Rapid Fire: 2011-01-14

• Rheinmetall denies rumors it is in talks with Northrop Grumman about takeover, while it completes purchase of Verseidag Ballistic Protection, a German maker of military vehicle protection systems.

• Japan is studying ways to provide logistics support for any US military actions on the Korean Peninsula, says Japanese Defense Minister Kitazawa.

• KBR moves to expand revenue base beyond US logistics work in Afghanistan under its LOGCAP IV contract.

• Portable pure oxygen generator for battlefield ER among products featured at UK MOD’s small business R&D contract award showcase.

• “I’ll be back”: Is the military losing control of its robots?

• Czechs budget funds to back their new membership in NATO’s E-3 AWACS pool. For reference, CZK 90 million upkeep = $4.9 million now, and CZK 170 million for modernization = $9.25 million.

• General Dynamics Electric Boat recruiting engineers for next generation SSBN “boomer” to replace the Ohio Class. Work on the nuclear missile compartment is already underway.

• EastWest Institute releases study examining the national security implications and approaches to cybersecurity.

Iveco Beats Renault for French Heavy Truck Order

Iveco 8×8 HMR truck

In December 2010, the resolution of appeals from Volvo subsidiary Renault Trucks allowed Fiat subsidiary Iveco Defence Vehicles to finally sign a contract, and begin supplying the French military with 15-tonne, 8×8 wheel heavy trucks per a 2007 DGA solicitation. The total contract has a ceiling of 2,400 trucks and EUR 800 million, for 4 models: container carrier, shelter carrier, skip carrier, and recovery/wrecker. The initial contract is EUR 160 million (currently around $210 million) for 150 container trucks and 50 recovery/wrecker machines, plus maintenance and spare parts.

The M320.45WM trucks in question are from Iveco’s Astra subsidiary, who also specializes in off-road construction and mining vehicles. They’re being marketed abroad as the “Iveco High Mobility Range,” and currently serve with Belgium (6×6 version), Italy, and Spain. The trucks are powered by 450 hp FPT Industrial Cursor engines, and haul a partially armored driver’s cab (Iveco declined to offer STANAG protection levels), along with various types of demountable hook-lift body work, trailer towing, and cranes.

Winning in France against Renault Trucks required local industrial partnerships. Iveco is partnered with France Soframe, who will manufacture the bodies and chassis at its facility near Strasbourg. Iveco representatives told DID that this partnership extends to the French contract only. See also Iveco | Defense News.

Indonesia Giving Priority to C-130 Hercules Planes

Indonesian C-130H-30

From 2001-2005, the US State and Defense Departments lobbied for the resumption of US weapons sales to Indonesia, as part of their efforts to secure support against Islamic terrorists. The US Senate refused to lift the ban, which had been put in place after widespread murders and human rights abuses by Indonesia’s military in East Timor. The Senate did, however, give the Secretary of State the power to issue a waiver to the ban, if it was deemed to be in the interests of national security. The US State Department promptly issued that waiver.

At the time, it was speculated that Indonesia’s first priority might be its F-16s, only 4 of which were still flyable. That’s still on the agenda, but a buy of Russian SU-27/30 Flankers has taken some of the urgency away. Instead, in a display of smart politics, Indonesia’s top priority with the USA has been its C-130 Hercules tactical transport fleet. A move that gained impetus after a tragic 2009 crash.

$10.4M for Media & Marketing Services in Afghanistan

Leonie Industries, LLC in Pacific Palisades, CA received a $10.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for media and marketing support services throughout Afghanistan. Work on this 6-month contract will be performed in Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of July 5/11. One bid was solicited with one bid received by the U.S. Army’s Rock Island Contracting Center in Rock Island, IL (W52P1J-09-D-0053).