US purchases for $118 Mn 60 Dutch Gepard tanks sold to Jordan for €21 Mn.

As reported by De Telegraaf on November 13, 2023, the United States has concluded a significant arms deal with Jordan, acquiring 60 Gepard 1A2 35 mm air defense systems for a total sum of $118,375,740 (approximately €110 million). These vehicles, commonly known as Cheetahs or 'pruttels,' originally changed hands when the Netherlands sold them to Jordan in 2013, albeit at a significantly lower price of 21 million euros (approximately $22.4 million).
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The Dutch variant of the Gepard, denoted as PRTL, incorporates an X-band search radar with a 15 km range and an X/Ka-band tracking radar with a 13 km range. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The origin of this transaction can be traced back to 2013 when the Dutch army completed the sale of its last batch of 60 Cheetah 35mm anti-aircraft systems, referred to as 'Pantser Rups Tegen Luchtdoelen' (PRTL) or 'pruttel.' Following the sale, these systems were shipped from the Eemshaven to Jordan. While this marked a substantial loss for the Dutch armed forces, it presented a unique opportunity to generate revenue for defense purposes and provided the Cheetahs with a second lease on operational life. Additionally, the Netherlands played a pivotal role in training Jordanian shooting instructors on the operation and maintenance of these tracked air defense systems.

The recent arms deal with the United States, reported by De Telegraaf, was formalized through a contract awarded on May 31, 2023. The US Department of Defense placed an order of $118,375,740 with Global Military Products (GMP), a small business company specializing in defense procurement. GMP, operating as a division of Global Ordnance (GO), is situated in Tampa and Sarasota, Florida, and boasts a logistics hub in Sarasota. As a Veteran Owned Small Business, GMP positions itself as a prime system integrator, focusing on the procurement and delivery of worldwide U.S.-standard and non-standard ammunition, supplies, weapons, and platforms.

The company's expertise extends to international and domestic logistics, covering air, ground, and sea transportation. GMP has developed a network of global partners, agents, and subcontractors, facilitating efficient operations and enabling them to navigate the cultural and political nuances that impact port regulations globally. The company's established material control procedures for cargo handling are adaptable to both peaceful and conflict scenarios. Proactive process design enables GMP to identify, rate, and mitigate risks related to quality, cost, and schedule. Additionally, the company emphasizes fostering partnerships with stakeholders and actively engages in coaching suppliers for optimal processes and performance.

The Gepard 1A2, also known as the Cheetah, is a 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft system developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) between 1976 and 1980. Built on the Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank tracked chassis, the Gepard features a two-man turret armed with two 35 mm Oerlikon Contraves KDA cannons. Each cannon is loaded with 310 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition and 20 rounds of armor-piercing ammunition. The Gepard 1A2 boasts a maximum road speed of 65 km/h and a road cruising range of 550 km.

One of the key features of the Gepard is its radar systems, ensuring continuous airspace surveillance and contributing to its effectiveness in engaging targets. The 35mm cannons exhibit a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute, making it highly effective against various threats, including drones such as the Iranian Shahed-136 drone. It's worth noting that the Dutch variant of the Gepard, denoted as PRTL (PantserRupsTegenLuchtdoelen), incorporates an X-band search radar with a 15 km range and an X/Ka-band tracking radar with a 13 km range. Additionally, the turret is outfitted with six smoke grenade dischargers on each side, adding to its defensive capabilities.