April 2024 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military |
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In Munich, on April 29, 2024, KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall AG, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and Thales expressed their enthusiastic support for the recently concluded agreement between the French and German governments on the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), which was reported on by Army Recognition on April 29, 2024.
The Brazilian Army has officially chosen the ATMOS self-propelled howitzer system, developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems, as the winner of its VBCOAP 155 SR competition, aimed at modernizing its artillery fleet with high-tech equipment. This announcement was first revealed by SA Defensa on their X account on April 29, 2024, highlighting the importance of this strategic decision for Brazil.
Elbit Systems announced on April 30, 2024, the acquisition of a contract valued at approximately $50 million for its air defense system, "Red Sky"™, from an undisclosed international client. The contract spans two years, marking a milestone for the Israeli defense technology sector.
In the Belgorod region of Russia, approximately 9 km west of the strategic military logistics center of Alexeyevka, construction of a new air base is underway near the Ukraine border, as reported byRedIntelPanda. Online-accessible satellite images reveal significant progress, with runway leveling mostly completed by the onset of winter, and recent developments showing ongoing paving work as of April 29, 2024.
Ukraine is suspected of having shot down a Tu-22M, a Russian strategic bomber, as well as two A-50, long-endurance reconnaissance aircraft, using S-200 missiles over fifty years old. This feat raises the hypothesis of a new improvement of old Soviet-made S-200 air defense missile system.
Germany announced on April 29, 2024, that it increased its military support to Ukraine by delivering a wide range of defense equipment, including an additional Skynex air defense system, following a previous delivery. This system provides relevant protection to Ukraine, particularly in countering drone saturation attacks and swarm attacks. The German aid comes at a time when Ukraine continues to face challenges in its war against Russia.
According to a report from Inside Defense, published on April 26, 2024, the US Marine Corps plans to increase its procurement spending on air defense systems for fiscal year 2025, allocating $111 million to the Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) program.
The Operational Energy Services of the French Ministry of Armed Forces has issued a tender for at least 380 tanker trucks capable of operating on all terrains during military operations and refueling frontline and support vehicles as closely as possible, while ensuring adequate crew protection. Several European companies proposed projects meeting these requirements, but it appears that the DGA, which oversees such projects, has chosen the proposal from the French manufacturer responsible for constructing and delivering vehicles under the Scorpion program.
On April 26, 2024, MacDefense Philippines reported through its X account that the Philippine Army received three Chinese-made Norinco GQL-111 vehicle-launched bridges from China. These bridges were the first mobile bridges in service before the arrival of Israeli Merkava AVLBs and WFEL DSBs. This equipment was provided during the term of former President Duterte, according to a member of the MDP community.
On April 24, 2024, the US company Electra announced a partnership with the US Navy to develop a ship-based electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, under a contract facilitated by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This initiative is intended to integrate Electra’s hybrid-electric eSTOL technology into US Navy logistics, particularly for operations in contested areas where traditional logistics are constrained.
Addressing the future of the European Union in his speech at the Sorbonne on April 25, 2024, President Emmanuel Macron proposed several innovative defense initiatives. Among these, he reiterated the need to establish a "European Defense Initiative" aimed at developing a "strategic concept" and "relevant capabilities", especially in the areas of air defense and long-range operations.
On April 25, 2024, under the European Peace Facility (EPF) initiative, a collaboration between the Czech company ERA and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) was announced to provide Moldova with the VERA-NG passive surveillance systems. This effort is part of the EU's broader strategy to improve Moldova’s defense capabilities, specifically targeting air defense and aerial surveillance enhancements.
On April 28, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron reignited discussions on European defense, focusing this time on the inclusion of nuclear weapons in continental defense strategies. During a session in Strasbourg with young Europeans facilitated by Ebra group newspapers, Macron emphasized the need to debate issues including missile defense, long-range missiles, and both French and American nuclear weapons stationed in Europe.
On April 26, 2024, Airbus Helicopters achieved an important step in European aviation with the first successful flight of its Racer demonstrator, a high-speed rotorcraft being developed under the EU’s Clean Sky 2 research initiative. The flight marks the beginning of a detailed flight campaign aimed at pushing the boundaries of rotorcraft performance.
Belgium has committed to contributing 200 million euros ($213 million) to Germany's air defense initiative and will provide additional rockets to Ukraine, according to Belgium's Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder, as reported by the Belgian channel RTBF on April 26,2024, during a press conference.
The High-Precision Complexes holding, a subsidiary of the Russian state corporation Rostec, announced that it had delivered a batch of MTs-566 precision rifles to the Russian army earlier than expected on the battlefield in Ukraine. This information was relayed by Rostec on April 26, 2024.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has introduced a solution to address the vulnerability of tanks facing warheads launched by multi-rotor drones. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had previously devised an interim measure for its Merkava tanks, known as the "Cope Cage," widely used in the conflict in Ukraine. This consists of a metal net affixed to the upper section of the tanks, protecting the IDF's Merkava 4 main battle tanks.
Latvia announce new partnership with Ukraine to provide resources supply, a way of continuing battle, and finally, close and stronger links for cooperation between those two countries Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, met his newly appointed Latvian counterpartBaiba Braže at a joint briefing in Kyiv.
On April 22, 2024, Lockheed Martin announced the transition of the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The announcement was made from the Clear Space Force Station in Clear, Alaska, where the LRDR completed the final acceptance of the DD250 and was officially handed over to the MDA in preparation for an Operational Capability Baseline (OCB) decision and final transition to the Warfighter. Before this transition, the system also began collecting Space Domain Awareness data for the United States Space Force.
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced plans to develop and deploy a domestically-produced hypersonic cruise missile by the end of the decade, according to a recent report published by The Telegraph on April 27, 2024. This ambitious initiative places the United Kingdom alongside leading military powers such as the United States, Russia, and China in the rapidly evolving hypersonic weapons race.
On 27 April 2024, the Danish television channel TV2 announced that Denmark is on the verge of finalizing an important agreement with the Swedish BAE Systems, with plans to acquire 115 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) CV90 for a reported sum of 7.5 billion Danish kroner. The purchase, part of a larger defense agreement currently under negotiation, underscores Denmark's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.
On April 22, five rockets fired from Iran targeted a US military base in northeastern Syria that was involved in Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS. The attack did not result in any casualties. According to Iraqi security sources, a small truck equipped with a rocket launcher caught fire shortly afterward near the border town of Zummar, while American fighter jets were flying over the area. "We cannot confirm that the truck was bombed by American warplanes without an investigation," a military official told Reuters. On 26 April, RAF announced that be responsible for this airstrike.
over 200 military vehicles and 300 containers were delivered to Narvik, Norway, from the United States on April 24th. The shipment arrived aboard the 227-meter-long vehicle carrier, Arc Integrity, marking a critical stage in preparations for the extensive NATO training operation, Immediate Response 2024 (IR24).
On April 23, 2024, Belgium inaugurated a Griffon armored vehicles assembly plant, marking a significant step in the partnership between Belgium and France in the SCORPION/CaMo program. Established in 2018, this partnership aims to enhance the motorized capacity of the Belgian army by acquiring 382 of these modern armored vehicles.
Boeing is preparing for the delivery of the CH-47F Block II and is considering international interest. On April 24, 2024, Boeing announced its readiness to deliver the first CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters to the U.S. Army in the coming weeks, marking a significant milestone in the long-term acquisition plans for the heavy-lift transport helicopter, as reported by Defense Daily. This delivery follows the Army's announcement of its intentions to acquire these upgraded helicopters, demonstrating confidence in the platform's capabilities.
