Page 34 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

Intel
Report

drones costing less than $10,000
knocked out half the production
at one of the world’s largest oil
facilities. These are the threats
we face.” He added: “EDGE
will be a new kind of defence Above: An unmarked UAEAF&AD A330 MRTT performs a fly-by with four
company, bringing advanced Mirages during the opening ceremony. Another surprise announcement at the
technologies to the market with show was the UAE’s purchase of three more A330 MRTTs; contract negotiations
greater speed and efficiency. are expected to start soon. Below: This twin-seat UAEAF&AD F-16F in the static
It will disrupt an antiquated display was fitted with four Al Tariq PGMs, a weapon the UAE has developed
with South Africa’s Denel Dynamics. A Mirage 2000-9DAD was similarly armed.
military industry generally stifled
by red tape and is set to bring
products to market faster and
at more cost-effective prices.”
Under EDGE, Barij Dynamics
(previously Tawazun Dynamics)
has been rebranded as Al Tariq
– the name of the weapon it’s
developing with South Africa’s
Kentron (see South Africa’s air-
launched advances, November,
p62-66). The new controlling
company appears to have ushered
in an era of openness – until this
year, no one would talk candidly
about the Al Tariq PGM. Theunis Botha continued. “We are currently firm announced four contracts at UAE is currently operating CATIC’s
Botha, general manager at Al Tariq, producing Block 1 systems, but we DAS. Two, totalling US$1bn, were Wing Loong II unmanned combat
spoke about the three variants are in the process of upgrading to provide maintenance support aerial vehicles (UCAVs) on behalf
of the weapon at the show: “Al them to the Block 2 which will for the JAC and Presidential of the LNA in Libya’s civil war.
Tariq is the longest-ranged PGM go into production in 2020. This Command, another was to carry CATIC is gaining a stronger
in its class in the world today and includes a navigation upgrade out similar work for the Kenyan foothold in the UAE and is jointly
outperforms anything else out and range extension of Al Tariq defence ministry, and the fourth marketing its A-Hawk quadcopter
there by 25%. It is the weapon of beyond the current 120km by was a contract with the China with another EDGE company,
choice of the UAEAF&AD’s F-16 adding turbine propulsion to the National Aero-Technology Import Emirates Advanced Research and
Block 60 and Mirage 2000-9s.” system, as well as increasing the & Export Corporation (CATIC) Technology Holding (EARTH). The
While the Al Tariq is based on number of seekers available.” for a bonded warehouse. GAL’s A-Hawk can be equipped with
the 250lb (113kg) Mk81 and 500lb At IDEX in February the author CEO, Khalid Al Breiki, explained a machine gun and up to four
(227kg) Mk82 bombs, it represents asked why Halcon Systems – that the Kenyan deal would cover rockets for anti-terrorist roles. It
a family of weapons with different another missile manufacturer – maintenance of all Kenya Air will be able to operate from the
seekers and warheads for an array had been launched (see Industry Force (KAF) aircraft. Undoubtedly, rear of a truck and development
of tactical applications. Its GPS/ looks to the East, April, p30) working directly with the KAF will be finalised next year. CATIC
GLONASS navigation is coupled when Barij Dynamics already will provide the UAE with the has recently reduced the length
to an imaging infrared or semi- existed in the UAE. Now we know. opportunity to market its own of the UAV from 11ft 2in (3.4m) to
active laser seeker and automatic Under EDGE, Halcon’s smaller products to the east African air 8ft 6in (2.6m) to meet the UAE’s
targeting/recognition software. PGMs, such as the Thunder P4 force. A source at CATIC told AFM requirement. There have been firing
“To date 6,000 Al Tariq PGMs and Desert Sting 35, are set to the bonded warehouse will be demonstrations in China already,
have been sold, mainly to the complement Al Tariq’s PGMs. operational in early 2020 to store but not yet locally. A full flight
UAE, but the company is in Another company coming under spare parts for platforms and demo is planned for the Unmanned
discussion with a number of the EDGE umbrella is Global systems in the region, ensuring Systems Exhibition and Conference
friendly air forces in the region,” Aerospace Logistics (GAL). The they can be delivered faster. The in Abu Dhabi during February.
The same source also disclosed
that the Hongdu L-15 will be flown
to the UAE in February for a flight
evaluation by the UAEAF&AD,
where it’s expected to be in
competition with the Leonardo
M-346 to fulfil an advanced jet
trainer/fighter attack aircraft.
The M-346 was selected back in
2009 but the UAEAF&AD, unable
to push through the technology
transfer, backed out of the deal.
Another EDGE company,
AMMROC (Advanced Military
Maintenance and Repair and
Overhaul Center) is setting up
a huge maintenance, repair
and overhaul facility at Al Ain
There were two armed UH-60 Black Hawks in the static display. UH-60L serial which, after long delays, should
2635 is fitted with two M134 Miniguns and two M260 rocket pods. It is also
equipped with an inlet barrier filter to protect the engines’ compressor blades. be open early this year. AFM

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