Vietnam Is Getting Two Massive Arms Shows Just Months Apart
Hanoi now joins the circuit of regional capitals boasting high profile arms shows. These trade events are huge draws for military-industrial companies and various service providers looking to win procurement contracts with the national government and the local defense ministry. While Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok are more familiar locations for exhibitors, Hanoi always proved a difficult market to explore. That is, until two new arms shows were announced just months apart.
DSE Vietnam 2019, which is organized by the same team behind the Philippines’ ADAS, is taking place from October 2 to 4. Six months later, VIDSE 2020 happens on March 17 until 19. Both are taking place in the capital.
Iran Put A Battlefield Robot On Public Display
Via Iranian Media.
This month Iran held a rare arms show to mark four decades since its “Islamic Revolution” that overthrew the US-backed Shah Pahlavi. Dubbed Eghtedar 40, a vast exhibit took place at a venue within Ayatollah Khomeini’s mausoleum complex while another one was held at the Holy Defense Museum dedicated to the Iran-Iraq War. Since the Islamic Republic is cut off from regional arms shows in the Middle East and elsewhere, Eghtedar 40 served as a valuable showcase for locally made weapons and military products. While some items did raise eyebrows (a two-person canoe was left in a corner) there were a fair amount of surprises as well, like a four-wheeled battlefield robot.
Hybrid Wars Need Hybrid Fighting Vehicles
Via Wikimedia Commons.
Many of today’s active conflicts involve armies clashing with local insurgencies. The difference now is the very idea of what used to be “guerilla war” is almost quaint. For example, during the 10 months that spanned Battle of Mosul fought between the Iraqi military together with the US-led Coalition and the Islamic State, the fighting was slow rather than decisive. At times, the Iraqi military’s own equipment seemed inadequate for their mission, which was to defeat terrorists holed up in civilian neighborhoods.
The same problems involving equipment and suitability are found in other hot spots, from the Horn of Africa to Southeast Asia’s jungles.
Everything You Wanted To Know About The T-14 Armata
A recent “Special Project” from Russia’s state-owned news agency Tass uncovers almost every relevant detail about the much hyped T-14 Armata tank. Tass’ Special Projects are interactive webpages dedicated to a single topic, although most entries are thinly veiled promotional media for Russia’s new generation of weapons. With the T-14 that was unveiled just four years ago, Tass offers a complete rundown on the tank. Its frontal armor, for example, is “approximately” 1,400 millimeters thick–impervious to all direct fire high explosive projectiles.It’s fast too, with a 1,200 horsepower “X-shaped” engine giving it a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour.
This and more is found in Tass’ T-14 Armata profile.
The UK Wants To Send Its Military Across Eurasia
The HMS Queen Elizabeth. Via Wikimedia Commons.
With Brexit looming and the primacy of the West challenged everywhere, the UK’s own Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson shared a bold strategy to assert the country’s power. It isn’t surprising how Asia is the focal point and the Royal Navy are tasked with defending its vulnerable sea lanes. Williamson didn’t mince words either, citing both Russia and China as potent adversaries responsible for “gray zone” conflict. His remarks were shared before an audience at the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI) offices and subsequently publicized by the UK’s defense ministry and local media.
Iran Manufactures This Deadly Chinese MANPADS
Via Iranian media.
The highly publicized military exhibition in Tehran dubbed Eghtedar 40 has yielded a wealth of details and photos on the different weapons manufactured by Iran. Held in two sites–the mausoleum of the late Ayatollah Khomeini and the Sacred Defense Museum–and publicized by local media, the events under Eghtedar 40 are supposed to commemorate the revolution in 1979 by putting technological “achievements” on display. But while the regime boasts about its deadly missile arsenal and drones, a few lesser known products haven’t received the same attention even as their very existence may have terrible consequences for the Middle East.
Iran Cares Little For This Futuristic Assault Rifle
Via Iranian media.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the revolution that toppled the late Shah Pahlavi, an exhibition was held at Tehran’s “Holy Defense Museum” for promoting locally made weapons and equipment. The occasion saw the blatant advertisement of Iran’s prowess in manufacturing different unmanned aircraft, including the jet powered Saegeh. But there were some curios whose usefulness for Iran’s vast military remains speculative. While the country’s state-owned media hailed the size and scale of the event, a little noticed product on display was an absurd automatic rifle that attracted very little attention.
Pakistan Showed Off A New Missile System
Via Inter Services Public Relations.
On January 24 the official news agency of Pakistan’s armed forces released photos and video promoting the “Nasr” short-range ballistic missile. This particular weapon system was shown off in the beginning of the decade but its operational use with the army is unclear. The hype surrounding the Nasr that launched four rockets at a designated target at a firing range joins a growing array of ground-launched precision weapons Pakistan is keen on deploying to offset India’s overwhelming military strength.
Despite its name, the Nasr is based on Chinese technology and is further proof of how far advanced its export ready battlefield rockets are.
Companies Can Now Book Their Stands For DSEI Japan
As Japan’s foreign policy undergoes a subtle yet important shift towards deterring external threats its armed forces are now open to finding partners who can supply it with new capabilities. Last year saw the announcement for DSEI Japan, the first authentic arms show in the country, whose goal is to bring the world’s leading military-industrial companies under one roof for three days in November. DSEI Japan is a collaboration between Crisis Intelligence and Clarion Events, the latter is best known for the DSEI arms show held in London every two years. 21st Century Asian Arms Race (21AAR) is a media partner for DSEI Japan.
The India Homeland Security Expo 2019: Why Visit?
The fifth installment of the India Homeland Security Expo (IHSE) is taking place from July 19 to 20 at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The event coincides with two other shows organized by Nexgen Exhibitions; these are the International Police Expo and Drone International Expo. IHSE 2019 caters to the armed forces, government agencies, and law enforcement and is a compelling opportunity for suppliers who want a stronger presence in South Asia. Ample floor space spread across halls 8, 9, and 10 and cost friendly rates are further incentives for participating.
21st Century Asian Arms Race (21AAR) is recognized as an online media partner for IHSE 2019. Companies who wish to exhibit can now book their stall online. Here are a few reasons to consider visiting the show:
Armored Cars: AOI Kader Factory Temsah 3
The Temsah 3 displayed at the EDEX 2018 arms show in Cairo.
A great revival of Arab military industry is taking place across the Middle East today as governments are trying to wean themselves from buying expensive weapons abroad. A particular bright spot for regional armaments production is Egypt, whose state-owned manufacturers enjoyed unfettered access to Chinese, Soviet, and Western technology in previous decades. But a new family of armored vehicles shown off for domestic use indicates Egypt’s strategic priorities are moving away from assembling licensed products.
The Temsah 3 pictured above is the smallest among the “Crocodile” family of armored trucks. Its siblings are the Temsah 1 MRAP, the Temsah 2 MRAP with a 6×6 configuration, and the Temsah Bus MRAP with an elongated 6×6 chassis to support as many as 24 occupants seated inside the hull.
How Many Battle Tanks Does Iran Have?
Via Iranian media/Mehr News.
The “Eghtedar 97” exercises that took place in Isfahan during the last week of January showed Iran’s regular army, also known as the Artesh, engage in a large-scale simulated battle. Iran’s state media reported 12,000 personnel–or an entire division–were involved and choice photographs from the live fire demonstrations showed ground and air units participating. Iran’s air force and army aviation were in superb form as Cobra attack helicopters unleashed salvos of rockets and Chinese-made F-7 fighters dropped fiery ordnance.
But Eghtedar 97 was useful for careful observers of the Islamic Republic’s conventional military. During the week-long exercises and its attendant media coverage, in fact, much of the army’s equipment received a remarkable amount of scrutiny. What it reveals is an unsurprising collection of armored vehicles gathered from the late Pahlavi era and Soviet vintage hardware.
