective manner.
The UK is also supporting Somalia to strengthen its security institutions and governance and transferred in March 2020 a military barracks can house up to 450 Somali troops, and acts as the military headquarters for the 8th Brigade in South West State.
The UK’s Baidoa Security Training Centre (BSTC) has been operating for one year and has already trained more than 400 soldiers from 8 Brigade in Baidoa, supporting the Somali National Army. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
30 Sep 20. Royal Australian Navy completes Exercise SINGAROO. The Royal Australian Navy has completed Exercise SINGAROO, an annual joint military exercise with the Republic of Singapore Navy held in south-east Asia.
The 25th iteration of Exercise SINGAROO involved the Royal Australian Navy’s guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart, auxiliary oiler HMAS Sirius and an embarked MH-60R helicopter, which joined four Singaporean warships, a submarine, and aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said Exercise SINGAROO, which is built on existing shared mariner skills between both navies, enhances professional ties and interoperability.
“Operating effectively together at sea relies on regular joint training opportunities to improve our interoperability,” Minister Reynolds said.
“This three-day exercise underlines the importance of military-to-military cooperation as an avenue to hone our expertise and build on our ability to work together.
“This year marks a quarter century of Exercise SINGAROO, underlining the long-standing nature of our defence relationship with Singapore, which shares our commitment to regional security.”
HMA Ships Hobart and Sirius departed their home ports in June for a Regional Presence Deployment exercise in south-east Asia and Hawaii, before participating in Exercise SINGAROO as they returned transit through the region.
Minister Reynolds added that the broader Regional Presence Deployment was a demonstration of Australia’s commitment to sustaining strong defence relationships with regional counterparts and fostering security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. (Source: Defence Connect)
25 Sep 20. Nato allies to take part in Dynamic Mariner exercise. Seven Nato allies will participate in the Dynamic Mariner-20 (DYMR20) exercise taking place off the coast of France.
Seven Nato allies will participate in the Dynamic Mariner -20 (DYMR20) exercise taking place off the coast of France.
The exercise will commence on 28 September and will run until 8 October. It is expected to increase the flexibility of the allies and boost their ability to work together.
Exercise Dynamic Mariner -20 will involve 31 surface ships, one submarine, three maritime patrol aircraft, and other air assets.
Personnel and equipment from Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and the US will participate.
NATO Maritime Command is leading DYMR20, which involves Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2).
The operations have been reduced, keeping in mind safety precautions amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the NATO Maritime Command said: “All our missions have robust procedures in place to protect our people and prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus.
“Because of these enhanced measures, we have not seen active transmission within any of Nato’s Standing Naval Forces.
“All our forces are able to continue conducting missions in a manner that takes precautionary measures, while still ensuring readiness. Our forces remain prepared, vigilant, and ready to act if called upon.”
The maritime strength of Nato is based on the capability of the elements of Standing Forces and National Response Force to participate with national forces and task groups of high capability and readiness.
Regular training is expected to offer a ‘collectively trained and interoperable capability’ that can be deployed by Nato if needed.
The NATO Response Force (NRF) is a multinational force designed to provide quick deployment capabilities.
The force includes land, air, maritime and special operations forces (SOF) components. In October last year, the Dynamic Mariner/Flotex-19 Nato multinational maritime exercise was completed off the coast of Spain. (Source: naval-technology.com)
28 Sep 20. MIND Technology’s Klein Unit Completes Advanced Naval Technology Exercise. MIND Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIND) and its Klein Marine Systems subsidiary successfully completed a live Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) in a collaborative effort with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD); Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) and in coordination with the Naval Oceanographic Office’s Fleet Survey Team (FST), at NSWC PCD.
Despite COVID-19 limitations and numerous planning challenges caused by Hurricanes Laura and Marco, the collaborative team succeeded in conducting a live ANTX event. Participants travelled across the country to both Gulfport, Mississippi and Panama City, Florida to assess the operational and technical capabilities of emerging technology innovations.
Klein and a group from NSWC Panama City partnered to integrate the Klein UUV 600 and µMAX technologies into their Iver3 vehicle. In addition, Klein partnered with Seafloor Systems, Inc. to integrate the Klein MAX View 600 gap-filling side scan sonar system with their large-format, wave adaptive HydroCat-180 USV. The HC-180 has been integrated with a winch and Towfish Launch & Recovery System (T-LARS) designed and tested by Seafloor Systems. The USV is designed to be deployed by boat or from shore and be remotely piloted or programmed to conduct a pre-planned mission. The MAX View towfish was remotely deployed and recovered and the sonar data was sent back in real-time to either the mother ship or shoreside via a radio data link.
“The main benefits of ANTX are two-fold, the government gains first-hand interaction with emerging technology and the innovation providers gain warfighter feedback and insight on how to better work with government,” said Todd Holland, director, mine warfare prototyping at NSWC PCD. “Our team here at Panama City Division, including our test directors, test engineers, range managers, and public affairs personnel did a great job of responding to various challenges while hosting an outstanding ANTX event in collaboration with Klein Marine Systems.”
Guy Malden, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President Marine Systems, MIND Technology, added, “We were very pleased to have successfully demonstrated the benefits of our MA-X and µMA-X technologies despite the challenges of weather and COVID-related travel restrictions and greatly appreciate the efforts of NSWC Panama City and Seafloor Systems in this project. We believe through improved data quality and reduced time on station, MA-X provides for more than a 40% improvement in survey efficiency.” (Source: PR Newswire)
28 Sep 20. Singapore commissions coast guard boat handling, firing simulator. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has commissioned a new tactical boat handling and firing simulator (TBHFS) to improve the Police Coast Guard’s (PCG’s) training capabilities.
The system, which has been described as the first of its kind in the country, has been incorporated with an eye tracker to detect trainees’ visual focus during stressful simulation scenarios. It has been installed at the PCG’s headquarters on Brani Island.
The simulator developed by the PCG in collaboration with the country’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX). It can emulate the PCG’s high-speed patrol interdiction boats, and second-generation high-speed PK-class interceptor boats.
The system can generate vessel simulation at speeds exceeding 50 knots, and can also mimic how vessels behave in the real world when affected by factors such as wave movements or impacts with other crafts and floating objects, in a range of sea states with different speeds, said the HTX.
Training scenarios, conditions, and environment can be controlled and replayed via an instructor operating station, the agency added in a 27 September media release. (Source: Jane’s)
25 Sep 20. Australia and India conclude naval exercise in Indian Ocean. The Royal Australian Navy has completed the recent passage exercise with the Indian Navy in the Northeast Indian Ocean. The Royal Australian Navy has completed the recent passage exercise with the Indian Navy in the Northeast Indian Ocean.
This exercise showcased the interoperability of the two navies.
RAN’s HMAS Hobart sailed along with the Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri and Karmuk during the exercise.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said that this demonstrates the relationship between the two countries as comprehensive strategic partners.
Reynolds said: “We continue to enhance our engagement with like-minded countries, such as India, in support of a shared vision for a more secure, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“Our defence relationship with India is at an historic high point after the Prime Ministers’ Virtual Summit earlier this year, and I look forward to further developing our comprehensive partnership into the future.”
The ships practiced different naval activities during the exercise, such as combined manoeuvres and surface warfare serials.
It is part of RAN’s Regional Presence Deployment via Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
This exercise is the fourth that India has carried out since June amidst border tensions with China.
The Indian Navy took part in exercises with Russia on 4-5 September.
In July, the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), along with its Carrier Strike Group (CSG), conducted a Passex with the Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy also expanded its deployment of frontline ships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) during the same month.
In June, the Indian and Japanese navies reportedly conducted an exercise in the Indian Ocean. (Source: naval-technology.com)
24 Sep 20. Ospreys draw eyes over Ukraine during special ops exercises. USAF CV-22 Ospreys and other aircraft teamed up with the Ukrainian military this week in training exercises, and turned heads as they passed over Kyiv. The Ospreys, as well as MC-130Js, were from the 352nd Special Operations Wing out of RAF Mildenhall, and were taking part in Exercise Fiction Urchin with Ukrainian special operations forces, the wing said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
The exercise marked the first time AFSOC Ospreys and MC-130Js have supported the Ukrainian SOF Qualification Course for special operations air-ground integration training, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said in a Sept. 17 release.
The Kyiv Post reported that the Air Force Special Operations Command Ospreys flew over the center of the capital city, along the banks of the Dnipro River, at a low altitude that day. Kyiv citizens got a heads up about the flight from the U.S. Embassy to Ukraine, and they flooded social media with pictures and videos of the tilt-rotor aircraft, the Post reported.
The other U.S.-Ukrainian military training exercises, which began Sept. 17 and were scheduled to run through the end of this week, include Joint Endeavor 2020 and Rapid Trident 20, the U.S. embassy said.
As part of Fiction Urchin, U.S. and Ukrainian special operations forces are conducting training in multiple locations throughout Ukraine. The troops are practicing tactics and procedures such as fast rope insertion and extraction and military free fall as part of their effort to improve SOF capabilities and interoperability, the release said. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Airforce Times)