03 July 2024

World Defense News 03 July 2024

  

Smith & Wesson has announced an expansion to their Model 1854 series, introducing two new models chambered in .45 Colt. These additions retain the robust features and modern improvements of their .44 Magnum counterparts, making them versatile for various applications, from hunting to home defense.

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 Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (RMMV) and the Slovak company Torsus announced a strategic partnership at the Eurosatory 2024 in Paris to develop variants of the MAN TGE and Torsus Terrastorm for special forces. The two companies showcased the mission-specific customization options for the Terrastorm HD 4×4 with a double-row cabin and a covered loading platform. Read full Defense News at this link:

Rheinmetall 4X4 MAN TGE Terrastorm Special Forces Vehicle (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

On July 3, 2024, the Belarusian army showcased for the first time the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drone as part of its arsenal during the Independence Parade in Minsk. This event marked the 80th anniversary of Belarus' liberation from Nazi occupation. These drones, referred to as Geran-2 in Russian nomenclature, were introduced as a "new domestic development" in Belarus, now named Nomad. Read full defense news at this link...

These Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, referred to as Geran-2 in Russian nomenclature, were introduced as a "new domestic development" in Belarus, now named Nomad. (Picture source: Russian social media)

 The Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense has announced the acquisition of twelve Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as part of an agreement signed with the United States on June 30, 2024. Valued at 715 million euros, this procurement is conducted through the U.S. Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The delivery of these helicopters is scheduled to begin in 2028, marking a significant renewal for the Austrian army's air fleet. Read full Defense News at this link:


Lockheed Martin UH-60M Sikorsky Black Hawk Helicopter (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

 

The Czech government has taken a significant step in modernizing its military capabilities by approving the acquisition of 246 CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). A crucial aspect of this procurement is the involvement of the Czech defense sector in the production process. Among the local companies participating in the program is EVPÚ Defence, a specialist in electro-optical systems for military and civil applications. Read more. 

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On June 29, 2024, the Chinese Southern Theater Command Air Force published a picture of an H-6K bomber taking off at night during a summer exercise, showing two 2PZD-21, also known as YJ-21, air-launched ballistic missiles under one wing. Observers told the Global Times, an English-language newspaper controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, that it likely also carried two missiles under the other wing for balance, totaling four.
 

General Dynamics Corp.'s (GD) Land Systems Division has secured a $323 million contract from the U.S. Army through the Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal, MI. This contract is for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the M10 Booker combat vehicle and is expected to be completed by October 20, 2026. The U.S. Department of Defense announced this on June 27, 2024.

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Italian authorities have seized Chinese military drones intercepted at an Italian port to prevent their shipment to a Libyan warlord. Three containers filled with weapons were seized on June 18 by the authorities at the port of Gioia Tauro, in southern Italy, after being unloaded from a cargo ship, the MSC Arina, coming from China.
 

Lithuania is set to enhance its military capabilities by purchasing tracked combat vehicles as part of the second phase of its infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) procurement initiative. Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas announced last week that the decision had been made to acquire these vehicles, aiming to form a tank battalion. Speaking in Alytus, Kasčiūnas explained that the tank battalion would be formed gradually, creating one company at a time.
 

On July 1, 2024, Thales inaugurated a new assembly line at its Herstal site in Belgium, aimed at increasing the production of 70mm laser-guided rockets. This expansion is part of a research and development program supported by the Walloon Region. This initiative marks a significant step in a €20 million investment plan launched in 2023, backed by the Belgian government and the European Union's "Act in Support of Ammunition Production" (ASAP) plan. Read more. 

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At this year's Eurosatory defense and security exhibition, Milkor introduced its latest innovation, the UAV 380, specifically designed for civilian maritime applications.
 

At the prestigious Eurosatory 2024 defense exhibition, Singapore’s leading technology and defense firm, ST Engineering, presented a compelling narrative of innovation and strategic ambition.
 

On July 3, 2024, the United States Marine Corps announced that it is striving to make its MQ-9 Reaper drones harder to detect by equipping them with secret high-tech pods capable of countering enemy sensors, stated General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, at an event at the Brookings Institution.
 

John Cockerill has successfully finalized the acquisition of Arquus, the leading French supplier of military vehicles, a process that began in January with the Volvo Group. This announcement was made on July 2, 2024, by the Belgian company.

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On July 1, 2024, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) released a video revealing the new J-31B "Gyrfalcon" stealth fighter. The J-31B appears significantly larger than the original FC-31 model, which was first introduced a decade ago, evolving from a medium to a heavy fighter. It is equipped with side weapon bays, each capable of carrying two combat missiles. This fifth-generation medium-sized stealth fighter has been independently developed by SAC. Read more. 

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As reported by the Australian Defence Magazine on July 1, 2024, the Australian Army has received an additional batch of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, increasing the total number in service to six. These helicopters arrived at RAAF Richmond aboard US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft on June 17, 2024, and, after reassembly, were transported to the Australian Army’s Holsworthy base to join the 6th Aviation Regiment (6 AVN). Read full defense news at this link...
 

The MiG-21 is one of the most recognizable fighter jets from the early Cold War era, and despite their age, some are still in service in the Indian Air Force. However, not for much longer. By 2025, the last Indian MiG-21s are expected to retire, closing a long and troubled chapter in the history of the MiG-21 within the Indian Air Force.
 

The United States government has officially donated a C-130H Hercules military cargo aircraft to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF). This aircraft aims to enhance Botswana's defense capabilities and support humanitarian and emergency response missions both nationally and within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

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