Mil News Eastern & Southern Europe Military news

[BravoZulu]

The Romanian legislative recently approved the initiation of procurement procedures part of the Romanian army’s modernization program. ​

This includes the purchase of two Scorpene submarines from the French company Naval Group and the acquisition of two "in-service, modernized" minehunters through a government-to-government agreement with the UK, not to mention Abrams tanks from the US.​

The Romanian Ministry of Defense also requested Parliament's approval for initiating the procedure for awarding the procurement contract for the "Main Battle Tank" modernization program, Phase I.

Specifically, this involves acquiring a battalion of 54 American Abrams tanks. These tanks will be upgraded to the M1A2 variant. Furthermore, 12 "derivatives" will be purchased, based on tank chassis, from the inventory of the US Army, along with ammunition and training simulators.

The modernization program for these tanks, with an estimated total value of EUR 1 bln, will commence in 2023,

 

[Redav]

US Clears $105M Upgrade Package for Romanian F-16 Fighters

WASHINGTON --- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of equipment and ...

www.defense-aerospace.com

 

[BravoZulu]

The US State Department has approved the potential foreign military sale of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and munition to the Czech Republic.

According to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcement, Prague has requested 24 F-35s in the conventional take-off and landing configuration.

It also seeks to procure 25 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, 70 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, and 86 StormBreaker all-up rounds.

 

[BravoZulu]

The Slovenian Ministry of Defence has amended its acquisition program for the years 2023 to 2026, declaring plans to buy six multipurpose helicopters and a C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft for the country’s military.

The planned aircraft purchase is valued at about €159 million ($176.9 million). Manufactured by Italy’s Leonardo, the new C-27J Spartan will be the second aircraft of this type to be ordered by Slovenia. The forthcoming helo acquisition is estimated to be worth some €195.2 million ($217.2 million).

The requisite amendments for the two acquisition projects have been approved by the country’s government, the ministry said in a statement.

With the planned copter procurement, Ljubljana aims to replace its existing fleet of Bell 412 helicopters. “In the 2023-2027 period, the purchase of six multi-purpose helicopters is planned, and the purchase of additional helicopters is planned after 2028,” according to the statement.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/...nsport-aircraft-helicopter-acquisition-plans/

 

[BravoZulu]

Romania is seeking a total of 48 5th generation F-35 fighter jets from the US, Romanian press reports. Initially, 32 aircraft will be purchased, which will later be joined by another 16. The estimated cost for the 32 approaches $6.5 billion, according to Romanian reports.

The approval of the Romanian Parliament is requested for the plan. In a recent interview, Angel Tilvar, the country’s defense minister, noted that the first fighters could be delivered in 2032, provided the agreement is signed in 2024. The Romanian Air Force now has 17 F-16AM/BM fighters and is in the process of receiving another 32 used F-16AM/BM.

https://hellas.postsen.com/world/455315/Romania-Wants-32-F-35s-in-first-phase.html

 

[Soldier35]

Military equipment of Poland. On August 15, a military parade took place in Poland, which the authorities consider the largest in the history of the country. The parade was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw in 1920, also known as the Miracle on the Vistula. The parade was attended by about two thousand Polish military and NATO countries, as well as 200 units of military equipment. 92 helicopters and planes took to the skies. The parade was attended by armored personnel carriers, artillery pieces, as well as HIMARS MLRS and Patriot air defense systems. Among the tank equipment were presented German tanks Leopard 2, American Abrams and Korean K2. In 2023, Poland will spend $34 billion on defense, giving four percent of national GDP to military spending. According to this indicator, Poland overtakes many countries - members of NATO.

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[Redav]

96 Apache for Poland

US Approves $12 Billion Sale of 96 Apache Helicopters to Poland

WASHINGTON --- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of AH-64E Apache...

www.defense-aerospace.com

 

[BravoZulu]

The US State Department approved the sale of $1.5 billion in armored vehicles to Bulgaria, its latest major deal with an eastern NATO ally as war rages in Ukraine.

The State Department informed Congress of its green light to Bulgaria’s request to buy 183 Stryker vehicles, more than half of them infantry carrier vehicles.

“The proposed sale will improve Bulgaria’s rapid infantry deployment and force projection capability. Bulgaria will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats,” it said in a statement.

 

[BravoZulu]

The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Slovak Republic was unveiled at Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) facility in Greenville, South Carolina, during a visit from the country’s Minister of Defence, Martin Sklenár.

The Slovak Republic will be the first European country to receive this newest and most capable version of the Fighting Falcon. The F-16 Block 70 aircraft will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities in support of the Slovak Republic’s national security.

“These F-16s will enable the Slovak Air Force to stay ahead of threats in the region, and be part of the allied mission in Europe, NATO and around the world,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president, Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. “This jet represents the strong partnership between Lockheed Martin, the United States, the Slovak Republic and allies.”

This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 14 to be delivered to the Slovak Republic.

 

[Rumcajs]

The Czech government has approved a plan to buy 24 F-35 fighter jets, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said, as the army seeks to boost its capabilities and work more easily alongside NATO allies.

Fiala said the first aircraft would be ready in 2029 and the rest by 2035.

"It is an effective solution," Fiala said. "[The jet] is a system that has a longer perspective than other types of aircraft."


Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said the state will pay 150 billion crowns ($6.47 billion) by 2034, which includes 44 billion for base upgrades in the Czech Republic along with fuel, staff training and taxes.

 

[BravoZulu]

Croatia:
A generational success of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the taking over of the ownership of the first of the twelve multi-purpose Rafale fighter jets acquired by the Republic of Croatia was held on Monday, October 2, 2023, at an official ceremony at the French Air Force base Mont-de-Marsan in France.

With this historic step forward, the Republic of Croatia has historically strengthened the overall combat power of the Croatian Army by introducing fourth-generation fighter planes into the Croatian Air Force.

The solemn ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense Mario Banožić together with the Head of the Office of the Prime Minister Zvonimir Frka-Petešić and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tom Medved and the delegation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia led by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia Admiral Robert Hranje.

https://www.morh.hr/generacijski-uspjeh-vlade-rh-prvi-hrvatski-rafale-u-rukama-hrvatskih-pilota/

 

[BravoZulu]

Naval Group has launched Greece’s first Belharra-class medium-sized frigate in Lorient, France.

The development is part of a September 2021 contract seeking three warships to bolster the Hellenic Navy’s capabilities in supporting national security and the EU.

Once completed, the new vessels will be integrated into the navy’s active fleet consisting of 13 frigates made between the 1980s and early 2000s.

https://www.naval-group.com/en/naval-group-launches-hs-kimon-first-fdi-frigate-hellenic-navy

 

[Rumcajs]

The Czech industrial and technological holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG) signed a contract with the American company Vista Outdoor Inc. on the purchase of its Sporting Products ammunition division. It includes a number of iconic US brands and manufacturers of small caliber ammunition - Alliant Powder, CCi, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hevi-Shot, Remington Arms and Speer.

The Czech company Česká zbrojovka Group (ČZ Group/CZ Group), which owns, among other companies, the American manufacturer Colt, bought a stake in the US company Vista Outdoor. Together with other whistleblowers, who are the majority shareholder of ČZ Group and the vice-chairman of the company's supervisory board, René Holeček, and the chairman of the board of directors of ČZ Group, Jan Drahota, the company acquired more than a five percent stake in it.

 

[Rumcajs]

The Czech Republic is buying I-Derby Long Range anti-aircraft missiles from Israel for more than 3 billion CZK. The government has become familiar with the information on the public contract, the purpose of which is the procurement of 48 pcs of I-Derby Long Range anti-aircraft missiles from the government of the State of Israel. Thanks to these missiles, which the Czech Republic will receive by October 2027, the Army of the Czech Republic will acquire the ability to destroy unmanned vehicles, helicopters, airplanes and guided missiles with a long range of up to 80 km at an altitude of 20 km, the ministry said. An option is part of the proposed contract - it will be possible to purchase additional missiles in 6 categories, in the order of a total of hundreds of pieces with a maximum financial framework of up to 12.6 billion CZK without VAT.

 

[BravoZulu]

Slovakia:
To permanently strengthen NATO air defence on the eastern border of the alliance area, the Air Force is supporting one of its closest allies, Slovakia. With the delivery of the MANTIS weapon system to our allies, NATO's eastern flank will be significantly strengthened.

Mantis is a protection system that can protect critical infrastructure, field camps or barracks against threats from the air in 24-hour operation. A system consists of an operating and fire control centre, two sensors and up to eight guns.

The $116 million systems, part of the German Air Force’s SysFla air defence initiative, were handed over to Bratislava “free of charge” to help the country defend its eastern border with Ukraine.

https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organi...s-und-radargeraete-an-die-slowakei-ab-5598866

 

[Soldier35]

There is no topic about the Serbian army, so I’m posting it here. Serbia received Russian-made Mi-35P helicopters from the Cypriot Air Force. Mi-35P helicopters were delivered by An-124 aircraft. It is expected that the eleven Mi-35P received will be operated by the 714th Anti-Tank Helicopter Squadron, which already has four helicopters of this type. The Cypriot authorities decided to remove the Mi-35P from service in 2021. due to problems with the supply of spare parts arising from sanctions. To replace the helicopters, Cyprus purchased six Airbus Helicopters H145M light combat helicopters. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic personally inspected the Mi-35 helicopters sent by Cyprus. According to him, the helicopters will be repainted in a special coloring that matches the landscape of Serbia. The Serbian President also noted that he loves these helicopters for their efficiency and “ominous sound.” “When you hear that intermittent sound, all you can do is run and hide.”

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[BravoZulu]

Elbit Systems Ltd. and CN ROMARM S.A, through its subsidiary S Uzina Automecanica Moreni S.A. (UAM), have announced a cooperation agreement between the two companies in the field of artillery production.

As part of the agreement, the parties will establish a Romanian Artillery Center, with the participation of additional local companies to enhance the domestic industrial base, generate additional employment opportunities and establish a strong foundation for sovereign artillery production in Romania.

The cooperation agreement includes production of Elbit Systems’ 155mm ATMOS Advanced Mobile Howitzers including the transfer of know-how for the manufacturing, production, assembly and integration of the ATMOS howitzers. ROMARM and UAM will operate as the system integrator, with more than 50% of the total workshare. Moreni will also serve as a long-term local support and maintenance provider for the ATMOS Howitzers.
https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/cn-...rate on the,the field of artillery production.

 

[Rumcajs]

Czech holding Česká zbrojovka (Colt CZ Group SE) buys Czech ammunition manufacturer Sellier & Bellot. It concluded an agreement with CBC Europe S.à r.l. (CBC) to buy a 100% stake in the company. Sellier & Bellot is the biggest producer of a small caliber ammunition in Czechia. The history of the company located in Vlašim goes back to 1825.

 

[Rumcajs]

The Czech industrial-technological holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is buying a majority stake in the Italian family company Armi Perazzi, which is a renowned manufacturer of top-quality shotguns for sports shooters and elite hunters. For CSG, this is already the second significant acquisition on the territory of Italy. Last year, it acquired a majority stake in the small-caliber ammunition manufacturer Fiocchi Munizioni, which also has production branches in Great Britain and the USA. Recently, CSG also announced the conclusion of an agreement with the American company Vista Outdoor to buy its Sporting Products division, which produces small caliber ammunition of global brands such as Federal and Remington.

 

[BravoZulu]

Greece recently completed a major defence agreement with the United States, securing the purchase of 35 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

This transaction with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, was brokered by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and is priced at an astounding $1.95 billion.

This purchase represents a significant upgrade for the Greek Land Forces, as it replaces the older Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.

Originally, it was speculated that 49 helicopters would be purchased, but the final agreement, confirmed in a DSCA statement on December 15, 2023, settled on 35 helicopters.

https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/17/greece-deal-black-hawk-helicopter/