Armored vehicles

Plasan's Stinger light combat vehicle is a 6.8-ton vehicle based on a standard HMMWV chassis, configured with a highly protected capsule meeting STANAG 4560 Vol1 Level 4, a protection level rarely accommodated by vehicles at this weight class. The 4x4 vehicle is designed for extreme maneuverability off-road and on the road, including narrow streets in urban areas.

The Scarabee (Beetle) unveiled by Arquus at IDEX 2021 is a good example of such a specialized combat vehicle. As a lightweight, agile and protected platform. As the first hybrid-electric combat armored vehicle developed by Arquus Scarabee offers certain advantages for reconnaissance and patrol missions available only for electrically powered vehicles.

The Israeli and German Defense Ministries have signed an agreement to equip the German Leopard 2A7A1 tanks with the TROPHY Active Protection System. The government-to-government (G2G) agreement covers the supply of APS to equip 17 tanks making a single company of the German Army.

To achieve Terrain Dominance through technology overmatch, IMCO Industries combines platforms, sensors, and effectors developed in-house by its subsidiaries, affiliates, and partners. These systems are offered as upgrades of existing systems and equipping new platforms, to embrace the opportunities and challenges of the 21st-century battlespace.

Elbit Systems announced today that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $172 million to supply light tanks to the Philippine Army. As the prime contractor, Elbit Systems will supply the “Sabrah” light tank solution based on the tracked ASCOD platform that is manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Bárbara from Spain, and on the wheeled Pandur II 8X8 platform manufactured by Excalibur Army from the Czech Republic.

The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) has completed a successful firing of Rafael's SPIKE LR missiles in a demonstration in Slovenia, December 2020. During the demonstration, the Slovenian Army also fired SPIKE missiles using the new dismounted digital SPIKE launcher ICLU. Both launchers includes a provision for the use of the more advanced SPIKE LR2.

As the most sophisticated combat vehicle of Russian production, the ARMATA Main Battle Tank and heavy Armored Fighting Vehicle family has a high price threshold, by Russian standards. The ambitious plan forecasted the induction of 2,300 ARMATA-class tanks by 2025, but by the end of 2020, the fielding of ARMATA still lags, with completion of development expected only by 2022.

The French Delegation for Armaments (DGA) has qualified the command post vehicle (EPC) variant of the GRIFFON vehicle, destined to equip the Scorpion regiments in the French and Belgian Armies. The SCORPION program calls for the delivery of 333 EPCs, half of which will be delivered by 2025. The arrival of the GRIFFON EPC is complementary to the GRIFFON VTT Félin, with the goal of projecting a joint battle group (GTIA) into a foreign theatre of operations by 2021.

With new survivability solutions, including advanced ERA against kinetic and chemical energy threats, passive armor stopping threats beyond the medium caliber level, and blast protection from mines and IEDs, Plasan's expertise become essential for combat vehicle manufacturers producing efficient designs of next-generation platforms such as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).

Germany and France began to harmonize requirements and concepts, with the intention to formalize joint system architecture for their future main battle tank, currently known as the 'Main Ground Combat System' (MGCS). This future combat system is expected to succeed the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 and the French Army’s Leclerc beginning in 2035.

Russia has been testing its latest and most advanced tank - the T-14 Armata in Syria. Since the tank is currently in a developmental testing phase, it is likely that its mission to Syria is considered a field trial rather than a combat mission. First deliveries to operational units are expected next year.

A unit of the Russian Guard Tank Army based in the Western Region received the first batch of T-90M tanks in March 2020. The tanks are the latest, most advanced upgraded versions of the T-90 family. The Russian Army expects to receive about 400 tanks, some will be refurbished and the others new built.

The long rod penetrator made of Tungsten is used with Svinets KE projectiles. It penetrates 600 mm of steel, the penetrator made of depleted uranium can penetrate up to 700 mm of steel.

We salute SMi and its sponsors John Cockerill and Lockheed Martin for their bold decision and commitment to the armor community for keeping this event going, providing this virtual venue updating us and providing unique networking opportunities despite the social distancing and travel restrictions imposed on us around the world.