A demonstration of an ASTROS Mk6 system Source: Avibras A demonstration of an ASTROS Mk6 system Source: Avibras Close

The delegation visited the Headquarters of the Southeastern Military Command at Ibirapuera and the Avibras Aerospace Industry factory in São José dos Campos (SP). Later, the delegation visited the 6th Group of Missiles and Rockets (6th GMF), where they watched the launch and operation of the Astros 2020 System.

On August 26, 2011, the Brazilian Ministry of Defense awarded Avibras Industria Aerospacial SA an initial contract worth $28 million to commence development of the ASTROS 2020. This system is an improved, all-digital version of the ASTROS II, compatible with the AV-TM cruise missile. The six-year ASTROS 2020 program carries a potential value of $659 million.

The program has received some international attention. In October 2017, a Colombian delegation visited Brazil to observe the system. Now a Spanish delegation has joined Colombia in its interest in the system. While no contracts have been signed, the strong interest is good for Brazil's defense industry.

RAF Typhoon and QEAF Mirage during joint exercise Source: UK MoD RAF Typhoon and QEAF Mirage during joint exercise Source: UK MoD Close

On September 18, 2018, the U.K. government announced that BAE Systems had received a first payment from Qatar, setting into motion a contract to supply that country with 24 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets and nine Hawk trainer aircraft. The total deal is worth around five billion pounds, according to a U.K. press release.

U.K. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said in a statement, "This monumental, multi-billion-pound deal is now officially in place, and those from across government and industry who have worked so hard on it together can be extremely proud to see it reach this stage. It’s a massive boost to the British defence industry, helping to support thousands of jobs, and it will help us further build the trust between the UK and Qatar to tackle the challenges we both share, support stability in the region and deliver security at home."

BAE Systems' Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn, noted, "The proven combination of Typhoon and Hawk will provide the Qatari Armed Forces with the most advanced and flexible multi-role combat aircraft on the market today, along with best in class support and training."

The Qatari government has moved forward rapidly with the procurement of the Typhoon. Qatar and the U.K. signed a letter of intent regarding 24 Typhoons and six Hawks in September 2017. (The size of the Hawk order was later increased to nine.) In December of that year, the two finalized the deal, with an understanding that Qatar would make a first payment around mid-2018. BAE Systems released an update on the contract in late June 2018, which indicated that the first payment still had not arrived but "would be received in the third quarter of 2018."

With the contract now in effect, Qatar can expect to start taking delivery of the Typhoons in 2022, according to the U.K. Qatari pilots ahead of time are being trained on the operation of the aircraft in partnership with British personnel. The U.K. government noted in a press release, "A new UK-based Typhoon joint squadron, reformed as No.12 squadron, will comprise both Qatari Emiri Air Force and RAF personnel, including pilots and ground-crew based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire ahead of the delivery of the aircraft."

The Typhoon order adds to Qatar's procurement of Rafale and F-15 fighter jets.

HX 10x10 truck Source: Rheinmetall HX 10x10 truck Source: Rheinmetall Close

During the period 2005 to 2013, the British Army procured more than 7,500 HX logistics vehicles. As the backbone of the Royal Logistics Corps, this "military off the shelf" family of vehicles has proven highly effective. However, the growing demand for transport solutions for containers has continued to rise. Based on operational experience, RMMV, MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd and British Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials drew up a plan to retrofit existing flatbed vehicles with a hook lift system.

The modernization program is a team solution. The contract with the MOD has been entered into by MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd, who will lead the project management and undertake the conversion of the vehicles in the UK. RMMV are responsible for supplying the conversion kit, which will be produced by the company’s plant in Vienna. The hook loading system is made by HIAB, a company Rheinmetall has cooperated with in many comparable international projects, e.g. in Australia, Norway, Sweden and New Zealand.

The program is a compelling example of the close partnerships RMMV and MAN maintains with its customers, encompassing post-design service throughout the product’s entire lifecycle. It also highlights the prolonged supportability of the HX family of vehicles, which set the global standard for robustness, mobility, performance, flexibility and modularity.

Rheinmetall’s subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles UK (RMMV UK) and Rheinmetall Defence UK (RD UK), are well-established suppliers to the MOD. They support the British military in a number of areas, including vehicle systems, ammunition and technical assistance. In addition to providing support services for tactical logistic vehicles during deployed operations, the team is currently working on a proposal for enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, and with Artec GmbH, is working to propose the Boxer 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle to meet the requirements of the UK’s Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV) procurement program.

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