• 3,500 MRAPs will Protect US Forces in Iraq by Year's End
• BAE Systems Introduces LORD -an Aluminum Based Counter-RPG Bar-Armor
• US Navy Exercises Options for more CREW Counter IED Jammers
• Pentagon Opts for Bigger RG-33s
• IMI Introduces an "Urban Fighter" M-113
• Successful Trial for the Russian Triumf S-400 SAM
• India, Israel to Jointly Develop Medium-Range Surface/Air Missile
• Russia Plans Six Carrier Battlegroups by 2025
• Armor Holdings Get Orders for 1170 Caiman FMTV based MRAPs

Stumble It!

Recent News Analysis:

• The Jordanian Badr Brigade - Can it Save Abu Mazen's West Bank?
  The Palestinian Fatah movement is eager to project a new image - no longer brutal terrorists - meet the new Fatah - ordinary cops with polished boots and well-pressed uniforms, assisting in the splendidly routine business of maintaining law and order among their own people. They May be able to sell this image abroad but can they hold against their own millitants, from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad?
  
• Could Israel's Immunity Gestures Restore Terror in the West Bank?
  Israel would do well to announce it will no longer interfere in Palestinian life. Not in punishing Hamas nor in compensating Fatah; not in unnecessary targeted killings nor in delusional prisoner releases.

To receive Defense Update newsbrief by Email please enter your Email: Powered by FeedBlitz Subscribe to get our upcoming features first Upcoming Events (July - August2007): NEW! 2008 Plan is now online AUVSI 2006 - 7-9 August, Washington, DC USA FPED 2007 - 14 - 18 August - Stafford, Virginia USA TADTE 2007 - 16-19 August - Taipei, Taiwan MAKS 2007 - 21 - 26 August, Moscow, Russia
	3,500 MRAPs will Protect US Forces in Iraq by Year's End The Pentagon plans to deploy about 3,500 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles to Iraq by the year's end, to help protecting US troops battling improvised explosive devices. The armoured trucks, designed with raised chassis and a V-shaped undercarriage are built to withstand the devastating effects of buried IEDs, mines and roadside IEDs. Initially, MRAPs completed in the USA will be air transported to Iraq.
	BAE Systems' LORD - an Aluminum Based Counter-RPG Bar-Armor BAE Systems developed a lightweight, modular bar-armor system designed to protect armored vehicles from attack by RPGs. The US Army has already tested the armor and expressed interest in procuring armor kits for the entire RG31 and RG31A1 vehicle fleet. It also is a candidate for use on the DoD's mine-resistant, ambush-protected family of vehicles.
	Pentagon Opts for Bigger RG-33s BAE Systems Land & Armaments received US$22 million in addition to their recently awarded MRAP to change vehicle type from the basic Category I (4x4) originally ordered into larger and heavier Category II (6x6 versions). The order refers to 239 MRAP armored vehicles scheduled for delivery within 12 months (July 2008). The MRAP version produced by BAE Systems is designated RG-33.
	US Navy Exercises Options for more CREW Counter IED Jammers The US Navy is exercising options to buy 3,000 additional vehicle-mounted, Counter- Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems worth about US$210 million, to be produced by EDO Communications & Countermeasures Systems. Systems delivery is expected to complete by August 2008. In April this year EDO received the initial $88 million order for 1,100 Crew 2.1 systems. these Spiral 2.1 CREW systems are vehicle mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of RCIED. The Vehicle Mounted CREW system us one element of the DoD's Joint Counter RCIED Electronic Warfare program.
	IMI Introduces an "Urban Fighter" M-113 IMI is introducing a modernized M-113 called "Urban Fighter" designed specifically for low-intensity operations such as stability and sustainment in urban areas. The prototype vehicle designated "Urban Fighter" was delivered to the Israel Defense Forces where it will be tested to evaluate its suitability to support operations in the west bank area. IMI expects the IDF to decide on potential procurements after the tests completion. The modification transforms the M-113 (Gavin) from a troop carrier to more versatile patrol vehicle, far better equipped to meet modern threats including roadside improvised explosive devices (RSIED) of the latest types, including Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFP) and Explosively Formed Fragments (EFF) as well as from RPGs. Large, transparent armor windows enable effective observation, driving and situational awareness as well as counterfire from within the vehicle. According to IMI, an "Urban Fighter" could be rolled out of the upgrading line within few weeks and at tenth of the price currently paid for less protected MRAP.
	Successful Trial for the Russian Triumf S-400 SAM Last week the Russian Air Force successfully tested the new S-400 Triumpf air defense missile system. The long range anti-aircraft / anti-missile system is capable of intercepting targets considered 'difficult' for contemporary air defense systems, including 'stealth' aircraft and long-range, high flying targets such as the early warning and control (AWACS) platforms. Unlike its predecessor (the S-300), the Triumf is equipped with a homing warheads and therefore, can be employed beyond the range of its guidance radar (up to 400 km). The Triumf missile is capable of intercepting medium range (3,500km) ballistic missiles and is expected to be fielded by 2015 defending strategic locations in Russia, including Moscow.
	India, Israel to Jointly Develop Medium-Range Surface/Air Missile India and Israel agreed to jointly develop a new long range, land-based air defense system to replace the aging Pechora (SA-3 GOA) missiles currently in service with the Indian Air Force. Covering a range of 70 km, the new missile will almost double the range of the 60km vertically launched Barak 8 shipborne missile (also known as Barak NG) currently being developed for the Indian and Israeli Navies under a US$480 million five year program launched in early 2006. The new system is expected to streamline with the original Barak 8 schedule, adding about $300 million to the program development cost. In its decision last week the Indian Government earmarked a total funding of about Rs10,000 crore (about US$2.5 billion) for the medium range surface-to-air missiles (MR-SAM) project.
	Russia Plans Six Carrier Battlegroups by 2025 By the year 2025 Russia plans to increase its ocean going fleet size to a total of 300 battleships, exceeding the level it maintained during the 'cold war'. The Russian Navy plans to maintain six battlegroups, each consisting of an aircraft carrier and various combat support and auxiliary ships. Three attack groups are to be based in the Northern Fleet with three others in the Pacific Fleet. This expansion will address Russia's strategic aspirations especially its territorial demands in the melting arctic zone.
	Armor Holdings to Supply 1,170 'Caiman' FMTV based MRAPs Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems, a subsidiary of BAE Systems' Armor Holdings Inc. will supply the US Marine Corps 1,170 'Caiman' FMTV based Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles under a second order worth over half a billion US$ ($518 million) firm-fixed-priced delivery order including 1,154 4x4 Category I vehicles and 16 Category II (6x6) vehicles to be delivered by February 2008. The Caiman vehicle is based on Stewart Stevenson's FMTV truck chasis, applied with bullet proof armor and IED protection to fulfil the MRAP mission.