Catching up…

We are back from vacation and going through all the tank related news we missed while away.  Rather than create separate posts for the following stories concerning modern vehicles, here is a single post with links.

IHS Jane’s : General Dynamics Protests USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle Program.  

General Dynamics on 7 December protested the US Marine Corps’ (USMC’s) award of Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1 contracts to teams led by BAE Systems and SAIC.

“We believe the selection process was not consistent with the criteria outlined in the RfP [request for proposals],” a company spokesperson told IHS Jane’s in a statement. General Dynamics said it used the RfP’s “description of the evaluation criteria to develop and propose” its vehicle, to meet the USMC’s specific requirements.

Defense News: Turkish, Ukraine Defense Firms in Talks for Tank Upgrades.

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey and Ukraine’s biggest defense firms have started negotiations that will most likely end up in a cooperation deal for tank modernization programs.  Turkish Aselsan and Ukraine’s Ukroboronprom are exploring ways to undertake joint programs designed to upgrade tanks.  The cooperation will later expand into upgrading artillery and personnel carriers, one Aselsan official said.

Trend News Agency: Iran Eyes Purchasing Russian T-90 Tanks

Iran wants to purchase T90 tanks from Russia, the Islamic Republic’s Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said.

He noted that Iran and Russia have signed the first military agreement recently to purchase S300 missile defense systems and the second agreement will be signed on purchasing T90 tanks, Fars News Agency reported Dec.8.

Jane’s IHL: Poland Recieves Final Leopard 2A5 MBTs from Germany

Poland has received its final batch of Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) from Germany, it has been announced.

The MBTs, plus 220 additional vehicles, were purchased for EUR187 million (USD203 million) in November 2013 from ex-German Army stocks to equip the 34th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, based in Zagan.

Defense News: US Gives Over 100 Military Vehicles to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is receiving 114 armored vehicles donated by the United States, officials said Thursday, boosting the poorly-equipped military’s fight against various insurgent groups in the country.

Washington has provided ally Manila with military support in the past, including a warship offered last month as part of a $250 million aid package to Southeast Asian nations.