26 May 2023
by Nicholas Fiorenza
Arquus and VTU are offering the Light European Vehicle for a long-standing Czech special forces requirement. (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)
Arquus and the Czech Military Technical Institute (VTU) displayed the Light European Vehicle (LEV) at the International Defence and Security Technology Fair (IDET) held in Brno, Czech Republic, from 24 to 26 May.
Arquus and VTU representatives told Janes that 169 LEVs had been offered to the Czech Republic under a tender for vehicles for the 601st Special Forces Group.
The LEV is based on Arquus's Sabre special forces 4×4 vehicle, which can be crewed by up to five soldiers. The vehicle has an automatic transmission and a top speed of 110 km/h. It has a minimum payload of 2,000 kg and a combat weight of up to 9,500 kg. The LEV has a maximum length of 6,500 mm, a width of 2,300 mm, and a height of 2,600 mm, and can be transported by A400M and C-130 transport aircraft, as well as CH-47 helicopter.
It is armed with a 50 calibre machine gun and has weapon stations for up to five 7.62 mm machine guns.
28 November 2023
by Olivia Savage
Up to 50 of the British Army's Foxhound LPPV vehicles will be converted into command variants. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
Up to 50 of the British Army's Foxhound vehicles will be converted into command variants under a GBP19.76 million (USD24.92 million) sole-source contract with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS).
The contract, expected to be awarded in early 2024, will involve the conversion of up to 50 Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) over a 15-month period, a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract notice disclosed on 23 November.
According to the notice, the converted vehicles will be installed with enhanced high-frequency (HF), very-high-frequency (VHF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) capabilities and will enable operation of Bowman data terminals.
The UK MoD were unable to elaborate to Janes on the new communication systems expected to be installed on the converted command vehicles.
28 November 2023
by Nicholas Fiorenza
Delivery of the first upgraded Pumas for the German Army has been delayed from the end of 2023 to the end of February 2024 . (Bundeswehr/Marco Dorow)
The German Federal Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 27 November that deliveries of upgraded Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) have been delayed. The ministry noted that the Bundeswehr was to receive the first upgraded Pumas for the German Army by the end of 2023 but the necessary work, especially on software, should be completed in February 2024, delaying the delivery of the first vehicles to the end of that month.
The MoD, Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr: BAAINBw), and the German Army were engaged in a “close and constructive exchange” with industry, the MoD said, adding that the essential requirements for planned testing, training, and exercises have been met.
24 November 2023
by Nicholas Fiorenza
The ACR is deploying a battery of DANA vz 77 SPHs to Lithuania in 2024. (ACR)
The Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) announced on its website on 21 November that it is deploying a battery of DANA vz 77 152 mm 8×8 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) to Lithuania. The Czech Army's 3rd Task Force, including a DANA battery from the ACR's 131st Artillery Battalion, will be deployed in Lithuania during the first half of 2024 as part of the German-led enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) NATO battlegroup in the Baltic country.
Most of the task force's over 100 soldiers will be from the 131st Artillery Battalion, comprising fire support and artillery reconnaissance troops, as well as staff personnel. It will be supplemented by radar experts, workshop personnel, military police, medics, and members of the ACR Information and Cyber Forces Command.
Arquus and the Czech Military Technical Institute (VTU) displayed the Light European Vehicle (LEV) a...
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