Suresnes, le 9 février 2015 SOGITEC INDUSTRIES

L’agence suédoise FMV (Försvarets materielverk, Administration du materiel de la Défense) a notifié à SOGITEC INDUSTRIES un contrat de fourniture de services de formation au profit des équipages NH90 de l’Armée de l’air suédoise (AAS) et du FMV T&E (Test et évaluation).

La formation sera délivrée aux personnels de l’AAS et du FMV T&E et se déroulera au Centre de formation interarmées (CFIA) NH90 de l’Ecole de l’Aviation légère de l’Armée de terre (EALAT), au CANNET-DES-MAURES (Var).

Le CFIA est doté d’un FFS (Full Flight Simulator) et d’un MRTD (Multi-Role Training Device). Le MRTD est un simulateur complet de mission (Full Mission Simulator, FMS) avec l’intégralité des capacités d’entraînement tactique, au vol et à la navigation d’un FMS.

L’accord porte sur une période courant jusqu’à fin 2021. Après la France et la Finlande, la Suède est le troisième client NH90 de SOGITEC INDUSTRIES. Les Forces espagnoles et belges sont également utilisatrices des moyens du CFIA.

SOGITEC INDUSTRIES est en charge du développement, la production et la livraison de sept systèmes de formation et d’entraînement NH90 – variantes TTH et NFH – au profit de l’Armée de terre, la Marine nationale et l’Armée de terre finlandaise.

A propos de Sogitec Industries :

Sogitec Industries est un leader du marché des produits et services de soutien aux systèmes aéronautiques et de Défense. Sogitec propose une gamme complète de solutions de formation et d’entraînement pour les besoins aéronautiques civils et militaires, de systèmes complets d’entraînement jusqu’aux composants de simulateurs.

La société est également active dans le cadre de grands programmes de fourniture de documentation technique et de systèmes documentaires. Sogitec emploie plus de 400 personnes et son chiffre d’affaires s’établit, pour l’année 2013, à 69 millions d’euros. Le siege social de la société est à Suresnes (région parisienne). Deux autres établissements se trouvent à Bruz (Rennes) et Mérignac (Bordeaux).

Sogitec est une filiale de Dassault Aviation. Pour plus d’information, www.sogitec.com

January 4, 2015: Strategy Page

Estonia has become the latest East European nation to buy second hand, but quite modern, armored vehicles from West European nations that feel they don’t need them anymore. In this case the Netherlands is selling 44 used, but well cared for, V90 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) to Estonia. These CV90s entered Dutch service between 2008 and 2011 and the ones Estonia is receiving have at least two decades of useful life left in them.

Estonia is one of the Baltic States that were often part of the Russian Empire but would rather cultivate cultural and economic ties with countries to the west. Estonia is also ethnically linked to Finland as both nations speak a similar Central Asian language (which is also similar to what is spoken in Hungary). In addition to sharing a language, all three of these countries also fear Russian aggression.

Development of the CV90 began in 1988, with production starting in late 1993. The 28 ton tracked vehicle has a crew of three and carries seven passengers (usually infantrymen). With a top road speed of 70 kilometers an hour, the CV90 can go 300 kilometers on internal fuel. The vehicle turret carries a 30mm autocannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine-gun. Also in the turret is a thermal imager for night operations. The vehicle armor protects against projectiles of up to 30mm caliber.

There are several variants of the CV90, carrying different weapons (120mm mortar, anti-tank missiles, 120mm gun, 25mm gun, 30mm gun, 105mm gun, anti-aircraft radar, and missiles). The CV90 is 6.55 meters (20.3) feet long and 3.1 meters (9.6 feet) wide. Average cost of a new CV90 was about $5 million each. Estonia is paying about $3.2 million each for theirs. The Swedish army has about 555 CV90s, Switzerland 185, Finland 102, Denmark 45, and Netherlands 193. Several of the original owners of the CV90 upgraded them with things like more armor, better electronics and air conditioning. West European users have been quite satisfied with the Swedish made CV90.

12/17/2014 Defence IQ Press

The Swedish Defence and Security Export Agency (FXM), which announced it would close in October following negotiations between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Green Party when forming the new government, is to “remain” according to a statement.

An Alliance Parties’ budget bill was passed earlier this month with the Committee on Defence releasing a report a short time after that emphasised the significance of FXM.

The report said “an important objective in setting up the Agency was, among other things, to promote greater transparency with regard to defence export activities and to make a distinction between these activities and the other activities of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and the Swedish Armed Forces. The Agency has achieved this objective.”

The Greens had opposed the need for a defence export agency – or a state arms export promotion agency as it called FXM – but further negotiations appear to have secured the future of FXM.

You can read an exclusive interview in the next issue of Defence Industry Bulletin with FXM’s Director-General Ulf Hammarström where he explains the importance of the export agency and how it works with other organisations such as FMV. He also discusses future prospects such as the deal with Switzerland for Sweden’s Gripen aircraft, which may still be alive despite a No vote in the referendum in May.

The next issue of Defence Industry Bulletin is due to be released in January 2015.

7 décembre 2014 Par La Voix de la Russie

Le ministre finlandais de la Défense Carl Haglund espère que dans cinq ans, la Suède et la Finlande unifieront leurs forces navales et aériennes.

Selon le ministre finlandais, ces plans devraient être incorporés dans le programme du prochain gouvernement.

Haglund a noté que la défense commune serait plus efficace. Il a souligné que pour l’unification des forces aériennes et navales des deux pays, il était nécessaire de conclure une alliance de défense et de prendre une série de décisions politiques.

December 2nd, 2014 defencetalk.com

First North-listed CybAero has been selected by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to conduct test and demonstration flights from Sweden’s world-leading Visby class corvette in Q3, 2015.

Sweden-based CybAero was chosen ahead of other international competitors. It is estimated that the flights, which will employ CybAero’s APID helicopter systems, are to be conducted by the Swedish Armed Forces over Swedish waters in Q3, 2015. The purpose of the flights is to test the strategic and tactical benefits of these systems onboard Swedish Navy vessels.

“We are, of course, very proud to have been selected, and this is a testament to the high level of confidence FMV has placed in us,” says Mikael Hult, CEO of CybAero.

One of the most important applications of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) is within maritime applications, and in recent years, CybAero has worked hard to establish its systems in this segment. CybAero will soon make its first deliveries to China Customs, which is the company’s first end client within maritime applications.

“Now that we have been chosen by FMV to conduct the test and demonstration flights, we have a great opportunity to put our systems on display, and this will serve as a good reference point for potential clients in Sweden and abroad,” says Mikael Hult.

CybAero develops and manufactures Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and associated sensor systems for safer and more cost-effective operations in hazardous environments. The company has made a great international impact with its APID 60 helicopter, which can be adapted to coastal and border surveillance, search and rescue missions, and mapping.

CybAero’s head office is in the Mjärdevi Science Park in Linköping, Sweden. The company has more than 40 employees and has been listed on the NASDAQ OMX First North since 2007. Remium Nordic AB is the company’s certified adviser.

14 November 2014 MINUSMA

La Suède s’apprête à déployer 250 soldats dans le Nord du Mali, à Tombouctou. Ces militaires seront intégrés à la MINUSMA

La durée de la mission de ce contingent suédois sera de six mois minimum et son travail principal consistera à collecter toutes sortes d’informations pouvant faciliter la mise en œuvre du mandat de la Mission de l’ONU au Mali.

« C’est une décision du parlement suédois et une expression de la volonté du gouvernement de soutenir les efforts des Nations Unies au Mali en faveur de la stabilisation et de la paix », a déclaré le Lieutenant-Colonel Carl-Axel Blomdahl, commandant chargé de la construction du camp suédois. 

Dénommée « Force d’Intelligence, de surveillance et de reconnaissance » (ISR), cette composante militaire évoluera sous le Commandement du chef de l’Unité de Fusion de toutes les Sources d’Information (ASIFU). Cette dernière est « une nouvelle structure implémentée pour la première fois dans une mission de maintien de paix des Nations Unies et a été mise sur pied en vue de permettre aux forces d’avoir une meilleure idée de la situation sur le terrain », a expliqué le Commandant du Secteur Ouest, le Colonel Peter Oberg.  

En vue de préparer l’arrivée de la force ISR, une première équipe d’au moins 60 soldats dont 7 femmes, a été déployée à Tombouctou ces derniers jours. « Nous sommes installés ici provisoirement en vue de construire le camp du contingent suédois qui doit arriver au début de février 2015. D’ici la fin de novembre, nous serons renforcés par 60 autres éléments de la compagnie d’ingénierie militaire suédoise », a fait savoir le Lieutenant-Colonel Blomdahl.

Cette première composante militaire suédoise déployée dans le cadre de la Mission Multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (MINUSMA), disposera d’un important lot de véhicules militaires et d’équipements de communication sophistiqués.

Brussels - 28 October, 2014 European Defence Agency

Five Member States as well as Norway signed a new project arrangement earlier this month to start work on future Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) capabilities. Called MMCM-NG (New Generation), the project will run until 2017 and prepare the next generation of mine countermeasures ships.

Belgium, Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden as well as Norway agreed on 8 October 2014 to launch a new research project regarding future Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) capabilities. Dubbed MMCM-NG (New Generation), the project arrangement was signed at the European Defence Agency’s premises during a Steering Board of the Capabilities Directors. Germany is the project’s lead nation.

Easy to deploy and cheap to acquire, maritime mines and other underwater improvised explosive devices pose a real threat to naval forces and civilian ships by restricting freedom of movement in shallow waters, harbours and strategic choke points. Being able to detect, avoid, and defuse these weapons is therefore a key requirement for European navies.

Preparing the next generation

The MMCM-NG project has a planned duration of 36 months during which contributing Member States, based on an agreed operational concept, will work on a set of common requirements to prepare the future generation of mine countermeasures ships and systems that could become operational in the 2030 timeframe. At the end of this 3-year project, Member States will have gathered enough information to decide on the potential launch of a procurement phase for these new systems.

Compared to existing solutions, future MMCM capabilities are expected to bring increased flexibility through a modular “toolbox” comprising a range of systems adaptable to different platforms, environmental, or operational conditions. The use of unmanned vehicles will also be developed and new detection techniques could be introduced. Future MMCM operations are also expected to be conducted with state-of-the-art sensors and effectors carried and deployed from dedicated or hybrid platforms as well as from stationary or mobile shore installations.

Based on the different national requirements, several technical solutions will be assessed as part of the project. Standards, protocols and interfaces will be described and agreed upon commonly in order to ensure future interoperability and to enable synergies in the fields of training, logistics, and maintenance.

Background

The European Defence Agency conducts several activities in the maritime domain. One of the Agency’s largest programmes, called UMS (Unmanned Maritime Systems), brings together all EDA Member States under a single programme arrangement and 15 different coordinated projects that can be joined by any number of countries. EDA is also involved in the Marsur (Maritime Surveillance) project, which has been joined by 17 Member States as well as Norway to date. It has led to the development of a technical solution that connects European navies’ surveillance systems to improve global maritime awareness and enhance interoperability.

Une bonne nouvelle pour le constructeur suédois après l'annulation en mai par les électeurs suisses et contre l'avis de leur gouvernement d'une commande de 22 appareils, d'un autre modèle. (Crédits : Saab)

27/10/2014, latribune.fr

Le contrat, qui porte sur 28 avions une place et huit avions deux places, devrait entrer en vigueur lors de la première moitié de l'année 2015. Les appareils devraient être livrés au Brésil entre 2019 et 2024.

13 oct. 2014 Saab

19 sept. 2014  Saab AB

11 septembre, 2014 Guillaume Belan

Voici encore un petit bijou de technologie made in France. Armement anti-char performant, le Bonus avec ses 40 km de portée, tiré depuis un canon d’artillerie de 155mm, est bien plus qu’un simple obus, mais une munition antichar intelligente. Après sa phase de vol, Bonus effectue un balayage d’identification de cibles (guidage IR et discrimination au laser), puis déclenche deux charges à plusieurs centaines de mètres au dessus de leurs cibles qui, foncent à 2000 mètres par seconde pouvant percer jusqu’à 150 mm de blindage par le toit. Redoutable.

Développé entre le suédois Bofors et le français Nexter, le Bonus donne à l’artillerie une capacité de « fixer » des colonnes de chars ennemis dans la profondeur tout en évitant les dommages collatéraux, pour un coût réduit et quelques simples tirs de canons. Déjà plus de 7000 munitions ont été commandées entre la France et la Suède. La plupart des Bonus ont été livrés aux deux pays fabricants. « On est passé du stade de fournisseur de la France et de la Suède, à l’export, pour des ventes plus réduites » confie un responsable de Nexter, qui confirme que l’outil de production à été adapté en fonction. Déjà, un grand pays du Moyen Orient en aurait passé commande, ainsi que l’armée finlandaise en mars dernier.

La production export en cours concernerait plus d’un millier de munitions pour un plan de charge assuré de plusieurs années. De quoi voir venir se concrétiser un autre prospect, qui pourrait être la Pologne. Varsovie semble s’y intéresser pour ses canons Krab et Kyl, un moyen de dissuader toutes velléités russes… Déjà un tir de comptabilité a été réalisé en novembre 2012. Mais pour le Bonus, bien d’autres discussions sont en cours, comme en Europe, avec Italie et d’autres. En attendant Nexter planche sur les obsolescences des commandes française et suédoise et maintient ses compétences.

3 September 2014 Saab

Defence and security company Saab today announces changes to its business area structure. The adjustments further develop and strengthen Saab’s organisation in accordance with its overall business strategy. At the same time changes are being made within the Group Management, which mark a shift in generations.  All changes will be effective from 1 January 2015.

A new business area:

To create a stronger and more aligned platform for Saab business units that have a business-to-business focus, a new business area, Industrial Products and Services is being established. Industrial Products and Services will contain business unit Aerostructures (today part of Business Area Aeronautics), business unit Avionics (today part of Business Area Electronic Defense Systems), independent technical consultancy company Combitech, and the Saab Ventures portfolio (currently part of Saab Corporate).

The business units in Industrial Products and Services differ from other operations within Saab because their focus is on business-to-business customers, or they operate independently from Saab’s main end-user sales. Other Saab business areas typically work with government or national authority end-users. This altered customer focus creates distinct management needs and priorities when it comes to strengthening business in the long-term. These needs and priorities will be better supported in the new organisation and Industrial Products and Services will develop individual growth strategies for each of its component units.

Changes in the Group Management:

Deputy CEO and Head of Aeronautics Lennart Sindahl becomes full-time Deputy CEO. Ulf Nilsson, today Head of Gripen within Business Area Aeronautics, becomes the new Head of Business Area Aeronautics and a member of the Group Management.

The current Chief Strategy Officer, Dan Jangblad, becomes Head of new Business Area Industrial Products and Services and will remain a member of the Group Management.

Jonas Hjelm, today Head of Market Area Americas, becomes new Head of Business Area Support & Services and a member of the Group Management. He will replace Lars-Erik Wige, who becomes Senior Advisor to the CEO and will leave the Group Management.

Head of Group Communication Åsa Thegström becomes a member of the Group Management.

Replacements for the Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Market Area Americas will be recruited.