06.05.2014 Crédit : EMA / ECPAD

Le 11 avril 2014, à 09 h 30, au marché afghan de l’aéroport international de Kaboul (KAIA), fin d’exercice pour Mugshot, chien spécialisé en recherche d’explosifs, son maître et deux militaires français de l’équipe EOD (Explosive Ordonance Disposal).

Cet exercice a permis de vérifier la coordination des différents services intervenant dans le cadre d’une menace EEI (Engins Explosifs Improvisés) au sein du camp de KAIA, où sont installés les 350 militaires français engagés en Afghanistan jusqu’à la fin de la mission de l’ISAF en 2014.

Reportage photos

April 2, 2014. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

By Major Sebastien Niles, Joint Counter Explosive Threat Task Force and Samantha Bayard, Army Public Affairs

Halifax, Nova Scotia — Skilled members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) detect, disable and exploit explosives devices on international deployments and, if called upon by civilian authorities, at home, which keeps their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, as well as nearby civilians, safe.

This expertise was essential during deployment in Afghanistan and skilled specialists will be in demand for future conflicts as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) become more prevalent.

On a yearly basis, Exercise Ardent Defender trains CAF operators to be prepared for the emerging threats seen abroad and in our own country.

This year, Exercise Ardent Defender 2014 (Ex AD 14), now underway, is training Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators in Halifax. The Royal Canadian Navy will host the joint exercise with participants from the Canadian Army the Royal Canadian Air Force and members of Canadian Law Enforcement and representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom and Sweden.

Ex AD 14’s focus will be the explosive threat to maritime transportation including ships, ports and cargo.

The maritime threat is very real, both at home and abroad. Threat networks are moving IED materials by sea with other illegal materials and can be expected to use IEDs to protect their interests at docks, or may disrupt commerce by attacking docks and sea lanes.

Abroad, the military may also be exposed to the explosive threat during boarding operations or alongside in a foreign port.

Last year’s Exercise Ardent Defender was the first of its kind, held in late May at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. Over two weeks, Ex AD 13 provided highly experienced and qualified two-person teams from all 12 CAF EOD/IEDD units—a total of 24 operators—an opportunity to develop their own skills, broaden their understanding of the complex, evolving global threat, and collaborate with members across the three military environments.

Operators watched demonstrations of tactics, techniques, and procedures required to use new equipment such as the Large Vehicle Borne IED disruptor. They participated in challenging tactical scenarios based on a South American insurgent threat.

Ex AD 13 offered a non-threatening training climate where the emphasis during tactical scenarios was on cultivating learning by encouraging the operators to try innovative solutions.

Future Ardent Defender exercises will also grow in size as international military teams from the United States, other allies and partner nations, Global Engagement Strategy partner nations, and Law Enforcement Agency teams are invited.

20/12/2013 Sources : EMA

Le 17 décembre 2013, environ 300 militaires français de la force Sangaris ont été engagés dans une opération de sécurisation dans le quartier de Boy-Rabé, au nord-est de Bangui.

L’objectif de cette patrouille, était de contrôler l’application des mesures de confiance dans ce quartier.

Au cours de cette patrouille, la situation est restée calme et aucun incident n’est intervenu. Trois jours auparavant, des échanges de tirs avaient eu lieu dans ce quartier et un habitant a signalé la présence d’une roquette antichar devant chez lui. La section d’infanterie a immédiatement procédé à la sécurisation de la zone, afin d’appuyer une équipe EOD (Explosive Ordonance Disposal) qui est intervenu pour neutraliser l’engin.

 Les militaires de l’opération Sangaris mènent quotidiennement ce type de patrouille afin de poursuivre le contrôle de la bonne application des mesures de confiance et réduire ainsi le niveau des violences intercommunautaires.

 Environ 1600 militaires français sont actuellement déployés en République Centrafricaine. Lancée le 5 décembre 2013 par le Président de la République, l’opération Sangaris vise à rétablir une sécurité minimale en République Centrafricaine et à faciliter la montée en puissance de la MISCA ainsi que son déploiement opérationnel.

15/10/2013 Sources : EMA

Le 14 octobre 2013, le colonel Thierry Poulette a rendu le commandement du Joint Logistic Support Group (JLSG) de la KFOR, au camp de Film City, à Pristina.

07/08/2013  Andrew Elwell - defenceiq.com

One of the big questions relating to the reorganisation of the Armed Forces following the withdrawal from Afghanistan relates to the future of Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). Will it still be an operational necessity or is the argument for its continued economic outlay too fragile?

The unit was formed in 2006 after a spate of deadly incidents involving the roadside bombs forced the US government to act. JIEDDO has been central to informing opinion on IEDs for a decade but senior US defence officials are now discussing its future. There are three options being considered: maintain JIEDDO’s capabilities but split its duties between the military forces; scale down its operations and house it within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD); or shut it down.

Colonel Gareth Bex, Head of Army EOD & Search at the UK MoD, is a man who would have an opinion on JIEDDO’s future effectiveness. He spoke at the Counter-IED conference in London last month and insisted that “the genie is out of the bottle [for insurgents and their effective use of IEDs], and there’s no way it’s going back in.”

Col Bex went on to say that the UK failed to continue the investment it made in this area after Northern Ireland and lost the mainstay of its C-IED capabilities as a result. When protection against IEDs and mine blasts wasn't top of the agenda anymore it was easy for that investment to be directed into other avenues. Bex wonders if the same may happen again post-Afghanistan, especially considering the current economic climate. But it mustn't. The lessons learned from Afghanistan must not be allowed to be forgotten like they were after Northern Ireland - the only way to do that is maintain investment in the area and continue to take the threat seriously.

“IEDs are certainly an enduring global threat,” said Col Bex.

With that in mind, how can the US justify the elimination of JIEDDO? It would be imprudent, and short-sighted.

While breaking up the organisation and spreading it out through the military services – a process known as disaggregation – is a viable option, the best, and perhaps most likely option for the JIEDDO may be to roll it into the OSD.

JIEDDO has spent in the region of $20 billion since 2006, including the largest and most ambitious UOR programme ever for the design and acquisition of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) family of vehicles.

May 16, 2013 ASDNews Source : iRobot Corporation

iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, has won contracts totaling $7.2 million from the Brazilian government to provide iRobot 510 PackBot robots, spares and associated equipment through December 2013.

“iRobot continues its international expansion, and Brazil represents an important market for the company’s unmanned ground vehicles,” said Frank Wilson, senior vice president and general manager of iRobot’s Defense & Security business unit. “iRobot is excited to be providing the company’s state-of-the-art robotic technologies to Brazil as the country prepares for several high profile international events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”

iRobot has delivered more than 5,000 robots to military and civil defense forces worldwide. The company’s tactical mobile robots perform multiple missions for troops and public safety professionals, enhancing situational awareness, reducing risk and increasing mission success.