Based on data from the Japan MoD, this graphic shows Chinese and Russian air activity around Japan from April 2022 to April 2023. Tokyo said that most of its aircraft scrambles were prompted by Chinese and Russian electronic intelligence aircraft. (Japan Ministry of Defense/Japan Coast Guard/Janes)
Japan reported an increase in air interceptions of Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in fiscal year (FY) 2022, even as it said that its overall fighter air scrambles had dwindled.
Author: Michael
USCGC
John Scheuerman
(WPC 1146) transits the Strait of Hormuz with an L3Harris Arabian Fox Mast-13 unmanned surface vessel on 19 April.
(USCG)
A US Navy (USN) unmanned surface vessel (USV) has transited the Strait of Hormuz for the first time, marking another milestone in the service’s efforts to integrate unmanned systems and artificial intelligence (AI) into maritime operations in the Middle East.
Australia will immediately cancel the Protected Mobile Fire (PMF) self-propelled howitzer programme and use the savings to advance the procurement of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and associated missiles, according to the latest Defence Strategic Review published by Australia, on 24 April.
The key strategic document recommends the purchase of additional HIMARS and advocates for the continuous co-development and procurement of the Precision Strike Missile in all variations.
A RAAF P-8A Poseidon MPA works with the RAN guided-missile destroyer HMAS
Hobart
. The maritime air power provided by the P-8A is integral to lacing together the RAN’s capabilities and outputs.
(Commonwealth of Australia)
For a decade or more, Australia has been transforming the outputs of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) through a fleet-wide recapitalisation of its force structure.
Germany is set to acquire an additional 227 ultra-mobile, protected, all-terrain BvS10 vehicles from BAE Systems.
The new contract, worth around $400 million, follows the joint procurement by Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom to support Arctic operations for the collaborative all-terrain vehicle (CATV) program, with Sweden as the lead nation.
UK shipbuilder Babcock is engaged in a dispute resolution process (DRP) with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) over who should pay for unforeseen cost increases regarding the Type 31 frigate programme.In a fiscal year (FY) 2023 pre-results statement to investors on 20 April, Babcock said that unforeseen “material macroeconomic changes” had led to an increase in both actual and projected programme costs for the Type 31 programme that, if not recovered, would become loss-making for the shipbuilder.
A Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter is seen at the 2018 Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow. The New Zealand Defence Force has issued a tender to replace the platform through the new Maritime Helicopter Replacement programme. (NZDF)
A request for information (RFI) has been released by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) for its new Maritime Helicopter Replacement (MHR) programme that will deliver a new platform to replace its existing eight SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters.
Norinco delivered 56 SH-15 155 mm/52 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) to the Pakistan Army. The picture shows at least 18 examples of SH-15 with an artillery brigade under the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s 83rd Group Army. (CCTV 7)
China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco) delivered the second batch of SH-15 155 mm/52 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzer (SPH) based on a Shaanxi 6×6 truck to the Pakistan Army.
Although USAF B-1B Lancers have previously landed in India, they had not participated in wargames over the Indian subcontinent prior to Exercise ‘Cope India 23′. In this photograph, two Lancers of the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron sit at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, during the Aero India 2023 show held in February.
Australia’s first Arafura-class OPV, seen here ahead of its launch. (Luerssen Australia )
The new Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) destined for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be able to accommodate helicopters on its flight deck.
The matter was confirmed by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) in response to questions from Janes on 20 April. “The Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel deck is designed for helicopters and for support to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations”, the DoD spokesperson said.