Defence`s Feeds

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.

Fuel tanks and containers are particularly at risk from small-arms fire, which is why UK-based Permali Gloucester (Hall 6, Stand H528) has teamed up with US firm High Impact Technology (HIT) on the operationally proven BattleJacket self-sealing fuel tank.

Combining image intensification (I2) with thermal imaging literally intensifies the capabilities of night vision.

Having developed the Fox family of tactical light vehicles and protective technology such as the BLASTech seat, the UK’s Jankel company is launching an innovative product at Eurosatory with the ability to provide a non-contact, non-lethal means of stopping vehicles, writes David Donald.

On the battlefield it would approach almost unseen to deliver a deadly strike. Estonian defence solutions provider Milrem (Hall 5, Stand J521) and ST Kinetics of Singapore are demonstrating for the first time at Eurosatory their weaponised unmanned ground vehicle system, the THeMIS:Adder.

Finnish company Senop (Hall 6, Stand D301), which develops and supplies optical and optoelectronic products, has acquired Rikola, another Finnish company whose products consist of customer-specific sensor modules and hyper-spectral cameras.

Suppressing enemy radio signals on the battlefield not only adds a significant advantage, but is also a valuable protection measure for own troops. Bulgarian company Samel-90 (Hall 6, Stand H287) is showcasing its SVJ-2600 mobile jammer this week, claimed to be the world’s biggest. Displayed on a pickup truck, the SVJ-2600 operates on the 20-6,000MHz frequency band, with 44 frequency sub-bands operated by means of a remote control unit installed inside the vehicle.