The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
£49.2bn
The global missiles and missile defence systems market will reach a value of $49.2bn by 2032, according to analysis by GlobalData.
2025
The UK’s expected full operating capability date for the initial two squadrons of F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters has been confirmed as likely to be reached in 2025.
$1.96bn
L3Harris Technologies has signed an agreement to buy Viasat’s Link 16 Tactical Data Links business for approximately $1.96bn.
3
The number of French air bases where the Indra radar system will be installed
13%
Elbit Systems’s annual revenue increase
DVD 2022 HIGHLIGHTS
International long-range artillery systems display UK presence
The Defence Vehicle Dynamics 2022 event at UATC Millbrook saw much attention placed on long-range artillery systems, as the UK holds initial discussions with industry on its planned AS90 platform replacement ahead of a likely programme start next year. Among those showcased was the K9 Thunder self-propelled artillery system from South Korea’s Hanwha, which has already sold into European countries such as Poland.
Read more at Army Technology
Mobility key among lessons learned from Ukraine-Russia war
The ability for personnel to stay mobile on the modern battlefield dominated discussions, as lessons being learned from observations of the Ukraine-Russia war highlight the importance for systems to rapidly redeploy to avoid counter-battery fire. Cost-effective solutions and the greater use of existing systems was also key as militaries look to avoid the greater costs associated with the procurement of so-called ‘gold-plated’ platforms.
Read more on Naval Technology
British Army’s Ajax armoured vehicle absent
The British Army’s Ajax family of armoured vehicles was a notable absentee from the event, as efforts continue to be made to rectify issues discovered during vehicle trials and tests in 2021. The multi-billion-pound programme is a cornerstone of the service’s attempts to restructure its fighting forces into mobile combat teams, similar in respect to those organised and operated by the US military, and is significantly behind original timeline and schedule.
Read more on Air Force Technology
In quotes
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We are de facto allies. This has already been achieved. De facto, we have already completed our path to NATO. De facto, we have already proven interoperability with the Alliance’s standards, they are real for Ukraine - real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recommitted his intention to apply for a fast-track membership of NATO following Russia’s annexation of four regions of Ukraine.
// Credit: NIDS/NATO Multimedia Library
Credit: U.S. Air Force
What Ukraine has on its side right now, is not just its own capabilities, but the capabilities of all of its allies and partners. And what you're seeing is the United States is providing additional ammunition, but we're also investing in ammunition production. And we're seeing our allies and partners investing in ammunition production.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia, Laura Cooper, commenting on 4 October on the latest round of military support from the US to Kyiv.
On TWitter
In Pictures
// The UK will acquire more than 600 Boxer armoured vehicles, although it has yet to determine what sort of modules could be fitted. Showcased at DVD 2022 was a Brimstone guided-missile concept. Credit: Richard Thomas
// Mobile artillery is gaining popularity among western militaries, with Supacat again demonstrating its 105mm light gun Extenda 6x6 platform. Credit: Richard Thomas
// The Brimstone missile again features, this time as a conceptual truck-mounted mobile fires platform, potentially created through a little-known programme with the UK Ministry of Defence, known as Project Wolfram. Credit: Richard Thomas
A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wings of Victory, flies over the Black Sea for maritime operations crew certification flights off the coast of Bulgaria on May 5, 2021, during Exercise Swift Response 21, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21. Credit: US Army
The British Army has sent almost 2,000 troops to Liverpool to help with the mass testing of residents for Covid-19. Image: Crown Copyright / MOD