French soldiers with a Nerod F5 microwave jammer rifle. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
In recent years, Western forces have noticed the increased use of small UAVs by Islamist terrorist groups, including attacks in Iraq and Syria.
The situation is slightly different in Africa, where Boko Haram and Islamic State have (so far) not used armed mini-UAVs. However, French units deployed in West Africa are striving to deploy adequate countermeasures against the risk of future swarming UAV attacks.
In March 2021, the French Air Force deployed the BASSALT counter-UAV (C-UAV) solution in Operation Barkhane in Niger and Mali. This system is derived from efforts by French airport operator Paris Aéroport to detect UAVs
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The Common Armoured Vehicle System is continuing to rack up orders as the British Army looks likely to become an operator of the vehicle, while Italy and Ireland are also contenders.
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
The selection of Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo long-range precision fires system, with a contract expected to be signed on 30 January, makes Norway the second European country to choose the system. It is expected an operational system will be in service within four years.
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
Canada is improving its Leopard main battle tank fleet but before this is fully completed, it is expected to begin looking for new vehicles.
A surge in aerial threats – from advanced missiles to low-cost drones – is reshaping the way militaries approach air defence, driving demand for flexible, multi-layered solutions.
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