August 2023 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military |
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In the course of the war in Ukraine, topwar.ru reports, a number of issues came to the surface, including those related to Russian weapons. Many of the wishes of the Russian military personnel have already been implemented in practice. At the same time, the modernization of weapons, based on the realities of the current conflict, continues.
Russia has revealed a cutting-edge self-propelled anti-tank missile system designed explicitly for marine infantry, based on the armored personnel carrier chassis of the BT-3F. The photographs of this new vehicle were released on August 11, 2023, by Russian media. The image shows the BT-3F, an armored personnel carrier, equipped with the Kornet-E anti-tank missile system, featuring two launchers.
In November of 2022, a report by Laurent Lagneau in Opex360 unveiled the U.S. Department of Defense's plan to furnish the Ukrainian army with VAMPIRE laser-guided rocket systems, referred to as the Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment. This strategic move was slated for execution throughout the year 2023. Subsequently, in January 2023, a contract was awarded to L3Harris for the supply of 14 units at a value of $40 million. Notably, the French military also expressed keen interest in adopting this innovative system.
Rheinmetall has reached another milestone with its LUNA NG reconnaissance drone. The Group’s next-generation LUNA-NG air-supported short-range reconnaissance system will soon be in action in Ukraine. The system should be ready for delivery in the course of 2023. The order now placed is worth a low double-digit million euro amount. Rheinmetall is therefore making another important contribution to enhancing the effectiveness of the Ukrainian military through advanced technology. The LUNA NG has already clocked on several thousand hours of flying time, including active deployment.
In a move to strengthen its ground forces capabilities, the Italian Ministry of Defense recently announced plans to acquire 133 German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks. Italy has also launched a national defense program to upgrade its existing 125 C1 Ariete main battle tanks.
South Korean K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers made their Australian debut at Exercise Talisman Sabre 23, ahead of the planned construction of the Australian-variant AS9 Huntsman in Victoria late next year.
According to Asia Pacific Journal, Malaysian defense company Mildef International Technologies has confirmed that, in 2024, it would supply 178 units of their indigenously-made Tarantula 4x4 high mobility armored vehicles to the Malaysian Army.
As reported by topwar.ru, the amphibious 120mm self-propelled howitzer 2S42 Lotos, developed for the Airborne forces, enters the stage of state tests. According to the interim general director of TsNIItochmash Anton Semenyako, the preparation for testing is currently being completed.
In response to Ukraine's urgent demand for 155 mm artillery shells following Russia's invasion, the United States is preparing to intensify production, aiming to achieve a monthly rate exceeding 80,000 shells as early as next year. The announcement was made by General Patrick Ryder, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, during a briefing at the Pentagon on August 10, 2023.
On August 10, 2023, the Biden administration urged the American Congress to allocate over $13 billion in emergency aid to the defense of Ukraine, with an additional $8 billion dedicated to humanitarian support for the remainder of the year. This financial injection comes as the Russian invasion continues, and the Ukrainian counter-offensive faces challenges.
Production has commenced in Russia for the Gastello kamikaze drone, an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specifically designed to meet the unique needs of operators in special military operations zones, according to a development engineer. The production is expected to reach an impressive volume of 5,000 units per month.
The German government is reportedly on the brink of supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles, capable of targeting objectives up to 500 kilometers away. While the delivery of such a system might not be a game-changer on its own, an increase in missile deliveries could have a significant impact, especially if the United States decides to send ATACMS missiles.
At the forthcoming Armya 2023 defense forum that will again take place at Kubinka, Russian company JSC Remdizel will present an unmanned armored vehicle called "Chisel", and another armored vehicle called “Titan” intended for special forces.
On August 5, 2023, the Indian Army announced the integration of the Swathi Mk2 WLR radar, a lighter and more compact version than its predecessor, the Swathi Mk1, augmenting its mountain surveillance capabilities amidst a backdrop of constant tensions with China.
On 10 August 2023, the Estonian government once again reaffirmed its commitment to assist Ukraine in its ongoing struggle against relentless Russian aggression. During a recent cabinet meeting, the government unanimously supported the proposal presented by the Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, marking a significant step in the bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Abuja, Nigeria – August 10, 2023: In a significant move to ensure stability in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared the activation of its regional "standby force" with the intention of reinstating constitutional governance in Niger. The decision was made following a high-profile meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, subsequent to a one-week ultimatum given to the military junta of Niger.
According to an article by The Indian Express on August 10, 2023, Indian Army has initiated a Request for Information (RFI) process to procure 650 high mobility vehicles (HMV) featuring a 6x6 configuration and equipped with material handling cranes (MHC). The decision is grounded in the context of intensified infrastructure development and operational expansion along the northern borders during the past three years, a strategic approach that gained prominence after the border standoff with China in May 2020.
The mass production of the advanced Russian self-propelled artillery system, the 152mm howitzer 2S35 "Koalitsiya-SV," has begun even before the completion of its national testing. This announcement was made by Vladimir Artyakov, 10 August 2023, the Deputy Director General of the state-owned company "Rostec."
On August 10, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced the establishment of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) task force, an initiative that reflects the DoD's commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in a responsible and strategic manner.
Shield AI, an American defense technology company building a top-class AI pilot, and Sentient Vision Systems (Sentient), an Australia-based leader in AI-enabled passive wide area search, announce a strategic collaboration aimed at delivering a wide area motion imagery (WAMI) solution for Department of Defense (DoD), Australian Defense Forces (ADF) and other international customers.
According to information released by Russian media on August 10, 2023, images of the first serially produced 120-mm self-propelled artillery system, known as "Phlox" or 2S40, have surfaced on social networks. Deliveries to the Russian army are anticipated shortly, with rapid deployment expected on the Ukrainian battlefield.
In January 2022, the editorial team at Army Recognition reported that Brazil had initiated a new acquisition program to acquire 36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers. Citing a tweet published by "International Defence Analysis" on August 10, 2023, it appears that Turkey is now one of the contenders, offering its locally-made YAVUZ 155mm 6x6 self-propelled howitzer, designed and developed by the company MKE.
On August 9, 2023, the German government released an updated document detailing the list of military equipment provided to Ukraine. This publication confirms the successful delivery of two additional German Patriot PAC-3 air defense missile systems to Ukraine, in addition to the system already delivered in April 2023, along with the corresponding missiles.
According to an article from Australian Defense on August 10, 2023, Indonesia received 15 Thales Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMV) from Australia. These vehicles are intended to enhance the Indonesian peacekeeping capabilities under the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
Thales Australia, based in the New South Wales region, announced on August 7, 2023, that the Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR) has been successfully supplied to Ukraine. This achievement was made possible with the support of the Australian Department of Defence, which facilitated the shipment of a limited quantity of ACAR weapons to Ukraine in early July. The delivery was part of a comprehensive package of weapons and munitions from Thales Australia's Lithgow Arms division. Reports indicate that the ACAR weapons were provided in two calibers, namely 5.56mm and 7.62mm.
