Arms Sales to Middle East Backfire

Arms sales to Arab countries have been a gold mine for the Dutch government, but now it seems the Netherlands is regretting its choice of trading partners; Dutch armed vehicles may have been used against protesters in the recent uprisings in Egypt and Bahrain. Over the last two decades, the Netherlands has sold 730 million euros worth of surplus arms and material to the Arab world. In addition to Egypt and Bahrain, customers have included Morocco, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The merchandise has consisted of armored personnel carriers (APCs), navy frigates, F-16 fighter jets, anti-tank missiles, radar systems and self-propelled howitzers. The Egyptian and Bahraini armies reportedly used the Dutch APCs against their own people. The vehicles were recognized on photographs made by news channels during the recent protests. The Dutch foreign ministry denies this, saying that it’s not clear whether the APCs in the photographs were actually supplied by the Netherlands.

Al Jaber Group Selects Oshkosh Defense Global Heavy Equipment Transporter for UAE Armed Forces

ABU DHABI and OSHKOSH -- Al Jaber Group, a privately owned, multi-faceted group of companies based in Abu Dhabi, has selected Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, to provide the Global Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) vehicle to support United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Oshkosh will fulfill Al Jaber’s initial purchase of Global HETs by early 2012. “Our goal is to provide the UAE with the world’s most powerful military vehicles as part of an overall logistics and fleet management solution,” said Obaid Khaleefa Jaber Al Murri, Chairman, Al Jaber Group. “Our focus is on quality and long-term performance, and Oshkosh was the clear choice. They have a successful history of designing, manufacturing and sustaining heavy-duty vehicles for the U.S. Army and militaries around the world.”

Bangladesh to Purchase Missiles from Europe, Turkey

 Bangladesh plans to place new orders for anti-ship and air defense missiles. Among the possible suppliers, MBDA could provide its OTOMAT Mk II anti-ship missile and five launch systems, and Aselsan of Turkey may offer its Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) systems and 3D air defense radars. These surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) would be operated by the Bangladeshi Air Force.

      Bangladesh has already acquired Chinese anti-ship missiles and established a missile launch pad near the Chittagong Port with assistance from China. A Chinese-built C802A missile was fired on May 12 from the frigate BNS Osman near Kutubdia Island in the Bay of Bengal.

More efficient bases for Afghanistan showcased

New ways of making forward operating bases used by British troops in Afghanistan easier to construct and more energy efficient were displayed yesterday. Units deployed in Helmand work out of tactical bases or forward operating bases in remote locations. The bases require supporting infrastructure and capabilities. At the moment there is a multitude of designs, and configurations have evolved during operations dependent on the types of missions conducted from each base. The MOD's Programmes and Technology Group has been collaborating with industry to develop an open architecture and create a scalable, modular approach to tactical base equipment and infrastructure. The generic base architecture project aims to develop the thinking of the tactical base as a system, rather than a collection of constituent parts, that will enable them to be easily adapted when the need arises, cutting the work in theatre, and reducing the operational burden. Some of the possible new designs were displayed at the FOBEX event yesterday at Caerwent Training Area, near Newport, South Wales.

Bangladesh to purchase anti-armor and anti-ship missile from china

The Bangladeshi military will receive new equipment as part of a 10-year modernization program. Bangladesh's Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal A.K. Khandker (ret.) stated that the effort to purchase new equipment is on track. Orders will be placed for new armored vehicles during the current fiscal years. The Bangladeshi Army wants seven tanks and an armored recovery vehicle.

      The Bangladeshi Army has various foreign-made armored vehicles. This fleet includes 1,080 Russian-built BTR-80 and BTR-70 wheeled armored vehicles, as well as 60 Egyptian-made Fahd 28s and several Turkish and Romanian 6x6 RN-94 armored personnel carriers (APCs).

      Besides vehicles, Bangladesh plans to purchase anti-armor and anti-ship missile systems. The Bangladeshi Navy's Osman, a modified Type 053H frigate, will be fitted with anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles from China. The BNS Bangabandhu will be similarly equipped.

      In addition, Bangladesh wants to purchase three new frigates to replace a similar number of ex-British Royal Navy ships currently in service. Bangladesh hopes to be operating submarines by 2019.

Bangladesh Navy orders two AgustaWestland AW109 Powers

AgustaWestland has announced the award of a contract by the Bangladesh Navy for two AW109 Power maritime helicopters. The helicopters will be used for a wide range of naval missions including search and rescue, economic zone protection, surface surveillance and maritime security. The aircraft will be delivered in 2011 and will be capable of being operated from the frigate BNS Bangabandhu.

      The contract also includes a comprehensive training package including VFR/IFR conversion for aircrew, initial operational maritime training using an AW109 Power Level-D flight simulator and training for maintenance engineers.

      Graham Cole, Managing Director, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted that the Bangladesh Navy has selected the AW109 Power to meet its maritime helicopter requirements after a thorough evaluation of all available platforms. We look forward to delivering the helicopters and the comprehensive training and support solution we have tailored specifically to meet the requirements of the Bangladesh Navy.” The AW109 Power is a 3 ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines with FADEC. The spacious cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles. The aircraft’s safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.

      The AW109 Power has established itself as the world’s best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions. The AW109 Power’s superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class. For shipboard operations the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures. The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW109 Power to perform its mission when many others helicopters would be confined to the ship’s hangar.

      Over 550 AW109 Power and AW109 LUH helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.