CASR

Defence
Budget & 
Procurement
Practices 

————
News
Releases
————

CF Artillery Systems  –  International News –  CF Procurement  –  January 2009 A Source for the LRPRS (Long Range Precision Rocket System)? Denmark is Selling a Dozen Upgraded  M270A1 MLRS Launchers Denmark began the procurement process for US  MLRS in 1995, with 12  M270 vehicles in Danish service by 2001. During that year, the Danes also decided  to upgrade the launcher vehicles to improved  M270A1 standard. But fate intervened.  With modernizations under- way, Denmark decided  to eliminate MLRS in the latest defence plan. Twelve launchers (in storage since their upgrade) are now for sale. Other nations are looking at these Danish systems. To take advantage of  this oppor- tunity, DND would  have to move with uncharacteristic speed. They would  also have to drop their suburban demand for all-in-one shopping. The 'vendor is motivated ', as they say, but Denmark isn't going to supply training, spares, or the in-service support demanded by DND's MERX  LOI Notice for the Long Range Precision Rocket System. A purchase from Denmark would meet requirements for MOTS (Military Off-The-Shelf ) and proven service with a NATO ally. So, if Canada did buy the upgraded  Danish  MLRS  launchers, who would provide training, parts, and support ? The obvious answer is the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin Vought Systems. LM wants to see its systems deployed and refusal to deal with second-hand  launchers would make the MLRS  look unsupportable to smaller armies. Precedents for such a purchase are also obvious. [1]  DND is  in the midst of  a similar deal for ex-Dutch Leopard 2A4  tanks. Earlier, Leopard 2A6Ms on loan  from Germany were flown directly into Afghanistan (Denmark did the same with their Leopard 2A5s). And, it should be noted, the British Army has deployed M270A1s to nearby Helmand. In other words, if CF gunners trained up on the MLRS now, those ex-Danish M270A1s could  be flown  (from Karup)  right into Kandahar  much as the Leopard 2A6Ms were. So, the question is: will this opportunity slip away or will  DND show agility and thrift. Reproduced below is a translated and edited version of a Danish DALO press release. [1] DND also had direct dealings with DALO, Danish Defence Acquisition & Logistics Organization (FMT Forsvarets Materieltjeneste ) when buying used Sperwer TUAVs. 19-11-2008 hrs. 19:29 Danish Military to sell phased-out armaments system With the 2005-2009 defence plan,  it was decided to phase out  the  Multiple Launch Rocket System  (MLRS).  In spite of  interest,  the rocket systems are still  not sold. The world is changeable. In 1995, few militaries were prepared to fight an asymmetrical war against terrorists.  But that is today's reality.  As a result,  the Danish military have decided to phase out the flerskudsraketkasterne (the Multiple Launch Rocket System or MLRS )  to comply with the Danish five-year Defence Plan agreement for 2005-2009. The purchase of  MLRS for the Danish Army was approved in 1995. The rationale was that the system [MLRS and its M270 launcher vehicle] would replace outdated, towed, heavy artillery dating back to US armament assistance programs after World War Two. MLRS would have the additional benefits of  increased reliability and a superior range. The Danish parliament approved about 1.1 billion kroner [ roughly Cdn $357M in 2008 dollars] for the MLRS purchase. Thirteen years after this purchase, the world and  the Danish Army's requirements have changed. In asymmetrical warfare Denmark requires precision-guided weapons. So, the Army wants to sell MLRS in the most suitable way. The Danish MLRSs have been stored, so that it's possible to sell them. So far, several [unnamed] countries have shown interest in a purchase,  but a sale is not yet  in place. Ammunition In June 2004, Denmark entered into an agreement with the US for the delivery of MLRS ammunition. Prior to the 2005-2009 Defence Plan agreement taking effect, Denmark had paid for about 30% of  the contractual obligations on this ammunition. No ammunition for the MLRS has actually been delivered to the Danish Army, however.  Instead, this ammunition lies semi-completed in the US. At present, negotiations are underway with the American authorities, in order to wind up all remaining contracted MLRS activities. Several attempts have been made to sell  Danish MLRS systems, but without success. Among other reasons, this is due to the fact  that other nations  have also phased out or similarly upgraded  their own MLRS systems [ for example, the Netherlands sold its MLRS to Finland]. In addition, the market for used defence material is glutted and that corresponds with the experience of other armies, said Col Henrik Lundstein from FMT.