Defence`s Feeds

The first Train the Trainers Battlefield Vehicles Forensics course (BVF) is currently being held at the facilities of Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in Karlsborg (Sweden). The course, which will end on 23 September, takes place under the umbrella of the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) C-IED Training and Education initiative.

Fifteen students from Member States participate in this course that focuses on enriching skills of operators responsible for the examination of a vehicle having been damaged/destroyed due to an IED attack.  

The BVF concentrates on collecting and processing all identifying marks (i.e. data plates), as well as evidence photographing and documentation recording: Vehicles are thoroughly searched for weapon signatures, weapon fragments, spall or behind armor debris. Additionally, damages are documented, and collected fragments are measured and photographed in accordance with accepted forensic collection standards.  BVF is strictly a forensic collection activity to support technical analysis. A large number of post blast exploitation practices are planned for duration of the course. 

Copyright picture: Swedish Armed Forces
 

More information:

• C-IED project page
• JDEAL project page

The EU has become a leading multilateral actor in the field of security sector reform (SSR). It continues to face significant challenges that hinder its potential for delivery. This study aims to shed light on the realities faced by SSR policy makers and practitioners. It also provides an assessment of the lessons learnt regarding the complementary process of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, and highlights a ways forward for the EU as a security provider.
Further information
Study
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Mainboard-listed Vard Holdings announced yesterday that a design developed by its subsidiary, Vard Marine, has been selected for the US Coast Guard's new offshore patrol cutter (OPC) programme.

Americas

• BAE Systems has been awarded a US Army contract for the upgrade and repair of 32 155mm self-propelled Howitzers for Brazil. Valued at $53.8 million, the deal is expected to be completed by March 2019. This follows the 2014 approval by the US State Department for the sale of up to 40 Howitzer upgrade kits to Brazil, along with the associated equipment parts, training, and logistics as part of a deal estimated to be worth $110 million at the time.

• With nearly a year in office under his belt, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet will have to make some tough choices over the next year with analysts warning they could effect popularity and political capital. The biggest question in relation to the defense industry is of course the decision over the replacement of CF-18 fighters following the valiant vow to drop of the F-35 during the election campaign. It’s expected that the Liberals will soon announce whether they intend to break this pledge to launch a new competition for fighter jets, with talk inside military circles believing that Ottawa could announce a sole-source contract.

Middle East & North Africa

• Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were accidentally bombed by Western warplanes in attacks supposedly aimed at militants of the Islamic State. The US-led coalition halted Saturday’s sorties once Russian officials notified the US of the mistake. 62 Syrian government soldiers were killed in the strike which involved US, Australian, Danish and British aircraft.

Africa

• A memorandum of understanding has been signed between South Africa’s Denel and Chinese Poly Technologies in a deal aimed at “SA’s maritime rejuvenation.” The deal will see Poly Technologies, a division of the larger Poly Defense Group, take a stake in the Simons Town shipyard and join Denel in constructing three naval vessels. It’s believed that Poly is likely to make an investment in the recapitalization of the Simons Town dockyard as part of its management takeover by Denel Integrated Systems and Maritime (Denel ISM). Denel aims to have Poly help develop the naval vessels presuming Poly wins the SA Navy’s Projects Biro and Hotel for hydrographic, inshore and offshore patrol vessels.

Europe

• The UK MoD has announced that they will purchase Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s BriteCloud decoy system in a deal worth $3.25 million. Speaking on the deal, defense official Tony Douglas said “flight trials planned for later this year will test the system’s effectiveness against a wide range of current and potential threats, helping to ensure that UK pilots have the tools they need to successfully complete their missions wherever they are in the world.” If trials are successful, the system will be operational aboard RAF Tornado fighter-bombers by mid-2017.

• Airbus admits to planned cost-cutting measures as the European defense giant embarks on a project to introduce more digital methods into its operations. The company stated that “the envisaged cost-cutting aims at being a contribution to value creation and in particular to the digital transformation at Airbus Group,” but denied reports that they are working on new cuts as a result of cost overruns on their largest planes. Aircraft such as the A400M military transporter have undergone severe delays, cost overruns, and fines during its development, causing much ire from customer nations.

Asia Pacific

• Dassault Rafale fighters purchased by the Indian government are believed to operate as the platform to take over the nuclear strike role from the Indian Air Force’s current fleet of Mirage 2000 fighters. It’s expected that a long awaited Inter-Government Agreement for the purchase of 36 of the French fighter will be announced over the next few days after New Delhi dropped its initial plan to procure 126 Rafales. While there is a follow up clause for an additional 12 Rafales, the IAF’s capability gap will be filled by either the indigenous Tejas fighters, or another foreign fighter such as the Gripen or F-16, both of which have been offered in conjunction with the “Make in India” initiative.

• Chinese media sources have reported that Thailand is looking to replace its fleet of C-130H transport aircraft. Quoting outgoing Air Force chief, Trithod Sonchaeng, likely candidates for the aircraft’s replacement include the Chinese Shaanxi Y-9 and Lockheed Martin’s updated C-130J. However, a procurement plan has yet to be finalized giving time for a third contender to potentially emerge.

Today’s Video

North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch:

The Project 15B class of guided missile destroyers, an improved variant of the Kolkata-class destroyers, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), for the Indian Navy.

The French Navy’s newest Frégate européenne multi-mission (FREMM) frigate, Bretagne, has been floated out from the DCNS shipyard in Lorient, France.

The Indian Navy has launched the second Vishakhapatnam-class guided-missile destroyer of Project 15B at Mazagaon Dock Ship Builders Limited (MDL), in Mumbai, India.

Russian P-800 Oniks (Yakhont) Anti-Ship Cruise Missile

Americas

• 13 USAF and 2 Norwegian F-35As have been grounded due to “peeling and crumbling” insulation on cooling lines inside their fuel tanks. The discoveries were made during routine maintenance checks on the aircraft in order to have the fighter’s status upgraded to initial operational capability. While Lockheed Martin works with several suppliers that are responsible for manufacturing the coolant lines, the issue has been traced back to the insulated coolant tubes manufactured by one particular unnamed provider that have only been installed in the wing fuel tanks of the 15 aircraft in question.

• Deborah Lee James will unveil the name of the new B-21 stealth bomber today. The USAF Secretary will make the announcement during her State of the Force address at the Air Force Association’s Annual Air, Space and Cyber conference. It’s believed that the winning name harks back to the aircraft’s roots and is inspired by World War II bombers.

Middle East & North Africa

• Following the completion of negotiations over the US-Israeli defense aid package last week, the long awaited multi-billion fighter sale to Qatar and Kuwait may be nearing completion. Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Bob Corker, was happy with the “consummation” of the aid deal and that the Gulf fighter sales are finally to be allowed to progress. Much speculation has surrounded the Gulf fighter deals’ delay, now in their third year, with many believing that it has been held up to maintain Israel’s legally mandated qualitative military edge.

• A recently released White House fact sheet on US military aid has revealed that Israel is to get ten F-15Ds under the excess defense articles program. Eight F-15s have been delivered so far, and are primarily used as a training aircraft but can also take part in air-to-air combat. Other excess articles given by the Obama administration to Israel include several Lockheed Martin C-130 cargo aircraft, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and joint direct attack munitions.

• Israel sent its newest reconnaissance satellite, Ofek-11, into orbit on September 13, but it is already running into difficulties. Within hours of the launch, the satellite transmitted back home that it had developed some sort of malfunction. Since then, the satellite has continued to transmit back messages on the state of its health, with the Israeli media reporting that the spacecraft is not totally lost, and work continues to troubleshoot the on board issue.

Africa

• Angola, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan are to receive refurbished Russian Mi-8/17 and Mi-24/35 helicopters in 2017 according to Russian media sources. Yury Demchenko, the head of Rosoboronexport’s delegation to the Africa Aerospace & Defense (AAD) Expo stated that the sales were part of a trend for African governments to seek inexpensive equipment, particularly used equipment. While Africa accounts for a small percentage of Russian weapons sales, Rosboronexport’s export statistics point to a growth in African markets over the last several years, not only in sub-Saharan Africa, but in northern Africa as well.

• The Pakistani-Chinese JF-17 fighter will be making its way to Nigeria after a memorandum of understanding was signed at this year’s AAD. While the exact amount of the fighters has yet to be revealed, further details on the deal are expected to be announced in November during the IDEAS show in Karachi, Pakistan. Nigerian budget allocations released in January, however, earmarked $25 million for three JF-17s, with approximately half that amount made available for the acquisition of ten PAC Super Mushshak basic trainers.

Europe

• Britain’s armed forces have been slammed by the recently retired head of the country’s Joint Forces Command, General Sir Richard Barrons. Describing what he saw as “a withered force,” Barrons warned the the fighting branches have lost much of their ability to fight conventional wars. Taking aim at the ruling Conservative Party’s defense policies he pointing to a series of “profoundly difficult” strategic challenges that are being sidestepped as Whitehall (UK center of government) focuses on “skinning” budgets and delivering costly but increasingly redundant big-ticket military projects.

Today’s Video

Launch of Israel’s Ofek-11 reconnaissance satellite:

The US Navy’s EA-18G Green Growler aircraft has flight tested 100% advanced biofuel at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

French shipyard DCNS has delivered the second Mistral-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) helicopter carrier to the Ministry of Defence of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Austal USA has received a A$434m ($325.07m) contract to design and build two expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessels, EPF 11 and EPF 12, for the US Navy.

Following the 2016 'State of the Union' speech, Sandy Johnston argues that President Juncker has not heeded any of the lessons from Brexit, especially as they relate to the migration crisis and defence policy.

The post Juncker’s Blinckers appeared first on European Geostrategy.

Ukrainian Korsar Anti-Tank Guided Missile

Key Points The intensification of pressure on pro-PKK politicians indicates the government's lack of willingness to return to the negotiating table, seeking instead to impose a 'victor's peace' on the PKK. The government is likely to struggle to increase its popularity among the Kurdish population

The SAFAT Burkan guided stand-off bomb is already in service with the Sudanese Air Force, Ali Osman, the head of business development for Sudan's SAFAT Aviation Group, told IHS Jane's at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show held in South Africa on 14-18 September. SAFAT says the Burkan is a

The latest European Defence Matters magazine is now available with a special focus on the new EU Global Strategy and “What’s next for Defence?”

When the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, presented last June the EU’s new ‘Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy’ (EUGS), our choice for the cover story of this 11th issue of European Defence Matters became a no-brainer.

Indeed, as Prof. Dr. Sven Biscop, Director at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations in Brussels and one of our guest writers in this magazine, accurately points out, “The EUGS is one of the most ambitious EU documents on defence to date”. Among the most ambitious EUGS statements, ideas and proposals, many are related to defence and military capabilities.

In this issue, we therefore propose an analysis of the defence aspects of the EUGS while also looking at the follow up, especially in view of the strategy’s concrete implementation.

We also spoke to Nexter CEO Stéphane Mayer about the recent merger with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and the creation of KNDS which, many say, could be the beginning of a consolidation process in the land defence systems sector in Europe.  

EU-NATO cooperation is another topic after the two organisations signed a Joint Declaration last July. We also spoke to NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg about this, the recent Warsaw NATO Summit and the EU Global Strategy.

We also looked at the growing importance of energy management in the defence as the impact of energy consumption on defence budgets and military effectiveness is growing drastically.

In our ‘Opinion’ section, Jyrki Katainen, European Commission Vice-President, shared his analysis about the importance of the ‘circular economy’ concept for the defence sector and how it can help to improve the European defence industry’s competitiveness.  We also have an exclusive interview with the chair of the EU military Committee (EUMC), General Mikhail Kostarakos.

Enjoy your reading!
 

More information:

• European Defence Matters 11

Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP) has developed new versions of its REVA (Reliable, Effective, Versatile, and Affordable) mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles. More than 800 vehicles have been built for the export market and all platforms feature an all-welded steel monocoque hull, with

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Committee on Development held a public hearing to discuss the intertwined challenges of development and security and how to address them in a joined-up approach.
Location : Paul-Henri Spaak 5B001
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP