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Politics ·Armed · ·Procurement Technology April 2018 • www.euro-sd.com • ISSN 1617-7983 ES & D

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1804_European Security and Defence (Apr)_v2_Engl.indd 1 4/5/2018 3:20:47 PM Editorial

Following the Yellow BRIC Road

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge make sure that both sides reach a balanced since the world, and not least the world’s resolution as to the “type” of Brexit we will defence industry, looked to , Russia, all enjoy. “Hard” or “soft” there will be peo- and China as its economic saviours. ­­ ple who think they have won, and people The world still seeks truth and certainty who think they have lost. The fact remains in frightening and inconstant times, but it that the Brexit vote was never a vote against appears to us as interested but clearly un- Europe, but was a vote primarily against Brus- informed observers that our political elites sels, spiced with a reaction against German- engender hopelessness and disillusion: our driven refugee policies. leaders are not up to expectations. And spice of course brings us back to that Over the last few years we have seen Brazil’s sweeping generalisation about India with economy surrounded by failure, Brazil itself which we started. An apology is perhaps by no means immune to budgetary hardship, due, and is duly offered, but considering the and now a former president behind bars. dire situation of the Indian military in terms of Russia has become one of the prime drivers equipment, training, pensions and support, of fear and uncertainty in Europe; and India much of the responsibility for these goes continues to bow to the whims and peccadil- back directly to successive governments. Re- loes of social, religious, political and industrial peated secession of “non-strategic territory” structures that are far from sufficient for a in the northeast of the country in the face of modern, competitive world. Only China pros- Chinese expansionism does not strengthen pers, but that is a prosperity that many in the any Indian hand. The apparent inability of the West view with trepidation. big DPSUs to deliver adequate hardware with Russia presents something of a dilemma: its which to fight is a reflection of inefficiencies actions in the and the contin- at all levels: the inability of private industry ue to be fundamentally illegal, and its support to compete is largely a systemic problem of the Assad regime is not without its detrac- created by the procurement process in India: tors; but regarding the latter, there is plenty the inability of the authorities to define, of evidence of the consequences of well- acquire and deliver the necessary materiel is meaning but misguided regime-change pur- a consequence of an administrative system/ suits by “the West,” in Egypt, Libya and burden that has all but brought the country for example, and preserving the status quo to a standstill – coupled with a malleable ap- seems a far better endeavour then anything proach to “corruption” that is at odds with we have attempted in the region to date. international (read “Western”) standards. It And on the available logic the latest “chemical is surely possible to create a system that al- weapons” attacks of April 2018 are unlikely to lows due recognition for services rendered be an act of the regime’s forces; so it is equally without having to go off the books or under logical that a hasty Western response will be the table – or to jail. But the biggest Indian misinformed and misguided at best. defence procurement challenge is managing The Syrian question brings two more players the relationship with foreign industry, and to the fore: and the USA. In Turkey, despite numerous attempts to build and then Mr Erdogan’s own regime-building continues tweak an appropriate legal and practical to be effective, but at what cost? Organisa- structure there has always been that one lit- tions such as the military and the SSM require tle impracticality: insisting that a foreign part- experts, not bureaucrats, and while locking ner be wholly liable for the work of its Indian away critics and intellectuals has certain ben- partner was just one example. efits, it does tend to diminish the credibility of With DEFEXPO looming as this edition those doing the locking. goes to print, we profoundly hope that Mr On the subject of Western democracy let Modi’s initiatives will bear fruit, and that In- us address the Brexit question. The frame- dia will be able to step forward as a work for the British vote may have been supplier of security and defence both re- inadequate, and the definition of “victory” gionally and globally: the essence is clarity left entirely inappropriate, but the result, and simplicity, which become worthy goals although tight, was clear. Brexit will happen, in themselves. and all that Europe and the UK have to do is Stephen Barnard

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 1 Content

SECURITY POLICY 37 Status Report: The Ukrainian Eugene Kogan 12 New Trends or Post-Soviet Heritage? 40 The Slovak Security Policy in 2018 Georg Mader Tomáš Čižik 44 Bulgarian Procurement and Arms Exports 16 Can CEFTA Be the Lifeboat for Georgia and Eugene Kogan Ukraine's EU Membership? Beka Kiria and Gunther Fehlinger 20 In Limbo: Russia's Policy ARMED FORCES in the Nagorniy Karabakh Conflict 48 New Agreement Gayane Novikova Jørgen Bo Leimand 54 “We experience a new wave of tension REGIONAL FOCUS: BLACK SEA under the sea.” Interview with James G. Foggo III, 23 Security Developments in the Wider Black Commander of the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa Sea Region Priorities of the 55 NATO Keeps up its ASW Guard Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă Guy Toremans 27 in the Context of Security 57 “Our biggest concern is certainly the Challenges in the Black Sea Region capability of our forces.” Andrey Botsev Interview with General Tod D. Wolters, Commander US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) 30 Defence Reform in Ukraine Alex Horobets

33 Black Sea Region: Turkish Interests and Strategies Korhan Özkilinc ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 60 Aspects of Water Management in the Field Index of Advertisers Tim Guest 65 The Technology Revolution that Drives AAD 47 the Drone Evolution Arms & Security 39 Tamir Eshel AVIASVIT 36 BSDA 25 70 Combat Drones Become a Mainstay in European Armed Forces Diehl Aerosystems 81  Peter Austermann Eurofighter 4th cover FMV 93 73 A New Case for CAS Future 10 Tamir Eshel General Atomics Aeronautical 2nd cover General Dynamics European Land Systems 23 77 GLOBALEYE – the Endgame for Stealth? HEMUS 45 Georg Mader Hirtenberger Defence Systems 3 79 Requirements Industries (IAI) 3rd cover Sidney E. Dean IDEAS 114 IDEB 14 84 Sharp Teeth for Attack INFODAS 7, 11 Doug Richardson ITEC 95 88 Rotary Wing Simulation and Training Lockheed Martin 59 William Carter MSPO 71 NCT Europe 64 92 Air Force Simulation: An Update PBS Velka Bites 9, 69 William Carter Raytheon 91 96 Maintainer Training Systematic 49 William Carter Textron 67 UDT 105 99 Hybrid Forces for Close Quarter Battle (CQB) WEW - A Thielmann Company 61 John Antal Wiley X 5, 51

2 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INDUSTRY & MARKETS THE BRUSSELS BACKDROP

102 European Shipyards: 52 NATO’s Resolute Support Mission How to Remain Competitive? in : an Interim Review Giulia Tilenni Joris Verbeurgt 106 “Eurosatory is the uncontested leader in its domain.” Interview with Patrick Colas des Francs, VIEWPOINT FROM … Director of COGES Event. 15 Berlin 108 Modernisation of Heckler & Koch's Wolfgang Labuhn Production Facilities Waldemar Geiger 18 Athens Dimitrios Angelopoulos 110 “Dyneema ®, the Next Generation Ballistic Material” Interview with Wilfrid Gambade, President DSM Dyneema 112 Modernisation and Protection of Armoured Vehicles COLUMNS Gerhard Heiming 1 Editorial 115 “Propulsion units tailored to the customers' needs are the future of engine development for UAS.” 4 Periscope Interview with Karsten Schudt, Managing Director 100 Masthead of 3W-International 116 Firms & Faces 120 Preview Issue 4/2018

The Company.

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2G Robotics Launches New combat proven sight that increases the ef- the start, LED Strobe Panel fectiveness of the soldier. The CompM4 my team (ck) 2G Robotics, a producer of underwa- sight relies on a single AA battery to pro- was looking

ter laser scanners and imaging vide a 'constant on' of up to 80,000 hours for the best Photo: Autoflug for the offshore energies, geosciences and or 8 years. Currently, more than 1,500,000 compromise defence industries, has launched a new Aimpoint sights are in use by law enforce- between LED strobe panel, named the NOVA. Pro- ment and military forces around the world. proven tech- viding ultra-bright and even illumination, nology and the NOVA enables users to capture crisp Qatar Buys NH90 innovative images even on very fast AUVs. Based on Helicopters approach- the RAY single LED currently being used (ck) Qatar will buy 28 NH90 military heli- es," said copters to modernise its Björn Kan- fleet - 16 NH90s in tactical transport (TTH) storf, Head configuration and 12 NH90s in naval (NFH) of the Busi- configuration. As part of the plan, Qatar will ness Unit receive 16 H125 light single-engine helicop- Cabin Solu- Photo: 2G Robotics ters in training configuration for the Qatar tions at AUTOFLUG. The energy absorp- Armed Forces Air Academy. “The NH90 is tion system used to achieve crash safety a modern and combat-proven asset that is a proven system, but when it comes to for marine research and offshore energy will meet Qatar’s demanding operational the seat shell Autoflug has used composite inspections, the NOVA combines 36 LEDS requirements for decades to come, both in materials which make the FLYWEIGHT one to produce a very bright light with a pow- troop transport and naval missions,” said of the lightest seats on the market. In the erful 450 000 Lumen output. Kongsberg Ben Bridge, Executive Vice President Global basic configuration the seat has a Maritime has already purchased 4 units to Business at Helicopters. Leonardo of less then 9 kg. The seats are also char- be used for applications in the defence in- will act as the prime contractor for the pro- acterised by modern design that can be dustry. “Our aim was to create an illumina- gramme management with the end cus- custom-tailored in numerous details. tion solution that would allow the industry tomer and Airbus will be responsible for to complement laser data with crisp im- Patrol Boats for ages regardless of the vehicle speed or the (ck) Karachi Shipyards & Engineering depth of operations,” explained Chris Gil- Works have delivered two Damen STAN son, Product Development Manager for 2G PATROL 1605 FRP (Fibre Reinforced Poly- Robotics. “In order to do this, we needed a mer) patrol boats to the Pakistan Cus- product with ultra-bright, even illumination toms. The vessels were built by KS&EW

while also maintaining a consistent power Photo: Airbus Helicopters with technical and material support from draw. The NOVA brings these added values Damen. The entire project took eight to the market.” Each NOVA is produced months. The patrolling boats shall be with a custom LED orientation dependent used for monitoring and enforcement on the mounting configuration, enabling the final assembly and delivery of 16 NH90 activities in Pakistan’s territorial waters. users to capture evenly illuminated images TTH aircraft from its facility in Marignane, Damen supplied prefabricated mate- for specific applications. NOVA features while Leonardo will be responsible rial kits along with the hulls to KS&EW. a selectable limited charging rate for final assembly and delivery of the 12 Knowledge transfer was also an integral which eliminates power spikes and has a NH90 NFH helicopters from its Venice – maximum 90W continuous power draw. Tessera facility in Northern Italy. The NH90 is well suited for demanding operations and Berlin Police to Buy Red has been combat-proven in many theatres Photo: Damen Dot Sights worldwide. This contract for 28 helicopters (ck) The Berlin Police has contracted Aim- brings the total order book to 543 aircraft. point AB to supply 3800 CompM4 red dot To date, 350 aircraft have been delivered sights. The Berlin Police chose Aimpoint to 20 customers in 13 countries and have products because they want to increase the accumulated around 170,000 flight hours. speed and shooting precision of their police officers. The sights will be mounted primar- FLYWEIGHT Helicopter ily on H&K MP5 carbine. Aimpoint won the Seats from Autoflug part of the DTC programme; for this pro- contract in an open competition. Deliveries (ck) Autoflug, a manufacturer of seating ject KS&EW staff received training by will start later this year. “The CompM4 is systems for military helicopters, has devel- Damen’s experienced trainers. These are a very much appreciated product by the oped a lightweight, robust and extremely the first Damen vessels to be built for the operators for its reliability and ease of use,” safe helicopter seat called FLYWEIGHT. Pakistan Customs; however KS&EW and said Lennart Ljungfelt, President of Aim- FLYWEIGHT is a seat family which can be Damen have a long history of working point AB. CompM4 sights are in operation used as a basis to implement a wide variety together. This has resulted in the deliv- with many military organisations world- of modern cabin layouts in civilian helicop- ery of four Damen Stan Tug 1605s for wide and have become a standard product ters depending on the purpose, desired the Pakistan Navy and two more of the for NATO countries. It is a user-friendly and flight time and comfort level. "Right from same type to the Karachi Port Trust. The

4 European Security & Defence · April 2018 PREMIUM EYEWEAR

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delivery of the two SPa 1605 FRPs to the realism. A high-quality sensor simulation, Paramount Engineering (KPE), the Kazakh Pakistan Customs completes this order; a fully interactive tactical environment and joint venture of the , a however, the agency is considering an the latest geodata architecture characterise South African defence company. Recent expansion of their fleet in the future. the mission trainer in order to optimally pre- winter trials of BARYS with intensive factory pare the crews for deployment. The level-D Permament Eye in the Sky MQ-1C PREDATOR A simulator is a joint (ck) The French company Elistair has development of GA-ASI and its Canadian launched a new version of its tethered partner CAE, a leading provider of flight drone: ORION UAS is an automated system simulation technology. In the next months Photo: Paramount designed for semi-persistent aerial surveil- the level-D equivalent training simulator for lance and telecommunications needs. As a the MQ-9A PREDATOR B will be ready for permanent eye in the sky, ORION can com- acceptance. plete missions for law enforcement, private and public safety, national security, assets MBDA to Upgrade UK protection or emergency communications acceptance tests to optimise the weapon and crisis management. Designed for ex- (ck) The UK MoD has contracted MBDA to system, platform and turret, included day tended flight times, ORION is based on in- extend the service life of its BRIMSTONE and night firing; the BARYS 8x8 vehicle was dustrial components. It integrates Elistair's air-to-surface missiles beyond 2030 for equipped with a SHIPUNOV 2A42 30mm patented micro-tether system Safe-T which £400M. The new BRIMSTONE missiles automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine ensures a continuous power supply from will replenish the country’s inventory. The gun manufactured by Kazakhstan’s ‘KAE’, the ground. With its industrial motors and missiles will incorporate all upgrades that which manufactures electro-optic defence have taken place over recent years, includ- equipment. The trials were conducted at ing the Dual Mode SAL/millimetric wave a test polygon in central Kazakhstan. (mmW) seeker, enhanced autopilot, and The BARYS 8x8 is the winterised version of

Photo: Elistair the new insensitive munitions compliant Paramount’s MBOMBE 8 with a new form rocket motor and warhead. The upgrade of construction to increase protection while will also include a memory and process- minimising profile. The MBOMBE family of ing update to the in order to enable 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles share over 80% all of BRIMSTONE’s functionalities and to of common components to reduce through future-proof the missile. BRIMSTONE CSP life costs. The BARYS will be produced at multiple redundancies including autopilot will deliver the baseline hardware standard KPE’s 15,000m2 factory in Astana, the larg- sensors, motorisation, power distribution, that will be evolved through software en- est armoured vehicle factory in Central Asia. logical controls, and an emergency para- hancements which will result in a common The factory has a capacity of more than 200 chute system, ORION has been engineered stockpile of identical missiles for use on fast vehicles per year. to endure prolonged flight times and fierce winds. ORION’s gimbal stabilisation and Wireless Rechargeable crystal-clear imagery with low latencies Torch

and its X30 optical zoom can detect a mov- Photo: MBDA (gwh) At the IWA Show Peli presented the ing person over kilometres, which makes 7070R as Peli's first flashlight to offer wire- the system suitable for persistent aerial less USB charging and Bluetooth program- surveillance. ming. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can be charged using a wireless charger that Flight Simulator prevents water from entering into the flash- for PREDATOR light. Alternatively, two CR123 disposable (ck) The Italian Air Force has commissioned jets, and remotely piloted batteries can be used. The 7070R flashlight a new mission simulator for its unmanned aircraft systems (RPAS). The missile will be features a full-time battery level indicator, PREDATOR aircraft. It is the world's first carried by the Royal Air Force’s TYPHOON dual-switch design and high light output of level D simulator for unmanned aerial vehi- fighter aircraft and is expected to be carried up to 1,219 lumens. Dual switch technology cles. The simulator sets new training stand- by the RAF’s new PROTECTOR RPAS and allows the light to be activated either for- ards and makes it possible to completely the new APACHE attack helicopters. By us- ward (for general use) or backward (for tacti- dispense with training on the real system. ing BRIMSTONE across different platforms, cal use) by a switch. An intuitive Bluetooth The simulator increases the availability of the UK will receive logistical advantages application allows the user to programme the actual systems for use, which strength- and cost savings. up to five switching sequences with differ- ens the operational capability of the Italian ent light intensities and/or flashing modes. Air Force and increases cost efficiency. As New Kazakh 8x8 Combat a technically demanding innovation, level Vehicle D simulators must accurately simulate the (ck) The Ministry of Defence of Kazakhstan aircraft type. The data generated during is about to conclude the evaluation of the Photo: Peli the flight test were integrated into the syn- BARYS 8x8 combat vehicle ahead of accept- thetic training environment. The physical ance into service by the country’s armed environment corresponds to a real ground forces. BARYS is based on the MBOMBE control station to ensure a high degree of 8 IFV and is manufactured by Kazakhstan

6 European Security & Defence · April 2018 Upgraded Polaris DAGOR Vehicle (ULCV) configuration. New compo- In-Service Support (BAAINBw) commis- (ck) Polaris has upgraded its DAGOR off- nents include fuel or water canister holders sioned Rheinmetall to conduct a feasibil- roader with the introduction of the perfor- that can be mounted in several places with ity study on how the vibrations caused mance-enhanced DAGOR A1, which offers cargo box aircraft rails, HF antenna holders better mobility and operator functionality. and a tailgate that is aircraft rail compatible Customers include the U.S. , for storage options for the tailgate’s 227 kg the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, capacity. DAGOR offers high off-road ca- Canadian Special Operations Forces Com- pability, payload and transportability; it can mand (CANSOFCOM) and several European carry up to nine warfighters and their equip- Photo: Rheinmetall military and global armed forces. "DAGOR ment, which corresponds to a total payload A1 is our answer to the demand for more of up to 1,814 kg on the DAGOR A1. In- payload and mobility with an increase in creased ground clearance even at full pay- load provides better obstacle management and improves off-road capability. DAGOR A1 maintains air-drop, sling-load and inter- by the vehicle can be taken into account

Photo: Polaris nal air transportability on CH47 and CH53 in the scaffolding construction of the helicopters from the original ultralight vehicle MELLS. The results formed the basis for platform. an adapted congestion concept. As a highlight of the project, the launch of the MELLS Integrated with guided missiles from the fighting MARDER vehicle was successfully tested. The Bun- (gwh) Rheinmetall has integrated the deswehr ordered 44 MELLS kits, which overall carrying capacity of more than 20 modern Multi-Role Light Missile System were delivered at the end of 2017. Cur- percent," said Mark McCormick, Senior Di- (MELLS) into the MARDER 1A5 infantry rently 35 IFVs are equipped with MELLS rector of Polaris Government and Defence. fighting vehicle (IFV), replacing the MI- and investigations are underway to inte- DAGOR is a modular vehicle that enables LAN anti-tank missile, which has reached grate MELLS into the MARDER versions various deployment packages, including the end of its service life. At the end of 1A3 and 1A5A1. The wants Squad Carrier Configuration, Personnel Re- 2016, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr to keep up to 196 MARDER IFVs in service covery Kit or 's Ultra-Light Combat Equipment, Information Technology and for an extended period of time.

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Artillery Ammunition ian companies. ’s BOXER order for Australia will continue Rheinmetall's successful (gwh) A consortium of NIOA, Rheinmet- commitment in Australia. Since 2013, all Waffe Munition, Rheinmetall Rheinmetall's subsidiary RMMV has sup- Munition, Nitrochemie and Junghans plied a total of 2,500 military vehicles. Defence will supply the Australian armed With the SPz PUMA and the new LYNX, forces with various projectiles, fuses and Rheinmetall is competing for the Australi-

propellants from the Rheinmetall ASSE- an IFV. Australia will be the fourth BOXER Photo: Rolls Royce Power Systems GAI family under the Australian "Land user nation after Germany, the Nether- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has 17 Phase 1C.2 Future Artillery Munitions" lands and Lithuania. The order quantity awarded the Naval Vessel Rules (NVR) cer- programme. The first part of the qualifi- amounts to 927 vehicles in 11 variants. tificate to all engine variants of the 8000 cation quantity will be delivered this year; series. For each of the FTI ships, four 16V- the second part will follow in 2019. The Next Generation 8000 engines in a combined diesel and die- Australian MoD placed the order in late Airborne Radio sel propulsion system (CODAD) will provide 2017; the contract includes the delivery (gwh) Rohde & Schwarz is expanding its suc- the propulsion. With the CODAD drive, two of the qualification quantity and the in- cessful R&S M3AR aviation radio family with diesel engines are connected to each of the the R&S SDAR as a high-end instrument. two drive shafts. The propulsion system has The high data rate of the IP-based radio a total output of 32 MW and can accelerate gives its users information superiority in net- the up to 27 knots. The range of the worked operations with innovative wave- ships is up to 5,000 nautical miles. Delivery forms; it enables broadband, simultaneous of the engines will begin in late 2020 to be Photo: Rheinmetall voice and data transmission. The open sys- completed by 2027. tem architecture of the R&S SDAR, which is based on the international SCA standard, Safran under Contract means complete independence for govern- for LAKOTAs ment customers, who can independently (ck) The US Army has contracted Airbus develop, adapt and port waveforms includ- Helicopters to deliver a total of 51 UH-72A ing encryption. The military aviation radios LAKOTAs, for which Safran Electronics & put stock and has a value of €65M. After from Rohde & Schwarz meet military and Defense supplies critical avionics systems. successful qualification, a first five-year Since 2005 more than 423 LAKOTAs have delivery phase is started, with the option been equipped with Safran’s avionics pack- for additional five-year delivery phases. age consisting of the autopilot system, the The total value of the contract is in the three-digit million euro range. Photo: Rohde & Schwarz

BOXER for Australia Photo: Safran (gwh) Australia will opt for Rheinmetall's BOXER 8x8 (MRAV) armoured multi-pur- pose vehicle as part of its Land 400 Phase 2 modernisation programme. From 2019, 211 wheeled armoured vehicles worth civil avionics standards. The R&S SDAR thus more than €2Bn are to be delivered over offers platform manufacturers a significant a period of seven years. The reconnais- advantage in terms of the aircraft's civilian Attitude & Heading Reference System sance version of the all-wheel-drive BOX- certification capability. (AHRS) and a data acquisition unit. “We ER is equipped with a LANCE turret with are proud to be a part of the LAKOTA pro- a 30 mm gun using airburst technology. MTU 8000 Engines gramme and to partner with Airbus Heli- Non-lethal systems and anti-tank missiles for French Frigates copters to deliver on-cost and high-quality complete the armament. Rheinmetall (gwh) The French shipbuilder Naval Group avionics equipment, said Trice Smith, Presi- will work closely with Australian indus- has contracted Rolls-Royce Power Systems dent and CEO of Safran Electronics & De- try. Rheinmetall will produce the first 25 with the delivery of a total of 20 MTU Series fense. Last year, Safran earned the “Best vehicles in Germany; the remaining 186 8000 engines with 16 cylinders (Type 16V On-Target Quality Performance 2017” units will be produced and assembled in 8000 M91L), each with an output of 8,000 award from Airbus Helicopters for success- Australia in cooperation with 40 Austral- kilowatts. The engines are built and supplied fully delivering “first-time-right” units. by MTU Friedrichshafen in Germany. They will power five new FTI (Frégates de taille Australia to Test CAMCOPTER intermédiaire) frigates of the (ck) Schiebel has demonstrated the heavy from 2023. The 16V-8000 engine has a fuel variant of the CAMCOPTER S-100 low total cost of ownership and high power Unmanned Air System (UAS) as part of its Photo: Rheinmetall density and is environmentally friendly. The customer acceptance programme with the engine complies with the IMO Tier II and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Under the EPA Tier II emission guidelines and can also directive of the Navy Minor Project (NMP) meet other, more strict requirements. The 1942 to procure a vertical takeoff and land-

8 European Security & Defence · April 2018

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ing Maritime Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Thales Rockets for System – Interim Capability (MTUAS-IC), the TIGER Helicopters RAN has sought a platform for shipborne (gwh) Thales will equip the German and intelligence, surveillance and Spanish TIGER combat helicopters with un- (ISR). Selected for its capability profile, the guided 70 mm missiles. The TIGER can carry Photo: WFEL CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS completed its fly- launchers for 7 or 19 missiles under its stub self-supporting bridges (Dry Support Bridge, ing programme for the RAN verification cus- DSB) with a load-bearing capacity of 120 tomer acceptance programme at the Jervis tonnes, integrated on a HX 45M truck from Bay airfield facilities in New South Wales. Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV)

In a series of tests, the JP-5 (NATO F-44) Photo: Thales with five powered axles and protected cab. heavy fuel powered CAMCOPTER S-100, The DSB can be erected within 90 minutes by equipped with a Wescam MX-10S payload a team of eight to bridge trenches/water up and at ranges of up to 60 miles and altitudes to a width of 46 metres. The second bridge above 10,000 feet, delivered crisp imagery system supplied is the Medium Girder Bridge to commanders. RAN Contract Manager (MGB), which is assembled on site. With two Kevin Beare commented, “The heavy fuel wings. will procure 1,000 missiles for construction levels (two-storey) and reinforc- its TIGER HAD for the first time. Germany ing elements, the bridge can span 48 metres expands its stock by 10,000 training rockets. and with further pillars and clamping ele- These missiles are equipped with the modi- ments up to 76 metres. The load capacity fied rocket engine FZ90 Mod. 4. 70mm depends on the span and is between 20 Photo: Schiebel guided missiles have yet to be procured. tons (48 m) and MLC 70 (31 m). “The adop- tion of the DSB not only provides the ADF’s Rapidly Deployable Bridges Manoeuvre Commanders with the ability to for Australia cross significant wet or dry gaps quickly and variant of the S-100 has performed very (gwh) Bridge specialist WFEL, a subsidiary efficiently, it allows a level of inter-operability well during the validation and verification of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, has supplied with an ever-growing user base,” said Ian programme and the RAN looks forward to Australia's armed forces with the first rapidly Wilson, Chief Executive of WFEL. WFEL will utilising this platform to achieve NMP1942 deployable bridges as part of the Austral- complete final delivery of the bridges by Sep- project objectives over the coming years.” ian Land 115 programme. These include tember 2018.

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Gatekeepers and One-Way Gateways: Secure Gateways, Diodes and Security Labels for Secure Data Transmission within NATO

When NATO sends troops to conflict areas, effective and efficient communication is essential and the protection of confidential information must be guaranteed at all times.

Neither of these goals has so far been filtered using rules. To define such a set itisation means that enormous amounts achieved without restrictions. The German of rules, the structure of the information of data are collected every day," explains IT security specialist INFODAS GmbH has de- must be known in advance. The gateway Carsten Schulz. "The military and the au- veloped a product family called "Secure Do- uses the rules to check whether the infor- thorities must ensure that relevant informa- main Transition," which enables the secure mation is allowed through or not. If the tion is also available in sensitive, hermetically transfer of digital information across the data is not or only insuffi­ciently structured, sealed networks." boundaries of security domains and meets security labels are used. "Security labels INFODAS GmbH also offers a low-latency NATO requirements. contain the confidentiality of information solution for bidirectional data transmis- NATO's digitisation is progressing rapidly. - cryptographically protected against ma- sion: the Express version of the SDoT Se- This fact increases the need to protect secret­ nipulation," explains David Riehl, head of curity Gateway now enables the secure information from cyber attacks. One of the SDoT product development at INFODAS trans-mission of large amounts of data biggest challenges is the interconnection of GmbH. "The SDoT Labelling Service pro- with very low-latency. Sensor data or mis- differently classified networks processing duct generates classified and less sensitive data, in particular such security la- the interconnection of NATO mission net- bels. Every file, works and national networks of NATO part- whether e-mail, ners. The required separation makes com- text, image or munication within the multinational forces video, can be la- considerably more difficult. Until now, the belled. SDoT pro- Grafik: INFODAS GmbH only way to make information from secret ducts implement networks available in subordinate networks the NATO stan- was to manually verify the data via a so- dard for XML called "swivel chair interface": a slow, inef- security labels. ficient and above all, unsafe procedure. The use of these labels ensures in- Secure Communication bet- teroperability wi- ween Differently Classified th other alliance Networks partners. INFODAS GmbH INFODAS GmbH offers solutions to move data across "The military intelligence service needs is one of the pi- differently classified networks. the highest possible protection - but also oneers in the­ a flexible communication structure," ex- field of IT security for the military and other sile control commands coming from a ra- plains Carsten Schulz, Managing Director authorities. For over 40 years the company dar must be transmitted in real time. This of INFODAS GmbH. "This is only possible has been advising public institutions and ar- information is transmitted in rapid succes- with special gatekeeper systems that de- med forces on the implementation of legal sion in the form of so-called "telegrams." tect whether information originates from security requirements. For secure transfer between two domains a secret network, but is not per se confi- The company regularly demonstrates its a fast content check is necessary. The Ex- dential." With conventional firewalls, such improved products in military exercises, for press version of the SDoT Security Gate- a differentiation of content is not possible. instance during the NATO exercise CWIX. way is optimised for high-performance, However, the "SDoT Security Gateway" INFODAS will return to CWIX in 2018. low-latency testing and transmission of from INFODAS checks all data contents these telegrams. before transmission. If the data contains High-Speed Data Transfer SDoT Security Gateway, SDoT Labelling secret or particularly sensitive information, Service and the SDoT Diode are approved it is blocked by the gatekeeper and does As speed plays an important role in data by the German BSI up to GERMAN SE- not leave the higher classified domain. transmission, in addition to security, INFO- CRET and listed in the NATO Information How does the gateway distinguish bet- DAS GmbH also offers a network diode as a Assurance Product Catalogue. ween classified and unclassified informa- "one-way" gateway. With a data through- tion? Basically, there are two approaches. put of up to 9.1 GBit/s, the SDoT diode is INFODAS GmbH presents its SDoT prod- Structured data - e.g. XML files, but al- currently the fastest GERMAN SECRET ap- uct family at NITEC from May 22 to 24 so many military data formats - can be proved diode solution on the market. "Dig- in Berlin.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 11  SECURITY POLICY New Trends or Post-Soviet Heritage? Slovak Security Policy in 2018

Tomáš Čižik

Slovak society is struggling to can still be identified. This article analyses tion warfare, which are definitely new the state of Slovak security policy and future and atypical ways of warfare. Without cope with new security challenges. trends and possible developments as well as the adoption of the new strategic docu- Slovakia's role in the V4 region. ments and the development of counter- measures, the inability of Slovak politi- his year, Slovakia will also celebrate its A Changing Security cians to take the necessary measures will T14th anniversary of the NATO (March) Environment endanger not only the security of Slova- and EU (May) membership. However, in kia but also the security of our partners 2018, Slovakia is remembering many more Most Slovak politicians and experts recog- and allies. adversaries – the end of World I and nise the changes in the security environ- However, the new draft security strategy the establishment of the first Czechoslovak ment in Europe following the annexation reflects all major changes in the security republic in 1918, the Munich Agreement of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian environment, including hybrid and infor- of 1938, the of the Warsaw Pact Federation in March 2014. The aggressive mation warfare, and is also highly appre- in August 1968 and the Constitu- Russian policy is an immediate threat to the ciated by security experts in Slovakia and its allies. The inability of Slovak politicians to agree to the new strategic documents may be due to the nature of Slovak do- mestic policy and the different opinions of Slovak political parties on the country's Western orientation, which clearly dam- age Slovakia's image in the eyes of its partners and allies. Photos: Ministerstvo Obrany SR

The Slovak Security Strategy 2017 The draft of the Slovak Security Strategy (2017) "underlines the importance of Slo- vakia's active membership in international organisations, in particular in the (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which constitute the most important pillars of its security and natural space for the implementation of its In October 2017, Slovakia received its first C-27J SPARTAN aircraft. security policy". Paragraph 7 of the draft recognises that "the security environment tional Act on the Czechoslovak Federation security of Slovakia and its partners. On in which Slovakia has fulfilled its secu- in October 1968, the end of Mečiarism in the other hand, Slovak politicians were not rity interests has changed significantly. It 1998 and many more. able to reflect these changes in new Slo- [security environment] is changing rapidly Since the end of Mečiarism, Slovakia made vak strategy documents. So far, the Slovak and unpredictably, it is influenced by in- significant progress in terms of good gov- Parliament has still not approved the new ternal and external factors that are closely ernance, development of democratic institu- security or defence strategy, although the related[...]" tions and human rights. In foreign and se- Slovak Government adopted draft docu- In addition to traditional threats such curity policy, Slovakia has definitely become ments in October 2017. as terrorism, weapons of mass destruc- a Western-oriented country. In domestic Slovakia's security policy is based on stra- tion, rogue states and organised crime, politics, however, the "post-Soviet" heritage tegic documents from 2005, which are the draft Slovak security strategy also highly irrelevant in 2018. Slovakia is the reflects new threats - hybrid warfare, Author last country in the entire region without information and disinformation new strategic documents. In general, campaigns, cyber attacks, psychologi- Tomáš Čižik is Director of the strategic documents provide guidelines cal operations and paramilitary groups. Bratislava based think tank Centre for government actors on how to re- The draft recognises that conflicts in Eu- for European and North Atlantic spond to different situations and threats. no longer necessarily have to take Affairs (CENAA). Slovakia faces new security threats and the form of a "direct military conflict challenges such as hybrid and informa- between states," but that conflicts can

12 European Security & Defence · April 2018 SECURITY POLICY  take place in hybrid forms of fighting. Disinformation Campaigns 2004. According to the World Bank, Slovak The draft emphasises that hybrid war- defence spending amounted to around 1.7% fare "polarises society, creates insecu- In Slovakia, so-called "alternative media" of GDP in 2005; in 2010 it was only 1.27%. rity and thus undermines the legitimacy, use disinformation campaigns, conspira- In 2013, Slovak defence spending reached its trustworthiness and capacity of state in- cy theories and hoaxes to create chaos low point - 0.98%. Since Russian annexation stitutions and democratic order, which in the minds of citizens and undermine of Crimea in March 2014, Slovakia like other has a negative impact on the security their trust in democratic and European NATO member states promised to increase interests of the Slovak Republic." institutions. The most important plat- defence spending at the NATO-Wales Sum- The draft also confirms Slovakia's commit- form for the spread of disinformation mit. In 2017, Slovak defence spending rose ment to increase its defence spending to and conspiracies is social media. These to 1.19% of GDP and is expected to reach 1.6% of GDP by 2020 and to 2% of GDP alternative media often use anti-Western, 1.22% by 2018. The long-term underfund- in the near future (the 2% threshold is ex- anti-EU, anti-NATO and anti-US narra- ing of the means that pected to be reached in 2024). Overall, the tives in which they portray the West as most military equipment is obsolete and in draft Slovak Security Strategy can be con- corrupt and Russian-phobic and ruled poor condition and needs to be modernised, sidered to be of high quality as it openly by individuals who want to destroy our including jet fighters, armoured person- addresses the changes and challenges of traditional way of life and traditions. The nel carriers and military . In order to the new security environment for Slovakia. activities of these alternative media are achieve Wales' commitment to spend 1.6% clearly organised and coordinated as they of GDP on the military, it is necessary to in- Security Challenges use the same themes and tropes, such as clude modernisation expenditure in the Slo- for Slovakia the Brussels dictatorship, NGOs as Soros vak Republic's total defence expenditure. In and US agents, the EU as promoter of May 2017, the Slovak government approved Slovakia's biggest security threat is cer- homosexuality, NATO encircling Russia €1.2Bn for the purchase of 81 8x8 armoured tainly the Russian Federation and its and so on. vehicles and 404 4x4 multi-purpose vehicles. aggressive policy. Taking into account Slovakia's geographical location, its bor- der with Ukraine and its geopolitical ori- entation, the Russian annexation of the Crimean Peninsula has had a significant impact not only on the security of Slova- kia but of the whole of Europe. However, a direct military attack by the Russian Federation on Slovakia or other NATO member states is unlikely, but the Rus- sian hybrid and information war poses an immediate and direct threat to Slovakia and its partners and allies. Hybrid warfare can be defined as a com- bination of conventional and unconven- tional measures to exploit the opponent's In February 2017, the Czech and Slovak defence ministers signed a weaknesses to achieve an attacker's stra- treaty on mutual airspace protection thanks to which the air forces tegic goals. Hybrid warfare consists of of the two countries can guard their airspace together. If one of the information operations, psychological countries is unable to protect its airspace, the other will assist it. operations, cyber attacks and the use of Special Forces. Slovakia’s main problem In recent weeks, one of these stories has In February 2018, the Slovak Ministry of are information and psychological opera- also been used by Slovak Prime Minister Defence announced that Slovakia is con- tions that have a significant impact on Robert Fico and his party SMER-SD, who sidering acquiring either American F-16s public opinion on critical and sensitive is- argued that George Soros would organise or Swedish GRIPEN jet fighters in order to sues of Slovak foreign and security policy. and support protests against the govern- replace its Russian-made MiG-29s. Overall, Studies by Globsec (Globsec Trends 2017) ment to instigate a "Maidan" in Slovakia. Slovakia will spend about €6.5Bn by 2030 show that only 21% of Slovaks support This is quite dangerous, considering that to modernise its military. Slovakia's Western orientation, while 9% according to Globsec 52.2% of Slovaks In 2015, Slovakia signed an agreement of Slovaks support an Eastern orientation. believe that secret societies rule the world. with the United States Department of De- In the same study, 42% of Slovaks want- In addition, studies by the Centre for Euro- fence to acquire nine new UH-60M BLACK ed to belong "somewhere in between." pean and North Atlantic Affairs (CENAA) HAWK helicopters. Two of them were de- Of seven countries (Hungary, the Czech show that almost 70% of the young gen- livered to Slovakia in June 2017; two BLACK Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ro- eration use Facebook as primary source of HAWKs are due to be supplied in 2018 and mania and Slovakia), Slovak support for information, making them the most vul- another five in 2019. In October 2017, Slova- Western orientation is the lowest. Sup- nerable group in Slovakia. Due to a lack of kia received its first C-27J SPARTAN aircraft. port for NATO membership among the critical thinking and improper education, The other one is expected to be delivered in Slovaks is also the lowest of these sev- they are unable to verify the information 2018. It is necessary to state that without ex- en countries. According to Globsec re- they have read. tensive spending on modernising the Slovak search, 56% of Slovaks "agree, rather or Another challenge for Slovakia's security is military, it will be almost impossible to reach completely, that membership of NATO is low defence spending. Slovakia's defence the 2% goal of defence spending by 2024. important for their security." spending has declined since joining NATO in Another challenge to Slovak security is the

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 13  SECURITY POLICY

new transatlantic relationship, because the sions. Slovakia is committed to contribut- vakia, but without cooperation at interna- Trump government has decided to pursue ing to NATO's reinforced presence in the tional, regional and national levels, it will be a more isolationist foreign policy than its Baltic States, where Slovakia will deploy impossible to achieve much. predecessors. Such a policy has logically 152 soldiers in June 2018, while two troop Last but not least, Slovak politicians are created uncertainty among European coun- changes are under consideration. Slovakia struggling to openly formulate Slovakia's tries which have decided to strengthen the is also part of the fight against the Islamic strategic interests in the area of foreign and European Union's defence capabilities by state in Iraq, where 47 Slovak military ad- security policy. This would definitely help creating the Permanent Structured Coop- visors are training Iraqi military personnel. anchor Slovakia in the transatlantic struc- eration Initiative (PESCO). PESCO aims to Slovakia is also fulfilling its commitment to tures and it would send a clear message improve and strengthen cooperation with increase military spending, is acquiring mili- to its partners and allies that Slovakia takes the military forces of the EU Member States. tary hardware that is interoperable with its its commitments seriously. It would also Slovakia has joined PESCO with other 23 EU NATO partners and reduces dependence help to dispel the doubts of Slovak citizens Member States, but will not compete with on Russian spare parts. about Slovakia's Western orientation. Politi- NATO. Slovakia's decision to join PESCO also However, Slovakia, like other EU and NATO cians have sufficient media attention and represents Slovakia's aspiration to belong to member states, does not take the threat of thus, the opportunity to explain in detail the "core of ." hybrid and information wars seriously. In every decision taken in the area of foreign Visegrad cooperation has strengthened the long term, information wars and disin- and security policy and thus, make it more the voice of the small V4 countries in the formation campaigns can dissolve societies difficult for alternative media to misuse in- European Union and NATO, but the con- across Europe. Studies show that support formation for their purposes. frontational politics of Hungary and Poland for democracy is declining and support As mentioned in the introduction, Slova- against the EU and their slow but steady for totalitarian regimes is increasing. Dis- kia celebrated its 25th anniversary of in- move towards illiberalism could have a sig- information campaigns will reinforce and dependence in 2018. Slovakia is a young nificant impact on Slovakia's future coop- accelerate this negative trend. Compared democracy that has overcome difficult eration with these two countries. to the Russian Federation, EU and NATO times during the reign of Mečiar and is fac- initiatives dealing with disinformation are ing new challenges. Slovakia has demon- Conclusion understaffed, underfunded and unorgan- strated its ability to take drastic measures to ised. In the case of Slovakia, the Foreign achieve its strategic objectives and there To sum up, Slovakia's foreign and secu- Ministry Stratcom team consists of three is no doubt that Slovakia's commitments rity policy is clearly pro-Western. Slovakia people who will do everything to minimise can be taken seriously and that it is a reli- is actively involved in EU and NATO mis- the influence of Russian propaganda in Slo- able partner. 

EXHIBITION OF DEFENCE ENGINEERING SLOVAK REPUBLIC

16. - 18. 5. 2018 www.ideb.sk Viewpoint from Berlin

New Government, Old Problems

Wolfgang Labuhn

ecurity and defence are not top priorities of the renewed coali- problems, and severe understaffing - despite of all attempts of De- Stion government in Berlin. The government programme signed fence Minister Ursula von der Leyen to turn around procurement, by Christian Democrats and Social Democrats deals at length with- recruitment, and defence spending after many years of downsizing social and economical issues, digitisation, housing, social cohesion, the Bundeswehr. Even the Chief of Staff, General Volker Wieker, and of course with all the problems caused by the influx of refugees admitted “capability gaps” which will take ten years to close al- and migrants. though all NATO commitments including leading the Very High Europe, too, ranges high on the agenda whereas “Germany’s re- Readiness Joint Task Force again in 2019 would be fulfilled. Within sponsibility for worldwide , freedom and security” is only NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence programme along its Eastern outlined towards the end of the voluminous document. The Bun- European borders, Germany is leading a multinational de- deswehr, Germany’s armed forces, is described as “guarantor” of ployed in Lithuania. According to Defence Minister von der Leyen, Germany’s security and promised “the best possible equipment.” Germany is also prepared to accept more responsibility for its own But increased defence spending will now be subject to precondi- security and defence capabilities as well as the continued support tions. When Chancellor Angela Merkel explained the priorities of for international peacekeeping missions. Despite all equipment and her fourth term in office she stressed that there cannot and should personnel shortages, one of the first decisions of the newly formed not be any repetition of the sort of exceptional situation posed by Berlin government has been to extend the deployment of large the wave of refugees in 2015 and 2016. She called for more sup- numbers of armed German troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and in port for the World Food Programme and the UNHCR to stop migra- the Mediterranean. Germany will also continue its participation in a tion by means of more local assistance. Safeguarding Germany’s number of other United Nations peacekeeping missions albeit with security interests with armed forces as part of the NATO alliance is far fewer troops. In Iraq the Bundeswehr has been training Kurdish now considered to be but one element of a more comprehensive Peshmerga forces to fight against IS terrorists. As the IS has been approach to define security. Angela Merkel declared that Germany largely forced back in Northern Iraq, the German training mission needs operational forces with modern equipment, and Christian will be ended and replaced by a new mission across Iraq to provide Democrats and Social Democrats in Mrs. Merkel’s coalition gov- training for security forces and advisory services. This mission is ernment are certainly committed to spend more on defence than considered to support the international anti-IS coalition “Inherent previously planned. But any additional funds are to be met by Resolve” which Germany also supports with mid-air refuelling and exactly the same amount for foreign aid until the OECD’s official TORNADO reconnaissance aircraft. Germany provides crews for development assistance target of 0.7 percent GDP is reached by NATO’s AWACS aircraft, too. In Afghanistan, the number of Ger- Germany. As additional spendings on this “comprehensive secu- man troops to be part of the NATO-led “Resolute Support” mission rity” will only amount to €2Bn from 2018 until 2021, the annual in- is to be raised from currently 980 to up to 1,300 soldiers. They will crease of the German defence budget will be a mere €250M. Total continue to train, advise and support the Afghan National Defence defence spending is to be increased to €42.4Bn by 2021. However, and Security Forces. In Mali, the ceiling on German troops to be Germany’s economic growth projects that defence budget would part of the MINUSMA stabilising mission will be raised to 1,100 amount to just 1.15 percent of GDP – less than now and a far cry troops. Up to 650 German soldiers will continue to be part of the from the 2 percent target agreed by all NATO members. Thus, Ger- NATO-led “Operation Sea Guardian”. But critics have warned not many’s customary defence problems remain unsolved. In his most to overstretch the Bundeswehr before it has increased in size again, recent report, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the German and received more modern equipment. And whether all these Ger- Armed Forces doubted the combat readiness of the Bundeswehr man efforts are sufficient to placate US President Donald Trump is due to a considerable lack of modern equipment, maintenance a different matter altogether.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 15  SECURITY POLICY Can CEFTA Be the Lifeboat for Georgia and Ukraine's EU Membership?

Beka Kiria and Gunther Fehlinger

Brussels has serious reservations as regards the Russian influence on ervations as regards the Russian influence on Yerevan, Baku and Minsk. It confronts the Yerevan, Baku and Minsk. The EU must choose between values and EU with a complex issue and challenges it to geopolitics as a basis for decision-making. choose between values and geopolitics as a basis for decision-making. A firmer stance on values would disconcert Yerevan, Baku and Minsk officials and make it more attrac- he EU's initiative to develop relations with In a nutshell, DCFTA gives Georgia, tive for them to focus their foreign policy TGeorgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Ar- and Ukraine access to the European Single on Russia. menia and has led to the estab- Market and allows EU investors to enjoy the There are now positive and progressive steps lishment of the (EaP) same regulatory environment in the associ- towards the EU in these countries. Platform - a framework aimed at creating a ated country as in the EU. In the case of One possible solution would be to maintain venue for discussions on visa arrangements, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus, the EU is the EaP initiative for those countries that are interested in closer cooperation with the EU, but whose domestic reforms and foreign policy are constantly being adapted to Moscow's . Such an approach would allay Russia's concerns about the EaP initiative. Meanwhile, the dialogue between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries Photo: European Parliament would remain alive and active. For example, the Eastern Partnership as a primary and Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) as a secondary agree- ment would bridge the gap between the EU's values and geo-strategic interests. CEFTA would be a pool of non-EU success- ful countries whose EU accession prospects have not yet been decided upon (7 existing member states plus Georgia and Ukraine). In addition, such agreements will release much greater economic benefits from coop- Is Ukraine's membership in CEFTA a first step towards EU accession? eration between developing and transition countries under CEFTA, rather than trying to free trade agreements, economic strategy holding one-on-one talks on various options find ways of working together as EaP mem- and strategic partnership agreements. The for mutual trade, investment protection and bers at different speeds. trade policy dimension of EaP covers trade compliance with trade-related international As far as trade is concerned, Eastern Part- between the EU and its Eastern European standards, including the modernisation of nership countries joining CEFTA would have partners and trade between these neigh- economies and the improvement of intel- greater trade potential and economic ben- bouring countries as well. However, among lectual property legislation. efits, thus gaining more opportunities to the EaP countries only Georgia, Moldova However, despite the promising trade-relat- strengthen their economies. CEFTA could and Ukraine are signatories of an associa- ed dialogue with these countries and their thus become a road towards EU member- tion agreement with the European Union, potential for reform, the Eastern Partnership ship. which stipulates the creation of deep and policy aims to ensure respect for human comprehensive free trade areas (DCFTA). rights, the rule of law, good governance The Case of Georgia and and democracy. The lack of adaptation of Ukraine Authors Azerbaijan, Armenia and Belarus to the ob- jectives of the Eastern Partnership poses a In the case of Georgia and Ukraine, the de- Beka Kiria is Director of the Gagra serious dilemma for the EU. bate on the next step of EU integration is in Institute, an independent policy think On the one hand, the EU must decide full swing. When it comes to the issue of EU tank based in Tbilisi, Georgia. whether the integration of these countries enlargement, member states are divided in Gunther Fehlinger is President of in European processes is more important their opinions as the process of enlargement Europeans for Tax Reform (ETR). than values and compliance with standards. is perceived as challenging for the EU's elites On the other hand, Brussels has serious res- and voters. For Georgia and Ukraine, it is

16 European Security & Defence · April 2018 SECURITY POLICY  both appropriate and pragmatic to follow the successful path of the countries of Cen- tral Europe towards EU integration. Currently, Georgia and Ukraine are in a similar situation as the six EU candidate and potential candidate countries from South Eastern Europe.

Together, they must all stand in line as they Photo: Wiki CC reform at home and convince EU member Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA): dark blue: states of the benefits of enlarged member- current members; light blue: former members who joined the EU. ship. The model of the "EU queue" has its list of priority countries, depending on the CEFTA – A Running Bicycle lifeboat for EU accession. There is there- progress of reforms at home. In fore a legitimate question: why do Geor- terms, the decision on progress towards EU Historically, the Central European Free Trade gia and Ukraine not follow Moldova and membership will be based on the achieve- Agreement (CEFTA) played a very positive join CEFTA? To date, CEFTA membership ment of concrete milestones and success in and important role for the Central European has successfully reduced the concern of EU the reform process. countries on their way to EU integration. As candidate countries not to be recognised It will be a very similar path as the Nordic, early as 1992, Poland, Czechoslovakia and by all EU member states. Baltic, Benelux and Visegrad countries have Hungary established CEFTA as a preparatory taken, based on the "reform and pass" logic. instrument for final EU membership. Since Trade and Economic Benefits Under the European Treaty, all European the countries have joined the EU, they have countries are entitled to apply for EU mem- left CEFTA, while other countries intending The Western countries are seeking bership if they have met the Copenhagen to join the EU have joined CEFTA. Slovenia, to integrate their economies into the Re- criteria for democracy, the rule of law and , Bulgaria, and Croatia all joined gional Economic Area agreed at the Trieste a market economy. However, the question CEFTA and left when they got “upgraded” Summit in July 2017. Discussions are current- arises as to how a country can join the EU to full EU membership. ly underway on the establishment of a cus- most effectively. At present, CEFTA has seven members - Al- toms union between the Balkan six. Against In the case of Georgia as a successful EaP bania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, , Mac- this backdrop, Georgia and Ukraine's future country, which has been positively acknowl- edonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia membership would bring to CEFTA a huge edged by the EU for its progressive steps, - all of whom joined in 2006-2007. Mem- market, Ukraine's natural resources and particularly its participation in the prepara- bership in CEFTA requires membership in technological capabilities, as well as Geor- tion of proposals for the working document the World Trade Organisation (WTO), an gia's impressive reform experience, to the "Eastern Partnership - 20 results for 2020," Association Agreement with the EU and a benefit of all participating states. This would there are still a number of milestones to be Free Trade Agreement with current CEFTA allow CEFTA members to build a prosperous reached. members. It facilitates trade between these market, including the countries of South- The country still needs to show tangible countries and prepares them for EU acces- Eastern and Eastern Europe, and to acceler- progress in the democratisation process, sion. ate the pace towards EU accession. human rights and, in particular, good gov- Instead of trying to develop a new Eastern Rather than thinking about setting up an ernance, including public administration re- Partnership Free Trade Agreement (EPFTA), EPFTA, the fastest way for Georgia and form, which began in mid-2017 with a six- Ukraine and Georgia should rather join an Ukraine would be to join the already existing month delay. Given that Georgia is facing a already functioning and successful model – CEFTA (a running bicycle), a successful free de facto paralysing annexation of its territory CEFTA. To be specific, EPFTA with Armenia, trade agreement with a track record by Russia, its further membership in CEFTA Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and of progress made by eight former members would bring Tbilisi closer to the EU. Ukraine could have a limited scope of func- who have become full EU member states. In the case of Ukraine, we have seen an tionality since Azerbaijan and Belarus are not When the other EaP countries meet the cri- effective and rapid implementation of the members of the WTO, unlikely to join for teria for CEFTA membership, they could also Free-Trade Area Agreement, which shows many years. join the pool of EU candidates and enjoy a clear path for Ukraine's political associa- As far as Armenia is concerned, the long- significant economic benefits before they tion and economic integration with the EU. running and exhaustive conflict with Azer- acquire EU membership. The accession of In addition, Ukraine continued to carry out baijan put an end to Yerevan's WTO mem- Georgia and Ukraine to CEFTA as a success- structural reforms and generated positive bership. Moreover, Armenia and Belarus are ful European free trade area could trigger trends in the economic and social sectors also members of the Eurasian Economic Un- active geopolitical changes in the enlarged despite strong internal and external chal- ion founded by Russia, which prevents them Eastern Partnership and encourage Belarus, lenges. However, considerable efforts are from participating in free trade agreements Armenia and Azerbaijan to reorient their still needed to implement the anti-corrup- with the EU. From a technical point of view, foreign policy. tion efforts. Taking into account Russia's only three countries - Georgia, Moldova and Finally, an enlarged CEFTA would signifi- hostility to Ukraine and the annexation Ukraine - qualify for further rapprochement cantly improve the economies of all mem- of the Crimea, which goes hand in hand with the EU, thanks to their membership of ber states and facilitate the EU accession with the post-Maidan crisis, Kiev's pro- the WTO and their association agreements process. CEFTA could be the next important gress towards accession to the EU must be with the EU. building block for further EU integration of underpinned and consolidated. Ukraine's In the wake of the illiberalist forces Georgia, Ukraine and other EaP countries. application for CEFTA membership is pro- throughout Europe and the increasing Its enlargement has a strong potential to posed as the next step on the road to EU hostility of Russia, Moldova's foreign change old geopolitical decisions in the membership. policy was successful in using CEFTA as a wake of the illiberalist order. 

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 17

Viewpoint from Athens

Political and Social Tensions in

Dimitrios Angelopoulos

The Greek people, who have suffered from the forced auster- "Dangerous incidents like this, which endanger human lives, ity measures and enormous unemployment over the last eight are the result of Turkey's escalating and provocative behaviour years, are in complete despair. in recent days," the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement. At the same time, the Greek public is certain that the EU is not Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on 14 February, adding showing solidarity with Greece in the recently escalated Turkish that the Aegean Sea should be a "friendship" between the two provocation and aggression against the sovereignty of Imia, countries. In an interview with the media Yılıdırım said: "We the contested islands in the Aegean, and in the dispute over have told Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that it is better to Macedonia's name. avoid tensions in relations between the two countries." His com- Greece's current EU rescue programme, the third since 2010, ments came the day after he and Tsipras spoke on the phone ends in August, and the left-wing government has cut pen- and discussed recent developments in the Aegean. sions, increased taxes and implemented unpopular reforms to Last month, the Turkish coast guard prevented the Greek De- meet the targets. Greece is ready to set off on its own initia- fence Minister from approaching these Greek islands to lay a tive without support, while it wants the "cleanest" exit from wreath there. the financial assistance programme when it ends this summer, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg calls for a de-escalation Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos recently said. of tensions in the Aegean. NATO and Washington fear a pos- The Greek government says that the country has turned around, sible Aegean incident between the two NATO allies that could but that is not the experience of the little guy on Main Street. destabilise the Alliance's south-east wing. People can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. A war between Greece and Turkey is unlikely under present Athens, like most urban centres, has been hit hardest by a crisis circumstances, but the possibility of such an incident must be in which the country's economic performance has fallen by a taken seriously. In an extensive interview with Greek SKAI televi- devastating 26%. Various social researchers have found that sion, US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said he feared a "terrible about 20% of the population earn below the extreme poverty incident" between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, where line. In 2009 it was no more than 2.2%. According to the Bank "deadly, complicated military systems" are facing each other. of Greece, the net wealth of Greek households fell by a steep On 5 March, a Turkish court rejected an application for the release 40% over the same period. Unemployment, the most damaging of two Greek soldiers arrested "after crossing the Turkish bor- effect of the austerity measures, is around 22% and is by far the der." Also on 5 March, the lawyers formally requested their release highest in the EU despite a decline of 5% in the last two years. from custody. A Turkish court arrested the two Greek soldiers on Tensions between Greece and Turkey have intensified in the 2 March after they illegally entered Turkey, while a potential es- eastern Aegean after a Turkish coastguard rammed a pionage scenario is being investigated, risking a renewed flare-up Greek coastguard ship into Greek territorial waters. According of tension between Ankara and Athens. The court in the north- to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, Turkey is systematically western province of Edirne ordered the two Greeks to be charged violating international law and crossing the red lines. Greece with "attempted military espionage" and "entry into a forbidden complained to Turkey that a Turkish ship carried out "risky ma- military area," the state agency Anadolu reported. The Greek Army noeuvres" by the Greek coast guard who patrolled the con- said the two soldiers got lost in bad weather when they patrolled tested islands in the Aegean, but Turkey denied that the Turkish the area around the Evros River that separates the two countries. ship was at fault. The soldiers also said they got lost because of the weather.The

18 European Security & Defence · April 2018

SECURITY POLICY 

pute over the official name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Shouting "Hands off Macedonia" and "Macedonia Photos: via Author belongs to Greece," the demonstrators gathered at Syntagma Square in front of the Greek Parliament. A potential deal with the United States to upgrade dozens of Greek F-16 fighter aircraft should not affect fiscal progress and should not worry EU lenders, a Greek government spokesman said. "The deal is not expected to affect the country's progress on fiscal targets or budget balance," spokesman Dimitris Tzana- kopoulos told reporters. Greece has about 160 F-16 fighter planes. Any deal would in- volve upgrading about 85 to 95, he added. The upgrade is not expected to cost more than €1.1Bn (US$1.3Bn), a sum that would be paid in annual instalments of approximately €110M over a decade. "It is the cheapest and most suitable solution to improve our air defence," he said, adding that Athens has paid tens of billions of euros over the past decades to buy such jets. The Greek daily Kathimerini recently reported that the Greek government will start talks with France on the procurement of two FREMM frigates. Contacts between Greece and France will initially be established at the military level, and from February the newspaper explains, citing well-informed sources. Accord- ing to Kathimerini, this step follows an oral agreement between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and French President Emmanuel Makron during his last visit to Athens last September. If an agreement on the frigates cannot be reached because of their More than 100,000 Greeks gathered to protest cost, the discussion will probably pass to the Gowind . against the use of "Macedonia" in the name of the Political tensions between government and opposition are increas- former Yugoslav republic, saying it implied a territo- ing. On 22 February 2018, Greek MPs approved a special parlia- rial claim on Greece. mentary investigation into the alleged consequences of a bribery scandal with the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis involving Macedonian name dispute is a political dispute over the use ten former high-ranking officials of the main opposition parties of the name "Macedonia" between Greece and the former New Democracy and PASOK, including two former prime minis- Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a region within Yugoslavia. ters. The allegations of corruption and bribery extend over a dec- The background is a complex dispute and armed conflict from ade from 2006 to 2015 before the current government took office. the early 20th century, which was part of the background of New Democracy, the main opposition party, has decided to the Balkan Wars. postpone for a few days, its proposal to form a committee of Greece says that the name “Macedonia” implies a territorial inquiry to investigate the role of Defence Minister Panos Kam- claim to its own northern region of that name. The two coun- manos in a recent failed deal to sell ammunition to Saudi Arabia. tries agreed this month to renew efforts to resolve the 25-year Turkey's provocations in the Aegean and developments in the dispute that has blocked attempts by the former Yugoslav Re- Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus (EEZ), relations between the public, NATO and the European Union to join. EU and Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Athens and Skopje will hold a new round of talks with a United Greece's relations with Albania were at the centre of the meet- Nations mediator. The Greek side also seems to be open to new ings Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras held on the sidelines of the discussions. Greece opposes this official name, which in Greek informal meeting of the 27 EU Heads of State and Government opinion gives false impressions of the history and heritage of in Brussels on 22 March 2018. old Macedonia and poses the danger of future irredentist claims However, despite the diplomatic efforts of the Greek Govern- against its own northern region of Macedonia. ment, there is no guarantee that, if push came to shove, the The majority of the Greek people reject the use of the name Greek people would show the same patience towards the EU “Macedonia.” Hundreds of thousands joined the Macedonian and any European country that repeatedly deviates from EU name protest in Athens and . The demonstrators solidarity standards in the face of challenges such as the Turkish are against any compromise by Greece in the long-standing dis- provocations and the Macedonia naming dispute.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 19  SECURITY POLICY In Limbo: Russia's Policy in the Nagorniy Karabakh Conflict

Gayane Novikova

The Nagorniy Karabakh conflict erupted in the last years of the . Soviet authorities were unable to prevent its transformation into an overt military conflict.

"The strengthening of Russia is taking place against a backdrop of new threats to na- tional security that are of a multifarious and interconnected nature[...] The West's stance aimed at countering integration processes and creating seats of tension in the Eurasian region is exerting a negative influence on

Photo: The President of Armenia the realisation of Russian national interests." Owing to the quickly shrinking spheres of cooperation between Russia and the West, the preservation of a certain level of coop- eration is of a great importance for both sides. The OSCE MG can be viewed as such a platform. On the one hand, a consensus among the mediators in the NK conflict set- tlement was confirmed in the most recent (Nov 2016) Russian Foreign Policy Con- The Nagorniy Karabakh conflict began in 1988 and escalated into a cept: "Russia strongly advocates a political full-scale war in the early 1990s. and diplomatic settlement of conflicts in the post-Soviet space, specifically, Russia A Few Introductory Remarks the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia has become works[...] to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh (and it has been viewed as) the most active conflict by working together with the other Russia's involvement in the Nagorniy Kara- external actor in the NK conflict settlement States that are co-chairs in the Minsk Group bakh (NK) conflict dates back to the very last process. of the Organisation for Security and Coop- years of the Soviet Union, when this conflict However, these three dimensions, combined eration in Europe (OSCE) and basing on erupted on the territory of then-Soviet Azer- with various geopolitical challenges, signifi- principles set forth in joint statements by baijan. The central authorities of the Soviet cantly complicate Russia's interaction with the the Presidents of Russia, the United States Union were unable and unwilling to prevent direct parties to the NK conflict. Russia tries of America, and the French Republic in its transformation into an overt military to preserve political and military balances be- 2009-2013." On the other hand, Russia's conflict between the Azerbaijani authori- tween Armenia and Azerbaijan, to prevent a presence in the South is consid- ties and the ethnic Armenians living in the new full-scale war between these two states, ered by its Western counter-partners as Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region of to avoid its own direct military participation in important owing to the fact that Russia has Soviet Azerbaijan. Soviet Armenia became the conflict, and to continue cooperation with been involved in the settlement of the NK an indirect party to this conflict, providing the US and France (that also represents the conflict from its outbreak in the late 1980s full support to its fellow Armenians. A proc- EU) within the format of the OSCE MG. Any and beginning 1990s. Russia significantly lamation of independence by Armenia, Na- miscalculation can cause a significant diminu- contributed to the only ceasefire agreement gorniy Karabakh, and Azerbaijan in autumn tion of its role in Eurasia; Russia also cannot signed by all three parties to the conflict - of 1991, and the following three-year war, endanger its national security by taking sides the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, Armenia transformed this conflict into an internation- or obviously shifting its position regarding the and Azerbaijan - in May, 1994. al one. As a strategic ally of Armenia, a stra- settlement of this conflict. In the meantime, the mediators silently tegic partner of Azerbaijan, and co-chair of agreed to establish another mediation Russia's Approach track under the aegis - and with direct par- Author ticipation - of Russian Presidents (first, D. Russia has defined itself in global politics as Medvedev in 2008-2012, and, since 2012, Dr. Gayane Novikova is the founder a "self-standing great power with global V. Putin). In this dimension Russian diplo- and current Director of the Center for reach" that operates in the rapidly chang- macy had two important contributions. It Strategic Analysis, (Spectrum) in Yere- ing and less friendly international environ- brokered the verbal ceasefire agreement van, Armenia. ment. According to Russia's National Secu- that ended the four-day April war in 2016. rity Strategy adopted in December 2015: Later, at the presidential meeting in St. Pe-

20 European Security & Defence · April 2018 SECURITY POLICY  tersburg in June, 2016, the parties to the that have been approved by all parties, but conflict agreed on measures aimed at stabi- the devil is in the details. If the parties agree

lising the situation in the conflict zone: The on what the solution should be, it is im- Photo: OSCE number of staff of the Office of the OSCE portant, at different stages, to coordinate a Secretary General Personal Representative number of very complex details affecting is- should be increased in order to involve ad- sues that are highly sensitive for each party, ditional international observers in the area including domestic political issues." of the conflict. The distinction between the Armenian and Azerbaijani positions should Strategic Partner vs. Strategic be emphasised clearly: For several years the Ally: Trapped in Between? Armenian side has been insisting on intro- ducing additional security measures along Russia's position as one of the leading ex- the Line of Contact for monitoring a cease- ternal actors in the NK conflict is quite com- fire and to investigate violations, while the plicated: Obliged to be nonpartisan in the At a OSCE Council meeting in Vienna, Azerbaijani side, considering these meas- implementation of its mission as a mediator, Ambassador James Warlick (right), ures unnecessary, has been bluntly rejecting Russia has special – and in many ways inter- representing­ the three Co-Chairs of any changes. nally conflicting – ties and relationships with the Minsk Group, and the Personal Russian diplomatic activity has provoked Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia's differenti- Representative of the Chairperson- speculations about the so-called Lavrov ated approach to Azerbaijan as a strategic in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Plan, the very existence of which was de- partner, and to Armenia, as a strategic ally Kasprzyk, informed the OSCE-partic- nied on many occasions by the Minister became more structured during Vladimir ipating states about recent devel- of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Rumourhas it Putin's second tenure. opments in the Nagorno-Karabakh that Armenian forces would withdraw from There are several factors which define Rus- conflict, 5 April 2016. some territories around Nagorniy Karabakh sia's policy in managing its relationships in exchange for its postponed status. In the with these two South Caucasus states. In 80%.) Among them are multiple rocket course of his press conference on 15 Janu- the context of this analysis, the most im- launchers TOS-1 SOLNTSEPYOK, SMERCH ary 2018, Sergey Lavrov once again clarified portant are military, economic, and geo- MRL, and anti-tank systems. Azer- the Russian position in the NK conflict: "The political aspects. baijan used them for the first time in the Russian Federation cannot have any con- April 2016 war against the non-recognised crete plans to solve this problem because Russia's Relations with Republic of Arthsakh. it can only be solved by the parties them- Azerbaijan Against the background of US and EU sanc- selves. Russia, along with the United States tions, arms exports will remain one of the and France as the three OSCE Minsk Group In Russia's relations with Azerbaijan, a major sources for Russia's budget replen- co-chairs, is doing its best to create condi- pragmatism began to prevail based on ishment. Therefore, it will try to reach a tions for this settlement. … This problem the intention to minimise the possibility of new agreement with Azerbaijan regarding cannot be solved once and for all by just Azerbaijan's transformation into an alter- weapons and military equipment supplies. one document. We need a stage-by-stage native supplier of energy resources to the However, according to an Azerbaijani ana- approach reflecting an understanding with West bypassing Russia. A desire to develop lyst, there is no indication that Baku is going regard to what is possible now and defining a strong partnership and broad coopera- to maintain the same level of cooperation the ways of working on matters that re- tion has required more caution from Russia with Moscow in the defence sector: Oil quire additional discussions in the interests when dealing with Azerbaijan. revenues continue to allow Azerbaijan to diversify weapons suppliers. The economic ties between these two states are also significant: Russian direct investments in the Azerbaijani economy reached US$3.7Bn in 2017. In the same year Azerbaijani investments in the Russian

Photo: US Embassy Baku economy were over US$1Bn. A further in- crease can be expected.

Russia's Relations with Armenia

On 20 June 2016, Russian President Putin met with Serzh Sargsyan, Russia's relations with Armenia are also President of Armenia, and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, complicated. Because this state was per- to discuss the NK conflict. ceived by Russia a priori as a partner and friendly country (and Armenia has been and of achieving a final settlement, including Further developments in the Russian-Azer- still is positioning itself as such), the Arme- that of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh." baijani bilateral relationship were marked, nian-Russian relationship was considered In the meantime, Lavrov was the first to add first of all, by an increase of supplies of Rus- by the Russian political establishment as a new aspect into the conflict settlement, sian offensive weapons to Azerbaijan on taken for granted. Russia did not undertake pointing out internal processes in the states, the basis of the intergovernmental agree- special efforts to establish a strategic part- directly involved in the confrontation: "Nat- ment signed in 2010. (Russian share in to- nership; rather, it preferred to impose the urally, there is a general array of principles tal arms purchases of Azerbaijan is about conditions for bilateral cooperation.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 21  SECURITY POLICY

The defence and security domain is of high 2008 index. The US and the EU sanctions tacks on Armenian territory. A facilitation of importance for Armenia due to its direct imposed on Russia directly affect the eco- the oral ceasefire agreement by Russia did military confrontation with Azerbaijan and nomic situation in Armenia. The reduction not constrain the latter from implementing the hostile political-diplomatic relationships of Russian investments (together with a de- its "business" plans to provide weapons to with Turkey. Therefore, in Armenian society crease in remittances from labour migrants both parties to the conflict. at large, Russia has been widely viewed as in Russia) contributed to an increase of pov- The April war stimulated the growth of mis- a guarantor of Armenian defence and se- erty throughout the country. trust in Armenian society to the extent that curity (together with the Armenian Army). the Armenian ruling elite has been forced to As a strategic ally of Russia and as a member Geopolitical Deadlock or reconsider the state's subordinate status in of the Russian-led CSTO, Armenia has some Nothing but Business? Russia's geopolitical games. The first serious preferences in purchasing weaponry. The step in this direction was the "EU-Armenia most recent loan in the amount of US$100M After losing Georgia to the West, being Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership was received from Russia in 2017 to purchase directly involved in the Ukrainian, Trans­ Agreement," signed in November 2017. modern Russian weapons. There are also sev- nistrian, and Syrian conflicts, and evaluating However, it is obvious that Armenia cannot eral important bilateral military agreements. the developments along its western and leave Russia's orbit in the mid-term perspec- In August 2010, the two states agreed to south-eastern borders as direct security tive without losing Nagorniy Karabakh. extend the operation of the Russian mili- threats, Russia needs to keep both Armenia tary base in Armenia until 2049. With the and Azerbaijan in its orbit to prevent any Concluding Remarks amendments to the Treaty on the Russian further military escalation in the Nagorniy Military Base in Armenia, not only the length Karabakh conflict, thereby maintaining rela- • Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan are of stay was extended but also the area of its tive stability in this area. tightly bound together by the unresolved geographical and strategic responsibility. The Owing to the fact that Azerbaijan invests sig- Nagorniy Karabakh conflict. new version of Article 3 of the Protocol states nificantly in the economies of Russia, Belarus, • Both Armenia and Azerbaijan under- that, in addition to defending the interests of and Kazakhstan, which are - together with stand that the situation in the conflict the Russian Federation, it will provide, in co- Armenia - members of the Russian-led Eura- area can, under certain circumstances, operation with the Armenian Armed Forces, sian Union, Russia on the one hand, could be be transformed into a full-scale war with security of the Republic of Armenia across interested in offering membership to Azer- significant losses on both sides. • Russia cannot make a choice between its strategic ally Armenia, and its strate- gic partner Azerbaijan. Intensification of contacts with one of the parties to the NK conflict will inevitably complicate the relationship with the other. • Any attempt to shift its position regard- ing the resolution of the NK conflict will Photo: The President of Armenia come at a high cost for Russia, endan- gering its integration projects in Eurasia as well as its position as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. • Although Russia significantly contributes to the continuing militarisation of the South Caucasus region, yet it remains si- multaneously interested in preservation of the status quo in the conflict area. Military parade dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the • In the meantime, military supplies to the independence of Armenia. parties to the conflict strongly contribute to growing doubts regarding Russia's the entire perimeter of its borders. This agree- baijan in this organisation. However, such an role as a strategic ally and strategic part- ment was followed by two others: On a Joint offer would definitely complicate, if not en- ner in Armenian and Azerbaijani socie- Air Defence System, ratified by the Armenian danger, Russia's relations with Armenia. ties, respectively. Parliament in June 2016, after the April war, On the other hand, Azerbaijan has been • Russia's strategic interests in the Middle and on a Joint Military Unit in November implementing a non-participation strat- East, especially its relationships with Tur- 2016, ratified by the Armenian Parliament in egy: It avoids membership in any political- key and Iran, to a certain degree depend October 2017. military and economic organisation that can on stability in the South Caucasus. I would argue that Armenia does not have - compromise its position in the NK conflict. • The status quo in the NK conflict can be at least at this stage - any security guarantor Moreover, it prefers to act through bilateral changed only if the balance of powers in alternative to Russia. agreements which provide more manoeu- the South Caucasus changes. Russia is still the main investor in the Ar- vring space, and also allow Azerbaijan to The question to be answered is the following: menian economy, the most important control and limit the cooperation of these For how long will Russia be able to secure sectors of which either belong to Russian states with its adversary: Armenia. its strategic interests in the South Caucasus state companies or are partially under their The outcomes of this policy became visible while balancing between Armenia and Azer- control. Foreign direct investments in Ar- in the April 2016 war: Members of the Eura- baijan? Neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan can menia amounted to US$130.4M in 2016, sian Union - Kazakhstan and Belarus - did make any concession regarding Nagorniy which was almost eight times less than the not even condemn Azerbaijan's artillery at- Karabakh. Nor do they want to. 

22 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION Security Developments in the Wider Black Sea Region Priorities of the Romanian Armed Forces

Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă

Our world is experiencing an unprecedented level of complexity in terms of challenges to national and international security. In the Euro- Atlantic area, we are confronted with multiple challenges and threats,

Photo: MoD Romania hybrid, conventional and asymmetric in nature, which are intercon- nected - from the North Atlantic to the Black Sea Region, from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

hese are in addition to those created awareness of national decision-makers Tby non-state actors or failed states, as in the region, but also of Euro-Atlantic is the case in large parts of the Middle East security forums and organisations. In my and North Africa. considerations, I will offer perspectives on Author Geographically, Romania is located both in the existing link between evolving secu- the wider Black Sea region and in South- rity challenges and the Romanian Armed General Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă eastern Europe, and we believe that it is Forces transformation, taking place both has been Chief of Defence of the our responsibility to contribute to the sta- at national level, and within NATO and EU. Romanian Armed Forces since 2015. bility and security of these regions. Ensur- During the last two decades, the Black Sea ing regional security requires a continuous region gradually transformed itself from an

PIRANHA Protection. Performance. Potential.

Defense Solutions for the Future gdels.com

20180305_176x126_ EuropeanSecurity.indd 1 11.04.18 09:11  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION

area defined by win-win opportunities, to are implemented within the framework of Summit, to achieve a robust deterrence and one of a zero-sum game. In this region, eco- the national defence planning documents, defence posture, denote probably the most nomic, political and military interests always namely the National Defence Strategy and consistent reinforcement of NATO's collec- collided, while a number of mechanisms and the Government Programme. Based on tive defence since the fall of the Berlin Wall. tools have been established to facilitate dia- these, the White Paper on Defence states By implementing these decisions, the Alli- logue, cooperation and understanding be- the objectives of defence policy: to devel- ance cohesion, credibility and the transat- tween the various actors at regional level and op robust defence capabilities, to increase lantic link were clearly strengthened, and in the wider context of NATO and the EU. strategic credibility within NATO and EU, we can see how this works today. Recent developments in the Black Sea re- to strengthen strategic partnerships, to de- Romania has assumed an active role within gion point to a deteriorating security situa- velop international and regional coopera- NATO. Following NATO Wales Summit, tion as a result of various triggers, including tion and to provide interagency capabilities Romania has devoted a great deal of ef- Russia's actions and its military stance, the designated to support public authorities in fort to contribute to NATO's cohesiveness, determination, and robustness. Since 2016, two allied command and control elements, namely the Multinational Division South- East HQ and the Romanian NATO Force Integration Unit are up to speed. In 2017, both MND-SE HQ and the Romanian NFIU participated in NOBLE JUMP and SABER GUARDIAN exercises. These exercises dem- onstrated Allies' capability to project forces in the area and reinforce deterrence meas- Photo: Petrică Mihalache, MoD Romania ures in the Black Sea Region. At Warsaw Summit in 2016, the Heads of States and Governments decided on a set of measures designed for a predictable and credible Allied deterrence and defence posture, including establishing an Allied enhanced forward presence – eFP, for the Northern part of the Eastern Flank of NATO and a tailored forward presence – tFP, for Mihai Fifor, Romanian Minister of Defence, visiting Romanian troops in the Southern part. Afghanistan in December 2017 The implementation of the Forward Pres- ence is progressing well. The Multinational ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the increas- crisis and emergency situations. Our efforts Battle Groups are operational in Poland, ing transnational threats originating from are oriented both towards developing na- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. As part of terrorist activities and migration. tional capabilities and implementing Roma- Romania's commitment to the Allied deci- The rise of violent non-state actors and nia's commitments within the regional and sions, we are contributing a company-level criminal networks builds up additional international organisations. unit to the US-led Battle Group operating pressure for the region. Other issues of In our view, the security developments in in Poland, alongside US and UK soldiers, concern are related to threats generated by 2014 marked a turning point in NATO's within the enhanced forward presence ongoing crises in the Middle East. Further- approach to collective defence. NATO de- framework. more, the Balkan region serves as a transit cided to address the security concerns and There are also positive developments in area for radical elements heading towards adopt an enhanced deterrence and defence implementing the Forward presence in the Western Europe and there is the risk that posture as a means to protect and defend Black Sea Region, in all land, air and mari- such radical elements could plan terrorist the Allied territories and populations. The time initiatives. The Multinational Brigade acts in the receiving states. measures adopted by the North Atlantic South-East, based in will reach Against this background, we consider that Alliance are defensive and proportionate, final operating capability in 2018. A num- the Black Sea Region will remain an area de- in line with international law and commit- ber of Allies contribute with staff and with fined by a complex, unstable security envi- ments assumed by the member states. affiliated troops to train together. In the ronment and by multiple security challenges, Solidarity is NATO's centre of gravity. NATO Air Combined Training Initiative, in 2017, which increase the risks and threats not only decided to stay strong and united, in agree- , Canada and for the riparian countries, Romania included, ment with the principle of indivisibility of have already contributed to enhanced air but also for the entire NATO Eastern flank. security of its member states. The essence policing in the region and trained with our In order to adequately address these chal- of an enhanced deterrence and defence air forces, flying allied fighter jets from Ro- lenges, substantial and continuous efforts to posture on the Eastern Flank can only em- manian Airbases. transform and adapt the Romanian Armed phasise the cohesion and unity of NATO In the maritime domain, a Regional Mari- Forces were planned and implemented. In members and underline that any action time Coordination Function for the Black order to give you a better understanding against any ally will be treated as an attack Sea was established in Allied Maritime of the ongoing adaptation and transforma- on all allies. Command, supporting coordination tion of Romanian defence policy, I will briefly Let us recall that the Allied decisions made among current contributing Naval Forces address some key aspects of our national at Wales Summit to implement the Readi- HQs. Also, the NATO Combined Maritime security and defence framework. ness Action Plan, following Russia's illegal Framework for cooperation in training, The objectives of Romanian defence policy annexation of Crimea, and then at Warsaw interoperability and maritime situational

24 European Security & Defence · April 2018 awareness has been established. In the area of training and increasing interoperability, the Combined Joint Enhanced Training, designed as a regional platform for cooperation through participation in exercises and training activities, keeps progressing towards ensuring a continuous Allied presence in the region. However, the security situation from the Baltic Sea through the Black Sea and into the Mediterranean is not seen merely as a regional issue, but it is of concern to the entire Alliance. NATO has pledged to protect the Eastern Flank and the eFP and tFP are linked, building on a continuous and coherent set of NATO measures on the whole Eastern Flank. To contribute to the security of the Alliance as a whole, Roma- nia has made a very responsible commitment by strengthen- ing NATO's deterrent and defence stance, participating in mis- sions and operations, supporting NATO partners and building new capabilities. Moreover, Romania is also concerned about emerging security threats and actively contributes to establishing NATO's role in countering new threats and challenges to allied security – ter- rorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cyber attacks, and energy security risks. Romania's security relies on developing the national instru- ments of power, as well as on our membership in NATO and the European Union, and on our strategic partnerships. It goes without saying that Allied deterrence and defence is based on the capabilities of the individual member states, which is why we believe that defence begins at home. At the Romanian Armed Forces' level, based on the provisions of the defence planning documents and correlated with the defence planning objectives assumed in NATO, we are implementing the Programme for Armed Forces Transformation and Development by 2026 and beyond. The programme provides for developing the capabilities we need for tomorrow, and ensures the ability and flexibility to con- stantly adapt capabilities to developing challenges. The pro- gramme has a 10-year horizon and is reassessed periodically to optimise the AF response to evolving risks and threats. It also aims at developing stronger cyber defences and a robust response to hybrid warfare, including through increased resil- ience and civil preparedness. By streamlining capability development across various plan- ning documents, the programme better connects national defence plans to NATO plans, provides for developing more effective operational capabilities and a force structure better aligned with the evolving security challenges, contributes to increasing interoperability and ensures the ability to optimise training to increase operational capability and readiness. Turning to fulfilling the commitments assumed by Romania in NATO and the EU, the Armed Forces contribute to missions and operations in Afghanistan, in the Western Balkans and in Africa to promote international security and stability. We stand committed to the stabilisation of Afghanistan where Roma- nian Armed Forces will continue to be a major contributor in 2018. We also support the International Community's efforts for the security and stability of Iraq and Syria, and for the neu- tralisation of DAESH and terrorist and extremist organisations. In Afghanistan, more than 26,000 Romanian soldiers have been sent to this theatre of operations over the last 15 years. The Resolute Support Mission continues to be the main op- erational priority for us in terms of contributions to operations abroad. Romania is the fourth NATO contributing state, with almost 700 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan. Romania is also actively promoting concrete actions at the  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION

regional level, to foster and strengthen with other effects and capabilities of the Consequently, we will see new pieces of multilateral cooperation among the coun- operation, in order to achieve synergy in equipment in our units sooner. New types tries in the area. I would like to emphasise a joint environment. We are in the process of armoured personnel carriers, unmanned that we are firm supporters of stability and of establishing a Cyber Defence Command aerial vehicles, anti-tank man-portable sys- security in the Balkans. Maintaining military which is to achieve its initial capability by tems, long-range target acquisition radars, cooperation and support would help the the end of 2018. Additionally, we develop multirole aircrafts, multirole floating fight- countries in the region to build effective cyber capabilities in accordance with the ing assets, wheeled transport platforms, institutions and to reform the security and assumed NATO capability targets and we and other capabilities are on our agenda. defence sector in order to deal with issues participate in NATO and national cyber ex- This year we are initiating eight major pro- like poor economic environment, social and ercises. curement programmes: multi-purpose cor- ethnic tensions, terrorism, and the pres- Moreover, Romanian Armed Forces con- vettes, mobile anti-ship missile launchers; ence of foreign fighters. tinue to develop its intelligence, surveil- modernisation of infantry fighting vehicles, Turning to our priorities in 2018, I want to lance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, modern armoured personnel carriers, C41 emphasise that it is a very important year in order to improve situational awareness in system with ISTAR Integration capabilities, for the Romanian Armed Forces. Our ob- the region. In this regard, the specific force PATRIOT advanced surface-to-air missile jectives are to keep developing effective structure has already been adjusted accord- systems; SHORAD-VSHORAD integrated defence capabilities, to respond to all types ingly and we keep working in doctrine, weapon systems; and last, but not least of threats including hybrid ones, continue training and in procuring modern equip- – HIMARS long range multiple launcher implementing our commitments within ment, to build effective and interoperable rocket systems. NATO and EU and provide the forces for ISR capabilities, in support of national and Let me offer just a few examples. The PA- missions and operations abroad, provide Allied operational requirements. TRIOT systems will enter into service of the support to civil authorities for crisis situa- The transformation of Romanian Armed Romanian Land and Air Forces in 2019. The tion management and for increasing re- Forces, sustained by procurement of mod- procurement of such ground-based air de- silience. In the larger perspective, the ern defence systems and enhanced training fence capability will provide for a strength- ened national and regional security, serving as a deterrent against some of the chal- lenges of the security environment.

Photo: USMC The acquisition of three HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) battal- ions answers to the requirement to have effective, interoperable, modern artillery equipment. HIMARS is a reliable deterrence capability and one of the most precise com- bat support systems tested and used in real missions, which conveys technical superior- ity and operational advantage. Romania also consolidates its naval defence capabilities. The procurement of new cor- vettes offers the the operational ability and confidence to US with Black Sea Rotational Force (BSRF) salute alongside accomplish their assigned missions. The NATO forces for the opening ceremony of Exercise Platinum Lynx at Romanian Naval Forces are planning for a Training Area, Romania, on 19 September 2016. The BSRF is a modern, credible and balanced force struc- multilateral security cooperation in the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus ture, similar to the other states bordering regions designed to enhance collective military capacity, promote the Black Sea Region. stability and build relationships with partner nations. In my considerations, I intended to stress Romania's strong resolve to contribute to inter-institutional cooperation has greatly programmes, support the development of the security of the whole Alliance. The increased, in terms of operating and train- national defence capabilities and increase Romanian Armed Forces independently ing and exercising together. readiness, preparedness and interoperabil- and together with the North Atlantic In order to effectively counter all chal- ity, in order to prevent, deter and defend Alliance are capable and determined to lenges, the Romanian Armed Forces aim against external aggression. The procure- defend national and Allied territory and at developing a modern force structure, ment of modern defence systems, com- population. Either by strengthening the better correlated to the challenges we bined with the upgrades of existing sys- deterrence and defence posture on NA- face, based on the resources allocated tems, will ensure that our Armed Forces TO's Eastern flank and in the Black Sea for defence. Such an example is the new are better prepared to achieve their main region, or by participating in operations, Special Operations Command, which has task, the defence of the national and NATO in building adequate capabilities, we are just been established on 1 March 2018 territory and populations. very responsible in addressing the chal- as part of a deeper transformation of the A noticeable effort is Romania's commit- lenges to national and international se- Romanian SOF. ment to allocate 2% of GDP to the defence curity. Through all our contributions to Another example is related to cyber de- budget. In 2018, the share allocated to maintaining peace and stability, Romania fence. Recognising cyberspace as an op- major acquisitions and Research & Devel- is recognised today as a reliable and ro- erational domain underlines the need to opment is 37%, above the NATO guide- bust partner in the Allied and interna- synchronise cyberspace operations effects line level of 20% of the defence budget. tional community. 

26 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION Bulgarian Armed Forces in the Context of Security Challenges in the Black Sea Region

Andrey Botsev

Geographically, the Black Sea plays an important role both as a separator and as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the "East" and the "West". It is a border for NATO and the EU. Ten years ago, the Black Sea region was perceived as marginal for global geopolitical processes.

owever, due to the dynamic interac- have been demonstrated, the activities of A key element of NATO's Assurance Meas- Htions on the international stage, the extremist and separatist groups have in- ures is the strengthening of its Forward importance of the Black Sea is increasing, creased, and new risks and threats have Presence in the Eastern and South-Eastern as growing economic and military activities arisen from politically unstable states, fro- parts of the Alliance's territory. NATO's For- in the region demonstrate. zen conflicts and mass migration. ward Presence in the Black Sea region is de- Significant changes in the geopolitical situ- All of them have a direct impact on the coun- fined as a tailored Forward Presence aiming ation worldwide and in the Black Sea re- tries at the Eastern and Southern borders of at preventive deterrence of potential use of gion in particular have led to a shift in the the Alliance, including Bulgaria, located on force in crises resolution. political, military and economic interests of the crossroad between Europe and Asia. Bulgaria pursues a balanced and pragmatic countries and international organisations The changing security environment has regional policy with the aim of creating around the world. led NATO and the European Union, as the lasting stability in South-Eastern Europe Gradually, the region is taking on the role main guarantors of security and stability in (SEE) and the Black Sea region and con- of an energy hub, with more and more Europe and the world, to seek ways and solidating common European standards in energy projects being completed or under approaches to respond to emerging chal- relations between the countries of the re- development. This brings many actors with lenges by building capabilities appropriate gion. With regard to the surrounding con- economic interests into the region. These to new risks and threats. flict and destabilisation areas, Bulgaria as processes increase the value of the region as a strategically important region, both for Europe and Asia and globally. The impor- tance of the region has been stressed time and again at NATO and EU summits.

Another peculiarity of the Black Sea area is Photo: MoD Bulgaria that it borders a number of conflict areas, which are called “low intensity” or "fro- zen" conflicts. In addition to the situation in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, there are similar conflicts in South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh and . While we are all looking forward to a peaceful resolution of these conflicts, their long his- tory suggests a more pessimistic perspec- tive for their resolution. It is therefore more realistic to expect them to remain a chal- lenge to security in the region. There have been considerable changes in the strategic security environment in re- cent years. New forms of military action

Author From left to right: The President of the Republic of Bulgaria and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Rumen Radev, the Lieutenant General Andrey Botsev Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security and Minister has been Chief of Defence of the Bul- of Defence, Krasimir Karakachanov, the Chief of Defence, Lieutenant garian Armed Forces since 2 March General Andrey Botsev, and the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral 2017. Mitko Petev, at the Distinguished Visitors Day of the BREEZE 2017 na- tional naval exercise with international participation

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 27  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION

the external border of the EU and NATO is work Brigade to which Bulgaria has af- ritorial sea waters, they deter them and an intersection of two strategic directions: filiated military formations. This initiative respond adequately to the threat. If neces- Strategic Orientation OST and Strategic Ori- strengthens the Alliance's deterrence and sary, they render support to the structures entation SOUTH. defence on its South-Eastern border and of the Ministry of Interior to protect the In the military aspects of security, particu- enhances the situational awareness and maritime borders, participate in the pro- larly in national defence, it should be noted force interoperability. tection of the sovereign rights when juris- that it is planned, prepared and implement- To prove its continued adaptiveness and diction and control in the adjoining area, ed within the framework of the collective relevance to the changed security environ- the continental shelf and the exclusive defence of NATO and the EU's Common ment, NATO has established several Force economic zone of the Republic of Bulgaria Security and Defence Policy. Integration Units (NFIUs) located in the need to be exercised. Photo: MoD Bulgaria

Live firing at BREEZE 2017

The current focus is on the practical im- countries on the Alliance's Eastern border, At the same time, the unprecedented refu- plementation of the defined measures for including Bulgaria. The responsibilities of gee crisis and mass migration flows in the NATO's tailored forward presence. These these formations are: maintaining situ- wake of conflicts in the Middle East and include the deployment of a multinational ational awareness, facilitating coordination North Africa have made it necessary to division and a multinational brigade head- in training and exercises as well as the rapid assign new tasks to the Armed Forces in quarters in Romania, to which Bulgaria has deployment of NATO forces by coordinat- assisting the Ministry of Interior on safe- declared a contribution, an increased num- ing their reception, stationing and onward guarding the state border. The new devel- ber of joint NATO exercises with land, naval movement on the territory of the host- opments have demanded a change in the and air force units in Bulgaria and Romania, country and supporting collective defence training of the Armed Forces and a more and a stronger presence of NATO perma- planning and its synchronisation with the intense mode of interaction, coordination nent maritime groups in the Black Sea. national planning processes. and conduct of joint exercises with the MoI NATO takes a balanced and effective ap- Their continuing task is to guarantee the and other structures from the National Se- proach to meet the challenges while avoid- sovereignty, security and independence of curity System. ing unnecessary confrontation and esca- the country, to protect its territorial integ- Another significant security risk for Bulgaria lation. The increasing number of deploy- rity and - together with the allies to deter stems from the possibility of infiltration of ments of Standing NATO Maritime Groups the enemy forces and to keep threats away individual foreign military fighters and pos- in the Black Sea and regular exercises with from the state borders while contributing sible establishment of extremist/terrorist member state in the region ensure to the maintenance of peace and interna- cells. To counter such threats the Armed a high level of operational readiness and tional security. Forces have been assigned additional coun- preparedness of the armed forces to oper- Currently, the Armed Forces missions - ter-terror tasks. ate in the specific environment of the Black "Defence", "Support for International The increasing number of military flights Sea basin. These measures have the neces- Peace and Security" and "Contribution to close to the borders of our national air- sary deterrent effect and are effective in National Security in Peacetime" - remain space has necessitated some changes in reducing tensions, avoiding confrontation unchanged but the spectrum of employ- national legislation enabling Air Policing and increasing security in the region while ment of the Armed Forces to protect na- in the airspace of the Republic of Bulgaria ensuring that the armed forces maintain tional security is becoming wider. to be carried out by the Bulgarian Armed their readiness for rapid deployment in case The Armed Forces are carrying out recon- Forces alone or jointly with allied Armed of escalation. naissance and surveillance and maintain a Forces. Part of the tailored Forward Presence is the full and informed awareness of the situa- Other strands of work related to the im- Romanian initiative to establish a Multi- tion in the maritime spaces of the Republic provement of homeland security are: intro- national Division Headquarters (MNDHQ) of Bulgaria. In cases when military vessels ducing military training for secondary school "Southeast" and a Multinational Frame- fail to respect the legal status of the ter- students, exploring possible options for in-

28 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION  stituting voluntary military service and im- • Building capabilities for participation in ian institutions in response to crises of non- proving the capacity of the military reserve. peacekeeping and humanitarian opera- military nature. Joint military exercises and To meet the challenges, the Armed Forces tions; training are also conducted in the frame- are developing and maintaining balanced • Cooperation with international organi- work of NATO and with partners from the capabilities to plan and effectively conduct sations (NATO, EU, UN, OSCE). NATO Partnership for Peace Programme. operations, prioritising combat effective- The main initiative within the SEDM pro- For Bulgaria it is important that NATO and ness, information support, command, con- cess is the establishment of the Multina- EU keep their strong commitment to stabil- trol and communication. tional Peace Force in South-Eastern Europe ity and security in the region as well as to To develop and adapt the Armed Forces' (MPFSEE). the European and Euro-Atlantic integration defence capabilities to the changed security One of the major areas of defence coopera- of the Western Balkans. In this regard, the environment and to better coordinate na- tion are the joint exercises and training of Government of the Republic of Bulgaria tional planning with NATO, a Programme the Armed Forces (with Romania, Turkey, has placed the European perspective of for Armed Forces Capabilities Development Georgia, Ukraine, FYROM, Serbia, Monte- the countries from the Western Balkans until 2032 will be drafted. The first step, the negro, , Albania). region high on the main priorities list of the development of a Roadmap for the 2032 This is an important form of interaction be- Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the Programme, has already been taken. cause joint exercises and training improve EU. This opportunity for the countries is an In order to achieve an optimal balance be- the troops’ skills and experience to operate important driver for domestic reform and tween the necessary defence capabilities in a multinational environment and also to of key importance for regional and com- and the execution of the missions and tasks enhance interoperability among the coun- mon European security and stability. of the Armed Forces, defence spending in tries’ armed forces. The development of the regional coopera- 2018 will be kept at a level not below the When it comes to multinational regional tion in the security and defence area and level achieved. formats, there are three initiatives in which bilateral military cooperation among the A gradual increase in defence spending Bulgaria cooperates with all countries from countries from the region is a precondition is projected for the period 2019-2024, the region: the SEDM Process, the Balkan for advancing the overall process for im- depending on the country's economic Countries Chiefs of Defence Conference proving the security environment and the growth. and the Multinational Peace Force South- prosperity of the Black Sea countries. In compliance with the decisions of the NA- Eastern Europe (MPFSEE). Practical examples The growing importance of the Black Sea TO Summit in Wales in 2014, the Council in this field are the “Seven Stars” Exercises region for international security increases of Ministers has adopted a National Plan to conducted by the South-Eastern Europe the obligations of the Republic of Bul- increase defence spending to 2% of GDP until 2024. The plan contains two annexes relating to the implementation of NATO commit- ments and EU Permanent Structured Co- operation commitments. One of the key Photo: MoD Bulgaria objectives of the country is to spend 20% of its defence budget on new and NATO- interoperable weapons and equipment at the highest technological level. The Republic of Bulgaria uses the potential of various regional initiatives and mecha- nisms to strengthen confidence in the region and regional cooperation. In this context, active efforts are being made to intensify regional initiatives to make the necessary progress on the security issue in South-Eastern Europe and the Black Sea. The process of the South-Eastern European Defence Ministers' Meeting (SEDM) is a mechanism for interaction between coun- tries in the field of defence and strengthen- ing regional stability and security. BREEZE 17 followed a specific scenario of crisis response with forces Over the years, the number of the SEDM from the NATO members Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, countries has increased to fifteen and Mol- Greece, Italy, , Poland, Romania, Turkey, the UK, the US, and dova has an observer status. The priority from Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine as signato- objectives of regional cooperation in this ries of the Partnership for Peace programme. format are: • Enhancing mutual understanding, con- Brigade (SEEBRIG), the Field Exercises and garia as an external border of NATO and fidence and transparency among the Command Post Exercises as well as the the EU and requires the development of South-Eastern European countries; SEESIM exercise series – computer assisted interoperable and modern armed forces • Supporting the processes of Euro-At- exercises of the countries from Southeast that respond effectively to current risks lantic integration and building defence Europe and the Black Sea region with the and threats and have capabilities adapted capabilities in accordance with NATO training goal to define, analyse and test rules to the changing security environment and standards; and procedures for military support to civil- national resources. 

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 29 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION Defence Reform in Ukraine

Alex Horobets

The latest reform of the national security and defence system of Ukraine began at the end of 2014.

he reform of the armed forces should have been blocked for many years by accession to the North Atlantic Treaty. Tbe sustainable and there are indications negative factors inherited from the Soviet As early as 1997, the Ukrainian Verkhov- of improvement in Ukrainian legislation system which have never been overcome. na Rada adopted the "National Security and expert committees in recent years. The This led to a situation in which, because of Concept", which defined the country's main difference to the past lies in the fact the inefficient reforms, the state security vital national interests and the means of that previous attempts at reform have been authorities themselves could become a protecting them. At the same time, in- unsystematic and declarative. threat to national security. ternational treaties with neighbouring states guaranteed Ukraine's borders, and the "Charter for a Special Partnership be- tween Ukraine and NATO" defined Kiev’s

Photo: NATO Euro-Atlantic course.

Civil Society Involvement

The administration of Ukrainian national defence has remained unchanged for a long time and, despite the constitutional reform of 2004 and changes in the de- fence sector in 2004-2007, there has been no progress at the strategic level. At that time, however, the transition from quantity to quality was long overdue. If any innovations were made, they were low impact; attempts at reform failed to bring all components of the security and defence sector up to European norms and standards. The most pressing issue for the Ukrainian Army was the optimisation of the structure and strength of the armed forces, their deployment as well as the creation of a system of automated troop control. It took until 2010 for civil society to de- Pavlo Klimkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and NATO velop an awareness of armed force control Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg opening the meeting of the and defence issues. NATO-Ukraine Commission on 31 March 2017 As early as October 2006, 13 NATO coun- tries and Ukraine met in the Portuguese Experts at the National Institute for Stra- The aim of this article is to provide readers city of Sintra to launch a project titled tegic Studies point out that the defence with up-to-date information on defence "Ukraine-NATO Partnership Network to sector is the primary authority responsible sector reforms in Ukraine and their practi- Raise Civilian Awareness Society" led by for national security and for protecting cal implementation. the NATO Secretary General. The aim of citizens' rights and freedoms, state sov- Let us begin with the analysis in 2004, the project was to develop a strategic ereignty, territorial integrity and constitu- the last year in which President Leonid partnership between civil society and tional order. Kuchma was in power. After the Orange Ukrainian law enforcement authorities. The Institute's analytical paper "The State Revolution (a campaign of protests, dem- In 2007, the Swiss government asked the and Perspectives of Security and Defence onstrations, strikes and other actions of NATO Communications Office in Ukraine Sector Reform in New Political Realities" civil disobedience in Ukraine organised to invite the Geneva Centre for Demo- notes that Ukraine's defence capabilities and carried out by supporters of Viktor cratic Control of Armed Forces to the Yushchenko), the inauguration of the new "Ukraine-NATO Partnership Network to Author President of Ukraine took place on 23 Raise Civil Society Awareness" as one of January 2005. Yushchenko was known to the executive bodies of the project. In Alex Horobets is an analyst for support Ukraine's European and Euro-At- 2010, the Geneva Centre for Democratic international and Arctic affairs based lantic integration. In the military arena, the Control of Armed Forces published the in Kyiv, Ukraine. format of the Accelerated Dialogue was “Almanac of Management in the Security adopted as a first step towards Ukraine's Sector of Ukraine 2010“ and “Integrity

30 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION 

Education and Fighting Corruption in the restore their technical readiness, improve of this important document, the coun- Defence Sector“ in Ukraine. The aim of military training and optimise their struc- try's defence sector was analysed and the the publication was to familiarise Ukrain- ture. Efforts have also been made to bring experience of anti-terrorism operations ian law enforcement agencies with a military personnel closer to NATO stand- (ATO) assessed. This has shed light on a comprehensive approach to fighting cor- ards. The expected end point of this mod- number of problems in the deployment of ruption. ernisation was the year 2020. against existing and poten- Finally, on 11 May 2017 a panel on As early as 2004, the division of the Ukrain- tial threats, including problems with the Ukraine's "Defence Legislation" was pre- ian armed forces into three components was management of defence forces, regula- sented in Kiev, which was also prepared proposed: the combined rapid reaction forc- tion, cyberspace threats, corruption and in cooperation with the Geneva Centre es, the main defence forces, the support- the incomplete transition to the treaty for Democratic Control of Armed Forces. ing and reinforcing forces. The creation of a principle for soldiers. This was the sixth expert panel in the last special unit within the army, called "Special Another important document is the "Con- ten years on the theoretical foundations of Operations Forces", is currently particularly cept for the Development of the Security Ukrainian defence sector reform, and the successful. The formation of these separate and Defence Sector in Ukraine", a frame- publication of the conference proceedings forces is laid down in the Ukrainian Strategic work of views on the medium-term devel- in English and Ukrainian provided an op- Defence Bulletin of 2016; the designated opment of Ukraine's defence capabilities, portunity for dialogue between Ukrainian implementation timeline of the document’s adopted in 2016. The goals of the concept and Western experts. provisions is 2020. include During Viktor Yanukovych's presidency, The Special Operations Force includes 1. Restoring territorial integrity within the the development of the security and de- special-purpose units and information- internationally recognised national bor- fence sector was mainly in the hands of psychological special operations units. ders of Ukraine; the Head of State, and he had clear priori- On 28 November 2017, NATO's military 2. The establishment of a national crisis ties. The armed forces’ reform proposal, representative in Ukraine publicly told response system; developed by the Ukrainian MoD, pro- Lieutenant General Vladimir Askarov that 3. Timely detection, prevention and posed to reduce the number of Ukrainian the Ukrainian Special Forces could join NA- neutralisation of external and internal troops from 192,000 down to 70,000 in TO's reaction forces in 2020. For this pur- threats to national security and cyber- 5 years. According to the “Reform Con- pose, the Special Operations Force 2019 security. cept for the ", this should have been achieved by 2017. At the same time, the army had to be converted to consist of contracted service- men, a reform project which had been Photo: EUCOM one of the priorities since V. Yanukovych came to power. The main argument for the reform was that there were no major military threats at the time. In theory, the Ukrainian experts' ideas for reform of the defence sector were correct, but they lacked awareness of the threat posed by the neighbouring country. Since the independence of Ukraine, the authori- ties did not consider it necessary to have a strong army, which made sense at the time; after all, Ukraine's allies at that time were the United States, Russia, the EU and neighbouring countries. The army could only alleviate potential conflicts with Tur- key and Romania, and conflicts with Rus- sia were unimaginable.

The Crimea Crisis

One turning point was in 2014, when all the theoretical reform proposals were put into practice. NATO demonstrated its sup- US Marines secure a beach after an amphibious landing in Nikolaev, port for Ukraine when the crisis in Ukraine Ukraine, during exercise Sea Breeze on 19 July 2017. became a key issue at the NATO summit in Wales on 3-5 September 2014. A series of is now being certified. Representatives of This development concept for the Ukrain- emergency legislation has been adopted the Alliance also noted the progress made ian defence sector provides for a broad to strengthen national military security, im- in the development of the Ukrainian Spe- involvement of non-state organisations prove defence mobilisation and promote cial Forces. with the purpose of contributing to na- measures to combat corruption. The aim of The Strategic Defence Bulletin 2016 re- tional security and state defence. The the reforms was to modernise the military ferred to above provides a basis for achiev- potential scope for getting such organisa- equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces, ing the strategic goals. For the adoption tions involved is large: they can provide

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 31  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION services for the peacekeeping tasks of the bution of tasks, functions, powers, respon- The same effort should be spent on in- armed forces or set up research institu- sibilities and accountability. The National creasing the mobility of the troops, opti- tions dealing professionally with security Security and Defence Council, headed by mising their management and increasing and defence issues. the President of Ukraine, is monitoring the the civilian component of the Ministry of The Presidential Decree "On the Doctrine implementation of the defence reform. Defence of Ukraine. of Information Security" of 29 December In 2017, practical cooperation with NATO It is crucial that the citizens of Ukraine 2016 spelled out Ukrainian interests in the was intensified, and, throughout the next and authority representatives need to information sphere and it defined threats year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be aware that they live in conditions of and priorities of state policy in cyberspace. continue to transfer to NATO standards. constant military aggression, a threat to The decree was urgently needed, because On 17 January 2018 in Kyiv, the Ministry national security and territorial integrity. of the emergence of threats to national of Information organised a round table And, in such conditions, reforming the security in the information sphere. on “Ukraine – NATO – 2018. Forecasts national security and defence system is This is why the Ukrainian State Centre for and Expected Events." In 2017, Ukrainian the most important element to preserve Cyber Defence was established. In many units participated in 17 multinational exer- and develop an independent Ukrainian respects, the Ukrainian experience of cises (three on Ukrainian territory and 14 state. countering disinformation campaigns is unique; foreign experts have repeatedly agreed. The centre currently develops na- tional algorithms and procedures to pro- tect electronic information on the basis of NATO standards and ISO/IEC.

Cooperation with NATO

Countering information wars is one of the potential areas of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. To date, both Ukraine and NATO countries are constantly con- Photo: The Presidential Administration of Ukraine fronted with a huge flow of fake informa- tion and propaganda which can be used both separately and in combination with economic and political pressure, energy blackmail, and so on. That is why threats in the information sphere need coordinated interstate opposition. A priority of defence sector reform is the command and control system which, for many years, has not been in the hands of a single centre. With the creation of Opening of the NATO-Ukraine Commission chaired by Ukrainian Presi- the Military Office of the National Security dent Petro Poroshenko on 10 July 2017 and Defence Council (NSDC) and the Main Situation Centre of Ukraine, the mecha- abroad). More than 13,500 servicemen of To date, Ukraine has made significant pro- nisms for steering the defence sector the armed forces were involved in the ex- gress in reforming the defence sector. Key have already been improved. By now, the ercises. Additionally, 303 representatives laws of the reform are the National Secu- Ukrainian defence sector is an integrated of the Ukrainian Army took part in 170 rity Strategy of Ukraine, the Strategic De- system under a single leadership. NATO events in 2017. Thanks to foreign fence Bulletin of Ukraine, the Military Doc- In May 2017, Sergey Maslovsky, head of advisers in Ukraine, in 2017, 240 stand- trine of Ukraine, the Law on the National the Main Directorate for Defence and Mo- ards were developed, which are based on Guard, the Law on the Legal Regime of bilisation Planning of the General Staff of NATO standards, and work continues on Martial Law, the Law on Amendments to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the another 250 standards. In 2018, Ukrainian the Laws on the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Staff had developed a new con- Army Representatives plan to participate and the Defence of Ukraine, and so on. trol system for the armed forces, and he in 19 multinational exercises. But we should be realistic and understand also said that the principle of separating The priorities of Ukrainian defence policy that the successes achieved are not final, functions which has been adopted in the before 2020 are as follows: and in the years to come the systematic armed forces of the NATO countries is a 1. Restoring territorial integrity; strengthening of the country's defence promising management system. In the fall 2. Establishing an effective security and capability must continue. Ukraine is a nu- of 2017, about 40 percent of the General defence sector; clear-free country and the first country in Staff’s subdivisions were organised in the 3. Improving combat readiness; the world which voluntarily abandoned its structure of NATO headquarters, the Min- 4. Reform and development of intel- huge nuclear arsenal. In addition, Ukraine istry of Defence of Ukraine reported. ligence, counterintelligence, law en- declared its desire to become a member of In 2018-2020, the operational management forcement agencies; NATO, and it achieved significant progress of the Land Forces, the Air Force and the 5. Expanding the partnership with NATO; in this regard. Considering the difficult situ- Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine needs 6. Ensuring national security in the foreign ation from which Ukraine has emerged, the to be optimised, along with a new distri- policy sphere. experience of this country is unique. 

32 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION The Black Sea Region: Turkish Interests and Strategies

Korhan Özkilinc

At the crossroads between Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East Turkey is playing a growing role in the Black Sea region. This changes the geostrategic balance.

he Black Sea is the third largest sea on Tthe borders of the European Union, af- ter the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea.

Although the Black Sea has almost become Photo: U.S. Navy an inland sea, it connects Southern Europe, the Middle East and Southern Russia. The strategic importance of the Black Sea is even more evident when we take a closer look at its geographical location: through the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles you can reach the Aegean and the Medi- terranean Sea; through the Strait of Kerch you can reach the Sea of Azov; through the Rhine-Main- Canal the North Sea, and through the Volga-Don Canal and the Eurasian Canal the Caspian Sea. The riparian countries of the Black Sea region not only have complex economic interests, but also a different understand- ing of security policy which complicates international relations among them.

Russian-Turkish Relations USS CARNEY in the Bosphorus Strait before entering the Black Sea in January 2018 A brief historical overview: On 8 Decem- ber 1991 the Presidents of Russia (Boris stable partnership and to abandon the is concerned, Russia has very far-reaching Yeltsin), Ukraine (Leonid Kravchuk) and deployment of combat troops. ambitions: Russia is trying to control the en- Belarus (Stanislav Shushkevich) signed the In April 2005 and shortly after NATO ergy resources of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Treaty of Minsk, which officially dissolved enlargement, Russian President Vladimir and Turkmenistan with the aim of influenc- the Soviet Union and founded the Com- Putin said in his state-of-the-nation ad- ing the international energy markets. monwealth of Independent States on 21 dress that the disintegration of the Soviet Russia wants to keep the upper hand in December 1991. In the years following Union was "the greatest geopolitical ca- the Black Sea and therefore relies on mili- the dissolution of the Soviet Union and tastrophe of the past century," a state- tary strength. This is particularly evident the collapse of its economy, there were ment that revealed his aspiration to re- in the construction of defence systems armed conflicts and wars in the former store Russia’s role as a superpower. Three along strategic coastlines, for example Soviet regions, particularly in the Cauca- years later he implemented his intentions in the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system sus and Central Asia. in the Black Sea, which is clearly visible in Crimea and the latest 3K55 BASTION NATO exploited the unstable situation by in the case of the Caucasus War (2008), coastal missile systems with a range of expanding eastwards; on 12 March 1999, the Ukrainian crisis (2013) and the an- well over 500 km near Anapa. In addi- Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary nexation of Crimea (2015). Within a short tion, the Black Sea Fleet will be equipped joined NATO, and on 29 March 2004 Bul- time, Russia's coastline in the Black Sea with the latest frigates, and garia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, had nearly reached its old size. by 2020. Moreover, Russia Slovakia and Slovenia became members is pursuing a strong power policy in the of the alliance. These accessions moved Energy and Security Eastern Mediterranean by enlarging Tar- NATO's Eastern border to the Russian tus Naval Base in Syria. This naval base border. But prior to this, on 27 May 1997, From a security policy point of view, the is the strategic gatekeeper of the Black Russia and NATO had signed an interna- Black Sea is of enormous importance for Sea, which protects the 's tional memorandum, the "NATO-Russia Russia for two reasons: energy security and connections to the Indian Ocean and the Founding Law," to create an equal and military security. As far as energy security Atlantic.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 33  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION

What is Turkey's Role? Above all, Russia is trying to divert the Turk- as initiator in April 2001. BLACKSEAFOR's ish government's attention from the Black partners are the Black Sea countries Bul- This raises the following question: What is Sea to Syria. On 1 March 2018, in his state- garia, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey Turkey's role as an important NATO ally and of-the-nation address, President Vladimir and Ukraine. BLACKSEAFOR's main tasks candidate for EU membership in relation to Putin unveiled new missiles and nuclear are maritime security, the fight against ter- Russia in the Black Sea? It would be naive to weapons directed against the Western Alli- rorism and humanitarian missions. believe that Russia wants to guarantee Tur- ance, and on the same day Armenia ended A few years later, in March 2004, Turkey key's maritime security. But Russia will co- the Protocol "Improving Bilateral Relations" founded “Black Sea Harmony” (BSH) as a operate with Turkey, and possibly also with with Turkey - a clear message to Turkey. But supplement to BLACKSEAFOR, which aims NATO and the United States, depending overall it is interesting to observe how rela- not only to combat international terror- on the political situation, but Russia's real tions between the two countries develop. ism but also asymmetric threats. BSH has interests are based on dominance, which similar tasks to NATO’s operation “Active was also the case in Russia's earlier history. US-NATO-Turkish Relations Endeavour” in the Mediterranean region. Despite mutual rivalry, Russia is depend- Russia participated in 2006, Ukraine in ent on Turkey for two geostrategic reasons: After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 2007 and Romania in 2010. Firstly, the Russian energy infrastructure United States launched the “New Road Because of Russia's aggressive policy and depends on Turkey's central location, and Initiative” to increase its hegemonic power Russian measures against Ukraine, NATO secondly, with the Montreux Convention in world politics, and the Black Sea is an reacted very decisively at the summit in of 20 July 1936 Turkey controls the straits; important part of it. Due to its strategic Wales in September 2014. NATO decided this treaty regulates, among other things, position in relation to the Caspian Sea to confront the new challenges and con- the presence of warships of non-riparian and Central Asia, the Black Sea is of great cluded the NATO Readiness Action Plan, countries in the Black Sea. importance for the US not only in energy which is based on the two pillars "adap- The differing intentions of the two coun- terms but also militarily. tation and security measures" and "2% tries with regard to the Black Sea are also Since 1999, an American oil pipeline has target." As a result, NATO's Multinational evident in Syria. Unfortunately, the differ- been transporting oil from Baku to the Division Southeast Headquarters in Bucha- ent views led to the crisis on 24 February Georgian port city of Supsa. This pipeline rest, Romania, was established in 2015 and 2015, when a Turkish aircraft shot down was later supplemented by the Baku-Tbili- two missile defence bases were built in De- a Russian SU-24 fighter over Turkish terri- si-Ceyhan pipeline, which has been in op- veselu in southern Romania, which are now tory near the Syrian border, one of the two eration since 2005; it bypasses the Russian part of NATO’s missile defence shield. pilots being killed by Syrian rebels. This in- Baku-Grozny-Novorossiysk pipeline. Russia The system consists of a station in cident brought relations to an all-time low. has now successfully cooperated with Tur- Turkey, many frigates in Spain and a com- On 11 May 2016, Turkish President Recep key on the major “Blue Stream” pipeline mand centre in Ramstein, Germany. Shortly Photo: Turkish Navy

The Turkish Navy and the US Navy at the US-Ukraine co-hosted multinational maritime exercise Sea Breeze 2016 in the Black Sea

Tayyip Erdogan told foreign generals: "Dur- project, and the pipeline project “Turkish thereafter, in June 2017, a NATO manoeu- ing NATO Secretary General Jens Stolten- Stream” is under construction. vre for the deployment of the VJTF (Very berg's visit to Turkey, I told him: You are not The United States is trying to expand its High Readiness Joint Task Force) took place visible in the Black Sea. And your invisibility influence in the Black Sea both on its own in Romania. The manoeuvre was devel- turns the Black Sea into a Russian lake." and with NATO. There have been plans oped in response to the Russian annexa- Currently, relations have improved and are to extend "Operation Active Endeavour" tion of Crimea. based on mutual benefit. It is obvious that from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, Due to the anti-Turkish attitude of the Russian President Putin is trying to remove which has not been approved by the Turk- US Congress, considerations were made Turkey from NATO through the sale of mis- ish side. In return, Turkey appointed the to replace Ankara with as a sile systems S-400 and energy activities. Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group privileged partner in the Black Sea. From

34 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION 

a military point of view, this would be the Black Sea. It is obvious that Turkey is Unfortunately, the relationship between completely wrong as Turkey’s military is using the Montreux Treaty as a strategic the two countries is strained, because the superior to the Romanian military and the instrument for its policy toward NATO and US is trying to establish more than two economic strength of the Turkish arms in- as a tool to reconcile with Russia. It is also dozen US military bases in Northern Syr- dustry in particular is worth mentioning. paradoxical that Turkey is preventing the ia with the help of the Marxist-Leninist But the situation is different in Bulgaria: confrontation of the two powers in the Kurdish militia PYD, a member of the PKK. the country's opposition disapproves of Black Sea. This situation is known in the past; the US has cooperated with Kurdish militias in Northern Iraq, and we all know the result today. The current US approach is heavily criticised by the Turkish population and

Photo: Gazprom the Turkish military. The differences be- tween the two countries extend to the Black Sea. Nevertheless, the United States will continue to maintain productive rela- tions with Ankara; the PYD, a PKK hench- man, is unable to satisfy the far-reaching regional ambitions of the US. It will take several years for relations to improve but the divide could be used very intelligently by the EU and NATO.

EU-Turkish Relations

Very early on, Turkey recognised the eco- nomic potential of the Black Sea region and founded the regional economic or- ganisation "Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)" in Istan- bul on 25 June 1992 on its own initiative. BSEC consists of six riparian countries Bul- garia, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey A pipe-laying ship in the Black Sea operated by the Russian state-owned and Ukraine as well as the six non-ripar- company Gazprom. The Turk Stream pipeline will connect Russian gas ian states Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, resources to the Turkish gas transportation network, delivering energy Greece, Moldova and Serbia. The EU and a to Turkey and South and South-East Europe. dozen countries have observer status only. The main objective of BSEC is to contrib- NATO's military presence, which shows But the status quo of the Treaty of Mon- ute to peace, stability and prosperity and that Russia still has influence on its former treux could soon change, because the to promote cooperation between the Warsaw Pact allies. Nevertheless, NATO ruling AKP party is planning the crazy "Is- countries of the region. Over time, the ob- warships have free access to Bulgarian tanbul Canal" project, an approximately jectives will be extended to environmental ports but Romania will be able to exploit 50 km long canal parallel to the , protection, energy, science, logistics and the weakness of neighbouring Bulgaria which will link the Marmara Sea with the agriculture, but security is also high on the for its advantage in NATO. Black Sea. Currently, environmental studies agenda, notably the fight against organ- are being conducted, and according to en- ised crime and terrorism. A Difficult but Reliable vironmental associations the environment Partner would be severely affected and the costs Black Sea Synergy are estimated at more than US$50Bn. Re- Turkey is a difficult but reliable NATO part- cently, Minister Ahmet Arslan of the Minis- The BSEC was supplemented in 2007 ner, even if Turkey's economic interests try of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Com- by the EU initiative "Black Sea Synergy," sometimes outstrip NATO strategies. This munications issued a statement on the size which was initiated to exert more influ- has been the case with the Montreux Con- of the vessels for the canal: tankers may ence in the region. Black Sea Synergy vention: Turkey has controlled the straits have a maximum length of 275 m and 48 aims at far-reaching regional cooperation since 20 July 1936. Many Western coun- m width at 145,000 DWT; for container between the Black Sea countries and be- tries, especially the US, reject the Mon- ships the maximum length is 340 m and the tween the Black Sea and the EU. Turkey treux Convention; in 2006, the US Sen- width 48.2 m at 120,000 DWT. Of course attaches great importance to Black Sea ate did not confirm the Montreux Treaty the government hopes for income, but the Synergy, as the internal programmes have because the US felt it should be adapted Istanbul Canal will allow for the passage of also led to EU membership; Russia is con- to the present conditions. On 23 March warships of non-neighbouring states into sidered a strategic partner. 2006, US Ambassador Ross Wilson told the Black Sea which might affect the status Since 2009, the EU has strengthened and several journalists in Ankara that the Mon- quo in the entire region. Conflicts are inevi- expanded “Black Sea Synergy” through its treux Treaty was open for re-negotiation table; the presence of 100,000 tonnes of “Eastern Partnership” with the post-Sovi- and that US ships would have the right American diplomacy in the Black Sea is only et states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, to navigate in the international waters of a question of a minor contractual change. Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. From now

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 35  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION

on, Russia gradually lost its dominance in written in the stars; Armenia's hostility has require enormous efforts. The national the Black Sea to the EU. The Russians did increased enormously since the Nagorno- security strategy is multi-faceted and cov- not take countermeasures until five years Karabakh war, and we should expect Ar- ers maritime and regional security as well later. In 2014, under the patronage of Rus- menia's veto against it. But we must not as energy security. The development and sia, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) overlook the fact that many countries of control of international energy pipelines was founded as a bulwark against the EU. the EEU have remained on the right track and trade routes from Eurasia to Europe Currently, the EEU consists of Armenia, in the democratisation process. Although are top priorities, as is the fight against in- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Be- Turkey and Azerbaijan's fundamental ternational terrorism and the suppression larus. Particular attention is being paid to rights are based on Western values, the of migration flows from Asia to Europe. the dozens of candidates for enlargement, likelihood of accession to the EEU's Free After the military coup of 15 July 2016, the most interesting being Nagorno-Kara- Trade Agreement is high, given current Turkey occasionally sought to resolve the bakh (Azerbaijan), Transnistria (Moldova), relations with the EU. conflict between its neighbours Russia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia (Georgia), the The EU has committed itself to the Black Ukraine and Georgia and, despite every- People's Republic of Luhansk and the Peo- Sea as a geostrategically sensitive area thing, saw the resolution of the Nagorno- ple's Republic of Donetsk (Ukraine). through peaceful projects and it appreci- Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan It is obvious that Russia is exploiting the ates the value of the sea basin strategy. and Armenia as a national responsibility, cultural diversity of the Black Sea region But for at least five years everyone has but Russia's territorial claim in the Cau- as a potential weakness to transform the been talking about the defence of Europe casus is pushing peace far away. Turkey's region as it sees fit, but Russia should not and the future security and defence poli- cultural heritage contributes to bringing forget that its own country comprises al- cy of the EU (PESCO/Framework Nations political and economic influence from the most 200 ethnic cultures. Russia's policies Concept). It is only a matter of time before Black Sea via the Caspian Sea into the create a buffer zone against the West and the EU acts independently of NATO in the Eurasian region, so that the country gains bring two strategic advantages: on the Black Sea. In the short or long term, Turkey international importance in Central Asia. one hand, preventing Western influence will find its strategic place in the West in Turkey's strategic advantage could be of in the Black Sea and, on the other, pre- such a complicated multilateral situation. great importance to the EU as a bridge. venting Ukraine and Georgia from join- Overall, a dynamic and agile Turkey at the ing NATO and the EU. Despite all Russian Conclusion geostrategic crossroads between Europe, resistance, Turkey is conducting military Eurasia and the Middle East is desirable exercises with both alliances. The Black Sea offers Turkey enormous op- not only in the sense of "ANIMUS IN CON- Whether Turkey and Azerbaijan will ever portunities to become involved in interna- SULENDO LIBER," but also to secure world be accepted into the promising EEU is still tional politics, but the difficult tasks will peace. 

XI INTERNATIONAL AVIATION AND SPACE SALON AVIASVIT-XXIAVIASVIT-XXI

9-12 October 2018

International Exhibition Centre Ukraine, Kyiv, Brovarsky Ave, 15, “Livoberezhna” underground station 36 Europeantel./fax: Security &+38 Defence 044 · April 201 2018 11 63, 201 11 64 e-mail: [email protected] www.iec-expo.com.ua, www.tech-expo.com.ua REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION Status Report: The

Eugene Kogan

Undoubtedly, the Russian annexation of Crimea in March 2014 caused serious damage to the Ukrainian Naval Forces. About 70 per cent of the fleet has been lost and what remained is in poor shape and in need of repairs.

he resulting conflict in the Eastern Navy is estimated at only a quarter of Tpart of Ukraine drew attention, ener- its former strength and capabilities, with gy and resources away from the difficult slightly more than 7,000 sailors and of- state of the Ukrainian Navy towards the ficers in total. And while other segments urgent needs of the army and air force. of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are doing The perilous state of the economy has considerably better in March 2018 than further decreased financial support for they were in 2014, the Ukrainian Navy the Navy’s needs. In addition, a debate on is still struggling to regain its footing,

the conceptual vision of the Navy divided Image: Ukrainian Navy strength and capabilities. the expert community and top naval per- What is more, the Navy’s budget in 2016 sonnel for about 15 months. In February amounted to just 2% of the MoD’s total 2017, it was agreed that the concept of budget (US$2.2Bn) or US$44M, while only the Mosquito fleet would be pursued until 0.5% of the total budget or about US$11M 2020 and then be replaced by a concept is spent on procuring weapons and mili- of blue and littoral waters. It remains to be Coat of arms of the Ukrainian Navy tary equipment for the fleet. Even though, seen whether the concept agreed upon according to various estimates, the MoD will remain valid. Still, both concepts re- tion of a new fleet. This is by all means a budget in 2017 rose to between US$2.4Bn quire funds for repairs, construction and clear case of economic considerations out- and US$2.6Bn, data for the naval budget purchase of foreign vessels. In addition, weighing Russia's political niceties. in 2017 were not disclosed. Stepan Pol- Ukrainian shipbuilding facilities urgently It appears that in the meantime torak, Ukraine’s Minister of Defence said need to be modernised, which requires has become the provisional harbour of in October 2017 that the budget of the additional funding. In other words, the road to the renewal of the naval forces, XI INTERNATIONAL including the modernisation of the coun- try's shipbuilding facilities, is a complicat- AVIATION AND SPACE SALON ed but not impossible one. The State of the Fleet

In November 2015, the Ukrainian Navy

consisted of 11 warships and 39 auxiliary Photo: Ministry of Defence Ukraine AVIASVIT-XXIAVIASVIT-XXI vessels, most of which were in need of repair. At that time when Russia annexed the Crimea in March 2014, Ukraine was deprived of many bases, including the largest base in , and lost about two-thirds of its fleet, including two mine- sweepers and a coastal mine hunter. There is no point in the Ukrainian Navy accepting an offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin in January 2018 to take back the ships that 9-12 have been lost in Crimea. Repair and main- On the Day of the Ukrainian Navy, Stepan Poltorak, Minister of Defence tenance of what was lost back in March of Ukraine, honouring Ukrainian Navy servicemen who had taken part in October 2014 would be more costly than construc- combat operations in the east of Ukraine Author the Ukrainian Navy. However, Odessa ministry in 2018 would become a “devel- 2018 was and still is a commercial rather than opment budget” without further elaborat- Eugene Kogan is a defence a military port as it lacks a maritime in- ing on the issue. The MoD felt that it would and security expert based in Tbilisi, frastructure to support and maintain the be good for them to receive US$5.4Bn in Georgia. fleet effectively. Four years after the an- 2018, but only US$3.2Bn or 2.56% of GDP International Exhibition Centre nexation of the Crimea, the Ukrainian were allocated in the draft State Budget. Ukraine, Kyiv, Brovarsky Ave, 15, “Livoberezhna” underground station tel./fax: +38 044 201 11 63, 201 11 64 April 2018 · European Security & Defence 37 e-mail: [email protected] www.iec-expo.com.ua, www.tech-expo.com.ua  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION

the Ukrainian MoD signed a contract to build two CENTAUR class coastal assault landing craft that are fitted with guns, gre- nade and rocket launchers, and are capa-

Photo: Ukrainian Navy ble of transporting up to 32 troops. They are scheduled to enter service by 2019. In November 2017, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers finally approved construction of four corvettes to be delivered to the Naval Forces between 2022 and 2028. In the same month, Vice-Admiral Ihor Vo- ronchenko, the Naval Forces' commander, said: “The Ukrainian Navy will develop a mine-defence capability (MCM) to regen- erate the Navy by 2020." In addition to upgrading its fleet, Ukraine The frigate HETMAN SAHAYDACHNIY is the current flagship is increasing the level of training of na- of the Ukrainian Navy. val personnel and creating new units of coastal defence forces. The training to In April 2017 the Navy had only three com- (FMS) programme, in 2015 US manu- combat the separatists in Donbas has in- bat ships, several artillery and facturer Willard Marine delivered five creased the professionalism of the person- one minesweeper to protect the country’s 7/11-metre Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats nel of the Navy, and in particular the naval 1,350 kilometres of coastline. Most but (RIB)-like crafts to the Ukrainian Navy, and soldiers. Vice-Admiral James Foggo III, not all of these naval platforms were de- in March 2015, Willard Marine shipped then commander of the US Sixth Fleet, in signed and built in the late 1970ies and spare RIB parts and materials to Ukraine. a visit to Odessa in September 2015, com- early 1980ies; they are outdated and In November 2016, it was reported that mented positively on what he saw of the cannot adequately face the challenges Ukraine was refitting its naval fleet, in- professionalism of the officer of the of modern naval warfare. Only one ship, cluding repairing its flagship, the frigate navy. Part of the training is also being car- the frigate HETMAN SAHAIDACHNIY, HETMAN SAHAIDACHNIY. Repair work is ried out in NATO member countries such has anti- and missile- and air- still ongoing, helped by US$30M worth of as France, Italy and the UK. In addition, defence capabilities, and two new GUR- US support, which is part of a US$500M as Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the ZA-M missile-capable patrol boats can package provided by Washington for the Ukrainian National Security and Defence be considered modern. With just several Ukrainian military. Council (NSDC), said in November 2016: “We are ready to cooperate with NATO countries in joint patrols in the Black Sea.” And last but not least, Ukraine’s active par- ticipation in the maritime Sea Breeze exer- cise in the Black Sea enhances Ukraine’s

Photo: Ukrainian Navy and NATO’s interoperability and improves skills of seamen and officers. Thus, it can be said that things are slowly but surely moving in the right direction. In addition to fleet repair and the commis- sioning of new vessels, the expert commu- nity and naval personnel agreed on a fleet concept. Although, as highlighted below, both sides have reached a kind of compro- mise, the scope and nature of the concept can be revised after 2020.

The Fleet Concept A Ukrainian Navy GURZA-M Class boat. In 2015, a heated debate on the naval Ka-27 helicopters operational, Ukraine’s Following lengthy acceptance trials de- capabilities that the country really needs obsolete naval aviation also has limited ca- signed to resolve some technical challeng- divided the Ukrainian expert community. pabilities. Finally, the development of the es, on 6 December 2016, the Navy com- One group of experts led by Vice-Admiral Navy was further hampered by continu- missioned two GURZA-M missile-capable Serhiy Haiduk, then Naval Forces com- ing uncertainty about the country's opti- riverine patrol boats. mander, proposed a blue and littoral wa- mal naval concept and a lack of balance The commissioning is part of a wider pro- ters concept, arguing that Ukraine was in between tasks, skills and resources. Both gramme to rebuild Ukraine’s naval force need of a classic naval force. Apparently, topics are discussed in detail below. structure. In December 2017, four further this group forgot that the implementation Despite the gloomy news, the Navy’s sea GURZA-M-boats were built and put into of their concept would be very expensive component was recently expanded. Un- operation, and three more have been com- and that the country has no means for der the US Navy Foreign Military Sales missioned. In addition, back in May 2016, such extravagance for the next decade.

38 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION 

The Soviet mentality, however, is still to approach the country’s coastline. In An Interim Solution strongly ingrained in the minds of Ukrain- other words, defending harbours and ian top naval brass. They should accept the ports, securing critical infrastructure and To conclude, the current state of the Ukrainian new reality and finally understand that the countering landing operations of an ad- Navy seriously hampers its ability to deter and construction of the post-Soviet Ukrainian versary are the main tasks of the Mosquito defend the country against the types of sea Navy requires a different way of thinking concept. The aforementioned GURZA-M threats that Russia is currently practicing. What and a different approach, a concept of blue and CENTAUR combat boats appear to is more, a lack of modern equipment precludes and coastal waters is not only a thing of the constitute a sizeable proportion of the Ukraine from conducting effective anti-sur- past, but should be completely discarded. fleet that is currently under construction. face, anti-submarine and air-defence warfare Another group of experts proposed the The latter naval concept ultimately se- as well as mine-countermeasure missions or so-called Mosquito fleet concept. With cured support from the high command. Ukrainian harbour protection operations. In the aim of solving the pressing security In late February 2017, Vice-Admiral Vo- addition, Ukraine requires modernising its problems in Ukraine's coastal waters, this ronchenko, who replaced Haiduk in July shipbuilding sector that was left struggling structure of troops would adopt an asym- 2016, referred to the Mosquito fleet con- over the last decade and longer. A successful metric approach and prioritise the fleet's cept as “the best option for the Navy up implementation of the Mosquito fleet concept tasks on the basis of available resources. to 2020.” However, in November 2017 should go hand-in-hand with developing and The Mosquito fleet concept envisages pur- Voronchenko added that: “the Mosquito enhancing the Ukrainian Naval Forces’ inter- chasing about 30 small- and medium-sized fleet concept is intended as an interim operability with NATO. All this requires funds combatants as the centre of a new naval solution for the short term, until build- that are currently in short supply but that is force structure it aims to have in place by ing a classic fleet becomes sustainable.” no reason not to seek to build new boats, to 2020. According to Captain (N) Andriy Ry- This structure will “allow us to perform strengthen cooperation between the Navy zhenko, the Navy’s Deputy Chief of Staff, the core tasks of our navy, namely coastal and NATO countries and to steadily improve and one of the authors of the mosquito defence, general, and offensive opera- the state of the shipbuilding industry. fleet concept, the concept is viewed as a tions.” It appears that Navy officials failed US military assistance is important since na- more cost- and time-effective option for to reconcile with the Mosquito fleet con- val systems delivered under FMS programmes maintaining presence at sea when com- cept which they considered as an interim save funds for procuring non-US funded pared to a more traditional naval force solution only. Still, it would be premature equipment. As for the construction of naval structure. These small vessels would act to say that the interim solution will be off aviation this one remains a long-term objec- asymmetrically to exploit the adversary’s the navy agenda by 2020. The final con- tive that requires a steady allocation of financial vulnerabilities and prevent the adversary cept of the fleet will be work in progress. resources. 

Scan the QR code XV INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION October 9-12, 2018

General Information General Media Technical Partner Partner Partner

Ukraine, Kyiv, Brovarsky Ave, 15 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION The Romanian Air Force

Georg Mader

The Romanian Armed Forces, and in particular the Romanian Air Force (Fort¸ele Aeriene Române) cannot be compared with larger Western European air forces, but they are more visible than others in the region.

ATO's decision at the Warsaw Sum- an NATO allies already meet the 2% tar- equipment is old or obsolete and urgently Nmit in July 2016 to step up defence get, and yesterday Romania announced needs to be upgraded or replaced.” And and deterrence on the Eastern flank in they will also meet the target this year, air forces operating combat aircraft are response to Russia's aggressive behaviour adding one more European nation to often the most expensive branch of the in Ukraine and elsewhere has increased those meeting the goal.“ armed forces today - if there are no large Romania's strategic exposure as a key Moscow’s hybrid and open interven- warships. Subsequently, not only the ac- NATO ally in the Black Sea region. In re- tion in Ukraine from 2014 sparked con- quisition costs, often reduced by offset cent months, US President Donald Trump cerns about Russia’s intents in the region payments or cheaper second-hand air- and NATO Secretary General Jens Stolten- which in turn prompted military spending craft, but also a hefty operating budget must be made available. Otherwise you may have a number of modern platforms but without allocating appropriate op- erating costs you may end up like Aus- tria, the author’s home country. While

Photo: Georg Mader Romania is much poorer than neutral and non-aligned Austria, which spends a ridiculous 0.7% on defence and where thousands of Romanians migrate to for work or even for begging, Bucharest has surprisingly overtaken its wealthier neighbours, at least when it comes to available platforms.

Combat Aircraft: Dwindling MiGs Retirement of the swing-wing MiG-23 in 2000 and a failed attempt to upgrade the MiG-29s with the SNIPER programme by circumventing the Russian OEM led the Romanians to team up with Israel’s to upgrade 112 MiG-21 FISH- BED to the LANCERs from 1995 on. Until 2002, a total of 111 were modernised, 71 Romania’s inauguration of its first F-16 by former Defence Minister of which were -M and -MF/MF-75 vari- Mihnea Ioan Motoc ants modernised under the LANCER-A designation (for ground attack), 14 were berg have repeatedly cited Romania as a to increase by 7% in 2017. From 2014 -UM variants designated as LANCER-B "model student" of determination and to 2017, defence spending among East (trainer), and another 26 MF/MF-75 ver- political will to raise defence spending to European states has increased by 34% sions were modernised under LANCER- a NATO-specified GDP target in the next in real terms. Romania and Bulgaria also C designation (air superiority), able to decade. increased defence budgets by 26.9% and use both Western and Eastern ordnance Stoltenberg said at the Munich Security 24% respectively. According to Romani- such as the R-60M, R-73, MAGIC-2, or Conference in February: „Several Europe- an military sources, Bucharest will spend PYTHON-III WVR AAMs. Of all these air- around €10Bn (US$12Bn) on defence pro- craft, only 26 LANCER-B/C are still opera- Author curement in the next decade, which is tional since December 2016. remarkable in light of a US$197Bn GDP When Bulgaria and Romania joined NA- Georg Mader is a defence corre- in 2017. TO, Bulgaria swore to replace its MiG-21 spondent and freelance aerospace More than a decade after the collapse of and -29 and to acquire eight new fighter journalist based in Vienna, Austria, “Conducator” Ceausescu’s Communist aircraft by 2016, but even two years after and a regular contributor to ESD. regime, a document from the Romanian that date nothing has happened. After General Staff stated that “75% of military it appeared that SAAB would make the

40 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION  race with eight Gripen' -C/D in 2017, the new Bulgarian Minister of Defence only this month made another proposal to procure new fighter aircraft to replace the remaining - too little flown - MiGs Photo: Georg Mader and to seek new offers for new and used aircraft. The situation in Romania is very different; the Romanian MiG-29 were phased-out back in 2003. Only recently, however, the annexation of the Crimea by Russia vis- à-vis the Romanian Black Sea coast has made the modernisation of Romanian air defence evident. When the Kremlin built up its forces on the peninsula, Rus- sian aircraft began to patrol the Black Sea. Romanian aircraft have been forced An upgraded IAR-99C SOIM based at Bacau Air Base to intercept these Russian planes when they approach the country’s air space. However, it is not particularly credible to intercept or deter Su-27S/30SM FLANK- ERs or Tu-22M3 BACKFIRE bombers with ageing MiG-21s. This is why Bucharest Photo: Georg Mader asked NATO to step in and assist for an interim period, and since 2016 US, Ca- nadian, Portuguese and British jets have been bolstering Romania’s air defence on a rotational basis. Last August, the author witnessed "Operation Biloxi" with RAF TYPHOONs flying out of Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base near Constanţa on the Black Sea. The author was told by local RAF officers that two TYPHOONs A Romanian IAR-330 PUMA, a licensed version of the Aerospatiale had been scrambled by Russian VKS Tu- SA-330 transport helicopter 22M3s the day before. theless making the change to Western and they formed the 53rd “Warhawks” 48 Carpathian Ghosts and NATO-compatible equipment. With Squadron at Fetešti Air Base. a first contract signed on 30 September In addition to the 12 aircraft, Romania For the reason that the acquisition of a 2013 between Romania, Portugal and also bought the following equipment: 60 substantial number of newly-built, lat- the US, Romania acquired 12 used but AIM-9M SIDEWINDER WVR-AAMs with est generation platforms is out of ques- overhauled and upgraded F-16AM/-BM a number of captive training-missiles tion, Romania turned its sights on used (two-seater) aircraft. Technically, they (CATMs), 30 AIM-120C AMRAAM BVR- and overhauled fighters, while never- were bought via “C N Romtehnica” un- AAMs with five CATMs, 18 AGM-65H der the “Peace Carpathian” programme, MAVERICK ATGMs with four CATM, 10 with third-party transfer authorisation guided GBU-12 bombs, three sets of AN/ Factbox Fort¸ele Aeriene coming from US authorities. The total ALQ-131 ECM-pods, 15 airborne and Române contract volume was €628M, VAT in- two terrestrial sets of MIDS Link 16 da- Founded: 1913 cluded. At the time, the Portuguese de- talink-terminals, 13 inertial satellite GPS/ Current Commander: fence minister explained that the agree- INS-sets and 48 LAU-129-launchers. MajGen Laurian Anastasof ment was for the sale of nine used Portu- The package also included spare parts, Strength: ~9.500 guese and three ex-USAF F-16. Romania maintenance tools and all other possible Flying inventory: MiG-21 LANCER paid €108M for the aircraft and another logistics. (26), F-16AM/BM (12), IAR-99 ”Soim” €78M to Portugal for their modernisa- Romania is aiming for a further expansion (18), IAR-330 (~50, of which 24 tion, provision of training and logistics. of its combat fleet, following the govern- SOCAT), IAR-316 (6), -52 (12), Additional costs of €442M included the ment's decision to implement the afore- C-130B/H (4), C-27J (7); GBAD: MIM- renovation of Fetešti Air Base, the adapta- mentioned 2% of GDP for defence pur- 223 HAWK, S-75 (SA-2), 2K12 ”Kub”, tion of the infrastructure to new aircraft, poses in 2017. Former Defence Minister GEPARD mobile AAA; procurement of weapons and additional Beniamin Les told the parliament: “My in- Air Bases: Câmpia Turzii, Feteşti, electronic equipment. The first six F-16 tention is to make the decision for another Bacău, Bucureşti- Otopeni, Boboc, were delivered in late September 2016 20 F-16 fighters this year. We need more Constanţa/Mihail Kogălniceanu, in a distinctive grey paint-scheme called jets to strengthen our air force capability. Timişoara/Giarmata, Braşov (GBAD), “Carpathian Ghost”, followed by three Romania intends to buy another 20 F-16 Capu Midia (range). more aircraft in December. The last three fighters from the US.” In March 2017, the aircraft were delivered in October 2017 Parliament and Supreme Defence Coun-

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 41  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION cil (CSAT) approved the decision for the other 36 second-hand F-16s from the US. carefully looked into. I also spoke to my procurement of another 12 to 20 F-16s. Discussions with our US ally are already Portuguese colleague in Brussels. They Although the legal process could soon be under way,” Tutuianu explained. can't even sell us four more, but they are completed, it is unclear where these air- And on 20 February 2018, Mihai Fifor, an- willing to support us with aircraft from the frames would come from, as F-16 produc- other successor in the Department of De- US, as they did with the first 12”. tion at Fort Worth was ended in favour fence, also held course when he explained While Lockheed-Martin has been award- of the F-35. And while new-built F-16V that it was a major concern to expand the ed a US$24M contract (confirmed by for Bahrain are in the pipeline, a future fighter fleet, citing the dwindling readiness the Pentagon in April 2017) to provide Block-70, merely existing as an artist’s- of the remaining 26 LANCER MiG-21s. Fifor the FAR with a Block 15 training system, impression, is offered to India. also mentioned the procurement of pos- logistics support and software develop- ment until April 2021 as a 100% FMS sale, disadvantages remain: Used aircraft are a good choice for countries with small air forces and tight budgets, but carry the risk of higher maintenance costs and

Photo: Georg Mader faster obsolescence in the long term. Poli- ticians need to explain to the media and the public how second-hand military- equipment can increase the nation’s de- fence capabilities. It remains to be seen whether the current acquisition strategy, which, as Romanian sources suggest, sees the "Fighting Falcon" as a bridge to the final purchase of the F-35, can ever become reality for a nation like Romania, or whether the price of the F-35 will ever decline to a level affordable for Eastern European economies.

A former German GEPARD anti-aircraft artillery system at Campia Turul Leonardo Upgrades SOIM Airbase Even during the communist era, the Ro- In contrast to Bulgaria, where an incom- sibly up to 36 F-16s. In an interview with manian aviation and aerospace industry ing new government totally turned the Evz.ro, he explained that, “General Nicolae cooperated with Western manufacturers, selection (for GRIPEN) upside down, the Ciucă, the Chief of Staff and the Forțele Ae- which was very unusual at the time. Ex- new Romanian defence minister Adrian riene believe that they can set up a serious amples are the French-licensed Aerospa- Tutuianu confirmed the procurement defence when they have what we need: tiale helicopters produced since 1968 or decisions taken earlier; next to GBAD Three squadrons of 16 planes each.” He the collaboration with Yugoslavia’s SOKO (ground-based air-defence) additional discusses the issue in the US in early 2018, with the light strike-jet IAR-93 ORAO. F-16s will be among the nation’s three knowing that the F-16s are no longer man- This tradition continues to this day, with top defence procurement priorities: “We ufactured. ”So they will be second-hand, the latest example being a modern Italian need more jets to face the threats. We but while they might come from US sur- radar by LEONARDO integrated into the need 48 aircraft; Romania will buy an- plus, their status and flight record will be domestically designed and operated jet- trainer IAR-99 SOIM (Hawk). Announcing the deal on 29 August, the European sen- sor provider said the VIXEN 500E AESA radar has been chosen by Romania's Na- tional Institute for Aerospace Research

Photo: Georg Mader (INCAS) for its new trainer demonstra- tor programme IAR-99 TD. The project is based on the basic IAR-99, which will be modified by INCAS and the aircraft manufacturer AVIOANE CRAIOVA. The company identified the aircraft as the third prototype of the SOIM programme. The Romanian Air Force operates an ac- tive fleet of 18 IAR-99s which are be- tween 16 to 29 years old. The service is the only operator of that aircraft which has a Rolls-Royce VIPER engine, similar to the Czech L-39 ALBATROS. According to Catalin Nae, General Man- ager at INCAS, TD means to fully test A French ALOUETTE helicopter license-produced in Romania and further develop technologies for an

42 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION 

and IAR-330 PUMA, a licensed version of the Aerospatiale SA-330 transport heli- copter. For the latter, Israel’s ELBIT was chosen in 1995 to upgrade 24 helicopters

Photo: Alabama ANG with the SOCAT (Sistem Optronic de Cer- cetare și Anti-Tanc). Romania operates 68 of these two heli- copters, most of which are more than 30 years old and need to be replaced. Moreover, Romania lacks a dedicated at- tack helicopter platform and has been using the armed SOCAT-PUMAs for the attack and close support role. Attack/an- ti-tank helicopters, thus are a priority, but in the past five years, Romania’s need for SAR-helicopters for the internal security A Romanian Air Force MiG-21 LANCER in a dogfight with a USAFE F-16 forces has been highlighted by a series of accidents and tragedies which required advanced trainer, with enhanced sensing payment of US$910M to the estimated a faster intervention by first responders. and combat capabilities. LEONARDO be- US$4,6B was made in November 2017. Over the last three years, three interna- lieves a successful outcome could lead to Then defence minister Adrian Țuțuianu tional helicopter manufacturers have re- further opportunities: “The sale of the has stated that Romania intends to field portedly been in contact with the Roma- VIXEN 500E might lead to Romania's the new missile system already this year nian authorities regarding a possible ro- fleet of IAR-99s being retrofitted with when the first battery arrives. Romania tory acquisition: Airbus, Bell and Sikorsky. the new radar as part of a wider upgrade will receive seven PATRIOT Configuration But no public tender has been issued nor programme. We further see commercial 3+ fire units, 56 GEM-T, and 168 PAC-3 has the number of helicopters Romania potential outside of Romania and are interceptor missiles, according to the US wants to acquire been specified. Most looking forward to working with INCAS Defence Cooperation Agency. likely, Romania will operate a mix of types. to address this,” LEONARDO’s Airborne and Space Systems managing director Norman Bone explained. Photo: NATO Carpathian PATRIOTs

Long-range GBAD systems may compen- sate for the lack of fighter aircraft while complementing the existing force. Inter- operability with the US and other NATO allies operating such systems (Germany, The ) or plan to acquire them (Poland, possibly Sweden) played a signif- icant role for Romania when the country also opted for the PATRIOT air and missile defence system in late 2017. During exer- cises with US forces, PATRIOT proved in- A MiG-21 LANCER flying low over the Black Sea teroperable with Romania’s current MIM- 23 HAWK systems. The deployment of According to Raytheon representatives, Since there is a domestic industry, there missile defence assets to Deveselu in Ro- Aerostar Bacau has the opportunity to de- will be a demand to produce locally, like mania as part of the European Phased liver components for Romania’s PATRIOT at IAR Ghimbav. The government wants Adaptive Approach (EPAA) was another systems, as well as for the entire global PA- Romania to become a regional helicopter argument in favour of PATRIOT, as they TRIOT inventory, which consists of about hub and provide helicopters for both its can complement Standard SM-3 missiles. 220 units owned by 14 countries. armed forces and its neighbours, if they Finally, the PATRIOT system was cheaper are interested. IAR Ghimbav has ongo- than other alternatives, such as MBDA’s Helicopter Modernisation ing negotiations with Bell-Textron Heli- SAMP/T system or MEADS. copters which is why the AH-1Z and the On 29 November 2017 Raytheon an- As mentioned above, Romania was UH-1Y, selected by the Czech Republic, nounced that Romania had signed a let- unique among the Warsaw Pact nations are likely to be considered. But Bucharest ter of acceptance to buy the PATRIOT air in developing its aeronautical industry has also signalled that it will acquire an defence system from the US. The agree- not strictly along Warsaw Pact rules. In undisclosed number of helicopters from ment paves the way for Romania’s PA- 1968, France licensed helicopter produc- Airbus, also to be assembled locally. In TRIOT force to rapidly reach its initial op- tion to the state-run IAR Ghimbav fac- December 2017, the MoD began talks erational capability and for contract ne- tory near Brașov. Two types have been with Airbus for an initial order of four gotiations to go forward between the US produced locally for 30 years: IAR-316B, H215M helicopters, for which there al- government and Raytheon, while a first a licensed version of the ALOUETTE IIIB, ready is a line at IAR Ghimbav. 

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 43 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION Bulgarian Procurement and Arms Exports

Eugene Kogan

When it comes to allocating funds to defence budget, Bulgaria’s recent and current administrations have not been up to task.

ulgaria’s procurement programme The Bulgarian government has neglected sity but rather as a long-term target that Bis linked to the Ministry of Defence the country's defence budget, capabilities should be accomplished in an unspeci- (MoD) budget allocations. Back in 2015, and procurement programmes over the fied future. As early as February 2017, defence budget was US$664M or about past decade. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's Managing Prime Minister Borisov had 1.16% of GDP. One year later, defence current government plans to change the disregarded the wish of former President budget stood at US$769M or 1.31% of negligence of recent years and imple- Rosen Plevneliev to increase the country's GDP. However, in 2017 budget decreased ment procurement programmes cannot defence budget to at least 2% of GDP by to about US$585M despite the notion be taken for granted. After all, Borisov 2024. Since then Borisov has not changed his mind and it is not to be expected that there will be a gradual increase in defence funding in the coming years. Borisov's at- titude towards increasing the defence budget has not changed since his first- elected government back in July 2009 de- spite the fact that back in 2014, Bulgaria committed itself at the NATO Summit in Wales to a defence spending target of 2% Photo: Scott Wagers / U.S. Air Force to be reached by 2024. In an interview on 17 November 2017, President Rumen Radev has reinforced the author’s view by saying that “Bulgaria is still lagging behind in building military capabilities. What is more, Bulgaria is moving away from the requirement of Article 3 of the NATO Treaty to develop its own capabili- ties, as well as the Lisbon Treaty, obliging EU member states to improve their mili- tary capabilities.” Moreover, in 2015, 70% of the defence budget was already spent on personnel costs, including military pensions, and the situation did not improve in 2016 and A from Bulgaria’s 1st Special Forces Battalion with US 2017. As long as the majority of the budg- soldiers during exercise “Thracian Spring” at Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria et is spent on personnel costs, the funds for procurement requirements are not that more funds should be allocated. has led several Bulgarian governments sufficient. In order to break a vicious circle Therefore, the proposed plans of the since July 2009, and today we see the of perpetual scarcity of funds for procure- Ministry of Finance that Bulgaria should results of the governments led by Borisov, ment, the Ministry of Finance presented spend BGN4.4Bn (€2.25Bn) on defence which can be described as failure. As far plans to privatise the large state-owned in 2018 should be taken with a grain of as Bulgaria's arms exports are concerned, arms manufacturer VMZ Sopot in 2018 salt; such an increase is unlikely to happen we can see different results: Arms exports and the arms exporter Kintex in 2019. The despite the wishes of MoD officials. increased significantly between 2014 and idea was that the proceeds from the sale 2016. The official figure for 2017 will be should be used for the acquisition of new Author published in summer 2018. Therefore it fighter aircraft. In May 2017, however, remains remains to be seen whether there Bulgaria stopped privatisation without Eugene Kogan is a defence is a further increase in arms exports. giving any explanations. and security expert based in Tbilisi, Bulgarian government officials do not see Lack of coherence in the allocation of de- Georgia. the NATO-required benchmark of 2% fence budgets in conjunction with diver- GDP for the defence budget as a neces- gent, if not contradictory, views on the

44 European Security & Defence · April 2018 REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION 

restoration of the country's defence capa- although Bulgaria is a NATO member state, Emmanuel Macron to Bulgaria in Au- bilities and a lack of pressure from NATO it has chosen Russia as its defence partner. gust 2017 to discuss the participation of members therefore lead to repeated de- The government officials will probably re- French companies, no final decision has lays in the procurement issues discussed ject the author's statements outright, but been made so far; the recent naval ten- below. this is to be expected. der follows a competition that Bulgaria In addition, the Borisov government does launched 10 years ago and then cancelled not see the changing strategic environ- Procurement Plans versus due to fiscal strains. It is therefore a sense- ment around the Black Sea region as a Sobering Reality less business to speculate if and when a threat to Bulgaria in particular; as early final decision is likely to be made. as February 2017, a spokesperson for the Back in April 2016, then Minister of De- The same holds true for Bulgaria’s fighter Bulgarian Ministry of Defence said: "Bul- fence Nikolay Nenchev said that, “A pro- modernisation and procurement efforts garia has not committed itself to partici- ject to acquire two multi-purpose patrol with which the country intends to upgrade pate in a permanent Black Sea navy," led ships with modular design to replace the its Soviet-era fleet of 15 MiG-29s and 14 by its NATO ally Romania. The spokes- obsolete Soviet-era built patrol ships for Su-25s since it joined NATO in 2004. A final person added that, “in 2017 the country the is to cost BGN820M decision has not yet been made, although is not planning any major international (€419M).” The project was and still is the long-term procurement programme naval exercises such as Black Sea Breeze, part of a €1.24Bn defence procurement and the interest of international manu- which took place in July 2016.” package for the Bulgarian Air Force and facturers in the sale of combat aircraft has As a result, a laisser-faire foreign policy is Navy approved by the government in late been made public. The repeated state- pursued by the government, which does March 2016 and approved by parliament ments by Bulgarian government officials not regard the NATO benchmark as one in June 2016. However, the initial acquisi- that the Swedish Saab GRIPEN won the that should be pursued steadfastly. Borisov tion programme has a maximum tax-free competition are not true, and the Swedish also sees Russia as a partner rather than an value aforementioned. With the changes manufacturer admitted this fact in Septem- opponent, and Bulgaria's economic con- to tax legislation in 2017, under which the ber 2017. siderations are more important to Borisov potential contractor was legally obliged Krasimir Karakachanov, Minister of De- and his government than the common to repay 20% of the approved amount fence, told the Bulgarian Parliament on position of NATO and the EU towards Rus- of tax, this budget declined significantly. 10 November 2017 that, “By the end of sia. Bulgaria's procurement plans are be- Even though Bulgaria has held prelimi- July 2018 tendering and awarding pro- ing delayed so as not to irritate Russia and nary talks with the EU and NATO mem- cedure for the new fighter aircraft must to maintain friendly and trusting relations ber states about the potential acquisition be completed.” However, the budget law with Russia. That is why it can be said that of ships and a visit of French President 2018 adopted by parliament in Decem- ХIII International Exhibition 30th May – 2nd June 2018, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Under the auspices of THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE and THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

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EXHIBITION by name, EXPERIENCE by nature  REGIONAL FOCUS – BLACK SEA REGION ber 2017 did not provide any funds for ons of Mass Destruction, Bulgaria has for purchasing the abovementioned procurement. That is why Karakachanov's exported arms worth more than €1Bn in goods have worked quite well and there statement should be treated with a grain 2016, compared with €642M in 2015 and has been no real pressure on Borisov to of salt, despite the minister's optimism. €402M in 2014. As the entire tendering process took a Major customers long time, in August 2017, Karakachanov of Bulgarian arms had already requested funds to maintain were and still are

the airworthiness of the current fighter Iraq and Saudi Photo: U.S. Army and strike aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Arabia, followed Force. At the time Karakachanov said by the United that: “only eight of MiG-29s and four of States, Afghani- Su-25s were in a serviceable condition. stan, Croatia, [As a result], the minister has held talks Azerbaijan, India, with representatives of RAC MIG about Egypt and Russia. the options for maintaining the MiG- July 2016 data 29 fleet,” but no word was said about on 2015 arms maintenance of the Su-25s. The Bulgar- exports show ian MoD has asked RAC MIG to overhaul that Bulgaria ex- and maintain 15 MiG-29s in a four-year ported arms and deal worth about BGN81.3M (US$49M) ammunition to on 11 December 2017, but no agreement Iraq for €159.6M, was signed yet. Whether or not RAC MIG while Saudi Ara- will ultimately go ahead with the business bia bought arms remains to be seen. worth €92.4M. Although Bulgaria, as a member of NATO, According to the is obliged to keep at least one squadron report, in 2016 of 12 fighters in good flying condition, Bulgaria export- the reality is different. Therefore, in June ed arms and am- 2017, the Bulgarian Parliament authorised munition worth NATO to contribute to the protection of €259.2M to Iraq, the country's airspace. while Saudi Ara- Karakachanov’s report on the planned bia bought arms Boyko Borisov, Prime Minister of the Republic of acquisitions submitted to the govern- worth €238.9M, Bulgaria, at a troop visit ment in September 2017 also mentioned the US bought procurement of 198 armoured fighting arms worth €97.8M and Afghanistan change his tactics and increase the ap- vehicles (AFVs) at a cost of BGN1.22Bn, bought arms worth €55M. Bulgarian propriations for the defence budget. with repayments of BGN100M annually arms exports to NATO and EU members Bulgarian officials may not agree with the up until 2029. The implementation of were about €200M. author's claim regarding procurement, the project would allow employment in The Bulgarian arms company VMZ So- but the way in which the procurement all areas of ground operations, even at pot increased its revenues to about process for combat aircraft and patrol night and under extreme climatic condi- BGN501.3M (US$277.7M) in 2016, a ships has been going on for more than tions. In June 2016, the Bulgarian parlia- 400% increase compared with 2015. 14 and 11 years respectively supports ment already refused the green light for The Bulgarian arms manufacturer Kintex the author's position; the Bulgarian gov- the acquisition of AFVs. Therefore, as has tripled its net sales in the first half of ernment is unwilling to tackle accumu- with the above-mentioned procurement 2017 from about BGN50M (€25.5M) to lated problems seriously. It was therefore plans for combat aircraft and patrol BGN152.3M (€77.8M) compared to the not surprising that in September 2017, ships, there are currently more questions same period last year. Karakachanov presented the government than answers and doubts about the gov- With the escalation of conflicts in the with a report on the planned acquisition ernment's sincerity in implementing the Middle East, Bulgaria's defence sector of combat aircraft, naval patrol ships and plans. has steadily increased its turnover. As AFVs, which provided for deferred pay- long as the conflicts in the Middle East ments until 2029 to mitigate the effects Arms Exports on the Rise continue, Bulgarian arms exports could on the state budget. Unless there is pres- continue. sure from NATO headquarters, Borisov's Borisov's laisser-faire domestic procure- Finally, the frequent changes of govern- government sees no urgency to increase ment policy has led to constant delays, ments and the government's differing the defence budget and implement its accompanied by the indecisiveness of the views on the best weapons system, com- procurement policy. government and blaming others, such as bined with the government's indecisive- With regard to the steady increase in President Radev, for the government's ness, make the procurement of weapons arms exports, Bulgaria has managed to mistakes. On the other hand, Bulgaria has systems difficult, if not impossible. sell goods that had been in stock for substantially increased its arms exports Another aspect that must not be forgot- some time and are now finally finding between 2014 and 2016. According to ten is that Prime Minister Borisov is not their way to customers in the Middle a report by the Bulgarian Government’s keen to spend any money on the pur- East. However, let us remain cautious Inter-ministerial Commission for Export chase of, for example, fighter aircraft and when it comes to forcasting an increase Control and Non-Proliferation of Weap- patrol boats. So far, the delaying tactics in arms exports from Bulgaria. 

46 European Security & Defence · April 2018 AIR FORCE BASE WATERKLOOF, CITY OF TSHWANE  ARMED FORCES New Danish Defence Agreement

Jørgen Bo Leimand

Responding to emerging threats, Denmark’s Government issued defence missiles for our frigates, a 50% in- crease in special operations patrol units and a new Agreement for the Danish Defence 2018 - 2023 which will a capacity for anti-submarine warfare. To- substantially increase defence spending. gether with NATO, the Danish Armed Forces must have sufficient potency and robust- ness to deter others from attacking our allies and ourselves. The new Defence Agreement will secure a considerable increased Danish

Photo: USMC contribution to NATO Response Force (NRF). The newly held Defence Ministers meeting in the NATO HQ in Brussels showed that the new Danish Defence agreement is well in line with the new NATO capacities approved by this meeting.

A New Deployable Brigade

Based on the Danish Army's current op- erational capabilities, the Danish Armed Forces will establish a deployable brigade, which in the framework of NATO can help to deter a more equal opponent and be Soldiers of the Danish Home Guard receiving a briefing prior to con- part of the collective defence. The brigade ducting urban warfare training at Camp Grayling, Michigan. The troops will strengthen the Danish Armed Forces’ joined the 24th Marine for an international exercise designed overall fighting power and the mobility to improve urban patrolling, stability operations and counterinsurgency of the defence, and it will strengthen the tactics. ability to operate in a NATO context. The elements in the brigade can be deployed Threat Assessment Defence budget. Some of the equipment in smaller units when they are not part of that is needed now was scraped and sold the brigade structure. This strengthens the “Global threats are more serious than at or donated 20 years ago. ability to participate in international mis- any other time since the fall of the Berlin sions at different scales and thereby tailor Wall. Threats can occur anywhere in the Elements the contribution to the actual scenario. This world, both far from Denmark and in our deployable brigade could be used in a Baltic region. Danish Defence enforces the sov- With the new six-years Defence Agree- context should it be necessary. This new ini- ereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark and ment from 2018 to 2023 the Parties tiative shows that the Danish Armed Forces ensures the continued existence, integrity behind the agreement agree to substan- are now foreseen to be used primarily for a and security of the nation. A robust Danish tially increase defence spending. By 2023 territorial defence and as an element in NRF Defence and preparedness is the prerequi- the annual budget increase will reach and not as an expeditionary corps as in the site for a safe society.” This is the baseline DKK4.8Bn. There will be more opera- last 25 years. for the new Defence Agreement. tional units and troops and a more agile, This new brigade will have in its inventory You could also say that the government less top-heavy organisational structure – both new and enhanced capabilities and by this agreement responds to the require- meaning fewer generals and more foot the shopping list might look like this: ment from President Trump to the NATO soldiers. The national emergency pre- • More operative battle to establish Nations to live up to the promises made at paredness will be significantly strength- a third battle tank squadron. the Wales Summit 2014. In addition, you ened with more people and more equip- • Ground-based air defence units includ- can also claim that this agreement is a re- ment, and cyber security will be heavily ing multi mission radars. sponse to the threat coming from Russia enhanced. The substantial increase will • Anti-tank missile systems to protect the which has forced NATO to deploy forces to strengthen the Danish Defence in the ar- combat . the Baltic States including Danish troops. eas described below. • A third artillery unit. Finally, you can claim that this is a response • An additional light recce squadron. to the migration and terrorist problem. NATO • Additional ISR equipment. By studying the agreement, you will find • A drone capacity. that all three issues are covered. Basically, Denmark’s contributions to NATO’s col- • More than 100 new lorries for logistics it is the first time since the fall of the Ber- lective deterrence and defence will be in- support and brigade HQs support, lin Wall and the dissolution of the Warsaw creased with investments in new capacities, • Engineering equipment, medical units, Pact that there is an increase in the Danish for example a brigade for deployment, air etc.

48 European Security & Defence · April 2018 FULLY INTEGRATED

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FROM HEADQUARTERS TO THE TACTICAL EDGE

www.systematic.com/sitaware  ARMED FORCES

With the investment in 2018-2023, the Host Nation Support according to NATO • The Special Operations Command is Armed Forces will in 2024 have a deploya- rules. Every year during the pe- reorganised to strengthen the opera- ble brigade of approximately 4,000 soldiers riod the AMF (Allied Forces Central Europe tional capacity. In addition, more per- which will meet the NATO force require- Mobile Force) held the so-called “Express sonnel will be added to the Ranger ments for a medium brigade. Exercises” somewhere in NATO. In 1981 Corps and the Corps. Dur- the last “Express Exercise – Amber Express” ing the agreement period 2018-2023, Contribution to National took place on Zealand; the Danish Armed the number of special operations Security Forces might have to dig up some of the ex- force patrols is increased by more periences gained from those exercises and than 50%. The Danish Armed Forces shall contribute some of the old plans might still be valid. • The Special Operations Command is more to the safety and security of the Danes. reinforced with equipment for a de- The overall resources of the society are uti- A Royal Life Guard Company ployable Special Operations Force lised to the utmost if the Danish Armed Forc- Headquarters (Composite Special Op- es' ability to support the police is significantly The armed forces' contribution to Denmark’s erations Component Command). Here strengthened in the following areas: security is, as shown above, strengthened Denmark cooperates with The Nether- • The armed forces will continue to assist with the increased support to the police, lands and Belgium. police forces, including border control for example with protection and guard and surveillance tasks, if the police need units and with personnel on high readiness Conclusion this type of support. In this context, the who can support in case of terrorist attacks defence may, in whole or in part, carry etc. The national military service and mo- While the Danish Armed Forces are work- out the operational support for border bilisation system will be strengthened so ing hard on implementing this new agree- control, including the support from the that more troops can be mobilised in case ment there are still current operations to Home Guard. However, the command of a crisis or war. The best example of this handle. Those are FRONTEX – Sicily, Baltic and control rests at the police HQs. is the additional rifle company established Air Policing – Lithuania, Enhanced For- • The armed forces will deploy on a per- by the Royal Life Guard in the barracks at ward Presence – Estonia, Operation Inher- manent basis a FENNEC helicopter to the Gothersgade next to Norreport Station in ent Resolve – Iraq, Standing NATO Mari- Copenhagen area on a very high readi- ness alert to be used by the police in anti- terror operations. NATO

• The Royal Life Guard will set up an addi- Photo: tional rifle company of conscripts which can be made available to the police with- in a few minutes. • Funds are allocated for the armed forces to provide high-readiness units to the po- lice in the event of terror, etc. • The armed forces take over the opera- tional responsibility for personal pro- tection in high-risk areas. You will see soldiers on patrol and on guard in some areas of Copenhagen. • The armed forces will establish addi- tional special operations force patrols, which will be able to support the police if needed. The Danish Contingent during a flag-lowering ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan on 21 July 2014. The ceremony marked the A Light Infantry Battalion end of the DANCON mission for the Denmark Army with Regional Com- mand (Southwest). A light infantry battalion (up to approx. 500 soldiers) will be established. The bat- Copenhagen. In case of a terrorist attack time Group 1 – the Baltic Sea, Resolute talion can be deployed by air or sea and at Norreport Station the rifle company from Support – Afghanistan, and UN Missions can be part of the collective defence, cer- the barracks at Gothersgade can be at the (UNTSO, MINUSMA, UNMISS, UNCMAC). tain international operations or national scene within 5 minutes and can secure the In addition to this, Denmark will again in tasks, including support to the police. The area while the police initiates investigations. 2018 deploy F-16 to Iceland to take part light infantry battalion consists of a staff, This level of support has never existed in in the Iceland Peacetime Preparedness a staff company and three standing light peacetime and it shows how seriously Needs. This is just to show that Denmark infantry companies and are equipped with politicians take Denmark's current threat is a loyal partner to NATO and UN. mortars, air mobile vehicles and anti-tank level. I think that if some politicians are focusing missiles. This should be seen as tool to as- on a 2% contribution to NATO, in addition sist other NATO forces in case that Danish The Special Operations to that figure you should perhaps look at territory is needed as a staging area before Forces the value of the armed forces, or as Plato the NATO troops are deployed to the con- said; “Wise men speak because they have flict area which could be the Baltic area. The Danish Special Operations Forces are something to say; fools because they have The battalion might be responsible for reinforced by a number of initiatives: to say something.” 

50 European Security & Defence · April 2018 Marketing Report: Wiley X EMEA LLC

Protective Eyewear for the Picky Operator For more than 30 years Wiley X has been a global leader in the protective eyewear market, supplying military forces and law enforcement personnel with top-of-the-line ballistic eyewear. But what is the secret behind the ongoing success?

Wiley X insists that all its tactical premium WX Dual Lens System eyewear products meet the ANSI Z87.1 safety standard for high velocity/high mass The WX Spear Dual takes anti-fog to an ex- impact as well as being EN.166 certified. Fur- treme new level. The WX Dual Lens System thermore, it is no secret that many models consists of a two-layer lens that separates also meet various MIL-SPEC ballistic military the differences between the standards for spectacles. In short, you will outside and inside lens by making a thermal not find better eye protection out there than bridge, which makes it nearly impossible to in a pair of Wiley X glasses. fog in any extreme situation. “Our secret of having a successful global By separating the temperature differences, brand is quite simple,” says Mr. Lars Roun- one gets a clear view at any time. The low- borg Rasmussen, Director, Tactical and Law profile multi-functional goggle includes three Enforcement at Wiley X EMEA LLC. “Our lenses and an exclusive removable facial cav- main focus is that our co-operators are suc- ity seal, which eliminates reflected glare and cessful. The only way to accomplish that seals out wind, dust and any other debris. is with customers being successful when wearing Wiley X. If these two important WX Comm Temple System players had not been successful, our brand would never have become what it is today. “In our line of spectacles, we have focused Secondly, we never compromise on the on a very thin temple system. We wanted to quality. More than 10 years ago I put on my make a system not compromising the protec- first pair of Wiley X while serving and the ex- tion level of the eyewear or the ear protection act same pair is in my office today, still hav- when using ear muffs. We came up with the ing a bit of camo paint on them,” he smiles. WX Comm Temple System,” explains Lars. As Lars says: “We must be willing to fail to The new and very thin Comm Temple Sys- become genius. Only by pushing the lim- tem offers the user a comfortable solid fit its we are able to do better and succeed when worn together with ear protection in bringing innovative new products to the and communication devices. The thin and customer’s table.” flexible design provides noticeable com- Many of the key members of the Wiley X fort at any time and still provides the user organisation have a professional military with the protection required when moving background, which the functionality and fast and quickly in close-combat situations performance in the products clearly show. without compromising on safety. The WX In 2018 Wiley X presents unique products Comm Temple System is available in model focusing on the level of durability, comfort WX Rogue Comm and will be adapted to and flexibility that one wishes to take advan- more Wiley X models in the future as a part tage of when using tactical eyewear. of the Wiley X DNA.

“When buying a pair of Wiley X eyewear and thereby becoming a Wiley X fam- ily member, we thank our customers for providing us with constructive feedback Photo/Grafiks: Wiley to facilitate our development in the fu- ture. We need our family members to help us remain as the brand putting the ‘the cool factor’ into every eyewear and pushing the limit line further. We have been a brand of the people for more than 30 years and we will contin- ue being so for the next 30,” concludes Lars.  ARMED FORCES The Brussels Backdrop

NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan: an Interim Review

Joris Verbeurgt

ollowing the 9/11 attack on the US, Presi- Fdent George W. Bush launched Opera- tion Enduring Freedom against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, together with the UK. The Taliban had been ruling Afghanistan since 1996 and were accused of supporting Al Qaida and providing shelter to its leader Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attack. The US and the UK were later joined by other forces, including the Northern Alliance, which had been fight- ing the Taliban for years. In December 2001, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

established the International Security As- Photo: Justin T. Updegraff / U.S. Marine Corps sistance Force (ISAF) with the initial aim of An Afghan National Police officer distributing on three tons of con- supporting the Afghan (interim) administra- fiscated opium and heroin to be burned at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan, in tion in Kabul. In 2003, the UNSC authorised November 2017 the expansion of the ISAF mission through- out Afghanistan. NATO took command full security responsibility to the Afghan Gov- of operational planning, budgetary devel- over ISAF and provided the majority of the ernment. Operation Resolute Support was opment, force generation processes, man- troops to stamp out the insurgency that was formed the same day as a NATO led suc- agement and development of personnel, launched that same year by Taliban leader cessor to ISAF. Parallel to this NATO change logistical sustainment and civilian oversight Mullah Omar. As from 2006, the Taliban, of operation, the US replaced Operation En- (guaranteeing the rule of law and good gov- the Haqqani Network, Hezb-e-Islami Gul- during Freedom with Operation Freedom’s ernance practices). At the NATO Summit in buddin and other groups were successful in Sentinel. As of May 2017, over 13.000 foreign Warsaw in July 2016 and at the meeting of conducting guerrilla raids and ambushes in troops have remained in Afghanistan without NATO Leaders in Brussels on 25 May 2017, the countryside and suicide attacks against any formal plans to withdraw. the allies agreed to sustain the Resolute Sup- urban targets. When the Taliban began to port Mission and to keep it under review. make significant gains, the US and ISAF re- The Mission The United States' new South Asia strategy sponded to this asymmetric war tactic with led to an increase in the US troop contribu- counterinsurgency operations. From 2007 The purpose of Resolute Support is to help tion, and 27 other nations have also com- the violence escalated and the war spread the Afghan National Defence and Security mitted themselves to increasing the number to neighbouring northwest Pakistan. US and Forces (ANDSF) and the Afghan institutions of troops in the coming months. NATO Sec- NATO troop numbers gradually increased in building the capacities needed to defend retary General Jens Stoltenberg announced and peaked in 2011 when 140.000 foreign Afghanistan and to protect its citizens sus- that the size of Resolute Support Mission soldiers were deployed in the Afghan thea- tainably. Around 13.000 personnel from 39 will increase from around 13.000 to around tre. On 1 May 2011, Osama bin Laden was NATO allies and partners are available for this 16.000 troops in the course of 2018. killed in Pakistan by US Navy SEALs. A year task. The activities include training, advice later, NATO leaders expressed the desire to and support in the security-relevant minis- Good News? withdraw their forces. The UN facilitated tries and in the higher ranks of the Army and peace talks between the Afghan Govern- Police. Operations are conducted from one In 2017, the U.S. military dropped more than ment and the Taliban and an exit strategy “hub” (Kabul/Bagram) and four “spokes” 3.500 bombs or three times the amount of was put forward. On 28 December 2014, (Mazar-e-Sharif in the north, Herat in the ordnance it used in 2016. A new offensive NATO formally ended ISAF combat opera- west, in the south, and Laghman targeting Taliban drug labs was led by the tions in Afghanistan and officially transferred in the east). Support is offered in the fields Afghan Air Force. It resulted in the deaths

52 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMED FORCES 

of key Taliban leaders and the destruction of ban militants attacked their checkpoint in and institutions are of the most corrupt in US$80M in narcotics, an important source of western Farah province. 27 February 2018: the world and fully rely on the massive sup- income for the Taliban. General John Nichol- A group of fighters wearing army uniforms port of western powers for their survival. son, Resolute Support commander, stated kidnapped 30 people, including 19 police- However, the US and its NATO allies cannot that "In 2017 the Taliban failed to take any men, after stopping a bus at the border of accept, nor admit, that Afghanistan was (an- provincial capitals and the ANDSF were on the provinces of Kandahar and Uruzgan. In other) military adventure that turned into a the offensive in up to six corps areas at a another incident, a police checkpoint in Kan- failure, if not a disaster, taking into account time.” This winter season – traditionally a dahar province came under attack by the all the money and resources spent and the time when both Afghan and insurgent forces Taliban fighters leaving six policemen dead unimaginable toll in human lives and suffer- regroup and prepare for renewed fighting and wounding five others. 9 March 2018: ing that resulted from it. The examples of in the spring and summer – no rest was At least 24 members of the Afghan security Vietnam, Iraq, Libya, and Syria have shown given to the insurgents: attacks on Taliban forces were killed and several others injured that conventional armies, however modern strongholds continued and offensives were in a Taliban attack in Farah province. 21 and well-equipped, can never achieve a de- launched in all six corps zones, even in Janu- March 2018: A suicide bombing near a Shiite cisive victory at the battlefield over an enemy ary. Narcotics and weapon storage facilities shrine in Kabul killed at least 33 people and who refuses to stick to the rules of modern are continuously targeted by the US and injured 65 others while they were celebrating warfare. Especially when that enemy has the Afghan air forces or raided by the Afghan the Persian New Year. 23 March 2018: At support of large parts of the population and Special Security Forces. They also execute least 13 people were killed and dozens more of neighbouring countries who sympathise raids on Taliban prisons, liberating numerous injured in a suicide car bomb at- captives. Afghan air power is spectacularly tack at the Ghazi Muhammad increasing with the gradual arrival of 160 Ayub Khan stadium in Lashkar UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopters for the Af- Gah during a wrestling match. ghan Air Force. Resolute Support is advising These are just a handful of ex- and assisting, but the Afghans are leading amples of kidnappings, shoot- the fight. Pressure on Taliban and anti-gov- ings, ambushes and (suicide) ernment entities is increasing. According to bombings on Afghan soldiers,

General Nicholson, security in Afghanistan policemen, government of- Photo: Robert Cloys / U.S. Air Force is improving and there is hope for the future. ficials, and civilians that hap- pened since the beginning of The Current Security this year. As the number and the Situation in Afghanistan intensity of the attacks is going crescendo, 2018 promises to be But is that really the case? Or are the spec- another very bloody year for tacular attacks and raids mere window Afghanistan. After seventeen dressing? 4 January 2018: At least 20 people years of fighting, thousands of were killed in a suicide bombing that tar- American and allied lives lost, geted a mobile police checkpoint in Kabul. and US1,007Bn dollars spend A Train Advise Assist Command-Air (TAAC- As many as 30 others were injured in the on the war, anti-government Air) advisor of the US Air Force advising an incident. 20-21 January 2018: Gunmen of forces are still controlling large Afghan Air Force member during a 100-hour the Haqqani Network launched an attack on parts of the Afghan territory inspection on a Mi-17 at Kandahar Airfield, the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, killing 40 and are capable of planning Afghanistan, in March 2016. TAAC-Air as- people and injuring at least 22. 27 January and executing attacks in the sists Afghan partners to develop a profes- 2018: At least 103 people were killed and centre of Afghanistan’s capital. sional air force. 235 others injured when a Taliban suicide Narcotics production is at an bomber exploded an laden with all-time high – Afghanistan is the world’s with their cause, or use it to conduct proxy- explosives near government offices in cen- largest producer of opium and heroin - and operations against powers they do not like tral Kabul. 10 February 2018: In the province recently, IS-Khorasan, the Afghan branch of in the region, like Pakistan or Iran. The con- of Helmand, a Taliban infiltrator turned his IS, gained a foothold in Afghanistan. The flict in Afghanistan extends beyond the Af- gun on men who he had worked with for “War on Terror” is therefore far from over. ghan borders and therefore, a sustainable months in a pro-government militia force, Although the Afghan armed forces achieved solution can only come from diplomacy killing 16 of its members. 19 February 2018: some highly mediatised successes on the and bargaining between all stakeholders. At least 24 policemen were killed in west- battlefield, we cannot see even a beginning Resolute Support, initially designed as a ern Farah province during coordinated at- of a turning point on the military level. The step towards an honourable exit, is just tacks by the Taliban. 23-24 February 2018: political, economic and social prospects are another phase in a conflict that seems to 25 Afghan army members died after Tali- equally gloomy: the Afghan government have no ending.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 53  ARMED FORCES “We experience a new wave of tension under the sea.” Photo: US Navy Interview with Admiral James G. Foggo III, Commander of the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa

to the Black Sea, two of which are already partners face. We will collaborate to locate operating in the Mediterranean. It is an the threats in North Africa and regions of impressive demonstration of capabilities. the Middle East. We will share information We are watching them carefully and we not only in NATO, but with other organi- need to know where they go at all times. sations like the United Nations. We need In addition, Russia demonstrated its ability to tackle the networks of illicit narcotics to launch KALIBR missiles from the Medi- trafficking or illegal immigrants in North terranean and did so effectively. It is a con- Africa, which are facilitated by terrorist cern for me, although I have confidence in organisations that obtain financing from the deterrent capacity of our forces. We them to attack Europe or my own country. do not seek to fight but to dissuade. We must create a safer environment with our partner countries in those regions to ESD: In addition to the permanent US Na- end illegal immigration. ince October 2017, Admiral James G. val Force in Europe, aircraft carriers of the SFoggo III (Virginia, 1959) has been the US Navy operate in the Mediterranean. ESD: What is the strategic importance commander of the US Naval Forces Europe- For example, last year there were two of the Naval Station Rota (Southwest of Africa and the leader of the NATO Allied strike groups for the operation “Inherent Spain) for the US Navy? Joint Force Command Naples. Resolve” (Iraq), which later also operated Admiral Foggo: It is a strategic cross- He is in charge of the Sixth Fleet, based in from the Persian Gulf. Is the transit of an ing for the transit of our ships from the the same Italian city, which deploys at this aircraft carrier expected this year? US to Europe. The location allows us to moment 3,950 sailors and three warships. Admiral Foggo: We will see another air- act from Rota in the Mediterranean and The four AEGIS of Rota (Spain) craft carrier and new amphibious landing then in the Black Sea; also towards the and their accredited personnel (3,400) also ships arrive inspring North Atlantic and the Baltic or towards depend on him. In addition, a naval de- the West African coast. The Naval Station tachment at the Greek base of Soudha Bay ESD: We also have the instability in Af- Rota allows us to reduce our costs and (Crete) and another air base at Sigonella rica... the number of ships we need to deploy (Italy) are under his leadership. Admiral Foggo: That is, not only the in Europe. Rota is a crucial gateway to the He commanded the presence of the Russian Navy increased. Mediterranean for us. USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723) in 1998. Violent extremist organisations that come Foggo’s awards include the Distinguished from places in the Middle East or the Afri- ESD: What kind of missions did AEGIS de- Service Medal, Defence Superior Service can continent threaten Europe. With great stroyers carry out from Rota? Medal, Legion of Merit and NATO Meri- sadness, we think of the attacks that oc- Admiral Foggo: The four destroyers (DON- torious Service Medal. Recently, he visited curred last August in Barcelona, Spain. ALD COOK, ROSS, PORTER and CARNEY) Madrid where he met the Spanish MoD Such a situation is terrible for any country. are equipped with the AEGIS ballistic missile and Navy authorities. There is Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al Shabab defence systems. Precisely, the defence of “Proud submariner”, Adm. Foggo warns at the Horn of Africa, Al Qaida on the Afri- Europe against this type of missile is one of ESD about the “new wave of tension that can continent or Daesh in the Middle East its functions; the missile defence is a mission we experience under the sea.” or places in Libya where we fought and in which Spain is very interested. In addition, carried out different operations last year. the destroyers carry out submarine warfare ESD: What is your perception of security missions in this new wave of tensions that in the Mediterranean with a Russian hy- ESD: NATO already inaugurated the Stra- we experience and they protect the sea peractivity from the naval point of view? tegic Direction South Hub in Naples. What lanes necessary to trade between West Af- Admiral Foggo: The situation is very com- is the objective of this centre? rica, Europe and North America. plicated. Everything changed considerably Admiral Foggo: The NSD-S Hub will after the crisis in Ukraine. The Russian Na- serve to challenge the current and evolv- The interview was conducted by vy plans to send six KILO Class submarines ing security issues that the Alliance and Esteban Villarejo.

54 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMED FORCES  NATO Keeps up its ASW Guard

Guy Toremans

The undersea warfare exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 2018 is an opportunity for NATO’s naval forces to strengthen their anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

ATO's annual anti-submarine war- A Multi-Threat Environment HMCS WINDSOR. “The participation of Nfare live exercise DYNAMIC MANTA our submarines in exercises such as these 2018 (DYMA 2018), led by the COMSUB- In order to create a realistic multi-threat enhances our ability to operate with our NATO - RADM Andrew "Andy" Lennon environment, ten Maritime Patrol Aircraft NATO Allies and contributes to solutions (COMSUBNATO) and hosted by the Ital- (MPA) and eight helicopters from Cana- in an evolving and challenging global se- ian Navy, took place in the Ionian Sea to da, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, curity environment,” said Captain Chris- the Southeast of Sicily between 3 and 16 United Kingdom and the United States topher Robinson, Commander Canadian March 2018. operated from Sigonella Air Base under Submarine Force. DYMA 2018 brought together ten NA- the control of personnel from NATO’s TO countries contributing a force of six Maritime Air Command (MARAIRNATO). To Hunt and be Hunted submarines, nine surface combatants, The host navy provided support from its and 19 aircraft including eight maritime Augusta Naval Base and the Sigonella Conducted in a continuum-free play, patrol aircraft (MPAs). The submarines - Air Base, the latter serving as hub for all the exercise serials incorporated intense HMCS WINDSOR (Canada), HS MATRO- fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft. ASW and anti-surface warfare, MPA- ZOS (Greece), ITS ROMERO ROMEI (Italy), A media programme, organised by the submarines coordination, shore-based SPS MISTRAL (Spain), TCG PREVEZE (Tur- MARCOM Hq. in Northwood, included helicopter operations, submarines stalk- Photos: Guy Toremans

DYNAMIC MANTA 2018 took place in the Ionian Sea in March 2018.

key) and USS JOHN WARNER (US) - were visits to the submarines and the maritime ing surface units and surface vessels joined by the frigates BSN LOUSE MARIE patrol aircraft, as well as a "day-at-sea" practicing the detection and tracking (Belgium), FS LANGUEDOC (France), HS on board SNMG2 flagship, the RN’s Type of submarines, while the submarines in ELLI (Greece), ITS (Italy), SPS 45 HMS DUNCAN. turn practiced both defensive and offen- CRISTOBAL COLON and SPS VICTORIA Described as NATO's premiere ASW ex- sive tactics - to hunt and be hunted, as (Spain), TCG GAZIANTEP (Turkey) and the ercise, DYMA 2018 offered the crews well as escorting high value units (HVUs) destroyers HMS DUNCAN (UK) and USS the opportunity to evaluate and sharpen and protecting them from submarine LABOON (US). their ASW skills in the high-end warfare threats. The exercise was supported by capabilities in preparation for future col- an In-Stride Debriefing Team (IDT), com- Author lective operations, emphasising the new posed of ASW experts and personnel of roles of a submarine away from their ex- NATO's CIS Agency, working side-by-side Guy Toremans is a freelance naval clusive mission to sink ships. For the first with MPAs and the MARAIRNATO staff journalist based in Belgium. time in the DYMA series was the par- which reconstructed and analysed all the ticipation of a Canadian submarine, the ASW events, bringing together opera-

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 55  ARMED FORCES tional data from all participants and then forces to strengthen interoperability and submarines. The Alliance estimates that sent the results to ships, submarines and increase their combined anti-submarine these auxiliary submarines may be able aircrew within 24 hours. This rapid turna- and anti-surface warfare capabilities. to manipulate objects on the seabed, round allowed participants to optimise Technology developments above, on, such as the underwater cables scattered their performance while events were still and below the surface gave the partici- across the oceans and carrying about fresh in mind. pating platforms the opportunity to test 95% of all telecommunications and Inter- CDR Santiago Vila Barron, commanding new tactics. Exercising with submarines net connections. Blocking it could disrupt officer of the Spanish frigate SPS CRIS- such as the Italian ITS ROMEO ROMEI the Internet, while intercepting it could TÓBAL COLÓN, told ESD that “DYMA and the Greek HS MATROZOS are a big give a valuable picture of the data flow- 18 demonstrates that ASW remains vi- challenge. They are very silent boats, fea- ing inside. tal within NATO´s portfolio, especially in a geopolitical scenario characterised by increasing instability, in particular in the Mediterranean, a crucial region that has seen a sharp increase in risks and chal- lenges which go beyond the maritime security domain. DYMA 2018 is our first major exercise since our return form the Australia “around the world” deploy- ment and started our new operational cycle in January this year. Among other duties, SPS CRISTÓBAL COLÓN will act as sector anti-air warfare commander (AAWC), as Force Marshaller for surface task groups and acting as officer con- ducting the serials/anti-surface warfare commander (OCS/ASWC). DYMA 2018 is one of our main training opportunities to prepare our operational certification that will take place at the Combat Evaluation Centre CEVACO in Rota; an organisation very similar to the British FOST. Finishing in mid-June we will then take part in electronic warfare and deploy with SNMG2 from September to December 2018.” Having been engaged in recent years in so-called "reassurance missions" and spending much time supporting mari- Highly realistic exercises like DYNAMIC MANTA 2018 emphasise time embargo enforcement, counter- high-end warfighting skills and provide training and practice. piracy and counter-terrorism operations in the Mediterranean and the East of Su- turing a high technology level such as Due to this increasing Russian presence, ez, NATO’s sub-hunting skills lay largely an improved combat system and the North Atlantic and the Mediterrane- dormant. capabilities such as the Kongsberg MSI- an are becoming areas of concern for the 90U Mk 2 weapon control system and alliance. State-on-state rivalry is again A Vital Theatre the STN ATLAS CSU 90-138 integrated a significant security issue, particularly sonar system, and the ability to detect, at sea. It is against this backdrop that Hence the importance to buttress the track, and classify contacts at very long NATO uses the DYMA exercise series to ASW experience again, e.g. finding, clas- distance. On the other hand, frigates enhance its forces’ capabilities to meet sifying and tracking other military units, such as the French FS LANGUEDOC and the alliance’s collective defence and co- submarines in particular. And with the the Italian ITS CARABINIERI are more ef- operative security commitments. NATO Mediterranean being a melting pot of fective in hunting a sub-surface target is taking already a forward-looking ap- challenges and a vital geostrategic thea- close to a task force. proach to ensure that its naval assets tre (such as maritime migration, insta- These exercises reassure NATO nations can maintain their edge. Several NATO bility along the Southern coasts, choke that the alliance's maritime units stay vigi- submarine forces show a commitment points for access into the Atlantic and lant in light of Russia's increased naval ac- to modernise their assets in order to en- Indian oceans, the conflict in Syria and tivities, ranging from the High North, the sure their forces are able to meet the Russia’s permanent "at-sea" presence in Baltic Sea and Black Sea, to the Eastern challenges that future maritime opera- the region) the chosen exercise area is Mediterranean; Russian submarines’ de- tions will require. New submarine builds well-suited to conduct real-world mari- ployments are at the highest level since are in progress in Turkey, Greece, Italy, time situational awareness activities. the Cold War. Among Russia's capabili- Spain, France, and Germany, while new Complex exercises such as the DYMA and ties are deep-sea research vessels and builds are in the planning stages in The the Dynamic Mongoose series remain an converted ballistic submarines - moth- Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Swe- excellent opportunity for NATO’s naval erships - that carry smaller "auxiliary" den. 

56 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMED FORCES  “Our biggest concern is certainly the capability of our forces.”

Interview with General Tod D. Wolters, Commander US Air Forces Photo: USAF in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA)

and beyond Europe and Africa is formed Additionally, rotations of C-130 aircraft from on the foundation of our agreements and Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base, Georgia, partnerships. We greatly value these rela- and from the Illinois Air National Guard were tionships and work hard and seek to de- deployed to Portugal in support of Exercise velop them further. Real Thaw 2018, and to Poland for joint readiness training. These rotational deploy- ESD: Please share some of the recent de- ments create responsive air power capabili- velopments and deployments for USAFE. ties and interoperability while strengthening General Wolters: USAFE’s day-to-day mis- relationships with our allies and partners. sion is to deliver air power capabilities to Also, in accordance with the longstanding meet the requirements of geographic com- bilateral agreements, USAFE – under US Eu- batant commanders and the NATO Alliance. ropean Command – participated with the One of these critical air power missions is se- Israeli Defense Forces in a combined missile ESD: General Wolters, thank you for taking curing the sovereign skies of our NATO allies defence exercise, Juniper Cobra ‘18. Activi- the time to speak with ESD magazine. The in the Baltics. This past January airmen from ties and preparations associated with this United States has outlined a new defence the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath exercise began in late January. Juniper Co- strategy. Can you please speak to that. concluded the United States’ fifth rotation bra ’18 is part of a routine training cycle de- General Wolters: Sure. To meet the na- of Baltic Air Policing. During this four-month signed to improve the interoperability of US tional security concerns, the NDS (National deployment, four USAFE F-15Cs completed and Israeli Defense Forces, and it represents Defense Strategy) directs three specific roughly 3,000 alert hours, over 170 sorties, another step in the strategic relationship lines of effort. The first, build a more lethal and 300 flying hours performing this NATO between the US and Israel, and contributes force. The second, strengthen alliances and mission. The jets were scrambled almost 60 greatly to regional stability. attract new partners. The third, reform the times in response to unusual or question- Another recent exercise is Iniochos ’18, a department for greater performance and able air activity. Our support for the NATO led, multinational flying affordability. Its clear intent is to develop a Air Policing mission is just one of the many exercise. Fourteen F-15Es and about 300 more lethal, resilient and rapidly innovating ways USAFE employs rotational forces to support personnel from the 48th Fighter joint force which combined with the robust support our allies. Wing were in Greece to strengthen our re- constellation of allies and partners will safe- Earlier this year four B-52 STRATOFOR- lationship and maintain joint readiness and guard international order. TRESS aircraft from Minot Air Force Base, interoperability with our allies and partners. In perfect alignment with the NDS is our North Dakota, supported theatre integra- recently published USAFE-AFAFRICA Com- tion and conducted joint and allied training ESD: Please share your key areas of focus in mand Strategy which helps shape our efforts to improve bomber interoperability. your AFAFRICA area of responsibility. on the preservation and improvement of mil- Also in January, 12 F-16s from the Ohio Air Na- General Wolters: We are engaged in all itary readiness and our critical warfighting tional Guard were deployed to Estonia as part quadrants of the continent. We certainly pay posture. Our strategy centres on advancing of the theatre security package deployments close attention to what is taking place on the core elements – our forces, our footprint, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. the eastern side with respect to the activity and our agreements and partnerships. First and foremost are our forces. The air- Four US Air Force F-16C FIGHT- men, equipment, units, and organisations ING FALCONs and four Swedish assigned or rotationally deployed to US- Air Force JAS 39 GRIPENs flying AFE/AFAFRICA that we can bring to bear in formation together behind to address security challenges across all a US Air Force KC-135 Strato- domains and levels of conflict. Second, tanker during aerial refueling our footprint. The vital network of installa- training in Swedish airspace

tions, infrastructure, prepositioned equip- in February 2018. The air refu- Photo: US Air Force / Luke Milano ment, and combat support capabilities eling training is in conjunction required to project air power throughout with a rotational deployment Europe and Africa. And lastly, our agree- of F-16Cs to Amari Air Base, ments and partnerships. Everything the Estonia, as part of a Theater Se- Command does to posture and operate in curity Package.  ARMED FORCES

in the vicinity of Somalia. We are certainly General Wolters: Our biggest concern General Wolters: With respect to US ob- focused focused on the activities in the is certainly the capability of our forces. servations of Russian aviation, what we saw north the north, the northeastern side with When folks want to talk about the A2AD in ’15, what we have seen in ’16, what we respect to what is taking place in Libya. And environment, I am quick to steer them in haveseen in ’17, and now what we haves- certainly, if you extend all the way to the a discussion about gaining access to what een in ’18 shows a steady pace of Russian far western side, with the potential catastro- is typically referred to as a higher threat aviation. Nothing with a dramatic increase, phes that can occur as a result of the influ- environment. What we do to counter that nothing with a dramatic drop-off. Each and ence of Boko Haram; we are certainly paying is exercise and train against those specific every one of the air policing encounters that attention there. And in that environment, threats, and ensure that we have a compet- we have with Russian aviation we document as AFAFRICA service and support, we are itive edge against those threats, and that and we track and we characterise. In well over 95% of those incidents where we have air activity, we have observed safe behaviour on behalf of the Russian aviation force.

ESD: What is your assessment of the sta- bility situation in Turkey as it pertains to USAFE-AFAFRICA operations and the bases you use there?

Photo: US Air Force / Eli Chevalier General Wolters: We are fielding of the same number of bases that we have had over time, and the relationship that is ongo- ing from a military-to-military perspective, and certainly in the air domain with us and Turkey remains very, very strong. A strong NATO partner, our aviation relationship is incredibly powerful, and, at the end of day, I would characterise all the activities that are ongoing in the air domain between us and Turkey to remain incredibly strong.

Participants of African Partnership Flight Senegal prepare to board a ESD: Do you anticipate increasing your C-130H HERCULES at Captain Andalla Cissé Air Base, Senegal, on 22 presence in eastern European countries March 2018. The APF programme is US Air Forces Africa’s premier secu- like Romania? rity cooperation programme with African partner nations to improve General Wolters: USAFE’s support of professional military aviation knowledge and skills. Baltic Air Policing and the employment of theatre security packages are a direct focused on, with each passing day, improv- is what we will continue to do. The more application of the Air Force’s portion of ing our ability to conduct intelligence, sur- ready we are, the better the capability we the European Deterrence Initiative funding veillance and reconnaissance activities and will have, and the better edge that we will which is projected to reach more than US- certainly enhancing our ability to improve maintain. And that will remain our focus in D1Bn in 2018. Along with these missions, logistics and lastly, making sure that we do USAFE/AFAFRICA. the 2018 EDI budget continues to support everything we can, from a command and the prepositioning of Air Force equipment control perspective to be as responsive as ESD: Can you please speak to NATO spend- and airfield infrastructure improvements we can possibly be. So the entire continent ing and how that relates to your command? in at least six different countries. is certainly of concern to us in AFAFRICA. General Wolters: Europe and Canada I can tell you that our rotational presence In January, we hosted the first-ever Partner- have increased defence spending over the with our US Air Force assets will continue ship Flight Symposium combining our Af- past three years, and as we sit right now to increase in Romania just like they have rican and European partner nations with a in 2018, eight countries will meet the two over the course of the last several years, focus on aeromedical operations. This sym- percent with 15 nations on pace to reach or and I anticipate more exchanges with our posium united 50 representatives from 12 exceed two percent by 2024. We are very rotational forces there over time. nations with the common goal of exchang- focused on ensuring that from a bang-for- ing ideas and increasing medical support the-buck perspective, we look at cost, ca- ESD: General, thank you for your time. Do capacity, and most importantly, to save lives. pability and capacity. And given those facts you have any closing thoughts? We also took part in the African Partnership at this very moment, we feel that the trajec- General Wolters: Thank you. Let me Flight Mission in Senegal with approximately tory of spending is improving, and I’m firmly say America’s airmen in Europe and Af- 70 African participants. The African Partner- convinced that given this trajectory we’re on rica are resourced and trained to fight ship Flight Mission is a multilateral military-to- the right glide path for future success. as a part of our larger military team. Our military event designed to improve profession- unrelenting focus is on maintaining and al air knowledge and skills, build relationships, ESD: There have been many instances of improving our readiness to perform the and help resolve security and stability issues. intercepts of Russian aircraft, just as you critical national security missions we have have mentioned. What is your assessment been assigned. ESD: How are you preparing USAFE-AFAF- of the intercepts, some of which have been RICA forces for the increasing prevalence dangerously close and potentially unsafe to The interview was conducted by Joetey of anti-access / area denial environments? US and allied aircraft? Attariwala.

58 European Security & Defence · April 2018

 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Aspects of Water Management in the Field

Tim Guest

Managing land-based water resources is of paramount importance in any theatre of operations. From puri- fication to delivering potable resources to waste water management, the requirements for handling water supplies for larger units and forces are necessarily complex and involved.

anaging water in the field at indi- Mvidual, squad and smaller unit level is typically an all arms task for which standard procedures and basic water management systems and equipment are employed.

Water management for larger units, when Photo: Choctaw Defense quantities make it a bulk commodity re- quiring major logistic efforts, falls mainly on the shoulders of engineer units and corps in most armed forces. While each defence organisation or military has its own approach and written policies on wa- ter management with which all units must be familiar, should it fall upon them in an operational scenario to have some respon- sibility for water supply management, simi- lar approaches, equipment and systems are standard, particularly among allied nations, such as those of NATO. Land-based water management support involves everything from water selection, pumping and puri- The Camel II Unit Water Pod System consists of an 800-gallon water tank fication, to storage, distribution, cooling (if mounted securely on a government furnished M1095 trailer. necessary in hot climates), together with all aspects of consumption, re-use and waste equipment and involve an extensive supply the UAE deliver 472,000 litres of potable water management. chain. The product, however, delivers less water 365 days/year, running 20 hours water by volume in comparison with bulk each day. The aim of the systems is to re- Unfamiliar Terrain to Familiar supplies and this is where the advantages/ place expensive daily supplies of purchased Bottles disadvantages of packaged versus bulk wa- water bottles in more permanent mobile/ ter need to be weighed carefully before any temporary base locations. UV-treatment of If using unfamiliar sources to feed bulk wa- deployment and with the context of the water, bottles, caps and tear-off pouches, ter needs in unfamiliar geographies, water specific operational scenario/geography/ eliminates contamination risks and filling source intelligence will also be the focus of past experience fully understood. Only and capping takes place in a sterile posi- troops involved with water management in then can command elements be sure that tive air pressurised cabinet. In local water the field to ensure the source is safe from the right source/supply has been selected. source scenarios ContenO systems will link enemy contamination, as well as other con- If a bulk water option, such as rivers, reser- up with a range of container-based local taminants. voirs, etc., is chosen in a tactical scenario, water purification systems (ultra filtration, In recent years, in well-known operational then crucial water source management and reverse osmosis, etc). deployments, water supplies have often re- activities, such as purification procedures, lied on shipping vast quantities of bottled storage and bulk distribution, ideally need Planning water in several arid scenarios; such ship- to be planned to take place as close to any ments require specialist materials handling selected local source of water as possible. Planning for all aspects of water manage- One supplier of mobile water bottling ment in the field must include water supply Author plants is ContenO, which supplies its sys- advisories and guidance, based on opera- tems to certain NATO members as well as tional and theatre experience: What water Tim Guest is a defence and aero- Abu Dhabi in the UAE. The mobile plants supply is being used? Is it safe? Levels of space journalist and former Royal are typically capable of supplying any- evaporation? Accordingly, those responsi- Artillery officer. where between 36,000 litres and 120,000 ble for planning any aspect of field water litres per day; the six systems supplied in management need to ensure that forces

60 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  under their remit have adequate resources for water purification, storage and distribu- tion and that the quantities available suit the force size being deployed and meet the appropriate rate of deployment so that a ‘higher-demand-than-supply’ situation is avoided. Photo: TerraGroup Corporation If local water resources are to be used, sur- veillance of such supplies is crucial to keep- ing them secure and safe. Environmental health issues can arise not simply through enemy action or sabotage, but also by sim- ple contamination by waste water, if not managed carefully. When it comes to consumption, calcula- tions and allocations are made based on unit and force size, as well as the region in which those forces have been deployed. In temperate, tropical and arctic theatres good sources of water are widespread although some may require purification treatment to make them potable; in such scenarios both non-potable and potable A TerraGroup LWPS (Lightweight Water Purification System) at Camp water are typically included in consump- Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan tion calculations; where water is much more scarce in arid regions, bulk supplies The doctrine goes on to explain that once processes and has to be discarded. With will need to be moved to forward troops. more permanent bases and routines are es- the determination of the total water re- According to the US DoA/DoN/USMC tablished, separate potable and non-pota- quirements of any force requiring careful Joint Bulk Petroleum and Water Doctrine ble SOPs will enter the frame with storage calculation, this wastage has to be factored 2016, in early phases of tactical ops, ex- assets, such as the USMC 50,000-gallon into overall calculations. Such calculations perience with joint forces in the Middle storage asset, deployed for both. Disci- involve taking into account the number East have determined it best to use po- plined methods of conservation and re-use of personnel and multiplying this num- table water to meet both potable and will also be laid down at this stage, because ber by a factor laid down in most armed non-potable requirements. This avoids one unavoidable factor to be taken into force’s water management regulations. the impractical need for separate stor- account in any deployment, anywhere, is This provides a daily requirement figure. age and distribution systems when ops that some 10% of a force’s water resource This figure then needs to be divided by are still in progress and more permanent will be lost. Estimates by the US DoD show daily production capabilities of a single operating bases and camps have yet to be evaporation accounts for around 4% of this purification plant in situations where bulk established. This does, however, increase loss and spillage and waste, 6%; the lat- water purification has to be undertaken the volume of potable water needed in ter waste includes a volume of water that to meet the daily needs of a force on the such regions. cannot be purified in reverse osmosis (RO) ground.  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Distribution those which resupply ammunition to the into the Camel II Unit Water Pod System artillery. WEW, a Thielman company, pro- for the US Army. The system includes the The weakest link in the whole water man- duces several mobile ‘drop-and-go’ solu- 800-US-gal Camel tank integrated into a agement ecosystem is the distribution of tions, in use with many defence forces in frame and mounted on M1095 trailers. the final product to troops on the ground. NATO and around the world. Fully integrat- The extremely low-profile system is a key If weather or the operational situation de- ed solutions incorporating pumping, filtra- element of the US Army’s primary water teriorates, the movement of water from tion and preservation systems include a distribution system for platoon level and storage sites can often be badly affected, variant capable of providing potable water below. The thin-skinned water tank is in- or interrupted. Even at the best of times, from any source, including CBRN contami- sulated and jacketed and equipped with a specially designed internal baffle sys- tem to prevent water surge during rug- ged operations over rough terrain. The highly-engineered tank, which incorpo- rates no less than five patents, has freeze protection. Other variants equipped with generator sets can be integrated with a chiller system to provide temperature Photo: TerraGroup Corporation controlled water, as well as compact water-treatment for saline and contami- nated water sources. The tank itself is capable of sustaining positive pressure and partial vacuum to compensate for diverse operating conditions including during airlift, commensurate with mod- ern multi-modal military logistics opera- tional requirements. An original tranche of 327 Camel tank units were delivered to Choctaw Defense in the 2013/2014 time- frame as part of the US Army’s Camel II Unit Water Pod programme and has since been fully tested at Aberdeen Prov- Portable water purification systems are designed for rapid response, ing Ground and elsewhere. remote locations and expeditionary teams. Purification moving bulk water is a hugely manpower- nated sources. The company’s solutions intensive operation requiring a wide vari- can be carried on a wide range of vehicles Water purification to deliver a potable ety of equipment-handling systems. In use from small patrol vehicles right through to product is the first step of tactical water with many NATO members are the likes of 10X10s. As an added advantage for con- support operation once a bulk source has water trailers from companies like WEW, voy duties and operation in exposed areas, been selected. Purification is normally un- capable of carrying around 2m3 of water, WEW has developed a range of ballistic dertaken using a reverse osmosis water pu- water pod systems carrying around 3m3 protection options for its water modules. rification unit with tests to verify its purity, pods, or heavy vehicle modular water sys- At the end of 2017, WEW announced it normally the remit of medical supervising tems that carry around 13m3 tanks – these was delivering 167 additional Camel low- staff. are DROPS-type vehicles (dismountable profile water tank modules to prime con- A ROWPU, or reverse osmosis water puri- rack offloading pallet systems) similar to tractor Choctaw Defense for integration fication unit, is typically a self-contained, portable water purification and water treatment plant and widely used by NATO forces. This process is crucial to eliminate the risk of contracting water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. A ROWPU also ensures water quality aspects such as taste, odour and clarity, as well as hardness, which is very important if the end Photo: TerraGroup Corporation product is to be used in boilers, chillers or other military plant where corrosion must be avoided. Ampac USA manufactures a variety of ROWPUs for the US DoD, as well as many of its allies and can handle water from any sources such as: brackish water, boreholes and wells, ice holes, lakes, la- goons, rivers, seawater and surface water. The company’s ROWPU use either pure wa- ter extraction methods integrating single- Modern water purification systems are portable, scalable and modular. pass reverse osmosis (using one membrane

62 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  bank), or double-pass reverse osmosis (us- ing two membrane banks) depending on Water Treatment and Distribution the type of water being purified. The production and filling of drink- Another leading manufacturer of tactical ing water on site offers many ad- lightweight water purification systems is Ter- vantages in terms of reliability, con- raGroup Corporation which makes portable tinuity and costs. water purification and filtration systems as The WTC family of water treat- well as water storage and distribution equip- ment systems from Kärcher Fu- ment for military field applications, potable turetech is the right choice if it is Photo: Kärcher Futuretech water for disasters, emergency water supply unclear before use whether fresh, and NBC decontamination. The company’s salty or chemically unclean natural TECWAR RO water purification systems are water should be treated. Based on portable, scalable, modular systems de- reverse osmosis, invisible chemical signed for rapid response, remote locations impurities, including salts dissolved and expeditionary teams. Its LWPS (Light- in the water, are also removed. If weight Water Purification System) is a mod- the raw water source is located in ular, lightweight and highly mobile tactical difficult terrain, the personnel can RO water treatment and purification system carry the unit to the site with carrying handles. The components that come into designed for the U.S. Marine Corps and the contact with drinking water have been selected in accordance with internationally U.S. Navy. It is “all source capable”, meaning recognised regulations and enable the production of drinking water that complies that it is suitable for producing potable, safe with the regulations of the WHO (World Health Organization) and other institutions. drinking water from a wide range of sources, The WTC systems have a capacity of 550 to 8,000 litres of drinking water per hour i.e., ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, (13.2 to 350 m³ per day) and are transported on trailers or in containers. The capacity and even water contaminated with nuclear, allows 70 to 1,750 people to be supplied with water of the desired quality. biological and chemical agents. It provides Kärcher offers the fully automatic WBP 1300 filling machine, which produces 1,300 absolute water purification for any field con- bottles from plastic preforms and fills them with chlorine-free drinking water. These dition and can be transported in a variety of small bottles are given to individuals as a personal water supply. (gwh) military vehicles and aircraft. The Berkefeld M Range of mobile drinking water purification systems from Veolia wa- tion, pre-filtration, ceramic ultra-filtration, rify different water qualities, from brack- ter technologies in Germany, are designed reverse osmosis, UV and disinfection sys- ish water to seawater, including rivers, for military operations. The compact plants tems. Certification approval for M Range creeks, lakes and wells. Transportable by are said to be extremely robust and able to systems to be transported either inside or air, land or sea, the units have a control purify water from almost any water source as an external load under a range of heli- panel that can be operated by one per- delivering an end product at a rate of copters is currently in progress. son; the systems can be deployed and 15 m3/h that meets both WHO and Ger- Another player in the RO sphere is Teci- made ready to start producing water man TVO drinking water regulations. They mer whose compact, mobile, RO water in just 30 minutes to provide between each combine advanced filtration steps purification systems comply with both 2,400 - 150,000 litres of clean drinking including: pre-treatment, inline floccula- US EPA and WHO standards and can pu- water per hour from any water source. In addition, the company has been supply- ing potable water trailers for military and peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan, Iraq,

Photo: GOFA Sierra Leone, Chad, Honduras and Haiti for many years based around a 2,000 litre tank made from AISI 304 quality material. Four of Tecimer’s potable water trailer units can be loaded into one 40DC container.

From Potable to Sewage

Military camps and bases, no matter how remote or urbanised, will nor- mally operate their own sewage and wastewater systems and UK compa- ny WPL provides standalone sewage treatment solutions designed spe- cifically for military bases and also embassies. Security stipulations will A GOFA 20ft Water ISO container optimised for transportation through- invariably mean in each of these sce- out the Intermodal supply chain – by road, rail and sea – including narios that mains drainage, if available, hookarm systems. The unit is designed to fit pumps, hoses and genera- cannot be used for obvious reasons. tors as required. An example of this unit will be on display at Eurosa- WPL’s wastewater treatment systems tory 2018 in the German outdoor area. are tailored to individual military op-

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 63  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

erational requirements, take local cli- matic conditions into account and can Combat Water Supply System be transported, deployed and installed KBR is a service provider for government customers with 34,000 employees world- easily undergound. WPL’s HiPAF mod- wide. Among other things, KBR provides field logistics for the defence sector. The Brit- ular waste water treatment system to ish Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently commissioned KBR to design, manufacture and handle waste from up to up to 2,000 supply a Combat Water Supply System (CWSS). Under the terms of the contract, KBR people, consists of a separate primary will put into operation a water treatment, storage and distribution system to supply settlement, a HiPAF SAF (submerged potable and palatable water to the UK armed forces. Once operational, KBR will pro- aerated filter) for biological treatment vide fully integrated Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) through to 2025 with respon- and final settlement modules. sibility for the design, manufacture and supply of each of the variants of the CWSS. Another player in the water manage- "The Combat Water Supply System will ensure the availability of quality water around ment space, including the provision of the world, reducing our dependence on bottled water, saving money and reducing camp wastewater pumping stations, is environmental impact," said Colin McClean, Director Land Equipment Eimco Water Technologies. The com- for Defence Equipment and Support, the UK MoD’s procurement organisation. pany’s submersible pumping stations With the CWSS programme, the UK MoD wants to provide an end-to-end solution with grinder pumps can be supplied to that includes the provision of water from source to point of use. In particular, CWSS interconnect as part of a larger system is needed to purify water, test and ensure water quality, store, distribute and dispense to feed a treatment plant. All of their water in prescribed quantities. KBR will be responsible for maintaining the UK MoD’s pumping stations are provided with lo- CWSS capability. cal control panels, gate and non-return valves. Eimco also supplies intercon- necting pipe-work to connect camp fa- Water is Precious well as the numerous individual and squad- cilities and pumping stations with the level procedures and systems available to treatment plant, as well as high quality Managing water in the field is highly in- ensure every man and woman in the field balance tanks to even out any hydraulic volved and aspects of the in-theatre water has their correct, sustaining ration of water surge from the pumping stations and supply ecosystem have barely been touched when and where they need it, could fill a ensure that the wastewater treatment on here. Storage systems, threats from natu- book and will, at some stage, be the subject system is not overloaded. ral contaminants and enemy sabotage, as of a future article. 

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ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  The Technology Revolution that Drives the Drone Evolution

Tamir Eshel

Unmanned systems and technologies are making a big change throughout the world. The use of Un- manned Aerial Systems (UAS) for commercial, civilian and scientific applications is growing rapidly, along with changes in regulations that gradually induct those systems into civilian airspace.

arious autonomous systems are de- Vveloped, bringing about exciting, new services,including flying cameras, to new transportation paradigms such as autonomous delivery services and driverless cars. Conceived by a fusion of Photo: Northrop Grumman advanced technologies of new sensors, micro-electronics and controls, artificial intelligence and machine vision, efficient energy storage and material sciences, the unmanned commercial revolution also opens new opportunities for military uses of unmanned systems. UAS were traditionally used in two dis- tinct applications – as sensor carrying platforms, drones replaced manned air- craft in intelligence, surveillance and re- connaissance, target acquisition (ISTAR) and fire direction for artillery and rocket attacks. Armed drones also assumed manned air attack missions, in environ- ments that require long persistence and rapid response, prosecuting targets with short life cycle, something close-air-sup- port and combat patrols could not per- form efficiently over time. First Generation HALE: Global Hawk These missions are assumed by several classes of UAS (drones), serving differ- categories, as developers and users em- of the future could use different shapes, ent military users – mini and small UAS, brace commercial electronic systems to materials and sensors to perform the tactical drones, extended range and introduce smaller, smarter and autono- same missions in different ways. For ex- long endurance platforms and even mous applications that could not be ob- ample, by employing distributed optical those designed for operations at very tained with past military systems. and electronic sensors, small, low power high altitude; those different classes pro- Take, for example, the long missions of sensors can replace large and heavy ones vide different services to different users. High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) required for high resolution, wide area Avionics, propulsion, navigation, flight drones. Current platforms require very surveillance from high altitude. Heavy, controls, communications and payloads large and complex jet-powered plat- gas guzzling jet turbines can be replaced are tailored to meet the capabilities and forms, such as the American GLOBAL by many electrical motors driving large limitations of each category and match HAWK or the Chinese SOAR DRAGON, propellers designed to operate in the its operating parameters. But the intro- designed to climb to a cruising altitude of thin air. Photovoltaic cells coupled with duction of commercial technologies is up to 60,000 ft, well above commercial efficient energy storage can sustain such blurring the boundaries defining those air traffic, to cover very large areas. While platforms in the air over days and nights, those platforms are capable of very long enabling the platform to operate for Author range, their missions are limited to 24-32 weeks, months and even years. Commer- hours. Harnessing modern, commercial cial platforms of this type are being de- Tamir Eshel is a security and de- photovoltaic cell technology, energy re- veloped to perform as “pseudo satellites” fence commentator based in Israel. cycling, electronic miniaturisation and and could also be used for military mis- ultra-light aerostructures, HALE drones sions, including signal intelligence, missile

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 65  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY launch detection, wide area surveillance and communication relays, naming only

a few possible missions. Photo: Airbus The Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) is the most widely used drone application currently in use. Utilising rel- atively large platforms designed to carry payloads from 250 kg to 1.7 tonnes, platforms such as the American MQ- 9 REAPER, Chinese WING LOONG 2, and Israeli HERON TP differentiate from smaller drones in their ability to carry multiple payloads – a combination of sensors of different types, disposable stores like weapons, sensors, leaflets and other stores, wideband datalinks that can download multiple data streams at high speed, and flight safety devices, such as de-icing systems, enabling the unmanned aircraft to fly at degraded weather conditions. As those platforms are more tolerant to payload weight, power and size, technological enhance- New propulsion and energy storage concepts will enable new drones ments implemented in systems of this such as ZEPHYR to loiter for weeks, months and even years. category focus on the certification of those platforms to enable their integra- focus on the image and data process- they are relatively slow and often oper- tion in civilian airspace, introducing sen- ing, automatic sensor fusion and han- ate from forward operating bases close sors and control functions to implement dling of huge volumes of information to theatre. While the platform itself is autonomous sense and avoid behaviour storage, turning the airborne platform unmanned, ground operations require to improve flight safety. Other fields of into a flying database, thereby enabling significant ground support that often improvement associated with autono- multiple user access to that information requires the deployment of dozens of mous control are cyber hardening of in real time, on demand. Other improve- support personnel, with significant infra- airborne systems protecting the entire ments address the remote operations of structure of multiple transport planes to drone systems, including its communica- unmanned aircraft from forward bas- deploy to each operating base.An evolv- tions and controls, from exploitation by ing. Although MALE drones can fly on ing remote operation capability is chang- cyber attack. Additional enhancements missions spanning over 32-48 hours, ing these operations, enabling MALE drone operators to operate from tempo- rary bases and runways much closer to their theatre of operation, spending more time on target and less on transit.

Photo: via author With the new capability, IAI’s HERON and HERON TP can automatically land on re- mote runways located thousands of kilo- metres away where they are serviced by a small crew and basic fuelling infrastruc- ture before taking off for another mis- sion. This capability utilises the drone’s satellite communication, combined with precise automated taxiing, take-off and landing, to recover and launch the drone in the remote operation concept, offering utmost operational flexibility. A similar capability was demonstrated by General Atomics with the MQ-9B GUARDIAN, implementing the platforms satellite link with latest Automatic Take- off and Landing Capability (ATLC). While the MA-9 is designed for remote opera- tion via SATCOM, launch and recovery in theatre are supported by forward opera- Multirotor drones introduce revolutionary capabilities for warfare - in tors. SATCOM ATLC enables taxi, launch this example, a four-wheeled IRIS robot is thrown from a 6-rotor drone, and recovery operations from anywhere designed to carry the land robot to rooftops and other tough to reach in the world and will reduce required air- locations. crew manpower and Launch-Recovery

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Element (LRE) footprints. According to 20 hours, and provide enough power to In recent years, military users embraced GA-ASI information, with trained RPA air- drive multiple sensors, communications the new category of multirotor drones, crew only required at the mission control channels and other mission systems, such combining vertical take-off and landing element GCS location, the overall operat- as electronic support and jammers.They and the innovative multirotor control ing cost of the RPA will be reduced. It also are small enough to operate below cloud scheme that enables such platforms enables rapid self-deployment of aircraft base, providing reliable, high resolution of superior manoeuvrability, including to any global runway with a Global Posi- imagery or cover wide areas with syn- hovering, perch and stare, obstacle tioning System (GPS) surveyed file. thetic aperture radar imaging, communi- avoidance, damage tolerance, self-re- Another trend is the miniaturisation of cation interception and relays. Such pay- covery and other functions of autono- electronic systems, enabling platform loads are now matured to fit the space, mous flight.While some multirotors are and payload manufacturers to pack size and power characteristics of SUAS. being developed specifically for military more functions into smaller platforms. Even smaller unmanned platforms are de- uses, most users rely on systems de- This trend is becoming more evident signed for operation by the tactical user rived from the commercial world. The with the integration of few distinctive (battalion and below). Mini-drones like the open standards enable integrators to employ smart, mission specific drone- based applications using specialised sensors and functions at very short de- velopment cycles. Typical uses include

Photo: via author functions supporting target acquisition, and security to weaponised drones that carry stabilised gun platforms, mis- siles or even drones rigged into “flying IEDs”. Such weapons are not limited to military operators – drug cartels; terror- ist and insurgents are utilising such sys- tems for criminal and terror activities, and this trend is expected to increase as commercial drone technology becomes more ubiquitous. Some multirotor drones and other ul- tra-small VTOL sensor systems are now designed as flying cameras, operated by the warfighter.Weighing a few hun- dred grammes and packed into com- pact pouches, such nano drones are robust,endure weather and field opera- tions, and are designed for simple, intui- tive operation in all environments. Cur- rent systems are limited to the outdoors, but soon such systems will be augment- ed with obstacle avoidance and com- A SKYLARK C drone is launched from a boat. The system can also be munications facilities to enable indoor used from an unmanned platform at sea. surveillance. Some of the approaches using such systems indoors involve com- categories into the Small Unmanned SKYLARK, PUMA AE, RAVEN and WASP, bined operation of autonomous air and Aerial Systems (SUAS) category. Tactical that are launched by hand, using simple ground systems, as well as the short de- UAS that had endurance of 10-15 hours bungee or catapults, are simple and robust ployment of ground systems by aerial and carried about 50 kg of payloads, to support the warfighter anywhere and delivery platforms, enabling operational are now replaced by small tactical UAS anytime. In the past, those systems were agility, particularly in urban terrain. that weigh much less, endure missions challenged by limited endurance, commu- Such capabilities are being developed of 7 – 24 hours (running on electrical or nications, image quality and payload sta- today, using advanced sensors and internal combustion engines) and carry bilisation. Today, using much more pow- processors developed for autonomous smaller but much more capable payloads erful batteries, stabilised, miniature, multi- vehicles and commercial drones. The (15-20 kg of weight). Many of the mini- sensor payloads and robust, secure, digital military applications of such systems drones associated with this category are datalinks, those mini-UAVs deliver excellent will also enhance the drones’ military flying wings - FURY, ORBITER and BIRD- imagery that has become critical to field capabilities, featuring automatic target EYE 650. All utilise compact and mobile operations. Evolutionary improvements in detection and tracking, situational as- launchers and utilise parachute and air- this category focus on payloads and user sessment and decision support. When bag systems for retrieval, enabling the controls becoming more reliable, intuitive coupled with weaponisation, such ca- drones to run independently and closely and responsive. Some of the payloads tai- pabilities would turn the drones into support ground and special operation lored for those platforms combine multiple highly capable loitering smart weap- forces. Unlike mini UAVs, the majority sensors or are dedicated for specific appli- ons. Packed together, they will form le- of these SUAS utilise internal combus- cations such as 3D mapping that required thal and effective swarms that deserve tion engines to sustain missions of 15- dedicated surveying platforms in the past. special coverage. 

68 European Security & Defence · April 2018 Marketing Report: PBS Velka Bites

New UAV Turbine Engines from PBS

PBS, established in 1814, is a registered weight, small installation dimensions, sources. Their main advantages are si- NATO supplier of turbojet engines that extended time between overhauls (TBO) multaneous supply of electrical power have proven themselves in hundreds of and high efficiency at high altitudes are and compressed air, offering continuous aerial targets, UAV and UCAV systems among the competitive advantages of operation for up to 6 hours, long service and piloted micro jets in France, Ger- PBS turbine engines. These models are life and the ability to start and operate at many, China, Russia, Spain, the UAE, the able to achieve flight altitudes of 9,000 altitudes of up to 6,000 m. USA and many other countries. m with a maximum starting elevation of PBS jet engines stand out among compet- 6,000 m. ing engines due to excellent power-to- Auxiliary Power Units (APU) are used all weight ratios, compact design, reliable around the world, both in defence and operation, low fuel and oil consumption civil aircraft and helicopters, and are and high speed, together with reliable another main product line of PBS. They starting at high altitudes. operate as air generators for With its in-house expertise in design, de- starting systems and as velopment, production and testing, PBS emergency power continually works on new engine devel- and hydraulic opment in order to meet missile and UAV market requirements. This year, the com- pany is finalising development of a new turbojet engine, the PBS TJ150. Weighing just 19.6 kg and with a diam- eter of 272 mm, this powerplant offers 1,500 N (337 lb.ft) of thrust. It features an integrated starter-generator with 600 W electrical power output and it is con- trolled through a full-authority digital PBS Turboprop system (FADEC). The engine can operate Engine TP100 at a speed of up to 0.9 M, in ambient of -50 °C to +45 °C and at altitudes of up to 9,000 m. It offers both ground and in-flight restarts at up to 4,00 0m, with maximum speed of 0.6 M. Based on PBS's most commercially successful model, the 1,300 N thrust PBS TJ100 turbojet, the new PBS TJ150 is a single-shaft engine com- prising a The company PBS is a registered starter gener- NATO supplier. ator integrat- PBS holds recognised EASA certificates for ed in the radial aerospace products according to Part 21, compressor impel- Section A, Subpart J, G.: ler, one axial turbine, • Design Organisation an autonomous oil sys- Approval (DOA) tem and a digital control • Production Organization system. To date almost 800 Approval (POA) units have been delivered to cus- • Maintenance Organization tomers. Approval (MOA) PBS also manufactures turboprop and turboshaft engines designed for MALE UAVs, unmanned helicopters and small experimental aircraft. The PBS TP100 PBS Turbojet and TS100 develop up to 180 kW. Low Engine TJ150 www.pbsvb.com

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 69  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Combat Drones Become a Mainstay in European Armed Forces

Peter Austermann

Today, more than ten nations worldwide operate combat drones. Also known as Unmanned Combat Air- craft Systems (UCAS), these platforms are capable of shadowing, tracking over a long period of time and, if necessary, destroying potential targets with high precision.

he battlefield and operational concepts Another member in the UCAS port- Great Britain’s Combat Drone Thave changed dramatically over the last folio is Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8 Aspirations two decades. Asymmetric warfare and the FIRE SCOUT, an unmanned helicop- fight against terrorism require weapon sys- ter, which operates predominantly The first combat drone, MQ-9 PREDATOR tems that can be used in many areas of from guided-missile frigates and Lit- B, also known as the REAPER, was delivered the theatre in order to fight targets flexibly toral Combat Ships (LCS). The HELL- to Royal Air Force (RAF) units stationed in and promptly. Combat drones meet these FIRE missile is its standard armament, Afghanistan. The procurement specified an criteria effectively and efficiently. but it can be substituted by GBU-44/B unarmed version of the system. After six VIPER STRIKE (Northrop Grumman/MB- months of operation, it became clear that Historical Background

The first UCAS entered service in the USA in October 2007. The initial contingent of

MQ-1 Predator drones has grown over Photo: U.S. Army time to more than 90 aircraft. The inven- tory includes the updated MQ-1C GRAY EAGLE and MQ-9 PREDATOR B. These systems are manufactured by General Atomics and serve in the roles of Recon- naissance, Close Air Support (CAS), and Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI). Addition- ally, they are employed against high value targets in the fight against terrorism. The systems have an endurance of 27 hours, a range of up to 1,100 miles, and a flight ceiling of 45,000 feet. An MQ-1C combat drone of the US Army During operations the UCAS are deployed in theatre. On location a US crew performs DA), a laser-GPS-guided glide bomb, the platform had to be able to hit fleeting take-off and landing; the actual mission and the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon targets. Furthermore, an increased require- however is controlled and conducted from System (APKWS), a guided missile with ment for CAS was noted. a base in the US. The US Air Force em- a range of 5 kilometres, manufactured The decision to weaponise these drones ploys PREDATOR B armed with laser-guid- by BAE Systems. Equipped with a suite was a contentious issue. The CIA’s use of ed precision munitions like the AGM-114 of payloads and a range of up to 250 combat drones in Yemen and Pakistan was HELLFIRE, GBU-12 PAVEWAY II, or GBU- km, FIRE SCOUT gives ship commanders quickly described as “targeted killing.” Ex- 38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). a rapid response capability to address tensive reporting led to a broad discussion In the future, the HELLFIRE missile will be maritime threats. The ability to engage among the population and in the British replaced by the Joint-Air-To-Ground Mis- targets at extended ranges results in a Parliament as the legality, morality, and sile (JAGM). Further armament options are higher degree of naval protection. utility of was questioned. Finally, it was de- available. For example, in 2014, the Dual In general, the US Armed Forces consid- cided to arm the platform under the follow- Mode BRIMSTONE was tested successfully er the use of combat drones to be very ing conditions: An armed British REAPER off a Predator B. positive. In theatres such as Afghanistan cannot fly in British airspace; the system and Iraq, these weapons systems have cannot be autonomous; it requires human Author performed their tasks very satisfactorily. command and control; decisions to release In the coming years, a large part of the weapons cannot be autonomous. Peter Austermann is a Florida-based US defence budget for unmanned aerial In order to meet these requirements, RAF consultant and independent author vehicle systems will be allocated for new deployed one squadron to Creech Air Force specialising in unmanned systems. acquisitions and modifications to existing Base (AFB) in Nevada, USA. Training for UCASs. pilots is conducted at Holloman Air Force

70 European Security & Defence · April 2018 Base in New Mexico, USA. Operations are conducted as follows: the Reaper UAV is launched from an airfield in Afghanistan by in-theatre crews. Once airborne, the mis-

sion is flown by British crews from Creech Photo: Leslie Pratt / US Air Force AFB by secure satellite communication. Af- An MQ-9 REAPER, armed with GBU-12 PAVEWAY laser guided munitions ter the mission control is transferred back and AGM HELLFIRE missiles, deployed in a combat mission over southern to the crew in theatre for landing. All cur- Afghanistan. rent aircrew have to be qualified on other, manned aircraft in service. ture Combat Air System (FCAS). A study in Dubai with Textron's Fury, a precision In 2016, the British Ministry of Defence de- group was commissioned to evaluate po- rocket. No information is available as to cided to double their fleet of armed com- tential technologies, design concepts and whether the British Army will introduce bat drones and contracted General Atom- the work share of industrial partners over this system. ics to deliver the Certifiable PREDATOR B the next 12 months. The delivery of two (CPB) between 2018 and 2023. The con- prototypes (one English and one French) The French Role in the Euro- tract stipulates the delivery of 26 combat was planned for 2025 but according to the pean Combat Drone Project drones for the amount of €850M. Based latest developments, an airworthy aircraft on the REAPER, the new drones will fly is not to be expected by this time; the pub- The have been op- at an altitude of 13,000 metres and have lished minutes of a bilateral summit in Janu- erating unarmed drones for over 50 years. an endurance of more than 40 hours. In ary 2018 raise questions about the initial Between 2013 and 2015, this arsenal was addition to the aforementioned standard time line of the project. Both governments expanded by three MQ-9 PREDATOR B armament, UK MBDA has started to qual- are still looking to establish suitable guide- systems (two aircraft per system). Five of ify its own BRIMSTONE missile (range up lines before committing to start Phase 1. the six drones are stationed in Niamay in to 12 km) on the CPB. The drone’s name The British company SteelRock presented the Sahel region in support of “Operation upon entering the service will likely be its domestically manufactured combat Barkhane.” One system is still in Cognac PROTECTOR. drone VELVET WASP at the Dubai Air north of Bordeaux for training purposes In a memorandum of understanding be- Show 2017; VELVET WASP is an un- as well as for surveillance flights at major tween BAE Systems, Dassault Aviation, manned helicopter with a weight of 17 events. Rolls-Royce, and Safran in 2016, the par- kg and a range of 100 km. The platform The platform also supports military exer- ties announced to start Phase 0 on the Fu- has a weapon station and was presented cises in French airspace. A contract with  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Two systems will be delivered two years after contract signing; the remaining three systems will follow in three-month inter- vals. Germany decided to station these

Photo: U.S. Air Force drones on the Israeli air field Tel Nof, al- so known as Air Force Base 8. German Armed Forces personnel will conduct the missions, Airbus employees will perform maintenance tasks, and German suppliers will provide satellite connections and data links as well as the associated encryption. As with HERON 1, the operational com- mand remains with the Tactical Air Force Wing 51 “Immelmann” (TaktLwG 51) located in Kropp-Jagel in Schleswig-Hol- stein. Over the last years, the wing has be- The German Bundeswehr has used Israeli HERON 1 systems as come a drone base with an on-site HERON reconnaissance drones in Afghanistan and Mali. 1 simulator. Initially the mission, data col- lection, and evaluation will be conducted General Atomics provides for the delivery and “Resolute Support” in Mali and Af- with ground stations in Israel or at other of three additional systems by 2019. The ghanistan, respectively. The platform and deployment bases. new systems are Block 5 modifications (so its payloads can perform Image Intelligence Earlier this year, the members of the far only Block 1 systems are in use); the (IMINT) and Surveillance/Reconnaissance newly elected government expressed entire fleet is expected to be brought up missions. Due to its long endurance and in their coalition agreement that drones to the latest state of the art. In addition range, the drone is an important force are to be leased, which is an important to standard armament, BRIMSTONE mis- multiplier in the theatre. The data collected step towards arming future unmanned siles (MBDA/UK) and a variant of the mis- serves to verify the results of reconnais- aircraft systems. However, the selection sile MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée) are also sance by other means and systems. The of possible weaponry is not discussed. A being tested. drones are leased by Israeli Aerospace In- government publication mentioned that On 6 September 2017, the French Defence dustries (IAI) and maintained by an Airbus a "high-precision, scalable and timely ef- Minister announced her government's de- subsidiary. In general, the operators as- fect" on stationary and moving targets cision to arm drones. As in the UK, this sess the experience with HERON 1 posi- is desirable. This translates into an air-to- decision was a contested one, and certain tively. However, changing operational ground missile, which the controller can operational rules had to be established. concepts requires skills that are missing defuse or divert on its way to the target if For example, French combat drones can- in this system. desired. The warhead must be scalable to not be used outside armed conflicts. The Minister of Defence von der Leyen an- adjust the effect at the target. decision was supported by a change in nounced in 2016, that the German gov- Unconfirmed sources from the Ministry public perception: Increased awareness of ernment will start negotiations with Israel of Defence state that a missile developed a growing terrorist threat led to surprising in order to lease HERON TP, a drone, which by Israeli Military Industries (IMI) - WHIP opinion polls: 74% of the adults surveyed can also carry weapons. The fact that the SHOT - could be an option. WHIP SHOT welcomed the use of combat drones. collaboration between Airbus, IAI, and the is a low-cost weapon and currently in The French government also expects that German Armed Forces has been very suc- use on Israel’s HERON drones. The missile the future European Battle Drone Pro- cessful underpinned this decision. Contrary has a weight of 15 kg, which includes a ject (European MALE) will be armed. A to other providers, this “well oiled team” warhead of 6 kg. It is plausible that WHIP consortium of Dassault Aviation, Airbus will shorten the time to operational ca- SHOT or other, similar missiles manufac- and Leonardo has been commissioned pability. It was also assumed that, due to tured in Germany will find entry into the to develop this UCAV. The first flight is previous experiences with HERON 1, the user’s arsenal. planned for 2025. Recent statements training efforts for operators will be signifi- HERON TP is projected to be leased for nine by the French Minister of Defence raise cantly less. years. At that time, the European Combat doubts that the timetable of the project, One of the providers, General Atomics Drone should enter service in Germany. which does not provide for British partici- (GA), protested against the procurement pation, can be met. decision and used legal means to reverse More Than a Prophecy In addition to arming drones, all future the decision. The Federal Arbitration Of- French drone systems will be connected to fice rejected the protest and the wish to Combat drones have entered the ser- a cloud. This ensures the connection to the resume the programme. As a last resort, vice of the European armed forces. Their manned weapons system and enables joint GA sued without success before the Düs- significance as force multipliers will con- operations under one command. seldorf Higher Regional Court. tinue to grow in the future at a speed However, in the last legislative period, the that surpasses the prophecies made just Germany’s Path towards programme did not receive Parliament's a few years ago. When it comes to mili- Combat Drones approval. The Social Democratic Party, a tary technology, European nations strive member of the previous coalition, rejected to gain and maintain sovereignty, and The Bundeswehr has been using Israeli HER- the proposed funding of €25M. The new UCAS are no exception. The European ON 1 systems as reconnaissance drones since government intends to return to this issue combat drones project is another step in 2010; these systems support MINUSMA as soon as possible. this direction. 

72 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  A New Case for CAS

Tamir Eshel

Since the beginning of the air battle, air platforms have supported the ground forces with essential services - observation, provision of firepower, communication, supply and evacuation of the injured.

urveillance, observation and air strikes Shave been the main purposes of air sup- port since the beginning of the air force,

although these services often led the at- Photos: via author tacker to confront the enemy air force from the ground and in the air in order to control the combat area and protect his own air force from enemy attacks. Air attack missions are defined as close air support missions (CAS missions) that are closely coordinated with the armed forces on the ground and support and reinforce them with scalable effects, from the mere "show of force" to intimidating hostiles to direct attacks with overwhelming fire- power, the defeat of enemy forces in direct contact and proximity to friendly forces. As an extended arm of the ground force, CAS should be accessible to the supported ground force, communicate clearly and ef- fectively, share situational awareness and rapidly translate fires requests into effects. F-35 vs. F-16 – The current approach vs. future approach to CAS using CAS Operational multirole fighter planes in A2AD Environment coordinates to find their targets and avoid zones and challenge air force activity at In the past and also today this is easier risks to friendly forces. Because ground all altitudes and distances. In such circum- said than done, because the pilots of the and air communications are not easy to in- stances, contingency forces find it difficult fast jets assume that CAS missions cannot tegrate, the digital transformation that has to rely on the availability of CAS, airspace communicate directly with the troops who invaded the air forces in recent years has surveillance, communication relays and support them, like the crews of combat not completely changed CAS and made MEDEVAC. Under these circumstances, helicopters do. On the other hand, the many processes slow and vulnerable. the psychological effects of fast jets at- guns currently available for CAS missions But the most critical gap is the changing tacking the enemy can be quickly turned have evolved by adding precision fire to battle space - the introduction of state- upside down, as the ground troops that the powerful cannons and unguided mis- of-the-art anti-aircraft missiles like Man urgently need this support see their res- siles they carry. Modern weapons are laser- Portable Air Defence Missiles (MANPADS), cuers being shot down one by one by the guided missiles, rockets and EO/IR guided which work effectively from the ground to enemy. weapons that enable CAS-oriented plat- high altitudes and are virtually immune to forms to increase their utilisation with ever flares and deception, mobile radar devices Precision of Close Support more efficient weapons and thus achieve and infrared sensors capable of detect- more effects with fewer aircraft. ing aircraft at low altitudes, which signifi- To meet the challenges and gain the up- But despite the quantum leap in precision, cantly increases the effectiveness of air per hand, the CAS of the future must be speed and electronics, the use of CAS has defence artillery (AAA). These weapons equipped and deployed with a high-end not changed so much compared to the are likely to reach insurgents, at least in opponent in mind. practices invented decades ago. They rely asymmetric battle zones where the enemy Traditional CAS can no longer be valid on maps, voice communication and grid forces enjoy state support (Yemen, Syria, in the future. Aircraft flying missions at Ukraine, Mali, etc.). low altitudes are now at high risk from Author During high-intensity operations, forces MANPADS and AAA. These weapons may encounter even more demanding have severely affected even the most pro- Tamir Eshel is a security and de- opponents - in the form of sophisticated tected attack helicopters (the Russians lost fence commentator based in Israel. air and coastal defence systems that form several highly protected attack and attack anti-access - area denial (A2AD) battle helicopters in Syria), equipped with state-

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 73  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY of-the-art infrared countermeasures - ignation equipment, thus sharing own specifically for low-cost operation on DIRCM; NATO air forces, Israel, Saudi Ara- position and target locations with the at- unpaved runways. The most popular is bia, Turkey and Egypt lost several helicop- tackers. Operation at higher altitude also the Brazilian SUPER TUCANO A-29 from ters in battle, including AH-64 APACHE, enable the attack aircraft to maintain Embraer, which is now in service with Mi-28 and Mi-35 and T-129, which are continuous communication with mission seven air forces worldwide. The A-29 heavily protected and built to fight guer- command to offload some of the burden was modified by the US-based Sierra Ne- rillas. A-10C and Su-25B, which are op- of attack planning and target clearing vada Corporation for close combat with erated by American, Russian, Syrian and which helps to minimise the risk of fratri- the Afghan Air Force. It is one of two Iraqi forces and also fly at low altitudes, cide and collateral damage. candidates to be evaluated by the US Air suffer disproportionately high losses. Less threatened contingents allow the Force Combat Command for the OA-X This vulnerability drove the air forces in- armed forces to use cheaper yet more light CAS mission. volved in these missions to prefer opera- versatile platforms that enable the air The US Air Force has tested the A-29 tions at higher altitudes, out of range of forces to effectively conduct CAS mis- against the Beechcraft AT-6 produced in existing MANPADS and AAA. Operation sions in a "permissive environment" - i.e. the USA; both are equipped with mod- at higher altitudes, however, requires the where the opposing forces lack effective ern avionics and EO/IR sensor payload, use of special sensors to maintain situ- air defence. In most scenarios, this re- air-to-ground communication packages ational awareness and detect targets with quirement becomes rarer. and weapon systems that control several high precision. The platforms for these missions are underwing hardpoints. These aircraft are Fortunately, ground forces have access various types of turboprop trainers, certified for carrying and launching preci- to laser markers and compact target des- crop dusters and other aircraft designed sion weapons such as GPS-guided bombs, laser-guided missiles and unguided guns, but without the massive 30mm cannon of the A-10C WARTHOG. Both Iomax A-29, AT-6 and AT-802A have a relatively high speed and operating limit and are quite manoeuvrable, which in- creases the survivability from low-level small arms threats. However, such aircraft cannot be confronted with more signifi- cant air defence unless they are deployed from a distance, far from the assisted force, so that the above-mentioned psy- chological effect of air power is missing. New in this category are the SCORPION from Textron Airland and BRONCO II, based on the Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft, or AHRLAC designed by the South African Paramount Group, sponsored in the USA by Bronco Combat Systems (BCS). Larger platforms, mainly intended for night warfare, include tactical transport A F-35B testing the 25mm multibarrel cannon mounted on the belly pod aircraft converted into flying gunships - including the AC-130J GHOSTRIDER, AC- 235 and AC-27 SPARTAN, which are main- ly used to support special missions. These aircraft are equipped with medium-/ high-calibre guns (30, 40 or 105 mm), missiles and guided weapons to establish an airborne fire support base. While the firepower these aircraft can deliver is - sive, they are large, slow targets in daylight that would be very vulnerable during the ingress and egress phases. Therefore, their use is limited to night time. Drones are also used in the air support role, often operated from medium to high altitude. While manned aircraft rely on the pilot’s ability to verify and confirm the target, unmanned aircraft require si- multaneous confirmation from multiple sensors in different locations to verify the A-10C - dedicated CAS platform with an awesome multibarrel target validity. To support that they carry 30mm cannon multiple, high performance sensor pay-

74 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INTELLIGENCE FOR THE INTELLIGENT

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anz-abo_ESD_A4-1-2018_V2.indd 1 05.02.18 14:20  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY loads that often include EO/IR (operating some of these advanced capabilities under for support, less visible but much more in different bands), COMINT and radar to the Precision CAS programme that inte- effective and ready to act, that also verify and prosecute targets in permissive grated various mission specific functions “come from the air”, but are controlled combat environment. used by the Joint Tactical Air Controller directly by the supported forces. (JTAC) and the fighter pilot, to integrate, Some of these solutions, such as loitering A New Generation accelerate and render the CAS mission in a weapons, are already available, utilising less vulnerable and predictable way. standard or specially designed drones as All these solutions partially address the need for air support in uncontested or lightly contested airspace, where opera- tors favour operability, low maintenance and affordability, and would rely on weapon delivery methods more relaxed than the procedures pursued by western air forces. However, such platforms should avoid operations in contested airspace, as the cost in lives of pilots and supported troops could surpass the benefits they gain. Air support in contested airspace requires completely new CAS capabili- ties that would rely on technological ad- vancements offered by 5th generation fighter jets, precision standoff weapons, or totally new concepts that provide sup- port from the air by unmanned systems, distributed fires, loitering, ballistic or cruise missiles and other innovations. Unlike the CAS aircraft currently used or Modern short range air defence systems like this Russian PANTSIR S1 are being considered, 5th generation fighters turning the battlespace into a highly dangerous zone for aircraft, heli- (such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, JSF) copters and drones. were designed to operate in contested airspace. The combination of stealth, Despite the great potential of 5th genera- persistent weapons, loitering over the sensor fusion and information sharing tion fighters, the future of CAS may not combat zones for hours, acting as air- enables the aircraft to deliver the effects be with manned aviation at all, but with borne surveillance elements that can turn without being detected or threatened unmanned platforms, specifically as part of into attackers by a flip of a button. When by the enemy. It enables 5th generation the integration of manned and unmanned deployed in masses, loitering munitions fighters to operate at relatively high al- assets currently being evaluated in testing. can also coordinate their surveillance and titude, well above the MANPADS and Several concepts are pursued – including attacks acting as a swarm, to overwhelm AAA ranges and avoid being targeted by the integration of combat helicopters and and saturate key enemy elements such as enemy Integrated Air Defence Systems drones (the US Army has tested such con- missile sites, radar or air defences. (IADS). With their advanced capabilities cepts combining operations of AH-64 at- Another form of “independent fires” such aircraft can support friendly forces tack helicopters and MQ-1C GRAY WOLF are ballistic rockets that employ trajec- even in contested airspace, avoiding the attack drones). Other tests involved using tory correction to achieve hit accuracy loss rate that would be experienced with fast jet-powered target drones employed of less than 10 metres. Such rockets are conventional aircraft. “loyal wingmen” with conventional fighter operated by the ground forces, to sup- Unlike the CAS-dedicated aircraft that can aircraft, enabling fighter pilots to manoeu- port with the launch platforms located be loaded with weapons, the F-35 carries vre their unmanned “wingmen” to assist tens of kilometres behind the supported fewer weapons in its internal weapons and carry out certain parts of the combat forces, enjoying unlimited ammunition bay, to maintain its immunity to enemy missions. Such wingmen could assume the supply and relative security from enemy radar and SAM. However, using smaller most dangerous missions or act as “bait”, attack. Their effective operation depends guided weapons, such as Raytheon’s luring the enemy to a kill zone. Equipped on the network that would expediently GBU-53B SDB-II or MBDA SPEAR will en- with advanced levels of autonomy, such bring the right weapon to the target. able those planes to carry out multiple weapon carrying stealthy wingmen could These fires are not limited by weather or strikes on each sortie. JSF pilots also main- become “strikers”, and even depart from enemy countermeasures, thus providing tain excellent situational awareness using their manned leader, to carry out inde- more reliable and dependable support to the aircraft integral sensors - Distributed pendent strikes, including such missions the troops. Aperture System (DAS) and EO Targeting that involve close support in contested Assisted by rockets and loitering munitions System (EOTS), and share their pilots’ situ- airspace. Drones are increasingly employed and other guided missiles launched from ational picture among the flight and with in these roles operating in permissive air- the ground, the fighting unit that relies on other elements, thus enabling tighter and space, including the MQ-1C and MQ-9. that support can reduce the numbers and faster communication between air and When CAS is employed from a distance types of weapons carried by the troops, ground units. The US Defense Advanced and fighters no longer swoop above, enabling the unit to be leaner, lighter and Projects Agency (DARPA) has evaluated ground troops could turn to other means more effective. 

76 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  GLOBALEYE – the Endgame for Stealth?

Georg Mader

This is at least the slogan with which innovation-driven SAAB describes its latest brainchild, the Swing-Role Surveillance System (SRSS) GLOBALEYE. ESD was invited to attend the roll-out at Linköpping in late Febru- ary, a multi-media event staged not for the Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) but for the (UAE-AF).

ased on top of one of today‘s premium Bbusiness jets, the platform provides a new level of quality for the simultaneous monitoring and tracking of air, sea and land

targets. In addition, there is much praise Photo: Georg Mader from all commanders who feel terrorised by too little time when faced with stealth opponents. At first glance, however, there is not much difference on the outside. The so-called ERIEYE radar by ERICSSON from Gothen- burg (part of the SAAB Group since 2006) with its transmitter/receiver modules (TRM) in a fixed “ski-box” antenna braced atop the hull (contrary to the rotating antenna GLOBALEYE, SAAB’s latest radar innovation of the earlier AWACS aircraft) has been around since the mid-1990s. Operators with long and/or vulnerable borders or

coast lines have been using the system for Photo: SAAB years. Brazil, Greece, Mexico, Pakistan, Sau- di-Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, the UAE and of course the manufacturer have already gained substantial operational experience with the platforms SAAB-340, SAAB-2000 and EMBRAER-145. Now follows another step, this time based on the Canadian Bom- bardier GLOBAL-6000 executive jet. And for this development, the "ever- researching explorer and pusher of tech- nological boundaries" (as SAAB's event narrator calls the company) - the author GLOBALEYE offers a 70% increase in detection performance. adds here the Swedish enthusiasm for new business fields - has investigated and tested According to SAAB's radar programme GaN initiated a fundamental change and how a performance limited by the given an- director Lars Tossman, the new 2-4 GHz restructuring in semiconductor technology tenna body can be significantly increased. S-band radar ERIEYE-ER (Extended Range) for HF (high frequency) applications. GaN- Before we go into detail, one limitation would more than compensate for this with based effector/transistors with an operat- needs to be mentioned: Due to the design a significantly increased detection and ing voltage of up to 600V have been tested of the sideways “looking" ski box, only a tracking performance compared to the in power switches since 2012, allowing sig- 300° and no 360° all-round view is possi- previous system. nificantly higher switching frequencies. The ble, which means that a sector of 30° to the material is well suited for high-power HF front and back is not permanently covered. A Brief Excursion into amplifiers as it provides four to six times the “Waffles” power density (in W/mm) of the GaA tech- Author nology. In addition, it is heat and radiation According to Tossman, the enormous in- resistant, which - in addition to applications Georg Mader is a defence corre- crease in performance was only possible in the mobile communications world - is of spondent and freelance aerospace because gallium nitrite (GaN) was used for strategic importance for defence and space journalist based in Vienna, Austria, the core TRM elements instead of gallium applications. and a regular contributor to ESD. arsenide (GaA), which did the "job" in the However, a major problem in the produc- last 20 years. tion of GaN-based components is the diffi-

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 77  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

It was pointed out that a long-standing problem for airborne radars would now

Photo: SAAB have been solved thanks to ERIEYE ER: the hovering helicopter.

Other Roles to Prioritise

The SAAB spokesman emphasised that for the first time there will be no multi-roll capacity but swing roll capacity in up to 13 hours of airspace surveillance: a Leonardo SEASPRAY 7500E 360° surface contact radar based on AESA with approx. 400 km horizon and a retractable Star SAFIRE 380-HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) GLOBALEYE is the improved successor of SAAB’s ERIEYE radar. sensor gimbal. The former radar could, it was claimed, detect the periscopes or masts of submarines or even jet skis over almost 70 km away and later be an indica-

Photo: SAAB tor of moving ground targets (GMTI). This would unite the jobs of AWACS (AEW&C), MPA and JOINT STAR. Of course, such a critical force multiplier would be hated by potential opponents in a hot scenario which is why SAAB considered ESD’s question of protec- tion to be justified: There is extensive self-protection equipment with various detectors, approach alarms and counter- measures integrated, and it was also ex- plained that no one would operate such By combining several sensors and radars, SAAB’s latest innovation can a valuable platform alone in enemy air- do the jobs of AWACS (AEW&C), MPA and JOINT STAR simultaneously. space. Thanks to the excellent detection performance of GLOBALEYE an “escort” culty of producing large GaN single crystals them - will continue to be harder or much can be requested at any time. to produce "waffles". In microelectronic later to locate than a TYPHOON, RAFÁLE, and microsystems technology, these are GRIPEN or Su-30, especially from a frontal An “Eye in the Sky” disks about 1 mm thick that serve as a perspective. But the Swedes now claim that for NATO? base plate for microelectronic components GLOBALEYE would give back a "decent" in highly integrated circuits. period of time to take measures to the local The launch customer UAE, who is militar- Several such “waffles” are mounted direct- battlefield commander. ily active from Yemen to Libya, is said to ly one behind the other in a TRM module. When confronting stealth or low-observ- have paid over US$1Bn for the first two About how many "waffles" there are in the able aircraft there are only a few minutes platforms ordered in 2015. This includes "ski box" and how much electricity they left for a reaction or warning if detected training, support and a SAAB security consume, individually or in total - Mr. Toss- in time. But the new radar would extend concept for the base. One year later, a man just smiles knowingly. the time and airspace between the detec- third aircraft was ordered for approx. tion and decision lines. Usually GLOBALEYE US$230M. Since the colourful roll-out, More Time for has a field of view of about 650 km, but the first aircraft has been successfully Decision-Making since parts of the antenna can be focused flown for 106 minutes at noon on 14 on a specific sector, much more perfor- March. The UAE AF markings are now As it has been tested while overlooking air mance can be provided. In any case, us- removed and a temporary Swedish SE- and sea space at SAAB’s facility in Goth- ing GLOBALEYE would reduce or eliminate RMY registration is used. enburg, SAAB is convinced that the new constant CAPs (combat air patrols) with Due to the contractual obligation to- radar offers a 70% increase in detection your own combat aircraft; you could leave wards the customer, it is not possible to and tracking performance of conventional them on the ground in QRA (quick reaction say when the delivery will be made to the air targets thanks to the new TRM technol- alert) status - and thus save resources. Golf. But although this will probably not ogy. Or - and this would be a breakthrough While SAAB does not forget to mention happen before 2019, there is still a lot that would make headlines - has the same what all this means against UCAVs or sea- of time left to mature for another "job". performance as its predecessor or similar skimming supersonic cruise missiles, they SAAB sees the replacement of NATO's systems, but also against targets with only do not paint such hot scenarios for all po- E-3A in about 10 years. "While our sen- one tenth of the radar cross section (RCS)! tential users, where at all times a great air sors could do their job easily and much Of course, SAAB admits that "true" stealth war is looming along their borders. On the more, we are certainly much cheaper fighters like F-22, F-35, Su-57 or J-20 - with contrary, SAAB’s narrators chose a com- than 707 aircraft with TF-33 en- considerable gradual differences between pletely different performance presentation: gines," Tossmann emphasises. 

78 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Army Helicopter Requirements

Sidney E. Dean

Army helicopters have traditionally been grouped according to their primary mission as well as by distinct attributes, usually size or payload. The simplest division is into transport and multi-mission/utility aircraft on the one hand, and reconnaissance and attack helicopters on the other.

echnological developments, as well Tas changing threat assessments and operational doctrines, are defining new demands for the design of future helicop- Photo: US Army ter generations, and are requiring modi- fication of some currently operational systems. Three major trends can be identified: Versatility: While the era of mission-spe- cific designs is not over, rising procurement costs and rapidly changing operational environments have increased the demand for military systems - including helicop- ters - that are adaptable. Multi-mission rotorcraft will be expected to reconfig- ure quickly between missions in order to transition between general transport and more specialised tasks such as (S&R) or Medical Evacuation (MedEvac). Even specialised aircraft such as attack helicopters are expected to be modular to allow regular upgrading with newly developed components and to ease maintenance. Performance: A variety of factors – re- cent experience in challenging geographic A UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter over Afghanistan: The BLACK HAWKs environments, improving counter-air tech- are one of the most versatile medium-lift utility helicopters produced by nology, and the requirement for smaller Sikorsky since 1979. Some 3,000 remain in service in 25 nations, with the forces to conduct full-scale missions at US Army being the primary operator. a high operational tempo – have led to demands for higher performance helicop- important is the ability for tandem opera- Transport/Utility Helicopters ters. This relates to physical performance tions between manned and unmanned (airspeed, range, flight ceiling, payload aircraft. This will be especially useful for The most recent transport helicopter to capacity) as well as to improved avionics manned attack helicopters which can use enter service is the Chinese Army’s Z-18A, and sensors. Modern helicopters will be data links to deploy UAVs as advanced with a reported IOC in 2017. China Cen- expected to fly and land under degraded scouts or even as armed platforms for tral Television released footage in January conditions (e.g. “brownout” and “white- intruding into highly-defended airspace. showing the Z-18A partaking in air as- out” caused by sand- or snowstorms) and The concept enhances situational aware- sault exercises. This medium-lift helicopter to engage targets at longer range. ness, lethality and survivability, while in- produced by Changhe Aircraft Industries Unmanned Operations: As autono- curring lower operating costs when com- Corporation (CAIC) is powered by three mous technology advances, more heli- pared to deployment of manned scout turboshaft engines and can carry 27 com- copters will be designed for optional helicopters. The bat-equipped soldiers or 14 stretchers in- manned or unmanned operations. Equally has advanced the farthest here with its ternally or a 5,000 kg load externally. A MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) stern ramp permits offloading small tactical Author programme which allows the crew of an vehicles. Composites and titanium are used AH-64E APACHE helicopter to control extensively to reduce weight. The reported Sidney E. Dean is President of up to three MQ-1C GRAY EAGLE UAVs service ceiling of 9,000 metres permits op- Transatlantic Euro-American (Level 4 Teaming). While implementation erations at the highest altitude of the Hima- Multimedia LLC and a regular is still in a very early stage, this technol- layas. Maximum speed is 336 kph. The un- contributor to ESD. ogy allows the AH-64E to engage targets armed helicopter is equipped with terrain- from beyond line of sight. following radar, a nose -mounted weather

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 79  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

ture. In 2017 Sikorsky completed work on a new weapon suite for the S-70M and S- 70i models. By temporarily mounting two stub wings outfitted with hard points, this enables the baseline to be configured as an attack helicopter deploy-

Photo: Caracal / Wikipedia CC ing 70mm HYDRA rockets, HELLFIRE air- to-ground or STINGER air-to-air missiles, or 12.7mm GATLING guns. The weapon suite integrates with the on-board avion- ics and targeting system and the pilots’ mounted display. The Airbus H225M, previously known as the EC725 or SUPER COUGAR, was intro- duced by the in 2005. Since then it has been acquired by eight other nations (including air force and naval vari- ants). The SUPER COUGAR incorporates the modular philosophy which increasing- The Airbus H225M incorporates the modular philosophy which ly dominates helicopter design. It can be increasingly dominates helicopter design. configured for various missions including assault transport, special operations, gun- radar and a digital or “glass” cockpit. Additional upgrades are expected, as the ship and S&R. For tactical transport mis- One of the most versatile medium-lift util- Army plans to operate the UH-60 well into sions it can seat up to 28 soldiers. Slings ity helicopters is the UH-60 BLACK HAWK the 2030s. loads up to five tonnes are possible. The family produced by Sikorsky since 1979. The baseline utility variant can be con- MedEvac configuration fits 11 stretchers Some 3,000 remain in service in 25 na- figured for air assault missions (11 com- plus four medics. For special operations tions, with the US Army being the prima- bat troops), cargo transport up to 4,100 and combat S&R missions, weapons op- ry operator (circa 2,200 units). Continual kg, MedEvac, and gunship missions. The tions include 7.62 and 20mm guns on deck upgrades have kept the UH-60 and its optional standard weapon load consists as well as external gun and rocket pods. export-variant S-70A relevant. of two door-mounted machine guns or The medium-lift multi-mission helicopter Older versions of the US Army’s baseline GATLING guns. Specialised UH-60 ver- embodies many features typical of state- utility helicopter are being upgraded to sions have been configured for electronic of-the-art utility helicopters. These include a fully digital cockpit with an advanced avionics and automatic flight control sys- tem integrating flight, navigational and tactical data; redundant flight systems; a defensive EW system controlling chaff and flare dispensers; crashworthy passenger seats; removable plating against small arms up to 12.7mm; a modular-built,

Photo: US Department of Defense comparatively light alloy and composite fuselage; a reinforced frame providing im- proved crash safety. The two turboshaft engines are independent and feature a reduced infrared signature. The five blade composite rotor reduces vibration. A rotor de-icing system, engine-intake sand and ice filters, and an aerial refuelling probe are optional. French forces have used the H225M extensively in Afghanistan and other non-European theatres, reporting excellent results including a 95 percent A US Army CH-47 CHINOOK: In terms of capacity, the CH-47 CHINOOK availability rate. is one of the heaviest helicopters used by Western armed forces. In terms of capacity, the CH-47 CHINOOK is one of the heaviest helicopters used the UH-60M configuration which entered combat, dedicated MedEvac deployment, by Western armies. It carries 33 combat- service in 2009. The upgrade includes: a and special operations transport and gun- equipped soldiers or 55 passengers with- digital cockpit; improved gearbox, engines ship missions. After the 2011 raid on Osa- out gear; 24 stretchers and three medics; and rotor blades; and an integrated ve- ma bin Laden’s compound in Abbotabad, 10,900 kg intern cargo; or a sling load hicle health management computer. Per- it was revealed that at least two MH-60 of 11,800 kg. The latest iteration, the formance parameters include: a combat special operations helicopters had been CH-47F, entered service with the US Army radius of 600 km, maximum speed of 300 retroactively outfitted with stealth tech- in 2007. Seven additional nations also kph, and a service ceiling of 5,800 metres. nology to reduce radar and noise signa- operate the “F” variant. It features new

80 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

engines, avionics, communications, and a the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) tack, precision attack, anti-armour, recon- modernised airframe designed to enhance Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). The aircraft naissance, armed escort, troop insertion/ stability and survivability. The stronger weighs three tonnes and fits up to six pas- extraction and combat S&R. Itself a variant engines increase most performance pa- sengers or one tonne of cargo. Top speed of the MH-6 operated by the US Army Spe- rameters – speed, climb-rate, service ceil- is given as 250 km/h, with a mission range cial Operations Command, the AH-6 has a ing, operational radius – when compared of 250 km and a service ceiling of 6,500 fully integrated cockpit and an advanced to the previous “D” variant. The most metres. The is procuring 187 mission computer designed to enhance sit- valuable enhancements are found in the LUH. Deliveries are expected to begin this uational awareness and reduce pilot work- digital cockpit. These include the Digital year. A Light Observation Helicopter vari- load. Targeting is accomplished via the AN/ Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS) ant is also under development. ZSQ-3 FLIR and the L-3 WESCAM MX-15Di which helps the pilot to hover or land un- EO/IR targeting sensor system. der poor visual conditions (fog, smoke, Reconnaissance and Light The mission-enhanced LITTLE BIRD pro- snow, “brown out”); and the Common Attack Helicopters gramme completed in 2015, bringing all Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) aircraft up to the AH-6M standard, add- which integrates multiple communica- Pure reconnaissance and observation heli- ing: a six-bladed main rotor and four-blad- tions, navigation and mission subsystems. copters are uncommon in today’s multi- ed tail rotor; an improved tail boon and The cockpit features an open systems ar- tasking world. Some light multi-purpose tail rotor system; a strengthened frame to chitecture design, allowing for easy up- rotorcraft include reconnaissance in their accommodate an increased weapons pay- grade of hardware and software. A special portfolio, but increasingly effective MAN- load; larger doors; improved engine inlets operations variant known as the MH-47G PADS and other mobile air defence sys- and filters; and improved landing struts. is also available. Both the “F” and “G” var- tems make it advisable for recon helicop- The crashworthy fuel tanks are armoured iants are expected to stay in service well ters to have the capacity for self-defence against small arms fire up to 12.7mm. Ar- into the 2030s. There has been discussion and to strike mobile targets of opportu- mament includes TOW, Hellfire and Sting- of a potential CH-47H variant to be de- nity. This blurs the line between armed re- er missiles as well as various gun pods. The veloped in the coming decade. Featuring connaissance and light attack helicopters. small helicopter features an unsurpassed new engines and a new rotor design, it Boeing, for example, applies both designa- power-to-weight and payload-to-weight would have an increased payload capacity tors to the AH-6 LITTLE BIRD and its export ratio. and would serve until 2060. variant, the AH-6i – arguably the world’s Korean Aerospace Industries and Airbus At the other end of the capacity spectrum lightest manned attack helicopters. The are developing a Light Armed Helicopter are smaller multi-mission aircraft such as designated mission profile includes light at- (LAH) designed primarily to act as a re-

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European_Security_and_Defence_2018.indd 1 3/12/2018 4:05:30 PM  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

customise new aircraft to optimally meet their unique operational requirements. In addition to outfitting its own armed forc- es, India hopes to export the LCH.

Attack Helicopters Photo: USMC Air Station Yuma The difference between “light” and “full- fledged” attack helicopters is based on the latter’s stronger armour protection, heavier payload capacity and mission focus on offensive combat operations. Attack helicopters remain highly nimble aircraft, relying on speed and mobility to ensure survival and mission success. The seven tonne Z-10, built by CAIC, en- tered service with the Chinese Army in 2012. While some French and Israeli hard- ware is reportedly used on the Z-10, all mission software is reportedly indigenous. The AH-6 LITTLE BIRD is arguably the world’s lightest attack helicopter. The digital cockpit features HUD, multi- function displays, night-vision goggle connaissance and attack helicopter, while rotorcraft was specifically designed for compatibility, fully-integrated navigation retaining a medium-lift transport capabil- attack helicopter operations at high al- systems and a fly-by-wire control system. ity. Based on the Airbus H155 DAUPHIN, titude, filling a known capabilities gap. Later aircraft are equipped with terrain- the 2.6 tonne LAH will have two 1,650 To this end French engine manufacturer avoidance and terrain following radar. horsepower turboshaft engines and a Turbomeca designed an engine optimised As is common on full-fledged attack heli- five-bladed main rotor enabling a speed for high altitudes. The operational ceiling copters, the two-person crew sits in tan- of 325 km/h and a 549 metre per min- is estimated between 6,000 and 6,500 dem with the pilot above and behind the ute climb rate. Armament is expected to metres. While based on HAL’s Dhruv light gunner. The fuselage is tapered toward consist of a 20mm automatic cannon in a utility helicopter which entered service in the rear to reduce the radar cross sec- chin turret, augmented by rocket and gun 2002, India has leveraged considerable tion. The cockpit and other vital areas are pods carried on two winglets. Delivery of foreign cooperation to optimise the LCH. armoured; bulletproof cockpit windows the first operational aircraft is expected The weapons load includes a French GI- can withstand 7.62mm rounds. The nose- in 2022. AT-Nexter 20mm turret gun, Belgian anti- mounted sensors include FLIR, a low-light camera, and a laser rangefinder and target designator. The EW suite includes radar- and laser-warning indicators, as well as countermeasures (infrared jammer, chaff Photo: US Army and flare decoys). A nose turret houses a 30mm cannon, while winglets can carry up to 1,500 kg of ordnance. This payload can consist of up to sixteen HJ-10 anti- tank missiles, but more typically would include eight HJ-10 plus additional air-to- ground and air-to-air ordnance. At 3,300 kg, the Airbus EC655 TIGER is one of the most nimble full-fledged at- tack helicopters. Nearly 80% of the hull is made from lightweight and car- bon laminates, with panels being honey- combed both for weight reduction and to The AH-64 APACHE attack helicopter is among the world’s most potent enhance crew survival during a crash. En- attack helicopter. The newest APACHE variant is the AH-64E APACHE tering service in 2005, the TIGER remains GUARDIAN introduced in 2013. one of the world’s most modern attack helicopters. A total of four variants are of- India’s HAL commenced production of the tank missiles and MDBA’s MISTRAL-2 air- fered, including the UHT (multi-role fire indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to-air missile. The electronic warfare suite support), HAP (escort and multipurpose in 2017. IOC with the Indian Army, which comes from SAAB South Africa while the combatant), and ARH (armed reconnais- has ordered 114 LCH, is expected this year. sensor suite and networking systems were sance). Missions include combating tanks, other developed jointly with Israel. While exten- The HAD (support and destruction) vari- armoured vehicles, slow-moving aircraft sive, this sort of mix-and-match is a com- ant also known as TIGER Mk2 displays the and ships, as well as reconnaissance, bat- mon phenomenon in today’s globalised greatest combat power and is the “heavi- tlefield surveillance and S&R. The new weapons market, and enables nations to est” attack helicopter of the TIGER family.

82 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

The mission profile includes destruction of armoured or hardened mobile and sta- tionary targets, ground fire support, aerial or ground escort, reconnaissance, and air- to-air combat. The loadout includes eight HELLFIRE II or SPIKE ES air-to-ground/ Photo: David Alvarez Lopez anti-armour missiles, plus four MISTRAL air-to-air missiles, optionally augmented by 68mm or 70mm unguided rockets. The 30mm gun in the chin turret can pro- vide effective fire support at a distance of 2,000 metres. Despite using 77% com- posite materials in the hull, the HAD is also heavier than the other variants; features more powerful engines; has better bal- listic armour; is better suited to opera- tions in hot climate zones; and includes an Uplink/Downlink satellite antenna for data exchange with a ground station. A rooftop mounted sight (RMS) located atop the cockpit can directly feed to the pilot’s helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD); Entering service in 2005, the TIGER remains one of the world’s most both RMS and HMSD can be slaved to modern attack helicopters. the 30mm gun for fast engagement of targets of opportunity. Extensive experi- ence operating in austere environments in Afghanistan and Africa have proven the TIGER to be easy to maintain. An upgraded TIGER Mk3 featuring im- proved avionics and weapons is to be pro- cured by France, Germany and Spain in the mid-2020s. A decision on the precise con- Image: Korean Aerospace Industries figuration is expected no later than 2019. The roots of Boeing’s AH-64 APACHE at- tack helicopter currently used by 15 na- tions go back to the 1970s. However, Boe- ing and the US Army as prime operator Korean Aerospace Industries and Airbus are developing the Light Armed have consistently upgraded the APACHE, Helicopter (LAH). retaining its position as the world’s most potent attack helicopter. The LONGBOW missiles. While the weight of the extra developments, but the new configura- Fire Control Radar and Radar Frequency payload and the LONGBOW radome had tions will in turn, dictate new operational Inferometer (RFI) adopted beginning with made the APACHE less agile than many concepts to take advantage of future air- the “D” variant allow target acquisition rivals, the “E” variants performance en- craft’s attributes and capabilities. Major outside the line of sight. The technology hancements have levelled the field again, aspects of the FVL family of rotorcraft permits acquisition of 128 targets and while the APACHE’s larger payload pro- as defined by the Army will include “in- simultaneous targeting of 16. The new- vides it with greater combat power than tegrated , super- est APACHE variant, the AH-64E APACHE most competitors. The US Army intends vised autonomy, advanced manned/un- GUARDIAN introduced in 2013, features to continue purchasing the AH-64E until manned teaming and scalable and tailor- more powerful engines, a new transmis- production ends in 2026, and will fly the able lethal/non-lethal fires and effects. sion and improved composite rotor blades; APACHE until circa 2050. Future Vertical Lift will maintain an early this provides enhanced performance and continuous focus on reliability and (cruise speed, climb rate, payload capac- Future Vertical Lift maintainability to create maintenance ity, reaction and loiter time, and range) free operating periods and reduce for- compared to the “D” variant. The “E” vari- During the 2030s the Army expects to ward logistics burdens, while also estab- ant can control offboard UAVs (MUM-T) begin introducing new rotorcraft under lishing an affordable life cycle of sustain- and engage maritime targets. Link 16 per- the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme. ment.” While FVL is primarily intended mits sharing situational awareness with Ultimately all current classes of helicop- to develop manned aircraft, all models friendly forces, while a new ground-fire ter flown by US armed forces are to be must be designed for unmanned flight acquisition system automatically locates replaced under this programme, but this when operationally necessary. Modular the source of enemy fire and directs the process is expected to span at least two systems and open architecture designs APACHE’s 30mm turret gun to suppress decades. FVL is intended to develop new should enable the continual upgrading those targets. With a base weight of 5,200 rotorcraft using revolutionary rather than of aircraft systems to keep pace with kilos, the APACHE is cleared to carry a evolutionary, traditional design concepts. technological advances and/or new op- 3,000 kilo payload including 16 HELLFIRE These will rely on advanced technology erational requirements. 

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 83  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Sharp Teeth for Attack Helicopters

Doug Richardson

For people outside of the military helicopter community, the concept of an armed helicopter will involve memories of the 1979 movie 'Apocalypse Now' and the sequence in which a US air cavalry unit uses its heli- copters to attack a Viet Cong-held village while playing Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries".

he attack scene showed aircraft armed Twith unguided rockets, plus forward- firing and door-mounted machine guns, a weapon fit that was typical of those used Photo: Raytheon during the Vietnam conflict. By the late 1950s, the US Army could see the potential usefulness of the helicopter as an anti-tank weapon. It had already adopted the French SS.10 wire-guided anti-tank missile system as an interim ground-launched weapon, so mounting an S.11 version in the UH-1 was an obvious next step. Known as the M22 armament subsystem, this was operational in Vietnam by September 1965 and made its first combat launches in October of the fol- lowing year. The M22 was always seen as an interim weapon, and an Improved COBRA Armament Program begun in March 1972 armed the UH-1B Huey with the Hughes BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile. This used The shape of helicopter armament to come? In the summer of 2017, semi-automatic command to line of sight Raytheon revealed that it had tested a pod-mounted high-energy laser (SACLOS) guidance, rather than the more system mounted on an AH-64 APACHE. difficult-to-master command guidance of the SS.11. Rushed to Vietnam later in 1972, and proven in battle later that year, this add- ed the guided missile to the basic family of helicopter armaments. Photo: Roketsan In an article of limited size, we cannot docu- ment the full range of weapons that are cur- rently available, but will use developments and deployments reported in the last few years to illustrate the current trends. While the first generation of wire-guided missiles such as the TOW, Euromissile (now MBDA) HOT and Norinco HJ-8 had re- quired the gunner to manually steer the missile onto the target, SACLOS reduced the gunner's workload by reducing his task to that of keeping the weapon sight aligned with the target while an automatic tracking system kept the missile positioned Roketsan has successfully developed the MIZRAK-U long range antitank on the line-of-sight. missile (top) and CIRIT guided rocket (below).

Author KBM's 9M114 SHTURM-V (AT-6 SPIRAL) is used its Mi-28N and Ka-52 attack helicop- a relatively simple radio-command SACLOS ters during recent combat operations in Following an earlier career in engi- weapon of 8 km range that armed the Mi- Syria. The Ka-52 is reported to have used neering, Doug Richardson is a de- 24V and -24P 'Hind' helicopters. The fol- the anti-tank (9M120) and anti-personnel fence journalist specialising in topics low-on 9M120 ATAKA-V (AT-9 SPIRAL-2) is (9M120F) versions of the ATAKA, as well as such as aircraft, missiles, and military similar, but has a maximum range of 8km. 80mm S-8OFP unguided rockets. electronics. It arms upgraded Mi-24 HIND helicopters At the MAKS-2017 air show in Moscow, and the Mi-28 and Mi-35 series. Russia has Russia, JSC Russian Helicopters showed its

84 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  new Mi-171SH-HV transport helicopter. This is equipped with six external hardpoints

that can carry guns such as 12.7mm-calibre Photo: MBDA KORD machine guns or the UPK-23-250 pod-mounted GSh-23 cannon, launchers for S-8 rockets, OFAB-250 high-explosive fragmentation incendiary bombs, and up to eight ATAKA missiles. The upgraded Mi- 28NM Night Hunter helicopter gunship is being cleared to carry and deliver updated versions of the ATAKA missile. Fired by an improved version of the aircraft's onboard fire control system, these will have a longer range than current The next logical step was to equip the missile with a seeker that allowed it to automatically home onto the laser energy reflected from a target illuminated by a la- ser designator. Known as semi-active laser (SAL) homing, this technique is used by most versions of the AGM-114 HELLFIRE missile which was developed to arm the The first test launch of MBDA's SEA VENOM/ANL was conducted from a AH-64 APACHE. DAUPHIN helicopter in June 2017. China's Z-10 attack helicopter can carry the HJ-10 SAL-guided missile. Also known as ner to select a target using his video display. British design, but was designed for use the AKD-10, this has a range of up to 8 km. MIZRAK-U (previously known as UMTAS) from fixed-wing aircraft. In 2008, the UK IAI's SAL-guided missile has a was developed by Roketsan to be a long fielded a dual-mode variant whose seeker maximum range of 25 km, but its 98 kg range antitank missile for the locally de- had an alternative SAL mode. MBDA went launch weight has restricted its use to the veloped T-129 ATAK attack helicopter. A on to develop the dual-mode BRIMSTONE IDF's CH-58 assault helicopters. The com- two-way RF datalink provides communica- 2 missile and is currently promoting this for pany's SkyBow (LAHAT) is a 12.5 kg SAL- tions with the launch platform, and termi- helicopter use. guided weapon with a maximum range of nal homing is by means of an IIR seeker that Late last year, Airbus Helicopters delivered 13 km and is compatible with helicopters allows lock-on before launch and lock-on the first TIGER helicopter retrofitted into in the class of the AH-1 COBRA, Mi-17, and after launch attack modes. A SAL-guided the HAD (Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction) MD-530. L-UMTAS version is also available. standard to the French Army Aviation fol- South Africa's Kentron (now Denel) devel- An AGM-114L LONGBOW HELLFIRE was lowing the formal acceptance of the new oped the ZT35 INGWE missile in the late developed for use on the AH-64D APACHE standard by the French Defence Procure- 1990s. It uses laser beam-riding guidance, LONGBOW. This version is guided by a mil- ment Agency (DGA). A new STRIX roof- and has a maximum range of 5 km. It has limetric-wave active radar seeker. Based on mounted sighting system incorporating a been qualified for use on the Denel Roo- the HELLFIRE, MBDA's BRIMSTONE missile laser designator allows the HELLFIRE II air- ivalk helicopter, and marketed as an up- originally used an active MMW seeker of to-ground missile to be fired. grade for the Mi-24. The follow-on ZT6 Mokopa has a range of 10 km. It uses SAL guidance, but proposed IIR and millimetric- wave variants have not materialised. Alge- ria is reported to have ordered MOKOPA to arm the LYNX helicopters carried by its Photo: BAE Systems MEKO A-200 frigates. Originally known as LR-TRIGAT, the PARSYS PARS-3 LR is a 49 kg weapon with a maxi- mum range of 6 km. It homes onto its tar- get by using a nose-mounted IIR seeker. Development was protracted, so the sole user became Germany. A prolonged devel- opment programme has also plagued In- dia’s Bharat IIR-guided anti-tank mis- sile and its air-launched HELINA derivative. Rafael's SPIKE-ER (originally known NT-D or DANDY) has a maximum range of 10 km, and uses a combination of inertial and a combined TV and IIR seeker. A lock-on- BAE System's APKWS guided rocket is unique in that it is guided by four before launch mode allows 'fire-and-for- laser-energy sensors mounted on the leading edge of the canard control get' attacks, while a fibre-optic link to the surfaces. This allows the weapon to use the full range of existing war- launch helicopter can be used by the gun- heads.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 85  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

France is now working with Germany and unguided rocket. By the end of 2011, TALON Developed by Harbin Jiancheng, China's SKY Spain to define the specification for a pro- had completed an operational demonstra- Arrow 90 is a guided version of the posed Mk3 variant of the TIGER. Currently, tion in the UAE, using AH-64D helicopters Type 90-1 90mm unguided rocket. Several the French aircraft carry the HELLFIRE, Ger- from the UAE Air Force, while the certifica- types of guidance have been promoted, in- man examples are armed with the PARSYS tion process for use on the AH-64D/E attack cluding laser beam-riding, but the version TRIGAT, while Spain uses the Rafael SPIKE- helicopter was completed in 2014. adopted for service is understood to have a ER. For the Mk3, it is hoped that all three The US Navy's Low Cost Guided Imaging SAL seeker. Ukraine's State Kyiv Design Bu- users will adopt a common missile. Rocket (LOGIR) is based on passive IR guid- reau 'Luch' has used the 80mm rocket as the Missiles such as HELLFIRE carry warheads ance using an imaging seeker teamed with basis of its AR-8L SAL-guided rocket. Laser- in the 8 – 12 kg class, so may be overkill the hardware of the 70mm HYDRA rocket. guided rockets developed by Thales subsidi- when fired against many types of target Although it has been test-fired from heli- ary TDA Armaments could form part of the that need to be engaged during counter-in- copters, its only application so far has been armament of the Mk2 version of the TIGER surgency operations. By the late 1990s, the in 's surface-launched K-LOGIR now being developed by France. US services could see the need for smaller coastal defence system. Although helicopters have been used to and less destructive weapons that would Elbit Systems offers its guided Smart Tactical deliver high-explosive bombs, they lack the reduce the risk of collateral damage. The Advanced Rocket (STAR) upgrade for 80mm manoeuvrability and performance needed obvious solution was to develop guided rockets and teamed with ATK to develop the to deliver such weapons effectively. Heavy versions of standard air-to-ground rockets. GATR (Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket). and often-improvised blast weapons are BAE Systems' Advanced Precision Kill The latter also forms the basis of the Diehl more practical. During the Vietnam War, Weapon System (APKWS) uses existing Defence GILA (Guided Intelligent Light Ar- the US made limited use of barrel bombs to attack Viet Cong guerrillas operating un- der forest cover, while Syrian use of similar weapons against opposition forces has become notorious in recent years, with an

Photo: Raytheon estimated total of more than 5,000 Syr- ian barrel bombs being used by mid-2014. Some of the Syrian munitions have been filled with chlorine gas, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report in 2014 detailing how these improvised chemical weapons had been used by Syrian government forces against several towns. Chile and Saudi Arabia operate SUPER PUMA helicopters configured to carry the EXOCET antiship missile. The concept has Raytheon's TALON guided rocket uses a nose-mounted SAL seeker. been brought up to date by the H-XBR programme under which Airbus Helicop- HYDRA 70 components such as launch- mament) 70mm calibre guided rocket pro- ters rolled out the first of five Operacio MB ers, rocket motors, warheads and fuzes, posed by the German company in 2010 as H225M helicopters for the Brazilian Navy in but adds a new WGU-59/B control section a smaller weapon able to supplement the October 2016. These aircraft are equipped located between the warhead and the PARS 3LR air-to-ground missile used on Ger- with a Telephonics APS-143 surface-search motor. Laser seekers located in the leading man TIGER helicopters. For users of 68mm radar (which supplements the FLIR Systems edge of each of the four pop-out control and 70mm rockets, Elbit Systems has cre- Star SAFIRE III electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) surfaces operate in unison, as if they were ated another SAL add-on kit – the Guided sensor turret used on Brazil's other H225M a single seeker. This configuration leaves Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR). helicopters), and are armed with one or two the nose section free to contain a current Roketsan's CIRIT 2.75-inch laser-guided AM39 Block 2 Mod 2 EXOCET missiles. warhead and fuze, and since the laser seek- missile is not an add-on kit, but a custom- Jointly ordered in 2014, the MBDA Sea ers are stored within the control section designed weapon intended to allow armed Venom/ANL has been developed by the UK until the rocket is fired, their optics are pro- helicopters to attack light armoured or and France. A DAUPHIN test bed helicopter tected from the motor efflux from rockets unarmoured targets. It is fired from a owned by the DGA conducted the first test fired earlier in the mission. APKWS can be smart launcher that is compatible with MIL- firing of MBDA's SEA VENOM/ANL missile fired from any helicopter that has been STD-8591, MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760. in June 2017. Performed at the Île du Levant cleared to launch 2.75-inch rockets. Initial Turkey has used CIRIT to arm existing AH-1W test range in France, the flight was config- operating capability on USMC AH-1W SU- COBRA helicopters and the locally developed ured to test the weapon's full-range perfor- PER COBRA attack and UH-1Y VENOM (or T-129 attack helicopter. In 2013, the UAE and mance. It was due to be followed by tests Super Huey) utility helicopters operating in Roketsan announced that CIRIT had been or- intended to exercise the systems’ operator- Afghanistan was announced in 2012. dered to meet an urgent operational require- in-the-loop capabilities. Weighing around Developed in collaboration between Ray- ment from the UAE armed forces. In May 100 kg and based on IIR seeker guidance theon and the UAE company Emirates Ad- 2014, Roketsan and MBDA Deutschland coupled with a two-way datalink, the new vanced Investments (EAI), the TALON laser- signed a memorandum of understanding missile will arm the UK's AW159 WILDCAT guided rocket (LGR) mounts a nose-mount- covering a 70mm guided rocket seen as a helicopter and France's new Hélicoptère ed digital semi-active laser (SAL) guidance potential solution for an anticipated German Interarmées Léger (HIL). It is designed to and control kit on the 2.75-inch HYDRA-70 Army requirement for the UH TIGER. replace existing and legacy systems such

86 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  as the UK-developed SEA SKUA and the Air-to-Air STINGER (ATAS) entered devel- (probably known as the PL-90 in Chinese French-developed AS15TT anti-ship mis- opment in 1984. Although the weapon service) seems to be the only purpose- siles. Air carriage trials have already been has been cleared for a wide range of heli- built air-to-air missile for helicopter use. conducted to demonstrate its compatibility copters, its only operational applications It is similar in size and weight to the MIS- with existing LYNX helicopters. are the OH-58C and -58D(I), MH-60, and TRAL. The UK’s next-generation AW159 WILD- AH-64. The most recent firing trials to be High-energy lasers could become a fu- CAT naval helicopter will also carry the reported were conducted late last year by ture weapon for attack helicopters. In Thales Lightweight Multi-role Missile South Korean Army AH-64E attack heli- June 2017 Raytheon announced that it (LMM). Developed to meet the Royal Na- copters. These used STINGER air-to-air had completed the successful flight test vy's Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon missiles to shoot down unmanned aerial of a high-energy laser system carried by – Light (FASGW-L) requirement, this 13 kg vehicle targets during a live-fire exercise an APACHE AH-64. Conducted at White weapon uses laser beam riding guidance and has a maximum range of 8 km. Naval helicopters can be used in the anti- submarine role. The normal armament consists of air-droppable depth charges or homing torpedoes. Although the Cold War era saw the carriage of nuclear depth bombs Photo: Doug Richardson aboard US, UK, French, Soviet, and Chinese ASW helicopters, no weapons of this type are thought to be currently in service. Russia's 120 kg ZAGON-2 anti-submarine weapon was designed for use from the Ka- 28 HELIX naval helicopter, as well as Il-38 and Tu-142M fixed-wing ASW aircraft. It could be used to arm the Mi-14 HAZE heli- copter, whose ASW variant is thought to Unguided 68mm and 70mm rockets can be converted to Guided Ad- have been withdrawn from service during vanced Tactical Rockets (GATR) by use of an Elbit Systems add-on kit. the 1990s, but is reported to be returning to operational status. After being deliv- at an artillery range in Boryeong, South Sands Missile Range, New Mexico in ered to the sea surface by parachute, the Chungcheong Province. The missile has a conjunction with the US Army Apache ZAGON-2 sinks, and then uses a built-in maximum range of 6 km, but these tar- Program Management Office and the active sonar system to detect a submarine gets were engaged at a range of 2.5 km. US Special Operations Command, the target, then home towards it. MBDA's MISTRAL is carried by Spanish test coupled a laser with a version of Short-range air-to-air missiles typically weigh TIGER helicopters, and the Indian Army the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (an around 80 to 90 kg and are too heavy for use plans to use this weapon on its RUDRA advanced electro-optical infrared sen- on a helicopter. The normal method of pro- Mk IV combat helicopter (an armed ver- sor). This was the first time that a fully viding an attack helicopter with air-to-air ca- sion of the Advanced Light Helicopter) integrated laser system mounted on a pability is to adapt an existing man-portable and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). helicopter had successfully tracked on a surface-to-air missile such as the Raytheon China's Luoyang Optoelectro Technol- number of targets, and engaged these FIM-2 STINGER or the MBDA MISTRAL. ogy Development Centre (LOEC) TY-90 with directed energy. 

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April 2018 · European Security & Defence 87  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Rotary Wing Simulation and Training

William Carter

Helicopters are difficult to fly. You have about ten times the chance of dying in a helicopter crash than in a fixed-wing aircraft. Therefore, good training is needed to reduce the high helicopter accident rate.

n the run-up to last month’s Heli-Expo I2018 in Las Vegas there was a report on the recently opened CAE Brunei Multi-Pur-

pose Training Centre (MPTC). Amongst oth- Photo: via author er training equipment, this has a CAE 3000 Series Full Flight Simulator for the Sikorski S- 70i BLACK HAWK helicopter. This simulator has 220 x 80 degree visual including "chin" windows for extra cues at the hover, and 6-axis motion. Head of Standards and Eval- uation Lt Col Johar Mohammed has over 3000 helicopter hours, and commented that the simulator visual system graphics are "awesome" and that motion is correct and well co-ordinated with visual refer- A CAE-built AW101 full flight simulator at Leonardo’s Norway Training ences. Cues of real motion in a helicopter Centre at Stavanger Airport simulator are particularly important during take-off, hover, low-level manoeuvre, de- scents, emergencies, and landing. The CAE TROPOS-6000 visual has detailed Brunei

topography including modelling of Bandar Photo: via author Seri Begawan (Brunei’s capital), country- side, military training areas, offshore oil rigs, Brunei Navy ships, plus night scenes with car headlights, realistically-positioned stars and moon, and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) imagery. Johar says that apart from converting new pilots and ongoing military training, the S-70i simulator is also used for search and rescue, firefighting, formation flight, winching and stretcher lift, mountain flying, shipboard and oil rig operations, and A Thales full flight mission simulator for the AS532 SUPER PUMA of the special missions. Overall, he concluded, it Swiss Air Force is difficult to tell whether it is real flight or the simulator. Finally, it is considerably less analysis showed a helicopter accident rate of wave under the influence of rotor wash, out- costly to train in the simulator compared to about ten times that of fixed-wing aircraft. going ripples when hovering over a water sur- the aircraft itself, which can be preserved In terms of deaths, another NASA analysis face, the detail of trees and their leaves when for operational missions. concluded that on a worldwide 10-year roll- landing in a clearing between trees, and so ing average, you have about ten times more forth. As well as wide-angle simulator visuals Difficult to Tell Whether it is chance of dying in a helicopter crash than for the main cockpit windows above and to Real Flight or a Simulator in a fixed-wing aircraft. Really good training the side of the main instrument panels, heli- is therefore "of the essence" to reduce the copters have transparencies below and to the Although this is only one example, it sums high helicopter accident rate. side, the "chin" windows mentioned above. up the current state-of-the-art in helicopter These give vital cues for control at the hover, training. It is fortunate that such progress A Higher Mortality Rate also for slow flight at very low level, so called has been made, because having flown both "nap-of-the-earth" (NOE) operations. Im- fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, I can confirm The need for high fidelity Outside-World agery for helicopter simulator chin windows that helicopters have less natural stability, are (OTW) visual cues is obvious, and because of can either be from a wide vertical field-of- more difficult to fly, and have a more critical closer proximity to the ground compared to view main visual system, or from dedicated safe flight envelope beyond which is loss-of- fixed-wing aircraft, particularly at the hover, chin window displays using TV monitors. The control or worse. They have more accidents highly detailed cues are needed. These in- main visual system is projected, sometimes than fixed-wing aircraft, and a 2002 NASA clude blades of grass or crops that bend and directly on a screen a few metres in front of

88 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

the main cockpit windows, sometimes on a curved mirror of large horizontal and vertical extent. The mirror surface is on a flexible sub- stance such as mylar sheet, which is kept in its precise curvature by a pump when the simula- tor is in operation. The mirror reflects images projected above the simulator screen and its vertical curvature allows a "distant focus" to be perceived by the simulator crew. This is the so-called Cross Cockpit Collimated Display (CCCD or C3D) first patented and marketed in 1982 by the Rediffusion simulation company

in the UK. Since then, CCCD displays have be- Photo: Sikorsky come widely available from all major simulator A FSI Sikorsky S-76B helicopter simulator with night vision goggle training companies. However, curved mirror systems have a physical limit of about 60 degrees in quickly than it processes cues of a chang- like the real aircraft. This summarises the vertical field-of-view. For helicopter simulators ing visual scene. This fact is critical to the need for simulator motion if the simulator this can be preserved for above-the-horizon way that a motion-based simulator works, is to handle like the aircraft, and a helicopter view by using extra TV monitors for the "chin" in which cues of pitch, roll, yaw, heave, at the hover is one of the more critical cases. windows, and such monitors can also use col- sway and surge, the 6 motion axes, must There are also special helicopter characteris- limated optics so that the distant-focus of the be sensed before their accompanying visual tics such as the "vortex wing" state, analo- display can be preserved. If larger vertical view cues. A simulator motion system must act gous to a fixed-wing stall that can lead to is required, a dome-based visual can be used quickly, and in no circumstances must the fatal crashes, and needs to be trained so that with multi-channel projection on the inside of visual system display such changes before it can be avoided. the dome surface. the motion platform has moved, or disori- In simulators without motion, to avoid entation will result. Motion cues are particu- overcontrol the control responses need Cues of Real Motion larly strong in conditions of critical control to be changed from those of the aircraft, actions, reduced visibility, night scenes, or made less responsive and more stable, The need for cues of real motion in a simula- in pure instrument flying when in cloud. I therefore no longer being "as aircraft" and tor is less obvious. However, these are need- remember flying a helicopter simulator with not able to train realistically for critical han- ed if handling fidelity is a training require- an impressive big visual, but when the mo- dling situations. As well as rates of motion ment, for instance in critical situations such tion was switched off, I started oscillating in the 6 axes, vibration has to be consid- as manoeuvre and low flying, particularly on the controls, particularly on the collective ered. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters in helicopters at the hover and at NOE alti- lever when at the hover - an accurate land- have particular vibration modes at certain tudes. The reason is because the way cues ing was simply not possible, all you could do speeds and rotor RPM. Although these can of motion and visual are received and pro- was put it roughly on the ground and "hope be simulated through the motion platform, cessed by the human brain. Aviation medi- for the best." Once the 6-axis motion was it is less fatiguing on the platform jacks to cal experts have told us for many years that switched on again, the symptoms of over- have separate vibration devices fitted under the brain processes cues of motion more control disappeared and the simulator flew the pilots' seats or under the simulator cab- in floor. This is easy to do, for instance by fitting a box in which an eccentric weight is programmed to rotate at appropriate parts of the flight envelope.

Photo: via author As well as helicopters with their big main rotors, other types of aircraft can hover and many of the remarks above also apply. These include fighters such as the HARRIER and the B variant of the F-35 that has rotat- ing nozzles for VTOL operation, although hovering very close to the ground is not desirable due to hot gas re-ingestion, and vertical landings follow a steady descent to a firm landing. There is also the Bell Boeing V-22 OSPREY with rotors at the end of its wings and helicopter characteristics at or near the hover, rather like a CHINOOK heli- copter but with the two rotors separated laterally rather than longitudinally.

Recent Projects

Finally, some recent projects in helicopter simulation and training in 11 nations are Cockpit view of a Russian Ka-50 helicopter simulator summarised below:

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 89  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

for UKMFTS. The simulators will have the Virtalis VR Helicopter Crew Reality System (HCR) and will be operational at RAF Shaw- bury in 2018. UK - Helicopter Modelling: J2 Aircraft Dynamics Ltd of Daresbury, UK, has intro- duced j2Rotary for helicopter simulation models, part of the company’s j2 Universal Tool Kit. It integrates j2 modelling, analysis and flight data functions with the Blade Element Rotor Model (BERM), tail rotor and gearbox components of the HeliSIM sys-

Photo: via author tem from Presagis of Montreal, Canada. Night vision goggle training with a Flight Safety simulator It includes helicopter features such as au- torotation, ground effect and translational Canada: Bluedrop Training and Simulation made to other simulators, in particular to lift due to horizontal flow of air across the Inc. of Halifax, Nova Scotia, is to deliver a the instructor station. rotor. This enables the rotor model and air- simulator for the helicopter to the Turkey: Quantum3D of San Francisco is to frame effects to be tuned independently Canadian Forces Contracted Flying Training provide their INDEPENDENCE IDX 8000 im- of each other using automated techniques and Support (CFTS) Programme in South- age generator to Turkish simulator manu- already used for fixed wing models. port, Manitoba. It will have 220 degree facturer Havelsan. This is a simulator for the US Army: CAE USA of Tampa, Florida, is visual, motion and vibration systems. T-625 helicopter that is replacing the Bell providing rotary-wing flight training and Germany: CAE Elektronik GmbH of Stol- UH-1H HUEYs of the Turkish Army. other services for the US Army Aviation berg has upgraded the ’s SEA UAE: CAE, headquartered in Montreal, Centre of Excellence (USAACE) at Fort KING Mk41 simulator to Full Mission Simu- Canada, is to provide the United Arab Emir- Rucker, Alabama. This includes classroom, lator (FMS) standard at Nordholz Naval Air- ates Joint Aviation Command (JAC) with a simulator, live flying and support services, base. This has CAE’s MEDALLION 6000 im- fixed-base flight training device (FTD) for and employs about 300 CAE personnel. age generator, Common Database (CDB) the NORTHSTAR Aviation 407 multi-role The project has a total value of US$450M. architecture, upgraded avionics, a new helicopter (407MRH). This will have a 240 The US Army Initial Entry Rotary-Wing vibration system and improved instructor x 95 degree 21 ft diameter dome display (IERW) programme trains about 900 Army and debrief stations. by 3D Perception of Norway with projec- and Air Force students per year with class- Kuwait: Thales is to provide Kuwait forces tors that are automatically aligned and room instruction, simulator, and live flying with training for CARACAL H225M heli- calibrated through sensors embedded in on TH-67 CREEK and UH-72 LAKOTA heli- copters, developed from the Eurocopter the screen. The 407MRH is a variant of the copters. After IERW, pilots either convert COUGAR. Thales will supply a Reality H full Bell 407GX. to front-line helicopters (AH-64 APACHE, flight mission simulator (FFMS) and two UK: Virtalis Ltd of Sale, SW of Manchester CH-47 CHINOOK, UH-60 BLACK HAWK) other trainers, which can be networked for is to supply two H135 helicopter simulators or transition to the Army and Air Force collective training. to the UK Military Flying Training System fixed-wing flight training programme at Malaysia: Thales delivered a FNPT II Flight (UKMFTS). This is under a contract with CAE’s Dothan centre, close to Fort Rucker. and Navigation Procedures Trainer for the Lockheed Martin, a partner of the Ascent H120 helicopter to Gading Kasturi. The Joint Venture which is the prime contractor Conclusion company provides flight training at the Roy- al Malaysian Air Force College in Alor Setar. For the most effective training it is worth- Norway: Leonardo Helicopter Division has while spending money on a high quality opened its Norway Training Centre at Sta- full flight simulator with good visual and,

vanger Sola Airport. This has a CAE-built Photo: via author particularly for helicopters, well-synchro- AW101 full flight simulator and a Norwe- nised motion. This is not only to improve gian Air Force AW101 rear crew trainer that operational performance in the real air- can be linked to the FFS. The Sola facility craft but increase safety by simulating is administered by the Leonardo Helicopter the areas of critical handling. Helicopter Training Academy in Yeovil, UK. accident rates are greater than those for Peru: Russian Helicopters Holding, head- fixed-wing aircraft and because of the quartered in Moscow, has built a helicopter nature of helicopter design and the versa- simulator centre in Lima for the Peruvian tile way they operate, always will be. This military. This is to train for the 24 Mi-171Sh increases the need for really good train- helicopters that are operated by Peruvian ing aids such as full flight simulators, so Ground Forces. that lack of training does not contribute Switzerland: Thales UK has upgraded to accidents. For the more complex heli- simulators for the AS532 SUPER PUMA copters and aircraft capable of hovering of the Swiss Air Force. Work on the Full such as the HARRIER, F-35B and OSPREY, Flight Mission Simulator includes avionics, A CAE flight simulator for Airbus such simulators cost much less than the radio, digital map, forward-looking infra Helicopters H135 and H145 for the real aircraft and can be funded by using red (FLIR), and helmet-mounted display UK Military Flying Training System money liberated by relatively small reduc- (HMD). Improvements have also been (UK MFTS) tions in training flying. 

90 European Security & Defence · April 2018 HIGH CONSEQUENCE TRAINING PRIORITY NUMBER ONE: READINESS

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17IIS687_Raytheon_Training_ES&D.indd 1 3/20/18 2:57 PM  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Air Force Simulation: An Update

William Carter

It is 30 times less costly to train on a modern state-of-the-art full flight simulator compared to training on the aircraft itself.

t the 2017 European International tors must be current with the aircraft modi- Flight Simulation Group of the Royal Aero- ATraining Equipment Conference (ITEC) fication state and be able to be connected nautical Society, the cost ratios between in Rotterdam, NATO Chief Scientist Dr. to simulators at different bases for com- aircraft, and simulator training were calcu- Tom Killion said that simulation is now a bined training. lated. For heavy multi-engine military air- core part of almost all that NATO does. It is craft these were estimated at about 30 to embedded in many NATO activities, from The Cost Ratio one, increasing to 40 to one for large airlin- basic training up to Mission Rehearsal in ers because of loss of revenue if an aircraft a Synthetic Theatre of War (STOW) envi- More training now takes place on military is taken off line for training. That means, ronment. Today, he said, "Synthetic reality flight simulators and less in the aircraft it- it is 30-40 times less costly to train on a is reality." A critical area is how to model self. Looking first at large military aircraft, modern state-of-the-art Full Flight Simu- enemy action, for which realistic behaviour one of many examples is the use of the lator compared to using the aircraft itself. must be used including looking at different Full Flight Simulator (FFS) design that is also For fighter aircraft and military helicopters enemy tactics, the cyber area, and different used by Airlines worldwide. An example of the cost ratio is between 10 and 20 to one, responses to these situations. This is not its military use is that it has halved the num- depending on the type of aircraft and the easy for real vehicles such as "red air" in live ber of aircraft training flights needed to level of simulator used. Another benefit of exercises, but straightforward when simu- qualify new pilots on the Multi Role Tanker simulator training is that less flying hours lation is used, through which a number of Transport (MRTT) aircraft that is based on also mean less aircraft fatigue and a longer different enemy actions and responses can the Airbus A330. airframe and engine life. be generated. After training on the simulator, new MRTT Later in the Conference there was a sympo- pilots fly only two sorties on the aircraft Real Flight or Simulator? sium on training for the F-35 LIGHTNING II before taking their qualification test. This Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Air Commodore closely parallels the US Air Force conversion Then there is flight simulator design. Break- Robert Adang of the Royal Netherlands programme for pilots of the C-17 GLOBE- throughs came in the 1980s with two sig- Air Force said that today, Air Superiority MASTER III strategic transport, which has nificant developments. First, the US Federal requires Information Superiority, and the been in place for over 10 years and has Aviation Administration (FAA) decided that F-35 can be regarded as an "Informa- some 20 simulator sorties, followed by two check rides involving critical emergencies, tion Dominance Fighter." This leads to a training sorties in the aircraft and then the such as engine failure after takeoff (EFATO), problem in matching F-35 operations with qualification test. The savings in air-time could be flown in a high quality Full Flight other fighters. Looking at the future in- and cost by using simulator training in this Simulator (FFS) rather than in the aircraft ventory of fighters in NATO Europe, there way are enormous. At a conference of the itself. An outboard engine failure in a 4-en- will be about 18% "fifth generation" F-35 and 82% others, mainly fourth generation aircraft. It is essential that these can oper- ate together, not only between aircraft in

the air but also between their simulators Photo: via Author for realistic collective training, and when simulators are connected in a network as "the majority of training can be done in the simulator." At the end of 2017 at the Inter-Service & Industry Training, Simulation and Educa- tion Conference in Orlando (I/ITSEC), Major General Scott Smith, US Air Force Director of Training and Readiness said "live Red Flag training exercises flown in Nevada are as realistic as we can make them, but we need simulation as well because it can train for scenarios not possible in live training." There is the cost factor, and in aircraft like the F-35, "lots of training flying will break the bank, therefore more simulation is A CAE full flight simulator with replaceable cockpits at Dothan needed." However, he concluded, simula- Airbase, USA

92 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  gined aircraft such as a B707 has to be han- design unsuitable, although a large dome High-G Effects dled with care, and when real airliners were can be mounted on a motion platform and used, there were a series of fatal crashes multi-channel imagery projected on the Looking at high-G effects, these cannot in the 1970s with over 50 fatalities inclu­ inside of the dome, as in some helicopter be simulated directly unless a centrifuge ding the deaths of several FAA inspectors. simulators. The need for very large fields- is used. However, in a fighter simulator, The FAA ruling was followed by other au- of-view for fighter aircraft has led to visual effects of G can be produced by inflating thorities, FFS design improved further and production rates increased, with spin-off for simulators for large military aircraft. The second development was from the Rediffu-

sion company in the UK, who introduced Photo: via Author their mirror-based Wide-angle Infinity Display Equipment (WIDE), the first Cross- Cockpit Collimated Display system with a distant focus. This has a large, continuous, horizontal field-of-view with imagery that is seen by the pilots in a large mirror that also has vertical curvature. The vertical cur- vature enables both pilots to see the same scene at a distant focus rather than on a projection screen a few feet away. Also in the 1980s, the quality of computer graph- A centrifuge to simulate high-G effects, produced by AMST ics improved so that realistic Outside World (OTW) scenes could be produced that in- system designs that are not compatible the pilot’s own G suit when computed G clude "texture" as well as smooth surfaces, with motion platform mounting. These use exceeds a threshold figure of 4 or 5, and and polygon count increased so that more projectors that are outboard of the display high-G effects such as tunnel-vision, grey- detailed images could be produced. Simu- surfaces, which can be a series of separate out and black-out can be simulated by ad- lator motion platforms became lighter, semi-transparent screens that are wrapped justing the visual display when computed and changed from hydraulic to electric ac- around the pilot’s cockpit, such as L-3 Link’s G approaches 8 or 9. In addition, major tuators with quicker response times. Then, SimuSphere system. In the Rockwell Collins Air Forces have centrifuges that can sub- another spin-off from civil to military, as a design for the F-35 result of several airliner fatal loss-of-control Joint Strike Fighter accidents such as AF447 over the Atlantic, (JSF) mission simu- the use of Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for so- lators, their small called "upset" recovery training for airline GRIFFIN rear- pilots has led to even better motion cue- projected dome ing than before, and the edge of the flight is used with an envelope must now be modelled as well array of projectors as the middle. Continuous development outside to give es- has resulted in FFS characteristics that are sentially a 360 de- difficult to distinguish from those of the gree view. GRIF- aircraft itself. In the military, this allows con- FIN has recently versions to complex aircraft like the C-17 been used for the and MRTT mentioned above, to be made F-16 as well. This more safely and much more economically is a small dome than in the past. After initial conversion, suitable only for regular simulator checks maintain flying single seat air- standards throughout a pilot’s career. In craft, and the pilot terms of simulator design, the civil FFS de- straps in outside sign is well suited to multi-engined military the dome and is aircraft, also to military helicopters, the lat- then motored into ter being covered in another article in this position on his edition in which Lt Col Johar Mohammed seat. The reason says, "it is difficult to tell whether it’s real for its small size is flight or the simulator." that the original requirement for Training Aids F-35 simulators was that they had Turning now to military fighters, training to fit in a type of aids have always been different to those for building already in bombers, transporters, tankers, maritime use by the USAF patrol aircraft and helicopters. The need for for simulators with extreme manoeuvre and very large field-of- more limited visual view makes military variants of the civil FFS systems.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 93  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

ject trainee fighter pilots to real G up to Canada: CAE, headquartered in Montreal, Israel - Cloud Networking: Elbit has net- about 9, above which it is difficult to re- Canada, has a contract for the C295W worked aircraft simulators at different loca- tain consciousness even when employing Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) tions using a secure cloud-based Synthetic "G-straining" muscle tension, and wearing training programme for the Royal Cana- Natural Environment (SNE). This is now be- an anti-G suit that applies pressure to the dian Air Force. CAE will provide upgrades ing expanded to a number of current plat- legs and abdomen. There are two current for training devices, courseware, and other forms at the SKYBREAKER manufacturers of man-carrying training support. Mission Training Centre. centrifuges, Austria Metall System Technik Colombia: Elbit Systems, headquartered Sweden: 3D Perception (3DP) of Norway (AMST) of Ranshofen, Austria, and Envi- in Haifa, Israel, has built a Fighter Mission has delivered a NORTHSTAR display system ronmental Tectonics (ETC) of Philadelphia, Training Centre (FMTC) for the Colom- to the GRIPEN fighter simulator facility at USA. Finally, in terms of high-G effects, a bian Air Force. This provides training for Malmslätt near Stockholm. This has a dome pressure--under-G system is fit- up to 24 pilots at a time using a variety with twelve projectors and 3DP’s latest dis- Photo: via Author Photo: William Carter

A full flight simulator for the C-17 GLOBEMASTER A head-mounted display (HMD) developed by Inzpire Ltd.

ted to some fighter aircraft such as the Eu- of aircraft systems and mission scenarios, play processor. rofighter to help a pilot resist adverse high with computer generated forces (CGF) UK - Network Links: QinetiQ Group, G effects, and this feature can be used in a for friends and enemy. This is similar to headquartered in Farnborough, has a simulator as an extra cue of high G. the Elbit SKYBREAKER MTC design al- £9.5M contract to provide network links ready in use. from RAF Stations Lossiemouth and Con- Recent Projects Germany, Spain: Indra Sistemas of Spain ingsby to the Air Battlespace Training Cen- is to produce a new type of simulator for tre (ABTC) at RAF Waddington, south of Some recent projects in Air Force simula- the Eurofighter TYPHOON for the German Lincoln. This is for simulator training for RAF tion and training in 11 countries are sum- and Spanish Air Forces. Indra is also de- Eurofighter TYPHOON pilots. marised below, and helicopter projects are veloping two Eurofighter Part Task Trainers UK - New T&S Facility: BAE Systems has covered in another article in this edition: (PTTs) for Spain, for delivery in December opened a £2.3M Training and Simulation 2018 to airbases at Albacete and Morón. Integration Facility (TSIF) at their site at Australia - Air Refuelling: CAE Australia Germany, Japan, USA: Lockheed Martin Warton Airfield. This includes simulations manages the training centre at the RAAF has contracts worth US$198.4M for C-130 of the BAEs HAWK, TYPHOON and future station at Amberley near Brisbane. Use of full flight simulators for Air Force Special aircraft. This is part of a wider programme the CAE-built Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for Operations Command (AFSOC). Five new in which the company is to invest over the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport C-130J weapon system trainers (WST) will £10M in simulation facilities at Warton. (MRTT) has more than halved aircraft train- include large-view mirror displays and full A new Mission Systems Integration Facil- ing flights needed to qualify new pilots. motion, and will be delivered to bases in ity co-located with TSIF is to open later The FFS can be connected to other trainers Germany, Japan and the USA. in 2018 for evaluation of future aircraft such as the one for the Air Refuelling Of- Germany, USA: Lockheed Martin is to de- designs. ficer (ARO) who controls the air refuelling liver new visual systems to flight simulators USA – Arkansas: Lockheed Martin is boom used for centre-line refuelling. Wing- at Rammstein Air Force Base, Germany, building a new C130 HERCULES train- mounted pods have hoses with drogues and Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. ing centre at Little Rock Air Force Base, for probe-mounted aircraft. The MRTT is Israel: Elbit Systems has a US$74M con- Arkansas, to open in Q2 2018 with a C- based on the Airbus A330 and has a fuel tract from the Israeli Ministry of Defence 130J/LM-100J full mission simulator (FMS). capacity of 111,000 kg. to provide and operate flight simulators for Lockheed Martin is also to upgrade two Australia - Maritime Surveillance: Boe- C-130H and C-130J transport aircraft. Elbit existing C-130J trainers. ing Military is to deliver a training system recently upgraded the C-130H with a new USA – AWACS: Quantum3D is to supply for the P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft digital cockpit, head-up display (HUD) and training equipment for the US Air Force to the Royal Australian Air Force. radar system. Airborne Warning and Control System air-

94 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

craft (AWACS). Quantum will deliver their cial Operations Command at Kirkland Air Summary MANTIS Image Generation Software, Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. GeoScapeSE Synthetic Environment, Cata- USA - Mission Operations: General Flight simulation technology is mature lystSE digital content creation system, and Dynamics Information Technology has a and offers a range of options to suit the other systems. US$47M contract from the US Air Force for aircraft type and the flight envelope to be USA - C-130: CAE of Tampa, Florida, is to systems for the Mission Operations Center at simulated. High fidelity visuals give near supply six C-130J Weapon Systems Trainers Kirkland Air Force Base. This is for simulation real-world resolution and for simulators (WSTs) to the United States Air Force and software and hardware for a Live, Virtual and with motion platforms, feedback from Air National Guard. The C-130J WSTs are Constructive (LVC) combat environment. the civil area due to accidents like AF447 full motion, full mission simulators and are have improved cueing to a point that, to for delivery to various air bases up to 2021. Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) the pilot in the cockpit, aircraft handling is USA - EW Training: Lockheed Martin almost indistinguishable from that of the Training and Simulation has a US$104M UAE: CAE of Montreal, Canada, has a real aircraft. For fighter simulators with very contract for up to 20 truck-mounted emit- CAN$56M contract for training UAE Air wide visuals and no motion, less realism of ter systems to train aircrew in SAM threats. Force remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) op- aircraft handling is possible, but the visual These will simulate current and future erators. UAE-based CAE Maritime Middle plus other simulator facilities such as anti- surface-to-air systems and will include an East LLC will deliver classroom instruction, G-suit inflation and visual effects at high Advanced Radar Threat System Variant 2 desktop and sensor operator trainers, UAS computed G, can lead to effective training. (ARTS-V2) for medium-range SAM. mission trainers, and training sorties on real When simulators are coupled and realistic USA- F16 Domes: Rockwell Collins Simu- RPA. CAE will also supply an RPA Pilot Fun- training scenarios presented together with lation & Training Solutions (STS) is to pro- damentals training course to the Khalifa Bin a variety of enemy and friendly actions, vide display systems to Lockheed Martin Zayed Air College in Abu Dhabi. they can achieve more than the aircraft for two F-16 simulators. This includes UK: Inzpire Ltd is to supply training systems itself. Modern military training requires a the Rockwell Collins GRIFFIN dome and for the RAF Protector Remotely Piloted Air balance between the use of simulation and SpectraView display, as used in F-35 Full System. the aircraft itself in a training mode. The Mission Simulators. Field of view is 300 USA: Serious Simulations LLC and Aeronyde balance today is leaning towards simula- degrees horizontally and 120 vertically. Corporation are to produce a wireless aug- tion, and this trend will increase in the fu- USA - Fuselage Trainer: CAE USA has mented reality (AR) head mounted display ture, preserving the aircraft for operations a contract for an HC/MC-130J enhanced (HMD) for control of unmanned aerial ve- and combat rather than constant use on fuselage trainer (eFuT) for the USAF Spe- hicles (UAVs). training missions. 

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William Carter

It seems obvious that maintenance personnel should train on the equipment itself. This may seem to be a realistic training environment but has major disadvantages. One is that the equipment may be in operational use and simply not available for training. Another is that in training, mistakes may be made, and these are not acceptable if they damage the operational equipment. In addition, excessive use of the real equipment for training may reduce its in-service life.

o avoid these disadvantages, a Train- Ting Rig can be produced that repli- cates the real equipment. Maintenance Photo: USAF personnel can then be checked out on the Rig before being allowed to service or repair the real equipment. Different rigs can be used for specialist maintenance tasks, and their design can be optimised for training rather than operations, such as by being made more robust than the main equipment in areas that will be sub- ject to repetitive wear in use. In the past, rigs were made from failed components during build, or from components dam- aged in service that could be reverted to a training role. We can do better today and rigs specific for training are now used. Some rigs are large, for instance the un- dercarriage maintenance trainer for the C-17 GLOBEMASTER III military transport aircraft. This is the same size as the real thing but is stronger in places to allow for repetitive cycles of operation, frequent changes of wheels, and so forth. Major projects now have training aids for main- tainers in the overall programme from the start. In the case of the C-17, Cubic The Aircraft Systems Maintenance Trainer (ASMT) is used to train main- Defense Systems produced a suite of 12 tainers at the F-35 Academic Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida. maintenance training aids including the undercarriage rig. Trainer (ASMT) is used to train maintain- concerned, some have partial realism, and Turning now to fighter aircraft, Boeing pro- ers at the F-35 Academic Training Center some are based on working models of sys- duced eight maintainer training rigs for the at Eglin AFB in the Florida panhandle. Stu- tems such as electrics, hydraulics, controls, F-22 RAPTOR air dominance fighter. These dents can train on more than 100 modules weapons and so forth, either as physical are, in alphabetical order, an Aft Fuselage for maintenance tasks on airframe, avionics 3D models but sometimes as computer Trainer (AFT), an Armament Trainer (AT), and engines. The Eglin F-35 schoolhouse imagery that shows the working of the Cockpit and Forward Fuselage Trainer also has a Weapons Loading Trainer, Ejec- system concerned. (CFFT), Egress Procedure Trainer (EPT), Fuel tion System Maintenance Trainer, Integrat- Another variant of a training rig is for en- Systems Trainer (FST), Landing Gear Trainer ed Power Package Maintenance Trainer gineering development and is sometimes (LGT), On-Equipment Systems Trainer (OST) and a Landing Gear Maintenance Trainer. called an “Iron Bird“. Here, the real system and a Seat and Canopy Trainer (SCT). This Up to mid-2017, over 4,300 F-35 mainte- is installed rather than simulated or mod- gives a good idea of the range of training nance engineers have graduated at Eglin. elled. Such rigs are used by the equipment rigs for maintainer training. In addition to F-35 maintenance students will also train at manufacturer for development of systems rigs, Computer-Based Training (CBT) can be the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard AFB, such as hydraulics, electrics and controls used on PCs, and there is also the use of Texas, and the US Marine Corps is using a before the main equipment design is final- pure simulators. similar model for F-35 maintenance training ised. These rigs have real components and Looking at the F-35 LIGHTNING II, now at its F-35 bases. are often configured and laid out in the in full production for service in up to 11 In sum, the range of training aids for main- same way as the real vehicle. After “design nations, an Aircraft Systems Maintenance tainers include exact replicas of the part fix“ of the main equipment, such engineer-

96 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  ing development rigs can be used either for in-service maintainer training, for further development of the equipment, or as an Photo: USAF aid in investigating incidents and accidents.

Simulation Technology

Simulation technology can also be used for maintenance training without the use of physical rigs or models. Such a simulator can be regarded as an “electronic training rig“, similar to a physical rig but with more versatility because simulation technology can be used to optimise training. The pow- er of modern Computer-Based Training can be harnessed to the full. This particularly applies to electronic systems and displays in the real equipment, which the mainte- nance engineer needs to understand in some detail. Much maintenance consists of replacing whole Line Replaceable Units (LRU) rather than repairing faults inside units. Even so, the engineer needs to know the correct Preflight inspection in a C-130J fuselage trainer at the US Air Force C-130 LRU and how to replace it quickly and safe- Aircrew Training System schoolhouse at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. ly. The removed unit needs testing to see if it can be repaired, then there is the repair instructor-led, whereas Computer-Based associated with the equipment should be itself. All of this needs detailed knowledge Training (CBT) is a more general term and, taken into account. A full mission simula- of systems in the units. A computer display with well-designed instructional material, tor (FMS) may be designed for operators can first show the constituent parts and can be self-paced by the student with no rather than maintainers, but almost any then, in stages, the full system, which is a instructor input. CBT is not confined to the other simulator or training aid below the good way for engineers to prepare before classroom and can be carried out at the FMS level will be useful for both operator taking crucial decisions. This is similar to the workplace, at home, or anywhere. Instruc- and maintainer training and should be de- understanding that operators should also tional material can be in computer mem- signed as such. have, and, in many cases, a simulator or ory, on DVD, memory sticks or the web, training rig can be used to train both main- and be viewed on PCs, tablets, or even Recent Projects tainers and operators. This also applies to smartphones. So-called “e-learning“ uses the “digital classroom“ where screens and web links for the source data. In terms of Some recent maintainer training projects instructional software are available at each imagery, maintainer training does not need follow, in alphabetical order of the nation desk. The engineer’s own laptop can be the real-world geographic scenes that are of location: used for self-paced training and then later so effective in simulators for operators of on-the-job to provide system data while the equipment. What it needs is diagrams Australia maintenance is taking place. There are also of systems, components, how they fit to- Boeing Defence Australia (BDA), headquar- Head-Mounted Displays (HMD) through gether and how they can be removed and tered in Sydney (www.boeing.com.au), has which imagery such as system diagrams taken apart. Visual imaging and display provided maintenance training devices for and can be called up in real techniques used in the gaming industry can the Royal Australian Air Force P-8 POSEI- servicing situations, avoiding reference to be applied to visual presentations and can DON maritime patrol aircraft. These devices books, servicing manuals, or the engineer’s make learning more interesting. are similar to those used by the US Navy, own PC while the servicing takes place. and training will start in early 2018. The Simulators Common to devices provide interactive simulation and Computer-Based Training Operators and Maintainers use mission systems software. Hardware- (CBT) based trainers are included and also full- Training in the working of systems and scale replicas of aircraft components. A modern classroom will have one or more components is common to both operating screens at each student’s desk. The instruc- crew and maintainers because both dis- Canada – C-130 tor will have copies of the student’s screens ciplines need to understand the basics of CAE, headquartered in Montreal (www. plus a large screen for making presenta- how electric, hydraulic, controls, avionics, cae.com), has a five-year contract with tions to the class. The traditional teacher’s weapons and other systems work. There- Lockheed Martin to continue support for desk has transformed into an instructor’s fore, in the progression of training aids that Canadian Air Force CC-130J technician control station. PowerPoint presentations should be specified for a complex vehicle training. CAE supports fuselage training with moving models and video footage or weapon system, many will be useful devices, a cockpit systems trainer, and vir- have replaced “chalk and talk“, slides and to both operators and maintainers. In the tual maintenance trainers. CAE also pro- vufoils. In terminology, Computer Aided planning of a training programme and its vides instructors, training device upgrades, Instruction (CAI) is classroom-based and training aids, the needs of all personnel and courseware updates.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 97  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Canada – Helicopter Maintenance cow for training B747 maintainers. This is (3) Avionics and Electrical, and (4) Egress Flightline Training Services of Brampton, in addition to three Volga-Dnepr sites in and Life Support. The courseware will be Toronto (www.flightlinetraining.com), has Moscow and facilities in Krasnoyarsk and developed through TRU’s Learning Con- Transport Canada (TC) approval for heli- Krasnodar for servicing A320 and B737NG, tent Management System and have 3D copter maintenance training. This adds to 737CL and B747. graphics and simulation of aircraft sys- earlier TC approvals, and a course for the tems. Bell 407 has taken place. UK – A320 Aerosim Technologies, Inc of Burnsville, US Air Force Germany – Eurofighter Minnesota, USA (www.aerosim.com), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Airbus Defence and Space, headquartered has installed an A320 virtual maintenance of San Diego, California (www.kratosde- in Munich has delivered a Eurofighter Main- trainer (VMT) at the Prospects College of fense.com), is to supply $20M of mainte- tenance Simulator Trainer to the German Advanced Technology in Basildon, East of nance training systems for the Boeing KC- Air Force. It can train for engine runs, fault London (www.procat.ac.uk). The A320 46 PEGASUS air refuelling and transport detection, maintenance, radar and system VMT is a simulation-based training tool aircraft, in a contract with Boeing. This will include Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI) and networked full mission simulation (FMS). This is part of a $78M seven year training programme for the KC-46. Photo: US Navy

US Army – Lakota Distributed Simulation Technology, Inc (DiSTI) Corporation of Orlando, Florida (www.disti.com) is to provide Interim Con- tractor Support (ICS) to the USArmy for the UH-72A Lakota Virtual Maintenance Trainer (VMT). This includes 12 interactive student workstations, an instructor station, a “hangar“ workstation, hardware-based trainer, and training on hand-held mobile devices. The trainer is at the Western Ar- my National Guard Aviation Training Site (WAATS) in Marana, Arizona.

US Army – Phalanx The Distributed Simulation Technology, Full mock-up of the POSEIDON‘s landing gear in the P-8A Maintenance Inc (DiSTI) Corporation of Orlando, Flori- Training Facility at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training in da (www.disti.com) has a US$2.8M con- Jacksonville, Florida tract for an Operator/Maintenance Trainer (OMT) for the US Army Counter-Rocket, tests, repair, and troubleshooting. Some that includes basic flight deck layout, the in- Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) Land-based Pha- 400 fault scenarios can be simulated. The stallation of ground locks and other safety lanx Weapon System (LPWS). LPWS is de- MST can be operated in the workplace devices, application of ground services, and signed to intercept rockets, artillery shells, and in a classroom. At each workstation, aircraft malfunctions. and mortar rounds. Training systems will a Tranche 2 Eurofighter TYPHOON is simu- be delivered to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort lated including a cockpit replica with flight UK – T-6 Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort Lee, Virginia controls. TRU Simulation + Training Inc, headquar- by April 2018. The OMT will use DiSTI’s VE tered at Charleston, South Carolina, USA Studio development toolkit. Germany – NH90 (www.trusimulation.com) is to provide Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH of maintenance training courseware for the Summary Berg-Höhenrain, SW of Munich (www. UK T-6C TEXAN II aircraft under a pro- reiser-st.org) is producing a Maintenance gramme managed by Affinity Flying Train- Training for maintenance engineers has Training Rig for the NH90 NTH SEA LION ing Services. Affinity is a joint venture come a long way from the apprentices helicopter. The contract is from the NATO between KBR Inc, headquartered in Hou- who trained in the craft Guilds of the Mid- Helicopter Management Agency (NAHE- ston, Texas, and Elbit Systems of Israel, and dle Ages. Maintainer training can use the MA). The rig can replicate over 1000 main- is the Fixed Wing Aircraft Service Provider real equipment but it may not be available tenance tasks, such as removal, repair and (ASP) for the UK Military Flying Training because it is in operational use, and in any installation of parts, and a cockpit model System (UKMFTS) programme for UK Ar- case the real equipment should not be dam- will be used for maintenance of avionics, my, Navy and Air Force aircrew. The T-6C aged by use in training. Specially designed electrics and flight control systems. TEXAN II is made by Beechcraft Defense, training rigs and the use of modern simula- part of Textron. The courseware will train tion technology can avoid these problems. Russia Affinity technicians and is to meet EASA Simulators can be used in the classroom, Volga-Dnepr Technics Moscow (www.vd- regulatory standards. It will include four on an engineer’s laptop PC, and on the job technics.com/en/mro/moscow) has estab- courses (1) Engineering Familiarization, (2) itself using either a PC or Head-Mounted lished an aviation training centre in Mos- Airframe, Powerplant and General (APG), system to call up data as required. L

98 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Hybrid Forces for Close Quarter Battle (CQB)

John Antal

Urban warfare will be the common setting for future wars. Armed forces must be optimised to conduct warfare in the megacities of the future.

arfare is changing as demograph- Wics, the battlespace, and technol- ogy change. Most of the people of the world live in cities and megacities — cit- ies with a population over ten million that possess a complex structural and infrastructure system. There are over 31 megacities in the world today and the UN Photo: Timothy Valero / U.S.M.C. predicts that there will be 41 by 2030. Urban warfare will be the common set- ting for future wars and land battles in open areas will be exceptions to this rule. Cities tend to consume military units and few armies have the manpower or ex- pertise to sustain a prolonged CQB fight in a megacity. Recently, General Mark A. Milley, Chief of Staff US Army, recog- nised this fact and challenged his lead- ers to review the requirements for CQB A Marine fires his weapon while advancing toward his target during in megacities. He believes that warfare close-quarter tactics rifle qualification at Camp Pendleton, CA, in Feb- will experience a fundamental shift in the ruary 2017. next decade, and to win, forces must be optimised for urban warfare. Doing so re- Ramadi, Basra, and Baghdad, but none died on a certain type of stairwell during quires an effort to maximise CQB training of these were battles in megacities. Fight- combat," Kranenburg said. "I told them for the human force and leverage emerg- ing in a megacity that is composed of to send me a picture of the staircase and ing unmanned technologies to create a a forest of 65-story steel and concrete in two weeks my engineers had built an hybrid human-machine force. high-rise buildings is deadly work. In or- exact replica that soldiers could train on. der to generate overmatch and reduce This range is constantly being enhanced Maximising CQB Training friendly and non-combatant casualties, and improved.” Clearly, the facility at the training for CQB should immerse in- Fort Bragg is extremely beneficial, but To win in the megacity battlespace re- dividuals and units in the exacting con- modern urban warfare training centres quires excellence in CQB tactics, tech- ditions of urban combat with greater that are realistic, modular, expandable niques and procedures (TTP). In the realism and definition than ever before. and customisable are needed to prepare past 17 years of counterinsurgency op- Many military forces have urban warfare forces for a future CQB fight. erations, US and NATO forces gained ex- training facilities, but most of these re- New technologies are key to enhancing perience in CQB in places like Fallujah, semble villages or towns, not cities. The the realism and effectiveness of CQB US Army does not have a megacity train- training. Robotic targets can fulfil a vital Author ing area, but the premier CQB training need by allowing soldiers to engage ac- course is conducted at Range 37 at Fort tive, moving and thinking targets. The John Antal is an expert on military Bragg, North Carolina. "Our mission is best of these robotic targets have an Ar- affairs. He has published 14 books to give the operators that come here a tificial Intelligence (AI) programme that on military and leadership subjects world-class range to train on," said Maj. causes them to react, advance, retreat, and over 500 articles in military Pete Kranenburg, Range 37 commander. group or scatter. One of the leaders in professional journals. He served 30 Range 37 is a live-fire, 360°, 130 acre this field is an Australian company, Mara- years as a soldier in the US Army, shoothouse, specifically designed to thon Targets. These targets have many retiring as a Colonel, having com- train CQB skills. Feedback from units in representations, but the standard model manded combat arms units from the field is used to upgrade the range to is an interactive man-sized figure mount- platoon to brigade. meet the needs of the warfighters. "Just ed on a two or four-wheeled robot that as an example, we had an operator who moves across the terrain at the speed of a

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 99 Masthead European Security & Defence Issue 3/2018 · April 2018 walking or running human. According to Marathon: “Robotic ISSN 1617-7983 · www.euro-sd.com targets allow for the creation of tactical live fire scenarios capable of simulating realistic combat environments. Docu- Published by mented tests and evaluations carried out by the US Marine Mittler Report Verlag GmbH Corps determined that soldiers developed a 104% increase in A company of the Tamm combat accuracy within a 24 hour period through use of our Media Group robotic targets. In addition, the US Army’s Research Institute measured a 3.7 times increase in range throughput compared Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter Bossdorf (pb) to traditional training methods.” Marathon targets form a Managing Editor (Magazine): Stephen Barnard (sb) Managing Editor (Newsletter): Dorothee Frank (df) Robotic Opposing Force (ROPFOR) that military personnel can Industrial Editors: Waldemar Geiger (wg), Gerhard Heiming (gwh), Jürgen Hensel (jh) use to hone their CQB skills like never before. These robots can Sub-Editors: Christopher Ellaway-Barnard (cb), Christian Kanig (ck) be configured to be enemies, friendlies or non-combatants, Editor Special Assignments: Stefan Nitschke, Ph.D (sn) training soldiers to discern friend from foe in what British Army Correspondents: Rolf Hilmes (Army Technology), Peter Preylowski (Airborne Systems) General Sir Rupert Smith termed "war amongst the people.” Regional Correspondents: Tamir Eshel (Israel), Tim Guest (UK), Jaime Karremann (The Netherlands), Beka Kiria (Georgia), Shinichi Kiyotani (Japan), Yury Laskin (Russia), J. Bo Leimand (Denmark), Jay Menon (India), Chet Nagle (USA), Korhan Özkilinc (Tur- Creating the Hybrid Human-Machine Force key), Luca Peruzzi (Italy), David Saw (France), Joris Verbeurgt (Belgium/EU/NATO), Esteban Villarejo (Spain) New technologies are enhancing the warfighter’s ability to observe, survive and win in the urban battlespace. Finding Layout: the enemy first is a key element of CQB tactics and small, CREATIV.CONSULTING GmbH, Germany hand-held robots that crawl, roll or fly can provide the ability Production: to observe the enemy before conducting a dangerous breach. Lehmann Offsetdruck GmbH One micro UAV, the BLACK HORNET NANO developed by 22848 Norderstedt, Germany Prox Dynamics of Norway now part of Flir Systems, is already Office address: in use by the military forces of 19 NATO countries. The BLACK Mittler Report Verlag GmbH HORNET provides troops on the ground with local situational Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany awareness, allowing them to see over a building or fly the Phone.: +49 228 3500870, Fax: +49 228 3500871 micro-UAV inside a building or tunnel. The BLACK HORNET is Email: [email protected], www.mittler-report.de equipped with a camera that provides streaming, full-motion Director of Marketing video and is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. With Jürgen Hensel (jh) batteries, it weighs only 16 grammes. Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany Modern combat requires each soldier to carry a heavy load of Phone: +49 228 3500876, Fax: +49 228 3500871 Email: [email protected] equipment, weapons, and supplies. This heavy load can drain strength and cause injury. Any means to reduce the soldier’s Advertising Representatives: load can produce an advantage in a fight. Exoskeletons have long offered promise in this area, but have failed to deliver due France/Italy Diana Scogna to power requirements. One passive exoskeleton system devel- Phone.: +33 6-6252-2547, Email: [email protected] oped by Canada-based Muwashi is an intermediate approach to exoskeleton design that enhances the human operator’s UK/Ireland/Eastern Europe/Israel/Turkey: power to move and lift without an external power source. The Stephen Barnard, c/o Mittler Report Verlag GmbH Muwashi UPRISE Tactical Exoskeleton is an ultralight “me- Phone: +49 228 35 00 886, Email: [email protected] chanical system for redirecting the load carried by the soldier. USA/Canada: Muwashi's passive exoskeleton technology represents a major Susan Spilman-Gardner breakthrough in the field of soldier systems and cargo trans- Email: [email protected] port.” According to Muwashi, the exoskeleton is made of light- Phone: +1 817-751-5888 weight titanium that is adapted to the human body to provide Russia & CIS: a transfer of 50% to 80% of the load carried by the shoulders Laguk Co., Yury Laskin, General Director of the fighter towards the ground. A 50% load improvement Krasnokholmskaya Nab., 11/15, 132, RF-109172 Moskau, Russian Federation would allow the warfighter to decrease fatigue and wear more Phone: 007-495-911-1340, Fax: 007-495-912-1260, Email: [email protected] effective body armour to substantially increase survivability in Subscription/Reader Service: a CQB fight. The UPRISE Exoskeleton is presently in user trials PressUp GmbH, Postfach 70 13 11, with several NATO nations. 22013 Hamburg, Germany Supporting the CQB warfighter with robotic support vehicles Phone: +49 40 38 66 66-319, Fax: +49 38 66 66-299 Email: [email protected] is another attempt to move toward a human-machine hybrid force. The US Marines are testing several robotic mechanised European Security & Defence weapons platforms, which look like small tanks, to support © 2018 Mittler Report Verlag GmbH CQB operations. The Marines are training with MAARS robot The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. weapon platforms built by Britain’s QinetiQ North America/ All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior Foster-Miller. The tele-operated MAARS can carry a wide written permission of the publisher in Bonn. assortment of systems, including a M240B 7.62mm machine Cover Photos: Lockheed Martin, Mawibo Media, GA-ASI gun, a 40mm rocket launcher, or a grenade launcher. The Marines are also testing a Multi-Utility Tactical Transport Annual subscription rate (8 issues): (MUTT) developed by General Dynamics Land Systems. €49.80 incl. postage The MUTT is amphibious, can use tracks or low-pressure

100 European Security & Defence · April 2018 wheels to traverse terrain, weighs about 750-pounds, and can be carried by an MV-22 OSPREY. Another test vehicle is the Robotic Vehicle Modular/Com- bat Area Robotic Targeting (RV(M))/ (CART). The RV-M is made by Polaris Defense/TORC Robotics, weighs about 800-pounds and can be configured to carry an M134 minigun that has a rate

of fire from 2,000 to 6,000 rounds per Photo: Howe and minute. Other configurations include a Howe and Howe designed the RS‐1 GREMLIN modular platform for the .50 calibre or JAVELIN an- US military. With a remotely controlled platform, the GREMLIN may be titank missiles. The Marines are testing ideal for sniper applications, riot control, or for use as a hostage reso- these robotic combat systems and forty lution tool. other technologies to develop the tactics and techniques of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and integrate robotic autonomous systems (RAS) with manned platforms and Marines. One company in the US, Howe and Howe Photo: British MOD Technologies, famous for the develop- ment of the RIPSAW extreme vehicle series tank platforms, has joined forces with the US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Centre (ARDEC) to develop new robotic combat systems. According to Howe and Howe, their Robotic Weapon Station SCORPION RS2 “represents the next evolution of ground combat. As one of the first effec- tive mid-sized UGVs (Unmanned Ground The BLACK HORNET NANO is one of the world’s smallest UAVs providing Vehicles) to be developed, the RS2 SCOR- unparalleled situational awareness for the CQB warfighters. PION allows the warfighter safe, accurate stand-off and effectiveness while still A recent report by the US-China Economic eventual deployment of human-machine engaging the enemy with lethal and/or and Security Review Commission (October combat teams to fight CQB. In this hybrid ‘less-than-lethal’ force.” The RS2 is cur- 2016) stated: “China is poised to enter a force, human soldiers and robots will work rently a tele-operated unmanned weap- ‘golden age’ for AI development based on together to increase the effectiveness of ons station that is controlled by a soldier government support for this research, grow- CQB ground forces and allow robots to on the battlefield or in a safe area (sanc- ing public and commercial entity participa- go into danger instead of humans. AI is tuary). If the right Artificial Intelligence tion, and global partnerships that leverage developing at a rate whereby autonomous (AI) software were added, the RS2 and the expertise of US companies…China’s systems will become feasible and will rep- other robotic weapons systems could be AI research receives support at the highest resent another revolution in warfare. The modified for autonomous weapons sys- levels of Chinese leadership.” The Russians US Third Offset strategy is designed to tem (AWS) operation. understand this as well: Vladimir Putin said pursue next-generation technologies to in September 2017 that whoever is the outmanoeuvre competitors by investing in Developing the All-Robotic leader in Artificial Intelligence "will be- fields such as in robotics, 3D printing, min- Force of 2030 come the ruler of the world.” Lieutenant- iaturization, big data, and autonomous General Andrey Grigoriev, head of Russia’s systems. “From an operational perspec- With the rapid acceleration of technology, Advanced Research Foundation (ARF), tive, the journey we're on has the potential especially in power, computing power and sees semi-autonomous robots replacing to vastly increase the effectiveness of our miniaturisation, the trend will be to re- soldiers: “I see a greater robotisation. In conventional forces but we have to ask place human fighters with robots. Making fact, future warfare will involve operators the right questions,” said Vice Chairman these robots semi-autonomous, or fully and machines, not soldiers shooting at of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. autonomous, provides a significant military each other on the battlefield…The soldier Paul J. Selva about the Pentagon’s third advantage. In the Autumn of 2016, John will gradually turn into an operator and be offset strategy at the Center for Strate- Bassett, a former intelligence officer for the removed from the battlefield.” gic and International Studies. “We have UK’s Government Communications Head- Today, we are witnessing the commercial to experiment with the right tactics, tech- quarters (GCHQ), predicted that US military development of self-driving cars and AI niques and procedures. We have to dis- units will consist of more robots than human powered smartphones and devices that seminate those in doctrine to our fielded soldiers by 2025. Many other nations are are based on cloud robotics — the idea forces, to our partners, our allies and our working on robotic ground forces to fight that the robot could be lighter weight, friends.” By 2030, more nations will seek CQB. China is working on advanced robotic lower cost and smarter as its “brain” is to field hybrid human-robotic forces that systems and may have taken the lead in the located in the cloud. These advances are will place more bots, not boots, on the development of autonomous systems AI. also fuelling the testing, development and ground. 

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 101  INDUSTRY & MARKETS European Shipyards: How to Remain Competitive?

Giulia Tilenni

So far, European shipbuilding companies have been able to maintain a leading role in the global market. However, Asian competitors could curb it in the years to come.

ntegration is sometimes seen as a viable Istrategy for maintaining competitive- ness, but such a move is unnatural be- cause of structural differences amongst stakeholders, as the STX-Fincantieri ex-

ample demonstrates. The global market Photos: Alessio Sbarbaro of vessels is slowly recovering from the 2009 financial crisis. The military seg- ment, which accounts for US$30-40Bn per year, is developing at a fast pace. So far, EU-based shipbuilding companies have been able to keep up competitive- ness for at least two reasons. First, the most important shipyards have both civil and military production lines. This was a key factor in times of eco- nomic crisis and has had a positive impact on the supply chain as well. Second, EU-produced vessels - especially the most complex (for example multi- A CMHI Shipyard in Shenzhen. Asian investments in shipyards are purpose frigates, aircraft carriers, etc.) putting pressure on Europe's shipyards. - are known for their high qualitative standards and cutting-edge technology. nies’ leading position is eroding. Military modernisation programmes (for exam- Furthermore, European shipyards have navies’ role is growing all over the world, ple, the Chinese fleet will become the solid expertise in the military sector. This giving new impetus to investments. Al- biggest in the world by 2030), Europe- means that shipbuilding companies are though in the EU, several countries are ei- based shipbuilding companies might not able to develop the entire programme ther renovating their ageing fleets or ad- be able to win enough bids to remain in lifecycle – from design to maintenance – vancing a slight build-up, Asian countries the leading group of significant produc- autonomously. are more heavily investing in military ves- ers in the military naval sector. For what concerns military capacities, sels’ procurement, due to growing mari- European project capacities for complex time ambitions. The demand stimulated How to Maintain the Interna- ships were crucial for European shipbuild- by Asian procurement programmes can tional Relevance of European ers as they helped to achieve and main- either provide European shipyards with Shipyards? tain a leading position on a global scale. further orders or put at stake their lead- Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Euro- ing position. As far as Asian production The protection of the technological lead pean shipyards have been able to export only concentrated on quantity, European remains of the utmost importance in about 40% of their production. This is a companies were able to focus on quality order to maintain the competitiveness remarkable result if we consider that open instead. Recently, however, the wealth of European shipbuilders vis-à-vis the competition is not the norm in the mili- of investment that Asian countries have emerging players. Consistent investment tary market, which is worth being called a pledged to their shipyards has signifi- in R&D is essential to prevent European monopsony (states as sole customers for cantly reduced the qualitative gap; China, shipyards’ marginalisation in the global multiple competing companies). Japan and South Korea are increasing the market. However, European shipbuilding compa- sophistication of their martime products. Moreover, superior technical capacity The more Asian countries expand their in itself may not be sufficient to keep Author technical capacities, the less they have pace with Asia's enormous shipyards and to procure abroad, which has a negative production capacities, while maintain- Giulia Tilenni is an analyst for inter- impact on European shipyards' exports. ing adequate quality and economies of national affairs based in Paris, France. As Asian navies’ developments are by far scale. The European shipbuilding sector is more ambitious than European countries rather fragmented; there are many small

102 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  companies (in comparison to Asian co- or Great Britain, the navies of which are ating joint ventures (for example Fincan- lossuses) and little room for economies expected to enforce presence and surveil- tieri) or holdings (for example Damen). of scale, with high labour costs further lance missions in remote areas will have To sum up, differences in corporate reducing the competitive edge. In sum, a different approach to power projection structure and international footprint it is highly unlikely that technology ad- than smaller or less far reaching coun- limit spontaneous opportunities of co- vancements will be sufficient to defend tries. Are common requirements possi- hesive EU-level integration. In a few primacy. ble in these cases? What would be the postulates: Aggregation is also seen as a viable op- ratio to rationalise requirements? Which • Private ventures have little interest to tion for reversing the trend in other sec- geopolitical challenges would be consid- make political objectives part of their tors such as the aerospace industry. The ered top priorities if European countries corporate strategy unless they bring hypothesis of creating a European cham- decided on harmonisation? These ques- tangible economic advantages. pion in the naval sector (a kind of naval tions remain unanswered, but are the • European countries are far from har- Airbus, as some would say) could create most influential driving force for systemic monising operational requirements, competitive advantages and contribute reasoning. so even product-based approaches to securing the European shipyards. tend to fail. For example, today’s To this end, viable integration pathways The Corporate Structure FREMM frigates in service in the are: Public vs. private – EU shipyards do not French Marine National and in the • The establishment of bigger shipbuild- share the same corporate structure. Italian Marina Militare are two di- ing companies through acquisitions; Some are entirely private ventures (for verse vessels, despite of the attempt • Mergers. example Damen), others are state- of building on the same project. To pursue integration through M&A op- owned (for example Navantia), and • The emergence of dual-use technolo- erations would mirror what China has there is a number of mixed cases. The gies makes it difficult to choose what to done with its biggest shipyards. How- corporate structure has a crucial impact share and what not to share with inter- ever, European dynamics in the military on defining strategies and desired end national partners, through a common sector (for example golden shares and states. Naturally, private companies’ de- methodology. For example, Fincantieri the consequent need to match political fine their industrial objectives according owns the Marinette production site for and industrial objectives) make these pro- to profit. Instead, when states are share- the military sector, and collaborates cesses particularly difficult to trigger. holders, political objectives become part with China’s CSSC in the civil sector, of the industrial strategy. As a result, the while the -based holding Pri­ Obstacles to Integrating state share in a company can: vinvest has a prominent role in German European Shipyards • Affect competition at the expenses of naval procurement. This makes it dif- liberal trade dynamics. For example, ficult to measure how COTS compo- Although European integration might preserving jobs or key national know- nents for military products should be look viable and reasonable, it would be how are often considered priorities regulated on a European-wide basis. much harder than in China for several regardless of the economic record. This might reduce the viability of inte- reasons: • Guarantee preference for national gration attempts. procurement, as companies’ produc- This notwithstanding, the most impor- Geopolitics and Military Ambitions tion is supposed to better respond tant EU shipbuilder, the Italian company Geopolitics and military ambition greatly to national operational requirements Fincantieri, has recently concluded nego- concur to influence states’ military plan- and/or because of strategic inde- tiations with France for purchasing the ning and operational requirements. As pendence considerations. Saint Nazaire shipyard, previously under both elements hardly overlap from one STX Europe control. The STX-Fincantieri country to another, military navies require International Reach case gives an example of how difficult it custom-tailored features for their vessels, EU shipyards also differ in their inter- is to merge productions from different especially those with long traditions and national activities. In order to maximise backgrounds, alliances, and practices. solid expertise in building military ves- profits and to provide customers with sels. For example, an exclusive focus on comprehensive support (e.g. MRO), a The STX-Fincantieri Example Mediterranean operations will result in number of EU shipyards operate in non- different operational requirements from European countries as well. International The French Agence des Participations navies in need of deploying in the Atlantic activities could consist of installing docks de l’Etat (APE) and Fincantieri Europe (a Ocean. In addition, countries like France abroad, concluding M&A operations, cre- branch of Fincantieri) signed the share

Company Corporate structure International Dimension

Damen,The Netherlands private, holding structure 50 companies worldwide (23 in The Netherlands)

Fincantieri, Italy state-controlled, via Fintecna S.p.A (71.64%) operates in 13 countries and four continents through different subsidiaries and joint ventures

Naval Group,France state-controlled, via Agence des Participations operates in 18 countries de l’Etat (62.49%)

Navantia,Spain public, via Sociedad Estatal de Participationes Modest international presence (e.g. Australia, Chile) Industriales (SEPI) Corporate structure and international dimension of selected European shipbuilders

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 103  INDUSTRY & MARKETS purchase agreement for STX France in operates in Asia (including China) and share (depending on employees and lo- February 2018. This agreement marks in the US (Fincantieri Marine Group), cal companies shares) should go to Na- the last step of a year-long acquisition could potentially harm French interest. val Group, one of Fincantieri’s competi- dispute about the Saint Nazaire shipyard Thus, France offered Fincantieri a mi- tors. The two companies have worked in France. In 2016, when STX France nority share of STX France. When the together on the HORIZON and FREMM (part of STX Europe, a European subsidi- Italian company refused, Paris decided frigate programmes. As FREMMs have ary of the South Korean STX Offshore & to purchase the remaining STX France become different due to customisation, Shipbuilding) was offered for sale after shares, thus becoming the 100% share- the two companies have often been STX bankruptcy, Fincantieri was selected holder. After several months of negotia- competitors in international bids – ex- as preferred bidder by the competent tions, stakeholders finally agreed on STX cept the recent Canadian frigate bid. South Korean court. According to the France shares distribution thanks to an A roadmap for integration in the military preliminary agreement, the Italian group out-of-the-box solution: Fincantieri will domain is expected by June 2018. The was expected to purchase a 66.6% hold 51% (the desired share), but 1% agreement could include an exchange share of STX France for €79.5M. Howev- will be loaned by APE. The French agen- of shares (10%), some joint R&D activi- er, France (a 33.3% shareholder of STX cy will hold a 34.34% share, of which ties, joint participation to foreign bids, France with pre-emption rights on the 1% is loaned to Fincantieri. For twelve and joint acquisitions. Naval Group and remaining shares) opposed the agree- years, APE could decide to terminate the Fincantieri CEOs hope for integration,

Shipyard Turnover (2016) Backlog (2016) Defence and security products

China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation €6.7Bn n.a. Auxiliary vessels, surface vessels (e.g. destroyers, aircraft (CSIC) carriers) and submarines (conventional and nuclear)

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) €2.7Bn n.a n.a.

Constructions Mécaniques Normandie, CMN €800M n.a. Surface vessels (patrollers, Fast Attack Craft Missile) (Privinvest)

Damen €1.7Bn €2.75Bn Combatants, crossover, auxiliaries, Patrol vessels, Am- phibious vessels

Fincantieri €6Bn €18.2Bn Surface ships (Aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, cor- vettes, patrol vessels, small combatants, amphibious ships, replenishment ships) and conventional submarines

German Naval Yards Kiel (Privinvest) n.a. n.a. Surface vessels (offshore patrol vessels, corvettes, frigates)

Hyundai Heavy Industries €11Bn €19.25Bn Auxiliary vessels, surface vessels (destroyers, multipurpose frigates, corvettes, FAC) and conventional submarines

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries n.a. n.a. Surface vessels (destroyers) and conventional submarines

Naval Group €3.2Bn €11.6Bn Surface ships (multi-mission vessels, corvettes, 4.000-tonne frigates, multi-mission frigates, projection and command sis, aircraft carriers, tankers) and submarines (conventional and nuclear)

Navantia €710M €2Bn Surface vessels (destroyers, frigates, corvettes, FAC, pa- trollers, amphibious/aircraft carriers, mine hunters) and conventional submarines

Saab Kockums €12M €876M Corvettes and conventional submarines

TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) €1.6Bn n.a. Surface vessels (frigates, corvettes, auxiliaries) and conven- tional submarines Financial results and products of selected international shipbuilders ment for a number of reasons, including loan if Fincantieri does not respect con- as it could enhance competitiveness in preserving jobs, maintaining produc- tractual terms – a good solution to reas- non-EU bids – especially against Thys- tion in France, and avoiding technology sure Paris. To sum up, at the beginning senkrupp and Damen, the main com- brain-drain. This latest issue is crucial for Fincantieri was expected to become big- petitors in the frigate segment. Mean- Saint Nazaire’s military vessels produc- ger by acquiring about the 67% of STX while, additional concerns have already tion, as the shipyard is one of the two France, but the final agreement looks been raised, namely the choice of the EU-based shipyards to produce 300 m+ more like a joint venture. systems provider within common of- long vessels, a key strategic asset for However, part of STX shares has to be fers. As Thales (the main French na- aircraft carriers. France was afraid that sold yet, and the missing shares are the val systems provider) is a Naval Group Fincantieri might take strategic decisions ones concerning Saint Nazaire military shareholder (35%), it will take part in that, taking into account that Fincantieri activities. In particular, a 10% to 15.66% the ongoing discussions. Instead, the

104 European Security & Defence · April 2018 Italian firm Leonardo (usually in couple with Fincantieri on the Italian markets and for Fincantieri’s autonomous of- fers abroad) wants to be included in the agreement, too. Hence, Leonardo and Thales are direct competitors in the na- val segment (while they work together in the space sector via Thales Alenia Space). To date, Leonardo fears that it would lose its role in favour of Thales, which would be automatically includ- ed in the agreement as Naval Group shareholder. To date, the Italian govern- ment has declared that Leonardo will be included in the working groups, but

nothing has been disclosed about its Photo: Alessio Sbarbaro eventual role in the agreement. Fincantieri’s shipyard in Sestri Ponente

Conclusion lution for the most demanding concerns. Worse still, both the EU and the member states have Disclaimer: Direct comparisons Integration could be a sensible step towards not tackled the problem across the continent, amongst shipbuilding companies are maintaining competitiveness in Europe, particu- making it difficult to have a comprehensive over- unusual due to indicators’ complex- larly in the military field, but complex obstacles view of who is doing what today and what the ity and missing information. Inter- could complicate integration and thus reduce its strategic planning of European countries could national stakeholders (as the OECD) likelihood. Ultimately, Fincantieri and STX are not need tomorrow. However, as Asian shipbuilding are still debating on which indica- so dissimilar in their corporate structure and in- groups are becoming increasingly important, it tors better describe the shipbuild- dustrial strategies, especially in terms of govern- may be time to draw the EU's attention to this ing market. Yet, the table above is ment involvement and political interests (strate- issue - as with other issues related to the EDTIB an attempt of providing an idea of gic capabilities, jobs, etc.). But the integration led (European Defence and Technology Industrial magnitudes at play. to tough negotiations and an out-of-the-box so- Base) project. 

1,100+ attendees expected at UDT 2018

26–28 June 2018 SEC, Glasgow 80+ exhibiting companies

THE GLOBAL EVENT FOR UNDERSEA 4 DEFENCE AND SECURITY exclusive conference streams

40+ countries represented

30+ www.udt-global.com @UDT2018 www.udt-global.com/linkedin Image source: Crown Copyright (2017) VIPs attending

Lead Sponsor Innovation Partner Certified by Organisers of Organised by  INDUSTRY & MARKETS “Eurosatory is the uncontested leader in its domain.”

On the eve of this year's Eurosatory exhibition as the largest international showcase of equipment for land forces in Europe, Photos: COGES Event ESD took advantage of the opportunity to speak with the organiser, Patrick Colas des Francs, Director of COGES Event.

Besides, there will be the “Eurosatory Lab” ESD: To what extent can you count on the as a first, an all-new area highlighting de- support of the French Government? fence & security start-ups. Colas des Francs: Eurosatory is supported and inaugurated by the French Ministry of ESD: Within the environment of interna- Defence. tional defence exhibitions at a global scale, The Homeland Security Ministry has par- what is the position of EUROSATORY and ticipated in the exhibition since 2012 and is why? represented by authorities. Colas des Francs: Eurosatory, as an exhibi- Both the Ministry of Defence and the tion dedicated to land and air-land defence Homeland Security Ministry are largely and security, is the uncontested leader in its represented at the exhibition with stands ESD: Can you elaborate on the history of domain. It is the most complete exhibition displaying operational equipment and ser- Eurosatory? When and how did it start, offering international solutions to all sectors vices. Both ministries organise institutional how has the exhibition developed until the of the domain. A wide variety of interna- business meetings with official delegations. present day? tional defence and security players are part The French Government provides its sup- Colas des Francs: The name “Eurosatory” of the exhibition. The number of interna- port on administrative procedures for im- has derived from the earlier trade fairs called tional attendees increases every year, both port of foreign products and materials dis- Satory which had been organised by the in terms of exhibitors and visitors, and me- played at Eurosatory. French military procurement agency since dia. The presence of 212 delegations shows 1967. In 1992, the scope of the exhibition the high professional level of the show. ESD: What will be the highlights of this was extended to include Europe-wide par- More than 700 journalists representing year's EUROSATORY, both in terms of (dy- ticipation, and its name changed to Eurosa- almost 430 media from all five continents namic) displays and presentations at the tory. Then in 1996, with participation of the come to Eurosatory. It is a unique exhibi- conferences and workshops? USA and the Russian Federation, the show tion at an international level that provides Colas des Francs: A new “Intelligence” became truly international. its participants the opportunity to join the technology cluster will be opened in 2018. Eurosatory always followed the evolu- international land and air-land defence and It will showcase new products and services tion of the domain. In 2000, Eurosatory security market. from the intelligence field and cover topics became the “Land and Air-Land Defence International Exhibition”. Upon request of the exhibitors and due to the technology continuum between defence and security industries, Eurosatory became the “Land

and Air-Land Defence and Security Interna- Photos: COGES Event tional Exhibition” in 2008. Eurosatory has continuously developed its knowhow and confirmed its leading posi- tion. In 2016, Eurosatory was designated as “the Land and Air-Land Solution” and hosted 1,571 exhibitors from 57 countries. The exhibition had 57,024 professional visi- tors from 140 countries. Today, Eurosatory is the number 1 interna- tional land and air- land defence & security exhibition. In 2018, the 26th edition of Eu- rosatory offers an exceptional conference programme as a forum for the discussion of new trends and to meet leading experts. In 2016 Eurosatory attracted more than 57,000 visitors.

106 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  like surveillance systems, cyber security, ge- ospatial analysis, reconnaissance systems... Eurosatory has always put forward creativ- ity and innovative technology of its exhibi- tors. In this context, the Eurosatory Lab has been created for the 2018 edition. It is an all-new start-up 1,000 square metres area dedicated to international start-ups of the defence & security domain. Eurosatory will select up to 100 most ground-breaking start-up companies to exhibit alongside 1,500 other firms. The Eurosatory Lab will An extensive conference schedule will be part of Eurosatory's communi- facilitate defence and security start-ups to cation concept this year. introduce and market their technologies to potential collaborators and key investors. There will also be start-up battle confer- ences and pitch presentations, a chance for start-ups to showcase their products and innovations to more than 57,000 defence & security professionals. It is also an oppor- tunity for established companies to identify new technologies that they can take ad- vantage of. Eurosatory 2018 will present a new interna- tional thematic event dedicated to CBRN issues and organised with the participa- tion of French and foreign ops officers, exhibitors, state representatives, experts and VIPs. This CBRN event completes al- ready existing technology clusters and live demonstrations. In 2018, Eurosatory offers to participants The exhibition premises offer dedicated areas for live demonstrations. a multitude of services in order to help them to develop their commercial oppor- headed by ministers, vice-ministers, sec- been largely represented at the exhibition at tunities. retaries of state, chiefs of staff, national the last four editions. In 2016, 580 compa- armament directors, general directors of nies - 37% of exhibitors - were dedicated to ESD: How many exhibitors from how police, , civil defence and security. 300 of them presented solutions many countries do you expect this year? custom. To ensure the best possible visit- for civil security and disaster relief. In 2018, Colas des Francs: In 2016, 1,571 exhibi- ing programme for the exhibition and to we also expect exhibitors with products tors from 57 countries presented their facilitate the organisation, the organiser dedicated exclusively to private security. products and services. For the 26th edi- provides delegations with 3-day visiting Another Eurosatory trend is intensifying the tion of Eurosatory we expect about 1600 schedules adapted to their interest and conference’s programme. Eurosatory 2018 exhibitors from all countries with a de- supported by an escort officer. However, it offers a large panel of conferences. Interna- fence and security industrial base. Several is the chief of the delegations' decision to tional and rather short (less than two hours), national pavilions will be opened for the fix the final visiting programme. they attract a high-level panel of speakers first time. Australian, Bosnian and Azeri We advise exhibitors to announce their par- including operational staff, manufacturers, pavilions have already registered for par- ticipation in Eurosatory as early as possible, media, experts, think tanks and senior of- ticipation. Some pavilions have enlarged to prepare it well and to make their presence ficials. their exhibition space in 2018, such as Ger- at the exhibition known through network- Moreover, we can emphasise that all the many, Serbia, South Korea and Turkey. Ne- ing and communication. requirements of the land and air-land de- gotiations for pavilions are underway with One of the first priorities of Eurosatory for fence and security domain are covered by Lithuania and Colombia. the 2018 session remains to highlight mul- Eurosatory: exhibitors representing each line tiple services such as visitors-exhibitors con- of the product list are presented. The entire ESD: How many official delegations do nection service or exhibitor conferences. industry is represented, from prime contrac- you expect, and from where? What should These services allow exhibitors to maximise tors to suppliers. the exhibitors do to make sure they can their visibility and optimise their presence at Eurosatory is definitely a key step in indus- meet with the delegations that they want the exhibition. try's commercial development on an inter- to meet with? national scale. I would like to use this op- Colas des Francs: In 2016, Eurosatory ESD: Are there any plans to change or portunity to invite you to attend the next hosted 212 official delegations from 94 amend the concept of EUROSATORY in the and 26th edition of Eurosatory that will be countries comprising 821 VIP delegates future? held in Villepinte Paris Nord Centre on 11 - total. More than 200 global official del- Colas des Francs: Eurosatory constantly fol- 15 June 2018. egations are expected for 2018. lows the evolution and trends of the defence The interview was conducted by Eurosatory hosts many official delegations and security domain. The security sector has Jürgen Hensel

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 107  INDUSTRY & MARKETS Modernisation of Heckler & Koch's Production Facilities

Waldemar Geiger

Heckler & Koch’s order books are full. They have been able to win several national and international calls for tenders by armed forces and police authorities in the recent months. The German State of Bavaria's police recently decided to award the company a contract for 40,000 new service pistols. However, the positive business results include significant delivery commitments that Heckler & Koch had to enter into.

gainst the background of Heckler ed to the next production stage. This of the complete value-added processes, A& Koch’s recent voluminous order method comprises many transport and production (manufacture of individual intake, the question was asked to what storage cycles, which in turn prevent op- components) as well as assembly (as- extent the production capacity in the timal utilisation of production capacities. sembly of individual components and town of Oberndorf can be considered Also, the transparency required for busi- assembly units to a finished weapon), sufficient. In fact, the company has em- ness management optimisation is nega- for instance, were converted to flow pro- barked on optimising all of its produc- tively affected: Quite frequently it is hard duction according to the HK production tion processes in order to meet the high to understand why individual weapons system. For this purpose, dedicated op- demand. These measures lead to an in- can only be completed and delivered at a timised production lines had to be de- crease in productivity by 25%. certain point of time. veloped for each product. Through this Heckler & Koch is among the few small measure throughput and assembly time Flow Production According arms manufacturers with all production are reduced and utilisation of production to a Production System cycles executed in-house, and the com- capacities is optimised. The transparency pany claims that it has a unique insight achieved with these measures allows for Even today, the majority of military small into the current production capabilities quick response to customer requirements arms production facilities are laid out for of this industrial sector. and prioritisation of individual projects. workshop production. Individual assem- In the last two years many measures have Moreover, individual sub-processes can bly units are manufactured and assembled been taken to tap previously untapped be synchronised, enabling the conver- in different work areas and in a multitude production potential. Based on intensi- gence of all components at the project of process steps before they are forward- fied employee training and an analysis milestones on time.

Optimisation of Assembly Lines According to an example practised in the automotive industry for decades, Heck-

(Photos: Heckler & Koch) ler & Koch, as a leading manufacturer of small arms, has now decided to clean up every process and, wherever possible, optimise output. “Material must flow,” says Stefan Warnken, Head of Assem- bly, during the guided tour through the assembly halls at the Oberndorf site. Due to the good economic situation in Germany in general and in the State of Baden Württemberg in particular in- creased production needs cannot sim- ply be compensated for by hiring new staff. Rather, increased production fig- ures can often only be achieved through internal measures. Thanks to the new assembly lines that have been developed and optimised in cooperation with the Investments in staff qualification programmes, new machines and opti- staff, higher production volumes can mised workflow processes have contributed to increase productivity by be achieved with the same manpower, up to 25%. says Warnken. Ergonomics, organisation

108 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INDUSTRY & MARKETS 

and quality considerations have played A Further Insight: a decisive role in the design of the new lines. In particular, compared to the last visit, improvements in cleanliness and Interview with Frank Kolzarek, organisation immediately catch one's at- Director, Operation, Heckler & Koch GmbH tention. Every production unit, material and tool has its place; when it is not in ESD: What have been the challenges that the modernisation of your production use or being processed, it is located at its capabilities has brought along in terms of delivery schedules? Have you been able designated place. As a result, redundant to respond to these? search times are avoided and deviations Kolzarek: We launched the reorganisation with a workshop introducing the quali- from the optimum state are immediately fication programme. Contents included: identified. • Value stream analysis (identification of redundancies), This kind of assembly line production • Spaghetti charts, offers the Head of Assembly, who's • Determination of dedicated production lines (e.g. barrel), background is in the automotive sector, • Process step matrix (standardisation of production sequences). several advantages. Thanks to special All of these are tools of the production system. After the training programme the software, the entire process is visualised first sequence-optimised layouts were developed, following which the complete for every staff member. Errors can thus programme according to the flow production principle was implemented. be detected more quickly and eliminated We have moved from working according to a workshop principle to a flow produc- immediately. Production targets can be tion scheme, with the objective of reducing the processing times by up to 70 % in tracked by everybody, which allows for order to improve the time to market for HK. the process to be immediately adapted in the event of a failure. ESD: What are the medium- and long-term consequences of this innovation from Also, the assembly lines were designed a sales perspective? to be scalable right from the start. Con- Kolzarek: In the medium and long term we will improve the delivery performance sequently, production volumes can be by: easily adjusted by transferring additional • Reducing processing and lead times, thus streamlining production cycles personnel to the necessary assembly line. • Increasing transparency and • Optimising the conditions for visual inspection, New Capacities • Simplifying planning and controlling, as well as for Repair and Retrofit • Standardising production processes. This reorganisation creates the prerequisites for continuous improvement. In order not to burden the production lines with repair and retrofit activities, The questions were asked by Waldemar Geiger. investments have been made to estab- lish separate capacities for these tasks. In addition to different modernisation orders for the G36 (for example IdZ-ES), a retrofit measure for the British SA80 standard to the version A3 is executed in this production area. The jobs and processes created particularly for these activities also enable a higher output volume here without the need to involve more manpower.

Comprehensive Personnel Qualification Measures The company also points to considerable investments in comprehensive person- nel training measures. Even though pro- duction will be ramped up significantly, quality leadership in small arms manu- facturing remains the top priority. The company slogan “no compromises” is seen as a promise to soldiers and police- men in that they can, at any time, rely on their weapons. The investments made in personnel, ma- chinery and processes and the resulting in- Due to assembly lines that have been developed and optimised in co- crease in the production of handguns form operation with the staff the company can take advantage of increased a solid basis for adherence to the scheduled productivity without the need to invest in additional manpower. delivery times and quantities. 

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 109  INDUSTRY & MARKETS “Dyneema ®, the Next Generation Ballistic Material”

Interview with Wilfrid Gambade, President DSM Dyneema Photo: DSM Dyneema

hard armour inserts to protect against a properties. Combining anti-stab material wide range of ballistics threats. Personal with Dyneema® material already used in armour made of Dyneema® materi- top-performing soft ballistic solutions als reduces the burden of the officer; it enables our customers to create complete helps safeguard those who protect us, multi-threat protective vests which provide such as dismounted soldiers and law en- best-in-class stab resistance and handgun Wilfrid Gambade has been Presi- forcement officers. Body armour made protection. The Dyneema®Anti Stab Tech- dent of DSM Dyneema since 15 of Dyneema® materials offers maximum nology platform provides vest manufactur- January 2018 protection with less weight, which in- ers and end-users an extra choice to tailor creases comfort, mobility and efficiency. solutions exactly to their needs. ESD: What makes Dyneema® the "next generation ballistic material"? ESD: What are the key features of ESD: Your company serves a large num- Gambade: DSM has a track record to Dyneema® Anti Stab Technology and ber of different markets with dedicated develop Dyneema® materials and tech- other Dyneema® materials? What level solutions - civilian as well as military. nologies which are raising the protection of protection can be achieved with a What do these applications have in com- benchmark in applications like protective combination of these technologies and mon? What kind of synergies do you vests, inserts and . In order to materials? generate? better protect soldiers and police offic- ers, it is necessary to have better, much lighter protection, and these materials and technologies can do just that. One

proven example is the development of Photo: Land NRW Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology, which is a breakthrough, IP protected material technology. Compared to body armour made from traditional materials such as , protective vests engi- neered with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology reduce weight by up to 30%, while enhancing comfort, agility and increased flexibility. These materi- als have outstanding ballistic properties, such as multiple hit performance and superior protection against angle and edge shots, as well as fragments from improvised explosive devices. We are able to develop these new technologies through our significant and continuous investments and belief in innovation to German Police with Dyneema® protective vests. stay ahead of the curve. Gambade: Until the launch of Dyneema® Gambade: People in the frontline, ESD: In what types of law enforcement Anti Stab Technology, multi-threat vests whether law enforcement professionals and military applications is Dyneema® were mostly based on laminated , or armed forces, need to be protected material utilised? or steel rings called chainmail. DSM de- in the most optimal way to safeguard Gambade: Dyneema® materials are used veloped Dyneema® Anti Stab Technol- their lives and to do their job effectively. in protective helmets, vests, shields and ogy, a fabric with very good anti-stab A general trend is to develop better, sig-

110 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INDUSTRY & MARKETS 

nificantly lighter weight protection and ies are expanding their police forces and responding to dangerous situations and a large number of modernisation pro- thus their budgets for new equipment. to train them in tactics and use of equip- grammes are ongoing that require new These developments require a broader ment to keep them safe and return them technologies. Dyneema® material is a key range of life protection technologies as to their families. This programme will be ingredient in armour applications and the threat to first responders increases in extended to Europe and Asia in 2018. enables body armour that is lighter and many geographic areas. ESD: Your business model is primarily based on B2B: How do you get to know the requirements of the "end consumer"? Gambade: End users’ insights are of very high value to us. Together with our indus- Photo: Dutch MoD try partners we reach out to end-users to get to know their specific needs. Our team draws on experienced profession- als from various end user backgrounds to provide technical and customer-facing insights straight from law enforcement agencies and armed services organisa- tions around the world.

ESD: From the basic substances to the fi- nal product: What is your company's part in the production chain? Gambade: Dyneema® material origi- nated as a fibre, made from Ultra High Molecular (UHMwPE). To- day there are various form factors such as fibres, unidirectional plates and fab- rics. DSM is the only UHMwPE manufac- Synthetic link chain made of Dyneema® fibre in use with the Royal turer backwards integrated in terms of Netherlands Army’ UHMwPE , the most important raw material for Dyneema® fibres, and with production facilities on three major continents. Unidirectional sheets (UD) are the most important form factor for life protection. Dyneema® UD is a composite

Photo: DSM Dyneema unidirectional laminate that offers excel- lent energy absorption and enhanced protection. These materials are available for hard and soft ballistic protective ap- plications.

ESD: At Milipol 2017 your company intro- duced "the world's strongest chain made of Dyneema® fibre". What markets do you focus on? Are military applications of this technology in sight? Gambade: Synthetic link chains with Dyneema® material, certified worldwide by DNV-GL, are a massive leap forward in lashing and lifting operations. Soft, Dyneema® Force Multiplier technology quiet, easy to handle, and safe - they are simply a better way to lash or lift deli- more comfortable. Reducing the burden In 2017, DSM launched a programme cate, heavy and oversized cargo. Syn- on persons wearing body armour is a top in the United States to raise awareness thetic chains made of Dyneema® fibre priority, without compromising the level among first responders and among gov- are already used for lashing and towing of protection. ernment leaders and citizens of the in- in outsized cargo transport, heavy ship- There is a strong need in different mar- creased threats these professionals face ping, heavy trucking/hauling, fishery, kets to better protect people. While on the job. The aim of this programme and aquaculture. And new uses involv- many countries such as the US, the UK, is education and training: to alert first ing lifting and towing are now entering Brazil and India are implementing ma- responders to the possibilities of personal the market, where we indeed also look jor modernisation programmes in the protection against increased threats such into military use. defence sector, there is also significant as handgun and rifle bullets, to inform The questions were asked by Peter growth in law enforcement, as many cit- them of new policies and procedures for Bossdorf.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 111  INDUSTRY & MARKETS Modernisation and Protection of Armoured Vehicles

Gerhard Heiming

The International Armoured Vehicles Conference in London in late January 2018 focused on modernising armoured vehicles fleets and on technologies for crew protection. Experts from the armed forces and industry presented requirements, issues and innovations to the audience for discussion.

n addition to symmetrical threats, land "expeditional" or "local", according to by their modularity and multi-purpose Iwarfare is confronted with asymmetrical the chief inspector of the , capability, which must be integrated into the threats in which traditional frontlines no ­Major General Karl Engelbrektson. Rather, classic balance between mobility, firepower longer exist; the "fourth generation war" the equipment has to be balanced in such and protection in the "Iron Triangle". has blurred boundaries between conflict a way that as many "boots on the ground" The complex and urban environments of and politics, combatants and civilians. “The as possible will always be achieved. the future require modernising the C4ISR armed forces must have the right mix of It is well known that the equipment of armed suites to ensure appropriate decisions and clear communication. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) supporting armoured vehi- cles and the ability to defeat UAV are some of the new technologies and changes in operational concepts discussed each year. As armoured vehicles remain in service for

Photo: Bundeswehr Bähr 20 to 30 years or more, it is important to maintain their operational capability in an affordable manner throughout their entire service life. Open architecture and modu- lar solutions enable evolutionary develop- ment within the framework of a milestone plan for platform and fleet management throughout the entire lifecycle.

Wheeled Vehicles

The focus of current modernisation pro- grammes is on medium-weight, protected wheeled vehicles which are quickly avail- able and can be used for various applica- tions with little logistical effort, such as the BUSHMASTER from Thales Australia and the BOXER from ARTEC, the Rheinmetall/ KMW consortium, both of which were shown at the conference. The BUSHMAS- TER MR6, which made its debut in London, GTK BOXER at a Combat Exercise 2017 in UK. Recently the UK MOD has is the upgraded version of the 4x4 multi- announced that they will re-join the BOXER programme. purpose, protected 4x4 vehicle launched in 1997. The vehicle shown in the ambulance capabilities for the future," said General forces is subject to financial and temporal re- version is an applicant for the British Multi- Sir Adrian Bradshaw, chairman of the con- strictions. The rapidly changing security and Role Vehicle Protected (MRV-P), of which ference. Science and business are called threat situation leads to military capability 80 to a maximum of 300 pieces are to be upon to use their imagination to achieve requirements which guide the equipping procured. the best possible results. The confer- of the armed forces. In addition to the pur- The BOXER armoured transport vehicle – ence dealt with the question of how ar- chase of new equipment and systems, mo­ exhibited in the Dutch engineer version moured vehicles contribute to the complex dernisation and retrofitting are the methods (Geniegroep) – is an example of an inter- capabilities needed to overcome the chal- of choice. If there is sufficient growth poten- nationally successful programme to replace lenges. It is not a question of "wheel" or tial, new competencies can be integrated. obsolete vehicles and expand capabilities "chain","protected" or "unprotected", This is why new vehicles are characterised in Germany and The Netherlands. In Lithu-

112 European Security & Defence · April 2018 ania – and perhaps soon in Slovenia – the BOXER is the basis for new armed forces structures. The BOXER is also competing in the UK for the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) with a planned 400 units and in Australia for the Combat Recon- naissance Vehicle (CRV) with a planned 225 units. To date, the total order vol- ume amounts to 716 vehicles with a perspective of up to 1,400 units. Eleven completely different versions have been realised for the three user nations, and

versions will multiply with further orders. Photo: Heiming ARTEC CEO Stefan Haase and Andreas World premiere for the BUSHMASTER MR6, which applies for an Zekorn, OCCAR’s BOXER Programme ambulance car in the UK. Manager, introduced the BOXER as a Eu- ropean armaments programme. Procure- ment is carried out by the international ar- maments agency OCCAR on behalf of the nations, and OCCAR conducts negotia- tions with industry, concludes contracts Photo: Rheinmetall and provides technical, commercial and legal assistance to the parties involved. By cooperating internationally, the procuring nations profit from economies of scale in production: they share the costs and opti- mise procurement and operation through a common information basis. The nations have transferred tasks to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) within the framework of a weap- ons system partnership. The NSPA has deployed a team of experts who procure spare parts centrally at the expense of the nations and manage stocks as needed. In negotiations with industry, larger quan- Active protection systems can also be configured for light wheeled vehi- tities allow for more favourable prices. cles, here the ADS system on a Light Modular Vehicle (LMV) from Iveco. Thanks to centralised management, stockpiling levels and thus tied-up capi- tal remain low without compromising the quality of supply. The In-Service Support Phase is usually Photo: Heiming the longest and costliest phase in the life cycle of an armaments programme and the only phase that offers the user true capabilities. International programmes make it diffi- cult to prepare for a common in-service support phase because they require all participating states to have a common approach. OCCAR's BOXER programme during the development and production phase and a usage phase with common elements managed by NSPA are a practi- cal example of how this can work.

Tracked Vehicles

At IAV, tracked vehicles were in the back- ground but the presentation of BAE Sys- tems’ new CV90 Mk IV combat vehicle was a highlight. The CV90 was presented only in the lecture and on paper, as was the The power manager NervCentre from Revision Military distributes PMMC G5 from Flensburg-based vehicle electrical energy from any source to any consumer.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 113  INDUSTRY & MARKETS manufacturer FFG. With a battle weight Mobility After being assessed a threat, an incoming of around 25 tonnes, both vehicles aim at projectile is intercepted close to the object an area where the competition to wheeled Exhibitors with special tyres, for example to be protected. High demands are placed vehicles is high. Equipped with the rubber for the BOXER (Michelin), with emergency on crew protection but also on minimum compound chain from Soucy the user ben- running rims (Tyron), with chassis concepts environmental hazards. ADS is currently efits from reduced vibration, noise emission (Timoney), with the rubber composite chain having its system certified according to and – over longer service life – the logistical (Soucy) and engines (Caterpillar), put the recognised safety standards. Both systems footprint. That melts down the advantages spotlight on mobility. The lectures touched are in production. The Rafael system has of wheeled vehicles. on the topic only marginally and always in already proven itself in use. The SCOUT SV armoured reconnaissance connection with concrete projects. vehicle from the AJAX family which will Electrical energy go into production at GDELS any time Protection soon, completed the small field of tracked Modern combat vehicles typically consume vehicles at IAV. The first vehicles in the In addition to passive protection through a lot of electrical energy to operate com- 40-tonne class have been delivered for armour-plated steel and composite materi- mand, communication and reconnaissance Government Acceptance Testing. Once als, ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsys- equipment as well as medical equipment. this has been completed, approval for se- teme and Rafael presented Active Protec- Modern generators such as the integrated ries production is expected in the course tion Systems (APS) in lectures as well as starter generator (ISG) from Jenoptik provide of the year. 589 units are to be delivered in the exhibition. Although technically 20 kW to 500 kW. In retrofitted vehicles, to the British Army by 2024. different, the concept of effect is similar: generators in auxiliary power units (APUs) provide the necessary electrical power. The growing demand for "Silent Watch" – observation mode with the main motor switched off – requires powerful accumu- lators. In addition to the standard lead gel batteries, numerous exhibitors at the IAV presented sophisticated lithium-ion batteries, which need only half as much space and weigh only a quarter (for ex- ample Bren-Tronics) with similar storage capacity. The manufacturers unanimously agree that the danger of fire and explo- sion of Li-Ion batteries has been averted. There is no battery type that can meet all requirements, such as extreme current peaks to start the engine, high continuous current over a medium period of time, low continuous current over a very long period of time. Combination equipment is there- fore common. Electric energy managers ensure that the accumulators deliver their energy reliably while protecting the storage facilities, as Enersys demonstrated, and modern ac- cumulators give a warning signal when supply runs low and external energy supply is needed (usually by an internal combustion engine). With the help of energy managers, electrical energy can also be supplied to external consumers, to charge batteries from portable devices or to meet the immediate needs of de- ployable control cells.

Impulses

IAV showed important trends for armoured land vehicles. The conference, which has been held annually for 18 years, is used by the industry as a platform for new ideas. Lectures, discussions and the exhibition provide important impulses that stimulate the further development of skills and ma- terials. 

114 European Security & Defence · April 2018 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  “Propulsion units tailored

Photo: 3W International to the customers' needs are the future of engine development for UAS.”

Interview with Karsten Schudt, Managing Director of 3W-International

ESD: In 2009 you entered the profession- ers are increasingly focussed on efficien- filment of 3W quality standards. And our al UAS market with 3W-International. cy: UAS have to achieve maximum range component suppliers and partners share How has the market changed since then? with maximum payload and minimum fuel these standards and guarantee these Schudt: At that time, the market was consumption. That is a balancing act, of quality requirements. 3W is opposed very clearly driven by military demand. course, and compromises have to be made to offshore manufacturing; we will stay The military recognised the utility of un- somewhere, but it is ultimately about the true to Germany as a company location manned systems very early on and was propulsion being tuned to the customer’s and the business will remain in German also naturally a financier that invested in needs. This means that we work very hands – making us the only combustion- and advanced new developments — such closely together with our clients, and be- engine manufacturer in Germany in the as the Heavy Fuel engine. The situation come involved in the project early on so UAS arena that is not owned by China. has changed, because today many UAS that we understand what our customers We are planning a massive product and are used for civil or commercial applica- really want from us. So with our perfor- service expansion in coming years. To do tions, which means that in addition to the mance partner, Sky Power GmbH, we so, we need engine expertise and experi- state there are now also private investors have developed an engine construction ence that we can only find, first-hand, in who invest money in the development of kit with which we can quickly visualise, Germany. non-military applications. engineer and combine the components to meet the customer's requirement. ESD: What of the immediate future? ESD: To what extent has this changed the Schudt: We introduced the first hybrid business for engines? ESD: Please tell us more about Sky Power. Wankel engine in 2017, and will expand Schudt: Back in 2009, our business con- Schudt: We have commissioned Sky our product range based on Wankel en- sisted of selling 2-stroke engines. The Power to be our performance partner. gine technology. Issues such as improv- customer was less interested in consul- Sky Power's function for us resembles ing efficiency, reducing fuel consump- tation, let alone in the engine's adapta- that of a contract tuner for a car manu- tion, and using hybrid 2-stroke engines tion to his application area, so we were facturer – say, AMG to our Mercedes. are both current and future topics with basically a simple engine supplier. That Customer modifications, customisation, which we are occupying ourselves. And changed a bit when we were asked to new developments and components, of course we shall continue to work apply our expertise to developing Heavy and the performance enhancement of closely together with our customers: pro- Fuel engines, but the sales activity barely 3W products are the goals of the part- pulsion units tailored to the customers' changed little. However, in the past two nership. needs are the future of engine develop- to three years, it has been possible to ment for UAS. detect a pronounced change in demand ESD: What role does Germany play as and in our customers' behaviour; that a site for such corporate developments? ESD: And looking further ahead? change goes hand in glove with civil and Schudt: Germany is known for its engine Schudt: We very clearly want to expand commercial applications. And now we've technology, and “Made in Germany” is our position as a leading supplier of en- moved away from a purely sales business an important quality and sales factor. gines, upholding the banner of German towards long-term project manage- The quality of 3W engines stems from engine construction in the UAS area. ment, including pre-prototyping feasi- several factors, including technical exper- Moreover, we see good opportunities for bility studies. tise, long-term experience, tradition, and our Wankel engine technology to be used state-of-the-art production, and these in remote UAS applications, for instance, ESD: What are the reasons for these contribute to one of the highest qual- as a range extender for electric mobility changes in the market? ity standards in the industry. From R&D or purely as a small generator. But these Schudt: We are no longer purely an en- and prototyping, to manufacturing and are other markets that we'll be looking at gine supplier; instead, we have developed calibration, 3W guarantees constant and in the near future. ourselves into an expert partner for pro- permanent quality control. Every manu- pulsion solutions based upon 2-stroke and facturing step is traceable, and employ- The interview was conducted by Wankel-engine technology. Our custom- ees are personally responsible for the ful- Stephen Barnard.

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 115 Firms & Faces

3W-International is Expanding grated into future releases of EXONAUT so pointment is part of Alcon’s £2M invest- Sales Structures offering the opportunity to better support ment plan to service growing defence ve- (ck) With 35 years of experience in design- exercise planners in designing and deliv- hicle market demands. The appointment ing and manufacturing 2-stroke engines, ering cost effective, relevant, efficient and of Bill Waddell aims at boosting defence 3W-Interna- exploitable exercises". sales. Bill Waddell is well-known in the tional GmbH defence sector. Previously, he has worked has success- More LAKOTAs for the US Army with Ford, Pinzgauer, Rousch, Marshall fully developed (ck) Airbus Helicopters has received a and Supacat. Prior to joining Alcon, Bill and patented contract for US$116M to deliver 16 addi- Waddell was Head of Sales at Babcock/ Heavy Fuel (HF) tional UH-72A LAKOTA helicopters to the MacNeillie. The appointment comes off Photo: 3W International engines for the US Army. The contract is the company’s the back of some successes in the defence Unmanned second this year; it includes the UH-72A sector. Recently, Alcon sold Toyota LC200 Aerial System aircraft, operator manuals and programme armoured vehicle upgrade kits, and suc- (UAS) indus- management in training configuration for cessfully launched the CIR55 heavy ar- try. Increasing the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Mission at moured vehicle caliper. The CIR55 caliper demand for Ft. Rucker. The UH-72A is a twin-engine is a bespoke design that improves brak- 2-stroke engines has prompted 3W-Inter- utility helicopter used for various missions ing performance whilst reducing weight national to expand its sales structure and including troop and light cargo transport, and cost when fitted to 8x8 type mili- engage George Bouvier as sales and pro- tary vehicles. Alcon’s brake kits improve ject manager. Bouvier has the necessary performance and reduce weight; key technical background, and he has man- requirements for any armoured defence aged complex production projects in the vehicle. international electronics industry. Bouvier will support the francophone market and Seats for the German Heavy

selected international projects. Photo: Airbus Helicopters Transport Helicopter (STH) (ck) The German aviation company Au- Exonaut Supports Viking 18 toflug and Sikorsky signed a letter of in- (ck) 4C Strategies, a company offering risk tent to collaborate more closely for the management solutions, will support the ex- MEDEVAC, VIP transport, border security, German heavy transport helicopter (STH) ercise VIKING 18 with its consultants and and homeland defence. Airbus has deliv- programme. The companies have held its EXONAUT software. VIKING 18 is the ered more than 423 UH-72A LAKOTA air- talks regarding the CH-53K, the new world's biggest craft from its facilities in Columbus, Miss., heavy-lift transport helicopter from Sikor- international since the award of the first contract in sky, which is exercise, with 2005. With additional aircraft in the fleet, competing international LAKOTA operators have more capability to to be the military staffs conduct disaster relief and counter-drug successor to

and partici- operations in support of civil agencies. S i ko r s k y ’s Photo: Autoflug pants from Available in multiple configurations, the UH CH-53 GS/ the UN, EU, 72A LAKOTA is the lowest cost to buy, own GA currently civil authorities, and operate of any US military helicopter in in German Photo: David Paterson / 4C Strategies law enforce- production. The LAKOTA is a key compo- military ser- ment agencies, nent of the Army’s Aviation Restructuring vice. Auto- humanitarian Initiative (ARI) and the primary rotary-wing flug aims at organisations and international observ- trainer for the US Army Aviation Center at proposing its ers. The exercise will take place in Sweden Fort Rucker, Alabama. new seating from 16 to 26 April; some 50 countries, solution for 35 organisations and 2,500 individuals will Alcon Appoints New Senior the German participate in the planning and execution. Defence Sales Executive STH programme. Autoflug is already de- VIKING 18’s goal is to prepare the partici- Alcon Components Ltd, a manufacturer veloping safety seats for the current Ger- pants for crisis response, natural disasters, of brakes and clutches for motorsports, man CH-53 fleet to improve crash safety and peace support operations around the has appointed Bill Waddell as its Military for its remaining service life. The seats world by training in a simulated scenar- Business Development Manager. The ap- have a low weight and are quick to fit io. The EXONAUT software will be used and remove and durable with no mainte- throughout the whole exercise; for plan- nance, and providing the occupant with ning, execution and evaluation across all maximum freedom of movement. If the

levels. “EXONAUT is the only specialised Photo: Alcon requirements remain similar for its poten- software available," said Brigadier (ret.) tial successor, Autoflug could deliver a set- David Paterson, Head of Group Military at up of up to 48 troop seats for the CH-53K, 4C Strategies. "As a direct added value, with minimal development effort. Autoflug VIKING 18 gives us insights into the user managers are convinced that German in- requirements for developing and running dustry participation will be an important such complex exercises which can be inte- factor in the STH selection process.

116 European Security & Defence · April 2018 New Sales Manager at Autoflug piratory protection with rapidly changing The German aviation company Autoflug threats. All three modular CBRN hardened GmbH has appointed Alexander Bode systems provide high levels of protection. (46) to head All AvonAir systems rely on a CBRN blower Photo: DNV GL the company’s with flow control technology and an alarm Marketing & system. Modularity extends to the mask Sales division. and filters as well, with owners of Avon In addition, Mr. masks able to connect to their new pow- Bode will be ered air system and meet NIOSH CBRN re- responsible for quirements using the Avon CBRN canister. the Rescue & The patented design delivers operational

Photo: Alexander Bode / Autoflug Safety as well flexibility; interchangeable modules allow and Technical Director in DNV GL. The JDP as Service & En- for multiple protection level configurations brings together stakeholders from across gineering divi- that can be assembled to accommodate the maritime industry to create a pool of sions. Bode has changing threats. expertise for the use of batteries on ships. many years of experience in the aviation JDP aims at stimulating industry to push industry and will support Autoflug’s ex- VBCI for Qatar the development of batteries and associ- pansion. Autoflug has turned its focus to (ck) Barzan Holdings, a company 100% ated systems, procedures, and approval the growing defence sector and is com- owned by the Ministry of Defence of Qatar, processes. The JDP officially kicked off at peting for the German STH programme. and Nexter have signed two Memoranda the end of 2017, with tasks defined as fol- Bode’s predecessor Martin Kroell will be lows: Safety Model Development and As- in charge of the operational management sessment; Lithium-Ion Battery Risk Assess- of the company. ment; Battery Safety Testing Programmes

Photo: Nexter and Battery Safety Simulation and Analysis NIOSH Approved CBRN Protection Tools. Among the project partners are Da- (ck) Avon Proection is a producer of Res- men, the Norwegian and Danish Maritime piratory Protective Equipment (RPE) for Authority, the Norwegian Defence Re- air-, land- and sea-based personnel in the search Establishment, the maritime battery global military, law enforcement and first systems vendors Corvus Energy and Plan responder community. Just recently, Avon B (PBES), FIFI4MARINE (a lithium-ion fire Protection’s AVONAIR modular powered extinguishing system provider), Nexceris (a air range received NIOSH CBRN approval. developer of battery off-gas sensing tech- The Avon devices EZAir, MP-PAPR and of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate Qa- nology), Rolls Royce Marine AS and ABB CS-PAPR are multipurpose and adaptable tar’s VBCI programme. The first MoU will (both propulsion and system technology respiratory protection systems. The single allow for greater cooperation between providers), and the ferry operators Stena Nexter and Barzan as both companies and Scandlines. work together to finalise the Qatari VBCI programme. The two companies are also Airport Surveillance Radars from working to bring other common projects HENSOLDT and Raytheon for the Qatari forces to fruition. The indus- (gwh) HENSOLDT and Raytheon plan trial cooperation between Barzan Holdings, to jointly develop and market air traffic Photo: Avon Protection Nexter and all other industrial partners has control radars. The cooperation includes been finalised with the second MoU and radar equipment for approach control at formally launches the contractual process. civil airports, air traffic control, airspace surveillance and aircraft identification ac- Energy Storage Aboard Ships cording to the latest Mode S and Mode 5 (ck) DNV GL, a global quality assurance and standards, in order to offer fully integrated risk management company, has launched a airspace surveillance radar equipment to Joint Development Project (JDP) to stimu- late research on energy storage on board ships via lithium-ion batteries. More than a dozen partners from the entire value chain have joined the initiative, including Photo: HENSOLDT flag states, research institutions, battery filter Avon EZAir is the smallest and light- and propulsion suppliers, fire detection est CBRN powered respirator available with and extinguishing system providers, and cost of ownership per use at nearly half ship owners, operators and yards. “Includ- that of PAPRs. The low profile MP-PAPR ing batteries in ships, whether as a hybrid provides supreme user comfort through or fully electric system, offers the industry its unique flexible construction and hydra- the opportunity to improve fuel economy, tion integration capability. The CS-PAPR is reliability and operational costs,” said Geir a highly flexible device for in-mission res- Dugstad, Director of Ship Classification

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 117 Firms & Faces

increase the safety and efficiency of air identification system incorporating the very traffic. HENSOLDT's ASR primary radar long range version of the PASEO XLR (eXtra and MSSR secondary radar are optimised Long Range) sight); and Thales (for the so-

to customer specifications and combined Photo: Leonardo nar suite, the electronic warfare suite and with Raytheon's Mode S secondary radar. the communications system). With a dis- With this combined solution, HENSOLDT placement of 4,000 tonnes the French ver- and Raytheon complement each other sion of the BELHARRA frigates is intended from their respective air navigation servic- for anti-submarine warfare and will have es and sensor portfolios for the benefit of extended self-defence and special forces their customers. projection capabilities. It will integrate the new Thales SEA FIRE four flat antenna radar Best Counter Terror IT Product and firing installations for ASTER 30 and (ck) Founded in 1982, HGH Infrared Sys- Defence Research’ programme. Leonardo EXOCET missiles from MBDA. tems is a developer of electro-optical sys- will lead the project which is to be funded tems for industrial, defence and security by a grant totalling €35M, and Leonardo NITEC 18 in Berlin applications. HGH’s CYCLOPE automatic will coordinate a consortium of 42 part- (ck) NATO operations are dependent on a detection & tracking software was named ners from 15 European countries. Within secure, resilient IT infrastructure and an ar- “Best Counter Terror IT product” at the the scope of the same "Preparatory Ac- ray of software applications which is why SCTX trade show’s 2018 Award Ceremony, tion on Defense Research”, Leonardo was NATO invests in IT modernisation, the NA- to recognise the software’s intrusion detec- selected as part of GOSSRA project, led by TO communications infrastructure and the tion & tracking success in the fight against Rheinmetall. GOSSRA aims at standardis- acquisition of thousands of applications - all terrorism. The software was recognised for ing soldier equipment to improve interop- accounting to billions of euros of invest- its capabilities to detect, track, identify and erability during joint operations conducted ments. To foster NATO-industry collabora- recognise an unlimited number of threats, by forces of European countries. Leonardo tion, top officials from NATO and European on land at sea and in the air. CYCLOPE is a plays a significant role in European security and North American companies will meet 360° thermal sensor’s (Spynel) integrated and defence initiatives. The European Com- in Berlin from 22-24 May to discuss NATO’s software based on detecting and tracking mission intends to provide the European technological and cyber needs, and to algorithms with ultra-low FAR (False Alarm Defence Fund with a budget of €1.5Bn per explain how companies can take part in Rate). Spynel sensors and CYCLOPE soft- year from 2021 onwards. Of this amount, NATO business. The conference “NITEC18 ware are and have been used to prevent up to €1Bn per year will support the joint – NATO’s Digital Endeavour: Expanding the terrorist acts, thanks to the data accuracy development of defence capabilities by EU Ecosystem” is a three-day event organised they provide and their ability to detect and member states. An amount of €500M is under the auspices of the German Minis- earmarked for research. try of Defence. Some 600 senior govern- ment, military and industry leaders, as Suppliers for French BELHARRA well as defence and security experts will

Photo: HGH Frigates Selected attend the conference. The annual event is (ck) As the system engineering leader and a collaborative venture between the NATO integrator Naval Group has started to select Communications and Information Agency the suppliers and subcontractors for the five and AFCEA Europe. The participants will BELHARRA class frigates (FTI) for the French discuss new trends in digital transformation Ministry of Defence, the first of which will and upcoming business opportunities in be delivered to the French Navy in 2023. To NATO’s IT modernisation, missile defence, date, the main suppliers selected include Air Command and Control, cyber security, Axima (for heating, ventilation and air con- and intelligence. ditioning (HVAC) systems); CNIM (for so- track small objects in real time. “Our sen- nar hatches and torpedo hatches); Ixblue Peli-Hardigg at ILA sors and our Cyclope software keep on (for navigation units and their computers); (ck) Peli-Hardigg is a manufacturer of evolving to adapt to demand, and to our Leonardo (for 76 mm medium calibre artil- military approved, reusable cases that society’s growing security needs,” said Ed- lery systems); MBDA (for integration and are lightweight, watertight, heat- and ouard Campana, HGH Infrared Systems’ services relating to missile-firing installa- impact-resistant and virtually indestruct- Sales Director. tions); MTU (one of the world's leading ible. For over half a century, Peli-Hardigg manufacturers of large diesel engines); Sa- engineers have developed solutions for Leonardo to Sign OCEAN2020 fran Electronics & Defense (for the optronic the transport and packaging needs of Grant Agreement the defence sector. Phil Morrison, Peli- (ck) Leonardo has signed the grant agree- Hardigg’s Technical Packaging Project ment for OCEAN2020, the most important Manager for EMEA, explains: “Peli offers project to boost Europe's defence research an expanding global team of over 30 en- under the . The gineering experts in developing solutions initiative is funded by the European Union Photo: Naval Group for protection and transport of UAV, air- and implemented by the European Defence craft engines, satcom and weapon sys- Agency, the latter acting as contracting au- tems, regardless their size.” Peli-Hardigg thority under the ‘Preparatory Action on uses 3D engineering software to visualise

118 European Security & Defence · April 2018 a container before production. The com- tenance of more than 90% of all vehicles for aircraft with NVIS configurations and pany will showcase the 3D engineering currently in service with the French Army. integrate new night vision systems into process and some of its transport solu- Renault Trucks Defense is also a major sup- existing platforms. New helicopters are tions at the ILA Berlin Air Show (Hall 3 / plier for more than 60 countries. often equipped with night vision configu- Stand 113). rations by original equipment manufac- UK to Rejoin the BOXER turers. The night vision configuration on PROTECTOR Combined Test Team Programme helicopters comprises a complex matrix (ck) A team of Royal Air Force personnel (ck) The UK has decided to return to the involving both capabilities and person- based in the US is preparing the way for BOXER programme via the Organisa- nel. It includes a mix of devices, such as the introduction into service of the UK’s tion for Joint Armament Cooperation, or night vision goggles (NVG), and author- OCCAR. The British Army will require at ised procedures as well as crew. Thus, least 500 mechanised infantry vehicles the helicopter’s maintenance organisa- (MIV) from 2023. The UK will complete tion must be authorised within the scope the evaluation of the BOXER next year. of NVIS to effect any and all changes, as The volume of a possible contract is es- well as to uphold the overall status of the timated at €2.7 billion. ARTEC, a joint NVIS configuration. Photo: General Atomics venture between Rheinmetall (64%) and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (36%), is under CAMCOPTER Contracted by MDA contract to deliver and support more than (ck) MDA, a Maxar Technologies com- new remotely piloted air system (RPAS), 600 BOXER vehicles to the German, Dutch pany, has commissioned a fleet of Schie- the MQ-9B PROTECTOR. The PROTEC- and . Rheinmetall bel’s CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air TOR Combined Test Team (CTT) compris- has already begun to set up an industrial Systems (UAS) to fulfil a contract with es experienced pilots, sensor operators consortium in the UK including BAE Sys- an international customer. MDA chose and engineers from the Royal Air Force, tems, Thales UK, Raytheon, Rolls-Royce industry partners and the U.S. Air Force and Pearson Engineering in response to who are coordinating the testing of the the national work share requirement of at PROTECTOR system, which will replace least 60 percent. This approach will secure the MQ-9 REAPER in RAF service. “By substantial jobs across the UK to manufac- Photo: Schiebel complementing existing and future ISTAR ture, sustain and upgrade the UK BOXER and combat air capabilities such as the F-35 Lightning II, it will meet the needs of UK Defence worldwide for decades to come,” said Wing Commander Iain Hutchinson, head of the test team. The UK is investing in an initial 16 PROTEC- Photo: Rheinmetall the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS for its track TOR aircraft, manufactured by General record of providing support in sea- and Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. An land-based intelligence, surveillance and important aspect of the work of the CTT reconnaissance (ISR) missions. As a verti- will be to ensure that PROTECTOR com- cal takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, plies with national and international air- the S-100 has a small logistical footprint, space and safety regulations. fleet through life. Armin Papperger, CEO which allows for rapid deployment. By of Rheinmetall AG, commented, “As a day and night, the UAS functions as a Renault and Thales to Cooperate joint venture BOXER partner in via ARTEC platform capable of carrying a range of (ck) Renault Trucks Defense and Thales GmbH, Rheinmetall warmly welcomes the payloads. With its history of conduct- signed a Memorandum of Understanding announcement from the UK MOD. The ing surveillance in hostile environments, (MoU) in The Hague for exports markets. BOXER vehicle offers exceptional levels of MDA offers its services to an unnamed With its native electronic network BAT- protection and mobility that have been international customer. Such will include TLENET INSIDE, Renault Trucks Defense de- proven in operations, and we look for- responsibility for the acquisition of the veloped a capability to integrate Thales’ SO- ward to welcoming the British Army into fleet and the required infrastructure, TAS IT system in Renault vehicles. Developed the group of armed forces already suc- training, airworthiness, logistics, supply by Thales, SOTAS is a vehicle communica- cessfully operating BOXER vehicles.” chain management, maintenance and all tion server based on an open and modular flight operations. architecture to make it adaptive to different RUAG Expands Approvals to operational requirements. Upgrades can be Include Night Vision Systems SEDEC Defence Conference in performed without the need for reinstalla- (gwh) RUAG Aviation has extended the Ankara tion which translates into flexibility, which scope of its EASA Part 21 J Design Or- (ck) For the first time, the Turkish State in turn delivers logistical advantages for a ganisation Approval (DOA) to include Secretariat for the Defence Industry range of wheeled and tracked military ve- night vision systems. The specification (SSM) and the Association of Exporters hicles. SOTAS systems are fielded in more allows the aerospace service provider of the Turkish Defence Industry (SSI) will than 30 countries. Renault Trucks Defense to directly classify and approve modifi- jointly host the SEDEC Conference and is a major supplier to the French land forces cations and repairs, design and develop Exhibition in Ankara from 3 to 5 July and special forces, responsible for the main- supplementary type certifications (STC) 2018, bringing together international

April 2018 · European Security & Defence 119 Firms & Faces

and national players from the fields of international companies, procurement US-based Sofradir- Homeland Security, Border Security, In- committees of national authorities and EC. Mr. Delepau terior Security and Defence Systems. It purchasing managers will participate in joined ULIS as a SEDEC. SEDEC also aims to bring foreign deputy director in first and second level OEMs and sup- 2007. Previously pliers together with Turkish defence he worked in dif- SMEs and major industrial companies ferent companies Photo: SEDEC for bilateral business negotiations. In specialised in elec- addition, the achievements of the Turk- tronics & compo-

ish defence industry are presented to nents in various Photo: Jean-Francois Delepau / Sofradir Group foreign guests. positions (market- ing, production). He also has eight years New Chairman at Sofradir of experience as a technology consultant. is a platform that links the supply chains (ck) Sofradir Group shareholders Thales Mr. Delepau graduated from Ecole Poly- between major industrial producers and and Safran appointed Jean-François Dele- technique in 1986. Sofradir is a producer SMEs, as well as producers and users pau (53) as the group's new chairman. of infrared and thermal imaging detectors such as the Turkish State Secretariat for Previously managing director of ULIS, a and sensors, many of which are integrated the Defence Industry, the Directorate Sofradir Group company, Mr. Delepau will in various military applications. Safran and General for Security, Land, Air, Marine oversee all operations of the three compa- Thales are equal shareholders in the Sof- and Gendarmerie. Many national and nies within the Group: Sofradir, ULIS and radir Group.

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