Unmanned naval tech, shore-based training and FLRAA update

In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we talk to Elbit Systems UK about the company’s recent award by the UK MoD to provide shore-based training; and in an interview with Huntington Ingalls Industries, we discuss recent unmanned acquisition and challenges to CONOPS in the maritime domain.

Newsround [00:31] 

In Russia, the Atlet family of armoured vehicles is set to enter state trials in early 2021, after completing preliminary trials last month.

Elbit Systems announced a three-year contract to provide light tanks. While the Israeli company only referred to the customer as a country in the Asia-Pacific region, there are similarities with requirements from the Philippines that Shephard reported last October.

And in naval news, the Australian government announced on 25 January that it will add much more capable missiles to its warships, in response to the growing threat posed by increasingly belligerent state actors such as China and North Korea.

Industry has begun ordering long-lead items for the planned second batch of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme, which will see five additional frigates join the initial contract for three platforms issued in 2017.

In focus 

News Editor Ben Vogel discusses a story from Shephard correspondent Mrityunjoy Mazumdar about German shipbuilder Lürssen delivering three more patrol vessels to the Egyptian Navy.

These vessels were originally intended for the Saudi Border Guard, which had ordered 33 40m CPBs and one or two 60m CPVs in a deal reportedly valued at €1.4 billion ($1.7 billion). How did they end up in Egypt?

In news from the air desk Air Editor Tim Martin discusses the latest updates on the FLRAA programme. Competitors Boeing and Sikorsky have presented a modified version of the SB>1 Defiant, the Defiant X. 

In South America the Brazilian Army is conducting an analysis to eventually procure, develop and upgrade it ageing ground vehicles fleet. Is this in line with the Brazilian army procurement plans? Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira reports.

Interview – Elbit Systems UK [22:25]
Military Training Editor Trevor Nash is on the line with Martin Fausset, CEO at Elbit Systems UK to discuss the company recent award to provide shore based training for the UK Mod, under Project Selborne- winning-Fisher Training.

Interview - Huntington Ingalls Industries [37:13] Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas speaks to Duane Fotheringham, President of Unmanned systems at HII about the company’s recent unmanned acquisitions and challenges in integrating such technology into the maritime domain.

This episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.