Armée danoise/Danish Defence(Forsvaret)

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LOCKHEED MARTIN AND TERMA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE MARITIME HELICOPTER OPPORTUNITY IN DENMARK

LONDON, September 8th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Danish aerospace and defense company Terma A/S today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities associated with the potential sale of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter to the Danish Government.

The agreement, announced at the Defence Systems & Equipment International exhibition, follows the Danish Government’s June 2009 authorization to procure new ship-based helicopters to support Royal Danish Navy vessels operating in the North Atlantic and internationally. The U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter is a candidate solution for these maritime operations.

“Lockheed Martin and Terma will combine our complementary experience and skills sets should the Danish Government procure the U.S. Navy’s most advanced maritime helicopter,” said Marillyn Hewson, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. “Together, we can offer the Danish Armed Forces high quality technological and support services required to ensure mission and flight readiness of the MH-60R across the 30-year life of the aircraft.”

“Lockheed Martin and Terma share a long and beneficial history of working together in a close partnership, which includes the F-16, C-130 and F-35 programs," said Terma President and CEO Jens Maaløe. "We are therefore very happy and proud, that today with this MOU we extend this cooperation to also include Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. We very much look forward to combining both companies’ core capabilities on the Danish Maritime Helicopter program, and to investigating a number of other exciting business opportunities.”

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego is the rotary wing center of excellence for Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company has more than 35 years of experience as a leading mission systems integrator of maritime helicopters, including the British Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk 1 helicopter fleet, and two generations of U.S. Navy helicopters, the SH-60B and the MH-60R.

The MH-60R airframe is designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, with mission systems integration by Lockheed Martin. To date, the two companies have delivered 36 MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy. In July, 2009, a U.S. Navy squadron of 11 MH-60R aircraft completed its first at-sea deployment during six months in the western Pacific with the USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group.

The U.S. Navy has established four of ten planned MH-60R squadrons, and intends to purchase 300 MH-60R aircraft over the next decade. Production plans include capacity for concurrent international sales.

The MH-60R replaces the U.S. Navy’s current fleet of SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters as part of the U.S. Navy’s strategy to reduce different type, model and series maritime helicopters with multi-mission platforms. The MH-60R can perform a wide range of missions from its primary missions of anti-submarine and surface warfare to secondary missions such as search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, medical evacuation and communications and data relay.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/0909si_terma.html

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RDAF becomes VSI’s first international NVCD-ANVIS customer

September 27, 2012 (by Christina Babbitt) - Vision Systems International (VSI), has been awarded a contract from the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) to provide its Night Vision Cueing and Display-Aviator's Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVCD-ANVIS) technology, the night module for the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS).

"We are extremely proud of this award from the Royal Danish Air Force, which is a continuation of the 12-year-long strategic relationship and look forward to the successful implementation of this new operational capability," said VSI President Phil King. The RDAF will use VSI's NVCD-ANVIS to enhance its F-16 night-attack capability, for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. The RDAF is VSI's first international customer for the NVCD-ANVIS technology.

VSI’s NVCD-ANVIS technology, which enables night-time target acquisition capabilities through the display of JHMCS targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters directly on the Night Vision Goggles image, allows the pilot to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors against enemy aircraft and ground targets without the need to aggressively turn the aircraft or place the target in a Head-Up Display (HUD) field-of-view for designation. The use of the NVCD-ANVIS necessitates no changes to the JHMCS, or to the aircraft's hardware or software.

The capabilities were successfully proven in four flight demonstration sessions, one of them in Denmark. "RDAF F-16 pilots demonstrated the efficient integration of NVGs with JHMCS during 300 hours of flight operations over Libya during their participation in Unified Protector 2011," said a RDAF spokesperson at the time, "The tactical information and situational awareness was outstanding."

"NVCD-ANVIS answers an urgent operational requirement for international JHMCS users. Its ease of operation and straight-forward installation makes it a natural extension for current JHMCS users, " said King.

Aviation Industry News

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La firme montréalaise Revision Military reçoit un contrat de l’armée danoise

L’entreprise de Montréal Revision Military, se spécialisant dans la protection des soldats, vient de décrocher un contrat pour fournir les militaires danois avec le casque de protection Batlskin™ Cobra. Le contrat de sept ans prévoit que la compagnie livrera 4 335 casques incluant un revêtement haute performance, le système ergonomique Retention et le montage frontal multi-usage. Les forces armées danoises ont également pris l’option d’en acheter plus, ainsi que le viseur Batlskin et la protection de la mâchoire inférieure.

Les tests du système Batlskin ont été mené au centre d’essai de l’armée danoise avec la participation de l’Armée et de l’Aviation danoise. Revision a finalement remporté l’enchère avec des scores élevés de conformité technique.

Revision est fière d’avoir remporté ce contrat de fourniture de l’armée danoise, avec nos casques en polyéthylène de haute performance et légers, et autres composants Batlskin, ce qui est la preuve que nous avançons dans notre mission de répondre aux besoins des combats des soldat d’aujourd’hui sur le champ de bataille, » a déclaré Jonathan Blanshay, PDG de Revision. « Notre volonté de fournir la prochaine génération de casques qui répondent à la fois aux environnements opérationnels actuels et futurs est l’aboutissement de nombreuses années de recherche et développement de nouveaux matériaux… ».
http://www.45enord.ca/2012/10/la-firme-montrealaise-revision-military-recoit-un-contrat-de-larmee-danoise/

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Sagem Wins New Order for JIM LR Multifunction Infrared Binoculars for Denmark


(Photo: Sagem)

14:28 GMT, October 19, 2012 Paris | The NATO Support Agency (NSPA)* has awarded Sagem (Safran group) a new contract for 126 JIM LR (long range) multifunction infrared binoculars for the Danish Ministry of Defense.

JIM LR binoculars incorporate a number of features in a single portable optronics package, including day/night (infrared) vision, range finding, magnetic compass, GPS, laser pointer and data transmission. The models intended for Denmark will also include an infrared and visible image fusion function, enabling all-weather vision and the ability to see through camouflage in the daytime. They will also be able to record images and videos via a USB port.

The Danish armed forces are already users of Matis binoculars and JIM LR units and they previously chose the JIM LR based on the results of comparative tests. Field personnel emphasized its excellent detection, identification and target acquisition performance, coupled with light weight and an ergonomic design. With the acquisition of additional JIM LR, the Danish armed forces confirmed their trust in Sagem optronics equipment, being deployed as part of a modernization program for front-line troops.

JIM LR binoculars are already used by several NATO countries for infantry, artillery and intelligence units, special forces, support for front-line troops, border patrol and coastal protection. With this latest contract, there are now 5,000 JIM LR units in service or under order worldwide, including 2,000 in the French armed forces.

defpro

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Electronic Warfare Equipment for RDAF TTT Helicopters


(Source: Terma a/s; issued October 25, 2012)



EURONAVAL 2012, PARIS --- Terma and the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) recently signed a contract for upgrading the Electronic Warfare (EW) suite on the Air Force’s TTT Westland 101 Merlin helicopters (EH-101).

The EW upgrade program will be carried out during 2013 with delivery from Terma to DALO at the end of 2013.

Steen Michael Lynenskjold (Senior Vice President, Sales & Programs, Terma) and Colonel Henrik Lund Stein (Head of the planning division within the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization) shake hands at Euronaval 2012

The comprehensive system integration task involves the two Terma business areas Aerostructures and Defense & Security, where the EW equipment that has previously been delivered from Terma is being re-used.

This equipment includes the Terma developed and manufactured Electronic Warfare Management System ALQ-213, Tactical Threat Displays, Tactical Data Unit, and pods integrated with the Advanced Counter Measure Dispensers (ACMDS) and Missile Warning Sensors. Terma will deliver the complete system integration task including design, manufacturing, and final certification onto the EH-101 platform.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/139692/denmark-upgrades-ew-suite-of-eh_101-helicopters.html

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Danish Army's M113 APC replacement programme moves ahead
15 November 2012
The Danish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has received proposals from eight European companies for a contract to replace the Royal Danish Army's ageing M113 armoured personnel carriers (APC) fleet.

A request for information (RFI) was floated by the MoD in May 2011 to manufacturers for the procurement of approximately 360 vehicles in six different configurations under a track versus wheel vehicles competition.

The configurations included an infantry, command and control, ambulance, mortar, as well as engineering and mechanical variants.

Companies bidding for the contract include BAE Systems Hagglunds, which proposed Armadillo variant of its CV90 tracked vehicle, FFG Flensburger, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and the Santa Barbara subsidiary of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), according to a statement by the procurement arm of the MoD.

The statement added that ARTEC, Nexter, Patria and the Mowag subsidiary of GDELS have proposed wheeled vehicles and provided no additional information on the type of vehicles.

The MoD is expected to down-select a number of contenders in the next few months, prior to the scheduled starting of vehicle trials in Denmark in March 2013.

Undisclosed Danish industry officials were cited by Defense News as saying that they expected the winning manufacturer to be under contract by the end of next year.

Manufactured by BAE Systems, the M113 is a fully-tracked APC capable of conducting amphibious operation, extended cross-country travel over rough terrain and high-speed operation on improved roads and highways.

The Danish Army operates 632 heavily-armoured M113s in different configurations, such as APC, command vehicles, repair vehicles, fitters vehicle, TOW carrier, ambulance, and combat engineers vehicle, as well as tactical air control party carrier and fire-fighting vehicle.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsdanish-armys-m113-apc-replacement-programme-moves-ahead

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The danish navy gets 9 MH-60R it has been decided. It will replace Lynx.



MH-60R lander på det fleksible støtteskib ABSALON under øvelsen - BALTOPS i 2011.

Link in Danish: http://forsvaret.dk/FMT/MATERIEL/FLY...s/default.aspx

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Nov. 22, 2012 - 09:16AM
Danish military officials crisscrossed the U.S. last week in a major step toward restarting competition for the country’s fighter replacement program.

On Nov. 12, the delegation visited Boeing’s facility in St. Louis to see the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Nov. 13 and 14 were spent on meetings in Washington before traveling to a Nov. 15 meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, where the group got a firsthand look at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.“It was very productive, and we look forward to working with both companies in the future,” said Maj. Gen. Flemming Lentfer, the head of the delegation.

But Danish officials caution not to expect a quick decision.

“No decision has been made,” said Lt. Col. Per Lyse Rasmussen, assistant defense attaché at the Danish Embassy. “We want an open and fair competition.”

Denmark announced its intention to replace its fleet of F-16s in 2005. But the program was frozen in 2010 amid economic worries and a decision that the existing combat jets would last longer than expected.

The replacement program initially involved purchasing 48 next-generation fighters, but that number has been reduced to about 30.

In addition to the conventional takeoff version of the JSF and the Super Hornet, Denmark is considering the Saab Gripen. The Eurofighter Typhoon pulled out of the initial competition, but since then, the Eurofighter consortium has signaled that it wants the Typhoon to be considered when the competition is restarted.

Rasmussen expects Denmark to pick the jet that can provide the best package of strategic capabilities and industrial impact for the country’s defense industry.

Boeing spokeswoman Mary Brett described the visit as positive but directed questions to the Danish Defense Command.

“We are pleased that the Danish delegation has visited our facilities to discuss a variety of subjects relating to Lockheed Martin aircraft,” wrote Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Laurie Quincy in an email. Quincy added that the company has not been given a specific time frame for when Denmark will renew the selection process.

Lockheed is advantageously positioned over the competition, having already established relationships with Danish industry through Denmark’s partnership in the JSF program.

Denmark is a Tier-3 partner on the JSF and has contributed $210 million to the program. Although the partnership was supposed to pay large dividends for the Danish defense sector, some industry executives have complained of paltry returns on the investment.

At an event Nov. 8, Tom Burbage, Lockheed’s general manager for the F-35 program, dismissed the idea that having one of the early JSF partners decide to purchase a different jet could harm the program.

“It’s totally up to the countries to decide what they want to do, what their national interests are,” Burbage said. “I don’t think it reflects on the program at all. It reflects on the political situations in their own home states.”

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121122/DEFREG01/311220001/Danish-Officials-Browse-Candidates-New-Fighter?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

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Denmark purchases U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The U.S. Navy is selling nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and associated support to Denmark.

Valued at approximately $686 million, this is the second U.S. foreign military sales (FMS) procurement for the MH-60R, following Australia’s FMS selection in 2011.

The Seahawks will replace the Danish Westland Lynx Mk 90B helicopter fleet, which entered service in 2000. The first MH-60R helicopter is expected to deploy with Danish warships by 2016.

In addition to its primary mission of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the MH-60R Seahawk also performs search and rescue, troop transport, medical evacuation, ship-to-ship replenishment, and humanitarian relief operations.

“We’re very pleased to see Denmark choose the MH-60R. The Romeo’s proven performance and reliability will meet their maritime needs, and will provide both Denmark and the United States with interoperability benefits as our nations continue to operate in close partnership during contingency operations and missions around the world,” said Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs.

The U.S. Navy currently has seven operational carrier air wing squadrons, two expeditionary squadrons and two fleet replacement squadrons operating the MH-60R, with 85 flying operationally and 44 in training squadrons. The U.S. Navy is expected to procure a total of 291 MH-60R aircraft by 2017.

The U.S. Navy was supported in its winning proposal by Team Seahawk, which comprises MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin, engine manufacturer GE, sensor supplier Raytheon Corp., and training supplier CAE. In addition to meeting U.S. Navy fleet requirements, Team Seahawk has the capacity to deliver 18 to 23 additional aircraft annually to foreign military sales customers.

For more information please contact H-60 program public affairs: Kelly M. Burdick, (301) 995-2774; [email=kelly.burdick@navy.mil

www.navair.navy.mi]kelly.burdick@navy.mil[/quote]www.navair.navy.mi[/email]

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Danish Government Selects T700-powered MH-60R Naval Helicopters

The U.S. Navy announced that the Danish government signed an official letter of offer and acceptance formalizing its intent to buy nine GE T700-powered MH-60R SEAHAWK® helicopters and comprehensive logistics support for its Maritime Helicopter Replacement Program.

Valued at US $686 million (Kr 4 billion), the aircraft will be procured via the U.S. government's Foreign Military Sales program.

"It's great news that the Danish government has selected the U.S. Navy's MH-60R, an aircraft we believe is the world's most capable multi-mission maritime helicopter," said Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs. "Danish pilots and crew will be able to fly with the confidence that these aircraft have been proven operationally capable at sea and have the full logistics support already in place to ensure they are ready and able to fly anytime, anywhere in the world."

Denmark is the second country to buy MH-60R helicopters following Australia's purchase of 24 aircraft in 2011. All nine aircraft will be delivered to the Danish government by 2018.

The Danish aircraft are configured for anti-surface warfare operations, including defending Danish interests in the North Atlantic, executing anti-piracy operations and conducting other missions during international deployments.

The U.S. Navy was supported in its winning proposal by Team Seahawk, consisting of MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin, engine manufacturer GE, sensor supplier Raytheon Corp., and training supplier CAE.

GE Aviation will provide 18 install engines, plus four spare engines in support of this selection.

“We are pleased to be part of such a great team that is dedicated to the success of the MH-60R,” said Bjorn Gidner, GE Military Systems Operation Senior Sales Manager.

http://www.asdnews.com/news-46633/Danish_Government_Selects_T700-powered_MH-60R_Naval_Helicopters.htm#ixzz2EkmNvcRT

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Dec. 14, 2012 - 09:43AM | By Gerard O’Dwyer
HELSINKI — Denmark’s center-left government has won cross-party support in parliament for a landmark national defense reform plan focused on unprecedented cost savings that not only will transform its defense capability, but also how defense is managed in Denmark.

The all-party agreement is spearheaded by a five-year (2013-2017) Defense Development Strategy (DDS) that will re-reorganize Navy, Air Force and Land Forces’ operations, and lead to economy-driven cost-reduction programs that will result in military unit mergers as well as garrison closures.

The major elements of the reform program include the centralization of materials procurement; the restructuring of the Army into fewer but larger and better-equipped battalions; the establishment of military cyber defense capabilities; a reduction in the annual intake of conscripts from 5,000 to 4,200; the reinforcement of Denmark’s military presence and capability in its Arctic territories; and the acquisition of nine new ship-borne MH-60R Seahawk type helicopters to support Denmark’s elevated Arctic defense role.

The tighter financial controls, and the new cost savings sought, are certain to be painful for the military. The government will require the military to find $445 million in new operational savings in 2014, $450 million in 2015, $455 million in 2016 and $380 million in 2017.

The end result will leave Denmark with a much slimmed-down Army, Navy and Air Force. These three core branches are to be restructured into more useable, rapid-deployment units geared to participating in international operations rather than traditional national territorial defense duties.

“This will be a hard pill for the military to swallow. It is hoped that the general savings that will be made can free capital to be redistributed to core areas within the Armed Forces. The whole concept is to create a stronger defense through modernization of equipment and the better use of resources. We all hope the government has got it right on its reforms,” said Lene Espersen, the defense policy spokesperson for the Conservative People’s Party’s.

The structural and fiscal reforms will enable Denmark to maintain a well-equipped, professionally trained armed force capable of participating in international missions, said Defense Minister Nick Hækkerup.

“Danish defense, in recent years, has transformed from a traditional mobilization format to a modern defense. It must continue to adapt and modernize for future tasks. The ending of combat operations in Afghanistan, the developments in the Arctic and in the cyberspace area requires adjustments to defense. The capacities of all services, including Special Operations forces, must be able to be deployed at short notice in a broad spectrum of operations,” Hækkerup said.

The shake-up in the Danish military will also affect how the Defense Forces Command (DFC) operates. It is proposed that the DFC’s command structure be dismantled and integrated into the Ministry of Defense’s civilian structure.

This transformation was influenced by a series of state financial management audits of the military since 2008 that criticized how the annual budget, which averaged $4 billion in the 2008-2012 funding period, was often inefficiently used by core sections of the military.

“We will still have a defense forces commander under the new system who will be the top military adviser to the defense minister. The military competences will be the same, only now they will be part of the ministry,” Hækkerup said.

The need to find new savings has produced a DFC proposal to merge the command structures of the three core areas — Land Forces, Air Force and Navy — into a single command organization. Work to establish a suitable unified structure is ongoing within DFC-appointed committees.

“The time is right to create one joint operational command for the military. This command will be better able to coordinate the actions of the three branches, both at home and abroad,” said defense chief Gen. Peter Bartram.

The unified command model will aim to preserve the unique characteristics and skills of the three core services. The new operating model will add a fourth service layer that will be responsible for overall coordination, planning and deployment of forces, said Bartram.

“The military’s reorganization plan is heading in the correct direction. It can’t be too top-heavy if it wants to modernize and operate with greater economy. Inevitably, there will be reductions in manpower in all ranks,” said Espersen.

As part of the search to find new cost savings, the DFC and the MoD are discussing possible annual savings of $90 million by suspending compulsory military service for 18-year olds.
http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121214/DEFREG01/312140005/Danish-Reforms-Hit-Spending

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Par souci d’économie, le Danemark réforme à nouveau son outil de défense
22 décembre 2012 – 13:22
http://www.opex360.fr/

Les forces armées danoises vont à nouveau faire l’objet d’une réforme de leurs modes de fonctionnement. En 2004, il avait été décidé de réduire les structures de soutien au profit des capacités opérationnelles en diminuant les effectifs des personnels affectés aux missions administratives et logistiques afin d’augmenter ceux des unités de combat. Dans le même temps, le service militaire est devenu facultatif et sa durée réduite.

Mais le gouvernement de centre-gauche arrivé au pouvoir en octobre 2011 a estimé qu’il était possible d’aller encore plus loin. D’où l’adoption, avec un large consensus, d’un nouvel accord de défense (Defense Developpement Strategy) pour la période 2013-2017.

Concrètement, il s’agit pour les forces armées danoises de faire des économies substantielles dans leurs dépenses de fonctionnement (337 millions d’euros en 2014, 341 millions en 2015, 345 millions en 2016 et 288 millions en 2017) afin de pouvoir en réinvestir une partie dans l’acquisition de nouveaux matériels.

En moyenne, le Danemark a dépensé environ 3 milliards d’euros pour sa défense entre 2008 et 2012. Seulement, des audits financiers ont concu que ces budgets ont souvent été mal gérés. D’où l’effort demandé sur les crédits de fonctionnement.

“Cela va être une pilule difficile à avaler pour les militaires. Il est à espérer que les économies qui seront réalisées pourront être redistribuées à des secteurs essentiels des forces armées. Le concept est de disposer d’une défense plus solide grâce à la modernisation des équipements et une la meilleure utilisation des ressources. Nous espérons tous que le gouvernement a vu juste sur ses réformes” a expliqué Lene Espersen, ancienne ministre et chef de file du Parti conservateur danois.

Pour atteindre ces objectifs d’économies, les trois branches des forces armées danoises (Terre, Air, Marine) vont être profondément réorganisées avec un état-major unifié, l’achat des équipements sera centralisé et il est question de fusionner des unités, ce qui supposera la fermeture de garnisons. A cela s’ajoutera une réduction des effectifs et une possible suspension du service militaire.

Il s’agit ainsi de disposer de forces mieux équipées, aptes à participer à des opérations internationales et dotées de capacités suffisantes pour défendre les territoires arctiques (Groenland), stratégiquement importants pour Copenhague. L’accent sera en outre mis sur la cyberdéfense.

“Ces dernières années, l’armée danoise est passée d’un format de mobilisation traditionnelle à un système de défense moderne. Elle doit continuer à s’adapter et à se moderniser pour des tâches futures. La fin des opérations de combat en Afghanistan, les développements dans l’Arctique et dans le cyberespace demandent des ajustements. Tous les services, y compris les forces spéciales, doivent pouvoir être déployés à court préavis dans un large spectre d’opérations” a expliqué Nick Hækkerup, le ministre danois de la Défense.

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Danish C-130J prepares to fly to France.

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Lynx have topped 70,000 flying hours - something equivalent to almost 8 years constantly in the air.

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Finns in the DANCON march in Mazar-e Zarif. Danish soldiers began the tradition while serving in Cyprus in 1971. After that the march has been held in every operation in which Danish soldiers serve. For each march they invite soldiers from other participating countries, this year Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian soldiers participated. The trail was 24.3km long and participants had to carry at least 10kg of gear. Best time was done by Danish soldier who completed the trail in 2 hours and 19 minutes.

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Denmark to begin trials of potential M113 replacements
By Christopher F Foss
1/23/2013
Denmark plans to start trials on 18 March of up to eight armoured fighting vehicles to meet the Danish Army requirement for a new tracked or wheeled vehicle to replace their currently deployed M113 series of tracked armoured personnel carriers (APC) and variants.

Brief details of the Danish Army M113 replacement programme were given by Major Claus Heesakker Johansen of the Danish Army Combat Centre at the Development Network Armoured Vehicle Survivability Conference held in Munich in mid-January.

The four 8x8 wheeled vehicles are Nexter Systems with the Vehicule Blinde de combat d'Infanterie (VBCI), General Dynamics European Land Systems - MOWAG with the latest Piranha 5, Patria with the Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV), and ARTEC with the Boxer.

The four tracked contenders are FFG Flensburger with the Protected Mission Module Carrier (PMMC) G5, BAE Systems with the Armadillo, Rheinmetall with Marder Evolution, and General Dynamics European Land Systems - Santa Barbara Sistemas with ASCOD 2.

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065975446&channel=defence&subChannel=land

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Royal Danish Air Force F-16 with anniversary tail.

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Denmark Plans AW101 Deployment To Afghanistan

February 04, 2013
Credit: AgustaWestland
LONDON — Denmark is planning to deploy its AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin tactical transport helicopters to support operations in Afghanistan in 2014.

The plans, subject to government approval, will see two helicopters supporting coalition troops in Helmand Province working alongside the British Joint Helicopter Force operating from Camp Bastion. The Danish Air Force Helicopter Wing, based at Karup, has for the past two years been developing a training program to deploy the aircraft, but issues with helicopter serviceability and building up flight hours have proved challenging.

Now according to senior officers in the wing, crews will begin the final preparations this year and could deploy in July 2014. “We are now very positive toward the future of the Merlin,” said Lt. Col. Henrik Kanstrup, the wing’s chief of operations, speaking at the International Military Helicopter Conference in London on Jan. 31. “Previously we suffered with spare parts and we had problems with the engines, but now we regularly have eight or nine green [serviceable] aircraft available for operations.”

Denmark uses 14 Merlins for search and rescue as well as troop transport. Until recently, Merlins earmarked for the SAR role were partly painted yellow to improve their visibility while the troop transports were painted green, however the entire fleet is being pooled to increase availability. As part of the build-up of experience for Afghanistan, two Merlins will take part in Exercise Pashtun Jaguar, a mission rehearsal exercise that tests U.K. troops prior to deployment. This will take place later on in February, while later in the year two Merlins will be sent to NAS El Centro, Calif., to conduct hot-and-high flying and brownout training.

Several Danish pilots have already experienced life on the front line, flying Royal Air Force EH101s in Afghanistan as part of an enlarged exchange program that started when the U.K. purchased six Merlins from Denmark in 2007. Further preparation for the deployment will come with the installation of door guns and a podded electronic warfare system.

The Danes plan to use Terma’s Apache Modular Survivability Equipment, which was originally designed for use on the Apaches of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Denmark bought several of the pods and fitted them to their Eurocopter AS550 Fennecs that were deployed to Iraq. The pods were fitted to pylons formerly used to fit air-to-ground missiles. Tests have shown that the Terma pods will also work effectively with the Merlin fleet as well, and are capable of dealing with threats as large as SA-18 shoulder-fired missiles.

Work is underway to find a new electro-optical system that could be fitted not only to the Merlin but also the AS550 and Denmark’s three Bombardier CL604 Challenger multi-mission aircraft used for VIP transport and maritime patrol.

aviationweek

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Danish Hercules in Timbuktu and Gao

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Le VBCI de Nexter est encore en course au Danemark
12 février 2013 – 20:16

L’été dernier, le ministère danois de la Défense avait lancé la compétition pour trouver un remplaçant à son blindé de transport de troupe M113, entré en service dans les années 1960. Les besoins ont été estimés entre 206 et 450 véhicules, la cible la plus probable étant de 360 engins, déclinés en 6 versions différentes.

La particularité de cet appel d’offres danois est qu’il est ouvert aussi bien aux véhicules à roues qu’à chenilles. Comme quoi, même à Copenhague, il y a des débats qui restent difficiles à trancher.

Quoi qu’il en soit, le ministère de la Défense vient de rendre public les industriels retenus pour la dernière phase de la compétition. Pour les véhicules chenillés, le CV-90 Armadillo de BAE Systems Hagglunds, l’ASCOD de General Dynamics European Land System et le G5 de FFG Flensburger ont été retenus.

Concernant les véhicules à roues, seulement deux industriels ont passé la première étape : Mowag/General Dynamics avec le Piranha 5 et le Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie (VBCI) de Nexter. Exit donc l’ARTEC Boxer et le Patria AMV.

Les cinq blindés encore en lice devraient être évalués dans les mois à venir, voire même d’ici quelques semaines. Le vainqueur final devrait être connu en 2014. A moins qu’il y en ait deux, si jamais le Danemark décide de couper la poire en deux entre les deux types de véhicules.

http://www.opex360.com/

Citation :

Danish Army selects five armoured vehicles for evaluations
15 February 2013
The Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has shortlisted five out of eight vehicles for the Royal Danish Army's ageing M113 armoured personnel carriers (APC) fleet replacement contract.

Vehicles selected in the tracked category include BAE Systems Hagglunds CV90 Armadillo, Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) with G5 protected mission module carrier (PMMC), and the General Dynamics European Land Systems - Santa Barbara Sistemas ASCOD 2 vehicle, as reported by Shephard.

Nexter Systems' vehicule de combat d'infanterie (VBCI) and General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag Piranha V vehicles have been shortlisted in the wheeled vehicles category, while the remaining three bidders, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Patria Land Systems and ARTEC were rejected.

The companies submitted bids in July 2012 for the contract, which seeks delivery of approximately 360 vehicles in six different configurations, with options ranging from 206 to 450 vehicles.Expected configurations include an infantry APC, command and control, ambulance, mortar carrier, as well as engineering and repair vehicles.

Featuring a 15-year framework agreement, the contract also involves provision of support services for the vehicles while they remain in operational service.

The shortlisted vehicles are set to undergo a 17-week long evaluation programme at Oksbøl camp, Denmark, as well as several other locations on the Jutland Peninsula starting from the middle of April 2013.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2015 and finish in 2022; the vehicles will also support 45 BAE CV9035 MkIII infantry fighting vehicles and 90 Mowag 8x8 Piranha III APCs currently is use with the army.

The Danish Army operates 632 heavily-armoured M113s in different configurations, which also includes tactical air control party carrier and fire-fighting capacities.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsdanish-army-selects-five-armoured-vehicles-evaluations

Citation :

Royal Danish Air Force C-130 Hercules trains landing on the beach at Vejers
Strand. Photos:Henning Kristensen.

Exercice Winter Hide 2013 ( Italy )

F-16AM



F-16BM

Citation :

GDELS partners with FSDS to pursue Danish Army's APC-R contract
25 February 2013
General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has joined forces with Falck Schmidt Defence Systems (FSDS) to compete for the Royal Danish Army's M113 armoured personnel carriers replacement (APC-R) contract.

As part of the teaming agreement, the two companies will jointly propose an armoured personnel carrier (APC) for the programme, as reported by Shephard.

GDELS was short-listed by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistic Organisation (DALO), earlier this month to submit bids for both wheeled and tracked options of the programme.

The company is offering its subsidiary Santa Barbara Sistemas' Austrian-Spanish Cooperative Development (ASCOD 2) and Mowag Piranha V vehicles for the tracked and wheeled categories.

Falck Schmidt Defence Systems CEO Jan Falck-Schmidt said the agreement represented a significant strategic alliance with an international perspective that can improve the company's technology knowledge and production skills.

"FSDS has a proven record in production, assembly, integration and test of complete armoured personal carriers to the Danish Army, and this partnership will improve this capability to an even higher standard," Schmidt said.

GDELS president Alfonso Ramonet added that the company was looking to partner with FSDS to remain a key supplier for the Danish Army vehicle fleet, and also engage in close cooperation with the overall domestic defence industry.

The ASCOD 2 is a tracked infantry fighting vehicle, while Piranha V is an 8×8 fifth-generation of the family of Piranha wheeled utility vehicles.

Other selected tracked category vehicles include BAE Systems Hagglunds CV90 Armadillo, Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) G5 protected mission module carrier (PMMC), while Nexter Systems' Vehicule de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) has been shortlisted in the wheeled vehicles category.

The selected vehicles are set to undergo a 17-week long evaluation programme at Oksbøl camp, Denmark, as well as several other locations on the Jutland Peninsula starting from the middle of April 2013.

APC-R programme seeks delivery of approximately 360 vehicles in six different configurations, including an infantry APC, command and control, ambulance and mortar carrier, as well as engineering and repair vehicles.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsgdels-partners-with-fsds-to-pursue-danish-armys-apc-r-contract