UAE to get deployable tactical internet

After an international competition Thales has been selected to supply the United Arab Emirates with military capable, deployable, multimedia IP services.

The Zagil solution, based on IP standards and Wimax technology, demonstrates Thales' ability to develop solutions from civil products and technologies. This large use of COTS and the development of an active policy of Transfer of Technology, along with a highly performing offer, are the key elements of Thales' international successes in tactical networks. Today, in addition to UAE, clients of Thales' tactical communication solutions include France, Switzerland, the UK, and Austria.

The core of the Di@ne/IP system is the IPS (IP-Services) software suite which comes on top of standard IP equipment and features subscriber mobility, military quality of service, and efficient networking as a perfect answer to operational military communication requirements.

Including a very new secured IEEE 802.16 Wimax technology, this network solution will provide to users a broadband wireless IP access even on the move.

The main transmission media of Di@ne is the TRC 4000 Microwave Radio Relay operating in NATO Band IV (4.4 to 5.0 GHz) and providing secured 34 Mbps high data rate transmission links. Its integrated planel antenna and its split design offers low wind resistance, flexible deployment and quick setup and teardown.

The TRC 4000 radio is fielded in operational service with numerous armed forces, most notably in France, Switzerland, and TRC 4000 34 Mbps is currently under delivery for FALCON in UK, PTPRS in Austria and of course Zagil in the Emirates.

Di@ne also provides Automatic integration of PR4G/Fastnet combat radios offering both radiotelephony and efficient data networking on the battlefield using high secure but sometimes bandwidth constrained military radios.

Source: Thales

UAE get Swiss mine clearance machines

The Land Forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a multi-million euro contract with BAL Bauer Industries Ltd. for the procurement of large-scale mine clearance machines “MineWolf”. The purchase follows extensive trials of the MineWolf in harsh desert conditions in the Gulf region in 2006, and includes special modifications for lifting mine fragments buried in sandy terrain to the surface.

BAL Bauer Industries Ltd., who acts as General Contractor for this contract, and MineWolf Systems were selected based on their superior technology, extensive regional experience and military know-how. The systems were delivered at the beginning of 2008 six month after contract signing and the training of the UAE personnel is being carried out at the present time.

It is the first army in the Middle East to procure the MineWolf.

The MineWolf is a tracked mine clearance machine implementing an interchangeable tiller or flail system. It has been proven effective against anti-personnel (AP) and heavy anti-tank (AT) mines in many mine-affected countries including Sudan, Jordan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia (humanitarian projects). The system is capable of clearing up to 30,000 square metres per day.

Source and Photo: MineWolf

Editor's Note: Mine Wolf has opened an office in Afghanistan. Additional Mine Wolf info here.

Patria AMVs to the UAE

Finnish manufacturer Patria has announced the sale of their AMV 8x8 vehicle to the United Arab Emirates. The size of the order and delivery schedule have not been made public.

"Patria AMV 8x8 - with well over 1200 vehicles contracted and some 200 already delivered - is the choice of the Polish, Finnish, Slovenian, South African, Croatian and now also United Arab Emirates’ armies. Patria AMV is currently in serial production in three countries – Finland, Poland and Slovenia - and production will be starting soon in Croatia and South Africa.

Being fully NATO compatible, Patria AMV offers effective protection, increased mobility, modularity and combat proven performance. The vehicle is very easy to operate and maintain. Patria AMV is one of the few wheeled vehicles in the world capable of carrying also heavy weapon systems, like the 105 mm cannon or the 120 mm mortar turrets without reducing the mobility of the vehicle.

Patria AMV is the only vehicle in its kind to have passed the demanding ARMSCOR mine tests in South Africa. The AMVs (Rosomaks in Polish) are currently in active use in the mission in Afganistan by Poland. The experiences have been very positive and shown that Patria AMV vehicles deliver what they promise: excellent mobility, protection and performance."

Source: Press Release