DSEI 2023: Elbit wins further British Army simulator contracts

The ICAVS(D) in use for training. (Elbit Systems)

Elbit Systems UK (ESUK) has been awarded two simulation contracts by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the company announced at DSEI 2023 in London. No contract values were disclosed.

The first contract, which is for three years, is for the Interim Indirect Fire Simulator (IIDFS) programme, which will provide artillery and mortar simulators to the Royal School of Artillery (RSA) at Larkhill, the Combined Arms Manoeuvre School (CAMS) at Warminster, and the Collective Training Group (CTG) for use at training locations in the UK and abroad.

According to an ESUK press release, it will “develop, produce, and integrate simulators for the 81 mm mortar and 105 mm Light Gun, providing simulated ammunition and … [an] interface for live communication between instructors and military personnel”.

The press release added that Dutch firm Van Halteren will act as a subcontractor. Van Halteren is well known for its static howitzer simulators, less so for mobile equipment.

The second contract is an extension to the existing contract for the Interim Combined Arms Virtual Simulation (Deployable) (ICAVS(D)), which entered service in April 2022, following the award of a contract valued in total at GBP57.4 million (USD71.4 million).

Earlier this year, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) told Janes, “ICAVS(D) provides the Field Army, Royal Marines, and Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) units with a local capability to conduct primarily Battle Craft Syllabus (BCS) training in a realistic virtual environment. It also supports battlegroup- and brigade-level exercises on an ad hoc basis [dependent on the training design and availability of other training capabilities].”