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[av405]

Beginning in the second quarter of 2024, the German Army will raise a new armoured formation – 42nd Armoured Brigade – garrisoned in Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuania. The core of this 4.800-strong unit will be formed by bataillons which recently transferred some of their equipment and provided training to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely 203rd Armour Battalion and 122nd Armoured Infantry Battalion. The brigade's third combat battalion will be provided by a German battalion garrisoned in the home country but deployed on six-month tours within the framwork of NATO's enhanced forward presence. For this build-up, Germany will acquire up to 100 additional Leopard 2 main battle tanks. Norway and the Netherlands have indicated their intenton to contribute troops as well. (Source 1, Source 2, in German)

Sounds like the perfect reason for the Netherlands to proceed with their supposed plans to re-establish a tank force.

 

[muck]

As an addendum:

In an interview with 'Focus', KNDS CEO Frank Haun has revealed it takes four months to produce a Leopard 2 – during an ongoing production run. Up to three years may pass at current production rates between an order being placed and the first vehicle's delivery. Citing difficulties in obtaining skilled labour and certain materials, Haun emphasised that KDNS often makes advance payments without the safety of a contract to speed up deliveries. Quicker production runs are possible but require decisive action by Europe's governments. (Source, German)

 

[muck]

Germany is going to purchase 82 Airbus H145M light utility helicopters. Unlike previously reported, they're not going to replace the reeling Tiger attack helicopter – which instead will be phased out without replacement at the end of its scheduled service life. (Source, German)

 

[Fluff]

Germany is going to purchase 82 Airbus H145M light utility helicopters. Unlike previously reported, they're not going to replace the reeling Tiger attack helicopter – which instead will be phased out without replacement at the end of its scheduled service life. (Source, German)

So what will they use them for? Germany had the bo105 with hot missiles, then the tigers.

To be fair, if you just want to elevate hellfire, or spike, just use a big drone.

 

[TheKiwi]

Probably as light transports for all those times when the NH-90 is grounded.

 

[muck]

Nevermind poor availability rates, the German Army has always perceived the NH90 and Tiger as too heavy and expensive for some low-threat missions like liaison and armed reconnaissance. They've always wanted a replacement for the Bo-105.

I suspect those little birds will mainly be used to fly around personnel, equipment and Bambi Buckets. Flight hour download will also be a subject on the agenda, though. Theoretically, outsourcing parts of the training to the smaller type could help increase the availability of the NH90 and Tiger (which is apparently still at atrocious 50% and under 20% respectively).

It's not a terrible investment in that regard, as far as I'm concerned. Especially considering that e.g. the UKMFTS with 29 H135 and 7 H145 is reportedly already seen as under-equipped to satisfy Britain's demand for future rotorcraft aircrew. Germany, with a fleet of helicopters not much smaller than the British one, has only 13 H135 and 6 Bell 206 in a training role. There's a need for more helicopters.

 

[muck]

Three more P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and up to 233 Dingo 2 MRAPs for Germany: Source (in German)

 

[Redav]

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[Redav]

Portuguese Navy signs contract with Damen Shipyards for innovative Multi-Purpose Vessel | Damen

The Damen Shipyards Group has contracted the Portuguese Navy for the design, construction and outfitting of a state-of-the-art Multi-Purpose Vessel.

www.damen.com

 

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[TheKiwi]

Biggest issue the British Armed Forces seem to have with recruitment is that they outsourced it to Capita AKA Crapita, the worst outsourcing company in the UK (and it's not even a close contest).

 

[BravoZulu]

The Spanish Navy's first new S-80 Plus-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK) has been commissioned into service following the completion of sea acceptance trials.

First-of-class Isaac Peral (S-81) was formally commissioned during a ceremony held at the Spanish Navy's naval base in Cartagena on 30 November.

 

[downsizer]

Biggest issue the British Armed Forces seem to have with recruitment is that they outsourced it to Capita AKA Crapita, the worst outsourcing company in the UK (and it's not even a close contest).

That certainly has been an issue but they are better now than they were.

Biggest actual problem is an oversubscription of people for the dencent jobs and not enough people wanting to do the S**t jobs.

Furthermore recruitment wouldn't be such a real issue if retention was sorted - thats the real story here!

 

[PEMM]

Finland

Defense forces placed an order for 74M€ worth of ballistic vests from domestic companies C.P.E Production and Sioen Ballistics for the next seven years.

CPE Production from Forssa and Sioen Ballistics from Helsinki will supply ballistic vests for use by the Defense Forces for the next seven years.

The value of the contract without VAT is approximately EUR 74 million. The amount is mainly divided in half between the manufacturers.

Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen (co-ordinator) authorized the Finnish Defense Forces to enter into framework agreements with the companies.

CPE Production, which manufactures ballistic protective equipment in Forssa, has invested millions in a new factory, which started earlier this year.

- Now we are talking about a seven-year framework agreement, which brings us predictability and a view far into the future. We are able to increase
the production staff at Forssa, says CEO Harri Kolu .

The new factory invests in bulletproof vests, bulletproof helmets and vehicle bulletproofing.

- This is a purchase specifically of soft protective vests and it is above all for the old factory.

Puolustusvoimat tilaa suojaliivejä 74 miljoonalla eurolla kahdelta kotimaiselta valmistajalta

Yhtiöt Forssasta ja Helsingistä kehittävät ja toimittavat ballistisia suojaliivejä Puolustusvoimien eri yksiköiden käyttöön.

yle-fi.translate.goog

 

[Redav]

Portugal eyes F-35 buy

The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft could emerge as the next combat aircraft in the inventory of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP).

www.janes.com

 

[muck]

Germany is inching closer towards ending its twelve-year-old moratorium on military conscription. Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius has commissioned plans to introduce a model akin to that used by Sweden. Under the proposed scheme, all men and women aged 18 would be called up for examination and offered bespoke career opportunities suited to their abilities and preferences. In the absence of a crisis, however, only those accepting their offer would actually be drafted into the armed services. It is hoped that this "glide path" into the military will increase the intake, with conventional recruitment methods undermined by the nation-wide shortage of labour. Whilst Pistorius's Social Democrats and the Greens have signalled support for the plan, their liberal coalition partner has so far rejected the idea. (Source, German)

 

[TheKiwi]

What's your thoughts on it as a method to fill the gaps in Germany's defence personnel needs? @muck

 

[muck]

I'd argue it would be a step into the right direction. Conscription used to be a strong retention factor as long as we held onto it; almost every second professional soldier entered the system as a conscript. It would also be an important signal, me thinks, to underline the fact (both to reluctant politicians and Gen Z whiners) that defence is a common purpose.

All in all, it's just very difficult to recruit soldiers in this country the regular way, not merely due to hard factors like demographic change.

The lack of patriotism has somewhat lessened as of late, and the reputation of soldiers has increased quite substantially; but to many young people it's still just "another job" which they would not consider unless other options fail. And they usually don't fail.

I just checked the figures, last month the system registered 225,221 unemployed people aged 15 to 25. Excluding all who're ineligible to serve (under-17-year-olds, permanent foreign residents, educational dropouts, people with an IQ below 84), you end up with a figure of about 140-150,000 potential recruits. Who enjoy the opportunity to pick a career of their chosing from almost 800,000 vacancies.

And as far as that's concerned, why become e.g. a car mechanic in the army for ordinary money if you can do the same kind of work at more convenient hours for a wage with which the tax payer just cannot realistically compete? There's such a shortage of labour in this country that some employers (even smaller ones) try to win over trainees with absurd perks like four-day work weeks or a company cars.

It's just not a career option people have to consider, so perhaps we had best force them to at least give it a thought.

 

[Redav]

Germany Has Made Little Progress in Reversing Bundeswehr’s Decline

“War has returned to Europe. Germany and its allies once again confront a military threat. The international order is being attacked in Europe and around...

www.defense-aerospace.com

 

[PEMM]

Finland spends 11M€ just on wooden crates for 155mm shells. So it must be fair amount.

Grenade and ammunition boxes are procured for the defense forces

The Defense Forces has entered into a four-year procurement contract for the procurement of grenade and charge boxes. The framework agreements for grenade boxes 155 TKR and charge boxes are concluded for the years 2024 - 2027.

Grenade and charge boxes are made of softwood and are used for storing, field distribution and transporting 155 TKR grenades and charges directly to the end user or to various intermediate steps in the logistics chain. Grenade and charge boxes are transported in the cargo spaces of suitable off-road and road trucks and in various trailers. The boxes are handled with the tines of a tractor and a forklift, as well as the carrier lines.

The total value of the acquisition without value added tax is a maximum of 10,884,000 euros. The procurement package is delivered by the Finnish companies Savopak Oy and Rakennepalvelu Jurva Rinne Oy, each solely responsible for its own contract package.

The employment effect of the acquisition in the home country is significant. The capacity of the production volume is not public information.

https://www.defmin.fi/ajankohtaista...aatti-_ja_panoslaatikoita.14060.news#ceda551d