DSEI 2021: RBSL and Rheinmetall unveil Boxer mortar module
16 September 2021
by Samuel Cranny-Evans
The Boxer mortar module was presented by RBSL and Rheinmetall at DSEI 2021 in anticipation of potential British Army requirements. (Janes/Samuel Cranny-Evans)
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and Rheinmetall have unveiled a mortar-carrying mission module for the Boxer 8×8 wheeled armoured fighting vehicle at the 2021 DSEI exhibition held from 14 to 17 September in London.
The module has been designed in anticipation of the potential requirements of the British Army, which is understood to have initially settled for 28 mortar-carrying Boxers out of the 523 vehicles on order. However, those vehicles are expected to operate their mortars in a dismounted role as opposed to the mounted solution presented by RBSL and Rheinmetall.
The physical structure of the module has been developed and manufactured at the RBSL facility in Telford, UK, and production started three months ago, a company spokesperson told Janes on 15 September. The module allows for a vehicle crew of three: a gunner, commander, and driver. The gunner is located at the rear of the vehicle, while the commander and driver at the front. The mortar is fired through two large doors in the mission-module roof.
BMC rolls out new Altay
27 March 2023
by Cem Devrim Yaylali
BMC unveiled an upgraded version of the Altay main battle tank (MBT) on 22 March 2023. (BMC)
BMC unveiled an upgraded version of the Altay main battle tank (MBT) on 22 March.
Two vehicles are under construction and scheduled to be delivered to the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) in late April, and will undergo a series of trials ahead of entering service in 2024.
The new Altay is the prototype of an initial production batch of 40 tanks. The vehicle features some important changes from the pre-production prototypes built by Otokar, such as the repositioning of some of the ammunition to racks on either side of the driver. Owing to problems in obtaining parts and subsystems from international manufacturers – including the bilge, fuel, hydraulic and preheat pumps, and hydraulic coupling components – these are now sourced from Turkish companies.
MRZR Alpha ATVs readied for UAE SOCOM
24 March 2023
by Andrew White
The MRZR Alpha LTATV was initially designed for the US SOF. (Polaris Government and Defense)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is set to become the first international customer for Polaris Government and Defense's 4×4 MRZR Alpha light tactical all-terrain vehicle (LTATV).
According to the social media pages of Polaris' in-country distributor, Specialised Sports Equipment (SSE), employees in the UAE are training to “serve the customer prior to delivery of the product”.
SSE was unavailable to comment on the procurement, at the time of publication, but a spokesperson for Polaris confirmed to Janes that “Polaris has supplied our first Alphas into the Middle East through Specialised Sports Equipment in the UAE”.
“SSE is fully trained on our military platforms to provide localised support to our customers in the region, including parts support, operator training, and mechanic certification courses,” the statement continued.
Polaris was able to confirm the purchase was a direct sale but was unable to comment on the customer, number of vehicles to be delivered, and timelines involved.
Defence sources suggested to Janes
Hensoldt to supply navigation radars for Philippine Navy's new corvettes, OPVs
21 March 2023
by Oishee Majumdar
Hensoldt UK will supply its Kelvin Hughes Mk11 SharpEye naval navigation radars (pictured) for the Philippine Navy's new offshore patrol vessels and corvettes, being developed by Hyundai Heavy Industries. (Hensoldt)
Hensoldt UK, formerly known as Kelvin Hughes, has secured two contracts to supply its Mk11 SharpEye naval navigation radars for the Philippine Navy's new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and corvettes, being developed by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
In addition to navigation, the Mk11 SharpEye pulse-doppler radar can provide enhanced surface surveillance capability to the Philippine Navy, Hensoldt said in a media release on 17 March. The radar will be installed in conjunction with an integrated navigation bridge system, the company added.
According to company specifications, the Mk11 SharpEye can transmit powers of up to 300 W. The radar's X-band (I-band) transmitters employ gallium nitride (GaN) power transistor technology to improve the performance of the radar.
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and Rheinmetall have unveiled a mortar-carrying mission module f...
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