SOFINS 2021
Following a year deprived of meeting opportunities, in 2021 defence exhibition are trying to restart albeit uncertainties remain due to COVID variants that are putting at risk the ease of containment measures in many countries. One of the first opportunities for meeting again in presence was provided by SOFINS, the Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar, organised by the Cèrcle de l’Arbalète at Camp de Souges, north of Bordeaux, which took place from June 29th to July 1st. Numerous delegations attended the events, which on the last day saw the demonstration by French SF units belonging to the COS, the Commandement des Opérations Spéciales, the joint SF HQ.
Exhibitors ranged from major defence companies to newly-born start-ups, as well as research institutes. Command and control systems, communications, intelligence systems, sensors, effectors, manned and unmanned mobility vehicles, where exhibited in the stands, some of them being also demonstrated on test grounds.
EDR On-Line picked up some of the novelties shown at SOFINS, trying to provide some added value to its readers.
Cyberprotection for Thales night vision systems
Institut Saint-Louis: short-loop force-inducted innovations
High-tech/low TRL innovations from Institut Saint-Louis
Saab, a new HE round for the Carl Gustaf
Device-Alab: thermal imaging gaining momentum
Safran unveils Geonyx M for naval applications
A multirole ULTRO UGV by Nexter
A laser against UAVs from CILAS
Mini Hecate 2 in 375 Swiss P from PGM Précision
Aeraccess Falconet nano-UAV, an SA asset for the individual soldier
Stamina UGV Aurochs: a purposely-designed UGV from Institut Saint-Louis
