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Month: September 2023
French company Arquus partners with Ukraine to reinforce defense self-sufficiency
The French company Arquus will establish a repair workshop in Ukraine for the French-donated VAB 4×4 APCs (Picture sources: Maxkatre/Twitter and Wikimedia)
While the exact quantity of VABs delivered to Ukraine remains undisclosed, France has provided substantial quantities of these armored vehicles, alongside CAESAr 6×6 self-propelled howitzers and SCALP missiles, as part of a broader military aid package. This new announcement from Arquus Defense reflects Ukraine’s broader strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities while reducing its reliance on external support.
This shift in Ukraine’s defense strategy was prompted by Ukrainian Minister of Economy, Ioulia Svyrydenko, who emphasized the need to diversify sources of weaponry and reduce reliance on allies in March. Subsequently, Oleksandr Kamychine, formerly in charge of state-owned railways, was appointed to lead the Ministry of Strategic Industries. His mission was to retool former Soviet-era factories to produce modern weaponry in collaboration with Western manufacturers, even amid ongoing conflict.
French Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecornu acknowledged the persistent nature of the conflict. Ukraine is gradually shifting from a norm of equipment transfer to a greater emphasis on technology transfers as a key component of its defense strategy, as the country possesses substantial expertise inherited from its Soviet past, including major enterprises like the Antonov aircraft manufacturer, Ioujmach missile producer, and Motor Sitch turbine manufacturer, which require technology transfers to fully harness their potential.
Ukraine faces significant long-term requirements to maintain a secure distance from Russia following the cessation of hostilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized this point on September 26th, expressing a desire for Ukraine to possess a new and powerful arsenal. He underscored the need to produce and build all the necessary infrastructure gradually to ensure security.
After approximately six months of strategic initiatives, there is tangible progress. The focus has shifted from procuring foreign military equipment to prioritizing domestic production and technological self-reliance.
In August 2023, Sweden announced its support for Ukraine’s ambitions in domestic combat vehicle production. A declaration of intent was signed between Ukraine and Sweden, encompassing production, repair, and training related to the Swedish-made Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). This collaborative partnership seeks to localize the production and repair facilities for CV90 vehicles within Ukraine, further reducing Ukraine’s reliance on foreign military equipment deliveries.
Rheinmetall, a key player in the global defense industry, plays a central role in Ukraine’s defense industry transformation. The company’s vision includes establishing a production facility in Ukraine to provide NATO-standard technology and manufacturing capabilities, reducing Ukraine’s dependence on external sources for vital military equipment.
Rheinmetall’s initiatives span various aspects of defense production, including the establishment of maintenance workshops for NATO military vehicles in Western Ukraine and the production of armored personnel carriers. The company also plans to supply Marder 1A3 IFVs and Leopard 2A4 tanks to the Ukrainian military, while exploring the possibility of leasing well-equipped Soviet-era tank factories in Ukraine.
Among the various vehicles under consideration for production, the advanced German KF-51 Panther tank stands out for its mobility, advanced ballistic protection, and cutting-edge weapon systems. Furthermore, Rheinmetall is exploring the production of the Ukrainian-designed T-84 Oplot tank, known for its reliability, firepower, and impact resistance.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, this shift towards domestic production and technological self-reliance carries substantial implications for Ukraine’s military capabilities. By gradually decreasing its reliance on external sources for critical military equipment, this change of perspective not only ensures a more reliable supply of essential military hardware but also enhances its capacity to maintain, adapt, and upgrade its weaponry.
One of the immediate consequences of these initiatives is the potential for a more resilient and adaptable Ukrainian armed forces, as the country can maintain a higher level of readiness among its troops, reduce vulnerabilities related to supply chain disruptions, and promptly adjust its weaponry to address specific operational requirements. This can translate into improved combat effectiveness and a better ability to manage the challenges encountered on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s move towards self-reliance in defense production could have long-term implications for its strategic position. As the conflict endures, the capability to independently manufacture and upgrade military equipment can enhance Ukraine’s deterrence capabilities, potentially influencing the calculations of regional actors. It may also contribute to the country’s post-conflict stability by reducing its reliance on external sources, fostering greater autonomy in defense decision-making, and facilitating a smoother transition to a peacetime footing.
armyrecognition.com
“Embrace Chaos” – Military Motivation
US Army Demonstrates HIMARS Firepower in Estonia: Strengthening NATO Ties & Bolstering Baltic Defense
U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, supporting 3rd Infantry Division, demonstrate M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) operations to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Estonia allies during a live-fire exercise at Estonian Central Training Area, Estonia, September 27, 2023.(Picture source U.S. Army)
U.S. soldiers of Task Force Voit from the U.S. Army 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, who are supporting the 3rd Infantry Division, conducted the M142 HIMARS demonstration for NATO’s Forward Presence Battle Group Estonia at the Estonian Defense Force’s main training grounds.
This exercise highlighted the HIMARS system’s capabilities, with Task Force Voit members undergoing gunnery qualification. This event was the culmination of extensive joint training sessions, where Estonian forces collaborated with U.S. troops at Camp Tapa. This collaboration was further underscored by Estonia’s acquisition of the HIMARS system from the U.S. last year, aiming to bolster its defense capabilities.
Task Force Voit, actively training in the Baltic with NATO counterparts, supports the 3rd Infantry Division’s Task Force Marne. Their European mission involves participating in multinational drills across the continent, collaborating with NATO members and ensuring a robust presence for V Corps, the U.S.’s primary corps stationed in Europe.
The HIMARS, or High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, is a lightweight mobile artillery system that can fire both guided and unguided rockets, as well as tactical ballistic missiles. It’s mounted on a 6×6 truck, which provides it with high mobility and the ability to be rapidly deployed. This makes the HIMARS particularly suitable for quick reaction and rapid target engagement, especially in scenarios where a swift response is required.
On the other hand, the MLRS, or Multiple Launch Rocket System, is a more traditional artillery rocket system. It’s designed to deliver a significant volume of firepower in a short amount of time. The MLRS can saturate an area with rockets, making it effective against a range of targets, including enemy artillery, air defenses, and infantry formations.
The M142 HIMARS system, donated by the US to Ukrainian forces, has been employed extensively against Russian positions. One of the notable uses of the HIMARS by Ukrainian forces was in conjunction with ‘Shark’ drones to target and eliminate five Russian Buk missile systems. The combination of drones for reconnaissance and targeting, followed by precision strikes from the HIMARS, showcases the system’s capability to engage and destroy sophisticated enemy assets with high accuracy.
Furthermore, long-range weapons like the US-made HIMARS rockets, which have a reach of up to 80 km (50 miles), have proven to be devastating in the conflict in Ukraine. The precision and range of the HIMARS system allow it to effectively neutralize Russian army artillery systems, tanks, and other high-value targets, making it a valuable asset in the Ukrainian arsenal against Russian forces.
Defense News October 2023
Elite US Navy SEALs, army special forces to be tested for drug use
Published On 30 Sep 202330 Sep 2023
The US military will begin random drug tests on its special forces, including the Navy SEALs and the Army’s Delta Force, Green Berets and Ranger Regiment, for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs beginning in November.
US Rear Admiral Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, said on Friday that the testing was necessary to protect the health of soldiers and military readiness.
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The Navy will be the first to begin random testing in November and the US Army Special Operations Command said it will soon follow suit, although no start date has been set.
The US Air Force and the Marine Corps special forces commands said they have not yet requested a similar policy of random drug testing.
The use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has been a limited but persistent problem across the US military, but leaders in the armed forces have baulked at increased testing.
The US military services have done occasional tests when they perceive a problem with an individual service member, but they must get special permission from the Pentagon to do routine, random testing.
According to the Navy command, four military units will be randomly selected each month, and 15 percent of each will be tested. That will amount to as many as 200 sailors monthly, and those testing positive face discipline or removal.
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A driving factor in the announcement, which has been in the works for months, was the death of a Navy SEAL candidate early last year.
Kyle Mullen, 24, collapsed and died of acute pneumonia just hours after completing the SEALs’ gruelling Hell Week test. A report concluded that Mullen, from Manalapan, New Jersey, died “in the line of duty, not due to his own misconduct”.
Although tests found no evidence of performance-enhancing drugs in his system, a report by the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) said he was not screened for some steroids because the needed blood and urine samples were not available, and that multiple vials of drugs and syringes were later found in his car.
A broader investigation by the NETC into SEAL training flagged the use of performance-enhancing drugs as a significant problem among those seeking to become elite US commandos and recommended far more robust testing.
Investigations in 2011, 2013 and 2018 into suspected steroid use by SEAL candidates led to discipline and requests for enhanced testing.
The new random testing will require that sailors provide two urine samples. One will be sent to the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, a cutting-edge lab used by international sports to test for doping, and one will go to the Navy Drug Screening Laboratory Great Lakes to check for standard drugs.
If the test result is positive, the sailor will be notified, there will be a preliminary inquiry and if there is no legal reason for the drugs, the sailor will be subject to discipline and removal from the force.
SOURCE: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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