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2015

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions

Company (ADNEC) in co-ordinationwith the UAE Armed Forces GHQ,

and with Tawazun as strategicpartner, the International DefenceExhibition and Conference in AbuDhabi has risen in stature over its

two-decade history to become theMENA region’s premier defence and security exhibition, and one of the leading events in the world.

Underlining that position, morethan 1,100 exhibitors from allcorners of the globe have cometogether for IDEX 2015, and the exhi-bition space had sold out before the43rd National Day last December. As

well as providing the opportunity to showcase new technologies to

potential customers in the MENA region and beyond, IDEX provides an

ideal environment in which compa-nies can explore new partnerships, as well as expand existing ones.

IDEX also provides an arena in which national companies can pro-mote their products and services.The defence sector is a key pillar of The defence sector is a key pillar of

All�avenueslead�to�IDEX

Sunday,�22�February�2015

Official�Show�Daily

GCC navies pursue surface ship modernisation� page�36

UMEX throws open its doors to the world for the first time� page�10

Strategic partner: Published by: In association with:

Leopard ready to prowl in Qatar� page�32

Middle East moves to balanced vehicle fleets� page�28

Gulf air forces display new-found confidence� page�6

VIPPREVIEW

UAE Armed Forces

Organised by:

Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, and local companies are expandingrapidly in both number and capabil-ity. “A platform like IDEX is a uniqueopportunity for the industry lead-ers to showcase and highlight theinnovations and technologies thatput Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the defence industry,” said IDEX CEO Saleh Al Marzooqi.

Running alongside IDEX are two exhibitions dedicated to maritime and unmanned technologies. Since its inauguration in 2011, NAVDEX has grown to a position of prominence in the calendar of professionals

involved in the naval and mari-time defence and security sectors.

Driving growth in the naval defence sector, which isexpected to reach spending of US$76.4 billion (AED280.6bn) between 2010 and 2019 in theGulf and western Indian Ocean,NAVDEX focuses on the latest maritime innovations and tech-nology. “The knowledge-based platform created by IDEX and NAVDEX is central to devel-

oping the infrastructure necessaryfor regional security,” commented D. Khaled Al Mazrouei, CEO of

principal NAVDEX sponsor ADSB.A newcomer to this year’s IDEX

is the Unmanned Exhibitionand Conference. With ADASI asprincipal sponsor, UMEX forms a

business platform to promoteunmanned technologiesacross all domains, and adedicated environment for

partnerships to be formed.

3

official�online�show�daily janes.com/idex

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SITUATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, THE WORLD OVER

increase its security and play fully its role in promoting regional stability,” read the presidential statement. Negotiations with Egypt began in earnest during December.

Egypt is no stranger to Dassault products, having flown the Mirage 5 for many years, and currently oper-ates the Alpha Jet trainer and Mirage 2000. Driven by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt is pushing to upgrade its military capabilities, and perceives an urgent need for new aircraft as a reaction to what it sees as increased external threats, notably that from ongoing turmoil in neighbouring Libya. Having first seen combat over Afghanistan,

the UAE’s search for a new fighter, as well as being the subject of interest in Kuwait. Earlier it had seemed likely that Morocco would buy the type, but that deal went to the US F-16. Now Dassault is looking to Qatar as its most likely sales opportunity in the region, a number of 36 aircraft having been reported. French media reports from late 2014 suggested that negotiations were then at an advanced stage. Minister Le Drian visited Qatar last month for talks

with His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, although whether the Rafale was on the agenda has

not been disclosed. ■

French Rafales played a major part in the 2011 NATO air campaign over Libya, subsequently seeing action over Mali and, since last September, over Iraq.

For Dassault Aviation (French Pavilion, Stand 07-B15) the deal rep-resents a major boost, as the Rafale programme was becoming increas-ingly under threat of a production slowdown if no export sales could be concluded. The type was selected by India in early 2012, but contract negotiations over the supply of 126 Rafales are still to reach fruition.

Elsewhere in the MENA region, the Rafale was front-runner for some time in

DAVID DONALD

Last Monday, French defence min-ister Jean-Yves Le Drian was in Cairo to sign a contract with Egypt con-cerning the supply by France of 24 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, a FREMM frigate from DNCS, and asso-ciated Aster 15 and Mica missiles from MBDA.

The signing of the contract, worth around €5 billion, followed an announcement of the deal a few days earlier by French presi-dent François Hollande. “ This equipment will allow Egypt to

Rafale�lands�first�

export�order

Armed with GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, a French air force Rafale flies on an operational mission over Chad during Operation Serval in 2013

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The KC-390 represents the beginning of a new era in military transport. It́ s a multi-mission, rugged,

easily-operated aircraft that will establish new standards for speed and capacity in its category,

as well as representing the lowest life-cycle cost in the market. The KC-390 is an innovative project

designed to meet the demanding requirements of the Brazilian Air Force, using Embraer’s experience of

over 45 years. Embraer is committed to offering the best integrated solutions in defense and security to

protect people, territories and assets.

A new era of military transport has begun.Stronger and faster.

Untitled-24 1Untitled-24 1 10/02/2015 16:3610/02/2015 16:36

The UAE’s defence industry today stands at an inflection point in its evolution into a world-class part-ner capable of keeping the Armed Forces at a peak state of readiness.

Over the past 20 years, a number of defence service and manufacturing companies have grown up under the banner of several different national holding companies. Mubadala, Tawazun and Emirates Advanced Investments all made sub-stantial investments in d e ve l o p i n g capabilities

EDIC – a new platform for growth

5

official online show daily janes.com/idex

across manufacturing, mainte-nance, repair and overhaul, training, mapping, logistics and technology development.

On National Day last year, we announced the creation of the Emirates Defence Industr ies Company (EDIC), to bring these capabilities together under a single integrated platform. EDIC was established with 11 assets in the first

phase, which began in January, and

at this year’s

International Defence Exhibition and Conference, we are announcing a second phase of five companies to be brought under the EDIC banner.

The integration will not only enhance the strategic alignment of our defence services sector, but creates opportunities to unlock syn-ergies and improve performance. EDIC provides a platform for further growth, and our vision is to become a new national champion for innova-tion and technology development, opening career opportunities for the next generation of Emirati engineers.

What are we working to achieve? For the industry, EDIC will ensure our companies are coordinated and aligned, benefiting from economies of scale and delivering maximum value to our sharehold-ers and partners. For our clients, it provides a centralised view on a unique range of assets and capa-bilities in the region. It will help our industry compete in the regional marketplace, where customers increasingly demand greater tech-nical excellence and performance. For our nation, EDIC will be better positioned to meet the needs of the Armed Forces while creating jobs for UAE Nationals.

EDIC was created because it makes clear business sense today. For example, Al-Taif Technical Services, one of the first compa-nies to be integrated into EDIC, already provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services to NIMR Automotive, the multi-purpose vehicle manufacturer that is also among the first phase EDIC companies.

AMMROC, our flagship aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company that joins EDIC in the second phase, is a natural partner for Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), a first-phase EDIC company, to offer a service proposition through the full value chain. GAL specialises in first line, light maintenance of military aviation, while AMMROC offers second line, deep level maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

EDIC was also created because it builds a platform for future growth.

International partnerships are a critical part of our success, and EDIC companies already work in close collaboration with several leading global defence companies. We believe EDIC will give our partners an ideal platform to grow the business in the UAE and across the region.

Not only does EDIC provide a vital and valuable service to the nation’s defences, but its companies will open career opportunities to the next generation of Emirati engi-neers. AMMROC, for example, has trained hundreds of Emirati stu-dents to become high-tech aircraft maintenance engineers. Once they graduate, these talented Emiratis will be working to maintain and repair aircraft from Piaggio Aero-space, the Italian manufacturer majority-owned by Mubadala.

As the Armed Forces of the UAE and our allies in the region prepare to face the security challenges of the future, they require an integrated, world-class manufacturing and services partner to help them stay at a peak state of readiness. Now they have that partner, right here in Abu Dhabi. ■

Announced on 2 December last year, and commencing operations in its first phase last month, the Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) brings together elements of the UAE defence industry to

harmonise their activities and maximise their potential, as well as to provide a springboard for future growth.Here, the Chairman of EDIC, H.E. Homaid Al Shemmari, outlines the reasoning behind the creation of EDIC, and its vision

H.E. Homaid Al Shemmari, Chairman of EDIC

ENG VIP p5.indd 1 18/02/2015 14:35

6

JON LAKE

In recent years, the air forces of the Gulf nations have undergone a dra-matic transformation, growing in both size and stature. In the past few months, the Royal Bahraini Air Force, the Royal Jordanian Air Force, the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the Royal Saudi Air Force and the UAE Air Force and Air Defence have all participated in multinational combat operations alongside the USA, UK and French air forces, among other coalition partners. In doing so, they have demonstrated their professional-ism and combat efficiency, and they are today widely regarded as being mature and competent air arms capable of undertaking a broad spectrum of air power roles.

Growth Driven by post-Cold War budgetary pressures, the USA has increasingly disengaged from the Middle East. Though the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet maintains an aircraft carrier in the area, and though the USAF deploys forces at a number of regional air-fields, most notably at Al Udeid in Qatar, which hosts Central Com-mand’s headquarters, the USA has replaced many permanently deployed force elements with shorter-term deployments. As it has done so it has demanded greater ‘burden-sharing’ from its allies, and the Gulf nations have responded by taking on a greater share of their own defence, and by reconfiguring to meet today’s real world threats.

A disproportionate reliance on US, British, French and Canadian air power during the first Gulf War (notwithstanding the useful con-tributions made by the air forces of Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) provided a wake-up call for Gulf air staffs, while the emergence of an Iranian ballistic missile threat added further impetus to the need to recap-italise and modernise Gulf air power.

Air and missile defence has thus been accorded a high priority, and fighter acquisition programmes are underway across the region, with most local air arms also looking to increase aircraft numbers. This is perhaps most striking in Qatar, where 12 Mirage 2000 fighters are to be replaced by two batches of 36 new fighters – a six-fold increase in the QEAF fighter force. In doubling its inventory, the RSAF is expected

janes.com/idexofficial�online�show�daily

Gulf�air�forces�display�new-found�confidence

to introduce no fewer than 450 new aircraft over the next decade.

Size alone is not everything, and as well as increasing force size, the Gulf air forces have embraced new roles and adopted a range of advanced technologies, introduc-ing sophisticated ISR platforms, AAR tanker aircraft and even AEW and AWACS platforms, becoming ‘full-spectrum’ air forces that can contribute more widely to coalition air operations, and that are more capable of autonomous operations.

Reduced reliance on foreign ‘advisers’Gulf air forces are increasingly plac-ing considerably less reliance on foreign advisers in the front line, and even in training and instructional roles, though some do remain in most of the GCC air forces. Gulf air forces are increasingly training their own nationals to carry out support roles, however, including the tech-nician roles that are currently often undertaken by expatriate person-nel. In the UAE, about 30 per cent of

the country’s 65,000-strong armed forces are still expatriates, though the UAE Air Force and Air Defence is the most ‘nationalised’ service arm, employing a significantly lower pro-portion of foreign personnel.

Intelligent acquisitionOne mark of a confident and mature air force is its ability to acquire air-craft, weapons and equipment tailored to its own requirements, rather than simply buying exactly the same equipment as is used

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by a larger ally (usually the US Air Force) ‘off the shelf ’. Saudi Arabia provided an early example of this kind of procurement, by insisting that the English Electric Lightnings it acquired should be capable of ground attack missions, forcing BAC (as it then was) to develop a new variant of its until then dedicated air-to-air interceptor. A decade later, Oman made a similar procurement, requiring an air-to-air capability on its SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers.

But the UAE has led the way in this kind of ‘intelligent procurement’, starting with its order for the Mirage 2000-9 (for which it was the launch customer). This marked a significant improvement over the previous Mirage 2000-5, with additional capa-bilities and new technologies – some of them resulting from the Rafale development programme. The end result was that the UAE’s Mirages were more advanced and more capable than those operated by the French Armée de l’Air.

According to reports, the UAE invested almost USD3 billion into research and development of the Block 60 F-16 E/F Desert Falcon and,

as a consequence, would be enti-tled to royalty payments if any other nation purchased an F-16 variant using the same technology. The first F-16 variant to be fitted with an AESA radar, the UAE’s Block 60 F-16E/F was described as being more advanced than the US Air Force’s own F-16s.

The UAE has integrated the GEC Al Hakim rocket-boosted glide bomb (a weapon that is unique to the UAE AF&AD) on its Mirage and F-16 fight-ers, and the Mirages also carry the MBDA Black Shaheen cruise missile (a derivative of the Storm Shadow), and will soon be operational with the indigenous Tawazun Al Tariq glide bomb. Saudi Arabia has integrated new targeting pods and weap-ons on its Tornados and Typhoons, replacing the Litening pod favoured by other operators with the French Damocles pod. The RSAF pushed the pace of the Tranche 2 Typhoon’s air-to-ground capability, dropping air-to-ground weapons from the variant before the British RAF did.

Perhaps most telling is the fact that the UAE has gained the capability of obtaining and integrating its own ‘mission data’ on its fighter platforms

– updating their threat libraries and tailoring and refining electronic war-fare and radar system performance.

Multinational operationsGulf nations have shown a real willingness to accept help from allies and to burden-share – band-ing together with neighbours for mutual defence when required, and encouraging allies like the UK and France to base forces in the region, without this being thought of as being an affront to national pride.

The Gulf air forces have made great efforts to become effective operators of their advanced equipment and have regularly participated in major international exercises, including the USAF’s Red Flag, as well as conduct-ing realistic exercises in the region with extensive foreign participa-tion. The UAE has had numerous Advanced Tactical Leadership Course exercises, while Oman has run regular ‘Magic Carpet’ exercises with the UK and squadron exchanges with the Indian Air Force. All this has strengthened interoperability.

It is perhaps unsurprising that these capable and well-equipped air forces have been ‘partners of choice’ in coalition operations against Libya and against the Islamic State (IS)/Daesh group in Syria.

When the USA began mounting what it called ‘expanded air strikes’ against IS targets in Syria on 22 September, about one-third of the attacking aircraft were provided by the Arab partner nations. The force included two Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16Cs, four Royal Jorda-nian Air Force F-16MLUs, four Royal Saudi Air Force F-15S Eagles and four UAE Air Force and Air Defence Block 60 F-16E/Fs. It is unclear whether Qatar’s Mirage 2000s took part in the attacks, or just flew in an air defence or escort role. ■

Gulf�air�forces�display�new-found�confidence

The Royal Saudi Air Force is in the process of significantly

expanding in terms of both capability and quantity. The

Eurofighter Typhoon (pictured) and Boeing F-15 Eagle are at the

heart of this growth

F-16 of the Royal Jordanian Air Force

UAE Mirage 2000-9s are seen participating in the Red Flag exercise in the USA

The Royal Air Force of Oman operates a sizeable F-16 force and has Typhoons on order

Mastering�the�art�of�artillery

8


NORINCO, a maximum range of 53km can be achieved firing its Extended Range Full Bore – Base Bleed – Rocket Assisted (ERFB-BB-RA) projectile.

PLZ52 can fire the full family of NORINCO 155mm ammunition that, in addition to the previously mentioned ERFB-BB-RA, includes ERFB high-explosive, ERFB-BB high-

explosive, ERFB white phosphorous, ERFB smoke, ERFB illumination, incendiary and cargo. It can also fire projectiles for greater precision effects, including the GP1 and GP6 laser-homing guided artillery pro-jectiles and the recently revealed GS1 top-attack smart projectile. A total of 30 155mm projectiles, plus associated modular propellant

charges, is carried with a maximum rate of fire of up to eight rounds a minute.

Each PLZ52 would typically be supported by one Ammunition Support Vehicle (ASV) on a simi-lar platform, which would carry 96 rounds of ammunition, plus asso-ciated charges. This would feed ammunition direct into the rear of the PLZ52 via a telescopic arm.

Other elements of the Artillery Master 155 FAWS include command post vehicles, reconnaissance vehi-cles with advanced day/night sensor pods, a truck-mounted artillery locat-ing and correction radar, and a meteorological system. Targets can be located rapidly using the ground-based elements, or the Sharp Eye III unmanned aerial vehicle, which would typically be issued on the scale of three per battalion. ■

CAE delivers integrated naval trainingsolutions and systems engineeringservices for maritime security.cae.com/seaVisit CAE’s booth (Hall 1, B60) at IDEX 2015. @CAE_Defence

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

In addition to offering a complete range of 105mm, 122mm and 155mm towed and self-propelled (SP) artillery systems, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) (Stand 10-E05) is now marketing the Artillery Master 155 Field A r t i l l e r y W e a p o n S y s t e m ( FAW S ) in the Mid-dle East region. This is a complete 155mm artillery system that includes not only the PLZ52 firing platform and its family of ammuni-tion, but also the complete target acquisition system – without which no artillery system can rapidly and accurately engage targets.

At the heart of the system is NORINCO’s latest PLZ52 155mm/52 calibre full-tracked SP, which is being marketed alongside the older PLZ45 155mm/45 calibre SP system. The latter is currently deployed by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as in China by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

PLZ52 is a new design with a more powerful engine and is armed with a turret-mounted 155mm/52 calibre ordnance that is fitted with a fume extractor and slotted muzzle brake. Mounted above the rear of the ord-nance is the muzzle velocity radar that feeds information to the com-puterised fire control system (FCS).

Maximum range of the PLZ52 depends on the projectile/charge combination, but according to

Chinese PLZ52 155mm/52 calibre SP artillery system with ordnance elevated

and showing muzzle velocity measuring radar at the very rear of the barrel

ENG VIP p8.indd 1 18/02/2015 14:36

www.kongsberg.com

WELCOME TO

At IDEX 2015, 22-26 Februarywe will present:NASAMS Air Defence System

Tactical Communication Systems

PROTECTOR RemoteWeapon Station

Naval Strike Missile (NSM)

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Maritime Domain Awareness

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DAVID DONALD

Reflecting the growing importance of unmanned and autonomous systems in the defence and security sector, IDEX welcomes a new addi-tion in the form of the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference. Having grown out of dedicated unmanned technology zones at previous IDEX shows, UMEX is now an exhibition in its own right. Run-ning concurrently with IDEX, with its own dedicated displays indoors and outside, UMEX brings together exhibitors from many parts of the globe, and with a range of unmanned expertise and capability across land, sea, air and underwater domains.

“The growing sophistication of unmanned systems technol-ogy is rapidly defining the modern defence era. It is through strategic partnerships and industry associa-tions that strong business growth is achieved,” said Saleh Al Mar-zooqi, IDEX chief executive officer. “Unmanned systems represent the very leading edge of defence tech-nology, reinforcing strong security infrastructures.

“Supported by UAE Armed Forces GHQ and attended by regional government delegations, agen-cies, industry, military and civilian authorities, the event will be the ideal business platform to promote unmanned systems technology and capability to a dedicated and focused industry audience.”

In addition to the on-site exhi-bition itself, there is an associated conference, and live UAV and unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) demonstrations, which are being conducted at Al Tarif, in the western

region of Abu Dhabi. Sponsoring the demonstrations is Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI), which is also the principal sponsor of UMEX.

“We are delighted to be growing our par tnership with IDEX,” reported Ali Al Yafei, CEO of ADASI. “Our regional lead in the fields of unmanned aerial systems and IDEX’s excellent reputation and outstanding expertise will make an ideal combination for the best-in-

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Vieländer Weg 147D-27574 Bremerhaven - Germany

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class unmanned systems exhibition in the region.”

E m i r a t i c o m p a n i e s h a v e embraced the unmanned revolu-tion and the nation has become the leading regional player in the sec-tor, a fact reflected by the number of UAE-based companies exhibit-ing at UMEX alongside well-known international names such as Gen-eral Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.

ADASI has become a centre of

excellence in the region, with a number of important projects in its growing portfolio. Among them is the Al Sabr programme, which it manages for the UAE Armed Forces, based on the Schiebel Camcopter rotary-wing UAV. The company is also involved in aerostat ISR (intelli-gence, surveillance, reconnaissance) programmes, and is a partner in the development of a manned maritime patrol aircraft based on the Piaggio Aero Avanti airframe . ■

UMEX�throws�open�its�doors

A Camcopter S-100 of the UAE Armed Forces


12


DAVID DONALD

Earlier this month, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) conducted a long-endurance flight of its Predator XP remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Launching from the company’s Castle Dome Flight Oper-ations Facility at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, on 6 February, the Predator XP touched down again on 8 February after a flight of more than

40 hours, during which the air vehicle remained at altitudes above 10,000ft.

“This flight was a landmark event for Predator XP in that it truly dem-onstrated the long-endurance capability of our latest RPA,” said Frank W Pace, president, Aircraft Sys-tems, GA-ASI. “In addition, it was a new company record for our aircraft.”

Predator XP has been developed by GA-ASI (Stands UM-32, UM-62) as an advanced version of its combat-

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Convertible to 300BLK, 7.62x39mm or 5.56 NATO

proven MQ-1 Predator RPA, which has logged more than 2 million flight hours since 1994. Externally, the XP version differs primarily by having upturned, drag-reducing winglets. The vehicle includes triple-redundant avionics, satel l ite communications for beyond-line-of-sight data transfer and control, and automatic take-off and landing. It can be equipped with a variety of sensors, including GA-ASI’s own Lynx

multimode radar that provides syn-thetic aperture radar (SAR), ground moving target indicator (GMTI) and sea search capabilities. Predator XP can also mount a full-motion video camera, operating in both infrared and visible wavelengths, and for the maritime surveillance role can be outfitted with Automatic Identifica-tion System (AIS) equipment.

GA-ASI says the Predator XP is now in production, with the first air-craft scheduled for delivery in 2016. The variant was developed with exports in mind, and is not intended for armed missions. New systems with lower US export restrictions have allowed GA-ASI to offer the RPA to countries in the MENA region, South America and Asia.

At IDEX 2013, the UAE announced that it was to procure the Preda-tor XP – GA-ASI partnering with the International Golden Group, with whom an MoU was signed in 2011 to pursue opportunities in the intelligence, surveillance and recon-naissance (ISR) sector in the UAE. ■

Predator�spreads�its�wings

The first Predator XP test vehicle during its first flight at Yuma in 2014

ENG VIP p12.indd 1 18/02/2015 14:38

Untitled-6 1Untitled-6 1 02/02/2015 15:36:4702/02/2015 15:36:47

14


SAM J BASCH

Marksmen and long-range shoot-ers want to be sure of what they see at long distances. Swarovski Optik (Stand 07-D44) has just the spot-ting scope for that purpose, its new STR 80. New technology has ena-bled Swarovski Optik to become the first manufacturer to successfully project a reticle directly in the spot-ting scope.

The integrated reticle (graded in minutes of angle/MOA or milli-radians/MRAD) in the STR 80 can be activated or deactivated, allowing the shooter to switch between esti-mating the distance of an object and observing the target completely undisturbed. By seeing the poten-tial for missing the target in relation to the aiming point, the shooter can make the adjustment needed

immediately on the rifle-scope.

According to the Aus-trian firm, the STR 80’s integrated projected reticle allows it to be used across the whole zoom range and in bright conditions, with 10 day and five night levels. The dioptre strength can also be adjusted separately.

Swarovski Optik prides itself on the quality of its products, the STR 80 being no exception. It guarantees optimum display quality and outstanding detail recognition for

a shooter, even over long distances and in poor light.

The STR 80’s light yet rugged alu-minium housing has been tested in extreme climate conditions. It is dirt and dust-proof and watertight to

4m depth. Swarovski

O p t i k h a s d e s i g n e d the STR 80

to fit a range of accessories,

such as the TLS APO digiscoping adapte r or the

PA-i5 (for the iPhone 5/5S) for documentary purposes. ■

Sure-fire�way�to�spotThe integrated projected

reticle, graded in MOA, as seen when looking through the STR 80 spotting scope

Swarovski Optik’s innovative STR 80 spotting scope

The IDEX Show Daily is produced by IHS Jane's.

The English Language version is prepared by the Show Daily Team. Publisher: Lynne Raishbrook; Operations Manager: Simon Kay; Editor: David Donald; Deputy Editor: Christopher F Foss; Production Editor: Lynn Wright; Deputy Production Editor: Nicola Keeler; Senior Reporters: Richard Scott, Sam Basch and Jon Lake; Photographer: Patrick Allen; Online Editor: James Macinnes.

Printed by MM Print Services Ltd.

Five editions of the Show Daily are being written and produced on site, where material for inclusion can be delivered by hand to the IDEX Show Daily office on the first floor of ADNEC opposite entrance H, next to the Media Centre.

IDEX Show Daily editorial

IDEX 2015 VIP E14.indd 14 20/02/2015 09:56

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Aiming to further improve its a lready renowned special ist weapon systems, Truvelo Armoury (South African Pavilion, Stand 12-C20) earlier announced impor-tant upgrades. Now chief executive Ralf Gebert says Truvelo Armoury’s upgraded 7.62x51mm specialised target rifle, .338in Lapua long-range precision rifle and the 12.7x99mm countermeasure sniper (CMS) are in full production.

Notable improvements include an aluminium chassis, lighter Tru-velo four-lug receiver and bolt with upgraded Picatinny rail, a maga-zine spring and follower, improved extractor and ejector, and clearer safety indicators.

N ex t i n l i n e i s Tr u ve l o’s 14.5x114mm anti-materiél rifle,

which is currently being upgraded. “We are participating in several

international trials, following a num-ber of foreign orders signed in 2014,” Gebert said. “These orders are also being executed and delivered.”

Truvelo Armoury fields anti-

materiél rifles in 12.7x99mm, 14.5x114mm, 20x82mm and 20x110mm Hispano calibres, as well as 7.62x51mm NATO and .338in Lapua.

It has just established a new company, Truvelo Africa, to improve

marketing and sales on the conti-nent. Truvelo rifles are used by the military, special forces, law enforce-ment agencies and hunters across Africa, in Europe, the Middle East and the USA.

“Our rifles are ergonomically designed to make each calibre rifle easier to handle and more comfort-able for the shooter,” said Gebert. “They are lightweight, accurate and adjustable for greater operational flexibility.”

Truvelo Armoury is a division of Truvelo Manufacturers, established in 1974, and has built a solid reputa-tion for the design and production of accurate barrels and sniper rifle technology. ■

Rifle�upgrades�in�productionThe formidable Truvelo 14.5x114mm is in the process of being upgraded

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19


RICHARD SCOTT

European missile house MBDA has started qualification of its remotely controlled SIMBAD-RC ship self-defence system, and will begin production deliveries later this year.

Developed from the manually controlled SIMBAD (Système Integré de Mistral Bitube d’Auto-Défense) twin-launcher system already in service with the French Navy and more than 10 export customers, the new SIMBAD-RC variant is a private venture development intended to address market requirements for a lightweight, automated close-in defence capability against air and surface threats out to a maximum of 6.5km. MBDA is partnered by Rheinmetall’s Defence Electron-ics business in Bremen, which is responsible for the design and devel-opment of the SIMBAD-RC turret.

Configured with two ‘lock-on before launch’ Mistral infrared-homing miss i les , the bas ic SIMBAD-RC configuration com-prises one or two lightweight, gyro-stabilised turrets equipped with a Sagem MATIS SP mid-waveband thermal camera and an optional wide field-of-view day camera. In addition, the system includes a dedicated compact terminal, known as SMU-RC, which can manage up to two turrets (inter-facing with the ship’s combat system or surveillance sensors).

Whereas the legacy SIMBAD requires an operator to man the above-decks weapon mounting, SIMBAD-RC is controlled remotely from a compact below-deck SMU-RC firing terminal. A single operator can control two SIMBAD-RC launcher systems from this station. In addi-tion, SIMBAD-RC can be slaved to

the ship’s radar or electrical-optical system for early cueing.

Preliminary design activities for SIMBAD-RC were completed at the end of 2011. MBDA commenced the full-scale development phase at the

Committed to our valued customers in theMiddle East. We are honoured to be here.

RUAG is an international technology group operating in the fields of aerospace anddefence. With the newly founded RUAG Simulation Company LLC, Abu Dhabi, weare expanding our presence in the Middle East: strengthening our commitment to theregion and intensifying the support for our valued customers in the area.

Please visit us at booth 08-A15 or go to ruag.com

beginning of 2012, with Rheinmet-all being brought under contract for development of the production-series turret. The first prototype SIMBAD-RC turret was delivered by Rheinmetall in June 2014, and is now undergoing qualification. Deliveries of series production units are sched-uled to follow from mid-2015.

MBDA has to date signed two contracts for the SIMBAD-RC sys-tem: one order to equip patrol vessels (two turrets per vessel); and a second order for the self-defence of high-value support ships (four turrets per ship). While the company declines to identify either customer, it is understood that the two navies in question are Turkmenistan (to equip new P 1200 class patrol vessels) and Saudi Arabia (for retrofit to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ two Boraida class auxiliary replenishment ships). ■

MBDA�set�to�start�SIMBAD-RC�deliveries

SIMBAD-RC turret during tests

ENG VIP p19.indd 19 18/02/2015 14:40

20

RICHARD SCOTT

Seattle-based Kvichak Marine Indus-tries is displaying the Response Boat – Medium (RB-M) Vigilant at the NAVDEX marina and during water-borne demonstrations. Designed by Camarc Design, the 13.6m RB-M is an all-aluminium self-righting patrol boat currently in service with the US Coast Guard for a broad range of mis-sions, including homeland security, and search and rescue (SAR). Vigilant has been modified for the extreme climatic conditions found in the Arabian Gulf, where it has been con-ducting a series of demonstrations.

Powered by twin Detroit Diesel 60-series diesel engines coupled to Twin Disc MG5114SC marine gears with Rolls-Royce Kamewa water-jets and Vector controls, the RB-M is capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots. A full cabin provides crew protection from the elements and is

Vigilant�on�show�in�NAVDEX�marina

Above: The Port of Duqm in Oman is to receive two pilot boats from Kvichak in 2016. Top: Vigilant put through its paces at IDEX

equipped with a robust navigation system, heating and air-conditioning, shock-mitigating seats and a commu-nication system able to communicate with other federal, state and local homeland security partners.

In a separate development, Kvichak Marine Industries has recently been awarded a contract for the construction of two 19m all-weather pilot boats for the Port of Duqm Company SAOC in Oman. Also designed by Camarc Design, their primary function will be as pilot boats; they will also function as SAR and oil spill recovery vessels. Delivery is projected in the first half of 2016. ■

Offering�expertiseUK technology and services group QinetiQ is launching its extensive C4ISR and naval combat systems capability to the international market at NAVDEX 2015.

QinetiQ has a long and successful history of building and integrating combat and C4ISR systems for a wide variety of naval platforms, includ-ing those of the UK Royal Navy. The company provides an independent,

comprehensive and proven range of services covering the entire life-cycle from concept and development, and integration, through to ongoing system maintenance and upgrades.

For its NAVDEX debut, QinetiQ is focusing on services and solutions that can be provided for offshore patrol vessels, corvettes and frig-ates. As well as providing a capability to supply full platform solutions as a

combat system prime, the company can deliver bespoke services that include options analysis, procure-ment advice and guidance, system design, installation, testing and evaluation, and diagnostic reme-diation. QinetiQ can also take full through-life system design author-ity responsibility.

Sarah Kenny, managing director of QinetiQ Maritime, said: “QinetiQ has amassed a huge amount of naval combat and C4ISR systems expe-rience built on over 30 years of delivering and integrating complex

systems. We are able to provide a total platform perspective allowing us to understand the challenges associ-ated with combat system design, integration and in-service support.

“This is delivered by teams of highly proficient and knowl-edgeable specialists covering a comprehensive set of disciplines including communications, soft-ware, system integration, product safety and combat systems design engineers supported by state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and software.” ■


ENG VIP p20.indd 20 18/02/2015 14:41

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CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

Most countries in the Gulf region still deploy full-tracked self-propelled (SP) artillery systems, with the most widely deployed being the US M109 155mm system, which by today’s standards lacks range. However, a new trend is afoot, and these sys-tems are now being supplemented, or replaced in some countries, by wheeled SP artillery systems that offer greater strategic mobility and lower operating and support costs.

Among the competitors in this growing market is the French Nex-ter Systems CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre SP artillery system, which was developed as a private venture but subsequently adopted by the French Army. So far the French Army has taken delivery of 72 production-standard CAESARs, and in the longer term aims to replace all of its current tracked and towed 155mm artillery systems with the weapon.

French Army CAESARs are based on a Renault Trucks Defense (6x6) truck chassis and this is also used for those delivered to Thailand (six) and to Indonesia (37).

In the region the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) uses the Ger-man Mercedes-Benz Unimog (6x6) chassis, with 136 being delivered, although this contract has never been confirmed by Nexter Systems (Stands CP-240, CP-260, French Pavilion).

CAESAR can be supplied with vari-ous fire control options and most customers have opted for a fully protected and air-conditioned crew cab. However, to lay the 155mm/52 weapon onto the target and carry

Gulf�countries�turn�towards�wheeled�artillery

out the fire mission, the crew has to leave the protection of the cab.

Another wheeled SP artillery option, and the best protected, is the South African Denel Land Systems G6 155mm/45 calibre system, which was developed to meet the require-ments of the South African Army.

The G6 has a high level of protec-tion against not only small arms fire, but also shell splinters and mines. Its 155mm/45 calibre weapon is installed in a fully protected turret on the rear of the armoured hull. In addition to being deployed by South Africa, it has been sold to Oman (24)

and the United Arab Emirates (78).Denel Land Systems (Stand

04-C20) is now concentrating its marketing on the G6 fitted with a 155mm/52 calibre artillery turret, which gives an increase in range over the original system. This equip-ment also features an automatic ammunition handling system for the 155mm projectiles, and a modu-lar charge system that reduces crew fatigue and gives a higher rate of fire.

Co m p e t i n g a g a i n s t t h e s e offerings, China North Indus-tries Corporation (Stand 10-E05Chinese Pavilion) is marketing a complete range of wheeled SP sys-tems with its SH1 155mm/52 calibre system, already in service with at least one export customer. Like CAESAR, the SH1 has a protected crew cabin, with the 155mm/52 calibre weapon installed on the rear of the platform, and is fitted with a flick rammer to increase rate of fire. As with most recently developed SP artillery systems, the SH1 can be deployed on its own or at battery level with six or eight weapons. ■

South African Denel Land Systems G6 155mm/45 calibre SP artillery system in travelling configuration deployed in the Middle East

China is also marketing wheeled SP artillery systems, including the latest SH1 155mm/52 calibre weapon, shown here deployed in the firing position

The French Army is the first customer for the Nexter Systems CAESAR 155mm/52 calibre SP artillery system on a Renault Trucks Defense chassis

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In recent counter-insurgency and asymmetric campaigns, many air forces have found that their targets have tended to be fleeting, emerg-ing only briefly before melting back into cover – where they can-not be engaged without the risk of collateral damage. Armed ISR and ISTAR aircraft offer a means of hit-ting a fleeting target as soon as it is detected.

Many air power strategists and tacticians believe that in future cam-paigns, every aircraft platform will have to be a sensor and a shooter, as well as being a node on the network. This has led to the development of a range of armed ISTAR aircraft, from missile-armed Cessna Combat Cara-vans to larger, more heavily armed gunships such as Alenia’s MC-27J Praetorian.

Development of an armed version of the C-27J Spartan tactical transport began in 2008 to meet a US Air Force Special Operations Command requirement for a new

AC-XX light gunship to operate in austere locations, with increased operational flexibility and a smaller support tail than the AC-130. A prototype was converted as a risk-reduction exercise.

Th e U S re q u i re m e nt wa s subsequently cancelled, but Alenia (Finmeccanica, Stand 06-A03)

continued work on the project, reasoning that a C-27J gunship was needed for the international market. It offered a 50 per cent lower acquisition life cycle than the AC-130, while being able to fly 90 per cent of the bigger and more expensive gunship’s missions.

The MC-27J is equipped to carry a roll-on/roll-off gun system, consisting of a self-contained, modular pallet with a side-firing 30mm GAU-23, and is f itted with an undernose L-3 Wescam MX-15Di electro- optical and infrared turret. The MC-27J offers significant ISR and communications capabilities, allowing it to undertake command and control (C2), armed

Left: Alenia’s C-27J multirole transport demonstrator flies over Dubai’s Jumeirah Palm; above: an MC-27J flies in gunship configuration with ATK 30mm cannon

overwatch, close air support, strike co-ordination and armed maritime defence missions, while still being easily reconfigurable back to the airlift role.

Alenia partnered with ATK for the MC-27J Praetorian programme, which was formally launched at the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2012. Italy became the first customer for the MC-27J in November 2013, during the Dubai Air Show.

Six of the Italian air force’s 12 C-27Js will be converted to the MC-27J Praetorian configuration – three with the full package of mission systems, C3ISR equipment and palletised fire systems, and another three aircraft with the same mission package capabilities and abil ity to have the full Praetorian systems installed if needed. The aircraft will be used by Italy’s Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali. ■

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26

DAVID DONALD

Making its Middle East debut here at the show is the FN Herstal Sea deFNder remote weapon station (RWS).

Based on the deFNder RWS

developed for land vehicle applica-tions, the Sea deFNder is intended for employment on board a range of vessel classes, from fast patrol boats to large warships. It provides navies and coast guards with a powerful tool for anti-smuggling

and anti-terrorism operations, as well as for self-defence.

Like its land-based equivalent, Sea deFNder is a modular system employing a universal cradle on which can be mounted various FN weapons. It has a sight module with CCD and infrared (either cooled or uncooled) sensors, one-hand or game pad control handle, and a two-axis gyroscope that provides stability during any naval operation.

As well as Sea deFNder, FN Herstal (Belgian Pavilion, Stand 07-B45) is showing many of its wide range of products, including its FN MDPTM t u r n i n g a i r b o r n e pintle-mounted weapon system for heli-copters. This

highly stable and versatile mount-ing system has been updated to mount three different weapons: the exclusive .50 cal FN M3MTM/GAU-21 machine gun, which offers a rate of fire of 1,100rpm; the 7.62mm NATO FN MAG 58M machine gun; and the six-barrelled M134D Minigun. All three armaments can be swapped in minutes, enabling helicopters to be rapidly configured to meet their mission objectives.

In terms of weaponry, the com-pany is displaying its proven FN SCAR assault rifle family, avail-able in either 5.56mm or 7.62mm calibres, together with the 40mm LV underslung grenade launcher. Another weapon being featured is the FN MINIMI, again available in both NATO-standard calibres. This weapon is now in service with more than 75 countries, and has become a firm favourite of special forces.

As part of its drive to broaden its business, FN Herstal has developed a range of associated products, many of which are grouped in the FN e-novation product line. Included are the FCUTM fire control unit, SmartCore shot-counter, small arms management software, and target acquisition and situational aware-ness modules.

The company also offers laser rangefinders developed by its Finnish subsidiary, Noptel. ■

Light yet rugged, the FN MINIMI can be loaded from box, belt or pouch, and even from a standard M16 magazine in its 5.56mm version . This versatility makes it ideal for special forces applications

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under its own power, reducing the burden on the HET fleet, which is often heavily stretched in times of crisis. This is of key importance to countries in the region that have long borders to protect, and where units have to be rapidly deployed from one part of the country to another.

In use with a number of countries in the Gulf region, including Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, is the French Panhard Defense (now part of Renault Trucks Defense) Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL) light scout car. This is deployed by a num-ber of countries in the traditional reconnaissance role, as well as more specialised roles, including being fit-ted with anti-tank guided weapons (ATGW) such as the MILAN or TOW.

The latest version is the VBL Mk 2, which has more internal volume and payload. A batch of 20 was delivered to Kuwait fitted with the Norwe-

gian Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station (RWS) armed with a .50in M2 HB machine gun and banks of grenade launchers.

Countries in the Middle East still operate large numbers of 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles, but there is a clear trend towards the fielding of larger fleets of 8x8 vehicles. They normally offer greater volume and payload capacity, in turn enabling them to undertake a wider range of battle-field missions. They are also more capable of being fitted with turrets armed with larger calibre weapons.

Eight-wheeled vehicles have been widely used as APCs and are normally fitted with a roof-mounted turret or RWS, typically armed with a 12.7mm machine gun. Some coun-tries are now using them as infantry fighting vehicles, fitted with turrets or RWS armed with a 25mm or 30mm cannon as well as a 7.62mm machine gun. These are usually coupled to a computerised fire control (FCS) system that enables stationary and moving targets to be engaged with a high first round hit probability. This does not mean there is not a vital role for the smaller and more compact 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles, whose size makes them useful in the confined spaces that are routinely encoun-tered during urban operations.

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

While light and medium tracked armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) are deployed by countries in the Middle East in significant numbers, there is a clear move in the region to a more balanced fleet of tracked and wheeled AFVs.

The latter exhibit a number of significant advantages over their tracked counterparts, including lower procurement, operating and support costs, as well as having greater strategic mobility, especially over the longer distances that are encountered by a number of coun-tries in the Gulf.

Tracked armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and infantry fight-ing vehicles (IFVs) are normally transported over longer distances by heavy equipment transporters (HETs). However, the wheeled AFV can be deployed over long distances


Middle�East�moves�to�balanced�vehicle�fleets

A good example of an impor-tant 6x6 user is the Kuwait National Guard, which operates a fleet of Pandur vehicles supplied by AV Technology of the USA in six vari-ants: APC, 90mm assault gun carrier, ambulance, command and con-trol post, mortar carrier and repair/recovery vehicle. A further 70 Pan-durs have been delivered, built in Austria by General Dynamics Euro-pean Land Systems – Steyr.

Further south in Arabia, the Royal Army of Oman operates a fleet of more than 170 Piranha (8x8) light armoured vehicles, manufactured by the then GKN Defence under licence from the now General Dynamics European Land Systems –MOWAG. In addition to the baseline APC, more specialised versions in operation include those for ambu-lance duties, artillery observation, command, repair and recovery, and 81mm mortar carriage. The Royal Guard of Oman has recently taken delivery of nine Italian Centauro 120mm (8x8) Mobile Gun Systems (MGS), and upgraded its small batch of Renault Trucks Defense Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé (VAB).

Qatar operates a fleet of Piranha (8x8) LAVs fitted with a CMI Defence two-person turret armed with a 90mm gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, which were supplied by GKN Defence from 1998. The Qatar Ministry of the Interior has recently boosted its capability with the delivery from Renault Trucks Defense of 10 Sherpas (4x4)

UK-built Piranha of the Royal Army of Oman fitted with a locally developed protected weapon station armed with a .50 M2 HB MG

Italian Centauro Mobile Gun System is fitted with a three-person turret

armed with a 120mm gun coupled to a computerised fire control system

that gives the platform the same firepower as a main battle tank

➔ p30

©2015 Orbital ATK, Inc. All Rights Reserved. D15_03997

To learn more about Orbital ATK visit ourwebsite at OrbitalATK.com

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30


and 22 Higuards (6x6). Both are mine resistant ambush pro-tected-type vehicles optimised for the internal security role.

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Guard operated a fleet of more than 1,000 Cadillac Gage Commando V-150 LAVs in numer-ous configurations. They have been supplemented by a fleet of well over 1,400 General Dynamics Land

Systems – Canada Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) in the 8x8 configu-ration. They have been supplied in many versions: APC fitted with a two-person turret armed with a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun; ambulance; anti-tank; command and control; direct fire with two-man 90mm turret; recov-ery; and 120mm mortar. Deliveries are still underway.

In addition to being deployed by the National Guard, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defence and Aviation also deploys LAVs, some of which were manufactured in the UK by the then GKN Defence.

Here in the UAE there is a long-standing requirement for 608 8x8 vehicles in a number of configura-tions, including an IFV. The nation has started to become self-sufficient

in a number of key areas, including LAVs, for which the Nimr FOV is now in quantity production for an increas-ing range of battlefield missions.

The UAE has also now taken deliv-ery of a fleet of 32 Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles Fuchs 2 (6x6) in the dedicated NBC reconnaissance role, which are the most advanced vehi-cles of their type deployed by any country in the Middle East. ■

Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle (8x8) fitted with the complete turret of the Russian BMP-3 IFV during a demonstration in the Middle East

Kuwait became the first customer for the latest Panhard Defense VBL Mk 2 fitted with the Kongsberg Protector RWS

p28

➔

Nexter, creating newreferences in defence

TITUS® is the last armoured vehicle designed by Nexter inorder to meet all the constraints of the modern hybrid warfare.Continuing the famous long lineage, including Leclerc MBT,VBCI and Aravis® , all combat proven in many theaters, Nextercombined the best of its experience and technology to offerto the tactical commander a full range of possibilities with

the multi role armoured vehicle of the XXIst century.

From APC to combat utility variants, from Peace KeepingOperation to Counter Insurgency, TITUS® brings the technology

and the Nexter touch into the heart of the action.

www.nexter-group.fr

Untitled-6 1Untitled-6 1 02/02/2015 16:00:1102/02/2015 16:00:11

Christopher F Foss

Late in 2015, Qatar will take delivery from German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (Stand 08- C20) of the first of 62 Leopard 2A7+ series main battle tanks (MBTs) and 24 PzH 2000 155mm/52 self- propelled (SP) artillery systems,

Leopard ready to prowl in Qatar

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official online show daily janes.com/idex

New armour plant in UAE

which were ordered under a €1.89 billion contract placed early in 2013. They will replace the now obso-lete Nexter Systems AMX-30 MBTs from France, and the 155mm MK F3 SP artillery systems that no longer meet their operational requirements.

Production of the Leopard 2A7+ started at the Krauss-Maffei Weg-

mann facility in Munich late in 2014, with production of the PzH 2000 being undertaken at the company’s Kassel facility. The first customer for the latest Leopard 2A7 MBT was the German Army, which took delivery of the last of an initial batch of 20 vehicles in December 2014. They were conversions of surplus Royal

Netherlands Army Leopard 2A6 MBTs.

Qatar’s Leopard 2A7+ tanks are the most advanced of the breed built to date and will be optimised to meet the high ambient condi-tions encountered in the Middle East. They will feature the Rhein-metall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, a computerised fire control system coupled to day and thermal sights for the commander and gun-ner, the latest armour package, an air-conditioning system and a roof-mounted FLW 200 remote weapon station (RWS) armed with a .50 M2 HB machine gun (MG) to provide a close-in self-defence capability.

Rheinmetall is a major subcon-tractor to Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and is providing the main armament for both the Leopard 2A7+ and the PzH 2000, plus a complete suite of ammunition for both systems.

Leopard 2s have been ordered by 18 countries, with a mix of brand new vehicles and surplus vehicles, but Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to have been cleared for export sales. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has confirmed that the Leopard 2 MBT was tested in Saudi Arabia in June and July 2012, and in the United Arab Emirates between April and October 2011.

It remains to be seen if any future Leopard 2A7 MBT exports are allowed to the Middle East because of the increasingly strict export controls being placed by Germany, not only on complete weapon sys-tems but also the key subsystems that are incorporated into many land platforms.

With the ending of production of the Leclerc MBT in France and the Challenger 2 in the UK, Ger-many is the only country in Europe currently in production of MBTs that provide a unique ground manoeuvre capability. ■

Leading high-tech armour process-ing specialist Advanced Armour Engineering (Stand FT-003) has opened a new factory in the UAE.

The company has invested more than $3 million in the largest armour processing machines currently avail-able in the Middle East. With more

than 15 years’ experience within the military and security sector, the British-owned and -managed spe-cialist has employed highly qualified technicians and engineers who are fully conversant with all aspects of armoured grade materials, in both blast and ballistic applications.

According to general manager Simon Hurst: “It’s our intention to bring European manufacturing techniques and expertise to the Middle East market, and we will also have a heavy focus on export mar-kets. The UAE is a fantastic gateway to allow us to do this.” ■

Leopard 2A7+ MBT undergoing firing and mobility trials in the Middle East

Advanced Armour’s new facility employs the latest in armour processing technology

ENG VIP p32.indd 1 18/02/2015 14:42

CHOOSE SAMP/TTHE UNIQUE EUROPEAN EXTENDED

AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

www.eurosam.com



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(Mach 0.8) at an operational ceiling of 36,000ft, and a range of 1,200nm (2,222km) with a maximum payload of 26 tonnes (57,320 lb), making it faster and higher-flying than the Hercules, as well as offering a greater payload and a lower price.

Over the next 10 years, Embraer believes that its new fly-by-wire transport could take up to 15-20 per cent of the C-130 replacement market, which has been calculated as being for more than 700 aircraft. The company is focusing on frontier markets in Latin America, Africa, South Asia and the Middle East,

for about four years.Companies

from these nations are industrial partners in the KC-390 programme. At the aircraft ’s rollout ceremony, 32 countries were represented, includ-ing Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which may be potential customers for the aircraft.

Embraer has studied a number of possible civilian versions of the aircraft, including a stretched version for the Brazilian postal service. ■

and has signed an agreement with Boeing, who will assist with sales, support and training in the North American and European markets.

Embraer has already taken firm orders for 28 aircraft from Brazil (the two development prototypes will be converted to production stand-ard and delivered as the 29th and 30th FAB aircraft), while five nations have signed letters of intent to pur-chase up to 32 additional KC-390s. These customers are Argentina (six), Colombia (12), Chile (six), Por-tugal (six) and the Czech Republic (two), which will keep the line busy

JON LAKE

Earlier this month, a new shape took to the skies, in the form of Embraer’s KC-390 tanker-transport. The aircraft made its maiden flight from the company’s Gavião Peixoto facility in Brazil on 3 February, in the hands of test pilots Mozart Louzada and Marcos Salgado de Oliveira Lima.

Embraer Defense and Security (Stand C2-022) had originally hoped to begin t e s t f l i g h t s before the end of last year, but f inal avionics integration testing took longer than expected following the aircraft’s rollout at Gavião Peixoto on 21 October. The maiden flight marks the start of an intensive two-year flight-test and certification programme, which is expected to lead to initial deliveries to the Brazil-ian air force in late 2016 or early 2017.

The twin-engined, T-tailed tacti-cal transport is the largest aircraft ever built in South America, and was developed as a C-130/KC-130 replacement for the Brazilian air force for use in the transport, air-to-air refu-elling, and search and rescue roles.

The aircraft combines short-field and semi-prepared runway capabili-ties with a cruising speed of 465kts

A�new�bird�takes�wingEmbraer’s KC-390 transport during the type’s first flight earlier this month

ENG VIP p35.indd 1 18/02/2015 14:44

RICHARD SCOTT

The launch of the NAVDEX naval defence exhibition in 2011 was emblematic of the increasing impor-tance attached to maritime security and coastal defence throughout the Gulf region, and very much reflected the aspirations of regional navies and maritime security arms to mod-ernise and grow their capabilities.

It is easy to understand why. The waters of the Arabian Gulf lap up to the shores of some of the richest oil and gas producing nations in the world, are host to valuable off-shore resources in their own right, and provide an essential ‘super-highway ’ for seaborne trade throughout the region and to global markets beyond.

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Accordingly, this enriched yet often vulnerable maritime arena must be policed and protected in order to deny the use of the seas and coastal areas to illicit activi-ties, malign influences and threats to national security. These include piracy, illegal fishing of territorial waters, incursion of mineral exploi-tation across legal boundaries, maritime terrorism, narcotics smug-gling, pollution as a result of shipping accidents or malpractice, trafficking of illegal immigrants, and avoidance of tax duties through smuggling.

This imperative has been rec-ognised by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, and extra-regional naval forces contributing to maritime security in the region. And the growing importance attached to

maritime security across the region has given rise to significant new naval and coastguard acquisition pro-grammes among several GCC states.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Naval Forces has been leading the way, with an ambitious programme to modernise its surface fleet. This recapitalisation has been delivered by a combination of local build – lev-eraging overseas design knowledge and transfer of technology to grow local industrial capability – and judi-cious ‘off-the-shelf’ procurements.

It is the Baynunah corvette pro-gramme, for which Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) is prime contractor, which stands out as the UAE’s flag-ship project. Hailed as the single largest naval shipbuilding project in the Middle East, the AED 4 billion

($1.1 billion) Baynunah programme has covered the design, build and integration of six 72m multimission corvettes intended to provide the UAE Naval Forces with a capability to conduct sustained operations throughout the Gulf region.

ADSB is leading the Baynunah programme under a December 2003 contract award. Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), as strategic partner, design agent and principal subcontractor, designed and built the first of class at Cherbourg, and also delivered a technology transfer package for the five follow-on vessels subsequently constructed by ADSB.

The first-of-class corvette com-menced initial sea trials from CMN’s Cherbourg shipyard in January 2010. The five follow-on ships have been built at ADSB’s Abu Dhabi Mussafah industrial zone; the sixth and final corvette, named Al-Hili, was launched in February 2014.

Selex ES has taken responsibil-ity for the Baynunah class combat system as integration authority. It is supplying a six-console IPN-S com-bat management system, and the NA-25XM weapon control system.

In terms of weapon fit, the Bay-nunah class ships carry eight MBDA MM40 Block 3 Exocet anti-ship missiles, four Raytheon Mk 56 dual-pack vertical launchers for RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles, a 21-cell Mk 49 Mod 3 Rolling Airframe Missile guided missile launching sys-tem, a single OTO Melara 76/62mm Super Rapid gun and two Rheinmet-all 27mm MLG27 guns. Main sensors comprise the Saab Sea Giraffe AMB G-band radar, Elettronica Seal elec-tronic support measures (ESM) and a Sagem VIGY-EOMS electro-optical (EO) director.

Another key platform for the UAE Naval Forces is the 88m corvette Abu Dhabi, for which Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri was contracted in July 2009. Delivered in early 2013, the 1,700-ton displacement design is derived from that of the Italian Navy’s Comandante Cigala Fulgosi class off-shore patrol vessels, but modified to suit the specific requirements of the UAE Naval Forces; for example, the superstructure has been remod-elled to reduce radar cross-section and a more comprehensive combat system configuration adopted.

Abu Dhabi is primarily tasked to perform patrol and surveillance

Seaborne�sentinels:GCC�navies�pursue�surface�ship�modernisation�plans

The UAE’s Baynunah corvettes are the most advanced warships ever built in the Gulf region


ENG VIP p36, 37, 38.indd 36 18/02/2015 14:45

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missions, but it has an organic anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability (being equipped with a CAPTAS-2 variable depth sonar system) and facilities for the operation and sup-port of an embarked AS.332B Super Puma helicopter equipped with the FLASH active dipping sonar.

As part of the Abu Dhabi class programme, three Finmeccanica subsidiaries – Selex ES, Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS) and OTO Melara – have supplied weapon, sensor and command systems, as well as integration services for the Abu Dhabi class corvette programme. The full combat system incorpo-rates an OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapid gun, two OTO Melara MARLIN (Modular Advanced Remotely Con-trolled Lightweight Weapon Station) 30mm single gun mounts, a Selex ES NA-30S radar/EO fire-control sys-tem (FCS) and a Medusa Mk 4B EO FCS. Also fitted are launchers for four MBDA MM40 Exocet Block 3 surface-to-surface missiles and two torpedo launching systems.

Other key equipment includes a Selex ES IPN-S/R combat manage-ment system and Aeromaritime integrated communication suite, Selex ES KRONOS 3D NV G-band multifunction radar, WASS/Thales

Underwater Systems ASW package, Elettronica Seal-H ESM, Rheinmetall MASS multispectral decoy launchers and WASS torpedo decoy launchers.

Fincantieri achieved further suc-cess in the UAE naval marketplace in

Supporting the UAE and the GCC States

© 2015 DynCorp International LLC. All Rights Reserved.

January 2010 when it was awarded a contract to construct two new Project ‘Falaj 2’ fast strike craft, with an option for two further ships to be built in the UAE under a transfer of technology agreement. Developed from the pedigree of the earlier Saetta class fast attack craft, the 55m ‘Falaj 2’ design reflects an accent on mission endurance and payload together with increased survivabil-ity through signature reduction.

The two ‘Falaj 2’ vessels, named Gantoot and Salahah, were handed over in January 2013 and April 2013 respectively. The craft mount a com-prehensive combat system including an OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapid gun (in stealth housing), two twin launch-ers for MM40 Block 3 Exocet missiles, two triple launchers for MBDA VL Mica point-defence missiles, and two MASS decoy launchers. Selex ES is responsible for the IPN-S command and control system, KRONOS 3D NV radar, NA-30S radar/EO FCS and a Medusa Mk 4B EO FCS. Elettronica has delivered its Seal-L ESM system.

Seen here at NAVDEX 2013, the corvette Abu Dhabi was handed over to the UAE Naval Forces by Italy’s Fincantieri in January 2013


ENG VIP p36, 37, 38.indd 37 18/02/2015 14:45

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multimission variant of the Litto-ral Combat Ship up to the DDG-51 Flight IIA Aegis destroyer. Current indications are that, with the RSNF’s ambitions for SNEP II tempered by reduction in approved budget, the focus is very firmly back on smaller combatants plus MH-60R helicopters. The preferred option is thought to be a multimission variant of the Lockheed Martin monohull LCS design incorporating a Mk 41 vertical launcher system and a hull-mounted sonar.

In parallel, the Royal Saudi Coast Guard has launched a multi-tiered programme to replace a large por-tion of its existing patrol craft fleet, with more than 100 new hulls of var-ying sizes required in total. Germany’s

Fr Lürssen Werft was selected in 2013; it is reported that manufacture work began in early 2015.

Oman has a long and proud his-tory as a maritime trading nation and, while relatively small, the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) is acknowl-edged within the region to be a highly proficient force. The most recent additions to the RNO are three 99m ocean patrol vessels built by BAE Systems under Project Khareef. The helicopter-capable vessels are designed to perform a number of missions throughout the EEZ, includ-ing protection of territorial waters, extended surveillance patrols, maritime presence and interdiction, special forces operations, search and rescue, and maritime disaster relief.

At 2,700 tonnes displacement, the Khareef vessels are the largest and most complex surface combatants ever to serve with the RNO. Their combat suite is based on the Thales TACTICOS combat management system, and a Thales-supplied sen-sor suite; armament includes OTO Melara’s 76/62 Super Rapid gun, two MSI-Defence Systems DS 30M Mk 2 30mm guns and MBDA MM40 Block 3 Exocet surface-to-surface missiles, plus two six-cell launchers for MBDA’s VL Mica short-range air defence missile system forward of the bridge.

The RNO officially received RNOV Al-Rasikh, the third and final Project Khareef corvette, in May 2014.

The vessel’s two sister ships, RNOV Al-Shamikh and RNOV Al-Rahmani, were handed over in June 2013 and October 2013 respectively. All three ships achieved ‘interim acceptance’ at handover; the first two ships achieved full acceptance in 2014 having demonstrated their ability to operate in the high temperatures of the Gulf summer, with the third unit due to follow in 2015.

Separately, under Project Al-Ofouq, the RNO is to receive four new 75m aviation-capable patrol ships built by Singapore Tech-nologies Marine under a contract awarded in April 2012. Displacing approximately 1,100 tonnes, the Al-Ofouq ships are armed with one OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun forward, two OTO Melara 30mm guns located on either beam, and a Lacroix Sylena soft-kill decoy system. Thales is supplying its TACTICOS combat management system, Variant surveillance radar, STIR 1.2 EO Mk 2 radar/EO tracking system and Vigile ESM system; it is also taking responsibility for all com-bat system integration activities.

The RNO held a naming ceremony for first-of-class RNOV Al-Seeb at ST Marine’s yard in Singapore in October 2014. Al-Seeb is currently scheduled for delivery to the RNO in the second quarter of 2015; the fourth and final vessel is due to be accepted by the RNO in the third quarter of 2016. ■

A multimission variant of Lockheed Martin’s LCS – a range of variants is depicted here – is thought to be a front-runner for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ SNEP II programme

RNOV Al-Shamikh, the first of the RNO’s Project Khareef corvettes, achieved full acceptance in 2014

In a separate development, ADSB has partnered with Damen Ship-yards to deliver two 6711 offshore patrol vessels for the UAE’s Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority under a contract signed in December 2013 (Project Arialah). These ships will each be armed with an OTO Melara 76/62 gun, and a Raytheon Mk 49 Mod 2 11-cell Roll-ing Airframe Missile launcher. They will also feature a Thales combat system and sensor suite, including the TACTICOS combat management system, SMART-S Mk 2 E/F-band sur-veillance radar, Mirador EO system and STIR 1.2 EO Mk 2 radar/EO track-ing system, and Vigile ESM.

The vessel platforms themselves will be built by Damen. Work began in 2014, with the programme due to complete by 2018.

Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia harbours ambitious plans to recapitalise large parts of its naval and coastal constabulary capability. In particular, the modernisation of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ (RSNF) Eastern Fleet, based at Al Jubail, is focused on the acquisition, under a US Foreign Military Sales case, of an as yet undefined number of new surface combatants and shipborne helicopters, together with support-ing shore infrastructures. The new ships will replace exist-ing US-built Badr class corvettes and Al Siddiq class fast attack craft.

The RSNF has been studying various options for this potentially massive pro-gramme, known as the Saudi Naval Expansion Program II (SNEP II), for a number of years, and has consid-ered ship options ranging from a


ENG VIP p36, 37, 38.indd 38 18/02/2015 14:46

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