There can only be one worldwide leader when it comes to military might, so everyone else is designing and building weapons systems and then selling them at trade shows like Eurosatory 2012, the world’s largest military weapons expo.
Held in Paris from June 11-15, Eurosatory 2012 hosted 120 delegations and 34 national vendors, including a rapidly growing contingent from Asia and the Middle East. Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan, Turkey and UAE all presented for the first time this year.
“Western armed forces generally, and land forces in particular, are facing significant cuts in capability,” Mark Phillips, head of land warfare for the defence think tank Royal United Services Institute, told Fox News. “The expanded participation by Russia and China was therefore a challenging juxtaposition: these countries… are increasingly producing high specification equipment.” And here are five of their most intimidating systems. [FoxNews]
China’s Sky Dragon
The Sky Dragon is a SAM system with a 50km range and an 80 per cent shoot-down efficiency. The system is reputedly capable of aiming 12 interceptors simultaneously and can track up to 140 concurrent inbound threats. Image: TRIS [clear]
China’s Anti-Riot and the Riot Control Suit
With increasing civil unrest and stronger calls for democratic reforms, Chinese police and military forces face more and more violent clashes with protesters. The New Anti Riot and the Riot Control Suit from the Zhejiang Yingfu company protects against stabbing, bludgeoning, and even against a “a steel ball of 7.5 kilograms” — you know, just in case the protesters bring a cannon. Image: Alibaba [clear]
Russia’s Saiga-12 Shotgun
Made by Izhmash, the Saiga-12 is designed for law enforcement. Beyond standard and Magnum rounds, the Saiga-12 can also fire less-than-lethal bean bags and rubber buckshot. [clear]
Russia’s “Terminator” Tank
Overkill doesn’t begin to describe the Uralvagonzavod BMPT; it’s more like an armoury with treads — four Ataka anti-tank missile launchers, a 7.62 machine gun, dual 30mm AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and a two-man turret with dual 30mm cannons on top. [clear]
Russia’s Orsis Sniper Rifle
While it may not be able to drop a Taliban fighter from a mile and a half, the Orsis T-5000 precision sniper rifle is among the most accurate in the world, winning this year’s Sniper World Cup. It’s available in both .338 Lapua Magnum and .308 Winchester versions. [clear]