The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has committed more military assistance than France in terms of GDP.
The 6S19 Balkan 40mm anti-personnel grenade launcher. (Photo: TASS/Milena Sineva)
Rostec revealed on 25 January that serial production has begun of the 6S19 Balkan 40mm anti-personnel grenade launcher.
‘The design documentation for the Balkan system has been formalised and accepted by the Defense Ministry of Russia for serial production. The first serial batch has been produced,’ said Bekhan Ozdoyev, director of Rostec's Armaments, Ammunition and Special Chemicals Cluster.
The weapon is now undergoing ‘expanded operational evaluation’ by Russian troops, Rostec added in a statement.
The 6S19 grenade launcher is made by the Pribor Research and Production Association (part of the Technodinamika Group within Rostec). Its firing range is 25% longer than the in-service 30mm AGS-17 and AGS-30 grenade launchers.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has committed more military assistance than France in terms of GDP.
The proposed enhancements could better position the French Army’s armoured infantry fighting vehicle for future export campaigns.
The US Army’s Medium Modular Equipment Transport Trailer (M-METT) programme is planned to provide a platform between Increment II of Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport and the Palletized Load System.
Technology that enables armed forces to leverage existing network infrastructure can be a game-changer in many combat scenarios.
An effort to develop a new European main battle tank has passed several milestones on the road to a Preliminary Design Review which is expected within two years.
The British Army’s Ajax armoured personnel carrier has a chequered history but hopes were high when Initial Operating Capability was declared last year. More problems saw operations suspended but the MoD reports it has identified the problems and short- and medium-term solutions.