July 2023 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military |
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European Pravda, Ukraine's leading online news outlet, broke the news on July 7, 2023, that Slovakia's President Zuzana Čaputová, during her summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, revealed the signing of an exceptional deal. The contract orders the provision of 16 advanced Zuzana 2 155mm 8x8 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, marking a milestone in Slovak-Ukrainian defense cooperation.
Copenhagen, Denmark - On June 6, 2023, reports emerged of around 100 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces undergoing training in Denmark to operate CAESAR self-propelled howitzers. Pictures and videos posted on social media platforms on July 7, 2023, show these Ukrainian soldiers being trained on the 8x8 version of the CAESAR 155mm self-propelled howitzer, previously owned by Denmark's Defense Forces.
A group of twenty-five soldiers from the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Peacekeeping Centre proudly assembled for a parade at the Gary Holmes Centre, located at 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (5RAR), after successfully completing an extensive training program on the Thales Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle (PMV).
On June 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of State gave its approval for a military sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States. This sale will include 30mm caliber ammunition and related equipment, with an estimated value of $332.2 million. The Defense Cooperation and Security Agency has formally notified Congress of this potential sale.
On July 6, 2023, the company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri, on its Twitter account, presented to the public a video showcasing the exceptional features and amphibious capabilities of the ZAHA (Zırhlı Amfibi Hücum Aracı - Armored Amphibious Assault Vehicle).
On July 6, 2023, the Spanish company TRC announced the delivery of the brand new version of the Cervus anti-drone system to the Electronic Warfare Regiment (REW) 31 of the Spanish Army. After a year of development, this system is ready to be tested in the field to validate its performance and functionality.
According to information released by several U.S. newspapers, on July 6, 2023, the US administration planned to supply Ukraine with artillery 155mm cluster munitions. An official announcement is anticipated on Friday, revealing that the Pentagon will send thousands of these munitions as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million.
ROSTEC, a Russian state defense company, on July 7, 2023, announced the creation of a scientific and production center dedicated to testing and skills development in the field of unmanned aviation systems in the Ural region. This center will focus on designing innovative products to support unmanned aviation and serve as a one-stop shop for providing regional support measures to technology companies in the sector. The project will be carried out in partnership with Chelyabinsk State University and the InSmart group of companies.
According to Benjamin Brimelow's article in Business Insider, tensions persist three years after the initial deadly clash on the disputed Himalayan border between India and China. Despite multiple rounds of unsuccessful talks on disengagement, both countries continue to strengthen their military forces and infrastructure in border hotspots.
Two U.S. senators are pushing for the transfer of two U.S. Iron Dome defense system batteries to Ukraine, Apurva Mahajan reports in Aviation Week: on June 23, Senators Chris Van Hollen and Lindsey Graham wrote a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ranking Member Sen. Roger Wicker (D-Miss.) asking the committee to enable the equipment transfer.
In a recent tweet, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) announced the introduction of its new Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV), specifically designed and developed for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).
Raytheon Australia has recently announced the successful flight test for the crucial LAND 19 Phase 7B project, focusing on the Short-Range Ground-Based Air Defense (SRGBAD) system. This ambitious project encompasses the acquisition of radars, missile launchers, and command and control systems by the Australian Army, as well as their integration with existing military vehicles and radios.
The IDF Caterpillar D9 is operated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Combat Engineering Corps for combat engineering and counter-terrorism operations. This bulldozer enables the neutralization of IEDs, among other threats. The Israeli army is broadcasting a video showing such use.
The Finnish Ministry of Defense on July 6 announced that Finland will deliver more defence materiel to Ukraine. The President of the Republic decided on the matter on 6 July 2023 on the proposal of the Government.
Warsaw, Poland, July 6, 2023 - Poland signed a contract valued at approximately EUR 114 million for the procurement of 24 units of local-made BAOBAB-K truck-mounted mine-laying system. According to the agreement, the delivery of these 24 systems, along with logistical and training packages, is scheduled between 2026 and 2028.
Ukraine has recently enhanced its defense capabilities by acquiring M982 Excalibur GPS-guided munitions as part of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This acquisition was made possible with the support of the United States, which announced its intention in July 2022 to provide Ukraine with advanced artillery systems, including Excalibur shells. Deliveries of Excalibur munitions began in 2022 and continued throughout 2023.
French AID (Agence de l’Innovaton de Défense) announced the selection of the consortium led by MBDA for the Larinae call for projects. Larinae aims to develop, quickly and jointly, a Tele-Operated Munition (MTO, Munition Télé-Opérée), or loitering munition, capable of neutralizing a hardened target within a radius of 50 kilometers. It could operate in swarms.
During an interview with Ukrinform on July 5, 2023, Oleksiy Gromov, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, discussed several topics, including the Ukrainian offensive, military operations, aid and weapons support from allied countries including a possible delivery of Firtina 155mm self-propelled howitzers from Türkiye.
According to a tweet by Arslon Xudosi dated July 5, 2023, Ukrainian forces were recently spotted with a Czech-Polish OT-64 SKOT armored personnel carrier. The OT-64 SKOT, known for its versatility, is expected to contribute to the military operations of the Ukrainian forces.
According to Liu Xuanzun in Global Times, China’s recently announced export controls on gallium could hit the US defense industry, as this material, with China being the leading producer and supplier in the world, is widely used in advanced radar systems installed on warplanes, warships and ground installations, experts said on July 4.
The Iowa Ordnance Training Center at Camp Dodge has received three Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. The first JLTVs were distributed to U.S. Army units in 2016. The IOTC received its first vehicle in January 2023, and two additional vehicles in June 2023.
Teledyne FLIR integrator Thermal Vision Research is working with a leading manufacturer of life-saving protective equipment for military applications, BCB International, to do exactly that. With 160 years of experience in developing protective technology, BCB International provides bespoke camouflage materials that conceal equipment and personnel across a spectrum of different wavelengths to ensure that secrecy and safety work as one.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed an agreement with Thales for the delivery and installation of SMART-L Multi-Mission land-based long-range radars. The SMART L MM/F will contribute to maintaining Swedish airspace sovereignty and will provide superior situational awareness at all times.
RTX (Raytheon Technologies) was awarded a $117.5 million contract by the U.S. Army for low-rate initial production of 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (3GEN FLIR) B-Kit sensors. The advanced targeting sensor systems enhance lethality, survivability and situational awareness in austere environments, providing combat overmatch for the Army's ground combat platforms.
According to an article published by the Jerusalem Post on July 4, 2023, the 1st battery, attached to the 57th Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, employs the latest version of the local-made 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzers, known as Bohdana 2.0, to target Russian troops near the village of Druzhkivka in the central Donbas region. Following the successful testing of this upgraded version, this means Ukraine now has the capability to launch American M982 Excalibur 155mm precision-guided shells from the howitzer.
