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2021-07-08

ShieldAfrica 2021 Concludes on a High Note

Security challenges facing Africa were in sharp focus as the sixith edition of ShieldAfrica, the benchmark security and defence exhibition held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from June 8 to 10, 2021, concluded successfully.

“New security issues in African cities” remained the focus theme of the exhibition. The hybrid event held during the particularly challenging pandemic situation, witnessed four e-conferences, whose replays are available online, and three days of physical show in Abidjan.

The success of the event could be gauged by the fact that there were 95 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, and 91 official delegations, which turned out to be a record number. There were 3,000 overall participants.

The organisers have stated that they were happy to welcome the National Police School, public and private African officials who met more than 90 industrialists from all over the world to find solutions tailored to the current security challenges.

The seventh edition of ShieldAfrica is slated for 2023.

French Army Demo

The French army demonstrated its ability to conduct different types of missions on the modern battlefield at the exhibition. During a live demonstration, French army forces in Côte d’Ivoire presented scenarios of real combat situations.

The presence of French armed forces in Côte d’Ivoire started in January 2015. In 2016, French forces in Ivory Coast increased from 500 to 900 soldiers to form a forward operating base for West Africa.

One scenario of the French army live demonstration at ShieldAfrica consisted of a patrol using a VAB 4x4 armoured vehicle reacting to an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attack. IEDs are generally seen in terrorist actions or in asymmetric unconventional warfare by guerrillas or commando forces. An IED is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached to a detonating mechanism. IEDs are commonly used as roadside bombs.

Ivorian Police Demonstration

Separately, the Ivorian national police demonstrated the capabilities of the drone Matrice M200 at the event. The DJI Matrice 200 series drones are pro-quality machines. They were designed and built for heavy-duty applications such as precision agriculture, search and rescue, site mapping, power-line, telecom tower inspections, and solar inspections.
Within the Matrice 200 series, there are three models: the DJI M200, the DJI M210, and the DJI M210 RTK V2. Each of the Matrice 200 series models is capable of heavy-duty work necessary for a variety of industrial applications.

There are a few important variations that may lead you to prefer a specific model.

The M210 RTK (Real Time Kinematics) offers a more stable GPS lock in difficult environments, for example, in areas with high electromagnetic interference, such as around power lines.

Rafael’s Spike Anti-tank Missile

The Israeli company Rafael displayed different variants of fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile Spike (The Spike NLOS, the Spike ER2, the Spile LR2, and the Spike SR) at Shield Africa 2021.

Spike is an Israeli fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile with a tandem-charge HEAT warhead, currently in its fourth generation. It was developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants.

As well as engaging and destroying targets within the line-of-sight of the launcher (fire-and-forget), some variants of the missile are capable of making a top attack through a “fire, observe and update” method; the operator tracking the target, or switching to another target, optically through the trailing fibre-optic wire (or RF link in the case of the vehicle-mounted, long-range NLOS variant) while the missile is climbing to altitude after launch.

Naval Spike ER Missile

The Naval version of the Spike missile is available in two variants, the Naval Spike ER (Extended Range) and the Naval Spike NLOS (Non-Line-of-Sight).

At ShieldAfrica 2021, a launcher unit of the Naval Spike ER missile was showcased at the Rafael booth. The system consists of four launcher containers mounted on an unmanned turret which can be integrated on different types of warships, ranging from Rigid Hull Inflated Boats (RHIBs) to larger boats and ships. The system enables very fast sensor-to-shooter loop closure in day/night defensive and offensive scenarios, thereby ensuring mission success with surgical precision. It has high-precision engagement capability to ensure minimum collateral damage. In case of friendly force, the operator can abort the mission with the missile in-flight.

Elistair Showcases Drone

The latest generation of Elistair’s tethered drone, ORION 2 is an automated, powerful, and highly portable tethered UAS designed for continuous aerial day and night surveillance over large areas.

Continuously powered through its Kevlar-reinforced micro-tether, ORION 2 is capable of operating for 24 hours continuously at 100 metres height with two kg of payload and extended detection ranges up to 10 kilometres.

ORION 2 acts as a push-button tactical tower for both day and night applications and is especially suited for military operations, special forces, law enforcement, public safety entities, and private security.

The Orion 2 payloads combine state-of-the-art gimbal stabilisation and crystal-clear imagery with low latencies thanks to the micro-tether high-speed and interference-free data transfer.

Verney-Carron Displays FBSP

Verney-Carron, a French weapons-manufacturing company based in Saint-Etienne which has been making firearms, showcased the Flash-Ball Super Pro weapon and the Launcher 40.

The Flash-Ball SuperPro is a two barrels 44mm calibre non-lethal-weapon using rubber or felt ball. This is a less-lethal weapon specially designed to be used by police or security forces during law enforcement or riot control operations.

The design of the Flash-Ball SuperPro is ergonomic and used a double-action system as a standard pistol which offers single-hand use and makes accidental firing almost impossible.

The Launcher 40 is a less-lethal projectile launcher also developed and manufactured by the French Company Verney-Carron. It has a compact design offering a high level of manoeuvrability with a length from 33 to 55 cm and a maximum weight of 1.650 kg.

Kia Wad Motors’ KM450 Truck

The Malian Car dealer and manufacturer Wad Motors, which sells and assembles Kia military vehicles, displayed the Kia KM 450 light military truck.

The vehicles are assembled by Wad-Youngsan Industrie, founded by Wad Motors with the Korean company Youngsan, for which a factory was built in Banankoro.

The South Korean Kia KM450 is a 1-1/4-tonne cargo light military truck that was developed in Korea for the transportation of cargo and soldiers. It has been renovated with new functions that include a high horsepower engine and power train, and a new ergonomic design that allows for the convenience and safety of the operation of devices and instruments. The Kia KM450 can run at a maximum road speed of 104 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 700 km.

BMK Unveils Strela

The Russian company Military-Industrial Company LLC (BMK) unveiled its new 4x4 light amphibious armoured vehicle Strela at ShieldAfrica 2021.

The LLC Military Industrial Company is a Russian manufacturer of armoured military vehicles, including armoured personnel carriers. It was established in 2006 and is based in Moscow.

The Strela is designed to be used as APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) and can accommodate up to four military personnel including driver and commander.

The design of the vehicle consists of three main parts with the engine at the front, the crew in the middle, and the troop’s compartment at the rear. The Strela can be motorised with a YaMZ or a Cummins ISF 2.8 Diesel engine developing 200 hp. coupled to a five-speed manual transmission or to a six speed automatic transmission.

Delair UX11 Drone

French company Delair showcased its full range of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) family including the UX11 a professional fixed-wing mapping drone.

Delair is one of the international leaders in the development and manufacturing of drones for police, security, and military forces. Delair’s offer ranges from deploying Delair UAV technology, executing technical studies, and developing drone systems and subsystems.

The UX11 is a professional fixed-wing mapping drone capable of onboard data processing and with wireless and 3G/4G communications. It can scan areas of up to 500 acres at a 120-metre altitude.

The UX11 is available in two variants, the UX11 with RGB industrial camera and the UX11AG fitted with a multispectral camera. A multispectral image is one that captures image data within specific wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Delair drones provide quality accurate RGB, LiDAR, or multispectral data, which is necessary to build the digital twin and get business insights. Delair fixed-wing drones can also be the preferred choice for night and day surveillance of infrastructures or sensitive areas.

Theon Sensors’ NYX Products

Theon Sensors, an innovative and user-focused developer of night vision systems, showcased the NYX family of products.

NYX is a cutting-edge, full MIL-SPEC, image intensified, dual tube binocular that is able to be operated helmet-mounted, head-mounted or hand-held. It offers better depth perception than single tube systems making it easier to judge distances and relative motion so the ability to perform tasks such as driving is greatly improved.

NYX includes an integrated infrared illuminator, reducing the need for the warfighter to carry a separate illuminator. Image intensifiers enable soldiers to operate in low- and no-light combat scenarios more effectively than ever before and can easily be replaced at the unit level.

Sofema Armament System

French Company Sofema, specialised in the refurbishing of combat armoured and military equipment, exhibited the HADèS20 armament system.

This system has been developed under Sofema’s supervision; it consists of a 20mm M693 (CN MIT 20 F2) gun mounted on a tailor-made carriage.

The GIAT Industries 20 mm F2 (otherwise known as M693) is a dual feed autocannon which fires the standard 20x139 mm munitions. It is a gas operated autocannon that has three firing modes, those being single shot, burst and safe.

The gas system of the weapon operates via two vents on either side of the barrel, through which the gases push against the two pistons.

Aeronautics Group’s Orbiter 2 UAS

Aeronautics Group -provider of integrated turnkey solutions based on unmanned systems platforms, payloads, and communications for defence and HLS markets presented Orbiter 2 UAS.

The Orbiter 2 MUAS is a compact, lightweight man-portable system designed for use at tactical levels. It serves a variety of military missions including intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR).

Orbiter 2 MUAS can support full-intensity warfare missions, and serve operations at low-intensity warfare, counter-insurgency, and urban warfare.

The system is operated and controlled by the Aeronautics proprietary Multi Operation Aerial Vehicle (MOAV) software, an advanced interface developed in-house.

MOAV software is designed to serve a range of UAV platforms.

The digital datalink-fitted system has an extended endurance of up to 4 hours; payload capacity of 1.5 kg and operational radius of 100 km.

Cerbair Chimera Anti-Drone Kit

The French security and defence company Cerbair showcased Chimera 100 anti-drone kit which is a solution that has successfully merged drone detection and neutralisation technologies.

CHIMERA 100 is a complete portable counter-drone solution designed to detect, identify, track and neutralise rogue drones. It is the combination of the two systems (HYDRA, a mobile drone, and pilot detection unit, and MEDUSA a specially designed jammer) for special forces (police, gendarmerie, army, etc.).

It is composed of three connected hardware items: an antenna, located in the dedicated backpack, a digital C2 (Command and Control) tablet attached to the front of the tactical vest, and an effector.

Vigy Observer Surveillance System

The French company Safran presented Vigy Observer at ShieldAfrica. Vigy Observer is a stabilised panoramic naval surveillance system for the needs of the merchant navy, coast guards, customs or maritime affairs.

Modular and versatile, it features multiple optronic sensors (cooled or non-cooled infrared imager, colour video camera, laser rangefinder) and excellent gyro-stabilisation ensuring it is easy to use, day or night.

Vigy Observer is small and light, easy to fit and needs no changes to be made to the vessel’s structure. It has a control console, a joystick and a monitor and is ready to use immediately. Featuring a compact, modular design, it can be installed on any type of ship, from merchant marine freighters to coast guard interceptors or fast patrol boats.

Two-i Video-Protection Solution

French tech company, Two-i, showcased comprehensive video content analytics software solution at the exhibition.

Two-i was represented by CEO Guillaume Cazenave. Two-i, which specialises in AI-based video-protection technology solutions, has introduced its innovative video content analytics software.

Its solution offers:

- Real-time alert system to provide the proactive anti-intrusion solution

- Statistical data analysis to provide business intelligence

- Video-based search system to facilitate time-sensitive forensic investigation processes

- Cartographic data/analytics display system to serve as a centralised security platform for multi-site security overview.

Two-i exhibited in collaboration with another French company Heracles.

OMAT Takes Part

OMAT is a French company specialised in military vehicles, which participated for the first time in ShieldAfrica.

The company offers:

-Sale of military vehicles (4x4, 6x6, engineering, artillery, armoured or not)

-Maintenance in operational condition (repair, reconditioning to new)

-Modernisation (new engine, automatic gearbox, insulation, air-conditioning, additional shielding, new saddlery)

-Technical assistance

-Maintenance training

-Supply of spare parts

OCEA OPV 270

Founded in 1987 in Les Sables d’Olonne, the OCEA group is a leader in innovative aluminium design and shipbuilding and logistical support. OCEA now generates 95 per cent of its turnover from exports.

The OCEA OPV 270 is a world premiere offshore patrol vessel, selected by the Philippine Coast Guard after an international competition for its exceptional performances, matching the demanding operational requirements of their missions.

The first year of operations confirmed that the vessel is more than capable to perform beyond its contractual specification of 20 knots of speed, a range of 8000 nautical miles at 15 knots, and an endurance of up to 5 weeks of operation.

Arquus Fortress MK1

Historically present on the French-speaking African trade shows, Arquus participated this year too in ShieldAfrica.

Designed to answer the intensification of the threats encountered on the battlefield, the Fortress Mk1 combines the very high mobility of the Fortress and brand new capabilities in terms of protection and firepower. More aggressive and even better protected, the Fortress Mk1 is a modern, high-performance vehicle, well adapted to current and future operational commitments. It combines mobility, firepower and protection in a single multi-purpose vehicle, developed to meet the demands of Arquus’ customers and partners.

Grand Show

With the show witnessing gripping activities for three days, ShieldAfrica successfully offered appropriate responses to security and defence needs for the development of Africa through various means like managing resources, fighting against cross-border terrorism, and securing fast-growing urbanisation.

The event incredibly offered land, naval and air solutions to protect Africa’s development.

The latest edition proved to be a roaring success despite the challenging situation and that clearly hints at yet another grand show in 2023.

Reference Text/Photo:www.shieldafrica.com

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