By Dylan Malyasov Dec 2, 2021 Russia has deployed its Bastion shore-based anti-ship missile systems to the disputed Kuril Islands chain in the Pacific near Japan, the Zvezda TV channel said on Thursday. “Russia is free to place on its territory those objects that it considers (necessary), and in those areas of our country in which it considers appropriate. This is our sovereign right, this is the right of any state, it is unlikely that it can be challenged by anyone,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pskov. Peskov also added that Russia values relations with Japan, but there is a problem with them. “And we retain the political will to continue a comprehensive dialogue with our Japanese partners in order to find ways to resolve this fundamental problem,” he concluded. Last month, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi voiced “serious concerns” over a recent increase in military activity by Russia and China near Japan in phone talks Thursday with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, a government source said. The remarks came after Moscow and Beijing sent a flotilla of naval vessels around Japan and conducted a joint bomber patrol over nearby waters in recent weeks in an apparent show of force against Tokyo. According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Hayashi and Lavrov agreed to advance peace treaty negotiations that have been stalled over a long-standing territorial row between their countries. Currently, Japan lays claim to the Russian-held southern Kuril Islands that Tokyo calls the Northern Territories. If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form. https://defence-blog.com/russia-deploys-anti-ship-missile-systems-to-disputed-kuril-islands/

Israeli firms are looking to partner with or procure American companies and produce their robot vehicles in the US. By Arie Egozi on December 03, 2021 at 9:00 AM The Jaguar unmanned land vehicle, made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). (IAI photo) TEL AVIV: Across the world, there is a growing sense that land-based forces need to begin relying heavily on unmanned combat vehicles – and industry is ready to chip in. Israeli firms, bolstered by serious interest from the Israeli Defense Force, are hoping to cash in on the growing interest. Firms are moving quickly to plug R&D money into this new sector, while the IDF is working on acquiring a variety of new systems – largely classified due to the payloads they carry. While the firms may not be able to advertise exactly what they’re putting on their systems, the hope among executives is that seeing the systems in use by the IDF will lead to greater interest abroad. Sources in industry believe the potential market for ground vehicles rivals that of the already huge unmanned aerial vehicle sector. One catch specific to Israeli firms: under the last defense agreement between the US and Israel, the amount of Foreign Military Financing dollars that Israel can use to procure Israeli-made systems is shrinking year over year and will be gone entirely by 2028. As a result, Israeli firms are looking to partner or procure American companies and produce their unmanned ground vehicles in the US — a loophole that would allow FMF monies procure the systems for domestic use. A recent example: Elbit systems, one of Israeli’s biggest defense industries, has increased its funding for it’s American subsidiary, establishing a new, 135,000 square foot facility near Charleston, South Carolina. That facility will be home to Elbit’s Ground Combat Vehicle Assembly and Integration Center of Excellence, with operations expected to begin in third quarter 2022. One item that could be built under that new paradigm was revealed last month, when Elbit and another Israeli firm, Roboteam, launched a new design known as the ROOK, a multi-payload military 6X6 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). In announcing the design, the companies hyped what they call a built-in autonomous suite. That capability should allow ROOK to navigate rough terrain in order to delivery supplies, evacuate personnel as needed, perform intelligence gathering – the companies mention the potential of on-board VTOL systems – or operate as a remote weapons platform. The new design is capable of carrying up to 1,200 kg of payload, with a ground clearance of 24cm, with power for eight-hour operations and a max speed of around 30km per hour. Notably, the companies believe the control unit can be operated by one individual – and that individual can actually control a handful of ROOKS at once. Roboteam, of which Elbit Systems holds 25%, is a good example of how Israel’s domestic focus on unmanned systems is paying off on the international market. The company has sold hundreds of systems to the IDF, the US military and the British and French armies to date. Among other things, it provided the IDF with a tiny 2.5 kg robot that travels on chains and can first break into houses and underground spaces and transfer intelligence backward. The company also produces the Rooney, a small system carried by a soldier, which can carry a cargo of several kilograms, patrol or be sent on suicide missions while carrying cargo. Elad Levy, CEO of Roboteam, told BD that since 2015 the US Air Force has spent $25 million to procure 250 of the company’s MTGR lightweight ordnance disposal robots, largely used to prepare landing sites. The company is in the process of trying to sell its Probot 4X4 vehicle to the US as well, with Levy claiming the system is “currently [being] evaluated by some US special forces units.” Levy added that the company is using a number of American subcontractors and Is looking to expand their number. The company is set up in such a way that while R&D is done in Israel, actual production happens in the US, in a move that the company hopes will make it easier to tap into American-supplied Foreign Military Financing dollars. “The demand for robotic systems in armies around the world is soaring and can be compared to the demand for unmanned aerial systems,” he said. “The world understands the benefits of these ground robotic systems.” Existing Designs Meanwhile, existing Israeli designs continue to be marketed globally, including in Europe. In mid-Nov., Elbit systems demonstrated its unmanned systems to the Royal Netherlands Army. The demonstration included a scenario where three Thor VTOL mini-UASs and a Probot ground vehicle performed missions together; the systems worked as swarms and performed various ISR tasks, along with traveling to preset targets. “We focused on demonstrating the capacity of autonomous swarms to leverage mature integrative AI and algorithms,” said Gil Maoz VP of Elbit systems C4i and Cyber, said in a company statement after the demo. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the country’s largest defense contractor, is unsurprisingly also invested in unmanned ground vehicles. Recently the company unveiled its new generation of systems, known as the Rex MK 2. The company claims the system is “semi-autonomous,” with the ability to perform some operations on its own; it can also be guided by humans remotely through an electronic controller. Officials from IAI said the vehicle was built to support Israeli military ground forces in different levels of fighting. It can carry equipment and supplies, gather intelligence and open fire at nearby targets. it also comes equipped with two machine guns and a series of cameras and sensors. Another IAI system, the Jaguar, is seeing live action closer to home. The IDF has now confirmed that they are using the Jaguar along the Gaza border as part of an operational assessment. Should everything go well, the IDF plans to equip the system with more sensors and weapons. (In an interesting note, the IDF states that the Jaguar has a way to “neutralize” classified parts of its design should it be captured; it also can send a GPS notification if an aerial strike is required to destroy it.) Rani Avni, deputy GM land systems division and head of robotics and autonomous systems at Elta, called the Jaguar the most advanced design of IAI’s unmanned ground systems. He told Breaking Defense that the sensor package on the Jaguar “is tailored to the user’s operational needs and can include optical and radar sensors.” https://breakingdefense.com/2021/12/israeli-firms-hope-to-cash-in-on-international-unmanned-ground-vehicle-market/

Expodefensa 2021 News Official Online Show Daily Posted On Wednesday, 01 December 2021 03:15 SPEAR Ninox 40 micro-tactical drone can be launched from a 40mm grenade launcher.(Picture source Army Recognition) This micro-tactical drone system was specifically designed for single-user operation and can be launched manually or from a standard 40 mm. grenade launcher. Sitting in the barrel, it’s ready for launch in seconds. Specifically designed for single-user operation, this micro-tactical drone system features an encapsulated drone and control unit. Weighing under 250g -within regulatory limitations - it is lightweight enough to be incorporated into the soldier's vest and carried on the person during combat. Build to withstand harsh battle conditions, the rugged system is ideal for tactical urban environments. The Ninox 40 has extensive ISTAR capabilities, a day and night camera for enhanced situational awareness, automatic tracking, and can be launched on the move and from undercover. The Ninox 40 has a flight capacity of up to 40 minutes. https://www.armyrecognition.com/expodefensa_2021_news_official_online_show_daily/spear_ninox_40_micro-tactical_drone_launched_from_40mm_grenade_launcher.html

The ability to keep a nuclear-armed hypersonic glide vehicle in orbit for a prolonged period of time makes for a far more unpredictable threat. By Joseph Trevithick November 29, 2021 A senior U.S. Space Force officer has stressed that China's new hypersonic weapon system is indeed orbital in nature and could be able to stay in space for an extended period of time. This is the latest piece of official information about this novel system that reportedly uses some kind of hypersonic glider, which may be capable of launching its own projectiles to actually execute a strike. Space Force Lieutenant General Chance Saltzman, the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, responded to questions about this new Chinese strategic weapon during an online event hosted by the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute earlier today. Saltzman, who transitioned from the Air Force to the Space Force last year, "has overall responsibility for Operations, Intelligence, Sustainment, Cyber, and Nuclear Operations of the United States Space Force," according to the service's website. China new Hypersonic Glider DF-17 "I think the words that we use are important, so that we understand exactly what we’re talking about here," Saltzman explained. "I hear things like hypersonic missile, and I hear suborbital sometimes." Hypersonic speed is typically defined as anything above Mach 5. Suborbital refers to objects that may technically reach space, such as more traditional intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), but that do not enter any sort of orbit around the planet. “This is a categorically different system, because a fractional orbit is different than suborbital," Saltzman continued. "A fractional orbit means it can stay on orbit as long as the user determines and then it de-orbits it as a part of the flight path." Historically, a fractional orbit has been defined as one in which the vehicle in question reaches orbit, but is brought back to Earth before fully circling the planet. However, the common working definition of so-called Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS), of which China's system would seem to be a particularly novel example, has often been expanded to include concepts that do complete one or more revolutions. Saltzman is clearly suggesting here that the Chinese system is designed to spend a more protracted period in space. That description is broadly in line with comments from now-retired Air Force General John Hyten, whose last post was as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, earlier this month. "It went around the world, dropped off a hypersonic glide vehicle that glided all the way back to China, that impacted a target in China," he had said during an interview with CBS News. Then, on Nov. 21, the Financial Times newspaper, which broke the original news about this orbital system back in October, published a new story saying that during one of two tests earlier this year, the glider released its own projectile. It remains unclear what the object was and why it was released, as The War Zone has previously explored in-depth. The basic idea of a FOBS dates back to the 1960s and the Soviet Union, though other countries, including the United States and China, have explored similar concepts in the intervening decades. The system that the Soviets are known to have developed and deployed to a limited extent during the Cold War involved an ICBM-like missile that would put a more traditional re-entry vehicle containing a nuclear warhead into orbit. That warhead could then be de-orbited in a controlled manner to strike a target. This kind of FOBS offers a number of advantages over a more typical ICBM, such as a depressed flight profile and a capability to hold any target within a strip of geography along the orbit at risk, presenting challenges to an opponent's early warning networks and their ability to anticipate where and when a strike might occur. Beyond that, the orbital profile means such a weapon could attack from the opposite direction from which the bulk of an enemy's existing early warning infrastructure might be pointed. From everything that we know so far about China's system, it uses some kind of hypersonic glider capable of high-speed, largely level, atmospheric flight and that has at some degree of maneuverability, rather than a typical re-entry vehicle. This, at least in principle, would blend the defense-evading benefits of a FOBS with those of a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle. Financial Times' report that the vehicle in this new Chinese system may be able to release projectiles itself, a technically complex capability for anything moving a hypersonic speed, would only present more challenges for a defender. A graphic offering a very rudimentary depiction of the advantages unpowered hypersonic boost-glide vehicles, as well as air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles, offer in terms of predictability of flight profile compared to traditional ballistic missiles. GAO At the same time, if this Chinese weapon system is meant to stay in some kind of sustained orbit, even one that is rapidly degrading, that takes it fully around the Earth more than once, it would no longer really be "fractional orbital" in nature. The Soviets had specifically asserted that their FOBS was not designed to complete a full revolution around Earth specifically to get around the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to which China is a party and that prohibits the permanent stationing of nuclear weapons in orbit. Beyond that, questions remain about the exact design and capabilities of the hypersonic glide vehicle. Its apparent ability to carry and release payloads has caused renewed speculation that it could be related in some way to a reusable space plane. Though The War Zone, among others, debunked an initial claim from the Chinese government that a test of its new orbital weapon system had been confused with one involving a space plane, the country is known to be working on a number of different such designs for both military and civilian purposes. Of course, this novel orbital weapon might use a more warhead-like glider that can release multiple independent munitions, or other payloads, such as countermeasures, during its flight. We still really can't say with any certainty and Saltzman's remarks do not preclude any particular design. Separately, Lieutenant General Saltzman raised interesting points about how the difficulties in detecting and tracking the flight of such a weapon could also make it hard to quickly attribute it to a particular country. This could, in turn, reduce the amount of time a defender has to spot and then categorize an incoming nuclear strike and then decide how to respond. “A lot of our warning, you know, is based on ballistic missiles because that’s the been the primary threat for so many years,” Saltzman said. “And so it’s incumbent on the Space Force, in my mind, to make sure that we’re developing the capabilities to track these kinds of weapons. Before they’re launched, ideally, but then throughout their lifecycle – either on orbit or in execution of their mission set.” “If we can track we can attribute … I think we can deter,” he added. "[Space Force needs] to make sure that we’re developing those capacities to be able to track and hold accountable nations who are using these kinds of destabilizing weapons." This is hardly the first time that senior U.S. officials have warned about the potential impacts of not being able to quickly detect and track incoming hypersonic weapons. Saltzman's remarks on these issues do give additional weight to comments from General Hyten during his CBS News interview in which he warned that this new Chinese development offered an inherent surprise first-strike capability. Whether or not China would actually posture itself to do be able to do this, the deployment of this orbital weapon could have serious negative ramifications if the U.S. government, among others, feels a need to actively prepare for this potentiality. All told, while many key details about this new Chinese weapon system remain murky, the U.S. government's assessment is clearly that it has a true orbital component and that this is a key contributing factor in its potential to upset the strategic balance of power between the two countries. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43312/chinas-mysterious-hypersonic-weapon-can-stay-in-orbit-according-to-space-force-general Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com I would like to add few words to this very interesting article. IMO the Chinese will hold this weapon as a sword over the 7th fleet of the USA to deter them from interfere in their invasion to Taiwan. in case of fight with the USA, those glider don't need atomic warhead, just their kinetic energy can put a lot of damage to the aircraft carriers of the fleet, so they will have to retreat from the area and go back home. China’s Hypersonic Mystery Weapon Released Its Own Payload And Nobody Knows Why (Updated) By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway Posted in The War Zone China’s Claim That Its Fractional Orbital Bombardment System Was A Space plane Test Doesn’t Add Up (Updated) By Joseph Trevithick Posted in The War Zone China Tested A Fractional Orbital Bombardment System That Uses A Hypersonic Glide Vehicle: Report By Tyler Rogoway Posted in The War Zone China Says It Conducted A Successful Suborbital Test Of A Reusable Space plane By Joseph Trevithick Posted in The War Zone How China's Ballistic Missile And Nuclear Arsenal Is Ballooning According To The Pentagon By Joseph Trevithick Posted in The War Zone

Preliminary designs reviews for the mothership drone, to be launched from an aircraft before firing its own missiles, are planned for mid-2022. By Lee Ferran on November 24, 2021 at 1:27 PM LongShot drone illustration. (DARPA) WASHINGTON: As families gather around their dinner tables this Thanksgiving, a few of those tables will host a true culinary monstrosity: the turducken. For the lucky uninitiated, a turducken is a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey. It’s also known as a Three Bird Roast, and yes, people eat it. And during a slow news week, the concept of the turducken reminded Breaking Defense to check in on the US military’s own, much deadlier equivalent, the LongShot concept currently under development by contractors working for the mad scientists at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The LongShot effort was “initiated” in February and was described at the time by DARPA as an “air-launched Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) with the ability to employ multiple air-to-air weapons.” In other words, a plane launches the LongShot mothership, which in turn launches its own air-to-air missiles. The mothership could be sized to be carried by fighter jets and bombers. So yes, in the spirit of the holiday: if a ground-based missile is a chicken, the LongShot is a turducken. “The objective is to develop a novel UAV that can significantly extend engagement ranges, increase mission effectiveness, and reduce the risk to manned aircraft,” the February DARPA announcement says. “It is envisioned that LongShot will increase the survivability of manned platforms by allowing them to be at standoff ranges far away from enemy threats, while an air-launched LongShot UAV efficiently closes the gap to take more effective missile shots.” But, like the turducken, these kinds of complicated designs take time, and DARPA is still years away from the first LongShot prototype flight. “The designs continue to mature toward a Phase I preliminary design review and work to-date supports the feasibility of the LongShot concept,” DARPA LongShot program manager Lt. Col. Paul Calhoun told Breaking Defense this week. DARPA spokesperson Randolph Atkins added that the agency initially envisioned flight tests starting no earlier than fiscal 2024 and that “remains true.” The next milestone, preliminary design reviews, should happen by the end of the summer in 2022. Defense giants General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman were all selected in February to provide preliminary designs, and the Navy and Air Force could be the eventual customers. Those contractors are still engaged, DARPA said. DARPA budget documents show the agency planned to spend $24 million on the project in 2021 and another $36 million next year. Those unclassified documents, published in May, said that in fiscal 2022 DARPA hopes to undertake wind tunnel and missile separation tests before completing a critical design review. Speaking of which, Breaking Defense would encourage all turducken chefs to engage in their own critical design review before serving such a thing. Is this feasible? Is it worth the cost (in calories)? Most importantly, will the customer be satisfied? If the answer is yes, get to stuffing. Happy Thanksgiving. https://breakingdefense.com/2021/11/darpas-aerial-turducken-the-longshot-still-cooking-towards-2022-milestone/

EDGE Group, an advanced technology company for defence and beyond, today entered a strategic agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, to jointly design a first-in-class series of 170 M-USV (modular-unmanned surface vessels) for the entire range of military and commercial applications. EDGE is leveraging its entity, ADSB, the regional leader in the design, new build, repair, maintenance, refit and conversion of naval and commercial vessels, to collaborate with the Israeli defence company to develop the state-of-the-art USVs. While ADSB will design the platform, integrate the control systems and payload, and develop the concept of operations (CONOPS), IAI will develop the autonomous control system and integrate various mission-payloads to the control system units according to the mission requirements. Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, said: “We are proud to join hands with EDGE in this endeavor, which is another step towards our growing efforts and partnership in the region. This MOU brings together the best technological know-how from both companies – EDGE Group’s and ADSB naval and commercial vessel expertise, and IAI expertise in autonomous systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence – for a joint Made in UAE effort, maximizing both companies business opportunities and growth.” IAI’s KATANA Unmanned Surface Vessel-(USV) His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE Group, said: “It is an important milestone for EDGE to forge collaborations with leading defence players such as IAI to strengthen our advanced technology portfolio. Through this strategic alliance, we can ensure optimal autonomous operational solutions that minimize risk to human life, address key challenges for various industries, and enable a secure future for all. These developments will open many doors for us in local and global markets, military and commercial alike.” Comprising advanced sensors, sonars and imaging systems that are integrated into a unified command and control system, the USV can operate either remotely, semi-autonomously or autonomously, requiring no human intervention. Designed to suit all customers’ requirements, the bespoke vessel will offer unique capabilities in terms of modularity, payload, range, maneuverability, and performance. Military applications for the USV include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, border and littoral zone patrol, maritime security operations, mine detection and sweeping, submarine detection and anti-submarine warfare, deployment platform for VTOL vehicles and can also be customized for commercial applications such as oceanography, pollution monitoring, oil and gas exploration, transportation of materials and liquids, search and rescue, fire-fighting and first interventions. https://militaryleak.com/2021/11/20/uae-based-company-edge-and-israel-aerospace-industries-to-jointly-develop-unmanned-surface-vessels/

Naval News November 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry Posted On Tuesday, 09 November 2021 15:34 Elbit Systems UK has been awarded a circa £73 million contract from Babcock International Group, to provide electronic warfare to the Royal Navy, as part of the UK Ministry of Defence Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme. Elbit Systems UK's role in the project, known as Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) Increment 1, will be to provide end-to-end delivery of this EW capability, including in-service support over the course of 13 years. Elbit Systems UK will design, manufacture and deliver maritime EW suites comprised of fully digital full-spectrum Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) and EW Command and Control (EWC2) systems (Picture source: Elbit Systems) Under the programme, Elbit Systems UK will design, manufacture and deliver maritime EW suites comprised of fully digital full-spectrum Radar Electronic Support Measures (RESM) and EW Command and Control (EWC2) systems. These latest generation technologies will enhance the situational awareness and anti-ship missile defence of front-line platforms and improve their capability to exploit the electromagnetic environment. Elbit Systems UK's Electronic Warfare capabilities have been deployed by Five Eyes nations since 2016. The Royal Navy will use the latest generation of this technology, developed after years of ground-breaking advancements and innovation in this domain. Elbit Systems UK will address the requirements for Operational Sovereignty and Freedom of Action for the UK Armed Forces, by making ongoing investment in technology and infrastructure in the UK. Throughout the lifespan of this contract, Elbit Systems UK will create and sustain 55 direct jobs across the UK in roles ranging from manufacturing to software development. There will also be a number of jobs created in the supply chain, many of whom will be small and medium sized British businesses. Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK said: "It is clearly the case that both conventional and asymmetric threats are increasingly present in the maritime operating environment and the pace of change in technology means our adversaries will continue to exploit it. As such, it is operationally vital that the Royal Navy has the latest capabilities that can evolve in line with and, ahead of, existing technologies. Elbit Systems UK is proud to be working with the Royal Navy as we prepare to confront and overcome the threats of today and tomorrow by providing world-leading solutions." Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace added: "In a world of rapidly evolving threats, these enhancements will upgrade the Royal Navy with pioneering radar detection capabilities maintaining the UK's operational advantage at sea." "The £100-million investment with key industry partners will underpin vital defence outputs whilst supporting jobs and investment in the South-West of England." https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/november/10977-elbit-systems-uk-awarded-contract-to-provide-advanced-electronic-warfare-capabilities-for-the-royal-navy.html

Expodefensa 2021 News Official Online Show Daily Posted On Wednesday, 01 December 2021 00:29 Israeli Company Plasan proposes its new range of light tactical and armored vehicles for Latin-America military and security markets at ExpoDefensa 2021, International Defense and Security Exhibition in Bogota, Colombia. New Plasan StormRider 4x4 light armored vehicle (Picture source Plasan) The Israeli company Plasan has already delivered SandCat vehicles in Colombia which are in service with the Police and the Army. After an agreement signed in December 2012, between the Colombian Ministries of Defense and Transportation, the Colombia Army and the National Police receive in March 2015, 13 SandCat light protected multi-role vehicles, which were designed to protect roads and infrastructure critical points of the country. Today, Plasan would like to market the latest generation of SandCat 4x4 light tactical vehicles as well as its new StormRider 4x4 light armored vehicle. The Sandcat is a family of 4x4 light tactical protected vehicles that can be tailored according to mission requirements or to the customers’ needs. The Sandcat is a multi-mission wheeled combat vehicle that can be easily configured as APC (Armored Personnel Carrier), ambulance, anti-tank vehicle, mortar carrier, and more. The Sandcat can be fitted with an armor package to provide ballistic protection up to Level 3 STANAG 4569. Lightweight composite materials and unique cabin designs ensure added protection which does not come at the expense of added vehicle weight or reduced performance. With the ability to carry up to 10 troops and their equipment, SandCat powerful 6.7 diesel engine, high ground clearance and small turning radius enables military and security forces to fulfill their mission and return to base safely using a vehicle offering high mobility and protection. At the beginning of November 2021, Plasan has launched its new StormRider 4x4 light armored vehicle, an evolution, of the Plasan SandCat 4x4 light tactical protected vehicle. The StormRider shares the same powerful, durable, and reliable powertrain as the SandCat, but the StormRider is equipped with a full-time four-wheel-drive transfer-case and heavy-duty independent suspension into an all-new Monocoque Kitted-Hull. The StormRider is larger and more spacious than the SandCat Mk-IV and SandCat M-LPV variants, able to accommodate up to 10 military personnel. The vehicle offers a high level of ballistic protection up to Level III against the firing of small arms 7.62×51mm AP (Armor Piercing) and Level 2a/2b for the mine protection, 6 kg of TNT explosion under the wheels and the body of the vehicle. https://www.armyrecognition.com/expodefensa_2021_news_official_online_show_daily/plasan_from_israel_offers_latest_generation_of_4x4_light_protected_for_latin-american_market.html

Joe Saballa November 16, 2021 Upgrade Su-30SM Jet, S-550 Missile Defense System Russian tech corporation Rostec will be upgrading some of its latest military weapons and equipment, including the Su-30SM combat aircraft and S-350 medium-range air-defense missile system. According to company CEO Sergey Chemezov, the upgraded Su-30SM will be mounted with new armaments and more powerful engines to bolster its combat capabilities. A multi-role fighter aircraft, the Su-30SM can carry a range of advanced weapons, including a machine gun, bombs, air-to-air missiles, and supersonic anti-ship and land-attack missiles. It can also be fitted with anti-surface weaponry such as rockets for land attack operations. Chemezov also revealed that Russia’s latest S-550 missile system would be upgraded for extended target detection and missile range. It will be delivered to the country’s armed forces by 2025. “This is work that never stops and will carry on being implemented to boost the detection range and the missile range with the capability of intercepting any target,” the Rostec official told state-owned TASS. “That’s the focus of the work on the S-550.” Additional Weapon Upgrades Earlier this week, Russia and the United Arab Emirates discussed the potential upgrade of an anti-aircraft missile and gun system dubbed the Pantsir-S1M to significantly improve its operational capabilities. The Russian military also revealed that it will issue a new weapon to its intelligence and special forces units, replacing the Dragunov sniper rifle with its latest version. 7.62mm SVDM Sniper Rifle. Image: Rosoboronexport The new and upgraded sniper rifle has an “effective muzzle brake/flash suppressor,” which increases the weapon’s accuracy and balance. It also allows the attachment of a variety of equipment, including sights and silencers. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has encouraged local defense companies to manufacture more advanced hypersonic missiles and high-energy laser weapons to maintain the nation’s edge in military technologies. https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/11/16/russia-upgrade-su30sm-s550-system/

Defense Aviation News November 2021 aerospace air force industry Posted On Friday, 19 November 2021 12:59 Representatives of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have shown interest in Russia’s advanced Checkmate single-engine light tactical fighter and want to have a closer look at it, Head of Russia’s Rostec state hi-tech corporation Sergei Chemezov said at the Dubai Airshow 2021. Checkmate fifth-generation single-engine fighter (Picture source: Tass) “You have seen the aircraft yourselves. We have developed a nice and good aircraft. The United Arab Emirates has already shown interest in it and wants to look at the plane more closely and discuss it,” Chemezov said. The Checkmate will also arouse interest of other countries that will hold planned meetings with Rostec, he added. “We have a significant advantage compared to all other [foreign] aircraft. First of all, the plane features an open architecture. We are offering a platform that can carry any weapons that the customer may wish. Besides, we equip it with various electronics, electronic warfare systems, target acquisition means and so on,” the Rostec head said. All these options can be installed on the customer’s request, he added. “And, of course, the price will vary, depending on these options. I hope that the price of the baseline version will be around $30-35 million,” the Rostec head said. Foreign armament has to be adapted to the Russian fighter, he said. “We offer the options that are already available and have been tested on the Su-57. These technologies have been developed and tested, they have proved their efficiency, and, therefore, they are simpler and cheaper,” Chemezov said. About Checkmate: Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation unveiled the latest Checkmate light tactical plane at the MAKS 2021 international airshow. The fighter jet was presented to the world public at the Dubai Airshow 2021. The plane incorporates most advanced technologies, including its open architecture to meet customer requirements and unique artificial intelligence technologies. It is based on stealth technologies and has an inboard compartment for air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons. The fighter will carry a payload of over 7 tons and will be able to hit up to six targets at a time. The new single-engine fighter will be capable of flying at Mach 1.8. https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/november/7894-uae-shows-interest-in-russian-new-checkmate-fighter.html

By Dylan Malyasov Feb 25, 2021 Photo by Dylan Malyasov-Kozak-1M1 The Armed Forces of Ukraine are expected to take delivery of improved Kozak-2M1 armored vehicles later this year, according to Army Inform report. Army Inform reported this week that Ukrainian Air Assault Forces and Special Operations Forces expected to receive the first batch of next generation Kozak-2M1 armored personnel carriers in the latter part of the year. The Kozak-2M1 is the second generation of local-developed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles. It has a monocoque structure with an integrated special V-shaped hull that provides greater protection against roadside bombs. V-shaped hull helps deflect blasts out and away from the crew and its armoring can be customized to meet any mission requirement. Produced by scientific and production association “Practika”, the Kozak-2M1 offers protection equivalent to the NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2 sufficient to protect those insides from 7.62×51 mm ball ammunition fired at a range of 30 m, as well as hand grenades and anti-personnel explosives. The nearly 14 ton Kozak-2M1 is expected to be operated by a crew of two and be capable of transporting at least six troops in full combat gear, depending on the requirement. Powered by a diesel engine capable of generating more than 280 h/p, has an all-wheel-drive platform and which will feature an independent suspension system, is expected to reach a top speed of more than 110 km/h. The vehicle has a roof-mounted turret with a modernized 12.7 mm NSV. It provides aimed shooting at a distance of up to 2 km on ground targets. https://defence-blog.com/ukrainian-army-expected-to-receive-new-kozak-2m1-combat-vehicles-later-this-year/

Defense News November 2021 Global Security army industry Posted On Monday, 22 November 2021 16:37 According to information published by the Russian Defense website Topwar.ru on November 22, 2021, the trial tests of the Russian-made T-14 Armata are in the final step and the first tank could be delivered to the Russian army in 2022. The latest variant of the Russian-made T-14 Armata was displayed during the Army 2021 defense exhibition in Russia. (Picture source Army Recognition) The end of the T-14 Armata MBT (Main Battle Tank) trial tests are planned for 2022. This information was confirmed by the Main Armored Directorate of Russian the Ministry of Defense, Major General Alexander Shestakov. According to a Russian military source, two battalions of T-14 MBTs and a battalion of BMP T-15 tracked IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) based on the Armata platform. The Russian Armed Forces will receive 20 advanced T-14 tanks based on the Armata platform by the year end, said the Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko. The T-14 tank based on the Armata platform was developed by the Uralvagonzavod Group and unveiled at the Victory Day parade on May 9, 2015. In 2019, the tank passed preliminary trials. The T-14 Armata has a unique design consisting of an unmanned turret and a three-man crew stays in a front armored capsule. Decreased weight allowed increasing protection against armor-piercing and cumulative projectiles, antitank missiles, grenades, and mines. The T-14 tank meets the highest requirements to target search and identification, fire, and automatic operation. The combat module was designed by the hunter-shooter principle, which automatically and rapidly transmits guidance from the commander to the gun layer. The T-14 Armata is armed with a new generation of 125mm 2A82-1M smooth-bore gun with an automatic loader and 32 rounds ready to use. The main gun can fire also a new laser-guided missile with a range from 7 to 12 km. The basic protection of the T-14 Armata is based on a new steel armor and metal-ceramic plates to provide protection STANAG 4569 Level 5 25 mm APDS-T (M791) or TLB 073 at 500 m with 1258 m/s and artillery 155 mm High Explosive at 25 m). The Armata is protected with additional active and passive armor. The front of the tank is covered with reactive armor and the back has slat armor to increase protection against anti-tank RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) attacks. One of the main features of the T-14 Armata is the integration of the Active Protection System (APS) Afghanit which seems similar to the Israeli Trophy able to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and rockets. The system is designed to work against all types of anti-tank missiles and rockets, including handheld weapons such as rocket-propelled grenades. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_november_2021_global_security_army_industry/first_t-14_armata_main_battle_tanks_could_be_delivered_to_russian_army_in_2022.html