MSPO 2015: International Companies Show Their New Portfolio

MSPO defence exhibitions, held every year in Poland, are a great opportunity to present a current offer, not only for Polish defence companies, which are the most numerous (299 exhibitors), but also for foreign entities, including these from the United States (46), Germany (35), France (22), the United Kingdom (18), and Norway (15), which this year has its national exhibition. The most interesting product presented by Norway was the CV9030N infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). This is the recently updated version for the Norwegian Army. It is characterised by better protection, digitalized situational awareness systems, enlarged hull and rubber tracks (instead of steel).

CV9030N infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). (All Photos by Robert Czulda)

During MSPO 2015, the Slovak company Konstrukta (DMD) made a debut of the DIANA 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. The vehicle is a result of the integration of the 155mm gun from the EVA howitzer, unveiled during IDET 2015 in May 2015, with a modified tracked chassis provided by the Polish company Bumar-Łabędy (with 625kW S-12U engine). The system weighs 50t, measures 11,8m in length, has a top speed of 60km/h and a range of 650 kilometres. What is the most interesting fact is that the DIANA can fire the ERFB-BB (Extended Range Full Bore-Base Bleed) shells with a maximum range of 41 km at a rate of 5 shells per minute (automatic mode) and 13 in three minutes in manual mode.

DIANA 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer.

One of the most interesting exhibitions was prepared by the Ukrainian state company Ukroboronservice, which proves that Ukraine wants to cooperate with Poland more closely. The company presented several products, including the 2K12-2D KVADRAT-2D system, which is an overhauled and modernised version of the 2K12 KUB (SA-6 GAINFUL) mobile surface-to-air missile system. During MSPO 2015, the Ukrainian company said that they are able to increase the service life of the system by 15 years by replacing up to 99% of old components with new parts. It has a declared increased reliability up to 1,500 hours between major failures. Several elements have been digitalized.  While the new version is still able to engage only one target simultaneously, with the upgrade its operational range increased from 50-70km (against a fighter at the altitude of 7km). The new system is able to detect cruise missiles at a minimum of 21 kilometres.

Ukroboronservice 2K12-2D KVADRAT-2D mobile surface-to-air missile system. 

The Ukroboronservice’s portfolio presented in Kielce also included the modernisation of S-125 PECHORA to S-125-2D PECHORA-2D standard as well of S-75 VOLGA to S-75M3A VOLGA M-3A standard.

One of the most interesting elements of the Norwegian exhibition was the PD-100 PRS (Personal Reconnaissance System) from Prox Dynamics. It provides intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. The PD-100 PRS is equipped with BLACK HORNET (BH2) nano sensors, which pose no risk to other air vehicles or personnel, allowing the system to be operated almost anywhere at any time without prior airspace coordination. Its mass, including camera, is just 18g, and it’s maximum speed is 5m/s with an endurance of up to 25 minutes. It has a digital data link beyond the 1,600m line of sight.

Lockheed Martin F-35 cockpit trainer.

Lockheed Martin was also present. For the first time ever in Poland the company presented its F-35’s cockpit trainer. This is an essential element of the company’s marketing campaign in Poland, which has signalled in the past its willingness to procure the F-35s as a potential replacement for MiG-29s and Su-22s. At the current stage Lockheed Martin offers Poland A version and is open to discussions about offset cooperation (the majority of Polish experts agree that the company’s offset contribution during the F-16 procurement programme by the Polish Air Force was too limited).

Robert Czulda