Not since Falco have we seen such an awesome display of Teutonic Hip Hop skills. It’s great to see that someone had fun at SHOT Show.
Archive for the ‘International’ Category
ePIG’s SHOT Show Experience Was ePIC
Monday, February 3rd, 2020Rheinmetall to Supply the Bundeswehr with Another 1,000 Trucks – Order Worth Almost €400 Million
Monday, January 27th, 2020At the end of December 2019, the German Bundeswehr ordered a thousand logistic vehicles from Rheinmetall worth €382 million, including valued added tax. The order is the third call-off from a framework contract signed in July 2017 encompassing over 2,200 state-of-the-art military trucks, which the Bundeswehr is purchasing as part of its “Unprotected Transport Vehicles” project. Of the thousand vehicles just ordered, 675 have a five-ton payload, while the remaining 325 have a load-carrying capacity of 15 tons. Starting in January 2020, the trucks will be built at the Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) plant in Vienna, with delivery to be complete by the end of the year.
Featuring a basic military configuration, these robust, off-road-capable vehicles will be available to support the Bundeswehr’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) 2023 mission.
Awarded by the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) on 5 July 2017, the framework contract, which runs for a period of seven years, encompasses a total of 2,271 vehicles from RMMV’s HX family. As a first step, 558 vehicles were ordered right away. A further call-off of 252 vehicles followed in May 2019, and another 60 in November 2019.
Serving the twin modern imperatives of mobility and security, the Düsseldorf-based technology group is thus playing a key role in the project to modernize the Bundeswehr’s fleet of trucks, which includes thousands of vehicles. Most of the principal components – the engines, axles, transmissions and build-ons – are made in Germany. The vehicles are assembled at the RMMV plant in Vienna.
Particularly when it comes to multinational operations, the global presence of RMMV vehicles offers major advantages with regard to interoperability and logistics. Among others, current user countries include the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark. Norway and Sweden have also placed substantial truck orders with Rheinmetall.
Rheinmetall books €110 million-contract to extend the service life of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle for the Bundeswehr
Sunday, January 26th, 2020The Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to carry out new measures for extending the service life of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. In order to maintain the operational readiness of this tracked vehicle, the drivetrain of 71 Marder 1A5 vehicles will be replaced. During the 2020-2023 timeframe, Rheinmetall will be supplying the German military with a total of 78 conversion kits as well as vehicle tool kits and special tools, logistical support, an initial store of spare parts, and training and instruction. The order is worth around
€110 million, including value added tax. The service life extension will maintain and expand the capabilities of the Marder, which the Bundeswehr first fielded in 1971.
As a first step in replacing the drivetrain, a new powerpack will be installed in all of the vehicles, which will boost the Marder’s engine output from 600 to over 750 HP. The new powerpack will significantly enhance the tried-and-tested vehicle’s responsiveness. Here, the Bundeswehr has opted for a highly advanced, forward-looking new solution proposed by well-known German manufacturers.
Under a comprehensive development contract, the Marder fleet has already undergone significant modernization. For example, the new MELLS multirole lightweight antitank guided missile system has recently been integrated into various versions of the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, while a new driver vision system, a thermal imaging aiming device and a fire detection and extinguisher system have also been ordered. Series contracts have already been awarded for parts of this service life extension, with performance upgrades now reaching the troops.
First and foremost, these service life extension measures are designed to eliminate known obsolescent elements in the Marder. Here, individual measures can be supplied as modular conversion kits and – as part of planned maintenance operations, for example – integrated in order to assure ready availability of the vehicles.
Awarded to Rheinmetall in December 2019, this Bundeswehr order has the potential to lead to more service life extension measures both at home and abroad. Besides Germany, the armed forces of Chile, Indonesia and Jordan all use the Marder infantry fighting vehicle.
As a system developer and supplier, Rheinmetall has immense expertise and experience with the Marder. The weapons system first rolled off the assembly lines of the predecessor of the company now known as Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH in Kassel. Extremely reliable and battle tested, the Marder is set to serve as an important asset of Germany’s mechanized infantry units for several more years, even though the Bundeswehr is currently taking delivery of the last of 350 Puma infantry fighting vehicles intended to replace it.
Rheinmetall and Thales Are Teaming in Germany within the Field of Unguided and Guided Rockets
Thursday, January 16th, 2020• This agreement aims to support together the future developments, qualification and production of the 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems for the German market
• Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH will lead the team towards the German customers
• Together, the two international groups will propose complementary capabilities for the Tiger MK3 program
Rheinmetall and Thales have signed an agreement to support together the future developments, qualification and production of the 70mm (2.75”) guided and unguided rockets solutions for helicopters as well as potentially other new platforms in Germany.
The Thales 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems are currently operated on UHT Tiger and under certification on Airbus Helicopters H145M. As part of the agreement, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH will lead the team towards the German customers and use its wide experience as main supplier to the Bundeswehr to ensure the future requirements are met.
The agreement deepens the existing relationship between Thales and Rheinmetall in this field as other members of Rheinmetall Group are working in collaborative integration programs with Thales like on Rheinmetall Canada’s Mission Master UGV.
Together, Rheinmetall and Thales propose important complementary capabilities, especially in the frame of the Tiger MK3 program (guided rocket in “Lock-On-Before-Launch” mode, additional communication between the rocket system and the platform, identification, remote control…)
Torsten Böhm, Senior Vice President ‘Business Development and Sales’, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition:
“The multi-decade experience and quality of the Thales 70mm rockets fit perfectly to Rheinmetall’s activities to provide the users in Germany with the best products. The Thales portfolio in this domain is complementary to the current Rheinmetall technical portfolio. This gives the opportunity to combine forces, but more important gives the user direct access to products, meeting the highest requirements on effectiveness, accuracy and safety. And that is our mission.”
Stéphane Bianchi, director of the Airborne Armament business segment, Thales:
“This strengthening of the collaboration in Germany between Thales and Rheinmetall is good news for both groups. We will provide our expertise with the 70mm (2.75”) rocket systems, which equip already many platforms in the world, and Rheinmetall the knowledge of the German customer. This is a true win-win, at a time when Airbus Helicopters is developing its Tiger MK3 version.”
Blackhawk Secures Contract to Equip French Army with T-Series L3D Holsters
Tuesday, January 14th, 2020
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – January 14, 2020 – Blackhawk, a leader in the law enforcement and military equipment realm for over 20 years, announced today that it will participate in a contract for the French Armament General Directorate to equip newly furnished Glock G17 Gen5 pistols with new T-Series L3D holsters. The French Army recently selected the G17 Gen5 and multiple accessories to be used as their standard handgun and the new equipment, including the Blackhawk T-Series holster, will be distributed to the French troops within the first months of 2020.
As part of the contract, over 75,000 pistols, holsters and related accessories will be provided to the French Army over the next three years. The tender, launched in early March 2019, was open to multiple possible candidates who were asked to submit their entries for review. As part of the try-outs conducted by the French DGA, all equipment was subjected to a series of stringent tests to asses both the reliability and user-friendliness of the offered pistols and their accessories.
“The recent selection by the French Army to pair newly acquired Glock G17 Gen5 pistols with our T-Series L3D holsters is a tremendous validation of the innovation and durability featured in our new duty-rated holsters,” said Josh Waldron, President of Blackhawk. “We are extremely proud and honored to have been chosen by Glock to serve as the holster supplier for this tender. The French Army will be receiving our newest holster system that has been specifically engineered for compatibility with multiple platforms, making it one of the most versatile options available for military and police agencies.”
Developed with a low-friction, dual-density internal material, the T-Series holsters allows for a smooth and effortless draw, while its external design features a proprietary glass reinforced nylon and soft touch polymer lines for the upmost durability. Adding to its versatility, the T-Series L3D holster is standard with three different mounting options. User can select either the S.T.R.I.K.E®/MOLLE Platform, T-Series Duty Belt Loop or Blackhawk drop leg platforms, all featuring the patented Blackhawk Quick Disconnect System. This unique and one-of-a-kind system allows the holster to be quickly and conveniently moved from one platform to another with no tools required.
Designed to follow Blackhawk’s Master Grip Principle, all T-Series holsters have been specifically developed to allow the user’s hand to land naturally where it should in order to deploy the sidearm. This efficient movement pairs with a sound-dampening, low-friction, dual-density internal material that translates into a smooth, quiet draw.
For more information on the new L3D holster from Blackhawk or to view the complete line of T-Series holsters be sure to visit www.blackhawk.com.
Forge Works / LMSGear OD & Thin Blue Line Blades
Monday, January 13th, 2020
Now available, from LMS Gear are the OD Green G10 with orange pins and Thin Blue Line versions of their Blade made in conjunction with Forge Works.
Check them out at lmsgear.net.
Netherlands Fractal Pattern In Action
Saturday, January 11th, 2020The Dutch Army recently shared photos of Soldiers deployed to Mazar-e-Sharif on Resolute Support Mission.
“The men from the Delta platoon, consisting of soldiers of 42 bataljon Limburgse Jagers, recently ran a social patrol in a town in the province of Balkh. They also practiced shooting with the Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL), because they will soon be providing base defense on a part of an Afghan base in the north.”
What’s interesting is the combination of MultiCam uniforms and armor in the new NFP.
Rheinmetall Modernizing a Further 21 Bergepanzer 3 Armoured Recovery Vehicles for the Dutch Army, Bringing Them Up to the Latest Standard
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020
The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have awarded Rheinmetall an order for the second phase of the modernization of their fleet of Bergepanzer 3-Büffel/Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles. The operational effectiveness of twenty-one vehicles will be upgraded. The order is worth a mid-double-digit euro million figure. Now launched, Phase 2 follows a first order awarded in April 2019, when the Royal Netherlands Army contracted with Rheinmetall for the modernization of four Bergepanzer 3 Büffel/Buffalo ARVs.
Starting immediately, Rheinmetall will completely overhaul another 21 Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARVs of the Royal Netherlands Army, bringing them up to the latest technological and tactical standard. This will extend the service life of these tried-and-tested combat support vehicles – developed by Rheinmetall on the basis of the Leopard 2 chassis – through to the year 2040. The Dutch armed forces will take delivery of the first vehicles at the beginning of 2021.
Modernization work will take place at Rheinmetall locations in Kassel, Germany as well as in Ede in the Netherlands. It will include a complete overhaul of the individual armoured recovery vehicles and a new digital operating concept; the installation of advanced visualization technology; mission packages featuring ballistic and mine protection; and new battlefield recovery equipment together as well as a universal transport platform. Also included in the contract are technical documentation, training and other services.
This service life extension will give the Dutch armed forces a reconfigured state-of-the-art ARV with significant growth potential. New force protection features both on and in the vehicle will keep the crew extremely safe from modern battlefield threats. Cutting-edge visualization systems, digital operating elements and command systems will support the crew while carrying out their tasks. Furthermore, new battlefield recovery equipment will boost the vehicle’s tactical effectiveness. It will be transferred to the rear section of the vehicle. This will let the crew hook up to a damaged Royal Dutch Army vehicle such as the Bushmaster, Boxer, CV 90 infantry fighting vehicle, PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, Leguan bridge-laying tank, Kodiak combat engineering vehicle or the Leopard 2 main battle tank without having to leave the safety of the fighting compartment, before towing it from the battlefield at high speed in forward gear. In addition, the modified version of the Bergepanzer 3 Büffel ARV will feature a flexible-use universal transport platform mounted on the rear section of the vehicle. To cite just one example, this can be used for carrying equipment for recovering other vehicles. The new equipment has already demonstrated its effectiveness during deployed operations.
This contract confirms the emergence of a new standard for modern armoured recovery vehicles. As recently as December 2018, the Bundeswehr contracted with Rheinmetall to modernize its fleet of Bergepanzer 3 vehicles, ensuring they remain a match for current and future operational scenarios. Similar mission configurations are in service with the armed forces of NATO member Canada as well as Sweden.
Already underway, the service life extension of the Royal Netherlands Army’s armoured recovery vehicles underscores once again Rheinmetall’s comprehensive expertise when it comes to the globe-spanning Leopard 2 family. This expertise extends from maintenance and modernization programmes to advanced armament concepts, and from the production and technical knowledge of the system’s original equipment manufacturer right through to comprehensive technical and logistic support for entire vehicle fleets – including service support during deployed operations. The portfolio of the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group for mobility and security also includes training and simulation solutions for Leopard 2 crews.
