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D European & Security ES & Defence 3/2017 International Security and Defence Journal

COUNTRY FOCUS: ISSN 1617-7983

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Underwater Warfare

Canada Invests in Security Slovak Air Force A large number of procurement programmes Replacing Soviet-built systems is a are currently underway. lengthy process.

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17IDS384_PatriotRadar_EuroSec&Def_May022017.indd 1 4/18/17 12:25 PM Editorial

The EU Is not in a Good Shape

n 26 March the EU celebrated its six- with increasing self-awareness, the aggres- Otieth birthday in , which should sive policy adopted by Russia towards the have been a joyous occasion, and reason to Ukraine and their neighbours; war, terror, celebrate. But the present state of the EU is and anarchy in the Middle East and Africa unfortunately hardly a cause of celebration. (where radical Islam is playing an important The EU is in one of its greatest ever crises. part); and the “worrying utterances” of the The foundation for what is today the Euro- new American Government. All this is mak- pean Union (EU) was laid on 25 March 1957 ing our future hard to foresee; the internal with the signing of the Treaties of Rome. situation; the rise in a sense of From what was then the European Coal and increasing xenophobia in the EU itself; and Steel Community (ECSC), , the moral stance adopted by the pro-Eu- , Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, ropean elites; the dwindling trust placed in and Luxemburg created the European political integration; subjugation under pop- Economic Community (EEC), with the aim ulist arguments; and doubts regarding the of improving the common foreign trade fundamental values of liberal democracy. In policy of the countries involved. The aims his letter, President Donald Tusk appealed of the European Union, among others, to the state and government leaders to re- are common foreign and security policies, main united. “It must be made clear beyond a common currency policy, and common any misunderstanding that the dissolution policies regarding culture, the environment, of the European Union will not lead to the and education and training. It is difficult for re-establishment of some kind of mythical all the member states to implement com- states with recourse to full sovereignty, but mon laws. The introduction of the Euro in rather that these states will de facto fall into 2002 revealed the lack of unity among the reliance on the great superpowers, the USA, members; countries such as Great Britain Russia, and . Only together can we be and Sweden rejected the adoption of the fully independent”, as Donald Tusk put it. euro, and clung on to their old currencies. Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, The EU countries are likewise not unified in a recent white paper, has broached the when it comes to environmental and energy debate about the future development policies, with an increasing number of argu- of the European Union with 27 member ments about the best way to tackle climate states. The document was published by the change. The member states are equally at European Commission in the run-up to the loggerheads about the issue of whether sixtieth birthday of the Treaties of Rome. electricity should in future continue to be Five scenarios are described, each of which generated with aid of nuclear power sta- holds out a prospect as to where the Union tions. Further proof of disunity among the could be by 2025, depending on which EU countries came in 2004 with the failure course Europe takes. In the scenarios, the is- of the efforts to create a common constitu- sue is pursued as to how Europe will change tion. Since then, a whole range of problems in the next ten years, from the effects of have arisen which the EU has for years negli- new technologies on society and employ- gently failed to resolve. These include saving ment, to concerns regarding globalisation, the euro, which in has still not been and on to matters of security and increasing achieved, and the allocation of refugees, populism. where the EU has not come a single step Interestingly, surveys show that matters of further. The latest issue, since the Brexit security are today among the areas in which vote, has been the very existence of the EU. Europeans still see great potential for inter- It is high time for the birthday boy to be national cooperation. It is therefore entirely made fit for the decades to come. “United right to press ahead with the European we stand, divided we fall”, said Donald Tusk defence union as one of the most important in the run-up to the summit conference in future projects of the EU, and to strengthen Malta on 31 January 2017. In his letter to still further the EU Common Security and 27 state and government leaders regarding Defence Policy, especially against the back- the future of Europe, the President of the ground of the attitude adopted by the US European Council cited three major threats President towards NATO. to the stability of Europe. These include a new geopolitical landscape: China acting Henning Bartels

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 1 Content

Between Politics and Necessity From Policy to Action Photo: EDA Photo: Roketsan

The Turkish ballistic missile defence requirement in the Interview with Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the light of current geopolitical challenges Page 75 European Defence Agency (EDA) Page 84

SECURITY POLICY 55 Unmanned Warrior 16 Conrad Waters 8 The Geostrategic Challenge in the Baltic Sea Giulia Tilenni 57 Canadian Armament Programmes Update Sidney E. Dean 12 The Role and Place of Georgia in the Russian Military Calculus 61 Anti- Warfare: A New Era Eugene Kogan Bob Nugent 15 Kazakhstan and Russia: On the Brink 65 Realism in Modern Military Training of New Challenges William Carter Stephen Blank 69 A Simulator Training System for Forward 19 Hybrid Warfare in Asia: Potential Air Controller/Forward Observer not yet Unleashed Walter Christian Håland Jan Blinka 71 “We have been working on nearly 500 development and modernisation projects.” 40 45 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY Interview with Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersecretary for countries VIPs Defence Industry, Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı (SSM) represented attending 23 Transforming while Operating The Italian Defence Approach to Current and 75 Between Politics and Necessity Future Security Challenges The Turkish Ballistic Missile Defence Requirement General Claudio Graziano Korhan Özkilinc 80+ 3 days 28 Defence Procurement in Italy INDUSTRY & MARKETS The Global Event for Undersea exhibiting of high-level Luca Peruzzi companies briefings 80 Mine Warfare Vessel Market Outlook Defence and Security ARMED FORCES Bob Nugent Join us at UDT 2017 in Germany 35 NATO and Cyber Defence: The Turning Point of 2016 84 From Policy to Action Jamie Shea Interview with Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive 1,400+ of the European Defence Agency (EDA) visitors expected 40 Joint and Allied at UDT 2017 Jörg Vollmer 88 Successful Demilitarisation Project in the Republic Register now at of Belarus 43 Slovak Air Force – Heritage as a Challenge Waldemar Geiger www.udt-global.com Georg Mader 89 Sustain the Growth Momentum ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Interview with Nail Kurt, CEO, FNSS Defense Systems Inc.,

46 Underwater Warfare Platforms 95 Led by the Family since the Renaissance Joshua T. Cohen Interview withCarlo Ferlito, Managing Director of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A Image source: Crown Copyright / 52 International Submarine Weapon Options David Saw

Visit www.udt-global.com to register or book a stand Supported by Organisers of Organised by 2 European Security & Defence · May 2017 @UDT2017 www.udt-global.com/linkedin Index of Advertisers

VIEWPOINT FROM … ATLAS ELEKTRONIK 51 ATM ComputerSysteme 41 14 Washington Chet Nagle DNV GL 49 18 Ankara DSEI 33 Cengizhan Çatal Eurofighter Jagdflugzeuge 31 22 Jerusalem EW Europe 36 Tamir Eshel EXPAL 27 42 The Hague FNSS 17 Jaime Karremann IDEF 21 THE BRUSSELS BACKDROP ISDEF 93 38 The NATO Secretary General’s Leonardo 25 Annual Report 2016 Lockheed Martin 4th cover Joris Verbeurgt Fr. Lürssen Weft 81 MILIPOL 74 COLUMNS MSPO 87 1 Editorial NIMR AUTOMOTIVE 11 4 Periscope Raytheon 2nd cover 90 Masthead ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems 47 92 Firms & Faces UDT 3 96 Preview Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik 63

40 45 countries VIPs represented attending

80+ 3 days The Global Event for Undersea exhibiting of high-level companies briefings Defence and Security Join us at UDT 2017 in Germany 1,400+ visitors expected Register now at at UDT 2017 www.udt-global.com

Image source: Crown Copyright / Royal Navy

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@UDT2017 www.udt-global.com/linkedin Periscope

Australian OPV Tender Roland Briene, Damen Sales Director Asia programme is one of the most important (df) Damen Shipyards Group has submitted Pacific. “This is fully in line with our stand- capability development projects of the last a tender for the SEA 1180 Phase 1 Project ard practices where we partner with local decade in Estonia, which will increase the to deliver twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels organisations to help transform local ship- combat capability of the Estonian Defence (OPV) to the Royal Australian Navy. For this building industries into globally competitive Forces remarkably,” said Margus Padjus, offer Damen has teamed with ASC For- shipyards.” Project Manager of the procurement de- partment at the Estonian Centre for De- Estonia Signs CV90 fence Investment (ECDI). “The CV9035 Support Contract Infantry Fighting Vehicles that the Estonian (df) Estonia has awarded contracts to BAE Ministry of Defence bought from the Neth- Photo: Forgacs Systems to maintain and sustain the coun- erlands were the first step in this project. To try’s fleet of 44 CV9035 Infantry Fighting ensure that utilisation of the vehicles would Vehicles (IFVs), which were acquired from be as efficient as possible, ECDI entered into the long-lasting life-cycle support con- tract with BAE Systems Hägglunds. I am convinced that our CV90s will be profes- gacs Shipbuilding in a joint venture to build sionally and reliably supported by BAE Sys- the initial two ships in South and tems Hägglunds.” further ten in Western Australia. This joint Photo: BAE Systems venture is already investing in infrastructure Surveillance Capabilities at the Henderson Shipbuilding Precinct in from Diamond Aircraft Western Australia in preparation for the (jh) Diamond Aircraft, based in Wiener OPV construction to move to WA. “We the Netherlands in 2014. The long-term Neustadt (Austria) was among the exhibi- are fully committed to maximising Austral- agreements covers configuration manage- tors of this year‘s HOMSEC exhibition in ian industry participation and supporting ment for new IFV capabilities as well as Madrid, . The company drew atten- the development of a sustainable, national maintenance, repairs, and spare parts. shipbuilding industry in Australia,” said “The armoured manoeuvring capability

EDA Research Project on 3D-Printing (df) The European Defence Agency (EDA)

has named 3D-printing as one of the key Photo: Diamond Aircraft enabling technologies to improve Euro- pean industrial competitiveness. These so

Photo: John Abella called Additive Manufacturing (AM) tech- tion to their portfolio of special mission nologies might enhance defence capabili- and trainer aircraft. According to Alexander ties significantly due to improved mobil- Maierhofer, the company‘s Technical Sales ity, sustainability, effect and protection Manager for Special Mission Aircraft, Spain through e.g. field repair & maintenance has a requirement for an airborne surveil- and therefore reducing logistic burden lance and reconnaissance capability on the and improving sustainability in warfight- country‘s southern border that Diamond ing and missions. Accord- Aircraft could respond to with its DA 42 ing to EDA, substantial economic benefits MPP (Multi-Mission Platform). The DA 42 are also expected. To identify and explore areas where additive manufacturing can MPP is a twin-engine aircraft capable of have a wider impact EDA has commissioned Fundación Prodintec and MBDA France to operating up to twelve hours without refu- conduct a project designated “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology elling. The aircraft is offered as an ISR (Intel- Demonstration” with expected completion in December 2017. The study targets the ligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) entire spectrum of European defence and AM stakeholders, at all levels of defence platform, for geo surveys or TV broadcast- and AM supply chains. ing with a flexibly configurable sensor fit. The project is composed of three work strands: Beside the DA 42 the company has identi- A desktop study to place AM and its potential in a defence context. The main outcome fied market potential in Spain for between of this work strand will be the identification of opportunities for AM in the European 20 and 30 of its DART-450 reconnaissance defence sector. At the same time, it will aim to highlight factors preventing European trainers for varying applications. In Spain, defence forces from reaping the benefits of this breakthrough technology. Diamond Aircraft is represented by Rosique The second work strand is a technology demonstration of AM in a simulated deploy- Aircraft based in Reus near Tarragona. ment scenario. Its purpose is to demonstrate the feasibility and operational utility of deploying these technologies in support of a military operation. UK Engagement in the F-35 Following the desktop study and the technology demonstration, the conclusions of LIGHTING II Programme this feasibility study, including the equipment used and typical objects and materials (df) The UK has taken further steps in the produced, will be presented in an exhibition. The objective is to raise the military F-35 LIGHTING II programme. The US De- awareness of AM technology and to exemplify how it could improve the way opera- partment of Defense’s F-35 Joint Program tions, logistic support or maintenance of platforms are conducted. Office has awarded a contract worth more than €96 million to Lockheed Martin to de-

4 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMOURED VEHICLES 

Vehicles were determined by taking into operations, two propulsion diesels for consideration the operational concept and mid-speed service and the LM2500+G4 mission requirements defined by the Turk- gas turbine to reach 32+ knots. GE also ish Naval Forces Command. “Following will be responsible for the electrical system Photo: BAE Systems the Anti-Tank Vehicles Project, the ZAHA integration. Worldwide, more than 1,300 contract is the second contract we have GE gas turbines log over 14 million hours signed with SSM in the past year. Then serving 35 navies on 500 naval ships for there is also the KORKUT contract we have 100 military ship programmes. liver the initial training, engineering, main- signed with ASELSAN”, said Nail Kurt, tenance and logistic support for the UK’s General Manager and CEO of FNSS. “FNSS GOWIND Makes F-35 LIGHTNING II fleet over a three year vehicles currently in the inventory of the First Sea Trials period. Lockheed Martin has subcontract- Turkish Armed Forces, which include the (df) According to DCNS the first sea trials ed work worth €48 million to BAE Systems. Armoured Combat Vehicles (ACVs), the of the very first GOWIND 2500 corvette “Nothing demonstrates the strength of our SAMUR Armoured Amphibious Assault have been successful. “It is a very important relationship better than our joint work on Bridge and the KUNDUZ Amphibious Ar- moment for DCNS: the GOWIND corvette the most advanced combat aircraft in the moured Combat Earthmover, are perform- designed especially for the international world – the F-35 LIGHTNING II and the UK ing their duties admirably. Vehicles that will market is now sea proven,” said Eric Chap- is proud to be the future hub for all the Eu- enter the inventory in the coming period ropean jets,” said UK Defence Secretary Sir include the ACV-30, which will be used in Michael Fallon. “The additional investment the KORKUT project; the KAPLAN-15 and

at RAF Marham will ensure that we have a PARS 4x4, which will be used in the Anti- Photo: DCNS formidable fighting force that, at a time of Tank Vehicles project; and the Armoured growing danger, in the most momentous Amphibious Assault Vehicle.” of weeks, will help us work with our US partners to promote international peace Seventh FREMM with and security.” The second step was the GE Gas Turbines Launched beginning of training the pilots in the new (df) The seventh Italian FREMM multi-pur- F-35 LIGHTNING II simulator in preparation pose FEDERICO MARTINENGO was for flight trials on the UK’s new QUEEN recently launched. All of the ’s let, DCNS’ Vice-President Marketing. “We ELIZABETH class next year. new CARLOS BERGAMINI class FREMM are very proud to announce that, with the The refurbished simulator will test pilots’ GOWIND 2500 corvette, DCNS now has skills to the limits as they practise landing the latest generation vessel to strengthen on the deck of the new aircraft carrier in a its product line geared to the international Photo: GE range of difficult sea and weather condi- naval defence market.” The GOWIND cor- tions. vettes have a total length of 102 metres, a width of 16 metres, a displacement of Turkish Armoured Amphib- 2,600 tons, a max. speed of 25 knots, and ious Assault Vehicle Project a range of 3,700 nautical miles at 15 knots. (df) The Turkish Undersecretariat for De- They have been laid out for a complement fence Industries (SSM) has awarded the of 80 with helicopter detachment included. contract for the Armoured Amphibious Special capabilities include the SETIS com- Assault Vehicle (ZAHA) project to FNSS. bat system that has been developed by DCNS for the FREMM and GOW- IND . The first GOWIND 2500 cor- vette was built at the DCNS site in Lorient, France. Nine other corvettes are to be built Graphic: FNSS in and Malaysia in the scope of a co- production arrangement.

Contract Awarded for frigates - 10-ships in total – will feature the GRIFFON and JAGUAR same power dense GE LM2500+G4 gas The French Procurement Agency DGA has This programme was initiated by SSM to turbine in a COmbined Diesel eLectric And awarded the first production contract for meet the amphibious armoured vehicle Gas turbine (CODLAG) propulsion configu- 319 GRIFFON and 20 JAGUAR (shown here) requirement of the Turkish Naval Forces ration. The GE LM2500+G4 marine gas Command. Under the terms of the con- turbines will soon also power the Italian tract the vehicles will be developed and Navy’s new PATTUGLIATORI POLIVALENTI produced by FNSS based on an indigenous D’ALTURA (PPA) multipurpose offshore pa- Graphic: GME development model. FNSS will deliver 27 trol ships. GE’s contract includes an order vehicles: 23 personnel carriers, two com- for seven LM2500+G4 gas turbines, the mand and control vehicles and two recov- company announced. The ship’s flexible ery vehicles. The technical characteristics hybrid propulsion plant will feature small of the Armoured Amphibious Assault gearbox mounted-motors for low speed

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 5 Periscope

vehicles as part of the Multi-role Armoured is the perfect fit to ’s operational FIAC (Fast Inshore Attack Craft), through Vehicle contract. As a crucial stage of the environment, delivering outstanding ca- medium sized FAC (Fast Attack Craft) up SCORPION programme, the early award pabilities and hot and high performance to large vessels such as Corvettes from safe of this conditional tranche will therefore unmatched by any other existing helicopter stand-off ranges. The 100 kg-class missile provide for the production of these new type in the same class. is one of the products of France’s and the vehicles to commence only 27 months after United Kingdom’s collaboration on mis- development. The contract includes logistic SEA VENOM Tests from a sile technologies. In UK service the missile support and associated training and was Royal Navy LYNX is planned to be used from the AW159 awarded to a team consisting of Nexter, (df) Working together through the Defence WILDCAT helicopter, while in France the Renault Trucks Defense and Thales. The Growth Partnership (DGP) initiative, MBDA, DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement GRIFFON Multi-role Armoured Vehicle and in collaboration with the UK Defence So- – the French defence procurement agen- the JAGUAR Armoured Reconnaissance cy) is currently conducting the develop- and Combat Vehicle, both of which benefit ment flight campaign for the missile on a from a high level of protection, will respec- PANTHER helicopter test bed.

tively replace the VAB and the AMX10RC, Photo: MBDA the SAGAIE ERC and the VAB Hot, used Germany Procures MELLS intensively in all kinds of terrain for over (df) In the scope of the MELLS programme thirty years. They will enable the French Germany will procure 1,000 SPIKE missiles Army to have a state-of-the-art combat and 97 launchers with deliveries starting tool with the best protection technologies and the best possible use to be made of lutions Centre (DSC), the Royal Navy and digitised data on the battlefield. First deliv- QinetiQ, has successfully conducted air car- eries of the GRIFFON are expected in 2018 riage and jettison trials of its SEA VENOM/

and of the JAGUAR in 2020. The SCOR- ANL anti-ship missile. During the trials a Photo: Eurospike PION programme calls for the delivery of Royal Navy LYNX Mk8 helicopter success- 1,668 GRIFFON vehicles and 248 JAGUAR fully conducted a series of air carriage tri- engines to the French Army, as well as as- als prior to jettisoning two SEA VENOM sociated logistic support facilities. missiles fitted with telemetry kits. The out- come of the trials has been a de-risking of Pakistan Orders AW139 the integration process of SEA VENOM on for SAR and EMS both the LYNX and SUPER LYNX helicop- (df) Leonardo announced that the Gov- ters for the export market. SEA VENOM in 2018. MELLS is the German acronym ernment of Pakistan signed a new order is a modern anti-ship missile primarily for “multiple role lightweight guided mis- for an undisclosed number of additional designed to destroy vessels ranging from sile system” denoting the SPIKE LR (long Agusta Westland AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters. The aircraft will be Jammer in an Attaché Case (df) United “Ruselectronics”, part of the Rostec State Corporation, upgraded a compact jammer to become the “SOLARIS CASE”, a suitcase fea- Photo: Rostec Photo: Leonardo turing jammer technology and therefore ensuring protection from explosive and tapping devices. In comparison with previous versions, the scale of suppressed frequencies is extended twice in the updated one. Besides, the radio-interference de- vice allows to “block“ Bluetooth channels, Wi-Fi and 4G. The Solaris case was presented at LAAD 2017 in Brazil. In the follow-up of the exhibition, used to perform utility, SAR (Search and a number of Latin American countries applied for Rescue) and EMS (Emergency Medical Ser- the purchase of a device integrated in a small “at- vice) operations across the country. Deliv- taché case”. The development was carried out by eries are expected to start in early 2018. the company Sozvezdie, part of United Ruselec- The contract is a further step towards the tronics. According to the developers, the updated SOLARIS is provided with a function completion of fleet renewal programmes for the smart suppression of cell communication which provides for the analysis of a spread over several batches plus logistic lot of frequencies, to pick up the potentially dangerous channels and block them. The support and training. This event is a major hardware is integrated in a small attaché case which can be easily transported without achievement for Leonardo expanding the attracting third-party attention. The case can be used to ensure the safe movement already successful presence of the AW139 of VIPs as well as during mass public events in order to prevent terrorist attacks. The model in the country. A fast growing fleet system blocks radio signals which can trigger the detonation of an explosive device. of AW139s is already in service in Pakistan, Moreover, the transmitter is designed for blocking illegal access to confidential infor- with several units operated by the Pakistan mation. During closed-door negotiations the case equipment can be used to cover Government for relief and transport du- the office by blocking tapping. ties. According to Leonardo, the AW139

6 European Security & Defence · May 2017 range) product. Above all, the SPIKE guided 1.1 million helmets to the US military, and missile will supplement and expand the an additional 300,000 helmets internation- weapon system of the PUMA armoured Photo: Saab ally. Across all of these programme deliver- infantry fighting vehicle as a high precision, ies, according to the company, Revision has stand-off-capable component enabling never received a single warranty claim for highly effective engagement of armoured product malfunction or defect, has never and infrastructure targets. had to recall a single faulty product, and has never failed a single Lot Acceptance or First Rocket Motors for the is a world leading surface-to-surface missile Article test. AIM-9P Missile system providing excellent performance in (df) The US Air Force has awarded a con- all weathers,” says Michael Höglund, head Thales SOTAS Chosen tract for the production of rocket motors of marketing and sales at business unit Mis- for Danish Vehicles for the AIM-9P missile to Orbital ATK. The sile Systems within Saab’s business area Dy- (df) The Danish Defence Acquisition and award is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite- namics. “It is a vital part of the shipborne Logistics Organisation (DALO) signed a quantity contract estimated at a volume of Polish Navy offensive capability and we are framework agreement with Thales for the US$67 million when fully optioned adding happy to assist the Naval Port Gdynia in acquisition of the SOTAS vehicle communi- to the more than 30,000 SIDEWINDER mo- their professional work ensuring the readi- cation system including logistic support. The tors the company has produced to date. ness and availability of this versatile and contract covers the next seven years with first powerful missile system.” deliveries in 2018. Maintenance technologies will be transferred to Denmark to reinforce a Next Generation Combat Helmet (df) The US Army has awarded the contract Photo: Orbital ATK

for the Advanced Combat Helmet Genera- Photo: Thales tion II (ACH GEN II) to Revision Military. In The AIM-9P SIDEWINDER missile has re- the scope of the last contract from the US ceived significant upgrades since its first Army in 2012 a total of 180,000 ACH hel- development in 1978, with the latest ver- mets had been successfully delivered. In this sion featuring Orbital ATK’s SR116-HP-1 next generation combat helmets Revision reduced-smoke rocket motor. Work for the current FMS order is expected to run through February 2022. “The SIDEWIND- ER missile system has a proven record for closer local relationship with DALO. SOTAS effectiveness and reliability at home and Photo: Revision systems are based on a high performance around the world, and this award will help open architecture that is modular, scalable our allies defend shared interests for years and future-proof. The modular components to come,” said Pat Nolan, Vice President can be assembled and scaled to provide and General Manager of Orbital ATK‘s Mis- optimal system configurations for all vehicle sile Products Division. “I am confident we types and missions. Upgrades are performed will deliver this FMS version to our allies with minimal impact on the existing instal- overseas with the same outstanding record lation. This provides for great flexibility and with which we deliver thousands of other said their scientists were able to exceed the logistic advantages that support the broad tactical air-to-air rocket motors.” weight reduction requirements stipulated in range of wheeled and tracked military tac- the Army’s solicitation by a sizeable margin: tical vehicles. Denmark will install the new Polish Navy Orders the solicitation required a minimum 15% communication system in both wheeled and RBS15 Mk3 weight reduction, with Revision’s solutions tracked vehicles. SOTAS systems are already (df) The Polish Navy has placed an order for ACH-GEN II providing up to 24% weight fielded in more than 30 countries support- for the maintenance and logistic support reduction over the legacy ACH design, push- ing a broad range of wheeled and tracked of the Polish Navy’s RBS15 Mk3 surface-to- ing the envelope of attainable weight reduc- military tactical vehicles. surface missile system with deliveries taking tion while maintaining very good ballistic place between 2017 and 2018. The RBS15 protection. In total Revision has delivered Mk3 is a long-range missile system, it excels as the main anti-surface armament for any type of naval vessel. It is designed to oper- Find us on facebook! ate in a diverse range of scenarios, from anti-ship engagement in blue to littoral waters as well as land attack missions. The RBS15 Mk3 allows for true fire-and-forget operability in all weather conditions, thanks  to its advanced pre-launch programmable active radar seeker. The missile is jointly pro- duced and marketed by Saab, Sweden and Diehl Defence, Germany. “The RBS15 Mk3

Daily News – Upcoming Events www.facebook.com/eurodefence  SECURITY POLICY The Geostrategic Challenge in the Baltic Sea

Giulia Tilenni

The Baltic Sea is an area of key strategic interest for all its littoral states and for their respective regional security bodies. Its geography makes it a potential scenario of confrontation between Russia and NATO and/or the EU.

he Baltic area is vitally important for at Russia’s landlocked territory grants limited Firstly, three states have asymmetric alle- Tleast eight countries – Denmark, Esto- access to the sea. In fact, westward it can giance to multiple regional bodies. Norway nia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, access the sea mainly through Murmansk is a non-EU NATO member. Conversely, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and, to a lesser in the Barents Sea, St. Petersburg, in the Sweden and Finland are non-NATO EU extent, Norway. Baltic Sea and Sevastopol in the Black Sea. members. Recently, the area has received consider- As the Barents Sea is usually frozen, and Secondly, Russia has special relations with able attention due to rising political and can easily block Russia’s access to Finland and somehow with Sweden. But military tensions between Russia and the the Black Sea in case of tensions, St. Peters- nowadays, Sweden and Finland are allied West. Geo-economy has been driving the burg port remains Russia’s key commercial with Russia’s rivals, although these align- strategic posture of these stakeholders. port/choke point. Furthermore, despite a ments are still not encapsulated within The big picture at the political-military level decade of investment and slight improve- binding defence arrangements. A stra- is therefore complex and multifaceted. ments, Russia’s east coast does not repre- tegic confrontation between Russia and Because of its morphology and as most lit- sent a valid strategic alternative, yet. the West would put them in the cross-fire. toral states are EU members, the area is The Baltic Sea is an important commercial Once again, geography matters. The Rus- considered by some as some sort of “EU and energy route for EU countries as well: sian annexation of Crimea has advanced Russia's physical presence in Europe, and it has created a worrying precedent for the Baltic States which host significant Russian

Photo: NATO minorities. Finally, as the Baltic Sea partially constitutes the EU/NATO–Russian border, respective military postures contribute to the Baltic geostrategic challenge for the near future. All of the stakeholders are well aware of the strategic importance of the area, still their posture is not always adamantine, thus feeding misperceptions and misun- derstandings.

Multiple Alliances, Multiple Concerns NATO training with amphibious assaults in Poland In the years before the Ukraine crisis, the lake”. However, the Baltic Sea is a relevant the North Stream gas pipeline connects Vy- littoral states had been reducing their de- route for both the EU and Russia. The Dan- borg (Russia) to Lubmin (near Greifswald, fence budgets and the number of service- ish Straits, Kattegat and Skagerrak, rank Germany), and in the near future North men. Most of them abolished conscription among the world’s ten most important oil Stream 2 will connect Ust-Luga (Russia) to in favour of professionalism. Furthermore, choke points with about 3 million barrels of Greifswald (Germany). core capabilities for the Baltic theatre, oil transit per day. such as ASW, SAM, and armoured assets Russia is the major recipient of the econom- Contested Area for EU/NATO– have been shrinking due to inconsistent ic flows across the straits as roughly 40% Russia Relations evidence of threat. As a result, concerned of the oil in transit departs from Russia to states are nowadays experiencing severe its trade partners. It is worth recalling that This area being monitored by big powers capability gaps, which are hard to fill in the should make it one of the world’s most se- short term. In the meantime, they are no Author cure commercial routes. This notwithstand- longer credible and effective in perform- ing, the region is likely to become a con- ing some of the needed core missions au- Giulia Tilenni is an analyst for inter- tested area for EU/NATO–Russia relations tonomously. In light of rising tensions with national affairs based in , France. because of the peculiar, intricate cauldron Russia, northern countries seek better mili- of political and military relations amongst tary assets, but it will take years to rebuild stakeholders. potent capabilities. As of today, they are

8 European Security & Defence · May 2017 SECURITY POLICY 

deployed to the Baltics, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria to underline Washington’s commitment to Europe in case of major conflict. However, more US soldiers on the ground do not automatically untangle troubling overlapping alliances and foggy foreign policies in the region.

Photo: NATO Allied Air Command Russia has always had a different approach to strategic planning. has tried to keep up capabilities, or at least to compen- sate for their shortfall. Military planning has always been a top priority on the Russian agenda. Moscow is better prepared than the other stakeholders for strategic con- frontation. It is worth noticing that Russian economic and military capabilities remain poor, yet their strategic thinking put the country in a relatively advantaged position when it comes to political-military action – such as in the Middle East and in Ukraine, where it achieved its objectives by force.

The Importance of A2/AD

Russian MIG and British TYPHOON over the Baltic As a consequence of this scenario, Anti- Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) is becoming dependent on and bridled into complicated tries are building up their military doctrine a mantra between lights and shadows. alliances. and forces structures (i.e. the reestablish- Both Russia and NATO are working on rais- In fact, Finland and Sweden are not fully ment of a permanent military presence in ing the number of A2/AD assets in order integrated into NATO, despite strong ties. Gotland). to preclude military access to the region NATO members intervening in case of ag- and restrict the opponent’s potential ma- gression is just an unlikely policy option. Situation of the Baltic States noeuvres. The geography of the Baltic Sea Given Finland’s and Sweden’s status, NATO makes it difficult to dominate the entire sea support is not granted. Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, although or major aero-naval operations but each At least in theory, EU membership should NATO members, share the same fear. Tal- actor, although incapable of dominating compensate for it. The legal framework lin, Riga and Vilnius are uncertain whether the sea in case of war, is able to interdict or introduced by the Treaty includes NATO’s article 5 would work promptly in counter-interdict the enemy’s operations. a mutual defence clause (art. 42.7) compa- case of aggression. On the one hand, they Russian A2/AD capabilities are developing rable to the collective defence clause reaf- plan to raise military budgets up to 2% comprehensively, with a stress on missile air firmed by NATO article 5. To this day this GDP by 2018 (Estonia has already made defence and missile ground-to-ground re- clause has been invoked only once, after it) in order to meet NATO demands and taliations. In addition to air defence based the French request of collaboration follow- to acquire new systems, especially radars. on Su-27/33 and Mig-29, Russia is boost- ing the 2015 terrorist attacks which were On the other hand, their defence still re- ing missile defence. The OSK West deploys then understood as a direct menace to lies heavily on allied military assets, such as two air defence brigades (1st and 2nd) on France. In reality, however, each EU state re- the Baltic Air Policing, which compensates nine regiments. Each regiment includes sponded differently to President Hollande’s for their gaps in air force and air defence two battalions/batteries of S-300 (F, P, or support request, and only some contribu- capabilities. V) or S-400 (range of action 150-400 km, tions were proper military ones. However, Scandinavian and Baltic countries are also depending on missiles). Batteries can op- as the EU has no autonomous HQ, major strengthening defence ties in an attempt to erate from predetermined protected loca- operations should be carried out through put together a regional sub-block of coun- tions, but they can also move easily within NATO, and non-EU members might not tries with significant defence capabilities. the same theatre. The 2nd brigade, in par- agree on intervening. Besides, without The Nordic battlegroup – Sweden, Finland, ticular, deploys its assets along the Russian US tankers, ISR, strategic airlift and other Norway, Ireland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithu- Baltic border: 500° Rgt. (Gostilitsy), 1488° assets, European projection capabilities ania – represents a notable example. Rgt (Zelenogorsk), 1489° Rgt. (Vaganovo), are rather limited. Finally, several analysts To fill regional capability gaps and to re- 1490° Rgt. (Sablino), 1544° Rgt. (Vladimir- have repeatedly highlighted that EU mem- assure the Baltic allies and Poland, NATO skiy Lager), 22° Rgt. (Kaliningrad). Moreo- bers’ combat forces are too few and far has recently launched its Force Integration ver, long-range air surveillance radars are between and often already overstretched Units (NFIU) programme. It consists of a operated by 333° Rgt. in Khvoynyy and abroad. Structural problems, such as inef- strengthened NATO presence to ease an 334° Rgt. in Petrozavodsk. ficient funds allocation in defence spend- eventual intervention – by NATO Response Ballistic missile capabilities include the 26th ing, is another issue per se. Consequently, Force and/or NATO VJTF – under article 5. Ballistic Missile Brigade (Luga) and the Finland and Sweden need to add credibility Meanwhile, the US is reinforcing its pres- 152nd Missile Brigade (Kaliningrad). Each to their defence posture. Sweden will likely ence through the European Reassurance of them deploys twelve Iskander-M SRBM reintroduce conscription, and both coun- Initiative: 4,000 US soldiers have been re- double launchers.

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 9  SECURITY POLICY

Furthermore, Russia deploys three out of ticular, the core of the Baltic Sea (about 430 more likely to erupt than a full scale con- four airborne divisions close to the Western km) can be covered by sea-based, endo- frontation, and all the stakeholders are border: 76th Air Assault Division (Pskov), atmospheric interceptors SM-6 (Standard unwilling to escalate, especially if non- 98th Airborne Division (Ivanovo) and 106th Missile-6, AEGIS system), while the protec- NATO countries are involved. Russia has Airborne Division (Tula). Russia considers tion of the Danish Straits would be assured demonstrated its capability to carry out them strategic rapid deployment forces. by Patriot batteries located in Germany and rapid dominance operations to grab a Many other units in the area are being operated by the Air Defence Missile Wing 1 strategic object of interest. Yet Russia is fleshed out and slightly modernised. – Air defence missiles groups 21 (Sanitz), unlikely to be able to sustain prolonged The Baltic Sea Fleet and the Northern Fleet 24 (Bad Sülze), 26 (Husum) and 61 (Toden- large operations. Although NATO has contribute to reinforce Russian posture, dorf). Furthermore, both NATO and non- a significant military and technological notably through additional air defence NATO members in the region are investing edge over Russian forces, political dif- capabilities and cruise missiles, especially in surveillance systems, fast attack craft, ficulties among its members can create the ­SS-N-27 SIZZLER (anti-ship) and the SSK, and coastal missile batteries, thus bol- a political-military stalemate in case of ­SS-N-30 KALIBR (land attack). stering a more traditional anti-access ap- real action. In this context, the case of proach to territorial defence. Ukraine raised worries amongst several Deterrence by Denial versus members. To sum up, even if the situa- Deterrence by Punishment Potential Escalation/ tion were to heat up, both the US and De-Escalation Russia believe it would be a local conflict. While Russia pivots on “deterrence by de- However, the political implications of a nial”, NATO has traditionally embraced a Geographical and political features un- direct confrontation could be much big- “deterrence by punishment” approach. doubtedly contribute to the instability in ger and the situation might be difficult Over there, NATO’s air policing and ballis- the Baltic Sea, and misperceptions fuel un- to manage because of the large num- tic missile defence are guaranteed through certainty. ber of stakeholders involved. Militariza- collaborative work by all members. The US When it comes to the Baltic Sea, each side tion of the Baltic Sea and political muscle ERI initiative and the EFP (Enhanced For- reads the other side’s posture in terms of po- flexing are fuelling a powder keg. All of ward Presence) should further deter Russia. tential aggression. Russia perceives ­NATO the stakeholders might find themselves Besides, NATO considers its Response Force redeployments to the area as an act of ag- dragged into a crisis all of them wanted the main means of strategic projection – gression, and conversely NATO denounces to prevent – and that no one could really and the “stick to punish”. Recently, several Russian flyovers over the Baltics as an act of afford, regardless of official statements. HQs in East Europe have been upgraded aggression. Moreover, both NATO and Rus- Strained EU–Russia relations and uncer- to manage major operations promptly (e.g. sia are used to conducting military exercises tainty fed by the first weeks of the Trump Brunssum). Nevertheless, it seems NATO in the Baltic area, the typical scenario being presidency do not help. It is imperative felt the need to mirror the Russian A2/AD the aggression of the other part on its ter- for Europe to find a different balance of posture. ritory (e.g. BALTOPS, Anakonda, Zapad). power to change the course of the cur- It is developing a strategic “six-pack” aimed However, actual military capabilities on rent defence trends in the Baltic region. at strengthening adaptation to the Baltic both sides, although relevant, are overall Europe might not be able to afford rais- challenge, including A2/AD capabilities, limited in comparison to orders ing voices and US disengagement at the with a focus on anti-missile assets. In par- of battles and tones. A local conflict is same time. L

Commander of the Polish tank

company during NATO exercise Photo: NATO “Noble Jump“ in Poland

10 European Security & Defence · May 2017

 SECURITY POLICY The Role and Place of Georgia in the Russian Military Calculus

Eugene Kogan

Back on 22 February 1993, Pavel Grachev, then Russian Minister of Defence, said: “With regard to our units in Georgia, Batumi, Gudauta and other locations, these locations are of strategic importance to Russia. Otherwise, we will lose the Black Sea (region)“. Apparently, for President Vladimir Putin and his administration, the importance of Georgia in particular and of the Black Sea region in general has not diminished even 24 years later, despite Russian retention of the military bases in Abkhazia (a breakaway region of Georgia) after the August 2008 war and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014.

here is a saying that appetite comes Twith eating. In other words, Georgia is indeed a “sweet cake” that Putin and his administration are interested to take care of. As a result, they pay utmost attention to Georgia and are not ready to let others take care of the country. How Georgian political (Photo: George Kvizhinadze) and military elites see the Russian encircle- ment of Georgia is of no importance to the Russian military, since the latter know full well that Georgian politicians can only complain about the Russian encirclement, but they will do nothing to hinder it. Fur- thermore, the Russian military see the en- circlement of Georgia as a one-way road, in that steadily encroaching upon Georgian territory will reduce the country's inde- pendence and sovereignty and will slowly move it it back into Russia’s fold. In order to understand the role and place Freedom Square and the city hall in Tbilisi of Georgia in the Russian military calculus we need to look at the bigger picture. For Putin and his administration view Turkey funct Transcaucasian Military District (TMD) instance, the Russian military continues to with friendly suspicion, despite President that existed during Soviet era by including view Georgia as a pivotal transit country Erdogan’s repeated reassurances that Rus- Azerbaijan and in it. However, such a pos- for oil and gas pipelines and a newly-built sia is a friendly country and an important sibility cannot be dismissed out of hand, rail link from Azerbaijan to Turkey (Baku- economic partner of Turkey. They say that: although the author has no evidence to Tbilisi-Kars). Furthermore, Georgia is pri- “For too long Turkey was and still remains support his assumption. If such evidence marily responsible for the missing rail link a NATO member state and, as a result, can- exists, it would remain highly classified by between Abkhazia, the breakaway region not be fully trusted, assurances or not.” the Russian military and is unlikely to be of Georgia, and Armenia, still the staunch Furthermore, the Russian military bases in disclosed. Nevertheless, the aforemen- ally of Russia. Georgia is also a major trans- and joint task forces with Abkhazia and tioned Russian actions highlight the very port route and an energy transit country South Ossetia, the breakaway regions of important place and role of Georgia in the from Russia to Armenia. As a result, the Georgia, as well as the Russian military Russian military calculus. The author’s point Russian military views Georgia as part of bases in Armenia and soon-to-be-estab- is further reinforced by the Nezavisimaya the Russian sphere of influence where all lished Russian-Armenian Military Joint Task Gazeta military expert -General the necessary links come together, a kind Force (MJTF) encircle Georgia. Finally, since Yuri Netkachev. According to Netkachev of regional strategic hub. In addition, they Georgia lacks serious air and naval capa- “Georgia strives for joining NATO poses see in Georgia a potential Russian pressure bilities, Russia maintains its air and naval a threat to the Russian friendly countries point on Turkey, a NATO member state. dominance over Georgia in the Black Sea (Abkhazia and South Ossetia). This is an and thus puts Georgia in a tight spot. important factor in Russia strengthening its Author positions in the region". Dr. Eugene Kogan is a defence and Russia’s Military Claims Netkachev's claim that Georgia’s aim to security expert based in Tbilisi, Georgia. join NATO poses a threat to Abkhazia and It is currently hard to say whether or not South Ossetia, the breakaway regions of Russia is interested in revitalising the de- Georgia, is indeed ridiculous. However,

12 European Security & Defence · May 2017 SECURITY POLICY  att the same time, it shows that Georgia minded to the liberal-minded political elites the famous quote “expect the unexpected” is viewed by the Russian military as an in the West, but that is how Russia's politi- or be prepared for any [Russian] eventuality important link to what is happening in cal elites and military think and operate in that Russian officials would deny strenu- the South Caucasus and justification for the 21st century, author’s comment. The ously, since they live in their own created Russian strengthening its presence in the author’s assertion will be dismissed out- world: the world of denial. region. Keeping Georgian political and right by the Russian officials, but this should military elites guessing what may happen be expected. Georgia’s Important Role in in the future remains the Russian mid-to Furthermore, Blank states that the conse- Russia’s Strategic Goals long-term policy for the South Caucasus quences of this Russian strategic operation region in general and for Georgia in par- are quite clear. If NATO cannot effectively In conclusion, Georgia continues to play an ticular. Furthermore, the Russian guessing defend the Caucasus or connect to it, Geor- important role in the overall Russian strate- game versus Georgia also targets Georgia's gia’s NATO option becomes meaningless. gic goals in and around the South Cauca- partners, such as the EU, NATO and the Since NATO remains unwilling to accept sus and the Black Sea region. Georgia is a US who are currently distracted from the Georgia as a member, the [Georgian] ap- link to Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as region by their domestic challenges. That plication [for membership] will become an a pressure point on Turkey, whom Russia the rhetoric of Georgia's partners has only empty ritual, a cheque that cannot and will is interested in keeping at bay, decoupling partly manifested in deeds encourages Rus- not be cashed. The result of Georgia not from the NATO Alliance and exerting a sia in its pursuit of keeping Georgia in its becoming a NATO member state but rather degree of control over. Georgia is also a sphere of influence. remaining a NATO partner turns Georgia rail link between Abkhazia, the breakaway To reinforce the author’s point of view into easy prey for belligerent Russia, a point region of Georgia, and Armenia that Russia about the Russian medium-term policy and reiterated below. is very much interested in re-establishing. Russian pursuit of Georgia, Stephen Blank writes that, coupled with the integrated air-defence system (IADS) and anti-access/ area-denial (A2/AD) networks that Russia is building in and around Syria and the Black Sea, Russia is constructing an elaborate network of air and naval defences. As a (Photo: US Marine Corps) result, the constructed network places the entire Caucasus beyond the easy reach of NATO and Western air or military power. As Blank continues, in other words, as Moscow moves to manoeuvre Turkey, as well as Georgia and Azerbaijan, into its orbit through combined economic, eth- nic, military and political pressures, it is also ensuring that these countries will be placed behind an air-defence umbrella. This could allow the Russian Army and/or Navy to advance into them if necessary and to do so with impunity, since Western forces would be deterred by the likely high rate of casualties they would incur. Indeed, when this network is completed, Moscow need not invade but only threaten to undermine Georgian soldiers practice marksmanship skills with US Marines. the sovereignty or integrity of these coun- tries, or their pro-Western affiliations and Despite NATO's presence in Georgia, which On the point of re-establishing a rail link, economic-political ties. Russia tends to exaggerate intentionally, Russian officials very often expressed their Russia does not consider this presence as view. However, Georgia has thus far re- Propaganda and a threat that would jeopardise its plans to fused to give the green light to the project, Disinformation Campaigns keep Georgia in its sphere of influence. since Georgian officials see a clear Russian Putin and his administration know full well stratagem their it can be foreseen that the A variety of soft security tools available to that NATO is not in a position to assist NATO Russian pressure on re-establishing a rail Russia, such as propaganda and/or disin- partner Georgia if Russia decides one day link is to continue. formation campaigns combined with cyber in the future to bring recalcitrant Georgia By reasserting their control over Georgia, security attacks plus imposed economic back into its fold. Let us remember that Putin and his administration sent a clear sanctions, would be ruthlessly used by Putin's plans to invade Georgia in August message to the West: “Your investment Moscow to bring Georgia under Russia’s 2008 were prepared in 2006 and put into in new democracies failed to pay off and heel, even before Moscow decides to move motion two years later. Even if Putin and we do not consider you a competitor in in and finish the business called independ- his administration will dismiss the author’s the post-Soviet space in general and in and ent Georgia. The Russian military option assertion outright, such plans exist and are around the South Caucasus and the Black towards Georgia cannot and should not be likely to be carried out if and when Putin Sea region in particular. Back off and leave ruled out. Such a warmongering scenario and his administration see the right mo- Georgia alone. Thus, basically and back to may sound too cold-blooded and sober- ment to execute them. Let us remember us what was and still is ours.” L

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 13 Viewpoint from Washington

Chet Nagle Readiness, Readiness, and Readiness

uring Chancellor Merkel’s recent visit to Washington, President There are, of course, constraining factors on defence spending DTrump reportedly handed her a $330Bn invoice for Germany’s by NATO members, not the least being Brexit and the hobbling share of NATO dues. It was marked as overdue for twelve years. The financial difficulties of Greece, France, Italy, and others. There are invoice caused concern and merriment on the left and right and also factors constraining the U.S. defence budget. First, there is the then the and the Federal Republic denied it had ever difference between what the services want and what they need happened. Bogus or not, the invoice caused some head scratching. and second, there is the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA) that places arbitrary caps on domestic and defence spending. Lifting the BCA It is no secret that Germany, France and other NATO nations do not cap on defence spending will be very difficult at best, because the meet minimal defence budget targets as agreed by NATO, some- political appetite for more defence dollars at the expense of social thing candidate Trump pointed out by saying members should security and medicare simply does not exist. “pay their fair share.” He also said, more worrisome in many nerv- ous European capitals, “NATO is obsolete.” President Trump has And with regard to the kind of American defence spending since reevaluated threats facing Europe and no longer thinks NATO that is coming, the three most important words are readiness, is obsolete, but members might remember that “pay your fair readiness, and readiness. Military services carefully guard details share” is still very much on his mind. of how ready they are for combat, but the situation is now so dire that they have become quite vocal. Carrier aircraft, the tip As if to remind NATO members of that, a week after his meeting of the spear of power projection, are at such a low readiness with Chancellor Merkel, President Trump debunked press reports level that their crews must cannibalise spare parts from aircraft that their meeting was not cordial by tweeting that he had a GREAT in storage boneyards. The Air Force says that less than 50% of meeting with the Chancellor. But he then added that “Germany its combat units are ready for “full spectrum” (high threat, high owes…vast sums of money to NATO and the United States must intensity) combat. The Army, Marines and Coast Guard are in be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defence it similar straits. provides to Germany!” This makes it obvious that the first bulldog to be fed by the US In any event, European and American defence contractors prob- defence budget will be readiness, and procurement of new or even ably enjoyed the report of Trump’s phantom invoice too, and then existing systems will be minimal. Advanced weapons research will realised that if NATO members actually started paying their fair get some scraps so the military will not fall behind in warfighting share – 2% of GDP – there would be a surge of new defence technology. contracts. And when it was announced the American president’s defence budget will ask for a $54Bn increase, they further reck- So unless your defence company is heavily into maintenance, train- oned that a buying bonanza of new weapon systems was on the ing, spare parts or advanced research, expect to face lean times. near horizon. But is it? That is, unless the winds of war increase to gale force.

14 European Security & Defence · May 2017 SECURITY POLICY  Kazakhstan and Russia: On the Brink of New Challenges

Stephen Blank

Arguably the crucial Russo-Kazakhstani relationship will soon face serious new challenges stemming from both internal transformations in both countries and the accelerating changes in world politics that will encompass Central Asia in their impact.

ussia’s internal changes arise from its long-cherished dream of dominating a in Afghanistan. All these actions inevi- Rfactors that the Kremlin cannot ad- continental trade and investment bloc in tably reverberate upon Moscow’s ties to mit – but that are increasingly evident – the form of the Eurasian Economic Union Astana (and other Central Asian capitals). namely its decreasing ability to sustain its (EEU) to cooperating with China’s Belt claim of primacy in Central Asia, even as and Road Initiative (BRI). Grand Leader’s Multi-Vector it sees the US disengaging from Central Beyond that, its ability to sustain military Foreign Policy Asia and Afghanistan. That disengage- force throughout Central Asia is also un- Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s President Nur- sultan Nazarbayev has launched a major domestic reform that deconcentrates his powers and devolves many of his pow-

Photo: kremlin.ru ers regarding domestic and economic policy to parliament, which would also now choose government ministers. Nazarbayev would retain his powers in foreign and security policies and remain Kazakhstan’s “Supreme Arbiter”. Given Kazakhstan’s visible socio-econom- ic successes and real economic problems, partly stemming from its dependence on commodity prices and the example of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan who all face daunting economic prob- lems and, as the recent Uzbek transition showed, excessively rigid governing struc- tures, these reforms are prudent. As regards relations with Russia, the ma- jor potential danger from this reform is that squabbling politicians during or after Nazarbayev’s lifetime (he is 76) will fail to resolve economic challenges, allow poli- tics to fall into clan and ethnic rivalries that target the very large Russian minor- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan ity, or provide a pretext for Moscow to Nazarbayev claim that their rights are being abused and then intervene. Given Moscow’s very ment obliges Russia to shoulder more re- der pressure. On Vladimir Putin’s recent strong media position across Kazakhstan, sponsibilities in Central Asia despite the tour of the region, he had to admit that it retains a significant, if as yet unmeas- rising burden of those obligations. if Kyrgyzstan wanted Russia to leave the ured, influence on elite and mass per- China’s commercial and economic as- base at Kant it would do so, even as he ceptions there and could easily exploit or cendancy are already long-established secured pledges of support from Kyr- even incite domestic unrest. facts and Russia has had to subordinate gyzstan and Tajikistan for Russian forces’ Concurrently, Nazarbayev’s long-stand- continued presence there. ing support for key Russian initiatives like Author Moscow’s increasingly visible support of economic integration and services like Stephen Blank is Senior Fellow at the Taliban also indicates its apparent mediating the Syrian civil war show po- the American Foreign Policy Council. readiness to consort with terrorists to re- tential domestic challengers that he en- tain its military primacy in Central Asia, if joys Russian support. He will undoubtedly only to prevent ISIS from seizing power endeavor to ensure that his successor also

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 15  SECURITY POLICY

does so. And Moscow undoubtedly will prefer to see a stable Kazakhstan under

that successor to ensure regional stability. Photo: Arken

Policy of Toleration

Thus internal pressures are always po- tentially aligned to external ones. Since Russia has never fully accepted any post- Soviet state’s claims to sovereignty and territorial integrity as ironclad, Kazakh- stan lives under the perpetual shadow of an intervention. Indeed, Russian officials and analysts have repeatedly asserted that it is a natural or objective process for the smaller states around it to be ab- sorbed into a Russian sphere of influence, based, inter alia, on their supposedly The physical transformation of Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, symbolises common history. And they frequently the country's move into modernity. remind Kazakhstan of its large Russian minority as a potential vulnerability. if Kazakhstan did nothing on its own to that pressure. And if the Taliban remained Russia’s growing perception of a US. engender that outcome. allied to Russia, Moscow’s willingness to disengagement from Central Asia also support or sponsor terrorism in pursuit of obligates it to assume still more responsi- Threats to the Balance its interests can hardly assuage Kazakh- bility as a regional security manager. This stan’s need for security. danger of Russian de facto or de jure Indeed, we can easily postulate three pos- A second danger could come about even truncation of Kazakhstan’s sovereignty sible alternative scenarios that could under- if the next regime does not fail to meet and/or territorial integrity has always fo- mine this carefully crafted balance. domestic challenges, and that stems from cused Nazarbayev’s attention on pursu- If terrorism prevails in Afghanistan or in an- potential Sino-Russian rivalry in Central ing a “multi-vector” foreign policy whose other Central Asian state, Kazakhstan, as a Asia. But if Kazakhstan did fail foreign watchword is balance among Russia, Chi- relatively lucrative target will immediately governments would likely establish ties with disgruntled cliques or else, so that the populace rises up against a ruling clique it sees as excessively connected to either Russia or China.

Photo: Aljazeera These contingencies should highlight the importance of Sino-Russian relations to Ka- zakhstan. There are multiplying signs now that, for whatever reason, China is seriously considering deploying its troops to Cen- tral Asia, at least in the areas around Af- ghanistan. China may be suspicious about Russia’s intimacy with the Taliban and its Pakistani backers or fears that Russia can no longer be fully counted on to defend Beijing’s huge investments in Central Asia. Kazakhstan, in particular, has come to depend on Chinese investments. Indeed, Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOE’s) protect those investments by “making key members of the Kazakh government stake- China’s President Xi Jinping and his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan holders in the success of the investments. In Nazarbayev during Xi’s state visit to Astana addition, –- Chinese government strategy has evolved from one of simply buying off na, and the US. Indeed, he has master- be at risk. The Taliban might promise Rus- key members of the Kazakh government fully pursued and achieved that balance sia to respect Central Asian borders and in order to gain approval for investments by his initiatives on proliferation, welcom- the status quo. But if they or, worse yet, to one of making institutions in the Kazakh ing of Chinese foreign investment, strong ISIS, come to power they will probably not state, such as KazMunaiGas, stakeholders support of Eurasian integration, and by adhere to that bargain. Moreover, there are in the long-term success of the investment leading a domestic policy of toleration. now thousands of battle hardened terror- in order to secure protection for invest- Nevertheless, as he and presumably any ists from Russia or Central Asia who would ments in a climate of political uncertainty,” successor well know, this policy requires welcome a chance to destabilize what they Daniel C. O’Neill wrote in his article“Risky constant balance. And trends in Central regard as immoral, corrupt regimes in their Business: The Political Economy of Chinese Asia could overthrow that balance even homelands. Kazakhstan would soon feel Investment in Kazakhstan.”

16 European Security & Defence · May 2017 SECURITY POLICY 

Indeed, Kazakhstan is the biggest recipi- in Central Asia. Russian scholars have re- ments not only on the South China Sea ent among all post-Soviet states of Chinese cently written a paper on contemporary but also on Central Asian neighbours like foreign direct investment (FDI). Should Rus- international relations that asserts the pos- Tajikistan, it becomes clear that Kazakh- sia and China fall out over Central Asia, sibility that, “at the same time, the grow- stan cannot for a moment relax its vigilance this Chinese investment becomes a target ing instability in peripheral regions lends about defending its sovereignty or territo- for nationalist agitation and resentment legitimacy to the sharply increased foreign rial integrity. Therefore, it must consistently among Russians in Kazakhstan, Kazakhs policy focus on security and justifies the work to sustain a balance among the great who resent China’s presence and behaviour subsequent mobilization of resources to powers. in Kazakhstan, and potentially in Moscow. meet those challenges. Meanwhile the Yet balance may not ultimately suffice to military buildup by the major powers cou- ensure its security. When we also take into Dealing with World Powers pled with turmoil in the periphery could account that, for the Russian government lead to untold disaster – a series of severe and many Russian analysts, great power Alternatively, the previous speculation that conflicts afflicting every member of the status, that is to say, an imperial or quasi- US President Donald Trump wanted to global order, from the major powers to un- imperial status that reduces its neighbours make a deal with Moscow directly injures stable quasi-states." This passage is taken to protectorates at best, is the precondition Kazakhstan and its neighbours for it would from "Global Revolt and Global Order: The for the survival of the regime, the extent of express a visible diminution of US interest Revolutionary Situation in Condition of the the structural danger to Kazakhstan that is in and support for the Central Asian states’ World and What To Do About It" by Oleg inherent in its ties to Russia becomes ap- independence ,even though it is clear they Barabanov et al. parent. all want to maintain contact with Washing- Similarly, many Chinese thinkers view Kazakhstan must therefore keep Russia, ton and are especially concerned to see the China’s periphery, which surely includes China, and even the US in a balance while US stay in Afghanistan and also increase Kazakhstan and Central Asia, as the most augmenting its own resilience and domestic investment into their countries. Indeed, as likely area for potential military clashes. To capabilities. Even if it succeeds in achieving Russia’s ability to assert its primacy in Cen- the extent that Sino-Russian interests di- the latter, forces beyond its control, as may tral Asia continues to decline, it may feel verge or internal factors originating in an in- be developing now, could jeopardize that even more impelled to intervene in Central dividual country or the overall Central Asian balance along with Central Asian, not just Asia, especially where its co-ethnics are region ensue that periphery, including Ka- Kazakh, security. Consequently, the Russo- deemed to be at risk. zakhstan, could become the object of great Kazakh relationship not only faces major Therefore, if the great powers cannot power rivalries. Indeed, if we extrapolate future challenges but could become a much maintain coordination or balance among from Russia’s behaviour towards other more important barometer of the direction themselves the repercussions could be felt post-Soviet states and China’s encroach- of future international affairs. L

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May 2017 · European Security & Defence 17 Viewpoint from Ankara

Cengizhan Çatal Turkey and the EU Need to Act Together and Rely on Each Other

he failed coup d’état attempt on 15 July 2016 marks one of the debate in Ankara is about how the relations with the western Tmost significant waypoints for Turkey’s security and defence countries will develop. policy. In a nutshell, more than 300 people, including 104 pro-coup Turkey’s most important of recent military deployments was the soldiers, lost their lives and 1,491 were injured. Tens of thousands Operation Euphrates Shield, which started on 4 August 2016 and of soldiers were degraded from their military ranks. Besides, thou- ended on 29 March 2017. The Turkish Armed Forces succeeded in sands of people were removed from their positions in military, pushing the ISIS back from Turkey’s southern border to the south administrative and judicial institutions. of the Syrian town of al-Bab in the Aleppo Governorate. At the end As a result of the coup attempt, Turkey’s domestic and security of the operation, the presence of ISIS in the Cerablus-Cobanbey-al- policy, the structure of the military and foreign policy have and Bab triangle was terminated. It is important to say that the Opera- will become subject to major change. The weak and unclear reac- tion Euphrates Shield was also of symbolic importance. According tions of Europe in response to the coup attempt were perceived as to Turkey’s political leaders Operation Euphrates Shield contributed disturbing by Turkish politicians. The Turkish Government, which to the deterrence factor of the Turkish Armed Forces in the inter- failed to receive sufficient support from the European countries national environment. Also, the operation created awareness in following the unsuccessful coup attempt, turned its alignment to the public opinion about the military power of the Turkish Armed new alliances that it believed could establish permanent partner- Forces after the failed coup attempt. ships with – like Russia, above all. The Turkish Army has accomplished Operation Euphrates Shield. Part of the first reactions by Turkish decision makers was the start However, uncertainties and potential security risks in Syria remain of negotiations with Russia for the S-400 missile defence system to be at the top of the agendas in Ankara. independently from NATO’s joint air defence system considera- Taking all these aspects into consideration, we can say that 2017 tions and based on the assumption that the Adana-Incirlik military will be a very challenging year for Turkey’s security. Turkey is fight- air base would be closed for use by western countries such as the ing against different terrorist organisations which have completely United States and Germany. different ideologies, strategies and methods. Moreover, these ter- Notably, the tension between the Turkish Government and Eu- ror organisations operate both domestically and abroad. Turkey rope brings along the risk to turn into a crisis that can be very fights against four different shapes of violence, constituted by ISIS, difficult to resolve and covering the entire political, economic PKK, armed extremist left terrorist organisations and the Gülen and security spectrum. Therefore, if Turkey is totally excluded movement FETÖ. Turkey will have to cope with these threats for at from Europe, it can be envisioned that the European Union (EU) least three more years, which is probably a very optimistic predic- will also be threatened by significant security risks. The crisis in tion. Moreover, the conflict in Syria is continuing. The chaos in the Turkey-EU relations is surfacing at a time when Turkey and the Middle East, which creates new terrorist groups, has not come to EU need to act together and rely on each other. The tension an end. between the EU and Turkey will not contribute to the long-term At this point, Turkey is looking for reliable allies to support the coun- interests of both sides in defence and security policy. Consider- try in political and military terms in the fight against this “cocktail” ing the current state of EU-Turkey relations, they are not sustain- of security threats. 2017 and 2018 will be a period in which Turkey able for the security of both parties. However, regional security will reshape its internal and external security policy and relationship is an indispensable issue for both sides. In this respect, the big with its allies.

18 European Security & Defence · May 2017 SECURITY POLICY  Hybrid Warfare in Asia: Potential not

yet Unleashed Jan Blinka

“Hybrid warfare” is currently one of the most “trendy” terms in the security-strategic dictionary. Although the concept was used for the first time in the beginning of the 21st century, it gained its prominent position after the Russian annexation of Crimea and Moscow’s involvement in the military conflict in eastern Ukraine. Subsequently, it has become part of the strategic documents of the European Union and NATO, as well as of their member states.

ybrid escalation follows roughly three Hstages: first, the attacker engages in internal and external political subversion to undermine the credibility of local gov-

ernment and create unrest among the (Photo: Tomer Gabel) population. Subversive action would in- clude the support of anti-government and anti-“system” forces, propaganda tools and media campaigns, and the creation of “pockets of influence”. In the second stage, the attacker would take steps to ensure that any such opposition movement would topple the govern- ment, preferably by peaceful and legal or semi-legal means, promoting change in the political status quo. In the third stage, the attacker would overtly intervene with kinetic means to ensure “new realities on Haifa, , after a rocket launched by Hezbollah hit the city near the ground”, which would be presented Bnei-Zion hospital as “fait accompli”. So what is “hybrid warfare” and can we Although armed conflicts traditionally forces – often under the guise of peace- trace its presence beyond the European combine several dimensions (except for keeping and crisis regulation – is resorted continent – to Asia for example? the use of regular military forces, it it is to only at a certain stage, primarily for the often the involvement of secret and di- achievement of final success in the con- Hybrid Warfare, Nothing New verse operations and of propaganda and flict". under the Sun disinformation activities), hybrid warfare Mark Galeotti describes hybrid warfare in is different from them in placing empha- even clearer terms: it is a stage of political From the buzz around the concept of hy- sis on the achievement of strategic goals destabilisation, which precedes and some- brid warfare, it may seem that the world by non-military means of a subversive times even replaces the phase of proper has experienced in recent years an entirely nature. These include primarily, but not kinetic warfare operations. new type of armed conflict, for which the exclusively, deployment of special forces, What is new, therefore, in hybrid warfare community of security experts and military sabotage, support of local resistance units is not the inclusion of non-military means strategists had to devise a name. However, and separatism, propaganda and disinfor- in the service of war itself, but the level the very essence of hybrid warfare is as old mation campaigns, economic pressure, of their interconnection with conventional as war itself – it is a combination of mili- and terrorist activities. As Valery Gerasi- warfare, the emphasis on the non-military tary and civilian resources, which, thanks mov pointed out in his famous article "The component, and the extent of damage to their synergistic effect, force the op- Value of Science in Prediction" in 2013, that can be done with such a synergy due ponent to take steps that he would not “the role of non-military means in achiev- to the technological and social cohesion of take voluntarily. ing political and strategic goals has grown, the contemporary world. and, in many cases, they have exceeded Author the power of weapons in their effective- Practical Application of the ness.” Jan Blinka is Associate Fellow at Concept When military force is used, it is used in the Association for International a limited manner and in denial mode, Destabilising activities conducted by Russia Affairs (AMO) based in Prague, when its presence is officially disavowed, against the territorial integrity of Ukraine Czech Republic. or labelled as "peacekeeping". To quote in 2014 are a prime example of hybrid Gerasimov once again, “the open use of warfare. During the annexation of Crimea

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 19  SECURITY POLICY

the peninsula and the conflict between mainland China and Taiwan. Both are cur- rently frozen in military terms, and both have experienced in the course of their duration repeated use of non-military tools such as propaganda and disinformation operations, support for civil unrest and opposition, and cyber and terrorist operations. The most recent examples of such methods include, among others, China´s restrictions on tour-

(Photo: Kurdishstruggle) ism to Taiwan following Taiwan´s general Kurdish fighters of the YPG, a Kurdish militia in Syria elections in January 2016, and the hacking of ´s military cyber command by and the first phase of military operations atory stage for a further military campaign. North Korea in December 2016. in eastern Ukraine, which ended with an Rather than hybrid warfare, China’s actions However, none of the actors has fully ex- open intervention of Russian regular forces and behaviour in the South China Sea are plored the potential for hybrid warfare in the summer of 2014, Moscow used al- more reminiscent of the great powers in significantly to change the status quo. So most a full arsenal of hybrid warfare tools, their redistribution of "newly discovered" far, non-military tools of warfare have been especially in political, economic, social, and territories and can be described as the tac- used subordinate to the military dimension, military domains. Non-military means in- tics of “take as much as you can”. even though they might play a prominent cluded support for local separatist troops, First, conventional forces were deployed in role in destabilising an opponent´s society economic pressure on Ukraine, and propa- order to secure the ownership of the disput- and thus preparing the stage for “final suc- ganda and disinformation campaigns di- ed features, several of which have become cess in the conflict.” rected at the Ukrainian and global popula- artificial islands through land reclamation. Considering the capabilities of players in tions. From the military component, both On more than 3,200 acres of reclaimed these two East Asian conflicts, the most special and regular forces were deployed in soil, Beijing builds airports, radars, mis- likely scenario would include the applica- so-called incognito or denial mode, but the sile storage, and other military equipment tion of hybrid warfare by China against military element was not crucial to achiev- and assets, thereby confirming its de facto Taiwan; other combinations would not ing Moscow’s strategic goals – it secured authority over the territory and creating a have as much chance of success in this the desired outcome through its supportive new status quo on the ground (and water) case. Even though China possesses huge and supplementary role. If a similar analysis is carried out in Asia, we can conclude that none of the ongoing conflicts satisfies the definition to be con- sidered hybrid.

China´s Activities in the South

China Sea (Photo: US Department of State) Consider China´s activities in the South China Sea. Although some scholars and practitioners consider them as examples of hybrid warfare, these activities fall short of fulfilling the above-mentioned definition, mainly because they are not armed con- flicts (so far). Although two battles were fought between the PLA Navy and Viet- namese Navy in 1974 and 1988 for own- ership of the Paracel and Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, they were “ad hoc” Aerial view of the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan military clashes, which resulted in shifts of their management from Vietnam to China regardless of the legitimacy of such actions military, economic, influential, and cyber and which did not escalate further. Since under international law. Subsequently, Chi- capabilities, which it could use in order that time, there has not been any military na uses means of non-military nature, such to destabilise Taiwanese society, there armed conflict between the claimants in as media campaigns and historical and legal are two main limitations to the success- the South China Sea dispute. justification, to legitimise its actions before ful application of hybrid warfare. First, The uses of non-military means of warfare the world’s public, and maritime militias to the island´s residents are mostly unsym- are further limited by the fact that the dis- project its control over claimed waters. pathetic to the government of mainland puted features are uninhabited rock forma- China and 60% of them identify them- tions, whose first ever “residents” are the East Asian Frozen Conflicts selves as exclusively Taiwanese. Second, incoming Chinese soldiers, anglers, and Taiwan has strong security ties with the workers. Thus, there was never any popu- There are two long-standing armed con- United States, which would object to any lation against which China could employ its flicts in East Asia – the dispute between serious attempt by Beijing to destabilise tools of political destabilisation as a prepar- South and North Korea for dominance over the island.

20 European Security & Defence · May 2017 SECURITY POLICY 

India: Between Pakistan’s disinformation campaigns – namely, on Although the element of surprise was lost, Markhor and China’s Dragon non-military power ingredients. some disputes, as shown above, certainly have the potentialto escalate into a hybrid The armed conflict between and Pa- Future Hybrid Conflicts war. Since the key goal is to avoid becom- kistan in areas such as Jammu and Kash- ing the target of a hybrid attack, the at- mir dates back to 1947 and is predomi- Sound familiar? It should: a similar scenario tention devoted to this phenomenon by nantly a “traditional” territorial dispute in was followed when Russia destabilised security experts as well as the civilian pop- which the emphasis lies on military means Ukraine and is likely to be repeated against ulation in the given country is essential. It and the non-military dimension plays neighbouring states whose status quo it is necessary is to popularize the topic itself only a complementary role. Even though wishes to change without military aggres- and follow the activities of any “hybrid” Pakistan is accused of being involved in sion. However, since this hybrid method of attackers even before any actual attack undercover operations and in supporting warfare was successfully used in Crimea, occurs. As Miroslav Mares writes, “the terrorism and local separatist groups in other countries have become more cautious most important weapon against these hy- Indian-controlled territory, these non-mili- towards the possible employment of such brid threats is a confident democratic so- tary activities are subordinate to the use of a combination of military and non-military ciety that is willing to defend democratic regular forces in achieving the desired end activities against them. values and national identity.” L state. The hybrid potential of the Indo-Pakistani territorial dispute has not been fully explored by either side. On the Sino-Indian border, there is currently, primarily, only verbal conflict in the Indian-controlled Aranuchal Pradesh and other smaller regions, which China claims. As even Indian military officials are aware, the hybrid potential of this conflict is based primarily on the economic un- derdevelopment of India’s re- mote regions, which contrast with the prosperity of neigh- bouring Chinese provinces. Beijing can use such inequality to foment separatist sentiment within the local population, which is culturally and ethni- cally close to the population of China’s Tibet. Due to ethnic and cultural sepa- ration from India´s population and the pre-existing separatist sentiment, these two conflicts are more likely to develop into hybrid war than any of the above-mentioned disputes. In a possible scenario, China and/ or Pakistan would try to exploit those dividing lines, triggering a political and social crisis in the disputed territories that would prepare the stage for military in- tervention and final annexation. If not developing according to plan, China and/or Pakistan could send in their “peace” troops, which by their presence would help to ensure the de- sired outcome. The main weight of the warfare would, however, rest on the support of local op- position movements; manipu- lation of public opinion, cyber attacks, special operations and Viewpoint from Jerusalem

Tamir Eshel

Walking a Tightrope over Syria

he Arab spring is not limited to the Arab world, in fact – it is a For the US-led coalition, their allies in Syria are foes in Iraq - where Tglobal spring big groups are frustrated, angry, communicate the US is assisting the Shi’ite government forces in their fight and driving change. against the Sunni extremists of ISIS. The neighbouring Saudis, who Russia and Iran are the most dominant powers in Syria. Both plan cooperate with the Turkish and US forces in Syria, are sitting on the to stay. Syria is a mirror that reflects the complex relationships be- fence regarding Iraq, but are heavily involved in fighting the Iranian tween the two strongest Muslim factions and other minorities in proxies south of the border – in Yemen. the Middle East. Iran’s direct influence is not limited to Syria or Iraq, Although Israel is not directly involved in these conflicts, Jerusalem where Iranian proxies are assisting the Syrian and Iraqi regimes. has quietly aligned with the moderate Sunni nations against Iran. The increasing influence of Iran is reflected beyond the Shi’ite- After eight years of strategic disagreement with Washington, Israel dominated nations in the region. seems to have regained some influence and the support of the In Lebanon they turned the oppressed minority into the most pow- Trump administration. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu erful force, and in Yemen they are fighting the Yemeni Government also maintains open links to Moscow. Juggling between the two to gain control over Bab el-Mandeb, the second most important superpowers, Netanyahu reinforces their awareness and concern maritime route connecting Europe with the East. This is a strategic regarding the Iranian threat to the region. development that is happening right now, but the world is con- “Victory over the terrorism of ISIS cannot lead to an upsurge in ter- cerned with other, seemingly more urgent issues - ISIS and the rorism by Iran and its proxies. We will not exchange terrorism for flood of refugees caused by the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts. terrorism,” Netanyahu said after his recent meeting with Russian While Israel is directly threatened, this trend has regional and global President Vladimir Putin. “Israel is not opposed that there should ripple effects. Besides Iran’s nuclear ambitions Jerusalem is con- be an agreement there. We strongly oppose the possibility that Iran cerned about a future “Shi’ite Crescent” led by Iran, - a continuous and its proxies will be left with a military presence in Syria under land-link connecting Iran to the Mediterranean, over Iraq, Syria and such an agreement,” the Israeli Prime Minister added. Lebanon, which will have strategic implications - first and foremost For six years Israel has avoided the conflict in Syria but struck when- to Israel, that is constantly threatened by Iran, but also to other ever Iranian proxies - Hezbollah - tried to transfer military hardware regional powers, including Turkey and . Israel considered to be “destabilising”. The Middle East is not sitting idly by and accepting Iranian settle- Ever since Russia entered Syrian territory in 2015, Israel has repeat- ment in the region. Beneath the surface, new alliances are formed edly emphasised to Putin its “red lines” regarding Iran and the between past rivals that have become allies facing a common threat. groups it supports. Netanyahu has visited Moscow four times over This is a trend the Middle East has seen through the centuries. the past 18 months. The defence communities of the two countries Syria is likely to remain fragile for a long time. Although many say have also established open lines of communication to coordinate they fight ISIS, in fact they fight each other, and the Iranians are and avoid potential confrontation in Syrian airspace. also in Syria for a reason. Seeking to become Assad’s patron, the But the main goal is to keep the Iranians out of Syria in the long run. Iranians have a broader goal, to defeat Sunni groups and the Kurds, To achieve that, Israel would prefer Russia to stay, and act as Syria’s both being helped by the Americans and Saudis. They fight the guardian, helping President Assad and his Shia-aligned Alawite same elements in neighbouring Iraq. minority remain in power.

22 European Security & Defence · May 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY Transforming while Operating The Italian Defence Approach to Current and Future Security Challenges

General Claudio Graziano

“Transforming while operating” has been a mantra for the Italian Armed forces for some years, thanks to the two-pronged approach the Italian Defence has been using.

n the one hand, we are preserving, by strong joint, multinational and intera- Oconsolidating and strengthening the gency integration. available capabilities, in order to ensure I cannot but seize this opportunity of- the current level of military commitment. fered by European Security and Defence Photos: Author

been reviewed every decade based on the new threats of the time: this was the case of intra-state conflicts in the former Soviet area in the 1990s, of international terrorism in the aftermath of September 11 attacks and of the current, clearly hybrid threat posed by international ter- rorism, with its global and geographical dimensions, organisational effectiveness and evocative appeal. Being aware of this trend means being ready to foresee the Italian 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle FRECCIA in Afghanistan evolution of future crises to the extent possible and making all instruments avail- About 6,500 personnel are currently de- to share some thoughts about the strate- able for response, when needed. ployed on operations abroad, to whom gic vision of Italian Defence. I am specifi- The current international landscape is 8,000 personnel dedicated to homeland cally referring to the definition of security characterised by widespread instability. security, disaster relief and support to challenges to our country and the inter- This leads to conflicts that may not be civil authorities at home should be add- national system we actively contribute to, limited in scope and that feed on politi- ed. On the other hand, a process to ra- but also to the guidelines that drive the cal, social, economic, environmental or tionalise and modernise our organisation evolution of the Italian military. religious factors, especially in areas sub- and decision-making models is under ject to economic and social tensions. way with a view to tackling the current Unstable Southern and In particular, we have to tackle security and future threats that emerge from the Eastern Flank challenges emerging from within two new and evolving strategic landscape. arcs of crises and instability surrounding Through this, we will create an agile and Nowadays, we tend to associate the very NATO and European borders. The first adaptable military force, characterised idea of threat to the devious actions of and Southern arc spans from the Middle transnational terrorist organisations. The East across Northern Africa to the Sub- type of terrorism we are facing today is a Saharan Region. The second and Eastern Author component of a cyclical pattern of crises arc runs from the Baltic Region across the General Claudio Graziano is the that led the international community to Black Sea to the Western Mediterranean. Italian Chief of Defence. recurrently face new threats in the stra- Eastwards, NATO has to deal with the tegic and military domains. As a matter security situation that follows the an- of fact, the role of the armed forces has nexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014.

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 23 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY

As a result, the range of the Atlantic in- long time, implying the need to increase terms of force deployment, but also of tervention has been reviewed to include multinational collaborations in the field participation in all initiatives that improve the territory of European countries and of defence and security. We are definitely global security. the neighbouring areas. Being an active starting off along the path of a shared Starting from the Balkans, Italy has al- member of NATO and of the internation- understanding of the common chal- ways attached great importance to the al community, Italy does not relinquish lenges within the European Union and stabilisation of the region, given our po- its responsibilities in Eastern Europe and NATO, with the identification of tangible litical tradition, geographical position, takes part in initiatives aimed at show- measures such the creation of the first and cultural similarities. The main com- ing Allied solidarity, resolve and capacity unified EU military structure in Brussels mitment in the area is our participation to respond to the threats on the Eastern (the Military Planning and Conduct Ca- in NATO operation JOINT ENTERPRISE in flank. pability – MPCC). This will enable the EU Kosovo, under Italian leadership for the Likewise, Italy – whose strategy focusses to react flexibly, quickly and effectively, fourth consecutive year with 550 person- on the Mediterranean for historical and better exploiting the already existing na- nel. geographical reasons – promotes the tional headquarters made available to the development of strategies in all inter- EU, among which is the double-hatted Italy’s Worldwide Military national fora to address the threats to (European/national) Operational Head- Engagement security that come from what is known quarters of Centocelle, in Rome. as the “Southern Flank” of NATO and Eu- Because of the geo-strategic position rope. The Southern Flank evokes a multi- Italy’s Exposed Position of the country, the Italian defence is al- shaped threat which is not limited to the so deeply engaged in the Middle East, countries facing the Mediterranean, but Among the Western countries, Italy is where security is critical due to many includes other areas, namely the Arabic one of the most severely affected by the concurrent factors. We actively con- Peninsula, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Af- above-mentioned changing and unpre- tribute to the stabilisation of Southern rica and the Horn of Africa. All of these dictable geo-strategic framework. Being Lebanon with an articulate contribution have direct and indirect influences on firmly bond to the Euro-Atlantic area for of 1,100 personnel deployed within the the security of the Mediterranean basin. cultural, political, and economic reasons, United Nation Interim Force in Lebanon More specifically, this wider area is where Italy lies bare to the effects of the crises (UNIFIL). Italy is also part of the counter- multiple phenomena converge, such as that have the Mediterranean as pivot. DAESH operation INHERENT RESOLVE, institutional fragility, uncontrolled mi- Therefore, both the Euro-Atlantic and with slightly more than 1,400 person- gration, faith-inspired terrorism and the Euro-Mediterranean regions are Italy’s nel, which today represents our major proliferation of transnational criminal or- main areas of strategic interest and in- quantitative effort. In this context, let me ganisations that thrive on illegal traffick- tervention. The first is characterised by mention the contribution of our Carabi- ing, first and foremost of human beings. a core of shared values with security as nieri, strongly requested by our partners, a top priority. As a result, Italy joined for their effectiveness in developing ca- Global Response to Security NATO and started supporting the grad- pable local security forces; they are 100 Threats ual integration of EU countries’ defence men and women currently deployed in organisations. As for the latter region, Baghdad and Kurdistan in support of With this picture in mind, the relationship projecting stability is a crucial effort to Iraqi and Kurdish police forces. among these phenomena calls upon na- tional governments and international or- ganisations to tackle security challenges using a multidimensional approach that takes into account all the variables affect- ed. As a consequence, no measures to limit migration can be adopted unless ac- companied by other initiatives in the af- fected countries, for instance fighting ter- rorism, supporting stability, and capacity building. In order to face the threats that originate along this flank, Italy supports the idea that an integrated and interna- tional answer is required and should be developed to prevent and address crises in multiple fields. From a military point of view, this translates into the NATO project known as “Hub for the South”, an organisation that will be located at the NATO HQ – Naples to coordinate and implement all security-related courses of Italian FREMM (European Multipurpose Frigate) “Carlo Bergamini” action in that area. The complexity and the scale of chal- contain most threats to our communities. In Afghanistan, we are still supporting lenges and threats requires an ability Against this backdrop, Italy has a pivotal the stabilisation of the country with 950 to respond globally and synergistically, role that translates into a major tangi- personnel deployed on NATO’s Resolute which Italy has been demanding for a ble and resolute contribution not only in Support Mission, where Italy fills the posi-

24 European Security & Defence · May 2017 Defence with no limits; Above and under the sea.

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Readiness Action Plan, being part of the enhanced NATO Response Force, which is designed to guarantee a 360-degree ready response capability of the Alli- ance. Air policing, currently provided to Iceland, is ingrained in this domain as a practical assurance measure for Member Countries. Italy is also committed to the latest deterrence and defence-oriented stance of the Alliance in the Baltic coun- tries (Enhanced Forward Presence) as well as on the South-Eastern Flank (Tailored Forward Presence). In this area, Italy is contributing significantly by means of an army air defence asset (SAMP/T) de- ployed in Turkey.

Transformation to Meet the Needs of Ongoing Deployment Italian Eurofighters (EFA) ready to take off to ensure air policing over Iceland (2017) In order to continue to pursue such complex efforts in the international sce- tion of Deputy and serves as The Italian presence in the Mediterranean nario, carrying out the transformation Framework Nation of the Training Advi- is also relevant. We are deployed on op- process that has been outlined in the sory Assistance Command West (TAAC- eration MARE SICURO to fulfil protection “White Paper for International Security W) in Herat. and security tasks at sea, and protect sea and Defence” of 2015 will be crucial. It In Africa, Sahel’s current security condi- lines of communication, naval transports constitutes a momentous instrument to tions are giving cause for concern. This region, which can be considered the “Southern border of Europe”, is where many phenomena are emerging that di- rectly affect European security. For this reason, Italy is supporting a large num- ber of capacity-building initiatives of the International Community, primarily EU’s, to create the conditions for long-term security and development in the region. Also in the Horn of Africa, Italian defence plays a very active role as leader of the Eu- ropean Union Training Mission in Somalia and as a member of the EU air-naval op- eration ATALANTA. We are among the main promoters and actors in a number of multilateral and bi- lateral initiatives aimed at stabilising the Mediterranean, in accordance with our national strategic priorities. This includes our overarching commitment to Libya with a view to pursuing an effective “whole-of- government approach” to solve the crisis in the country. In September 2016, we de- Carabinieri trainers in Iraq, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE ployed 300 personnel on operation HIP- POCRATES on Libyan request to provide and Italian oil platforms. In the EU, we are consistently integrate the different vari- medical support to the local forces that part of the EUNAVFORMED SOPHIA to ables at play in the security and defence fight DAESH as well as administer advi- disrupt the criminal networks associated domain. sory and capacity building activities in the with human trafficking and train the Lib- Reviewing governance is one of the pre- healthcare sector in Misrata. A very first yan Navy and Coast Guard. Within NATO, liminary aspects of initiatives underway. lesson learned is the need to ensure great- Italy is contributing to the highly flexible This will be done by rationalising head- er responsiveness to the real needs and a maritime operation SEA GUARDIAN to quarters and top-level organisations in greater joint integration of health facili- fulfil a wide range of operational tasks a joint perspective and by favouring the ties. That is the reason why we are moving related to maritime security. more markedly operational component. towards a Joint Medical Corps under the Finally, we concretely support the initia- Intended actions will allow us to design a direct authority of the Chief of Defence. tives stemming from the approved NATO flexible organisational model to guaran-

26 European Security & Defence · May 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY tee joint, cross-sectoral and interagency precisely thanks to a redesigned joint or- ditional role of Joint Logistic Commander response through the creation of a single ganization for commanding, coordinat- in order to guarantee consistent strategic “control room”. This structure will pivot ing, controlling, and planning operations and military guidance in the procurement around the Chief of Defence, who – in as well as joint training activities. sector, along with increased effective- his role of Commander in Chief (CINC) Considering the importance of the Medi- ness in supporting the national military – will be able to develop maximum op- terranean for our country, the joint am- instrument as a whole. erational synergy across the various phibious capability will be further devel- domains, including the cybernetic one. oped in order to create a Brigade-level Competent and Deeply Such a process will be developed thanks Amphibious Force endowed with a com- Motivated Soldiers to the Deputy Commander, Operations plete range of naval, land and air assets – also Commander of Joint Operations in the near future. In conclusion, considering the unpredict- HQ – in charge of designing, organising Furthermore, Italian Defence is strenu- ability of current international scenarios, and conducting all of our Armed Forces’ ously working to develop practical cyber Italian Defence – and Italy as a whole – as operations. capabilities. The cyber threat has com- an active and careful player in the con- pletely changed the traditional conflict text of global security has no intention of Top Priorities for the Armed paradigms. Strategies and measures to shunning its own responsibilities. There- Forces deal with this domain must be integrated fore, in order to be always up to the task, at the joint and inter-agency level to be Italy will continue to adjust and develop Yet, in the near future, the Armed Forces effective and, as a consequence, a joint multidimensional response capabilities to will be characterised in particular by their headquarters for cyber operation has meet any security requirement. operational capabilities. Amongst other been recently established and will achieve In order for this to happen, Italian De- relevant aspects, increased effectiveness its full operational capability in 2018. fence should rely on our most valuable of Special Forces is a top priority. They Finally, such context does not only require asset, namely our servicemen and ser- are a joint asset of extremely high strate- our defence system to rely on a mili- vicewomen. They are competent and gic calibre. In addition to traditional elite tary instrument with the necessary op- deeply motivated professionals, our most units, over time we have been developing erational capabilities, but also demands precious resource. They can make the dif- new capabilities for conducting and sup- adequate industrial and technological ference, much more than any technologi- porting special operations and we intend independence to meet national needs. cal or organisational innovation, albeit to create new ones. The Joint Special Accordingly, the White Paper enhances significant. These are men and women Operations Headquarters will ensure that and widens the role of the Director of we are proud of. Of these men and wom- this sector is managed more effectively, National Armaments to include the ad- en I am the proud Commander. L COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY Defence Procurement in Italy

Luca Peruzzi

he Italian MoD’s procurement organi- sector. The SGD/NAD organisation today tirely comparable with other European de- Tsation contributes to developing and headed by LtGen Carlo Magrassi is directly fence procurement organisations in terms maintaining a solid technological and in- subordinate to the Minister of Defence of manpower and management structures, dustrial base, ensuring the preservation of and receives operational technical direc- can, however, be compared if it comes to national interests. The 2015 White Paper tives from the Chief of Defence. SGD/NAD procurement activities, capabilities and ac- and the law bill recently presented to Par- comprises six departments including those tivity sectors. According to the Italian MoD, liament are expected to create a more ef- for Industrial Policy and International Rela- the Italian defence procurement organisa- ficient defence procurement and logistics tions (3rd), the Coordination of Armament tion will be more effective when the reform organisation. Programmes and Development (4th) and defined by the 2015 White Paper and the Technological Innovation (5th), the tasks law bill recently presented to Italian Parlia- Current SGD/NAD Structure of which are more specifically aligned to ment will be approved and implemented. procurement. Among the SGD/NDA di- According to the current legislation the Se- rectorates, procurement efforts involve the Organisational gretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione technical directorates of Land Armament Considerations Nazionale degli Armamenti or Secretariat (TERRARM), Naval Armament (NAVARM), General of Defence/National Armament Air Armament and Airworthiness (ARMAE- According to the 2015 White Paper the Directorate (SGD/NAD) constitutes the su- REO) and Communication, Information, IT future National Armaments and Logistics perior level of the administrative-technical and Advanced Technologies (TELEDIFE). Director (DNAL), will centralise the acqui- chain and is responsible for the manage- The overall budget for Italy’s defence pro- sition of weapon systems, infrastructure ment and control of all the national and curement stands at around €4,5 billion, in- and logistics, except for direct support to international activities related to industrial tegrating both the allocated funding from operational units. This will result in an or- policy and cooperation in the sector of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) ordinary ganisation based on two major conceptual pillars, the first of which will perform the functions now assigned to some depart- ments and technical man- agement offices (directo- Image: Italian MoD rates) in the SGD/NAD. It will be responsible for the technical and administrative activities to ensure the ac- quisition of weapon systems and the disposal of weap- ons at the end of their life cycle. The second pillar, structured as the Defence Logistics Command (Comando Lo- gistico della Difesa, CLD), will ensure the professional management of funding and the “logistics of con- sumption” that can be jointly managed regarding supply activities, efficient maintenance, transport, infrastructure, health, ad- ministrative and technical services. Organisational chart of the Italian MoD’s Armament Division (SGD/NAD) In virtue of the strategic role based on economic defence materiel. The latter includes ac- budget and the available resources coming and technological planning - both at an tivities related to the modernisation and from the Ministry of Economic Develop- industrial and international level - policies replacement of defence systems, vehicles ment (MiSE, Ministero dello Sviluppo Eco- affecting the aerospace industry, defence and equipment, as well as for the determi- nomico) to sustain the defence develop- and security, and the public and private nation of policies related to the innovation ment programmes with high-tech content. interests of the defence sector will strictly and technological research in the defence The current organisation, though not en- be part of the competence of the political

28 European Security & Defence · May 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY head of the MoD. For the implementation of political directives the DNAL will depend on the Ministry of Defence. Photo: author In the meantime, the SGD/NAD headquar- ters was transferred from the centre of Rome to the military compound at Cento- celle (Rome suburbs), which already accom- modates the Italian Armed Forces’ Joint Operational Command, Special Forces JOC and the Italian Joint Force HQs, to enhance efficiency and ensure cost reductions.

Research and Development

SGD/NAD is, however, a key supporter and enabler of Research and Development (R&D), providing planning and program- ming of research and using the techni- cal directorates to draft and manage the resulting contracts for research activities co-financed with large companies, small and medium enterprises, universities and research entities. The 4th Department Upon completion of the programme, the Italian Air Force’s TYPHOON deals with the finalisation and manage- fleet will comprise 96 aircraft. Shown here is an Italian Eurofighter dur- ment of the respective weapon system ing the International Air Tattoo in 2014. development programme while the 5th Department, dedicated to technological amounts to around €48 million. With some not evolve without a certain level of indus- innovation and research, deals with ap- exceptions, the Italian Armed Forces do not trial and technological autonomy, which plied research up to technology demon- have personnel dedicated to research and could satisfy at least a part of these re- strators (TRL = 6) implementation. These hence utilise outside resources. On the oth- quirements at national level or throughout the participation in multinational initiatives in development and procurement. Even in an anticipated environment of multi- national cooperation the need to develop

Photo: Leonardo and maintain a solid technological and in- dustrial base is a guaranteeing factor for the national interest’s tutelage. Advanced technologies and adequate industrial ca- pabilities are also necessary for the collabo- rative development of new products at a parity level, reinforcing the integration with European partners and the ties with other friendly countries.

Current Programmes

The Italian defence is therefore involved in a continuing process of renewal of the mili- tary instrument to integrate it increasingly with European and coalition environments and to respond to the challenges which the actual and future strategic scenarios bring about. Listed hereunder are the main pro- The first of 10 NH90 helicopters in the TTH configuration for the grammes executed by SGD/DNA. Italian Navy The land forces’ requirements include: activities are performed at a national level er hand, test and evaluation activities are • New CENTAURO II (8x8) mobile gun sys- by means of the National Military Research carried out independently thanks to a vast tem (MGS): in the scope of the programme Plan (Piano Nazionale della Ricerca Mili- and diffuse network of military test centres the cavalry units are to be equipped with tare, PNRM) and within the international throughout the country. a new 120 mm armoured gun capable to collaborative frame through international In this context the 2015 White Paper high- match the new operational needs in terms organisations, including EDA, NATO STO lights a ‘Military Instrument’ able to gener- of mobility, survivability, protection and and bilateral or multilateral agreements. ate the necessary operational capabilities. interoperability. The procurement require- For these activities, the dedicated budget The national defence system by itself could ment for the new 120 mm armoured gun

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 29 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY programme covers 150 vehicles and lo- in February 2019. With a displacement gistic support. A first batch of 50 vehicles of 23,000 tons and 181 metres in length including pre-series and series-production the LSS can carry and replenish both at units has been authorised. The programme sea and ashore with marine and jet fuels, has been awarded to the CIO consortium Picture: Leonardo water, oil, ammunition, electrical power consisting of Iveco Defence Vehicles and and food. Managed by OCCAR, the pro- Leonardo. ject has attracted the interest of the French • 8x8 FRECCIA AIFV: the programme is to MoD, which - according to the Italian MoD provide the Italian Army’s ‘Medium Forc- - wants to join the programme to satisfy a es’ with the CENTAURO wheeled ar- requirement for three similar ships; in ad- moured infantry fighting vehicle dition there is the Brazilian MoD with an FRECCIA (“Arrow”) in different observer status. versions (combat, anti-tank, 127mm VULCANO long-range am- • Two high-speed special forces support mortar, command post, re- munition with sabot vessels in composite material to be deliv- connaissance and recovery), 630 ered in 2019/2020 are under construction vehicles total. In 2016, the second al-band multifunction AESA radar, variable at Intermarine. phase of the programme was launched depth sonar and MBDA Italia SAAM-ESD • The FREgata Multi-Missione (FREMM) covering the procurement of the first 30 air defence missile system. The armament joint French-Italian programme for a total combat-configured vehicles for the second package is centred around a 127/64 mm of 18 units (10 for Italy and 8 for France) is ‘Medium Brigade’. The same phase also main gun with VULCANO long-range in the shipbuilding and in-service support includes the development and acquisition guided ammunition and a 76/62 mm sin- phase for both nations. Managed by OC- of the FRECCIA EXPLORER’s two versions gle deck gun mount. Deliveries are planned CAR, the Italian programme awarded to for the cavalry units, with the prototype between 2021 and 2026. Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (a Fincantieri-lead production in 2017. The programme was b) The Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), for joint venture with Leonardo) saw the deliv- awarded to the CIO industrial consortium. which steel cut is expected in summer 2017 ery of the sixth frigates in April 2017, while • Forza NEC: The programme is to digitise followed by a platform-launch in July 2019 the remaining four are in different stages the land component, including the landing and delivery in June 2022. With a length of construction and outfitting. (amphibious) forces, to ensure full inter- operability at joint and international levels (NATO, EU, Coalition). According to the Ital- ian Army Report 2016, the programme’s Photo: author concept development and experimenta- tion phase activities continued in 2016 with field testing of first prototypes and pre-series systems. This phase is planned to continue until 2021. Lead by Leonardo, the industrial team includes the CIO consor- tium, Elettronica, Iveco and MBDA.

Main programmes for the Navy include: • The development and procurement of the new ships under the ‘Naval Law’ or the Italian Navy’s fleet renewal programme. Except for the two high-speed special op- erations support vessels, an industrial team lead by Fincantieri as prime and including Leonardo as combat system integrator and main supplier (CMS, sensors and weapon systems) is to deliver the three-following types of vessels with a 10-years in-service support: The CENTAURO II 8x8 Mobile Gun System (MGS) during a presentation in a) The Pattugliatori Polivalenti d’Altura 2016 (PPA) or Multirole Patrol Vessel programme managed by OCCAR covers the delivery of 240 metres the LHD will feature a full- • The U-212A joint submarine programme of seven ships (with option for additional length deck with a two-islands configura- is in the final stage (four boats for Italy and three) in three different configurations tion, a well-deck for 4 LCM, a dual-role six for Germany) with the fourth Italian (Light, Light Plus and Full), with the com- hangar and extensive hospital facilities boat to be delivered by Fincantieri in good bat system, sensors and weapons as distin- (NATO Role 2-E). The combat system will be time, while in-service support continues. An guishing elements. All featuring a common fitted-for SAAM ESD air defence system, in MoU signed in March 2017 extends the co- platform with two modular areas for either addition to self-defence systems. operation between the two nations in the military or HADR equipment, the PPA are c) The construction of the Logistic Support submarine sector addressing shipbuilding, equipped with new generation equipment Ship (LSS) is well underway with the launch R&D and in-service support, with potential including in the “Full” configuration a du- scheduled for November 2017 and delivery expansion to other customers.

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SGD/DNA advanced programmes payloads. In the frame of the four nations torate (DAAA) applies to all new-develop- for the Air Force: programme managed by the Eurofighter ment systems. In addition to the aircraft, of • The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) pro- consortium (including the Italian Leonardo which the first five have been contracted gramme for the development and pro- group), the Italian Air Force is to receive in January 2017, Leonardo will provide the duction of a fifth-generation combat 96 aircraft (82 combat single-seaters and GBTS and the integrated logistic support aircraft in cooperation with the US, UK, 14 double-seat trainers), of which the 87th package. Canada, The Netherlands, Turkey, Aus- (and 74th single-seater) aircraft was de- • The M-346 programme for the devel- tralia, Denmark and Norway. With the livered in April 2017 as the 500th series- opment and acquisition of an advanced objective to replace all older-generation produced TYPHOON. The Italian industry, integrated training system and comprising combat aircraft (AMXs, Tornados and AV- including Elettronica and Avio, takes ad- an extended GBTS for the advanced train- 8Bs) in service with the Italian Air Force vantage of a strong participation in the ing of pilots to fly on fourth (F-2000) and and Navy the programme calls for 90 F- programme. fifth (F-35) generation combat aircraft is well advanced and includes the acquisition of 18 aircraft. Leonardo’s M-346-based in- tegrated training system has already been selected and is operating with the most de- manding customers, such as the Israeli and the Republic of air forces. The M-346 is also at the centre of an evolution Picture: Thales Alenia Space roadmap towards a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which could offer advanced front- line capabilities. • The new reconnaissance and escort helicopter (Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazi- one e Scorta, NESS) programme for the Italian Army is to provide a replacement for the combat-proven Leonardo AH-129C/D MANGUSTA attack helicopter to be retired from 2025. The newly developed platform based on the latest additions to Leonar- do’s family of advanced helicopters will be equipped with sensors, a communication system and armament better suited for the evolving and future theatres of operation and threats. With a requirement for 48 heli- copters to be acquired in several batches, the current contract covers the study, de- velopment, industrialisation, production and testing of a prototype and three initial production helicopters.

Space Activities The COSMO-SkyMed satellite programme is carried out in cooperation In the space domain, the Italian MoD made with Italy’s national ASI space agency and the French MoD. significant investments in the past and con- tinues to invest substantial resources in co- 35s, thereof 60 in CTOL and 30 in STOVL • The M-345 programme for the devel- operation with national organisations and version; in the scope of the programme opment and acquisition of a new basic in the scope of international programmes. the Italian MoD will also establish a Final trainer and its ground based training sys- After the successful completion of two ma- Assembly and Check Out/Maintenance, tem (GBTS) to meet the requirements of jor programmes in satellite communication Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (FACO/ the new Italian Air Force integrated training (SICRAL 2 and ATHENA FIDUS, in coop- MRO&U) facility in Italy, managed by system together with the M-346 and initial eration with the French MoD and involving Lockheed Martin and Leonardo to build basic flight screener. The M-345 will pro- the two nations’ space agencies – ASI and and sustain Italian and foreign F-35s. Due gressively replace the 137 MB-339 aircraft CNES – for the latter) in the recent past, to military budget reductions, the pro- in service with around 45 aircraft including the Italian MoD is currently involved in the gramme is affected by procurement limi- 15 dedicated to the Frecce Tricolori national COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation dual- tations in the 2015-2020 period with an aerobatic team. The M-345 has been de- use earth-observation satellite constellation initial operational capability for the Italian signed and manufactured according to the programme. The satellites will have an SAR fleet today estimated for 2022. design-to-cost concept (for both unit cost (Synthetic Aperture radar) sensor, and the • The F-2000 or TYPHOON procurement and flight hour cost) which allows savings programme is carried out in cooperation programme for a fourth-generation com- throughout its entire life-cycle. Another with the national ASI space agency and – in bat aircraft, primarily in the air defence role innovative element is the certification ap- the long-term – with the French MoD with and specialising in both beyond visual and proach for the entire system, based on the the objective to exchange services between short-range air-to-air engagements but ca- European EMAR 2 directive, that SGD/DNA the HELIOS I and II (already operational) and pable to carry out diversified missions and Air Armaments and Airworthiness Direc- the future Composante Spatiale Optique

32 European Security & Defence · May 2017 COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY

ASTER 30 SAMP/T in firing preparation at Italy’s PISQ joint firing range facility on Sardinia

capability development, research & tech- nology, certification/airworthiness, pooling & sharing initiatives in addition to coop- eration in general. Within the capability development area, the national interests are mainly focused on the European MALE RPAS (Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) pro- gramme managed by the multinational OCCAR procurement agency (Organisa- tion Conjointe de Coopération en matière

Photo: MBDA d’ARmement).

(CSO), and the national COSMO SkyMed (1st and 2nd genera- tion) satellite constellations under the MUSIS programme. In the meantime, the Italian MoD has required an independent ‘optical’ capability, complementary to the joint objectives with the French MoD, and has launched the OPT- SAT3000 programme with Israel.

These new assets, in addition to Images courtesy of www.defencephotography.com providing an autonomous ISR ca- pability, will allow to share their capabilities with allied countries through international coopera- tion agreements.

C4ISTAR In the C4ISTAR sector, SGD/NAD is managing the European Secure SOftware defined Radio (ESSOR) programme, which aims at devel- oping the European Software De- fined Radio technology in order to improve the capabilities for co- operation in coalition operations. In addition to the European High Data Rate Waveform as the wire- less pillar to a net-centric battle- field, the six participating nations (France, Finland, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and industry (Thales, Bittium, Radmor, Leon- REGISTER TO ardo, Indra and Saab), generated ACCESS THE ATTEND TODAY 34,038 VISITORS (6% UP and validated the definition of COMPARED TO 2013) the European Software Defined GLOBAL MARKET FROM 108 COUNTRIES Radio Architecture in the first programme phase, while more is AT THE WORLD expected for the second phase. 76% LEADING DEFENCE AIR OF ATTENDEES DECISION MAKERS OR Joint Programmes LAND As far as other joint programmes & SECURITY EVENT SPECIFIERS (DSEI 2015) with national or multinational N AVA L procurement organisations are To enquire and reserve your exhibition space contact: 1,683 concerned, the Italian MoD is EXHIBITORS T: +44 (0)20 7384 7770 E: [email protected] SECURITY active in all European Defence REPRESENTING THE Agency work strands including WWW.DSEI.CO.UK/ESD WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN JOINT

Supported by MayAward 2017 Winning · European SecurityOrganised by & Defence42 33 INTERNATIONAL PAVILIONS COUNTRY FOCUS: ITALY Photo: Leonardo

The M-345 trainer aircraft in the colours of Italy’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team

With the objective to develop a new gen- the SAMP/T modernisation programme, 10 TTH helicopters in naval configuration eration RPAS for ISTAR missions with capa- but also the joint participation of all three for the Italian Army and Navy, as well as bilities superior to current systems and able nations in the Mid-Life Update and exten- the Leonardo-developed VULCANO long- to operate in air spaces without limitations, sion programme for the existing Aster 15 range guided and unguided munition, the programme launched by France, Ger- and 30 munitions. which is being qualified in cooperation many, Spain and Italy and involving Airbus SGA/NAD is also involved in the METEOR with the German MoD and industry. Defence and Space, Dassault Aviation and next generation, Beyond Visual Range Leonardo, has currently received funding Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) system in co- Perspectives for the definition phase to be concluded operation with France, Germany, Spain, with a preliminary design review (PDR) Sweden and the UK. Initially developed for With the participation in these bi-national or multinational cooperation programmes and based on the assumption that the budget can be provided, Italy manifests its will to support EU Smart Defence initiatives as well as the Alliance’s common, cooperative and Photo: Italian Navy comprehensive approach to develop com- mon defence advanced capabilities. SGD/ NAD not only sustains the national industry at an international level but also supports the consolidation of the European defence industry through transnational cooperation in the development of products which a competitive edge on the worldwide market. In the process of the Defence Strategic Re- view, the stagnation of financial resources represents an impediment to the renova- tion and rationalisation of the ‘Military Instrument’. However, according to both military representatives and analysts, the real challenge for the procurement and research sector is to maintain financial sup- port, although minimal but essential and The Italian Navy’s future PPA patrol vessel in full combat configuration guaranteed over time, to ensure a conti- nuity in the modernisation and renovation presentation in October 2018. The subse- Europe’s new generation of combat aircraft of the military in line with the standards quent phases are open for other countries including the Saab GRIPEN, Eurofighter desired by NATO and EU. This is the chal- to join the programme. TYPHOON and Dassault Aviation RAFALE, lenge which the new White Paper 2015 In the missile domain, the FSAF-PAAMS METEOR is also being integrated with the with the indicated multi-years investment multinational programme within France, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. law extended to a six-years-period and the the UK and Italy, has passed a milestone in Among other international programmes, associated new 15-years long-term pro- December 2016 with both the entry of Italy the Italian MoD is participating in the grammatic plan wants to address, ensuring into the development of the Aster 30 Block NHIndustries NH90 programme with the stability and continuity in defence moderni- 1NT (New Technology) ammunition and procurement of 60 TTH and 46 NFH and sation. L

34 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMED FORCES  NATO and Cyber Defence: The Turning Point of 2016

Jamie Shea

Last year, 2016, was very much a year of decisions for NATO in the field of cyber defence. In many ways, 2016 was also a watershed year, when cyber defence was no longer purely a question of protecting networks against a growing and more sophisticated spectrum of cyber attacks but instead became an issue of the integrity of democratic institutions in NATO countries.

he abuse of cyber space became a sea and space), NATO’s defence ministers' can unfold, leading to the requirement for Tmeans not just to acquire or manipu- meeting last February approved a road- much better and earlier situational aware- late data, or interfere with the running of map outlining the steps that need to be ness and responsive decision-taking. Op- a network but to influence political out- taken so that the Alliance can fully imple- erating “at the speed of relevance” has comes and even exert outright political ment the domain concept by 2019. This become the new buzz phrase. coercion and intimidation. roadmap provides for a closer relationship Moving towards the Cyber Domain As NATO moves towards cyber as a (Photo: NATO) domain, it needs to practice better for these scenarios in its Crisis Management exercises and also in its Trident series of military exercises, so that we can cope effectively with this new reality. This also means a better coordination of effort across the NATO Command structure. Already SACEUR has set up a Cyber Divi- sion at Allied Command Operations, in order to better identify requirements and ensure that NATO’s capability packages to common fund its acquisitions reflect the cyber dimension. In this respect, NATO will need to meet the challenge of speeding up its upgrades At present, the United States has more “IT-soldiers” than marines, an to its information technology and to the increasingly common situation for most armed forces in NATO countries. NATO Cyber Incident Response Capability, which is responsible for the daily defence It was against this background that NATO between the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO’s networks. We must move from had to raise its game in cyber defence. Europe and his Allied Command Opera- a culture where capabilities are acquired The first response was to declare, at the tions and the NATO Communications and in big chunks or platforms and at inter- Alliance’s Summit in Warsaw in July 2016, Information Agency in The Hague, which vals of every ten or fifteen years to one that NATO now considers cyber space as is responsible for the daily protection and in which information technology can be an operational domain. This means in es- monitoring of NATO’s networks in peace- constantly upgraded in an evolutionary sence that NATO has decided to shift the time and for the security and acquisition way and with smaller amounts of invest- focus from information assurance to mis- of NATO’s information technology. ment but on a more frequent basis. sion assurance. In order to adjust to this NATO is also updating its operational Finally, another issue associated with new reality, in which cyber is not only a plans to better incorporate and prioritise making cyber an operational domain is new fifth domain of warfare in its own cyber defence and to have a clearer sense that NATO will need to learn more from right but is also impacting on the four of cyber defence requirements during its Allies who have already moved in this traditional domains of warfare (air, land, operations. For instance, which cyber ef- direction, such as the US, the UK, France fects would need to be generated at an and the Netherlands, how their models Author early stage and how can the cyber aspect are working and how they are using cyber Dr. Jamie Shea is the Deputy Assistant be better reflected in graduated response effects as part of their military operations. Secretary General, Emerging Security plans and crisis response measures, which This is all the more important as NATO will Challenges, NATO. the NATO Council would authorise SA- not develop offensive cyber capabilities CEUR to implement? Clearly, cyber space and would therefore need to be able to has accelerated the speed at which crises rely upon national capabilities (subject to

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 35  ARMED FORCES

structure but also national cyber defence teams. The annual Cyber Coalition exercise now attracts over four hundred participants and

(Photo: US Air Force) the Locked Shields exercise is recognised as one of the most demanding and intensive Red Team-Blue Team exercises. has taken the lead in the Alliance on training and education and will soon ac- quire the NATO Communications and Infor- mation School, which is being transferred from Latina in Italy to Oeiras in Portugal. Belgium has successfully led a group that has developed a malware information- sharing platform, which has not only been implemented among Allies but also be- tween NATO and the European Union. A variant of this is also being used to facili- tate the exchange of information between NATO and industry and with the possibility of more open and more confidential plat- forms according to the level of certified ac- cess and the sensitivity of the information being shared. A third cyber defence project focuses on situational awareness and incident coordi- Some systems need to be absolutely reliable under all circumstances. nation, including an operations and main- tenance contract. The system has been suc- political approval by NATO overall) in in- more ambitious targets and ones more cessfully implemented by the Netherlands stances where NATO military command- adapted to the needs of individual states and Romania. ers believe that a cyber effect rather than in the future. All in all, 21 allies and four partners partici- the use of a conventional weapon is the pate in Smart Defence projects. best way of producing a desired military Smart Defence Projects outcome. Partnership With Industry Beyond these two flagship initiatives of the NATO’s Cyber Defence Pledge Warsaw Summit, a good portion of NATO’s Finally, if NATO is to raise its game, we need effort to step up its game in cyber defence to have even stronger partnerships. The second major initiative of NATO’s is to enhance its ability as a platform to as- NATO has reached out first and foremost to Warsaw Summit was to adopt a Cyber sist the Allies across a whole spectrum of industry and formed a NATO Cyber Industry Defence Pledge. The Pledge commits Al- cyber defence needs. For instance, a new Partnership. Thus far, the NATO Communi- lies to spend at least a portion of this extra Memorandum of Understanding has been cations and Information Agency (NCIA) has investment on improving national cyber offered to Allies to improve intelligence- concluded nine individual industry arrange- defences, even if there is no specified sharing, incident coordination and lessons ments to share threat intelligence and early minimum amount. Allies have performed learned from cyber attacks between NATO warning indicators. An improved series of self-assessments of their cyber defence HQ and individual Allies. Already 19 of the NATO industry workshops, such as the an- hygiene by reporting on seven capabil- 28 member states have signed this new nual NATO Information Assurance Sympo- ity areas – from strategy, organisation, MoU. sium in Mons and a series of threat vector processes and procedures, threat intel- NATO has set up a new Intelligence Divi- workshops, are bringing industry and NA- ligence, partnerships to capabilities and sion with a strong cyber threat intelligence TO together to discuss innovation, improv- investments. function, which should incentivise Allies to ing procurement and acquisition and threat They have been asked to benchmark provide more early warning and advance intelligence. This earlier engagement with these assessments according to four lev- notice of cyber attacks or malware and industry is designed to help NATO better els – from advanced to basic. The national not only lessons learned and post-inci- understand which products are out there responses will allow the NATO staff to de- dent information. Enhanced intelligence- on the market, which NATO could better velop more precise and relevant metrics, sharing among Allies will not only help to exploit and help industry to see where NA- as well as to form a more reliable com- parry cyber attacks or to limit the dam- TO’s procurement is likely to be heading in mon baseline of overall NATO capabili- age but also to build over time a much the future. It can also improve supply chain ties. In turn, this greater transparency will more detailed and comprehensive picture management and stimulate diversity on the help the NATO staff to identify gaps and of hacker groups, proxies, methodologies supply side. prioritise requirements. On this basis, the and attribution. One of NATO’s most use- An information exchange has been set up NATO Defence Planning process, which ful contributions to its member states is in at the NCIA and this has been conducting has already incorporated a set of basic the organisation of training and exercises pilot projects to see how we can better link cyber capability targets for each NATO to improve the skill set not only of op- up with academic research and small- and member state, will be able to suggest erators in NCIRC and the NATO command medium-sized companies that are often at

36 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMED FORCES 

the forefront of innovation but which have year and the recent Action Plan to im- has shown, still a good deal of uncertainty often been reluctant to engage NATO di- plement the NATO EU Joint Declaration as to when a cyber attack, which does not rectly or uncertain where to plug into the agreed by NATO and the EU last Decem- necessarily kill people or destroy anything NATO bureaucracy. ber provides for more NATO EU interac- physical, can really be considered as an act tion; for instance in sharing information of aggression and elicit an appropriate re- Formal Partnerships within on operational planning for cyber defence sponse. the Alliance during military missions, harmonising train- Whereas we have a good idea how to de- ing requirements, cooperating more on ter a nuclear attack or a conventional at- NATO is also building stronger relationships research and development and standards tack, or to deal with crises in the traditional with other countries who have concluded between the European Defence Agency domains, or what kind of arms control or a formal partnership arrangement with the and NATO’s Allied Command Transfor- confidence-building arrangements can be Alliance. mation, and more mutual participation in useful to keep things peaceful, we still do A technical arrangement on cyber de- each other’s training and exercises, such as not have a good idea how we can deter or fence was recently agreed with Finland. NATO’s CMX and Cyber Coalition and the respond to major cyber attacks, even when A trust fund for the provision of cyber EU’s Cyber Europe. they are clearly designed to undermine our defence equipment and analytical and governments or our political processes. forensic capabilities is in operation with Conclusion Accordingly, the cyber domain will require Ukraine. Moreover, NATO has been help- NATO, as with most other organisations, ing countries such as Jordan, Moldova In conclusion, cyber is different from the to work increasingly top down on antici- and Georgia with cyber defence organi- other domains of conflict. The pace of in- pating the strategic trends and adjusting sation at the national level and doctrine novation is much faster. Resources need policy and doctrine more quickly, while and training. Partners are increasingly to be spread over a far greater number of working bottom up at improving basic joining the Cooperative Cyber Defence functions and applied much more selec- cyber hygiene to lower its attack surface Centre of Excellence in Tallinn or sending tively than in a conventional capability pro- and reduce the scope for own goals due to staff or observers there. gramme if a cyber construct is to operate basic human error or a shortage of trained In Brussels, NATO and the European Un- successfully. personnel. ion are now coming much closer together Many more actors can be players with a We need to learn better to do two things in the cyber defence field. A technical ar- minimum need for major investments or simultaneously – learning to transform the rangement on the sharing of non-classified large organisations to gain entry level. plane while we are flying it more skilfully – information between NCIRC and the EU There is the problem of attribution and as if we are to keep pace, let alone ultimately CERT has been in operation for over one the recent hacking during the US elections master the evolving cyber threat. L

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A The Brussels Backdrop

The NATO Secretary General’s

Annual Report 2016 Joris Verbeurgt

On 13 March, Secretary General Stoltenberg presented the NATO allies committed themselves to maximise their defensive capabilities. Annual Report 2016. It focuses on NATO’s ability to engage si- Rapid reaction teams now defend NATO’s networks 24/7.The cover- multaneously in collective defence (Russia) and in crisis manage- age of defensive systems against short- and medium range missiles ment around the globe (Islamic terrorism). Progress was made on was significantly increased by the AEGIS missile defence site in Ro- mania that is now operational 24/7. NATO members also agreed to bolster resilience and civil preparedness at home. This will be one of the key areas in which NATO, the EU and other partners (like Sweden and Finland) will cooperate. NATO also continues to play its role in Photos: NATO enhancing security by promoting arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and CBRN threats. NATO’s expertise in small arms and mine action (acquired and maintained in so-called “Centers of Excellence”) is highly valued by partners like the EU and the UN. Finally, NATO is paying special attention to the issue of energy security and its relations with Russia.

Projecting Stability

In order to provide safety and security, it is also necessary to pro- ject stability in the neighbourhood. NATO is already involved in the training of local forces to counter terrorism and insurgencies in Af- Jens Stoltenberg has been Secretary General of NATO ghanistan, the Middle East and North Africa. The Mediterranean since 1 October 2014. Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperative Initiative are platforms where cooperation between NATO and regional partners takes shape. In last years’ summit in Warsaw where the allies agreed on a great the years ahead, the Alliance will focus increasingly on training pro- number of issues. But the long-standing challenge of fair burden grammes and local capacity building. In the fight against terrorism, sharing will probably dominate the agenda in 2017. especially against ISIL, NATO provides surveillance and situational awareness through AWACS and supports countries like Jordan, Iraq Deterrence, Defence and Dialogue and Afghanistan with in-country training and capability building. In Afghanistan, NATO’s efforts are now focused on providing training, The Warsaw Summit in July 2016 proved to be a landmark in the pro- advice and assistance and on funding the Afghan security forces. cess of adapting NATO to the new security situation that emerged Operational effectiveness and air support capabilities of the Afghan after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. NATO’s Forward Presence armed forces are increasing, but combat losses remain quite high forms an integral part of its deterrence and defence strategy: the and further support from NATO remains necessary. size of the NATO Response Force was tripled to 40,000 and a Very At sea, Operation Sea Guardian provides situational awareness, High Readiness Joint of 5,000 was established. Eight small freedom of navigation and maritime interdiction. The operation headquarters were created in Eastern Europe while the deployment also contributes to the counter-proliferation of WMD, the protec- of four multinational battle groups in the region (on a rotational tion of critical infrastructure and countering terrorism at sea. Sea basis) is underway. Readiness implies training, and in 2016 NATO Guardian is also of great importance for the EU since it helps fight- countries conducted 246 military exercises in total. Assurance meas- ing illegal immigration and human trafficking in the Aegean Sea. ures, like the continued air policing operations, the use of AWACS The fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia was successfully and increased maritime patrolling in the Mediterranean, the Baltic brought to an end in the course of 2016. But NATO remains ready and the Black Sea help to deter Russia from undertaking hostile to act swiftly when necessary. actions against a NATO ally. However, the political dialogue with In Kosovo, still 4,500 NATO troops are committed to guarantee Russia was maintained. Talks involved the Ukraine, Afghanistan and a safe and secure environment and the development of a demo- transparency and risk reduction. With regard to cyber security, the cratic and stable country. NATO is building peace by supporting

38 European Security & Defence · May 2017 the Kosovo Security Force. NATO’s role in Kosovo is to respond to pacity Building Initiative that were launched at the Wales Summit crises but in the whole of 2016, NATO did not need to intervene in 2014. In 2016, five partners (Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan even once. Under the auspices of the EU, a normalisation of the and Sweden) were entitled to enhanced cooperation, including participation in exercises and consultation in security matters. The evolving security environment requires NATO to adapt to new threats and to identi- fy and evaluate the necessary capabilities to do so. More forces at higher readiness and delivering heavier and more high-end forces and capabilities are an important step to- wards that goal. The annual Crisis Manage- ment Exercise of 2016 helped to improve quicker decision-making in the NATO crisis management process, including responding to hybrid warfare. In 2016, significant pro- gress was made in the fields of integrated air and missile defence, air command and con- trol systems and aviation. The continuing implementation of the NATO airworthiness policy and projects as the European Single Sky initiative will affect NATO’s missions and capabilities. The development of a new US UH 60 BLACKHAWK during a Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) training: policy regarding unmanned aircraft systems In Kosovo, still 4,500 NATO troops are committed to support wider inter- and the modernisation and extension in ser- national efforts to build peace and stability in the area. vice until 2035 of the crucial AWACS fleet will strengthen the Alliance’s awareness and situation in Kosovo and in the Balkans in general is taking place. capacity for strategic anticipation. Important steps were also taken NATO supports efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation while with regard to Alliance Ground Surveillance and to Joint Intel- monitoring the threat of growing extremism and the return of ligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance programmes. foreign fighters. NATO is committed to protect civilians in general and women and children in particular. In 2016, serious efforts were Investing in Security and Burden Sharing made to draw up plans to protect these specific groups. NATO wants to present itself not merely as a military alliance, but also as The election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United a community of shared values, such as individual liberty, human States has a great impact on the stance of the United States re- rights, democracy and the rule of law. Within NATO, the role of garding fair burden sharing among allies. Statistics show that in women was promoted. 2016, the United States, accounting for 46% of the Allies’ com- bined GDP, is responsible for 68% of the combined defence ex- Partnerships and Improving Capabilities penditures. The Annual Report acknowledges that this dispropor- tion has now become a political problem of the highest order: “At Political dialogue is fundamental to NATO’s overall strategy: in the the Warsaw Summit, allies restated their commitment to spend Euro-Atlantic region, NATO is constantly seeking partnerships with 2% of GDP on defence within a decade – and in 2016, we took local actors. Last year, the Secretary General met with counter- a step in the right direction. Defence spending by European allies parts from 17 partner nations while the Deputy Secretary General and Canada increased by 3.8%, or around US$10Bn. 23 allies met with counterparts from eleven partner nations. These nations increased spending in real terms in 2016. At the same time, ten range from Finland to Qatar and from Morocco to Japan. Sweden, allies met the NATO-agreed guideline of spending 20% or more Serbia, Ukraine and Mongolia were also among the nations NATO of their defence expenditure on major equipment, up from eight wishes to develop more intimate relations with. Within the frame- in 2015. But we still do not have fair burden sharing within our work of NATO’s Open Door Policy, talks were held with Montene- Alliance. Only five allies met the 2% guideline in 2016. So in 2017, gro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and the (former Yugoslav) we must redouble our efforts to sustain the positive momentum Republic of Macedonia to prepare these countries for future NATO and speed up national efforts to keep our pledge.” Allies should membership. Cooperation programmes are implemented as the accept the need for a better balance. On 25 May, President Trump aspiring nations carry out the necessary reforms to be able to be- will come to Brussels for a meeting with his NATO counterparts. come full members. In this area NATO can build on the Partnership Fair burden sharing and NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism Interoperability Initiative and the Defence and Related Security Ca- are high on the agenda.

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 39  ARMED FORCES Joint and Allied

Jörg Vollmer

In 2014 we had to recognise that our short-term hope for a more stable world had not materialised. At the Summit in Wales in 2014, at the latest, this presented a great challenge to NATO and its partners. On that occasion, it became clear for the very first time that the strategic concept that had been agreed upon in 2010 and still holds true today will only have its full effect if all three pillars – Alliance defence, crisis management and cooperation – are supported in such a way that even parallel crises might be countered appropriately. At that time, NATO demonstrated its strength as an alliance by deciding upon a comprehensive package of measures without reducing its commitment to missions.

his had a significant impact on the Croatia, France and the Czech Republic have TGerman Army, particularly against the already signed on as partners. Belgium and backdrop of the augmentation of the Mul- Luxembourg, who are funding parts of the tinational Corps Northeast, the reassurance infrastructure, regularly support the forma- measures in Poland and the Baltic States tion with additional capabilities. This is done and the Very High Readiness Joint Task with robust forces, on a sustainable basis Force (VJTF) as of 2015. Thus, together with and in close cooperation with the other NA- Poland and Denmark, we very rapidly and TO partners involved, as well as in close co- successfully managed to upgrade the certi- ordination with our Lithuanian hosts. A rein- fication of the Corps HQ in Szczecin to High forcement concept, coordinated at national Readiness Headquarters. At the same time, level, offers us the opportunity to provide the German Army already made a visible the formation with additional capabilities for contribution in 2015 by providing approx. exercises or in case of unfolding crises. 4,700 servicemen and -women for project For the German Army, multinationality is Persistent Presence, which continued into crucial, because establishing solid partner- 2016. Together with the other NATO part- ships increases reliability and reduces in- ners in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, teroperability issues. The cooperation with we took a stand and firmly demonstrated France and the Netherlands has been grow- our responsiveness. command but – and this is the explicit wish ing over many years and even includes cross The measures agreed upon in Wales in 2014 of NATO too – always with other partners attachments of units and formations also were confirmed last year in Warsaw, and the involved. The degree of multinationality var- outside of missions. The cooperation with Persistent Presence concept was further de- ies depending on the framework nation. the Netherlands and Norway for eFP, by the veloped and evolved into enhanced Forward We will always have a Dutch combat com- way, will have positive effects on the joint Presence (eFP). Germany as framework na- pany with us plus up to two more combat task of VJTF(L) 2019 and beyond. As far as tion agreed to assume responsibility for one companies on an alternating basis. Norway, VJTF(L) 2023 is concerned, the framework of the four multinational battle groups that are to be deployed to the Baltic States and Poland on a rotational basis. Great Britain assumed responsibility for Estonia, Canada for Latvia, Germany for Lithuania and the

USA for Poland. Thus, for the first time after (Photos: Bundeswehr) the end of the Cold War era, German forces stand at a border on NATO territory again, side by side with allied armed forces, and send a signal of solidarity. Among the four nations that have taken on responsibilities there are two European nations and the two transatlantic Allies. In my opinion, especially the latter sends out a strong signal! Each of these battalions is under national Author Lieutenant General Jörg Vollmer, Chief of Staff, German Army. MARDER armoured infantry vehicles arriving at Šeštokai railway station in Lithuania on 24 Februrary 2017 as part of enhanced Forward Presence (eFP).

40 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMED FORCES 

nation group of DEU-NLD-NOR will be the first to implement the rotation model for the provision of the VJTF brigade, as favoured by DSACEUR. We deliberately deployed all our forces as early as January 2017 and are now preparing the ground in RUKLA together with Lithu- ania for the first operational battle group starting in summer this year. The follow-up formations are already being trained in Ger- many in conjunction with our multinational partners and will then replace the eFP for- mation in position. Each formation of the German Army will Lieutenant General Jörg Vollmer (l.) and Brigadier General Valdemaras deploy with its own materiel. This will help Rupšys signing a joint declaration on their cooperation on 1 February us to enhance our capability profile in the ar- 2017 as part of the enhanced Forward Presence mission in Lithuania eas of strategic deployment, interoperability and logistics and to reactivate capabilities Twice already, German formations have vein, it applies to the use of the BOXER that have not been practised for a long time. been on site for several months as part of MRAV as well. Regular rotation will contribute to a lasting Persistent Presence, practising together After the United States, Germany is one improvement of knowledge and experience with Lithuanian units. The German com- of the largest troop providers in the Baltic in the Army. We have already determined mitment in Lithuania as part of the Transat- States and in Poland. Right from the start, the responsibilities within the Army until the lantic Capability Enhancement and Training we provided reliable, rapid and comprehen- end of 2018 and named the follow-up for- (TACET) Initiative is a perfect addition to the sive contributions to the implementation of mations so as to guarantee a smooth rota- overall eFP concept. TACET, a German-US the decisions made in Wales and Warsaw. tion. This will also give us the chance to get initiative, is the joint effort of 13 allies aimed The German Army as the core component in contact with our partners at an early stage at increasing the capabilities of Poland and of the land forces bears the brunt of Bun- and to establish a trusting relationship. the three Baltic States. This also includes deswehr operations and standby commit- The commitment of the German Army support for the Lithuanian armed forces in ments, and thus guarantees the ongoing in Lithuania carries on a cooperation that fielding the PANZERHAUBITZE 2000 self- and professional accomplishment of this has been growing over the past few years. propelled howitzer. And, in much the same mission. L Bild: PSM/KMW/RLS

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Jaime Karremann Promises and Actions

s this issue goes to print it is not yet known what the composi- Christian party found out that when the budget is increased at Ation of the new Dutch government will be, but it seems certain the rate proposed by the VVD, the Netherlands will reach the 2% that, for the first time in decades, more money will be allocated target in 2075. to the Dutch Armed Forces at the start of operations by the new The VVD was no exception, other mainstream parties planned to cabinet. increase the budget between 0.5 and 2 billion . Extra money is desperately needed. A lot of materiel is becoming On 16 March 2017 the VVD lost eight seats but remained the larg- obsolete and increasingly requires maintenance. There is a short- est party. VNL did not get enough votes for even one seat in the age of ammunition and, for example, the radars of naval ships are Parliament’s lower house. cannibalised during maintenance with the sensors removed and A new cabinet is not expected to start soon, because apart from installed on vessels which are ready for duty. the VVD at least three parties are needed in a coalition to gain a Will the problems be solved with the anticipated budget increase? majority in Parliament. The most probable coalition at this time is Probably not. One billion euros on top of the current defence budg- composed of VVD, CDA (centre-right), D66 (centre) and Groen- et is needed to cover the logistic shortages, to improve the readi- Links (centre-left). Especially the differences between the VVD and ness and to prevent new reorganisations. That is a lot of money by GroenLinks are significant. GroenLinks, as the result of a merger of Dutch standards. Even more is needed to replace obsolete naval two Christian parties and a pacifist and a communist party, did not vessels and army vehicles. Increasing the number of personnel, consider any additional budget for the armed forces. D66 plans to frigates and procurement of the F-35 will require a lot more money. spend 0.5 billion extra and the CDA more than two billion. In recent years the Dutch Armed Forces have faced many budget Against this background it is not expected that more than one bil- cuts with investments frequently postponed. While extra money lion euros will be added to the defence budget. That means there for defence was actually being allocated in neighbouring countries, will be money to solve the biggest problems in the short term, but billions of euros were promised during the election campaigns in there will be no budget to replace materiel and expand the e.g. The Netherlands. Royal Netherlands Navy with currently only six frigates, or the Air One of the most remarkable newcomers was VNL, a conservative Force with 37 F-35s on order. Despite the current situation in and party, which postulated a large defence budget. VNL even prom- around Europe, the commitments made in Wales to cover the 2% ised an aircraft carrier, the first since 1968. For the next four years objective, the national budget surplus of 3 billion in 2016 and the VNL earmarked investments in the height of five billion euros. That current economic growth in The Netherlands. would be a significant increase to the budget which is currently at When new investments are to be postponed again, the future of €8.7Bn (1.17% of the GNP). To meet the NATO commitment of the Dutch defence industry is at stake, too. The Dutch branch of 2% in 2024, an increase of five billion euros is not that surprising Thales said in 2016 that new orders from the Government were considering that even then still one billion is missing. much needed. In February shipbuilder Damen announced a force At some point it seemed that more parties were planning to al- reduction of 150 jobs in The Netherlands and announced an even locate increased defence budgets. For example Prime Minister larger reduction for their foreign yards last April. Damen’s CEO Mark Rutte and Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert René Berkvens said in the Dutch financial newspaper Financieel (both members of the VVD conservative party) said they were Dagblad that he hoped that the Dutch Government would speed committed to spending 2% on defence. But as the elections drew up the order of new submarines. closer and the programmes were made public, the promised Although the Dutch politicians know what the Armed Forces’ budgets were shrinking. The VVD, a pro-defence party, con- problems are, it seems that in recent years promises have been sidered not more than one billion euros. Researchers of a small changed, rather than actions....

42 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMED FORCES  Slovak Air Force – Heritage as a Challenge

Georg Mader

Slovakia represents an excellent example of a central/east European state waking up to harsh new realities, in an increasingly unstable or even hostile environment. A new NATO member since 2004, it borders the unstable Ukraine and is much closer to the “zone of influence” drawn by Vladimir Putin’s Russia than to the Alliance’s decision makers in Belgium.

espite repeated nationalist “hic- sharing by European members of NATO, History is Back? Dcoughs” by Slovak politicians, a 2016 Slovakia – in company with much larger Slovakian White Paper on Defence, while members – might be one of the allies Not only for Slovakia, but perfectly illus- nothing novel in terms of long-term plan- who according to President Trump con- trative for all Eastern Europe, the new Slo- vak White Paper reveals that history has returned to Central and Eastern Europe, and traditional military threats once again define regional security. It therefore pro- vides a point of departure from its 2013

Photo: Georg Mader predecessor in the recognition of more traditional threats and an added sense of urgency to respond to – with Donbass and rewritten borders actively affecting an adjacent country – a rapidly changing security environment. Consequently both territorial defence and the possibility of a direct attack on Slovak territory are rec- ognised once again as a reality – a major shift in the threat perception of a country whose armed forces have been deployed since 2004 on out-of-area operations as part of the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo, the UN Disengagement Observer Force peace-keeping mission on the Go- lan Heights, and mine clearance in Iraq. Twelve MiG-29AS are currently in service with the Slovak Air Force. Replacing Soviet-Built ning, again highlights collective defence stantly “benefitted”. With most land- Systems: a Lengthy Process in the Alliance while recognising more locked countries a modern Air Force traditional threats. Subsequently it pro- is the most expensive component of Nearly 30 years after the fall of the Iron vides a new sense of urgency to both defence spending, and a look into the Curtain, Soviet military equipment is increasing national defence spending and official figures gives some idea of the visible still today. In the current and in to making the armed forces capable of scale of Slovakia’s problem. Bratislava’s previous White Papers, Slovakian mate- fighting twenty-first-century warfare. For defence spending was slashed in the riel modernisation was seen as the top the small Slovak Air Force, these goals wake of the financial crisis and only sta- priority, especially getting rid of obsolete may read encouragingly, but progress is bilised at 1% of GDP in 2013. In 2015 it Soviet-built systems taken over after the painfully slow. increased to 1.1% and again in 2016 to peaceful 1993 separation from the Czech In the view of a new US administra- 1.16% or €936M. Despite the positive Republic. And in Slovakia many of those tion that has been vocal about burden- trend, this is still below the pre-2009 systems live much longer lives than in €972M level and a far cry from the 1.6% other Eastern European, former Warsaw Author Slovakia originally committed to spend Pact states – with crucial consequences, by 2020. How much that is in reality is il- Georg Mader is a defence corre- like the 2006 crash of a 48-year-old Slo- lustrated by comparison with non-NATO spondent and freelance aerospace vak AF An-24 transport plane, in which neighbour and traditional non-spender, journalist based in Vienna, Austria, 42 servicemen were killed on their return Austria, where for next year slightly over and a regular contributor to ESD. from Kosovo. Now the new White Paper €2Bn is allocated, which is about 0.75% again calls for the replacement of combat- of the country’s GDP. and support systems and modernisation

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 43  ARMED FORCES

as a priority. Article 3 of the NATO Treaty calls on member states to maintain sover- eign defence capabilities, and therefore Slovakia also is obliged to keep its armed forces capable of defending its own ter- ritory. As a result, the current MOD lead- ership drafted a Long-Term SVK Armed Photo: Wikimedia Commons Forces Building and Development Plan, which had been missing for years. Em- bedded is a two-stage modernisation roadmap, with Phase I running from 2016 to 2020 and Phase II from 2021 to 2030. Under this plan the Slovak AF (Veliteľstvo Vzdušnýchsíl OS SR), radars, early-warn- ing systems and training infrastructure will all be upgraded; new helicopters and transport aircraft will be introduced (in single digit numbers); and replacement of the S-300PMU and 2K12 KUBGBAD systems is also planned. However – again – no decision is made regarding the re- placement of the remaining, ageing MiG- 29 fighter-jets. Saab GRIPENs are already in service in the Czech Republic.

Back and Forth: GRIPEN Lease out. Carried out at Trenčín, in cooperation ern and more economical fighters. But so versus MiG Toolbox with OEM RAC-MiG, but with a number far only the service contracts have been of components from Western suppliers, extended, which ensures that some of The Slovakian pendulum on how the fu- the fighters were equipped with modern the MiGs remain operational for national ture of the spearhead of active peacetime NAVAIDs and NATO-compatible commu- QRA. But – as MoD spokeswoman Dan- airspace-surveillance/policing of a NATO nication systems. Avionics were changed iela Capáková confirms – “Protection of state embedded in the NATINEADS (NATO to the Anglo-Saxon metric system and the airspace is thus ensured until the end Integrated Extended Air Defence System) the 12 modernised aircraft were officially of 2019.” Given well known timeframes would be covered, meanwhile, has been taken into service in 2008. They are now in fighter procurement, it is clear that in swinging for almost a decade. Between called MiG-29AS and –UBS and are oper- the mentioned timeframe no new (build) 2005 and 2006, a first modernisation – or ating from the centrally-situated airbase fighters will be on the tarmac at Sliač. better “westernisation” – was carried out at Sliač. This is just a little south from the Maybe the stationing of allied aircraft on 12 of the MiG-29A/-UBs taken against Air Force Command at Zvolen, where Ma- – like the interim solution of F-16s and Soviet debts in 1994 and 1995. Former jor General Miroslav Korba has been in F-15s in Romania or Bulgaria – could fol- Czech AF FULCRUMs – shared equally af- command since September 2012. low. Nevertheless, the most logical solu- ter separation while all other airframes He and various defence ministers have tion was already very clear, but has again with the exception of MiG-23s were al- since announced the necessary steps to “faded away”. located 2:1 – were subsequently phased replace the MiGs with new, more mod- Saab GRIPENs are already in service in two countries adjacent to Slovakia – Hungary and the Czech Republic. Both are leased solutions and – according to MajGen Korba to the author last year in Sweden – the same was apparently concluded for the Slovak selection. Saab has opened an office in Bratislava and only this year Photo: Wikimedia Commons again confirmed to the author they could deliver new-build GRIPEN C/Ds within 18 months, also on a lease. In detail, Slovakia would have seen Stockholm leasing six JAS 39Cs and two JAS 39Ds for about U$340M for a total of 1,200 flight hours per year until 2029. However, since the elections in March 2016 saw a change of Government, including the Slovak Na- tional Party, Prime Minister Robert Fico was re-elected for a second consecutive term and has praised the capabilities of MiG-29s. In June 2016 his government Slovakia ordered two C-27J SPARTAN aircraft in 2008; the first will be rejected an offer from the Swedish Gov- delivered in 2017. ernment on the lease-agreement for the

44 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMED FORCES 

GRIPENs. Consequently, the ambitious letka) in Prešov in the course of 2017. This Slovakia‘s northern neighbour and NATO plan for a joint Czech-Slovak supersonic is also becoming rather urgent: while the ally, Poland, will be at hand in May 2017, squadron faded away. former Czechoslovakian Mi-24D/V (HIND) when pilots from Sliač Airbase and person- Nevertheless, in December 2016 delega- assault/gunships have been phased out, nel of the SAM Brigade at Nitra will again tions from Slovakia and the Czech Repub- the Mi-17 (HIP) are also showing increas- practise live firing at the Ustka/Malbork lic approved a “Joint Sky” agreement. The ing risks. One crashed in 2015, killing one training area. Currently they are preparing Czech government has approved the ac- and wounding two other crewmen. Sub- for the tactical exercise BALT 2017, where cord, which still needs ratification by the sequently all nine remaining Mi-17s were they can do what is not possible in Slova- parliaments of both countries. The deal temporarily grounded: the crashed Mi-17 kia. In practising attacking and destroy- means the two could help protect each was produced in 1985, but had a mid-life ing targets over the Baltic Sea, the live fire other’s air space beyond the standard air overhaul in 2011. exercise will see MiG-29 pilots from Sliač defence cooperation within NATO. The employed in their role in Phase 1 of the crews of the 14 Czech GRIPENs have ac- Remaining Up-to-Date with exercise, dubbed “Ex Missile I”. In Phase 2 quired skills and experience in several the Help of NATO Partners – codenamed “Ex Missile II” – Nitra-based NATO deployments – so the weak point 2K12 KUB GBAD assets will be included. of the agreement lies in the future of the The Slovak AF is an established partner For them, live firing is the most important Slovak part. If Slovakia were to choose the of NATO squadrons – to mutual benefit. form of training, thanks to which they can same type, the two countries – with Hun- In September 2016, three HAWK TMK1 improve their skills and readiness and test gary – could also share maintenance and jets from the RAF’s 100th Squadron at the coordination of their units and small pilot training. While Hungary is another Leeming were in Sliač and the RAF pi- modifications to their systems. issue, in early January 2017 Defence Min- lots taught dissimilar air combat training On the other hand, Slovakia repeatedly ister Peter Gajdos said “The government (DACT) techniques to a Slovak MiG-29 was and remains a host nation to NATO extended our mandate to negotiate with instructor-pilot. Maj. Ján Kurtík flew in air forces, particularly its huge live fire and different suppliers to get the best price. It could take months to analyse the offers be- fore the government picks one.”

Silver Lining for Rotary- and Photo: Sikorsky Fixed-Wing Transport Apart from the fighters, there is undoubt- edly progress concerning the targeted replacement of Soviet-origin helicopters and transport aircraft. Motivated by the aforementioned high loss of life in the Antonov crash two years earlier, Slova- kia selected two C-27J SPARTAN aircraft via a tender in 2008. Originally planned for delivery in 2016, according to Daniela Capáková the first is now delayed until later in 2017, due to problems on the manufacturer’s part. The spokeswoman also explained in January 2017 that the MoD has postponed advance payments until new appendices to the contract are signed. During negotiations held in con- nection with this, the ministry managed to obtain a discount on the original price and a more favourable instalment sched- Slovakia is to acquire nine UH-60M BLACK HAWKs via the US ule. Originally each aircraft was to have Government’s FMS programme. cost some €34.5M. The second SPARTAN should now arrive in early 2018, while the one of the HAWKs to observe UK tactics bombing range Zahorié with the adjacent last Antonov twin was phased out in Feb- and techniques. The scenarios involved Malacky airbase, right across the western ruary 2016. 1 v. 1 and 2 v. 1. combat. On the final border with Austria. The author has ob- In the largest contract in the history of the day, Maj. Kurtík in his MiG-29 flew a 1 served French MIRAGE F.1s and USAF F- modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forc- vs 1 scenario against one of the HAWK 16s using the base and the range, and in es, carried out via the US Government’s instructors. 100th Squadron CO, Andy summer 2016, as part of NATO’s Eastern FMS programme and signed by the for- Wright said: “The idea of the exercise is reinforcement “Atlantic Resolve”, it was mer administration, Slovakia is to acquire that we train the trainers. We teach their the turn of A-10As from the 140th FW, nine UH-60M BLACK HAWKs for a total top level instructors, who will hopefully Colorado Air National Guard, to come to for €248M. The first two helicopters are then take on their experiences here and Malacky for exercise “Slovak Warthog”. at an advanced stage of production and develop their own air combat training. Zahnorié by the way is unique in Central should arrive at the 2nd Transport Heli- The Slovaks have done an excellent job Europe because of its deep, sandy ground, copter Squadron (2. Dopravná vrtuľníková of preparing themselves for the exercise.“ which is perfect for desert preparation. L

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 45  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Underwater Warfare Platforms NATO/US Play Catch Up as Russian Subsurface Activity Increases

Joshua T. Cohen

The acquisition of new attack submarines by several European sea services will not have an immediate impact on increased Russian naval underwater activity in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic. Senior NATO warn that subsurface activities are reaching levels not experienced since the Cold War.

n particular, an increase in Russian the Baltic, Mediterranean and Black to enter service sometime in 2018. Four Isubmarines operating off ’s Seas. Increased activity in proximity to additional hulls remain in varying stages northern coast, collecting intelligence undersea internet cabling has also raised of construction. According to a March 17 on the Royal Navy’s base at Faslane, rep- concerns; in the event of a limited con- TASS wire, the series fourth unit, K-571, was reported to be undergoing testing. A seventh unit is on order. Intended to replace an ageing Soviet-era nuclear-powered guided missile submarine force, in particular, the OSCAR class, the Photo: Russian Navy YASEN class brings considerable land at- tack capability, with eight vertical launch- ers, and eight 533 mm torpedo tubes. The hull has storage for up to 30 torpedoes. A combination of 24 SS-N-24 SUNBURN (3M54) and SS-N-15 (81R) STARFISH anti- ship missiles may be carried, in addition to combat proven SS-N-30 (3M14) KALIBR land attack missiles. In 2015, the Russian Navy operationally-val- idated SS-N-30, several striking targets in Syria. The missiles were launched from an Improved KILO class diesel-electric , B-237 ROSTOV-ON-DON, at the time situated in the Mediterranean Sea. New to the sea service, B-237 served op- erationally less than a year, prior to its first combat mission. While sources differ on YASEN class nuclear attack submarine K-560 SEVERODVINSK of the crew size, estimates range from 50 to 90. Russian Navy Hull dimensions are 436 x 37 x 27 metres. The class is powered by an OK-650V water- resents one such re-emergence. Prior to flict, infrastructure for the worldwide cooled reactor, a new design capable of retirement in 2016, Rear Mark web and cables routing international generating 200 megawatts, powering two Ferguson, then Commander of US Na- financial transactions may be targeted. GT3A steam turbines. Endurance is lim- val Forces Europe and US Naval Forces ited to approximately 100 days, based on Africa, publicly stated Russian subma- Christening of Russia’s Latest internally-carried food supply. Its range is rine patrols increased by 50% over 2015 Attack Submarine unlimited. Surfaced displacement is 8,600 figures. Ferguson’s area of responsibil- tons, where maximum speed is 16 knots. ity encompassed waters bordering the These activities are not state secrets. At- Submerged, 13,800 tons are displaced, coasts of Europe and Africa, including tending the christening of the fleet’s latest and a 31-knot speed is possible. attack submarine in late March, Russia’s Author Chief Naval Officer, Admiral Vladimir Ko- More Russian Programmes Joshua Cohen is a US-based defence rolev told reporters sub crews spent 3,000 research analyst and author. He previ- days at sea in 2016, activity levels not seen Completing a major refit initiated in 2013, ously managed the 'US Naval Institute since 1991. The Admiral’s remarks were on April 6, K-266 ORELl, an OSCAR II Project Military Database', and covered the echoed in the Sevmash Shipyard construc- 949B ANTEY class nuclear-powered guided Pentagon for 'Inside Washington tion hall, containing the second Project missile submarine (SSGN) departed United Publishers'. Josh served in the Marine 885 YASEN class nuclear-powered attack Shipbuilding Corporation’s Zvezdochka Corps' 2nd Tank Battalion. submarine (SSN), a follow-on to K-560, repair facility in Severodvinsk. Expected to the first YASEN class hull, commissioned in re-enter service as this publication goes to 2013. The second boat, K-561, is expected press, K-266 had its reactors recharged, in

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addition to hull, structural, electrical, and describes the submersible as “a massively mini” submarine, capable of deploying restorative work on propellers and shafts. large nuclear powered and nuclear-armed anti-ship missile and torpedo armaments. Dehumidification and air pressure systems torpedo.” Sutton estimates KANYON has These hulls were built at Malakhit Naval were also modernised. Notably, upgrades a 1.6 m diameter and approximately 24 Machine Manufacturing Bureau in St. Pe- facilitating deployment of SS-N-30 (3M-14) m length. “To put that into perspective, tersburg. KALIBR land attack missiles were included. it is about 27 times the volume of a regu- Length and displacement qualify the OS- lar 533 mm heavyweight torpedo,” Sut- Sweden Searching for Russian CAR class as the world’s largest naval sub- ton writes. A report appearing in late 2016 Minisubs marine. In 2015, a fire was reported during cited US intelligence sources confirming K-266 modernization work, delaying the knowledge of KANYON testing, reportedly In October 2014, multiple mini-submarine rebuild programme, which is anticipated to conducted last November. A KANYON was sightings in Swedish territorial waters, sus- add at least 15 additional years of useful life said to have been deployed from the spe- pected to be of Russian origin, sent the na- to the submarine. Observers in the defence cial purpose-built SAROV class submarine, tion’s military into search mode. An unat- media speculate the OSCAR II modernisa- few other details are available in unclassi- tributed 2015 report in the “UK Express” tion programme was initiated due to the fied formats. A KILO class variant, SAROV confirmed revival of a long-dormant Rus- extended timeframe and expense in build- was commissioned in 2007, specifically for sian minisub programme that could have ing the YASEN class, slated to eventually re- weapons and new technology develop- delivered the platforms used to penetrate place the OSCAR inventory. Also question- ment and testing. Swedish waters. Open references indicate able is the ability of Russian shipbuilders to Sutton notes Russia’s fifth generation two Project 865 PIRANHA class midget meet production schedules, as illustrated nuclear-powered attack submarine took a subs may have been reactivated, possibly by the delay-plagued K-266 modernisa- step forward in late May with the release involved in the sightings. With an all-Tita- tion: a programme preceded by upgrades of conceptual images by the St. Peters- nium hull, these diesel-electric boats were and emergency nuclear reactor repair work burg-based Malachite Design Bureau. The designed to support a covert penetration on sister hull K-119 VORONEZH required HUSKY class is planned to replace Project team of nine, with ten days' endurance in five years to complete. In the meantime a 971 AKULA class nuclear-powered attack fuel and food. Numerical estimates differ new remote undersea vehicle “doomsday” submarine, offering a less expensive alter- but all point to a scaled-back production system may be available to deliver nuclear native to the YASEN class, according to Sut- programme, originally envisioned at 12 weapons. ton’s research. Although a final design has units. Available data suggest only two were Initially appearing in open sources in 2015, yet to be established, after analysis of the built. At the time, the class was considered a semi-autonomous underwater platform, provided images, Sutton concludes that the state of the art due to non-magnetic hull intended to deliver a weapon of mass de- new class strongly resembles the AKULA. properties, size and performance. struction within proximity of a nearshore “With X-form aft planes and a longer and The Swedish Navy maintains modern mine countermeasures vessels, among tthese are the MCM-73 KOSTER and M-74 KUL- LEN, shown in media photographs sweep- ing coastal areas in search of the reported minisub(s). In addition to magnetic sweeps,

Photo: Sweden MoD the type’s hull-mounted Atlas Electronik HMS-12M triple frequency mine hunting sonar can detect small subsurface vehicles. The presence of the Saab DOUBLE EAGLE Mk III remote underwater vehicle (ROV) gives the KULLEN class a standoff detection capability. Also available, the Atlas SEA FOX C expendable mine disposal system may be deployed against a stationary or slow-mov- ing midget submarine. Semi-autonomous and wire guided, SEA FOX C uses a camera to identify mines and undersea objects. A Sweden presented this low-resolution picture as proof of the existence shaped charge is used to destroy targets. of a Russian mini-submarine in Swedish waters. Although the SEA FOX C-shaped charge lacks sufficient force to damage conven- coastal target was confirmed in late 2016. more blended sail, possibly leaving room tional submarines, a midget submarine The project, dubbed “Ocean Multipurpose for a three-or six-cell Vertical Launch Sys- may be regarded as a mine-type target in System: Status-6” in Russia, is now report- tem (VLS),” Sutton notes the lengthened this context. edly identified as “KANYON” by the US sail extends further forward, relative to the The inshore undersea littoral is most chal- Department of Defense, a recognition of AKULA, rather than behind. “It is probable lenging for conventional anti-submarine the system’s, at minimum, limited opera- each cell will carry multiple KALIBR land operations. Seafloor clutter, wrecks, and tional status. Intended to bypass NATO mis- attack cruise missiles,” he notes. underwater terrain variations make it easy sile warning radars, while completely avoid- According to a 2013 report in the Russian to conceal a mini-submarine from ship- ing missile defence systems, the delivery news publication “RiaNovosti”, addressing based sonar. These conditions make navi- vehicle is said to have a 5,400 nm range, an audience in Malaysia, Igor Zakharov, vice gation difficult for small submarines relying operating at depths to 1,000 metres. president of state-owned United Shipbuild- on passive-inertial navigation systems, if Submarine expert and author H.I. Sutton ing Corporation, mentioned a new “super so equipped. Otherwise, navigation is via

48 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

dead reckoning, based on gyrocompass, speed and current calculations, all of ques- tionable accuracy in unpredictable littoral zones. As seen in widely-distributed news photos, the momentarily surfaced mini or midget submarine intruding in Swedish waters indicates navigation by pilotage, Photo: B. Wilke/Bundeswehr relying on civil nautical buoys, transpond- ers and magnetic compass. Past examples show mini-submarine operations in coastal areas have not always gone as planned. During a mission in September 1996, sea conditions forced occupants and crew of a Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRPK) Navy SANG-O class mini-submarine to abandon the platform.

Strategic Partnership between Germany and Norway Initially rejecting the Saab-Kockums A-26 diesel-electric attack sub, and later a DCNS SCORPENE diesel diesel-electric, attack submarine design, as replacement for its German Class 212A submarine, the basis for the new German-Norwegian six ULA class diesel electric attack subma- Type 212CD submarine rines, the Norwegian Navy decided to pro- cure four ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Navy, forming a new strategic partnership German Navy’s Type 212A. All submarines (TKMS) Type 212CD (Norway – Germany/ to procure the new submarines. As part will be identical, paving the way for joint Next Generation) diesel attack submarines of the agreement, the German Navy will logistics, maintenance and crew training, in a unique arrangement with the German order two 212NG boats, based on the among other cost-sharing benefits. When Source: The Netherlands Ministry of Defence

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surfaced, the Type 212CD displaces 1,473 214 in 2010-11. Since 2007, Daewoo Ship- ment, work includes “extensive conserva- tons, 1,859 submerged. The hull is ap- building & Marine Engineering and Hyun- tion work, such as disassembly, assembly, proximately 57 metres in length, 7 metres dai Heavy Industries have built nine KSS- and installation of a variety of equipment in height, and 6 metres in width. Range is II/ Type 214 under licence. Long-standing, and systems.” Major modifications in- 8,000 nautical miles, obtained at a 12 kt albeit delayed, Turkish Navy intentions clude new sonar installation and peri- surface speed, or 20 kt submerged. Com- to procure six Type 214 remain unclear. scope replacement by an optronic mast. plement is 27. The armament includes six Three DOLPHIN II class diesel-electric at- Submarine combat management systems bow tubes for Atlas Electronic DM 2 A4 tack submarines in service with the Israeli and internal communications systems are heavyweight wire-guided passive torpe- Navy are based on Type 212, but larger, to being replaced, in addition to “modifica- does able to reach 50 kt and to engage accommodate an increased complement tion of a number of platform systems and targets at up to 50 km range. Up to 12 and weapon fit. the complete redesign of the central radio weapons are carried. With an impending requirement to select cabin and electronic cabin.” The firm is also Once retired and replaced by new Type a replacement for its four WALRUS class tasked with SATCOM installation and de- 212CDs, six ULA class boats, now in ser- diesel-electric attack submarine inventory, livery of new, redesigned combat informa- vice, will have an average of 35-40 years the Netherlands Navy is following the pro- tion centre consoles. Owing to exceptional of operational usage. Under a US$27.45M gress of the Germany-Norway Type 212CD day-to-day maintenance, and extensive contract signed in 2016, from 2016-2020 agreement. The prospect for domestic upgrades and modernisation, upon retire- ment sometime in the late 2020 timeframe, if placed on the second-hand market, ex- WALRUS class hulls may be highly attrac- tive to nations interested in gaining an ini- tial undersea capability.

China’s SEA DRAGON Photo: Ministerie van Defensie Taiwan’s long-envisioned plans to develop a domestic submarine programme are now in place. Preparing for the task, the Repub- lic of China Navy and the country’s ship- building infrastructure will initially conduct upgrades for the navy’s two SEA DRAGON class (WALRUS class) diesel-electric attack submarines. Skills will be gained as work- ers and engineers perform the major life extensions, enabling the inventory to con- tinue in service for an additional 15 years. The duo will undergo hull, mechanical, and electrical upgrades. System modifications WALRUS class submarine surfacing encompass the TIMNEX 4CH(V2) electron- ic support measures system. Installation of Kongsberg Defence will perform moderni- construction of the Saab-Kockums A-26 a new combat system, speculated to be an sation and life-extension work, enabling design, by co-production agreement with off-the-shelf variant of Lockheed Martin’s the class to remain in service, awaiting Dutch Damen Shipyards Group, presents a SUBICS (Submarine Integrated Combat Type 212CD replacements. In previous ULA strong contender. In the meanwhile, having System), is planned. class upgrade work, Kongsberg supplied a exceeded the 30-year point, the WALRUS Concerned with maintaining good relations new combat system and conducted elec- inventory may have to soldier on awaiting with China, most nations capable of build- tronics upgrades required to handle new replacement. Accounting for an average ing submarines are not willing to openly torpedoes. In 2011, Saab was contracted three to four-year construction timeframe do business with Taiwan, a situation leav- for work on the submarines’ steering con- required for a new build submarine, if an ing acquisition authorities few options be- trol consoles. Between 2007 and 2015, all order were placed this year, initial delivery yond the domestic production programme six boats received substantial mid-life up- should not be expected until the 2021- now in its early stages. According to AMI grades. It is unclear if these well-maintained 2022 timeframe. Naval Analyst, Bob Nugent, “Bottom line, hulls will be transferred to a new operator, Anticipating an over-extended service life, reverse-engineering SEA DRAGON is the sent to the scrapyard, held in reserve, used Dutch WALRUS hulls are undergoing an best and only option Taiwan has for new for training, or any combination thereof. extensive upgrade. In 2013, the Dutch De- sub design. They could seek to obtain an- A highly successful design, four TKMS fence Material Organization awarded Im- other design more or less covertly, but the Type 212A submarines are in service with tech Marine Netherlands a contract to up- need for continual support from the origi- the Italian Navy, with potential for two grade mechanical, engineering, electrical nating country through detailed design additional hulls. Type 214 is an export elements and components on the subma- and initial construction phases would be version in service with the , rines. Work is underway at the naval base required.” Massive Chinese military and with whom four were commissioned from in Den Helder, scheduled for completion in intelligence operations to monitor and dis- 2010-2016. The took 2020. The life extension aims to retain the rupt any ROC submarine programme are a delivery of two Type 209s modernised to inventory until at least 2025. According to near certainty, particularly in the cyber and a technological state similar to the Type an Imtech Marine Netherlands press state- human intelligence domains. L

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... a sound decision ATLAS ELEKTRONIK  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Underwater Weapons: International Submarine Weapon Options

David Saw

Underwater warfare presents many challenges, all of which is hardly surprising when you consider the hostile nature of the operational environment. What is worth noting is that recent combat experience in the underwater domain is, fortunately, rare, with very few cases over the last half a century. Whether that will continue or not is open to question, as submarine proliferation in terms of new operators and existing operators growing their forces and capabilities is an inescapable reality.

n terms of the weapons themselves, one 1971 the DAPHNE class sub- waters some 1.5 km off Baengnyeong Is- Ican divide these into what might be de- marine PNS HANGOR (S 131) engaged two land in the Yellow Sea. At 21:21 local, an scribed as “traditional” submarine weap- Type 14 frigates INS KHUKRI explosion was reported near the stern of ons in the form of the torpedo, mine lay- (F 149) and INS KIRPAN (F 144). Hangor the corvette, some five minutes later the ing and the ability to clandestinely insert launched two torpedoes at KHUKRI, hit- corvette broke in two and sank. Special Operations Forces (SOF). To these ting with one and sinking the frigate. A third In April of 2010, the wreck of the CHEON- traditional capabilities, more have been torpedo hit and severely damaged Kirpan. AM was raised and taken to Pyongtaek added in recent years, capabilities that have The Falklands conflict of 1982 saw the Brit- naval base in an effort to determine what significantly enhanced the operational util- ish SSN HMS CONQUEROR (S 48) become had happened. The ROK established an ity of submarines. These capabilities include the first nuclear submarine to sink a war- international investigative team with repre- anti-ship missiles, land-attack cruise missiles ship. On 2 May 1982 the Argentinian Navy sentatives from Australia, Sweden, UK and the United States. The investigation found that the sinking had been caused by a “non- contact” underwater explosion. This explo-

Photo: ROKN sion had been caused by the detonation of a North Korean CHT-02D torpedo under the stern of the CHEONAM, with the torpe- do having been launched by a YONO class midget submarine of the Korean People’s Navy (KPN) of North Korea (DPRK). The ROKN is an efficient and well-trained navy, ROKS CHEONAM had apparently been operating its PHS-32 hull-mounted sonar and had been unable to detect the KPN submarine. All of which illustrates the difficulties of underwater warfare. It is also important to note that the DPRK is capable of building both full-size sub- marines (SSK) such as the SINPO class, and midget submarine classes such as the YONO The launch of the eighth ROKS LEE BUM SEOK for and the SANG-O, as well as torpedoes and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) in November 2016 at the Okpo mines. The DPRK will export its underwater yard of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). ROKN warfare technologies and it reported that submarines use the indigenous WHITE SHARK torpedo, as well as ATLAS Iran has made significant purchases from ELEKTRONIK torpedoes. the DPRK in recent years.

and in the future the addition of air defence ARA BELGRANO was sighted and Proliferation systems. It should be noted that we will not engaged, HMS CONQUEROR fired three be covering submarine-launched strategic MARK 8** torpedoes, two of which struck Conventional submarine (SSK) technolo- nuclear missiles in this article. the cruiser which eventually sank. gies and capabilities have proliferated sig- The most recent example of underwater nificantly since the 1990s. Iran is a classic Experience combat comes from the night of 26 March example of this; between 1991 and 1996, 2010. ROKS CHEONAM (PCC 722), a PO- the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) re- As noted in the introduction, actual real HANG class corvette of the Republic of ceived three Project 877EKM submarines combat experience regarding underwater Korea Navy (ROKN) was on patrol within from Russia, along with a complete weap- warfare is extremely limited. On 9 December internationally recognised ROK territorial ons package of torpedoes and mines. China

52 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  has supplied Iran with C800 and C700 se- ries missiles and missile technology, while the DPRK supplied a single YONO class midget submarine and the technical data to manufacture the boat. Currently IRIN has 14 YONO class submarines, each with two 53 cm torpedo tubes for the indigenous VAL- FAJAR heavyweight homing torpedo (most likely a DPRK design).

Iran is currently building the FATAH class Photo: DCNS coastal submarine (SSC) and intends to O’Higgins was the first of two SCORPENE class SSKs acquired by the acquire up to 20 of these. They will be Chilean Navy; since then India and Malaysia have acquired SCORPENE equipped with torpedoes, mines and an class boats, with Brazil due to receive its first boat in 2018. Leonardo anti-ship missile capability. According to the Defence Systems’ BLACK SHARK torpedoes have been acquired by the US Navy Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) majority of users, but Brazil will likely use the DCNS F21 torpedo. Iran is building a 1,300 ton “attack subma- rine (SSK)” known as the BESAT class, which 1990s acquiring 65 UGM-109 TLAM Block replacement for the YJ-82 submarine- will have six torpedo tubes for torpedoes, III missiles for Royal Navy SSN, the weapon launched anti-ship missiles used by its SONG mines and missiles. A February 2017 ONI re- is launched via the torpedo tube in British and YUAN class SSKs. The new missile is port on IRIN notes that: “Over the next five service. HMS SPLENDID was the first British known as the YJ-18 and was tested in 2014, years, new weapons will likely include sub- SSNs to launch the missile during Operation it is believed to be a major improvement on marine-launched ASCMs (Anti-Ship Cruise Allied Force in the Balkans in 1999. Britain the CLUB-S, for example the US Navy credits Missile), the HOOT supercavitating torpedo procured a second batch of missiles, this the missile as having a range of 537 km. and potentially a supersonic ASCM, which time 65 TLAM Block IV missiles, in 2014. Like the 3M-54E, the YJ-18 has a speed of Iran claims is in development.” According to the US Navy, Block IV missiles Mach 0.8 until some 20 km from the target The HOOT supercavitating torpedo is a very have a range of 1,600 km. at which point the missile divides and the important development, essentially this is The Soviet OSCAR class SSN, still in ser- part containing the warhead heads to the a very high speed torpedo. The weapon is vice with the Russian Navy, was equipped target at a speed of between Mach 2.5 and actually an Iranian version of the Russian with the NPO MASHINOSTROYENIA P-700 Mach 3. These characteristics make the YJ- SHKVAL, which, depending on the variant, Granit SLCM, some 24 of these 7,000 kg 18 a very difficult weapon to combat and has a range of between 7 km and 15 km, missiles were carried and they could be therefore significantly increase the opera- can reach speeds of 200 knots and has dif- equipped with HE or a nuclear warhead. tional capabilities of China’s submarine fleet. ferent guidance packages depending on These 600 km range weapons were de- On 17 May 2016, the keel of the first 3,000 the variant. Iran tested the SHKVAL in 2004 signed to engage US Navy carrier battle tonne displacement KSS-III submarine for and then in 2006 tested their own version groups. The OSCAR also carried, at differ- the ROKN was laid at the Okpo yard of of the system. ent times, a range of anti-submarine missiles Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineer- To put all of this into context, the Strait of the 50 km range VYUGA and VODOPOD ing (DSME), this was followed on 1 July Hormuz links the Persian Gulf and the Gulf (launched from 533 mm tubes) and the 100 by the keel-laying of the second KSS-III by of Oman, through this strait passes some km range VEDER (launched from 650 mm DSME. The KSS-III has a six-cell K-VLS for 20% of world oil traffic, making the Strait of tubes). Essentially, these systems carried an the CHEON RYONG land-attack cruise mis- Hormuz the number one global oil choke- anti-submarine torpedo as a payload, with sile, part of the HYUNMOO III cruise missile point. Iran, via the coastal missile batter- the missile transporting the torpedo to the family, built by LIG Nex 1. The weapon has ies, fast attack craft and submarine force of target area and then the torpedo entering a warhead of between 450 and 500 kg and IRIN, has the ability to block the strait if it so the water to engage the hostile submarine. is credited with a range of between 500 desires, an act that would cause immense Another Russian SLCM is the NOVATOR and 1,500 km. The first KSS-III is due to economic disruption on a global scale. The 3M-54 KALIBR, known as the CLUB missile enter service in 2020, with the second unit IRIN submarine force could also operate into for export. This is a family of missile sys- in 2022. LIG Nex 1 also developed and man- the , providing more opportu- tems for surface, sub-surface and other ap- ufacture the WHITE SHARK heavyweight nities to disrupt sea lines of communication plications. For submarine use, the CLUB-S torpedo that will be used by the KSS-III. and severely damage international trade. family consists of the 3M-54E, supersonic Pakistan is developing an indigenous SLCM in the terminal phase with a range of 220 capability as a strategic-level system. On Missile Matters km, while the 3M-54E1 variant has a 300 9 January 2017, a BABUR-3 SLCM was km range and a 400 kg warhead, with a fired from a submerged platform, part of In terms of SLCM, the UGM-109 is the high subsonic speed in the terminal phase. the qualification process for a submarine- submarine-launched version of the TOMA- Another variant is the 3M-14E, this is a land launched system. BABUR-3 only has a range HAWK Land Attack Missile (TLAM), in US attack weapon with a 300 kg range and a of 450 km, but this would be enough to Navy service it is used by some LOS ANGE- 450 kg unitary warhead. The last variant is give Pakistan a form of secure nuclear sec- LES and all VIRGINIA class SSNs, as well as the 91RE1, this is for anti-submarine use, it ond-strike capability. by OHIO class SSGNs. The missiles are de- has a lightweight torpedo payload and a As regards more conventional submarine- ployed from a Vertical Launch System (VLS) range of 50 km. launched anti-ship missiles, the primary in the submarine hull. The weapon was first As well as in Russia, the CLUB-S is in service western types are currently the Boeing used in 1991 during Desert Storm and on with the following KILO class SSK operators: UGM-84 and the MBDA SM-39 other missions against Iraq in the 1990s. Algeria, China, India and Vietnam. China has EXOCET. In March, the British and French The British procured the weapon in the mid- used the CLUB-S as the basis to develop a governments, along with MBDA, launched

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 53  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

the joint concept phase of the Future Cruise/ variant of the missile was tested in March guided, the torpedo is used against both Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW), the concept 2013, but most likely it will be the smaller surface and submarine targets, and fea- phase is valued at €100 million, the aim is BRAHMOS NG, stated as being half the tures high countermeasures resistance. The to develop a new weapon to replace exist- size of the current BRAHMOS, that will be DM2A4 is in service with the German Navy, ing types, such as the EXOCET, by the end developed into a fully functional submarine- has been acquired by Israel, the ROK and of the 2020s. launched weapon. other operators of German submarines. It Also emerging as a future possibility for has also been acquired by Pakistan for its submarine-launched applications is the Torpedo Options AGOSTA 90B submarines and selected by Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM). Spain for its S-80 submarines. Originally designed for ship-launched ap- For the US Navy, the heavyweight torpedo Atlas Elektronik also offers a unique system plications, the NSM was re-packaged to of choice is the Raytheon MK 48, this origi- in the form of the SEASPIDER, this is de- meet air-launched requirements and has nally went into service in 1972 but has been scribed by the company as an Anti-Torpedo the possibility to evolve further to meet VLS vastly upgraded over its service life and is still Torpedo (ATT). Designed for use from both and submarine-launch requirements. The in production. The torpedo is also in service surface ships and submarines, the system is recent collaborative agreement between with Australia, Brazil, Canada and the Neth- designed to defeat all torpedo types. In a Germany and Norway on submarine acqui- erlands, and is being purchased by Taiwan. submarine it can be launched from a con- sition potentially opens the way to a subma- Britain is the only user of the BAE Systems ventional torpedo tube with a tube insert rine-launched variant of the NSM. SPEARFISH heavyweight torpedo. At the or dedicated launchers located in the sub- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and end of 2014, BAE Systems were awarded marine hull. The availability of a true active Diehl Defence are offering a unique subma- a contract to deliver upgraded SPEARFISH defence against incoming torpedoes is a rine weapon system in the form of the Inter- torpedoes, with deliveries running from potentially game-changing situation in un- derwater warfare. France has recently introduced a new DCNS heavyweight torpedo into service and this will equip French Navy SSBN and SSN, and Photo: JMSDF has been ordered by Brazil for its SCORPENE class submarines. Capable of fibre-optically guided or autonomous operation, the F21 has a speed of 50 knots, a range in excess of 50 kilometres, endurance of one hour, and can operate at depths of between 10 and 500 metres. The French Navy has acquired an initial total of 93 F21 torpedoes. Italy is the other major European torpedo supplier in the form of Leonardo Defence Systems. The Italian Navy had operated the A-184 heavyweight torpedo for many years and the BLACK SHARK torpedo was developed as a replacement; like other ad- vanced torpedoes it has a maximum speed of 50 knots and a range of 50 km. BLACK SHARK has been very successful in the ex- port marketplace, being acquired by JDS UNRYU (SS 502) was built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and for its SCORPENE and Type 209 submarines, commissioned into the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) in for the Type 209, Malaysia for the March 2010. Japanese submarines use the indigenous Mitsubishi Heavy SCORPENE, Portugal for the TRIDENTE class Industries Type 89 torpedo and the Boeing UGM-84 HARPOON anti-ship (Type 214) and Singapore for the ARCHER missile. class. The torpedo is used by the Italian Navy in its TODARO class (Type 212) submarines. active Defence and Attack System for Sub- 2020 to 2024. BAE Systems currently has Both China and Russia have developed a marines (IDAS). Launched via the torpedo the SPEARFISH support contract, but this complete range of torpedo and mine solu- tube, this is a fibre-optically guided missile ends in 2019 and a new support package tions for domestic and export purposes. In system, with an IIR seeker and a range of 20 will therefore have to be negotiated. Sweden, the Saab Heavyweight Torpedo km. The precision targeting capabilities of Germany’s success in terms of SSK exports (HWT) is in service with the Swedish Navy the IDAS allow the system to engage MPA has been reflected in the export success on its SSKs and will be used by the future and helicopters, as well as surface combat- of Atlas Elektronik and its torpedoes. The A26 SSK. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are ants. The system has been tested from both operational requirements of the German responsible for torpedoes in Japan for the German and Norwegian submarines. Navy in the 1960s led to the development SSK fleet and developed the Type 89 heavy- BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture be- of a complete range of torpedoes for both weight system; the company is now work- tween NPO Mashinostroyenia of Russia and submarines and surface combatants that ing on a successor torpedo. Finally, India will the Indian Defence Research & Develop- started to be fielded in the 1970s. Today the be introducing an indigenous heavyweight ment Organisation (DRDO), developed the current generation heavyweight torpedo is torpedo developed by the DRDO known as BRAHMOS missile system for air, land and the DM2A4, also known as the SEAHAKE VARUNASTRA, this will initially be operated naval applications. A submarine-launched mod 4 in export applications. Fibre-optically by Indian Navy KILO class SSKs. L

54 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Unmanned Warrior 16 Understanding the Capabilities of Marine Robotic Systems in an Operational Environment

Conrad Waters

A major trend in underwater warfare in recent years has been the recognition of the “game changing” potential of increasingly sophisticated unmanned and autonomous systems. This pattern has been evident in other maritime domains on the water and in the air, as well as in cross-domain command and control. To date, however, the practical exploitation of marine robotic technology has been somewhat restricted.

t is true that such systems have already technologies to expand its effectiveness. together – as well as in conjunction with Ibeen widely used in a range of operational The Royal Navy (RN) invited participants manned systems – to benefit naval opera- environments. However, this has typically from a wide variety of sectors to engage tions. It was also hoped that the focus pro- been in scenarios where one or two systems in Unmanned Warrior. The unrivalled op- vided by such a major event would accel- have been deployed to perform a specific portunity presented to inform and, possibly, erate cross-pollination of intellectual effort mission function. More complex applica- accelerate future procurement produced a and talent. tions have largely been confined to test-bed predictably strong industry presence. conditions. The recent British Unmanned Around forty companies took part. These Scope Warrior 16 demonstration was therefore ranged from industry giants such as BAE noteworthy in providing an opportunity Systems, Northrop Grumman and Thales to Unmanned Warrior officially took place for multiple robotic systems from different smaller specialists such as ASV and Blue Bear between 8 October and 20 October 2016. nations to exhibit their ability to achieve a Systems Research. There was also a good However, aspects of the exercise extended spectrum of results in a “real-world“ envi- response from academia and from Britain’s beyond these dates. Essentially running in ronment. defence partners, notably the US Navy’s Of- parallel with the normal Joint Warrior ex- fice of Naval Research (ONR). Throughout ercise, most activities were centred on the Background the initiative, there was a strong emphasis Ministry of Defence’s ranges off the west

For many years, the United Kingdom has hosted a series of bi-annual, multinational exercises known as Joint Warrior. Taking place in the spring and the autumn, these exercises are focussed on the Scottish Train- ing Areas. They involve all three branches of the armed forces. In 2014, the Royal Navy’s Photo: Office of Naval Research then professional head, First Sea Lord Ad- miral Sir George Zambellas, announced that the second Exercise Joint Warrior in 2016 would also be used to provide a large-scale testing ground for unmanned and autono- mous capabilities. It was anticipated that in- tegrating such systems into a “live” tactical exercise would accelerate understanding of how they could be best exploited. The initia- tive also provided industry with a showcase to exhibit its products and provided a sig- nal of the navy’s enthusiasm to use robotic A Canadian USV-2600 survey vehicle onboard the support vessel KYLE Author OF LOCHALSH. The USV-2600 was one of a number of robotic systems Conrad Waters is a naval and de- used to carry out survey taskings as part of the MCM theme. fence analyst based in the UK. He is a regular contributor to ESD and Editor on collaboration. This was partly influenced coast of Scotland. There were also some of Seaforth World Naval Review. by a desire to establish the extent to which intelligence gathering exercises in Cardigan unmanned and autonomous vehicles from Bay off Wales. Trials were carried out across different nations and suppliers could work five distinct specialities or themes, although

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 55 A spectrum of aerial, surface and underwa- ter marine robotic systems pictured during  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Unmanned Warrior 2016. Discovering the extent to which such systems could be suc- cessfully integrated to work collaboratively there was frequently a degree of cross-over. was a key aim of the exercise. They encompassed:

Hydrographic & Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Demonstrations of systems within this theme commenced before the main exer- cises. They involved the deployment of au- tonomous systems providing hydrographic and geo-intelligence to gather data relating to the exercise areas. This was used to en- hance the performance of Joint Warrior and Unmanned Warrior participants. The UK’s National Oceanography Centre at South- ampton University coordinated much of this effort.

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) A number of ASW exercises were carried out, focussed largely on the use of robotic systems for threat detection. Missions in- cluded wide area search, littoral search, task group force protection and picket defence. For example, a total of six wave-powered potential. Amongst a number of high-pro- after exercise evaluation, the RN’s Fleet wave-gliders supplied by Autonaut and Boe- file participants was Leonardo Helicopters’ Robotics Officer Cdr. Peter Pipkin said: ing were used to defend Stornoway harbour SW-4 SOLO optionally piloted helicopter. “Overall, Unmanned Warrior was hugely in the . This included the use Broadly similar to the US Navy’s MQ-8C successful. It met expectations in virtually of a number of gliders equipped with ASW FIRE SCOUT, this previously undertook RN all areas and exceeded them in some.” He sensors and linked by Wi-Fi to provide an unmanned concept trials during 2015. highlighted the benefits of the collabora- effective force protection barrier across the tive approach adopted in developing the harbour approaches. Command & Control (C2) understanding of both naval and industrial Possibly most significantly of all, trials of the participants and allowing swift resolution Mine Countermeasures (MCM) ACER (Autonomous Control Exploitation of challenges on the ground. The ability MCM is one of the areas of maritime war- and Realisation) command system demon- of the ACER command system to integrate fare where robotic systems are most firmly strated the potential to combine informa- information from various systems and act established. A number of proven technolo- tion from a spectrum of robotic systems as a single point of interface with the RN’s gies, such as Kongsberg’s REMUS submersi- to create a single tactical picture on an RN combat management system was likely to bles, participated in the exercises. However, combat management system. This holds out prove particularly significant in facilitating Unmanned Warrior saw efforts to dem- the prospect of dispensing with the clutter future robotic operations. The capacity of onstrate how such systems can be used of bespoke control systems and specially- multiple systems to work together – espe- even more effectively, notably in the area trained operators often associated with cur- cially in the MCM theme – was also no- of collaborative autonomy. This saw multi- rent robotic technologies. table. national squads of unmanned vehicles – in Looking forwards, the wider integration of the air, on the surface and under the water Analysis marine robotic systems into day-to-day na- – working together to complete tasks more val operations still faces challenges. In the quickly and effectively. Another interesting The Royal Navy appears pleased with the words of Pipkin, “the genuinely disruptive aspect of the exercises was a Mine Hunting results of Unmanned Warrior. On one level, nature of many robotic technologies means Challenge. This allowed comparison of the the exercises carried out under its banner that there will need to be changes to educa- abilities of traditional manned mine counter- have significantly increased awareness of tion, training and even doctrine to ensure measures assets and robotic systems in mine robotic systems’ capabilities, providing the their effective utilisation.” The fast-changing detection and classification. opportunity for service personnel and indus- nature of such systems and differing levels of try to work together in a way that should technical maturity will also require innova- Intelligence Surveillance Targeting accelerate achievement of their potential. It tions to the procurement process. For exam- Acquisition and Reconnaissance has been a case of “Top Gun meets For- ple, future acquisition of some capabilities (ISTAR) mula 1” in the words of one Royal Austral- may be more appropriate under a services These exercises were intended to demon- ian Navy observer. More prosaically, Rear model rather than as a capital acquisition. strate the extent to which unmanned and Admiral Paul Bennett, the RN’s Assistant For the present, the RN can be satisfied with autonomous systems could provide better Chief of Naval Staff (Capability) and spon- both the experience and kudos gained from situational awareness than existing tech- sor of Unmanned Warrior has stated that leading such an innovative exercise. Moreo- nology. One exercise involved six different Unmanned Warrior provided a major step ver, the interest shown in Unmanned War- unmanned air vehicles being used simulta- forward in understanding how unmanned rior by many partner navies – in Europe and neously to achieve a layered perspective. and autonomous systems can be used to beyond – suggests it is likely to be just the Another saw unmanned and manned sys- deliver warfighting, war-winning capacity. first of many similar demonstrations in the tems being paired to assess their combined Speaking to European Security & Defence years ahead. L

56 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Canadian Armament Programmes Update

Sidney E. Dean

Canada is an active participant in international security operations. In recent years, the Department of National Defence (DND) has felt the impact of previous deferment of investment in new military systems. A large number of service-specific and joint procurement programmes are currently underway to alleviate these shortfalls.

he most recent (2016) DND Defence TAcquisition Guide lists a total of 236 initiatives, including 38 introduced that year. The projects cover everything from clothing and rations to satellites and ma- jor weapons systems, and also include service and maintenance contracts. Photo: Royal Canadian Air Force

Aviation Systems

CF-18 Replacement Perhaps the most visible acquisition pro- gramme centres on replacing the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) thirty-plus year old CF-18C/D combat aircraft. At- trition has reduced the CF-18 fleet from 138 aircraft to 76, too few to maintain Canada’s NATO and NORAD commit- ments. Plans to replace the CF-18 with CF-18 demo HORNET of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The current CF-18 the F-35A JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER (JSF) fleet will stay operational for another 10 to 15 years. were dropped because of delays and cost overruns in JSF development. Also for the short term, the DND is plan- need of replacement. Here the decision In November 2016 Ottawa announced ning a service life extension programme has been made. In December 2016 the a new plan to replace the fighter fleet. that would keep the current CF-18 fleet RCAF ordered 16 Airbus C-295Ws, with This plan takes a three-step approach. operational for another 10 to 15 years. deliveries planned for 2019-2022. The In the short term, the DND is explor- For the long term, the DND is launch- new aircraft will also replace legacy CC- ing procurement of 18 F/A-18E/F SUPER ing a competition for procurement of a 130H aircraft employed in the S&R role. HORNETs to augment the current CF-18 replacement aircraft. Here, too, Ottawa The all-weather-capable C-295 will be fleet. Negotiations with the US govern- considers both performance and afford- specifically configured for the S&R mis- ment and Boeing are ongoing, centring ability to be crucial. Benefits to Canadian sion, to include state-of-the-art commu- around both availability and cost; a for- industry (e.g. as subcontractors and sup- nications systems that will allow search mal letter of request regarding a Foreign pliers) are also considerations. Details on and rescue personnel to share real-time Military Sale was sent to Washington on the permanent fleet size, procurement information with partners on the ground. 13 March of this year. Ottawa expects a timeframe and anticipated costs will be Using integrated sensors, crews will be letter of offer and acceptance as early as guided by the Defence Policy Review able to locate persons or objects (e.g. this fall, with the signing of a purchase (due to be released this spring) and the downed aircraft) from more than 40 agreement by spring 2018. Notably, Ot- subsequent defence budget proposals. kilometres away, even in low-light condi- tawa is committed to applying its Indus- The formal bid for solicitation is planned tions. trial and Technological Benefits Policy to for 2019. In the meantime, Canada re- The contract has an initial value of this acquisition; the ITBP requires suppli- mains an active participant in the JSF CA$2.4M, including procurement, con- ers to make investments in Canada equal programme, retaining options to procure struction of a training centre, and five to 100% of their contract value. the F35. Other, more affordable options years of maintenance and support; the frequently proposed include additional latter will be provided through a joint F/A-18E/Fs,the Saab JAS39 GRIPEN, and venture between Airbus Defence and Author the . Space and PAL Aerospace. Sidney E. Dean is President of Trans- atlantic Euro-American Multimedia C-295 Fixed-Wing S&R CH-148 CYCLONE Maritime LLC. and a regular contributor to ESD. Following nearly fifty years of service, Helicopter Canada’s CC115 (DHC-5) BUFFALO search Like the DHC-5, Canada’s SEA KING mari- and rescue aircraft are in even greater time helicopters entered service approxi-

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 57  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY mately half a century ago. Ottawa has ASW capabilities and the surface war- the TAPV contract to Textron Systems opted to replace them with the Sikorsky fare suites. IOC is expected in 2018. Full Canada. The 16-metric ton 4x4 vehicle is CH-148 CYCLONE, a military variant of operational status for the entire CH-148 based on Textron’s COMMANDO ELITE. the civilian S92 helicopter. The multirole fleet is expected by 2025, with continued The vehicle’s armour exceeds the Canadi- CH-148 will operate from naval vessels, service by some SEA KING helicopters an Army’s requirement for TAPV, offering providing search and rescue, anti-sub- until then. At that time, the entire fleet a high degree of protection against IEDs, marine warfare (with two Mk 46 ASW will be upgraded to the final configura- explosively formed projectiles, and anti- torpedoes), and maritime surveillance tion known as Capability Release 2.1. armour weapons. The initial procurement capabilities as well as utility transport. Acquisition and infrastructure costs total is for 500 vehicles, with an option for an The new aircraft offer a significant per- CA$3.2Bn. additional 100. formance increase versus their prede- TAPV will be delivered in two configura- cessors: double the horsepower and Land Systems tions. The Reconnaissance configuration five times the fuel capacity; double the will have a crew of three (commander, cargo-hook weight capacity; room for In 2009 the DND announced plans to driver and gunner) and room for two pas- 18 passengers versus three on the SEA modernise the family of ground com- sengers. Of the 193 reconnaissance vehi- KING; vastly superior avionics and sen- bat vehicles. The CA$5Bn project was cles, 138 will be equipped with a remote sors (including a missile approach warn- to include several new systems as well weapons system mount on the roof. The General Utility (GU) variant will carry a crew of three plus three passengers. Of the 307 GU vehicles, 226 will feature the remote weapon system mount. Both Photo: Sikorsky configurations feature a top speed of 110 km/h and an unrefuelled range of 650 kilometres at 88 km/h at cruising speed. TAPV replaces the entire Armoured Patrol Vehicle RG-31 fleet and a portion of the COYOTE Light Armoured Vehicle fleet. It will complement the Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled. The first six vehicles were delivered in Au- gust 2016, to be used for training opera- tors and maintenance personnel. IOC is planned for 2018. All vehicles should be operational by the mid-2020s.

LAV III Upgrade Under the ground vehicle modernisation plan the Canadian land forces continue to upgrade the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III. Based on the MOWAG PIRA- NHA, the 8x8 LAV III is produced by Gen- eral Dynamics Land Systems – Canada. It comes in five configurations and forms the backbone of the Canadian armoured Canada aims to replace their SEA KINGs with Sikorsky CH-148 CYCLONE fleet. The land forces currently have 651 helicopters. vehicles, of which 550 were chosen for modernisation. Since 2011, 409 vehicles ing system); cruise and maximum speeds as upgrades to existing ones. One pro- have been upgraded, extending their ser- improved by 80 km/h; mission radius posed new system, the Close Combat vice life to 2035 and improving survivabil- extended by 80 kilometres;; and a fifty Vehicle, was cancelled in 2013 based on ity, mobility and combat effectiveness. In percent higher service ceiling. a reassessment of requirements and of February of this year Ottawa announced The procurement contract for 28 units the capabilities of the remaining ground plans to upgrade another 141 chassis at was originally signed in 2004. Implemen- combat vehicle types. a cost of CA$404M. Work is to be con- tation was postponed due to develop- cluded in 2019. Full operational capability mental delays. Deliveries have been di- Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle of the entire upgraded fleet is slated for vided into five increasingly sophisticated The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle 2020. The total cost for upgrading 550 blocks, with each block building on the (TAPV) will fulfi Wa number of roles in- vehicles is more than CA$1Bn. previous configuration. The first six air- cluding reconnaissance, surveillance, se- Enhancements include strengthened craft (Block 1) were transferred in 2015 curity, command and control, cargo and passenger safety and protection against for operational testing and evaluation; protected troop transport. The vehicle’s mines and improvised explosive devices, a total of 11 helicopters have been de- mobility and crew protection character- better mobility, improved ergonomics, livered as of March of this year. Interim istics enable it to be employed within a and information management. General test and evaluation results are receiving wide spectrum of potential operational Dynamics Land Systems – Canada des- positive reviews with regards both to the environments. In 2014 the DND awarded ignates the newest iteration of the LAV

58 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

III upgrade as LAV 6.0. Enhancements to ity to mount tactical mobility enhance- It can be carried internally by the C-130 the chassis include: a Double-V hull pro- ments, specifically a mine roller system, HERCULES and by the CH-47 CHINOOK viding superior blast protection against track width mine plough, and a dozer helicopter. Under this contract, the IEDs and mines; an upgraded drivetrain blade. In addition to these measures, 13 DAGOR will undergo engineering and and suspension; a more powerful engine LEOPARD 2A4s have been converted to mission configurations to incorporate (450 vs. 350 hp); larger tyres; and a wider armoured engineer vehicles and 12 have new features and capabilities, including turret. All crew stations feature energy been converted to armoured recovery ve- redesigned payload configuration, weap- attenuating seats for comfort and surviv- hicles. Full operational capability is slated ons mounts, electrical system improve- ability. Electronic system enhancements for September of this year. ments, and integrated communication systems. The final vehicle configuration, testing, and production of the ULCV will be a collaborative effort between Polaris and CANSOFCOM. Photo: US Army In 2016, Polaris delivered 36 MRZR-D die- sel-powered utility task vehicles and 12 tactical trailers for conventional light in- fantry units. For the Canadian Army, each MRZR-D will be equipped with IR lighting, a 2,041 kg winch and other standard and tactical features. The trailer, designed for compatibility with the MRZR, provides an additional 454 kg (1,000 lb) payload. It has a fully independent suspension sys- tem and a removable tongue and pintle style hitch to allow for 180 degrees of rotation in small spaces, increased mobil- ity and easier transportation and storage. The vehicles and trailers are being evalu- ated by three light infantry battalions in order to validate their configuration and operational effectiveness prior to a full- scale procurement decision.

Maritime Systems

An internal review conducted by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 2013 Canada was served well by their LEOPARD 2A6M CAN MBTs raised serious readiness considerations. in Afghanistan. Many concerns centred on outdated or inadequately maintained equipment. include: a digital fire control system that This year, the Canadian forces plan to Particularly concerning was the lack of automatically corrects for target range award a number of repair and overhaul readiness of the formerly-British VICTO- and vehicle speed; improved gun control contracts for various LEOPARD 2 subsys- RIA class submarines which had been electronics; an automatic warning against tems. These contracts will be issued for a delivered to Canada between 2000 and laser threats. Improved optics enhance period of three years. During this time the 2004, and the condition of the HALIFAX target identification and targeting accu- armed forces will analyse the long-term class patrol frigates which were com- racy. At 28,000 kg, the upgraded vehicle sustainment requirements of LEOPARD 2 missioned between 1992 and 1996. is 9,000 pounds heavier than the original. fleet, with the goal of developing a long- Years of refit and upgrade efforts to the The manufacturer states that mobility is term sustainment strategy. VICTORIA class long-range patrol subma- improved despite the added weight. rines began to pay off after 2012. Since Ultra Light Combat Vehicle 2015 the fleet has been operating in its LEOPARD 2 Family In December, the DND awarded Polaris normal cycle of readiness. Today, three of In 2007, Canada acquired 80 LEOPARD Defense a contract for 78 DAGOR light the boats are operational while the fourth 2A4s and 20 Leopard 2A6 main battle tactical vehicles to fulfil the Canadian is undergoing a scheduled two-year deep tanks from the Netherlands army, re- Special Operations Forces Command maintenance period. A 1CA$1.5Bn main- placing the LEOPARD I MBT. Since de- (CANSOFCOM) requirement for the Ultra tenance fund was approved in 2008 to livery, the tanks have been undergoing Light Combat Vehicle (ULCV). The con- finance submarine upkeep through 2023. upgrades and enhancements intended tract is valued at CA$15.5M.. The first The 12 HALIFAX class multirole patrol to provide the Canadian armed forces 52 vehicles will be delivered this year, the frigates have reached their midlife and with a sustainable heavy, direct-fire ca- remainder in 2018. have been undergoing a modernisa- pability through 2035. Since 2012 a Force Developed with support from the NAS- tion programme since 2009. The final Mobility Enhancement project has been CAR automobile racing industry, the ship is scheduled to complete the pro- implemented on the LEOPARD 2 fleet. DAGOR can carry up to nine occupants at gramme by the end of this year, setting Modifications have included the abil- relatively high speed over difficult terrain. up the class to remain in service until

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 59  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

maintenance. The keel of the first-in-class the new QUEENSTON class Joint Support vessel HMCS HARRY DEWOLF (AOPV Ships. Seaspan received the production 430) was laid in June 2016, with delivery order after completing an initial design scheduled for 2018. With two ships built review for the ships based on designs by annually, the fifth and the potential sixth ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Canada. AOPV should be delivered in 2020. Given The 15 contract covers procurement of the hostile operational environment, the two vessels to be delivered in 2021 and vessels are programmed for retirement 2022, with an option for a third ship. after 25 years service. The multirole JSS will provide core replen- The AOPS can traverse ice up to one me- ishment of fuel, ammunition, spare parts, Photo: Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum tre thick, and operate continuously and food, and water to naval task groups independently in the Arctic for up to four and individual ships. The ships will have months. Missions defined by the DND modern medical and dental care facili- will include: ties, including an operating room; repair • armed sea-borne surveillance of Can- facilities and expertise to keep helicopters ada’s waters, including the Arctic; and other equipment functioning; and • providing government situational basic self-defence functions. There will awareness of activities and events in be a limited sealift capability to support these regions; operations ashore. • cooperating with other partners in the Canadian Armed Forces and other Canadian Surface Combatant government departments to assert The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) and enforce Canadian sovereignty, is a medium-term plan to replace the when and where necessary. HALIFAX class and the (already retired) The 103-metre long vessels have a IROQUOIS class as the major 19-metre beam and 6,440 tons dis- combatant arm of the RCN. Up to 15 placement. The standard complement CSC are to be procured for an estimated Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) is 65; berthing and workspace for an total cost of CA$26.2Bn (unofficial es- ATHABASKAN (centre) leads the way additional 20 mission specialists is avail- timates postulate CA$40Bn). A Request as HDMS PETER WILLEMOES (left) and able. Open water sustained speed is 17 for Proposal was released in 2016. Twelve NRP VASCO DA GAMA (right) sail in knots, with a 6,800 nautical mile range companies have been prequalified to formation during exercise TRIDENT at 14 knots. All ship’s systems can be participate in the procurement process. JUNCTURE. controlled from the integrated bridge, Contract award is planned for 2021, with easing manning requirements. The ship first delivery and IOC in the late 2020s. the planned Canadian Surface Combat- is lightly armed with a 25 mm gun suit- Final delivery is expected between 2036 ants are introduced. The HALIFAX class able for constabulary missions but not and 2040, with full operational capability modernisation programme costs $4.3Bn for engaging hostile combatants. The of the entire fleet by the mid-2040s. It is and and includes a new combat man- ship design emphasises flexibility. Pay- considered the largest and most complex agement system, new radar capability, load options include 20-foot ISO con- shipbuilding initiative in Canada since a long-range infrared search and track tainers, underwater survey equipment, a World War II. system (SIRIUS), new electronic warfare or land-forces equipment. Two variants of the CSC will be built: systems, upgraded communications and A separate vehicle bay can carry pickup the Area Air Defence/Task Group Com- missile systems, and modifications to the trucks, ATVs or snowmobiles. Four op- mand & Control variant and a General 57 mm gun. The HALIFAX class was origi- timisation multi-role rescue boats will Purpose variant. Both types will share the nally designed for high-seas operations; provide transport for rescue operations, same design and many core systems, but the modifications will enhance the class’ boarding missions, and other off-ship will likely be fitted with mission-specific effectiveness in littoral waters. operations. A 20-ton crane provides in- weapons, communications, surveillance dependent loading capabilities at jetties, and other systems. The CSC will be both HARRY DEWOLF Offshore/ onto landing craft, or onto the ice. Arctic blue-water and littoral capable, and ca- Arctic Patrol Vessels optimisation includes a covered focsle/ pable of supporting operations ashore. The changing environment in the Arctic cable deck to protect machinery and Both variants will be capable of housing requires an increased RCN presence along crew, and retractable active fin stabilis- and operating the CH-148 helicopter as Canada’s northern border. The HARRY ers which are pulled up when operating well as a wide variety of small boats and DEWOLF class Arctic/Offshore Patrol in ice. The hangar can accommodate unmanned air, surface and underwater Ship (AOPS) is designed for that role. The one helicopter up to and including the vehicles. The CSC will permit interoper- original procurement of eight vessels has CH-148. ability with allies in international opera- been pared to five, with an option for a tions and be deployed for continental sixth if there are no cost-overruns during Queenston Class Joint Support and domestic defence and marine se- production. The contract was awarded Ship (JSS) curity operations across the spectrum of to Irving Shipbuilding of Halifax in 2015. The RCN retired its last operational Aux- conflict. It will feature sufficient combat BAE Systems is on board to supply the iliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships capability to deploy alone or as part of a primary weapon systems. The CA$4.3Bn in late 2016. In March of this year, Ot- national or coalition task force, and will budget covers not only acquisition (which tawa awarded Seaspan Corporation of operate globally for prolonged periods alone is CA$2.3Bn) but also 25 years of Vancouver, Canada, the contract to build with a limited logistical footprint. L

60 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Anti-Submarine Warfare: A New Era

Bob Nugent

During the centennial of submarines first emerged as a strategic “game changer” in modern warfare. Since then some time has passed and so it is quite timely to review the current state of the Anti- Submarine Warfare (ASW) business.

n a word, the ASW business is booming, systems. One conclusion from this review requirements and standards continue to Ias navies around the world recognize is that naval investment in ASW, while in- make up a significant portion of the sub- (or reaffirm) the value of strategic and creasing, generally lags the threat posed marine threat pool. operational leverage provided by even a by offensive submarine platforms and ca- However, as detailed by AMI Internation- small submarine force. Add to this the pabilities, when looked at globally. al’s proprietary naval market forecast, the next 20 years will see a significant increase in the number of countries ei- ther establishing submarine forces for the first time, or growing submarine forces with more capable platforms such as the

Photo: skydiver/imgur French SCORPENE and modified BARRA- CUDA class, and the German Type 214 and modified versions. As an example, in Southeast Asia alone (not counting Chi- na), Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and have active submarine acquisi- tion programmes, while Thailand and the Philippines have announced intentions to acquire submarines. Similar patterns are seen in North Af- rica (Algeria, Egypt, Morocco), South America, and the Gulf region. In the Gulf region, AMI forecasts future submarine acquisition by Saudi Arabia and U.A.E., while Pakistan buys new submarines USS CONNECTICUT breaking through three feet of solid ice in the from China. Arctic Circle Globally, AMI assesses that 37 countries will execute 68 new submarine acquisi- increasing number of unmanned under- There are exceptions. Development of the tion programs through 2036. This repre- water platforms that add to the challenge next generation of long range maritime sents €303.4 billion that will be spent to of ASW, as well as modern information patrol and ASW aircraft is one example. acquire 346 newly-built conventional and technology that has affected every as- And the trend toward “advantage-sub- nuclear power submarines. Of those, 129 pect of ASW. marine” is offset somewhat by the truism (almost 40%) are new submarines to be The result is an ASW environment that that the best platform for countering a acquired in the Asia-Pacific region. India indeed fits the bill of New Era. In New Era submarine is another submarine. So the leads with 37 submarines to be acquired, ASW, tried and true principles have been growing investment in submarine plat- while South Korea builds 20 and China modified by new technology and tactics forms can be viewed in part as a growth 15. as well as force structures and resource in ASW platforms that counter potential Beyond the Asia-Pacific, Russia plans to constraints. At the same time the endur- submarine threats. build 47 hulls (13% of the global fore- ing constants of the ocean, acoustics, cast), and the Mid-East-North Africa re- and especially human factors – notably The Return of the ASW gion accounts for another 46 hulls. training and tactical skill – continue to Threat–Breadth and Depth The world’s largest navies continue be define the art of ASW. the largest buyers of new subs–the U.S., Four vantage points are crucial for mod- The Soviet submarine threat has defined NATO, China, Russia and India together ern ASW: threats, principles, means, and the practice of ASW by the world’s lead- account for 56% of future new sub ac- ing navies for nearly 50 years. Those prin- quisitions in the next 20 years. Author ciples, laid out in key texts such as Rear This 20-year forecast of submarine spend- ing has increased by 50% in value (over Bob Nugent is a Virginia-based Admiral Jon A. Hills (Royal Navy, retd) €95.1 billion) since 2010. This does not Affiliate Consultant for AMI Inter- Anti-Submarine Warfare (U.S. Naval Insti- represent a “rising tide raising all boats” national in Bremerton, WA, USA. tute, 1989) and others, still apply as Rus- sian and Chinese submarines generally phenomenon. Rather, navies are shifting designed, built and operated to Cold War resources away from other platforms and

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 61  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

High performance sonar solution: Wärtsila ELAC KaleidoScope ronment of increasing instability and the reemergence of major power conten- The Wärtsilä ELAC KaleidoScope is a sea-proven passive onboard sonar suite for con- tion. The result has pressed many navies ventional submarines. ELAC KaleidoScope is a high performance and low risk system to review the requirements, and identify based on the in-house developed and in-house produced hydrophone arrays, which the shortfalls, in their ASW armory. ASW have been ordered by more than 10 navies worldwide. The signal and data process- investments will unfold against the back- ing functions provided by the ELAC KaleidoScope make it the most modern system drop of ASW principles and Concepts of available on the market. Operations (CONOPS). ELAC KaleidoScope functionalities include a 5 dimensional detector (5D detector) which automatically detects in four domains: • Permanently (time) Requirements of • On all beams (spacial) Successful ASW • In the full frequency band (spectral) ASW is arguably a/the most demanding of • In the full dynamic range (pressure dynamic) naval warfare areas. As first demonstrated for: in World War I, confirmed in World War • Broadband II, and continuing into the high intensity • Narrowband ASW activity characteristic of the Cold • DEMON War, successful ASW requires from its • Transient signals practitioners a fine balance of doctrine, • Intercept platforms, methods and above all training The 5D detector provides full spatial, full spectral, full dynamic and full temporal to achieve and maintain proficiency. coverage. Besides, the ELAC KaleidoScope offers six types of high resolution analysis As Andrew Davies of the Australian Stra- functions: tegic Policy Institute observes, among the • Narrowband analysis factors that make ASW hard today are: • Vernier analysis • The proliferation of submarine op- • DEMON analysis erators and numbers of undersea • Transient analysis platforms operated (manned and un- • Intercept analysis manned). • Audio analysis • Quieter submarines with lower acous- The design philosophy features an open system architecture and commercial off-the- tic and other signatures on conven- shelf technology. This allows for a regular software exchange with state-of- the art tional submarines incorporating tech- PCs to maximise processing performance and minimise life cycle cost. The open archi- nology such as air independent pro- tecture provides for the implementation of additional functionality by the customer pulsion (AIP). without third party support. ELAC KaleidoScope performs a 56 day mission without • The evolution of submarine offen- the need for any maintenance on board. sive weapons (notably anti-ship and even anti-air missiles) which increase the ability of submarines to neutralize capabilities to invest in new submarine This proliferation of potential submarine ASW platforms at ranges well beyond programmes. Forecasted submarine new threats is unfolding in a strategic envi- those typical of tactical ASW sensors build investment of US$319Bn through 2036 makes up over 30% of the US$1Tn that AMI projects will be spent to build naval ships of all types over next 20 years. Put another way, the global submarine acquisition budget at US$319Bn for 2017- Graphic: Diehl Defence 2036 is not far behind the estimated US$357Bn the US Navy will spend on its new ships and submariens over the same period. As submarines continue to repre- sent the single most expensive type of war- ship to build, measured on a ton-for-ton basis, spending on submarines shows that more and more navies see submarines as “must have” capabilities, despite their cost. Moreover, forecasted growth in subma- rines is strongest in the firmest kinds of planned spending–programmes with de- tailed budgets and schedules, document- ed requirements, and concept design/ development work already underway. In the language of industry, the “Probability of Go” (P-Go) on submarine programmes New weapons, like IDAS developed by Diehl Defence, might even is higher than many types of planned na- eliminate airborne or landbased ASW systems and therefore give val programmes for other ship types. submarines a completely new range of effect.

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

and weapons (the later mostly made ASW scenario in which multiple targets detailed above, by the newest generation up of torpedoes). (manned and unmanned) are pursued of ASW surface combatants being built, as • The unchanging and difficult phys- over an extended ocean area for a sus- well as the successors to traditional air ASW ics of seawater, which continues to tained period. platforms such as the P-3 – the US P-8, make acoustic detection – the primary Therefore a CONOPS which substitutes Japanese P-2 and even the modified ASW- means of sensing submarines – prob- precision for mass, information networks capable C-130 offered by Lockheed Martin. lematic. over platforms, and sensor data over However, the need to “spread bets” on These factors reinforce the need to apply “weapons in the water” maximizes the future ASW capability stretches and fur- the proven “team game” principle of the chances of achieving the desired ASW ther stresses returns on ASW investment if ASW art even (especially) in modern con- results against the greatest number of spread too thinly over a multitude of plat- ditions. That is, ASW is most successful targets (either individually or in larger forms and programmes. when the operations sequence of “De- tect, Classify, Identify, Localize, Neutral- ize” draws on a broad spectrum of plat- forms and capabilities operating across Photo: DARPA the domains from space to sub-surface (including ocean bottom). As most navies have cut overall force struc- ture (numbers of ships and aircraft) signifi- cantly since the ASW peak of the Cold War, and likewise ASW training of those plat- forms and personnel has languished amidst demands for other kinds of naval missions, most navies have little option but to bring all the resources to bear to achieve even a semblance of the ASW standard that pre- vailed in the Cold War. At the same time, the disparity between the resources needed to achieve offensive aim with submarines, and means needed to counter, also influence principles of modern ASW. As noted in the US Navy’s The unmanned ACTUV might be capable to perform ASW missions for Task Force ASW CONOPS (Concept of several months without any human intervention. Operations), the modern ASW environ- ment prioritizes: “Sensor over weapon, numbers) most effectively. The focus on Adding to the complexity of ASW in- Network over platform.” neutralizing the submarine threat at a vestment decisions is the advent of un- Arguably, this approach represents mak- strategic level, by deterring an opponent manned and cyber technology develop- ing a virtue of necessity given the decline from employing the platform at all, or by ments that apply to ASW. One example in most navies shipbuilding and force early detection which provides the great- of this is the US ACTUV ASW Continu- structure over the past quarter century est range of options to counter (in time ous Trail Unmanned Vessel sponsored since the end of the Cold War. But this and space), rather than “killing the sub”, and built by the US DARPA. According to principle also highlights a peculiarity of are hallmarks of this approach. DARPA “the ACTUV programme is devel- ASW. In scenarios short of total and sus- oping an unmanned vessel optimized to tained war against a submarine threat robustly track quiet diesel electric subma- numbering in the 10’s or 100’s – last Effects against Submarines rines” over extended periods. practiced in World War II, planned and The Team Game principle of ASW results The ACTUV represents a potential force simulated in the Cold War – most ASW in opportunities to invest in ASW capabil- multiplier of constrained manned ASW re- prosecutions involve pursuit of a small ity across the several domains of the ASW sources (aviation, surface ship, submarine) force or single hull. ’s ASW op- competition – space to air, surface and sub- and conceivably could significantly alter erations seeking to neutralize HMS Con- surface platforms and sensors. That ASW the current ASW art in which gaining and queror during the Falkland’s War is as an investments must be made in all these ar- maintaining contact on a maneuvering example. Even the largest of today’s na- eas is generally recognized, judging by the quiet submarine target remains the most vies would be hard pressed to execute an investment in new submarine programmes resource (time, fuel expenditure) intensive Sonars and hydroacoustic systems

Wärtsilä ELAC Nautik deliver innovative and efficient systems to our customers worldwide www.wartsila.com STAND A46

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 63  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY Photo: Northrop Grumman

Another unmanned system capable of performing ASW in the future is the US MQ-4C TRITON.

parts of current ASW practice. However, ASW threat are investing in a variety of ASW Mission Management/Com- the risk of the unmanned system not deliv- systems. The Navy’s ASW team is still mand and Control (C2) Center ering on its promise will still influence how centered on the BURKE-class • Mission Package Application Software investments are made between manned (DDG-51). The BURKE mounts the SQQ- (MPAS) versus unmanned ASW capabilities. 89A (V)15 Combat System, which will be • Mission Package Computing Environ- aboard 64 destroyers by 2020. Of note, ment (MPCE) Methods to Fight the Boats the US Navy is taking a page from AEGIS Combat System to provide continuous Land-based ASW aircraft are also enter- A submarine’s greatest vulnerability, and development and improvement of the ing a new era. The P-8 POSEIDON is suc- the one most important to ASW systems, BURKE’s ASW combat system. ceeding the venerable P-3 ORION as the is its acoustic signature. This signature is Additional players will include the Lit- land-based aviation component of the US manifested in two ways: First sound emit- toral Combat Ship (LCS) and its onboard Navy’s ASW team. POSEIDON, also be- ted by the submarine or its systems and ASW mission package, which is also ing acquired by the UK, Norway, Australia second the signature of the submarine’s aimed at broadening ASW capabilities. and India, achieves the ASW CONOPs hull when acoustic energy (such as that The LCS’s modular approach highlights objective of detecting and deterring sub- from an active sonar “ping”) reflects off the “Team Sport” approach to ASW at marine threats at distance, with the en- that hull. the tactical sensor level, in which a com- durance to maintain target contact over Due to submarine acoustic signature, the bination of acoustic and non-acoustic an extended period – a core ASW require- sonar (in active and passive types) remains (radar) sensors are integrated in the ment. The P-8’s suite of sensors, notably the most important ASW sensor for many ASW mission: including “wingman” unmanned aerial platforms and an area of intensive tech- platform (MQ-4C TRITON), also illustrates nological development. Improvements in ASW Escort Module the broad spectrum of ASW sensors em- sonars as traditionally configured – surface • Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) ployed for “New Era ASW”. ship and submarine bow and towed ar- • Multi-Function Towed Array (MFTA) Magnetic Anomaly Detection remains a rays, helicopter-mounted dipping sonars – acoustic receiver proven method used by ASW aircraft to included application of improved acoustic • Launch, handling and recovery equip- detect and track submarines by sensing elements and especially signal processing ment the magnetic signatures generated from and other information technologies. Re- • Signal processing and systems control a submarine hull’s movement through duction in size and weight derived from • Support containers the water. The “MAD Boom” extending improvements in information technology from the tail structure of the P-3 is dis- as well as incorporation of advanced ma- Torpedo Defense Module tinctive. However, use of the MAD sensor terials are seeing sonars emerge that are • Detection/Alert: MFTA with Acoustic requires the aircraft to descend to low light enough to mounted on smaller ships Intercept (ACI) altitudes to detect submarines. As the US and other platforms – such as ACTUV • Countermeasures: Light Weight Tow P-8 was designed with a CONOPS that noted above, UUVs, and UAVs. (LWT) keeps the aircraft at higher altitudes, it Europe remains a center of excellence for does not feature a fixed MAD installation. ASW sonar technology, with companies Aviation Module Instead, the US Navy is developing a MAD such as ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, Thales, Leon- • MH-60R helicopter mounting: system mounted on a small UAV to be ardo (Selex), and Kongsberg supplying do- - Airborne Low Frequency Sonar launched from the P-8. In January 2015, mestic markets and a broad base of export (ALFS) the Office of Naval Research awarded BAE customers. In the U.S., Lockheed Martin is - Sonobuoys (active/passive) Systems Electronic Systems segment in a leading supplier of sonar systems to the - APS153 periscope detection radar Merrimack, N.H., US$8.9M to develop a surface and submarine forces. - MK46/50/54 Torpedo High Altitude ASW (HAASW) Unmanned The US Navy is a case study in how • MQ-8B Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Targeting Air System (UTAS) programme modern navies confronting a new era Aerial Vehicle for the P-8. L

64 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Realism in Modern Military Training

William Carter

There is no doubt that to be effective, training has to be realistic. It seems obvious that realistic training should involve real troops, real weapons, real bullets, shells and missiles. But, there’s the rub, as Shakespeare said, because bullets, shells, mortar rounds and guided weapons are not only expensive, but are dangerous, particularly when mixed with own troops, some of whom will be inexperienced because they are the very people who need training the most.

t is an unfortunate truth that personnel areas such as the German Army Combat and requires troops, their equipment and Iare injured and killed in military training Training Centre (Gefechtsübungszentrum vehicles to be away from home bases for exercises, and the more realistic the exer- – GÜZ) north of Magdeburg, the Salis- extended periods. cise, the more casualties there may be if bury Plain Training Area (SPTA) in the UK live fire is involved. or the US Marine Corps training area at From Large Scale Exercises to We need to lessen hazards in training Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, just to Virtual Worlds without sacrificing effectiveness. One name a few examples, and equivalent An extreme example of large scale exercis- es occurred during the years of confronta- tion between NATO and the Warsaw Pact countries, during which annual exercises involved tens of thousands of troops on each side. Reinforcements and replace- ments would fly over from the USA on Photo: Israel Defense Forces the annual Reforger programme, to be matched by what was called “roulement” (rotation) of Soviet formations coming from Russia, replacing units which then returned to the home country. A point of maximum threat was thought to be if the troops who were scheduled to return in fact stayed in position to increase the threat to, or even attack, the other alliance. Perhaps such enormous live exercises are things of the past, but training on this scale can take place today without tak- The Urban Warfare Training Center “Baladia City” in Israel ing thousands of troops from their home bases – by using modern simulation tech- way in ground exercises is to fire lasers training areas elsewhere. Within these nology. Originally, simulators were just for instead of bullets. In Tactical Engagement overall military training areas there are basic training for individual weapon sys- Simulation (TES), lasers are coded so that specialist training facilities for Military tems, but with larger databases and the individual firers can be identified as the Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT). ability to connect simulators together in a exercise progresses. Players are not only These consist of specially built villages network, training in the modern “Virtual individual soldiers, but guns and other with buildings adapted for tracking of World” can be as sophisticated as you like. weapons on armoured vehicles, artillery, soldiers and recording the use of their Furthermore, enemy action can be mod- even aircraft and ships that are in the ex- (laser) weapons. elled, if necessary in a number of differ- ercise. In TES, realistic training exercises To keep up with the three named example ent ways so that the best response can be can take place with real personnel, real training areas, at GÜZ the MOUT facility found to different threats. fighting vehicles, aircraft and ships, but is the “Schnöggersburg” training village, One of the early systems for large-scale mul- no live rounds. With GPS tracking of the the UK equivalent is “Copehill Down” ti-role training was the US Air Force Distrib- exercise players combined with recording and at Camp Lejeune it is simply “MOUT uted Mission Operations (DMO) system that of laser fire and the creation of simulated Town”. There is always the question of links simulators together for collective train- weapon effects, an enormous amount how to introduce enemy forces into an ing. Initially designed in the late 1990s, DMO of data is available as the exercise pro- exercise and in general, this means that was originally for training the various aircraft gresses and later for After-Action Review some friendly forces will play the enemy. types in an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) at (AAR). Outside the relatively small-scale MOUT home bases before the AEF deployed to an Such TES-based exercises are highly ef- exercises, the organisation of large-scale area of conflict, using networked simula- fective, but are limited to military range exercises in open range areas takes time, tors rather than the aircraft themselves. AEF

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 65  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

elements included fighters for air defence and ground attack, airborne early warning and control, transport and tanker support. To avoid the complexity, expense and time involved in setting up an airborne exercise with all of these elements, the US Air Force introduced transmission links so that existing simulators for all of these aircraft types could be used together in a combined exercise. Nowadays, new military simulators of any sophistication have these network links so that they can be used for basic drills to multi-role exercises. An example is the US Marine Corps (USMC) which stated last year that from 2018 they will double the number of their aircraft simulators, and all will be network-capable. Since the USMC is larger than the forces of many other nations, this is significant and illustrates the general trend towards more training by simulation rather than repetitive use of live weapons and ve- hicles in training. Swedish engagement at COMP 2 during the Cold War Canada has stated a similar policy because, with limited resources and a large area to many years, starting with the UK. Over the exercise participants and allows command- patrol and defend, a constant stream of live years, other nations have included Austral- ers, exercise directors and safety monitors to exercises became too expensive to afford. ia, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, view progress in real time and document the Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Norway, results including simulated “kills”. RED FLAG Exercises Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Swe- This year, the performance of the F-35 is den and the . This year, of particular interest, particularly against One type of realistic live training that has the RED FLAG exercise in January and Febru- the F-22 RAPTOR, previously considered been successful over many years is the RED ary included the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike the most advanced fighter aircraft in the FLAG series of air combat and ground- Fighter (JSF) for the first time, as well as other world. Initial reports as we go to press in- attack exercises that are held in the Nellis aircraft from the US Air Force and Navy, the dicate that a combination of the F-22 and ranges in Nevada, USA. RED FLAG exercises UK and Australia. F-35 achieved a 15:1 kill ratio against the were started as long ago as 1975 by US Air Enemy “Red Air” activity is provided by F-15 opposition. However, the F-35s carried out Force Tactical Air Command under General and F-16 fighters of the 64 and 65 Aggres- ground attack while protected by the F- Robert Dixon. The official title of the exercise sor Squadrons based at Nellis, and ground 22s, so it is too early to separate out the area is the Nevada Test and Training Range units operate AAA and SAM units whose F-35 kill ratios from those of the F-22. (NTTR), with some 10,000 square miles of tracking and potential firing at exercise air- As each of the RED FLAG aircraft types al- military airspace and 4,700 square miles ml craft is taken into account by Exercise Con- ready has a suite of simulators, these can of “restricted land” for military use. trol (ExCon) during the exercise and later for be linked together in a “virtual” version of Originally RED FLAG was for US forces only, After-Action Review. The Nellis Air Combat RED FLAG. This avoids the need to deploy but coalition partners have participated for Training System (NACTS) is used to track to Nellis, and several exercises can be held each year. This system began in year 2000 as a series of war games called DESERT PIVOT. This was renamed VIRTUAL FLAG and by 2007 included some 650 simulation mod- els of aircraft, vehicles and weapons, with Photo: US Air Force computers processing no fewer than 37,000 exercise entities per day as the exercise situa- tion developed. Accurate models of Red Air types, such as the MiG-23 FLOGGER, MiG- 29 FULCRUM and Su-27 FLANKER were included, in marked contrast to the use of NATO aircraft types in RED FLAG to simulate the opposition. Simulation-based exercises such as VIRTUAL FLAG are co-ordinated by the USAF Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Another notable VIRTUAL FLAG milestone was when the US Army 214th Fires Bri- gade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, took part with F-16C FIGHTING FALCONS at RED FLAG 17 its simulators for the UH-1Y SUPER HUEY

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

buquerque, with real and simulated ele- ments co-ordinated by the Combined Air Operation Center – Nellis (CAOC-N). These can include PATRIOT long-range surface- Photo: US Air Force to-air missile batteries, plus simulators for surveillance and control aircraft such as the E-3 AWACS Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) or the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS), both based on the airframe of the Boe- ing 707 airliner. On the PATRIOT, it has been said that it costs more than US$1M to bring a real PATRIOT unit to the Nellis ranges, whereas for networked simulation the cost is only for integrating existing PA- TRIOT simulators into the exercise.

Virtual Instrument Rating Tests Airmen participating in “Virtual Flag 08-2” fly F-15 C/E simulators at the Distributed Mission Operations Center Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, in Another example of high realism in flight March 2008. training is the use of a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) instead of the aircraft, for the regular helicopter before deploying to Iraq, the first VIRTUAL FLAG, a concept called “Integrated Instrument Rating Tests (IRTs) that all pilots time that the USAF Distributed Mission Op- Flag”. The combination of virtual and live must undergo, and training for dangerous erations (DMO) system had been used to elements enables a larger geographical area events such as upsets from normal flight certify an army force before an operational and threat envelope to be modelled, cre- due to failures or turbulence. In civil aviation deployment. Today there are four VIRTUAL ating an exercise area up to 1,200 x 1,100 under procedures of the International Civil FLAG exercises per year. Some are desig- Nautical Miles in size, compared to the 100 Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and national nated COALITION VIRTUAL FLAG, with the x 100 NM area of the real-world Nevada Test and regional regulatory bodies such as the participation of other nations such as Aus- and Training Range (NTTR). European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) tralia, Canada, Italy and the UK. The Integrated Flag concept involves and the US Federal Aviation Administration A recent development is to integrate the live synchronisation between simulators (FAA), a Level D FFS must be used for regular flying of RED FLAG with the simulation of co-ordinated by the USAF DMOC in Al- instrument and upset training of all airline pi- ESD Spotlight

Published by New Fortnightly Newsletter

Issue 2 / 2015 European Security & Defence is escorted by the new bi-weekly newsletter ESD Spotlight which is distributed by email. ESD Spotlight is available free of charge. You can order your subscription by Procurement programmes in Sweden sending an informal email message to [email protected]. Sweden not only chairs the Nordic Defense genera- Cooperation (NORDEFCO), the Swedish Ar- tion sub- med Forces have also several procurement marines projects on schedule for 2015. The largest (NGU) Alternatively, there is a subscription order form on the magazine’s website at www.euro-sd.com. three programmes comprise the develop- for Swe- ment of the next generation of the JAS Gripen den. Content fighter system (JAS E), the development of The new the next generation submarine (NGU) and the subma- • Sweden modification of the Leopard main battle tank rines will base on the Type 612 submarines, Issue 2 / 2015 system. that Saab Kockums has built for the Royal Aus- Issue 2 / 2015 • Defence Issue 2 / 2015 tralian Navy. 2 7 • Technology Next generation of the JAS Gripen But there will be changes, since the Australi- The Swedish government ordered 60 JAS Gri- an submarine has 4,000 tonnes and the Swe- 3 • Industry pen E (plus 10 as option) with scheduled de- dish NGO programme is heading for a 3,000 defence • IDEX Preview livery from 2018 to 2027. Contrary to initial tonnes submarine with some elements of the technology plans all the future JAS Gripen E will be new- cancelled A26 programme included. gressive dive/ decisions to strengthen NAtO built fighters and not upgrades of existing Gri- The first of the five Swedish submarines is The second firing was at very close range - pull-up evasi- the size and scope of a new very high rea- The defence ministers also decided to IRIS-t SL demonstrates to the launch point to prove the missi ve manoeu- Defence) Diehl (Photo: (df) The defence ministers of the NATO diness force or Spearhead Force. “We deci- immediately establish six command and MAStheAd pen C. The first flight of the pre-production planned to be operating by 2023. full performance le´s short range engagement capabilities. vres. countries have taken several decisions to ded that this very high readiness force will control units in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, JAS Gripen E is expected within this year. During this firing, IRIS-T SL jettisoned its IRIS-T SL is strengthen the Alliance’s collective de- consist of a land brigade of around 5,000 Lithuania, Poland and Romania. (df) With system validation completed Roketsan eSd Spotlight The JAS Gripen E will be slightly larger than Modification of the Leopard last year, Diehl Defence´s IRIS-T Surface - aerodynamic cover shortly after launch the missile fence. NATO Secretary General Jens Stol- troops. These will be supported by air, www..int Email newsletter of the bimonthly magazine Launched (IRIS-T SL) SAM system demons immediately initiating a hard turn-over of the new tenberg said the decisions would “ensure sea and special forces”, said Stoltenberg. (df) Roketsan will display several new and/ the predecessors. Giving place to an increase The Swedish version of the main battle tank “European Security & Defence” (ESD) trated its full performance. All of the jet - manoeuvre towards the low flying target. IRIS-T SLM that we have the right forces, in the right He explained the Spearhead Force would or enhanced products at the IDEX 2015. tegrated and used by AH-1W Cobra helicop- of the fuselage tank with the new and bigger Leopard has additional protection, including target drones of different sizes, which per The entire engagement lasted less than 10 air defence place, at the right time”. The ministers be backed up by two more brigades “as a Very interesting is the 2.75” Laser Guided ter, AT-802 Arc Angel Border Patrol Aircraft editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter Bossdorf system and NATO) (Photo: Missile, so called “CIRIT”, an all-up round nose bearing most of the main gear. The com- overall coverage, mine protection, an extra formed a large variety of realistic evasive seconds with a direct hit. agreed on the implementation of a so rapid reinforcement capability in case of and on EC635 Light Combat Helicopter. weapon stations, autonomous stationary/ deputy editor-in-Chief: Henning Bartels manoeuvres, were directly hit. The third firing was carried out against is planned to called Spearhead Force. a major crisis. Altogether, the enhanced missile designed to eliminate light armored, CIRIT is also integrated on vehicle mounted mobile weapon platforms, stabilized naval Managing editors: Dorothee Frank (newslet- pany Saab stated, that the new fighter has an bomblet protection for the turret, a modern The first target was engaged at a distance of a very small, fast and agile target drone - be a compo- Also the NATO Response Force will be en- NATO Response Force will count up to stationary/moving opportunity targets with weapon platforms for patrol boats and Tac- ter) and Stephen Barnard (magazine) increase of 40% in internal fuel capacity. command system and an improved fire-con- more than 30 km. The IRIS-T SL missile flight featuring high agility and extreme mano nent of the future German Air and Missile hanced. The Defence Ministers agreed on around 30,000 troops.” high precision and affordable cost. CIRIT, tical UAV. The combat proven CIRIT has a editors: Gerhard Heiming (gwh), Yuri Laski (yl) Defence System. designed as the main weapon system of Apart from this two additional weapon sta- trol system. time was about one minute reaching an alti- euvrebility. A direct hit was achieved at a quite long range with 8 km, MEMS Based tude above 12 km. Despite an evasive mano- range of 12.5 km range at an altitude of 1.5 www.diehl.com/en/diehl-defence.html T-129 ATAK Turkish 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

MITTLER REPORT VERLAG GMBH Baunscheidtstraße 11 · 53113 Bonn · Germany Fax: +49 228 35 00 871 · [email protected] · www.mittler-report.de

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 67  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY

lots worldwide (Level D is the current highest Graphic: VSTEP civil FFS standard). The military equivalent is a Full Mission Simu- lator (FMS) as long as it has 6-axis motion like a civil FFS, and most forces use simula- tors like this for large transport aircraft, and others for which a motion-based FMS is ap- propriate, such as helicopters. Why the emphasis on simulator motion, you may ask? This is because in the real world, motion cues are processed by the human brain before visual cues, and a pilot will start to make a corrective control movement based on the motion cue before a visual change has been detected. Therefore, in a critical control situation, pilot handling in a simulator can onlybe like that in an aircraft if motion cues are present. This is straightfor- ward to achieve in a civil Level D FFS and its military FMS equivalent. Class A NAUTIS Full Mission Bridge (FMB) simulators for SIGMA class However, for fighter simulators, a very large corvette bridge training of the outside-world Field of View (FoV) is gener- ally given priority over a motion platform, training devices for the driver, gunner and needed for precise ship control because of and many large-FoV visual display systems commander, all capable of being connected the longer time in which a ship responds to are not compatible with fitting a platform. so that a complete crew can train together movements of rudder, propellers or thrust- This leads to impressive visuals and not par- as well as singly. Similarly for training other ers. ticularly realistic aircraft handling, but this large military hardware such as artillery. Bridge simulators can be used for tasks may not matter if the object of the simula- Such simulators can be located at one place varying from routine training, to familiari- tion is tactics rather than realistic short-term so that, for instance, all the different spe- sation with docking at an unfamiliar port, control movements. cialities in a brigade can train together. An formation with other ships in a task group, Then there are the high-G conditions that example is the British Army’s Combined and unusual circumstances such as system are experienced in fighter air combat, some- Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT) multi-simu- failures, emergencies, reaction to enemy times leading to fatalities due to G-induced lator training facility. There are two CATT action, and adverse weather. Bridge simu- Loss of Consciousness (G-LOC). Realistic sites, one at Warminster, UK, the other at lators can also keep the topside crew in training is possible in a centrifuge, because Sennelager in Germany, with a total of 140 practice when the ship is in home port or pilots can experience real “G” up to about different simulators with some 450 crew on re-fit. A bridge simulator can be con- a multiple of nine, first to demonstrate and stations for military vehicles and weapons nected to a simulator for the ship’s Combat then to prevent G-LOC through the use of of all types, all capable of being linked for Operations Centre (COC), the nerve centre an anti-G suit, partial pressure breathing combined training when required. Long- for the ship's sensors and weapons. This at high-G, and training in body tensing. range network links are also available to enables the fighting crew of the ship to Currently there are only two companies simulators for APACHE attack helicopters practise together, and when connected to in the world that are building man-rated at the Army base at Middle Wallop, east the simulators of other ships, to train as training centrifuges with cockpit modules of Salisbury, and the suite of support heli- a complete task group without using the attached to the rotating arm. These are copter simulators at the Air Force base at ships themselves. Austria Metall System Technik (AMST) of Benson, south of Oxford. For continuing this training at sea, the ship’s Braunau, north of Saltzburg, Austria, and COC can have built-in facilities so that sig- Environmental Tectonics (ETC) of Philadel- Different Simulators for nals can be injected into systems such as phia, USA. AMST centrifuges are in service Training the Navy electronics and weapons that simulate for pilot training in China, Germany, India, combat situations so that synthetic training Poland, Russia, Singapore, with one in build Turning to Navy training, it is straightfor- can take place when away from home port. for the UK, and ETC centrifuges are in Ja- ward to use simulation technology at shore pan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, bases but more difficult to apply at sea. Conclusion Turkey, and the USA. Shore-based simulators for ship’s bridges, weapons and other ship systems have been Sophisticated training technology is readily Tactical Engagement used for many years. available for the modern military to use. Simulation Engine room training simulators are par- This ranges from instrumentation fitted to ticularly important where nuclear propul- live military assets for recording their use in Laser-based Tactical Engagement Simula- sion is concerned, as in many submarines training, to simulators independent of the tion (TES) has already been mentioned, and some US Navy aircraft carriers. Bridge real hardware and capable of being linked using real infantry weapons and military simulators have wide view visuals and con- together for collective training. This article vehicles. For vehicles, complete simulators trols for ship propulsion and steering. Some shows that once up-to-date training and can also be built. The crew stations of Ar- have motion platforms to increase the real- simulation technology is embraced in all its moured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) can be ism of ship motion on the bridge, although forms, many types of realistic training are modelled, often with separate stand-alone unlike aircraft simulators, real motion is not possible that simply were not before. L

68 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  A Simulator Training System for Forward Air Controller/Forward Observer

Walter Christian Håland

Forward Air Controller (FAC) and Forward Observer (FO) training istime consuming and expensive when aircraft sorties or artillery rounds are the only option for necessary realistic training and certification.

f the trainees, for example, have to ac- Icomplish 12 CAS runs to be ready for certification, and if something (techni- cal/weather) causes the aircraft to be grounded, the exercise cannot be ac-

complished, and all has to be done again Photos & Graphics: Fidelity from the beginning as soon as the cir- cumstances allow. That is time consum- ing and costly. So today it is unthinkable not to have a a simulator for training and Virtual Reality as substitutes for real flying sorties and live firing, since a simu- lator reduces the need for live CAS runs to a minimum.

Fidelity’s FAC/FO Training System “This is the best in the world for train- ing and qualification of FACs and FOs for CAS and Call For Fire/Naval Surface Gunfire,” said Stephen W. Hopkins, Di- rector of Engineering and Simulation, Fidelity Technologies Corporation, when The trainee room with the dome,, trainees and a supervising instructor he talked to me on 3 December 2016; the day the simulator system was installed at • FAC training different road types, power lines, build- the Rena Camp of the Norwegian Army. • Basic Selection Course ings, military installations, bivouac areas, Fidelity is a global supplier to NATO allies • Advanced Training runways, trenches, undamaged/dam- and JTAC MOA signatures. With over 20 • Limited Combat Ready to Combat aged daylight models and IR models and years of experience, Fidelity has delivered Ready Training so on. The terrain database will show over 300 accredited Joint Fires trainers • FO training thermal imagery correctly based on phys- and is a global leader in Joint Fires train- • Basic Training ics and the features will be modified in ing systems. • Advanced Training real time in response to simulated man- The newest simulator system offered a The instructors connect different basic made factors such as combat engineer- full fixed installation with a large 8-metre components, pre-programmed actions, ing or munitions. dome, classrooms and deployable satel- environmental factors, grouping and mis- The simulator will automatically visually lite simulator systems. The fixed simulator sion making the scenarios. present the correct environment, based installation can be used as a “Centre of on such factors as the geographic co- Excellence". The instructor can choose Simulator Database ordinates, time of day, time of year and exercises within these parameters: ambient weather and light conditions like The simulator’s databases can be tailored clouds (3D), intensity of sunlight, moon- Author to meet specific users’ requirements. light based upon sky conditions, and Walter Christian Håland is a former The database includes a library of dif- realistic shadow on the ground, as well artillery officer and was a certified ferent elements to mimic the terrain of as wind, rain, fog, mist, snowfall, snow- instructor of the Swedish Saab BT 33 a country of interest. The simulator can storms and sandstorms. The dynamic be- artillery fire control simulator. model hilly regions, valleys or flat land haviour of clouds will be influenced by featuring urban developments, desert, the chosen wind speed and wind direc- jungle, lakes and shorelines, as well as tion.

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

Included in the database is also a library and entities in the scenario. The supervi- displays, are replicated/simulated and can with entity categories: sor and the spectators will hear the same be used like the real ones and it is pos- • Civilians, e.g. personnel, different sound as the trainee. The system allows sible to choose a view from any of these animals, vehicles of various types and the instructor to adjust the presentation. pieces of equipment.. The trainee (FAC or colours; The instructor, supervisor and pilot have FO) will be able to use a simulated GPS • Opposing forces and own forces with the possibility to choose the different to find their own position. When using human military entities like single and menus/images/video/radio they want to the IR-pointer, the illumination shall be groups of infantry, and most other have in the graphical user interface and seen by the instructor, supervisor, trainee formations; • Military entities and materiel, like artil- lery, mortars, man-pads, battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, APCs and air defence. The surfaces of all models and objects will emulate the laser reflection charac- teristics of their real counterparts. All tex- tures will indicate the area of the vehicle that has been damaged. So a mobility kill, with vehicle burning at the rear and a weapon kill, represented by a burning turret, will appear quite realistic to the trainee. The library of airplanes includes all types of ccustomer-specified aircraft. The ammunition database contains all different indirect and direct fire weapons. There is no limit for the addition of weap- ons in any future database upgrade. The ballistic factors influencing ammunition delivery take account of the "weapon platform", such as aircraft or artillery, and provide a near-correct simulation of the maximum ranging and azimuth errors. The simulator supports flashbang, tracer visualization of munition trajectory, ver- tex for all artillery/mortar/naval gunfire support, time of flight for munition, point of impact and damage assessment. It of- Example of a HUD's view fers a realistic visual effect of fired smoke, in terms of obscuring terrain, drifting and store their profile according to who they and the pilot on the different displays in dispersing, vehicle/position and target are going to play (fire support officer, the system. The field terminal replica will motion when encountered. Appearance pilot, supervisor, ground commander/ have touch screen functionality, and the of special effects (smoke, explosions, manoeuvre chief, higher command). The trainee will be able to operate one data muzzle flash, etc.) will be time controlled supervisor has the possibility to follow terminal to simulate the functions of a in the visualization. This also occurs three video channels simultaneously at military field terminal. The field terminal when, for example, the enemy forces hit the position behind the trainee. can show the map of the terrain (actual your own position. When delivering mu- The playback function is an important terrain in the scenario); and the trainee nitions from the air or ground and targets tool and the video can be stopped at can receive thermal image and target are masked by the terrain or objects, the any time. There is also a learning side- data from the main target locator instru- munition will hit the masking object or effect. The trainees seated in the rear, ment and display images with the view terrain. The damage assessment will re- rear are experiencing the action and see from the targeting pod in the aircraft. port one of the following: no damage, what’s going on by monitoring up to four That really means “train as you fight". partly damaged, or total damage. video channels simultaneously. The big The ruggedized transportable FAC/FO The installation has an auditorium with and small classrooms can be used for an Satellite Trainer, which can be located an area for the dome, trainee, supervising after-action review. elsewhere, consists of a pilot station, in- instructor, spectators and extra monitors, structor operators stations and a trainee a control room for instructor operators Communication Like Reality position system. Together with a deploy- and pilot/instructor, a small classroom able 3-metre dome, the satellite has the and the a big classroom. The visual sys- The simulated communication (radio same functionality and database as the tem in the classrooms shows two video networks and data communication) will fixed one. The satellite will consist of four channels simultaneously. The sound sys- function just like it would in a real situa- plastic cases, each with a handle and tem, which is synchronised according to tion. The simulated military equipment, wheels for easy transport. The weight is the battlefield view presented, will pro- like target locators, laser target imag- not more than 100 kg in total. The system vide a realistic sound that simulates a ers, thermal imager, binoculars, NVGs, can be assembled in 45 minutes without combat environment from all the models targeting pods on aircraft and head up tools. L

70 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  “We have been working on nearly 500 development and modernisation projects.”

Interview with Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Undersecretary for Defence Industry, Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı (SSM) Photo: SSM and giving directions, SSM carries out vari- and produced in Turkey and has entered ous activities in order to increase the devel- service with our Armed Forces. In addition opment, capabilities and export capacity of to this, our national Landing Ship Tank (LST) our country’s defence industry. BAYRAKTARIS is going to be commissioned Since the number of private companies in within a few days. Besides, numerous naval the defence industry was limited in the past projects such as coast guard boats, seismic years, the Turkish Armed Forces Founda- research vessels, submarine rescue vessels, tion was established as a public pioneer amphibious crews have been executed and and various companies were established supported with 100% local design and under the umbrella of the Foundation such over 60% local content. as Aselsan, TAI, Roketsan, Havelsan. As Similarly, the series production and delivery of today, these companies are among the of our T-129 attack helicopters, which are leading companies in the world in their field produced by TAI and are a leader in this of activity. class, is continuing. SSM is a member of the Board of the The CIRIT missile, the UMTAS long-range Turkish Armed Forces Foundation. Taking anti-tank missile and the OMTAS medium- advantage of this membership, Turkish range anti-tank missile have been devel- Armed Forces companies are encouraged oped to be used on our national platforms. to invest in critical areas that are considered The prototype for the ALTAY main battle ESD: Please explain the mission and roles a priority for defence industry. tank project has been completed and the of SSM. In addition, SSM encourages small-scale series production decision will be taken in Demir: SSM was established in 1985 by defence companies to become subcontrac- 2017. order of the Minister of National Defence tors to those Foundation companies. Flight tests of the ANKA UAV have been to meet the requirements of the Turkish On the other side, the Turkish Defence Alli- completed. The series production contract Armed Forces and to develop a modern ance (TDA) was established in 2013 by the for ANKA-S was signed. The BAYRAKTAR defence industrial base. SSM is a legal en- Defence and Aerospace Industry Export- tactical unmanned air vehicle is operational. tity and controls a budget called Defence ers’ Association of Turkey (SSİ), to promote The series production of the MPT-76 Na- Industry Support Fund. This fund is used the sector more effectively in coordination tional Infantry Rifle has started. for defence procurement and R&D pro- with SSM, particularly in overseas markets, The HÜRKÜ training aircraft will be intro- grammes. In addition to the Turkish Armed carry out activities for the promotion of the duced to the TSK inventory following EASA Forces, SSM also acts as a procurement Turkish defence industry’s image, organise certification and approval of the General agency in response to the requirements brand building, effective marketing and Directorate of Civil Aviation. of other governmental institutions such as joint promotional activities. On the other hand, in the scope of R & D Turkish Police Force and Gendarmerie. The efforts over 60 projects are being carried coordination of export programmes for de- ESD: In the slightly more than 30 years out in order to enhance the level of tech- fence products and offset obligations are since SSM was established a significant nological competence with the objective of also part of SSM’s responsibility. part of its remit has been the reorganisa- bringing our industrial sub-suppliers, com- tion of Turkish indigenous defence produc- ponents and technologies together. ESD: There are several organisations in tion and capabilities. What have been the In this context, we support the private sec- Turkey that are relevant for an industrial main achievements in recent years? How tor in order to obtain a more important partner/supplier from abroad: what is the do you manage to coordinate the private role in the defence industry. While SSM relationship of SSM to them (for example and state-owned companies and output? makes the strategies related to the sector, the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation and Demir: SSM’s primary goal is to increase it gives utmost importance to this issue and the Turkish Defence Alliance) and how are the local content in defence programmes. provides credit support for infrastructure interactions managed? Against this background, industry partici- investments, R & D financing, industry par- Demir: Similar to other countries, the de- pation/offset programmes are implement- ticipation/offset etc. fence industry in Turkey is managed in a ed and encouraged to increase the export structure in which foundations, public and capacities of Turkish companies. ESD: Another part of that remit has been private sector companies operate together. Regarding the main achievements, the concerning the development of the Ad- In this context, as the main leading actor MILGEM corvette can be seen on the top of vanced Technologies Industrial Park. Please and by establishing regulations, strategies the list. The MILGEM warship was designed tell us about developments here.

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

Demir: The Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK) decided to launch the Advanced Technologies Industrial Park (ITEP) project in 1987. The main objectives of the project are to support the establish- ment of the necessary infrastructure and to meet the advanced technology needs of the country with national resources. An- other objective of the ITEP project is to pro-

vide a sustainable income to the Defence Photo: Roketsan Industry Support Fund. Roketsan’s CIRIT missile is reported to have good export potential as an The necessary dynamic, scientific and tech- upgrade measure to existing unguided 70mm air-to-ground weaponry nological infrastructure is built up through for helicopters. various investments and programmes in the scope of an economic development model Industry and the Istanbul Chamber of Com- was placed in the 1st place among the early that is related to the commercialisation of merce with the aim of contributing to the stage technoparks and the 7th of all tech- technology with the public and domestic/ technology development capacity of Tur- noparks. By the end of 2016, approximate- foreign private sector investments in order key by domestic and foreign entrepreneurs. ly 20 million dollars of exports were made to develop the kind of advanced technol- It will be financed with an investment of 2 by the Technopark Istanbul companies. ogy which is to be the basis of competitive billion dollars which is predominantly ex- Taking an active role in the International power in the country. pected to be injected by the private sec- Technoparks Association (IASP), Teknopark Istanbul will host the IASP World Tech- noparks Congress in Istanbul in 2017. It is not possible to be good in all areas of technology. In that sense, it has become Photo: US Navy more important nowadays to choose cer- tain critical areas to be good in, to deepen and to have a word in the world. In this respect, great importance is attached to the selection of companies in the target sectors determined for the Teknopark Is- tanbul, and the applicants are evaluated with sensitivity according to the technol- ogy fields. In this sense, we see Teknopark Istanbul as a technology base where Turkey will create its own brands, not only by ad- vocating technologies but also by support- ing the work that will be the basis for multi- use applications of defence technologies.

Turkey’s indigenous MILGEM corvette during an exercise with US Navy ESD: The Turkish defence industrial ca- units in the Mediterranean pability has progressed from strength to strength across a broad, tri-service front – The project consists of the Sabiha Gökçen tor. At the end of a 15-year development land, air and sea: what capabilities within International Airport, Aviation Mainte- period, close to 1000 companies and more these areas would you describe as “strate- nance and Repair Centre, Teknopark Istan- than 30,000 specialist R & D staff and quali- gically essential national resources”? bul and commercial/social areas that are fied personnel are expected to operate at Demir: I am proud to say that we have the located on the expropriated Pendik Kurtköy the Teknopark. In the advanced technology capability to design and develop armoured area in Istanbul. field, an annual business volume of 5-7 bil- vehicles in a range from 4x4 to main battle If we look at the current situation of the lion US dollars is anticipated. tanks. Regarding naval platforms, we have project, the Sabiha Gökçen International The Teknopark Istanbul, which we are as- a large number of military and private ship- Airport, Aviation Maintenance and Repair sessing as an investment of strategic im- yard premises. By using this infrastructure, Centre, Teknopark Istanbul and commer- portance in terms of our country and set we can design all kinds of surface ships and cial/social areas have been completed. out with the aim of becoming Turkey’s in- build them with local capabilities. Through The Sabiha Gökçen Airport 2nd Flight and novation centre, has been established with design participation activities for subma- Routes 1st stage works (emplacements, strong institutional support, pro-active man- rines, we have built many submarines and roads and tunnels), fast departure taxiway agement, zero-cost incubation, and active acquired a lot of expertise. construction and“ 2nd Route and Related cooperation among industry and between Concerning aircraft, as you know, we Areas” are underway. industry and universities. It has an important have developed attack helicopters and Meanwhile, the Teknopark Istanbul has role in terms of technology management unmanned aerial vehicles by using a high been established as a technology devel- within the framework of its objectives. percentage of local content. The develop- opment zone right next to Sabiha Gökçen Thus, according to evaluations of the Min- ment efforts for an indigenous national International Airport in the scope of a part- istry of Science, Industry and Technology helicopter and the fighter jet programme nership of the Undersecretariat for Defence 2015 Index criterion, Teknopark İstanbul are ongoing.

72 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

ESD: Export success is a key yardstick for started to design and produce high-tech ner and with the participation of the local measuring the success of SSM: how would defence systems. industry. Our aim is to focus on ITAR free you personally assess SSM’s performance As it has been acknowledged for many items and not only meet Turkey’s needs but in this area since the turn of the century? years, offset has been implemented and ex- also support marketing activities to third Demir: In today’s world, countries are con- ecuted by SSM in the scope of the defence countries. fronted with a broader spectrum of threats industry projects. For the defence industry Our focus areas can be summarised as fol- and risks. From terrorism to migration and projects, the contractors are obliged to com- lows: Cyber Space, Space, Guided Missiles/ cyber-attacks to border security, transna- mit an IP/O obligation amounting to at least Smart Munitions, Indigenous Air Platforms. tional risks dominate the security concerns 70% of the main contract value within the By using local demand we would like to of countries all over the world. Turkey as- framework of the Industrial Participation/ make cooperation on R&D activities in the signs utmost importance to international Offset (IP/O) Directive published in 2011. areas of material, sensor, propulsion and solidarity and cooperation with friendly In the 2011 IP&O Directive we have consid- engine technologies. and allied nations in such a security envi- ered all types of industrial participation and In order to make these collaborations work ronment. offsets in three categories. in specific areas, the defence industrial Turkey’s key role in the global arena and its increasing defence investments will con- tribute to international security, helping to prevent and resolve crises through working Photo: TAI with allied countries. In this respect, Turkey has always been one of the main support- ers of world peace and stability. Against this background, Turkey is eager to cooperate with all allied countries in both bilateral and multilateral defence industrial programmes. Export of defence products is just one of several cooperation options. Turkey’s defence export volume is growing gradually in line with Turkey’s enhancing its defence industry collaboration capacity with its well-developed defence capabili- ties including air, land, maritime platforms and system solutions. I am sure that the ex- port of defence products will significantly increase as a result of our intense coopera- The ATAK attack helicopter was developed and built based on a design tion activities. and production cooperation with Leonardo’s AgustaWestland. I would like to emphasise that we use an approach to international collaborations The first category A focuses on the direct base should be ready to cooperate. Our on the basis of the win-win principle by industrial participation. For us it is crucial to companies are ready for such cooperation offering unique options to allies such as increase the local content of the project, so throughout the successful offset applica- technology transfer, joint ventures, local we urge the contractors to seek ways to tions in the Turkish defence industry,. production, and consultancy. Defence in- increase the local portions. and if an SME dustry cooperation between our nations is contracted for design and engineering, a ESD: Finally, allowing for the fact that it is will contribute to save time and money and higher multiplier is applied. probably not possible to list all the major bring the countries closer together. The export of defence, aerospace and achievements, what would be your “top” homeland security items are categorised two or three projects with which the SSM ESD: Domestic development and export as B. Platform export gets the highest mul- has been concerned since 2000, and what success often comes with import and offset tiplier and, again, if an SME is involved in would be on your personal “wish list” for consequences: what advice would you give the export activity, the multiplier increases. the next five years? to foreign defence companies looking to Category C is for the technology trans- Demir: Within SSM we have been working do business with Turkey? Is Turkey a good fer, technological cooperation or invest- on nearly 500 development and moderni- commercial partner and customer? ment in the areas of defence, aerospace sation projects. Nevertheless, the MILGEM Demir: In recent years Turkey’s defence and homeland security. If the contractor national corvette, the ATAK helicopter and industry has been impacted by significant brings the technology that SSM has spe- the BAYKAR TBT2 tactical UAV are among momentum. We started with direct pro- cifically requested, the multiplier can go the most important projects that have been curements in the 1990s. Then we became up to 8. successfully completed and taken into the involved ion co-development and co-pro- When we look at SSM projects up to 2023, inventory of the Armed Forces. duction programmes with international there are very big projects such as Light Over the next five years; I hope that the AL- OEMs. As our local industry continuously Utility Helicopter development project and TAY main battle tank, HÜRKUŞ trainer air- proved that Turkey was a reliable and ca- the National Combat Aircraft (FX). These craft and its armed version and the ANKA pable partner, we began securing posi- projects will need many contractors and MALE type UAV become part of Turkish tions in high-profile international consor- subcontractors in the long term, since they defence power and subject to export to the tiums. Nowadays we are focusing on local are based on new designs. partners of Turkey. design and development programmes for And for the coming years, these are the The questions were asked by our needs. As a result, our defence industry areas we would like to work on with a part- Stephen Barnard.

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 73 Milipol Paris 2017 Worldwide Event For Homeland Security 20th edition

Take Up The Challenge of a Safer World

The World’s Leading Network of Homeland Security Events 21-24 NOV. 2017 QATAR PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE

www.milipol.com www.milipolqatar.com www.milipolasiapacifi c.com FRANCE Milipol Paris 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY  Worldwide Event Between Politics and Necessity For Homeland Security The Turkish Ballistic Missile Defence Requirement 20th edition Korhan Özkilinc As a NATO member seeking EU accession, the geopolitical interfaces to the sensitive regions of the Middle East, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Eurasian area put Turkey on the front line of existing and new global challenges, such as the fight against terrorism, the refugee crisis and the Syrian civil war. Because its geographical location governs regional energy interfaces, Turkey is critical to world energy and therefore politics.

his is an important factor that many eral times been confrontational. During pounded by the half-heartedness of the Tcountries would enjoy, but particularly the arms embargo related to the Cyprus EU, especially concerning the refugee since the attempted military coup of July conflict of 1974-1979, Turkey intensified crisis. It is a very complex triangular rela- 2016 the country is going through hard and expanded its relations with the US: tionship with Turkey. Political and military times. The rapprochement with Russia One of the highlights was, in December developments and conflicts of interest in and Israel on the one side and dissocia- 1976, when Turkish Energy Minister Me- the Middle East also shape the relation- tion with Western Europe and the USA hmet Selahattin Kilic signed an agreement ships between the partners but in spite on the other do not cause any shift in (economic aid of US$1.2Bn on the devel- of everything, NATO, the EU and Turkey Turkish geopolitics, because the country opment of economic cooperation and retain their appreciation for each other, remains faithful to its strategic alignment: scientific-technical cooperation with Mos- and deep-rooted collaboration contin- “Go West, Look East”. But the important cow. As we know, some years later Turkey ues. One important fact should not be question here is, to what extent does the placed an order for F-16 fighter aircraft. lost here: Turkey is more confident and current political situation influence Turk- A similar situation presents itself again. vibrant than in 40 years, so sensitivity on Take Up ish decision-making, and how important The USA is acting in Syria, rather than all sides would be a useful policy. is NATO/Turkish Ballistic Missile Defence with its NATO partner, Turkey, together interoperability for the Turkish Armed with the PYD/YPG (the long arm of the PATRIOT The Challenge Forces? PKK in Syria): but, on the other hand, In the last 50 years relations between Russia is also cooperating in military is- The Turkish Armed Forces are a big user of a Safer World Turkey and the United States have sev- sues with PYD/YPG. The situation is com- of US defence industry equipment and Photo: Raytheon

The World’s Leading Network of Homeland Security Events 21-24

NOV. 2017 The combat-proven PATRIOT QATAR PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE May 2017 · European Security & Defence 75 www.milipol.com www.milipolqatar.com www.milipolasiapacifi c.com FRANCE  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY in this respect have great expectations. all of “Air Defence” with the “Integrated some 3,000 ground tests and 1,400 live In the matter of Ballistic Missile Defence Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle fire tests to date. But the system has an- (BMD), Turkey had its first contact with Command System (IBCS)” and through other attribute for the owner, bringing the PATRIOTs during the 1991 . external communication links to inte- reassurance, which is important in trou- When, in 2007, the SSM published the grate with other air and missile defence bled times. Invitation to Tender for the T-LORAMIDS system command and control units. This (Turkish – Long Range Air and Missile interface will allow connection to the MEADS Defence System), expectations were very “Joint Interagency Intergovernmental high regarding the PATRIOT Systems, but Multinational Systems”. This is a frontal The Medium Extended Air Defence Sys- the decision was taken in 2013 in favour assault on the MEADS concept but there tem (MEADS) was developed on behalf of of the Chinese FD-2000. More about this are significant differences. the NATO MEADS Management Agency later. The core innovation is the GaN-based (NAMEADSMA) by the companies MBDA Two companies are particularly involved AESA radar technology, which will soon Germany, MBDA Italy and Lockheed Mar- in PATRIOT: Raytheon Company has be made available, though it is under- tin Corporation. The system is designed produced the PAC-1 and PAC-2 variants stood that 360 degree coverage should to combat current and future threats (MIM-104A, MIM-104B, MIM-104C, be proven in 2022. Through the new such as Tactical Ballistic Missiles, UAVs, MIM-104D and PAC-2 GEM). The PAC-3 MMS-interface (Modern Manned Station Cruise Missiles, and Aircraft. variant is classified into PAC Configura- user interface), innovative processors and A fully-equipped MEADS unit consists of tions 1-3 and the newest variant is PAC- intelligent sensors, the system can use a Tactical Operations Centre (TOC), a Sur- 3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement.) the most modern missile, the PAC-3 MSE. veillance Radar (SR), two Multifunction Fire and Control Radars (MFCR), six Mis- sile Launcher and three reloader vehicles. The launcher and reloader can take any

Photo: MBDA preferred vehicles for transport and these are transportable by A400M and C-130. The MEADS launcher uses eight verti- cal-launch PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) missiles, optimised for 360-degree engagement and with hit- to-kill ability. PAC-3 MSE missiles offer increased performance, greater altitude and longer range compared with previ- ous models. MEADS is not only the world’s most ad- vanced air defence system, but through its Framework Nation Concept supports national and international interoper- ability, so joint and combined operations (collective defence) can be carried out op- timally. The strategic objective is to bring defensive ability and responsiveness to best effect and the tactical objective is to MEADS test at the White Sands Missile Range “optimise the effect-chain”. NATO is working on further implemen- The prime contractor for the PAC-3 in- The PATRIOT system has been tested in tation of its guidance and management terceptor is Lockheed Martin. Through different configurations in New Mexico. architecture (Battle Management Com- constant evolution PATRIOT Systems will Both the much cheaper GEM-T (Guid- mand Control Communications and Intel- remain in the US inventory through to ance Enhanced Missile TBM), with a con- ligence – BMC3I), based on NATO ACCS 2048. ventional warhead, and the PAC-3 MSE – Air Command and Control System, the The evolutionary strategy consists of two with hit-to-kill effect, destroyed their future, unified guidance management phases with different timelines. The first targets. Both PAC-2 GEM+ and PAC-3 system for the integration and coordina- phase, PDB-8 (Post Deployment Build-8), MSE missiles are some 5.20 m long but tion of tactical aerial warfare operations builds on PDB-7, which runs until 2021 the combat weights of the PAC-2 GEM – and AirC2IS (Air Command and Control and runs from 2017 until 2024. In this and PAC-3 MSE are 900 kg and 312 kg, Information System). MEADS is the prom- period the missile system will receive in- respectively. The PAC-3 MSE has a dual ising candidate for the backbone of the novative technology replacements, new pulse solid rocket motor for additional NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence data links and its ground units will be range and manoeuvrability and both mis- System (NATINAMDS), and Turkey also optimised. Another report about PA- siles have a velocity of about Mach 5.5. belongs to the air defence architecture TRIOT testing from early 2017 by the US PATRIOT is combat-proven and one of the alliance. Department of Defense Operational Test best-known BMD systems in the world, The network-distributed architecture and Evaluation directorate said that in al- with 13 customer nations of whom five (open architecture, flexible structures, most all cases PDB-8 worked as it should. are NATO members. To meet customer non-proprietary software) supports the In the second phase, from 2018 until demand, it is essential to test, therefore Plug-and-Fight capability for sensors and 2025, the aim is to integrate and interlace the RAYTHEON family can be proud of shooters. Many in-house sensors, effec-

76 European Security & Defence · May 2017 tors and shooters can be used through the networked interfaces. Options for Turkey include PAC-3 MSE as a first system for interception of bal- listic missiles and combat aircraft, with a second system, the ROKETSAN mis- sile systems, HISAR-A (low altitude air defence system) and HISAR-O (medium range air defence system) for interception of helicopters and UAVs. Through intel- ligent interfaces to the Tactical Operation Centre (TAC) the KORKUT V-SHORAD (very short-range air defence system), self-propelled anti-air gun (SPAAG) and ATILGAN and ZIPKIN Pedestal-Mounted STINGER systems can also be integrated. An interface to Turkish F-16, and later JSF F-35, fighters allows transmission of aeri- al surveillance, C2 and combat data. Last but not least, looking ahead, through the naval ADS (Automatic Dependent Surveillance) capability the anti-air war- fare frigates of the TF-2000 class (CA- FRAD radar and Mk 41 VLS) and I-class frigates, a well-developed aerial combat infrastructure will be achieved. The Surveillance Radar (SR) is a state- of-the-art technology radar, providing 360-degree coverage with a Pulse Dop- pler radar and active phased-array anten- na in ultra-high-frequency (UHF). The SR is able to track many targets simultane- ously, and through Mode 5 IFF interfaces is able to identify friend or foe.

The Multifunction Fire Control Radar Photo: DGA (MFCR) is also state-of-the-art technolo- ASTER 30 SAMP/T firing gy. It provides 360-degree coverage, and is an X-band-radar with a pulse Doppler relatively compact dimensions and light pecially the four B-737 AEW&C airborne multifunction phased array. These will weight so quick and simple relocation is early warning and control aircraft and the used for target tracking and interception made possible. indigenous UAVs (ANKA-S, BAYRAKTAR and are activated only when needed. Plug and Fight opens further strategic op- TB2 and KARAYEL) will play important MFCR is also able to identify friend or foe portunities; for example, civilian radars roles in surveillance and reconnaissance. with Mode 5 IFF. The SR and MFCR have begin to play more special roles, and es- The Turkish space-based sensors, GÖK- TÜRK 1 and GÖKTÜRK 2 will have ad- ditional tasks, as will the GÖKTÜRK 3 in due course. MEADS should be in-service in five years Photo: Author in Germany, and more than half a dozen countries are interested, with this figure set to increase in the future.

ASTER 30 SAMP/T

In the afternoon of 15 April 1986 Libya fired two missiles at a US outpost on Lampedusa in Italy, as tensions increased in the escalating conflict between Libya and the United States. This is seen by many as the reason Europe decided to initiate development of a European BMD system, the ASTER 30 SAMP/T. The system is a part of the Franco-Ital- ian FSAF (Future Surface-to-Air Family). The S-300VM (Antey-2500) missile defence system from Almaz Antey The first contract was signed in 1997

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 77  ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY and both France and Italy were to receive highly-advanced GENESIS Advent (Gemi nology loss is very high. Statements from one missile system. Under the contract Entegre Savas Idare System) Combat Russian politicians that delivery to China for Phase 3, signed in November 2003, Management System. All these are very has begun have not been verified. It is im- France received 12 SAMP/T systems and interesting in combination with the AS- portant to note that as the Russian armed Italy 6. The success story continues also TER family (the ground-based air defence forces modernise it is likely that S-399 today in different countries. system and the naval air defence system), technology will become more widely The supplier of the ASTER family is EU- ASTER 30 Block 1, SAAM (Surface-to-Air available: Russia has a great appetite for ROSAM, a Joint Venture between MBDA Anti-Missile), and PAAMS (Principal Anti- foreign currency. and THALES. A SAMP/T battery consists Air Missile System). Russia could offer Turkey the enhanced of four to six mobile launchers with up MBDA is also investing in a new intercep- version of Antey 2500 (S-300V3), the to eight ASTER 30 missiles. The system tor – ASTER BLOCK 2 – and will engage Antey 4000 (S-300V4) instead of S-400. is highly automated, with quick response the new generation of short/medium The S-300V4 is a mature version of the times and 360-degree defence capabil- range ballistic missiles in the medium and S-300 missile system, which can intercept ity. It also offers a high rate of fire, fir- high endo-atmospheric domain. incoming missiles at speeds of 2,800 m/s ing eight missiles in about 10 seconds and is equipped with the latest computer from each launcher. The Thales ARABEL S-400 TRIUMF technology, with the newest radars and, 360-degree multi-function X-Band Ra- finally, with the newest missiles. Greece dar, which can simultaneously track up Due to shortcomings with the West, illustrates how difficult it is to operate to 100 targets and has the latest ECCM for some time Turkey had an intensive two types of BMD systems – PATRIOT and (Electronic Counter-Countermeasure) ca- cooperative relationship with Russia. Al- S-300PMU1 – in Crete, and the Israeli Air pability, is used, plus a command-and- though both countries work very closely Force trains against S-300 systems. At control vehicle and support vehicles. The in economic areas they are at the same the same time, however, it should not whole module can be operated with 14 time great rivals in many political areas. be forgotten that in the neighbourhood men. With regard to current developments, of Turkey there are several users of S- The SAMP/T system, using the ASTER 30 the Turkish leadership has shown great 300s: Armenia (S-300PS), Azerbaijan Block 1 missile, can intercept an SRBM interest in the Russian S-400 to meet its (S-300PMU-2), Bulgaria (S-300P), Egypt (Short Range – 600 km – Ballistic Mis- BMD requirements. (S-300VM), Greece (S-300PMU1), Iran sile), SCUD type: a new missile, ASTER Russian and Turkish media reported some (currently developing the BAVAR-373, 30 Block 1NT, is in technological develop- positive news about the sale, but behind based on S-300 technology) and with ment and will intercept MRBM (1,500 km the scenes both the Russian General S-300PMU2 in-service), Syria (S-300V4), range Medium Range Ballistic Missiles). Staff and the FSB (Federal Security Ser- Ukraine (S-300PS, S-300PMU, S-300V). The missile itself combines aerodynamic vice) sent clear signals to President Pu- That means for Turkey the S-400 missile and direct thrust vector “Pif-Paf” control, giving high manoeuvrability – the missile can sustain a 60g turn – and increasing the Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP) sig-

nificantly. Photo: Rocketsan But the absolute novelty is that the mis- sile is equipped with a high-performance active RF, Ka-band seeker, offering in- creased interception range, interception of targets with lower radar cross section and better target angular resolution for increased direct impact probability. The current ASTER 30 Block 1 has a Ku-band seeker. For Turkey, the ASTER Modular Family is only of interest if the domestic indus- try technologies can interface with the system. For example ASELSAN has de- veloped the HERIKKS (Air Defence Early Warning Command, Control, Commu- nications and Intelligence System) that manages tactical level air defence, and has in development the CAFRAD (Multi- functional Phased Array Radar), compris- ing a variety of modular systems, such as HISAR by Rocketsan 3D long range surveillance radar, illumi- nation/fire control radar and EO Surveil- tin against selling such important missile system is the only possible decision, but lance, that will be integrated in the TF- technology – although in the near future this will spur an arms race for the S-400 2000 anti-air warfare frigate; and more Russia will bring its newest achievement, in the eastern Mediterranean – which than 20 mobile and solid Early Warning the S-500, into service. The reasons are may even spur the Russian defence in- Radar Systems are in development. Fur- Turkey’s NATO membership and close dustry. The regained strength of Russia in thermore, Havelsan is working on the relationship with China: the risk of tech- the Middle East and in the neighbouring

78 European Security & Defence · May 2017 ARMAMENT & TECHNOLOGY 

price was a major reason for the deci- sion: the Antey 2500 was US$5.2Bn with significantly fewer missiles, and PATRIOT US$4.2Bn. The Chinese were highly competitive in technology transfer and Photo: Vitaly V. Kuzmin in delivery time. But the agreement was cancelled in September 2015 through the Turkish Defence Industry Executive Com- mittee due to interoperability concerns – although there are also rumours that lobbying played a major role. As a result of all this, T-LORAMIDS was buried. Basically FD-2000 is a modified version of the Russian S-300 PMU with a two- stage missile with a total mass of almost 2 tonnes including a 180 kg warhead. The missile is vertically-launched and has a maximum velocity of about Mach 4.2. It is a bit slow in comparison to the S-300, so the Chinese probably need more rock- 9A83ME launcher of the S-300VM Antey-2500 missile system et propellant development. The essential difference to the S-300 is in the thrust states must be seen as a consequence of tion up to 300 km, and a mobile tower vector control. There are certain similari- the Obama administration’s focus on East (40V6M) for the antenna set from the ties between the Chinese HT-233 radar Asia rather than the Near East: whether 92N6E. and the PATRIOT MPQ-53 radar. the Trump administration will change For engagement there are many different The latest version of the FD-2000 was course remains to be seen. types of missiles, such as the 9M96E with presented at IDEX 2017 and the technical In other words, President Vladimir Putin target interception at 120 km range and data show that China is pushing forward looks to Turkey neutrally, tries to influence 30 km altitude. The 48N6 missile weighs with development. Technical character- from a safe distance, with the intention 1.8 tonnes and offers an interception istics are as follows: the target intercep- to bind the South-Eastern flank of NATO range of 3–250 km. The newest missile is tion range against aircraft is 7–125 km, to himself firstly through expansion of the 40N6, which should have an engage- against air-to-surface missiles is 7–50 energy corridors, and then through mili- ment range up to 400 km and 185 km km, and against cruise missiles and tacti- tary exports, thereby reinforcing his stra- altitude. Impressive though these figures cal ballistic missiles is 7–25 km. Target tegic position in the Near East. are, putting them into perspective, the interception altitude against jet aircraft In spite of everything, the S-400 has S-500 is claimed to engage targets trav- is 0.025–27 km; 0.025–18 km against gained significant attention. The missile elling at 7,000 m/s at ranges up to 600 air-to-surface missiles; below 0.025 km system is very powerful and can engage km and 200 km altitude, using the new against cruise missiles; and 2–15 km km all kinds of aircraft, cruise missiles, guid- interceptors, the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1. against tactical ballistic missiles. ed weapons and ballistic short, medium, In the face of current developments in and long range missiles. It engages tar- FD-2000 Turkey, it is doubtful that FD-2000 will gets travelling at up to 4,800 m/s at al- succeed, but China could make excel- titudes of 0.01–27 km for aerodynamic Cooperation between China and Turkey lent business in other defence projects targets, and 2–27 km km for ballistic for the development of missile technol- in Turkey. targets. It can simultaneously track more ogy goes back to the beginning of the than 300 targets. For aerodynamic tar- 2000s: Turkish engineers have particularly Conclusion gets, the kill zone is 3–250 km range, to thank their Chinese colleagues for the and for ballistic targets it is 5–60 km. The development of three major systems. The The integration of systems into the exist- into-action time for the S-400 is 8 min- first development is the T-300 KASIRGA, ing military infrastructure will be the big- utes. The S-400 missile complex includes a long-range multiple rocket launcher gest challenge for the winner of any BMD a Command Post (55K6E) commanding (Chinese counterpart WS-1). The second competition, because critical hardware up to six air defence missile batteries. The development is the battlefield ballistic and software systems, with high informa- radar complex, Detection Radar (91N6E), missile system J-600T YILDIRIM (Variant tion density, must prove their suitability has a detection range up to 600 km and I+II); and the last development is BORA, in combination with existing systems. The the Multifunction Radar (92N6E) with with a range of 280 km (counterpart to degree of interoperability may affect not its double-sided phased-array antenna B-611M), a short-range ballistic missile only the military effectiveness, but also the can simultaneously track more than 300 system, recently presented at IDEX 2017. effect chain of integrated Turkish defence targets. The system is resistant against In September 2013, the decision for T-LO- systems. It would seem, therefore, that jamming. The complex involves up to 12 RAMIDS (Turkish Long Range Air and Mis- Turkey should choose to move towards 5P85TE2 and/or 5P85SE2 launchers with sile Defence System) was made in favour NATO, but with the caveat that the sys- 4 SAMs in Transport Launcher containers of the FD-2000 missile system (export tem supplier provide optimal interfaces to on each launcher. There are also the All- version of the HQ-9) from China National Turkey’s strategic, tactical and operational Altitude Radar (96L6E), an all-weather Precision Machinery Import and Export levels for more effective, integrated, net- 3D surveillance radar (96L6E) with detec- Corporation for a price of US$3.4Bn. The work-centric operations. L

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 79  INDUSTRY & MARKETS Mine Warfare Vessel Market Outlook

Bob Nugent

Mine warfare is a naval mission that can be characterised as "disproportionate". That is, the can have dramatically large operational and even strategic effects for relatively small investments in cost of mine weapons, and the means to deploy them effectively. As US analyst Scott Truver has noted: “Of the 19 US Navy ships that have been seriously damaged or sunk by enemy action since the end of World War II, 15 – nearly 80% – were mine victims.”

t the same time, countering the mine local wars prompted offensive mine war- lar mine warfare acquisition programmes Athreat has historically and consistent- fare against commercial and naval ship- over the same period is striking. ly received a small – disproportionatelys- ping in the Persian Gulf, arguably catching The resulting mismatch between threat mall, many naval professionals argue – navies ill-prepared to respond effectively. and capability leaves most global navies share of naval new ship construction and Even the 2011 NATO intervention in Libya vulnerable to the mine. Given that the related system investments. included a mine warfare component. near-term global security outlook ap- Photo: Björn Wilke/PIZ Marine

German minehunter SULZBACH-ROSENBERG

Even during the Cold War, when Soviet That experience demonstrated again that, pears increasingly unstable, and with the Navy offensive mine warfare capabilities while the Royal Navy operation success- largest inventories of naval mines held were well-understood, mine warfare re- fully cleared Misrata port of mines laid by countries such as North Korea, Iran, quirements did not compete well with to prevent access by aid-carrying ships, China, and Russia, the question arises: are other investments in naval anti-submarine the result depended on a “thin line” of a navies giving the mine countermeasures and anti-air warfare. Regional conflicts, single mine warfare ship with a capable mission more attention now? Are navies such as Korea and Vietnam, continued crew. A more intensive mining campaign sufficiently alarmed over the mine threat to demonstrate how mines could be em- during that conflict would have strained to increase their investments in new pur- ployed effectively to deny and delay ac- available NATO MCM resources. pose-built mine warfare ships or other cess to critical sea space. Continuing on In general, naval mine countermeasures MCM capabilities to be ready for the next into the post-Cold War era, tensions and investments in the modern era since the anti-mine mission that is sure to come? demise of the USSR continue to be charac- Author terised more by ad-hoc responses or small Mine Warfare Vessel Market: Bob Nugent is a Virginia-based and separate programmes, rather than a Current MCMV Fleets Affiliate Consultant for AMI Inter- systematic and sustained approach taken national in Bremerton, WA, USA. to address other fleet weaknesses. The From a global perspective, the relative contrast between the US Navy’s AEGIS standing of the mine warfare ship and naval air defense programme and simi- mission among other components of na-

80 European Security & Defence · May 2017 val fleets can be judged by looking at the The situation in the Asia Pacific is not de- coastal minehunters and field future mine table below. Of the nearly 13,000 naval fined by a regional security organisation warfare capabilities as a mission package and related coast guard and other sea ser- like NATO. However, the geography of on the Littoral Combat Ship, with a heavy vice platforms that AMI tracks as in active the region with its many straits and wa- use of unmanned surface vessels and service today, fewer than 600 are dedi- ters, the dependency of many nations on UUVs. cated mine countermeasures ships. That sea-carried trade, and the history of mine It is notable that Middle East and North translates to less than 5% of the world’s use at sea in the region since World War II Africa (MENA) region navies have invest- naval vessels dedicated to addressing have all contributed to the region’s navies ed so little to date in MCM capabilities. mine threats. maintaining a substantial number of Mine The region’s operational areas include A regional look provides additional insight. Countermeasures (MCM) ships in service Gulf waters with many chokepoints, nar- As part of the organisation and division of – 34% of the world’s fleet. It should be row shipping lanes and high volumes of labour among NATO navies, several Euro- noted that many of the MCM ships in high-value energy cargoes, such as oil and pean navies specialised in mine warfare – the Asia-Pacific region now retained in gas. This makes the Gulf region especially among them the German Navy and Royal service are obsolete (some 50 years old vulnerable to offensive mine warfare. Navy. And one of the legacies of World or more) and therefore not really capable Yet MENA navies have only 40 opera- War II and the Cold War was the presence of performing MCM again modern mine tional Mine Warfare ships, just 7% of the of many unaccounted for drifting and bot- threats. Those older ships tend to operate world’s MCM capable fleet. tom mines in the waters of the Baltic Sea, as patrol ships. As noted in the comments on the APAC strengthening the need for mine coun- The ’s mine-warfare region, many of the world’s current termeasures ships in Northern Europe. capable ships make up a mere 2% of the MCM ships now in service are well past These factors help explain why NATO global fleet. This is explained by the USN’s their design life. With more resources, countries lead the world in the number reliance on helicopter-based minesweep- many navies around the world would of dedicated MCMV ships in service, with ing (MH-53 aircraft) and the decision to be more likely to have retired these 37% of the current active MCMV fleet. retire the current fleet of OSPREY class platforms already and replaced them

Lürssen is the worldwide leader in heavy minesweeping due to non-magnetic steel and the integration of sophisticated MCM systems. Visit us at the UDT Europe in Bremen from 30th of May to 1st of June 2017 at our booth A 23.

More information:     or www.luerssen-defence.com  INDUSTRY & MARKETS Graphics: Author

with new hulls. However, the newest Mine Warfare: faster. These improvements combine to generation of MCM systems, including New Technologies enable navies to achieve the same MCM widespread adaptation of unmanned and Capabilities mission effects with less investment, vehicles for many parts of the MCM whether it be fewer and/or smaller ships mission, make currently available hulls As noted above, new technologies are be- or reduced numbers of people needed to suitable for modernisation as host plat- ing applied to the mine warfare mission. perform the same missions. forms for deploying unmanned mine Unmanned platforms, better and lighter There have been common technology warfare sweeping, hunting and neutrali- acoustic, visual and electronic sensors, trends and impacts on MCM over the sation platforms. Leading companies in and advanced command and control sys- past 40 years. Most notably, shifting the the mine warfare systems business – tems are all improving execution of the centre of mission effect from the ship Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, MCM mission. Improvements in IT, lighter itself (deploying sweep gear or operat- ATLAS Elektronik, Thales – are working and stronger hull and platform materials, ing hull-mounted mine hunting sonars) together with OEM builders, such as more intensive energy storage and re- to off-platform work with a combina- Lürssen, to offer attractive mine warfare mote sensing all serve to make the MCM tion of small craft (RHIBs) and unmanned upgrades in pursuit of such opportuni- mission – traditionally long, slow, labour platforms. This has shifted modern MCM ties. intensive and dangerous – lighter and tactics, techniques and procedures closer

82 European Security & Defence · May 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  to an “unmanned” kill chain, reducing the value) are found in the Asia-Pacific region. a foreign design. In September 2015, the danger to personnel and ships. In Taiwan and South Korea, requirements Indian government extended Expressions One element of the MCM mission that for the MCMV programmes building have of Interest (EoI) to companies identified as has not changed over time is the vulner- been in place a long time – back 30 years the best candidates to participate in the ability of dedicated MCMV assets to at- or more. Both programmes have faced new programme, including: tacks from the air, surface and subsurface lengthy delays and are replacing ships • Kangnam of South Korea (original domains. While most MCMVs in service that have been in service for several dec- awardee in 2011) carry nominal self-protection systems ades, well beyond their original service • Intermarine of Italy (small calibre mounted guns, crew and lives. • Navantia of Spain individual weapons), most MCM missions Japan’s approach to sustain their counter- • Lockheed Martin of the U.S. still require friendly sea control and ad- mine capability has been more consist- • ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) ditional forces to protect the operational ent, with new programmes scheduled to of Germany area for what may be extended periods. replace older ships to ensure the JMSDF is • Sredne-Nevsky of Russia This factor is influencing future concept fully equipped with modern mine warfare In May 2016, GSL was awarded the con- development and accompanying research ships with no capability or fleet structure tract to build 12 mine countermeasures and development to look at new options gaps. In 2005, the JMSDF began plan- vessels (MCMVs) and teamed with Kang- to perform MCM in contested waters. Larger diameter and longer endurance Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) Future MCMV Procurements (2017‐2030) are being developed that could bring Forcasted Spend Forcasted New-Builds MCM capability to meet the requirement Region to operate forward in waters where sur- US$M Regional % Hulls face MCM is not an option. Regional %

Mine Warfare Ships: Asia-Pacific 8,220 47% 65 40% Market Outlook NATO 4,700 27% 52 32% Returning to the questions posed at the beginning of this article, a look at MENA 2,207 13% 22 13% MCMV programmes now in progress, as well as projected new construction MVMV programmes over the next two Non-NATO Europe 1,000 6% 12 7% decades, show the market sector grow- ing only moderately compared with other Russia 700 4% 7 4% ship types. AMI’s forecast of future naval construction in the chart below shows Carribean/LAmerica 600 3% 6 4% that the 20 year forecast for MVMV programmes (as measured by estimated Totals 17,427 164 acquisition cost of the ship and systems aboard) grew less than 5% from 2010’s 20 year look to the same projection in ning for a new Fiber Reinforced Plastic nam Corporation, using a modified ver- 2015. (FRP)-hulled MSC (Project 20) to follow sion of the South Korean YANG YANG The future MCMV market as a whole con- the HIRASHIMA class (Project 16), which class MCMV as the hull design. The first tinues to centre on programmes that will was completed in 2010. The new class ship in the programme is expected to be acquire 4–6 hulls ranging from 500-1000 will continue to replace the HATSUSHI- delivered in 2020. tons full load displacement, and equipped MA/UWAJIMA class MSCs. In 2013, the with sensors and handling systems that JMSDF funded its first AWAJI (690-ton) Conclusion offer capability across the span of the MCMV to follow the ENOSHIMA class MCM mission: detect – localise – identify MSC. Three units are being built with AMI’s most recent 20 year forecast for – classify – neutralise. MCMVs building the first unit commissioning in 2017. The new construction MCMVs projects now and for the next two decades will vessels are being built at Japan Marine $17.4Bn will be spent worldwide to ac- continue to use GRP (Glass-Reinforced United’s (JMU) Tsurugi Yard. quire 178 new hulls through 2037. This Plastic) or FRP (Fiber-Reinforced Plastic) India’s current MCMV programme is the 5% increase over the 2015 outlook sug- materials due to the low magnetic sig- largest in the world, with 12 new hulls gests that the current security environ- nature of non-metallic hulls. The cost of and a total programme cost estimated ment may be prompting some renewed MCM platforms varies widely, with the to be above US$4Bn. The programme interest in acquiring new mine warfare low end of the market being ships costing dates back to the 1990s, and the initial capabilities. That said, the mine warfare under US$50M per hull, and the high end contract award for construction in 2011 ship market over the next 20 years still of the market representing vessels whose was cancelled in 2014 amidst reports of represents less than 2% of total projected total cost exceed US$200M per hull. improprieties in the bidding and evalua- spending on all new naval ships and on- As shown in the table below, the larg- tion process. In February 2015, the Indian board systems over the period. That fig- est construction programmes for new Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) re- ure indicates mine warfare continues to MCMV ships over the next 20 years (as approved the MCMV program of 12 hulls lag behind other missions in importance, measured by estimated total programme to be built at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) with as measured by resources expended. L

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 83  INDUSTRY & MARKETS From Policy to Action

Nicholas Fiorenza, Mittler Report Verlag/ESD Photos: EDA correspondent in Brussels, spoke with Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA).

ESD: What is the role of the EDA in the an industrial and technological revolution Council to concentrate on five aspects: latest European defence initiatives? taking place with new technologies from first and foremost to develop a capability Domecq: First, the EDA is an output- the innovative civil domain of more and development process and plan which is oriented agency, which I want it to re- more relevance in the defence domain. more output oriented, reflects the new main, but expectations of the agency are Thirdly, defence budgets are growing reality, is more connected to the Euro- changing – as the expectations of Eu- again and if we want to get things right, pean defence industry and shows what ropean citizens are changing – towards it needs to be done in an efficient manner strengths it has, and is more related to European defence. Last year was a year that will serve common European objec- research to account for the technologies in which many policy decisions were tives, which is very important for Europe which are there now and what we will taken on European defence: the Global in remaining relevant and more efficient. need in the future, including innovation. Strategy and the overarching process Fourthly, the challenges are transnational We are now reviewing the process, which which put this process in place in June; and therefore the solutions have to be will have to remain coherent with NATO, and three documents which contain the transnational. in particular for those EU member states main defence package: the implementing At the same time, the agency remains very which are also NATO allies. We will be plan for the Global Strategy; the Com- much down-to-earth, developing new able to agree on the new process this

Poland has become the 23th member of the EU SATCOM Market.

mission’s European Defence Action Plan capabilities and technologies and sup- spring and we will use it to define a new (EDAP); and the EU-NATO Joint Decla- porting the European defence industry. set of capability priorities by spring next ration, with a common set of proposals One concrete example: we are now ne- year, which will allow us also to take into agreed by NATO and EU member states gotiating around 23 new ad hoc projects account the NATO Defence Planning Pro- in December 2016. We have to move which we should be able to set in mo- cess targets. This is important because it from the policies set down last year to ac- tion this year, valued at around €136M, will translate the level of ambition set out tion, and will probably really structure our compared with €80–100M a year in the in the Global Strategy in military terms. defence cooperation for many years to past. This is an important indicator that The second big area of work, related to come, so it is important that we get this defence cooperation looks better, but we this one, is the decision to set up a coordi- right – all this is happening while there want to make it more systematic. For the nated annual review on defence with the are big security and defence challenges implementation plan for the Global Strat- main objective of giving ministers a full in and around Europe. Secondly, there is egy, we have received guidance from the overview of the defence effort in Europe

84 European Security & Defence · May 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  Photo: Bundesheer/Fischer Maximilian

Exercises like the 10th EDA Helicopter training BLACK BLADE in Belgium are a main part of EDA’s activities.

– defence plans, budgets, programmes are developing a tool called the Over- data; cyber exchange and protection of – so we can do an ex post analysis of arching Strategic Research Agenda (OS- military information infrastructures and where the shortfalls are, what needs to RA) which will give an overview of all critical assets; situational awareness for be corrected, and an ex ante analysis the strategic research agendas in the 12 military critical infrastructure; and tacti- which identifies opportunities to develop priority research areas of the capability cal unmanned aerial systems for maritime capabilities in a cooperative manner. In development plan (CDP), but without surveillance – which were welcomed by this coordinated annual defence review, forgetting that some technologies might member state ministers in November are the EDA will play the role of secretariat not be only capability-driven but might now going to mobilise the instruments doing the assessments, coordinated very be pushed by innovations that produce the Commission has to promote these in- closely with the EU Military Staff and solutions for our challenges. Spain will dustries or supply chains. We have done Military Committee to provide an analy- provide the first version of OSRA, to be that in the past in a less methodological sis that helps the political level take the validated later this year. way, but now it will be done in a system- right decisions on how to move forward Fourthly, we are working to develop a atic manner and it will be based on the and overcome the present fragmentation concrete concept for strategic autonomy: CDP priorities. in the defence effort in Europe. This will it is not about a fortress Europe, or build- The fifth area of work on the implemen- be a voluntary process and not duplicate ing structures behind the US’s back, or tation plan is what we call critical ena- what NATO does, based on the capability undermining NATO. Strategic autonomy blers: how to advance harmonisation of development process. is only meant to make sure that Europe certification environments and test and Thirdly, an important chunk of work is to has the right capability, allowing the EU evaluation, multinational training, secu- give coherence to R&D efforts in Europe. to act on its own when decided, with rity of supply: all different aspects that al- Research efforts are done nationally and partners wherever possible – because if low our capabilities to be more efficiently multinationally, some in EDA and oth- we do not remain a relevant partner with pooled, used, maintained and trained. ers outside, but research funded by the capabilities that we fully control and are And the sixth area where we are work- EU budget is already beginning to take dependent on third countries, we will not ing is EDA support in the capability de- shape. We are now carrying forward the continue to be a factor for our allies and velopment part of Permanent Structured pilot project with three activities worth will therefore no longer be relevant. Cooperation (PESCO) and doing the as- €1.5M,, and this year we will start the We are looking at the capability priorities sessments for the member states which preparatory action, which is the next to see where Europe needs to promote decide to go further with this idea. step: €25M in EU funding for research, and preserve certain research capabili- A second chunk of work is related to the followed by €90 million over three years. ties, industrial capacities, skills and com- NATO-EU Joint Declaration: 42 sets of If that is a success, we will be looking at a petences that we cannot lose in Europe proposals in seven areas. EDA is involved European research programme of around if we want to maintain the industrial and in six of the seven areas and in 15 of the €500M per year. technological base that sustains those 42 proposals. We intend to contribute to To provide coherence to these three capabilities. That means capabilities we the common report we will provide by research areas, it is very important to can use without any specific depend- the summer. Since I arrived at the agency, prioritise ends and means, that we do ency on third parties. Five test cases – in- the EDA has had a more structured rela- not duplicate, and that research funded novative ground and user segments for tionship with the different interlocutors by the EU budget is not used as a pre- government satellite communications at NATO. I have regular exchanges with text by member states to reduce their (GOVSATCOM); field programmable gate Supreme Allied Commander Transforma- efforts in other fields. To prioritise and arrays (FGPA), which are electronic com- tion, the assistant secretaries general for give coherence to all these efforts we ponents used for the management of big defence planning and policy, defence in-

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 85  INDUSTRY & MARKETS vestment, emerging challenges and op- erations, and the chief scientist. There is a wide and quite a strong nexus to avoid unnecessary duplication but at the same time to see where we can bet- ter serve our member states and especial- ly those which are members of both or- ganisations. The main focus of our work will be on capability development, where we are the lead for the EU and research. This will have to be done in such a way as to avoid unnecessary duplication, which works in both directions, but it also has to be done in a reciprocal way, as member states want the same offering for both organisations. This will develop over time with the strengthening of European de- fence, and I foresee keeping a strong and relevant NATO and a strong and relevant “Since I arrived at the agency, the EDA has had a more structured EU defence as the end result of the whole relationship with the different interlocutors at NATO.“ strategy. And last but not least is what we are doing ESD: What is the situation with the EDA’s Domecq: I think resources have to follow in the context of EDAP, very welcome sup- benchmark for members to allocate 2% objectives and priorities, so, depending port of the Commission for defence within of gross domestic product to research on what member states want from this the limitations of the EU treaty. I think we and technology (R&T)? agency in the coming years, it may have to have moved on because it is very difficult JD: The EDA benchmarks are collective grow. Member states will not be the only to distinguish between security and de- and voluntary. My main concern regard- ones to sustain it. There are proposals and fence but also because there is a strong ing the European defence industry is that it is foreseen in our statute that we could core to mobilise all funding possibilities to we need to invest more in R&T and we receive funding from the EU budget. support member states in this area. need to do more together. The prepara- We are now receiving funds for the pre- There are many measures in EDAP, for tory action offers us a very good opportu- paratory action and the pilot projects but example, more small- and medium- nity to try to jump-start this whole thing. we will be receiving money to conduct sized enterprises (SMEs). We are work- The R&T effort has diminished by 32% in other activities which are relevant to ing closely with the Commission to make the last 10 years. It will be very difficult if defence – for example, the energy con- sure that the supply chains in Europe are we do not start to cooperate in the R&T sultation forum, where we are trying to kept open and we really have access to part of capability development – or do it reduce deficiencies in our armed forces these small industries as part of a healthy later – because capability development is in the energy domain. So we should be European defence industry. The more in- a long process. R&T is essential, because looking for resources in the wider sense. novative part is related to the European it is the only thing that will keep an in- After being frozen for six years, there has Defence Fund. novative and competent industrial base. been a small increase in the budget and I For the research part, we have funding think that was a signal from all countries for the preparatory action, and there we ESD: How do you see EDA’s future? that things could not remain frozen. will see what we will do with the Euro- Domecq: In May 2017 the head of the Given the big effort that is going to be pean defence research programme. With agency will be presenting a set of pro- made by all with defence budgets across our experience managing projects we se- posals and conclusions to ministers re- Europe, I would find it quite contradictory lected the topics based on the priorities garding the mission of the agency in the if we say in the Global Strategy – which agreed by member states. We defined long term, after conducting a number was welcomed – that we need to make the technical specifications, made the call of sessions directed by the ministries of full use of the agency, and at the same for proposals, evaluated the proposals, defence since November last year. Those time we do not recognise that funnelling and negotiated the draft agreements. We proposals and conclusions will aim to part of the increase in defence budgets received 21 proposals bringing together ensure that the agency remains relevant through the agency is not going to be 83 entities – small- and medium-sized and fit for purpose in this changed envi- something that is cost-efficient. enterprises, research organisations, aca- ronment: more European defence, with demia – from 20 member states, which PESCO, stronger relations with NATO, a ESD: How will EDA work with the UK shows how much this small amount of Commission which is trying to see how after Brexit? money triggered people to look beyond it can support the development of new Domecq: The UK will leave the agency borders. We will do the same thing with defence capabilities, and so a new map at the latest when it leaves the EU. My the work programme of the preparatory where we have to see where EDA will be understanding is that the UK authorities action, where we have also selected the and at the same time protect the inter- would like to maintain a strong relation- topics and defined the specifications, and governmental nature of defence. ship with EDA after they have left the afterwards we will ensure the results of EU and therefore I will work with mem- that research will be an uptake in defence ESD: Will EDA become much bigger or ber states to allow that to happen with programmes and EDA will therefore be do you prefer that it remain lean and minimum disruption for everybody. That reinforced. mean? has to be negotiated, and I think that re-

86 European Security & Defence · May 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  sponds not only to the importance the clearances of tankers and to retrofit some missions receive pay-for-use satellite com- UK, but also its industry. One of the five transport aircraft with pumps. We will munication services and all terminals. main priorities the British security and continue to work to engage more coun- Last but not least, in the fourth key pro- defence association has given its govern- tries in this common effort, because we gramme, the remotely-piloted air system ment is to keep a strong relationship with have to make more headway in improv- (RPAS), medium-altitude, long-endurance the EU. So they see an added value for ing our air-to-air refuelling capabilities. (MALE), four countries are developing a European defence to maintain a close re- On cyber, we are establishing research definition study within OCCAR on the lationship. We have industry from some priorities and there are several pro- basis of the common staff requirement non-member states; for example, Nor- grammes we are launching. One is the developed here. We are involved in two way participates in Horizon 2020 and pooling and sharing of the different ca- very important aspects: to ensure the air- contributes to the EU budget. pacities of cyber ranges in more than 15 space insertion of that system in Europe member states. Several member states works and, second, we will try to bring ESD: Which of the many EDA projects are involved in cyber awareness packages more member states into the programme. would you like to highlight? for headquarters. We are also working on a syllabus and Domecq: I will start by highlighting the In a third area, government satellite com- a common training system demonstra- key capability programmes which were munications (GOVSATCOM), we will have tor for RPAS: a four-year programme we endorsed by heads of state and govern- agreed common staff requirements and launched that will allow us to ensure the ment in 2013, and which we continue to the business case by this spring. The Com- RPAS community has the know-how to work on. We are making a lot of progress mission will at the same time make an interact between different countries. in air-to-air refuelling. On 16 March 2017 assessment, so we will be looking at the Now we have four or five European coun- we signed a letter of intent with three needs that we have to fill in GOVSATCOM tries which already have RPAS and anoth- new member states: Germany, Norway in the next decade for member states, er three or four that want it in the near and Belgium. That idea and the common so that we ensure that there is enough future. We want to make sure they have requirements were agreed at this agency capacity available by pooling the civilian the same training pattern and standards, before passing the procurement phase on and military requirements to produce ef- the same way of acting in different sce- to the Organisation for Joint Armaments ficiency. The new SATCOM market, with narios so there is a common pool when Cooperation (OCCAR). This is a clear ex- 22 participating member states, is quite the RPAS MALE programme materialised. ample of how reinforcing European capa- extraordinary. Under the Athena mecha- At the. Other areas we are working on bilities will reduce a NATO shortfall. We nism, three or four Common Foreign and are anti-tank weapons and additive 3D continue to work on air-to-air refuelling Security Policy missions and five civilian printing. L

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 87  INDUSTRY & MARKETS Successful Demilitarisation Project in the Republic of Belarus

Waldemar Geiger

With a closing ceremony in the Engineer Ammunition Base of the Belarus Ministry of Defence in Rechitsa on 5 April, the Spanish defence company EXPAL successfully completed the disposal of 3,400,000 anti- personnel mines from the national stockpile.

XPAL and the EU-funded demilitarisa- ing the construction and set-up phase. allows for a complete remote detonation Etion programme helped the Republic During the last few months of the pro- process without direct human interfer- of Belarus to fulfil its commitment in the ject, the plant that accommodates a cold ence. All processes are designed in such a scope of the Ottawa Treaty, which was detonation chamber with a volume of 89 way that the time required for the work- signed by the country’s government in m³ and 100 tons of reinforced steel will force inside the chamber is minimal, thus 1999. Belarus military authorities, rep- be dismantled and will be made available maximising work safety. Photos: EXPAL

Photo left: Closing ceremony of the EU-funded Project “Destruction of PFM-1 Series Ammunition Stockpile in the Republic of Belarus”. Photo right: Joint destruction of the last antipersonnel mines by Col. Andrey Petrovich Kurakov (Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus), Andrea Wiktorin (Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus) and Javier Gonzalez (EXPAL Project Manager).

resentatives of the European Union and for subsequent demilitarisation initiatives. Once the detonation is carried out, the several ambassadors attended the clos- The terrain of the plant will be re-devel- gas treatment process begins. The pur- ing ceremony and witnessed the success- oped to the original condition before the pose of this process is to reduce and treat ful destruction of the last 78 mines. demilitarisation project ends in Septem- the gaseous pollutants that are among ber 2017. the gases produced by the detonation. The Project This treatment complies with European The Demilitarisation Process regulations for the incineration of haz- The project started with an EU-wide ardous substances and has a monitoring tender in 2010. On 21 December 2010 In a first step, the ammunition’s safety system complying with all parameters EXPAL was awarded the contract for the status is assessed before it can be made prescribed by the safety standards. After execution of this project. In collabora- subject to the deconstruction process in the detonation, there is a controlled delay tion with the Belarus Government and the demilitarisation plant. In a second time that ends with the opening of the the European Union, EXPAL’s objectives step, the ammunition is prepared for front door. The chamber is then ready for included the disposal of the Belarus ar- detonation, in that the mine cartridg- the next detonation. senal of Type PFM-1 and PFM-1S anti- es (each containing 72 anti-personnel In a last step, the scrap resulting from the personnel mines. mines) are armed with a detonation cord. demilitarisation process (mainly composed To accomplish the mission, EXPAL devel- Afterwards the mines are transferred to of aluminium and steel) is separated and oped and built a mobile demilitarisation the cold detonation chamber using a rail stored for subsequent collection and treat- plant, which was relocated from Spain trolley designed for the safe transporta- ment. After the detonation, the remaining and set up in the Engineer Ammuni- tion of the canisters. When cartridges gas in the chamber is extracted manually. tion Base in Rechitsa. Recruitment and have reached the chamber, the door is The working procedure complies with the training of the Belarus personnel was sealed and the detonation can proceed. guidelines for the control of waste before carried out by EXPAL’s specialists dur- The dedicated cold detonation chamber contact with the operator. L

88 European Security & Defence · May 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  Sustain the Growth Momentum

“We aim to increase our effectiveness in the Middle East and Far East markets, primarily in countries like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia that we call our local markets,” said Nail Kurt, CEO, FNSS Defense Systems Inc., during an interview with ESD.

ESD: At the last IDEF, FNSS made some launched at IDEF’17 as well. New genera- big and important announcements and tion PARS vehicles, having fully independ- launches: Please describe developments ent ride height controlled hydro-pneumatic within the business since then. suspension and modular structure, provide Kurt: At IDEF’15, we launched KAPLAN convenience and quick reach possibility in 20 NG ACV and PARS 4X4, since then we the field and cost effectiveness in mainte- improved these concepts according to the nance. As a pioneer in vehicle design with feedbacks from the potential users and a more balanced weight distribution, PARS evolving threats and we will show the new offers superior mobility and performance members of KAPLAN and PARS product both on land and in the water. PARS 6X6 families at IDEF 2017. provides better sight and surveillance capa- tion process in order to successfully fulfil KAPLAN 30, the newest member of the bility to the driver and the commander with programme requirements in the case of KAPLAN product family, has higher pro- the high protective transparent armour capturing the business. For the Fırat Shield tection and it is more powerful with a 711 (ballistic glass). Project, we developed tank modernisation HP engine, so it can carry heavier weapon In addition to FNSS’s 25mm SABER one- solutions and submitted a very effective so- systems. As well as KAPLAN 20, KAPLAN man turret solution, we have been devel- lution to SSM. Besides, FNSS is also ready 30 also has a structure that allows up-to- oping the 30mm TEBER two-man turret as for ALTAY Serial Production Program as date mission equipment to be integrated, well, As a contract requirement, we will the most experienced contender regard- including 105mm weapon systems, for in- develop Anti-Tank Turrets to utilise UMTAS ing serial production of tracked armoured stance. Its capacity is 11 personnel includ- & CORNET missiles. vehicles in Turkey. ing driver and gunner and it is designed Moreover, we signed new contracts both in in such a way that allows the crew with Turkey and in export markets. In Turkey, we ESD: FNSS has an excellent technical and R&D capability: Please tell us about your latest and best developments in the field of technology.

Photos: FNSS Kurt: We continuously work to enhance our tracked and wheeled vehicle families by implementing new technology solutions to meet the demanding customer needs. As the destructive technologies advances, survivability solutions are getting more and more important. On the other hand, both land and amphibious mobility are also gain- ing more importance, as they facilitate a a wide range of combat and rescue func- tions. Increased manoeuvrability enables execution of broad range of missions and operations on short notice, which provides a unique leverage. This competing and con- tradicting requirements make the utilisation of advanced technologies indispensable, The KAPLAN family of armoured vehicles was first introduced to the and we are currently working on innovative public at the IDEF 2015 defence exhibition. mine blast resistant hull design, alternative materials and advanced armour solutions. infantry equipment to work comfortably won two significant military land vehicle in the vehicle. The vehicle, which can pass tenders in our area of expertise and signed ESD: Turkey has numerous current security through the water spouts, is covered with Anti-Tank Vehicle Project and Armoured challenges, many of which are being met modular inner and outer armour. Amphibious Assault Vehicle Project con- by products from FNSS: Can you comment New generation PARS 6X6, which is de- tracts with SSM. Besides, we submitted on materiel developments specifically for signed for reconnaissance and special our best and final offer for the Special Pur- the Turkish Armed Forces? purpose missions, is the newest member pose Vehicle Program and we are proceed- Kurt: We know that almost all the land sys- of the PARS product family and will be ing with the preparations for the execu- tems that were designed before the 1990s

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 89  INDUSTRY & MARKETS

are intended to protect their crew against Cold War threats which are mainly con- ventional. The mutual threat poses itself as a direct confrontation, “head-to-head” between the manoeuvring units of op- ponents, in accordance with conventional warfare in the open areas and rural areas. Today, TLF faces more complex threats during different operations in Eastern Anatolia or in Syria. Terrorist tactics have started to take an important place among the armoured vehicle design criteria. The threats are evolving depending on the technology implemented. Conflicts ex- perienced, though painfully, give us im- portant lessons in terms of vehicle design New members of the PARS and KAPLAN product families will be parameters. presented at IDEF 2017. FNSS has planned a technology roadmap considering the vehicle and subsystem re- and how you anticipate the export market TAF and SSM are changing accordingly. In quirements of TLF for today and for the will develop. current circumstances, a new project may future. We focussed on general purpose Kurt: Although Turkey is our home market, emerge very quickly because of urgent export is very crucial for our business. FNSS needs, while another project would wait is the leading exporter of the Turkish De- or be postponed for a long time or might fence Industry and in the past several years, be cancelled due to budgetary restrictions. majority of our sales have been from export There is also a strong schedule and price sales (ca. 95% for the last two years). In pressure on the companies in SSM’s tender fact, in the past two years, we have signed process. So, we need to adapt these rapidly a major contract with a Middle East country changing environmental conditions in or- for 8x8 and 6x6 Wheeled Armored Vehi- der to support TAF and maintain our leader cles, which shows FNSS’ strength and pres- position in Turkey. ence in the region. Another contract we On the other hand, there are reflections signed was the Medium Tank Development of political developments on the foreign Program with Indonesia, while a major con- suppliers. We are facing embargos from tract with Malaysia is still ongoing. I can say Austria and Belgium, and some countries that Middle East and Far East have been seem to apply hidden embargos. Export our focus export regions for almost two licence-related risks are critical and repre- decades and will remain to be so, for the sent some short-term challenges for Turk- next decade as well. ish companies however, they also consti- In general, export contracts will continue tute big opportunities for Turkey in terms to be very important for us for the coming of local development and production of years, especially to support our strategic such critical sub-systems and components. growth journey. As our product portfolio We should remember that the emergence The PARS 4x4 made its debut at IDEF’15. expands with newly developed systems, and development of the Turkish defence we will have more opportunities to find industry stems from the embargo in 1970s. and mission specific vehicles with necessary new markets and new areas of exports. growth potential to enable the integration Our ongoing domestic programmes will ESD: What development(s) within and of additional sub-systems, emerging tech- also enhance our export strategies and from FNSS over the last two years are you nologies with necessary power manage- achievements in terms of product availabil- most proud of / satisfied with? ment systems and upgrades up to effective ity, new products, and readiness to produc- Kurt: In the last two years, FNSS grew by mobility and the survivability of the vehicles tion. We will also strengthen our position 20% annually, which is much higher than in the future for Turkish Armed Forces. in our existing export markets by complet- the defence industry growth rate in Turkey. As a result, we have focussed on surviv- ing the ongoing programmes successfully, This is a definite success indicator which ability, lethality, mobility and communica- which may lead to follow-on contracts. is mainly driven by our strong presence tion improvement solutions for a number in the export markets. The quality of our of different platforms especially under the ESD: To what extent do recent and current products, our follow-on support service Fırat Shield Program of SSM. Besides, we social and political developments within and customer relations approach, sensitiv- provided an advanced solution/concept to Turkey impact your business? ity through occupational health and safety, SSM for Turkish Special Forces Command’s Kurt: Up to now, we have mentioned public relations and support for local capa- needs. howemerging threats shape the market bility building in the export markets has led needs in terms of product requirements, to our success. As we are always proud of ESD: In addition to providing equipment but it has also effects on the way of doing our export sales, in the recent years FNSS for the Turkish Armed Forces, FNSS has a business. The threats that Turkey is exposed has won all domestic programme tenders robust export market. Please describe the to change the military needs and priorities, in a very competitive environment and we trends for exports over the last two years as a result of which project priorities of believe we will fulfil these programmes suc-

90 European Security & Defence · May 2017 Masthead European Security & Defence cessfully as we have done up to now. This growth also brought Issue 3/2017 · May 2017 ISSN 1617-7983 · www.euro-sd.com new employment opportunity in the industry, our total employee number increased by 30% in the last two years and about 35% Published by are engineers. Mittler Report Verlag GmbH Another subject matter we are proud of is the importance we give to A company of the Ta mm Media Group supplier development. The local content in FNSS vehicles is around 60-80%. With regards to the training and the business opportuni- Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter Bossdorf (pb) ties we provide to our suppliers, we are also in a leading position. Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Henning Bartels (hb) Managing Editor (Magazine): Stephen Barnard (sb) We are trying to spread out our experience and technology to our Managing Editor (Newsletter): Dorothee Frank (df) suppliers and increase the number of our solution partners. The Industrial Editors: Waldemar Geiger (wg), Gerhard Heiming (gwh), Jürgen Hensel (jh) suppliers that have worked with us in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia Correspondents: Rolf Hilmes (Army Technology), Peter Preylowski (Airborne Systems) Regional Correspondents: Tamir Eshel (Israel), Tim Guest (UK), Jaime Karremann (The are also gradually establishing a lasting presence in these countries. Netherlands), Beka Kiria (Georgia), Shinichi Kiyotani (Japan), Yury Laskin (Russia), J. Also, we are satisfied with the efficiency figures of FNSS. Our sales Bo Leimand (Denmark), Jay Menon (India), Chet Nagle (USA), Luca Peruzzi (Italy), per employee is above US$300K and one of the highest among David Saw (France), Joris Verbeurgt (Belgium/EU/NATO), Esteban Villarejo (Spain) Supported by the editorial team of “Europäische Sicherheit & Technik” Turkish defence companies. We manage our operational costs Publishers: Rainer Metzner, Henning Bartels very effectively to compete in the price-sensitive markets. Layout: With its growing product portfolio and talented workforce FNSS davis creativ media GmbH, Germany evolves to a global player in defence. Considering these points, Production: we see FNSS as a justified leader in the industry as well as a trusted Lehmann Offsetdruck GmbH and respected partner in defence. 22848 Norderstedt, Germany APA Uniprint Istanbul, Turkey ESD: Bearing in mind that this edition will appear some time Office address: before IDEF takes place, what should visitors to the show look for Mittler Report Verlag GmbH on the FNSS stand? Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany Phone.: +49 228 3500870, Fax: +49 228 3500871 Kurt: We continue to sign new contracts with our local and in- Email: [email protected], www.mittler-report.de ternational customers and run several programmes at the same Director of Marketing time. As a result of the diversified threats and updates in the new Jürgen Hensel (jh) warfare environment, we are currently widening our product Baunscheidtstraße 11, 53113 Bonn, Germany Phone: +49 228 3500876, Fax: +49 228 3500871 range at a very fast pace. This IDEF will be a great opportunity to Email: [email protected] showcase our new-generation armoured fighting vehicle capa- Advertising Representatives: bilities. Recently developed vehicles, for two foreign customers (PARS III 8x8 and 6x6 wheeled armoured vehicles together with Dipl.-Betrw. Uwe Nemeyer, optiproject GmbH – Agentur für sicherheitspolitische und wehrtechnische Kommunikation Indonesian Medium Tank programmes), are very good samples Von-Imhoff-Weg 5, 53359 Rheinbach, Germany of how we fit to specific user needs. In addition to this, KAPLAN Phone: +49 2226 909637, Fax: +49 2226 909653 NGACV, PARS SPV and TEBER 30mm turret will also be new hits Email: [email protected], www.optiproject.de on the market. France/Italy Diana Scogna Phone.: +33 6-6252-2547, Email: [email protected] ESD: And your goals for the next phase of development of FNSS? Kurt: We have just completed our new strategic plan for the Israel Tamir Eshel next five years. Our most important goal that emerged in the P.O.Box 2696, Qadima 609200, Israel Phone: +972 54-450-8028, Email: [email protected] new plan is to sustain the growth momentum we have achieved in the recent period and take the right steps towards em- Turkey powering our global brand image by having a healthy growth Özkilinc Consulting Korhan Özkilinc, General Manager period. mobile: +49 (0) 163 6930925, Email: [email protected] Our priorities to achieve this goal are to take part in new UK/Ireland/Eastern Europe: projects aimed at the needs of TLF and security forces, es- Stephen Barnard, c/o Mittler Report Verlag GmbH pecially ALTAY serial production and New Generation ACV Phone: +49 228 35 00 886, Email: [email protected] programmes, while fulfilling our current projects in both do- USA/Canada: mestic and export markets without sacrificing user satisfac- Black Rock Media, Inc., Diane Obright, 810 Val Sereno Drive, Olivenhain, CA 92024, USA tion. Meanwhile, we aim to increase our effectiveness in the Phone: +1 858-759-3557, Email: [email protected] Middle East and Far East markets, primarily in countries like Russia & CIS: Saudi Arabia and Malaysia that we call our local markets. Laguk Co., Yury Laskin, General Director While reaching the growth figures we target, we aim to keep Krasnokholmskaya Nab., 11/15, 132, RF-109172 Moskau, Russian Federation the export share of our revenue around 60%. Phone: 007-495-911-1340, Fax: 007-495-912-1260, Email: [email protected] In order to ensure healthy and sustainable growth, we are Subscription/Reader Service: PressUp GmbH, Postfach 70 13 11, shaping our product and service portfolio according to the 22013 Hamburg, Germany market trends and future needs of potential customers. There- Phone: +49 40 38 66 66-319, Fax: +49 38 66 66-299 fore, we also plan to invest in necessary technologies and Email: [email protected] infrastructure, and to strengthen the competencies that will European Security & Defence support this growth in our organisation. Supply chain network © 2017 Mittler Report Verlag GmbH growth is a prominent area for these competencies, given the The views expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior increased project volume, tight project schedules, diversified written permission of the publisher in Bonn. customer expectations and the obligations of SSM regarding Cover Photos: Bundeswehr/Jonas Weber, Royal Canadian Air Force, Georg Mader industrial participation. L Annual subscription rate (8 issues): €49.80 incl. postage Firms & Faces

New ESD Correspondent in Brussels Four New Project Arrangements for European Initiatives (pb) Joris Verbeurgt has joined the team of “European Se- curity & Defence” Photo: EDA (ESD) as Brussels Photo: Joris Verbeurgt correspondent. Af- ter his career in the Belgian military he has worked as a journalist and book author since 2013. Four new Project Arrangements (PA) were signed by participating EDA members in the For ESD and ESD margins of the EDA Steering Board meeting in Capability Directors formation which Spotlight he will took place under the chairmanship of Lieutenant General Erhard Bühler (Germany). cover new developments in NATO and EU The four Project Arrangements are related to the following projects: as well as Belgian defence policy, military, Multimodal Transport Hub: This project involving 14 contributing member states (Aus- and defence industrial base. tria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia) aims to simplify the procedures for GREMLINS Programme Continues the crossing of borders and national territories with military personnel and equipment. (df) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Other objectives are to apply harmonised customs procedures and to combine a range Inc. (GA-ASI), announced that the Defense of logistic facilities and systems. The overarching aim of the project is to develop a Advanced Research Projects Agency (DAR- European Multimodal Transport Hub Network ready to be used by CSDP missions PA) has continued to contract the company and other purposes. for Phase 2 of the GREMLINS programme. ECMAN (European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities): This project aims The GREMLINS programme seeks to de- to provide participating member states (Austria, as a lead nation, as well as Germany, velop innovative technologies and systems the Czech Republic, Finland and Italy) with expertise and experience in the field of enabling aircraft to launch volleys of low- Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) threats. The project will provide opportunities to cost, reusable Unmanned Aircraft Systems enhance education and training, improve interoperability and capabilities, assist in (UAS) and safely and reliably retrieve them doctrine, TTPs and equipment development and testing, and validating concepts in mid-air. Such systems would be de- through experimentation. ployed with a mixture of mission payloads PRCPC (Personnel Recovery Controller and Planner Course): This project was estab- capable of generating a variety of effects lished in 2013 as a Cat B project under the lead of Sweden. The course was initiated in a distributed and coordinated manner. by six contributing member states: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, The Nether- GA-ASI was awarded a contract for Phase lands, and Sweden. Main focus is to train staff officers in supporting their command- 1 of the programme in March 2016. While ers in tasks related to personnel recovery. Phase 1 was conceptual in nature, Phase 2 M3U (Multinational Modular Medical Unit): This project will standardise national aims to mature the design and perform medical capabilities to achieve a high level of multinational interoperability so that in-flight risk reduction testing for the different medical modules can be integrated with a framework structure offered by C-130-based recovery system. Activities will a frame nation. The final outcome will be a deployable and sustainable Multinational include Programme Design Review (PDR) Modular Medical Unit. Nine EDA member states have signed the PA today (Austria, for the aircraft and recovery system, ground Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Romania, The Netherlands, Cyprus, Italy, Finland). testing to validate key technologies, and flight test to demonstrate safety and recov- ery system performance. The programme is nautical systems to meet the real needs expected to culminate in an air launch and EXPAL of armies and security forces,” they said.

recovery demonstration in 2019. Photo: EXPAL products and services are employed by over 60 countries. BAE Systems and Expal Join Forces for TYPHOON Ammunition DSM Dyneema Extends its Tech (df) BAE Systems and EXPAL Systems have Centre signed a contract to integrate air launched DSM Dyneema announced the expansion weapons with the . of its ballistic materials research and de- EXPAL’s contribution to the project will velopment capabilities specific to helmet involve engineering support for the inte- BAE Systems with this integration activity applications. With this, DSM Dyneema gration of various standard weapons with reinforces a tradition of the two companies seeks to create next generation light- MK 80 series warheads. Speaking on be- working together, the companies stated. weight, high performance helmet designs half of EXPAL, Stephane Plantinet, Market- “EXPAL‘s knowledge and experience in and technologies based on the company’s ing Director, said: “With this contribution, design, development and manufacture of Dyneema material. Expansion of the Tech EXPAL enlarges its trajectory of supporting air armament allows it to produce a wide Centre in Heerlen, The Netherlands, in- weapon integration with aerial platforms, range of high performance aviation am- volves replacing existing equipment with an added value that reinforces its vast port- munition, as well as providing services in upgraded technology, including a state-of- folio of ammunition.” EXPAL’s support for maintenance and modernisation of aero- the-art helmet press, as well as bringing

92 European Security & Defence · May 2017 on additional personnel to join the team ter’s holdings and entities are currently still of the development and testing staffs. The on the stage of formation and optimisa- improved facilities and equipment add to tion, therefore it is possible to transfer new DSM Dyneema’s current R&D capabilities; assets to them, to allocate assets to the already, the organisation demonstrates direct management of the corporation, or Photo: CMI Defence strong support to ballistic helmet manu- to transfer assets within the cluster. facturers with its Dyneema material appli- cation development facilities and specialists CMI Defence and Tecnobit Sign in The Netherlands, the United States, and Turret Agreement Singapore. “This investment will signifi- (jh) During the recent HOMSEC exhibition cantly improve our material R&D capabili- in Madrid CMI Defence of Belgium and ties to support our customers to develop Tecnobit of Spain signed a Memorandum next generation helmets. This represents of Understanding regarding the develop- an area where innovation is needed des- ment of a turret system compliant with the perately to keep soldiers and law enforcement personnel protected from ever-evolving threats, while lightening their load to enable them to perform their duties ef- fectively,” said Marcio Manique, THE RIGHT place Global Business Director, Life Pro- THE RIGHT time tection, DSM Dyneema. “Add- ing these resources signals our THE RIGHT people intensified focus and intention to work closely with our customers to provide better insight into our JUNE 6-8 materials that armour companies can use to speed up development 2017 and market introduction of new TEL- AVIV helmet designs.”

Rostec’s Expansion (df) 70 more enterprises will join the Russian state-owned Rostec weapons cluster, as planned in the cluster strategy which was adopt- ed in April 2017. According to the plan Rostec will accommodate about 20 gunpowder enterprises, about 50 companies of the JSC Spetsremont group and Uralva- gonzavod, the military division of the tractor company. The enter- prises transferred are the key ones in the Russian ammunition indus- try. Also, the creation of a cen- tre for information and analysis on this industry is planned in the newly expanded cluster. Especially a comprehensive development THE 8TH INTERNATIONAL DEFENSE & HLS EXPO and financial health programme will be necessary, Sergey Abra- mov, Industrial Director of Rostec, commented. “Our task after we obtain control over the plant is to Visit us STAND set up coordination between the UVZ military segment and other holdings and entities which con- at MSPO B-114 VISIT OUR WEBSITE trol the cluster directly to improve the effectiveness of the produc- tion process and to increase the competitiveness of the products.” For details on exhibition space & sponsorship opportunities contact: E. [email protected] According to Abramov, the clus- For general information on ISDEF 2017 contact: [email protected] T. +972-3-691-4564 | F. +972-3-691-4567 May 2017 · European Security & Defence WWW.ISDEFEXPO.COM 93 Firms & Faces

requirements of the VCR 8x8 programme Teaming for a Logistic System of the Spanish Ministry of Defence: the (DF) Saab and Loomis Group have signed COCKERILL 3030 EDICION VAN HALEN a global framework agreement for the use

30mm manned and unmanned modular Photo: Leonardo of Saab’s TRACK and TRACE system. The turret. This special edition of the COCKER- agreement is in force for seven years and ILL 3000 Series will combine the advantag- consolidates already existing agreements es of the modularity of COCKERILL systems between Saab and Loomis Group and in- and of Tecnobit’s advanced electro-optic cludes the use of the TRACK and TRACE technologies, the only Spanish company system in four new markets. With this able to entirely design, develop, produce solution a user can gain full control over and maintain high quality cameras such to Leonardo at the beginning of 2017. The their logistic services through a work-order as those used in the CENTINELA family of banker Profumo led the UniCredit Group based system that manages, monitors and thermal sights. The COCKERILL 3000 Series from 1997 till 2010. From 2012 he has been measures all services provided for the end EDICION VAN HALEN is a single platform the CEO of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena customer. The system also creates an op- enabling a turret to accommodate guns bank. None of his prior assignments was erational audit trail from commitment start of different calibres and corresponding related to the defence sector. to final execution. technological modules: automatic 25mm, 30mm, 30/40mm, 35mm and 50mm cali- bre guns, along with direct fire guns of 90 Leonardo to Grow Internationally and 105mm calibres. Tecnobit will supply a (Luca Peruzzi) Upon completion of the main restructuring and strengthening phase, variant of the CENTINELA adapted to the Leonardo looks to grow with organic and international opportunities. Presenting the specific needs of the COCKERILL 3000 se- 2016 results and highlighting the 2017-2021 industrial plan’s main goals at the press ries. The CENTINELA family includes fixed and investors conferences in March, Leonardo’s CEO and General Manager Mauro and mobile observation and surveillance Moretti stated that “The group has completed the restructuring and strengthening systems that can be used in any tactical phase and is ready for development and growth under the 2017-2021 industrial plan”. environment including quick deployment Looking at the positive 2016 results, the group’s new orders amounted to €19,951 units that need high portability in order to million, (+61% over 2015), mainly due to the contract award as the prime contractor adapt to the needs of each moment and for 28 Eurofighter TYPHOON aircraft to the Kuwait Ministry of Defence and despite a adverse conditions. negative impact from the GBP/€ exchange rate. The contract has a volume of some €7.95 billion. Leonardo’s share in the TYPHOON deal for Kuwait has been reported New ESD Correspondent in Spain to cover 60% of the total contract value, while the remaining 40% are shared by (jh) Effective 1 April Esteban Villarejo sup- Eurofighter consortium partners and other infrastructure, equipment and service ports the team of “European Security & suppliers. The group’s revenues amounted to €12 billion, a 7,6% decrease from 2015 Defence” (ESD) as regional correspondent while EBIT, EBITA and EBITDA registered respectively a 11%, 4% and 2% increase compared to 2015. Moretti also highlighted a double-digit profitability above target. Looking to the future and in light of the domestic defence budget forecasted to decline at least in the near term, the Italian defence and security group needs to grow and strengthen its position on the international market in addition to focussing on four growth pillars, namely industrial efficiency, customer focus, core business growth and sustainability. Leonardo’s objectives include the group’s involvement Photo: Esteban Villarejo in international alliances to maintain its position among the first ten global players in the aerospace and defence sectors. Leonardo has already triggered a series of initiatives, including the acquisition of new entities such as the US company Daylight Solutions, a leader in the quantum cascade Lasers sector and aimed at reinforcing the optro-electronics segment of Leonardo DRS. Increasing the stake in Avio aims for Spain and Portugal. Based in Madrid Es- at boosting the space launchers sector. Leonardo is today involved in a series of teban has been the defence reporter of the international joint ventures in Europe such as with Thales in the space sector as well Spanish daily newspaper ABC since 2011. as ATR with Airbus in the regional aircraft segment and MBDA in the missile sector, For ESD and ESD Spotlight he will cover de- which need to be boosted and/or fine-tuned or restructured with new investments, fence policy, the Spanish and Portuguese control or shareholding exchange. However, to grow and become a European pillar, military and military operations abroad Leonardo needs to look to new cooperation patterns or alliances with main players and the Spanish and Portuguese defence in Europe, reinforce its business scope in the USA and its presence abroad with the industrial base. Esteban can be reached at planned ‘one single international presence’ focused on key countries. In the scope [email protected]. of the new industrial plan, the current management is looking to revitalise the business model in the ‘Space Alliance’ in the short term, organically growing in the Alessandro Profumo Next CEO of helicopter segment, strengthening the defence and cyber electronics segment with Leonardo acquisitions in Europe and the USA, and signing an agreement with a European (gwh) The Italian Government has named player in the defence arena. As was made public on 18 March, the Italian Govern- Alessandro Profumo as the next CEO of the ment appointed Alessandro Profumo to run the state-controlled defence group, Italian defence and aviation company Leon- thus replacing CEO Mauro Moretti, the three-years mandate of who has expired. ardo S.p.A. His predecessor Mauro Moretti The Genoa-born 60-year old veteran Italian banker Alessandro Profumo has been resigned after a three years mandate as assigned the responsibility to reinforce the group at a global level. CEO of Finmeccanica which was renamed

94 European Security & Defence · May 2017 INDUSTRY & MARKETS  Led by the Beretta Family since the Renaissance

With an almost 500-year tradition, the Italian Beretta Group is the world’s oldest privately-owned defence company. Waldemar Geiger spoke with Carlo Ferlito, Managing Director of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A, about the strategic alignment of the company and the special characteristics of a family-owned business.

ESD: Can you please elaborate on the vide a single source contact for the high- structure and brands of the Beretta Group? tech military & law enforcement hardware Which tasks and responsibilities does your and services for our professional custom- own assignment cover? ers. Beretta Defense Technologies is a Ferlito: “Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta", concept that has grown from the needs of which I have been the General Man- of governments and agencies to cover a ager since 2005, is the company owned wide range of complicated scenarios and I, tion of the brand that is the name itself and managed by the Beretta family since in my Vice President of BDT role, together of the family. Decisions on products and the time of the Renaissance. According to with the support and enthusiasm of the delivery times are in the hands of a small an official document, the company was al- Beretta family and ownership, coordinate group of decision makers (represented ready active in 1526, and so we have been the activities of these companies in the by the Beretta family itself), which also making firearms for almost five centuries. military and Law Enforcement sectors. helps to provide ideas and to approve Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta is based in Together, we offer a unique combination investments which in other companies Gardone Valtrompia at the footsteps of the of services, weaponry and equipment – takes much longer. We are also talking Italian pre-Alps. from firearms, ammunition and optronics about the stability of a business that dates In 1996, the company became part of the to tactical clothing – in order to meet every back 500 years focussed on one passion, Beretta Holding group, which today em- operational need. so the Beretta know-how is well proven braces approx. 30 brands worldwide. Ber- and field tested. So I see quite a lot of etta Defense Technologies, also known as ESD: Beretta is a family-owned business. advantages. BDT, is an alliance of four market-leading- Does that bring along particular advan- companies of Beretta Holding, established tages? ESD: How do you organise the cooperation in 2011: Beretta, Benelli, Sako and Steiner. Ferlito: Certainly the family-owned busi- with the other brands in the group? These founding companies of Beretta De- ness is a big advantage for the end-users Ferlito: R&D activities in BDT are shared fense Technologies are recognised around or customers, because decisions are not within sister companies in the Beretta the world through decades of leadership, taken merely from a financial or economic Group to obtain the most advanced inte- innovation and investment. They now pro- point of view, but mainly on the reputa- grated arm platforms. In addition, some complementary and parallel products reinforce the offer of BDT, also thanks to acquisitions as recently done in the group. We also maintain some healthy competi- Photos: Beretta tion among some brands of BDT, in order to enhance the product line, pushing us to be competitive in the market.

ESD: How big is the staff and what is the annual turnover of the Beretta Group in general and Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A in particular? Ferlito: “Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta” is a gun manufacturer which today em- ploys approximately 850 people. The whole group boasts about 3,000 people and manages approx. 30 brands all over the world, of which less than a tenth are manufacturing companies with their own Almost 500 years of weapons manufacturing have led to a rather broad products and the rest are commercial en- portfolio, with just a selection shown in the Beretta gun room. terprises, wholly owned by the Beretta

May 2017 · European Security & Defence 95 ARX200 INDUSTRY Beretta & Assault MARKETS rifle in cal. 7.62 x 51 mm equipped with a Steiner ICS (Intelligent Ferlito: and on a technological contribution both on Combat Sight) and It varies the production and product, thus introduc- a MRS (Micro from year to ing innovation, weight reduction, advanced Reflex Sight). year, because the mil- materials new finishing process and futuris- itary sector is unpredict- tic designs. Important collaborations with able. Last year it amounted companies in the different related sectors to approximately 15% of the and future acquisitions are not excluded, full group turnover, the rest was because they could enhance and empower made up by the civilian market: the Beretta Supply and, generally speaking, field and competition products. our BDT military division.

ESD: Who are your most important cus- ESD: If you look at Beretta’s portfolio 10 Holding Group, which market the group’s tomers in the defence arena and which to 15 years from now – what will a modern products in their countries. products and programmes do they repre- hand weapon look like then? sent? Ferlito: We obviously look forward to being ESD: Beretta weapons are known for their Ferlito: Our company has been involved in able to present the ultimate and definitive ornate engraving and craftsmanship qual- the “Future-Soldier Project” in which we individual weapon system to our users, one ity: How do you achieve this? have played a key role and where we have that can satisfy the law enforcement and Ferlito: The utmost attention is given to the had much success. One important market military customers’s needs, whether it be a expertise and craftmanship which has al- for us is North America, even if the Asian handgun, assault rifle or individual weapon ways been maintained at the highest level. market continues to be a very strategic tar- system. Standard production is run side by side with get. We do not exclude introducing electronics the handmade products created by expert into our products to add capability, as we craftsmen who are dedicated to making ESD: During the past 20 years, many are currently pursuing in our i-Gun project. custom products for the most demanding armed forces have reduced their procure- The i-Protect is a pistol which incorporates products. The handcrafted side of the work ment efforts. As a result, there is a kind of technologies and digital features that pro- is as important as the technological one; “modernisation backlog” to be coped with vide support to the user in the field, reduc- one makes use of the other. slowly and sustainably. Where are the most ing his or her psychological burden. Inte- interesting programmes and business op- grated aiming devices that lock the target, ESD: What is the share of the defence busi- portunities for you in the next three years? as well as self-learning, self-adapting sys- ness in your company? Ferlito: We are focussing on a 4.0 Industry tems could also soon become reality.

Preview ESD 4/2017 · June 2017 • Technology Focus: Unmanned Aerial Systems • EU Defence Capabilities • The Serbian Armed Forces • European Offshore Patrol Vessel Designs • Military Aircraft Avionics and Sensors • Air-to-Ground Weapons • Technologies for Dismounted Close Combat • UAS Detection and Countermeasures • Casualty Air Transport • Harbour Protection • Update or Replace: Soviet Legacy Materiel • Fighter Pilot Training • Defence Industry in Austria • Israeli Procurement Programmes

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96 European Security & Defence · May 2017 INTELLIGENCE FOR THE INTELLIGENT

INDUSTRY & MARKETS Russian Defence Industry in

the Era of Putin

Eugene Kogan

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

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

During the last decade the security frameworkumbr_ESD_06_2016.indd has undergone 63 profound changes inside and outside Spain which have had important implications for the nature and the use of military power, causing changes in the

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

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

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

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

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

TO

A – the NATO HQ, the military command

N structure and NATO’s Agencies – under

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

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

umbr_ESD_06_2016.indd 34 defence with military forces – in all its complex and sophisticated correlations. 14.11.16 14:54

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