26.02.2015 BAE Systems - army-guide.com

BAE Systems has handed over the first CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) in serial production to the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (FLO) on time and on budget.

A roll-out ceremony was held yesterday in Moelv, Norway, at the facilities of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ business partner CHSnor AS. More than 200 guests attended, representing FLO and the Norwegian Armed Forces, as well as BAE Systems Hägglunds and its Norwegian industrial partners.

BAE Systems Hägglunds’ contract, signed in 2012, includes the upgrade of the Norwegian Army’s existing fleet of 103 CV9030s and 41 new-build vehicles, giving the Army a total of 144 state-of-the-art CV90s in varying configurations. They will all include enhanced capabilities for future battlefield and conflict scenarios, such as in the areas of protection, survivability, situational awareness, intelligence, and interoperability.

“I’m really pleased that we are able to reach this key milestone,” said Colonel Ragnar Wennevik, Norwegian Army CV90 project leader. “BAE Systems Hägglunds is an impressive supplier, and with the new CV90, we are buying the world’s most advanced armored combat vehicle family. Already proven in combat, we are now taking it to the next generation with state-of-the-art survivability, lethality, digitalization, and mobility.”

This program is a key element of the modernization of the Norwegian Army, providing them with the next-generation CV90, one of the world’s most advanced IFV and a low-risk proven solution. The Norwegian Army will incorporate five different configurations of the CV90 from 2015 onwards: 74 infantry fighting, 21 reconnaissance, 15 command, 16 engineering, and 16 multi-role and tow driver training vehicles. The multi-role vehicles can fulfill different functions, including mortar carrier and logistics roles.

In 2014, BAE Systems rolled out three variants of the Norwegian vehicles in Sweden, which were subsequently handed over to Norwegian industry for completion, as part of in-country partnerships.

Both the Norwegian customer and BAE Systems Hägglunds have been extremely focused on meeting every milestone in the contract from the outset. This focus has ensured that the two parties have developed a strong relationship based on mutual respect and openness, which has ensured project success.

BAE Systems Hägglunds is working closely with Norwegian industry in a comprehensive industrial cooperation contract, which is part of the main vehicle contract. Companies such as Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Nammo Raufoss AS, CHSnor AS, Moelv, and Ritek AS Levanger are key parties to the contract. The turret upgrade work, for example, takes place at CHSnor AS, and yesterday’s handover was the first in a series of vehicle deliveries from CHSnor AS and Ritek through 2018.

“The Norwegian industrial cooperation is extensive and important to us, especially when industrial cooperation is one of the major factors for international success,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director for BAE Systems Hägglunds. “We want to thank all industry partners for their commitment and dedication, and also our professional and supportive customer.”

26 février 2015 par Daniel Ventre -45eNord.ca

La RAND Corporation vient de publier un long rapport (184 pages) portant sur les faiblesses de l’armée chinoise (China’s incomplete military transformation. Assessing the weaknesses of the People’s Liberation Army. Février 2015).

La « faiblesse » militaire (military weakness) y est définie (p.2) comme l’impossibilité totale de remplir une mission ; le risque élevé d’échec d’une mission ; toute inefficacité susceptible de dégrader les résultats attendus d’une mission.

Le rapport propose tout d’abord un regard sur le processus de modernisation engagé dans les années 1990 et programmé jusqu’en 2025 ; puis s’intéresse aux missions de l’armée ; se focalise sur les faiblesses organisationnelles, en termes de ressources humaines, en termes de capacités de combat ; et enfin s’intéresse aux faiblesses de son industrie de défense.

Il est question du cyberespace (p.114-119) dans le chapitre consacré aux faiblesses capacitaires. Les domaines y sont traités un à un (terre, mer, air, nucléaire, espace, cyber et électromagnétique).

La Chine a lancé ces dernières années de nombreux satellites, renforçant ainsi ses capacités ISR, navigation, positionnement, communications. Pour protéger ces capacités satellitaires, la Chine déploie aussi des moyens de défense spécifiques. L’armée développe également d’importants moyens de guerre électronique (radio, radar, infrarouge, optique, informatique, systèmes de communication). Les capacités cyber pour le combat sont au cœur de cette politique de développement capacitaire (collecte d’information, perturber l’action de l’adversaire, multiplicateur de force).

Mais si le développement des capacités offensives semble suivre une courbe ascendante, il n’en va pas de même des capacités de protection des intérêts chinois dans les domaines spatiaux et électro-magnétiques, qui resteraient relativement vulnérables.

Les études chinoises s’inquiètent de la dépendance croissante aux systèmes spatiaux (satellites) et retiennent que dans ce domaine l’offensive prime sur la défense. Les questions cyber sont englobées dans les considérations sur l’usage du spectre électromagnétique : la Chine se définit dans ce domaine comme vulnérable. Les faiblesses ne procèdent pas seulement des obstacles techniques, technologiques, qu’il faut surmonter pour mettre en œuvre des systèmes C4ISR, mais aussi des procédures (faible coordination entre les agences de renseignement, les opérationnels et les décideurs au plus haut niveau).

Soulignons que ces constats, formulés par les auteurs du rapport, s’appuient principalement sur des publications chinoises, ce qui oblige à relativiser l’analyse. Les quelques lignes dédiées au cyberespace restent assez générales dans leur propos, et nous ne voyons là rien de véritablement spécifique aux forces chinoises.

Le rapport souligne, pour terminer ce chapitre (p.117), l’absence de considération, par les analystes chinois, de la problématique des effets non intentionnels et des risques d’escalade non maîtrisés. Les analystes chinois auraient tendance à insister sur les avantages, sur les aspects positifs des gains de la guerre de l’information, mais à ignorer ses limites et ses risques.

23 February 2015 by defenceWeb

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence has purchased Husky 2G route clearance vehicles from DCD Protected Mobility in a deal worth more than R200 million, DCD has announced.

DCD Protected Mobility told defenceWeb that the contract will be completed by the end of March this year. It was awarded to Critical Solutions International (CSI), DCD Protected Mobility’s marketing partner responsible for selling, distributing and supporting DCD’s product worldwide.

“This procurement represents a critical enhancement of Iraq's route clearance mission and its ability to maintain freedom of manoeuvre and oppose ISIS and other forces within Iraq,” said Andrew Mears, DCD Protected Mobility Business Executive: Defence. "We are honoured to have been awarded this contract and are looking forward to working with the Iraqi Ministry of Defence to fully support this programme and any future requirements. The Iraqi government has determined that the Husky 2G is essential to defeating IED and mine threats and represents a noteworthy investment in saving lives and enhancing the capability of this significant new customer, the Iraqi military."

Over the past decade, the Husky family of vehicles has saved countless lives around the globe. Responding to the need for longer mission duration and enhanced detection capability, the Husky 2G two-operator variant was originally developed and delivered to the US Army. The addition of a second operator allows the Husky driver to focus on vehicle control and situational awareness, while the second operator monitors and analyses the advanced sensor systems and operational environment. The US Army recognised this life-saving vehicle design with an Innovation of the Year Award for 2010.

The Husky 2G is equipped with the NIITEK MMDS Ground Penetrating Radar and the FASCAN interrogation arm used to interrogate suspected mines and IEDs. It is also equipped with the TORC Robotics 360 Situational Awareness camera system and QinetiQ North Americas QNET, which provides the vehicle with lightweight protection from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The upgraded Husky 2G features additional power and has the capability for future integration of additional sensors and enhancements, according to DCD.

The Husky vehicle-mounted mine detection system (VMMD), previously known as the Chubby system, was developed in the 1970s for the South African Defence Force to clear roads of mines in Namibia and Angola. The system comprises of two Husky vehicles: the first acts as a Mine Detection Vehicle (MDV) (previously a Meerkat). The second vehicle (a Husky) tows a mine-detonating trailer.

The South African Army uses the Meerkat while the Husky system is being used by Canada, the USA, UK, France, Australia, Angola, Kenya, Uganda, Spain and Turkey. The Husky system had taken 7 000 hits in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, with no mine or improvised explosive device fatalities.

23 février Aerobuzz.fr

L’Armée royale thaïlandaise six hélicoptères légers EC145 T2, la dernière évolution en date du bimoteur EC145 et aussi la plus puissantes (masse maximale au décollage de 3,65 tonnes). L’EC145 T2 est équipé d’un cockpit numérique et d’un pilote automatique 4 axes. Les EC145 T2 thaïlandais seront aménagés en version VIP, et destinés au transport de personnalités. Les livraisons débuteront en 2016.

Suite de l’article

17 févr. 2015 NATO

14 Février 2015 Armée de Terre

15/02/2015 Armée de Terre

February 9, 2015:  Strategy Page

Russia has been trying to develop a radical new tank design since the 1960s. This effort already resulted in the T-64, T-72 and T-80. The only design that showed promise was the T-72, but it was not radically new, just a refinement of designs that appeared early in World War II and quickly replaced all competing designs and became the basis for all modern tanks (T-72, M-1, Leopard and so on). When it was clear (by the 1980s) that the T-72 was the best they had, several new versions appeared, not all of them Russian. But it was obvious (especially after several wars) that the T-72 was inferior to Western designs

Russia then sought to create another breakthrough design and after several false starts they believe they finally have a winner in their new “universal combat platform” called the Armata system. The first prototypes of this vehicle began testing in 2013 and the Armata platform is currently being used for the construction of  the new T-14 tank prototypes. This vehicle uses the engine and tracks as well as the heavily armored crew capsule of the Armata system. Added to this is an automated 125mm gun (and 32 shells and missiles) in a turret. There is also a RWS (remote weapons station) for a 30mm autocannon and another for a 12.7mm machine-gun. In addition to the weapons the crew of three would operate several sensor systems (thermal, vidcams and AESA radar) and an automatic defense system for protection against missiles and weapons like RPGs (shaped charge rockets used by the infantry). All this would be in a 55 ton vehicle that would require the services of additional maintenance personnel nearby (behind the fighting) who would help fix problems and assist the crew in maintaining all this complex equipment. Prototypes of the T-14 are supposed to be available for field testing in 2015 or shortly thereafter.

There is already another Armata vehicle. In 2014 Russia began testing the newly built prototypes of its new Kurganets 25 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). This is based on the Armata chassis and will eventually replace all the existing BMP and BMD IFVs. Kurganets 25 is very similar to the American M-2 Bradley IFV as it has a turret equipped with a 25mm autocannon and two ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles) mounted on either side. The turret also has computerized fire control, thermal sensors and a 7.62mm machine-gun. The 25 ton Kurganets 25 will have a front mounted engine, a crew of three and carry six or seven infantry.

As impressive as the Kurganets 25 seems to be, the Russians may have missed the fact that after 2007 the U.S. Army stopped using the M-2 in combat. By then it was clear to the U.S. that the enemy was intent on using mines and roadside bombs in a big way and the M-1 tank, Stryker, and MRAP vehicles were much better able to handle these blast weapons than the M-2.

The Kurganets 25 is only one of several armored vehicles that use the same basic chassis and systems as the T-14, support vehicles and self-propelled artillery. It is rumored that prototypes of some Armata vehicles will be shown in military parades during late 2015.

11 févr. 2015 Quelle: Redaktion der Bundeswehr 02/2015 14E14301

09 February 2015 defenceWeb (Reuters)

Niger troops and Chadian war planes fought off an attack on Friday on the Niger town of Bosso by Boko Haram militants whose insurgency is spreading from Nigeria to neighbouring states, military officials in Niger said.

The fighting took place in the southeastern region of Diffa, part of the border area where Chad has sent hundreds of troops to help Niger take on Boko Haram, the sources said.

"The Boko Haram attack from Malam Fatori (in Nigeria) against the town of Bosso and the bridge at Doutchi in the Diffa region has been repulsed. We have Chadian planes bombarding the locality," said a Niger military source.

A second source said: "There is heavy weapons fire from both sides .... We have at least five injured in our ranks." Later a military source said the attack had failed, calm had returned and there was no hot pursuit operation into Nigeria.

Boko Haram has seized territory in northeastern Nigeria as part of a five-year insurgency for an Islamist state. Around 10,000 people were killed last year and the militants increasingly stage cross border attacks.

The insurgency is the worst threat to Nigeria's security as the nation, Africa's top oil producer and biggest economy, heads to a presidential election on Feb. 14.

The militants are also increasingly threatening neighbouring Chad, Niger and Cameroon, prompting regional leaders to come up with a joint plan to defeat them.

Chad has deployed some 2,500 soldiers to neighbouring Cameroon and Niger as part of this effort. Niger's parliament is due to vote on Monday on a proposal by the government to send its troops into Nigeria to fight Boko Haram.

04.02.2015 by BBC Africa

When Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram abducted more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok in April 2014, the world woke up to the brutality and strength of its insurgency.

Since it launched military operations in 2009 to create an Islamic state, the group has seized vast amounts of territory in the north-east of the country and caused a humanitarian crisis affecting some three million people, according to the country's officials.

In the run-up to Nigeria's elections on 14 February, Boko Haram has stepped up its attacks. There are also added fears that those living in areas controlled by the group will be unable to vote.

There are many factors that have enabled the rise of Islamic militancy in the country, but the blame for some falls on the Nigerian army. Three expert witnesses offer their insight as to whether this is correct, for the BBC World Service's The Inquiry.

Read full article

05 February 2015 by defenceWeb

It has emerged that Senegal is operating Israeli Ram Mk 3 high mobility light armoured vehicles and will use them on behalf of the United Nations Operation in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOC).

The French military spent over a week last month training two Senegalese motorised infantry companies ahead of their one year deployment with UNOCI. The training was carried out at Senegal’s request and, according to the French Ministry of Defence, gives the two companies the skills and expertise to be part of the UNOCI rapid reaction force in Ivory Coast’s political capital of Yamoussoukro. Some of the training carried out with French forces included using the vehicles to support troops, providing convoy escort, transiting urban areas, overcoming obstacles, establishing checkpoints and evacuating wounded. All these activities were carried out in accordance with UN rules of engagement. Since 2011 the French detachment in Senegal has assisted militaries in West Africa, especially with regard to peacekeeping and the launch of Operational Serval in January 2013.

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16-01-2015 SEDE

Further information Briefing: The Peshawar Army Public School Attack