Elaine McCusker, RealClearDefense
Author: Michael
The PHL-16’s armament systems can either be
a 10 round that can fire 300 mm rockets with a range of 130 km or an eight round that can fire 370 mm rockets, the example of which is pictured above, having a maximum range of 280 km. The system can also fire two 750 mm Fire Dragon 280A tactical missiles with a maximum range of 290 km.
A US Navy F/A-18 Hornet launches an AARGM-ER during trials of the missile in December 2022. (US Navy)
The US Department of State (DoS) has approved a possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ERs) to Australia.
The potential sale is almost certainly linked to a recent decision by the Australian government to acquire “new longer-range and more advanced anti-radiation missiles”.
The UAE’s continuing growth of its indigenous defence industrial base was prevalent at the IDEX 2023 exhibition and conference in Abu Dhabi, local and international companies looking to harness the buying power of a region somewhat sheltered from turbulent global markets.
The combined value of contracts signed at IDEX, which took place from 17-21 February, totalled AED23.34bn ($6.37bn) throughout the week, indicating the Middle East defence industry remains a significant operator in the market.
Thales has announced the successful completion of the first workshop related to the European Commission’s 5G Communications for Peacekeeping and Defence (5G COMPAD) project.
The three-year project is funded by ten European governments under the 2021 European Defence Fund (EDF) initiative.
It aims to showcase the use of 5G mobile communications technology to maintain information sharing superiority among the European defence forces by providing cost-efficient, multi-dimensional communication platforms, with better functionality.
The British Army has recently completed a two-week long exercise, named Winter Camp, in Estonia, as part of the UK-led Nato Battlegroup.
This was the last exercise scheduled under Nato’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup Estonia Rotation 11, which was led by the British Army’s King’s Royal Hussars (KRH).
The training activity saw the participation of 30 Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBT) from the UK, a Leopard 2 tank squadron from Denmark, and forces from France and Estonia.
Military strategists will be studying the reasons behind Russia’s confounding failure to rapidly defeat Ukraine for years to come. But there is one point upon which they seem to have quickly reached agreement: low-cost, easy-to-use drone technologies are playing a pivotal role in repulsing Russia’s advances. Drones have transformed what were once “dumb” artillery rounds […]
The post Winning the Air Battle for Taiwan: Lessons from Ukraine’s Drone Operations appeared first on War on the Rocks.
Janes Defence Budgets forecasts robust real-terms growth in Malaysia’s military expenditure, supported by a strong funding increase proposed for 2023. (Janes Defence Budgets)
Malaysia has proposed a 2023 defence budget of MYR17.74 billion (USD3.97 billion), a nominal 10% increase over the original 2022 allocation of MYR16.14 billion.
The expenditure – announced on 24 February – comprises MYR11.4 billion for operations and MYR6.3 billion for development expenses, including procurement. These represent year-on-year increases of 3% and 26%, respectively.
GM Defense unveiled its armoured NGLTWV concept at IDEX 2023. This combines the Chevrolet Silverado commercial pickup truck chassis with GM’s Ultium battery technology. (Janes/Sonny Butterworth)
GM Defense displayed its vehicle electrification technology, including a ‘skateboard’ chassis and its Next Generation Light Tactical Wheeled Vehicle (NGLTWV) at IDEX 2023, held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February.
Alheda missiles displayed on the launcher with an integrated Mirsad-II EODS inside the Tazawun Council’s pavilion at IDEX 2023. (Janes/Jeremy Binnie)
Tawazun Technology and Innovation (TTI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local company Calidus to manufacture the Alhedah missile, it was announced during the IDEX 2023 show held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February.
TTI is the research and development arm of Tawazun Council, the organisation tasked with developing the UAE’s defence industry.