The Cook Barracks infrastructure project commenced in 2021 as part of Canberra’s bilateral cooperation with the South Pacific island nation to reinforce security in Oceania and support the partner’s commercial activity and local economy.

Through the effort, the site now incorporates modern accommodation and training facilities, engineering and vehicle workshops, roads, a medical center, a fire station, and a chapel.

The facilities will be managed by the Vanuatu Mobile Force and Police Force once it reaches operational capability.

Demonstrating ‘Commitment’

Cook Barracks’ launch followed the reopening of Vanuatu’s Tiroas Barracks in Espiritu Santo Province in March 2024 under the same framework.

The base includes a new armory and medical facilities for the nation’s defense forces as well as critical infrastructure for Vanuatu’s inter-island emergency network.

At the project announcement, Canberra noted that the entirety of the initiative planned to support approximately 200 employment opportunities.

“These major projects demonstrate the importance of Australia and Vanuatu’s longstanding relationship and continuing commitment to working together,” Australian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated.

“Australia and Vanuatu’s security is intertwined and our partnership enhances the peace, prosperity, resilience and safety of our region for future generations.”

The post Australia Reopens Upgraded Port Vila Barracks for Vanuatu appeared first on The Defense Post.

The vehicles passed a series of tests conducted by the Royal Thai Navy and were deployed to the RTMC’s Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion in Sattahip, about 116 miles (187 kilometers) away from Bangkok. 

This delivery is part of the 448 million Thai baht ($13.5 million) contract signed in August 2023 for the vehicle’s development, construction, testing, and delivery scheduled within one year. 

Chaiseri AWAVs

Powered by a 711 hp engine, the amphibious vehicle has a maximum speed of 105 kilometers (65.2 miles) per hour on land and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour on water, with a combat range of 600 kilometers (372.8 miles). 

Each AWAV is equipped with the Spanish company Escribano Mechanical & Engineering’s Guardian 1.5 Remote Weapon Station, which operates a 12.7 mm machine gun.

Additionally, it has 76 mm smoke grenade launchers as secondary armaments. 

It has a ballistic protection level of STANAG 4569 Level 3 and Level 3a/3b for mine protection to withstand threats in hostile environments. 

Each AWAV is 9.2 meters long (30.2 feet), 3 meters tall (9.8 feet), 3.1 meters wide (10.2 feet), and around 25.7 tons.

It can carry 11 troops, plus a crew of three comprising a gunner, commander, and driver.

The vehicles were developed based on the prototype model unveiled at the Defense & Security 2023 exhibition in Bangkok and will serve in the RTMC’s current fleet together with its other amphibious platforms. 

The post Thai Marines Receive Seven Amphibious Vehicles From Chaiseri appeared first on The Defense Post.

The deal supports the UK government’s objective to replenish its land-based military platforms after some of the stocks were donated to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion.

The consortium will work on the latest order starting in 2025 at Babcock’s Devonport and Supacat’s Dunkeswell facilities.

Once operational, the HMT fleet will be used for off-road patrol, force protection, communication, and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance or ISTAR missions.

“This contract cements the success of the Jackal programme and delivers a critical boost to the British Army’s fleet with a vehicle that is the most capable and versatile in its class,” Babcock Land Sector CEO Tom Newman stated.

“Babcock teams play a broad and critical role supporting capabilities across the UK’s armed forces; the production of 53 new Jackal 3 Extendas is an excellent example of this and at the same time securing 100 jobs in the South West region.”

More Than 200 Jackals Expected

London placed the initial order for 70 Jackal 3s in February 2023. One year later, Babcock and Supacat began the development of the vehicles, which at the time was revealed to be completed by the summer of 2024.

The consortium noted that the British Army has the option to procure up to 240 of the armored systems depending on its future requirements.

”Firstly, we are enormously proud that Supacat’s Jackal 3 ‘extenda’ is now adding to the Army’s Land Fleet which will help support [Chief of the General Staff’s] intent of increasing lethality with a modular high mobility platform,” Supacat Director Phil Applegarth commented on the latest contract.

“We have demonstrated the modularity and the ease of integrating specific mission winning systems and we look forward with continuing our collaboration with the UK MoD and our industry partners in the near future.”

“Secondly, we are enormously pleased that our partnership with Babcock and Devonport continues to produce Jackal 3 and now the Jackal 3 ‘extenda’, exemplifying The British Army’s Land Industrial strategy and the huge benefits to both the UK and local economies through social value.”

The post British Army Orders Additional Jackal 3 Transporters From Babcock, Supacat appeared first on The Defense Post.

During the recent Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD2024) exhibition in the UK, the two firms unveiled a prototype of the Boxer Armored Mortar Variant, which features Patria’s NEMO 120-millimeter turreted mortar system.

The system can achieve a maximum rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute, providing military units with increased lethality and sustained firepower.

Additionally, the vehicle can fire up to five rounds simultaneously to neutralize multiple targets and overwhelm enemy positions.

According to Patria Senior VP Market Area Europe Hugo Vanbockryck, the armored mortar variant “represents a significant leap forward in superior battlefield capabilities.”

He added, “We are proud to partner with Rheinmetall in delivering this state-of-the-art solution to our customers.”

‘Fire on the Move’

The 8×8 Boxer vehicle was initially designed as a transport platform capable of carrying up to nine soldiers at speeds reaching 103 kilometers (64 miles) per hour.

The first prototype was delivered to the British Army in January for evaluation and trials.

Nearly eight months later, the new mortar variant was produced, offering a “fire on the move” capability to reduce the risk of counter-fire.

Unlike other mortar platforms, the NEMO allows the vehicle to carry out both direct and indirect fire at an effective range of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Additionally, the vehicle features superior protection for enhanced crew survivability.

“This collaboration with Patria underscores our shared commitment to advancing military technology and providing the UK’s armed forces with the best possible equipment,” Rheinmetall Vehicle Systems International Deputy CEO Rebecca Richards said.

More Variants

In January, the UK announced plans to develop additional variants of the Boxer armored vehicle to maximize its operational use.

Apart from transport and mortar variants, the country will procure Boxer Repair and Recovery and Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge versions this year.

So far, the British Army has ordered at least 146 infantry carriers, 200 specialist carriers, 212 command and control vehicles, and 65 medical variants of the Boxer.

The post Patria, Rheinmetall Unveil New Boxer Armored Vehicle Variant appeared first on The Defense Post.

The platform adds to more than 20 other MRAP systems commissioned under Kyiv’s military since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

The milestone follows Ottawa’s military aid to Kyiv in January 2023 worth 90 million Canadian dollars ($66.3 million) in response to the aggression, which included Senators in their basic armored personnel carrier configuration.

All 200 vehicles under the donation were delivered in April 2023, with most distributed to the Ukrainian State Border Service units stationed in the northern city of Chernihiv.

One month later, the Senator’s Ontario-based developer Roshel unveiled the platform’s new MRAP variant. The company finalized the delivery of the 1,000th Senator to Ukraine by year’s end.

The Senator MRAP

Roshel’s Senator MRAP has a length of 6 meters (20 feet), a seating capacity for up to 10 personnel, and payload support for about 2 tons of cargo.

The 4×4 vehicle is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a 330-horsepower V8 6.7-liter diesel engine.

Its chassis, based on the Ford F-550 pickup truck, is covered with NATO-standard armor that can withstand blasts from 7.62×39-caliber rifles, multi-direction mines, charged TNTs, and 155-millimeter artillery.

Additionally, the system was designed with a V-shaped body to redirect shock waves and shrapnel to the sides, increasing soldiers’ survivability during attacks.

In September 2024, Roshel revealed the integration of the Tavria 14.5 Remote Controlled Weapon System into the Senator.

The post Ukrainian Military Adopts Canadian Senator Anti-Mine Vehicles appeared first on The Defense Post.

The 600-million-euro ($669.7-million) deal includes management, spare parts supply and repairs, and accompanying technical support services to the fleet.

KNDS will also support the construction of a sustainment facility in the country to bolster future overhaul projects for the vehicles.

Canada’s procurement authority is partnering with KNDS segments in Munich and Ottawa to complete the effort.

Work for the agreement will be facilitated from September 2024 through March 2031, with an option for five additional years.

“As a system house and manufacturer of the LEOPARD 2, we have felt a strong connection with Canada and the Canadian Army for almost 20 years,” KNDS Deutschland Service Head Markus Schmidt stated.

“For KNDS, the contract for long-term support of the systems is an honor. We are aware of the responsibility of ensuring the operational readiness of 74 LEOPARD 2 battle tanks and 29 family vehicles.”

The Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank

The Leopard 2 measures 10 meters (33 feet) and is protected with armor composed of steel, tungsten, plastic, and ceramic parts.

It is equipped with a smooth-bore gun, medium machine guns, multi-barrel grenade launchers, and explosives.

The tank is powered by a NATO-standard V12 diesel engine for a top speed of 68 kilometers (42 miles) per hour and a range of 340 kilometers (211 miles).

Canada first adopted the vehicle in 2007 to replace its older main battle tank fleet, operational since the 1970s.

Currently, five variants of the Leopard 2 are in service under Ottawa’s military.

The post KNDS Wins Sustainment Contract for Canadian Army’s Leopard 2 Fleet appeared first on The Defense Post.

Camp Reedo is located in the southeast of Estonia and will be managed by the Defence Forces’ 2nd Infantry Brigade.

It incorporates eight primary halls that could receive approximately 1,000 personnel. Facilities include equipment maintenance stations, storage, kitchen and dining areas, as well as laundry buildings.

Camp Reedo’s construction and related capabilities cost 21 million euros ($23.4 million), according to the military investment agency.

The infrastructure was completed in partnership with Tartu-based concrete works company Mapri Ehitus.

“We have accommodated the previous allied units in the Taara settlement, where we have provided them with a barracks and also built one of the largest container settlements in Estonia,” RKIK South Portfolio Manager Peeter Karja stated.

“With the new camp, if necessary, they can stay near the training ground during exercises and practice defending Estonia with the defense forces in good conditions.”

Enabling ‘Strong Confidence’

RKIK highlighted that the center will be operational for accommodations, preparations, and repairs in both crises and peacetime.

“This will make it easier for them to arrive and get combat ready here. After a short stay, the units move to the operational areas or back to the country of origin,” RKIK Training Grounds Portfolio Manager Elari Kalmaru explained.

Estonian Defence Forces 2nd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Mati Tikerpuu added that the center provides Tallinn’s military with “strong confidence to know that for the allied units with whom we plan and practice the defense of Estonia,” even if “a whole unit should come to help defend if necessary.”

Four-Year Defense Infrastructure Plan

The Reedo campus inauguration follows RKIK’s announcement of an investment worth 500 million euros ($558.6 million) in defense infrastructure over the next four years.

The effort will focus on the adoption of allies and integrating new solutions while maintaining sustainability throughout the country. Related taxi, cleaning, furniture, security, food supply, and catering services are also expected to be procured to support the forthcoming buildings under this framework.

Part of the project is the renovation of a $19.9-million air base in the country’s north revealed in February to further contribute to the multinational NATO Air Policing mission.

The site was originally established during the Soviet era and was relaunched into a NATO center in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

“In order to better protect Estonia, we must be ready to receive allies on a significantly larger scale in order to implement NATO’s new defense plans,” Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur commented on the broader infrastructure strategy.

“However, even now, the Defense Force needs additional space in order to be able to receive additional allied units if necessary and to ensure suitable conditions for accommodation, equipment, weaponry and ammunition storage, as well as training.”

The post Estonia Inaugurates Military Camp Near Russian Border appeared first on The Defense Post.

The platforms will be added to the 2,677 FMTV A2s delivered to the service since the initial order under the program.

The latest deal serves as the army’s fourth order for the vehicles this year, including a tranche worth $108.9 million last May for the service and its foreign military sales partners.

“The FMTV A2 demonstrates Oshkosh’s engineering innovation and manufacturing expertise to design vehicles that adapt to dynamic mission demands and surpass performance requirements,” Oshkosh Defense Chief Programs Officer Pat Williams stated.

“We are honored to contribute to the Army’s modernization efforts and deliver the most advanced tactical vehicles to support evolving missions while enhancing the safety and effectiveness of our Soldiers.”

Oshkosh FMTV A2

The FMTV A2 is offered in 12 truck, 4 chassis, and 3 trailer options to support different user requirements.

Its main variants include a 4×4 cargo, 6×6 cargo, and dump truck that can be integrated with different mission components.

Depending on its configuration, the FMTV A2 can transport payloads weighing from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds (2,268 to 9,072 kilograms).

In 2023, the US Army tapped Oshkosh to provide 16 variants worth $201 million. This contract followed a $141-million.contract for approximately 400 FMTVs.

The post US Army Orders More FMTV Vehicles From Oshkosh appeared first on The Defense Post.

Some of the Australian Army’s obsolete patrol vehicles, troop carriers, and Land Rovers are on eBay-style auction websites, inviting “off-road enthusiasts” to place their bids, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The phrase “there’s a vehicle to suit every adventure” can be seen in the postings to promote the military-grade products.

According to local reports, a long-range patrol vehicle used by the Special Air Services in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars was sold for 113,000 Australian dollars ($77,246).

These vehicles are now reportedly being used for camping, off-road driving, and commercial purposes.

“The Australian government would rather auction off military equipment than offer it to Ukraine,” retired army major-general Mick Ryan wrote on X. “A story of parsimony and mean spiritedness towards a country in need… Shameful!”

‘A Default Position’

Australia’s Senate’s foreign affairs and defense committee has urged the government to establish a “default position” for handling its decommissioned military assets.

The committee suggests that defense materiel being retired or disposed of should be automatically gifted to Ukraine unless there is a “compelling case.”

As the Senate Inquiry I chaired said in our report this week, Australia should as a default position be providing retiring or surplus defence equipment to Ukraine. https://t.co/codclw9r4X

— Senator Claire Chandler (@SenatorClaire) September 19, 2024

Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organizations co-chair Kateryna Argyrou said it was a “short-sighted and baffling” move to see retired military equipment being sold online when they could be useful for Ukraine on the battlefield.

“Ukrainian soldiers are outnumbered, exhausted and working with whatever they are given, so it’s upsetting that this equipment hasn’t been considered for Ukraine,” she lamented. “Our community is in touch with frontline troops every day, who tell us these ex-ADF platforms are exactly what they need.”

In addition to adopting a “default position,” the committee is calling for the re-opening of an Australian embassy in Kyiv to oversee military aid.

Support for Ukraine

Despite the controversy, the Australian government maintains its “unwavering support” for Ukraine, having donated over $1.1 billion in military aid since the invasion began in February 2022.

In July, it announced its “largest military aid” package to Ukraine, totaling 250 million Australian dollars ($168.5 million), which included air defense missiles, anti-tank weapons, and guided weapons.

The Australian defense industry has also committed to helping the war-torn nation with EOS Defence Systems, expressing its interest in launching arms production in Kyiv.

The post Australia Puts Obsolete Military Vehicles for Sale Despite Ukraine’s Interest appeared first on The Defense Post.

The LCAC 110’s arrival follows the completion of its acceptance trials under the naval inspection and survey authority, which validated the hovercraft’s capability and readiness.

Once operational, the ship will be used for amphibious troop landing and deployment as well as logistical support.

“This new craft will provide the Navy and Marine Corps team with unparalleled capability in amphibious warfare, ensuring we remain agile and responsive to emerging threats and global challenges,” US Navy Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs Manager Capt. Jason Grabelle stated.

“The introduction of LCAC 110 into our fleet marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance operational readiness.”

Upgrading LCAC Fleet

The navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector expansion effort is part of the US Department of Defense’s objective to replace the country’s older LCACs, operational since the late 1980s.

The new platforms have improved functions, faster transport features, and modern weapon systems.

Textron accepted the initial $213-million contract in 2012 to initiate the Ship-to-Shore Connector production at its center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 2020, the firm received a follow-on agreement to manufacture 15 additional vessels for the program.

Currently, Textron is engaged in the serial production of LCAC 111 to 123.

The Ship-to-Shore Connector

The US Navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector measures 92 feet (28 meters) and has a 48-foot (14.6-meter) beam.

It is operated by a crew of four, including a pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster, and engineer, while its 1,608-square-foot (149 square meters) deck can accommodate up to 74 tons of payload.

The hovercraft is powered by four Rolls-Royce MT7 gas turbines that are derivatives of engines installed in Bell V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for a top speed of 35 knots (65 kilometers/40 miles per hour).

The boat can be armed with naval gun mounts, machine guns, and grenade launchers,

The post Textron Hands Over Latest Ship-to-Shore Hovercraft to US Navy appeared first on The Defense Post.