https://natopart.com/en/blogBlog about the searching of spare parts for commercial and military projects, products for maritime, aerospace, or defense vehicles in general application’s, and to be updated in the most relevant news in the sectorenhttps://natopart.com/img/kl2b-1425641114.jpghttps://natopart.com/en/bloghttps://natopart.com/en/blog/post/82-at-natopart-kl2b-we-do-not-close-for-christmas While others pause, we stay fully operational for what cannot wait. We are ready to source and urgently deliver any spare part for the defense, aerospace, and naval sectors — even during the holidays. Because when a mission, a vessel, or an aircraft needs support, the calendar is never an excuse. ]]>2025-12-17 10:57:29https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/81-innovation-in-extinguishment-new-stainless-steel-rias-with-foam-generation-system At KL2B, we have developed four models of RIA systems (rigid/semi-rigid fire reels) with foam generation capabilities, designed to provide a first line of defense against fires and are especially useful in industrial, maritime, and highly demanding environmental environments. Instead of directly relying on monitors or large cannons, these devices are positioned as an immediate, simple, and effective resource, with all technical and regulatory guarantees. What makes them attractive is their combination of speed, operability, and resource savings: When a fire starts, every second counts. Since these reels are always loaded and ready, response is practically instantaneous, without the need to set up additional equipment or wait for the main operations to be organized. This drastically reduces downtime until larger systems or specialized personnel can respond. But in addition to speed, there is an element of operational simplicity: the switch from using pure water to foam generation is achieved without manual complications or additional interventions. With a single maneuver, it is possible to increase effectiveness against more aggressive fires. This avoids the operator having to manipulate mixers or auxiliary pumps under pressure, which adds risk and complexity. Another key aspect: water efficiency. Foam covers the combustion surface more evenly, fills pores, reduces water rebound, and reduces the total amount needed to extinguish. In many cases, this translates into water savings and less collateral impact on sensitive facilities. Furthermore, these systems are designed to withstand aggressive environments. Made of stainless steel with electrolytic treatments and anti-corrosion finishes, they can be deployed in maritime, chemical, or industrial environments with high humidity and salinity without losing functionality. This resistance gives them real longevity, beyond their theoretical performance. And no less important: they act as an ideal complement against flammable liquids. By generating foam, they create a sealing layer that limits the release of vapors and acts as a barrier between the fuel and oxygen, something that water alone cannot do. In chemical warehouses or in Hazard B zones, this capacity is crucial. However, these systems are not intended to replace high-capacity monitors, cannons, or automatic foam systems. Their role is clear: to provide a robust and reliable first line of defense, allowing fires to be contained or fought in their initial stages, while waiting for more powerful systems to arrive. Technical aspects and available models Applicable regulations The RIAs presented have been designed and tested taking into account the European regulations applicable to fixed hose systems. The EN 671 — Fixed firefighting systems: Hose systems standard is structured in several parts: EN 671-1, which specifically addresses semi-rigid hose reels; EN 671-2, which covers lay-flat hose systems; and EN 671-3, which establishes maintenance recommendations for hose reels and systems. Furthermore, the semi-rigid hoses used in these devices must comply with the requirements and tests specified in EN 694. At the national level, France has the NF S 62-201 standard, which defines practical rules for the design, installation, acceptance, and maintenance of Armed Fire Extinguishers (RIAs) and complements European requirements for projects and environments where they are required. Compliance with these standards ensures not only technical compliance, but also acceptance in regulated markets and the traceability and records necessary for inspection and maintenance. CEN-CENELEC The Four Models Each of the four developed models is tailored to specific scenarios with variations in lance, rotation, mounting type, and features: • Model KL-100019: RIA with an integrated foam production device, designed for situations where foam capacity is the primary requirement without the need for external accessories. • Model KL-100021: Rotating and pivoting reel with an Attack 100 Pro D200 lance, ideal for applications requiring rotation and greater directional flexibility. • Model KL-100022: Similar to the previous model, but with a 45° rotating lance, similar to the Attack 100 Pro A210, designed for areas with obstacles or nonlinear geometries. • Model KL-100023: Variant with Attack 100 Pro A210 SUP lance, combined with DN 25 hose, optimized for higher pressure, durability, and coverage requirements. The materials, treatments, and hydraulic calculations have been sized to offer reliable performance even under demanding conditions: common nominal pressures up to ~1.2 MPa, adequate flow rates, corrosion resistance, and robust turning mechanisms. Recommended Applications These systems are especially suitable for: • Shipping companies, offshore platforms, and ports, where immediate protection against spills and small fires is required. • Chemical and oil industries, where flammable liquids are present and foam capacity is a major plus. • Airports, hangars, and technical areas, where an incipient fire must be attacked before it spreads. • Critical infrastructure, military bases, or remote facilities, where reliable and autonomous equipment is vital. Maintenance and Operational Recommendations To ensure these systems are always operational, it is essential to follow a rigorous maintenance program: 1. Periodic visual inspection: verify structural integrity, free rotation of the reel, and absence of corrosion or deformation. 2. Annual functional tests: deploy the hose, open the valve, and check flow, pressure, and nozzle operation under real-world conditions. 3. Pressure testing (every 5 years or according to applicable regulations): Ensure that the unit withstands its maximum design pressure without leaks or deformations. 4. Internal cleaning of the foam device and lance to prevent buildup or blockage due to concentrate residue. 5. Documented records of all tests, as required by maintenance standards (e.g., EN 671-3 for maintenance of fixed systems). ]]>2025-10-29 10:13:33https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/80-summer-holidays-2025 At Natopart, we would like to thank all our clients and suppliers for their continued trust and collaboration. As summer is in full swing, we wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing season! Please note that Natopart will only be closed on August 15th — we're here to support your needs throughout the summer. Whether in the naval, aerospace, or defense sectors, Natopart is your trusted partner for sourcing spare parts, components, and equipment. Let’s keep building success together. ]]>2025-08-01 10:38:42https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/79-natopart-kl2b-global-leader-in-naval-defense-components At Natopart / KL2B, we proudly serve as a trusted global supplier of spare parts and components for the naval defense sector. With decades of experience and a strong international presence, we specialize in delivering critical components—whether standard, rare, or long-obsolete. Our dedicated team supports military fleets around the world, ensuring mission readiness by sourcing and supplying hard-to-find and discontinued parts, minimizing equipment downtime and maximizing operational continuity. With offices and warehouses strategically located across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia, we provide fast, reliable service tailored to the specific needs of defense contractors, shipyards, and government agencies. Whether you're maintaining aging systems or building next-generation naval platforms, Natopart / KL2B is your go-to partner for sourcing high-quality, compliant components—on time and on target. ]]>2025-06-06 08:56:24https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/78-strategic-sourcing-for-defense-military-aerospace-powered-by-natopart In high-stakes industries like defense, military, and aerospace, sourcing is not just about procurement—it's about securing operational continuity, reliability, and compliance. At Natopart, a division of KL2B, we specialize in strategic sourcing of mission-critical components, systems, and solutions tailored to the most demanding sectors. With an agile structure and a global supplier network, we deliver trusted, traceable, and timely sourcing to support your operational goals. Why work with Natopart?  Global supplier network From Europe to the U.S. and Asia, we collaborate with certified manufacturers and distributors to ensure quality, availability, and competitive pricing.  Full regulatory compliance We operate in strict alignment with international standards, including MIL-STD, AS9100, ITAR, and other defense-grade protocols—ensuring end-to-end traceability and documentation.  Rapid, flexible response Our lean approach allows us to move fast, offer custom alternatives, and adapt to complex technical requirements—because downtime is not an option.  Defense & aerospace expertise We speak your language. Our team includes professionals with hands-on experience in defense logistics, aerospace sourcing, and military procurement. What we source: Electronic and electromechanical components Tactical and field support equipment Aircraft and UAV spare parts Sensors, avionics, and navigation systems Secure communication and surveillance solutions Own manufacturing in the naval sector by Navalpro Whether you're managing a fleet, leading a project, or sourcing parts for mission-critical systems, Natopart – powered by KL2B – is your trusted supply chain partner. ]]>2025-05-28 16:40:47https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/77-celebrating-international-day-for-women-in-maritime-sector On International Day for Women in Maritime sector, we proudly celebrate the incredible women who are navigating the waves of the maritime industry with resilience, expertise, and passion. At Natopart and KL2B, we are honored to be part of a company where women make up the majority of our team. From leadership roles to technical expertise, their contributions are the backbone of our success and innovation in a traditionally male-dominated sector. The maritime industry is evolving, and we are proud to be at the forefront of that change, empowering women and ensuring their voices are heard, valued, and respected. We believe that diversity strengthens our operations, bringing fresh perspectives and fostering a culture of inclusion and growth. To all the women at Natopart, KL2B, and across the global maritime community: today is for you. Thank you for your dedication, your strength, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. Let’s continue to break barriers, steer the course, and inspire the next generation of women in maritime. Happy International Day for Women in Maritime! ]]>2025-05-19 13:24:57https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/76-agradecimiento-feindefDesde Natopart y KL2B, queremos expresar nuestro más sincero agradecimiento a todos nuestros proveedores y clientes que nos acompañaron en esta edición de Feindef. Fue un auténtico placer compartir este espacio con cada uno de ustedes, intercambiar ideas y fortalecer lazos comerciales que impulsan el crecimiento mutuo. La confianza que depositan en nosotros es el motor que nos impulsa a seguir innovando y ofreciendo soluciones de calidad en el sector. A nuestros proveedores, gracias por ser parte fundamental de nuestra cadena de valor, y a nuestros clientes, por confiar en Natopart / KL2B como su socio estratégico. Feindef 2025 ha sido un éxito gracias a la colaboración y compromiso de todos. ¡Esperamos seguir construyendo juntos grandes proyectos! Nos vemos en los próximos eventos.]]>2025-05-15 10:46:37https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/75-we-are-now-an-official-hp-business-partner-for-defense-in-spain We are proud to announce that our company has become an official HP Business Partner for Defense in Spain. This strategic collaboration reinforces our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions tailored to the demanding needs of the defense sector. With HP’s trusted innovation and our deep expertise in the field, we are ready to support defense organizations with robust, secure, and high-performance computing solutions. This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide excellence, reliability, and long-term value to our clients in the defense industry. We look forward to this exciting journey ahead with HP. ]]>2025-04-30 13:20:53https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/74-why-gfrp-cases-are-essential-for-military-applications In military operations, equipment protection is critical. GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) cases offer unmatched durability, impact resistance, and lightweight design, making them ideal for transporting sensitive gear in extreme conditions. Unlike metal, GFRP is corrosion-resistant and withstands harsh environments, from deserts to humid jungles. Its customizable design allows for tailored compartments and MIL-STD compliance, ensuring maximum protection. With superior temperature and UV resistance, GFRP cases provide long-term reliability and cost-effectiveness. As military needs evolve, GFRP stands out as the ultimate choice for safeguarding mission-critical equipment. ]]>2025-04-15 13:59:25https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/73-natopart-reliable-sourcing-for-defense-naval-and-military-parts At Natopart, we know that in the defense industry, time is critical. We specialize in sourcing and supplying high-quality parts and components for defense, naval, and military applications—quickly and efficiently. We ensure: ✅ Rapid Quotations – Get pricing fast to keep your operations running smoothly. ✅ No-Bid Transparency – If we can't source it, you'll know immediately. ✅ Global Sourcing Network – Access to trusted suppliers worldwide. ✅ Reliability & Precision – Delivering the right part, on time, every time. Speed and reliability make the difference in mission-critical operations. Trust Natopart to keep your supply chain moving. ]]>2025-04-03 13:24:47https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/72-sourcing-aerospace-fasteners-key-factors In the aerospace industry, every component matters. Fasteners are a fundamental part of aircraft structures and assemblies, where quality, certification, and traceability are essential. Choosing the right suppliers can make a significant difference in terms of safety and regulatory compliance. Key Factors in Sourcing ✔ Certifications and Standards – AS9100, NAS, MS, AN, and other aerospace standards. ✔ Traceability – Detailed records of origin and manufacturing processes. ✔ High-Quality Materials – Titanium, high-strength steels, and nickel alloys. ✔ Reliable Suppliers – Partnerships with authorized manufacturers and certified distributors. ✔ Fast Response to Pricing Requests – Quick turnaround on RFQs is crucial to preventing supply chain delays and ensuring optimal lead times. Strategic sourcing of aerospace fasteners not only optimizes the supply chain but also ensures aircraft safety and performance. If you're in the industry, what challenges have you faced when selecting aerospace fastener suppliers? Share your experience in the comments! ]]>2025-03-27 09:22:55https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/71-underwater-design-and-functionality Submarine furniture must not only be compact and ergonomic, but also withstand extreme conditions of pressure, humidity and confined space. Every centimetre counts, and innovation in materials and design is key to ensuring comfort and efficiency on board. From folding bunks to optimised workstations, the furniture on a submarine is a perfect example of engineering applied to peak performance in challenging environments. ]]>2025-03-14 11:14:37https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/70-strategic-supplier-of-parts-and-spares-for-the-naval-defence-industryStrategic supplier of parts and spares for the naval defence industryIn the naval defence sector, the availability of parts and spares is a critical factor in ensuring the operability and safety of vessels. Having a reliable supplier not only reduces downtime, but also optimises costs and improves maintenance efficiency.Our company specialises in the supply of high quality components, meeting the highest industry standards. From propulsion systems to electronic equipment and specialised structures, we offer tailor-made solutions for shipyards, navies and defence contractors.     Strategic stock and fast delivery to minimise lead times.     Guaranteed certification and regulatory compliance.     Specialised technical advice for each project. If you are looking for a strategic partner for fleet maintenance and modernisation, we are here to boost the efficiency and safety of your operations.]]>2025-03-11 14:23:48https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/69-nh90-helicopterNH90 helicopter tests begin on the deck of the LHD Juan Carlos IThe first aircraft will reach the Navy in May 2025.The NH-90 programme, which aims to renew medium-sized tactical transport helicopters in service, consists of two phases. The first phase is practically completed; the second was launched by the government last April with an injection of 39,800,000 euros and covers the years 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.The Centro Logístico de Armamento y Experimentación (CLAEX) is a flight test centre of the Spanish Air and Space Force. Now, and in collaboration with the 48th Wing and the crew of the aircraft carrier Juan Carlos I, it has started the qualification tests of the NH90 helicopter on the Navy's flagship. Natopart: Sourcing and procurement of spare parts and components for defence, aeronautics and naval]]>2024-10-08 15:36:56https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/68-energy-transition-in-the-companyThe energy transition is a paradigm shift as far as the energy model is concerned, and involves the implementation of new ways of generating energy, betting on renewable sources and the responsible, sustainable and efficient use of resources. According to the Global Energy Transition Index (ETI), the Scandinavian region leads the Energy Transition, with Sweden, Norway and Denmark in the top positions. Of the 115 countries studied in this report, it is perceived that 92 of them have made progress in this area. Spain, for example, climbed 7 positions compared to the 2020 report, achieving 17th position in 2021. At KL2B/NATOPART we have always wanted to collaborate in the sustainability of the planet and mitigate the effects of climate change. For this reason, we have been ISO 14001 certified for years, in order to develop and implement Environmental Management processes that reduce the environmental risks associated with our activity. In recent years we have managed to significantly reduce emissions and waste from our company, and we encourage collaborating organizations to implement sustainable policies. Commitment to the environment is everyone's responsibility. See full report here.]]>2022-03-29 17:04:56https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/67-spain-invests-in-a-c295-plane-for-research The National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) has purchased a C295 transport plane to convert it into an Aerial Research Platform (PAI) with a budget of 27 million euros. The R+D+I project will be co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Modifications will take place over the next year and delivery of the aircraft is expected to take place in the summer of 2023. According to Defense, this PAI will be an aircraft adapted and instrumented for use in conducting flight tests of aeronautical equipment and systems, atmospheric research, remote sensing data collection and tests for the development, training and formation of crews, both scientific and flight, among others. The C295 joins the three PAIs that INTA already has (two C212-200 and a Stemme S15 motorsailer), and will be equipped with wing mounts for attaching sensors and probes, a back test instrumentation system , internal communications system, as well as the necessary equipment to fly safely in adverse weather conditions such as rain, ice and snow, and will be designed and certified for lightning strikes. Image: Airwolfhound]]>2022-02-28 17:26:09https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/66-tendencia-gasto-militar-america-latina--caribeLa tendencia del Gasto Militar en América Latina y el Caribe Tal y como veníamos adelantando en nuestra última publicación, el gasto militar mundial se ha visto incrementado de manera generalizada, incluso en aras de una pandemia de la que a priori podríamos haber presupuesto como el ‘’caldo de cultivo’’ para un recorte en este ámbito. Pero no es solo el gasto militar el que ha seguido creciendo, sino que, en términos generales, los Gobiernos han tenido que hacer uso de políticas expansivas que han generado un aumento del Gasto Público. Es precisamente este Gasto Público el que queremos desagregar para poder tener una noción más objetiva y clara sobre qué porcentaje de ese gasto ha ido destinado al sector defensa; y, más concretamente, en este número queremos hacer hincapié en la región de América Latina y el Caribe, puesto que las percepciones de KL2B coinciden con los datos que, en efecto, señalan una tendencia de despunte militar de la región. La evolución del Gasto Militar La región LAC comprende más de 40 países, por lo que, en un ejercicio de síntesis, expondremos aquellos que destacan por los cambios de los últimos años en el GPM, y veremos algunos de los proyectos que están desarrollando. Los datos que mostramos a continuación corresponden al Gasto militar en Millones de $ en el ejercicio del 2019 y 2020, donde podemos observar una clara diferenciación en el gasto en defensa de diferentes países de la zona. Tabla 1. Evolución del gasto militar LATAM 2019 (Banco Mundial, s.f.) Tabla 2. Evolución del gasto militar LATAM 2020 (Statista GmbH, s.f) Haciendo una comparativa de estos dos gráficos podemos observar que, en general, en el año 2020 ha habido una caída del gasto militar regional. No obstante, y tal y como señala el último anuario del Instituto Internacional de Estudios para la Paz de Estocolmo (SIPRI), este descenso se debe principalmente a la caída del 3,1% del gasto militar de Brasil. Aun así, Brasil es el tercer país en América con mayor gasto militar, solo después de EEUU y Canadá. Además, cabe destacar que, a pesar de esta reducción regional generalizada, el Banco Mundial señala una tendencia ascendente en cuanto al gasto militar respecto del PIB, tal y como se puede apreciar en la siguiente gráfica: Tabla 3. Gasto militar (% del PIB) Latin America & Caribbean (Banco Mundial, s.f) Algunos proyectos destacables BRASIL Desarrollo primer misil brasileño de crucero, el MTC-300. Destaca por sus 300km de alcance y su sistema de navegación puntero, que proporciona información de posicionamiento interrumpidamente para poder corregir el rumbo en cualquier momento. El primer pedido del MTC-300 por parte de Ejército ha sido de un lote de 100 unidades. Desarrollo del cohete guiado SS-40G. Se trata de una variante del SS-40, y destaca su alcance (15-40 km) y su capacidad de ser guiado en la etapa final de vuelo. Construcción de Submarinos Scorpene, destacables por su velocidad, su sigilo y su nivel de automatización. En KL2B hemos tenido el honor de participar en este proyecto puntero, del que hemos podido aprender y disfrutar. COLOMBIA Adquisición de aeronaves de entrenamiento Texan II T-6C, que reemplazarán a los T-37B y que resaltan por su tecnología puntera y su maniobrabilidad. MÉXICO Desarrollo del Sistema de Enlace de Datos de la Armada de México (SEDAM), que recolecta, integra y despliega información táctica proveniente de los sensores de unidades de superficie, aéreas y terrestres, con el objetivo de poder unificar e intercambiar la información.(SEMAR, s.f.) CHILE Adquisición de Helicópteros H125, conocido por su ‘’versatilidad y capacidad de operación en diferentes condiciones meteorológicas’’ (INFODENFENSA). Construcción de buques multipropósito. Al tratarse de buques multifuncionales, pueden operar en una amplia gama de servicios: apoyo logístico, operaciones de ayuda humanitaria, despliegue de tropas, etc. Aunque estos son solo algunos de los proyectos que se están llevando a cabo en la región, en general se aprecia un panorama en el que podemos deducir que la progresión seguirá al alza en los próximos años, con la misma tendencia generalizada que vemos a nivel mundial. REFERENCIAS Banco Mundial. (s.f.). Banco Mundial. Obtenido de Gasto militar (% del PIB) Latin America & Caribbean : https://datos.bancomundial.org/indicador/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS?end=2020&locations=ZJ&start=2019Banco Mundial. (s.f.). Banco Mundial. Obtenido de Gasto militar en algunos países de América Latina y el Caribe en 2019 (en millones de dólares estadounidenses): https://datos.bancomundial.org/indicador/MS.MIL.XPND.CD?end=2019&locations=BR-CO-MX-CL-AR-PE-EC-UY-DO-BO-HN-PY-GT&start=2019&view=barSEMAR. (s.f.). Secretaría de Marina - Gobierno de México. Obtenido de http://www.semar.gob.mx/INIDETAM/proyectos.htmlStatista GmbH. (s.f.). Statista. Obtenido de Gasto militar en algunos países de América Latina y el Caribe en 2020 (en millones de dólares estadounidenses): https://es.statista.com/estadisticas/1224838/gasto-militar-america-latina-caribe-por-pais/]]>2021-10-25 13:55:10https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/65-crecimiento-del-sector-defensa-en-tiempos-de-adversidadLa crisis en la que nos encontramos inmersos desde hace ya más de 1 año parece no haber impedido que las inversiones en el sector Defensa hayan seguido creciendo, como viene sucediendo desde el año 2015. Con una ligera bajada en 2020 frente a 2019, la tendencia de aumento del gasto en este sector sigue al alza, con el objetivo de alcanzar en 10 años el objetivo del 2% del PIB planteado en la cumbre de la OTAN de 2014. Según el informe El balance militar 2021, presentado por el Instituto Internacional de Estudios Estratégicos, en respuesta a la situación vivida, en países como Alemania, Reino Unido, Francia y España se ha producido un incremento en los gastos militares, como apoyo a proveedores locales del sector. A nivel europeo, la UE por primera vez en su historia cuenta con un presupuesto para Defensa (7.014 M € en 2021) con el objetivo de reducir la dependencia de Estados Unidos a nivel militar. Se prevé invertir este presupuesto no directamente en las tropas o en material, sino para fomentar la industria europea del sector y proveerla de una autonomía estratégica. En Natopart tenemos el enorme placer de estar participando de esta inversión en el sector defensa, entre otros, en el suministro de productos clave para simuladores de vuelo, proyectos en los que colaboramos mano a mano con nuestros clientes, y que pone de manifiesto esta realidad en el sector aeronáutico, una pieza clave del engranaje militar. Gráfica de elaboración propia en base a los datos de https://datosmacro.expansion.com/]]>2021-03-04 17:16:33https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/63-northrop-grumman-creates-4-new-technology-divisions-for-better-development-service-and-growthNorthrop Grumman Corporation, an American aerospace and global defense technology company with more than 85,000 employees and an annual income of more than $ 30 billion being one of the largest weapons manufacturers and suppliers of military technology, announced on September 18th of the current year changes in the organization of its operational sectors. There will be four new operational sectors: aeronautical systems, defense systems, mission systems and space systems. The changes will be made as of January 1st, 2020. "This new operating structure allows us to take full advantage of our company's portfolio by aligning businesses that have shared markets, customers and technologies," said Kathy Warden, president, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman. These four operational sectors will be: Aeronautics Systems, this operating sector will focus on manned and unmanned air systems, with a proven track record of systems engineering, manufacturing excellence and reliability. This sector will be led by Janis Pamiljans, current corporate vice president and president of Aerospace Systems. Defense Systems, a broad-spectrum provider of critical technology, maintenance and modernization services, which includes integrated battle command systems, targeted energy, tactical weapons and information systems, focused on evolving threats and fast-turn requirements for broad variety of national security, military and civil clients. The sector will be led by Mary Petryszyn, current vice president and general manager of Land & Avionics C4ISR, Mission Systems. Mission Systems, this sector that is already known as a technological leader in open systems, cyber insurance, defined by software for defense and intelligence applications in multiple domains. This sector will be led by Mark Caylor, current corporate vice president and president of Mission Systems. Space Systems, known as a space and launch systems provider that serves national, civil and commercial security clients. Blake Larson, current corporate vice president and president of Innovation Systems, will lead the Space Systems sector. Everything seems to indicate the great demand that the corporation is having and to accelerate the attention capacity they have decided to divide it into these 4 new sectors for a better distribution and reaction capacity for their clients, at least that is how the president and director indicated executive. In addition, within the same conference, Patrick M. Antkowiak, corporate vice president and director of strategy and technology, and Christopher T. Jones, corporate vice president and president of Technology Services, have announced their intention to retire. ]]>2019-09-27 08:58:21https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/62-bulgarian-president-vetoes-a-126-billion-deal-with-lockheed-martin-for-f-16-fighter-jetsAs discussed in a previous article, Bulgaria has been planning to buy F-16 fighter jets since 2017 to replace its obsolete Soviet-made MiG-29 aircraft. Nevertheless, the agreements with the manufacturer Lockhedd Martin have not been as expected and doubts began to arise due to a number of important issues such as prices, guarantees, delivery times, penalties, compensation, etc., since they remain unclear. That is why the Bulgarian president, Rumen Radev, vetoed an agreement last Tuesday to buy eight new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, Radev said it was important for Bulgaria to receive "a complete package of equipment, accompaniment and training equipment of personal". He has argued that other countries, such as Slovakia and Bahrain have paid less for the U.S. fighter in recent deals.The president is a former pilot and air force commander and as president is also commander-in-chief of the army. He favored choosing a cheaper option, such as Sweden’s Gripen fighters. And now the purchase of second-hand F-16 from Portugal, Eurofighter Typhoons from Italy and Saab JAS Gripens from Sweden is being considered. Bulgarian armed forces president Konstantin Popov is aware that they need to modernize their armed forces to meet NATO standards and the F-16 plane seems the best option, which is why the veto is not yet defined. Parliament will now have to hold another debate and vote again on the deal, but lawmakers are expected to approve it and this time Radev will have to sign it into force. Parliament could overrule Radev’s veto with a vote of at least 121 votes in the 240-seat assembly. Possibly the veto can be annulled, but in the event that this is not carried out, the Bulgarian president will have to find other viable options to meet the expectations that the F-16 has and that NATO expects.]]>2019-08-05 10:05:55https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/61-the-united-states-senate-supports-750-billion-for-national-defense-programsAfter that the most senior member Mac Thornberry (R-TX) was trying to reverse the cuts contained in the bill proposed by President Adam Smith (D-WA). Thornberry proposed an amendment that would add $ 17 billion to the defense law to reach that $ 750 billion level. It should be noted that these figures include the Department of Defense, as well as nuclear programs in the Department of Energy, and defense-related programs in agencies outside the Department of Defense. The US Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 on June 27 with a bipartisan vote of 86-8. The Senate-passed bill supports a total of $ 750 billion for national defense programs, including the Department of Defense programs and the national security activities of the Department of Energy, despite concerns from congressional Democrats over the size spending totals, an expansion of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and a lack of a check on President Donald Trump’s war powers. The House of Representatives version of the defense authorization bill for fiscal year 20 is $ 733 billion, which is the level originally envisaged by the White House before the president increased the request to $ 750 billions . It was also agreed to add approximately 6,200 service members to the active duty force next year, divided into: 2,500 members to the Navy, 2,000 to the Army, 1,700 to the Air Force and 100 to the Marine Corps. Monetarily included approximately $ 300 million in new spending authorities to improve military housing, $ 10 billion for 94 fifth-generation Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, eight fourth-generation F-15X aircraft for $ 948 million, shortening the request of the F-15X administration at $ 162 million. It also authorizes $ 2.8 billion for 15 KC-46A aircraft, twelve new ships are included for $ 24.1 billion, submarines including $ 4.7 billion and some more expenses for the army that include AH-64E Apaches, armored vehicles, among others. So that to have an idea of ​​the impact and concern of the United States on their interests, a few months ago we saw Russian President Vladimir Putin talking about the amount approved for defense in Russia was around $ 50 billion dollars and where he announced that the amount approved by the pentagon was almost 10 times more.]]>2019-07-03 11:09:46https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/60-bulgaria-may-walk-away-from-negotiations-to-buy-f-16-fighter-jets-with-the-us Last year the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense asked the government to initiate direct talks with the United States in the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets to replace its Soviet-made MiG-29 aircraft. Nevertheless, these talks could end because the price has exceeded the budget approved by the Parliament of Bulgaria and also Italy and Sweden have joined the offers of the acquisitions of these 8 aircraft. Italy has offered the Eurofighter Typhoon and Sweden offered the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. These offers had been already initially but did not include expensive weapons that had to be purchased separately. Bulgaria, a member of NATO since 2004, has earmarked 900 million euros (1,000 million dollars) for the purchase of at least eight fighter jets. The initial offer was from Lockheed Martin, however, exceeded this sum. The Prime Minister of Bulgaria discussed this with the US Deputy Secretary of State. UU., John Sullivan, who visited Sofia last year as well and pressed for Lockheed Martin's offer, as well as the US Secretary of State. UU., Mike Pompeo. Bulgarian defense minister Krasimir Karakachanov said openly in an interview that he did not expect the US government to give them anything for free, but to offer them at normal prices, taking into account the prices they had offered to other countries. Although perhaps the price of Lockheed Martin has exceeded the budget, the Bulgarian Parliament should assess this high cost against the lack of weapons that aircraft from Italy and Sweden offer to have the best possible acquisition according to their needs. Nevertheless, these talks could end because the price has exceeded the budget approved by the Parliament of Bulgaria and also Italy and Sweden have joined the offers of the acquisitions of these 8 aircraft. Italy has offered the Eurofighter Typhoon and Sweden offered the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. These offers were already initially but did not include expensive weapons that had to be purchased separately. Bulgaria, a member of NATO since 2004, has earmarked 900 million euros (1,000 million dollars) for the purchase of at least eight fighter jets. The initial offer was from Lockheed Martin, however, exceeded this sum. The Prime Minister of Bulgaria discussed this with the US Deputy Secretary of State. UU., John Sullivan, who visited Sofia last year as well and pressed for Lockheed Martin's offer, as well as the US Secretary of State. UU., Mike Pompeo. Bulgarian defense minister Krasimir Karakachanov said openly in an interview that he did not expect the US government to give them anything for free, but to offer them at normal prices, taking into account the prices they had offered to other countries. Although perhaps the price of Lockheed Martin has exceeded the budget, the Bulgarian Parliament should assess this high cost against the lack of weapons that aircraft from Italy and Sweden offer to have the best possible acquisition according to their needs. ]]>2019-05-24 15:09:44https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/59-the-us-government-has-approved-the-sale-of-25-new-f-16-block-72s-to-moroccoMorocco has obtained the purchase of the 25 new airplanes of Block 72, which also includes other equipment, weapons and services, has a price of $ 3.8 billion, said Monday March 25 the Agency for Defense Security Cooperation. The purchase aims to expand interoperability with the United States and other regional allies and will improve Morocco's ability to undertake coalition operations, as it has done in the past since Morocco operates an F 16 fleet and will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft and his services in his armed forces. The upgrade package is valued at more than $ 985 million, covers the cost of bringing the RMAF 23 existing F-16C / D Block 52+ aircraft up to the F-16V standard, as well as a variety of other auxiliary elements and support services. If Morocco does decide to buy the new-build aircraft, it would be the second country to purchase examples of Lockheed Martin’s most advanced F-16s to date and the first to purchase the Block 72 configuration specifically. In June 2018, Bahrain became the first customer for new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and Lockheed received a $ 1.1 billion contract to produce 16 F-16V fighters for Bahrain. Last week, reports surfaced that the US government could also approve Block 70 sales to Taiwan. Block F-16 70/72 is the newest and most advanced F-16 configuration to date, with a structural life more than 50 percent longer than that of previous F-16 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin. It has an active radar with new avionics and software that takes advantage of new technologies. The F-16 Viper variant includes an electronically scanned active matrix radar, a new mission computer and an electronic warfare suite, an automated system to avoid collision in the ground and several improvements in the cockpit. The strategies of the United States to protect its interests and that of its allies expands with greater force, equipping them with the latest in military technology. ]]>2019-04-03 15:27:37https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/58-australia-and-france-deepen-their-relationship-in-defense-by-signing-a-multimillion-dollar-contractAs I wrote in the last article, the Brazilian government had just launched its possible acquisition of submarines and where one of their competitors to build them could be the same French Naval group. On February 11th, its triumph was announced under a $ 35 billion strategic partnership with the Australian Government consisting of 12 attack submarines with cutting-edge technology. Australia rejected offers from the main competitors of the French Naval Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan, as well as the German ThyssenKrupp AG, when it accepted the French offer in 2016 but did not sign the contract until recently, after months of negotiations. The construction of the first submarine will begin in late 2023 and will be ready for the mission completely for the navy by the end of 2034. It is worth mentioning that the Australian government is committed to maximizing the participation of "local industry" in the program and to ensure that Australians make the most of this important national investment ", this type of long-term treaties will generate approximately 2,800 jobs only in Australia. Australia has spent more than 200 billion dollars on military investments and defense purchases, including six long-range spy drones from the US. UU., 12 ships of maritime patrol of great power and 211 "super tanks" of Germany of the eight wheels and nine naval combats. Frigates of Great Britain, of which we have already spoken in previous articles. Although some critics have cataloged the purchase as delayed by the great domination that China, the United States and the regional powers want to acquire in these seas. But Australia continues to bet on its security and prosperity and also deepen its defense relationship with France. The president of the French Naval Group hopes that this offer will serve as a launching pad for other contracts including India, Poland and the aforementioned, Brazil.]]>2019-02-26 14:24:33https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/57-multimillion-dollar-investment-in-the-military-defense-of-brazilBrazil is going through an important stage of transition in its history as the new far-right Brazilian government has just taken the power in January 2019 and one of its objectives is to channel the revenues from oil and gas for a new multimillion-dollar investment in defense. Mainly it has been spoken in a program of corvettes and submarines for which several foreign companies have turned to look at this great business opportunity and one of them is the French naval group that considers Brazil as the center of its regional business in submarines. This policy is not new since it has been directing 2 percent of the royalties of the drilling to the army, but the previous governments never applied it completely and apparently this new government intends to execute it at 100 percent. It is speculated that the incoming Brazilian government commanded by Jair Bolsonaro will continue to implement this policy and start with the Tamandaré program consisting of four ships and an eight-year initial maintenance package. The tasks of these vessels involve taking care of the waters rich in natural resources along its coast and what the outgoing president or ex-president Michael Temer said that there is no need to feel threat or disturbance about this construction since the purpose is only protect the entire Brazilian coast and maintain the sovereignty and marine riches. European suppliers are already in competition to secure this great project, some of them are Naval Group and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany, Damen of Holland and Fincantieri of Italy. These suppliers not only have their sights set on Brazil, since they already have as their target Poland, where it is proposed to develop a submarine center for regional armies in a similar way. Currently in Brazil a new boat called Riachuelo is in production, which is 80 percent of its manufacture. It is intended that by mid-2020 the Brazilian government build what some call " the ultimate ambition", which consists of a program of submarines of nuclear propulsion, where it is also said that the design for the first submarine is already underway. As already speculated, the new Brazilian government intends to prioritize the security of its territory, something that for some companies have already seen as an advantage for its market and where Brazil is absolutely critical among the European players present to participate.]]>2019-01-10 12:44:59https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/56-penetrating-counter-air-the-new-fighter-aircraft-for-the-united-states-air-forceIn 2016 the United States unveiled the study called "Air Superiority 2030", focused on new designs of combat aircrafts or also known as " Sixth-generation jet fighter", and without giving many details due to their most potential enemies, commented on the new models for fighter aircraft, excelling a new air superiority fighter plane called "Penetrating Counter Air". The General, Dave Goldfein and The Air Force Special Advisor, Mark Tapper have talked about the vision of this new airplane as something beyond just a renewal program and with high expectations. For this they ask themselves, how far do they want to go with this project? If it will be a manned, unmanned or mixed aircraft, there are so many variants in the air, but we are working hard precisely to meet the highest expectations. With this new program, the United States Air Force intends to replace their existing air superiority aircraft, such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and to complement existing service platforms, such as the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Sixth-generation jet fighter are expected to use advanced engines, such as adaptive versatile engine technology, which is that instead of having an engine designed only for high speed or high fuel efficiency (like many current commercial engines), The final versatile engine would be designed to work in both conditions. Specific objectives include reducing the average fuel consumption by 25% and reducing the temperature of the cooling air produced by the engine to allow longer ranges and higher performance. The reduction of risks began in 2012 so that the development of the engine can begin around 2020. A motor will be ready when the fighters are introduced by the Navy in 2028 and the Air Force in 2032. And although not much information has been given, it’s clear money is being spent to push the effort forward. In the fiscal 2019 budget, the service requested $504 million for “next-generation air dominance,” its portfolio of future fighter technologies and weapons. The Air Force expects to ramp up funding to $1.4 billion in FY20, hitting a high in FY22 with a projected $3.1 billion in spending. Due to the fact that this project has a deadline of 2030, several analyzes are being carried out to employ new and better technologies, a considerable time but where the expectations become higher.]]>2018-11-22 12:23:09https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/55-south-korea-acquires-long-range-artilleryAs we have already known, the peace between North Korea and South Korea is not yet defined. That is why one of the great leaders of South Korea has announced the purchase of ballistic interceptors of the SM-3 model that will be transported on board a ship, all this due to the constant threats it has suffered from its border neighbor. The decision was actually taken from last year before agreeing this armistice between the two Koreas and even though it was expected to be temporary and it has continued, with greater or lesser fragility, to this day, signed between the North, its Chinese allies and the UN command led by the United States, they all agree that the Korean War is not over yet. This SM-3 missile transported by ship is able to intercept and shoot down the basaltic missiles to a higher level than the Korean Air Defense and Missile network now counts. Which is responsible for shooting down missiles in case of an attack, but only in its terminal phase. On the other hand, the SM-3 is designed to destroy ballistic missiles of short to medium range at altitudes of 150 to 500 km, while its newer version, the SM-3 IIA, can reach targets at an altitude of up to 1,000 km. These missiles are able to hit with a great force of 1000kg at a speed of 1000KmH, this means greater precision, safety and time range before final impact. So far there are no missiles with this level of attack, with the existing ones with a range of attack a little greater than 100km. And although there is still no date for the acquisition, nor the urgency due to the passive state that this confrontation is leading, we know that this type of weapon would position South Korea to live up to its threat. South Korea wants to improve its de-militarized zone and protect it from a possible long-range artillery attack that North Korea is known to be well armed in those aspects and we imagine that the South Koreans do not want to take the risk. In addition, we know recently that the South Korean nation has been acquiring more long-range artillery such as 90 Taurus missiles that are evaluated in 1.8 million dollars each and that had not been announced due to the warm climate that is taking place. This contract was signed at the end of February, a little before the announced armistice. Everything seems to be that South Korea was preparing quite well but now with all the negotiations that are in the way of peace in their peninsula, these acquisitions come a little precipitated and waiting for the tension does not re-emerge and keep calm between the two Koreas.]]>2018-10-15 16:27:13https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/54-uk-wants-to-be-part-of-the-purchase-of-frigates Apparently, Spain and Australia are not the only nations interested in renewing their fleet of frigates. Now the UK also wants to join this type of acquisitions. In February, UK launched the competition for the construction of five frigates, with a total cost of no more than £ 1.25 billion. However, the process had to stop at the end of July, when DE & S said it had not managed to attract enough offers that met the requirements, which some described as a pretext. The Ministry of Defense expected more international interest in the program, but industry executives in Britain said the requirement for much of the work to be done in the UK to use the design and to offer export opportunities for the industry, it had dissuaded the companies that had initially shown interest. Again, Great Britain restarts the frigate competition, but would anyone want to participate now? after having cancelled their last competition. This time the DE & S has said that participants should apply only if they meet all the requirements of the full Type 31e program, including the cost of £ 1.25 billion. Type 31e (the e is for export) is a fundamental part to be able to apply, since, as a national strategy, it seeks to open the sector to local competition, instead of contracting through a non-competitive single source contract such as BAE Systems, the third largest defense company in the world. DE & S has the time against the clock to launch the first type 31e, in fact, some executives already consider impossible to achieve it due to the delay that was made when restarting the competition. However, despite all the delay that they already have, DE & S remains committed to the date of service in 2023. The price is limited and the expectations along with the requirements are quite high, that is why the discouragement of the executives also adding the delays and the short time that now exists. The Ministry of Defense has issued a prior notice to potential bidders and proposes a very short commitment period with companies that have expressed interest in starting on August 20. They have not yet announced how many offers they have received so far, but we hope they are encouraging and competitive to achieve the agreed deadline.]]>2018-08-24 11:28:11https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/53-spain-and-australia-invest-in-aegis-equipmentSpain and Australia are willing to bet to continue protecting the stability of their regions. That is why both countries have invested in Aegis equipment. Australia is looking to add nine Future Frigates suitable for Aegis in the next 20 years with a potential investment of $ 185 million. The package includes a series of equipment related to Aegis, including consoles, multi-mission display systems, projectors, sensors, cameras, various auxiliary equipment and support products, including desktop computers, screens, test drives and compilation servers, printers, workstations, spare parts, wiring and software licenses, etc. For its part, Spain has opted to buy five Aegis weapons systems, with a potential value of $ 860.4 million. In addition to the five systems, the package also includes a series of related equipment. Although its acquisition is almost a fact, it is worth mentioning that being authorized by the State Department does not guarantee that a sale is completed. Congress can still intervene, and the final price and quantity are often modified during negotiations. As if that were not enough, Australia officially announces a purchase of nine high-end anti-submarine war frigates from the end of the next decade under an agreement with BAE Systems worth AU $ 35 billion (US $ 26 billion) . After having a tough competition with Fincantieri and Navantia, the historical ties between the United Kingdom and Australia made theirs and BAE Systems acquires this millionaire Australian contract. For these two great nations, the stability of their territories is being reflected with these multi-million dollar investments and we will surely see some other countries that want to be added with similar acquisitions.]]>2018-07-09 10:44:35https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/52-the-cloud-as-maintenance-system-for-aircraftApproximately 25 years ago the maintenance of aircraft began to be digital, and nowadays, with the cloud as technology, this movement has expanded very rapidly in the last 10 years. It used to be that everyone had their own data center, and the challenge was how to maintain this myriad of individual systems while putting the necessary information in the hands of people in the field, today access to the cloud exists in any where you can access the Internet from any computer using the familiar interface of a web browser and the specific cloud service. Microsoft specifically has been developing a software capable of monitoring each piece of an aircraft with the help of hundreds of sensors and indicate in real time the operation of these, sending a report on each flight to indicate which parts are in good condition and which need to change before having any serious problem. This technology implies innumerable advantages for the aviation industry, since in addition to facilitating the task of suppliers and technicians, it makes aircraft safer and more efficient. From a commercial perspective, the cost savings that can be obtained are very high and the current maintenance records are everywhere where the technicians are, compared to when you had to go to a specific computer to get access to that information. And from the perspective of the mechanic, it extends access to maintenance data from any computer with Internet access. The productivity of technicians increases, along with compliance and safety. The cloud is rapidly displacing legacy information systems in the maintenance operations of the aviation industry. While standards and supplier integration remain key to moving forward, we are in an information revolution in the aviation maintenance industry. The potential is enormous and grows as more and more companies join the vision.]]>2018-06-04 09:23:12https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/51-mq-25-unmanned-aircraft-systemAs I wrote in the previous Article, unmanned aircraft are taking advantage in the military area and large industries such as Boeing, General Atomics and Lockheed Martin are joining forces with the US Navy in the competition for their new prototype called MQ-25 . The MQ-25 consists of an unmanned aircraft capable of maneuvering in the aircraft carriers making use of catapult takeoff and cable landing systems. The objective of the Navy for the aircraft is to be able to deliver 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) of total fuel to 4 to 6 aircraft at a range of 500 nautical miles (580 mi, 930 km), which would free the Super Hornets F / A-18E / F of the refueling tasks that remain from the set of central missions of the combatants that nowadays suppose near to 30 percent of the flight hours of these airplanes. With this, these hours could be used in combat missions, or reduce the annual number of flight hours and therefore lengthen the operational life of the aircraft. Boeing has already shown a prototype in December 2017 and it is rumored that they are in the process of a second prototype. According to the requirements of the navy, Boeing ensures that the capacity of its prototype in terms of loading fuel to 500 nautical miles from an aircraft carrier is over. Although he is still working on the manual for the maneuver on an aircraft carrier demonstrating through simulations tracing a platform of an aircraft carrier on the asphalt at Lambert Field. On the other hand Lockheed Martin has not officially submitted a prototype of its MQ-25, however, it is said that its design is very risky to present a concept of tanker drones that does not look much like its competitors, since it has offered a plane of flying wing after Northrop Grumman withdrew from the competition last year. Both General Atomics and Boeing have presented similar designs with wings and body in tail. The decision on the winning model is expected by August 2018, with the signing of the contract in early 2019 and production would begin in the year 2023 with the acquisition of four drones, before an initial operational capacity in the year 2026. The navy plans to buy 72 aircraft during the course of the program. We will be very attentive to publicize the result of this tough competition and present the news that may arise that will surely be very interesting.]]>2018-04-12 09:55:00https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/50-autonomous-robot-swarm-the-new-technology-for-the-military-industryAlthough it looks like something out of a science fiction movie, this technology is reaching the market faster than we imagined applying numerous uses in the industry, one of them, the militarized one. Undoubtedly, after the first launch that has been recorded by unmanned aircraft by the Austrians in 1849, this technology has been rapidly becoming sophisticated to what one has now, a swarm of autonomous micro-drones dropped from an F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighter able to communicate with each other, completed multiple missions, including adaptive formation flying, collective decision-making and self-healing, according to the Defense Department release. The drones had a 6.5-inch body and 11.8-inch wing span and weighed fewer 10.23 ounces. Oriented by a single human being on board a fighter or cargo plane, they do not need training and do not involve family compensation if they fall in battle. The American Air Force Research Laboratory and the military products company Kratos have been working for some time on this human-robot combination to deploy cheaper air formations without risk aversion, capable of deciding faster than the human being thanks to the computer advances and with a margin of maneuverability in the air far superior to that which tolerates the body of a person. The project has an initial budget of 100 million dollars. However, while the United States and China compete in this technology by developing smarter manned aircraft, Russia takes countermeasures by working on computer technology to block and track these unmanned aircraft. We know very well that the Russian army is an expert studying new technologies; so I dare to say that it paired with the United States and China, even overcome them; but if it cannot match its current future with these technologies, Russia will seek other means where it wants to be the expert to protect, defend and compete without going unnoticed.]]>2018-02-20 14:14:15https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/49-chile-increases-defense-budget-Chile increases defense budget by 3% in 2018 The Chilean Government has authorized an equivalent budget of 2.939 million USD to be applied to defense assigned to Chilean Army and other dependences. A small summary of how this budget would be divided could be: Concept USD Millions Personal Expenses $1,885 Goods and Services $630 Social Security Benefits $5 Current Transfers $44 Taxes $113 Purchase of non-financial assets $45 Financial Assets $104 Investment Initiatives $6 Loans $7 Capital Transfers $64 Debts $12 Final Cash Balance $17 Other current expenses $5 In global this quantity represents a general increase of 3% of the Budget for the 2018 exercise compared to 2017, both we need to analyze in parallel that the Andean country had an inflation of 2,24% in this year (but with a clearly downhill tendency after the first semester of the year). Some highlights of the distribution by the main defense related Institutions are: Dirección General del Territorio Maritimo y de Marina Mercante (Directmar) (“General Directorate of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Navy”) would have $161,8 M increasing in 15,2 % from the previous year. $2,7 Million would be assigned to maintenance, Emergency Repairs with $831 K and $60 K to replace a Zodiac vessel and 1 lifeboat. Armada de Chile (“Chilean Army”) will assign $402 K to vehicle purchase, $ 365 K for properties, $869 K for software and computational acquisitions, and $1.4 M for machinery. And related to our business we can highlight that for vessel maintenance this organization will have $ 17.5 M for that purpose. For last in our brief recap the Fuerza Armada Chilena (“Chilean Air Force”) will have $418 M for the next year. Highlighting $5.2 M would be for maintenance, $30 M for oil and gas and an increment to $1,6 M only for shipping costs for supplies and parts to and from USA.]]>2017-11-15 09:41:00https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/48-dsc-authorizes-sale-of-18-super-hornets-to-canadaAs my partner Patricia Ruiz wrote previously in her entry to this blog on 2016-11-23  the Canadian government was searching for 18 Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Aircrafts to modernize and update their actual fleet of 77 CF-18. This because of Trudeau's campaign promise to cancel the purchase of the multipurpose F-35 JSF due to the very high development costs has been made effective and meanwhile the final and definitive election to replace the complete fleet of the regionally renamed CF-188 is done this is called just a temporary solution. So General Electric, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and primarily Boeing would must supply this require for the North American country which is asked about $ 5.230.000 USD for the planes and would include several equipment for pilots and even a hundred AIM-9X-2 “Sidewinder” missiles. The interesting point further now about this authorization (sale not closed yet) is going to be the actual case presented to the US Commerce Department  between Boeing, the Canadian government and Bombardier about the possible subside granted to the Quebecois company letting them to sell at very low prices their C-Series commercial airplanes which puts in disadvantage to Boeing in the current markets where both are competing so regardless the authorization to buy from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency this purchase could have changes in the nearly future]]>2017-09-28 14:39:27https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/47-london-dsei-2017From Monday 12th to Friday 15th all those companies involved in the defence and Aerospace sector are joining together at the World Leading Defence & Security Event that takes place in London. This fair brings together the entire supply chain at defence from sourcing to delivery of the latest equipments, develop international relationships and boosts new business opportunities. With more than 1600 exhibitors and 34000 international visitors attending to the seminars, closing meetings and enhancing relationships, the event counts on divided zones for land, air, naval, joint and security specialists. Highlights the presence of the Vice President f Cyber Security & ICT Solutions at Leonardo Company, Mr. Nik Beecher and RAdm Nils Christian Wang, Commandant of the Royal Danish Defence Collegue as speakers at the Opportunity, Development, Investment and Integration sessions.Thales, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Meggitt or General Dynamics among others are exhibiting at the event during the week.]]>2017-09-15 10:01:22https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/46-china-seeks-to-join-the-race-in-commercial-aviationOn May 5th the Chinese passenger jet C919 from COMAC had its maiden test flight.Its capacity is expected to be between 168 and 190 passengers; the greatest Chinese commercial aircraft since the resounding failure of the Shanghai Y-10 project. The C919 is part of a long-term China’s aim of doing away with the duopoly of Airbus and Boeing on big size aircrafts. The C919 will be the forthright competitor of the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. The polyetheretherketon (PEEK), provided by Victrex Plc, in the fuel brackets of its wings saves up to 40% on weight. COMAC could present a new opportunity for this British company just as Airbus did by replacing an aluminium fitting on its A350 doors with this thermoplastic. Chinese authorities are already seeking agreements on airworthiness with European and US entities in order to open the way for flights over the world. However, mass production won’t start before two years at least. 570 airplanes have already been ordered from 23 greatest Chinese buyers and COMAT has commitments to take first delivery with China Eastern Airlines Corp. before 2019.]]>2017-06-12 11:46:33https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/45-thales-wins-major-logistics-contract-for-simmadThe SIMMAD (Structure Intégrée de Maintien en Condition Opérationnelle des Matériels Aéronautiques de la Défense of France) has awarded the logistics procurement of aeronautic consumables to Thales Group. The LORCA contract will be operating from September 2017 with a total budget of 997 million of euros securing the procurement for French Armed Forces during ten years. The contract comprises the supply, warehousing and dispatch of more than 200.000 references, such as electronic components, cables, pneumatics, joints, etc. on the 47 SIMMAD and SIAé (Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique) drop points. In order to optimize the deliveries and avoid stock-outs, high technology will be used based in data analysis and interconnected systems in strategic warehouses under Thales Communications & Security Division. Although Airbus Defence and Space, associated with Eurotech International, was interested in this project at the beginning it will be, by SIMMAD decision, Thales Communications & Security the one which subcontracts part of this agreement to Thales Airborne Systems and Kuehne + Nagel. Source:  Thales Group, SIMMAD, La Tribune ]]>2017-05-02 09:55:31https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/44-boeing-and-drs-laurel-technologies-contracted-for-the-us-ddg-51-upgradeUS Navy's DDG 51 modernization program The US Navy's DDG 51 modernization program has met two key milestones as Naval Sea Systems Command announced. These milestones include the successful installation and testing of the new Aegis baseline 9 combat system on two DDG 51 destroyers, and a mechanical, electrical (HM&E) and a hull modernization to a third. The modernization program ensures Arleigh Burke-class ships up to pace with evolving threats while meeting service life requirements and future operational commitments. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are warships built for open-sea warfare, and are designed to operate either independently or as a part of designated strike groups. The ships are primarily manufactured by General Dynamics’ subsidiaries Bath Iron Works and Huntington Ingalls Industries. DDG Modernization Work Scope Boeing and DRS Laurel Technologies have each been contracted to supply communication system hardware and spare parts for the DDG 51 modernization. Under the contract, the two companies will deliver an AN/USQ-82(V) Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System, also known as GEDMS. This device is a multi-protocol shipwide area network solution used for real-time control system communications throughout the equipped vessel. Boeing received $6.9 million at the time of the contract award (subject to limited competition with two offers received) with options that can potentially raise the contract value to $116 million. Laurel Technologies received $8.3 million with a potential for $76 T. The NAVSEA 21 oversees comprehensive lifecycle modernization programs to ensure ships are primed and ready for tasking in the most sustainable, cost efficient manner. Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems is responsible for developing, delivering and sustaining surface ship and submarine combat systems, and for implementing Navy enterprise solutions across numerous ship types. Sources: America’s Navy, UPI, Space War. ]]>2017-04-21 12:33:11https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/43-belgium-spain-and-switzerland-interested-in-the-f-35F-35B Lightning II. The Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter plane is the aircraft of the moment. The US company has confirmed that it’s in conversations with the governments of Spain, Belgium and Switzerland for the sale of its planes.  Together with the United States, they join the list of 10 countries that have already signed the purchase of F-35 fighters: Australia, Denmark, Holland, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Turkey and the United Kingdom. After several problems and delays in production, the entry of new customers would allow the reduction of cost, as Lockheed Martin had targeted. At the moment, the price of the fighter plane is around 120 million euros with a cost of 40,000 euros per hour of flight. It is a fifth-generation, single-seater, multi-purpose aircraft with sneaking capacity that replaces the F-16, A-10, F / A-18 and AV-8B in ground attack, reconnaissance and air defence missions. The F-35 has its origins in the 1993 Joint Strike Fighter project, which was born by merging two development programs to replace legacy fighters for the US Air Force, the US Navy, the US Marine Corps and armed forces from the ten other countries mentioned above. In the tender held in 2001, Lockheed's X-35 project surpassed Boeing's X-32 and was accepted. In terms of design, the F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment, as a result of 30 years of vertical take-off aircraft testing development by Lockheed Martin. The F-35B version was in danger of failing performance requirements because it exceeded the maximum weight set in the specifications by one metric tonne. In response, Lockheed Martin added more power to the engine and lightened the aircraft by reducing the weapons hold, sending part of the power from the secondary nozzles to the main nozzle and redesigning the wing covers, parts of the electrical system, and the part immediately behind the cabin. The main sensor on board of the F-35 is its active AN / APG-81 electronic scanning radar, designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, and accompanied by an electro-optical targeting system designed by Lockheed Martin (EOTS). The F-35 has six additional passive infrared sensors distributed throughout the aircraft as part of the Distributed Aperture System (DAS). The F-35's Barracuda AN / ASQ-239 electronic warfare system equipment is designed by BAE Systems including Northrop Grumman components. The communications, navigation and identification equipment or CNI is also designed by Northrop Grumman and includes the advanced multifunction data link MADL. If Spain's target is to have naval combat aircrafts in its fleet by 2030-2034, it will have no choice but to acquire between two and three dozen F-35B, since it is the only model worldwide that can operate in the strategic projection vessel 'Juan Carlos I', the largest and most tonnage combat vessel of the Spanish Navy. To take full advantage of the investment made, it is necessary to have airplanes with VTOL or STOVL capacity, since the ship lacks an alighting system with a braking cable. Source:  Lockheed Martin, Defence News, Spain MoD ]]>2017-03-27 14:41:42https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/42-uk-air-force-picks-airbus-to-support-a400m-fleet-in-504m-dealThe British Royal Air Force's A400M Atlas transport aircraft fleet is to be supported by Airbus Defence and Space in a £410 million ($504 million) deal announced Jan 5. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Airbus a £410 million contract to support the A400M Atlas transport aircraft for the next 10 years, and also has agreed a separate, £63 million spare parts agreement with France and Spain. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Airbus a £410 million contract to support the A400M Atlas transport aircraft for the next 10 years, and also has agreed a separate, £63 million spare parts agreement with France and Spain. The Defence Equipment and Support arm of Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the contract will secure maintenance, upgrade and repair support of the planned 22-strong fleet of Airbus-built aircraft through 2026. The work will take place at the RAF’s air transport hub at Brize Norton where a £62 million hanger capable of housing three Atlas aircraft at one go is on schedule to be fully equipped in the next few months. The RAF fleet currently stands at 14 A400Ms following the delivery of two aircraft at the end of last year. The fleet is scheduled to reach 22 in 2019 and be the backbone of the RAF’s air-transport capability alongside smaller numbers of Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft. The A400M is the latest addition to the RAF’s tactical airlifter capability and can carry up to 37 tons of payload over a range of 2,000 nautical miles. It is able to deploy troops and equipment between and within theatres of operation either by parachute or by landing on short, potentially unprepared airstrips. Atlas can also carry armored vehicles, allowing a deploying force to arrive ready to fight. For humanitarian roles, it is capable of deploying mobile cranes, excavators and large dump trucks for disaster relief operations– for example clearing earthquake sites. Announcement of the contract follows on the heels of a deal late last year adding Spain to an Anglo-French global support service agreement managed by the European Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to pool spares and technical support, which has been running for the past two years.  . Sources: Defense News, Defence Aerospace, UK MoD. ]]>2017-01-12 10:26:15https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/41-canada-plans-to-buy-18-super-hornets-start-fighter-competition-in-2017Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet. Source: Boeing. Canada will order 18 Super Hornet fighters to replace its aging F-18 fleet, and is bidding to modernize its combat fleet. "Canada will immediately explore the acquisition of 18 new Super Hornet aircraft to supplement the CF-18s until the permanent replacement arrives," the Canadian government announced in a release. "Canada's current fleet is now more than 30 years old and is down from 138 aircraft to 77. As a result, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) faces a capability gap."  Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said Canada will launch a larger fighter competition next year after it wraps up its defense policy review. But the competition will likely take about five years, which kicks the decision into the next administration. Liberal Party Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had vowed not to buy the F-35 joint strike fighter. "We have a capability gap. We have selected the minimum number of aircraft to meet this capability gap here. At the same time, we are launching a full competition and making sure that we take the appropriate time, without cutting corners to get the right airplane," Sajjan said. Judy Foote, the country’s minister of public services and procurement, said it would start talking with Boeing “immediately” so that the country could amass an interim fleet as quickly as possible in order to meet its commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Boeing was elated by the news, a major win for the company that could help extend the life of one of its fourth-generation fighter jets. Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin was less pleased with the decision, restating its hope that the Canadian government would ultimately purchase the fighter.   Canada has been involved in the Joint Striker Fighter program for the F-35s since its inception in 1997. It had announced plans to acquire 65 aircraft in 2010, before stepping back a year ago due to exorbitant costs, and the campaign promise of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Source:  BBC, Defence News ]]>2016-11-23 14:34:58https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/40-indian-navy-scouting-for-seven-next-generation-corvettes-INS Kamorta (P28), one of the four Kamorta-class stealth corvettes currently serving in the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy plans to acquire seven new-generation guided missile corvettes at a cost of $2 billion to replace its Russian-built 1241-RE missile boats, allowing only domestic companies to bid under the government's "Make in India" rules. While the ships themselves must be constructed at an Indian shipyard, some major systems of the boats, particularly the weaponry, will be imported, an Indian Navy official said. The Indian sea service wants the new corvettes to have longer range than the old boats, capable of offensive nuclear submarines attack, anti-submarine warfare, local naval defense, maritime interdiction operations, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations, according to the request for proposals sent to Indian industry. "Missile corvettes are agile high-speed ships with considerable firepower, ideal for a littoral environment. These corvettes will probably have a potent anti-ship missile capability with an adequate point defense missile system and incorporating advanced stealth technologies," says Anil Jai Singh, retired Indian navy commodore and defense analyst. The formal tender for the new generation corvettes will be given to domestic shipyards next year and is likely to be sent to state-owned Mazagon Docks Ltd., Garden Research Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Private-sector companies considered in the running are Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd (RDEL) - formerly known as Pipavav Defence - as well as Offshore Engineering and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Ltd., according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official. The long-term prospective plan for 2017-32, unveiled early this year, calls for acquiring a range of futuristic technologies. These include naval missiles and guns, propulsion and power generation, surveillance and detection systems, futuristic torpedoes and directed-energy weapons, submarines and anti-submarine warfare, naval aviation, network-centric warfare equipment and combat management systems. "By 2027, Indian Navy plans to have 200 warships from the present number of around 140," says Sujeet Samaddar, another former Indian navy official and defense analyst. Source:  Defence News, The Indian Express ]]>2016-11-17 14:26:27https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/39-saudi-arabia-to-buy-5-spanish-corvettes-in-2-billion-dealThe Avante 2200 corvette selected by Saudi Arabia is derived from the offshore patrol vessels that Navantia built for Venezuela. Saudi Arabia has decided to order five Spanish corvettes, marking a major victory for Spain’s Navantia shipyards. The contract is worth over €2 billion and is expected to be signed during Spanish King Philip VI’s first official visit to Saudi Arabia, which begins Nov. 12. It also includes the construction of a new naval base at a location to be decided, according to Spanish press reports. Most details of the contract, and of the related inter-government agreement are still unknown, but Saudi authorities apparently want Spain to provide a political impetus to bilateral relations before signing. This explains why the contract was delayed for several months while Spain resolved its government crisis, which was keeping the King at home. The corvettes will be built to the Avante 2200 design, a variant of the Patrulleros Oceánicos de Vigilancia offshore patrol vessels that Navantia built for Venezuela. These ships are 98.5 meters long, displace 2,450 tonnes and have a crew of 72 officers and ratings; their range is of 3,500 nautical miles at 18 knots. Main characteristics of the Avante 2200C. Source: Navatia.. The vessels will be built at Navantia’s shipyards in San Fernando and Ferrol, in Southern Spain, and represent about 8 million man-hours, Andalucian government delegate Antonio Sanz said during a Nov 7 press conference. Construction will take about five years, and will provide over 2,000 direct jobs. The Saudi Navy is predominantly equipped with French-made frigates, including Sawari (Al Riyadh-class) and Sawari II (Al-Madinah-class) built by DCNS. The Spanish corvettes will replace the US-built Badr-class corvettes based in the Persian Gulf. . Sources: Defence Aerospace ]]>2016-11-10 11:48:34https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/38-us-army-officially-opens-bids-for-new-landing-shipFincantieri Marine Group’s MSV(L) candidate going ashore during the amphibious assault phase of Bold Alligator, a major multinational littoral warfare exercise hosted by the United States. Source: Fincantieri Marine Group The US Army’s program to replace its aging fleet of 74-foot landing craft with a new model is officially under way. The service issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to industry on Oct. 28 for a roughly 100-foot-long craft able to land an Abrams main battle tank directly onto a beach. The new Maneuver Support Vessel (Light), or MSV(L), will replace dozens of Mike boats, a classic design that grew out of World War II’s emphasis on amphibious assault. Officially known as the Landing Craft Mechanized 8 Mod I or Mod II (LCM-8), the craft are used by the Army in myriad roles to move people and equipment around harbors and unimproved shores. The MSV(L) will be bigger and faster than the old Mike boats. Army specifications call for a craft about 100 feet long, about 30 feet wide, drawing less than four feet, able to hit a top speed of at least 18 knots and travel 360 miles. The Army requires the MSV(L) to have a payload of one M1A2 Abrams tank or two Stryker armored vehicles with slat armor or four joint light tactical vehicles with trailers. Existing Mike boats are unable to meet any of those payload requirements. Army documents note the MSV(L) “would be furnished with a subsurface surveillance device, protection from small arms fire, and two Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations for vessel defense and force protection, and to mitigate detection through reduction of thermal and acoustic signature.” The Pentagon’s 2016 budget request includes $10 million to start the engineering, manufacturing and development phase and projects $18.6 million in 2017 and $14.5 million in 2018. Following contract award, a prototype will be delivered to undergo testing before full-rate production begins. A 10-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract would cover three years of engineering and manufacturing development, two years of low rate initial production and five years of full production. Source:  Defence news, US Army. ]]>2016-11-04 09:04:54https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/37-iaf-kicks-off-contest-to-make-single-engine-fightersGripen E, the light single-engine multirole fighter Swedish aircraft is likely to be one of the most popular options for the IAF. Source: Saab. India has begun a fresh program to acquire single-engine fighter aircraft to be built in India on the basis of foreign technology. Invitations have been sent privately through Indian Embassies to "some overseas participants" to partake in the program, according to an official at the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Among the planes expected to be in the running are Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 70 and Saab's Gripen E. "If it is single-engine fighter, there are mainly two: Lockheed Martin and Saab," Muthumanikam Matheswaran, retired Indian Air Force Air Marshal says. "It appears that Lockheed Martin and Saab would get shortlisted if it is confirmed that only three countries, including Russia, have been approached to seek their response," Daljit Singh, retired IAF Air Marshal and defense analyst, said. The announcement for a fresh fighter program comes within a month after India committed to buying 36 Rafale fighters from France at a cost of $8.85 billion. Defense officials here have given no detail about the how the overseas vendor will be picked, but analysts say a government-to-government transaction will be the preferred path. The new fighter program is meant to replace 11 squadrons (one squadron equals 18 aircraft) of the Russian MiG 21 and MiG 27 aircraft, which are retiring in the next ten years. The recently contracted Rafale, the domestically-produced Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and the Sukhoi SU-30MKI will not be able to fill the gap in the fleet strength, said an Indian Air Force official. The purchase of an additional single-engine fighter aircraft will not affect the homemade Tejas, say analysts. The new plane, if eventually acquired, would be the ninth type of Indian fighter aircraft, joining an inventory of Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, MiG-27, MiG-21, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and Rafale jets. While IAF hunts for a new vendor to build planes in India, analysts say the government can ensure in the selection that adequate technologies are transferred that can help other ongoing aerospace programs. Source:  Business Standard, Defense Aerospace, Indian Defense News ]]>2016-10-13 12:34:20https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/36-india-inks-deal-with-france-for-36-rafale-fighter-jetsRafale Jet. Source: Dassault aviation. France and India signed on September 23rd the contract for the acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets by India. India's Cabinet Committee on Security — the highest body in the government for the purchase of weapons and equipment, chaired by the prime minister — had cleared the intergovernmental agreement on Sept. 22.  French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his Indian counterpart, Manohar Parrikar, played key roles in forging the deal, Dassault said. According to a source in the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the order is worth about €7.89 billion (US $8.85 billion).  France is expected to invest 30 percent of the total order cost in India's military aeronautics-related research programs and 20 percent into local production of Rafale components to fulfill the mandatory offsets under the deal. Of the total reported amount, €3.42 billion is for the cost of the platform; another €1.8 billion is for support and infrastructure supplies; €1.7 billion will be spent to meet India-specific changes on the aircraft; €710 million is the additional weapons package; and €353 million is the cost of performance-based logistics support, the MoD official said. The first of the jets from France is to be delivered in 36 months, by September 2019, and the entire lot over the following 30 months. “This new contract illustrates the strategic relationship and the exemplary partnership maintained between the two countries and marks the natural culmination of the relationship of trust initiated in 1953 when India became Dassault Aviation’s first export customer,” the company said. According to an Indian Air Force (IAF) official, Dassault will make India-specific changes to the aircraft and mount new-generation missiles, like Meteor and Scalp, adding extra capability beyond India's immediate adversaries. The Meteor is a beyond-visual-range, air-to-air missile with a range of more than 150 kilometers, whereas Scalp is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 kilometers. IAF has not procured any new fighter jets since the start of this century, the last one being the Sukhoi 30-MKI from Russia that was first ordered in the mid-1990s and later produced under license at state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facilities in India.  Rafale Jet. Source: Dassault aviation. About the Rafale: The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The versatile aircraft is able to carry out all combat aviation missions: air defence, interception, ground support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. It has proven its worth in combat in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. In 2015, Egypt and Qatar have each ordered 24 Rafales. On 30 June 2016, 152 Rafale aircraft had been delivered. . Sources: Defense News, Dassault Aviation, India MoD.. ]]>2016-09-29 12:20:44https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/35-new-zealand-seeks-new-littoral-support-shipThe New Zealand Defense Force issued a request for tenders Friday for a new naval ship to support littoral operations. Requirements for the new Royal New Zealand Navy vessel include hydrography (from the coast out to 60-100 meters in water depth), support for military diving and mine countermeasures within New Zealand’s maritime zone and the South Pacific. It is part of New Zealand’s $14.6 billion defense equipment modernization plan announced in June 2016. The contract price for the LOSV is expected to be between $120 million to $131 million. A contract for the new ship is likely to be signed in a year’s time with delivery to follow in June 2020. Given that the Navy's hydrographic ship, HMNZS Resolution, was retired in 2012 and the almost 40-year-old diving and mine countermeasures ship, HMNZS Manawanui, is to be retired in 2018 — due to reduced operational viability, systems obsolescence, support issues and reduced reliability — this will leave the Littoral Warfare Support Force without a suitable ship for at least 18 months. Source:  Royal New Zealand Navy, Defense News. ]]>2016-09-07 11:32:30https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/34-lithuania-confirms-order-for-german-infantry-fighting-vehiclesBoxer IVF prototype. Source: Lithuanian MoD archive. Lithuanian Ministry of Defense confirmed this week its order for 88 Boxer 8×8 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) armored vehicles signed with the German consortium ARTEC. The Lithuanian military will call this vehicle ‘Vilkas’, which means ‘wolf.’ The contract worth 390 million Euros (US$435 million) was signed on August 22. The vehicles will be produced by two German defense manufacturers – the KMW group and Rheinmetall Defense. Deliveries of the Boxer vehicles will commence by the second half of next year and will last through 2019. They will equip the ‘Iron Wolf’ mechanized brigade, and possibly another infantry brigade to be formed in 2021. KMW will manufacture 53 vehicles, Rheinmetall will make the remaining 35. Powered by a 530 kW (720 HP) turbo-charged diesel engine, the Boxer has a top speed of over 100 km/h with a combat weight of 36.5 tons. The vehicle’s modular concept – consisting of driver cab and mission modules – results in outstanding flexibility and versatility. Lithuania evaluated some vehicles, including the Swiss MOWAG/Piranha, the AMV from Patria in Finland, the French VBCI offered by Nexter, Italian SuperAV from Iveco, and two Turkish designs – the 8×8 Arma from Otokar and PARS from FNSS. The German Boxer was the one recommended by the MoD evaluation commission but was also one of the most expensive – one of the reasons for the high cost was the turret, as the Germans offered the Lance turret which is a derivative of the turret already used in the German Puma Infantry Combat Vehicle. Based on the Lithuanian recommendation, an alternative turret was considered (and eventually accepted) – the Israeli Samson 30mm MK II remote weapon station turret made by RAFAEL. This turret is designed unmanned operation, it offers a low silhouette, and supports a unique reloading capability from inside the vehicle, enabling the crew to restock ammunition in the turret without being exposed. It is designed to mount main and secondary armaments, of Eastern and Western origins, including a 30/40 mm automatic cannon, 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Lithuania becomes the third international operator of the Boxer. To date, only two nations opted to buy the vehicle – Germany and the Netherlands. Australia is also evaluating a version of the German 8×8 vehicle for its Land 400 Phase 3 armored scout program. The Bundeswehr already has 405 of these vehicles in its inventory, while the Dutch armed forces own a further 200. Operational experience gained in Afghanistan confirms the Boxer’s significant contribution to military sustainment and mobility. In addition to the formation of the Lithuanian Iron Wolf mechanized regiment with the Vilkas, neighboring Estonia has recently acquired 79 tracked Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles (CV9035NL) from the Netherlands, and Norway and Latvia formed a mechanized regiment with 123 armored reconnaissance vehicles supplied from British Army surplus. The three nations are equipping their vehicles with anti-tank guided missiles, namely RAFAEL’s Spike LR (Lithuania and Latvia) and Javelins (Estonia). Source:  Defense Update, Ministry of National Defense Republic of Lithuania, ARTEC. ]]>2016-08-25 10:30:01https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/33-industry-partners-team-up-for-challenger-2-raceApache Helicopters & Challenger 2 tanks on Salisbury Plain during Exercise Tractable March 19th 2015. Source: Daily Mail. BAE Systems has teamed with General Dynamics UK and several other industry partners to compete in a life extension program on the British Army’s Challenger 2 main battle tank fleet. The partnership, called Team Challenger 2, is made up of seven key players in the defense industry: General Dynamics Land Systems-UK; General Dynamics Mission Systems-International; Leonardo-Finmeccanica (formerly Selex ES Ltd); Moog, QinetiQ and Safran Electronics (formerly Sagem). The British extended the out-of-service date of the tank by 10 years to 2035 in last year’s strategic defense and security review, and the planned life extension program is required mainly to address obsolescence issues on the aging vehicle, although there is the possibility to install some capability enhancements. About 227 British Army vehicles are set to go through the life extension process, which could be at a cost of £624 million ($816 million). Oman, the only export customer for the tank, is keeping an eye on program developments even though its 37 vehicles are not part of the core program. CMI Defence, Krauss Maffei Wegmann, Lockheed Martin and Ruag have also previously expressed an interest in the program. Lockheed Martin UK is to team with Israel’s Elbit Systems in its bid to secure a deal to update the British Army’s aging fleet of tanks. The two companies revealed their collaboration pact just 24 hours ahead of the closing date for the submission of industry proposals to undertake the assessment phase on the program. General Dynamics was also expected to be a bidder but opted instead to throw in its hand with BAE, the Challenger 2 design authority. General Dynamics is already under contract with the MoD to assemble a fleet of Ajax scout armored vehicles starting 2017 at a new manufacturing facility in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. The plan is to update Challenger 2 at the same site if the BAE-led team secures a manufacturing deal. The General Dynamics executive said the team was hoping to find logistics, training, electronic-architecture and other synergies between Ajax and the new program to help drive affordability. Team Challenger 2 promotional material showed most of the key elements of the life extension program were turret systems. Thermal imaging, commander's primary sight, fire-control systems, gun-control equipment and electronic architecture are among the items to be replaced with updated technology. Capability enhancements are also a possibility, with lethality, survivability and power pack areas all likely to be the subject of studies in the upcoming assessment phase, officials said. The MoD is expected to select two bidders to undertake a competitive two-year assessment phase ahead of awarding a development and manufacturing contract by around mid-2019. Source:  BAE Systems, Defence News. ]]>2016-08-16 10:47:16https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/32-canada-s-massive-surface-combatant-program-to-get-underway-this-summerThe Canadian government will ask for bids as early as next month for the largest shipbuilding program in the country’s history, with the field of contenders for a new fleet of surface combatants expected to be dominated by European firms. The project to build the Canadian Surface Combatant will see the selection of an existing warship design and combat system to reduce risk and speed up construction. Procurement minister Judy Foote said the decision to base the warships on an existing vessel will allow the delivery of the ships two years earlier than could be expected with a new design. The first of the warships, which will form the backbone of the future Royal Canadian Navy fleet, are expected around 2024. Construction is to begin sometime after 2020. Department of National Defence analysts have projected the ships could eventually cost (CAN) $40 billion (US $31 billion), and not the (CAN) $26 billion originally first estimated. Foote has called the $26 billion figure "a really unrealistic number that we have to deal with — and we will." Irving Shipbuilding of Halifax, Nova Scotia, will construct the warships and act as prime contractor. Defense industry sources say they expect a formal request for proposals to be issued by the end of August or in early September. The Canadian government has already pre-qualified the following firms to compete for the warship design: Alion-JJMA Corp., BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited, DCNS, Fincantieri, Navantia, Odense Maritime Technology and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. But other companies also are being invited to consider whether their ship designs might meet Canada’s needs. On July 25 the Spanish Navy’s F-105 frigate, Christopher Colombus, visited Halifax as Navantia promoted its warship design to the Royal Canadian Navy. The French government and DCNS have conducted similar marketing in the past. Source: Defense News, IHS ]]>2016-07-29 11:39:52https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/31-qinetiq-and-thales-select-textron-airland-scorpion-jet-for-asdot-bidScorpion in maritime surveillance demo flights with UK Royal Navy. Source: Textron AirLand Two years after its surprise unveiling, the Textron-Air Land Scorpion has found its first prospective customer, as Thales and QinetiQ have selected it for their bid for a Royal Air Force training contract.  QinetiQ, Thales and Textron AirLand have announced a collaboration that will bid for the UK Ministry of Defense’s upcoming Air Support to Defense Operational Training (ASDOT) programme. The three companies’ CEOs met at Farnborough International Airshow on July 12th to announce the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting the foundation for the bid. The operational training activities that will comprise the ASDOT programme are currently fulfilled by a number of providers, both military and civilian. This team will propose an innovative, cost effective, technologically advanced reliable managed service using the Textron AirLand Scorpion jet, equipped with Thales and QinetiQ sensors to provide a broad spectrum of training for all three armed services. The competitive contract, expected to be awarded in September 2018 with a service delivery start in January 2020, is anticipated to be worth up to £1.2bn over 15 years. What will each company offer? QinetiQ will offer the safe operation of a highly capable and flexible mixed fleet of Scorpion and other platforms – including maintenance and provision of pilots. Its proposal will include integration of sensors and jamming pods into the aerial fleet and certification of the aircraft to ensure compliance with military air worthiness regulations. The solution will include provision for the introduction of synthetic operational training and airborne aerial target capabilities. Thales’s breadth of training service provision for air platforms spans from jet fighters, tactical transporters, helicopters to refueling aircraft. Thales brings extensive experience in delivering fully managed training services and engineering bespoke high fidelity training equipment such as full mission simulators for leading air platforms such as A400M, Voyager, Tornado, Rafale, Mirage 2000, Hawk and Eurofighter. Thales has an international footprint providing training and simulation products and services to a global customer network. Thales will also offer a range of sensors optimized for situational awareness, threat replication and targeting training, as well as Electronic Warfare capability. Textron AirLand will offer its Scorpion jet, selected by QinetiQ and Thales after a comprehensive analysis of over 50 aircraft. This selection was based on the aircraft’s multi-mission capability, combined with unparalleled acquisition and operating costs and a dispatch reliability rating exceeding 98 percent. Designed and built with leading-edge technologies, the Scorpion is a bold new direction for tactical aircraft. The aircraft is very versatile in terms of mission flexibility with a center payload bay, six hard points, high dash speeds and extended endurance and loiter time at cruise speeds. The Scorpion is built to excel in many roles, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance, maritime and border patrol and jet training missions.  Source:  Danish Department of Defence ]]>2016-07-15 09:54:54https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/30-f-35-wins-denmark-competition-over-super-hornet-and-eurofighterF-35 Sensor Fusion Flight Test. Source: Lockheed Martin. Denmark has officially agreed to buy 27 F-35A joint strike fighters to replace its fleet of aging F-16s. The selection puts an end to Denmark’s delayed fighter modernization decision that was in its early stages in 2010 before economic issues forced Copenhagen to delay this process. It was officially re-launched in 2013, now eyeing only 30 fighters instead of the planned 48. The main reason for this decision is the fact that the current Danish F-16 fighter aircrafts are nearing the end of their lifespan. In 2020, the Danish F-16 will have been flying for approximately 40 years and there will be significant operational, technical and economic challenges associated with their continued use. The three fighter candidates in the Danish fighter aircraft selection process were:  The Eurofighter, developed in a partnership between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain. The primary manufacturer behind the Eurofighter is the European company Airbus. The German Federal Ministry of Defence is the supplier of the aircraft on behalf of Germany. The F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, developed in a collaboration between nine partner countries (the USA, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada). The primary manufacturer behind the Joint Strike Fighter is the American company Lockheed Martin. The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is the supplier of the aircraft on behalf of the United States. The F/A-18F Super Hornet, developed in the USA. The primary manufacturer behind the Super Hornet is the American company Boeing. The U.S. Navy International Programs Office is the supplier of the aircraft on behalf of the United States. In order to provide the best possible basis for a political decision on the fighter aircraft type selection, the three candidates were evaluated within four specific areas: strategic, military, industrial and economic aspects. The evaluations were based on an operational period of 30 years for the new fighter aircrafts (2020-2049). Additionally, the evaluations assumed a continuation of the current tasks and level of ambition of the Danish F-16 fighter capability. An F-35 aircraft during an Operational Test. Source: Lockheed Martin. On 9th June 2016 the Danish Government, the Social Democrats, the Danish Social-Liberal Party, Liberal Alliance and the Danish People’s Party entered into an agreement on new fighter aircraft in replacement of the ageing F-16 jets. It was agreed to procure 27 F-35 fighter aircraft, and to finance this procurement within the budgetary framework of the Danish Defence – with the ambition of keeping intact its operational capabilities. Source:  Danish Department of Defence ]]>2016-06-29 09:28:53https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/29-turkey-s-shipbuilding-set-for-a-boostSource: Turkish Naval Forces The Turkish government has announced that it intends to buy scores of naval assets in the next years, potentially giving a major boost to the country’s flourishing shipyards and their foreign partners. Under a program dubbed MILGEM (a Turkish acronym for “the national ship”), Turkish shipyards have built two corvettes. The third ship will be launched soon, according to procurement officials. The fourth will be delivered in 2020, with additional orders expected. Turkey’s top procurement official, Ismail Demir, said that the government will order four more “new generation” corvettes. “These [corvettes] will be more advanced, bigger vessels,” said Demir, head of the procurement agency, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM).The corvettes are the smallest warships in the Turkish Navy’s inventory. Turkey plans to use the experience gained in the MILGEM project to design, develop and construct its first indigenous frigate, the TF-2000, in the 2020s. Moreover, Demir said that the construction of six “new type” submarines, under German license, will be entirely built in Turkey, and initial deliveries are scheduled for 2020. “Naval platforms of different types are in popular [governmental] demand because they earn the country capabilities that are in line with Turkey’s regional foreign policy ambitions, most notably in the Mediterranean,” said one senior Turkish diplomat. One such program is the Landing Platform Dock (LPD), which Sedef, a Turkish shipyard, in partnership with Spain’s Navantia, is building under an approximately $1.5 billion deal. In a high-profile ceremony on Apr. 30, the construction of the TCG Anadolu, an amphibious assault ship, took off. One feature of Turkey’s naval ambitions is focused on the littoral zones. Turkey is bordered by sea on three sides: The Black Sea in the north, the Mediterranean in the south and the Aegean in the west. In the northwest, there is also an important internal sea, the Sea of Marmara, between the straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosporus, important waterways that connect the Black Sea with the rest of the world. The Turkish coastline is 4,474 miles, excluding islands. That makes the Coast Guard, in addition to the Navy, another key end user: On June 9, SSM released a request for information for the acquisition of an unspecified batch of 600-class Coast Guard ships. Sources: Defense News, Turkish Naval Forces ]]>2016-06-20 12:04:46https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/28-boeing-wins-668m-army-deal-for-apache-helicoptersThe Boeing Co. has won an undefined fixed-price-incentive contract for foreign military sales (“FMS”) to Qatar, worth $667.5 million, from the U.S. Army. Contracting activity is the Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL. Per the contract, Boeing will provide 24 AH-64E Apache helicopters, one Longbow crew trainer, equipment for ground support, and Thales radios. Work is scheduled to be complete by May 31, 2020 and will be executed in Mesa, AZ.Boeing’s Apache, with a cruising speed of 279 kilometers (over 150 knots) per hour, is a twin-engine, four-bladed, two-pilot, multi-role combat helicopter that secured high ratings for engine competency and weapons load. Apache has also been noted for its target acquisition potential. The Longbow Crew Trainer is the main focus of training for the AH-64 Apache helicopters. Pilots and other personnel use this high-fidelity flight simulator to practice aircraft procedures and prepare for missions. We note that Boeing witnesses a steady flow of contracts from the U.S. DoD. The company is one of the major players in the defense business. Its defense business stands out among its peers by virtue of its broadly diversified programs, strong order bookings and order backlog. Internationally, the company is witnessing strong demand for its defense products. In a volatile budget environment, rising FMS contracts are more than welcome. In 2015, non-U.S. customers accounted for approximately 59% of Boeing’s revenues. International demand remains strong, accounting for 37% of the first quarter 2016 backlog and 37% of its quarterly Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) revenue. Source: www.zacks.com ]]>2016-06-09 20:02:14https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/27-norway-reviewing-submarine-base-infrastructureHNoMS Utsira, Norway’s Ula-Class submarine The Norwegian Defense Forces are reviewing options to improve general base infrastructure and capacity for the navy’s submarine fleet. The facilities’ review has come into focus in the wake of a government decision to favor an international partnership solution in any future delivery of a new submarine class to the navy. The Norwegian Navy operates a fleet of six Ula-class submarines. Commissioned between 1989 and 1992, the aging subs are scheduled to be phased out in the 2020s. The appraisal of the navy’s submarine base infrastructure is also expected to include port and housing capacity for "visiting" submarines from NATO countries. Against a backdrop of military-strengthening and muscle flexing by Russia in the region, the Norwegian government supports an increased US and NATO naval presence in the waters in the Arctic High North. In April, Norway’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) identified France’s Direction des Constructions Navales Services (DCNS) and the German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) as the strongest candidates should Norway decide to procure a new submarine-class. The current fleet of Ula subs operate from the navy’s main base at Haakonsvern, near the west coast city of Bergen. The navy’s submarine base infrastructure had included the Olavsvern facility near Tromsø in Northern Norway. This base, which cost US$500 million to construct and fit-out, was decommissioned in 2009. Furthermore, this facility contains tunnels burrowed in to mountainside rock, and is currently leased to research institutes funded by Russia and closely connected to the oil company Gazprom. The base at Olavsvern was used extensively by US and British nuclear powered attack submarines patrolling Arctic waters during the Cold War. The facility was also used by NATO submarine commanders to rest crews and carry out repairs. One possible recourse, as the MoD explores infrastructure base capacity options for the Navy’s future submarine fleet, is that the government may pursue a lease-back agreement on Olavsvern.A lease-back would give the Norwegian Navy a strategic base in the High North for its own submarine fleet, and submarines from NATO nations. Olavsvern is located around 217 miles (350km) north of the Arctic Circle. Source: Defence News ]]>2016-05-29 17:15:32https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/26-poland-eyes-surveillance-maritime-patrol-aircraftPolish Navy's PZL M28B Bryza 1R are equipped with a ASR-400 360° Search and Surveillance Radar. The Polish Ministry of Defense has launched negotiations on its planned acquisition of new surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft, the Ministry’s Armament Inspectorate (IU) said in a statement. Under the plan, the Ministry is to purchase three surveillance aircraft by 2023, and three maritime patrol aircraft in the years 2023 to 2030. These will be acquired under the Plomykowka (Barn owl) and Rybitwa (Tern) programs, respectively. As part of the latter procurement, the Ministry is reportedly planning to enhance its maritime surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-vessel capabilities. Bidders interested in participating in the forthcoming tender were to submit their applications by May 20. The estimated worth of the two programs was not released by the Polish Ministry. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the country’s current government will continue the previous Cabinet’s plan to allocate additional funds with the aim to overhaul and modernize the Polish Navy. Under the plan, by 2030, Poland was to spend some 900 million zloty (US $233 million) per year on purchasing vessels and armament for the service which, according to local analysts, is the most underfunded branch of the Polish Armed Forces. The Polish Navy is manned by some 6,924, which represents close to 7 percent of the Polish military, according to figures from the Defense Ministry.Poland aims to spend some 35.9 billion zloty on its armed forces in 2016, of which about 9.69 billion zloty is to be allocated to the ministry’s military modernization program. Source: uawire.org, Defence News ]]>2016-05-23 11:51:04https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/25-airlander-10-formerly-known-as-lemv-to-fly-againThe world’s largest and longest aircraft is to take off at Cardington Airfield in Bedfordshire, UK. Airlander 10, formerly known as the Army’s Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) is preparing to fly as early as next month in the UK, according to Hybrid Air Vehicles officials. The aircraft essentially consists in a 92-metre blimp filled with 38,000 cubic meters of helium. The helium is retained within an aerofoil-silhouette envelope that reportedly increases lift efficiency by 40%. There are four propellers—two at the back, one on the front left, one on the front right—that provide vectored thrust from four V8 turbo-diesel engines. Below the front of the envelope is a small cockpit capsule with space for a pilot and crew members. It is a low-fuel consumption aircraft, capable of staying in the air up to two weeks in a row without crew, or five days with crew. The Airlander 10 will theoretically be able to carry payloads of up to 10 tons. Furthermore, HAV has plans to build an Airlander 50 in the future, too, which can lift five times as much. The Airlander 10 was originally developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles and Northrop Grumman for the US Army. The service had originally intended to deploy the airship to Afghanistan by December 2011, acting as surveillance and communications platforms.  The Army canceled the program in early 2013 shortly after its first flight, due to what it said at the time were technical and performance challenges and limitations imposed by constrained resources. Hybrid Air Vehicles bought the LEMV back from the US Army in 2013 without the Northrop Grumman sensor suite that was part of the program, and continued its development in the UK. Now, after a £3.4 million grant from the UK government, £2 million from the EU, and a further £2 million in crowdsourced funding, the Airlander 10 is almost ready for its second flight ever, and its first flight in the UK. The hybrid airship is going through ground testing this month and “will start the flight testing”, Andy Barton, the company’s business development director for commercial markets, said at SOFEX, a special operations exhibition in Jordan. The Airlander 10 will operate under civilian flight regulations with tight restriction under an initial airworthiness release which become more permissive as the aircraft gains flight hours. The company believes it has solved most of the issues that came up during the first flight by using computer simulations. “Of course, it will be hard to tell if everything is resolved until the airship flies”, Barton added, noting it’s unlikely that the ship will fly flawlessly the first time in the air.Hybrid Air Vehicles sees much potential for the aircraft, from special operations intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to an airborne communications hub to cargo resupply. Source: Defense News, aerospace-technology, Hybrid Air Vehicles. ]]>2016-05-17 11:28:23https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/24-australian-submarines-to-be-built-by-dcnsThe Shortfin Barracuda. Source: DCNS. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Tuesday morning that France’s DCNS consortium will be awarded the multi-billion-dollar contract to build the 12 submarines that will succeed the Australian Navy’s aging Collins-class submarines, under the SEA 1000 Future Submarine Programme. Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and a joint Mitsubishi-Kawasaki offering from Japan were also in the competition for the contract. The German offering was the Type 216, and Japan pitched its Soryu-class diesel-electric submarines.Japan had been in pole position to win the contract, and was ambitious to propel the country from non-participant to major contractor in the arms export trade. Insiders in the bidding process believe Japan’s bid failed mainly due to concerns over its inexperience in delivering big defense export projects. DCNS won with its Shortfin Barracuda A1 submarine design, a conventionally-powered derivative of the nuclear-powered Suffren-class submarine now under construction for the French Navy.Australia’s selection opens negotiations for a three-year submarine design contract expected to be concluded at the end of this year or early 2017, a DCNS executive said.Malcolm Turnbull said the project with DCNS represented “a momentous national endeavor. He added, “the recommendation of our competitive evaluation process... was unequivocal that the French offer represented the capabilities best able to meet Australia’s unique needs”. Mr. Turnbull said the submarines would be built in Adelaide in a move that would sustain about 2,800 jobs — a welcome political boost to the federal government in South Australia. The French presidency, meanwhile, described the contract as “historic, and the largest weapons export program our country has ever undertaken”. The Elysée president’s office said in a statement “France is grateful for the confidence that Australia has shown in it, and is proud of the technological excellence of which its companies have proved themselves”. While all 12 submarines will be built in Australia, the contract will support some 4,000 jobs for DCNS and its subcontractors, with work at Brest, Cherbourg and Lorient, on the coast of northwest France, a DCNS spokesperson said. Employment is a key factor for France as well, as the country heads toward a general election next year, with a jobless rate stubbornly stuck around 10 percent.The deal is also a win for Thales, which holds 35 percent of DCNS, with the French government holding the remainder. Thales's share of the program is expected to be some €1 billion, with €100 million per sub based on the sale of sonar systems, electronic warfare and periscopes, a Thales executive said. Australia’s replacement of its submarine fleet comes amid an Asia-Pacific arms race led by China. Defence spending in Asia in 2014 was A$439bn (US$338bn), surpassing that of Europe, according to Australia’s defense white paper released this year. Canberra says the Indo-Pacific region will account for half the world’s submarines and at least half of advanced combat aircraft within two decades.Under the winning bid, DCNS will build 12 Shortfin Barracuda submarines for the Australian navy and help maintain them over half a century. The vessel, a conventional submarine using a pump-jet propulsion system, draws on the design of France’s existing Barracuda-class nuclear submarine. It is the first time Paris will share this stealth technology, which is quieter than a traditional propeller, with another country, said DCNS. Australia’s submarines will be armed with US weapons and a US combat systems integrator. A decision between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon is to be announced shortly, and DCNS will work with the winner of that competition to integrate the combat system into the submarines. Source: Defense news, The Financial Times, The Diplomat. ]]>2016-05-03 10:44:57https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/23-airbus-helicopters-launches-hforce-generic-weapon-systemThe Airbus Helicopters H225M platform equipped with the new HForce GWS system for converting unarmed helicopters into light attack assets. Source: IHS Airbus Helicopters has unveiled a common weapons system for its range of civil-derived military helicopters, giving operators an affordable and incremental upgrade path: it offers operators the ability to quickly and easily transform their civilian platforms into armed military ones by means of a single common mission computer. The HForce Generic Weapon System (GWS), as the concept is named, was introduced at HELI EXPO event last March in Louisville, Kentucky. "The HForce GWS can be added to all of our successful civilian helicopters, enabling operators to start building up their military capabilities from something that already exists," said Philippe Kohn, operational marketing manager at the manufacturer. He added: "It is a Swiss Army Knife to cover all of the operational spectrum." So far ballistic weapons have been added to the 11t-class platform, including 12.7 mm heavy machine gun pods (HMPs), 20 mm cannon pods, air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, and/or 68 mm and 70 mm unguided and guided rockets. Live test firings as part of a qualification campaign will take place later this year. Integration of guided weapons will be complete by year-end, adds Kohn. Key to HForce is the use of a common Rockwell Collins Deutschland mission management system across the three helicopters initially enrolled in the Program: the 2.5t H125M, the medium-class H145M, and the heavy H225M. This single mission-computer enables the integration of a number of different weapon systems or combinations, available as four Options from 0 to 3. This will allow operators to order the helicopter in a baseline configuration without weapons, yet still retain the ability to easily upgrade them. Kohn says: “Even if you buy Option Zero (on the H125M) your neighbors know you will be able to transform it into a light attack helicopter very quickly.” Ballistic weapons can be fired by the pilot alone, using his helmet-mounted sight display, or with the addition of an electro-optical/infrared targeting sensor – initially the L-3 Wescam MX-15/20 – the co-pilot can effectively act as a gunner. Guided weapons would also be controlled by the gunner. Source: Airbus Helicopters “For the first time on such a commercial helicopter we can split the workload in two, just like on an attack helicopter,” says Kohn.Around eight potential nations are “deeply interested” in acquiring new helicopters equipped with HForce, he claims. The H225M being utilized for flight testing is a customer model, taken from the line early in anticipation of a three- or four-unit order. Two additional countries are keen on a retrofit program. This is mainly focused on the installation of the new mission computer and electrical systems.“The key is to gather all these things into an incremental weapons system. If a customer comes and asks us for something different – a specific machine gun, for example – then we will have to develop it,” says Kohn. Source: Flight Global, Aviation connected, and IHS Jane's International Defence Review ]]>2016-04-25 13:49:20https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/22-saudi-arabia-seeks-to-acquire-new-heavy-tanks-and-the-french-leclerc-is-in-the-runningAMX Leclerc in Yemen The Saudi Ministry of Defence would seek to acquire 200 heavy armored vehicles, including 50 "spare" (reserve). The French Leclerc is in the running, reportedly presented to the Saudis on 25 November. German, Turquish and South Korean tanks were also sought by Riyadh.The Saudi army was noticeably impressed by the successful commitment of the United Arab Emirates’ Leclerc at the war in Yemen, where they had their baptism by fire, including in urban areas. The entourage of the Minister of Defence confirmed it to the press on January 2016, ensuring that on his part, there could be "material to help restart" the production line of the Nexter tank. This assistance could take form of a loan of the French Leclerc in Saudi Arabia, pending deliveries of new vehicles by Nexter. However, the following issue comes up: The Leclerc production line at Nexter was closed in 2007, after the delivery of the last 876 tanks built for the French Army and the United Arab Emirates. Nevertheless, one expert dossier estimates that given the importance of the order, it could be revived. But the difficulty would then come from suppliers and subcontractors, especially as the Leclerc needs to be modernized: its embedded computing system dates of the early 90s. For the army, this modernization is planned but would not occur before 2020. A Saudi contract could accelerate things. An industry professional estimates that it would take nearly three years between the signing of a contract and the delivery of the first device. As for the buying opportunity, it is now impossible (after the failures in Qatar and Colombia) as spare tanks were used as parts inventory detached for the army. Facing Leclerc, KMW Germans (now merged with Nexter) offer their Leopard 2 in its latest version (A7), more modern than the current Leclerc. But again, the problem of the production line turns up: There are no production lines in Germany anymore, and the last active one is located in Greece. Furthermore, the Spanish line is now closed. The latter was in charge of providing the Leopard 2 that Saudi Arabia wanted to acquire, before the veto of the Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who recently criticized Riyadh’s policy. While technically favorites, the Germans are not politically so.As for the Turkish and Korean proposals, Altay and K2 respectively, experts believe that these tanks are not developed. Saudi Arabia is currently in service with about 600 American-made tanks (M1A2 Abrams and M60A3). However, it seems the Abrams suffers from significant flaws, including the fragility of the turbine and its enormous fuel consumption: in the hot zone it can rise up to more than 700 liters per 100 kilometers, which is twice the amount of what the Leclerc requires. Their commitment demands a considerable logistics chain for fuel supply and maintenance of the turbines, especially in desert areas. Beyond the heavy tanks, Saudi Arabia needs to renew its armored infantry and artillery park. France is in the running to supply 155 cannons. Until the Gulf War Saudi Arabia had two tank parks: one American (M60) and another French (AMX30). The Char Leclerc is a main battle tank (MBT) built by GIAT, now Nexter, of France. It is currently in service with the French Army and the army of the United Arab Emirates. In production since 1991, the Leclerc entered French service in 1992, replacing the AMX 30 as the country’s main armoured platform. With production now complete, the French Army has a total of 406 Leclercs and the United Arab Emirates Army has 388. Source:  RP Defence, Secret Défense (L’Opinion) ]]>2016-04-18 08:26:17https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/21-india-to-build-brahmos-iii-for-russiaRussia and India have a well-developed system for military-technical relations. In recent years, there have been a number of great successes in their cooperation in these spheres. The BrahMos project in particular, is one of the most significant accomplishments of military-technical cooperation between India and Russia. On 12 February 1998, Russia and India signed an agreement between the two governments on the “Joint Development and Production of Missile Complexes with the Anti-Ship Missile (BrahMos)”, named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.Russia, which already has the Oniks missile system, is unsure whether it will induct the BrahMos Block III cruise missile. But given that it has opted to buy the Su-30MKI, designed for India, it is likely it will also buy the BrahMos to equip the fighter aircraft. The Indian Army has the cruise missile BrahMos Block-III, “one of the most lethal weapons systems that currently exist in the world”, the publication “Defence News” writes. This cruise missile is capable of flights at supersonic speeds, making it hard for enemy radar to track, as well as being practically invulnerable to modern anti-missile and air defence systems. BrahMos Block-III is a joint Russian-Indian project, which is based on the P-800 Oniks missile, which is exported under the name “Yakhont”. Inevitable comparisons have arisen, between BrahMos and its Chinese analogue, the DF-21. Specialists at “Defence News” claim that the Russian-Indian missile has major advantages and is likely to capture the global market. Pyotr Topychkanov, senior researcher at the Safety Centre of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations RAS, said there is an important point in making such comparisons; the DF-21 project has gone much further in terms of development, in contrast to the BrahMos Block-III, which is still in the prototype stage. “Accordingly, it is not yet clear when, and in what form, the BrahMos Block-III will be placed into service. Perhaps, according to the announced specifications, it really is superior to the DF-21, but how this project will finally evolve in real terms is difficult to say, and thus comparing these two missiles is very difficult,” said Topychkanov. The expert notes that the BrahMos is a joint-venture project between Russia and India, and the Indians, according to the documents that form the core of this project cannot go alone on this missile, including in the development of any or all of its components. “From this perspective, we cannot say that the Indians are venturing out on their own, and creating their own missile,” said Topychkanov. The Indians are calculating, the expert notes, that the BrahMos Block-III missile will become one of their best-selling exports.Based on the fact that Russia is going to buy the Su-30MKI, according to Topychkanov, it may be easily concluded that Moscow is considering arming these aircraft with the BrahMos Block-III missiles, especially since they are closely connected with the Su-30MKI project: “Now that Russia has decided to buy the Su-30MKI aircraft, the BrahMos missiles have a good chance of coming into service with the Russian Armed Forces. The fact is that this year, they are planning to carry out the first live testing of the BrahMos air-based missiles that were designed just for the Su-30MKI fighter jets. So this project is being implemented, in one way or another, in the interests of the armed forces of both India and Russia”. This project again displays how this military cooperation with India is beneficial also for Russia, in the case of both the Su-30MKI, and BrahMos-Block-III. It is in both Moscow and Delhi’s interests to initiate new strategic projects like the these. The joint efforts of Moscow and India could create components or whole systems for strategically important developments. Source:  India Defence News, Russia Beyond the Headlines ]]>2016-04-15 08:20:34https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/20-australian-dod-extends-land-400-phase-2-rft-evaluation-periodBAE Systems-Patria AMV 35 for Land 400 The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has extended the evaluation period for the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) LAND 400 Phase 2 programme to conduct a review of Phase 2 risk management activities (RMA).After completing the review, the DoD will work with selected tenderers during the next phase of the RMA. Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) Kim Gillis said: "Planning for the RMA and development of the RMA contracts, under which the work will be conducted with selected tenderers, was completed prior to the launch of the government's new Defence Industry Policy Statement (DIPS). "The strong alignment of the RMA with the DIPS will deliver benefits to both industry and defence. This review will ensure defence can obtain the best possible solution for Australian industry whilst delivering the required capability to army."This review is further evidence of our commitment to improving the way defence and industry work together." "The review of the Australian industry aspects of the RMA will ensure that these benefits can be delivered. This review is further evidence of our commitment to improving the way defence and industry work together. "This review will have no effect on the planned in-service date for the Army's Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability."The Land 400 Phase 2 project focuses on delivering a replacement for the Australian Light Armoured Vehicle, which has been used by the Australian Defence Force in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, and is scheduled for retirement in 2021. In February, BAE Systems Australia announced plans to demonstrate its armoured modular vehicle (AMV35) combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) for the Land 400 programme.A result of the partnership between BAE and Finnish Patria, the AMV35 is designed to meet the Australian Army's mounted combat reconnaissance requirements. Source:  army-technology.com/ ]]>2016-04-07 11:38:56https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/19-al-seer-marine-works-towards-autonomous-obstacle-avoidance-systemThe obstacle avoidance system is being trialled on Al Seer Marine's 'Bravo' RHIB, but is platform agnostic. Source: Al Seer Marine Abu Dhabi-based shipbuilder Al Seer Marine is developing an automatic obstacle avoidance system and is trialing the package on board an unmanned surface vessel (USV).The work has been conducted in partnership with 5G International, a specialist in the field of marine robotics. Aditya Nawab, a principal engineer at 5G International, said the system builds on work first undertaken to introduce such a capability for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), which utilized inputs from a range of sensors. The new maritime system has been designed to work with a variety of commercial off the shelf (COTS) sensors, in part to drive down costs and enable it to be integrated on a wide range of platforms. For the company trials, the obstacle avoidance capability has been installed on Al Seer Marine's 'Bravo' rigid hull inflatable boat-based USV and has seen the platform operate in the waters around the company's shipyard - a narrow channel that features a variety of static obstacles and frequent traffic. According to 5G International's CEO Robert Murphy, the system will soon be trialed at sea.The obstacle avoidance system works in collaboration with GPS waypoint-based navigation, when the system detects a potential collision it is able to halt its host vessel and/or automatically determine a course of action that will enable it to avoid the obstacle and resume its navigation track.The first trials of the package commenced around 15 months ago, Nawab said, adding that he considers it to be at a beta stage of development. Initial work focused on a solution for navigation when communications between the USV and control elements were lost, and saw the development of a return to base function. During a demonstration, the obstacle avoidance system successfully operated using a COTS marine radar as the only sensor input, however, it has been trialed with a stereoscopic camera and a Velodyne LIDAR - the latter providing high levels of accuracy at closer ranges. Source:  IHS Jane’s International Defence Review ]]>2016-04-05 17:22:10https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/18-hypersonic-research-and-development-meet-the-sr-72In 1976, U.S. Air Force SR-71 Blackbird crews flew from New York to London in less than two hours, reaching speeds exceeding Mach 3 and setting world records that have held up for nearly four decades. But those world records may not stay unbroken for long. That’s because today, at the birthplace of the Blackbird, Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works®, engineers are developing a hypersonic aircraft that will go twice the speed of the SR-71. It’s called the SR-72. The SR-71 was developed using 20th century technology. It was envisioned with slide rules and paper. It wasn’t managed by millions of lines of software code. And it wasn’t powered by computer chips.  All that changes with the SR-72. Envisioned as an unmanned aircraft, the SR-72 would fly at speeds up to Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound. At this speed, the aircraft would be so fast, an adversary would have no time to react or hide. “Hypersonic aircraft, coupled with hypersonic missiles, could penetrate denied airspace and strike at nearly any location across a continent in less than an hour,” said Brad Leland, Lockheed Martin program manager, Hypersonics. “Speed is the next aviation advancement to counter emerging threats in the next several decades. The technology would be a game-changer in theater, similar to how stealth is changing the battlespace today.” A hypersonic plane does not have to be an expensive, distant possibility.  In fact, an SR-72 could be operational by 2030. For the past several years, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® has been working with Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop a method to integrate an off-the-shelf turbine with a supersonic combustion ramjet air breathing jet engine to power the aircraft from standstill to Mach 6. The result is the SR-72 that Aviation Week has dubbed “son of Blackbird,” and integrated engine and airframe that is optimized at the system level for high performance and affordability. SR-72 is not the first hypersonic Skunk Works® aircraft. In partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, engineers developed the rocket-launched Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV-2). The HTV-2 research and development project was designed to collect data on three technical challenges of hypersonic flight: aerodynamics; aerothermal effects; and guidance, navigation and control. The SR-72’s design incorporates lessons learned from the HTV-2, which flew to a top speed of Mach 20, or 13,000 mph, with a surface temperature of 3500°F. A hypersonic aircraft will be a game changer. Source:  lockheedmartin.com ]]>2016-03-31 16:55:01https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/17-bae-systems-awarded-contract-to-refurbish-cv90-vehicles-for-sweden-The Swedish government has awarded BAE Systems a contract to refurbish 262 Combat Vehicles 90 (CV90) for the Swedish Army.The company’s work will include refurbishing the chassis and upgrading the vehicle’s survivability and turrets, as well as enhancing combat system performance. Together, these efforts will help increase the vehicles’ lifespan in support of Army capabilities. “This is a very important program for BAE Systems and the Swedish Army,” said Lena Gillström, managing director of BAE Systems Weapons Systems in Karlskoga, which builds the turrets. “With this refurbishment and the introduction of the new Battlefield Management System, these vehicles will take a step into the era of digitized defense to strengthen the Army’s capability to meet future threats.” BAE Systems will work closely with the customer throughout the program. Work starts immediately with deliveries beginning in 2018 and running through 2020.“For the Swedish Army, CV90 has proven its value and capability over the years,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, president of BAE Systems Hägglunds AB in Örnsköldsvik. “CV90 is already in service in seven countries and now, with this refurbishment program, we’ll further extend the CV90’s contribution to Sweden’s defense.” CV90 is a family of Swedish tracked combat vehicles designed by FMV, BAE Systems Hägglunds, and BAE Systems Weapons Systems, with more than 4 million engineering hours contributing to the development of this advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The Swedish version of the IFV is outfitted with a turret equipped with a 40 mm autocannon.The Swedish Army has a fleet of 509 CV90s. Other countries currently using the vehicle are Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.The contract was awarded to HB Utveckling AB, a joint venture between BAE Systems Bofors AB, part of BAE Systems Weapons Systems, and BAE Systems Hägglunds AB. Source:  baesystems.com ]]>2016-03-30 15:33:14https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/16--india-is-willing-to-develop-its-own-defence-industryTata LPTA 1623 6X6 Situation on 2016 Indian industry today is on the threshold of entering into a new era where it will assume greater responsibility in making the nation self-reliant in Defence Production. The resurgence of India’s manufacturing sector has been remarkable. Not only are the profits soaring, the sector is also making its presence felt abroad as many Indian firms are becoming transnational companies. The Indian Aerospace Industry is witnessing an unprecedented growth. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is fully owned by the Government of India, is the premier aerospace company in the country. HAL has played a major role in the Defence aviation of India through design, manufacture and overhaul of fighters, trainers, helicopters, transport aircraft, engines, avionics and system equipment. HAL is now ranked 34th in the list of world’s top 100 defence companies. At this moment Russia continues to be the largest arms supplier to India with value of agreements exceeding $5billion over the past 3 years, with the U.S. in the second place. An example is the recently interest of the Indian Navy in purchasing Russian surface and submarine equipment and localization of the vessels’ manufacturing in India. "The Indian Navy have displayed a keen interest in cooperating with us both in the sphere of surface and submarine fleet, starting from issues of purchasing ready-made equipment and localization of its production in India," Potapov said on the sidelines of the Defexpo India 2016 exhibition to tass. As well Rosoboronexport is ready to widen cooperation with India within the framework of the Make in India programme. The Make in India program was launched by Prime Minister Modi in September 2014 as part of a wider set of nation-building initiatives. Devised to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub.“At the present time, for instance, we are in talks on the feasibility of developing Project 75 (I) submarines based on the latest Amur-1650 diesel-electric submarines, and on the procurement of an additional lot of Project 11356 frigates and setting up of their license production in India”, – said Sergei Goreslavsky, deputy director general of JSC Rosoboronexport who heads the joint delegation of Rostec State Corporation and JSC Rosoboronexport. Tata Motors has won a follow-on contract from the Indian Army to supply 619 units of its high-mobility vehicle (HMV) 6X6 multi-axle truck. Built with a material handling crane, the Tata 6X6 HMV is meant for loading and unloading and transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment. “With this contract we are proud to have received an additional order for 619 units, of our indigenously developed Tata 6X6 high-mobility vehicle, having cleared rigorous trials and successfully competed against products from rival bidders, from top European and global defence companies, underlining the stringent requirements of the Indian army, and the global standards of our Defence offerings. In line with the government’s Make in India initiative, we will continue to focus on further developing a comprehensive range of defence vehicles right here in India, including front line combat vehicles such as the FICV (fighting infantry combat vehicle), to meet the evolving requirements of defence forces in India, and around the world,” Tata Motors Vice-President (Defence & Government Business) Vernon Noronha said. In this framework, India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar has presented India’s new policy of defense purchases. The new rules of defense purchases made public on the Defense Ministry’s website envisage greater transparency and faster contract procedures, Parrikar said at the DEFEXPO-2016 exhibition in Goa. What is most important is the Indian government has taken a proactive stance in promoting the program Make in India and it invites manufacturers from all countries to contribute to the development of the national defense industry, he said.The chief executive officer of the state corporation Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, has said "India for many years has been Russia’s strategic partner and today we are exploring opportunities for wider cooperation in accordance with this vector." India is determined to develop its own defense industry in compliance with the concept Make in India. Russia is prepared to offer new large-scale projects implying the widest cooperation with Indian companies, the handover of the related technologies and the creation of joint ventures and operations manufacturing products under license," said Rosoboronexport deputy CEO Sergey Goreslavsky. This year DEFEXPO is hosting a record number of Indian companies (540) and foreign ones (490). Sources:  tass.ru roe.ru www.makeinindia.com ]]>2016-03-29 08:00:19https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/15-dcns-delivers-its-5th-fremm-frigate-languedocFREMM Auvergne DCNS delivered the FREMM frigate Languedoc intended for the French Navy, on the occasion of the acceptance ceremony by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) on behalf of the French DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement). This event once again demonstrates the industrial success of the largest European naval defence programme. The FREMM frigates are amongst some of the highest-performance latest-generation combat vessels on the market and have already won over three client Navies. FREMM Languedoc is the fifth unit to be built by DCNS and the third intended for the French Navy. The frigate was officially accepted by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation), an international organisation for the through-life management of cooperative defence equipment programmes, which has the role of contracting authority for FREMMs intended for France and Italy. The official acceptance of the FREMM Languedoc is a demonstration of the satisfaction of the operational personnel that had the opportunity to test its exceptional military qualities in multiple operations theatres. At the start of the year, the Aquitaine and Provence FREMMs participated in the Task Force 50 actions in the Persian-Arabian Gulf, at the sides of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, designed, built and maintained by DCNS. The FREMMs are the first vessels in Europe to deploy the naval cruise missile (MdCN) for which the first firing took place on 19 May 2015 from the FREMM Aquitaine.“The delivery of the FREMM Languedoc represents an opportunity to highlight the serial effects of a programme that DCNS clients can take advantage of”, notes Anne Bianchi, Director of the FREMM programme at DCNS. “With this fifth unit, DCNS has again improved its industrial and economic performance. It was possible to reduce the duration of the sea acceptance trials for the Languedoc frigate to five weeks, thanks to the experience acquired for the FREMMs already delivered. The DCNS teams and our partners have, in effect, attained an unprecedented level of vessel completion even before its first sea outing”, she underlines. The FREMM programme represents today the construction of ten vessels, of which eight for the French Navy. Six FREMMs will have been delivered to the French Navy before mid-2019, in accordance with the 2015-2019 military programming law. DCNS is currently completing the FREMM Auvergne, which was floated on 2 September 2015, and is pursuing the assembly of the FREMM Bretagne. Work has started on the eighth FREMM in the series, the Normandie. Last but not least, DCNS is finalising the design of two FREMMs with strengthened anti-aircraft capacities, the delivery of which is slated for 2022. FREMM technical characteristics Heavily armed, the FREMMs deploy the most effective weapon systems and equipment, such as the Herakles multifunction radar, the naval cruise missile (MdCN), the Aster and Exocet MM 40 missiles or the MU 90 torpedoes.  Total length: 142 metres  Width: 20 metres  Displacement: 6,000 tonnes  Maximum speed: 27 knots  Operation: 108 persons (helicopter detachment included)  Accommodation capacity: 145 persons  Range: 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots Source: en.dcnsgroup.com ]]>2016-03-21 16:48:41https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/14-norway-is-seeking-submarine-cooperation-with-other-nationsUla-class submarine Norway is working towards establishing an extensive submarine cooperation with other nations in order to reduce cost and secure a robust submarine capability for the future. The current Norwegian Ula-class submarines will gradually reach their end-of-life in the 2020s. The Ministry of Defence is currently leading the work looking at procurement of new submarines. The project is in its definition phase. This phase will be completed in the first half of 2016, when the external quality review is completed. The Ministry of Defence has not chosen a supplier for new submarines, and is at present in dialogue with several different shipyards. It is therefore important to inform all parties as equally as possible. The Ministry of Defence and the project are in active discussions with several different nations with regards to potential submarine cooperation, with the aim of achieving the Norwegian ambition for cooperation. Norway and Germany have already a longstanding and successful submarine cooperation. Germany is therefore a nation which it is natural for Norway to discuss a potential future submarine cooperation with. In addition to operational and purely defence related matters, industry will play an important part in a future submarine cooperation. The Ministry of Defence participated in an industrial seminar hosted by the Bundesverband der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie e.V (BDSV) in cooperation with the Norwegian Defence and Security industry Association (FSi) in Berlin the 8th and 9th of February 2016. State Secretary Øystein Bø and the National Armaments Director Morten Tiller participated in the seminar, which focused on the future submarine project and other defence projects where there is a potential for industrial and defence related cooperation between Norway and Germany.   Source: www.regjeringen.no ]]>2016-03-09 20:02:09https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/13-first-italian-air-force-hh-101a-caesar-enters-service-The Italian Air Force has a total requirement for 15 of these dedicated AW101 helicoptersOver 220 AW101s ordered by customers worldwide in various configurations so far Finmeccanica and the Italian Air Force celebrated the entry into operational service of their first AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter, designated the HH-101A “CAESAR”, during an official ceremony at Cervia Air Base. A total of four HH-101A “CAESAR” helicopters, out of a total requirement of 15, have been delivered from the Finmeccanica Helicopter Division’s assembly line in Yeovil (UK) to date, and will be used to perform personnel recovery and special forces missions. The HH-101As will also support search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and slow mover intercept operations, countering small aircraft threats, to provide effective support to the Italian community. With the HH-101A “CAESAR” the Italian Air Force is introducing into service the most advanced and capable aircraft available today for this demanding operational requirement, developed and tailored to meet specific customer needs in the framework of its helicopter fleet modernisation programme. With the first HH-101A “CAESAR” now fully operational, the Italian Air Force is entering a new era, with a quantum leap forward in capabilities for both homeland operations and missions abroad in demanding conditions. Source: www.finmeccanica.com ]]>2016-03-02 08:25:28https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/12-uk-ministry-of-defence-contracts-secure-military-flying-trainingRoyal Air Force. 208(R) Squadron A £1.1 billion contract has been placed with Ascent Flight Training to design, deliver and manage the Fixed Wing training service until 2033 and is expected to provide roughly 200 jobs across the UK, particularly at the key training bases.The new Fixed Wing flying training system will provide modern training aircraft as well as up-to-date ground based training devices such as simulators and classroom learning for aircrew across the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and Army Air Corps. Minister of State for Defence Procurement Philip Dunne said: This is fantastic news for the future of our military aircrew, providing them with a modern training system which will equip them to deliver on the front line. As part of this investment, a contract worth approximately £500 million has been signed with Affinity who will provide the aircraft that will be used at different stages of the training. Affinity, which is a joint venture between Kellogg Brown and Root Ltd and Elbit Systems UK, will provide three aircraft types as well as their maintenance and support. Contracts have also been awarded to Lockheed Martin and Babcock who have been selected to deliver all of the ground based training equipment and infrastructure to support the delivery of the fixed wing training capability. With our strong commitment to air power as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review and our investment of £178 billion in equipment over the next 10 years, this contract is further proof of our commitment to invest in the UK’s defence capabilities for the future, ensuring that we continue to be a world leader in military flying training. The contract, which will cover provision of Elementary Flying Training, Basic Flying Training and Multi-Engine Pilot Training, will deliver through a single prime contractor, ensuring coherent delivery of the training system. Multi-Engine Pilot Training will be in place from mid-2018 and Basic Flying Training element up and running by early 2019. Ascent, selected as the MOD’s flying training partner in 2008, will be required to deliver the instruction, infrastructure and support required to provide flying training across the three Armed Services until 2033. Source:  www.raf.mod.uk www.gov.uk www.ascentflighttraining.net ]]>2016-02-04 08:15:08https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/11-the-fight-for-australia-s-future-submarine-contract-continuesSubmarines are the most complex, sensitive and expensive defence capability acquisition Government can make. They are of strategic importance to Australia and a critical element in the nation’s maritime security planning, with Australia’s national security and $1.6 trillion economy depend on secure sea lanes. As such, Australia needs the best possible submarine to protect their trade and support their maritime security.The Future Submarine Program (SEA1000) will deliver for Australia an affordable, regionally superior, conventional submarine capability, sustainable into the foreseeable future. It will be the largest Defence procurement program in Australia’s history and represents an investment in the order of $50 billion in Australia’s security. It will also be defined by a capability design, construction and sustainment challenge of unprecedented scale and complexity, and will span decades.There are however no off-the-shelf submarine options that meet Australia’s unique submarine capability requirements. As consequence, the Australian Government has commenced a competitive evaluation process to select an international partner to design and build the next generation of submarines. The program will involve Federal and State Governments, Defence, industry and universities and Australia’s international partners – working together for generations to come.The decisions made on the Future Submarine Program will determine what kind of capability we have to defend Australia and Australian interests into the 2040s and beyond.Weapons, systems, propulsion, fuel, food, water, air and, above all, provision for crew to operate effectively and safely all compete for space. As well as accommodating these demands, the hull must also provide the desired range, speed, manoeuvrability, resilience and safety. Balancing the requirements of these factors determines the nature of a submarine’s design. The constraint of the volume of the pressure hull makes it difficult to significantly change the balance of the factors in a submarine’s design without having to start a new design process.The Future Submarine Program will be the largest Defence procurement program in Australia’s history. It represents an investment in the order of $50 billion in Australia’s security and the Government expects that significant work will be undertaken in Australia during the build phase including combat systems integration, design assurance and land based testing. Shorfin Barracuda Submarine Importantly, France, Germany and Japan will as part of their submissions through the Competitive Evaluation Process, identify opportunities for the participation of Australian industry in their proposals to the Australian Government. Such action, will allow Australian industry the opportunity to compete for involvement in the Future Submarine program based on merit, encapsulating roles under various build options including: participation in the supply chain, integration activities, and sustainment.Japan’s Soryu-class submarines (16SS) are diesel-electric attack submarines, displaces 4.200 tons, Soryu is 84m in length. Both submarines have six 533mm torpedo tubes, capable of firing both guided torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. The Soryu class has four Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) units that allow prolonged travel while submerged.French’s Barracuda class is a nuclear attack submarine, the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A designed specifically for the Royal Australian Navy has pump jet propulsion replaces obsolete propeller technology, hydroplanes can retract to reduce drag and noise, displaces 5.300 tons, and is 97m in length.German type 216 design has a double hulled with two decks, includes a fuel cell, Permasyn motor, and lithium-ion batteries, a diesel-electric propulsion with AIP; displaces 4000 tons and is 90m in length After the international partner has been selected for Australia’s Future Submarine Program, further more detailed information regarding opportunities for Australian industry involvement will be known. Source:  www.navy.gov.au sea1000.gov.au dcnsgroup.com.au nationalinterest.org ]]>2016-02-01 11:38:36https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/10-moving-towards-a-rafale-contract-with-indiaDuring French President François Hollande’s visit to India, French and Indian government authorities signed an intergovernmental agreement paving the way for the conclusion of a contract for the sale of 36 Rafale fighters to India.The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base. The fully versatile Rafale is able to carry out all combat aviation missions: air defense, interception, ground support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes and nuclear deterrence. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and with the French Air Force in 2006. The Egyptian Air Force received its first aircraft in 2015. The Rafale has proven its worth in combat in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria. On 30 June 2015, 138 Rafale aircraft had been delivered. + + Dassault Aviation is very pleased with this progress, and is actively supporting French authorities in their efforts to finalize a complete agreement within the next four weeks. Source: www.dassault-aviation.com ]]>2016-01-28 17:20:16https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/9-the-naval-thales-and-asv-strengthen-their-partnership-in-the-ukAfter successful trials on Halcyon Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Thales and ASV strengthen their partnership. Both companies have signed an agreement to develop autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) technology and capability for maritime, civil, security and military domains. This agreement, which builds on the strong existing relationship and the combined skills and expertise of the two companies, provides world leading, innovative solutions for autonomous maritime requirements. Key points:  Thales and ASV to collaborate in delivering autonomous capability for the maritime, civil, security and military domains.  The Halcyon USV is a highly capable, flexible and reliable autonomous platform and a key asset of the French - UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme.  Robust autonomous USV and USV/UUV squad operations demonstrated in a series of realistic operational scenarios. The collaboration has already successfully delivered the innovative Halcyon USV, a key asset of the French - UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures programme (MMCM). Designed and built by ASV, it provides high speed transit, stability, manoeuvrability and endurance. A recent success is the support provided by Thales, with their partners ASV and SeeByte, to the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in the demonstration of a robust autonomous Mine Counter Measures (MCM) system through a collaborative systems approach. This was part of The Technical Cooperation Programme (TTCP), a multi-national forum for defence, science and technology. Halcyon, fitted with Thales’s mission management system and integrated with the ASView control system, operated collaboratively in the trials to demonstrate reliable autonomous operations involving complex behaviours in a range of scenarios and sea state conditions. These trials completed operator planned missions controlled from a remote operations centre, providing operator oversight and control over a communications link. It also showed how a USV can work autonomously with a multi-national squad of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). These successful trials represent a major milestone in Thales’s roadmap to deliver robust autonomous USV operations. The two companies are collaborating on the delivery of the French – UK Mine Countermeasures (MMCM) contract, a programme which is key to the transformation of mine countermeasures capabilities and the future operational use of unmanned naval systems. Source: www.thalesgroup.com ]]>2016-01-25 16:44:22https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/8-d3i-billion-dollar-contract-awarded-by-the-us-armyAegis Technologies Group Inc., Decisive Analytics Corp., Quantum Research International Inc. and Radiance Technologies Inc., were awarded a $1,058,000,000 order-dependent shared contract for developing contracting arrangements in support of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Design, Development, Demonstration and Integration (D3I) Domain 3 Program. D3I Domain 3 will provide enhanced Warfighter capabilities to the USASMDC/ARSTRAT mission, is a Multiple-Award Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite Quantity vehicle procured as a 100 percent small business set-aside, and provides for a total potential program ceiling value of $1.058 billion. Each awarded contract carries a five-year base ordering period and two consecutive two-year optional ordering periods within which specific Domain 3 task order requirements will be competed among the four awardees. The USASMDC/ARSTRAT D3I program will be utilized to conduct research for the development of hardware components and software solutions for space, high altitude, missile defense, information integration and data exploitation, and enhanced Warfighter capabilities. Material and hardware products will be deliverable end items. The D3I Acquisition is delineated into three separate "domains." - Domain 1 is titled "Space, High Altitude, and Missile Defense/Ground Systems" and will be procured as a full and open acquisition. - Domain 2 is titled "Information Integration and Data Exploitation" and will be procured as a small business set aside. - Domain 3 is titled "Enhanced Warfighter Capabilities" and will be procured as a small business set aside. Source: www.army.mil ]]>2015-12-21 18:58:53https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/7-oshkosh-corporation-resumes-work-on-joint-light-tactical-vehicle-production-contract U.S. Army Lifts Stop Work Order on $6.7 Billion JLTV Production Contract The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) has directed Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation company, to resume work on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) production contract. The JLTV program fills a critical capability gap for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps by replacing a large portion of the legacy HMMWV fleet with a light vehicle that provides unprecedented protection, off-road mobility and transportability.  “We are pleased that the JLTV production contract, awarded to Oshkosh in August, is now moving forward to deliver the world’s most capable light tactical vehicle,” said U.S. Army Major General (Retired) John M. Urias, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corporation and president of Oshkosh Defense. “Our JLTV is designed to safely transport Soldiers and Marines as they perform their missions ‘outside the wire’ – providing unprecedented off-road speed and mobility on future battlefields that could be virtually anywhere in the world.” + + According to the JLTV production contract, Oshkosh will begin delivering vehicles within the next 10 months, reaching an expected total volume of nearly 17,000 vehicles, as well as kits and sustainment services over an eight-year period.  In designing its JLTV, Oshkosh leveraged its extensive experience producing and sustaining more than 150,000 heavy, medium and protected MRAP vehicles for the U.S. and its allies. The JLTV Family of Vehicles is comprised of two seat and four seat variants, as well as a companion trailer (JLTV-T). The two seat variant has one base vehicle platform, the Utility (JLTV-UTL). The four seat variant has two base vehicle platforms, the General Purpose (JLTV-GP) and the Close Combat Weapons Carrier (JLTV-CCWC).  Source: www.oshkoshcorporation.com/ ]]>2015-12-16 10:35:40https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/6-the-naval-general-dynamics-awarded-103-million-by-us-navy-for-virginia-class-submarine-workGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $102.8 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to provide research and development and lead-yard services for Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics. Under the contract, Electric Boat will undertake development studies and other work related to Virginia-class submarine design improvements. Additionally, Electric Boat will perform research and development work required to evaluate new technology to be inserted in newly built Virginia-class ships. + + This modification brings the cumulative value of the contract, initially awarded in 2010, to $1.1 billion. This work will engage Electric Boat’s engineering and design organization, which comprises more than 4,400 employees. Possessing proven technical capabilities, these employees work on all facets of the submarine life cycle from concept formulation and design through construction, maintenance and modernization, and eventually to inactivation and disposal. Source: www.baesystems.com/ ]]>2015-11-30 09:38:40https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/5-bae-systems-team-awarded-development-contract-for-us-marine-corps-acv-11-programThe U.S. Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems’ team a contract worth $103.7 million for the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase of the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1 program. The company, along with teammate IVECO Defence Vehicles, will deliver a solution that will be built from the ground up to be an amphibious vehicle and will provide significant capability improvements to satisfy the Marine Corps’ current and future needs. The award is one of two EMD contracts issued. During this phase, BAE Systems will produce 16 prototypes that will be tested by the Marine Corps beginning in the third quarter of 2016. Work on the vehicles will take place at BAE Systems’ facilities in Quantico, Virginia; San Jose, California; and York, Pennsylvania. BAE Systems’ ACV 1.1 solution is an advanced 8x8 open ocean-capable vehicle that is based on a platform developed by IVECO Defence Vehicles. It is equipped with a new 6-cylinder, 700HP power pack, which provides a significant power increase over the current Assault Amphibious Vehicle. The vehicle performs best in class mobility in all terrains and has a suspended interior seat structure for 13 embarked Marines, blast mitigating positions for a crew of three, and improved survivability and force protection over currently fielded systems. The team has conducted extensive risk mitigation testing and evaluation for swim, land mobility, and survivability capabilities that have proven the solution’s capabilities. Source: www.baesystems.com ]]>2015-11-27 10:48:36https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/4-thanksgiving-special-the-incotermsOnce you finally have found the part you were looking for, the next step is to ship them to the place you need. The incoterms are frequently used to determinate the payment responsibilities associated to the transport of each party, but beyond this, it also involves the point of transfer of costs, the point of transfer of risks and the business processing duties. Therefore they regulate who gets the documents of the goods and who pays possible customs costs; who is responsible for transport documents and their costs; who insures checks and packs the goods. The Terms Group E: Departure Ex works (EXW) is the only clause in this group. The seller provides the goods to the buyer at the seller’s own premises. Group F: Main carriage unpaid by seller These three clauses affect the main carriage which is not paid by the seller but he delivers either free to the carrier only (FCA), free to the long side of the ship (FAS) or free on board of the ship (FOB), every time to the named place or rather the port of dispatch. F-Terms are shipment contracts. Group C: Main carriage paid by seller The four C-clauses also affect the main carriage but only when paid by the seller. Either the seller pays only cost and freight (CFR) or cost, insurance and freight (CIF); both to the port of destination. With the clause “carriage paid to” (CPT) the seller even pays transportation to the point of destination. The clause “carriage and insurance paid to” (CIP) is the same as CPT but insurance is included. The passing of risk and cost of every C-term fall apart. C-clauses are also, like the F-clauses, shipment contracts because the seller fulfills his contractual obligations in the country of dispatch. The seller must contract for the carriage of the goods without assuming risk of loss of, or damage to the goods or additional costs due to events occurring after shipment. Group D: Arrival All clauses in this group are terms of arrival: delivered at terminal (DAT), delivered to the named place (DAP), or delivery duty paid (DDP) to the named place. The seller is not obliged to clear the goods for export in the country of destination except for DDP. The seller bears all costs and risk. EXW: Ex Works Seller Buyer FCA: Free Carrier Seller Buyer FAS: Free Alongside Ship Seller Buyer FAS: Free Alongside Ship Seller Buyer CFR: Cost and freight =FOB+costs Seller Buyer CIF: Cost, Insurance and Freight =CFR+insurance Seller Buyer CPT: Carrier Paid To Seller Buyer CIP: Carriage and Insurance Paid To=CPT+insurance Seller Buyer DAT: Delivered At Terminal Seller Buyer DAP: Delivered At Place Seller Buyer DDP: Delivered Duty Paid Seller Buyer How to choose the RIGHT Incoterm? There are several issues one should be aware of when choosing an Incoterm: The regulations of the buyer’s country: There are regulations in certain countries saying which terms must be used when goods are brought into the country. Standard practice: Some countries do not have regulations saying which terms must be used. When a party offers less favorable terms (for example FOB rather than DDP) one could miss out on the business. The used transport method: Some Incoterms are just for maritime and inland waterway transport. Availability of information: The seller and the buyer should be able to meet their obligations under the chosen term because there may be occasions when a party is not able to clear the goods for import or to get an import license (then the DDP term cannot be used). Customer service: One should use a competitive term which is suitable for buyer and seller and not only important for one party to get maybe an advantage from that. When choosing an Incoterm clause, one has to be especially aware of matching the content of the clause in detail with the content of contract incidentally. Furthermore the choice of certain Incoterms has repercussions on the matching freight arrangements, letter of credit arrangements and insurance arrangements. Source:  www.lawteacher.net www.areadepymes.com ]]>2015-11-25 20:02:52https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/3-whats-the-nsn- The acronym NSN means NATO Stock Number, it’s a 13 digit number that identifies a unique Item of Supply, the last 9 number are called NIIN, NATO Item Identification Number, it is invariable and remains associated with the item of supply throughout its life cycle. The NSN is divided into 3 parts: The first 4 digits are the NATO Supply Classification Code and relate the IoS to the group and class of similar Items of Supply. The next 2 digits indicate the NCB assigning the NSN.  The final 7 digits of a NSN are computer allocated and have no inherent significance other than to uniquely identify the IoS to which they are allocated. NATO Supply Classification Code (NSC) NATO Code for National Codification Bureau (NCB) Non-Significant Number 1005 13 123-4567   NATO Item Identification Number (NIIN) 13-123-4567 NATO Stock Number (NSN) 1005-13-123-4567 With all those references, the NATO has a catalogue, The NATO Master Catalogue of References for Logistics, with descriptions and technical data, designed to achieve the maximum effectiveness in logistics support and to facilitate material data management. It is necessary to record manufacturers' names against codified Items. To meet this requirement, a 5 character NATO Commercial and Government Entity Code (NCAGE), is assigned to each manufacturer. Every part number listed on NSNs in the NCS is accompanied by a NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) code. These five character codes identify exactly who the manufacturer or other organization is. Military inventories are complex and comprehensive in their content. To enable efficient management of these complex inventories in the NCS the components of the inventory are split into a hierarchical structure of discrete Groups and Classes. Each Group is formed by Items of Supply of the same physical or performance characteristics or utilization in the same application, and is indicated by a 2 digit code (NATO Supply Group) NSG. Within each Group, Items of Supply are further divided into Classes. These Classes are indicated by an additional 2 digit code forming, together with the Group code, a 4 digit NATO Supply Classification (NSC). The NATO Supply Classification System is uniform throughout all nations and each IoS concept identified using this System will be assigned a unique 4 digit Classification code. The NSN is a uniform, adaptable, simple, stable, and compatible number, which actually records more than 10 million different Items of Supply]]>2015-11-24 09:50:46https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/2-lockheed-martin-and-multicut-as-announce-award-notification-for-f-35-lightning-ii-work We open our new weekly section Highlight News, with this Lockheed Martin release about F-35 aircrafts. Lockheed Martin notified Multicut A/S of a pending contract award to manufacture aluminum machined details and assemblies for the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft in a ceremony past November 12th.   Multicut A/S, a precision component manufacturer in Vildbjerg, Demark, received notification of its down select for this contract award notification for aluminum components such as brackets and fittings for the F-35. It is the first work that Multicut will perform directly for Lockheed Martin during this three-year agreement, and positions Multicut and Danish Industry for future opportunities. “Multicut and other Danish companies are participating in a truly international, highly innovative ‘next generation’ program, which will endure for more than 40 years. Should Denmark select the F-35, Danish companies will be involved in the construction of the F-35 global fleet, and potentially in sustainment of the F-35 over the entire lifecycle of the program.” said Jack Crisler, Lockheed Martin F-35 vice president. “We are extremely proud to receive this contract award, signifying our commitment to providing best value and the highest quality components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” said Lars Rasmussen, Multicut A/S chief executive officer.   Source: www.lockheedmartin.com ]]>2015-11-19 12:48:32https://natopart.com/en/blog/post/1-welcome-to-spare-room-the-natoparts-blog This blog will allow their followers to learn more about the world around the NSN numbers, the searching of spare parts for commercial and military projects, products for maritime, aerospace, or defense vehicles in general application’s, and to be updated in the most relevant news in the sector.  To start, let’s take a look at the benefits of the NATO Codification System (NCS), which includes operational and economic advantages. With the use of a standard numerical system to identify spares, it establishes a common supply language that simplifies the technical dialogue, which standardizes a full range of information on all Items of supply (IoS). An IoS is an Item of Production which a responsible supply management authority has determined as being required to meet a specific logistics requirement. A single Nato Stock Number Interchangeable from one or several manufacturers items of supply Quality controlled. Precise tolarance NSN to differentiate it in the production run This along with the use of computer technology to support data means that the acquisition of spare parts and maintenance of common equipment gets quicker and easier. An accurate description of the IoS permit users readily identifies spares or substitute them with other who meet the requirements. Nearly 50% of the components of the components used in the design of new equipment are already codified in the NATO inventory, this becomes an economic benefit, reducing the production of new IoS concept. The database should permit a better knowledge of the stocked parts, but this is not always completely fulfilled. The facilitation for developing guidelines, effectiveness, and the promotion of recycling because of the knowledge of the hazardous and precious materials that compose the Item are other interesting advantages. ]]>2015-11-17 15:04:10