Defense`s Feeds

Today, Defence Ministers were presented with the results and recommendations of the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the EU defence review. It finds that increases in defence spending following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine represent both an opportunity and challenge for European defence. Today’s CARD Report also shows that the announced additional funds may fill long-standing capability gaps. CARD has identified a likely recovery point in 2023, when Member States can move past the underinvestment in defence following the 2008 financial crisis. However, spending in isolation and leaning towards non-EU suppliers risk increasing fragmentation and undermine broader efforts to deliver capable and coherent European armed forces. It also finds that defence planning continues to be done mostly in isolation and that Member States remain unconvinced by European cooperation projects.

Today, during the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board, Ministers of Defence were presented with the 2022 CARD Report developed in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS) over the past year.

Head of the Agency, High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell said: “The message from CARD is clear. We cannot just spend our way out of the mistakes made following the financial crisis. Defence cooperation coupled with increased spending is the only way to ensure Europe has capable and ready armed forces, able to respond to any crisis. With CARD, we have a unique overview of all 26 EDA Member States’ national defence planning and capability development efforts. Member States now know where and with whom they can invest and develop military capabilities together. We must move past recovery and, with war back in Europe, move towards winning the future by building a true European defence.”

The CARD report offers Ministers of Defence key strategic and political messages, actionable recommendations and options to generate collaborative projects.

• Repairing the past through increased defence expenditure: CARD recommends that the increase in defence spending is used to meet urgent defence needs and close identified capability gaps.
• Prepare today by planning for 2040: CARD recommends that, in accordance with the Strategic Compass’ vision, Member States elaborate a common long-term capability outlook for the EU defence landscape - envisaging how it shall be shaped by 2040 - with greater support for adopting an EU approach for cooperative capability planning.
• Win the future with a capable and coherent European defence: CARD recommends taking forward CARD collaborative opportunities through projects in PESCO, the European Defence Fund or other frameworks. It also proposes concrete projects, e.g. for cyber operations or interoperable tactical command and information systems, and expresses the need to cover critical gaps including enablers, such as strategic air transport, maritime power projection and high-end air defence systems.

EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý said: “Without having a robust portfolio of high-end military capabilities for a wide spectrum of operations – including high intensity – the EU will not become a credible security provider. CARD has a crucial role to play by informing national policy makers, planners, and armament staff of concrete collaborative opportunities to that end. At EU level we must now work to shift the balance and make cooperation the norm. The progress on cooperation projects since our 2020 report has been limited, renewed cooperation on next-generation capabilities is essential to meet future needs.”

Defence expenditure grew significantly to €214 billion in 2021 (up 6% compared to 2020) and is estimated to grow further by up to €70 billion by 2025. CARD finds that if announced defence spending increases are followed through, Member States will possibly have recovered in 2023 from the underspend of the financial crisis and can give greater focus to future defence needs.

CARD identifies a clear risk from isolated defence spending in the medium to long term. This risk seems further substantiated if Member States favour individual, non-EU off-the-shelf procurements over longer-term investments.  

The report finds that defence cooperation remains the exception rather than the norm. CARD finds that Member States implement their plans to a large extent at national level, with only 18% of all investment in defence programmes conducted in cooperation with other EU countries. However, some collaborative opportunities identified in the 2020 CARD cycle have led to PESCO projects. CARD concludes that Member States mainly seek cooperative solutions for projects when they coincide with national plans, benefit national industry, or consolidate a strategic partnership.

Many Member States regard European collaborative approaches as more time consuming and complex, and often opt for national solutions or non-EU suppliers. Cooperation primarily takes place among neighbouring states in existing cooperation frameworks, while broader European collaborative approaches are usually not the preferred choice. CARD finds that the main impediments to cooperation stem from the complexity of legislation, pressing timelines and budget availability as well as the allocation and retention of the right experts, making full engagement with the EU defence initiatives difficult for many Member States.

To overcome the lack of coherence in the EU defence landscape, CARD finds the need for a common long-term capability outlook, built upon the common strategic vision provided by the Strategic Compass. EU defence initiatives must be further embedded into national defence planning and policy documents. Based on the most promising of the identified collaborative opportunities, six ‘focus areas’ were selected for their high potential to boost the EU's and its Member States’ operational performance. The six areas should be further developed to better reflect high intensity requirements and preserve industrial know-how.

Notes for editors

1. CARD Report including its executive summary is available here 
2. CARD Results Factsheet
3. CARD Webpage

European Union Ministers of Defence approved on Tuesday a significant European Defence Agency (EDA) budget increase for 2023, reflecting the Union’s higher level of ambition and a tangible reinforcement of the Agency in support of growing national defence efforts. The decision was taken at the EDA ministerial Steering Board in Brussels, under the chairmanship of the Head of the Agency Josep Borrell. Ministers also considered the main findings of the EU’s defence review, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD). In the margins of the meeting, Defence Ministers signed a new EDA programme, the Military Computer Emergency Response Team Operational Network (MICNET). 

The EDA budget for 2023 will rise 15% to € 43.5 million, compared to 2022, following approval by Defence Ministers at the Steering Board. After several years of zero net growth budget, the increase will help enhancing domain expertise on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyber.  

Crucially, the operational budget from which EDA directly finances cooperative defence projects will rise 47% next year. An important part of the increased budget is set to be invested by EDA in innovation through the Agency’s Hub for Defence Innovation (HEDI). This rise also cements EDA’s role as the EU’s main forum for defence cooperation, in full support of national strategies 

At the Steering Board, Defence Ministers also adopted EDA’s planning framework for 2023-2025, which provides an overview of the nature, scope and expected impact of EDA’s activities in support of Member States in the years to come.  

Ministers focused on the findings and recommendations of the 2022 CARD report, the EU’s defence biannual review that aims to better align Member States’ defence efforts and identify areas where they can cooperate. Together with the EU Military Staff, EDA has provided a picture of the existing defence capability landscape. 

As defence spending rises again across the EU, CARD has a central role to play by pointing the way towards projects in the Permanent Enhanced Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the European Defence Fund or other frameworks. 

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý said the rise in national expenditure was both an opportunity and challenge for European defence. He urged Member States to work together.  

“Without having a robust portfolio of high-end military capabilities for a wide spectrum of operations, the EU will not become a credible security provider.  Spending in isolation and leaning towards non-EU suppliers risk increasing fragmentation and undermine broader efforts to deliver capable and coherent European armed forces,” Chief Executive Šedivý said. 

The goal, he said, is to prepare today by planning for 2040. Once the investment shortfalls of the past have been compensated for, Member States should work on a common, long-term capability outlook for the EU defence landscape with a greater emphasis on an EU approach for cooperative capability planning. 

In the margins of the Steering Board, Defence Ministers signed the new EDA programme for the Military Computer Emergency Response Team Operational Network (MICNET). The establishment of this operational network of national response teams, known as milCERTs, is a substantial step towards enhancing the level of cooperation in the cyber domain at EU level.  

Eighteen countries will join this new EDA programme, which aims to foster the exchange of information at a time when computer networks are increasingly contested and the number of cyber-attacks against the EU and its Member States continues to grow. MICNET will be managed by EDA and will also be the first outcome of the new Joint Communication on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence from head of Agency Borrell in his role as High Representative/Commission Vice-President, presented earlier in November.   

BAE Systems has finished a successful test of its APKWS laser-guidance kits, showcasing the weapon’s versatility and accuracy in engaging a broad set of targets. The rockets went “three on three against fortified targets,” firing direct shots and defeating well-armored targets such as a steel plate and an armored military vehicle. “We’re giving our customers more in-mission options for precision strikes against tougher targets,” BAE program manager Sam Kirsh said.

The US Air Force has contracted Northrop Grumman to outfit two more E-11A Bombardier business jets with the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system. The service already operates three such aircraft, facilitating “secure” data collection for a range of missions, including “airdrops, close air support operations, humanitarian assistance, and personnel recovery,” Northrop explained in a statement.

The Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) will receive its first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jet fighters by the first half of 2024, according to a Breaking Defense report, citing an air force official. The delivery, part of a $1.1-billion contract signed in 2018, was originally scheduled to begin between mid-2022 and late 2023.

Elbit Systems has been awarded a follow-on contract worth $19.9 million to produce and deliver additional night vision goggles (NGVs) to the British Army. As part of the agreement, the company will supply the lightweight micro binocular XACT nv33 NVGs in a helmet-mounted configuration.

South Korea’s National Assembly has added nearly $200 million to the defense budget proposal due to an increase in number of missile launches from North Korea. A total of $4.17 billion will now go towards the domestic “three-axis” defense system. The three are: Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike platform and the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system.

Collins Aerospace will supply seven additional shipsets to the Chinese Harbin Aircraft Industries Corporation’s (HAIG) AC312 series helicopter fleet. The American firm’s delivery of its latest helicopter cockpit display system, communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment is expected to bolster the aircraft’s situational awareness and safety.

WATCH: F-16 Fighter Jet Demo Next to Bahrain – Sakhir F1 Circuit

The X-37B has landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility on November 12 after spending 908 days in space. Orbital Test Vehicle-6 (OTV-6) was installed with a service module-a ring for the first time and the module detached from the OTV before landing.

An F-15C assigned to the 144th Fighter Wing was forced to make an emergency landing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport after the fighter started venting fuel in flight. The incident took place on the morning of November 10 and the fighter wing says the incident poses no hazard to the public.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled a compact, lightweight electronic support measures system, deployable on a range of ground, sea, and air platforms. An unnamed customer has placed the first order for tens of the system, named TacSense, the Israeli defense technology firm revealed. The system’s small size allows discreet installation on ground-based military assets, while individual ground soldiers can carry the manpack version easily, even in challenging terrain.

Airbus A400M MSN4 has been retired at Bremen after flying for 12 years and more than 2,000 flight hours. During this period, the transport aircraft was instrumental in the development A400M program, participating in tests to develop new capabilities such as air-to-air refueling. It served as a tanker and a receiver.

Lockheed Martin won an $11.5 million contract modification, which exercises an option to extend services to provide ongoing sustainment services and outcomes, to include supporting daily flight operations with the Freedom of Action specific capabilities required at various F-35 operating sites for the government of the United Kingdom. Work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas. Expected completion date will be in March 2023.

India’s last Rafale fighter that is still in France will return home to India around December 15. It has been in France as a platform for developing India-specific enhancements. The Rafale is a 4.5-generation aircraft and has helped India regain its supremacy over Indian sub-constituent skies with long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles along with advanced radar and electronic warfare capabilities.

WATCH: Meet The X-37B: NASA’s Most Extreme Aircraft

AeroVironment won an $86.4 million deal for the RQ-20B All Environment 3 and the Long Endurance Puma unmanned aircraft systems. RQ-20B is a block 2 upgrade of the Pointer Upgraded Mission Ability-All Environment (Puma AE) small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed and built by AeroVironment. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion date ist September 29, 2023.

The 40th Flight Test Squadron has taken delivery of the first of two government-owned Kratos XQ?58A unmanned aircraft. The Autonomous Aircraft Experimentation team will take use the aircraft for developmental ground and flight testing. The first flight is scheduled later this month. The XQ-58A Valkyrie is a low cost, high performance unmanned air vehicle developed through an Air Force Research Laboratory partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW) and related equipment to Oman for an estimated cost of $385 million, the Defense Department said on Wednesday. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense Company of Tucson, Arizona, the Pentagon said.

The US State Department has greenlighted the foreign military sale of AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) to Belgium. Belgium requested the $380 million deal to arm its F-16 Fighting Falcons and future F-35 Lightning II fleet. According to the US Defense Security Agency (DCSA), the approval allows Belgium to buy up to 120 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs and 10 C-8 Guidance Sections.

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and related equipment to Lithuania for an estimated $495 million. The principal contractor was listed as Lockheed Martin Corp. The proposed sale is expected to help the nation update its armed forces to fight regional threats.

Indian defense firm Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited has received a $155.5-million order from a “friendly” nation to supply 155-millimeter artillery guns. The company has not revealed the name of its latest foreign client but said that the customer is from a “non-conflict zone.” Kalyani also has not specified how many weapon systems it would provide.

WATCH: Kalyani Defence manufacturing capabilities

Today, the Commission and the High Representative put forward a Joint Communication on an EU Cyber Defence policy and an Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0 to address the deteriorating security environment following Russia's aggression against Ukraine and to boost the EU's capacity to protect its citizens and infrastructure.

With its new cyber defence policy, the EU will enhance cooperation and investments in cyber defence to better protect, detect, deter, and defend against a growing number of cyber-attacks.

Cyberspace has no borders. Recent cyber-attacks on energy networks, transport infrastructure and space assets show the risks that they pose to both civilian and military actors. This calls for more action to protect citizens, armed forces, as well as the EU's civilian and military missions and operations, against cyber threats.

The EU Policy on Cyber Defence aims to boost EU cyber defence capabilities and strengthen coordination and cooperation between the military and civilian cyber communities (civilian, law enforcement, diplomatic and defence). It will enhance efficient cyber crisis management within the EU and help reduce our strategic dependencies in critical cyber technologies, while strengthening the European Defence Technological Industrial Base (EDTIB). It will also stimulate training, attracting, and retaining cyber talents and step up cooperation with our partners in the field of cyber defence.

The EU Policy on Cyber Defence is built around four pillars that cover a wide range of initiatives that will help the EU and Member States:

• Act together for a stronger EU cyber defence: The EU will reinforce its coordination mechanisms among national and EU cyber defence players, to increase information exchange and cooperation between military and civilian cybersecurity communities, and further support military CSDP missions and operations.
• Secure the EU defence ecosystem: Even non-critical software components can be used to carry out cyber-attacks on companies or governments, including in the defence sector. This calls for further work on cybersecurity standardisation and certification to secure both military and civilian domains.
• Invest in cyber defence capabilities: Member States need to significantly increase investments in modern military cyber defence capabilities in a collaborative manner, using the cooperation platforms and funding mechanisms available at the EU level, such as PESCO, the European Defence Fund, as well as Horizon Europe and the Digital Europe Programme.

• Partner to address common challenges: Building on existing security and defence as well as cyber dialogues with partner countries, the EU will seek to set up tailored partnerships in the area of cyber defence.

The Commission and the High Representative, including in his capacity as Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), will present an annual report to the Council of the EU to monitor and assess the progress of the implementation of the actions in the Joint Communication on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence. Member States are encouraged to contribute with their inputs on the progress of the implementation measures taking place in national or in cooperation formats. An implementation plan could be set up in cooperation with Member States.

Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: "The EU Policy on Cyber Defence shows that by bringing our civilian and military instruments together we can make a stronger impact against cyber threats."

High Representative Josep Borrell said: "Cyber is the new domain in warfare. To be up to the challenges and threats ahead of us, we need modern and interoperable European armed forces equipped with latest cyber defence capabilities. The new EU Policy on Cyber Defence will increase cooperation among the EU's cyber defence actors and develop mechanisms to use capabilities at the EU level, including in the context of CSDP missions and operations. By doing so, we will step up our ability to prevent, detect, deter and defend against cyber-attacks, as called for by the Strategic Compass."

Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, said: "Cyber- attacks are often part of wider hybrid campaign, cross-border in nature and may have an impact on civil and defence systems and infrastructure. Significant cybersecurity incidents can be too disruptive for a single or several affected Member States to handle alone. The EU must become a stronger and more credible security provider, including in cyberspace. We are facing more hybrid attacks, therefore better cooperation between civil, security and defence communities, improves our ability to act together and ensure the EU security.

Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: "The return of a high- intensity conflict obliges us to review our approach to Europe's security. It is time to enhance our cooperation on cyber defence to protect, detect, defend, and deter. With a wide array of new initiatives on cybersecurity, we want to boost relentlessly our cyber defence capabilities and strengthen cooperation between cybersecurity communities. A stronger EU security is the foundation of our EU technological sovereignty."

The 2020 EU Cybersecurity Strategy highlighted the need for a review of the EU's cyber defence policy framework. Furthermore, President von der Leyen called for the development of a European Cyber Defence Policy in her 2021 State of the Union address. This is also an ambition of the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence approved by the Council in March this year. In May, in the Council conclusions on the development of the European Union's cyber posture, Member States invited the High Representative together with the Commission to table an ambitious proposal for an EU Cyber Defence Policy in 2022.

Together with the Security and Defence package, the Commission is also publishing today the first progress report on the Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence, and space industries, available here.

• Joint Communication on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence Factsheet on the EU Policy on Cyber Defence
• EU's Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade Factsheet on the new EU Cybersecurity Strategy 2021 State of the Union address
• Strategic Compass for Security and Defence
• Council conclusions on the development of the European Union's cyber posture Joint Communication on defence investment gaps
• Proposal for a Cyber Resilience Act
• Factsheet on Cybersecurity: EU External Action
• Cyber defence activities of the European Defence Agency European Security Union
• More on Cybersecurity More on the NIS Directive

Today, the Commission and the High Representative put forward an Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0 and a Joint Communication on an EU cyber defence policy to address the deteriorating security environment following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and to boost the EU’s capacity to protect its citizens and infrastructure.

In particular, the Action Plan on Military Mobility will help European armed forces to respond better, more rapidly and at sufficient scale to crises erupting at the EU’s external borders and beyond. It will bolster the EU’s ability to support Member States and partners as regards transport of troops and their equipment. It works towards better connected and protected infrastructure, while streamlining regulatory issues. It will reinforce cooperation with NATO and promote connectivity and dialogue with key partners.

Building on the achievements of the first Action Plan launched in 2018, the new Military Mobility covers the period 2022-2026 and includes:

• Identification of possible gaps in the infrastructure, informing future actions to prioritise improvements and integrate fuel supply chain requirements, to support short-notice large-scale movements of military forces;
• Digitalisation of administrative processes related to customs logistics and military mobility systems;
• Measures to protect transport infrastructure from cyber-attacks and other hybrid threats;
• Development of military strategic lift capabilities to enhance the mobility of the armed forces by air and sea;
• Enhancing the energy efficiency and climate resilience of transport systems;
• Reinforcing cooperation with NATO and key strategic partners, such as the US, Canada and Norway, while promoting connectivity and dialogue with regional partners and enlargement countries, such as Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.

To ensure a well-connected, capable and secure military mobility network, the European Commission is supporting the Action Plan with funding instruments such as the Connecting Europe Facility (funding dual-use transport infrastructure projects), and the European Defence Fund (supporting the development of interoperable logistical and digital systems).

The first Action Plan on Military Mobility was launched in 2018 to strengthen the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. It aimed to ensure swift and seamless movement of military personnel, materiel and assets – including at short notice and at large scale – within and beyond the EU. It helped to create a well-connected network, with shorter reaction times and capable, secure and resilient transport infrastructure and capabilities. The new Action Plan on Military Mobility responds to the call in the Strategic Compass to enhance the military mobility of our armed forces within and beyond the Union following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. This urgent need was also reflected in the Joint Communication on defence investment gaps adopted in June 2022.

Military Mobility is supported through other defence initiatives, notably through the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Military Mobility project and Logistical Hubs project. The European Defence Agency’s programme on “Optimising Cross-Border Movement Permission procedures in Europe” and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) also contribute to the effort.

Together with the Security and Defence package, the Commission is also publishing today the first progress report on the Action Plan on synergies between civil, defence, and space industries, available here.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager said: “With these two initiatives the Commission is today stepping up its contribution to Europe’s defence. We have to be more attentive and aware of the defence dimension of our infrastructure and networks, and today we lay out how the EU’s instruments and policies can make the difference in ensuring we are better prepared and able to react better to external threats.”

High Representative and Vice President Josep Borrell said: “One of the main lessons from the delivery of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine to fight Russia’s invasion is that every second matters. Fast military mobility is crucial to respond to crises emerging at our borders and beyond. Much has been done to date, but the Strategic Compass has set higher ambitions and we are delivering. With this new Action Plan on Military Mobility, we will address existing bottlenecks to allow for swift and efficient movement of our armed forces. We will ensure that our armed forces have access to strategic lift capabilities and that infrastructure is better protected from cyber and other hybrid threats. And we will do this with our partners, including NATO.”

Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said: “The crisis in Ukraine has shown the vital importance of ensuring swift military assistance. The Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0 will strongly contribute to the ability of our Armed Forces to quickly respond to crises at the EU’s external borders and beyond. With a budget of 9 million Euro under the European Defence Fund, we are co-funding a consortium of companies from nine EU Member States plus Norway for the development of a digital system for a quick and secure information exchange related to Military Mobility. We will continue to work on the digitalization of administrative processes, under the European Defence Fund, to substantially enhance Military Mobility.”

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has confirmed that we need to continue improving the capacity of transport infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and rail tracks, allowing our armed forces and their equipment to move around the EU with ease. With a budget of 1.69 billion euro for 2021-2027, we are already co-funding dual-use transport infrastructure projects through

our Connecting Europe Facility. Under the new Action Plan we will assess the extent to which today’s physical transport infrastructure meets military requirements, and what the current gaps are. The findings will help us to prioritise infrastructure for development, and allocate funding at EU level appropriately.”

• Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0
• Military Mobility | EEAS Website Factsheet on Military Mobility
• Strategic Compass
• Third Joint Report on the implementation of the Action Plan on Military Mobility
• First progress report on the implementation of the Action plan on synergies between civil, defence and space industries

The Department of Defense (DoD) has launched a multi-party project to ramp up its hypersonic weapons testing capacity. The Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) project will develop an affordable ground and flight test bed that leverages “commercially-available launch vehicles for hypersonic payloads,” contractor Dynetics said.

The US Air Force has completed a series of ground and flight acoustic tests for its F-15EX fighter aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The trial was the first for the air force’s F-15 with the GE-129 engine. Test administrators aimed to establish a baseline of sound data to update the information on noise level predictions and models where the aircraft will be deployed.

EDGE Group subsidiary Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has unveiled the largest military boat it has produced to date: a 51-meter (167-foot) offshore patrol vessel. Called the 510 OPV, the ship was introduced at the Indo Defense Expo & Forum 2022 in Jakarta.

British and Estonian officials have inked a road map for beefing up their military ties that will boost the remaining UK contingent in the Baltic nation with short-range air defense weapons and multiple-launch rocket systems, the two governments announced Tuesday. The agreement, signed in London by British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and his Estonian counterpart, Hanno Pevkur, aims to implement NATO plans approved in Madrid, Spain, over the summer for hardening the alliance’s eastern front.

The Indonesian Air Force has sent a contingent of pilots and engineers to France to learn how to operate the Rafale. Six pilots and eight engineers are currently there, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo disclosed. In February, Defense Minister Prabowo Sugianto had signed a cooperation contract for the purchase of six French-made 4.5-generation Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.

The Nikkei has reported that Tokyo is giving consideration into the export of used armored vehicles and missiles from its Self-Defense Force to other nations. The report said these weapons will be transferred free of charge to Asian countries. The change in policy could be indicated in the National Security Strategy that is being published by end of this year. The Nikkei says once this new policy is accepted, it will be put into practice next year.

WATCH: Why US is Testing This Mysterious Super Advanced Hypersonic Drone Aircraft

Underwater robots, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), have the potential to take over lengthy and labour-intensive missions in dangerous areas from navy ship crews and special forces. As a result, the role of mobile unmanned platforms in military scenarios is becoming more and more important. But their integration into the network of surface ships, submarines, sensor nodes and surface gateway buoys is crucial. 

This requires underwater acoustic networks, as well as the capability to adapt autonomously to communication conditions, for example by switching between frequency bands and data rates, so that network assets stay connected for extensive operation times without recovery and redeployment.

A four-year EDA project known as SALSA, funded by five EDA Member States, developed a smart adaptive protocol stack for the development of flexible and self-configurable underwater acoustic networks. Launched on 30 October 2018, the final meeting took place on 25-27 October 2022. This meeting was used to reflect upon the technical achievements gained within the project, regarding the requirements set in an early stage. 

Also, strategic decisions were taken on what technical results were fit to be published in an open standard.

The Netherlands was the lead nation in the project, working with Germany, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The project involved a consortium of industries and research establishments from these five Member States. In this regard, the main objectives defined for this project were linked to the development and standardisation of a protocol stack for self-configurable underwater acoustic networks that autonomously adapt to changing environmental conditions and operational needs.

Under the SALSA project, work has been carried out at the two levels of the physical and the network layer. 

At the physical layer, where bits are converted into sound and vice versa, the JANUS underwater communications standard (STANAG 4748/ANEP-87) was applied for first contact, after which the more robust and flexible frequency repetition spread spectrum (FRSS) modulation was employed to enable the required heavy-duty communication in the military scenario at hand. In addition, at the network layer, the versatile gossiping in underwater mobile ad-hoc networks (GUWMANET) routing protocol was employed with the accompanying application-layer protocol generic underwater application language (GUWAL). The decisions for adaptations, and their synchronization within the network to maintain interoperability, were controlled by an adaptivity module inside the network layer.

During the implementation of the project, a successful demonstration was performed of self-configurable underwater acoustic networks in military scenarios using up to 20 network nodes.

Based on the results provided, the navies of the five EDA Member States, supported by their national research establishments, have the intention to submit a proposal for a NATO Standardisation Agreement. The consortium is still seeking for the best approach to initiate the NATO standardisation process; whether it should be extension of a current standard or a new standard, and how to keep all partners involved given that the EDA-SALSA project has been now closed.

The SALSA consortium hopes to engage in discussions on new use cases or the needs of potential clients for their adaptive underwater communication protocols. These aspects underline the high level of ambition to continue international collaboration on underwater communications as over the years a full workbench has been developed within this consortium.

Northrop Grumman Systems won an $9 million deal for the manufacture of initiating propellant used on the MK48 heavyweight torpedo. This contract includes a three-year ordering period with no options. All work will be performed in Elkton, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by November 2025. Weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,203,980 will be issued for delivery order N00104-22-F-ZN01 that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In July 2017, Northrop was awarded a $50.1 million contract to manufacture 45 torpedo transducer array and nose shell assemblies for the heavyweight torpedo.

A US Air Force T-38 assigned to Columbus Air Force Base crashed out of the airfield around 1 pm local time on November 7. The pilot ejected safely after the aircraft suffered an in-flight emergency. The T-38 Talon is a twinjet supersonic jet trainer produced by American aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman.

The Turkish government’s defense industrial-policy office, the Defense Industries Presidency SSB, has unveiled the MIR, an unmanned naval vehicle designed to fight submarines from the surface. Ismail Demir, head of SSB, told the press that the MIR will come in three features. It can be used autonomously, in a remote control operations or manned with a crew.

The UK Royal Air Force’s first Wedgetail E-7A airborne early warning and control aircraft has received a multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) sensor. Developed by Northrop Grumman, the MESA system will enable the E-7A to monitor its surroundings over 360 degrees in flight. The sensor will assist airmen in detecting, identifying, and tracking targets at longer ranges while maintaining continuous surveillance in an operational area.

The Polish Army has ordered 11 more Wolverine armored personnel carriers for $30.8 million, with delivery expected between 2024 and 2025. In 2018, the Polish Armed Forces received 33 Wolverine vehicles following a June 2014 deal valued at $50 million. The 8.3-meter (27 feet) Wolverine is equipped with a remote-controlled armament module and a 7.62-meter (25 feet) machine gun allowing for enhanced observation and self-defense capabilities.

Collins Aerospace and PT Dirgantra Indonesia (PTDI) have signed an agreement to support the Indonesian Air Force’s C-130 Hercules with a new digital cockpit. As part of the air force’s Phase 2 rollout plan, Collins will supply 11 C-130s with its Flight 2 Integrated Avionics System, which includes the latest AOS-7000 digital auto-pilot system. The system offers the military transport aircraft “the most cost-effective and lowest-risk communications, navigation and surveillance systems for air traffic management (CNS/ATM) upgrade solution,” according to Collins.

Naval Group and PT PAL Indonesia inked a memorandum of understanding to develop an energy research laboratory for submarines and propulsion solutions at the Indo Defence 2022 Expo and Forum in Jakarta. The joint research and development will involve potential submarine energy storage, such as embedded electrical networks, next-generation Li-Ion batteries, and hydrogen cells.

WATCH: USAF Aircraft Type and Size Comparison 3D

Bell Textron Inc. has delivered the 189th and final AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter for the US Marine Corps at Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas, concluding the Program of Record for the latest H-1 platforms. With the delivery of 160 UH-1Y Venom choppers in 2018, the marine corps now has 349 H-1s in service. The Bell AH-1Z Viper was developed to replace the older two-bladed AH-1W Super Cobra. Meanwhile, the UH-1Y replaced the UH-1N Twin Huey constructed specifically for the US Army.

The US Navy is developing a torpedo-tube launch and recovery system for nuclear attack submarine-launched underwater drones. Submarines currently require a dry deck shelter and divers to recover a medium-sized unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), limiting the vehicle’s capacity. “The Medium UUV can go on any one of our submarines. That is a priority for us. We have no problem launching UUVs. That’s easy. The recovery part has been the critical aspect,” USNI News quoted Submarine Force commander Vice Adm. Bill Houston as saying.

Israel-based Gadfin Aero-Logistics Systems has secured a contract with Israel’s medical GPO & logistics company – SAREL, for sending supplies from its advanced medical logistic center, to gradually connect all the major hospitals in Israel, in a radius of up to 200Km, under a long-term exclusive partnership agreement. Gadfin says that this will make Israel the first western country in the world to have an automatic, on demand, medical delivery aerial grid. This contract will allow SAREL to have constant supply of medical equipment, medicines Vaccines, blood, Serum ,lab samples and more, using a star model all across Israel, at less than one hour from call.

Belgium’s 349th squadron has painted an nearly 50-years old F-16 in a special paint scheme to commemorate the unit’s 80th anniversary. The plane’s decorated tail fin shows a drawing of Spitfire pilot Ivan Du Monceau de Bergendal, its first commander, wearing a leather helmet. On the left, it is decorated with an F-35A stealth fighter – the future mount of the squadron from 2027 – and a pilot wearing the latest generation helmet with the words “349 Sqn. Proud of the past, Ready for the future.”

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Finland of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $535 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. The state department is still in the process of diverting 50 percent of the procurement from US stocks. A final decision based on this process will determine the GMLRS version Finland receives.

North Korean forces said they would respond to joint exercises by the United States and South Korea with “sustained, resolute and overwhelming” military measures, its state media reported Monday. The warning came following a spate of missile tests by North Korea last week, including four ballistic missiles on Saturday, while the United States and South Korea conducted their biggest-ever air force drills. Hundreds of US and South Korean warplanes — including B-1B heavy bombers — participated in the Vigilant Storm exercises last week.

The US military flew an demonstration flight of the MQ-9 at Maritime Self-Defense Force Base Kanoya to local officials on November 5. Attending the event was Kagoshima Governor Shioda, Mayor Nakanishi of Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and town councilors from around the base.

WATCH: Demonstration flight of the U.S. military’s MQ9 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft conducted

Northrop Grumman won a $29 million modification, which exercises an option that provides five aerial refueling retrofit kits including installation onboard E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the Navy. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in Florida. Expected completion will be in August 2025.

On November 2, the 31st and final AC-130J gunship was delivered by Lockheed Martin to the US Air Force Special Operations Command. The warplane will be assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force is getting 10 Bell 505 helicopters to train its student pilots. The five helicopters will be delivered in 2023 with the rest the following year. These rotorcraft will go to King Hussein Air College. They will replace the existing Robinson R44 Raven II trainers.

Norway will sell 32 of its F-16 fighters to NATO partner Romania. The contract was signed on November 4. “The agreement signed by the NDMA will help strengthen the air power of one of our allies, at the same time as it will generate revenues for both Norwegian industry and the Norwegian state,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram. All jets will be modified to the M6.5.2 Romanian configuration prior to delivery starting next year.

Bloomberg reports that Boeing “is concerned about the ability of” Indonesia to finance the deal to buy F-15EX fighters. Earlier in February, the US government cleared the sale of up to 36 F-15EX fighters to the South East Asia nation. The deal is worth $14 billion, figures given by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency show. Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto had also said late last month during a visit to the United States that the country wants to pay for the F-15EX deal in installments.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has clinched a $308 million deal to develop amphibious attack helicopters for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, the company announced. KAI will develop three prototypes in 46 months under the contract, signed with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

WATCH: 50 Years Undefeated! Why is the F-15 the best fighter jet?

Today, EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý, concludes a two-day official visit to Switzerland where he held meetings with high-level officials from Armasuisse - Federal Office for Defence Procurement and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. EDA’s cooperation with Switzerland is built on an Administrative Arrangement which recently marked 10 years since its signature. During his visit to Bern, Mr Šedivý discussed avenues of future cooperation and opportunities for expanding current Swiss participation in EDA activities.

Discussions with National Armaments Director, Martin Sonderegger, mainly focused on Swiss participation in 7 of EDA’s Capability & Technology Groups (CapTechs) and the growing cooperation in the cyber domain. Mr Šedivý briefed on the establishment of the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI) and on progress across the EU defence initiatives. Mr Šedivý met Brigadier Werner Epper, Deputy Commander Air Force, to discuss progress on Swiss participation in EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme and EDA’s workstreams on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

During a speech to representatives of Swiss industry, Mr Šedivý presented EDA, its mission and introduced the Agency’s sustainable defence activities and opportunities for engagement by industry. The official visit also provided the opportunity to see several aspects of Swiss defence excellence, upon which Swiss contribution to EDA activities are draw from. Mr Šedivý concluded his visit at the Swiss Cyber Defence Campus and the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of Armasuisse.

“Switzerland’s participation in EDA through our administrative arrangement is exactly what defence cooperation is about. Over the past 10 years, Switzerland has been able to participate in a range of projects and programmes at EDA not just for the benefit its own defence, but by making a valued contribution to selected EDA activities and projects. In the past decade, the range of joint projects and programmes Switzerland has engaged in has only grown and during my visit to Bern I have encouraged our Swiss colleagues to continue this path and to further grow our partnership, in line with the recent report approved by the Federal Council on the implications of the war in Ukraine”, said EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý.

“Switzerland has continuously expanded its cooperation with EDA in the recent years. We appreciate the productivity of the common activities with good quality output and the good working ambiance. Close cooperation with the EDA is the right way forward for Switzerland.”, said Martin Sonderegger, National Armaments Director Switzerland.

Ten years ago, on 16 March 2012, the ‘Framework for cooperation between the European Defence Agency and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport of the Swiss Confederation’ was signed. The so-called Administrative Arrangement (AA, the second of only four AA so far signed by the Agency with non-EU countries, sets the frame for enabling the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to participate in specific EDA projects and programmes related to research and technology as well as armaments cooperation, in a spirit of mutual benefits and reciprocity. Since then, cooperation between participating EDA Member States and the DDPS has continuously deepened. Initially mainly focused on R&T, Switzerland’s engagement at EDA has progressively expanded also into capability development and training. 

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $25 million contract modification, which adds scope for fabrication and installation support to retrofit the Delta System Software Configuration 4.0 capabilities, to include tactical targeting network technology and the beyond line of sight in the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Melbourne, Florida; Boulder, Colorado; Norfolk, Virginia (8%); Salisbury, Maryland; Ronkonkoma, New York (3%); and various locations within the continental US, and is expected to be completed in September 2025.

Sikorsky won a $21.4 million modification, which exercises options to procure one CH53K containerized flight training device (2F243-3), as well as associated technical data based on low-rate initial production Lot 4 configuration in support of CH-53K phase II training system efforts. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia; Stratford, Connecticut; and Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2025.

The flagship product of D-Fend Solutions, an Israeli company which develops counter-drone, cyber-takeover solutions, has received a recommendation by the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO). The recommendation, which came out of a formal US government evaluation event held at Yuma Proving Ground in April 2022, pertains to the EnforceAir system, which, according to the company, features the world’s premier counter-drone, cyber, radio frequency (RF)-based takeover technology.

Russian firm PPSh Laboratory has unveiled an electronic warfare gun capable of jamming “American unmanned aerial vehicles,” state-owned TASS revealed. The Saint Petersburg-based company is testing the LPD-802 gun, an upgrade on the LPD-801 being used in the Ukraine conflict. The company unveiled the LPD-801 in 2021. The counter-drone device jams “drone control channels and navigational signals, in particular, disabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, Galileo and Glonass satellite system signals and quashing unauthorized data transmission.”

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) may enter a joint venture with a foreign ejection seat manufacturer to make the escape devices in India. The news report suggest HAL is interested in capturing a slice of the market now dominated by Britain’s Martin Baker.

The Biden administration has given approval for Australia to buy 24 C-130J-30 aircraft and related equipment on November 2. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency made the announcement shortly after Australia says it will stick with the C-130J for its future airlifter project. In Transmittal No 22-62, the DSCA says the Foreign Military Sale contract is worth up to $6.35 billion.

WATCH: E2D Advanced Hawkeye

L3 Technologies won a $20.7 million deal for the Manned/Unmanned Teaming hardware and technical and engineering support for the Apache attack helicopter. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received.

The US Air Force carried out its first test of the rappelling system on the new MH-139A helicopter on October 6. During the mission, special operators successfully rappelled out of a hovering MH-139A at Eglin Air Force Base.

Israel’s Elbit Systems announced that that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $25 million from the Finnish Ministry of Defense to supply radio communications systems to the Finnish Army. The contract will be executed over a two-year period. Under the contract, Elbit will supply advanced secured radio communications systems that enable enhanced tactical command and fire control and are backward compatible with analogue radio equipment that is currently in use by the Finnish Army. Military radio communications solutions of Elbit Systems have been selected to-date by several European and NATO countries including Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Spain and others.

Sweden’s new prime minister said Tuesday he was open to allowing nuclear weapons on Swedish soil once the country becomes a NATO member, a turnaround from the previous government’s stance. When asked if the two nations would accept nuclear weapons on their soil, Marin replied: “We shouldn’t put any preconditions… We have decided that we don’t want to close any doors for the future.”

Kraken Robotics has won a $1.1 million contract to provide its AquaPix synthetic aperture sonar  for the sub-surface drones of two NATO navies. AquaPix was designed to replace traditional high-end side scan systems on autonomous vehicles. It delivers improved range, resolution, and area coverage.

The Royal Australian Navy has tapped BAE Systems to provide in-service periscope support for its six Collins-class submarines. The $45-million extension contract guarantees the Royal Australian Navy continued maintenance and logistic services, as well as engineering and supply support.

WATCH: The First MH-139A Grey Wolf Flight • UH-1N Replacement

Sikorsky won a $280.4 million modification, which exercises an option to procure long lead items in support of full rate production Lot 8, CH-53K aircraft. CH-53K King Stallion is a next-generation heavy-lift cargo helicopter. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be in December 2023.

General Electric won a $1 billion requirements contract for repair, replacement, and program support of 784 F414 engine components in support of F/A-18 aircraft. This contract includes a five-year base with no options. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support is the contracting activity. Work will take place in various continental US contractor locations that cannot be determined at this time, and in Florida. Work is expected to be completed by October 2027.

The shooting training center of the Special Forces Command (KSK) of the German army in the town of Calw has been using training system components from the Israeli company Trango Systems. According to German website Soldat & Technik, in a report on the visit of the German Minister of Defense to the German Army’s Special Forces Command, photos were publicly revealed for the first time indicating that the command is using modern means in the shooting training center, including system components from Trango Systems.

The Turkish government will assist the country’s maiden unmanned helicopter project, the Alpin, its manufacturer Titra reported. Ankara has put the project on its “regional priority investment list,” ensuring subsidies and incentives, the Ankara-based firm added. The government has promised to buy the dual-use platform following field trials, and could export it to friendly countries once it is battle-proven.

Norway, a NATO member that shares a border with Russia in the Arctic, will raise its military readiness, its prime minister said on Monday, stressing however that no direct threat had been detected. “The military will as of tomorrow raise its preparedness in Norway,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told reporters.

The Royal Australian Air Force will continue to stick with the C-130J as the platform for its medium air mobility fleet. The Australian government announced on November 1 that Project AIR 7404 Phase 1 has chosen the C-130J. The project’s aim was to replace and expand the current fleet of 12 C-130J with a new aircraft. The defense ministry determined that the C-130J was the only option that meets the requirements for low risk, being certified in all roles, that is proven, mature and affordable.

WATCH: The US Marine CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter is Worthy of Its Name

A US Navy EA-18G is back flying again five years after it was grounded after a mid-air collision. Formerly attached to VAQ-133, the electronic attack jet is now assigned to VAQ-129. More than 2,000 man hours were spent fixing the aircraft back to a serviceable state.

Lockheed Martin won a $111 million contract modification, which adds scope for the development of a Common Reprogramming Tool (CRT) minimum viable product, as well as establishing network connections required to establish the CRT development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture needed to commence development of enhanced reprogramming tools in support of efforts to replace legacy programming tools utilized by reprogramming labs to modernize and revolutionize F-35 reprogramming. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion in October 2024.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz heralded Thursday a new era in his country’s overt security ties with Turkey after a decade-long rupture, marked by a whirlwind visit to Ankara. Gantz’s one-day trip to the powerful NATO member came two months after Israel and Turkey renewed diplomatic ties.

Australia has confirmed the delivery of 30 additional Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles to Ukrainian forces. The latest military aid will increase the number of Bushmasters donated to Ukraine to 90. “Since their arrival, the Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with more requested by the Ukrainian President, Minister for Defence, and the Ambassador,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.

Bo-105 helicopter donated by Dornier Technology, Inc. was inducted into service with the Philippine Army (PA) Aviation Regiment at Fort Ramon Magsaysay on October 26. “The donation of the cutting-edge Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105 will be an additional mission-essential equipment for the Army Aviation that will support the Army units and other government agencies during disasters and calamities in the country,” PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

After much procrastination, South Korea has decided that the Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) proposed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is the platform that will meet the requirements of its Marine Corps for an attack helicopter. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) gave KAI a $303 million contract to develop its MAH and the company has 46 months to come up with three prototypes.

WATCH: GROWLER BALL 2022

The European Defence Agency’s 8th Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC), which ran over seven weeks at Airbase No1 in Sintra (Portugal) and Pápa Air Base in Hungary, was successfully completed.

The course began on 29th of August with a two-week classroom phase, followed by a two-week simulator phase at Airbase No1 in Sintra. After a week of recovery and transfer of aircrafts a three-week deployment to the Pápa Air Base in Hungary where participants engaged in live flying exercises.  Supported by personnel from the Hungarian Defence Forces and Pápa Air Base, the flying phase included a complex operational scenario employing dissimilar formation flying, evasion training against a range of airborne threats, Electronic Warfare (EW) against both ground-based and airborne systems and a variety of additional tasks such as Helicopter Assault, Convoy Escort and Mutual Support. The course was led by the EDA HTIC Chief Instructor Team and participated by Austrian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Portuguese, and Swedish crews flying on four different types of helicopters: UH-60, CH-47, H145M and Mi-171.

The Staff Instructors came from Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, and Sweden, together with some contracted support provided by Inzpire Ltd. Also, fixed wing support was provided by units of the Czech Alca Jets and the Hungarians Gripens, acting mainly as threats during the helicopter training. In addition, EW assets and personnel were provided by Austria and Hungary.

In total, 12 Bronze, 8 Silver and 5 Gold qualifications were awarded ensuring an important contribution to the international cadre of Helicopter Tactics Instructors (HTI).

The Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC) is an advanced helicopter training activity aimed at creating helicopter tactics instructors which are enable train nationally standardised tactics procedures to foster interoperability of the European helicopter units, their level of preparation, and to facilitate readiness for future deployments. This is done independently of the type of helicopter used. It is delivered since 2013 in UK and Sweden. From the year 2021, its location changed to Airbase No1 in Sintra (Portugal), where the ground and simulator phase of the course is executed, and to Pápa Air Base (Hungary), where the flying phase is delivered.

HTIC provides aircrew from participating nations with the skills and knowledge to teach advanced tactics to front-line aircrews from within their own national organisations and to assist in delivering the EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), the Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) and future HTIC. Successful graduates from the course are awarded a qualification recognised by other Member States.  HTIC development courses run over two years: in the first year, prospective instructors refine their own knowledge of advanced helicopter tactics to the maximum degree. In the second year, when the formal HTI qualification is achieved, the emphasis shifts to develop the participants’ ability to teach those tactics. In turn, Instructors who have demonstrated excellent abilities in delivering the course will be individually selected to come back a third time and teach alongside the existing instructional staff to finally achieve their Gold instructor qualification to become supervising instructors for future HTIC and/or components of the HTIC Chief Instructor Team.

The three main elements of HTIC include Evasion Training, Electronic Warfare, and advanced Operations.  They are initially taught as stand-alone skills before being brought together in a complex, non-permissive environment in the framework of the planning and execution of Composite Air Operations (COMAO).

It should be noted that although the main focus of the course is projected in the helicopter crews, all participants (e.g., jets, EW systems operators, ground troops, supporting personal) also obtain an important training benefit.

Boeing won an $11.4 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide for installation of 25 previously procured A-kits in support of the Increment 3 Block 1 retrofit requirements for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed in December 2023.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has completed a flight test of its air-to-air laser communication system at Montgomery Field in Kearney Mesa, California. The laser system was trialed to enable General Atomics-built drones to perform beyond-line-of-sight communications in multi-domain operations and other air-to-space communication applications.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will exhibit at the Bahrain International Airshow, taking place November 9-11th. IAI will showcase a variety of its state-of-the-art aviation products, including civil aviation, radars and avionics, air defense systems, coastal guard and drone guard systems. This is the first time that an Israeli company is participating in the event.

Germany has declared success in destroying drones with a high-energy laser weapon system installed on board frigate Sachsen. The test was carried out on August 30 in the Baltic Sea near Putlos Major Training Area. The drones were taken out at short and very short range, Rheinmetall said in a press release. Additional tests will be carried out till the middle of next year in order to hone the system into a fully functional, operational laser weapon.

Bulgaria’s government has decided to buy a follow-on batch of eight F-16 fighters from Lockheed Martin. The order will split equally between the C and D models. It would be the second batch acquired by Bulgaria, which contracted to buy eight multi-role F-16 Block 70 aircraft in July 2019 for $1.3 billion. Plans initially called for the first planes to arrive in Bulgaria in 2023 and the last ones in 2024, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed delivery until 2025.

Japan is looking into buying US-developed Tomahawk cruise missiles as it seeks to counter growing regional threats, including from North Korea, the government said Friday. The purchase would likely be controversial in a nation whose military is not officially recognized under its post-World War II constitution.

WATCH: P-8 Poseidon | The new submarine hunter of the West

This October the European Defence Agency launched its new Defence in Space (DiS) Forum. During its first meeting, which was co-facilitated by France and Spain and included representatives from 17 EDA participating Member States, the EU Military Staff and the European External Action Service, defence and space ambitions, needs and initiatives were discussed.  

Based on an assessment of the current situation in space-related activities in the EU, the space planners of the EDA pMS exchanged about the way ahead and first ideas for enhanced cooperation. The participants warmly welcomed this first step in the direction of a stronger, more united, and transversal approach to space and defence. 

The DiS Forum is a result of the first CARD cycle which identified Defence in Space as a focus area in which collaboration was assessed to be most pressing, most needed, and most promising within the EU defence stakeholders. This led to the formal establishment of the DiS Forum by the EDA Steering Board. As a new working body in EDA, the DiS Forum has the aim to develop a European common approach to defence capabilities in space by making best use of all the available defence instruments, to increase collaboration between Member States and develop common defence perspectives on current EU activities including related to the EU civil space programmes.