Defense`s Feeds

Americas

A winner has been selected by the US Marine Corps for its Medium Unmanned Logistics Systems – Air (MULS-A) program. Kaman Air Vehicles will build the logistics drone prototype using a version of its Kargo UAV. The prototype will have to demonstrate its ability to operate from austere environment while carrying 800 pounds of payload.

The US Army has contracted Elbit Systems of America a $107-million contract for its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) systems. The deal also requires Elbit Systems to supply spare parts, logistics support, and test equipment for the systems for two years starting 2023. “This order attests to the quality of Elbit Systems of America’s technologies and their unique operational contribution, demonstrating the significant potential of our night vision activity,” President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.

Middle East & Africa

According to local media, the Nigerian Army will acquire a Medium Girder Bridge system from the United Kingdom for $2,2 million to improve its logistics capacity. The British-made tactical military bridge is designed by WFEL- a military bridges provider based in the UK – and is 76m, and can handle a Maximum Payload Capacity of MLC 70t. The medium girder bridge (MGB) is a lightweight, modular military bridging system supports various types of military operations, including tactical or disaster response scenarios. T

Europe

The UK has awarded Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) $37 million to upgrade the weapon systems aboard the Royal Navy’s Duke-class frigates over the next five years. Work involves upgrading the vessels’ Magazine torpedo launch systems and the electronics of the Seagnat threat countermeasure capabilities responsible for protecting the frigates against anti-ship missiles.

Serco has secured contracts to deliver its automatic test solution General Purpose Support Equipment (GPSE) to the UK Royal Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. The first contract will see Serco provide the latest version of the GPSE test sets to refresh the support capabilities of the UK’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet. The second contract requires the integration of additional Pylon and High-Pressure Pure Air Generator test functionality to the existing GPSE capability at Spanish Air Force bases in Morón and Albacete.

Asia-Pacific

The Korea Coast Guard has welcomed its third S-92 search and rescue helicopter from aviation company Sikorsky. The newest addition to the Asian country’s S-92 fleet guarantees an enhanced maritime security capability for safety and life-saving missions. Since 2014, the Korean Coast Guard has completed 195 rescues and has accrued more than 2,700 flight hours.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Kaman Kargo UAV

Americas

The US Navy awarded AAR Government Services an $114.5 million modification, which exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon aircraft depot scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, depot in-service repair/planner and estimator requirements, technical directive incorporation, airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support, and removal and replacement of engines in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in October 2023.

L3Harris has integrated its new advanced battlefield awareness systems onto Rheinmetall’s Lynx Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), increasing its lethality. The digitally-engineered systems enable the next-generation armored fighting vehicle “to detect and engage battlefield threats faster and at greater distances while reducing crew members needed from three to two.”

Middle East & Africa

DSIT Solutions Ltd., an Israeli developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-end, comprehensive and integrated protection solutions against all underwater threat types, will showcase its multilayered defense solution for securing strategic assets against the various types of underwater threats in diverse ranges and sea depths at EURONAVAL 2022, set to take place in Paris next week. These solutions include, among others, hostile military, terror and illegal activities, intrusion, sabotage and smuggling by divers, Semi-Submersible Vehicles (SSVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and all submarine types.

Europe

A private company has successfully bid for a Swiss government PC-24 business jet. The aircraft, registration T-786, was delivered to the Swiss government in February 2019. The Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement (armasuisse) says the bid received was higher than the cost of purchasing the jet.

Canada on Tuesday said it would soon send combat engineers to NATO ally Poland to help train Ukrainian forces who have been battling a Russian invasion for more than seven months. “In the coming weeks, Canada will deploy approximately 40 combat engineers to Poland to help Polish forces train Ukrainian sappers on engineer reconnaissance, explosives, mining and demining,” Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said in Warsaw alongside her Polish counterpart.

Asia-Pacific

Malaysia’s Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein revealed on October 9 that the government has opted for two of Leonardo’s ATR 72MP maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and three medium-altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft systems (MALE UAS) from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to meet Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) requirements. “The government has agreed with Leonardo’s offer and has decided to issue a contract to [TAI] for the acquisition of three [MALE UAS],” said the minister, noting the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is in the midst of issuing notices of acceptance once final negotiations have been completed.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Meet the RAF’s submarine hunter – the P-8A Poseidon

Americas

During AUSA 2022, Boeing took the opportunity to unveil its Modernized Apache concept to leaders of the US Army. Touting it as the next evolution of the current AH-64E v6 attack helicopter, the Modernized Apache can be differentiated externally from the classic Apache by its longer wing, which allows it to have three hard points per wing, upward-facing engine exhaust and the substitution of the chain gun with a laser turret. Powered by the new Improved Turbine Engine (ITE), Boeing is improving the drivetrain in order for the Modernized Apache to faster, further and more efficiently.

US President Joe Biden on Monday promised to provide advanced air defense systems to Ukraine after Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities, the White House said in a statement. Biden spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky and “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the statement said.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and its US subsidiary have presented the IRON BEAM High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) at AUSA 2022 (Association of US Army’s national conference), currently taking place in Washington, DC. The Iron Beam is the first laser system of its kind to have been documented intercepting a range of aerial threats. According to the company, it is on track to become the first operational laser-based defense system that effectively intercepts a wide spectrum of threats – including RAM and UAVs as well as swarms of mini-UAVs – with pinpoint accuracy from a range of a few hundred yards to up to several miles.

Europe

President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia’s response to any further Ukrainian attacks would be “severe,” after Moscow’s forces carried out retaliatory missile strikes across Ukraine. “It was not possible to leave (Ukrainian attacks) unanswered. If attempts at terrorist attacks continue, the response from Russia will be severe and correspond to the level of threat,” Putin said at the start of a televised meeting of his security council.

Asia-Pacific

The seven recent North Korean missile launches were all “tactical nuclear” drills, state media said Monday, which were personally overseen by leader Kim Jong Un. At a key party congress in January 2021, Kim outlined a five-year defense development plan, calling for the development of smaller and lighter nuclear weapons for “more tactical uses.”

Today’s Video

WATCH: Boeing AH-64E Apache, Modernized Attack Helicopter Concept of the Feature

Around 80 experts from European ministries of defence, EU bodies, industry and academia participated in the first two-day hydrogen thematic workshop of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS). 

The European Defence Agency organised its first CF SEDSS III thematic workshop on hydrogen on 11-12 October 2022 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, under the auspices of the Slovenian Ministry of Defence. Entitled 'Decarbonising defence through hydrogen solutions', the workshop brought together experts of the CF SEDSS Working Group 2 on Renewable Energy Sources and the Transversal Working Group. The primary scope of the workshop was to explore the opportunities for decarbonising the defence sector using clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. It also allowed the participants to become more familiar with the EU strategic context and policy framework on hydrogen.  

In his welcome speech, State Secretary of Slovenia Damir Črnčec shared his perspectives on the importance of hydrogen in supporting the green transition in defence. He provided examples of sustainable mobility projects and the search for alternative fuels in Slovenia, supporting the EU efforts to increase the sustainability of the defence sector. Mr Črnčec stressed that the deployment of hydrogen technologies requires the integration of a wide range of relevant sectors and stakeholders, such as industry and research organisations, highlighting that the participation of the defence sector in these initiatives is a necessity. He concluded by emphasising the role of EDA in identifying and promoting this important topic through activities like CF SEDSS. 

Catharina Sikow-Magny, director of green transition and energy system integration at the European Commission Directorate General for Energy, presented the Commission’s strategy and actions on the development and deployment of renewable and low carbon hydrogen in the future energy system. Ms Sikow-Magny's presentation served as a prelude to a discussion on the role that the defence sector can play in supporting the EU efforts for climate neutrality and improved security of supply by preparing an increased share of renewable and low carbon hydrogen. 

During the two breakout sessions of the workshop, infrastructure and transportation, experts looked more closely into the benefits and challenges of introducing hydrogen in the defence sector, according to the selected topic. In this regard, the workshop provided an opportunity for ministries of defence, supported by the industry and academia, to share ideas and knowledge and generate hydrogen-related project ideas that will be further developed in the CF SEDSS framework, including at the upcoming 5th CF SEDSS Conference, to be held on 30 November-1 December 2022 in Prague, hosted by the Czech Ministry of Defence, under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  

More information:

• CF SEDSS website
• Green defence - How is the EDA contributing to the energy transition and circular models in defence (europa.eu)
• Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables  (europa.eu)
• 1st Energy Technology Solutions conference and exhibition held (europa.eu)
• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu)
• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)
• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)
• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding

The war in Ukraine is a dramatic reminder that the European Union needs a robust, globally competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to strengthen its Member States’ defence capacities and support the EU’s role as a security provider. While defence industrial policy remains a Member States’ prerogative, the past few months have seen progress in several EU policy initiatives for increasing joint defence expenditures, reducing EU strategic dependencies, boosting civil-military innovation, and more recently, promoting joint defence procurement. All these initiatives represent a great opportunity to enhance the EDTIB and overcome the national fragmentation that persists in the European defence equipment market. A European Defence Agency study has analysed the latest national defence industrial strategies and policies in EDA participating Member States (pMS) relevant for the development, production, and procurement of defence equipment. The aim was to provide an overview of existing national strategies and policy documents and evaluate how far they take into account the EU defence environment and influence national attitudes toward EU defence cooperation. 

Strategic autonomy and EU defence initiatives: a positive if nuanced outlook  

The study shows a generally positive attitude towards strategic autonomy, even if the concept is sometimes understood differently. That reflects the diverse and nuanced defence industrial interests and policies in each pMS. As the analysis shows, strategic autonomy has mainly influenced defence industrial policies through concrete initiatives such as Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the European Defence Fund (EDF).  

The EU defence initiatives undertaken since 2016 enjoy an almost-unanimous support among EDA pMS, although several countries still lack strategies to address them. Interestingly, some countries are set to produce new or renewed defence industrial strategies, taking into account EU-level developments and so bringing change. 

The status of European defence industrial cooperation 

When looking at defence industrial cooperation among EU countries, the study shows how regional cooperative frameworks only play a minimal role in policies and planning. Incentives for cooperation on procurement come from elements other than geography or established diplomatic arrangements. Converging interests in specific industrial sectors, how national DTIBs complement one another, and joint procurement programmes play a bigger and more important role. The landscape of preferred bilateral partners within the EU is quite diversified, as it strongly reflects national demands and characteristics, including the size and feature of domestic industrial bases. PESCO has largely reconfirmed traditional partnerships but, at the same time, the large number of projectsand their inclusive approach broadened the participation and generated mixed partnerships. 

Towards a gradual Europeanisation of supply chains?

According to the analysis, PESCO and the EDF have triggered a certain convergence on a gradual Europeanisation of national supply chains, with an indirectly positive effect on the European defence equipment market. However, the fact that 12 pMS have not yet implemented the 2019 EU regulations on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) control, despite COVID-19 having epitomised the costs and risks of strategic dependences, raises concerns on the overall resilience of the European defence industrial ecosystem. The gradual Europeanisation of supply chains connects industries and technologies across EU Member States: it links countries protected through FDI control mechanisms with others without similar measures in place, that may present a weak spot for extra-EU interferences. 

Background and contribution to EDA’s work 

The project lasted seven months (December 2021 – July 2022) and was carried out by a consortium led by Istituto Affari Internazionali, and included the Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and numerous national experts. While the study was partly drafted prior to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the report was reviewed considering the ongoing war. 

The analysis contributed to EDA’s knowledge and understanding of the different national approaches towards the European defence industry. The study’s outcomes and related recommendations provide useful inputs both to EDA’s work as well as pMS' efforts, by informing ongoing activities, such as the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), Permanent Structured Cooperation- PESCO, key strategic activities, and EDA’s industry engagement policy. 

Americas

The KC-135 has set a new endurance mission record of 72 hours by two of the aerial refueling tankers from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. The jets went airborne and landed repeatedly over the 72 hours and had at least one engine running while being refueled and serviced on the ground. Engine-running flight crew changes were also carried out over the three-day mission. Both aircraft refueled B-2 bombers, B-52s, an E-3 Sentry, and an E-6B Mercury. Engine oil servicing was only done during one of the engine running crew changes (ERRCs), allowing the crews to demonstrate tanker “drop-in” concept. The previous KC-135 endurance mission record was 40 hours and was also set but the 92nd ARW in March this year.

The US Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center recently tested the new AGM-114 R-4 long-range Hellfire missile, revealing it for the first time. A 174th Attack Wing MQ-9 Block 5 drone test-fired the missile during an exercise, clocking the longest Hellfire shot to date. The R-4 boasts three times the range of its predecessor, the AGM-114 R, which can hit targets from around 7 miles (11 kilometers) under optimal conditions, the developers claim.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin won a $10.4 million contract modification, which provides for the procurement of installation of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II Line Replaceable Units on fourteen non-flight test aircraft, updates to existing Country Standard Technical Order Manuals and Country Standard Time Compliance Technical Orders. Additionally, this modification provides for the procurement of additional Peculiar Support Equipment and Alternate Mission Equipment. Work will be performed in Greenville, South Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas. Expected completion date is February 28, 2026. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Europe

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency has completed the demilitarization, dismantling, and disposal (D3) of 722 decommissioned M113 armored personnel carriers from the Italian Army. The agency identified, removed, and treated hazardous materials in compliance with health and safety standards and necessary environmental protection practices.

Germany said Monday it was rushing long-promised air defense systems, capable of protecting an entire city, to Ukraine after Russia ordered several missile attacks on the country. Calling the latest attacks “despicable,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on Twitter that “we are doing everything to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.” Germany had earlier expected to deliver the first of several missile shield systems by year’s end, but Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said the first would now be “ready for the effective protection of people in the coming days.”

Asia-Pacific

Malaysia has selected Leonardo’s P-27A maritime patrol aircraft and TAI’s Anka unmanned air vehicle and letters of award will soon be issued to both foreign companies. Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirmed that two P-27As will be acquired while three Ankas are being purchased.

Today’s Video

WATCH: NASAMS: Ukraine’s new weapons system explained

Americas

At a combat zone, a US Air Force MQ-9 drone has successfully perform an Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) without the need for a ground-based Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) for the first time. The feat was accomplished during Exercise Oktober Fist, a training exercise conducted by the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing. “The ability to autonomously launch and recover MQ-9s from austere locations without a recovery crew is a leap in operational potential. This is essential in creating a dynamic weapon system that will out-maneuver our adversary,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Barber, 332d AEW A2/3/5 Directorate Deputy.

Lockheed Martin has opened its 85,000-square-foot All-Up Round III facility in Arkansas to boost the production capacity of the PAC-3 missile. The second expansion of Lockheed’s Camden Operations is part of a $142 million investment announced in June 2019. With the new facility, Lockheed is expecting to raise its production of PAC-3 missiles by 500 per year.

Middle East & Africa

The US government notified Congress on October 6 of a potential Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS). Under the $3 billion package, Kuwait will be getting seven AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars along with AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X missiles, each missile type getting 63 orders. The main contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense and the company will send six employees to Kuwait for approximately three years to support the sale.

Europe

Embraer has release images showing Hungary’s first KC-390 in an advanced stage of assembly. The aerospace manufacturer says the transport aircraft will be ready to fly in the second half of 2023. Hungary place an order for two KC-390s in November 2020, the first aircraft will be delivered by Embraer in the second quarter of 2024.

It has been disclosed b that Romania had to ground its MiG-21 fleet because the jets were supplied with low-quality jet fuel. According to Gandul, local businessman Cristian Berendel was given a contract to supply fuel from 2018 to 2022. While the initial batches of fuel were of acceptable quality, Berendel quietly began supplying low-quality fuel from Greece and Turkey.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin has inked a collaborative agreement with French group Thales to establish a new missile factory in Australia. The facility is expected to provide “highly advanced” defense manufacturing capabilities to Canberra, bolstering its ability to produce military weapons and equipment at home. The company said it had tapped the services of Australian firm Conscia to identify potential future manufacturing locations.

Today’s Video

WATCH: NASAMS: Ukraine’s new weapons system explained

Americas

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departed Naval Station Norfolk October 5 for its first deployment. Accompanying the first-in-class aircraft carrier are fighter squadrons VFA-213, VFA-31, VFA-37, and VFA-87. USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188), USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), and USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) are the rest of the ships that will form the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG).

The last F-16 that was assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing has departed Truax Field and the wing will now transition to the F-35. The sendoff ceremony for the aircraft also marks 30 years of F-16 service at the 115th Fighter Wing.

Middle East & Africa

Clayton International won a $7 million deal to provide depot level maintenance services for one VH-3A Helicopter for the Government of Egypt. Work will take place in Georgia. Estimated completion will be in June 2024.

Europe

According to Defense News, Britain and Poland are investigating possible cooperation in the development of a surface-launched, long-range missile in the latest step towards strengthening their ties in the defense sector. The two nations announced their intention to take a look at forming a partnership at the end of a visit October 5 to Poland by British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for talks with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz B?aszczak.

Ukraine said Thursday it had recaptured over 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) in Kherson in less than a week, after Moscow claimed to have annexed the southern region. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated more than 400 square kilometres of the Kherson region since the beginning of October,” Ukrainian southern army command spokeswoman Natalia Gumeniuk said in a briefing online. The Russian army meanwhile said “the enemy had been pushed back along the Russian defence line” on this southern front.

Asia-Pacific

The Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has received its second C295W tactical military transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space. The new medium utility military aircraft officially joined the Bangladeshi Fleet on September 25 after a six-day journey from the company’s factory in Spain.

Today’s Video

WATCH: After numerous delays, Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford leaves on 1st deployment

Americas

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $27 million contract modification, which adds scope for the initial and final technical directive to install the data transfer unit and Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System Replacement Phase III ARC-210 components into the CH-53K aircraft, support flight planning and testing of the components and supportability products for the US Navy. Work will take place in Connecticut, Maryland and New York. Estimated completion will be in April 2025.

F/A-18F BuNo 166460 is the first Super Hornet to undergo the Service Life Modification (SLM) at the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW), the US Navy has announced. The aircraft’s service life will be extended from 6,000 to 7,5000 hours. Currently, 166460 has already clocked 6,200 hours when it arrived at FRCSW. Eventually, FRCSW will carry out Block III upgrades for the Super Hornet program. Improvements under Block III include a new cockpit display and enhanced networking for the avionics.

Middle East & Africa

South African company Paramount Group has sold nine short-takeoff-and-landing Mwari aircraft to multiple air forces, the company announced Wednesday during the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo. “Mwari addresses a key global security requirement from air forces around the world, of any size, for advanced ISR and precision strike capabilities,” the company said in a news release. “It integrates design concepts from helicopters, surveillance platforms and reconnaissance aircraft with the ability to carry multiple systems, such as surveillance radar and electro optic sensor systems.”

Europe

The US has committed another four advanced rocket systems from its own inventory to Ukraine in a $625 million arms package announced Tuesday. This is the first commitment of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from current US stock since July. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris informed Ukrainian President Zelensky of the aid in a phone call, according to a readout provided by the White House.

Asia-Pacific

The United States and South Korea launched four missiles off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday morning local time, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The test was the allies’ second exercise in under 24 hours, following a provocative test-launch Tuesday morning by neighboring North Korea, which fired a ballistic missile without warning over Japan in a significant escalation of its weapons testing program.

The US Space Force and the Australian Department of Defense have announced the initial operational capability of the Space Surveillance Telescope. The achievement follows extensive tests and assessments since 2020 when the telescope was relocated from New Mexico to Australia. When fully operational, the US and Australia will obtain improved space domain awareness by providing “ground-based, broad-area search, detection and tracking of faint objects in deep space.”

Today’s Video

WATCH: The US Marine CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter is Worthy of Its Name

The only dedicated European exercise for the C-27 Spartan military aircraft launches today for two weeks of intensive joint training. Now in its sixth edition, the ‘European Spartan Exercise’ will take place at Bezmer airbase, Bulgaria with four participating nations: Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Romania. The aim of the exercise is to increase interoperability among European countries operating the C-27J Spartan military aircraft.

This edition of the European Spartan Exercise will run from 3-14 October and marks the fifth time Bulgaria has hosted the exercise. Four C-27J’s will participate and around 150 personnel will be involved. The core planning team composed of personnel of participating nations and the EDA already began work on 28 September for final preparations of the exercise. All planning cells include a representative of participating nations, while medical personnel will plan dedicated missions for medical evacuation.

Tactical training

The C-27J Spartan transport aircraft is designed to perform tactical missions in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, providing direct air transport to the theatre, day and night. The Spartan Exercise is also focused on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, training C-27J crews to fly low level, tactical navigation in different scenarios. Several airfields in Bulgaria have been chosen for training: at Cheshnegirovo airfield, crews will perform tactical approaches, personnel airdrops and short airfield take-off and landing. Dolna Mitropolia Air Base was chosen to simulate engine running operations, known as EROs for medical evacuations. Some simulated drop zones will challenge crews when planning the missions. Operators from the Bulgarian Joint Special Operation Command will also take part in the exercise.

 

European C-27J community

European Spartan is one of the concrete outcomes of the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) partnership signed in 2011 by 20 EDA Member States. This annual flying exercise, which is part of the EDA’s dedicated C-27J project that gathers five participating Member States that are C-27J users (the four afore-mentioned countries plus Slovakia), works to identify and develop common projects in the domains of operations, training, logistics, procurement, airworthiness and Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) to achieve a high level of interoperability and cost-efficient operating and maintenance models.

Americas

General Dynamics won a $533 million deal for Lead Yard Support and Development Studies and Design efforts related to Virginia-class submarines. The deal includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the modification to $813,720,300. The Virginia-Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral (shallow water) operations. Work will take place in Connecticut and Virginia. Expected completion will be by October 2023.

Thomas Instrument won a $13.6 million deal for depot-level overhaul services of the C-5 dual-powered winch, National Stock Number 1680-01-593-5680/Part Number 200413780-20. Work will be performed at Brookshire, Texas, and is expected to be completed by September 29, 2027.

Middle East & Africa

Shipbuilder Israel Shipyards has launched its new multi-mission offshore patrol vessel (OPV) S-45 for enhanced coastal protection by the Israeli Navy. The company launched the tailored-made ship at its headquarters in the port city of Haifa on September 29. Israel Shipyards said the S-45 is a cost-effective watercraft designed for coastal protection, drilling rigs, and offshore facilities protection.

The Royal Moroccan Army has procured advanced military drones from China as part of its continuing effort to bolster its air defense capabilities. Among the systems reportedly purchased was the Wing Loong II medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Developed by Chengdu Aircraft Design & Research Institute, the Wing Loong II is originally intended to support surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Europe

The Irish Defense Forces will be getting at least three new primary search radars, after Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed that part of the defense budget has been allocated for such a purchase. The need for primary search radars was highlighted in a report by the Commission on the Defence Forces in February of this year. A number of anonymous sources told The Journal that the primary radar should have the equivalent capability of the Lockheed Martin TPY-4. Ireland currently relies on secondary radars and this will not work if the aircraft is not using a transponder.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippine military has sent eight Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS 2000) 155mm self-propelled guns to Mindanao to support counter-terrorism operations in the southern region. According to Defense Undersecretary Jose Faustino, Jr., the Israeli-made artillery systems are game-changing assets “that will bolster the military’s territorial defense capabilities as well as internal security operations.”

Today’s Video

WATCH: Elbit Systems / ATMOS

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý was in Finland for high-level talks with Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen and the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Timo Kivinen. Mr Šedivý also heard from Finnish defence ministry experts on how to foster European cooperation in the Arctic and met representatives from the Finnish defence and aerospace industry. The trip to Helsinki was part of Mr Šedivý’s ‘tour des capitales’, which sees him visiting all the EDA’s Member States.

CE VISITS MULTINATIONAL PROJECTS INVOLVING FINLAND

The discussions with Minister Kaikkonen mainly focused on Finland’s involvement in the EDA’s activities, the war in Ukraine and its impact on EU defence cooperation, spending and joint European procurement, and Finland’s accession to NATO. The minister and the chief executive also discussed the revision of the EU’s defence capability priorities contained in the Capability Development Plan (CDP).

Mr Šedivý met with the Secretary General of the Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries (AFDA), Tuija Karanko, and representatives of the Finnish defence industry.

Mr Šedivý visited Patria and Millog in Hämeenlinna, where he was shown the multinational projects of the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS), and the European Future Highly Mobile Augmented Armoured Systems 2 (FAMOUS 2), which have received funding at the EU level.

To date, Finland participates in a total of 25 EDA projects and programmes. These include: capability projects on Cyber Ranges; EU Multimodal Transport Hubs; the EU SatCom market, where Finland is the biggest user; the Governmental Satellite Communications Demonstration; the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP); Helicopter Training Centre; and the Sharing of Spare parts. It is also involved in 12 research projects currently underway at the EDA, for instance in areas such as the Combat Unmanned Ground System, Laser Detection of Underwater Targets, and Modular Lightweight Minesweeping.

The total value of EDA programmes and projects in which Finland participates, and where a project arrangement has been agreed, stands at some €117 million. Finland also participates in five projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation mechanism, PESCO. These are: Military Mobility; the Integrated Unmanned Ground System; Cyber Ranges Federation; the European Secure Software defined Radio (ESSOR); and the Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER surveillance.

“Finland is an active member of EDA and brings a lot of expertise to the Agency’s collaborative projects and programmes. Finland is participating in five PESCO projects, one of which is going to be finalised next year, namely the Integrated Unmanned Ground System project. These are encouraging signals. In the face of massive security challenges, especially now with the war in Ukraine, cooperation remains the most effective way forward for European defence”, Mr Šedivý said.

Minister Kaikkonen stated: “Finland is a security provider. Finland’s strong national defence and resilience have contributed to the security and stability of the region. The EU and its Member States have been compelled to react to the current security situation. The EDA has made valuable contributions to support the Member States. As the minister of defence, I wish to use EDA for turning our plans into military capabilities. The EDA is helping us in developing capabilities in a cost-effective manner.”

Americas

The US Navy awarded Raytheon Technologies a $232.8 million deal to procure material and support equipment for depot maintenance facilities and unit level support equipment, as well as to provide program administrative support for non-recurring sustainment activities and supplies, services, and planning for depot standup and expansion in support of the for the F-35 Lightning II Program. Work will take place in Connecticut, Florida, Oklahoma. Japan, Norway, Australia, Indiana, Netherlands, North Carolina and Arizona. Expected completion will be by September 2025.

The Navy awarded Raytheon a $225.7 million deal for AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ System Improvement Program Increment IV to include hardware and software development to the AIM-9X system as well as test and integration of developed hardware and capabilities. More specifically the hardware development will include updates to the AIM-9X sensor, electronics unit, and guidance unit and the software efforts include the development of the operational flight software versions 10.5 and 11.5 and integrated flight software. Additionally, this contract provides program protection, cyber security, information assurance and training for the AIM-9X system. Work will take place in Arizona, California, Pennsylvania and Utah. Estimated completion will be in September 2027.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey said on Sunday it had “neutralized,” the term its defense ministry usually employs for killed, some 30 members of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in separate cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria. Turkey regularly carries out cross-border air strikes, often with armed drones, in neighboring Iraq and Syria as part of its offensive against PKK militants based there.

Europe

The recently concluded sinking exercise (SINKEX) called Atlantic Thunder 22 allowed Combat Air Crew Six (CAC-6) from VP-9 to execute a coordinated time-on-target using Harpoon anti-ship missiles with the British Royal Navy’s HMS Westminster. The target was decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigate ex-USS Boone. A time-on-target strike is when all munitions arrived on the target nearly at the same time. Using Naval Integrated Fires (NIFE), the target coordinates were transmitted to HMS Westminster for the warship to launch two Harpoons passively. That was the first time NIFE has been used to carry out an attack on a real target in a multinational environment.

Asia-Pacific

The Taiwanese Navy has inducted a new, indigenously-made amphibious warship to transport troops and military supplies to vulnerable islands. The development is part of the country’s push for self-sufficiency in defense and its continuing modernization efforts amid increasing pressure from China. Named after Taipei’s tallest mountain, the 10,000-ton Yu Shan is equipped with a forward cannon for air and surface targets.

Hyundai Rotem has entered into a collaborative agreement with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to develop unmanned turrets for next-generation military vehicles. The South Korean firm said a memorandum of understanding was signed by the two companies during the DX Korea 2022 defense exhibition in Goyang.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Just How Powerful is America’s AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile

Americas

Rolls Royce won a $20 million delivery order for the procurement of four spare AE 2100D3 engines used on the KC-130J aircraft. All work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana and work is expected to be completed by March 2024. The KC-130J is a multi-role tanker aircraft designed and developed by Lockheed Martin to replace the KC-130F/R/T aircraft. Work will take place in Indiana. Expected completion will be by March 2024.

The Navy awarded Raytheon a $16 million contract modification for sustainment material and support for the AN/SPY-6(V) family of radars. The solid state, fixed-face and rotating SPY-6 variants provide integrated air and missile defense capabilities. Work will take place ein California, Arizona, Massachusetts and Virginia. Expected completion will be by September 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Kuwait now has six Eurofighters in the country after Leonardo delivered another two aircraft to Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah Air Base. This is the third batch of delivery and the Kuwait News Agency said in a statement that the Eurofighters in the country have accumulated 100 flight hours.

The US State Department Approved a Foreign Military Sale of M1A2K tank operational and training ammunition and related equipment to Kuwait for an estimated cost of $250 million. The Pentagon said the Kuwaiti government had requested to buy the ammunition and related equipment, and the proposed sale would improve Kuwait’s ability to meet current and future regional threats. The equipment would provide Kuwait with the ability to deter and defend against land-based threats, and help protect border regions and key land-based infrastructure, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Europe

The US Senate approved $12 billion in new economic and military aid for Ukraine on Thursday as part of a stopgap extension of the federal budget into December. The measure, agreed by senators of both parties, includes $3 billion for arms, supplies, and salaries for Ukraine’s military, and authorizes President Joe Biden to direct the US Defense Department to take $3.7 billion worth of its own weapons and materiel and send them to Ukraine.

Asia-Pacific

Swedish defense firm Saab announced last week that it would set up a new production facility for the Carl-Gustaf M4 rifle in India. The initiative seeks to bolster arms production in the country and provide the necessary support to the Indian Army and other military customers worldwide. According to the company, the new facility will employ complex technologies and advanced manufacturing techniques for the state-of-the-art Carl-Gustaf system.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Carl-Gustaf M4 | The most feared weapons system to be made in India | WION Originals

Americas

Argon ST won a $21 million delivery order under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement for the procurement of nine amplifier chassis for the support of operations of the MQ-4C Triton with the first deployment of IFC 4-configured unmanned aircraft system. Work will take place in Virginia. Expected completion will be by March 2025.

Sikorsky won a $17.2 million order, which provides non-recurring engineering in support of incorporating a one-second or less Engine Fuel Firewall Shutoff Valve into the CH-53K aircraft. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. The most powerful helicopter in the Department of Defense, the CH-53K is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies. Work will take place in Connecticut, England and Maryland. Expected completion will be in April 2027.

Middle East & Africa

A US Air Force F-15 fighter shot down an Iranian Mojer-6 unmanned aircraft over Iraq on September 28. USCENTCOM said in a statement that the drone was heading towards American troops in Erbil.

Europe

The road runway in Jousta, Finland was reactivated for the first time in decades in order for the Finnish Air Force to practice landing and take-offs on the highway. The Nordic country, which is applying for NATO membership following neighbouring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has a dozen similar reserve runways designed for wartime use around the country.

Jane’s reports, that the NATO enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) battlegroup in Slovakia was declared combat-ready following exercise ‘Strong Cohesion’ in Leš?, held from 20 to 22 September. A spokesperson said that the declaration was made after evaluation by an in-theatre readiness inspectionteam led by Czech Major General Petr Procházka, deputy commander of the Army of the Czech Republic’s operations command.

Asia-Pacific

The vice commander of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Maj. Gen. Arthur Cordura told senators during a hearing that only five out of twelve FA-50PH fighters are operational. Cordura explained that two jets are undergoing routine maintenance while the rest are waiting for spare parts. Delivery of spares are delayed by the COVID pandemic. He added that 10 jets will be serviceable by the end of the year.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Here Comes the CH-53K King Stallion

Americas

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won an $115.4 million deal, which provides diminishing manufacturing sources parts for F-35 Lightning II program for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-US Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion will be in September 2023. Just recently, the US Navy, in collaboration with Raytheon, carried out two StormBreaker smart weapon-guided test vehicle releases from an F-35B Lightning II at .9 Mach, bringing the F-35 one step closer to receiving a major weapons upgrade.

Huntington-Ingalls Industries won a $23.6 million modification for the procurement of material and labor associated with contractor-furnished on board repair parts for the outfitting of CVN-79. Work will take place in Virginia. Expected completion will be by June 2024. John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second aircraft carrier in the Ford Class. It is also the second aircraft carrier built by Newport News Shipbuilding named for JFK.

Middle East & Africa

Iraq will take delivery of two GM403 air defense radars from Thales this month, Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Inad Saadoun has disclosed. “The Ministry of Defense has received French-made GM403 radars, two out of four, while they will arrive successively in Iraq at the end of this month,” Saadoun was quoted as saying. The last radar will arrive in the first quarter of next year. Thales said in July that it will supply Iraq with four GM403 air defense radars under a contract that will include a command and operations center.

Europe

The Royal Navy’s Duke-class Type 23 frigate HMS Kent has completed weapon and naval combat tests after undergoing maintenance and upgrades. The assessment prepares the frigate to join future deployments and drills, such as the Joint Warrior military exercise in Scotland next month.

The Lithuanian government has delivered a total of 50 M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas announced. In a September 26 press briefing, Anusauskas said Lithuania plans to continue providing military assistance to its war-stricken European neighbor, pending consultation with NATO allies. “Our armed forces are NATO’s armed forces and our capability is also important for our allies who are here,” the minister said. “This is why every time we consider a reduction of our capability … we have to discuss with our allies how we are going to compensate for this.”

Asia-Pacific

Australia has started the construction of its fifth Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) intended to enhance the country’s maritime awareness. A keel laying ceremony was held at the Henderson Maritime Precinct in Western Australia, with representatives from shipbuilder Luerssen Australia in attendance. The event marked a “major milestone” in the design, development, and delivery of another OPV for the Royal Australian Navy, Deputy Secretary of National Naval Shipbuilding Tony Dalton said.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Building The Unsinkable | USS John F. Kennedy CVN 79 | Aircraft Carrier – Mega Machines ?10

Americas

Boeing won a $191.8 million delivery order for the repair of multiple flight control surfaces used on the F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircrafts. The delivery order does not include an option period. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida; various other locations within the continental US that cannot be determined at this time and St. Louis, Missouri, and work is expected to be completed by July 2025.

Mood Inc. won a $8.6 million deal for the spare of the Planetary Blade Fol used on the V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. All work will be performed in Torrance, California, and is expected to be completed by March 2026. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity

Middle East & Africa

Boeing won a $16.4 million contract modification to Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom) for improved drive system-enhancement on the Apache attack helicopter, production line and for the Apache Longbow crew trainers. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is August 30, 2024.

Europe

The Army is dispatching two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Latvia for the country’s national combat readiness exercises, according to a statement from US Army Europe and Africa. Approximately a dozen personnel will be deployed with the rocket systems to the exercise, called Namejs 2022. US soldiers are practicing rapidly deploying long-range “precision fires capabilities in coordination with our allies and partners,” the statement said.

British engineering firm Supacat says it has completed the integration of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) sensing technology into the country’s Fox armored vehicles. In a press release last week, the company revealed that the first batch of upgraded vehicles has already been delivered to the manufacturer, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).

Asia-Pacific

The US government has agreed to let Taiwan buy the NASAMS air defense missile system, Up Media reports. The offer from the Americans were made during the annual Monterey Talks security meeting by both sides in Annapolis on June 20. According to the news report, the Taiwanese will be allowed to buy the latest variant of NASAMS which can fire the AIM-9X, AMRAAM, and AMRAAM-ER missiles.

Today’s Video

WATCH: This is America’s M142 HIMARS

Americas

Rockwell Collins won a $15.6 million modification, which adds additional in-scope work to provide a virtual reality trade study, aircraft common equipment replacement/virtualization, aircraft flight management computer functional equivalent unit card development, and Beyond Line Of Sight (BLOS) chat software enhancements in support of the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training System devices, as well as provides associated technical data, computer software, and computer software documentation for BLOS chat software enhancement efforts. Additionally this modification exercises an option to procure coupled mode capability in support of E-2D Aircrew Procedures Trainer Device 2F211 S/N 4 and E-2D Distributed Readiness Trainer. Work will take place in Virginia and Florida. Estimated completion will be in February 2024.

The US Marine Corps has contracted Stratom to develop an uncrewed ground vehicle that integrates a range of capabilities in one platform. The Remote Expeditionary Autonomous Pioneer (REAPr) System is expected to possess “material handling, construction, path/trail clearance, explosive hazard defeat and refueling” capabilities, according to the Small Business Innovation Research solicitation.

Middle East & Africa

Iran unveiled a new medium-range ballistic missile on Thursday during a military parade commemorating the Iran-Iraq war, state television said. “The liquid-fuelled Rezvan ballistic missile has an operational range of 1,400 kilometers (870 miles),” said the station, which aired images of the missile mounted on a military vehicle.

Europe

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has contracted Elbit Systems UK to provide 150 Elbit Laser Warning Systems (ELAWS) for the Challenger 3 (CR3) Program. The ELAWS provides 360-degree coverage with a precise and timely warning against laser-guided threats such as missiles.

Asia-Pacific

Singapore plans to build a new building at Ebbing Air National Guard Base to house an F-35 simulator, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has disclosed. This confirms that the island intends to bring its F-35s to the Ebbing ANG base to join its F-16 fleet. The EIS also noted that F-35Bs would not operate in STOVL mode due to noise concerns. Singapore has bought four F-35Bs with options for eight.

According to Jane’s, the Indian Army has selected Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to co-develop the country’s first light tank project along with the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The army selected the Mumbai-headquartered multinational to develop a 25-ton tank for mountain warfare under project Zorawar, L&T’s senior executive vice-president for defense Jayant D Patil told the outlet.

Today’s Video

WATCH: British Army’s Next Generation Challenger 3 Tank Is Now Under Construction

If, in the year 2042, different countries and criminal groups provoked an international crisis in an ally of the European Union, what capabilities would the EU need to contain it? If such a crisis escalated into a conflict involving multi-domain operations, cyber attacks, unmanned systems and chemical and biological weapons, what might be the EU’s best capabilities mix?

To help answer those questions, the European Defence Agency organised its second tabletop exercise on future threats in Brussels on 21-22 September, following on from a similar simulation in Helsinki in June.

The EDA brought together about 40 experts and military planners to assess the impact of future threats on military capabilities, supported by a fictional scenario outside the European continent in two decades from now, when digital technology, artificial intelligence and computer networks are likely to develop further and present challenges that the EU must be ready for.

Unlike the Helsinki simulation, which focused on an attack on an EU country, the Brussels tabletop exercise, known as TTX, looked beyond to a geopolitical flashpoint scenario in which the country in question is plunged into full-scale armed conflict and becomes a failed state.

The Helsinki and Brussels tabletop exercises are part of efforts to develop the longer-term aspects of the EU’s Capability Development Plan (CDP). The exercises, which are different from tactical wargames, relied on a simulation involving several states as well as criminal organisations.

With a mix of defence planners, technology and innovation experts, as well as foresight analysts, the Brussels and Helsinki exercises also sought to enhance the integrated approach needed to balance the so-called “capability pull” and the “technology push” aspects of military capability development. As in Helsinki, members of the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) attended as observers.

By discussing the implications of possible future threats, the exercises encompassed land, sea, air, space and cyber, and considered, among other things, the impact of hybrid warfare, the dominance of artificial intelligence-supported systems, conflict in the grey zone between war and peace, and energy concerns affecting all military domains.

Over the course of the two-day simulation in Brussels, which involved adversaries with advanced cyber and space capabilities, the experts and planners sought to learn as much as possible from such a crisis that involved both kinetic and non-kinetic confrontation, preparing for the long-term to consider the full spectrum of military capabilities that might be needed.

The focus was on assessing the long-term capabilities trends and requirements to contribute to the detailed content of the CDP, which is structured by military tasks and time periods, known as the Generic Military Task List (GMTL) and organised in six main capabilities areas.

The look into warfare in 2040 and beyond is part of the CDP’s so-called Strand B. Other strands in the CDP include short- and mid-term analysis, involving lessons from operations, projects and programmes for cooperation, and assessing their impact on capability requirements.

For more information, please click here: 

• Tabletop Exercise to explore future military capabilities
• CDP Factsheet
• Recent launching of CDP revision by participating Member States

 

Americas

The US Navy awarded Raytheon a $160 million deal for Dual Band Radar (DBR) design agent and technical engineering efforts. Engineering efforts and supplies are required to support the DBR systems installed aboard CVN-78 and DDG-1000 class ships. Work will take place in Massachusetts, California, Rhode Island and Virginia. Estimated completion will be by September 2023.

The US Army’s Program Executive Office Missiles and Space has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the Close Combat Missile System-Heavy (CCMS-H). The CCMS-H is to replace the existing BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missile. The new missile must be able to destroy Tier 1 armored threats and field fortifications. It must have dual command guidance such as Fire and Forget, Command-Line of Sight, or Semi-Active Laser homing while incorporating reprogrammable target prioritization capability. The Army intends to store the CCMS-H for up to ten years and the missile must be ready to be fired at any time.

Middle East & Africa

The Israeli Navy has successfully test-fired a Gabriel 5 anti-ship missile from INS Oz. The Israeli Defense Ministry says the test was carried out in August. Israel Aerospace Industries manufactures the Gabriel family of advanced sea-skimming missiles.

Raytheon won a $15.3 million order, which provides for depot-level repair capability for the government of Kuwait’s inventory of AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar weapon replaceable assemblies. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California and Forest, Mississippi and is expected to be completed in February 2023.

Europe

Defense News reports that the Italian Air Force and Navy have figured out how to manage their small fleets of F-35Bs, and it goes something like “Joint training and operations, but separate bases.” With both services due to receive just 15 F-35B’s each, the need for pooled management has been obvious to officials, despite  rivalries between the military branches.

Asia-Pacific

Japan has officially acknowledged that three Eurofighters from the German Air Force will be arriving at Hyakuri Air Base on September 28. The Germans will participate in joint training with F-2 fighter pilots from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The ASDF says the goal is to promote mutual understanding, strengthen defense cooperation and improve the ASDF’s tactical skills.

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