Leonardo, one of the top ten global players in Aerospace, Defense and Security and Italy’s main industrial company, is participating at Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2018, taking place at the Sakhir Airbase from 14-16 November.
“The participation, for the first time, of the Italian Air Force aerobatic team ‘Frecce Tricolori’ at the Bahrain International Airshow is a source of great pride and excitement,” Domenico Bellato, Italy’s Ambassador to Bahrain, said.
“The extraordinary displays they will perform and the presence of important industry players like Leonardo come as a confirmation of the strong bonds of friendship between Italy and Bahrain and will further strengthen the image of Italy as a major player in the aerospace and defense sector,” he added.
In a showcase of some of its latest technologies in aeronautics, air defense and communications, Leonardo is highlighting its SWave MB1, the two-channel radio for dismounted soldier of SWave SDR family products which includes handheld, man pack and vehicular tactical radio systems based on software defined radio technology.
MB1 radios support wideband IP voice and data, secure CNR voice and video services. Compliant with the US JTNC (former JTRS) Software Communications Architecture (SCA) and the extensions of EU ESSOR Architecture, MB1 can support both legacy and new waveforms, thus offering interoperability with fielded radios and new C4ISR systems, the company said.
Also on the stand is the Leonardo Horizon Medium Wave Infra-Red (MWIR) thermal imaging camera that is able to meet long-range border control, security and surveillance requirements.
Leonardo is also showcasing its RAT-31 DL, an advanced Lband solid state phased array, 3D surveillance radar, with instrumental range almost 500 km. The RAT 31 DL is a state-of-the-art radar system designed to operate within modern military Air Defense systems.
Leonardo has a record of significant achievement in Bahrain. Key projects include the supply of two primary surveillance radars and three Mode-S secondary surveillance radars for Bahrain’s Civil Aviation organization and Royal Bahraini Air Force, enhancing the safety and efficiency of national airspace management.
In 2015 Leonardo was awarded a contract to upgrade the six Royal Bahrain Naval Force ships, and the first one, called Al Manama, was delivered in December 2017, two months ahead of schedule, proving the strong commitment of Leonardo in supporting the Royal Bahrain Naval Force as well as all the Bahrain Defense Forces.
Bahrain, as well as other countries in the Gulf region, can be further supported by Leonardo’s expertise in mission management and cutting-edge sensor technology to deliver high performance, integrated solutions for ISR/ISTAR missions.
Also relevant for the region is the M-346FA (photo), the new Fighter Attack configuration of the M-346, a highly efficient and reliable radar-equipped multirole combat aircraft, which meets an increasingly wide range of customer operational needs.
The T-346A, which is the M346 Advanced Jet Trainer version of the Italian Air Force, is one of the aircraft displaying in the Middle East region, together with the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Italian Aerobatic Team “Frecce Tricolori”, which is also participating in Bahrain Airshow.
“We are proud about the partnership we have with Italian Air Force. They represent, also thanks to our aeronautic technologies, the Italian excellence. We put this same commitment to support all our customers, and this is why systems developed by Leonardo are high value assets, delivered with an effective operational through life-cycle.” Lorenzo Mariani, Leonardo Chief Commercial Officer, said.
In the helicopter sector, Leonardo has an established presence in the region and can offer a wide range of new generation models covering a variety of civil and military roles for land and sea, perfectly suited to meet the local environmental and operational requirements.
Leonardo can also offer its expertise in the naval field, where the company has a track record in the upgrade of corvettes, offshore patrol vessels and frigates, and in the land sector, where the company offers fully integrated solutions, warfare systems and cost-effective overhaul programs.
