In this series, we provide an overview of current arms procurements and developments worldwide at the beginning of each month. Today we include news from the USA, Hungary, Canada, France, Japan and Austria.
The German defense contractor Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) was awarded a contract by the Hungarian Land Forces in December 2018 for the delivery of 44 newly manufactured Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks and 24 newly manufactured PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers (report). The deal also includes twelve used Leopard 2A4 tanks for training purposes, the first four of which were received by Defense Minister Tibor Benkö at the Tata barracks a few days ago. The other eight 2A4 Leos are to be delivered by the end of the year, with the new 2A7s expected to be delivered from 2023. Apart from Germany, only Denmark and Hungary will then have the most modern Leopard variant.
The Sikorsky CH-53K heavy transport helicopter continues to make good progress. Following the introduction of the “King Stallion” in the USA, Sikorsky owner Lockheed Martin handed over the first simulator to the US Marine Corps (USMC) in June, the airlifter has completed a series of tests in recent weeks. as reported more than 360 take-offs and landings on the helicopter carrier USS Wasp under some very demanding conditions for test purposes. These developments are also of interest to the German Bundeswehr, as Sikorsky is participating with the CH-53K together with German industrial partners such as Rheinmetall in the current tender for the procurement of the new heavy transport helicopter.
A huge arms deal is about to be finalized in the Far East: After Japan announced its desire for 105 more F-35s back in December 2018, the US Department of Defense has now agreed to the sale of 63 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs (to be stationed on modified Izumo-class helicopter carriers) and informed Congress of its intention to buy. The total volume of the package is more than 20 billion euros and will be largely supplied by manufacturer Lockheed Martin Japan had already ordered a total of 42 F-35A Lightning IIs in December 2011. The first six aircraft were built at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, while the final assembly of the remaining 38 aircraft was carried out at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagoya. A detailed report on the new procurement can be found here can be read here. Major air business is also on the horizon in North America: As reported specified Saab specified its concept for 88 Gripen-Es for Canada at the end of the month. In addition to the Swedish manufacturer, Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin (with the F-35 Lightning II) and Boeing (F/A-18E/F Super Hornet) are also in the running to succeed the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-188. The Swedish aircraft manufacturer recently handed over the first of three Global Eye aircraft to the United Arab Emirates and, as part of the restructuring of active and passive airspace surveillance, is also raising hopes in Austria that Saab C/D could succeed the little-loved Eurofighter. In an interview with Militär Aktuell Saab Sales Executive Per Alriksson explains what a single-fleet solution with Gripen C/D as a replacement for Eurofighter and Saab-105Ö could look like and how quickly new jets could be delivered. “Should Austria decide to replace its current fleet with a single-fleet solution, brand-new aircraft would be delivered directly from the Swedish factory in Linköping within 24 months of the contract being signed,” says Alriksson.
Speaking of Austria: at the end of July, three of the BvS10 Hägglunds from BAE Systems procured by the Austrian Armed Forces arrived at Jäger Battalion 23 in the Pontlatz barracks in Landeck for trials (report). The aim is now to develop the future standardized operational procedures and training of the vehicles in the 6th Mountain Brigade and throughout the army. The successor to the Alouette III transport helicopter stationed in Aigen im Ennstal has still not been decided. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner is known to be aiming for a government-to-government deal for the successor, with possible candidates reportedly being the AW169 from Leonardo and the H145 from Airbus Helicopters. The German manufacturer provides the fleet of the ÖAMTC air rescue service with the H145 predecessor H135 and presented the new five-blade variant of the H145 at the ÖAMTC base at Wiener Neustadt Airport at the end of July (see video below). Among the interested parties were numerous journalists and ÖAMTC representatives as well as Cobra members; however, the invited representatives of the Austrian Armed Forces did not attend the event. According to reports, the Austrian Armed Forces are planning to procure twelve machines for deployment and a further six for training purposes.
Also worth mentioning: The German armed forces ordered as reported 280 million euros from Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann 24 Leguan systems on Leopard 2 chassis, training simulators, additional equipment and transport systems. The systems are due to enter service between 2023 and 2028. The US armed forces, on the other hand, have as reported ordered nine new CH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters in the Special Operation Forces (SOF) configuration for around 250 million euros and took delivery of the first new G28E/HK417 sniper rifles from Heckler & Koch. The introduction to the infantry brigades is set to begin in September, and a total of 6,000 of the sniper rifles will be delivered by the end of 2021. Russia, in turn, is planning massive investments in its fleet: at the end of July, President Vladimir Putin announced the commissioning of 40 new warships in the coming years as well as the introduction of the SS-N-33 Zircon hypersonic missile and the UGM-73 Poseidon underwater nuclear drone at the “Navy Day”.
There is also news from France: Paris is planning to purchase three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft to replace its three E-2C Hawkeye carrier-based early warning aircraft. France has therefore applied to the US government for a corresponding export license. According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the US State Department has approved the sale. The order is worth around 1.8 billion euros and, in addition to the three aircraft, also includes ten replacement engines, three AN/APY-9 radars, GPS receivers, battlefield surveillance consoles, friend-or-foe detection systems and two ground-based electronics laboratories, technical documentation and logistical support.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the Security & Industry section of our new website. There you will find the latest news, analyses, reports and articles from the Austrian and international security industry, including this A look behind the scenes from our visit to the Upper Austrian military glove manufacturer ESKA.
