*Christos Loizou

The session “Multi-domain and network-centric operations – Trends and solutions”, held within the framework of the international conference BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2023 which took place in Cyprus, was undoubtedly one of the most interesting sessions of the conference.

As part of this session, relevant presentations were made by representatives of international, Greek and Cypriot defence industry companies.

First, MBDA’s technical and military adviser, Christophe Balducchi, spoke about cooperation and innovation for a flexible defence. Among other things, he referred to the capitalization of the existing political support within the states for the maturation of new partnerships in the field of armaments.

He referred to existing opportunities for European states through the PESCO and EDF programs, as they add value to the EU’s defence institutions, help overcome defence dependencies, strengthen corporate partnerships within the EU while supplementing domestic spending through Europe. Among the programs is the trial of the AKERON MP missile in Cyprus, with beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) capabilities, within the framework of the LynkEUs program.

Also read: MBDA | Successful firings with AKERON MP of the LynkEUs program in Cyprus – VIDEO

Afterwards, the CEO of the Greek EODH, Mr. Andreas Mitsis, referred to the protection and survivability capabilities of battle tanks in the modern battlefield. Mr. Mitsis firstly referred to the conclusions from the use of armored vehicles in the recent war in Ukraine. He then presented the basic principles of tank protection, emphasizing that now threats against tanks also come from the air and not only from the ground.

Basic evidence of the tank’s survivability is that it cannot be detected, hit or pierced. Aerial threats require a total tank protection and survivability proposition. He then presented the ASPIS Armored Vehicle protection and survivability system (ASPIS Light and ASPIS Heavy). Among other things, he emphasized the need to balance technology and cost in order to be able to export systems. Subsequently, he presented upgrade proposals for the Leonidas Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and AMX 30 tanks – which were also presented to the National Guard – as well as for the M113 and M1117.

Subsequently, Dr. Panagiotis Filimis, CEO of the Cypriot company CyRIC, referred to unmanned aerial and ground systems and their use in the field of defence and security. Dr. Filimis mentioned the advantages offered by the unmanned aircraft and ground vehicles of the Cypriot CyRIC, which have great endurance and operational capabilities in difficult conditions.

Also, their modular structure provides a wide range of options to interested parties, while their portability provides advantages to the operator. In addition, their operation in closed and secure networks makes them suitable for protecting critical infrastructures. Also, for the first time, there was a presentation of CHIRON, CyRIC’s unmanned vehicle. The attendees had the opportunity to see the vehicle up close and learn about its capabilities.

Subsequently, the CEO of Cypriot SignalGeneriX, Dr. Tasos Kounoudis, presented the company’s innovative systems in the field of electronic signal processing and electronic warfare. Dr. Kounoudis initially stated that SignalGeneriX participates, among others, in 3 programs of the European Defence Fund (EDF) worth 65 million euros. SignalGeneriX systems are already strengthening the security forces of the Republic of Cyprus in the field of coastal surveillance and search and rescue. At the same time, the company participates in six European programs (EDIDP) including the LynkEUs program.

For the last 18 years, SignalGeneriX has been strengthening the defence systems research and development sector in Cyprus and providing combat-proven solutions. At the exhibition, the company also presented the innovative “frequency hunter” RF Hunter, a highly effective, undetectable electronic warfare system that works passively for the detection of transmission and analysis of wireless communication signals.

Also read: RF HUNTER® | Debut appearance in Cyprus at the International Defence and Security Conference “BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2023”

Afterwards, the CEO of ADDITESS, Nikos Koutras, made a presentation on advanced incident management tools / C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) from research to operational use. ADDITESS, based in Cyprus, provides systems used in the fields of security, border protection, critical infrastructure security and data management and visualization. The company participates in 21 funded research and development programs as well as in 3 European Defence Agency (EDA) programs through EDIDP and EDF. In terms of ​​border security, Mr. Koutras referred to the rising trends of illegal crossings recorded in Europe according to official data from FRONTEX.

Among other things, he presented the ADD C3 system for surveillance which provides a visual interface for the recorded image, sensor tracking, resource management and mission planning. He also presented the ADD C3 Mobile, the Cypriot-made mobile command and control center for border control, specialized for managing information from unmanned systems, which was also at the conference venue.

Also read: ADDITESS | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems in Cyprus and participation in European Defence and Security Programs

The next speaker, Dr. Vassilis Drakonakis, CEO of AmaDema, made a presentation on advanced composite materials and nanotechnology for defence. Referring to the field of nanotechnology, he introduced how nanotechnology improves ballistic performance using reinforced nanofibers.

The result of utilizing nanotechnology and nanofiber reinforcement is low cost, reduced weight, improved ballistic capabilities and the incorporation of additional functions. Products go through rigorous evaluation as well as physical and simulation tests. The goal at the operational level is to achieve low cost, upgrade armor for military vehicles, anti-tank protection and armor-piercing protection.

Also read: AMADEMA | Participates in “BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2023”, the Cyprus International Defence and Security Conference

Dr. Andreas Papanastasiou, CEO of Ecliptic Defence and Space, spoke on the subject of the Electromagnetic Battlefield and the dominance of the electromagnetic spectrum. Dr. Papanastasiou introduced technological changes which have always formed the battlefield, providing significant advantages. He stated that the electromagnetic spectrum refers to the range of electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Dominance in the electromagnetic field gives a modern military – regardless of size – the ability to control the use of the spectrum to prevent the enemy from moving freely in the field and using it to their advantage.

Subsequently, Dr. Haris Zacharatos, CEO of CELLOC, spoke about the applications of artificial intelligence in the field of defence and security.

CELLOC is one of the oldest research and development companies in Cyprus, with software and hardware products in the field of artificial intelligence. The company cooperates, among others, with the Ministry of Shipping in the field of coastal observation, while the “ZEUS” portable system was presented at the exhibition.

Dr. Zaharatos emphasized that the biggest danger relating to artificial intelligence is when people rush to say they have understood it. In response to a common question on the issue, he said that AI can create AI, but it is up to humans to train it.

Afterwards, Alexandros Ioakimidis, Sales Manager of ALTUS LSA proceeded with a presentation on Unmanned Aerial Systems and multi-domain operations. The Greek company ALTUS LSA cooperates with agencies and provides solutions with applications on land, sea and air. He presented two unmanned aerial vehicles at the exhibition.

Also read: ALTUS LSA | Agreement with Hellenic Navy for the procurement of UAV helicopters A900

Among them is the ATLAS 4 which is used in Greece to transport pharmaceutical material to the islands, and it will also be used in the summer by Frontex in Italy. Furthermore, Mr. Ioakimidis presented the ATLAS 204, the smallest system with a small footprint and operational capabilities in a difficult electromagnetic environment, which is already used by the Greek Army.

A mockup of the ATLAS 8, the company’s largest system under development, was also presented. He also mentioned the sensors carried by the company’s drones as well as mobile control centers, while the company is also working on developing a fully autonomous drone.

Finally, Arnaud de La Serraz, Director Sales South Europe/LATAM/CANADA of ARQUUS, made a presentation entitled “From 6-wheel vehicles to multi-sensor platforms”. Arquus supplied the National Guard with VAB and VLRA vehicles. The French company employs 1500 people and supplies 90% of the vehicles of the French Army. The company’s aim is to add value to the vehicle itself as the modern battlefield is not only about power, protection and mobility, it needs research and innovation. Target identification, target separation and team coordination in the field are critical to add asset and personnel value.

Information is transmitted in real time in the field using various sensors and neutralization systems (soft and hard kill). Therefore, a simple 6X6 vehicle becomes a complex system. Arquus vehicle subsystems are controlled by the Battlenet command and control system. He mentioned the Hornet turret that can be integrated into the VAB, the “Gunshot Acoustic Detector” sensor as well as the possibility of a panoramic view of the field, while the company is also developing a manned air vehicle.

The VAB is thus transformed from a vehicle into a system with various subsystems that add power and efficiency. Finally, Mr. Arnaud de La Serraz emphasized that information is the most critical part of the mission.

Also read: BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2023 | ARQUUS’s multilayered participation with special interest in the National Guard