Les Philippines abandonnent l’idée des Mirage 2000-9 pour son armée de l’air

29/06/2012

Manilles abandonnerait l’idée d’acquérir des avions Dassault pour équiper son armée de l’air. Le pays souhaiterait en effet s’équiper de 12 appareils d’interception et d’attaque anti-navire dans les deux ans à venir ainsi que de six autres pour la lutte contre la guérilla.

Selon la récente déclaration de Patrick Velez du Ministère philippin de la défense les fournisseurs potentiels pour les chasseurs seraient la Corée du Sud, l’Italie, le Royaume-Uni et la Russie. Exit donc la France avec ses appareils émiriens voire qatarie un temps évoqué.

Les six autres appareils d’attaque au sol pour remplacer les vénérables OV-10 Broncos pourraient être acquis auprès des États-Unis, de la Corée du Sud ou du Brésil toujours selon le responsable du DND philippin. Exit donc les AMX italiens un temps envisagé.

Un autre contrat pour six appareils d’entrainement et d’attaque au sol est toujours en discussion.

Les Philippines se disputent territorialement les îles Spratleys avec le Vietnam et surtout la Chine. La recrudescence d’activité de la Chine dans la zone fait craindre des tensions de plus en plus fortes du fait d’une mauvaise coordination entre adminisitrations chinoises comme le révèle l’International Crisis Group.

David Campese

 

 

Colombian Military Negotiate for Italian Armoured Vehicles

Pietro Batacchi – 24/04/201

Italian manufacturers are in talks with Colombian officials to negotiate the delivery of new military vehicles including the 8×8 IFV VBM Freccia. The Colombia Army has a requirement for a new 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle as it is trying to improve its armoured component. The Colombian Army currently operates with the Brazilian made EE-9 Cascavel and EE-11 Urutu.

Colombia is also looking at the other vehicles such as the US Stryker that appears to be favoured due to the strong military and strategic links between Colombia and US. The two countries have worked together in a strong partnership aimed to fight drug traffic and illegal smuggling. The US can use Colombian bases and infrastructures to deploy military assets, including CIA and American Special Forces personnel operate in Colombia to mentor and support local counterparts.

Freccia Armoured Vehicle for the Colombian Military

However, Italian CIO (Consorzio Iveco Oto Melara) is trying to push the Freccia armoured vehicle proposing a large military package also including the Leopard 1 A5 MBT’s and the M113 APC coming from the Italian Army’s surplus.

The Leopard 1 A5’s were placed in storage as Italian armoured brigades dismissed them in favour of new Ariete MBTs. The 31sth Armoured Regiment « Pinerolo » Brigade was the last Italian Army Regiment to be equipped with Leopard 1 A5 as it was converted for the Italian Army’s « Forza NEC » Program, the Italian net-centric program.

The Leopard 1 A5 was produced by German KMW and Rheinmetall companies and bought by the Italian Army in the Eighties to use with armoured units alongside American M60s. The Leopard 1 A5’s were fitted out with a larger turret than the previous models to host a new fire control systems and enable night operations. Currently in the Italian Army surplus there could be more than 100 Leopard 1 A5’s.

The M113’s are still in service with Italian Army armoured and mechanized units, but they are being replaced with Freccias and they could be available as second hand equipment for the export. The Freccia armoured vehicle is currently deployed with Italian contingent in Afghanistan in Shindand western province.

At Eurosatory 2012 in Paris, the biannual land systems exhibition, CIO will show for the first time a new Freccia variant suited for RECCE operations and named « Explorer ».

Source: Armed Forces International News

Russia to Get First 57 Italian Armored Vehicles in 2012

MOSCOW, March 14 (RIA Novosti)

The Russian Armed Forces will take delivery of the first 57 Italian Lince (Lynx) light multirole armored vehicles (LMV) before the end of the current year, Defense Ministry press secretary Irina Kovalchuk said on Wednesday.

“These machines will go primarily to the Southern Military District,” she said.

The district incorporates Russia’s troubled North Caucasus republics.

Russia signed a deal with Italy’s Iveco company in December on the semi-knocked down assembly of Lynx vehicles in the central Russia city of Voronezh.

Localization of production at the Voronezh plant is currently 10 percent, Kovalchuk said, adding that by 2014 it is to reach 50 percent.

Lynx is a light multirole armored vehicle developed in 2001 by Iveco Defense Vehicles. It ensures high mobility and protection against anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

L’Italie commandera moins de F-35 que prévu

14/03/2012

Dans le cadre d’un plan de réductions budgétaires, Rome a décidé de tailler dans le programme d’avions F-35 destinés à l’armée de l’air et la marine italiennes. La cible d’acquisition a été ramenée de 131 à 90 appareils, soit 30% de moins que prévu en 2002, lorsque l’Italie a rejoint le programme Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), emmené par les Américains. Le gouvernement espère, ainsi, économiser 5 milliards d’euros.

On ne connait pas pour le moment le détail de cette réduction de voilure. Initialement, l’Italie devait commander 69 avions conventionnels de type F-35A, ainsi que 62 appareils du type F-35B, à décollage court et appontage vertical. Parmi ces derniers, 22 doivent rejoindre l’aéronautique navale. Les appareils de la marine seront sans doute maintenus, faute de quoi le nouveau porte-aéronefs Cavour, actuellement doté de Harrier vieillissants, n’aura plus d’avions à mettre en oeuvre d’ici la fin de la décennie. En revanche, la pertinence de doter l’armée de l’Air d’une quarantaine de F-35B, en plus des F-35A qui lui conviennent mieux, n’était pour beaucoup pas avérée. D’autant que l’Aeronautica militare utilise aussi l’Eurofighter Typhoon, dont 121 exemplaires doivent être livrés.

Source: Mer et Marine

DefenseRussian Military to Buy 60 Italian Tactical Vehicles

MOSCOW, January 24 (RIA Novosti)

Russia signed a deal with Italy in December on the semi-knocked down assembly of 60 Lynx light multirole armored vehicles (LMV) from Iveco, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Sukhorukov said on Tuesday.

“The deal was signed in December. Italy will supply kits that will be assembled at a joint enterprise in [central] Russian city of Voronezh,” Sukhorukov said.

Four vehicles were earlier acquired and brought to Russia for comparative tests with Russian analogues, he said.

“They displayed better characteristics than the vehicles we are currently using,” Sukhorukov said.

The LMV M65 is a light multirole armored vehicle developed in 2001 by Iveco Defense Vehicles. It is designed primarily for strategic and tactical mobility with a high level of protection against anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

Russian military currently exploits Tigr (Gaz-2330) light armored vehicles manufactured at Russia’s Gorkovsky automobile plant (GAZ) and Arzamas machinery plant (AMZ).

EADS pose ses conditions pour renoncer à des dommages-intérêts

Le 02 novembre 2011 par Astrid Gouzik

Selon une information du quotidien allemand Financial Times Deutschland, le groupe EADS pourrait compenser les annulations de commandes de son Eurofighter avec des offres d’achat pour son drone Talarion.

Les différents minitères européenns succomberont-ils à la proposition faite par le groupe aéronautique ce mercredi 2 novembre ? Il pourrait renoncer à demander des dommages-intérêts pour l’annulation de commandes d’Eurofighter si ces mêmes gouvernements lui commandaient des drones.

Selon le Financial Times Deutschland, ce seraient les Allemands, les Britanniques et les Italiens qui auraient annulé les commandes de 124 avions de combat.

Outre-Rhin, la réplique laisse planer le doute : « Ces négociations ne sont pas terminées« , indique un porte-parole du ministère de la défense. Il « refuse de prendre part à des spéculations« .

L’Allemagne a récemment annoncé son intention de sabrer dans le budget de la Défense. Pour dégager les 8 milliards d’euros d’économies nécessaires, le gouvernement a indiqué qu’il réduirait les achats de blindés et d’avions militaires. Sa commande d’avions de combat Eurofighter est donc passée de 177 unités à 140.

Source: L’Usine Nouvelle

Algerian Navy orders landing and support vessel amidst naval expansion

Friday, 29 July 2011

The Algerian Ministry of Defence has ordered a landing and logistical support vessel from the Italian company Orizzonte Sistemi Navali as the Algerian Navy modernises and expands its fleet.

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali is a joint venture between Fincantieri (the controlling shareholder) and Selex Sistemi Integrati. Fincantieri made the announcement yesterday, but did not give any further details regarding the order. Fincantieri has built three San Giorgio class amphibious transport dock ships for the Italian Navy, and this may be the type that Algeria will receive – last month Africa Intelligence reported that Algeria was examining the idea of buying a San Giorgio class vessel.

Each ship can carry a battalion of troops, up to 36 armoured vehicles or up to 30 tanks, three landing craft in the floodable stern dock, and several helicopters, including three Sea King or EH 101 Merlin helicopters or five AB 212, from a carrier-style flight deck. The San Giorgio and San Marco were laid down for the Italian Navy in 1985 and 1986 while the third vessel in the class, San Giusto, was ordered in 1991. The two oldest ships will soon be replaced by two amphibious assault ships.

The ships are armed with an Oto Melara 76/62 gun on the gun deck at the bow of the ship and two Oerlikon 20 mm cannons for close defence.

The San Giorgio class are powered by two GMT A 420.12 diesel engines supplied by the Diesel Engine Division of Fincantieri and providing 16 800 hp. The propulsion system provides a maximum continuous speed of 21 knots. At the economical speed of 16 knots the maximum range of the ship is 7 500 nautical miles.

Algeria is enhancing its Navy and last year took delivery of two Kilo submarines from Russia. At the end of June, Algeria signed a deal with Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation and state arms exporter Rosoboronexport for two new Tiger class corvettes.

Jane’s noted that Algeria has been interested in acquiring Tiger ‘missile frigates’ since early 2006. The Tiger corvette (Project 20382) is an export model of the Project 20380 Steregushchy class, which is the Russian Navy’s newest corvette class. Russia plans to buy at least 30 Steregushchy class vessels for all major fleets. The first was commissioned in November 2007, according to Jane’s Naval Forces News.

The Tiger was designed to destroy enemy submarines, surface ships and aircraft and be able to guard borders and patrol exclusive economic zones. Although the hull and superstructure are made of steel, the vessels do feature stealth materials and technologies.

Powered by diesel engines, the vessel has a maximum speed of 27 knots and an economical speed of 14 knots, which gives a range of 4000 nautical miles and an endurance of 15 days, according to Rosoboronexport.

The vessel can be equipped with a variety of weaponry, including 100 or 76.2 mm guns, 14.5 mm machine guns, 533 mm torpedoes and a variety of surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles (e.g. P-800 Oniks, Uran-E or Yakhont).

In addition, the vessels have capacity for a helicopter such as the Kamov Ka-27, which is carried on the Russian vessels.

The Algerian Navy has been undergoing expansion in recent years as it faces problems such as smuggling, illegal migration and indigenous terrorism. These threats mainly affect Algeria’s harbours and maritime communication routes and ships passing through the Straits of Gibraltar. Consequently, the Algerian Navy maintains a well trained and well equipped fleet to provide security to more than 1000 km of coastline.
According to the IISS’s The Military Balance 2011, Algeria’s surface fleet comprises of three 1970s-era Koni class antisubmarine frigates, six corvettes, 22 patrol and coastal combat vessels, three amphibious vessels and three logistics and support ships.
In June 2006 Rosoboronexport signed a contract with the Algerian Navy for the construction of two Project 636 Improved Kilo class submarines under a roughly US$400 million contract.
Construction of the first submarine started in 2006 and the second began in 2007. They were handed over to the Algerian Navy in March and September last year where they joined two Project 877EKM Kilo diesel electric submarines, which Algeria received in 1987-1988.

Source: defenceweb.co.za

Italian Austerity Likely To Hit Aerospace

Aug 9, 2011

By Andy Nativi

GENOA, Italy — Italian defense spending and other public allocations backing aerospace are expected to face a difficult future under Rome’s newly minted fiscal reform package aimed at soothing market fears over its ability to repay its debt.

The effect on the individual ministerial line items has not yet been decided, but the accelerated move to a balanced budget and other reform commitments make cuts to spending on aerospace, defense and security inevitable. The goal of the reform package – which also includes welfare cuts and tax increases that could trigger labor turmoil – is to bring the ratio of public debt to GDP to a more sustainable level.

To raise funding, Rome also may be forced to sell its stake in some industrial “crown jewels.” Even disposal of part of its 30% stake in Finmeccanica is not being ruled out; a potential option is to reduce the involvement to a mere golden share to protect the company from foreign takeover. However, that move is seen as unlikely.

Finmeccanica’s share price has fallen sharply in recent days, owing to a combination of factors including disappointing earnings, slow progress in streamlining the business and broader concerns over the Italian market. Any disposal is unlikely until the share price recovers to make the sale financially attractive.

The increased budget pressure also is expected to hit the ministries of economic development, research and public instruction, and transportation. The first pays for research and development, as well as procurement of many major platforms – including Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, navy Fremm frigates, army wheeled combat vehicles and military satellites. The research and public instruction ministry provides the Italian space agency’s funding resources and the transportation ministry finances the bulk of the coast guard.

The squeeze has been on aerospace for some time. Prior to the latest move, the government cut €5 billion ($7.1 billion) from public spending under the 2012-14 budget plan, with €250 million taken from defense in 2012 and another €413 million in 2013, More cuts in 2014 were planned. The ministry of economic development was to surrender a total of €2 billion, although only a small fraction would have hit aerospace and defense activities. The ministry currently is looking to obligate €400 million to support R&D programs, money which was approved but has not been earmarked.

The defense ministry still has to detail how it will cope with the budget crunch, and a communication on that strategy could be submitted to parliament by the end of September. That deadline may slide if the new spending adjustments have to be built into that plan.

So far, the defense ministry has tried to absorb spending cuts without sacrificing major procurement activities or cutting personnel. However, with operations and maintenance accounts already stretched, curtailing modernization funding may emerge as the ministry’s only tool to decrease spending, especially if there is continuing political pressure not to cut uniformed or civilian personnel.

Operational reductions have been made. In its commitment to the NATO mission against Libya, Italy will replace its aircraft carrier with a smaller amphibious platform (its navy Harriers are no longer in action), while the air force has added the AMX to the F-16s, Typhoons and Tornado it is flying. Those steps will help shrink operational outlays for the full year below the €1.8-2 billion forecast.

Source: Aviationweek.com

Alenia Aermacchi: Finalised Contracts with ST Aerospace Worth About EUR 170 Million for the Logistic Support of the Fleet of 12 M-346s for the Republic of Singapore Air Force

Alenia Aermacchi,  a company of Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics Sector led by Alenia Aeronautica – has finalised with ST Aerospace the logistics support contracts for the 12 M-346 trainers sold at the end of September 2010 in the context of the Fighter Wings Course programme of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The two contracts are expected to generate total sales in the range of EUR 170 million.

The first contract (Supply Chain Management) envisages the joint management of the M-346 suppliers by Alenia Aermacchi and ST Aerospace (after-sales support, including spare parts provisioning, repair and overhaul services) with sharing of risks, sales and profits between the two Companies.

The other contract (Operations & Support) concerns instead the supply by Alenia Aermacchi of engineering support, programme/contract management and field support services.

Alenia Aeronautica’s CEO and Responsible for Finmeccanica’s Aeronautics Sector has commented: « The two contracts on the logistics support of the 12 M-346 for Singapore confirm the success of the high-technology Italian industry and the primacy at international level of this aircraft and of its integrated training system. Once again we are particularly proud for the positive relationship with both the Republic of Singapore Air Force, known to be one of the most sophisticated Air Forces in the world, and our industrial counterpart, ST Aerospace. »

The M-346 is the most Advanced/Lead-In Fighter Trainer currently produced and the only new generation trainer optimised for the role. Its excellent performance and flying qualities, close to modern frontline fighters, brings the M-346 to a superior teaching effectiveness level. The advanced design solutions provide also high safety standards and reduced acquisition and operational costs. The aircraft is tailored to train pilots to fly new-generation combat aircraft and is well suited for every phase of advanced and pre-operational training, to reduce the flight hours on the more expensive frontline aircraft.

The aircraft embodies the latest « design-to-cost » and « design-to-maintain » concepts, with avionics modelled upon those of new-generation military aircraft such as Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, F-16, F-18, F-22 and the future JSF. Its flexible platform is configured also for the operational roles as a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

The M-346 is the ideal platform for the next-generation Integrated Training Systems.

The M-346 programme is attracting increasing interest from potential international customers and partners. Besides the contracts with Italian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore, and the selection by the United Arab Emirates, additional opportunities exist on leading markets and other European and Worldwide Countries.

Source: Alenia Aeronautica

Fincantieri dans la tourmente

31/05/2011

Manifestations et protestations ont suivi, ces derniers jours, l’annonce d’un vaste projet de restructuration chez Fincantieri. Le géant italien de la construction navale, détenu par l’Etat, devrait supprimer 2500 postes sur les 8200 qu’il compte actuellement. Et, si la situation ne s’améliore pas aussi rapidement que miraculeusement, deux des huit chantiers du groupe, Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) et Sestri Ponente (Gênes), devraient être fermés. Cette réduction de voilure drastique n’est, malheureusement, pas une surprise. Depuis des mois, on savait un plan de restructuration de grande ampleur en cours d’élaboration, l’importante décrue constatée dans le carnet de commandes de Fincantieri imposant une rationalisation des effectifs et de l’outil industriel. En cela, la fermeture potentielle de Castellammare di Stabia n’a rien d’étonnante. Dès 2009, le chantier avait connu des mesures de chômage partiel et, même s’il a livré de très beaux ferries de croisière pour Grimaldi, ce site, avec sa cale de lancement sur plan incliné, n’est plus au gout du jour. La construction de deux patrouilleurs pour les garde-côtes italiens permettra, néanmoins, d’assurer un peu d’activité durant deux ans.

La croisière concentrée à Marghera et Monfalcone

Plus étonnant en revanche est le projet de fermeture de Sestri Ponente, qui dispose d’infrastructures plus modernes et a livré de nombreux navires de croisière ces dernières années. Mais, là encore, l’activité est de plus en plus réduite. Après la livraison du paquebot de luxe Marina (Oceania Cruises) en janvier dernier, l’établissement génois doit achever au premier semestre 2012 son sistership, le Riviera, qui fait déjà l’objet d’un partage de charge avec la réalisation de méga-blocs dans d’autres chantiers sous-employés. Et, en dehors de l’achèvement prochain du second pétrolier-ravitailleur commandé par la marine indienne, il n’y a plus aucun navire dans le plan de charge de Sestri Ponente.
Les commandes de paquebots n’étant plus suffisamment nombreuses, Fincantieri semble donc avoir décidé de concentrer cette activité sur les deux grands chantiers situés sur les bords de l’Adriatique, à savoir Monfalcone, près du siège du groupe à Trieste, et Marghera, en face de Venise. Des incertitudes pèsent également sur le site d’Ancône, qui a livré son dernier navire, L’Austral (Compagnie du Ponant), au mois d’avril, mais qui a sans doute encore une carte à jouer sur le segment haut de gamme. Situé au sud de Gênes, Riva Trigoso, devrait voir une bonne partie de ses activités transférées à Muggiano. Ce site, près de La Spezia, travaille sur le créneau des bâtiments militaire et celui des grands yachts. Quant à l’établissement de Palerme, il doit continuer de se concentrer sur le domaine de la réparation navale et des refontes.

Effondrement du carnet de commandes

Anticipée depuis longtemps, la baisse de charge chez Fincantieri est devenue vraiment réalité l’an dernier. Ainsi, en 2010, le chiffre d’affaires du groupe n’a atteint que 2.876 milliards d’euros, contre 3.27 milliards d’euros en 2009. Dans le même temps, le carnet de commandes passait de 10.1 milliards d’euros à 8.88 milliards d’euros fin 2010. C’est évidemment le secteur de la croisière, autour duquel Fincantieri structurait l’essentiel de son activité depuis de nombreuses années, qui est responsable de la situation actuelle. A l’été 2008, le carnet de commandes du groupe italien comprenait 16 navires de croisière à livrer d’ici 2012. Aujourd’hui, il n’y a en a plus que six, dont un, le Costa Favolosa, sera achevé à la fin du mois et entrera en service début juillet. Ensuite, il ne reste plus à Fincantieri que son sistership, le Costa Favolosa, ainsi que le Riviera et le Carnival Breeze, à livrer en 2012, puis seulement les deux nouveaux géants de Princess Cruises, dont la mise en service est programmée en 2013 et 2014.
Dans ce contexte, et même en rationalisant son outil industriel, Fincantieri doit, impérativement, engranger de nouvelles commandes. L’industriel compte évidemment sur son client principal, le groupe américain Carnival Corporation, qui compte de nombreuses filiales (CCL, Costa, Princess, P&O Cruises, Holland America, Cunard…) Des projets sont notamment à l’étude pour Costa et Holland mais, pour l’heure, rien n’a encore été signé. D’autant que la concurrence est très rude puisque Fincantieri n’est pas le seul constructeur en difficulté. Les chantiers français et finlandais de STX Europe cherchent, eux aussi, à regarnir leurs carnets de commandes, ce qui provoque apparemment une baisse significative des prix, dont le niveau serait redescendu à celui que l’on connaissait au début des années 2000. Dans ces condition, il est de bonne guerre, pour les armateurs, de profiter des déboires des chantiers pour faire baisser les tarifs, le temps jouant évidemment en faveur des compagnies.

Source: Mer et Marine