Archive: News & Articles

Representatives of the Belgian Navy and Belgium Naval and Robotics (ECA Group and Naval Group) consortium have unveiled the logo of the Mine Counter Measure (MCM) programme being jointly developed with the Dutch Navy, and focused on its operational gains – safety and rapidity. In terms of safety, men will be far from minefields because […]

Representatives of NAVIRIS (the 50/50 joint venture between Naval Group and Fincantieri) and Navantia outlined the details of the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) programme at Euronaval 2020. During a roundtable chaired by Jean-Marie Dumon (GICAN), Domenico Rocco, NAVIRIS’ sales manager, and Yann Floch, head of the engineering department, recalled that France and Italy agreed on […]

Yes, you read that correctly; there is a new multi-tool on the military market, ideally suited for special operations forces – but, also for any soldier being deployed in rough, uncertain terrain. COMBAR, from Israeli start-up ACLIM8 – was several years in the design and making of a simple, sleek, field tool, that seems transcendental when […]

According to official statistics for 2019, Poland experienced another decline in the export of its locally manufactured weapon systems and military equipment. The country’s defence industry exported goods and services worth approx. €390M last year, whereas in the preceding year, the value of arms exports was closer to €487M. In comparison to previous years, Poland’s […]

The high-accuracy tactical-grade STIM277H Gyro module and STIM377H Inertial Measurement Unit are based on experiences and requirements from serving customers in the space segment during the last decade. The modules have a hermetic aluminum enclosure with a glass-to-metal sealed electrical micro-d connector and a laser-welded lid to secure long-term hermetic operation. All parts are tested for […]

Bear Midkiff is Vice President Sales and Marketing for John Cockerill Defense.The Belgian company, with over 200 years history, presents its modular turrets and weapon systems as a part of a comprehensive solution for customers around the world. ESD: The COVID-19 crisis has caused a great deal of difficulty in business worldwide. How did the […]

The annual International Exhibition of Rotorcraft Equipment (or HeliRussia) was held at the Crocus Expo Centre on the outskirts of Moscow from 15 to 17 September with 153 exhibitors (including 40 from the media) making it the smallest since 2009. Previously scheduled for May, it was moved to this new date due to COVID -19, making […]

The 2020 edition of the EURONAVAL exhibition will be held in Paris-Le Bourget from 20 – 23 October 2020. ESD was granted an exclusive interview with Hugues d’Argentré, Director of SOGENA, which organises EURONAVAL. In this interview, Mr d’Argentré addresses the most pressing topics for would-be exhibitors and visitors to EURONAVAL 2020. ESD: How many […]

Belgium and the Netherlands will replace almost their entire fleets in the next 15 years. This will mean six new ships for the Belgian Navy, and 23 for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Some of these new ships are being developed jointly by Belgium and the Netherlands, while for some others the Netherlands is seeking cooperation […]

Saab has received an order from its German partner Diehl Defence for the RBS15 anti-ship missile to be supplied to the German Navy. The order value is approximately 1.7 BSEK with deliveries between 2022 and 2026. This is part of a framework agreement between Saab and Diehl Defence, which offers the possibility for additional procurement […]

The MSPO exhibition in Kielce, Poland, has just started. It’s a national show but this year its importance is not to be underestimated, as much of the defence world – politicians, industry, exhibition and conference organisers, the military, the media etc – will be looking to learn lessons about professional, large-scale exhibitions in the post-COVID-19 […]

While most members of NATO have standardised on 120mm smooth bore tank guns and their suites of ammunition for their Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), there has been a complete lack of standardisation of medium calibre weapons for their infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) with currently deployed vehicles in Europe being armed with 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm […]

Gerhard Heiming At the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) virtual exhibition in Washington from 28th to 29th August 2020, Airbus Helicopters announced the launch of the latest version of the LAKOTA helicopter, with an order for 17 aircraft. The UH-72 belongs to the widely used H145 family, whose military and civilian versions […]

Since General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and engineering and technology firm SENER began collaborating in 2008, the international partnership has resulted in significant agreements regarding the MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for Spain and its adaptation to the requirements of the Spanish Armed Forces. The latest joint development effort is a NATO Pod, designed and […]

Korhan Özkilinc The Turkish armaments company Roketsan has opened the Research Center for ‘Satellite Launch, Space Systems and Advanced Technologies and Explosive Raw Materials Production Plant’. The company will continue to work on its sounding rocket at the facilities where it has carried out successful tests in the past. The aim is to launch satellites […]

Arie Egozi The Indian government is about to approve a deal to purchase two additional PHALCON Airborne Early Warning (AEW) systems from Israel. This comes after India purchased three such aircraft in 2004, based on the Russian ILYUSHIN 76, in which Elta installed the radar and other systems. The proposed deal is estimated at US$1.2bn and […]

Yury Laskin Tests of several modifications to the BrahMos cruise missile to extend its range are planned for 2020, one of Russia’s top defence industries officials announced at the ARMY-2020 Forum. India, with whom Russia developed the missile, is among the top exhibitors at the show, having a strong national pavilion. In June, the BrahMos […]

The Spanish Ministry of Defence has awarded a €1.74 bn (US$2.06bn) contract to a joint venture of General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) and three other companies to deliver 348 8×8 Wheeled Combat Vehicles (VCR), their maintenance and life cycle support, as well as support their international commercialisation. The GDELS-SBS contract is for […]

The organisers of DVD2020, which is jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the British Army, have today announced that they have taken the difficult decision to cancel DVD2020, in light of the ongoing pandemic. Despite working hard to ensure that, wherever possible, the event could continue to run as planned, organisers have […]

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) appointed Walid Abukhaled as its Chief Executive on Sunday as it pressed ahead with its plans to localise defense spending, local media reported. Mr. Abukhaled, who was promoted from his post as Acting Chief Executive, has nearly 30 years of experience in military industries. Prior to his role at SAMI, […]

Gerhard Heiming The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded a ten-year contract to Avon Protection to supply complete personal CBRN respirator systems. Under the leadership of Finland and Norway, technical requirements and specifications for end-user testing were developed. The framework agreement allows NATO countries and their partners to purchase breathing protection systems from Avon […]