Defence`s Feeds

Americas

• Austral USA, the Mobile, Alabama-based subsidiary of the Australian shipbuilder has been awarded a $584.2 million modification to a previously awarded US Navy contract for the construction of a littoral combat ship (LCS). Under the terms of the deal, the firm will perform and oversee all necessary design, planning, construction and test and trials activities in support of delivery of the vessel to the Navy, with a scheduled completion date set for October 2023. Work will primarily take place at Mobile, Alabama, but also at several other east coast locations. The Navy expects to release a competitive solicitation(s) for additional LCS class ships in future years, and therefore the specific contract award amount for these ships is considered source selection sensitive information and for the time being, will not be made public.

• Boeing plans to acquire Aurora Flight Sciences, both companies announced on October 5. Wanted to help accelerate Boeing’s development of game-changing autonomy technology for innovative aerospace vehicles, the Manassas-based company will retain an independent operating model after the acquisition. Since its founding in 1989, Aurora has designed, produced and flown more than 30 UAVs, and has collaborated with Boeing on several occasions in the last decade on the rapid prototyping of innovative aircraft and structural assemblies for both military and commercial applications. Further details on the acquisition were not given.

Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia has been cleared by the US State Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to proceed with the sale of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems. Valued at an estimated $15 billion, the package includes the provision of 44 THAAD launchers, 360 THAAD Interceptor Missiles, 16 THAAD Fire Control and Communications Mobile Tactical Station Group, and seven AN/TPY-2 THAAD radars. Additional items include THAAD Battery maintenance equipment, 43 trucks, generators, electrical power units, trailers, communications equipment, tools, and test and maintenance equipment, as well as spare and repair parts, logistics, construction of facilities and other program support. Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Raytheon will act as lead contractors in the deal, which the DSCA said will add an upper-tier to Saudi Arabia’s layered missile defense architecture and will support modernization of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Force.

• A historic visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to Moscow last week was marked by the announcement that the kingdom has agreed to buy the S-400 air defense system from Russia. Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the system on Thursday, which will also see part of the system built in Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to develop its own military industries. The MOU also covers the production in Saudi Arabia of Kornet-EM anti-tank missiles, TOS-1A multiple rocket launchers, and AGS-30 automatic grenade launchers. Another general terms and conditions of contract agreement was also signed, and covers Saudi production of the Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifle and associated 7.62×39 mm ammunition. King Salman arrived, along with a 1,500 strong entourage, in Moscow on Wednesday, the first time a Saudi king has ever visited Moscow.

• South Africa’s Paramount Group has snapped up four surplus Dassault Mirage F1Bs from the French government in a “multi-million euro” transaction the firm did not want to specify. Once delivered, the aircraft will join the company’s existing fleet of single-seat Mirage F1s—which it bought from the South African air force in 2006—and will support both aggressor and pilot training in addition to aiding maintenance and support instruction. They will be operated by the Paramount Aerospace Systems subsidiary.

Europe

• German prosecutors examining portions of Airbus’s $2 billion sale in 2003 of Eurofighter aircraft to Austria are expected to complete their investigations soon. While Austrian prosecutors are also investigating the case, the Munich authority is focusing on 16 individuals on suspicion of breeches of trust, and whether money supposedly spent on so-called offset deals was instead used to influence decision-makers on the main sale. Meanwhile,Vienna prosecutors are pursuing a separate investigation into allegations of fraud against Airbus and the Eurofighter industrial consortium based on complaints from the Austrian defense ministry, which is seeking up to $1.3 billion in compensation.

• The Finnish government has sent a Request for Information (RFI) to seven countries about weapons and other equipment for Finland’s HX fighter project to replace its F/A-18 Hornet fleet by 2025. France, Germany, Britain, Israel, Norway, Sweden and the US, have all been contacted with the requests, which aims to determine what capabilities will be available to meet Finland’s estimated future fighter needs. Helsinki intends to seek pricing on the Hornet’s replacement next spring, with testing of candidate aircraft to commence in 2019, and a final procurement decision will come made in 2021.

Asia Pacific

• Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has dismissed claims that Bangkok has agreed to replace ageing AH-1F helicopters with new attack helicopters from the US. Instead, he added that the army has a procurement plan for some attack helicopters and that a committee has yet to setup to select and procure a new attack helicopter. While Prawit did not disclose the models or country the new rotorcraft is expected to come from, a source close to the procurement said six helicopters will be sought, adding the models in contention include the Cobra, AH-1Z Viper, AH-64 Apache from the US, the Mi-28 from Russia, the Z-10 from China or the AW-129 from Italy.

Today’s Video

• T-50A: Mission X:

Key Points PT PAL’s bid to secure more international orders for its LPD-like platform hampered by ongoing corruption allegations Company calls on government to expedite legal processes against accused parties to avoid further damage to Indonesia’s defence exports Separate talks to

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) is increasing efforts to promote Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ (KHI’s) C-2 medium transport aircraft to international customers, it confirmed on 6 October. The MoD said in a statement that, for the first time, it is flying the C-2 to foreign countries

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) is to propose a 2018 defence budget of TWD327.8 billion (USD10.8 billion), state-run news in the country reported on 7 October. The allocation, which will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan on 11 October, represents an increase of about 1.9% (or

Armata vs Abrams Comparison. Which One is Better?

EXPAL has exhibited its proposal in weapon systems, naval and army ammunition, technology systems, and demilitarisation services at the Pacific exhibition.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has decommissioned three Fearless-class patrol vessels (PVs), RSS Sovereignty, RSS Unity and RSS Justice, at Tuas Naval Base.

The French and Italian governments are considering a possible merger of Naval Group and Fincantieri, Rolls-Royce has unveiled plans to develop an autonomous single-role naval vessel and GD won $5.1bn design contract for the US Navy's lead Columbia-cl…

German company MAN Diesel & Turbo has delivered four MAN 12V175D gensets for installation on the Italian Navy's first new multipurpose offshore patrol vessel (PPA).

Leonardo has secured a new contract to supply information management software for the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) six Collins-class submarines.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has revealed production details for the 36 Saab Gripen E/F (F-39) combat aircraft it ordered for around USD5.4 billion in 2014, and told Jane’s on 5 October that deliveries will run from 2019 to 2024. Brazil’s Gripens will begin a certification process in

Australian company Quickstep announced on 9 October plans to streamline its board of directors in line with its continuing restructuring. The firm, a specialist in advanced composites, said three of its non-executive directors (Nigel Ampherlaw, Peter Cook, and Errol McCormack) are retiring and will

Saab signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thai industrial estate developer Amata on 5 October to study areas of industry and technology collaboration. The MOU is in support of Saab’s potential involvement in Amata’s plans to create a ‘smart city’ and an aerospace

Key Points The Swedish Army’s new Mjolner twin 120 mm mortar system is expected to undergo firing trials Forty Swedish Army CV90 infantry fighting vehicles will be equipped with the Mjolner system BAE Systems Hagglunds is set to conduct manned firing trials of a prototype/demonstrator of

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral John Richardson approved the requirements on 3 October for a future frigate to replace the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), officials told Jane’s . With the CNO’s approval, the US Navy (USN) is now cleared to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) for the

Lockheed Martin has developed a new flexible solar array that delivers 50% more power than legacy arrays at 30% less mass, according to a company statement. Lockheed Martin recently completed the first flight build of its new Multi-Mission Modular Solar Array, which advances the company’s

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) were preparing on 6 October to leave their homeport in Mayport, Florida, to sail to the United State's Gulf Coast to help the region in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Nate, which is projected

Bankrupt Serbian defence and heavy vehicle manufacturer IMK 14 Oktobar is to be acquired by Czech-owned company Czechoslovak Group (CSG), the company has announced. Following the approval of IMK 14 Oktobar’s creditors and the Serbian Bankruptcy Supervision Agency, ownership of the company was

Indonesia displayed several new platforms during a 5 October military parade held in the coastal city of Cilegon, Banten Province, to mark the 72nd anniversary of its armed forces. Among the platforms shown were an AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter and a prototype of the Kaplan MT Modern

On 11 October, SEDE will discuss the recently adopted UN Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Rooted in serious humanitarian concerns and frustration with slow progress of nuclear disarmament, according to its supporters, the Treaty represents an important milestone in multilateral disarmament efforts, as it sets up a number of norms that build upon the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and contributes to a renewed progress on nuclear arms reduction towards their eventual elimination.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP