International Arms Market: New Applicants for Leadership
According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in the past few years the situation on the international market for weapons and equipment has undergone minimal changes. For example, the top ten arms producing countries remain the same: the largest exporters are the USA, Russia, China, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Ukraine, Italy and Israel. Some countries from time to time change their position in the ranking, but remain in the top ten and are in no hurry to give up their place to competitors, while occupying lower positions.
However, this does not mean that other states do not intend to get their market share. Many states are developing their own weapons and equipment, including for export deliveries. For obvious reasons, such developments encounter certain difficulties, both at the stage of creation and when entering the market. Nevertheless, attempts to obtain new export contracts continue and in some cases lead to a certain success. Naturally, the “newcomers” of the arms market are not yet able to compete with the leaders in the number of products ordered and their total value, but with due zeal, a serious rise in the existing ratings is possible.
Consider the new projects of the countries-manufacturers of weapons of the "second echelon" on the example of some exhibits of the recent exhibition IDEX-2015, held in late February in Abu Dhabi (UAE). During this event, several states that still do not have strong positions in the international market presented their new developments.
Perhaps, one of the most interesting novelties of the last exhibition was the armored personnel carrier EDT Enigma AMFV. This machine was developed by the specialists of the UAE company Emirated Defense Technology in collaboration with foreign colleagues. The exhibition presented a version of the vehicle in the configuration of an armored personnel carrier, but in the future a new chassis could become the basis for other equipment. In particular, the IDEX-2015 demonstrated the mock-up of a self-propelled artillery mount with a 155 mm caliber mounted on the Enigma AMFV chassis.
A curious feature of the Enigma project, as well as many other types of modern military equipment, is the approach to manning various units and assemblies. So, for the mobility of the machine meets the engine of the American company Caterpillar, and in the undercarriage used lever suspension Irish Timoney Technology. In addition, the exhibition sample was equipped with a Russian-made combat module, similar to that used on the BMP-3. In the future, it is possible to use new combat modules, including foreign ones.
The use of imported components can be so wide that their own enterprises can only connect them and equip them with some additional details. An example of such an approach is the Khalifa-1 self-propelled artillery, presented at a recent exhibition by the Sudanese industry. The basis for this combat vehicle was the wheeled chassis 6x6 KAMAZ-43118 Russian production. As a weapon, the machine received an X-NUMX-mm howitzer D-122, acquired by Sudan before the collapse of the USSR.
The Khalifa-1 project involves the installation of an original armored cab and a special platform with a gun carriage on the base chassis. At the same time, all cab and platform units are proposed to be built at Sudanese enterprises. There, the base chassis must be equipped with all the necessary elements that turn it into an ACS. A combat vehicle weighing more than 20 tons retains the firepower of the D-30 towed howitzer at the same level, however, mobility and, consequently, the overall effectiveness of combat use is increased through the use of an automobile chassis.
The Thai company Chaiseri Defense continues to showcase its First Win armored cars at exhibitions. More recently, a new car of this line was introduced - First Win-E, which is a smaller version of the base armored car. The new four-wheel drive four-wheel armored car can carry up to ten soldiers, not counting the driver. The case provides protection for the 2 level of the STANAG 4569 standard, and can also be completed with additional modules that raise it to the 3 level. In addition, there is an 3 level mine protection of the same standard.
With a curb weight of 11 and the First Win-E armored car, it can carry up to 2 and cargo. To ensure the required driving performance, an 300 hp engine is used. On the turret at the hatch in the roof can be mounted small arms of the required type. The dimensions of the armored car allow you to transport it by rail or military transport aircraft.
While the family of armored vehicles Chaiseri Defense First Win is not widespread. Over the past few years, a little over two dozen such machines were built. In total, it is planned to produce several hundred units of such equipment. 200 armored cars of two versions ordered by Thailand, and in the future should appear a contract with Malaysia.
During the IDEX-2015 exhibition, a contract was signed for the licensed production of South African Mbombe armored personnel carriers. This machine was created by Paramount Group (South Africa) and has already been adopted by the army of the manufacturing country. At the recent exhibition Paramount Group and the Jordanian organization KADDB signed an agreement on licensed production of fifty such machines.
The Mbombe armored personnel carrier is designed to carry personnel and various cargoes. In the troop compartment of the car can accommodate up to eight people. Own car crew - two or three people, depending on the combat module used. The armored vehicle is 4 compliant with the NATO standard. He is able to protect the crew from bullets caliber 14,5 mm and explosive device exploding up to 10 kg. The Mbombe BTR can be equipped with combat modules of various types, which to a certain extent increases the export potential of the vehicle.
A number of Mbombe machines have already been built for the South African army. In the near future, Jordan will begin production of such equipment for its armed forces. The first contract involves the supply of 50 licensed BTR. In the future, the volume of the order may increase.
The company ADCOM Systems (UAE), known for its developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, at a recent exhibition presented a new version of its UAV United-40. In cooperation with the Italian company WASS (part of the Finmeccanica group of companies), an anti-submarine version of this device was developed. A modification called United-40 Block 6 is equipped with a set of special equipment that allows it to search and attack enemy submarines.
It is assumed that such a UAV will be able to put sonar buoys and then start patrolling a given area. If an enemy submarine is detected, the device will be able to attack it with the help of a small-sized torpedo transported. In addition, similar anti-submarine Drones will be able to work in groups, exercising control over the water areas of a larger area. The option of dividing tasks is also being considered: some UAVs of the group will set up buoys, and the transportation and use of torpedoes will become the task of other vehicles exempted from carrying search engines.
ADCOM Systems and WASS are planning to complete all tests of the new anti-submarine UAV before the end of 2015. In the future, the United-40 Block 6 complex will be offered to potential customers. The most likely starting customer of the new anti-submarine complex could be the UAE armed forces.
Emirata shipbuilding company Al Marakeb has once again presented its project of a remote-controlled boat B-7. The number of such projects is still inferior to the number of UAVs, which is why the company from the UAE has every chance to have time to take its place in the market. Potential customers are offered a prospective boat with a remote control system that can be used to perform various tasks related to surveillance or patrols.
The device B-7 is a small boat with a set of special equipment. He will be able to reach speeds up to 40 nodes and monitor the situation with a set of video cameras, the signal of which is transmitted to the operator’s console. It is expected that such opportunities should be of interest to various structures and organizations that need a means of monitoring the waters. So, B-7 can be used to patrol waters near ports, drilling platforms, pipelines, etc.
In January, the remote-controlled boat B-7 was tested and is now available for order. The IDEX-2015 exhibition was the first such event where a real sample of a new technology was shown, not layouts or promotional materials. Information about possible contracts for the supply of such equipment has not yet been received.
The Turkish company Otokar is ready to offer customers a new armored car Cobra II, which is a modernized version of the previous eponymous car. It is reported that the prototype "Cobra-2" at the end of last year completed the sea trials in the Persian Gulf. In the course of these tests, the car overcame more than 5 thousand km along difficult tracks.
The Cobra armored car of the first model was one of the most successful developments of the Turkish defense industry. The Otokar company hopes that its modernized version will be able to repeat this success, which should contribute to certain improvements and innovations used in the new project. Due to changes in some components and assemblies, as well as the use of original technical solutions, Cobra II has higher characteristics compared to its predecessor. In addition, the new project implies the use of a larger number of combat modules installed on the roof of the hull. A sufficiently wide selection of such units allows the armored car to solve the tasks of protecting the crew or fire support of units, fighting tanks and air defense.
At a recent exhibition, Turkey showed other military developments. During IDEX-2015, the “premiere” of the FNSS Saber-25 combat module took place. This system was developed on the basis of existing combat modules for the purpose of further construction commissioned by third countries. The impetus to the development of a new turret with weapons was the Malaysian order for the supply of combat modules of old models for installation on existing armored vehicles. The new project Saber-25 took into account all possible wishes of a potential customer.
The combat module is made in the form of an armored tower, which houses the weapons and the workplace of the gunner operator. The module is equipped with a M25 stabilized 242-mm automatic cannon and an 7,62 mm machine gun paired with it. In addition, smoke grenade launchers can be mounted on the outer surface of the hull. The type of machine gun and grenade launchers must be determined by the customer. In the boxes of ammunition was able to place 240 shells for cannon and 600 cartridges for machine guns. To control the weapon, it is proposed to use sights and other equipment of foreign manufacture. The module case is made of aluminum and steel armor plates and provides protection for the 4 level according to the STANAG 4569 standard.
As we see, outside the top ten of the SIPRI rating, companies are not idle, and they make numerous attempts to create new weapons and equipment with which they can enter the international market or, at least, satisfy the demands of the armed forces of their own country. As a result, numerous new projects appear, and an increasing number of layouts and finished samples are displayed at various exhibitions. It is hardly to be expected that in the foreseeable future there will be any major changes in the list of leaders in the arms market: their separation from the closest competitors is too large for it to be quickly reduced. Nevertheless, in the second and third dozen of the rating, noticeable changes are quite possible. To earn more money and to rise above competitors in the table, companies need to develop and sell good weapons and equipment, superior products of competitors. In this way, you can improve your position and the position of your country, as well as significantly increase your own income. The defense companies of countries not included in the list of market leaders are well aware of this. As a result, at each new exhibition, more and more of their developments appear.
On the materials of the sites:
http://sipri.org/
http://janes.com/
http://defense-update.com/
http://bbc.co.uk/
http://lenta.ru/
http://chaiseri-defense.com/
http://otokar.com.tr/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
However, this does not mean that other states do not intend to get their market share. Many states are developing their own weapons and equipment, including for export deliveries. For obvious reasons, such developments encounter certain difficulties, both at the stage of creation and when entering the market. Nevertheless, attempts to obtain new export contracts continue and in some cases lead to a certain success. Naturally, the “newcomers” of the arms market are not yet able to compete with the leaders in the number of products ordered and their total value, but with due zeal, a serious rise in the existing ratings is possible.
Consider the new projects of the countries-manufacturers of weapons of the "second echelon" on the example of some exhibits of the recent exhibition IDEX-2015, held in late February in Abu Dhabi (UAE). During this event, several states that still do not have strong positions in the international market presented their new developments.
Perhaps, one of the most interesting novelties of the last exhibition was the armored personnel carrier EDT Enigma AMFV. This machine was developed by the specialists of the UAE company Emirated Defense Technology in collaboration with foreign colleagues. The exhibition presented a version of the vehicle in the configuration of an armored personnel carrier, but in the future a new chassis could become the basis for other equipment. In particular, the IDEX-2015 demonstrated the mock-up of a self-propelled artillery mount with a 155 mm caliber mounted on the Enigma AMFV chassis.
A curious feature of the Enigma project, as well as many other types of modern military equipment, is the approach to manning various units and assemblies. So, for the mobility of the machine meets the engine of the American company Caterpillar, and in the undercarriage used lever suspension Irish Timoney Technology. In addition, the exhibition sample was equipped with a Russian-made combat module, similar to that used on the BMP-3. In the future, it is possible to use new combat modules, including foreign ones.
The use of imported components can be so wide that their own enterprises can only connect them and equip them with some additional details. An example of such an approach is the Khalifa-1 self-propelled artillery, presented at a recent exhibition by the Sudanese industry. The basis for this combat vehicle was the wheeled chassis 6x6 KAMAZ-43118 Russian production. As a weapon, the machine received an X-NUMX-mm howitzer D-122, acquired by Sudan before the collapse of the USSR.
The Khalifa-1 project involves the installation of an original armored cab and a special platform with a gun carriage on the base chassis. At the same time, all cab and platform units are proposed to be built at Sudanese enterprises. There, the base chassis must be equipped with all the necessary elements that turn it into an ACS. A combat vehicle weighing more than 20 tons retains the firepower of the D-30 towed howitzer at the same level, however, mobility and, consequently, the overall effectiveness of combat use is increased through the use of an automobile chassis.
The Thai company Chaiseri Defense continues to showcase its First Win armored cars at exhibitions. More recently, a new car of this line was introduced - First Win-E, which is a smaller version of the base armored car. The new four-wheel drive four-wheel armored car can carry up to ten soldiers, not counting the driver. The case provides protection for the 2 level of the STANAG 4569 standard, and can also be completed with additional modules that raise it to the 3 level. In addition, there is an 3 level mine protection of the same standard.
With a curb weight of 11 and the First Win-E armored car, it can carry up to 2 and cargo. To ensure the required driving performance, an 300 hp engine is used. On the turret at the hatch in the roof can be mounted small arms of the required type. The dimensions of the armored car allow you to transport it by rail or military transport aircraft.
While the family of armored vehicles Chaiseri Defense First Win is not widespread. Over the past few years, a little over two dozen such machines were built. In total, it is planned to produce several hundred units of such equipment. 200 armored cars of two versions ordered by Thailand, and in the future should appear a contract with Malaysia.
During the IDEX-2015 exhibition, a contract was signed for the licensed production of South African Mbombe armored personnel carriers. This machine was created by Paramount Group (South Africa) and has already been adopted by the army of the manufacturing country. At the recent exhibition Paramount Group and the Jordanian organization KADDB signed an agreement on licensed production of fifty such machines.
The Mbombe armored personnel carrier is designed to carry personnel and various cargoes. In the troop compartment of the car can accommodate up to eight people. Own car crew - two or three people, depending on the combat module used. The armored vehicle is 4 compliant with the NATO standard. He is able to protect the crew from bullets caliber 14,5 mm and explosive device exploding up to 10 kg. The Mbombe BTR can be equipped with combat modules of various types, which to a certain extent increases the export potential of the vehicle.
A number of Mbombe machines have already been built for the South African army. In the near future, Jordan will begin production of such equipment for its armed forces. The first contract involves the supply of 50 licensed BTR. In the future, the volume of the order may increase.
The company ADCOM Systems (UAE), known for its developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles, at a recent exhibition presented a new version of its UAV United-40. In cooperation with the Italian company WASS (part of the Finmeccanica group of companies), an anti-submarine version of this device was developed. A modification called United-40 Block 6 is equipped with a set of special equipment that allows it to search and attack enemy submarines.
It is assumed that such a UAV will be able to put sonar buoys and then start patrolling a given area. If an enemy submarine is detected, the device will be able to attack it with the help of a small-sized torpedo transported. In addition, similar anti-submarine Drones will be able to work in groups, exercising control over the water areas of a larger area. The option of dividing tasks is also being considered: some UAVs of the group will set up buoys, and the transportation and use of torpedoes will become the task of other vehicles exempted from carrying search engines.
ADCOM Systems and WASS are planning to complete all tests of the new anti-submarine UAV before the end of 2015. In the future, the United-40 Block 6 complex will be offered to potential customers. The most likely starting customer of the new anti-submarine complex could be the UAE armed forces.
Emirata shipbuilding company Al Marakeb has once again presented its project of a remote-controlled boat B-7. The number of such projects is still inferior to the number of UAVs, which is why the company from the UAE has every chance to have time to take its place in the market. Potential customers are offered a prospective boat with a remote control system that can be used to perform various tasks related to surveillance or patrols.
The device B-7 is a small boat with a set of special equipment. He will be able to reach speeds up to 40 nodes and monitor the situation with a set of video cameras, the signal of which is transmitted to the operator’s console. It is expected that such opportunities should be of interest to various structures and organizations that need a means of monitoring the waters. So, B-7 can be used to patrol waters near ports, drilling platforms, pipelines, etc.
In January, the remote-controlled boat B-7 was tested and is now available for order. The IDEX-2015 exhibition was the first such event where a real sample of a new technology was shown, not layouts or promotional materials. Information about possible contracts for the supply of such equipment has not yet been received.
The Turkish company Otokar is ready to offer customers a new armored car Cobra II, which is a modernized version of the previous eponymous car. It is reported that the prototype "Cobra-2" at the end of last year completed the sea trials in the Persian Gulf. In the course of these tests, the car overcame more than 5 thousand km along difficult tracks.
The Cobra armored car of the first model was one of the most successful developments of the Turkish defense industry. The Otokar company hopes that its modernized version will be able to repeat this success, which should contribute to certain improvements and innovations used in the new project. Due to changes in some components and assemblies, as well as the use of original technical solutions, Cobra II has higher characteristics compared to its predecessor. In addition, the new project implies the use of a larger number of combat modules installed on the roof of the hull. A sufficiently wide selection of such units allows the armored car to solve the tasks of protecting the crew or fire support of units, fighting tanks and air defense.
At a recent exhibition, Turkey showed other military developments. During IDEX-2015, the “premiere” of the FNSS Saber-25 combat module took place. This system was developed on the basis of existing combat modules for the purpose of further construction commissioned by third countries. The impetus to the development of a new turret with weapons was the Malaysian order for the supply of combat modules of old models for installation on existing armored vehicles. The new project Saber-25 took into account all possible wishes of a potential customer.
The combat module is made in the form of an armored tower, which houses the weapons and the workplace of the gunner operator. The module is equipped with a M25 stabilized 242-mm automatic cannon and an 7,62 mm machine gun paired with it. In addition, smoke grenade launchers can be mounted on the outer surface of the hull. The type of machine gun and grenade launchers must be determined by the customer. In the boxes of ammunition was able to place 240 shells for cannon and 600 cartridges for machine guns. To control the weapon, it is proposed to use sights and other equipment of foreign manufacture. The module case is made of aluminum and steel armor plates and provides protection for the 4 level according to the STANAG 4569 standard.
As we see, outside the top ten of the SIPRI rating, companies are not idle, and they make numerous attempts to create new weapons and equipment with which they can enter the international market or, at least, satisfy the demands of the armed forces of their own country. As a result, numerous new projects appear, and an increasing number of layouts and finished samples are displayed at various exhibitions. It is hardly to be expected that in the foreseeable future there will be any major changes in the list of leaders in the arms market: their separation from the closest competitors is too large for it to be quickly reduced. Nevertheless, in the second and third dozen of the rating, noticeable changes are quite possible. To earn more money and to rise above competitors in the table, companies need to develop and sell good weapons and equipment, superior products of competitors. In this way, you can improve your position and the position of your country, as well as significantly increase your own income. The defense companies of countries not included in the list of market leaders are well aware of this. As a result, at each new exhibition, more and more of their developments appear.
On the materials of the sites:
http://sipri.org/
http://janes.com/
http://defense-update.com/
http://bbc.co.uk/
http://lenta.ru/
http://chaiseri-defense.com/
http://otokar.com.tr/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
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