25 January 2022
by Parth Shukla
The AT4 platform (mock-ups in picture) will enhance the Indian Armed Forces' urban warfare capabilities. (Janes/Amael Kotlarski)
The Indian Armed Forces have selected Saab's AT4 as their new single-shot weapon.
Saab has been awarded a contract for providing AT4 single-shot support weapons to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, the company announced on 20 January. The AT4 was selected by the Indian Armed Forces following a competitive programme, the company said.
Janes understands that Saab was awarded the contract during the fourth quarter of 2021. The contract was signed by FFV Ordnance AB, which is the organisation responsible for Saab's offer in India.
The AT4 is an 84 mm unguided anti-armour weapon manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics. It is designed to be effective against tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopters, aircraft, and armoured vehicles.
Janes understands that Saab will supply the Indian Armed Forces with the AT4CS AST variant. However, Saab did not share what fire-control system (FCS) or sight system will be supplied along with the AT4CS AST.
According to Janes Weapons: Infantry
29 March 2024
by Michael Fabey
The USN CNO noted the need for the development of directed energy weapons, such as the laser system shown in this artist's rendition. (Lockheed Martin)
Recent US Navy (USN) operations in the Red Sea have underscored the importance of logistics, according to Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the USN chief of naval operations (CNO).
Adm Franchetti also noted the importance of developing new weapons and related capabilities to match emerging threats.
The CNO made the comments during a discussion for Defense One that was shown online on 27 March.
“I've focused a lot especially on contested logistics and the need to think creatively about how to resupply our ships that are out there on the pointy end,” Adm Franchetti said. “We've been able to do that.”
22 March 2024
by Michael Fabey & Ridzwan Rahmat
BAE Systems was confirmed as the UK shipbuilding partner for AUKUS submarines, shown here as an artist rendition. (BAE Systems)
Britian's BAE Systems will partner with Australian shipbuilder ASC to build Canberra's nuclear-powered submarines for the trilateral AUKUS defence agreement, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on 21 March.
The partnership deal follows “months of negotiations” and could be worth “billions of pounds”, theMoD said in a release.
First announced in September 2021, AUKUS calls for the three countries – Australia, the UK, and the US – to work together on a range of capabilities, including a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia, the ministry release noted.
Phase Two of AUKUS involves the sale of three US Virginia-class submarines to Australia with an option for up to two more, subject to US Congressional approval. Phase Three is the construction of the trilateral nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) for AUKUS.
The first UK submarines built to this design will be delivered in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-class vessels, and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s.
19 March 2024
by Nicholas Fiorenza & Andrew MacDonald
The Swedish flag was raised at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 11 March to mark the country's accession to the alliance as its 32nd member on 7 March. (NATO)
NATO welcomed Sweden as its 32nd member on 7 March. The Scandinavian country had intended to join together with Finland, but Turkey and Hungary blocked Swedish accession until the Grand National Assembly of Turkey approved it on 23 January, followed by the Hungarian parliament on 26 February.
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership on 18 May 2022 and were invited to join the alliance by the Madrid summit of allied leaders on 4 July 2022. Finland joined NATO on 4 April 2023.
As Enhanced Opportunities Partners under NATO's Partnership Interoperability Initiative, Finland and Sweden were able to skip joining the alliance's Membership Action Plan that has been required of the most recent countries to become NATO members, reflecting the fact that the two Nordic countries are more interoperable with allies than some NATO countries.
The Indian Armed Forces have selected Saab's AT4 as their new single-shot weapon.
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