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05 April 2024 NOTICE
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NATO INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY GROUP (NIAG)
NIAG study on NATO Medium and Large Caliber Direct Fire Munition Interoperability
Exploratory Group meeting to be held at NATO HQ on 21 May 2024 starting at 10:00 and estimated to conclude by 16:00
Calling Notice
1. A NIAG Exploratory Group meeting to address “NATO Medium and Large Caliber Direct Fire Munition Interoperability”, will be held on 21 May 2024, starting at 10:00 and estimated to conclude by 16:00. This meeting will be held in presence at NATO HQ.
2. An agenda for the meeting is available at Annex 1.
3. The administrative arrangements for the meeting are set out below; the information describing the aim and the objectives of the study is available in Annex 2.
REGISTRATION FOR THE MEETING
4. Industry representatives willing to participate (further called Participants) are invited to contact their NIAG delegation prior to registering for this event.
5. Participants are invited to complete two registration processes:
5.1. A registration for the meeting, via the DI portal at https://diweb.hq.nato.int/
a) Once on the DI Portal, please go to NIAG, then “events registration” located underneath the NIAG logo in the centre of the screen. This will point you to a page listing upcoming events. Click on the event you wish to register for – open the terms and conditions and complete the questionnaire.
b) Please ensure that you complete the registration for the meeting by 14 May 2024.
5.2. A registration to the NIAG Portal, for the newcomers (not being in possession of credentials to NIAG portal), in order to be granted access to the documents prepared for this study. NHQD319464
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a) This registration requires you to fill in the form that opens at https://diweb.hq.nato.int/ on the top-right hand side of the page, Register yourself. Make sure you select NIAG as community of interest (a field towards the end of the registration form).
b) After you click the ‘Submit’ button at the end of the registration form, a notification will be sent automatically to our office. The NIAG staff will then approve your access in the following days.
c) This registration shall also be finalised by 14 May 2024 at the latest, in order to allow us time to approve your access to the documentation, in order for you to prepare for the meeting. Please note that the first registration (paragraph 5.1.) does not automatically grant you access to documentation.
SECURITY CLEARANCE
6. The study will be open to industries from NATO and Partner nations within the Interoperability Platform format and conducted at NATO UNCLASSIFIED level, releasable to Partner nations within the Interoperability Platform format.
ACCESS TO NATO HEADQUARTERS
7. In order to enter NATO HQ premises, you must have a valid pass for unescorted access (a security clearance is necessary).
8. Access to NATO Headquarters is to be arranged strictly through your national Delegation. Participants are requested to contact their respective national delegations to NATO HQ at least seven working days before the meeting and request access to NATO HQ (pass/visitor badge).
a. Participants with a valid security clearance (NATO Secret) will have to request an entrance pass that will be waiting for them at the NATO Security Office (NATO HQ’s South Entrance, Boulevard Leopold III, 1110 Brussels - Belgium).
b. Participants without a valid security clearance will only be able to enter the NATO HQ premises if their national delegation to NATO HQ is willing to escort the participant during his/her stay at the NATO HQ. They will need a visitor badge as well.
c. If the respective national delegation to NATO HQ is not able/willing to escort the participant without a valid security clearance, the participant will not be able to attend the meeting.
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9. Delivery of an access pass is a national responsibility. The NATO International Staff (IS) supporting the NIAG has no role in the access process and will not provide an escort.
10. You are kindly advised to check whether your request has been received / processed at NATO HQ by your respective Delegation, prior to your travel, to make sure that your pass will be ready.
11. Should you have access problems upon arrival, you are required to contact your respective Delegation (please make sure you have the coordinates of a POC within your delegation), as the International Staff cannot validate your security clearance / access. This is a national issue.
12. Any query concerning the access procedures should be directed to national delegations (a list of security officers is available at Annex 3).
13. Given the large number of visitors to NATO HQ, please note that processing through the Security Office on the day of the meeting will take some time and that delegates should plan to arrive at NATO HQ’s South Entrance (Boulevard Leopold III, 1110 Brussels, Belgium) well in advance of the start of the meeting. It is recommended to arrive at the Headquarters no less than 30 minutes before the start of the meeting.
14. Your pass must be worn visibly inside the HQ. The transfer of passes to others is strictly prohibited. At the end of the meeting, expired passes must be deposited in the drop-off boxes located near the exit of the South Security Office.
CONFERENCE ROOM
15. The meeting will take place in the NATO HQ Conference Area behind the Public Square. Please check the screens for the conference room number as you enter the conference centre.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THE MEETING
16. Documents/presentations will be posted on the Defence Investment Portal. Participants need to ensure that they have access to this website prior to the meeting. (See the registration process described in paragraph 5.2.)
STUDY ORGANISATION
17. Industry representatives are invited to consider volunteering for Chair, Vice-Chair and Rapporteur roles, which represent the Management Team of the Study Group, and communicate their option via the registration tool (para 5.1 above) or to the NIAG Secretary
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prior to the meeting. A brief description of the management team’s role and of the Quick Reaction Team role is available at Annex 4.
18. An election for the Management Team will be held under agenda item 6. Only industry participants are entitled to vote, by following the rule of one vote per company and per country.
(signed) Nathalie VAN DONGHEN
4 Annexes
Original: English
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ANNEX 1
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AGENDA
1. OPENING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION
NIAG Vice-Chair, and Chair of the meeting: Mr Horia-Răzvan Botiș (ROMARM, Romania)
2. INTRODUCTION TO NIAG STUDY PROCEDURES
Brief by NIAG Coordinating Staff Officer, Mr Jean-Sébastien Vautier (IS/Defence Investment Division)
3. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF PROPOSED STUDY
Brief by the Sponsor, NAAG, LCG LE
4. REVIEW OF DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR THE STUDY
Document to be discussed during the meeting, defining the study objectives. This document will be amended during the meeting to include industry views and reactions to the ‘sponsor’ briefing, and when agreed, will represent the basis for CNAD approval of the study.
The initial draft will be uploaded on the collaboration site (DI Portal).
5. NIAG STUDY GROUP MANAGEMENT – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Brief by NIAG Coordinating Staff Officer
6. ELECTION OF STUDY CHAIR, DEPUTY CHAIR AND RAPPORTEUR
Voting will be done during the meeting by a hand raise for those present in the room:
Participants are allowed to vote only once
Only one vote per company per nation
7. STUDY CONTRACTING ARRANGEMENTS, BUDGET & ADMINISTRATION
Brief by Ms Nathalie Van Donghen, NIAG Secretary (IS/Defence Investment Division)
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8. STUDY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Brief by NIAG Coordinating Staff Officer
9. DATE OF KICK-OFF MEETING OF STUDY GROUP
10. CONCLUDING REMARKS
11. STUDY ORGANISATION – WORK TEAMS ALLOCATION AND WAY AHEAD
This part of the meeting is led by the elected SG management team and depending on meeting room availability. The NIAG Study Group (SG) is invited to take benefit of being together to address SG organisational topics (Work Teams Allocation, Way Ahead,..).
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ANNEX 2
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NIAG STUDY DESCRIPTION
1. Title of the Proposed Study: NATO Medium and Large Calibre Direct Fire Munition Interoperability
2. Brief Description of Proposed Study: Assess, characterize, and differentiate the interoperability of the current and future NATO medium and large calibre direct fire munitions (≥20mm, non-artillery/non-indirect fire), their production sources and their respective compatibility with the various medium and large calibre guns/cannons mounted on the entire fleet of NATO land tracked and wheeled platforms. This study will serve as a tool for Allied Commanders to have confidence in the use of ally-sourced ammunition in their medium and large calibre weapons systems and serve as a tool for allied munition producers to understand what they must modify in their munitions to maximize compatibility and interoperability across the NATO Alliance.
3. Background: The Russian War of Aggression in Ukraine presented and unprecedented opportunity for the NATO Alliance to demonstrates its relevance and necessity in the collective defence of Europe. NATO has risen to that challenge and delivered unwavering materiel support to Ukraine in terms or weapons systems, ammunition, and technical support. In providing this unprecedented support, munition interoperability and compatibility has emerged as a concern that needs attention.
NATO as an alliance has introduced new, diverse, and higher performing weapon systems across its land vehicle fleet. While this diverse collection of weapons systems has created unrivalled performance and capability, it has also created new challenges in understanding which weapon systems are compatible with which ammunitions systems. This challenge became evident when weapon systems and munitions were provided to Ukraine with uncertain confidence that the munitions provided from one Allied nation were compatible with a weapons system from another Allied nation. This study aims to bring renewed confidence in the compatibility and interoperability of NATO munitions and provide a list of opportunities where interoperability and compatibility can be enhanced.
4. Objectives of the Study:
a) What is the Objective of the study in terms of what is to be carried out, why and with what purpose?
Identify all medium and large calibre munition (M&LC) sources for the NATO alliance; assess and characterize the interoperability and compatibility factors of the M&LC munitions produced by those sources; and differentiate what M&LC weapon systems throughout the Alliance are compatible with those M&LC munitions to build confidence in allied M&LC munition interoperability and identify opportunities to enhance M&LC munition interoperability.
b) What is/are the operational scenarios to be considered?
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NATO Commanders in each of the 31 member nations are presented with mixed M&LC munition lots from each of the 31-member nation munition sources. How can the NATO Commander have confidence a provided munition from an ally will safely and effectively function in their respective medium and large calibre weapons systems?
c) What is the scope of the study to be, as appropriate?
Assess, characterize, and differentiate each NATO M&LC Weapon System’s compatibility and interoperability with each NATO M&LC munition source and type.
M&LC Munitions include but are not limited to the following:
20 x 102mm -HEI, AP, TP, TP-T
20 x 110mm - HEI, TP, TP-T, HEIT-SD
20 x 128mm - HEI, TP, TP-T, HEIT-D
25 x 137mm - TP-T, APFSDS-T, HEI-T
30 x 113mm - TP, TP-T, API, HEI-SD
30 x 173mm - APFSDS-T, TP-T
35 x 228mm - TP-T, HEI, HEI-T
40 x 53mm - HE, TP, TP-T, HE-T
40mm - HEI, HE-T, AP, TP-T
57mm - HE, TP-T
76mm - Naval: HE, TP, HE-PD
90mm - HE-T, HEAT, HESH
100mm - HEAT, APDS; Naval: HE, TP
105mm - Tank: HE, HEAT, HEP, HESH, APFSDS
120mm - Tank: HE, HEAT, APFSDS
125mm - Tank: HE, HEAT, APFSDS, Practice
127mm - Naval: HE, TP, Full Charge, Reduced
130mm - HE-FRAG
d) What is the study to address – specific issues, technologies, documentation, potential follow-on demonstrations or testing, etc.?
The study should address all critical munition-weapon system interoperability and compatibility factors including but not limited to weapon system and munition component dimension and tolerances (overall length, diameter, etc.) headspace, timing, charge pressure, and other factors.
Follow-on studies could take this analysis to the next level in understanding the performance of the different M&LC munitions in the various M&LC weapons systems in terms of range, accuracy, reliability, and other factors of interest.
e) What is the required output of the study that is what information and recommendations is the study to deliver in the final report?
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At minimum, the report should provide a compatibility and interoperability matrix of NATO M&LC Weapons Systems vs. NATO M&LC Munitions. The matrix at minimum should show the specific M&LC munition’s source nation, manufacturer, and type, and whether it can be safely and effectively fired in a respective and corresponding weapon system. The report should also identify what factors or concerns prevent a munition from being safely and effectively fired in a corresponding NATO ML&C weapon system.
5. Alternative solution options: Yes.
6. Active companies in the sponsor entity: General Dynamics Corporation Ordnance and Tactical Systems, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall Defence, Nexter Systems KNDS, RUAG Holding A.G., Fiocchi Munizioni S.p.A., Prvi Partizan A.D., Companhia Brasileira De Cartuchos (CBC), Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK, NAMMO, Elbit System, Rafael Systems, Kongsberg Gruppen,
7. NATO Priority: High
8. Intended Follow on to the Study: Performance of the different M&LC munitions in the various M&LC weapons systems in terms of range, accuracy, reliability, and other factors of interest.
9. Other NATO Bodies Involved in the Related Area of Work: NNAG
10. Current Industrial Involvement with the Sponsor Group: N/A
11. Proposed Start Date: 1 March 2024
12. Desired Completion Date: 1 September 2024
13. Study Classification: NATO UNCLASSIFIED, releasable to IP
14. Study Open to Partner industries: IP
15. Final report releasable to: Allies + IP
16. Sponsoring Group Point and IS Point of Contact:
Primary:
Joseph P. Cannon, PhD
Chairman, LCG LE
NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG)
+1 586 219 7092
joseph.p.cannon.civ@army.mil
Alternate:
Osman Tasman
NATO Land Armaments Coordinator
Defence Investment Division
NATO HQ, L8.2071
+32 (2) 707 4300
tasman.osman@hq.nato.int
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Security Officers
Allies Country Name Firstname Function Office tel number +32-2-707 xxxx
ALBANIA
Hoxha Alfred
Security Officer
2780 BELGIUM Damiaans Sarah Security Officer 5996
BELGIUM
Vanthemsche Fiel
Security Officer
6003 BELGIUM Decort Eric Deputy Security Officer 5999
BELGIUM
Van Hulle Filip
Deputy Security Officer
6080 BELGIUM De Saint-Georges Sebastian Deputy Security Officer 6071
BELGIUM
Van de Sijpe Steven
Deputy Security Officer
6080 BELGIUM Jackson Andy Deputy Security Officer 6014
BULGARIA
Monev Vladimir
Security Officer
2912 BULGARIA Asenov Boyan Deputy Security Officer 2913
CANADA
Belafi Michael
Security Officer
7107 CANADA Durksen Monica Deputy Security Officer 7113
CANADA
Hoffmann Timothy
Deputy Security Officer
7142 CROATIA Gudlin Sinisa Security Officer 7001
CROATIA
Tikvic Ljiljana
Deputy Security Officer
7336 CROATIA Jurilj Slavko Deputy Security Officer 2463
CZECH REP
Knapek Pavel
Security Officer
1713 CZECH REP Nemcansky Jan Deputy Security Officer 1123
CZECH REP
Kotatko Lukas
Deputy Security Officer
1739 DENMARK Jensen Lars Security Officer 6160
DENMARK
Odgaard Mayer Charlotte
Deputy Security Officer
6161 ESTONIA Lilleorg Tarvo Security Officer 9547
ESTONIA
Jaanson Anita
Deputy Security Officer
9563 FINLAND Valpas Paula Security Officer 7083
FINLAND
Manninen Salla
Deputy Security Officer
2105 FINLAND Wento Riikka Deputy Security Officer 2118
FRANCE
Violot Geoffroy
Security Officer
7430 FRANCE Thibaudeau Benoit Deputy Security Officer 7431
FRANCE
Perret Laurent
Deputy Security Officer
7447 GERMANY Ferrand Bettina Security Officer 7691
GERMANY
Heicker Michael
Deputy Security Officer
7692 GERMANY Dellermann Roland Deputy Security Officer 7693
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GERMANY
Bidenbach Beate
Deputy Security Officer
7627 GREECE Pedioti Emmanouela Zanin Security Officer 6744
GREECE
Tsachtsiris Georgios
Deputy Security Officer
6761 GREECE Nikaki Ekaterini Deputy Security Officer 6716
HUNGARY
Makai Zoltan
Security Officer
1758 HUNGARY Ipsics Tamas Deputy Security Officer 1169
ICELAND
Palsdottir Steinunn
Deputy Security Officer
5089 ITALY Rugge Fabio Security Officer 6204
ITALY
Luchetti Sergio
Security Officer
6244 ITALY Lanza Daniele Security Officer 6245
LATVIA
Laudinskis Paulis
Security Officer
2026 LATVIA Akmens Karlis Deputy Security Officer 2042
LATVIA
Dirnens Raitis
Deputy Security Officer
2878 LATVIA Liepins Aldis Deputy Security Officer 9102
LITHUANIA
Kazimir Kopac
Security Officer
2981 LITHUANIA Caplikas Karolis Security Officer 2752
LUXEMBOURG
Dondlinger Thierry
Deputy Security Officer
3834 MONTENEGRO Mitrovic Mladen Security Officer 8486
N MACEDONIA
Maksuti Febijan
Security Officer
2757 N MACEDONIA Grujikj Bojan Deputy Security Officer 2751
N MACEDONIA
Cvetkovski Darko
Deputy Security Officer
2769 NETHERLANDS van der Zwan Klaas Security Officer 6690
NETHERLANDS
Mendes Dos Reis Cristina
Deputy Security Officer
6613 NETHERLANDS Keles Faith Deputy Security Officer 6613
NETHERLANDS
Oz Mikail
Assistant Security Officer
6639 NETHERLANDS Pattikawa Andry Assistant Security Officer 6655
NETHERLANDS
Debruyne Agnes
Assistant Security Officer
6637 NETHERLANDS Hunaerts Patrick Assistant Security Officer 6638
NORWAY
Solhaug Charlotte
Security Officer
6373 NORWAY Boman Erlend Deputy Security Officer 6399
NORWAY
Dalen Joakim
Assistant Security Officer
6316 POLAND Kolodziejczyk Tomasz Security Officer 1487
POLAND
Szczepinski Pawel
Deputy Security Officer
1367 POLAND Auchimowicz Jaroslaw Deputy Security Officer 8866
PORTUGAL
Brito Teixeira Pedro
Security Officer
6410 ROMANIA Groza Lavinia Florina Security Officer 9605
ROMANIA
Caldararu Sorin
Deputy Security Officer
9633 ROMANIA Jianu Ovidiu Deputy Security Officer 9619
ROMANIA
Ghinea Alexandru
Deputy Security Officer
9693 SLOVAKIA Adamka Jozef Security Officer 2733
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SLOVAKIA
Miskay Michal
Deputy Security Officer
9717 SLOVENIA Kosir Ales Security Officer 2449
SLOVENIA
Kocar Igor
Deputy Security Officer
2445 SPAIN Losada Iago Alberto Security Officer 6533
SPAIN
Jimenez Juan
Deputy Security Officer
6553 SPAIN Navia Osorio Luis Eduardo Assistant Security Officer 6591
SWEDEN
Palmgren Mikael
Security Officer
7856 SWEDEN Nevalainen Sophia Deputy Security Officer 7872
SWEDEN
Bacho Catherine
Assistant Security Officer
7581 SWEDEN Mauvais Isabelle Assistant Security Officer 0
SWEDEN
Jolly Englund Anna
Assistant Security Officer
7885 TÜRKIYE Akbas Okan Security Officer 6891
TÜRKIYE
Bakir Gulcin
Deputy Security Officer
6831 UNITED KINGDOM International Visits Control Office https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-equipment-and-support-principal-security-advisor 0
UNITED KINGDOM
Schofield Dominique
Security Officer
7574 UNITED KINGDOM Fowler Kashmir Deputy Security Officer 7214
UNITED STATES
Carter Darby
Security Officer
0
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Partners
Country Name + Firstname Function Office tel number +32-2-707 xxxx (unless otherwise stated)
ARMENIA
Artur Hakobyan
Security Officer
2718 AUSTRIA Brandstaetter Andreas Security Officer 02 348 4521
AUSTRIA
Rainer Hangel
Deputy Security Officer
2801 AZERBAIJAN Faig Bayramov Security Officer 2657
BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA
Tuzlic Alma
Security Officer
2843 BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA Risticevic Borko Security Officer TBC
IRELAND
Lipinska Kamila
Security Officer
2694 IRELAND Sheahan Patrick Deputy Security Officer 2691
MALTA
Spiteri Joseph
Security Officer
02 238 2767 MOLDOVA Parvan Igor Security Officer TBC
SERBIA
Durovic Milos
Security Officer
7983 SERBIA Drobac Milos Security Officer 7984
SWITZERLAND
Roduit Thomas
Security Officer
2861 TURKMENISTAN Kakajanov Yagshymyrat Security Officer +32 2 648 18 74
UKRAINE
Sorokin Valerii
Security Officer
02 707 2702
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SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY GROUP MANAGEMENT TEAM’S ROLE
1. The Study Group Chair is responsible for the carrying out of the study by the Study Group on behalf of the NIAG and for the presentation of the final report. He/she will formulate and direct the study work plan and oversee the administration of the study. The Study Group Chair may call on the NIAG Vice-Chair, the NIAG Head of Delegation for his nation and the IS NIAG Coordinating Staff Officer to receive advice and assistance as required.
2. The Deputy Chair will assist the Chair in the management of the study and provide stand-in for the Chair when and as required.
3. The Rapporteur will act as Secretary to the Study Group, supporting the Chair in the administration of the Study Group activities. Normally this will involve assisting with the meeting arrangements, compiling the records of meetings and disseminating information to the SG members. The Rapporteur will also act as the sole interface for the Study Group members regarding NIAG Study processes and procedures. The rapporteur will further communicate with or escalate any unresolved topic to the NIAG secretary as required.
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE QUICK REACTION TEAM’S ROLE
1. The Quick Reaction Team is responsible for assisting the NIAG Study Group in the gathering of information, monitoring the study work, in liaising with other NATO bodies or groups who can provide information and assistance.
2. After delivery of the final report, the Quick Reaction Team is responsible for drafting the “Sponsor Assessment Form” to be considered at the first sponsor group meeting following the final report delivery.
3. This form has then to be provided to the NIAG Coordinating Staff Officer, preferably within 3 months of receipt of the study final report.