 Thales to supply India's attack helicopters with rocket launchers Washington (UPI) Feb 25, 2019 - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company, has awarded Thales a contract to supply 135 rocket launchers for 33 attack helicopters. Eighteen of the army's advanced light helicopters and 15 of the air force's light combat helicopters will be equipped with four 12-tube, 2.75-inch rocket launchers, the company said in a Feb. 21 news release. Last year, the rocket launcher was tested and qualified for deployment on India's LCH rotorcraft. The company noted the launchers, which are suitable for light and combat helicopters, "provide an excellent fit with the requirements of the Indian armed forces." "This new collaboration between Thales and HAL in the field of air-launched weaponry opens up new opportunities for the supply of equipment to the Indian armed forces, and consolidates Thales' position in the Indian market," Emmanuel de Roquefeuil, vice president and country director for Thales in India, said in the release. "With this, helicopter crews will see a significant improvement in their tactical capabilities during missions." The rocket launchers are produced using composite material, which makes them 50 percent lighter than metal launchers and eliminates corrosion issues, the company said. "The Indian armed forces are involved in a wide range of deployments in remote theaters, conducting operations beyond the scope of traditional homeland defense," Thales said in the statement. "For this reason, they need to round out their available resources with a view to boosting their tactical capability." Munitions available for use with the launchers ranged from conventional rockets to Thales' laser-guided variant, according to the company. Thales, a French-based company, has been present in India since 1953 with headquarters in New Delhi, including in defense, transport, aerospace and security markets.
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BAE Systems has delivered to Austria the first four BvS10 all-terrain vehicles as part of a contract signed in 2016 for 32 armored personnel carriers.
Austria joins Netherlands, Sweden and Britain as operators of the BvS10, a highly maneuverable armored vehicle that can handle challenging terrain to deliver personnel or cargo in combat and disaster relief scenarios. BAE Systems' Hagglunds has sold more than 12,000 all-terrain vehicles around the world, the company said in a news release Tuesday.
BAE Systems handed over the vehicles during two ceremonies last week in Salzburg, located in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Austrian Defense Minister Mario Kunasek attended the ceremonies, along with representatives of the Swedish government and BAE Systems Hägglunds, the Sweden-based manufacturer of the BvS10.
The company expects final deliveries to conclude later this year.
The Austrian Armed Forces' 24th Infantry Battalion, a battalion of the 6th Mountain Infantry Brigade, will receive the first vehicles. The battalion works in mountainous terrain as part of the European Union Mountain Training Warfare Initiative.
"The Hägglunds is the first combat vehicle for the mountain infantry, which makes possible the armored transport of soldiers in Alpine operations and off-road," Kunasek said. "We thus put renewed focus on our core task of military defense."
The BvS10 has been deployed to Afghanistan, Central Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East.
"The handover of these highly-capable vehicles marks a significant milestone in the BvS10 contract for Austria," said Peter Nygren, vice president of business development at BAE Systems Hagglunds. "We are very pleased with progress to date and the very positive feedback from the Austrian military."
The Austrian APC variant of the BvS10 has specific features, including a 360-degree observation camera system with six day and infrared cameras and displays in the front and rear of the cabin for greater situational awareness. The vehicle also includes the latest remote controlled weapon station, which can be operated by the gunner and the commander.
The BvS10 was originally designed for the British Marines and was first delivered in 2003 by BAE, which is headquartered in London. It is known as the Viking in Britain. The vehicle can hold up to 14 people.
Last week, BAE announced the U.S. Army has awarded a contract for the start of low-rate initial production of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, which will replace Vietman War-era M113s.
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