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As at past shows exhibitors at Defexpo 2006 focused on
new or upgraded systems and modernization programs for improving
current systems instead of new construction main battle tanks. As in
the previous show, the new T-90 was absent, and the only MBTs on
display were the indigenous Arjun and Experimental EX developed by the
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The Indian
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) unveiled several new programs, including
the Tarmour, which based on T-55 chassis that have been
extensively modified for use as armored personnel carriers. IMI chose
Defexpo to launch its new hard-kill protection system,
Iron Fist, which
competes with RAFAEL's Trophy.
Two additional active protection systems on display were the Ukrainian
Zaslon, and the South-African High Speed Directed Launcher (HSDL)
from Saab-Aviatronics. The F-3
LRF Deceptor was also on display. The F-3 generates false ranging
return signals to laser rangefinders causing enemy tanks to fire with
incorrect range data.
Several other types of armored vehicles were displayed. Trojan,
a mine protected armored vehicle developed and produced by OFB, is in
series production for the Indian Army and for export. OFB is offering
this heavily armored vehicle, which is designed to withstand small
arms, IEDs and anti-tank mines, as a rapid intervention and
counter-insurgency vehicle. According to OFB sources, the Trojan
production line has had to be expanded to accommodate new orders from
the Indian Army and from the new Iraqi Army.
Another vehicle on display was the
RG-31 from South Africa.
This vehicle has become popular since its procurement and successful
operations by the US Marine Corps in Iraq. A new face at Defexpo was
the Indian company Vectra Engineering Materials, which displayed the
Vectra, a Humvee sized, light armored, multi-purpose vehicle. At a
gross loaded weight of 6 tons, this 4x4 vehicle has full protection
against 7.62 armor piercing ammunition, a 360 degree rotating cupola,
bulletproof windshield or and firing and observation ports at the
sides and rear. The vehicle is powered by a 235 HP Cummins B 235 turbo
diesel engine, and has a 5 speed automatic transmission. The Vectra
can travel at 125 km/h on roads, 40 km/h cross country, and has a
maximum range of 1,000 km.
Several new designs for the protection of
Humvee
vehicles were on display at the US Army pavilion. The
up-armored
M-1114 Humvee was displayed by Armor Holdings. Battelle displayed
another armor kit for the vehicle, demonstrated by armored door
replacement sections, which are part of a field installable kit for
protecting the vehicle from mines and projectiles. The panels are a
combination of composites and titanium plates. Armor-Works
demonstrated the Ballistic Advantage lightweight armor kit for a
Humvee based, two-door assault truck. This kit included underbody mine
protection, protected doors, bed side and blast protection and a gun
mount. During combat tests at Fallujah in Iraq actual IEDs were only
able to cause minor damage to the vehicle. |
