southfront--2020-07-10--War Preparations: Egypt And Turkey Kick Off Large-Scale Drills Near Libya

Turkey and Egypt are flexing their military muscles off the Libyan shores as chances of a potential war in the eastern Mediterranean continue growing .
Firstly , the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced that soon it will hold large-scale naval exercises off the Libyan coast .
The official statement said that the drills , called “ Naftex ” , will take place in three different regions : Barbaros , Turgutreis and Chaka Bey .
Turkey says that the exercises will involve 17 warplanes and 8 ships proving “ Turkey ’ s ability to control the region by air and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the frontline between pro-Turkish forces and the Libyan National Army , backed up by Egypt and the UAE , near the port city of Sirte did not stop Turkey from sending new weapons and equipment to the frontline .
The Turkish military also deployed additional equipment to the al-Watiya Air Base in western Libya .
The airbase , which earlier this year became a strongpoint of Turkish forces , was recently bombed by the LNA Air Force .
At least one MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air-defense system and a KORAL electronic warfare system of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pro-Turkish sources claim that the equipment recently deployed to the base included air defense systems that will give the LNA a ‘ lesson ’ .
On July 9 , the Egyptian Armed Forces kicked off its own drills in the region involving land , air and naval forces deployed near the Libyan border .
The land component of the drills , codenamed Resolve 2020 , took place in the northwestern district of Qabr Gabis .
By this move , Egypt sent Turkey and its proxies a signal that an attempt by Turkish forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if crossed , they will face a Egyptian military response .
Taking into account , the logistical difficulties of Turkish forces and the apparent Egyptian military advantage in the event of a confrontation near its western border , the open intervention of Egypt into the conflict will put an end to Turkish hopes to consolidate its recently increased influence in Libya .
Meanwhile , ISIS have been trying to exploit the escalation for their own cause .
According to reports , ISIS cells that still hide in the desert area in central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumed attacks on civilian targets mostly looting small villages and robbing civilian convoys .
ISIS ’ self-proclaimed Caliphate deteriorated into just a loud brand used by various gangs to justify their criminal behavior .
Despite this , even such gangs will become a serious security issue if the conflict in Libya enters a new hot phase .

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Turkey and Egypt are flexing their military muscles off the Libyan shores as chances of a potential war in the eastern Mediterranean continue growing.
Firstly, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced that soon it will hold large-scale naval exercises off the Libyan coast. The official statement said that the drills, called “Naftex”, will take place in three different regions: Barbaros, Turgutreis and Chaka Bey. Turkey says that the exercises will involve 17 warplanes and 8 ships proving “Turkey’s ability to control the region by air and sea”.
The current stalemate on the frontline between pro-Turkish forces and the Libyan National Army, backed up by Egypt and the UAE, near the port city of Sirte did not stop Turkey from sending new weapons and equipment to the frontline. The Turkish military also deployed additional equipment to the al-Watiya Air Base in western Libya. The airbase, which earlier this year became a strongpoint of Turkish forces, was recently bombed by the LNA Air Force. At least one MIM-23 Hawk medium-range air-defense system and a KORAL electronic warfare system of the Turkish military were reportedly destroyed. Pro-Turkish sources claim that the equipment recently deployed to the base included air defense systems that will give the LNA a ‘lesson’.
On July 9, the Egyptian Armed Forces kicked off its own drills in the region involving land, air and naval forces deployed near the Libyan border. The land component of the drills, codenamed Resolve 2020, took place in the northwestern district of Qabr Gabis. By this move, Egypt sent Turkey and its proxies a signal that an attempt by Turkish forces to capture Sirte is a red line and if crossed, they will face a Egyptian military response.
Taking into account, the logistical difficulties of Turkish forces and the apparent Egyptian military advantage in the event of a confrontation near its western border, the open intervention of Egypt into the conflict will put an end to Turkish hopes to consolidate its recently increased influence in Libya.
Meanwhile, ISIS have been trying to exploit the escalation for their own cause. According to reports, ISIS cells that still hide in the desert area in central Libya have recently increased their activity and resumed attacks on civilian targets mostly looting small villages and robbing civilian convoys. ISIS’ self-proclaimed Caliphate deteriorated into just a loud brand used by various gangs to justify their criminal behavior. Despite this, even such gangs will become a serious security issue if the conflict in Libya enters a new hot phase.
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southfront--2020-07-10--Mysterious Large Explosion Rocked Idlib City In Northwestern Syria  (Video, Photos)

On July 10 in the afternoon , a large explosion rocked the eastern outskirts of the militant-held city of Idlib in northwestern Syria .
Initially , opposition sources reported that the explosion , which took place in Idlib ’ s industrial zone , was the result of a drone strike .
At least two U.S. combat drones were allegedly circling over the city when the explosion occurred .
These claims were later denied by activists , who said that the explosion took place in an ammunition depot of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham .
The terrorist group is infamous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populated areas , especially in Idlib city .
Pro-government sources also said that the explosion took place in an ammo depot .
However , they claimed that it was struck by a combat drone of the Syrian military and its allies .
If true , the strike may have been a response to a recent failed attack in northern Lattakia .
The attack was a violation of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib .
The large explosion reportedly killed two unidentified men .
A third individual sustained serious burns all over his body and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More information about the mysterious explosion is likely to emerge in the next few days .
All current speculations are possible .
All the current speculations are possible .
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On July 10 in the afternoon, a large explosion rocked the eastern outskirts of the militant-held city of Idlib in northwestern Syria.
Initially, opposition sources reported that the explosion, which took place in Idlib’s industrial zone, was the result of a drone strike. At least two U.S. combat drones were allegedly circling over the city when the explosion occurred.
more recent satellite image of the place of the blast/strike. the building to the south (blue outline) was destroyed before already pic.twitter.com/pX0Ukx25t8 — Samir (@obretix) July 10, 2020
These claims were later denied by activists, who said that the explosion took place in an ammunition depot of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. The terrorist group is infamous for stashing weapons and ammunition near heavily populated areas, especially in Idlib city.
عاجل || مقتل شخصين وإصابة ثالثة بحروق بالغة جرَّاء الانفجار الذي وقع في مدينة إدلب منذ قليل#سوريا #ادلب #MMC pic.twitter.com/wWN8u2IhhG — المركز الإعلامي العام MMC (@MMCSYR) July 10, 2020
Pro-government sources also said that the explosion took place in an ammo depot. However, they claimed that it was struck by a combat drone of the Syrian military and its allies. If true, the strike may have been a response to a recent failed attack in northern Lattakia. The attack was a violation of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib.
The large explosion reportedly killed two unidentified men. A third individual sustained serious burns all over his body and is now in a critical condition.
More information about the mysterious explosion is likely to emerge in the next few days. All current speculations are possible. All the current speculations are possible.
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southfront--2020-07-10--Syrian Army Repels ‘Large-Scale Attack’ In Northern Lattakia

The Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) announced on July 10 that it had repelled a “ large-scale attack ” on its positions in the northern Lattakia countryside .
A source in the army told the Syrian Arab News Agency that Turkish-backed militants had launched the attack early in the morning .
The surprise attack targeted military positions in the town of Rabia .
According to the source , the militants used different types of weapons in their attack .
Yet it was repelled .
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported intense rocket strikes by the SAA on militant-held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Greater Idlib factions , including Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham , didn ’ t comment on the failed attack .
These factions are known for hiding their losses , especially during a ceasefire .
The failed attack was a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement , which was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5 .
Ankara is responsible for the attack as it was reportedly carried out by its proxy groups .
Such provocations could lead to a new military confrontation in Greater Idlib .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Injured In New Daraa Attack

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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) announced on July 10 that it had repelled a “large-scale attack” on its positions in the northern Lattakia countryside.
A source in the army told the Syrian Arab News Agency that Turkish-backed militants had launched the attack early in the morning. The surprise attack targeted military positions in the town of Rabia. According to the source, the militants used different types of weapons in their attack. Yet it was repelled.
“Our forces in the region repelled the attack and inflicted heavy human and material losses on the terrorists,” the source said, adding “there was no losses in the ranks of our forces.”
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported intense rocket strikes by the SAA on militant-held areas in northern Lattakia in the morning.
Greater Idlib factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, didn’t comment on the failed attack. These factions are known for hiding their losses, especially during a ceasefire.
The failed attack was a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5. Ankara is responsible for the attack as it was reportedly carried out by its proxy groups. Such provocations could lead to a new military confrontation in Greater Idlib.
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southfront--2020-07-10--Amid Reports Of Reciprocal Troop Pullback, India Rues Technological Dependence On China

Amid reports that India and China may be pulling troops back from the Line of Actual Control in order to defuse tensions and reduce the likelihood of more fatal clashes , a report in the Hindustan Times notes that while calls for a boycott of Chinese goods are emotionally satisfying they are not feasible .
The analysis by Biswajit Dhar reviews the economic and technological dependence of India on Chinese goods and technology in several key sectors such as electrical and pharmaceutical goods , and concludes that a boycott is not a realistic option until and unless India elaborates a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve economic and technological independence .
Media reports suggest that India and China have begun pulling back from several areas along their remote Himalayan boundary , a move aimed at defusing a nine-week standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbours that resulted in the loss of lives on both sides .
LINK Xinhua news has reported that a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a press briefing on Thursday that the overall situation at the China-India boundary is stable and ameliorating , expressing the hope that both sides will work towards the same goal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concrete actions and de-escalate tensions in the border region .
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the Chinese and India border troops have been taking effective measures to disengage at Galwan Valley and other areas in the western sector , following the consensus reached at the corps commander-level talks .
“ The overall situation at the China-India boundary is stable and ameliorating , ” Zhao said .
LINK The spokesperson added that the two sides will continue to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels , including holding a new round of corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs .
However , the situation clearly remains tense amidst ongoing allegations that China is installing permanent structures in the disputed area not far from where the clashes occurred last month .
In particular , satellite images from June show a series of bunkers , tents and storage units for military hardware in an area where there were no visible structures the month before .
The fresh satellite images , dated 22 June , are from space technology company Maxar .
The structures which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overlooking the Galwan River were not visible in aerial photographs earlier in June .
LINK Meanwhile , pundits in India are pondering the extent of India ’ s economic and technological dependence on its northern neighbour as many Indians call for a boycott of Chinese-made goods .
The calls for the boycott of Chinese products have persisted for several weeks now , but is raises the inconvenient question – to what extent can the Indian economy cut itself off from China ?
Would it even be possible to boycott Chinese-made products in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that China had established itself as India ’ s largest source of imports since around 2004-2005 .
Between 2003-04 and 2007-08 , a period of rapid expansion of the Indian economy before the “ Great Recession ” struck , the nation ’ s imports from China expanded from about $ 4 billion to over $ 27 billion , or at a compound growth of nearly 61 % .
Consequently , China ’ s share in India ’ s total imports more than doubled , from 5 % to 11 % .
Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Indian market continued and by 2017-18 , China ’ s total share of India ’ s imports had expanded to 16.4 % .
In the two financial years since , this share dropped slightly to 14 % .
However , the strategic significance of Chinese imports for the Indian economy remains undiminished .
The raw numbers do not give the true picture of India ’ s dependence on China ; imports at the product level do .
There are two major sectors in which India ’ s dependence on China is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telecommunication equipment , and active pharmaceutical ingredients ( APIs ) , the intermediate ingredients for manufacturing pharmaceutical formulations .
Both these sectors are immensely significant for India .
While the former is critical for the government ’ s Digital India programme , the latter supports India ’ s pharmaceutical industry that is responsible for supplying affordable medicines , both for the domestic market as well as for export .
It is no surprise that a large proportion of the mobile phones that India imports are from China .
In 2017-18 , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mobile phones and components were sourced from China .
Data shows that in the following two financial years , imports from China came down significantly , but the reality is that Hong Kong is acting as a conduit for China ’ s exports to India .
In 2017-18 , India ’ s imports from Hong Kong were nearly $ 11 billion ; the following year it increased to over $ 18 billion .
As the British did before it , China has long used Hong Kong strategically to distribute its products and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thus , when sentiments in India were against China following the Doklam dispute , Hong Kong began to be used to tranship products manufactured in China .
Therefore , in effect , there was no real reduction in imports of mobile phones from China .
Other imports of electronic and telecommunications equipment from China were equally significant .
Although there is a common perception that large volumes of consumer electronic products are sourced from China , the fact that 82 % of colour TV sets imported into the country in 2018-19 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise to many .
Further , 80 % of optical fibres and 92 % of personal computers were imported from China in 2018-19 .
The dependence on China is even worse in the case of APIs .
Among the medicines whose APIs are imported is paracetamol , an essential medicine in the first aid kit of every household .
In 2018-19 , the entire stock of imports of this medicine came from China .
The same was the case with streptomycin , an antibiotic used for treating several bacterial infections , including tuberculosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the source of 95 % of imports of APIs for penicillin and 98 % for ibuprofen , a common medicine used for treating pain , fever and inflammation of various kinds , including arthritis .
The APIs of many other critical medicines are also sourced from China .
The list of industries which depend on China for their essential supplies is fairly long , but there are two that are important .
The first is the motorcycle industry , which , in 2018-19 , sourced 85 % of its imports of parts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ components are obtained locally , the industry imports critical parts such as wheel rims from China .
India is also heavily dependent on China for solar photovoltaic cells , which are expected to be the lifeline of the energy sector as the country seeks greener options .
If Indians are serious about reducing their dependence on Chinese products , it will require the government and businesses to make concerted efforts and elaborate a carefully considered strategic industrial policy .
While its oligarchs have proven themselves capable of building immense fortunes in captive markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national interest remains unproven .
In some sectors , especially in the production of APIs , the government will have to play a more proactive role by using public sector units , as three decades of the growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry has shown that the private sector is not willing to invest in a segment that involves considerable risk-taking .
In other words , only a carefully-crafted industrial policy can reduce India ’ s dependence on China .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • India confirms 20 soldiers killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43 PLA casualties • India deploys 4000 more troops along border with China

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Amid reports that India and China may be pulling troops back from the Line of Actual Control in order to defuse tensions and reduce the likelihood of more fatal clashes, a report in the Hindustan Times notes that while calls for a boycott of Chinese goods are emotionally satisfying they are not feasible. The analysis by Biswajit Dhar reviews the economic and technological dependence of India on Chinese goods and technology in several key sectors such as electrical and pharmaceutical goods, and concludes that a boycott is not a realistic option until and unless India elaborates a ‘carefully calibrated industrial policy’ to achieve economic and technological independence.
Media reports suggest that India and China have begun pulling back from several areas along their remote Himalayan boundary, a move aimed at defusing a nine-week standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbours that resulted in the loss of lives on both sides. LINK
Xinhua news has reported that a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a press briefing on Thursday that the overall situation at the China-India boundary is stable and ameliorating, expressing the hope that both sides will work towards the same goal to implement consensus that have been reached with concrete actions and de-escalate tensions in the border region.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the Chinese and India border troops have been taking effective measures to disengage at Galwan Valley and other areas in the western sector, following the consensus reached at the corps commander-level talks.
“The overall situation at the China-India boundary is stable and ameliorating,” Zhao said. LINK
The spokesperson added that the two sides will continue to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, including holding a new round of corps commander-level talks and the meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs.
However, the situation clearly remains tense amidst ongoing allegations that China is installing permanent structures in the disputed area not far from where the clashes occurred last month.
In particular, satellite images from June show a series of bunkers, tents and storage units for military hardware in an area where there were no visible structures the month before.
The fresh satellite images, dated 22 June, are from space technology company Maxar. The structures which appear to have been built by China overlooking the Galwan River were not visible in aerial photographs earlier in June. LINK
Meanwhile, pundits in India are pondering the extent of India’s economic and technological dependence on its northern neighbour as many Indians call for a boycott of Chinese-made goods. The calls for the boycott of Chinese products have persisted for several weeks now, but is raises the inconvenient question – to what extent can the Indian economy cut itself off from China? Would it even be possible to boycott Chinese-made products in the foreseeable future?
One important point is that China had established itself as India’s largest source of imports since around 2004-2005. Between 2003-04 and 2007-08, a period of rapid expansion of the Indian economy before the “Great Recession” struck, the nation’s imports from China expanded from about $4 billion to over $27 billion, or at a compound growth of nearly 61%. Consequently, China’s share in India’s total imports more than doubled, from 5% to 11%. Over the next decade, China’s expansion in the Indian market continued and by 2017-18, China’s total share of India’s imports had expanded to 16.4%. In the two financial years since, this share dropped slightly to 14%. However, the strategic significance of Chinese imports for the Indian economy remains undiminished.
The raw numbers do not give the true picture of India’s dependence on China; imports at the product level do. There are two major sectors in which India’s dependence on China is particularly important: electronic products, including telecommunication equipment, and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the intermediate ingredients for manufacturing pharmaceutical formulations. Both these sectors are immensely significant for India. While the former is critical for the government’s Digital India programme, the latter supports India’s pharmaceutical industry that is responsible for supplying affordable medicines, both for the domestic market as well as for export.
It is no surprise that a large proportion of the mobile phones that India imports are from China. In 2017-18, more than 90% of India’s imports of mobile phones and components were sourced from China. Data shows that in the following two financial years, imports from China came down significantly, but the reality is that Hong Kong is acting as a conduit for China’s exports to India. In 2017-18, India’s imports from Hong Kong were nearly $11 billion; the following year it increased to over $18 billion. As the British did before it, China has long used Hong Kong strategically to distribute its products and disguise the origin of international financial flows. Thus, when sentiments in India were against China following the Doklam dispute, Hong Kong began to be used to tranship products manufactured in China. Therefore, in effect, there was no real reduction in imports of mobile phones from China.
Other imports of electronic and telecommunications equipment from China were equally significant. Although there is a common perception that large volumes of consumer electronic products are sourced from China, the fact that 82% of colour TV sets imported into the country in 2018-19 were from this country will come as a surprise to many. Further, 80% of optical fibres and 92% of personal computers were imported from China in 2018-19.
The dependence on China is even worse in the case of APIs. Among the medicines whose APIs are imported is paracetamol, an essential medicine in the first aid kit of every household. In 2018-19, the entire stock of imports of this medicine came from China. The same was the case with streptomycin, an antibiotic used for treating several bacterial infections, including tuberculosis. Besides these medicines, China was the source of 95% of imports of APIs for penicillin and 98% for ibuprofen, a common medicine used for treating pain, fever and inflammation of various kinds, including arthritis. The APIs of many other critical medicines are also sourced from China.
The list of industries which depend on China for their essential supplies is fairly long, but there are two that are important. The first is the motorcycle industry, which, in 2018-19, sourced 85% of its imports of parts and components from China. While most motorcycle components are obtained locally, the industry imports critical parts such as wheel rims from China. India is also heavily dependent on China for solar photovoltaic cells, which are expected to be the lifeline of the energy sector as the country seeks greener options.
If Indians are serious about reducing their dependence on Chinese products, it will require the government and businesses to make concerted efforts and elaborate a carefully considered strategic industrial policy. While its oligarchs have proven themselves capable of building immense fortunes in captive markets, their capacity to act strategically in the national interest remains unproven. In some sectors, especially in the production of APIs, the government will have to play a more proactive role by using public sector units, as three decades of the growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry has shown that the private sector is not willing to invest in a segment that involves considerable risk-taking. In other words, only a carefully-crafted industrial policy can reduce India’s dependence on China.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-07-10--Closer Look At Turkish Equipment And Weapon Deliveries To Libya

On July 3 , OpenFacto.fr released an exclusive summary of open source data confirming Turkish supplies of weapons and military equipment to Libya in violation of the UN-imposed arms supply embargo .
The summary entitled “ Turkey ’ s shadow arms deliveries ” provides a closer look at six cases of Turkish violations of the UN embargo .
This includes supplies of BMC Kirpi II , BMC Vuran and ACV-15 vehicles , T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzers , Oerlikon 35 mm towed anti-aircraft guns , KORKUT self-propelled air-defense gun systems , MIM-23 Hawk low to medium altitude ground-to-air missile systems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-tank guided missiles .
These weapons are supplied by Turkey to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord or directly used by Turkey forces to support the GNA in its battle against the Libyan National Army .
The “ Executive Summary ” of the report reads as the following : While most of the facts mentioned are an open secret and were repeatedly covered by mainstream and alternative media , the “ Turkey ’ s shadow arms deliveries ” report is a useful and up-to-date summary allowing to get a look at how Ankara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting trend highlighted by the report is the current state of tensions within NATO member states and the US and its allies , in general .
According to data provided on the main page of the French-based organization “ OpenFacto ” , at least one of its members is also a member of the infamous outlet “ Bellingcat ” .
Over the past years , Bellingcat has become widely known as a useful tool in pushing of pro-US and pro-NATO propaganda as well as the ‘ general Western ’ narrative .
Nonetheless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the very same organization participating in a project working to damage interests of a NATO member state , Turkey , which is now engaged in the conflict with another NATO member state , France .
This is how the modern ‘ NATO unity ’ looks like .
( MORE ABOUT THE TURKISH-FRENCH TENSIONS HERE ) Some highlights from the report : MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Egypt Sends Warning To Turkey By Launching Drills Near Libya ( Map Update ) • More Syrian Militants Die Fighting For Turkey In Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Equipment At Al-Watiya Despite Recent Airstrikes

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On July 3, OpenFacto.fr released an exclusive summary of open source data confirming Turkish supplies of weapons and military equipment to Libya in violation of the UN-imposed arms supply embargo.
The summary entitled “Turkey’s shadow arms deliveries” provides a closer look at six cases of Turkish violations of the UN embargo. This includes supplies of BMC Kirpi II, BMC Vuran and ACV-15 vehicles, T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzers, Oerlikon 35 mm towed anti-aircraft guns, KORKUT self-propelled air-defense gun systems, MIM-23 Hawk low to medium altitude ground-to-air missile systems, AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radars, and 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank guided missiles. These weapons are supplied by Turkey to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord or directly used by Turkey forces to support the GNA in its battle against the Libyan National Army.
The “Executive Summary” of the report reads as the following:
Findings These six cases successfully demonstrate how Turkish manufactured heavy armament or weapons part of the Turkish arsenal have been delivered to GNA-affiliated factions in Libya. Between May 2019 and March 2020, five deliveries were identified from start to finish. Additional deliveries – successful or attempted – were associated with the vessels or planes identified. A pattern aiming at concealing the origin of goods, senders and routes to Libya emerged from the analysis: Logistics: using mainly non-Turkish shipping lines for transport, working with arms traffickers. Navigation: using coastal roads to circumvent risky European territorial waters for Turkish shipments, departing from a foreign country with a stop-over in Turkey or indicating a false arrival destination. Technical: spoofing AIS data and “going dark” to avoid detection. Physical: changing the appearance of the boat. Human: changing from international crews to Turkish crews prevent any information leak. Military: using Turkish military frigates to escort boats to prevent interception in European seas or attacks at the final destination. Security: strengthening physical and online operational security with less and less opportunities to get deliberate or accidental images of vessels, deliveries, materials.
Research on MV AMAZON indicates a clear violation of the arms embargo by Turkey. We are able to identify the shipment of a large number of armored military vehicles manufactured by BMC Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, as well as other lethal arms, which were received by pro-GNA militias. The shipping operation was conducted by a Turkish company specializing officially in fruit and vegetable transportation, which has also been involved in arms trafficking for other armed groups, allegedly including the Russian security company Wagner.
The aircraft ER-BAJ appears to be part of a recurring transport link between Turkey and Libya, operated by civil aviation companies previously involved in arms trafficking: A Libyan company, GASG/Global Air Transport, chartered the 747 Boeing and is known to have transported arms in Libya and Somalia. The plane’s owner Aerotranscargo is a Moldovan company previously accused of having delivered weapons in Libya and Syria.
Open source research reveals circumstantial evidence around MV SINGLE EAGLE’s possible involvement in arms transit, showing: Turkey could be in violation of the arms embargo by delivering new equipment to Libya Hawk and Korkut anti-aircraft defense systems – on the MV Single Eagle. The ship is associated with the German subsidiary of the Lebanese Abou Merhi Group: AML Ship Management GmbH.
Following the arrest of MV BANA’s captain in Italy on its return from Libya, open-sources brought to light a new arms shipment from Turkey in violation of the embargo, with the possible dissemination of the materiel to pro-GNA factions. MV BANA can be identified at
the port of Tripoli and in Turkey prior to its journey. The ship also belongs to the Abou Merhi Group, which was sanctioned for two years by the United States Treasury for logistical support to a drug trafficker affiliated with Hezbollah. Abou Merhi Group and its affiliates were removed from sanctions list in 2017 but the recent suspected activities raise questions over this decision.
the port of Tripoli and in Turkey prior to its journey. The ship also belongs to the Abou Merhi Group, which was sanctioned for two years by the United States Treasury for logistical support to a drug trafficker affiliated with Hezbollah. Abou Merhi Group and its affiliates were removed from sanctions list in 2017 but the recent suspected activities raise questions over this decision. MV ANA, owned by an Albanian shipping company, was targeted by an air strike in Tripoli Port, while allegedly making an arms delivery to the GNA. An attempt was later made to conceal a second delivery by MV ANA by changing its name to MV PRAY, repainting it and spoofing its IMO number on the AIS system. Strong questions remain on the administrative compliance of MV PRAY with the International Maritime Organization for the registration of the IMO number and with Tanzania for using a Tanzanian flag. In addition, the investigation reveals the likely involvement of military entities in managing containers not delivered to Libya following the boat interception by the French army. Approach This report investigates the Turkish Government’s support to Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), setting out a methodology to detect arms embargo violations through open-source research.
OpenFacto looked at six suspected cases using the following methodology: The detection of arms deliveries reported by Libyan newspaper and social media, identification of the weapons, manufacturers and links with Turkey. The identification of the mode of transport, vessels/planes, reconstruction of the routes, identification of shipping companies and assessments of their previous activities. The identification of the sender and recipient of the delivery, as far as is possible.
UN resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya indicate the circumstances under which arms deliveries are permitted or constitute a violation. Exclusions in Libya are limited to arms and material protecting international organizations and NGOs, or ensuring order for the recognized government (GNA) following approval from the UN Committee. None of the case studies were either declared, approved or fall into the above exclusions.
Based on the research conducted for this report, OpenFacto has been able to develop a methodology for the detection of embargo or sanction violations using open-source information. This provides a framework for initial research in the field and also highlights areas
for further investigations beyond OSINT.
While most of the facts mentioned are an open secret and were repeatedly covered by mainstream and alternative media, the “Turkey’s shadow arms deliveries” report is a useful and up-to-date summary allowing to get a look at how Ankara provides its policy in Libya.
Another interesting trend highlighted by the report is the current state of tensions within NATO member states and the US and its allies, in general. According to data provided on the main page of the French-based organization “OpenFacto”, at least one of its members is also a member of the infamous outlet “Bellingcat”. Over the past years, Bellingcat has become widely known as a useful tool in pushing of pro-US and pro-NATO propaganda as well as the ‘general Western’ narrative. Nonetheless, in 2020, we can see how members of the very same organization participating in a project working to damage interests of a NATO member state, Turkey, which is now engaged in the conflict with another NATO member state, France. This is how the modern ‘NATO unity’ looks like. (MORE ABOUT THE TURKISH-FRENCH TENSIONS HERE)
Some highlights from the report:
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southfront--2020-07-10--Three Syrian Intelligence Officers Killed, Injured In New Daraa Attack

Early morning of July 10 , local sources in Daraa reported two loud explosions in the town of Dael in the governorate ’ s northern countryside .
The first explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device ( IED ) which had been planted in the southern district of Dael .
The explosion caused no losses .
However , a second IED blew up when a unit of the Syrian intelligence had arrived to inspect the area .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) , an officer of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast .
Two other officers were injured .
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the IED attacks .
Nevertheless , ISIS cells are known to be active in northern Daraa .
In the last few months , several officers of the AFID and other Syrian intelligence agencies were killed in the northern and eastern regions of Daraa governorate .
ISIS claimed responsibility for some of the attacks .
The recent attacks against government forces and local fighters in Daraa and al-Quneitra are intendent to disrupt security in Syria ’ s southern region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to address this growing threat .
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Early morning of July 10, local sources in Daraa reported two loud explosions in the town of Dael in the governorate’s northern countryside.
The first explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) which had been planted in the southern district of Dael. The explosion caused no losses. However, a second IED blew up when a unit of the Syrian intelligence had arrived to inspect the area.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), an officer of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate (AFID) was killed in the secondary blast. Two other officers were injured.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the IED attacks. Nevertheless, ISIS cells are known to be active in northern Daraa.
In the last few months, several officers of the AFID and other Syrian intelligence agencies were killed in the northern and eastern regions of Daraa governorate. ISIS claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.
The recent attacks against government forces and local fighters in Daraa and al-Quneitra are intendent to disrupt security in Syria’s southern region. Decisive action has yet to be taken to address this growing threat.
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southfront--2020-07-10--Turkey Established A New Base In Syria’s Ras Al-Ain: SOHR

Turkey was increasing its military presence in the town of Ras al-Ain in northern countryside of Syria ’ s al-Hasakah , the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights ( SOHR ) reported on July 10 .
According to the London-based monitoring group , the Turkish military has established a new base in the village of Tell Halaf , near Ras al-Ain .
Furthermore , Turkish forces were seen patrolling Ras al-Ain ’ s towns center .
The SOHR claims that these new measures are meant to guarantee the security of the town , which is located right on the border with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ] regulate the armed aspects in the town , place it under their control and to punish anyone who carry weapons inside it , except for the police and pro-Turkish factions , ’ the SOHR ’ s report reads .
Earlier this month , a fierce battle between Turkish-backed militants took place in Ras al-Ain .
At least four militants and a young girl were killed in the clashes .
The town has also been hit by a series of explosions over the past few months .
Eight people were killed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent explosion , which took place on December 4 .
The work to secure Ras al-Ain is likely related to Turkey ’ s efforts to secure its own border with Syria .
Turkish forces ignore the deteriorating security situation in the areas which are located far enough from the border line , like Afrin in northern Aleppo .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Syrian Soldiers Intercepted Another U.S. Military Convoy In Northern Al-Hasakah ( Video )

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Turkey was increasing its military presence in the town of Ras al-Ain in northern countryside of Syria’s al-Hasakah, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on July 10.
According to the London-based monitoring group, the Turkish military has established a new base in the village of Tell Halaf, near Ras al-Ain.
Furthermore, Turkish forces were seen patrolling Ras al-Ain’s towns center. The SOHR claims that these new measures are meant to guarantee the security of the town, which is located right on the border with Turkey.
“[Turkish forces want to] regulate the armed aspects in the town, place it under their control and to punish anyone who carry weapons inside it, except for the police and pro-Turkish factions,’ the SOHR’s report reads.
Earlier this month, a fierce battle between Turkish-backed militants took place in Ras al-Ain. At least four militants and a young girl were killed in the clashes.
The town has also been hit by a series of explosions over the past few months. Eight people were killed and injured as a result of the most recent explosion, which took place on December 4.
The work to secure Ras al-Ain is likely related to Turkey’s efforts to secure its own border with Syria. Turkish forces ignore the deteriorating security situation in the areas which are located far enough from the border line, like Afrin in northern Aleppo.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Another Explosion Rocks Turkish-Occupied Areas In Syria’s Aleppo (Videos)

On July 11 morning , a booby-trapped car exploded in the Turkish-occupied city of al-Bab in the northern countryside of @ @ @ @ @ The car bomb blew up near the al-Bushi mosque , which is located on the @ @ @ @ @ .
Videos shared by locals show the extensive material damage caused by the fairly large @ @ @ @ @ London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , at least four people were injured in the @ @ @ @ @ forces are usually accused of orchestrating such attacks in Turkish-occupied areas in northern countryside of @ @ @ @ @ remains a key suspect .
Last month , the terrorist group resumed its activity in @ @ @ @ @ carried out at least three attacks .
The Turkish military and its proxies are not @ @ @ @ @ secure their areas in northern Aleppo .
Now , these areas are witnessing a state @ @ @ @ @ THIS TOPIC :

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On July 11 morning, a booby-trapped car exploded in the Turkish-occupied city of al-Bab in the northern countryside of Syria’s Aleppo.
The car bomb blew up near the al-Bushi mosque, which is located on the city’s northern road. Videos shared by locals show the extensive material damage caused by the fairly large explosion.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least four people were injured in the car bomb attack.
Kurdish forces are usually accused of orchestrating such attacks in Turkish-occupied areas in northern countryside of Aleppo. Nevertheless, ISIS remains a key suspect. Last month, the terrorist group resumed its activity in these area. Its cells carried out at least three attacks.
The Turkish military and its proxies are not taking any serious steps to secure their areas in northern Aleppo. Now, these areas are witnessing a state of lawlessness.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Military Situation In Syria On July 11, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • Protesters in the @ @ @ @ @ the SDF to release the detainees , hold the corrupt SDF members accountable and stop @ @ @ @ @ in the region ; • A huge explosion took place at a cement factory in @ @ @ @ @ city killing two people .
According to locals , US combat drones were flying over @ @ @ @ @ occurred ; • A car bomb explosion took place near the fuel market in the @ @ @ @ @ ON THE TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Protesters in the town of Shuhail called on the SDF to release the detainees, hold the corrupt SDF members accountable and stop the arbitrary arrests of people in the region;
A huge explosion took place at a cement factory in the eastern outskirts of Idlib city killing two people. According to locals, US combat drones were flying over Idlib city when the explosion occurred;
An IED explosion hit SAA troops in Dael, allegedly killing a soldier;
A car bomb explosion took place near the fuel market in the city of Al-Bab.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Houthis Blow Up Convoys Of Saudi-led Forces In New Dramatic Video (Map)

Syrian terrain is far better suited for this type of asymmetrical warfare .
It is time to for resistance to @ @ @ @ @ arseholes who are using Syrian oil smuggling to occupied Iraq and Kurdish cunts region to @ @ @ @ @ tankers smuggle crude oil from Syria ’ s Hasakah to western Iraq to pay for @ @ @

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The Houthis (Ansar Allah) have released a new dramatic video showing attacks on forces of the Saudi-led coalitin in Yemen.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Head Of ISIS Cell In Syria’s Daraa Assassinated

Late on July 10 , head of one of ISIS ’ main cells in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa known as Tahir al-Masri was assassinated .
According to local sources , al-Masri was traveling on a road between the towns of Elemtaih and al-Taebah in eastern Daraa when he was stopped by several gunmen .
The terrorist was executed on the spot .
The gunmen also burned his corpse .
Syria 24 revealed that al-Masri , originally from the town of Om Elmiathin in eastern Daraa , was one of ISIS ’ prominent security commanders in the southern region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ISIS , he was the leader of one of the security cells which are taking shelter in the area of al-Nakhlah south of Daraa city , ” the pro-opposition outlet ’ s reporter said .
Following the assassination of al-Masri , ISIS terrorists attacked a unit of the Military Intelligence Directorate near Elmtaih .
Heavy clashes broke out .
However , no losses were reported .
The assassination of al-Masri was most likely a security operation by the Syrian intelligence , or an act of revenge by local fighters .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Syrian service members and locals in Daraa .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Scandalous Photos Of American Al-Qaeda Propagandist In Syria Are Leaked On Internet

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Late on July 10, head of one of ISIS’ main cells in the southern Syrian governorate of Daraa known as Tahir al-Masri was assassinated.
According to local sources, al-Masri was traveling on a road between the towns of Elemtaih and al-Taebah in eastern Daraa when he was stopped by several gunmen. The terrorist was executed on the spot. The gunmen also burned his corpse.
Syria 24 revealed that al-Masri, originally from the town of Om Elmiathin in eastern Daraa, was one of ISIS’ prominent security commanders in the southern region.
“Tahir was a prominent commander of ISIS, he was the leader of one of the security cells which are taking shelter in the area of al-Nakhlah south of Daraa city,” the pro-opposition outlet’s reporter said.
Following the assassination of al-Masri, ISIS terrorists attacked a unit of the Military Intelligence Directorate near Elmtaih. Heavy clashes broke out. However, no losses were reported.
The assassination of al-Masri was most likely a security operation by the Syrian intelligence, or an act of revenge by local fighters. In the last few months, ISIS cells killed many Syrian service members and locals in Daraa.
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southfront--2020-07-11--Main Battle Tank Development Concept Of German Army (Part 2)

Written by V. Boryushin , V. Sokolenko ; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review # 3 2019 , translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront In the first part of the article the main directions of development of Germany ’ s CVA in the near future , the course of measures on modernisation of the existing park of tanks of the country , the concept of the MBT development and information on the creation of the Leopard tank of the prospective 2A8 ( 2A7V ) series were covered .
The main battle tank is the Leopard-3 .
The creation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s military-industrial leadership is associated with the development of the Leopard-3 tank , or Leo 3 , as it was originally called in the Bundeswehr .
Currently , foreign experts also use the term “ Main Ground Combat System ” .
In NATO countries , the ground combat system ( GCS ) is understood as a set of samples ( complexes ) of weapons that are functionally related to each other and are jointly used to solve certain combat tasks .
The GCS usually consists of 10 to 18 types of armoured vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tank , AIFVs , APCs ; command vehicles of the company-battalion-brigade link ; combat reconnaissance vehicle ; self-propelled gun howitzer ; self-propelled mortar ; repair and evacuation vehicle ; medical vehicle and others ; from four to seven types of unmanned vehicles , remotely controlled by humans as well as unmanned aerial vehicles of different classes and purposes , armed with ground-based unmanned vehicles , multi-purpose general-purpose vehicles for technical and logistics support .
The German Ministry of Defence first announced plans to create a new-generation main battle tank as part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For its development , the leading German manufacturer of armoured vehicles , KMW , intends to join forces with the famous French tank-building company Nexter Systems .
A new German-French company with more than 6,000 employees and a total financial turnover of about 2 billion euros ( $ 2.2 billion for 2015 ) may become the main contractor able to win a contract for the development and production of the MBT for the Bundeswehr , France and other countries of the Alliance .
To date , the technical appearance and design features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design stage .
Speaking in the Bundestag , German Deputy Defence Minister Markus Grübel said that “ the concept of the new tank and the main technologies for its creation are planned to be developed in the period from 2015 to 2018 .
The issues of joint R & D with the German industry have already been agreed upon.
” The commander of the German Armed Forces , Lieutenant General Joerg Vollmer , noted in early 2017 that “ all Leopard-2 tanks currently in tank and motorised infantry brigades will be completely replaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2030 to 2040 ” .
This system will be able to “ conduct dueling combat and deliver fire strikes in close combat within a line of sight ” .
From foreign information , it follows that the priorities in the development of the German-French machine will be given to ensuring the maximum survival of the crew in combat , giving the MBT maximum combat effectiveness in various types of combat , and achieving a low cost of production .
When developing the new tank , innovative technologies will be used to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the information networks of the tactical level of the types and branches of the armed forces of Germany and other NATO countries .
The firepower and mobility of the MBT is planned to increase considerably compared to existing models .
Conceptual views on the design and layout schemes of the Leopard-3 tank .
The technical projects of the new generation tanks created earlier in Germany make it possible to form the following idea about the technical appearance and design layout of the new combat vehicle .
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This German-French tank had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew of three people ( two of them , the commander and the gunner , in a flat low-profile turret ) ; a 120-mm and in the future , 140-mm smoothbore gun ; automatic gun loading in the niche of the turret ; an automated system for loading and unloading ammunition on the battlefield from a transport-loading vehicle ; the chassis of the Leopard-2 tank .
However , consensus could not be reached between the participating countries , and in November 1982 France withdrew from the R & D .
After that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Leopard-3 .
Research was carried out in the following areas : development of a new turret on the chassis of the Leopard-2 tank , a new low-profile non-armoured turret and new chassis .
However , this programme was terminated due to the lack of relevance of the work carried out at that time , and the emergence of priority R & D aimed at increasing the caliber of tank guns .
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This is one of the first MBT projects of a new generation with two crew members .
The western military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already been developed , testing of which showed that “ with the technical level of automation of work processes , which is typical for that time , a crew of two people can perform all the tasks assigned to it as successfully as a crew of three or four people ” .
With this in mind , KMW began to develop a concept for the overall protection of an experimental tank with a 140-mm gun ( with a non-armoured , remote-controlled turret ) and two crew members located in the front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named EGS .
The layout of its hull was similar to the tank test-bench of the TTV , created in the US by GDLS in the early 1980s on the order of the command of the United States Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command ( TACOM ) .
However , the American version of the experimental tank had a crew of three and demonstrated the advantages of placing all crew members in the hull , although its critical frontal zone ( which protects the crew ) was only 2.77 m2 compared to 3.59 m2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chassis of which the TTV test-bench was created .
The critical frontal zone of the EGS tank was even smaller , which made it possible to cover it with armour of greater thickness without increasing the mass of the vehicle .
This layout principle clearly proved the advantages of such a design and layout solution , as it allowed to have a frontal armour equivalent to rolled homogeneous armour with a thickness of more than 1,000 mm .
In addition , placing the crew inside the tank body outside the turret increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvement in the protection of the tank with a two-man crew , many military experts rated this variant of the layout negatively due to the inability of two people to effectively control the tank in combat for a long time ( more than 4 hours ) .
In addition , R & D results have shown that it is necessary to recognise the limited endurance of a two-person crew when driving a tank in combat for a long time .
It was suggested that two crews should be prepared for each tank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of long-term combat operations .
However , the military leadership in Germany and officers with combat experience expressed their doubts about the possibility of successfully replacing the crews in a combat situation .
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Here , the promising machine was considered as a tank of the XXI century , which was planned to introduce the following technical innovations : a smooth-bore 140-mm gun that fires separate loading ammunition ; an automatic loader in the turret recess ; a compact fighting compartment with two crew members ; an electric transmission ; as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strengthen the overall protection , especially in the frontal plane ; measures to reduce infrared and radar visibility ; active protection system ; advanced fire control system of the new generation ; digital architecture of the on-board information system of the open type .
The new layout of the tank with a crew of two people focused on the use of new technologies , allowed to protect the frontal projection of the vehicle with armour with an equivalent thickness of rolled homogeneous armour equal to 2000 mm .
The project remained unrealized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coordinating tactical and technical requirements with the industry , and later , due to the changed military and political situation in the world and insufficient funding .
Conducting a full-scale R & D in the current environment was considered irrelevant and untimely .
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It was developed under a programme called NGP ( New Armoured Platforms ) .
This was the first German programme , according to which it was planned to create machines for the benefit of the land forces , a ground combat system .
When developing the project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was planned to implement the principle of using a common unified 50-ton tracked chassis as a single base for three types of vehicles ( tank , AIFV , APC ) .
It was supposed to create three types of unified platforms : type A – the main battle tank , initially with a 120-mm , and later with a 140-mm gun ; type B – a highly protected AIFV ; type C – a heavy tracked general purpose armoured personnel carrier for transporting infantry .
The arrival of the type A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after 2012 , taking into account that the service life of the Leopard-2A5 tank expired in 2015 , and serial production of the types B and C platforms was planned to begin in 2009 , in order to timely replace the fleet of tracked Marder ARV and wheeled ( 6 x 6 ) Fuks APCs .
The main goal of the NGP programme was to reduce the number of tank crew members from four to three or two .
In studies conducted in Germany in collaboration with KMW , the effectiveness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people was evaluated , provided that the crew was replaced every 12 hours , so that the tank could be operated without interruptions for several days .
The NGP programme was closed in 2004 due to the high complexity and cost of work , and mainly due to the change of priorities of the German ground forces command in favour of the development of the Puma BMP ( R & D began in 2002 ) and the programme for the creation of the boxer armoured personnel carrier ( in 1999 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a demonstration chassis layout for a promising tank .
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It was developed by the German firm KMW proactively based on the conceptual provisions of the project as outlined in the report “ Alternative Weapons for Combat Platforms of the Future ” , made by the KMW representative .
In this document , when justifying the main directions of weapons development , and in particular the new generation of MBTs , it was argued that the disadvantages of modern concepts that determine the firepower of combat vehicles are the following : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not be used simultaneously for different ground and air targets ; it is impossible to control these weapons by “ direct calls ” from the infantry and other attached units , or it takes too much time , which increases the time spent on hitting the target , and does not provide the required flexibility in using the tank ’ s weapons system .
The key element of the new weapons system should be , according to German experts , the use of vertically launched missiles with the control of the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ) , helicopter gunships , or used against a wide range of ground targets ( tank units on the march and in areas where they are concentrated , against command posts and other important near facilities , and others ) .
It was planned to install eight to ten guided missiles in the launch containers in a vertical position , which could be launched in any direction , at any time , regardless of whether the gun is fired or not .
In accordance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have a crew of three : two operators sitting side by side in the front of the hull ( the operator , gunner and the operator-commander of the machine ) , and a driver .
It was planned that the tank would be armed with a 140-mm gun ( with an ammunition supply of 30-32 rounds ) and vertically launched guided missiles located in the niche of the turret .
The concept of the tank ’ s weaponry was first developed in the framework of the NGP .
Conceptual views of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Leopard-3 tank .
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German experts believe that the creation of a new generation of MBTs will be closely connected with the increase in the caliber of the tank gun , so the development of tank weapons and ammunition should become a priority in the near future .
At the same time , it is emphasized that the upper limit of the tank gun caliber has not yet been reached and can be increased to 140- 155-mm due to design and layout solutions , although expensive and complicated .
As noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military media , the increase in caliber is necessary in order to guarantee that heavy armoured combat vehicles can be hit from a long distance .
At the same time , foreign sources indicate that the effectiveness of modern tank ammunition has already reached the maximum value , when 120-mm armour-piercing sub-caliber projectile ( APS ) and cumulative projectiles ( CP ) no longer provide the armour-piercing characteristics that promising tank guns above the specified caliber can provide .
At the same time , the experience of installing a 140-mm gun in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex technical problems along this path that can not be solved quickly by modern scientific and technical methods .
The main one is the development of automatic loading guns with unitary 140-mm ammunition .
The transition to separate charging for many reasons is recognised by German experts as impractical for the following reasons : it is impossible to maintain the tank ’ s internal dimensions of ammunition within 40-45 units ( while reducing the 140-mm ammunition to 28-30 pieces is considered unacceptable from a tactical point of view ) , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partially or fully automated ammunition loading/unloading system in the tank .
The development of such a system requires the creation of special transport loading tracked vehicles , making significant changes to the existing design of the body and especially the machine ’ s turret .
In general , the solution to these problems , according to foreign experts , is associated with time-consuming and expensive measures , which in terms of their costs and complexity of R & D is comparable to the creation of a new tank .
Under these conditions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognise that the current military and political situation in the world and the limited military budgets of Alliance members for the development and purchase of new tanks will not allow even in the medium term ( within 10-15 years ) to replace the 120-mm guns with 140-mm ones .
Work priority areas on the 140-mm gun remain : the creation of a loading machine , the development of new ammunition , the creation of a system for automated loading of ammunition into a tank from a transport-loading machine .
The final decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to insufficient funds allocated for the development , refinement and production of the required number of such ammunition .
Another limiting factor in the development of the gun is the high efficiency of innovative technologies introduced to further improve the characteristics of the 120-mm gun , ammunition and the tank ’ s weapons control system ( WCS ) .
Currently , German experts believe that the progress made in the development of modern technologies in the field of tank guns , ammunition and fire control systems makes it possible to achieve a level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the characteristics of the 120-mm guns of the first generation , and the new generation of 120-mm tank guns is comparable to the characteristics of 130-mm guns .
The existing successes in the development and implementation of innovative technologies for improving the 120-mm gun , its ammunition , and the WCS forced German specialists to reconsider their views on the further development of tank weapons , which was due to technical difficulties in solving scientific problems associated with the installation of large-caliber guns in the MBT .
For these reasons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2010s that the characteristics of a 140-mm gun could be achieved by creating a 130-mm gun , provided that its technical level , ammunition , and WCS were brought to a certain level of perfection .
As a result , in the long term ( over 15-30 years ) , it will be possible to limit the increase in the caliber of the tank gun to 130-mm .
In this case , a number of scientific and technical problems associated with increasing the caliber of tank guns to 140-mm can be solved at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a less complex ways .
The 130-mm smoothbore tank gun created by Reinmetall was shown to the general public for the first time in June 2016 at the Eurosatory arms exhibition in Paris .
The gun differed from the 120-mm serial prototype in having a shorter barrel length ( 51 calibers instead of 55 ) , a vertical-falling wedge bolt , an increased chamber volume and a chrome-plated bore surface .
Its mass , including anti-rollback devices , was about 3000 kg , the barrel weight was 1400 , while the muzzle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The prototype shown at the exhibition had an ejector , a heat-insulating gun barrel casing and a system for automatic alignment of the sight during thermal bending of the barrel .
As reported in the advertising and technical brochures of the company , the gun is intended for installation on a new-generation Leopard-3 tank , as well as the MBT Leopard-2 series during their modernisation .
It was stated that at the current development stage of the 130-mm tank gun , two types of unitary ammunition should be considered as priority areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with detachable leading parts , which will have a partially combustible sleeve , an increased volume and improved physical and chemical composition of the propellant , an elongated , compared to the 120-mm APS , tungsten core ; a high-explosive air-detonating projectile that is being developed on the basis of the 120-mm DM11 munition currently in production for the domestic and foreign markets and used for firing 120-mm L44 and L55 tank gun .
During the development of the 130-mm ammunition , one of the most important areas was to reduce the explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is used in a tank , including in the case of armour pentation , which is the main requirement of most modern customers of this ammunition .
Western military experts believe that the 130- , 140-mm smoothbore gun will be used as the main armament of the next-generation tank , and it will be possible to fire guided ammunition .
Observation of the environment from the tank will be carried out using a system of electronic sensors ( implementation of the principle of “ observation through the armour ” ) .
The following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : an armour-piercing feathered projectile with detachable launch charges and a high-explosive air-detonating projectile .
The plan is to fire the cannon from the driver ’ s seat .
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Military customers make demands to ensure all-round protection of the tank against most current and future threats , especially when attacking the upper hemisphere .
For this purpose , it is planned to use modular armour protection developed on the basis of nanotechnologies ( nanosteel and nanocomposite materials ) , so that the increase in the combat weight of the tank is relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following are highlighted : ease of installing additional armour protection on the outside of the tank , as well as minor changes to the design of the vehicle ’ s hull and turret when installing armour modules .
The basic version of the modular armour system needs to protect the crew from high caliber shotgun , precision guided munitions and guided and unguided antitank weapons , the roof of the hull and turret from cluster munitions , side protection of the hull and turret from mines and IEDs , including fragments of 155-mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lower part of the hull from mines and IEDs .
Other requirements are also known : the firing pad must be located outside the combat compartment zone , the system for setting a circular smoke ( aerosol ) curtain must be triggered after detecting a threat in the visible , thermal , television and radar waves ranges for a period not exceeding 0.5 seconds .
It must also be operable in motion .
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A number of measures aimed at improving the mobility in various tank ’ s combat application are planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle from the commander ’ s and gunner ’ s workstations , short-term increase in power on the drive wheels , insuring for a short time silent and emergency movement when the main engine is idle .
These modes of operation of the power unit is planned to be realised by connecting the main motor of the auxiliary power plant of increased power , as well as electrical and mechanical ( inertial type ) energy storage devices .
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It is planned to increase by about 2-3 times the amount of electrical power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increased number of on-board electronic systems by using more powerful auxiliary power units .
The levels of automation and “ intellectualisation ” of combat and work processes that take place during firing and in motion will be significantly increased to ensure survivability and command control .
All tanks will be equipped with standard remote-control equipment , which will , if necessary , enable the crew-free operation of the combat vehicle .
Thus , the further development of the main battle tank in Germany is carried out at the present stage in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loepard-2 tank series to the A8 modification and the creation of a new generation of MBT Leopard-3 .
According to the first direction , using modern technologies , the design of the Leopard-2 tank is planned to be brought to the maximum level of perfection , including by creating and installing a next-generation tank gun on it .

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THE FIRST PART CAN BE FOUND HERE: Main Battle Tank Development Concept Of German Army (Part 1)
Written by V. Boryushin, V. Sokolenko; Originally appeared at Foreign Military Review #3 2019, translated by AlexD exclusively for SouthFront
In the first part of the article the main directions of development of Germany’s CVA in the near future, the course of measures on modernisation of the existing park of tanks of the country, the concept of the MBT development and information on the creation of the Leopard tank of the prospective 2A8 (2A7V) series were covered.
The main battle tank is the Leopard-3. The creation of a new generation of MBT of Germany’s military-industrial leadership is associated with the development of the Leopard-3 tank, or Leo 3, as it was originally called in the Bundeswehr. Currently, foreign experts also use the term “Main Ground Combat System”.
In NATO countries, the ground combat system (GCS) is understood as a set of samples (complexes) of weapons that are functionally related to each other and are jointly used to solve certain combat tasks.
The GCS usually consists of 10 to 18 types of armoured vehicles operated by a person. These include tank, AIFVs, APCs; command vehicles of the company-battalion-brigade link; combat reconnaissance vehicle; self-propelled gun howitzer; self-propelled mortar; repair and evacuation vehicle; medical vehicle and others; from four to seven types of unmanned vehicles, remotely controlled by humans as well as unmanned aerial vehicles of different classes and purposes, armed with ground-based unmanned vehicles, multi-purpose general-purpose vehicles for technical and logistics support.
The German Ministry of Defence first announced plans to create a new-generation main battle tank as part of the GCS programme on May 22, 2015. For its development, the leading German manufacturer of armoured vehicles, KMW, intends to join forces with the famous French tank-building company Nexter Systems.
A new German-French company with more than 6,000 employees and a total financial turnover of about 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion for 2015) may become the main contractor able to win a contract for the development and production of the MBT for the Bundeswehr, France and other countries of the Alliance.
To date, the technical appearance and design features of the promising tank are in the design stage. Speaking in the Bundestag, German Deputy Defence Minister Markus Grübel said that “the concept of the new tank and the main technologies for its creation are planned to be developed in the period from 2015 to 2018. The issues of joint R&D with the German industry have already been agreed upon.”
The commander of the German Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Joerg Vollmer, noted in early 2017 that “all Leopard-2 tanks currently in tank and motorised infantry brigades will be completely replaced with the main GCS in the period from 2030 to 2040”. This system will be able to “conduct dueling combat and deliver fire strikes in close combat within a line of sight”.
From foreign information, it follows that the priorities in the development of the German-French machine will be given to ensuring the maximum survival of the crew in combat, giving the MBT maximum combat effectiveness in various types of combat, and achieving a low cost of production.
When developing the new tank, innovative technologies will be used to ensure the ability to conduct network-centric combat operations in the information networks of the tactical level of the types and branches of the armed forces of Germany and other NATO countries.
The firepower and mobility of the MBT is planned to increase considerably compared to existing models.
Conceptual views on the design and layout schemes of the Leopard-3 tank. The technical projects of the new generation tanks created earlier in Germany make it possible to form the following idea about the technical appearance and design layout of the new combat vehicle.
Project of the 1981-1996 years. This German-French tank had the following structural and technical features: a crew of three people (two of them, the commander and the gunner, in a flat low-profile turret); a 120-mm and in the future, 140-mm smoothbore gun; automatic gun loading in the niche of the turret; an automated system for loading and unloading ammunition on the battlefield from a transport-loading vehicle; the chassis of the Leopard-2 tank.
However, consensus could not be reached between the participating countries, and in November 1982 France withdrew from the R&D. After that, the German part of the project was named Leopard-3. Research was carried out in the following areas: development of a new turret on the chassis of the Leopard-2 tank, a new low-profile non-armoured turret and new chassis. However, this programme was terminated due to the lack of relevance of the work carried out at that time, and the emergence of priority R&D aimed at increasing the caliber of tank guns.
Project of the 1985-1996 years. This is one of the first MBT projects of a new generation with two crew members.
The western military media previously reported that a demonstration model had already been developed, testing of which showed that “with the technical level of automation of work processes, which is typical for that time, a crew of two people can perform all the tasks assigned to it as successfully as a crew of three or four people”.
With this in mind, KMW began to develop a concept for the overall protection of an experimental tank with a 140-mm gun (with a non-armoured, remote-controlled turret) and two crew members located in the front of the hull. The experimental prototype was named EGS.
The layout of its hull was similar to the tank test-bench of the TTV, created in the US by GDLS in the early 1980s on the order of the command of the United States Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). However, the American version of the experimental tank had a crew of three and demonstrated the advantages of placing all crew members in the hull, although its critical frontal zone (which protects the crew) was only 2.77 m2 compared to 3.59 m2 for the M1 Abrams tank, on the chassis of which the TTV test-bench was created.
The critical frontal zone of the EGS tank was even smaller, which made it possible to cover it with armour of greater thickness without increasing the mass of the vehicle.
This layout principle clearly proved the advantages of such a design and layout solution, as it allowed to have a frontal armour equivalent to rolled homogeneous armour with a thickness of more than 1,000 mm. In addition, placing the crew inside the tank body outside the turret increased its survival rate. Despite the significant improvement in the protection of the tank with a two-man crew, many military experts rated this variant of the layout negatively due to the inability of two people to effectively control the tank in combat for a long time (more than 4 hours).
In addition, R&D results have shown that it is necessary to recognise the limited endurance of a two-person crew when driving a tank in combat for a long time.
It was suggested that two crews should be prepared for each tank, which could replace each other in the course of long-term combat operations. However, the military leadership in Germany and officers with combat experience expressed their doubts about the possibility of successfully replacing the crews in a combat situation.
Project of the 1996-1998 years. Here, the promising machine was considered as a tank of the XXI century, which was planned to introduce the following technical innovations: a smooth-bore 140-mm gun that fires separate loading ammunition; an automatic loader in the turret recess; a compact fighting compartment with two crew members; an electric transmission; as well as carry out a set of measures to strengthen the overall protection, especially in the frontal plane; measures to reduce infrared and radar visibility; active protection system; advanced fire control system of the new generation; digital architecture of the on-board information system of the open type.
The new layout of the tank with a crew of two people focused on the use of new technologies, allowed to protect the frontal projection of the vehicle with armour with an equivalent thickness of rolled homogeneous armour equal to 2000 mm. The project remained unrealized, because at first there were problems with coordinating tactical and technical requirements with the industry, and later, due to the changed military and political situation in the world and insufficient funding.
Conducting a full-scale R&D in the current environment was considered irrelevant and untimely.
Project of the 1996-2004 years. It was developed under a programme called NGP (New Armoured Platforms). This was the first German programme, according to which it was planned to create machines for the benefit of the land forces, a ground combat system. When developing the project, for the first time in foreign practice, it was planned to implement the principle of using a common unified 50-ton tracked chassis as a single base for three types of vehicles (tank, AIFV, APC). It was supposed to create three types of unified platforms: type A – the main battle tank, initially with a 120-mm, and later with a 140-mm gun; type B – a highly protected AIFV; type C – a heavy tracked general purpose armoured personnel carrier for transporting infantry.
The arrival of the type A platforms in the army was to begin after 2012, taking into account that the service life of the Leopard-2A5 tank expired in 2015, and serial production of the types B and C platforms was planned to begin in 2009, in order to timely replace the fleet of tracked Marder ARV and wheeled (6 x 6) Fuks APCs.
The main goal of the NGP programme was to reduce the number of tank crew members from four to three or two.
In studies conducted in Germany in collaboration with KMW, the effectiveness of the combat work of the tank crew of two people was evaluated, provided that the crew was replaced every 12 hours, so that the tank could be operated without interruptions for several days. The NGP programme was closed in 2004 due to the high complexity and cost of work, and mainly due to the change of priorities of the German ground forces command in favour of the development of the Puma BMP (R&D began in 2002) and the programme for the creation of the boxer armoured personnel carrier (in 1999). The NGP programme ended with the creation of a demonstration chassis layout for a promising tank.
Project of the 2001-2005 years. It was developed by the German firm KMW proactively based on the conceptual provisions of the project as outlined in the report “Alternative Weapons for Combat Platforms of the Future”, made by the KMW representative. In this document, when justifying the main directions of weapons development, and in particular the new generation of MBTs, it was argued that the disadvantages of modern concepts that determine the firepower of combat vehicles are the following: the tank’s rocket and gun armament cannot be used simultaneously for different ground and air targets; it is impossible to control these weapons by “direct calls” from the infantry and other attached units, or it takes too much time, which increases the time spent on hitting the target, and does not provide the required flexibility in using the tank’s weapons system.
The key element of the new weapons system should be, according to German experts, the use of vertically launched missiles with the control of the “shot-forgot” type. Such missiles can be used to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopter gunships, or used against a wide range of ground targets (tank units on the march and in areas where they are concentrated, against command posts and other important near facilities, and others).
It was planned to install eight to ten guided missiles in the launch containers in a vertical position, which could be launched in any direction, at any time, regardless of whether the gun is fired or not.
In accordance with the project, the new MBT should have a crew of three: two operators sitting side by side in the front of the hull (the operator, gunner and the operator-commander of the machine), and a driver. It was planned that the tank would be armed with a 140-mm gun (with an ammunition supply of 30-32 rounds) and vertically launched guided missiles located in the niche of the turret. The concept of the tank’s weaponry was first developed in the framework of the NGP.
Conceptual views of the main directions of development of combat properties of the Leopard-3 tank.
Fire power. German experts believe that the creation of a new generation of MBTs will be closely connected with the increase in the caliber of the tank gun, so the development of tank weapons and ammunition should become a priority in the near future. At the same time, it is emphasized that the upper limit of the tank gun caliber has not yet been reached and can be increased to 140- 155-mm due to design and layout solutions, although expensive and complicated.
As noted in the materials published in the western military media, the increase in caliber is necessary in order to guarantee that heavy armoured combat vehicles can be hit from a long distance. At the same time, foreign sources indicate that the effectiveness of modern tank ammunition has already reached the maximum value, when 120-mm armour-piercing sub-caliber projectile (APS) and cumulative projectiles (CP) no longer provide the armour-piercing characteristics that promising tank guns above the specified caliber can provide.
At the same time, the experience of installing a 140-mm gun in a tank has shown that there are many complex technical problems along this path that cannot be solved quickly by modern scientific and technical methods. The main one is the development of automatic loading guns with unitary 140-mm ammunition.
The transition to separate charging for many reasons is recognised by German experts as impractical for the following reasons: it is impossible to maintain the tank’s internal dimensions of ammunition within 40-45 units (while reducing the 140-mm ammunition to 28-30 pieces is considered unacceptable from a tactical point of view), as well as due to the need to install a partially or fully automated ammunition loading/unloading system in the tank. The development of such a system requires the creation of special transport loading tracked vehicles, making significant changes to the existing design of the body and especially the machine’s turret. In general, the solution to these problems, according to foreign experts, is associated with time-consuming and expensive measures, which in terms of their costs and complexity of R&D is comparable to the creation of a new tank.
Under these conditions, military experts of the leading NATO countries recognise that the current military and political situation in the world and the limited military budgets of Alliance members for the development and purchase of new tanks will not allow even in the medium term (within 10-15 years) to replace the 120-mm guns with 140-mm ones.
Work priority areas on the 140-mm gun remain: the creation of a loading machine, the development of new ammunition, the creation of a system for automated loading of ammunition into a tank from a transport-loading machine. The final decision to start mass production is delayed today due to insufficient funds allocated for the development, refinement and production of the required number of such ammunition.
Another limiting factor in the development of the gun is the high efficiency of innovative technologies introduced to further improve the characteristics of the 120-mm gun, ammunition and the tank’s weapons control system (WCS).
Currently, German experts believe that the progress made in the development of modern technologies in the field of tank guns, ammunition and fire control systems makes it possible to achieve a level of performance of the 105-mm tank guns close to the characteristics of the 120-mm guns of the first generation, and the new generation of 120-mm tank guns is comparable to the characteristics of 130-mm guns.
The existing successes in the development and implementation of innovative technologies for improving the 120-mm gun, its ammunition, and the WCS forced German specialists to reconsider their views on the further development of tank weapons, which was due to technical difficulties in solving scientific problems associated with the installation of large-caliber guns in the MBT.
For these reasons, Rheinmetall specialists became confident in the early 2010s that the characteristics of a 140-mm gun could be achieved by creating a 130-mm gun, provided that its technical level, ammunition, and WCS were brought to a certain level of perfection.
As a result, in the long term (over 15-30 years), it will be possible to limit the increase in the caliber of the tank gun to 130-mm. In this case, a number of scientific and technical problems associated with increasing the caliber of tank guns to 140-mm can be solved at a lower cost, cheaper and technically in a less complex ways.
The 130-mm smoothbore tank gun created by Reinmetall was shown to the general public for the first time in June 2016 at the Eurosatory arms exhibition in Paris. The gun differed from the 120-mm serial prototype in having a shorter barrel length (51 calibers instead of 55), a vertical-falling wedge bolt, an increased chamber volume and a chrome-plated bore surface.
Its mass, including anti-rollback devices, was about 3000 kg, the barrel weight was 1400, while the muzzle brake was not provided and was absent.
The prototype shown at the exhibition had an ejector, a heat-insulating gun barrel casing and a system for automatic alignment of the sight during thermal bending of the barrel. As reported in the advertising and technical brochures of the company, the gun is intended for installation on a new-generation Leopard-3 tank, as well as the MBT Leopard-2 series during their modernisation.
It was stated that at the current development stage of the 130-mm tank gun, two types of unitary ammunition should be considered as priority areas of work: armour-piercing sub-caliber feathered projectile with detachable leading parts, which will have a partially combustible sleeve, an increased volume and improved physical and chemical composition of the propellant, an elongated, compared to the 120-mm APS, tungsten core; a high-explosive air-detonating projectile that is being developed on the basis of the 120-mm DM11 munition currently in production for the domestic and foreign markets and used for firing 120-mm L44 and L55 tank gun.
During the development of the 130-mm ammunition, one of the most important areas was to reduce the explosion and fire safety of ammunition when it is used in a tank, including in the case of armour pentation, which is the main requirement of most modern customers of this ammunition.
Western military experts believe that the 130-, 140-mm smoothbore gun will be used as the main armament of the next-generation tank, and it will be possible to fire guided ammunition. Observation of the environment from the tank will be carried out using a system of electronic sensors (implementation of the principle of “observation through the armour”). The following types of unitary ammunition are under development: an armour-piercing feathered projectile with detachable launch charges and a high-explosive air-detonating projectile.
The plan is to fire the cannon from the driver’s seat.
Protection. Military customers make demands to ensure all-round protection of the tank against most current and future threats, especially when attacking the upper hemisphere. For this purpose, it is planned to use modular armour protection developed on the basis of nanotechnologies (nanosteel and nanocomposite materials), so that the increase in the combat weight of the tank is relatively small. Among other requirements, the following are highlighted: ease of installing additional armour protection on the outside of the tank, as well as minor changes to the design of the vehicle’s hull and turret when installing armour modules.
The basic version of the modular armour system needs to protect the crew from high caliber shotgun, precision guided munitions and guided and unguided antitank weapons, the roof of the hull and turret from cluster munitions, side protection of the hull and turret from mines and IEDs, including fragments of 155-mm caliber artillery shells and the protection of the lower part of the hull from mines and IEDs.
Other requirements are also known: the firing pad must be located outside the combat compartment zone, the system for setting a circular smoke (aerosol) curtain must be triggered after detecting a threat in the visible, thermal, television and radar waves ranges for a period not exceeding 0.5 seconds. It must also be operable in motion.
Mobility. A number of measures aimed at improving the mobility in various tank’s combat application are planned, including controlling the movement of the vehicle from the commander’s and gunner’s workstations, short-term increase in power on the drive wheels, insuring for a short time silent and emergency movement when the main engine is idle. These modes of operation of the power unit is planned to be realised by connecting the main motor of the auxiliary power plant of increased power, as well as electrical and mechanical (inertial type) energy storage devices.
Command controllability. It is planned to increase by about 2-3 times the amount of electrical power generated on board the tank to supply the increased number of on-board electronic systems by using more powerful auxiliary power units. The levels of automation and “intellectualisation” of combat and work processes that take place during firing and in motion will be significantly increased to ensure survivability and command control.
All tanks will be equipped with standard remote-control equipment, which will, if necessary, enable the crew-free operation of the combat vehicle.
Thus, the further development of the main battle tank in Germany is carried out at the present stage in two separate directions: the modernisation of the Loepard-2 tank series to the A8 modification and the creation of a new generation of MBT Leopard-3. According to the first direction, using modern technologies, the design of the Leopard-2 tank is planned to be brought to the maximum level of perfection, including by creating and installing a next-generation tank gun on it.
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