Jane's Defense News

The government of India has further eased foreign direct investment (FDI) rules making it easier for overseas companies to secure up to 100% ownership of an Indian defence company. In announcing the move, the government said that foreign investment beyond 49% "has now been permitted through

India's state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) conducted the inaugural flight of its basic Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) aircraft in Bangalore on 17 June. Officials said the propeller-driven HTT-40, powered by a Honeywell Garrett TPE331-12B single-shaft turboprop engine, flew for about

The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted its first three female fighter pilots into service on 18 June following their graduation from the Air Force Academy at Dindigul in southern India. The IAF said that Flying Officers Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth, and Mohana Singh - selected from amongst 120

Key Points An Indonesian warship has opened fire on a group of Chinese vessels, injuring one fisherman Incident threatens to further escalate tensions between Beijing and Jakarta over the disputed waters An Indonesian navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) Kapitan Pattimura

The Mexican Air Force (FAM) has signed an agreement with Airbus Defense and Space to fly to the North Pole, the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) announced on 18 June. The flight is for training, evaluation, demonstration, and trial purposes and is being conducted by a FAM C295W

Rheinmetall (External Stands D261/D211) has unveiled its latest Lynx tracked infantry fighting vehicle, developed as a private venture to meet a perceived gap in the market for a vehicle that is capable of being used for a wide range of battlefield missions.

China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) (Hall 5, H521) is showing its total fire support capability at Eurosatory this year, albeit in model form only. This includes an extensive range of tracked and wheeled self-propelled (SP) artillery systems, but also towed artillery systems, artillery rocket systems, ammunition and the essential target acquisition systems.

Israeli UAV house Aeronautics (Hall 6, Stand D732) is in the final stages of developing the latest member of its Orbiter family of UAVs.

Following a competition that included extensive trials with 22 prototype vehicles each submitted by AM General, Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh Defense, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) design submitted by Oshkosh Defense (Hall 5, Stand D608) was selected as the winner. It is being shown at Eurosatory for the first time.

Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) (part of the Polish Defence Group) (Hall 5, B801) has been awarded a contract to supply the Polish Army with 64 Rak 120mm 24-calibre M120K self-propelled mortar systems and 32 all-wheel drive command post vehicles, all of which will be based on the Rosomak (8x8) platform.

Thales has unveiled the latest member of its Ground Master air defence radar family. Drawing on technology from the larger Ground Master 200 and 400 radars, the Ground Master 60 multimission radar offers exceptional range in a fully mobile system that provides forces with a search on-the-move air picture capability.

Israel Military Industries is showing its Iron Fist-Light Configuration (IF-LC) active protection system for the first time. Derived from the full-size Iron Fist system designed for large infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks, the IF-LC is intended to provide hard-kill protection for smaller vehicles against a variety of threats.

Following extensive trials, General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Bárbara Sistemas has awarded Cook Defence Systems (Hall 5, Stand LK657) a contract worth about £30 million to supply its latest TR40 505FB track system for installation on the Ajax reconnaissance version of the British Army Specialist Vehicle – Scout family of tracked vehicles.

In support of India’s defence modernisation, Nammo (Hall 6, Stands F290/GF304) has opened an office in New Delhi, which marks its participation in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Iveco Defence Vehicles (External Stand D391) is displaying a pair of new vehicles that highlight the comprehensive range of its logistic vehicle portfolio.

The MBDA Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) (medium-range missile) will complete its formal DGA qualification trials at Bourges towards the end of 2016.

In 2016, arguably the most iconic military vehicle ever – the Willys MB, better known as the Jeep – celebrates its 75th birthday. That milestone is being commemorated at Eurosatory by Africa Automotive Distribution Services (External Stand D490), which has been appointed by the Chrysler-owned Jeep company as an authorised supplier of the current Jeep J8 to selected government organisations around the world.

Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) (Hall 6, Stand K652) is building up the export order book for its Wisent 2 Support Vehicle. This was originally developed as a private venture to meet emerging requirements for a Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT)-based platform that could be rapidly reroled for the specialised armoured recovery vehicle or armoured engineer vehicle (AEV) battlefield missions.

Netline Communications Technologies produces a range of electronic warfare and spectrum dominance systems, including counter-IED systems, active and reactive RF (radio frequency) jammers, and radio/mobile phone tracking devices. Here at Eurosatory (Hall 6, Stand D630) the company is highlighting two new systems that provide defence against small drones and for jamming enemy communications.

UK company WFEL is highlighting its Dry Support Bridge (DSB), which was recently used by the Swiss Armed Forces in a disaster relief operation after heavy rainfall caused landslides and widespread destruction to roads, bridges and pipelines in the municipality of Scuol. The bridge has allowed local communities to regain the use of transport links and will stay in place for up to six months until permanent infrastructure can be rebuilt.