Jane's Defense News

The Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ) unveiled the design for the Loara-NG (Next Generation) 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) proposed for the Polish armed forces at the country's MSPO defence exhibition, held in Kielce from 6-9 September. The system is being

US defence conglomerate Raytheon has announced a new missile to add to the mix of options available for customers of its Patriot air and missile defence (AMD) system. Designated SkyCeptor, the missile is a near analogue of the Stunner, which the US company produced in a co-operative development with

Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Tasmania, represented by the Australian Maritime College. The agreement hopes to offer joint internships, PhDs, exchanges and collaborative research programmes. Associate Professor

EVENT A new armed group, the Mouvement pour la justice et la réhabilitation du Niger (MJRN), has threatened to launch attacks in defence of ethnic-Toubou rights in Niger. The group's leader, Adam Tcheke Koudigan, on 7 September accused the Nigerien authorities of indifference towards the

EVENT North Korean state media announced on 9 September 2016 that the country had 'successfully' conducted a nuclear warhead explosion hours after an earthquake of magnitude 5.3 (according to the US Geological Survey) was detected near the Punggye-ri test site. This fifth confirmed nuclear test is

Key Points The 11 m ARCIMS USV is able to accommodate a variety of modular payloads AQS-24B combines a synthetic aperture sonar and an optical laser line scan sensor ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK (AEUK) and Northrop Grumman have partnered to demonstrate the unmanned minehunting capability of AEUK's ARCIMS

Northrop Grumman has demonstrated a new autonomy framework that enables multiple unrelated unmanned systems to communicate and collaborate on a mission. "Data collected from multiple sensors arrayed across autonomous undersea, surface, and air vehicles were fused autonomously to develop a

The two companies competing to undertake major upgrade of Australia's Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) long-range radar network have delivered their proposed solutions to the Department of Defence (DoD), informed sources confirmed to IHS Jane's on 5 September. BAE Systems Australia and

Saab will supply a Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) to the General Tadeusz Kosciuszko Military Academy of Land Forces (Wyzsza Szkola Oficerska Wojsk Ladowych) (WSOWL) in Wroclaw, Poland. Saab describes this as a first order under a two-year agreement. The value of the order has not been

The US Army has issued a Sources Sought notice in response to an identified need for an unmanned recovery vehicle variant of the service's future Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET). Under the notice the army is looking to identify manufacturers capable of building a robotic platform that

China is to build a new strategic bomber aircraft to enhance the country's long-range strike capabilities, national media reported on 3 September. The news was announced by the commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), General Ma Xiaotian, who said that the new aircraft was in

EVENT On 1 September 2016, the US Department of the Treasury updated the lists of specially designated individuals and sectoral sanctions identifications to target sanctions and other activities related to the conflict in Ukraine. Most new individuals and company names added onto the US sanctions

Key Points Lebanese presidential and parliamentary elections are also delayed: there are blockages to the electoral law, the formation of the cabinet, and future legislation. These delays are unlikely to end at least before mid-2017. Not even the holding of parliamentary elections in 2017 would

India extended a USD500 million credit line to Vietnam on 3 September to deepen bilateral defence ties and respond to emerging regional challenges, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his maiden visit to the southeast Asian country: the first by an Indian prime minister in 15 years.

Authorities in New Delhi have reportedly rejected a bid by French naval shipbuilder DCNS to invest in establishing a company in India to develop and produce air-independent propulsion systems (AIP) for submarines. Media reports in India said the proposal, which features a bid by DCNS to establish a

India's Ministry of Defence has invited responses by 30 September from overseas vendors to supply 45 bird detection and monitoring radar systems for installation at Indian Air Force (IAF) bases across the country. The 30 August request for information requires these systems to be road-mobile,

Japan and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence collaboration, with a view to supporting defence trade. The MoU was signed in Tokyo on 2 September during talks between Japan's defence minister Tomomi Inada and her visiting counterpart Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud.

Key Points In a post-Karimov transitional period, the elites would have to co-operate to preserve political stability and avoid a power vacuum. However, there is a risk that after consolidating power, Karimov's successor or people affiliated with him might attempt to redistribute assets and

UK-based Spectris announced on 2 September that it has acquired Millbrook Group from Rutland Partners and Millbrook management shareholders. The deal is valued at GBP122 million (USD162 million), and will be made using Spectris' cash and bank facilities. GBP3.4 million of the total payment is to be

Key Points NATO and other military forces have identified challenges and opportunities in MILSATCOM NATO is also exploring a range of technologies to rapidly field accessible SATCOM services to deployed troops The development of new architectures and international interoperability to provide