International Army News Thread

[Ananda]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1731318994030752154

Iran finally fields new main battle tank

After an extensive decade-long development phase, the Iranian Army Ground Forces have successfully integrated their latest main battle tank into their ground vehicle fleet. The new T-72F tank is a testament to Iran’s indigenous defense capabilities, representing an enhanced iteration of the...

defence-blog.com

Iran Indegenous MBT seems become operational. Having frames that derive from T-72 design, but with Indegenous turret design.

 

[swerve]

.... Poland however dont have a big enough economy to sustain the development of a new MBT... their GDP is only the 6th of the EU and just 1/8 of the german one. ...

6th nominal (after Netherlands), but 5th at purchasing power parity (after Spain).

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Very important news from Europe.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/italys-leonardo-franco-german-knds-create-tank-alliance-2023-12-13/

Leonardo, KNDS forge European industry alliance for next-gen tanks

The team-up will kickstart Italy’s involvement in the Main Ground Combat System and secure the country a spot at the table for Leopard 2 A8 upgrades.

www.defensenews.com

Official press release:

KNDS and LEONARDO form strategic alliance | KNDS Group

KNDS and the media. Find out more about the latest news of KNDS.

www.knds.com

 

[swerve]

Also mentions the Dardo, suggesting it's out of date. It's newer than the CV90. If out of date, it's only because of lack of modernisation.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Also mentions the Dardo, suggesting it's out of date. It's newer than the CV90. If out of date, it's only because of lack of modernisation.

Dardo is a very obsolete vehicle, designed and produced when it was already old.
It has several flaws and the Army never really wanted to modernize it (but ended up using it till today because of lack of funds).
Its successor, the AICS, will begin production in the coming years...

 

[kato]

To be fair the CV90 was also fairly obsolete (with regard to then-current requirements) when it was developed. Difference is of course that those shortcomings were to a large extent rectified in subsequent versions.

Mentioning the Dardo replacement is rather interesting though. After all Leonardo had originally aligned with Iveco for AICS, with Rheinmetall Italia pushing for Lynx for a while instead in their usual manner. So, basically KNDS cutting in against Rheinmetall on this new front now.

 

[koxinga]

Yet another T-72 upgrade, this time from India.

The problems with marketing T-72 upgrades are well known; operators of T-72s tend to be price sensitive and are not exactly in the market for the best. Deep modernizations to deliver significant capability improvements are usually too expensive and never found large buyers. The Ukrainians/Czechs should know. They have been pitching various T-72 upgrade packages for decades.

A new T-90 turret would likely cost significantly more than a used T-72 chasiss so it is an odd starting point, nevermind the reliability of such used chassis.

India Creates Strange Hybrid of T-72 and T-90 With Reduced Mobility | Defense Express

An interesting attempt to revitalize old Soviet tanks

en.defence-ua.com

India’s Hybrid Tank: Atharva Unveiled – Merging T-72 Power with T-90 Prowess – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

 

[Ananda]

Couple photos from Army Recognition FB sites on Saudi's defense industry products in Riyadh Defense.



Interesting design for Saudi's SAMI on 155mm Truck Mounted Self Propelled gun.

 

[Ananda]

While China, Russia also participate alongside with Western Industry in Riyadh. After all this is big defense market, and they open almost every one to enter.


Norinco Point Defense.


Rosoboron 4x4


UK Ajax makes debut in Riyadh.

 

[Ananda]

North Korea media circulating Kim's new MBT, and circulating in some Korean and defense enthusiasts sites. The pictures shown him try to maneuver one of them in driving seat. I wonder if he really drive that MBT or sit on top real driver.

Not much talk tough on specifications of new MBT. However not surprising if some Russianor Chinese parts being used of licensing by North Korean.

M-2020 이라 불리는 북한 신형전차 훈련모습 공개

3세대급 북한 신형 M-2020전차 훈련장면 공개및 김정은 직접 조종하며 전쟁준비 과시조선중앙통신은 김정은 북한 국무위원장이 지난......

bemil.chosun.com

Add article on this Tanks from Bemil Chosun, which being call temporary as M2020. Not much info added but more pictures on the exercise.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

View attachment 51218View attachment 51219

North Korea media circulating Kim's new MBT, and circulating in some Korean and defense enthusiasts sites. The pictures shown him try to maneuver one of them in driving seat. I wonder if he really drive that MBT or sit on top real driver.

Not much talk tough on specifications of new MBT. However not surprising if some Russianor Chinese parts being used of licensing by North Korean.

M-2020 이라 불리는 북한 신형전차 훈련모습 공개

3세대급 북한 신형 M-2020전차 훈련장면 공개및 김정은 직접 조종하며 전쟁준비 과시조선중앙통신은 김정은 북한 국무위원장이 지난......

bemil.chosun.com

Add article on this Tanks from Bemil Chosun, which being call temporary as M2020. Not much info added but more pictures on the exercise.

This high-tech top-notch state-of-the-art MBT is not only driven by the Great Leader himself, but is also of course designed by him and constructed under his direct personal supervision. Because of it's superior characteristics compared to the Abrams M1A3, Challenger III, K2A1 Black Panther, Leopard 2A18 and T-14M Armata II, it will flood soon the export market.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Maybe a weird question, but what do they mean with "fly-to-buy" missiles?
Missiles a potential customer can test before they make a decision or something? Or missiles the manufacturer use to demonstrate the capabilities?

Morocco – Javelin Missiles | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil

 

[SolarisKenzo]

It will be interesting to see the future developments of this program.

France and Germany sign off on future battle tank system

Defense officials in Berlin are expected to award contracts for an initial demonstrator phase by year's end.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Ananda]

A South Korean weapons company once seen as a dinosaur is now churning out howitzers twice as fast as its Western competitors

As the war in Ukraine rages and the world looks to conventional arms manufacturing, South Korea has emerged as a rising player in the industry.

www.businessinsider.com

Hanwha Aerospace now getting acknowledgement, as rising in defense market. The acknowledgement also attribute to their persistence on artillery system that before consider by other players as outdated.

Shown the 21st century war is seems not something that as predicted before. Old fashion 20th century ones still has place to play.

 

[Ananda]

China 'Locks Horns' With Australia In Fierce Battle In South America; Both Look To Win 'Troubled' Avibras Deal

Australian defense company DefendTex’s ambitious plans to purchase the financially troubled Brazilian missile manufacturer Avibras and build advanced rockets in regional Australia have hit a major roadblock. In a dramatic twist, Chinese state-owned defense conglomerate Norinco has entered the...

www.eurasiantimes.com

This I already heard few days before, on potential bidding war for Avibras. Present Brazilian administration are closer with BRICS, then previously one. Thus this Norinco bid really going to be a challenge for Aussies contender.

As big users for Avibras Astros MLRS, perhaps Indonesia should also back Pindad to make counter bid. We'll at least if they (SOE Ministry and MinDef) willing to use the Investment budget for that.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

China 'Locks Horns' With Australia In Fierce Battle In South America; Both Look To Win 'Troubled' Avibras Deal

Australian defense company DefendTex’s ambitious plans to purchase the financially troubled Brazilian missile manufacturer Avibras and build advanced rockets in regional Australia have hit a major roadblock. In a dramatic twist, Chinese state-owned defense conglomerate Norinco has entered the...

www.eurasiantimes.com

This I already heard few days before, on potential bidding war for Avibras. Present Brazilian administration are closer with BRICS, then previously one. Thus this Norinco bid really going to be a challenge for Aussies contender.

As big users for Avibras Astros MLRS, perhaps Indonesia should also back Pindad to make counter bid. We'll at least if they (SOE Ministry and MinDef) willing to use the Investment budget for that.

|" Norinco bid really going to be a challenge for Aussies contender.

As big users for Avibras Astros MLRS, perhaps Indonesia should also back Pindad to make counter bid. We'll at least if they (SOE Ministry and MinDef) willing to use the Investment budget for that."|

No that will 100% guaranteed not happen. Even against Australia there will be not enough budget and political willingness, let alone against china with an almost unlimited budget.

And maybe buying the design or just licence manufacturing does require a much smaller budget.

 

[Ananda]

Even against Australia there will be not enough budget and political willingness, let alone against china with an almost unlimited budget.

If only against Australian DefendTex, I do believe there will be Investment budget from SOE ministry to provide counter bid. DefendTex come forward more as commercial deal (B to B). However against Norinco that's potentially another story.

However the second thing that you put on Political willingness is going to be the Problem. Despite the talk on Defense Investment include in there action to acquire overseas defense firm or building JV, but the implementation is far from that. Couple years ago there's talk between Pindad with Avibras on potential building co-op in build Rocket-Missiles for domestically manufactured Astros, including potential JV. This change lately as seems the intention already move to Turkiye Roketsan as partner for domestic missiles program.

The advancement bif from Norinco is quite puzzling for me. I can understand perhaps Norinco attraction to add Avibras defense products in their portfolio. However not much additional capabilities that Avibras later on can add toward Norinco existing portfolio. Thus it is quite minimum addition. Unless Norinco looking enlarge export penetration using Avibras name.

Still I got sense Norinco bid more influence on political factor then commercial ones.

 

[Ananda]

The Russians Bolted 1950s Naval Guns To Armored Tractors—And Produced Nearly Useless Combat Vehicles

It’s apparent the Frankenstein’s monster of a combat vehicle is even less than the sum of its crude components.

www.forbes.com

Remember this ? When Russian come out with this idea, many including my self question this. Some media pundits in West ridicule that as sign of Russian desperation (well no surprises from Western mainstream media pundits).

However the war in Ukraine especially the nature of drones usage is basically unprecedented. Basically even some (more respectable) military pundits in West even admitted, that NATO forces will also taken by surprises on the level of drones usage.

Thus seems using naval gun on armoured carriers or truck has merit on the idea. Now seems even BAe take a look on the idea, and improved it. It is off course much better set.ip and more modern with better sensors support. However for me, it is basically same idea.

Eurosatory 2024: BAE Systems Bofors introduces Tridon Mk2 air-defence system

BAE Systems Bofors will introduce the Tridon Mk2 air-defence system at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition to be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June.

www.janes.com

 

[Big_Zucchini]

The Russians Bolted 1950s Naval Guns To Armored Tractors—And Produced Nearly Useless Combat Vehicles

It’s apparent the Frankenstein’s monster of a combat vehicle is even less than the sum of its crude components.

www.forbes.com

Remember this ? When Russian come out with this idea, many including my self question this. Some media pundits in West ridicule that as sign of Russian desperation (well no surprises from Western mainstream media pundits).

However the war in Ukraine especially the nature of drones usage is basically unprecedented. Basically even some (more respectable) military pundits in West even admitted, that NATO forces will also taken by surprises on the level of drones usage.

Thus seems using naval gun on armoured carriers or truck has merit on the idea. Now seems even BAe take a look on the idea, and improved it. It is off course much better set.ip and more modern with better sensors support. However for me, it is basically same idea.

Eurosatory 2024: BAE Systems Bofors introduces Tridon Mk2 air-defence system

BAE Systems Bofors will introduce the Tridon Mk2 air-defence system at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition to be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June.

www.janes.com

Mockery is directed at the execution of the idea, not the thought that more air defenses are needed. Sorry but how is this going to hit anything?

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1698702830830227759

Behind every jihadi looking Russian AFV there is some logic devised from low tactical level needs. But instead of institutionalizing it and getting a centralized workshop or factory do conversions on dozens or hundreds of vehicles, to the same standards and with basic refinement of the concept to get better results, instead every vehicle is a one-off modification likely done in the field or some improvized field workshop that isn't really coordinating with other parallel workshops with their own lessons and knowledge.
Before entering Gaza, the IDF quickly passed a roof cage design to its factories and workshops, instructed soldiers how to install them in the field, and the end result was a unitary design providing uniform protection across all units.
That was on October 16th, by the way, just a little over a week after the October 7th attack. Russia is past 2 years of war in Ukraine and still every tank and APC looks completely unique among the vast Russian army.



There's a reason none really mocks this thing, which far predates the Russo-Ukrainian war.

 

[Ananda]

is directed at the execution of the idea, not the thought that more air defenses are needed. Sorry but how is this going to hit anything?

Is it though ? Looking on the way those mainstream media pundits put their so call 'assesment', is more anything come from Russia is stupid and desperate. Anything to spite Russia.

Despite Western media and politicians put Ukraine vs Russia as David vs Goliath, it is clearly misleading. Ukraine have larger Army then most of Nato in Europe (asside Turkiye). Russia do get desperate on finding something fast to provide solutions. That's what they shown so far, scrambling on solutions and work out and developing whichever idea or model that work.