Americas
The US Marine Corps is set to test an unmanned boat prototype designed to covertly supply ground troops with missiles. The Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV) has already been tested from surface vessels over the last year. However, it will be tested in an operational environment for the first time at Project Convergence Capstone 4 this spring, head of Marine Corps Combat Development Command Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl said.
The head of US Pacific Fleet said his command plans to establish its second operational unmanned surface vessel squadron in May. “This is a uniform capability that we’ll be able to own, operate… [and] can be employed within particular spaces,” Adm. Samuel Paparo told an audience here at West 2024 in San Diego. A “principle element within warfare is the element of operational security. So, our most exquisite capabilities, if I’m doing my job, you won’t [know] about it.”
Middle East & Africa
According to Military Africa, OTT Technologies and ADG Mobility, two leading South African military vehicle manufacturers, have announced a strategic partnership with Rakaa Security and Military Supplies, a Saudi company that provides security and military equipment to various government agencies in the Kingdom.
Europe
MBDA Germany has clinched an export order for its latest shoulder-fired guided missile system, the Enforcer. A company spokesman confirmed the procurement. However, no order details were provided, such as value, quantity, timeline, or the customer’s identity. The same “effector-visor configuration” that Germany ordered in 2020 has been procured, the outlet added. The German version features Hensoldt Dynahawk fire control sight.
Asia-Pacific
A recent US military investigation has found that active-duty personnel and their families stationed in Japan are being “routinely denied access” to emergency medical care, sometimes resulting in preventable deaths. US Navy and Marine Corps leaders responsible for Tokyo-based American soldiers revealed that at least 24 US service members, civilian defense employees, and military dependents had been turned away from Japanese hospitals in the past two years.
China’s state-owned land systems manufacturer Norinco has revealed a new type of truck-mounted howitzer. The highly automated system, which is aimed at export markets, mates a 6×6 truck chassis with an unmanned turret containing a 155mm L/52 howitzer. The weapon was shown alongside existing artillery products in a Norinco promotional video clip circulated to coincide with Lunar New Year celebrations around February 10. The video was highlighting a Chinese artillery marketing event attended by foreign delegations.
The Japanese military will begin receiving US training on Tomahawk cruise missiles next month after signing an acquisition agreement for 400 of the long-range weapons. The information was disclosed following a meeting between Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru and US Ambassador to Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel. The training is scheduled to begin on March 25, with 30 personnel from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force expected to participate.
