Defense`s Feeds

EDA’s Steering Board has just approved a list of 10 topics to be assessed by the Agency in the coming months for their potential to be considered ‘Key Strategic Activities’ for the European Union in their endeavour to move towards strategic autonomy in the security and defence domain. The selected topics are all related to either the EU Capability Development Priorities or the defence research priorities jointly agreed in EDA. 

In the wake of the 2016 EU Global Strategy, which defined strategic autonomy in the field of security and defence as a long-term goal, EDA was tasked with identifying ‘Key Strategic Activities’ (KSA) - ranging from technological knowledge to industrial manufacturing skills - which Europe would need to acquire, maintain or further develop in order to be able to produce itself the defence equipment it needs. The aim of the KSA exercise is to identify, and then support, ‘must-have’ technologies and industrial abilities without which an appropriate level of strategic autonomy isn’t possible.  Once selected, the KSA have very practical implications as they will inform Member States’ defence investments and potentially draw co-financing from relevant EU funding instruments, including the European Defence Fund (EDF). 

Annual selection cycle

On 21 October 2020, the Agency’s Steering Board agreed on a revised KSA methodology. One of its novelties is the introduction of an annual cycle to make the KSA work-strand more structured for stakeholders. The first step of the annual cycle is the selection of topics for KSA assessment, based on agreed capability and research priority areas identified in the EU Capability Development Priorities (EU CDPs) and the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda Technology Building Blocks (OSRA TBB). In the selection, the Strategic Context Cases (SCC) and the outcome of the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) are also taken into account. Industry is also consulted.

Topics to be assessed

The 10 topics which were now selected for an in-depth industrial assessment are the following:

• Precision strike on land platform & skills
• Soldier systems
• Next Generation of Energy & Propulsion Systems for Air Platforms
• Counter-UAS (C-UAS)
• Underwater Communication Within UMS
• Underwater Detection
• 5G for defence
• Quantum Technologies (sensing, computing, communication)
• Sensors Network with ISR Sensors
• Military Application of Cloud Technologies.

Way ahead

Based on the agreed list of topics, EDA will now start the development of the ten individual KSA reports within the current annual cycle. The draft reports will be presented to the participating Member States as well as industry in June 2021, while the finalisation of the documents will take place in in September 2021.

KSA reports

EDA has developed 24 KSA reports so far in close cooperation with participating Member States and industry. As some examples, the KSA report on Cyber Defence R&T aims at both assessing and identifying the industrial activities needed to ensure the cyber resilience of information and communication systems being used within the EU members armed forces. The KSA report on Cutting Edge Technologies for Helicopters/Tiltrotors draws attention to the different technological avenues of approach that should be promoted to contribute to EU independent capabilities in the field of helicopter platforms. In addition, other reports explore the different challenges the EU should overcome to harness the full potential of strategic enablers such as Artificial intelligence and Big Data.

 

Americas

L3Harris Technologies won a $45.9 million deal, which provides engineering maintenance and repair support services for Advanced Self-Protection Jammer AN/ALQ-165, Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures AN/ALQ-214, and aircraft self-protection optimization software in support of F/A-18 series aircraft for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. The AN/ALQ-214 is the next-generation radio frequency (RF) integrated countermeasure system. The legacy (V)3 version is currently deployed on the US Navy’s F/A-18E/F aircraft to provide self-protection. Work will take place in Clifton, New Jersey. Estimated completion will be in February 2026.

Sikorsky won a $478.6 million contract modification, which exercises options for the procurement of five Lot Three low rate initial production Presidential Helicopters Replacement Program (VH-92A) aircraft, and associated interim contractor support, two cabin interior reconfiguration kits, support equipment, initial spares, and system parts replenishment. 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). It will replace the ageing VH-3D presidential helicopter in service with the USMC. Work will take place in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Arizona and Virginia. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Dyncorp International LLC won a $42 million contract modification for aviation maintenance services. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Army) funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity. Work will take place in Afghanistan and Iraq. Estimated completion date is August 31, 2021.

Europe

Greece’s first F-16V has arrived in Belgium and the jet is expected to reach Forth Worth, Texas on February 10. The aircraft had its Hellenic Air Force insignias removed and replaced with US Air Force ones. The plane is registered under the US Air Force so that it can fly with US airspace with less restrictions. The flight from Belgium is expected to take approximately 10 hours and three F-16s from other countries will be joining it.

Asia-Pacific

Kazakhstan has unveiled an indigenous unmanned air vehicle (UAV) dubbed Chagall. The drone is developed by the National University of Defense of Kazakhstan. It has a range of 30 kilometers and an endurance of 2.5 hours. It runs on a rechargeable battery that was developed in-house.

The French Navy is sending its Mistral Class amphibious assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre to Japan from this month. It will be accompanied by La Fayette Class frigate Surcouf during this mission to Asia. Both warships are expected to depart on February 18. They are expected to be back home in July.

Today’s Video

Watch: The world’s Top Combat Drones | Ranking the Top Ten

The OCEAN2020 research project, launched in 2018 under the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR), reached an important milestone this week during the second simulation session held under the supervision of EDA’s research team with a view to preparing a second live demonstration scheduled for later this year, under real conditions, in the Baltic Sea.

OCEAN2020 is so far the largest project financed by the PADR which is managed by EDA on behalf of the European Commission. Its main objective is to demonstrate the improvement of maritime situational awareness by the coordinated use of multiple unmanned systems in the three domains (air, surface, subsurface). A key milestone of the project was the first live demonstration in the Gulf of Taranto in November 2019 where five European warships (including four frigates), four unmanned air systems, three unmanned surface systems and two underwater unmanned systems were involved.

 
Preparing the 2nd live demonstration later this year

The aim of this week’s simulation session was to prepare and perform a dry run of the two operational scenarios foreseen for the upcoming second live demonstration in a realistic environment which is scheduled for August 2021 in the Baltic sea (the event initially scheduled for summer 2020 had to be postponed due to the COVID crisis). Under the two operational scenarios planned for the Baltic Sea demonstration, both surface and underwater threats will be dealt with in realistic environments and circumstances.

In concrete terms, the simulation session had a total of eight simulation centres belonging to universities, industries and research centres from four different countries (Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain) connected, which enabled the 18 unmanned systems planned for the Baltic demonstration to operate together. The data and videos provided by all those unmanned assets were shared in real time in the simulated Combat Management Systems used by the different ships involved. Simultaneously, the data and footage were also displayed in a simulated future European Maritime Operations Centre where their objective is to support military decision-makers by providing them with an improved recognised maritime picture.

 
Background

The OCEAN2020 team involves 43 entities from 15 countries across Europe including large enterprises, small and medium enterprises, universities, research Institutes and end users.

Americas

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $19.4 million contract modification, which provides for non-recurring engineering, engineering change order, logistics and programmatic support of the Data Transfer Unit and Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System Replacement and ARC-210 program, to replace existing subsystems within the CH-53K production aircraft. The CH-54K is an all-new heavy-lift helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material more rapidly. Work will take place in Iowa, Connecticut and Texas. Estimated completion will be in August 2021.

The 103rd and 139th Airlift Wings of the US Air National Guard recently participated in an Agile Combat Employment exercise at the Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, January 13. This marks the first time that the C-130H has been used in such an exercise with the F-22. The 103rd focused on the refuel operation while the 139th conducted the simulated munitions resupply.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s IMCO Group recently announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Innocon, a private Israeli company in the unmanned aircraft field. The companies are to promote the establishment of a joint venture, controlled by IMCO, in this field, using the years of manufacturing, development and marketing capabilities of the IMCO Group, combined with the unique technologies of Innocon. Eitan Zait, CEO of IMCO, said, “We are happy to partner with Innocon, an innovative developer of tactical UAVs. IMCO Group, together with its subsidiaries, affiliates, and partners, offers One-Stop-Shopping for end-to-end integrated defense solutions.”

Europe

A plan to draw down US troop strength in Germany was put on hold, US European Command chief Gen. Tod Wolters said. President Joe Biden’s administration is reviewing the proposal to remove about 12.000 troops from Germany by former President Donald Trump, who was angered by Germany’s lack of commitment to a pledge for increased NATO funding, Wolters said.

Deployment of Britain’s carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific area shows increased Britain-Japanese defense cooperation, the British defense secretary said. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed the deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth during the ‘2+2’ virtual meeting with their respective Japanese counterparts, Ministers Toshimitsu Motegi and Nobuo Kishi. Both the Foreign and Defence Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment to working closely with Japan to uphold the security of the Indo-Pacific and demonstrate the value of a unified approach to facing global challenges.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea will “determine its stance” on upcoming joint military exercises with the United States to avoid a “serious problem” with North Korea. Unification Minister Lee In-young said Wednesday. The government’s review will consider issues that include COVID-19 and the Biden administration’s policy toward North Korea, and will be “in line with denuclearization and a permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said at a briefing with international journalists in downtown Seoul.

Today’s Video

Watch: Here Comes the New CH-53K King Stallion (The Marines’ Expensive Helicopter)

EDA’s website www.eda.europa.eu has just received a comprehensive overhaul in an ambition to further improve visitors’ navigation experience and make reading and information search even more straightforward, enjoyable, and efficient.

With EU defence cooperation and EDA’s contribution to it evolving at a sustained pace, a fully-fledged revamp of the website - with refreshed content, structure and visual design - had become imperative to more adequately reflect the Agency’s most recent taskings, activities and achievements. The result is now online: have a look yourself and discover our new website now!

Feedback, comments and suggestions are always welcome: info@eda.europa.eu

Americas

The US Navy’s Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II) pod made its first flight on December 11, 2020. A flight with the pod on two F/A-18Es took place on December 15. The TCTS II system, developed by Collins, is the first certified encrypted, multi-level security training pod that communicates with both airborne and ground equipment.

The Boeing F-15EX fighter jet completed its first flight Tuesday, paving the way for the early delivery of the first two of the new fighter jet to the Air Force later this quarter, Boeing announced. According to the company, the jet took off from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and completed a 90-minute test flight before returning to the airport. Matt Giese, Boeing F-15’s chief test pilot, checked out the jet’s avionics, advanced systems and software while a test team monitored the data collected during the flight in real time, confirming that the aircraft performed according to plan.

Middle East & Africa

The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, is convinced that the deal for the sale of F-35 stealth fighters to his country will be implemented when the “review” of pending arms deals is finished. The UAE ordered 50 F-35 stealth fighters and 18 armed drones worth a total of $23 billion. During a virtual conference of the Washington Institute on Monday, he said “We did everything by the book and they will discover that once the review is complete and it will proceed,” describing the review as “pro forma”. The State Department announced that the administration is “temporarily pausing the implementation of some pending U.S. defense transfers and sales” to allies. Regarding the move, Ambassador Al Otaiba said “If you are going to have less of a presence and less involvement in the Middle East you can’t at the same time take tools away from your partners who are expected to do more.”

Europe

It has been disclosed that Greece’s first upgraded F-16V will be flying to the United States on February 4 for certification purpose. F-16V #005 will make a stop in Belgium before cross the Atlantic Ocean for Fort Worth. It will make 10 mid-air refuelings during the trip.

Over 200 Air Force personnel from Texas’ Dyess Air Force Base are traveling to Norway to support upcoming Bomber Task Force missions out of Norway’s Orland Air Base. US Air Force personnel will travel with an expeditionary B-1 Lancer bomber squadron and train in a variety of areas, US European Command said. The training will include operations in the high north and improving interoperatbility with allies and partners from across Europe.

Asia-Pacific

Kazakhstan has taken delivery of the Buk-M2E air defense missile system that it ordered back in 2018. The Buk missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems. It was developed by the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation. The system is designed to counter cruise missiles, smart bombs, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and UAVS.

Today’s Video

Watch: Buk-M3 medium range SAM system

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $97 million delivery order for C-130J propulsion long-term sustainment. This order provides funding for Option IV. 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 Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and is expected to be completed on January 31, 2022.

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $7.8 million task order under the ground subsystems sustainment contract for the Minuteman III Launch Control Center Block Upgrade production for the exercise of Option Year One of Malmstrom Wing I. The LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, is an element of the nation’s strategic deterrent forces under the control of the Air Force Global Strike Command. Work will take place in Ogden, Utah and expected completion date is August 15, 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries announced that an unnamed country in Asia has signed a contract to lease two of its Heron MK II unmanned air vehicles. Moshe Levy, IAI executive vice president and general manager of the Military Aircraft Group, says the aircraft will “will operate in the terrestrial configuration and will fulfill various tasks, including border protection.”

The White House ordered a pause on arms sales last week, including major sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Antony Blinken, the new Secretary of State for the administration of President Joe Biden called for a review of recent arms sales of some of the most advanced aircraft and munitions made in the United States. At issue are sales of 50 F-35 fighter planes and 18 Reaper drones to the UAE, and precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. The agreements came late in the administration of former President Donald Trump and although Congress questioned whether the sales could conflict with Israel’s legally guaranteed “qualitative military edge” of equipment, legislators took no action.

Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a five-year extension of the New START nuclear arms treaty with the United States on Friday. The signature came a week before the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was set to expire. The agreement caps the two countries’ deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and heavy bombers to 700 each; deployed warlords on deployed ICBMs, SLBMs and heavy bombers to 1,550 each; and deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers and heavy bombers to 800 each. It was first implemented in 2010.

Asia-Pacific

Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed the last Su-30MKI that India has contracted from Russia and the 222th aircraft will be delivered to the end user this month. India ordered 272 Su-30MKIs and 50 were produced in Russia. “One aircraft is certified and inducted for BrahMos modification. Another aircraft has been produced and planned to be certified by February end,” a HAL official said. The delivery formalities for acceptance by the customer are being finalized.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI Exercise Pitch Black 2018

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $15.9 million contract modification to develop a second source for the qualification and facilitization of the Electromechanical Control Actuation System for the Hellfire missile. Hellfire is an air-to-ground, laser guided, subsonic missile with significant anti-tank capacity. It can also be used as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters or slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida. Estimated completion date is August 28, 2021.

Rolls-Royce won a $72.9 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure 33 production AE1107C V-22 Osprey engines; 14 for the Marine Corps and 19 for the Navy for production of MV-22 and CMV-22 tiltrotor aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. Work will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana. Estimated completion will be in December 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Boeing won a $20.3 million contract modification for long lead integrated logistics support, initial spares package and peculiar ground support equipment for the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The Moroccan Air Force was formed in 1956 as Sharifian Royal Aviation with assistance from French advisers. Its first combat aircraft were donated shortly afterward by Iraq, and the force began a steady expansion that continued until the early 1980s. The first jet aircraft were MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters supplied by the Soviet Union in 1961. Since that time, however, France and the United States have provided the bulk of the FRA’s aircraft and other equipment. Morocco began to receive military equipment from the United States in 1960, but deliveries were limited until the late 1960s. At that time the United States delivered 24 Northrop F-5A and F-5B fighter-bombers and antitank weapons. Later sales included C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, 50 M-48 tanks, and 330 M-113 armored personnel carriers. Work under the current modification will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2024.

Europe

According to the British Army, the ‘Multi-Colored Camouflage Scheme’ (MCDCS) project was launched as a result of troops’ experience in Estonia, lessons gleaned from the Royal Tank Regiment’s ‘Streetfighter’ experiment, and a “long-recognized need to hide, deceive, and survive on the modern battlefield”. The Army said that the experiment was tested practically by soldiers based at the Army’s Armor Center equipped with various types of sensing equipment as well as the naked eye and binoculars.

Asia-Pacific

Sri Lanka Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron was established 30 years ago on February 1, 1991, with four Chinese F-7BS fighters and FT-5 trainers. Another FT-7 was added to the unit later that year. Four F-7GS were added in 2007. At present, the squadron continues to remain on 24 hours readiness with interceptors kept in the quick reaction alert (QRA) readiness to be scrambled at a moment’s notice if any threat is detected within Sri Lankan airspace.

Boeing confirmed that the US government has sanctioned its bid to promote its F-15EX Advanced Eagle combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This bid will be supported by a new industry initiative, that will seek to develop in India an aerospace hub for Boeing military and commercial aircraft. Seven of the world’s premier fighter manufacturers have already indicated interest in competing for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) ongoing acquisition of 114 medium fighters. The contract is worth an estimated $20-30 billion.

Today’s Video

Watch: Here Comes the New F-15EX Fighter (New Weapons and More)

Americas

Boeing won a $25.4 million deal to improve the quality of the Apache Attack Helicopter AH-64E and lessen the associated post production maintenance burden. The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform. With a tandem-seated crew consisting of the pilot, located in the rear cockpit position and the co-pilot gunner (CPG), located in the front position. With the addition of improved situational awareness, flight performance, and joint interoperability, the AH-64E has become the most advanced aerial fighting vehicle in the world. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2024.

Sikorsky won a $10.6 million order, which provides for the development of Phase One structural repair manuals for the CH-53K aircraft. The repair manuals address organizational level repairs pertaining to airframe skins, doors and covers, tail cone, main and tail blade erosion repair, as well as non-destructive inspection procedures and standards. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. Work will take place in Shelton, Connecticut, Stratford, Connecticut and Bohemia, New York. Work will take place in April 2023.

Middle East & Africa

French investigators released their report into the deadly collision between a Cougar and Tiger helicopters in Mali in 2019. The report said both aircrews “did not detect the presence of the other aircraft.” “Listening to the radio exchanges between the aircraft in the minutes preceding the event reveals a disorderly and degraded safety communication,” the report added. Both crews were from different bases and their security briefings were not the same.

Berry Aviation won a $179.5 million contract modification, which provides continued rotary and fixed-wing airlift support services, including passenger, cargo, casualty evacuation, personnel recovery, air drop and limited door-to-door services to US Africa Command. Work will be performed in continental Africa, African islands and countries supporting operations in Africa, such as Germany and Italy. Work will take place in continental Africa, African island and countries supporting operations in Africa, such as Germany and Italy.The option period of performance is from February 2, 2021 to February 1, 2022.

Europe

The British HMS Tamar has made extensive use of a small Puma remotely piloted aircraft during trials as the ship practices for ‘constabulary duties’ when she deploys for the first time this summer. According to the Royal Navy that constabulary duties – counter piracy/terrorism/smuggling – are a key role of the new batch of River-class ships. Puma is relatively cheap, easy to launch and recover, is difficult for foes to spot and keeps the ship out of harm’s way.

Asia-Pacific

The first of two C-130H cargo planes that the Philippines acquire from the United States has arrived home on January 29. Aircraft #5125 arrived at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City and the crew were greeted by vice commander Maj. Gen. Florante M. Amano. The aircraft, which came from Tucson, Arizona and had a tail number of 5125, was welcomed in a simple arrival ceremony in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City that was graced by PAF vice commander Maj. Gen. Florante M. Amano.

Today’s Video

Watch: USAF Hercules C-130H Takeoff – Power Back & Awesome Propeller Tip Vortices!

Americas

The Air Force, along with with partners Lockheed Martin and Boeing, completed work on the last of 247 planes in the F-22 Structural Repair Program, officials at Hill Air Force Base in Utah announced on Wednesday. Structural modifications, made by the 574th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, to the F-22 Raptor added flying serviceability of the fighter plane by an estimated 8,000 hours, according to the Air Force.

Lockheed Martin won a $11.4 million deal, which provides engineering and logistics services in support of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program to monitor and manage fatigue and obsolescence issues and operational and/or technical problems arising from P-3 fleet usage for the Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers and other US government agencies. The P-3C Orion land-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft was first operational in the US Navy in 1962. The P-3C first entered service in 1969 and has been continuously upgraded and updated with new avionics systems and mission equipment. More than 700 P-3 aircraft have been built by Lockheed Martin. The aircraft is operational in the airforces of ten countries. Work will take place in Marietta, Georgia and is expected to be finished in January 2026.

Middle East & Africa

The Times reports that a Pantsir-S1 air defense missile system was captured in Libya and turned over to the United States. A C-17 was sent to Zuwara airport last June to bring the system to Germany. The operation was ordered amid concerns that the Pantsir S-1 missile battery, which can easily bring down civilian aircraft, could fall into the hands of militias or arms smugglers in the war-torn north African country.

Europe

A detachment of Spanish Air Force Eurofighter combat aircraft and support staff arrived at Mihail Koglaniceanu Air Base on January 25, marking the service’s first operational deployment to Romania in support of NATO. Six EdAE Eurofighters and 130 personnel arrived at the base on Romania’s Black Sea coast, from where they will perform NATO’s Southern Air Policing mission through to the end of March. “This is the first time that Spain has sent [its] fighters to the southeast of NATO’s territory to support the alliance’s deterrence and defense measures,” NATO’s Allied Air Command said.

Draken International has rebranded its recently acquired Cobham Group Aviation Services UK business, changing the name of the UK-based aviation training provider to Draken Europe. The change has been made to differentiate the business from the Draken US branch of Draken International, and comes four months after the Aviation Services UK business was divested by Cobham Group on 25 September 2020.

Assault ship HMS Albion has transferred the duty of Royal Navy Fleet Flagship to aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. As Fleet Flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth will carry senior naval staff, receive foreign dignitaries, and act as a command and control centre for other Royal Navy vessels. In the last few decades, the flagship has usually been an aircraft carrier but in 2010 the flagship became assault ship HMS Albion, assault ship HMS Bulwark in 2011, helicopter carrier HMS Ocean in June 2015 and then back to HMS Albion in 2018.

Asia-Pacific

Bell Boeing Joint Project Office won a $25.5 million, which adds scope for the production and delivery of nine right aft sponson fuel tank kits in support of V-22 Production Aircraft 9-17 for the government of Japan. Additionally, this modification provides development and updates to existing technical data as well as services in support of aircraft deliveries and aircrew pilot and crew chief training for the government of Japan. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. Work will take place in North Carolina, Japan, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Texas. Estimated completion will be in March 2024.

Today’s Video

Watch: The Ultimate Supersonic Interceptor – F-106 Delta Dart

Today, the European Defence Agency (EDA) published its annual Defence Data report for the year 2019, detailing defence spending by the 26 EDA Member States. In 2019, total defence expenditure stood at €186 billion, marking a 5% increase on 2018, and making it the highest level ever recorded by EDA since it began collecting data in 2006. EDA’s report also finds almost all Member States increased their overall defence spending in 2019, with significant increases on procurement of new equipment.
 

Highest defence expenditure in 15 years

At €186 billion, total defence expenditure corresponds to 1.4 % of the 26 EDA Member States’ gross domestic product (GDP) and marks the fifth year of consecutive growth. The 5% rise in spending recorded in 2019 represents the strongest increase since the general trend of defence spending was reversed in 2015 following the financial crisis.

EDA’s Defence Data report also finds strong variations in growth in defence spending among Member States, ranging from increases of 0.01% to 125%. Of the 26 Member States, 23 raised defence expenditures compared to 2018, four by more than €1 billion, with only three decreasing their spending in 2019.
 

Defence data 2019 key findings

EDA’s report, based on data provided by Ministries of Defence, also finds that total defence expenditure represented 2.9% of total government expenditure. In 2019, EDA Member States:

• Spent €41.4 billion on defence investments (equipment procurement and research and development) which corresponds to an increase of 19% compared to 2018;
• Reached the benchmark of spending at least 20% of total defence expenditure on defence investment for the first time since 2010 with 22% overall;
• Allocated 83.1% of defence investments to procure new equipment, whereas funding for defence R&D remained limited to 16.9%.

EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý said: “European defence spending reaching a new high is a positive development and clear response to Member States’ threat perception. Despite this progression, defence budgets remain vulnerable, with the economic impact of Covid-19 yet to be felt. Increased spending on defence is a positive trend that should be sustained and enhanced going forward with the additional benefit of the EU defence initiatives. The regular review in the CARD framework and the fulfilment of the PESCO commitments should contribute positively to better spending and ultimately to the cooperative development of innovative, interoperable and effective capabilities.”
 

Worrying fall in collaborative defence spending

Despite the rise in total defence expenditure, collaborative defence spending has gone backward. In 2019, Member States spent a total of €7 billion on the procurement of new equipment in cooperation with other Member States, representing a fall of 6% compared to 2017. Member States conducted 20% of their total equipment procurement in cooperation with other EU Member States in 2019, falling well short of the 35% collective benchmark and marking a significant drop off since of the relatively high 27% recorded in 2017.
 

Defence Research & Technology investment continues to lag

In 2019, defence Research and Technology (R&T) spending amounted to €1.7 billion, marking an increase of 13% compared to 2018. However, unlike total defence spending which now surpasses 2007 levels, investment in defence R&T is much slower to recover and remains roughly €380 million below its 2007 high.

Investment in defence R&T remains insufficient and Member States fall collectively short of reaching the collective benchmark of spending 2% of their total defence expenditure on defence R&T. Although 2019 saw a modest rise with 0.9% allocated, up from 0.8% in 2018, no Member State achieved the 2% benchmark with only four nations spending more than 1% of their total defence expenditure on defence R&T.
 

Background

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

All data is collated (“total incorporates 26 EDA Member States”), and it has been rounded. Defence expenditure figures are provided in constant 2019 prices, in order to take inflation into account and allow for a comparison across years.

Following the exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union, this year’s figures no longer include the defence expenditure data of the UK.
 

Notes for editors

1. EDA Defence Data Report 2018-2019
2. EDA Defence Data webpage
3. The European Defence Agency (EDA), the hub for European defence cooperation:
   1. Created in 2004 to support and facilitate defence cooperation in Europe, EDA has become the place where countries willing to develop their defence capabilities collaboratively can do so.
   2. EDA’s expertise and activities cover the whole spectrum of cooperation: from harmonising requirements to delivering operational capabilities; from research & technology (R&T) and innovation to developing technology demonstrators; from training and exercises to support to CSDP operations.
   3. EDA also closely engages with the European defence industry to enhance Europe’s defence technological and industrial base and help make the industry stronger and more competitive.
   4. The Agency’s role and impact have constantly grown, especially with the implementation of the EU’s Global Strategy (2016) which also led Member States to reinforce the Agency’s mission in 2017.
4. Follow #EUdefence on social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) for more and visit our website www.eda.europa.eu.

 
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Paul QUINN

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Today, the European Defence Agency (EDA) published its annual Defence Data report for the year 2019, detailing defence spending by the 26 EDA Member States. In 2019, total defence expenditure stood at €186 billion, marking a 5% increase on 2018, and making it the highest level ever recorded by EDA since it began collecting data in 2006. EDA’s report also finds almost all Member States increased their overall defence spending in 2019, with significant increases on procurement of new equipment.
 

Highest defence expenditure in 15 years

At €186 billion, total defence expenditure corresponds to 1.4 % of the 26 EDA Member States’ gross domestic product (GDP) and marks the fifth year of consecutive growth. The 5% rise in spending recorded in 2019 represents the strongest increase since the general trend of defence spending was reversed in 2015 following the financial crisis.

EDA’s Defence Data report also finds strong variations in growth in defence spending among Member States, ranging from increases of 0.01% to 125%. Of the 26 Member States, 23 raised defence expenditures compared to 2018, four by more than €1 billion, with only three decreasing their spending in 2019.
 

Defence data 2019 key findings

EDA’s report, based on data provided by Ministries of Defence, also finds that total defence expenditure represented 2.9% of total government expenditure. In 2019, EDA Member States:

• Spent €41.4 billion on defence investments (equipment procurement and research and development) which corresponds to an increase of 19% compared to 2018;
• Reached the benchmark of spending at least 20% of total defence expenditure on defence investment for the first time since 2010 with 22% overall;
• Allocated 83.1% of defence investments to procure new equipment, whereas funding for defence R&D remained limited to 16.9%.

EDA Chief Executive, Jiří Šedivý said: “European defence spending reaching a new high is a positive development and clear response to Member States’ threat perception. Despite this progression, defence budgets remain vulnerable, with the economic impact of Covid-19 yet to be felt. Increased spending on defence is a positive trend that should be sustained and enhanced going forward with the additional benefit of the EU defence initiatives. The regular review in the CARD framework and the fulfilment of the PESCO commitments should contribute positively to better spending and ultimately to the cooperative development of innovative, interoperable and effective capabilities.”
 

Worrying fall in collaborative defence spending

Despite the rise in total defence expenditure, collaborative defence spending has gone backward. In 2019, Member States spent a total of €7 billion on the procurement of new equipment in cooperation with other Member States, representing a fall of 6% compared to 2017. Member States conducted 20% of their total equipment procurement in cooperation with other EU Member States in 2019, falling well short of the 35% collective benchmark and marking a significant drop off since of the relatively high 27% recorded in 2017.
 

Defence Research & Technology investment continues to lag

In 2019, defence Research and Technology (R&T) spending amounted to €1.7 billion, marking an increase of 13% compared to 2018. However, unlike total defence spending which now surpasses 2007 levels, investment in defence R&T is much slower to recover and remains roughly €380 million below its 2007 high.

Investment in defence R&T remains insufficient and Member States fall collectively short of reaching the collective benchmark of spending 2% of their total defence expenditure on defence R&T. Although 2019 saw a modest rise with 0.9% allocated, up from 0.8% in 2018, no Member State achieved the 2% benchmark with only four nations spending more than 1% of their total defence expenditure on defence R&T.
 

Background

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

All data is collated (“total incorporates 26 EDA Member States”), and it has been rounded. Defence expenditure figures are provided in constant 2019 prices, in order to take inflation into account and allow for a comparison across years.

Following the exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union, this year’s figures no longer include the defence expenditure data of the UK.
 

Notes for editors

1. EDA Defence Data Report 2018-2019
2. EDA Defence Data webpage
3. The European Defence Agency (EDA), the hub for European defence cooperation:
   1. Created in 2004 to support and facilitate defence cooperation in Europe, EDA has become the place where countries willing to develop their defence capabilities collaboratively can do so.
   2. EDA’s expertise and activities cover the whole spectrum of cooperation: from harmonising requirements to delivering operational capabilities; from research & technology (R&T) and innovation to developing technology demonstrators; from training and exercises to support to CSDP operations.
   3. EDA also closely engages with the European defence industry to enhance Europe’s defence technological and industrial base and help make the industry stronger and more competitive.
   4. The Agency’s role and impact have constantly grown, especially with the implementation of the EU’s Global Strategy (2016) which also led Member States to reinforce the Agency’s mission in 2017.
4. Follow #EUdefence on social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube) for more and visit our website www.eda.europa.eu.

 

EDA press contacts:

Elisabeth SCHOEFFMANN
Head of Media & Communication
elisabeth.schoeffmann@eda.europa.eu
T+32 470 87 01 65

Paul QUINN
Media & Communications Officer
paul.quinn@eda.europa.eu
T+32 2 504 28 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin each won a contract modification in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. BAE Systems won $81.3 million to procure 1,512 radio frequency countermeasures for Lot 12 of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft in support of non-US Department of Defense participants, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers and for the Navy. Lockheed received $64.1 million for the procurement of Digital Channelized Receiver/Techniques Generator and Tuner Insertion program technology to upgrade F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft with Digital Tuner Insertion Program electronic warfare racks and high efficiency low voltage power supply. BAE Systems will perform work in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and New Jersey. Estimated completion will be in March 2024. Lockheed Martin will perform work in Texas and is expected to be finished in June 2025.

Sierra Nevada Corp. won a $29.8 million contract modification for the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program low rate initial production. This order provides for the procurement of production kits, spares and weapon system trainer support. The MC-130J Commando II is a special operations transport that also flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or multiship, low-level air refueling missions for special operations helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, and infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland intruding politically sensitive or hostile territories. Work will take place in Colorado. Estimated completion date is January 19, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Collins Aerospace won an estimated $27 million deal for KC-135 Aero-I satellite communications replacement. This contract provides to identify, develop, integrate and test a commercial off the shelf Iridium Satellite Communication system to replace the current C/KC-135 International Marine/Maritime Satellite system. The deal involves optional Foreign Military Sales to Turkey and France. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $3,800,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. Work will take place in Iowa and Oklahoma. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2026.

Europe

According to the British Ministry of Defense, Spearfish and Sting Ray torpedoes are receiving a £230 million ($315 million) maintenance uplift as part of a new contract. The Torpedoes Repair and Maintenance (TRAM) contract will run for six years. TRAM supersedes the Torpedo Capability Contract (TCC) with BAE Systems which ran for 10 years. Spearfish torpedoes – which use sonar to home in on targets – are carried by the Royal Navy’s Astute class and Trafalgar class hunter-killer submarines and the nuclear deterrent Vanguard class to neutralize underwater and surface threats. While Sting Ray torpedoes are deployed on Anti-Submarine Warfare mission, including frigates, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

Asia-Pacific

Pakistan has received five Cai Hong 4 (Rainbow 4, or CH-4) multirole medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles from China, according to export-import (EXIM) logs on the Pakistan Exim Trade Info website. The UAVs, which were delivered by Chinese defense contractor Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co Ltd, arrived in the South Asian country on 15 January, according to the website. It is unclear, however, which variant of the CH-4 was ordered by Islamabad, and whether this delivery is part of a larger UAV order or just a limited acquisition of this UAV type, possibly for testing.

The Indian Navy and the Republic Singapore Navy have signed a bilateral submarine rescue agreement, establishing mutual underwater emergency assistance between the two services. The agreement, which is known as the Submarine Rescue Support and Co-operation Implementing Arrangement, was signed at the fifth iteration of the India-Singapore defense minister’s dialogue that was held via video conference on January 20. The RSN currently operates a fleet of two Archer-class and two Challenger-class diesel-electric submarines and is anticipating the delivery of four new Type 218SG boats from Germany. The service also operates the 84 m submarine rescue ship, Swift Rescue , which is capable of conducting intervention and hyperbaric rescue operations.

Today’s Video

Watch: The Royal Navy Has Developed The World’s Most Advanced Torpedo

A new study commissioned by EDA has found that, in addition to the well-known regulations on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP), at least six other pieces of chemicals and waste-related legislation have the potential to impact the defence sector and, therefore, need to be closely monitored.

Following-up on the 2016 EDA Study on REACH and CLP , the Agency last year outsourced a study to evaluate the impact of the following six pieces of EU legislation on chemicals and waste might have on EU defence capabilities:

• Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
• Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (POP)
• Ozone Regulation regarding ozone depleting substances (ODS)
• Fluorinated Gases Regulation (F-gas)
• Directive on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS)
• Revised EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD)/SCIP Database.

The overall aim of the study was to provide detailed information on the impact of the six EU legislations on the defence sector and to propose recommendations on how defence stakeholders, mainly Ministries of Defence (MoDs) and the Armed Forces, could implement these in a more coherent way, in view of mitigating such impact.
A broad consultation was carried out with key stakeholders, including the MoDs of EDA’s participating Member States and Norway (which has an Administrative Agreement in place with the Agency), the European Commission, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as well as EU defence industry stakeholders, including the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the National Defence Industry Associations (NDIAs).
 

Conclusions

Based on impact assessments of the first five of the afore-mentioned pieces of legislation (BPR, POPs, Ozone, F-gas, RoHS), the study’s main conclusion is that, by reducing the availability of products leading to a reduction in performance, reliability, or longevity of defence equipment, those regulations have a significant impact on European defence capabilities during the whole lifecycle of defence equipment (design, manufacturing, in-service use and maintenance, disposal) and therefore on the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). Moreover, potential defence exemptions (similar to those foreseen under REACH and CLP, if/when foreseen within the legal texts for these legislations), would not guarantee the availability of the chemicals necessary to maintain defence equipment in the long term, the study concludes.

As regard the revised WFD/SCIP database (6th piece of legislation listed above), the study identifies specific impacts on Ministries of Defence from the implementation of the SCIP database in relation to the setup and management of defence exemption processes (where applicable) as well as potential security risks for MoDs in complex scenarios and the possible existence of a SCIP notification duty for MoDs in some Member States consulted.

Asked about the potential impact from their perspective, defence industry stakeholders consulted under the study expressed serious concerns in relation to the scale and complexity of the notifications they need to make, as well as about potential conflicts with the protection of defence-sensitive/classified information and/or confidential business information (CBI).

Considering that according to WFD Article 9(1)(i) and subject to national transposition, notifications by duty holders to SCIP are legally required as of 5 January 2021, thus have essentially just started, it is important to highlight that the final impact on MoDs is still widely unclear, and that the SCIP impact analysis under the EDA study has been an important first step of a long follow up process.
 

Recommendations

The study also put forward specific recommendations for follow-up actions/activities related to each of the examined EU regulations. It also recommends EDA and its Member States’ Ministries of Defence to exchange good practices in the implementation of the regulations in relation to procurement requirements, to monitor the substances used in defence applications and to raise awareness on commonalities and differences as well as interactions between the different chemicals regulations.

With respect to the revised WFD/SCIP Database, specific recommendations have been developed such as the setting up of a dedicated SCIP activity at the EDA level to further assess and elaborate solutions to mitigate the impacts of the evolving SCIP requirements for defence-related cases in the future, taking into account further experience gained in the meantime.
 

Way ahead

EDA will now further assess the study outcome, together with its participating Member States and in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Based on this assessment, specific EDA activities will be identified/initiated to support Member States mitigate the impact of the six pieces of EU chemicals and waste legislation. 
 

More information:

• REACH (EDA project page)
• EDA Study on the impact of other (than REACH/CLP) European Chemicals/Waste Regulations on the Defence Sector - Final Report - Executive Summary - Annex IV - Annex V - Annex VII

 

Americas

Alabama Shipyard LLC won a $19.7 million contract for a 76-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul/dry docking on USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1). USNS Lewis and Clark is an American dry cargo ship, the lead ship of her namesake class.The contract to build her was awarded to National Steel and Shipbuilding Company of San Diego, California, on 18 October 2001 and her keel was laid down on April 22, 2004. Work will take place in Mobile, Alabama. Estimated completion date will be by May 24, 2021.

The US Army is using 3D printing technology to produce N95 respirators, the chief of the Defense Department’s medical technology office said on January 25. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Williams, of the US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s Warfighter Expeditionary Medicine and Treatment Project Management Office, said his primary task involves assisting Defense Department commercial partners in producing respirators that comply with military needs. While the companies have experience in 3D modeling of products, many have “never manufactured medical devices,” Williams said.

Middle East & Africa

US Marines from the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command worked alongside US Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing during a recent Tactical Air Forward Arming and Refueling Point (TACAIR FARP) exercise at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the exercise, a Marine KC-130J Hercules refueled an Air Force F-16 in a simulated austere location.

Europe

Greece has signed the contract to buy 18 Rafale fighters. Theodoros Lagios, General Director of Armament and Investments of the Greek Ministry of Defense, and Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation signed the paperwork on January 25. Dassault says deliveries of aircraft will be begin in the summer of 2021 and will be spread over two years.

Asia-Pacific

Australia’s government has announced that it will spend $1 billion to give the Royal Australian Navy long-range anti-ship missiles, extended range surface-to-air missiles, advanced light weight torpedoes, and maritime land strike capabilities. Defense Minister Linda Reynolds’ press release says this will help the nation enhance its maritime security. The anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles will have range greater than 370km while the maritime land strike missiles has a range of more than 1,500km. Australia will start investing in the development of the Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and the Standard Missile 6 Block 1 missiles and continue its long-term investment and key contribution to the Evolved SEASPARROW Block 2 missile program.

According to the BBC, fifteen Chinese aircraft entered Taiwanese airspace over the weekend in a show of force regarded as a test of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy resolve. While over 380 Chinese military flights into the island’s air defense identification zone were recorded in 2020, Saturday’s incursion involved eight Chinese bombers, four fighter planes and an anti-submarine aircraft. Sunday’s operation included 12 fighter planes, two anti-submarine planes and a reconnaissance plane.

Today’s Video

Watch: USNS Robert E Peary

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $3.6 billion deal for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) operations, sustainment and support. The contract provides for research, development, test, and evaluation, integration and operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system and associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories.  BACN is a US Air Force airborne communications relay and gateway system housed in the unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawk, another Northrop Grumman product, to receive and distribute battlefield communications. It is designed to increase the range of voice communications in mountainous terrain by relaying the signal over an extended distance. It can also act as a bridge between frequencies, enabling a convoy commander on a frequency-limited radio to talk with a supporting close-air-support asset on a different frequency. Work will take place in San Diego, California. Expected completion date is January 24, 2026.

Woodward HRT Inc. won a maximum $9.7 million deal for F-15 rotary vane assemblies. The Boeing F-15E dual-role fighter is an advanced long-range interdiction fighter and tactical aircraft. The F-15E is the latest version of the Eagle, a Mach 2.5-class twin-engine fighter. Work under the contract will take place in California. Ordering Period End Date is April 1, 2025. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Middle East & Africa

According to local news, Israel is giving the US the green light to place Iron Dome batteries in the gulf region. Israel is not revealing the countries in which the batteries will be deployed. Following the signing of the Abraham Accords, the US is expected to place Iron Dome air defense batteries in the Persian Gulf area soon, in a move coordinated with and approved by senior Israeli officials, the Haaretz newspaper’s Yaniv Kubovich reported, quoting defense officials. The reporter pointed out that Israel is not revealing the countries in which the batteries will be deployed, and the defense establishment claims that the deployment is not part of the normalization agreements.

Europe

The UK’s first fleet of uncrewed fighter aircraft is one step closer to reality following the award of a £30 million contract to design and manufacture a prototype in a three-year deal supporting more than 100 jobs in Belfast. According to the Royal Air Force, the uncrewed combat aircraft will be designed to fly at high-speed alongside fighter jets, armed with missiles, surveillance and electronic warfare technology to provide a battle-winning advantage over hostile forces.

Four Russian-made Mi-35 attack helicopters will arrive for the Air Force and Air Defense Forces of the Republic of Belarus in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to defence-blog.com. The new Mi-35 is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. It integrates modern, high-precision weaponry for destroying ground-based armored targets and providing air support for ground missions.

Asia-Pacific

Mitsubishi Electric was awarded a research contract by the Japanese Ministry of Defense for detection of ballistic missiles using satellites. The bid submitted by the company was just 22 Japense Yen, which is about 21 cents. A Defense Ministry official expressed their astonishment at the unprecedented low amount agreed on between the parties after the ministry put the research offer up for competitive bidding. According to the ministry, there have been bids as low as several hundred yen (a few dollars) in the past, but no such offers had been made as of late. The ministry has not disclosed the amount of research costs it had envisioned, but it is believed to top several million yen (tens of thousands of dollars) at a conservative estimate. As the bidding price is less than 1/100,000th of the estimated research cost, the Defense Ministry has reportedly consulted with a lawyer to check if there are any problems with the contract, and has also confirmed with the electronics maker that they are capable of performing the research. No issues were found with either party. Mitsubishi Electric will develop tech to detect hypersonic military gliders, which can be maneuvered at high speed with irregular flight trajectories. The company has been entrusted with research regarding the implementation of “limb observation,” a type of method that enables missiles to be detected by stationing numerous satellites at the same altitude to survey missiles horizontally.

Today’s Video

Watch: Why You Need to Respect the F-4 Phantom II Fighter Bomber

Americas

General Dynamics won a $21.4 million contract modification to exercise options hours for Abrams Systems technical support. M1A1/2 Abrams main battle tank is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). The first M1 tank was produced in 1978, the M1A1 in 1985 and the M1A2 in 1986. Abrams M1A2 SEPV3 (System Enhanced Package) is a modernized configuration of the Abrams main battle tank (MBT) in service with the US Army. Work will take place in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2022.

General Atomics has tested its newly developed Self-Protection Pod (SPP) on the MQ-9 last year at the Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG). During the test on October 28, the pod detected Radio Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) missile threats and deploy countermeasures. The pod is equipped with the AN/ALR-69A(V) Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), the Leonardo DRS AN/AAQ-45 Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) System, the BAE Systems ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System, and the BriteCloud Expendable Active Decoy (EAD). The brains of the pod is the Terma AN/ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System. The demonstration is intended to show that the US Navy can conduct anti-submarine warfare tasks using the company’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAV.

Middle East & Africa

Three Indian Air Force Rafale fighters flying home from France this month will have tanker support from a UAE A330 MRTT. Another seven Rafale fighters heading home in April will get the similar help from UAE. The UAE air force’s Airbus multi-role transport tanker will refuel the three Indian fighter jets twice on their non-stop eight-hour flight from Bordeaux-Merignac base in France to join the Golden Arrows Squadron in Ambala.

The US Trade Department has disclosed the sale of the Patriot air defense missile system to Morocco in December, the announcement was uncovered by The North Africa Post. The purchase was concluded in 2020. Last year, Morocco purchased 25 F-16 fighters equipped with 5th generation radar (for $2.8 billion) and 24 Apache attack helicopters (for $2.6 billion). There is also a plan for the establishment of a military industry in Morocco. Far Maroc, a website specializing in Moroccan military affairs, reported that Morocco plans to operate a total of 48 advanced F-16s in its Air Force, with a goal of maintaining air superiority in North Africa.

Europe

Rolls-Royce has been awarded $1 million of research funding from the US Government for digital foreign object debris (FOD) detection technology. The year-long research contract from the US Navy, will help to further develop Rolls-Royce’s ‘FanSense’ debris monitoring system, which is currently supporting the Pegasus engine.

Asia-Pacific

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech on January 22 that he wants to replace the aging UH-1 helicopter with six to seven new ones. He made the announcement after a fatal crash of a UH-1 in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon on January 16 that killed seven people on board. “I am not making any hard promises. But you can rest assured, I will try my best to look for money so I can replace the old helicopters,” he was quoted as saying.

Today’s Video

Watch: The M-1 Abrams Tank Shows Monstrously Power & Capability

This week, experts from 17 EDA Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland (which have Administrative Agreements in place with the Agency) participated in an EDA online workshop to discuss emerging technologies in defence with a particular focus on energy challenges of next generation military platforms. 

The workshop (19-21 January 2021) was part of a wider ongoing series of EDA Technology Foresight Workshops and addressed energy-related and environmental topics and their likely impact on the defence sector, from the security risks created by energy dependencies to potential climate change repercussions and the foreseeable transformations the global energy system will face over the next decades. 

This week’s ‘Energy For Future Platforms’ workshop, supported by Ingeniería de Sistemas para la Defensa de Espana (ISDEFE), brought together 145 European subject matter experts who debated current and future defence related energy technologies and linked R&T needs, covering issues such as energy generation, management and storage for platforms. The discussions involved members from several EDA capability & technology groups (CapTech), including the ones on Missiles and Munitions, Air, Naval and Ground Systems, Guidance, Navigation and Control, Materials and Structures, as well as the Agency’s Energy and Environment Working Group. The opening part of the event consisted of a plenary session where keynote speakers introduced the topic and set the scene, followed by breakout sessions where smaller groups (virtual tables) looked into the energy challenges of future military platforms from a range of different perspectives, including alternative fuels, energy storage, management technologies, propulsion and power generation. The workshop was wrapped up with another plenary session during which the results of the virtual tables discussions were presented and summarised. 
 

EDA analysis 

The workshop results will now be further analysed by EDA in the following weeks with the objective of providing participating Member States with an overview and analysis of upcoming energy-related needs and implications for future military platforms, including gaps and blind spots in the current EU defence energy portfolio. The analysis will also include recommendations on potential EU research goals and synergies in this domain. 
 

Background  

EDA’s Technology Foresight Workshops aim to provide input to the EDA process of technology evaluation, including the identification and classification of technology trends and emerging technologies as well as the prioritisation of important technologies with respect to medium- and long-term capability needs. The output of the workshops is used as background information for relevant defence technologies, to be integrated in EDA Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) and their Technology Building Block (TBB) roadmaps, as well as the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) toolchain, the analyses of Key Strategic Activities (KSA) and in the Strategic Context Cases of the 2018 Capability Development Plan (CDP).
 

More information:

• EDA’s Capability Technology Groups (CapTechs) 

Americas

Boeing won a $2 billion contract modification for Lot 7 production KC-46 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses and G081 flat file. The modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46 aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file being produced under the basic contract. The company delivered the first KC-46A to the Air Force in January 2019. Since then, Boeing has delivered 42 tankers to four different bases. The next-generation KC-46 brings new capabilities and operational flexibility to the US Air Force and international customers. Boeing says the KC-46 is a multirole tanker designed to refuel allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. It’s also equipped to carry passengers, cargo and patients on any mission at any time. Work will take place in Seattle, Washington and is expected to be finished by May 31, 2024.

Detyens Shipyard won a $19.2 million deal for a 76-calendar day shipyard availability. The work to be performed under this deal provides regular overhaul availability and dry-docking services for the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203). The deal also contains six unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $19,841,567.  USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) is a Henry J. Kaiser Class underway replenishment oiler operated by the Military Sealift Command to support ships of the UNS. Work will take place in Charleston, South Carolina and is expected to be finished by June 4, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Reuters reports that the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement with the United States to buy 50 F-35 fighters one hour before President Biden was sworn into office. Anonymous sources said that the agreement made the purchase request official. It was supposed to be signed in December but negotiations dragged on as both sides bargain over the delivery schedule, costs and technology packages. The UAE, one of Washington’s closest Middle East allies, has long expressed interest in acquiring the stealthy F-35 jets made by Lockheed Martin and was promised a chance to buy them in a side deal when it agreed to normalize relations with Israel last August.

Europe

The Belgian and Royal Dutch navies have selected the Thales NS50 AESA 4D radar for their 12 Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMV). Thales says this compact multi-mission radar will accord small vessels with air and surface detection plus missile and gun fire control. The NS50 is a 4D multi-function naval radar. It offers superior air and surface detection, tracking and classification performances providing highly accurate 4D target information required for rapid acquisition by short-range “fire and forget” Surface-to-Air-Missile Systems as well as fire control of ship-borne artillery against surface targets.

Elbit Systems UK announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defense to provide the British Armed Forces with Dismounted Joint Fires Integrators (D-JFI) for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Fire Support Teams. The contract will be performed over a five-year period and is valued at approximately £100 million.

Asia-Pacific Today’s Video

Watch: Are Hypersonic Weapons a threat to America’s Aircraft Carriers?

EDA’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear Surveillance as Service (CBRN SaaS) project entered its operational phase today when representatives of the 12 industry members of the consortium in charge of implementing it met for the first time, albeit only remotely due to the Covid pandemic. The aim of the Austrian-lead project, initially launched as a PESCO project but then handed over for the first phase to EDA for practical implementation, is to develop a rapidly deployable 24/7 chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear surveillance capability.

The main expected output of the EDA Cat B project will be a technical demonstrator of an operational plugin module built on unmanned ground and aerial systems equipped with a variety of sensors to deliver real time CBRN surveillance, detection and incident data to create a recognized CBRN picture for both civilian and military purposes. The new equipment will represent a major enhancement of participating Member States’ defence capabilities and potentially also benefit future CSDP missions and operations, as well as NATO and UN operations.
 

A project open to all EDA Member States

Besides Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia are also participating in this PESCO project. However, since CBRN SaaS has been established as an Agency ad hoc project in the meantime it is now also open to other EDA Member States countries.

After the project arrangement between EDA and the four participating Member States became effective on 12 December 2019, the project contract was signed on 19 November 2020 by EDA, on behalf of the contributing Member States, and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), on behalf of the consortium. This was followed by an official kick-off meeting between EDA and AIT last December.
 

Technical demonstrator by spring 2023

In the meantime, the consortium leader (AIT) conducted extensive negotiations with the defence industries of the four contributing Member States to form the consortium. The particular challenge in uniting the different companies was to meet the demanding capability requirements set before. Now that the consortium is complete (see list below), the practical work to develop a technological demonstrator can start. Based on different work packages that have been defined and assigned to the various individual companies, the objective is now to have a fully functional technical demonstrator available by spring 2023. Afterwards, in the course of 2023, it will be tested in each of the contributing Member States under various realistic scenarios. The CBRN SaaS Cat. B project is scheduled to be fully completed by 1 December 2023.
 

Consortium

The following companies are co-contractors in the CBRN SaaS industry consortium.

 

Austria:

• AlT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH – Consortium Leader
• Rosenbauer International AG
• CNS-Solutions & Support GmbH
• Schiebel Elektronische Geräte GmbH
• MUSE Electronics GmbH

 

Croatia:

• DOK-ING d.o.o

 

Hungary:

• GAMMA Technical Corporation
• BHE Bonn Hungary Electronics Ltd.

 

Slovenia:

• C-Astral d.o.o
• lOS Institute for Environmental Protection and Sensors d.o.o
• MIL SISTEMIKA d.o.o
• OneDrone d.o.o