German defense concern Rheinmetall AG plans to launch production of its armored vehicles in Ukraine in 2024.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced this in his interview with WirtschaftsWoche.

The company wants to produce Fuchs wheeled armored personnel carriers and Lynx armored fighting vehicles.

The Rheinmetall CEO said that he expects an agreement with Ukraine to be signed early next year.

TPz 1 Fuchs APC. Photo from open sources

After signing the contract, the first Fuchs is expected to roll off the assembly line within 6-7 months, and the first Lynx within 12-13 months. Papperger explained that the production of Fuchs armored personnel carriers in Ukraine will be possible by the end of summer 2024, and the production of Lynx armored fighting vehicles may begin in the summer of 2025.

“The first ten Lynx armored fighting vehicles are already being manufactured here in Germany or Hungary in cooperation with Ukraine. After the ramp-up phase, we should be able to produce a significant number of these armored fighting vehicles entirely in Ukraine,” he said.

Lynx KF41 IFV during testing in Greece. August 2022. Greece. Photo credits: Rheinmetall

According to him, the German government has already signaled that the export of these armored vehicles to Ukraine will be allowed.

Rheinmetall’s CEO explains the unusually short turnaround time by saying that the cooperation has progressed well. The German company is already Ukraine’s largest partner in the defense industry. In 2022, the group received orders worth about €900 million, and in 2023, the volume of orders increased to about two and a half billion euros.

“And there will definitely be more of them next year,” Papperger predicts. In addition, Ukraine has already established the maintenance of German armored vehicles, for which Ukrainian specialists have been trained in Germany.

Repair of the Leopard 2 tank at the Rheinmetall plant. Photo from open sources

Rheinmetall and Ukroboronprom formed a joint venture to repair and maintain combat equipment donated by Germany and other Western partners.

Lynx armored fighting vehicle

KF41 Lynx is a heavy IFV, weighing about 44 tons, introduced by Rheinmetall in 2018. Its main armament is a LANCE turret with a 30- or 35-mm gun and an anti-tank missile launcher, which can be equipped according to customer requirements.

Lynx IFV, September 2021. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Hungary

The KF41 is 7.7 m long, 3.6 m wide, and 3.3 m high. The maximum speed is 70 km/h and the fuel range is over 500 km. The crew of the combat vehicle is three people. For landing, up to nine fighters can be accommodated. The IFV is protected from 30 mm shells in the frontal projection and from 14.5 mm in the lateral ones. The bottom of the vehicle guarantees explosion protection equivalent to 10 kg of TNT. The IFV is powered by a 1470-strong Liebherr D9612 engine, which allows it to reach a speed of 70 km/h. The range along the highway is 500 km.

Germany has trained a second group of Ukrainian soldiers to operate the Patriot air defense system.

The completion of the training course was announced on Friday, December 1, by Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow, Commander of Basic Military Organisation.

The training course for about 70 soldiers and officers lasted more than six weeks. From now on, the Ukrainian military can operate the Patriot air defense system independently.

Protecting Ukraine’s airspace is a top priority, as Russian strikes are deliberately destroying civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, the German general emphasized. According to Marlow, personnel competence has reached the level that will allow Ukrainians to operate this air defense system independently and perform combat missions.

The training program was attended by experienced Ukrainian officers with years of service in air defense units. Many of the Ukrainian soldiers had experience with the Soviet-era S-300 surface-to-air missile system.

Training of Ukrainians in Germany on the Patriot air defense system, 2023. Photo credits: Special Training Command

“All of them have combat experience and have previously served in air defense,” said the German instructor.

Militarnyi reported that the second group of Ukrainian soldiers had begun mastering the Patriot air defense system in Germany. The training of Ukrainians started on Monday, October 30.

The training course was launched after the German government announced a new future large-scale military aid package for Ukraine.

The launcher of the German Army’s Patriot air defense system, 2023. Photo credits: German Air Force

Germany is providing additional air defense equipment, namely the Patriot, IRIS-T, and Gepard systems, to protect Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

The Patriot system will come from the Bundeswehr’s depots, in addition to a fire control station and a radar station, and will include eight launchers and possibly over 60 missiles. This air defense assistance package is reportedly worth about €1 billion.

Patriot from Germany

Ukraine received the first Patriot SAM system from Germany in April 2023. The transfer took place immediately after the completion of training for Ukrainian operators, who began mastering the system in early February.

The Ukrainian servicemen master the Patriot air defense system in Germany. February 2023. Photo credits: Federal Ministry of Defence

Also in August, Germany handed Ukraine two additional Patriot launchers and missiles for this air defense system.

Russia is increasing the number of its army by 170,000 people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a relevant decree.

According to a decree published on December 1, the size of the Russian army will be increased by 170,000 to 1,320,000 soldiers.

At the same time, the total staff of the army of the occupying country is set at 2,209,130 servicemen.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation explains the increase in the size of the army by the growing threats to Russia associated with the war against Ukraine and the expansion of NATO.

Photo on the topic: Russian military/Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

The ministry said that due to the increase in the number of armed forces by 170,000 servicemen, there are no plans to mobilize the country or increase conscription.

It is stated that the increase in the number of servicemen is due to the recruitment of contract personnel.

As previously reported, in January, Russia announced plans to increase the size of its army to 1.5 million troops from 2023 to 2026.

In the process, it is planned to create new military districts – Moscow and Leningrad, as well as self-sufficient groupings of troops (forces) in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

In addition, Russia plans to form an army corps in Karelia, three motorized rifle divisions within the ground forces, and two air assault divisions.

Photo on the topic: Armed Forces of the Russian Federation/Armed Forces of Russia/Army of Russia

There are plans to reorganize seven motorized rifle brigades into divisions in the Western, Central, Eastern Military Districts and the Northern Fleet. They also plan to strengthen the combat component of the Russian Navy, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Strategic Rocket Forces.

As the number of army personnel increases, the number of training grounds will also increase to ensure the practical operations of the troops.

The German government announced a new military aid package for Ukraine.

The German government reported on this on its website.

The package includes trucks, projectiles, precision rifles, and various equipment.

MAN HX81 tank transporter of the Armed Forces of Germany. Photos from open sources

In particular, the new package includes:

• 4 truck tractor trains 8×8 HX81 and 4 semi-trailers;
• 8 Zetros trucks;
• 3 vehicles;
• 2 border protection vehicles;
• 1 mobile antenna mast system;
• 15 HLR 338 precision rifles with 60,000 rounds ammunition;
• 25 laser range finders;
• 5 drone detection systems;
• 3,840 155mm projectiles;
• 250 tool kits with blasting material.

Haenel HLR 338 rifle. Photo credits: Marcus Heilscher

It is worth noting that in the future, the Ukrainian military will receive 435 more HLR 338 precision rifles from Germany.

A Ukrainian soldier near a Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicle. Photo from the network

In November, Germany transferred 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles and ammunition to Ukraine. The German Rheinmetall was engaged in the restoration of these infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine.

Militarnyi previously reported that Ukraine will become the first country-operator of Caracal air assault vehicles by Rheinmetall.

Five vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine in late 2023 or early 2024.

Сaracal vehicle from Rheinmetall. Photo from open sources

The Caracal is a light-air assault vehicle based on the civilian Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV.

The manufacturer provides the possibility of installing additional ballistic protection elements.

Сaracal vehicle from Rheinmetall. Photo from open sources

Modular design allows for the installation and combination of various weapons, starting with machine guns, and ending with anti-tank missile systems.

The launcher from the IRIS-T SLM SAM is in position. Photo credits: Diehl

Germany will also send two more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

The Russian infantry uses mobile ‘cocoons’ to protect them from visual detection and drone strikes.

Volunteer and blogger Serhiy Sternenko shared this in his Telegram channel.

The structures are not visually tall. Accordingly, Russian infantrymen move in such protection on their bellies, on all fours, or crouching.

The speed of movement in such structures may be low and require coordination and a large amount of force to move it, which significantly reduces the range and speed.

It can be assumed that such a protective structure is quite heavy, so it can be moved on small wheels or skis by pushing.

‘Cocoon’ of the Russian infantry in the middle of the field. Photo credits: Serhiy Sternenko

The structures are disguised by camouflage nets and vegetation, which reduces visual visibility when observing the terrain.

However, it is worth noting that when viewed from a drone, such a structure can be noticed due to its characteristic shape and difference from the colors of the terrain.

It is not known how such a ‘cocoon’ is protected, but most likely it is built in the form of a frame with welded metal sheets, Kevlar lining, or other protection.

It is quite capable of protecting infantry from small projectiles such as 30mm and 40mm grenades or hand grenades, but more powerful ammunition can penetrate the structure and hit the infantrymen underneath.

A ‘cocoon’ of Russian infantry in the middle of a field. Photo credits: Serhiy Sternenko

Militarnyi has repeatedly reported on Russian infantry groups being hit by ammunition dropped from drones or direct hits from FPV drones.

For example, on November 18, the destruction of Russians on the approach to the Avdiyivka Coke Plant by dropping ammunition from drones was reported.

Previously, the Omega group neutralized 7 Russian infantrymen using FPV drones.

A consortium of Polish research institutions and the defense industry tested a solid rocket engine.

ZBIAM reported on this.

The engine test is one of the stages of the project “Development of a three-stage suborbital rocket system for launching research cargo.”

The project is being implemented at the expense of the National Center for Research and Development. Its development was launched in 2020.

The purpose of the test was to verify the engine’s operation and develop the concept and the full technological process of development and production.

The tests also checked the specifications of the abrasive and construction materials used.

The leader in the project development is the Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 S.A. It is responsible for the design, calculations, and production of the composite engine structure and its testing.

Subsequently, the plant will be involved in the disassembly and production of a suborbital rocket.

During the test, the engine produced more than 1,200,000 Ns of specific impulse with a fuel weight of almost 500 kilograms.

The project develops a range of technologies in the areas of control, navigation, structures, and engines for use in space, anti-aircraft, and tactical surface-to-surface missile programs.

Testing a Polish solid rocket engine. Source: ZBIAM

It is reported that the existing production capacity of the Polish defense industry is capable of producing 50 engines per year.

This engine may be used for the development and production of Polish national ballistic missiles of various ranges.

Militarnyi recently reported that the South Korean shipbuilding company Hanwha Ocean is offering Poland its state-of-the-art KSS-III submarines.

It was also reported that Poland has ordered 152 more Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers in two versions.

Protesters from the anti-Ukrainian Confederation party (Polish: Konfederacja) blocked the transportation of new patrol boats for Ukraine on the Polish-Ukrainian border.

Pavlo Kravchuk announced this on his Facebook page.

The protesters from the Confederation claimed that this “expensive yacht” was declared as humanitarian aid, with the logo of the manufacturer on the cover.

It is worth noting that the company’s product catalog does not include any boats for civilian use; the company’s business is focused on meeting the needs of rescuers, police, military, and border guards.

As a result, Polish protesters sent an important military cargo to the end of the line.

Walk Around Cabin patrol boat by SAFE Boats International. Photo from open sources.

Kravchuk took a comment from the US manufacturer SAFE Boats International, which confirmed that it was a boat made by them.

“SAFE Boats International provided … 27-foot Walk Around Cabin patrol boats for Ukraine as part of a US Government aid program. The vessels provided by SAFE Boats are intended for use as government patrol vessels and not intended for use as private yachts,” the company said.

Kravchuk adds that he cannot definitively claim that this is the boat under the cover, but he believes it is very likely that it is.

“…. The Confederation party is not only causing huge losses to Ukraine’s economy and delaying vital supplies indirectly but also directly blocking military cargo,” Kravchuk concluded his post.

The hull of the first MK VI patrol boat ordered for the Ukrainian Navy, Tacoma port, January 23.

SAFE Boats International is one of the most active participants in strengthening the capabilities of the Ukrainian fleet.

Militarnyi reported that the U.S. Department of Defense signed an additional contract with SAFE Boats International to purchase and install weapons on Island-class patrol boats of the Ukrainian Navy.

The company also manufactures MK VI patrol boats for the Ukrainian Navy.

BAE Systems is resuming production of M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and М777 155mm howitzers.

Defense News reported on this.

Tom Arseneault, CEO of BAE Systems in the United States, stated this in an interview with Defense News.

Arsenault shared that the company is currently working on replacing combat vehicles and ammunition, which were transferred to Ukraine as military assistance.

For example, the United States Army increased orders for AMPV (Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle) armored personnel carriers, which are considered a replacement for М113.

AMPV prototype during field testing at Fort Hood, Texas, 2018

It is also reported that BAE Systems is working to resume production of М777 155mm howitzers, the demand for which was cut after the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

“Now, given the elevated visibility of the importance of artillery in conflicts like this, it received some renewed interest. The Army is working with us to reconstitute that,” Arseneault said.

When asked about the review of the feasibility of producing some weapons, Arseneault replied that the company had received an order for about 100 new Bradley M2.

“And while we planned to wind down production of Bradley over the next few years, we have orders for hundreds of other, newer machines,” he noted.

Defense News reporters asked the BAE CEO about the combination of means of different technological levels in the Russian-Ukrainian war and their future. Arseneault replied that no one could have predicted this, and the company is ready for new challenges.

M777 howitzer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Photo from open sources

He compared FPV drones to the threat of improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan and Iraq, calling them “flying IEDs.”

“In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there was the rise of the improvised explosive device. That sort of came out of nowhere and became a real problem. Well, now there are flying IEDs,” Arseneault replied.

Arseneault also complained about delays in the adoption of defense spending and the complications of the work of the military industry associated with this.

“Industry has gotten accustomed to this delay, and the DoD has as well in the way they time their spending. But especially when the demand is up, and they have these needs on multiple fronts, it’s a big problem. While it has not manifested itself yet, the longer this pushes out into 2024, it will borderline cripple a number of services in terms of their plans,” the CEO shared.

M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle at the BAE factory. Photo from open sources

Militarnyi has repeatedly reported on expanding the production capacity of defense companies and increasing the rate of armament production.

However, at the same time, the mass rearmament of European countries causes queues and disruptions in the timing of arms supplies for both Ukraine and its allies.

Ukrainian Special Forces Equip With Advanced UAR-15 Rifle Models

Special forces of the Ukrainian army received new modifications of the UAR-15 assault rifle.

Lieutenant General Ivan Havriliuk, the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, told this in his interviews with the ArmyInform.

In February 2023, the UAR-15 rifle was adopted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the National Guard, they were adopted even before a full-scale invasion.

In November, the line of rifle weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was replenished with samples – UAR-15S, UAR-15S1, UAR-15SM.

These three modifications of the UАR-15 differ in barrel length.

UAR-15S, UAR-15S1, UAR-15SM rifles

According to the representative of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the UАR-15 rifle and its modifications have many advantages compared to Soviet-era models.

In particular, they have increased accuracy, range, and lower weight.

The rifle UАR-15 has a modular layout, which makes it easy to replace various components for convenient adjustment of the rifle in operation under the shooter.

The upper part of the receiver and stick have Picatini-type guides for mounting sights and other tactical accessories.

UAR-15 rifles. July 2020. Photo credits: National Guard of Ukraine

The rifle is provided with the ability to install a device to reduce the sound level of the shot. The barrel’s resource is about ten thousand shots.

The rifles are UAR-15 produced by Ukrainian private enterprise Ukrop LLC, which offers military versions of the Zbroyar brand.

UAR-15 assault rifle and other samples of small arms from the private enterprise UKROP LLC. December 2020. Photo credits: Defense Express

Recall that in 2020, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine received a batch of UAR-15 rifles chambered for 5.56×45mm to arm special forces units.