Jane's Defense News

Key Points The USN will acquire only 40 LCSs/frigates while downselecting to one variant in FY 2019 Carter's directive boosts the acquisition of F-35C and F/A-18E/F fighters as well as SM-6 missiles US secretary of defence Ashton Carter has instructed the US Navy (USN) to reduce its planned fleet

EVENT The latest changes to the Constitutional Tribunal structure - a judicial body that serves to resolve constitutional disputes involving state institutions - will trigger anti-government demonstrations in Poland tomorrow (19 December). The right-wing/nationalist ruling Law and Justice (Prawo i

Denmark has ordered 309 Piranha 5 8x8 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) from General Dynamic European Land Systems (GDELS) - MOWAG, it has been announced. Signed on 11 December, the order is worth DKK4.5 billion (USD650 million) and comes after the selection of the 8x8 by Denmark in April. The

Key Points France's DGA contracts H2X and Cegelec Défense et Naval Sud-Est to build and support six new multimission tenders The platforms will be used in and around naval bases They will be the first French Navy vessels to feature hybrid electric drive using battery power France's

EVENT Former Katanga provincial governor Moïse Katumbi, a wealthy and popular political figure, met in Paris on 10 December with Félix Tshisekedi, the son of Étienne Tshisekedi, the leader of the opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (Union pour la Démocratie et le

Munitions and explosives manufacturer Expal is to reopen an ammunition factory in northern Spain that was formerly run by the state-owned Santa Barbara Sistemas group, which was taken over by General Dynamics in 2001. The plant, at Trubia in the northern region of Asturias, will be leased from the

EVENT President Mahamadou Issoufou confirmed on 17 December that Niger's government had foiled a military coup and arrested a number of senior military officers alleged to be involved. In a televised address, Issoufou reassured the nation that the situation was now "under control". Key

French naval nuclear propulsion specialist Areva TA is to be partially nationalised, the company's parent group, Areva, confirmed on 17 December. Alongside a report forecasting overall losses of EUR1.2 billion (USD1.3 billion) in 2015, Areva said the French state was to purchase a majority stake,

The German Army is to get a further 131 ARTEC Boxer 8x8 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) under a EUR476 million (USD516.4 million) contract placed on 18 December. The Bundeswehr already has 272 Boxer vehicles on order, with the new order bringing this total to 403. In a statement, the ARTEC

Israel Military Industries (IMI) will begin operating as a private company at the start of 2016, the defence corporation announced on 16 December, and will change its name to "IMI Systems Ltd", as five prospective buyers compete for ownership in the final stages of a lengthy privatisation

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 16 December that it had received a consignment of tanks, armoured vehicles, and ammunition from Bulgaria. It provided no further details. The announcement came after photographs began circulating on social media showing a T-72 tank and as many as 12

AT LEAST 20 soldiers and tribal pro-government militiamen were killed when at least five suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs) were detonated by Islamic State militants targeting their positions followed by armed clashes in the Albu Farraj area, north of Ramadi, in Iraq's

Japan and Indonesia have agreed to start negotiations on defence trade and technology transfers, it was announced on 17 December. The pact, which was made during meetings in Tokyo between the country's defence and foreign ministers, is geared towards supporting Japanese sales to Indonesia. A

Japan's Supreme Court has upheld a high court ruling earlier this year calling for the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) to pay damages to Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) over a downsized contract to procure locally produced Boeing AH-64DJP Apache attack helicopters. FHI said on 17 December that the

EVENT The Libyan National Army (LNA) has launched an offensive in Ajdabiya this week, with the objective of expelling Islamic State and other jihadist groups from the town. Air strikes have been launched against positions in the town's industrial zone, with unconfirmed reports of street fighting

Lockheed Martin announced on 17 December that it had filed a complaint with the Court of Federal Claims following the rejection of a protest it lodged with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the award of a contract for 17,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) to rival supplier

Lockheed Martin said it filed a protest with the US Court of Federal Claims on 17 December about the award of the Pentagon's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) programme to Oshkosh Defense. On 8 September Lockheed Martin filed an initial protest with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO),

Mexican Naval Aviation (Fuerza AeroNaval: FAN) in the last quarter of 2015 received two new Zlin Z 143 LSi surveillance aircraft. A Mexican Navy source told IHS Jane's that both aircraft were purchased under a USD1.07 million contract for use in surveillance roles. The exact nature of the missions

Key Points Apart from their importance as key commercial centres in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne have been where authorities have discovered various Islamist groups planning attacks in Australia, making it no coincidence that terrorist attacks have occurred there recently. Strengthened

Key Points The current fuel shortage in Nigeria is the longest-lasting of three episodes this year as the consequences of long-delayed subsidy payments affect the country's ability to meet demand. The national oil company is struggling to ensure smooth distribution of fuel as it tries to plug the