An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir October 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 10 | MiliTAry MeDiA Round Up "Learning another language is set to become obligatory for senior ranks under plans to make the Army more culturally aware. From 2018 officers will not be able to gain promotion above the rank of captain unless they can speak in a foreign tongue. The new policy applies to both serving personnel and recruits and the relevant training will be provided via the Defence Centre for Languages and Culture at Shrivenham." uK Soldier Magazine, September 2014 Vol 70/9 BCB International Ltd has launched an all-weather solid flammable biofuel for military rations cook- ers, which can double as a water- less hand sanitiser. Many military forces currently use hexamine fuel for cooking in the field and are looking for a replacement fuel due to the dangers that hexamine presents to the health of soldiers. Hexamine is a potentially dangerous and out- dated substance; burning it gives off cyanide. BCB International Ltd believe that their alcohol-based alternative fuel 'FireDragon' will prove popular with soldiers on patrol who need to heat up their rations quickly without producing toxic fumes. BCB's MD Andrew Howell said, "It will enable soldiers to cook their meals and make their brews with a safer and cleaner fuel than traditional military rations fuel blocks like hex- amine. The Fire- Dragon fuel can be packed with ra- tions and doubles as a waterless hand sanitiser, which will help Militaries, reduce their logistics and medical costs. One tablet of FireDragon fuel (27gm) can boil 500ml of water in 5-6 minutes; that's at least two minutes faster than competi- tors' products. It can even be ignited whilst wet." BCB international ltd www.firedragonfuel.com "The Russian Army will soon start the mass purchases of the next generation soldier gear RATNIK, which comprises more than 40 components, including firearms, body armour, and optical, communication and navigation devices, as well as life support and power supply systems, and knee and elbow pads. The gear will make the Russian troops the fully-fledged soldiers of the future, capable of car- rying out the personally given orders, according to the Russian MoD." Military Technology Vol 38 issue 9 "The Sudanese military has selected the Chinese QBZ-97 bullpup for their Future Soldier System. The Sudanese military has been using Chinese weaponry for some time now including: Type 96MBT, HJ-8 anti tank missile, Type 56 and Type 82 Rifles, CQ rifle (copy of the M16A1), QJZ-*(50-cal heavy machine gun, M99 50-cal sniper rifle and the QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher." Military Technology Vol 38 issue 9 "The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking fund- ing to dramatically enlarge the active reserve forces of the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR). The MoD submitted to parliament in September an amendment to the law regulating ACR active reserve force's size from the current 1,300 to 5,000 personnel." IhS Jane's Defence Weekly Vol 54 issue 34 "Bolivian President Evo Morales announced on Au- gust 8th that the government is to create a fund to finance the development of the country's military. The fund, expected to be launched in 2015, is to be financed by proceeds from the country's Impuesto Directo a los Hidrocarburos (Direct Tax on Hydro- carbons, IDH). The IDH was established in 2005 to fund the country's social development, targeting areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and unemployment." IhS Jane's Defence Weekly Vol 51 issue 34

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