The announcement states, “Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2024 Foreign Military Sales (Israel) funds in the amount of $26,675,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Newark, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.

The contract award number is W15QKN-24-C-0037.

When people think of the latest Russian small arms development, they naturally think of the AK-12. The design attempted to bring the venerable Kalashnikov pattern into the post-9/11 world of rails, optics, and force multiplier accessories. Though this could be done with the help of third-party accessories on the old AK platform, the AK-12 made the gun out-of-the-box ready for all the gadgets promised from Russia’s defense budget. However, anyone familiar with military procurement and weapons deployment will know that often the shiny and new platforms have to wait for production to ramp up, for budgets to be finalized, and more often, for the “good enough” older platforms to break down.

For this reason, when the war in Ukraine began, I was skeptical of the AK-12 having any significant use. The AK-74m and AK-100 series of weapons were my best guess as the most common weapons to be used. Without access to classified or insider information, I used the old Cold War yardstick of looking at the May 9^th Victory Day parades. In the years leading up to the 2022 full-scale invasion, only specialized units like airborne and naval infantry groups goose-stepped their way across Red Square with rifles strapped across their stripped chests. More troubling, or perhaps reassuring depending on your point of view, parts kits spirited into the United States and began to show that the AK-12 as the platform was not such a step forward as the Russians were hoping. Though the weapon is not the most common platform over there, it surprised me in how often it was captured by Ukrainian forces, or otherwise photographed by Russians themselves. Ukrainian forces routinely fight with captured AK-12s as a stopgap for dwindling Soviet stock, and latent production of Ukraine’s own AR platform, the UAR. The evidence shows that I was proven wrong. Russia has made a concerted effort to put the AK-12 into as many hands as possible, and what is more, the Russians are learning lessons from its deployment.

In response to these lessons, and possibly even criticism from international experts online, the weapon progresses through three iterations of the rifle: the model 2015, the 2022, and the 2023. Simultaneously, Tula, another famed site of Russian arms production, and Kalashnikov Concern have started to work on three new cartridges. In typical Russian fashion, Russia tends to copy a good design when they see one (just look at their automotive industry over the last ninety years). One possible new cartridge, the 6.02x41mm seems to compete with the US 6.8x51mm, as the US reconsiders its own formula for cartridge capability for its new generation of standard-issue small arms.

The 5.45×39 cartridge, which the AK-12 and the AK-74 platforms use, was its own response to the American use of .556 as a military cartridge in Vietnam- a high-speed micro-caliber round designed, let’s be honest, for varmint hunting, which could deliver high-energy onto a human size target. As everyone naturally remembers from high school physics, force equals mass times acceleration. Acceleration, of course, is speed squared. That means you get a big force multiplier for going faster while if you increase only mass, you get less bang for your buck than if you increase acceleration. Things get complicated in the real world, though. Things that are light also slow down with greater ease. Likewise, inertia also means that things with more mass take more energy to get going, but also take more effort to stop. It’s why we use high-mass uranium ammunition to break through tank armor like butter. Similarly for soft targets, you’d like a round that ideally passes its energy into the target without penetrating, or else that energy is lost in the pass-through. Okay, the physics lesson is over, but the Russians have been paying attention to this balancing act between speed and mass that every weapons engineer has been dealing with ever since forever.

In 2020, the Tula Cartridge Plant and Kalashnikov Concern began running the numbers on 6.7x45mm, 6.5x39mm and 6.02x41mm. The ideal round would need to have a manageable recoil impulse for automatic fire but still meet penetrating action values. After all, the goal of the round is to deal with modern body armor-clad targets, without being unmanageable for basic conscripts. The initiative selected the 6.02×41 as the most optimal candidate. To compare the round to 5.45×39 and 7.62×39, the round has superior kinetic energy at extended distances, maintaining armor-piercing capability up to 900 meters, according to Kalashnikov Concerns own publications. This is due to the bullet shape and improved external ballistic capabilities. Once again, the mission set of the cartridge matches the American 6.8x51mm, which similarly attempts to bring full-powered ballistics to intermediate cartridges to defeat Chinese and Russian body armor threats. However, this new Russian cartridge would need a weapon.

The AK-22 and SVCh:

To test the potential of the 6.02x41mm caliber, Kalashnikov Concern has modified a standard AK-12 model into the AK-22, showcasing its adaptability and versatility. AKs surprisingly accommodate re-chambering well. Additionally, the SVCh (Sniper Rifle, Large Caliber), which seeks to replace the SVD Dragunov, has been chambered for the 6.02x41mm cartridge. As an aside, there is talk of developing a new cartridge to replace the aging 7.62x54R. This could lead to the creation of a new general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) to rival the nascent U.S. 338 Norma Magnum lightweight medium machine gun program. These two short and long platforms allow for ballistic testing and overall weapon handling for the round. Though the SVCh platform, due to barrel length and inherent accuracy, is likely to see the top-level performance of the round, the Russians (to date) have avoided a return to “battle rifles” for standard-issue military arms.  Kalashnikov Concern recently completed a three-year contract to supply AK-12 rifles to the Russian Ministry of Defense, reportedly ahead of schedule. There is certainly a need for more rifles as the war progresses and resources are lost.

The future of the 6.02x41mm cartridge and the potential adoption of the AK-22 and SVCh for special military operations in Ukraine remain uncertain but intriguing possibilities. Will the Russians change horses mid-stream or will they introduce an experimental program as they did for the 7.62×39 in the waning days of the Second World War? History will show how these discussions will play out.

One critical consideration for the future of Russian assault rifles is ensuring that new developments outperform their predecessors. The AK-12 faced criticism for not significantly surpassing its predecessor and lacking widespread adoption of optics. Russia will certainly take notice of these past experiences, such as the U.S. Advanced Combat Rifle program, to create competitive offerings like the Vortex XM157. This will likely cause some hesitancy in adopting the cartridge any time soon. Beyond the AK-12, Russian firearm developers are considering the AM-17 series, Russia’s monolithic upper receiver rifle, which offers compact and full-size rifles in various calibers, with a focus on reducing weight and improving ergonomics. The platform takes on the challenge of the AK’s rigid receiver design and limited optic mounting options over the top of the receiver. The AKV-521, described as “the 500 Series AK,” addresses these challenges as well, radically changing the AK’s function to incorporate a lower receiver hinge vaguely reminiscent of an AR-15.  The RPL-20, a belt-fed light machine gun, rechambered in 6.02x41mm, could potentially fill the role of the US M249 or the new XM250. However, such a transition would require doctrinal changes in how Russia deploys and employs light machine guns and GPMGs.

Russia is entering an exploratory phase of weapon design, learning from its “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine, and striving for continuous improvement in its small arms and equipment. It remains to be seen what path it will take, but the development of the AK-12 and exploration of new calibers, along with potential alternatives like the AM-17 and AKV-521, demonstrate Russia’s commitment to staying competitive in an ever-evolving global arms race. As the future unfolds, the Russian firearms industry will play a crucial role in the nation’s defense capabilities.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), an armed force beholden to the Chinese Communist Party rather than to the nation of China, is the largest military in the world. Such an enormous military, comprising some two million personnel, has a huge appetite for weapons, especially since Chairman Xi Jinping has been investing heavily to modernize this force over the past decade.

This article examines, in photographs and annotated captions, some of the wide range of small arms currently used by the PLA, from pistols to assault rifles to anti-materiel rifles. The photographs mostly date from 2019, which is when the author left the Chinese territory of Hong Kong for the final time.

On 11 January 2024, while conducting a flag verification, U.S. CENTCOM Navy forces conducted a night-time seizure of a dhow conducting illegal transport of advanced lethal aid from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen as part of the Houthis’ ongoing campaign of attacks against international merchant shipping.

U.S. Navy SEALs operating from USS Lewis B Puller (ESB 3), supported by helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), executed a complex boarding of the dhow near the coast of Somalia in international waters of the Arabian Sea, seizing Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components. Seized items include propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components. Initial analysis indicates these same weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and attack innocent mariners on international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea.

This is the first seizure of lethal, Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons (ACW) to the Houthis since the beginning of Houthi attacks against merchant ships in November 2023. The interdiction also constitutes the first seizure of advanced Iranian-manufactured ballistic missile and cruise missile components by the U.S. Navy since November 2019. The direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of weapons to the Houthis in Yemen violates U.N. Security Resolution 2216 and international law.

Two U.S. Navy SEALs previously reported as lost at sea were directly involved in this operation. “We are conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.

The dhow was deemed unsafe and sunk by U.S. Navy forces. Disposition of the 14 dhow crewmembers is being determined in accordance with international law.

“It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis. This is yet another example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region in direct violation of U.N. Security Resolution 2216 and international law,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, “We will continue to work with regional and international partners to expose and interdict these efforts, and ultimately to reestablish freedom of navigation.”

Established on June 16, 1993, under Executive Decree No.65, the Salvadoran Military Museum is located at the old El Zapote Fort (10 Avenida Sur and Calle Alberto Sánchez) in San Jacinto, San Salvador. El Zapote fortress’ physical appearance is impressive, by regional standards, and it’s linked to the development of the Salvadoran artillery corps. At one point, the museum’s collection included fourteen exhibition rooms and two interactive areas and duly had a rich collection. In addition, it had an extensive football field that doubled as parade ground. However, a few years ago, the exhibits were moved within the walls of the fort, and the museum went down the hill, with few exhibits remaining open to the public, in poorly lighted and unkept rooms, and relying more on pictures of different leaders with no relevant information about them. El Zapote Museum became a shadow of what it once was, and it did little to preserve the proud Salvadoran military heritage.

Things finally appear to be changing again for the better. Within the last year, the Salvadoran presidency has been using the installations for a number of functions that have highlighted the museum, and now there is an awesome parade ground with manicured gardens and spaces leading to the old presidential offices, which also function as part of the cultural space, with tours offered of the Oval Hall, Hall of Honor, Dr. José Matías Delgado Hall, Official Office Hall, Gerardo Barrios Hall, Juan Manuel Rodríguez Hall and General Manuel José Arce Room or “Blue Room.” In August 2018, the government initiated a three-stage project to convert and revitalize the cultural spaces of the San Jacinto neighborhood in the center of San Salvador, with an investment of $22 million, and the first stage was completed in February 2019. However, it has been only within the last few months that a number of exhibits have been reopened and/or relocated, making them accessible to the public. Unfortunately, and as explained later, some items have been lost forever.

In contrast, the Honduran Military Museum Francisco Morazán is located into a much more confined physical space. It occupies the old San Francisco Fort in front of Valle Park in downtown Tegucigalpa, maximizing its space and having well-lit rooms, and patios with weapons featuring basic explanation cards. The museum was reconditioned and reopened to the public in May 2017, with nine exhibits and several static displays.

One of the most important exhibits is dedicated to the Salvadoran invasion of July 1969. This includes a video presentation of the crisis, and… a distortion of some historical events. The exhibit claims the Salvadoran front collapsed after Honduran forces were able to execute a counteroffensive on July 16, 1969 along the Southern Operational Theater (or “TOS” in Spanish), and after execution of a deadly ambush executed around San Rafael las Mataras farm on July 17, 1969, in the South Western Theater of Operations (or TOSO in Spanish).

The truth is that the Salvadoran front did not collapse, and, in fact, held-on to occupied territory until August 3, 1969. Nevertheless, both actions deserve their rightful merit. The Honduran counteroffensive of July 16, 1969, stalled the Salvadoran Army advance, but failed in dislodging it. The ambush at las Mataras, El Portillo area cost the Salvadoran forces the initiative at a considerable loss of life and equipment. However, the presentation overestimates the results since it also failed to collapse the Salvadoran forces. After the ambush, the Salvadoran National Guard was able to basically cut off and isolate the Honduran forces at El Portillo, prompting the deployment of the Honduran II (MAP) Infantry Battalion to Llano Largo in an attempt to encircle the Salvadoran National Guard. This experience at the San Francisco Museum motivated me to write Battleground – the Honduran and Salvadoran border conflict 1967 – 1980.

BLUE SKY OPERATION

Very little has been said about the ground actions that took place during the Salvadoran incursion into Honduras between July 14 and August 3, 1969. The conflict became known incorrectly as the “Football War”, focusing on the period between June and July of that year. However, the situation along the border had reached the boiling point much earlier.

On May 29, 1967, a Salvadoran National Guard patrol was ambushed at the border area of ​​Monteca, Salvadoran territory, by a Honduran Army unit. As a response, the Salvadoran National Guard reinforced its bases in Chalatenango and Morazán, and other border points, while the Army mobilized its two MAP battalions, the 1st Battalion from Sonsonate and the 3rd Battalion from San Miguel, to the border on June 4, 1967. The following day, a four-truck military convoy from the Salvadoran 1st Regiment/1st Battalion/1st Brigade stumbled into the Honduran city of New Ocotepeque, where a single Honduran police officer detained it. The load included VZ-24 rifles, up to 15 Madsen machine guns and four Madsen 51mm mortars, along with their ammunition. After this event, the tension somewhat subsided and in 1968 there was a prisoner exchange, with Honduras returning the two officers, two national guardsmen, and more than 40 soldiers for the return of one convicted individual related to the Honduran strongmen at the time, General Lopez Arellano.

There were twelve major armed clashes reported along the border between May 1967 and June 1969. This situation culminated in the Salvadoran invasion on July 15, 1969, and a short, but deadly engagement that lasted some 120 hours. The Salvadoran raid was codenamed operation “Clear Sky” and relied in the Gerardo Barrios Campaign Plan developed in 1967. It would take two cease fires, one on July 18, 1969, and the other one on July 23, 1976, before a peace treaty was finally signed on July 20, 1980. The aftermath of this engagement led to the evolution and rearmament of both armies and contributed to the revolutionary conflict that develop in a reduced form in Honduras, and in full-scale infighting in El Salvador.

MILITARY MEMORY LAPSE

By 1969, the Central American armies had ordered their first assault rifles, and Honduras had asked for 2500 M14 rifles from the U.S. On July 17, 1969, the Salvadoran newspaper El Diario de Hoy, published the picture of POW Eugenio Hernández from the Honduran I (MAP) Infantry Battalion stating that he had been captured with a T-57 rifle. As the picture shows the barrel of a Mauser rifle, some speculated that the T-57 refers to Honduras’s designation for the Mauser. Given that the Salvadoran Army used the Mauser, as well, it seems odd that the news made particular mention of the rifle as the T-57. It is noted that T-57 normally refers to Taiwan’s version of the M14. In 1967 the U.S. sold Springfield’s M14 production tooling and assembly lines to Taiwan, and in 1968, the Republic of China State Arsenal began production of the rifle under the designation Type 57 (T-57). It is noted that in the aftermath of the Salvadoran invasion, the M14, and perhaps its twin model, the T-57 made in Taiwan, became the standard issue rifle until replaced with the FAL by the mid-1970s.

Unfortunately, the reference to the T-57 as a Taiwanese model is only speculation since the Salvadorans looted everything, including their own war-trophies. It’s known that the Salvadorans seized rifles, submachine guns (M50 and others), and machine guns, with the Honduran Army crest, during the raid in Honduras. There are even photographs of two jeeps with Honduran Army markings seized during the incursion. Yet, none of them are available at the Salvadoran Military Museum. Heck, even many of the Salvadoran historical weapons have disappeared, most of them given away in controversial weapon barters realized as soon as the civil-war ended in 1992, and up to 2012.

As soon as the shots stopped, the Air Force disposed of all the surviving Alouette helicopters, selling them as junk, and even the last flyable Corsair is said to have gone in exchange for a couple of Cherokee station-wagons. In 2020, two former defense ministers were arrested after it was disclosed that 14,930 firearms, 27,721 magazines, 2.7 million 7.62 caliber cartridges, and 9,800 spare parts for the G-3 rifles were provided to Centrum S.A de C.V (a local small arms dealer) in exchange for two M-71 howitzers and tools that were supposed to be worth some $2 million. Later it was found that the exchange in reality included 23,306 firearms and was valued at $3,277,097.28. However, according to the documents presented by the Attorney General’s Office (or FGR in Spanish) in 2021, the weapons were worth more than $8 million but their original value was manipulated in favor of Centrum, reducing the initial appraisal of $480 per gun, to $200, and, finally, to $42 per weapon. The lot contained 4,593 FMK-3 Argentinean-made SMGs, 2,670 of them brand new, 83 UZI Israeli-made SMGs, 700 MP5 German-made SMGs, 1,873 M50 Madsen Danish-made SMGs, 32 Styer Austrian-made Bullpup rifles, and an inventory of more than 16,000 G-3 rifles, 709 of them in mint condition (150 in original package), and up to 9,000 spare parts for of all types of weapons. To top it off, the FGR reported that the two M-71 howitzers were unworkable.

Prior to that barter, the military had disposed, quietly and in similar fashion, historical armament, to include the old CV3-33 tanks (the first of its kind used in El Salvador and disposed long ago), most of the old/antique small arms, to include Luger pistols, Mausers and Mauser-like rifles and respective bayonets, MP-28 SMGs, MG-30s, antique Gatling cannons, and other exotic weapons. There are not even illustrations of the CV-3-33, the Solothurn, Madsen M/38, and Breda 20mm autocannons once used by the military or the first coastguard cutters (GC-1 and GC-2), much less of the sole gunboat, the Cuscatlán, acquired in 1890.

In contrast, in Honduras, the military has preserved a number of antique and historically important weapons, to include captured Salvadoran examples, such as Madsen machine guns and 51mm mortars seized in June 1967, as well as a bounty of G3 rifles, G8 (HK-21) automatic rifles, and even an M37A1 anti-tank cannon, captured during the deadly San Rafael las Mataras ambush executed on July 17, 1969, on the highway between Nueva Ocotepeque and Santa Rosa de Lima. An M38C jeep, said to have been seized to the Salvadoran Army, parades with veterans every July. It needs to be noted that Honduras has probably experienced the same challenges annotated in El Salvador.

EL ZAPOTE FORT

El Zapote Fort was established in 1898, when a metal galley was built on what was previously a hill where zapote trees were abundant, hence its name. In 1900, the Cavalry was established as an independent body and consolidated at El Zapote Fort, but it marched away on 1906, being replaced by the First Infantry Regiment. At the time, the Second Artillery Regiment was housed at the San Francisco Fort, in downtown San Salvador (the Artillery Brigade/First Artillery Regiment was housed in Santa Ana). The First Infantry Regiment shared the installations with the First Machine Gun Regiment when it was established in 1912.

On September 24, 1914, the Salvadoran Artillery modernized with 53mm Krupp and 75mm Gruson Mle 1897 cannons, and in 1917, it consolidated in a single First Artillery Regiment in El Zapote. The First Infantry Regiment marched to occupy the San Francisco Fort in downtown San Salvador, and the First Machine Gun Regiment went to share installations with the 2nd Infantry Regiment at the Francisco Menéndez Fort, also in downtown San Salvador. That same year (1917), the metal galley gave way to a wooden house. El Zapote housed, at one point or another, the School of Corporals and Sergeants, and played a prominent role in the December 1931 coup that brought to power General Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez.

In 1937, architect Borromeo Flores began the construction of the present structure, implementing a building resembling a medieval castle, with four towers, one in each corner, and two on its façade. In April 1944, El Zapote Fort backed General Hernandez Martinez in crushing a coup d’é·tat, and 28 years later, on March 25, 1972, El Zapote garrison became involved once more in a coup, this time against the military regimen. That day, then-Captain Rafael Bustillo dropped a bomb from his Mustang P-51 that destroyed the southwest tower, where there was an anti-aircraft gun firing at him.

In 1976 the Artillery Regiment vacated El Zapote, and marched to a new base some 37 km from San Salvador, where it became the Artillery Brigade “Lt. Col. Oscar Osorio.” El Zapote was then occupied by the Armed Forces Transmission Instruction Center (CITFA) in 1980. The CITFA became the Communications Command in 1993, and moved to occupy the San Carlos Fort, leaving the installations to the new Military Museum.

SAN FRANCISCO FORT

The San Francisco Fort Museum was established in 1983, and the Fort itself occupies the area that was once the San Diego de Álcala Convent (1592). This installation was abandoned and then demolished in 1730 to make way to the San Francisco Barracks built between 1731 and 1735. In 1828 the facilities were declared a military base for the revolutionary troops, and in 1831 it became the first military academy in Honduras. Then, in September 1847, its installations became the National University of Honduras, reverting once again in 1881 to a military school.

Fast forward to 1950, the fort became the First Military Zone, and on August 1, 1956, the garrison rebelled under the leadership of Santos Sorto Paz against then-president Julio Lozano Díaz. The building was bombarded with 51mm, 60mm, and 81mm mortars and hit by machine gun fire. Once in power, the proclaimed military junta that ruled between 1956-1957 ordered its immediate restoration. In 1959, the garrison rebelled once more, under Colonel Armando Velásquez Cerrato, and then again in 1963 under Colonel Oswaldo López Arellano, both actions against then-president José Ramón Villeda Morales. In 1972 its installations were occupied by the Army Officer Application School, and in 1983 it became the Military History Directorate. The fort was completely restored in 1999, and again more than a decade later. Finally, on May 2, 2014 the renovated installations of the Honduran Francisco Morazan Military Historical Museum reopened to the public.

Taiwan distributed its indigenous rifle, the T-65, generously among the Central American nations in the mid-1980s. The T-65K1 is still found in the hands of the Panamanian Institutional Protection Service (or “SPI” in Spanish – the Presidential Guard), and the Panamanian National Police (PNP). As it happened, the Panamanian Defense Force (PDF) selected the T-65 as its standard rifle in 1986, acquiring some 10,000 rifles before switching to the Kalashnikov. The rifle became the standard-issue rifle in 1990 within the new Panamanian Public Force that replaced the PDF, until replaced once more, by the Kalashnikov, in the form of the Hungarian’s AMD-65, in 1991.

In 2010, the Salvadoran Armed Force (ESAF) loaned 700 rifles to the National Civilian Police (or “PNC” in Spanish). The PNC had actually received the first batch of loaned T-65K1 rifles between 1995 and 1996, and the Army would eventually transfer up to 2,000 Taiwanese rifles to the PNC. The Salvadoran military had acquired some 5,000 T-65 rifles during the civil conflict in the 1980s, and these had been distributed exclusively to the law enforcement security forces, namely the National Police, elements of the National Guard’s combat battalion (“September 15” Antiterrorist Battalion or “BIAT”), and the Treasury Polic’s combat battalion (“Cuervo” COIN battalion (BIC) and then Libertadores BIAT). The T-65 is still prominent in the hands of Salvadoran police officers, and it’s the standard rifle for the 250 policemen and other guards securing the Terrorism Confinement Center (or “CECOT” in Spanish), a jail holding up to 40,000 gang-members.

TAIWAN’S SMALL ARMS

In April 1966, the Taiwanese military leadership charged the Combined Service Forces with the manufacturing of the M-14 rifle and the M-60 machine gun to supply its military. The U.S. government agreed to sell tools, components, material, documentation, technical assistance, and assemblies in January 1967. Consequently, the 60th arsenal in Kaoshiung built over 700,000 M-14s, classified as the Type 1957 (T-57), between 1969 and 1980.

The T-57 would jumpstart the Taiwanese’s small arms industry, and it was followed by the development of a 5.56mm model starting in 1968. This culminated in 1976, when Taiwan adopted the T-65 rifle. The rifle was developed and then manufactured by the Combined Logistics Command using the AR-15 platform, minus the carrying handle, and the mechanism of the Armalite AR-18. The T-65K1 refers to an improved variant made by the Joint Logistics Plant No. 205 (known as the 205th arsenal), with a new handguard with aluminum heat shields, and other minor changes. The K1 is said to have started production in 1985, but within a couple of years it had been superseded by the T-65K2.

The K2 was based on the improvements found in the M-16A2 rifle, hence its resemblance to that U.S. rifle. The T-65K2 was also known as the T-68 and evolved into the K3 and K4 variants before jumping to the T-86 carbine. The T-86 is almost identical in its exterior to the U.S.-made M4 carbine, introducing similar improvements, but still using the piston-type gas mechanism of the T-65. The T-86 itself evolved into the T-91 rifle, which replaces the carrying handle for a Picatinny-type rail and uses a longer barrel.

Interestingly, one of the rows of rifles photographed being transferred from the Salvadoran Army to the police in 2010 showed T-65 rifles with M16-type carrying handles, indicating that these were T-65K2 models. As noted, the T-65K2 entered service in the early 1990s, so their presence in El Salvador in 2010 suggests that some rifles were delivered after the civil war had ended in 1992.

Little is known about the supply of Taiwanese’ small arms to other Central American nations, but it is reported that the T-65 was used by the Guatemalan, Honduran, and Costa Rican police in the 1980s. Photographs pop up now and then, verifying their existence with security forces of those nations. In 1973 the Costa Rican government established the Judicial Police (OIJ – Organismo de Investigación Judicial), with 120 elements, and by the mid-1980s it had reached a strength of some 647. Half of those officers had received training and equipment from Taiwan. Taipei also assisted in the training and equipping of a Costa Rican’s Civil Guard riot squad and supplied some rifles to equip some of the 3,000-member Rural Guard (established in 1969). In 2006, Taiwan donated 71 vehicles and 30 mountain motorcycles to the Costa Rican police, and seven outboards to equip four coastguard boats.

Taiwan may have even supplied a few T-57 rifles to Honduras around 1969, as well, but it’s noted that only 200 Type 57 rifles had been produced by July 1, 1969. So, if any of these ended up in Central America in July 1969, they were probably remanufactured M-14 rifles. Nevertheless, it does appear that the first modern standard-rifle of the Honduran Army was the M-14 rifle –possibly augmented by T-57s– in 1970, switching to the FAL in 1975.

Honduras received considerable military assistance from Taiwan since the 1960s. Around 2004 – 2005, Taiwan provided assistance in maintaining Honduran F-5 fighter aircraft, but most of the assistance remained somewhat secret until 2015, when it publicly donated four AIDC UH-1H helicopters. Similar transactions and offerings were made to Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Guatemala and these included additional hardware that was not disclosed publicly. Consequently, the Honduran package is believed to have included up to 30 Humvees and other hardware to match a similar number of M-1025 transferred by the U.S. in 2007.

Indeed, besides rifles, Taiwan contributed surplus and excess defense equipment to Latin American allies in unsuccessful efforts to retain their diplomatic support against the Popular Republic of China (PRC). In 1998, Taiwan set up a $240 million aid fund to distribute among Central American nations in exchange for their support and facilitated the supply of vehicles, boats and helicopters, as well as technical assistance to a number of Latin American allies.

OTHER WEAPONS AND LATIN AMERICAN ALLIES

Taiwan’s military decided to replace some 7,000 Humvees with a new vehicle starting in 2003, so it has been transferring dozens of them to Latin American allies. Similarly, Taiwan has been disposing of its Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC)’s UH-1H helicopters, phasing them up since late 1990s. In the maritime area, the Taiwanese Navy phased out its Hai Ou (Seagull)-class missile boats between 1999 and 2012 and offered some of them to Latin American allies. The Hai Ou is none other than the Israeli Dvora class, modified by Taiwan with three propeller shafts, instead of the two used in Dvora, and fitting two Hsiung Feng I anti-ship missiles instead of the Israeli’s Gabriel. In addition, Taiwan supplied dozens of police vehicles, motorcycles, and financed small launches and security initiatives.

Panama received five AIDC UH-1H helicopters in 1997, followed by another pair a few years later. Then, Taiwan financed an EMB-135BJ Legacy 600 and a Bell-412EP helicopter for Panamanian presidential use. In 2017, Taiwan provided funds to strengthen four Panamanian projects of the Bilateral Cooperation Program between both governments. Among others, the money funded a Damen Interceptor (DI) 1102 boat for operations around Guna Yala, and, according to the newspaper Critica, it was the fourth DI-1102 financed by Taipei. The Asian nation also funded the construction of a Naval Air Station in Almirante, district of Changuinola, province of Bocas del Toro, and fifteen vehicles for the PNP in Chiriquí and Veraguas. Panama switched to China in 2017.

In the case of El Salvador, Taiwan provided 500 motorcycles to its police between 2004 and 2009. Then, in the 2005 – 2006 period, it offered two Hai Ou-class patrol boats to the Salvadoran Navy. But, by 2007, the Salvadoran deputy chief of staff acknowledged that the offering had been cancelled and replaced with direct contributions to the government in an effort to defeat the former guerrilla front, the FMLN, in presidential elections. Nevertheless, the FMLN defeated the right-wing Arena party, and came to power in 2009. In 2017, Taiwan offered four AIDC UH-1H helicopters along with a hidden offering of dozens of Humvees but cancelled in 2018 after the Salvadoran ministry of defense failed to obtain $2 million for the freight, and it was disclosed that the FMLN was planning to switch its support to China after Taipei had denied financial support to the former guerrillas. Ironically, in August 2022, the Salvadoran attorney general’s office (or “FGR” in Spanish) was investigating $3.9 million, donated by Taiwan, that had been diverted during the administration of former FMLN President Salvador Sánchez Cerén.

Since 1995 Taiwan supplied raw materials for uniforms and infantry gear to the Nicaraguan military. In 2004, Taiwan pledged to finance the repair of the Nicaraguan Air Force’s Mi-17 helicopters and the donation of vehicles and motorcycles for the police of the autonomous Caribbean regions and supported new uniforms for the Nicaraguan police. In 2018, three Taiwanese warships stopped at Corinto, Nicaragua, for three-days of joint training activities. The ships also stopped at El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. In 2019, Taipei financed the repair of four Nor-Tech 43V naval interceptors, previously donated by the U.S. in 2009, and a 48-foot model. Nevertheless, Nicaragua severed ties with Taiwan at the end of 2021.

CONTROVERSIES

Taiwan’s donations have contributed to several abnormal transactions in Central America, as well. In 2019, Taiwan approved, and then under pressure rejected, a loan for $100 million to the Ortega government of Nicaragua, through its export-import bank (Eximbank). It was not the first time. Taiwan had disbursed $178.1 million to Nicaragua between 1997 and 2003. And then, in 2004, Taiwan suspended its economic aid to the Enrique Bolaños’ government, also of Nicaragua, when the donations faced a number of scandals.

Between 2003 and mid-2004, Taiwan donated some $10 million to El Salvador to care for the victims of the 2001 earthquakes and to help the National Civil Police combat kidnapping gangs. However, the government of former President Francisco Flores diverted the money to his party’s bank accounts to finance Arena’s Antonio Saca presidential campaign.

In a similar scheme, between 2001 and 2003, Taiwan had provided $2.3 million to political leaders of the Costa Rican’s Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) and the National Liberation Party (PLN) between 2001 and 2003; of this amount, $1.4 million had been diverted to the Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodríguez. In Guatemala, it appears that money went to the pockets of former President Alfonso Portillo.

In Honduras, in 2015, the presidency announced Taiwan’s donation of a Bell 412EP helicopter and an Embraer Legacy 600 jet for the use of the president. However, in 2022, it was disclosed that the Honduran Executive at the time (2015) actually used the Security Tax Fund (known as “TASON” in Spanish) to pay for the aircraft, and then moved $14 million pledged by Taiwan for security matters to replace the money taken from the TASON. Neither the TASON nor Taiwan’s donation were earmarked for the pleasure of the presidency, and the aircraft had not been donated. Honduras broke with Taiwan in 2023.

WHAT IS LEFT IN LATIN AMERICA

While Haiti received 100 T-91 rifles and other gear, the Dominican Republic received 960 motorcycles for the use of police by 2014. In addition, the Dominican Republic received two AIDC UH-1H helicopters in 2017, and it was made public that the package included 90 HMMWV vehicles and 100 engines. Dominican Republic changed support in favor of China in 2017 while Haiti remains as a holdout in the Caribbean, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines.

In South America, Paraguay particularly benefited by receiving six AT-33A Silver Star light attack jet aircraft in 1991, two Hai Ou-class patrol boats in 1994, and up to sixteen AIDC UH-1H helicopters transferred between 1996, 2001, and 2019-2021. These were followed by 30 HMMWVs in 2019, and more than 600 motorcycles for the police. In 2011, Taiwan financed one Cessna Citation Sovereign aircraft, and one Bell 427 and one Bell 407 GXI helicopters, all for presidential use.

Taiwan donated two UH-1H helicopters to Guatemala in 1996 and another two in 2012, along with spares for another two UH-1Hs, while Belize received a pair of UH-1Hs in 2016. By early 2024, these two Central American countries were the only ones left in the region retaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

From 22 July ‘till 4 August 2023, Australia hosted the largest-ever Exercise Talisman Sabre. This biennial exercise saw the record participation of 13 nations and more than 34,500 personnel, among them some 480 Japanese soldiers and 610 sailors. Small Arms Defense Journal observed members of the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB), an elite unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. These Japanese marines were armed with the Type 20 5.56mm assault rifle, as in fact the ARDB was the very first Japanese unit to receive the new weapon.

This article examines the Type 20 5.56mm assault rifle. Indeed, it was appropriate that SADJ witnessed it in the hands of Japan’s ARDB, since one of the premises of the weapon’s design was to provide this amphibious unit with a weapon possessing greater durability and longevity than the incumbent Type 89. The rifle is, thus, more corrosion-resistant and less prone to malfunctions caused by water, sand, and dust, for example. Indeed, the rifle can be fired even after being immersed in water.

The JGSDF has been undergoing far-reaching changes as it plays catch-up in the transition from the Cold War to an era of regional threats where China has replaced the Soviet Union and North Korea as the most serious danger. Tokyo feels that its southwest archipelago is vulnerable to Chinese aggression, and this was the leading reason to create the ARDB for remote-island amphibious operations.

Another reason to introduce the newer and more capable assault rifle was that the Type 89 is showing its age. The JGSDF has been armed with the Type 89 as its main assault rifle since 1989, meaning it has been in service for nearly 35 years. The Type 20 uses the same 5.56x45mm caliber, while its name indicates that it was formally adopted into Japanese military service in 2020. Indeed, the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced its nomenclature on 18 May 2020.

DEVELOPMENT

The Type 20 was developed by Howa Machinery Limited, the same Japanese armaments firm that once produced the Type 89. The Japanese MoD commenced a search for the Type 89’s replacement back in August 2014. The following year, from January ‘till March, the MoD procured different weapons for thorough testing. Weapons sampled at that time included the SIG Sauer SIG516 and SIG716, Heckler & Koch (H&K) G36V and HK416, and the SCAR-H and SCAR-L from FN.

However, against this backdrop of foreign designs a new rifle design emerged from Howa, for which a patent was filed on 15 May 2015 under the name Howa5.56. A modified design of this weapon was patented shortly thereafter on 25 September 2015. After this initial sampling of possible replacements, the Japanese MoD got down to business with even more thorough testing in 2018. Two foreign contenders – the HK416 and SCAR-L – took on the domestic offering from Howa in a battery of rigorous tests that encompassed weapon performance, logistics, and cost. It is understood that all weapons passed stipulated performance criteria, but the local weapon always enjoyed a favored position. It was duly announced on 6 December 2019 that Howa had been selected to replace the JGSDF’s inventory of assault rifles.

The first production batch of Type 20 rifles was ordered under the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020) budget, which saw 3,283 rifles procured for JPY 900 million. Based on these figures, unit cost of the Type 20 rifle is approximately JPY 274,000 (which equates to USD 1,890 at current exchange rates); note that this price covers procurement, maintenance, and operating costs.

According to Japanese MoD budget documents since then, another 3,342 rifles were procured in FY2021 and 2,928 in FY2022. The latest order covering FY2023 encompassed 8,577 Type 20 rifles with a budget of JPY 3.3 billion (USD 23.3 million). This means, by the end of FY2023, a total of 18,130 Type 20 rifles had been ordered for Japanese troops.

It is unknown how many weapons the JGSDF will eventually require, since the MoD tends to buy equipment in small annual batches. It is known, though, that at the end of FY2023 the JGSDF has 150,245 regular personnel plus 7,981 ready reserves. With such personnel numbers, the JGSDF needs some 150,000 weapons, and this does not include requirements for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Howa produced approximately 140,000 Type 89 rifles, although the preceding Type 64 persisted in some units.

No exports of the Type 20 have been recorded so far, although Howa’s Deputy General Manager Kazuhiro Kimura said earlier this year that some foreign countries had inquired about possibly procuring it. All exports are regulated by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), an organ of the MoD.

DESIGN

Japan has an extensive defense industry able to cater to most of the JGSDF’s needs in terms of small arms. Traditionally, different firearm types were assigned to specific companies. Thus, Howa Machinery Limited has been responsible for rifles since the end of World War II, while MinibeaMitsumi makes handguns and submachine guns, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries manufactured machine guns. Incidentally, in 2013 the latter was found guilty of falsifying test data related to its machine guns for the previous 40+ years.

The progeny of the Type 20’s design is unclear, but it may have been influenced by foreign designs like the FN-SCAR and HK433. Many aspects of the design, such as the short-stroke gas piston system, remain the same as the Type 89. The gas block has a manually adjustable gas regulator. However, there are obvious advances in the weapon, including the aforementioned corrosion resistance, as well as the presence of integral Picatinny rails on a Japanese rifle for the first time, and ambidextrous controls.

Another important distinguishing feature is that it is more compact than the Type 89 in an effort to make easier to wield. According to data provided by Howa Machinery Limited, the Type 20 weighs 3.5kg (7.72 lb.) and, with the telescopic stock fully extended, it is 851mm (33.5 in.) long (779mm (30.67 in.) retracted). This is significantly shorter than the 920mm-long (36.22 in.) Type 89. The barrel is 330mm (13 in.) long, a sizeable 90mm (3.54 in.) shorter than the Type 89. The two-stage trigger has a pull weight of 2.83kg (6.24 lb.). The barrel rifling is right hand with six grooves, with one turn every seven inches. While the rifle’s weight remains the same as the Type 89, the center of gravity has shifted more towards the grip.

The Type 20 has a telescopic stock with adjustable cheek and shoulder pads, and a vertical foregrip with integral bipod that can be removed with a quick-release fitting. There are five steps in the telescopic stock, giving users a good range of customization options. The magazine catch, safety selector, and bolt release are fitted on both sides so the rifle can be used easily by left- or right-handers. The cocking handle can also be set to either side, though spent casings are only ejected from the right side (a brass deflector protects left-handed shooters).

The fire control selector offers three choices in Japanese characters: “A” is safe, “Ta” is semiautomatic, and “Re” is fully automatic. The design could be simplified by eliminating the unpopular three-round burst mode that is available on the Type 89, for example. The weapon’s cyclic rate of fire is listed as 650 rounds per minute, the same as the Type 89. A muzzle velocity of around 900m/s provides soldiers with an effective firing range of 300m, while its maximum effective range is given as 500m.

Soldiers used to attach accessories such as lights with vinyl tape to the Type 89, but this will not be necessary with the Type 20, since there are 20mm Picatinny rails top and bottom, while M-LOK slots are at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions.

There are foldable iron sights, while the standard variable-power telescopic sight is made by Deon Optical Design Corporation, a Japanese company formed only in 2004. The actual scope is the March-F 1x-8x24mm Shorty. Offering up to 8x magnification, this scope is 212mm (8.35 in.) long and weighs 460g (16.23 oz.). Deon Optical Design claims it “is the world’s lightest and shortest scope with 8x magnification ratio”. It has an illuminated reticle and 100-yard fixed focus. Funnily enough, on all the Type 20 rifles that SADJ observed with the ARDB in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, none were fitted with this particular sight. Most had no scopes whatsoever fitted.

Ammunition is fed from 30-round box magazines, and rifles fire the same ammunition as the Type 89. Interestingly, the magazines are the Magpul PMAG 30 M3 Window. These plastic magazines will not rust, and their transparent window shows users how many rounds remain.

Importantly, however, a new 5.56x45mm cartridge known as the J-3 high-power cartridge was developed specifically for the Type 20 weapon. The J-3 was designed by the ammunition and precision engineering division of the Japanese company Asahi-Seki. The cartridge weighs 12g (0.4 oz.), is 57.4mm long, is made from steel and red brass, and uses double-base powder. The bullet has a monolithic, high-strength material core. Even though the barrel of the Type 20 is shorter, the combination with the J-3 creates a more powerful bullet designed to penetrate modern body armor.

The JGSDF’s existing bayonet can be fitted to the Type 20, as can a Beretta GLX-160A1 under-barrel grenade launcher. The Japanese MoD slightly adjusted the GLX-160A1, which fires 40x46mm grenades, to better mount it on the Type 20.

The Type 20 will probably remain in Japanese service for at least 30 years. A constant problem for Japanese defense manufacturers such as Howa Machinery Limited has been small contracts and the absence of exports, which results in high unit costs and a lack of profitability. Komatsu Heavy Industries exited the defense manufacturing scene in 2019, for example, citing an inability to make a profit. Japan could probably have bought foreign-made rifles more cheaply than what it is paying for the Type 20, but for many countries such as Japan, the reality of possessing a sovereign defense industry is important.

OTHER WEAPONS

Whilst on the topic of the Type 20, it is pertinent to also quickly discuss other recent developments regarding JGSDF small arms, since the inventory is otherwise being dominated by foreign weapons. Indeed, on 6 December 2019, the same time as the Type 20 was selected, the JGSDF announced selection of the H&K SFP9 as its new pistol. This pistol had been competing against the Beretta APX and Glock model 17. An initial batch of 323 SFP9 pistols was ordered under the FY2020 budget. Previously, Japan had fielded the SIG Sauer P220 produced under license by MinibeaMitsumi. However, its magazine contained only nine rounds, and the grip was considered too large for Japanese hands.

More recently, on 23 January 2023, the MoD announced that it had selected the H&K G28 E2 7.62mm sniper rifle, and the FN Herstal Minimi Mk3 5.56mm light machine gun. Approximately 900 semiautomatic G28 E2 s will be acquired, to supplement 1,304 Remington Arms M24 sniper rifles procured from 2002-18.

The JGSDF acquired 4,922 Minimi Mk1 5.56mm light machine guns from 1993-2017, these produced under license by Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Japan will now import around 3,100 newer Minimi Mk3 weapons from Belgium. Oddly, the JGSDF does not currently operate any 7.62mm machine gun, and this has led to concerns that Japanese troops would be outranged by an adversary.

This was the ninth version of the International Exhibition of Technology for the Defense and Prevention of Disasters, including cybersecurity and drone technology. There were 27 countries represented at the show, 170 Peruvian and international exhibitors, and 30,000 Peruvian and international visitors. In short, SITDEF is a mature defense show, heavily attended, and prominent in the region.

SITDEF attracts many small arms manufacturers from outside Peru, but SITDEF is so much more. Vehicle manufactures, an entire section on arial drones, as well as a full cybersecurity conference are in the main building. In the entry building, rescue and fire services are featured. Visitors are sure to appreciate a show like this where the local military puts out displays of what is in use, as well as what has been in use.

Backgrounder: JAPANESE EMBASSY HOSTAGE CRISIS

On 17 December 1996 in Lima, Peru, 14 members of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement took hundreds of high-level diplomats, government and military officials, and business executives as hostages at the ambassador’s residence in San Isidro. These people were attending a party at the official residence of the Japanese ambassador to Peru, Morihisa Aoki, in celebration of Emperor Akihito’s 63rd birthday. The crisis lasted until 22 April 1997. Túpac Amaru held 72 hostages that entire time. Called the MRTA, this was not the “Shining Path” rebel group but MRTA was also Marxist/communist and wanted to tear down the government. On 22 April 1997, after long preparation, tunneling, smuggling microphones in, and secretly instructing the hostages what to do to keep them away from the commandos who were coming to rescue them, the rescue began. It was fast, incredibly well executed, and all 14 of the Túpac Amaru members died in the assault.

During each of the editions of SITDEF, the heroes of the operation are remembered, usually featuring the actual diorama of the ambassador’s residence used to plan the assault, and many of the weapons of the dead guerillas are on display. This year, the display was somewhat toned down, but the event was commemorated with pride by the commando forces involved and attendees alike.

This brings us to a very interesting collaboration: the American company DS Arms joining with Carlos Tello Aliaga, Rear Admiral AP (ret.) for the elite DS Arms Training Academy, a firearms training center. He entered the Naval Academy in 1978 and retired from the Navy in 2013, always involved in the fight against terrorism. He was responsible for all planning on the explosive charges for the UEC Special Combat Unit, that allowed the entry of the commandos.

The DS Arms Training academy is near Lima Cienega. It is 16,000 square meters, with a 250 meter rifle range that can reach out to 650 meters, a 70-meter carbine range,  three 50-meter pistol ranges, a shoot house, and a high angle shooting tower. This is one of the best firearms training academies in South America.

Disenos Casanave International S.A.C. is a Peruvian company that is making a new M2HB mount, as well as a wide variety of munitions.

FAMILY DAY AT SITDEF

Some exhibitors tend to dread the “family day” if they’re not prepared. In the case of Peru, there is a tremendous public support for the men and women who wear the uniform, as well as a massive interest in the weapons and equipment. The tanks outside are popular picture spots, as are the various Special Forces and Marines who appear to really enjoy talking with the children and family members. There are lots of outdoor events in an arena atmosphere, like firefighter contests, demonstrations of rappelling, helicopter insertions and the crowds love this. The children have an amazing time, meeting the (to them) larger than life men and women in uniform, there is a lot of public education going on. As far as exhibitors, most clean up anything in their booths that is not child friendly, and either shut down for the day or enjoy some interaction with the families.

SITDEF SHOW MASTER INFORMATION

Next event: May 2025 (Exact dates TBD)

Location Cuartel General del Ejercito
Lima, Peru
Recommended: Entrance Number 4

Website www.sitdef.com

Telephone (+511) 578-1800
E-Mail info@sitdef.com

Focus Defense technologies (land, sea, and air) and natural disaster prevention, and cybersecurity.

Show Dress Most attendees are in uniform. Business attire recommended.

Weather In Lima, May weather averages a high of 72°F and low of 63°F. Rain is unlikely.

Hotel Hints Miraflores is a safe area of Lima about 20 minutes away from the exhibition. Go to tripadvisor.com for user reviews and ratings on hotels.

Power & Plug Types Power: 220 V / 60 Hz. Plugs: Type A and C (North American/Japanese 2-blade plug and European 2-pin plug).

Country Warnings Check visa and vaccination requirements before your trip. There is much debate as to whether the tap water is drinkable in Lima. Violent crime and theft are common, so be alert.

Cultural Hints Primary language: Spanish. Restaurants usually have smoking and non-smoking sections, so remember to ask for your preference. Lunch and dinner are eaten later, after 1:30pm and 8:30pm, respectively. Women dress modestly in Peru, showing a lot of skin will cause some to stare.

Cuisine Along with local cuisine, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian are popular in Lima. One much-loved subset of this is chifa, which is Chinese food made with local Peruvian ingredients. Coastal cuisine has lots of fresh seafood. Mountain areas have many unique specialties, among them cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca. Some recommended Lima restaurants: Jose Antonio (San Isidro, Peruvian), Wa Lok (Miraflores, chifa), and Bodega de la Trattoria (Miraflores, Italian).

Tipping Most restaurants add 10% gratuity, but it is customary to leave more if you receive good service. Taxi Drivers: do not tip. Hotel Porters: 2 to 3 soles per bag. Tour Guides: 15 to 30 soles per day. Housekeeping: 9 to 15 soles per day.

Currency Official Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN), but many places also accept U.S. Dollars.

Getting Around If possible, do not hail taxis. Arrange with your hotel for an airport pick-up and then obtain a reliable taxi dispatch phone number. Negotiate the price for your taxi fare prior to initiating the trip.

Tourism Lima Vision (limavision.com) is a safe, reliable and inexpensive tour company for the Lima area. Some of the most popular Lima sights include Museo Larco, Inglesia de San Francisco, Miraflores and the Larcomar shopping center, and the ancient ruins of Pachacamac. Most tourists who visit Peru bypass Lima for the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu, but these side trips will take several extra days, so be sure to research thoroughly before booking your trip.

The Targi Kielce Defence Industry Expo brought 711 exhibitors from 35 countries, including 350 Polish companies. The trade fair hosted 61 delegations from 43 countries. This 2023’s MSPO exhibition covered a record-breaking area of over 34,000 sq m. For the first time in its history, MSPO display was also located in an additional temporary hall of 2,800 square meters Almost 26,000 guests from all over the world attended MSPO 2023. MSPO was visited by Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, who has granted his honorary auspices to the Expo. In addition to the president, the event was also graced with the presence of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defence and Jacek Siewiera, the head of the National Security Bureau. Korea was featured as the Lead Nation Exhibition;  the Korean delegation prepared was headed by the Eom Dong-hwan, the Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea. The commanding staff of the Polish Army also took part in the event.

“The Kielce expo has become increasingly popular year-after-year. It is safe to say that it clearly contributes to the economic development of this region and the entire Republic of Poland,” said Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, at the opening ceremony of the International Defence Industry Exhibition.

Korean dancing dragon

The South Korea Lead Nation Exhibition presented the country’s most outstanding and most important achievements in the defence sector. The display includes equipment ordered by the Polish army, such as Chunmoo missile launchers and K2 tanks, which are soon to be used by the Polish Armed Forces. The Korean defense industry’s potential was presented by 31 companies. The Korean expo presentation was complemented by a show of taekwondo masters and performances by the Naval Orchestra, accompanied by dancers in traditional dragon outfits.

Contracts worth billions at MSPO

Contracts worth PLN 100 billion were approved by the Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak during the 31st edition of MSPO in Targi Kielce. Half of this amount will go to the Polish arms industry. Contracts concluded between the state treasury and the government of the United States of America concerning the purchase of elements of the WISŁA anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense system were also signed during MSPO. Poland will obtain 12 omnidirectional LTAMDS radars, 48 launchers of the PATRIOT M903 system and a supply of PAC-3 MSE missiles. Other agreements relate to the supply the Narew and Pilica+ programs’ components, NSM anti-ship missiles for the next two squadrons, and FlyEye reconnaissance drones. 1,700 of these uncrewed aerial vehicles are to be delivered by WB Electronics.  

About 20 contracts and agreements were concluded by the Polish Armaments Group on the first three days of the show, including financially binding agreements worth PLN 54.1 billion. PLN 100 million of this amount has been earmarked for Mesko in Skarżysko for ammunition, including anti-aircraft missiles. Some of the agreements signed during MSPO will soon translate directly into economic value; among them is the contract for the production of American Javelin anti-tank missiles in Mesko. The Skarżysko-based company will be the first foreign plant where Javelins will be produced. The contract value is expected to reach hundreds of millions of PLN.

DEFENDER Gala Awarding Ceremony

One of the last highlights of the International Defence Industry Exhibition was the presentation ceremony of the DEFENDER awards, which culminated the show. DEFENDER is awarded every year by the Kielce defence trade show’s Programme Board and the Jury Panel.  The gala began with state awards for people who contributed to the development of the Polish defense industry and to strengthening the country’s sovereignty and defense capabilities. On behalf of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, the decoration was made by the Deputy Head of the National Security Bureau, Lieutenant General Dariusz Łukowski.

The gala was the occasion to bestow the two equal awards of President of the Republic of Poland for the product which best serves the purpose of the RP Armed Forces soldiers’ safety enhancement, other distinctions include a special award of the head of the national security bureau, the minister of national defence’s accolades and a special mention of the minister of development and technology, the award of the President of Targi Kielce and the Top Design award for the expo booth arrangement.

The awarding ceremony also saw the presentation of the operational commander of the branches of Armed Forces, distinctions of the commander of territorial defence forces, awards and distinctions of the head of the inspectorate of support for the Armed Forces, the special distinction of the programme board and awards of the president of the Targi Kielce management board, a special distinction of the programme board and, for the first time in the history of MSPO, the award of the president of the Polish space agency. Companies celebrating their anniversaries this year were also honoured.

We look forward to seeing you at Targi Kielce’s 32nd MSPO –  the International Defence Industry Exhibition. Save the date for 3-6 September 2024.

The AIW will consist of three elements including the rifle system L403A1, the optic system L900A1, and the training system. As part of the optic system, Aimpoint will supply the ACRO P-2 red dot sight.

According to Aimpoint, “the ACRO series sights have been built to exceed the requirements of the users and have been tested and proven to withstand the extreme shock, vibration, temperatures, and material stresses generated by firing over 20,000 rounds of .40 S&W ammunition. Primarily designed for use on handguns, the ACRO next generation can also be mounted on carbines, shotguns and hunting rifles or utilized as a backup sight on magnified scopes and thermal imagers. These versatile optics are night vision compatible and are the ultimate solution for extremely rugged, low-profile, compact sighting needs.”

“We at Aimpoint are extremely proud to be part of this Hunter project that pushes the limits of innovation for the modern personal weapon system, “says Erik Jeppsson, Aimpoint’s director of sales and marketing. “We trust our distributor Edgar Brother to bring the system into service alongside DE&S in a very professional way, and that our product will contribute to the success of the AIW by enhancing soldiers’ capabilities to effectively perform their mission.“

As the prime contractor and UK distributors, Edgar Brothers will supply the equipment to UK MOD. For more information, visit the company’s webpage.