Mil News Eastern & Southern Europe Military news

[BravoZulu]

Bulgaria president vetoes $1.26 billion deal for F-16 fighter jets
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Tuesday vetoed a deal to buy eight new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, describing a lack of consensus over the purchase as “extremely worrying”.
The $1.26 billion deal would be the country’s biggest military purchase since the fall of Communism three decades ago.
But Radev, a former air force commander, said the sharp disputes in parliament during the debate on its ratification showed that public consensus on the contracts had been neither sought nor achieved.
“Because of the shortened legislative procedure, a number of important issues such as prices, warranties, delivery times, penalties, indemnities, and so on, have remained unclear,” he said.
“The commitment of the Republic of Bulgaria to obligations, for years to come, without a national consensus and conviction in the mutually acceptable conditions of the treaty, is extremely worrying,” Radev said in a statement.
In 2017, an interim government selected the Gripen built by Sweden’s Saab but the deal was later cancelled and a new procedure was launched a year later.
Radev said it was important that Bulgaria receive “a full package of equipment, accompanying equipment and personnel training”.
“The public needs a definite answer as to whether this is actually achieved by the contracts.”

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-b...t-vetoes-f-16-deal-ratification-idUKKCN1UI1MS

 

[Adamicz]

Czech Army to acquire AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters from US
https://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/czech-army-to-acquire-viper-and-venom-helicopters-from-us

 

[muck]

That's cool.

 

[BravoZulu]

Serbia’s military will receive Chinese-built armed drones in the coming months, marking the first time Chinese remotely piloted aircraft have been sold to a European country, officials said Tuesday.
Serbia will take delivery of nine Chengdu Pterodactyl-1 drones within six months, with a possible follow-on order of 15 more, media reports in Belgrade said.
China’s sale of the unmanned aircraft is believed to be its largest export of military equipment to Europe in recent decades, and marks Beijing’s most significant foray into a continent where armed forces have traditionally relied on U.S. and European weapon-makers.
Beijing has become increasingly economically engaged in Serbia and elsewhere in southeastern Europe as part of its global Belt and Road campaign, particularly in infrastructure projects such as roads, railways and ports.
Recent moves by China on or near NATO’s turf have attracted U.S. scrutiny. At U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, officials have expressed concern about China purchasing stakes in numerous European ports, and about China’s “polar silk road” Arctic ambitions.

https://www.stripes.com/news/europe...rbia-to-receive-chinese-armed-drones-1.598166

 

[BravoZulu]

Croatia:
A fire broke out onboard the Croatian Navy’s missile boat RTOP-41 Vukovar yesterday, the country’s defense ministry said.
The incident occurred at the Iskra repair shipyard in Sibenik at around 10:50 a.m. (local time) on September 19.
As informed, the fire started while the 1985-built vessel was undergoing maintenance works at the shipyard.
The crew members of Vukovar who were at the scene spotted the fire and rescued a shipyard worker from the cabin in which the repairs were being carried out.
The crew members and firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze until 1:32 p.m., the local fire department said in a separate statement.
Three persons were sent to a hospital in Sibenik due to smoke inhalation. The fire caused material damage to the ship, the ministry confirmed.
An investigation into the causes of the fire has been launched, the ministry added.
Built at Finnish Wartsila shipyard, the 45-meter-long Vukovar (FNS 62 Oulu) was part of the Finnish Navy fleet before it was sold to the Croatian Navy.

https://navaltoday.com/2019/09/20/croatian-navy-missile-boat-catches-fire-at-ship-repair-yard/

 

[NoOne]

Poland to spend USD 133 Billion on Modernization of the Armed Forces. New F-16 To Be Ordered

Head of the Polish Ministry of Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, signed a new Technical Modernization Plan for the period 2021-2035, also covering the year 2020.

www.defence24.com

This is interesting. I thought additional F-16s were a moot point now.

 

[Fish&Chips]

I thought additional F-16s were a moot point now.

Hey Bulgaria, we'll gladly take your lot of F-16s if you don't want them.

 

[Kadir93]

More rifles and pistols for Polish Armed Forces
Poland orders more Grot C16 assault rifles chambered in 5.56 mm and Vis 100 semi-automatic pistols chambered in 9 mm

Polish Armed Forces acquired new Grot C16 rifles and VIS 100 pistols

Poland has planning to buy more infantry weapons for its armed forces. They have ordered more Grot C16 assault rifles chambered in 5.56 mm caliber and Vis

special-ops.org

 

[muck]

France to deliver 20 FPB 98 MK II patrol vessels to Ukraine ()

Built by Ocea of France, the boats feature a length of 105 ft (32m), a top speed of 30 knots and a maximum range of 1,000 nautical miles. They are manned by a complement of 14 and equipped to carry a 30mm naval gun. France will deliver the boats unarmed, which observers say is a gesture towards Russia; the final equipping – as well as the assembly of five boats – will be performed by Ukraine.

 

[NoOne]

Not sure where to post this, but I'll give it a go.

Has anyone heard that Poland may be picking up some surplus M-1 Abrams?

 

[muck]

That would only make sense if they wish to replace their entire battle tank fleet with the Abrams. Otherwise they'd turn their army into even more of a logistical nightmare. They're already operating two types of tanks – four, technically speaking, which is bordering Iranian levels of fleet diversity: the Leopard 2A5, the Leopard 2A4, the PT-91 and the T-72.

 

[NoOne]

That would only make sense if they wish to replace their entire battle tank fleet with the Abrams. Otherwise they'd turn their army into even more of a logistical nightmare. They're already operating two types of tanks – four, technically speaking, which is bordering Iranian levels of fleet diversity: the Leopard 2A5, the Leopard 2A4, the PT-91 and the T-72.

True, but the T-72s, and to a lesser extent, the PT-91s, should be permanently retired or converted to TDs/AA etc.

Maybe the U.S. will do a deal. 32 F-35s and 2 Batteries of Patriot for $7 Billion USD and we'll throw in 500 M1A1s!

 

[muck]

The matter is a pure politicum. With the logistical structure and trained personnel galore present, it makes sense for Poland to buy the Leopard 2A7+. But Poland's right-wing government isn't exactly on friendly terms with Berlin, and France has declined Polish requests to participate in a Franco-German tank project over a called-off helicopter deal. In other words, Warsaw has a financial motive to buy German and a political motive to buy American.

 

[BravoZulu]

Romania’s Supreme Council for the Country’s Defence approved the purchase of five F-16s.
Earlier it was reported that Romania wants to buy another five F-16s from Portugal.
The procurement deals in excess of $110.2 million must be endorsed by lawmakers, president Klaus Iohannis explained.
The president also informed about the Government’s commitment to stick with the 2 percent-of-GDP budget earmarked for defence spending.
The number of military troops approved for missions abroad was also increased by 200 to 2,100, under a CSAT decision.
Romania will buy another five F16 jet fighters with the same configuration as the 12 already purchased, former defence minister Gabriel Les announced on July 3.

 

[BravoZulu]

Czech:
Israel and the Czech Republic have signed a $125 million government-to-government contract for advanced radar systems from Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems.
The deal provides for the acquisition of eight ELM-2084 Iron Dome Multi-Mission Radars (MMR). The radars, which have air surveillance and air defense capabilities, will be delivered to the Czech defense establishment over a period spanning the years 2021-2023 and will be interoperable with Czech and NATO command and control systems.
The government-to-government agreement enables the transfer of cutting-edge technology and know-how from Israel to Czech partners, whose capabilities will be greatly enhanced.
Furthermore, the agreement stipulates the involvement of and collaboration with Czech defense industries at 30% of the procurement, indicating that significant parts of the systems will be produced locally.

 

[Miller]

Latvian MoD is planning to acquire an additional 80 CVR(t) from the UK and 18 M109A5Ö SPHs from Austria for the needs of the National guard.
Source (in Latvian)

The MoD has also received 10 offers from countries & companies for the ongoing armored 4x4 vehicle procurement.
Source (in Latvian)

 

[Adamicz]

Czech Republic:
The Czech Air Force has signed a contract for the acquisition of two additional Airbus C295 medium airlifters. The aircraft, equipped with winglets and ordered in transport configuration, are due to be delivered in the first half of 2021.
The agreement takes the Czech Air Force’s total C295 fleet up to six aircraft. Together with this agreement, an additional contract was also signed for the upgrade of the four C295s currently in operation with the Czech Air Force.

Czech Air Force orders two additional Airbus C295 aircraft

The Czech Air Force has signed a contract for the acquisition of two additional Airbus C295 medium airlifters. The aircraft, equipped with winglets and ordered in transport configuration, are due to be delivered in the first half of 2021.

www.airbus.com

 

[NoOne]

https://www.defence24.com/blaszczak...cted-in-2024-agreement-to-be-signed-next-week

I'm of mixed mind on this. Between the Patriot and the F-35 there is little room for so many other priorities.

 

[Miller]

Estonia, Finland, Latvia initiate joint AFV development

Estonian Defence Minister Jüri Luik, Latvian Defence Minister Artis Pabriks, and Finnish Permanent Defence Secretary Jukka Juusti signed a letter of intent (LOI) in Tallinn on 17 December in relation to joint AFV research and development.
“The letter of intent signed today is the beginning of the joint undertaking between Estonia, Latvia, and Finland in acquiring new armoured vehicles. We have agreed to carry out joint research and development,” Luik told local media.
“We have a very positive long-term relationship with Finland in procurement and have bought self-propelled artillery and radar systems together. We want to extend this co-operation to Latvia,” he explained.
(source)

Finland, Latvia sign agreement for Patria 6x6-based vehicle

The Finnish Ministry of Defence and Latvia have signed a Technical Arrangement to develop the Patria 6x6 armoured wheeled vehicle chassis platform.
The cooperation programme will lead to vehicle system procurement of a combined system that enhances mobility, international connectivity and national security.
The selection of the Patria 6x6 as the basis for the programme follows national and multinational testing and evaluation.
At this stage, the countries have agreed on cost-sharing arrangements, schedule and technical specifications as part of the Technical Arrangement. Work will initially focus on research and product development, followed by the preparation of a combined product development agreement.
As for the actual procurement acquisitions, the countries will separately determine these. Possible deliveries may begin in the year 2021 with serial procurement acquisitions extending over a number of years.
(source)

 

[Musashi]

Major news, but the purchase has been planned for a few months. Banning Turkey made the procurement easier.

Poland signs $4.6-billion contract with US for 32 F-35 fighter jets

This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission. Poland signed a $4.6 billion deal with the

americanmilitarynews.com