Nexter Cover

ON THE COVER

A KC-46A Pegasus from McConnell Air Force Base approaches to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker 8 April, 2019, over Kansas. The KC-135 is being replaced with the KC-46A. (US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Skyler Combs)

Volume 45, Issue No.4, SEPTEMBER 2021

Published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd. Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd. Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd., 1603, 16/F, Island PL Tower, 510 Kings Road, Hong Kong

Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Drwiega General Manager: Jakhongir Djalmetov International Marketing Manager: Roman Durksen Digital Manager: David Siriphonphutakun Art Director: Rachata Sharma Chairman: J.S. Uberoi President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Chief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar

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Controlled circulation: 26,121 (average per issue) certified by CAB for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019. Printed by Media Transasia Ltd., 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1 Annual subscription rates: Europe: CHF 222 (including postage) Rest of the world: USD 222 (including postage) Subscription Information: Readers should contact the following address: Subscription Department, Media Transasia Ltd., 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel +66 2204 2370 Fax: +66 2204 2387 Email: accounts@mediatransasia.com

FIRST SIGNS OF NORMALITY

The breakout is nearly here. Media colleagues are calling each other in expectation of meeting up for the first time in over 18 months when attend the UK’s defence exhibition, DSEI, from 14-17 September in London As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread rapidly in early 2020, the ExCel centre was one of seven locations selected by the UK Government to be turned into critical care facilities, known as NHS Nightingale Hospitals (named after the famed nurse Florence Nightingale who looked after the wounded at a facility in Constantinople during the Crimean War, 1853-56). With the significant assistance of the military, the ExCel Nightingale Hospital was completed in nine days with an initial capacity of 500 beds. As it turned out, the huge extra capacity that was created was ultimately not required as NHS hospitals managed to cope - just.

With ExCel now reverting to its role as an exhibition and events centre, will the expectation of experiences gone by be matched by the reality of today’s still uncertain times? The organiser of DSEI, Clarion Events revealed to the media recently that 654 exhibitors had confirmed attendance from 31 countries, 250 of which were new exhibitors. Some of these would be in the 20 National Pavilions that had confirmed. But there are still tight travel restriction across much of the globe, with many countries still deep experiencing a rise of COVID infections. The UK Government has not been lenient in allowing international delegations to receive special consideration for attending the event, although it has just announced a relaxation of some restrictions for the United Nations climate change conference, COP26 in November, including “a reduced quarantine period of five days for vaccinated individuals from red list countries.”

As I write this around one month before the opening, the defence industry has remained quiet regarding participation at the show and new products to potentially be launched. The uncertainty is still reflecting a ‘wait and see’ attitude and there may be a rush of international exhibitors and visitors waiting until the last moment before deciding to attend, for fear of short notice travel rule changes which have cost many a tourist good money over the summer.

Will exhibitors opt for virtual stand briefings for those who attend? The organisers have even seen to it that wristbands will be available, one colour to indicate if a person only wants to greet people with an elbow touch, while another colour will show that an individual is happy to shake hands.

Those who are vaccinated and are confident enough to attend (a very personal choice) will have the very welcome experience of actually mixing and talking with like minded individuals again after months of skyping, zooming and teaming online. It is an experience that I, for one, am looking forward to นonce more.

ANDREw DRwIEGA,

Editor-in-Chief

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

L3 Wescam Leonardo Roketsan L3 Harris CRFS Rosoboronexport Nexter Bofors Schiebel MilMast Lemo Eurosatory Singapore Airshow ISDEF DSEI DSEI Japan NCT Europe Dubai Airshow 9 5 19 13 15 17 Cover 2 21 25 27 33 35 43 45 47 48 49 50

SEPTEMBER 2021

www.armadainternational.com

06

COmmAnder'S inTenT

PEGASUS STRETCHES HER WINGS Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Moores, Commander of the US Air Force’s 344th Air Refueling Squadron, provides Mark Ayton with an insider’s view of the transfer of air-to-air refuelling capability to the new KC-47A Pegasus.

12

Air pOwer

LOOKING DOWN FROM ON HIGH The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force is bringing its ISR capability up to date with the planned arrival of new platforms. Jon Lake reports.

18

Air pOwer

ROUGH TRANSPORTS STAND READY TO DO VIOLENCE Martin Streetly examines how airframers are turning transport aircraft into ISR gunships.

23

pOlAnd fOCuS

POLAND’S DIVERSE MILITARY AIR, MARITIME AND LAND REQUIREMENTS Ahead of MSPO, David Oliver and Andrew Drwiega review Polish Armaments Inspectorate requirements and acquisitions.

36 40

lAnd wArfAre

SIGHTING DYNAMICS Stephen W. Miller looks into factors that are improving weapon sighting for today’s riflemen.

SpeCiAl OpS And eXpediTiOnArY fOrCeS deBrief

TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY Andrew White looks at the impact that loitering munitions are having on the battlefield.

30

lAnd wArfAre

ALL CHANGE AT THE CORPS: FORCE DESIGN 2030 Stephen W. Miller examines the 'sea change' that Force Design 2030 is having on the US Marine Corps.

46

ArmAdA COmmenTArY

DESPITE RECENT CONTROVERSY David Oliver reveals the export success behind the Dassault Rafale.