Defence`s Feeds

Chinese Wanshan WS21200 Special Wheeled Chassis

Promoting women’s participation in CSDP missions and operations is important to sustain EU’s credibility, to improve effectiveness, to promote equality at home and abroad, to increase the talent pool for personnel, and to make the best use of our financial resources. More needs to be done by both member states and the EU to fulfil promises to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Further information
Study: Women in CSDP missions
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Today, the European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities (ECMAN) was officially opened in Vienna.  The ceremony was attended by the Austrian Chief of Defence, General Othmar Commenda and high level representatives from the Ministries of Defence of the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden, NATO accredited COEs (CIED, EOD, JCBRN Defence), German Federal and Local Criminal Police, the German CIED Information Centre, the Swedish CBRN Defence Centre, Swedish EOD and Demining Centre, the Italian CIED Centre, as well as military attaches in Austria and the European Defence Agency (EDA).

ECMAN is a follow-on activity of the EDA Programme on Manual Neutralisation Techniques Courses and Exercises (MNT C&E). Manual neutralisation techniques are the most advanced improvised device disposal proficiencies, which enable experienced and specially trained operators to access, diagnose, and manually dispose of hazardous material. These tactics, techniques and procedures need to be applied where the use of regular explosive ordnance procedures or of energetic weapons are inappropriate, and manual improvised explosive devices’ neutralisation capabilities are the last resort.

At the opening ceremony in Vienna a static demonstration of the equipment, including explanations of different scenarios, was provided. Additionally, during a live demonstration participants of the ceremony gained some insights into the skill sets of MNT operators. 

The aim of the Centre is to provide participating Member States with expertise and experience in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) threats. It provides opportunities to enhance education and training, improve interoperability and capabilities, assists in doctrine and equipment development & testing and validates concepts through experimentation. ECMAN consists of permanent and non-permanent international staff from the participating Member States at the premises of the Logistic School in Vienna. 

The participating Member States are Austria, as the lead nation, as well as Germany, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Italy and Sweden.

 

More information

• C-IED project page
• Website Austrian Ministry of Defence (in German)

 

German Mercedes-Benz G-Class (Second Generation) Light Utility Vehicle

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Polish Kryl Truck-Mounted Howitzer

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plans to indigenously develop an armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar announced during a 15 February ceremony held to mark the induction into service of the Tsaigumi UAV. The Tsaigumi is “just a stepping stone to

Romania’s commitment to raise its defence budget to the NATO-stipulated target of 2% of GDP has led to the new Romanian government approving on 15 February the procurement of a number of previously requested US-sourced land systems – notably artillery rocket systems – as well as

Russia is set to begin final qualification of the TOR-M2DT (9K331MDT) Arctic short-range air defence (SHORAD) system. Initial test firings of the TOR-M2DT were planned for 15 February at Kapustin Yar test site in Astrakhan Oblast, with the system scheduled to enter serial production and Russian

Saab has reported higher sales across all business units and a double digit rise in order bookings in 2017 on the back of what it described as “strong” interest in its products. The Swedish defence and security group reported sales of SEK31.4 billion (USD3.95 billion) for the year; 10%

US Marine Corps Commandant General Robert Neller has said he wants a stronger undersea force to ensure marine access to the shore. “I want more submarines,” Gen Neller said on 15 February during a speech at the Amphibious Warship Congressional Forum, sponsored by the Amphibious Warship

The US Air Force (USAF) released more weapons over Afghanistan last month than in any other January since 2011, according to US Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT). Recently released data show that USAF aircraft released a total of 321 weapons in January 2018 as part of Operation

With the increasing use of MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and the advent of F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter deployments on US Navy (USN) large-deck amphibious assault ships, the US Marine Corps (USMC) sees a need for more advanced communications networks on the vessels. “We’re

The Argentine government has approved a purchase of 18 RBS 70NG anti-aircraft missile launchers, three simulators, and an undisclosed number of missiles, an Argentine Air Force source told Jane’s . The purchase, as well as some restorations for other anti-aircraft weapons – 25 mm and 30

US private equity fund Arlington Capital Partners has announced the acquisition of US intelligence and defence consultancy organisation Integrity Applications Inc. Terms of the transaction – announced on 16 February – were not disclosed. Arlington said that the company would be

Boeing has revealed a major expansion in international defence sales over the past decade, with increasing emphasis on emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region and Middle East. In comments to Jane’s at the recent Singapore Airshow, Gene Cunningham, vice-president of Boeing Defense, Space

The Brazilian Army has authorised its commission in Washington, DC, to amend a previous Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) in order to now modernise the service’s entire fleet of M113B armoured carriers. Modernisation kits, provided by BAE Systems, for the last 150 vehicles will be ordered

TWO civilians were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED), emplaced by unidentified militants, detonated near street markets in the al-Maamel area of Iraq's capital Baghdad on 14 February, Iraqi News reported. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

JetLease and Arista Aviation have revealed that they have combined to provide ex-US Army Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters to the second-hand market. While the initial agreement was signed about two years ago, the companies have only just revealed details of the arrangement, which involves

Russian small-arms, boat-building, and unmanned aerial systems group Kalashnikov has become a majority privately owned company after Moscow agreed to the sale of an additional 26% stake to a private consortium. Russian state industrial holding group Rostec announced on 15 February that it now held