December 2020 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
 

According to a press release published on December 30, 2020, General Secretariat of the Italian Defence and of the National Armaments Directorate, the Land Armaments Director Lieutenant General Paolo Giovannini and the Commercial Director of the Iveco - Oto Melara Consortium (CIO) Dr. Eng. Giovanni Luisi, signed a contract for the purchase of 86 Centauro II 120mm anti-tank 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles, plus 10 additional units in option, and integrated logistic support and equipment.

According to information published by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) on December 29, 2020, the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of System Spares for Patriot air defense missile system Configuration 3+ and related equipment for an estimated cost of $200 million.

According to information published by the Daily Sabah website on December 24, 2020, the Turkish defense industry has exported $150 million of military equipment to Tunisia, including Vuran, Kirpi, and Edjer Yalcin wheeled armored vehicles as well as Anka UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

According to a Tweet published on December 22, 2020, the French Army procurement agency (DGA) has ordered a new batch of 12,000 HK416F 5.56mm assault rifles for the French Army that will replace the FAMAS 5.56 mm bullpup assault rifle in service with the French armed forces since 1972.

In response to Spain’s decision to renew the country’s existing infrastructure, Indra and Thales, two of Europe’s leadinghigh-techDefence sector companies, have signed an agreement to work in partnership to offer a next-generation tactical communications system to Spain’s Armed Forces. The new communications system will notably enhance interoperability during international missions, and ensure Spain’s full sovereignty and technical autonomy over strategic military communications.

On December 18, 2020, Nexter, Thales and Arquus, as part of the temporary grouping of companies (GME) EBMR (Engins Blindés Multi-Rôles, multirole armored vehicles), presented the 128th Griffon planned for 2020 to the French Delegation for Armaments (DGA). Under the terms of the Scorpion program, and despite an unprecedented health crisis that profoundly affected production, the three manufacturers were able to take the challenge and meet their contractual objectives.

According to a press release published on December 21, 2020, Netline Communications Technologies Ltd. - a leading developer and manufacturer of high-end electronic warfare and spectrum dominance systems for defense forces and homeland security agencies –has completed the acceptance procedure of 51 improvised explosive device (IED) jammers by the Spanish Ministry of Defense.

According to a press release published on December 21, 2020, Saab has signed a contract with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) for an upgrade and life extension of the French Air and Space Force’s mobile command and control systems, which feature Saab’s Giraffe AMB radar and command and control shelter.

The German army (Bundeswehr) has contracted with Rheinmetall to supply it with additional heavy tractor trailers with a 70-tonne payload. Delivery of a further 24 unprotected heavy tractor trailers – dubbed the SaZgM 70t mil (Sattelzugmaschinen 70t (SaZgM 2 70t mil) in German military parlance – is to take place in 2021, with a further 24 to follow in 2022. In total, the order is worth €41 million. The tractor trailers are primarily used for transporting heavy armoured vehicles such as the Leopard 2 main battle tank.

The Hungarian armed forces have ordered advanced radar systems from Rheinmetall. A contract to this effect was signed on 11 December 2020. Together with its partner Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rheinmetall will supply radar systems designed for various missions. Shipment of the systems will begin at the end of 2022 and run through to the end of 2027.

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