World market and production of armored vehicles (part 1 of 3)
LAV-25 from the 3 of the light-armored reconnaissance battalion WOLFPACK
Fundamental changes in the framework of security in the world led to new challenges, greater participation of the armed forces and growing international obligations. This led to the emergence of new structures and weapons, which could correspond to new scenarios and tasks. In order to perform expanded operations in global crisis areas, modern armed forces need new capabilities and corresponding armored vehicles; in particular, military equipment, which ensures that the Armed Forces perform their tasks while minimizing the risk for each soldier.
Industry ground systems
74 companies around the world are capable of developing and producing armored vehicles of varying complexity. In Europe, there are 35 system companies, which is a demonstration that the industry is still fragmented compared to, for example, the European aerospace industry. Fundamental changes have occurred in the last decade through mergers, acquisitions and founding new companies, but much remains to be done in this area.
Technological capabilities of designing systems for the development and production of armored vehicles are characterized by the following significant technical, financial and organizational aspects:
- design of technically sophisticated, innovative and combat-oriented armored vehicles;
- development and design of complete systems;
- production and testing of test products, options for custom tests and serial products;
- availability of modern production capacity;
- preparation of logistic support;
- development of appropriate logistics systems at the operational stage, including measures to maintain combat readiness;
- organization of effective management.
In addition to system companies, manufacturers of assembly units and components also contribute to a large extent to the standards of high technical characteristics of armored vehicles. In many cases, they are able to integrate their products into foreign cars, such as engines, transmissions, tracks, guns, fire control systems, electrical, optical-electronic components, modular booking and much more.
The global formation of the ground-based systems industry is determined by two “pillars”, BAE Systems and General Dynamics (GD) Combat Systems, as well as commercial truck manufacturers who expand their business in the military market.
BAE Systems pushed the European consolidation process forward by acquiring traditional British companies such as Alvis Vehicles, Royal Ordnance, Vickers Defense Systems, VSEL, and the Swedish company Hagglunds. In addition, it strengthened transatlantic cooperation through the acquisition of United Defense and Armor Holdings, and thus opened the American market widely. In the UK, companies such as Supacat, TVM, Defense Support Group DSG, Jankel, Force Protection Europe, Lockheed Martin UK have entered the market with new products.
GD Combat Systems from the United States has greatly contributed to the development of the European defense market and created a solid foundation for itself through the acquisition of the Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug, the Swiss Mowag, the Spanish Santa Barbara and the German EWK, combining these legal entities under the same parent company General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) is headquartered in Vienna.
With the start of the development and production of MRAP type machines (with enhanced mine protection), Force Protection, Navistar and Oshkosh companies were able to win a significant share of the armored vehicles market. In Germany, the new company Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH (RMMV) - a joint venture between Rheinmetall Defense and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge - was founded by transferring the Rheinmetall Landsysteme division for wheeled combat vehicles and the MAN division for logistics vehicles to RMMV.
Fig. 1. Regional distribution of system companies for armored vehicles.
(WORLD DEFENSE ALMANAC (WDA) 2010 and Military Balance 2010)
It is still not clear which way other European companies from this sector will go, especially Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall Landsysteme in Germany, Nexter in France, Oto Melara in Italy, Patria in Finland and the highly fragmented Polish industry of ground systems.
After the fall of the Soviet Union and major economic problems, the Russian armored car industry maintained a good position in many markets, especially in India. Russian companies of ground-based systems Almaz-Antey, Arzamas, KBP, KBM, Kurganmashzavod, Omsktransmash, Rubtsovsk, Ulyanovsk, Uralvagonzavod and Volgograd Tractor Plant manufacture and export a large number and a wide range of models of main combat tanks (MBT) T-Class, BMP, BTR, BMD, BRDM and anti-aircraft systems "ground-to-air."
Many Asian countries have created an efficient industry of ground systems and are active on a global scale. Companies from South Korea and Singapore have succeeded in discovering the European defense market. In connection with the lifting of the ban on arms exports, Japan will soon follow them.
Fig. 2: Regional reserves of armored vehicles
Armored vehicles
In the future, a wide range of various armored vehicles - MBT, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery systems, support vehicles, light and medium vehicles - will form the basis of a modern, comprehensively equipped army. Changing combat scenarios along with technological progress led to new requirements for armored vehicles:
- The ability to perform tasks across the spectrum of crises and conflicts;
- Wider operational areas with extreme climates;
- Additional military requirements, such as improved operational management and intelligence systems, better protection and air transportability.
For this reason, several development and procurement projects focused on the combat missions of armored vehicles were identified and planned in order to replace outdated products and close the inequality of opportunities in armaments.
Excluding MBT, according to DefenseIQ.com worldwide, there are 180 283 light armored vehicles (armored cars, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers) in service. 71 027 (39,4%) of them are in service with the countries of Eastern Europe, while Russia alone holds a share in 32,6% (58 700 units) of the entire global fleet.
Main battle tanks
With their inherent optimized firepower, protection and mobility, MBT is still one of the most effective weapons systems in the ground forces. Worldwide MBT reserves account for 81 938 units, of which 17 161 falls to Eastern European countries (21%), of which, in turn, 15,4% (12 600 units) falls to Russia. The number of MBTs has gradually decreased in the last decade. However, between regions there were sometimes significant real shifts due to the cancellation or sale of surplus and the purchase of new MBT. In addition, the MBT market is determined by numerous modernization programs. But, after a period of crisis management in some countries involving light and mobile forces, the value of MBT has relatively recently begun to grow due to the threat of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in areas of high-intensity conflict.
Lockheed Martin UK solution for WARRIOR life extension program (WCSP)
Europe
The reduced numbers and the modified structure of the Armed Forces in Europe have significantly affected not only the reserves and types of armored vehicles, but also the market structure. The total number of armored vehicles reaches 71 027 units, and this is 18% of the global market.
The European industry of ground-based systems is still very fragmented and has a wide range of non-uniform armored vehicles.
MBT stocks in Europe (excluding CIS) fell by 43% (from 25 083 machines in 1998 to 14 278 units in 2009) as a result of reductions and restructuring of the Armed Forces. At the same time, this illustrates the dominant position of the German MBO LEOPARD 1 and LEOPARD 2 (the number of 4751 machines, 33,1%) they hold on the European market. The number of Russian-made machines (2940 machines, 20,6%) has fallen seriously in the last decade. If we look at the American share of 5006 tanks M48 and M60 (35,1%), and then consider the competitive positions of Americans in Europe, we see that the American MBT Abrams M1 has not been represented in any European country so far and that three-quarters of This amount belongs to Turkey.
Traditionally, the design and number of heavy armored vehicles in the national order books were determined primarily by the confrontation in the Cold War and the main objectives of the national defense. However, it is assumed that the threat scenarios will cause the determination of the next, more stringent, future requirements for protection regarding mobility and air transport.
Several countries have bought German or Dutch surplus of LEOPARD MBT, which are currently in service with 16 countries. Chile is in the process of purchasing approximately 100 Leopard 2A5 tanks from Germany, upgraded to meet Chilean requirements.
Based on the Canadian International Policy Statement and the Canadian Forces, Canada bought LEOPARD 80A2 4 tanks from the surplus of the Dutch army and LEOPARD 20A2 tanks for 6 Billions of Canadian dollars, and also leased XNXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX of which of the Canadian Forces. with additional mine protection and two BREM BUFFEL Recovery Vehicle 1,3. After the modernization program LEOPARD 20 will remain in service with Canada until 2.
Turkey is one of the few countries where new MBTs are being developed. In September 2007, Otokar was selected by the Turkish Defense Ministry’s Defense Industry Secretariat as the main contractor for the Altay project. Phase I. At this stage of 78,5 months, funding was received from the budget in the amount of 500 million dollars, including design and development, prototyping and qualification . Altay Stage I was divided into three sub-steps. Sub-Phase I provided for the creation of a general concept and analysis of system requirements, it began in January of the 2009 year and lasted approximately 18 months. This was followed by Sub-Stage II - the detailed design stage, which included not only the development of working documentation, but also the manufacture of two experimental setups, a Mobile Test Set (MTR) and a Firing Test Set (FTR), the manufacture of which was completed at the end of 2012. The layout of the new tank was officially shown in May 2011, at the IDEF in Istanbul. Sub-stage II was successfully completed in May of the 2013 of the year after the MTR and FTR mileage (each more than 4000 km) and several shooting tests of the FTR unit. These prototypes also underwent severe climatic tests under extreme climatic and relief conditions. Sub-stage III development and qualification of the prototype began in June 2013 of the year. Further testing and optimization of the fire parameters are carried out on the mobile units MTR and FTR, while the production of two experimental machines (PV1 and PV2) is expected to be completed by the middle of the 2014 year. These two prototypes will pass qualification and acceptance tests in the second half of the 2014 year and during the 2015 year. Although the German MTU-Renk power unit is installed in the Altay tank, more than 100 Turkish subcontractors participate in this project. The largest among them is the company Aselsan, which is responsible for a modern computerized fire control system and a battle management system. Roketsan provides booking solutions, while MKE makes the 120-mm L55 smoothbore gun. Otokar develops and manufactures the machine control system and driver display itself. According to the parent company, the qualification tests of the subsystems of these main components are almost complete. It is expected that after completion of Stage I, Stage II will follow, in which mass production is envisaged. It is expected that deliveries of the first batch of 250 tanks will begin at the end of 2016, and will be completed in five years.
The Swiss LEOPARD 134 2, designated Pz 87 LEO in Switzerland, was upgraded by RUAG Defense in the 2008 – 2011 years. New tower electric drives, commander periscopes with night vision were installed, the concept of expandable modular protection was introduced in order to improve command, protective, ergonomic capabilities, increase the service life and reduce the cost of the entire life cycle of this weapon system. LEOPARD 28 2 tanks were equipped with modern FIS operational control system.
In the British Annual Strategic Defense and Safety Review of 2010 (SDSR), an OBN CHALLENGER 2 reduction of 40% was planned, from 345 to 207 vehicles, which directly affected the planned modernization programs of these armored vehicles. But at this time, the government replayed and decided to reduce the tank component of the British army to three regiments, each with Challenger 56 tanks, although some more tanks would be in operation to meet the needs of the armored school and used for spare parts, since not a single tank factory was left. As part of the life extension program, the Challenger II LEP (Life Extension Program) will have to upgrade the 2-mm L120 smoothbore gun, digital communication, new EuroPowerPack power unit with MTU 55 engine on 883 kW and Renk HSWL 1100 TM transmission. No official decision has yet been announced on the status of the Challenger II LEP program; it is at the concept stage, and the development and procurement strategy for it has not yet been announced.
The French program SCORPION on the transformation of the fleet of armored vehicles also provides for the modernization of the Leclerc MBT while reducing the total number. Of the Leclerc tanks originally purchased by 406, only 254 vehicles are currently deployed in four shelves, each with an 54 tank. The 2013 white paper (official government document) predicts a further reduction to about 200 tanks; This number can be obtained by reducing the number of vehicles per regiment (initially, each French tank regiment was armed with 80 Leclerc tanks in two battalions).
In addition, the program for the Swedish SEP was canceled, mainly for financial reasons. After overcoming some legal turbulence, in August 2010, the Swedish Defense Procurement Administration issued a contract for the purchase of 113 AVM machines (including an option for additional 113 machines) from Patria. In March, 2013, Patria supplied the Swedish army with the first 113 AMV vehicles of the latest generation.
Rice 3: Production stocks of armored vehicles
Figure 4: System companies for armored vehicles in Europe
Armored infantry fighting vehicles
In Europe, the current market for infantry fighting vehicles (BMP) is determined by the successful promotion of the Swedish CV90. More 1200 machines were selected by the armed forces of Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. In 2012, the royal army of the Netherlands acquired the 184 BMX CV9035NL from BAE Systems Hagglunds worth 749 million euros. The CVNNXX 150 machines are equipped with a BUSHMASTER 90-mm cannon, the other 35s will become command posts. Denmark ordered 34 CV45MkIII with a total value of 9035 million euros from Hydrema Export as the main Danish contractor. Further distribution on the market of machines was or will be achieved through the purchase of PIZARRO in Spain, ASCOD 240 in Britain, UMA in Germany, the program for extending the life of the BMP WARRIOR (WCSP) and several other programs for the modernization of the BMP.
BMP PUMA is a key project for the modernization of the German army. Over 350 BMPs Puma were ordered by Germany from Projeckt System & Management (PSM), a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme specially created for this project. Nine machines have been manufactured and are currently undergoing extensive qualification tests.
The Bundeswehr originally ordered Puma's 405 vehicles, but after the reorganization process, the German military and PSM agreed in July to reduce the order to 2012 vehicles (350 BMP and 342 driving instruction machines) and extend the qualification testing period to the end of September 8. BMP Puma has already passed an advanced qualification and verification program. Numerous individual tests and tests were carried out and completed: running, operational, ergonomic, and the functionality of the SLA, turret systems, and weapons was tested. Also at the beginning of 2013, the Arctic Circle in Norway in parallel passed successful three-month low-temperature tests. In addition, by the end of 2012, comprehensive qualification testing of the systems will take place, with numerous activities planned.
Immediately after receiving a user certificate based on the results of all tests carried out, in 2014, the production of Puma machines will increase to about 50 units per year and will continue until the final delivery in 2020. The transfer of the first BMP Puma of the German army is scheduled for 2014 year. Puma is also moving to overseas markets, for PSM Canada and Australia are currently priority areas.
The British SDSR survey states that “the exact number of WARRIOR BMPs to be decommissioned is not specified in the SDSR. (...) However, it is assumed that (...) 171 WARRIOR IFVs will be decommissioned. " In the British army, the WARRIOR BMP will remain in service beyond 2040. Therefore, the remaining vehicles will be upgraded as part of the WCSP program. WCSP has four main sections: WFLIP (WARRIOR Fightability & Lethality Improvement Program), WMPS (WARRIOR Modular Protection System), WEA (WARRIOR Electronic Architecture) and ABSV (Armored Battlefield Support Vehicle - armored support vehicle). In October 2011, Lockheed Martin was selected for the program on a contract worth approximately one billion pounds. The company remained the only applicant following the rejection of BAE Systems' application. In January, Lockheed Martin UK announced that WCSP had passed a preliminary design review. One of the most significant improvements is the new turret, which allows you to fire on the move. Lockheed Martin UK has teamed up with Rheinmetall Landsysteme to use an existing 40mm CTAI turret mounted on a WARRIOR chassis. Lockheed will also install a new LMS, new thermal imaging sights, HUMS (Health and Use Monitoring Complex) and a new driver instrument panel.
About 380 vehicles will be upgraded, including infantry support options (510 designation); command post (511); repair and recovery (512); and artillery surveillance (513). All cars will upgrade their electrical and survivability systems; around the 250 machines, a new tower will be installed, and the army hopes to eventually get the 643 upgraded machines.
A critical review of the project should be completed in the first quarter of 2015. Production will begin in 2017 year with the first batch of machines. In 2018, the full-scale mass production will begin, and then the first machines will come into service.
The British armored vehicles program is expected to cost about 10 billion pounds ($ 16,8 billion) over 10 years. One of the directions here is the program on the Specialist Vehicle (SV) or Scout machine, which is still at the demonstration stage. It is planned to buy over 1000 machines in three blocks: 1 block up to 589 machines in four variants, 2 block up to 141 machines in three variants and 3 block 141 machines in six versions, plus up to 193 medium armored and 35 maneuverable machines support 22 March 2010 British Defense Ministry chose GD UK and its ASCOD 2 machine as the preferred applicant for the Scout SV machine. These 31,5-tonne vehicles with an MTU 8V199 engine with 600 kW power, Renk 256 transmission and Diehl tracks will have a Lockheed Martin turret (in which Rheinmetall is responsible for the mechanical parts) with the CTAI 40-mm cannon. Deliveries of the first batch of cars are scheduled for 2014 year. The first production cars will be made in Spain, the rest in the UK.
In 2005 – 2012, the Spanish army bought the second batch of 212 PIZARRO BMPs from GDSBS, worth 707 million euros. PIZARRO has a combat mass of 28 tons and an MTU engine with a power of 530 kW.
BMP PUMA - implementation and objectives
PUMA BMP is regarded as a project that emphasizes the superiority of the technology of the German army. He focuses on various technological breakthroughs that will give the car a high degree of flexibility and modularity, as well as sufficient combat potential for current and future operations of the German army. The PUMA project is the most important procurement program of the German army; putting it to life required a tremendous strain on the German land arms industry, which was involved in the development and production of the machine.
Over 350 BMPs Puma were ordered by Germany from Projeckt System & Management (PSM), a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Landsysteme specially created for this project. Nine machines have been manufactured and are currently undergoing extensive qualification tests.
The Bundeswehr originally ordered Puma's 405 vehicles, but after the reorganization process, the German military and PSM agreed in July to reduce the order to 2012 vehicles (350 BMP and 342 driving instruction machines) and extend the qualification testing period to the end of September 8.
Compared to early prototypes, the production cars have a new undercarriage with six track rollers instead of five. Also, the first Puma cars had a greater distance between the third and fourth and between the fourth and fifth rinks, whereas now the distance between all the rinks is the same, which increases stability and improves driving performance on rough terrain. Additional space was also found in the onboard chassis modules in order to increase the fuel volume from 800 to 900 liters. Due to the fact that optimal firepower is considered as a necessary condition for successful defeat in crisis operations with the possibility of escalation and de-escalation, the PUMA BMP is equipped with a combination of weapons. Task-oriented firepower is fully supported by the stabilized automatic 30-mm cannon Rheinmetall MK 30-2 / ABM (Air Burst Munitions - air-launched ammunition). It is installed in a remote-controlled tower, has a 200 altitude / min rate of fire with a valid range of 3000 meters.
There are currently two types of ammunition, which are directly accessible by double feeding of ammunition for loading the gun. One is the APFSDS-T sub-caliber, armor-piercing projectile. The second is a programmable, multi-purpose ABM / KETF (Kinetic Energy-Timed Fuse - kinetic, with a remote fuse) projectile for use in the "Shooting in Motion" mode at a distance of more than 3000 meters.
The second armament consists of a paired 5,56-mm machine gun HK MG4, having a rate of fire 850 bullets / min with a valid range of 1000 meters.
There is another change that can be seen on an uninhabited tower - a pyramidal ventilated canopy for a cannon, ending near the muzzle. According to PSM, this further improves the accuracy of the fully stabilized 30-mm MK30-2 / ABM automatic cannon. The machine is equipped with the Muss active protection complex, its launchers are now made rotating. Four IR / laser sensors mounted around the tower perimeter provide 360 ° circular coverage; The data is transmitted to the central electronic system, which ensures optimal orientation of the infrared silencer and launcher before launch, ensuring maximum protection against the attacking missile. For the German army, a launcher with two anti-tank missiles will be installed, and the integration of the Spike-LR missile system is currently being developed.
BMP Puma has already passed an advanced qualification and verification program. Numerous individual tests and tests were carried out and completed: running, operational, ergonomic, and the functionality of the SLA, turret systems, and weapons was tested. Also at the beginning of 2012, the Arctic Circle in Norway in parallel passed successful three-month low-temperature tests. In addition, by the end of 2013, comprehensive qualification testing of the systems will take place, with numerous activities planned.
As for the logistical qualification tests, starting from May 2013 of the year, the German military from the Land Systems Technical School perform tests for the maintenance and repair of the Puma BMP. They cover the verification of the main elements of the curriculum, including a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of the maintenance process, testing of special tools as described in the interactive electronic technical documentation, as well as carrying out practical maintenance of the 2 and 3 levels.
Tactical qualification trials began in May 2013 of the year and ended in the middle of August 2013 of the year. The tests were carried out in the Armored School of the German Army in Münster on one machine, as well as at the platoon level of four cars. They included operations with dismounted or motorized infantry, combat maneuvering, shooting at large angles of vertical guidance in urban environments, platoon level exercises and general military exercises in conjunction with the main battle tanks. By the time these lines are read, the Puma BMP should complete two or three-month trials in the hot climate of the United Arab Emirates.
Immediately after receiving a user certificate based on the results of all tests carried out, in 2014, the production of Puma machines will increase to about 50 units per year and will continue until the final delivery in 2020. The transfer of the first BMP Puma of the German army is scheduled for 2014 year. Puma is also moving to overseas markets, for PSM Canada and Australia are currently priority areas.
The main armament of the PUMA AIFV BMP is fully stabilized, the 30-mm MK 30 / 2 dual-feed gun is used to destroy enemy infantry positions, light and medium armored vehicles, low-flying helicopters and infrastructure
Tactical flexibility through interaction
PUMA BMP has significant potential to participate in network operations, being equipped with various optical and optoelectronic devices (providing the entire crew with excellent all-round observation, recognition and identification) and communication systems that are integrated into the machine (programmable radio stations or SDR, target detection systems, operating outside the zone of destruction of SOTAS air defense, and satellite terminals SatComBw), and allow you to interact with the promising system of the German soldier IdZ-ES.
Under the JLTV program, AM General collaborates with GDLS in a joint venture of General Tactical Vehicles (GTV)
Fig. 5: Regional distribution of MBT stocks
Information