Defense News December 2021 Global Security army industry Posted On Thursday, 30 December 2021 17:41 According to news published by the Russian press agency TASS, India could be the first foreign customer of the new Russian-made S-500 also named 55R6M and nicknamed Triumfator-M or Prometheus, the latest generation of Russian surface-to-air defense missile system. Russian-made TEL Transporter Erector Launcher Unit of S-500 air defense missile system (Picture source Russia MoD) During an interview on the Russian TV channel RBC, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov has announced that India may be the first foreign buyer of Russia’s most advanced S-500 air defense missile system. "Beyond a doubt, once we deliver this system to our troops, India will be the first on the list if it expresses its desire to buy these advanced armaments," said the Russian Prime Minister. Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on July 20 that the S-500 air defense system conducted a successful test-launch against a fast-moving ballistic target at the Kapustin Yar proving ground. The S-500 Prometheus, Russian designation 55R6M is Russian-made mobile air defense missile system designed to target and destroy a wide range of aerial threats including aircraft, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The S-500 missile is manufactured by the Russian company Almaz-Antey. The first tests of the S-500 were conducted in 2015 and the production began in 2017. The missile of the S-500 is able to destroy aerial targets at a maximum range from 500 to 600 km and an altitude from 180 to 200 km. With these technical features, the S-500 is also able to destroy ICBM (Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles) as well as low-orbit satellites in Earth's troposphere. A battery unit of S-500 includes an undisclosed number of TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) called 77P6, Command Posts 55K6MA and 85Zh6-2, an Acquisition and Battle Management Radar 91N6A(M) nicknamed Big Bird, one 96L6-TsP acquisition radar, one 76T6 Multimode Engagement Radar, one 77T6 AMB Engagement Radar, and one 40V6MT Universal Mobile Mast System. The radar systems used with the S-500 battery are able to detect aerial threats at an estimated distance of 2,000 km. According to Russian open sources information, the S-500 is capable of responding to the threats in less than 4 seconds and simultaneously attacking up to 10 ballistic missiles flying at hypersonic speeds of 5 to 7 kilometers per second. In July 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Russia has already conducted the first firing test with the S-500. A video was released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on July 20, 2021, showing a live firing test with an S-500 TEL (Transporter Erector Launcher) unit, that was held during a training exercise at the Kapustin Yar range, https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2021_global_security_army_industry/india_could_be_the_first_foreign_customer_of_russian_s-500_missile_system.html

Defense News January 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Sunday, 09 January 2022 16:02 The first picture of the Israeli-made SIGMA 155mm 8x8 wheeled self-propelled howitzer has been released on the Twitter account of Caesar (@Ninja998998). The SIGMA is a new generation of 155mm 10x10 wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems. New Israeli-made SIGMA 10x10 wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the company Elbit System. (Picture source Twiter account Caesar) In August 2021, Army Recognition has reported that the Israeli company Elbit Systems has developed a new truck-mounted 155mm self-propelled howitzer to meet a need of the Israeli army. Today, wheeled howitzers become very popular for all armies in the world offering the advantage to be lighter and more easily deployable by fast reaction units using military transport aircraft. It also offers a high level of mobility and simplified logistics. With this new picture, and according to Army Recognition team analysis, the SIGMA 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer is based on a modified American-made Oshkosh 10x10 military truck chassis with an armored cabin at the front that can provide ballistic and mine protection for the crew. The rear part of the SIGMA 155mm howitzer is fitted with a turret-mounted artillery weapon system including a 155 mm/52 caliber barrel. The design of the turret suggests that the SIGMA 155 will be also equipped with a fully automatic loading system. According to Jane's website, the SIGMA 155mm howitzer is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station including an automatic loading system that sets the fuze, load the projectile, and then the Uni-Modular Artillery Charge System (UMACS) with the primers will be automatically loaded via a separate magazine. In November 2021, the Israeli company Elbit Systems has announced a contract valued at approximately $106 million to supply SIGMA fully automatic self-propelled howitzer gun systems to a country in Asia-Pacific. According to Elbit Systems, SIGMA is a 155mm/52 caliber self-propelled howitzer capable of automatic loading and lying of the gun system, rapid in-and-out action times and high rate of fire. The vehicle has a crew of three. Depending on the mission, SIGMA is capable of automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant and fuze and laying the gun to optimally engage targets. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2022_global_security_army_industry/first_picture_released_on_internet_of_israeli_sigma_155mm_10x10_self-propelled_howitzer.html

Serhiy Vilkov, Head of the Development Department of the Ukrainian company Practika has announced that the Kozak-2M2, 4x4 light tactical armored vehicle could be produced in Indonesia. The Kozak-2M2 is a 4x4 light tactical armored vehicle designed and manufactured in Ukraine by the company Practika. (Picture source Wikimedia) In 2020, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ukrainian company Practika and PT Pindad from Indonesia to develop and produce military equipment. According to open sources information, in 2021, Indonesia has received two Kozak 4x4 armored personnel carrier vehicles to conduct research and development. The Kozak is a Ukrainian armored personnel carrier fully developed and designed in Ukraine by the company Practika. The first version of the vehicle was unveiled on August 24, 2009, during a military parade in Kyiv to commemorate the Independence Day of Ukraine. The previous version of the Kozak 2 was based on the EuroCargo 4×4 truck chassis developed by the Italian company Iveco Defence Vehicle, while the Kozak-2M2 is based on a monocoque design with a body shell built up from armor plates, rather than attaching them to a frame. This reduces weight for a given amount of armor. The Kozak-2M2 also has an independent suspension to provide high mobility in off-road conditions. The vehicle is powered by a 7.8 L IVECO Diesel engine developing 352 hp coupled to a ZF manual transmission with six forward and one reverse gears. The Kozak-2M2 has a crew of three and can accommodate up to 8 infantrymen who are seated on individual anti-mine blast seats. The hull of the vehicle provides ballistic protection STANAG 4569 Level against the firing of small arms using 7.62×39mm API BZ caliber ammunition. In APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) variant, the front section is fitted with four doors with bulletproof glass windows, two on either side of the cabin and two in the troop compartment. One large door with a bulletproof vision block and firing port is mounted at the rear of the hull allowing the infantrymen to quickly enter or leave the vehicle. Each side of the troop's compartment has three vision blocks and firing ports. The roof of the Kozak-2M2 can be fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with a machine gun up to 12.7mm caliber. The vehicle has a combat weight of 15,000 kg with a length of 6.23 m, a width of 2.3 m, and a height of 2.3 m https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/indonesia-plans-to-produce-locally-kozak-2m2-ukrainian-4x4-light-armored-vehicle.731810/

Defense News December 2021 Global Security army industry Posted On Sunday, 26 December 2021 15:11 South Korean Army K2 Black Panther in live demonstration (Picture source Army Recognition) The K2 Black Panther is a new generation of main battle tanks designed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development and manufactured by Hyundai Rotem. South Korea has already offered to other countries to produce a local version of the K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tank (MBT) including Poland and Norway. South Korea had proposed to Poland to produce locally a Polish version of the K2 MBT to replace its aging fleet of T-72M1 and PT-91 MBTs currently in service but Poland has taken the decision to acquire 250 American M1A2 SEP V3 tanks. In November 2021, Army Recognition has reported that Norway has shortlisted two candidates to acquire a new main battle tank, including the South Korean K-2 Black Panther tank and the German Leopard 2A7. During the ADEX 2021 defense exhibition in South Korea, Hyundai Rotem has unveiled the K2NO Black Panther Main Battle Tank fitted with a turret modified according to specific requirements of the Norwegian armed forces. The K2 Black Panther is a new generation of Main Battle Tank (MBT) designed, developed and manufactured in South Korea by the South Korean Company Hyundai Rotem. The K2 was unveiled for the first time to the public during the Defense Exhibition ADEX at the Seoul Airport in October 2009. The main armament of the K2 Black Panther consists of a German-made Rheinmetall 120-mm/ L55 smooth-bore gun produced under license in South Korea. The gun is fitted with an automatic loader which ensures the loading of projectiles on the move even when the vehicle moves on uneven surfaces. The 120mm gun can fire about 10 rounds per minute. The K2 Black Panther has a crew of three including a commander, a gunner, and a driver. It has a combat weight of 55 tons with a length of 10.8 m, a wide of 3.6 m, and a height of 2.4 M. The K2 MBT armor consists of Composite Armor and ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor). The tanks can be also fitted with an APS (Active Protection System) to provide protection against incoming threats as anti-tank guided missiles and rockets. It includes soft and hard-kill systems. The K2 tank is equipped with auto-target detection and tracking system and hunter-killer function offering to the commander to rotate and elevate its sight independently from the gunner's sight. This allows the tank commander to maintain situational awareness while the gunner is servicing a target. The tank also features an electric gun and turret driving system. The gunner primary sight and commander panoramic sight are stabilized in two axes and include a thermal image and laser rangefinder enabling day and night observation. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2021_global_security_army_industry/egypt_holds_talks_with_south_korea_to_produce_locally_k2_main_battle_tank.html

Defense News December 2021 Global Security army industry Posted On Saturday, 25 December 2021 19:17 According to information published on the Twitter account of Mahmoud Gamal on December 22, 2021, Egypt could sign soon an agreement for the acquisition of the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer manufactured by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense. South Korean company Hanwha Defense displays an Egyptian variant of the K9, the K9EGY at the EDEX defense exhibition in Egypt, December 2021. (Picture source Army Recognition) During the Egypt Defense Exhibition EDEX, which was held in Cairo from 29 November to 2 December 2021, the South Korean company Hanwha Defense exhibited a special version of its K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer under a special version dubbed K9EGY with a desert scheme. According to open sources information, in 2010, K9 was evaluated by the Egyptian military to replace its aging artillery fleet. However, the deal was delayed as the Egyptian government requested a reduction on technology transfer fees, which the Korean government had the ownership, not the company. Since 2017, the South Korean company Hanwha Defense is in negotiations for the sale of the K9 Thunder howitzers. A K9 howitzer was sent to Egypt in July and performed test-firing at a range located at west of Cairo in August. K9 Thunder will be competing against four other artillery systems from France, Russia, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. During the edition 2021 of Egypt Defense Exhibition EDEX, it was announced that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discussed the possibility to acquire the K9 that could be produced under license in Egypt. The K9 is one of the most popular self-propelled howitzers in the world, with some 1,700 units of the K9 are in service with seven countries including South Korea, Turkey, India, Poland, Finland, Norway, and Estonia. Recently, Hanwha Defense Australia has signed a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia for the supply of its Huntsman AS9 self-propelled artillery system to Australia, a South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer tailored for the Australian army. The K9 Thunder is a South Korean 155 mm self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense. The first K9 was delivered on 17 December 1999 and was fielded to the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. The main armament of the K9 Thunder consists of a 155 mm/52 caliber ordnance with a maximum firing range of 40 km. A total of 48 projectiles and their associated charges are carried for ready use. The maximum range of fire is 30 km with standard HE projectile and 40 km with a rocket-assisted projectile. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2021_global_security_army_industry/egypt_could_sign_ soon_an_agreement_to_acquire_k9_155mm_howitzers_from_south_korea.html

Naval News December 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry Posted On Wednesday, 15 December 2021 16:56 According to information published by Al Arabiya on December 15, 2021, the German Brandenburg-class frigate Bayern sailed into the South China Sea for the first time in almost 20 years. F123 Brandenburg-class frigate Bayern (Picture source: Pinterest) Bayern is an F123 Brandenburg-class frigate of the German Navy. The Brandenburg-class frigates are 138.85 meters (455.5 ft) long, have a maximum draught of 6.3 meters (21 ft) and a beam of 16.7 meters (55 ft). A CODOG propulsion system is used, combining two MTU diesel engines and two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines for a total installed power of 38 MW. The ships achieve a maximum speed of more than 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). They have a displacement of 4,700 tonnes. Their sensors include Thales LW08 D-Band air search radar, Thales SMART-S F-Band surface radar, Thales STIR-180 fire-control radar, two Raytheon Redpath I-Band navigation radars; a low-frequency active sonar system (LFASS) towed array, and mounted sonar by STN Atlas. https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/december/11122-brandenburg-class-frigate-bayern-enters-south-china-sea.html

By TOC On Dec 27, 2021 MOSCOW, – The Russian manufacturer Uralvagonzavod [UVZ], which is part of the state corporation Rostec, has sent a batch of T-72B3M tanks to the Russian Ministry of Defense, learned Bulgarian Military.com, citing a press release sent on Monday [December 27th]. “The armored vehicles have passed a full set of tests accepted by customers following the requirements of regulatory and technical documentation and the terms of the contract and are ready to serve in the ranks of the Russian army,” UVZ said in a statement. The work was carried out as part of the implementation of the state defense order, which provides for the modernization of T-72B tanks to the level of T-72B3M. It is noted that compared to the original version, the delivered T-72B3M has significantly improved performance. T-72B3M is one of the new products that were demonstrated in 2018 at the Army Military-Technical Forum. This is a deeply modernized version of the main battle tank T-72. T-72B3M is equipped with a new diesel engine with 1130 hp, additional protection for the dome, side protrusions, and bottom. The car is equipped with modern daily fire control systems, digital communications, and some other new systems. In addition, the tank is armed with a new 125-mm gun with improved ballistics and resource, Sosna-U sight, digital ballistic computer, and panoramic sight installed at the workplace of the commander of the vehicle. Uralvagonzavod produces a wide range of engineering products, including freight cars and components for them. The company is 100% owned by the state corporation Rostec. The main operators of the Russian T-72B3 tank are Russia [1,150 units], Belarus [20 units], and Syria [unknown number of units]. It is reported that before it was officially introduced in 2018, the T-72B3 was tested in real combat conditions in Syria. In the summer of 2018, T-72B3 tanks were spotted in the Syrian army’s combat formations in the Golan Heights region bordering Israel. In November 2014, Armament Research Services, based on photos from TV Channel 24 and a video from the Vesti program, published a report on the use of the T-72B3 in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Interesting fact – until 2019, T-72B3 uses thermal imaging optics made in France, but in the same year, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation decided to replace the French thermal imaging with Russian. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2021/12/27/russia-received-t-72b3m-tanks-with-a-new-improved-125-mm-gun/

By TOC on Dec 25, 2021 Saudi Arabia has launched its own “missile program”, which is being implemented with the support of China, learned Bulgarian Military.com, citing the Defense Express. Saudi Arabia to acquire the anti-ballistic missile system THAAD in 2023 Not a bluff, Russia intends to sell the S-400 to Saudi Arabia This is evidenced in particular by satellite images, which show that Saudi Arabia has begun to build appropriate infrastructure for the production and testing of missiles in the desert area. According to the authors of the Polish portal Defense24, the Royal Strategic Missile Forces of Saudi Arabia have up to 12 launchers and up to 120 Chinese-made DF-3 ballistic missiles in “export” modification with a range of up to 2,800 kilometers. These missiles were out of the Saudi Army that replaced them with the Chinese missiles DF-21 with a range of up to 2,100 kilometers. The delivery of these missiles took place in the 80s and 2010s of the last century in complete secrecy. DONGFENG DF-21D In the current situation, Saudi Arabia needs ballistic missiles to counter Iran and Yemen, which are actively using ballistic missiles to attack Saudi energy facilities and other infrastructure. Riyadh, for its part, has dared to ask Beijing for help because it feels a certain “security vacuum” from the White House as a “traditional” ally of Saudi Arabia. As we announced earlier, the United States secretly “delayed” the delivery of additional missiles to Saudi Arabia for Patriot SAM and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for F-15 fighters to shoot down missiles and “kamikaze drones” of the Hussites. That is why Riyadh has decided to rely on “weapons of revenge”, ie. – to develop its ballistic missiles to hit targets in Iran. And in this situation, China’s choice as a major partner in Saudi Arabia’s “missile program” seems quite natural. Saudis and Koreans will make an air defense system As we reported in February this year, Saudi Arabia and South Korea begin joint production of the Biho II mobile air defense system. BIHO II ADS Hanwha Defense is a South Korean company that will produce the air defense system. Saudi Arabia’s Science Technology is the Arab company that will defend Saudi Arabia’s image in the project. According to preliminary information, the new mobile air defense system will have a turret and 30-millimeter cannon, and four surface-to-air missiles. In recent years, the Arab company has gradually established itself in international defense markets by building various partnerships. These actions have allowed Science Technology to transfer know-how and technology from countries like the United States, Ukraine, and South Korea. The company is also one of the participants in the state investment program Vision 2030. Riyadh is also developing an unmanned bomber Saudi Arabia intends to develop its version of an unmanned heavy bomber. The executor of the project will again be the Arab company Science Technology. The project is already underway, and Science Technology revealed details at the ongoing defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi – Index 2021. According to the company, the new drone must perform several activities, including support for attack missions, search, rescue, and surveillance. It is not ruled out, the company says, that the bomber will also support the navy by conducting patrols and coast guards. Science Technology claims that the future Arab drone will be competitive in international markets, as its price will not be high. So far, however, the company has not disclosed details about the characteristics of its future product. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2021/12/25/china-to-help-saudi-arabia-build-a-missile-program-in-the-desert/

Defense Aviation News December 2021 aerospace air force industry Posted On Thursday, 30 December 2021 16:50 According to information published by Tass on December 30, 2021, Pakistan has decided to buy 25 Chengdu J-10C multi-role fighters from China amid strained relations with India. J-10C multi-role fighter (Picture source: Airwar) The purchase comes after the Indian Air Force received another batch of French-made Rafale fighters, the agency said. In September 2016, India and France signed a contract for the delivery of 36 Rafale fighters worth about $8.8 billion. The aircraft is manufactured by Dassault Aviation. All the fighters are due to arrive by the end of 2022. Equipped with an advanced avionics system and various airborne weapons, the domestically-developed fighter has airstrike capabilities within medium and close range and is capable of precisely striking land and maritime targets, the air force said in a statement. It is China's third-generation supersonic fighter and made its debut when the PLA marked its 90th anniversary in July 2017 at Zhurihe military training base in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is equipped with an indigenous Active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire-control radar and is equipped with imaging infrared seeker (IIR) PL-10 and new long range dual pulse rocket motor PL-15 air-to-air missile (AAM). https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/december/8012-pakistan-buys-25-chinese-made-chengdu-j-10c-multirole-fighters.html

weapons defence industry military technology UK Posted On Thursday, 30 December 2021 16:21 According to the 2016 annual report of Rostec’s Uralvagonzavod Corporation, the manufacturer of MBTs (Main Battle Tanks), a contract was signed in 2016 with Vietnam for the delivery of 64 T-90S and T-90SK (K for Command, Komandniy) MBTs. Russian-made T-90S of the Vietnamese Army (Picture source QPVN through VietDefense.) The first batch of 32 Russian-made T-90S tanks was delivered in January 2019 and the second batch of T-90S was delivered in February 2019. Vietnam is a major importer of Russian arms in Southeast Asia. The aggravation of relations with China in the 2000s because of territorial claims in the South China Sea pushed Vietnam to mount military-defense cooperation with Russia. An intergovernmental memorandum on military-technical cooperation up to 2020 was signed in 2008. Vietnam inked major contracts with Russia for the supply of fighter jets, air defense weapons, frigates, missile boats, and submarines. Currently, the Vietnamese operate a total of 1,379 main battle tanks including 64 T-90S, 850 T-54/T-55, 70 T-62, 45 T-34 from Russia, and 350 Type-59 from China. The T-90S is now the most powerful main battle tank in service with the Vietnamese armed forces. The tank is one of the most popular combat vehicles of its class and is in service with Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Russia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Vietnam, and Yemen. The Russian T-90S tank has a combat weight of 46.5 tons with a crew of three including a commander, driver, and gunner. The T-90S is armed with a 2A46M 125 mm smooth-bore dual-axis stabilized gun (an ammunition load of 42 rounds), a 7.62 mm coaxial machine-gun (an ammunition load of 2,000 cartridges), and an anti-aircraft 12.7 mm heavy machine-gun (an ammunition load of 300 cartridges). The T-90MS carries 40 rounds of 125mm, 22 are ready to be used on an automatic carousel autoloader, other ammunition are stowed in a special hull rear section to avoid the risks of explosion and provide high crew survivability. The main gun of the T-90S is also capable to fire anti-tank guided missiles with a firing range from 100 to 5,000 m. The T-90S protection includes steel composite and Kontakt-5 reactive armor able to defeat modern armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The Vietnamese version of the T-90S is fitted with the Shtora-1 active protection system (APS), an electro-optical active protection system or suite for tanks, designed to disrupt the laser designator and laser rangefinders of incoming anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). One electro-optical/infrared (IR) "dazzlers" interface station is mounted to the left and right of the main gun, which includes an infrared jammer, modulator, and control panel. The T-90S is powered by a 1,000 hp (750 kW) engine made by Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The tank can reach a top road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 550km. It can cross a ditch of 2.6 to 2.8 m, a wall of 0.85 m, and a water obstacle with a depth of up to 1.2 m. https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/russian_t-90s_most_powerful_tank_in_service_with_vietnamese_army.html

Defense News January 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Saturday, 01 January 2022 17:03 According to information published by the "Zone Militaire" website on December 31, 2021, French Company Nexter was contacted by the Indian Government in the framework to participate to the Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) program of the Indian Army and could propose the modernized Leclerc XLR Main Battle Tank. Nexter has developed the Leclerc XLR main battle tank, a modernized version of the Leclerc tank in service with the French army. (Picture source Army Recognition) In June 2021, Army Recognition has reported that India published a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 1,700 main battle tanks that would replace the old Russian-designed T-72M/M1 Ajeya MBTs (Main Battle Tanks). Currently, the French army has launched a program to modernize its fleet of Leclerc Main Battle Tanks (MBT) to the standard Leclerc XLR for 2028. This program constitutes the third operation launched by the French Ministry of Defense under the SCORPION program intended to modernize the French Army's contact forces. Valued at approximately €330 million, the contract provides for the delivery of 200 "Renovated Leclerc" tanks and 18 "Renovated DCL" armored recovery vehicles based on the Leclerc MBT from 2020. The upgraded Leclerc MBT will have more firepower and protection. It also will be fitted with a new remotely operated weapon station mounted on the roof of the turret as well as a new modernized computerized firing control system. Citing the "Zone Militaire" website, following a question asked by the French Deputy Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, if the French company Nexter could win the procurement of the 1,700 MBTs for India, French industry could relaunch production of the Leclerc tanks for India and France will be able to offer a new competitive price of Leclerc tank for the Indian army and for the export market. According to the military balance 2020, currently, the French army has a total of 222 Leclerc MBTs, but the French Deputy Nicolas Dupont-Aignan said, today the needs of the French army would be to have 400 tanks. India could start the replacement of its old T-72 MBT from 2030, and the French defense minister said, Nexter with the German company Kraus-Maffei Wegman under the umbrella of KNDS are studying solutions to meet Indian demand. The Leclerc XLR is a modernized version of the French-made Leclerc Main Battle Tank (MBT) designed and manufactured by the French Company Nexter Systems, will keep the same armament as the standard Leclerc tank which consists of a Giat 120 mm 52 caliber smooth-bore gun designated the CN 120-26. The turret of the Leclerc XLR is equipped with an automatic loading system that contains 22 rounds of ready-use ammunition normally loaded from outside through a small hatch in the back of the turret bustle. The new Leclerc will be able to fire two main types of 120 mm ammunition, the APFSDS (Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding-Sabot) with a muzzle velocity of 1,790 m/s and HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) with a muzzle velocity of 1,100 m/s, both having a semi-combustible cartridge case containing a dual-base solid propellant. The Leclerc XLR is upgraded with a new armor package that includes additional modular armor on the hull and the turret. The front part of the hull side is protected by thick passive armor, while the rear part is fitted with wire cage armor to protect the engine compartment against attacks of RPGs (Rocket-Propelled Grenade). https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2022_global_security_army_industry/nexter_from_france_could_propose_modernized_leclerc_tank_for_replacement_of_indian_t-72_mbts.html

Dylan Malyasov 9/15/2021 Russian troops conducted a Zapad 21 (West 21) military maneuvers using the newest B-19 armored vehicle with the unmanned Epokha combat module. The latest version of the Russian Army’s BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, called the B-19, was used during large-scale military exercises for the fir time. The B-19 combat vehicle is equipped with an Epokha unmanned weapon station, which carries the 57mm automatic cannon and Kornet anti-tank guided missiles. Advanced version of Soviet-era BMP-3 fighting vehicle also equipped with the Bulat missile system that designed for the elimination of emplacements and lightly armored vehicles. “An armored group, comprised of a B-19 armored vehicles squad, was engaged after the mock enemy’s main forces approached the first line of defense of the forces of Belarus, India, Mongolia and Russia, in order to increase the activity and sustainability of defense during fights for important frontiers, positions and regions,” the Ministry of Defense told journalists Monday. Epokha’s key feature is an automated search and recognition system that tracks enemy objects and provides a firing solution for the simultaneous or consequential use of two-weapon channels. https://defence-blog.com/russian-military-fields-new-b-19-combat-vehicle/