Does The Philippine Army Need An Armored Truck?
The Kia LTV.
During the ADAS 2018 arms show in late September nearly a quarter of the available indoor floor space was occupied by South Korean companies. This decade has seen ties between Manila and Seoul flourish as the former sought to modernize its armed forces. The Philippine Army (PA) in particular is reliant on South Korean equipment and this may soon deepen when an armored truck is acquired to bolster its motor pool. This explains Kia Motors’ visibility at ADAS 2018 where it displayed its Light Tactical Vehicle and the “bare chassis” it’s based on.
But no bidding documents for a battle-ready 4×4 have come to light yet and it might take years until the branch decides on adopting new wheeled armored vehicles.
Armored Cars: Norinco VN21
Via Chinese media.
Among the highlights of the Zhuhai Air Show held every two years is a public demonstration by Chinese vehicle manufacturers in an enclosed obstacle course. Earlier this month, Norinco and a few other companies let their export-ready products tear up mud and sand to excite potential customers from abroad. But some models appeared to have been overshadowed by the tanks and APCs that took part in the spectacle. During the show, in fact, Norinco’s new armored 4×4 raced over a dirt track to prove it can fend for itself in hot climates with bad roads.
It turns out this mystery machine is called the VN21 and is the latest in Norinco’s V-series of protected trucks.
Here Are Four Reasons Why Your Company Needs A Risk Consultant
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Emerging markets can be dangerous. Beneath the allure of glossy advertising and shimmering cityscapes, doing business in countries where best practices and the rule of law aren’t deeply entrenched are serious challenges for large organizations. For leaders in charge of teams who need to build a strong local presence, being unfamiliar with the risks in the business landscape can be mitigated by having security professionals at hand.
In the Philippines, for example, where corruption and fraud are rampant, a risk consultant is the easiest countermeasure when faced by threats to one’s assets, reputation, and bottom line. Here’s what they can do to help.
Jordan Is Having Its Wheeled Tank Destroyers Upgraded
A Centauro of the Royal Jordanian Army.
The Spanish manufacturer Star Defense Logistics & Engineering (SDLE) will have an important role in the future of the Royal Jordanian Army after it won a contract for reactivating surplus Centauro wheeled recce vehicles/tank destroyers. The desert kingdom’s ground forces were reorganized earlier this year and longstanding armor units are being reassigned Centauros that were purchased from Italy. The Centauro is based on an 8×8 Freccia APC carrying a turret armed with a 105mm gun and is used for reconnaissance missions.
Centauros are quite rare in the Middle East and Jordan’s acquisition of 141 was meant as a replacement for its older main battle tanks.
Indonesia Is Teasing Its New Medium Tank To The Philippine Army
Via FNSS.
The recent IndoDefence 2018 held in Jakarta from November 7 until 10 served as a showcase for the country’s growing catalog of military products. Foremost among the land systems that appeared at the four-day event was the “Harimau,” the name bestowed to the medium tank produced by a joint venture between state-owned manufacturer PT Pindad and FNSS from Turkey. Rather than a locally designed tank, the Harimau is an amalgamation of parts from several sources.
So bullish is PT Pindad’s management on the Harimau’s prospects, however, they’re convinced the Philippine Army might want to buy it too.
Bahrain Is Spending Billions On US Weapons
Via Wikimedia Commons.
The tiny oil-rich kingdom off Saudi Arabia’s coast is now on track to spend more than $2 billion for cutting edge US-made weapon systems. As 2018 draws to a close Manama announced three crucial acquisitions approved by Washington, DC, that will enhance its military and even give it limited offensive firepower. These span what appears to be a full squadron of F-16V multirole fighters; a dozen AH-1Z attack helicopters; and a substantial order for ATACMS ground-launched ballistic missiles.
These orders aren’t too out of the ordinary for Bahrain, whose armed forces are mainly equipped with US-made weapons, at a time when gargantuan arms deals are in the works among its GCC neighbors. But they do represent a major leap in capabilities for a Gulf state whose own military buildup is quite modest.
IndoCertes Is Trying To Corner Military Simulations In Southeast Asia
IndoCertes is currently promoting its simulator for M113 APCs in regional arms shows.
An Indonesian technology startup is doing its best to establish its reputation as a provider of high-end simulators for Southeast Asian militaries. During the recent IndoDefence 2018 arms show in Jakarta IndoCertes displayed its simulator for the M113 APC. This is barely two months after IndoCertes were in Manila for ADAS 2018 hoping to raise the company’s profile. Aside from the M113 APC, considered by some as one of the most prolific armored vehicles ever made, IndoCertes can assemble an immersive training solution for the M109 self-propelled howitzer.
Turkey Is Finally Buying Altay Tanks For Its Army
Via Otokar.
Last week the Anadolu Agency broke the news the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), the government office that controls military R&D, signed a contract with vehicle manufacturer BMC for 250 Altay tanks. The Altay is a decades-long effort by Turkish industry to develop a third-generation main battle tank that eclipses the army’s Leopard 2’s and M60 Pattons. Deliveries of the Altay to the Turkish army are scheduled for 2020 but further orders haven’t been announced yet.
The choice of BMC as the main contractor is an interesting one. The Altay used to be a pet project of Otokar, a manufacturer with a renowned military portfolio, whose track record for exports raised the possibility the Altay could be bought by other countries soon.
Embraer Is Bullish On Its Prospects In The Philippines
Brazil’s aerospace giant scored a minor victory in the Asia-Pacific last year when six of its Super Tucano propeller-driven attack aircraft were ordered by the Philippines. The Super Tucano is a variant of the lightweight prop trainer but armed with .50 caliber machine guns on its wings and meant for close air support in counterinsurgency operations. The Department of National Defense (DND) announced the acquisition in December last year and the Super Tucanos are expected to augment the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) aging fleet of OV-10 Broncos and SIAI-Marchetti trainers.
During the recent ADAS 2018 arms show in Manila, Embraer were participating again with a small booth tucked in between the larger pavilions occupied by Israel and Turkey. The company isn’t fazed by its competition, however, since it expects to sell more of its Super Tucanos to the PAF in the coming years.
Here Are The Most Dangerous Risks For Large Companies In Asia
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Asian economies are still poised to grow in the coming decades. The 10-member ASEAN in particular is expected to attract serious amounts of foreign investment and venture capital as the region’s technological footprint deepens. If this isn’t motivation enough for multinationals to start scouting for new office space and maybe a factory in an economic zone, middle class lifestyles and rising incomes will open vast opportunities previously unheard of.
But there’s always a downside when doing business in markets where local regulations and the rule of law aren’t as entrenched as in the West. (Singapore is the exception here.) For decades, boutique security providers like Adsum Risk Consulting (ARC) have assisted companies large and small when navigating the pitfalls of the Asian business environment. ARC believes these are the greatest threats to any organization’s bottom line and reputation.
Look At These Amazing Photos From Interpolitex 2018
Via Bizon/Interpolitex 2018.
The largest homeland security and law enforcement exhibition in Russia concluded in Moscow last week. The 22nd installment of Interpolitex took place from October 23 until 26. The annual event is a showcase for local Russian companies who supply the emergency services, interior ministry, police, and the army’s special forces. Although some foreign exhibitors to participate, the scope and scale of Interpolitex 2018 was dominated by Russian brands.
This year’s event featured the official launch for “Security of the Future” Forum to promote best practices and high technology solutions in the public and private sectors. Here are a selection of photos from the show floor. 21st Century Asian Arms Race (21AAR) is a media partner for Interpolitex 2018.
A bigger selection of images taken at the event can be found at the Interpolitex 2018 photo gallery.
India Is Still Buying The Best Russian Weapons
In the span of a month Delhi signed arms deals with Moscow worth several billion dollars. The huge sum covers entire regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system, which were already being negotiated two years ago, and a quartet of Talwar-class frigates. The latter are based on an upgraded Krivak III renamed the Admiral Grigorovich-class and the consensus on their deployment is to equip the Indian Navy (IN) with more BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
Although the timeline for deliveries of the S-400’s are unclear, the new Talwar-class frigates will arrive in separate batches. The first two hulls assembled in Russia can be launched by 2020 while the next two are built in a local shipyard.
