Despite the persistence of the global coronavirus pandemic, IDEX 2021, one of the world's largest traditional defence technology and technology fairs, will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from February 21 to 25. Traditionally, the Czech companies of CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP (CSG) holding, will not be missing among the exhibitors.

Hundreds of companies from several dozen countries around the world periodically exhibit at the IDEX, which takes place every two years. Among them, the CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP exhibition has traditionally attracted great attention. The companies of CSG holding – EXCALIBUR ARMY, RETIA, MSM GROUP and the TATRA TRUCKS will present several novelties and interesting exhibits at the IDEX 2021.

TATRA TRUCKS

At the IDEX 2021, TATRA TRUCKS will present a logistics vehicle 8x8 and a special military chassis 4x4. In the first case, it will be a Tatra Force 8x8 heavy logistics truck, which is equipped with a short, armoured cabin produced by Tatra Defense Vehicle company. Vehicle is built on a unique Tatra chassis with a central backbone tube and swinging independently suspended half-axles. The first two axles are steerable, and all wheels are equipped with a central tyre inflation system (CTIS). 

Picture: Tatra Force 8x8 heavy logistics truck is equipped with a short, armoured cabin produced by Tatra Defense Vehicle company. | TATRA TRUCKS

The total maximum weight of the truck is 38 tons, its capacity is almost 20 tons of cargo and it is equipped with a hydraulic crane with a capacity of almost 6 tons. Up to 8 NATO standard pallets or folding benches for 24 soldiers can be placed on the loading area. The truck is powered by a six-cylinder Cummins engine with an output of 325 kW, which is combined with a fully automatic six-speed Allison 4500 series transmission. The vehicle is designed for operation in the most demanding terrain and in various climatic conditions.

The second exhibit will be a special chassis of the Tatra Force model series in the 4x4 design with the engine located in front of the front axle. It is a Tatra 4x4 chassis platform with a central backbone tube and swinging independently suspended half-axles designed as a base for various armoured vehicles.

The three-dimensional space solid frame created by connection of backbone tube and welded ladder frame is exceptionally rigid against torsion and bending. This unit, together with the independently suspended half-axles, gives the vehicle exceptional resistance to shocks and vibrations, protects the superstructures against torsion and stress, and enables fast driving even in off-road conditions.

Picture: The second exhibit will be a special chassis of the Tatra Force model series in the 4x4 design with the engine located in front of the front axle. | TATRA TRUCKS

In addition, the backbone tube also protects driveline shafts from transfer case to the wheels and differentials that are placed inside, against dust, moisture, and outer mechanical damages (service-free design without cardan shaft torque distribution). The maximum weight of a vehicle with this chassis can be up to 19 tons, with 10 tons per load. The Cummins engine with an output of 242 kW is installed on the chassis and it cooperates with a fully automatic Allison 3200 series gearbox. The maximum speed of the chassis is 115 km / h.

EXCALIBUR ARMY

For IDEX 2021 exhibition EXCALIBUR ARMY in cooperation with EDGE Group partner company prepares the world premiere of a new artillery system - the new DITA 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The new howitzer will extend the EXCALIBUR ARMY portfolio of its artillery systems on Tatra chassis.

The DITA is equipped with a 155 mm L45 gun with firing range up to 39 km with NATO HE base bleed standard ammunition. There are 40 pieces of 155 mm ammunition in conveyors in turret. The DITA howitzer has a modular design, it means that the turret with a gun and ammunition in conveyors can be installed on various, partially modified, wheeled, or tracked chassis.

Picture: For IDEX 2021 exhibition EXCALIBUR ARMY in cooperation with EDGE Group partner company prepares the world premiere of a new artillery system - the new DITA 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. | EXCALIBUR ARMY

Another interesting feature of DITA howitzer is only a two-person crew. This is possible thanks to the high-level automation of gun control system and the ability of the turret to operate in fully autonomous mode. The crew consists only of the driver and the commander, and this crew operate the howitzer and the turret from the chassis cab. Aiming and setting the weapon in the firing position is fully automatic using the Automatic Setting of Action Position (A.S.A.P.) electronic guidance system with a ballistic computer.

EXCALIBUR ARMY in cooperation with EDGE Group partner company will also present the Patriot II armoured vehicle on the Tatra chassis. Patriot II is a vehicle with modular design and of the 13-17.5 tons weight category. Thanks to its versatility and modularity, Patriot II is suitable for combat deployment, patrol, or reconnaissance missions.

It can also be used by security forces and civilian forces, such as police, firefighters, paramedics, security services and others. The design of the vehicle allows installation of various weapons stations with machine guns and cannons up to 20 mm calibre and grenade launchers. Water-cooled Cummins engines or air-cooled Tatra diesel engines are available.

Picture: EXCALIBUR ARMY in cooperation with EDGE Group partner company will also present the Patriot II armoured vehicle on the Tatra chassis. | EXCALIBUR ARMY

RETIA

RETIA company will present at the CSG exhibition the 3D radar ReGUARD, which had its world premiere in Abu Dhabi two years ago. The ReGUARD multi-purpose radar is the first 3D radar developed and manufactured in the Czech Republic. ReGUARD is designed for the detection and tracking of ground targets and slow low-flying objects with a small radar cross section (LSS) simultaneously.

ReGUARD can detect and track objects with a small radar cross section up to 18 km with an altitude coverage of up to 3 km, while in the ground target mode the radar´s range is also 18 km. A specific feature of the radar is that it searches the space of interest by utilizing electronic beam steering and mechanical rotation of the radar head.

Picture: ReGUARD can detect and track objects with a small radar cross section up to 18 km with an altitude coverage of up to 3 km, while in the ground target mode the radar´s range is also 18 km. | RETIA

The design of the ReGUARD radar is flexible and exclusively uses semiconductor technology, which ensures high reliability of the system, including parts redundancy. ReGUARD belongs to the category of pulse-doppler 3D radars and it can exist in portable, stationary, or mobile configurations. ReGUARD is characterized by its compact dimensions and low weight, e.g. the radar head weighs only 65 kg.

The versatility of the ReGUARD radar is underlined by the possibility of using it either as a standalone sensor or as an integral part of a complex system. The radar enables simultaneous monitoring of ground and flying targets and can capture a wide range of objects. It is therefore suitable, e.g., to protect borders or important infrastructure, and it will work well in anti-drone systems, e.g. for the protection of airports, but also in the air defence systems.

In addition to the ReGUARD radar, RETIA will also present special radar ReTWis 5 (RETIA Through-Wall Imaging System), which is able to track people's activities behind solid obstacles. The radar is able to detect live beings behind the wall, both in motion and without moving. The ReTWis 5 radar uses the ultra-broadband (UWB) radar technology. UWB technology is specific with its high-resolution ability, difficult to be disturbed and virtually does not interfere with other radio systems.

Picture: In addition to the ReGUARD radar, RETIA will also present special radar ReTWis 5 (RETIA Through-Wall Imaging System), which is able to track people's activities behind solid obstacles. | RETIA

Advantage is also an easy signal breakthrough, through the wall or through other non-metallic barriers. The visual outputs of the hidden objects behind the walls are displayed based on impulses processing which are emitted from them. The signal processing of the radar ReTWis 5 is optimized to detect small changes caused by human or animal movement, allowing the location of, for example, a person just by breathing.

The visual output from the ReTWis 5 radar can be displayed in 2D or 3D with a range of up to 40 m and can be positioned up to 20 m from the obstacle behind which searched persons become visible. The radar is a highly mobile device and with its weight of 3.25 kg it is easily portable and quick to use. The use of ReTWis is versatile – it can be used, for example, by security and armed forces.

MSM GROUP

MSM GROUP will present the range of its modern medium-calibre and large-calibre ammunition for artillery systems, tanks, and mortars. It includes products from the portfolio of the Spanish manufacturer Fábrica de Municiones de Granada (FMG) as well. FGM became part of MSM GROUP last year.

Among the exhibits will be, for example, a Antos 60 mm mortar. It is a very light weapon designed for airborne and special forces and for the crews of APC and IFV as equipment for fire support. The light weight of the mortar enables easy moving of the operator with the weapon in difficult terrain and during displacement. The weight is 5.3 kg with a liquid sight and 4.9 kg with a mechanical sight. In addition to low weight, the mortar is also characterized by a short time needed to take a firing position, and high speed and accuracy of shooting. The maximum fire range is 1200 m.
The mortar is made of high strength aluminium alloys, titanium alloys and light plastic parts. The mortar can be easily disassembled into several parts, which facilitates easy maintenance. MSM GROUP will also present 60 mm mortar ammunition weighing 1.4 kg with a fire range of up to 1200 m.

Picture: Among the exhibits will be, for example, a Antos 60 mm mortar. It is a very light weapon designed for airborne and special forces and for the crews of APC and IFV as equipment for fire support. | MSM GROUP

The mortar bomb consists of a body filled with an active substance (explosive or smoke composition), a head fuse and a stabilizer. MSM GROUP produces 60 mm mortar bombs in HEF (TNT), HEI (Thermobaric HE), Smoke (Red Phosphorus), Practise (Black Powder), Training, HEI-HP (Thermobaric HE) and Incendiary (Red Phosphorus) versions.

The 155 mm artillery ammunition made by MSM GROUP is suitable for a number of artillery systems and howitzers used around the world. It can be used against live targets, lightly armoured targets, and buildings. MSM GROUP offers a wide range of 155 mm ammunition for operational use and training, such as highly explosive and smoke shells of various types. The MSM GROUP ammunition is equipped with the KZ 984 fuse of its own design of a NATO standard, ammunition can also be equipped with a fuse by other manufacturers.

Picture: The 155 mm artillery ammunition made by MSM GROUP is suitable for a number of artillery systems and howitzers used around the world. | MSM GROUP

Ammunition 155 mm type HE ER BB and HE ER FB BB allow a fire range of more than 30 km when shooting from a weapon with a barrel of 39 calibres length, and up to 43 km when shooting from a weapon with a barrel of 52 calibres length. Ammunition has been tested with the weapon systems such as Zuzana, Nora B-52, G5 and G6, M109, M198, FH-70, Krab, KH-179 and many others. MSM GROUP currently supplies 155 mm ammunition to almost 20 countries around the world.

MSM GROUP will also present 105 mm HE-M1 artillery ammunition, and 105 mm HE R-105-60 and 120 mm HE G-201 tank ammunition from FMG company portfolio. These products are implemented in many armies around the world and widely used in NATO countries.

Picture: Ammunition 155 mm type HE ER BB and HE ER FB BB allow a fire range of more than 30 km when shooting from a weapon with a barrel of 39 calibres length, and up to 43 km when shooting from a weapon with a barrel of 52 calibres length. | MSM GROUP

The importance of IDEX is constantly growing. This is evidenced by the number of exhibitors – in 2017, more than 1 200 exhibitors from more than 57 countries had their exhibitions at the IDEX, two years later more than 1 300 exhibitors from 62 countries. In 2017 and 2019 companies of the CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP holding took an important place among European exhibitors.

CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP (CSG) is a holding company building on the tradition of the Czechoslovak industry, which promotes and further develops the activities of traditional Czech and Slovak companies in the field of civil and defence industrial production. Its portfolio comprises the manufacture and sale of engineering products for the automotive, railway, aerospace and watch industries, as well as the production of special vehicles, off-road trucks, weapons and weapon systems, and ammunition. The supreme quality of its products and services has always been a priority for CSG. The holding company also gives prominence to its export activities. CSG products have been sold on all the continents, and the number of its customers has been constantly growing.