A new mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle, built specifically for the mountainous Afghan terrain, parks next to a larger MRAP, MaxxPro Dash. The first M-ATVs designated for Southern Afghanistan arrived at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, by air transport, Oct. 22, 2009. US Army photo.

Current news: Aerospace | Land Systems: Armor | Infantry | Missiles | Electronics | Navy | Unmanned Systems | Homeland Security

Airbag Counter RPG System Completes Test Phase
Brazil Receives ex-German Leopard 1A5 MBTs
M-ATV arrive in Afghanistan
India Plans Acquisition of 300 Light Tanks
Heavier Vehicles to be Based on Iveco's LMV
BAE, Nammo Expand Presence in Poland

Brazil Receives ex-German Leopard 1A5 MBTs

The Brazilian Army received the first of 220 modernized Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, delivered by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) from the German Army surplus. The refurbishment and delivery of all 220 tanks will be is concluded by 2012. the German Army has retired all its Leopard 1 tanks six years ago. However, this model is still in service with the armored corps of Belgium, Chile, Greece, Italy and Turkey. Germany has also decommissioned some of its Leopard 2A4 units, which were sold as surplus stock to Canada and Singapore.

M-ATV arrive in Afghanistan

The first mine–resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles (M-ATV) designated for southern Afghanistan arrived at Kandahar, Afghanistan on October 22 by air transport. The eight vehicles will be used to train drivers and mechanics with units selected to receive the new vehicle.

India Plans Acquisition of 300 Light Tanks

The Indian army is planning to acquire 300 light tanks for operation in the mountainous regions along the borders with China and Pakistan, in the Jammu and Kashmir in northern Indian Himalaya and Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the northeast.

Heavier Vehicles to be Based on Iveco's LMV

Iveco is planning to expand the line of Light Multi-Purpose Vehicle (LMV). Among the current versions displayed at DSEi 2009 (shown in the photo above) were the standard short wheel base 4-man cab version used by the Italian Army, a two man chassis cab on a long wheel base used for utility transport and a chassis reconfigurable to carry a shelter or a weapon system. The company is also developing with the British company Ricardo a three-seater special mission version, utilizing the short or long version. An expanded version, reaching a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tons is also in development allowing designers to integrate heavier armor protection solutions.

Airbag Counter RPG System Completes Test Phase

Textron Defense Systems' Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Airbag Protection System, (TRAPS), has recently completed the first phase of testing at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) in Socorro, New Mexico. During these tests the system defeated live RPGs fired at different angles and from both short and long ranges. Phase II testing is expected to commence soon, utilizing an MRAP type vehicle as a test platform. (read more...)

BAE, Nammo Expand Presence in Poland

BAE Systems has signed an exclusive teaming agreement with Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) of Poland. The Polish engineering and manufacturing company will form the basis of collaboration that may ultimately see production of the RG31 mine protected vehicle take place in Poland, should it be selected to protect members of the Polish armed forces involved in international peace-keeping and security operations. The Norwegian Nammo Group is also strengthening its ties in Poland, announcing a strategic co-operation agreement with Bumar. Both BAE and Nammo are cooperating with their partners in the past 10 years. Nammo is currently producing medium caliber ammunition for M61A1 20mm cannon and 30mm guns mounted on the Polish Infantry Fighting Vehicles. The closer cooperation will enable Nammo to increase their support to Bumar subsidiaries such as ZM Mesko, ZM Dezamet and ZPS Gamrat Sp.