“Capital follows confidence” as defence courts private money
Outside investment and the direction in which venture money flows may reveal what defence will buy years before formal programmes begin.
Nexter has developed new uses for wearable technology and digital engineering. (Photo: Nexter)
French armoured vehicle manufacturer Nexter presented new and updated solutions at the Forum Entreprises Défense (FED) event at Satory near Paris on 13-14 October.
For example, an upgraded version of the Leclerc Diagnostic Simulator was developed in response to new features on the French main battle tank in the XLR upgrade.
‘Maintenance personnel are trained to search for selected faults according to multiple scenarios,’ Nexter noted in a press release.
The company also showcased its CTENIZA weapon system. Concealed inside a container, CTENIZA can accommodate multiple pieces of equipment such as a water cannon, an observation device or a remotely operated turret.
The system can be carried aboard a ship or transported by aircraft, and it can be networked to coordinate the protection of a forward operating base or vehicle convoy, Nexter added.
Other digital innovations on show at FED included the Nexter digital twin (JUNNE). Based on a digital copy of a physical system, JUNNE enables engineers to evaluate a system’s capabilities, improve maintenance, facilitate the integration of new technologies ‘and strengthen collaboration with Nexter’s partners’, the company stated.
Outside investment and the direction in which venture money flows may reveal what defence will buy years before formal programmes begin.
The Department of National Defence expects initial contracts to deliver thousands of uncrewed systems, but has yet to establish the quantities, capability mix or deadline behind Ottawa’s promised tenfold expansion.
The company told Shephard that Ukraine is operating modified Protector weapon stations originally supplied for armoured vehicles, with human operators authorising engagements from hundreds of kilometres away.
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.