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Page 1 of 13
Europe's forces expand on the land
[Content preview – Subscribe to IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly for full article]
After more than a decade of limited investment in land warfare platforms across Europe,
there is an increasing focus on upgrading and augmenting such capabilities. Jon Hawkes
investigates
While asymmetric operations in the Middle East have taken centre stage for a decade, causing a
lack of spending by European governments on land capabilities, land warfare platforms are once
again coming to the fore. Developments in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia have reaffirmed
the importance of heavy armour, while many users are seeking to bolster their fleets and update
ageing systems to maintain capability into the next decade.
An artist's impression of the British Army Challenger 2 MBT upgraded by Rheinmetall under the Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme. This image shows the new panoramic sighting system and situational awareness cameras. (Rheinmetall Defence)
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Germany
On 26 April the German parliament approved a request to buy 103 second-hand Leopard 2A4
main battle tanks (MBTs) back from industry, almost two years since the desire to increase the
operational Leopard 2 fleet was made public. The long delay in signing a contract has been
reported to be due to disagreements about revenue share between contractors Krauss Maffei-
Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall.
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
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information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
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Page 2 of 13
The latest German Army Leopard 2A7, showing the Rheinmetall 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun, arrow-type armour on the front of the turret, and belly armour. (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann)
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Once agreed, under the terms of the contract the vehicles will be upgraded to the latest Leopard
2A7V configuration. The 2A7V is a minor upgrade over the existing 2A7, introducing some of the
improvements that were developed for the Qatari Leopard 2A7Q variant. Exact details are limited,
but it is understood that the upgrade includes an improved gunner's primary optic, replacement of
the driver's night sight with the Airbus SPECTUS TI/IR unit, and the installation of the FLW-200
remotely operated weapon station (ROWS). Although unconfirmed, it is expected that the latest
development in Rheinmetall's 120 mm smoothbore gun range, the L55A1, will also be installed.
The company previously stated that the first customer for the new gun will be Germany, with
deliveries from 2017, which would align closely with the country's intentions for the 2A7V upgrade
programme. The L55A1 has a higher pressure level - 700 MPa versus the baseline L55's 670 MPa
- and the stub-case ejector system has been optimised. The former produces a claimed 20%
increase in penetration over the baseline L55 weapon.
Alongside these efforts, 50 of the German Army's Leopard 2A6M MBTs are being upgraded to the
unofficial 2A6M+ standard, which, although not used in service, is an internal designation to
differentiate the standard 2A6M from the improved version. The upgrade includes the installation
of the Thales SOTAS-IP communications system and the replacement of the commander's sight
with the newer PERI R17A3 that is used on the 2A7. The SOTAS-IP system, which is also
installed in Germany's Boxer multirole armoured vehicles (MRAVs) and Puma infantry fighting
vehicles (IFVs), is compatible with the Infanterist der Zukunft (IDZ) integrated soldier system and
includes installation of new digital control panels at all crew stations.
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 3 of 13
The German Army is upgrading 50 of its Leopard 2A6M MBTs to the 2A6M+ standard, which includes communications upgrades and an improved sighting system. (Canadian DND)
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To accommodate increased power demands, a bank of ultra-capacitors is fitted that have
necessitated a minor redesign of the turret. The PERI R17A3 includes the new ATTICA thermal
sight, which provides a significant increase in night fighting capability through greater sensitivity
and the ability to tune brightness and contrast across the image more finely. The fire control
system (FCS) has also been upgraded, one of the advantages of which is the ability to fire the DM
11 programmable high-explosive (HE) fragmentation round from the main gun. A Kidde Deugra
fire suppression system has also been fitted; this uses the DeuGen N FE36 extinguishing agent in
both the engine and fighting compartment, which is safer than the previous nitrogen-based agents.
[Continued in full version…]
Rheinmetall's 130 mm L51 smoothbore tank gun, showing the front of the muzzle reference device housing. The L51 is expected to provide a significant increase in capability over existing 120 mm smoothbore gun designs, with up to 50% greater penetration claimed. (IHS Markit)
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consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 4 of 13
Poland
Poland is purportedly looking to procure even more heavy armour, with reports that the Poles wish
to acquire more Leopard 2 MBTs to join the 246 vehicles that have already been procured to date.
Poland originally bought 128 ex-German Leopard 2A4s in 2002 and expanded its fleet in 2013 with
a further 118 Leopard 2s, including 105 2A5s, for a reported EUR180 million (USD202 million).
The country is currently upgrading its Leopard MBT fleet to the Leopard 2PL standard, which is
based on Rheinmetall's Advanced Technology Demonstrator, formerly the MBT Revolution
concept. The upgrade includes the installation of a new FCS, the new PERI R17A3L4 and EMES-
15 sights using Polish-made KLW-1 thermal cameras, and an additional monitor for the tank
commander. The main gun will be equipped with a new recuperator, K900 recoil brakes, and an
electric firing system to facilitate the firing of programmable DM 11 HE fragmentation and DM
63A1 armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) ammunition.
The Polish Leopard 2PL will have a number of enhancements, including new gun control equipment and additional armour, but it will retain the 120 mm Rheinmetall L44 smoothbore gun. (Rheinmetall)
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Upgrades will be carried out in Poland under close co-operation between Rheinmetall subsidiary
Rheinmetall Defence Polska (RDP) and Polish supplier Zaklady Mechaniczne Bumar-Labedy
(ZMBL): a subsidiary of state-owned defence holding group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).
RDP will teach ZMBL how to maintain and upgrade Leopard 2 MBTs and will help to create an
overhaul and support facility for them in Poland. ZMBL will also gain all intellectual property rights
for the Leopard 2 in the Polish market.
[Continued in full version…]
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 5 of 13
Finland has a fleet of about 100 ageing Leopard 2A4s that could be sold following its acquisition of
100 ex-Dutch Leopard 2A6s in 2014. Norway operates a small fleet of Leopard 2A4s with about 45
in operational condition. The Norwegian Army has stated a desire to move away from armour
towards a more mobile motorised/light infantry configuration and, as such, may be looking to
release its vehicles in the near term. A final but less desirable option would be Spain, which has a
fleet of 108 ex-German tanks that were purchased in 2005, having been leased from Germany
since 1995. These vehicles have since been offered to various countries for a number of global
requirements, including to the Czech Republic and Peru, but they were reportedly rejected on both
occasions, in part because of their poor condition, which required a factory-level refurbishment and
reset. Given that any vehicle procured is likely to be put through the Leopard 2PL upgrade
process, it is possible that a combination of these operators could be used to acquire the platforms
in the volumes required.
The recent procurements and ongoing interest in further Leopard 2 upgrades mean there is little
likelihood of a procurement of the domestic PT-16 design, which is a development of the PT-91/T-
72 MBT hull with a new all-welded turret, armed with a Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) smoothbore 120
mm gun fed by a bustle-mounted autoloader. The vehicle is also fitted with the ERAWA 1/2
explosive reactive armour (ERA) package, as well as bar armour across the rear of the turret.
Although ostensibly designed for export to the Middle East, upgrading Poland's in-service PT-
91/T-72 tanks to this new configuration would be an affordable option to gain capability at a
modest cost.
A prototype of the Wilk (Wolf), a new variant of the Rosomak 8x8 vehicle, has undergone trials with the Polish Land Forces, but a production contract has not yet been placed. (Remigiusz Wilk)
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There has been little recent news on Poland's other vehicle programmes, which are developing
several new AFVs. The Borsuk will be a replacement for the in-service BWP-1 IFV. Reports in late
2016 stated that a first prototype of the newly designed vehicle would be finished by mid-2017,
with amphibious and mobility trials to begin in the summer. The vehicle is expected to feature a
development of the HSW ZSSW-30 unmanned turret, which mounts a 30 mm MK44 chain gun and
coaxial UKM-2000C 7.62 mm machine gun, with a pair of Rafael Spike-LR missiles in a pod on the
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 6 of 13
right of the turret structure. Conceptual imagery from early 2016 showed additional variants of the
IFV, including an armoured personnel carrier (APC), armoured recovery vehicle (ARV), command
vehicle, and ambulance on a common chassis.
[Continued in full version…]
The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom's Challenger 2 MBT Life Extension Programme is continuing through a two-
year competitive assessment phase, with two teams each having been awarded a GBP23 million
(USD29.7 million) contract in late 2016. The two teams, led by Rheinmetall Land Systeme GmbH
and BAE Systems, will undertake technical studies, produce detailed digital models, and consider
how upgrades will be integrated onto the current platform. In the event of unforeseen
circumstances the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allocated a further EUR7.8 million that can
be provided to bidders.
The 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun is being considered as a possible future upgrade option for the UK's Challenger 2 MBT fleet. (BAE Systems)
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BAE Systems' 'Team Challenger 2' includes General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), Leonardo,
Moog, QinetiQ, and Safran Electronics. One of the advantages for this team is that BAE was the
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the Challenger 2. A further advantage is that GLDS is
the OEM for the only current in-production AFV for the United Kingdom: the Ajax tracked
reconnaissance vehicle.
Rheinmetall, meanwhile, is teaming with Supacat, Thales UK, and BMT to offer a proposal that
includes the ability to conduct a future upgrade to install Rheinmetall's 120 mm L55 smoothbore
gun and associated ammunition handling systems. This is something that has been previously
explored under the cancelled Challenger 2 Lethality Improvement Programme (CLIP), which
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 7 of 13
included the installation and testing of the L55 smoothbore gun under the Smoothbore Option
Technical Demonstrator Programme (SO TDP), leading to the creation of the Challenger 2 Hybrid
Ordnance. This was a 120 mm smoothbore gun combining elements of Rheinmetall's weapon with
the existing L30A1, which was a move intended to reduce support and training costs once a
solution was in service. The most prominent advantage of moving to a smoothbore gun with
single-piece ammunition is the ability to fire much longer APFSDS penetrators, which have as
much as 90% greater length-to-diameter ratios in the Rheinmetall gun's DM63 round, compared
with the existing L27 CHARM 3 round that the L30A1 fires.
However, funding will remain a significant issue in considering a future gun swap for the
Challenger 2 and certainly at this time it appears unlikely that any plans or funding for such a swap
exist. British Army officials have stated that they believe that lethality for the Challenger 2 could be
increased in a number of significant ways without touching the gun, including further improvements
to mission systems and munitions.
The Nexter VBCI could be purchased by the UK MoD to fulfil its MIV requirement; the British Army was loaned a vehicle for trials in 2015, but a sale has not yet emerged. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)
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The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme seeks an 8x8 AFV for a requirement that has
existed for many years, formerly under the guise of the Future Rapid Effect System Utility Vehicle
(FRES UV). Under the FRES UV programme General Dynamics Land System's Piranha V was
selected as a preferred bidder in May 2008, but the programme was subsequently cancelled in
December of the same year due to budget restrictions. FRES UV was itself not the first effort to
procure an 8x8; the Boxer MRAV multinational programme began in 1999 to procure a modular
8x8 AFV, but in 2003 the United Kingdom pulled out of the programme, stating that the vehicle did
not fulfil its requirements. Orders for the Boxer totalling more than 690 vehicles have been made
by Germany, the Netherlands, and Lithuania.
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 8 of 13
[Continued in full version…]
The need for a FRES UV-type platform was resurrected in 2015 as the MIV requirement in the UK
Strategic Defence and Security Review, which stated that it would form a core element of the UK's
new strike brigade formations. Following the 22 November 2016 deadline for responses to the
MoD's preliminary market engagement questionnaire, however, there has been a period of
uncertainty about the direction that the MIV programme will take. Although a competitive selection
seems likely, rumour of a direct government-to-government buy has been rife, with reports
circulating that either the ARTEC Boxer or the Nexter Vehicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie
(VBCI) will be purchased. The Boxer is a capable system, but would carry with it the potential
embarrassment of the United Kingdom procuring essentially the same vehicle it rejected as
unsuitable 14 years ago. The VBCI has proven effective in French service and in 2015 the British
Army was loaned an example to conduct trials, but a sale has not so far emerged.
The ARTEC Boxer in IFV configuration, fitted with a remote-control turret armed with a 30 mm cannon and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The vehicle is being considered by the UK MoD to fulfil its requirement for an 8x8 AFV. (Lithuanian MoD)
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[Continued in full version…]
France
France has recently progressed a number of major elements of its wider modernisation efforts,
which are largely being conducted under the Scorpion programme.
In April the first production order was placed with Nexter Systems, Renault Trucks Defense, and
Thales for an initial 319 Véhicule Blindé MultiRole (VBMR) Griffon vehicles and 20 Engin Blinde de
Reconnaissance (EBRC) Jaguar vehicles. The Griffon is a 6x6 armoured vehicle that will replace
the in-service Vehicule de l'Avant Blinde (VAB) and will be procured in five variants: troop carrier,
artillery observation vehicle, command post vehicle, ambulance, and mortar carrier. The first order
only covers the initial four variants, with the mortar variant, which mounts a Thales-TDA MEPAC
120 mm semi-automatic rifled mortar, not expected to be ordered before 2020.
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 9 of 13
The French Leclerc MBT fleet is being upgraded as part of the Scorpion programme, which will include improvements to survivability and communications systems. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)
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The Jaguar is a 6x6 armoured reconnaissance and combat vehicle and is fitted with a further
development of Nexter's T40M two-person turret, which mounts the CTAI 40 mm Cased
Telescoped Armament System (CTAS 40) cannon alongside two MBDA Missile Moyenne Portée
anti-tank guided weapons. CTAI will deliver 700 CTAS 40 cannons to the United Kingdom and
France, making it the largest medium-calibre cannon programme in Europe. The Jaguar will
replace the AMX-10RC, Saaie ERC, and VAB HOT in French service.
[Continued in full version…]
France's Leclerc MBT is also being upgraded under the Scorpion programme, with a USD316
million contract awarded in March 2015 for the upgrade of 200 Leclercs and 18 Leclerc Dépanneur
Nouvelle Génération (DNG) ARVs, which will be designated Renovated Leclercs and Renovated
Leclerc ARVs. The upgrade will focus on survivability and communication systems, with the latter
including the installation of the Système d'information du combat Scorpion (SICS): a common
communications system that will be installed in all upgraded and new-build French Army combat
vehicles. Survivability will be increased via the installation of a new armour package, which
provides an enhanced level of protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs),
and a 'Level 2' package that will provide a higher level of protection against rocket-propelled
grenades (RPGs). The Leclerc will also be able to accommodate the Barage IED jammer, while a
ROWS developed by Renault Trucks Defense will be fitted to its turret roof, which is a common
system that will also be fitted to Jaguar and Griffon vehicles.
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 10 of 13
Concept images of the French Army Griffon and Jaguar armoured vehicles. First production orders for these vehicles were placed with Nexter, Thales, and Renault Trucks Defense in April. (Nexter/Renault/Thales)
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[Continued in full version…]
Russia
Russia's progress in recent years, which has led to several entirely new families of vehicles being
developed alongside a range of new standalone platforms and upgrades to existing platforms, has
been remarkable. However, the economic slowdown caused by the decline of the energy sector
and the sanctions imposed by the West since the start of the Ukraine crisis have caused
procurement budgets to be severely stripped back. Spending on procurement was previously
protected, but the cuts implemented in the 2017 budget and planned for the 2018 budget mean
that the same level of procurement is no longer possible. This will adversely affect the State
Armament Plan, particularly the procurement of new and expensive combat systems.
The Armata family of heavy AFVs is in the early stages of initial production, with a first order
placed in September 2016 for more than 100 T-14 MBT variants. Although officials have continued
to cite a procurement objective of 2,300 units, this is highly unlikely in the short to medium term as
budgets diminish. This could be advantageous because it will allow longer for development and
trials to fine-tune the designs ahead of a large volume production order. In addition to the T-14, the
T-15 heavy IFV and T-16 ARV will be procured, although projected numbers for these variants
have not been announced.
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 11 of 13
A Russian improved T-72B3 at the 5 May 2017 Victory Day Parade in Moscow. The improved vehicle has not been assigned a designation, with various sources referring to it as the T-72B3M, T-72B4 and T-72Be obr.2016. (Neil Grundy)
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Following their display at the May 2015 Victory Day parade in Moscow there has been relatively
little news and few announcements on the other new vehicle families that have been developed:
Kurganets and Bumerang.
[Continued in full version…]
The designation for the baseline chassis of the Bumerang has been confirmed as VPK-7829, with
the role variants designated K-16 and K-17 for the APC and IFV respectively. Trials with the first
batch of six vehicles are under way, with an initial production order expected to soon be placed
with the prime contractor: the Military Industrial Corporation (MIC). Further variants are expected
and reportedly include an ARV; casualty evacuation vehicle; specialised command, control, and
communications vehicle; electronic warfare vehicle; fire support vehicle; reconnaissance variant;
specialised command vehicles (for artillery, aviation, and air defence units); and a 'technical
reconnaissance' vehicle.
With funding for the production of these advanced new vehicles severely lacking, Russia is looking
to its older fleets to maintain capability for the immediate future. To this end Russia has begun
upgrading its legacy T-72B MBT fleet, with an initial 150 vehicles being upgraded to an improved
T-72B3 standard. Lacking a specific designation, which could be one of a number of options (T-
72B3M, T-72B4, T-72 obr.2016, or T-72B3-1), the upgraded vehicles feature a number of
additional changes over the baseline T-72B3 that are primarily aimed at increasing survivability to
similar levels as the export T-90MS MBT. A new ERA layout fixes some of the vulnerabilities in the
existing T-72B3 design and is stated to bring the vehicle to a comparable level of protection as the
export T-90MS. This claim is somewhat optimistic, however, because use of the newer Relikt ERA
system on the T-90MS, combined with its more compact ERA layout, make the protection it offers
superior to that offered by the T-72B3. However, Relikt is not the most advanced ERA in Russian
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 12 of 13
use, with the T-14 Armata MBT mounting the newer Malachit ERA, which is able to adjust the
detonation of the module in response to the size and velocity of the threat projectile.
Frontal coverage changes are limited to the addition of a small ERA module to the left of the gun
mantlet, covering a location that is fully exposed on the T-72B3. This module appears to only
contain a lower and not an upper ERA panel, probably to avoid obstructing the view of the sighting
unit located above and behind it. Nine large rectangular ERA modules have been added to the
rear portion of the turret sides: five on the right and four on the left.
Meanwhile, bar armour has been installed across the rear of the turret and hull in the same
configuration as the T-90MS, providing increased protection against RPG-type weapons.
Armoured side-skirts similar to those installed on the T-90MS have also been installed across the
front three-quarters of the MBT's track area.
In November 2016 sources told Jane's that the Russian MoD was also planning to bring as many
as 2,000 of its mothballed T-80BV tanks back into service via an upgrade programme, understood
to bring the tanks to a T-80U-1E configuration. The upgrade will include the installation of the
Sosna-U FCS, an updated energy generator and engine starter, Relikt ERA plates, and the more
powerful GTD-1250 gas turbine engine. Until the T-14 enters service, the T-80 remains Russia's
most potent MBT design, so this programme will provide a significant capability boost to Russian
ground forces, especially those equipped with older versions of the T-72 family. The upgrade also
ensures that the vehicles are capable of operating in Arctic conditions: one of the major areas of
focus for Russian ground forces at this time.
[Continued in full version…]
Finland
In February Finland announced its intention to procure second-hand K9 Thunder 155 mm self-
propelled howitzers (SPHs) from South Korea. Costing USD155 million, 48 vehicles will be
procured, along with training, spares, and maintenance, with a contract option for additional K9s to
be ordered if required. The K9 was selected because of its attractive price as well as its suitability
for use with a conscription-based force.
Deliveries will begin this year, alongside initial training of instructors, with the first conscripts to
begin their training on the systems in 2019. Following an initial operating capability in 2020, final
deliveries are scheduled for 2024, with full operating capability in 2025. Modifications from the
South Korean configuration are minor, limited to changing the communications and battle
management systems to the digital radios and Patria-made systems used by the Finnish Defence
Forces (FDF).
© 2017 IHS. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form without prior written
consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement between client and IHS. Content reproduced or redistributed with IHS permission must display IHS legal notices and attributions of authorship. The
information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness are not warranted, nor are the
opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, IHS shall not be liable for any errors or
omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained herein.
Page 13 of 13
Following trials in 2016, Finland has announced it is procuring second-hand K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzers from South Korea. (IHS Markit/Peter Felstead)
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[Continued in full version…]
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