Rheinmetall: ready to team with India

arnabmit

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News from March, 2012. Any update on this?

Rheinmetall: ready to team with India

Without a doubt, India is the regional superpower of South Asia. Its armed forces form a mainstay of Indian security policy, and are now undergoing further modernization. Facing up to the challenges of an expanded mission spectrum, they rely increasingly on network-enabled operations: a "system of systems" consisting of sensors, C4I capabilities and effectors that enables an appropriate response to any and all threats.

From 29 March to 1 April 2012, Defexpo will take place in New Delhi. It is one of the largest defence technology trade fairs in Asia.

As one of the world's leading suppliers of defence technology systems, Rheinmetall will be on hand with a representative selection of its diverse array of products for military and security forces. Building on a proud tradition, the Düsseldorf, Germanybased Rheinmetall Group covers many different capability categories.

Wiesel – mobile, air-portable, versatile
In order to operate in difficult terrain – in the mountains, for example, or in an urban environment – today's armed forces need a flexible, quickly deployable, protected platform that can be readily integrated into network-enabled operations and which, above all, can be transported by air either on board or as underslung cargo. It was precisely with these capabilities in mind that Rheinmetall developed the Wiesel ('weasel') family of vehicles, which the company will be presenting at Defexpo 2012.

A lightweight tracked armoured vehicle, the Wiesel is standard equipment in German airmobile and mountain units. While the Wiesel 1 was originally employed as a weapons platform, the somewhat longer Wiesel 2 is now available in numerous other configurations.

Today the Wiesel family covers practically the full range of military ground capabilities, encompassing a reconnaissance vehicle, a command post version, an anti-tank-missile launcher platform, an automatic cannon platform, an engineering scout vehicle and a field ambulance version. Other variants include joint fire support team and joint fire support coordination team vehicles and a 120mm mortar carrier; Finally, a Wiesel-based mobile air defence system consisting of an air defence command post vehicle, an air defence reconnaissance and fire control vehicle, and an air defence weapon carrier round out the portfolio.

Much like other Rheinmetall vehicles – e.g. the Fuchs/Fox armoured transport vehicle – the Wiesel has accompanied the Bundeswehr right from the start in every deployed operation. Whether in the deserts of Somalia, the mountains of Kosovo or the rugged terrain of the Hindu Kush – the Wiesel has what it takes: high mobility coupled with protection. Transportable by air in a medium transport helicopter or as underslung cargo, the various members of the Wiesel family can be quickly deployed to new flash points. The Wiesel is thus the ideal platform for the Mountain Strike Corps, which is now in the process of formation.

Countering the threat from above: advanced air defence systems
Aerial attacks continue to pose a major threat to troop concentrations, military bases, civilian population centres and critical civilian infrastructure.

In the domain of VSHORAD technology, Rheinmetall's Air Defence division is the global leader and the sole single-source supplier of battle management systems, fire control systems, automatic cannon, integrated missile launchers and Ahead ammunition. Its core competencies include the development and manufacture of complete air defence systems as well as simulators and training equipment.

Aware of India's ambitious plans to modernize its air defence capabilities, Rheinmetall is presenting a wide array of sophisticated air defence solutions at Defexpo 2012.

The need for a 35mm gun-based air defence system able to meet current and coming requirements led to the recent development and manufacture of the Oerlikon Skyshield air defence system. Lightweight and compact, it is the world's most advanced and effective system for low-level air defence. It basically consists of an Oerlikon Skyshield fire control unit and two high-performance Oerlikon Revolver Gun MK2 automatic cannons, specifically designed to fire Ahead airburst ammunition.

The heart of Rheinmetall's proprietary Ahead technology is a high-precision timedelay projectile. At the optimum moment, it ejects a lethal cloud of heavy metal pellets, reliably neutralizing small and even very small projectiles, such as rockets, artillery and mortar (RAM) rounds, much the way a shotgun shell destroys a clay pigeon.

This weapon has been successfully deployed in NATO operations since 1996. It forms the main armament of the Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system, which the German Bundeswehr has procured for defending its forward operating bases.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall's air defence technology is by no means limited to static defence roles. Mobile applications are equally feasible. For short-term missions, a truck-mounted version is available which can be deployed without unloading the system from the truck. This is particularly useful if the mission involves protecting a succession of different sites for short periods. Mounting a Skyshield air defence system on an all-terrain 8x8 vehicle – e.g. a military truck made by Rheinmetall's partner Tata – ensures maximum operational flexibility.

Existing Skyguard and Skyshield systems can also be retrofitted with Ahead technology. Furthermore, thanks to the modularity of its systems, Rheinmetall is able to bring additional components into play, readily creating multi-mission capabilities tailored to the needs of individual clients.

C4ISTAR – Enhancing your vision, your impact and your information
As one of the world's leading suppliers of defence technology systems, Rheinmetall is an increasingly important partner in the field of C4ISTAR systems. The Group's product spectrum ranges from single sensors and components to sensor platforms and fire control units, and from individual soldier systems to complete battle management systems.

These sensor and fire control systems represent top-notch technology and are in service with a number of armed forces worldwide.

Rheinmetall has longstanding experience in equipping combat platforms with sensor and fire control systems. To enable customers to cope with today's requirements, Rheinmetall has developed digital turret and vehicle systems that provide modular and flexible solutions for a variety of combat and turret systems, as well as to standard vehicles e.g. for law enforcement or security surveillance missions. Due to the technology applied and the system architecture these solutions can be used either for adapted upgrades or fully integrated solutions for systems under development.

As part of these digital turret and vehicle systems the Situational Awareness System (SAS), for example, on show at Defexpo 2012, is a complete panoramic close-up sight for local situational awareness. It can be integrated easily into turret or chassis and offers a 360° - both day and night sight - near-field view of the vehicle's immediate surroundings, with automatic alarm and target-tracking functions. SAS provides outstanding "look through armour", increases the safety and reduces the workload of the crew thanks to a high degree of automation.

The situational awareness of a combat vehicle can be complemented by the vehiclemounted version of Rheinmetall's Acoustic Sniper Locating System (ASLS). ASLS comprises a powerful microphone antenna array with integrated analysis electronics as well as a control and display functions inside the vehicle.

When a round is fired ASLS instantly computes azimuth, elevation and distance of the sniper relative to the vehicle. Simultaneously ASLS alerts the crew acoustically and visually, displaying the results of the location analysis on the vehicles manmachine-interface in real-time. In combination with the fire control system of the vehicle's the crew can react within no time and start to engage the enemy position, before the next round is fired. Additionally, the geo-referenced position of the sniper –determined with a GPS system – can be fed into a C4I system, e.g. for information of other forces in the area, target assignment or subsequent engagement. ASLS is also available in a stationary version and a man-portable version, which can be connected to modern soldier systems.

In the field of soldier systems, Rheinmetall was awarded a contract by the German Army in 2011 to deliver the cutting edge "German Future Soldier - Expanded System". The IdZ2 (formerly IdZ-ES) enhances the battle performance, endurance and protection of modern war-fighters on the ground and embeds them directly into the network-centric operations loop. Visitors will see the IdZ2 during Defexpo.

Rheinmetall Defence: totally oriented to today's military
With its Combat Systems, Electronic Solutions, and Wheeled Vehicles divisions, Rheinmetall Defence supplies the world's armed forces with systems and equipment systematically designed to assure successful outcomes in complex modern military operations.

Rheinmetall also maintains an extensive network of international partnerships for serving new markets as well as enabling technology transfer that will substantially benefit both the industry and the military of customer nations. This makes Rheinmetall the ideal industrial partner in the quest to supply India's armed forces with advanced capabilities.
 
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t_co

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It won't be long before the IA re-raises the Arjun's requirements on the basis of possible access to the Leopard 2A7.
 

arnabmit

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Huh? :dude:

Arjun MkII's already in user trials. Rheinmetall only makes the main gun and the RCWS of the Leo 2A7 AFAIK...

So what exactly does your comment contribute to the thread and from which perspective?

It won't be long before the IA re-raises the Arjun's requirements on the basis of possible access to the Leopard 2A7.
 

Dinesh_Kumar

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Rheinmetall good German company with superb technical know how. In certain conventional arms , such as Artillery, Cannons, Tank Guns, GPMGs, AA Guns, Ammo and propellants, etc., these guys are very good.

Their book on weapons design, "Handbook of Weaponry", is rated by many weapons forums on the internet as one of the best, in the field of Armaments Design. It was last published in 1980, and is now out of print, I believe.
 

Ray

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It won't be long before the IA re-raises the Arjun's requirements on the basis of possible access to the Leopard 2A7.
It will all depend on it being compatible to the terrain and tactics of the Indian subcontinent.
 

W.G.Ewald

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It will all depend on it being compatible to the terrain and tactics of the Indian subcontinent.
Sir, are you familiar with this title?

Terrain and Tactics (Contributions in Military Studies): Patrick OSullivan: 9780313279232: Amazon.com: Books
Throughout history, wars have been invariably fought over the control of territory. While political geography addresses the causes of such conflicts, military geography consists of the use of geographical knowledge to describe and analyze the deployment of armed forces. In this work, Patrick O'Sullivan offers an academic and impersonal study of military geography, weighing the balance of advantage for combatants in different geographic settings. He fully explores the effect of geographical circumstances on the outcome of violent conflict, and examines the lessons learned from recent wars about the effects of global position and environmental conditions on the interplay of geostrategy, tactical decisions, and results.

The study begins with a look at the global variety of physical habitats and their human occupation, as well as a survey of the geography of war since 1945 including the current geography of conflict. A geographical analysis of selected ancient and modern battles follows, out of which O'Sullivan characterizes classical tactical ploys. A broad examination of modern weapons, tactics, and the required appreciation of the battlefield form the central portion of the book, with two particular topics--guerrilla/counterinsurgency operations and warfare on urban terrain--receiving extensive treatment. The volume concludes by drawing together political geography, strategy, and tactics in a description of the urban-based British Army/IRA conflict, and with an examination of the geographical aptitudes and attitudes of soldiers. This unique work will be an important source for courses in military geography, history, and tactics, and a valuable addition to college and university libraries.
 

Ray

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@W.G. Ewald,

No.

I will ask my brother to get it for me.

Thanks.
 

Kunal Biswas

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Very useful as IFV over mountain terrain..

Must have RCWS with mini gun..

Wiesel – mobile, air-portable, versatile
In order to operate in difficult terrain – in the mountains, for example, or in an urban environment – today's armed forces need a flexible, quickly deployable, protected platform that can be readily integrated into network-enabled operations and which, above all, can be transported by air either on board or as underslung cargo. It was precisely with these capabilities in mind that Rheinmetall developed the Wiesel ('weasel') family of vehicles, which the company will be presenting at Defexpo 2012.
 

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