Free Republic

With assistance from Russia, one of Iraq’s armored brigades has swapped out its American-made M1 Abrams tanks for new T-90s. The change comes after the United States complained about M1s ending up in the hands of Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias and could be another sign that the Kremlin is looking to lure Iraqi authorities into its sphere of influence. Iraq’s Ministry of Defense announced the change on its official, Arabic-only website on June 8, 2018. According to a translation of the information by Jane’s 360, the 9th Division’s 35th Brigade took delivery of 39 T-90S tanks. The unit’s remaining Abrams went...

Just over three years since the contract for their development was signed, the first EBRC Jaguar 6x6 vehicle prototypes developed as part of the French Army’s ambitious Scorpion modernisation programme have been rolled out. The Jaguar is one of three new vehicles the French Army is acquiring as part of its far-reaching land modernisation programme, which will also include the VBMR Jaguar and as-yet-unnamed VBMR ‘Light’ vehicle, as well as a suite of new C4I systems. The Leclerc main battle tank will also be upgraded under the Scorpion modernisation. One of the new Jaguar prototypes was unveiled to media at...

Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9, commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany, is an annual event for showing off military hardware in grand imperial style. Which is why military observers watch the proceedings closely. The parade is both a nationalistic display and a baring of military teeth for geopolitical purposes. The 2018 parade also comes during another period of heightened tensions as U.S. Pres. Donald Trump mulls a strike on Syria following a chemical weapons attack on Douma — carried out by what appears to be Syrian Mi-8 helicopters dropping chlorine cylinders.

To some minds, bigger is always better—but size can create is many new problems as it solves. Midway through World War II, Nazi Germany decided to take its huge 128-millimeter antiaircraft gun and stick it on its biggest, baddest tank. The result was the monstrous Jagdtiger (“Hunting Tiger”), then heaviest tank to see action in World War II—and still heavier than modern M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks! But the vehicle’s terrifying bulk proved to be its own worst enemy. During World War II, German factories churned out numerous turretless assault guns (Sturmgeschutz) and tank destroyers (Jagdpanzers) based on...

In the 1960s the M-60 series Patton tank was the main battle tank (MBT) of the US Army and Marine Corps. Mounting the powerful M68 105mm gun, and protected with heavier steel armor, in the 1960s the M-60 represented the most advanced tank of its generation, a combat vehicle that could face the most sophisticated Soviet tank of its time – T-55. In all, over 15,000 tanks of these models were built and supplied to 24 countries in addition to the U.S. Today, almost half that number are still operational, particularly with third world countries. While the M-60 was tested...

Two decades ago, the U.S. Army phased out its last light tank. Now the Pentagon has decided its infantry could use some lightweight armored firepower, and is looking to choose between at least three off-the-shelf designs by 2019. This initiative, called Mobile Protected Firepower, intends to outfit infantry brigades with their own 14-vehicle companies of armored fire support vehicles. That way, they no longer depend on separate heavy armored battalions to detach tanks to help them. The new light tanks would assist the infantry by blasting bunkers, fortified houses, machine gun nests and the occasional armored vehicle.

Developed by Norinco, the Chinese army’s new light tank is equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension system and is armed with a 105mm gun that can fire both shells and guided missiles. (Chinese Internet photo) China has confirmed the deployment of a new light tank, which observers say will suit combat operations on plateaus. A photo of the tank on snowy ground is on display at an exposition in the Beijing Exhibition Center, as part of a display showing achievements made by China over the past five years. The caption accompanying the picture says it is a new type of light...

If the stars align for defense contractor SAIC, the US Army and Marine Corps will soon be buying hundreds of armored vehicles designed in Singapore. Yesterday, six months after joining forces for the first time on the Marines’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle competition – and just four days before the massive Association of the US Army conference opens in DC – Virginia-based SAIC and Singapore Technologies Kinetics officially announced they are teaming up again for the Army’s Mobile Protected Firepower program, a light tank to support light infantry in places where the massive M1 Abrams cannot go. SAIC didn’t go in...

RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS presents its 360-degree protection of for army vehicles against RPGs.. (photo credit:RAFAEL/SCREENSHOT) After years of testing Israel’s Trophy active protection system, the US Army is close to giving the green light to having it installed on the M1A1 Abrams tank. The US Army would then be the first army outside the IDF to use the system. Maj.-Gen. David Bassett, who is in charge of the US Army’s programs in the area of ground combat systems, was quoted by the DefenseTech website as saying that he plans to make the decision on the system as soon as...

Ministry of Defense shows off new APC turret.. (photo credit:DEFENSE MINISTRY) The Defense Ministry has started testing an upgraded version of its Namer heavy armored personnel carrier, fitted for the first time with a 30mm turret to make it better suited for urban combat. “An APC equipped with a turret and cannon gives it an advantage during urban warfare,” stated Brig.-Gen. Baruch Matzliach, head of the Tank Program Administration. “The shortened cannon makes it more maneuverable, and [gives] the ability to provide firepower to infantry soldiers. It also lets infantry soldiers be more independent on the battlefield, with less dependence...

The US Army is considering various systems to better shield tanks and armored vehicles from RPGs, antitank missiles, and other enemy fire. But the latest version of the RPG, a staple in the arsenals of Russia and other forces, may already be a step ahead of the active-protection systems the US may soon adopt. The Pentagon has purchased active-protection systems to test out on Abrams tanks and Bradley and Stryker armoured vehicles, and may even mount them on lighter vehicles, like the successor to the Humvee, according to a report from Scout Warrior. “The Army is looking at a range...

A gooey substance normally wouldn’t seem like it could stop a bullet, but an Air Force Academy cadet has created just that. Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Hayley Weir created a goo-like substance that can stop bullets. Cadet 1st Class Hayley Weir’s interest in bullet-stopping materials was piqued when she took a chemistry class at the academy in 2014. The class was given three materials to combine in a way that could stop a bullet. “Up to that point, it was the coolest thing I’d done as a cadet,” Weir, a senior at the academy, told Air Force Times....

YORK, Pa. (WHTM) – BAE Systems plans to add hundreds of new jobs when it expands its West Manchester Township plant. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday that BAE will build a new office facility and add new machining and manufacturing systems at 1100 Bairs Road. He said the military contractor will invest over $44.5 million in the project and create 530 new, full-time jobs within three years. Hiring is expected to begin in 2018. “As we invest in our organization and infrastructure, we’re also investing in our people, both of which are critical for our ability to succeed,” said Adam...

The PT-76 seems like a minor oddity of the Cold War — a Soviet amphibious light tank with thin armor and an unimpressive gun. Certainly it seemed bound for rough treatment on modern battlefields full of heavy weapons and heavier tanks. But the floating PT-76 chalked up a remarkable record, carrying knife-wielding Himalayan soldiers into battle, sinking gunboats on the Ganges Delta, dueling powerful U.S. Patton tanks in Vietnam, and launching amphibious surprise attacks on both sides of the same Middle Eastern war.

Israeli companies involved in the Merkava tank and Namer armored personnel carrier held a seminar in India, Israel's biggest defense customer. Representatives of over 20 Israeli companies involved in the development and production program for the Merkava tank and Namer armored personnel carrier today finished the first seminar ever conducted in India. Dozens of Indian companies attended the seminar. The Ministry of Defense SIBAT - Ministry of Defense International Defense Cooperation Authority sponsored the seminar, in view of the emerging needs of Indian industry in order to prepare for the large-scale procurement of armored vehicles by the Indian army expected...

The Army are planning to cut its number of front line tanks by up to a third, leaving Britain with fewer than Serbia, Russia and only a few more than Switzerland. As MailOnline reported earlier this month hundreds of Ajax mini-tanks are due to be supplied to the Army next year with the full order of 600 delivered to the Ministry of Defence by 2024 costing around £3.5billion. The Ajax armoured vehicles will travel at speeds of up to 40mph and have been touted as the first ever fully digital armoured fighting vehicle in UK military history. All you need...

Putin's new 'super tank': British intelligence warns Russian vehicle is 'the most revolutionary change in tank design in the last half century' and leaves the West totally outgunned British military intelligence officers have issued a warning over a new Russian 'super tank' which they claim is far superior to anything which is available to Nato. The document claims that Britain's Challenger II main battle tank could be overpowered by the Kremlin's new Armata tank. Officials believe the new Russian tank is 'revolutionary' and blames the government for failing to provide a proper response. The current policy is to not consider...

On Wednesday, Italian defense officials and industry representatives gathered at a military base on the outskirts of Rome to view a demonstration of Rome’s newest tank, the Centauro II. The exhibition took place on October 19 at the Cecchignola Army range. Parliament is still deliberating on whether to approve the $520 million for the combat vehicle, as Mauro Moretti, CEO of aerospace technology company Leonardo, and Deputy Defence Staff Chief Lt. Gen. Danilo Errico watched the prototype traverse ditches and steep hills. The Centauro II is more powerful than the original, with a 720-horsepower engine, a digital-communication display and a...

LONDON --- An initial assessment phase portion for the British Army Challenger main battle tank upgrade program has elicited response from multiple bidders. The British Army's fleet of 227 Challenger tanks are to be upgraded under a program expected to reach £624 million ($816 million). Under the latest U.K. Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) published in November 2015, the Conservative government opted to extend the service life of the British Army's Challenger II main battle tank - which began entering service in 1998 - out by 10 years to 2035. With the deadline for submitting industry proposals to the...

China's military is likely to deploy the Type-96B tank as the pillar of its tank fleet, replacing most of its old models, observers said. Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Shanghai who has close contact with the People's Liberation Army, told China Daily that the excellent capabilities of the Type-96B qualify it to be the backbone of China's tank force. "The Type-96B is the strongest variant of the Type-96 family and is truly an advanced, third-generation main battle tank," he said. "The PLA will use it to replace the old tanks such as the Type-59 and Type-69 models." His remarks...