Nordic countries combine combat air power
24 March 2023
by Gareth Jennings
A Swedish Gripen and Finnish Hornet combat aircraft conducting joint manoeuvres. Together with Denmark and Norway, the two countries will combine their combat aviation assets with a joint Nordic operational concept agreed upon in a letter of intent. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images)
The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have agreed on “seamless co-operation” between their respective air forces, with a letter of intent (LOI) announced on 23 March.
Signed on 16 March by the commanders of the four air forces, and in the presence of the Commander of US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), General James B Hecker, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, the LOI is billed as being the first declaration of its kind.
“The declaration of intent strengthens co-operation between the two countries and creates the conditions for strengthening the air defence of the Nordic countries,” a joint communique said. “The aim is seamless co-operation between the air forces of the two countries and the ability to operate together in all situations.”
Indian Army upgrades Konkurs-M ATGW with thermal imagers
01 June 2023
by Kapil Kajal
The Indian Army is upgrading its 9K111-1M Konkurs-M ATGW systems – pictured above in operation with the Russian Army – with thermal imagers for use in low-light or night operations. (KBP Instrument Design Bureau)
The Indian Army has upgraded its 9K111‐1M Konkurs‐M anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) systems with Bangalore-based Tonbo Imaging's cooled, longwave Infrared (LWIR) thermal imagers known as Sarisa, a source at Tonbo told Janes.
According to Tonbo, Sarisa is a thermal imaging camera used for detection, recognition, and identification of threats at long ranges during day and night and in adverse weather conditions. It can lock onto a stationary or moving target before launching the missile.
Sarisa is equipped with mounting brackets that allow it to be installed in the front of the optics channel of the Konkurs-M ATGW launcher.
It is deployed in clip-on configuration with inbuilt collimated optics “enabling the user to engage with the targets using the same sight channel of direct-view optics of the Konkurs launcher”, according to Tonbo.
The thermal imager is designed in accordance with MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-461F standards.
According to Janes Weapons: Infantry
‘Air Defenders' assemble ahead of NATO's largest aviation exercise
31 May 2023
by Gareth Jennings
The first fighter jet, a Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet of the US Navy, landed on 31 May in Hohn, Germany, for Exercise ‘Air Defender 2023'. In all, 220 aircraft from 25 countries will participate in the event from 12 to 23 June. (Luftwaffe)
The first aircraft to take part in Exercise ‘Air Defender 2023' has arrived in Germany, ahead of what the Luftwaffe has described as “the largest deployment exercise of air forces in NATO's history”.
A US Navy (USN) Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 ‘Golden Warriors' based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia was the first aircraft to arrive for the event held from 12 to 23 June 2023, touching down at Hohn Air Base in northern Germany on 31 May.
Hosted and commanded by the Luftwaffe, ‘Air Defender 2023' will see 220
Poland contracts Hellfire II missiles to arm AW149, AH-64E helicopters
30 May 2023
by Gareth Jennings
Seen fitted to an Apache helicopter, the Hellfire missile will arm both the AW149 and AH-64E platforms being acquired by Poland. (Janes/Kelvin Wong)
Poland has finalised a deal with the United States to acquire Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire II air-to-surface missiles to equip its future Leonardo AW149 and Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, made the disclosure, saying the contract for an undisclosed number of missiles had been signed on 30 May.
Błaszczak's announcement came about two-and-a-half months after the US Department of State approved the sale of up to 800 AGM-114R2 missiles to Poland for an estimated USD150 million (including training systems, support, and other services).
Neither Błaszczak nor the state department disclosed a delivery date for the missiles, but Poland is expected to receive the first of 32 AW149 support helicopters later in 2023, and the first of eight loaned US Army AH-64E attack helicopters in 2024, ahead of the arrival of an anticipated 96 newbuild helicopters from 2026.
As noted in Janes Weapons: Air Launched
The Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden have agreed on “seamless co-operation” ...
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