Defense`s Feeds

Americas

A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II from the Idaho Air National Guard was given a heritage paint scheme to celebrate the unit’s 75th anniversary and to pay homage to its lineage from the 405th Fighter Squadron during the Second World War. The “8N” painted on the side of the aircraft indicates the aircraft code of the 405th Fighter Squadron.

Boeing won a $101.7 million contract modification for KC-46 engineering, manufacturing, and development contract. This modification provides for the exercise of Option Five for interim contractor support and the exercise of the options for logistics service representatives/field service representatives support for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Work will take place in Seattle, Washington and Seymour Johnson AFB. Estimated completion date is June 27, 2022.

Middle East & Africa

An Iron Dome battery of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly shot down its own Surveillance UAV during the 11-day conflict with Hamas while in another incident, the battery malfunctioned allowing rockets from Gaza to rain down on Ashkelon city. According to the Haaretz newspaper, in the first incident, IDF personnel operating the Iron Dome air defense system mistook the drone for a hostile aircraft. In the second incident,  an Iron Dome battery guarding Ashkelon city malfunctioned allowing a barrage of Hamas-fired rockets on Ashkelon, resulting in failure to intercept some rockets.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) developed SatGuard an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered system for operating and managing observation and communication satellites. The new SatGuard system is designed to extend the life of satellites deployed into orbit. Powered by AI, big data and machine learning, the system detects anomalies and other irregularities in the satellite’s operations. SatGuard’s development is based on years of focus and experience in space, accumulated by IAI’s Systems, Missiles and Space Group, and as part of IAI’s internal Innovation Center.

Europe

HMS Prince of Wales tested her three Phalanx guns as part of efforts to make the vessel operational, it says in a tweet. Phalanx CIWS is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20mm Gatling gun system and is the Royal Navy’s primary defence for ships against the threat of anti-ship missiles.

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of Follow-on Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for GA-ASI MQ-9A Blk 5 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $110 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. Spain’s MQ-9A aircraft fleet provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance support that directly supports US and coalition operations around the world. The Government of Spain has requested to buy follow on Contractor Logistics Support to include contractor provided MQ-9A Blk 5 aircraft components, spares, and accessories; repair and return; software and software support services; simulator software; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; US Government and contractor provided engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

Asia-Pacific

The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has made further progress in its effort to procure 36 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft from Dassault Aviation but a formal contract may be delayed by a lack of clarity over funding sources. In a bid to modernize the Indonesian Air Force, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has been visiting various countries looking for a good deal to replace the F-5s. In February, the service finally released a big-ticket list of aircraft it is going to procure in the next four years.

Today’s Video

Watch: ArmA 3 – C-RAM in Action – Shooting Down Hostile Jet – Phalanx CIWS – C RAM – GAU-8 – Simulation

Americas

Boeing won a $24.1 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure additional software builds to provide correction of deficiencies, to include software enhancements or improvements, engineering analyses and evaluations, and integration and test activity in support of the P-8A Increment 3 Acoustics Multi-static Active Coherent Enhancements program. The Poseidon’s increment 3 focuses on a network-ready open-systems electronics architecture and network-enabled weapons for existing P-8A aircraft. The Poseidon is a militarized version of the Boeing 737 single-aisle jetliner, while the much-older P-3 is a militarized version of the Lockheed Martin L-188 Electra four-engine turboprop passenger plan, which has been flying since the late 1950s. Work will take place in California and Maryland. Estimated completion date is in February 2024.

According to the US Army, a National Guard artillery unit was the first to conduct a live-fire test with the new M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzer System last week. The 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team worked with the newly-fielded artillery at Fort Bragg, NC, for two weeks before a demonstration of the weapon, known in various iterations as the Paladin. The howitzers resemble lightly-armored tanks, and specialize in long-distance aerial bombardment. All systems can be controlled by a crew of four.

Middle East & Africa

Vectrus Systems won a $9.3 million contract modification for the incorporation of additional services for base period through option period seven under the base operating services (BOS) contract at Isa Air Base (ISA). The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, all management, supervision, tools, materials, supplies, labor and transportation services necessary for BOS at ISA, Kingdom of Bahrain. Performance period is from December 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021.

Europe

Saab is poised to upgrade the Radar warning equipment on the Tornado aircraft operated by the German Air Force, following an order from Panavia Aircraft GmbH. According to Saab, the company will supply modern digital components, which will enhance the processing power and extend the lifetime of the Tornado’s radar warning equipment. Deliveries will take place between 2021 and 2025. Saab will carry out the work at its sites in Nuremberg, Germany and Järfälla, Sweden. The Panavia Tornado is a family of twin-engine, variable-sweep wing multirole combat aircraft, jointly developed and manufactured by Italy, the United Kingdom and West Germany. Saab received the initial order for radar warning equipment for Germany’s Tornado fighters in 1999.

Asia-Pacific

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told Philippine News Agency (PNA) that six T129B attack helicopters would be delivered in third quarter of this year. PNA reported that the budget for the helicopter program is $287 million.

Leonardo announced on Twitter that it supplied two AW139 helicopters for use by the Australian Army. “We are proud to announce that we have successfully delivered the first of two AW139 helicopters to Toll Group. The two helicopters will be operated by the Australian Army and will be based at the Army base located in Townsville,” the company tweeted. The AW139 is a 15-seat medium-sized twin-engined helicopter marketed at several different roles, including VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, fire-fighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency medical service, disaster relief, and maritime patrol.

Today’s Video

Watch: U.S National Guard brigade receives new M109A7 Paladin howitzer!

EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý is in Portugal this week for high-level talks with Defence Minister João Gomes Cravinho and several senior representatives of the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs. He also participates in an international conference on the European defence industry, visits the Sintra airbase and attends the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers to be held in Lisbon on Friday (28 May) under the Portuguese EU Presidency. 

On Monday (24 May), Mr Šedivý participated in Lisbon in an international seminar on ‘European Defence Economy’ where he joined a debate on the current state and future prospects of the European defence industry, together with high-level speakers such as Portuguese Minister of Defence João Gomes Cravinho and European Commissioner Thierry Breton. In the margins of the event, he also met with various industry representatives. 

Later on Monday, Mr Šedivý had a bilateral meeting with Minister Gomes Cravinho to discuss a range of topics, including Portugal’s participation in EDA projects and programmes, the implementation of the EU defence initiatives (especially the recent CARD findings and recommendations) and the ongoing work on the Strategic Compass. 

Today (25 May), the Chief Executive will pursue its consultations at the Portuguese Ministry of Defence, inter alia with Defence Policy Director Paulo Lourenço, National Armaments/Capability Director Vasco Hilário and R&T Director Jorge Côrte Real Andrade. He will also meet the Director-General for Foreign Policy, Ambassador Ms. Madalena Fischer.  

On Wednesday 26 May, Mr Šedivý will pay a visit to Sintra Airbase, the site of the future European Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC). Sintra hosts today already the EDA helicopter training centre and, by mid-2023, will also progressively take over EDA’s three helicopter programmes: the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), the Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) and the Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC). 

On Friday 28, the Chief Executive will attend the informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Lisbon, held under the current Portuguese EU Presidency.  

Americas

With a backorder for 128 jets, the Lockheed Martin F-16 could be flying in 2070s, Air Force Magazine reports. The last aircraft in this order is not expected to be delivered until 2026, with a service of more than 40 years, this last aircraft could be flying well into 2070. To be manufactured at Greenville, South Carolina, these aircraft are destined for Bahrain, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and an unnamed customer. These customers have indicated they are keen to follow on with new orders.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is the first to deploy the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System from the East Coast, a Marines statement said. The amphibious attack unit, regarded as a fast-response air-and-ground task force and garrisoned at Camp Lejeune, NC, was assigned a HIMARS, a wheeled, multiple rocket launching system, in September 2020.

Middle East & Africa

A huge explosion and fire that injured 9 persons was reported Sunday near an arms factory that manufactures some of Iran’s drones in Isfahan, Central Iran. However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that fire incident relates to a private sector’s factory producing incendiary materials. “The reason for the explosion at the Sepahan Nargostar chemical industry is under investigation while nine injured people have been transferred to hospital,” spokesman Abbas Abedi of the province’s medical emergency centre was quoted as saying by the Mehr state news agency.

A Boeing F-15QA Advanced Eagle combat aircraft destined for Qatar suffered a mishap when two US Air Force (USAF) pilots ejected while the aircraft was on the ground during pre-delivery trials in the United States. The incident occurred at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Illinois on 18 May. Images posted of the aircraft afterwards show it to have suffered little to no visible damage, with only the two ejection seats and canopy missing.

Europe

UK’s Minister for Defense Procurement Jeremy Quin has formally opened a new manufacturing plant in the North West of England which will play a significant role in building the British Army’s latest armored vehicle – the Boxer. During his visit to WFEL in Stockport, Mr Quin saw first-hand the newly built facility which will fabricate all the armored hulls and assemble the finished Boxer vehicles for delivery to MoD.

Asia-Pacific

BAE Systems Australia will build additional electronic controls for Joint Strike Missiles made by Norway’s Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. The contract for 180 Passive Radio Frequency Sensors, or PRS, completes the first full rate of production order for elements of the fifth-generation, long-range, precision-guided stand-off missile system used by ships, where it is known as the Naval Strike Missile, and carried by F-35 fighter planes.

Today’s Video

Watch: Insane Battle with Aggressive Fire TOS-1 MLRS VS M142 HIMARS MLRS

Americas

Boeing won an $18.9 million order, which provides for the production and delivery of 48 automatic backup oxygen system retrofit kits for the T-45 aircraft, to include installation tooling, engineering reach back, spares and support equipment. The T-45A Goshawk is a tandem-seat, carrier capable, jet trainer whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots. Work will take place in Texas and Missouri. Expected completion is in September 2022.

Sikorsky won a $25.8 million deal for the repair/overhaul of the refueling probes on the HH-60G helicopter. The HH-60G Pave Hawk is the US Air Force’s primary combat search and rescue helicopter used by Air Force special tactics teams and pararescuemen. The Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the Army Black Hawk helicopter which features an upgraded communications and navigation suite that includes integrated inertial navigation/global positioning/Doppler navigation systems, satellite communications, secure voice, and Have Quick communications. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion is in May 2026.

Middle East & Africa

The US Navy has contracted MAN Diesel and Turbo LLC, Dubai, and US company Fairbanks Morse LLC, for supplies and services in support of Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) diesel engines aboard the command’s fleet of ships. The contract valued $170 million will provide parts and services from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for these diesel engines, and OEM authorized parts and service technicians in order to maintain the diesel engines aboard multiple classes of ships including MSC’s submarine tenders, hospital ships, dry cargo ammunition ships, fleet replenishment oilers, expeditionary mobile bases, expeditionary transfer docks, large, medium speed roll-on/roll-off ships and the Kocak class of roll-on/roll-off container ships, a US DoD release today said.

Europe

The Polish Air Force’s aerobatic team Bialo-Czerwone Iskry will make its final demonstration flight in August. The team’s aircraft, the TS-11, is being retired and replaced by the M346 in Poland. The final performance will be on August 15 during Army Day.

Croatian daily Jutarnji says the country has decided to select the Rafale F3R as the winner of the fighter competition. These are second-hand jets that France has offered to Croatia. A total of 12 jets are to be sold. The oldest aircraft in the package is 10 years-old. Delivery is to start in 2024.

A Spanish Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopter had to make an emergency landing near Brestanica, Slovenia after it hit a power line on May 20. The helicopter was taking part in exercise Adriatic Strike 2021. The crew on board were not injured.

Asia-Pacific

ADSB, the regional leader in the new build, repair, maintenance, refit and conversion of naval and commercial vessels, won an $952.9 million contract by the Ministry of Defense and UAE Navy, to build four Falaj 3 Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The contract is the largest-ever order received by ADSB and reinforces the company’s vision of becoming the leading regional shipyard through delivering innovative and dependable solutions that add value to clients and other stakeholders, both military and civilian.

Today’s Video

Watch: ADSB awarded AED3.5bn contract with the UAE Navy to build Falaj 3-class Offshore Patrol Vessels

Americas

Boeing won a $7.6 million contract modification for integration of the legacy strap pack assembly for remanufactured AH-64E aircraft. The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform. The AH-64E features improved digital connectivity, the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, more powerful T700-GE-701D engines with upgraded face gear transmission to accommodate more power, capability to control UAVs, full IFR capability, and improved landing gear. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date is January 31, 2024.

An exoskeleton, worn by US Air Force aerial porters to assist in lifting objects with reduced strain, will make its debut at Travis Air Force Base, California, the branch announced. The device, designed by Arizona State University and the Air Force Life Cycle Management and Air Mobility Command, will be used in an official capacity for the first time this week. The Aerial Port Exoskeleton, still in its prototype phase of development, is an element of the uniform worn by those in the classification of aerial port, which involves lifting of materials and moving materials on and off aircraft.

Middle East & Africa

Turkish firm Aselsan announced that test flights of the Saka micro UAV for surveillance operations have been successful. The Saka system weighs around 600 grams and utilizes a 3-axis gimbal. It was developed for exploration and surveillance purposes, Yusuf Ziya Kotil, a project manager from Aselsan, told state-owned Anadolu Agency earlier this week.

Europe

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible sale of support services for Foreign Military Sales Order II (FMSO II) and Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Arrangement (CLSSA) to Greece. Approved by the US State Department, the total estimated cost of the FMS and associated equipment is $165 million. The sale package will include US Government, technical, and logistics support services, as well as other requests for FMSO II and CLSSA support.

The names of five next-generation Type-31 frigates for the Royal Navy have been announced by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin. The Rosyth built Type 31 Frigates will be named HMS Active, HMS Bulldog, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Formidable and HMS Venturer.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan has successfully tested AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) locally for the first time. On May 10, the F-16D Block 70 Viper aircraft successfully destroyed target drones in tests. Each RoCAF F-16V was reportedly armed with two AMRAAMs and two short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, with the first and third aircraft each launching an AMRAAM which successfully engaged target drones.

Today’s Video

Watch: ASELSAN’s micro unmanned aerial vehicle ‘Saka’ winged

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $75.5 million contract for the Global Hawk RQ-4 UAV. The contractor will provide multi-country aircrew and maintenance training consisting of program management support, courseware modification and development, pilot training, sensor operator training, and airframe and ground maintenance training to support the US government and Air Force Security Assistance Training international partners’ mission objectives. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds will be obligated at the time of task order award. The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system with an integrated sensor suite that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, capability worldwide.

According to a press release, the Navy declared initial operational capability for the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) earlier this month. JPALS has been supporting F-35B deployments on LH-class amphibious assault ships with early operational capability since 2016 and can now provide the precision navigation and landing capability for F-35s on aircraft carriers as well, says the Navy.

Middle East & Africa

Senior House Democrats  appeared to back away from a plan to urge the Biden administration to delay a $735 million US weapons sale to Israel despite opposition from some of the committee’s members. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said he decided against requesting a delay after the Biden administration agreed to hold an “informational session” with lawmakers, likely for May 19. “The purpose of the letter initially was to make sure that there’s dialogue, conversation,” Meeks said according to CNN.

Europe

Slovenia became the second Balkan state to receive the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) manufactured by American company Oshkosh. The Slovenian Defense Ministry announced that 38 of the vehicles arrived at the port of Koper on May 11. The only other Balkan country that has taken delivery of the tactical vehicles is Montenegro, which received its first 4×4 JLTVs in October 2020. Oshkosh is delivering the vehicles to Slovenia under a contract worth 32 million euros that was signed in November 2018.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department has given the green light for Turkey to export the T129 attack helicopter to Philippines, Serdar Demir, marketing and communications director of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said. Philippines has an order for six attack helicopters but the sale has been delayed as approval from the United States is necessary for the CTS800-4A turboshaft engine which is made by LHTEC (Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company), a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell.

Noise measurements at Mageshima, Japan started on May 16 as Tokyo evaluates the possibility of nearby Iwojima island as a landing practice site for US Navy aircraft. The Defense Ministry is planning to relocate the US military’s landing practice site from Iwoto island, also known as Iwojima, south of Tokyo, to Mageshima island, which lies off Nishinoomote city.

Today’s Video

Watch: “Who wins?”How the Humvee Compares to the New Oshkosh JLTV

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $194.7 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering, integration and testing of the aircraft interface module in support of ASQ-239 electronic warfare/countermeasures system upgrades planned for F-35 Lot 17 aircraft deliveries for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and non-Department of Defense participants. The AN/ASQ-239 provides offensive and defensive options to enable the F-35 to identify, monitor, analyze, and respond to threats like radar-guided anti-aircraft missile batteries and air-search radars. Work will take place in New Hampshire and Texas. Expected completion will be in April 2024.

Babcock and Leonardo that they are to team on Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme. Babcock Canada and Leonardo Canada have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to offer a joint solution to meet the country’s military flight-training requirements. “Babcock and Leonardo can offer a modern and comprehensive solution, drawing on their long experience as leading providers of civil and military fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and mission training services. The companies stand ready to offer an innovative and comprehensive turnkey solution to meet all of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s training requirements,” the companies said in a joint statement.

Middle East & Africa

Two RAF Typhoons have successfully bombed a group of  Islamic State jihadis in Iraq, according to UK militarily chiefs. According to the UK Ministry of Defense, Iraqi security forces recently encountered a group of Islamic State terrorists in a strong defensive position about twenty five miles south west of Mosul. The MoD said the fighter jets used precision-guided bombs to take-out heavily armed IS militants who were dug-in at a site near to the city of Mosul.

Europe

The 209 new Lynx infantry fighting vehicles recently ordered by Hungary will be equipped with Rheinmetall’s StrikeShield hard-kill active protection system (APS) under a new $171 million contract signed. StrikeShield is the third and latest generation of Rheinmetall’s Active Defence System technology, a specific variant of hard-kill APS. It is a distributed system whose sensors and countermeasures are integrated into the contours of the entire vehicle. StrikeShield has the lowest emissions in the electro¬magnetic spectrum on the market, as well as the fastest reaction time in ambush and multi-hit situations. It protects the vehicle from shaped charge warhead threats such as rockets or missiles by neutralizing incoming projectiles before they hit the platform itself.

Navy vessels from 10 nations are massed off the Scottish coast for a NATO interoperability exercise to include live missile fire. The three-week integrated air and sea missile defense exercise involves over 3,000 personnel, and began on Saturday in the British Defense Ministry’s Hebrides Range in western Scotland.

Asia-Pacific

According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense and the US Navy, two US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone aircraft will move from Guam to Japan this month. In a statement, the ministry mentioned an “increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan,” noting that “it is critical to enhance ISR activities by both countries,” adding that the drones “will be temporarily deployed to Japan after mid-May.”

Today’s Video

Watch: Electro-Optical Targeting System for the F-35

Americas

BAE Systems won a $15.7 million contract modificationfor spare parts necessary for initial training and fielding for Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles. The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is a family of next generation, highly survivable vehicles essential to the future of the US Army. The AMPV is to replace the Vietnam War-era and legacy M113 Family of Vehicles. The program is a part of the future of the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). The AMPV will be integrated with the ABCT and is required to operate alongside the M1 Abrams tank and the M2 Bradley infantry vehicle. Work will take place in Pennsylvania. Estimated completion date is January 1, 2023.

The US Air Force completed the Project Strike Rodeo (PSR) munitions proof-of-concept that validated loading five Lockheed Martin AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles (JASSMs) on a Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, according to a service statement. The proof-of-concept performed by the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron started in January. A team of expert tacticians worked through a specific scenario that relied on the ability to escort a bomber loaded with stand-off munitions to a release point in a highly contested environment.

Middle East & Africa

While the Israel Gaza conflict is still ongoing, the Iron Dome proves successful against Gaza rockets. The Israeli-made and US-funded anti-rocket Iron Dome intercept system has reportedly stopped 90 percent of the missiles fired into Israel since the beginning of the conflict in early May. Israel has been using the Iron Dome since 2011. A battery consists of a radar unit and a control center that can detect projectiles soon after their launch and calculate their trajectory and target. It takes seconds for an approaching projectile to be detected.

Europe

Northrop Grumman won a $17.7 million order, which provides technical and sustainment support for E-2C/D aircraft common and unique requirements for the Governments of France and Japan. The E-2C Hawkeye aircraft supplied by Northrop Grumman is an all-weather airborne early warning aircraft to the naval task force. The next-generation E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a new radar system, theatre missile defence capabilities, multi-sensor integration and a Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems tactical glass cockpit. Work will take place in Florida, Japan, and Ohio. Expected completion will be in April 2022.

German company Rheinmetall announced that it signed a contract worth $359 million with the country’s defense procurement agency for the supply of 44 Kodiak armored engineering vehicles (AEVs) for the German Army. Production will begin in 2023, with delivery scheduled to be completed by 2029, said the company. According to Rheinmetall, the Kodiak is an AEV and mine clearance tank that can meet the technical and tactical needs of modern combat engineers. It features a bulldozer blade with adjustable cutting and tilt angles. The Kodiak vehicle is known as the “Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak” in German. It is based on the Leopard 2 main battle tank that was developed by German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW).

Asia-Pacific

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s Xinjiang Military Command has taken delivery of three new advanced weapon systems – armored vehicles, howitzers and self-propelled rocket launchers – over the past week. The unit deployed in a snowy plateau region at an elevation of more than 4,500 meters inducted dozens of Type 08 eight-wheeled armored vehicles of different variants.

Today’s Video

Watch: MQ-4C Triton drone deploy in japan by usa | Latest Military News Today World Defence Update

Americas

Textron Systems won a $15.8 million contract for a one-time mid-life upgrade engineering change proposal for the advanced boresight equipment (ABE) system to modernize and bring 100 fielded domestic and Foreign Military Sales units up to the current commercial off the shelf configuration. Additionally, this contract procures depot repair and upgrade support for the ABE currently installed on AH-1Z, AH-1W and MH-60R combat aircraft, ashore and afloat. Depot repair and upgrade support includes tear down and evaluation of ABE, as well as restoration, modification, and procurement of spare parts in support of ABE component and assembly repairs and upgrades. Work will take place in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Expected completion date is in May 2026.

Raytheon won a $9.4 million order to support the Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 life, parts, and ESSM Block 1 test equipment supplies. The ESSM is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. Work will take place in California and Arizona. Estimated completion will be by September 2022. The order combines purchases for the US Navy, international consortium nation navies, and the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Middle East & Africa

Nigeria will induct its three JF-17 fighters into service on May 20 at Airforce Base Makurdi. The three jets were delivered there in March. The base is also home to the Tactical Air Command (TAC).

Europe

Georgia’s Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze revealed that the country is in talks to buy mobile anti-air missile defense systems from Rafael. The negotiations are to be concluded by end of the year and the new systems will protect manoeuvring forces.

Leonardo is pitching its M-346FA as a potential replacement for Poland’s ageing fleet of Sukhoi Su-22 ‘Fitter’ aircraft, the company announced on May 14. Declaring its intention to bid its M-346FA light attack aircraft as a replacement for the Polish air force (Inspektorat Si? Powietrznych: ISP) fleet of nearly 30 Warsaw Pact-era Su-22M4 aircraft that have been in service since 1985, Leonardo noted the synergies that the ISP could reap given that it already operates the baseline M-346 Master trainer version.

Asia-Pacific

The Malaysian government has decided to retain state-affiliated Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) as the shipbuilder for the country’s troubled Maharaja Lela (Gowind)-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme. The decision was made in early May by a ministerial committee that was convened to examine options for the long-delayed programme, the country’s defense minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said in a statement.

Today’s Video

Watch: M-346FA

Americas

Huntington-Ingalls Industries won a $115 million contract modification for engineering and technical support for USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79). The USS John F. Kennedy is the second Gerald R. Ford Class aircraft carrier. The ship was launched on October 29, 2019. Work will take place in Newport News, Virginia. Expected completion will be by June 2024. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

According to Defense News, the Missile Defense Agency aims to get the first one Next Generation Interceptor by 2028. It will replace the current ground-based interceptors that make up the ballistic missile defense system of the United States’ homeland, but the director of the agency expects to be able to move faster. “If you look at the timeline to get to the first emplacement in 2028,” which is the government’s schedule, “through competition, we know that date is going to come to the left,” Vice Adm. Jon Hill, said at the McAleese and Associates conference May 12.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Shipyards announced that it has won a tender to supply Shaldag Mk V fast patrol boats to the navy of an East Asian country. The agreement was signed between Israel Shipyards, the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and the customer. According to Israel Shipyards, the deal includes a knowledge transfer and training regarding the construction and maintenance of the 32.65 m-long vessels, as well as an upgrade of the customer’s shipyard for this purpose.

Europe

A Litening III targeting pod on a Royal Air Force Eurofighter was damaged beyond repair after it dropped from the jet during testing. The Telegraph reported on the news, but did not mention if the accident happened in the air or on the ground. The damage was worth $847,260.

The UK signed a contract worth $1.9 billion for the purchase of 14 new Chinook aircraft over the next 10 years. According to a press release by the Royal Air Force, the helicopter can operate in a diverse range of environments, from the desert to the arctic, and transport up to 55 personnel or ten tonnes of cargo.

Asia-Pacific

Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21 is taking place at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal with the F-35A deploying to Darwin for the first time. Approximately 40 aircraft, and over 500 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force will be participating in the largest air exercise in Australia for 2021.

Today’s Video

Watch: Shaldag MK V FAIC with a high firepower-to-displacement ratio | Philippine Navy

Americas

Sikorsky won a $17.3 million contract modification, that adds scope to provide production system engineering and program management support in support of CH-53K aircraft low-rate initial production. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. The CH-53K is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies. Work will take place in Stratford, Connecticut and is expected to be finished in June 2022.

The US Navy issued Northrop Grumman with a prototype and risk reduction contract for the development of a sense-and-avoid (SAA) capability for the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAV. SAA is geared at enabling the Triton to operate in controlled airspace and is a focus of the next developmental increment of the co-operative development programme for the USN and RAAF.

Middle East & Africa

According to Africa News, the defense ministers of Burkina Faso and neighbouring Ivory Coast said they would step up their fight against Islamists ravaging the region. A jihadist conflict in the Sahel nations of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso has left vast swathes of territory outside of state control, and thousands of people dead. More than 1,300 people have been killed in Burkina Faso and one million have fled violence since 2015, when jihadists emerged in the formerly tranquil West African nation.

Europe

According to a notice by the Ministry of Defense, it is launching a competition that aims to develop alternative future concepts for the Early Warning systems currently deployed in Maritime Task Groups. Current early warning maritime capabilities are delivered by sensors mounted aboard airborne platforms, with the current assumption for a follow-on for Crowsnest (an airborne early warning system fitted to the Merlin Mk2 helicopter) being a singular large radar sensor mounted on an uncrewed air platform. According to the notice, the Defense and Security Accelerator (DASA) “welcomes alternatives that are not based on this approach and match or exceed current airborne capabilities. We are seeking a potential successor to Crowsnest, which has a planned out-of-service date of 2029.”

Asia-Pacific

Japanese ground troops joined American and French counterparts in their first three-way exercise on Japanese land, as they seek to strengthen military ties amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region. The “ARC21” exercise started on May 11 at the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Ainoura base in Nagasaki prefecture. Japan is seeking to expand its military ties beyond its alliance with the United States to include “like-minded” countries such as France, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters.

Chengdu J-10 jets powered by indigenous engines have entered operational service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. This represents China’s confidence in the local technology to equip the single-engine, multirole aircraft. According to Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation officials the J-10 uses a multi-mode fire-control radar designed in China. The radar has a mechanically scanned planar array antenna and is capable of tracking 10 targets.

Today’s Video

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The European Defence Agency will organise next week (17-25 May) the first virtual event of the Technology Foresight Exercise in which will participate more than 160 experts from EDA Member States (and the countries associated with the Agency) as well as from governmental and international organisations, research centres, academia, and industry. The event is part of a wider defence technology foresight exercise which was launched by the Agency in January and will run until the end of this year. The results and findings will inform the future revision of the European research and capability development priorities as well as the work on the EU’s Strategic Compass.

The discussions and activities of next week’s exercise will build on ‘Futures Narratives’, produced by EDA with a core team of experts, so-called ‘Future Tellers’, and on a new emerging technologies report EDA has produced in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The event will include online meetings, discussions, speeches and brainstorming sessions.

The exercise is innovative in that it will combine different methodologies and processes, along with best practices and lessons learned gather from the wider EDA community of foresight practitioners. In addition, the ‘Future Tellers’ have been appointed to facilitate the outside-the-box thinking this exercise will need to be successful. The Future Tellers are experts from a diverse set of technological and non-technological domains, with civil and military background.

Expected exercise outcome

The expected outcome of the 2021 Technology Foresight Exercise is to provide a high-level, long-term vision on all possible future technologies which could have an impact or become relevant for defence by 2040+. This, in turn, will then help inform the next revision of EDA’s Capability Development Plan (CDP), which defines the European capability development priorities, as well as the Overall Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) which contains EDA Member States’ jointly agreed defence research priorities. In addition to that, the outcome of the Agency’s technology foresight activities this year will also flow into the ongoing preparations for the EU’s Strategic Compass, supporting resilience-building and strategic autonomy.

Workshop held in April

 As part of the Agency’s initiatives on this domain, the 8th Annual Workshop on Technology Watch and Foresight took place remotely on 29 April, bringing together 56 experts and professionals from 16 participating Member States’ Ministries of Defence, the European Commission and its Joint Research Centre, EISMEA, Frontex, NATO ACT and STO, as well as public and private entities. An intense exchange and discussion on new methodologies, best practices and lessons learned took place within the community of practitioners.

New website page

Meanwhile, a new section on Technology Watch and Foresight activities has been published on EDA website. It offers plenty of information about EDA’s activities in this domain, as part of the Agency’s R&T planning process, the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) tool chain, and in support of the CapTechs.

Americas

According to a statement, the US Army awarded FLIR Systems a $15.4 million contract to procure Black Hornet 3 palm-sized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The army has placed several orders for the Black Hornet 3 totalling more than $85 million, FLIR Systems said. These include the first order, a $2.6 million contract awarded in 2018.

US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee on May 7 that his service now has more F-35As compared to the A-10, F-15C/D and F-15E fleet. With 283 jets delivered, the fleet of stealth fighters is second only to the F-16.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s army said that it had hit 130 “military targets” in Gaza, killing 15 “Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives” in retaliatory strikes after Palestinian militant groups launched a flurry of rockets towards Israel. “We have struck 130 military targets belonging mostly to Hamas,” the Islamist group that controls the blockaded Gaza strip, Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus told reporters.

Europe

Sweden has taken delivery of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors in April, Lockheed Martin said. Sweden selected the PAC-3 MSE in August 2018. Building on the combat-proven PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI), the PAC-3 MSE expands the lethal battlespace with a two-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased performance in altitude and range, according to Lockheed.

The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) extended the Gripen future development support services contract with Saab. The order is valued at approximately $118 million and is valid from April 1 this year until December 31 next year. Serving as an extension of an existing contract, the latest contract supports the future development of the Swedish Air Force’s Gripen and other users of the aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Australia has handed over the second and final Guardian Class patrol boat built for the government of the Solomon Islands. The vessel, which has been named RSIPV Taro, was formally accepted by the High Commissioner for Solomon Islands, Robert Sisilo, in a ceremony held on May 7 at the facilities of shipbuilder Austal in Henderson, Western Australia. The move follows the handover of the first boat, RSIPV Gizo (05), in November 2019.

Today’s Video

Watch: Jas 39 Gripen E – What Makes Gripen So Special

Americas

Sikorsky won a $22.5 million contract modification, which adds scope for the procurement of four VH-92A aircraft MT-1 cabin interiors and MT-1 spares in support for depot level stand up for the Presidential Helicopters Replacement Program. The new Marine One, also referred to as VH-92A, is the next-generation presidential transport helicopter being developed for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin company, is responsible for the production of the VH-92A helicopter. Work will take place in Washington, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Connecticut. Expected completion will be in July 2022.

Argentinian media reported that a Chinese team is in the country for sales discussion of the JF-17 to the local air force. The team from China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) is negotiating the sale of 12 fighters.

Middle East & Africa

The Pakistan Navy (PN) announced that keel-laying ceremonies were recently held for both the third Type 054A/P frigate and the third Milgem Class corvette on order for the service. The keel for the frigate, which is one of four vessels of the class being acquired from China, was laid in late April at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai: about three months after the same yard launched the second Type 054A/P frigate for the service. The keel laying ceremony for Pakistan Navy’s third Jinnah Class (MILGEM type) corvette was held on May 1st at Istanbul Naval Shipyard (INSY), Turkey. In July 2018, a contract was signed between Military Factory and Shipyard Management Corporation (ASFAT) of Turkey and the Pakistani National Defense Ministry Ammunition Production and Karachi Shipyard for the construction of four Milgem Class vessels.

Europe

The Royal Air Force is preparing to send its Eurofighters and Voyager aerial refueling tanker to South East Asia for Exercise Bersama Lima 2021 in October. The British government had earlier announced that the Carrier Strike Group will be participating in the same exercise as well. This marks the second time that a RAF contingent is joining a British aircraft carrier for the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise, usually carried out off Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea. The first was back in 1988 when HMS Ark Royal came to the Far East for Exercise Lima Bersatu.

A press release issued last week by the Swedish Ministry of Defense revealed that Sweden and its neighbor Finland intend to jointly procure a new type of service rifle for their armies. The Firearm Blog website, which reported the news, said that Sweden currently uses the AK5, a Swedish version of the FN FNC that uses 5.56x56mm NATO ammunition, while Finland uses a variety of RK 62 and RK 95 (7.62x39mm) rifles. The question remains which rifle will be procured, and what caliber of ammunition will be used.

Asia-Pacific

The sixth batch of three more Rafale fighter jets took off from France for India last week, the Indian embassy in France said. They will be part of the Indian Air Force’s second squadron of the Rafale jets. This boosts the Indian Air Force’s Rafale count to 21. The first Rafale squadron is based in Ambala air force station. A squadron comprises around 18 aircraft.

Today’s Video

Watch: Which Countries are Buying JF-17 Fighter

Americas

The Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) carried out a captive carry flight on an F/A-18F on April 22 and the missile was able to communicate with the host aircraft for the first time. This flight is in support of the first live fire test of the AARGM-ER that is scheduled this spring. A series of aerial maneuvers done during the flight validated the compatibility of the missile with the F/A-18E/F.

The first two F-15EX fighter planes of the US Air Force are participating in an Alaska training exercise, the Air Force said. Two of the new-model aircraft have been built, and both are elements of the Northern Edge 21 exercise underway until May 14 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, the branch said in a press release. The planes are variants of the F-15C, and are equipped with improved maneuverability, acceleration, durability, computer power and armament, according to their manufacturer, Boeing.

Middle East & Africa

A news report from Nigeria says the country will take delivery of the first 6 M346FA jets from Italy before the third quarter of this year. The African nation is said to have bought 24 of the advanced jet trainers last year.
Relyant Global LLC won a $19.6 million deal for construction of a new airfield, security fencing and other facilities at Kainji Air Base. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will take place in Nigeria. Estimated completion date is August 1, 2023.

La Tribune reports that Egypt is preparing to buy a spy satellite and two MRTT tankers from France. La Tribune says Paris agreed to provide a $6.5 billion loan to Egypt and only $4.5 billion will go towards the purchase of 30 Rafale fighters that was recently announced.

Europe

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land has signed a deal with the British Defense Ministry to upgrade Challenger 2 main battle tanks. The $1 billion contract has been agreed to supply the Army with 148 upgraded, fully-digitised tanks as part of a major overhaul of the armed forces. The Challenger 3 tanks will replace the existing Challenger 2 vehicles, which have been in use since 1998. Under the military restructure the overall number of tanks will be cut from 227.

Asia-Pacific

China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) has signed a deal with the provincial government of Sichuan to develop an industrial park in the region, dedicated to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A statement by the Sichuan government said the new facility will be located in Zigong, in the center of the province, and will focus on both military and commercial UAVs. “We will develop a world-class manufacturing industry cluster,” said the statement.

Today’s Video

Watch: M-346FA

More than 350 participants from Member States, EU institutions, industry, academia and think tanks joined the high-level online symposium on ‘Military Mobility - Transforming Ambition into Reality’, co-organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union and EDA. After 2018, it was the second European conference specifically devoted to Military Mobility.   

In his opening remarks, EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý recalled the impressive progress made on this important topic over the past three years, especially as regard the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Military Mobility (launched in March 2018) whose main action points - stretching from transport infrastructure and regulatory issues to cross-border movement permissions and diplomatic clearances - are either already completed or at the verge of completion. EDA is also contributing to this common effort with two major programmes successfully underway: one aimed at harmonising military requirement related to customs and one that aims to optimise cross-border movement permission procedures in Europe.   

“Still, there is more to be done in transforming this ambition into reality. The challenges that lay ahead of us are the full implementation of these achievements in our day-to-day practice and addressing the way forward to the next stage of an Enhanced Military Mobility”, Mr Šedivý said.  Referring to the new impetus that last year’s first Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) has given to the topic, by making Enhanced Military Mobility one of the six ‘focus areas’ identified for future European cooperation, the EDA Chief Executive called for “sustaining this political momentum” and using the potential this focus area has “to form clusters of projects and activities in capability development and research and technologies”. Military Mobility has also been taken up under a Dutch-led PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) project, as well as (more indirectly) under a German-led ‘Network of Logistic Hubs in Europe and Support to Operations’ (Loghubs) project. EDA has supporting roles in both PESCO projects and “will continue its efforts and contribute its part to this important joint endeavour”, Mr Šedivý said. He also praised Military Mobility is a “flagship project of EU-NATO cooperation” and a “prime example of effective interactions between the EU and NATO”. 

In his speech, Mircea Geoana, NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, stressed the need for cooperation and symbiosis between NATO and the EU, and said the cooperation on Military Mobility, a crucial aspect of European and transatlantic defence, was testimony to that. NATO welcomes the EU’s decision, announced the same day at the EU Foreign Affairs/Defence Council, to allow the participation of the US, Canada and Norway in the Dutch-led PESCO Military Mobility project because “non-EU allies make an essential contribution to the defence and security of Europe”, he said. Military Mobility is essential to move troops across the Atlantic and across Europe, making it a crucial element of deterrence, he added. Therefore, NATO appreciates the fact that Military Mobility has become a flagship project of EU/NATO cooperation, based on Joint Declarations of 2016 and 2018. ”Our respective efforts must be mutually reinforcing and benefit all EU and NATO members alike”, Mr Geoana said. 
High-level debate among Ministers  Conference participants then witnessed an interesting high-level panel debate featuring four acting Defence Ministers: Portugal’s João Gomes Cravinho, the Netherland’s Ank Bijleveld, Germany’s Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, and Slovenia’s Matej Tonin.  

João Gomes Cravinho (Portugal) emphasised the wider strategic importance of Military Mobility, not also for the EU but also for NATO and the wider transatlantic relationship. If we are successful in this project, it will make a major contribution to Europe’s transatlantic relations and to the EU/NATO relationship, he said. The strategic relevance of Military Mobility is not to be underestimated, its importance and implications go beyond just military considerations. “We see a lot of technical work going on (between EU and NATO), but the result of this technical work will be a political result because, at the end of the day, it is a political project. I hope that Military Mobility will open the door to deeper cooperation between the EU and NATO in a wider range of areas. I hope that in 2035, we can look back and say: the Military Mobility project was the pioneer project” for this enhanced EU/NATO cooperation, the Portuguese Minister said.  

Ank Bijleveld (Netherlands) said it was a “big day” for Military Mobility given that the Council had given its green light to the participation of the US, Canada and Norway in the related (Dutch-led) PESCO project. Those three countries “will provide much added value to the project with their expertise and know-how” and it will also “give a boost to increase EU/NATO cooperation”, the Minister stated. “Cooperation between the EU and NATO in this matter is crucial. We look forward to working with all relevant actors: the European External Action Service, the European Commission, the EU Military Staff, the European Defence Agency, NATO and others to further bring forward Military Mobility” which, at the end of the day, will have to be “simple, secure and digital”, she stressed.  

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (Germany) also welcomed the participation of the US, Canada, and Norway in the PESCO project, saying it “adds great value to our efforts” in the Military Mobility domain which, she felt, had been “ignored” for too long.  A lot of work remains to be done as Military Mobility is “one of the most complex issues we are dealing with”. The German Minister also praised Military Mobility as a “prime example of better EU-NATO alignment” and enhanced cooperation. “Later this year, NATO’s new Multinational Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC), based in Ulm/Germany, will be fully operational. This reflects the key role Germany plays as the centrally-located mobility hub for Alliance logistic”. The Minister also announced Germany’s intention to pursue a “new project” with the Netherlands: the two Ministries of Defence are currently preparing the establishment of a “Dutch-German office for coordination and alignment of Military Mobility”. “We hope other countries will join this innovation incubator once it is established”, Mrs Kramp-Karrenbauer said. 

Slovenian Defence Minister Matej Tonin, whose country will take over the rotating EU Presidency in the second half of this year, said that one of his priorities would be to bring forward EU-NATO cooperation. “As Military mobility represents a project which is key for EU and NATO, it is important that the dialogue between the EU and NATO in field of military mobility, as in many other areas, continues”, he stated. Furthermore, during the upcoming EU Presidency, Slovenia intends to bring forward the collective work on the CARD’s ‘Enhanced Military Mobility’ focus area. “I believe that combining different projects and initiatives into single focus area will improve coordination and facilitate implementation of new capabilities and procedures in the field. Rest assured that Slovenia is supporting it and looking forward to participating in this focus area”, the Minister stressed. Mr Tonin also welcomed today’s Council decision on the participation of Canada, the US and Norway in the PESCO project: “We strongly believe that non-EU Member States and other partner countries should also have the opportunity to participate as their forces and capabilities can potentially be an integral part of our joint defence efforts when necessary”.   US welcomes PESCO decision 

Gregory Kausner, acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment in the US Department of Defence, said the US welcomed the decision on third-country participation in the Military Mobility PESCO project. “This decision demonstrates the EU’s commitment to transatlantic security and enhances cooperation and interoperability. We see our participation in this PESCO project as the next step in closer cooperation between NATO, the EU and the United States”, he said.  

EEAS: Military Mobility also part of work on EU Strategic Compass 

Pawel Herczynski, Managing Director at the European External Action Service (EEAS), said Military Mobility would also be part of the wider (ongoing) work on the EU’s Strategic Compass.  “We are currently in the brain-storming phase among EU Member States on what goals and objectives Member States want to set in the field of security and defence, including on Military Mobility”, he said. “We look forward to concrete and actionable ideas which can guide our work in the years to come” with a view to operationalising the Military Mobility measures taken so far.  One thing is sure, Mr Herczynski stressed: “the relevance of Military Mobility will only grow”. 

Americas

American company Lockheed Martin won a $51 million deal in support of the French Air Force for long-term sustainment of C-130 aircraft. This contract provides for the program management, field service representatives, travel and per diem, data, replenishment of spares and other sustainment tasks. The Lockheed Martin C-130 is the US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130J Hercules is the latest model, featuring a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. Work will take place in Bae Aerienne, France as well as in Marietta, Georgia. Expected completion date is January 1, 2023.

A planned test of a Minuteman III missile was aborted before the missile left Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on Wednesday, the US Air Force said. The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, which can be nuclear-armed but was unarmed for the test, was to be launched within a six-hour window beginning at 12:15 am on Wednesday. The reason for ground abort, defined by the Air Force as prevention of a “crew-ready” aircraft from becoming airborne, was not disclosed.

Middle East & Africa

Iraq’s F-16 program is in jeopardy because US contractors are leaving key Iraqi bases after attacks by Iran-backed militias, a US government report says. The 233-page, quarterly “Operation Resolute Support Lead Inspector General’s Report” to Congress, released this week, cites examples of threats and attacks on contractors supporting Iraq’s F-16 program.

Europe

According to local news, German defense officials have dismissed a French offer of four Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft. The refurbished planes’ expected readiness state would make them unsuitable for service in the German Navy. The Defense Ministry has decided to replace the P-3C Orions with P-8A Poseidon.

BAE Systems announced Monday that it has signed a contract worth around $200 million to produce and deliver 127 BvS10 all-terrain vehicles to the Swedish Army, adding to its existing fleet of BvS10s. The contract signed with the Swedish military procurement agency, FMV, is for both command and control and logistics vehicles. Deliveries of the 127 vehicles are planned to begin in 2022 and be completed in 2024.

Asia-Pacific

A RoCAF twin-seat IDF fighter burst its tire during landing at Penghu airport on May 5. The accident forced the airport to be closed for two hours. The Air Force immediately sent a team to investigate. The two crew members did not need any assistance and were unharmed, reports said.

Today’s Video

Watch: F-16 Vipers Patrol The Sky Near Iraq (2021)

Defence Ministers met today at EDA’s Ministerial Steering Board under the chairmanship of the Head of the Agency, High Representative Josep Borrell.

Ministers discussed the progress made so far as well as the way ahead in the implementation of the recommendations made in the first Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report.  Presented by EDA to Defence Ministers in November 2020, the report drew for the first time a comprehensive picture of the European defence landscape and identified more than 100 collaborative opportunities to be taken up by Member States in six main focus areas: Main Battle Tank, Soldier Systems, European Patrol Class Surface Ship, Counter-UAS – Anti-Access/Area-Denial, Defence in Space, Enhanced Military Mobility.

Ministers welcomed the first steps taken by Member States to implement the recommendations, including the interest expressed by them in taking forward concrete collaborative opportunities and cooperating in focus areas. They called on Member States to further declare their interest in participating and contributing to projects in the focus areas and, if possible, facilitate cooperation in those domains.

In this context, the Steering Board welcomed the willingness expressed by France to facilitate cooperation in the focus area ‘Defence in Space’. Many Member States confirmed their interest in discussing further and engaging in specific focus areas.

EDA was invited by Ministers to make the best possible use of its existing working bodies and, if need be, establish new ones to even better support the CARD implementation.

Background

In 2019-2020, the first full CARD cycle took place with EDA acting as the CARD penholder. The final CARD report finds that the European defence landscape is characterised by high levels of fragmentation and low investment in cooperation, and recommends to overcome this fragmentation through coordinated and continuous efforts among Member States in three major areas which are interlinked: defence spending, defence planning and defence cooperation. To support this renewed cooperation effort, the CARD report also identifies a total of 55 collaborative opportunities throughout the whole capability spectrum, considered to be the most promising, most needed or most pressing ones, also in terms of operational value. Based on this catalogue of identified opportunities, Member States are recommended to concentrate their efforts on the above-mentioned six specific ‘focus areas’ which are also covered by the EU Capability Development Priorities agreed in 2018. In addition to that, 56 options to cooperate in R&T have been identified. They span from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber defence, to new sensor technologies, emerging materials and energy efficient propulsion systems as well as unmanned systems and robotics. 

More information

• First CARD report
• CARD factsheet
• CARD video

Americas

The State Department announced it has reached a $13 million settlement with US defense contractor Honeywell International over allegations it exported technical data concerning fighter jets and other military vehicles to foreign countries, including China. The settlement resolves 34 charges the State Department leveled against the company for disclosing dozens of engineering prints showing dimensions, geometries and layouts for manufacturing parts for aircraft, gas turbine engines and military electronics.

The 174th Attack Wing is working with multiple Pentagon contractors and academic researchers to establish new capabilities for the MQ-9 Reaper drone aircraft, the Air National Guard announced. According to a press release from the wing, the new capabilities include battlefield and airspace communications enhancements as well as target identification tracking and processing.

Middle East & Africa

The US Marine Corps Systems Command is working toward the next phase of replacing its legacy armored vehicle with an advanced, modern reconnaissance vehicle called the ARV. Elbit and Textron are jointly offering a prototype. Elbit Systems will provide a 360-degree situational awareness system, based on the company’s IronVision solution, for the vehicle. The Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle, or ARV, is intended to replace all of the LAV-25 light armored vehicles built by General Dynamics Land Systems that have been in use since the 1980s.

Europe

IMENCO UK Ltd, a supplier of marine and naval visual surveillance systems based in Aberdeen and Wick, Scotland, announced a major contract win from Babcock International Group for the supply of CCTV systems for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme. The contract covers five Type 31 general purpose frigates being constructed at Babcock’s Rosyth facilities.

Asia-Pacific

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has defended its decision to buy four Mi-171 helicopters from Russia. Opposition politicians and social media activists have criticized the purchase during the current pandemic. The SLAF argued that the new helicopters are needed to replacing aging rotorcraft that the island had sent to Africa as part of its United Nations peacekeeping commitment.

The Sankei of Japan says the United King Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is expected to reach Sasebo or Yokosuka in July. The flotilla will make port calls in India and Singapore before proceeding to Japan.

Today’s Video

Watch: British Babcock will built five new Type 31 Frigates in Rosyth Dockyard Scotland