Europe's eastern flank continues to militarise. With a focus on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the market for armoured land vehicles is flourishing - but how will it evolve? Learn more about the state and future of the European armoured vehicle market here.

Due to the War in Ukraine, various nations on the Eastern Flank have been looking to enhance their security by reinforcing it and adding new capabilities to their armoured fleet. Expert Christopher Foss provides a concise analysis of the developments in the region. This piece is excellent for anyone wishing to stay abreast of the situation.

The advent of the Ukrainian War has catalysed European Nations to rethink their security needs. In this interview, General Brigadier Daniel POP delves into how Romania is adapting to this new normal and what this means for the industry and the region's forces. This piece is valuable because it gives a great introduction to the efforts in the country and is a jumping-off point for military, academics, and industry interested in approaching the Romanian delegation at Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe.

View the attendee snapshot to find out which companies of key military leaders, industry decision-makers, and distinguished guests and experts from the Baltic States, Nordic Nations, and beyond, will be in attendance.

The Ukrainian War has significant implications for security in the Nordic states. Defence iQ had the pleasure of interviewing, Brigadier General Juha-Matti Ylitalo, chairman of the Common Armoured Vehicle System and NORDEFCO, and key speaker at the upcoming Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe conference, outlining what the war means for the future of Nordic cooperation. He also highlights the inner workings of NORDEFCO and what he aims to achieve at the conference.

Events in Ukraine have led some analysts to predict the end of the Tank Era. Armour Expert Christopher Foss refutes this as the tank is not obsolete but needs to evolve. When the T-14 first broke cover, it held a mixture of capabilities leading some to believe it was superior to much of the western arsenal. Russia had thrown down the gauntlet and had arguably developed the first Fourth Generation Tank. Rheinmetall then rose to the challenge with its KF51 Panther. While much of the information remains classified, Christopher Foss, utilising his expertise, shares his thoughts on the two designs.

Curious to see who typically attends the Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe Conference, taking place 27-28 September at the InterContinental Warszawa, Poland?

Find out which companies of key stakeholders from MoD, Commanders of Mechanised and Armoured Units, Acquisition Experts, and Capability Development Specialists, alongside NATO colleagues from North America and Western Europe attended our last conference, many of which have confirmed their attendance for 2022.

This market report highlights the major armoured programmes occurring in Eastern Europe, a new hot spot for Europe. With tensions in Ukraine, armoured vehicles have found themselves in the spotlight. Eastern Europe recognises the precarious situation it finds itself in and is moving in full haste to respond. This report is ideal for anyone looking for a bird's eye view of the situation in the region in terms of armoured programmes.

The war in Ukraine has raised many questions about industrial and military capacity. Donations have left allied equipment stocks dangerously low while highlighting challenges in replenishing their inventory. Conventional speculation sees Ukraine adopting NATO standard weaponry in the medium to short term. Pavlo Khoma, researcher and contributor to Ukrainian think tank Adastra, explains in this article why such a feat is not possible in the short term, especially for armoured vehicles. In this article he:

• Points out the legal and physical challenges from the Ukrainian perspective in adopting the NATO standard
• Highlights the limits of NATO intervention in Ukraine from the equipment side of things
• Explains the growing importance of the partnership between Ukraine and other eastern European countries.
  

Throughout Eastern Europe we are seeing a renewed focus on armament modernisation programmes – the region has emerged as the outright leading spender in the military ground vehicle market and in 2022 will see the fastest defence spending growth in the world.

Bulgaria is the most recent country in the region to announce a defence investment project for the procurement of IFVs – more specifically, the acquisition of 150 combat and support vehicles for establishing new battle groups within the Bulgarian Land Force mechanized brigades. This modernisation project, the most important one for the service in recent history, is estimated at BGN 1.464 billion over the next 12 years. 

Download the piece to learn more about the programme >>

Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe has established itself as the premier forum in the region for military practitioners, research and development colleagues and partners and providers in industry- it’s a great opportunity to get together, for meaningful discussion of armoured vehicle deployment, procurement, cooperation, and sustainment in Eastern Europe. Commanders of Mechanised and Armoured Units, acquisition experts and capability development specialists from the region are under invitation, alongside wider NATO colleagues from North America and Western Europe. More specifically, users from Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Croatia will join Bulgaria their priorities and challenges for advancing mechanised fighting capability.

Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe returns for 2022 as this unique event offers the opportunity to meet with Commanders of Mechanised and Armoured Units, acquisition experts and capability development specialists, alongside a wider NATO colleagues from North America and Western Europe to discuss tailored regional challenges including the focus on the development of mechanised units.

Find out more on those professionals and organisations that will be in attendance in the attendee list available here.

If you would like more information on the event, please view the full event guide here.

Or if you would like to be in attendance, find out more on the packages available here.

The Eastern European current security context is prompting armies to prioritise the modernisation of their mechanised units and the acquisition of new platforms which offer them versatility in roles, speed and mobility. Ahead of this year’s Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe conference, Defence IQ have compiled an update on the current armoured vehicles key ongoing programmes and requirements of the region’s armies, the majority of which will be present at the event. 

Download the report now >>

Download the report to learn more about:

• Bulgaria’s BGN 1.464 billion acquisition of 150 armoured vehicles – 90 combat and 60 special-purpose and support vehicles
• Czech Republic’s plans to procure 210 tracked armoured vehicles as a replacement for its obsolete Russian-designed BPM-2 tracked IFVs and APCs
• Slovak Republic’s US$1.3 billion purchase of a range of new armoured transport vehicles to replace Soviet-era OT-64 legacy platforms
• Estonia’s plans for procurement of IFVs, the improvement of anti-tank capability of manoeuvre units and the replacement of the current light weapon systems

The following countries, which are mentioned in the report all have active procurement programmes and will be attending Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe 2019:

• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• Slovak Republic
• Ukraine

Other countries mentioned in the report are as follows:

• Estonia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Slovenia
• Turkey

Get a preview of the report below:

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech MoD is looking to procure 210 tracked armoured vehicles for the army in order to replace its current fleet of obsolete Russian-designed BMP-2 tracked IFVs and APCs. Once the contract – worth $2 billion – is signed, deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2019 and take place over the ensuing ten years. Among the expected bidders are Zetor Tractors, which has developed a new tracked IFV for military-use in the form of the WOLFDOG.

January 2017 saw the Czech MoD award a $82 million contract to…

Hear from Brigadier General Zsolt SÁNDOR, DCOM HDF JFC (Chief of LF) in this presentation delivered during from our last Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe. Read more on the Armoured and Mechanized Capability Building in a New Security Era and how the Hungarian forces have approached this critical issue.

Within this presentation explore:

• The new security environment and perspectives
• Current challenges
• Government responses to these challenges
• Military responses to these challenges
• Key resources and points of timelines

Explore these issues and more in the full presentation available here >>

The armoured vehicle market in Eastern Europe is flourishing, with over US$4 billion under contract for new vehicles, along with modernisation programmes.

Ahead of Armoured Vehicles Eastern Europe, Defence IQ compiled a regional market report, outlining key ongoing programmes and requirements. Learn more about:

• Czech Army's plans to procure 210 tracked armoured vehicles to replace its BMP-2 tracked IFVs
• Romania's contract with GDELS to receive 227 PIRANHA 5 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicles
• Poland's Rosomak Battle Management Systems programme

Hungary's upcoming Zrínyi 2026 defence plan is a sign that the European land systems market is back on track

The European armoured vehicles market is now estimated to lead the world over the next ten years, and will likely account for around one third of the global requirement.

Among those nations investing more readily into these platforms is Hungary, which recently announced it will increase total defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP as early as 2024. 

Defence iQ spoke with Attila Zsitnyányi, president of the Defence Industry Association of Hungary, to discuss the exciting progress being made in his home nation...