Mil News Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus, South Caucasus, Central Asia Military

[BravoZulu]

The Blue Spear mobile anti-ship missile system arrived in Estonia. The government made the decision to purchase the missiles, which an Israeli and Singaporean joint venture produced in 2020. The project will cost €100 million, including infrastructure investments and future costs. The missiles will strike sea and land targets with a range of 290 kilometers.
Estonia purchased the Blue Spear, a fifth-generation missile developed by the Israel-Singapore joint company, in 2022, becoming the first country to buy the system.
Rockets can be fired from land or from a ship, and in any weather. It is a long-range missile that will strengthen Estonia's ability to deter enemy activity in the Baltic Sea.
"This, in particular, contributes to the Baltic Fleet's activities in preventing specific adversary activities. In the case of an attack, the adversary cannot, for example, transfer its air defences to the sea to support aircraft operations in our airspace. Also, this could potentially challenge the security of military supplies to Kaliningrad Oblast," Commander of the Estonian Défense Forces, Gen. Martin Herem, said.
A Coastal Defense Division, comprised of over one hundred active and enlisted personnel, is formed in support of the missile system. A number of personnel have already completed the training.
Initially, the missiles will be mounted on vehicles, and in the future, we will develop a sea-launch capability.
"We are certainly in a critical shortage of specialists with a knowledge of electronics – mechatronics engineers – who can manage and develop systems." Navy Capt. Johan-Elias Seljamaa, deputy commander of the Estonian Navy, said.
Similar missile systems are being bought by the Latvians, the Finns are already using them.

https://news.err.ee/1609249344/long-range-anti-ship-missile-system-arrives-in-estonia

 

[TheKiwi]

290km range seemed somewhat overkill for Estonia although in saying that it does cover the distance between Tallinn and St. Petersburg.

 

[Soldier35]

The Ukrainian Army will receive EFA CEFA self-propelled pontoon bridges made in France. The EFA self-propelled pontoon bridge was developed by Chaudronnerie et Forges d'Alsace and has been in use since 1993. The self-propelled bridge ferry EFA differs from the usual bridge layers that transport pontoon bridges; the EFA can also be used as an amphibious transporter. The single EFA amphibious transporter creates a 34.55 meter long ferry. Two EFA amphibians connected together on a ramp can transport cargo weighing up to 150 tons. In one hour, the EFA amphibian is capable of covering about 10 water crossings with a length of 100 meters. The self-propelled bridge ferry EFA has a 4-person crew and is used by France and the United Arab Emirates.

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[Soldier35]

The Ukrainian army began to actively use the American M1A1SA Abrams tank, and videos of them began to appear more and more often. One of the M1A1 Abrams tanks was spotted on the streets of Berdychi, in the Avdiivka direction; the footage was taken by an unknown UAV. As you can see in the video, the M1A1SA Abrams tank is not equipped with additional protection against drones, but it is equipped with ARAT dynamic protection, which we previously talked about. The tank moved through the streets of Berdych i alone without escort. According to the latest data, the tank was destroyed by a FPV drone and a grenade launcher.

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[Soldier35]

The Ukrainian army began to record the appearance of UFOs over the territory of Ukraine, so far 2 cases of UFO appearances have been recorded. In the first case, a large disc-shaped object is visible in the video, the filming was made by the 406th battalion, the recording was made by a Mavic 3T drone, a DJI representative could not explain this footage. It is reported that air defense did not work against these objects. This video can be attributed to interference, but soldiers observing UFOs do not consider it interference.

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[Soldier35]

Azerbaijan showed off its Turkish-made Bayraktar Akıncı UAVs. Azerbaijan presented the Bayraktar Akıncı UAV received from Turkey. The Bayraktar Akinci UAV was developed by Baykar and made its first flight in 2019; we previously reviewed it. The Bayraktar Akinci UAV is equipped with a variety of missiles and ammunition, examples of which you can see in the photo. On board there is an Aselsan optical-electronic station and a radar with an active phased array antenna. The UAV is equipped with 2 Ukrainian AI-450T turboprop engines with a power of 450 hp each. s., or two Turkish piston engines PD-222. The maximum speed of the UAV is up to 360 km/h, flight range up to 7500 km, at an altitude of up to 13700 meters, flight duration up to 24 hours. Akıncı UAV uses satellite communications.

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[BravoZulu]

Latvia:
On Tuesday, 5 March, Cabinet of Ministers approved border fortification and counter-mobility plan for eastern border.

Eastern Border Fortification and Counter-mobility Plan is part of the Baltic Defence Line initiative, which covers the whole length of border with Russia and Belarus. National Armed Forces intend to create defence force support outposts – defence posts with reinforced structures and fortification for troops with various obstacle lines, anti-tank trenches, ammunition and mine storages.

According to defence plans, reinforcement of eastern border will restart in March of this year, and total investment into strengthening of the defence on eastern border will reach 303 million euro over the next five years.

To prevent enemy movement, Latvia will reconstruct the existing roads to make border more secure by adding anti-tank trenches, whereas border area drainage ditches will be converted into anti-tank tranches later on.

Obstacle lines of different types will be installed. For example, anti-tank trenches will be reinforced with concrete blocks and structures, such as the so-called dragon’s teeth and anti-tank mines. Obstacle lines will be adjusted to the terrain, making full use of natural obstacles such as swamps, forest patches and other natural obstructions.

Border area will also be equipped with specially designated and safe storages for explosives, mines and engineering equipment that can be quickly dispatched to reinforce defence line. Latvia will also develop plans detailing how to prepare for immediate and effective closing of main transport routes, such as roads, railway lines and bridges, to prevent enemy from advancing.

As reported earlier, Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian defence ministers approved the Baltic Defence Line initiative during trilateral meeting in January. It will strengthen the defence of eastern border of the Baltic countries and NATO. Closely coordinated construction of the Defence line will be separately funded by each participating country.

Baltic Defence Line will significantly enhance military defence infrastructure and capabilities of Baltic countries, preventing Russia from any potential swift military attacks. This initiative is in line with NATO’s defence plans.
https://www.mod.gov.lv/en/news/east...via-eur-303-million-be-invested-strengthening

 

[Soldier35]

Footage of a Ukrainian robotic platform designed for laying TM-62 anti-tank mines. In the video, a homemade ground drone creates a mine barrier; technical specifications were not disclosed.

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[Soldier35]

Ukraine will receive BTR-50P, BTR-60 and BRDM-2 from Bulgaria. Since the 1980s, armored personnel carriers have been stored in the warehouses of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs; the transfer of equipment was delayed due to a lack of funding for transportation. The first train of 30 cars with BTR-60 has already been sent to Ukraine; in total, it is planned to transfer about 110 combat vehicles. Briefly about the technology, the BTR-50P was put into service in 1954, the BTR-60 was put into service in 1959 and the BRDM-2 was put into service in 1962. It is worth noting that the modernized BRDM-2MS reconnaissance and patrol vehicles are now used by the Russian army

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[BravoZulu]

Ukraine will receive BTR-50P, BTR-60 and BRDM-2 from Bulgaria. Since the 1980s, armored personnel carriers have been stored in the warehouses of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs; the transfer of equipment was delayed due to a lack of funding for transportation. The first train of 30 cars with BTR-60 has already been sent to Ukraine; in total, it is planned to transfer about 110 combat vehicles. Briefly about the technology, the BTR-50P was put into service in 1954, the BTR-60 was put into service in 1959 and the BRDM-2 was put into service in 1962. It is worth noting that the modernized BRDM-2MS reconnaissance and patrol vehicles are now used by the Russian army

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I doubt the troops will be excited to get these

 

[Soldier35]

Ukraine trains F-16 pilots in Denmark. Belgium has provided 50 instructors and two F-16 training aircraft to train Ukrainian Air Force pilots at Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark. The training follows a shortened program and takes six months instead of the required several years; the first pilots will be ready in May. According to one Belgian pilot, the main problems in training are lack of knowledge of English and different measurement systems. The number of Ukrainian pilots being trained is not disclosed, and the press is also not allowed to see them.
It is assumed that Ukraine will be able to cover its skies with F-16 aircraft; the possibility of doing this is small, according to Western experts. The fact is that the F-16, like the Mig-29 of Ukraine, is a fourth-generation aircraft, they do not have stealth technologies and are clearly visible by air defense and more modern fighters. At the moment, F-16s have not been transferred to Ukraine and their exact number has not been reported. Denmark currently has 33 F-16AM aircraft and 10 two-seat F-16BM combat trainers, while the Netherlands has 29 F-16AM aircraft.

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[Soldier35]

The mechanic-driver of the Ukrainian self-propelled gun AHS Krab, made in Poland, showed his workplace. Previously, Poland transferred 54 AHS Krab self-propelled guns to the Ukrainian army. 155mm AHS Krab. The AHS Krab self-propelled gun was adopted by Poland in 2010 and is assembled from components from different countries. The self-propelled guns use German diesel engines, American Allison Transmission gearboxes, and a turret from the British AS-90M self-propelled gun manufactured under license in Poland. The self-propelled gun chassis is produced under license on the basis of the chassis of the South Korean K9 Thunder howitzer. The firing range of the AHS Krab self-propelled gun is up to 40 kilometers, the average speed is 30 km/h.

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[Soldier35]

The command of the Ukrainian Army published video footage of the construction of defensive structures. The progress of the construction of fortifications is personally controlled by the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. The construction of the defense line is taking place in the Chernigov, Sumy and Kharkov regions. According to experts, the Ukrainian line of defense is vaguely similar to the Russian line of defense of Surovikin. One of the Ukrainian military engineers said that first they lay the so-called “dragon teeth”, then coils of wire, and then mines, if necessary. He also stated that these fortifications should have been built much earlier, in the spring, since their construction takes too much time.

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[Soldier35]

Russian military personnel inspected the landed Ukrainian UAV RQ-20 Puma of American production. The RQ-20 Puma UAV was developed by AeroVironment based on the FQM-151 Pointer UAV in 2007. The RQ-20 UAV is hand-launched and is designed for patrol, reconnaissance and fire support adjustments. The drone's bi-axis, gyro-stabilized multi-sensor system combines conventional and thermal imaging cameras. Each of them has 6x magnification. The system allows you to detect the enemy day and night. The drone has a waterproof body and can be equipped with solar panels; with them, the drone can fly for up to 9 hours, without them for up to 3.5 hours. The design of the drone is interesting; when it hits the ground, it falls apart in strictly defined places, making it easy to assemble and repair in the field. With a wingspan of 2.8 meters and a length of 1.4 meters, the maximum take-off weight of the UAV does not exceed 5.9 kg. The RQ-20 UAV reaches speeds of up to 83 km/h with a range of up to 15 kilometers, at an altitude of up to 15 meters. The expected cost of the RQ-20 Puma UAV is 250 thousand dollars or 23 million rubles. The UAV will be sent for examination by specialists.

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[Soldier35]

Ukrainian mechanics have mastered the repair of US M777 howitzers. Repair units of the Ukrainian army have mastered the repair of individual components of American 155-mm towed howitzers M777. Despite the fact that Ukrainian companies do not have permission, in accordance with American export laws, to repair the barrels of American M777 howitzers, they are partially doing so. According to General of the Ukrainian Army Karpenko, after each “artillery contact” almost a third of the guns fail due to shrapnel and have to be repaired. Due to the lack of spare parts, mechanics have to assemble one howitzer from several and use civilian components, converting them into howitzers. For example, a pipe from one of the excavators was converted and installed on a howitzer. According to mechanics, some howitzers have already returned 3-4 times for repairs. The American 155 mm howitzer has been in production since 2005, it is a British designed howitzer, but final assembly is carried out in the USA. The firing range of a conventional projectile is 25 km, the active-reactive M982 Excalibur is about 40 kilometers, but they are already running out.

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[Soldier35]

Footage of the production of American 155-mm artillery ammunition in Pennsylvania. The shells for the Ukrainian army are produced by the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), a facility of the United States Army Ammunition Command. The plant was specially modernized to produce shells for Ukraine; the plant produces only metal parts of shells, after which it sends them for additional assembly to other enterprises.
Before the conflict in Ukraine, the plant produced an average of 7 thousand artillery shells per month. It is expected that by 2027 it will produce 35 thousand.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems produces 105mm, 120mm and 155mm ammunition. It is one of seven manufacturing arsenals producing combat equipment for the U.S. military. Currently the plant employs 270 people. Recently there was a fire at the factory.

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[BravoZulu]

Germany has handed over a Skynex air defense system to Ukraine in its latest tranche of military aid to bolster the country’s air defence (the 2nd system handed over).

The platform is the latest of an $192 million deal in 2022 between Germany and Rheinmetall to equip Ukraine with the anti-missile capability.

The integrated tracking unit will be used to counter air targets from Russian forces, performing short-range searches, classification, and identification of threatening aircraft and missiles in Kyiv’s airspace.

https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/military-support-ukraine-2054992