Tirpak, A&SF
Congress should direct the Pentagon to break out the F-35’s propulsion upgrade from the rest of the program to better to track its scope, schedule, and cost, the Government…
Author: Michael
DefenseScoop
Smith has pushed for transforming the Marine Corps through a variety of initiatives including Force Design 2030, Talent Management 2030, and the “stand-in forces” concept.
Image by Royal Standard of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
China is poised to break into the Middle Eastern arms market through big deals with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which have traditionally relied on the US for their big-ticket purchases.
South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported this month that Saudi Arabia Military Industries (SAMI) is in talks with China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) about acquiring China-made Sky Saker FX80 and CR500 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, Cruise Dragon 5 and 10 loitering munitions and the HQ-17AE short-range air defense (SHORAD) system.
SSTL was awarded a contract in January 2022 to deliver a satellite for project Minerva. A total of GBP127 million is being invested in the Minerva programme over a four-year period, ensuring the UK has the processing power, radio frequencies, imaging capabilities, and data streams to deliver timely intelligence. (SSTL)
A UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) test satellite – Project Tyche – will launch in 2024 as part of project Minerva, the Head of Space Capability at UK Space Command, Commodore Dave Moody, told Janes on 25 May.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has issued two contracts yesterday, 31 May, to adopt directed-energy weapon (DEW) systems for air defence and commit to funding pulsed laser research.
The first contract tasks the Alabama-based defence company, Kord Technologies, to develop, integrate, test and sustain directed-energy short-range air defence systems for the US Army.
Kord’s ‘Other Transaction Authority’ agreement – which gives the DoD flexibility to adopt business practices that reflect commercial industry standards – is worth $158.1m.
Brazil’s armed forces are undergoing modernisation and increased defence spending as the country implements a new National Strategy for Defence to strengthen Brazil’s defence capabilities, protect its sovereignty, and address internal security challenges.
Brazil’s defence budget is projected to increase steadily over the coming years, reaching $29.9bn in 2028, according to GlobalData’s report on the “Brazil Defence Market 2023-2028“, reflecting its commitment to modernising its armed forces.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) plans to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences with 35mm Gepard anti-aircraft tanks.
Under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the DoD has contracted the small Florida-based business, Global Military Products, to manufacture the air defence systems in Amman, Jordan for $118.3m.
Originally produced in West Germany, the self-propelled anti-aircraft guns entered active service in the 1970’s. The US-produced platforms will be completed by 30 May 2024. The DoD has not specified how many units it will provide to the wartorn country.
Australia has reduced its procurement of infantry fighting vehicles from 450 units to 129. Two platforms are competing for the tender – Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 and, pictured above, Hanwha’s Redback. (Hanwha Defense Australia)
Australia has announced the establishment of an external advisory panel (EAP) to oversee the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) recommendations, which include a reorganisation of the Australian Army.
The Republic of Singapore Navy’s combatant craft large. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)
The combatant craft large (CCL) was first unveiled by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in 2021. It was conceived by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) for the service’s special forces formation known as the Naval Diving Unit (NDU) and jointly developed with the country’s Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA).
South Korea has announced plans to upgrade the RoKA’s K9A1 self-propelled howitzers. (Hanwha Defense)
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced plans to upgrade K9A1 Thunder 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and 120 mm self-propelled mortars (SPMs) in service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).
A DAPA spokesperson told Janes on 31 May that a visit by the agency earlier that month to the RoKA’s Capital Mechanized Infantry Division in Gapyeong had identified about 15 upgrade requirements.