Pirata Series from OTB Boots - Coming March 2026!

Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Jankel Receives Follow-on Order of Toyota LC200 pickup Variant

Monday, April 25th, 2022

Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO protection systems, has announced the receipt of a follow-on order for x10 of their twin-cab pickup variant Toyota LC200. The order comes from an undisclosed customer who previously purchased armoured variants of the same vehicle; a contract that was announced in February 2021. In addition to these 10 vehicles, Jankel has recently received orders totalling a further 20 armoured LC200 vehicles from undisclosed customers, globally, sweeping up the last of the LC200 available stock.

With the Toyota LC200 base platform having now gone out of production, the customer secured the base vehicles for this project using Jankel’s “buy now – armour later” scheme to ensure they had sufficient stock of the outgoing LC200’s, prior to conversion. Jankel are highlighting this conversion as an example of how they can adapt any vehicle to meet customer needs and fill specific capability gaps in the specialist protected vehicle market. With no new LC200’s now available, The Jankel pickup design has the potential to become an after-market modification carried out on in-service LC200’s.

Jankel has integrated an existing and proven pickup design with the also proven and certified, Jankel LC200 base platform. Bringing together the strengths of both designs into one offering has resulted in the variant extending the operability through a gain of an additional 650mm in wheelbase. This combined with a heavy-duty rear axle upgrade delivers an increase in Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM-4495kg) and payload (up to 1500kg depending on specification), whilst retaining the existing crew-cab dimensions and space. The technique of lengthening the chassis and incorporating the modular and adaptable flatbed pickup pod is easily adapted to other commonly armoured light vehicles.

In addition to the increased payload and the usable flat 1900mm x 1700mm load bed space, the vehicle can be configured to deliver a number of automotive and user-orientated tactical capability enhancements such as: run-flats; improved brakes; tuned suspension; EMC suppression; fire suppression system; 24v communications installation; door deadbolts; escape hatch; gun ports; weapons mounts; tactical lighting, lightweight Jankel mesh seats and a PA/siren. The lightweight flat-bed can be delivered with a canopy or a hard-top and includes folding/removable sides and integrated modular storage bins.

Looking ahead, Jankel are currently developing their armoured LC300 design that is scheduled for a product launch later in 2022. The result of an extensive design, development and testing programme, Jankel’s new LC300 will deliver ‘best in class’ protection, safety, capability and functionality. Leveraging Jankel’s considerable experience in the field of Civilian Armoured Vehicles (CAVs) gained over many years of high-quality service to the defence, security and NGO sectors, the new LC300 will be an exciting addition to Jankel’s range.

Andrew Jankel, Chairman at Jankel Group said: “We first developed the new pickup variant of our Hot Formed Armoured LC200 as a result of receiving an order from an existing customer in 2021 and we’re delighted to have received this follow-on order for an additional x10 un-armoured variants, underling their confidence in Jankel to deliver”. He added: “Looking ahead, we’ll be launching our armoured Toyota LC300 later this year which is undergoing an extensive design and development programme. We have listened carefully to our customers evolving needs and I believe it will be a best in class, quality product”.

Ventumgear Cable Wrap 4.0

Friday, April 15th, 2022

Premiering at last month’s IWA, the Ventumgear Cable Wrap organizes your cables and leaves room to mount your PTT. Made in Germany from 500D Cordura laminate.

www.ventumgear.com

Raul Rikk to Join Milrem Robotics as Science and Development Director

Tuesday, April 12th, 2022

Estonia’s National Cyber Security Director Raul Rikk will join Europe’s leading developer of robotics and autonomous systems Milrem Robotics as the Science and Development Director.

Raul Rikk is the founder and developer of several international and domestic organizations, including NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) and the National Cyber Security Department at the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

He has extensive experience in leadership, management, coordination and teamwork at various levels of management and in various projects. Raul also has extensive international work experience in many different countries and international projects.

“Milrem Robotics is currently involved in the evaluation and concept development of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) in 14 countries. The next step of these evaluations is the implementation of RAS on a larger scale and a crucial factor in this is cyber security. Especially for military applications. Raul’s role will be improving the usability of robotics enabling them to be applied on a larger scale and thus increasing the defence capabilities of our client countries,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

“Raul’s long-term background in the field of cyber defence, combined with his international experience and Defence Forces background, makes him a very strong addition to Milrem’s team in tackling these challenges,” he added.

“I am delighted to join Milrem Robotics, the defence industry’s flagship of innovation and robotics. The current security situation has made strengthening national defences even more important than before, and in this context the development of defence technologies is a key element,” Rikk said.

“In the coming years, I would like to focus on perfecting Milrem Robotics’ products and services to a level expected by NATO and partner countries,” he added.

Milrem Robotics’ current S&D Director prof. Mart Noorma will depart the company end of May 2022.

“For the last five years Mart has been focused on building our strategic development competences. Thanks to him we now have one of the world’s leading teams engaged in offroad autonomy and for that he has my gratitude,” said Kuldar Väärsi.

Raul Rikk will join Milrem Robotics’ team in June 2022.

British Army to Get Another 100 Boxer Wheeled Armoured Vehicles

Monday, April 11th, 2022

The Boxer success story continues. The British government, represented by the European procurement organization OCCAR, and ARTEC, a consortium of Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), have signed a contract extension to supply the British Army with an additional 100 Boxer wheeled armoured vehicles. The contract encompasses three previously ordered variants of the Boxer: the infantry carrier, the command vehicle and the field ambulance.

In issuing the order, the United Kingdom is exercising an option contained in the contract signed in 2019 for the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) procurement project, which includes 523 Boxer wheeled armoured vehicles in several variants.

ARTEC will be supplying the vehicles to the UK via OCCAR, the intergovernmental Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation. The bulk of Boxer production will take place in Britain. Series production is currently getting underway in Germany, after which most of the Boxer vehicles already ordered will be produced in British factories of Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land and KMW subsidiary WFEL.

The additional vehicles just ordered will also be produced in both the UK and Germany. Here, the partners will be drawing on the knowledge and components of the established and expanding British supply chain, which already forms the basis of the first lot of 523 vehicles.

A modular vehicle – versatile and battle-tested
The Boxer is a highly protected 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle. Its modular architecture enables a greater number of variants than any other vehicle system.

To date, some 1,500 vehicles in twenty different versions have been ordered by Australia and four NATO countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania and the United Kingdom. Australia, a close partner of NATO, has already taken delivery of a first shipment of 25 Boxer vehicles.

Founded in 1999, ARTEC GmbH is a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. The company coordinates series production and serves as the point of contact for export enquiries for the Boxer.

INVISIO Receives Order from an Armed Force in a European Country Worth SEK 91 million

Friday, April 8th, 2022

INVISIO has received a first initial order under the five-year framework agreement that the company announced in January 2022. The contract is with the system integrator of the end-customer’s vehicle modernization program. The order concerns the Racal Acoustics branded new product RA4000 Magna™ headset with accessories. The order value is SEK 91 million. Shipments are related to vehicle deliveries and ongoing until 2026.

The order, as well as the five-year framework agreement, are part of the end-customer’s ongoing modernization program of systems that enable effective communication in heavy and noisy vehicles.

The order and contract, represents a significant strategic success for the new and advanced digital RA4000 Magna™ headset.

The five-year framework agreement has an estimated total value of approximately SEK 275 million.

The agreement is not the first success for the headset. In 2021 a 7-year framework agreement with the Danish army was signed, where the value of the first order under the agreement was almost SEK 44 million.

“There is no doubt that the new RA4000 Magna™ headset is a market leading solution for noisy vehicle environments. We are very pleased with the success and vast potential this headset has. The level of ease and adaptability, where it can be tailored to each vehicle’s specific noise patterns through its digital architecture, makes it ideal to replace both incumbent legacy headset solutions as well as addressing ongoing and future modernization programs,” says Lars Højgård Hansen, CEO of INVISIO.

It is worth noting that deliveries of Racal Acoustics branded products in general may lie further in the future than for products under the INVISIO brand. It is not unusual for some customers to request a first part-delivery within six months whereas the next delivery may not take place until 12-36 months later.

About the RA4000 Magna™ digital headset

The RA4000 Magna™ digital headset is Racal Acoustics’ most recently developed product. It offers market-leading hearing protection, communication capability and situational awareness. The RA4000 Magna™ has modular, customizable, and upgradeable features and accessories, which makes it possible to meet a range of specific customer requirements, while at the same time prolonging the usability and life of the product.

RAMPART Announces Acquisition of XION Protective Gear’s PPE Division

Friday, April 8th, 2022

OTTAWA – April 8th, 2022 – RAMPART International Corp, a leading supplier of operational equipment to Law Enforcement and Military end users, is proud to announce the completed acquisition of the Xion Protective Gear PPE line from Xion Protective Gear.

Xion Protective Gear PPE was established in 2006. Their PPE line of protective base layers can be worn comfortably underneath any uniform or workwear and will protect the user from blunt trauma impact through impact protection technology from D3O®.

From Mike Klein, the founder and President of RAMPART; “The acquisition of the Xion PPE line will allow us to focus on growing the global market for the unique PPE offering, develop generational improvements using new materials and identify new applications for the products”.

RAMPART will be employing its considerable experience and industry presence to offer the product line to customers globally.

While the acquisition is a new change, Rampart and Xion Protective Gear PPE have had a long-standing relationship. “We have been working with RAMPART for many years and are convinced they are the right partner to entrust the future of the Xion PPE branch to in its road to maturity.” wrote Simon Van Lammeren, Managing Director of Xion Protective Gear.

Xion PPE is RAMPART’s first acquisition, Klein commented “Understanding the real-world needs of our customers has been a large part of what has driven Rampart’s success. It will be an exciting opportunity to bring that knowledge directly into the manufacturing process.”

The companies started the process of merging operations and client support logistics in Q1 2022. Going forward Xion Protective Gear PPE will operate singularly under the Rampart company.

The Royal Dutch Marines: A Way of Life

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, Germany – It is a commitment not to be taken lightly. The choice to become a Royal Dutch Marine is more than committing oneself to a new job – it’s committing to a new way of life.

“It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,” admitted Marine 2nd class Collins. Collins, born to a Dutch mother and an American father, followed in the footsteps of his father who served in the United States Army. “I was looking for the biggest challenge I could find, and I was looking for an exciting job, and I found both.”

Collins said that waking up early, not always getting enough food or sleep, combined with the rigors of physical training, initially made adjustment to military life a challenge.

“The Dutch Marines are known for their arduous training programs, which are primarily focused around hardship,” said 1LTC van Haaren. Enlisted Marines must complete two phases to become a Royal Dutch Marine. Part of the second phase takes place at Grafenwoehr, Germany, because according to van Haaren, the Netherlands lacks live-fire ranges. This phase is initial tactical training, and consists of 15 weeks of rigorous training, which is demanding both physically and mentally.

At the completion first phase, only half of the enlisted hopefuls will pass.

The speed march is an example of one of the more challenging physical and mental events for prospective Royal Dutch Marines. The Marines ran carrying rucksacks weighing approximately 40 pounds, in addition to weapons (the Colt C7 and switching off the general-purpose machine gun FM MAG 7.62). The speed march was five miles long and completed in under just 50 minutes.

The reason for the demanding nature of training is simple – to fashion the Marines into their most strong and capable selves, and to ensure only the most resolute of them make it to the Royal Dutch Marine Corps.

“Once you’re in, it’s usually for life,” said van Haaren, who himself plans to make a career of the Royal Dutch Marines.

According to van Haaren, the Royal Dutch Marine Corps specializes in carrying out special maritime operations, amphibious landings, and expeditionary land operations with light infantry units. They can be deployed for long periods of time, under all climatological and geographical circumstances. As sea soldiers, they deploy from Royal Netherlands Navy ships to carry out amphibious landings. On the ground, the Royal Dutch Marines must be capable of sustaining their own survival for up to 72 hours with zero support.

For that reason, both phases of training must be intense.

On the ranges of Grafenwoehr Training Area, equipped with Colt C7s, the Marines practice fire and movement drills which consist of individual and platoon movements. The Marines also work in pairs to train on their general-purpose machine gun, the 7.62 FN MAG, with one Marine reloading and signaling to the firer when to shoot. The ability to do this requires a great deal of teamwork, discipline, and situational awareness.

The practice of live fire could be potentially unnerving for some, but for the right few, the process can be invigorating.

“I really enjoyed the shooting drills,” said Collins, with a grin. “Probably one of my favorite things to do.” Collins had never shot prior to enlisting.

After their time in Grafenwoehr, the Marines will return to the Netherlands and continue their second phase of training. It takes place at the Mariniers Opleidings Centrum at the Van Ghentkazerne in Rotterdam. During this time, the Marines execute multiple land and amphibious validation operations. Fresh challenges will await them, with more demands on their bodies and minds.

For Collins, these demands are worth it. He motivates himself by thinking of his father, who he wants to make proud, and by avowing to himself to finish what he started.

“Being a Marine, to me, means to keep going where others might quit,” said Collins. “To always help the guy to the left and right of you, and to help the less fortunate around the world.”

Once both phases of training are successfully completed, van Haaren said the Marines will receive their “dark blue beret”. From there, they will be assigned at last to the operational units of the Royal Dutch Marine Corps. Their training will be complete, but their real journey and the rest of their lives, will have just begun.

Learn more about the Grafenwoehr Training Area at: www.7atc.army.mil

By SPC Elizabeth MacPherson

After Denmark, Lithuania Joins the Growing List of Small Arms Training Indoor Simulator (SATIS) Customers

Wednesday, April 6th, 2022

On March 17th, RUAG Defence France and the Lithuanian Armed Forces signed a major contract for the delivery of Small Arms Training Indoor Simulators (SATIS), following an international competitive bid process.

SATIS is a high-fidelity simulator for indoor shooting training at individual and unit levels. It is an evolution of SITTAL, which is used by the French Armed Forces in more than 50 garrisons countrywide, and by the Ivorian Armed and Law Enforcement Forces. Lithuania opted for the mobile version, allowing fast and easy deployment from garrison to garrison.

Enhanced, tetherless technology

Supporting a variety of tetherless weapons, SATIS helps individuals improve weapon handling, accuracy, and shooting procedures. Instructors can monitor and analyze all relevant data, including firing position, aiming, cant, cast and pitch, shots, and trigger pressure. SATIS features an automatic after-action review (AAR) to improve the assessment of all shooting parameters and results.

Customizable combat scenarios

The Lithuanian Armed Forces will also be able to use SATIS to strengthen decision-making and coordination competencies by running exercises with groups of up to ten soldiers.

SATIS supports AI (artificial intelligence) managed combat scenarios customizable by the instructor and taking place in a great variety of terrain ((urban, countryside, semi-desert, …).

Strong market position

With this new contract, RUAG Simulation & Training further reinforces its position as a benchmark in the field of combat simulators.