The French company GIAT is developing a low-recoil 120mm gun to equip future air transportable armored fighting vehicles weighing around 18 tons. The 120 FER is a derivative of the F1 gun mounted on the Leclerc main battle tank, retaining the same qualities, such as a long barrel, providing better accuracy, trunnion balance and stabilization. The main difference is the lower recoil forces extracted to the turret and, therefore, reducing integration constraints. The new 52 Cal. Smooth bore, chromium plated gun weighs 2.5 tons (including cradle) and measures 7.1 meters in length (barrel length is 6.2 meters). It can fire all current NATO ammunition (STANAG 4385) as well as newly developed ammunition and is suitable for future ETC-ignited ammunition.
European Armies Accelerate Armor Modernization as US Scales Back Legacy Programs
As the U.S. Army scales back its armored vehicle programs, European nations are accelerating major modernization efforts, acquiring thousands of new armored fighting vehicles across multiple platforms. This article examines key programs in Greece, Romania, and the Netherlands, highlighting recent, local industrial involvement, competing international bids, and the broader implications of diverging transatlantic defense priorities.
Rheinmetall Showcase Enhanced SSW40 Grenade Rifle at DEFEA 2025
Rheinmetall showcased its enhanced SSW40 grenade rifle at DEFEA 2025, a magazine-fed, semi-automatic 40mm launcher with advanced fire control and planned support for programmable airburst munitions. Designed for both low- and medium-velocity grenades, the SSW40 significantly expands the precision and range of squad-level firepower.
U.S. Army 2025 Restructuring: Strategic Realignment and Industrial Impact
The U.S. Army’s 2025 restructuring marks a decisive pivot—from legacy platforms to precision fires, autonomy, and rapid mobility. While this transformation opens new opportunities in missiles, drones, and sustainment tech, it also puts pressure on traditional players. We break down the winners, the exposed, and what this means for investors and defense suppliers.
Israel Pursues Loitering Weapons for Main Battle Tanks
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) is evaluating initial proposals from some local companies to decide what types of loitering weapon systems will be deployed on Israel's Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava 4 main battle...
Active Protection Systems (APS) – An Evolving Shield
Modern warfare, especially lessons from Ukraine, highlights the critical need for Active Protection Systems (APS) on armored vehicles. Dive into the evolving world of APS with this detailed overview covering leading systems like Israel's Trophy and Iron Fist, Russia's Arena-M, Germany's StrikeShield, Turkey's AKKOR and PULAT, China's GL-6, South Korea's KAPS, and India's latest developments. Explore their unique technologies, combat capabilities against ATGMs, drones, and top-attack threats, recent deployments (as of 2025), and the future trends shaping vehicle survivability.
