Decisive Edge Newsletter | Land | June 2023
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Counting the calibres (and the cost) – facing up to NATO’s non-standarisation of IFV weapons
While the vast majority of NATO main battle tanks tote a 120mm smoothbore gun, aiding interoperability in times of conflict, the situation regarding main armament of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) is completely different
There is simply no standardisation within the alliance on medium-calibre weapons, and given the plethora of new platforms being introduced, there is no sign the situation will improve.
In some countries, in the short term at least, a number of different medium-calibre guns will remain in service as new platforms are introduced before older fleets are fully retired, creating extremely mixed results.
Another trend is the increase in calibre of weapons installed in some IFVs from 20mm to 30mm or larger, as well as the advent of new natures of ammunition.
These armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) and air bursting munitions (ABM) are more expensive than earlier generations and too valuable to use routinely in peacetime training.
Taking a look at some of the key players in NATO’s medium-calibre weapons inventories and future plans highlights a number of interesting issues.
France’s Nexter VBCI IFV is fitted with a one-person turret armed with a Nexter M811 25mm dual feed cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun (MG). The major disadvantage here is that the commander is seated in the hull on the left, although they are provided with a panoramic sight mounted on top of the turret.
For export the VBCI has been fitted with a private venture T40 crewed or uncrewed turret armed with a CTAI 40mm weapon and a roof-mounted remote weapon station (RWS) armed with a 7.62mm MG,
The French Army has started to induct the Jaguar 6x6 reconnaissance vehicle which has a two-person turret armed with a 40mm CTAS and an RWS on the roof with a 7.62mm MG as there is no co-axial weapon.
The turret also has a two-round MBDA Akeron antitank guided weapon (ATGW) pop-up launcher on the right side.
Jaguar is the replacement for the Nexter AMX-10RCR 6x6 whose main armament is a 105mm gun and the Panhard Sagaie 6x6 armoured car armed with a 90mm gun.
Germany’s PSM Puma IFV has had a long development period and is fitted with a remote-control turret armed with a Rheinmetall stabilised 30mm MK30-2 ABM cannon and a 5.56mm co-axial MG which is being replaced by a 7.62mm weapon. The latest upgrade includes installation of a pod of two EuroSpike LR ATGWs on left side of turret.
The Rheinmetall Marder 1 meanwhile entered service with the German Army as far back as 1971 and over the years has been constantly upgraded. Under current plans it will remain in service for some years to come. Chile, Indonesia, Jordan and more recently Ukraine have taken delivery of surplus vehicles.
Above: The PSM Puma is fitted with a remote-controlled turret armed with a Rheinmetall MK30-2 dual-feed cannon and a 5.56mm co-axial MG. (Photo: author)
To extend the life further a number of upgrades have been recently introduced including replacement of the MBDA MILAN mounted externally on the two-person turret with a EuroSpike LR.
The BAE Systems Hagglunds CV90 is the standard IFV of the Swedish Army and is fitted with a two-person turret armed with a Bofors 40mm cannon fed from the bottom with empty cartridge cases ejected through the roof.
The CV90 has done well in the export market but so far all of these customers have opted for the Northrop Grumman Bushmaster family of dual-feed cannon in various calibres.
These are Denmark (35mm), Estonia (35mm), Finland (30mm), the Netherlands (35mm), Norway (30mm) and Switzerland (30mm) with the latest customer being Slovakia who has opted for 35mm.
The RBSL Warrior has been the only IFV deployed by the British Army and since it entered production in 1987 has always retained its unstabilised and slow-firing 30mm RARDEN cannon.
Above: The Lockheed Martin Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme included a new turret armed with a 40mm CTAS and 7.62mm MG. It was cancelled even though the weapons had been delivered. (Photo: author)
A major part of the fleet was to be upgraded under the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme with a new turret armed with a stabilised 40mm CTAS and 7.62mm co-axial MG but this effort was cancelled when reliability growth trials were almost complete.
The 40mm CTAS is also fitted to the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle, but this has famously yet to enter service even though the contract was placed as far back as 2010.
In the US Army, the main armament of the M2 Bradley IFV is a Northrop Grumman M242 25mm dual-feed cannon which is installed in many other AFVs all over the world. In addition the Bradley has a 7.62mm co-axial MG and twin launcher for the TOW missile.
The more recent Northrop Grumman 30mm XM813 is installed in Moog Space and Defense Group’s Reconfigurable Integrated-Weapons Platform which is fitted to a Stryker 8x8 platform deployed by the USMC as the Manoeuvre Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system.
The 30mm XM813 is also mounted in a Kongsberg turret fitted to the XM1296 8x8 as a key part of the Stryker Lethality Upgrade Program and in the USMC’s Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 30 now under development.
The eventual replacement for the M2 Bradley is the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle and the main armament will be the latest Northrop Grumman 50mm XM913 in a remote turret which will fire a new suite of ammunition including ABM.
Anyone totting up all these different calibres and configurations can see that the probability of two IFV units in an international coalition force being able to use a common ammunition supply in time of need is disturbingly low, and that this will not change in future.
Further, the industrial challenges of rebuilding NATO ammunition stockpiles following donations to Ukraine and other usage would be significantly reduced if everyone was using the same calibres!
China expands armed roles for light armoured vehicles
While originally developed as a family of 4x4 and 6x6 light armoured vehicles (LAV), the Chinese Dongfeng Mengshi is now being marketed for more specialised battlefield missions.
NORINCO is now offering the CS/SM5 120mm self-propelled mortar (SPM) based on the 6x6 version of the Mengshi with a four-door protected cab.
At the rear is a turntable-mounted 120mm smoothbore mortar with a semi-automatic loading device.
Above: A scale model of the Chinese CS/SM5 120mm self-propelled mortar. (Photo: author)
The loader places the bomb on a tray which then moves upwards and across to drop it down the barrel.
Maximum range depends on the projectile/charge combination but NORINCO claims up to 7.5km firing a standard high-explosive (HE) mortar bomb or 13km with a rocket-assisted HE mortar bomb.
The system can also fire smoke and illuminating bombs as well as more advanced munitions.
The latter include the GP120A laser-homing mortar projectile with a maximum range of up to 7km with a claimed hit probability against tanks of 90%.
This is used in conjunction with a laser target designator/rangefinder, radio communications equipment, fire control system, fire control calculator and program setter.
The GP120C 120mm terminal sensitive mortar projectile meanwhile carries one sub-munition which is fitted with a sensor package that includes millimetre-wave, laser and infra-red which activates the explosively formed penetrator warhead to breach the vulnerable upper surfaces of an armoured fighting vehicle.
NORINCO is quoting a gross vehicle weight of 10.5t and a maximum road speed of up to 120km/h.
Standard equipment includes a central tyre inflation system and a front-mounted power winch for self-recovery.
The Mengshi 6x6 with protected cab is also used as the basis for the China Aerospace Long March International FB-10A air defence missile system.
In a battery, one 6x6 platform is the command vehicle fitted with a C-band 3D phased-array search radar which can control up to six fire units based on a similar chassis.
Each of the latter has a remote-controlled turret on the rear with two pods of four missiles, which are claimed to be able to intercept aerial targets to a maximum range of 18km and an altitude of 8km.
The prime contractor is claiming an 80% single-shot kill capability against aircraft and 70% against missiles.
In addition to marketing the CS/SM5, NORINCO is promoting other mobile mortar systems including the CS/SM2 120mm turret-mounted mortar on an 8x8 chassis and the WMA029 120mm turret mounted mortar on the latest version of the WMZ551 6x6 platform.
In addition there is the SM4, also based on the WMZ551, with a raised roof at the rear to accommodate a turntable-mounted 120mm muzzle-loaded mortar.
KMW reveals details of RCH 155 howitzer programme for Ukraine
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) is due to complete the first of 18 Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155s integrated onto the rear platform of the Boxer 8x8 Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle for Ukraine in mid-2024, with final deliveries due in 2025.
The Boxer’s RCH 155 Artillery Mission Module was developed as a private venture and is manufactured at the Kassel facilities of KMW where production of the PzH 2000 155mm artillery system is undertaken.
Integration of Boxer and the RCH 155 module will take place in Kassel, KMW has confirmed to Shephard.
Above: The latest-generation RCH 155 based on the Boxer 8x8 MRAV in travelling configuration. (Photo: KMW)
The latest model has a lower-profile, more streamlined front end. Mounted on the roof on the left is a KMW FLW100 remote weapon station (RWS) with a stabilised 7.62mm machine gun for close-in self-defence as well as banks of 76mm grenade launchers.
The crew of two are seated in the Boxer chassis, providing protection from small arms fire, shell splinters, IEDs, mines and NBC threats.
The RCH 155 has a combat weight of 39t with the latest MTU power pack developing up to 815hp, giving a maximum road speed of 100km/h and road range of 700km.
Trials have confirmed that this combination will climb a vertical obstacle of up to 0.8m, cross a trench of 2m, climb a 60% gradient and has a fording capability of up to 1.2m.
The weapon is aimed by remote control and unlike some wheeled 155mm SP artillery systems, no outriggers are needed to carry out a fire mission.
The 155mm ordnance is fitted with a fume extractor and muzzle brake with a muzzle velocity radar mounted above at the rear.
When travelling the ordnance is held in a lock which is operated by the driver by remote control.
Maximum firing range depends on the projectile/charge but KMW quotes 30km for standard high-explosive (HE) such as Germany’s DM111/DM121, 40km for base-bleed and 54km for the South African Velocity Enhanced Artillery Projectile (V-LAP). Range also depends on the altitude of the system when firing.
A significant increase in range will be achieved with the Vulcano (70+km), HE long -range rocket assist (80km) and in the longer term a ramjet projectile.
Above: As well as carrying out indirect fire missions the Boxer-mounted RCH 155 has an emergency direct fire capability. (Photo: KMW)
A total of 30 fuzed projectiles and 144 modular charge systems are carried with automated inductive remote fuze setting.
Powered traverse is all-electric through 360 degrees with weapon elevation from -2.5 to +65 degrees.
Trials have demonstrated that the system could come into action and carry out a fire mission of nine projectiles in under 60s and come out of action in under 10s.
The test also confirmed a multiple-round simultaneous-impact (MRSI) capability with up to six shells impacting the target within two seconds.
In addition to this ‘shoot and scoot’ capability the RCH can also engage targets on the move and has a direct-fire option using an HE projectile with the RWS providing a hunter/killer function.
The latest version is fitted with cameras for situational awareness through 360 degrees and a Saab Barracuda mobile camouflage system reducing thermal signature.
CV90 (Czech Republic)
This month’s featured programme entry from Shephard Defence Insight
After cancelling its previous tender following multiple delays and a legal review, the Czech government decided to negotiate the purchase of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 with the Swedish government. The purchase aims to replace the Czech Army’s ageing BVP-2 fleet.
On 21 December 2022, the Czech Republic signed a memorandum with BAE Systems to purchase the expected 210 CV90 platforms for up to $2.3 billion, with an option to extend for 36 additional vehicles.
Following five months of negotiations, the Czech MoD announced on 25 May 2023 it had signed a contract worth $2.51 billion for 246 CV90 Mk IVs.
Programme background
The Czech Republic has been working on modernising its mechanised units at least since 2017, when the country launched its ‘Tracked IFV’ programme to replace its ageing BVP-1 fleet. After a series of delays, revisions and an internal review, the Czech government decided to cancel the tender and opt for direct negotiations with Sweden instead.
Requirements
The Czech MoD also made it clear that it sought domestic military industry to be involved in the procurement. The final production agreement is expected to include up to 40% Czech industrial contribution including local manufacturing.
Bidders
The Czech Government authorised its MoD to negotiate with BAE Systems Hägglunds. It is understood that the new programme was not competitive.
BAE Systems offered a variant of its CV90 Mk IV platform designated CV9030 CZ, which was the strongest contender in the previous Czech procurement effort. BAE Systems officials noted that their supply chain already includes several Czech companies and they are willing to deepen their cooperation with the Czech defence industry as required.
Timeline
July 2022
After announcing the new procurement effort, the Czech government also noted that it would liaise with its Slovakian counterparts as they are running a separate programme for acquiring CV90s. The announcement does not amount to a joint programme as of now.
December 2022
Just nine days after the neighbouring Slovakian government announced it had signed a contract for 152 CV90 Mk IVs with BAE Systems, the Czech Republic announced on 21 December 2022 it had signed a memorandum with the company for the purchase of 210 CV90 platforms.
May 2023
The Czech MoD announced on 24 May 2023 it had received approval and funding from the government and subsequently signed a contract with BAE Systems Hägglunds for 246 CV90 vehicles in a contract worth €2.51 billion according to the Czech government, $2.2 billion according to BAE Systems and $2.05 billion according to the Swedish government.
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