Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020 | Leopard vs Abrams (Photos)

The final phase of the Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020 took place today Friday, September 18, in the firing range of Petrochori in Xanthi.

That was the 3rd competition of its kind in Greece lasting between September 14-18, 2020. For the first time a platoon of M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) of the US 3rd Battalion of the 15th Infantry Regiment took part in the competition. From the Greek side the participants were two Leopard-2A4 and two Leopard-2A6 HEL MBTs platoons.

According to an announcement by the Retired Army Officers Association (EAAS) of the Xanthi branch, the competition included firing from both stationary positions and while on-the-move, precision driving, water barrier crossing, tanks recovery, caterpillar repair, loading of ammunition into the tank, pistol firing and grenade throwing from the tank, combat first aid and military sport games.

In addition, the crews competed in tactics and formations of platoons during attack and defence, request for support fire, reconnaissance, distance measurement with or without the tank’s range finder, etc.

The winning team was the platoon of XXI Armor Brigade, while the second place was taken by the US platoon. The third place was awarded to the platoon of the XXV Armor Brigade while the fourth and fifth places were awarded to the platoons of the XXIII Armor Brigade and the 31st Mechanized Brigade respectively.

The Commander of the 1st Army Lieutenant General  (Lt. Gen) Vassilios Papadopoulos as well as the Commander of the Delta Corps Lt Gen. Angelos Ilaridis were present at the final phase of the Tank Challenge.  Alongside with the Generals the Commanders of the participating Brigades as well as the US Military Attache Colonel Reed Anderson were present. The final phase was also attended by other honorary guests including the president of the EAAS (Xanthi branch) Major General (Ret) Ioannis Koutsaimani.

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Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020 | Leopard vs Abrams – Photos

Hellenic Tank Challenge 2020

Indian Army receive the upgraded T-72M1 Ajaya Mk2

Indian Army receive the upgraded T-72M1 Ajaya Mk-2. CI-Ajeya (Combat Improved Ajeya) tank is the modernized version of T-72. The tank capability was enhanced with Global Positioning System (GPS), Next generation Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) Mk-II, new 1000 HP engine and Integrated Fire Detection and Suppression System (IFDSS) to the level of contemporary combat vehicles. The upgradation of the tank is being done by HVF, based on CVRDE design and issued to the Army for use.

 This T-72M1 has better ERA cover & mobility compare to T-90S Bhishma.

BISON Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle for the Indonesia

Georgian STC Delta have sent batch of BISON Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle (DIDGORI MedEvac version for Indonesia) to the Republic of Indonesia.

Armored medical evacuation vehicle primary role is to insure transportation of wounded soldiers from the front line of military operations and providing first medical aid during transportation. Medical evacuation vehicle on universal 4×4 chassis is fully designed, assembled and tested by State Military Scientific-Technical Center “Delta”.

Medevac is equipped with 356 hp V8 type twin turbo-diesel engine. It enables the vehicle to develop 120 km/h speed on asphalt road.

World class protection:

The construction of the armored medical evacuation vehicle is assembled with armored steel plates – in double layer construction and provides all-around protection according to EN1063 B7+ Standard for the crew located in front, rear medical compartment and engine compartment. The base of the vehicle is manufactured from the layer of armored steel – while the protection level is further enhanced by an add on armor panels – which can be easily removed or replaced – for replacement of damaged panes, upgrade/downgrade of vehicle protection level Etc.

Armor plates provide protection from 7,62 caliber armor-piercing bullets shoot from near distance and artillery shell fragments.

Reliability:

Based on Ford F550 super heavy duty truck, all the mechanical components of DIDGORI are time proven and easy accessible worldwide. To further enchase reliability of AMEV all vital mechanical components have been further reinforced to military standards, some of the components have been fully replaced with high end military substitutes in order to insure perfect weight distribution and long service life of the vehicle.

Using of high end components increases intervals between routine maintenance.

All the vital components of the vehicle are highly protected from any type of external threats and despite this are easily accessible for service personnel.

There are four stretchers and special medical equipment in the rear part of the vehicle.

Video Shows Indian T-72 Tanks Manoeuvring The World's Highest Battleground;

The recent escalation of aggression by the Chinese, on India's border with Tibet, brings into focus availability of options for an Indian pushback, in the event of further Han Chicom escalation. One among the many, thwarting PRC's attempt at crossing the Rubicon, would be India's Armoured Formations, deployed on the Ladakhi plains, located at the unimaginably challenging altitudes, in excess of 4,500 metres.

This interesting, undated video footage, above, shows a convoy of Indian Army's T-72 Tanks, executing manoeuvres in the icy Plateaus of the Ladakh region, bordering Tibet. Reports indicate that the Indian Army has stationed a Brigade-strength of, roughly, 174 T-Series tanks [3 Regiments] in Ladakh, under the Command of it's XIV 'Fire & Fury' Corps. Of these, two Regiments [116] are composed of the T-72 Tanks - one being 4 Horse, while the more advanced T-90 equipped 85th Armoured Regiment, completes the triumvirate. 

Availability of these Russian-origin, Indian-built Tanks, with their 125 mm bore Main Gun Barrel, lends Field Commanders the flexibility to bear considerable firepower upon the Aggressor. Clearly visible in the video, under a thick layer of snow, are the Explosive Reactive Armour [ERA] modules covering the Tank's Turret, & Hull. These fitments are a result of India's in-house upgrade programme, the end-result that India calls the Combat Improved Ajeya [CI Ajeya].

For a considerable time, word on the streets has been that the Indian Army is looking to enhance the lethality of it's T-Series tanks, for launching 3rd-gen Anti-Tank Missiles from it's Smooth Bore Barrel. It would engage targets over a range of 8 kilometres at any given time of the day, whether visible or not [LOS, BLOS, NLOS]. A Barrel replacement plan, it has set in motion, so that a common successor, mounted on either tanks, can fire higher-penetration Armoured Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot [APFSDS] projectiles, than what it is currently capable of.

In the meanwhile, the Army has gone ahead replenishing it's inventory, stocking up on APFSDS ammunition that the current Barrels can fire.

A retrofitted Auxiliary Power Unit [APU] is also sought to be mounted on the Russian Tanks, to ration engine operation. APU has been a native feature of the indigenously developed Arjun Main Battle Tank [MBT]. The previously Night-blind T-72 Tanks have received upgrades, now making them capable of combating, both, darkness & the enemy.

Capability enhancements resulted in T-72's weight gain. To maintain original performance parameters, Defence Research & Development Organisation [DRDO] lab, the Avadi-based Combat Vehicle Research & Development Establishment [CVRDE] lead a developmental effort. This resulted in uprating the original engine to output 1000 HP of Power, from the earlier 780 HP. This would be implemented across the entire T-72 IA fleet. While the Western Sector would be a major focus of, best avoided, Tank Battles for the Army, with it's vast stretches of undulating plains, starting from Gujarat, extending up North to Punjab, these upgrades would equally benefit the Tank in it's China-facing deployments too.

Via Spansen

Advanced gun System (AGS) trials during Advanced Battle Management Systems (ABMS) test

The Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) shot from an Advanced gun System (AGS) tube mounted on a M110 8-inch howitzer chassis during the Advanced Battle Management Systems (ABMS) Onramp 2 at White Sands Missile Range.

Friendly fire - Russian BMP-2 IFV fired the Konkurs ATGM at T-90A tank

 On September, 2020, an friendly fire occurred at one of the training grounds of the Russian Army in Astrakhan region during an exercise. BMP-2 IFV fired the Konkurs ATGM at T-90A tank. No information about injured.

Maus tank document (manual in English)

Very interesting documents of the German WW2 super heavy Maus tank (via Stephen Tegner)

Link for download (PDF) - Maus tank document (manual in English)

This morning US Air Force AH-64 Helicopter makes emergency landing in Syria, no injuries

This morning US Air Force AH-64D helicopter was forced to make emergency landing in Al-Hasakah province, Syria.

A U.S. military spokesman says a helicopter for the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group has made an emergency landing in northeastern Syria. There were no injuries. The spokesman tweeted that the Tuesday morning incident wasn’t the result of hostile activity. He says the helicopter landed safely, emergency personnel responded and the crew was recovered. Hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed in northeastern Syria, working with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to fight against IS militants. The U.S. carries out patrols in the area and over the past months there has been friction with Russian troops and Syrian government forces.

Boeing Australia ‘Fires Up’ Engine on First Loyal Wingman Aircraft

Australia, September 15, 2020 — Boeing Australia powered up the commercial turbofan engine on the first Loyal Wingman aircraft in September, as part of ground testing and preparations for first flight.

This milestone comes on the heels of Boeing completing the first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force earlier this year, a major step forward for the unmanned vehicle serving as the foundation for the global Boeing Airpower Teaming System, an artificial intelligence-powered teaming aircraft developed for the global defense market.

 

“This engine run gets us closer toward flying the first aircraft later this year and was successful thanks to the collaboration and dedication of our team,” said Dr. Shane Arnott, program director of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System. “We’ve been able to select a very light, off-the-shelf jet engine for the unmanned system as a result of the advanced manufacturing technologies applied to the aircraft.”

C.G. Haenel MK556 Wins German Army Tender To new assault rifle

After almost six decades with Heckler & Koch, the German Bundeswehr appears to have selected a new supplier for its assault rifle. 

A MK556 configuration shown on Haenel’s site (Haenel Defense)

C.G. Haenel MK556 Wins German Army Tender To Replace G36 The C.G. Haenel  company belongs to the Merkel Group, which is part of the Tawazun Holding (United Arab Emirates). The group also owns Caracal.

According to several sources the German Ministry of Defense has chosen C.G. Haenel GmbH to supply the next German Assault Weapon. The initial report came from the German Press Agency (DPA) and has been widely quoted. At the time of writing neither the Bundeswehr nor Haenel have made official statements.

Haenel is already supplying the Bundeswehr with the Haenel RS9 sniper rifle (designated the G29 in German service). Despite this they have long been seen as the underdog in the Bundeswehr’s search for a new service rifle.

The total deal is probably worth in the region of 245 million euros (over $290 million) and will see the procurement of some 120,000 new firearms.

The MK556 from C.G. Haenel won over the Heckler & Koch HK416 and the HK433, both of which are believed to have been under consideration. It also beat out the RS556, an entry from Rheinmetall and Steyr Mannlicher.

Heckler & Koch HK433 Ver 4 (souce - უახლესი გერმანული შაშხანა Heckler&Koch HK433 Ver 4 RAL 8000)

The “MK” stands for “Maschinenkarabiner” (Machine-Carbine) and was presented in 2017. As you can see in the pictures it follows the AR15 layout, but uses a short-stroke gas piston system with an adjustable gas system.

The exact configuration of the weapons and the accessories they will be equipped with is still unconfirmed.

• BREAKING: C.G. Haenel MK556 Wins German Army Tender To Replace G36
• System Sturmgewehr Bundeswehr – C.G. Haenel gewinnt Ausschreibung um die G-36-Nachfolge
• DAS NÄCHSTE DEUTSCHE STURMGEWEHR: HAENEL MK556
• Bundeswehr will Sturmgewehr von Thüringer Waffenhersteller beziehen

Noble Partner 2020 - counter-terrorism drill with Georgian and Polish special forces

Noble Partner 20 multinational exercise continues, as Georgian and Polish special forces conducted a counter-terrorism drill with US close air support in Vaziani.