Thales awarded Japan IFF contract
Thales will supply the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) with Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogators with Mode 5 standard under a contract announced by the company on 20 December.
The system to be delivered is the TSA1412 miniature and lightweight IFF interrogator along with accessories. The interrogators will be used with the JGSDF’s man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) platforms, giving operators the ability to distinguish between allied forces and potential threats, helping avoid ‘friendly fire’ and enabling faster decision making.
Mode 5 is the latest US/NATO standard; Thales has successfully demonstrated Mode 5 interoperability of the TSA1412 when integrated on Japanese MANPADS.
The TSA1412 system is currently undergoing the US DoD-AIMS certification process. Thales will work with a local partner to establish in-country I-Level maintenance capability.
Jean Louis Moraud, CEO of Thales in Japan, said: ‘Thales is very proud and honoured of the trust demonstrated by [the] Japanese customer through the notification of this first mode 5 IFF contract. Thales, together with [our] local partner, looks forward to further extend such a valuable cooperation with the Japanese armed forces.’
More from Land Warfare
-
Bids in for Canadian Bv206 replacement
If all goes to plan, initial delivery of the selected vehicle could take place in 2029/2030 with final delivery in 2031/2032. The Bv206 were supplied to Canada many years ago and are in urgent need of replacement. More than 11,000 Bv206 were built for worldwide sale.
-
Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up
Romania received its first Cobra MkII 4×4 light tactical armoured vehicles, ordered Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) and VAMTAC light vehicles, and is set to invest billions-of-dollars in infantry fighting vehicles.
-
Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement
The Italian Army operates Pumas in 6×6 and 4×4 configurations but the platforms are ageing and numbers have fallen with obsolescence also being an issue. Any replacement is likely to have a focus on the involvement of local industry.
-
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.