Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s Terrex s5 highlights hybrid power’s role in future warfare
Hybrid-electric drive technology may address the growing energy demands of land warfare in future.
The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 21 April confirmed that they had signed an agreement with Česká zbrojovka (ČZUB) to acquire up to 39,000 small arms for the Czech Army.
Minister of Defence Lubomir Metnar said: ‘Our goal is to modernise the army, but also to support Czech industry and maintain jobs in these difficult times… The framework agreement will allow us to purchase up to 39,000 small arms from a reputable manufacturer by 2025.’
The contract is reported by the MoD to be worth CZK2.35 billion ($92.5 million) and includes 16,000 BREN 2 assault rifles, 21,000 CZ P-10 pistols, 1,600 CZ 805 G1 suspended grenade launchers, 100 PDW CZ Scorpion pieces and training ammunition.
Between 2010 and 2016, 40,000 small arms weapons were also supplied by ČZUB to the Czech Armed Forces.
Hybrid-electric drive technology may address the growing energy demands of land warfare in future.
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.