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

& operations and missions civilian and military European Action in EU Night Vision Night International Security and Defence Journal Defence and Security International European Defence Security

challenges Strong demand is on being spurred by new security Conventional Submarines COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

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Much Ado About Little

athos, kitsch and euphoric resolutions mood. Citizens expect politicians to invest Phave always been part of the style rep- more in internal and external security and ertoire of European summits. If they were to tackle cross-border problems in cross- formerly reserved for the real landmarks border cooperation. Who, if not the EU, of European integration, their use today should be able to provide a suitable frame- is inflationary. Since the outbreak of the work for this? financial crisis more than a decade ago, the And yet, prudence is required. Actionism European Union has been working on a is not a concept yet. On the contrary. To steadily growing number of problems that it advance this or that project in an uncon- is failing to master. Wherever the attempted trolled fashion on the basis of current op- solutions lack the power of persuasion, at portunities and interests can very quickly least their staging and full-bodied rhetoric lead to a veritable waste of resources. are supposed to convey confidence. If you Moreover, PESCO is not a new brilliant summarise all the important courses that idea, but an instrument provided for by have recently been set in this way, the ques- the Treaty of Lisbon a decade ago. It does tion arises as to whether there is still any not have to be interpreted as an expres- policy field in which a secure and prosperous sion of lethargy or neglect of duty that this future for Europeans has not long since been possibility has not yet been used. Several heralded. Unfortunately, the citizens of our bilateral or multinational collaborations continent are too stubborn to be infected by have been launched even without this this optimism. Far too many of them have framework. Such "coalitions of the willing" already said goodbye internally to the EU. In do not necessarily gain in flexibility and ef- some Member States this mood is so strong ficiency if they are embedded in the larger that it shapes the government's course. To- context of the EU. This applies in particular day's task is more than management of cur- to the very extensive cooperation agreed rent crises. The EU itself, as we know it today by France and Germany in July 2017. Both at any rate, is undergoing a test. countries together account for more than In such a situation, it may seem rather 50 percent of the defence budget of all 23 ambitious to want to open a new chapter PESCO nations. Their bilateral collaboration in European integration in a field that has could very quickly be deprived of any mo- hitherto been more in the background. mentum if it becomes a kind of EU project On 13 November, the foreign and defence through the PESCO backdoor. ministers of 23 of the current 28 EU Mem- But above all, it is important to ensure that ber States agreed on a comprehensive everything the Europeans do fits into the package of commitments and measures plans of NATO and in the end those dupli- intended to make pragmatic progress cate structures they have solemnly sworn towards a security union under what is to avoid do not take shape. Hitherto, you called Permanent Structured Cooperation could count on the British to pay attention (PESCO). At the beginning of December, to this. Since they are also saying goodbye the first projects were identified in which to the EU's Common Security and Defence cooperation was to be promoted in differ- Policy (CSDP) with Brexit, this voice of trans- ent constellations. atlantic reason has fallen silent. France does Just a few years ago, it would have been not want to raise it and Germany cannot. necessary to explain laboriously to the The poor media image of the Trump admin- public why the EU as civilian power sud- istration makes it easy to use anti-American denly also wanted to gain military weight. resentment in order to pass off Europe go- Today this is different. Citizens are worried ing its separate way as taking on responsi- and unsettled. They are aware how precar- bility for itself. The security of our continent ious the security situation is in many crisis- is not served thereby. It will continue to be hit regions on the southern and eastern guaranteed in the future only by the tried periphery of their continent. The terrorist and tested alliance with the Americans threat has long since become daily routine (and the British). for them. Surveys show a clear change of Peter Bossdorf

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 1 Content

Country Focus: Hungary Georgian Military Modernisation (Photo: NATO) (Photo: via Miroslaw Gyürösi)

Security and defence policy – armed forces – It is not yet clear whether the current reform will be procurement programmes Pages 30-41 more successful than the previous ones. Page 42

SECURITY POLICY COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

12 Russian-Iranian Relations: A Mixed Bag 30 Securing Sovereignty and Integrity Eugene Kogan Hungarian Security Policy within the Framework of NATO and EU 17 Making Sense of the Shanghai Thomas Bauer Cooperation Organisation Stephen Blank 34 Security and Defence Policy of Hungary General Tibor Benk 22 Azerbaijan - Gateway to Central Asia Korhan Özkilinc 38 Hungary Begins Long-Awaited Modernisation 26 The Iranian Shadow over the Zord Gábor László Middle East and Beyond Bill Roy ARMED FORCES

Index of Advertisers 42 Georgian Military Modernisation: CONTROP 73 Two Steps Forward, One Step Back Eugene Kogan Ceska zbrojovka a.s. (CZ) 3rd cover 48 XIth Regional Seapower Symposium Enforce Tac 31 Guy Toremans

EXPAL 59 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

German Naval Yards 79 52 Conventional Submarines – Global Developments Hagenuk Marinekommunikation 77 Conrad Waters Hirtenberger Defence Systems 61 59 Mortar Ammunition: New Weapon – New Ammunition International Armoured Vehicles Forum 83 Michael Johnsson MTU 4th cover 66 Night Vision and Night Combat Capabilities Miltech Hellas 3 Waldemar Geiger NIMR 2nd cover 71 Getting the Picture – The Individual Weapon Sight Sector SOFEX 33 David Saw thyssenkrupp 53 75 Milipol In Sight David Saw Underwater Defence & Security 55

U.T.SEC 29

2 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Maritime Defence Industry in Germany

VIEWPOINT FROM …

16 Tbilisi Beka Kiria 25 Paris Denys Kolesnyk (Photo: German Naval Yards) 51 Copenhagen J. Bo Leimand

THE BRUSSELS BACKDROP 46 The EU in Action: European Military and Shipyards and their domestic suppliers have a Civilian Missions and Operations reputation for high-quality special ships. Page 76 Joris Verbeurgt

INDUSTRY & MARKETS COLUMNS 76 The Development of the Maritime Defence Industry in Germany 1 Editorial Peter Grundmann Periscope 81 "We are designed to be a 4 European player." 45 Masthead Interview with the Co-CEOs of the KNDS Group: Frank Haun, CEO of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH 90 Firms & Faces & Co. KG, and Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of Nexter Group. 91 Preview IAV Special 84 For the Security of the Country Peter Jenni 96 Preview Issue 01/2018 86 Romanian Procurement Programmes: Wish List versus (Sober) Reality Eugene Kogan

December 2017 · European Security & Defence眀眀眀⸀洀3椀氀琀攀挀栀⸀最爀 礀漀甀爀 琀栀攀爀洀愀氀 瀀漀椀渀琀 漀昀 瘀椀攀眀 Periscope

Drone Surveillance fitted (“plug and play”) into Airbus Heli- for 12 Hours copter’s military platforms such as H125M, (ck) The French company Aero Surveillance H145M and H225M for operations where Photo: BAE introduced a tethered option for its Quad equipment flexibility is a vital criterion. It is and Octocopter ASV 30 400 and 800 series designed to meet the requirements of de- UAVs, designed for Police and Security ap- fence agencies seeking light attack mission plications. The tethered system is capable capabilities. The H145M is a military heli- of hovering at up to 100 metres altitude copter derived from the H145, designed for arduous Special Forces and police missions: the H145 fleet has flown more than 80,000 flight hours. With a maximum take-off weight of 3.7 tonnes the H145M can be operational use: the trials, conducted by used for armed reconnaissance, ground fire BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, UK, support, anti-tank warfare, escort, tactical form part of a programme of new enhance- Photo: AeroSurveillance transport, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC. Cus- ments which will be rolled out across the tomers for the H145M include Germany, Royal Air Force (RAF) to bolster TYPHOON’s Serbia and Thailand. combat capability. BRIMSTONE will provide TYPHOON with a low collateral, pin-point New 2.75” Rocket accurate air-to-surface weapon, enhanc- for up to 12 hours at a time, providing Launchers ing the aircraft’s swing-role performance. persistent surveillance solutions and 360° (ck) Arnold Defense, a St Louis-based man- The BRIMSTONE missile is now available for full motion video by day and night. The ufacturer of 2.75” rocket launchers, pre- further evaluation by the RAF. BRIMSTONE cable link enables the system to provide sented its new, ultra-light LWL-XII and the is part of the Phase 3 Enhancement (P3E) virtually unlimited aerial surveillance at a combat-proven M260 2.75”/70mm weap- package which also includes mission system reasonable price. The ASV 30 Quadcopter and sensor upgrades. P3E is the final part of with four or Octocopter with eight rotors Project Centurion – the programme to en- can also operate in free mode for up to sure a smooth transition of TORNADO GR4 60 minutes. The system has a payload of capabilities on to TYPHOON for the RAF. up to 6kg and a range of up to 10km in free mode, and comes with a dual-display High-Speed Ballistic Photo: Arnold Defense ground control station designed to operate Protected Shutters in both free and tethered mode simply by (ck) EFAPROTECT is a highly specialised switching power modules. With onboard business division of EFAFLEX Tor- und Si- image processing for enhanced resolu- cherheitssysteme GmbH & Co. KG, Mu- tion, image stability and object tracking, on systems at the 2017 Dubai Air Show. The nich, Germany, developing and manu- the electro-optical payload is capable of LWL-XII weighs just over 27kg. Traditionally, facturing some of the world’s fastest detecting moving objects at up to 15 km. 2.75” rocket systems have been used as an area suppression weapon, ordinarily de- Airbus Helicopters ployed by aviation assets, but Arnold De- Completes HForce Firing fense is currently developing the FLETCHER Tests in Hungary smart, laser-guided 4-round launcher, (ck) Airbus Helicopters recently completed which is vehicle-mounted. FLETCHER uses Photo: EFAPROTECT a ballistic test of an HForce weapon sys- laser-guided rocket technology to meet the tem on an H145M on Pápa Airbase in demands of air, land and naval, mounted Hungary. The test included guns (FN Her- and dismounted asymmetric warfare. Ar- nold Defense is one of the world’s largest suppliers of rocket launchers, manufactur- ing systems that can be customised for any size, weight or capacity for air, ground, and naval platforms. The company has manu- factured more than 1.1 million 2.75” rocket

Photo: Airbus Helicopters launchers since 1961 for the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force and many NATO cus- tomers.

BRIMSTONE: Successful ballistic-protected and anti-burglary doors. stal HMP400), unguided rockets (Thales TYPHOON Integration Trials EFAFLEX is claimed to be the only company FZ231) and cannon (Nexter NC621), with (ck) A series of live firings of the BRIM- worldwide to focus exclusively on high- an electro-optical targeting system by Wes- STONE precision strike missile from a Eu- speed shutters, and presented its latest de- cam (MX15) and a helmet mounted sight rofighter TYPHOON has been successfully velopments at Milipol in Paris in November display by Thales (SCORPION). HForce is an completed. The aim of the trials was to 2017. The company has taken its 40 years incremental weapon system that can be provide weapons integration clearance for of design and engineering experience to

4 European Security & Defence · December 2017 develop a world first in the ballistics indus- act location of a radiation source. The FLIR adjustable (for length and height) with ei- try: the world’s fastest vertically opening identiFINDER R440 meets the American ther concave or convex butt plate and a / multi hit-resistant shutter. The brand is National Standards Institute (ANSI) N42.34 foldable offset buttstock for aiming and synonymous with premium quality and standard, has been drop-tested up to one shooting with an anti-riot or bulletproof precision engineering, and the new shut- metre, and is the industry’s only IP67-rated helmet visor. When fully extended with a ter is both burglar-resistant up to RC4 and RIID, which means it can withstand rain, telescopic buttstock, the gun has a length has exceptional opening and closing door splashing, and accidental submersion. of 65cm and a weight of 3.1kg. It has a blade speeds of up to 2 metres per second. magazine capacity of 30 rounds and a cy- EFAPROTECT shutters combine maximum FLIR identiFINDER R300 for clical rate of 550-650 rounds per minute. operating speeds, ballistic protection and US Homeland Security Also at MILIPOL Paris FN Herstal presented functional security with availability in a (ck) The US Department a new pistol. The FN 509 9x19mm pistol is variety of protection classes, certified ac- of Homeland Security is to a striker-fired weapon designed for security cording to country-specific guidelines. They buy an unspecified quan- forces. A major feature is its short recoil, Photo: FLIR will feature EFAFLEX’s unique patented tity of FLIR identiFINDER brought about by the low bore axis. The spiral design which is virtually wear-free R300 spectroscopic per- slide and grip feature non-slip surfaces; the for reduced maintenance, minimal down sonal radiation detectors magazine latch, slide release and safety are time and ameliorated through-life costs. under a contract valued ambidextrous, and interchangeable back- It is anticipated that EFAPROTECT will fast at US$ 17.174M. For a follow in the footsteps of EFAFLEX to be- period of five years, FLIR come the high security protection shutter is to deliver these devices of choice within industries including law to the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office enforcement, military, maritime, govern- (DNDO), a branch of the US Department Photo FN Herstal ment, banking, hotels, private estates and of Homeland Security (DHS). The delivery is embassies. part of the Human Portable Tripwire (HPT) programme, and deliveries will extend until New Radioisotope mid-2019. The identiFINDER R300 is a belt- Detector from FLIR worn spectroscopic pager that eliminates straps permit adaptation to all hand sizes. (ck) FLIR has developed a new handheld false alarms and false positives by providing This pistol has been tested with a variety of radioisotope detector called the FLIR iden- a continuous radiation detection capability 9x19mm ammunition types including FN EP tiFINDER R440. This radiation detector and threat identification. Under the con- and EPT cartridges. The FN 509 has fixed provides one-hand operability and rapid tract, all DHS branches can procure HPT sys- 3-dot luminescent sights, providing target tems and associated services, including war- acquisition even in low light conditions. It ranty, maintenance support and training. also features a tactile and visible loaded chamber indicator and a 17-round capac- Photo: FLIR New FN SCAR Carbine ity magazine that allows a visual ammo and Pistol check. The handgun weighs 960g with a (ck) FN Herstal, one of the world’s leading full magazine. manufacturers of small arms, introduced a new subcompact carbine at MILIPOL Paris IPT for A330 MRTT 2017. The new FN SCAR-SC is a recent ad- (ck) Airbus Defence & Space has entrust- dition to FN’s SCAR family, which is in use ed Indra, a manufacturer of simulators, with the US Special Forces. The 5.56x45mm to develop a tactical and Integrated Pro- detection and identification during survey (.223) calibre gun has an extremely com- cedures Trainer (IPT) for training pilots of missions and secondary screening opera- the A330 MRTT aerial refuelling tanker tions. Weighing 1.5kg, the identiFINDER aircraft. Delivery is scheduled for 2019. R440 is a small and light radioisotope iden- The trainer is a key element for pilots to tification device (RIID) with a 2” by 2” so- familiarise themselves with the aircraft: all dium iodide (NaI) detector. It offers some Photo FN Herstal pilots must pass mandatory training before 3.5 times more sensitivity than similarly- assuming control of the real aircraft, which sized RIIDs, so that responders can detect requires the completion of a number of radiation from greater distance and behind flight hours on simulators. The simulators heavier shielding. Due to an extended en- permit training / exercising situations which ergy range, the identiFINDER R440 can pact design that makes it well suited for are impossible to reproduce using a real detect gamma radiation and can also in- homeland security operations. Adapted for aircraft without fatal consequences. These dicate the presence of neutrons found in mobility and flexibility, the FN SCAR-SC has include engine failure, aircraft stalling and special nuclear materials. The user interface semi-auto only or selective fire capabilities, emergency landings. The trainer replicates and easy-to-read data of the identiFINDER non-reciprocating charging handle and the aircraft’s instrument panel with the R440 allow easy integration with existing various add-ons including a red dot sight, aid of touch screens. The trainer enables operational protocols. The device has built- tactical light, a variety of foregrips and a pilots to learn by „putting their hands on in wireless communications and features sound suppressor. The FN SCAR-SC comes the wheel“ of the aircraft from the very a new 360° degree EasyFinder mode that with a telescopic buttstock as standard. beginning, to move on to „flying“ in the pinpoints and leads the operator to the ex- Optional buttstocks include fixed, foldable, Full Flight Simulator during the final stage.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 5 Periscope

This preparation is eminently practical and offers both ‘fire-and-forget’ and ‘man-in- results in a faster, improved training process the-loop’ capabilities. The first enables so that pilots are ready to fly an aircraft Photo: IWI fixed or mobile targets to be engaged with- at maximum safety levels as soon as pos- out intervention by the operator during the sible. Indra‘s IPT may also be connected to missile’s flight. The second allows the oper- the Part Task Training system (PTT) used ator to change targets mid-flight, to refine by boom operators for refuelling from the the point of impact, or to divert the missile; A330 MRTT, so pilots can train in this com- it also opens up the possibility of firing at plex operation, in which they must coor- hidden targets beyond the direct line of dinate with the both the boom operators sight. The weapon system can be used by and the crew of the aircraft being refuelled. mer frame as well as a polygonal cold ham- day and night, and its multi-purpose war- The contract for developing the A330 MRTT mer forged barrel with a 1:10 right-hand head is effective against vehicles, armour, trainer is in addition to one already awarded twist rate. The pistol comes with ambidex- infrastructure and personnel. It has a range to Indra in 2015 to develop the level D Full trous operating controls and fixed 3-dot of over 4,000 metres. The missile can be Flight Simulator (FFS) for the same aircraft. tritium illuminated Meprolight night sights. fired from confined spaces which is crucial Indra has supplied over 200 simulators to It has an overall length of 18.6cm with a for urban combat, and it can be shoulder- over fifty clients in 23 countries. barrel length of 10.4cm and a weight with- fired by dismounted infantrymen or fitted out the magazine of 650g. The MASADA on the EBRC Jaguar armoured reconnais- Kongsberg Sonars for will be available in four colours: sniper grey, sance and combat vehicle, which is due to GÖTEBORG Class Corvettes OD green, black, and flat dark earth. be delivered to the French Army in 2020. (ck) As part of Saab’s upgrade programme for the GÖTEBORG Class corvette fleet French Army to Receive New Meprolight Red Dot Kongsberg Maritime will deliver ST2400 First MMPs Sight Variable Depth Sonar systems (VDS) for (ck) The French defence procurement agen- (ck) Meprolight, a manufacturer of electro- anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to the Roy- cy, the Direction Générale de l’Armement optical systems, thermal and night vision al Swedish Navy. Kongsberg Maritime has (DGA), has accepted delivery to the French equipment, self-illuminated sights, and manufactured naval sonars for ASW and Armed Forces of the first batch of 50 mis- Laser Range Finder systems for military, mine hunting for more than 30 years, and siles and 20 firing posts of the new Missile the main purpose of the ST2400 VDS is to Moyenne Portée (MMP) system from MB- detect submarines, mines and unmanned DA. Deliveries were conducted between 15 underwater vehicles in littoral waters. The and 23 November 2017. The new system ST2400 VDS upgrade will strengthen the will gradually replace the Milan and the Photo: Meprolight GÖTEBORG class corvettes’ ASW capabil- ity while operating in the Baltic Sea. The ST2400 VDS is a medium-frequency sonar

with an emphasis on operations in shallow Photo: MBDA waters. It is a compact design, weighing un- der 3 tonnes, and it can be rapidly deployed for high speed manoeuvring. Key features law enforcement and civil applications, of the ST2400 VDS include omni and sec- presented a new additional version of its tor transmission, electronic map overlay, MEPRO M5 Red Dot Sight at Milipol 2017. sound propagation, advanced tracking and The new version has a Bullseye reticle that detection, as well as a built-in simulator for allows extended operating time while pro- training. The system overcomes traditional viding quick acquisition of a target using a towed array sonar issues with ambiguity, large display window. The MEPRO M5 Red- buoyancy and omni coverage. HOT missiles mounted on VAB Armoured Dot Sight is an energy-efficient, compact Fighting Vehicles and it will be issued to sight that provides thousands of operating IWI Introduces New Pistol French Army infantry and cavalry units, and hours with a single “AA” commercial bat- (ck) At MILIPOL 2017 Israel Weapon Indus- to Special Forces of the Army, Navy and Air tery. Featuring LED technology and rugged tries (IWI) presented the new MASADA line Force. The MMP programme will see the MIL-STD design, the sight has a large display of striker-based pistols for military, law en- delivery of 400 firing posts and 1,750 mis- window to ensure target acquisition with forcement, and civilian markets. The first siles across all of the French Armed Forces both eyes open. Offering numerous reticle model, the full size 9x19mm MASADA, has by 2025: first deliveries will be used to train brightness intensities, the MEPRO M5 suits several safety mechanisms including a fir- future users. The weapon system will be every tactical scenario. To facilitate night ing pin block safety, a trigger reset with deployed in operations in the course of operations and long-range target engage- built-in trigger safety, and a fast, easy and 2018. The DGA, which awarded MBDA the ment, the MEPRO M5 is compatible with safe takedown – with no need to pull the MMP contract in 2013, qualified the sys- GEN II and GEN III NVGs as well as with trigger. The pistol has an easily racked slide tem in July 2017, clearing the way for serial magnifying scopes. Its human engineering with improved front and rear cocking ser- production. The government-run techno- allows positioning of NVGs and magnifiers rations, enhanced ergonomics with the IWI operational trials at the DGA’s test centre in close to the sight’s optics with no decrease grip angle, and a low barrel axis for reduced Bourges confirmed that the system met the in the field-of-view and without compro- recoil. The body has a glass-reinforced poly- requirement of the armed forces. The MMP mising convenient switch operation.

6 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Anti-Vehicle Barriers ing either shock absorbing seats or saddle from Mifram seats with laminated foam-core seating. (sb) Mifram Security, a developer of anti- Seats and saddles are fitted to cargo-rails terror solutions, threat protection systems making reconfiguration and optional lay- and fortifications for the military, presented Photo: Naval Group outs easy to implement. Movement around several fully-developed vehicle barriers for the MARATHON 900 RHIB-D is helped by the prevention of vehicle-ramming attacks grab-rails, robust anti-skid surfaces in step at Milipol 2017. Mifram’s portable road zones and ample work lights when need- barriers include models that stop vehicles the supply of 15 surface combatant ships ed. The overall length of the boat is 9.57m weighing up to 40 tonnes, moving at speed. for the Royal Canadian Navy. The frigates and maximum displacement is 3,850kg. Mifram introduced three easy-to-operate would be built in Canada at Irving Ship- portable barriers, made of elastic materials building, maximising Canadian indus- UK Selects NovAtel that absorb the energy of the vehicle, al- trial participation and job creation locally for Type 26 lowing the transfer from kinetic energy to through a transfer of technology as well (ck) NovAtel’s GPS Anti-Jam Technology potential energy, driving the momentum as integrating Canadian suppliers into the (GAJT) has been selected by the UK for the of an intruding vehicle into the ground to two companies’ global supply chains. Naval Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates to meet a re- Group and Fincantieri have previously col- quirement as part of a protected navigation laborated on major naval projects, includ- system. The Type 26 frigates are intended ing the joint development of the FREMM to replace the Type 23 frigate as the work- frigate, which is now able to execute mis- Photo: Mifram sions in all warfare domains such as AAW, ASW, ASuW, Land Attack, and Command Ship, for example. The general purpose and anti-submarine warfare variants are already Photo: NovAtel in service in two leading NATO navies.

Norsafe Launches New bring it to a complete, nearly immediate MARATHON 900 RHIB-D stop. The FBM flat drive-over folded barrier (sb) Norsafe is a developer of robust military is a multipurpose anti-ram vehicle barrier boats for use in extreme weather condi- horse of the British fleet, undertaking the which can stop vehicles weighing up to tions. Its latest product is the multi-mission Royal Navy‘s three core roles - warfight- 2,500 kg, including cars, trucks, tractors, high speed craft MARATHON 900 RHIB-D. ing, maritime security and international motorcycles, and ATVs. The barrier is suited Its rigid bulwarks and D-fender configu- engagement - on the world stage. GAJT for deployment in urban areas as individual ration increase the available deck space; protects GPS-based navigation and precise units fit together to suit varying vehicle and cargo track configurations make the layout timing receivers from intentional jamming road sizes. The PYRAMID drive-over folded and accidental interference, ensuring that barrier for heavy vehicles is a two-way bar- the satellite signals necessary to compute rier that blocks entrances and exits at the time and position are always available. It is a same time, and is ideal for deployment in Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) product, urban areas. The modular anti-ram bar- Photo: Norsafe and comes in versions suitable for land, sea, rier can stop vehicles of up to 7 tonnes. fixed installations and smaller platforms It requires no concrete foundation, can such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). be activated either hydraulically or manu- Warships, military vehicles and platforms, ally and can serve either as a temporary or networks and timing infrastructure all ben- permanent barrier. The RMB stops heavy efit from anti-jamming protection. There is trucks weighing up to 40 tonnes. The bar- flexible and optimised for user-specific con- no need to replace GPS receivers already rier allows the transfer of kinetic energy to figurations. Ergonomics and safety in ex- installed, as GAJT works with civil and potential energy, causing the vehicle in the treme conditions have been factored into military receivers including SAASM and process of stopping to tip upwards in the the design; all main controls and switches M-Code. air, thus minimizing the damage caused by are within direct reach of the pilot and the the impact. console has been designed with large flat Czech Republic to Buy surfaces to install additional mission-specif- UH-1Y Utility Helicopters FREMM for Canada? ic equipment. The navigational lights have (sb) The US State Department has approved (ck) Canada wishes to acquire a proven been positioned so that they do not reflect a possible FMS to the Czech Republic for 12 NATO warship design that could be modi- or light up the vessel during night opera- UH-1Y utility helicopters, at an estimated fied to meet Canadian Navy requirements, tions and the radar arch has been produced cost of US$575M. The sale is expected to and the Naval Group from France together with high-tech woven GRP mats reducing cover 12 UH-1Y utility helicopters, along with Italian shipbuilders Fincantieri, with vibration and stress on electronic sensors with 25 T-700 GE 401C engines (24 in- the support of both French and Italian gov- and equipment mounted on a large flex- stalled and one spare), 13 Honeywell Em- ernments, will present an “off-the-shelf” ible mounting surface. The vessel can also bedded GPS/INS (EGI) (one spare), and 12 solution to Canada based on the FREMM be delivered with self-righting capabilities. 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns. The request frigate design in pursuit of a contract for Crew and passengers can be seated us- also includes BRITE STAR II FLIR system, the

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 7 Periscope

AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning and Laser De- with a powerful engine and four-wheel- units and delivered them to customers in tection System, AN/ALE-47 Counter Meas- drive. The armoured cabin accommodates 13 nations including The Netherlands and ure Dispensing System (CMDS) and the AN/ up to 10 passengers. Germany. In September 2017, US and Ger- APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), man soldiers fired the first of dozens of live Joint Mission Planning Systems, Helmet SPIKE LR 2, 5th Gen for IDF PATRIOT and STINGER missiles at the NATO Mounted Displays, communication equip- (ck) Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has facilities in Crete, aimed at strengthening ment, small calibre gun systems including been awarded a contract with the Israel the response to potential attacks from Rus- GAU-17A and GAU-21, electronic warfare sia and any other countries. The exercise on systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) the Greek island includes a series of emerg- Mode 4/5 transponder, spare and repair ing “real world threats” such as the use

parts, tools and test equipment, technical Image: Rafael of drones, electronic warfare and electro- data and publications and personnel train- magnetic pulses. The exercise came amid ing. As with all FMS deals, this proposed a big push by the United States, Germany sale will support the foreign policy of the and other NATO members to rebuild their US by improving the security of a NATO short-range air defence systems after the partner. The Czech Republic intends to use shock of Russia’s annexation of the Crimea these helicopters to modernise its armed region and its support of separatists in the forces and strengthen its homeland de- Donbass region of Ukraine. fence and to deter regional threats, while further enhancing interoperability with the Defense Forces (IDF) to supply more than New Practice Ammo US and other NATO allies. 1,000 SPIKE LR 2, 5th generation electro- for LEOPARD 2 optical, precision-guided missiles. The (sb) Rheinmetall will supply the New Plasan Armoured SUV SPIKE LR 2 has a range of 5.5 km when German Bundeswehr with new (sb) Israeli armouring specialist Plasan has fired from ground launchers (an increase practice ammunition for main launched a new variant of the SandCat of over 35% from the 4km range of the battle tanks. This is the German STORMER for police and counter-terrorism original SPIKE LR) and up to 10km when Army’s first-ever order of the units. The SandCat STORMER is a light tac- fired from a helicopter using the RF Da- new DM98 full-calibre 120mm tical armoured vehicle with a high protec- talink. The IDF is a long-time operational practice ammunition. The first tion level. It is designed to serve in various user of the SPIKE Missile Family, and the 10,000 rounds of DM98 am- mission profiles requiring a highly manoeu- addition of the SPIKE LR 2 will enhance munition will reach the Bun- both its infantry engagement range and its deswehr before the end of the lethality against a wide variety of targets. year. Rheinmetall expects to The SPIKE LR 2’s connectivity through the receive an order for a further Photo: Rheinmetall

Photo: Plasan IDF‘s network of sensors and effectors will 3,200 cartridges at the begin- enhance overall force capabilities. The IDF‘s ning of 2018, with shipment LR 2 procurement complements the IDF’s due in the first quarter of the fielding of the Integrated Control Launch year. The entire order is valued at €24.7M. Unit, the new digital networked launchers Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH devel- that provide improved tactical connectivity oped the 120mm full-calibre round as a for third party target allocation. SPIKE LR 2 successor to the DM18. Essential charac- vrable and highly-protected vehicle, such is a multipurpose missile with full common- teristics of the new round include a geom- as – increasingly - urban law enforcement, ality to the SPIKE Missile legacy. The LR 2 is etry and length comparable to its DM18 peace-keeping, homeland security and integrated with all existing types of SPIKE predecessor and above-average accuracy border patrol. The SandCat STORMER is launchers in use today, enabling all of them at ranges exceeding 2,000 metres. It also equipped with the SCAT system to address to fire both LR and LR 2 Missiles features a tracer function that assures low-intensity conflict levels of violence with steady visibility in all light conditions. In re- a variety of non-lethal and less-than-lethal Sweden to Buy PATRIOT sponse to an operational requirement, the options, providing precise and propor- (ck) Notwithstanding the unpleasant cost new round – initially known as the RH88 tionate crowd control, preventing civilian shock PATRIOT delivered recently to Po- – was qualified in 2015 for all variants of casualties, and without risking the system land, Sweden intends to buy Raytheon’s LEOPARD 2 main armament, with Den- operators. SCAT is a roof-mounted RCWS PATRIOT air defence missile system for mark serving as the pilot customer. In 2016 with day & night imaging, command and US$1.2Bn, amid heightened regional ten- it was successfully qualified with a second control system, dazzler, multi-shot 40mm sions and global offensive ballistic missile packaging system by the Bundeswehr, and smoke/gas grenade launcher, Long Range technology improvements: Iran, North Ko- introduced as the DM98. The official des- Acoustic Device, and an optional rifle. The rea and Russia, among others, have made ignation in English is “Cartridge 120mm SandCat STORMER offers optimisation significant advances in their missile technol- x 570, DM98 TP-T”, with the final initials between protection, payload, and cost ogy. The Swedish government will make standing for target practice tracer. These through the use of composite materials to a final decision on the acquisition during two German orders mean that by the end defeat threats, particularly in urban areas 2018. Raytheon will aim at deliveries be- of 2017, Rheinmetall will have supplied over and civilian operations. It offers relatively ginning in 2020, and for the system to be 20,000 rounds of RH88/DM98 ammuni- low cost of ownership by using a reliable operational by 2025 at the latest. Raythe- tion to four different LEOPARD 2 user na- commercial Ford F550 Super Duty chassis on has built more than 220 PATRIOT fire tions in three years.

8 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Berlin Police Orders Saab Subsystems Order for SURVIVOR R METEOR

(ck) The Berlin Police have ordered a pro- Photo: Safran (ck) Saab will deliver subsystems for the tected SURVIVOR R vehicle from Rheinmet- MBDA METEOR Beyond Visual Range Air- all Vehicle Systems Division RMMV. Tailored to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) missile system. to meet the requirements of the Opera- The order value amounts to approximately tions Directorate, this vehicle is earmarked SEK150M and deliveries to MBDA will take for delivery in July 2018. The order is worth place during the 2020-2021 period. Swe- a six-figure Euro amount. After Saxony, Ber- tion (FMV) for use at its Vidsel Test Range. den is working with France, Germany, Italy, lin is the second German region to equip its Robonic, based in Tampere, Finland, is a Spain and the UK to develop and field the police force with the SURVIVOR R. Made by Safran Electronics & Defence-owned en- METEOR, with MBDA as the programme’s RMMV, the SURVIVOR R meets the impera- gineering company that manufactures un- prime contractor. This order from MBDA tives of security and mobility. Developed in manned air system launchers. Delivery will comprises deliveries of radar proximity fuse cooperation with Austrian vehicle maker take place before the end of 2017. Designed subsystems (PFS) for the METEOR missile Achleitner, the SURVIVOR R is ideally-suited to launch tactical unmanned air systems system. The PFS is developed and manufac- to police SWAT-type operations: vehicles and target drones, the pneumatic launcher tured by Saab and integrated in all METEOR of this kind are important in high-risk situ- is capable of catapulting several types of missiles: the PFS detects the target and ations when special operators need to be aerial target drones aloft. The KONTIO calculates the optimum time to detonate transported safely to an area of opera- launcher is a mobile universal launcher with the warhead in order to achieve maximum tions. The SURVIVOR R is based on a 4x4 a large mass and speed envelope, which effect. The METEOR is an advanced, long- MAN truck chassis, outfitted with a steel make it suitable for numerous variants of range, agile air-to-air missile system that armour passenger compartment. Capable targets or tactical unmanned aerial vehi- is uniquely designed to counter sophisti- of reaching a top speed of over 100 km/h, cles. It is designed to launch air vehicles of cated airborne threats. In 2016, the Swed- this vehicle combines automotive engi- up to 140kg with a 70 m/s exit velocity or ish Air Force´s GRIPEN fighters became the neering with force protection technology alternatives up to 500kg at 37 m/s. world’s first combat aircraft to declare an from Rheinmetall. The vehicle’s armoured operational METEOR capability, as part of Hellenic Navy Avionic GRIPEN’s MS20 capability upgrade. Upgrades (ck) Rockwell Collins will modernise the EMILY to Power Polaris cockpits of Greek P-3 aircraft with its Rock- (ck) The EMILY 3000 fuel cell by SFC Energy, well Collins Flight2 integrated avionics sys- a provider of hybrid power solutions to the Photo: Rheinmetall tem, which has been selected by Lockheed stationary and mobile power generation Martin to bring Hellenic Navy P-3 aircraft markets, is the power generator on board Polaris Defence’s modified MRZR-D4 high mobility tactical vehicle. The MRZR-D4 is an ultra-light tactical vehicle developed by Polaris Defence to meet the mobility needs monocoque cab can be equipped with of international special operations forces, add-on protection elements; a ventilation and expeditionary and light infantry forces system for filtering out nuclear, biological Photo: Rockwell Collins in off-road missions and facing emerging and chemical agents is standard. The de- threats. On board of the MRZR-D4 an sign and appearance of the police version EMILY 3000 fuel cell provides reliable tacti- of the SURVIVOR R is intended to convey a de-escalating, non-military impression. The vehicle can carry up to eleven law en- forcement officers and their equipment into compliance with upcoming mandates Photo: SFC as well as extensive communications and for unrestricted global airspace operations. command and control hardware. Civilian The Flight2 integrated avionics upgrade off-the-shelf and standard military compo- will convert the flight deck into an all-glass nents result in a sensibly priced vehicle. This cockpit, making for easier viewing of criti- makes the SURVIVOR R a cost-efficient, cal information on the primary and multi- easy-to-maintain vehicle with low lifecycle function flight displays, and the engine costs and high operational readiness. instrument display system. Additionally, integrated communications and Identifica- Robonic to Deliver KONTIO tion Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode-5 capabilities cal power for extended mobility and mis- to Sweden ensure mission readiness. Already installed sion endurance. The EMILY fuel cell is an (sb) As reported briefly in our Finland on 15 Greek C130s, Flight2 is built on archi- autonomous power source on board that Country Focus (see ESD 7/17), Robonic, a tecture compliant with Communications, recharges batteries anytime, anywhere. subsidiary of Safran Electronics &Defence, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic SFC fuel cell and accessory products carry has signed a contract to deliver a third- Management Systems (CNS/ATM), sup- a NATO stock number codification and are generation KONTIO pneumatic launcher to portable and sustainable to meet current approved for air transportation according the Swedish Defence Materiel Administra- and future aviation mandates. to UN3473.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 9 Periscope

California Launch for First mechanised, reproducible and comprehen- that enables weight reduction, leading to Spanish Military Satellite sively documented process, DLHP welding enhanced mobility and / or increased ar- (ck) Hisdesar, the Spanish government also reduces the risks caused by the manual mour protection level with no increase satellite services company, announced the MAG welding process, which is commonly in overall weight: new threats demand launch window of military radar satellite applied in the defence and security environ- enhanced protection at lighter weights PAZ as January 30, 2018. The US company ment. Ballistic and blast tests according to to increase user mobility. New armour WTD standards have successfully been car- systems have to not only provide protec- ried out at the German Test and Evaluation tion to security professionals, but also to Unit for Defence Technology („Wehrtech- ground vehicles, maritime platforms, and

Photo: Airbus nische Dienststelle WTD“). DLHP welding is assorted airframes used in carrying out now in its final phase of patent application the mission. ENDUMAX SHIELD XF33 can and testing. be used for high-performance hard body armour plates, helmets and rigid panels IWI’s New Bullpup for vehicle and maritime protection. EN- (sb) Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), a pro- DUMAX SHIELD XF33 achieves a superior ducer of small arms for law enforcement performance-to-weight solution for body agencies and the military, presented its new armour inserts, such as NIJ III standalone as 7.62x51mm calibre IWI TAVOR 7 rifle at well as in conjunction with ballistic vests. Space X will put PAZ into orbit through its Milipol 2017, as an addition to the TAVOR Thanks to the structural integrity achieved Falcon 9 launcher in the Vandenberg (Cali- bullpup rifle family. The IWI TAVOR family with low processing pressures, the use of fornia) area base after two years of delay of assault rifles was developed in coopera- ENDUMAX SHIELD XF33 for vehicle and due to the war in Ukraine: originally, the tion with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and maritime protection enables easier process- Ukrainian-Russian consortium Kosmotras is in service in the IDF Infantry and Special ing of larger panels with few or no seams, was to put the PAZ into orbit in 2015 from Forces. The TAVOR 7 is an ambidextrous which minimises potentially vulnerable the city of Dnipró, but the war intervened. joints and increases design freedom for The satellite will be able to take more than optimum panel cuts, thereby making the 100 images per day, with which it will cover solution more cost-efficient. an area of more than 300,000 square kilo- Photo: IWI metres every 24 hours, with high-resolu- TenCate Adaptable tion images. The satellite‘s main contractor Armour System is Airbus Defence & Space, managing a (ck) TenCate Advanced Armour has devel- consortium of 18 Spanish companies and weapon on which the user can switch the oped a new threat-compliant body armour universities. ejection port and the charging handle from system that can be adapted to accom- one side to the other. The ambidextrous fea- modate different threat levels within the New Welding Technology tures include safety lever, magazine release, same system by using add-on plates to the for Armoured Steel and bolt catch similar to the X95. The IWI (ck) Larger parts and components for ar- TAVOR 7 also includes an M-LOK fore-end moured vehicles have to undergo a careful (2 M-LOK slots at 3 and 9 o‘clock) as well manual welding process to ensure highest as a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail to allow safety properties at and around the connec- the use of multiple devices and accessories. Photo: TenCate tion points of the steel plates. Stahlkontor, The rifle’s body is built from high-strength, a Germany-based specialist for the process- impact-modified polymer, and it has a ham- ing of high grade steels for defence and civil mer-forged, chrome-lined, free-floating applications, has now patented a new fully barrel. Additional features include a short automated joining technology. The propri- stroke gas piston with a 4-position variable etary „Dual-LaserHybrid-Process” (DLHP) gas regulator including an OFF position de- reduces stress-induced risks of cracking and signed for special operation needs, a rotat- breakage in the welding zone. This new ing bolt system that ensures safety for the process has successfully undergone ballistic user, and a pistol grip that can be changed and blast tests at civil and defence authority or modified. It is available in four colours: establishments and has proven itself to be sniper grey, OD Green, Black, and Flat Dark TenCate Multi-light CXP461IC Basic Light a reliable, safe and faster way to produce Earth, with replaceable barrels available in plate. Two modular add-on plates can be vehicle components made of armoured 432mm or 508mm, for various uses. The accommodated in the carrier system and be steel. DLHP combines simultaneous Laser rifle has an overall length of 723mm and inserted or extracted to optimise the protec- and MAG welding with a special inductive without a magazine weighs 4.1kg. tion level of the complete system. The new heat treatment of the armoured steel plates, body armour system is relevant for units and the main aspect of this process is the Teijin Aramid Introduces operating in zones with alternating threat significant reduction of stress-induced risks ENDUMAX SHIELD XF33 levels such as Special Forces and infantry op- of cracking and breakage in and around the (ck) Teijin Aramid has developed a poly- erating in urban environments. TenCate Ad- weld seam, eliminating a weak point of the ethylene-based armour fibre called EN- vanced Armour presented its new TenCate vehicle component when under pressure DUMAX SHIELD XF33. This is a UHMWPE Multi-light CXP461IC Basic Light plate and loads from explosives or ballistic attack. As a (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) the additional Operator and Breacher plates

10 European Security & Defence · December 2017 at Milipol 2017. The TenCate Multi-light by its high manoeuvrability, mobility, quick as compact water-treatment for saline and CXP461IC Basic Light provides protection response, automation of combat operations contaminated water sources. The tank is against NIJ level III+AK47MSC in accordance and its efficiency in engaging a broad range capable of sustaining positive pressure and with NIJ 0101.06 at only 720g and can ac- of targets. partial vacuum to compensate for diverse commodate the Operator or Breacher plate operating conditions including during air- to increase the protection level to 5.56x45 WEW Pods for US Army lift, commensurate with modern military SS109 or AP ammunition up to NIJ level IV (ck) WEW Container Systems has received a logistic requirements arising from multi- respectively. The TenCate Multi-light CX- contract to deliver additional CAMEL low- modal operations. P461IC Basic Light plate is up to 25% lighter profile water tank modules for the US Army: than currently marketed AK47MSC plates. WEW will deliver 167 tanks to prime con- Electo-Optical Systems The plates offered in the system leverage the tractor Choctaw Defense for integration from Belarus protective capability of the Basic Light plate into the CAMEL II Unit Water Pod System. (sb) Modern combat operations dictate to reach a protection level against higher The system includes the 800USgal. CAMEL special materiel requirements. One of the classification threats. This provides the op- tank integrated into a frame and mounted main criteria is multifunctionality. That is erator with the possibility to tailor ballistic why combined electro-optic systems have protection level against a mission-by-mis- become more and more popular, and Be- sion requirement, equips the operator for a lOMO Holding and STC LEMT from the Re- broader range of operations, and decreases public of Belarus specialize in such devices the need for units to stock plates for specific for Special Operations Forces, Infantry and operational requirements. Police. The TV/R 2 is a portable electro-optic observation device which has the optimum TOR-M2 for Belarus number of functions for use on the battle- (sb) The Government of Belarus and Rus- Photo: WEW Container Systems field – a thermal imaging channel which al- sia’s Almaz-Antey defence contractor have onto the M1095 trailer. The trailers will ei- lows detection of human targets – by size signed a deal on the delivery of another bat- ther be newly manufactured or refurbished and characteristics – to ranges exceeding tery of TOR-M2 air defence missile systems by Choctaw. Delivery to Choctaw Defense to Belarus. The first batteries of TOR-M2 sur- began in August 2017, with production face-to-air missile systems entered service of up to six units per week thereafter. with the 120th anti-aircraft missile Brigade The extremely low-profile system is a key of the Air Force and Air Defence Troops in element of the US Army’s primary water Photo: BelOMO 2011-2012. In early 2014, the 120th Brigade distribution system for platoon level and set up an air defence battalion comprising below. WEW delivered 327 CAMEL tank three batteries armed with TOR-M2 missile units to Choctaw Defense in 2013-14 as systems. The TOR-M2 air defence missile part of the US Army’s CAMEL II Unit Water systems also went into operation with the Pod programme. The thin-skinned water 740th antiaircraft missile brigade in 2016. tank, which incorporates five patents, is The TOR-M2 air defence missile system is an insulated and jacketed and equipped with 2,000 metres, a laser rangefinder for dis- effective means to hit aircraft, helicopters, an internal baffle system to prevent water tance measurement providing an accuracy manoeuvring unmanned aerial vehicles, surge during rugged operations over rough of ±1 metre, magnetic compass, angular missiles and also other precision weapons terrain. It also has freeze protection. Other sensor, GPS. This combination of sensors flying at medium, low and extremely low variants equipped with generator sets can and functions covers all the requirements altitudes in an adverse air and jamming / EW be integrated with a chiller system to pro- for sniper tasks, for example, or night time environments. The TOR-M2 is characterised vide temperature-controlled water, as well operations. Regarding night combat, image fusion is one of the key technologies also of- fered by BelOMO and LEMT as the solution to the problem of choosing between night and thermal vision. The Belarussian TN-KS Find us on facebook! Observation Device offers both Image Inten- sification and Thermal Imaging on one plat- form – channels may be used separately or together. This offers the advantages of both systems – target detection at long range  and high-quality, detailed images at closer ranges. Also, the combined device makes it possible to use IR target designators which are generally not compatible with thermal vision technology. The TV/R2 is undergoing trials with Belarussian Special Forces, and Daily News – Upcoming Events the TN-KS is in the prototyping stage: both were presented at MILEX 2017. BelOMO www.facebook.com/eurodefence and LEMT will be present at several specialist defence exhibitions throughout 2018.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 11  SECURITY POLICY Russian-Iranian Relations: A Mixed Bag

Eugene Kogan

The declaration that Russia and Iran are strategic partners lacks both solid foundation and strategic perspective.

espite the sense of urgency generated Dby regional and global concerns, Rus- sia and Iran have failed to establish broad-

based economic, scientific, technical, edu- Photo: kremlin.ru cational and societal ties. In terms of arms exports, Russia still sees Iran as a customer, while Iran is doing its best to distance itself from Russia and to become self-reliant; Iran has recently turned to China in order to diversify its weapons imports away from Russia. Whether this divergence will con- tinue remains to be seen. One thing is cer- tain: Iran is interested in buying commercial aircraft from Europe and the United States rather than Russia, even if the latter insist on it. Whether or not this could lead to a collapse of bilateral relations is not a matter of course, but both issues, the burgeoning Iranian defence industry and the purchase of commercial aircraft from countries other than Russia, must be carefully monitored. Finally, the potential for Iranian gas exports to Europe, Gazprom’s main market to date, may further intensify the discomfort in this relationship that is based not on trust but on the need for cooperation to ward off Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran, shaking hands American interests in the region. during Putin’s visit to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit in Iran in November 2015. Despite the friendly appearance, Russia has been Russian and Iranian Mixed blocking Iranian attempts to export gas to Europe. Interests railways would not connect Iran with Rus- tries away from the Southern Caucasus and Russia and Iran differ on the topics of Ar- sia. This connection would only have been the Eastern Mediterranean. It can be said menia and Israel. Iran is to some extent in- possible if Georgia had agreed to allow rail that pragmatism was and still is the core of terested in expanding its business relations transport through Abkhazia, which is not bilateral relations. Despite their pragmatic with Armenia, while Russia is either not re- the case. Thus, the railway project lost out approach, the two countries differ when ally interested in expanding the relationship against a competing Azerbaijani-Iranian it comes to promoting their position in the or is constantly resisting Iranian overtures. initiative, which has accelerated since 2016. world. Russia perceives itself as a world The case of the possible construction of Hussein Yaghoubi, Director General for In- power on the international stage on par the Southern Armenian Railway, which ternational Affairs at the Central Bank of with China and the USA. Nevertheless, failed to secure external funding, not even Iran, said on 27 October 2017: “Under the Russia and Iran are opposed to US-led in- from Iran, underlines the ambivalence of recent agreement, Azerbaijan has agreed tervention in the region, be it in the South- Iran and the disinterest of Russia, since the to allocate US$500M for the construction ern Caucasus or Syria. The United States of railways.” was and still is the driving force behind the Author Russia is not prepared to support Iran’s hos- economic sanctions imposed on Iran in the tility toward Israel. Russia prefers to keep past and on Russia following the annexa- Eugene Kogan is a defence an eye on Iran. At the same time, Russia is tion of the Crimea in March 2014. It must and security expert based in Tbilisi, preventing Israel from unilaterally attack- be recalled, however, that Moscow has Georgia. ing Iran. Nevertheless, Russia and Iran are supported the UN Security Council resolu- ready to work together to keep other coun- tions imposing economic sanctions on Iran

12 European Security & Defence · December 2017 SECURITY POLICY 

ons. Putin’s pursuit of better relations with Israel did not prevent Putin from forging closer ties with Iran when he refused to call Iran’s affiliated armed group Hezbollah a terrorist organisation and to prevent Rus- Photo: Vitaly Kuzmin / Wikipedia CC sian weapons from falling into the hands of Hezbollah. Whether or not Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government rejects Putin’s policy of considering the concerns of both sides is irrelevant to Putin, although Putin has a good relationship with Netan- yahu and Netanyahu is often in Moscow. Netanyahu visited Moscow in August 2017 for the sixth time since the Russian inter- vention in Syria in September 2015. Putin will do the best for Russia and not the best for Israel or Iran. Consequently, the Russians were less concerned than the Israelis about Iran’s improved technical nuclear capabilities and the political rationality of its leader- ship, while at the same time the Russians warned of the dangers of an Israeli pre- Loader-launcher and 9A83ME launcher of the Russian S-300VM emptive strike against Iranian nuclear fa- ANTEY-2500 SAM missile system at the MAKS Airshow in 2011. cilities, the danger of which only became Iran is interested in buying modern Russian SAM systems. apparent in April 2010. Putin’s pragmatism can therefore be described as pure cynicism for its nuclear programme in 2006-2008 alienating them both. It seems that Iran on the basis of clearly formulated priorities, and 2010. Whether the opposition to the has so far accepted the balancing act of which both the Israeli and Iranian Govern- United States and the existing world or- Moscow. Perhaps Iran is just waiting for ments reluctantly accept out of caution. der is a sufficient reason to unite the two the right moment to change the balance countries in the long term is not a matter of of power. It is clear that Iran is ready to be Diverging Interests or course and remains open to debate. patient for the time being. For how long is Wishful Thinking Russia continues to regard Iran as its ar- hard to say. maments customer. But as early as May Despite Moscow’s understanding of Israel’s In the energy sector, Iran and Russia are 2016, the Rouhani government decided concerns about Russian arms sales to Iran, potential competitors. The 140-kilometre- to diversify the country’s arms and military Moscow has no qualms about supplying long gas pipeline, which was officially inau- technology imports and to focus more weapons to Tehran. Russia insists on the gurated in 2007, supplies natural gas from strongly on China as a counterpart to Rus- full price paid by Iran for Russian weap- Tabriz, Iran, to Armenia. Contrary to Iran’s sia. Until now, China, unlike Russia, has not sold arms to Iran, but that is no longer excluded. This development must be mon- itored carefully. In addition to turning to China, Iran is also striving to become self- reliant, and that is what worries Moscow, Photo: Wikipedia CC because Russia is not interested in having Iran as a potential arms competitor in the countries near Iran, but rather a country that procures arms exclusively from Mos- cow and pays for them in hard currency. In addition to preserving Iran as an arma- ments customer, Russia is also interested in maintaining a positive relationship with Iran’s regional rivals Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Moscow wants to preserve its flexibility and not allow Iran any chance to corner it. However, Iran’s hostility to Is- rael constitutes a difficult balancing act for Russia. Israel wants to ensure that Russian A Chinese J-10 aircraft at the Zhuhai Airshow. The J-10 is part of the core weapons sold to Iran do not fall into the arsenal of the Chinese Air Force. China wants to sell 150 J-10 fighters hands of Israel’s enemy Hezbollah. Mos- to Iran. The J-10 is an all-weather, multirole fighter with modern air cow takes into account Israel’s concerns, combat capabilities against both land and air targets. Iran currently but this requires Russia’s constant atten- has around 500 aircraft, mostly older jets like the F-4D, Su-24, F-5E, tion in dealing with Iran and Israel, without J-7M and the F1.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 13  SECURITY POLICY

cooperate more closely on oil and gas. The trilateral format helped Moscow formulate a plan to supply Northern Iran with natural gas via Azerbaijan in exchange for Iranian LNG to be supplied to Russian companies in the Persian Gulf. This, in turn, would allow Iran to reduce its dependence on Turkmeni- stan as the only natural gas supplier, while the Russian authorities could ensure that Photo: Mikhail Arutiunian / Wikipedia CC at least part of the Iranian gas does not enter Europe. However, the total quantity of Iranian gas that will reach Europe is likely to displease Russia. Russian-Iranian trade is declining. For ex- ample, in 2015, trade between the two countries amounted to US$1.2Bn, com- pared with US$1.7Bn in 2014 and with US$3.5Bn per year in 2010 and 2011. However, according to the Department of Asian Affairs of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoFA), trade between Iran and Russia recovered to over US$2Bn in 2016, with energy, machinery and weapons sales accounting for the lion’s share of transac- tions. According to RBC Information Sys- tems of Russia, Russia supplied weapons worth more than US$300M to Iran. Never- The new headquarters of Gazprom Armenia in the capital Yerevan. The theless, this modest upturn can hardly be Russian state-owned company Gazprom controls the entire gas distribu- described as a breakthrough, as both sides tion network in Armenia, thereby denying Iranian companies access to expected higher sales. But reality turned the Armenian market. out to be different. By mid-2016, long-discussed joint projects original plans, the pipeline cannot be used volved in energy projects that could under- in the energy sector were still on the draw- for larger exports outside Armenia, as its mine Russia’s position in the European and ing board and the construction of the sec- diameter has been reduced at the request Turkish energy markets. In August 2016, ond and third power units of the Bushehr of Russia. Consequently, the annual capac- President Vladimir Putin called on his Azer- nuclear power plant that were discussed ity of 2.3 billion cubic metres of natural baijani and Iranian counterparts in Baku to back in November 2014 had not yet begun. gas is not sufficient for export to Europe. Today, the entire gas distribution network in Armenia is controlled by Gazprom Arme- nia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Russian Gazprom. In other words, “Give the Em- peror what belongs to the Emperor” and accept reality.

As sanctions against Iran were eased in Janu- Photo: Wikipedia CC ary 2016, Gazprom began new negotiations to increase its presence as an investor in the Iranian energy sector. But the experience in Armenia has led many Iranian experts to be wary of Russian policy and Russia is unlikely to gain a foothold in the Iranian market, as the Government of Rouhani is not prepared to open up the lucrative market, even if Iran needs time and investment to achieve its goals. Whether or not Iran will turn to the EU for investment in the energy sector is something that cannot be discussed here. Nevertheless, it can be said that Tehran is considering this. But much also depends on the willingness of European investors to sign up. EU investors are reluctant to provide The Chinese Fast Attack Craft 2208 – Type-022 HOUBEI Class. China funds for fear of US sanctions. offered the HOUBEI Class high-speed missile boats to Iran. China also Moscow is also concerned that Iran, Azer- sold the boat to Pakistan. China and Iran already have a long-standing baijan or even both of them could be in- navy-to-navy relationship.

14 European Security & Defence · December 2017 SECURITY POLICY 

Therefore, it is premature to say whether in particular with a view to strengthening Russia, while Russia is boasting about its bi- Rosatom, Russia’s major nuclear energy defence capabilities. So far, no concrete lateral relations. This has nothing to do with corporation, is looking for new orders to arms deals have been concluded between Moscow’s sense of superiority, as some re- compete after it finishes constructing re- Russia and Iran, although frequently pub- searchers claim, but with different politi- actors at Bushehr. We need to remember lished figures of about US$10Bn have been cal positions. Russia plays the role of world that most Iranian companies are short of announced for a potential deal. The JCPOA power and Iran acts as a regional power. In money, which means that their Russian aims to lift the UN arms embargo by Octo- addition, both sides accept the fact that the counterparts have to find the finances for ber 2020. Until then, all sales of offensive diverging positions are unlikely to change in each project. Since Russia is also experienc- weapons systems to Iran must be approved the foreseeable future and that both sides ing a credit crunch, only a small part of the by the UN Security Council. This is the rea- must therefore find a modus vivendi. projects receives government loans. son for the unsigned arms agreements, but In summary, it can be said that even with For instance, this was the case with the negotiations are continuing. the increase in trade in 2016, Russian eco- construction of a thermal power plant Iran will continue to use its close relations nomic relations and investment in Iran are in Bandar Abbas and with the supply of with Russia to improve its defence struc- below average and not very impressive. The rail wagons by Uralvagonzavod. Russia’s ture, implement its regional policy and number of Iranian tourists travelling to Rus- Vnesheconombank (VEB) signed an agree- protect its interests at the international sia in 2016 was rather low (about 80,000) ment with an Iranian Bank of Industry and level. Russia’s right of veto in the UN Secu- compared with the number of Iranians Mining over a loan worth US$1.2Bn for the development of the plant in Bandar Ab- bas. Uralvagonzavod won the contract for the supply of 5,000 wagons, the first batch of which was shipped in September 2016. In addition, Russia and Iran signed a US$2.5Bn deal in late July 2017 to set up Photo: Uralvagonzavod a much-needed rail wagon factory. Both sides will set up a new joint venture, 80 percent of which will be owned by Russia, but financed 100 percent by Russia. In the summer of 2016, the Russian gov- ernment released two loans (one of which as cited above was provided by VEB) to Iran totalling €2.2Bn (or about US$2.5Bn), but a promised US$5Bn loan to Tehran to promote industrial co-operation has yet to materialise. There are plenty of doubts re- garding its materialisation. During Putin’s visit to Tehran on 1 No- vember 2017, Russia and Iran agreed on The Russian state-owned defence company Uralvagonzavod delivered strategic energy transactions worth up to more than 5,000 railway wagons to Iran. The Type 12-581 wagon de- US$30Bn for the development of Iranian signed for export to Iran has a capacity of 66 tonnes. oil and gas fields as well as for research cooperation. But the agreement does not rity Council is an important instrument for travelling to neighbouring countries such yet mean that it will be implemented. defending Iran’s interests against possible as Armenia (189,000), Azerbaijan (about It can therefore be said that the above- Western sanctions, and the Iranian leader- 220,000), Georgia (142,000) and Turkey mentioned diverging interests and/or ship values continuous Russian aid. At the (1.7 million). On the other hand, Iranian ex- dreams must be approached carefully in same time, Moscow is concerned about patriates from the USA and Britain travel to order to improve the current situation and the development of the Iranian medium- Iran to visit their relatives and get to know implement the above-mentioned projects. range ballistic missile programme, but this the country their parents left more than 40 concern is now rarely or not at all made years ago. A Small Change in Relations public. In September 2017, Iran had suc- The arms deals in preparation are cur- or just an Illusion cessfully tested a new medium-range mis- rently awaiting the lifting of the UN Se- sile despite Russian frowning. curity Council’s arms embargo. Whether Nonetheless, since the signing of the Joint The Iranian-Russian relationship is not a China can counteract Russian arms sales Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) strategic partnership, but a wary partner- to Iran must be carefully monitored. between Iran and the P5+1 world powers ship in which both sides pay close attention It is therefore unlikely that Iran will be- – the United States, the United Kingdom, to each other and take special precautions come Russia’s strategic partner, and most Russia, France, China and Germany – in to avoid misunderstandings and misinter- Moscovites and Tehranis can hope that a 2015, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatol- pretations or possible mishaps. Lack of pragmatic relationship will develop based lah Ali Khamenei, enthusiastically support- coordination, despite the support of Aya- on the interests of the two countries as ed the initiative to deepen relations with tollah Ali Khamenei, could be one of the defined by their respective leaderships. Moscow while remaining cautious towards determining factors for the wary relations Whether the pragmatic relationship can the West. The Iranian government has fo- between the two countries. develop into a more substantial and cused on Khamenei and has supported In addition, Iran is hesitant when it comes comprehensive relationship remains to the development of relations with Russia, to publicly highlighting its relations with be seen. L

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 15 Viewpoint from Tbilisi

In the Wake of Post-Atlanticism

Beka Kiria Director of the Gagra Institute

Earlier, hegemonic dominance by the US Thus, a key to success is to look through the successfully fostered the NATO enlargement prism of China at the Central Asian region. process starting with the German reunifica- Needless to say, these territories in the past istorically, the first stage of global or- tion, the Visegrad Group, the Vilnius Group were under Chinese imperial influence. Still, Hder transformation took place after and finally reaching aspiring countries like recent military activities and economic de- the First World War, having a temporary Georgia, Ukraine and Macedonia. However, velopments illustrate that China’s current bid soothing effect while a number of great due to geographical proximity, NATO faced on its own Central Asian provinces – Xinjiang economic powers were in the process of re- challenges and difficulties from a newly and Tibet – is significantly projecting power covery. On top of that, an intricate system of emerged Russian Federation. at Central Asian countries. alliances before WWI induced imperial and In spite of intensive cooperative frameworks The outreach of EU institutions is very weak colonial rivalry for wealth and resulted in the with particular stakeholders in targeted in this region. EU presence in Central Asia fiasco of the European balance of power. countries and regions, a possible NATO is understood through the chain of “neigh- The second stage of the global paradigm membership of Georgia and Ukraine be- bours of EU neighbourhood”. Besides, shift occurred after the Second World War. came a difficult task due to Russian aggres- comparing the EU’s presence to that of International actors claimed neighbour ter- sion with strong opposition to any NATO China, Central Asian countries are imme- ritories and expansionism had been the driv- expansion plans. diate neighbours for Beijing. By contrast, ing force behind nationalistic states expand- On top of that, the long-term strategic shift referring to the Russian approach towards ing their territorial boundaries by means of by the US from Europe to Asia puts the Euro- Central Asian countries, these states are still military aggression. Atlantic security cooperation into question. claimed to be in the sphere of Russia’s in- At the end of the Second World War, the US There is no clear projection if the US security fluence similarly as the South Caucasus is perceived its involvement in the European planners focus on the Asian continent and claimed as Russia’s backyard. Security framework as the top national prior- let Europe face challenges alone, or if the In advance, common European values in the ity in order to avoid the emergence of a new transatlantic relationship remains steady. 21st century in the scope of the transatlantic hegemonic power in Europe on the debris Moreover, the EU is enthusiastic about devel- relationship seem to be losing their impor- of the European balance of power. The risk oping a European military dimension which tance. Emerging powers – China, Brazil and that the Soviet Union could succeed where could undermine NATO and weaken inter- India – are far more attractive and vital for Nazi Germany had collapsed elicited the US- operability within NATO. However, the Rus- US interests, but strategic move from Europe European security partnership which formed sian activities in Ukraine are jeopardising the to Asia temporarily sacked the US strategic the basis of the Atlantic political order. concept of a whole, secure and free Europe manoeuvre due to Russian political awaken- Subsequently, during the Cold War, bloc- resulting in US roll-back of its rebalancing ing which poses an open challenge to the based security systems emerged and Euro- strategy. In a chain of political reactions, Rus- European Security framework. pean states along with the US established a sia unreasonably acts as a protective fence to Finally, in spite of all challenges and diffi- number of security institutions. The aim of China, hindering the US re-balancing strat- culties based on the wider global context, multi-layered institutional arrangements was egy against China while the European Secu- the strategic move from Europe to Asia is a to prevent Soviet pressure and influence in rity structure is challenged by Russia. critical necessity for US interests. Meanwhile, the rest of Europe. In this geopolitical game, the Western posi- however, the US is facing a complex politi- After collapse of the Soviet Union, the US tion must re-focus on a practical coopera- cal juggle, keeping the strong Euro-Atlantic was the only remaining superpower. After tion and extended dialogue with the Central bond, avoiding the realisation of the EU’s a while though, China has emerged among Asian region since geographically Central military dimension, protecting European Se- highflyers while the Russian Federation came Asia is divided between Russia and China. curity framework from Russian aggressive back to the political stage making the world Currently, institutional outreach of the EU stance and keeping the Asian re-balancing order become multi-polar. and NATO is almost non-existent there. strategy.

16 European Security & Defence · December 2017 SECURITY POLICY  Making Sense of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Stephen Blank

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is one of the most interesting yet elusive phenomena in contemporary world politics. While it is rather difficult to get a handle on what it is accomplishing and to what degree it is successful, its membership has grown to include India and Pakistan and Iran is knocking at the door.

his essay attempts to analyse some of has immediately registered that lesson in Indo-Chinese rivalry in Southeast, South, Tthe current and possibly foreseeable self-confidence by stating that it will play a and Central Asia is a long-standing affair trends involving the SCO as it adapts to larger role in Southeast Asia, another area and a keystone of China’s overall foreign a new membership and a highly dynamic where they both jostle for influence. But policy strategy has always been to confine international setting. One example of the by the same token we can expect that we India to influence only on the subcontinent SCO’s response to the rising power of Asian will also see in Central Asia an expanded and even challenge it there. Thus in the states has been to incorporate India and rivalry, not least within the framework of context of the SCO, which China habitually Pakistan into the membership. This clearly the SCO, since India and Pakistan are both employs as a venue for making the bilateral represented a trade-off between Russian members. Even more intriguingly, India, at deals that go to comprise its huge Belt and support for India’s membership and Chi- the recent BRICS summit succeeded in get- Road Initiative that has aroused consider- na’s promotion of Pakistan’s entry into the ting the communiqué to single out Pakistan able Indian suspicion, the appearance of SCO. But by doing so the organisation has also now incorporated into its midst not just the Indo-Pakistani rivalry but also Indo- Chinese rivalry as well. And, as we shall see below, this is not the only international

rivalry that has impinged upon the work- Photo: Wikipedia CC ings of the SCO. So while the recent Indo-Chinese crisis over the Doklam area near Tibet has been resolved peacefully for the moment, its re- percussions will also spill over to Central Asia and are not confined to the Indo-Chi- nese borders or even South Asia. Indeed, as a result of this clash, China has learned that it can no longer confidently assume that it can push India around and India Author The 2017 Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation met in Dr Stephen Blank is a Senior Astana, Kazakhstan. Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council. He is the author of numer- as a state sponsor of terrorism and pressure this Indo-Chinese rivalry within the SCO will ous foreign policy-related articles, it to desist from those policies. How these almost certainly generate interesting and white papers and monographs, spe- trends will resonate within the SCO in the even possibly unpredictable dynamics and cifically focused on the geopolitics future is, for now, anybody’s guess. But not only in Central Asia. and geostrategy of the former Soviet they do show some of the dynamics that As both parties’ capabilities and power Union, Russia and Eurasia. He is a are already at work among the new and grow this rivalry will probably become former MacArthur Fellow at the US old members of the SCO. even more acute and far-reaching both Army War College. This is a revised, Even if the Doklam crisis had not occurred, with regard to the intensity and frequency expanded, and update article based the appearance of enhanced contention if of manifestations of this rivalry, and prob- on the article “Whither the Expanded not rivalry between Beijing and New Delhi ably in regard to embracing ever wider ge- SCO: After the India-China Clash” within Central Asia in general and the SCO ographical and/or issue clusters or zones. which appeared in the “Central Asia in particular as well as the abiding Indo-Pa- Certainly this “spillover” will include Paki- Caucasus Analyst” in October. kistani rivalry would take place as a result of stan. And the future of the Sino-Pakistani the SCO’s new membership structure. The relationship, especially after the BRICS

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 17  SECURITY POLICY Photo: Kremlin.ru On 8-9 June 2017 the heads of the SCO states met in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the 2017 summit.

communiqué, merits careful scrutiny. The dian targets is increasingly intolerable to ference and thus championing Pakistan’s leaders of China and Pakistan have regu- an India determined to play a great power proxy over that of the US. and India sug- larly intoned the “all-weather” friendship role in Asia. Consequently in recent years gests that there is little likelihood (for now) between them. Indeed, Pakistan has be- Delhi has not only sought a massive en- of breaking that Sino-Russian consensus come a central part of China’s Belt and hancement of its indigenous defence ca- that more and more comes to resemble a Road Initiative to the extent that China is pability (with uneven results) but has vis- working alliance based on Russia’s grow- not only building a road from its border to ibly expanded its ties and presence with ing dependence on China’s economic and the port of Gwadar but also investing be- Southeast, Northeast Asia and Afghani- political support in Asia, Europe, and the tween US$46Bn and US$59Bn in Pakistan stan as well as with the United States. Middle East if not elsewhere. Indeed, me- alone. China also announced this support Trump’s Afghan strategy also explicitly dia reports and expert analyses point to ever calls on India to play a greater role than increasing signs of joint Sino-Russian activity it already does in Afghanistan, presum- in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle ably in some as yet unspecified form of East beyond East, South, and Central Asia. coordination with Washington. However, Beyond Afghanistan we know that the while India evidently is ready to expand its Doklam crisis generated much anxiety in

Photo: Wikipedia CC civilian profile in Afghanistan, it clearly will Moscow because it raised not just the pros- not commit military forces to that country. pect of armed conflict between India and China but might have forced Russia to take Background a stand in favour of one its two principal Asian partners at the other one’s expense. China has long viewed the SCO as one of Although Russia’s ideal policy in Asia, go- the building blocks of its vision of Central ing back to Yevgeny Primakov, would be to Asia and long resisted Indian entry into have a triangle with China, India, and itself At the SCO 2017 summit, India and it for reasons that stem from its determi- all pushing the same policies; this dream Pakistan became members of the nation to brook no rivals in the quest for has repeatedly foundered on Indo-Chinese organisation. Asian great power status. Instead it pre- rivalry. And more recently it has also be- ferred Pakistan but could only get its way come apparent that Moscow’s growing for Pakistan and thus its support for vari- as part of a package deal whereby both dependency and relative weakness vis-a ous terrorist groups inside Afghanistan in states entered into the SCO, thereby also vis China is eroding prospects of a triangle the wake of President Trump’s newly an- mollifying Russia, India’s principal sup- or even a Sino-Russian duopoly to be a true nounced Afghan strategy. Yet one month porter. However, and given the dynamic relationship of equals. later it signed off on the BRICS communi- evolution of Russo-Chinese relations and In this context, the signs of Chinese sup- qué attacking Pakistan. So it remains to be overall Asian relationships in the last few port for Pakistan have been a notable issue, seen just how much fidelity to this part of years, it is currently doubtful if, in a crisis, because since 2012-13 there has been a that communiqué Beijing will display and Russia would continue to prefer India. Prob- marked improvement in Russo-Pakistani to what degree, if any, the acceptance of ably, in fact, it would try to remain neutral relations to the point where both sides that language betokens a shift in Chinese in any subsequent Indo-Chinese conflict or are conducting joint military exercises in policy. major crisis but would ultimately have to the North Caucasus in September 2017. At the same time all this Chinese support lean towards China, albeit with great re- Russia is now selling arms to Pakistan and for Pakistan and Pakistan’s deliberate sup- grets. Indeed, Sino-Russian cooperation in discussing major energy deals with it. Per- port of terrorist groups’ attacks upon In- regard to inviting the Taliban to a peace con- haps most importantly Moscow, for some

18 European Security & Defence · December 2017 SECURITY POLICY 

time, has been transferring weapons to the Beijing at the BRICS summit will affect the to the degree that it is able to enlist greater Taliban, Pakistan’s proxy, and supporting its dynamics of the SCO or the larger dynam- Indian support for the government in Ka- inclusion in a future Afghan government ics of Indo-Pakistani-Sino-Russian relation- bul. Thus there is good reason for believ- as part of a Sino-Russian-Pakistani peace ships in South and Central Asia. ing that India’s enhanced confidence and plan that counters Indian and American After the Doklam crisis, where India for willingness to stand up to China’s asser- interests in Pakistan and that has elicited a the first time compelled China to treat it tive and hegemonic behaviour will soon be manifested within the SCO and the region at large. Thus the BRICS summit may have rep-

Photo: Kremlin.ru resented the first fruits of India’s newly gained assertiveness or confi- dence. Similarly to the degree that China actually fol- lows through by putting pressure upon Pakistan to reverse course with regard to sponsorship of terrorism that will bring India and China closer to- gether, to Russia’s delight and Pakistan’s discomfi- ture. On the other hand, if there is no follow-up to the BRICS communiqué The restricted format meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Astana in 2017. then the Indo-Chinese and Indo-Pakistani ri- decidedly cool response from the Afghan as an equal instead of retreating, we can valries at the heart of the SCO will grow government in Kabul. Since this policy di- easily imagine future situations regarding in size and scope and further erode the rectly contradicts critical Indian interests Afghanistan and Central Asia where their SCO’s ability to play any kind of role as and policies it is entirely plausible that one mutual rivalry as well as Chinese support a regional security provider or manager. reason for the Russo-Pakistani rapproche- for Pakistan will obstruct efforts to use How that kind of outcome would affect ment at India’s expense has been Chinese the SCO as a platform for genuine and the dynamics of its members’ multiple re- influence on both its friends to be more meaningful regional security cooperation lationships could become a very interest- friendly to each other even as this gambit among the members. This will be particu- ing trend. But at present it is too early to weakens Indo-Russian ties and fully con- larly the case as Washington steps up its determine which way events and Chinese forms to China’s long-term policy of boxing military commitment to Afghanistan and policies will go. India into its subcontinent and frustrating New Delhi’s efforts to expand its influence into Central Asia. Previously China has regarded the SCO as a building block of its hegemonic standing in Central Asia and a vehicle for pursuing ex- panded bilateral ties with the Central Asian members. Therefore that organisation has hitherto been the site of many Sino-Russian

disputes that have hindered the SCO’s abil- Graphics: Nilesh Shukla, Wikipedia CC ity to play the role envisioned by China or to maximise the SCO’s aspiration to be an effective security provider in Central Asia. Inasmuch as the SCO’s charter and sum- mits regularly decry terrorism and call for support against it while China and Russia now embrace Pakistan who is sponsoring terrorism in Afghanistan and against India. Beijing and Moscow have not only vitiated the SCO’s effectiveness and legitimacy of the SCO, they have also incorporated the In June 2017 a military stand-off occurred between China and India as overlapping Indo-Chinese and Indo-Pa- China attempted to extend a road on the Doklam Plateau and Indian kistani rivalries into the heart of the SCO. troops moved in to prevent this. India claimed to have acted on behalf Consequently it remains to be seen wheth- of Bhutan. Bhutan has formally objected to China's road construction in er the seeming change of heart evinced by the disputed area.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 19  SECURITY POLICY

These relationships are not the only ones of peace process towards that end. Beijing energy investments in Russia, all of which interest in the SCO. There is also considerable has also never spoken publicly about are high-priority sectors for Moscow. evidence of a growing Middle East-Central Moscow’s gun running and intelligence Certainly we have yet to see any sign of Asia connection. Tajikistan vetoed Iran’s sharing with the Taliban even though the real strife or discord as regards Central membership in the SCO. This is not only Taliban’s status as a terrorist organisation Asia whether they occur in the SCO or because of Tajikistan’s long-running suspi- is incontrovertible. Moreover, despite the beyond it. While the SCO may have been cions concerning Iranian supported religious often-cited Russian grievance or sense of established as an instrument by which to agitation inside the country or among Tajik grievance about potentially becoming the regulate Sino-Russian relations regarding students abroad. Evidently due to large-scale weaker partner in the relationship, there Central Asia and provide a framework for Saudi investments in domestic religious insti- has been no sign of this in policy or of- China’s emergence as a major regional ac- tutions in Tajikistan, Dushanbe proved recep- ficial rhetoric. China’s caution in handling tor, it seems clear with each passing day tive to Saudi efforts to restrict Iran’s influence Russia therefore continues to pay ample that China now is the key and dominat- in the larger Muslim world and vetoed its dividends even as it is steadily consolidat- ing power in the SCO and Central Asia. entry into the SCO. This is merely one way in ing its superiority over Russia. While Russia proclaims its military might which Middle Eastern-Central Asian crosscur- In particular we see that even in areas and willingness to defend the area against rents are now operating. where Russia has historically indepen- terrorism, it clearly is reluctant to have to In other examples Qatar has invested dently thrown its weight around as a great make good on that stance as its negotia- substantial sums in building monumen- power, it feels compelled to lean on the tions with the Taliban suggest. Thus while tal mosques in Tajikistan but has resisted Dushanbe’s requests for huge industrial, mining, and infrastructural investments. So here the dependency runs from weak,

poor Central Asian states to rich and po- Photo: Kremlin.ru tentially generous Arab investors or state investor funds in return for which an obvi- ous quid pro quo is expected as in the Tajik case. Probably as the Middle East continues to be torn by internecine rival- ries among the regional states we will see more efforts by Central Asia to elicit aid in return for political support from these governments and possibly a correspond- ing willingness on the part of Middle East- ern states to look for investment opportu- nities and political support in those states against their local rivals.

The Russia-China Dimension Vladimir Putin in 2013, during a flight over military exercises near Sakhalin. During Putin’s trip to Sakhalin, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin re- However, it remains the case that the key ported to Putin on the completion of the drilling operations in the Sea SCO relationship is the Russo-Chinese one. of Okhotsk. Sakhalin’s geographic location and established relations Arguably this relationship too is an evolving with the Asia-Pacific countries provide a base for the establishment of a one. It is already well established that China global energy centre there. has supplanted Russia as the principal inves- tor and regional economic power in Central shadow if not the substance of Chinese Moscow poses as the gendarme of Cen- Asia. It still appears to be the case that the support for the sustainment of its posi- tral Asia, China is its banker. And there are prevailing sentiment among US experts is tion. In Europe there is now an increas- signs of thought in Beijing that at some fu- that while the Russo-Chinese partnership ing number of reports of Sino-Russian ture date it might have to act in the region has grown in the last few years, it still is not cooperation in “active measures” and to protect its investments. Recent political all that troublesome a phenomenon. It is economic policies in Eastern Europe, such and military gambits point to the expansion also thought that, due to what these ex- as joint activities connected to Chinese of Chinese strategic perspectives. perts believe is the inherent contradiction investment in the Greek port of Piraeus. For example, China could also use its new between them and Moscow’s refusal to be Similarly the joint naval manoeuvres of anti-terrorism law, which allows for foreign the “younger brother” in the relationship, 2015 in the Mediterranean and of 2017 counter-terrorist operations, to intervene this entente will sooner or later break up. in the Baltic show Russia invoking Chinese in Middle Eastern or Central Asian states However, the evidence of the last few power as a crutch in its efforts to dem- against terrorist operations with these years repeatedly points to Moscow aban- onstrate its great power presence and countries’ consent. China’s army has al- doning Western initiatives in favour of capability in those two theatres. In the ready appeared in Pakistan-occupied Kash- alignment with China and not only in Arctic and in energy affairs too we see mir. In this same context, the White Paper Central Asia. The current Korean crisis has China gaining equity in Russian firms to talks about expanding military exchanges, strengthened Sino-Russian ties, and China an extent that five years ago would have creating a regular mechanism for security has supported Moscow’s Afghan policy of been unimaginable. For example, China is cooperation and joint anti-terrorist activi- including the Taliban in any future Afghan now the third largest investor in Rosneft ties including continuing maritime opera- government by endorsing this so-called and is present in other critical Arctic and tions like that in the Gulf of Aden. In this

20 European Security & Defence · December 2017 SECURITY POLICY  context the base at Djibouti assumes new due to straitened resources. Thus the SCO importance as a crucial facilitator of Chi- will probably continue to be a rather dubious nese trade and naval presence in the Indian foundation upon which to build an enduring

Ocean and as the basis for rapid deploy- and legitimate security system in Central and Photo: Kremlin.ru ment of naval power to North Africa, the South Asia, even if it attracts new members. Middle East, and even South Asia while pro- Beyond that, India has for some time public- tecting key trade routes to Africa, the Mid- ly expressed its scepticism and reservations dle East, and Europe. So there are already concerning the Belt and Road Initiative. It ample precedents, material, and strategic also recently announced its intention to incentives to foster a new military alliance partner with Japan in building a rival project in Central Asia in the guise of anti-terrorism. to Africa, an area of extensive Chinese eco- Neither is there as yet any sign of discord- nomic-political and even military investment, ant Sino-Russian policies or differences be- such as in the Chinese naval base at Djibouti. tween Moscow and Beijing (and not only Although Central Asian governments are in in Central Asia) that cannot be resolved by no position to renounce the benefits that the kinds of intergovernmental consulta- accrue to them from participating in China’s tions that have now become the norm in initiative, they also probably would welcome their bilateral relations. any counteracting Indian investment initia- tive especially as they have welcomed both Consequences Indian and Japanese investment in the past. Vladimir Putin met with the Presi- And since investment here plays as much dent of the People's Republic of The consequences of these trends are likely of a political role as it does an economic China Xi Jinping at the APEC Eco- to make themselves felt soon, especially if role we could reasonably expect that a nomic Leaders’ meeting in Danang Indo-American discussions about how In- larger economic dimension will be grafted on 10 November 2017. dia can and will contribute to the American onto the strategic and political rivalry that strategy in Afghanistan leads to a major already exists in Southeast and South Asia. started looking to European and American expansion of India’s overall profile in both And if Washington weighs in with substan- allies in Asia in response to its perception Afghanistan and Central Asia. Or if there is a tial support for an Indo-Japanese initiative of Russia’s tilt to China. So the tightrope, major change in Chinese tolerance for Paki- or actually proposes its own plan, China will upon which Moscow must now walk, in stan’s support of terrorists against India and undoubtedly feel the competition. no small measure due to its own policy Afghanistan we will also see major changes For their part Central Asian states will wel- failures, is already standing and beckoning. across the Sino-Indian agenda, including come anything that adds to their individual Russia may have no ultimate choice but to in the SCO. While there is still no discern- and collective capability to manoeuvre placate China due to their shared border ible rupture between Moscow and Beijing; among alternative investors and foreign do- and immense military capability and Rus- were that to occur the repercussions would nors, not to mention foreign great powers. sia’s global ambitions. But will Russia and be felt immediately and obviously not only So they have a material interest in using India India be easily able to cooperate in Central in the SCO. On the other hand, a steadily to regulate or restrict the Chinese presence Asia and the SCO? This is not a simple ques- tightening alliance will also trigger notice- especially as Russia no longer can or will play tion for despite the long-standing mutual able and important consequences across the role of an economic counterbalance to friendship Russia is now becoming a spon- many regions, not just Central Asia. China in Central Asia. These manoeuvrings sor and supporter of Pakistan against India, To the degree that China continues to give will undoubtedly be reflected in the future such as by selling Pakistan weapons. And Pakistan what amounts to a blank check for proceedings of the SCO. Indeed, the SCO India is unable to accept that status quo. its policies as long as they do not materi- has already been the scene for competi- China may desire that its friends be friends ally injure Chinese interests, Central Asia will tive discussion of rival Russian and Chinese with each other but India may also insist grow in importance as an area of increased schemes for economic progress in Central upon that and thus upon a corresponding Sino-Indian rivalry and that rivalry will be vis- Asia. So there is every reason to expect more distance from its enemies, namely Pakistan ibly expressed within the SCO. Middle East- of the same in the future in this regard. and to a lesser degree China. ern ties with all the members of the SCO Those policy considerations are likely to are also clearly growing and that dynamic Implications emerge rather soon in Central Asia given the will also continue to make itself felt in mul- differences over Afghanistan, China’s Belt tifarious ways among all of those actors. Fi- For Russia, India's membership in the SCO and Road Initiative, and US pressure upon nally there is no reason at present to expect in the context of New Delhi’s more overt India regarding Afghanistan. Should we see the eruption of major Sino-Russian discord and contentious rivalry with China across in the future as well a major US regional ini- whether it is about Central Asia or another Asia also raises interesting problems. While tiative for Central Asia, that too would add area. Indeed, if anything, it is becoming ever both India and China have an interest in to the strains now becoming visible in the In- more clear that Russia’s pretensions or claim moderating their rhetoric to keep crises and do-Russian relationship. All of these factors to great power status are ever more based disputes from mushrooming out of control; will almost certainly come into play in the on the expectation of Chinese support and the fact of this rivalry obstructs its vaunted framework of the SCO given its expanded hence Chinese sufferance. For example, dream of a strategic triangle. Although membership and might actually make it a while Russia has called for an international Moscow would clearly prefer to have India more interesting if even less effective instru- cooperation to reconstruct Syria it has solic- buffer China it now depends too much on ment of regional security than it already is. In ited China because it certainly does not have China for economic and political support view of the numerous fires now burning in the necessary funding. Neither will it accept in Asia and globally to be able to easily dial Asia, the SCO may come sooner rather than refugees from the war-torn Middle East also back its support for China. India has already later to enjoy “interesting times.” L

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 21  SECURITY POLICY Azerbaijan - Gateway to Central Asia

Korhan Özkilinc

Azerbaijan's geographic location makes it a melting pot of cultures. In addition to Oriental, Central Asian and European cultures, the Azerbaijani people share ethnic roots with the Turks. Its predominantly Shiite Islam faith connects Azerbaijan with Iran, and through its historical past it has close ties with Russia.

he region around the Caspian Sea and baijan was the world's largest oil producer. Historical Background Tthe Central Asian countries of Kazakh- After the First World War, Baku was occupied stan and Turkmenistan have become im- by England. After the collapse of the Soviet The Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan was portant energy suppliers to the world and a Union and Azerbaijan's independence, the proclaimed on 28 May 1918, but its free- geopolitical pipeline hub in the last twenty United States, Europe and Asia have made dom lasted only 23 months. On 27 April years. considerable efforts to exert more influ- 1920 the country was conquered by the The region is rich in oil and gas reserves, ence in the region at Russia's expense. Of Bolsheviks. After seventy years under So- and it is not surprising that the world's most course, Russia and Iran were sceptical about viet rule, the national liberation movement powerful states are struggling to control the the Western expansion on their doorstep. succeeded in gaining independence from Caspian region. But the political situation is But the test of strength between the north- the Soviet Union on 18 October 1991. tense, because the Caspian region has dif- south axis (Moscow-Yerevan-Tehran) and But war followed on foot. Historical ani- ferent ethnic groups with more than five the west-east axis (Washington-Ankara- mosities in the Caucasus led to the war dozen languages, several religions and many Tbilisi-Baku) has not yet reached its peak. between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the historical conflicts. No wonder, then, that Nevertheless, Russia and Iran's rule of Azer- Nagorno-Karabakh region in 1988. The ter- the region is called the "Eurasian Balkans". baijan would be a global security risk. It is ritory was then occupied by the Armenian In 1844, the first boreholes in the country's therefore Azerbaijan's destiny to ensure the armed forces, and, on 10 December 1991, oil industry were drilled in Bibi Heybat's oil balance of power in the region, which is a Nagorno-Karabakh declared its sovereign- field. At the end of the 19th century, Azer- political art. ty by referendum. In the spring of 1994, Photo: OSCE

Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, has become a prosperous hub for global energy supplies.

22 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Azerbaijan had lost the entire Nagorno- Karabakh region. The ceasefire negotiated by Russia and the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) can- not enter into force because the region is permanently at war. In principle, seven territories of Azerbaijan are recognised as occupied, and the UN Security Council designates Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan

through UN General Assembly Resolutions Photo: Adam Jones, Wikipedia CC 822, 853, 874 and 884 and UN Security The village Khudaferin in Nagorno-Karabakh was destroyed during Council Resolutions 19/13 and 57/298. the conflict and its Azeri population "ethnically cleansed".

Geopolitical Perspectives The second transport corridor "North- Georgia to Turkey – the Transanatolian South Transport Corridor Project" was gas pipeline TANAP. The legitimacy and power of the country is launched on 16 May 2002 with the par- Construction began on 17 March 2015 and regulated internationally through trilateral ticipation of many countries. This will be a commissioning is scheduled for 2018. The relations and regionally through bilateral catalyst for relations between Russia, Azer- aim is to transport 16 billion cubic meters relations. baijan and Iran. The most important thing of natural gas per year from the Shah Deniz is not only the economic importance of the gas field to Europe and later to increase Azerbaijan – Iran – Russia corridor, but also the acceleration of the the transport capacity to 31 billion cubic Azerbaijan and Iran cooperate economically integration of the Eurasian economic union meters. and in military-related matters, but not as and Russia's connection to the Persian Gulf. The TANAP pipeline will be extended from strongly as they do with Turkey. The shar- Both corridor projects are mainly strategic Turkey through the Trans-Adriatic pipeline ing of raw materials in the Caspian region is access to Sunni-dominated Balochistan (TAP). Its construction also started in 2015, worth mentioning. The core of the trilateral (Turkish peoples), which extends over three with a total annual capacity of 20 billion relationship, however, is the development of countries Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, cubic meters. TAP runs through Greece, Al- two strategic transport corridors. and is the subject of a tug-of-war between bania and the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy. The final protocol for the South-West Trans- two powers, India and China. The Baluchis TAP and TANAP are not only considered port Corridor Project was signed on 19 June are poor, but they are rich in natural gas, very important by Europe, but also receive 2017. It provides for joint participation by crude oil and raw materials, as well as the the political support of NATO. the countries of Azerbaijan, Iran, Georgia, TAPA and IP natural gas pipelines. In this Ukraine and Poland. The project is part of respect, the Chinese want to secure en- Azerbaijan – NATO the already launched Trans Caspian Interna- ergy supply from the Middle East and the The first step of Azerbaijan towards NATO export of goods to Europe via Pakistani Ba- was taken in March 1992 with its admission lochistan. India, too, has the same strategy to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. as China, which is why they are expanding Both sides met at the highest level on 4 May

Photo: NATO their economic corridor from Iranian Balo- 1994, and the President of Azerbaijan Hey- chistan. dar Aliyev signed the Partnership for Peace The two strategically located ports of (PfP). The focus was on the "Programme Chabahar (Iran) and Gwadar (Pakistan) may to End Armed Conflict and Achieve Peace". have an important geostrategic role in ten Implementation began in 1996. years or even earlier. The rivalry between In- During the visit of NATO Secretary General dia and China is a manifestation of this. The Javier Solana to Baku in 1997, President Chinese project "One Belt One Route" in Heydar Aliyev declared that the necessity particular competes with the "International and obligations of the PfP programme were North South Corridor"project. Trilateral co- very important, and NATO Secretary Gen- operation between Russia, Azerbaijan and eral Javier Solana stressed the importance Iran is therefore extremely important. of the country in the Caucasus region. Over the past ten years, Baku has invested In the same year, Azerbaijan joined the NATO Secretary General Jens some 20 billion dollars in transport infra- Euro-Atlantic Cooperation Council and of- Stoltenberg met with Azerbaijan’s structure, ports, motorways and railways ficially attended a meeting of the Heads of President Ilham Aliyev in Brussels with the intention of linking them to the State and Government of the Euro-Atlantic on 23 November 2017. International Corridor projects. The coun- Cooperation Council in Madrid in July 1997. try thus catapulted itself into a key interna- In his historic speech, Heydar Aliyev called tional Transport Route. The main objective tional position. on NATO to insist on overcoming the armed is to connect the countries of India, Paki- conflicts in the Caucasus. Failure to resolve stan and the Persian Gulf via Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan – Georgia – Turkey them would constitute a major threat to Georgia with the ferry across the Black Sea If the historic Silk Road is revived, Azer- European security. and then Ukraine and Poland with the mar- baijan, Turkmenistan and Turkey will In November 1997, Heydar Aliyev signed kets of Europe. On this route, around 100 cooperate not only in infrastructure pro- the decree "Action Plan to Strengthen million tonnes of goods are shipped from jects, but also in connecting the world's Co-operation between the Republic of India to Europe and vice versa at full capac- largest natural gas reserves, from Central Azerbaijan and NATO". In the same year, ity each year. Asia via the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani representative began his

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 23  SECURITY POLICY mission at NATO headquarters in Brussels. emphasises the need for the transition to a Azerbaijan - Turkey Since 1997, military cooperation between new phase of partnership between NATO Turkey is a geopolitically active country Azerbaijan and NATO has been continu- and Azerbaijan as a continuation of sus- with a complicated relationship towards ously expanded through a variety of pro- tainable relations. Cooperation in bilateral the Caucasus region. Turkey and Azerbai- jects, programmes and reforms, so that relations has so far been intensified. jan share cultural, linguistic and religious Azerbaijan has adopted NATO standards. It is interesting how Azeri relations to Rus- values and maintain constructive rela- In 1998, NATO representatives held a con- sia and NATO develop. On 7 September tions. Turkey, as a NATO partner, plays an important role in shaping security struc- tures in the Caucasus region, namely in training military personnel and shaping the defence industry in Azerbaijan. Tur- key has therefore played a greater role in the integration of Azerbaijan into NATO standards. In 1999, an agreement was concluded between two countries on the support of Azerbaijani security forces by Turkish

Photo: Office of the President Azerbaijan security forces and then sent to Koso- vo with a Turkish contingent for KFOR. At the same time, Turkey founded the Military Academy of Azerbaijan and the first graduates were trained according to NATO standards in 2001. Turkey has initiated two central strategies in the Caucasus region: Turkey wants to modernise the Azerbaijani armed forces Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, visited Iran on 1 November 2017 in terms of military policy, defence tech- and met with Iran’s President Hassan Rohani and Russia’s President nology and health technology on an Vladimir Putin to talk about economic cooperation. equal footing with NATO, and Turkey wants to strengthen the economies of ference with Azerbaijan on pipeline safety. 2017 NATO and Azerbaijan discussed vari- Caucasus countries by organising eco- Three years later, on 19 November 2001, ous NATO programmes and one day later, nomic cooperation in the Black Sea re- Azerbaijan became an associate member on 8 September 2017, the General Staffs gion. This organisation was founded by of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey in 1992. has 5 out of 66 members of the Parlia- Russia met for a meeting on military co- In fact, Azerbaijan is part of the West- mentary Assembly. In November 2002, operation. In the same week, the armed East axis (USA, Turkey, Georgia, Azer- President Heydar Aliyev again called on the forces of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey baijan) which competes with the North– Heads of State of the Euro-Atlantic Coop- conducted joint military exercises. It is South axis of Russia, Armenia and Iran. eration Council to hold a meeting to resolve also expected that Azerbaijan will not join In particular, strengthening Russia's the conflicts in the South Caucasus. NATO in the next decade. If Azerbaijan position in the Caucasian region could Also, the successor and son of Heydar really becomes a member of NATO, that is weaken Turkey's ties with Central Asia. Aliyev, the current President Ilham Aliyev, another matter. Therefore, Azerbaijan and Turkey should work constructively together while maintaining good relations with Russia and Iran.

Conclusion

“Knowledge is power – geographical knowledge is world power" was often said in German geography at the end of the 19th century. These sentences are of

Photo: Office of the President Azerbaijan enormous significance for the Silk Road Strategy Act of 1999. Although this law was passed by the US House of Rep- resentatives but not ratified by the US Senate, some states partially implement- ed it. In terms of overall development, Azerbaijan is an anchor of stability in On 30 October 2017, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, celebrated the Eurasian Balkans and a geostrategic with Turkish President Recep Erdogan the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi- hub in the Caspian region. Because of Kars railway which will connect Azerbaijan to Turkey. The Prime Minis- its proximity to Central Asia, Azerbaijan ters of Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan also attended the opening is responsible for global energy security ceremony. and world peace. L

24 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Viewpoint from Paris

France is Re-Evaluating its Defence Posture

Denys Kolesnyk

few months after Emmanuel Macron won the presidential 13 November 2015, which shook the French nation. The Strategic Aelections in France he appointed a commission to draft a new Review also recognises that a return of coercion by demonstration White Paper on defence. This rapidity is due to the massive en- of force and even the potential for open war in Europe constitutes gagement of French troops in current missions both abroad and a major threat for Paris as well. at home. Some 30,000 French soldiers are permanently deployed on missions ranging from Operation “Barkhane” in Mali and the The Review mentions Russia only 13 times but the document clearly NATO-led reassurance mission on the Alliance’s eastern flank to considers Russiaa threat – maybe not directly to France but to the Operation “Sentinelle”, carried out on France’s national territory world order. Moscow has challenged the EU and NATO and actively and aimed at protecting vital state institutions from terrorism. blocks international institutions, including the UN and the OSCE, while promoting alternative regional projects such as the Eurasian Such an extensive use of France’s armed forces in current opera- Economic Union (EAEU). Regarding the Middle East, the Strategic tions has brought into question their ability to respond to additional Review sees Russia, Iran and Turkey as the dominant forces that are crises or emerging threats. For instance, in September France’s shaping the future of the region. Chief of the General Staff, General François Lecointre, underlined that the ability of the French army to carry out an operation on a The Strategic Review outlines two main ambitions for France in its short notice, similar to one already in place in Mali, is under ques- role as a UN Security Council permanent member and a nuclear tion. This is why the authorities have to re-evaluate the country’s power: first to preserve strategic autonomy, and second to build a defence policy. stronger Europe.

The new White Paper on defence, titled “Strategic Review” (Revue Maintaining and upgrading its nuclear weapons is of paramount Stratégique) and published on 13 October, re-evaluated the threats importance to Paris. Nuclear deterrence gives France strategic au- that France is facing and proposes new approaches to navigate tonomy that is a key issue for Paris as it allows France to make inde- the French Republic’s defence policy and forces in the unstable pendent decisions regarding the protection of its national interests. and unpredictable multipolar environment which has replaced the Speaking of the Euro-Atlantic space, the Strategic Review recognis- Post-Cold War order. es the importance of NATO and seeks to strengthen the European security. The recently established Permanent Structured Coopera- The Strategic Review will also serve as the basis for a new law on tion in Defence (PESCO) by 23 EU members obviously agrees with military programmes for 2019-2025, which would increase the mil- France’s vision. Moreover, Paris confirms its commitment to all itary budget by €1,7Bn annually. This increase would bring France responsibilities within NATO, including the collective defence clause closer to the NATO defence spending criteria of 2% of GDP, but to of the Washington Treaty as well as reassurance measures and fully meet that standard, France would have to spend €50Bn per the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank. It is worth noting that year instead of the current €32Bn. This figure is a distant goal even earlier this year France sent a contingent of around 306 soldiers, with the additional €1.7Bn per year. LECLERC battle tanks and IVFs to Estonia.

In addressing security threats, the document recognises that the We can assume that France will be more open to cooperation in security climate has deteriorated much faster than foreseen in the defence matters with the EU and NATO partners. This cooperation previous version published in 2013 under François Hollande’s ad- covers, for example, strategic air transport and, more generally, ministration. The document defines terrorism as the main and cooperation in the logistics and defence industries and joint military immediate threat to the French state; this is not surprising given re- operations. However, much of this cooperation is likely to focus on cent events, including the terrorist attacks (Bataclan and others) of France's neighbouring countries.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 25  SECURITY POLICY The Iranian Shadow over the Middle East and Beyond

Bill Roy

Iran is a dissatisfied power. It believes that the present international cal Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programme in Iran at this point. system does not suit its interests and indeed actively conspires to It is impossible to argue with the fact that oppose its interests. It is a theocratic state that believes it is ‘right- Iran uses terrorism as a foreign policy tool or that it is a state sponsor of terrorism. eously guided’ by a higher power. It is also undeniable that Iran is engaged in a programme to obtain nuclear weap- ons in breach of international agreements. ran sees itself as the champion of Shia America. Iran has also supported a host of Yet, there is another aspect to Iran that is IIslam and believes that it has the right and other terrorist groups, where it has suited difficult to ignore. Iran is the seventh larg- the duty to stand up for the interests of its interests. It has also made its opposition est producer of crude oil in the world and Shia wherever they might be. Apart from to the continued existence of Israel quite the third largest producer of natural gas this religiously inspired ideology, Iran also obvious and, despite the fact that it is a in the world. It has the fourth largest oil more traditional national security interests signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty reserves and the second largest natural gas as well. In short, Iran has more change the (NPT), has clearly been working to acquire reserves. According to the US Central Intel- facts on the ground in the Middle East and nuclear weapons and appropriate delivery ligence Agency, the Iranian Gross Domes- beyond. systems since the late 1980s. Even though tic Product (GDP), adjusted for Purchasing There is no doubting the fact that Iran has it signed the Biological Weapons Conven- Power Parity (PPP), has Iran as the 19th larg- been and is a state sponsor of terrorism, tion (ratified 1973) and the Chemical War- est economy in the world. The country has either directly using its own operatives or fare Convention (ratified 1987), Iran also a population of some 82 million, making via surrogates such as Hezbollah in Leba- has the capability to produce and weapon- it the 17th largest country in population non. Iranian-directed terrorist incidents ise both biological and chemical agents. It terms. Furthermore, the strategic location have taken place across the Middle East, should be noted that there is no convincing of Iran must be taken into account, in par- but also in Europe, Africa, Asia and South evidence of an active biological or chemi- ticular its ability to block the Strait of Hor-

Iran acquired three Project 877EKM KILO Class submarines from Russia between 1991 and 1996. Future sub- marine needs will be met by the indigenous FATEH Class SSC and the BESAT Class SSK. Iran will also introduce new missiles for its submarines and the HOOT supercavitating torpedo.

26 European Security & Defence · December 2017 SECURITY POLICY  muz, the number one oil chokepoint glob- creasingly gave them time to mount a cred- the JCPOA. Despite this, there are many in ally, and the potential it has to disrupt or ible international lobbying effort to weaken the international community who believe destroy oil production facilities in the Arab sanctions. It was the US that became keen that the JCPOA process must be continued, states that are geographically adjacent. on a diplomatic solution, especially after believing that talking and the diplomatic Barack Obama took office in January 2009. process are better than any alternative. Of Nuclear Progress As a candidate, Obama had stated that he course, the contrary position is that con- would seek engagement with Iran without fusing discussions with progress achieves This makes Iran a terrible conundrum for t pre-conditions. This effort to repair rela- nothing, and in the end the process be- he international community to tackle. tions with Iran would eventually become comes an end in itself rather than a means Iran’s quest for nuclear weapons did re- intertwined with the desire of Obama to of delivering an end product. sult in international sanctions from the US, have a grand foreign policy legacy and in European Union (EU) and the UN Secu- turn this would lead to the Joint Compre- The Trump Era rity Council. US sanctions came into force hensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) otherwise against Iran in the wake of the Iranian known as the Iran nuclear deal that was Prior to his election, President Trump was Revolution in 1979. The scope of the sanc- adopted on 18 October 2015 and came extremely critical of the JCPOA but had re- frained from doing anything about it once he was in office. Then, on 13 October 2017, Trump outlined a new policy as regards Iran. Firstly he discussed the ongoing difficulties with Iran: “The Iranian dictatorship’s ag- gression continues to this day. The regime remains the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, and provides assistance to al Qaeda, the Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist networks. It develops, deploys, and proliferates missiles that threaten American troops and our allies. It harasses American ships and threatens freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf and in the Red Sea. It imprisons Americans on false charges. And it launches cyber- attacks against our critical infrastructure, financial system, and military. JAMARAN is the lead ship of a class of two frigates with at least two The United States is far from the only target more in build. Based on the old British ALVAND design, this frigate en- of the Iranian dictatorship’s long campaign tered service in 2010. Equipment fit is a mixture of reverse-engineered of bloodshed. The regime violently sup- Western systems, systems acquired from other suppliers, such as China, presses its own citizens; it shot unarmed and locally developed technology. student protestors in the street during the Green Revolution. This regime has fuelled tions was gradually increased and then, into force on 15 January 2016. Signatories sectarian violence in Iraq, and vicious civil post-1995, were imposed on companies to the JCPOA included the five permanent wars in Yemen and Syria. In Syria, the Ira- and individuals dealing with Iran. UN sanc- members of the UN Security Council (Chi- nian regime has supported the atrocities tions came into force from 2006 onwards, na, France, Russia, the UK and the US) plus of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and condoned with separate EU sanctions coming into ef- Germany (referred to as the P5+1) and Iran. Assad’s use of chemical weapons against fect from 2007 on. This sanctions regime Any notion that the JCPOA somehow re- helpless civilians, including many, many did cause Iran major problems; asset sei- moves the threat of Iranian nuclear pro- children.” zures and being increasingly blocked from liferation is misguided; at best, the agree- Incidentally, in Britain it was revealed that the international financial system were ment simply kicks the can of Iranian nu- there had been a ‘brute force’ Iranian cy- particularly troublesome. But Iran persisted clear capability down the road. As far as ber attack against the British Houses of with its nuclear programme in spite of the Iran was concerned, the JCPOA was a true Parliament and the e-mail accounts of sanctions. ‘win-win situation'; they got relief from British MPs in June this year. The accounts Resolving the problem of the Iranian nu- sanctions, had confiscated assets returned attacked included those of the Prime Minis- clear programme came down to two solu- that amounted to some US$100Bn (includ- ter and other senior government ministers. tion sets: taking active measures or looking ing the Obama administration delivering Britain is a signatory of the JCPOA. for a diplomatic solution. Very few had the US$1.7Bn in cash) and had to agree to an The Iranian government really does not stomach for active measures and so the inspection regime on their nuclear facilities seem to care that much about how other diplomatic path was chosen. Coincidently, that was hardly very stressful. countries might react to its actions. For many proponents of a diplomatic solution In the Preamble and General Conditions example, when sanctions were still in were also focused on the economic oppor- to the JCPOA it states that: "Iran reaffirms force, Iranian aid to Hezbollah in Lebanon tunities to be gained in Iran if the sanctions that under no circumstances will Iran ever amounted to US$200M annually. With regime were removed. seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weap- sanctions lifted Iran is now reportedly From the Iranian perspective, diplomatic ef- ons.” There is very little doubt that Iran sending US$800M annually to Hezbollah. forts were ideal. It gave them time to con- has continued with its efforts to develop At Iranian direction, some 7,000 Hezbol- tinue with their nuclear programme and in- and field nuclear weapons since signing lah fighters are currently in Syria supporting

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 27  SECURITY POLICY the Assad regime, with Hezbollah having bomb and delivery system design will be rogate in Lebanon, via Iraq and Syria has fought in that country since 2011. Hezbol- passed on to Iran in exchange for cash at been discussed. Now it is a reality. lah is said to have had 2,000 fighters killed some point. Also notable is how Iran has successfully in Syria since 2011. Iran also spends over sought to limit any progress towards Kurd- US$60M in funding the military operations Facts on the Ground ish independence in Iraq, using diplomacy of Hamas in Gaza and hundreds of mil- with Kurdish factions but also using its sur- lions more supporting operations in Syria, In Tehran the new aggressive attitude of rogates in the Iraq Shia militias to put pres- Yemen and elsewhere. the US government towards the JCPOA is sure on the Iraqi Kurds. The last thing that The new Trump policy as regards Iran was not unexpected. After all, Trump was talk- Iran wants is an independent Kurdistan, summarised as follows: “First, we will work ing about walking away from the JCPOA knowing that its own Kurdish population with our allies to counter the regime’s and taking a robust stance towards Iran would seek self-determination if they had destabilising activity and support for ter- prior to his election. On the other hand, the the opportunity. rorist proxies in the region. Second, we will other members of the UN Security Council, Elsewhere, in the Yemen Iranian-backed place additional sanctions on the regime along with Germany and the EU, are still Houthi rebels continue to bleed Saudi to block their financing of terror. Third, committed to the JCPOA and its accompa- Arabia and the other Sunni Gulf States. we will address the regime’s proliferation nying diplomatic process. This separation Should it wish to increase the pressure, Iran of missiles and weapons that threaten its between Washington DC and the other has more cards to play. In Bahrain, the neighbours, global trade, and freedom of signatories to the JCPOA offers Iran plenty Shia majority population remains restive navigation. And finally, we will deny the of room to manoeuvre. It gives Iran criti- under Sunni rule; it would not take much regime all paths to a nuclear weapon.” cal time to weaponise its nuclear capability imagination for Iran to exploit that situa- A critical element of the new policy is the without sanctions. In the final analysis, Iran tion. The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia imposition of sanctions on the Islamic believes that it needs a nuclear deterrent with its large Shia population also offers Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. for self-preservation at the basic level and plenty of scope for Iran to fan the flames According to Trump: ”The Revolutionary because possession of such a deterrent will of a possible insurgency. Saudi Shia face Guard is the Iranian Supreme Leader’s cor- allow it to maintain an activist foreign policy. systematic discrimination and this year rupt personal terror force and militia. It has As regards the Middle East, Iran can look there have been reports of major Saudi hijacked large portions of Iran’s economy upon a situation where it has made im- military operations against the Shia town and seized massive religious endowments mense strategic gains in recent years. Irani- of Al-Awamiyah in the Eastern Province in to fund war and terror abroad. This includes an sponsored Shia militias have been critical response to anti-government protests. arming the Syrian dictator, supplying prox- in assisting in the defeat of ISIS in Iraq; look- The religious ideology of the Iranian regime ies and partners with missiles and weapons ing at the situation from the Iranian point also drives its opposition to the continued to attack civilians in the region, and even of view, it is they who have unparalleled existence of Israel. Actively participating in plotting to bomb a popular restaurant right influence in Iraq not the US. Iranian par- actions against Israel allows Iran to appeal here in Washington DC. I am authorising ticipation in preserving the Assad regime to the ‘Arab Street’ and contrast its actions the Treasury Department to further sanc- tion the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its support for terrorism and to apply sanctions to its officials, agents, and affiliates.” As regards Iranian nuclear activities Trump noted that: ”Since the signing of the nu- clear agreement, the regime's dangerous aggression has only escalated. At the same time, it has received massive sanctions relief while continuing to develop its missiles pro- gramme. Iran has also entered into lucra- tive business contracts with other parties to the agreement.” Trump then went on to announce that he would not be certifying Iranian compliance with the JCPOA at this point. This does not mean that the US is abandoning the JCPOA, although it puts Iran and the other parties to the agreement on notice that the US is prepared to end its Iran has fielded a large number of coastal defence missile systems using participation in the deal. the Chinese C802 missile and its Iranian manufactured NOOR derivative. Trump concluded his remarks by noting These coastal defence systems have been exported to Hezbollah in Leba- that: “As we have seen in North Korea, non and also to the Houthi forces that Iran is supporting in Yemen, who the longer we ignore a threat, the worse used them to engage a US Navy destroyer in 2016. that threat becomes. It is why we are de- termined that the world’s leading sponsor in Syria has been another success story. It with the lack of action of Sunni govern- of terrorism will never obtain nuclear weap- is now reported that Iran will be able to ments. Hezbollah and Hamas are two parts ons.” Bearing in mind the fact that Iran has establish a permanent military base in the of this Iranian strategy, it is now looking to strong links with North Korea, it is almost Damascus area. For years the idea of a ‘Shia add to its tools by raising and supporting a inevitable that North Korean advances in Crescent’ linking Iran to its Hezbollah sur- new group in the West Bank to take active

28 European Security & Defence · December 2017 measures against Israel. Such a group could easily be based on existing Hamas cells in the West Bank.

The Ticking Clock

Strategically speaking, Iran can look at the current state of the Middle East with con- siderable satisfaction, and more possibilities exist for further improvement of the stra- tegic situation. The problem for the Iranian regime is time; the long-term prospects for Iran are actually rather grim. In the 1980s, In March 2017, Iran unveiled the indigenous KARRAR tank. In effect, this during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), Iran vehicle is an attempt to obtain a T-90 equivalent based on T-72 technol- had resorted to human wave attacks to ogy. Iran’s conventional forces are not its true strength, that comes in break through Iraqi positions; they had no asymmetric warfare and the use of surrogates such as Hezbollah, the problems in taking mass casualties. Now the Houthi and the Shia militias in Iraq. situation is very different; Iran is very casu- alty-sensitive, hence the use of Hezbollah it has 2.8 million regular drug users, up gemony grows shorter year-by-year. Since and also the raising of mercenary units from from 1.3 million six years ago, with opium the formation of the Islamic Republic of Afghan and Pakistani Shia to fight in Syria. responsible for some 63% of drug con- Iran in 1979, predicting how they might This casualty-sensitivity reflects a greater sumption. This probably undercounts the react has always proven difficult. If they concern – demographic decline in Iran. number of regular drug users in Iran. The believe that their window of opportunity The Iranian government wants to in- UN has stated that Iran has one of the to change the facts on the ground in the crease the population to 150 million by worst addiction crises in the world. Middle East is gradually closing, how likely mid-century; this is not achievable with The Supreme Leader of Iran, the Ayatollah is Iran to act rationally and adhere to in- the current falling birth rate. It is said that Ali Khamenei, has stated that Iran looks to ternational diplomatic norms? It would between 23 and 25% of Iranian couples discredit and replace Western hegemony appear that the security situation in the are infertile. Iran is also said to have one of in the Middle East with that of Iran. With Middle East and the surrounding area the highest rates of sexually transmitted Iran ageing and rotting from within, the could be on the verge of a new, and even infection in the world. Iran admits that time for Khamenei to achieve Iranian he- more troubled, era. L

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utsec2018_210x150_EN_European_Security_and_Defence_BES.indd 1 06.11.17 14:13 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY Securing Sovereignty and Integrity Hungarian Security Policy within the Framework of NATO and EU

Thomas Bauer

Like most of the states of Eastern and Central Europe, Hungary adopted a clear course towards integration with the West after the end of the Cold War. In the first few years after joining NATO, the efforts made by the country were exemplary, but with time disenchantment has crept in.

he differences in opinion between Brus- national conservative to nationalist in many controlled excessive presence of foreigners Tsels, Berlin, and Budapest with regard of the countries of Eastern and Central Eu- led, to a number of discords and accusa- to refugee policy and migration have also rope as a consequence of the major round tions within the European Union at the be- caused difficulties with discussions about of EU expansion eastwards in 2004. After ginning of the refugee crisis in 2015, which necessary reforms at the European level. an initial wave of enthusiasm, the eupho- are specifically viewed in the Western EU “Difficult” may well be a euphemism for ria gave way to a sense of disillusionment. states and in Brussels as being contrary to characterising the current relationships be- Many sections of the population, in par- the official refugee policy of the European tween the Western EU and NATO mem- ticular older people, were unable to benefit Union. bers and Hungary, and the Government from the accession to the EU. Added to this Behind the criticism voiced in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. At were the protests in Hungary against the against the opening of the borders for refu- the parliamentary elections in September Europe-friendly government under Prime gees lies also the ongoing commitment by 2014, the coalition between the Christian- Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány. The disclosure Budapest in support of the rights and wel- Conservative Fidesz Party and the Christian- of internal documents exposed Gyurcsány fare of the Hungarian and Magyar minori- Democratic People’s Party (KDNP) again to accusations of widespread duping of the ties in neighbouring countries. The origin achieved the two-thirds majority needed people by specifically falsified information. of this lies in the collapse of the Habsburg for pushing through possible constitutional The protests among the people which fol- monarchy at the end of the First World War and the diverse national struggles to salvage something from the bankrupt resi- due of this multinational state. With the Austrian-Hungarian settlement of 1897, the multinational Kingdom of Hungary

Photo: Miniszterelnok became a partner with equal rights in the Austro-Hungarian Double Monarchy, but nevertheless internally pursued a strict policy of Magyarisation at the expense of the Romanian and Slav sections of the population. Under the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, Hungary was forced to accept exten- sive losses of territory, and two-thirds of the area of the country were surrendered to Czechoslovakia, Romania, the southern At a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Beata Szydło in Slav countries, and Austria. Since then, sev- Warsaw in September 2017, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that “We eral million Magyars have lived as minorities accept the decision of immigrant countries to become immigrant coun- in the states bordering Hungary. Nor did the tries. We ask them to accept that we do not want to become one.” situation change after 1945, although since 1933 Hungary had hoped for the recovery changes. Minister-President Orban has lowed, and the general dissatisfaction with of the lost territories by acceding to the been in power with this party constella- the country’s financial situation as a result revisionist territorial policy of the National tion since 2010, and is pursuing his course of the global financial crisis, ultimately led Socialist German Reich. With the end of the towards a comprehensive overhaul of the to a change of government in 2010. Only Second World War and incorporation into Hungarian system of government, which is one year later the Parliament in Budapest the Soviet sphere of influence, the issues not going down well in Brussels. It is true approved a new constitution, which came of the Hungarian minorities was not even that the present disagreements are based into effect on 1 January 2012. any longer on the back burner. It was only primarily on Orban’s attitude of rejection Prime Minister Orban is consistently direct- with the recasting of the Hungarian Consti- towards the liberal refugee policy being ing his internal and external policy measures tution in 1989 following the collapse of the adopted by the European Union and the and initiatives towards the safeguarding Warsaw Pact and the end of the East-West Federal German Government under Federal and securing the sovereignty and integrity conflict that Budapest again openly under- Chancellor Angela Merkel. The origin of the of the Hungarian state and its people. The took to concern itself with the aspirations alienation, however, is also due in particu- protection of the country formulated in this and interests of the Magyar minorities in the lar to the rise of movements ranging from way against foreign influences and the un- neighbouring states. The improvement in

30 European Security & Defence · December 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

has been repealed. Romania accorded with this criticism at the Summit Conference, clear proof of how seriously the foreign policy and security policy of the European

Photo: Miniszterelnok Union and of NATO can be impaired by the stresses and conflicts of interests surround- ing the ethnic minorities in the states of Eastern and Central Europe.

Security Policy and the Refugee Question A determinant factor in an assessment of Hungarian security policy is the National Security Strategy from the year 2012. “The fundamental security interests of Hungary Membership in NATO was one of Hungary’s most ambitious goals, a goal include the protection of its sovereignty, pursued determinedly already by Hungary’s first post-communist Prime territorial integrity and constitutional order, Minister Joszef Antall. Pictured is a visit of NATO General Secretary An- the stability of the country, its economic, ders Fogh Rasmussen to Hungary in 2013 where he met with Viktor Orban. social and cultural development and the upholding of human rights and fundamen- the relationships between Hungary and the Union in November 2017, the Hungarian tal freedoms. The maintenance of interna- Hungarian diaspora is part of this too, and Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó tional peace, security and cooperation, the the cultural and economic exchange. With voiced his criticism of the new education spreading of democracy, the stability of the parliamentary elections of 2010 and the and training law in the Ukraine, by which the Euro-Atlantic region, in particular the formation of the government under Viktor the ethnic minorities in the Ukraine would stability of regions in close geographical Orban, this obligation has become a specific be discriminated against, and therefore also proximity to Hungary and of neighbouring component of Hungarian foreign policy, se- the some 150,000 Hungarians in the re- countries, as well as the further deepening curity policy, and defence policy as well. gion of what is referred to as the Carpathian of Euro-Atlantic integration also constitute The topic is still shaping events at the pre- Ukraine, who represent about 25% of the a national interest of Hungary.” sent time. During the Summit Conference total population. Budapest will not be sup- Membership of NATO and the EU provide of the Eastern Partnership of the European porting EU and NATO efforts until this law the foundation for the safeguarding of in-

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ET18_210x150_INT_EN_European_Security_and_Defence_BES.indd 1 16.10.17 14:31 terms of security policy. Originally founded as a free trade association, in order better to compensate jointly for the economic and fi- nancial consequences of the break-up of the Warsaw Pact, the Group has also become the mouthpiece for the interests of the four states in the context of security policy in respect of Russia, but likewise against per- ceived disadvantageous decisions emanat- ing from Brussels. Europe watchers see in

Photo: Kremlin.ru this a certain danger to the development of Viktor Orban’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin have a uniform external dimension of the Union, displeased Brussels. The latest meeting between Orban and Putin took and indeed, with the Visegrád Group as an place in late August 2017 when Putin accepted Orban’s invitation to internal organisation, it may be characterised formally open the 2017 World Judo Championships. as a degree of detachment in the form of an internal opposition to Brussels. This element terests. Of particular significance in this are whether this might be possible Russian ex- will to an increasing extent also be exploited stability and security in the states bordering pansion in the east or the result of crises and by outside parties in the formulation and the country to the east and south. Hungary conflicts in the Balkans. This is also manifest implementation of their own interests in re- has an EU external border of some 100 kilo- from the commitment of the country to lation to the EU. Israel’s Prime Minister Ben- metres in length with the Ukraine, and a fur- foreign engagements. The largest com- jamin Netanyahu was a guest in July 2017 at ther 150 kilometre EU external border with ponent of the forces provided hitherto for the meeting of the Visegrád Group in Buda- international stabilisation and crisis pest. The result was a closing declaration in actions has been committed to Ko- which the countries of the Visegrád Group sovo and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. indicated their readiness to co-operate with At the present time there are 700 Israel in different areas, among them the Hungarian soldiers serving abroad, combating of terrorism. At the same time, Photo: Honvedelem 100 of them in Afghanistan. Netanyahu took advantage of the Summit It is particularly with regard to the Conference to voice some sharp criticism of neighbouring territory to the south the stance adopted by the European Union and Balkans that the mixing of towards Israel and towards migration. In Hungarian security policy interests this context he expressly praised the policy with the issues and challenges sur- of Hungary and the other Visegrád states rounding the floods of refugees for implementing a more restrictive attitude via the Balkan route which has with regard to the refugee issue. developed into a complex melee, in which the delimitations are be- Hungarian Armed Forces coming blurred between security policy argumentation in the sense The Hungarian armed forces at present of proactive prevention of terror- number some 31,000 soldiers. The larg- In recent years, Hungary’s Armed ism, and the concerns of a perceived or est proportion, with 24,000 soldiers, is Forces have been subjected to putative Islamicisation of the whole of the assigned to the ground forces. Since the several ambitious reform projects Balkans. Budapest has spoken out against ending of national service in 2005, the Hun- but Hungary’s military budget is the official quota resolution in the distribu- garian armed forces have been a purely pro- far away from meeting NATO’s tion of the refugees already present in the fessional body. At US$1.2Bn, the defence 2 percent goal. Weaponry and EU. At the same time, the construction of a budget in 2017 amounted to just on 0.94% equipment are predominantly still comprehensive border installation in relation of GNP. Weaponry and equipment are pre- comprised of old Soviet stocks to Serbia has made a considerable contri- dominantly still comprised of old Soviet bution to the protection of the EU external stocks, whether these be T-72 main battle Serbia-Montenegro. In the strategy from borders against uncontrolled immigration. tanks or the BTR-80 APC. With regard to 2012, in other words before the start of the It is this air of tension which defines the pre- standard weaponry, Budapest continues to Ukraine conflict, it appeared to Hungary, as sent difficult relationships and is also having rely on assault weapons produced in Hun- it did to many European states that the likeli- its effect on other parties involved. By way gary of the AK-63D/E/MF type. Only the hood of a renewed threat to Europe in the of example, Prime Minister Orban has also Special Forces have been equipped with form of an attack with conventional military sought support for his policy among other US vehicles and weapons for their commit- means was extremely remote. This resulted states of Central and Eastern Europe, and ments in Afghanistan and in Iraq, among in extensive standing down of mechanised in this context has likewise made recourse others with the Oshkosh M-ATV as a Mine units and formations in Hungary, so as to to the Visegrád Group, established in 1991. Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehi- release money for corresponding transfor- Even though this does not have any for- cle, the M249 SAW light machine gun, or mation and modernisation programmes for mal character or institutional structure, this the M4A1 SOPMOD assault rifle. the armed forces. Since 2014 the situation unofficial alliance of Poland, Hungary, the The air forces are comprised of 14 Saab has changed radically. The central focus for Czech Republic, and the Slovak Republic has JAS-39 GRIPEN leased from Sweden, which security policy for Budapest is the protec- become an important multiplicator in the are used as fighter-bombers, fighters, and tion of territorial integrity against any threat, first five years for the interests of Hungary in trainers, and since 2009 have actively par-

32 European Security & Defence · December 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY ticipated in NATO exercises. Annual costs dependent on the USA alone. As early all times open to renegotiation. In this are incurred in the amount of US$140M, as at the meeting between Prime Minis- case, however, a good number of cur- which Hungary must remit to Sweden. The ter Orban and his Czech counterpart at rent EU Member States would have to leasing agreement has been extended by the time, Bohuslav Sobotka, in August review and scrutinise their commitment a further ten years until 2026. With regard 2016 in Warsaw, both statesmen were to the aims and values of the European to combat helicopters, Hungary urgently outspoken in their support for a Euro- Union. The issue here, however, is less needs to find a successor to the Mil Mi-24 pean army. Hungary is also one of the the question of how extensive the mili- HIND, which has now been taken out of signatories to the Permanent Structured tary capabilities of a country are, or how service, and which the country acquired in Cooperation (PESCO) of 17 November much money it is prepared to invest in 1994 from Berlin, from old stocks of the 2017, which formed the cornerstone for the modernisation of its armed forces. East German National People’s Army. One the establishment of a genuine Euro- Rather, it is a matter of a mutual un- successor under discussion, among others, pean defence union. The question re- derstanding with regard to security and is the AH-2 ROOIVALK from Denel in South mains as to how far a commitment to stability in the context of globalisation, Africa. Since both countries are having to Europe à la carte will hold up, which and undivided responsibility in dealing battle with weakening currencies, the op- relies on a selective solidarity which is at with the consequences. L tion of a stronger co-opera- tion has also been discussed, in order to be able to carry out procurement projects despite financial bottlenecks. For South Africa, for exam- ple, Hungarian knowhow in the maintenance, overhaul, and modernisation of Soviet weapons, vehicles, and equip- ment could be of interest.

Outcome – Between Euro-Sceptic and European Army Hungary and the European Union find themselves in a difficult position. Prime Minister Orban is only one example of the rising EU scepticism in the EU Member States with regard to Brussels bureaucracy. The European Union and its institutions and authorities are being challenged with regard to the ability to safeguard own national interests. This is all the more surprising in the case of Hungary, given that Budapest was the first EU member to ratify the Lisbon Treaty after years of negotia- tions over a constitution for Europe. Nevertheless, apart from the somewhat public dispute with regard to refu- gee and migration policy, THE th there are still some positive indicators, which only a few are appreciating. This is man- ifested, for example, in the , 2018 matter of a European army. , 2018 For Hungary, the bolstering of the security and defence policy dimension within the EU is of great importance, if one does not wish to be

www.sofexjordan.com COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY Security and Defence Policy of Hungary

General Tibor Benkő

The security and defence policy of Hungary is defined by the National Security Strategy and the National Military Strategy.

ne of the basic needs of every society is ernisation. The National Military Strategy of trouble. It is the strength and capabilities Oto live in safety. In accordance with the is a significant milestone along this road. of its member states' military forces that country's Fundamental Law, it is the duty The experiences of today are insufficient in determine the strength and capabilities of the Government of Hungary to guar- themselves to prepare us for the conflicts of the alliance. Therefore, the Hungarian antee the country’s territorial and societal of tomorrow. Defence Forces (HDF) must continuously security, in line with securing the environ- The strategy, which is firmly grounded in improve their capabilities, and they must ment for their freedom and welfare. Allied reality, allows us to avoid the pitfalls of this be an integral part of allied operations. The solidarity, which also includes the collective road. The purpose of the National Military security environment has changed in recent years, the number of unstable countries is on the rise, and the threat of terrorism has significantly increased. The activity of international terrorist groups with global ambitions has become a significant global Photos: Honvedelen threat of our time, since the causes, pri- marily social in nature, conducing to its appearance and evolution have not been successfully eliminated. Thus, terrorism still constitutes a danger to the security and val- ues of the Transatlantic Community and, indirectly, to Hungary. Unfortunately, today it has become apparent that those states and regions that had difficulties in adapt- ing to the challenges of globalisation are fragile; developments there are unpredict- able. Rogue states strengthened the base of international terrorism and became a source of risks arising from mass migration. States that fall into anarchy can constitute a threat to a region’s stability and may be- come a safe haven and training ground defence of NATO member states, as well Strategy is to determine the strategic objec- for terrorist groups with global ambitions. as transatlantic ties, are the cornerstone tives, directions, tools and resources need- The role of non-state actors in shaping the of Hungary’s independence, sovereignty, ed for the Hungarian Defence Forces to fulfil security environment is growing. Our se- territorial integrity and security. Hungary’s their mission in line with the Fundamental curity, therefore, is increasingly influenced protection is further strengthened by the Law of Hungary, the legal regulations de- by actors outside international security cooperation and political solidarity within termining the activities of the defence sec- structures, meaning that they are not di- the European Union. Hungary’s member- tor, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s rectly controlled by politics. The renewed ship in these two organisations provides Strategic Concept and the European Secu- National Security and Defence Strategy has a unique opportunity to manage the cur- rity Strategy, and based upon the principles been completed, and it is now awaiting en- rent security threats and challenges to- stipulated in the National Security Strategy. dorsement by the Government! gether with our Allies and EU partners in a Hungary’s National Military Strategy rests more effective manner. Hungary’s external on the two mutually supporting pillars: the Mission Roles and and internal security are perceived to be nation's defence capabilities and the NATO Perspectives of the HDF inseparable and unified. The Hungarian alliance. But these pillars cannot stand on Defence Forces are on the road to mod- their own. Without the assistance of its The main mission/primary goal of the allies, Hungary's military strength would Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) is to Author not be sufficient to defeat a determined secure the homeland, ensure the sover- external aggression on the country's bor- eignty of the airspace of Hungary and General Tibor Benkő, PhD, has been ders. At the same time, we must realise integrity of its territory, and participate the Chief of General Staff of the that NATO has no forces of its own: There in restoration after natural disasters and Hungarian Defence Forces since is no NATO army or air force that can be de- emergencies. The force development, in 6 June 2010. ployed to help out a member state in case accordance with the interest of the alli-

34 European Security & Defence · December 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

The Roles of the HDF

The use of the Hungarian Defence Forc- es generally occurs in crisis management operations, in many cases significantly far from Hungary, under extreme natural and climatic conditions, on a field, which is dif- ficult to access without the support of the host nation (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and so on). The HDF fully comply with tasks aris- ing from NATO membership and contrib- ute to the collective defence. NATO and EU membership enable Hungary to build ca- pabilities in cooperation with its allies and partners in harmony with its own domestic capacity-building priorities that the country could not procure or maintain individually and that are also absent in the internation- al domain. The cooperation between the Visegrád Four and other Central European partners is of great significance. Service abroad is of high importance for “The Hungarian Defence Forces’ main mission goal is to secure the the HDF. We are tending toward solving homeland.” the problems in crisis regions and provide a prosperous future for the inhabitants rather ance, is also among the priorities. In ad- the Hungarian Defence Forces hereinafter than bring crisis here. We’re ready to and dition to that, we are ready and have the can also be deployed on home ground if capable of stationing one thousand troops means to efficiently and productively par- necessary. Everyone is aware of the fact in international operations at any given ticipate in international peacekeeping and that mass migration (mainly economic mi- moment. From Hungary’s perspective, the humanitarian operations. Day by day our gration) can only be stopped with stable Western Balkan theatre of operations is very soldiers successfully protect Hungary’s bor- borders and with armed organisations. important for the region’s security. Currently ders and citizens against various threats. So HDF has undergone significant changes Hungary participates in the EU- and NATO- far 17,000 soldiers have taken part in the over the last two and a half decades. Simul- led missions with 370 personnel there. In protection of the country’s borders (among taneously with the transformation of the 2016, the Hungarian military has about 700 others providing reinforcement for the po- task system, the mass army was replaced troops stationed in foreign countries (on lice) with full parliamentary mandate. With by a smaller, flexibly deployable armed three continents in 15 countries), as part of the amendment of the Fundamental Law, force comprised of highly trained soldiers. international peacekeeping forces, including

About 700 Hungarian soldiers are serving as part of international peacekeeping forces in foreign countries including 100 troops in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 35 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

100 HDF troops in the NATO-led ISAF force quest of the international organisation. The and develop the HDF into a well-balanced in Afghanistan, 210 Hungarian soldiers in second possible way is to send troops at the armed force. The secondary goal is to re- Kosovo under command of KFOR, and 160 request of an allied country, but in this case store the nation's military industrial capacity troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hungary only with the approval of the entire parlia- and achieve a measure of self-sufficiency sent a 150-strong coalition unit to Iraq in ment. Military executives who are planning through the acquisition of most of our new 2015, which is expected to be 200 at the and leading military operations must be equipment from domestic suppliers. end of 2017. The stability of the Balkans con- prepared for unforeseen situations, includ- tinues to be in our national interest. Despite ing operations with large geographic scope Future Plans and Visions: the fact that the number of international and heavy forces, operations with special forces has decreased, the Hungarian com- forces, and also wars involving only a few Volunteer Territorial Defence mitment has not changed; Hungary con- “soldiers”, hackers, drones, and so on. For Reserve tinues to participate in UN, OSCE, EU, and commanders who conduct military opera- regional missions. tions, it is essential to know the potential The defence forces’ development plans of modern technology and to possess the of the Zrínyi 2026 Programme feature the Perspectives vital abilities to apply them. A commander reorganisation of the system of the volun- must be a person who can perform various tary reservists (planned number of reserve As defined in NATO ’Article 3’ (“In order tasks efficiently and dynamically by combin- forces: 20,000), and the implementation of more effectively to achieve the objectives ing and coordinating the resources available. recruitment campaigns in this context, as of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and well as the launch of the Defence Sports jointly, by means of continuous and effec- Defence Industry, Develop- Association and the enhancement of de- tive self-help and mutual aid, will maintain ment, and Procurement fence education as a priority goal, as part of and develop their individual and collective Issues which it is planned to develop a kind of ca- capacity to resist armed attack”) we are pro- det system. Among the plans regarding the gressively fulfilling the provisions contained The main goal is to ensure that the Hungar- development of Hungary’s defence capabil- therein. We are able to fully comply with ian Defence Forces become a well-prepared ity, we would like, inter alia, to reinforce the the requirements of ’Article 5’ – (“Its com- and effective military force in the region by air force and the procurement of transport mitment clause defines the casus foederis: It 2026. A comprehensive political decision aircraft and helicopters. Certainly amongst commits each member state to consider an puts the Hungarian Defence Forces on an the priorities are the modernisation of the armed attack against one member state, in upward course by virtue of the availability soldiers’ individual equipment, including Europe or North America, to be an armed of additional funds and the implementation their clothing and weapons. attack against them all”). The national law of development. To achieve this, we initi- determines the conditions under which a ated the implementation of the so-called Modernised Equipment and Hungarian unit can be deployed abroad. If Zrínyi 2026 Programme which is based on Weapons Hungary receives a NATO (Article 5) or UN the idea that “defence of the homeland is request, the government can send troops a national cause”. The programme has a Modernisation of the full range of our artil- anywhere for six months without approval dual purpose. The primary goal, of course, lery systems is another part of our agenda. of the parliament. After six months, the is to shift our focus from expeditionary op- Besides, work has already been started for government has to ask the parliament to erations to high-intensity operations, restore the revival of the Hungarian defence indus- extend the time in accordance with the re- combat capabilities that had withered away, try and the plans also contain the develop-

1,2 1,14 1,09 0,99 400

Graphics: ChoD HU 1 0,89 369,1 0,82 0,85 350 0,79 0,79 0,79 323,9

GDP 308,2 f 0,8 300 o 281,4 248,9 250 233,7 241,3 241,5 241,3 0,6 200 e In percentag

0,4 150

100 0,2 50

0 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Hungary’s military budget between 2010 and 2018.

36 European Security & Defence · December 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY ment of communication and information sacrifices. The reserve system is capable of think at least one step ahead of the next systems (CIS). The Hungarian defence and attracting the skilled, committed, motivated threat. Given the current crises and emerg- security industry’s main aim is to create compatriots from the labour market, who ing security challenges, all NATO members, new opportunities to sell existing products are ready to serve our country and retaining including Hungary, committed themselves or those still under development, and to them in the voluntary reserve force of the to developing their military strength. In bring new possibilities for cooperation. The Hungarian Defence Forces. order to materialise this commitment, in demands of the Hungarian Defence Forces cannot be fulfilled solely by domestic sourc- es, but foreign partners may see real suc- cess by offering products that represent as much added value to Hungary as possible. It is certainly important to mention our de- ficiencies in some development areas, but the directions should be rethought and the delays we have seen so far may be turned into advantages. Using the experiences of other countries, we can start the construc- tion according to new strategic directions while avoiding unnecessary impasses. We will embark on the largest defence forces development enterprise of the past twenty- five years. Plans include a pay settlement programme, as well. Long-term differen- tiated wage-setting is of the utmost im- portance; because of this – amongst other factors – the career path becomes more “The Volunteer Territorial Defence Reserve programme is encouraging predictable and provides stability for the the notion of patriotic commitment and willingness to make sacrifices.” individual and his family while reducing the differences between the armed organi- Nevertheless the formerly established re- January this year, the defence and military sations and civilian professionals. By the serve system also works: this voluntary re- forces development programme – the fre- progressive general pay rises – which have servist system is an integral part of a modern quently mentioned – Zrínyi 2026 has been been started recently – we could guarantee armed force based upon professional and launched. The programme itself is the most the retention of the capacity that has so far contracted personnel. It provides a frame- significant defence and military develop- been a positive development. work for the training of our fellow citizens ment programme of the last three dec- wishing to take an active role in the defence ades, which aims to modernise nearly all Development Directions and of the homeland and their employment in segments of the Hungarian armed forces. Changes of Training, Education peacetime and under special legal order. The The programme covers the development and Support Systems volunteer reservist system (VRS) consists of of the force structure and military capabili- three parts. The first contingent is the volun- ties, the reform of the personnel’s training, The system of health damage support was teer operational reservists (VOR), who can at the same time as realising versatile in- introduced in January this year. The HDF be called up for service in peacetime as well. vestments. The Government and the Hun- scholarship system has also been expanded, The second contingent is the volunteer de- garian Defence Forces are therefore com- so the MOD now offers to the young ap- fence reservists (VDR), who can be called up mitted to the success in implementing the plicants as many as 18 different scholarship only when a state of preventive defence or a Zrínyi 2026 programme, aiming at the full programmes. The defence scholarship pro- state of national emergency exists and serves execution of its specific directives, through grammes can also be a retaining force and as the lawful authority to call up, organise which a Defence Force that is combat- make the military career more attractive in and train those who are potentially liable for worthy in all respects should be created. the long run. We established a presence on military service. The third contingent is the The HDF task system has been substantially social media, we have gone into the schools, previously mentioned VTDR. According to supplemented. In addition to international where we offer national defence courses. 2016 data, some 3,791 people served in the engagement, the focus shifted towards We provide adventure opportunities in sum- voluntary army reserve of which 82 percent, the implementation of national defence mer camps for interested youngsters. For some 3,109, were former service pensioners tasks. In order to overcome the emerging their parents and older brothers we offer (an abolished form of pension that used to threats, the country's plan on armed de- the opportunity to contribute to the security provide pension to military, police and fire fence is being revised and supplemented, in of the nation by joining the recently raised department personnel based on their years a way that it strengthens the armed forces’ (brand new) reserve force, the companies of service). More than 2,000 of the reserve response capability to the challenges of of the Volunteer Territorial Defence Reserve personnel were over 50 years old. 21st century warfare. The development of (VTDR). According to the initial plans, the new capabilities will enable the Hungarian territorial reserve defence force will have a Summary Armed Forces to act against terrorism, mass company in all 197 administrative districts. migration and hybrid warfare, to guarantee This ambitious plan will need thousands of The Hungarian Defence Forces require ex- the territorial integrity of the country and new volunteers nationwide. The VTDR pro- tensive modernisation. In our rapidly chang- the life and property security of the popula- gramme is encouraging the notion of patri- ing world, an organisation which protects tion, simultaneously with maintaining con- otic commitment and willingness to make a country’s sovereignty and security must ventional tasks. L

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 37 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY Hungary Begins Long-Awaited Modernisation

Zord Gábor László

With the goal of reaching 2% of GDP for defence by 2024 set in a formal government declaration, Hungary has begun to draw up plans for the rehabilitation and modernisation of its national defence capabilities. Although transparency is not up to the standards of the European Union or NATO by any measure, information is slowly starting to emerge about the ZRÍNYI 2026 programme.

RÍNYI 2026 (named after a famous Hun- Zgarian-Croatian military commander of the 17th century Turkish wars), was first mentioned in official Hungarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) communications in Decem- ber 2016. It is called a “Home Defence and Military Forces Development Programme”, underlining the fact that it focusses not just on re-equipment, but also the rehabilita- tion of the status of the armed forces as a state institution, embedded in the society; a link which was broken due to more than 20 years of post-Cold War downsizing and the cessation of the conscription system in 2004.

Addressing Personnel Woes

As recruitment and retention are the two biggest challenges facing the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF), it is no coincidence that the “Home Defence” part is empha- sised: since 2015 a phased, differentiated 50% personnel expenditure hike has been ongoing, focussing on the lower ranks In Hungarian service NEŠTIN class minesweepers, originally from and the “high value” specialities, while Yugoslavia, are designated MS-25: three - ÓBUDA (shown here), at the same time a career model is being DUNAÚJVÁROS, and DUNAFÖLDVÁR - are operated by HDF 1st EOD developed and implemented. This effort is & River Flotilla Battalion for river mine clearance. also underlined by the fact that, beginning in 2010, higher education of military and HDF!) organised under the territorial prin- Ambiguity in Acquisition police personnel and civil servants was con- ciple: currently numbering around 6,000, Programmes solidated under the aegis of the National the goal is to reach 20,000 by the end of Public Service University (NKE), which aims the ten-year planning period. To put that Regarding the “Military Forces Develop- to establish smoother career transition and in perspective, 29,700 personnel has been ment” component of ZRÍNYI 2026, so- transfer between different arms of the pub- the authorised strength of the HDF since me ambiguity still exists a year after the lic services, also providing a “safety net” for 2013, about 5,500 of which it is currently launch of the programme. To understand those who have to leave uniformed service unable to fill. this one has to remember that in 2011 early. At the same time a big effort is devo- A non-traditional military mission, called the law regarding Defence was altered so ted to re-establishing the reserve forces (in Collective Will, to build, then guard a fence that any information regarding the HDF is 2010 there were exactly 17 reservists in the on the southern border to prevent illegal classified for 30 years. In practice, howe- entry of migrants is the biggest ongoing ver, the government and military leaders Author operation of the HDF, with a few thousand infrequently release bits of information troops deployed on a rotational basis since and general orientation, including those Zord Gábor László is a regulator 2014. Most of the time HDF meets a go- related to ZRÍNYI 2026, out of political contributer to the Hungarian vernment-mandated 1,000 personnel limit and PR expediency. Based on these and daily “Magyar Nemzet” and runs the on NATO/EU/anti-ISIS foreign missions, the fact that capability modernisation in Air Power Blog "legiero.blog.hu" the most important being Iraqi Kurdistan, the HDF has been very limited since the (in Hungarian language). Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan. Cold War, much equipment is simply old

38 European Security & Defence · December 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

a high level of protection and firepower. In terms of force structure this means two bri- gades, one of which (25th KLAPKA at Tata) has certain heavy segments remaining - ar- tillery, tanks, 9P148 tank destroyers - while the other (5th Bocskai in Debrecen) has Photos: via Miroslav Gyürösi no heavy assets but instead has the only reconnaissance battalion – UAVs and EW included – in the HDF). Bearing in mind these preconditions, so far, the following segments of ZRÍNYI 2026 became public:

Air Force

In 2014, the MoD signed a contract with MBDA for the regeneration of missile stocks of the MISTRAL VSHORAD systems, which was depleted through practice firings as well as shelf life expiry. This included the ac- quisition of new, longer range MISTRAL-3 missiles (delivered at the end of 2016, the contract became part of ZRÍNYI 2026); new multi-functional sights, as well as local refurbishment and life-extension of a certain number of old MISTRAL-2 missiles. The Hungarian Army fields only wheeled IFVs, but the intention to At the end of 2017 a contract for another acquire tracked vehicles has been stated. BTR-80 upgrades are con- batch of MISTRAL-3 is in hand, along with sidered to be a stopgap measure. the modernisation of MISTRAL Command or worn out, one can draw a very illumi- nating picture on what is going on. Concerning only significant Western acqui- sitions, there were just three cases in the past 20 years: those of MISTRAL VSHO- RAD systems, Kongsberg MRR radio sys- tems and - the biggest of all - the lease-to- buy of a squadron of Saab GRIPEN fighters. Land forces were generally neglected, the last significant acquisition being the deli- very (in exchange for Soviet state debt) of several hundred BTR-80 and 80A Armou- red Personnel Carriers (APC) in the early 90s which to this day form the backbone of Hungary’s land capability. Also to be con- sidered is the fact that these limited acqui- sitions ran parallel to downsizing - and the deletion of certain capabilities altogether, or down to purely symbolic levels. At their lowest, Hungary’s tank forces consisted of one single Company equipped with T-72 - now back to a battalion, at least on paper): self-propelled artillery assets (2S1 GVOZ- DIKA and 2S3 AKACIA) were withdrawn altogether, with one single unit of D-20 towed howitzers remaining: tracked Infan- try Fighting Vehicles (IFV) also disappeared with the withdrawal of the BMP-1. Even the 120mm mortars were withdrawn. The “light infantry concept” behind these force reductions was mandated by audits by the US company Cubic, which emphasised contribution to US-led multinational expe- A plan has been drawn up for the replacement of the KUB SHORAD ditionary missions versus heavy forces with systems, which were last modernised in 2002.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 39 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

Posts (MCP). Prices were not made pub- used MD902s, the HDF acquired two for- hed in the official gazette in November also lic. A concept was also drawn up for the mer EMS Ecureuils and three used Mi-8s; definitely signalled the beginning of con- replacement of the KUB SHORAD systems, and the EMS continued to lease H135s. By version training for the air transport crews. which were last modernised in 2002. This 2016 the government had selected a total- Despite the communication blackout, leaks effort is regularly mentioned as Medium ly different, and – considering mainstream to the press suggested that eventually the Range Air Defence (MRAD) of a Medium Euroatlantic political developments – very HDF – most likely through a Public-Priva- Surface to Air Missile (MSAM) capability, strange approach: instead of replacing its te-Partnership (PPP) scheme – will acquire which would mean – by NATO terminology 30-35 year-old fleet of mostly unservice- three Airbus A320/Boeing 737 class trans- – a system with more than 25 km range - able Soviet-Russian Mi-17 and Mi-24 heli- port aircraft, two smaller VIP-transport but no further details are known. copters, it was decided to overhaul them aircraft, and three medium military trans- Hungary had installed three NATO-finan- to give them eight more years and 2,000 ports, maybe with an aerial refuelling ca- ced RAT-31DL backbone radars by 2014, more flying hours of service. Also counted pability. but due to less than optimal locations - due under ZRÍNYI 2026, these five transport Regarding its combat air capability, Hun- to environmental concerns – has had to and twelve attack helicopters were sent gary is committed through a lease-to- keep two gap-filler radar companies equip- to the Russian Helicopters facilities in No- buy deal with Sweden to maintaining a ped with old Soviet P-37/PRV-17 radars to vosibirsk and Saint Petersburg. While the single squadron (14) of GRIPEN fighters provide the necessary NATINADS covera- former have not received any modernisa- until at least 2026. Leasing costs per year ge. These radars, as well as mobile groups tion under a €15M overhaul contract, the are thought to be around €60 to €100M. equipped with ST-68M and P-18 radars, latter may receive some upgrades under Most recently, steps were taken to increase

Hungary currently has leased 14 JAS 39 GRIPEN fighter aircraft. The contract includes 12 single-seaters and two dual-seat aircraft, as well as training for pilots and ground crew, ground maintenance facilities and a simulator. Leasing costs are thought to be €60 - €100M per year, and under the MS 20 contract the Hungarian MoD will upgrade the squadron to the latest Swedish Air Force standard. have to be replaced, but as a programme their €69M price tag. According to MoD their multifunctionality, especially the for Visegrad Four cooperation fell through, communications this action does not mean Close Air Support (CAS) capability, wi- it is thought Hungary is alone in seeking a a total abandonment of the new helicopter th existing LITENING IIIG targeting pods solution. In addition to a modern S-band ambitions, but it definitely means a shift to and GBU-12 laser guided bombs (LGBs) radar it is thought that a requirement exists the latter years of ZRÍNYI 2026. acquired from US stocks in 2015. Also, in to retain a radar capability in the VHF band For several years the MoD attempted to November 2017 Hungary joined NATO’s as well, for which the MoD company Ar- replace the very limited air mobility capabi- Precision Guided Munitions MoU, a joint zenal Zrt. has a prototype solution. Just as lity provided by a small fleet of An-26 light acquisition programme through which in the case of the ST-68M and P-18 today, transport aircraft, but never succeeded in it will be cheaper to buy further bombs future mobile systems are expected to have getting beyond the initial phase, despite for GRIPEN, as well as pooling munitions. to be interoperable with the target acquisi- this effort being considered a priority by The acquisition of RecceLite reconnais- tion radars of the SAM Wing. political leaders. Finally, based on defence sance pods is also ongoing. Also, earlier In 2013, a programme for a “National He- leadership statements, things seemed to this year the MoD signed a contract with licopter Capability” was drawn up, which start to move in 2017, although require- Sweden to enter the MS 20 upgrade with aimed at a single or coordinated package ments were never released officially, and a the aircraft, which will convert it to the acquisition of Western helicopters for mi- waiver given by the Parliament’s Defence most modern Swedish Air Force standard, litary, police and Emergency Medical Ser- Committee means that no open tendering including a METEOR Beyond Visual Range vices (EMS) use. From 2014, however, it is necessary for the acquisitions. An order (BVR) air-to-air missile capability to repla- was slowly abandoned; the police bought from the Chief of Staff of the HDF publis- ce the current AIM-120C-5 AMRAAMs.

40 European Security & Defence · December 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: HUNGARY

time whether on a national or regional (Visegrad Four for example) basis. It is known that Hungarian officials took part in demonstrations of the upcoming Aero L-39NG jet trainer.

Land Forces

Recently some basic information regar- ding armour modernisation has started to appear, based on the fact that NATO has set Hungary a force goal to have an operational heavy brigade by the end of the planning cycle. Currently based solely on wheeled APC vehicles, having lost its IFV capability many years ago, it has been stated that the HDF wants to field tracked combat vehicles again. Also, the renewal of a Main Battle Tank (MBT) capability is envisioned. As Hungary’s economy is very much engaged in vehicle/car manufactu- ring, it is thought to be the programme where the political requirement for indus- A contract for a further batch of MBDA MISTRAL-3 is in hand, along with trial participation and “localisation” is the the modernisation of MISTRAL Command Posts (MCP). strongest. Just like the helicopters, this big-ticket item is expected to move into However, no contract for the missiles has soon, and it is thought that the MoD is high gear in the latter half of ZRÍNYI 2026, been signed yet. MS 20 will be implemen- looking for alternatives. In this respect, with further - or until now not financed - ted at least partially by 2019, as new iden- its screening/basic training aircraft, Yak- BTR-80 upgrades coming as a stopgap. tification capabilities will be needed when 52s, were replaced this year by two Zlín At the end of 2017, the Hungarian Govern- Hungarian GRIPENS will again take part in Z-242L light trainers from the Czech Re- ment issued a decree on providing finan- the Baltic Air Policing mission. Old SIDE- public, with two Z-143LSi to follow so- cial guaranties of about €€€30M to impro- WINDER missiles which have reached the on (altogether a little more than €1M). ve HDF fire support capabilities (acquisi- end of their life cycle can only be replaced Eventually the HDF will acquire eight of tion of artillery systems and munitions) by IRIS-T, as this is the standard advanced these aircraft. As a secondary role, some “in 2017-19”. Public studies and lectures short range AAM for GRIPEN, with no al- of the aircraft are to be equipped with in recent years have suggested a prog- ternative weapon having been integrated. a light electro-optical sensor payload ramme for the “renewal of field- and Hungary joined the NATO Flight Training for border patrol/disaster relief support anti-tank artillery”, which is now widely Canada (NFTC) school in 2002, but the missions. An advanced trainer is also regarded as either an acquisition of used long term contract is coming to an end being sought, but it is not known at this self-propelled howitzers, or of anti tank guided missiles (ATGM) – at least as a stopgap solution. One also has to bear in mind that that the existing towed D-20 howitzers are totally obsolete, and stocks of 9M111 FAGOT and 9M113 KONKURS (AT-4/5) ATGMs and their 9P148 plat- forms are reaching the end of their life cycles. Newer 9M131 METIS-M missiles are in service, but their range is limited to only 2,000 metres. One of the companies of the MoD, Ei Zrt., has been engaged in developing and ma- nufacturing light drones for many years, both for an air defence training target role and a tactical reconnaissance role. Based on METEOR, which was used for live firing exercises, NEMERE and ORKAN were de- veloped for the latter purpose, with very different aerodynamic layouts. The sing- le recon battalion of the HDF uses Israeli SKYLARK-LE UAVs, but it is though that the Hungarian products entered field trials At their lowest Hungary’s tank forces consisted of one single Company in recent years. Special Operations Forces equipped with T-72 - now back to a battalion, at least on paper. use RQ-11 RAVEN UAVs. L

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 41  ARMED FORCES Georgian Military Modernisation: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Eugene Kogan

The article focuses on the current modernisation of the Georgian military. Whatever happened before the appointment of Levan Izoria, the current Minister of Defence, is history. Izoria was appointed Minis- ter of Defence on 1 August 2016.

t a press conference on 7 November A2016, Izoria announced plans to re- form the country's armed forces, air force and air defence, but concluded that the Photo: US Army construction of a new naval capacity was too costly. The Navy was disbanded in 2009 and merged with the Coast Guard, which is part of the Border Guard Division and reports to the Ministry of the Interior (MIA). It should also be emphasised that Izoria's reform plans were not the first and probably will not be the last ones. His pre- decessors tried to pursue the same reform and, idiomatically speaking, “they keep treading on the same rake.” During the reign of the Georgian Dream Coalition between 2012 and 2016, two ministers resigned, the third was removed from office and the fourth, the current minister Izoria, retained his previous posi- tion as minister. It remains to be seen how A mine-clearing line charge (MICLIC) explodes in a Georgian obstacle long. The frequent change of ministers has during a rehearsal for the combined arms live fire at Vaziani Training hampered efforts to build robust and ef- Area, Georgia. The live fire was the last training event before the fective armed forces, as each minister has closing of Exercise Noble Partner in August 2017. Noble Partner is a his or her own vision of the armed forces multinational, US Army-led exercise conducting training for the he or she tried to implement without learn- Georgian military designated for the NATO Response Force. ing from the mistakes of his or her prede- cessors. As a result, the reforms have not qualified personnel, which can be used air-defence forces, and the military police. yielded tangible results and the country's either as contracted servicemen or in the The plans envisages abolishing an unspeci- military capabilities give little hope, even reserves. In the past, army conscripts only fied number of departments within the though Georgian Dream's officials claim exercised logistic and support functions; General Staff and emphasises the use of otherwise. It is not yet clear whether the they were not trained for combat and did combat helicopters and UAVs as there is current reform will be more successful than not participate in combat. At the same no Georgian air fleet. Because of this opti- the previous ones. time, Izoria stressed that the army will con- misation, 1,750 civilian personnel from the tinue to consist primarily of professional MoD and 340 military personnel from the The Contours of Reform soldiers. Professionals currently account for Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) were dis- 90 percent or around 13,000, all of them missed in December 2016. Who will supply During the press conference, Izoria added deployed in Afghanistan as part of combat combat helicopters and UAVs to Georgia that the basic training of conscripts will in operations. However, conscripts currently is currently unknown, as the West is not future be similar to that of professional sol- account for only 10 percent or around yet ready for such deliveries. And Israeli diers, in order to create a larger pool of 2,000. For example, the current army has companies might not step in as they do about 15,000 soldiers without the Ministry not want to provoke Russia’s ire. After the Author of Defence and the General Staff person- August 2008 war, Israeli companies halted nel as well as civilian staff of the Ministry of the supply of weapon systems to Georgia, Eugene Kogan is a defence Defence, which according to various open while neighbouring Turkey did not provide and security expert based in Tbilisi, sources consists of 36,000 to 37,000. any arms at all. Georgia. Izoria also announced plans to optimise the In the meantime, the number of infantry General Staff, the army, the air force, the brigades was cut from five to four and

42 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMED FORCES 

Defence Budget and Acquisition Photo: NATO In May 2014 a bill proposed to spend 2 per cent of the country’s GDP on MoD’s an- nual budget. However, the bill was never adopted; there is no such obligation in Georgia’s legislation. Nonetheless, in 2014 the MoD received 2.24 per cent of the GDP (GEL660M). In 2015 and 2016 the MoD received GEL670M. In 2016, 67 per cent of the budget was spent on salaries and social benefits while 33 per cent was spent on military equipment, ammunition and other unspecified needs. This was a big mistake indeed and an improper allocation of funds. According to NATO standards, salaries and administrative expenses should range some- General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and the where between 50 to 53 per cent, and Geor- Georgian Minister of Defence Levan Izoria provide opening remarks for gia tries to live up to these standards. In April the Special Military Committee meeting with Georgia. 2017, Izoria said that Georgia’s spending ra- tio would change, with a larger percentage changes were made as to where they only deploying troops to Afghanistan. The of the budget allocated for procurement would be based. Georgia needs a small but US does some combined arms training of needs and combat readiness. It remains to well-equipped army that is highly mobile, Georgian troops, but it does so at Hohen- be seen whether or not Izoria’s intention robust, effective and cost-efficient and in- fels Training Area in Germany. Izoria said will be realised. According to a government- teroperable with NATO standards. A new that the proposed training centre will prob- revised draft published in December 2016 West Command of Land Forces of the GAF ably be located at Vaziani Air Base, with the MoD is to receive GEL750M (or about with its headquarters in Kutaisi was estab- Georgia investing GEL10M. Izoria added US$312M) in 2017. It is still unclear how this lished in November 2016. Simultaneously, that nine Georgian battalions would start sum will be spent. It is obvious, however, an East Command of Land Forces of GAF training there on 1 March 2018. that the revised defence budget does not was also established. As for the overall cost of the aforemen- allow for substantial acquisition of new But the lack of a naval capacity leaves tioned endeavour, the MoD budget largely equipment and advanced weapon systems. Georgia out of NATO maritime operations covers personnel wages and to a lesser It is also uncertain that NATO member states in the Black Sea. Prime Minister Giorgi degree training and acquisition despite – together or individually – would be ready Kvirikashvili stated on 7 November 2016, standing at 2 per cent of the GDP. to offer Georgia arms at a discounted price. “We shall be part of Black Sea security to- gether with the North Atlantic family, and Georgia will be included in patrolling and other similar operations." But this state- Photo: US Army ment should not be taken seriously, as it is not the competence of a prime minis- ter to deal with military issues. This would be a task of MoD officials or the minister himself. Moreover, Georgia has no naval capabilities aside from a few Coast Guard ships donated by the US. In addition to the initiatives mentioned above, the annual NATO-Georgia military exercise Noble Partner which began in 2014 aims to improve the interoperability and performance of the Georgian military. In May 2016 the Georgian Army com- manded for the first time a joint Georgia- US-UK air and land forces exercise. Howev- er, deterrence with defensive weapons and training of troops for homeland defence A US Army Soldier assigned to 2nd Cavalry Regiment poses with one of remains an unresolved issue for Georgia the local children during their stop in Khashuri, Georgia, on 31 July 2017 which has not yet been addressed by its al- as they begin Exercise Noble Partner. Noble Partner 17 is a European lies. In July 2016 it was reported that the US Rotational Force exercise of Georgia’s light infantry company contribu- intends to step up training combat skills of tion to the NATO Response Force. The exercise provides participating the GAF and help Georgia building a local nations with the opportunity to train in a multinational environment training centre for self-defence rather than while enhancing interoperability during realistic training events.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 43  ARMED FORCES

air-defence systems nothing has material- ised thus far. In April 2017 it was reported that Izoria plans to visit France to negotiate Photo: US Army with his French counterpart about purchas- ing air-defence systems. All of this makes Georgia’s military unprepared against po- tential Russian military attacks. The final piece of the current reform an- nounces the establishment of reserve forces. Previous ministers of defence have tackled this issue with little success. An- other initiative should be taken with a grain of salt.

Reserve Forces

The Georgian military expert Vakhtang Maisaya said, “Forming robust military reserve forces remains the most impor- tant and challenging step in army reform. Currently, the main objective should be to Georgian Army soldiers from the 22nd Light Infantry Battalion listen make use of the reserves and work out to their captain during a Georgian Independence Day celebration on mobilisation plans that signal the defensive 26 May 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. strength of the country. The government has worked out the concept, and it fully But it is a fact that even nine years after the as July 2016, it was not entirely clear what corresponds with NATO standards.” August 2008 war the West remains reluc- type of weapon systems Georgia would be Indeed, in March 2016 Georgia’s top mili- tant to sell arms to Georgia due to concerns allowed to acquire as a result of the afore- tary commanders discussed the mobili- about provoking Russian ire. Thus far, West- mentioned funding. American officials sation and reserve forces draft concept. ern reluctance has resulted in serious im- were tight-lipped regarding the provision According to the concept, the main mis- pairment of the country’s air-defence and of weapon systems. Even in September sion of the GAF reserves is to support the anti-tank capabilities. As long as the West 2017 uncertainty about acquisitions per- armed forces in wartime, during crisis and is unwilling to sell these weapon systems sisted. It appears, however, that JAVELIN in peacetime. The draft includes three cat- to Georgia, the Georgian military inven- ATGMs and F-92 STINGER MANPADS are egories of the reserve system – army, ter- tory will consist of obsolete Soviet equip- unlikely to be sold to Georgia. Despite a ritorial and specialists’ reserve. ment, some Georgian-made equipment wealth of information in open sources In May 2017, the aforementioned catego- and some Western arms like US-donated about Georgia’s likely acquisition of French ries were elaborated. The first category is helicopters. As a result, the Georgian mili- tary remains vulnerable vis-à-vis the heavily armed Russian military stationed in Abkha- zia and South Ossetia which has been in- creased in strength since the August 2008 war. More than 8,000 Russian soldiers are stationed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia – Photo: US Marine Corps the occupied regions of Georgia. The in- tegration of the Abkhazian and South Ossetian troops under Russian command further increased the numbers and agility of the deployed forces. Despite Western reluctance to sell arms it was reported in February 2016 that Ameri- can military assistance to Georgia known as Foreign Military Financing (FMF) would decrease under a budget proposal from US$30M in 2016 down to US$20M in 2017. The 2017 funding is intended “to advance Georgia’s development of forces capable of enhancing security, countering Russian aggression, and contributing to coalition operations. This will include support in ar- eas such as upgrades to Georgia’s rotary Georgian Army soldiers wait for air transportation prior to conducting wing air transport capabilities, advisory operation Northern Lion II at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghani- and defence reform, and modernisation of stan, July 2013. Northern Lion II was a Georgian-led operation conduct- Georgia’s military institutions.” Yet, as late ed to deter insurgents, establish a presence and gather intelligence.

44 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Masthead European Security & Defence to be composed of demobilised servicemen or servicemen who Issue 8/2017 · December 2017 completed a five-year military contract and are willing to serve for ISSN 1617-7983 · www.euro-sd.com another five years in a reserve unit. Published by The second category is to be the territorial reserve established on Mittler Report Verlag GmbH the basis of the existing Georgian National Guard with its current A company of the Tamm 1,600 active reservists that is used as reserve for the GAF. In the Media Group event of hostilities, its members will be deployed only in their home district and serve for five years. Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter Bossdorf (pb) The third category is to consist of civilian experts whose knowledge Managing Editor (Magazine): Stephen Barnard (sb) and experience can be useful to the army in peacetime or wartime. Managing Editor (Newsletter): Dorothee Frank (df) Industrial Editors: Waldemar Geiger (wg), Gerhard Heiming (gwh), Jürgen Hensel (jh) The active army reserve is to number 1,500 people, and the ter- Sub-Editors: Christopher Ellaway-Barnard (cb), Christian Kanig (ck) ritorial reserve will be 10,000 strong. The specialised reserve units Editor Special Assignments: Stefan Nitschke, Ph.D (sn) will not be limited in size, and will be dynamically formed based Correspondents: Rolf Hilmes (Army Technology), Peter Preylowski (Airborne Systems) on GAF’s developing needs. Unlike the current reserve system, the Regional Correspondents: Tamir Eshel (Israel), Tim Guest (UK), Jaime Karremann (The Netherlands), Beka Kiria (Georgia), Shinichi Kiyotani (Japan), Yury Laskin (Russia), new concept envisions manning a reserve on a voluntary basis only. J. Bo Leimand (Denmark), Jay Menon (India), Chet Nagle (USA), Luca Peruzzi (Italy), Women up to 55 years of age will also be allowed to serve. Under David Saw (France), Joris Verbeurgt (Belgium/EU/NATO), Esteban Villarejo (Spain) this proposed system, members of the reserve who sign a five-year Supported by the editorial team of “Europäische Sicherheit & Technik” contract will undergo an annual 45-day retraining course; they will Layout: receive financial compensation equalling 20 per cent of the salary davis creativ media GmbH, Germany of a military service member of similar rank and grade. As for the Production: others’ refreshing course it remains unknown and, as a result, there Lehmann Offsetdruck GmbH are questions around whether or not the proposed idea is feasible. 22848 Norderstedt, Germany Izoria said that if the legislature adopted this reserve concept, a Office address: ‘pilot’ programme for selecting participants and concluding service Mittler Report Verlag GmbH contracts would start in 2018. It is a good idea to carefully evaluate Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany the pilot programme before continuing with the rest of the afore- Phone.: +49 228 3500870, Fax: +49 228 3500871 Email: [email protected], www.mittler-report.de mentioned reserve components. Back in 2012 a similar ‘pilot’ project was launched and 13,000 Director of Marketing Jürgen Hensel (jh) volunteer reservists (out of an envisaged 100,000) were recruited. Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany At the time, the new recruits accounted for less than 1 per cent of Phone: +49 228 3500876, Fax: +49 228 3500871 Georgia’s defence budget (US$3.5M). The author does not know Email: [email protected] whether Izoria took recent experience into account and it is unclear Advertising Representatives: whether resources allocated to the reservists is money well spent. There is one very important point on which the author and Dipl.-Betrw. Uwe Nemeyer, optiproject GmbH – Agentur für sicherheitspolitische und wehrtechnische Kommunikation Maisaya agree, with the latter stating: “Georgia still does not Von-Imhoff-Weg 5, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany have an overarching comprehensive military strategy to replace Phone: +49 2226 909637, Fax: +49 2226 909653 the now outdated one adopted after the August 2008 war and Email: [email protected], www.optiproject.de that would define the role of the reservist force vis-à-vis the regu- France/Italy lar army.” And as long as such a strategy has not been prepared, Diana Scogna reforms of the reserve forces are likely to fail. Phone.: +33 6-6252-2547, Email: [email protected] To conclude, there are currently more questions than answers. UK/Ireland/Eastern Europe/Israel/Turkey: What is clear is that even the good intentions in the West trans- Stephen Barnard, c/o Mittler Report Verlag GmbH lating into training of the GAF for missions in Afghanistan is not Phone: +49 228 35 00 886, Email: [email protected] sufficient help for Georgia at this crucial juncture for training in USA/Canada: homeland defence. The meagre defence budget and its improp- Susan Spilman-Gardner erallocation, namely 67 per cent for salaries and social benefits, Email: [email protected] while the rest goes towards military equipment and so on, impair Phone: +1 817-751-5888 the country's abilities to purchase urgently needed modern arms. Russia & CIS: Western reluctance to sell modern arms lessens the ability of GAF Laguk Co., Yury Laskin, General Director to defend Georgia. Whether or not Izoria’s negotiations would ulti- Krasnokholmskaya Nab., 11/15, 132, RF-109172 Moskau, Russian Federation Phone: 007-495-911-1340, Fax: 007-495-912-1260, Email: [email protected] mately lead to the signing of a contract for the purchase of French- made air-defence systems is not a foregone conclusion. Thus far Subscription/Reader Service: Emmanuel Macron, President of France, has not given any hints PressUp GmbH, Postfach 70 13 11, 22013 Hamburg, Germany about the signing of a contract. Therefore, the issue of Georgian Phone: +49 40 38 66 66-319, Fax: +49 38 66 66-299 air-defence capability remains unresolved and the country remains Email: [email protected] unprotected. In addition, even if the aforementioned reform with European Security & Defence the reserve forces looks great on paper there is no guarantee for © 2017 Mittler Report Verlag GmbH its success. It should be remembered that past experience showed The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. that reform of the reserve forces ended in failure and no con- All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior clusions were drawn from the past failed experience. And written permission of the publisher in Bonn. finally, it remains unknown whether or not the current min- Cover Photos: Photonis Netherlands, EUTM Mali, USNI ister of defence will retain his position, or be dismissed as his predecessors and subsequently a new wave of reforms will be Annual subscription rate (8 issues): €49.80 incl. postage initiated. L

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 45  ARMED FORCES The Brussels Backdrop

The EU in Action: European Military and Civilian Missions and Operations Joris Verbeurgt

Common Security and a consultative mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) a similar goal. At the Rafah Crossing Point Defence Policy to assist the Iraqi authorities in implement- between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the EU ing the civilian aspects of the Iraqi national assumes the third-party role, ensuring the The idea of a common European defence security strategy. With a budget of €14M freedom of movement of the 1.5 million policy dates back to 1948 when the Treaty per year, the 35 experts advise and sup- Palestinians living in Gaza while taking into of Brussels was signed by Great Britain, port the Iraqi government in building state account Israel’s security concerns. EUBAM France and the Benelux countries. The mu- institutions capable of consolidating secu- Libya supports the Libyan authorities at tual defence clause paved the way for the rity, peace and conflict prevention while re- strategic and operational level in develop- Western European Union (WEU), founded specting the rule of law and human rights ing border management and security at the in 1954. The Treaty of Lisbon (signed in standards. Another advisory mission was country’s land, sea and air borders. Through 2007 and that entered into force in 2009 sent to Ukraine end 2014 after the Maidan advising, training and mentoring Libyan after all member states ratified the Treaty) revolution: EUAM Ukraine (200 strong) as- counterparts, the civilian crisis management extended mutual assistance to all EU mem- sists the Ukrainian authorities through stra- mission with a capacity-building mandate bers, making the WEU superfluous. Since tegic advice and hands-on support towards strengthens the border services in accord- then, European security policy has pursued a sustainable reform of the civilian security ance with international standards and best a number of paths, developing simultane- sector based on EU standards and interna- practices. Southwest of Libya, the CSDP is ously within the EU and NATO. tional principles of good governance and involved in two capacity-building missions The EU pursues foreign and security policy human rights. At the 1,222-kilometre-long in the Sahel; since 2012, EUCAP Sahel Niger within the framework of its Common For- border between Ukraine and Moldova, has supported Niger in its fight against ter- eign and Security Policy (CFSP) which cov- the EU Border Assistance Mission to Mol- rorism and organised crime. ers all areas of foreign policy and all ques- dova and Ukraine (EUBAM) was launched The 180-people-strong team provides ad- tions relating to the EU's security. Among in 2005. It promotes border control, cus- vice and training to the Nigerien security others, the CFSP includes a Common Se- toms and trade norms and practices that institutions in strengthening their capaci- curity and Defence Policy (CSDP), dealing meet EU standards and serve the needs of ties to ensure constitutional and demo- with defence issues and with the military its two partner countries. It is an advisory, cratic order, maintain State authority and and civilian aspects of crisis management. technical body based in Odessa (Ukraine) shape the conditions for lasting peace. In Within the EU’s foreign and defence policy, staffed by 200 people. Its mission ended neighbouring country Mali, EUCAP Sa- the EU External Action Service (EUEAS) and on 30 November 2017. EUBAM Rafah (since hel Mali does exactly the same as from the High Representative for Foreign Affairs 2005) and EUBAM Libya (since 2013) have January 2015. The mandate for the staff and Security Policy play a prominent role.

Missions and Operations

Since the implementation of the CSDP al- Photo: EUNAVFOR most 15 years ago, the EU has carried out more than 30 civilian missions and military operations. The EU currently manages six military and ten civilian overseas missions and operations in fourteen countries spread across three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia). More than 4,000 people are com- mitted to maintaining peace, prevent- ing conflict, strengthening international security, supporting the rule of law and preventing human trafficking and piracy. French frigate FS FLOREAL during the EUNAVFOR Operation “Atalanta” The latest mission is dated 17 October 2017: in 2016

46 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMED FORCES 

to promote EU policies in the wider region. The EU in Action: European Military and EUPOL COPPS/Palestinian Territories is the EU’s Office for Palestinian Police Support. Since 2006, the mission contributes to the Civilian Missions and Operations establishment of sustainable and effective policing arrangements by advising Palestin- ian authorities on criminal justice, the rule of law and on issues within the wider context of the security sector. In the Balkans, the EU is present in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo: EUFOR (Operation Althea) provides capacity building and training to the Bosnian

Photo: EULEX Armed Forces following NATO standards. It EULEX Head of Mission Alexandra Papadopoulou during the inaugura- also contributes to stabilisation, deterrence tion of the Educational-Correctional Centre for Juveniles in Lipjan, and continued compliance with the Dayton Kosovo, on 15 September 2017 and Paris agreements that brought peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995. The of 140 with a year's budget of €15M ex- enforcement capabilities in Somalia, in- mandate, backed by several UN Security pires in January 2018. The EU also has an cluding Somaliland. EUNAVFOR Somalia, Council resolutions, also includes assuring on-going military training mission in Mali: perhaps better known under the name a safe and secure environment. The EU EUTM Mali. In line with UNSC Resolution “Operation Atalanta”, is the EU’s maritime military operation (still 7,000 strong) suc- 2085 (2012), the mission supports the operation against piracy and armed rob- ceeded the NATO operation SFOR in 2004 rebuilding of the Malian armed forces by bery at sea off the Horn of Africa and in but still relies on NATO assets and capa- providing expertise and advice, in particular the Western Indian Ocean. Several frigates regarding command and control, logistics, and support vessels patrol the seas to pro- human resources and international human- tect vessels and vulnerable shipping, deter itarian law. Besides training combat units, and disrupt piracy and armed robbery at EUTM Mali is also involved in the disarma- sea, monitor fishing activities and support ment, demobilisation and reintegration of other EU missions working to strengthen former rebel forces. The CSDP manages two maritime security and capacity building in Photo: Irish Defence Forces other training missions in Africa. In the Cen- the region. The other maritime operation tral African Republic, EUTM RCA supports under the CSDP flag is EUNAVFOR MED the CAR authorities in the preparation and (from Mediterranean) or Operation Sophia, implementation of the Security Sector Re- launched on 22 June 2015 as part of the form. It assists the CAR Armed Forces with EU’s comprehensive approach to manage building the capacity and quality needed irregular migration and disrupt traffickers’ to evolve towards modern, effective, ethni- and smugglers’ networks in the Southern cally balanced and democratically account- Central Mediterranean. able armed forces by offering strategic The mission trains the Libyan Coastguard An Irish sergeant serving with advice, education and operational training. and Navy and contributes to the implemen- EUTM Mali teaches a class on EUTM Somalia supports the Somali security tation of the UN arms embargo of the coast counter-IED to Malian officer forces by providing political and strategic of Libya. It conducts surveillance activities cadets at the Military Academy advice, by mentoring the military training and gathers and shares information on hu- in Koulikoro, Mali, in March 2015. system and by advising the Headquarters man trafficking and on illegal trafficking of of the Somali National Armed Forces. EU- oil exports from Libya, among others with bilities. EULEX Kosovo has two objectives: CAP Somalia (since 2015) emanated from FRONTEX and EUROPOL. All EU mem- supporting Kosovo’s rule of law institutions EUCAP Nestor, a civilian mission aimed at ber states are involved in this operation. to strengthen the chain of criminal justice assisting countries in the Horn of Africa and In Georgia, the EU deployed an unarmed by monitoring, mentoring and advising the Western Indian Ocean to develop self- civilian monitoring mission in 2008, the (MMA). The emphasis is on fighting politi- sustaining capacities for the enhancement EUMM Georgia. The 200 monitors with cal interference and ‘sensitive’ cases. At the of maritime security. From the headquar- headquarters in Tbilisi patrol the areas ad- executive level, EULEX delivers rule of law ters located in Mogadishu, its 170 men jacent to Abkhazia and South Ossetia to services until Kosovo authorities are capa- and women from 13 contributing nations prevent a return to hostilities, to support a ble of ensuring those services themselves manage a budget of €23M per year for normalisation of the situation, to build con- through continuous assessments and the the establishment of maritime civilian law fidence among the opposing parties and building of capacities in these areas.

December 20182017 · European Security & Defence 47  ARMED FORCES XIth Regional Seapower Symposium

Guy Toremans

From 18 to 20 October 2017, Admiral Valter Girardelli, Chief of the crewing effort to project stability and secu- rity from the sea”, structured around three Italian Navy, hosted the eleventh iteration of the biennial Regional sessions, kicked off. Seapower Symposium (XIth RSS) in the Sala Squadratori of the Session 1, chaired by RADM Henry Babalo- la, Chief of Policy and Plans Nigerian Navy, Arsenale in Venice. was themed Maritime Security Operations present and future: how to face trans-re- gional challenges through traditional capa- his year’s edition saw the attendance theory of the Blue Century, e.g. an increas- bilities. The panel included RADM Stuart Tof 31 chiefs of navy and 21 top-rank- ing dependence on marine resources and Mayer – Commander Australian Fleet; ing naval representatives from 35 navies the development of policies for a sustain- RADM Mitko Petev – Commander Bulgar- of Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black able and inclusive exploitation of this huge ian Navy; ADM Christophe Prazuck – Chief Sea, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf – the amount of resources. of the French Navy; CDRE Mohammed Taoudi – Chief Maritime Affairs Depart- ment Royal Moroccon Navy; VADM Ihor Voronchenko – Commander of the Ukraine Navy; RADM Habibollah Sayyari – Com- mander-in-Chief Iranian Navy; RADM En- rico Credendino – Commander EURONA- Photos: Guy Toremans VFOR; Mr Chris Trelawny – Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Internation- al Maritime Organisation (IMO). Session 2, chaired by RADM Chuen Hong Lew, the Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy, covered Maritime Situational Aware- ness towards a federative approach: how to include trans-regional actors and pursue effective interoperability. The panel mem- bers of this session were VADM Mosuwa Samuel Hlongwane – Chief of the South African Navy; ADM Manuel Garat Carame – Deputy Chief Spanish Naval Staff; Lt Gen The first informal meeting of the navy chiefs from the G7 countries Esa Pulkkinen – Director General EU Mili- (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA) onboard tary Staff; Mr Alberto Tuozzi – Head Tele- ITS AMERIGO VESPUCCI. communications & Navigation Division ASI; and Mr Bernhard Friess – Director Maritime so-called Wider Mediterranean – and 17 This requires the development of opera- Affairs & Fisheries European Commission navies from beyond the Wider Mediterra- tional models which must be “expedition- DG Mare. nean, as well as prominent representatives ary” in nature, while meeting jointness The final session, headed by VADM An- from 11 international organisations and the requirements. In this light, Navies are best dreas Krause – Chief of the German Navy, naval industry. In his opening speech Adm placed to leverage on the inherent cross- focused on “Maritime Capacity Building as Girardelli extended a warm welcome to the domain capability. They have the agility and a fundamental pillar of International Coop- delegates from Australia, Canada, Indone- implicit ability to rapidly deliver joint and eration: how to identify, develop and deliv- sia, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia strategic effect from the sea, while retain- er comprehensive portfolios of activities to who attended the RSS for the first time. ing political manoeuvring space, to carry support worldwide partners”. Speakers in- He underlined that no maritime aspect is out enhanced Maritime Security Opera- cluded Major General Haouli Mohammed attracting so much attention as Maritime tions. Consequently we need to engage in Larbi – Commander Algerian Naval Forces; Situational Awareness (MSA), Maritime common efforts by fostering cooperation RADM Ahmed Abdelmoaty Mohammed Security (MS) and Maritime Capacity Build- and develop mutual trust and interopera- Hawash – Defence Attaché Egyptian Navy; ing. "I would like to promote the idea of bility. This can be achieved through Capac- VADM Nicolas Tsounis – Chief of the Hel- sea-centricity, a concept that is tied to the ity Building, an area where maritime forces lenic Navy General Staff; ADM Yutaka Mu- can provide a major contribution, thanks rakawa – Chief of Staff Japanese Maritime Author to their inherent strategic versatility and Defence Force; ADM Sir Philip Jones – First operational flexibility, further enhanced by Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff UK, ADM Guy Toremans is a freelance naval full exploitation of sea-basing.” John Richardson – Chief of Naval Opera- journalist based in Belgium. Hereupon the XIth RSS, under the general tions US Navy and VADM Vincenzo Melone theme of "Navies beyond traditional roles: – Commander Italian Coast Guard.

48 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMED FORCES  Participating Navies Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Croatia, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, France, a revision of international law of the seas Georgia, Germany, Greece, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, and the identification of deterrent and Libya, Malta, Morocco, Mauritania, Mexico, Montenegro, The Nether- effective mechanisms and enforcement lands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi measures to deal with piracy, illegal immi- Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Tur- gration via the sea and maritime terrorism. key, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, Ukraine and the USA. We should design a maritime cooperation model and provide the collective security through interaction with the global mari- For the 11th time, time community.” The admiral also had the Italian Navy bilateral talks with his counterparts from succeeded in making the Italian, Netherlands, Algerian, Ukrain- the RSS an outstand- ian, Russian, Spanish, Greek, Bulgarian, ing event with an Portugese, South African, Croatian and all-time record of 52 Argentinian navies, about possible co- participating navies. operations and about sharing the Iranian Navy’s lessons learned from experiences in the area.

Participating International Some of the more noteworthy speakers and 32 patrol boats, mine countermeas- Organisations included VADM Ihor Voronchenko – Com- ures vessels and raid/amphibious units. Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), mander of the Ukrainian Navy and RADM We anticipate them to join the fleet by Centro Alti Studi per la Difesa Habibollah Sayyari – Commander-in-Chief 2021/2022. Such a Mosquito Fleet is an ef- (CASD), Maricogecap, Fincantie- Iranian Navy. In his presentation, VADM fective solution to ensure a presence at sea ri, Leonardo, ELT, International Voronchenko said that “the aggressive and will definitely support further develop- Maritime Organization (IMO), annexation and following militarisation of ment of our blue water ambition.” the EU Commission DG Mare, EU Crimea by Russia is a serious challenge for Obviously, the presentation of RADM Say- Military Staff, EU Navfor Med, the maritime security of Ukraine, as well yari attracted considerable attention. He COM JFC Naples, and the Allied as for the Black Sea and Eastern Mediter- gave an overview on Iran’s experience in Maritime Command (AMC). ranean regions. Therefore, we must quickly ensuring a sustainable security in the Straits build maritime capabilities to defend our- of Bab-el-Mandeb, the Persian Gulf, the selves. An option for a continuous presence Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Hormuz. On the final day of the symposium the at sea is a Mosquito Fleet. Such a fleet, with “Since 2008, we continuously participated Italian Ministry of Defence, Sen. Roberta multirole boats like fast patrol boats and in antipiracy operations by deploying more Pinotti and the Chief of Italian Defence minehunting vessels, can provide maritime than 50 naval task groups to the Gulf of General Claudio Graziano, flew in from security capabilities for most of our tasks Aden and the Strategic Strait of Bab-Al- Rome to attend the RSS. Minister Pinotti within littoral waters. Comparatively these Mandeb.”He also said that the presence noted that “One must make sure that co- units can carry almost the same (or compa- of foreign navies in the region which im- operation extends beyond the ships. The rable) amount of weapons as a corvette or pose unsolicited security measures creates development of synergies and a coherent a frigate. We plan to acquire between 25 instability in the region: “Iam in favour of partnership between military, law enforce-

Admiral Valter Girardelli, Chief of The ltalian Navy, in its usual flawless way, organised the 11th iteration the Italian Navy, during his open- of the Regional Seapower Symposium in the beautiful surroundings of ing speech the Arsenale in Venice from 18 to 20 October 2017.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 49 The V-RMTC is a virtual centric network for maritime traffic data exchange in the Mediterranean region. The centre provides unclassified informa- tion on all merchant ships displacing more than 300 tons. It was during and requirements by navies. Today, navies the 4th Regional Seapower Symposium in 2002 that the delegates agreed must take into account not only physical, on enhancing maritime traffic security in the Mediterranean through re- geographic, and technological aspects but lated initiatives. The Italian Navy presented the "Pilot Project Virtual Re- also the perception of the threat. This is gional Maritime Traffic Centre" at the 5th Regional Seapower Symposium linked to ongoing renewal and upgrading in October 2004. Initially signed by 17 countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain, programmes focused not merely on the France, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Malta, Jordan, Israel, Romania, the UK and the USA), the project officially started on 20 September 2006. The following year, Germany and Bulgaria joined and in 2008 the navies of Belgium, Georgia, The Netherlands and Senegal signed the Note of Accession to the Operational Arrangement of the V-RTMC at the 7th Regional Seapower Symposium. Accession of the Ukrainian Navy to the V-RTMC on 20 October 2010 brought the total number of Wider Mediterranean Community members to 24. In the meantime, the V-RMTC has evolved into a Trans-Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN) and with another seven navies having joined since, it currently stands at 31 members. ment and civilian institutions is imperative to counter borderless threats. "The growing for the achievement of maritime security.” complexity of the maritime challenges calls Hereupon the sessions' chairmen present- for dialogue and cooperation to tackle the ed their conclusions. RADM Babalola said phenomena threatening international secu- that “to counter the threats one should rity and facilitate effective capacity building.” increase cooperation with those countries Highlights organised alongside the sym- where the threats originate from by pro- posium were the second meeting of the viding training and transfer of expertise.” navy chiefs of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative RADM Lew noted that “navies must be ADRION (Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, prepared to face potential risks, instabili- Montenegro and Slovenia), the first infor- ties, threats and uncertainties. Navies are mal meeting of the navy chiefs of the G7 not only one of the most valuable instru- nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, ITS AMERIGO VESPUCCI was the ments to implement effective security poli- Japan, the UK and the USA), the meeting venue for the signing of several cies but they also boost the process of sta- of the Trans-Regional Maritime Network agreements during the XIth RSS. bilisation in international relations.” VADM (T-RMN) members of Brazil, Italy and Singa- Krause pointed out that “the exploitation pore, and the signature of the Note of Ac- number of warships but mainly on increas- of uncontrolled irregular migration flows by cession to the T-RMN by the Chilean Navy. ing capabilities and efficiency of a limited criminal organisations and the rise in illicit number of platforms which will become activities on high seas are the most dramat- Conclusion technologically more advanced and inte- ic aspect of a complex set of interrelated grated in a joint, multinational and opera- problems. No single navy can achieve 100 For the eleventh consecutive time, the Ital- tional context. The key requirement, shared percent comprehensive awareness alone. ian Navy succeeded in making the Region- by several naval forces, is the availability of Sharing operational information amongst al Seapower Symposium an outstanding modern systems for communications and navies is essential.” event with an all-time record of participants. information sharing. Obviously this may be In his closing remarks, Admiral Girardelli The geostrategic context and regional re- ample food for thought for the next edition stated that a strong cooperation in interna- alities continue to heavily influence the for- of the Regional Seapower Symposium in La tional and national frameworks is needed mulation of medium- and long-term plans Serenissima in 2019. L

The XIth RSS saw the attendance of 31 chiefs of navy, 21 top-ranking naval representatives and prominent representatives from 11 international organisations and the naval industry.

50 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Viewpoint from Copenhagen

Attrition or Reverse

Engineering J. Bo Leimand

t this very moment, Danish politicians not reflected the uncertainty of the assump- Aare finalising the next 5-year Defence tions about the average flight hours per year Agreement. At the same time we have elec- or the degree of availability of the fighter tions for the town councils, which means aircraft. It might be likely that the need for that no decisions on the closure of barracks, pilot flight hours are set too low and that air bases and naval stations will be taken the flight hour production may be too high. as well as combat is considered “attrition”, before November 21, 2017. Nobody wants Both the uncertainty around the necessary a planning factor used to help determine to rock the boat before election date. pilot flight hours and of the flight hour pro- how many of a given type of aircraft should So we are left with discussions between duction should have been made clear in the be bought. Contingency planners certainly journalists, university professors and air decision papers, as it affects whether the 27 watch the size of fleets closely to make sure force officers on the number of fighter air- F-35 fighters can solve all the tasks. enough aircraft are likely to be available planes to rocure, which were ignited by a when needed, but the percentage of a given report from the Danish Government Audit Life Cycle Cost type of aircraft lost over time has decreased Office (GAO). There are four issues under steadily from one generation of fighters to debate: 27 fighter aircraft might not be The review by the Danish GAO also shows the next and should continue to do so in the enough; will the F-35 fighter aircraft be able that in the decision papers the MOD has years ahead. By using this explanation, the to fly 250 hours per year, taking the pilots' calculated the life-cycle cost of 27 F-35 27 aircraft match: working conditions into consideration? Life fighter aircraft for a 30-year period to stand • six fighter aircraft on mission* cycle cost, and will the F-35 fighter aircraft at DKR66Bn. As a starting point, the MOD • six fighter aircraft for maintenance be available 70% of the time? In the follow- has established a satisfactory model for the • six fighter aircraft for training* ing, these issues will be dealt with according calculation of life-cycle costs but has insuf- • two fighter aircraft for air policing* to the report. ficiently reflected all the risks of the prereq- • two fighter aircraft in reserve/mainte- uisites for, inter alia, the synergies and pilot nance* 27 F-35 Fighter Aircraft working conditions. It is therefore likely that • five fighter aircraft in the United States the expected cost of the risks is set too low for initial pilot training. In its report, the Danish GAO concludes that and therefore the life expectancy costs will If you take the 22 aircraft and assume that decision-making is generally based on thor- be higher. 70 percent are combat ready, you will get ough analysis and calculations. However, In the light of the investigation, the Dan- 15 fighter combat-ready aircraft. Actually the investigation shows that, for some core ish GAO has recommended the MOD to 6*+6*+2*+(2*)=16 fighter aircraft would assumptions the MOD has not shown the strengthen the Folketing decision-making be combat ready. This is called “apportion- probability for the calculations and has not paper by explaining the uncertainty of the ment”. reflected the uncertainty. The Danish GAO essential assumptions before presenting the assesses that there is therefore a greater risk Financial Act on the purchase of 27 new Conclusion than foreseen by the MOD that the armed fighter aircraft to Finance Committee. forces will be unable to solve all the sched- History has shown that Denmark bought 10 uled tasks with 27 F-35 fighter planes. Reverse Engineering or F-16s at the peak of the Cold War period Attrition and it might be foreseen in the future that Pilots' Working Conditions, Denmark could buy an additional number of 250 Hours and 70% Availability This is now being debated in Danish news- F-35s from the Mojave Desert. Or as Napo- papers, and questions continue to arise leon said in Maxims of War (1831): “When The GAO report shows that the MOD cal- around whether 27 fighter aircraft is a good drafting a campaign, it is a prerequisite to culations of the need for pilot flight hours number. One part is claiming that the num- foresee everything the enemy may do, and is not based on the probabilities of synergy ber of fighter aircraft is based on the amount be prepared with the necessary means to or the pilots' working conditions, and that of money available and that Denmark can counteract it. The campaign plans may be this uncertainty is insufficiently reflected. In only afford to buy 27. Some experts call this modified ad infinitum according to the cir- addition, the investigation shows that in the reverse engineering. cumstances, the genius of the general, the calculation of the total flight hour produc- In any event, the total percentage of a fight- character of the troops, and the features of tion for 27 F-35 fighter aircraft, the MOD has er fleet expected to be lost due to accidents the country.”

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 51  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Conventional Submarines – Global Developments

Conrad Waters

The decline in global submarine numbers that was one of the key features of the post-Cold War naval en- vironment has been largely halted in recent years. Strong demand for conventional submarines is being spurred on by new regional rivalries, particularly in Asia. This has resulted in a marked geographical split between those countries possessing conventional submarine technological expertise – principally located in Europe – and those regions driving submarine acquisition. Although structural barriers to new entrants are high, it seems unlikely this divide will persist in the longer term.

Conventional electric boats. Today, the number of sub- submarines will remain the preserve of Submarine Demand marines in service has roughly halved to a only a handful of countries for the foresee- little over 400 units. Of these, about 250 able future. These expensive programmes Although precise numbers vary accord- have conventional propulsion. This decline will, however, account for the vast bulk ing to source, there is a general consensus in unit numbers has not been replicated by of global submarine market expenditure. that around 800 submarines were in ser- a similar fall in the number of submarine For example, a 2016 report by UK-based (Photo: Australian Department of Defence)

Australian COLLINS class submarines. Demand from the Asia-Pacific region is driving the wider market for conventional submarines; Australia alone has earmarked the equivalent of €33Bn to replace and expand its submarine fleet.

vice globally when the Cold War drew to operators. This has remained little changed Strategic Defence Intelligence suggested a close. Approximately 500 of these were at just over forty countries, albeit this hides that around two-thirds of procurement conventionally powered diesel or diesel- something of a shift from Europe towards spending would be allocated to nuclear- Asia. Moreover, most commentators agree powered strategic and attack submarines Author that this period of contraction has now over the following decade. By contrast, largely run its course, with future procure- conventional submarine acquisition will be Conrad Waters is a naval and de- ment plans likely – at least – to sustain cur- far more significant in numerical terms by fence analyst based in the UK. He is a rent force numbers. dint of being the only practical option for regular contributor to ESD and Editor Given the technological, political and eco- most submarine users. of Seaforth World Naval Review nomic challenges related to their acquisi- It is undoubtedly the case that it is the Asia tion, the possession of nuclear-propelled and Pacific region that is driving conven-

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tional submarine acquisition. This partly reflects the fact that all the current larg- est operators of conventional submarines

– China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and (Photo: Navantia) India – are either wholly or partly located in the region and have an ongoing require- ment to update their existing underwater flotillas. Beyond this, two additional factors are also in play. One is the region’s recent economic rise. This makes the heavy expenditure associ- ated with the acquisition and operation of underwater forces a more realistic propo- sition than previously. The other is the heightened level of tension in the region. This has served to increase the submarine’s attraction as a means of both defensive and offensive warfare. Although China’s asser- tive stance to its territorial and economic interests in waters such as the South China Sea is probably having the greatest impact A Spanish S-80 submarine pictured under construction at Navantia’s in this regard, it is not the only factor. To facility at Cartagena. The problems encountered in bringing this pro- give just one example, South Korea’s sub- gramme to fruition reflect the challenges inherent in establishing an marine programme is undoubtedly being independent submarine design and manufacturing capability. influenced by a desire to extend the range of options it has available to undertake ten worldwide that have the technologi- At present, the bulk of conventional die- both pre-emptive and retaliatory strikes on cal capabilities to undertake the complete sel-electric submarine design expertise the North. It is also worth noting that issues design and build process of anything but resides in Europe. Here France, Germany of national prestige are at stake. Thailand’s the most basic submersibles. Even some of and Russia are dominant. All three benefit Premier Prayuth Chan-ocha was quoted as these are reliant on the import of key com- from long-established and comprehensive stating his country’s acquisition of Chinese ponents, such as weapons handling and design and build capabilities, as well as a submarines was ‘…not for battle, but so discharge equipment, to complete other- track record of successful export orders. that others may be in awe of us…’ when wise indigenous programmes. The design In addition, Sweden and Spain have both justifying the controversial programme. and completion of submarines remains a made significant investment in subma- hugely challenging process, as Spain’s re- rine technology. The United Kingdom Conventional Submarine cent experience with the protracted and should also be mentioned as an impor- Design & Production: Europe costly S-80 project evidences. Very few tant global supplier of various submers- recent submarine programmes have been ible components as a result of its ongo- Many countries have undertaken the as- undertaken without encountering at least ing nuclear submarine programmes. The sembly of submarines under licence. some problems in the course of construc- major groups operating in the sector are However, there are probably only around tion and associated delay. as follows:

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (Germa- ny): TKMS probably remains the world’s most influential submarine producer through its Kiel-based HDW business. The group’s products encompass a wide range of submarines. These extend from updated variants of the venerable Type 209 design through to the recent Type 212A, Type 214 and Type 218 boats equipped with (Photo: Republic of Korea Armed Forces) PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) air independent propulsion (AIP). A flotilla of DOLPHIN class submarines has also been delivered to Israel. Whilst the bulk of re- cent production has been focused on Kiel, licensed assembly of Type 212A and Type 214 variants has been agreed with Italy, South Korea and Turkey. Recent accords with Norway and Italy for further develop- German thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ submarine designs hold a very ment of the Type 212A support the busi- strong market position. This image shows a Republic of Korea Navy ness’s longer-term sustainability. In broad AIP-equipped Type 214 boat, which was licence-built by Hyundai Heavy terms, the group has gained most success Industries. in the production of medium-sized boats of

54 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

SCORPÈNES, these will be locally built un- der licence.

United Shipbuilding Corporation (Rus- sia): Russian conventional submarine pro- duction remains dominated by the latest Project 636 variant of the ‘Kilo’ class sub- marine. This traces its origins to the older Cold War-era circa-3,000-tonne Project 877 type originally developed by the Ru- bin design bureau. USC’s Admiralty yard

(Photo: Navantia) in Saint Petersburg is the current centre of France's SCORPÈNE design – Chile’s Spanish-assembled CARRERA is production of Project 636.3 boats for the pictured here – has been particularly successful with countries not Russian Navy. It has also secured export or- requiring an AIP capability. ders for the slightly older Project 636.1 de- sign in recent years from Vietnam and Alge- a little under 2,000 tonnes submerged dis- but sales to date have lacked the latter’s ria. Continued reliance on the KILO reflects placement that are suitable for littoral de- AIP capability. This might reflect a lack of problems with Russia’s follow-on Project ployment. This probably reflects Germany’s customer enthusiasm for Naval Group’s 677 or LADA class. The lead boat of this Cold War focus on underwater operations MESMA (Module d’Energie Sous-Marine ‘fourth generation’ type – named Saint Pe- in the shallow waters of the Baltic. Autonome) AIP technology. One possible tersburg – commenced trials in 2005 but consequence has been greater success in has suffered significant teething problems. Naval Group (France): Naval Group – attracting customers with less of a need to Successful resolution of these difficulties formerly DCNS – is currently TKMS’ main operate in confined waters, such as Brazil, prior to the operational debut of further Western European rival. Although pro- Chile and India. Naval Group’s latest export members of the class will undoubtedly duction of submarines for domestic re- success has been the sale of the SHORTFIN have a significant impact on the Russian quirements has long-focused on nuclear- BARRACUDA – a larger, over-4,500-tonne industry’s future prospects. propelled boats, its SCORPÈNE series of oceanic type evolved from the nuclear- Elsewhere in Europe, Sweden’s Kockums diesel-electric submarines has gained con- powered BARRACUDA class – to the Royal submarine business is now recovering from siderable export success. The SCORPÈNE Australian Navy to meet their SEA-1000 a period of decline whilst under TKMS’ design is broadly similar to TKMS’ Type 214, requirement. As for Brazil’s and India’s control following transfer of ownership to

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Saab. Its prospects are supported by the strategic importance Sweden attaches to maintaining an underwater defence sector, as well as the group’s ownership of Stirling AIP technology. Two modern A-26 type boats – designed to operate in a broadly similar environment to the German Type 212A – are being built for the Royal Swed- ish Navy. Collaboration with Damen also places the group in pole position to meet the Royal Netherlands Navy’s planned re- placement programme. Saab claims that the A-26’s modularity provides more flex- ibility to meet customer requirements than TKMS’ Type 212A and Type 214 designs. However, lack of export references may

hinder sales. Meanwhile, Spain’s Navantia (Photo: Copyright Saab AB) continues to suffer from the S-80 design Sweden’s Saab Kockums has re-entered the submarine construction debacle. This saw the lead boat require market with its A-26. The design’s modular nature means that it can be substantial redesign after it was found to easily adapted to meet a range of requirements; different design con- be overweight. Whilst construction has cepts are illustrated here. now resumed, problems developing an AIP-system based around an ethanol re- they are able to overcome these limitations (JMSDF). However, these have been eased former and PEM fuel cells means that it is will have a significant impact on future mar- in recent years. The design was an unsuc- unlikely to be before the mid-2020s before ket development. cessful contender for Australia’s SEA-1000 the new class’s full potential is achieved. The Asian country with the most advanced submarine replacement programme and conventional submarine construction sec- is likely to be the basis of an offering for Conventional Submarine Design & tor is Japan. Here, manufacture is split India’s Project 75(I). Although most of the Production – Elsewhere: In spite of such between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, SORYU class’s components are indigenous- setbacks, the European submarine design- Kobe Shipyard and Kawasaki Heavy In- ly sourced, all class members currently in ers’ current leadership in AIP technologies dustries Marine Ocean Company, also at service rely on Sweden’s Stirling AIP tech- is a reflection of their wider dominance of Kobe. Production is currently dominated nology. However, Japan has been devel- current conventional submarine design. Al- by the SORYU class, a large oceanic boat oping lithium ion battery technology to though a small number of Asian countries of over 4,000 tonnes submerged displace- provide an alternative means of extended underwater endurance. These batteries will be installed in the final submarines of the type to enter service. Neighbouring South Korea is somewhat behind Japan in developing indigenous submarine design capabilities. The KSS-I and KSS-II series of submarines currently in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (Photo: Crown Copyright 2017) are licence-built TKMS Type 209 and Type 214 boats. However, the follow-on KSS-III project that is now underway involves con- struction of a larger, circa-3,700-tonne in- digenous design that will incorporate South Korean technologies in all but a few, critical areas. Construction is being split between DSME and Hyundai Heavy Industries, with DSME currently the lead yard. South Korea intends to build the KSS-III in three batches of three submarines. Each will incorporate incremental improvements. The aim is to reduce the amount of foreign equipment The latest Russian Project 636 variant of the Cold War KILO Class used in subsequent batches. In the mean- continues to attract orders from the Russian Navy and for export. time, South Korea is ahead of Japan in one This view shows the Russian Navy’s KRASNODAR transiting the English important area through its successful ex- Channel in 2017. port of improved Type 209 submarines to Indonesia. have matured their industries to the extent ment. Strict controls over defence exports China operates the largest submarine fleet they are now able to design and build ca- have meant that construction to date has in Asia. Its first indigenous conventional pable indigenous submarines, they still face been limited to the domestic requirements submarine design was the Type 035 MING gaps in critical areas. The extent to which of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force series, a development of the older Russian

56 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

ROMEO class. Later Type 039 SONG and Type 039A/B YUAN series boats also reflect some Russian influences. However, they appear to have benefitted from incorpora- (Photo: US Navy) tion of a number of Western technologies – acquired by various indirect means – as well. For example, there have been persis- tent rumours that at least some of the cir- ca-2,500-tonne YUAN class are equipped with AIP systems similar in concept to Swe- den’s Stirling technology. Precise details of class capabilities remain largely a matter of conjecture. However, they may still lag Western equivalents in certain key areas such as stealth. Both Pakistan and Thai- land have recently ordered versions of the YUAN series and other export prospects are being pursued.

Future Developments

Looking to the future, it seems there will The Japanese SORYU Class submarine UNRYU. The latest variants of the be few significant changes to the overall class will incorporate lithium-ion batteries, reflecting the progress made shape of conventional submarine demand by Asian submarine designers in closing the technology gap with the and supply. Certainly, the more unstable leading European groups. global environment that forms the back- drop to decisions on naval force structures a capability makes it equally unlikely that of firms. Successful development of an tends to support the broad consensus of there will be many new joiners to the sub- indigenous submarine design capability is forecasts that suggest stable submarine marine club. a hugely expensive and time-consuming numbers. Whilst it seems unlikely that few Turning to submarine design and produc- process. It can only be achieved on the countries would now willingly abandon tion, there are similarly strong obstacles to back of strong domestic demand and a sus- existing underwater forces, the expense any significant change to the current domi- tained commitment to relevant industrial involved in creating or re-establishing such nation of the industry by a small number and technical investment. The AU$50Bn ESD Spotlight

Published by New Fortnightly Newsletter

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

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

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December 2017 · European Security & Defence 57  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

tion than desire – has many hurdles still to overcome. These barriers to market entry suggest few new truly independent submarine manufacturing groups will emerge in the foreseeable future. At the same time,

(Photo: Courtesy Ian Shiffman) however, it does seem likely that the Asian countries already active in the field will have greater influence than hitherto. This reflects a number of factors. Impor- tantly, China, Japan and South Korea have all worked diligently to establish the do- mestic infrastructure necessary to supply the key components – combat systems, weaponry, handling systems and the like – that an independent submarine manu- facturing capability requires. In certain technologies – for example, with respect to Japan’s work in the area of lithium- ion batteries – they are now arguably edging ahead of the field. Alongside this China’s submarine-building industry has progressed a long way since its industrial expertise comes the practi- production of Russian-influenced ROMEO and MING Class submarines. cal advantage of deploying some of the However, its latest designs still reflect Russian influences. world’s largest conventional submarine fleets. This provides operational knowl- (€33Bn) allocated to a rolling programme Europe’s largest operator of conventional edge that can be fed back into the design of submarine acquisition over the course submarines – has a strong record produc- process. The fact that it is Asian countries of forty years in Australia’s National Ship- ing licensed TKMS designs. It could well that are driving submarine orders argu- building Plan and the almost crippling ex- progress to developing a fully indigenous ably makes this local experience addition-

Conventional Submarines – Principal Manufacturing Countries

Country Manufacturer Principal Designs Displacement (Submerged) Location France Naval Group SCORPÈNE 1,800+ tonnes Cherbourg SHORTFIN BARRACUDA 4,500+ tonnes Germany thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Type 209 1,200+ tonnes Kiel Type 212A 1,800 tonnes Type 214 1,900 tonnes Type 218 2,400 tonnes Russia United Shipbuilding Corporation KILO 3,000+ tonnes St Petersburg Spain Navantia S-80 Plus 2,500 tonnes Cartagena Sweden Saab A-26 1,900 tonnes Karlskrona China China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation Type 039A/B YUAN 2,500+ tonnes Wuhan China State Shipbuilding Corporation Shanghai Japan Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation SORYU 4,200 tonnes Kobe Mitsubishi Heavy Industries South Korea Daewoo Shipbuilding & KSS-III 3,700 tonnes Geoje Marine Engineering Co Hyundai Heavy Industries Ulsan Note: Displacement figures are approximations and often subject to a degree of speculation. They can also change dependent on variant. They are provided only to give a general indication of submarine size. pense of Brazil’s extensive investment in its capability along similar lines to the steps it ally valuable. Certainly, being located in PROSUB project provide some indication is pursuing in surface warships. India also the centre of market demand, with the of the extent of the costs involved. Both has significant experience in the sector, al- enhanced opportunities for political and programmes are heavily reliant on licensed beit its main current design effort relates trading deals this provides, can only be Naval Group technology. However, they to its nuclear-powered strategic subma- of assistance. could conceivably form the basis of a fully rines. Elsewhere, Iranian and North Korean In conclusion, it is the established European indigenous submarine production capacity production of midget submarines will re- yards that currently dominate conventional in the longer term. main focused on domestic requirements. submarine design and manufacture. How- There are few other potential entrants to Taiwan’s mooted indigenous submarine ever, as in so many areas, they have a fight the market. Turkey – currently Western programme – born more out of despera- on their hands to retain this status. L

58 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Mortar Ammunition: New Weapon – New Ammunition

Michael Johnsson

During the next two to three years, Denmark will acquire a new autonomous 120mm heavy mortar sys- tem. The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has signed a contract for an up- dated version of Elbit’s 120mm CARDOM, called CARDOM 10.

he system will be integrated in a number folio. After abandoning all the operational 10's technical potential but also offer the Tof the 300(+) PIRANHA 5s that will be 120mm Heavy Mortar Platoons in 2004, effects required on today's battlefield – a implemented in the Danish Army over the DALO decided to keep in stock the high- battlefield which might differ from the one next two to three years. The new 120mm explosive bomb (HE) M/50. Both the round Danish units know from operations in Iraq mortar will not replace an existing system. and the fuse (M49/62) were designed back and Afghanistan. It is a new capacity, and the army does not in the 1940s. Even though the fuse was Concurrent with the introduction of the yet have the necessary ammunition port- upgraded in the early 1960s, HE M/50 is CARDOM 10, a new autonomous artillery outdated ammunition and cannot exploit system is being introduced. The 155mm Author the full potential of CARDOM 10. The HE CAESAR 8x8 by NEXTER will also need new M/50 is regarded as outdated and only suit- powerful ammunition to utilise the 40 km(+) Major Michael Johnsson able for training future mortar crews. capability and other new technical possibili- Head of Guns and Mortars Branch The Danish Army therefore needs to pur- ties. It is impossible to fund all the effects Fire Support Division,Danish Army chase modern ammunition for the new for both systems. An analysis should give Combat and Fire Support Centre 120mm mortar system. The new ammuni- answers to how the army should prioritise tion should not only utilise the CARDOM some of the effects for different fire support

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 59 A Further Insight:  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Interview with José María Fajardo, Mortar Systems Product Manager at EXPAL levels (company, battalion and brigade). ESD: Which market trends do you foresee regarding the de- This article is the author’s personal view on mand of mortar ammunition? what should be considered when drafting Fajardo: Demand for mortar munitions varies according to requirements for mortar ammunition.

Photo: EXPAL the market. There is a discernible trend towards improving the features with respect to the ammunition countries currently Smart Bombs have in service. NATO countries talk about enhanced lethality ammunition and guided munitions while in other countries The paramount challenge in operations in there is growing interest in ammunition with multispectral Iraq and Afghanistan was to minimise col- effectiveness such as IR Illum or RP Smoke ammunition. lateral damage. Loss of civilians or damage When it comes to the NATO market, the trend points in two to their property was impeding coopera- directions: safety and features. In the past, buyers have placed tion with the local population and security more emphasis on features, but this is changing as many forces, and it attracted negative media at- countries are favouring safety over features. Perhaps this is tention. Coalition forces were usually facing because Army training with an eye on occupational health smaller units, down to a few people who and safety has increased considerably in recent years. Safety has moved to the forefront, not fought an asymmetric war and among ci- only in regard to usage but also in terms of the effects of the ammunition. Modern asymmetric vilians. Small targets like these and the re- conflicts and terrorist insurgents hiding among civilians necessitate an increased awareness of quirement to limit civilian casualties posed a the ammunitions’ effects in advance. Predicting the effects has become more important to challenge for traditional mortar fire support. avoid collateral damage. Most fire support systems are designed to Examples of safety trends are heightened safety requirements in the ammunition (e.g. double engage point targets and not area targets, safety fuses), insensitive ammunition, noise level reduction and training simulators. When it which is the strength of mortar and artil- comes to the effects, the trend toward more safety is shown by improvements in precision, lery systems in comparison to conventional controlled fragmentation and training simulators. ammunition. The only fire support systems Examples of trends in features are improved range, improved effectiveness (lethality, lighting, that could solve this task for the Danish Bat- screening, and so on), improved versatility (effectiveness in different situations, such as effective tlegroup in Helmand were guided precision fragmentation against armour vehicles or infrared illumination), improved accuracy, improved munitions from UK artillery (GMLRS, Exactor precision and last but not least improved reliability. – aka SPIKE NLOS), US 155mm EXCALIBUR, These terms are indicative of the larger trend; they apply to all munitions. Priorities and demand fixed wings and combat helicopters. of features differ also depending on the calibre. There is considerable interest in guided ammu- At various international conferences on nition in calibre 120mm but not in calibre 60mm. The same holds true for ammunition against mortars over the past ten years, I have no- armoured targets. ticed great interest in mortar ammunitions EXPAL is working hard to meet all customer requirements without compromising performance. that could hit the target’s “bull’s eye”. There This is a real challenge for the industry. Products like EXPAL’s Firing Control System “TECH- have been a number of projects to develop FIRE” for instance, are good examples for how technology improves the performance of the this type of ammunition, but not all chal- ammunition, increases precision and first hit probability and, as a result, reduces ammunition lenges have been addressed yet. This is be- consumption. cause the control unit consumes a sizeable chunk of the volume which reduces the ef- ESD: When it comes to technology, which future developments can be expected for mortars fect of the round itself. There are also tech- and mortar ammunition? nical challenges to the guidance mechanism Fajardo: Mortars have always been among the first targets. They are considered high priority and these rounds come at a hefty price. The due to their destructive capacity and the effects on enemy troops. Mobility and reaction speed Danish Army has limited funds; it must leave are therefore obligatory, hence the lightness that characterises this type of weapon. Nowadays, high-priority targets, which require preci- however, technology allows capturing instantaneously and in detail the location of enemy fire. sion ammunitions, to more powerful plat- That is why it is more important than ever to improve mobility and ensure the withdrawal of fire forms such as Close Air Support and artil- support. This is where developments trend are headed to. lery, and let mortar systems do the task they In the short term, the biggest challenges for mortar operators are mobility, firepower, protec- are made for: providing close fire support to tion, fast positioning, aiming and reaction. Logistical issues and supply chain management are infantry units against enemy area targets. becoming more important, too, which is proof of the greater complexity that these systems have For years to come, the main requirements due to the need for integration and interoperability. for mortar ammunition will be traditional In the medium term, the trend points towards greater sophistication of operations – integrated ones: high explosives, smoke and illumi- fire control systems, automatic aiming, aligning devices, communications network, the acquisi- nation rounds. Therefore, we should look tion of targets, (semi-)automatic loading systems, and so on. In this regard current artillery firing more closely at recent developments in practices could be considered as the near future of the mortars. terms of effect when it comes to mortar When it comes to a long-term perspective, we could talk about the digitalization of operations ammunition. as well as the introduction of concepts such as sensing the environment, the internet of things or machine learning. These are all concepts common in other industrial sectors. It is true that the Pre-Fragmentation new generation of users is more accustomed to technology and solves problems differently. It is only a matter of time until this ends up being reflected in the operation of mortars. Pre-fragmentation technology is one way Faced with this panorama of evolution and change, EXPAL’s strategies has also evolved. We to increase the impact of traditional high- switched focus from the product to the user and hope to cover all customer requirements to explosive rounds. A controlled fragmenta- make their work easier by offering a wide range of solutions. This is why we call ourselves a “one tion provides greater effect in the target stop shop for mortar systems”. area against the type of target it is opti- EXPAL’s “one-stop shop” for mortar systems is a new and unique solution responding to all mised for. It may also reduce the risk of operational and logistical requirements demanded by a mortar unit. This includes weapons, am- munitions and associated systems (operational needs) and training, maintenance and phase-out 60 European Security & Defence · December 2017 at the end of its life cycle (logistics needs). The interview was conducted by Waldemar Geiger The Mortar Company.

THE COMPRHENSIVE 60 MM COMMANDO MORTAR SYSTEMS.

The 60 mm Cdo system is the consequent realization of a highly mobile and effective re support weapon system for infantry units, which can make a difference on the battle eld by providing high-angle 60 mm re support from within. Operated, aligned and commanded by the group commander, the quick and easy usability of the weapon is combined with the high performance of the different types of the Commando mortar ammunition family, such as high explosives, smoke or illumination. Every element of the 60 mm Cdo system was designed to maintain high mobility by lowering the man burden to accomplish supremacy in re power.

With the 60 mm Cdo system, every infantry group becomes one´s own 60 mm re support team.

hds.hirtenberger.com  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

A Further Insight:

Interview with Florian Kunz, Head of Sales & Marketing JUNGHANS Microtec GmbH Photo: JUNGHANS ESD: In terms of technology, which future de- velopments can be expected for mortar fuses? Kunz: The use of tactical mortars continues to increase steadily. Future key requirements for mortar systems can be summarised as: • increased lethality • extended range • multi-option usability (“lessen the burden”) • increased IM (Insensitive Munitions) compli- ance and compatibility On the one hand there is a need to improve the IM characteristics of exist- ing mechanical mortar fuses. On the other hand there is a demand for multi- option mortar fuses with extended proximity and electronic time capability. To JUNGHANS, a solution to these challenges would be to satisfy the future capabil- ity requirements listed above. collateral damage outside the target area. For multi-option fuses there are two types to be considered. One type fea- This is not the case with conventional high- tures hand-adjustable mode selection, typically used for hand loading mortar explosive rounds. systems. These will normally be open systems, powered by a wind turbine In Afghanistan, the Danish Army success- generator. The other design features a programming interface for an ex- fully used 60mm MAPAM (SAAB Bofors tended mode selection spectrum for automatic or semi-automatic loading Dynamics Switzerland – SBDS) against systems, consisting of a closed fuse design powered by a battery. The latter could contribute significantly to current and future demands of the armed forces: to lessen the burden of the soldier in terms of training and physical Danish Army CARDOM 10: loads by delivering multi-purpose systems and ammunitions. Compared to the 120mm CAR- When it comes to effectiveness and improved lethality for the mortar DOM used by the Israeli Defence round, the fuse can contribute with increased accuracy. There are clear driv- Forces and the US Stryker bri- ers for more precise and adjustable heights of burst for proximity function gades, the Danish version has as well as low delay impact function and/or well defined impact delays. In several upgrades: addition, for certain applications, some penetration capability would also be • Two-metre barrel enabling beneficial. longer range. Regarding the requirement for extended range, JUNGHANS has improved the • Semi-automatic loading sys- aerodynamic design of the fuse shape, mass (and/or centre of gravity). tem to reduce the workload of the crew and the number of ESD: What exactly are the requirements imposed by the current STANAG, and human errors when handling does STANAG compliance constitute a challenge? the mortar. Kunz: A central requirement of STANAG 4187 is that two fully physical- • Muzzle velocity radar to im- ly independent mechanisms should prevent the arming of the fuse before prove accuracy when the firing. In the past, fuses used a safety pin to be pulled out by the operator NATO S4 ballistic kernel based before firing as a first mechanism. The second mechanism was launch ac- Fire Control System is calculat- celeration. ing data for the fire missions. This design is safe and reliable but not fully compliant with STANAG require- • Placed inside the new PIRAN- ments, and it does not fully satisfy future tactical demands. In future mortar fuse HA 5 from MOWAG, the crew designs, two independent safety elements, entirely relying on environmental will benefit from level 4 pro- characteristics (only achieved in live firing), are mandatory. tection against ballistic and The JUNGHANS fuse portfolio has been extended to include mechanical mine threats. PD and time fuses with a second safety mechanism (wind wheel arming • The system is autonomous unit) to be fully compliant with STANAG 4187. Next generation designs and can operate in a hostile deliver increased safety and usability, with no need to prepare the fuse before counter-mortar environment. firing, and there is no fiddling with prepared fuses in the event of an aborted • There will be four CARDOM fire mission. JUNGHANS considers this concept as the basis and way forward systems for every platoon for any future mortar fuse development, whether electronic or mechanical. which support a battalion In support of these goals, JUNGHANS will continue to be proactive and invest in each. The platoon also includes innovative technologies, subsystem building blocks and state-of-the-art fusing the platoon leader’s command systems. vehicle and two ammunition The interview was conducted by Waldemar Geiger trucks.

62 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

A Further Insight:

Interview with Christian Herren, Director of Development and Quality at Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland

ESD: What technologies have been implemented with the new THOR mortar bomb? Herren: The new THOR round integrates the fol- lowing technologies: • THOR technology, based on a multidimensional fragmentation system. THOR allows the combi- Photo: Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland nation of different sizes, shapes and materials in- to one mortar round. Therefore the adaptability to customer requirements is high. Overall lethal- ity of such a round is at least three times higher when compared to MAPAM. THOR is made possible by a sophisticated analytical model for the fragmentation process itself.

Photo: ELBIT • ODIN technology to guide the fragmentation beam in the desired direction. The CARDOM 10 is an upgraded • Ammunal++ and Allocator technology. The new mortar round can optionally integrate version of the Israeli 120mm an enhanced blast module. Based on an explosive formulation called Ammunal++ and mortar CARDOM in use with US using a controlled dispersion principle called Allocator, a highly efficient blast effect can Stryker Brigades and IDF. It is fully be projected and adapted in relation to customer requirements. This enhancement lifts automated, supported by a semi- the new round up to the level of multi-effect/multi-purpose ammunition. automatic loading system, has a longer barrel to improve range, ESD: Why did you not just scale the MAPAM ammunition for 120 mm mortar ap- and it will be built into the Danish plications? Army's new APC: PIRANHA 5 from Herren: MAPAM is a 2nd generation mortar technology based on the use of ball MOWAG. bearings in a specific plastic matrix which provides the structural integrity of the round. This kind of application is dependent on the surface/volume ratio, which is very good unprotected personnel. In addition to the in a 60 mm round, acceptable in an 81mm one but not promising in a 120 mm round. effect on the enemy, MAPAM also brings This is why the lethality gain compared to a 1st generation round is insufficient and fire much closer to your own forces (Dan- demands the integration of improved technologies like THOR and ODIN. ger Close) without an increased risk, in contrast to conventional high-explosive ESD: Can you elaborate on the functional principles of ODIN technology? rounds. Herren: ODIN uses the analytical model already mentioned as basis of the THOR tech- The development of pre-fragmentation nology and implements elements of differential geometry into the set of equations. is moving forward, but there are only a This makes it is possible to generate beams of fragments in different directions at dif- few companies developing these rounds ferent times of the fragmentation process using material parameters and geometrical for 120mm mortars. SBDS is in the final elements. The result is a multi-beam spray which can be adapted to customer demand. stage of developing a 120mm version Originally ODIN was developed to provide a back-spray element in a multi-effect mis- called "THOR", and Hirtenberger offers a sile system. Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland has successfully integrated this technol- 120mm pre-fragmentated round produced ogy into the new 120mm round. after their ConFrag concept. ODIN offers: CARDOM 10 can fire Multiple Rounds Si- • the advantage to use geometry optimisation resulting in a cylindrical design of multaneous Impact (MRSI). When com- the round which provides a spray where more than 90% of the fragments hit the bined with the optimised power of pre- designated target area (compared to less than 60% for a conventional round). fragmentation ammunition, a heavy mortar • the possibility to optimise the round aerodynamically to extend its range. platoon can achieve the desired effect with a smaller number of rounds. Only the first ESD: Are there plans to convert or upgrade THOR, such as to a guided mortar bomb? or, maybe, second rounds fired need pre- Herren: The new round is adaptable to most of the existing fuse systems (quick re- fragmentation technology. In most cases, sponse, delay) but of course especially optimised for proximity fuses. subsequent rounds provide lesser effect In the future the following enhancements of the THOR round are scheduled: as the enemy has taken cover. Therefore it • Adaptation to different mortar systems (self-propelled and French mortar systems). makes sense to use conventional high-ex- • Use of general platonic bodies with an optimised number of edges and corners to plosive rounds for the remainder of the fire increase lethality. This improvement is done in combination with the use of adaptive mission. When CARDOM 10 is firing MRSI, layer manufacturing (ALM). the platoon’s four systems can deliver up • Introduction of a high-performance blast element called DONAR. This element to 16 rounds within the same second. This provides a superior blast effect without a specific blast element. way optimised ammunition offers a lot of • Use of guided fuse kits (when commercially available at reasonable cost). firepower to reap the benefits of the ele- The interview was conducted by Waldemar Geiger ment of surprise.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 63  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Illumination

Photo: SAAB The market offers both 120mm white and IR illumination. No matter if you are fight- ing counter-insurgency (COIN) or combat operations there will be a need for both types in future conflicts. The Danish infan- try companies have various systems in stock to illuminate the battlefield. That is why a more detailed analysis is needed when pur- chasing the aforementioned types.

The Armoured Threat

Guided rounds are not the only threat to the army´s budget. There is one area where COIN and combat operations differ con- siderably: the near-peer adversary’s use of armoured vehicles. In combat operations on the modern battlefield the adversary will most likely deploy his fleet of armoured vehicles. With the end of the Cold War the Danish army lowered its capability to coun- ter an armoured adversary. Today the ar- moured threat is back. This necessitates an analysis on what anti-tank capacity each weapon system can contribute with. For the time being the 120mm STRIX anti tank round manufactured by SAAB Bofors Dy- A Danish Army mortar crew prepares to load a Saab MAPAM mortar namics is the only real answer for mortars round into their 60mm Expal commando mortar during a firing demon- when it comes to tackling medium and stration in Sweden. The MAPAM round provides the same effect as an heavy armoured vehicles. Although this is 81mm mortar round in its 40-metre lethal zone. not a priority at the moment it is something the army should keep an eye on . Anti-Structure For political and practical reasons, smoke ammunition based on white phosphorus Long Range Another way to increase firepower is to has not much of a future. One should con- use rounds with anti-structure effect. centrate on the multispectral effects that CARDOM 10 has a firing distance of 9 km Thermobaric ammunition utilises oxygen can be achieved using red phosphorus or (+). There might be a need to limit dispersion from the air to generate an intense high- other new smoke materials. at target ranges above 7-8 km. As the dis- temperature explosion with a long blast wave. The blast wave is used to destroy different kinds of structures. Thermobaric ammunition is rarely in stock in Western Europe. Although a 120mm carrier can

deliver a strong effect it is unlikely that Graphic: Hirtenberger Denmark will go down that road.

Smoke Screen When fighting an adversary that does not have multispectral observation means (e.g. infrared or thermal imagers), smoke ammu- nition can conceal your movements from the enemy or, when placed directly on and behind the adversary position, create con- fusion when trying to change position. When battling a near-peer or stronger adversary you also need a multispectral screen of his observation- and target allo- cating instruments. When acquiring smoke ammunition, there must be a bigger focus A comparison of the fragmentation dispersion of different kinds of on the thermal effect in order to screen 60mm mortar ammunition. Left is a conventional high-explosive; the enemy´s observation of your actions. on the right ConFrag, an enhanced-lethality mortar bomb.

64 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  pertion of rounds fired on the same target will increase; steps should be taken in or- A Further Insight: der to achieve the required effect. A similar problem although at longer ranges can also be seen when using artillery. This issue is Interview with Carsten Barth, partly addressed by using 1- and 2D cross- Vice President Sales & Marketing correction fuses. It would be interesting to at Hirtenberger Defence Systems see how correcting fuses for mortar ammu- nition might work out but as long as heavy ESD: What do you think are the future require- mortars in the Western world are used for ments and demands for conventional and en- ranges of 7 km and below, there is little need hanced lethality mortar ammunition? to launch an expensive development project. Barth: Increasing the lethality of HE mortar rounds will have a very high priority. Enhanced lethality Insensitive Ammunition ammunition has to come with the same ballistics as well as size and weight as a standard HE round. Another widely discussed topic is insensi- It should have a fully proven IM footprint, including tive ammunitions (IM). The Danish Army the use of modern IM explosives. It also needs to be has introduced IM as a valuable method to cost effective. At Hirtenberger we have introduced Photo: Hirtenberger Defence Systems optimise operational security, transport and our ConFrag Technology for all standard mortar calibres to achieve these enhanced storage of the ammunition. Some of the lethality requirements (at least doubling the lethality of a standard HE round of the benefits of IM are as follows: same calibre). A third independent party scientifically verified the increased lethality. • Reduced loss of life and material because of hostile attacks and accidents. ESD: What do you anticipate in terms of future requirements for precision and ac- • Tactical advantages when preserving the curacy of modern mortar ammunition? ammunition’s capability as the secondary Barth: Precision and accuracy will be important requirements in the future. We result of enemy attacks and accidents. believe that increasing the first-hit probability is a key feature. The capability to en- • Reduced requirements for ammunition gage individual targets, even armoured vehicles, will also become more important, storage magazines and security. of course in combination with Multiple-Round-Single-Impact (MRIS) capability. This • Contribution to maintaining the fighting will require more accurate weapons and sighting systems and improved ammunition spirit among own troops. and the capability to guide them. DALO has established some minimum re- The interview was conducted by Waldemar Geiger quirements for IM. All future purchases of ammunition will be based on an individual assessment which describes to what extent This kind of ammunition should initially be need to acquire conventional and pre-frag- the new ammunition types must meet the acquired for the artillery only and solely be mentation high-explosive rounds. Smoke minimum requirements for IM. used for destroying high-priority targets. and illumination ammunition should un- This is not for tactical reasons but due to dergo a comprehensive analysis together Summary the limited budget. The Danish Army will with other effectors in the inventory of keep an eye on any future development of a combat battalion. There is no need for When Denmark is to acquire ammunition correcting fuses as they help to reduce the training ammunition as the old HE M/50 for the new 120mm CARDOM 10 there number of rounds required to achieve the will cover the needs of the Danish Army for should be little focus on guided munitions. desired effect above 7 km. There is also a years to come. L

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December 2017 · European Security & Defence 65  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Night Vision and Night Combat Capabilities

Waldemar Geiger

The ability to conduct military operations at any time of day and under any conditions of visibility is a core requirement for modern and powerful armed forces. Image intensification and thermography (infrared detection) constitute the two core technologies which decisively contribute to acquiring night vision and night combat capabilities.

ight vision capability enables soldiers Irrespective of their generation, all modern photocathode of 18 mm which, from the Nto see their surroundings in low light NVGs are based on the same functional American point of view, offers the best per- conditions. Night combat capability goes principle: Photons in the near-infrared- formance–weight tradeoff. Photonis also one step further; it enables soldiers to spectrum (approx. 750 to 950 nm), which supplies GEN II+ 16-mm tubes in addition take aim and to operate their weapons or is invisible to the human eye, are collected to the 18-mm tubes. weapon system effectively in low light con- and collimated in the objective lens and As regards their function, light intensifiers ditions. The classic way to achieve these converted by a photocathode into elec- have not seen any particular technical ad- capabilities has traditionally been with bat- trons. A micro-channel plate then amplifies vancement in the past decades (except for tlefield illumination which, however, has these electrons by a zillion-fold and trans- the fusion method). However, they have the disadvantage that it is available for a forms them into visible light appearing on a meanwhile become considerably smaller, limited period of time only and also allows phosphor screen. According to the laws of lighter, more robust and more powerful. In the adversary to profit from this artificial optics, the resulting image is upside down addition, the production costs of the tubes lighting for his own operations. Particularly and must be turned around with another have fallen drastically over time. Accord- with respect to combat operations against lens in front of the eyepiece. The assembly ingly, they are now in common use and irregular troops, access to state-of-the-art of photocathode, micro-channel plate and no longer reserved for just a few selected night vision technology is a unique feature. phosphor screen is called a “tube”. units, as was the case in the past. The photocathode makes the technical dif- Image Intensifiers Tube Technology ference between the tubes of GEN II+ and Generations GEN III. In GEN III tubes, multi-alkali pho- Like many other technological achieve- tocathodes were substituted by gallium/ ments, night vision technology has its roots As already mentioned, tubes of GEN II arsenide cathodes, which have the advan- in Germany. Generation 0 (image converter (Photonis, The Netherlands and France) tage of opening up a slightly wider IR-light principle) still required the use of IR beam- and GEN III (L3 and ITT-Corporation, both spectrum for image taking and being more ers and was first employed in limited num- USA) are integrated into state-of-the-art sensitive to IR radiation. In the end, more bers in World War II by the German Wehr- military NVG whose functional principle electrons, and thus more visible light, can macht. Modern night vision goggles (NVG) has been used and further advanced since be obtained from available ambient light. are significantly lighter and more powerful the 1970s and 1980s. The vast majority of The improved sensitivity of GEN III tubes and now constitute Generations I and II+. the present US-produced tubes feature a initially entailed the adverse effect of elec- trons emitted from the micro-channel plate causing damage to the photocathode. As an initial countermeasure, an ion barrier Micro-channel platel film was inserted between cathode and Phosphor screen Photocathode micro-channel plate to achieve acceptable durability. The useful life of the presently available tubes of any generation ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 operating hours. Graphics: IEA MIL-OPTICS GmbH Meanwhile industry has succeeded in pro- ducing equally durable GEN III tubes with- out the use of ion barriers. This enhances the clarity and contrast of the images and represents the current state-of-the-art Ocular Objective technology. In the beginning, these “film- less” GEN III tubes were incorrectly desig- nated Generation 4. Functional principles of an image intensifier

66 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

the two eyepiece lenses to make it appear A Question of Generations more natural to the wearer of the goggles. A popular misconception is to assume the performance of night vision devices from Nonetheless, such goggles fail to provide a their respective generation. Yet it is irrelevant for performance whether the tubes stereoscopic view, especially at close range. belong to GEN II+ or III; rather, quality and technical functionalities of the tube are the Users must therefore pay special attention decisive factors (gain, resolution, S/N-value, auto-gating and so on). not to trip over obstacles or to stumble Broadly speaking, two different possible solutions exist to the same problem. Like while walking. Injury patterns like twisting diesel or petrol engines for vehicle propulsion systems, GEN II+ and III tubes represent one’s ankle or impact with obstacles occur, two valid approaches to implement night vision capability, with both having their particularly when soldiers are unfit to keep pros and cons. their mind on their own movement due to The multi-alkali photocathodes of GEN II tubes are less sensitive to light, but they fatigue or in stressful situations. Likewise, have the advantage that both their sensitivity to dazzling and the halo around a light these goggles are unsuitable for drivers. source are likewise significantly reduced. State-of-the-art GEN II+ tubes are therefore Binocular NVG represent a third type of particularly suitable for military operations in urban terrain. goggles. The two synchronised channels GEN III tubes are based on gallium-arsenide cathodes, which increase their sensitivity of such binocular goggles are more expen- to light, resulting in an improved light yield in the presence of little residual light. Yet sive but produce an image which agrees this higher light sensitivity increases the sensitivity to dazzling; so these tubes play considerably more with reality than mo- to their strengths particularly in a low-light environment (such as forests or areas of nocular or bi-ocular goggles do. As such operation with underdeveloped or destroyed power supply installations). goggles correctly indicate ranges they can also be worn by vehicle drivers. The use of a second tube makes such goggles almost Performance Determination per unit of time into electrons. Auto-gated twice as expensive to procure but offers the tubes are capable of producing a constant, advantage of retaining a monocular night Tube performance is determined, among sharp and high-contrast image even in vision capability for the soldier, should one other metrics, in terms of the resolution, changing light conditions, including day- of the tubes fail. low-light intensification (gain) and signal- light. In practice, the auto-gating quality Quad-eye goggles are currently right out in to-noise ratio (S/N) of the produced image. can be recognised by the speed of down- front of the light intensifier evolution and Whatever generation, virtually all modern regulation. For the time being, this func- are therefore issued only to Special Forces. military tubes provide a resolution of ap- tion is so well engineered that changes in Four separate and synchronised input chan- prox. 64–72 line pairs per millimetre. Since lighting are hardly visible to the eye, even in nels generate a horizontal field of vision of an even higher resolution is no longer per- case of an abrupt and very strong exposure more than 90 degrees which comes clos- ceptible to the human eye, efforts are now to light (explosion, muzzle flash, and so on) est to the natural 120-degree field of view primarily directed at improving S/N value and still produces a consistent and smooth of human beings. What does not sound and increasing gain to generate a clearer image in the dark. particularly overwhelming in theory has an image even in dark surroundings. The high- impressive effect in practice. Due to their er the S/N value, the less disturbing back- NVG Cases limited field of vision, traditional binocular ground noise affects the image. The higher goggles always have the disadvantage of the gain, the brighter the image, which re- As night vision goggles do not consist developing a tunnel vision. Accordingly, to sults in a sharper contrast under poor light of a tube alone, their cases constitute a keep aware of the situation, the soldier is conditions. Advanced devices additionally crucial factor for their function and per- forced to shift his line of sight constantly allow manual gain adjustment. High gain formance. Different mechanisms ensure from one side to the other. Especially when produces a brighter image, yet more image the precise adjustment of the goggles to engaged in close-quarters combat, it takes noise, while lower gain generates a darker the user's eye. some time to get a total overview of newly image with less image noise. In order to make NVGs operational even The result of the multiplication of resolu- in complete darkness (such as in base- tion value with signal-to-noise ratio (lp/ ments or tunnels), many of them have mm x S/N) represents a quality feature. In integrated and optionally connectable IR the USA, this value is called FOM (Figure of lamps, which can compensate for insuf- Merit – performance of the device relative ficient natural low light if necessary. to its available best alternative) and deci- In order to save weight, how- sively determines the export release of US ever, IR lamps are not always tubes. Currently, European GEN II+ tubes available, as many soldiers occasionally come up to a FOM of approx. are equipped with stronger 2,300. IR booster lights mounted In addition to the aforementioned values, on their helmet or handgun the auto-gating function represents an anyway. essential advantage of advanced tubes. Different military missions also Autogating immediately downregulates a call for different NVG designs. In The XACT-nv33 sudden increase of the light to which the addition to monocular devices, bi- Photo: Telefunkenbinocular RACOMS from night vision goggles are exposed and auto- ocular goggles (LUCIE goggles in the Telefunken RACOMS matically keeps the brightness at a constant Bundeswehr) are in common use. They weighs less than 500 g level. This is achieved by a timer, which en- contain only one tube and are therefore despite its integrated IR-lamp and sures that the photocathode converts only obtainable at a reasonable price. A beam dioptric and focus adjustment a desired maximum number of photons splitter distributes the generated image to mechanisms.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 67  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY occupied terrain. This problem does not occur with quad-eye NVG, which ensure situational awareness similar to that achiev- able in daylight. Photo: Bundeswehr Infrared Detectors

Infrared detectors are based on the prin- ciple of thermography. They respond to emanations in the medium IR-spectrum (3,000 to 5,000 nm) from objects of dif- fering temperature and convert tempera- ture differences into an image even in total darkness. Compared to light intensifiers, infrared detectors do without low light or artifi- cial light sources, provide larger effective ranges, and have proven to be significantly superior in detecting human targets and identifying vehicle targets. The range of application of this technol- ogy covers all conceivable platform-based The Quad-Eye GPNVG (Ground Panorama Night Vision Goggle) Fusion from L3 in use with a German The disadvantages of light intensification and infrared detection can be eliminated special forces operator. by fusing these two technologies into one image. This “fusion” approach is achieved by superimposing the optical or low-light-intensified image with the infrared detec- and platform-independent systems. The tor image. The idea behind this is to merge at least two different image sources into image is produced by displaying in dif- one “more useful” image which can make it much easier to take on specific tactical ferent greyscales or pseudocolours the challenges on the battlefield. thermal differences in the observed en- For instance, it is very difficult for light intensifiers detect stationary individuals in a vironment. In general, two categories of wooded spot even at ranges as short as 50 m, especially when they lean against trees infrared detectors can be distinguished: or bushes. Superimposing the infrared detector image on the low-light image allows cooled and uncooled. operators to exploit any differences detected between the temperature of construc- tions and vegetation relative to body temperatures. So, the targets become clearly Cooled Infrared Detectors discernible also at longer ranges. There are two Cooled infrared detectors have the ad- ways to perform vantage that they sense and depict envi- such fusion. One ronmental temperature differences much option already in more precisely. Accordingly, they detect use for quite some and identify potential targets at a much time is to mount greater distance than non-cooled devices. an infrared detec- Before they can display an image, the sen- Photo: IEA MIL-OPTICS GmbH tor attachment in sors of a cooled infrared detector have to front of the night be brought to their respective operating vision device (clip- temperature. This consumes both time and on). In this way, energy. While the cooling process with de- the combat ef- vices of previous generations took several ficiency of exist- minutes, modern devices are operable after ing night vision no more than a few seconds. The addi- devices can be tional cooling system makes these devices improved if neces- heavier, more energy-consuming and more The internally fused image of an AN/PSQ-36 Fusion sary. The consider- expensive compared to uncooled systems. Goggle Enhanced (FGE) sets the human target ably more efficient However, the state-of-the-art meanwhile clearly apart from the background. second option is enables the production of compact cooled internal image fu- infrared detectors with a total weight of sion. Technically speaking, fusion devices represent a separate category in night vi- less than two kilogrammes, making this sion technology. These devices are designed from scratch with in-built light intensifier technology also suitable for infantry opera- tubes and an infrared sensor. The superimposition of the two images is performed tions. Handheld or weapon-attached ob- internally, producing a significantly more detail-rich fusion image. If not needed, the servation devices enable the detection and infrared detector may be disabled to save energy. Such binocular fusion goggles con- identification of individuals at maximum stitute the current state-of-the-art. ranges of 4,000 m and 1,500 m, respec- tively.

68 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

Uncooled Infrared Detectors

Doing away with the cooling system and the attached power supply not only low- ers the purchase price; it also allows a sig- nificantly more compact infrared detector design with a total weight of just a few

hundred grammes. Yet this cost saving is Photo: AIM Infrarot Module GmbH bought at the expense of performance. Individuals can be detected and identified only at maximum ranges of 1,800 m and 500 m, respectively.

Physical Limits

In addition to energy, infrared detection technology is particularly dependent on temperature differences to provide op- timum results. The closer the ambient temperature approaches the target tem- HuntIR Mk2 from AIM is an exam- perature, the poorer are the resolution and ple of a versatile cooled infrared and concurrently prevent any dazzling oc- consequently the produced detector im- device which can be handheld for curring in house-to-house fighting. age. Solar reflections, major fires on the observation purposes or clipped battlefield, as well as rain, fog and snow- onto a weapon as a targeting Summary fall may gravely interfere with the perfor- sight or riflescope attachment. mance of the detector or even eliminate Since all the mentioned technologies are its functionality. Infrared detectors also his shooting position. This drawback not key factors for any military operation, cannot spot light sources or light cones. only involves additional motoric effort but night combat capabilities are not just nice Detected objects are depicted in only two also the loss of the panoramic field of view to have, but a key factor for the efficiency dimensions. Moreover, infrared detectors as the shooter has only the tunnel-type vi- and survivability of soldiers. Still, most Eu- cannot sense through glass surfaces. So, it sion through the eyepiece. What might be ropean armed forces are fully aware of the is impossible to ascertain by means of an still acceptable for fighting out of a pre- inappropriateness of their equipment in infrared detector image if and how many pared defence position develops into a life- the field of night vision and night combat crew members are present within a vehicle. threatening danger in battles for area or capabilities. The existing devices are fre- on urban terrain, because in such scenarios quently dated and only available in insuf- Night Combat Capability the shooter depends on permanent envi- ficient numbers in many European armies, ronmental awareness to be able to engage among them major actors like the German Night vision and infrared detector attach- suddenly occurring targets. Bundeswehr. It is no longer acceptable for ments with crosshairs enable the soldiers This drawback is avoided by employing soldiers on missions that procurement law to fight under limited visibility conditions, night-vision-compatible gunsights or IR- or economic measures entail dramatic de- but they cannot be used in connection laser modules. Special diffusers widen the lays in the provision of equipment which with night vision goggles. The shooter is collimated IR-beam of the laser modules is urgently needed for mission fulfilment forced to turn up his goggles to a field of view of approx. 100 degrees and personal protection. L every time before he takes SWIR The efforts of industry in advancing night vision technology extend more and more into the field of short-wave-infrared (SWIR) radiation. At present, such sensors and infrared detectors are being rapidly developed and should be capable of detecting short-wave infrared radiation and depicting it in an operationally usable manner. Considering their function, these devices resemble light intensifiers more than infrared detectors. SWIR technology combines the advantages of the infrared detection and night vision technologies and offsets their respective disadvantages. Short-wave infra- red radiation features properties similar to visible light and can therefore be exploited

Photo: IEA MIL-OPTICS GmbH in a similar way. Light sources are found in the near-infrared (700–1,400 nm) and the short-wave infrared (1,400 to approx. 3,000 nm) spectra. Objects are depicted by SWIR devices in an inverse monochrome image. Once mastered, SWIR technology promises several benefits. Unlike traditional infrared The multifunctional uncooled detectors (medium IR spectrum), SWIR devices would be capable of detecting light L3-LWTS-LR (Light Weapon Ther- cones and laser beams even in the spectrum so far invisible to GEN II+ and III night mal Sight – Long Range) detects vision technology (1,350 nm). Another and very important advantage is their capabil- individuals at a range of up to ity of sensing through glass surfaces. Short-wave infrared radiation penetrates glass, 4,000 m and weighs no more than smoke, and fog and detects any objects and individuals that may be hidden behind. 850 grammes, including batteries.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 69  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

A Further Insight:

Interview with Mark de Nes, Regional Sales Director and Gert Nützel, Chief Innovation Officer, Photonis Netherlands.

ESD: There are only few high end tube manufacturers in the nights which are "infrared dark" because this phenomenon world. What is the challenge in manufacturing military grade is absent. Light from all other sources at night: moon, stars night vision tubes? and galaxies, is blue. Therefore, it is of great importance that de Nes: The complexity of bringing a combination of differ- an image intensifier has a high sensitivity from the UV up to ent scientific disciplines (High-Vacuum, Chemicals, Electron- the infrared spectrum. ics, Specialised Production etc.) together in a small tube is a challenging concept and doing that in a large and steady out- ESD: Photonis produces 16 and 18 mm tubes. What are the put is challenging in itself, especially if you are continuously advantages/disadvantages of 16 mm tubes? improving a product that has been around for quite some Nützel: When asking users what changes they would like time. This is why there are only a hand full of companies that for new night vision equipment almost 100 percent respond are able to provide quality high performance tubes in large with the wish for lighter and smaller equipment. Further im- volumes with a stable performance. proved image quality only comes as the third priority. Nützel: In addition the manufacturing of image intensifi- de Nes: With a trend in weight reduction at soldier systems ers requires a huge investment in clean rooms, ultra high level and an increasing demand for binoculars, or multi- vacuum equipment and other process industry tools. functional monocular configurations, we are able to safe 40% using the 16mm tube in comparison to an 18mm tube. ESD: What are the characteristics of your state-of-the-art Ultimately, the soldiers will have less weight to carry which tube and what capabilities does it provide? makes their challenging job a bit more comfortable. The de Nes: Our 4G image intensifiers are currently the state-of- 16mm tubes also offer high FOM values (min. 1800 FOM the-art tubes, which despite being only 4-5 years old, have or min. 2000 FOM) as they are also part of the 4G family already been improved at various levels considering inputs technology. from our end-users and OEMs. We listen to the market and work intensely on matters such as high FOM performance ESD: What trends do you envision for night vision devices? (signal-to-noise improvements), extended bandwidth pho- de Nes: We see an evolution from monocular/ binocular into ton collection, fast autogating and small Halo and smaller/ binocular for one. Secondly, the performance level require- lighter tubes like the 16mm 4G tubes. Another very impor- ment is a continuous improvement trend to stay ahead of tant feature of the 4G is the sensitivity down to green, blue the potential enemy who has a night vision capability, too. and even the UV spectrum of the wavelength band. So the technology for the soldier must be superior to that Nützel: The night vision community has always taken it for of the enemy (see the enemy before he sees you). Add-on granted that the night sky is "infrared". All performance functionalities such as augmented reality input of battlefield parameters like gain, signal to noise ratio and FOM are meas- data, lower weight in response to an increased number of ured with infrared light. The source of the infrared light equipment items for the individual soldier and a (collabora- at night sky is a phenomenon called "night glow". Recent tion) fusion of thermal imaging and image intensifiing tech- studies have shown that night glow varies a lot from season nology is the future. to season, day to day and even during one night. There are The interview was conducted by Waldemar Geiger.

Mark your diary: Brussels, 23/24 January 2018 14th NATO Life Cycle Management Conference MITTLER

LCM as a Joint Effort - REPORT Perspectives and Objectives for NATO, Major Industries and SMEs

Chaired by: Thomas E. Pedersen and J. Bo Leimand (ret), Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) The annual NATO LCM Conference will continue to consider the lessons learned and achievements made in areas such as Quality Assurance, Life Cycle Costing, Configuration Management, Acquisition Practices, Material Maintainability et al. as a basis for new and innovative, even disruptive approaches and perspectives which will be introduced in respective presentations. The event will again be organised in cooperation with the NATO Life Cycle Management Group (AC/327) and with the support of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) and the German CALS Forum. The conference will be combined with a small exhibition to showcase respective capabilities and will take place at the Parker Hotel Brussels Airport (formerly: Golden Tulip) on 23/24 January 2018. Contributing Organisations: NSPA, SSM (Turkish MoD), NETMA, FFI, UK MoD, Airbus Defence & Space, Leonardo, QinetiQ, Ukroboronprom (tbc), KPMG, T-Systems, Systecon et.al.

More Information: Mittler Report Verlag, Jürgen Hensel, Phone: +49 228-35008-76, Email: [email protected], www.mittler-report.de

70 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Getting the Picture – The Individual Weapon Sight Sector

David Saw

There was a time when the concept of providing the ordinary infantry and designated as the No.9 Mk 1 rifle. The British Army had always put great em- soldier with a weapon that had an add-on optical sight would have phasis on marksmanship. That is why it is been inconceivable. Optics were precision instruments and expensive. particularly significant that this new rifle was equipped with a telescopic sight in a fixed mount on top of the carrying handle. The decision to adopt the NATO standard hile it was perfectly reasonable to submachine gun in certain applications. 7.62x51mm round marked the end of the Wequip a sniper with an optical sight, The new weapon also needed a new EM-2 rifle, as it could not handle the more there was no rational argument to justify round and this resulted in the adoption of powerful round, and saw the British Army the widespread issue of optical sights. The the .280 British round (7x43mm)classed as adopt the FN FAL as their standard battle perception was that iron sights worked an intermediate round. To provide some rifle. This also meant that the British Army perfectly well at all common battle ranges context, the 7x43mm round would offer would not have a telescopic sight on its and that was all that was needed. more in the way of range and penetra- rifle, although Canada, which had also Photo: Defence Images, MOD

On overwatch in Afghanistan in early 2011, a sharpshooter of the Royal Scots with an L129A1 (Lewis Machine & Tool LM308MWS) 7.62x51mm rifle. In British service the rifle has a Trijicon 6x48 ACOG sight and a Trijicon Rugged Miniature Reflex (RMR) red dot sight.

Then perceptions started to change. The tion than the Soviet 7.62x39mm round of adopted the FAL, did try unsuccessfully to British Army had developed a new small the AK-47. In comparison to a 5.56x45mm develop a telescopic sight solution. arms strategy based on its operational ex- round, the British round was equivalent perience gained between 1939 and 1945, in velocity at 300 metres and greater at Austrian Vision and it had also incorporated ideas gained 500 metres. from the evaluation of foreign weapons. The British Army designed a true assault It was the Steyr AUG (Armee Universal Its plan was to field a new weapon to re- rifle to handle the 7x43mm round in the Gewehr) that would see the successful place its 7.7x57R-calibre Lee Enfield bolt- shape of the EM-2 and this was officially fielding of an integrated sight solution. The action battle rifle and the STEN 9x19mm adopted as the future British rifle in 1951 AUG was designed to be a replacement

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 71  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

and L110A2 5.56x45mm Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW), otherwise known as the FN MINIMI. The SUSAT was also exported to a number of customers including the Swedish Army, who used it for designated marksmen on their AK5 (license built FN FNC) assault rifle.

Photo: Canadian Forces Combat Camera Canadian Solutions

Canada also replaced its SLR battle rifle with a 5.56x45mm assault rifle, select- ing the Colt Model 715, otherwise known as the M16A1E1, a weapon that incorpo- rated some features from the M16A2. The weapon was known as the C7 in Canada, with a carbine variant known as the C8. These initial weapons were superseded by the C7A1 and the C8A1. Here the carrying handle was replaced with a flat top upon which a ‘Weaver-type’ rail is fixed and at- tached to this is the Elcan C79 sight, a x3.4 magnification sight. The C79 is also used on the Canadian version of the FN MINIMI, the C9A1 light machine gun. This weapon is fit- ted with a MIL-STD-1913 Accessory Mount- ing Rail for Small Arms Weapons, otherwise Canadian infantry from Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) known as the Picatinny rail. As the Canadian during exercise Allied Spirit VI at Hohenfels, Germany, in March 2017. Forces upgrade their weapons to the C7A2 The Canadian Forces use the Elcan C79/C79A2 optical day sight with and C8A3 standard, they receive the new their carbines, rifles and support weapons. The US uses the sight as the C79A2 sight. The US uses the C79 sight un- M145 on M240 and M249 machine guns. der the M145 designation for machine guns such as the M249 and the M240. to the FN FAL for the Austrian Army using The only part of the weapon to emerge The French Arme Individuelle Future (AIF) the 5.56x45mm round. The programme with any credit was the L9A1 Sight Unit assault rifle programme to replace the cur- started at the end of the 1960s, with the Small Arms Trilux (SUSAT). SUSAT is a x4 rent FAMAS rifle was won by the Heckler first prototype ready in 1974. The proto- optical sight attached to a mounting on the & Koch HK416, with the version for the type did not have an integrated sight. The rifle body. Rugged and reliable, SUSAT was French military being given the HK416F AUG was adopted by Austria as its service also used by the British Army on its L108A1 designation. The first 300 weapons were rifle in 1977 and this had a Swarovski Optik x1.5 telescopic sight integrated onto the receiver. KAHLES K 624i 6-24x56 Eventually the British would develop sights The K 624i RAL 8000 is the new telescopic sight for the new sniper rifle of the Jag- for their SLR battle rifle. Initially, the aim dkommando (Austrian Special Forces), the SteyrMannlicher in .338 Lapua Magnum. was to have a sight for low-light conditions The particularity of this tactical scope is the placement of the parallax wheel. Austrian and/or close quarter battle ranges and this scope specialist Kahles holds a patent for an integrated parallax wheel in the elevation need was met by the L5A1 Trilux sight. turret. This configuration allows the placement of the windage adjustment turret on Then came the L2A1 Sight Unit Infantry the left or the right side of the scope, which allows the shooter to use all operating Trilux (SUIT). This was a x4 optical sight elements with the support hand. The shooting hand remains in shooting position at and was fitted to a rail that was attached all times. This ambidextrous architecture makes left- or right-handed manipulation of to the top cover of the SLR. SUIT was issued the scope elements equally comfortable. (wg) in limited numbers primarily to what would these days be called ‘designated marks- men', but it was also used on the GPMG medium machine gun. Both Australia and New Zealand acquired SUIT. In the late 1960s, the British Army devel- oped a new rifle as the replacement for the SLR as part of the Small Arms for the 1980s (SA80) programme. Eventually this would result in the L85 assault rifle being Photo: Kahles issued in 1985 and remaining in produc- tion through to 1994. As is well known, theoriginal L85 had tremendous problems.

72 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  delivered to France in early May and the objective is that 5,000 HK416F will have been delivered by the end of 2017. In to- tal, France has ordered 90,380 HK416Fs. The delivery schedule calls for 50% of the weapons to be delivered by 2022 and de- Photo: US Marine Corps liveries to be complete by 2028. The HK416F has been acquired in two vari- ants: The standard variant has a 14.5-inch barrel and the compact variant has an 11-inch barrel. Both variants have Picatinny rails. The HK416F programme also saw the acquisition of 10,767 HK269F 40 mm gre- nade launchers, but the grenade launchers can only be utilised with the HK416F stand- ard version. The standard HK416F will also be the host for elements of the FELIN future soldier system. In total 14,915 weapons will be optimised for FELIN. The FELIN system has a combined day/night sighting system and so the sight requirements in this case are already fulfilled. As to the other HK416Fs that are not des- tined for FELIN integration, the aim is to utilise sighting systems that are already On the range in the Philippines, the Picatinny rail systems opens up a in service with the FAMAS. The standard host of possibilities for attaching sights and other devices to a weapon, French sight is the x4 magnification Scrome note the AN/PVQ-31 Rifle Combat Optic otherwise known as the ACOG J4F1. This is used on both the FAMAS and and the AN/PEQ-5 carbine visible laser on this US Marine Corps M4A1 the MINIMI in France. They also use the carbine. Aimpoint red dot sight; reportedly, EOTech sights have also been acquired. the current version of the M68CCO could the M4 carbine and the M16A4 rifle. The be used, this sight is based on the Aimpoint US Marine Corps classifies the ACOG as the Picatinny World CompM4. Other options for the SOPMOD AN/PVQ-31 Rifle Combat Optic and every include the AN/PVS-17A mini night vision Marine rifleman is equipped with the sys- The Picatinny rail provides the ability for sight from L3, AN/PEQ-2 target pointer/il- tem. Other users of the ACOG include the a weapon to accommodate a host of dif- luminator/aiming light from EOTech, AN/ British military, with the optic available in ferent sighting options. In the case of the PEQ-5 carbine visible laser from Insight many different variations. Special Operations Peculiar Modification Technology and the AN/PSQ-18A M203 As previously noted, the British had im- (SOPMOD) of the M4A1 carbine, the list day/night sighting system from ASU. mense problems with their L85 assault ri- of sighting options is extensive. For exam- The US Army M150 Rifle Combat Optic has fle, with the SUSAT sight being the only ple, options include the Trijicon CQB reflex become one of the more common sighting part of the system to emerge with any sight, the M150 Trijicon x4 magnification options internationally, this system is also credit. The L85A2, the current version of day optical scope, the ECOS-N CQB sight known as the Advanced Combat Optical the rifle, has resolved – courtesy of Heckler (a version of the Aimpoint CompM2 oth- Gunsight (ACOG). The standard ACOG is & Koch, the issues that had plagued the erwise known as the M68, the US Army a 4x32 magnification optical scope built by weapon. Combat experience in Iraq and purchased over a million of these units), or Trijicon that was originally developed for Afghanistan led to a decision to acquire

Please visit CONTROP at Singapore Air Show 2018 6-11 February 2018, Singapore, Stand Q30

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 73  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Other FIST STA elements include the FIST Thermal Sight (FTS) from Qioptiq, this replaces the existing Lightweight Ther- mal Imager (LWTI) and offers enhanced detection and recognition features. The CWS-Maxikite Conversion (CMC) is an

Photo: Defence Images, MOD upgrade to section-level night sights such as the Common Weapon Sight (CWS) and the MAXIKITE III, both manufac- tured by Qioptiq. The CMC integrates these systems with FIST, adds a Picatinny rail and the CQB sight. There is also the Underslung Grenade Launcher Sighting System (UGLS), built by Istec, for use with the L123A2 (Heckler & Koch AG36) 40 mm UGL. In 2009, the British Army developed a UOR for a designated marksman rifle in The British SA80 encountered tremendous problems when it entered 7.62x51mm for Afghanistan, with this service, these have now been resolved with the L85A2 variant of the programme being won by Lewis Machine weapon, which was modernised and upgraded by Heckler & Koch. Note & Tool with their LM308MWS, which the multiple Picatinny rails on the rifle, and the optical sight with the was then classified as the L129A1 rifle. CQB red dot sight located above. The selected day sight was the 6x48 Triji- con ACOG TA648 on a Picatinny rail. Also the ACOG sight, as the SUSAT was start- Shield. The CQB is a x1 red dot sight offer- present is the Trijicon Rugged Miniature ing to show its age, although this did not ing quick and accurate close quarter en- Reflex (RMR) red dot sight. The L129A1 mark a complete replacement of the SUSAT gagement capabilities at ranges of under can also be fitted with the Schmidt & system. The key point is that although the 75 metres. The CQB is mounted on all of Bender 3-12x50 PM II daylight scope, British were in combat and were reacting the other sight elements of the STA. Shield with the FLIR AN/PVS-27 MUNS (Mag- to changing needs by acquiring capability had previously supplied their MINI SIGHT num Universal Night Sight). The L86A2 Light Support Weapon (LSW), another member of the SA80 family, has also CONTROP at D&S Thailand been used as a designated marksman CONTROP Precision Technologies Ltd. recently highlighted its aircraft upgrade capa- weapon and is effective in that applica- bilities for the modernisation of light aircraft, helicopters, and UAS at D&S Thailand tion, although as a 5.56x45mm weapon 2017. The company recently reported the sale of the A-DSMS Airborne Defense its performance is limited in comparison Surveillance Mission System with the iSky-50HD as part of an upgrade programme with the L129A1. for Search & Rescue missions in Africa. The A-DSMS is a complete integrated solu- As things stand today, there is no doubt tion specially designed for converting military, law enforcement and government that an infantry weapon will be fitted aircraft into an advanced EO/IR surveillance mission configuration. It is offered with with a sighting system, whether it be a a variety of CONTROP’s EO/IR gyro-stabilized payloads, including with a full HD day red dot sight for close quarter work, or an camera. In addition, the A-DSMS includes an operator’s work station with a display ACOG or similar system for the full range monitor, DVR, control unit, mission computer, moving map software, video down- envelope of an assault rifle. With the fit- link. The iSky family is CONTROP’s line of six medium and long-range aerial payloads ting of Picatinny rails there are few limi- (iSky-20HD, iSky-30HD, iSky-50HD) which provide solutions for most medium and tations on day or night sight integration. long-range aerial surveillance platforms. Features include a continuous optical zoom The anointed successor to the Picatinny lens in HD day camera and thermal imaging (SD/HD) cameras, gyro-stabilised gim- rail will be the NATO accessory rail (STAN- bals, and multi-sensor options including EYESAFE LASER RANGE FINDER (ELRF) and/ AG 4694), although the Picatinny will be or Laser Pointer. Ideal for manned or unmanned airborne platforms, all of the iSky around for many years yet. Added to systems include real-time image enhancement features, built-in INS, and Automatic which, powered versions of the Picatinny Video Tracker. (sb) and the NATO rail will inevitably appear offering some very interesting mounting possibilities. through Urgent Operational Requirements to the British Army and Special Forces Into the future though, the evolution of (UOR), they also had a comprehensive Sur- (some 15,000 units in total), as well as to the infantry weapon sight sector is direct- veillance and Target Acquisition (STA) pro- US, Australian and New Zealand Special ly linked to the progress of future soldier gramme underway as a part of their Future Forces amongst others, with over 100,000 systems. If these deliver a more complete Infantry Soldier Technology (FIST) effort. sights built. The CQB was developed from integration of the soldier, the sensor and The systems that go to make up the STA the MINI SIGHT and, according to Shield, the weapon then one of the most impor- element of FIST are now in service, giving 35,000 of these sights have been deliv- tant objectives of these systems will have the British Army a very credible selection of ered to the British Army. The Lightweight been achieved. Until that point it is still a STA options. Day Sight (LDS) is the x4 magnification El- matter of selecting rails, sights and other The STA package includes the Close Quar- can C79 as used by the Canadian Forces. weapon accessories to achieve the desired ter Battlesight (CQB) manufactured by This is the SUSAT replacement. objective. L

74 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Milipol In Sight

he MILIPOL exhibition was held in Paris ers and provide the production numbers hind reflex/red dot sights such as the ME- Tat the end of November, although this necessary to support being competitive in PRO MOR. When longer range engage- exhibition is normally perceived to be de- export markets. ments are required the MX3-T sight is voted towards the internal security, para- At MILIPOL Meprolight unveiled a number flipped into position, with no re-zeroing military and police marketplaces, it also of new products that will be of interest to required, and when no longer required had much to interest those focused on the military users. The MEPRO NYX-200 is a the magnifier is flipped to the side. military. This was particularly true as re- multi-spectral weapon sight that can also Elsewhere, the Finnish Defence Force has gards weapon sights for dismounted sol- be used as a hand-held device, the system ordered the Aimpoint Micro T-2 com- dier and related applications. There were has an uncooled thermal channel and a pact red dot sight for use with the RK62 a number of key developments in terms high resolution day/night digital camera, 7.62x39 mm assault rifles that are being of new sighting systems from Israel, new providing an all-in-one solution to both modernised. The value of the contract is contracts in Europe and some insight into day and night sight requirements. Two €5.5 million and the sights are to be deliv- the impact of rapid technology evolution. variants of the system are available: ther- ered before the end of 2018. Finland has Israel’s SK Group is the holding company mal channel and digital night camera and ordered the sights through the NATO Sup- for such key defence capabilities such as thermal channel and digital day camera. port and Procurement Agency (NSPA), in Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), the small The sight also supports image capture and which it is a partner. Earlier in September arms manufacturer, and Meprolight, the video recording on an internal SD card for Aimpoint unveiled the CompM5 red dot leading Israeli capability in optical and post-mission debriefing. sight, at 147 grams it is the most compact Photo: Qioptiq Photo: Meprolight

The Meprolight MEPRO NYX-200 is a multi-spectral The FIST Thermal Sight (FTS) manufactured by Qioptiq weapon sight that can also be used as a hand-held de- (shown here on an L85A2) is a key element of the Brit- vice; it can provide an all-in-one solution to both day ish Army Future Infantry Soldier Technology (FIST) Sur- and night sight requirements. Meprolight unveiled veillance and Target Acquisition (STA) programme. The many new sight developments at MILIPOL in Novem- rapid fielding of enhanced technology allows sights to ber 2017. achieve better performance, while reducing weight.

electro-optical sights for small arms. Back A new version of the MEPRO MOR red version of this sight family. The CompM5 in 2016 the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dot reflex sight was introduced, this sight was developed to meet the require- had placed a major order for ‘many thou- now has a green laser pointer to meet ments of an undisclosed user, the sight is sands’ of the Meprolight MEPRO MOR the needs of users for higher visibility now available for sale worldwide. reflex sight, this came when the company in certain environments. There are now Qioptiq, one of the major suppliers into was still delivering MEPRO M5/RDS PRO three versions of this sight available: IR the British Army Future Infantry Soldier red dot sights to the IDF from a previous and green pointer, IR and red pointer, Technology (FIST) Surveillance and Tar- major order. Other sights in use with the and red and green pointer. There is also get Acquisition (STA) programme, noted IDF include MEPRO M21, MEPRO MX3, a new version of the MEPRO M5 red dot the importance of rapidly integrating MEPRO LIOR sniper night vision sight and sight featuring a bullseye reticle, with the improved/enhanced technologies into the MEPRO GLS grenade launcher sight. reticle colour being green or red depend- such systems as the FIST Thermal Sight Meprolight is not the only Israeli company ing on customer preference. The sight al- (FTS), the objective being to increase active in the weapon sights area, competi- lows the user to rapidly engage targets, performance and reduce system weight tors include Elbit for example. However, while reducing power consumption and wherever possible. Both weight and size the size and competitive nature of the extending battery life. The MX3-T is an- reduction are becoming important topics Israeli market is such that it can support other new system, this is a x3 reflex sight in the weapon sight area these days. innovation from multiple manufactur- magnifier and fits on a Picatinny rail be- (David Saw)

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 75  INDUSTRY & MARKETS The Development of the Maritime Defence Industry in Germany

Peter Grundmann

Dedicated to national entrepreneurial responsibility and committed to serving the Navy as a matter of long tradition – this is the image that the German maritime industry (shipyards, system companies and suppliers) – wants to portray based on respective equipment supplies and materiel management for the past five decades.

espite many recent market adjust- tries such as Germany had to radically re- port facilities, which was important for the Dments, the current industrial capabilities structure their shipbuilding industry. Within restructuring of traditional shipyards. and capacities continue to provide the Navy a few years, the labour-intensive mass ship- Consistent portfolio streamlining and with the supply it is accustomed to. The na- building industry disappeared. Even with the inevitable reduction of overcapacities val industry makes a significant contribution modern production facilities for super tank- have left their indelible mark on German shipyards. According to the Association for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology (Verband für Schiffbau und Meerestech-

Graphic: A&R nik – VSM), the number of jobs in German shipyards has fallen from 62,000 to 18,000 during the past 35 years. The invisible hand of the free market was the only principle that determined adap- tation to changing conditions, since the German shipbuilding industry is privately owned and, to a large extent, family- owned. The government does not grant subsidies, regardless of the volume of or- ders. And industry has never requested subsidies for fear of losing entrepreneurial independence. Only the development of technical skills has been taken on to a lim- ited extent under OECD and EU rules. This also applies to shipbuilding for the Navy. In Germany, this is not a state domain and the German naval industry, unlike many international competitors, receives no sup- port. Until recently, Navy contracts were A&R design study for a small multifunctional corvette in co-operation predominantly awarded at national level. with Rheinmetall However, the current Europe-wide call for tenders for the MKS180 warship shows to national security. However, the process ers and container ships it has not been pos- that the German Government is not pro- of continuous adaptation and develop- sible to regain the market shares of the past. tectionist in principle. ment of German shipyards has reached a After a critical examination of their per- degree of consolidation which should be formance, German shipyards and their Concerns about National considered in more detail with regard to its domestic suppliers are now relying on the Security significance for the defence sector. construction of high-quality special ships. These include not only cruise ships, fer- The significance of a national naval indus- Significant Shrinkage over the ries, large yachts and floating equipment try for the country's security policy has Decades for the offshore industry, but also highly long been discussed against the back- specialised naval vessels. These product ground of rapid changes and fundamen- Just over three decades ago, when the con- areas have a long tradition in Germany, tal challenges in the international security struction of merchant ships – in particular and there is recognised market presence. architecture. According to its own state- tankers, bulk carriers and container ships In addition, a supply industry spread across ments, the Ministry of Defence does not – increasingly became the domain of the a wide geographical area also allowed for see itself as a representative of the inter- large new shipyards in Asia, European coun- a corresponding distribution of the various ests of any industry, but it still wants to

76 European Security & Defence · December 2017 be able to rely on core competences and capacities in existing defence technology. For selected technology sectors, this has already been laid down in a federal gov- ernment strategy paper on strengthen- ing the German defence industry and in the 2016 White Paper as the basis for the country's military capabilities. At present, however, there are no concrete measures

to put this into practice. As far as the Navy Photo: German Naval Yards is concerned, only a few sectors have been Task group support ship FRANKFURT AM MAIN at the German Naval defined as key national technologies. The Yards drydock in Kiel more comprehensive parliamentary reso- lutions of October 2015 and March 2017 EU and its defence industries. Cooperative production sites in northern Germany. FLW on the anchoring of naval surface ship- procurement should enable more economi- generates one-third of its turnover in the building as a key technology of strategic cal batch sizes. navy, police and customs sectors. FLW is re- importance for Germany have met with garded as the world market leader for mega little response so far. The EU-wide call for Current Suppliers of Naval yachts, but also has a long military tradition, tenders for the largest procurement pro- Vessels from new buildings and repairs to complete ject of the German Navy, the Multi-Role refits. For the German Navy, the family- Combat Ship Class 180 (MKS 180), is in There are only five shipyards or shipyard owned company designed and built high- line with this narrow view of national key groups left in Germany for the construction speed Class 141, 142 and 143 Alpha fast technologies. of new naval vessels: FLW, tkMS, GNY, A&R patrol boats, followed by the SM343 and There are also political questions concern- and Fassmer. They differ in terms of produc- MJ332 minesweepers in a consortium with ing the procurement of military materiel. tion facilities, engineering knowledge for A&R, the K130 corvettes in a consortium The European Defence Action Plan aims to the design of naval vessels and the integra- with the Blohm+Voss shipyard, which has harmonise defence equipment in the EU tion of weapons and control systems. also been part of Lürssen since 2016, and and to promote bi-national or multination- The national range in the naval sector is still the EGV task group support ship fleet. The al procurement through European financial relatively broadly diversified: construction portfolio currently comprises incentives for research and development The Bremen-based Lürssen Group (FLW) the national Class F125 frigates in a consor- and to strengthen the sovereignty of the employs more than 2,700 people at six tium with tkMS and the second batch of the

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Hagenuk Marinekommunikation GmbH Hamburger Chaussee 25 | 24220 Flintbek | Germany Phone: +49 4347 714-101 | Fax +49 4347 714-110 Hagenuk Marinekommunikation [email protected] | www.hmk.atlas-elektronik.com A company of the ATLAS ELEKTRONIK Group partner shipyards in the customer coun- tries. At present tkMS is a contender for the MKS180 contract together with FLW. With the acquisition of ATLAS ELEKTRON- IK, tkMS has become a supplier of complete systems. ATLAS ELEKTRONIK has a leading position in maritime high technology arena, from control systems, including radio and communication systems for submarines and surface ships, to mine countermeasure systems, heavy torpedoes and unmanned maritime systems (UMS). German Naval Yards (GNY) consists of the former surface shipbuilding facilities of

Photo: tkMS Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH Class 214 tkMS export submarine (Kiel), as well as its sister shipyards No- biskrug (Rendsburg) and Lindenau (Kiel). With integrated management and joint ad- ministration, GNY employs around 1,000 people in the German state of Schleswig- Photo: Lürssen Holstein. The German Naval Yards Kiel facili- ties (GNYK) specialise in the planning and construction of large naval vessels – frig- ates, corvettes and patrol boats. Under a subcontract to tkMS, GNYK handed over two frigates for Algeria in record time in the summer of 2016. In addition to the con- sortium partnership with Lürssen and tkMS for the second batch K130, the Kiel ship- yard's order backlog currently includes the construction of corvettes for Israel. GNYK is also a contender for the MKS 180 pro- gramme. German Naval Yards is a wholly- owned subsidiary of Privinvest Group, a The OPV80 from Lürssen is destined to support seaborne strike forces in leading provider of marine solutions. This multinational engagements. European shipyard group also comprises internationally renowned specialists, such K130 corvettes, while Lürssen is a contender class 214/214A boats with air-independent as the French CMN naval shipyard, Hellenic for MKS180 in the consortium with thys- propulsion systems based on fuel cell tech- Shipyards and Isherwoods in Great Britain. senkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS). Exports nology. The core business of tkMS is the Their expertise complements the expertise focus on a variety of ships and boats, in- design and development of state-of-the-art of German Naval Yards Kiel as a system inte- cluding the successful PV80 type, as well as frigates, corvettes and naval support ves- grator for large, complex naval vessels. various fast attack craft and patrol boats. sels. References are the F125, K130 and the Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R), primarily fo- Customers worldwide include a large num- EGV fleet. The project expertise enables the cused on the construction of large yachts, ber of navies that in many cases also require company to build surface vessels not only but also successful specialist shipbuilders a comprehensive range of maintenance and in German shipyards but also in selected such as the SWATH ships, have a hundred logistics services from the group. With its extensive production capacities, many ex- perienced engineers and the necessary

financial strength, Lürssen is capable of as- Photo: HMK suming a role as the prime contractor for complex frigate programmes. As mentioned above, tkMS is another major player. tkMS consists of the three former large shipyards Blohm+Voss, HDW and Em- den Nordseewerke and was supplemented by ATLAS ELEKTRONIK in 2017. tkMS em- ploys 5,800 people and offers sophisticated technology. The company has decades of experience in the areas of submarines, sur- face ships, naval electronics and services. The Kiel-based tkMS shipyard has built ad Hagenuk Marinekommunikation (HMK) has supplied its HF Series 3000 delivered more than 160 submarines world- equipment to all German naval units. Shown here is the new digital HF wide, including class 209 and the modern broadband exciter ERX 3003.

78 European Security & Defence · December 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS 

years of tradition in the military sector in optoelectronic sensors), MBDA (missiles, potential national orders for the next dec- mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV). In and Hagenuk Marinekommunikation ade; on the other hand, they show in which addition to MCMV, the shipyard will in fu- HMK) and Rohde & Schwarz (communi- areas advertising can be made in the future, ture deal intensively with naval vessels up to cation and antenna systems). With this whereby the parent navy serves as an im- corvette size, including associated auxiliary product range, the German naval yards portant reference for entering the interna- and support vessels. are well positioned to offer complete sys- tional market. The Fassmer shipyard, another family- tems which are important for export. owned company with 1,200 employees National Requirements worldwide, has recently caused a stir Preservation of Capacities and with interesting new building projects. Expertise The German Navy is currently in control of These include innovative research vessels a fleet that is too small and largely obsolete and ferries with environmentally friendly All these naval yards also have a strong civil for the required tasks. Not only the coali- LNG propulsion, patrol boats and vari- production branch. It is uncertain whether tion partners, but also most of the parties in ous special vessels. Fassmer successfully the German shipbuilding industry will con- the Bundestag call for a stronger presence developed an 80-metre-long Offshore tinue to offer naval products in the distant of the Bundeswehr in UN and Alliance op- Patrol Vessel (OPV80), which was sold to future; this depends largely on companies' erations, and a clear increase in capabilities a considerable extent in South American assessment of the expected order situation. and materiel resources is being discussed. countries. In addition to the OPV mar- However, it also depends to a large extent Repeated demands for a higher defence ket, Fassmer will also be involved in more on the political climate in Germany, which budget suggest an increase in procurement complex naval units. must promote research and development, and new construction activity. Chancellor The shipyards have additional partners secure national procurement, take a relia- Merkel and Defence Minister von der Leyen for dedicated equipment at their dis- ble position on arms exports and adopt an have promised NATO to increase the de- posal, covering the entire spectrum from active political stance in armaments coop- fence budget from its current level of 1.2 sensors to effectors with products de- eration. After all, industry is not obliged to to 2 percent of Germany's gross domestic veloped and manufactured in Germany, preserve defence capabilities and resources. product by 2024. The strong economy and both above and under the water. In ad- Ultimately, a more or less resilient market for the growing security awareness of the pop- dition to ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, there are grey ships is what counts, in order to fully ulation, coupled with the recognition that Rheinmetall Defence (multi-sensor plat- utilise the highly specialised workforce. national security also requires the willing- forms, medium-calibre guns and decoys), The German Navy's procurement plans are ness to enter into an international security Diehl Defence (missiles, ammunition, and a forecast indicator. On the one hand, the partnership, means that the implementa- surveillance systems), HENSOLDT (radars, plans allow conclusions to be drawn about tion of these promised goals is not only nec-

With a reputation for outstanding operational With over 175 years of shipbuilding knowledge Isherwoods creates and services performance and comprehensive lifecycle and state of the art infrastructure, GNYK computerised management and logistics support, CMN has built over 700 naval focuses on the design and construction of support systems for commercial, offshore civilian and research vessels. large complex naval vessels. and naval applications. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.cmn-group.com www.germannaval.com www.isherwoods.com

www.privinvest.com  INDUSTRY & MARKETS essary, but also possible. The current plans of the Navy lead us to expect additional procurement of tankers, fleet service vessels and new minehunters, in addition to the MKS 180 and type U212CD submarines for the joint German-Norwegian procurement programme. A successor to the Class F123 frigates, new replenishment vessels and the renewal of the armament sector's fleet are also planned.

Modernisation of the Navy beyond this Photo: Fassmer framework and within the time frame envis- Fassmer OPV80 for the Chilean Navy aged in the plan could be fully implemented by the German maritime industry with cur- positive picture. However, the practice that For this reason, export customers will only rent production capacities. But even if these has existed for years to offer customers the select German products if they receive an plans were to be implemented, i.e. prioritis- opportunity to build submarines for them- attractive overall package including con- ing naval projects in the Bundeswehr with selves by transferring the basic elements of vincing after-sales service. This also applies sufficient financial resources, there would design and production, will greatly intensify to the area of the mine countermeasure still be no firm foundation for the naval ship- the competitive situation in the future. vessels. With the experience in building yards. A forward-looking approach would The market for frigates and corvettes, low-signature boats that are well-protect- primarily be a planning approach that is which are difficult to handle and expensive ed against mine explosions and the equip- also attractive from the Navy's point of to procure, is relatively narrow. The coun- ment required for mine neutralisation, such view, based on line instead of class. A long- tries that qualify as customers are looking as hull-mounted, side-scan or synthetic ap- term, constant procurement process would for a low-risk and proven all-in-one solu- erture sonars, as well as UUVs and USVs allow for the continuous use of industrial tion from a single source. A key compo- for mine hunting and simulation, attractive resources and a uniform modernisation of nent is a nationally available spectrum of complete packages can be offered. the Navy. Concepts for this already exist and system competence to be able to combine they are just waiting to be implemented. the weapons and sensors specified by the The Outcome The equipment of the German Navy is an customer in a control system. The oper- important technological and referential ational value of a frigate derives primar- The German naval industry is still well basis for the German shipbuilding industry. ily from the performance of the warfare positioned to meet the national require- However, additional export business is re- system on which a particular class is op- ments even after the current consolida- quired to secure economic capacity utilisa- timised, such as an ASW or AAW frigate tion and to hold its own position on the tion. The export market is even more dif- (Anti-Submarine/Anti-Aircraft Warfare). international market. In order to secure ficult to forecast than domestic demand. The highest demand applies to the design the existing structures, however, a sched- There are too many factors beyond the con- of the air defence system of an AAW unit uled contract award for the projects for trol of the shipyards. "Made in Germany" due to the potentially complex threats the German Navy is essential. Although still stands for quality, but this has its price. and the very short response times. Only this will not yet bring sufficient basic ca- Without political support, orders can hardly those who are able to master the increas- pacity utilisation of the production capaci- be won in international competition, as cur- ingly complex technology of this core seg- ties and system sectors, it will nevertheless rent examples from the submarine indus- ment of warship technology and offer it provide important references for export. try show. Support measures, such as the as a package will be able to survive in the And without the economic success that provision of personnel and equipment for market for frigates and corvettes. In this re- can be achieved through exports, the the testing and acceptance of ships or the gard, Germany has a solution available with privately-owned companies will switch training of foreign crews by the German the command and weapon control system to other products in the medium term. Navy, are the most important element. Ex- from ATLAS ELEKTRONIK and the sensors The preservation of national security is not tensive packages of services, financing and from HENSOLDT in the required higher per- mandatory for them. compensation will be put together, with formance class. However, national access Economic success is the decisive key to the ship project itself being only part of the to advanced technology is time-consuming continued cooperation on the international deal. Political support for exports has been and costly due to the associated develop- stage. It is not whether, but only who, with and still is fundamental to the survival of the ment capacities. This can be positively influ- whom and when, that is unclear. European maritime defence industry. enced by the use of national synergies from industry itself is the driving force behind other projects (such as TLVS or MANTIS) this process. The premises are strength and Opportunities in Export or by international cooperation, such as success through size, competence, quality, a more intensive interaction with Thales. innovative ability and the corresponding In conventional submarines with fuel cell This requires a fundamental decision to be market presence. Today's status quo leaves technology, the Kiel-based products are taken by industry. Exports on the highly important questions unanswered, especial- among the world's best systems. In order to competitive OPV market are very likely to ly with regard to a stronger commitment to maintain this lead, everything must be done be possible. Increasingly, there is a demand industrial policy in Germany. In the area of to constantly adapt the product range to de- for ships with high ocean freight capacity, security policy, it would be an encourag- mand, but in the medium term, the know- which offer rough handling and high flex- ing development if a future naval industry how acquired over decades should also be ibility in armament. In this area, a consider- would have significant German participa- a contract guarantee. The current list of able number of potentially efficient sup- tion. This can only be achieved from a posi- contracts and enquiries still present a largely pliers from other nations are also present. tion of strength. L

80 European Security & Defence · December 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  "We are designed to be a European player."

Interview with the Co-CEOs of the KNDS Group: Frank Haun, CEO of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG, and Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of Nexter Group. Photos: KNDS

Frank Haun, CEO of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Stéphane Mayer, Chairman and CEO of Nexter Co-President of KNDS Group Group and Co-President of KNDS Group

ESD: The contract governing the es- are discussing these programmes, and there are at least 17 versions, and when tablishment of the KNDS Holding was we are looking at our portfolio to decide you also consider the different versions signed at the end of 2015. Which steps how we can find the best solution in re- of the LEOPARD you better stop count- have since been taken? Which issues are sponse to this common vision of France ing. We have too many systems and too you approaching jointly? and Germany. many of low quality. That does not make Mayer: We are currently working on a sense from a European point of view. On lot of different subjects. To begin with, ESD: We are talking about 2020, 2025? the other hand, whenever soldiers are in we are working on our corporate func- Haun: 2030, 2035. The governments theatre, that is the experience of the last tions leading to more and more integra- first indicated interest in these activities two or even three decades, they oper- tion, bringing synergies, efficiency and in 2012, three years before we, KMW and ate jointly; you see for example French, best service to the customer. This con- Nexter, signed our contract. France und Belgian, Dutch, German, Danish, Swed- cerns for example sales, financing, pur- Germany are thinking about joint require- ish or other European military forces act- chasing, and communication. Secondly, ments. According to their time schedule ing together. Look at Afghanistan, look we are working on the product line. Our they will have their work more or less at former Yugoslavia, go down to Africa, strategy clearly is to pursue a more inte- completed by 2018. go down to wherever you want to go to, grated product portfolio while keeping in Mayer: The product definition started al- it is always the same. So why in heaven mind that existing products in Germany, ready in 2012. We do not wait until 2018 should they use different systems? And it France and many other countries will stay or even later. We are already busy with is not only the system itself, that also ap- in service for 30, 40 years, and we will dedicated R&D efforts. plies to logistics aspects like spare parts, continue to support them. We are look- maintenance and whatever you need in ing at our existing product range and will ESD: Are you doing it jointly? operations. Why do they use different try to bring even better products to the Haun: This is our interest. Our intention boots? Why do they use different weapon customer in the short term. Thirdly, and has been to support the formation of a systems? From my point of view we have I think that is a very important point for European industrial base and to become to synchronise much more than we have KNDS, we want to identify and to partici- one of its main elements. This is an urgent done in the past. pate in common programmes resulting need as can be demonstrated by the MBT Mayer: And it is a matter of competitive- from the discussions between the French project pursued by France and Germany. ness, too! When you develop a product and the German government. Two pro- Currently a huge number of tanks are in for two, three, four or even 17 countries, grammes are already taking shape – a service throughout Europe – the CHAL- the result will be much more competitive new generation main battle tank and an LENGER, the LECLERC, the LEOPARD – not only for the countries participating artillery programme, the Combined Indi- 2, different versions of Russian tanks in in the programme but also in terms of ex- rect Fire System (CIFS). The governments the Eastern part of Europe. Altogether port perspectives. Therefore we achieve

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 81  INDUSTRY & MARKETS

ESD: But at the moment, BOXER and VBCI might be options? Haun: The BOXER is British by birth, the UK participated in the development be- fore they withdrew from the programme several years ago. Mayer: And the VBCI is an option, too. It is well known to the British Army from joint training. We have to wait and see which product meets their needs best.

ESD: What is the long-term vision for KNDS? Haun: The European leader in land de- fence. I think we said that several times, there is no change. Mayer: With a common range of prod- ucts, with common products for France Germany and many other countries, more and more integrated. Haun: But it will take a long time. Look at the SCORPION programme. The con- The GTK BOXER, shown here with the turret of the PUMA infantry fight- tract was awarded in late 2014. Our Joint ing vehicle, is already in service in Germany and The Netherlands. The Venture came too late, as a result, SCOR- first vehicle has been delivered to Lithuania. PION is a French programme without Ger- man participation. When the last vehicle a real win-win situation for both the cus- ESD: The MIV programme in the UK will have been delivered, how long will it tomer and the supplier if products are might be such a case? stay in service? Until 2050, 2060 or even jointly defined and developed. Haun: The MIV programme is a huge pro- longer. This gives you a good impression gramme and indeed very interesting for of how long-lasting activities in the field ESD: The product portfolio of both of us. But at the moment we do not know of defence procurement are. If we, Nexter your companies overlaps to a certain how the UK will go ahead with this pro- and KMW, had signed our JV agreement extent. Do you envision a streamlining gramme. Decisions still have to be made. earlier, we would have made SCORPION a process? Hopefully, we will know more by the end European programme; now it is a French Haun: We do not have that much over- of 2017. programme only. lap. Everybody talks about it. The real- ity is different. As an example, look at the broad range of artillery products of KMW and Nexter. There is not a single overlap. Or look at the KMW and Nexter 8x8 vehicles we exhibited at our com- mon KNDS stand at DSEI. Are they 8x8? Yes. Are they the same? No. The DNA is different. Taken as a whole the overlap of the product portfolios of KMW and Nexter is pretty small. Consequently, the same applies for the markets we are deal- ing with. I do not see that much overlap in terms of competitive segments. Mayer: Another example for the merely slight extent of overlap are the long- standing activities of Nexter in the field of weapon and ammunition that have had no equivalent in the KMW portfo- lio. Now they are activities of KNDS as a whole. In addition to what was already said: We coordinate our decision pro- cesses to decide jointly what product to offer to the customer.

ESD: It could be different ones? Mayer: If the requirements of a customer The VBCI armoured infantry vehicle has been in service with the are not that clear maybe we would offer dif- French armed forces since 2008 and has been deployed in Afghanistan ferent solutions to leave the choice to him. and Mali.

82 European Security & Defence · December 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS 

ESD: The revenue of KMW and Nexter the quality the customer is looking for; getting our products to the customer in together adds up to €2.5Bn. Do you need and then we have to decide what fits best. the future. to grow much bigger or is your size good Mayer: I think it is more realistic that joint for the moment? requirements lead to joint products. ESD: Could a treaty like Lancaster House Mayer: First of all: Yes, size matters. I do Haun: But not only with respect to France between France and the UK be desirable not know about an ideal or "magic" fig- and Germany. This statement applies for for France and Germany? For instance, ure, but size matters. This is why we are Europe as a whole. The more joint the re- to provide you with a kind of roadmap? together now. More revenues give you quirements there are the more standard- Haun: That is what we need. We have more power to invest in R&D and other ised products will be there and the higher got support from the French and the Ger- sectors. Have a look at our competitors, will be the interoperability of the soldiers man government. Now we need more some of them are large, very large com- operating in the same theatre. deeds instead of words. panies; especially the US; there are giants Mayer: We have had strong support working for the huge US market. ESD: KNDS is not the first and only ex- from the beginning of the negotiations Haun: We are designed to be a European ample for industrial consolidation within for the creation of KNDS. We perceive player. Look at the trend, the direction is Europe. Another has been MBDA. Is this the recent defence minister council as a more and more consolidation within Eu- a kind of model for you? confirmation of our course as well. Of rope leading to more and more competi- Mayer: MBDA is a success story that was course, a treaty like Lancaster House pro- tiveness if compared with US companies, enabled by joint programmes and a state viding a framework for joint programmes too. Therefore, our door is open and we treaty providing the best conditions to would properly foster our activities. are working on becoming a much more Eu- cooperate. But we definitely would try to ropean based company than we are now. pursue that in less than 20 years. ESD: A European Commission pro- Haun: We draw two lessons from the gramme on defence – would it help? ESD: A simple speculation: If the German MBDA and the Airbus success story as Haun: We need something as a base Bundeswehr defines requirements for a well. First: We have to be faster. And for cooperation in the future. A more new programme and you perceive that a second: We have to be more efficient. detailed government-to-government Nexter product will meet these require- The world is changing so fast that R&D agreement should be in place. Our gov- ments better than any KMW product phases of 30 years and more cannot be ernments know about it and I am still does, might it be possible to propose a accepted anymore. Do you know what confident that they will do the right thing. Nexter product in this case? kind of threats we have to expect in 30 The interview was conducted by Haun: It depends on the requirements, years? We will have to be much faster in Peter Bossdorf.

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THE WORLD’S PREMIER ARMOURED VEHICLES FORUM

3. Analysis of armoured vehicle market confidence by REGION How confident are you in the future of the armoured vehicle market in your region over the next 10 years?

ARMOURED VEHICLES AFRICA Very confident GLOBAL Quite confident 75% MARKET REPORTVery confident2018 46% Not confident 23% Quite confident 43% Unsure/no opinion Not confident

Unsure/no opinion 5% This section of the report is based on an exclusive Defence IQ survey of senior executives and professionals within EUROPE 0% the armoured vehicle domain, which includes commercial and military (currently serving and retired) respondents. 6% Very confident 2% ASIA-PACIFIC The analysis of the survey data has been supplemented with proprietary interviews and desktop research. Quite confident Very confident 61% Not confident Defence IQ’s Global Armoured Vehicle Market Report is now in its seventh year, meaning the data in this report Quite confident Unsure/no opinion Not confident has been analysed within the context of recent developments and offers a reliable framework for the future 32% Unsure/no opinion 50% trends of the armoured vehicle market. NORTH AMERICA 14% Very confident 33% 4% MIDDLE-EAST Topics examined include; the key emerging regional markets, global procurement requirements, the primary Quite confident 5% Overall, confidence in the global armoured vehicle market Very confident 1% challenges facing armoured vehicle manufacturers over the next decade, armoured vehicle design requirements, is near level with last year’s statistics which were foundNot confident Quite confident and the ‘new normal’ in the industry as the effects of the global financial crisis begin to wane and new Unsure/no opinion Not confident to be at a six-year high. This amounts to 46 per cent of 50%27% opportunities emerge. Unsure/no opinion respondents stated a firm assurance in order books over 79% the next decade, marking a 4 per cent rise on 2016-17 and 18% 11% LATIN AMERICA a 13 per cent climb from where the result stood in 2014 5% 0% 1. Analysis of respondents by type Very confident 10% armoured vehicles. when only a third of participants identified being ‘very Quite confident confident’ in the future of the armoured vehicles market. Not confident Strong confidence in the once-dominant North American East retain sincere market confidence,Unsure/no with opinion 79 per cent market slid marginally again with only 27 per cent of 38% feeling particularly buoyant about future business. This 50% Commericial organisation (vendor)participants centred in this region indicating a robust Please select which of the following categories best describes your current role with represents only a negligible one per cent drop in overall 5% confidence (compared to30 per cent last year and 47 per confidence from last year. 7% Goverment organisation cent in 2015-16). However, overall confidence for this region has barely budged in the last 12 months. A number Africa registered the largest overall confidence with 95 per 12% Military of high profile government contracts and investments, as cent of respondents (over 91 per cent for the Middle East) 34% well as a reinvigorated defence budget and the increased expressing faith in the continent’s commercial position. potential for overseas conflict, has seen confidence in the Media / academic This however is a more modest level of confidence that the world’s largest armoured vehicle market stay afloat with Middle East figure, with around three quarters of relevant 77 per cent still declaring faith in continued commercial respondents calling themselves ‘quite confident’ compared Other activity. to less than one quarter as ‘very confident’. 16% Europe has also climbed in this category, with those Latin America saw a rise in assurance levels, with gains in claiming to be ‘very confident’ up by 27 per cent since last 6% confidence (up 19 per cent) despite ongoing economic and year. Overall, 82 per cent of these respondents saw the political uncertainty across the region. Likewise, the Asia- region as promising against 14 per cent cynical. Pacific – once seen by most analysts as driving the future of the market over the next ten years – saw a minor gain One of the clearest signs of self-assurance is being 32% on last year, with 3 per cent more projecting a robust faith decisive; sitting on the fence rarely inspires confidence. in the regional market, but equating to a massive 94 per With this in mind, the number of respondents stating cent of regional market confidence. they were ‘unsure’ about the market outlook dropped participation (up 9 per cent), with military respondents from 7 per cent in the 2017 report to 5 per cent in 2018. accounting for 32 per cent of all respondents. ‘Other’ Steadily increasing budgets, new contract opportunities, While confidence in the market remains careful since respondents derived largely from independent and the continued intensity of local conflict saw the Middle the economic slump, recovery has been established consultancies. and industry is once again investing heavily in future capabilities and infrastructure. That said, the market

for the year ahead is reliant on many external and unpredictable factors, so those involved are advised to 22-25 January,London, 2018 UK @IAVehicles International Armoured Vehicles Registerremain today! cautious and watchful of market movement.  The largest segment of survey respondents (34 per cent) FIND OUT MORE derived from the commercial sector, which is a decrease of 8 per cent on the number of respondents from industry in last year’s Global Armoured Vehicle Market Report. This L variance is due to an increase in academia and media 7 9 #IAVevent

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 INDUSTRY & MARKETS For the Security of the Country

Peter Jenni

An industrial base with high technological capacities and skilled personnel is important for the security of Switzerland. The perceived threat and requirements profile of the security forces (army, police, civil protection and rescue services) have changed constantly over the past 25 years, and not only in Swit- zerland.

oday's conflicts often occur among Tthe civilian population. Often it is dif- ficult to uniquely identify the enemy, and Photo: NATO the intensity of the battle can change quickly. The Swiss Society of Technology and Armed Forces (STA) points out that the country's security forces must adapt to these threats. This means that they must be properly trained and equipped, and they must have adequate resources to do so.

Long-Term View

In Switzerland, security and armaments policy must regain political and social im- portance and, above all, have a long-term orientation. In order for the army to be able to respond appropriately to all threats at all times, it must be able to mobilise quickly and decentrally. This means that there must Swiss infantrymen be a multi-layered reaction system. And this means, above all, that the emergency of the Military Department hope to invest ments in the medium and long term, so the services must be fully equipped again in CHF5Bn annually over the next four years army must be flexible enough to respond order to be ready for action at all times. to fill the biggest gaps. By the end of this to a serious threat. Only a competitive Swiss With the WEA (Further Development of the four-year period, most of those responsible defence industry with a broad technologi- Army), which is to be implemented shortly, for dismantling the Swiss Army will have cal base can guarantee this flexibility in ma- all this should be operational. The new retired. terial terms. army will still have a numerical strength of 100,000, but it must catch up in terms of The Industrial Base has Important Industrial Base operational readiness, training of senior of- Suffered Too ficers and, above all, equipment. Essential- For a small state such as Switzerland, it is ly, this means correcting the mistakes of the The shortage of materials and personnel important to have an industrial base capa- euphoria after the end of the Cold War and in recent decades has also caused damage ble of supplying its security organisations prioritising things that have been pushed to the domestic defence industry. Govern- with all kinds of goods – arms, vehicles, am- into the background. The representatives ment expenditure on the military dropped munition and communications equipment from 16 percent in 1990 to 7 percent in – and to maintain them, as well as to carry Author 2016, and currently a modest 0.7 percent out conservation and value-enhancement of GNP is being allocated to the military in programmes. Industry must be able to of- Prior to his retirement Peter Jenni the budget, which has led to a reduction in fer modern technologies at competitive worked for several companies as staffing and capacity in the respective sec- prices. Against this background, the gov- director of communication. Since tor and thus to a loss of know-how. ernment has formulated procurement rules 2004 he has been responsible for the The sustainability and persistence of an ar- for the army. The development and mainte- "Armament & Technology" segment my is strengthened by a country's defence nance of industrial defence capabilities are of "Schweizer Soldat". He served in industry. For this reason, the STA calls for the guiding principles of Switzerland's new the Swiss Army as an officer of the "sufficient capacities of a domestic defence armaments policy. militia, including positions as unit industry with export capability" to be re- The Swiss market itself is comparatively commander and intelligence officer in vived. A broad technology base strength- small. Exporting its products is an obvious a brigade as a lieutenant-colonel. ens the army's resilience. It is difficult to and vital solution to ensure the survival of assess future global and regional develop- our industrial base. In other words, there is

84 European Security & Defence · December 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS 

modules as well as components and spare parts or provide special services. These are primarily development and production businesses. These companies often offer dual-use products and services that can be used for both civilian and military pur- poses. These companies offer among other things: • Complex systems for air defence op- erations, armoured vehicles, command and

Photo: SWISSMEM control information systems, simulators The Swiss mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and metal- • Mechanical, electrical, electrical, elec- working industry is by far the country's largest industrial employer. tronic or optical modules and equipment such as wing segments, external tanks, no domestic security and defence indus- defence sector. It is difficult to draw a divid- cockpit window fittings, gearboxes and try without exports. If this industrial sec- ing line between these industries. transmission systems, galleys, power plant tor were to fall by the wayside, this would It is obvious that no Swiss security and monitoring systems. inevitably lead not only to a loss of know- defence technology company can survive • Demanding components and individual how and jobs, but would also affect the solely on the basis of its domestic market. parts, such as engine wings and hot gas country's security. Only a domestic defence The export of goods and services has long components technology industry can guarantee the ar- been a survival strategy in this sector. • Services for surface coatings, basic engi- my's self-sufficiency in times of crisis. Procurement for the Swiss Armed Forces is neering for various services, modern CNC For this reason, the government declared not just about turnover, profits and jobs for machine tools for demanding tasks. in its "Procurement Strategy of the Federal domestic companies. In the international The ASD industry has a workforce of some Council for the VBS (Federal Department context, it is also about the very important 15,000 with an annual turnover of about for Defence, Civil Defence, and Sport) in reputation of the home market. CHF3.5Bn. March 2010 that competitive aspects of procurement for the military and security Disadvantages and Success Certifications sector are secondary if procurement sus- Factors tainably strengthens Switzerland's indus- SWISS ASD focuses on five specific areas of trial base or is indispensable for ensuring On the international market, Swiss com- activity. Swiss companies must be certified security. panies suffer from disadvantages such as according to EN9100 in order to be a sup- high labour costs, a strong currency, non- plier for the international aviation industry. Export membership in NATO and restrictive ex- In the past, companies had to be certified port legislation for military products. On by foreign authorities, but ten years ago The export of military equipment is a sensi- the other hand, the strengths of the Swiss SWISS ASD set up the necessary organisa- tive political issue, not only in Switzerland. defence industry lie in technological mas- tion and infrastructure, which it now oper- The Swiss defence industry should be able tery, innovation, excellent product quality, ates together with the official accreditation punctuality, reliability and a good price/ body of the Federal Administration. performance ratio. Offset Transactions Scope of the MEM Industry If the Swiss army purchases armaments Photo: SWISSMEM With more than 300,000 employees, the from abroad, suppliers are obliged to Swiss mechanical engineering, electrical participate directly and indirectly in Swiss engineering and metalworking industry industry. In this way, many local compa- (MEM) is by far the country's largest in- nies have been able to access the supply dustrial employer. With an export share of chains of international corporations. The around 30 percent, it contributes signifi- obligation from offsetting transactions is cantly to the country's economic success. included in the contracts with the supplier. The association of the MEM industry is Progress is monitored by Offsetbüro Bern called Swissmem and represents the inter- agency, which was founded in 2009 and ests of its more than 1,000 members. can extend over a period of several years. Hans Hess, President of Swissmem Within Swissmem, many member compa- This system is important for Swiss industry. nies work in one or more specialist groups. SWISS ASD now has a seat on the supervi- to operate at least as freely as its European The SWISS ASD (Aeronautics, Security & sory board and represents the interests of competitors, which has been recognised Defence Division of Swissmem) division the local and domestic economy. by the government and parliament with comprises around 60 small and medium- In other countries there are similar meth- the adoption of the regulation on defence sized companies in the aerospace, secu- ods of compensation, but under a different equipment. One challenge is that defence rity and defence technology sectors. The name. For example, a company from Swit- technology is not a hermetically sealed few larger companies are mainly contrac- zerland was able to win a major contract industry. For example, aviation, satellite tors for complex systems. Medium-sized for the Bundeswehr with the obligation to technology, communications and the au- and small companies manufacture state- assemble the vehicle on site, that is, at a tomotive industry are closely linked to the of-the-art technological equipment and factory in Germany. L

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 85  INDUSTRY & MARKETS Romanian Procurement Programmes: Wish List versus (Sober) Reality

Eugene Kogan

According to the Romanian MoND press release in December 2015, the proposed defence budget for 2016 amounts to 1.5% of the GDP in 2016, plus other [unspecified] expenditures that totalled 1.7% of the GDP. Back in January 2015 President Klaus Iohannis negotiated a cross-party agreement to reach the 2% thresh- old starting in 2017, and maintain it for the next ten years.

s a result, Romania has increased its The latter lost both manpower and income, a service that requires the most attention Adefence expenditure to 2% of GDP in while some of the enterprises declared because of the Russian intensive military 2017, worth RON16.3Bn (€3.6Bn). Accord- bankruptcy. In terms of military modernisa- modernisation and militarisation of Crimea ing to Gabriel Les, former Minister of Na- tion almost every piece of equipment, from in particular, has been strongly affected tional Defence, “Under the current budget assault rifles and APCs to air-defence mis- by these developments. The long-awaited worth RON16.3Bn about 45% are to be siles, will need to be replaced. This is indeed tender to modernise the Navy’s British-built allocated to investments and acquisitions.“ a tall order and there is no guarantee that Type 22 frigates acquired by Romania from The figure of 45% should however be tak- mistakes of the past will not be repeated. the UK in 2003 came to a halt in 2017. The en with a grain of salt since past experience It is known that the ability of the MoND to sum of €180M allocated for both frigates shows that funds allocated for this purpose manage an increased acquisition budget is including their overhaul and fitting with were not spent properly. questionable. The ministry has a bad record modern anti-ship and SAM missiles, new search and fire control radars, electronic warfare suits, etc was insufficient. In late August 2017 it was finally reported that

Photo: NATO the purchase of four corvettes will be paid in instalments between 2018 and 2024. In addition, Romania’s public acquisition rules are not just complicated but also not trans- parent. Whether or not the government may reform public acquisition regulations remains to be seen. Therefore, the credibility of the entire gov- ernment in general and of the MoND staff in particular is on the line. Furthermore, the country’s credibility as a NATO ally and its defence are at stake. The words and plans of the MoND officials are good but deeds are better. Still, as a good start, on 11 May 2017 the Romanian parliament has finally approved a spending programme valued at €9.3Bn Address by Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania at the Plenary session for the next decade, 2017-2026, which in- of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Bucharest in October 2017 cludes eight major programmes: 1 Advanced surface-to-air missile (ASAM) It needs to be remembered that Romania in managing both major and minor pro- systems that include four missile sys- has to overcome a decade of defence un- grammes. For instance, a tender for acqui- tems for the Land Forces and three for derinvestments which requires to modern- sition of 18 light anti-submarine torpedoes the Air Force worth €4Bn; ise the entire military and urgently restruc- was cancelled three times since 2014. The 2 Integrated weapon systems for short- ture the state-run defence industry which modernisation of a mechanised infantry range air-defence system (SHORAD) has been neglected for quite some time. battalion with Piranha IIIs APCs has taken and very short (VSHORAD) worth about a decade to implement. €2.1Bn. In a first stage the acquisition Author Furthermore, since 2015, a number of im- will only target SHORAD components portant defence programmes had to be and cost €1.37Bn. Eugene Kogan is a defence either delayed or reassessed because of 3 Mobile anti-ship missile launchers worth and security expert based in Tbilisi, bureaucratic errors or political disagree- €0.2Bn; Georgia. ments that dominated the discourse in Ro- 4 Four multirole corvettes with related mania. For instance, the Romanian Navy, equipment such as ship-to-ship missiles,

86 European Security & Defence · December 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS 

ship to air missiles and encrypted am- munition worth €1.6Bn; 5 C4I systems with ISTAR integration ca- Photo: Bell pabilities worth €0.180Bn; 6 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) 8x8 and 4x4 worth €0.370Bn. Accord- ing to the Press Office of the MoND, during the first stage, 94 out of total 657 vehicles is to be acquired. 7 Modernisation of the MLI-84M IFV worth €0.138Bn and 8 Long-range Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs) worth €0.69Bn. Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) has approved the afore- mentioned programme in August 2017. Further programmes may be approved in the near future, namely the acquisition of attack and transport helicopters, and the recently cancelled contract for purchasing of the Israeli-based Aeronautics Defense Systems’ Orbiter 4 UAV. Regarding the ac- quisition of attack helicopters it is known that Bell Helicopter of the US has signed a MoU with Romanian company IAR Bra- sov for the potential support of the AH- 1Z VIPER attack helicopter. The MoU, an- Based on an MoU with the Romanian company IAR Brasov, Bell offers nounced on 14 November 2016, covers the the AH-1Z VIPER to Romania to replace the old PUMA helicopter fleet. possible MRO of the AH-1Z should it be procured by the Romanian government. In The recent change of the government and signed and ultimately implemented. Still, July 2017 it was reported that Lockheed appointment of a new minister of national certain programmes discussed below have Martin-owned Sikorsky helicopter manu- defence has delayed an international ten- been approved by the previous govern- facturer set its sight on producing S-70 der of the aforementioned programmes. ment but not yet implemented. Black Hawk helicopters in Romania, if the The newly appointed minister of national army chooses this helicopter model to re- defence has not yet made himself clear. As Focus on Approved place the old helicopter fleet of Puma. Air- a result, it remains to be seen when ex- Programmes bus Helicopters is the third contender for actly the aforementioned programmes are the tender. up for an international tender, negotiated, CSAT has approved the contract to build 600 8x8 Boxer IFVs, worth about €2Bn in March 2017, while parliamentary approval was given on 11 May. The deal was men- tioned for the first time back in November 2016 by then Prime Minister Dacian Cio- los. The deal was signed on the condi-

Photo: US Naval Institute tion that Rheinmetall Defence of Germany construct the vehicles in Romania and that its Romanian partner Uzina Automecanica Moreni (UAM or Moreni Mechanical Plant) share 50 per cent in the new Romanian Military Vehicle Systems (RMVS) company. Under the plan, the new IFVs will replace Romania’s TAB vehicles, which are locally built variant of the Soviet-designed BTR- 70. The founding document of the joint ven- ture RMVS for the building of 8x8 APCs was signed at the Romanian Ministry for Economy, Trade, Industry and the Business Environment in June 2017. The agreement foresees transfer of German know-how and development of technology in Ro- mania. In April 2017 it was reported that The modernisation of the Romanian Navy’s British-built Type 22 Romanian army could be taking delivery of frigates, shown here the REGINA MARIA, is still pending. new APCs in 2018.

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 87  INDUSTRY & MARKETS

ing that he intends to sign this year all the relevant contacts that are likely to be implemented starting from 2019 on- ward. Les’ explanation is based on legal

Photo Romanian Navy ground. According to Les, “the legisla- tion is very clear: previous to initiating the proceedings one must first get Parliament endorsement through the joint commit- tees on defence, public order and national security. Parliament should endorse every deal that exceeds cost of €100M. This means that the Government commit to a multi-annual financing and multi-annual contracts. Therefore, it is logical to seek Parliamentary endorsement and not to release the government decision before the endorsement is in place.“ As was above-mentioned Parliament approved programmes on 11 May 2017 and CSAT approved them in August 2017 but noth- ing yet has changed regarding the pro- curement programmes. With regard to Romanian Fleet Command building in Constanța on the Black Sea the question on the Damen Shipyard in Galati that was supposed to build multi- The amount of the planned acquisition was also approved purchase of additional 20 purpose corvettes Les said: “Our intention not disclosed, but the Romanian Armed F-16 fighters in February 2017. According to is not to choose a shipyard or to come Forces is planning to replace about 1,500 the Press Office of the MoND, the number up with a suggestion like “build at this or such vehicles in the coming years. It is of aircraft is likely to increase to 36 and the that facility“. Any global operator, prefer- known however that Romania has already aircraft would be procured after modernisa- ably NATO and EU, can come to (…) forge replaced an undisclosed number of those tion. Les told Parliament on 13 February 2017 associations with companies in Romania, vehicles with aforementioned Swiss-built that: “Romania intends to buy these fighters to integrate on the product we need in MOWAG Piranha IIIs. Ciolos said back in from the United States. All further details will a Romania-based shipyard. We also have November 2016 that: “A portion of the be announced [in due course“]. No further what comes from offset compensation. funds [how much? is not known] will stay details were announced as late as September Offset operations should bring Romania in Romania and allow creating new jobs 2017. In August 2017 it was reported that the top benefits.“ What kind of top benefits in the country.“ Ciolos also insisted at the MoND will purchase four multipurpose cor- Les did not elaborate on and since Les is no time that Romania would pursue similar vettes worth €1.6Bn in the upcoming seven longer Minister of National Defence there deals with other foreign manufacturers, in- years. However, the corvettes are to be built is no sense to speculate on his statement. cluding upgrading its navy. Besides the 8x8 and equipped in not yet specified Romanian To conclude, the geostrategic position APCs, the Army would need 4x4 APCs that shipbuilding facility. And the allotted funds of Romania as one of the NATO littoral may also be manufactured by the RMVS. will be paid between 2018 and 2024. De- states around the Black Sea region has Romania filed request to purchase Patriot spite the announcement no new tender was worsened because of Russia's intensive ASAM systems as part of its aforemen- launched as late as September 2017. military build-up and the Russian an- tioned procurement programme back in nexation and militarisation of Crimea in April 2017. According to the Defense Secu- But Impossible to particular. From Crimea Russia is capable rity Co-operation Agency (DSCA), the State Implement in 2017 to bully and intimidate three NATO mem- Department has cleared the sale in July. It ber states located around the Black Sea needs to be remembered however that all In an interview on a wide-range of topics region (namely, Bulgaria, Romania and announcements from DSCA are subject to conducted in March 2017, Les said that Turkey). Furthermore, the long-belated congressional approval and must pass final military hardware supplies for the Roma- procurement programmes have put the negotiations with the potential buyer. nian Army’s major equipping projects are local defence industry and the armed The country’s Parliament and CSAT have “almost impossible“ in 2017, underscor- forces under immense stress since the first one is in a bad operational shape, while the latter lacks modern equipment. Even though a new Romanian govern- ment of Prime Minister Mihai Tudose was installed in late June 2017 it remains to ESD will publish a be seen how quickly the aforementioned programmes are likely to be negotiated, Black Sea Regional Focus signed and implemented. The Romanian in issue 3/2018 (April) military modernisation wish list looks very promising. However, sobering real- ity may not match the expectations and produce needed results. L

88 European Security & Defence · December 2017 INTELLIGENCE FOR THE INTELLIGENT

 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY An Overview of Trends and Developments in Decontamination

Dan Kaszeta

CBRN weapons and agents can cause either short-term or long-term contamination. Decontamination, is the (hopefully) orderly and systematic removal of liquid and solid contaminants. Decontamination is necessary to reduce casualties, to prevent the spread of contamination to clean areas, to return vital equipment to service and to allow for operations to be performed without the need to wear cumbersome protective equipment. a 7.90 econtamination is an essential compo - nent of CBRN defence, both in terms taries must assume that the use European Security D of CBRN and methods to deal with contaminated of doctrine and technology. Most modern weapons will result in something getting militaries place great emphasis on “con dirty somewhere. rooms and building, or things that are

D tamination avoidance” by using detection,- From the viewpoint of technology and in harmed by more traditional wet methods, - hazard prediction, and reporting systems to dustry, it is useful to break decontamina such as aircraft interiors and electronics. European - tion into three segments: hardware, chem Numerous companies provide generic ma - teriel such as tents and hoses, but this is- a segment too broad and non-specialised to examine here. There is ample opportunity & & Defence for crossover in this market as a customer can easily buy one company’s sprayer and (Photo: USMC) use it with another company’s chemistry. Security There’s nothing stopping a customer from spraying Cristanini decontamination agent or soapy water with, say, an OWR sprayer.

Systems and Chemicals from ES the 80s and 90s 2/2017 • Politics Decontamination is an example of a portion & Defence of the CBRN space which resists dominance by US companies. Non-US firms are quite International Security and Defence Journal a large segment of the decontamination industry. Whereas the detection market is heavily driven by a series of major US mili tary procurements, decontamination has- • Armed Forces not been as seriously influenced in recent years. US acquisition has been largely fol Decontamination training of the US Marine Corps with the M26 Joint - Service Transportable Decontamination System. lowing the market rather than leading it. In both hardware and chemistry, the US minimize the amount of personnel, terrain, Army is still heavily reliant on systems and and equipment that are contaminated by istry and fumigation are distinct segments. generic chemicals purchased in the 1980s persistent agents. Some militaries, such as Some companies operate in a single seg and 1990s. These include the large M12 • Economy ment; others operate in all three. - and M17 decontamination sprayers, which the UK’s, place a high premium on contam - The hardware segment is largely composed the author learned to use in 1993 as a jun ination avoidance, with the aim of much - of sprayers, pumps, dispensers and ancillary ior officer. Indeed, the US Defense Depart lower costs for protection and decontami - nation. However, no avoidance measures- hardware for dispensing either proprietary ment investment and procurement in the can completely assure that soldiers, equip or generic decontaminants. decontamination space is somewhat low ment or vehicles are not contaminated. -Mili The chemistry segment comprises a variety compared to other areas of CBRN defence. - of wet and dry substances used to remove, While the US government is spending • Technology ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY absord, adsorb, and/or neutralize contami money on research and development in Author nants. Some products work through multi- this area, very little is being spent on actual ple mechanisms. Some chemistry products- procurement. The last major investments Dan Kaszeta is Managing Director at are designed for use on equipment, while were the Joint Service Transportable Decon Strongpoint Security Ltd. - Naval Missile Evolutionary Trendsothers are designed for use on human skin. tamination System (JSTDS), a procurement The fumigation segment includes systems which commenced ten years ago, and the adoption of Reactive Skin Decontamination David Saw 66 European Security & Defence · March 2017 Naval missile systems in the context of anti-ship and air defence systems are undoubtedly a broad area to cover, but there is obviously linkage between offensive and defensive naval missile systems.

Superficially, it might seem that the naval missileumbr_ESD_02_2017.indd market place 66 is characterised by limited, incremental improvements. (delivered in 2011), further missiles were supplied in 2013 leading to an Israeli air -raid single C-802/NOOR (Iranian version of the- 15.03.17 11:52 Chinese C-802 system) fired from a Hezbol on the Latakia warehouse where the mis or example, work on the EXOCET anti- siles were stored on the basis that the new ship missile started in France in 1967 lah coastal battery. F Then there is the example of the Iranian- missiles were to be passed on to Hezbollah. and the first MM38 EXOCET, with a range Now Hezbollah has the YAKHONT, though of 70 km, entered service in 1973. While- supported Houthi rebels in Yemen, who in October 2016 successfully attacked an it is unknown whether they have complete EXOCET is still in production today, the lat Bastion systems or will configure their own est variant (the MM40 Block 3) is a far more Incat high-speed catamaran leased to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) military with coastal defence system, something they formidable system with a maximum range are capable of achieving. Why is this im- in the region of 180 km. It might still be - anti-ship missiles fired from a shore battery. - portant? YAKHONT presents a formidable called EXOCET, but it is designed to incor- The Houthi then tried to engage a US Navy destroyer later that month, but were de threat to Israeli naval units, merchant ship porate a whole series of advanced technol traffic heading to or from Israel will have to ogies that were simply inconceivable when be routed away from the range envelope of YAKHONT, and Israeli gas extraction platforms in the eastern Mediterranean

can be targeted by the missile. This is a big Photo: MBDA Systems MBDA Photo: (3,000 kg on launch), high speed (up to - Mach 2.5) missile capable of inflicting sig Assault Rifles nificant damage on maritime targets. The YAKHONT missile has a solid-propellant booster for launch and then uses a ramjet, guidance is via an inertial navigation system ESD – with a Granit-Elektron seeker offering both active and passive modes for the terminal

ISSN 1617-7983 phase of the engagement. Maximum range is out to some 290 km (dependent on flight- profile selected). However, the Russian ver sion of the missile, the P-800 ONIKS, has a range of some 600 km. Russia deployed BASTION-P coastal defence missile systems- to Syria last year, where the system dem for the step onstrated its land attack capabilities. The YAKHONT has also been acquired by the Indonesian Navy in a four-missile vertical- EXOCET MM40 Block 3 is the new generation long range anti-ship - launch system (VLS) installation on a single missile system from MBDA. feated by the defensive systems of the de AHMAD YANI class (ex-Royal Netherlands Navy VAN SPEYK class) frigate, OSWALD- the original EXOCET programme started. stroyer. At end of January this year, a Royal Saudi Navy frigate patrolling off Yemen SIAHAN. According to the US Office of Na The point to remember is to look beyond val Intelligence, Iran is currently negotiating the name in naval missile programmes. was hit in the stern by a Houthi suicide boat beyond thought attack, showing another development in to acquire the YAKHONT missile to use in a

www.euro-sd.com • - coastal defence application. the asymmetric threat faced by navies.  ARMED FORCES • Proliferation Issues YAKHONT also provides the basis for - Mention must also be made of further de BRAHMOS, the joint missile programme There are also other factors that are impact velopments in terms of asymmetric threat in the Middle East, with Hezbollah in Leba- between India and Russia. BrahMos ing on the evolution of the naval missile en- Aerospace, a joint venture between NPO- vironment. The first of these is proliferation, non once more involved. Hezbollah is now Belgian- Mashinostroyenia of Modernisation Russia and the In Plans in not in the context of recognised navies, but credited with being in possession of the dian Defence Research & Development t h a l e s g r o u p . c o m / s m a r t - l Brazilian Air Force Protecting Naval Vessels leadership in the development of an asymmetric anti- P-800 YAKHONT missile (NATO designa Organisation (DRDO) was established in ship missile threat from non-state actors. tor SS-N-26 Strobile) usually the missile is Planning, budgets and major procurement programmes Threats, concepts and systems employed as part of the Bastion-P coastalCooperation 1998 and the first BRAHMOS missile waswith The Netherlands The first example of this was the 14 July defence missile system. Russia has already fired in 2001. Since then, the missile has

March 2017 2006 attack on INS HANIT, A SA’AR 5 class corvette of the Israeli Navy, some 18.5 km supplied Syria with the BASTION-P systemJaime Karremann off the Lebanese coast. HANIT was hit by a In 2016, Belgium and The Netherlands embarked on a large bi-national naval programme which will result SMART-L EWC. · March 2017 38 European Security & Defence in at least 16 new naval vessels. Moreover, Belgium wants to equip its new frigates with missiles that can Politics · Armed Forces · Procurement · Technology intercept ballistic missiles in space. 15.03.17 11:51 Innovative radar solutions en years ago the first of two Belgian umbr_ESD_02_2017.indd 38 M-frigates, BNS LEOPOLD I, was Belgium and the frigates in The Nether T - commissioned for the Naval Component lands. The four frigates underwent the gian and Dutch ships frequently exercise in to counter threats titel_ESD_02_2017.indd 1 15.03.17 11:45 same mid-life upgrade in Den Helder. On a combined group of ships. The Next Step Wherever safety and security matter, we deliver As the M-frigates and minehunters ap Photo: BAF proach the end of their service life, bi-na- tional cooperation in replacing the ships - had been anticipated. But when Brussels announced new budget cuts in early PROVEN TECHNOLOGY 2015, this cooperation was in doubt. The The newest addition to the Thales family budget cuts caused deep concerns in The of multi-beam surveillance radars INTERNATIONAL CO OPERATION Netherlands, because a cancellation of In line with NATO’s plans for the Belgian procurement would have had international Ballistic Missile Defence enormous consequences for the Dutch Navy. However, in late 2015 Belgium de - cided to invest €9.4M until 2030. The RAPID DETECTION investment plan included two new frig Early Warning Capability for split- - Belgium and The Netherlands ordered the same NH-90 helicopter. ates and six new mine countermeasures second missile launch detection vessels. The decision came as a relief for the Bel of the Belgian Armed Forces. The frig - ate had served for 16 years in the Roy - top of that the military staff of the two na gian and the Dutch navies. But quite a - al Netherlands Navy as HNLMS KAREL - vies are combined, the Admiral Benelux is few challenges remain. Although the two the Commander of the Royal Netherlands navies are in fact merged, the procure DOORMAN. When the second Belgian - M-frigate followed one year later, the Navy and the position of Deputy Admi ment processes are very different. When - programme was completed and an im ral Benelux is held by the Commander of Belgium decided to replace the eight EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT EUROPEAN SECURITY & DEFENCE is a specialist magazine portant milestone was reached. From - the Belgian Naval Component. Of course, ships, The Netherlands had already con SMART-L EWC can be installed - then on, Belgium and The Netherlands both navies cooperate closely at sea. Bel ducted studies on the new ships, even on any frigate-sized vessel - operated the same frigates, the same though a Dutch political decision on the TRIPARTITE minehunters and had or dered the same NH-90 helicopter. - To operate with identical equipment was an important goal for the two na tracking events and developments in the defence and security arena. - Photo: MoD Belgium vies which have cooperated closely since ANTI AIR WARFARE CAPABILITY 1948. Especially in the last decade, the The world’s best long-range two navies have cooperated in all do naval surveillance radar mains and on all levels. Belgian and Dutch- navy personnel are trained in bi-national schools in both countries. Dutch and Bel gian minehunters receive maintenance in- Millions of critical decisions are made every day by Navies to protect Author valuable assets from potential threats. Thales is at the heart of this with the early warning SMART-L EWC and S1850 volume search radars. One of the magazine’s objectives is to describe, explain and interpret European Jaime Karremann Famous for their impressive range, low false alarm rate and capability is the editor- in-chief of the Dutch naval website to detect small targets, they provide early warning and highly accurate marineschepen.nl. tracking information to sea and land-based effectors. Additionally, for The TRIPARTITE minehunters are the first ships to be replaced by the Ballistic Missile Defence, Thales has developed Early Warning Dutch and the Belgian navies. Capability to increase the radars’ performance to detect and track a ballistic missile. Every moment of every day, wherever safety and 30 European Security & Defence and transatlantic security policy – which extends far beyond conventional · March 2017 security are critical, Thales delivers. Search: Thalesgroup

umbr_ESD_02_2017.indd 30

15.03.17 11:51 defence with military forces – in all its complex and sophisticated correlations. SMARTL14_English_C38846.018_297x210_Mar17_EuroSecDef_v1.indd 1

08/03/2017 11:03 EUROPEAN SECURITY & DEFENCE provides answers to questions on international affairs, business, technology and defence/security matters. Our analysis is based on neutral and in-depth investigation.

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anz-abo_ESD_A4-3-2017.indd 1 23.03.17 08:45 Firms & Faces

Eurofighter Companies to Make He will join the company at its Americas nications and Information Agency, who, an Offer to Belgium headquarters in Herndon, Virginia, early in together with others, brought insights into (ck) Four companies from the Eurofighter 2018, as Airbus Americas Chairman and various activities and challenges. In con- nations have made a formal offer to the Bel- CEO. He will be responsible for the Airbus junction with the conference, Europe’s first gian government: If Eurofighter TYPHOON commercial aircraft business throughout capture-the-flag-style AFCEA hack-athon is selected to replace Belgium’s existing F-16 the Americas and for the company’s heli- took place, in which several international fleet, those companies will support the copters and space and defence businesses teams competed over two and half days. in North America. With more than 5,000 employees, Airbus Americas is the US- ESSOR Waveforms for based operation of Airbus, encompassing Bittium Radios the regional corporate offices, engineering (ck) Finnish company Bittium is part of Oper- centres, training facilities, MROs and spare ational Capability 1 (OC1) phase that contin- parts distribution centres, as well as manu- ues the ESSOR (European Secure Software- facturing facilities producing commercial defined Radio) programme. During the OC1 aircraft, helicopters and satellites. phase, the operational capabilities of ESSOR

Photo: Belgium Innovation Centres High Data Rate Waveform (HDR WF), meant AFCEA Hybrid Combat Conference for joint operations between defence forces (gwh) At the AFCEA Europe TechNet Europe of different countries, will be enhanced. The conference which took place 9-11 October contract partners for the OC1 phase are an 2017 in Stockholm, participants discussed industry consortium on the one side (Bit- the relationship between cyber and hybrid tium, Indra, Leonardo, Radmor, and Thales) military threats. The hybrid military threat in and on the other side OCCAR (Organisa- establishment of two National Innovation Europe is related to developments in cyber tion Conjointe de Coopération en matière Centres for Belgium, one in Flanders and technology. Cyber can both favour hybrid d’ARmement) representing the ESSOR par- one in Wallonia. The Eurofighter partner warlike activities and bolster situational ticipant countries. The ESSOR HDR WF is companies - BAE Systems, Airbus Defence & awareness and swift reaction. Defending also part of Bittium’s TOUGH SDR handheld Space and Leonardo, along with missile sys- a modern society, which depends on social and vehicular radios. These radios, together tems business MBDA - signed the formal en- with the waveform, enable broadband data dorsements to support the development of transfer, joint operations, and direct com- these centres. BAE Systems is supporting the munication between defence forces of dif- UK Government in offering the Eurofighter ferent countries in international operations. TYPHOON as a multi-role combat aircraft to With the development of the operational

replace the Belgian fleet of 54 F-16 aircraft. Photo: AFCEA Europe capabilities of the ESSOR HDR WF during The agreement was signed during a visit of the OC 1 phase the new functionalities will the UK’s Minister for Defence to Brussels. be available also for Bittium radios. Bittium The innovation centres are part of the Eu- radios can flexibly use the most appropri- rofighter industrial commitment to develop ate waveform, offering the best fit consid- the Belgian defence and aerospace industry, ering the conditions and the mission, says and would focus on advanced manufactur- the company. The wide range of frequency ing and additive layer manufacture, bringing bands improves combat usability, and using around 1,800 new jobs into Belgium and media and critical infrastructure, requires a several waveforms, often simultaneously, building on some 40,000 jobs sustained by well-trained cyber defence force. The event improves compatibility and enables opera- the Eurofighter companies in Belgium al- was supported by the Swedish Minister of tions at different levels and on different mis- ready. Equally importantly, the Eurofighter Defence Peter Hultqvist who opened the sions. The duration of the ESSOR OC1 phase proposal would give Belgium direct input conference by sharing his experience of is 45 months and the value of the contract is into decisions and developments affecting how blackmail, insinuation and fake news around Euros50M. The value of the contract Europe’s biggest-ever defence project, and increase political tension. He said that im- is to be divided between the five participat- would sustain high-tech jobs and capabili- mediate, well-informed reaction is key to ing companies. ties within Belgium. winning this battle. Most Nordic and Baltic countries have a comprehensive defence Naval Surveillance New CEO for Airbus Americas concept which links military capabilities de- for Vietnam (ck) Aerospace industry signed for wartime operations with civilian (ck) Controp Precision Technologies Ltd., a veteran Jeffrey Knittel, cyber defence, law enforcement and the company specialising in the field of electro- formerly both Chief Ex- cyber security industry to ward off criminal optics and IR defence and homeland securi- Photo: Airbus ecutive of C2 Aviation or state-sponsored attacks and maintain ty solutions, will sell a significant number of Capital and President or regain information sovereignty. Featured maritime EO/IR payloads to the Vietnamese of CIT Transportation speakers included John A. Zangardi, acting Navy. This is a follow-on order to an order Finance, will join Airbus US Department of Defense Chief Informa- placed three years ago. CONTROP’s iSea- early next year, taking tion Officer; Udo Helmbrecht, Executive Di- 40HD will be used for surveillance. Delivery the reins of the com- rector of the EU Agency for Network and will commence in 2018. The iSea-40HD pany’s business in the Americas and suc- Information Security; and Kevin Scheid, Maritime EO/IR Payload, weighing 29kg, ceeding Barry Eccleston, who is retiring. General Manager of the NATO Commu- has a thermal camera with continuous

90 European Security & Defence · December 2017 optical zoom, a full HD day camera, four “We are very pleased that Indonesia, as IAI Wins Airbus D&S Contract gimbals for high stabilisation, and an op- the first nation in its region, chooses NA- (ck) Israel Aerospace industries (IAI) has tional laser pointer and laser range finder. SAMS for its homeland defence,” said won a contract from Airbus Defence & The iSea Family of maritime EO/IR payloads Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence Space to supply 16 ELM-2022A maritime consists of a variety of payloads in different & Aerospace. patrol radars to Canada. Canada is pur- sizes for different maritime missions. These chasing 16 C295MSA aircraft from Airbus camera payloads are designed for Coast Airborne EW Training from Guard and Naval surveillance. All of the France CONTROP iSea day/night camera payloads (ck) Défense Conseil International (DCI) Photo: IAI have an interface to NMEA0183 radars for has been responsible for the “international slewing the EO/IR camera to the detected transfer of French military know-how” on target. CONTROP specialises in the devel- behalf of the French MOD for some 45 opment and production of Electro-Optical years, and has recently developed a training and Precision Motion Control Systems course to improve Electronic Warfare (EW) for Surveillance, Defence and Homeland protection of helicopters and, more gen- Security. The company’s main product erally, of slow airborne platforms such as lines include high performance stabilised combat helicopters and tactical transport observation payloads used for day/night aircraft. Provided for the first time to Bel- surveillance; automatic intruder detection gian and Austrian officers, this training has systems for coastal and border surveillance, been developed in agreement with military port/harbour security, the security of sensi- staff to meet their specific requirements. tive sites and ground troops security; and Jean-Michel Palagos, Chairman and CEO of thermal imaging cameras with high perfor- DCI, said: “Owing to the rapid changes oc- Defence, equipped with sensor systems to mance optics and state-of-the-art image curring in electronic warfare threats, equip- support Canada’s Search and Rescue (SAR) enhancement features. ment and technologies, knowledge must operations. The key surveillance sensor to constantly be updated. We are very proud be installed on board the C295MSA is the Indonesia Selects NASAMS to have developed this electronic war- ELM-2022 radar system developed by ELTA (ck) Kongsberg has signed a contract worth fare training, an area in which the French Systems Ltd., a subsidiary of IAI. The ELM- US$77M to supply a NASAMS air defence armed forces excel, for partner countries 2022 is multi-mode radar for detection, system to the Ministry of Defence of In- such as Austria and Belgium.” The one- localisation, classification, and tracking of donesia. The contract comprises delivery week course from DCI improves detection targets over water and land in all weather of a complete NASAMS system with com- of threats and their identification, and ap- conditions, day and night. It will assist in Ca- propriate responses via acoustic, infrared nadian SAR missions. The ELM-2022 radar and electromagnetic protective systems. provides 360° azimuth and sector mode Instructional software illustrates opera- operation from an antenna located under tional missions in an EW environment. To the fuselage. ELM-2022 provides a cost-ef-

Photo: Kongsberg develop the course, DCI worked with a fective solution for missions in the maritime number of experts from defence, industry theatre, such as maritime surveillance and and research, thus covering technological EEZ patrol, maritime law enforcement and trends currently emerging in order to inte- fishery patrol, Air-to-Air surveillance, Air- grate threats that are hard to detect such to-Ground (SAR and GMTI) intelligence, as physically small devices in urban areas. and reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR)

ESD Special Issue "International Armoured Vehicles" mand posts, radars, launchers, radios and Preview integration, and training and logistics sup- Publication Date: 22 January 2018 port. AMRAAM missiles will be provided • Mobility vs. Protection in a separate government-to-government • Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations agreement between Indonesia and the US. NASAMS defends high-value civilian and • Armoured Ambulances military assets on the ground against • East European AFV Capabilities & Programmes threats from the air. The flexibility and • 6x6 SITREP modularity of NASAMS makes it a world • Land 400 leading solution to combat modern air- borne threats, according to the company, • Electric/Hybrid Technology Options for AFVs as well as having the ability to integrate • AFV Self-Defence Systems with a variety of sensors and weapons. • Light Armour Several nations have chosen NASAMS, in- cluding Norway, Finland, The Netherlands, • Situational Awareness USA, Spain, Oman and now Indonesia. • Discreet Uparmouring of Commercial Vehicles

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missions. Modular hardware, flexible inter- can provide early warning not only of the (FMV) camera supports the identification of faces and antenna design allow ELM-2022 presence of larger objects but also small surface vessels. These sensor contacts are radars to be installed on a wide range of targets and asymmetric threats with a low correlated with the Automatic Identification fixed- and rotary-wing, manned and un- RCS such as RHIBs, small wooden boats, System (AIS) to verify target identity. General manned aircraft. To date, more than 250 USVs and jet skis. Operating in I and E/F Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) is a ELM-2022 Maritime Patrol Radars have Band, the new radar will enable the Philip- manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft been sold to customers in more than 25 pine Navy frigates to distinguish between (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and countries. targets and environmental clutter even in related mission systems, and managed the adverse weather conditions. MQ-9 for the exercise. IAI Supplies Air Defence Radar System to European Customer Indra and Lockheed Martin Lithuania to Acquire NASAMS (ck) Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has also (ck) Spanish technology group Indra and (ck) Norwegian NASAMS manufacturer supplied an advanced 3D air surveillance Lockheed Martin from the USA have signed Kongsberg has signed a contract worth and defence radar system manufactured an agreement to expand their collaboration €109M with the Ministry of National De- by ELTASystems to a European NATO coun- in the development of a state-of-the-art fence of the Republic of Lithuania to sup- try. The contract includes several mobile S-band active electronically scanned array ply the NASAMS air defence system. The 3D Air Defence Radars, integrated within (AESA) radar for the Spanish Navy‘s F-110 contract includes two air defence batteries the national and NATO air and missile de- programme, and to provide a framework fence capability. The mobile radar provides for the commercialisation of this solid-state close-to-the-force air defence support radar for other air defence capabilities while detecting a variety of airborne plat- worldwide. The F-110 frigate is the Spanish

forms, including low altitude high-speed Navy‘s future multi-mission surface vessel, Photo: Kongsberg fighter aircraft, hovering helicopters, UAVs which is due to enter into service in the next and low speed ultra-light aircraft. The ra- decade. As production is expected to begin dar provides accurate range, azimuth and in 2018, the first F-110 frigate, equipped elevation measurements for each target, with the first Aegis weapon system to in- differentiating between fixed-wing aircraft tegrate the new solid-state S-band radar, is and helicopters and providing coherent scheduled to be operational in 2023. data for associated weapon systems. and a logistical maintenance package, as MQ-9 PREDATOR Sub-Surface well as operator and maintainer training Kelvin Hughes SharpEye Radar for Detection from Kongsberg. Upon the completion of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) (CK) An MQ-9 PREDATOR B Remotely Pilot- the project, Lithuania will have acquired a (ck) The Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition ed Aircraft (RPA) successfully detected and complete and integrated medium range air Project (FAP) contracted Hyundai Heavy In- tracked submerged devices during a US Na- defence capability. The system is new and dustries (HHI) in October 2016 to build two val exercise over the Southern California Off- unused except for the launchers which are 2,600-ton frigates for handover starting in shore Range west of San Clemente Island in being bought after being used by the Nor- 2020. For this project, Kelvin Hughes will October 2017. During the exercise, US Navy wegian Armed Forces and which will be re- supply HHI with two SharpEye navigation helicopters deployed sonobuoys from which stored to the manufacturer’s specifications. radars, together with multifunction bridge acoustic data was used to track underwa- On 21 October 2016 Lithuania announced radar displays. HHI also contracted Kelvin ter targets: the data was transmitted to the an agreement with the Norwegian Min- Hughes to supply the Integrated Naviga- MQ-9 and processed onboard, then relayed istry of Defence for the procurement of tion Bridge System (INBS) for the Royal New to the MQ-9’s Ground Control Station (GCS) NASAMS components, and by 2021 all the Zealand Navy (RNZN) Maritime Sustain- several hundred miles away from the target parts of the systems are expected to have ment Capability (MSC) Vessel.The new na- area. The exercise successfully paired sono- been delivered to Lithuania. By that time all val vessels for the Philippine Navy will have buoy receiver, supplied by Ultra Electronics, personnel are expected to be trained and enhanced survivability, seakeeping and ma- and data processing technology, provided all the components integrated to make up a noeuvring capability, will be operable in up by General Dynamics Mission Systems-Can- system capable of carrying out air defence to Sea State 5 and will also feature stealth ada, onboard the MQ-9: a track solution tasks: monitoring and controlling airspace, characteristics. The vessels will have a low was calculated and transmitted from the alerting ground units to any air threat, and Radar Cross Section (RCS) design because aircraft to the Ground Control Station (GCS) destroying targets, if necessary. of the upmast radar sensor carbon fibre via SATCOM. This technology might provide housing and antenna-turning unit. The long-range patrol capabilities to the MQ-9 Kongsberg and TKMS Form reduced probability of intercept by ESM and give the US Navy new maritime patrol Joint Venture equipment, a characteristic deriving from capabilities that include anti-submarine war- (ck) thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the SharpEye’s 300W low power output, fare. The MQ-9 was also equipped with GA- its subsidiary Atlas Elektronik and Kongs- complies with requirements of the HHI ASI’s LYNX Radar. The LYNX radar operated berg have formed a 50:50 joint venture to HDF-3000 frigate design.SharpEye radar in its Maritime Wide-Area Search (MWAS) build command and weapon deployment systems deliver a navigation and situational mode, which detects maritime surface tar- systems for conventional submarines, with awareness capability - through transmis- gets over a wide area with Inverse Synthetic the goal of establishing the “reference” sys- sion of a low-power pulse sequence ena- Aperture Radar (ISAR) for target classifica- tems in these areas. The company, named bling short, medium and long-range radar tion. The aircraft’s Electro-Optical/Infrared “KTA Naval Systems” becomes the exclu- returns to be detected simultaneously - that (EO/IR), high-definition Full-motion Video sive supplier of C2 and weapon deploy-

92 European Security & Defence · December 2017 ment systems for TKMS. In June 2017, the pilot that the equipment is working as de- MBDA and Safran in Australia German and Norwegian Governments signed. However, throughout the life of an (ck) MBDA and Safran Electronics & De- reached a bilateral agreement for the joint aircraft problems can emerge undetected fence are partnering to support the devel- development, procurement, operation and as the aircraft is maintained and operated opment of Australian sovereign industrial maintenance of submarines and naval ord- - for instance RF antenna head sensitivity and strategic capabilities. Safran Electron- nance. Following the invitation to submit a can degrade, or they can be mistakenly ics &Defence is a manufacturer of optron- proposal, TKMS and its partners are devel- wired into the wrong aircraft quadrant – ics, avionics, electronics and software for oping an offer to supply four submarines to and these type of issues cannot be picked both civil and defence applications. The the Norwegian Navy and two submarines up by BITE. This leaves a gap where the company’s products are deployed on more to the German Navy. A joint contract for the equipment is technically operational, but than 500 ships, 7,000 armoured vehicles new Common Design Class 212 submarines could still endanger the crew as the installa- and 10,000 aircraft worldwide. Safran („CD“) is currently planned to be signed in tion is not operationally effective and could Electronics & Defence Australasia, a Safran 2019. The submarines might be delivered provide limited or incorrect information to subsidiary that has been operational for from mid-2020 onwards. The company will the pilot. Leonardo’s ‘capability assurance’ over twenty years in Australia, will be deliv- supply the Command and Weapon Control equipment and training closes this gap. This ering optronic and navigation equipment systems for the new 212-CD class as well UK-designed and -built capability assurance to Australia’s armed forces. MBDA and Sa- as for future TKMS submarines as part of a solution is already in service with the UK’s fran are offering the MMP multi-purpose joint procurement programme of the Ger- TYPHOON, TORNADO, C130J, WILDCAT, guided missile system to the Australian man and Norwegian Navies. Such a system MERLIN and CHINOOK fleets, making the army. The MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée) enables the submarine crew to fully capture A400M the 7th UK platform to benefit was developed by MBDA for dismounted their environment, identify objects and ana- from using the kit. applications and for integration onto ar- lyse the situation in detail. It brings all the moured fighting vehicles. The system has information together to provide fast and reli- MBDA VP DiCarlo to lead Strategic been ordered by France for its infantry and able situational awareness. The cooperation Business Development combat reconnaissance vehicles as part of between the German and Norwegian Navy (ck) Nancy DiCarlo the SCORPION programme. It will be fitted will reduce maintenance, training and lo- has joined MBDA as onto the French army’s new JAGUAR com- gistical costs. The future submarines will be Vice President, Stra- bat vehicles along with Safran Electronics based on Class 212A and specially tailored Photo: MBDA tegic Business Devel- &Defence’s PASEO advanced sighting sys- to the requirements of both countries: Class opment where she tems. Qualification of MMP was completed 212CD combines low 212A Class signatures will be responsible in July 2017, and deliveries have now start- with greater range, speed and endurance to for the planning and ed. With the MMP missile system Safran support worldwide operations. execution of long- is responsible for critical optronic elements term business devel- such as dismounted firing posts, sensors, Pre-Flight Simulation of opment strategies command system and missile seekers. Sa- Radar Threats for MBDA. Ms. DiCarlo recently left the US fran’s PASEO sighting system has also been (ck) Leonardo has signed a contract with the Missile Defence Agency (MDA), where she ordered by France and integrated onto the UK Ministry of Defence to provide equip- served as the Director of International Af- JAGUAR combat reconnaissance vehicles. ment to simulate radar threats to the RAF’s fairs. She was a key US government senior new A400M transport aircraft prior to executive with personal engagement in a New Helicopter Pilot Training take-off. By simulating threat radars while wide array of negotiations and transac- Facility in Slovakia the aircraft is still on the ground, command- tions in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. (sb) Slovak company MSM GROUP, in co- ers will be able to ensure that the complex In addition, DiCarlo worked with leading US operation with the Czech company Euro- defensive aids suite fitted to the A400M and international defence companies. She pean Air Services, will run a new helicopter will function correctly during flight and has more than 30 years of leadership ex- pilot training centre at the international air- can, therefore, make an evidence-based perience in the Department of Defense, in port in Košice, Slovakia. The Slovak Train- decision on whether or not to commit to international affairs, strategic planning and ing Academy (STA) will be operational from a mission in hostile territory. The threat acquisition programme management, and December 2017. Students from all over the simulation equipment uses special Radio- she also served ten years as a member of world will attend this unique centre for Frequency (RF)-emitting ‘hoods’ which the Department of Defense Senior Executive supplementary training of helicopter pilots, will cover the A400M’s sensors while the Service, most recently as the Director, Inter- which offers 15 helicopters, including four aircraft is still on the ground, stimulating national Affairs in the United States MDA. American Sikorsky UH-60 BLACK HAWKS, its RF sensors with real radar energy. The Ms. DiCarlo also served as the Chair, NATO as well as a flight simulator. “Training will UKMoD has procured one full system with Ballistic Missile Defence Committee and take place in the sense of European legisla- through-life support, with additional orders the NATO Missile Defence Project Group, tion. We are glad that we can provide theo- anticipated as the RAF’s fleet size grows. leading 28 NATO nations in the oversight retical courses for the STA project, and due The kit ensures that the A400M’s defensive and management of NATO’s Ballistic Mis- to it, we can continue the long tradition of aids suite is working properly on a mission- sile Defence Programme. She holds a BA in training of aviation personnel in Košice,” by-mission basis, providing ‘capability assur- Management from the University of Notre said Stanislav Szabo, Dean of the Faculty ance’ throughout the operational life of the Dame of Maryland, and a MSc in National of Aeronautics of the Technical University A400M. Most defensive aids suites, includ- Resource Strategies from the National De- of Košice, which cooperates on the project. ing that on the A400M, come with ‘built-in fense University, Industrial College of the Although the Ministry of Defence of the test equipment’ (BITE), which signals to the Armed Forces. Slovak Republic is not participating in this

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 93 Firms & Faces

project, Juraj Lauš, STA Director, plans to has chosen to form a small and tightly-knit remote-controlled weapon stations, naval offer the Slovak Armed Forces the possibil- team to boost development of the group. systems, aerial attack guidance systems, ity to use the STA: Slovak soldiers have so Alain Guillou underlines that „The aim is and more. Rafael has also signed agree- far been trained in US Armed Forces train- to transform Naval Group into a profitable ments with Australia‘s Bisalloy for the ing facilities: „We will be glad if the Ministry international group to offer to our custom- supply of metals for the manufacture of of Defence accepts our offer. It is a great ers the ships and equipment able to ensure military systems and with Varley for joint project, also appreciated by our partners sovereignty and possessing technological production of SPIKE missiles. abroad. We are proud to be the only civilian and operational superiority.” operator of Sikorsky UH-60 BLACK HAWK TSA Certification for helicopters in Europe,“ Lauš said.Construc- Navantia and BIW to Collaborate Rohde &Schwarz tion of the STA, including the purchase of on FFG(x) (ck) Rohde & Schwarz, a company manu- helicopters, cost several tens of millions of (ck) Navantia and General Dynamics Bath facturing test and measurement, commu- euros and was realized without any State Iron Works (BIW) have signed an agree- nications, and broadcast equipment, has aid. The international airport in Košice also ment to collaborate on the US Navy’s next- received TSA Advanced Imaging Technol- welcomed the founding of the STA. „Sev- generation FFG(x) Guided Missile Frigate. ogy (AIT) detection certification for its R&S eral regions strove to gain this project, so The Spanish and the US shipyards will col- QPS200 millimetric wave technology. TSA we are very pleased that our infrastructure laborate on designs evolved from Navan- certification validates that the R&S QPS200 will also be used for such purposes. It is meets the TSA’s aviation security detection another piece of the mosaic of developing requirements. The R&S QPS200 security Košice as a modern metropolis of aviation scanner uses millimetric wave radio fre- in eastern Slovakia,“ commented Michael quency technology to screen passengers Tmej, Executive Director and Chairman of Photo: Navantia automatically for concealed threats while the Board of Directors of Letisko Košice. protecting passengers’ privacy. This is the first Rohde & Schwarz AIT system to MyDefence Partners with Boeing achieve TSA detection certification: it has (ck) Danish counter-UAV specialist com- achieved certification by the European Civil pany MyDefence has signed an agreement Aviation Conference (ECAC) and is in use with Boeing Defense, Space & Security at airports across Europe. Millimetric wave (BDS) under which MyDefence will con- tia’s family of AEGIS Frigates, which include technology is based on the company‘s duct and support research and develop- the Spanish F-100, the Norwegian F-310 expertise in developing test and measure- ment activities on future defence projects. and the Australian HOBART class ships. ment equipment. The QPS system requires MyDefence has expertise in developing The objective of this agreement is to be only a few milliseconds to scan passengers, counter-UAV technologies for mitigating positioned to bid for an initial US Navy pro- which can speed up checkpoint-screening the threat of small commercial unmanned curement plan of 20 FFG(x) frigates. The operations. Privacy is protected by the use vehicles. Boeing intends to draw on this ex- detailed design and construction award is of a generic outline of a person to indicate pertise within the fields of aerospace and anticipated to occur in 2020. The key at- to operators the location of an alarm. Scan- advanced research and development. BDS tribute of this Spanish-US partnership is ning is easy as individuals stand in front has already previously partnered with other the ability of Navantia to provide smaller of the technology with their arms held Danish companies, including SkyWatch, warships but with the same capabilities. slightly away from the body and the sys- which develops UAV systems. “Bath Iron Works evaluated many US and tem detects potentially dangerous objects foreign designs suited to the FFG(x) require- on the body. The QPS200 millimetre wave Naval Group Announces New EVP ment and found that the family of frigates technology produces no more transmission (ck) Naval Group has designed and built by Navantia is an ideal power than a mobile phone. appointed Alain Guil- match,” said Dirk Lesko, President of Bath lou as Executive Vice Iron Works. Alkassar to Depart Rohde & President for Interna- Schwarz Cybersecurity

Photo: Naval Group tional Development. Rafael Opens in Australia (ck) Ammar Alkassar, CEO of Rohde & His mission will be (ck) Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has Schwarz Cybersecurity GmbH, will leave to boost internation- opened a company in Australia as part of the company at the end of the year at his alisation in terms of an expansion of the company‘s operations own request. Alkassar had taken over his business develop- in-country and of Rafael‘s marketing ef- tasks within the technology group as part ment. Guillou, who forts towards armaments programmes of of the acquisition of Sirrix AG by Rohde & is 58, spent most of his career in positions the Australian armed forces on both land Schwarz in 2015; Alkassar was the person with an operational dimension and linked and sea. The new Melbourne-based com- who originally founded Sirrix. As part of to social-change management, industrial pany will be managed by an Israeli and lo- the integration of various corporate acqui- management and international coopera- cal team. In addition, the company will be sitions within Rohde & Schwarz Cyberse- tion. At a time when discussions on a pos- engaged in deepening the inter-industrial curity GmbH the management will be re- sible industrial alliance with Fincantieri have relationship between Rafael and Austral- organised. The second executive director been initiated and Naval Group‘s interna- ian companies to create joint ventures and and CFO, with equal rights at the special tionalisation has become a strategic prior- joint production and marketing of systems. provider of IT security, Reik Hesselbarth, ity to counter the competition of new en- Several Rafael systems have been in use for will manage the company alone until a new trants, Hervé Guillou, PDG of Naval Group, years by the Australian Army, including CEO is appointed.

94 European Security & Defence · December 2017 Andreas Schwer New SAMI CEO air vehicles; Land Systems, which includes United Kingdom 2017, 192 pages, £ 35.00; (sb) Saudi Arabian manufacturing military vehicles; Weapons ISBN 978-1-5267-2009-2 (Hardback), ISBN Military Industries & Missiles - including ammunition -; and 978-1-5267-2010-8 (Kindle), ISBN 978-1- (SAMI) has formed Defence Electronics, which includes radars 5267-2011-5 (ePub) Photo: SAMI its Board of Direc- and sensors, communication systems and tors, chaired by H.E. electronic warfare.SAMI is wholly owned Integrated Telekom Defence Ahmed Al-Khateeb. by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Public and Security Centre The Board has per- Investment Fund (PIF), and will be a major (ck) Deutsche Telekom Security has opened manent status and contributor to achieving the goals set in Vi- its Integrated Cyber Defence and Security will play an active sion 2030, which states that 50% of Saudi Operation Centre (SOC) in Bonn. Deutsche role in overseeing Arabia’s military procurement spending will SAMI’s growth. SAMI’s Board members be domestic. are HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, HE Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, H.E. Dr. Ghassan Naval Forces on a Global Scale Al-Sulaiman, Dr. Ghassan Al-Shibl, Mr. (jh) As the only yearbook on global devel- Abdulaziz Al-Sowailim and 3 defence in- opments in the naval arena Conrad Wa-

dustry experts who will join the board at a ters‘ Seaforth World Naval Review is now Photo: Deutsche Telekom later stage. SAMI has signed MoU agree- firmly established as an authoritative but ments with defence companies including unbiased source of information. The book Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and combines regional surveys with expert as- General Dynamics as well as Rosoboro- sessments of new naval units whereby also nexport to support the development of its considering other elements of relevance four business units: Air Systems, Land Sys- to modern naval forces, such as aircraft, tems, Weapons and Missiles and Defense weapons, sensors, etc. Apart from an in- Electronics.SAMI has appointed Dr. An- troduction and survey the new 2018 edi- dreas Schwer as its Chief Executive Officer. tion‘s contents are organised according to Schwer brings industry experience and an „World Fleet Reviews“, „Significant Ships“ understanding of managing international and „Technological Reviews.“ Features Telekom has combined part of its cyber- defence and aerospace companies. Schwer of this edition include an analysis of the capacities in this centre and monitors the will be responsible for the management of Republic of Korea Navy and the response IT systems of Deutsche Telekom and its SAMI’s operational business, focussing to its aggressive northern neighbour. The customers around the clock from this, the on the achievement of key milestones as biennial review of the British Royal Navy master SOC and other national and inter- defined by SAMI’s Board-approved busi- assesses whether 2017 lived up to the po- national locations. By analysing the events ness strategy. His priorities include the litical „spin“ as the „Year of the Navy“. Be- with more than one billion safety-relevant selection of a senior management team, events from 3,000 data sources every day, drawing from accomplished profession- the centre detects irregularities (attack vec- als, taking the aforementioned MOUs into tors) and initiates countermeasures. With full partnership agreements, and seeking this, Europe‘s largest cyber defence centre, new partnerships. Prior to joining SAMI Deutsche Telekom ensures cyber security Schwer was President of Rheinmetall Inter- for its own operations and - as a service - national and CEO of its Combat Systems for more than 30 DAX and medium-sized Division, with more than 6000 employees companies. Only an entire network of IT and US$1.5Bn revenues. He will start work- systems, authorities and users can optimise ing as SAMI’s CEO at the end of 2017. The cyber security, and with the German Fed- Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) eral Office for Information Security (BSI), company is a new national military indus- the German Armed Forces Cyber Com- tries company that will provide a platform mand and the Fraunhofer Institute and the to deliver military products and services. university close by in the former German SAMI‘s mission is to develop cutting-edge sides, there are geographical analyses of capital city of Bonn the topography offers a technology and deliver integrated solu- the maritime situation in North and South promising environment for the SOC. tions to drive the Kingdom of Saudi Ara- America, Asia and the Pacific, the Indian bia’s military industry forward and keep the Ocean and Africa, as well as Europe and EU SECRET for SINA Kingdom and its allies safe.SAMI has three the Russian Federation. Significant Ships (sb) Following NATO, the EU has now also main goals: to increase the local content of includes the USN‘s ARLEIGH BURKE Class approved the SINA Workstation H crypto military products and services; to invest in destroyers, the Class F125 frigates of the client for “SECRET UE/EU SECRET” classifi- strategic, profitable areas; and to ensure German Navy, and the Royal New Zealand cation. This makes German company secu- that the military industries contribute to Navy‘s OTAGO Class OPVs. For anyone net the only German manufacturer to meet the wider economy. SAMI will manufac- with an interest in contemporary naval af- NATO and EU requirements for IPsec solu- ture products and provide services across fairs Seaforth World Naval Review 2018 of- tions to this high classification level. SINA four business units: Air Systems, which in- fers highly qualified and distinguished read- Workstation H has been developed for us- cludes maintenance of fixed-wing aircraft ing. Conrad Waters: Seaforth World Naval ers with high protection requirements: it of- as well as manufacturing of unmanned Review 2018; Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, fers IPsec-protected transfer of data across

December 2017 · European Security & Defence 95 Firms & Faces

any IP networks - including those which Hensoldt to Cooperate cooperate in future in the local (Korean) are not secure – as a counterpart to SINA with Huneed manufacture and integration of Mode- Box H, which has been approved for EU SE- (ck) Thousands of Korean aircraft, ships and 5-enabled Friend-Foe Detection (IFF) sys- CRET for some time. It offers multi-session air defence systems are to be upgraded tems. Hensoldt and Huneed have recently capacity: for example, with SINA Worksta- from their current IFF Mode-4 to the new completed the “localization” (or in Indian tion H, open data and classified data up to Mode-5 IFF standard. Modernisation will usage “indigenisation”) of the LTR-400 IFF SECRET can be processed in parallel ses- run until mid-2020 for all US and NATO transponder: Huneed has demonstrated sions, and stored locally with cryptographic that it can manufacture and in- separation. This feature is advantageous for tegrate transponders adapted use in the EU environment in particular, as to the military requirements in users often need to process diverse classi- South Korea. IFF systems en- fied information from a range of networks, Photo: Hensoldt able the identification of ships and SINA Workstation H enables them to and aircraft by automatically process this information on a single de- transmitting interrogation sig- vice, instead of – as previously – having to nals, which are answered by switch between several workstations. This transponders of friendly units; is where the use of SINA, in addition to systems can distinguish friendly security advantages, also offers potential from enemy troops. In con- savings. SINA networks can be accessed trast to the previous Mode-4, using wireless or wired media. Professional Mode-5 IFF uses state-of-the-art applications used via commercial Satcom IP encryption techniques to avoid services such as BGAN require the cryptog- Alliance troops, after which only Mode-5 signal manipulation. Hensoldt has signifi- raphy equipment used to meet significant equipment can be deployed on joint mis- cant experience with IFF systems, in June technical specifications. Tests performed by sions. To this end, sensor manufacturer 2017 being awarded, together with Leon- the German armed forces found that SINA Hensoldt is strengthening its relations with ardo, a contract worth some €300M to up- Workstation supports applications such as the Korean defence through cooperation grade the IFF systems of 450 aircraft, ships video conferences, even where double- with Korean defence group Huneed Tech- and GBAD systems of the British Armed hop satellite connections are used. nologies. The two companies intend to Forces to Mode-5 standard.

Preview ESD 1/2018 · January 2018 • The Oil Price Crisis – Geopolitical Implications • Singapore and the Asia-Pacific Security Environment • The Swedish Air Force • UAVs in European Service • Tactical UAV Requirements • New Police and Military Personal Weapons Developments • Police and Military Ammunitions Developments • Mortar Training & Simulation • Joint Fire Support Trends • Naval Ground Attack Missiles • Helicopter-borne Weapons • CBRN Stand-off Detection • Short-Range Counter-Drone Options • Mine Countermeasure Vessels • Forecast: India and Europe

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