June 22, 2020 | International, Land

Rheinmetall signs framework contract worth around 2 billion euros: 4,000 military trucks for the Bundeswehr

Rheinmetall has won another major order for logistic vehicles. Germany's Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has entered a framework contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) for delivery of up to 4,000 swap body systems, many of which will feature armoured driver's cabs. Running from 2021 to 2027 for Rheinmetall the framework contract represents around €2 billion in total sales volume. To begin with, the Group will supply the Bundeswehr with an initial tranche of 540 vehicles. Worth around €348 million including VAT, they have now been taken under contract.

Of these 540 vehicles, 230 will be protected. Delivery will start early next year, making sure that the Bundeswehr has an adequate number of vehicles in 2023 when Germany takes over leadership of NATO's spearhead: the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, or VJTF.

The protected swap body systems enhance the survivability and sustainment capability of the Logistics Corps, as well as strengthening its tactical flexibility. Unlike the Unprotected Transport Vehicle (UTF), likewise supplied by RMMV, these systems will be predominately deployed in forward operating areas, where, for instance, they will be used for supplying ammunition to frontline combat units, e.g. artillery batteries.

Assuring excellent off-road mobility, RMMV's robust, all-terrain-capable HX 8x8 vehicles can be optionally fitted with a protected cab. Standard features include a hook loader developed by the Hiab company, which can quickly lift and set down the accompanying flat racks. In addition, the vehicles can accommodate an interchangeable platform or a container via the standardized 20-foot ISO interfaces. Identical operator interfaces and a high degree of commonality and component uniformity with the UTF vehicle family facilitate training, operations and logistics. Owing to the significant reduction in training time for crewmembers and maintenance personnel as well as the extensive commonality of spare parts and special tools, full utilization can be achieved faster – coupled with greater economic efficiency for the procurement authorities and user alike.

This new order widens Rheinmetall's lead as one of the world's foremost makers of logistic systems and vehicles. Since the award of the 7-year UTF framework by BAAINBw on 5 July 2017, 1,250 out of a total of 2271 vehicles have already been shipped. Most of the principal components – the engines, axles, transmissions and build-ons – are made in Germany; assembly of the vehicles takes place at the RMMV plant in Vienna.

Especially when it comes to multinational operations, the extensive global presence of RMMV vehicles offers major advantages with regard to interoperability and logistics. The current circle of user nations includes – among others – the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Denmark. Norway and Sweden have also placed substantial truck orders with Rheinmetall.

https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/rheinmetall_ag/press/news/latest_news/index_20736.php

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December 21, 2018 | International, Land

Hungary signs deal to buy dozens of tanks, howitzers from Germany’s KMW
By: Jarosław Adamowski WARSAW, Poland — As part of efforts to modernize the country's land forces and replace Soviet-designed gear, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence has awarded a deal for 44 Leopard 2 A7+ tanks and 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers to Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. In addition, Hungary will buy 12 used Leopard 2 A4 tanks for training, KMW said in a statement. The deal was signed Dec. 19 in Budapest. Prior to the signing, Hungarian Defense Minister Tibor Benko met with Frank Haun, the chief executive of KMW, the defense ministry said in a statement. Benko said he hoped that the contract would further strengthen the cooperation between the Hungarian and German armed forces. The latest development comes shortly after the Hungarian ministry handed an order for 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters to Airbus. The aircraft are to be fitted with the HForce weapon management system. On Dec. 17, Hungary and Airbus Helicopters also signed a memorandum of agreement to launch industrial cooperation on long-term aviation projects with a focus on manufacturing parts for helicopter dynamic systems. The latest contracts are part of Hungary's ten-year Zrinyi 2026 military development program whose principal aim is to upgrade the weapons and equipment of the country's armed forces. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/12/20/hungary-signs-deal-to-buy-dozens-of-tanks-howitzers-from-germanys-kmw
March 11, 2022 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

Critères ESG : la guerre en Ukraine change la donne pour le secteur de l’armement
Alors qu'elles se montraient jusque-là réfractaires à financer une industrie de la défense jugée peu conforme aux critères socialement responsables (ESG), certaines banques européennes ont changé de position après l'invasion russe de l'Ukraine. « L'industrie de la défense doit continuer à être bien financée, et les efforts des banques françaises, parmi les plus actives dans le monde dans ce domaine, le démontrent », considère la Fédération bancaire française. « Alors que nous alertons sur les difficultés de financement rencontrées par les industriels depuis deux ans maintenant, au niveau national et européen, nous observons un changement de perception générale », indique aux Echos Jan Pie, le secrétaire général de l'ASD (AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe). Les valeurs des industries de Défense, comme Dassault Aviation et Thales, qui s'étaient vues exclure en novembre dernier, comme douze autres sociétés du secteur, de la politique d'investissement du premier fonds de pension norvégien (KLP), ont considérablement augmenté, relèvent Les Echos. Les Echos du 9 mars
December 22, 2020 | International, Aerospace

Lockheed Makes $4.4B Bid to Buy Aerojet Rocketdyne
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