This week our friends at ePIG Group expand their examination of NATO and commercial camouflage patterns by looking at Infra Red Reflectance using night vision devices.
Archive for the ‘International’ Category
ePIG Group Presents: The Ultimate Camo Comparison – NATO vs Commercial Patterns Night Vision IRR Test
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023Israeli Air Force – First Operational Employment of Guided Parachute System
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023The Israeli Defense Firce has released a video of the first use of a guided resupply parachute system in Gaza. It is a precision system which utilizes ramair parachutes and the IAF has had the capability sonce 2015.
The drop was accomplished by the 103rd ‘Elephants’ Squadron of the IAF utilizing the C130J Shimson. The cargo for the mission was seven tons of water for troops fighting in Khan Yunis.
Blackhawk Awarded T-Series Holster Contract with Belgian Federal Police
Sunday, December 10th, 2023
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – December 7, 2023 – Blackhawk®, a leader in law enforcement and military equipment for over 30 years and a Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE:VSTO) brand, announced today that the United Security Group (USG) has been awarded a four-year contract from the Federal Police in Belgium to deliver new duty holsters from the brand’s T-Series holster line. As part of the contract, law enforcement professionals within the Belgian Federal Police and local police zones in Belgium will begin utilizing T-Series L3D holsters to carry their primary service pistols.
“This contract is a testament to the craftsmanship of Blackhawk products and the brand’s commitment to equipping law enforcement officials around the globe,” said Jeff Sposito, who leads the Blackhawk and Stone Glacier brands of Vista Outdoor. “We take pride in supplying military personnel and law enforcement officers with the gear they need to keep their communities safe, and we know the Belgian Federal Police are now carrying the world’s best holster.”
The Belgian Federal Police selected the Blackhawk holsters to carry their service pistol, the Smith & Wesson M&P9, while the local police zones in Belgium will have the ability to purchase new duty holsters compatible with their Glock 17/45 service pistols.
The USG noted that Blackhawk T-Series is a secure and versatile platform, with the T-Series L3D holsters coming standard with the Jacket Slot Belt Loop or being compatible with the agency selected Blackhawk Micro Tac Platform. This modularity allows officers to select the form of carry most suited to their needs without sacrificing accessibility or security.
The contract has a value of over $2.1 million and features the same holster solution that was adopted earlier this year by the French Army and the Niedersachsen State Police of Germany.
“We are honored to have our T-Series holsters selected by such a prestigious international agency,” said Liam Yarbrough, senior product line manager with Blackhawk. “This partnership signifies the trust officers place in our holsters, and it reinforces our commitment to keeping those who protect and serve safe on the job. It’s a privilege to play a role in their mission, and we take this responsibility seriously.”
To date, T-Series holsters have been selected for duty use by over 3,200 law enforcement agencies both in the U.S. and abroad. As the world’s first thumb-driven, dual-injected molded holster, the T-Series is Blackhawk’s premier duty-rated holster.
Learn more about Blackhawk’s T-Series holster and other duty products at blackhawk.com
Rheinmetall Electronics UK Sign the Armed Forces Covenant
Sunday, December 10th, 2023Rheinmetall Electronics UK have pledged their support and commitment to those who serve, or have served in our forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
By signing the covenant, Rheinmetall Electronics UK will commit to honour and support the Armed Forces Community and recognise the value that serving personnel, including reservists, veterans and their families contribute to both the company’s business and the country as a whole.
Rheinmetall Electronics UK will pledge to support those who commit their lives to the Armed Forces by supporting UK service Veterans and those leaving the forces, offering flexible working arrangements to Reservists and offering support to Cadets through insight days and other engagements. By making these pledges, the company is supporting past, present and future members of the UK Armed Forces and demonstrating their commitment to ensuring all, whether Regular or Reserves, are treated with fairness and respect in the local and wider communities.
Richard Streeter, Rheinmetall Electronics UK Managing Director said:
“It was a great pleasure to sign the Armed Forces Covenant alongside Captain Andrew Robinson RN Captain of the Base at HMNB Portsmouth. For Rheinmetall Electronics UK, this commitment to the covenant demonstrates our support to current, future and past members of the UK Armed Forces, not only with our products but also with our commitment to the welfare of Service Veterans and Leavers, Cadets and Reservists. We remain ever grateful for their service.”
Milrem Robotics Partners with the Ukrainian Defence Industry to Forge Next-Generation Multi-Domain Robotic Systems
Saturday, December 9th, 2023Europe’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer Milrem Robotics and the Ukrainian Defense Industry (UDI) which consolidates national defence industry companies signed an agreement to start forging next-generation multi-domain robotic defence systems.
The agreement, signed during the First Defense Industries Forum (DFNC1) in Kyiv, details several development and manufacturing activities between Milrem Robotics and the members of UDI.
As a first step, the parties will start strategic cooperation in identifying Ukraine’s requirements and use cases for robotic systems which can enhance the capabilities of Ukraine’s armed units in the ongoing war and after the war.
Thereafter the companies involved will integrate Ukraine’s battlefield experience into Milrem Robotics’ existing robotic and autonomous systems and develop new products to create Ukraine’s manned and unmanned multi-domain capabilities.
“This unfortunate war in Ukraine has made it clear that unmanned and robotic systems have an important role on battlefield and this role will increase in time,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “The main goal is to protect the troops and to keep the warfighters safe, but at the same time provide stronger and an asymmetric effect on the aggressor’s forces. We are honoured to cooperate with UDI to develop and manufacture robotic systems which help Ukraine win this war.”
“The First International Defence Industries Forum proved that we are on the same course as our Western partners, as Ukrainian manufacturers signed an agreement with Milrem Robotics and other global arms companies. Currently, Ukraine is gaining unique experience in Defense Tech, and we are ready to share this knowledge with our partners. We aim to deepen our cooperation with leading high-tech international companies to build the arsenal of the free world together,» said Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine.
Ukrainian defence developers and manufacturers will be included to integrate their defence technology, such as weapon systems, electronic warfare and mine-clearing equipment with Milrem’s robotic vehicles to meet the requirements of the armed forces.
Additionally, the parties will look into manufacturing THeMIS Combat (with HMG and antitank capabilities), Combat Engineering (mine detection and demining), CASEVAC unmanned ground vehicles and other Milrem Robotics’ products in Ukraine and engineering cooperation in designing a wheeled Robotic Combat Vehicle.
Milrem Robotics has already delivered 15 THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles to Ukraine to support logistics, casualty evacuation and route clearance operations.
Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US. The company is known for their THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle and the MIFIK autonomy kit.
UDI, which was transformed into a joint-stock company this summer, is a strategic manufacturer of weapons and military equipment in Ukraine and unites state-owned defence companies employing around 67,000 highly qualified employees.
Rohde & Schwarz Supplies Combat Net Radio for Bundeswehr
Friday, December 8th, 2023Rohde & Schwarz is the driving force for equipping the German armed forces digital modernization effort with the latest radio communications technology.
Munich, December 7, 2023 – Rohde & Schwarz is pleased to announce its continuous delivery for German armed forces (Bundeswehr) combat net radio (CNR) program, following the selection and contract signing in December 2022 and the recent final confirmation of the procurement. These radios will equip a multitude of the Bundeswehr’s operational platforms and soldiers in command functions. A significant number of communications devices have already been delivered, demonstrating Rohde & Schwarz’ production excellence.
The selected CNR, based on the system and waveforms of the Joint Service Interoperable Radio Equipment (SVFuA) developed and introduced for the Bundeswehr, is already in use in key systems of the land forces. It includes various interoperable form factors, such as vehicle and handheld radios, fixed stations, backpack radios, and a tactical radio for airborne platforms. It provides secure and jam-resistant networking with the Bundeswehr’s national waveforms in parallel to trans-European interoperability with the ESSOR OC1 waveform.
“We are very proud of the selection to equip our land forces with top-notch communication solutions,” said Alexander Philipp, Managing Director of Rohde & Schwarz Vertriebs-GmbH. “The high-rate deliveries of the radio equipment pave the way for a timely provision of the Army with cutting-edge communication and radio technology, marking a major step towards the modernization and digitalization of the Bundeswehr, including the contributions along Germany’s commitments to NATO and EU.”
“We are confident that our communication solutions will greatly enhance the Bundeswehr’s capabilities and support their mission-critical operations. We look forward to support the Bundeswehr and the selected platform integrators to ensure a seamless integration of our communication systems into the overarching architecture and the various platforms.”
The partnership between Rohde & Schwarz and the Bundeswehr highlights the company’s ability to provide leading market-available technology and reinforces the position of Rohde & Schwarz as a trusted partner for defense forces worldwide.
Italian Air Force Flies New MQ-9A Block 5 RPA from GA-ASI
Wednesday, December 6th, 2023Delivery of New Block 5 and GCS Part of Mid-Life Modernization of ItAF’s RPA Fleet
SAN DIEGO – 05 December 2023 – On Nov. 9, 2023, the Italian Air Force (ItAF) made its first flight of a new MQ-9A Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The new RPA was delivered to the ItAF, along with a new Mobile Ground Control Station (MGCS), as part of a Mid-Life Modernization (MLM) update to the ItAF fleet of RPAs from GA-ASI. The aircraft and MGCS are part of a Foreign Military Sale.
The Block 5 RPA provides a significant increase in electrical power generation, auto takeoff and landing capability with improved landing gear and datalinks, and the latest version of the GA-ASI Lynx® Multi-mode Radar.
“The Italian Air Force has long been a leader in using the MQ-9 Reaper to support a wide range of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Italy, over the Mediterranean, and in support of NATO operations,” said GA-ASI Vice President of International Strategic Development Jaime Walters. “The delivery of this new Block 5 and MGCS will help to update the Italian Air Force’s existing fleet.”
The ItAF’s current fleet of RPAs from GA-ASI consists of four Block 1s and two Block 15 MGCSs.
Jankel Launches New Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser LC300
Wednesday, December 6th, 2023Jankel, a world-leader in the design and manufacture of high-specification defence, security and NGO protection systems, has announced the formal product launch of their new armoured Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 vehicle. Jankel is an exceedingly well-established supplier in the world of Civilian Armoured Vehicles (CAVs) and this new armoured variant of the latest Toyota Land Cruiser 300 model is claimed to be a “best in class” product.
Delivering unprecedented levels of protection, functionality and reliability based upon many years of user feedback, the new Jankel LC300 is already being sought after by a multitude of global defence ministries and Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s).
Having qualified the LC300 to the latest edition 3 of the international VPAM BRV and ERV (VR7) standards, Jankel has invested to ensure the developed platform provides the very best protection to its UK home market customers and maximises its export potential to the wider international user groups. Jankel is proud to be the very first to certify their VR7 vehicle with a 2m side blast in accordance with Edition 3 which uses biofidelic dummies to understand the true impacts to the vehicle occupants. The Jankel LC300 has been designed with a bolt in armour solution, electric systems modularity, and unique patented technologies to provide customers with a 10-year service life.
The formal product launch comes as a comprehensive development programme draws to a close.
Understanding the requirement to deliver a future-proofed design from the outset inclusive of customer options, Jankel has taken time to develop and test their design with key differentiators, not wishing to rush to enter the market until absolutely ready to do so. As a result, Jankel’s new LC300 delivers ‘best in class’ protection, safety, capability and functionality including a protection certified for a third row of seats, allowing for 7 people.
Andrew Jankel, Chairman at Jankel Group said: “I’m very proud to be able to formally launch our new LC300 – it’s an exciting product that I have every confidence will meet our customers ever growing needs and expectations. Our development and testing programme has been careful, exacting and supremely comprehensive, delivering a vehicle that benefits from many years of user feedback leading to detailed and innovative product design. We have not rushed this, we’ve taken our time to get it absolutely right and provide a long lasting differentiated product offering”. He added: “As well as the more obvious targets of compliance, protection and safety, our new product is also very focused on through-life reliability and maintainability – essential for fleet managers and operators across the globe. We’ve not just aimed at passing the international standard protection tests, we’ve reached beyond that to enhance the overall performance and operability in every way possible. Our combination of production price and service life offer excellent value for money. I’m very pleased indeed with the team’s efforts and obvious results as we now present our new LC300 to the global markets”.
www.jankel.com/products/civilian-armoured-vehicles/vr7-armoured-toyota-lc300
