The Spanish Army Contracting Board has opened a tender on a €4.87 million ($5.77 million), four-year framework agreement to procure 40x53 mm ammunition for the SB40 automatic grenade launcher and MK19 grenade machine gun (pictured in US Army use).
Interested companies have until 6 October to submit bids.
The SB40 LAG was developed in Spain by General Dynamics European Land Systems – Santa Bárbara Sistemas as a private venture in the late 1980s.
The Spanish Army took delivery of a pre-production batch of 60 weapons in 1992 for trials in the infantry support role; Shephard Defence Insight notes that the service now employs the SB40 both in the dismounted role and on AFVs.
General Dynamics has built more than 40,000 MK19 Mod 3 GMGs for roughly 30 customers since 1984. The MK19 fires M383 HE, M430 HE dual purpose and M918 training practice ammunition. The weapon is also produced by ATK as a second-source supplier.
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The US Marines Corps’ Force Design 2030 is about restructure, changes to operational concepts, a refresh of equipment and new categories of equipment. The review indicates a high level of success.
The new vehicle will be based on the CV90 Mk IV chassis and turret, and will be armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L44A1 low recoil smoothbore gun.
Speaking in the UK Parliament, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said possible changes in the country’s steelmaking industry will have little impact on defence projects; while much of the steel in British vehicles and ships is imported.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the arrival of more Patriot air defence systems in his country. The development follows the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha calling for 10 more systems last month and Zelenskyy reiterating the need for more.
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
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