South Korea tests surveillance prototypeThe Republic of Korea (ROK, South Korea) is testing from June to August an unmanned surveillance system aimed to enhance its coverage of the demilitarised zone along the common land frontier with North Korea.[Jane's Defence Weekly- first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 28 June 2006]Pakistan strengthens forces on Afghan borderPakistan is set to increase the strength of its army in the restive Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) along the Afghan border by 10,000 personnel to bring the total to 90,000, according to Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri.[Jane's Defence Weekly- first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 28 June 2006]India plans to expand number of special forcesThe Indian Army is planning to expand its special forces (SF) despite the element's rudderless organisation and lack of dedicated funding.[Jane's Defence Weekly- first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 28 June 2006]France is to upgrade VBLs in Afghan service Panhard General Defense has been awarded a contract by the French Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) to supply 50 enhanced protection kits for the Véhicule Blindé Leger ( VBL) scout cars used by the French Army in Afghanistan.[Jane's Defence Weekly- first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 29 June 2006]COUNTRY BRIEFING - IRAQ: Battle for controlThe daily toll of civilian casualties in insurgent attacks, kidnappings and other acts of random violence is grim testimony to Iraq's continuing security crisis.[Jane's Defence Weekly- first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 29 June 2006]
Novo veículo tático leve alemãoA Rheinmetall Defence mostrou em Eurosatory, pela primeira vez, seu novo Veículo Tático leve TOKEH, de alta mobilidade, destinado ao uso por forças especiais e especialmente projetado para ser transportado pelo helicóptero NH90, também visto na foto. O veículo é 4x4, sendo equipado com uma inovadora suspensão que permite o ajusta da altura livre em relação ao solo, além de pneus à prova de bala; a viatura possui também um sistema central para enchimento dos pneus. Impulsionado por um motor diesel IVECO F1A EURO 3 (2.300 cm3), o TOKEH pode transportar dois homens e uma metralhadora leve. A velocidade máxima em estradas é de 120km/h, e o gradiente máximo é 60%. e a viatura possui um sistema central para enchimento dos pneus. O comprimento do TOKEH é de 3,40m, a largura 1,60m, e o peso máximo permissível é de 2,4t. (Foto: Rheinmetall Defence)
RG-31 mine-protected APCs proving popularBAE Land Systems OMC has begun building a batch of RG-31 Mk 5 mine-protected armoured personnel carriers (APCs) for the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces under a USD11 million order placed in November 2005[Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 07 June 2006]US special ops rifle enters low-rate productionThe US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has authorised low-rate production of the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR), a multicalibre modular carbine that may point the way for future small-arms acquisitions[Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 28 June 2006]US seeks to switch body armourThe US Army is looking to replace its Interceptor Body Armour (IBA) with a new individual armour system that would increase a soldier's manoeuvrability and flexibility[Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 28 June 2006]COUNTRY BRIEFING - IRAQ: Battle for controlThe daily toll of civilian casualties in insurgent attacks, kidnappings and other acts of random violence is grim testimony to Iraq's continuing security crisis[Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 29 June 2006]
Saab develops PLSS RWS surveillance mast for Swedish Leopard 2A5 MBTsSaab Systems of Järfälla, Sweden, displayed the prototype of its Panoramic Low-Signature Sight (PLSS) remote weapon station (RWS) -- developed as a private venture -- at Eurosatory 2006 (12-16 June) in Paris. Sweden's FMV (Defence Materiel Administration) subsequently contracted Saab Systems to install the system on a Swedish Army Strv 122 (Leopard 2A5) main battle tank (MBT) and conduct trials. Prototype development is now complete[Jane's International Defence Review - first posted to http://idr.janes.com - 26 June 2006]EURENCO shifts to large-scale production of insensitive projectiles at new facilityMass production of insensitive projectiles started in late June 2006 at EURENCO's (European Energetics Corporation) Sorgues factory in southern France, where cast-cured plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) charges for army and navy projectiles will be produced on a large scale[Jane's International Defence Review - first posted to http://idr.janes.com - 27 June 2006]General Dynamics pushes Piranha V for FRESAs the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) makes plans to select competing designs as candidates to fulfil the requirement for a utility variant of its Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) vehicle family, General Dynamics UK revealed further details of the Piranha IV 8x8 and the growth path to the highly protected Piranha V model now being postulated[Jane's International Defence Review - first posted to http://idr.janes.com - 04 July 2006Taiwan switches from Tien Kung I to Tien Kung IITaiwan plans to retire its Tien Kung I (Sky Bow I) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and to upgrade the missiles, radars and training simulator to the Tien Kung II (Sky Bow II) standard, writes Doug Richardson. Tien Kung II is less expensive than Patriot, so acts as a complement to the US system. Taiwan uses its Patriot systems to defend metropolitan areas, a task likely to be shared with the PAC-3 version, whose procurement has yet to be ordered. Tien Kung II defends airfields and military bases against aircraft threats[Jane's Missiles and Rockets - first posted to http://jmr.janes.com - 05 July 2006]GosCSI virtual-reality trainer promises to cut training costs for 3K38 Igla missileFor a defence journalist attending the Eurosatory defence exhibition, being invited for a drink or lunch is a fairly predictable event; being invited to shoot down a helicopter is not, writes Doug Richardson. But Dmitry Samoylov, of the Moscow-based GosCSI Federal State Unitary Enterprise, was determined to provide JMR with a hands-on demonstration of his company's new 9F874 virtual-reality (VR) trainer for the 3K38 Igla (SA-18 'Grouse') surface-to-air missile system[Jane's Missiles and Rockets - first posted to http://jmr.janes.com - 05 July 2006]France pursues ERC90 Sagaie re-gunning trialFrench defence ministry (MoD) sources have confirmed to Jane's that a Panhard ERC90 Sagaie 6x6 reconnaissance and fire-support vehicle - currently armed with a 90 mm medium-velocity gun - is to be refitted with the CTA International (CTAI) 40 mm case telescoped weapon system (CTWS)[Jane's International Defence Review - first posted to http://idr.janes.com - 11 July 2006]
In accordance with the Government of the Russian Federation Decree № 115-r of February 2, 2006 International Defense Exhibition of Land Forces IDELF -2006 will be held on August 2 – 6, 2006 in the territory of Moscow and Moscow Region. The Exhibition is included in the Intergovernmental Plan of Events on Celebration of 15th Anniversary of the Community of Independent States. Organizer of the Exhibition - the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation has approved the following format of the IDELF 2006 Exhibition:The basic exposition of IDELF 2006 will take place on the territory and on the scale of the main exhibition ground of Russia – All-Russia Exhibition Centre VVC (the total area of the VVC is 238 hectares).Demonstration and business program of the IDELF-2006 Exhibition will involve the best facilities, pavilions and conference halls of the VVC (№№ 57, 20, 69). At the disposal of participants and visitors of the exhibition are specially equipped and decorated in the common renovated style outdoor grounds along the whole length of the All-Russia Exhibition Centre Central Alley from the historic arch of the Main Entrance till the Cosmos Pavilion. The total area of the IDELF Exhibition ground will exceed more than 50,000 sq. m. Russian Military and Sport Foundation will organize National Youth Military and Sport Festival “Be Ready to Labor and Defence”, which will on the whole attach even more public and political importance to the exhibition event and will attract keen interest of numerous foreign and domestic mass media.The Exhibition and numerous events within its framework will be attended by more than 1,000,000 visitors. Heads of the Russian Federation, high ranking officials from the central federal ministries, foreign guests, leading experts of the Russian Ministry of Defence, Federal Service for Defence Order, Federal Agency for Industry and other Federal executive bodies.Tactical, technical and performance characteristics of various armaments and technical military equipment will be demonstrated on the testing and firing ranges of Moscow Region. For this purpose will be used forces and facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defence and of Internal Troops of the Russian Ministry of the Interior. Two Russian Ministry of Defence Research Institutes take active part in preparation of these demonstrations.It is necessary especially to mark international program of the Exhibition. At present contracts for organization of the national stands have been signed with the corresponding companies from Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, People’s Republic of China, Slovakia and Switzerland.Poland, USA, Turkey, India, South Korea, South African Republic, Kazakhstan, have also expressed their interest in participation in the exhibition.Besides their interest in participation in the exhibition have shown specialized foreign leading mass media editions – the largest publishing groups Jane's and MONCH.It is expected that the exhibition will be visited by the official delegations from Indonesia, India, China, Malaysia, UAE, Jordan, Venezuela, Uganda, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Algeria, Libya, Angola, Guinea, Congo, Finland, Macedonia, Syria, Bangladesh, Poland, Korean People’s Democratic Republic, Yemen, Greece, Uzbekistan, Sudan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus, Nigeria, Armenia, Senegal, Turkey, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kirgizia, Estonia, USA, Canada, EU members states, etc.All issues of technical, organizational, informational, marketing and promotional work for preparation and holding the 2nd International Defence Exhibition of Land Forces «IDELF-2006» are entrusted to JSC “Bizon” Moscow).
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Armored VehiclesThe Pentagon has approved the expansion of the MRAP program to over 20,000 vehicles. The US Army plan to increase its fleet of MRAP vehicles from the planned 2,300 to 17,700. The Marines's allocation will remain at 3,400 and special operations forces will receive about 300 (170 have already been ordered). This plans will virtually phase out the HMMWV from use in combat patrols and high risk missions. Responding to the urgent requirement, the Army plans to have all 17,700 MRAPs in theater by April 2009. To accomodate this plan all suppliers are expanding their production facilities to speed up deliveries, reaching several hundred vehicles per month by the automn of 2007. By July 2007, 6415 vehicles are on order and the Pentagon expects 3,500 of them to be delivered to US forces in Iraq by the end of 2007.The total procurement of MRAPs for all services could surpass 20,000 units, with an estimated procurement cost above $10 billion. However, the MRAP life cycle cost is expected to rise significantly above that level, due to the need for frequent damage repair resulting from high operational tempo and frequent battle damage. Some estimates value the program's life cycle cost at about $20 billion. The up armored Humvees proved vulnerable in Iraq and Afghanistan, resulting in the growing demand for vehicles that could better withstand roadside bomb blasts.Between October and December 2006 the U.S. Navy evaluated nine suppliers for the procurement of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) trucks, destined to augment and later replace up-armored HMMWVs currently operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new vehicles provides much improved protection , specifically against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which cause 70% of all U.S. casualties in Iraq.The initial joint services program, was expected to cost over US$2 billion is being managed by the US Marine Corps. However, given the poor performance of lightly armored vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan, the realistic requirement for MRAP rose to over 7,700 vehicles, worth an approximate $8.4 billion. Some 3,700 MRAPS will go to the USMC while the Army plans to buy 2,500. The Army is expected to get much more than what it currently plans, as priorities are changed and additional funding allocated. MRAP is the "highest priority Department of Defense acquisition program," Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote in a memo sent in early May 2007 to the secretaries of the Army and Navy. Current forecasts based on urgent requirements directed by the Department of Defense, call for the rapid acquisition of 17,000 - 20,000 heavily armored MRAP vehicles, replacing protected HMMWV currently operating in theater. Despite the demand, manufacturers are producing the vehicles at full capacity and it is doubtful if they can increase production further in the near term.Previous MRAP models (including Cougar JERRV and Buffalo mine protected trucks) are currently in service in Iraq and AFghanistan. These armored vehicles have a proven record of saving lives by augmenting the current level of mine, rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices (IED) protection with a V-shaped hull and raised chassis.Of the original 4,100 vehicles included in the initial program, 1,500 will be Category I Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV) (designed for the US Marines and U.S. Navy use) while 2,600 will be Category II Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) destined mostly for U.S. Army units. According to the original plans, the Army would get 2,500 vehicles, the USMC: 1,022 and Navy: 538. As mentioned above, the Army plans to significantly increase its procurement, with over 10,000 additional vehicles. Current MRAP, considered to be better protected against IEDs, mines and, if required - RPGs, is expected to significantly improve the protection of troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vehicle will use bullet-proof armor and are designed with V shaped hull, deflecting the blast effect created by mines or IED explosions.By February 23, over $200 million were awarded to five contractors for the low-rate initial production of some 400 vehicles, both category I and II MRAPs, including Cougars,RG-33Ls, Alpha, Golan and RG-31s. By April 24, an additional orders for more than 1,190 MRAP vehicles was awarded to Force Protection.In July 2007 Armor Holdings' Stewart Stevenson subsidiary received production orders for 1,170 Caiman model MRAP vehicles based on the company's FMTV truck. The Caiman vehicle is based on Stewart Stevenson's FMTV truck chasis, applied with bullet proof armor and IED protection to fulfil the MRAP mission.Further orders were issued to Oshkosh for 100 Alpha vehicles and to PVI for 60 Golan based MRAP were issued in March 2007. BAE Systems received orders for 90 4x4 and 6x6 RG-33s. The U.S. Navy program office has allocated over US$34.5 million for the initial evaluation phase of 36 vehicles. Nine contracts have been awarded last week to most producers of armored vehicles, excluding AM General, (AMG) the producers of the HMMWV, which will continue production of the lighter, Up Armored vehicle under existing programs. The joint venture between AMG and AMG Each company will deliver four test vehicles (two per category), within 60 days. Among the contractors are some of the well established names, such as BAE Systems, GDLS and Force protection, and truck producers Oshkosh, International and Stewart & Stevenson (Armor Holdings) but also smaller producers of special armored vehicles, such as New Haven, Michigan based GPV and PVI, based in North Charleston, S.C. The full list of MRAP contractors include:BAE Systems, Ground Systems Division - RG-33 Oshkosh Truck Corporation - Alpha (designed by PVI) Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI) - Golan, Alpha General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada - RG-31 Force Protection Industries, Inc. - Cougar, Buffalo Armor Holdings, Inc. Armored FMTV International Military and Government LLC (APC) Due to the tight procurement schedule, only commercially available designs were considered. The vehicle should be designed for off-road and highway mobility, and be configured for personnel, cargo and litter transportation. Two versions of the targer truck size vehicles are considered - a Cougar sized, 38,000 pound (17 tons) vehicle with a payload capacity of 5,000 pounds (2.25 tons), that will be able to carry 6 – 10 troops (about 2,000 vehicles required). The vehicle will be configured to carry existing gunner protected turrets or remotely controlled weapon stations, enabling the gunner to load, operate and engage targets from fully protected positions. To improve recovery after mine damage, the vehicle will be built of modular components that could break away from the vehicle in the case of a blast. Its energy absorbing seats should be capable of withstanding the accelerative effects of mine blasts. The truck sub-category also includes a larger 45,000 pound (20 tons) armored truck, (Buffalo size) are also required by the USMC and Navy.truck manufacturers Oshkosh and International were selected among nine companies, each providing two Category I and two Category II vehicles for testing. The Category I vehicle is the smaller of the two vehicles, intended for urban operations and referred to as the Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV). The Category II vehicle is a larger platform, designated as the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV), and is designed to carry up to 10 passengers on multiple types of missions. International Engines and Trucks (IET) has teamed with the Israeli armor expert Plasan Sasa to provide protected Mine Resistant, Ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles. The two companies have already completed another armoring design, fitting add-on armor cab to the MXT-MV utility vehicle. International’s trucks will utilize a modular concept to armor its trucks for the MRAP bid. The design maintains the standard chassis to ensure commonality and enable worldwide support, while assembling the modular, V-shaped crew compartment hull on top. The V-shaped hull helps to deflect any blasts from underneath the truck to dissipate around the crew area, minimizing damage. The chassis types selected for the bid include commercial trucks built to carry heavy loads, therefore accommodating the weight of protective armor built into the truck design. This design maintains the vehicle's maneuverability even under full loads.International's has an armor integration center in Mississippi, and is teamed with Israeli armor expert Plasan Sasa to design and produce the protection suit for International's MRAP model. In March 2007 the company will deliver to the U.S. Marines four vehicles for testing. In June 2007 International receivd an initial order for 1,200 Category I MRAP vehicles.The armor protection of the vehicle include mine protection and ballistic protection of the full, roof protection from overhead airburst and side protection against fragmentation and blast. The transparent armor windows will have protection level equal to or greater than that of the ballistic armor on the vehicle, and will have built-in gun-ports. RPG protection could also be an option.
The first shipments of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles arrived at Camp Liberty in western Baghdad and are being fielded to units who operate in areas with the highest threat levels. The 40-hour training course at Camp Liberty is designed to teach Soldiers how to operate, maintain and drive the new MRAP vehicles. These are the first of an estimated 7,000 MRAP vehicles expected in theater by early summer.
Marines Urge Caution on MRAP Fielding Military.com | By Christian Lowe | October 19, 2007Marine commanders in Iraq are asking the Pentagon to slow down deployment of IED-resistant vehicles in order to give them more time to figure out how best to employ the heavily-armored trucks, a top Corps official Wednesday. Congress and the Pentagon have devoted billions to a crash program to field so-called Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that are said to protect troops from deadly roadside bombs more effectively than up-armored Humvees. But the vehicles are more than four times heavier than an armored Humvee and may require different tactics for their use."I would say 'relax,' we don't know how we're going to use them, nobody does," said Brig. Gen. select Larry Nicholson, deputy commander of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command based in Quantico, Va. "And anyone who says ... 'this is exactly how many we need and this is exactly how we're going to use them' is not being truthful."Commanders in Iraq are asking military officials in the U.S. to send "a few more" MRAPs, "then let us figure it out," Nicholson said during a panel discussion on the future of the MRAP, sponsored by the non-partisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a defense think tank with close Pentagon ties. The push-back from the field stands in sharp contrast to Pentagon moves to field more than 15,000 MRAPs over the next two years, including 1,500 by the end of 2007. The Marine Corps has an estimated 380 MRAPs in service with II Marine Expeditionary Force in al Anbar province so far, and the service is forecasted to receive a total of 3,700 MRAPs.Nicholson strongly advocated the deployment of MRAPs for Marine operations in Iraq; despite his caution on the rate they'd be fielded.The MRAP "is a vehicle that allows us to get to, and circulate amongst, the population better," he said. "The continued introduction of the MRAP as the primary transport vehicle will not change the way we conduct counterinsurgency." But analysts with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, who sponsored the Oct. 16 event on Capitol Hill, said the MRAP has yet to prove its place in future service equipment plans. The gas-guzzling MRAP could impose a strain on logistics, suck funding away from needed vehicle upgrades in the future and could run counter to the intent of counter-insurgency doctrine, which stresses close contact with the population."Our concern is there seems to be this rush to judgment on spending a fairly large amount of money on a program that hadn't been planned for and not much discussion about how you actually plan to operationalize this and incorporate it into the force," said Dakota Wood, former Marine transport officer and co-author of the CSBA analysis report "Of MRAPs and IEDs: Force Protection in Complex Irregular Operations."MRAPs are said to cost as much as $800,000 per vehicle, he added, with up-armored Humvees coming in at about $150,000 each - leading Wood to call the MRAP a "million dollar Kleenex."The Pentagon plans to spend nearly $25 billion on MRAP buys. Other experts disagreed with the CSBA report, however, saying MRAP use today hasn't precluded troops from dismounting their vehicles and interacting with the Iraqi people. "I generally agree with the purchase of MRAPs in large numbers," said retired Army Col. Bob Killebrew, a former Special Forces officer and frequent Pentagon consultant, during the panel discussion. "I find unpersuasive the argument that MRAP will have some kind of doctrinal impact on the conduct of the war in Iraq.""It will have no effect at all on the current tactics of putting troops out on the beat and on their feet taking on insurgents in Baghdad and elsewhere," Killebrew added.While the CSBA report cautioned that the heavy MRAP vehicle would overburden an Army and Marine Corps aiming toward a more expeditionary future, others countered that the lust for lightness has been proven empty given the difficulties of counterinsurgency operations."This slow building of alliances and the confrontation of growing terrorist threats by other people's armies who have more at stake in it than us is going to be the next military strategy of the United States," Killebrew said. "We should build as many [MRAPs] as we need now to protect our troops in Iraq, and we should be prepared, as we withdraw eventually, to turn over MRAPs to people who are going to live in that area and who are going to have to continue to contend with the war."
A sólo cuatro meses de las elecciones generales, el Ministerio de Defensa se propone lanzar uno de los programas más ambiciosos del Ejército: el Plan de Renovación de Vehículos Blindados, que supondrá la adquisición en los próximos años de entre 570 y 600 unidades de distintos modelos por unos 320 millones de euros.Hoy mismo, el Consejo de Ministros tiene previsto aprobar la primera fase del plan, que incluye la adquisición de 40 vehículos por 14 millones de euros. La compra se hará por el procedimiento de máxima urgencia, de forma que estén disponibles entre finales de este año y el primer trimestre de 2008.La razón de tanta premura radica en la necesidad de proteger a las tropas españolas desplegadas en Afganistán y Líbano frente a lo que constituye su principal amenaza: las minas y los artefactos explosivos improvisados (IED), así como las granadas de carga huecas. Más de la mitad de los militares occidentales muertos en Irak y Afganistán han sido víctimas de atentados con explosivos. Diez soldados y un traductor del Ejército español (seis en Líbano y cinco en Afganistán) han perdido la vida en cuatro ataques de este tipo en los últimos 16 meses.Los vehículos que adquirirá Defensa no sólo disponen de un blindaje más robusto que los actuales, sino que están especialmente diseñados para resistir este tipo de ataques; por ejemplo, con el chasis en forma de uve para facilitar la dispersión de la onda expansiva.Los MRAP (vehículos protegidos frente a ataques con minas, según sus siglas en inglés) no son una panacea, según fuentes militares, pero sí constituyen la mejor defensa posible en este momento, como prueba el que muchos países de la OTAN los estén adquiriendo.La primera fase del programa, de carácter urgente, se completará con una segunda, que debe estar concluida en el año 2013, y que supondrá, en conjunto, la compra de 220 vehículos; de los que 120 serán de escuadra (para cuatro o cinco militares) y 100 de pelotón (diez soldados con todo su equipo).La culminación del programa supondrá el desarrollo de una nueva familia de vehículos polivalentes -en principio, en versión ocho por ocho ruedas- dotados de módulos intercambiables, de forma que la misma plataforma pueda reconvertirse en sólo una hora en un vehículo de transporte de tropas, centro de mando o ambulancia.El objetivo no es sólo ir sustituyendo a los Blindados Medios de Ruedas (BMR), con 30 años de antigüedad, sino también a los Vamtac (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctica) y a los Aníbal, que son mucho más recientes.Aunque aún no se conoce cuál será el modelo elegido, los que se barajan para el de cinco plazas son el MLV (Vehículo Ligero Multirol), de la firma italiana Iveco (que ha sido adquirido por los ejércitos del Reino Unido, Bélgica y Noruega), además del italiano; el Eagle de la firma Suiza Mowag, que pertenece a General Dynamics, propietaria de Santa Bárbara Sistemas; y el Dingo de la alemana KMW. El Ejército de Tierra español ya dispone del blindado Centauro de Iveco y del Leopard de KMW; y la Infantería de Marina, del Piranha de Mowag. Respecto al vehículo de diez plazas, los principales candidatos son el RG-31 Nyala, fabricado en Suráfrica por BAE Land Systems OMC; y el Golan de la israelí Rafael.Probablemente, por razones de premura, los primeros vehículos se adquieran por procedimiento negociado, mientras que se convoque un concurso público para comprar los siguientes.Fuentes de Defensa indicaron que el ministro José Antonio Alonso dio instrucciones antes del verano para que se preparase un programa destinado a mejorar las capacidades de autodefensa, superioridad en el enfrentamiento y enlace y comunicaciones de los vehículos de transporte terrestre. Las mismas fuentes insistieron en que el plan de renovación no supone que los modelos en servicio sean malos, sino que hay que adaptarse a las nuevas tecnologías, amenazas y requerimientos.El programa de los nuevos vehículos no figura en los presupuestos para 2008, pero el pasado 11 de octubre la secretaria de Estado de Defensa, Soledad López, anunció que antes de que acabara el año se aprobaría la compra de un "número mínimo" de unidades con capacidad de defensa contra minas, ya que "la seguridad de las tropas" constituye la primera prioridad.
US to purchase $700m worth of arms from IsraelWeapons and technological systems to be acquired from Jewish state's defense industries include navigation and attack sensor system for combat aircraft, UAV and advanced pilot helmets Yitzhak Benhorin Published: 11.09.07, 22:26 / Israel News WASHINGTON – The US Congress on Friday approved the purchase of weapons and technological systems from Israel's defense industries for $700 million. The advanced technological products will be acquired as part of the American security budget for the coming year to be used by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The purchase of weapons from Israel is not part of Israel's annual defense aid from the United States, which amounts to $2.4 billion and is expected to grow in 2009 to an annual average of $ 3 billion for the following 10 years. Only one part of the security budget – the production of the Arrow anti-ballistic missile system and the research and development of other defense missiles, the cost of which is estimated at $155 million – is related to special US aid, with the American Boeing company involved in the manufacturing of parts of the Arrow missile. The weapons and components to be purchased by the US include Lightning – a navigation and attack sensor system for combat aircraft produced by the RAFAEL Armament Development Authority. This system replaces obsolete systems and enables US pilots in Iraq to operate both in the day and in the night under all weather conditions. The system's purchase price is estimated at $39.6 million. The Israel Aerospace Industries' Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle will be bought for $36.5 million. The use of UAVs allows the US military to locate targets and then examine the results of the strike without putting pilots in danger. Elbit's pilot helmet systems will be purchased for $37.5 and RAFAEL's Typhoon stabilized marine gun system will cost $16 million. In May, the US Congress also approved the purchase of reactive Israeli defense systems placed on American Bradley fighting vehicles in Iraq. This systems helps the American APCs escape antitank missiles.
O RC6 começa hoje e vai estar estes dias a fazer manobras e fogo real na Serra da Cabreira em Vieira do Minho... Alguem sabe de que exercicio se trata?
New armored vehicle bullish in Pentagon testBy Tom Vanden Brook - USA TodayPosted : Monday Jun 11, 2007 13:30:45 EDTA new armored vehicle capable of protecting troops against the deadliest roadside bombs in Iraq has been successfully tested by the Pentagon and could go into production immediately, according to its manufacturer and a U.S. senator.The vehicle, known as the Bull, has proved effective at repelling blasts from explosively formed penetrators. These roadside bombs have been particularly lethal in Iraq because they can pierce even heavily armored vehicles. The Bull’s method for defeating these bombs is classified, said Marc King, vice president of armor operations at Ceradyne Inc., the vehicle’s manufacturer.The Army declined to comment on the vehicle because it has not issued contracts to purchase it, said Dave Foster, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon. The Marines are evaluating the Bull and its effectiveness, said Bill Johnson-Miles, a Marine spokesman.USA Today has reported that Marine Corps officials in Iraq had issued an urgent plea to bolster the armor on new vehicles being built. The request noted that Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, which the Pentagon already is scrambling to build and ship to Iraq to counter conventional makeshift bombs, need more armor to deal with EFPs.The Pentagon has ordered 7,700 MRAPs. The Army is considering ordering an additional 17,000, according to estimates from military documents.Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., criticized the Pentagon for not moving fast enough to field both vehicles.“The ball is being dropped again,” said Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Today, we have two main threats. ... We have proven technologies to beat these threats: the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle and the Bull.”Improvised explosive devices have taken an increasingly heavy toll on U.S. troops in Iraq. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. troops killed in Iraq last month died in roadside bomb blasts, according to Pentagon records. In January, IEDs were responsible for 39 percent of deaths.Marine Gen. Peter Pace, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that there were 69 attacks by EFPs in April, the highest monthly number recorded.King said the Bull had passed limited government tests, including most tests for survivability. The vehicle can be configured to transport troops or haul cargo, he said. King envisions the Bull to be a complement to the MRAP.“It can ... perform against the most lethal threats on the battlefield at a high probability of success,” he said.The Bull would cost about $500,000 per vehicle. By comparison, the most common version of the armored Humvee costs $150,000. The cost of the MRAPs ranges from $700,000 to $1 million, Pentagon documents show.King said his company could produce 100 vehicles per month, but the Pentagon has not ordered any.That irks Biden.“I’m tired of hearing that there might not be enough money,” he said. “Tell us what you need to protect our soldiers and Marines, and we will find a way to pay for it.”
