Mil News Western Europe Military News

[av405]

Thought I'd update this as more details have emerged:


F-35 - Increase from 46 to 52

Isn't it 58 now?

 

[Mike1976]

Isn't it 58 now?

Nope, that purchase was from 46 to 52 in mid 2022.

Another order was placed in 2024, rumoured to be 3 aircraft, but the exact number still hasn't been confirmed AFAIK.

 

[av405]

The Defense Planning Document from September mentioned 6 more, with the idea being that each of the 3 squadrons would get an additional 2 aircraft. The total would be 58 I only remember because it was reported by numerous sources at the time. I hope that is still the plan.

Netherlands Announces More F-35 Fighters, NH90 Helicopters in New $2.7B Defense Plan

The size of each of the three F-35 squadrons will swell and enhance readiness and ‘airstrike power.’ The Netherlands has announced plans to acquire

theaviationist.com

 

[Mike1976]

The Defense Planning Document from September mentioned 6 more, with the idea being that each of the 3 squadrons would get an additional 2 aircraft. The total would be 58 I only remember because it was reported by numerous sources at the time. I hope that is still the plan.

Netherlands Announces More F-35 Fighters, NH90 Helicopters in New $2.7B Defense Plan

The size of each of the three F-35 squadrons will swell and enhance readiness and ‘airstrike power.’ The Netherlands has announced plans to acquire

theaviationist.com

No, it does not. I've had another look through both the Dutch and English language versions and neither mentions any specific numbers as they never really do. Giving specific numbers is something the opposition can hold you accountable for later when it doesn't materialise. Very politically inconvenient.

All of these sites are circle-quoting each other. The number of "6" was a rumour that popped up the day before the document was released when some of it was leaked to the press as is usual. No official has ever commented on it. No reputable news source has confirmed it, it's only been doing the rounds on defense sites and blogs who all refer to each other as source.

Look at the list of stuff that they're wanting to buy for €2.5B. Buying 6 would mean taking a huge chunk out of the acquisition budget. The F-35 is a flashy thing to run with for the media, but for the MoD things like surveillance capability, anti-drone equipment and ammunition stockpiles are more important priorities.

2 or 3 with the intention of proving squadrons with a spare airframe is a much more plausible rumour imo.

 

[av405]

Thank you for the explanation.

 

[haze99]

Deutschland

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-sets-up-military-division-dedicated-territorial-defence-2025-01-11/

 

[Mike1976]

Thought I'd update this as more details have emerged:

Deep precision strike maritime - Tomahawk
Ballistic missile defence - With near certainty SM-6
Maritime SAM - Barak-ER
Maritime tactical land attack - Harop
Rocket artillery - PULS
PzH2000 - Operational increase from 35 to 45
AD batteries - Increase from 1 to 2, more Patriots
F-35 - Increase from 46 to 52
Deep precision strike air - JASSM-ER
MQ-9 - Increase from 4 to 8 and may be armed
C-130 - the 4 aircraft are being phased and replaced by 5 Cambraer C-390
Counter-UAV - Unknown
Ammunition and other stocks - Confidential

Fire Support Command is being disbanded and the brigades will revert to having organic barrel and tube artillery support.

One slip-up on my part here:

Given that the new Multipurpose Support Ships are getting the Barak-ER and the desire of the navy to limit the number of different weapons systems it is probable that the FuAD and ASW frigates will also use the same missile instead of SM-6. And Barak-ER is also capable of terminal phase ballistic missile defence with the navy having ruled out exo-atmospheric interceptions as too expensive.

Deep precision strike maritime - Tomahawk
Maritime Ballistic missile defence - Probably Barak-ER
Maritime SAM - Barak-ER
Maritime tactical land attack - Harop
Rocket artillery - PULS with EXTRA missiles
PzH2000 - Operational increase from 35 to 45
AD batteries - Increase from 1 to 2, more Patriots
F-35 - Increase to upwards of 52
Deep precision strike air - JASSM-ER
MQ-9 - Increase from 4 to 8 and may be armed
C-130 - the 4 aircraft are being phased and replaced by 5 Cambraer C-390
Counter-UAV - Israeli, French and German systems rumoured so far
Ammunition and other stocks - Confidential, several hundred million euros allotted, unknown how much of this includes funding for Ukraine

 

[muck]

Deutschland

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-sets-up-military-division-dedicated-territorial-defence-2025-01-11/

From the source:

The reorganization will take effect in April and raise the number of German divisions - units of some 20,000 troops - to four without increasing the total number of around 180,000 soldiers in the German forces.

Well, that's because those 180,000 troops are active soldiers. Reservists are the opposite (sharp tongues would say, quite the opposite). Here, the reserve is approaching a milestone of 100,000 strong, at least on paper.

I'd assume there's even a fifth division on the horizon; I mean, twelve regiments in a single division would be a pain in the arse to manage.

In other news, November's issue of 'die reserve' (the member's magazine of the German Reservists' Association) reports that the buildup of Germany's military reserves goes rather smoothly. Shockingly smoothly even, considering how piss-poor our perfomance usually is.

The first milestone having been met ahead of schedule, they've found enough volunteers for 12 homeland defence regiments, 5 of which have already been stood up. The regimental structure is going to vary depending on the environment (for example, a coastal region's regiment will have a different order of battle than one recruited in the Alps), but as a rule of thumb every regiment will have a headquarters company, three homeland defence companies (one doubling as a training company), and a fires company.

 

[PEMM]

Maximum age of reservists will be increased in Finland to 65.

This means officers and NCO's. With staff roles the upper limit is 50.

(Note, doesn't mean that some guy aged 65 is in front lines, but there are many desk jobs where they do just fine)

Ministry of Defense plans to raise the upper age limit for reservists​

According to Häkkänen, the reservists themselves have wished for the age limit to be raised.

The Ministry of Defence is preparing a proposal to raise the upper age limit for the reserve. The proposal is intended to be submitted to Parliament in spring 2025.

– The high will of Finns to defend their country is reflected in the growing interest in participating in national defense even after the age of 60, says Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen (Kok) in a statement.

According to Häkkänen, the reservists themselves have wished for the age limit to be raised.

– This change can be taken forward with great joy.

In the future, the age limit for reservists and soldiers who have left regular service in the Defence Forces is planned to be 65 years of age. The aim of raising the upper age limit is to ensure the availability of certain key reservists for national defence tasks.

The Ministry of Defence also aims to develop other projects to improve conscription.

– A diverse set of reforms regarding conscription are underway. We are implementing the policies of the government program and the recommendations of the conscription committee, Häkkänen says in a press release.

The draft system and increasing the number of women participating in voluntary military service are among the issues under review. Efforts are also being made to develop legislation on voluntary national defense, for example.

– More importantly, we are responding to the demands of the current security situation, says Häkkänen.

The legislative projects aim to supplement and enhance the performance of the Defence Forces in exceptional circumstances. The aim is to enable more reservists to participate in national defence. https://www.is.fi/kotimaa/art-2000010971464.html

 

[muck]

Responding to a NATO request, Germany has vowed to raise six more combat brigades (i.e. two divisions) till the 2030's. NATO planners have also asked that Germany drastically invests in air defence and attack helicopters. It's expected that in order to finance the necessary military expansion, the upcoming administration will drop the constitutional debt ceiling clause or modify it for military expenditures to become exempt. (Source)

A growth of that magnitude being virtually impossible with current (and foreseeable) recruitment levels, a return to conscription is almost guaranteed at this point.

I don't see Germany buying attack helicopters, though. The new doctrine of the Heer states in all but name that attack helicopters have become redundant. For some reason, they're adamant that the war in Ukraine has shown as much.

 

[PEMM]

FINLAND - Sniper training revamped due to experiences in Ukraine.

Finnish military revamps sniper training with lessons learned from war in Ukraine

The new training includes longer ranges and shooting at moving targets.

The Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) are making plans to modernise sniper training, drawing insights from the ongoing war in Ukraine. As part of this initiative, shooting practice is also being revamped to include more diverse and realistic scenarios.

Colonel Juhana Skyttä, Commander of the Armoured Brigade, emphasised the critical role of snipers in modern warfare, based on observations from Ukraine.

"Effective sniper operations require training at long distances. While training can begin at shorter ranges, between 150 and 300 metres, a 600-metre range is necessary for efficient and impactful performance," Skyttä said.
New long-range rifle range

To address this need, a new 600-metre rifle range will be constructed this year at the Hälvälä shooting sports centre in Hollola, near the city of Lahti.

Currently, the Finnish Defence Forces have limited access to long-distance shooting ranges, which has created a bottleneck in sniper training.

The Armoured Brigade, which manages the Hälvälä area, lacks a suitable long-range facility. The new range will also benefit snipers from other organisations as well as reservists in their training. Funding for the construction was provided through Parliament's so-called "Christmas gift funds."
Moving and shooting

Future training will increasingly include "dynamic shooting," where participants move and shoot at moving targets. This new style of training demands updates to existing ranges, as shooting distances will vary from a few metres to 150 metres.

"This type of training provides the foundation for weapon handling and builds confidence in one's ability to react in different situations and at various distances, even in high-pressure scenarios," explained Skyttä.

One challenge of dynamic shooting is the need for safety backstops behind targets to prevent stray bullets from leaving the range and posing risks to bystanders. The dense Hälvälä range has limited space for additional safety structures, but modern solutions, such as electronic targets that register hits, offer a viable alternative.
Increasing demand

Use of the Hälvälä shooting range has surged, with over half a million shots fired annually in recent years — a one-third increase compared to previous years. While civilian hobbyists account for most of the activity, training by the FDF and volunteers for national defence courses has also grown.

The increased demand has driven the FDF to develop the range. In recent years, environmental permits have been updated, including measures to protect groundwater and reduce noise pollution.

"Protective structures have reduced environmental impacts without compromising shooting activities. However, use of the largest calibre rifles has been restricted due to noise concerns," noted Captain Pasi Suvitie, training area officer for the Armoured Brigade.
Rifle with telescopic sights on the railing of the shooting range canopy.
File photo. The Finnish-made Sako sniper rifle at a shooting range. Image: Ville Välimäki / Yle
Tackling environmental challenges

The FDF recently completed a significant project to bring all shooting ranges in line with environmental regulations, investing 25 million euros over seven years. Without these upgrades, many ranges faced the threat of closure.

Key improvements included groundwater protection and noise reduction. For instance, the number of properties exposed to shooting noise has been reduced to a fraction of earlier levels.

The lessons learned during this project are now being applied to maintain existing ranges and construct new ones. With stricter groundwater protection regulations on the horizon, the FDF are well-prepared to address future challenges.

"The most important thing is ensuring that shooting and training activities can continue through environmental measures. Without these efforts, we could have faced the closure of some ranges," said Teemu Pasanen, environmental specialist at the FDF's Logistics Command

https://yle.fi/a/74-20137629

By no means have the training been bad so far.

Training for long ranges has been possible in training areas, but this doesn't allow for day to day training for long ranges. Moving targets were also a thing, at least in Pori brigade in 2009, but for shorter ranges.

 

[muck]

@Mike1976 Any word in Dutch media as to the new NATO requirements presented to the Netherlands?

 

[Mike1976]

@Mike1976 Any word in Dutch media as to the new NATO requirements presented to the Netherlands?

The criticism was mostly aimed at the army. Brigades right now are not actually brigade sized, with two or three battalions instead of four. 13 Light Brigade was mentioned specifically, having only two battalions and no tanks while according to NATO they should have 100. This is nonsense imo since it is a motorized brigade and not a mechanized or armor brigade. 43 Mechanized Brigade is the unit that will be operating tanks as the "Heavy Brigade". After the already planned revisions the army will have one light (11AASLT), one medium (13th) and one heavy brigade (43th). All three brigades have been filling out the numbers by having a Reserve battalions (~5 platoons each) attached. One of many accounting tricks to keep up appearances.

Bringing every brigade to full strength and with the equipment that NATO is requiring will require conscription which has not been an option to either the previous cabinet or the current one. The only caveat as I've said earlier is that conscription will be reactivated if Germany does so first.

To paraphrase: Not a chance in hell.

 

[BravoZulu]

Airbus Helicopters has completed the delivery of two H225M multi-role rotorcraft to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), marking the initial instalment of an eight-unit order placed in 2021.

These aircraft will be integrated into the French Air and Space Force fleet, taking over duties from the Pumas currently in use across overseas territories such as French Guyana, Djibouti, and New Caledonia.

Designed for a variety of operational tasks including search and rescue, as well as utility missions, the H225Ms are equipped with avionics.


The French fleet, also known as Caracal, features the Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and Sigma inertial navigation system.

Additional equipment includes the Thales VUHF radio TRA6034 and IF

https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/france-h225m-helicopters-airbus/

 

[PEMM]

Italy upping the game.

Italy to purchase 1,050 German-made Rheinmetall Lynx armored vehicles under €16 billion A2CS program.
As reported by Jon Hawkes on January 21, 2025, Italy provided additional details about its Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS) program during the Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) conference, held in Farnborough, UK. This initiative aims to establish a new armored brigade within five years, using Rheinmetall's Lynx fighting vehicle as its foundation. The program includes the procurement of 1,050 armored vehicles in 16 variants, each designed to meet diverse operational requirements across multiple domains.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The A2CS program seeks to replace Italy's aging fleet of VCC-80 Dardo infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which were designed in the 1980s. Prototypes of the new A2CS vehicles are planned for development between 2026 and 2029. These vehicles are intended for various roles, including infantry transport, command posts, air defense, anti-tank operations, 120mm mortar carriers, reconnaissance, combat engineering, and logistic support. Key aspects of the program include modular designs, scalable armor, open architecture, and interoperability with unmanned systems.

The financial aspect of the A2CS is significant, with Italy’s defense budget initially allocating €5.2 billion over 14 years for the program. The total budget is now projected to rise to €16 billion. Major General Francesco Olla emphasized the importance of partnerships, noting that no single European nation can afford such a complex program independently. Meanwhile, Rheinmetall Italia's CEO Alessandro Ercolani highlighted the advantages of the Lynx’s modular features and cautioned that developing a vehicle from scratch could delay the program by five to seven years.

In early 2025, Rheinmetall loaned a Lynx KF41 tracked vehicle to the Italian Army for testing at Montelibretti near Rome. This precedes a potential €500 million contract for an initial batch of vehicles expected by mid-2025. Testing will focus on the vehicle's mobility, protection, firepower, and interoperability. Rheinmetall has offered full technology transfer and design authority for the Lynx platform, supporting Italy’s goal of local production and future variant development. The inclusion of Italian-made ITAR-free systems, such as the X-GUN turret under development by Leonardo, could enhance the A2CS program’s appeal in international markets. This turret, designed for platforms like the Hitfist 30 UL and Lionfish 30, is expected to provide cost-effective solutions for countering drone threats while adhering to NATO standards.

Leonardo’s joint venture with Iveco, known as CIO, plays a key role in the program. Iveco signed a preliminary agreement with Leonardo to supply engines, transmissions, and potentially protective elements for both the A2CS vehicles and the Panther-based I-MBT (Italian Main Battle Tank). This collaboration is part of the Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture. Other contenders include KNDS, which has proposed working with Leonardo on a new design or offering a tracked version of the Boxer vehicle. The program’s partnerships extend beyond the A2CS initiative, as the Leonardo and KNDS strategic alliance signed in December 2024 also covers discussions about future Leopard tank orders and collaboration on the Main Ground Combat System.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/new...rmored-vehicles-under-16-billion-a2cs-program

 

[Mike1976]

Italy upping the game.

The US is getting 3800 AMPVs for $2B

 

[muck]

The US is getting 3800 AMPVs for $2B

In all fairness, the AMPV is far less complex a vehicle. It's essentially a refurbished 1980's Bradley hull with a few updates to boot.

And Italy will have to pay the development cost for that entire family they want, so it's only natural they have to up the ante.

I wouldn't hold my breath for all the 16 envisaged variants to actually materialise, anyway.
I mean, when was the last time a platform solution actually matured to such diversity?

And frankly, maybe it's even for the best. The Lynx is essentially a cross between a Marder 2 and a Puma, two highly specialised vehicles. It's a purebred infantry fighting vehicle with little emphasis on modularity (despite the fancy slogans in Rheinmetall's brochure).

 

[Mike1976]

In all fairness, the AMPV is far less complex a vehicle. It's essentially a refurbished 1980's Bradley hull with a few updates to boot.

And Italy will have to pay the development cost for that entire family they want, so it's only natural they have to up the ante.

I wouldn't hold my breath for all the 16 envisaged variants to actually materialise, anyway.
I mean, when was the last time a platform solution actually matured to such diversity?

And frankly, maybe it's even for the best. The Lynx is essentially a cross between a Marder 2 and a Puma, two highly specialised vehicles. It's a purebred infantry fighting vehicle with little emphasis on modularity (despite the fancy slogans in Rheinmetall's brochure).

Refurbished?

The hulls will be newly cast, in a different way to that of the Bradley. The vehicle is larger and more modular. Loads more modern technical features.

They've taken the Bradley as a basis for the design, but they're entirely new vehicles replacing the M113s.

"Complex" is another word for "German". Crew survivability and numbers are what counts because as Ukraine has shown Bradleys are just as vulnerable as the BMP, except the crew is more likely to survive. And the Lynx will be no different. All armored vehicles are designed to resist explosives from the front, sides and rear and some have a V-shaped hull, but none are equipped with the armor to withstand a top-attack.

The fanciest Wunderwaffe won't survive for much longer than a far simpler Western system would and then it becomes a numbers game which you'll lose.

Build Panzer IVs and Jagdpanzer IVs, not King Tigers and Jagdtigers.

 

[PEMM]

Nammo Lapua will build a new factory in Jyväskylä, Finland to produce artillery shells. Factory will be up and running by summer 2026.

Finnish artillery shells in high demand – new large ammunition factory to be built in Jyväskylä
Nammo Lapua opens Finland's second factory for the production of artillery shells in Jyväskylä.

A new factory for the production of artillery shells is being built in Jyväskylä for the aviation and defense group Nammo Lapua Oy. The ammunition factory will be built in Seppälänkangas, Jyväskylä, on a tight schedule, and construction work is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, according to a press release from the construction company Peab, responsible for the construction, and the real estate development company Jykia, which is the developer. Jykia is a real estate development company owned by the municipalities of Jyväskylä, Muurame and Laukaa.

According to Jykia, the new factory, which is approximately 7,300 square meters in size, is intended to start ammunition production by the summer of 2026. The total value of the project is approximately 45 million euros and the factory will employ approximately 30 people.

This is the second factory in Finland involved in the production of artillery shells. So far, the only one has been Nammo Lapua's factory in Sastamala, whose demand for 155-millimeter artillery shells has exploded following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Iltalehti reported last January that the grenades manufactured in Sastamala are selling for more than they can be manufactured, and that additional investments of 10 million euros were planned for the factory at the time, which are now being implemented alongside the new factory.

In addition to Sastamala, Nammo has ammunition factories in Finland in Lapua and Vihtavuori. Nammo's main customer in Finland is the Finnish Defence Forces. Nammo is owned equally by the Finnish state-owned company Patria and the Norwegian state.

According to Yle, which was the first to report on the subject, the new factory will significantly increase Nammo's grenade shell manufacturing capacity.
Several options

- We are convinced that together we will be able to implement the project according to the tight schedule. The new factory is a significant part of Nammo's investment program in Finland, says Raimo Helasmäki, CEO of Nammo Lapua Oy, in a press release.

According to Nammo Lapua and Jykia, several options were considered for the location of the new factory.

– The location was influenced by, among other things, the availability of labor and the fact that Jykia had to present a comprehensively competitive implementation model for the implementation of the factory building. Jykia also had to present several good options for the location of the factory, says Ilkka Heikkilä, Local Director of Nammo Lapua Vihtavuori unit.

– Nammo has recruited approximately 75 people in Central Finland over the past three years and the availability of skilled personnel in the area has been good. This partly supported the decision to locate the factory in Jyväskylä, he says

The preliminary agreement for the construction of the new factory was announced in the summer and according to Jykia, the planning schedule has now been fast.

– Nammo's decision to locate the operations in Jyväskylä was made in the summer and the planning work has progressed very well both in terms of the layout of the factory and the technical design of the building. Construction will be able to start as scheduled at the beginning of 2025. Nammo will be able to carry out its own installations at the end of the year.

 

[Picanha]

The US is getting 3800 AMPVs for $2B

I read some sources among those from GAO reports and I estimate 5 to 6,5 bill.

Just for 29 prototypes nearly 460 million. were spent.

They offered a price of 1,8 mill. per vehicle.

Edit:

And like Muck mentioned it's not an IFV.

The Lynx is an IFV and should deliver 80 - 90 % of the Pumas performance for 60 - 70 % of the price.