World Defense Show 2026: MARSS displays new Nation Shield air defence C2 system
Nation Shield is the latest iteration of the MARSS C2 system and is designed to provide C2 further forward along with more capable air defence.
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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Nation Shield is the latest iteration of the MARSS C2 system and is designed to provide C2 further forward along with more capable air defence.
Vehicle procurement in the Middle East continues to target big-ticket main battle tanks, with lighter platform purchases also potentially on the horizon including tactical, infantry fighting and armoured personnel carrier vehicles.
Positioned between light 4x4s and heavier 8x8 platforms, the new vehicle, Vantrex, aims to combine high payload capacity with IFV-level firepower in an increasingly competitive segment.
The latest infantry fighting vehicle from Rosoboronexport draws on experience from the war in Ukraine, and is designed to be more lethal and more survivable than its predecessors.
The Rhino 4x4 protected vehicle is being manufactured for an undisclosed country, likely to be Singapore, while its Agil counter-UAS C2 system is in low-rate production.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in its land forces, notably in the area of air defence as recently as 30 January, is a sign of the challenges the Gulf State faces, particularly the threat from Houthi rebels in Yemen.