The French defence procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has awarded Thales Systèmes Aéroportés a contract to adapt ASTAC (Analyseur de Signaux TACtiques) tactical reconnaissance pods for the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000D combat aircraft.

When the operation is complete in 2014, the type will be able to perform the tactical reconnaissance missions currently assigned to the Dassault Aviation Mirage F1CR reconnaissance aircraft, which is due to be withdrawn from service.

55 aircraft will be modified by the SIAé (Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique) said the DGA to DEFESA Global.

The work comprises also modifications on the PU9010 pylons by Alkan.

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Airbus Military has signed a firm contract with Indonesia´s PT Dirgantara Indonesia to supply nine C-295M tactical transport aircraft.

The contract between PT DI and the Ministry of Defense of Indonesia was signed simultaneously. The local designation of the aircraft will be CN-295.

With the Indonesian Air Force, the aircraft will perform a variety of roles including military, logistical, humanitarian and medical evacuation missions. The first delivery is foreseen in 2012 and by summer 2014 all aircraft will have been delivered.

Additionally, the industrial plan covers a substantial collaboration between PT Dirgantara Indonesia and EADS´ Airbus Military for the C-295M programme, including the manufacturing of the tail empennage, rear fuselage and fuselage panels, as well as workpackages for the development of Computer Based Training (CBT) systems and the creation of a service and delivery centre and a final assembly line in Indonesia.

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Saudi Arabia procured in 2011 more than 200 Nexter Systems Aravis multi-purpose mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP) said a manager at the French procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) to DEFESA Global during the presentation of DGA´s 2011 results held in Paris on 22 February. The procurement scheme comprises orders in different batches.

It is unknown if Saudi Arabia procured only protected patrol vehicles or also different versions such as the observation variant which is equipped with Thales MARGOT 5000 telescopic mast mounted integrated surveillance solution, the command post and the ambulance configurations.

This is the second large contract for Nexter Systems vehicles in Saudi Arabia, after the supply of several CAESAR (Camion Équipé d’un Système d’Artillerie) truck-mounted self-propelled artillery systems for the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG).

The DGA procured Aravis 4×4 vehicles also known as VBHP (Véhicule Blindé Hautement Protégé) for the French Army (Armée de Terre) troops operating in Afghanistan. 15 vehicles were procured in April 2009 for an amount worth nearly EUR20 million. The French vehicles were equipped with Kongsberg Protech Systems Protector M151 remote weapon stations. Part of the fleet is used by anti-IED teams in Afghanistan. The type is based on the Mercedes Benz Unimog U5000 truck chassis.

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French shipbuilder DCNS has achieved formal qualification of the FREMM multi-mission frigate D630 FS “Aquitaine” flight deck for operations with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) AgustaWestland Lynx Mk2 naval helicopter. This milestone was reached several months ahead of schedule after a landing campaign at sea, organised by the French MoD procurement agency Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) in early February.

The vessel’s hangar is designed to accommodate a single NH Industries NH90 Caiman Marine medium naval tactical helicopter now in service with the French Navy. The first deck landing trials with a Caiman Marine will be conducted in the coming weeks.

The French FREMM programme calls for eleven 6000 tonnes vessels for the French Navy. Deliveries are scheduled to be complete in 2022. DCNS is also building a single ship for the Royal Moroccan Navy at its Lorient shipyard.

Italy procured several units. The FREMM design is being marketed in countries such as Brazil, Greece and Saudi Arabia.

(DCNS).

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SELEX Sistemi Integrati SpA took part in the launching of the fourth Baynunah Class corvette, named “Mezyad´´, which took place on 15th February at the Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) shipyard in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).

The Italian company established there ADSI (Abu Dhabi Systems Integration) joint venture with the ADSB.

The Baynunah Class programme comprises the supply of six corvettes to the UAE Navy. The ship is based in a design from French shipbuilder CMN.

The corvettes are equipped with the IPN-S/R combat management system and the NA25XM fire control systems by SELEX Sistemi Integrati SpA. The type includes as well as Oto Melara Super Rapid weapon station, MBDA VL MICA surface-to-air missile system and MBDA Exocet MM40 Block 3 anti-ship missile system.

Through ADSI, SELEX Sistemi Integrati SpA has been also involved in the development of the 12 Gannatha Class patrol vessels and the retrofit of other 12 units. In the programme SELEX Sistemi Integrati is responsible for the integration and the supply of the combat management system and the Medusa MK4/B electro-optical sensor.

For the two Falaji 2 stealth offshore patrol vessels which were commissioned to the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri SpA by the UAE Navy, SELEX Sistemi Integrati SpA provides the combat management system, the fire control system and the KRONOS and SIR-M multi-role radars.

For the Abu Dhabi Class vessels, SELEX Sistemi Integrati SpA was chosen to supply the IPN-S/R combat management system, the NA30S fire control system, the multi-role KRONOS radar co-mounted with an IFF SIR-M radar and Medusa MK4/B sensor.

(SELEX Sistemi Integrati SpA).

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At the FIDAE Air & Space Fair exhibition to be held in Santiago, Chile from 27 March to 1 April, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), will present the latest member of the General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag GmbH Piranha family of wheeled armoured vehicles, M3, MTB, IRB and REBS mobile military bridge systems and General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag GmbH EAGLE light wheeled tactical vehicle.

The company will also highlight weapon systems such as the General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas SIAC towed howitzer artillery system, (in service with the Colombian and Spanish armies) and General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas/General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr GmbH ASCOD infantry fighting vehicle (ordered by the U.K. and in service with the Spanish and Austrian armies).

(GDELS).

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General Dynamics UK Ltd has announced that the new modular armour system for the British Army’s General Dynamics European Land Systems-Santa Bárbara Sistemas/General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr GmbH ASCOD Specialist Vehicle (SV) family of tracked armoured vehicles already meets the most demanding STANAG levels for mine protection, following a series of blast trials conducted at Otterburn ranges in Northumberland at the beginning of November 2011.

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The 500th Dual Mode Brimstone missile has been delivered by MBDA UK Ltd.

Dual Mode Brimstone air-to-ground missile has been used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) against a variety of different targets in support of operations ELLAMY and HERRICK, providing precision effects. Key targets have included main battle tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, light vehicles with rocket launchers and coastal radar antenna systems.

Dual Mode Brimstone is in-service on RAF´s Tornado GR4/4A combat aircraft and is a candidate for integration on the Typhoon and F-35.

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Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has proceeded to the installation of the MEP (Motor Eléctrico Principal) main electric motor on board the S-81 “Isaac Peral” submarine, first of the series of four S-80 submarines that are being built for the Spanish Navy (Armada Española).

This electric motor has been developed by Cantarey, a subsidiary of the Spanish group Gamesa. It has a size, 20% less weight than that of the Scorpène type submarine, extremely low acoustic signature, double shock resistance and capable of delivering the maximum power continuously said the company.

During the next months other main equipment will be embarked in the submarine, in order to proceed to the union of the sections and launching of the submarine, scheduled for 2013.

(Navantia).

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Italy´s Finmeccanica SpA, through its subsidiary Alenia Aermacchi SpA, has been selected by Israel’s Ministry of Defence (IMoD) to supply M-346 advanced training aircraft for the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

The fleet of about 30 aircraft will replace the TA-4 Skyhawk aircraft currently in service.

The official contract award is scheduled to be firmed during 2012 and deliveries are scheduled to start in mid 2014.

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