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Politics ·Armed Forces · ·Procurement Technology March 2017 • www.-sd.com • ISSN 1617-7983 ES & D

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17IDS384_PatriotRadar_EuroDec&Def_Mar13.indd 2 2/27/17 9:21 PM Editorial

Impatience Doesn’t Help

t has been ten years since Vladimir Putin ness about the NATO of today, which can Iupset the participants at the Munich Se- be heard in some of his (albeit not infre- curity Conference with his confrontational quently contradictory) remarks, and even speech, the kind of undiplomatic rhetoric the sharpness with which he expresses his that really did not fit the image of the views, does not fall outside the framework partner in stability which at the time was of what has repeatedly been heard over still fondly held of the Kremlin boss. The the past few years on the other side of the spontaneous stir, however, was soon dis- Atlantic with regard to the state of the Alli- sipated. The Cassandra voices were stilled, ance. What is particularly regrettable about which suggested that maybe we should in this criticism is that there is very little that fact stop and consider just how stable and can be argued against it. If the Europeans secure the situation really is on the NATO are honest about themselves, they can only eastern flank, and whether the stance concur that over the decades they have in- adopted by the Alliance really is as appropri- deed grown accustomed to the peace divi- ate as it seemed. The Russian intervention in dends, and have been able to force through a year later did not cause any long- economies because they have been able to lasting fluttering, either. It took the crisis in tag along with a sense of collective security the Ukraine to bring about a real rethink. by relying on the Americans. In fairness, But Putin’s speech was not the only missed however, it should not be forgotten that the opportunity for a critical look at our own long years of focussing on peacekeeping assessment of the situation. Another and stabilisation operations was a matter of chance came in June 2011. The outgoing transatlantic consensus within NATO – and US Minister of Defence Robert Gates paid it needed fewer resources to be available a leave-taking visit to NATO Headquarters than for the defence of the Alliance. in Brussels, in order, in a manner of speak- And it should also not be forgotten that as ing, to present high-ranking representatives early as 2011 Barack Obama had irritated of the Member States with the outcome the Europeans by announcing that the USA of his term of office. His speech was no would thenceforth be giving preference to less disturbing than Putin’s appearance in Asia with regard to its strategic interests. Munich, albeit for other reasons – and it There was no longer much trace of this by remained equally devoid of result. Instead the end of his term of office. However, what of what might have been expected, taking exactly lies in the interests of superpower his leave with some friendly remarks about USA is only partially left to the power of transatlantic solidarity, he tore a strip off the definition of its President. The motives Europeans, and painted a gloomy picture which for a century have directed the com- of the future of the Alliance. The Libyan mitment of the Americans towards our con- war had shown how the capabili- tinent have not lost their relevance. A stable ties of the European allies really needed to Europe, bound to the USA in partnership, be put in order. Some of them, even after is not in contradiction with the concept of the unanimous decision for intervention, “America First”. had not even been in a position to field any The call by the Americans for the Europeans troops, and those who were prepared had to invest more in their defence is to be taken not been able to sustain the effort for more seriously, but their impatience does not help than three weeks even against this vastly matters. A few days ago NATO Secretary inferior opponent. NATO, in his view, has General Jens Stoltenberg was able to re- become a two-class alliance, in which some dress the balance somewhat by pointing out would have the will and ability to act mili- that in 2016 the Alliance partners increased tarily, and the others would be fit only for their outlay on defence by 3.8 percent discussions and peacekeeping. If this trend against the previous year. This development were not stopped, if the Europeans are not looks set to continue. The planned upswing at last ready to invest more in their military of capabilities will take time, however, and capabilities, then it should come as no sur- not just money. The frequently invoked prise if a new generation of American politi- “Two Percent” of gross national product cians, whose views are not longer shaped may therefore perhaps point the way. But, by experiences of the Cold War, were to when it comes down to it, it is nothing lose interest in NATO. more than a benchmark in accountancy. True, Donald Trump is not a representative of this “new generation”, but the uneasi- Peter Bossdorf

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 1 Content

The Croatian Armed Forces Meeting the Future Threats (Photo: Eurofighter) (Photo: Tomislav Brandt/Hrvatski vojnik)

Tasks, capabilities, organisation, contribution to TYPHOON avionics and weaponry continue to NATO- and EU-led operations and modernisation evolve, thus extending the 's capability programmes. Page 34 spectrum. Page 56

Security Policy 48 Assault Developments and Acquisition Programmes in Europe The Arctic as an International Security Problem 8 David Saw Stephen Blank 53 SIG SAUER Awarded US Army Modular 12 Belgian Security and Defence Policy Contract Nicholas Fiorenza Sidney E. Dean 16 Azerbaijan’s Relations with : TYPHOON Evolves to Meet Future Threats Beware of the Bear 56 Doug Richardson Eugene Kogan 19 Bosnia-Herzegovina – a Failed State or a 61 Electronic Scan Transforming Ground Prospective EU Candidate? Tamir Eshel Igor Tabak 66 An Overview of Trends and Developments in Decontamination Armed forces Dan Kaszeta 40 45 countries VIPs 22 The Brazilian – Amazonian Roller Lightening the Loads 69 represented attending Coaster Load Carrying Equipment, Clothing and Body Armour Georg Mader Andrew White 26 Protecting the Amazon industry & markets Tim Guest 80+ 3 days 30 Belgian Modernisation Plans in Cooperation with 71 Dutch Naval Industry The Global Event for Undersea exhibiting of high-level The Jaime Karremann companies briefings Jaime Karremann 76 “RUAG is currently involved in various tenders of Defence and Security 34 The Croatian Armed Forces the .” Join us at UDT 2017 in Vesna Pintarić Interview with Lutz Kampmann, Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales, RUAG Defence 1,400+ Armament & Technology visitors expected Viewpoint from … at UDT 2017 38 Naval Missile Evolutionary Trends Register now at David Saw 18 Berlin www.udt-global.com Wolfgang Labuhn 44 Protecting Naval Vessels Threats, Concepts and Systems 29 Helsinki Bob Nugent Mikko Ilkko

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(Photo: Finnish ) IDEF 47 IDET 5 ITEC 79 Kongsberg 39 MBDA 75 Technology advancement faster than ever before Raytheon 2nd cover paves the way for new sophisticated and versatile RUAG Defence 4th cover solutions. Page 61 Saab AB 41 secunet Security Networks AG 71 COLUMNS Security & Counter Terror Expo 55 Sensonor AS 43 1 Editorial Thales 31 4 Periscope ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH 73 33 Masthead UDT 3 78 Firms & Faces YUGOIMPORT-SDPR J.P. 15 80 Preview

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Monitoring Systems by a fording capability of 1,000 mm, ground Boger clearance of 400 mm and the possibility to (df) At IDEX Boger Electronics presented its climb a gradient of 60% or traverse a side portfolio of solutions for slope of 30%. border control and border surveillance ap- Photo: Dorothee Frank plications. Boger Electronics is designing, and integrating the systems Diehl at IDEX according to current requirements. The (df) One of the highlights of IDEX was at systems cover all relevant communication the Diehl Defence display of the IRIS-T SLM frequency ranges, from HF up to V/UHF, air defence system. A special feature of this and communication networks – always highly-sophisticated system is the flexible customised according to current require- software architecture that allows any na- well as daytime reconnaissance and track- ments and end-user needs. Furthermore, tional device to be added to the system. ing. THERCAM 25/75 fits the RGW 90 Boger COMINT / SIGINT systems provide For example, will use the system family of shoulder-launched weapons and a seamless overview of the RF spectrum, with national radars. This flexibility is rare is compatible with assault rifles. MNV-50 enabling the end-user to detect unauthor- is a monocular night vision scope which ised emitters or targets (for example un- can be used as a handheld observation authorised border crossing). Systems can sight as well as a weapon-mounted scope comprise single receivers up to powerful in conjunction with a day scope. MNV-90 remote-controlled solutions consisting of has been primarily designed as a clip-on

antenna systems, signal-distributors, de- Photo: Dorothee Frank camera to the optics of the DND shoul- coders, receivers, workstations and more. der-launched weapons, namely RGW 60, RGW 90 and PANZERFAUST 3. The camera can also be used for surveillance. DYNA- Military Vehicles from BMC HAWK is a sighting device with integrated at IDEX fire control system developed for the RGW (df) BMC’s products range from multi- in other systems and will allow future tech- 90 family. It is equipped with a laser range purpose armoured and tactical wheeled nologies to be added or any incremental finder, ballistics , internal display vehicles to logistic trucks and mine-re- updates to be realised with low risk and and allows for the engagements of targets sistant ambush-protected vehicles. At effort. Another outstanding feature is the up to a distance of 1,200 . The sys- IDEX several multi-purpose vehicles were packaging of system elements in stand- tem automatically identifies the ammuni- of special interest. One of these was the ard containers that might be added to tion and selects the appropriate operating AMAZON 4x4 armoured tactical vehicle, any suitable national vehicle; the vehicles menu when attached to the launcher. that has a high level of protection against may be changed during the system’s life- mine and IED threat (STANAG 4569 certi- time, too. Other features include vertical fied, ballistic protection, mine protection, launch which enables comprehensive 360° Remote Controlled Weap- IED protection) together with high mobility protection against attacks from the air by on Station for the GUARANI (maximum speed 110 km/h, range 600 km) aircraft, drones, , cruise , (gwh) The GUARANI armoured personnel with its powerful 268kW engine and drive- guided weapons and rockets. The seeker is carrier– manufactured in by Iveco – locked onto the target during missile flight gets the REMAX remote-controlled weap- (lock-on after launch). Target data are up- on station by Ares Aeroespacial e Defesa dated during the flight via a data link. This S.A. (Ares). Ares, the Brazilian subsidiary of air defence system enables simultaneous Elbit Systems, was awarded a framework engagement of several targets, even at very contract, in a total value of approximately

Photo: Dorothee Frank short range and with extremely short re- €93M, to supply 12.7/7.62mm remote times. The guided missiles are fired controlled weapon stations (RCWS) to the from eight launch canisters, using thrust . The initial production order vector control for superior manoeuvrabil- totals €7M. The REMAX stabilised weapon ity. Due to the system’s high degree of au- station has been specifically designed by tomation it is ideally-suited for continuous Ares to meet Brazilian Army requirements line components at combat weight (kerb operation with minimal staff requirements. as part of the VBTP programme and was weight is 11,300 kg). The integration of successfully tested and fielded in Brazilian different mission equipment is available. Army GUARANI 6X6 vehicles. It will be Another highlight was the BMC 245 4x4 Weapon Sights from used in armoured vehicles and logistics ve- tactical wheeled vehicle. The engine is a ­Dynamit Nobel Defence Cummins ISL 9E3 375 Euro-3 with 6 cylin- (jh) Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND) had

ders, a capacity of 8.9 litres and maximum on display at IDEX its range of sights for Photo: Elbit power of 275 kW at 2,100 rpm. Maximum shoulder-launched weapons. THERCAM speed is 105 km/h and the range is about 25/75 is a standalone TI system based on 800 km. A characteristic of this vehicle is the latest uncooled micro-bolometric tech- the availability of different types of super- nology, providing the best possible image structure, to meet the needs of any opera- quality with large pixel matrix at low pitch. tion. The vehicle offers high mobility with The sight offers night vision capability as

4 European Security & Defence · March 2017 ing forces. by UAE test and trials tactical successful has undergone and nal loading, inter CH-47 including tactical operations vehicle, specifically special for anew requirements Guard’s Presidential UAE the with SERT to configured comply DE 400 HMT the photo shows The roles. of operational range –to suit awide equipment tion ISTAR force and protec cations, communi –weapons, packages of mission-specific avariety with fitted be can 400 HMT the kit, protection ballistic and blast mine optional an with Supplied CHINOOK. a CH-47 ing within load to enable terrain also and to height match ride the variable of a selection allows system sion air suspen An oftre operations. thea Afghanistan terrain of the harsh in the well-proven already is series 400 HMT The pressures. tyre lowest at the operated be to vehicle the to enable locks bead and lightweight system inflation acentralcooling, tyre features enhanced include sert de Further sand. desert deep over mobility increases and tio ra power-to-weight the proves lighter weight vehicle im gross the and armour has no It tions. condi climatic and environment harsh desert’s in the hance performance to en adapted has been DESERT 400 Vehicle HMT (SOV). Operations Special DESERT, JACKAL variant of anew its 400 HMT their unveiled Supacat At(df) IDEX DESERT period. afive-year over supplied be will REMAX The services. and ment equip associated includes contract The missions. peace-keeping and patrol border transport, for in troop combat used hicles

Supacat Unveils HMT 400 Supacat UnveilsHMT400 ------Photo: Dorothee Frank 148x210 A.indd 1 - - 31. 5.–3. 6. 2017 BRNO, CzechRepublic 31. 5.–2.6. 2017 electric motors make it virtually inaudible inaudible make motors virtually it electric small size and HORNET’s BLACK The tion. coordina airspace prior any without time at anywhere almost operated to be system the allowing personnel, or air vehicles other to risk no virtually pose and safe inherently are 2nano-sensors HORNET BLACK the small to size intheir Due Afghanistan. use in had Forces Armed British the of those iteration next are the microdrones These at display IDEX. on UAS HORNET Dynamics time, Prox the had first for the FLIR, (df) Microdrones ­Combat-Proven

14 New Generation of New Generationof tH SeCuRiTy tEcHnOlOgIeS FaIr SeCuRiTy iNtErNaTiOnAl dEfEnCe aNd 2017 FoR SeCuRiTy SoLuTiOnS - tor span of only 120mm, of only tor span of 18g amass in 2 are a ro HORNET features BLACK of the main The days. to three two lasting ing only is quite easy, train with systems using the Also, distances. short beyond invisible and www.idet.cz [email protected] fax: +420541153044 phone: +420541152926 CZ –60300Brno Výstaviště 405/1 BVV Trade FairsBrno 2017 - - - Photo: Dorothee Frank 08.03.17 13:58 Periscope

cluding cameras, maximum speed of 5 m/s, users in Northern Europe, Southwest and endurance up to 25 minutes, digital data Southeast Asia have indicated a serious link beyond 1,600m line-of-sight, GPS nav- interest in the system. igation or visual navigation through video, autopilot with autonomous and directed Photo: Dorothee Frank modes, hover & stare mode, preplanned SKYGUARDIAN routes, steerable EO cameras (pan/yaw (df) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and tilt) and live video and snapshot im- Inc. (GA ASI) has launched a “Type-Certifi- ages. Even though the company offers its able” (STANAG 4671) version of its PREDA- own small computer to go with the sys- TOR B product line, called SKYGUARDIAN. tem, integration into several other soldier systems, like the German GLADIUS, has 5.56 to 30 mm. Development of this new already been achieved, so that the soldier family of armoured vehicles started in 2009

does not need to carry any more additional Photo: GA-ASI as a joint enterprise between Iveco and the equipment than necessary. Brazilian Army Department of Science and Technology. The vehicles are being pro- duced in a purpose-built facility in Sete ARC-FIRE – Making Your Lagoas (Brazil). The Brazilian Army nomen- Artillery Smarter The launch was held before an audience clature for the VBTP vehicle is “GUARANI”. (jh) Hirtenberger Defence Systems’ In- of international dignitaries from nine na- The GUARANI is designed to provide the tegrated Artillery Fire System (IAFS) pro- tions comprising the , basis for a family of vehicles capable of ful- vides superior computing technology , , , , The Neth- filling a multitude of roles. The adoption for the rapid and accurate engagement erlands, , , and the United of a modular approach provides numerous of targets by artillery assets. As an ele- States. The SKYGUARDIAN is the result of a advantages, including the development ment of new systems or an upgrade or five-year company-funded effort to deliver of product variants without unnecessary modernisation measure for systems in ser- a Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that can re-engineering, so reducing timescales operate under the stringent airworthiness and costs. This approach also facilitates an requirements of non-military airspace. The optimum combination of power, protec- aircraft leverages the legacy of the multi- tion, payload and flexibility in operation, mission PREDATOR B fleet, which has and support through improved maintain- amassed nearly two million flights hours. ability and ease of upgrade. With differ- Photo: Jürgen Hensel SKYGUARDIAN can fly in excess of 35 ent configurations to fulfil roles including hours with airspeeds up to 210 knots, and personnel carrier, command post, recovery reach altitudes of more than 14,000 me- and ambulance, the GUARANI family will tres. SKYGUARDIAN will be fully-compliant meet a whole range of operational needs, with NATO’s UAV System Airworthiness extending the Army’s operational capabil- Requirements (defined in STANAG 4671) ity in scenarios which are particularly suited and UK DEFSTAN 00-970. GA-ASI also col- to this type of vehicle. laborated with the LufABw (German Mili- tary Authority) to define airwor- thiness requirements for German Airspace. Sensonor for GMA Land To facilitate qualification testing, GA-ASI Navigator is building three company-owned aircraft, (jh) GMA Land Navigator has selected Sen- along with two airframes designed specifi- sonor STIM210 as its inertial engine. The cally for full-scale fatigue and static testing STIM210 provides high accuracy inertial to satisfy type-certification requirements. data for the AXD-LNS Land Navigator Solu- vice, ARC-FIRE seamlessly integrates with The company plans to deliver the first pro- tion. Sensonor is currently in serial deliveries third-party command and control, target duction aircraft in 2018. supporting the Land Navigator which went acquisition, communication and support into regular production in late 2016, fol- systems. Hardware elements include a lowing five years of development. STIM210 laptop computer for the commander and VBTP 6x6 Amphibious is a small, lightweight, low power, ITAR- several handheld devices for use with, for Armoured Vehicle free high-performance tactical grade gyro example, the forward observer and other (df) At IDEX Iveco showed the new VBTP, module with 3 gyros, currently deployed in troops. ARC-FIRE offers an intuitive user a family of 19.6 tonne 6x6 armoured, am- interface and provides data on weapon phibious vehicles. Fitted with an Iveco-FPT position, fire mission, weapon aiming, 9-litre, 281 kW (383 HP) bi-fuel common- integrated mapping and a satellite view. rail engine, coupled to an automatic gear- Based on a similar system layout, a second box, it can carry 11 personnel. VBTP is Photo: Sensoron version of ARC-FIRE is offered in support 7.0 metres long, 2.7 metres wide and 2.3 of infantry mortar platoons. ARC-FIRE has metres in height and can be transported already been ordered by a Middle-Eastern by C-130 HERCULES and KC-390 aircraft. customer in the scope of a major artillery It can be equipped with manned and un- procurement, and several other potential manned turrets carrying armaments from

6 European Security & Defence · March 2017 applications such as UAVs, satellites, port- able target-acquisition systems, land navi- Find us on facebook! gation systems, turret stabilisation, missile stability and navigation, and mortar aiming systems. The GMA AXD-LNS is a high per- formance navigation system intended for a wide range of applications, such as ad-  vanced navigation displays and advanced Navigation Control Systems in armoured vehicle programmes. Due to its High Sta- bility MEMS sensor-based architecture, the AXD-LNS is easily configured for platform stabilisation applications. In a GPS-denied Daily News – Upcoming Events environment, the system exploits the veloc- ity and high-accuracy inertial data in order www.facebook.com/eurodefence to provide continuous navigation solutions.

New Offer for ’s ment regarding the security and industrial and payload growth potential. With all these Wisla Programme benefits of the Medium Extended Air De- features a typical mission is conceived using (df) MEADS International has presented an fense System (MEADS). Advanced capabili- speed and mobility as the critical advantage, updated offer for Poland’s medium-range ties, partnership and a proven technology enabling the crew of four to traverse diverse air defence (Wisla) programme to the Pol- transfer methodology remain key charac- terrain at high speed, both on and off-road, ish Ministry of National Defence. “We’re teristics of the MEADS industrial offer.” The armed, for example, with up to a 12.7mm extremely pleased to have been given the estimated budget of the Wisla programme . opportunity to present a detailed offer to is about €5Bn. the Ministry of National Defence,” said Tom Oles, vice president for MEADS at AMRAAM Refreshment Missiles and Fire Control. NIMR Rapid Intervention Programme “MEADS represents the most affordable Vehicle RIV (df) The US Air Force and Raytheon are and the quickest path to the capabilities (df) NIMR made the debut of their Rapid jointly developing a new signal processor Intervention Vehicle – the NIMR RIV – at for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to- IDEX, with many different potential cus- tomers showing interest in the vehicle. The NIMR RIV is a light 4x4 vehicle, offering high-speed response to tactical situations in Photo: US Navy remote sites, either by fast ground transit

Photo: MEADS International or insertion, underslung or in- side a CH-47. The maximum speed of the NIMR RIV is 160 km/h, the cruising range Poland requires, and if MEADS is selected 1,000 km at 120 km/h. The vehicle has the for Wisla, Polish Industry will benefit from ability to climb 300mm vertical obstacles technology implementation and future and to mount a gradient of 60%. Gross sales of MEADS in partnership with global weight is 4,000 kg with a payload capability Air Missile (AMRAAM) under the Form Fit leaders in defence.” Jointly developed by of 1,500kg. The NIMR RIV has under-body Function Refresh (F3R) programme. With Germany, Italy and the to blast protection as standard and modular this upgrade AMRAAM production shall replace PATRIOT, the 360-degree MEADS applique armour packs for ballistic protec- be ensured well into the 2020s. AMRAAM, system addresses deficiencies in currently- tion. Optional equipment includes an add- which first version entered service in 1991, fielded systems. It defeats challenging new on ballistic armour kit, underslung structure, is currently flying worldwide in 37 nations air and missile threats from any direction, central tyre inflation system, runflat inserts, on the F-16, F-15, F/A-18, F-22, TYPHOON, arrives and moves with deployed troops, various weapon systems, tactical communi- GRIPEN, TORNADO and HARRIER. The and is interoperable with other NATO forc- cations, self-recovery winch, 6 seater option AIM-120C5 and AIM-120C7 variants were es. All of these functions have been tested fully integrated on the F-35 in 2015, in sup- and evaluated in several tests and exercises, port of US Marine Corps’ initial operational like Joint Project Optic Windmill. Germany capability for F-35B, and AMRAAM is the has chosen MEADS as basis of its new tac- only air-to-air missile qualified on the F-35 tical air defence system TLVS. This offer at the moment. Moreover, the AIM-120D to Poland contains a Technology Transfer variant, fielded in 2015, is the newest air-to- Photo: Dorothee Frank Plan, that will help Polish industry to be- air weapon in the US arsenal and includes come a world-class air and missile defence significant capability improvements, includ- system integrator, MEADS International ing increased range, GPS-aided navigation, stated. “The presentation follows a year two-way data link and improved weapons of active discussion with the Polish govern- effectiveness.

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 7  Security Policy The Arctic as an International Security Problem

Stephen Blank

During the last decade climate change has made the Arctic simultaneously a problem of global governance and of international security. Moreover, climate change is apparently accelerating to a point where scientists now report the ocean surface is warming twice as fast as previously thought and Arctic temperatures are spiking.

ince climate change threatens the because the Arctic has also become a ge- precaution is driving other states like Nor- Sentire world with massive ecological opolitical security problem. way and potentially the US and disasters, 195 countries have signed the Although climate change is the natural to take greater interest in developing legally binding Paris treaty and the Arctic phenomenon driving change in the Arc- their Arctic military presence than has heretofore been the case. Thus we see, if not the actuality then at least the precon- ditions for, a a regional arms race occur- ring here as well as a simultaneous race between negotiation and militarisation. Photo KE Adventure The Arctic is not strictly a European se- curity issue, even though Arctic defence inevitably connects to defence of key NATO members and the North Atlantic. Indeed, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin stated the following as one reason that the Arctic had become so prominent in Russia's 2015 Maritime Doctrine: “As for the Arctic, several events moti- vate our decision. One is the growing importance of the North Sea Route. Mr. President, I reported to you that we have begun work on building a new fleet of atomic-powered icebreakers. Three new atomic icebreakers will be ready for work accompanying ships along the northern route in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Further- more, the Arctic also assures us free and unhindered access to the Atlantic and The Arctic remains challenging terrain, proven again by the ORTELIUS, Pacific oceans. Then there are the riches which followed the route of Ernest Shackleton’s endurance expedition. of the continental shelf, the development of which calls for an attentive approach.” Council (AC) has obtained a new lease on tic, Russia’s response to that change has As observed in 2013, the most under- life. But even though the AC has become driven and continues to drive the Arctic reported aspect of the Arctic’s growing more active and even expanded its list of into becoming an international secu- importance is its impact upon Asia’s in- observers to include Italy and key Asian rity problem. Since the evolving security ternational relations. Not only has the countries like , , , dynamics of that international security Arctic’s future disposition entered into , and , this extension of problem take place within the context the agenda of Asian international rela- the scope and remit of global governance of the parallel efforts to bring about a tions, the problems posed by opening by major international actors in the Arc- multilateral governing regime for the use the Arctic due to climate change, and tic through a process of consultation and of the Arctic through the AC, a race is the expectations of expanded commer- negotiation is in danger of being eclipsed occurring between the efforts to achieve cial exploitation of its waters and of an a satisfying form of global governance of eventual energy bonanza create inter- Author the Arctic and the largely Russian-driven esting parallels to other energy issues in efforts to militarize the Arctic. Indeed, Asia, particularly those connected with Dr Stephen Blank, Senior Fellow Russia’s aggressive behavior and concur- the South China Sea. This is especially American Foreign Policy Council. rent drive to militarize the Arctic beyond important for the delimitation of maritime any semblance of reasonable threat or EEZs (economic exclusion zones) under UN-

8 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Security Policy 

Legacy of Fear – Or Reproducing It?", pub- lished in European Security June-Septem- ber, regarding the Svalbard Archipelago (Spitzbergen) that, “there seems to be a high degree of continuity between Cold War and post-Cold War Russian interpre-

Photo: US Department of State tations of space-related activities on the Svalbard archipelago. The current pattern of securitization is in reality not very differ- ent from the Cold War pattern and it seems fair to assume that the historic baggage of Soviet/Russian mistrust and suspicion still serves as a ‘facilitating condition’ for secu- ritization.” Moreover, the authors stated: “Besides, the ‘audiences’ that the ‘securitizing ac- tors’ were playing up to, such as the Rus- sian Security council, the Foreign Ministry, and the Defence Ministry shared many of their concerns. These ‘audiences’ were The Arctic Council in September 2016 generally receptive to the calls for extraor- dinary measures around the archipelago at CLOS (UN Commission on the Law of the regime were likely to succeed despite the the time.” Sea). For example, should China success- crisis in European security, today’s reality fully defy its neighbours, the US and the is not only that Russia is arming but also Acquisitive Frenzy on Russian International Court of Justice in The Hague Norway is quickly building up its defences Energy Resources regarding the South China Sea, Russia while America’s calls for greater interest could then follow suit and invoke China’s in Arctic military presence are growing in Indeed, Russian policy originates in the behavior as a precedent. Alternatively, if number and volume. Even before Mos- belief that everyone covets its energy re- Russia could defy the UN, AC and its Arc- cow first made large and disputed claims sources. Pace Carl Schmitt, Russian security tic neighbours and consolidate its control to Arctic territory to the UN in 2007, its policy begins from the generalized presup- over an extended claim of Arctic waters, military saw the Arctic as a zone of threat position of threat and this outlook is appar- that could become a predecent for China and not just because climate change made ent in every Russian official doctrinal and in those disputed Asian seas. hitherto inaccessible areas accessible to official statement of the last decade. Rus- greater prospects for year-round naviga- sia’s 2013 Foreign Policy Concept openly Underdeveloped Military tion, a trend that invariably raised concerns states that as competition grows around Potentials in the Arctic for and aerial as well as the sources of raw materials, their exchang- maritime monitoring and defence of Arctic es, and their markets, this source of com- This Asian dimension of the Arctic issues ex- energy platforms. Kristian Atland and Tor- petition could become a trigger for future pands the scope of the threat posed by the bjorn Pedersen concluded several years ago conflicts. And official documents since then militarization of the Arctic. Moreover this in their article “The Svalbard Archipelago have reinforced and expanded this threat millitarization occurs not so much because in Russian Security Policy: overcoming the assessment. Consequently, Russia’s ensu- of military threat potentials in the Arctic which, apart from Russia, remain quite un- derdeveloped. Rather it is because the Arc- tic, as a military theatre, has historically been an adjunct or accompanying theatre to key Photo: MoD Russia European battlegrounds during World War II and the Cold War. Accordingly the Rus- sian buildup becomes dangerous not just because of its Arctic potential but because of the threat this militarization poses to the security of Nordic states, especially Norway, and the North Atlantic and because of the negative precedent this militarization could have for Asia. The numerous warnings of the threat posed by Russian submarines to Western sea lines of communication and actual physical communication links attests to this concern in Europe. So while the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) recently published a book arguing that the AC’s multilateral The northernmost military base, Arctic Trefoil, in Alexandra Land, Franz efforts to establish an acceptable Arctic Josef Land archipelago

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 9  Security Policy ing military buildup of the Arctic evidently NATO aerospace attack (its biggest fear) is Rooting in Soviet Precedents intends to go beyond any idea of defend- likely to come. As a result, "interviews with ing what really is (except for the Northern officials and military analysts and reviews These deployments take their point of de- Fleet’s SSBNs) a rather secondary theater. of government documents show Russia’s parture from a long-standing threat assess- Instead Russia apparently plans to engage build-up is the biggest since the 1991 Sovi- ment whose roots derive from Soviet prec- the Arctic fully in defence planning for myr- et fall and will, in some areas, give Moscow edents as noted above. Russian authorities, iad threats going beyond risks to energy more military capabilities than the Soviet as well as intelligence and expert circles platforms and weather related mishaps or Union once had,” Reuters stated in the arti- alike, have since the early 2000s argued dangers to commercial shipping to include cle “Putin’s Russia In Biggest Arctic Military that the expected growing global demand full-blown military scenarios that comprise Push Since Soviet Fall” in January 2017. for energy, with simultaneously declining Europe, as was the case during the Cold These investments confirm the priority sta- production worldwide, could trigger rivalry War. Certainly, its deployments listed below tus of the Arctic in Russian military planning. and a potential future competition with indicate that Russia views the Arctic as a po- As a leading Norwegian scholar, Katarzyna international corporations as well as state tential theatre in a bigger European or even Zysk recently observed in her paper “Rus- actors, for declining energy reserves in par- Trans-Atlantic war. These threats evidently sia’s Strategic Underbelly: Military Strategy, ticular in the Middle East, the Caspian Sea, comprise a NATO or US aerospace attack Capabilities and Operations In the Arctic” Central Asia, in Barents Sea and the Arctic. with missiles, air and naval strikes and even from May 2016: “The Russian authorities In the assessment of Presidents Putin, Med- potential amphibious landings in the Arctic have further underlined the importance of vedev, and the General Staff, such competi- to seize energy installations. the Arctic in numerous policy documents, tion may eventually lead to a conflict. Recent accounts indicate the magnitude including the 2015 Maritime Doctrine, in Russia, with its enormous share of global of Russia’s conversion of the Arctic into an which the Arctic and the Atlantic have been natural resources, may in the future be- international security problem. Moreover, given priority. At a meeting of top-ranking come an object of a large-scale expansion. Russia has already announced plans for officials of the Defence Ministry in Decem- According to the Russian General Staff, it continuing military expansion in the Arctic ber 2015, Minister Shoigu promised that will be one of the most important challeng- Photo:

Arctic patrol ship of the Royal Canadian Navy in 2017. Russia’s Ministry of Defence has reinforcement of the military units in the es of Euro-Atlantic security. General Valerii announced that it is building over 100 facili- Arctic would be among the priority tasks Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff, ties in the Arctic on its bases in the Franz Jo- in 2016, and a complete Arctic force group assessed that the likelihood of the threat sef Land and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos, is to be fully established by 2018.” may increase by 2030. In addition, as Keir Sredny Island, Cape Schmidt, and Wrangel Zysk also observes the Soviet roots of Rus- Giles and Mark Smith wrote in 2007: “Rus- and Kotelny Islands. sia’s current strategy: “The foundation sia views the Arctic in very different terms US figures (Gramer) show that in recent for Russian military strategy in the region from all other littoral and nearby states, and years Russia “unveiled a new Arctic com- remains the traditional mission to form a takes any ‘foreign’ interest in those areas as mand, four new Arctic brigade combat ‘bastion’ in case of conflict, i.e. maritime an indication of hostile intent which may teams, 14 new operational airfields, 16 areas around the naval bases closed to pen- require a securitized response.” deep-water ports, and 40 icebreakers with etration by enemy naval forces, where Rus- So while the Arctic remains peaceful today, an additional 11 in development.” Russia is sia would deploy strategic submarines and the military buildup depicted by Zysk and also building up new Arctic coastal forces maintain control, while in the areas further others, along with everything else that is and new state of the art over the horizon south, where Russia would be unlikely to happening cannot but inflame allied suspi- radars that indicate its belief that the Arctic hold control, it would seek to deny control cions. Those anxieties were already visible is likely to be the route through which a to potential adversaries.” in the author’s conversations with Norwe-

10 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Security Policy  gian officials in 2014 and are more readily flected declining oil prices that negate the Arctic given low energy prices as well as discernible in the movement of 300 US Ma- point of Arctic energy explorations, sanc- strong environmental concerns as to what rines to Norway, increased Norwegian de- tions on Russia and major global reces- any Arctic drilling might lead to. All this fence spending and a new defence agree- sions in Europe, Russia, and the Far East. occurs even as Western elites complain ment with the UK. Since the centerpiece And 75% of that shipping was Chinese, that such militarization undercuts not only of Russian defence forces here remains the another sign of Russia’s decline in Eurasia the Arctic Council but also any hope for Northern Fleet, which is one of the nucle- relative to China. Given low energy prices peaceful Arctic political-economic coop- ar fleets holding SSBNs, and their bases, and sanctions upon Russia, pressures to eration. Since the Council does not deal should conflict move to the Arctic from curtail energy and mineral exploration in with hard security issues, this militariza- Europe or another theatre, we must take the Arctic have also grown. Symptomatic tion raises the distinct possibility that de- into account the real nuclear escalation po- of this trend is the example of President spite advances in international governance tential here. And because Russia’s current Obama’s executive order of December regimes for exploiting the Arctic and deal- threat assessment is so extravagantly out 2016, restricting offshore drilling in most ing with the consequences thereof, the of alignment with the reality of other Arctic parts of US Arctic waters, which also re- region may descend into armed rivalry if states’ capabilities we cannot simply count flects the current inutility of drilling in the not actual conflict.  on the Arctic remaining a zone of peace.

Warming but Still Threatening Cold Yet despite this militarization, it is not clear that Russia is invest- ing sufficient resources at home to counter the expected threats that climate change could pre- sent to its territories. The Siberian Images courtesy of www.defencephotography.com Times reported that there is a re- al threat of the actual collapse of buildings in Siberia’s permafrost territories by 2050. Moreover, as long as energy prices stay in the $50-60 range, as appears to be the case, the expected Arctic energy bonanza will not materi- alize. Russia will then be starved of opportunities to fund a revival of its civilian and commercial in- frastructure, thus further negat- ing prospects for exploiting the Arctic for such purposes. Indeed, cooperative ventures have stalled due to the collapse of energy prices that makes multilateral cooperation over energy prices impractical given the inherently high prices of Arctic oil and gas. Also, the imposition of sanctions, particularly on Russian efforts to REGISTER TO obtain financing and technology ACCESS THE ATTEND TODAY 34,038 for Arctic projects, has further VISITORS (6% UP COMPARED TO 2013) driven the potential for coopera- GLOBAL MARKET FROM 108 COUNTRIES tion in the Arctic off the contem- porary agenda. AT THE WORLD In 2015–2016 despite the accel- AIR 76% erating warming of global and LEADING DEFENCE OF ATTENDEES Arctic temperatures, commercial DECISION MAKERS OR LAND exploitation of the Northern Sea & SECURITY EVENT SPECIFIERS (DSEI 2015) Route (NSR) actually declined. N AVA L Less than 40,000 tons of cargo To enquire and reserve your exhibition space contact: 1,683 was shipped across the NSR in EXHIBITORS T: +44 (0)20 7384 7770 E: [email protected] SECURITY 2015, down from over a million REPRESENTING THE in 2014. This figure clearly re- WWW.DSEI.CO.UK/ESD WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN JOINT

Supported by Award Winning Organised by 42 March 2017 · European Security & DefenceINTERNATIONAL11 PAVILIONS  Security Policy Belgian Security and Defence Policy

Nicholas Fiorenza

The future of Belgium’s security and defence policy is laid out in the Strategic Vision for Defence published in June 2016 and agreed by the Belgian government last December. The new defence and security strategy sets out the tasks and shape of the , which will be reduced from 32,000 to 25,000 soldiers and civilians.

elgium aims to increase defence spend- Bing from the current 0.9 percent of

gross domestic product to 1.3 percent in Photo: NATO 2030, not including pensions. If pensions are included, Belgium plans to reach the two percent of gross domestic product called for by NATO in 2024. To stop the slide in defence spending, the current government plans to invest €200M in major equipment before the 2019 federal elections. A further €9.2Bn will be invested between 2020 and 2030. Belgian F-16 aircraft have frequently participated in NATO’s Baltic air- The money will be invested in the land, policing mission since its beginning in March 2004. air and naval components, which are now referred to as “dimensions”, as well as in and international humanitarian missions, tion to NATO collective defence, regularly cyber intelligence. defence diplomacy, and the implemen- rotating to the Baltic states to police their The plan aims to achieve a balance be- tation of arms control treaties, weapons airspace. tween personnel costs with the intention inspections, non-proliferation, and disar- Belgium has the ambition to have two of reducing them to half of the defence mament. combat aircraft available in 15 minutes for budget, with operating costs accounting national air defence and for air policing and for 23.5 percent and defence investment Air Force and Navy: six expeditionary combat aircraft available for around 17 percent. In 2016, Belgium Spearheads for Collective within three days for an unlimited period. spent nearly 78 percent of its defence Defence Since 1 January 2017, two Belgian F-16s budget on personnel and only around have been on 15-minute quick reaction five percent on defence investment, with The Belgian Air Force and Navy are seen alert (QRA) not only to police the airspace operating costs accounting for 17 percent. by the Strategic Vision as “spearheads” for of Belgium and Luxembourg, but also of The operations budget will be increased collective defence which can also contrib- The Netherlands under a joint air policing from €607M in 2016 to €1.155Bn in 2030. ute to collective security. The F-16 is the agreement agreed by the three Benelux Spending on research and technology will current spearhead for Belgium’s contribu- countries in March 2015. Belgium and The be increased from the current €5M to €140M in 2030 to reach two percent of the defence budget, as called for by the . The main aims of Belgian security and

defence policy are to contribute to col- Photo: MoD Belgium lective defence in the face of a more ag- gressive Russia on NATO’s eastern flank and to collective security to manage crises such as refugees, terrorism, criminality and human trafficking emanating from Europe’s southern flank. Another key mis- sion is protecting Belgian citizens all over the world. Other missions are to support the police in homeland defence, national Author

Nicholas Fiorenza is a defence and The Dutch minister of defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and her aerospace journalist based in Brussels, Belgian colleague Steven Vandeput signed a letter of intent on 30 Belgium. November 2016 on the joint procurement of new ships to replace their M- and mine hunters.

12 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Security Policy 

Netherlands will take turns policing each frigates to be operated by The Netherlands The army’s motorised capability consists of others’ airspace, making them the first and the new mine hunters by Belgium. the Medium Brigade with five manoeuvre countries in world to do so. The Belgian The two countries are ready to begin pre- battalions, supported by engineers, indi- fighters will be on QRA for the first four liminary studies on replacing the ships, with rect fire, intelligence, surveillance, target months of 2017, after which two Royal Belgium planning to do so by 2030. The acquisition and surveillance (ISTAR), logis- Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-16s will new generation of mine hunters will have tics, and communication and information take over. the additional requirement of taking over systems. This will require investments in The Belgian air force and RNLAF also take the tasks of the Belgian logistics support mobile bridge layers and improvised explo- turns deploying F-16s to Jordan to partici- ship GODETIA, which will not be replaced. sive device (IED) route clearance for the en- pate in air operations against the so-called Belgium is also studying the possibility of gineers, long range mobile artillery, short Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The country joining Germany in contributing to the Roy- range fire location , drones for indirect not providing aircraft provides security for al Netherlands Navy’s joint logistic support fire support, and containers and armoured the base in Jordan. ship Zr. Ms. KAREL DOORMAN. This would trucks for logistics. The Belgian air force plans to acquire 34 involve Belgium providing the Dutch ship Belgium has the ambition to provide a new combat aircraft to replace its 54 F-16s. with a helicopter detachment and medi- force headquarters for six months and an Under consideration are the RAFALE, Eu- cal unit. 800-1,200-strong battlegroup for crisis rofighter TYPHOON, Gripen E, F-35, and F/A-18 SUPER HORNET. Belgium is ready to publish the request for proposals and the contract for whichever combat aircraft is selected will be signed by 2019 for deliv- eries beginning in 2023. The question of Photo: MoD Belgium whether the combat aircraft will continue to have a nuclear mission remains open. The second spearhead consists of six minehunters to help keep European ports and waterways free of mines and two M- Frigates acquired from The Netherlands to contribute to the protection of the sea lines of communication essential for the Belgian and European economy. Belgium’s level of ambition is to have a multi-purpose with a helicopter on board available for 36 A Belgian logistics company supports the German-led NATO battalion months, followed by a period of two years deployed to Rukla, Lithuania. with an availability of six months per year. Its ambition also includes having two mine For both collective defence and security, management operations for an unlim- countermeasures vessels and a coastal pa- the Strategic Vision foresees the reinforce- ited period. In addition, its ambition is to trol vessel available for an unlimited period ment of military cyber capabilities, with a provide a second battlegroup for the EU of time, plus the capability to counter mines quadrupling in personnel to 199, the im- or the NATO Response Force or two joint in ports and deep waters. provement of defensive capabilities and companies numbering 250 troops each Belgium and The Netherlands signed a let- the addition of offensive capabilities, sup- for separate deployments. Belgium cur- ter of intent on 30 November 2016 on the ported by cyber reconnaissance. rently commands the EU Training Mission joint procurement of new ships to replace in Mali, is participating in the German-led their M-Frigates and mine hunters. The Army: Spearhead for battlegroup in Lithuania with a 90-strong strategic plan foresees the Collective Security logistics company, and has 270 troops on continuing to have two frigates and six standby for an EU battle group during the mine hunters. The new frigates will have an The army is seen by the Strategic Vision as first six months of the year. improved anti-submarine capability, along the “spearhead” for collective security. The Under the Strategic Vision, Belgian ground with Belgium’s four NH90 NATO Frigate focus of the motorised forces will be the forces will be optimised for special opera- Helicopters, and a ballistic missile defence southern flank of NATO but they will con- tions with the transformation of the Light capability. tinue to contribute to collective defence of Brigade into a Special Operations Com- Belgium will take the lead on the procure- the eastern flank. To continue to fulfil these mand consisting mainly of para-comman- ment of the new mine hunters and The tasks, these forces will receive new combat dos. In addition to increasing the size of Netherlands will take the lead on the pro- and support vehicles and individual soldier the Special Forces Group to 225, the two curement of the new frigates, reflecting equipment and be digitised. Soldiers will para-commando units – 2 Commando Bat- each country’s area of naval expertise. Cur- receive personal weapons, Belgian Soldier talion and 3 Parachute Battalion – will be rently, the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Transformation (BEST) vests, night and transformed into ranger battalions which operate the M-Frigates jointly and thermal vision equipment, heavy machine can be employed as a Special Forces Sup- the two navies can reinforce their frigate guns and light mortars. Their communica- port Group. The new ranger battalions will and mine hunter crews with each others’ tions equipment and interconnectivity will be capable of deploying by parachute, air- personnel, although this usually occurs for be modernised along with those of inter- mobile, amphibious assault or ground in- joint training. It still has to be determined national partners with multi-role radios, filtration with little support, in addition to how the new ships will be operated. One satellite , and battlefield the non-combatant evacuation of Belgian possibility being considered is for the new management system tablets. civilians from conflict areas. Air mobility

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 13  Security Policy

will be provided by Belgium’s four NH90 deployed to reinforce the police. Their medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) multi-role transport helicopters, which will strength rose to 1,000 after the terror- unmanned aerial systems. receive special operations forces kits and ist attacks on Paris on 13 November 2015 The Strategic Vision aims for Belgium medical evacuation kits. The Royal Neth- and to 1,600 after the attacks on Brus- to have the capability to conduct its key erlands Marines will train two Belgian sels on 22 March 2016. Operation Vigilant missions, with a balance of credible and para-commando companies to acquire an Guardian was optimised in October-No- sustainable combat capabilities across the amphibious capability so the two forces vember 2016 with patrols replacing static four dimensions: land, air, sea and cyber. can conduct joint landings, while the Bel- guard duty and the number of soldiers The emphasis will be on strategic enablers gians will help the Dutch marines develop deployed reduced to 1,100. The Belgian for national support and to fill European paradrop capabilities. military leadership is concerned about capability gaps and non-kinetic and civil- the reduction in training resulting from military capabilities for conflict prevention Support for Internal Security the heavy workload of Operation Vigilant and post-conflict stabilisation. This will re- Guardian. For example, the Bevrijding/5 quire a wide national capability portfolio Defence is the last rampart for internal se- Linie (Liberation/5 Line) Battalion had to integrated into European capabilities with curity, according to the Strategic Vision. The cancel eight out of 11 weeks of training the ability to adapt to changes in the secu- armed forces’ support for internal security planned for 2016, leaving only two weeks rity environment and the maximisation of goes beyond air policing. The navy sup- of field training in Germany and a one- the possibilities for European cooperation. ports internal security with coastal patrols, week computer-assisted exercise. The Strategic Vision foresees an increase in a maritime information centre, and search human intelligence and unmanned aerial and rescue by NATO Frigate Helicopters, European Capability Anchor and space-based reconnaissance. The mili- although naval missions take precedence. tary intelligence service will receive more The Service d’Enlèvementet de Destruction Increasing European defence cooperation personnel and funding and be adapted d’Engins Explosifs (Explosive Removal and is essential for Belgium’s defence and secu- to new threats such as terrorism and hy- Destruction Service, SEDEE) provides a na- rity policy, which is anchored in European brid warfare. The Belgian army’s recon- naissance vehicles, tactical unmanned vehicles (UAVs), mini UAVs and all their multi-sensors will be modernised. In addi- tion, Belgium plans to procure two MALE unmanned aerial systems in the short term

Photo: MoD Belgium and four more European systems in the long term. Currently, there are no plans to arm them but the option to do so in the future is open. Belgium is also participat- ing in NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance programme and plans to do the same in France’s Spatiale Optique (CSO) optical space component satellite programme.

Ends and Means

The major defence spending increases foreseen by the Strategic Vision will not be made until after the 2019 federal elections. In addition to cutting the armed forces to Belgium deployed troops on the streets to reinforce the police after 25,000 soldiers and civilians in 2030, the terrorist attacks. average age will be reduced from the cur- rent 40 to 34. tional explosive ordnance and counter-IED capacity development via a bottom-up Belgium’s military leadership is concerned response capability and disposes of thou- European defence, according to the Stra- about the effects of the reduction in train- sands of munitions per year left over from tegic Vision. Belgium plans to fill capabil- ing and of past defence budget cuts on the the two world wars. Under the Strategic ity gaps through European programmes. capabilities of the nation’s armed forces. It Vision, the SEDEE and military hospital in- For air-to-air refuelling, Belgium plans to is also concerned that the continuing loss frastructure available for disaster response pay for and operate an aircraft of the joint of expertise and personnel is adversely af- will be rationalised and an air information European A330 Multi-Role Tanker Trans- fecting capabilities, especially those of the centre will be created. port fleet and to acquire two refuelling army. Belgian soldiers have been on the streets kits for its A400Ms. Belgium is procuring Recruitment is being gradually stepped up of Brussels, Antwerp, Liege and other cities seven A400Ms, with deliveries scheduled from 900 in 2016 to 2,100 a year in 2021- for over two years since 17 January 2015 to begin in 2019, and will contribute to the 2030. Military pay will become more flex- to deter terrorist attacks under Operation Belgian-Luxembourg A400M training cen- ible to attract specialists and more will be Vigilant Guardian. Following the arrest tre. The national ambition is to have four invested in training trainers. At the same on 15 January of suspected Islamic radi- transport aircraft, including one or two in time, individual military pensions are being cal terrorists planning to attack the police the aerial refuelling role, available for an reduced but the overall pension budget will and the seizure of weapons caches, po- unlimited period of time. Belgium will also nevertheless grow from the current nearly lice uniforms and cash, 300 soldiers were participate in the development of European €1.37Bn to €1.65Bn in 2030. 

14 European Security & Defence · March 2017

 Security Policy Azerbaijan’s Relations with Russia: Beware of the Bear

Eugene Kogan

The geographic location of the three South Caucasian countries Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia is a curse. For centuries these countries have been divided and ruled by the dominating Persian, Russian and Ottoman empires. The empires have collapsed and faded away, but their successor states Iran, and the (present-day Russia) continue to dominate the region.

he collapse of the Soviet Union has giv- neighbouring Georgia that deployed Rus- cently the two countries have grown apart. Ten Azerbaijan a breathing space to build sian troops would stay put, which would In the end, Azerbaijan decided that co-oper- a new independent state. Yet the curse of make Armenia and Azerbaijan even more ating with Russia by advancing Azerbaijan’s geography still lingers. An independent dependent on Russia and the international interests is preferable to antagonising Rus- and sovereign state for 25 years, Azerbaijan community even more impotent. After all, sia. Some might describe Azerbaijan’s policy is still surrounded by Russia and Iran. And this time around President Vladimir Putin will not give President Ilham Aliyev’s regime a second chance to get closer to the West and Turkey.

Azerbaijan’s Vulnerabilities (Photo: Picture Alliance)

First of all, it is important to elaborate on Azerbaijan’s current domestic situation and its implications for relations with Turkey, its strategic partner, as well as Azerbaijan’s re- lations with the EU and the US, because it explains why Azerbaijan eventually chose to co-operate with Russia. Over the past two to three years, Azerbaijan’s manoeuvring space has shrunk – due to the domestic economic downturn, falling oil and gas prices and sub- sequent depreciation of the local currency, and cooling relations with the EU and the US (hereafter called the West) and Turkey. In the end, Azerbaijan is left with the only viable option of co-operating with Iran and Russia, A general view of a destroyed Talish village situated near the Karabakh- the two countries that Azerbaijan has to be Azerbaijani contact line. Many historical Armenian and early Christian very careful with. monuments were destroyed in the village during the 1994 war and April On the one hand, for the last 20 years Azer- 2016 "four-day war" when the Azerbaijani army took control of the baijan pursued a multilateral policy and kept village on 2 April 2016. Russia at a safe distance. Azerbaijan did not allow Russia to drag it into Russian-led or- the international community has no lever- towards Russia as Finlandisation, akin to the ganisations like the Collective Security Treaty age to make Moscow withdraw its troops, Finnish pursuit of neutrality after the end Organisation (CSTO) and the Eurasian Eco- and international appeals to Russia to with- of the Second World War in the face of a nomic Union (EEU). Furthermore, Azerbaijan draw its troops from the occupied territories hostile Soviet Union. With that explanation has strenuously objected to the deployment has fallen on deaf ears in Moscow. kept in mind I turn to Azerbaijan’s relations of Russian peacekeeping forces along the On the other hand, the government of Azer- with Russia. Line of Contact (LoC) in Nagorno-Karabakh. baijan realised that in comparison with Rus- Closer relations with Russia mean a radical Azerbaijan learned from the experience of sia the West is weak and indecisive when it shift in Azerbaijani strategic vision and for- comes to the South Caucasus, and Turkey eign policy pursuit based on the past co- Author is preoccupied with domestic and foreign operation with the West and Turkey. There is crises and distracted from Azerbaijan. As a no doubt that the shift was accompanied by Dr Eugene Kogan is a defence and result, Azerbaijan has to cope alone with its a strengthening of Ilham Aliyev’s regime at security expert based in Tbilisi, Geor- neighbourhood including Iran’s ambiguous home. Aliyev feared a domestic destabilisa- gia. policy. Although Azerbaijan and Turkey have tion – a kind of Rose or Orange Revolution or been on the same page for many years, re- what the Russians call “colour revolutions”

16 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Security Policy 

– and he accused the EU and the US of ap- presidents met in Baku on 8 August 2016. or not Azerbaijan would agree to join the plying double standards to Azerbaijan. Par- In addition to international and regional poli- union is another matter. As time goes by, ticularly the Western critique of the Aliyev tics and talks on energy and transportation Azerbaijan's manoeuvring space vis-à-vis regime cooled relations between Azerbaijan co-operation, the presidents discussed the Russia continues to shrink, while the West and the West. In other words, Aliyev’s greed North-South Transport Corridor. The corri- and Turkey are preoccupied with their own for power and alienation from the West dor would connect Northern Europe with problems. made the regime in Azerbaijan a natural Southeast Asia and might serve as a link Finally, the frozen conflict over Nagorno- partner of Putin’s Russia as Russia has no real connecting the railways, roads and shipping Karabakh is a trump card in relations be- allies. Czar Alexander III who ruled Russia in infrastructure stretching from Iran to Russia tween Azerbaijan and Russia. The conflict the late 19th century believed that Russia through Azerbaijan. According to Theodore allows Russia to keep Armenia and Azer- only had two allies – her army and navy. Not Karasik, a political analyst and a senior Gulf baijan, to various degrees, in its sphere of much has changed since then, but the two State Analytics Advisor in Washington, “the influence. Russia has little interest in resolv- Russian allies have been compounded with Russia’s strategic rocket forces and nuclear weapons.

Russia’s Reward for Loyalty

Unlike the West, Russia does not ask Azer- Photo: Azerbaijan Army baijan to maintain an unblemished human rights record and uphold democratic stand- ards. Russia wants the regime in Azerbaijan to remain stable, predictable and loyal to Russia. The latter point is important since Russia rewards loyalty. For instance, in May 2015 Russia signed an agreement on gas imports to buy 2 billion cubic metres (bcm). Rovnag Abdullayev, President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic ­(SOCAR), said that ”negotiations have been opened with Gazprom about the purchase Azerbaijan showing its military assets during a parade in Baku of between 3 bcm and 5 bcm annually on 12 May.” Negotiations regarding the price project will significantly reduce the costs and ing the conflict, a point that Russian officials of supplies are pending. In addition, Russia time of transportation. The heads of the deny outright. Although the four-day war continues to reward Azerbaijan by supplying three countries discussed in Baku customs, in Nagorno-Karabakh in April 2016 clearly it with advanced arms to the detriment of transit costs, as well as other important is- exposed the limits of the Russian involve- Russia’s strategic partner Armenia. Back in sues.” ment in conflict resolution, Russia was the April 2014 Zakir Hasanov, Azerbaijan’s Min- only one that was actively engaged in the ister of Defence, said: “Today Azerbaijan’s Under Control diplomatic negotiations, while the rest of Armed Forces receive modern weapons the OSCE Minsk Group delegated that mis- from Russia. That helps to boost our coun- In spite of its steady arms purchases and in sion to Moscow. try’s defence capability,” spite of growing economic co-operation, In conclusion, Azerbaijan understands per- Additionally, Russia is the second largest Azerbaijan views Russia’s strengthening fectly well that good neighbourly relations trade partner of Azerbaijan (excluding oil position in the post-Soviet space and be- with Russia are the foundation for pros- exports) after Italy. According to the data of yond (i.e., in Syria) as the greatest threat perity for the country. Azerbaijan’s stability the Azerbaijan State Customs Committee to its independence and sovereignty since and prosperity depend on Russia and not (SCC) the trade volume between Azerbaijan Russia is a predator state. Russia will not vice versa. Therefore, "beware of the bear“ and Russia totalled US$743M between Jan- hesitate to use ethnic minorities (i.e., the means that Azerbaijan needs to tread care- uary and June 2016 while Russian imports Talysh or Lezgian people) in northern fully and act accordingly in its relations with from Azerbaijan accounted for US$191M for Azerbaijan and bordering Dagestan or the Russia, since Russia can exert pressure on the same period. Last but not least there Azerbaijani diaspora in Moscow to under- Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s cooling relations is the issue of Azerbaijan migrant workers mine the current regime, while at the same with the West and Turkey has put it in a in Russia. According to Anatoly Fomenko, time keeping Azerbaijan under its control. tight spot, and Russia may not give Aliyev’s Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Seemingly, at the moment Russia is not regime a second chance to get closer to Migration Office, “about 10.5 million mi- interested in bringing Azerbaijan into the the West and Turkey. After all, strong Pu- grants resided in Russia back in April 2013” EEU since the union is going through seri- tin is not weak Yeltsin and US interests in (the latest official data available). “Of this ous economic challenges. However, in the Azerbaijan in 2017 are no longer the same number about six hundred thousand were future Russia may ask Azerbaijan to join as they used to be in the early 1990s. In Azerbaijanis.” Russia can use them to exert the union despite potential objections from addition, Turkey is distracted by terrorist pressure on Azerbaijan to bow to Moscow’s Armenia. If Russia sold arms to Armenia acts, military involvement in Syria and the demands. Russian officials dismiss this point and Azerbaijan despite objections from continued cleansing of the Fethullah Gulen out of hand. Armenia, then Russia indeed has persua- supporters, while Russia is waiting patiently To improve relations between Russia, Azer- sive power to bring Azerbaijan into the EEU for the right moment to bring Azerbaijan baijan and Iran as a new partner, the three despite objections from Armenia. Whether back into its orbit. 

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 17 Viewpoint from Berlin

Germany’s Reassessment of Transatlantic Security Relations

Wolfgang Labuhn

ll smiles and friendly handshakes at the latest summit of NATO Meanwhile, Germany is spending a considerable amount of money ADefence Ministers at Brussels in February and at the 53rd Mu- on new military hardware. 100 mothballed LEOPARD 2 main battle nich Security Conference when the new US Secretary of Defense tanks are to be bought back from the manufacturers and to be mod- James Mattis reaffirmed “our strong transatlantic bond“, and the ernised to the latest standard. The will get five addi- “full US commitment to NATO“ which President Donald Trump tional K130 frigates. Defence Minister von der Leyen has also decided had previously called “obsolete“. However, as Mattis as well as to order six – rather than four – MKS 180 multi-purpose frigates. In Vice President Mike Pence also reiterated, Trump’s message of “fair addition, the recently established German-Norwegian partnership burden sharing“ puts the Berlin government is in a quandary. For to jointly purchase identical new submarines involves two more ves- at the Brussels meeting Mattis expressed optimism in that “the Al- sels for the Germany Navy by 2030. The German-Norwegian strate- liance will adopt a plan this year, including milestone dates to make gic partnership includes further development of Kongsberg’s “Naval steady progress toward meeting defence commitments in light of Strike Missile“ (NSM) designed to be the main weapon system for the increased threats that we all agree that we face“. In an election all future frigates of both countries. Furthermore, Germany plans to year, the German government is thus expected to spell out in detail purchase up to six HERCULES C-130J transport aircraft to be used how to meet the agreed NATO target to spend at least 2% of the jointly with France in response to air transport shortcomings until respective GDP on defence by 2024 at the latest. The annual Ger- the delivery of all new A400M airlifters. Also, Germany is to man defence budget currently stands at around €37Bn equalling join Europe’s future Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) of up to eight roughly 1.,2 % of the German GDP. 2% would bring the budget to Multi-Role Transport Tanker (MRTT) aircraft. All these well over €60 billion , a financial effiort that the German electorate projects will require additional billions of . would not accept at the present time. However, after 25 years of constantly reducing the size of its armed forces the most important German contribution to burden sharing Not surprisingly, the Berlin coalition of Christian Democrats and will probably be a significant increase in the number of troops. Social Democrats is split on the issue. Foreign Minister and Social Medium term planning now aims at 198,000 German troops by Democrat Sigmar Gabriel agreed to a larger German contribu- 2024, compared to the maximum strength of 185,000 troops as tion to European defence efforts. But in his view creating the im- planned in 2011 for a “readjusted“ . pression that Germany would add €30Bn to its current defence Thus President Trump’s ominous remarks on the future of the budget within eight years would be “totally unrealistic“. On the NATO Alliance have already led to a fundamental German reas- other hand, at the Munich Security Conference Chancellor Angela sessment of transatlantic security relations. While for the forsee- Merkel reaffirmed Germany’s acceptance of burden sharing includ- able future the US will remain indispensable for Europe’s security, ing spending more on defence: “We will make every effort – we the present Berlin government has accepted the necessity to con- remain committed to this goal“. Merkel also indicated how her siderably improve Germany’s defence capabilities. But increased government hopes to raise defence spending to 2% of the GDP spending on personnel and equipment combined with extended as spending on development cooperation and crisis prevention cooperation projects with its European NATO partners will still not should be included in the calculation. Meanwhile, Defence Minister meet the objective of spending 2% of its GDP by 2024. Whether and fellow Christian Democrat Ursula von der Leyen never ceases Angela Merkel’s preemptive defence accounting to include devel- to point out Germany’s contribution to international operations opment aid and crisis prevention spending will convince the new to fight terrorism, and to NATO’s enhanced forward presence in US administration of Germany’s commitment to burden sharing Eastern Europe. within NATO remains to be seen.

18 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Security Policy  Bosnia-Herzegovina – a Failed State or a Prospective EU Candidate?

Igor Tabak

Looking at Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout the years, it is often difficult to bring together the disparate narratives related to the country.

n one hand, it is a dysfunctional post- to EU accession, and also close to negoti- joint government sessions – while periodi- Owar construct with a makeup and ating NATO membership, and a place that cally threatening secession from B&H and constitution determined through pres- saw a constant drop in the number and unification with its wartime sponsor. With sure from international actors (during 20 activity of locally deployed international respect to EU and NATO membership, days of negotiations in Dayton, Ohio, in peacekeepers. This dichotomy is glar- the Republika Srpska entity acts some- autumn 1995). Although there were three ing – spawning discussions about a new what similarly to Serbia proper; that is, it conducts EU negotiations while dodging NATO integration. The entity Republika Srpska actively enforces the EU prereq-

Photo: NATO uisite reforms, but just up to the level where those reforms strengthen its own power – while at the same time blocking all the EU reforms that would benefit the overall country. While Republika Srpska is unable to proclaim military neutrality on its own (like the Republic of Serbia did in December 2007), it was still able to stop the approach of the overall B&H to NATO through stalling some changes that were prerequisite to negotiation. The other B&H entity, named “Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine”, was constructed during the war, in 1994. It was made up of Bosnian Muslim and Croat territories in order to form a stronger negotiation part- ner, able to meet the politically strong Bos- nian Serbs on a more equal footing. Today it is organised in ten cantons (five with Muslim majority, three with Croat major- Signing of the full and formal Dayton Agreement in Paris, France, ity and two mixed), that are grossly inef- on 14 December 1995 ficient and just vaguely based on former historical divisions. While most of the joint sides in the conflict that negotiated in the war, while international attention to and bodies in overall B&H are still constructed US, still this unwieldy country was stitched awareness of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s to reflect the interests of all three major together from just two main entities – situation is decreasing. ethnic groups of the land, the Bosnian one of the major political problems in the ended up in a joint entity with the country. Many political and cultural differ- The Structure as the Source overall Bosnian Muslims majority. Further- ences remained, with power composed of Problems more, a large part of the Croat population of three ethnical political hierarchies that ended either in Muslim majority cantons remained stable (if not stagnant) since the The two main entities of Bosnia and Her- or in the ones that are mixed. The Muslim war. On the other hand, Bosnia and Her- zegovina are very different. On one side majority opts for hard-line unitarist views zegovina is a country broadly on the path there is the Republika Srpska – a direct in contrast to the more federalist views successor of the statelet that the Bosnian of the Croat minority of the “Federacija Author Serbs conquered and ethnically cleansed Bosne i Hercegovine” entity. As a result, during the conflict. Today it encompasses the Croat representatives keep calling on Igor Tabak is an analyst for defence around 49 percent of the overall country a reform of the Dayton structure of B&H, and security based in , , and is organised in a centralised way. By aiming for either the formation of a third, and member of the Homeland Secu- way of calling upon the Special and Paral- Croat entity, or at least restructuring of rity Council of the President of the Re- lel Relations agreement, Republika Srpska the existing “Federation” entity, in order public of Croatia. cooperates actively with the neighbouring to better resist the pressure of political as- Republic of Serbia, going so far as to hold similation and to curb emigration. While

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 19  Security Policy Photo: Federal government Bosnia and Herzegovina

The building of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo

effective assimilation is not common, this litical scene in overall Bosnia and Herze- representative was changed frequently, internal conflict often makes the Croats govina remains strongly divided, with big since March 2009 that post has been held of Bosnia enter into operational alliances ethnical and religious blocs pretty sta- by the Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko. with the political forces in Republika Srp- ble and represented by national parties Apart from this “freeze”, it gradually be- ska, even though the overall interests of with little change in views or personnel. came very obvious that the High Repre- Croats and Serbs in Bosnia differ signifi- Amidst this muddled political scenery, sentative was extremely reluctant to use cantly. On the other hand, emigration of the international community is still on the the “Bonn powers” – a range of some- Bosnian Croats has been made easy by spot in B&H – primarily represented by what controversial measures intended in Photo: OHR Photo: Bundesheer

EUFOR ALTHEA is now mainly focusing on capacity building and training The Austrian diplomat Valentin of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inzko has been the High Representative for Bosnia and the neighbouring Republic of Croatia that the High Representative in B&H (including Herzegovina since 26 March 2009. is not able to establish a political relation- his dedicated Office of the High Repre- ship with the Croat minority comparable sentative and the international Peace Im- 1997 to help break the bureaucratic or to that between Serbia and the Republika plementation Council) and the EU (with political impasses, as well as to incapaci- Srpska, but liberally allows dual citizenship the combined Office of the EU Special tate local incumbents working against rights to Bosnian Croats (especially tempt- Representative and the EU Delegation in the spirit of Dayton accords. This general ing since the accession of Croatia to the EU B&H as well as the EUFOR ALTHEA opera- inactivity contributed significantly to the in summer 2013). tion with around 600 troops deployed). administrative and political impasse in to- This unstable political situation is made Unlike in the first days of the post-war day’s B&H. Also, the role of the US has worse by the fact that the national po- period, when the personnel of the High to be mentioned, not just because the

20 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Security Policy  peace was established through its efforts stopped joint participation, proclaimed appearance gave the local celebration a in 1995, but also because the local US Em- their Republic of the Serbian people in visible regional note, making it also part bassy remained a strong player working B&H and started the war. As the referen- of the upcoming competition for the pres- on furthering the stability of this compli- dum succeeded in gaining a slim majority idency of the Republic of Serbia (which cated post-war national structure. of the overall number of voters registered is to be decided in April 2017) where a in Republika Srpska (thus making it legal) it lot of attention is centred on gaining the The Recent Political Tremors was no surprise to see 9 January ceremo- support of the hard-line nationalist part nies thereby reconfirmed contrary to the of the Serbian political scene. Even though the growth of domestic decisions of the Constitutional Court of radical Islamism and the threat posed by B&H that outlawed the commemoration The Role of EU Membership Wahhabi fighters residing in the country and declared that it discriminated against in Today’s B&H periodically draws the attention of foreign the Croat and Muslim population. Unlike observers, the main problems for Bosnia Dodik, who on various occasions cited this As is clearly visible from the last annual re- and Herzegovina remain more structural. referendum as a stepping stone to further port on the state of preparation of Bosnia Some of the instabilities that shook the referenda, Mladen Ivanić (Serbian member and Herzegovina for EU membership pub- political scene of B&H during the last six months had to do with elections, interna- tional and local, while others were cen- tred on power-games between the Bos- nian Serbs in the Republika Srpska entity

and the rest of B&H. Photo: RS government On one hand, the US presidential elec- tions in late 2016 presented the chance that relations between the USA and Rus- sian Federation were to change – embold- ening the Republika Srpska entity to join the efforts of the Republic of Serbia in getting politically closer to Moscow. On the other hand, the municipal elections in overall Bosnia and Herzegovina held on 2 October 2016 only confirmed the strength of traditional ethnically based leaders and parties – the Serb Milorad Dodik and his SNSD (Alliance of Independent Social Democrats), the Muslim Bakir Izetbegović and his SDA (Party of Democratic Action), and Dragan Čović heading HDZ BiH (the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina). The municipal elections in The central celebration of the “Day of Republika Srpska” was held B&H also refocused attention on some in Banja Luka on 9 January 2017. Milorad Dodik (left), president of existing individual flashpoints – Eastern Republika Srpska, and (to the right of Milorad Dodik) Tomislav Nikolić, Herzegovina where the Muslims and Cro- president of Serbia, were amongst the guests. ats clashed (in Mostar and Stolac), and Srebrenica where the Serbian parties won of the three-ethnical Presidency of Bosnia lished in November 2016, the country is not over the local Muslims, symbolically deep- and Herzegovina) just supported the Sep- nearly ready for immediate accession. B&H ening the local genocidal trauma. tember referendum with reservations on is a country without a functioning market The efforts of the Republika Srpska entity the rest of the secessionist agenda. economy, just beginning the reforms and to gain more independence by constantly As expected, 9 January 2017 automati- changes in most fields that were studied. keeping alive the threat of secession (and cally became another date of inter-entity Still, as can be vividly observed from the then joining the neighbouring Serbia) confrontation. The central celebration recent period when the EU accession was were the other major source of instability. was held in Banja Luka, and is remem- blocked, without an international effort This kind of situation was visible in Sep- bered for the controversial appearance of the local situation cannot improve itself, tember, with a referendum held in Repub- a unit of the joint Armed Forces of B&H because the country is gridlocked by local lika Srpska against the wishes of the other that got approved by the aforementioned political differences. So, the renewed EU half of the country, the joint government Mladen Ivanić as the presiding member of efforts defined also by the resolution on structures and the international communi- the Presidency (counter to the decision of the progress of reforms in B&H passed by ty (apart from Russia, which sided vocally the responsible joint Ministry of Defence the European Parliament on 15 February with the Bosnian Serbs). In this referen- and the opinion of the NATO HQ in B&H) are among the few remedies with proven dum held on 25 September 2016 Milorad – as well as for the presence of Tomis- ability to enact reform. Consequently, even Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, tried lav Nikolić (president of Serbia), and Ivica the struggle to enact basic EU accession to ensure that 9 January was to be cel- Dačić (the Serbian minister of foreign af- procedures already makes sure that this ebrated as the “Day of RS” in the future – fairs), in this way reaffirming the support Balkans country doesn’t end as a failed commemorating the day in pre-war 1992, of the Republic of Serbia for the Bosnian country on the immediate borders of the when the Serbs in the Parliament of B&H Serb entity, apart from the joint B&H. This . 

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 21  Armed Forces The – Amazonian

Roller Coaster Georg Mader

A few years ago, the future of the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira or FAB) and of Brazil as the ­pre-eminent nation in Latin America was bleak. With the GRIPEN-E/F and the Embraer ­KC-390 tanker/transport aircraft, the FAB has two major procurement projects up and running. Unexpected cuts in the 2016 defence budget, however, have prompted a sizeable staff reduction and the closing of regional air commands. This is in addition to an ambitious restructuring plan launched in December 2016. In the meantime, platforms like F-5EM/EFs and A-1A/B (AMX) are being modernised to cover the transition period. For 2017, the budget allocates an increase of 12.2% for defence.

Planning… ing mobility, flexibility, force projection, terms, this figure is far lower than alloca- and command and control (C2) capabili- tions made to the air force in 2008-2010; Brazilian budget planning often resembles ties. Currently, the FAB has more than 600 the largest share went to the acquisition a roller coaster ride. However, high-rank- airframes and some 70,000 personnel, the of the SAAB GRIPEN-E/F multirole fighter ing FAB officers such as FAB commander latter of which needs to shrink by 17,000 whereas the next large project, the EM- Lieutenant Brigadier Nivaldo Luiz Rossato (about 25%). BRAER KC-390, will consume 17% of the assured the author in 2016 that key acqui- budget. sition programmes are not in danger. But …and Budgets It is here where the roller coaster ride takes they also confirmed that the 2016 budget yet another turn. Unexpectedly, Brazil’s cut of 6.4% will necessitate a reduction The reduced defence budget apportioned 2017 budget stipulated a real-term rise of of 25% in the FAB’s officer corps over the the FAB a share of 26.2% or US$6Bn – 12.2% compared with the previous year. next 20 years. This staff cut comes in addi- slightly less than the Navy’s share. Just like Brazil’s total budget of BRL3.5 trillion will allocate BRL94.8Bn (US$29.7Bn) or 2.7% to defence. This figure strongly contrasts with the drastic 6.4% cut of 2016, even when considering the country’s high infla-

Photo: via author tion rate. In real and nominal terms the rise is the largest in Brazilian defence spending in over a decade. Moreover, it is expected to reach US$20.5Bn in 2021, tracing an an- nual growth rate of some 4.0%, at least according to a report by Strategic Defence Intelligence (SDI). These figures and structural plans provide the framework for FAB’s programmes:

GRIPEN-NG

In December 2013, Brazil announced its in- F-5EMs of the Brazilian Air Force during exercise Red Flag 2008 tention to procure 36 Saab GRIPEN E/Fs (28 single-seaters and 8 twin-seaters) to fulfil tion to a major restructuring programme other air forces, the FAB suffers from high its so-called F-X2 requirement. A contract developed over several years which will personnel costs. Lt. Brig. Rossato wants the with a value of approximately US$5Bn was shut down some air force bases. The pro- air force to invest in intelligent technologies awarded in October 2014. Several observ- gramme, called “Força Aérea 100”, is to in order to reduce personnel costs. Cur- ers – the author is one of them – have been be completed by 2041; it aims at increas- rently, 68% of FAB’s budget goes towards asking themselves why the FAB chose the personnel costs. Reportedly, this number, smallest of the contenders with the “short- Author however staggering, is still lower than in est legs” for Brazil’s giant airspace of 22 both the Navy and the Army. Nonetheless, million square miles. The FAB, however, Georg Mader is a defence corre- the FAB needs to switch to hiring skilled has no such doubts. When evaluating the spondent and freelance aerospace temporary personnel for administration, three contenders – F/A-18 E/F and RAFALE journalist based in Vienna, Austria, construction and similar jobs. Air force pro- were competing against Saab – all of them and a regular contributor to ESD. curement funds are BRL2.5Bn (US$775M) fulfilled the requirements of taking off in or 11.4% of the FAB’s total budget. In real two configurations from an FAB base to

22 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armed Forces  complete a given mission and return to base. All three aircraft completed the mis- sion on their own without tanker support

but the GRIPEN with its new GE414 engine Photo: via author did not burn as much fuel as the heavier twin-engine aircraft. Brazilians call the aircraft the GRIPEN-NG which stands for “New Generation”; it has nothing to do with Saab's ‘NG‘-demon- strator or 39-7. Deliveries of the airplane are expected in 2019-24, and Saab is al- ready heavily investing in Brazil to live up to the contract’s local content provisions. Brazil has the world’s third or fourth larg- est aerospace industry. Brazilian companies like Embraer, AKAER Engineering, AEL and INBRA are also involved in the “GRIPEN-NG design group”. Officials are confident that GRIPEN-NG will become the backbone of FAB fighter aviation in the medium- and long-term. Considered by many to be one The GRIPEN-NG will become the backbone of FAB fighter aviation in the of the most advanced warplanes, the SU- medium- and long-term. PER GRIPEN is seen as a watershed plat- form for the FAB. It will be a major factor in zilian nation as specified in the National funding for the KC-390 would increase in deterring any threats to Brazil’s sovereign Defence Strategy. It represented a great the future. In any case, the aircraft will airspace; it will fly air defence and QRA mis- leap forward for FAB’s capacity for air enhance the mission array of the GRIPEN. sions but also conduct precision air strikes transport and force multiplication. It is the Most likely, the KC-390 will replace the and aerial reconnaissance. In contrast to largest aircraft ever developed and manu- FAB’s fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130 Sweden’s Flygvapnet, which is not imple- factured in Brazil. An initial agreement HERCULES which have been in service menting it, the twin-seater ‘F-model‘ is cru- was signed in 2009, and the production since 1965. The FAB currently operates cial to Brazil and will largely be designed and delivery contract for 28 aircraft was a fleet of 22 C-130s – five C-130Es, 15 and built in Brazil in a customised version. signed in 2014. Two prototypes are up C-130Hs and two KC-130H tankers. Until will cooperate with the project and flying and it has made transatlantic 2000, the operated 10 just as it does with other Brazilian military flights. Hose-drogue refuelling tests and of the C-130Hs. When Italy acquired 22 projects. The SAAF also operates the D- paratrooper tests have been completed new C-130Js and longer-fuselage C-130J- GRIPEN – not only for OCU/training but in and first deliveries to FAB are expected 30s it sold the C-130H back to Lockheed a C2/battlemaster role as well. next year. Although Brazil’s 2017 budget Martin, which in turn sold them to Brazil. According to FAB Brig. José A. Crepaldi, Di- draft foresees a rise from BRL625M (2016) The sale to Brazil also included spare en- rector of Brazilian Department of Defence to BRL717M for the aircraft’s development gines and parts for both the airframe and Products during F-X2, the programme is and procurement, this remains far lower the avionics systems. Two years ago, one a strategic one for Brazil regardless of the than the BRL1.2B spent on the project of the C-130s crashed at an FAB outpost government in office. He said it is a pro- in 2015. Lt. Brig. Rossato said that the in Antarctica; last summer the wreck- gramme for the nation and not for a par- high personnel costs mentioned above age and the remains were transported ticular government. This is why the GRIPEN had been responsible for delays and that to Brazil. investment is not riding the budget roller coaster and Brazil might one fine day end up with 108 GRIPENs. This number is taken from a 2007 feasibility study that explored

how many aircraft are needed to fulfil all Photo: via author future missions. The study found that Bra- zil is in need of three batches of 36 new fighter aircraft. Although there might be some shuffling around when it comes to the different scenarios, it is the FAB’s declared goal to develop a single-type air force. Whether three batches will amount to 100 or 80 fighter aircraft is still up in the air.

EMBRAER KC-390 and Other Transports The twinjet high- and T-tail KC-390 was carefully designed to serve the Bra- The first flight of the Embraer KC-390 took place on 3 February 2015.

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 23  Armed Forces Photo: via author The SUPER TUCANO from Embraer has become an export bestseller.

When it comes to the lower transport Last July, FAB fielded a C-767 (locally des- countries. Since then, SUPER TUCANOs segment, FAB will receive one search-and- ignated as B767-330ER) personnel and have been delivered to , Mali, rescue (SAR) aircraft Airbus D&S C295 cargo transport aircraft, leased from COLT Ghana, Mauritania and Afghanistan (via fewer than originally planned. The aircraft Aviation. “Corsário“ operates US-based Sierra Nevada Corporation). – designated as SC-105 AMAZONAS – this aircraft out of Galeão Air Base in Rio Since June 2012, the FAB has operated 99 performs SAR missions over the country’s de Janeiro. SUPER TUCANOs, manufactured under vast maritime and jungle areas. It is oper- a contract of approximately US$214.1M. ated by the Squadron “Pelicano” based at Embraer-314 (A-29 SUPER Of these, 66 SUPER TUCANOs are two- Campo Grande Air Base. In Brazil, mari- TUCANO) seater versions (designated A-29B) and 33 time air patrol is an air force task, which aircraft are the single-seat A-29 ALX. The is why the FAB acquired 12 SAR aircraft The Brazilian company Embraer developed first SUPER TUCANO was delivered to the under its earlier CL-X2 programme, and in the perfect design for flying light attack FAB in December 2003 and the last in June April 2014 it contracted another three SAR with ‘cheap’ turboprop airplanes in areas 2012. With the SUPER TUCANO, WWII- aircraft for €191M. Only recently, Brazil or scenarios of little or no resistance in era wing-mounted .50 calibre (12.7mm) cancelled the procurement of one of the the air: the SUPER TUCANO and its prede- heavy machine-guns made a comeback three aircraft, the earlier financial squeeze cessor TUCANO. The FAB and other Latin in military aviation. Additionally, the SU- being the reason. American air forces like the Colombian PER TUCANO can carry a load of up to The 2016 budget cuts suspended Brazil’s Air Force repeatedly used the TUCANO 1,550 kg (3,300 pounds). project to procure two second-hand Boe- for intelligence, surveillance and recon- ing 767-300ER commercial aircraft – one naissance missions (ISR) with guided and Legacy Fleet Modernisation converted by Aerospace Industries’ unguided ordnance and achieved great (IAI’s) BEDEK Aviation Group to its B767 results against drug cartel infrastructures. Budget cuts ended the operation of 12 Multi-Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) The SUPER TUCANO or ‘314‘, introduced second-hand MIRAGE 2000C fighters configuration and the other one by TAP in 2003, has become an export bestseller. leased from France by Christmas 2013. M&E in Brazil. The project intended to re- In 2015 Embraer's Vice President Ger- The FAB’s current frontline combat fleet place the KC-137 (Boeing 707 airframe), aldo Gomes told the author that more comprises modernised Northrop Grum- which was retired in 2013. It remains un- than 200 SUPER TUCANOs have been man F-5EM/FMs, TIGER IIs and a mix of clear whether this suspension is for good. delivered to or ordered by more than 10 legacy and upgraded AMX-International A-1A/B/M fighters. Both aircraft have ex- ceeded their life span and are earmarked for retirement although they are to see an upgrade to a sophisticated avionics and

Photo: via author NAVAID-level and environment. Some upgrades have been completed. The fleet of 49 modernised F-5EM/EFs (43 single-seaters and six twin-seaters) was meant to be complemented by 11 mod- ernised F-5E/Fs (eight single-seaters and three twin-seaters) before they entered FAB service under an April 2011 contract, but in the end only the three twin-seaters were authorised for modernisation by Em- braer, with the first modernisation being completed in October 2014 and remaining two in November 2016. Embraer also received a modernisation contract for the 43 A-1A/B aircraft (33 Brazil ordered 50 H225Ms in June 2008, 18 of which were designated for single-seaters and 10 twin-seaters) to A- the FAB. 1AM and -BM aircraft for BRL843M. But,

24 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armed Forces  reportedly, the FAB has received fewer The Future of the Air Force two GRIPEN squadrons there. Internally, aircraft than anticipated. Last year an FAB Bases the GRIPEN will be named “F-39E”. An- official explained to the author that Brazil other squadron will fly the KC-390 and might need to slow down or postpone the The plan “Força Aérea 100” intends to the existing Embraer E-99/R-99 AEW modernisation of A-1s and F-5s while the establish combined “air wings” at Anáp- and ISR platforms. The outdated AMX first GRIPENs are being delivered. The new olis, Brasília, Campo Grande, Canoas, A-1A/B/M fighters will be stationed at type, therefore, would have to take over Galeão, Manaus, and Natal air bases. Santa Maria in Rio Grande do Sul until missions sooner than the A-1. While additional wings could be cre- their end of service life. Moreover, a Bom- ated, personnel at Afonsos, Florianópo- bardier Aerospace R-35AM ELINT aircraft Trainers lis, Fortaleza, and Recife will be down- squadron will relocate from Recife to sized to only about 200 over the next Anápolis. And a second KC-390 squad- In November 2016 the FAB officially an- five years, thus maintaining a presence ron will later be based at Galeão in Rio de nounced its interest in acquiring advanced at those air bases while reducing costs. Janeiro, where the 1st Troop-Transport trainers. Lt. Brig. Rossato confirmed this to Anápolis in Goiás state will become the Group’s C-130 HERCULES aircraft are cur- ESD. Potentially, the FAB might purchase major FAB hub as the 1st Wing will host rently flying from.  some 50 aircraft in a tender open to international bidders. As of yet no decision has been made re- garding when to issue the tender but studies are well under way for establishing the effort. An FAB official stated that designs developed for the USAF’s am- bitious T-X trainer programme could compete in Brazil as well. Disregarding the actual status of the T-X programme, this would theoretically apply to systems like the Lockheed Martin/KAI T-50 GOLDEN EAGLE, Leonardo’s M-346, Textron’s SCORPION, the BAE Systems HAWK AJT, Ir- kut’s YAK-130 or the Czech Aero Vodochody L-39NG. Besides be- ing a trainer, the FAB also wants such an aircraft to perform close air support (CAS). For now the FAB has one squadron for each training purpose, teaching fu- ture fighter skills, helicopter skills and multi-engine skills. They are equipped with EMB-314, AIR- BUS (Eurocopter) AS350 and EMB 110 BANDEIRANTE.

Helicopters

Currently the FAB uses the vener- able Bell UH-1H IROQUOIS (23), the UH-60L/M BLACK HAWK (16) and the AS-332 SUPER PU- MA as transport and utility heli- copters. The FAB also has 11 AIR- BUS (Eurocopter) EC725 CARA- CALs in the inventory to conduct maritime SAR roles. The FAB’s mainstay for armed attack and patrol are 12 Russian Mi-35Ms, and the FAB uses AS350s (26) and AS355s (4) for rotary train- ing, liaison and utility. With over 80 platforms, the Brazilian army operates more helicopters than the FAB.

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 25  Armed Forces Protecting the Amazon

Tim Guest

Environmental issues are of huge importance to Brazil. Host of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and again in 2012, the country has striven to put in place measures to protect its vast environmental resources from some of the threats posed by the modern world. Today, the Brazilian Amazon is subject to protection from such agencies as the Brazilian Air Force conducting activities under the Amazon Protection System, or SIPAM.

ith a wealth of news stories about SIPAM Background of technologies, intelligence analysis, and Wrampant deforestation, persecution integration of federal, state and municipal of indigenous peoples, illegal logging and Talking with ESD, unattributed Brazilian bodies. drug-trade activities regularly running in Government sources explained the origins During its 15 years, the SIVAM project was the global media, many would think that and current objectives of the Amazon Pro- divided into two components, one being the Amazon has been left to suffer and tection System. Created in February 2002, a civilian and the other a military compo- deal with such threats all on its own. This SIPAM’s objectives are the integration of in- nent. Today, both fall under SIPAM’s um- misconception is far from the truth in Brazil, formation from across the region and gen- brella with the military component linked home to the vast majority of the Amazon erating updated knowledge for the articu- to the Brazilian Air Force Ministry and its ci- region, where the Brazilian Air Force (Força lation, planning and coordination of global vilian component – SIPAM’s Managing and Aérea Brasileira, FAB) is among several government actions in the legally defined Operational Centre (CENCIPAM) – directly government agencies operating together Brazilian Amazon, or “Amazônia Legal”. linked to the Office of the President. to protect the region. The total area covered by SIPAM is some Some 40 other bodies contribute to the Indeed, the FAB, with support from the 510 million hectares – an area large enough system, including the Brazilian Environ- army and federal police, has even under- to accommodate the whole of Western Eu- ment Institute (IBAMA), the National Water taken bombing operations of illegal land- rope. The ultimate aim of the system is to Agency (ANA), the Federal Police, the Na- ing sites used by drug dealers to transport ensure the region’s protection, social inclu- tional Foundation for Indigenous Peoples drugs and proceeds in and out of Brazil, sion and sustainable development. (FUNAI), the Federal Revenue, the National as part of its activities in the Amazon. The The origin of SIPAM goes back to the Ama- Institute for Space Research, the National FAB’s AMX fighter-bomber has been the zon Surveillance System (SIVAM) project, Institute for Research of the Amazon, the main aircraft used in some of these op- which was launched in 1990 and conclud- Civil Defence, as well as state and municipal erations; upgrades to more than 50 AMX ed in 2005. The original objective of SIVAM environment bodies. For enforcement and planes carried out by Embraer some years was to create a comprehensive network control actions to tackle deforestation (and ago will see them operating until at least for the protection of the Amazon, involv- for this purpose alone), 3,000 police offic- 2027. ing the development and establishment ers are mobilized every year. The Brazilian Legal Amazon encompasses all of the northern region together with parts of the central-western and north- eastern regions. Legal Amazonia includes a total of seven states: Acre, Amapá, Ama-

Photo: Google Maps zonas, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and To- cantins, as well as parts of two other states – Maranhão and a very small part of Goiás State. Although called Amazônia Legal, the region has three different biomes (i.e. large naturally occurring communities of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, e.g. forest or tundra): 1) all of the Amazon rain- forest biome within Brazil, 2) 37% of the Cerrado biome and 3) 40% of the Pantanal biome. Because of the large number of challenges and opportunities posed by the character- istics of the region, a coordinated and dif- With a population of only two people per km2, of which 4/5 live in the ferential approach is required. As a result, towns, the Amazonas region is one of the wildest, most natural and hardest in addition to the activities of SIPAM, the to control regions in the world. Not only native tribes, but also drug Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization producers and other criminals seek the shelter of the vast rainforest, often (ACTO), to name but one, is another or- harming the environment by stealing its resources. ganisation actively involved in protecting

26 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armed Forces  the region. ACTO is a social-environmental bloc formed by the nation states that share the whole Amazon territory: Brazil, Bolivia, , , Guyana, , Suri- name and . The origins of ACTO date back to 1978, when, on Brazil’s initiative, these eight Amazon countries signed the Amazon Co- operation Treaty (ACT) in Brasilia, with the objective of promoting harmonious devel- opment in the region and the well-being of every population therein; in addition, ACT aimed to strengthen the sovereignty of each country over its respective Amazon territory. Strengthening regional coopera- tion is the primary means to achieve these goals.

Technology and Data

SIPAM today uses data generated by a Photo: AC-Foto complex and sophisticated technological Destruction of the rainforest for palm oil production: The field on the infrastructure and network of integrated right is only visible to airborne sensors at close range. subsystems comprising remote sensors, radar, meteorological stations and data activities in the Amazon, where clouds sustainable production. A fourth thematic platforms installed across the region. This cover the area, but do not affect radar ca- axis for PPCDAm, focused on the develop- network makes SIPAM capable of monitor- pabilities”. ment of forestry economic instruments, was ing the whole region in near real time. Date Data provided by SIPAM are of fundamen- launched at the end of 2016. are further obtained through five sensors tal importance for Brazilian police and en- PPCDAm’s Environmental Monitoring and carried by R99-B R95 and Learjet aircraft, vironmental intelligence and enforcement Control axis has hundreds of ongoing, inte- which operate in microwave, visible and agencies. In the case of illegal logging, for grated law enforcement operations, based infrared ranges. example, information is provided on a daily on technical criteria and territorial priori- In addition, a further sensor data source – basis to enforcement authorities distribut- ties, as well as resulting from significant SIPAMSAR – has been provided to SIPAM ed strategically close to the so-called illegal improvements in environmental monitor- by Censipam during 2016, which uses data “deforestation hotspots“. Once perpetra- ing systems. from the ‘Thematic Mapper’ carried by the tors have been caught, they are, accord- The National Institute for Space Research Landsat-5 satellite to monitor illegal cuts ing to the government source, “properly (INPE) through the Amazonian Gross De- in the Amazonian area using data gener- judged, administratively and criminally, as forestation Monitoring Project (PRODES), ated by the Italian satellite constellation, appropriate, under the requirements of annually assesses gross deforestation in COSMO-SkyMed. These Synthetic Aper- due process of law“. ‘primary’ forests in Legal Amazonia with a ture Radar (SAR) data were acquired under minimum mapping unit of 6.25 hectares. Project Amazônia SAR, which was financed Solving Many Challenges Additionally, a real-time Deforestation by Fundo Amazônia via BNDES and coordi- with Many Solutions Detection System (DETER) was developed nated by Censipam. to serve as a guide for integrated enforce- SAR is a coherent, mostly airborne or According to the Brazilian Government talk- ment operations. More recently, the DETEX space-borne, side-looking radar system ing with ESD, illegal logging, land grabbing (Selective Logging Detection System), the using the flight-path of the platform to and drug trafficking are among the key en- DEGRAD (Forest Degradation in the Bra- simulate an extremely large antenna, or vironmental and social challenges that are zilian Amazon Mapping System) and the aperture electronically, and that generates being addressed by the government with TerraClass Project to assess land use and high-resolution remote sensing imagery. SIPAM support. The Action Plan for Preven- occupation dynamics of deforested areas The Geoambiente company in partnership tion and Control of Deforestation in the have been further developed. with e-GEOS, a joint venture between Tel- Amazon (PPCDAm is the Portuguese acro- espazio and the for nym), launched in 2004, continues today to Success and Scope for the commercialization of data delivered reduce deforestation rates continuously and Improvement from the COSMO-SkyMed satellites, have to bring about the conditions for a transition provided more than 1,000 images in strip- towards a sustainable development model The Brazilian livestock sector is also an- map mode (40 km x 40 km), with a spatial in the region. The PPCDAm action plan has other major organisation/sector now resolution of three metres and covering been structured to address the causes of fully engaged with tackling deforesta- two million square miles of land includ- deforestation with a “crosscutting”, coor- tion in the Amazon, including through ing the whole SIPAM area. According to dinated and intensive approach. It consists the new Working Group on Sustainable , “the use of these techniques of three thematic axes to guide government Livestock Production, of which main pro- on ’multi-temporal SAR data and multi- actions. The first is land tenure and territorial ducers are part. Much of the cattle ranch- geometria’ aims to detect and characterize planning; the second, environmental moni- ing that causes deforestation is actually land cover changes resulting from human toring and control; and the third, fostering undertaken for purposes of land grab-

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 27  Armed Forces

close watch on rivers and tributaries for pollution threats or other water course is- sues, there has been an increase in the

Photo: XMobots adoption and use of drones over the past few years. One Brazilian company, XMobots Aero- spacial e Defesa, has seen a steady if not sharp rise in demand for its drones by us- ers involved in some activities both directly or indirectly protecting and monitoring the Amazon. Some of its larger drones can take detailed photographs of 20,000 to 30,000 hectares during a single flight. Hydropower companies have been some of the main users in recent years, making use of the drones to monitor their lands and banks One of the drones in use is the ECHAR 20C. of rivers checking for illegal settlements, which often deforest the banks all the way bing, rather than for meat production. that PRODES had been an incredible moni- to the river. It is also important to highlight that PRODES toring tool facilitating successful enforce- In the municipality of Alta Floresta, in serves as the “high-precision system” for ment of policies, although it appeared that Mato Grosso state and overseen by the statistically assessing and reporting defor- evidence showed landowners are finding state’s environmental secretariat, a drone estation rates. Other systems, in particu- ways to avoid monitoring and important from XMobots is being used to monitor lar DETER, although publicly available, do swathes of forest continue to be destroyed. how previously lost or deforested areas not accurately reflect deforestation rates, are being reinstated and reinvigorated by but rather guide integrated enforcement Drones Fly in landowners, to see how recovery is pro- operations. Many reports from the inter- gressing. In Altamira, the country’s largest national media and international organiza- Another dimension to the protection municipality, drones are also being used for tions often indicating dramatic increases in of the Amazon is the increased use of similar monitoring activities. deforestation in the Amazon are mislead- drones, which are now also being used by According to XMobots CEO, Giovani Ami- ing, as they are based on DETER, rather some Brazilian municipalities and private anti, the National Institute of Colonization than PRODES. Between 2004 and 2015, or state-run companies to map proper- and Agrarian Reform (INCRA) will begin a the PPCDAm action plan and, in particular, ties and monitor areas under their control. pilot project in March this year using drones monitoring and control activities supported Whether it is to monitor that farmers and for the georeferencing of rural properties. by SIPAM, have actually achieved a dramat- other property owners are maintaining The institute will use two ECHA 20C and ic reduction in the deforestation across the the minimum forest cover required under one Nauru 500B drones, both designed Amazon by about 78%. Brazil’s Forest Code – farmers in the Ama- and manufactured by Amianti’s company. That said, although already extremely suc- zon are required to preserve some 80% of INCRA researched different drone technol- cessful, ESD’s Brazilian Government sources the forest on their land, as well as protect ogies between 2013 and 2015 and evalu- said that “SIPAM can always be further im- springs and rivers, and any landowner/ ated various products available in Brazil. Af- proved” and that recent bilateral initiatives farmer having violated restrictions on de- ter flight testing campaigns carried out on with the European Union and Japan are do- forestation previously is now required to INCRA settlements, the company’s equip- ing just that. They’ve been able to increase reinstate and cultivate recovery of such ment was selected from a field of several the precision of satellite and radar images lost areas – or water companies keeping bids during 2016.  even more to counter the growing sophis- tication of illegal activities by increasingly sophisticated and tech-savvy perpetrators. The scope for improvement was actually

highlighted in October last year, when it Photo: via author was reported by researchers from Brown University in the US that while efforts of the Brazilian Government as outlined above, particularly through the use of PRODES, have been very successful in reducing deforestation, more deforestation is hap- pening in areas not covered by the sensors employed. Comparisons of PRODES data with two independent satellite systems measuring untouched forest uncovered some 9,000 square kilometres of forestland that had not been included in PRODES monitoring. Even though the Brazilian Government is trying hard to fight illegal This whole area had been cleared between land grabbing, those parts of the Amazon rainforest that are untouched 2008 and 2012. The Brown team stated by humans are getting smaller and smaller.

28 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Viewpoint from Helsinki

Finland: Wartime Strength to Grow to 280,000

Mikko Ilkko Editor-in-Chief of the ’ newspaper (Ruotuväki) and Vice President of the European Military Press Association (EMPA)

he Finnish Government’s Defence Policy Report to Parliament are of major importance to ’s security and defence policy. T(Defence White Paper) suggests to increase Finland’s wartime For the first time, the Defence Policy Report was drawn up as force levels to 280,000 troops. According to the Report, the Air a separate report. It follows a report tabled by a parliamentary Force’s fighter programme and the Navy’s OPV project, which both working group and the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and are to replace capabilities to be decommissioned, are indispensable Security Policy. One of the reasons for a separate Defence Policy strategic factors for the defence of Finland. Moreover, the Govern- Report was to engage the Parliament in these long-term strategic ment wants to improve the defence forces’ readiness and intensify procurement efforts. both defence cooperation and the development of national legisla- At the moment, the main pillars of Finland’s air defence capabilities tion. The timeline of the Report extends into the mid-2020s. are the Air Force’s Boeing F/A-18C and F/A-18D HORNET multi- The Government’s Defence Policy Report to Parliament (White role fighters. In 1992, Finland decided to buy 64 HORNETs with Paper) was adopted in a plenary session on 16 February 2017. The deliveries commencing three years later. The HORNET fleet has Parliament is supposed to approve the Report later this month. Ma- been subject to regular modernisation programmes. Nonetheless, jor amendments to the Report by the Parliament are not expected the fleet is aging. Nationwide air defence and the projection of since opposition parties have been involved in the preparation of deterrence necessitate a replacement of the Air Force’s key defence the Report. system with capable multi-role fighters from 2025 onwards. The The increase of the wartime strength to 280,000 soldiers would new aircraft are expected to be operational for at least 30 years. constitute a growth by 50,000, over the current force level of The cost estimate for the new fighter programme is between €7Bn 230,000. Most of the personnel is based on reservists. As a mat- and €10Bn. Finland has yet to choose its next fighter. The procure- ter of tradition, Finland has always taken advantage of significant ment decision will be made in the early 2020s. wartime strengths; only six years ago the number was 350,000. In the Navy, the Squadron 2020 project entails replacing and mod- ”Readiness is the keyword," said Defence Minister Jussi Niinistö. He ernising the capabilities of the seven vessels which will have been emphasised that Finland must be able to answer possible military or are scheduled to be decommissioned. The four planned units of pressure and sudden threats, but also traditional military attack. Squadron 2020 would be capable of year-round, long-endurance ”The Government wants to develop operative, regional and local patrols in all weather and ice conditions in the Baltic Sea, protection troops further. We use more effective ways to the resources of of territorial integrity, command and control of maritime opera- the voluntary defence in order to strengthen the local defence”, tions, mine laying as well as anti-surface warfare and anti-aircraft Niinistö said at the press conference. defence. The maritime defence capability will be preserved with the vessels to be acquired, and the current HAMINA Class fast-attack New Fighters and Naval Vessels Are Required craft are scheduled for overhaul. The Squadron 2020 vessels are to remain in service until the 2050s. The estimated cost of the project According to current plans, Finland’s defence will face an excep- is €1.2Bn. tional situation in the 2020s when the main weapon systems of two service branches will be phased out almost simultaneously. In The Finnish Defence Forces accordance with the White Paper, preparations for the replacement of the Navy’s current fleet of four RAUMA Class FACs (Squadron • 12,000 employees, of which roughly 4,000 are civilians. 2020 project) and HÄMEENLINNA Class MCMVs as well as the Air • Wartime strength: 230,000 (2017 White Paper: 280,000) • Conscript training generates the wartime troops. Conscription service Force’s F/A-18C and F/A-18D HORNET combat aircraft with multi- lasts 165, 255 or 347 days. role fighters (HX programme) have commenced. Both programmes • Tasks of the defence forces: 1. Finland’s military defence; 2. Supporting are based on research and analysis of the future operating environ- other authorities; 3. International military crisis management ment. Maritime and air defence are a prerequisite for the function- • Finland’s defence budget equals approximately €2.8Bn or 1.3 percent of GDP. ing of the entire defence system. As a result, the programmes

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 29  Armed Forces thalesgroup.com/smart-l Belgian Modernisation Plans in Cooperation with The Netherlands SMART-L EWC. Jaime Karremann In 2016, Belgium and The Netherlands embarked on a large bi-national naval programme which will result Innovative radar solutions in at least 16 new naval vessels. Moreover, Belgium wants to equip its new frigates with missiles that can intercept ballistic missiles in space. to counter threats en years ago the first of two Belgian Belgium and the frigates in The Nether- gian and Dutch ships frequently exercise in TM-frigates, BNS LEOPOLD I, was lands. The four frigates underwent the a combined group of ships. commissioned for the Naval Component same mid-life upgrade in Den Helder. On Wherever safety and security matter, we deliver The Next Step

As the M-frigates and minehunters ap- Photo: BAF proach the end of their service life, bi-na- tional cooperation in replacing the ships PROVEN TECHNOLOGY had been anticipated. But when Brussels The newest addition to the Thales family of multi-beam surveillance radars announced new budget cuts in early 2015, this cooperation was in doubt. The INTERNATIONAL CO OPERATION budget cuts caused deep concerns in The In line with NATO’s plans for Netherlands, because a cancellation of international Ballistic Missile Defence the Belgian procurement would have had RAPID DETECTION enormous consequences for the Dutch Early Warning Capability for split- Navy. However, in late 2015 Belgium de- second missile launch detection cided to invest €9.4M until 2030. The investment plan included two new frig- ates and six new mine countermeasures vessels. Belgium and The Netherlands ordered the same NH-90 helicopter. The decision came as a relief for the Bel- gian and the Dutch navies. But quite a of the Belgian Armed Forces. The frig- top of that the military staff of the two na- few challenges remain. Although the two EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT ate had served for 16 years in the Roy- vies are combined, the Benelux is navies are in fact merged, the procure- SMART-L EWC can be installed al Netherlands Navy as HNLMS KAREL the Commander of the Royal Netherlands ment processes are very different. When on any frigate-sized vessel DOORMAN. When the second Belgian Navy and the position of Deputy Admi- Belgium decided to replace the eight M-frigate followed one year later, the ral Benelux is held by the Commander of ships, The Netherlands had already con- programme was completed and an im- the Belgian Naval Component. Of course, ducted studies on the new ships, even portant milestone was reached. From both navies cooperate closely at sea. Bel- though a Dutch political decision on the then on, Belgium and The Netherlands operated the same frigates, the same ­TRIPARTITE minehunters and had or- dered the same NH-90 helicopter. ANTI AIR WARFARE CAPABILITY To operate with identical equipment The world’s best long-range was an important goal for the two na- Photo: MoD Belgium naval surveillance radar vies which have cooperated closely since 1948. Especially in the last decade, the two navies have cooperated in all do- mains and on all levels. Belgian and Dutch navy personnel are trained in bi-national Millions of critical decisions are made every day by Navies to protect schools in both countries. Dutch and Bel- valuable assets from potential threats. Thales is at the heart of this with gian minehunters receive maintenance in the early warning SMART-L EWC and S1850 volume search radars. Famous for their impressive range, low false rate and capability Author to detect small targets, they provide early warning and highly accurate tracking information to sea and land-based effectors. Additionally, for Jaime Karremann is the editor- Ballistic Missile Defence, Thales has developed Early Warning in-chief of the Dutch naval website Capability to increase the radars’ performance to detect and track a ­marineschepen.nl. The TRIPARTITE minehunters are the first ships to be replaced by the ballistic missile. Every moment of every day, wherever safety and Dutch and the Belgian navies. security are critical, Thales delivers.

30 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Search: Thalesgroup

SMARTL14_English_C38846.018_297x210_Mar17_EuroSecDef_v1.indd 1 08/03/2017 11:03 thalesgroup.com/smart-l

SMART-L EWC. Innovative radar solutions to counter threats Wherever safety and security matter, we deliver

PROVEN TECHNOLOGY The newest addition to the Thales family of multi-beam surveillance radars

INTERNATIONAL CO OPERATION In line with NATO’s plans for international Ballistic Missile Defence RAPID DETECTION Early Warning Capability for split- second missile launch detection

EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT SMART-L EWC can be installed on any frigate-sized vessel

ANTI AIR WARFARE CAPABILITY The world’s best long-range naval surveillance radar

Millions of critical decisions are made every day by Navies to protect valuable assets from potential threats. Thales is at the heart of this with the early warning SMART-L EWC and S1850 volume search radars. Famous for their impressive range, low false alarm rate and capability to detect small targets, they provide early warning and highly accurate tracking information to sea and land-based effectors. Additionally, for Ballistic Missile Defence, Thales has developed Early Warning Capability to increase the radars’ performance to detect and track a ballistic missile. Every moment of every day, wherever safety and security are critical, Thales delivers.

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SMARTL14_English_C38846.018_297x210_Mar17_EuroSecDef_v1.indd 1 08/03/2017 11:03  Armed Forces acquisition of the ships is not expected before 2019 because of the strict pro-

curement process. This process came Photo: Thales into force when the construction of the WALRUS Class submarines didn’t go as planned. In 2016, the M-frigate replace- ment project entered the A-phase of the Defence Materiel Process (DMP); the project of the minehunters has not even started yet in the Netherlands. In spite of all the differences, last Novem- ber the Dutch and the Belgian Ministers of Defence signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Brussels. The letter stated that Belgium and The Netherlands intend to jointly procure the new ships. The two nations also hope to reach an agreement on the exchange of classified information, research and development, operational concepts, and budget and procurement The Integrated Mast from Thales onboard the HNLMS KAREL DOORMAN. strategies. According to the LOI Belgium The company is working on a successor, called the Integrated Sensor will lead the procurement of the new Suite. mine countermeasures vessels and The Netherlands will lead the project of the operate six of these minehunters, which on the presumption that you don’t know new frigates. were developed together with France in where the minefield is. Apart from the two different procedures, the late 1970s. Additionally, unmanned vehicles are a both parties have reached a consensus on Although both countries signed the LOI crucial part of the stand-off concept. where to build the ships. The Netherlands in November 2016, the navies had been The mother-ship can stay away from the still has a small naval industry whereas discussing the cooperation for quite some minefield and use drones to enter it. But Belgium does not – hence the CASTOR time, especially how to operate the future there are concerns that the current sub- Class patrol vessels which entered service mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs). surface drone technology is not yet ready in 2014 and 2015 were built in France. This is a touchy issue as Belgium prefers for such a demanding task. The Netherlands prefers Damen Schelde the stand-off concept whereas The Neth- In spite of these concerns, The Nether- Naval Shipbuilding and . erlands prefers mother-ships which can lands agreed and both countries decided The Dutch and Belgian ships have to be enter a naval minefield. that future MCMVs will be stand-off sys- delivered between 2023 and 2030. The benefit of the stand-off concept is tems. Although the MCMV’s signature that the requirements for the mother- will not be reduced, it will have some Mine Countermeasures ship’s signature (acoustic, magnetic, built-in resilience to prevent the loss of Vessels: Stand-off etc.) are much lower, which brings down the ship and its crew when accidentally costs. The downside is that the ship is hit by a mine. The ships will have a MCM The first ships to be replaced are the ill-suited to enter a minefield, which is toolbox of unmanned subsurface and un- ­TRIPARTITE minehunters. Both navies counter-intuitive since mine warfare rests manned surface vehicles.

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32 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armed Forces 

The future Belgium and Dutch MCMVs will feature facilities to act as command and support ships, because the Belgian command and Masthead support ship BNS GODETIA will not be replaced. European Security & Defence The first new MCMV is expected to enter service in 2023. Issue 2/2017 · March 2017 ISSN 1617-7983 · www.euro-sd.com Frigates: Flexible ASW Ships Published by Mittler Report Verlag GmbH A company of the Ta mm The M-frigates are multifunctional frigates with an emphasis on anti- Media Group submarine warfare (ASW). In addition to the ASW capability, the successor ships will be able to conduct a wide range of tasks. The Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter Bossdorf (pb) new ships will have more built-in capabilities for mission modularity; Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Henning Bartels (hb) Managing Editor (Magazine): Stephen Barnard (sb) they can be equipped for a specific task thanks to hospital containers Managing Editor (Newsletter): Dorothee Frank (df) or special sensors. Industrial Editors: Waldemar Geiger (wg), Jürgen Hensel (jh), Gerhard Heiming (gwh), Dieter Stockfisch (ds) Both countries are currently conducting studies on the ships. The Correspondents: Rolf Hilmes (Army Technology), Peter Preylowski (Airborne Systems) Netherlands started a few years ago. In 2013 an early model was Regional Correspondents: Tamir Eshel (Israel), Tim Guest (UK), Beka Kiria (Georgia), more or less accidentally put on display at a recruitment day. Shinichi Kiyotani (Japan), Yury Laskin (Russia), J. Bo Leimand (Denmark), Jay Menon (India), Chet Nagle (USA), Luca Peruzzi (Italy), David Saw (France) Little is known about the specifications of the current designs. The Supported by the editorial team of “Europäische Sicherheit & Technik” ships will probably be larger than the current M-class frigates and Publishers: Rainer Metzner, Henning Bartels have fewer crew members. The maximum will be around 100. Layout: Although no choice has been made when it comes to a shipyard and a davis creativ media GmbH, Germany supplier of the sensors, Thales Nederland is already designing new radars Production: for the future frigates. The company is working on the successor of the Lehmann Offsetdruck GmbH 22848 Norderstedt, Germany Integrated Mast, called the Integrated Sensor Suite. Instead of one mast holding all the sensors, the sensors are now distributed over two masts. Office address: Mittler Report Verlag GmbH On those masts will be four faces of an S-band radar and four of an X- Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany band radar, IFF, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and communication Phone.: +49 228 3500870, Fax: +49 228 3500871 equipment. An important difference with the Integrated Mast is that Email: [email protected], www.mittler-report.de although the Integrated Sensor Suite comprises two radars with two Director of Marketing Jürgen Hensel (jh) bands, they will act as one radar system with one radar management. Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany The first models of the new frigates showed a conservative weapon Phone: +49 228 3500876, Fax: +49 228 3500871 configuration. Now, however, it seems that the ships might carry a Email: [email protected] more daring range of weapons. New ideas include high-energy lasers Advertising Representatives: against missiles, and Belgium intends to add a ballistic missile defence Dipl.-Betrw. Uwe Nemeyer, optiproject GmbH – capability to the frigates. Agentur für sicherheitspolitische und wehrtechnische Kommunikation Von-Imhoff-Weg 5, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany Phone: +49 2226 909637, Fax: +49 2226 909653 Belgium: BMD Email: [email protected], www.optiproject.de France/Italy In the summer of 2016, Belgium published its plans which included Diana Scogna another ambitious requirement for the future frigates: an exo-atmos- Phone.: +33 6-6252-2547, Email: [email protected] pheric interceptor. Belgium wants to focus on missiles to intercept bal- Israel listic missiles in space, and it does not plan larger and more expensive Tamir Eshel P.O.Box 2696, Qadima 609200, Israel sensors like the Dutch SMART-L ELR for its new ships. Phone: +972 54-450-8028, Email: [email protected] Currently no European country in Europe has such a defensive weap- Turkey on at sea. Only the US and Japan operate an exo-atmospheric inter- Özkilinc Consulting ceptor: the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3). In 2018, the Royal Netherlands Korhan Özkilinc, General Manager Navy will be the first European navy with a sensor that can detect mobile: +49 (0) 163 6930925, Email: [email protected] and track ballistic missiles in space, when the SMART-L ELR will be UK/Ireland/Eastern Europe: Stephen Barnard, c/o Mittler Report Verlag GmbH installed on the Air Defence and Command Frigates. At this stage, Phone: +49 228 35 00 886, Email: [email protected] there are no plans to equip these ships with SM-3. USA/Canada: In the Netherlands the M-class frigates are viewed as anti-submarine Black Rock Media, Inc., Diane Obright, frigates, albeit with a strong air defence capability to repel air attacks 810 Val Sereno Drive, Olivenhain, CA 92024, USA on a lone operating frigate. Because the ship was designed with a Phone: +1 858-759-3557, Email: [email protected] MK 41 VLS strike length from the outset, the Belgian requirement Russia & CIS: Laguk Co., Yury Laskin, General Director doesn’t have a large impact on the design. The ships need special Krasnokholmskaya Nab., 11/15, 132, RF-109172 Moskau, Russian Federation on-board communication systems and additional software to be able Phone: 007-495-911-1340, Fax: 007-495-912-1260, Email: [email protected] to communicate with the NATO BMD centre in Ramstein, Germany. Subscription/Reader Service: The launcher may be already fitted but the missiles are not, and they PressUp GmbH, Postfach 70 13 11, 22013 Hamburg, Germany are expensive: around $10M apiece. In addition, BMD ships are an Phone: +49 40 38 66 66-319, Fax: +49 38 66 66-299 important target for opponents, and BMD is a sensitive topic for Email: [email protected] countries like Russia. However, ballistic missile defence is a NATO European Security & Defence priority; with this remarkable step Belgium would fill a capability gap © 2017 Mittler Report Verlag GmbH in the defence of the European continent. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. Until now, it is unclear whether Belgium will get BMD-missiles. A All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher in Bonn. decision will be made after 2028.  Cover Photos: Heckler & Koch, Georg Mader, Lockheed Martin Annual subscription rate (8 issues): €49.80 incl. postageMarch 2017 · European Security & Defence 33  Armed Forces The Croatian Armed Forces

Vesna Pintarić

Over the past 25 years of their existence, the Croatian Armed Forces have grown into a respectable military and a guardian of the security of the citizens of the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian Armed Forces have earned recognition and respect from partner and from countries where Croatian soldiers have taken part in international missions and operations building global peace, stability and security.

he unique war experience of the early Defence – as well as the Croatian Defence The professional component of the Army T1990s and the professionally con- Academy “Dr. Franjo Tuđman”, the Sup- consists of two Guards brigades, the Ar- ducted military operations which ended port Command and the Special Forces tillery and Missile Regiment, the Engineer the war on Croatian territory constituted Command. Regiment, the Air Defence Regiment, the the foundation for the professional de- According to the latest figures, the size Signal Battalion and the NBC Defence Bat- velopment of the Croatian Armed Forces. of the Croatian Armed Forces is 15,966 talion. The manoeuvre battalions of the In the post-war period the Croatian Armed Forces have adapted to new chal- lenges and organised as modern, profes- sional and mobile forces with developed capabilities for participation in joint op- erations and NATO-, UN- or EU-led peace support operations.

Tasks and Organisation of the Croatian Armed Forces Photos: Tomislav Brandt/Hrvatski vojnik To meet evolving requirements, the Croatian Armed Forces have undergone continuous organisational adaptations to- gether with the modernisation of weap- ons and equipment. The continuous re- organisation entailed professionalisation, with compulsory military service replaced by voluntary service. Although the Croatian Armed Forces have been organised, prepared and developed primarily for the purpose of protecting the sovereignty and the defence of the national borders – land, maritime and air space – their mission includes an array Croatian soldier with a VHS of tasks, such as contributing to the Alli- ance’s collective defence, participation in (14,465 active duty personnel and 1,501 two Guards brigades constitute the main crisis response operations abroad, secu- civilian employees). In terms of the per- modules manning the task forces. rity and trust building measures and assis- sonnel structure, as many as 18 out of the The remainder of the army force belongs tance to national but also foreign civilian total number of active admiral and general to the Training and Doctrine Command, institutions in the event of major disasters rank officers have been assigned to the tasked with the training of the active and if necessary. Croatian Armed Forces, over 3,000 offic- service component, as well as the es- The current organisation of the Croa- ers and some 5,500 NCOs. The Croatian tablishment and training of the reserve tian Armed Forces comprises the Gen- Armed Forces boast a significant propor- component. The Army also comprises the eral Staff and the directly subordinated tion of female members (13%). International Military Operations Training units, three services – the , Centre. , and Air Croatian Army: The Largest The Croatian Army has been provided Component of the CAF with new assets and weapons, among Author them 126 Patria armoured vehicles up- The Croatian Army is the largest compo- graded with anti-armour systems and the Vesna Pintarić is a defence journalist nent of the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) remotely operated weapon station DUOS based in Zagreb, Croatia. and the backbone force conducting de- 30 mm (the delivery of all vehicles is to fence tasks. be completed by the end of 2018), 212

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MRAP vehicles of various types (the Maxx- the Croatian Navy tested the operability of The air forces are stationed in two air bas- Pro PLUS, the RG-33 HAGA and the M- the RBS-15 missile systems from the mis- es (near Zagreb and ). The 93rd Air ATV) and 75 M-84 tanks. It has also been sile boats and the mobile coastal launcher, Base, located at Zemunik, is the main au- equipped with the new Iveco light ar- which announced the commencement of thority for training Croatian pilots on the moured vehicles together with HMMWVs the in-country overhaul of the RBS-15 Zlin 242L aircraft, used for first solo flights, and 130 armoured personnel vehicles. anti-ship missiles.The Navy plans to thor- as well as on the Pilatus PC-9M training With regard to small arms, Croatian sol- diers operate the new domestic product – the assault rifle, both the shorter and the longer variants – with NATO calibre and the semi-automatic HS pistol of the same manufacturer, whose quality has earned international recognition. The rest of the equipment in operational use, such as the new digital pattern uniform with the pixelated shape of the Croatian territory, the protective vests and helmets, are also indigenous products. The army forces constitute the main pool of the Croatian forces for NATO-, UN- and EU-led operations, such as the ongoing Resolute Support and NATO Response Force, maintaining the level of key capa- bilities on a permanent basis. The members of the Croatian Armed Forc- es are actively engaged in assisting national civilian institutions, preparing and conduct- ing the activities during the firefighting season, intervening in the event of floods, The Croatian Navy operates five missile boats, which will be equipped supporting engineer works and providing with RBS-15. logistic support. Due to the assistance for the civilian institutions, the forces are or- oughly upgrade the system in the next aircraft and the Bell-206B helicopters. The ganised into task formations, adequately couple of years. fighter aircraft pilots continue training on trained and equipped, operating under the The Navy also has several landing crafts, the overhauled MiG aircraft. respective task force commands. a , several patrol, The competence of the Croatian pilots and training and salvage boats and some 20 flight instructors has earned wider recog- Croatian Navy: Protecting vessels of various types, as well as the nition, as exemplified by three generations the National Interests in the Korčula LM-51 minehunter manufactured of pilots from the of the in Croatia and applicable for civilian pur- Sultanate of who trained in the pi- poses. Its main purpose is the detection, lot school of the fixed-wing squadron. The Croatian Navy protects the sovereign- identification, marking and destruction of The Firefighter Squadron has a prominent ty and interests of the Republic of Croatia lying and buoyant mines. role within the Croatian Air Force and Air in the maritime area. It is composed of the In mid-2016 the Navy procured two RE- Defence. It is in charge of firefighting ac- Flotilla, the , the Coastal Sur- MUS 100 autonomous underwater vehi- tivities and equipped with six Canadair veillance Battalion, the Naval Base and the cles, state-of-the-art models intended for aircraft and six AIRTRACTORS. Naval Training Centre. The Flotilla develops the search of the seabed which signifi- The Croatian firefighter forces have the capabilities of naval warfare and the cantly enhances its underwater counter- earned international recognition and were participation in international naval opera- mine capabilities. dispatched to assist several foreign coun- tions, while the Coast Guard develops the tries hit by devastating fires. capabilities of surveillance and protection Croatian Air Force: Protecting In addition to firefighting, the air forces of Croatian rights and interests at sea. The the Air Space Sovereignty are engaged in search-and-rescue tasks rest of the Navy forces are assigned with and emergency medical transportation – a the support of the operations conduct- The mission of the Croatian air forces is third of all flights are performed to sup- ed by the Flotilla and the Coast Guard. the protection of the aerial sovereignty port civilian institutions. The rest of the air In addition to traditional naval tasks, and of the Republic of Croatia. The main unit forces provide support to the main com- participation in international military exer- responsible for the mission is the Fighter ponents. cises and operations, the Croatian Navy is Aircraft Squadron, with the support of the The Croatian Air Force and Air Defence assisting civilian institutions, namely with Airspace Surveillance and Control Battal- is the main authority for the integrated firefighting, search-and-rescue at sea and ion. Two transport helicopter squadrons air defence system of the Republic of transportation for the local population liv- and the Transport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Croatia. The service presently comprises ing on the islands. Squadron are responsible to support a fighter aircraft squadron equipped with The Croatian Navy operates five missile other components of the Armed Forces 12 MiG-21 fighter aircraft (91st AFB), 14 boats, underpinning its effectiveness in in deployment, tactical transport and the Pilatus PC-9M training aircraft and five the Adriatic Sea. Over the past two years conduct of Coast Guard tasks. Zlin 242L aircraft, 12 Canadair CL-415

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 35  Armed Forces

military education. It is also responsible for inter-service education and the training of officers and NCOs for the entire Croatian Armed Forces. It provides several levels of military education – the War School, the Command and Staff School, the Officer School, the Senior NCO School, the Ca- det Battalion and the School of Foreign Languages. Since 2014 the Croatian Defence Acad- emy has administered study programmes at three levels – undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate specialist programmes. In its 25-year history the Academy has trained over 50,000 members, among whom were about 300 members of for- eign armed forces.

Contribution to Peace 16 KIOWA WARRIOR OH-58Ds have recently entered service in the Operations and Missions Croatian Air Force to serve as scout/attack helicopters. By participating in NATO- and EU-led aircraft and AT-802 AIRTRACTORS. system. They are also engaged in the operations, the Croatian Armed Forces It also has 23 helicopters, of which 10 joint pre-deployment training of the Air contribute to the Alliance’s defence ca- are multi-purpose Mi-171Sh helicopters Mentoring Teams for Resolute Support, pabilities and the EU’s Common Security (two employed as the main asset used in contributing to NATO’s Smart Defence and Defence Policy. They were first en- KFOR) and the remaining are transport initiative and to the development of the gaged in the UN operations, followed by helicopters. The Croatian Armed Forces Multinational Air Training Centre. have recently received 16 KIOWA WAR- RIOR OH-58D, used primarily as scout/ Investment in Human attack helicopters, and in combat con- Resources ditions for anti-armour operations and close air support. Introduced into the op- The Support Command is the vital com- erational service of the Croatian Armed ponent of the Croatian Armed Forces’ Forces, they have additionally upgraded logistic system. It is responsible for the the manoeuvre and combat capabilities logistic, medical and other support to of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence. the commands and units of the Croatian The Croatian Air Force and Air Defence Armed Forces conducting tasks at home units are also responsible for training forc- and abroad. es in charge of the control and protection The Support Command supports the ci- of the air space within the NATINAMDS vilian population and institutions with disaster relief and is responsible for Host Nation Support to NATO and partner Legal Framework nations sojourning in Croatia. One of its components is the Maintenance Depot, The President is the Supreme Com- responsible for the maintenance of weap- mander of all Croatian Armed ons, complex combat systems and military Forces in peace and war. In peace, equipment. the Supreme Commander executes The efficient operation of any system command through the Minister of requires synergy of many elements, but Defence. In war and in cases where it primarily depends on human perfor- the Minister is not able to fulfil or- mance. Only educated and professional Croatian forces in Afghanistan ders, the Supreme Commander ex- enlisted soldiers, NCOs and officers are ecutes command directly through capable of working successfully in an in- NATO and the EU operations respectively. the Chief of General Staff. The Par- ternational environment. In 1999 Croatian military observers took liament executes the democratic Investing in education is a precondition of part in UNAMSIL in Sierra Leone, the first control over the Armed Forces by successful performance. The educational in the series of 20 operations. Presently, adopting defence strategy, defence criteria in the Croatian Armed Forces have the Croatian Armed Forces members budget and defence legislation. been upgraded accordingly, following the are engaged in three UN missions (seven standards observed by modern interna- members in MINURSO, Western Sahara, Defence Budget for 2017: tional militaries. The main educational au- nine members in UNMOGIP, India and Pa- HRK4.38Bn (US$626M). thority is the Croatian Defence Academy, kistan, and a liaison officer in Lebanon), the higher education and research insti- two NATO missions (Resolute Support in tution which organises and administers Afghanistan and KFOR in Kosovo) and the

36 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armed Forces  members of the 2nd Croatian AVPD team members to the EU NAVFOR Somalia – The most recent modernisation project in January completed their term within the ATALANTA; up to 100 members to Reso- is the prospective introduction of 12 EU mission ATALANTA. lute Support in Afghanistan and up to 40 self-propelled PzH2000 howitzers with Croatia’s first participation in NATO- members to KFOR in Kosovo. built-in communications equipment and led operations was in 2003, when a a state-of-the-art fire control system into 50-member Military Police platoon was Modernisation and Growth the operational service of the Army units. deployed to ISAF. Presently the fifth of the Croatian Military The howitzers have been acquired from contingent is deployed to Resolute Sup- Industry German surplus and are expected to be port. It has 95 members with 22 mem- delivered in the course of 2017. bers coming from partner nations. The The changes and new tasks assigned to In due time, the Croatian Navy will receive Resolute Support Mission is the largest the Croatian Armed Forces have been fol- five inshore patrol vessels built in a Croa- operation for the Croatian forces, which lowed by the modernisation of the equip- tian shipyard. are tasked with mentoring and advising ment and weapons in all three services. The main issue affecting the future of the Afghan National Security Forces and, The process was accelerated during the the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence to a lesser extent, with the protection pre-accession period and upon the entry is procuring a lasting solution for the of the advisor teams and the camp. The to NATO. The main criterion in drafting protection of the air space, especially Croatian soldiers are assigned to four the plans and strategic documents de- when keeping in mind the prospective main advisor teams (the advisors to the fining the main projects and the equip- expiry of service of the overhauled MiG ANA Regional Combat Training School, ment and modernisation timeline was aircraft in late 2024. The respective deci- to the Basic Police Headquarters, to the maximised efficiency of the Croatian sion needs to be reached by the begin- ANA Special Battalion Advisor Team and Armed Forces’ performance in current ning of 2018. to the Army Force Advisory Team). Adapting to the changing structure and tasks of the HRVCON to the Reso- lute Support mission, the infantry forces have a so-called “Safe Haven“ in Camp Shaheen as well as the protection of “Guardian Angels“ during their visits to the advised individuals. The Croatian of- ficers at the Resolute Support mission are also advising the helicopter crews of the Afghanistan Air Force. The Croatian Armed Forces joined KFOR in July 2009 and have been responsible for the airlift of the KFOR forces, cargo and VIPs. Presently the 23rd HRVCON is deployed to the operation. With respect to the international opera- tions, Croatia has developed the capabil- ity for participating in foreign operations with up to 1,000 soldiers. The defence budget contains the funds for the deploy- ment of up to 200 soldiers. The total forces dedicated to the NRF will account for 1% of NATO’s Immediate Re- MiG-21 squadron: These fighters face end of service in late 2024 with sponse Forces (IRF), comprising 13,000 Croatia seeking a new solution for their air defence. members. The Croatian Armed Forces will provide up to 130 members, which and future tasks. The numerous systems The Croatian Armed Forces today are is equivalent to a manoeuvre company, introduced into operational service earlier highly ready to conduct operations side whereas its engagement in the EUBG will or at present are expected to upgrade the by side with allied forces. Further reform range from substantial contribution (i.e. readiness and performance capability of of the defence system will focus on build- up to 300 troops) in the three- to four- the national defence to fulfil the obliga- ing modern and efficient professional year intervals to minor contributions to tions towards NATO. armed forces, manned by qualified and battlegroups within these intervals. Modern military equipment relies heavily committed personnel, well-trained and The Croatian Armed Forces take part in on domestic industrial capacities, while equipped, protected and integrated, peace support operations pursuant to a the biggest part of imports is given to deployable, flexible and affordable. The decision by the Croatian Parliament, up- companies with ongoing joint develop- new strategic documents will define on the proposal of the Croatian Govern- mental and offset programmes. The main the future development of the Croatian ment and with prior approval of the Presi- equipment and modernisation projects Armed Forces as well as the moderni- dent of the Republic. The decision entails account for 70% of total funds allocated sation modality, timeline and priorities. the deployment of up to 23 members of for equipment and modernisation, while What is of paramount importance is the Croatian Armed Forces to MINURSO the remaining 30% involve smaller pro- the readiness and ability of the Croatian (Western Sahara), UNMOGIP (India and jects that may be necessary during the Armed Forces to fulfil their tasks at home ) and UNIFIL (Lebanon); up to 25 next long-term period. and in international environments. 

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 37  Armament & technology Naval Missile Evolutionary Trends

David Saw

Naval missile systems in the context of anti-ship and air defence systems are undoubtedly a broad area to cover, but there is obviously linkage between offensive and defensive naval missile systems. Superficially, it might seem that the naval missile market place is characterised by limited, incremental improvements.

or example, work on the anti- single C-802/NOOR (Iranian version of the (delivered in 2011), further missiles were Fship missile started in France in 1967 Chinese C-802 system) fired from a Hezbol- supplied in 2013 leading to an Israeli air raid and the first MM38 EXOCET, with a range lah coastal battery. on the Latakia warehouse where the mis- of 70 km, entered service in 1973. While Then there is the example of the Iranian- siles were stored on the basis that the new ­EXOCET is still in production today, the lat- supported Houthi rebels in Yemen, who missiles were to be passed on to Hezbollah. est variant (the MM40 Block 3) is a far more in October 2016 successfully attacked an Now Hezbollah has the YAKHONT, though formidable system with a maximum range Incat high-speed catamaran leased to the it is unknown whether they have complete in the region of 180 km. It might still be (UAE) military with Bastion systems or will configure their own called EXOCET, but it is designed to incor- anti-ship missiles fired from a shore battery. coastal defence system, something they porate a whole series of advanced technol- The Houthi then tried to engage a US Navy are capable of achieving. Why is this im- ogies that were simply inconceivable when later that month, but were de- portant? YAKHONT presents a formidable threat to Israeli naval units, merchant ship traffic heading to or from Israel will have to be routed away from the range envelope of YAKHONT, and Israeli gas extraction platforms in the eastern Mediterranean

Photo: MBDA Systems can be targeted by the missile. This is a big (3,000 kg on launch), high speed (up to Mach 2.5) missile capable of inflicting sig- nificant damage on maritime targets. The YAKHONT missile has a solid-propellant booster for launch and then uses a ramjet, guidance is via an inertial navigation system with a Granit-Elektron seeker offering both active and passive modes for the terminal phase of the engagement. Maximum range is out to some 290 km (dependent on flight profile selected). However, the Russian ver- sion of the missile, the P-800 ONIKS, has a range of some 600 km. Russia deployed BASTION-P coastal defence missile systems to Syria last year, where the system dem- EXOCET MM40 Block 3 is the new generation long range anti-ship onstrated its land attack capabilities. The missile system from MBDA. YAKHONT has also been acquired by the Indonesian Navy in a four-missile vertical- the original EXOCET programme started. feated by the defensive systems of the de- launch system (VLS) installation on a single The point to remember is to look beyond stroyer. At end of January this year, a Royal AHMAD YANI class (ex-Royal Netherlands the name in naval missile programmes. Saudi Navy frigate patrolling off Yemen Navy VAN SPEYK class) frigate, OSWALD was hit in the stern by a Houthi suicide boat SIAHAN. According to the US Office of Na- Proliferation Issues attack, showing another development in val Intelligence, Iran is currently negotiating the asymmetric threat faced by navies. to acquire the YAKHONT missile to use in a There are also other factors that are impact- Mention must also be made of further de- coastal defence application. ing on the evolution of the naval missile en- velopments in terms of asymmetric threat YAKHONT also provides the basis for vironment. The first of these is proliferation, in the Middle East, with Hezbollah in Leba- BRAHMOS, the joint missile programme not in the context of recognised navies, but non once more involved. Hezbollah is now between India and Russia. BrahMos in the development of an asymmetric anti- credited with being in possession of the Aerospace, a joint venture between NPO ship missile threat from non-state actors. P-800 YAKHONT missile (NATO designa- Mashinostroyenia of Russia and the In- The first example of this was the 14 July tor SS-N-26 Strobile) usually the missile is dian Defence Research & Development 2006 attack on INS HANIT, A SA’AR 5 class employed as part of the Bastion-P coastal Organisation (DRDO) was established in of the Israeli Navy, some 18.5 km defence missile system. Russia has already 1998 and the first BRAHMOS missile was off the Lebanese coast. HANIT was hit by a supplied Syria with the BASTION-P system fired in 2001. Since then, the missile has

38 European Security & Defence · March 2017

 Armament & technology been developed for multiple applications. developments such as in the Republic of limited to the weapons that can be carried The missile has been installed on Indian Korea or . by its WILDCAT helicopters in the form of Navy (IN) RAJPUT class (KASHIN-II class) the MBDA (ISD 2020) and the , INS RAJPUT had her existing British Crisis lighter Thales (ISD 2018). missile-launch canisters replaced with The lack of an anti-ship missile for its surface BRAHMOS, while sister ships INS RANVIR It would seem to be self-evident that a seri- combatants puts the Royal Navy in a some- and RANVIJAY have an eight-cell VLS. ous modern surface combatant would be what embarrassing position of having both Subsequently BRAHMOS has been in- equipped with an effective anti-ship missile a capability and a credibility gap. Assuming stalled on a number of other IN destroyer system. Unfortunately, in Britain the Royal that FCASW meets the needs of the Type and frigate classes. Navy is having to confront the fact that it 26, that still leaves the six Type 45 destroy- A submarine-launched version of is entering an anti-ship missile crisis. Cur- ers and the surviving Type 23 frigates (six BRAHMOS has been developed, while rently four of the six Type 45 destroyers are due for retirement between 2030 and the uses the missile in a land have eight AGM-84A HARPOON Block 1C 2035) with a need for an anti-ship missile attack configuration and an air-launched missiles (originally these were fitted on Type system. Fortunately, should the funding version of the missile has been developed 22 frigates that were later retired), while become available, there are numerous Eu- to equip (IAF) SUKHOI Su- the 13 Type 23 frigates also have eight ropean and US anti-ship missile options that 30MKI combat aircraft. The next phase HARPOON 1C missiles. The fundamental could be worthy of consideration. of the programme will see the introduc- problem is that in 2018 the Royal Navy tion of two extended range models of the stock of HARPOON 1C missiles will reach Solution Sets BRAHMOS, the first of these will have a the end of their service life and at this point range of 450 km, with the second variant there is no replacement programme or op- Assuming that an off-the-shelf purchase is having a range of 600 km. Initial test firings portunity for a life extension programme possible, MBDA would be an obvious can- of both of these weapons are expected this in place. didate to meet any requirement as it has year. The Type 23 frigates are to be decommis- two systems that it could easily offer. The As well as aggressively seeking export cus- sioned from 2023 onwards and replaced first is the EXOCET MM40 Block 3, this is tomers for their current range of missiles, by the new . It is worth not- the latest variant of this highly successful missile family and has a 200 km operational range. The missile was first ordered by the in 2008 and is currently in ser- With advanced missiles like IDAS, vice, it is due to be replaced by the FCASW submarines might become a completely from 2030 (see above). It has been export- unpredictable weapon system. ed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indo- nesia, and amongst others. MBDA could also offer the latest variant of the OTOMAT missile family, this is the OTOMAT Mk 2 Block IV, also called the ­TESEO Mk2/A in the . The sys- tem is deployed on Italian Navy HORIZON and FREMM frigates, as well as other sur- face combatants. The missile has a range of 180 km and has a weight of 780 kg, of which 210 kg is accounted for by the war- head. According to MBDA the missile is in service with 12 countries.

Photo: Ricarda Schönbrodt/German Navy The Boeing HARPOON system is still in pro- BrahMos Aerospace is working on a new ing that while available information on the duction and is available in multiple variants missile system known as the BRAHMOS Type 26 states that it will be fitted with the such as anti-ship, air-launched, submarine- NG that is stated as being half the size of new MBDA SEA CEPTOR air defence sys- launched and land attack missiles. The US the standard BRAHMOS with a range of tem and that it will also be equipped with a Navy is about to field the latest variant of 290 km and a speed of Mach 3.5. Addition- Mk 41 VLS that can accommodate a range the missile, the HARPOON Block II+, for use ally, they are working on what has been of cruise and anti-ship missiles, no specific from its F/A-18E/F SUPER HORNET aircraft described as a new “hypersonic” missile weapons have been mentioned in terms of and in 2021 the missile will enter service design known as BRAHMOS II. anti-ship or land attack capabilities. with the P-8A MPA. Building on the capa- These ongoing missile developments in That the Royal Navy will have a future anti- bilities of this missile, Boeing is offering the India demonstrate that the naval missile ship weapon is not in doubt, under the Block II+ ER version of the HARPOON with marketplace is becoming more compli- terms of the Future Cruise and Anti-Ship a range in excess of 248 km. In addition to cated than ever before. Potential custom- Weapon (FCASW) programme MBDA is to new-build Block II+ ER missiles, older Block ers who might once have only looked at develop a new missile system for Britain II missiles could be upgraded to the new US, European or Israeli missile solutions and France (to replace EXOCET amongst configuration. are broadening their horizons to look at other systems). Unfortunately, the in-ser- For a number of years, the US Navy ap- the possibilities offered by Russia or China. vice date (ISD) for FCASW is envisaged to peared to be losing interest in anti-ship While others are generating their own mis- be around 2030. The problem is that the missiles, preferring to rely on the strike ca- sile solutions, either via joint ventures as in Royal Navy is without an anti-ship capabil- pabilities of naval aviation. However, it is the Indian approach, or through domestic ity for 12 years. In the meantime it will be now having second thoughts on this policy

40 European Security & Defence · March 2017

 Armament & technology in the face of the profusion of high perfor- the NSM had selected to equip the Second export opportunities Kongsberg have been mance Chinese and Russian anti-ship mis- Generation Patrol Vessel – Littoral Com- working to get involved in the US Navy siles. This has led to a programme known as bat Ship (SGPV-LCS) of the Royal Malay- OASuW programme. The NSM was fired Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) sian Navy (RMN). The RMN will receive six from the USS Coronado (LCS-4) at Point Increment 2 to provide new anti-ship mis- SGPV-LCSs from 2019 onwards. In Febru- Mugu, California, in July 2014. The abil- sile capabilities for the US Navy, it is a ma- ary of this year, as a part of the collaborative ity to offer both NSM and JSM provides Kongsberg with tremendous export poten- tial, in particular the ability to achieve inter- nal carriage on the JSF could significantly expand the potential user base.

Photo: Kongsberg The Saab RBS 15 Mk 3 is the latest mem- ber of a missile family that originally en- tered service in the 1980s. The RBS 15 Mk 3 missile is jointly produced and marketed by Saab and Diehl Defence of Germany. Launch weight is 800 kg, with in-flight weight being 630 kg, there is a 200 kg blast/fragmentation warhead, high sub- sonic speed and its range is in excess of 200 km. The missile is in service with the , with the German Navy on BRAUNSCHWEIG class and will be used on other units, and it is also in service with Poland on ORKAN class fast attack craft. Finland operates the weapon in naval and coastal defence applications, with also having purchased the mis- Kongsberg’s is operational on land and at sea. It can sile. climb and descend according to terrain when it travels over land. Our last anti-ship missile to be considered is the MBDA MARTE MK2/N, which is a jor programme and immensely attractive agreement over submarine acquisition be- lightweight anti-ship missile with a launch to Boeing, as well as to Lockheed Martin tween Germany and Norway, Kongsberg weight of 310 kg and a range in excess of and their Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR- noted that: “Norwegian authorities an- 30 km. The missile was ordered in 2009 by ASM). Also in contention is the Kongsberg nounced that the strategic partnership for the UAE Navy to equip its 24 GHANNATHA Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which will be submarine acquisition expands to include multi-role combat vessels, with each unit discussed more later, with the Norwegian Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM). The having four missiles. In February of this year company working with Raytheon. cooperation entails further development the UAE placed a new order for additional The LRASM programme started in 2009, of the missile, and that the German navy missiles. The MARTE MK2/N is also in ser- with two systems involved, the subsonic intends to acquire a significant number vice with , while the MARTE LRASM-A and the supersonic ramjet- of NSMs for its vessels. This also enables ER extended range variant (100 km range) powered LRASM-B, with the latter missile a close cooperation on joint maintenance has been ordered for a coastal defence ap- then being deferred to put emphasis on and logistics between the German and the plication by Qatar. the LRASM-A. This missile is based on the Norwegian navy.” Before going on to briefly discuss naval air AGM-158B JASSM-ER (Joint Air-to-Surface The NSM weighs 408 kg, travels at high defence missile developments it is worth – Extended Range) and subsonic speed, it uses a GPS/INS naviga- looking at a unique missile system that initially is intended for air launched ap- tion system and has an imaging infrared bridges the gap between the anti-ship and plications, with a ship launch variant uti- (IIR) seeker with automatic target recog- the air defence categories. This is the Inter- lising the Mk 41 VLS to emerge later. In nition, the warhead weighs 125 kg and active Defence and Attack System for Sub- May 2016 Lockheed Martin were awarded its operational range is 185 km (range is marines (IDAS) being proposed by a con- a US$321.8M contract to support further dependent on flight profile). Emphasis has sortium of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems LRASM research and development to been put on signature reduction in the (TKMS) and Diehl Defence, with TKMS complete the design of all hardware and shaping of the missile and this is assisted dealing with the submarine aspects and software, as well as risk reduction. By July by the IIR seeker being a passive system. Diehl with the missile aspects. Test firings 2016 three successful surface-launch LR- There is also an air-launched version of the of the system have taken place from Ger- ASM tests had been conducted. weapon known as the Joint Strike Missile man Navy Type 212A submarines, with the The Kongsberg NSM entered service with (JSM), this has been designed to fit into the Norwegian ULA Class submarine UREDD the in 2012 and is internal bays of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter test firing the missile last year. employed by their SKJOLD class missile (JSF) that Norway is acquiring. Australia is IDAS is launched from the tubes of boats and FRIDTJOF NANSEN Class frigates. said to be interested in the JSM for its fu- the submarine, it has a range of 20 km and The first export order was received from ture F-35 fleet. is powered by a two-stage solid rocket mo- Poland in 2008 for a coastal defence missile Future developments of the NSM/JSM tor, this is a fibre-optically guided weapon version of the system for the , potentially include a version that can be and features an IIR seeker that allows the with a second batch order being placed in launched from the MK 41 VLS and a sub- operator in the submarine to control the late 2014. In 2015 it was announced that marine-launched variant. In terms of future engagement until the endgame or re-target

42 European Security & Defence · March 2017 the missile. The missile gives the submarine the ability to engage MPA and helicopter targets, with its precision targeting capabilities allowing it to successful engage surface combatants as well.

Air Threats Our extended discussion of anti-ship missile systems has demon- IMU strated the scale of the threat faced by surface combatants and TACTICAL GRADE the obvious requirement for effective defensive countermeas- ures. Indeed the threat is actually broader than that of supersonic or high subsonic anti-ship missiles, for example there is the DF- 21D Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) being fielded by China to attack high-value targets such as aircraft carriers. Furthermore there are ongoing anti-ship missile developments in China in- cluding a long-range anti-ship featuring ‘artificial intelligence’ capabilities. Naval air defence has broadened in scope, for example the US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) operate the Standard SM-3 missile and the AEGIS combat system to defeat ballistic missile threats, including those to the Japanese homeland. The other current generation US system, RIM-174 Standard SM-6, has a different mission profile in that it is designed to engage aerial targets, including UAVs, and incoming anti-ship missiles. Apart 1:1 scale from the US Navy, the SM-6 has been acquired by Australia, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The European equivalent of the Standard is the family of missiles in the form of the ASTER 15 for short to medium-range engagements and the ASTER 30 for long-range engagements. Currently in development is a version of the ASTER to deal with STIM300 is a tactical grade Inertial ballistic missile threats. In Europe ASTER is in service with Britain, Italy and France and has been exported to Algeria, , Morocco, Measurement Unit, IMU, for demanding Qatar, and Singapore. Britain contracted MBDA to develop the Common Anti-Air Modu- guidance and navigation applications. lar Missile (CAAM) for airborne, land and maritime applications. The maritime variant CAMM(M) was selected by the Royal Navy, where it is known as SEA CEPTOR. It is being installed on Type 23 • ITAR free frigates as they complete their life extension programmes and will • Small size, low weight, power and cost be installed on the future Type 26 frigate. With a range in excess • Insensitive to magnetic fi elds of 25 km, the missile exceeds the performance of its predecessor, • Low gyro bias instability (0.5°/h) the VL , which only had a 10 km range. The Royal New • Low gyro noise (0.15°/√h) Zealand Navy became the first export customer and will use the • Low accelerometer bias instability (0.05 mg) missiles in the upgrade of its two ANZAC frigates, with Brazil and also ordering the system. • Excellent performance under vibration and shock MBDA can offer another area air defence system in the form of • Fully calibrated and customer confi gur able to the the VL MICA, developed from their MICA medium-range air-to-air specifi c application missile for both land and naval applications. The weapon has been • 3 inclinometers for accurate leveling selected by the navies of Egypt, Oman, and Singapore, • Weight 55 grams, volume <2cu.in, power 1.5 W while Malaysia will install the system on the six SGPV-LCSs that will enter service from 2019. Occupying a similar market niche is the Raytheon Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), this is in service STIM300 is fi eld proven in Military Land navigators, with the US Navy and some 11 other navies. Also from Raytheon Missile systems, Target acquisition systems, Airborne is the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) for close-in defence surveillance, DIRCM, Remote Weapon Systems, Launch applications, the product of a joint venture between the US and vehicles and Satellites. Germany, at the recent IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi it was dis- closed that the UAE Navy had purchased RAM Block 2 missiles for its six BAYNUNAH class corvettes that currently operate RAM Block 1A missiles. Mention should also be made of the wide variety of air defence missile systems that are available from China and Russia, as well When size, performance and robustness matter as other potential suppliers. The diverse nature of air and missile threats faced by modern navies inevitably leads to a diverse range of possible defensive solutions. There is always much to discuss in [email protected] • www.sensonor.com terms of naval missile systems, with offensive and defensive sys- tems evolving at a rapid pace. 

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 43  Armament & technology Protecting Naval Vessels Threats, Concepts and Systems

Bob Nugent

In October 2016, an attack on the UAE high-speed logistics vessel SWIFT by anti-ship missiles (assessed as C-801 or C-802 types) inflicted severe damage on the vessel. A similar attack on a Saudi Arabian AL MADINAH Class frigate in January 2017 killed several crew and damaged the ship.

hese attacks are a reminder of the missiles such as those that hit the SWIFT. small groups, they are less able to draw on Tcontinuing requirement for navies to Adding to the challenge of protecting na- the proven principles of protecting naval develop concepts and deploy systems that val vessels are constrained budgets, small- vessels: stand-off distance, safety in num- protect their vessels from attacks in an er force structures and, as a result, fewer bers and layered defence. increasingly lethal naval security environ- ships available to operate for most navies This article will review contemporary naval ment. around the world. This strategic setting vessel protection concepts and systems. It That environment challenges the defence induces trade-offs between offensive and begins with a look at the threat environ- of ships and forces with a spectrum of defensive systems, as well as hard decisions ment, then presents a conceptual frame- threats ranging from new generation about what kinds of threats are the most work for naval vessel protection that helps anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles to pressing, and therefore which defensive assess the strategic choices available for Photo: US Navy Photo: US Navy

The hybrid catamaran HSV-2 SWIFT was originally built for the Military Sealift Command, primarily for mine countermeasures and as a sea basing test platform. Then it was leased by the United Arab Emirates’ National Marine Dredging Company in 2015, where it was attacked by Houthi fighters in October 2016.

high speed jet aircraft. Ships must also systems will have the highest priority in al- naval design, operation, and acquisition. protect themselves from the “simpler” locating resources. Indeed, the US Navy’s It closes with a comparative review of how but more numerous threats posed by “Distributed Lethality” operating concept US, European and especially other navies high speed small craft armed with crew- now guiding the surface forces is a re- are choosing to protect their newest frig- served weapons and grenade launchers, sponse to the critique that modern war- ates and destroyers –those recently built or low speed and low visibility manned and ships have become so focused on defend- currently under construction. That review unmanned aircraft, shore-based artillery ing themselves against the whole spectrum will use proprietary data drawn from AMI as well as the older generation anti-ship of threats that they are underinvested in International’s naval market and technical offensive capabilities that historically de- databases. Author fined most fleet and ship designs for the While the article considers concepts and last century. systems that apply to protecting all types of Bob Nugent is a Virginia-based Affili- And as these fewer surface ships operate naval vessels – from aircraft carriers to sub- ate Consultant for AMI International in in coastal or constrained waters such as marines to patrol craft – it focuses mostly Bremerton, WA, USA. the Arabian Gulf, North Arabian and South on the general purpose surface combatant. China Seas, often as single ships or in very Destroyers and frigates represent the main

44 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology  Photo: Crown Copyright

Lynx helicopter of the Royal Navy fired its flares as part of an exercise in the Indian Ocean. body of most navies today and a significant the laser-guided missile at a a common missile design for long range part of planned shipbuilding investments range of about 8 nautical miles. (up to 600 NM for some variants) land at- globally over the next 20 years. They are Longer-range precision anti-ship missiles tack and anti-ship variants. KLUB is widely also the types of ships most often operat- such as EXOCET and HARPOON (maxi- exported (India, Algeria, , China, ing “in harm’s way” and are the ships most mum ranges 75-100 NM) are being su- possibly Iran) and can be launched on likely to be found operating alone in high perseded by the newer generation of short notice from a wide variety of plat- threat environments, and so provide insight weapons such as Indian-Russian joint ven- forms. Recent marketing literature on the into how navies are prioritising their invest- ture BRAHMOS missile – claimed to be system promotes its ability to be adapted ments to protect naval vessels. the fastest ASCM (Anti-Ship Cruise Mis- to commercial shipping containers for sea, sile) currently in service at an operational road or rail launch, as well as conventional Threats range of up to 250 NM. submarine tube and surface ship vertical As more navies add to the numbers and launch systems. Threats to naval vessels come from all di- sizes of ships in their fleet structures, the Missiles like the KLUB series will be increas- rections. The subsurface, surface, air, space once firm dividing line between ASCM and ingly difficult to identify, locate and destroy and increasingly the electronic/cyber do- LACM (Land-Attack Cruise Missile) is blur- prior to launch, making post-launch neu- mains all represent threat axes when plan- ring. A mission kill or even sinking of an tralisation by sea-based air/missile defence ning ship or force defence. As described in adversary’s ship – even those as small as systems the main line of missile defence our recent article on contemporary anti- corvettes – can have a dramatic political – for the fleet or the homeland. submarine warfare challenges, investments effect, as shown in the attacks on UAE and in modern, and increasingly missile-armed, Saudi Arabian ships, along with a similar Conceptual Framework: submarines are drawing increased atten- attack on the INS HANIT off Lebanon in Active and Passive, Kinetic tion to the lack of modern ASW capabilities 2006. and Non-Kinetic (systems and trained personnel). The Russian KLUB series of missiles (NATO Judging from defensive systems equipping designation SS-N-27/SS-N-30) is one ex- In reviewing the difficult strategic choice frigates and destroyers being built now, the ample of this increasingly complex missile of what systems to acquire to protect the threat from the air – missiles and aircraft – threat confronting the next generation of vessels, two general categories can be remains the priority driving ship protection air and missile defence systems. KLUB uses seen. Active measures reach out to deter concepts and investments. The resources devoted to radars, other sensors, combat Passive Active management systems and weapons that Kinetic Chaff Small Calibre Guns (up to 40 mm) are optimised for air and missile defence Flares Medium Calibre Guns (up to 127 mm) outstrip those for anti-submarine and anti- Acoustic Decoys Short Range Missiles surface defence systems. Medium Range Missiles Anti-Torpedo Torpedoes The Air Threat Matrix Directed Energy-Laser

Conventional short range weapons include Non- Stealth Design Features Electronic Warfare-Jamming airborne weapons typically used in direct Kinetic Speed Directed Energy/Pulse attacks at short range – bullets and bombs Maneuver from helicopters and manned fixed wing Cover and Concealment (clutter in aircraft. Attacking platforms gain stand-off near-shore environments) advantages with tactical missiles such as Intelligence & Electronic Surveillance

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 45  Armament & technology or destroy the threatening platform (air- craft, ship, boat, submarine, land-based launcher) prior to the employment of the weapon (, projectile, missile, torpedo) that will damage the ship. And in the event of an attack, active systems neutralise or Photo: Lockheed Martin destroy the weapon that is directed at the ship. Active naval protection is mainly per- formed by guns (especially small calibre, high rate of fire close-in weapons systems) and missiles. Passive means that contribute to force or ship defence have traditionally been intel- ligence, long range sensors, communica- tions and command/control systems that provide the location, classification, posture and, finally, notification of the attack of a threatening platform. These systems en- able ship countermeasures such as maneu- vre and emissions control that enhance the protection of the threatened platforms. On The AEGIS system has been developed continuously to stay one of the the ship itself, systems such as chaff, flares, most modern missile, and especially BMD, assets. decoys (physical and electronic), noisemak- ers and the like that aim to counter the Non-kinetic protection, heretofore mostly locating resources for protecting naval ves- attack system’s guidance and control prior electronic warfare and related systems, sels. to the weapon reaching its effective en- counter the threat by directing energy in Directed Energy systems, however, blur gagement range. ways that neutralise critical elements of the some of the distinctions above and offer Another related way of categorising naval threat platform or system without its com- the prospect of “changing the game” on protection systems is whether they are ki- plete physical destruction. ship protection in which guns and missiles netic or non-kinetic. Kinetic systems pro- For the purposes of this article, this frame- remain the predominant technologies. tect by physical impact or destruction of work serves as a “menu” to evaluate how As noted by Congressional Research Ser- the threatening platform and/or weapon. navies, ship and system designers are al- vice naval expert Ron O’Rourke: “The (US) Navy is currently developing three poten- Country Ship Class Displacement Air Defence Missile System tial new weapons that could improve the Tons (FLD) ability of its surface ships to defend them- SHADHINOTA (C13B) 1,300 8-cell FL-3000N selves against enemy missiles – solid state lasers (SSLs), the electromagnetic railgun Brazil TAMANDARE 2,400 16-cell Sylver VLS with MBDA (EMRG), and the hypervelocity projectile (Barroso) Common Anti-Air Modular (HVP) (...). Rarely has the Navy had so many Missile – Marine (CAMM-M) potential new types of surface-ship missile- Egypt Gowind 2,400 16-cell VL Mica defence weapons simultaneously available for development and potential deployment Indonesia Martadinata 2,400 2x six cell VLS with VL MICA (...). Although the Navy in recent years has (Sigma) made considerable progress in developing

Country Ship Class Displacement Gun Armament Ship ASW Systems Tons (FLD) Bangladesh SHADHI­ 1,300 x1 Chinese H/PJ-26 76 mm gun None (embarked helicopter provides) NOTA (C13B) x2 P/J-17 30 mm RWS x2 12.7 mm machine guns Brazil Tamandare 2,400 x1 BAE 76mm Harris hull-mounted sonar (Barroso) x1 40 mm Bofors x6 Raytheon Mk46 Mod 5 torpedoes in two x2 20 mm triple tubes Egypt Gowind 2,400 x1 OTO Melara 76 mm/62 x2 Whitehead B 515 324 mm triple torpedo x2 Nexter Narwhal 20 mm tubes for EuroTorp MU90 remote weapon stations Thales Kingklip hull mounted sonar (HMS) x4 12.7 mm machine guns and CAPTAS 2 variable depth sonar (VDS) Indonesia Marta­ 2,400 x1 OTO Melara 76 mm/62 Super Thales Kingklip hull mounted sonar dinata Rapid gun x2 Whitehead B 515 324 mm triple torpedo (Sigma) tubes for EuroTorp MU90 Embarked helicopter with dipping sonar, sonobuoys, torpedoes

46 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology 

SSLs, EMRG, and HVP, a number of signifi- navies are investing to provide anti-surface that navies continue to see air and missile cant development challenges remain.” and even ASW defense capabilities on attack as the most likely and most difficult even these smaller hulls, where “real es- to counter among the array of threats to Current Ship Protection tate” available to add systems is even more naval vessels, and are investing accordingly. Systems – The Balancing Act limited than is the case for frigates and de- This is not to say that ASW and anti-surface stroyers 4000 tons and larger. defence systems are neglected. As seen AMI forecasts of new large surface com- above, even the smaller frigates now be- batants construction over the next 20 years Conclusion ing built for non-NATO navies around the include 438 new destroyer and frigate hulls world are being fitted with small calibre at a total acquisition cost of US$346Bn. Torpedoes, suicide boats, and mines are guns, sonars and torpedoes to counter This represents about 34% of all new naval all threats to naval vessels. All are capable a broad range of potential threats. But it construction spending on all types of naval of crippling or sinking ships, and all have remains the case that naval investment ships and craft through 2037. done so in the post-World War II era. Yet continues to be weighted toward kinetic That the navies of the world plan to spend a review of the systems being selected to systems for air and missile defence onboard about 1/3 of their new ship acquisition re- protect frigates and destroyers today signal frigates and destroyers.  sources over the coming two dec- ades on destroyers and frigates is largely explained by an expanding range of threats in the naval do- main detailed above. The most expensive defensive system being acquired for these frigates and destroyers are air defence missiles and related ra- dars. While virtually all the frig- ates and destroyers forecast to be built over the next 20 years will be equipped with small calibre guns, and most with medium calibre (57 mm-127 mm), the cost of the gun systems being acquired is generally lower than that of mis- sile systems. The same can be said of ASW systems (sonars and tor- pedoes) compared to air defence radars and missiles. The reference points for integrat- ed air and missile defence for frig- ates and destroyers will continue to be the AEGIS systems – still the “state of the art” for ship-based fleet and national air/missile de- fence. The AEGIS combat system on US BURKE class destroyers are an example of successful evolu- tion in both ship and system de- sign to manage high-end ballistic missile defence (BMD) as well as general naval missions. However, most navies are not re- sourced to invest in AEGIS-level integrated air and missile defence. Rather, most of the world’s frig- ates in service or under con- struction rely on short-range air defence missiles for air defence. A representative sample of air de- fence missile systems equipping smaller frigate programs (3,000 tons or below) under construc- tion is provided on the left. The gun and ASW defensive ar- mament on the same set of ships (shown left) demonstrate that

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 47  Armament & technology Assault Rifle Developments and Acquisition Programmes in Europe

David Saw

Europe has become an extremely active market for assault rifles. In September 2016 the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency, announced that Heckler & Koch (HK) and its HK416F 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle had been selected to meet the requirements of the Arme Individuelle Futur (AIF) programme to replace the existing FAMAS assault rifle in French service. Now Germany is also looking at a new assault rifle programme in the form of System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr.

t is worth noting the contraction of the through the provision of effective sighting Kalashnikov in 1947. AK-47 prototypes Ismall in Europe at this point. systems, ergonomic enhancements and im- were tested between 1947 and 1949, at With the closure of Manufacture d’Armes provements in ammunition performance, which point the weapon was approved and de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France had no al- to the point where the weapon itself is a entered service. The standard AK-47 was ternative but to have an international com- platform to which additional components superseded in production by the AKM from petition to meet the AIF requirement, as it and enhancements can be added. 1959 onwards, with these weapons being manufactured in the tens of millions in the Soviet Union, satellite states and elsewhere (often without a production licence). While the Soviet Union advanced with the assault rifle, the newly-emerging NATO mili- Photo: ESD archives tary alliance did not. The US Army was more interested in a full-power machine gun car- tridge and this led to the 7.62x51mm round being adopted as the NATO standard cali- bre. NATO, at the behest of the US, opted for a round that was not suitable for an as- sault rifle but was useful for what today we would call a . Typical battle rifles from this era were the FN FAL, the M14 and the HK G3. By the early 1960s, but not without resist- ance from those who preferred a battle rifle solution, the US finally equipped itself with an assault rifle. The Armalite AR-15 design provided the basis for the M16 assault ri- fle in .223 Remington (5.56x45mm M193), with the first order for 85,000 weapons The AK-103 is the modern version of the AK-47 designed by Mikhail being placed with Colt by the US Army in Kalashnikov. The AK-47 was the first of the AK family, the variants of 1963, followed by the first major order for which are the most widely used rifles worldwide. 840,000 weapons in 1966. One advantage of the 5.56x45mm M193 was the fact that had no assault rifle design and build capa- Ammunition is a key part of the assault ri- the round was lighter, so an individual sol- bility, and the same applies to the British fle package: to be able to fully control the dier could carry more 5.56 mm rounds than when they eventually decide to replace their weapon in automatic fire and to have a 7.62x51mm NATO rounds. L85A2 assault rifle without any national de- weapon that meets appropriate size and In 1977, the 5.56x45mm round would sign or build capability to call upon. weight constraints an intermediate car- become a second standard NATO calibre, tridge is used, which has less power than a the round chosen being the Belgian SS109, Definitions and Background conventional battle rifle . The first classified as the M855 by the US Army. intermediate cartridges that entered service The Soviet Union also saw the value of a An assault rifle is a select-fire weapon that were German 7.92x33mm Kurz and the So- smaller intermediate cartridge, developing is fully controllable in automatic fire, uses viet 7.62x39mm M1943, with the latter still the 5.45x39 mm round and mating it with a detachable magazine and intermediate- in worldwide use today. a new rifle in the form of the AK-74, which power cartridges and has an effective range The most significant use of the 7.62x39mm remains the standard assault rifle of the Rus- of at least 300 metres. Assault rifle perfor- M1943 round was with the Avtomat sian Army. The 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm mance has improved in the modern era Kalashnikova or AK-47 designed by Mikhail and 5.45x39mm are still the standard cali-

48 European Security & Defence · March 2017

 Armament & technology bres for assault rifle applications. The AR- the L85A2 in 2002. The plan was for the list of priorities, but the UK MoD’s – and 15 action has been extremely influential in L85A2 to remain service until 2025, but at Heckler & Koch’s – apparent willingness to subsequent assault rifle designs, as has the this point, there is no real movement on accept significant technical risk, even in the KALASHNIKOV action. an L85A2 successor system. British Special light of other recent procurement disasters, Forces, other specialist units and the Royal suggests a surprising willingness to flirt with Fringe Developments Military Police (RMP) use some 19 differ- fortune. ent weapons, among which is the COLT Moving towards a new assault rifle does CANADA C8. Northern Lights not mean that you absolutely have to use The most recent L85A2 activity in Britain the calibres discussed above. Nor does it was in August 2016, when the following In the latter part of the 20th century the mean that an assault rifle is really the an- contract information was released: “The Swedish Army adopted the G3 battle rifle, swer to the requirement. Such a contradic- Dismounted Close Combat Programme manufacturing it locally as the Ak 4. Later, tory situation emerged as Turkey looked for team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, in the 1970s, requirements changed and a new assault rifle to replace its G3A3 and intends to place a contract for the Equipped Sweden looked to acquire an assault rifle G3A4 7.62x51mm battle rifles and HK33E to Fight Improvement (EFI) programme for in 5.56x45mm calibre. Some 11 different 5.56x45mm assault rifles in the Turkish the modification of 5,000 SA80 weap- weapons were evaluated, and eventually military – all manufactured under licence in ons with Heckler & Koch for work to be two weapons were chosen: the FN FNC Turkey by MKEK. completed by March 2017. The estimated and the FFV 890C, the latter weapon be- Initially MKEK developed an assault rifle in contract value is £2.7M. The contract will ing a Swedish version of the Israeli GALIL 5.56x45mm known as the MEHMETÇIK-1. Prototype weapons were taken for field test- ing, but the response was less than positive, with the feeling being that 5.56x45 mm did not have the necessary range characteris- tics. This led to a redesign of the weapon into a larger version in 7.62x51 mm calibre, Photo: Crown Copyright along with other modifications resulting in the MKEK MPT-76 battle rifle. In 2015 con- tracts for the first tranche of 35,014 rifles were drafted, with the estimated require- ment for the MPT-76 being up to 600,000 weapons. On deciding that it needed a modern as- sault rifle, Finland decided to licence-pro- duce the AK-47 in 7.62x39mm and modify it to meet local needs. The initial weapon was classified as the Rk.60, which was then developed into the Rk.62, the production version of which saw some 350,000 being built into the 1990s. In the mid-1990s the Rk.95TP was taken into service, although British soldier with his SA80 during Operation Qalb in Helmand, only limited numbers were procured. Afghanistan Rather than purchase a new generation weapon, Finland has decided to upgrade require the supplier to modify the existing system. Further tests took place and eventu- and modernise the existing Rk.62 inventory SA80A2 weapon by fitting a combination ally Sweden decided to go with the FN FNC, to the Rk.62M standard. The configuration of new and modified components. Specific modified to meet Swedish requirements of the weapon will be changed with the tolerances of materials are needed along and manufactured locally. The resulting Ak fixed stock being replaced and with provi- with exact dimensions and surface finishes 5 entered service in Sweden in 1986, some sion for new sighting systems. In many re- on the components to allow for interop- 10 years after the rifle programme started. spects this is logical as the Rk.62 is a well en- erability with the existing system, particu- The most recent variants of the system are gineered assault rifle and the 7.62x39mm larly when managing the variable interface the Ak 5C and Ak 5D, with 40,000 Ak 5 round is still more than viable. caused by differing rates of wear of existing rifles being upgraded to the Ak 5C/D stand- components which are recycled as part of ard under a contract signed in 2005. A British Quandary the programme. There are very high risks The Ak 5 still remains in service, with a suc- involved in managing the variable toler- cessor system envisaged from 2020 on- Another nation in no hurry to change its ances and manufacturing processes when wards. The Special Operations Task Group assault rifle is the United Kingdom, where combining new and existing weapon com- (SOG) of the already the L85, otherwise known as the SA80, ponents.” operates a range of weapons that could had a painful and problematic introduc- It would seem, therefore, that the British contribute towards the selection of an Ak tion into service. Resolving the difficulties intend to retain the L85A2 in service and 5 successor: SOG has the HK G36C and proved beyond domestic capabilities and incrementally upgrade the weapon as nec- G36K in service and also operates the COLT eventually Heckler & Koch were tasked essary to meet evolving requirements. At CANADA C8SFW. According to Swedish with a rectification programme that led to this point a replacement programme hardly media reports, the SOG placed a contract the fielding of a new variant in the form of appears to be on the top of the British Army with LWRC International of Cambridge,

50 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology 

Maryland, US, to acquire a number of M6G assault rifles in 5.56x45mm, that weapon being an evolution of the standard US Army M4 . It is likely that the M6G will be one of the weapons evaluated in the con- Photo: Heckler & Koch text of an Ak 5 successor; other weapons that have been mentioned in this regard include the HK416 and the FN SCAR. Norway fielded the G3 battle rifle for many years and then looked for an assault rifle as a replacement, leading to an order for 40,000 HK416N in 2008. Denmark started its G3 replacement programme earlier, pur- chasing the Colt Canada C7 and C8 from 1995 onwards, with the LSW variant being acquired in 2004. In 2010 new upgraded versions of the C7 and C8 were acquired from Colt Canada.

Western Europe Heckler & Koch have just launched the new HK433 to enter competition in Germany. Among the other major European armies, the Netherlands Army also adopted the C7 gramme, the next big prize in Europe is the 60%, and SIG SAUER with the MCX. Such and the C8, and in July 2015 the Nether- German System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr is the dominance of these companies that lands Maritime Special Operations Force (SSG) programme to replace the current input from smaller German companies such (NL-MARSOF) was the subject of a tender G36 5.56x45mm assault rifle in German as Haenel with their CR223 or Schmeisser covering the acquisition of 195 and service from 2020 onwards. That the weap- with their M4 variants is thought to be un- 1.82 million rounds of ball, subsonic and on performs well according to its specific, likely in the extreme. International competi- lead-free frangible ammunition. What was stated requirements is not in dispute, but tion will potentially include the FN SCAR, significant was that NL-MARSOF had cho- this matter has become a political football the Swiss B&T APC 556, and the Italian sen the Advanced Armament Corporation in Germany, so let us simply report that this company. The prospect of greater (AAC) 7.62x35mm Blackout cartridge for weapon’s life in the Bundeswehr is expir- international participation will depend on these weapons, making them the first mili- ing. However, the G36 will still remain the how open the competition is perceived to tary customer to officially adopt the round. standard assault rifle in two NATO member be – probably quite limited. Interestingly, in Late in 2016 it was disclosed that the SIG countries – and Lithuania – as well January 2017 Germany floated a tender to SAUER MCX had been selected as the car- as being used all over the world by Special provide their KSK (German Special Forces) bine for the NL-MARSOF requirement. Forces and law enforcement. Nevertheless, with 1,705 5.56x45mm assault rifles for The French Army AIF requirement saw the the German plan is to decommission some delivery between September 2017 and evaluation of the FN SCAR, HK416, HS 167,000 or so G36s in Bundeswehr service. June 2019. All things considered, the KSK Product VHS-2 from Croatia (the only bull- Programme timelines include a Request for and Bundeswehr programmes have the pup format rifle included), the SIG SAUER Proposals (RfP) to be issued before mid- potential to be among the most competi- MCX and the Beretta ARX160 in response 2017, and an in-service date “by 2020”, and tive European assault rifle procurements for to a tender for a replacement for the exist- all deliveries complete by 2026. many years. ing FAMAS system, issued in May 2014. In The aim is, obviously, to obtain the best pos- September 2016 the DGA announced that sible 5.56x45mm assault rifle, but there re- The Industrial Network the HK416 had been selected as the win- main strong political and industrial consid- ner and that the contract would cover the erations and a German supplier is regarded From the relatively minor development of acquisition of 102,000 HK416 5.56x45mm as essential. Despite the G36 controversy, the Rk.62 in Finland comes another mod- assault rifles, 10,767 HK269G 40x46mm Heckler & Koch remains the small-arms in- ern “great” with significant design impact grenade launchers, accessories, ammuni- dustry leader in Germany, although for the within Europe: at the end of the 1960s tion, spares and support services over 15 new assault rifle it could face “significant” Israel started work on the development years. The French Army portion of the AIF domestic as well as international competi- of a new assault rifle in 5.56x45mm. The order covers 93,080 weapons, to be deliv- tion. It had been assumed that H&K would resulting GALIL design owed much to the ered between 2017 and 2028, with 50% to offer the HK416, but they have recently un- Finnish Rk.62 and its KALASHNIKOV herit- be delivered by 2022. Two rifle variants will veiled a new rifle system in the form of the age, and the current GALIL ACE benefits be acquired, 36,505 HK416F-S with a 14.5” HK433, so the company can offer a 100% from reduced weight through the use of barrel, of which 14,915 will be configured German solution that would be manufac- new materials and other product improve- to operate as part of the FELIN future sol- tured in Germany. It has also been stated ments. The weapon is available in three dif- dier system. The HK416F-S will be the only that the HK433 is significantly more afford- ferent calibres – 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm variant capable of supporting the HK269G able than might have been expected. and 7.62x39mm – and it is being built under . The second variant is the Other contenders include Rheinmetall with licence in the Ukraine, as well as in Chile, HK416F-C with an 11” barrel. A total of Steyr Mannlicher of Austria, offering the Columbia, and Vietnam, with Peru intend- 54,575 of these weapons is to be acquired. RS556 assault rifle, with Rheinmetall de- ing to manufacture the weapon. One of With resolution of the French AIF pro- claring a German workshare content of the difficulties confronting Israel Weapon

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 51  Armament & technology

Industries (IWI), is that the Israel Defence in 2006 procured the first 6,500 Lucznik received orders for 1,500 M762 Force (IDF) can acquire US small arms at of a potential 14,000 weapons. The largest versions of the BERYL in 7.62x39mm from very low cost as part of the US military aid customer for the weapon is reportedly the , with more orders anticipated. FB package. IWI-developed weapons must Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) who Lucznik is now on the crest of a wave of therefore be both demonstrably superior are said to have acquired 55,000 weapons BERYL orders: in May 2016 they received and affordable, and in the early 1990s IWI to date. an order for 26,000 BERYL from the Polish Land Forces, and that was followed by an order for 53,400 Wz.96C BERYL and 3,800 ­MINI-BERYL for Polish Territorial Forces. The Polish military now seems to be willing to

Photo: FN Herstal move forward on its MSBS modular small arms programme and will acquire some of these assault rifles as a part of its TYTAN future soldier programme. The MSBS will have to pass state testing and demonstrate its ability to integrate into TYTAN, but it is highly likely that some MSBS will be acquired from FB Lucznik before the much-delayed TYTAN programme gets underway. In the , the need to replace the old 7.62x39mm Vz.58 assault rifle saw CZ develop the CZ805, with the Czech Army eventually starting on a new rifle programme in 2009. The objective was to The FN SCAR-H CQC assault rifle acquire a 5.56x45mm assault rifle, and after an international competition some 6,687 were charged with developing a new as- Another assault rifle option from FN is the CZ 805A1 and 1,250 CZ 805A2 weapons sault rifle for the IDF to replace the M16A1 SCAR family of weapons. In 2003, the US were ordered in 2010. Subsequently Slova- and variants, and early models of the GALIL. Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) kia is thought to have acquired some 680 This resulted in the TAVOR, a bullpup-con- issued a requirement for a rifle to be known CZ805 assault rifles. In 2015 CZ introduced figuration weapon using advanced mate- as the SOF Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). the CZ 806 BREN 2 version of the system, rials, in 5.56x45mm. Between 1999 and What they wanted was a weapon that which was a significant advance on the orig- 2001 the TAVOR was put through an ex- was available in two versions: SCAR-L in inal, and the Czech Army placed an order tensive operational evaluation by IDF units, 5.56x45mm and SCAR-H in 7.62x51mm, for 2,600, with first deliveries in November where it prevailed over the American M4. although the latter weapon should also be 2016. Apart from its 5.56x45mm assault The TAVOR entered service with the IDF in able to accommodate other calibres and be rifles, CZ has also developed the CZ807 as- 2003, and it was classified as the standard convertible in the field. Both SCAR systems sault rifle in 7.62x39mm, which is attracting IDF assault rifle in 2009. Internationally the would also be available in a range of differ- considerable interest in Pakistan as part of TAVOR has been widely adopted by Special ent variants as well. In 2004 SOCOM­ an- a programme to replace the Pakistan Ar- Forces, the largest single export customer is nounced that FN America had been select- my stocks of G3 battle rifles and Type 56 the Royal Thai Army (RTA) that has ordered ed as the winner of the SCAR programme, 7.62x39mm assault rifles. If selected, the CZ some 106,000. with the first weapons being fielded in weapon would probably be manufactured Beretta has long met the needs of the Italian 2005. In 2010 SOCOM changed its thinking in Pakistan by Pakistan Ordnance Factories, military for rifles, initially with the BM59 in and decided to cancel procurement of the and the estimated total is some 1 million 7.62x51mm (based on the M1 GARAND), ­SCAR-L, instead focussing on the SCAR- weapons. which was superseded from 1990 by the H, with existing SCAR-L converted to the AR70/90 in 5.56x45mm. The latest-gener- SCAR-H configuration. Elsewhere others Conclusion ation assault rifle for the Italian military is were opting for both variants of the weap- the Beretta ARX160, again in 5.56x45mm, on: in Chile the Marines (CIM) purchased While this report addresses some of the although a variant in 7.62x39 mm is avail- 1,800, while Peru acquired an estimated background to assault rifles and their cur- able for export customers. Beretta has also 8,100 weapons. The SCAR was also widely rent deployments, major users and some introduced the ARX200, a battle rifle/DMR adopted by Special Forces, counter-terrorist European manufacturers, it does not seek version in 7.62x51mm, which has recently units and law enforcement. The Belgian to illustrate the technological develop- been adopted by for local pro- Armed Forces Land Component has select- ments of the weapons or – perhaps more duction to replace their FN FAL. ed the SCAR-L to replace its existing FNC importantly – their ancillaries, which will FN Herstal in Belgium continues to be one rifles, contracting for an initial 4,500 units. be addressed in a later edition of ESD. It of the world’s main small-arms manufactur- In Poland FB Lucznik in Radom, was tasked also, for the moment, sets aside develop- ers and the company has an extensive prod- with providing the Polish military with a ments, capabilities and plans in Eastern and uct portfolio. In 2001 it revealed the F2000, new 5.56x45mm assault rifle to replace South-Eastern Europe, which also follow. a compact bullpup weapon built using ad- their elderly AKM weapons, resulting in As stated earlier, Europe has become an vanced materials and with a modular struc- the Wz.96 BERYL which entered service extremely active market, and the influence ture to accommodate diverse customer in Poland in 1997. This was followed by of programmes, technologies, quality and requirements. The F2000 was adopted by the MINI-BERYL, a compact version for reliability from Europe is likely to continue numerous Special Forces, and within NATO specialist applications. In 2014 and 2015 to have global resonance. 

52 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology  SIG SAUER Awarded US Army Modular Handgun Contract

Sidney E. Dean

On 19 January 2017 the announced that SIG SAUER had won the competition to supply the Army’s new Modular Handgun System (MHS), officially designated the M17.

he MHS will replace the full-sized M9 are to be delivered in the “Coyote Brown” While the formal procurement decision Tand the compact M11 sidearms. SIG colour scheme. has, to date, been made only for the United SAUER confirmed that the MHS will be While SIG SAUER is headquartered in Eck- States Army, other services could eventually based on the civilian P320 model in the ernförde, Germany, the firearms for the join the contract, purchasing up to 212,000 9mm configuration, but will feature modifi- US armed forces will be produced by the additional pistols. The cost of those weap- cations to optimise the weapon for military firm’s North American sister, SIG SAUER ons has already been factored into the cur- service. Incorporated, in Newington and Exeter, rent contract, which has a potential value As a “System” the MHS procurement New Hampshire. The firm has partnered of $580.2M. “The contract ceiling [of] package encompasses firearms, ammu- with Winchester to provide lethal ammuni- $580M (...) is sufficient to procure Army requirements, other service requirements, and potential Foreign Military Sales require- ments. The government is not obligated to use the entire $580M contract ceiling,” the Photo: US Army Army stated in a press release. Accessories and ammunition are expected to account for half of the total procurement cost.

Replacing the M9

The MHS is only the third standard side- arm selected by the US Army over the past century. The .45 caliber Colt M1911 remained the standard issue for all US service branches except the Air Force for nearly 80 years until the 9mm M9 entered service in 1990 as the standard pistol for all branches (including USAF). The choice of a weapon chambering the standard NATO 9x19mm round was largely driven by Cold War logistical concerns, and was intended to simplify wartime resupply of US forces in the European theatre. Reception of the M9 was mixed. Personnel serving in Afghani- The M9 entered service in 1990 as the standard pistol for all branches. stan and Iraq complained that the weapon was unreliable, difficult to maintain in the nition, and ancillary equipment includ- tion and with Ultimate Training Munitions field, and underpowered. ing spare barrels and grips, cleaning and (UTM) for non-lethal ammunition and for These concerns, together with significant maintenance kits, holsters, sound suppres- conversion components for use in training. advances in handgun technology since the sors, and magazines. The Army plans to UTM will continue to provide the training 1980s (lighter-weight materials, improved procure 280,000 full sized pistols (fitted solutions to the Army under the MHS con- ergonomics, accessory rails) spurred inter- with standard 17- or extended 21-round tract. est in replacing the M9. From the begin- magazines) and 7,000 compact variants The first MHS will be assigned to units ning the Pentagon intended to choose a (15-rounds, suitable for concealment un- designated to participate in initial opera- weapon based on an existing but state- der loose clothing). All production pistols tional testing. This rollout is expected dur- of-the-art civilian design which would be ing the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017 further optimised for military requirements. Author (July-September). Deliveries are expected The effort to replace the M9 began in 2008 to reach full rate of production in 2018, with a service-specific Air Force initiative, Sidney E. Dean is president of Trans- and continue through 2027. Army acquisi- but was plagued by administrative delays. atlantic Euro-American Multimedia tions executive Steffanie Easter predicted in In 2011 the Army itself requested a delay in LLC. and a regular contributor to ESD. January that the procurement programme the MHS programme, prioritising develop- will remain on schedule and budget. ment of a new lightweight machine gun.

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 53  Armament & technology

The Army finally assumed the MHS lead the most adaptable pistol available today. Compared with the three-decade-old M9, in 2013 with an initial industry request for Aside from the stainless steel frame most the P320 features better ergonomics, im- information. The Army’s official request for aspects of the weapon can be switched proved sights and a smoother trigger ac- proposals or RPF – which ultimately grew out to personalise the pistol for the user tion, increasing a soldier’s chances of hit- into a 367 page document – was promul- and mission. Grips come in small, medium ting and stopping the enemy. gated in August 2015 and resulted in nine and large and can be exchanged to fit the As a striker-fired pistol, the P320 lacks the bids by February 2016. While the Army shooters hands (particularly important in hammer associated with traditional hand- largely withheld details from the public light of the increased number of women guns; instead, an internal striker detonates as the competition progressed, the field is deployed in the field); barrel and chamber the cartridge primer. Striker-fired pistols are thought to have been narrowed in August can be swapped out to alternate between carried pre-cocked, reducing pull weight 2016 to four competitors including SIG 9mm Luger, .357SIG, and .40 S&W. and distance; this allows the shooter to fire SAUER (offering the P320 in both 9mm and Many independent firearms experts agree more quickly in an emergency, and can .40 calibre), Beretta (offering its new APX), with the company’s assessment. Bob Ow- make it easier to hold the sights on target Glock (17 and 19), and FN America (FNS 9). ens, writing in the website Bearing Arms, while pulling the trigger for the first shot. Those weapons were tested at Picatinny wrote that “only the SIG SAUER P320, with As required by the Army, a trained shooter Arsenal (New Jersey). In December the Ar- a serialised core frame and the ability to should consistently place rounds within a my again down-selected to only two final- swap different grip lengths and slide-barrel ten centimetre target area at 50 meters ists, Glock and SIG SAUER. The latter won combinations, seems to meet the require- distance. after several weeks of intense comparison. ments – among the named designs.” The The MHS-variant of the P320 has an ambi- “The Army determined that this MHS (full MHS-configured variant can be equipped dextrous thumb safety, a reversible maga- size handgun, compact handgun, ammu- with a sound suppressor, and has an inte- zine catch, and a loaded chamber indicator nition, and ancillary components) was the grated for mounting a laser to reduce the risk of accidental discharge. best value in terms of aiming module or a tactical light. The weapon can be field stripped without its performance capa- tools and without depressing the trigger, bility, the terms and which again reduces the risk of accidental conditions of the discharge. Moving elements such as the vendor’s proposal, trigger and slide are designed to prevent and price,” the Army dirt entering the mechanism. The weapon wrote in a press re- is considerably easier to maintain than its lease. However, given predecessor. the potential value of the contract, Glock and Ammunition Policy perhaps Beretta are widely expected to chal- The Modular Handgun System One factor not spelled out in the RFP was lenge the award. As (MHS) offered by SIG SAUER will SAUER SIG Photo: calibre. Most candidate firearms were ei- was widely expected, be based on the civilian P320 ther 9mm or .40 calibre. Since soldiers had Glock filed a chal- model in the 9mm configuration. intensely criticised the insufficient terminal lenge to the award effects of the M9 and its 9x19mm rounds on 24 February. The under combat conditions, many observers Army has until 5 June to respond to the complaint. Until the issue is resolved the Army’s planned XM17 test- ing programme is on hold. Unless Glock

can demonstrate irregularities in the selec- Photo: SIG SAUER tion process their protest is likely to be re- jected, but IOC of the weapon could still be delayed by several months past the current timetable.

Modular Design

Short of proving procedural irregularities, however, the contenders would likely have a difficult time overturning the Army’s decision. The chosen weapon seems to fully satisfy all requirements laid out by the Army. The P320 was introduced on the civilian market by SIG SAUER in 2014, making it one of the newest and most ad- vanced high-powered available. More importantly, the Army clearly defined modularity as one of the most decisive at- tributes for the new weapon system. The The Army wants its contract partner to submit not only firearms but P320 is touted by the manufacturer as also the most suitable ammunition for the weapons.

54 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology  had expected the Army to select at least a knowledged that some smaller calibre FMJ type of ammunition could be deployed .40 calibre weapon. However, military and projectiles are prone to tumble early upon against them. Furthermore, the Declara- law enforcement experience shows that impact, creating large wounds comparable tion is only binding for conflicts in which multiple rounds on target are usually nec- with hollow-point ammunition (although all combatant parties are state signatories. essary to kill or incapacitate an opponent, this has primarily been observed with rifle In an asymmetric conflict including, for ex- regardless of calibre. The FBI has found bullets). ample, regular armed forces and insurgents that the .40 has only a marginally stronger The Pentagon furthermore suggests that on one side, the prerequisites of the Hague stopping power than the 9mm, but there- the rise of asymmetric warfare requires a Declaration would be moot. fore has reduced accuracy and rate of fire rethinking of the use of special purpose Operationally the Army would like the op- because of the stronger recoil. From this munitions. From the standpoint of inter- tion of using either FMJ or hollow point perspective the 9x19 round might offer the national law it has been argued that the projectiles because the latter generally optimal balance between accuracy and ki- 1899 Convention’s Maarten’s Clause ex- provide greater stopping power. For this netic effect. empts irregular combatants such as terror- reason the capability to handle both muni- The Army’s RFP explicitly did require that all ists, pirates, and non-uniformed insurgents tion types is a formal requirement for the vendors submit not only firearms but also from the Treaty’s protection, so that any Modular Handgun System.  the most suitable ammunition for their weapons. The various makes and variants of ammunition were tested just as thoroughly as the pistols themselves, with an eye to reliability, recoil, potential for fouling, ballistic performance and impact characteristics. Test- ing was conducted using a vari- ety of target systems as well as gelatin blocks. The MHS contract announced in January explicitly includes options for the purchase of the XM 1152 Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) and XM 1153 Special Pur- pose (SP) ammunition used with the P320 in testing. The UK’s Leading The inclusion of the XM 1153 munition is of particular interest. Special Purpose in this context is National Security Event a euphemism for hollow point projectiles, which have been Understand and protect shunned by most western armed against the latest threats forces for over a century. The United States is not a signatory to the 1899 Hague Declaration ban- ning wartime use of expanding 350+ munitions. Neither is the United Leading exhibitors States a party to the International Criminal Court which has accept- 100+ ed the prohibition as customary Free-to-attend conference sessions international law. Nonetheless the US has generally refrained 3,000+ from using such munitions except Products & services on display by law enforcement and special operations personnel. 50+ This policy has been under re- Live demonstrations view since 2015, paving the way for regular combat and support units to use either FMJ or ex- 10,000+ panding ammunition, as deemed Senior security professionals necessary. Current US Army rea- soning justifies a general use of such ammunition by arguing that Register free at www.sctx.co.uk/ESD full-metal jacket munitions are more likely to exit their intended Follow us on @CT_EXPO www.sctx.co.uk/linkedin target and cause collateral dam- age, especially in urban scenarios. Co-located with Sponsored by Organised by In this context it has also been ac-

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 55  Armament & technology TYPHOON Evolves to Meet Future Threats

Doug Richardson

For many people, New Year’s Day (1 January) is a public holiday, and for those of us who follow the Scottish tradition of remaining awake until midnight on 31 December to “see the New Year in”, it may be a day for regretting how much whisky we drank to celebrate the arrival of the new year. But for a mortar team of the so-called Islamic State (ISIL) who were manning a position just north of the Iraqi city of Mosul on 1 January 2016 it was just a routine day.

t was also a routine day for the Eurofighter “trained” to recognise the ITYPHOON that successfully targeted their voice of its pilot by using mortar position using a Raytheon PAVE- a template based on that WAY IV guided bomb. The incident illus- pilot’s voice that has been Photo: Eurofighter trates how, despite a protracted develop- plugged into the aircraft. ment involving new levels of technological The DVI system has been complexity for the companies involved, TY- designed to cope with the PHOON has become a dependable work- noisy in-flight environment, horse for its users. as well as factors such as high-G stresses which can Programme History affect the pilot’s voice. The flow of voice data is The origins of the TYPHOON lie in an out- two-way; the aircraft can line staff target issued in December 1983. use a synthesised “voice” This resulted in an initial feasibility study be- to provide safety-related gun in July 1984. The definitive European warnings to the pilot such Staff Requirement was issued in September as high or low airspeed, and 1987, and the main weapons system and ground proximity. Coupling engine development contracts followed in the DVI system with the November 1988. synthesised “voice” allows Progress was slow. A German proposal in the pilot to verbally request 1992 for substantial cost-reduction meas- information such as fuel- ures and studies of alternative proposals state and bearing to base, was finally dropped, but the process of get- and receive a verbal reply. ting all partners to make a firm production The CAPTOR-E antenna can be repositioned For the previous genera- commitment did not end until December well off the centreline of the aircraft. While tion of European combat 1996. Work on the first prototype started the US, France and Russia allow fighter- aircraft, electronic warfare in 1988, leading to the first flight on 27 mounted AESA antennas to be photographed, (EW) for self-protection March 1994. the CAPTOR-E antenna coyly lurks behind a had involved a built-in ra- The first production delivery was made to cover in all the photographs released to date. dar-warning receiver, and the Luftwaffe on 17 February 2003, and the a variety of add-on chaff/ aircraft entered service later that year. By the users to new levels of complexity. The flare dispensers and externally-mounted start of 2017, more than 490 Typhoons were was an aerodynami- jamming pods that were often added as in service, and the fleet had accumulated cally stable aircraft fitted with an analogue an afterthought. TYPHOON’s designers more than 380,000 flying hours. triplex (three-channel) fly-by-wire system, rejected such an ad-hoc approach, and In terms of its avionics, TYPHOON intro- but TYPHOON would be aerodynamically created a built-in and fully-integrated De- duced its designers, builders, and end unstable, and would rely on a quadruplex fensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) intended (four-channel) digital fly-by-wire system. to provide protection against air-to-air and Author Hand on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) con- surface-to-air threats. trols allow the pilot to manipulate some The passive Electronic Support Measures Following an earlier career in engi- functions of the aircraft and its engines (ESM) receiver system and the active Missile neering, Doug Richardson is a de- without the use of switches or selectors Approach Warner (MAW) provide warn- fence journalist specialising in topics mounted on the cockpit consoles, while ing and identification of threats, allowing such as aircraft, missiles, and military Direct Voice Input (DVI) allows the pilot the Electronic Countermeasures System electronics. to manage aircraft systems such as radar, (ECM) to automatically activate a suitable displays and navigation. Each aircraft is response using on-board countermeasures

56 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology 

or off-board countermeasures including trial installation last year, P1Eb FW began clearance envelope of the weapon, and to towed decoys. operational evaluation by 41 Squadron, the validate the modelling and simulation be- UK’s Coningsby-based Test and Evaluation ing conducted by MBDA and Selex. Upgrades Squadron. In January 2014, Airbus Defence and Space The next stage of Project Centurion will started flight tests of the TAURUS KEPD TYPHOON avionics and weaponry contin- introduce the P2E upgrade. This involves 350 cruise missile using the IPA7. This ue to evolve, giving the aircraft ever-greater additional human-machine interface and work is linked to that being conducted for capability, but raising inevitable problems availability improvements, as well as initial , since concurrent testing of these two similar missiles will facilitate integration of the German/Swedish missile, which is manufactured by Taurus Systems GmbH. Part of the Phase 2 Enhancement (P2E) Photo: Eurofighter package, the P2Ea upgrade tested last year brings some major capability changes and improves some existing capabilities, and in- volves software and avionics improvements such as upgrades to the radar, defensive aids systems and targeting pods. It makes the aircraft easier to employ in close air sup- port missions or for more complex roles such as convoy over-watch. A follow-on P3E standard will complete the integration of and STORM ­SHADOW, and introduce the MBDA ­BRIMSTONE 2 close air support air-to-sur- face missile. By the summer of last year, Initial flight testing of the MBDA STORM SHADOW on the TYPHOON was the IPA6 had completed an initial series of conducted in a programme led by Leonardo using Italy’s Instrumented BRIMSTONE flight trials to test communica- Production Aircraft 2 (IPA2). tion between the aircraft and missile, part of the process of clearing the way for initial that result when an air force may have to integration of the MBDA METEOR beyond firing trials which are due to take place in operate a fleet that includes aircraft of dif- visual range air-to-air missile and the MBDA the first quarter of 2017. ferent internal configuration. STORM SHADOW air-to-surface cruise mis- In 2015 the UK Ministry of Defence pro- A TYPHOON upgrade known as Evolution sile. vided £1.7M of funding to research a Package 2 was placed under contract in common weapon launcher for TYPHOON 2013. This includes enhancements to the Missile Integration that could be capable of carrying multiple radar, DASS, Multifunction Information weapons and weapon types on one aircraft and Distribution System (MIDS), Flight Con- STORM SHADOW integration is being led attachment point. If successfully developed trol System (FCS), and the Utility Control by Leonardo, with two successful releases and adopted for service, the new launcher System (UCS). of the weapon from Italian Instrumented could potentially carry weapons such as the The Phase 1 Enhancements (P1Eb) entered Production Aircraft 2 (IPA2) in 2015. In Dual Mode BRIMSTONE 2 Missile and the service on the UK’s Tranche 2 aircraft in 2016 the same company also used IPA2 to PAVEWAY IV guided bomb. 2015. Predominantly an air-to-ground complete the sixth series of METEOR test The first launch of an MBDA SPEAR air-to- capability upgrade, P1Eb introduces new firings at the UK’s Hebrides range. These surface missile was announced in July of last capabilities such as additional Human- firings were intended to further expand the year. Following its release from TYPHOON­ Machine Interface technologies and im- provements to the aircraft’s air-to-surface targeting capability. The aircraft’s LITENING III Laser Designator Pod (LDP) and Helmet Equipment Assembly (HEA) – the helmet Photo: Eurofighter mounted sight – are given improved inte- gration, allowing their seamless use to visu- ally identify air tracks at long range, and to identify, track, and target points on the ground. The UK is currently conducting the first phase of Project Centurion, a package of enhancements intended to allow its TY- PHOONs to take over the role of the Pana- via TORNADO by 2019. This involves modi- fying the current Tranche 2 TYPHOON to the Phase 1 Enhancements Further Work Flight tests with the TAURUS KEPD 350 cruise missile are being (P1Eb FW) standard. Following a successful conducted concurrently with those of STORM SHADOW.

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 57  Armament & technology

port mission interrogated a number of Ital- ian Army LINCE armoured vehicles, which responded by sending “friendly” signals back to the TYPHOON.

Increasing the Combat Radius Potential improvements are not confined to the avionics. Wind tunnel trials of con- formal fuel tanks were completed by BAE Systems in 2002, and a mockup showing

Photo: BAE Systems the proposed installation on the upper fu- Tranche 3 aircraft will have the internal “plumbing” needed to allow selage spine was displayed at the Farnbor- the use of conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), seen here being tested on a wind ough Air Show in July of that year. Further tunnel model. tests were conducted in 2014. Tranche 3 aircraft are being “plumbed” for confor- production aircraft BS116 at the UK Minis- ponent, while slewing its array to keep it mal tanks, but no TYPHOON operator has try of Defence’s Aberporth range in Wales, directed towards the target area. announced plans to procure these. Each the weapon transitioned to powered flight, TYPHOON’s current Identification Friend or tank would be able to carry 1,500 litres then flew a series of manoeuvres before Foe (IFF) system will have to be upgraded in of fuel, and the combined total of 3,000 reaching its pre-planned point of impact. order to meet the new military “Mode 5” litres would increase the aircraft’s combat Further development of SPEAR is expected and civilian “Mode S” standards. During radius by 25%. to continue until 2020. last year’s Farnborough Air Show, Leonar- Mid-2015 saw the completion of 36 sor- Improvements to follow on after P3E are do-Finmeccanica, which provides the TY- ties from Manching, Germany, by IPA7 in a expected to include avionic enhancements PHOON’s existing IFF system, announced programme conducted to test the Aerody- such as MIDS JTRS, and the potential inte- that it had been commissioned by the UK namic Modification Kit (AMK). Developed gration of other weapons such as SDB II MoD to study a new electronically scanning following five years of studies, this forms and the MARTE-ER anti-ship missile. IFF system that would be able to interact part of a wider Eurofighter Enhanced digitally with aircraft’s CAPTOR-E radar. Manoeuvrability (EFEM) programme. The Radar and IFF Since the electronically-scanned IFF an- installation of fuselage strakes and lead- tenna arrays will be able to look in a dif- ing-edge root extensions increases the Currently-deployed versions of TYPHOON’s ferent direction to the TYPHOON’s radar, maximum lift created by the wing by 25 Euroradar CAPTOR nose-mounted radar the pilot will be able to use the CAPTOR-E per cent, producing an increased turn rate, use a mechanically-scanned antenna, but radar to identify targets that require iden- tighter turning radius, and improved nose- flight trials of the CAPTOR-E AESA (active tification, and assign a list of these to the pointing ability at low speed. electronically-scanned array) radar started IFF system. Until 2016, a four-nation agreement was HIGH TECH on 8 July of last year using IPA5. German- In its initial phase of the planned Technol- needed for any changes to the weapon based test aircraft IPA8 is also being used ogy Demonstrator Programme (TDP), the system, or limitations to, or modification for excellent performance for CAPTOR-E trials. This work is expected company will demonstrate the fully Euro- of, the type design. On 1 February of to ensure that P3E Standard capability will pean-manufactured M428 compact tran- that year, Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug and be available in time for first TYPHOON de- sponder and SIT2010 crypto, along with NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado liveries to the Air Force. an electronic scanning system including the Management Agency) signed an agree- Since the antenna of a mechanically- interrogator, Transmit/Receive Unit (TRU) ment to adopt European Military Airwor- scanned radar is steered ahead, or is point- and wing-rooted antenna arrays. thiness Requirement 21 (EMAR21). Partici- ed directly at an object of specific interest, it Working with the Italian Defence General pating member states would now share always functions at full efficiency. While an Staff, last year Leonardo-Finmeccanica a common certification process that also AESA array allows near-instantaneous elec- demonstrated the successful integration of includes a delegation capability to other tronic scanning, its performance against a Mode 5 Reverse-IFF (Identification Friend- partner nations and industry. targets well off the antenna’s boresight is Foe) system, providing air-to-ground IFF Two contracts signed on 21 December less than optimum. So if the array is mount- capabilities for a Tranche 1 Eurofighter 2016 between NETMA and Eurofighter ed in a fixed position in which it is tilted to TYPHOON. The demonstration was wit- Jagdflugzeug GmbH covered five years avoid becoming a conspicuous radar target nessed by representatives from the NATO of support for the TYPHOON fleet. The for an approaching enemy fighter, its per- Battlefield Combat Identification Capability first covered the sustainment of engineer- formance against near-boresight targets Team. ing capabilities and programme manage- could be degraded by around 15%. In its normal mode of operation, an IFF ment, while the second covers logistics, CAPTOR-E gets around this problem by system uses an aircraft-mounted tran- repairs, and the provision of spare parts. having the AESA mounted on a mechanism sponder to respond to interrogation Leonardo provides more than 60 percent that allows it to be repositioned as required signals received from other airborne or of the avionics for the TYPHOON. It is As a partner to the , • Multifunctional Head Down Display in order to obtain the best long-range per- surface radars. The Reverse-IFF technique already responsible for maintaining the Diehl Aerospace provides cutting-edge • Flight Control Computer involves the aircraft and uses its tran- formance of a specific sector of interest. Italian Air Force’s TYPHOON fleet via an technology. • Enhanced Lighting Controller Once an air-to-air missile has been fired, sponder to scan ground vehicles. During Avionic Maintenance Center (CMA). This the aircraft can fly a turnaway manoeuvre the demonstration, an Italian Air Force arrangement, which is based on aircraft • Stick Sensor & Interface Control Assembly in order to avoid closing range with its op- TYPHOON flying a simulated close air sup- availability, has proven to be a great suc- • Landing Gear Computer • Fuel Computer 58 European Security & Defence · March 2017 www.diehl-aerosystems.com A Joint Diehl Thales Company

European_Security_and_Defence_Feb-2016.indd 1 17.02.2016 15:38:10 Armament & technology 

cess, the company has stated. Leonardo while Spain has 61 out of an order for 87. Italian fleet), Finland (where it is one of and BAE Systems are working together Since 30 of the current fleet are Tranche 1 five candidates being considered under under a scheme known as the Joint Avi- aircraft, these are used only in the air-de- the HX programme intended to replace onics Solution (JAS) to support the TY- fence role. When the US Air Force’s Lock- the current F/A-18 HORNET), PHOON’s avionics for at least the next heed Martin F-22 RAPTORs took part in (which is considering TYPHOON and RA- ten years. their first Red Flag-Alaska war games in FALE as potential replacements for the June 2012, the stealth fighter’s oppo- MiG-29), Poland (which plans to order 64 Customers nents included Luftwaffe TYPHOONs. multirole combat aircraft of as-yet unde- The first export customer was Austria, cided type to replace its MiG-29 and Su- The largest operator of TYPHOON is the which in July 2002 announced a plan to 22M4 fleets). A Greek plan announced in UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF). According acquire 18 Tranche 2 aircraft. This plan 1999 to acquire 20 TYPHOON has been to the latest figures released by Airbus was later revised to save money, with the stillborn, at least in the short term, given Defence and Space (which owns a 46% order being cut back to 15. that country’s current financial problems. share in Eurofighter), 138 have been In 2006 Saudi Arabia agreed to pur- delivered to the UK from a total order chase TYPHOONs, and deliveries began Air Policing and Combat of 232. The RAF had planned to retire in 2009. The has Operations its oldest TYPHOONs in 2019, but fol- received 66, from a total order of 72. lowing a defence review conducted in In December 2012, Oman became the TYPHOONs from several nations have 2015 it decided that these aircraft – a third export customer, when it ordered taken part in operational deployments total of 24 that had been delivered to the twelve aircraft. Kuwait announced its se- to bases in other countries. , Lat- original Tranche 1 standard – would be lection of TYPHOON in September 2015, via and Lithuania joined NATO in 2004. kept in service until 2040, the planned and plans to take delivery of 28. These three Baltic countries operate only end-of-life date for the rest of the UK’s Potential customers include nominal air arms and have no fighters, so TYPHOON fleet. There are no plans to (where TYPHOON faces competition aircraft from the alliance were needed to update these aircraft to a multirole stand- from the JAS 39 GRIPEN, RAFALE, and police Baltic airspace. ard. They will be used to form two air- F-35 LIGHTNING II), Belgium (where it Different NATO partners deploy fighters defence squadrons. faces the same three candidates, as well to the area for several months at a time. Germany has taken delivery of 125 of the as the SUPER HORNET), Bulgaria (which Germany has been a regular participant, 180 it has ordered, Italy has received 83, has been offered eight second-hand Eu- and was conducting its tenth deployment and is due to take delivery of 38 more, rofighters that would be taken from the as this article was being written in early

HIGH TECH for excellent performance

As a partner to the Eurofighter Typhoon, • Multifunctional Head Down Display Diehl Aerospace provides cutting-edge • Flight Control Computer technology. • Enhanced Lighting Controller • Stick Sensor & Interface Control Assembly • Landing Gear Computer • Fuel Computer March 2017 · European Security & Defence 59 www.diehl-aerosystems.com A Joint Diehl Thales Company

European_Security_and_Defence_Feb-2016.indd 1 17.02.2016 15:38:10  Armament & technology

own target designation. RAF TYPHOON missions over Libya averaged 5.5 hours in duration, with the longest lasting more than 8 hours. This required the aircraft to receive three air-to-air refuellings. Over a six-month period, the aircraft had flown more than 600 operational sorties and a

Photo: Airbus Defence and Space total of 3,000 flying hours. By late June 2011, Italian Air Force TYPHOONs of 4 and 36 Stormo had clocked up a total of 1,000 flying hours while participating in “Unified Protector”, which finally ended on 31 October 2011. Given current instability in the Middle East, in 2015 the aircraft was once more in combat action. In September 2014, the US, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates began air- strikes against ISIL targets in Syria. Royal Flight tests of fuselage strakes and leading-edge root extensions Saudi Air Force TYPHOONs were commit- conducted under the Eurofighter Enhanced Manoeuvrability (EFEM) ted to the anti-ISIL campaign, and Febru- programme demonstrated angle of attack values around 45% greater ary 2015 saw reports that these had used than those of standard aircraft, and roll rates up to 100% higher. PAVEWAY IV laser/GPS guided bombs to attack ISIL targets. This would have been 2017. Its first two deployments used F-4F UK contribution to NATO’s operation the Raytheon weapon’s combat debut. PHANTOMs, but in September 2009 it “Unified Protector”. After initially op- Operation “Shader” is the code name for used TYPHOONs. Only two weeks into erating in the air defence role, notice the British participation in the ongoing their initial deployment to an air base in of the need to transition TYPHOON to military intervention against ISIL. On 2 Lithuania, they intercepted what turned the air-to-surface role was given on 31 December 2015, the UK House of Com- out to be a BERIEV A-50 March. On 7 April, the first TYPHOON mons approved British air strikes against airborne early warning and control air- operational multi-role sortie was flown. ISIL targets in Syria. The resulting deploy- craft. UK TYPHOONs participated in Bal- A subsequent tasking of four missions ment included six TYPHOONs incorporat- tic Air Policing for the first time in 28 April – 1 May 2014, while Italian and Spanish TYPHOONs made their Baltic debut in January 2015. On 28 October 2014, the German TY- PHOONs intercepted seven Russian Air Force aircraft flying in international air- space over the Baltic Sea. One of the larg- est groups of Russian aircraft intercepted by NATO in recent years, it consisted of two MiG-31 FOXHOUND interceptors, a single Su-27 FLANKER fighter, two Su-34 FULLBACK strike aircraft, and two Su-24 FENCER swing-wing strike aircraft.

The Baltic operations involved monitor- Photo: Gordon Zammit – GNU Free Documentation License ing what were probably Russian deploy- ments of combat aircraft to and from its Kaliningrad enclave, but the Middle East region had seen the aircraft committed to combat. In March 2011 RAF and Italian Air Force Saudi Arabia has ordered 72 TYPHOONs, and could decide to procure a aircraft were deployed to the forward air follow-on batch. bases at Gioia del Colle in southern Italy, and Trapani in respectively as part per day was maintained with only 31 ing the P1Eb upgrade, and eight TORNA- of the NATO Unified Protector mission in support personnel. DOs, and involved the RAF operating at support of Libyan insurrection. The first attacks were made on 12 April, its highest intensity in a single theatre Warned on 17 March 2011 of the need when an RAF TYPHOON dropped PAVE- of operation for 25 years. With anti-ISIL for a possible deployment for use against WAY II guided bombs on two Libyan ground and air campaigns of various targets in Libya in support of UN reso- government tanks. For this first strike, types currently under way in Afghani- lution 1973, three days later the RAF the targets were laser-designated by an stan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria, it may be a despatched aircraft to Gioia del Colle accompanying Panavia TORNADO, but long time before combat operations by to take part in operation “Ellamy”, the from then on the TYPHOONs did their TYPHOON come to an end. 

60 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology  Electronic Scan Transforming Ground Radars

Tamir Eshel

Radar technology has developed a lot since the first systems were fielded in World War II; the first big leap came in the 1960s with the introduction of solid-state technology that opened the door for increased processing power, higher frequency bands, and better resolution. Nowadays, scalability and agility are derived from electronic scan technology. Today’s radars are mostly phased array systems tailored for specific applications using agile, software-based Active Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) systems.

arge, powerful phased array radars and tracks 200 aerodynamic targets at a tablish tracks accurately enough for tar- Lwere used in the past for strategic air maximum distance of 600 km. In sector get acquisition and fire control. TERRA is and missile defence, to track objects in scan NEBO-M can track up to 20 ballistic designed to offer extended air- and mis- space and spot missiles ascending from missile targets at ranges of up to 1,800 sile defence coverage against new and launch pads thousands of kilometres kilometres and at an altitude of up to evolving ballistic missile threats that are away. Those large arrays have improved 1,200 kilometres. becoming more capable, covering longer in recent years, particularly in Russia and Another multi-band radar is the TERRA ranges at higher speeds, and which re- China, as part of evolving counter-stealth system from Israel’s IAI Elta Systems. quire new capabilities for missile warning systems. Each TERRA site integrates two huge ra- and defence.

Strategic Radars

The Russian VORONEZH radars intro- Photo: KMZ duced in VHF and UHF variants are part of the growing early warning network es- tablished by the Russian strategic forces, as part of the missile defence systems. The first site was established in Lekhtusi near St. Petersburg in 2009. Two addi- tional sites became operational in 2014, and more radars of this type are expect- ed to deploy in 2017-2020 to complete nation-wide coverage. Effective at line- of-sight range of up to 8,000 km, the VO- RONEZH radar can detect a football-sized target in space, or spot from hundreds of miles, a task that can- not be achieved by other means. While the huge VORONUEZH radars operate from fixed sites, Russia has also deployed the relocatable NEBO-M anti- missile and counter-stealth radar. Based on an AESA design, NEBO-M can detect targets with small radar cross section that Russian over-the-horizon VORONEZH radar at the Lekhtusi site, which are flying at very high velocity (hyper- became operational in 2014 sonic speed), thus providing an essential element for the country’s air and missile dars – the UHF radar – ELM-2090U Ultra The basic module, designated ULTRA-C1, defence capability. Featuring a program- and ELM-2090S SPECTRA S-band radar. comprises a single AESA cluster measur- mable, multi-band design, NEBO-M in- The ULTRA operates as an early warn- ing 3×3 metres. It is mounted on a ro- cludes three radar systems in one, operat- ing asset, detecting all types of threats, tating pedestal covering 360 degrees. ing simultaneously in the VHF, UHF and including ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft ULTRA C-1 is configured as a relocatable S/X bands. All the radars are AESAs. The and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It system designed to provide an autono- principle behind NEBO-M is the fusion does so well beyond the range of exist- mous search and detection capability at a of data from the three radars to gener- ing sensors. Once such targets are de- range of up to 500km for a typical fighter ate the intercept solution. In a rotating tected, tracks can be transferred to the aircraft. A larger variant is the ULTRA- scan mode, the radar covers 360 degrees higher resolution S-band SPECTRA to es- C6, comprising six clusters (three stacks

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 61  Armament & technology of two units), while ULTRA C-22 uses a turers, who have implemented GaN tech- detect, acquire, track and discriminate 22-cluster configuration measuring 10 nologies in their T/R production lines. ballistic missiles in the terminal (descent) high by 30 metres wide. Although this Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 is one of the sev- phase of flight. The terminal-mode AN/ radar is considered a strategic system it eral operational X-band radars that pro- TPY-2 also leads the Terminal High Al- can be moved between operational sites vides essential early warning against mis- titude Area Defense ballistic missile de- using special trucks. While the radar ar- sile attacks at global hot spots, such as fence system by guiding the THAAD mis- ray is fixed, it is mounted on a trainable the Middle East, the Far East and Pacific sile to intercept a threat. assembly to enable wider field of regard Ocean. As a primary sensor for the US The Russian company Radiofizika is also of up to 320 degrees. ballistic missile defence capability, AN/ developing the DEMONSTRATOR phased array radar, a deployable, long-range ra- dar complex that can detect non-stra- tegic ballistic missiles and high-speed air breathing targets. DEMONSTRATOR employs three main elements mounted on trailers – the transmitter, receiver and signal processing unit with the command

Photo: Finnish Defence Forces and control post. Set-up time for the en- tire system is 30 minutes. The radar pro- vides an automated search, track and de- tection of targets at a theoretical range up to 1,500 km. In more pragmatic terms, it can establish lock-on on a fighter air- craft (1 m2 RCS) at a range of 600 km. Area coverage is +/- 60 horizontal and 0-75 degrees vertical. The system can handle 100 tracks simul- taneously. It can recognise and classify targets by type and is also capable of tracking emitters (including jammers) at an accuracy of less than five metres, tar- get velocity of less than five m/sec and angular rate lower than half a degree. According to the manufacturer, the track accuracy provided by the system is suf- ficient for target designation for missile defence systems. GROUND MASTER 400 from Thales, known as KEVA 2010 in Finnish use Multi-Mission Radars The Spectra radar is also the first ultra- TPY-2 is also the radar associated with large-scale radar relying on Elta’s Gallium- the Theater High Altitude Air Defense As military threats have evolved and be- Nitride (GaN) transmit-receive modules, (THAAD) missile defence system. These come less predictable, the accuracy and which offer great advantages in terms of deployable radars can spot a baseball- granularity of data available from radars is power and size optimisation. The addition sized target from hundreds of miles away. increasingly important to the air defend- of the high-power S-band radar enables As a truck-transportable system, AN/TPY- ers. This is the domain of Thales’ S-band the system to combine early warning and 2 can be deployed anywhere in the world GROUND MASTER air defence radar, de- target tracking at a long range, high res- in hours, flown to its destination by C-17 veloped by the company’s ThalesRaythe- olution and capacity that would not be transport planes. Raytheon has delivered on Systems Joint Venture with US-based achievable with a single radar. ten AN/TPY-2s to date, and is in the pro- Raytheon. Designed for the protection of Moving such radars to higher frequency cess of building four additional systems key assets or forces deployed on contin- bands results in smaller arrays that ac- for the US and the UAE. gency operations, GROUND MASTER can commodate many more Receive/Trans- Depending on the needs of the warfight- detect all modern threats including UAVs, mit (R/T) modules on board. Using GaN er, the AN/TPY-2 radar can be deployed missiles, mortars and rockets and at criti- technology in a Monolithic Microwave in two different modes. In forward-based cal ranges and altitudes. The GROUND Integrated Circuit (MMIC) or even on a mode, the radar is positioned near hostile MASTER 200 is the medium range tacti- single chip enables designers to produce territory and acquires ballistic missiles in cal variant available in an autonomous, RF modules that can drive higher power the boost (ascent) phase of flight, shortly mobile or deployable configuration, levels, and operate with low-noise levels, after they are launched. It then tracks and while the GM 400 provides extended thus extending the range and providing discriminates the threat, and passes criti- range coverage and is available in mobile higher resolution, while reducing the cal information required by decision mak- or fixed configurations. Both variants are overall size and power consumption. ers to the command and control battle complementary and share many building The manufacturing of such modules has management network. blocks for operation. The primary mis- become a significant factor in systems' When the AN/TPY-2 radar is deployed in sion of the GROUND MASTER radars is air performance and becomes an important terminal mode, for example in support surveillance, providing accurate detection differentiator for leading tier I manufac- of THAAD systems, the radar’s job is to of all types of aerial targets including hov-

62 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology  ering helicopters, UAVs, aircraft and mis- increments. The first increment was deliv- tional radars, effectively discriminating siles from very low to high altitudes, at ered in 2016 with software loads optimis- between multiple targets in a forma- surveillance ranges of up to 250 km and ing the radar operation to perform mis- tion, and following evasive manoeuvres engagement ranges of up to 100 km. The sions such as air surveillance, air defence without compromising the primary air radar also supports air defence systems and battlespace awareness. Follow-on defence mission. with the coordination of various weapon increments will feature Ground Weapon The radar is designed to operate effec- types – from VSHORAD to medium range Locating Radar (GWLR) capabilities on tively in dense environment and heavy missile system. the same G/ATOR hardware. The modu- clutter, handling more than 200 targets The 3D radar uses a rotating antenna lar architecture also contributes to the per minute in weapon location mode, or with a digital stacked beam covering system’s reliability, usability and reduced up to 1,100 targets in air surveillance op- 7-70 degrees in elevation. The GROUND maintenance cost, compared to existing eration. Typical operating range in weap- MASTER family includes the 200 and 400 systems. The G/ATOR is expected to reach on location mode is 100 km. It will detect versions of multi-role air defence radars; Initial Operational Capability in 2018. a fighter-size target from 330 km. This both are trailer or truck mountable and Elta Systems’ ELM-2084 is part of IAI’s radar features advanced ECCM capabil- deploy within 15 minutes from halt. The multi-mission radar (MMR) family of sys- ity and offers very high reliability, meas- GROUND MASTER 200 can also oper- tems. The system has been operational ured in years of continuous operations. ate from standard 20-ft ISO shelter. In as a weapon locating, air defence and C- In fact, the MMR is designed to enable addition to air defence, the GROUND RAM radar with the Israel Defence Forces ‘hot swap’ of complete modules, with- MASTER can also provide rocket artillery for several years and is an integral part of out degrading the system’s operation. & mortar warnings, as well as launch and Israel’s IRON DOME and DAVID’S SLING The system is air transportable by C-130 impact points computation (C-RAM). anti-rocket and anti-missile systems. and can be operated independently and The same properties that can detect The radar is designed with a high level of remotely, or as a sensor integrated in a small targets at long range, also sup- scalability, offering flexible solutions for larger network. port other applications. Configured into multiple missions. The system provides Another radar offering multi-mission smaller, and agile sensors, several manu- the main sensor for Rafael’s IRON DOME flexibility is GIRAFFE 4A from Saab. This facturers are offering multi-mission ra- C-RAM system, as well as the theatre-lev- radar combines two proven mission- dars (MMR), for use in supporting contin- el DAVID’S SLING air and missile defence specific product families – the ARTHUR gency operations at division and theatre system which has recently passed accept- weapon location radar and GIRAFFE level. A typical system is the new AN/ ance tests with the Israel Defence Forces. AMB (Agile Multi-Beam) – a short-range TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar The same radar, with different software air defence (SHORAD) sensor. The new (G/ATOR) from Northrop Grumman, de- load, provides a weapon location and GIRAFFE 4A introduces an all-new radar veloped to provide air surveillance, air de- force protection system, supporting the sensor utilising AESA technology to offer fence, ground weapon location and air IDF artillery corps. multi-function operational flexibility in a traffic control capabilities for deployed ELM 2084 is an S-band radar that covers single solution. US Marine Corps task forces. Under 120° in azimuth and 50° in elevation. Site Using mission specific software loads, Northrop Grumman funding, G/ATOR preparation and adaptation are acceler- GIRAFFE 4A can identify and simultane- has also demonstrated its ability to reli- ated with automatic terrain following. ously track a large number of airborne ably detect high-speed rocket and missile Using the multi-beam Active Electroni- or surface objects, performing air or sea systems. Currently in low rate initial pro- cally Scanning Antenna, the ELM-2084 surveillance as well as military air traf- duction, Northrop Grumman is expected can operate in static sector scan or 360° fic control (ATC) or SHORAD radar. Used to deliver the new radars in 2017. rotating modes. In the rotating mode, as a primary Ground-Based Air Defence The Marine Corps has structured the G/ the ELM-2084 can track manoeuvring (GBAD) sensor tracking air targets to- ATOR procurement programme in four targets three times faster than conven- gether with identification capability, GI- Photo: Saab

Radar solutions from Saab

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 63  Armament & technology

RAFFE 4A can support multiple simulta- Coverage Mode’ – providing air surveil- enabled by the latest generation GaN neous engagements. lance from the horizon (terrain) to ~18 technology, introduce new and afford- Tracking ballistic projectiles, calculating degrees, providing balanced height cov- able applications of radar sensors never point of origin and point of impact for erage. A special Low Altitude Coverage before possible. An important applica- counter-battery fire or adjustment of own Mode also conducts surveillance from tion for such radars is force protection. fire, the same radar can perform force the horizon to ~5 degrees. With energy Saab’s GIRAFFE 1X is one such mobile, protection – providing early warning, sup- focused on fast revisit times, optimised lightweight radar designed for force pro- porting C-RAM and weapon locating ap- for the detection and tracking of low alti- tection. With a total weight of less than plications. Different missions require dif- tude advanced target threats, the SENTI- 150 kg, this radar can be mounted on ve- ferent scan rates – the GIRAFFE 4A can NEL offers a better solution against cruise hicles or tripods to deploy with and pro- search the entire 360° volume or focus on missiles and UAVs. tect combat forces. The complete radar an optimised sector (40°-120°). Both with can be transported on a pickup truck, or coverage up to 70° of elevation. Mobile Force Protection carried in a helicopter. The radar is de- As a compact system, GIRAFFE 4A is de- signed as a compact assembly and can ployed by two persons in less than 10 While the larger air defence and multi- be disassembled into several man port- minutes, while teardown takes only five mission radars are often used for strate- able units for dismounting and relocation minutes. The radar can be transported in gic defence, maintaining air situational from the vehicle to a rooftop of a building when necessary. The radar can be oper- ated locally or remotely. Elta’s latest offering for the Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) applica- tion is the ELM-2026B, a ‘fifth genera- Photo: Björn Trotzki tion’ of the company’s family of 3D tacti- cal air defense radars. The radar detects a wide variety of low RCS targets such as low flying fighter aircraft, low velocity ultra-lights and UAVs. The radar provides accurate target measurements of veloc- ity, range, azimuth and elevation angles. This new X-band radar is a lightweight transportable system implementing solid-state electronically scanned, pulse- Doppler radar delivering early warning the conference at and target data for surface-to-air weap- www.eweurope.comRegister for on systems. Similar to other rotating ar- rays the ELM-2026B employs multi-beam elevation coverage by applying Digital Woods are still challenging terrain for most radars, with this LEOPARD Beam Forming (DBF) and 360 deg. azi- main battle tank being hard for optical and radar sensors to see. muth coverage by antenna rotation. A different implementation of radar tech- ready to deploy configuration in A400M, awareness is critical to tactical combat nology for land based application is a C-17 or IL-76 aircraft and be disassembled forces in the battlefield, even when fight- real-time threat detection and response, into a container load for airlift by a single ing insurgents and engaged with gue- as part of active protection systems on C-13 0. rilla forces, where threats often consist armoured fighting vehicles. ELM-2133 The latest iteration of the Thales-Ray- of rockets, mortar, and potentially lethal WINDGUARD from Elta Systems is part theon Systems is the IMPROVED SENTI- unmanned aerial systems. Overall, the of the TROPHY active protection system. NEL AN/MPQ-64F1 tactical air defence most demanding evolving requirements This radar also implements AESA tech- EW EUROPE 2017 radar, the primary mission of the new, for these tactical radars is to detect low, nology, and is designed to operate au- Europe’s Leading Event in Electronic Warefare IMPROVED SENTINEL is to automati- slow and small (LSS) targets that often tonomously and automatically as part of cally detect, track, identify, and report blend into the environment and clutter of the APS. Elta is also working on a new airborne threats, including helicopters, the natural and man-made terrain. variant designated ELM-2135 STORM- In 2017, join us and connect with: high-speed , cruise missiles Until recently these capabilities were pro- GUARD, a dual-mode radar that will and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). vided by a combination of passive and conduct both self-protection (APS) and The radar will detect, identify, classify active optronic and radio-electronic sen- ground surveillance, securing the vehicle delegates attending GET IN TOUCH and track aircraft (i.e., fixed wing, rotary sors, since the clutter and interference in stationary positions. In self-protection 750+ [email protected] wing, etc.) from the nap of the earth to encountered on low-level surveillance mode, the radar detects and automati- +44 (0) 20 7384 8102 55º in elevation and 360º azimuth within prevented effective operation by a single cally tracks Anti-Tank Rockets (ATR), exhibiting companies an airspace search range of more than sensor. However, the new generation of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM), tank 50+ REGISTER AND 75 km. The same radar can also perform compact multi-mission AESA radars that rounds and mortars providing the APS FIND OUT MORE rocket artillery and mortar detection, evolved in recent years is becoming more the targeting data necessary for selec- countries represented supporting C-RAM operations. suitable for asymmetric warfare. tive response (intercept or employment 40+ WWW.EWEUROPE.COM To support these functions operators can The inherent agility provided by AESA of countermeasures). select one of several operating modes to technology, combined with electronic Mounted on combat vehicles, radars be- best match the expected threat – a ‘Full miniaturisation and power efficiency come an essential sensor for situational credit: images.defence.gov.au

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an air or ground surveillance sensor. This radar has already been adapted to provide

Photo: RADA air surveillance and target acquisition for tactical air and missile defence systems, including laser- and gun-based systems. When integrated with EO/IR sensors and RF jammers, these systems can also pro- vide counter-UAV (C-UAV) solutions. RADA has recently expanded its MHR ra- dar family, introducing the compact and man-portable pMHR radar, weighing ap- proximately 20 kg. The larger eMHR and ieMHR radars provide longer detection ranges, applicable for Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD), sea and air sur- veillance missions. From strategic mega-radars designed to RADA’s Multi-mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR) detect ballistic missiles in space to minia- ture sensors that spot drones behind the awareness and early warning against in- vides cueing for remote weapon systems, treetops and crawling men at a distance, coming attack. Upon detection of a mis- to engage the threat. The radar contin- modern radars have become indispen- sile, tank round or anti-tank rocket, the ues to track all targets while searching sable sensors for defence and security, radar instantly discriminates the type of for others, supporting the vehicle’s crew protecting combat forces and civilians. target, and calculates the direction and and tactical formation with battlespace With technology advancing faster than elevation of the incoming threat. When a awareness. ever before, new architectures such as threat to the protected platform is deter- The Multi-mission Hemispheric Radar AESA, digital beam forming and GaN en- mined, the radar would deliver a warning (MHR) family from RADA represents a dif- able designers to introduce sophisticated to the crew, and process the projected ferent approach to tactical, multi-mission and versatile radars that address new and Point Of Impact (POI), calculated Time- radar. Implementing an AESA based sys- evolving requirements, responding to the To-Impact (TTI) and, if possible, the Point tem, MHR introduces a compact, mobile challenges posed by an ever more sophis- Of Origin (POO). This information pro- radar that can operate on the move, as ticated and agile enemy. 

the conference at www.eweurope.comRegister for

EW EUROPE 2017 Europe’s Leading Event in Electronic Warefare

In 2017, join us and connect with:

delegates attending GET IN TOUCH 750+ [email protected] +44 (0) 20 7384 8102 exhibiting companies 50+ REGISTER AND FIND OUT MORE 40+ countries represented WWW.EWEUROPE.COM

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A  Armament & technology An Overview of Trends and Developments in Decontamination

Dan Kaszeta

CBRN weapons and agents can cause either short-term or long-term contamination. Decontamination, is the (hopefully) orderly and systematic removal of liquid and solid contaminants. Decontamination is necessary to reduce casualties, to prevent the spread of contamination to clean areas, to return vital equipment to service and to allow for operations to be performed without the need to wear cumbersome protective equipment.

econtamination is an essential compo- taries must assume that the use of CBRN and methods to deal with contaminated Dnent of CBRN defence, both in terms weapons will result in something getting rooms and building, or things that are of doctrine and technology. Most modern dirty somewhere. harmed by more traditional wet methods, militaries place great emphasis on “con- From the viewpoint of technology and in- such as aircraft interiors and electronics. tamination avoidance” by using detection, dustry, it is useful to break decontamina- Numerous companies provide generic ma- hazard prediction, and reporting systems to tion into three segments: hardware, chem- teriel such as tents and hoses, but this is a segment too broad and non-specialised to examine here. There is ample opportunity for crossover in this market as a customer can easily buy one company’s sprayer and (Photo: USMC) use it with another company’s chemistry. There’s nothing stopping a customer from spraying Cristanini decontamination agent or soapy water with, say, an OWR sprayer.

Systems and Chemicals from the 80s and 90s Decontamination is an example of a portion of the CBRN space which resists dominance by US companies. Non-US firms are quite a large segment of the decontamination industry. Whereas the detection market is heavily driven by a series of major US mili- tary procurements, decontamination has not been as seriously influenced in recent years. US acquisition has been largely fol- lowing the market rather than leading it. Decontamination training of the US Marine Corps with the M26 Joint In both hardware and chemistry, the US Service Transportable Decontamination System. Army is still heavily reliant on systems and generic chemicals purchased in the 1980s minimize the amount of personnel, terrain, istry and fumigation are distinct segments. and 1990s. These include the large M12 and equipment that are contaminated by Some companies operate in a single seg- and M17 decontamination sprayers, which persistent agents. Some militaries, such as ment; others operate in all three. the author learned to use in 1993 as a jun- the UK’s, place a high premium on contam- The hardware segment is largely composed ior officer. Indeed, the US Defense Depart- ination avoidance, with the aim of much of sprayers, pumps, dispensers and ancillary ment investment and procurement in the lower costs for protection and decontami- hardware for dispensing either proprietary decontamination space is somewhat low nation. However, no avoidance measures or generic decontaminants. compared to other areas of CBRN defence. can completely assure that soldiers, equip- The chemistry segment comprises a variety While the US government is spending ment or vehicles are not contaminated. Mili- of wet and dry substances used to remove, money on research and development in absord, adsorb, and/or neutralize contami- this area, very little is being spent on actual Author nants. Some products work through multi- procurement. The last major investments ple mechanisms. Some chemistry products were the Joint Service Transportable Decon- Dan Kaszeta is Managing Director at are designed for use on equipment, while tamination System (JSTDS), a procurement Strongpoint Security Ltd. others are designed for use on human skin. which commenced ten years ago, and the The fumigation segment includes systems adoption of Reactive Skin Decontamination

66 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology 

tive items, having been successfully dem- onstrated on items like laptops and aircraft . Their newest offering, LDV-X, is a peroxide-based system for fumigation of rooms and interior spaces, and this system promises to be far less harsh than more traditional fumigants such as (now largely banned) methyl bromide and chlorine di-

(Photo: OWR) oxide. MPD 100i is an improved version of the OWR-developed decontamination system in service with NATO. North American Footprint

Lotion, a procurement that is well past initial duced because of environmental reasons. Canada fights above its weight in decon- buy and which is now in long term sustain- Bioquell (UK) operates principally in filtra- tamination. The most radical product inno- ment, i.e. replacement of stocks as shelf life tion within the military market but has a vation in recent decades has been Reactive expires. Much innovative research occurred sizeable presence in fumigation-type chem- Skin Decontamination Lotion (RSDL). Origi- in the past, but from about 2012 a refocus ical and biological decontamination and has nally invented by RS-Decon, a Canadian of R&D effort onto medical countermeas- peroxide-based systems that have some use firm now part of Emergent Bio-Solutions ures greatly reduced US military research in in military and security settings. They may (US), RSDL is a user-friendly gentle lotion decontamination. be one to watch for future developments in that reacts with chemical warfare agents The most recent (June 2016) Chemical and sensitive equipment decontamination. without damaging human skin. It has Biological Defense Program Annual Report The French firm NBC SYS and the Spanish achieved status as one of the most widely to Congress shows very little procurement firm Hispano Vema produce military decon- adopted proprietary products for person- of decontamination materiel – literally only tamination sprayers and applicators of a nel decontamination. At least 13 countries a few dozen inflatable tents – for Fiscal Year wide range of sizes and varieties. However, use RSDL. Various US government agen- 2015. Procurements in decontamination in these firms appear to be largely devoted cies have been using it since at least 2002, FY 2013 and FY 2014 were even leaner. to servicing their own domestic market re- and the US military has adopted it. RSDL is Clearly, this level of procurement does not quirements. Uptake of their systems outside Emergent’s only decontamination product. drive an industry. the French and Spanish militaries appears Another Canadian firm, Allen Vanguard, very minimal. developed products called SDF or CASCAD European Stronghold Cristanini, a firm based near Verona, Italy, foam (the products are very similar) as well is proof that a relatively small company can as various sprayers to dispense it. At least Six European companies are quite active have an impact in decontamination. Having 14 countries use Allen Vanguard foams, in the decontamination space: OWR (Ger- started with the , their products although the recent restructuring of Allen many), Kärcher (Germany), Bioquell (UK), are used in dozens of countries. Cristanini’s Vanguard leads to some confusion as to NBC Sys (France), Hispano Vema (Spain) and product line includes sprayers of many sizes where this product line now resides. Cristanini (Italy). and a family of decontamination solutions. As would be expected, there are a number OWR produces a wide variety of sprayer sys- Cristanini appears to seriously address the of US companies in decontamination. tems, ranging from handheld to crew-served issue of sensitive equipment. It has devel- Steris, the large medical products company in size, which can spray either decontamina- oped and fielded the SX-34 system for with a high market share in medical sterilisa- tion solutions or generic products, such as decontamination of electronics and sensi- tion, has now entered the decontamination water. Additionally, OWR produces GD-6, a water-less decontamination solution for both chemical and biological contamina- tion. OWR products are in use in at least eight countries. A number of NATO armies rely on OWR for hardware and chemistry. Kärcher, which bases its decontamination (Photo: Kärcher Futuretech) offerings on its well known lines of civilian products and cleansing agents, has robust decontamination offerings. Their range of sprayers and applicators includes the US JSTDS, of which more than 500 have been procured by the US Defense Department as a joint project with DRS, a Leonardo (Italy) subsidiary. Kärcher has a respectable mar- ket share, with products in service in at least nine militaries around the world. Their GDS (chemical), RDS (radiological), and RM 21 (personnel) decontamination solutions are well regarded. Kärcher’s C8 emulsion was a benchmark product for many years, hav- ing been stocked in large quantities during TEP 90 from Kärcher Futuretech/Iveco is the modular decontamination the Cold War, although it is no longer pro- system of the Bundeswehr.

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 67  Armament & technology

replace products in a timely manner if the for heavy equipment and the “Joint Service stockpile is expended are important con- Equipment Wipe”, both of which are be- siderations. hind schedule.

(Photo: Cristanini) For sprayers and applicators, which are Steris, Allen Vanguard, the ex-Modec, and functionally very similar to each other, ease Intelagard have all sent in demonstration of maintenance, training, and reliability af- products. As two of these are “Sandia ter long-term storage become critical fac- Foam” an easy guess may be that the GPD tors. The decontamination market can be may easily be “Sandia Foam” with a new highly variable because the customer does label. If so, you read it here in ESD first. The not end up using the product and the big projected GPD procurement is likely to be customers may lay in a stockpile of goods about $30 million. and then not buy anything for years. The JSEW is expected in FY 2018 at the ear- Within the decontamination chemistry liest, and will replace the 1990s-era sorb- space there is a fundamental paradox. The ent-based M295 kit. US military contracts oldest technologies are cheap and generic. will be a reasonable worldwide marketing An equipment kit from Cristanini Water, on its own, even as wastewater boon to whoever wins these contracts. for the decontamination of or seawater, is not a bad decontaminant. Other US programmes, such as the “Joint sensitive material Clean, warm, soapy water, even with the Sensitive Equipment System”, are not like- lowest-grade soap or detergent, actually is ly to see procurement until well into the market with hydrogen peroxide fumigation not bad for general-purpose decontamina- 2020s. systems. Like that of their rival Cristanini, tion. In some instances it is even preferred The “General Purpose Decontaminant 2” this technology shows promise in the sen- over specialty decontaminants. has been slated, on at least one briefing sitive equipment and building interior de- contamination mission. Steris is known to be working on other decontaminants. One product that is in use in the US is “Sandia

Foam”, which is a chemical and biological (Photo: US Army) decontaminating foam that was originally invented by the US government at Sandia National Laboratory. This product was used in the 2001 anthrax decontamination ef- forts. At least two companies make it un- der license. One is Modec, now known as Span-World. Intelagard, produces DF200, their version of Sandia Foam. Intelagard also produce more conventional cleansing agents and a large number of sprayers and dispensers aimed largely at the civil / emer- gency services market. Scott Safety, a name in CBRN protection equipment, now part of Tyco International, is known for its protective masks and self- 2nd Brigade Combat Team Soldiers train on CBRNE tasks. contained breathing apparatus. Building on backpack air tanks, they have opened a Generic hypochlorite bleaches are useful slide, as going into production in FY 2045. new product line in man-portable decon- in many circumstances, as is the mineral The DoD is taking the long view, evidently. tamination sprayers. Like many commercial “Fuller’s Earth”. Formaldehyde and hydro- sprayers, they are useful with a wide variety gen peroxide are both useful for biological Higher Standard for More of chemistry, both generic and proprietary. decontamination. When one examines the Product Development This product line is one of very few product available proprietary decontamination so- launches in the last year in the decontami- lutions that are available, some are many On the technology front, the frontier is nation space. orders of magnitude more expensive than largely in sensitive equipment decontami- generic equivalents. Customers may or nation and fumigation. This is also the seg- Changing Market may not feel that there is value to be had ment with the most possible crossover into in stockpiling large quantities of expensive the civil sector, as the 2001 anthrax attacks Product differentiation is more difficult shelf life-limited decontamination products. in the US demonstrated the difficulty and in this sector than in, say, protection or expense of returning civilian facilities back detection. The various liquids and foams Two Upcoming US to their normal use. A further line of inquiry are all quite effective at what they do or Programmes in technology is the issue of answering the they would not be in service. Extensive question “how clean is clean enough” to a testing is obligatory. As decontaminants As is often the case, the “next big thing” satisfactory level. need to be stockpiled for long periods of in military CBRN decontamination is likely Much US and European research has been time for contingency use, factors such as to be led by a US acquisition programme. devoted to this issue. A higher standard of storage, environmental footprint, shelf- The two upcoming US programmes are the post-decontamination cleanliness will drive life, price, and the industrial capacity to “General Purpose Decontaminant” (GPD) more product development. 

68 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Armament & technology  Lightening the Loads Load Carrying Equipment, Clothing and Body Armour

Andrew White

As the operating environment continues to develop, armed forces – helmets, soft ballistics (vests) and insert around the world are being forced to adapt and overcome combat plates – because they offer significant op- portunities for growth. The helmet sector issues relating to personnel apparel, body armour and load carrying is currently undergoing a transformation equipment. as legacy products based on the Army model are replaced by lighter designs,” Manique continued. ariable Concepts of Operation (CO- across the COE is one which recognises “Demand for insert plates for soft vests VNOPs) and Tactics, Techniques and the tactical importance of weight reduc- is growing because of law enforcement’s Procedures (TTPs) relied upon the facts tion for dismounted warfighters. need for protection against AK-47s, AR- that across multiple types of Areas of Op- “Decision makers are looking for light- 15s and other types of assault rifles that eration (AOs) combat elements need to be weight life protection equipment – vests, have been used in a number of recent properly equipped with modular solutions helmets, inserts – to increase comfort incidents. Both law enforcement and the capable of being moulded for specific mis- and freedom of movement for their per- military are purchasing vests that provide sions in hand. To this end, armed forces re- sonnel,” Manique explained. less weight and greater comfort as part quire an inventory of personal equipment “Our pipeline is based on light weight, of modernisation programmes,” Ma- capable of being operated across a mul- comfort and higher performance, as well nique explained. titude of civil and combat environments. as meeting the needs of specific markets. The past decade of coalition operations in We continue to pursue radical innova- Combat Helmets the Middle East and South Central Asia, in tions while providing incremental innova- particular, have illustrated evolving trends tions for local market needs,” he added. In the area of combat helmets, current in all of these areas, with patterns remain- “In ballistic protection, any weight reduc- trends continue to focus on light weight ing cyclical, coming in and out of fashion tion greater than 10 percent represents a and modular designs with the mar- dependent upon mission parameters. Referring to current trends in the wearing of body armour and load carriage equip-

ment, for example, one defence source as- Photo: NATO sociated with the NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) in Mons, Belgium, explained how the Special Operations Forces (SOF) had returned to wearing mini- malist plate carriers for ballistic protection and battle-belt load-carrying options in the contemporary operating environment (COE). Previously, operators had relied upon carrying the majority of personal equipment attached to larger and more cumbersome plate carriers. “The threat of IEDs – improvised explo- sive devices – detonating beneath you in a vehicle, could see all the contents of your pouches, integrated onto the chest of your plate carrier, pretty much slicing off your face with the power of an explosion,” the source explained to ESD. “So as is the case In the past, armed forces including the special operations community with most SOF equipment, operators ad- have focused on load carriage on board body armour plate carriers justed their kit and equipment to minimise although this trend fluctuates due to operational environments. this threat by repositioning it around their hips and waist to reduce similar effects.” major benefit. When a new technology ket’s most innovative solutions includ- can deliver 20 percent or even 35 per- ing programmes such as the US Special Body Armour cent less weight at the same level of bal- Operations Command’s Family of Tacti- listic performance, law enforcement and cal Headborne Systems (FTHS) which is According to DSM Dyneema’s global military organizations typically want to considering multiple options from Revi- business director for life protection, Mar- purchase it. We are concentrating on all sion Military, 3M Ceradyne and Gentex. cio Manique, the most prevalent trend three major categories of life protection Designed to replace legacy inventories of

March 2017 · European Security & Defence 69  Armament & technology

unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technol- ness of their own physical condition. ogy with options including the develop- Such technology will be of interest to the Photo: 3M ment of the US Army’s Squad Multipur- USSOCOM Programme Office running pose Equipment Transport (SMET). the next-generation Tactical Assault Light Currently being considered by the army’s Operator Suit (TALOS) concept which is Tank Automotive Research Development also considering the integration of exo- and Engineering Center (TARDEC), the skeleton technology onto the dismount- SMET concept is considering alternative ed warfighter to assist in load carriage, and efficient means of reducing the bur- extension of endurance and protection. den on dismounted soldiers who some- times carry more than 100 lbs of equip- Conclusion ment on patrols and missions. The army is looking at options which As the COE continues to evolve, armed would allow soldiers to offload specialist forces globally continue to pay significant In 2016 3M launched the 3M Ultra equipment as well as resupplies onto an interest and investment in lightening the Light Weight (ULW) Ballistic and autonomous platform capable of follow- loads of dismounted combatants in par- Bump Helmet. ing a combat unit. Tasks could include Sur- ticular as they seek to enhance not only veillance/Reconnaissance missions, as well mobility but also protection and lethality. Ops Core FAST helmets, the winning FTHS as target acquisition (with the addition of a Additional programmes and concepts solution will provide warfighters with a C4ISTAR mast); logistics support; as well as include lightweight small arms ammuni- next-generation replacement in Septem- explosive ordnance disposal missions. Ad- tion as developed by the likes of General ber 2017 onwards with options including ditionally, the platform could be equipped Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems “Coastal Marine, Riverine, Ground Ballistic, with communications equipment, as well (GDOTS). Such technology is designed to and Ground Bump” helmets which can be as gunshot detection technology reduce weight of ammunition by replac- quickly upgraded for ballistic protection The US Army envisages a UGV platform ing brass casing with polymer materials, with an applique kit. capable of operating for up to 72 hours in while maintaining bullet size and subse- The concept is designed to reduce any re- support of low level tactical combat ech- quently stopping power.  quirement for operators to carry multiple elons with ability to recharge on the combat helmets on deployments, with the move. add-on kit integrated onto a base bump Such technology would allow dis- helmet as and when required. mounted close combat troops to pa- As a Revision Military spokesperson ex- trol more effectively and efficiently Photo: Hexonia plained to ESD, such a “novel” idea assists without carrying heavy packs full of in reducing the burden on soldiers, espe- ammunition, water, food and other cially around the neck, which has been specialist equipment. However, the an area under strain with the weight of ability of a UGV to accurately navi- legacy low-cut combat helmets and inte- gate behind a squad in a covert/ grated accessories. “This, coupled with the discreet enough capacity has yet to skeletonisation of all system components, be proven and could see it quickly has significantly reduced the overall weight become redundant again in combat compared to helmets on the market to- roles, defence sources explained to day,” Revision Military explained. ESD. The selected helmet will also be made available with a series of add-on accesso- Clothing ries including blunt and ballistic protection mandible face guards and visors; night vi- Finally, improvements continue to sion device splash shield; and lined comfort be made in the area of clothing system for enhanced ergonomic fit, USSO- with more efficient materiel suit- COM officials explained. able for personal camouflage as Vice President for Armour and Global Op- well as exo-suit technology derived erations at Revision Military, Eric Hounchell, from the medical industry, designed explained how the development had re- to enhance the ergonomic capaci- sulted in a “product that will give some of ties of future soldier technology. our country’s most elite forces the protec- Examples include US Defense Ad- tion, versatility, and manoeuvrability they vanced Research Agency (DARPA) Using the latest ballistic fibers, Hexonia require for demanding operations.” efforts in collaboration with aca- developed a knitted ballistic underwear demia, which is considering the that protects against fragments and Load Carriage integration of exosuit technology blast. The strong polyethylene, knitted onto dismounted combatants with seamless, reduces the depth and number of Despite the reverse away from all-encom- each solution comprising “battery penetrating fragments and the product's passing ballistic plate carrier and load car- powered sensors, motors, gears high burst load and tearing strength makes riage ensembles, this particular area of the and cables” integrated into fabrics it withstand blast waves. By adjusting market is witnessing renewed emphasis on to assist warfighters with mobil- weave and thickness different ballistic the support of dismounted warfighters by ity, protection and situation aware- requirements can be met.

70 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Industry & Markets  Dutch Naval Industry

Jaime Karremann

Although the Dutch government is slowly replacing its Cold War-era submarines, frigates and mine hunters, the future for the Dutch defence industry gives reasons for concern, to put it mildly.

n November 2016 Gerben Edelijn, CEO Iof Thales Nederland, said in the news- paper Tubantia that his greatest concern was how the Netherlands deal with de- fence: “If our own navy isn’t buying our Photo: Wim Kosten systems anymore, we don’t have a right to exist.” This sounds strange especially at this moment in time, when the Dutch government is starting to replace the M-frigates, which will probably be fit- ted with Thales radars. Moreover, quite a few Dutch politicians said last year they were impressed by the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities of the new Thales SMART-L EWC radar. The con- cerns of Edelijn however are very under- standable, when one takes a closer look. The Indonesian Navy's order of the SIGMA 9113 class corvette KRI Although the SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA presently outsizes any order made by the needs to replace more than 23 of a total “home navy”. of 28 ships in the coming decades, things have to change very soon and very dras- Improvement will receive the next Dutch naval order. Also tically if the Dutch want a viable defence for Thales Nederland 2015 was a difficult industry. For the Dutch naval defence industry, 2015 year, which resulted in a reduction of its was a dreadful year: Damen Schelde Naval workforce by 100 jobs. For Imtech Marine, Author Shipbuilding (DSNS) which has been the 2015 was even worse when the holding only Dutch naval shipyard for decades, was company Royal Imtech went bankrupt. Im- Jaime Karremann is the Editor-in- not even working on a single vessel for the tech Marine was taken over by Pon Hold- Chief of the Dutch naval website ma- Royal Netherlands Navy. That was the first ings and Parcom, but the new RH Marine rineschepen.nl. time in the company’s 142-year history, and had to reorganise again and cut back 160 DSNS will have to wait for years before they jobs in early 2016.

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March 2017 · European Security & Defence 71

IT security partner of the Federal Republic of Germany  Industry & Markets Marine Systems

Now things are getting better. Thales tional cooperation is business as usual. But The fact that politicians were criticising the Nederland is expecting more sales and its even for Damen the rapidly changing envi- cooperation is however remarkable. After Ships. Systems. Solutions. workforce is growing. DSNS received two ronment had its surprises. For the MKS 180 all, Dutch politicians have been pressuring important foreign orders in 2016, remark- bid, Damen teamed up with Blohm + Voss, industry for years for a much closer interna- ably though both for civilian vessels. One and Thales worked together with several tional cooperation. They wanted not only Worldwide. was the construction of a research vessel shipyards to provide sensors. The coopera- the armed forces to cooperate internation- for the Angolan Ministry of Fisheries, worth tion for Damen didn’t go as planned when ally, but also the defence industry. €70M, and the other was a 156-meter ice- rival Lürssen Shipyard took over Blohm + breaker for the Australian Department for Voss. Damen denied rumours it would step Attitude of the Government the Environment and Energy. In the mean- out of the bidding for MKS 180, but for time DSNS is working on the second of two sure the chances of winning the bid haven’t The conflicting goals of international co- SIGMA class frigates for the Indonesian improved in the new situation. operation and preservation of national Navy, which was constructed in Surabaya After the Second World War it was mainly strategic capabilities compete regularly for with some modules made at the Damen the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschap- the highest priority. In recent years, Dutch Shipyard in Galati, and in Flushing, pij (RDM) who constructed the submarines politicians often preferred international co- the Netherlands. In December 2016 work for the Royal Netherlands Navy. But be- operation. Protecting strategic industries started on two OPVs for . fore the war also DSNS (De Schelde) built has rarely been on the political agenda. It Damen has been waiting for months now submarines. Damen decided to bring back only recently gained interest in the Neth- to receive an order from Romania for four submarine construction to Flushing, but it erlands, when in 2013 the Dutch telecom- munications company KPN was almost sold to a Mexican billionaire. In 2015, the cyber security company Fox-IT, which among other things provides the security of state- Photo: US Navy secrets, was sold to a British company. An earlier sale of former Holland Signaal to Thomson-CSF, now Thales, caused even less discussion. When recently the test ver- sion of the SMART-L EWC radar tracked a satellite which was 2,000 km away from the factory in Hengelo, some Dutch jour- nalists lauded that as a French success. Similarly, the Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert recently issued state- ments which did not have the interest of the Dutch industry in mind. In the Dutch parlia- ment she commented on the replacement of the WALRUS class submarines in March 2016: “Unfortunately one can’t buy sub- HNLMS ROTTERDAM was planned to take part in the exercise “African marines off the shelf. If only it were true.” Winds” to promote the Dutch defence industry in that area, but the trip In order to acquire new submarines that was cancelled shortly beforehand. meet the Navy’s requirements, they have to be newly developed. Of course that is corvettes for its navy, worth €800M. A lacked the knowledge and skill to design more complicated, but also a chance for much larger order might also come from and build new submarines on its own. the Dutch industry. When asked about the Australia, which put DSNS on a shortlist When the Swedish submarine yard Kock- role of the Dutch industry in the acquisition together with two German shipyards for ums was bought by Saab, Damen stepped of new submarines, she said: “I’m not here twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). in and both companies announced in 2015 for the interests of the industry. It is all about On top of that, both Thales Nederland and they would work together on the bid for the operational needs of the armed forces.” DSNS are competing for the Mehrzweck- new Dutch submarines. On the other hand, Hennis-Plasschaert often kampfschiff 180 (MKS 180) programme re- The Damen-Saab partnership caught the stressed the importance of the Dutch indus- sulting in four large multirole combat ships Royal Netherlands Navy off guard, and es- try. Nonetheless, her focus is on internation- for the German navy. pecially some politicians were not amused. al cooperation and achieving a level playing Non-nuclear submarines, surface vessels and maritime defence By selecting a partner even before the start field in Europe, which is difficult according to equipment from a world leading naval system and service provider. International Cooperation of the long procedure called the Defence Hennis-Plasschaert because many countries Materiel Process which would result in new favour their domestic industries. Modular, innovative designs are outstanding hallmarks of the proven, robust Blohm+Voss The bid for the MKS 180 is just one of many submarines being ordered, Damen seem- In contrast, the Dutch Ministry of Economic MEKO® corvettes and frigates in commission around the globe. examples of international cooperation. To ingly reduced the options on international Affairs is very supportive, of the industry. survive decade long budget cuts on the cooperation for politicians and the armed Last September the second edition of the HDW Class 209, 212A and 214 submarines operate in the most extreme environments for Royal Netherlands Navy, the Dutch defence forces. Last September Fred Teeven, mem- exercise “African Winds” was planned – an 20 navies worldwide. Installed technologies include, for example, mission-proven fuel-cell industry was forced to shift its focus more ber of the centre-right VVD, said during exercise and trading journey starring the based air independent propulsion systems. www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com and more abroad. This resulted in many a conference in Rotterdam he was not landing platform dock HNLMS Rotterdam. different partnerships. happy with the Damen-Saab cooperation For six weeks the ship, with marines from For DSNS, the part of Damen Shipyard although it is accepted by most Dutch poli- the UK and USA and paratroopers from which operates around the globe, interna- ticians. Belgium, would exercise and organise train-

72 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Marine Systems Ships. Systems. Solutions. Worldwide.

Non-nuclear submarines, surface vessels and maritime defence equipment from a world leading naval system and service provider. Modular, innovative designs are outstanding hallmarks of the proven, robust Blohm+Voss MEKO® corvettes and frigates in commission around the globe. HDW Class 209, 212A and 214 submarines operate in the most extreme environments for 20 navies worldwide. Installed technologies include, for example, mission-proven fuel-cell based air independent propulsion systems. www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com  Industry & Markets

one or two decades. There is not enough EXCELLENCE money to replace even one class of vessels, New threats demand AT YOUR SIDE let alone 23 ships. In recent years, the €1Bn budget cut of 2011 has been reversed, but the damage to the operational units of new capabilities.

Photo: Royal Netherlands Navy the armed forces has been done. There is room for investments when that damage MEADS is effi cient, it meets has been repaired. In any case, the Royal Netherlands Navy will become smaller rather than larger unless the budget sees the threat and is future proof. a steep increase. Even if the budget grows extraordinarily and the industry receives orders to build new ships right away, problems will not dis- appear as the shipyards have not enough capacity in terms of engineers, technicians and space. It is impossible to design, test The Royal Netherlands Navy contributes to security in all parts of the and build so many sophisticated warships Kingdom of the Netherlands, including the Dutch territories in the in such a short time span. And then there Caribbean. Commander Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean (COMNLCARIB) is the risk that the industry will suffer from is responsible for the activities of Dutch naval units in the area. There are excess capacity for years to come. two Dutch naval bases on Curaçao and one on Aruba. In short: the future of the Dutch defence in- dustry is uncertain when it comes to Dutch ing for local navies and coast guards as part the government is well aware of its pro- naval orders. of African Partnership Station. In contrast curement goals, new ships are ordered at There is hope, however, as Dutch com- to the first African Winds, the Ministry of short notice, and the government rarely panies have scored several international Economic Affairs played a large role in Afri- publishes information about the progress successes. A recent success is the Thales can Partnership 2016. In cooperation with of procuring new submarines, frigates and Nederland SMART-L EWC radar. This BMD- Economic Affairs and Dutch embassies in mine hunters. sensor will be installed on the first Dutch Africa, HNLMS Rotterdam would promote In a TV show in mid-January Minister Hen- frigate in 2018 and Danish and German Dutch business during its port visits. Com- nis-Plasschaert announced unexpectedly frigates will probably follow and replace the prehensive programmes were developed, and quite casually that she wants to put be- SMART-L radar. MARIN cooperates with which made good use of the space the LPD fore parliament a plan for the armed forces the UK, USA and Australia on research on provided. Of course, the Dutch defence in- in which she outlines investment possibili- launch and recovery of small (unmanned) dustry could get a share of the promotion. ties. Although this seems to be an important boats. And Damen exported a broad range Ultimately, the trip was cancelled in early improvement, her proposal is of question- of patrol vessels, corvettes and frigates. 2016 when the navy had to scale down able value as there are general elections in Behind the scenes preparations are being the number of sailing days. In fall 2016 the March in the Netherlands, and the plan will made for the future Dutch naval vessels. Rotterdam was deployed to the Mediter- not be implemented before the elections. It For many years the Dutch Underwater ranean because of the refugee crisis. is highly unlikely that the plan will become Knowledge Centre (DUKC), research in- The unexpected letter Minister Hennis- law like the one in Belgium, which allows stitutes and the Ministry of Defence have Plasschaert wrote to the parliament last for long-term clarity on procurements and been collaborating to design a new gen- December is typical of the inconsistent ap- replacement of equipment. It seems that her eration of Dutch submarines. A new hull proach of the Dutch government. Hennis- plan is intended as a bid book for another form has already been tested by MARIN. Plasschaert wrote that she intends to sign term as Defence Minister. In 2015, Thales presented plans for an in- a contract with Thales in early 2017 for As mentioned above, the Dutch Navy has tegrated sensor suite for the replacement the development of new radars. “It is well to retire a large part of its fleet in the next of the Dutch and Belgian M-class frigates. known that Thales is one of the world’s decade. All the warships of the Royal Neth- These radars are developed from the radars leading companies in this field. It is there- erlands Navy entered service before 2008, in the integrated mast on the HOLLAND fore obvious that Thales will develop the except the Joint Support Ship HNLMS Karel class. These new radars might allow Thales radar and fire control systems for the next Doorman and the four Oceangoing Patrol to attract new customers. The same ap- generation of frigates and the Netherlands Vessels (OPVs) of the Holland class. One plies to Damen, which prepares for the new will be a launching customer,” she wrote. would expect a bright future for the Dutch frigates because these vessels will probably Another important reason is that by sign- industry, but appearances are deceptive. be built by Damen. Of the previous ships ing the contract Hennis-Plasschaert helps Procurement decisions constantly being patrol ships were quite successful, of which Thales to meet the requirements of the put off have caused a kind of bow wave. a dozen are being built by Bollinger for the DECISION FOR MEADS IS OUR COMMITMENT German MKS 180 programme as the Ger- Unfortunately the delay of procurement US Coast Guard. man Navy wants a proven system. orders is not a thing of the past; the three Until now ,the Dutch industry has to sit and MEADS meets the requirements of the German armed forces’ future tactical air defence system (TLVS): current procurement programmes proceed wait for the government to proceed with 360-degree all-round protection and open system architecture, superior mobility, higher durability, Future very slow. For example, the next step on the procurement process. The future of the lower life cycle costs. With the capabilities we have in place, we will provide a solid basis new Dutch submarines is not expected be- navy and the industry is in the hands of the for the introduction of TLVS. The absence of a long-term shipbuilding fore the end of 2018. next government. Without new orders, the plan is the root cause for contradictory and It needs to be said that the budget will Dutch Navy will shrink dramatically and the AIR AIR MARITIME BATTLEFIELD inconsistent government actions. Although never allow replacing 82% of the navy in Dutch naval industry will have no future.  DOMINANCE DEFENCE SUPERIORITY ENGAGEMENT

74 European Security & Defence · March 2017 www.-systems.com

MEADS_V2_210x297_uk.indd 1 31/08/2015 17:40 EXCELLENCE New threats demand AT YOUR SIDE new capabilities. MEADS is effi cient, it meets the threat and is future proof.

DECISION FOR MEADS IS OUR COMMITMENT MEADS meets the requirements of the German armed forces’ future tactical air defence system (TLVS): 360-degree all-round protection and open system architecture, superior mobility, higher durability, lower life cycle costs. With the capabilities we have in place, we will provide a solid basis for the introduction of TLVS.

AIR AIR MARITIME BATTLEFIELD DOMINANCE DEFENCE SUPERIORITY ENGAGEMENT

www.mbda-systems.com

MEADS_V2_210x297_uk.indd 1 31/08/2015 17:40  Industry & Markets “RUAG is currently involved in various tenders of the Brazilian Armed Forces.”

Interview with Lutz Kampmann, Senior Vice President Marketing & Photos: RUAG Sales, RUAG Defence

the world. By doing so, RUAG Defence ESD: Which elements of your company’s plays an important role in ensuring civic product and capability portfolio do you security worldwide. consider to be of particular relevance/ interest to Latin American markets, and ESD: To what extent does the Swiss Gov- what are the highlights of your display at ernment support or restrict export efforts LAAD 2017? of your organisation? In which export Kampmann: RUAG’s solutions in the markets are you active? field of platform modernisation – nota- Kampmann: has clear laws bly digitisation – helps customers in Latin and binding rules governing arms ex- America make their legacy platforms fit ports. These include the War Material for the digital age. Furthermore, RUAG’s Act, the Goods Control Act and the Em- ARANEA solution portfolio helps cus- bargo Act. Military applications may only tomers to achieve real joint-mission readi- be exported if they meet the relevant ness by connecting various communica- provisions and have passed the standard tion standards and products in one com- he Swiss defence group RUAG will be approval procedure of the Swiss authori- munication network. Its vast experience Tpresent at this year’s LAAD exhibition ties. RUAG Defence stringently adheres in helping various armed forces develop in Rio de Janeiro. ESD spoke with RUAG to the applicable laws and regulations at their S&T capabilities and its cutting-edge Defence’s Senior Vice President Mar- national and international level. S&T solutions are second to none. keting & Sales, Lutz Kampmann, about RUAG Defence is an international com- At this year’s LAAD exhibition, RUAG De- the company’s perspectives in the Latin pany. In addition to the European market, fence showcases its high-tech 120-mm American market. the company mainly targets growth mar- RUAG COBRA mortar system, in addition kets in Latin America, South-East Asia, to its products and extensive expertise in ESD: As a state-owned element of the North America and the Middle East. the fields of live simulation and tactical Swiss defence industrial base, what ex- communications. actly are the duties and responsibilities ESD: As this interview is to mark RUAG of RUAG as a group in general and RUAG Defence’s presence at this year’s LAAD ESD: In more general terms, how do you Defence in particular? exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, do you have envision the development of the defence Kampmann: RUAG develops trailblaz- reference programmes in Latin America, market in Latin America and especially ing products and internationally sought- particularly in Brazil? Are there any indus- Brazil and – from your point of view – after high-tech applications in the fields trial partnerships with RUAG’s involve- which countries on the South American of aerospace and defence. The company ment? subcontinent constitute promising coop- uses its technological expertise combined Kampmann: In the Brazilian defence eration potential for your organisation? with a long-term vision and a strong market, RUAG focuses on various solu- Kampmann: Countries in Latin America sense of responsibility to boost secu- tions in the field of indirect fire support are facing a major modernisation chal- rity and innovation in society. RUAG’s (e.g. M109, mortars), tactical commu- lenge, and are either in the process of ac- tried-and-tested group strategy is based nications (mainly interoperability) and quiring or set to acquire new capabilities in on three principles: “combining civilian simulation and training (S&T, especially the form of new platforms and systems. and military applications”, “focusing on live). RUAG is currently involved in various The most prominent example is Brazil’s the core business” and “international tenders of the Brazilian Armed Forces. In GUARANI armoured vehicle programme. growth”. the other Latin American countries, the The Brazilian armed forces cannot afford RUAG Defence has a service mandate scope of RUAG’s offer is the same, with to replace all legacy platforms and systems from the Swiss Confederation to ensure S&T at the forefront. RUAG is committed at the same time. In many cases, the army that the systems of the Swiss Army are to creating value not only for the military has to either postpone the replacements highly available and can be deployed reli- but also for society and the economy, or upgrade existing capabilities. Working ably, even in crises. And as an interna- which is why the company is currently in in partnership, RUAG can help develop the tional technology company, it also sup- discussions with representatives of Brazil- most effective solutions for the medium ports armed forces, search and rescue ian industry and academia to maximise term. Customers tend to end up with a var- services and security organisations across local input and development. ied inventory of platforms and systems that

76 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Industry & Markets 

In response to contemporary requirements for modern artillery systems RUAG Defence has developed the COBRA mortar system. need to be able to communicate with each its Latin American customers in getting with military organisations, industry and other. This is where RUAG can add value by their S&T capabilities to the right level. academia in order to optimise the secu- ensuring interoperability. Mission success, Currently, RUAG sees the most poten- rity of supply and local development.  however, is impossible without adequately tial in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Co- trained soldiers and operators. RUAG has lombia and . These countries also The questions were asked by Jürgen the experience and technology to support offer unique opportunities to cooperate Hensel

ESD Spotlight

Published by New Fortnightly Newsletter

Issue 2 / 2015 European Security & Defence is escorted by the new bi-weekly newsletter ESD Spotlight which is distributed by email. ESD Spotlight is available free of charge. You can order your subscription by Procurement programmes in Sweden sending an informal email message to [email protected]. Sweden not only chairs the Nordic Defense genera- Cooperation (NORDEFCO), the Swedish Ar- tion sub- med Forces have also several procurement marines projects on schedule for 2015. The largest (NGU) Alternatively, there is a subscription order form on the magazine’s website at www.euro-sd.com. three programmes comprise the develop- for Swe- ment of the next generation of the JAS Gripen den. Content fighter system (JAS E), the development of The new the next generation submarine (NGU) and the subma- • Sweden modification of the Leopard main battle tank rines will base on the Type 612 submarines, Issue 2 / 2015 system. that Saab Kockums has built for the Royal Aus- Issue 2 / 2015 • Defence Issue 2 / 2015 tralian Navy. 2 7 • Technology Next generation of the JAS Gripen But there will be changes, since the Australi- The Swedish government ordered 60 JAS Gri- an submarine has 4,000 tonnes and the Swe- 3 • Industry pen E (plus 10 as option) with scheduled de- dish NGO programme is heading for a 3,000 defence • IDEX Preview livery from 2018 to 2027. Contrary to initial tonnes submarine with some elements of the technology plans all the future JAS Gripen E will be new- cancelled A26 programme included. gressive dive/ decisions to strengthen NAtO built fighters and not upgrades of existing Gri- The first of the five Swedish submarines is The second firing was at very close range - pull-up evasi- the size and scope of a new very high rea- The defence ministers also decided to IRIS-t SL demonstrates to the launch point to prove the missi ve manoeu- Defence) Diehl (Photo: (df) The defence ministers of the NATO diness force or Spearhead Force. “We deci- immediately establish six command and MAStheAd pen C. The first flight of the pre-production planned to be operating by 2023. full performance le´s short range engagement capabilities. vres. countries have taken several decisions to ded that this very high readiness force will control units in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, JAS Gripen E is expected within this year. During this firing, IRIS-T SL jettisoned its IRIS-T SL is strengthen the Alliance’s collective de- consist of a land brigade of around 5,000 Lithuania, Poland and Romania. (df) With system validation completed Roketsan eSd Spotlight The JAS Gripen E will be slightly larger than Modification of the Leopard last year, Diehl Defence´s IRIS-T Surface - aerodynamic cover shortly after launch the missile fence. NATO Secretary General Jens Stol- troops. These will be supported by air, www..int Email newsletter of the bimonthly magazine Launched (IRIS-T SL) SAM system demons immediately initiating a hard turn-over of the new tenberg said the decisions would “ensure sea and special forces”, said Stoltenberg. (df) Roketsan will display several new and/ the predecessors. Giving place to an increase The Swedish version of the main battle tank “European Security & Defence” (ESD) trated its full performance. All of the jet - manoeuvre towards the low flying target. IRIS-T SLM that we have the right forces, in the right He explained the Spearhead Force would or enhanced products at the IDEX 2015. tegrated and used by AH-1W Cobra helicop- of the fuselage tank with the new and bigger Leopard has additional protection, including target drones of different sizes, which per The entire engagement lasted less than 10 air defence place, at the right time”. The ministers be backed up by two more brigades “as a Very interesting is the 2.75” Laser Guided ter, AT-802 Arc Angel Border Patrol Aircraft editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter Bossdorf system and NATO) (Photo: Missile, so called “CIRIT”, an all-up round nose bearing most of the main gear. The com- overall coverage, mine protection, an extra formed a large variety of realistic evasive seconds with a direct hit. agreed on the implementation of a so rapid reinforcement capability in case of and on EC635 Light Combat Helicopter. weapon stations, autonomous stationary/ deputy editor-in-Chief: Henning Bartels manoeuvres, were directly hit. The third firing was carried out against is planned to called Spearhead Force. a major crisis. Altogether, the enhanced missile designed to eliminate light armored, CIRIT is also integrated on vehicle mounted mobile weapon platforms, stabilized naval Managing editors: Dorothee Frank (newslet- pany Saab stated, that the new fighter has an bomblet protection for the turret, a modern The first target was engaged at a distance of a very small, fast and agile target drone - be a compo- Also the NATO Response Force will be en- NATO Response Force will count up to stationary/moving opportunity targets with weapon platforms for patrol boats and Tac- ter) and Stephen Barnard (magazine) increase of 40% in internal fuel capacity. command system and an improved fire-con- more than 30 km. The IRIS-T SL missile flight featuring high agility and extreme mano nent of the future German Air and Missile hanced. The Defence Ministers agreed on around 30,000 troops.” high precision and affordable cost. CIRIT, tical UAV. The combat proven CIRIT has a editors: Gerhard Heiming (gwh), Yuri Laski (yl) Defence System. designed as the main weapon system of Apart from this two additional weapon sta- trol system. time was about one minute reaching an alti- euvrebility. A direct hit was achieved at a quite long range with 8 km, MEMS Based tude above 12 km. Despite an evasive mano- range of 12.5 km range at an altitude of 1.5 www.diehl.com/en/diehl-defence.html T-129 ATAK Turkish , is in- IMU, restriction-free components, Type V Layout: davis creativ media GmbH, Bonn, tions have been installed. The JAS Gripen E At the moment the Swedish Armed Forces euvre involving changing direction and alti- km even though the drone performed ag- NORdeFCO plans more cooperation border defence cooperation. Also Sweden from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania insensitive munitions characteristics for Germany tude, a direct hit of the target was achieved. (Photo: Roketsan)warhead and rocket motor against bullet im- Photo front page: Matthias Kabel will also have a new landing gear, modern sen- plan further improvements and uses of the (df) The Nordic Defense Cooperation is pushing forward an initiative to form and Norway. te Connectivity nes and IED, which will be completed by pact and liquid fluid fire and smart launcher. sor configuratuions like the Selex Skyward-G Leopard. Especially the communication sys- (NORDEFCO), consisting of Denmark, Fin- a modular Nordic-Baltic battle group The aims of the Swedish initiatives are to guarantor of basic protection against small mine-protection-seats and spall-liners. A (df) TE Connectivity will display it’s latest www.roketsan.com.tr Published by land, Iceland, Norway and actual chaired (NBBG), that could be seen as a counter- give more protection to areas, such as Arc- infrared search and track (IRST) turret or the tems and a weight reduced armour system are Protected Bulat 6x6 for the fire and shell splinters. The V-shaped bel- remote weapon station may be fitted to electrical interconnect solutions that provi- vehicle must carry. The result of networ Mittler Report Verlag GmbH by Sweden, wants to improve the collec- part of the EU Nordic Battle Group (NBG), tic region or Baltic Sea. Russian Army ly provides protection against blast of mi- the roof. Kamaz contributes subsystems - de connectivity and high-speed data trans- king is an overall reduction in the size and A company of Tamm Media Group advanced interrogation friend-or-foe suite. in the focus. Elements of the Leopard 2A7, in tive border defence by installing a cross- that is led by Sweden with soldiers coming www.government.se (gwh) The Russian Army has ordered 50 like the Diesel power train with 191 kW in mission for networking in armored vehicles weight of systems within each vehicle, less - space savings, and a variety of options in service at the German Armed Forces, will be cluding transmissions and suspensions for - in electronic warfare and C4ISR applications. redundancy in the network, and yet great Mittler Report Verlag GmbH protected type Bulat SBA-60-K2 armoured The equipment fit inclu gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) con Next generation submarine included. personnel carriers for a crew of ten from axles and wheels. Goldstein new General Manager A system of networked ground vehicles ability for vehicles to share data and elec- nectivity to help meet tough application

Baunscheidtstrasse 11 Khlopotov) A. (Photo: Improved HAWK Officer Course at the GAF Manager des a central tire inflation system (CTIS), air NAMeAdSMA provides situational awareness for troops tronic warfare capabilities. challenges. Also on display at the booth, - 53113 Bonn, Germany The first programme on procuring modern sub- Additionally Sweden purchased three Leguan the manufacturer Zashcita. The first 15 are Air Defense School, Ft. Bliss, Texas, in 1981. & Director to be delivered before the end of 2015. conditioning, fire suppression system and on the battlefield, as well as reduces the TE will feature several rugged and flexible TE will be showcasing its compact, high- Phone: +49 228 350087-0 (df) Col. Michael T. Goldstein of the Ger- Later, Goldstein served as a platoon leader Technical In- marines to replace the four Walrus serving in bridge layers on Leopard 2 chassis. In this vari- With less than 20 tons gross weight the racks for personal weapons. number of independent systems that each end-to-end solutions that offer design speed CeeLok FAS-T connector. The CeeLok Telefax: +49 228 350087-1 man Air Force was assigned the position Hawk at the 4th Battery SAM Battalion 34 tegration on NAMEADSMA) (Photo: the Swedish Navy, known as the A26 program- ant, the Leguan is capable of laying a 26 vehicle features a payload of 3.5 tons www.zashchita.ru engineers modularity for easy integra- FAS-T connector among the most rugged, Email: [email protected] of General Manager of the NATO Medium in Manching, later Head of Patriot Scena- 01 July 2014 depending on the protection level. The tion, advanced components for weight and 10 GbE, field terminable I/O connectors in www.mittler-report.de me, has been cancelled in February 2014. Then bridge or two 14 metre bridges independent Extended Air Defense System Manage- rio Generation Seciton, GAFADS, Ft. Bliss, and now Ge- FN herstal all-welded steel monocoque hull is the the defence marketplace. going to test the containers with regard to ment Agency (NAMEADSMA) on 01 Febru- Texas. Other assignments included Deputy neral Mana- Managing Directors: Thomas Bantle, Dr. Peter in December 2014 an agreement between of each other, whose MLC 80 (approx. 70 ton- (df) FN Herstal will show several of it’s www.te.com ary 2015. He took over the responsibili- System Manager Patriot at the Federal Mi- ger & Direc- Bossdorf and Peter Tamm Saab and Damen Shipyards was announced nes) load capacity can be used by even heavy ners from Multicon Solar and can be used if and how solar power can be integrated modern weapon systems and firearms at fence, this highly modular system gives Smart energy container ties from Gregory Kee, who had been the nistry of Defence for almost three years. On tor Technical The company is located in Bonn as power plants for military camps and bi- with the energy supply of military camps. IDEX and also be hosting a variety of exhi- naval ships and coastguards the armament to jointly develop, offer and build the next equipment. Dorothee Frank agency‘s General Manager since Novem- 01 August 2012 Goldstein became Director Integration District Court of Bonn – HRB 18658 (gwh) The German Armed Forces have - vouacs. They are designed to replace or to - www.multicon-solar.de bits that allow attendees to view up close to be in control at all times. It can be moun- ber 2008. Goldstein joined the German Air Technical Integration at NAMEADSMA, fol- NAMEADSMA. Identification number DE 811 223 089 procured mobile containers with high per bolster fuel-operated generators. The Ger www.aleo-solar.de its equipment. On display for the first time ted on a variety of vessels, from fast patrol formance photovoltaic modules from Aleo man procurement agency BAAINBw is now Force on 01 July 1975 and completed the lowed by the position as Deputy General http://meads-amd.com/ in the Middle East will be FN Herstal’s Sea boats up to large ships, and its universal Solar. The modules are integrated in contai- deFNder remote weapon station. cradle can house an extensive range of FN Whether intercepting smugglers, running Herstal weaponry. It support for Norwegian logistics (Photo: FN Herstal) fitted to a number of the Volvo Group‘s civil 1999 for military logistics including con- repair, overhaul (MRO), and supply chain. anti-terrorism operations, or for self-de- Packed with several new features, the Sea hybrid drive system vehicles that have demonstrated pollution (gwh) The Swedish International Financial figuration management, document and The Navy’s recent decision to cover addi- deFNder also has a sight module (CCD + pad control handle, and 2-axis gyroscope reduction and consumption qualities, and Services company (IFS) has rolled out the spare parts management, maintenance, tional users means that IFS’s industry solu- (gwh) As part of an advanced design plan Defense) Trucks Renault (Photo: IR uncooled or cooled), one-hand or game to provide rock solid stability on any naval Savox Communications assigned to Renault Trucks Defense, the could now be used for military applications. IFS applications to cover additional Navy tion will empower more personnel working operation. Electer demonstrator fitted with a parallel The features of the hybrid drive system are: personnel, now supporting 2,500 users deployed on one of its vessels or on land. (df) Savox Communications will be unvei- www.fnherstal.com hybrid drive system and developed on the Booster with more than 170 kW additional Large generator delivering power of up to in the Armed Forces with mission-critical The solution is distributed between vessels ling at IDEX a new future infantry soldier nally in the Middle East, where Savox alrea- (Photo: FMV) (Photo: basis of a VAB MK III has been delivered to electrical power, thereby reducing its tac- - 15 kW for mobile internal and 70 kW for configuration management, MRO, and lo- and onshore sites, also offering integration modernisation headgear system that has dy has a number of Special Forces custo- static external use. the French defence procurement agency tical “leap forward” time. Stealth mobili gistics. with the government finance and HR sys- major applications for soldiers on tomor mers, and globally. system, IMP, on which CPIC is based. The www.renault-trucks-defense.com (DGA) on 13 January 2015. ty to move silently over more than 10 km The Norwegian Armed Forces (Air Force, tem. row’s battlefield, as well as for homeland Savox will also show the compact intercom new intercom system is suited to applica- Combining an electric machine and a Diesel through the sole use of the electric motor. Army, and Navy including the Coast Guard) www.forsvaret.no security and special ops forces, both regio-- system, CPIC. The system broadens the tions on land, for the widest B-vehicle in engine, the parallel hybrid drive system is have been using IFS Applications since www.ifsworld.com C3 capabilities of Savox’ software-defined ventory, and at sea, aboard smaller vessels, lightweight, rugged command and control such as RIBs, as well as the largest, such as - destroyers and aircraft carriers. www.savox.com

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March 2017 · European Security & Defence 77 Firms & Faces

Next CEO at BAE Systems: Charles The new company, headquartered in Woodburn Taufkirchen near Munich, will be led by an (df) Ian King, Chief Executive, BAE Systems, Executive Committee with Thomas Müller has announced that he will retire on 30 as CEO. June 2017. Charles Woodburn, currently Photo: Dorothee Frank Chief Operating Officer at BAE Systems, will be appointed as Chief Executive at BAE Harris Wins Contract Systems from1 July, 2017. Until that time, (jh) Harris has received a two-year, $189M King and Woodburn contract to provide an integrated Battle will continue in their Management System (BMS) to the United current roles. Charles Arab Emirates Armed Forces. The contract Woodburn joined BAE was received during IDEX. The system will Systems in May 2016 provide the UAE with initial operational Photo: BAE Systems as Chief Operating won a contract to supply the UAE with capabilities as the country implements en- Officer and Executive 5,000 anti-armour missiles worth several hanced battlefield management solutions. Board Director, follow- million Euros. The US company Raytheon The contract was issued under the Emir- ing over 20 years’ in- and the European company MBDA Sys- ates Command & Control System (ECCS) ternational experience tems each won multi-million Euro con- Land Tactical System (ELTS) programme, in senior management tracts to deliver missiles. a major C4ISR programme that will inte- positions in the oil and The technologies on display came from grate, coordinate and maximize the com- gas industry. all over the world – from assault rifles bined efficiency of UAE Armed Forces “After a distinguished career, Ian will re- to communications, tanks, vehicles, mis- assets. tire leaving a legacy of disciplined perfor- siles, fighter jets, robots, helicopters and mance, ethical behaviour, a burgeoning even cyber defence and cyber security. order book, a track record of delivering The world moved a little bit closer dur- New Director OCCAR-EA shareholder value and a strong leadership ing the four days in Abu Dhabi, when (gwh) Brigadier Arturo Alfonso-Meiriño team. During his tenure as Chief Executive, the major defence companies showed has been introduced as the new director Ian has built a world-class defence engi- their solutions for fighting off “the bad of OCCAR-EA by the Chairman of the neering and technology business, provid- guys”. Since the region has not become Board of Supervisors, Ministerialdirigent ing vital capabilities to our customers and any safer over recent years, the UAE need Hubert Blahnik (German MoD). On 1 contributing to the security and economic these systems to keep their country safe. March 2017 he succeeded Tim Rowntree, prosperity of the nations in which we oper- The next IDEX will take place in Abu Dha- ate,” said Sir Roger Carr, Chairman at BAE bi in February 2019. Systems.“ Since his appointment last year,

Charles has made an important contribu- Photo: OCCAR tion to the company, bringing impeccable HENSOLDT Starts with CEO engineering credentials, broad interna- ­Thomas Müller tional experience and fresh perspectives to Following closure of the transaction be- build on our existing strengths. In his new tween Airbus Group SE and KKR, a leading role, he will build on an enviable inherit- global investment firm, a new European de- ance to create an exciting future.” fence company headquartered in Germany, IDEX Recap HENSOLDT, has who served as director of OCCAR-EA for (df) According to official numbers IDEX been launched. Photo: HENSOLDT the last four years. – inaugurated with a grand ceremony The new com- Since 2011 Alfonso-Meiriño has been led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed pany employs chief of International Relations within bin Rashid Al Maktoum (photo) – was 4,000 highly the Spanish armaments authority DGAM the most successful defence trade show qualified staff, (Dirección General de Armamento y Ma- that has ever been held in the Middle about 3,400 terial). Prior to that he was Industry and East North Africa (MENA) region. At least in Germany Market (I&M) Director of the European €4.93Bn worth of contracts were signed and 600 in Defence Agency (EDA). by officials of the United Arab Emirates South Africa. The main industrial sites are to equip their armed forces with modern Taufkirchen/Munich, Ulm, Friedrichshafen systems during the show. Over 105,000 and Oberkochen in Germany and Pretoria UAE Procures Anti-Ship Missiles visitors attended and 1,235 companies in South Africa. From MBDA exhibited. A dedicated representative office in Berlin (df) During IDEX MBDA was awarded a Contracts were awarded both to national has been established and several offices contract by the UAE Navy to supply ad- and international companies. Local com- represent the new enterprise in countries ditional MARTE MK2/N anti-ship missiles. pany NIMR was contracted to supply like India, the USA, Chile, Brazil, South Ko- This is a follow on to the contract signed in 1,500 JAIS 4x4 vehicles and other types rea and Spain. HENSOLDT will provide lead- February 2009. to the UAE Armed Forces. The Russian ing edge technology solutions to armed Each high speed multi-role combat vessel state-owned agency Rosoboronexport forces and security agencies. of the UAE Navy will be equipped with

78 European Security & Defence · March 2017 of the technology leadership of the MAR- in order to exchange the ageing platforms TE missile family that, over the years, has in its existing vehicle fleet. Both companies continued to be competitive and able to hope to improve their prospects through Photo: MBDA respond to increasing customer require- cooperation. The proposed solution in- ments, thanks to its modular design.” cludes substantial local industrial content for a fleet of more than 500x 12kN air as- Supacat and RMMV NL Team for sault vehicles (AASLT) and 900x 12kN light- Dutch Tender weight protected vehicles.

four-canister launchers. The MARTE Mk Leonardo and PGZ Team for 2/N guided missile is able to strike targets ­Helicopters Photo: Supacat at ranges in excess of 30 km, flying a fire- (df) The Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and-forget sea-skimming profile using mid- and the Italian company Leonardo have course inertial guidance and active radar signed a helicopter-related Cooperation homing. Agreement. This agreement focusses on Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, com- the recently published procurement plans mented: “I am delighted that the UAE has of the Polish Ministry of Defence. “The confirmed the trust placed in MBDA for its (df) Supacat and Rheinmetall MAN Mili- aim of the agreement is to strengthen defence requirements. MBDA is one of the tary Vehicles Netherlands (RMMV NL) have cooperation between the PGZ Group and country’s leading defence suppliers and will teamed for the tender of the Dutch Army Leonardo for the supply of helicopters of- continue to show our long-standing com- to procure new vehicles. Under the team- fered by the Italian company to the Polish mitment and support for the UAE Armed ing agreement and in the event of contract Ministry of Defence,” Leonardo stated. It Forces.” award, the Supacat-designed vehicles will includes the AW149, AW101 and W-3PL Pasquale Di Bartolomeo, MBDA’s Execu- be built by RMMV NL and the production GLUSZEC models. Should Leonardo be tive Group Director Strategy and Manag- line will be supported by their existing sup- selected by the Polish MoD for the new ing Director of MBDA Italia, said: “This new ply chain in the Netherlands. The Royal helicopter requirement, companies in the contract reaffirms MBDA preeminence in Netherlands Army has started the Wheeled PGZ Group will take part in the servic- the anti-ship sector and it is a clear proof Vehicle Replacement Programme (DVOW) ing and manufacture of helicopters. This

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also involves extension of the industrial capability of the companies included in IDET, PYROS and ISET 2017 the PGZ Group in servicing or production (pb) Security has become a clear priority. At a time of increased risk of of components, systems or levels of the new outbreaks of war and terrorist attacks as well as other threats, chosen helicopter. governments tend not to hesitate to invest in defence and secu- rity technology. In the Czech Republic, companies introduce their novelties for security forces at specialised trade fairs, which have CONTROP Appoints New Vice included IDET in Brno since 1993. This year on 31 May, its four- President Marketing & Sales teenth edition begins, again in partnership with PYROS and ISET, (pb) CONTROP Precision Technologies trade fairs which present fire and safety equipment and services. Ltd. – a company specialising in the field Participation in the fair is already attracting considerable interest since of electro-optics and infrared defence the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Police and Fire Rescue Brigade and homeland security solutions – has increased their budgets for medium-term purchase plans. appointed Hagay Azani as its new VP IDET is an essential platform for the presentation of the Czech defence and security Marketing and Sales. He will be respon- industry. As in previous years, it will offer exhibiting firms direct contact with both sible for increasing domestic and foreign customers. As an exhibition of defence technology in Central the company’s in- and Eastern Europe, it regularly enjoys the participation of the Ministries of Defence ternational activi- of Poland, , and other countries, while delegations of ministries of ties by developing defence from many countries around the world arrive to attend the fair. Photo: CONTROP cooperation with The Brno Exhibition Centre facilitates presentation of technology in action in a unique strategic partners outdoor field named IDET ARENA, which will feature dynamic demonstrations of in target countries. military, fire and police technology in action for all visitors during the fair. Furthermore he ESD is an official partner of the exhbition. will work with the More information: www.idet.eu company’s R&D department to cre- ate the roadmap for role was responsible for managing of roles, including Lt. Col. in the Rocket future offerings. Since 2012, Hagay the company’s pre-sale and post-sale Division of the Artillery Corps. He is an In- Azani has served as CONTROP’s Chief programmes and activities. He served in dustrial Engineer with an Executive MBA Operating Officer (COO), and in this the Israel Defense Forces in a wide variety from Bar Ilan University.

Preview ESD 3/2017 · May 2017 • Country Focus: Italy • Technology Focus: Underwater Warfare • OCCAR • Cyber Defence: NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges • The • Canadian Armament Programmes • Defence Procurement in Turkey • Air and Missile Defence • MOUT • Helicopter Armament Options • Tank Gun Ammunition Update • Realism in Training • Mine Countermeasure Vessels/Technologies • Turkish BMD Programme

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80 European Security & Defence · March 2017 INTELLIGENCE FOR THE INTELLIGENT

GLOBAL PATRIOT SOLUTIONS INDUSTRY & MARKETS Russian Defence Industry in

the Era of Putin

Eugene Kogan

There is a preconceived and very inaccurate perception in the West at large that the Russian Military- Industrial Complex (MIC) has and will continue to have difficulties in the coming years because Russia faces domestic economic challenges caused by the low price of oil, continuing economic sanctions imposed by the EU and the US and the breakdown of defence industrial relations with Ukraine.

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Phot D European ENGINEERED TO EVOLVE. & Security & Defence ES & Defence 6/2016 • Politics International Security and Defence Journal • Armed Forces COUNTRY FOCUS: SPAIN KURGANETS-25 armoured personnel carriers with medium-category caterpillar chassis at the military here is very little understanding in MIC financially even if Anton Siluanov, parade in Moscow on 9 May 2016 Tand by the West at large that for • Economy President Vladimir Putin the issue of Minister of Finance, continues to baulk. Author rearmament and, as a result, the cor Furthermore, Putin and his ambitious PROVEN TO PERFORM. rectly-functioning MIC enabling the - agenda are tacitly supported by the Rus sian population, that perceives the West- Dr Eugene Kogan planned delivery of weapons systems to is a defence and at large as its major adversary. And the security expert affiliated to the Tbilisi- the armed forces are of crucial impor - Russian population is ready to tighten based Georgian Foundation for Stra tance, and that the Russian president is its belt further and at the same time fi SPAIN tegic and International Studies (GFSIS).- not ready to yield an inch in tenaciously COUNTRY FOCUS: nancially to support MIC operations. To - • Technology The author would like to thank Ilya Zhi pursuing his ambitious domestic agenda. a Western audience the sacrifices made tomirsky, USC Communications Direc- What is more, as Alexandra Suslina, an Close-In Ship - economic analyst said: “The economy is by Russians for the sake of the MIC op tor, for assistance in the preparation of - far from the government’s priority. They erations may sound like a paradox: how this article. - The do not even pretend it is”. Putin is also ever, for Russian patriots sacrifice and Raytheon’s combat-proven Patriot delivers advanced technology perfectly ready to back up a properly functioning support are one and the same thing. in the 21st Century It also needs to be remembered that the Defence November 2016 · European Security & Defence Fernando García Sánchez 63

During the last decade the security framework has undergone profound changes inside and outside Spain engineered for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. As threats evolve, so umbr_ESD_06_2016.indd 63 which have had important implications for the nature and the use of military power, causing changes in the

14.11.16 14:55 capabilities, organisation and modes of action of our Armed Forces. ment for external security work, while on the other hand, still maintaining more traditional approaches but ones that are- - does Patriot, protecting 13 partner nations, reducing costs and providing hus, the global geo-strategic situation used against threats of various kinds, ca- Thas been changing around three fun pable of combining procedures of regu damental realities: -

Photo: Spanish MoD Spanish Photo: lar and irregular combat and making the - 1. Globalisation and its complexity, the most of the easy access to new technolo growing role of non-governmental ac gies. tors, the variety of conflicts, terrorism, Therefore Western armed forces have to the world’s most advanced air and missile defense. the impact of mass migration, climate face two types of scenarios that require change, the importance of cyberspace different strategies and approaches: as a new security environment, and • Those where superiority is essential other factors shape an environment in confrontation and ability to deny of “operational uncertainty”. or open access to common areas not - 2. Changes in the global geo-economic subject to sovereignty, such as mari - - and geopolitical order, translated into time and international air routes, out a substantial increase in military budg er space or cyberspace; - ets in many emerging or recovering • Those where irregular operating en - countries, in some regions have laid vironments, mostly urban, take prec

ISSN 1617-7983 the foundation of a worrying arms edence, with no defined battle fronts race. and with a civilian population that will- - 3. The persistence of internal crises and be unintentionally involved in the con ESD – conflicts, the disintegration of tradi - flict. tional power structures in some areas, has continued its transformation, show Not least due to the pressure of public the growing strategic importance of opinion both will definitively determine areas without government control as - ing an innovative side with the growing - the planning and conduct of operations. a logistical base or safe haven of hos recourse to military tools for carrying out tile non-state actors and the spread of tasks of internal security or law enforce urban areas as essential elements of a zone or theatre of operations have Raytheon.com/Germany for the step led to the birth of a new and complex archives ESD Photo: type of threat. - From there, Western countries have de veloped, since the beginning of the 90s, successive military strategic models that

www.euro-sd.com • have been separating the dynamics of • the Cold War to enter a scenario that is first marked by the deployment of a large beyond thought number of troops during long periods of- time, leading to more selective opera @Raytheon tions and an easily sustainable and more ARMED FORCES discreet footprint. Meanwhile, the operating environment Author Keeping NATO Connected , Training and Simulation A Fighter for the Information Age García Sánchez leadership Admiral Fernando Current trends and international programmes F-35 LIGHTNING II status report is the Chief of the Defence Staff As Chief of Staff RAdm. Thomas Daum, Ph.D., is responsible for the administration and staff of one of November 2016 Major sensor and weapon elements of the F-110 design. The (Spanish: Jefe del Estado Mayor de NATO’s largest organisations – the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency, the mission of la Defensa, JEMAD) of the Spanish multimission bay can accommodate unmanned vehicles, special Armed Forces operations vessels or containerswhich for different is to design, use. procure and operate NATO’s IT infrastructure in partnership with Industry, including Raytheon advanced systems such as air, missile and cyber defence. He also holds the function of Chief Operating · November 2016 Officer, responsible for overall programme and project performance. He acts as Deputy and as Senior 18 European Security & Defence Military Adviser to the General Manager, Maj. Gen. (ret'd) Koen Gijsbers. Politics · Armed Forces · Procurement · Technology 14.11.16 14:54 ESD: The NCI Agency started in 2012, umbr_ESD_06_2016.indd 18 how has it positioned itself in NATO in titel_ESD_06_2016.indd 1 14.11.16 14:53 these years? Daum: We are NATO’s ICT and advanced

technology provider and operator. I stress Photo: NCI Agency the word operator. We have some 2,900 staff (both civilian and military) located across 30+ locations – basically wherever NATO is– from Norfolk to Afghanistan, from Stavanger to Naples operating and defending NATO’s networks. Our per sonnel is also regularly deployed in sup - - some €3Bn worth of business opportu port of operations and exercises, in part - nership with the NATO CIS Group. Our - nities to the market. work is done in very close partnership with industry. Over 80% is done through ESD: What role and importance has the NCI Agency for the NATO nations respec contracts with national industries. In the - next three years, we will be bringing tively what impulses or programmes can it create? Daum: While our primary responsibility is to support the Alliance’s institutions

TO

A – the NATO HQ, the military command

N structure and NATO’s Agencies – under

Photo: our charter we can and do provide ser vices directly to nations. This includes - both NATO members and – when ap proved by the North Atlantic Council - – partner countries. There are two ad EUROPEAN SECURITY & DEFENCE is a specialist magazine vantages to this: first, nations can re-use- solutions they already paid for in NATO for their own national use. This allows nations to save money Several nations are doing this, for example, with ad vanced, combat-proven command and - control software that was developed for tracking events and developments in the defence and security arena. use in Afghanistan and is an excellent platform for coalition operations. This is the second advantage: by re-using solu tions that were developed in NATO – and- therefore were “born interoperable” – we boost interoperability.

ESD: Does the NCI Agency fill more the role of a standardisation organisation or “My ‘operational understanding’ of interoperability was built on the does it deliver more practical and techni cal solutions? - One of the magazine’s objectives is to describe, explain and interpret European use of NATO’s Tactical Data Link Systems, NATO’s Maritime Broadcast Daum: We perform both. We work to and NATO’s ship-shore and tactical communication systems. However, - already for some decades, military off-the-shelf solutions have been no gether with the NATO C3 Board and longer the pace-maker of technological innovation.” NATO’s Allied Command Transformation to define standards for interoperability. For example, any industry selling C4ISR 34 European Security & Defence and transatlantic security policy – which extends far beyond conventional · November 2016

umbr_ESD_06_2016.indd 34

defence with military forces – in all its complex and sophisticated correlations. 14.11.16 14:54

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