18 January 2023
by Akhil Kadidal
The retirement of Australia’s older-generation S-70A-9 Black Hawks in 2021, such as the aircraft pictured here, reduced the transport capabilities of the Australian Army. The earlier Black Hawks were used for special forces operations, flood relief, and other logistical duties. Canberra sees the acquisition of UH-60Ms as a return to a familiar, tested platform. (Commonwealth of Australia)
The Australian government has confirmed that it is proceeding with the acquisition of 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army.
The announcement, on 18 January, comes four months after the US Department of State approved the sale of the 40 helicopters and related equipment under Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The estimated cost of the deal in September 2022 was AUD2.79 billion (USD1.95 billion).
The acquisition of the aircraft will allow the Australian Army to divest its Airbus MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet. The Australian Army currently faces a capability deficit as its older-generation S-70A-9 Black Hawks ceased operational service with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in December 2021.
Get the full article by subscribing to Janes
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading
18 January 2023
by Kapil Kajal
Israel’s General Robotics said that the Indian Army and the Indian Navy are willing to procure its Pitbull remote-controlled weapon station (pictured above mounted on a Roboteam UGV). (General Robotics)
The Indian Army has shown interest in procuring Israel-based General Robotics’ Pitbull remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), the company confirmed with Janes .
Shahar Gal, the CEO of General Robotics, told Janes that the Indian Army and the Indian Navy are “willing to procure the company’s Pitbull RCWS”. Gal added that the company is analysing production opportunities under Make in India (MII) provisions.
Pitbull is an ultra-lightweight RCWS designed for armoured vehicles and unmanned platforms and can be controlled from within the vehicle or from a remote location. Pitbull weighs around 85 kg without weapons and ammunition.
The system can be equipped with either a 5.56 mm, a 7.62 mm, or a 12.7 mm machine gun. The system weighs around 110 kg when fitted with an M240 machine gun with ammunition and 150 kg when equipped with an M2 machine gun with 200 rounds of ammunition.
Get the full article by subscribing to Janes
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading
16 January 2023
by Akhil Kadidal
KAI conceives its MC-X military transport aircraft as an alternative to the Lockheed C-130H. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)
South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a multirole transport aircraft.
UAE state media revealed that the MOU was signed between the UAE’s Tawazun Council and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on 15 January. The council is the UAE defence and security acquisitions authority for the UAE Armed Forces and Abu Dhabi Police.
Details of the UAE-KAI MOU have not yet been made public. KAI had not responded to a Janes request for comment at the time of publication. However, the joint development programme almost certainly comprises the KAI MC-X multirole cargo aircraft.
Under the conditions of the MOU, both parties will undertake joint investment, research, and technological development for the project. This will “further develop bilateral co-operation in the arms industry”, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a statement on 16 January.
At the DX Korea 2022 exhibition, KAI had told Janes
Get the full article by subscribing to Janes
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading
16 January 2023
by Kapil Kajal
An Indian Army soldier paraded at the Army Day ceremony on 15 January 2023 in Bangalore. General Manoj Pande, India’s chief of the Army staff, said at the event that old establishments and units of the Indian Army are being dissolved to create new integrated battle groups. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)
The Indian Army has dissolved old establishments and units to transform the force into lean, agile, offensive, and tailor-made new combat units known as Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs).
At the Army Day ceremony attended by Janes on 15 January in Bangalore, India’s Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande said that the Indian Army is undergoing a massive transformation to enhance operational preparation.
In an effort of “force structuring and optimisation, we are converting our forces into IBGs, which will contribute effectively to modern warfare. Old establishments and units are being dissolved, or are being revamped with suitable changes,” Gen Pande said.
Get the full article by subscribing to Janes
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading
The Australian government has confirmed that it is proceeding with the acquisition of 40 Sikorsky UH…
In this episode we explore the impact of mis or disinformation in open source intelligence with Di Cooke CSIS International Security Program Visiting Fellow and KCL War Studies Doctoral Candidate.
Use of OSINT to support Special Operational Forces
Using OSINT to understand geoeconomic statecraft
OSINT Ethical Considerations with Amy Zegart
OSINT in the Commercial Sector with LifeRaft
Assessing threats in the South China Sea
A competitive assessment of the military aircraft market
Identifying an unknown aircraft
Case study: Using Interconnected Intelligence to Monitor Russian Troop Movement
Japan, US sign space co-operation agreement
18 January 2023
Drone rules: The effects of UAV regulations in India
18 January 2023
US lawmakers want details on civilian ISR, space-based combat capabilities
18 January 2023
Northrop Grumman developing new AESA radar for F-35
18 January 2023
Ukraine conflict: Challenger 2s and AMX-10RCs to be delivered to Kyiv this quarter
18 January 2023
US approves sale of Volcano anti-tank systems to Taiwan
02 January 2023
Indonesia completes installation of 57 mm naval guns on two KCR-60M vessels
29 December 2022
South Korea, UAE to co-develop new transport aircraft
16 January 2023
Request a free consultation to discover how Janes can provide you with assured, interconnected open-source intelligence.
