7 mars 2014 Belgian Defense

2/3/2014 Or Heller - israeldefense.com

The reform in the IDF Armored Corps is taking shape. The IDF Chief Armor Officer, Brig. Gen. Shmuel Olansky, in an exclusive interview with Israel Defense

I am not sure where I would rather be with all of the threats we face today," begins the IDF Chief Armor Officer, Brig. Gen. Shmuel Olansky. "On foot behind a rock, or inside the Merkava Mark-IV tank fitted with the Aspro-A/Trophy system or on board the APC moving alongside that Merkava tank."

In view of the realization that wars have changed and reality has changed, the IDF Armored Corps is changing as well. Brig. Gen. Olansky is very clear and confident about the principles of the reform he is currently leading. "Alongside the tanks, which lead the battalion combat effort, we want to prepare the combat task force for the challenges facing it by empowering the armored/mechanized infantry within the armored (tank) battalions. In each armored battalion, we are assembling a combat support company that includes a mortar platoon, a surveillance element capable of calling in and directing fire support, and a reconnaissance platoon. All of these elements, along with the tanks that will continue to lead the maneuver, will make up a battalion-size combat task force that is relevant to today's battlefield. We have here a new world of content in the Armored Corps – combat reconnaissance."

What is the timetable for the implementation of the new plan?

"We intend to recruit the first company out of the November 2013 recruitment class. These recruits will take the complete training course, thirty weeks at the IDF Armored Corps School, where they will learn the Armored Corps occupational skill and then be divided into their respective specialized skills: scout, mortar operator and observer/surveillance operator. The graduates will make up the combat support companies within the armored battalions. We are currently reorganizing the entire tank OrBat of the IDF."

Will you be making adjustments in the Armored Corps training courses and seminars?

"Certainly. I am currently assembling armored/mechanized infantry companies just like those of the infantry brigades, possessing the same capabilities with the exception of extended operations on foot, as they will operate near the tanks. We have an opportunity here to empower the remaining elements. Today's armored/mechanized infantry warfighter looks exactly the same as an infantry warfighter, with the exception of the purpose-specific weapons, which they do not need."

The Aspro-A/Trophy system has, until now, operated effectively on the Gaza line in isolated and rare incidents of antitank fire. But how would this system operate during the third Lebanon war opposite a rainstorm of antitank missiles fired at each tank?

"That's just it. This system is excellent. The technology was considered fictional ten years ago. I suggest we refrain from terrorizing ourselves. Antitank fire does not come as a rainstorm. Even in antitank-saturated scenarios we have a range of capabilities for coping with the threats. As our maneuver becomes more substantial, the capabilities of the Aspro-A/Trophy system will come more significantly into play. Additionally, our range of capabilities will include a surveillance capability – for spotting the antitank threats; our surveillance elements will be able to call in and direct the fire of Keshet 120mm mortars; our reconnaissance platoon will possess the ability to recognize the antitank threats in advance, and our tanks will possess the ability of firing a round at the threat."

"Do Not Mourn the Syrian Army"

What do we know about the state of the Syrian armor after more than two and a half years of a bloody civil war? Is it still a significant player?

"Firstly, we know that it is much better trained now, as it has been fighting. It brushes with the opposition forces in the context of the civil war. At the same time, they have also experienced wear as a result of the on-going fighting, but it still exists. I do not know how many tanks the Syrian Army has lost in the civil war, they have been fighting for two and a half years. On the other hand you realize that people who fight become more proficient and stronger. The Syrian armor is definitely a significant player in the Middle East. I would not hasten to mourn the armored divisions and the land maneuvering capability of the Syrian Army."

But even in your presentations you focus on the fact that the fighting has shifted from the front line into the depth of the territory, namely – a war of rockets and missiles against the Israeli rear area, so how does the Armored Corps fit in?

"Even before the civil war in Syria broke out, we had observed those trends in the Syrian Army. The Syrian Army disbanded armored units and established commando units instead. They acquired antitank systems and demolition capabilities. The Syrians developed a substantial rocket layout. These were not just the trends within the paramilitary organizations. We observed the same trends in the Syrian Army, too. At the same time, they still have armored divisions and tank brigades that use T-72 tanks. They are there, and they are well-trained."

How would an encounter between a T-72 tank and a Merkava Mark-IV tank look in 2013? Is there any chance here for a fair fight?

"There is no fair fight here. The Merkava Mark-IV tank is a true masterpiece. It possesses capabilities that are superior to those of any other tank worldwide, and no one even comes close. This applies to crew protection, to trafficability and to fire control. In some aspects it is 'only' in first place. With regard to most aspects, however, it is far beyond anything else out there."

If the third Lebanon war should break out tomorrow morning, in what way will the maneuver executed by the Armored Corps be different in view of the lessons derived from the summer of 2006?

"The maneuver will be much stronger and faster, with a complete envelope of structured and precise intelligence gathering and fire employment activities. We will see combined operations of tanks with infantry and assault engineering elements, but a maneuver is still a maneuver. Its objective is to transfer strength from the contact line deep into the enemy territory. Just like in all of the wars that we had, that is what we will see in our future wars – a battalion-size combat task force with massive strength and firepower, which protects itself and reaches the point where its strength is utilized to maximum benefit – through firepower, through its scoring capabilities. In view of the threats we face today, I believe there's no escaping the need to maintain a strong and fully-prepared ground layout and to employ it when necessary in order to bring the campaign to an end as soon as possible.

"We would not be able, opposite Lebanon, to maintain a campaign of wearing out the opponent through the use of fire, like we did in Operation Pillar of Defense, for instance. Many people say 'here, we saw during Operation Pillar of Defense that a maneuver is no longer necessary.' But in Operation Pillar of Defense, the very fact that the maneuver was poised and ready to launch cut the duration of the fighting short. Secondly, Lebanon and Syria are not the same as the Hamas in Gaza. They will not be influenced by strategic players (like Egypt) as Hamas was. In Lebanon and Syria, if we want to bring about a prompt conclusion of the campaign, we will have no other choice but to maneuver into the enemy's centers of gravity, and the armored forces will execute and lead that maneuver, as they know how to do it quickly and forcefully."

How will a task force maneuver if it is made up, theoretically, of Merkava Mark-IV tanks fitted with the Aspro-A/Trophy antitank missile interception system on the one hand, while the infantry elements still ride in the outdated and vulnerable M113 APCs?

"I think that if you examine the land solution, you will realize that it is a good solution. Would I prefer something better? Of course I would. We do not live in a bubble and we realize that the defense budget is a derivative of the economic situation. It is a restriction that applies to us which I cannot ignore. Where I would have liked to invest the extra money is a question I ponder all the time. I think that as long as the M113 APC operates in the environment of a complete battalion system, I will have no doubts about committing to battle the battalion combat task force and all elements thereof."

What was your contribution as Chief Armor Officer to the staff work ordered by the decision of the Chief of Staff to disband six tank brigades using the old 'Patton' tanks?

"We are disbanding layouts that are outdated layouts that had reached the end of the road. The logic here is both conceptual and operational. It is not that we had called out a random number and then went on to look for what we could disband. Obviously, we would prefer that instead of the brigades we disband ten more Merkava Mark-IV brigades would have been established, but we live in a certain reality that we cannot ignore. The people at IDF GHQ sat down and thought and conducted discussions and carried out simulations and examinations, but eventually you realize that some layouts had reached the end of the road, like the 'Patton' and Merkava Mark-I tanks. But let's talk about the bright side – next year, the IDF 7th Armored Brigade will be converted to a Merkava Mark-IV brigade!"

Still, when there are voices at IDF GHQ who speak about the end of the armor-versus-armor battle era, what is the future you envision for the tank in the IDF?

"I think that precisely at the 40th anniversary of the Yom-Kippur War, we realized what our forefathers had understood since the days of the Bible: that the land maneuver has always been and will always be necessary in order to gain an overbalance in a war. The armored forces will be right there at the head of the land maneuver, with the tanks in front, surrounded by the envelope. We will reach the end of the maneuver era when we have reached the end of the era of wars. I still do not see an end to the era of wars. But if we do not train and practice, we will be less proficient – it's all very straightforward."

DND will acquire 12 units 155mm howitzer (photo : Rowielip)

Mar. 5, 2014 Defense Studies

Philippine gov't to purchase 12 howitzers

MANILA (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government said Wednesday that it would acquire 12 units of 155-millimeter howitzers in its bid to upgrade the army's capability to fight leftist rebel group New People's Army (NPA) and the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the government is spending 438.6 million pesos (9.78 million U.S. dollars) to purchase the weapons.

The DND said it will conduct a bidding, which will be open to local and foreign contractors on March 11.

The government said the additional howitzers will be used by the Philippine Army which is at the forefront in the fight against the NPA and the Abu Sayyaf.

(Xinhua)

March 5, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: US Army; issued March 4, 2014)

FY15 Army Budget Request Includes Small Pay Raise, 490K End Strength

WASHINGTON --- Under the Army's fiscal year 2015 budget request, Soldiers will receive a 1 percent pay increase as well as a basic allowance for housing increase of 1.5 percent and a 3.4 percent increase in basic allowance for subsistence.

The rollout of the Army's budget submission, along with those of the other services and the Defense Department was announced today in the Pentagon. Congress will weigh in on the request in the coming months.

The FY15 budget request for the Army is $120.5 billion, down from $125 billion last year and a peak of $144 billion in FY 2010. These figures exclude the overseas contingency operations money for operations in Afghanistan and the reset of returning equipment.

The OCO request for FY15 has not yet been determined, pending the status of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, according to Under Secretary of Defense Robert F. Hale, who addressed the Defense Department's total budget.

The FY15 Army budget reflects a drawdown from FY14's 510,000 to 490,000 for the active component, 354,200 to 350,200 for the National Guard and 205,000 to 202,000 for the Army Reserve. Hale noted that if sequestration continues, active Army end strength could go to 420,000 by FY19.

As for Army civilians, Maj. Gen. Karen E. Dyson, director, Army Budget, said 16,000 civilians were drawn down from the work force in FY13 and the Army "is continuing to analyze future adjustments in light of the drawdown beyond FY15. Her remarks followed Hale's.

Speaking on behalf of the entire DOD, Hale said the "goal is to reduce the civilian workforce by 5 percent between FY14 to FY19."

Dyson said that the Army's budget reflects difficult decisions to accelerate the drawdown in end strength and prioritize near-term readiness for select units, while risking sufficient levels in modernization.

"While the Army's guiding principle is keeping balance in readiness, end strength and modernization, the Army is not in balance in FY15," she added.

Dyson noted that personnel costs for all Army components total 46 percent of the FY15 budget. The next biggest slice is 35 percent for operation and maintenance and 17 percent for procurement, research, development, test and evaluation.

To cut personnel costs, she said the Army's active force "will continue to use force-shaping boards and temporary early retirement authorities to meet the accelerated end strength declines in FY15."

She added that "recruiting and retention for FY15 dropped by an aggregate 8 percent across the total force due partially to the expiration of anniversary payments and declining bonuses."

The Army anticipates 19 combat training center rotations in FY15 to validate brigade combat team readiness for full-spectrum combat capabilities, she said. That training will focus on units preparing to go to South Korea, Afghanistan and the Global Response Force.

For other units not in those categories, training is expected to only reach company or battalion level, while the Guard and Reserve are funded to individual crew and squad level in FY15, she added.

Other priorities reflected in the budget include an emphasis on the regional alignment concept, which she said is critical to the Army's "prevent, shape, win" strategy.

Also, funding for ready and resilient programs will be increased by 46 percent in FY15. These are programs like Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, suicide prevention, transition assistance and sexual assault prevention.

That increased funding level "demonstrates the Army's continued priority to take care of Soldiers, families and civilians," she said.

MODERNIZATION

Davis S. Welch, deputy director, Army Budget, addressed the smallest part of the budget, modernization.

The modernization portion of the budget is $20.1 billion, he said, which translates to "a 6.1 percent reduction from the FY14 enacted level and a 17.3 percent reduction from the FY13 sequestered level."

A major shift in the FY15 budget, he said, included "science and technology funding at (sufficient) levels to mitigate risk to the Army of 2020 and beyond."

Specific investments include $84.8 million for Nett Warrior communications gear and $32.8 million for the M4A1 carbine.

Regarding the carbine, Welch said the money would be used to continue converting M4s to M4A1s. The latest model carbines include heavier barrels for extended life and ambidextrous controls, meaning Soldiers who are left-handed will be able to use the carbines more effectively.

The National Guard will retain UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, CH-47 Chinook helicopters and UH-72A Lakota helicopters, while garnering an additional 111 UH-60s to enhance medevac and lift capabilities. He added that all AH-64 Apache helicopters will transfer to the active component.

The Kiowa Warrior A, C and D helicopter models as well as the TH-67 Creek training helicopters will go out of the inventory and training will commence using the UH-72A, he said.

The AH-64E, along with unmanned aerial systems, will temporarily fulfill the Kiowa's armed aerial scout mission, he said.

The air and missile defense system defends the homeland and the BCTs, he said, adding that nine of the 15 Patriot missile batteries are currently deployed protecting U.S. forces and critical assets.

As such, the budget provides $420 million for procurement of 70 Patriot Missile Segment Enhancement systems, $400 million for Patriot software, $143 million for the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense System, $54 million for Joint Aerostat Project demonstration and $60 million for developing technology for gun, missile and high-energy lasers to defeat rockets, artillery, mortars, UAS and cruise missiles.

Funding for the Ground Combat Vehicle will be discontinued "because it is no longer affordable under the budget constraints," he said. In the interim, funding will go toward improving the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle until resources become available.

The Bradley, along with the Abrams tank, will together receive $549 million for modernization.

The Armor Multi-Purpose Vehicle will get $92 million as it replaces the M113 armored personnel carrier, he said.

The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will receive $210 million, which will allow low-rate initial production for 176 vehicles. JLTV replaces the HUMVEE and affords protection similar to the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.

Indirect fire systems to be funded include the AN/TPQ-53 Radar at $247 million, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System at $173 million, the M119A2 howitzer at $73 million, the Army Tactical Missile System at $49 million and indirect fire science and technology at $56 million.

Unmanned aerial systems funded include the Grey Eagle at $237 million and the Shadow at $142 million.

The Army's intelligence network, known as the Distributed Common Ground System, will get $148 million for continued development and testing.

For a full FY15 budget, download the pdf: http://asafm.army.mil/Documents/OfficeDocuments/Budget/budgetmaterials/fy15//overview.pdf

24.02.2014 Jean-Dominique Merchet
 

03/02/2014 Armée de Terre

Corse. Camp Raffali, Calvi. Course à pied, pompes, parcours d’obstacles, tir, sauts en parachute, combat : un entraînement pluriel, 13 au 25 janvier., pour les soldats français et anglais. Une manière pour la compagnie de paratroopers anglais, ces troupes d’élite, de s’entraîner avec le 2e régiment étranger de parachutistes ( 2e REP).

Un échange de savoir-faire et une connaissance mutuelle, en prévision de projections dans un contexte d’interopérabilité. À découvrir dans ce reportage !

31/01/2014 ASP M. FOUQUET - Armée de Terre

 Le Centre d’entraînement aux actions en zone urbaine – 94e régiment d’infanterie (CENZUB – 94e RI), basé à Sissonne, a accueilli en rotation AZUR (action en zone urbaine), du 13 au 24 janvier 2014, un SGTIA (sous-groupement tactique interarmes) britannique armé par une compagnie du 1st battalion the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 LANCS) et un SGTIA français, armé principalement par un escadron du 1errégiment étranger de cavalerie (1er REC).

 C’est dans le cadre du traité de Lancaster House, signé en 2010, que nos amis anglais viennent régulièrement s’entraîner dans la ville de combat de Jeoffrécourt. Ils sont alors immergés dans une situation opérationnelle proche de la réalité et peuvent bénéficier de l’expertise des formateurs qui travaillent au CENZUB-94e RI.

L’armée de terre française pourrait prêter une vingtaine de VBCI, le dernier né des blindés d’infanterie de Nexter, à son homologue du Royaume-Uni. photo EMA

27.01.204 Par Alain Ruello – LesEchos.fr

L’annonce pourrait intervenir vendredi lors du sommet franco-britannique.

C’est parti pour constituer la surprise du sommet franco-britannique de vendredi, au moins pour le volet militaire de la rencontre : l’armée de terre française pourrait prêter une vingtaine de VBCI, le dernier né des blindés d’infanterie de Nexter, a son homologue du Royaume-Uni, selon nos informations. Il s’agirait pour les troupes de sa gracieuse majesté de se familiariser avec un matériel qui, dit-on, ne les a pas laissées indifférentes lors de ses sorties en Afghanistan ou au Mali.

Il y a cinq ans, Londres avait lancé une grande compétition pour renouveler sa flotte de blindés de transport d’infanterie. Le Piranha 5 de l’américain General Dynmics en était sorti vainqueur. Le VBCI avait tenté sa chance, mais pêché par son niveau de protection notamment. Le programme a été annulé depuis, et le blindé de Nexter s’est amélioré.

En prêtant une vingtaine de VBCI (initialement les discussions portaient sur une soixantaine d’exemplaires), Paris prend date dans l’hypothèse où les Britannique relancent un programme d’acquisition, vers 2017 selon l’échéance évoquée. Sans que Nexter soit assuré de signer un contrat évidemment, car Outre Manche, rien ne se fait sans mise en compétition.

S’il se confirme vendredi, le prêt de VBCI aura une signification symbolique importante dans la mesure où les Français testent - en vue d’une acquisition - le drone tactique Watchkeeper anglais. Ce serait un (petit) pas de plus vers l’interopérabilité des deux armées, l’un des buts du traité de Lancaster House qui prévoit la mise sur pied d’un corps expéditionnaire commun d’ici à 2016.

27.01.2014 Rostec

The creation of a vehicle maintenance center is also under consideration

During today’s ceremony an official representative of Rosoboronexport transferred to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense 37 BMP-3F vehicles, which will join 17 of the same model that are already used by Indonesian forces, RIA Novosti reported.

The first batch of Russian infantry fighting vehicles was given to Jakarta as part of a billion-dollar loan to Indonesia by the Russian state, signed September 6, 2007, during a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Indonesian capital. The infantry fighting vehicles ordered by Indonesia arrived at its main naval base in the Javanese city of Surabaya in November 2010.

A new contract to buy 37 more Russian BMP-3 vehicles, worth $114 million, was signed in early May 2013.

After delivery of this second batch of vehicles to Indonesia, Russia hopes to sign a contract with the country for the delivery of additional, larger orders. Creating a regional center in Indonesia to service the Russian armored personnel carriers was also discussed.

In the meantime, the BMP-3F training center, which opened in June 2013 in Russia, has already accepted troops from Indonesia. The contract with the Indonesian government includes the training of mechanics, weapons specialists, and electricians.

Vladimir Korkin, head of the training center, noted that the idea for the center has been more than ten years in the making, but only the contract with Indonesia turned the idea into reality.

THE FLOATING BMP-3F, also known the “naval option”, is designed for marine units, as well as border and coastal defense troops, that would use the vehicle for fighting in the coastal zone, on the coast, and in amphibious assaults. Its arsenal has a unique set of weapons, including a 100-mm gun, 30 mm gun, guided missiles, and a machine gun.

The combat vehicle has a three-person crew and can transport seven people.

The vehicle’s design allows it to act like a boat in waves at least three points at a speed of ten kilometers per hour for seven hours while firing in waves of up to two points. It can begin driving again in waves of less than three points, climbing out of the water onto land on its own.

In addition, the BMP-3F can tow supplies for use in a sea raid.

Rosoboronexport has the exclusive right to act as the state’s intermediary in supplying the world market with the entire spectrum of arms and military equipment produced by Russia’s military-industrial complex. The state corporation Rostec owns 100% of Rosoboronexport.

28/01/2014 CNE E. ROSSI - Armée de Terre

Projeté au Mali depuis plus de deux mois pour grossir les rangs du bataillon logistique de Gao, le 503e régiment du train de Nîmes poursuit son école du désert. Sur ce théâtre d’opération, les conditions opérationnelles sont exigeantes et les élongations à nulles autres pareilles. Zoom sur la mission du 503.

« Toujours réalisée dans un contexte d’insécurité, la mission est exaltante car chaque passage dans une mer de sable ou chaque franchissement de dune est un piège à éviter. Le désert est un professeur sévère », affirme le commandant d’unité du sous-groupement logistique de Gao.

Au bout de deux mois de présence sur la base de Gao, le sous-groupement logistique n°1 a pris un rythme d’engagement soutenu, effectuant de nombreuses missions avec toujours le même enthousiasme. Il a en charge le ravitaillement du train de combat n°2 des opérations en cours. En décembre dernier, en plus de ses missions de ravitaillement sur Ménaka, Kidal et Tessalit, il a participé à l’opération CONGRE avec le groupement tactique interarmes Korrigan et le groupement aéromobile Hombori, au nord de Tombouctou.

Quant au peloton de commandement et logistique et à la cellule du système d’information logistique central-manutention, ils œuvrent sans répit à la montée en puissance des convois et au soutien des unités de la base de Gao, comme notamment la construction du hangar modulable (Bachmann) du groupement aéromobile.

Nul doute que face à un milieu naturellement hostile, le professionnalisme et la rigueur du métier des armes sont indispensables au succès de la mission.

24/01/2014 Sources : EMA

Du 11 au 23 janvier 2014, les FFDj ont réalisé une action d’assistance militaire opérationnelle (AMO) au travers d’un détachement d’instruction opérationnelle (DIO) « Tireur de précision » (TP) sur le camp djiboutien de Myriama.

Les FFDj participent à la formation de bataillons de l’armée djiboutienne dans le cadre de leur mise en condition opérationnelle avant projection en Somalie. Dans ce cadre, 15 stagiaires du 2e bataillon « Hiil » des forces armées djiboutiennes ont suivi 2 semaines de formation TP sur le champ de tir de Maryam Koron.

Le programme était très complet, alternant des cours théoriques et pratiques de topographie, camouflage, infiltration/exfiltration, armement, ISTC et 4 jours entiers exclusivement consacrés au tir avec le fusil DRAGUNOV en dotation dans l’armée djiboutienne.

Ce DIO TP venait en complément des formations militaires réalisées en juin et septembre 2013 axées sur les actes réflexe du combattant, utilisation du matériel et de l’armement, secourisme au combat.

Cette formation opérationnelle a été effectuée à la demande des autorités djiboutiennes, dans le cadre du traité de coopération en matière de défense signés en décembre 2011 entre la France et la république de Djibouti.

21/01/2014 ASP M. FOUQUET Armée de Terre

La DGA a réceptionné le premier simulateur de vol de l’hélicoptère NH90-TTH (hélicoptère dédié au transport tactique) le 18 novembre 2013. Il a été livré au centre de formation interarmées (CFIA) du Luc-en-Provence, où passent les futurs pilotes de l’armée de Terre.

Ce simulateur permet de réaliser une part importante de la formation des équipages et de réduire le complément nécessaire sur hélicoptère. Caractérisé par un très haut niveau de représentativité, il est utilisé pour effectuer les formations initiales et s’entraîner dans un environnement tactique complexe et particulièrement réaliste. En effet, des jumelles de vision nocturne, un visuel de casque et l’ensemble des équipements de mission (radar, FLIR (forward looking infrared)…) sont disponibles sur l’appareil et ce, pour un coût beaucoup moins élevé qu’un vol réel sur NH90. Ce simulateur, produit par la société Sogitec à Bruz, a été développé et livré en moins de 22 mois.

Rappel : Le NH90, quelques chiffres

Le NH90 est un hélicoptère européen de transport militaire. Il se décline en deux versions : TTH, pour les missions de transport tactique et NFH pour la lutte anti-surface et anti-sous-marine.

Masse à vide : 6 400kg

Vitesse de croisière : 260 km/h

Nombre de moteurs : 2

Longueur : 16,30 m

Hauteur : 4,20 m