Defence

Benin boosts fight against terrorism

pIvanova — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:38:18 +0000

Defence 01 December 2023

Benin boosts fight against terrorism

In Benin, the Force Aerienne du Benin (Benin Air Force) has received two H125M and three AS332M1 Super Puma helicopters as part of international contributions aimed at aiding the country’s fight against terrorism.

The H125Ms were delivered from Girona in Spain in February, and were fitted with Trakka Systems TC-300 long-range HD electro-optical/infrared camera systems and TM-100 full-featured mission mapping and video management units following their delivery. They will augment two AS550 Fennec helicopters delivered in 2020, as well as the air force’s existing fleet which consists of a single Mi-8 helicopter, single DHC-6, BAe 748 and MA600 transports, and a handful of Humbert Tétras CSM ultralight aircraft.

The Super Puma helicopters were described as a gift from France, and were handed over to the Benin government on July 6, 2023, in a ceremony attended by French defense minister Florence Parly and Benin’s minister of defense Fortunet Nomade, though they are all ex Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft and were delivered as airfreight by Maximus Airlines An-124-100 directly from Amman to Benin on June 28, 2023. They seem to have been delivered in lieu of a previous plan to acquire Mi-171 helicopters from Russia.

The helicopters will equip the Escadrille d'Hélicoptères (EdH) at Cotonou/Cadjehoun air base (Aéroport International Cardinal Bernardin Gantin), and will provide a significant boost for the Force Aerienne du Benin and will be used to support the country’s counter-terrorism operations in the north of Benin (operation mirador), where attacks by terrorist groups have increased in recent years.

Jon Lake

Jon is defence editor for both Arabian and African Aerospace magazines.

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SAMI and Embraer sign defence MoU

eNethersole — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:40:17 +0000

The agreement is geared towards expanding the operational footprint of both companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a focus on promoting the capabilities of the C-390 Millennium aircraft and delivering support to the kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. SAMI and Embraer will work to establish comprehensive maintenance capability for the Embraer aircraft in the Kingdom. Additionally, both companies will explore a Regional MRO Hub and a final assembly line for the Embraer C-390, as well as a mission system integration in the Kingdom. Furthermore, SAMI and Embraer will engage in training activities, which will enable the opening of new opportunities for both companies across the aerospace sector in the Kingdom and the region.

Walid A. Abukhaled, SAMI’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Embraer, bringing new support and production facilities into the Kingdom. This growth in our business scope and capabilities highlights SAMI's dedication to advancing and supporting the development of the aerospace ecosystem in the Kingdom. It is another important step in SAMI’s efforts in supporting the Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen the Kingdom's self-sufficiency in the defence sector and contribution to the localisation of 50% of the defence spending In the Kingdom by 2030.”

“While this expansion of our MRO capabilities is important, the key to this agreement is the establishment of joint training activities, to support the development of Saudi talents and the transfer of valuable skills within the aerospace sector.”

Bosco da Costa Junior, President, and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security added: “We are very pleased to sign this agreement with SAMI. This is the first step to advance cooperation in Defense and Security involving production chains between the two countries. With this Memorandum of Understanding, Embraer advances further into a strategic market. We will work hard to add value to the local industry, to the Royal Saudi Air Force, and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

The agreement will support SAMI’s efforts in empowering local talents and contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of the localisation of the defence sector in the Kingdom.

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Thu, 30/11/2023 - 12:00

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SAMI and Embraer have signed an MoU to establish a cooperation in their respective aerospace industries, prioritising defence and security.

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Embraer appoints new defence VP sales and business development Africa

eNethersole — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:08:26 +0000

The executive has held several leadership positions in Defence projects including functions in the NATO Command Structure and has solid sales records for Embraer, which includes the A-29 in Africa and the C-390 sales campaigns in Europe.

Gustavo has actively participated in projects developing the A-29 (A-29N) NATO configuration and creating additional capabilities for the C-390, as well as integrating with Embraer's other business units.

“José Gustavo has been a key executive in the successful sales campaigns we have conducted in Africa and Europe. He has in-depth knowledge of the region and a successful track record over his more than 20-year career. His appointment as Vice President of Sales and Business Development will not only bring gains for Embraer Defense & Security, but for the company as a whole,” said Frederico Lemos, CCO of Embraer Defense & Security.

Gustavo will be based in Lisbon, Portugal, under the leadership of Frederico Lemos, CCO of the business unit.

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Wed, 22/11/2023 - 12:00

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Embraer Defence & Security has appointed José Gustavo as the new vice president (VP) of sales and business development for Europe and Africa.

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Alliance plots the new route for Rooivalk

pIvanova — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:01:52 +0000

Defence 22 November 2023

Alliance plots the new route for Rooivalk

South Africa’s Denel Group has signed an agreement with Turkey’s Aselsan under which the two companies will collaborate on an upgrade for the South African Air Force’s Atlas Rooivalk attack helicopters.

Although Aselsan is a Turkish company, its Pretoria-based subsidiary, Aselsan South Africa, serves as a centre of excellence for the parent company in Turkey with its own autonomous design and development capabilities, and also acts as the hub for Aselsan’s business development strategy in sub-Saharan African markets.

Aselsan SA has previously provided advanced camera systems to Denel’s OTR test range and to other local South African customers, including the Institute of Maritime Technology, Paramount Technologies, and Reutech Radar Systems.

The agreement between Denel and Aselsan builds on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed during the Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) 2022 exhibition, under which the companies agreed to work towards the integration of Aselsan’s MEROPS (multi-spectral extended range optical sight) system on the Rooivalk.

MEROPS is the advanced version of the Aselsan CATS (common aperture targeting system) used on the TAI Anka and Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, and promises expanded all-weather and precision attack capabilities. MEROPS was specifically designed for long-range observation and reconnaissance, area illumination and target designation in extreme situations, particularly in low light and in the difficult lighting encountered at dawn and dusk, and in smoke and dust.

The system features the latest image processing and image enhancement technologies, and uses the latest machine vision and AI-based algorithms for moving target and threat identification and classification, and provides multi-target auto-tracking with automatic target re-acquisition.

MEROPS incorporates a thermal imaging sensor (prioritising medium and short-wave for low light performance), a low-light television and a laser rangefinder/designator for accurate delivery of precision-guided weapons.

The MEROPS system consists of a single self-contained LRU (line-replacement unit) with quick-release connections, allowing payloads to be rapidly changed without calibration.

Michael Kgobe, Denel’s interim group chief executive officer, said that Aselsan’s “expertise and capabilities make them the preferred technology partner for the South African Rooivalk modernisation programme,” and that the objectives and scope of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in September 2022 have already been exceeded.

Denel and Aselsan signed a milestone achieved certificate on Thursday 27 July, 2023, detailing the “defined technical solution” and laying out the planned division of work on the avionics modernisation that forms the basis of the Rooivalk modernisation programme from their current block 1F baseline configuration.

It is now expected that Aselsan will also provide and integrate an enhanced glass cockpit with larger screens, digital moving map, a new helmet-mounted display system and a modern flight management system as part of the upgrades to the Rooivalk’s avionics system. The new systems will be driven by two new mission computers and a new weapons systems computer, while a new flight control computer will confer improved agility and responsiveness.

The new helmet-mounted sight display will provide both crew (pilot and WSO) with a heads-up display of critical information in their line of sight, making nap-of-the-earth flight easier and safer. The system will allow the cannon (or missile seeker heads) to be slaved to the pilot’s line of sight, allowing him to engage off-boresight targets with greater accuracy than is possible with the current system (the Thales TopOwl helmet-mounted display).

The upgraded Rooivalk will also receive a new navigation system incorporating an inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS), as well as software-based secure V/UHF and HF radios, a mod-5/S capable identification friend or foe (IFF) transponder and a digital intercom system. A digital data link system will also be provided, facilitating the exchange of real-time information and targeting data and improving overall situational awareness and mission co-ordination. The aircraft is also expected to receive a new mission planning and debriefing system. To improve survivability, the aircraft is expected to receive enhanced defensive systems, including a state-of-the-art radar warning receiver (RWR), chaff and flare dispensers and an infra-red jammer.

The Rooivalk combat support helicopter upgrade aims to improve supportability as well as enhancing operational capability, and there is therefore a strong emphasis on improving reliability and addressing obsolescence issues.

The Denel (originally Atlas) Rooivalk, also known as the combat support helicopter (CSH), is Africa’s only indigenous attack helicopter. Development began in 1984 while apartheid South Africa was under an arms embargo enacted under United Nations Security Council Resolution 418, which prevented the import of attack helicopters.

South Africa began the parallel development of two helicopters based on the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma/SA332 Super Puma airframe and dynamics system. The Atlas Oryx was a minimum change copy of the Super Puma, while the Rooivalk was an all new design, sharing only the dynamics system of the Super Puma. The Rooivalk’s development began under the project name “Chickadee” in 1984, which became “Project Impose”.

The Rooivalk was preceded by the Atlas XH-1 alpha concept demonstrator, which was based on an Aérospatiale Alouette III airframe with a stepped tandem cockpit and a GAI Rattler 20mm cannon in a steerable turret. First flown on February 3 1985, the XH-1 proved the concept sufficiently for Atlas and the South African Air Force to go ahead with the development of the dedicated Rooivalk attack helicopter. First, two SA330J Pumas were converted as experimental test platform (XTP-1) test beds for the locally-developed avionics and weapon systems developed for the Rooivalk.

The Rooivalk experimental development model (XDM) first flew on February 11, 1990.

The Rooivalk advanced development model (ADM) flew on May 22, 1992 and was used to verify the avionics design and implementation, weapons development, and as an integration platform. The Rooivalk engineering development model (EDM) incorporated lessons learned from the XDM and ADM and was used to qualify the avionics, weapon systems, airframe, and airborne systems before serial production could commence.

Plans to order 36 production Rooivalks to equip three squadrons were cut back for budgetary reasons and the South African Air Force ordered 12 helicopters, designated as the Rooivalk Mk 1 in SAAF service, and the first of these entered service in July 1999. One airframe (679) was damaged beyond repair on August 3 2005, but the remainder were upgraded to Block 1F standards with Mokopa anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and redelivered to number 16 squadron, based at AFB Bloemspruit near Bloemfontein from April 1, 2011.

Denel, the South African Air Force and Armscor looked hard at developing a Rooivalk Mk II helicopter, and there have been discussions with a number of potential export customers, including Egypt, Nigeria, Brazil, India and Poland.

Guy Leitch

Guy is an aviation analyst in demand by South African TV, radio and print publications.

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SHOW BUSINESS: Dubai Airshow 2023 Day 4

cbrown — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 17:45:15 +0000

In today’s SHOW BUSINESS Saudi Arabia’s regulator GACA reveal the plans for Neom City’s role in the development of the advanced aerial mobility systems.

Leading engine maintenance provider Sanad is getting involved in airports as Emirates explains its fleet strategy.

Pick up a copy of SHOW BUSINESS, being distributed at the show with the support of Collins Aerospace, an RTX Business.

Read the digital edition of the publication here.

Posted date

Thu, 16/11/2023 - 12:00

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Dubai Airshow exceeded all expectations when it came to Advanced Aerial Mobility.

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TATV Spotlight - Embraer Defense & Security at Dubai Airshow 2023

cbrown — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:58:08 +0000

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Turkey strengthens TAIs with African military

pIvanova — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:39:23 +0000

Defence 15 November 2023

Turkey strengthens TAIs with African military

A round-up of all the latest defence stories in Africa.

Turkish Aerospace (TAI) has achieved significant export success during the past year, receiving orders worth US$ one billion – including several from African customers.

Recent deliveries include three Hürkus-C light attack aircraft and two Anka-S UAVs to Chad, two Hürkus-Cs to Niger, and the last of five Anka-S UAVs for Tunisia, while the Anka-S is also on order for the Algerian Army.

The Hürkuş-C is the armed version of the Hürkus turboprop basic trainer, optimised for the close air support role as well as for pilot training. It can carry a maximum weapons load of 3,300lb (1,500kg) on four underwing pylons, and can also carry a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. It is capable of operating from unprepared runways, making it a particularly useful counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft in Africa.

The Anka-S UAS is the serial production version of the TAI Anka. Like the older Block A and Block B versions, the Anka-S is powered by a Thielert Centurion 2.0S engine and introduces a satcom antenna and a new flight control computer. The aircraft is equipped with a StarFIRE 380-HDL or Aselsan CATS FLIR turret, and can be armed with the Roketsan MAM-L air-to-surface missile, which are known to have been supplied to Chad.

In West Africa, members of the 818th and 571st mobility support advisory squadrons travelled to Lomé, Togo, in May 2023 to conduct the first military-to-military engagement between the Togolese Air Force (TAF) and the 621st air mobility advisory group’s air advisors for 11 years.

The advisors saw the TAF’s ageing SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon turboprop trainers and Beech 200 King Air’s at Base Transport de Lomé, and worked with their Togolese hosts to understand their training and operational needs, and to aid the TAF in effectively and efficiently conducting maintenance and logistical operations practices while strengthening the aviation-related partnership between the US Air Force and the TAF.

Togo is a strategically important partner for the US, with a surge in attacks by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) near the Burkina Faso border and Togolese forces have been combating terrorist activities enthusiastically and effectively.

"Throughout the assessment, it became abundantly clear that the Togolese Air Force is performing at a high level across many of its mission sets to secure its northern border from terrorist extremists," US Air Force tech. sgt. Sandre Lillington, an 818th MSAS air transportation air advisor observed.

"This engagement showed a willingness from the Togolese to grow its capabilities and work with the United States Air Force to ensure regional stability. This aligns directly with 818th MSAS's mission of building partnership capabilities," Lillington said.

Gabon C295 order is up in the air

Gabon’s recently deposed president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, had given his approval for the purchase of an Airbus C295 military transport aircraft for the Armée de l'air Gabonaise (Gabonese Air Force) before he was overthrown in a military-led coup.

The deal which will be funded using a CFA31 billion ($52 million) loan secured from Spain’s Santander Bank, and now approved by the government. The acquisition amounts to about 20% of Gabon’s 2023 defence budget.

The new airlifter will augment the CN235M already operated by Gabon’s Air Force, and the single Puma and two Gazelles that are in service. A number of Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules are believed to have been withdrawn from use.

The frontline element consists of six former SAAF Dassault Mirage F1AZ fighters and two Atlas Impalas operated by EC 1-02 at Franceville/Mvengue.

An ATR 42 and a Falcon 900 are used for VIP transport, while the Garde Republicaine Gabona flies two Eurocopter EC120Bs, a pair of EC135T2+ helicopters, and an EC225LP Super Puma.

On the other side of the continent, during the graduation ceremony for 12 new pilots and 52 engineers, lieutenant general Charles Okidi, the commander of the Ugandan Air Force, praised the battlefield performance of the Russian-made Mi-28NE night hunter attack helicopters that were delivered last year.

The aircraft have already seen active service against the Lord’s resistance army (LRA), an insurgent group purporting to represent the interests of the Acholi people in northern Uganda.

A small number of Mi-28NE attack helicopters (which have the reporting name ‘havoc’) have been delivered to Uganda, augmenting about a dozen Mi-24s and a similar number of Mi-17s. The type has also been delivered to Iraq and Algeria.

Okidi thanked and applauded the first Mi-28 pilots for providing air power during recent operations. “There is no doubt that the introduction of the attack helicopters into the battlefield changed the tides of war in Northern Uganda against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in favour of the UPDF and continues to do so in the subsequent operations. So, with the acquisition of new air assets, we are ready to serve our beloved country more in that capacity,” he said.

Uganda’s Su-30s sent to Belarus for repair

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces – Air Force (UPDF-AF) has dispatched two of its Sukhoi Su-30MK2 aircraft to the 558th aircraft repair plant in Baranavichy, Belarus, on July 6, 2023. The two Su-30MK2s are part of a fleet of six that the UPDF-AF acquired from Russia in 2011. One aircraft was lost in a fatal accident in 2020, killing both pilots.

Previously maintenance was undertaken by Russia’s Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft plant, part of the United Aircraft corporation, but on March 4, 2022, Uganda reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the future maintenance and technical support of the Ugandan Su-30s fighter jets.

The decision to send two Su-30s to Belarus for maintenance instead of India was unexpected, and has not been explained, but reflects growing military cooperation between Uganda and Belarus.

Uganda signed the $740 million agreement for six Sukhoi Su-30s in April 2011 and the aircraft were delivered in pairs in July 2011, October 2011 and May 2012. Based at Entebbe, the aircraft operate in the air-to-air and air-to-surface roles, and have conducted missions against Al Qaeda targets in Somalia and against opposition forces in South Sudan.

Zambia supports SAMIM with C-27J

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) has been stepped up its support for the Southern African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) with its Leonardo C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, and has now also forward-deployed a force protection unit.

The ZAF deployed a C-27J aircraft to SAMIM at the beginning of 2022, and soon afterwards used the aircraft to airlift more than 50,000 kilogrammes of cargo for the South African National Defence Force from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria to Mozambique.

The ZAF has supported SAMIM which has recaptured a number villages, dislodged terrorists from their bases, created safe passage for humanitarian aid and has facilitated a return to normal life for internally displaced people (IDPs).

Lieutenant general Colin Barry, the ZAF Commander, said that his command was committed to supporting the Zambian government’s peace efforts to stabilise the Cabo Delgado region of Northern Mozambique. “Currently, the Zambia Air Force is the only service from the Zambia Defence Force deployed under SAMIM. We will continue to service the mission with airlift capability through the employment of the C-27J. The regiment unit being deployed today will be responsible for base protection and security of storage facilities and air asserts,” he said.

Zambia has pledged to provide more assets for peacekeeping operations in Africa. “Zambia has a proud history of engaging in peacekeeping efforts with the United Nations, dating back to 1988 when the country first deployed peacekeepers to Iraq. Currently, Zambia has a significant number of troops deployed in various peace operations with the majority in the UN multidimensional integrated stabilization mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA),” Barry pointed out.

Jon Lake

Jon is defence editor for both Arabian and African Aerospace magazines.

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SHOW BUSINESS: Dubai Airshow 2023 Day 3

cbrown — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 15:15:13 +0000

Topping the bill was Emirates Airline which is investing almost a billion dollars on a new engineering centre at Dubai World Central.

Other MRO providers and training companies were busy getting ink on contracts … while OEMs Airbus, Boeing and ATR were adding to the orders at the busiest Dubai Airshow yet.

Pick up a copy of SHOW BUSINESS, being distributed at the show with the support of Collins Aerospace, an RTX Business.

Read the digital edition of the publication here.

Posted date

Wed, 15/11/2023 - 12:00

Short summary

The massive investment in aircraft permeates through aviation; at the Dubai Airshow, it was the time for aviation services to hit the industry. Read more ...

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The massive investment in aircraft permeates through aviation; at the Dubai Airshow, it was the time for aviation services to hit the industry.

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SHOW BUSINESS: Dubai Airshow 2023 Day 2

cbrown — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 12:04:07 +0000

An interesting highlight was the first widebody order from the former LCC, Flydubai.

Although dwarfed by sister airline Emirates’ orders, it signals an interesting strategic development for the Emirates Group.

Today’s Show Business covers latest updates from the defence and the advance mobility sectors too.

Pick up a copy of SHOW BUSINESS, being distributed at the show with the support of Collins Aerospace, an RTX Business.

Read the digital edition of the publication here.

Posted date

Tue, 14/11/2023 - 12:00

Short summary

The opening day of the Dubai Air Show proved to be a bonanza for manufacturer Boeing as major order flooded in from across the region. Read more ...

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The opening day of the Dubai Air Show proved to be a bonanza for manufacturer Boeing as major order flooded in from across the region totalling close to $100 billion.

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SHOW BUSINESS: Dubai Airshow 2023 Day 1

cbrown — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 14:57:22 +0000

The UAE defence minister Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi makes front page news from the Dubai International Air Chiefs conference, run on the side-lines of the show with his assessment on the threats from Artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, as the halls and static display prepare for the opening, exhibitors outline latest innovation for the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector, passenger to freighter conversions and new military products from the UAE’s defence conglomerate, Edge.

Pick up a copy of SHOW BUSINESS, being distributed at the show with the support of Collins Aerospace, an RTX Business.

Read the digital edition of the publication here.

Posted date

Mon, 13/11/2023 - 12:00

Short summary

The latest technology goes on display at this week’s Dubai Airshow, the official daily; SHOW BUSINESS outlines the challenges the industry faces.

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As the latest technology goes on display at this week’s Dubai Airshow, the official daily; SHOW BUSINESS outlines the challenges the industry faces.

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