Defense`s Feeds

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

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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) 

Americas

The US Air Force has awarded engineering firm KBR a $69.2 million contract to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane and Naval Air Systems Command all-weather airborne early-warning fleet. Work for the program will focus on the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound aircraft. Under the agreement, KBR will develop and integrate new intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T) capabilities for the fleet.

The US Army Civilian Career Management Activity and Lockheed Martin have teamed up to deliver web-based cyber training for 17,000 US Army personnel. For the program, the company will provide its latest Mission Readiness & Reporting (MR2) cyber management solution. The platform enables governments and organizations that need training and workforce management capabilities to select, evaluate, and hone the skills of their employees to meet monitoring and proficiency requirements.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon has secured a potential export order from Qatar to supply a Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) System comprising of 10 sets. The FS-LIDS uses the Coyote Block 2 interceptor to defeat unmanned aircraft. The Pentagon says the deal is worth up to $1 billion. The system will utilize the Counter Unmanned Electronic Warfare System (CUAEWS) as well as Ku Band Multi-function Radio Frequency System (KuMRFS) radars.

The US Navy awarded Rolls-Royce a $228 million, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for sustaining engineering and logistics support services for the KC-130J aircraft propulsion system for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will take place in Indiana, Japan, Kuwait, North Carolina, California, Hawaii and Texas. Estimated completion will be in November 2027.

Europe

The US is considering sending the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, a US defense official revealed at a press conference Tuesday. The Raytheon system is one of the capabilities “being considered with all others,” the official said regarding potential steps to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense against persistent Russian missile and drone attacks.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing won a $398 million contract modification for KC-46A Japan aircraft under the FA8609-18-G-0002 basic ordering agreement contract vehicle. The contract modification is for the procurement of two aircraft for the Japan fleet. Work will be performed in Everett, Washington, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2025. Boeing delivered the first KC-46 tankers to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 2021, marking the program’s first delivery to a customer outside the United States.

Today’s Video

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrRScxnDfrk

Americas

Lockheed Martin Space won a $49.9 million modification for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. The contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will take place in Arkansas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Maryland and various other locations. Work is expected to be completed on September 30, 2027. Fiscal 2023 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $49,942,303 will be obligated. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Raytheon won a $397.7 million modification from the US Navy to exercise options for fiscal 2023 guided missile assemblies, shipping containers, and spare parts in support of the fiscal 2021-2023 Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 2 full-rate production requirements. Work will take place in Arizona, Australia, California, Norway, Netherlands, Greece, New York, Turkey, Denmark and other locations. Expected completion will be by March 2027.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Elbit Systems transformed its OneSim simulation software infrastructure to be cloud native, and its services can now be delivered to authorized users from a Microsoft Azure cloud. Working closely with Microsoft engineers, Elbit Systems redesigned the architecture of the OneSim infrastructure to meet the requirements of cloud solutions and upload the OneSim to the Microsoft Azure cloud. OneSim is Elbit Systems’ platform-agnostic simulation software infrastructure that provides land, air and marine users a complete solution for training systems, from a stand-alone simulator and up to multi-platform Mission Training Centers.

Europe

The US Defense Department on Monday announced the approval of a $323 million sale of AIM 9X Block II tactical missiles and AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapons to Finland. “The proposed sale will improve Finland’s air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons capabilities and will positively impact US relations with countries in the Nordic region,” the Pentagon said in a statement. The announcement on the sale of 40 AIM 9Xs and 48 AGM-154s comes more than nine months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which pushed both Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership.

Finland’s Ministry of Defense plans to sign a $13.1 million contract with BAE Systems Bofors to procure 57-millimeter naval guns for the Finnish Navy’s future Pohjanmaa-class multirole corvettes. According to the ministry, the agreement was coordinated with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to cut costs, enabling the Finnish and Swedish navies to simultaneously acquire the same 57-millimeter variants at a lower price. The latest contract follows Finland and BAE Systems’ previous partnership that delivered 57-millimeter artillery systems such as 57Mk3 and 57A to the Finnish Navy.

Asia-Pacific

According to the Nikkei, the Japanese Ministry of Defense is giving consideration to a submarine-launch variant of the new long-range stand-off missile being developed. Japan’s submarines are difficult to detect and this will be a deterrent factor.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Hamina-class missile boat | The protector of the Finnish coasts

Americas

Lockheed Martin has awarded Magellan Aerospace a contract to provide machine titanium components for its F-35 Lightning II Fighter Aircraft. The agreement covers the development of machined wing tie bars for the plane’s flap. Tie bars are placed on an aircraft’s joints, curb, or shoulder parts, connecting bordering or adjoining portions to prevent separation and damage in flight.

A bipartisan group of US senators has asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to explain the reasons behind not sending the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones to Ukraine. The 16 lawmakers demanded the explanation in a letter following the Pentagon’s reported refusal to send the General Atomics platform for fear of technology theft.

Middle East & Africa

Rheinmetall has delivered the first tranche of Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to the Hellenic Armed Forces as part of a military “backfill” initiated by the German government. Following the delivery, the Hellenic Armed Forces featured the IFVs on parade in Thessaloniki. In exchange for the Marders, Greece will provide Ukrainian forces with Soviet-made IFVs and other military equipment to support the country in its ongoing struggle to repel the Russian invasion.

Europe

Rheinmetall has delivered the first tranche of Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to the Hellenic Armed Forces as part of a military “backfill” initiated by the German government. Following the delivery, the Hellenic Armed Forces featured the IFVs on parade in Thessaloniki. In exchange for the Marders, Greece will provide Ukrainian forces with Soviet-made IFVs and other military equipment to support the country in its ongoing struggle to repel the Russian invasion.

NATO allied and partner forces have trialed the French Air Force’s Mamba surface-to-air missile defense system in a live-fire exercise in Romania. The activity was conducted to prove NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) System capabilities in guarding and protecting allied airspace. Multinational aircraft tested the missile system, including Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcons and Spanish Eurofighters currently deployed on a separate NATO mission in Bulgaria.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Navy has received its second P15B stealth guided-missile destroyer from local firm Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. The delivery, which took place on Thursday, was part of a 2011 agreement to develop four ships under the navy’s Project 15B. The first ship in the project, INS Visakhapatnam, has been in service with the Indian Navy since last year.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Marder 1A3: Discover Germany’s IFV Sent to Greece

On the 18th of November, the Agency hosted the first EDA Symposium on Maritime Situational Awareness, focused on the key challenges and opportunities in this crucial domain. The symposium coincides with the upcoming launch of a new EDA programme dedicated to Maritime Situational Awareness. The one-day event provided a forum for exploration of new avenues of cooperation in this domain and was attended by over 80 officials from 18 EU Member States as well as EU institutions involved in maritime security and defence. 

The event was opened by EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý and by Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of the Portuguese Navy. Underscoring the work already done by EDA on Maritime Situational Awareness, Mr Šedivý, said; “Building on what has been already achieved and starting from what you, the Member States, have asked us to support you on – the development of the MARSUR networking and technology – we believe that we should now go a step further. That’s why we propose the development of a programme for an overarching approach to situational awareness.” 

In his opening address, Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Chief of the Portuguese Navy, emphasised the importance of the maritime domain today for Europe, “more than 60% of European trade is made by sea, 99% of its digital traffic with other continents and areas are made through underwater cabling, about 55% of Crude oil, and almost 30% of natural gas, comes through European maritime borders, and these numbers will increase. To do Maritime Situational Awareness, we need to develop the capabilities to detect and sense the pattern of life at sea.” 

Maritime security, and protection of critical maritime infrastructure is of crucial importance. The foundations of maritime security are based on the need to be able to maintain situational awareness of the maritime domain. With guidance provided by both the EU’s Strategic Compass and the EU Maritime Security Strategy to further develop capabilities and the need for deeper cooperation, Maritime Situational Awareness needs to be addressed in a more coherent manner to ensure consistency and efficiency. 

The programme of the event covered the defence, civil and academic perspective, providing the audience of naval experts a forum to explore the need for a more effective approach to maritime surveillance. Both Operational Commanders from EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and EUNAVFORMED IRINI addressed the symposium from the defence perspective. In seeking to bring tangible capability solutions forward, EDA presented its proposal to launch a new programme on Maritime Situational Awareness.

New EDA Programme 
EDA briefed participants on a new Category A programme will establish a forum for the synchronisation of capability developments activities within the military domain, seeking to provide a solid legal framework for cooperation in the development of full spectrum capabilities for Maritime Situational Awareness. 

Primarily it will synchronise all capability development efforts in this area, supporting coherence of the defence landscape and cooperation among participating Member States, while contributing to effective use of resources. Secondly, it will set a framework for quick implementation of a broad spectrum of capability development, implementing projects with a common vision and based on agreed capability development priorities. In addition, the programme will reinforce the MARSUR technology, will establish clear rules for participation and interaction with third parties, and will support joint procurement of MSA related equipment.

Next steps 
The event saw great interest and was attended by 80 persons from 18 EU countries as well as EU institutions involved in maritime security and defence, such as EEAS, EUMS, Operation ATALANTA, Operation IRINI, DG DEFIS, DG MARE, EMSA, EFCA, FRONTEX, and SATCEN. 

A second EDA MSA symposium which will take place in March 2023 will focus on the details on the provisions of the Category A Programme Arrangement.
 

 

 

Americas

Northrop Grumman won an $99.4 million modification from the US Air Force for Active Electronically Scanned Array radars of Air Force F-16 aircraft. This modification is for the exercise of options to include 42 production radars, one initial spare kit, and two readiness spare kits. This modification does not involve Foreign Military Sales. Work will take place in Maryland. Expected completion will be on July 31, 2025.

The US Army has completed a test run of the newly-developed missile communication technology, remote interceptor guidance (RIG)-360, from aerospace firm Lockheed Martin. The integrated flight test assessed the data link capabilities of Lockheed’s prototype missile communication device to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 missiles. The RIG-360, designed to leverage target data from different sensors, offers a 360-degree engagement capability for a missile interceptor.

Middle East & Africa

Kellogg Brown and Root Services won a $24.8 million deal from the Navy to exercise the fifth option period for base operations support services at Naval Support Activity (NSA), Kingdom of Bahrain. This award brings the total cumulative value of the contract to $139,198,905. Work will be performed at NSA, Kingdom of Bahrain, and completed by November 2023. Work will take place in Bahrain. Estimated completion date is in November 2023.

An attack helicopter from Pakistan will be attached to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali. The helicopter will join the MINUSMA mission in March next year. India will contribute one utility helicopter for MINUSMA as well. MINUSMA was established in 2013 to support foreign and local troops battling militants, but in recent months there have been repeated instances of tensions between the Malian authorities and the mission.

Europe

Media reports from Greece say Athens will hold crucial talks with Israel over the supply of Spike NLOS anti-tank missiles. Greece wants to equip its AH-64D attack helicopter, Machitis-class gunboat and Mark V Special Operations Craft with the missile. It is said that Greece’s General Directorate For Defense Investments And Armaments is against buying the NLOS. The talks, lead by a permanent director general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, ll decide whether the project will proceed or delayed indefinitely.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Air Force is seeking $171 million to buy the indigenous Rudram-1 new generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM). Cleared to be fired from the Su-30MKI or Mirage 2000, the proposal to buy the weapon will soon be discussed within the Ministry of Defense.

Today’s Video

WATCH: See it in action: SPIKE NLOS exceptional performance Live

Americas

Raytheon Intelligence and Space won a $34.2 million order by the US Navy, which of the ethernet expansion devices and the platform data server in support of integration of the MV-22 Helmet Mounted Display/Degraded Visual Environment program aboard V-22, and establish a baseline for a common software interface for integration of future capabilities on all V-22 platforms. Work will take place in Indiana and California. Estimated completion will be in July 2027.

Lockheed Martin rolled out the first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft this week from its Greenville, South Carolina, production line. The fighter completed final assembly, checkout, and painting at Greenville on November 21 and is expected to undergo flight trials at Edwards Air Force Base, California, early next year. The F-16 Viper is one of 16 the company is building for Bahrain as part of a $1.1 billion deal inked in 2018.

Middle East & Africa

The Emirati Air Force led its biannual training exercise advanced tactical leadership course (ATLC) attended by the air forces of seven other nations at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The multinational air warfare training was held to increase the collective proficiency of participating countries in joint mission planning and tactical leadership.

Europe

The Royal Navy has chosen the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to replace the Harpoon anti-ship missile for its warships. To be operational in less than 13 months, the missile from Norway will be fitted eleven Type 23 frigates and Type 45 destroyers. Babcock and BAE will be integrating the missile with support from Norway.

The Bulgarian government is poised to sign an agreement with Sweden and France to lease their second-hand fighter aircraft amid delays in the delivery of American F-16s. Sofia needs an immediate replacement for its aging fleet of MiG-29s, which are expected to be unserviceable by late 2023 due to maintenance issues. Talks about leasing French and Swedish jets started when Bulgaria sent a letter of request to seven countries (including the US) to temporarily lease their used fighter jets.

Asia-Pacific

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) will dispatch two F-15J fighters to Clark Air Base, Philippines on November 27. Along with 60 personnel, the jets will be there till Dec. 11 for join training with the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Today’s Video

WATCH: V-22 Osprey: More than Meets the Eye

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $47.3 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure Ancillary Mission Equipment in support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Lot 17 production aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-US Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2025. F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) is a stealthy, supersonic multirole fighter developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and programme partners from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) and US allies. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion will be in December 2025.

The US Navy’s air-launched torpedo has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) after completing rigorous trials. The development was announced by American defense firm Boeing, which manufactures the anti-submarine weapon.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., a leader in the Israeli military and commercial homeland defense and aerospace markets, issues its consolidated financial statements for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2022. This period has turned out to be the most profitable one in the company’s history.

Europe

NATO’s Multinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) and the E-3A fleet have completed the first phase of their air-to-air refueling certification process. The campaign is led by the Royal Netherlands Air Force Test Organisation. Test pilots from the US Air Force is supporting the E-3A fleet for the testing portion.

The UK recently delivered Brimstone-2 missiles to Ukraine, The Telegraph reported, citing RAF delivery footage. The missile is an upgrade on the Brimstone-1 — supplied to the country in April/May — with more than twice the range.  The laser-guided missile can be fired from land vehicles, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Asia-Pacific

The US Air Force’s 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron has commenced MQ-9 operations from Kanoya Air Base, Japan on November 21. The unmanned aircraft will be used for surveillance and reconnaissance duties in the East China Sea and other surrounding waters until November next year. An estimated 150 to 200 US military personnel will be stationed in Kanoya to provide operational support.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Inside the $270 Million Nato’s Flying Control Tower | E-3A AWACS

Americas

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has authenticated the keel of the US Navy’s Virginia class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800). The Arkansas is the 27th fast-attack submarine of its class, being constructed as part of the navy program with General Dynamics Electric Boat. The Virginia class fleet will eventually replace the aging Los Angeles-class submarines first commissioned in 1976. The ceremony was sponsored by members of the Little Rock Nine, the first African-American students to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, during desegregation in the US.

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $99.4 million deal by the Air Force Life Cycle for Active Electronically Scanned Array radars of Air Force F-16 aircraft. This modification is for the exercise of options including 42 production radars, one initial spare kit, and two readiness spare kits. Work will take place in Maryland. Expected completion date is July 31, 2025.

Middle East & Africa

Advanced Technology Systems won a $8.7 million contract modification for the Egypt Mobile Surveillance Sensor Security System Follow-on Support case expansion project. This contract provides for the acquisition of mission-critical spares, an additional training course, and continued repair and return activities to support continued Contractor Logistics Support. Work will take place in Egypt. Expected completion date is December 31, 2023.

Europe

The UK Defense and Security Accelerator (DASA) has started market exploration of innovative solutions for uncrewed anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The initiative is part of the UK Ministry of Defence Project CHARYBDIS under the Royal Navy’s Spearhead Program. Under the effort, DASA experts will identify, prototype, evaluate, and provide systems to classify, track, and report underwater vessels and submarines.

Finland’s Ministry of Defense has announced it will exercise a $137 million contract option to purchase additional K9 155mm self-propelled anti-tank howitzers for the Finnish Army. The option was approved by Finnish Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen and the country’s Finance Committee on November 17.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea recently conducted an interception test of its Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM). The missile defense system successfully intercepted an incoming missile target during the test, which followed a flight test in February, Yonhap News Agency wrote, citing military officials.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Finland To Buy 48 pieces of the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers

Around 60 helicopter tactics specialists from 15 EDA participating Member States, as well as representatives of the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE), EU Military Staff (EUMS), United Nations (UN) Office of Military Affairs and representatives of several defence companies met recently in the Austrian Air Force Headquarters, situated in Salzburg, Austria, for the 13th Helicopter Tactics Symposium, organised under the EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP).

This annual event proved once more to be a unique occasion for European helicopter crews to discuss and share expertise and best practices related to helicopter tactics and to learn about training opportunities under the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP) and the rest of EDA helicopter training programmes. The event was inaugurated by the Austrian Air Force Chief, Brigadier General (BG) Gerfried R. Promberger.

A central part of the symposium was devoted to drawing the tactical lessons from recent EDA helicopter exercises, such as ‘Fire Blade 22’ (held in Papa Air Base, Hungary, in June 2022). This was complemented by lectures addressing national or multinational training, operational experience, and relevant topics for helicopter operators. It included evasive training, NVG training in Switzerland, Finland preparation for helicopter operations, the development of German Air Force rotary wing capabilities, and the Italian participation in Operation TAKUBA in the Sahel.

Symposium attendees also received detailed information on helicopter tactics such as air assault/ airmobile operations and its planning cycle. Additionally, Sweden briefed on human factors in helicopter operations. Other topics concerned the EU Military Staff, the UN Planning process, ATP-49 update and the structure of the Hellenic helicopter forces.

Special attention was given to the future roles and responsibilities of the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) that is under construction at Sintra Air Base No 1, in Portugal. EDA is schedule to transfer all its helicopter training programmes to the center by the end of 2023.

Industry was also present during the symposium with speakers briefing on threats to helicopters, today and future, ASGARD C2 planning tool and MACE and ARMOR mission rehearsal tool.

Looking ahead, symposium participants were briefed on upcoming HEP exercises, including Hot Blade 2023 and 2024 (to be held at Beja Air Base No 11, Portugal) which will focus on helicopter Composite Air Operations (COMAO) and other planned EDA helicopter courses, such as the Helicopter Tactic Courses (HTC), the Electronic Warfare (EW) and the Composite Air Operations (COMAO) planning courses, all delivered regularly by EDA.

More information:

• Helicopter Initiatives

Today, EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý, concludes an official visit to Norway where he held meetings with Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram, State Secretary for Defence, BJ Bentzen, and National Armaments Director, Morten Tiller. Norway’s participation in EDA is built on the Agency’s first and longest standing Administrative Arrangement, signed over 16 years ago. During his visit to Olso, Mr Šedivý discussed areas where EDA and Norway could further deepen defence cooperation by expanding Norway’s involvement in EDA activities.

Discussions with Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram, focused on the key areas of Norway’s current participation in EDA, which spans across the Agency’s activities, and include contribution to 35 projects. They also discussed the impact of the changed security landscape and how to make best use of the opportunities of cooperation between Norway and participating Member States in the EDA framework. In particular, they discussed the possibility for Norway to join the recently established Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI).

Mr Šedivý met Morten Tiller, National Armaments Director, to discuss EDA-Norway cooperation and the EU’s work on joint procurement. During a meeting with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in the Norwegian Parliament, Mr Šedivý presented EDA, its mission and highlighted the added value and mutual benefits of Norway’s active contribution in the Agency.

Mr Šedivý also held discussions with several Norwegian industry representatives on EDA’s opportunities for engagement with industry. The official visit also provided the opportunity to see several aspects of Norway’s defence ecosystem. Mr Šedivý was briefed first-hand on key innovations at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and Innovation Centre.

“Norway has a special relationship with EDA. 16 years ago, not long after the establishment of the Agency, Norway became the first country to conclude an administrative arrangement with us. Since then, cooperation between the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the Agency has only deepened. Today, Norway plays a very active role and contributes to 35 projects in the EDA framework, especially in Research and Technology. During my visit to Oslo, I have encouraged our Norwegian counterparts to continue deepening the cooperation that exists today, as all of Europe faces up to the challenges of tomorrow,” said EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý.

"The war in Ukraine has shown the need for more defence cooperation among European countries. Norway is already a very active partner in the European Defence Agency and I look forward to continue this cooperation in the years to come," said Norwegian Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram.

EDA’s first and longest standing Administrative Arrangement

The administrative arrangement with Norway was concluded on 7 March 2006. It is EDA’s first cooperation arrangement with a third country and cooperation has grown over time with Norway, which is today the most involved third country in EDA activities. Norway participates in several capability development projects, notably on military mobility, joining EDA’s Cross Border Movement Permission programme in 2022, Counter- IED as part of the JDEAL project and in Sharing of Spare Parts having signed in May 2015. Norway also participates in all EDA Capability Technology Groups.