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Page 1 Daily News
by Gail Helmer
Tuesday, March 17, 2001
Jane's News Briefs
Jane's News From IDEX 2001.
The 5th International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2001) is happening at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates, from March 18th to March 22nd 2001. See Show Daily for full stories.
Headlines from the IDEX Show:
Mako, the new light combat and advanced trainer aircraft programme, is set for its first flight in four years' time after officials from the UAE Air Force & Air Defence and EADS Military Aircraft completed technical project definitions shortly before IDEX 2001 opened.
UAE armed forces chief of staff Lt Gen Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has defended the country's ambitious Liwa modernisation programme in an interview prior to IDEX 2001.
Reports from Oman, as the first Show Daily closed for press, confirm rumours earlier in the week that the Royal Air Force of Oman has an intention to purchase a major equipment package, including combat jets and helicopters.
Shortly before IDEX 2001, the AB-14 Temsah ('Crocodile') tracked heavy infantry combat vehicle (ICV) was completed and it is being shown in public for the first time.
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FN HERSTAL is using IDEX 2001 to launch its new 5.56mm F2000 bullpup rifle, reports Terry J Gander. This modular assault rifle can assume several forms and is shown here complete with an add-on integrated 40 mm low velocity grenade launcher and a fire control system with a laser rangefinder to accurately determine grenade target range and indicate the appropriate super-elevation angle by a simple red/green light system.
Being shown for the first time overseas is the South African LIW Division of Denel 105mm Light Experimental Weapon (LEO). The system has been developed by the same team that produced the combat-proven 155mm/45 calibre G-5 towed and G-6 (6 x 6) self-propelled artillery systems, which are widely deployed in the Middle East region.
Egypt has awarded a multi-million dollar contract to upgrade the radar systems of a further four Ramadan class fast attack craft. The four years contract is with Alenia Marconi Systems, but few contractual details have been revealed.
Finnish truck company OY Sisu Auto AB is using a large domestic order for the 8 x 8 HMLT truck to springboard its export campaign. The order for 27 vehicles results from Sisu's development programme in partnership with the Finnish defence ministry.
Keen to enlarge its share of the land system powerplant market, Caterpillar Defense & Federal Products has brought in its wholly owned subsidiary, Perkins Engines, to create a new 'team': Caterpillar Defence Products, writes Paul Beaver.
EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) affiliate Dornier will be delivering the marine version of its mobile 'TransHospital' field hospital to the second combat support ship of the German Navy.
Building upon a comprehensive defence co-operation agreement between Bahrain and the UK, Thales Sensors has been awarded a contract worth several million dollars for the supply of electronic support measures (ESM) equipment. Called Sealion, it is to be installed on vessels of the Bahrain Amiri Naval Force, which already uses the company's Cutlass and RDL ESM systems.
Recent events in the Balkans and Middle East have shown that any low-level air defence system that relies only on radars for target acquisition and designation is likely to be rapidly neutralised, especially by air-launched anti-radiation missiles.
Strong interest by the Royal Saudi Air Force to develop state-of-the-art combat rescue helicopter techniques convinced Eurocopter to carry out a series of tests with the Cougar Mk 2 last year. Although the tests were concluded in October, the results have only been made public at IDEX.
Opened last November, the Oman Aircraft Control College is the first project to be developed between the Oman Ministry of Defence and the private sector in support of the country's innovative Partnerships for Development programme, writes Brian Walters. The college has already run an Instructional Techniques course and is currently running an Air Defence and Base Weapons course.
A number of third-generation thermal imagers are featured on the SaabTech Electronics stand in Hall 1. The company's range includes the HHTI (hand-held thermal imager), designed for integration into an artillery forward observer fire control system using the Simrad LP10 laser rangefinder. However, this can also be used as a hand-held device or mounted on a tripod.
Effective and precise defence against all types of airborne threats is claimed for the latest gun-based air defence system from Oerlikon Contraves. Comprising remotely controlled 35mm guns and a fire control unit consisting of an unmanned sensor unit and a detached command post, the system is highly automated and requires only two operators for complete command and control of the fire unit.
Being shown for the first time at IDEX is a BTR-90 (8 x 8) amphibious armoured personnel carrier fitted with a new two-person advanced turret developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau. The vehicle is normally fitted with a BMP-2 type turret armed with a 30mm cannon, 7.62mm machine gun and roof-mounted anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW).
The latest in lightweight combat clothing technology is featured on the DuPont stand in Hall 7. The company is showing a fully breathable lightweight NBC protective suit alongside a new helicopter aircrew fire/heat protective flying suit.
Pakistan will acquire more combat aircraft from China, according to Air Chief Marshal Mustaf Ali Mir, the Chief of Air Staff. Last week, he described the aircraft on order as the F-7PG, based on the MiG-21 airframe.
On display for the first time in the Middle East is the Raytheon Company TOW ITAS (Improved Target Acquisition System), which is now in quantity production for the US Army's early entry forces.
Nearly 20 vehicles are scheduled to appear at the IDEX 2001 Mobility demonstration in the main arena this year. They represent key technology and equipment demonstrators from eight countries and although there are some old favourites in the list, there some new faces too.
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