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[BravoZulu]

The Finnish armed forces have contracted with EuroSpike GmbH, a joint venture of Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH, Diehl Defence, and Rafael, to supply Spike antitank guided missiles. For Rheinmetall, the order is worth a figure in the mid-double-digit million-euro range.

Of great importance for Rheinmetall, this order also underscores the tremendous trust placed in EuroSpike GmbH: the German-Israeli joint venture is now an industrial mainstay of the antitank capability of many EU and NATO member nations.

The German armed forces were among the first Spike users. A version of the system known as the Mehrrollenfähiges Leichtes Lenkflugkörpersystem (MELLS; multi-role light guided missile system) is in service with the Bundeswehr. Made by EuroSpike – a joint venture in which Rheinmetall holds a 40% stake – the MELLS is a latest-generation effector designed for engaging armoured targets at ranges of up to 4,000 metres or, depending on the model, up to 5,500 metres.

Rheinmetall possesses extensive experience with the MELLS. The company has already integrated this advanced guided missile into various combat vehicles.

https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/rhei...h armed forces have,-digit million-euro range.

 

[Redav]

Perplexities: the Frigate Vasco da Gama was the pride of the Portuguese Navy. Now... it's been on hold for 5 years

After the patrol ships without guns, we will continue the inspection of the Navy. The Frigate Vasco da Gama has not left the dock for over five years. The remaining two ships of the same class are 30 years old, the age at which, normally, the Ministry of Defense thinks about replacement, but not in Portugal.

MSN

 

[Fish&Chips]

Perplexities: the Frigate Vasco da Gama was the pride of the Portuguese Navy. Now... it's been on hold for 5 years

After the patrol ships without guns, we will continue the inspection of the Navy. The Frigate Vasco da Gama has not left the dock for over five years. The remaining two ships of the same class are 30 years old, the age at which, normally, the Ministry of Defense thinks about replacement, but not in Portugal.

MSN

It seems like the German military is not alone any more with its host of problems. Does it make me feel better for them? Meh.

 

[Redav]

It seems like the German military is not alone any more with its host of problems. Does it make me feel better for them? Meh.

She Will never sail again, She is being canibalized for her 2 remaining sisters, last thing they did was removing her engines to replace those of the Álvares Cabral.

 

[Redav]

No New Money for Defence, Says UK Treasury: Report

The Treasury has signalled there is no new money for defence despite recognising the urgent need to rearm in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine, defence...

www.defense-aerospace.com

 

[muck]

'ES&T' reports that the German Army has begun trials with KMW's Boxer RCH 155 wheeled howitzer. It is the only candidate in a tender for a lighter companion to the tracked PzH 2000, as Rheinmetall's HX3-mounted howitzer was found to be technically immature. The German Army seeks to buy at least 160 howitzers particularly for its light brigades hitherto left without organic artillery. (Source, German, Paywall)

That number is double from what last I had heard. Good!

 

[BravoZulu]

Norway said Friday it will buy 54 new generation Leopard 2 tanks to replace older versions, adding it faced “one of the most difficult security situations since World War II.”

Planned for several years, the order will enable Oslo to renew its fleet of 36 aging Leopard 2A4 tanks, some of which are to be donated to Ukraine.

The Leopard 2A7 order with German defense manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann is part of a $1.96 billion defense allocation already adopted by parliament.

https://www.thelocal.no/20230203/norway-to-purchase-54-new-generation-leopard-2-tanks

 

[muck]

New German defence minister: "I want more money to replenish our stocks and, truth be told, I couldn't care less where it comes from" (Source, German)

 

[Mike1976]

New German defence minister: "I want more money to replenish our stocks and, truth be told, I couldn't care less where it comes from" (Source, German)

I have a feeling he's going to be disappointed and frustrated until the day he's replaced ...

 

[BravoZulu]

Germany:
IAI defense electronics subsidiary, ELTA Systems, and MBDA Germany GmbH, have announced a new agreement for joint promotion of solutions in the fields of Electronic Warfare (EW) and EW training in Germany. Scorpius is the first electronic warfare (EW) system in the world capable of simultaneously targeting multiple threats, across frequencies and in different directions.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement outlines planned cooperation on the promotion of joint solutions for Air Defense and Electronic Warfare training based on ELTA's ground-breaking EW technology: The Scorpius family of EW systems, in conjunction with MBDA Germany's expertise in air defense and training systems.

Within the framework of the MoU, the companies will offer the German armed forces a ground-based jammer for electronic air-defense based on ELTA's Scorpius-G system, as well as an advanced threat emulator for EW training based on the company's Scorpius-T system. MBDA Germany will utilize its expertise in defense and training systems to ensure integration and future adaptations into the European/German defense training organization's system of systems.

https://www.iai.co.il/news-media/press-releases/iai-and-mbda-germany-announce-cooperation-mou

 

[Mike1976]

US State Department approves HIMARS sale to the Netherlands. This also confirms that it will be the M142 and not the M270. If you want information on Dutch military procurement calling the US is a better source than the MoD ...

The Netherlands has asked to buy 20 M142 HIMARS launchers, 80 M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile pods, 77 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rocket pods, plus a number of support vehicles, radars and spare parts. The deal, which is valued at $670 million, includes training and technical support from the U.S. government and contractors.

US agrees to sell 20 HIMARS to Netherlands for $670 million

The Netherlands' request to purchase 20 HIMARS artillery systems plus ammunition and technical support from the U.S. for $670 million was approved Thursday.

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[Mike1976]

Don't think this has ever been posted. 15 key points from the Dutch defence notes 2022. The defence notes are published annually in May or June.

Deep precision strike maritime - Confidential
Ballistic missile defence - Confidential (likely SM-3)
Maritime tactical land attack - For marines, Unknown, attached army M142???
Rocket artillery - 20x M142
PzH2000 - Operational increase from 35 to 45
AD batteries - Increase from 1 to 2
F-35 - Increase from 46 to 52
Deep precision strike air - Confidential
MQ-9 - Increase from 4 to 8 and may be armed
C-130 - Increase from 4 to 5
Counter-UAV - Unknown
Ammunition and other stocks - Confidential

 

[av405]

US State Department approves HIMARS sale to the Netherlands. This also confirms that it will be the M142 and not the M270. If you want information on Dutch military procurement calling the US is a better source than the MoD ...

US agrees to sell 20 HIMARS to Netherlands for $670 million

The Netherlands' request to purchase 20 HIMARS artillery systems plus ammunition and technical support from the U.S. for $670 million was approved Thursday.

www.foxbusiness.com

Isn't M270 out of production anyhow?

What are your thoughts on the number of HIMARS? I looked up that the Dutch previously had 23 M270s. So this purchase almost reinstates the number of GMLRS platforms that were previously in service, but at half the capacity (6 vs 12).

 

[Mike1976]

Isn't M270 out of production anyhow?

What are your thoughts on the number of HIMARS? I looked up that the Dutch previously had 23 M270s. So this purchase almost reinstates the number of GMLRS platforms that were previously in service, but at half the capacity (6 vs 12).

The US has M270s parked out in the desert and the ability to upgrade them to the latest standard. I suspect going with the M142 is simply the cheaper option and less maintenance intensive.

Better 20 than 0.

Also back when the M270 was in service only the MLRS rockets were available, not the much more accurate and longer range GMLRS and ATACMS, so the amount of launchers might be lower as well as their payload, but it's much more likely to hit what it's aiming at even without blanketing a target area. This is the first surface-to-surface army weapon that can effectively engage past 50km without favorable conditions since the MGM-52 was retired.

 

[muck]

I have a feeling he's going to be disappointed and frustrated until the day he's replaced ...

Right now, he's not showing any signs of slowing down. And even Scholz has gone so far as to suggest at the MSC that "we ought to bring our armaments industry up to a permanent production again". (Source, German) The plot thickens. There's rumours afoot that Berlin could seek to just start placing orders for "everything" as a way of keeping production lines open and re-enabling manufacturers to upscale their production swiftly. The orders wouldn't necessarily correspond with army requirements; that way, the army could rebuild materiel reserves, and foreign buyers (or receivers like Ukraine) could be satisfied in more timely a manner.

 

[Hiryu2.0]

Rheinmetall To Manufacture F-35 Fuselage Sections | Joint Forces News

Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman sign Letter of Intent with Rheinmetall to manufacture F-35 centre fuselage sections.

www.joint-forces.com

 

[muck]

Just a marginal note, but one that I find myself delighted about nonetheless: It looks as if the death knell is about to sound for Germany's ancient and boorish dress uniform. A call for designs has been put out for tender, asking for proposals for uniforms for all three branches. The tender's declared goal is a uniform that reconciles "tradition and modernity" and garners increased popularity with both the uniformed services as well as the broader public. (Source, German) Meanwhile, the German battle dress uniform is also due to receive an upgrade, including a final decision on whether or not the new Multitarn scheme (as yet restricted to special forces) will be adopted by regular units. (Source, German, Paywall)

 

[muck]

'European Security & Defence' reports that Germany will buy more Leopard 2 main battle tanks. As KMW's production lines are busy producing new Leopards for Czechia, Hungary and Norway, Germany's existing (and rather heterogeneous) fleet of Leopard 2's could be brought to the newest standard A7A1 in the meantime, which includes Rafael's Trophy active-protection system. (Source, German)

 

[Mike1976]

'European Security & Defence' reports that Germany will buy more Leopard 2 main battle tanks. As KMW's production lines are busy producing new Leopards for Czechia, Hungary and Norway, Germany's existing (and rather heterogeneous) fleet of Leopard 2's could be brought to the newest standard A7A1 in the meantime, which includes Rafael's Trophy active-protection system. (Source, German)

Why not just call it 2A8 instead and won't adding an Israeli system make exports even more complicated since Israel now gets a veto on top of already stringent German standards for arms export?

 

[Mike1976]

Deep precision strike maritime - Confidential
Ballistic missile defence - Confidential (likely SM-3)
Maritime tactical land attack - For marines, Unknown, attached army M142???
Rocket artillery - 20x M142
PzH2000 - Operational increase from 35 to 45
AD batteries - Increase from 1 to 2
F-35 - Increase from 46 to 52
Deep precision strike air - Confidential
MQ-9 - Increase from 4 to 8 and may be armed
C-130 - Increase from 4 to 5
Counter-UAV - Unknown
Ammunition and other stocks - Confidential

Correction:
AD batteries - army NASAMS will be getting replaced because it is nearing end-of-life, has proven expensive to operate and less effective than hoped