Colt Canada has debuted the .308 Win Patrol Marksman in rifle and carbine length variants of the operationally proven C20 platform at the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association conference in Penticton, BC Canada.
Based on Colt Canada’s best-in-class C20 Semi-Automatic Sniper Weapon System platform, the .308 Win Patrol Marksman allows end-users to exercise SAAMI spec commercial-off-the-shelf ammunition versatility and availability with Colt Canada’s legendary reliability and performance.
Galvion, a world leader in innovative head protection systems and power and data management solutions, has received a follow-on order from the Department of National Defence (DND) Canada for its flagship Batlskin Caiman® ballistic helmet systems. The Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract was awarded in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers, all successfully delivered. Now in year two of a five-year framework contract, the DND has exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, to date.
Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system has been tried and tested on operations and is in service across multiple countries, delivering unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future. The helmet is equipped with Galvion’s premiere APEX lining system, an intuitively adjustable design that enables a customized fit for users.
The helmet systems assessed for DICE were trialled by members of the Canadian Light Infantry at the end of 2022. Conducted under operational conditions, the trials included the integration of equipment such as night vision goggles, gas masks, hearing protection, and cold-weather gear. The Caiman helmet received the highest rating by a significant margin and was selected after a phased bid process.
Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this significant order from the Canadian DND. The feedback that we are receiving is incredibly positive, and we look forward to outfitting more Canadian soldiers with our best-in-class Caiman head system under their wider equipment modernization initiative. Follow-on orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.” He added: “In conjunction with the substantial Caiman orders that we continue to receive from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract, this recent Canadian order demonstrates that our flagship Caiman is fast becoming the global helmet of choice. In our unwavering pursuit to enhance the agility, lethality and survivability of the world’s most demanding military teams, this is certainly a rewarding achievement for our team.”
Posted in Contracts, Helmets, International | Comments Off on Galvion’s Receives Follow-On 8,400 Batlskin Caiman Helmet Order for the Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) Programme
EID signs €33m contract with NATO Communications and Information Agency
Cohort, the AIM-listed independent technology group, announces that, following a competitive tender, its subsidiary EID has signed a contract with the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) to supply the Portuguese Army with a Tactical Deployable Communication and Information System (TDCIS). The value of the signed contract is €33 million with delivery over a three year period.
Andy Thomis, Cohort Chief Executive, said:
“We are delighted that EID has been selected for this important programme. EID is well-known for its communications technology and TDCIS will provide the Portuguese Army with a highly effective, modern system, interoperable with NATO allies. Together with recent contracts to provide its Integrated Communications System to Damen for the Portuguese Navy´s Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) and to the Chilean Navy, this win takes EID’s order intake to over €45m in the last 4 months.”
Munich, Germany, 12.07.2024 – Quantum Systems, the Munich-based manufacturer of dual-use reconnaissance drones that use multi-sensor technology to collect data for government agencies and commercial users, confirms for the first time the deployment of a previously unreleased AI sensor upgrade of the type “Receptor AI” in Ukraine. The new upgrade kit is based on a Jetson Orin Nvidia chip and several sensors for the Vector reconnaissance drone. The further development enables optical navigation during the day and at night and in poor visibility conditions, as well as automated AI-supported object recognition and identification.
Enabling navigation in GNSS-denied conditions
In times of electronic warfare, navigation is the biggest challenge for the use of drones. The new Quantum Systems upgrade offers a further option for signal-independent positioning of reconnaissance drones and fundamentally improves their use under GNSS-denied conditions. The new module is being tested and further developed at the company’s recently opened development site in Ukraine.
“Receptor AI” enables autonomous flight at night and in bad weather thanks to infrared-supported visual navigation. Object sensor technology has also been significantly improved. Hardware and software upgrades now allow better object detection, classification, identification and tracking of objects.
Equal weight and range of the system with update kit
“We are implementing the upgrade without any weight changes and with the same range,” says Daniel Kneifel, Director of Software Engineering at Quantum Systems. “We are designing these adaptations without fundamental changes to the existing platform architecture.”
“We are demonstrating that AI does not have to be an abstract topic, but offers tangible benefits in use. For Quantum Systems, the combination of hardware and software is crucial to being able to offer market-leading solutions in the field of aerial intelligence.”
Sven Kruck
CRO and Managing Director
Quantum Systems
NorArm is launching two new products, the Range Shirt and Range Pants.
The camouflage pattern seen here is what they have decided to call Wild Tiger Stripe, inspired by the Middle-Eastern energy drink Wild TIger, made popular by the Global War on Terror veterans. Everyone who buys this shirt will also receive a free sticker that they based on the original Wild Tiger logo.
They are looking at launching the Range Shirts this month, while the Range Pants will be somewhat delayed.
Sign up for their newsletter so you won’t miss the launch.
Founded by “Andy” a UKSF Veteran, Hotspur LEAF, Ltd is becoming well established in their homeland with a reputation for offering elite military customers high quality spirits in innovative packaging. This makes for excellent gifts and mementos. They are also gaining some interest from US units who have begun to see the bottles during exchange visits. The bottles have been restricted to military units and their members, until now.
Their OPERATOR Range is just open is open to civilian purchase and features a bottle with custom lid which is a perfect scale replica of a high-cut FAST helmet. Cast in solid pewter, it includes a ‘functioning’ night vision system and an IR strobe that are initiated by a motion sensor and powered by an internal, rechargeable, battery.
Every Operator lid is hand assembled in the UK by craftsmen. The pewter outer is bolted, with stainless bolts, to an internal 304 stainless steel carriage that also supports and holds the electronics. The 304 stainless steel pouring spout engages with the stainless carriage and seals via an ‘o’ ring seal.
The 1st Civilian Edition is filled with an 8 year old single malt, single cask scotch whisky, specially chosen by Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox at the Annandale Distillery in Scotland. For military bottles there are options on the spirits you may like.
To maintain its OPERATOR ‘DNA’ the bottle is packaged in an ex-military 40mm grenade ammo tin.
Here’s what you get:
• Presented in a genuine military issue 40mm grenade tin. (These are supplied from the Ministry of Defence and may show signs of wear and on occasions rust) This is intended to add OPERATOR Character to the product.
• A presentation booklet that documents Jasons journey and reasons for being involved with the OPERATOR brand.
• An FFE Certificate (Free From Explosives as supplied in an old ammo can)
• A certificate of authenticity
• A Quality Assurance card
• Every bottle is individually numbered.
• The 1st Edition is strictly limited to 2500 pcs.
• Pre orders will receive a free OPERATOR 40mm HE grenade hip flask. Offer ends when the first bottles are shipped, this is likely to be Mid/end of July 2024.
I actually learned of the line through Jason Fox who is a brand ambassador for The OPERATOR Range. Jason is also UKSF Veteran and a founder of ThruDark, a clothing brand. I then chased Andy and his main business Hotspur LEAF Ltd, down through some friends at Edgar Brothers who are starting to work with The OPERATOR Range.
Andy had this to say about what motivated him to create this brand:
Hotspur LEAF was created to embody the core principles from UKSF selection process. These include honesty, integrity, humility & to be relentless in the pursuit of excellence. Values we strive for every day within our business.
The business began in the shadows, solely supplying discreet military units and related entities with premium quality spirits & bespoke laser engraved items. We earned a reputation for quality, discretion and a ‘name’ for creating truly unique products for unique people. We grew steadily through personal recommendation.
I recently spent about an hour on a video conference with Andy and I was overwhelmed by their offerings. Check them out.
Rheinmetall has been given the largest order in the company`s history concerning logistic vehicles by the Bundeswehr. The framework-contract was now signed in Koblenz and incorporates the delivery of up to 6,500 military trucks, valued up to €3.5bn incl. VAT.
After the budget committee of the Federal German Parliament had approved funding on 26 June 2024, the contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) was signed on 1 July 2024 by the President of the BAAINBw, Annette Lehnigk-Emden and the Management of RMMV. A first call-off for over 610 vehicles, valued at €312m incl. VAT is imminent, of which 250 trucks are to be delivered in 2024. The financing of this call is mainly based on the special funds of the Bundeswehr. Rheinmetall AG will book the order in the third quarter of 2024 of the current fiscal year.
This framework-contract allows the Bundeswehr to flexibly order further quantities of already introduced unprotected transportation vehicles UTF 5t and UTF 15t-trucks for seven years. In addition to that, a new vehicle category will be introduced via the framework-contract: the 4×4 UTF 3.5t. It has a maximum of identical parts to the UTF family.
“The framework-contract is an essential contribution to a fast fulfillment of demand by the logistic forces of the Bundeswehr”, states Michael Wittlinger, Chairman of the management of Rheinmetall Military Vehicles GmbH. “The standardized vehicle family and the uniformity with vehicles of other beneficiary nations establish the HX-vehicles as the main logistic vehicles within NATO and set a standard for interoperability and logistic efficiency within the Alliance. Once again, this order reflects our leading role in the global market for logistic vehicles.”
“The extremely short period of four months from the invitation to tender to the signature of the contract underlines once more that the turning point for procuring logistic trucks has been introduced”, says Armin Papperger, CEO Rheinmetall AG. “We are thankful for the trust in the products of Rheinmetall.”
Already, the Ungeschützte Transportfahrzeug (UTF)-family has been contributing significantly to the performance of logistic units of the Bundeswehr. In July 2017, the Bundeswehr placed an order at Rheinmetall MAN for the delivery of the new family “UTF military all-terrain with 5t and 15t load capacity categories”. The UTFs are a show-case project which, especially within the procurement, has opened new ways. This was the first time that flexible framework agreements with large quantities have been concluded. Since 2017, more than 6,000 HX vehicles will be delivered to the Bundeswehr by the end of 2024, together with the swap-body loader systems (Wechselladersystem or WLS) and 70t tractor units. A large proportion of the added value at WLS and UTF – over 75 percent – is created in Germany.
UTF and WLS are based on the robust HX-family of RMMV. From the beginning, it was designed for military use and is characterized by high mobility, also in heavy terrain. The large world-wide distribution of the HX-vehicle family offers major advantages concerning interoperability and logistics, especially with respect to multinational missions. In addition to Germany, the user group currently includes the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Singapore, Slovenia, Denmark and Ukraine. The newly placed order highlights the high acceptancy of the tried-and-tested HX-vehicles of which about 20,000 are already in use world-wide.
Posted in Contracts, International, Mobility, Press Release | Comments Off on Record Order for Rheinmetall: Bundeswehr Orders up to 6,500 Military Trucks – Value up to €3.5bn
G3 Systems Limited, the British company with over 20 years of operationally proven expertise in designing and producing deployable containerised solutions and providing infrastructure support to military and government organisations in remote locations across the globe, has just started construction works to improve the facilities and security of the British Embassy in Luanda, Angola.
The contract, awarded following a competitive tendering exercise, is a mix of demolition, refurbishment, new build andsecurity improvement works estimated to take 15 months. The project involves a number of complex elements that will have a significant benefit to the location including drainage remedial works, installation of a sewage treatment facility, updating and installing new M&E systems and extensive repairs, improvements and construction of security features for the compound. In addition to the specified construction works, G3 Systems will also be seeking to complete a number of local sustainability/charity projects to support the local community.
Nick Rose, Managing Director G3 Systems said, “This is another superb example of how G3 Systems are able todeliver high quality complex construction projects in remote and challenging locations. We have years of experience in supporting military operations overseas and I am very pleased that we are now able to use that hard earnt expertise to support UK national interests elsewhere in the world. It is also very rewarding for the team to be helping the local community and improving sustainability by effectively recycling and repurposing valuable materials.”
