Russia’s aircraft industry remains one of the country’s defense export standbys, and Russian companies are beginning to partner with foreign firms in ways that could increase their reach. In December 2005, Moscow Defense Brief took a look at key trends, especially the consolidation trends as private maneuverings and state ‘encouragement’ to join a “Unified Aircraft-Building Corporation” (UABC) began to consolidate the various players.
At the time, names like Mikoyan, Sukhoi, Antonov, Ilyushin, Yakolev et. al. appeared to be coalescing around Irkut Corporation, with a second smaller pole around Sukhoi. Recent events are shifting away a French “sesquipolar” model, and toward a unipolar model. The question is whether this will result in success and profitability for a Russian defense industry that is struggling to regain its footing. Recent announcements at the MAKS 2009 indicate that more financial aid is on the way, but the powers that be are less than happy…
Despite ongoing US procurement of M1151/M1152 Hummers, the retreat from Jeep-like vehicles is accelerating among Western militaries. Insufficiently protected against land mine threats in modern conflict zones, and insufficiently protectable due to inherent design limitations, conventional vehicles like G-Wagens, Land Rovers, and HMMWVs are being replaced in manufacturer lineups and military acquisitions by more protectable truck-based models, or by dedicated mine-resistant patrol vehicles. A wide array of countries are buying these vehicles for the first time. Meanwhile, nations that were ahead of the curve continue to add to their stocks.
ISAF, S. Afghanistan
Australia’s move to more than double its original order of 300 Thales-ADI’s Bushmaster IMVs, which have proven themselves with Australian forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, offers ample evidence of the seriousness with which they view the global trend toward IED land mines in conflict zones. First-time buyer The Netherlands has also adopted the Bushmaster, to strengthen its own Afghan force.
The Dutch move to field mine-resistant vehicles was concluded in close cooperation with 2 friendly foreign governments, and it has just placed its 6th order…
VSE Corp. in Alexandria, VA received a $249 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-05-D-4204) to add an option for continuous life-cycle support of naval vessels that are bought, sold or otherwise transferred through the international fleet support (IFS) program.
Under this contract, VSE provides design, configuration management, field engineering, maintenance planning, maintenance, spare parts support, training, casualty, and depot level repair. The company also provides engineering, technical, procurement, logistics, test, inspection, calibration, repair, maintenance, equipment upgrade installation, and overhaul support services, including reactivation to safe-to-sail status.
VSE will perform the work in Alexandria, VA and at various locations throughout the world as required by IFS customers. The company expects to complete the work by August 2010. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) at the Washington Navy Yard in DC manages the contract.
The IFS program is a NAVSEA Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare (SEA 21) effort to provide complete life-cycle support for non-nuclear surface ships operated by allied navies…
Until the arrival of the SU-30MKs and SU-30MKIs, India’s MiG-29 fleet was its primary counter to Pakistan’s F-16s. That fleet had a number of problems, the most prominent of which was a low readiness rate given the Russians’ long turnaround time for spares, repairs, and other support. Engines were reported to be a particularly troublesome issue. Yet India is acquiring MiG-29K fighters for use from its new full-size INS Vikramaditya carrier, and the thrust-vectoring MiG-29OVT/MiG-35 variant is a contender for its MRCA medium fighter aircraft competition. Both use variants of the same basic RD-33 engine: the RD-33MK Sea Wasp, and the MK-derived RD-133 with full thrust vectoring nozzles.
In 2006 the MiG-35’s MRCA position was strengthened, and India’s maintenance issues made easier, by a $275 million arrangement to license produce an improved version of the basic RD-33 engine in India. That arrangement is moving ahead – slowly…
Rizzani de Eccher (USA) in Miami Beach, FL won a $44.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of a facility replacement at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The company, which is a unit of Italian construction firm Rizzani de Eccher, expects to complete construction by Dec 30/10. US Army Corps of Engineers’ Transatlantic Programs Center in Winchester, VA received 8 bids for the contract (W912ER-09-C-0033).
Al Udeid Air Base is a military base located west of Doha, Qatar…
Balfour Beatty Construction in Fairfax, VA won a $61.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of a joint regional correctional facility complex at Naval Support Activity Northwest Annex in Hampton Roads, VA. The new level II, medium security 400-person prison is expected to meet American Corrections Association (ACA) standards. The contract also contains 2 unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative contract value to $69.3 million.
The contract is incrementally funded with the 1st increment of $26.6 million being allocated at the time of award. The 2nd increment will be funded in FY 10 at $35 million. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, VA and is expected to be completed by May 2011. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 13 proposals received by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, VA (N40085-09-C-5090).
