Defense`s Feeds

Americas

Boeing won a $255 million modification by he Defense Logistics Agency Aviation for the F-15 depot program. This is a fixed-price-incentive and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The ordering period end date is May 17, 2027. Using military service is Air Force.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced it is funding Aurora Flight Sciences’ active flow control (AFC)-based aircraft development phases 2 and 3. Aurora will perform “detailed engineering design work” for a full-scale version of its experimental aircraft (X-plane) under the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program phase 2.

Middle East & Africa

The Baykar Bayraktar K?z?lelma, also known as the “Red Apple,” is an unmanned fighter aircraft currently under development by Turkish defense company Baykar. The jet took off for the first time on December 14. The airframe of the K?z?lelma features a canards-delta configuration, which is similar to that of the Chinese Chengdu J-20 fighter. This type of configuration, which is also known as a “delta-canard,” combines the benefits of both delta wings and canard foreplanes. Delta wings are characterized by their triangular shape and are known for their high lift and low drag properties, making them well-suited for supersonic flight. Canard foreplanes, on the other hand, are small winglets located near the nose of the aircraft that help to improve stability and control. The combination of these two wing types allows the K?z?lelma to achieve high maneuverability and agility while also maintaining good stability and low drag.

Europe

A team led by MBDA and the European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has signed a contract amendment to produce Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles for the UK Ministry of Defense. The agreement follows an initial contract for $371 million inked by the UK, France, and Italy in May. Used by French and Italian forces, the Aster weapon system will be converted into maritime missile variants for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, enhancing the fleet’s capability to identify and engage anti-ship ballistic threats.

A team led by Airbus has carried out Europe’s first large-scale multi-domain flight demonstration supporting the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program at Rovajärvi artillery practice range in Finland. Funded by the German BAAINBw procurement agency, the test was conducted to develop a remote flying carrier that will operate alongside German Eurofighters and New Generation Fighters. The demonstration involved manned and unmanned aircraft in realistic scenarios against a rogue adversary.

Asia-Pacific

The government of Japan has decided to build a submarine with a vertical launcher (VLS) capable of launching long-range missiles from underwater. The improved version of the domestically-produced Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, as well as foreign-made missiles such as the Tomahawk cruise missile purchased from the United States will be installed on the VLS. The VLS system will allow for more missiles to be launched than the traditional torpedo launcher method.

Today’s Video

WATCH: What is Europe’s new MEGA Air Defense Project?

Americas

Lockheed Martin win a $24.4 million contract modification, which adds scope for maintenance and support of F-35 chase aircraft necessary to support F-35 aircraft acceptance and delivery, including all pre and post-flight activities, the removal and replacement of failed components, and return the aircraft to a clean and compliant condition suitable for first-time delivery of F-35 Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, non-US Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customer’s operational aircraft. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

The Pentagon has delivered “threat emitters” to Ukraine to help deceive Russian fighter jets. The training tool emits radio frequency signals, imitating air-defense and anti-aircraft artillery radar systems, helping pilots identify hostile signatures and hone their skills to defeat them. In a real-life scenario, the emitters confuse pilots as to which is a real electromagnetic signal and which is fake.

Middle East & Africa

The US warrant and 2017 indictment of a former US Marine Corps Harrier pilot accused of helping China to train its military pilots have been unsealed by the District of Columbia court. According to information in the indictment of Daniel Duggan, the US government had allowed a T-2 Buckeye trainer to be exported to South Africa due to false information given. The North American T-2 was used extensively by the US Navy to train pilots on landing and taking off from aircraft carriers.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Aeralis a $11 million contract to deliver an integrated digital enterprise capability for the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). Called “Digital Aviation Learning from Experience,” the system will digitally design, engineer, and certify fixed-wing aircraft under UK military standards. Furthermore, the capability’s cost-effective, risk-reduction approach will be integrated with other ministry projects, including the UK Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

The Royal Dutch Navy will receive new naval strike missiles (NSM) from Norwegian aerospace firm Kongsberg, replacing its current Boeing-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Under the agreement, Kongsberg will supply an undisclosed number of missiles for the navy’s Air Defence & Command Frigate fleet.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing has awarded Lufthansa Technik a contract to support sustainment services for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s future P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft fleet. The agreement stipulates the provision of Boeing’s Total Component Support (TCS), a service program that covers over 400 common parts and configurations intended for the P-8A commercial variant 737. By leveraging TCS, Boeing expects to enhance the air force’s readiness rates. The approach will also expand market support and provide easier access to the global supply chain dedicated to more than 4,000 737 planes for customers with smaller P-8A fleets.

Today’s Video

WATCH: T-2 Buckeye / T-45 Goshawk Legacy Flight – EAA AIrVenture Oshkosh 2019

Today, the European Commission, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) signed Contribution Agreements to delegate the implementation, under indirect management, of four strategic defence projects under the European Defence Fund. 

For EDA, the agreements involve two research projects:

ARTURO - The project ARTURO will provide a solution to fulfil future operational needs for advanced radar technologies in Europe.

ECOBALLIFE - The project ECOBALLIFE will research eco-designed ballistic systems for durable lightweight protection against current and new threats in platform and personal applications.

For OCCAR, the agreements involve two development projects:

European Patrol Corvette (EPC) - The EPC will focus on the initial phase of a European innovative, modular, flexible, interoperable, green, multirole vessel, enabling European navies to face the 21st century challenges. 

European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor (EU-HYDEF) - The project EU HYDEF will define the concept for a European Interceptor to achieve the highest maneuverability and capability to respond to high velocity threats.

Selected under the €1.2 billion European Defence Fund 2021 calls for proposals, these projects are highly important for the development of key EU defence and technological capabilities. The EU funding contribution to these four projects amounts to €190 million (almost 17% of the total EDF 2021 budget).

The signing ceremony was attended by Timo Pesonen, Director-General of DG DEFIS; Jiří Šedivý, EDA Chief Executive; and Matteo Bisceglia, OCCAR EA Director.

During the ceremony, they stated:

“This Contribution Agreement is an excellent opportunity for the European Commission and EDA to join forces and expertise, unlock synergies and build mutual trust again after the Pilot Project and the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR). This agreement can also pave the way for a continuous long-term cooperation, based on the governance framework and taking advantage of expertise and resources of the two organisations.” - Jiří Šedivý, EDA Chief Executive.

 “The collaboration with the EDA and OCCAR under the EDF's precursor programmes EDIDP and PADR has already proven to be fruitful. The high-level expertise of both the EDA and OCCAR is crucial to implement projects of a very strategic nature and help to make the implementation of the European Defence Fund a resounding success. That is why the Commission is very happy to continue to work together to show the EU Defence community that cooperation among European/International Institutions is active in delivering tangible capabilities through EDF.” - Timo Pesonen, Director-General of DG DEFIS, European Commission.

“I strongly share the objective that cooperation between OCCAR and the Commission should grow more and more in order to strengthen the European Defence Industry and to assist Europe in making its defence environment more independent from our strategic partner across the Atlantic.” - Matteo Bisceglia, OCCAR EA Director.

Background and More Information

With the adoption, on 2 December 2022, of the first award of 61 projects supported by the European Defence Fund (EDF), the Commission has approved an investment of around €1.2 billion in collaborative defence research and development projects. Read the individual project factsheets and general information on the EDF 2021 calls for proposals results here.

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $31 million modification, which exercises an option for the depot repair of T56-A-427A engines utilized on E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the Navy. The depot repair includes the repair of the power section, torque meter, gearbox, accessories and all related over and above and material support. Work will take place in Texas, Canada, Indiana. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

Lockheed Martin won a $14 million deal for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent efforts, which include the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by May 2023.

Middle East & Africa

A contract has been entered into by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply the fleet of Air Defence & Command Frigates with the Naval Strike Missile. Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, said, “We are very proud to have been chosen by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply the NSM to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) Air Defence & Command Frigates. This is another fantastic accomplishment for the NSM program and we are delighted to welcome the RNLN as a member of the NSM User Group.”

Europe

The Ukrainian Army has apparently received Titan-S armored personnel carriers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ukraine’s weapons tracker uploaded a short video showing Kyiv’s forces maneuvering several Titan-S vehicles in the abandoned city of Pripyat, near the Ukraine-Belarus border. The account did not specify how many of the UAE-made personnel carriers were delivered to the war-torn nation or show supplied them.

As numerous Eastern European allies are accelerating acquisitions of weaponry in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Croatia’s announced an “urgent procurement of short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.” The acquisition of Mistral surface-to-air missiles, made by MBDA Missile Systems, is valued at close to $76 million. It is to be financed from the Croatian budget in the 2024 to 2026 period, the government said in a statement.

Asia-Pacific

The Japanese government is considering a Patriot missile system radar upgrade with counter-hypersonic capabilities. Tokyo is planning to upgrade some Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) – 3 radars with the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing sources. The US Army purchased six LTAMDS in 2019 for $384 million and accepted the first of the lot in May for operational testing.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Mistral – Air Defence Missile System

Americas

General Atomics Aeronautical won an $8.5 million deal for MQ-9 Reaper launch and recovery services by the US Army. The MQ-9 Reaper provides Marines with a long-range ISR capability in support of maritime domain awareness and expeditionary advanced based operations in contested environments. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of September 1, 2023.

Textron Systems has delivered the first Cottonmouth advanced reconnaissance vehicle (ARV) prototype to the US Marine Corps at Silver Springs, Nevada. The handover follows the completion and contract verification testing of the vehicle last August in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will now enter the government evaluation phase that will run throughout 2023.

Middle East & Africa

The United States on Friday expressed alarm over a “full-scale defense partnership” between Moscow and Tehran, describing it as “harmful” to Ukraine, Iran’s neighbors, and the world. Iran stands accused by Western powers of supplying drone to Russia – which rejected the US allegations – as Moscow batters Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in search of an advantage in the bloody conflict.

Europe

Finland is spending $235 million to procure additional Spike SR, LR2, and ER2 missiles from Rafael. The acquisition of the additional missile systems will be carried out through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the Land Combat Missiles partnership program, Finland’s Ministry of Defense said in a press release on December 9.

Asia-Pacific

Textron Aviation won a $12.5 million deal for AT-6 components. This contract provides for the procurement of components not included in the original Thailand AT-6 direct commercial sale contract. AT-6 Wolverine is a new light-attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft designed and manufactured by Beechcraft, a brand of Textron Aviation. The location of performance is in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed by February 28, 2024.

The Japanese government is planning to enhance its PAC3 air defense missile systems to intercept hypersonic threats by acquiring the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) made by Raytheon. The government plans to include the modifications to the PAC3 in its defense buildup plan, which will be approved by the Cabinet on December 16. Tokyo also intends to improve the capabilities of existing fixed warning and control radars and develop next-generation warning and control radars to deal with hypersonic threats. The LTMADS has a longer detection range and can better identify high-speed and irregular trajectory missiles. The radar system has three antenna arrays: a primary array on the front and two secondary arrays on the back. These arrays work together to detect and engage multiple threats from any direction at the same time. This allows the LTAMDS to provide comprehensive coverage and protection against a wide range of air and missile threats, including hypersonic weapons.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine light attack at RIAT 2022

Share My Space, a ‘NewSpace’ company founded in 2017 and part of the emerging commercial space industry, wins this year's European Defence Agency (EDA) Defence Innovation Prize. This year’s €30,000 prize focused on space-based surveillance and reconnaissance defence technologies. It was awarded to Share My Space at EDA's annual conference in Brussels on 8 December, 2022.

Most space debris is tracked from earth and relies  on  NASA  and  the  U.S.  Department  of  Defence’s  Space  Surveillance  Network,  as  well  as  the  U.S.  Air  Force’s  space-tracking  system  that  uses  ground-based  sensors.  In  Europe,  Toulouse-based  company  Share  My Space is among a small group of private companies   offering   the   service,   tracking   artificial  satellites  and  space  debris,  using  its ground-based telescopes.

But  it  wants  to  go  one  step  further.  With  the  help  of  EDA,  it  could  develop  a  project  to   put   12   microsatellites   into  space   to   monitor   space   junk   with much   greater   accuracy.  If  successful,  every  90  minutes, the  satellites  would  be  able  to  send  back  a  full  scan  of  a  region  in  space  and  allow  companies  to  make  trajectory  decisions.  “No  sensor  at  ground  level  can  give  that  kind  of  precision,”  says  Norbert  Pouzin,  a  Spaceflight Dynamics Engineer at Share My Space.  “To  have  precise  and  accurate  data  on  all  orbits,  at  a  high  time-frequency,  you  need  the  combination  of  a  ground-based  and  space-based  observation  system.  A  surveillance  constellation  will  only  be  high-performance  with  a  full  network  of  ground-based sensors linked to it,” Pouzin says.

Collisions are not  theoretical     either.   According  to  the  European  Space  Agency,  the   first-ever   accidental   in-orbit   collision   between two satellites occurred in February 2009   above   Siberia,   when   a   privately-owned      U.S.      communication satellite, Iridium-33,  and  a  Russian  military  satellite,  Kosmos2251, collided. Both were destroyed.

The   microsatellites   form   the   essence   of   Share   My   Space’s   winning  proposal for   the  EDA’s  2022  Innovation  Prize.  While  the  €30,000  prize  money  can  only  be  seed  money    considering    the    potential    €720    million  cost  of  the  project,  it  does  bring  the    company    publicity    and    credibility,    Pouzin  says.  “It  shows  we  have  the  know-how  and  will  help  us  put  this  proposal  at  the  ministerial  level  in  France,  and  at  the  European level.”

Competitive field

Share  My  Space’s  proposal  involves  sending  up  the  microsatellites  with  three  crucial pieces of technology: a narrow field of view photo sensor telescope, a ‘fish-eye’ wide  angle  camera,  and  a  laser  to  track  objects. If Share My Space could secure an EDA-led  project  with  funding  from  Member  States,  it  would  likely  create  a  consortium  to build the satellites – a so-called Category B  project  that  would  allow  Member  States  to  opt-in  to  the  project  and  in  which  only  participating   states would   pay   towards   the  costs  of  the  project.  Share  My  Space  is   working   on the   basis   of   a   30-month   development cycle, with a five-year mission.

As in previous years, EDA’s Innovation Prize competition was very high, not just in terms of  the  number  of  proposals  –  15  in  all  –  but  also in terms of quality. “This year, we added an  incentive  to  promote  the  participation  of   small   and   medium-sized enterprises, including   start-ups,   and   give   them   the   opportunity     to     bring  their     innovative     proposals to the defence sector,” says Jean-François Ripoche, EDA Director for Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI).

Ripoche  says  that  Share  My  Space  was  selected   because   “it   proved   to   be  very   innovative,  proposing  a  solution  based  on  a  dedicated  satellites’  constellation  which  would  provide  more  continuous  coverage  and high accuracy position of the detected objects. By combining this architecture and the  latest  optical  sensors  technology,  this  proposal will put EU defence at the forefront in  space  surveillance.  ”As  the  amount  of  space junk is set to steadily increase, Share My  Space’s  proposal  could  not  have  come  sooner. 

A full version of this article is available in EDA's magazine European Defence Matters, Edition 24.

Americas

Airbus US Space & Defense won a $297.5 million modification for UH-72 Lakota contractor logistics support and engineering services. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2023. The UH-72A Lakota is a light utility helicopter specifically designed to meet the requirements of the US Army. The UH-72A Lakota helicopters were acquired to replace the UH-1H Iroquois and OH-58 A/C Kiowa helicopters.

A B-2 stealth bomber had an in-flight malfunction on December 10 and the aircraft made an emergency landing at Whiteman Air Force Base. During the landing, the runway of the base was damaged and a fire broke out, which was extinguished by Whiteman’s fire department. No one was injured in the accident. Whiteman Air Force Base is located in western Missouri, near the city of Knob Noster. The base is home to the 509th Bomb Wing, which operates the B-2 stealth bomber.

Middle East & Africa

Russia has provided flying training for the Su-35 fighter to Iranian pilots this spring, the Biden administration said. Russia is providing Iran with military support in exchange for weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine. Russia may also be looking to collaborate with Iran on weapons development and potentially establish a joint production line for drones in Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Iran has been providing significant military support to Russia, including the sale of several hundred drones since August. These drones have been used by Russia to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and energy facilities, causing civilian casualties.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense has awarded Saab a $278 million contract to provide next-generation light anti-tank weapons  (NLAW) for the British Army. Delivery will take place between 2024 and 2026. Thales will then assemble them at its facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. “Demand is increasing for anti-tank systems such as NLAW. We look forward to further strengthening our close relationship with the UK and are proud to continue delivering our proven and trusted anti-tank capability,” Saab CEO and President Micael Johansson said.

Lockheed won a $328.5 million deal for the US and United Kingdom to provide Strategic Weapon System Trident Fleet support, Trident II Shipboard Integration Increment 8, and navigation subsystem development efforts. The contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will take place in New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia.

Asia-Pacific

Northrop Grumman won a $32.5 million order, which procures spare Wet Outer Wing Panels for the government of Japan’s configuration of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. An additional two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) arrived by ship on 18 October, bringing to six the number of these aircraft completed for Japan to date. Work will take place in New York, Florida, North Carolina, California, Oklahoma, Utah and various other locations within the continental US. Expected completion will be in July 2027.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Su-35: a guest from the future. The fastest and the most maneuverable fighter of the Air Force

Americas

Austal USA and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) have partnered on production work to support the US Navy’s Virginia-class and future Columbia-class nuclear-powered submarine fleet at Mobile, Alabama. As part of the collaboration, Austal will develop and integrate electronic deck modules and command and control systems for both submarine classes. Work on the sub-surface components is being conducted at Austal’s facility in Mobile, Alabama.

US Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded Silvus Technologies a $5 million contract to provide advanced radios for networking on-the-move (NOTM) capabilities for its joint tactical and amphibious combat vehicles. Under the agreement, the California-based firm will provide its StreamCaster 4400 MANET, which provides a self-organizing mesh network throughout multiple bandwidths with high data rates.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems has taken delivery of a cutting-edge mine disposal system to be installed on the Seagull unmanned surface vessel. Subsea specialist Acteon’s data and robotics division Seatronics revealed it has sent two Mine Identification and Detonation Solutions (MIDS) to the Israeli-based defense firm. The MIDS can detonate multiple charges acoustically using state-of-the-art components.

Europe

Raytheon won a $10 million modification for procurement of the country unique scope of Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) technical publications, new equipment training and logistics management information in support of Romania 3-Lot. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2024. Foreign Military Sale To Romania in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Asia-Pacific

Two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J fighters have deployed to Clark air base, Philippines for the first time. NHK reported that the fighters took off from southwestern Japan and were refueled in mid-air before arriving in Luzon Island. This is likely to be JASDF Ny?tabaru Air Base, based on the tail numbers of the two F-15J fighters. This deployment is called “Pareho-22?, which means “together” in Talago. Clark Air Base was a United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It was one of the largest American military facilities in the Pacific, and served as the main US base in the Philippines from 1903 until 1991. The base was closed in 1991 due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, but was later reopened as Clark International Airport.

The final draft of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act includes up to $12 billion in security assistance to Taiwan over the next five years. The bill includes the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act authorizing up to $2 billion in “security assistance over the next five years to modernize Taiwan’s security capabilities,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) wrote in a statement.

Today’s Video

WATCH: $3.6 Billion US Gigantic Submarine – Virginia Class Submarine

Act fast. Face up to war in Ukraine. Prepare for 2040. Those were the messages from industry panelists and experts gathered on Thursday to discuss strategic autonomy and defence industrial gaps at the European Defence Agency (EDA) annual conference.

As years of underspending take their toll on Europe’s defence capacities, Member States face the challenge not only of building back their armed forces but ensuring a certain level of strategic autonomy - relying less on the United States. That burden also falls on the European defence industry that has long been geared to peacetime production, the panel heard.

“The war in Ukraine has highlighted our capability shortfalls,” said Jean-Pierre Maulny, Deputy Director, French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS). “The United States has larger stocks of anti-tank missiles and air defence systems. Sometimes we in Europe don’t do more because we cannot do more,” he told the panel.

In the search for more self-reliance, Tuija Karanko, Secretary General, Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries, reminded the 300 participants in Brussels and the 1,000 registered online viewers that: “all the military people in this room have known about their gaps for many years … We need more of that transparency.”

For industry, strategic autonomy needs to exist at different levels, but that is difficult because the EU cannot control everything at every level. “We are not fully autonomous because we have key companies depending on third parties,” said Pablo Gonzalez, Director NATO and EU Defence & Space, Indra. There is a need for younger, skilled engineers, the panel heard.

So what to do? More European collaboration will lower costs, as well as joint research and joint development. Joint procurement for strategic assets made in Europe could help. But having a “Buy European” law, as in the United States, brings risks of isolation for the European continent, Karanko said.

For Laurynas Šatas, Chief Executive at Aktyvus Photonics, Europe has the potential to improve, but there is a need for more emphasis on the defence sector. As a Lithuanian laser company, Aktyvus Photonics is an example of a small- and medium-sized company that would benefit from a better environment with less European bureaucracy to bridge ambition and reality as it seeks to pass innovation up to bigger companies. “We have the intellectual capacity. Tomorrow is in our hands,” he said.

European armed forces are not fully prepared for a large-scale conflict with Russia, Major General Karel Řehka, Chief of Defence, Czech Republic, told the European Defence Agency (EDA) annual conference on Thursday. “We must primarily prepare for the most difficult and most dangerous scenario: that is the large-scale war against an advanced adversary,” General Řehka told the conference. Despite EU support to Ukraine, the Union must also do more for Kyiv, he said. “If Ukraine does not succeed, our security will be at risk for decades.”

Joint procurement to replenish weapons' stocks is central to that. “The area of joint procurement has already proved its added-value. And EDA has expertise for this,” he said.

"When it comes to military capabilities I need the following: I need timely delivery of military equipment, I need interoperability of systems on the battlefield. And I also need the possibility of gradual upgrades throughout the whole lifecycle, especially with the speed of changing technologies," General Řehka said. 

In his keynote speech to 300 participants at EDA’s annual gathering in Brussels, as well as some 1,000 registered online, General Řehka also urged the European defence community to consider the future. EU Member States must focus on advanced weapons’ systems for a horizon of three decades' time. “We have faced strategic shocks every 10 to 15 years. So it would be very naïve to think that would not happen again,” General Řehka warned.

 

HYBRID THREATS

Shining a spotlight on transatlantic ties, EDA's Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý discussed security and defence cooperation with Ambassador Julianne Smith, the United States' Permanent Representative to NATO, who stressed the need for resilience and adaptation to hybrid threats, particularly from Russia and China. "I think the priority for us is really looking at ways in which we can come together to address some of these hybrid tactics that nations around the world are increasingly relying on," Ambassador Smith said. 

In a later panel debate moderated by EDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Olli Ruutu, senior officials also discussed how to develop, procure and operate together. Stacy A Cummings, General Manager at NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), cautioned that, despite the war in Ukraine, governments were still not coming together as one to coordinate and agree a single contract for the defence industry.

She said that in the area of ammunition, countries are “coming to us individually to give a demand signal for a specific type of ammunition. The nations are coming one at a time. What we need is a convening mechanism.” Cummings said she hoped to see that change in the next five years across the defence spectrum as processes and policy adapt from peacetime to the more demanding security environment. “We can’t afford to invest in individual solutions.”

Kim Jorgensen, Director-General and Permanent Representative to the EU at the European Investment Bank, made a pledge for an end to duplication.  But he said that there were constraints on where the bank can invest when it comes to defence. “In the area of military mobility, we can see a big role for us,” he said, referring to EDA-led work on standardising cross-border military transport procedures.

Vice Admiral Arie Jan de Waard, National Armaments Director and Director of the Defence Materiel Organisation, the Netherlands, was also clear at the conference on the need for collaboration, saying: “Don’t duplicate. Do it (develop weapons) with EDA, do it with NSPA. Strive for interoperability. Use the same systems.”

Timo Pesonen, Director General, DG DEFIS, European Commission, said he welcomed the political guidance at the highest political level on defence. He urged for the EU to press forward on innovation, highlighting EDA’s innovation hub. “We need to have a common programme with Member States and EDA to attract young engineers and change the image of the defence industry.”

 

Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson laid out on Thursday Sweden’s aims for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union from January, focusing on the EU's Strategic Compass, support for Ukraine and partnerships with non-EU countries.  “Europe needs to be a stronger security actor,” Minister Jonson said. “To my mind, there is no zero-sum game for a stronger NATO and a stronger EU,” he asserted.

Speaking at EDA’s annual conference “Investing in European Defence”, Minister Jonson also said his country continued to push for full NATO membership to help protect Europe from Russian revanchism. He also warned not to repeat the mistakes of the past in collaboration, saying there were lessons to be learned from the “graveyard of failures” in international defence cooperation.

“This is one of the most critical situations for European security since the end of the Second World War,” Minister Jonson told the conference, which brought together some 1,300 participants in Brussels and online.  “This raises a lot of new questions for us, both in regard to our capabilities and our defence industrial base,” he said.

In a ministerial panel chaired by EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý, Jan Jireš, Deputy Minister for Defence Policy and Strategy, Czech Republic, detailed the progress during the Czech EU presidency on joint procurement. "Joint procurement can take many forms. Look at what we are doing with Slovakia, together buying from Sweden. This is not, strictly speaking, joint procurement. But we are cooperating, trying to coordinate. And there are many benefits," Deputy Minister Jireš said.

STANDARDISATION, JOINT PROCUREMENT ARE CRUCIAL

Greece’s Minister of Defence Nikolaos Panaiotopoulos also expressed his support for more European cooperation, echoing a growing sentiment by saying “if not now, then when?” “For many Member States, we will terminate the use of obsolete Russian and Soviet weapons listed in all our systems. Now is the opportunity for newly-produced capabilities in the EU,” Minister Panaiotopoulos said, highlighting the revival of shipbuilding in Greece. "I think the world is in flux. I think we are facing a not-so-subtle attack on the notion of our Western societies. We need to take that into consideration now and act with one sense of urgency," he said.

For Sweden, maintaining the EU’s support for Ukraine remains a priority, Minister Jonson said, emphasizing the need to use existing EU initiatives. He also spoke of developing standardisation of arms and ammunition, harmonising of requirements and joint procurement as the EU seeks to provide Kyiv with the capabilities it needs to fight Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“We always say that we are a big, small country. But we try to lead by example, we launched our support package for the Ukraine just two weeks ago,” Minister Jonson said. “It is crucial that Ukraine regains its territorial sovereignty,” he said.

Minister Jonson said the Swedish EU presidency would focus on taking forward the Strategic Compass, particularly in cyber and space. Working close with the United States, Canada and Britain, as non-EU countries, will be a critical part of the Swedish EU presidency, he said.

Europe needs to take more responsibility for its own security, and look not just to the war in Ukraine but face up to future threats, Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), High Representative Josep Borrell said on Thursday. Speaking at EDA’s annual conference in Brussels, Borrell called on Member States to cooperate more to equip Member States with the defence capacities the European Union needs.

At the forum, “Investing in European Defence”, Head of Agency Borrell said the EU was also at a turning point in defence spending, after the EU’s Member States surpassed the €200 billion-level in 2021 for the first time. Borrell presented EDA defence data for 2021.

“After the Cold War, we shrunk our forces to small-size armies without coordination … We lack critical defence capabilities,” Borrell said. “We have to compensate years of underspending”, he told the conference.

“Total defence expenditure that Member States have announced will grow by another €70 billion in the next three years,” Borrell said. “But people don’t fight with banknotes. There’s a lot of work to be done. This is going to be a challenge to spend this money in a coordinated manner. If our national decisions are only focusing on present needs … it will be again a fragmented European capability landscape.”

Speaking to the EU defence community, with some 300 participants at the Brussels venue and many more following online, Borrell said we need to find the right balance between responding to present needs and preparing for future threats.

Borrell outlined the positive trends but underscored the risks. “We are facing real threats, close by and likely to get worse,” Borrell said.

EDA READY TO SUPPORT PROCUREMENT

Defence investments in the EU reached a record level of €52 billion in 2021, making up almost a quarter of total defence spending. For the third year in a row, EU Member States collectively met and went beyond the 20% agreed benchmark. Nineteen Member States reached the benchmark, the highest number since EDA started collecting data, and five more than in 2020.

But even if collaborative defence equipment procurement rose to 18% of total spending on equipment from 11% in 2020, “we are still far below the 35% agreed benchmark,” Borrell said.

Borrell told the conference that EDA stands ready to support the actual procurement, or even act as contracting agent, if Member States so wish. The Agency has the legal basis and experience to do so

The EU needs to address short term needs by investing and procuring jointly. “Put simply: buying more together,” Borrell said.

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý also told the conference that Europe must ramp up its capacity to act militarily – because EU citizens want it. “Our citizens want and expect us to act. A recent flash Eurobarometer survey that three quarters of Europeans say that ‘we need grater military cooperation within the EU.’

Brussels, 8 December 2022. The European Defence Agency (EDA) has today published its annual Defence Data report for 2020-2021, detailing defence spending by the 26 EDA Member States. In 2021, total European defence spending stood at a new high of €214 billion, marking a further 6% increase on 2020 and the seventh year of consecutive growth. EDA’s report finds that Member States are investing more than ever on the procurement of defence equipment and research and development with a 16% rise compared to 2020, totalling a record €52 billion.

RECORD EUROPEAN DEFENCE EXPENDITURE & INVESTMENT

At €214 billion, total defence expenditure corresponds to 1.5% of the 26 EDA Member States’ gross domestic product (GDP), the same as recorded in 2020. The 6% rise in spending compared to 2020, marks the strongest yearly growth rate since the rebound started in 2015 following the financial crisis. Compared to the historic low reached in 2014, defence expenditure has increased by almost €52 billion, or 32% in real terms.

EDA’s Defence Data report finds that the sustained increase in overall spending is also reflected in national numbers. In 2021, of the 18 Member States who increased spending, six raised it by 10% or more. The highest increases amounted to more than €4 billion by Italy in absolute terms and a 42%, 33% and 27%, increase in relative terms by Finland, Greece and Slovenia respectively. However, eight Member States reduced spending, with the largest national cut standing at 15% in relative terms.

EDA’s Defence Data report concludes that defence expenditure has globally resisted the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Member States’ announcements following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine signals that the increases in expenditure are likely to continue in the years ahead.

HR/VP and Head of the European Defence Agency Josep Borrell said: “European defence cooperation has come a long way. However, too little is spent in cooperation. As Member States increase their defence expenditure in defence, cooperation must now become the norm. We have built the cooperation frameworks to make this happen. Spending alone is not enough, we need to do it better, and that means doing it together. This is the only way to effectively equip European armed forces for the challenges ahead.”

REBOUND IN COLLABORATIVE EUROPEAN DEFENCE SPENDING 

The significant increase in defence spending has also translated into an appreciable rise in collaborative European spending, but still well below agreed collective benchmarks. In 2021, Member States allocated a record €7.9 billion to European collaborative defence equipment procurement projects, almost double the €4.1 billion recorded in 2020.

Spending on European collaborative defence equipment procurement in 2021 accounted for 18% of total defence equipment procurement, an increase on the 11% in 2020. A contributing factor is also the higher number of Member States who provided data in 2021 compared to 2020. The 35% European collaborative defence equipment procurement benchmark, which is also a commitment under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), remains out of reach and will require almost doubling current investment in this area to reach the benchmark, which translates to €15.1 billion.

EUROPEAN DEFENCE SPENDING - 2021 KEY FINDINGS

EDA’s report, based on data voluntarily provided by 26 Ministries of Defence, also finds that total defence expenditure represented 2.9% of total government expenditure. Additional findings include:

• Of the €52 billion spent on defence investments, 82% or €43 billion were used for equipment procurement and 18% or €9 billion for research and development. This is a similar percentage split as recorded over the past three years.
• Defence research and technology spending is uneven across Member States, with 13 increasing, 12 decreasing, and one unchanged. Standing at 3.7% of total expenditure on R&T, Germany has the highest allocation of the 26 Member States in this area.

INCREASED INVESTMENT IN DEFENCE RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY BUT COOPERATION LAGS

In 2021, defence Research and Technology (R&T) spending amounted to €3.6 billion, marking a massive 41% increase compared to 2020 and a new EDA recorded high. Compared to the historic low in spending reached in 2016, expenditure for defence R&T almost tripled. In 2021, over €1 billion extra was allocated, putting the 2% agreed benchmark within reach, but falling short at 1.7%. However, the trend is driven by Germany and France, which are responsible for more than 80% of the total defence R&T expenditure. As in 2020, they remain the only two Member States to reach the 2% benchmark.

In 2021, Member States spent €248 million on defence R&T projects in cooperation with other EU states, marking the first significant growth in this area since several years, totalling almost 70% compared to 2020. Nevertheless, expenditure lags compared to the high of €477 million recorded in 2008. Today, just 7% of total defence R&T expenditure is spent in cooperation, the second lowest recorded by EDA, and far from the 20% collective benchmark.

BACKGROUND

EDA collects defence data on an annual basis, and has done so since 2006, in line with the Agency’s Ministerial Steering Board Decision of November 2005. The Ministries of Defence of the Agency’s 26 Member States provide the data. EDA acts as the custodian of the data and publishes the aggregated figures in its booklets.

All data is collated (“total incorporates 26 EDA Member States”), and it has been rounded. Defence expenditure figures are provided in constant 2021 prices, to take inflation into account and allow for a comparison across years.

Notes for editors

1. EDA Defence Data Report 2020-2021
2. EDA Defence Data webpage
3. The European Defence Agency (EDA), the hub for European defence cooperation:
   1. Created in 2004 to support and facilitate defence cooperation in Europe, EDA has become the place where countries willing to develop their defence capabilities collaboratively can do so.
   2. EDA’s expertise and activities cover the whole spectrum of cooperation: from harmonising requirements to delivering operational capabilities; from research & technology (R&T) and innovation to developing technology demonstrators; from training and exercises to support to CSDP operations.
   3. EDA also closely engages with the European defence industry to enhance Europe’s defence technological and industrial base and help make the industry stronger and more competitive.
   4. The Agency’s role and impact have constantly grown, especially with the implementation of the EU’s Global Strategy (2016) which also led Member States to reinforce the Agency’s mission in 2017.
4. Follow #EUdefence on social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) for more and visit our website www.eda.europa.eu.

 

PRESS CONTACTS EDA

Elisabeth SCHOEFFMANN

Head of Media & Communication

Tel: +32 470 87 01 65

Paul QUINN

Media & Communications Officer

Tel: +32 2 504 28 24

 

Americas

Raytheon won a $59.3 million by the US Navy for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), SeaRAM, and Land-based Phalanx Weapon System. Work will be performed in Arizona, California, Mississippi, Texas and New Jersey and is expected to be completed by January 2024.

Sikorsky won a $30 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide technical publications, logistics support analysis and logistics product data resulting from production engineering changes, diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages in support of CH-53K aircraft production and fielding. Work will take place in Connecticut and New York. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin and Israeli Rafael have signed a deal to develop a high-powered laser interception system. Under the agreement, the companies will develop, test, and manufacture a variant of Israel’s 100-kilowatt high-energy laser weapon system Iron Beam. “This strategic teaming agreement serves as a force multiplier for Rafael and the Israeli market. We are working to ensure our customers receive the most advanced, effective, and best in class systems,” Rafael Chief Executive Officer Yoav Har-Even said.

Europe

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of 116 General Dynamics made M1A1 Abrams tanks, other vehicles and munitions to Poland in a deal valued at up to $3.75 billion, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. The sale comes just months after Poland was authorised to buy 250 M1A2 tanks by the same maker. With this new option, Poland could elect to buy a mix of the two tank versions as it seeks to modernize its military and adjust to new geopolitical realities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Asia-Pacific

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a $1.5 billion potential Foreign Military Sale  of CH-47F Chinook helicopters to South Korea. It has already been approved by the US State Department. Under this FMS, the US will provide 18 CH-47F helicopters,along with associated equipment including AN/APR-39 radar warning systems, AN/ARC-220 HF airborne communications systems, and 42 T55-GA-714A engines, of which 36 will be installed and six as spares.

The US approved a $330 million sale of aircraft standard parts and equipment as well as a $98 million sale of non-standard spare parts and related equipment. This proposed sales serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to maintain a credible defensive capability. The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Just How Powerful is USA 20mm Phalanx CIWS

Americas

The US Navy awarded a $75 million modification to Bell Boeing, which exercises options to procure 12 Nacelle improvements kits, rotable pool components and interim spares. Additionally, this modification provides for the installation of 29 kits in conjunction with conversion area harness, electrical wiring interconnect system assessments, sustaining engineering, and over and above requirements for the CV-22 fleet aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Pennsylvania. Estimated completion date will be in June 2025.

Loading procedures of the AGM-183 ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon) on the B-52 bomber have been validated by airmen from the Barksdale Air Force Base. The ARRW is a hypersonic missile being developed by the United States Air Force. It is designed to be launched from a fighter aircraft and travel at speeds of up to Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) to engage and destroy high-value targets in enemy territory. The weapon is now scheduled to be operational as early as fall 2023. Ways to load and unload the missile on the external pylon of the B-52H bomber were found using trial and error by airmen from the 2nd Maintenance Group, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and civilians from the ARRW and B-52H Stratofortress Systems Programs Office.

Middle East & Africa

Turkish defense firm Baykar Technology is set to launch the inaugural flight of the country’s first unmanned fighter jet following a takeoff test in late November. The fast drone jet Kizilelma recently completed runway and autonomous taxiing trials at an air base in northwestern Tekirdag province. Turkey’s first unmanned fighter jet is capable of fully autonomous takeoff and landing, even on short-runway aircraft carriers, including the country’s future flagship drone carrier TCG Anadolu.

Europe

Germany will match NATO’s target to spend two percent of GDP on defense by 2025, a government spokesman said on Monday, as Berlin looks to make up for years of underinvestment. Germany was “determined to come as close to the two-percent target as possible with the options we have and to reach the two-percent target in this legislative period,” ending in 2025, Chancellor Olaf Scholz‘s spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told a regular press conference.

Elbit Systems Germany and Munich-based arms firm KMW have agreed to enhance rocket artillery cooperation for entirely local rocket production in Europe. The companies have expressed a shared vision of ensuring Europe’s independence through locally produced future rocket artillery systems.

Asia-Pacific

North Korea fired a barrage of artillery shells into a maritime buffer zone on Monday, Seoul’s military said, the latest in a series of launches by an increasingly belligerent Pyongyang. About 130 artillery rounds were simultaneously fired at 2:59 pm (0559 GMT) from two separate sites, one on North Korea’s east coast and one on the west coast, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Türkiye’s maiden unmanned fighter jet, Bayraktar Kizilelma flies for the first time

Americas

APKWS guidance kits have been successfully used by BAE Systems to guide 70mm rockets against Class-2 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that weigh approximately 25-50 pounds and are capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Fast-moving drones were destroyed during the demonstration in Southern Arizona using APKWS-guided rockets.

The United States on Friday unveiled the B-21 Raider, a high-tech stealth bomber that can carry nuclear and conventional weapons and is designed to be able to fly without a crew on board. The slickly choreographed ceremony at B-21 manufacturer Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California opened with the US national anthem as older bombers roared over a crowd that included top US officials.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey’s indigenous vertical launch system (VLS) dubbed MIDLAS has carried out its first successful live firing of a HISAR missile. The MIDLAS is designed to be installed on the Istanbul-class frigate. It is a below-deck vertical launch launcher system.

Europe

Pelegrin Limited has delivered two Pelegrin Tarragon light trainers at ?daži airfield to the Latvian Air Force on December 2. The indigenous ultralight aircraft will be used by military to train pilots and to maintain flying qualifications. The tandem-seat aircraft is designed to meet Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules.

Asia-Pacific

Canadian engineering firm Vard Marine has been awarded a contract to design Bangladesh Navy’s new landing craft tank (LCT). The ship design will be based on the company’s 7 507 landing craft series and meet wartime and peacetime requirements. Additionally, the LCT will be suitable for amphibious operations, including transporting military personnel, tanks, equipment, and supplies in Bangladesh’s coastal areas.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Ground-launched precision with the APKWS® laser-guided rocket l BAE Systems

NEW ISSUE

"Investing in European defence. Today's promises, tomorrow's capabilities?"

The brand-new issue of European Defence Matters - the European Defence Agency's flagship magazine - is here! Read our digital magazine, as both a Webzine with a selection of articles, and the full PDF online.

With Russia's invasion of Ukraine underlining shortfalls in European defence after years of underinvestment, Edition 24 of European Defence Matters explores how EU Member States and industry are responding, and why defence cooperation has never been more important.

Including interviews with EDA Head Josep Borrell, Germany's Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht and Rheinmetall's Chief Executive Armin Papperger, our European Defence Matters magazine looks at how EU defence spending is rising at a historic pace but could be wasted without European collaboration. We debate whether the next steps in EU defence cooperation reveal a coherent unity of vision that can provide a springboard to success.

Whether it is Germany's 'Zeitenwende', or the Czech EU presidency's progress on new EU defence initiatives, we hear from top officials and experts, look at the EU's annual defence review, and the Permanent Structured Cooperation five years on, as well as focusing on the latest EDA projects in drone safety.

In an exclusive interview for European Defence Matters, the head of the European Peace Facility talks about how the instrument has broken taboos and strengthened EU unity. We also look at how Ukraine's diplomatic operation is faring under the strain of war, and talk to three European companies innovating with help from the European Defence Fund.

Check out too our EU defence history timeline.

Enjoy the read!

Robin Emmott, editor-in-chief

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $430 million deal for full-rate production of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and support services to satisfy an urgent need to support the Army and various Foreign Military Sales partners. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Brownsboro, Alabama; Camden, Arkansas; Boca Raton, Clearwater and Palm Bay, Florida; Whippany, New Jersey; Archbald and York, Pennsylvania; and Dallas and Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2025.

Boeing won an $8.7 million modification, which exercises options to provide continued integrated logistics support and engineering services in support of the Harpoon and Standoff Land-Attack Missile-Expanded Response Missile Systems and Harpoon Launch Systems for the Navy and various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri (91.89%); St. Louis, Missouri (5.47%); and Yorktown, Virginia (2.64%), and is expected to be completed in February 2024.

Middle East & Africa

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense and Navantia have signed a memorandum of understanding to construct multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF). The agreement will see the Spanish shipbuilder transfer related technologies to Saudi experts in support of the country’s Vision 2030 program, which seeks to enhance domestic construction, combat system integration, design, and ship maintenance.

Europe

The German government will send an additional seven Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) to Ukraine. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) in Munich is repairing the seven Gepards, which were initially intended for scrapping. They should arrive in Ukraine in Spring 2023. Government officials did not specify when the tanks would be delivered. They said the tanks had come from manufacturers’ stocks and deliveries were dependent on repairs or production still in progress.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of 350 portable surface-to-air Stinger missile systems and related gear to Finland, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Thursday. The equipment deal is valued at an estimated $380 million. The FIM-92K Stinger Man Portable missile systems are manufactured by Raytheon Missiles & Defense, based in the US state of Arizona.

Asia-Pacific

Indian Navy chief Adm. R Hari Kumar said on December 3 that his service is happy with IAC-1 aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and could buy another carrier based on it instead of the newer IAC-2 CATOBAR aircraft carrier. “We are still working on what size it should be and what its capabilities should be. Right now, we have put a hold on it because we have just commissioned INS Vikrant (IAC-I). We are quite happy with the ship. The way the ship performed in the trial,” Adm. Kumar was quoted as saying. This aircraft carrier is known as the IAC-2 and is scheduled to be built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy. This will be the second aircraft carrier to be built in India after the INS Vikrant (IAC-1) which was launched in 2013. The proposed design for the second carrier class will be a new one, featuring significant changes from Vikrant, including a significant increase in size and displacement over the INS Vikrant design.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Finland To Buy 350 Pieces FIM-92K Stinger missiles

Americas

The US Army awarded a $1.2 billion contract to Raytheon Technologies Co for six National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine on Wednesday, the Pentagon said. The United States has approved sending Ukraine a total of eight NASAMS to help fend off Russian missile and drone attacks. Ukraine received its first delivery of two NASAMS air defense systems in November. Others will be delivered in future months once they are built.

Thales has announced its plan to collaborate with Epic Games to bring the latter’s Unreal Engine 5 3D creation tool to its simulators. “We are very pleased to be working in collaboration with the Unreal Engine team at Epic Games. Their focus on providing advanced tools and technologies that have been adopted in industries beyond games matches our ambitions for taking professional simulation to the next level. Rapid insertion of Unreal Engine into our product lines gives us opportunities to delight our customers, particularly in the land training market where high-quality, densely populated synthetic environments help produce the best training outcomes,” said Peter Hitchcock, Vice President of the Training and Simulation business at Thales.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli-based tech startup CyberBee and California-based AI developer EyeCloud were awarded a $1.75-million grant to produce an indoor mini-drone for first responders deployed in GPS-denied interior spaces. The autonomous indoor drone would enhance Israeli and American first responders’ ability to efficiently locate and rescue victims in emergencies such as earthquakes, fires, or terror attacks.

Europe

Ukraine on Thursday urged the European Union to include in its new sanctions package measures that would target Russia’s missile industry, after Moscow’s systematic strikes on the country’s energy grid. Following military defeats on the ground, Russia began targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, causing severe damage and power shortages ahead of winter.

Norway and Polish firm Mesko have signed a $35.6 million contract to deliver man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to the Norwegian Army. The agreement is part of Norway’s plans to integrate the latest, upgraded missiles into the armed forces. The Piorun MANPADS will cover the lowest elevation level with their fire-heat-seeking missiles.

Asia-Pacific

Up to 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles produced in the United States are being considered by the Japanese Ministry of Defense for purchase by fiscal 2027, The Yomiuri reports. In his summit meeting with US President Biden on the November 13, Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida confirmed the intention to advance talks on the purchase and to accelerate preparations toward the acquisition of “counterattack capability.” It is possible that the size of the purchase will change in the future because of factors such as the manufacturing capacity in the US.

Today’s Video

WATCH: NASAMS vs IRIS-T SLM | Best Ukrainian Air Defense Systems.

More than 150 experts from 29 European countries, as well as different institutions and organisations participated in the fifth conference of the third phase of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS III) in Prague, reaffirming the Consultation Forum's status as the largest European defence energy community. 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) organised the fifth CF SEDSS III conference from 30 November to 1 December 2022 under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). It was hosted by the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. During the conference, the forum showed the way ahead to support the defence energy transition, ranging from behavioural change models to climate change proofing and energy resilience. The forum’s output also contributed to implementing broader EU actions, including the EU’s Climate Change and Defence Roadmap, Member States’ defence strategies for climate change adaptability, the EU’s offshore energy strategy, and the Action Plan on Military Mobility. 

Accelerating energy transition in defence

The conference opened with speeches by Jan Jireš, Deputy Minister for Defence Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, and Jiří Šedivý, EDA Chief Executive. Ms Eva Horelová, Deputy Head of Mission, European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic, gave a keynote speech. 

Czech Deputy Minister for Defence Policy and Strategy Jan Jireš underlined that “it is our responsibility to contribute to the overall effort of European countries and to enhance the energy efficiency of the defence sector. And we have to do it without reducing the operational effectiveness of our forces.”  

Jireš also said: “I see two main implications of climate change for our security. First, it will alter the character, scale and geography of future conflicts. Second, it will force us to adapt our defence capabilities. However, they also foster opportunities to look for new and innovative solutions to the same old goal, which is making our world safe and sustainable”. 

In his speech, Mr Šedivý highlighted that the Consultation Forum “has become Europe’s beacon in promoting sustainable energy in defence and generating collaborative ideas to close shared gaps”. He emphasised that the “forum’s findings are helping the ministries of defence to develop national strategies to prepare the armed forces for climate change”. 

Likewise, they will underpin the implementation of the EU’s Action Plan on Military Mobility, he said “by presenting opportunities for using renewables in military transport, for instance through hydrogen”.  

Mr Šedivý said that EDA had launched its first project funded under Horizon Europe, called Symbiosis. He noted that this project “is a successful outcome of the forum, aiming to improve coexistence between defence and offshore renewable energy developments”.  

Mr Šedivý also welcomed that the Greek and Italian ministries of defence for finalising, respectively, the project ideas on military behaviour and façade refurbishment, which will now seek EU funding for the next steps. He concluded by noting the efforts of the forum and the Joint Research Centre, who have jointly completed a research study on the impacts of climate change on defence-related critical energy infrastructure. 

In her keynote address, Ms Eva Horelová said: "the EU has developed a strategy with four different objectives: guaranteeing energy security for its citizens and enterprises; fighting climate change; mobilising public and private investment to finance energy transition and developing the innovative technologies. Defence has a key role to play in supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal". 

Conferences in 2023 

The second CF SEDSS High-level Joint Defence and Energy meeting will take place on 8-9 June 2023 under the auspices of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and hosted by the Swedish Ministry of Defence.  

The sixth CF SEDSS III plenary conference and 2nd Energy Technology Solutions conference and on-site exhibition will occur on 29 November-1 December 2023 under the auspices of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU and hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Defence.  

About the CF SEDSS 

The Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) is a European Commission-funded initiative managed by the EDA. This forum was established to create a defence energy-related community to share information, knowledge and best practices on improving energy management, increasing energy efficiency and building performance, utilising renewable energy sources in the defence sector and enhancing the resilience of defence-related critical energy infrastructure. To address these objectives, and with the support of the European Commission, EDA has implemented two phases: the first phase took place from October 2015 to October 2017, and the second one from October 2017 to August 2019. EDA and the European Commission launched the third phase on 1 October 2019, which will run until September 2024. CF SEDSS phase III is funded by the European Union's (EU) horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 882171. 

More information: 

CF SEDSS website 

Consultation forum explores hydrogen technologies for green defence (europa.eu) 

1st Energy Technology Solutions conference and exhibition held (europa.eu) 

Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables (europa.eu) 

New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu) 

Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)