Spotlight: Was Conducted by Dorothee Frank

Everything we have is completely outdated defence. national and alliance European corresponds to what we need today for the the equipment of our land forces no longer that meant have Afghanistan in years 15 ELDIG plays a very important role. Therefore, After all, troops. ground with it do we aircraftwith this carriers,We do rim. don’t Pacific’s the on Europe defend must we but of operation, area another as Pacific the have Americans The defence. land is defence European the comparison, global in see you what because intensively, very In the last two years we have built up ELDIG presents thelandgroup. group and a naval group, and the ELDIG re air an group, land a is There domains. or sectors the individual of interests specific represent which groups” “sectoral called so- are there turn, In ASD. of umbrella the under sector, defence the in industry an representatives Europe of of body ropean Eu highest the is This unit. business fence positions. ASD has a substructure and a de industrial filling to comes it when Brussels in Agency Defence European the for steps that we will be involved in all development means also This associations. the rather but companies, individual addresses ger lon no it that means This ASD. to goes it consulting, industry needs Commission an central industry contact. When the Europe Weise: ELDIG? ESD Spotlight: was conducted by Dorothee Frank. development oftheEUindefence sector andthefuture ofEuropean defence procurement. Theinterview Eurosatory. ESD Spotlight spoke withthenew ELDIGchairman,DrThomasWeise, ontherole ofELDIG,the On Monday thechairmanchipofELDIGpassedfrom Leonardo to Rheinmetall. Theceremony took placeat Europe’s Role InDefence 93 / JUN-15-18

Eurosatory Daily No 4 For official bodies the ASD isthe ASD the bodies official For Whatof the purpose is ------

last few days, otherwise it will not be heard the over seen have we as voice, one with alone can no longer do. The EU must speak states member the what do to but states, member the of sovereignity the replace to Not defence. of issue the up taken has theEU plan, defence the of derivative a is strategy,which European global the on 2015 of summer the Mogerini’s in announcements Federika since But it. lowed fol one no but 2013, in made wasTreaty Lisbon The new. completely is and before exist not did this ago, years three sector Weise: more important role in the defence sector? ESD Spotlight: In theshortest time. states.member EU the with togetherrope Eu in implemented increasingly now are programmes these that ensure to is task ELDIG’s Lithuania. in noses our of front in putting is example,for Russia, in someone our what against effective longer no and rini’s objective, the unification of European Moge Ms industry. for important very is programmes.This EU in certainty planning us gives this course of And 2018. June in day exact the on be will it 2018, June for announced is paper a example.If forforts, ef several national from EU the tinguishes dis day.This the to realised is level EU at political pressure behind it, that everything somuch is there is, thing interesting The in the concert of power. It’s happening now. SPOTLIGHT e. h E etrd h defence the entered EU The Yes. Does the EU have a new or new a have EU the Does - - - - - makeachievethe anycannotprogress and longer no can they bond European the out with- that realising are states member of number increasing an but states, member but not least, of course, this depends on Last the stable. relatively is it moment the at Weise: two years? next the over developments military on ESD Spotlight: before. Allthisisdeveloping today. these programmes, and not 120 or more as operating consortia industrial 40 only be then will there and initiatives different 40 have we total, In soldier. European a rier, car aircraft European a frigate, European a tank, battle European a have all we that path, right the down goes everyone that ensure will ministers, defence various by supported now is which systems, defence The train may still be derailing, but derailing, be still maytrain The So the EU will take the lead takethe will EU the So Published by - ISSUE 93 / 2018 2 SPOTLIGHT

development they would otherwise have And that is a completely different task for presented on the German side and only to make on their own. The development of industry. have four companies in it. These are Rhein- a new European battle tank that can with- metall, Diehl Defence, Rhode & Schwarz stand what the Russians might put against ESD Spotlight: So it’s worth to look at Eu- and IABG. That was it. Other nations are us, we we talk about €100 billion. That’s rope? much better represented. Some countries it for any national defence budget. So we Weise: Everybody’s doing it now. Mean- are currently trying to design every- can only do this together. This of course while more and more defence players thing according to their wishes. We need to has the advantage for industry that we will identify that one has to orientate towards rebalance that a little bit at the moment. I then have a single European market. Then the EU, that one has to participate in the can only recommend to all companies, not we are not talking about 200 in Germany, committees, otherwise one is not part of only the German, participate in Brussels. 400 in France, but about 4,000 in Europe. the team. We are still relatively weakly re- There is still a lot to be done here.

Italian Army Chooses Centauro II (df) This week the Italian Army signed a contract to procure 148 Centauro II. It is the third contract (but first on procurement) following the joint development of this armoured vehicle that started about five years ago. Therefore the flag “Just cho- sen by the Italian Army” was added to the Centauro II on display at the booth of the Consortium Iveco - Oto Melara (CIO). “The Centauro having been the first 8x8 wheeled antitank vehicle in the world with a high-pressure gun. The Centauro II represents the logical evolution, being armed with a third generation 120/45 mm gun, with integrated muzzle brake and semi-automatic loading system. The weapon system provides a fire power equivalent to that of most modern main battle tanks, and is capable of firing all latest generation 120 mm, NATO APFSDS and multi-role MP munitions,” the company said. parated from the crew section by explo- Another interesting detail is the jammer The statement continued: “While main- sion-proof doors, pre-carved panels and installed on top of the turret, to even ent- taining the H-drive architecture, the Cen- dedicated anti-explosion systems ensuring er electronic war with the new Centauro tauro family hallmark, the chassis was further crew safety. The Centauro II turret II. Some technical details: length (with rearranged to further improve protection is fitted with latest generation optronics 120mm barrel): 8.26 m; height (with tur- against mines and IEDs, state-of-the-art for the commander and gunner and with ret): 3.65 m; width (without mirrors): 3.12 add-on ballistic packages fitted to the hull a suite of communications and command m; ground clearance: 0.40 m; wheelbase: ensuring high level protection against ki- and control systems ensuring maximum 2.65 m; gross weight: 30 t; max speed (pa- netic energy and hollow charge projectiles. situational awareness. The turret can be ved road): 105 km/h. The first Centauro II The same applies to the turret, which also fitted with a Hitrole Light RCWS, that- in will be delivered in two years to the Italian follows the add-on armour kit concept. creases flexibility in other-than-war scena- Army. Ammunition stored in the hull and in the rios while ensuring maximum crew pro- CIO: Pav IT / Hall 6 B 301 & C 301 turret are hosted in compartments se- tection.” www.iveco-otomelara.com ISSUE 93 / 2018 3 SPOTLIGHT

Future European Tank (ds) Without doubt the most important future European armoured vehicle programme will be the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which will be managed by KMW+Nexter Defense Sys- tems (KNDS). However, while everybody talks about European countries and defence companies working together there are considerable obstacles to overcome to make that a reality. The current generation of in-service tanks were designed primarily in the Cold War era. The Leopard 2 was developed in the 1970s, the first order was placed in 1977 and the first deliveries were made in 1979, with 380 tanks delivered by 1982 and even- fence modernisation programme, Leclerc plenty of weight in reserve (some six tons) tually many thousands were built. In con- tanks are due to be upgraded. According to accommodate future growth. The fact trast the French Army Leclerc was designed to Nexter “the Scorpion programme inclu- that the Leclerc turret is fitted with an au- in the 1980s and entered service in the ear- des the modernisation of 200 Leclerc MBTs toloader system is also significant as it will ly 1990s. between 2020 and 2028 in order to enhan- give the German side of KNDS, and perhaps Inevitably the German tank was developed ce and extend their operational capacity.” the German customer, the opportunity to meet the operational requirements of They also note that “upgrades will allow to investigate a tank autoloader system, the German Army. The large numbers of industrial skills to be maintained in order something they do not have, at first-hand. Leopard 2 built developed through the to prepare for the development of next ge- There is also a symbolic angle to KNDS production of improved models and- th neration MBTs.” coming up with the E-MBT, it is something rough the upgrade of existing tanks to the What this means is that ongoing Leopard that this Franco-Germany company has latest specification. Rheinmetall received a 2 and Leclerc upgrade work should sustain done together and provides visible proof contract to modernise 104 Leopard 2 tanks the armoured vehicle industry in both of its ongoing integration as a company. for the Bundeswehr, with first deliveries France and Germany, as work on the de- These are early days in the process of in 2020. Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) sign and development of the MGCS gets moving towards the development of the have had the Leopard 2A7+ programme for underway. The key point though is that MGCS, but the challenge of developing Qatar covering 62 tanks. these are two different national industri- a replacement for the Leopard 2 and the It is a different situation in France, due to al ecosystems, the real challenge comes Leclerc cannot be underestimated. Inter- the fact that the Leclerc programme com- when you seek to integrate these two in- national collaborative tank programmes do menced much later than the Leopard 2, dustrial systems as you will need to do to not have a good history, the MBT-70 pro- by the time the first French tanks were make MGCS a reality. gramme between the U.S. and Germany is delivered the Cold War was over and the Part of the process of getting to under- just one example of a failed effort. To make threat that had driven the design of the stand the challenges of integrating diffe- MGCS work is going to require firm mana- tank was gone. The Leclerc was purchased rent French and German ideas on tanks has gement and adequate funding at the poli- in respectable numbers though, the French led KNDS to come up with the Euro Main tical level, agreed, adhered to and realistic Army acquired some 400 and 20 recovery Battle Tank (E-MBT). This sees the chassis operational requirements from the user variants, with the United Arab Emirates of a Leopard 2A7 integrated with the turret and effective industrial management and acquiring 388 Leclerc tanks. Although the from a Leclerc, this will provide KNDS with coordination between the industrial prime Leclerc is out of production ongoing upgra- a platform to demonstrate new technolo- and companies in the two countries. de work has continued on these vehicles. gies and as the E-MBT configuration is ligh- KNDS: Ext Pe6b B 170 As a part of the French Army Scorpion de- ter than a standard Leopard 2A7 there is www.knds.com ISSUE 93 / 2018 4 SPOTLIGHT

Plug And Click Robotics Not Only one can do with the hands, so no special For Special Forces instruments are needed. (df) Some very interesting robotic systems The same is true for all modules that might are shown at the Nexter booth at Eurosa- be added to Nerva LG. The photo shows tory. Especially Nerva LG, the most establis- Nerva LG with thermal camera (black mo- hed product of Nexter Robotics, has some dule) and below a nuclear sensor (red mo- quite interesting capabilities, because it dule). Adding and removing modules is really is modular. also plug and click. In total one can buy 24 There is one platform equipped with four different modules, among them: thermal cameras for guiding the robot, but all the imaging, radiological sensor, PTZ camera, other things are exchangeable. The control disruptor mount, chemical sensor, drop- station is self-explaining and easy to use. ping charge, 2D-mapping, smoke genera- Two variants of wheels exist, one just for tor, vehicle inspection, gunshot detection, driving and the other for driving for- and generic support, non-lethal weapon, two- backward together with driving sideways. way intercom, 360° IR illumination, µ-ca- French COS, the German GSG9 or the Aus- Also tracks might be added, so that Nerva mera, and even a grenade launcher. trian Cobra. LG might even climb stairs. The exchange Nerva LG is in use with several special Nexter: Ext Pe6b B 170 of wheels or tracks is just a plug and click police or military forces, for example the www.nexter-group.fr

Stratobus Approaching a year. In Europe there are three to four (df) Not quite a launch, but a very interes- days with quite some wind, so that might ting technology shown at Thales booth is become a limitation. Stratobus. This zeppelin-like balloon is 110 According to the company Stratobus will metre long and mounts up – due to the he- reach technological readiness level (TLR) lium, like a balloon, till it reaches the ope- 5-6 (technology demonstration) by mid- rational altitude of 20 km. It might carry a produce the necessary power to stay in the 2019, make the first demonstration flight in payload of up to 450 kg. Maximum speed wanted position or fly to the next one. The 2021 and enter production in 2022. France is 90 km/h. operational altitude of 20 km is due to is still looking for partners for the demons- Stratobus might serve as a communication the winds in the Stratosphere. The French tration phase. So far Italy and Spain have “satellite” enabling up to 4G in the area of Aerospace Agency CNES has done some shown special interest, because they could operation. It might be a surveillance asset, research on Stratosphere weather and 20 need such a cost-effective and mobile sur- watching for example forest fires or ma- km is the zone with the fewest winds, even veillance asset for controlling their maritime traffic. The quite high payload en- though it also depends on the continent. ritime borders and the Mediterranean Sea. ables Stratobus to slip into a lot of different In Africa there are almost no winds in that Thales: Ext Pe6a B 500 roles. Solar cells at the sides of the zeppelin zone, so Stratobus could operate for about www.thalesgroup.com

Anti-Tank Solutions focus of military planners, the company (df) Dynamit Nobel Defence shows at Euro- has experienced. Therefore the showcase satory their new concept and concentration has several options for these “classic” batt- on anti-tank ammunition. During the time lefields, of course not left-overs from the of increasing engagement in operations all Cold War but new state-of-the-art systems around the world there was a slight shift with capabilities, one could not even think of interest in most armed forces towards about twenty years ago. ammunition and weapon systems for small Pav DE / Hall 6 K 690 precise strikes. Now tanks again enter the www.dn-defence.com ISSUE 93 / 2018 5 SPOTLIGHT

U.S. Army’s New Marksman System (ds) The U.S. Army will field its new Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDM-R) star- daytime optics to provide a long-range sur- ting in September, the SDM-R is based on veillance and identification capability. the Heckler & Koch G28E-110 Compact Se- ting, with limited In a related development the U.S. Army mi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS), also user testing to take place early in 2019. Program Executive Office (PEO) Ammuni- known as the M110A1 system in the US. This weapon will replace the M110 Semi tion announced that it working on replace- According to the U.S. Army the objective of Automatic Sniper System (SASS) manu- ment ideas for the conventional brass ca- the SDM-R is to provide infantry, scout, and factured by the Knight’s Armament Com- ses used in 7.62x51 mm rounds to offer re- engineer squads the capability to engage pany (KAC). The HK G28 was a version of duced weight ammunition. Thus far three with accurate rifle fire at longer range. their HK417 design developed to meet the concepts are being worked on: a stainless At present the standard U.S. Army M4 needs of the German Army for a designa- steel metal injection moulded case, a brass 5.56x45 mm calibre rifle performs best out ted marksman rifle, a modified version of case with a polymer body and a stainless to 300 metres, where the 7.62x51 mm SD- the G28 was offered to meet the CSASS re- steel case with a polymer body. Active tes- M-R fits in is to cover the 300 to 600 metre quirement that emerged in 2014, with the ting of these concepts is to begin shortly, sector where the U.S. Army perceived that German company being declared as win- with the aim of qualifying a successful de- they lacked capability. The SDM-R will uti- ner of the competition in 2016. Key criteria sign by Financial Year (FY) 2021 and fielding lise M80A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds for the CSASS competition were that the the new round in FY 2022. Interest in these or XM1158 Advanced Armour Piercing M110 replacement had to be more com- new round concepts goes beyond the U.S. Rounds, as well as standard ammunition pact in format and lighter in weight. The Army, the U.S. Special Operations Com- natures. The SDM-R will be fitted with the new CSASS rifle will also feature a more mand and the British military are partners SIG Tango 6 variable 1x6 power scope. The effective suppressor system to reduce the in the programme. PEO Ammunition is also SDM-R differs from the CSASS in that it has chance of detection during an engagement looking at cartridge case replacements for a different buttstock and barrel twist. and a new muzzle brake that will allow other calibres, including .50. As regards the CSASS rifle, this system is the operator to rapidly make follow-on Heckler & Koch: Pav DE / Hall 6 K 616 on course for production qualification tes- shots. It is will also have higher power www.heckler-kock.com

New Line Of Small Red Dot Sights closed system that is much more durable mitment we make to our customers is to (df) Aimpoint introduced their new line than those with open systems. It is fully develop the highest performing red-dot of red dot sights, the Aimpoint ACRO tested for shock, vibration, temperature sights available. The Acro P-1 optic fulfills (Advanced Compact Reflex Optic) series, at span and other environmental stress. that commitment by providing the lightest Eurosatory. This series was developed for “The development of the Acro P-1 sight and most rugged enclosed red-dot sight in use on pistols and other weapon platforms sets a new standard for compact pistol its size category on the market.” and theresore is especially small and light. mounted reflex optics,” said Aimpoint’s Aimpoint: Pav SE / Hall 6 G 370 Within this family the Acro P-1 offers an en- President Lennart Ljungfelt. “The com- www.aimpoint.com

Spain Signs Contract With EXPAL equipped with base bleed unit, modular (df) At Eurosatory the Spanish Army and propellant charge and EC-102 electronic EXPAL Systems have confirmed the re- fuse. This fuze extends the versatility of the cently signed framework agreement for rounds by having impact, time and delay the supply of extended range 155 mm operation modes under a single projectile field artillery ammunition over the next 5 configuration. years. The contract includes the delivery of EXPAL: Hall 6 F 133 high-explosive extended-range projectiles www.expal.biz ISSUE 93 / 2018 6 SPOTLIGHT

Nexter At Centre Of French Army for the vehicles in 2017 (covering 319 Grif- Armour Refresh fon and 20 Jaguar vehicles). According to (ds) The French Army is in the process of Nexter, the French Army will acquire up to replacing or upgrading much of its armou- 300 Jaguar vehicles, with the potential for red vehicle fleet, with Nexter, the French 48 more, Griffon numbers are much higher, element of KMW+Nexter Defense Systems the French Army intends to acquire 1872 (KNDS), playing a major role. There is much vehicles, with the potential for 150 more.

to look forward to as well, in the shape of Nexter) (Photo: Production of Jaguar and Griffon to meet the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), tar covering 490 vehicles, which is a major French Army needs will continue beyond the future tank that will replace the Leclerc boost to the programme. 2025, with the future of the programme in the French Army and the Leopard 2 in One of the most significant French Army being further assured by the fact that the the German Army. The French Army also armour programmes will see the replace- first export order has been received. In has future light armoured vehicle requirement of the Panhard ERC-90 Sagaie, the June 2017 Belgium signed a €1.1 billion ments that will probably become a reality Nexter AMX-10RCR and the VAB HOT an- contract for 417 Griffon and 60 Jaguar. post-2025. ti-tank vehicle by a new vehicle the Engin In February this year Nexter won another In terms of in-service vehicles the two Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat major vehicle programme for the French key systems are the Leclerc tank and the (EBRC) Jaguar. Also to be replaced is the Army in the shape of the VBMR Léger. In Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie 4x4 version of the VAB and this will see the total the French Army will acquire three (VBCI).The French Army tank fleet will arrival of the Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles different versions of the VBMR in -16 dif consist of 200 Leclerc by 2020, with these (VBMR) Griffon. The Griffon will fulfil a ferent sub-variants. Nexter list the French vehicles having been upgraded by Nexter. multitude of roles in the French Army and Army VBMR acquisition numbers as 976 As regards the VBCI, this 8x8 vehicle re- 10 different variants are being developed. vehicles, with the potential for 420 more. placed the AMX-10P in French Army servi- The Jaguar and the Griffon are the result of What is immediately apparent here is that ce and some 630 vehicles are currently in the Engin Blindé Multi-Rôles (EBMR) requi- Nexter now have a solid base of work to use. rement, for a medium-weight armoured carry them through the 2020s and possibly The French Army is receiving a new versi- vehicle system to meet the needs of the beyond if more export orders are received. on of the VBCI that features an increased Scorpion (Synergie du contact renforcée This will set the scene for work to com- 32-ton gross weight translating into impro- par la polyvalence et l’infovalorisation) mence on the future Franco-German tank ved protection and higher payload (up to army modernisation programme. Meeting programme, to which can be added specia- 13 tons). Nexter are also suggesting an this requirement saw the formation of list variants of the tank and other systems, upgrade path for the VBCI, for example Temporary Business Grouping that combi- for example a self-propelled gun system. the installation of a new turret with the 40 ned Nexter, Arquus and Thales in January All of which would seem to have secured mm CTA gun, to replace the current Dragar 2014. By the end of that year, the French the future of the French armoured vehicle with its 25 mm cannon, or a range of in- government announced that the EBMR industry for many years to come. creased protection options. The VBCI has vehicles would be delivered from 2018 Nexter: Ext Pe6b B 170 also achieved is first export order from Qa- onwards, and they placed their first orders www.nexter-group.fr

Low Energy Field Kitchen kitchen has already been fielded to Malay- (df) The company SERT was able to really sia. CR 300 weighs less than 900 kg and proof the capabilities of their new field kit- consumes low electric power, due to its la- chen CR 300 in a life test with the visitors test-generation components. It is designed of Eurosatory. Over 50.000 visitors have al- to ensure fast catering for 50 to 300 people ready visited Eurosatory and even if not all in the field. It has a modular approach and found their way to the booth, CR 300 was therefore is able to meet most needs. quite able to offer anyone passing by a real SERT: Ext Pe6b B 301 good meal, cooked and/or baked. The field www.sert.fr ISSUE 93 / 2018 7 SPOTLIGHT

Undersea Defence Technology 2018 Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) strives towards and continues to deliver a platform for the subsea com- munity to gather and discuss the industry’s most pressing questions, prominent technologies and innovative solutions. UDT will see international companies encompassing prime contractors, systems integrators, service providers and small & medium enterprises meet and network with over 1,400 industry influencers, government decision makers and senior military officials. June 26-28, Glasgow, UK

SEDEC It is aimed to bring together both national and international authorities and buyers from both the state and the private sector showcasing latest technology in border security, homeland security, secure city sectors. In addition, medium and small bu- sinesses in the defence industry supply chain will have the opportunity to demonstrate their products and capabilities to manufacturers of defence materiel. July 3-5, Ankara, Turkey

MS&D – International Conference on Maritime Security and Defence In its 10th year of existence, MS&D – the international conference on maritime security and defence – will attract more attention than ever. During the extended two-day conference, speakers and lecturers will address pressing topics – including cybersecurity, climate change and naval technology. Be part of it and seize the opportunity to get together with high ranking global delegations. September 6-7, Hamburg, Germany

ADEX Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition, ADEX, is the largest event in the region, the aim of which is to present a wide range of military products while promoting the innovative development of the Azerbaijani military-industrial complex. The exhibition is also a platform for cooperation between foreign arms-producing companies and the Azerbaijani military departments and defence industry enterprises. September 25-27, Baku, Azerbaijan

ХI INTERNATIONAL AVIATION AND SPACE SALON AVIASVIT-XXI Aircraft and rocket engineering is the subject of national pride for many generations of Ukrainians and „Aviasvit-XXI“ is the display area in Ukraine for showcasing innovative solutions and technology in this segment. XI International Aviation and Space Salon „Aviasvit-XXI“ is a professional platform where science, business and government meet in order to join forces to resolve global and applied objectives for the development of the international aerospace industry. October 9-12, Kyiv, Ukraine

XV INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIZED EXHIBITION ARMS AND SECURITY In recent years, the Ukrainian security and defence sector has gained invaluable experience whilst also actively engaging new technologies developed by its international partners. International Exhibition “Arms and Security” is a large-scale multi-domain exhibition for defence, homeland security, emergency and civil protection services. The exhibition is held according to a decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine which guarantees the presence of Ukrainian top leaders and a high level of international audience. October 9-12, Kyiv, Ukraine

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