Defence Posture in Jordan

Jordanian Hashemite Kingdom strategy observes peaceful relations and cooperation with other countries, provided that these countries adhere to the tenets of the United Nations. Jordanian government focuses on developing and achieving higher rates of GNP. These peaceful approaches did not lessen the belief of Jordanian leadership in the necessity of developing defence capabilities for the country.

The area of Jordan is 92,000 Km2, 4.5% of which are agrarian areas, and most of the six million people live in the green areas (less than 1% of the total area). The high demographic growth in the country imposes a series of challenges, such as providing water, and the continuous development of the infrastructure in the country. The need of fresh water in Jordan is a major preoccupation. GDP in Jordan reached some 31 Billion Dollars in 2009, and per capita share of this GDP was $5,000. Exports reached 6.5 Billion Dollars, while imports reached 15.6 Billion in 2009. The country is rich in natural resources, such as phosphates, and potassium.

Jordanian armed forces are considered one of the most efficient in the world. The Jordanian army having fought successfully many military operations is now better equipped than before. Elite forces have what is called Special Operations Command, and special operations air force.

The military tenet of the Jordanian army is defensive by nature. The army has two armoured divisions; each division has two mechanical infantry brigades, one armoured brigade, one artillery brigade, and one air defence artillery.

Military Industries

Jordanian army engineering workshops excelled in modifying and enhancing Centurion tanks (renamed Tarek). These workshops also modified Chieftain and Challenger tanks. King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau KADDB has all the accumulated experience of Jordanian Army workshops. Jordan has 1000 tanks, 1138 armoured vehicles, 351 cannons (mostly 155 mm), and a good number of TOW missiles.

Air Forces

Jordanian air forces rely on 52 F16 jets, 24 Mirage F1, and 20 F5. Jordan has 10 military transport airplanes, and there are 2 squadrons of Super Puma helicopters, and 21 AH-ISW Cobra helicopter fighters.

Main Battle Tanks: New Developments

New developments in main battle tanks are confined in Asian countries, while in western countries and Russia these developments are minor. Some of these developments render tank as one of the mass destruction tools, and one capable of destroying whole cities with its 155 mm cannons, and probably other weapons.

Among the new systems added to the tanks are the ‘negative’ systems (soft killing) distorting missiles’ heads. Positive systems target missiles by bullets or bombs. The Russians developed the new RPG-30 with its two shells; one is deceiving, while the other is real.

Americans and Europeans acknowledge the important role of tanks in modern battles, but what happened to the Canadians in Afghanistan convinced them of the importance of tanks (after they withdrew them from battlefields).

Altay: 250 of these tanks will be made in Turkey in cooperation with South Korean companies. Some of the technologies in Black Panther tank will be transferred to Altay. This tank will be capable of overcoming water impediments, while its range would reach 540 Km, and its speed 70 Km.

Black Panther: This new Korean tank (90% design and production is Korean). This modern tank weighs 55 tons, its length 7.5 meters, width 3.1 meters, and its height is 2.2 meters. Its maximum speed is 70 Km/hour.

Type-10: Japanese- made tank can be carried by C-17, or by train. Specifications: Weight: 44 tonnes, length 9.42 meters, height: 2.30 meters, speed 70 meters. Type-99 A2: The main aspect of this Chinese tank is the active APS. Engine power: 1500 hp. Weight: 54 tonnes. Length: 11 meters. Width: 3.4 meters. Height: 2.2 meters.

Leopard-2: German army has 2125 of these tanks. It is widely used by NATO countries. Weight: 59.7 tonnes. It has 1500 hp diesel engine. Its length is 9.97 meters, 3.74 meters in width. Its maximum speed is 72 km/hour; its range is 500 km.

Leclerc: This French tank entered service in the year 1992. The French army has 406 tanks, while Emirates has 436. Its modern turret carries 120 mm gun, and it is equipped with a computerized firing system. Specifications: Weight: 56.5 tonnes, 1500 hp diesel engine, and length 9.87 meters, height: 2.53 meters, maximum speed 72 km, range: 550 km.

Other Types of tanks:
The British Challenger-2. W: 62.5 tonnes. Engine: 1200 hp. L: 11.55
T-90.S: A modified version of the Russian T-72. W:46.5m. L9.53
Abrams M1A2: One of the heaviest and oldest in the world. W63 tonnes. Engine power: 1500 hp. Length 9.83 meters. Width: 3.65 m. Maximum speed 67.6 Km/hr. Range 426 Km.

Communication System for Ground Forces

Military radio communications have increased in importance since WW2. Military Signal Corps that operated in mid twentieth century became the Communication Systems with the use of the most modern technology.

Communications equipment use various frequencies: High Frequency (15-30 MHz). Very High Frequency (30 – 300 MHz),), Ultra High Frequency (300-1000 MHz) and those are used in communications via satellites

1- Companies producing defence systems in America and Europe are trying to simplify communications system. Traditional land units are linked with Digital Central Network Systems. European armies are adopting modern technologies in the advanced Command, Control, Communications &information. These systems play an important role in the Network Centric Warfare, and the Electronic Warfare. Encryption systems are required by both civil and military personnel.

1- Rohde & Schwarz: Is one of the prominent German companies in the field of producing tactical radio communications system. Its systems cover frequencies between 1.5 and 512 Mega Hertz. The products of these companies are varied, such as MR3000 with its advanced antenna.

2- THALES: A prominent French communications company that produces Joint Tactical Radio systems with its advanced engineering technologies which is useful for Central Network Warfare. THALES produces a wide range of systems, such as RACAL PANTHER, the smallest system carried on the back. Another system is the PR4G family, which is widely used by the French forces. The company produces the TRC 3700 HF Radio.

3- HARRIS: One of the largest American suppliers of digital communications equipment to armed forces. HARRIS produces the FALCON II family of integrated communications, such as RF-5800.

4- CRYPTO: The most prominent Swiss company specializing in information security. The company designed tactical and strategic systems using HF, VHF, and UHF for communications in the battlefield through the central telephone network, or through radio.

5- DATRON: This American company produces the tactical system PRC 4100H using HF frequency, which is widely used by American army units because of its capability to modulation. Another system made by DATRON is the handy HH7700. Another portable system in the company’s collection is the G25RPV 100 which is a member of the GUARDIAN family.

Assault Helicopters in Combat

The importance of helicopters in combat was first perceived by the Americans in the Korean War. But the French did not hesitate in transforming transport helicopters into combat ones in the Vietnamese war they fought in the fifties of the last century, and then in their war in Algiers. Helicopters played an important role in transporting soldiers to mountainous posts of the rebels. French navy modified Sikorsky H-34 helicopters, and installed the German MG151-20 in it. The Americans and the British, on the other hand, focused on arming assault helicopters against submarines. With the ensuing of the Vietnam War, the American commanders noticed the need of helicopters capable of attacking enemy concentrations. Hue UH-1B helicopters were modified and equipped with machine guns and rocket launchers. The Cheyene AH-56 were designed and made in the mid sixties of the last century. The Russians, in turn equipped their MI-8 with two rocket launchers, and were used in their war in Afghanistan.

The manoeuvrability of a helicopter is its real combat capability. Apache AH-64 A/D, Cobra, MI-A28, and Tiger helicopters participated in different wars.

USA: 1- Apache AH-64 A/D Specifications: 30 mm gun with 1200 rounds, Hydra, Hellfire, and Stinger rocket missiles. Full weight: 8 tonnes, maximum take-off weight: 10.4 tonnes. Engines: General Electric, maximum speed 293 km/hr.

2- Super Cobra. 20 mm Gatlimg type M-197. Hydra 70 (70 mm) air to land rockets. TOW, Hellfire AGM-114, Sideways AIM-9 rockets.

Italy: Agusta A 129 was made in the Eighties, and modified in 1990. This helicopter is equipped with rocket missiles, Hellfire AGM-114, anti tank TAO, Stinger, or Mistral rockets. Take-off weight of Agusta is 4600 Kg. Agusta has two Rolls-Royce engines. Maximum speed is 278 Km/hr. Linear range: 100 Km.

Russia: A- KA-50: Weapons 30 mm Shiponov gun. Rocket missiles: 80 mm S-8, Fimbel air to air rocket. Length: 13.5 meters. Height: 5.4 meters. Take-off weight10.8 tonnes. Maximum Speed: 390 Kg/hr. Combat range 460 Km/hr.

B- MI- A28: 30 mmShiponov 2A42, 2360 Kg of weaponry, rockets. Length: 17.1 m. Height: 3.82 meters. Take-off weight: 11.5 tonnes. Engines: Klimov TV3-117 VMA. Maximum speed: 302 Km/hr. Range 1100 Km.

C- MI-N28: Equipped with night vision instruments. It has the same weaponry as MI-A28.

Dimdex 2010

Dimdex 2010 is the biggest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region, and was held in 29th March 2010. Leading companies of naval defence industry, and representing 35 countries were present in the show that attracted more than 7000 visitors. Middle East and North Africa area will be spending 30 Billion Dollars on warships by the year 2030.

Leading Exhibitors:

Qatar participated through 19 companies, most leading were: EADS Defence and Security (Doha branch), Nakilat Ship Building, and Sofia Trading for Military Products.

Turkey participated through 18 companies, most leading were: SSM, STM, Havelsan, IDEF show.

France. Most leading of the fifteen French participants were: GICAN, CMN, DCNS, DCI, MBDA, NEXTER, THALES, and EURONAVAL show.

Germany. The most leading among the thirteen German participating companies were: Abeking &Rasmussen, Aeromaritime, Atlas Electronick, Diehl, Lurssen, and Thyssenkrupp.

United Arab Emirates. Participated through 8 companies, the most leading were ADSB, Rheinmetall, and DB Schenker.

USA.The most leading among the six participating companies were: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon.

Italy. The most leading among the six Italian participating companies are Fincantieri, OTO Melara, and SELEX.

Russia. The most leading among the five participating companies were Rosoboronexport, Concern, and Russian Technologies. The Russian wing exhibited various models of Russian naval weapons and more than fifty types of warships, submarines, and boats including 8000 rocket destroyers. Among the exhibitions were submarine project 636 that carries Club-S and Club-M rockets, and the mobile coastal defence system.

Boeing, the American giant, was present in Dimedex 2010, and exhibited the UAV Scan Eagle, and Integrator.

Turkish defence industry products were strongly present in Dimdex. These include tactical vehicles, naval platforms, Aerospatiale products, and defensive electronics such as radars, ammunitions, machineguns, and rocket launchers.

A Middle East Naval Commanders conference was held alongside Dimdex. The theme of the conference was Providing Naval Security. This conference was organized by RUSI, and is due to be an integral part of Dimdex in the future.

Egyptian Naval Forces

Egyptian navy will play an important role in any naval struggle in the Middle East area in the future. There are plans to design the HDW-214 NSWE Type submarine, but financing remains the main obstacle in any project. Egyptian navy is considered larger than the Israeli navy.

History: Egyptian Navy goes back to the post World War 2 era. The navy had several successes during the Palestine war of 1948. Among these were the blockade and closure of Tel Aviv port in Jun 4th, and the bombardment of the seaport of Naharia, in June 1948, participating of the naval battle of El Magdel in Oct. 17th, 1949. In October 1956 the navy lost one of its destroyers on the night of October 31st. Two Egyptian torpedoes were sunk by Anglo-French aircraft in that year.

The 1967 Arab-Isreali War witnessed the sinking of the Isreali destroyer Eilat by anti-ship missiles launched from two fast patrol boats. This operation indicating the first successful employment of these new weapons.

Current naval forces include: Submarines: 4 modernised pr033 (Romeo). Frigates: 4 FFG-7 class frigates, 2 Knox FF frigates. Missile Patrol Craft: 6 Ramadan, 5 Type 148 Tiger class, 6 October class, 6 Type 024 Houku class. Patrol Craft: 8 Type 037 Hainan class, 4 Type 062 Shanghai II class, 5 Shershen class PT. Mine Warfare: 8 Osprey class MHC, 4 pr266 Yurka class, 3 Dt Assawari CMH-1 class MSI. Amphibious Warfare: 3Polnocny-A pr770 class, 9 pr106A Vydra class LCU, 6 SEAFOX SDV. Major Auxiliaries: 1ex-GEN Type 700 AE, 1 ex-GEN Type 701 AOR, 1 El Hurreya AP class troopship, 1 El Horria AG class presidential yacht.

Naval aviation component comprises 10 Kaman SH-2G (E) SEASPRITE ASW ship-borne helicopters, and shore-based helicopters including 5 SEA KING Mk47, 12 AS.342L GAZELLE. The Egyptian Coast Guard is also an important player in inshore surveillance, protection duties, counter-terrorism, counter-infiltration, and anti-smuggling. It numbers just under 50 craft, the largest being nine 28.3 meters craft built by Swift-Ships. Total paramilitary forces number about 330,000 and these operate under the control of the ministry of interior.

The Egyptian Navy’s most important current shipbuilding programme is the current contract with VT Halter Marine (US) for Phase II design and the construction of three Ambassador III class corvettes. The VT Halter Marine announcement noted that ‘Phase I of the project’ was worth 249 Million Dollars. The new contract is to build three FMC and work on Phase II commencing immediately, with the delivery of the first FMC expected by 2012. The FMC is designed to perform coastal patrol, surveillance, surface strike and naval battle group support.

UAV’s for Warships

UAV helicopters concept goes back to the fifties of the last century when US Navy concerned itself with the anti-submarines QH-50 helicopter.

DCNS announced the completion of a take-off and landing operation of CAMPOCTER S-100, the UAV helicopter made by Schiebel. The operation took place in the Mediterranean. The secret of the DCNS success was SADA system of this UAV, which enables it to land on a heliport within two minutes. The system sends instructions to the UAV to modify its position until it becomes above the center of the heliport. This is an important step towards simplifying the take-off and landing operations of UAv’s.

Fixed-wing UAV’s have been used long ago by naval forces. The most famous of which are: RQ-2 Pioneer, and SCAN EAGLE which is made by Boeing-Insitu.

BAE Systems developed HERTI and CORAX in complete secrecy, and lately announced the design of a Vertical Take-off and Landing UAV named AMPERSAND.

Bell Helicopter Textron developed the first tilt rotor plane in the world. This UAV, named TR-918 EAGLE Eye, can fly as long as 3 hours, and flies as far as 140 Km. This UAV was to be equipped with a Telephonics RDR -1700 radar, and a thermal filming system called Star SAFIRE-III, but the whole project was abandoned.

The Swedish Cyperio designed APID-55 UAV. APID-55 was designed to perform many roles (targeting land and naval posts, coastal and land borders’ surveillance, in addition to participation in electronic war. EADS Defence and Security is executing two programs (concerning VTOL UAV helicopter): SHARK and ORKA. SHARK, suitable for coast guard missions and transporting a cargo of 60 Kg, and capable of working 4 hours continuously at a speed of 160 Km/hr. ORCA can work for 8 hours in each mission.

Northrop Grumman is working on a program concerning MQ-8 FIRE SCOUT. This UAV helicopter can work for 12 hours continuously at a speed of 154 Km/hr. Its range of operation is 158 Km away of the ship. FIRE SCOUT was experimented with rocket missiles having a speed of 75 Km/hr. SAAB Aero-Systems is developing SKELDAR-150.

The Austrian company Schiebel is the company nowadays having a ready for sale UAV helicopter, CAMCOPTER S-100 which completed an experimental week with the German navy (with the k 130 Guard-Ship) during which it executed a 20-hr flight consisting of 130 take-off and landing operations. Maximum take-off weight MTOW of this UAV is 200 Kg, and it is capable of working 6 hours continuously. CAMCOPTER S-100 won the admiration of the British navy, and a new version of the UAV will be offered matching the requirements of that navy.