The second batch of orders worth of a total US$79 million for low-rate initial production MRAP vehicles were issued this week. The vehicles include the South African designed RG-31, the Australian Bushmaster and the new Golan vehicle, designed under a joint Israeli-US cooperation. Three manufacturers received orders for a total of 180 vehicles. Oshkosh Truck Corporation received $30 million to deliver 30 PVI designed Alpha armored vehicles, (defined as Category I, to be used as urban combat vehicles). Protected Vehicles, Inc. also received $37.4 million to deliver another 60 Golan heavy armored vehicles, produced under cooperation with Israel’s RAFAEL and Oshkosh Truck. These vehicles will comply with MRAP Category II – the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Rapid Response Vehicle JERRV) requirement, expected to be used for operations such as convoy lead, troop transport, ambulance, explosive ordnance disposal and combat engineering. General Dynamics Land Systems Canada received $11 million, for RG-31 armored vehicles, designed for Category I and Category II roles. The company will deliver 10 vehicles of each class. Deliveries of all vehicles is expected to complete within four months (by June 2007). Previous orders worthe $122 million for 200 vehicles were issued to BAE Systems and Force Dynamics. Both are based on South African designed vehicles, producted in the USA.
New Acquisition Plans for MBT, AIFVs in Europe
Land Warfare Weekly Defense-Update
Netherlands to Acquire Leopard 2A8 Tanks and Spike LR 2 Anti-Tank Missiles
The Netherlands has announced plans to procure Spike LR 2 anti-tank missiles from Israeli defense company Rafael. The Spike LR...
Defense Update Weekly Report – 30.8.2024
The following are recent defense updates from the previous week. A concise version of this report is also available in the Defense-Brief podcast.
Main topics in this report
Russia-Ukraine War
Land Warfare News
Aerospace News
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AFV Situational Awareness in the Urban Battlespace
Tamir Eshel - 0
Armored fighting vehicles face other challenges when operating in urban combat. They are exposed to snipers or anti-tank teams operating from elevated positions on rooftops or accessing underground shafts too close for the crew...
Israel’s Indoor Surveillance and Attack Drones
Tamir Eshel - 0
Operating drones low above ground and in complex terrain represents unique challenges, as most drone controls are limited to line of sight and uninterrupted satellite-based navigation. To endure in a GNSS-contested environment and operate indoors or underground, standard drones would not operate in such conditions. The drone platforms specially designed for subterranean or indoor environments require unique networking, sensing, navigation, and controls to enable such operations. Since these missions are complex and the drones are small, they are used in mission-specific roles such as autonomous mappers, FPV-operated lead elements, and armed effectors.
Giga-PtX Project Visions Eco-friendly, Efficient and War-Ready, Synthetic Fuel Supply
Tamir Eshel - 0
Rheinmetall has unveiled the Giga-PtX project, aimed at securing a resilient synthetic fuel supply for military applications. The project envisions a decentralized network of large-scale production plants utilizing hydrogen, CO₂, and renewable energy to produce synthetic fuels. This approach addresses the vulnerability of traditional fossil fuel supply chains in wartime, enhancing combat readiness and sustainability. Cooperating with PtX specialist Ineratec, Rheinmetall’s extensive experience in hydrogen technology underpins the development of efficient, cost-effective solutions for fuel production, crucial for modern military operations. The Giga-PtX project ensures a robust and scalable fuel supply, supporting the operational needs of armed forces.