EDR Magazine #62 March/April 2022 by EDR Magazine

N° 62 • March/April 2022

MAGAZINE European Defence Review S hip-to-ship killers: towards medium-range capacity Turkish wheeled armoured vehicles Evolving medium calibre naval guns A sia-Pacific Maritime Reconnaissance

I S S U E N°

2022

Publisher: Joseph Roukoz Editor-in-chief: Paolo Valpolini Aviation & Space Editor: David Oliver Naval Editor: Luca Peruzzi European Defence Review (EDR) is published by European Defence Publishing SAS www.edrmagazine.eu

In August 2021 Roketsan delivered the first Atmaca anti-ship missile to the Turkish Navy; with a weight at launch of 750 kg, a length of 5.2 meters with booster, it can reach a range of 250 kg carrying a 220 kg high explosive-fragmentation warhead. © Roketsan

Ship-to-ship killers: towards medium-range capacity By Luca Peruzzi

Turkish wheeled armoured vehicles

Evolving medium calibre naval guns

Asia-Pacific Maritime Reconnaissance

By Marc Chassillan

By Luca Peruzzi

By David Oliver

EDR | March/April 2022

In addition to pursue campaign opportunities for the Harpoon Block II/Block II+ line, the Boeing group has developed an Harpoon Block II+ Extended Range (ER) version capable of 200 km. Here depicted an Harpoon Block 1C with a range of 120 km range fired by a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. © US Navy

Ship-to-ship killers: towards medium-range capacity By Luca Peruzzi The emerging of adversary’s advanced multi-layered air defence systems at sea and ashore, as well as the need to operate in littoral environments with threats to be targeted both at sea and inland, have pushed the development of new longer-range anti-ship and land-attack missiles as well as the upgrading of in-service ones. The solutions being proposed by the western industry feature not only a longer range but also more advanced control and navigation features, multimode seekers, improved warheads and introduce networked capable solutions with in-flight re-vectoring and possibly man-in-the-loop to comply with dynamic situations.

Boeing Harpoon The Boeing group is continuing to pursue campaign opportunities for the Harpoon Block II/Block+ line through foreign military sales. Entered into service with the US Navy in 1977 as its basic anti-ship missile 4

EDR | March/April 2022

for fleet-wide use and developed in the air- (AGM-84), ship- and shore- (RGM84) and submarine-launched (UGM-84) variants, the initial Harpoon Block IC (HIC) with a circa 120 km range was sided in 1998 by the Block II version (AGM/RGM/UGM-

84L) incorporating the low-cost inertial measuring unit (IMU) from the Boeing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) programme and the software, mission computer, integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (INS/GPS), GPS antenna and receiver from the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER), providing both anti-ship and land attack capability, and maintaining compatibility with in-service launching systems. The Block II version was not adopted by the US Navy, but has seen international success and is in service in the air-, ship- and submarinelaunched variants with their launch control equipment with at least 30 international customers, and selected or ordered by others. Among the latter, Taiwan has ordered coastal batteries equipped with the Harpoon Block II, while the US administration has authorized its sale to Morocco to equip its F-16 aircraft. The updated Harpoon Block II+ provides a rapid-capability enhancement that includes a new GPS guidance kit, increased reliability and survivability of the weapon, the new Strike Common Weapon Data Link (SCWDL) that enables in-flight positional updates including mission abort option, improving target selectivity and the engagement of moving maritime targets, in addition to enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures. The Harpoon Block II+ has joined the Joint Standoff Weapon C-1 as

the second air-to-ground network-enabled weapon. In addition to Block II+ upgrading kits procurement for in-service munitions, in January 2021 the US Navy launched the Encapsulated (ENCAP) reconstitution programme, with the order to Boeing for the refurbishment and recertification of the first batch of the overall 60 ENCAP Harpoon Block IC all-up munitions package to be taken out from deep storage to provide the Los Angeles class nuclear attack submarines a sub-launched anti-surface missile capability after the munitions were put into reserve in 1996. More recently, Boeing also offered the Harpoon Block II+ Extended Range (ER) development derived from the air-launched AGM-84N Harpoon Block II+ and adding a more fuel-efficient turbojet engine, proven successful during testing, together with additional fuel capacity thanks to a new smaller (135 kg class) warhead, which provides an extended range of 200 km (compared with the 120 km range of the current Block IC missile) without changing the weapon’s overall characteristics, maintaining compatibility with current launching and maintenance systems.

Kongsberg/Raytheon On 22 December 2021, Raytheon’s Missiles and Defense business was contracted by the US Marine Corps Systems Command for the

Raytheon’s Missiles and Defense has been contracted by the US Marine Corps Systems Command for the delivery of production representative models of the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) equipped with the Kongsberg/Raytheon Naval Strike Missile (NSM). © USMC

EDR | March/April 2022

delivery of production representative models of the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) equipped with the Kongsberg/Raytheon Naval Strike Missile (NSM). The NMESIS is a land-based missile launcher platform that provides the Fleet Marine Force with an anti-ship capability. This follows the procurement by the US Navy of the Kongsberg/Raytheon NSM Block 1 (US designation RGM-184A), with the US company as prime contractor, to equip the Freedom/Independenceclass Littoral Combat Ship (LCSs), new Constellation-class (FFG 62) Frigates and San Antonio-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) units under the Over-The-Horizon– Weapon System (OTH-WS) programme, today also including the USMC missiles procurement. The OTH-WS Operational Test & Evaluation phase will be completed only in Q3 2022 due to test firing issues, with a fullrate production decision expected to arrive in FY 23, according to the US DoD’s DOT&E Office. Developed by Kongsberg Defence

& Aerospace (KDA) to meet the Royal Norwegian Navy’s (RNoN) requirements for a highly discriminative, low-observable, sea skimming anti-ship missile able to penetrate shipboard defences and operate effectively in blue waters and littoral environments, the NSM entered service with the RNoN in 2012 and was selected and procured by the US Navy in 2018. With a low-observable composite-made 3.96 meters long airframe equipped with a turbojet engine and a fuel-tank enabling an operational range in excess of 200 km, the circa 400 kg heavy NSM features a 227 kg insensitive munition warhead and an advanced passive guidance package that combines GPS-aided multisensor navigation with an advanced dualband imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with ATR and seeker-generated aim point for terminal guidance, in addition to programmable endgame manoeuvres. In parallel to the US market missile developments, based on a joint governmental agreement signed in February 2017, the Norwegian and German

The US Navy chose in 2018 the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) weapon system offered by Raytheon’s Missiles and Defense together with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, to equip the Littoral Combat Ship (LCSs), new Constellation-class frigates and San Antonio-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) platforms. © US Navy

EDR | March/April 2022

The Proteus Advanced Systems joint venture of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and ST Engineering Land Systems has been contracted by the Estonian Centre of Defence Investment (ECDI) in October 2021 for developing Estonian coastal defence capabilities, focused on the supply of the Blue Spear land-to-sea missile system. © Proteus Advanced Systems

MoD’s procurement agencies announced in July 2021 the joint acquisition for their respective Navies of the new NSM Block 1A, which is an enhanced missile version of the weapon system in the Norwegian inventory. These rounds are the subject of a life extension programme awarded in October 2021 to KDA, alongside additional Block 1A munitions procurement. According to KDA, the NSM Block 1A, which has received the US designation RGM-184B, is an enhanced version of the NSM Block 1. The modifications include a number of technology updates, a new engine and various performance improvements, such as extended range. The fact that the US gave a national designation to this new version should indicate a probable acquisition by the US Navy/USMC; the same designation was used in the proposal to the Greek MoD, which shows that the RGM184B is available for foreign military sales. In addition to Norway, US and Germany, the NSM is in service with the Polish Navy in a mobile coastal defence system (MCDS) and was procured by Malaysia for shipborne applications, alongside Romania in another customized MCDS, and selected but not yet contracted by Canada for its new frigates. The NSM comes also in an air-launched multi-role version called Joint Strike Missile (JSM), with a modified airframe to be internally carried and launched from the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, a second independent passive RF seeker provided by BAE Systems Australia and a twoway communications data link. The NSM production contract was awarded by Norway in 2021, the same missile being also ordered by Japan and selected by Finland.

IAI’s anti-ship missile solutions The Proteus Advanced Systems joint venture of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and ST Engineering Land Systems was selected and contracted by the Estonian Centre of Defence Investment (ECDI) in October 2021 for developing Estonian coastal defence capabilities and providing the Blue Spear land-to-sea missile system. Based on a long experience in the antiship missile field that dates back to the ‘60s and the strong cooperation between the two companies developed before the joint venture establishment in July 2020, “the Blue Spear system, being the advanced member of the Gabriel missile heritage, will serve as the next generation of surfaceto-surface missile systems”, said the jointventure. The Blue Spear is the most recent development and bespoke derivative of the latest IAI Gabriel family technology, which saw the first international success in July 2018 with the Finnish MoD that contracted IAI to equip the Finnish Navy’s Squadron EDR | March/April 2022

sensor-and-shooter networks”. The coastal defence Blue Spear missile for the Estonian Defence Forces is being presented by IAI with a maximum range of 290 km, employing an active radar-homing seeker, accurate INSbased navigation capabilities and “a robust system which is immune to GPS disruptions and maximal accuracy target acquisition”. It is also equipped “with a variety of deception means to achieve its mission and cope with the different battlefield challenges”. The Israeli Navy and the Israeli MoD successfully conducted an end-to-end test of a surface-to-surface guided missile from a Sa’ar 5-class corvette in September 2020. The missile was declared to be integrated on the Sa’ar 5 and new Sa’ar 6 corvettes. Different sources identified this missile as the Gabriel V. © IAI

2000 Hamina-class missile fast attack craft and future Squadron 2020-class multirole corvettes under the SSM2020 programme with a new-generation anti-ship weapon system. Being detailed by the same Finnish MoD as a 1,250 kg, 5.5 meters-long subsonic missile that incorporates INS/GPS multiple waypoint navigation with an advanced active radar seeker and supplied with a penetrating warhead, the new weapon was credited with a range in excess of 200 km. More recently IAI, together with Thales, proposed the Sea Serpent solution for the Royal Navy’s I-SSGW (Interim Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon) programme to replace its Harpoon inventory. ”Developed in parallel with similar missile systems in service with the Israeli Navy, and selected to provide powerful strike capabilities for Finland’s SSM2020 programme”, and specifically tailored to satisfy Royal Navy requirements, the Sea Serpent has been described as an agile, highly penetrative, combined anti-ship and land attack capability at ranges well beyond 200 km. Equipped with an innovative RF seeker head and a sophisticated data analysis and weapon control system, the Sea Serpent incorporates “mid-course updates from realtime ISTAR feeds and the ability to re-task in flight in fast-moving situations, particularly in cooperative engagements and distributed 8

EDR | March/April 2022

MBDA Teseo Mk2/E In November 2020, MBDA received from the Italian MoD’s Naval Armament Directorate, an undisclosed value contract which, according to Parliament documentation, includes the design, development, testing, qualification and industrialization of a completely new long range missile weapon system to feature an innovative dual mode head section including a new generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) RF seeker, capable of long anti-surface and deep land-attack operations. Exploiting the experience developed with the Otomat/Teseo and Marte weapon families, the new Teseo Mk2/E will have a 4.77 meters long transonic airframe shaped to reduce overall signature, which EDR Magazine understood being composite-made, featuring aerodynamic and flight control developments to increase manoeuvrability and survivability. The Mk2/E

MBDA is developing the Teseo Mk2/E for the Italian MoD’s Naval Armament Directorate, a completely new long range missile weapon system to feature an innovative dual mode head section including a new generation AESA RF seeker, capable of long anti-surface and deep land-attack operations. © Luca Peruzzi

With a declared range of 350 km at sea-skimming level, the Mk2/E missile will feature a state-ofthe-art navigation suite, a new two-way SATCOM data link system, and a terminal guidance provided by an innovative dual mode head section including an RF seeker and an E/O sensor. The new generation AESAbased RF seeker, a joint effort between MBDA as prime contractor and Leonardo, is sided by a semi-active laser (SAL) channel for surgical attacks. © MBDA

will have a high subsonic cruise speed and high-G terminal manoeuvrability with a declared range of 350 km at sea-skimming level. To achieve it, the propulsion system is centred on a Williams International turbofan with a fuel-tank and anti-g system package, alongside a single coaxial booster which will facilitate a future potential deployment from vertical launching systems. With an ‘in the cruise phase’ weight of around 700 kg plus the booster weight and an overall length of 4.77 meters with booster (4.08 meters in flight), the Mk2/E is fired from a new single-shot lightweight canister, which is compatible with the current Otomat/Teseo launching system. The Mk2/E will feature a state-of-the-art navigation suite centred on an open architecture weapon control system, a fully autonomous integrated INS/GPS complex, an adaptive radar altimeter and a new two-way SATCOM data link system, focusing on target update, reassignment and mission abort. According to MBDA, the terminal guidance is provided by an innovative dual mode head section including an RF seeker and an E/O sensor. After an year-long feasibility study, the Italian MoD recently decided to exercise the contractual option to equip the Teseo Mk2/E with a new generation AESA-based RF seeker, which EDR Magazine understood being jointly

developed by MBDA as prime contractor together with Leonardo, the latter providing the new generation AESA seeker and MBDA the ‘back-end’ and overall integration. The other sensor is a semi-active laser (SAL) channel for surgical attacks, while the new two-way data link system provides, according to MBDA, ‘high hitting probability, even against fast moving targets at range’. Being equipped with a scalable insensitive warhead, the Teseo Mk2/E will also have an advanced mission planning system, characterized by 4D way-points (space and time) with programmable time on target, salvo capability with simultaneous time on target (STOT) attacks and reduced mission planning time, among others capabilities.

MBDA MM40 Exocet Block 3c The MBDA group and the French MoD have further developed the family of ship, air, land and underwater launched Exocet missiles to cope with current and future operational scenarios and threats. The European group will deliver the first new production missile in the upgraded MM40 Block 3c version to the French Navy in April 2022, according to the same year budget law presented to the French Parliament. Moreover, thanks EDR | March/April 2022

The MBDA group will deliver the first new production missile in the upgraded MM40 Block 3c version to the French Navy in April 2022, according to Parliamentary documentation. It will have a new digitized guidance and navigation suite based on a new coherent active RF seeker. The French Navy will receive both new missiles as well as upgraded munitions of the Block 2 and 3, the latter here depicted. © MBDA

to the memorandum of understanding signed in September 2021 between the Greek Minister of Defence, Naval Group and MBDA representatives for opening negotiations to provide the Hellenic Navy with three Defence and Intervention Frigates (FDI HN) plus one frigate option and their equipment, among which notably the MM40 Block 3c, the Eastern Mediterranean country is expected to become the first international customer of the new Exocet ship-launched version, with the contract to be signed in the first half of the year. The Block 3c, where ‘c’ stands for ‘coherent’ introduces a new coherent active RF seeker at the core of a ‘digitised’ guidance and navigation package upgrading, which development and production contract was awarded in 2011 for a batch of 35 new munitions, initially reduced for budget constraint and later increased to 55 missiles (20 to be ordered in the future), of which the first 25 are to be delivered in 2022, after development and pandemic delays. In September 2021 the French MoD also ordered a total of 45 kits to upgrade inservice Block 2/3 missiles to be delivered from 2023. Entered in service in late 2010, in addition to the French Navy, the MM 40 Block 3 equips or has been ordered by more than ten navies with Saudi Arabia among 10

EDR | March/April 2022

the latest. Characterized by a less than 6 meters long airframe (with booster) and a 780 kg weight, the Block 3 version features a powerful Safran TR40 turbojet providing an extended operation range of around 200 km and a guidance suite including an active RF seeker and an advanced hybrid INS/ GPS navigation package, alongside a new launch and mission planning infrastructure. As the Block 3 maintains the same noncoherent seeker of the Block 2 version, due to obsolescence issues related to it, under the mentioned upgrading activities, MBDA is reported to have introduced a new digitised package centred on a new coherent active RF seeker developed by Thales, together with a digital radar altimeter and a new GPS receiver, alongside an internal Ethernet bus. The coherent radar introduces significant improvements in target sensitivity (low signature targets) and electronic countercountermeasures (ECCM) performance.

MBDA Marte ER In November 2021, MBDA completed the third and last development and qualification firing of the Marte Extended Range (ER), opening the way to deliveries and entering into operation in the first months of 2022.

In November 2021, MBDA completed the third and last development and qualification firing of the Marte ER, opening the way to deliveries and entering into operation with the Qatari MoD in the first months of 2022 with a new mobile coastal defence system provided by the same group. © MBDA

The first munitions will be handed over to the Qatari MoD to equip the new MCDS which first elements were delivered in late 2021. The Qatari MoD also acquired the helicopterlaunched variant of the Marte ER to equip the Leonardo-provided NHIndustries NFH90 naval helicopters, which first assets are to be delivered later on in 2022. A latest generation, extended range variant of the Marte antiship missile family, the ER model has been conceived as a multi-platform munition capable to be launched by coastal mobile/ naval, rotary-wing/slow speed fixed wing and fast jet platforms. With a circa 300 kg (340 kg with boosters) weight, a 3.6 meters length and a 316 mm diameter, the new missile comes with a new turbojet, based on the WJ-24-8G engine supplied by Williams International, delivering a high-subsonic munition with an

effective range of ‘well beyond’ 100 km. The Marte ER is a fire-and-forget weapon system based on a navigation and guidance suite centred on an INS/GPS and a new solid state RF seeker developed and produced by MBDA Italia and equipped with a 70+ kg semi-armour piercing HE insensitive warhead. It comes with an advanced mission planning with 3D waypoints and selectable time on target for salvo modes. The Marte ER maintains the same launch control system and canister technology of the Marte Mk2/N model. The munition configuration for naval/coastal and rotarywing/maritime patrol aircraft applications maintain a 95% parts communality, allowing for a single production/assembly line, while differing for the canister launching system of the naval/coastal-launched configuration. The fast-jet variant model, showing a slightly

The Marte ER model has been conceived as a multi-platform munition capable to be launched by coastal mobile/naval, rotary-wing/ slow speed fixed wing and fast jet platforms. Here a mock-up installed on an Italian Navy’s NHIndustries SH-90 (NFH90). The missile’s first customer is the Qatari MoD. © MBDA

EDR | March/April 2022

The Sea Breaker, a next generation long-range, autonomous, precision-guided missile system, enabling significant attack performance against a variety of high-value maritime and land targets is under testing by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. © Rafael

conformal-shaped upper missile centre body, is being proposed to be implemented on the Eurofighter Typhoon platform as part of the Phase 4 Enhancements (P4E) package, while on the rotary-wing market, the Marte ER is being promoted among NFH90 users and potential customers, including Germany and Italy. The latter’s Ministry of Defence’s latest multi-year budget planning document (20212023) put the missile among the unfunded but already approved weapon system procurement list.

Rafael Sea Breaker A next generation long-range, autonomous, precision-guided missile system, enabling significant attack performance against a variety of high-value maritime and land targets is under testing by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. A complete development and qualification programme is still to be unveiled. The Sea Breaker, as the new weapon system is called by Rafael, utilizes the company’s technological innovations such as electro-optics, computer vision, artificial intelligence and decision-making algorithms for full operational capability in GNSS-denied environments for maritime superiority missions. The Sea Breaker is less than 4 meters long, features a shaped front section airframe to increase stealthness, a turbojet propulsion and the same foldable 12

EDR | March/April 2022

wings used by the Spice 1000 smart precise weapon system. Weighing less than 400 kg without booster and featuring a high subsonic speed and a range up to 300 km, the weapon is equipped with a 113 kg penetration, blast and fragmentation warhead. The munition and the lightweight booster have a total length of less than 4.5 meters and a weight of around 450 kg, reaching roughly 600 kg with the canister. The new Rafael 5th generation missile is equipped with an advanced IIR seeker with Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA) and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) that, thanks to the artificial intelligence-aided processing, allow conducting fully autonomous missions and target engagements. The missile is however equipped with a datalink that supports realtime man-in-the-loop decision making and tactical updates. It also features a mid-flight abort and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) capabilities. The Sea Breaker is equipped with an advanced mission planning and control system allowing to conduct a highsubsonic mission profile with sea-skimming and terrain-following low-level flight above ground. The Sea Breaker has been developed in ship- and shore-launched variants but, according to Rafael, can also evolve in an air-launched system. The naval variant can be integrated into the combat system of small vessels such as fast attack missile boats of 100 tonnes displacement or even

In December 2021, the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) confirmed that Rocketsan begun deliveries of national industry-developed Atmaca (Hawk) anti-ship missiles to the Turkish Navy Forces Command (TNFC). © Rocketsan

less like patrol boats, in addition to corvettes and frigates. The land-based variant employs the same high-mobility launcher complex of Rafael’s Spyder air defence system family, allowing the latter to use both air defence and Sea Breaker anti-surface missiles.

Rocketsan Atmaca In December 2021, the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) confirmed that Rocketsan begun deliveries of national industrydeveloped Atmaca (Hawk) anti-ship missiles to the Turkish Navy Forces Command (TNFC). Developed as a long-range, surface-

Among its projects development for 2022, the Turkish SSB announced the delivery target for the new KTJ-3200 turbojet engine that was developed by the Turkish company Kale Arge to replace a foreign engine on the Atmaca in due time. © Rocketsan

to-surface, precision-strike anti-ship missile, capable to be integrated into patrol boats, frigates and corvettes, the 5.2 meters long with booster (4.3 meters in flight) weapon system is equipped with a turbojet engine providing an over 220 km declared range. With a less than 750 kg weight at launch, this all-weather missile features a 220 kg high explosive-fragmentation warhead ensuring effective penetration against naval and land targets, no further details being available on its layout. It is fitted with an autonomous INS/GPS guidance suite and a barometric and a radar altimeter, to give it sea-skimming capabilities. In the final attack phase the system activates its RF seeker while a data link ensures target update if needed, as well as re-attack or mission abort. An advanced 3-D mission planning allows time-on-target, designated time-on-target, simultaneous time-on-target and salvo modes. According to data released by Rocketsan, the Atmaca can be launched from surface or underwater naval platforms, acknowledging the potential development of a submarine-launched version by the Turkish industry. Among its projects development for 2022, the Turkish SSB announced the delivery target for the new KTJ-3200 turbojet engine that was developed by the Turkish company Kale Arge to replace the French engine on the Atmaca in due time.

EDR | March/April 2022

Saab RBS15 Mk 4 In March 2017, the Swedish Defence procurement agency contracted Saab Dynamics for the development and initial production of a fourth generation version of the RBS 15 anti-ship missile to equip the Royal Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes and Swedish air force JAS39 Gripen E multirole fighters. In April Saab was awarded a follow-on contract for additional missiles to be delivered in the mid-2020s. The new extended range weapon combines proven capabilities from the RBS 15 family with new and enhanced systems and capabilities. The new RBS 15 Mk 4 has been branded Gungnir (Odin’s Spear) by Saab, which name is being used as system-level designator for the new-generation missile in the air, surface ship, and land-based variants including their respective application-specific equipment such as mission planning and launcher. The new missile, with external similarities with current RBS 15 versions, has been redesigned and re-architectured internally, introducing technology enhancements in the airframe, navigation suite, on-board processing and active radar seeker to improve the all-

weather capabilities, survivability and develop a significant range enhancement thanks to a lower mass. The latter is mainly due to a lightweight composite airframe, components miniaturisation and internal volume redesign, providing a range of more than 300 km in a sea-skimming surface-to-surface flight profile. Maintaining some components of the RBS 15 Mk 3 missile, including the Safran TR60-5 turbojet engine, booster rockets, the 200 kg warhead and selectable fuse function, adaptive radar altimeter and INS, the upgrades have been applied mainly to the Saab-developed multi-purpose computer and the active radar seeker, which incorporates significantly improved electronic countercountermeasures (ECCM) functionalities. An anti-jam GPS and an expanded terminal phase manoeuvring envelope have also been introduced, while a new composite launching box canister (different from the current hexagonal shaped canister) was developed for the shipborne variant to simplify integration on Visby-class corvettes. The weapon system development roadmap includes the possible addition of a two-way datalink, and also considers a multi-mode seeker for surgical land attacks.

Saab Dynamics is developing a 4th generation version of the RBS 15 anti-ship missile to equip the Royal Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes and Swedish Air Force JAS39 Gripen E multi-role fighters. The new extended range RBS 15 Mk 4 version, has been named Gungnir (Odin’s Spear) by Saab; it combines proven capabilities from the RBS 15 family with new and enhanced systems and capabilities. © Saab

EDR | March/April 2022

In the last 30 years the Turkish land industry has considerably evolved, obtaining numerous successes on the export market. © P. Valpolini

Turkish wheeled armoured vehicles By Marc Chassillan

In the early 90’, Otokar started defence activities in designing very simple armoured hulls for Land Rovers. At the same time FNSS, a joint venture between the local Nurol Holding and BAE Systems, manufactured under licence a derivative of the M113, called ACV (Armoured Combat Vehicle), to fulfil the requirement of the Turkish Army. These were the first two attempts to build a Turkish national land defence industry. The next step was the successful Otokar Cobra based on a Hummer mobility solution and sold in Turkey (780 vehicles) and in eleven countries (Maldives, Algeria, Kosovo, Georgia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Slovenia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso, Bahrain). Thirty years later, no less than five Turkish companies manufacture armoured wheeled vehicles, namely Katmerciler, FNSS, Otokar, BMC and Nurol Makina. All together, they can offer a full range of products from 4 to 30 tonnes in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 configurations. Though the domestic market is rather lucrative with armed forces (army, navy, special forces and air force), gendarmerie (Jandarma) and police, it is not still big enough to provide profitability and workload to all of them. Export is therefore the only way to offset this unbalanced situation. Africa, central and far-east Asia, and the Middle East are the main areas of promotion and contracting, but Turkish companies are now also very active in South America, Europe and even Japan. The most successful products are the Nurol Makina Ejder Yalçin (Tunisia, Azerbaijan, Libya, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan), the BMC Kırpı (Tunisia, Libya, Kosovo, Turkmenistan, Somalia, Pakistan), the FNSS PARS family (Malaysia, Oman, Libya) and the Otokar Arma (UAE, Bahrain). The most significant contracts are the Rabdan, won by Otokar in the UAE with a customised version of its Arma designed to carry the BMP-3 turret, and the Gempita awarded to FNSS in Malaysia to deliver 247 Pars 8x8 in many versions including engineers and CBRN recce. 16

EDR | March/April 2022

The Kirpi 4x4 has launched BMC into the defence market. This MRAP vehicle has been adopted by the Turkish Army and Jandarma. © M. Chassillan

Otokar’s Akrep II with John Cockerill’s CSE-90LP mm turret targets the market of the replacement of hundreds of AML and Cascavel. © M. Chassillan

FNSS PARS SP Komando has a unique design and is fitted with two Sancak remotely controlled weapon stations. © M Chassillan

A new generation is coming up and it features very interesting technologies insertion as well as smart architecture concepts.

Otokar Akrep II At IDEF 19, Otokar showcased a unique design, the Akrep II, whose architecture was strongly inspired by that of Panhard’s CRAB and whose mobility solution was a purely electric transmission powered exclusively by batteries. This concept car was not intended to be commercialized but it showed the degree of innovation of the company. The originality of the technology demonstrator exhibited at IDEF lies in its all-electric propulsion supplied by Altinay in the form of lead-acid batteries which were preferred to the trendy lithium-ion

packs. These batteries form a compact NMC540 unit that can be exchanged in ten minutes with a simple forklift. The demonstrated range is roughly 200 km, which is not too bad for a 12 tonnes platform. From an operational point of view, the Akrep II is hardly usable since the logistics of replacing or recharging batteries do not exist on the battlefield Two years later at IDEF 21, the Akrep II was displayed in a brandnew configuration with a Cockerill CSE 90LP turret and a deeply modified chassis. While the overall silhouette has not changed, Otokar has returned to conventional mobility with a 360 hp EDR | March/April 2022

diesel engine and mechanical transmission. This integration has led to an extended body of 40 cm and a roof raised by 15 cm, which allows to accommodate the basket of the turret and the slipring. The combat weight is close to 15 tonnes with Level 3 STANAG 4569 armour. The two-man CSE 90LP turret is armed with the low recoil force Cockerill 90 mm 36-caliber gun. It has day-night sights thermal cameras and laser range finder. Twelve ammunitions are stored in the turret and eight other behind the pilot seat around the basket. The vehicle on display was equipped with the Multispectral Mobile Camouflage System (MOCAS) developed and produced by TDU in Turkey. This mesh ensures a signature reduction in the visual spectrum (380760 nm), near infrared (760-1200 nm), thermal (3-5 and 8-12 μm) as well as against radars (2100 GHz). The manoeuvrability of the Akrep is increased by two steerable axles that can also be turned in the same direction for crabbing like the Arquus Scarabée and previously the Panhard CRAB. With its Akrep, Otokar is aiming at the replacement market of the hundreds of AMLs, Scorpions and Cascavels still in service in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

FNSS 6x6 Komando special forces armored vehicle

FNSS is delivering to the Turkish Land Forces the PARS 4x4 in the anti-tank STA configuration as well as its tracked counterpart. © M Chassillan

EDR | March/April 2022

The new player in the Turkish landscape is the 8x8 Altug developed by BMC to answer the Turkish New Generation Wheeled Armoured Vehicle programme. © M Chassillan

Coming directly from Turkish Special Forces experience in northern Iraq and Syria, the PARS 6x6 S-Ops carries two Sancak remotely operated turrets arranged diagonally on the roof, front right and rear left. This makes it possible to strike several targets simultaneously, which is often the case in ambushes in urban areas. It is reminiscent of some heavy tracked IFV projects of the 1980s which were armed with two rear cupolas to cover the sides and rear of the vehicle while a main turret took care of more distant targets. One of the Sancaks is armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, the other one with a 12.7 mm machine gun. Both incorporate an extra 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The Sancak are stabilized, which allows not only to shoot on-the-move on mobile objectives, but to organize an effective 360° observation. The armoured vehicle is equipped with smoke grenade launchers, an acoustic shot detector and a jammer designed to neutralize the trigger signal of remote-controlled IEDs. The nature of the crew is confidential information but if we refer to the capabilities of the basic PARS 6x6, we could estimate their number at eight with two crew in the front, two turret crews and four operators. The rest of the internal volume is devoted to the massive impedimenta that an SF group must carry to operate in the field for long periods of time. In combat order the weight of the PARS 6x6 S-Ops reaches 25 tons. As presented at IDEF 21, it can be protected by anti-RPG nets very similar to those adopted by

the French Army for these VBCIs and supplied by Qinetiq. The Komando is air conditioned and NRBC protected. These personnel have access to the vehicle through a rear ramp, but they can also exit the hull through three roof hatches, one large located above the driver’s compartment and two at the rear of each cupola. With the Komando, the Turkish army is following a strong trend already observed in some other armies, i.e. the increasing weight of the assets devoted to the special forces. The Komando will be used to open certain routes ahead of lighter units and to provide significant volume of fire in support of ground action.

The 8x8 VCI programme Few years ago, Otokar and FNSS respectively developed the Arma and PARS that found exports customers in the UAE, Malaysia and Oman. In 2019, the Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı (SSB, the Presidency of Defence Industries) launched the New Generation Wheeled Armoured Vehicle programme intended to replace part of the Turkish infantry AIFV. At that time, BMC, the other national armour player, was unable to compete because it did not had any product corresponding to the need. The Izmir located manufacturer urgently launched the study of the 8x8 Altug which was presented at IDEF 21. The Altug is a very large vehicle. Its mobility chain uses a Caterpillar C13 engine coupled to an Allison 4000 series transmission with 6 forward and reverse gears. The axles and the running gear are of Base A.Ş. design, a newcomer to the Turkish industrial landscape which has its origins in Brescia, Italy. All axles are steered and have independent double wishbone suspension and hydropneumatic cylinders. The total load capacity is 36 tons. The very high steel body features a strong “V” belly to counter the explosion of mines. This structure is covered with composite armour plates that combine high hardness steel, ceramics, and aramid fibres to bring protection to Level 4 STANAG 4569.

The evaluation of the three competing armoured vehicles takes place in several phases which include ballistic tests vis-a-vis mines, IEDs and kinetic armour-piercing projectiles, mobility tests on various terrains in central, southern and eastern Turkey. The first orders are scheduled for 2025, which will give some time to the three manufacturers to complete the development of their vehicles and to Aselsan to finalize the qualification of the weapon system supplier. FNSS is putting the finishing touches on the new version of the so-called PARS Mk4 that features improved performance in the areas of mobility, protection and digitization. Very focused on the Rabdan contract obtained in the UAE, Otokar continues to adapt its Arma 8x8 to domestic needs, which is improving in armour and reliability. The weaponry chosen for the NGWAV will be the new Aselsan KORHAN turret armed with the MKE 35 mm automatic cannon. This gun is already used by the Korkut groundto-air defence system and MKE had specially developed a programmable airburst ammunition for the destruction of air targets. This shell will naturally become the future IFV anti-personnel and anti-aircraft ammunition. MKE is also offering a conventional impact high explosive shell and a training ammunition. However, an IFV must also be able to defeat the opponent armoured vehicles. To do so, and under the aegis of Aselsan, Tubitak and MKE are joining forces to develop a kinetic ammunition based on a tungsten APFSDS projectile. Secondary

After having been successful in Malaysia and Oman, the FNSS PARS 8x8 is now ready to fight on the domestic market. © M Chassillan

EDR | March/April 2022

tethered drone. The NGWAV programme would cover a first tranche of 400 vehicles.

Otokar Cobra II The success of the Cobra drove Otokar to a much more ambitious project, the Cobra II. If the Cobra II shares a common nickname with its predecessor, it features completely new mobility solution, architecture and ballistic technologies. Cobra II belongs to the large 4x4 12 The latest version of Otokar’s Arma 8x8 is one of the three contenders for the tonnes class family of vehicles Turkish NGWAV programme. © M Chassillan where Nexter Aravis, Arquus armament is a 7.62 mm machine gun. The turret is Bastion, Streit Group Typhoon or Paramount stabilized on two axes and the weapons elevation Marauder stand too. Cobra II is powered by is from -10 ° to + 45 °. The survivability of the a 281hp Cummins turbo charged 6.7 liter, KORHAN turret is ensured by a laser detection 6-cylinder diesel engine coupled to an Allison and warning system, an “AKKOR” active automatic gearbox (six forward and one reverse). protection system, and a composite modular The engine complies with EURO-3 emission armour incorporating ceramics. The optronics regulation and is compatible with F-34 and F-54 consists of a YAMGÖZ 360° panoramic sight fuels. The maximum speed is 110km/h on road system, an acoustic sniper detector, a battlefield and the maximum cruising range is 700km. High reconnaissance system (MSTTS) and a MIHA cross-country mobility is achieved with double

The successor of the successful Cobra, Otokar’s Cobra II MRAP, has already been adopted by Turkish forces and some foreign armies. © M Chassillan

EDR | March/April 2022

triangle fully independent suspension and large diameter wheels.

against mines and IEDs. The steel hull is designed to cope with Level 2 STANAG threats.

The steel hull and add-on ballistic panels provide the vehicle with a Level 3 STANAG 4569 protection. The crew of 10 enter and exit through two doors at both sides and a rear door. This configuration is flexible enough to accommodate various versions such as liaison, command post, APC, patrol and artillery forward observer. The Cobra II is in service in Turkey, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Ghana.

As regards mobility, the Ejder Yalçin is fitted with a 300 hp Cummins engine mated to a fully automatic transmission with hydrodynamic torque converter. At 12 tonnes, the maximum speed on road is 110 km/h and the cruising range reaches 600 km.

Nurol Makina Ejder Yalçin With orders coming from Turkey (400), Qatar (342), Uzbekistan (1000+), Hungary (50 called Gidran), Senegal (25), Tunisia (71) and many more to come from Morocco, central Asia and Gulf countries, Nurol Ejder’s Yalçin is a best seller. The Ejder Yançin is a genuine multi-purpose platform since no less that twelve versions are developed and qualified: APC, border surveillance, counter-IED, radar, anti-tank, air defence, command & control, CP, ambulance, EW-jammer, reconnaissance and CBRN. As many armoured vehicles of that kind, Ejder Yalçin vehicles feature a V-shaped hull design and blast mitigation seats to provide protection

The Ejder Yalçin is a success story of Nurol Makina, which has now specialised in 4x4 armoured vehicles. © M Chassillan

Nurol Makina has got a very strong order book for its Yalçin and the market prospection includes south America and south-east Asia.

Katmerciler Hızır The kick-off contract of the Karmerciler Hızır was the EU-funded “Supply Mobile Surveillance Units for Increasing Border Surveillance Capacity of Borders between Turkey and EU”, known in Turkey as Ateş. Under this contract the Izmir located company has delivered 57 all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance armoured vehicles fitted with a full Aselsan sensors package that includes radar and electro-thermal cameras. Very active in Africa, Katmerciler has won two contracts in Kenya (118 pieces) and Uganda (15) and expects to get more in the continent where Ankara is deploying a very efficient business-oriented diplomacy.

The counter-IED version of the Kirpi, by BMC. This company has expanded its portfolio to bigger wheeled vehicles as well as to main battle tanks. © M Chassillan

EDR | March/April 2022

The Bofors 57 Mk 3 is the third generation of a family’s lineage of high rate-of-fire multipurpose weapon system with a compact lightweight mounting, fully exploiting the multi-target functionality provided by the ‘smart’ 3P 57 mm ammunition. © BAE Systems

Evolving medium calibre naval guns By Luca Peruzzi

Medium calibre guns remain the most diffuse primary weapon system for a broad range of combatant and patrolling naval platforms. The widening of challenging threats in both littoral and blue waters request multirole naval guns capable to participate to both defensive and offensive missions. European and US manufacturers are working to exploit new technologies in gun mounts, smart ammunitions and fire control systems, in order to counter even more challenging and sophisticated threats like supersonic sea-skimming missiles, swarms of attacking boats and unmanned systems, as well as to strike targets ashore or in littoral contexts using longer range ammunitions, remaining at standoff distance from enemy defences.

BAE Systems Bofors 57 Mk 3, ALaMO and MAD-FIRES In October 2021, BAE Systems has been awarded a US $ 26 million contract to supply its 57 mm Mk 110 naval gun system to equip the first platforms of the under-construction US Navy’s Constellation-class frigates (FFG 62) and the US Coast Guard’s Argus-class Offshore Patrol Cutters. This is the latest addition to the portfolio of classes of ships being equipped with the well-known Bofors 57 Mk 3, of which the Mk 110 represents the US

version. Developed from the beginning to capitalize on the multi-target functionality provided by the ‘smart’ 3P (Prefragmented, Programmable, Proximity-fused) 57 mm ammunition, the Bofors 57 Mk 3 is the third generation of a family’s lineage of high rate-of-fire multipurpose weapon systems with a compact lightweight mounting, which can be installed from smaller surface combatants (down to 150 tons) to large platforms, to provide an anti-air, anti-surface and shore bombardment capability. Equipped with a fully automatic, computerized ammunition handling sysEDR | March/April 2022

In October 2021, BAE Systems has been awarded a $ 26 million contract to supply its 57 mm Mk 110 naval gun system to equip the first platforms of the Fincantieri US Navy’s Constellation-class frigates (FFG 62), here depicted, and the US Coast Guard’s Argus-class Offshore Patrol Cutters. © Fincantieri Marinette Marine/US Navy

tem capable to accommodate 120 ready-to-fire rounds in the gun mount with a loading system from the magazine centred on two parallel hoists enabling instant switching between ammo types, the Bofors 57 Mk 3 has a maximum rate of fire of 220 rounds per minute and a maximum range of over 17 km. An integrated muzzle-velocity radar provides data to the fire-control computer for calculating ballistics and target intercept point, enabling the Bofors 57 Mk 3 to achieve maximum accuracy and fully exploit 3P functionalities. The gun is controlled by a single remote operator console but, as a backup, it can also be controlled from a PC-based gun panel located anywhere onboard thanks to a gun-mounted TV-camera. Total system weight, including 1.000 rounds, is around 14,000 kg. In addition to the 3P ammunition (designated Mk 295 Mod 0), the US Navy is procuring the L3 Mustang Technologies Mk 332 High Explosive-4 Bolt Guided (HE-4G) cartridge under the ALaMO (Advanced Low-cost Munitions Ordnance) programme. This hit-to-kill ammunition with fragmenting incendiary warhead allows countering swarms of 24

EDR | March/April 2022

fast moving sea-surface and unmanned small targets before these come within their effective weapon range. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is however looking ahead to engage more challenging, simultaneous and multiple-directional threats with the Multi-Azimuth Defense Fast Intercept Round Engagement System (MAD-FIRES) programme. The latter is focused on development and test of a prototype design of a gun hardened projectile, to defeat a raid of fast, maneuvering anti-ship cruise missiles. The system consists of a gun, a smart round, an illuminator and a mission computer. The current programme is focused on the demonstration of these technologies through a series of laboratory and government ranges ground testing, while developing modeling and simulation capabilities for the system. Developed by Raytheon Missiles and Defense and sized to be fired by the 57 mm gun, according to operational concept videos released by the company, the MAD-FIRES is presented as a guided hit-tokill ammunition. The programme is currently in the 27-month ‘Phase 3’ awarded in August 2020

Raytheon Missiles and Defense is working for the US (DARPA) on the Multi-Azimuth Defense Fast Intercept Round Engagement System (MADFIRES) programme. It consists of a gun, a medium caliber smart projectile, an illuminator and a mission computer, with the ultimate aim to defeat supersonic threats. © Raytheon

that will end in November 2022, for which Raytheon proposes performance enhancements to the successful ‘Phase 2’ projectile and develop a functional demonstration illuminator and engagement manager to engage and defeat a representative surrogate target. According to US DoD FY 22 budget documentation, the plans for FY 21 were to verify the fire control system ability to guide rounds to simulated targets, the projectile compatibility with the gun feed system, the fire control system ability to acquire and track surrogate targets, and to perform the end-to-end demonstration of gun launched guided flight, leading in FY 22 to the conduction of end-toend demonstrations against subsonic flying targets, the ultimate goal of the programme being

however testing the system against supersonic targets. Including the Mk 110 guns contracted in October 2021 for the new US Navy ships, a total of 103 between Mk 110 and 57 Mk 3 gun systems are under contract with nine nations, according to BAE Systems. In October 2020 the UK was the last member to join the worldwide club of Bofors 57 Mk 3/Mk 110 customers, which includes the navies of Brunei, Canada, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia (to equip under-construction Lockheed Martin Multi-Mission Surface Combatant platforms), Sweden (having acquired the stealthier configuration to equip Visby-class corvettes), UAE Critical Infrastructure & Coastal Protection Authority and the US Navy and Coast Guard.

Maintenance on a Mk 110 57 mm gun system, the US version of the Bofors 57 Mk 3. A total of 103 between Mk 110 and 57 Mk 3 gun systems are under contract with nine nations, according to BAE Systems. © US Navy

EDR | March/April 2022

During the NATO At Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2021 Integrated Air and Missile Defence live-firing exercise, the Italian Navy Marceglia FREMM equipped with the Strales-configured SRGM successfully engaged a subsonic target simulating a challenging sea-skimming threat with the guided DART sub-calibre projectile. © Italian Navy/Leonardo

Leonardo 76/62 SUPER RAPIDO versions, STRALES and VULCANO In service or under contract with over 40 worldwide customers and over 240 guns delivered since the late ‘90s, the well-known Leonardo OTO 76/62 mm Super Rapido is experiencing a new youth with the entering into service of the new generation 76 Single Deck version and the test and qualification phase of the 76 Vulcano GLR (Guided Long Range) ammunition, in addition to the widening of the customers club of the Super Rapido gun mount (SRGM) in the Strales configuration with the DART (Driven Ammunition with Reduced Time of Flight) guided rounds and the 76 Vulcano Ballistic Extended Range ammunition. With a 120 round per minute rateof-fire, limited on-board footprint and weight (7,900 kg mass without ammunition which reaches 9,200 kg with the Strales guidance kit), the Super Rapido is currently proposed with a Multiple-Feeding (hence the 76/62 mm SR MF designation) magazine based on two distinct chutes each capable to accommodate 26

EDR | March/April 2022

up to 38 rounds, allowing the employment of two kind of ammunition for different types of threats; a new AC3v2 remote digital console and digital link to fire control systems (FCSs) enables to cope with latest gunfire requirements and new functionalities, while a new universal ammunition programmer allows to set both the 4AP and VULCANO fuse to enhance Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare capabilities. Oto Melara, today part of Leonardo, and the Italian Navy, have been front runners in developing guided ammunition (DART) to The first-of-class Paolo Thaon di Revel Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) multirole combatant patrol vessel is the first Italian Navy platform to be equipped with the 76 Single Deck version. © Luca Peruzzi

cope with anti-ship missiles and asymmetric threats, and later on the Vulcano family of longrange unguided and guided rounds for both naval/land 127, 155 and 76 mm applications. In June 2021, the Italian Navy demonstrated once again the capabilities of the SRGM in the STRALES configuration equipped with the RF Ka-band antenna guidance kit mounted on the gun and the DART guided rounds. During the NATO At Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2021 IAMD (Integrated Air and Missile Defence) live-firing exercise, the Italian Navy Marceglia FREMM equipped with the Strales-configured SRGM successfully engaged a subsonic target simulating a challenging sea-skimming threat with the guided DART sub-calibre projectile. Exploiting the DART’s high-speed (1,100 m/s muzzle velocity) and manoeuvring capabilities, the SRGM in the Strales configuration is also capable to engage the more demanding supersonic threats. No live trials have however so far been conducted, confirmed Leonardo. In addition to the Italian and Colombian Navy, the SRGM in the Strales configuration recently obtained new successes with the addition of new customers from Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and Asian regions. Although no details were released, EDR Magazine identified Egypt as one of them, this gun mount being installed on the two Fincantieri-built FREMMs delivered, that country also being the second export customer to receive the 76 BER (Ballistic Extended Range) rounds with a 27 km range, the first one being an undisclosed Asian nation. According to unofficial sources, and looking at ship models presented during IDEX 2021, the United Arab Emirates will equip the two Bani Yas class corvettes being built by Naval Group with that same gun, which is also being considered for new and in-service platforms, according to information obtained by EDR Magazine. Following the Indian MoD procurement approval in August 2020, the Indian company BHEL, as the local licensee for the gun manufacturing, received an order for an SRGM with upgraded capabilities to be installed on all Indian Navy platforms, which EDR Magazine identified as the Strales/ DART and 76 Vulcano. Other customers are

Leonardo is working on the 76 Vulcano sub-calibre guided long-range round equipped with IMU and GPS for autonomous guidance, capable of ranges up to 40 km. Deliveries of production rounds to the launch customer, the Italian Navy, are expected in 2023-24. © Leonardo

The 76 BER (Ballistic Extended Range) round, capable of a range up to 27 km, is already available on the market, having already two undisclosed customers in the MENA and Asian regions. © Leonardo

expected to come from coupling the SRGM/ DART with compatible shipborne FCSs, such as the new Leonardo dual-band radar-EO/IR NA30S Mk2 or the Thales Nederland Pharos. The Netherlands MoD announced in January 2021 to have selected the Leonardo 76/62 gun (no details were added among the traditional SRGM or the Single Deck versions) with Pharos/DART guided ammunition and Raytheon RAM surfaceto-air missile system, to replace the in-service Goalkeeper close-in weapon system as well as to EDR | March/April 2022

equip future multi-purpose frigates to be jointly procured by the Netherlands and Belgium. Leonardo is also working on the 76 Vulcano subcalibre guided long-range round equipped with IMU and GPS for autonomous guidance, capable of ranges up to 40 km. Under contract with the Italian Navy as launch customer, deliveries of production rounds are expected in 2023-24. To satisfy Italian Navy requirements, Leonardo has also been contracted to develop the 76 Single Deck, a completely new lighter and lower footprint version of the SRGM. Characterized by a new gun mount architecture it features a non-intrusive and completely above-deck installation, where two independent ammunition magazines are installed in the elevating mass together with the Strales ammunition guidance package. The new gun features fully electrical actuators for both the gun movement and the loading system, with main electronic subsystems installed in the

turret. The new gun has a reduced radar cross section design extended to the single-block and air-cooled gun barrel, with the Ka-band guidance kit installed underneath the latter behind two doors that open only when the system is operating. The 76 Single Deck features an almost 40% weight reduction, while maintaining the same gun rate of fire, ready-to-fire ammunitions and the Vulcano/DART-guided ammunition firing capabilities. The 76 Single Deck is equipped with a loading hoist to enable the automatic ammunition loading from below deck with minimal impact on the ship. The first-of-class Paolo Thaon di Revel Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura (PPA) multi-role combatant patrol vessel, the Italian Navy’s first platform to be equipped with the 76 Single Deck version, is being delivered in March 2022. The same version is also expected, so far, to be installed on the next generation Italian Navy destroyers (DDX programme), according to initial released renderings.

In December 2021, Turkish state-owned MKE (Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş., Machinery and Chemical Industry Inc.) company celebrated the completion of the live-firing tests of the indigenous 76/62 mm naval gun at the Konya Karapinar test range. © MKE

EDR | March/April 2022

Launched in 2020 and unveiled at the IDEF 2021 exhibition, the 76 mm National Naval Gun programme first system is expected to complete acceptance trials and be delivered to the Turkish Navy by late February 2022. © MKE

MKE 76/62 mm National Naval Gun Project In December 2021, Turkish state-owned MKE (Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş., Machinery and Chemical Industry Inc.), the Ankara-based company active in the artillery, small arms and ammunition business, celebrated the completion of the live-firing tests of the indigenous 76/62 mm naval gun at the Konya Karapinar test range, attended by the Turkish Minister of Defence and the highest representative of Turkish Armed Forces and Navy. The new gun was then moved to the Istanbul shipyard facilities to begin all the ashore test and qualifications, before being installed on board a Turkish Navy’s vessel for harbour testing and at-sea testing and live-firings. According to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, the system is expected to complete acceptance trials and delivered to the Turkish Navy by late February 2022. Launched in 2020, unveiled at the IDEF 2021 exhibition, with the first single-round live firing in November 2021, the National Naval Gun Project was conceived to develop a national product in order to relieve the Turkish Navy from dependency on foreign manufacturers and their potential export limitations, which have hampered Turkish Armed Forces programmes

developments. Characterized by an underneath, deck penetrating, ammunition magazine and a gun mount reduced radar cross section shield, the MKE 76/62 mm gun system features a weight of less than 7,500 kg without ammunition, which reaches 8,500 kg with the ammunition payload of up to 80 rounds. With a sea or fresh water barrel cooling system, the 76/62 mm gun has a maximum rate of fire of 80 rounds per minute. Equipped with a slip ring it can continuously rotate in azimuth, training speed declared being of 60-65°/s, with an acceleration of 72°/s2. Capable to engage both surface and air targets, the MKE 76 mm gun has an elevation arc of –15°/+85°, with an elevation speed of 35-40 °/s and an acceleration of 72°/s2. With standard ammunition, the National Naval Artillery Gun can reach a range of 16 km, which increases to 20 km when using extended range rounds. In parallel to the gun development and qualification, the National Naval Artillery Gun programme also includes the development and qualification of new ammunition, which according to the few released details include air burst and ‘smart’ rounds. Featuring a digital architecture in terms of fire control and automation, two options are available for power supply, 440V 3 phase 60 Hz or 115 V 2 Phase 60 Hz. EDR | March/April 2022

SHOW DAILIES European Defence Review / By E.D. Publishing

EUROSATORY 2022

Official & Exclusive Show Daily Publisher - 13-17 June/France THE DEFENCE & SECURITY GLOBAL EVENT

8,000+ Copies distributed each day

Email : edr.showdailies@gmail.com www.showdailies.edrmagazine.eu/eurosatory2022

Asia-Pacific Maritime Reconnaissance By David Oliver

The Indian Navy was the first export customer for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon and currently operates a fleet of 12 aircraft. © Boeing

With China’s aim to rule the waves of the South China Sea and beyond, increased maritime reconnaissance by neighbouring Asia-Pacific nations is vital toll in curbing China’s aggressive policies in the region. The most effective method of achieving this is the use of sophisticated maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and the major powers in the region, India, Japan and Australia have taken the lead in acquiring new fleet of MPAs.

he Indian Navy became the first international customer for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, which is based on the Boeing 737 airliner, in January 2009

when it signed a US$ 2.17 billion contract for eight aircraft. Seven years later it signed a followon contract under an options clause, for four additional aircraft. EDR | March/April 2022

Since the first P-8I Neptune was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2013, the fleet has logged more than 30,000 flight hours. They have taken part in exercises such as “Malabar”, as in a war scenario with China, the P-8Is would play a crucial role in tracking any Chinese attempt to move its Navy from their bases in the South China Sea into the Indian Ocean. To forestall this, the Indian Navy P-8Is would patrol and mount surveillance over four major south east Asian straits, Malacca, Lombok, Sunda and Ombai Wettar. In April 2021, the US Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sales deal to supply six more P-8I Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) to India for an

estimated cost of $ 2.42 billion. However, there have been reports that the Indian Navy will drop its plans for acquiring additional P8Is in favour of acquiring a cheaper Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMMA) variant of the Made in India Airbus C295. This would be fitted with a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar being developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation, which is a derivative of the UTTAM radar used for the Indian Navy’s HAL-manufactured Do 228-200 aircraft. The Indian Navy has a fleet of 24 Do 228 short-range MPAs and another 12 on order. The Boeing P-8A MPRA was ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 2014 under the

A series of modifications to support future capability upgrades to the RAAF’s P-8A Poseidon fleet was completed in July 2021. © RAAF

EDR | March/April 2022

Project Air 7000 Phase 2B manned maritime patrol aircraft requirement to replace the Lockheed AP3C Orion in RAAF service, with an initial order for eight aircraft and four options. Australia had previously entered into a cooperative development programme with the US Navy on the P-8A, allowing it to define requirements for the aircraft during development. An additional four P-8As were ordered for the RAAF in 2016, while the three options were retained. In September 2021 a significant capability milestone had been achieved for the RAAF P-8A platform. Operated by units under the command of No 92 Wing, the P-8A Poseidon fleet underwent extensive modifications over a period of 12 months to support future upgrades to the capability. In an announcement made on 30 December 2021, the Government approved the

purchase of two more P-8As bringing the RAAF’s total fleet size to 14 aircraft. In addition to its patrols in and around the South China Sea, the Australian Defence Force has continued to support the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, by sending RAAF P-8A Poseidons to monitor activities in the region. They have been deployed to Kadena Airbase in Japan as part of “Operation Argos”, Australia’s contribution to international efforts to monitor and deter illegal shipments of sanctioned goods to North Korea, as part of United Nations’ Security Council Resolution 2397. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will soon join its British and Australian counterparts in operating the P-8A Poseidon MPRA after the New Zealand government confirmed an order in July 2019 for four aircraft to replace EDR | March/April 2022

its aging P-3 Orion fleet. The total cost for the project which includes the new aircraft, training systems, infrastructure and associated costs was NZ$ 2.346 billion. Coming to South Korea, the ROK Navy had acquired eight P-3C aircraft by 1996 through its Maritime Patrol Aircraft-I phase I programme and eight more P-3CKs in 2010 through the phase II of the programme. These were former US Navy P-3Bs that had undergone extensive refurbishment and modernisation. In May 2013, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) launched a US$ 929 million procurement programme to acquire up to 20 new anti-submarine warfare aircraft to replace the existing fleet of P-3Cs. Possible candidates included the C295 MPA and the P-8 Poseidon, while the DAPA considered a plan to acquire 12 to 20 former US Navy Lockheed S-3 Vikings for the ROK Navy. However, in 2017, the plan to purchase refurbished and upgraded S-3 Viking aircraft was abandoned. In the end, in March 2019, the South Korean government ordered six 34

EDR | March/April 2022

Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Boeing to replace the Republic of Korea Navy’s fleet of P-3 Orions. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has the largest fleet of P-3 Orion MPAs in the world. A total of 105 were delivered to the JMSDF, five of which were produced by Lockheed and assembled by the Kawasaki Corporation which produced another 98 under license in Japan between 1978 and 1997. These included EP-3 electronic warfare data acquisition aircraft, and UP-3C, and UP-3D variants and Kawasaki also modified P-3C aircraft to an OP-3C image data acquisition aircraft configuration. Some 60 P-3Cs remain in JMSDF service and are being replaced by the Kawasaki P-1. The four-turbofan powered P-1 MPA, designed as a replacement for the turboprop-powered P-3 Orion, made its first flight in 2009 and on 26 March 2013 the JMSDF took delivery of the first two operational aircraft. The JMSDF has a requirement for 60 P-1s and 24 are currently being delivered.

In the 2022 Japanese defence budget the JMSDF received funding to procure three additional P-1 MPAs for $ 675.6 million. JMSDF P-1 MPAs have been used to trial new air-launched long-range air-to-ship missiles (ASM) which are currently under development by Mitsubishi heavy industries. The missile is the successor to the Type 91 ASM currently operated by the JMSDF, and is developed based on the Type 17 ship-to-ship missile (SSM). In January 2022 aircrew from US Navy Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 and 46 flying P-8As, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 407 LRP Squadron flying CP-140 Aurora, the JMSDF’s VP-3 flying the P-1, the ROK Navy’s Patrol Squadron 617 flying the P-3CK, the RAAF’s No 11 Squadron and the Indian Navy’s Air Squadron 312 flying P-8s participated in exercise “Sea Dragon 22”. The US Navy P-8As flew to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to hone their skills with members of the five other participants in that exercise, primarily centring on anti-submarine warfare

(ASW) training and excellence, culminated in over 270 hours of in-flight training, ranging from tracking simulated targets to the final problem of tracking a live US Navy submarine. During classroom training sessions, pilots and flight officers from all countries built plans and discussed tactics incorporating the capabilities and equipment of their respective nations. “This exercise is an annual, multi-national highend ASW training exercise,” said JMSDF Cmdr. Michiyama Tomoyuki, commanding officer of Flight Division 31, Air Patrol Squadron 3. “I believe that by conducting a wide range of training, from classroom training on the ground to actual training targeting submarine, we will be able to improve our tactical skills. In addition, through training, exchange of opinions, and various type of exchanges, we expect to strengthen cooperation and deepen mutual understanding among the participating navies and air forces.” Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have all contested China’s claim to almost all of the South China Sea islands and their

The Republic of Korea Navy’s fleet of 16 P-3CK Orions are to be replaced by six P-8A Poseidons. © Commonwealth of Australia

EDR | March/April 2022

US Navy P-8As, JMSDF P-1, RAAF P-8A and RCAF CP-140 aircraft at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam during exercise “Sea Dragon 22”. © US Navy

adjacent waters. These countries disputed these claims over territory for decades but tension has increased steadily in recent years. However, few of them have capable long-range MPA fleets. Indonesia, which has the longest coastline in the Asia Pacific region, has a small number of short-range MPAs including five Airtech CN235s and six Airbus C212-200s built in Indonesia by IPTN/Dirgantara. The Philippines has the next longest coastline in the region and its navy operates only one Airbus C-295MPA, three veteran Fokker F27 Maritime Enforcers and five King Air TC90s leased from the JMSDF. The Bangladesh and Thai navies are equipped with two and seven Dornier 228s respectively while the Malaysian Navy has three King Air 200Ts, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force operates five Fokker 50s in the MPA role. Vietnam has only a small fleet of short range MPAs operated by the Vietnamese Coast Guard including five Airbus 36

EDR | March/April 2022

C212-400s and three Viking Guardian 400s. Remarkably, the Republic of China (ROC) has more MPAs than the country it shares maritime borders with, the People’s Republic of China which threatens to take it over by force. The ROC Navy obtained 12 P-3C Orion aircraft under the US government’s Foreign Military Sales programme in 2007 which were then modernized to provide an additional 15,000 flight hours. Deliveries began in 2012 along with three spare airframes. In May 2014 Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to upgrade and overhaul all 12 P-3Cs for completion by August 2015, and in December 2021 Lockheed Martin won a US$ 21.7 million contract for P-3C aircraft mission system hardware, obsolescence studies and technical support to maintain the P-3C’s mission systems for the ROC government. The work will take place in New York and Florida and is estimated to be completed by December 2026.

While claiming sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has only a token force of MPAs to patrol long coastline and vast waters. These comprise some 20 maritime surveillance variants, only 10 of which are MPAs, derived from the Shaanxi Y-8 medium transport, which in turn was developed from the Antonov An-12B. Y-8W anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft are attached to a naval aviation division under the PLA Eastern Theatre Command while KJ-200 and KJ-500 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft,

attached to a naval aviation unit under the PLA Northern Theatre Command, have recently been deployed to Jialaishi airbase on China’s Hainan Island and participated in near-daily PLAN sorties into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Maritime patrol is critical in wartime situations for navies to locate enemy forces to engage or defend against, and peacetime patrols are important for ensuring legal use of waters and protecting maritime trade routes, and along with other maritime resources the MPA is a vital asset.

EDR | March/April 2022

MAGAZINE European Defence Review European Defence Review (EDR) is the first magazine in English focusing on defence issues with a European perspective and one which is fully managed by well-known journalists specialised in defence and security. EDR addresses every topic of the defence sector: equipment and industrial issues, armed forces and operations, but also strategic and political news concerning defence and security issues. Although the articles will be mainly focused on European topics, the review also discusses the main countrie’s partners of Europe and emerging markets: Russia, the Middle East, Brazil, India… EDR distributes during the major international defence trade fairs. The readers include military decision-makers, both political and industrial, from European countries as well as traditional or potential partners of the European defence community. Finally, EDR covers all of the major defence exhibitions worldwide; privileged accasions where policy makers, military and trade-related, are attending. N° 61 • January/ February 2022

Mars/ April N° 62 •

Euro pean

Defe nce

Revi ew

eled Turkish whe d vehicles armoure calibre medium Evolving s naval gun ific Asia-Pac issance Reconna Maritime

SHORAD, evolving towards medium range capacity France: Titan, one step further

Rehearsing for Invasion: China vs Taiwan air assets Dominates the electromagnetic spectrum at sea North Korea’s weapons of great significance

Regular contributors include: Paolo Valpolini, David Oliver, Luca Peruzzi, Nikolaï Novichkov, Marc Chassilan. Graphic design/layout by: agnes@simonpaoli.com Advertisers in this issue: ARQUUS [C2] • EUROSATORY [15] • EURONAVAL [22] EDR SHOW DAILY [30] • ROSOBORONEXPORT [C3] MBDA [C4]

European Defence Review

MAGAZINE

Main office: 47 rue Erlanger, 75016, Paris, France Tel.: + 33 6 79 80 70 22 e-mail: edrmagasine@orange.fr

2022

MAGAZINE European Defence Review NE M AGA ZI

killers: city Ship-to-ship ium-range capa towards med

European Defence Review (EDR) is the premier English-language journal focusing on defence-related issues from a distinctly European perspective. EDR is produced by the defence industry’s most prominent and distinguished journalists.

THE VOICE FOR EUROPEAN DEFENCE

10 % off 97 €

Save more than 10% off the cover price when you select a yearly subscription. Receive one full year of EDR magazine for only 97 €

President: Joseph Roukoz Main Shareholders: Joseph Roukoz, Jean-Pierre Husson, Paolo Valpolini ISSN: 2260-6467 Local Representatives: JSC STATUS Russia, Moscow, 119180, 4th Golutvinskiy row, 1/18, building 4 Phone : + 7 495 585 05 39 – + 7 495 661 58 96 e-mail: status@status1.ru Printed by Printcorp