Defence News

The Peruvian Ministry of Defence (Ministerio de Defensa) is comprised of the following military branches:

• Peruvian Army (Ejército del Perú)
• Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú)
• Peruvian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea del Perú)

Peru faces a number of internal and external concerns which drive its defence budget such as ageing equipment, threats from the Shining Path guerrilla group, narco-terrorists, drugs, weapons, and human traffickers, international peacekeeping missions, natural disaster assistance (humanitarian aid), and tense relations with its neighbours, Chile for example. Future purchases will more than likely be made on multi-role, training, and transport aircraft, frigates, and main battle tanks. For fiscal year 2018, the defence sector will see a budget allocation of more than $2.300 million, an increase from 2017.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

Tecnam, based in Capua, Italy, is the world’s second-largest General Aviation aircraft manufacturer and has been in business since 1948 offering more than 33 models and variants of single and twin engine, and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). The company is well known worldwide and recently announced that they are establishing a corporate subsidiary in Australia. In March 2017, Tecnam lost their founder, president, chief preliminary design officer, and indeed an aviation pioneer Luigi “Gino” Pascale, at the age of 93.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

October was an interesting month for Canadian C Series manufacturer Bombardier, when it announced that European company Airbus is set to acquire a 50.01% interest in the C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP) with no upfront cash investment. Bombardier will own 31% and Investissement Québec (IQ) approximately 19%. The C Series is a single-aisle aircraft designed for the 100 to 150-seat market segment. The agreement will see Airbus supporting the C Series with sales and marketing support, managing procurement (such as leading negotiations to improve CSALP level supplier agreements), and offering customer support.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

Simulation training is an important tool with long-term benefits for budget conscious countries providing a realistic combat environment without the burden of heavy costs associated with traditional field exercises. As militaries evolve from analog to digital, simulation will become the popular choice especially on the African continent where military training is transitioning. The value of simulation is that it enables soldiers to train as close to mission reality as possible, improves individual and team combat awareness, and encourages decision-making skills, which are imperative to a successful mission. A soldier’s handling of equipment and his decision-making process are only as good as the training he receives.

The SA Army together with the CSIR will be hosting the 1st Landward Simulation Symposium at the CSIR, Pretoria on 26 – 27 October 2017.

The Symposium will allow the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) together with local defence industry to discuss the latest developments in virtual training and simulation as a cost-effective training aid tool to advance future combat readiness for landward forces.

For more information on the symposium: http://defsec.csir.co.za/sa-army-simulation-symposium/about-the-event

Rheinmetall Defence group has an impressive list of divisions and subsidiaries across international borders dealing in weapons and ammunition, vehicle systems, and electronic solutions. Even though the subsidiaries are responsible for their own respective market segments, Rheinmetall Defence has managed to strategically increase its overall global reach through these subsidiaries.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

The MiG-29K was chosen by the Indian Navy for aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya (formerly the Admiral Gorshkov, which was acquired from Russia) and the indigenous aircraft carrier currently being built, the INS Vikrant. The multi-role, new generation MiG-29K has a newly designed, resilient airframe (with around 15% composite materials) said to be stronger than that of its predecessors. With fly-by-wire technology and RD-33 MK engines, the MiG-29K is a technological improvement of the MiG-29.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

When one thinks of the Kiowa “Warrior” armed reconnaissance helicopter, images of the choppers flying over Vietnam immediately come to mind. Upcycling at its best, the Kiowa still has some life in it with reports suggesting that Greece has sent a Letter of Request (LoR) to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) pertaining to 70 U.S. Army retired OH-58D Kiowa Warriors. The helicopters will be free through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme, the purpose of which is to transfer excess defence equipment to foreign governments or international organisations. First deliveries should be expected by the end of the year. Of these rotary wing aircraft, 60 will join helicopter battalions and the remaining 10 will be dedicated to initial training of Army Air Force pilots at the Army Aviation School.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

With armoured vehicle exports rated as South Africa’s largest exports for 2016, it is no surprise that Denel Vehicle Systems is leading the pack with regards to orders.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

The Rooivalk combat support helicopter has proved its performance and operational success in the African theatre. The question now is what the future holds for the current fleet, which is in need of a serious upgrade. With futuristic looks that were ahead of its time, the Rooivalk was based on the South African Oryx helicopter, which in turn was modelled on the French Aerospatiale SA 330 Puma. The Rooivalk is the only vertical take-off and landing combat helicopter in South Africa able to operate from diverse terrain, tight spaces, and in a range of weather conditions. Denel Aviation oversees the design and is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Rooivalk. There are 11 Rooivalk currently in the MK1 Block 1F standard, with the 12th having sustained a hard landing.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.

The Paris Air Show held from 19 – 25 June 2017, kicked off with French President Macron landing in an Airbus A400-M military transport aircraft at Le Bourget airport. The air show is the largest aerospace event in the world showcasing the likes of established players like Airbus, Boeing, Embraer as well as innovative startups such as Israeli startup Eviation Aircraft, who is offering electric aircraft and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) options.

Written by Sylvia Caravotas (Satovarac Consulting) for OIDA. The full article is available from OIDA.