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[muck]

My understanding is that Germany now has the ability to manufacture its own Patriot missiles?

PAC-2 missiles have been in MBDA Germany's portfolio (ex DASA-Dornier) for a while now.

I'm not sure if the Americans have also sold a licence for the better PAC-3 missile, though.

 

[Picanha]

MBDA is the largest European missile manufacturer Taurus is also built by them.

A new production line dedicated to Patriot missiles is currently set up in Bavaria.

Handelsblatt

www.handelsblatt.com

The contract for 123 pieces of Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie (Heavy Weapons Carrier Infantry) was signed.

They are going to be supplied from Rheinmetall Australia and equipped with the lance turret.

Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie löst Wiesel ab: Beschaffungsvertrag mit Australien unterzeichnet

Koblenz/Berlin/Canberra (ots) - In einer digitalen "signing ceremony" wurde heute die Beschaffung von insgesamt 123 neuen "Schweren Waffenträgern Infanterie" (sWaTrg Inf)...

www.presseportal.de

 

[Picanha]

The Luftwaffe will get 15 EF Typhoons EK (electronic combat)

Germany Is Buying the Typhoon-EK Fighter for Electronic Warfare Wizardry

Unfortunately, it’s missing pages in its spell book.

www.popularmechanics.com

They will be equipped with a SAAB AREXIS system controlled by a HELSING developed AI. This AI will automatically evaluate the EM spectrum and coordinate and execute counter measures.

Helsing on LinkedIn: Helsing AI selected for Eurofighter upgrade Helsing and its partner Saab… | 11 comments

Helsing AI selected for Eurofighter upgrade Helsing and its partner Saab Germany have been selected to equip the Luftwaffe’s Eurofighter with AI-based… | 11 comments on LinkedIn

www.linkedin.com

Trivia

Helsing also develops the AI for the FCAS.

 

[Mike1976]

Today the last QRA service of the F-16 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force over the Benelux ended after having fullfilled the role since 1981. It's place is taken by the F-35.

 

[BravoZulu]

The Norwegian Government is proposing to parliament a historic increase in defence spending with 600 billion kroner over the next 12 years, from this year to 2036 (approx. 60 billion USD). It is a historic boost for the Armed Forces. All services of the Norwegian Armed Forces will be strengthened, with more personnel and new capabilities.

‘Providing security for the people of Norway is the Government’s most fundamental task. We need a defence that is fit for purpose in the emerging security environment. This plan represents a historic boost in defence spending, and involves a significant strengthening of all branches of the Armed Forces’, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Norwegian Government propose to spend a total of NOK 1624 billion on Norway’s defence over the next twelve years, until 2036. By then, the defence budget will be almost twice as large as it is today, measured in real value.

‘Norway is a maritime nation with a strong maritime legacy. The Government commits to strengthening the Navy, with new frigates, submarines and other vessels. The plan also involves a robust air defence package, including Norway’s first long-range air defence system. We will also strengthen the land forces by expanding the Army from one to three brigades and increasing the Home Guard to a total of 45,000 soldiers’, Støre says.

‘As our security environment is deteriorating, we need to spend more on and pay more attention to defence and preparedness. Norway is in a unique position to take action. Our model of securing income for society from our natural resources, enable us to increase national security spending, without a cut in people’s public services’, says Minister of Finance, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum. He adds: ‘Our proposed defence investments will benefit the whole country in several ways. When we spend so much on defence, it must be in a way which creates Norwegian jobs and investments.’

The Government will prioritise the following main areas:

• Improve the current defence structure: Improve current and critical deficiencies, including an increase in stocks of munitions and materiel, maintain buildings and important infrastructure, increase reception capacity for allied reinforcements and employ more people.
• Invest in the people of the Armed Forces: Before 2036, the Government plans for around 4,600 more conscripts, 13,700 more reservists and 4,600 more employees, and a major boost in competence.
• A strong maritime package: The Navy will get a minimum of five new frigates with anti-submarine helicopters, at least five new submarines, and a standardised vessel class of up to ten large and eighteen smaller vessels. In terms of money, the strengthening of the Navy is the largest investment in this long-term plan.
• More and improved air defence: The Government will purchase long-range air defence systems to protect against short-range ballistic missiles. In addition, the quantity of the existing NASAMS air defence will be doubled, which will be upgraded to improve protection against drones and missiles. Both the Air Force and the Army will receive more systems, and the current air defence systems will be updated.
• Stronger Army and Home Guard: The Army is being developed from one to three brigades, one in the northernmost county Finnmark, one in Troms, and a new Brigade South. Investments will follow on long-range precision firepower, additional combat vehicles, air defence, and helicopters for the Army and special forces. The Home Guard will increase to a total of 45,000 soldiers and with improved capabilities.
• Improve situational awareness: Increase the ability to create situational awareness with more surveillance, presence, and control in our surrounding areas, through the use of new vessels and the expansion of satellite and drone capabilities.

https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktue...rm-plan-on-defence-a-historic-plan/id3032878/

 

[muck]

Germany is reportedly buying 8 new Patriot batteries. (Source)

Compensating donations to Ukraine, the German Air Force would end up operating 18 Patriot batteries plus 3 Arrow 3 batteries in total. For contrast, Germany had 30 long-range SAM batteries during the height of the Cold War.

 

[BravoZulu]

Spain will acquire additional National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) from Kongsberg for 410 million euros ($438 million).

The acquisition seeks to bolster the Spanish Armed Forces’ air defence by integrating additional systems into its current four.

The contract is expected to be signed next month.

Spain became the first international NASAMS user following the delivery of its first systems in 2003. The country’s NASAMS are currently deployed in the Baltic region as part of NATO’s Air Shielding Mission.

https://www.kongsberg.com/newsandme...ce-capabilities-with-new-nasams-acquisitions/

 

[BravoZulu]

Denmark will raise its defence spending by an additional $5.1 billion over the next four years in order to speed up investments in military capabilities, as the government has warned that Russia is readying for a long-term war.

With the war in Ukraine reaching its 800th day, and the battle showing little sign of resolution in the foreseeable future, European countries are doubling down on efforts to inject more funds into their military posture.

The Danish government announced this week that it would again increase the country’s defence expenditure from 2024-2028. Last year, the Scandinavian country had already committed to investing $21 billion in defence over the next decade.

Denmark’s defence spending for 2023 was $8.1 billion, a 39% increase over the previous year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

“The security situation in Europe has worsened since we decided on the Danish Défense Agreement last summer. Russia is preparing for a long-term war and could pose a potential threat to NATO allies within a few years,” the Danish Défense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

The additional funds will go to reinforcing the Army’s 1st heavy brigade, which is Denmark’s fore package assigned to the NATO Response Force, acquiring more land-based air defence systems and bolstering the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The unit in question will have to be deployable on short notice, based on NATO standards, and it receive new tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

Denmark borders the Baltic and North seas along its 8,750 kilometers of shoreline, which could be vulnerable in the event of NATO-Russia tensions in the region.

Following Copenhagen’s submarine divestiture in 2004, lawmakers have been going back and forth about the possibility of acquiring and even leasing new undersea platforms.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/... — Denmark will raise its,for a long-term war.

 

[muck]

Walther's PDP 9×19mm pistol has been selected as the next sidearm of all German military special forces units. Dubbed the P14, It will replace the army's Heckler & Koch P30 and the navy's Glock 17 Gen 4. (Source) The contract comprises 6.500 weapons.

With that bagged, Walther should be a clear favourite to also win the upcoming competition to replace the general service P8 pistol.

 

[muck]

The co-heads of Germany's Union party group, the party most likely to win 2025's general elections, have made a public pledge that if elected, they will increase Germany's defence spending to 3% GDP (approximately $133.3 billion p.a.) and reinstitute conscription. (Source 1, Source 2)

This is bigger news for Germany than it might seem. Defence has not been a decisive factor in German general elections since 1994.

 

[av405]

The co-heads of Germany's Union party group, the party most likely to win 2025's general elections, have made a public pledge that if elected, they will increase Germany's defence spending to 3% GDP (approximately $133.3 billion p.a.) and reinstitute conscription. (Source 1, Source 2)

This is bigger news for Germany than it might seem. Defence has not been a decisive factor in German general elections since 1994.

What's the general public sentiment in Germany right now over defense issues? Would a 3% GDP defense budge be supported by the general public?

 

[muck]

What's the general public sentiment in Germany right now over defense issues? Would a 3% GDP defense budge be supported by the general public?

Recent polls show about 70% in favour each for bringing back conscription and for spending more on defence, without an explicite number attached. This number is very fresh and has never been put to the test in a poll, though. Personally, I have no reason to believe that the populace would be opposed even an dramatically increased defence budget right now, it's more about where to reduce spending in return.

Now, it has to be said that this was an election pledge. Nevermind the tendency of politicians to forget their pledges, it's quite clear to me that Germany isn't going to spent 3% on defence under a Union-led government for a very simple reason: They can't govern alone. There'll have to be a coalition government, most likely with either the Greens (who're actually advocates of a higher defence budget) or the Social Democrats (who won't embrace such an increase unless given something substantial in return).

Previously, the Union spoke about the more realistic number of €100 billion annually. I'd assume that that's what they'll be going for.

 

[av405]

Recent polls show about 70% in favour each for bringing back conscription and for spending more on defence, without an explicite number attached. This number is very fresh and has never been put to the test in a poll, though. Personally, I have no reason to believe that the populace would be opposed even an dramatically increased defence budget right now, it's more about where to reduce spending in return.

Now, it has to be said that this was an election pledge. Nevermind the tendency of politicians to forget their pledges, it's quite clear to me that Germany isn't going to spent 3% on defence under a Union-led government for a very simple reason: They can't govern alone. There'll have to be a coalition government, most likely with either the Greens (who're actually advocates of a higher defence budget) or the Social Democrats (who won't embrace such an increase unless given something substantial in return).

Previously, the Union spoke about the more realistic number of €100 billion annually. I'd assume that that's what they'll be going for.

Thanks for the analysis. I feel like pledging 3% might still be a good strategy. That way if it ends up being, 2.5% (for example), they can still say they raised the defense budget while claiming to compromise.

 

[muck]

Luxembourg will be pumping €2.6 billion into a joint cavalry battalion to be established in conjunction with neighbouring Belgium. The Luxembourgian share of the burden will include 38 Jaguar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, 21 Griffon/Serval armoured personnel carriers, and 127 support vehicles of various types. It is by far the biggest military expenditure in the history of the country. (Source)

 

[Soldier35]

The German-French company KNDS published footage of the destruction of drones using the BOXER RCT30 infantry fighting vehicle. The video shows the operator engaging the drones while the vehicle is moving and from a standstill, using programmable air-burst munitions. The drones are fired from a 30-mm Rheinmetall MK 30-2/ABM automatic cannon. The BOXER RCT30 combat module allows for 360° optical-electronic surveillance and is capable of hitting drones at a range of up to 1,500 meters.

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[Soldier35]

UK RFDEW radio frequency weapons to combat UAVs. Britain has introduced radio frequency energy weapons to combat UAVs and jam enemy electronics. The new weapon is being developed by the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory "Dstl". A universal system called RFDEW (Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon), is a radio frequency directed energy weapon. The complex emits radio waves and disables important electronic components of enemy vehicles and UAVs. The RFDEW system can be installed on a variety of vehicles and uses a mobile power source to generate pulses of radio frequency energy in the form of a beam. This beam can strike individual targets or expand the area of effect to all threats within its range. The RFDEW system is automated, operated by one person and is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 1 km, and work is currently underway to increase the operating range. An RFDEW beam costs just 10p to fire, making it significantly more cost effective than using traditional air defense systems.

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[PEMM]

JASSM-ER for Finland

Logistics Command to procure long-range air-to-surface missiles for F-35 Multi-Role Fighters

Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen has approved an additional procurement of JASSM missiles on 31 May 2024. The missiles enhance the air-to-surface capability range.

The missiles will be delivered within the Finnish Air Force F-35 integration time line. The AGM-158B JASSM-ER missile (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range) will be used in the F-35 multirole fighter replacing the F/A-18 Hornet capability. The procurement that will be carried out by the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command supplements the F-35 multirole fighter system’s capability with the precision-guided munition of a longer than previous range.

Logistics Command to procure long-range air-to-surface missiles for F-35 Multi-Role Fighters -

maavoimat.fi

 

[Picanha]

Airbus Unveils New Stealthy Loyal Wingman Concept

The unmanned aircraft will be commanded by a pilot in the Eurofighter (and other combat aircraft). Airbus is set to unveil "Wingman" concept at the

theaviationist.com

Looks now totally different than the first designs meaning they moved up a step.

 

[Picanha]

New production increase up from 8 systems annually to "at least" 10.

Germany to Boost IRIS-T Air Defense Missile Systems Production Amid Rising Demand and Ukraine War

Germany to Boost IRIS-T Air Defense Missile Systems Production Amid Rising Demand and Ukraine War

armyrecognition.com

 

[Mike1976]

"Czech Republic to order 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks as well as CV90 IFVs" rumours say.