IDEX UAE (19-23 Feb) 2017: News, Updates & Discussion
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http://www.thenational.ae/business/...s-f-16-sales-and-upgrades-with-regions-forces
The US defence company Lockheed Martin is in talks with Arabian Gulf countries to sell F-16 multi-role fighter jets as well as upgrades to existing fleets.
"We are talking to some in the region [about sales]," Rick Groesch, Lockheed’s regional vice president, said on Tuesday at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi.
Talks with Bahrain on the sale of 16 to 19 F-16s stalled during the administration of the US president Barack Obama but have resumed under Donald Trump, said Mr Groesch.
"We are talking to them [Bahrain] about it and the [US] government is talking to them about buying an additional production aircraft which will be designated Block 70," he said.
Bahrain, the first country in the region to acquire F-16s about 25 years ago, is also looking to upgrade its existing fleet of 20 Block 40 aircraft, he said.
Lockheed Martin is still in discussions about possible upgrade of the UAE’s Block 60 F-16s, called the Desert Falcon. "Our concentration right now is the support of the aircraft that they got to be able to keep them available to fly the combat sortie rates," Mr Groesch said. "We are doing all the stuff right now in conjunction with the UAE Air Force to be able to have them fly those airplanes to 2030 to 2040."
The company is talking to several countries about upgrades, including to Egypt for its fleet of 30 Block 15 variant. Lockheed also plans to deliver five to six remaining Block 50 F-16s out of 36 built for Iraq.
"We will be done with production of Iraq aircraft later on toward the end of this year," Mr Groesch said.
The company plans to keep future production of F-16s in the US, he said. Lockheed has created F-16 assembly plants in Turkey, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands in the past.
"The next customer that we sell F-16 to we will build them in the US," said Mr Groesch.
The Trump administration has criticised US companies that have factories and assembly lines overseas and has vowed to create US jobs with his "America First" motto.
As for the delivery of C-130Js for Saudi Arabia, the company is still waiting for government-to-government talks to conclude. In 2013, the US announced Saudi Arabia’s intent to purchase 25 c-130J Super Hercules through a foreign military sale (FMS).
So far, Lockheed has delivered two KC-130J planes to Saudi Arabia.
"We continue to work with Saudi," said Timothy German, a regional executive at Lockheed. "It is an FMS case, so that’s between the US government and the Saudi government to determine the pacing when the rest of them will be delivered."
The UAE had held talks with Lockheed about the purchase of 12 C130J aircraft, without reaching an agreement.
"We continue to support the UAE with their existing fleet of C130 and L-100s," said Mr German. "We are prepared and always having discussions about where they need to go about modernising their C130s."
**********
An Airbus A400M military transporter. The company took a huge financial charge relating to the troubled plane. Bertrand Guay / AFP
While the model entered service five years late in 2013, it has continued to endure setbacks. One aircraft crashed on departing the factory in 2015 after three engines experienced power freezes, killing four people, while last year saw the discovery of cracks and issues with the plane’s propeller gearbox that Airbus has addressed with an interim fix.
Further concerns have emerged regarding the military capabilities of Europe’s biggest ongoing defense programme, so that the withholding of payments will weigh on the programme into 2018, the company warned.
The European aerospace group Airbus took a new €1 billion (Dh3.86bn) charge for its troubled A400M military aircraft programme as it posted higher than expected core earnings and revenues for 2016.
Organisers of the 2017 International Defence Exhibition and Conference are hoping to beat the Dh18.3 billion worth of deals achieved two years ago. Take a look at day three of the biennial arms and defence technology sales exhibition.
Visitors take a look at firearms on display at the Remah International Group. Satish Kumar / The National
A visitor tries out a firearm at the MCX stand. Reem Mohammed / The National
The US defence company Lockheed Martin is in talks with Arabian Gulf countries to sell F-16 multi-role fighter jets as well as upgrades to existing fleets.
"We are talking to some in the region [about sales]," Rick Groesch, Lockheed’s regional vice president, said on Tuesday at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi.
Talks with Bahrain on the sale of 16 to 19 F-16s stalled during the administration of the US president Barack Obama but have resumed under Donald Trump, said Mr Groesch.
"We are talking to them [Bahrain] about it and the [US] government is talking to them about buying an additional production aircraft which will be designated Block 70," he said.
Bahrain, the first country in the region to acquire F-16s about 25 years ago, is also looking to upgrade its existing fleet of 20 Block 40 aircraft, he said.
Lockheed Martin is still in discussions about possible upgrade of the UAE’s Block 60 F-16s, called the Desert Falcon. "Our concentration right now is the support of the aircraft that they got to be able to keep them available to fly the combat sortie rates," Mr Groesch said. "We are doing all the stuff right now in conjunction with the UAE Air Force to be able to have them fly those airplanes to 2030 to 2040."
The company is talking to several countries about upgrades, including to Egypt for its fleet of 30 Block 15 variant. Lockheed also plans to deliver five to six remaining Block 50 F-16s out of 36 built for Iraq.
"We will be done with production of Iraq aircraft later on toward the end of this year," Mr Groesch said.
The company plans to keep future production of F-16s in the US, he said. Lockheed has created F-16 assembly plants in Turkey, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands in the past.
"The next customer that we sell F-16 to we will build them in the US," said Mr Groesch.
The Trump administration has criticised US companies that have factories and assembly lines overseas and has vowed to create US jobs with his "America First" motto.
As for the delivery of C-130Js for Saudi Arabia, the company is still waiting for government-to-government talks to conclude. In 2013, the US announced Saudi Arabia’s intent to purchase 25 c-130J Super Hercules through a foreign military sale (FMS).
So far, Lockheed has delivered two KC-130J planes to Saudi Arabia.
"We continue to work with Saudi," said Timothy German, a regional executive at Lockheed. "It is an FMS case, so that’s between the US government and the Saudi government to determine the pacing when the rest of them will be delivered."
The UAE had held talks with Lockheed about the purchase of 12 C130J aircraft, without reaching an agreement.
"We continue to support the UAE with their existing fleet of C130 and L-100s," said Mr German. "We are prepared and always having discussions about where they need to go about modernising their C130s."
**********
An Airbus A400M military transporter. The company took a huge financial charge relating to the troubled plane. Bertrand Guay / AFP
While the model entered service five years late in 2013, it has continued to endure setbacks. One aircraft crashed on departing the factory in 2015 after three engines experienced power freezes, killing four people, while last year saw the discovery of cracks and issues with the plane’s propeller gearbox that Airbus has addressed with an interim fix.
Further concerns have emerged regarding the military capabilities of Europe’s biggest ongoing defense programme, so that the withholding of payments will weigh on the programme into 2018, the company warned.
The European aerospace group Airbus took a new €1 billion (Dh3.86bn) charge for its troubled A400M military aircraft programme as it posted higher than expected core earnings and revenues for 2016.
Organisers of the 2017 International Defence Exhibition and Conference are hoping to beat the Dh18.3 billion worth of deals achieved two years ago. Take a look at day three of the biennial arms and defence technology sales exhibition.
Visitors take a look at firearms on display at the Remah International Group. Satish Kumar / The National
A visitor tries out a firearm at the MCX stand. Reem Mohammed / The National
Hindustani78
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the Sudanese pavilion at Idex 2017. Reem Mohammed / The National
Visitors take a look at the Mercedez Benz stand. Reem Mohammed / The National
Delegates have a look at the Archangel aircraft at Idex 2017. Reem Mohammed / The National
Above, armed personnel suits on display at Idex 2017. Satish Kumar / The National
Above, a general view of Idex 2017. Satish Kumar / The National
Above, visitors at the Rhein Mettall stand. Satish Kumar / The National
Above, various models of helicopters on display at the Leonardo stand. Satish Kumar / The National
http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/idex-2017-deals-total-dh407-billion-on-another-bumper-day
The UAE Armed Forces awarded 31 deals worth Dh4.07 billion on day three of Idex, with the biggest contract going to Raytheon.
The US defence firm won a Dh828.3 million contract to supply the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force with an air defence system and spare parts, said Brigadier General Rashid Al Shamsi, the official spokesman for Idex.
UAE-based Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company won a Dh377m contract to offer Integrated Logistics Support for aircraft.
Palms Sports, another UAE-based company, clinched a Dh365.3m deal to provide specialised jiu-jitsu and combat training instructors.
Bayanat, a unit of Abu Dhabi-owned Emirates Defence Industries Company, won a Dh277m contract for software licences and the production of spatial information.
Tuesday’s deals bring the total for the first three days of the five-day biennial expo to Dh15.41bn.
More than Dh18.3bn worth of deals were struck at the 2015 event.
A total of 1,235 companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Russia’s Rostec are taking part in the five-day defence expo, a 3 per cent increase on 2015.
More than 100,000 visitors are expected to descend on the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), with the size of the event having expanded by 5 per cent to more than 53,500 square metres.
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/experts-reveal-cyber-security-systems-at-idex
ABU DHABI // An overhaul in the way government websites are protected to help tackle hackers and prevent information leaks was unveiled by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority at Idex on Monday.
Among the security systems introduced was Mosaic, which searches a target list for cyber-attacks in the UAE.
"It is still in beta testing and we started developing the application last August," said Ayoub Fathi, security assistant engineer at the authority.
"It searches keywords that are related to the UAE and finds out from hackers any information we need to know related to the UAE. We’re trying to improve it for now and we hope it will be fully functional by the end of the year."
So far the system has collected huge amounts of data, with hundreds of incidents reported.
"Most hackers are from outside the UAE," Mr Fathi said. "Hacker communities are getting bigger and a lot of information is difficult to detect without such a system. There’s also an increased use of smart technology and this is the kind of information you won’t get anywhere else."
Another system, the Data Leakage Detection System and Recovery, which is still under development, will allow authorities to find out if any confidential information related to the UAE has been made available to the public. "We started it last month," added Mr Fathi. "We’re doing it manually for now, it’s still in early stages and not in its final version yet."
***********
Visitors take a look at the Mercedez Benz stand. Reem Mohammed / The National
Delegates have a look at the Archangel aircraft at Idex 2017. Reem Mohammed / The National
Above, armed personnel suits on display at Idex 2017. Satish Kumar / The National
Above, a general view of Idex 2017. Satish Kumar / The National
Above, visitors at the Rhein Mettall stand. Satish Kumar / The National
Above, various models of helicopters on display at the Leonardo stand. Satish Kumar / The National
http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/idex-2017-deals-total-dh407-billion-on-another-bumper-day
The UAE Armed Forces awarded 31 deals worth Dh4.07 billion on day three of Idex, with the biggest contract going to Raytheon.
The US defence firm won a Dh828.3 million contract to supply the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force with an air defence system and spare parts, said Brigadier General Rashid Al Shamsi, the official spokesman for Idex.
UAE-based Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company won a Dh377m contract to offer Integrated Logistics Support for aircraft.
Palms Sports, another UAE-based company, clinched a Dh365.3m deal to provide specialised jiu-jitsu and combat training instructors.
Bayanat, a unit of Abu Dhabi-owned Emirates Defence Industries Company, won a Dh277m contract for software licences and the production of spatial information.
Tuesday’s deals bring the total for the first three days of the five-day biennial expo to Dh15.41bn.
More than Dh18.3bn worth of deals were struck at the 2015 event.
A total of 1,235 companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and Russia’s Rostec are taking part in the five-day defence expo, a 3 per cent increase on 2015.
More than 100,000 visitors are expected to descend on the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), with the size of the event having expanded by 5 per cent to more than 53,500 square metres.
http://www.thenational.ae/uae/experts-reveal-cyber-security-systems-at-idex
ABU DHABI // An overhaul in the way government websites are protected to help tackle hackers and prevent information leaks was unveiled by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority at Idex on Monday.
Among the security systems introduced was Mosaic, which searches a target list for cyber-attacks in the UAE.
"It is still in beta testing and we started developing the application last August," said Ayoub Fathi, security assistant engineer at the authority.
"It searches keywords that are related to the UAE and finds out from hackers any information we need to know related to the UAE. We’re trying to improve it for now and we hope it will be fully functional by the end of the year."
So far the system has collected huge amounts of data, with hundreds of incidents reported.
"Most hackers are from outside the UAE," Mr Fathi said. "Hacker communities are getting bigger and a lot of information is difficult to detect without such a system. There’s also an increased use of smart technology and this is the kind of information you won’t get anywhere else."
Another system, the Data Leakage Detection System and Recovery, which is still under development, will allow authorities to find out if any confidential information related to the UAE has been made available to the public. "We started it last month," added Mr Fathi. "We’re doing it manually for now, it’s still in early stages and not in its final version yet."
***********
Zarvan
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IDEX 2017: Burevestnik unveils new 30 mm remotely operated turret
Burevestnik's new 30 mm remotely operated turret on display at IDEX. Source: IHS Markit/Charles Forrester
Russian company Burevestnik displayed its 30 mm remotely operated turret for the first time at the IDEX show held in Abu Dhabi.
A Burevestnik representative told Jane's that the turret was developed to meet a Russian army requirement for a weapon station that can be fitted to a 4x4 version of the Kamaz Tayfun (Typhoon) family of armoured vehicles, and has now also been marketed for foreign customers.
He said that its combination of lightweight, limited intrusion into the vehicle, and its ability to be powered by existing electrical systems made it ideal for militaries that want to add heavy fire power to their light armoured vehicles.
It has a dual-feed 30Ú165 mm 2A42 cannon with a coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun mounted on the left side of the turret. The two feeds for the main gun are fed respectively from 200 and 100 magazines that can be reloaded from inside the vehicle.
The electro-optical sight system is not independently stabilised but mounted directly on top of the stabilised main gun. It has day and infrared cameras, a laser range finder that is linked to a fire control system with a ballistic computer to help accurately lay the weapon, as well as an automatic target tracker.
The turret intrudes around 10-15 cm into the vehicle and weighs just 1.1 tonnes, even though it is armoured to STANAG Level 2, according to the Burevestnik representative.
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(258 of 350 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/68097/idex-2017-burevestnik-unveils-new-30-mm-remotely-operated-turret
IDEX 2017: Paramount launches Mwari production
The Paramount Mwari. Source: Paramount Group
Paramount Group announced on 20 February that production of the military variant of its advanced, high performance, reconnaissance, light aircraft (AHRLAC), the Mwari, is to begin in April.
The first production aircraft is expected to be completed in June or July, with the company citing a "surge in customer demand" for the aircraft. Production of the aircraft is to shift to a new, 15,000 m 2 purpose-built facility at Wonderboom Airport. It is understood that the first Mwari aircraft are to be modified at the new factory from existing AHRLAC aircraft that are being built, before production of new-build, dedicated aircraft will begin in April.
The factory will have the capability to produce 24 aircraft a year with the potential to scale beyond this figure. While an order has been placed, the company declined to disclose how many aircraft it is contracted for.
The Mwari features 25 hardpoints in total, including six under-wing hardpoints. The aircraft has been demonstrated carrying Mokopa anti-tank guided missiles, but has the capability to also carry 20 mm cannon pods, 70 mm guided rockets, and Mk 81 precision-guided munitions.
Speaking to Jane's, Paramount Group chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said that the aircraft is "proving to be the most exciting platform at a time when asymmetrical warfare is demanding a platform like this that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world".
The aircraft is able to carry a vast range of sensors for operations, including electro-optical systems and laser designators, infrared line scanning for use in change monitoring, as well as long-range synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for reconnaissance missions. The aircraft is also able to carry electronic warfare systems for both offensive and defensive work.
"All these systems are interconnected and interlinked through a smart server system on board the aircraft. This allows for the integration and overlaying of all the data so that operators can identify anomalies on their patrol path, and make decisions in the cockpit on investigating or dealing with that anomaly.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options: ihs.com/contact
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http://www.janes.com/article/68091/idex-2017-paramount-launches-mwari-production
IDEX 2017: Groza-R enters C-UAV fray
The Groza-R is designed to jam RF and GPS signals. Source: IHS Markit/Huw Williams
KB Radar Design Bureau has developed a manportable counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) system, unveiling the package at IDEX 2017 in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to Jane's, Zhybul Siarhei Victorovich, head of KB Radar's electronic warfare department, said that the Groza-R Counter-Multicopter Radio Electronic Rifle had taken only two months to develop and leveraged the company's expertise in producing larger C-UAV systems.
The complete system comprises three antennas mounted onto a modified Cyma CM0011 rifle, with the jammer unit and battery carried in a backpack and connected to the rifle via a cable. For targeting, the rifle is fitted with a Sturman 1x38 RD optical sight; other equipment includes an SHC-8100L charging unit and a bipod.
The Groza-R is intended to counter commercial multicopters and smaller fixed-wing UAVs, Victorovich said, adding that the system jams satellite navigation signals - GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems - and radio-frequency (RF) communications - 2.4-2.485 GHz and 5.76-5.88 GHz.
Victorovich said that the system does not have a spoofing capability, instead it is designed to cause a target to crash or implement its return-to-base protocol.
The system can jam satellite navigation signals to a distance of at least 5 km and RF communications at up to 2 km range.
Victorovich explained that a minimum of power is emitted for both modes of jamming and that it can operate for at least one hour continuously.
The complete system weighs 10 kg - 8 kg of which is the backpack equipment and 2 kg the rifle.
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(273 of 283 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/68043/idex-2017-groza-r-enters-c-uav-fray
Burevestnik's new 30 mm remotely operated turret on display at IDEX. Source: IHS Markit/Charles Forrester
Russian company Burevestnik displayed its 30 mm remotely operated turret for the first time at the IDEX show held in Abu Dhabi.
A Burevestnik representative told Jane's that the turret was developed to meet a Russian army requirement for a weapon station that can be fitted to a 4x4 version of the Kamaz Tayfun (Typhoon) family of armoured vehicles, and has now also been marketed for foreign customers.
He said that its combination of lightweight, limited intrusion into the vehicle, and its ability to be powered by existing electrical systems made it ideal for militaries that want to add heavy fire power to their light armoured vehicles.
It has a dual-feed 30Ú165 mm 2A42 cannon with a coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun mounted on the left side of the turret. The two feeds for the main gun are fed respectively from 200 and 100 magazines that can be reloaded from inside the vehicle.
The electro-optical sight system is not independently stabilised but mounted directly on top of the stabilised main gun. It has day and infrared cameras, a laser range finder that is linked to a fire control system with a ballistic computer to help accurately lay the weapon, as well as an automatic target tracker.
The turret intrudes around 10-15 cm into the vehicle and weighs just 1.1 tonnes, even though it is armoured to STANAG Level 2, according to the Burevestnik representative.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options: ihs.com/contact
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(258 of 350 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/68097/idex-2017-burevestnik-unveils-new-30-mm-remotely-operated-turret
IDEX 2017: Paramount launches Mwari production
The Paramount Mwari. Source: Paramount Group
Paramount Group announced on 20 February that production of the military variant of its advanced, high performance, reconnaissance, light aircraft (AHRLAC), the Mwari, is to begin in April.
The first production aircraft is expected to be completed in June or July, with the company citing a "surge in customer demand" for the aircraft. Production of the aircraft is to shift to a new, 15,000 m 2 purpose-built facility at Wonderboom Airport. It is understood that the first Mwari aircraft are to be modified at the new factory from existing AHRLAC aircraft that are being built, before production of new-build, dedicated aircraft will begin in April.
The factory will have the capability to produce 24 aircraft a year with the potential to scale beyond this figure. While an order has been placed, the company declined to disclose how many aircraft it is contracted for.
The Mwari features 25 hardpoints in total, including six under-wing hardpoints. The aircraft has been demonstrated carrying Mokopa anti-tank guided missiles, but has the capability to also carry 20 mm cannon pods, 70 mm guided rockets, and Mk 81 precision-guided munitions.
Speaking to Jane's, Paramount Group chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said that the aircraft is "proving to be the most exciting platform at a time when asymmetrical warfare is demanding a platform like this that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world".
The aircraft is able to carry a vast range of sensors for operations, including electro-optical systems and laser designators, infrared line scanning for use in change monitoring, as well as long-range synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for reconnaissance missions. The aircraft is also able to carry electronic warfare systems for both offensive and defensive work.
"All these systems are interconnected and interlinked through a smart server system on board the aircraft. This allows for the integration and overlaying of all the data so that operators can identify anomalies on their patrol path, and make decisions in the cockpit on investigating or dealing with that anomaly.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options: ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(352 of 696 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/68091/idex-2017-paramount-launches-mwari-production
IDEX 2017: Groza-R enters C-UAV fray
The Groza-R is designed to jam RF and GPS signals. Source: IHS Markit/Huw Williams
KB Radar Design Bureau has developed a manportable counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) system, unveiling the package at IDEX 2017 in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to Jane's, Zhybul Siarhei Victorovich, head of KB Radar's electronic warfare department, said that the Groza-R Counter-Multicopter Radio Electronic Rifle had taken only two months to develop and leveraged the company's expertise in producing larger C-UAV systems.
The complete system comprises three antennas mounted onto a modified Cyma CM0011 rifle, with the jammer unit and battery carried in a backpack and connected to the rifle via a cable. For targeting, the rifle is fitted with a Sturman 1x38 RD optical sight; other equipment includes an SHC-8100L charging unit and a bipod.
The Groza-R is intended to counter commercial multicopters and smaller fixed-wing UAVs, Victorovich said, adding that the system jams satellite navigation signals - GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems - and radio-frequency (RF) communications - 2.4-2.485 GHz and 5.76-5.88 GHz.
Victorovich said that the system does not have a spoofing capability, instead it is designed to cause a target to crash or implement its return-to-base protocol.
The system can jam satellite navigation signals to a distance of at least 5 km and RF communications at up to 2 km range.
Victorovich explained that a minimum of power is emitted for both modes of jamming and that it can operate for at least one hour continuously.
The complete system weighs 10 kg - 8 kg of which is the backpack equipment and 2 kg the rifle.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options: ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(273 of 283 words)
http://www.janes.com/article/68043/idex-2017-groza-r-enters-c-uav-fray
Finally some pictures from Assault Rifles booth. Hope to see more pictures from FN and Berreta and other Rifle booth also @Khafeehttp://www.thenational.ae/business/...s-f-16-sales-and-upgrades-with-regions-forces
The US defence company Lockheed Martin is in talks with Arabian Gulf countries to sell F-16 multi-role fighter jets as well as upgrades to existing fleets.
"We are talking to some in the region [about sales]," Rick Groesch, Lockheed’s regional vice president, said on Tuesday at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi.
Talks with Bahrain on the sale of 16 to 19 F-16s stalled during the administration of the US president Barack Obama but have resumed under Donald Trump, said Mr Groesch.
"We are talking to them [Bahrain] about it and the [US] government is talking to them about buying an additional production aircraft which will be designated Block 70," he said.
Bahrain, the first country in the region to acquire F-16s about 25 years ago, is also looking to upgrade its existing fleet of 20 Block 40 aircraft, he said.
Lockheed Martin is still in discussions about possible upgrade of the UAE’s Block 60 F-16s, called the Desert Falcon. "Our concentration right now is the support of the aircraft that they got to be able to keep them available to fly the combat sortie rates," Mr Groesch said. "We are doing all the stuff right now in conjunction with the UAE Air Force to be able to have them fly those airplanes to 2030 to 2040."
The company is talking to several countries about upgrades, including to Egypt for its fleet of 30 Block 15 variant. Lockheed also plans to deliver five to six remaining Block 50 F-16s out of 36 built for Iraq.
"We will be done with production of Iraq aircraft later on toward the end of this year," Mr Groesch said.
The company plans to keep future production of F-16s in the US, he said. Lockheed has created F-16 assembly plants in Turkey, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands in the past.
"The next customer that we sell F-16 to we will build them in the US," said Mr Groesch.
The Trump administration has criticised US companies that have factories and assembly lines overseas and has vowed to create US jobs with his "America First" motto.
As for the delivery of C-130Js for Saudi Arabia, the company is still waiting for government-to-government talks to conclude. In 2013, the US announced Saudi Arabia’s intent to purchase 25 c-130J Super Hercules through a foreign military sale (FMS).
So far, Lockheed has delivered two KC-130J planes to Saudi Arabia.
"We continue to work with Saudi," said Timothy German, a regional executive at Lockheed. "It is an FMS case, so that’s between the US government and the Saudi government to determine the pacing when the rest of them will be delivered."
The UAE had held talks with Lockheed about the purchase of 12 C130J aircraft, without reaching an agreement.
"We continue to support the UAE with their existing fleet of C130 and L-100s," said Mr German. "We are prepared and always having discussions about where they need to go about modernising their C130s."
**********
An Airbus A400M military transporter. The company took a huge financial charge relating to the troubled plane. Bertrand Guay / AFP
While the model entered service five years late in 2013, it has continued to endure setbacks. One aircraft crashed on departing the factory in 2015 after three engines experienced power freezes, killing four people, while last year saw the discovery of cracks and issues with the plane’s propeller gearbox that Airbus has addressed with an interim fix.
Further concerns have emerged regarding the military capabilities of Europe’s biggest ongoing defense programme, so that the withholding of payments will weigh on the programme into 2018, the company warned.
The European aerospace group Airbus took a new €1 billion (Dh3.86bn) charge for its troubled A400M military aircraft programme as it posted higher than expected core earnings and revenues for 2016.
Organisers of the 2017 International Defence Exhibition and Conference are hoping to beat the Dh18.3 billion worth of deals achieved two years ago. Take a look at day three of the biennial arms and defence technology sales exhibition.
Visitors take a look at firearms on display at the Remah International Group. Satish Kumar / The National
A visitor tries out a firearm at the MCX stand. Reem Mohammed / The National
Zarvan
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IDEX 2017: Abu Dhabi Based Caracal Unveils Home-made Assault Rifle
Caracal 816 Assault Rifle
Abu Dhabi-based Caracal, a small arms manufacturer has unveiled Sultan, a 5.56mm calibre assault rifle at IDEX 2017.
"Sultan is the company's latest light firearm. It is a 100 per cent national product. It was designed for various assault missions and is capable of carrying a range of military accessories such as flashlights, silencers and sights," Salim Al Ameri, CEO of Caracal International was quoted as saying to WAM Tuesday.
Sultan is a development of the CAR 817 DMR, a 7.62mm, high precision semi-automatic, gas operated, rotating bolt system tactical rifle, produced by Caracal, he said in an interview at the 13th International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), being held in Abu Dhabi.
Another feature of Sultan is that it does not need to be cleaned of carbon and fouling, even after hundreds of shots.
The subsidiary of Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), Caracal is eyeing to meet the demand for small firearms by the UAE Armed Forces, as well as cater to clients in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South Africa.
It is not yet known if the new weapon has been qualified to be accepted by the armed forces of the UAE or any other gulf state.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18...Based_Caracal_Unveils_Home_made_Assault_Rifle
Caracal 816 Assault Rifle
Abu Dhabi-based Caracal, a small arms manufacturer has unveiled Sultan, a 5.56mm calibre assault rifle at IDEX 2017.
"Sultan is the company's latest light firearm. It is a 100 per cent national product. It was designed for various assault missions and is capable of carrying a range of military accessories such as flashlights, silencers and sights," Salim Al Ameri, CEO of Caracal International was quoted as saying to WAM Tuesday.
Sultan is a development of the CAR 817 DMR, a 7.62mm, high precision semi-automatic, gas operated, rotating bolt system tactical rifle, produced by Caracal, he said in an interview at the 13th International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), being held in Abu Dhabi.
Another feature of Sultan is that it does not need to be cleaned of carbon and fouling, even after hundreds of shots.
The subsidiary of Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), Caracal is eyeing to meet the demand for small firearms by the UAE Armed Forces, as well as cater to clients in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South Africa.
It is not yet known if the new weapon has been qualified to be accepted by the armed forces of the UAE or any other gulf state.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18...Based_Caracal_Unveils_Home_made_Assault_Rifle
HannibalBarca
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DAY 4- IDEX2017 - UAE contract list:
Staff Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Official Spokesperson of IDEX 2017, announced 20 new deals worth over AED 3.4 billion (US$ 925 million) at a press conference on day four of the 13th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, IDEX 2017.
The national companies were awarded 13 deals, while the remaining seven deals went to international companies. The press conference, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, was attended by Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli, Official Spokesperson of the fourth edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition, NAVDEX 2017.
Staff Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi announced the following contracts signed by the UAE Armed Forces: A contract worth AED 46. 9 million was won by the UAE based company, International Golden Group, IGG, to develop infrastructure for IT projects. A contract worth over AED 6.8 million was awarded to the Swiss company, Rheinmentall Air Defence, to offer the UAE Air Force with technical support. While a contract worth AED 27 million was won by UAE based company E-Marine to extend naval cables.
A contract valued at over AED 409.2 million was won by the UAE based company, Caracal International to purchase weaponry. Condor Medical Waste Treatment Company a UAE-based company was awarded a contract worth about AED 2.4 million to provide technical and medical support for the transport and processing of medical waste.
The UAE based company, Ahmed Al Mazrouei Metal Industries was awarded AED20 million contract to produce and install storage for weapons and maintenance of moving targets at shooting ranges and equipment. Meanwhile, the UAE based company, Al Futtaim Motors also won a contract valued at AED20 million to provide technical support.
The UAE based company, Royal Jet was awarded a contract worth AED60 million to provide private air transport for VIPs.
The UAE based Emirates Motor Company for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Mercedes-Benz vehicles won a contract valued at AED30 million.
The UAE based Burkan Munitions Systems won a contract valued at over AED 36. 3 million to purchase ammunitions for the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force The UAE based company Emirates.
Defence Technology, EDT, was awarded a contract valued at over AED59.1 million to buy and ammunitions for land forces. Meanwhile, the UAE based company TRUST won a contract worth AED 300 million to supply and buy machinery.
The UAE based company Star Satellite Communications Company was awarded a contract valued at about AED745.2 million, to buy satellite communications terminals.
The UAE based company, Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company, ADASI, won a contract valued at AED 140.3 million to supply thermal imaging cameras and ground control stations.
The French company Thales Communications & Security won a contract worth about AED 26.7 million to provide spareparts for telecommunication systems.
Meanwhile, French company Dassault Aviation was awarded worth AED51million to provide technical support for aircrafts of the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force. The French company Thales Communications & Security won a contract valued at about AED 38.6 million to purchase and install air communication system stations.
The Italian company AgustaWestland Aviation Services, was awarded a contract worth over AED 8.9 million to modernise the interior cabin of VIPs’ aircrafts. The American company Raytheon won a contract valued at about AED1.3 billion to buy ammunitions for the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force.
The UAE based company Star Satellite Communications Company was awarded a contract valued at about AED745.2 million, to buy satellite communications terminals.
The American company Satellite Imaging Technologies Gmbh was awarded a contract valued at AED 96.9 million to rent imaging satellites.
Over the past four days, during IDEX and NAVDEX 2017, the UAE Armed Forces penned a cumulative of 82 deals worth more than AED 18.833 billion. The past three days are split as follows: Day one of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 witnessed 21 deals worth more than AED 4.416 billion, Day two of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 witnessed 10 new deals worth more than AED 6.919 billion, Day three of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 witnessed 31 new deals worth more than AED 4.075 billion.
Staff Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Official Spokesperson of IDEX 2017, announced 20 new deals worth over AED 3.4 billion (US$ 925 million) at a press conference on day four of the 13th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, IDEX 2017.
The national companies were awarded 13 deals, while the remaining seven deals went to international companies. The press conference, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, was attended by Naval Staff Colonel Fahed Nasser Al Thehli, Official Spokesperson of the fourth edition of the Naval Defence Exhibition, NAVDEX 2017.
Staff Brigadier-General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi announced the following contracts signed by the UAE Armed Forces: A contract worth AED 46. 9 million was won by the UAE based company, International Golden Group, IGG, to develop infrastructure for IT projects. A contract worth over AED 6.8 million was awarded to the Swiss company, Rheinmentall Air Defence, to offer the UAE Air Force with technical support. While a contract worth AED 27 million was won by UAE based company E-Marine to extend naval cables.
A contract valued at over AED 409.2 million was won by the UAE based company, Caracal International to purchase weaponry. Condor Medical Waste Treatment Company a UAE-based company was awarded a contract worth about AED 2.4 million to provide technical and medical support for the transport and processing of medical waste.
The UAE based company, Ahmed Al Mazrouei Metal Industries was awarded AED20 million contract to produce and install storage for weapons and maintenance of moving targets at shooting ranges and equipment. Meanwhile, the UAE based company, Al Futtaim Motors also won a contract valued at AED20 million to provide technical support.
The UAE based company, Royal Jet was awarded a contract worth AED60 million to provide private air transport for VIPs.
The UAE based Emirates Motor Company for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Mercedes-Benz vehicles won a contract valued at AED30 million.
The UAE based Burkan Munitions Systems won a contract valued at over AED 36. 3 million to purchase ammunitions for the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force The UAE based company Emirates.
Defence Technology, EDT, was awarded a contract valued at over AED59.1 million to buy and ammunitions for land forces. Meanwhile, the UAE based company TRUST won a contract worth AED 300 million to supply and buy machinery.
The UAE based company Star Satellite Communications Company was awarded a contract valued at about AED745.2 million, to buy satellite communications terminals.
The UAE based company, Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company, ADASI, won a contract valued at AED 140.3 million to supply thermal imaging cameras and ground control stations.
The French company Thales Communications & Security won a contract worth about AED 26.7 million to provide spareparts for telecommunication systems.
Meanwhile, French company Dassault Aviation was awarded worth AED51million to provide technical support for aircrafts of the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force. The French company Thales Communications & Security won a contract valued at about AED 38.6 million to purchase and install air communication system stations.
The Italian company AgustaWestland Aviation Services, was awarded a contract worth over AED 8.9 million to modernise the interior cabin of VIPs’ aircrafts. The American company Raytheon won a contract valued at about AED1.3 billion to buy ammunitions for the UAE Air Force and UAE Air Defence Force.
The UAE based company Star Satellite Communications Company was awarded a contract valued at about AED745.2 million, to buy satellite communications terminals.
The American company Satellite Imaging Technologies Gmbh was awarded a contract valued at AED 96.9 million to rent imaging satellites.
Over the past four days, during IDEX and NAVDEX 2017, the UAE Armed Forces penned a cumulative of 82 deals worth more than AED 18.833 billion. The past three days are split as follows: Day one of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 witnessed 21 deals worth more than AED 4.416 billion, Day two of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 witnessed 10 new deals worth more than AED 6.919 billion, Day three of IDEX and NAVDEX 2017 witnessed 31 new deals worth more than AED 4.075 billion.
Zarvan
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The SC
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South Korea Section
IDEX 2017
Korean missile partnership [IDEX17D4]
Emirates Guided Bomb (EGB)
Raybolt
Emirates Systems & Support Services (ESSS) was established in 2014 as a partnership with LIGNex1 from South Korea to offer a range of products and services. ESSS is exhibiting as part of the Emirates Advanced Research and Technology Holding (EARTH) display (Stand 12-A05), where some of the company’s products are on show.
Included are the Raybolt and Emirates Guided Bomb (EGB). Raybolt is a medium-range infantry missile that can be fired from either a man-portable tube or from a vehicle mount. It has top and direct attack modes. The EGB (pictured) is a wing/guidance kit that turns a Mk 80 series unguided bomb into a standoff precision attack weapon that uses inertial/GPS navigation. The system has a wireless interface that connects the bomb’s fire control unit to the pilot’s knee-pad unit or mission-planning unit. Using wireless communications negates the need for any special modification to the aircraft platform. The LIGNex1 wing kit is already in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force.
Other precision-guided weapons in the ESSS portfolio are the 130mm Coastal Defense Rocket, M-SAM mid-range surface-to-air missile and the Blue Shark lightweight torpedo.
ESSS also offers launcher systems for air, sea and land applications.
http://www.janes.com/article/68059/korean-missile-partnership-idex17d4
IDEX 2017
Korean missile partnership [IDEX17D4]
Emirates Guided Bomb (EGB)
Raybolt
Emirates Systems & Support Services (ESSS) was established in 2014 as a partnership with LIGNex1 from South Korea to offer a range of products and services. ESSS is exhibiting as part of the Emirates Advanced Research and Technology Holding (EARTH) display (Stand 12-A05), where some of the company’s products are on show.
Included are the Raybolt and Emirates Guided Bomb (EGB). Raybolt is a medium-range infantry missile that can be fired from either a man-portable tube or from a vehicle mount. It has top and direct attack modes. The EGB (pictured) is a wing/guidance kit that turns a Mk 80 series unguided bomb into a standoff precision attack weapon that uses inertial/GPS navigation. The system has a wireless interface that connects the bomb’s fire control unit to the pilot’s knee-pad unit or mission-planning unit. Using wireless communications negates the need for any special modification to the aircraft platform. The LIGNex1 wing kit is already in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force.
Other precision-guided weapons in the ESSS portfolio are the 130mm Coastal Defense Rocket, M-SAM mid-range surface-to-air missile and the Blue Shark lightweight torpedo.
ESSS also offers launcher systems for air, sea and land applications.
http://www.janes.com/article/68059/korean-missile-partnership-idex17d4
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