Americas
* Helibras and Airbus Helicopters unveiled an H225M configured for naval combat in Brazil last week. The rotorcraft will undergo military certification trials prior to delivery to the Brazilian Navy in 2018. Configurations found in the navalized H225M include a Helibras-developed tactical mission system, including an APS-143 surveillance radar, advanced self-protection systems, as well as signals intelligence capabilities. Weapons include two AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles, while the cargo bay accommodates a dedicated sensor operator console providing the mission commander with an overview of the tactical situation.
* Approval has been given by the US Army’s Joint Munitions Command for the full material release of Orbital ATK’s M1061 60mm mortar cartridge. The munition was developed to increased the 60mm mortar’s effectiveness while improving its insensitive munitions aspects. Furthermore, its fragmentation technology produces increased wide-area effects compared to conventional warheads. Over 12,000 units of the munition have been sent to the army during its initial development phases.
Middle East & North Africa
* Qatar has been linked to the possible purchase of more JF-17 fighter and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft following the release of a statement from Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s office. Mr. Sharif’s office also wishes to set up military cooperation and production of equipment in Qatar with the assistance of Pakistan and Turkey. He went on to say that Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey can set up joint ventures for undertaking defence related manufacturing of military equipment. “Our relationship with Qatar means a lot to us and you can count on Pakistan as your closest ally and brotherly state,” he remarked.
* An explosive-laden drone, a new feature of the Islamic State’s arsenal, has been brought down by the USAF near Mosul. Two Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets were used to achieve the “kill” via “electronic warfare capabilities.” The use of small UAS systems by IS has led Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James to call for the rapid development of counter-SUAS capabilities in light of the emerging threat.
* US officials close to Turkey’s F-35 fighter procurement claim Ankara is considering a second batch of fighters, possibly as many as 24 aircraft. Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries said they expected the new orders to be delivered in 2021 and 2022 and aims to eventually purchase a total of 100. A Lockheed representative said the company is “honored” by Turkey’s continued commitment to the F-35 program which was further demonstrated by the decision by the DIEC on Friday.
Europe
* Russia has tested its secret hypersonic weapon, referred to as “object 4202,” on an R-36 Voevoda intercontinental ballistic missile. The warhead is expected to be fitted on Moscow’s successor for the R-36, the Sarmat ICBM. Sources within the Roscosmos State Corporation told Russian media sources that the warhead was created using solely Russian-made components, including on-board equipment, electronic components and the guidance system.
Asia Pacific
* L-3 Oceania has received contracts worth $232 million from the Australian Ministry of Defense to provide night fighting equipment. Included in the sale are state of the art night vision goggles, helmet mounts, laser aiming devices, and head harnesses, which will be provided to the country’s special forces and infantry, as well as general combatants such as drivers, medics, and troops in the navy and air force. The procurement comes following deployments of Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan which highlighted the need for cutting-edge night vision equipment.
* India will buy hundreds of fighter jets from a foreign manufacturer, if they are built in India. New Delhi made the announcement saying it would buy between 200-300 fighters as it moves to phase out its fleet of Soviet-era aircraft and could be worth between $13-15 million. While a deal to purchase 36 French Rafale fighters has been recently closed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration wants any further military planes to be built in India with an Indian partner to kickstart a domestic aircraft industry, and end an expensive addiction to imports.
Today’s Video
By land, ship or air. The Am39 Exocet:
