April 2023 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
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Day 3 SOFINS Special Forces Operations Network Seminar Exhibition Bordeaux France UAVs UGVs
 

On April 26, 2023, the British Ministry of Defense (MoD) launched bids to procure mine-clearing systems for tanks, armored vehicles launched bridges, and missiles or rockets with a range from 100 to 300 km in the framework of the IFU (International Fund for Ukraine). Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the British Government has launched the IFU to procure priority military assistance for Ukraine at pace.

Germany and the United Kingdom have announced plans to jointly develop advanced armor-piercing tank ammunition for Challenger 3 and leopard 2 tanks. UK National Armaments Director, Andy Start, and his German counterpart, Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, signed a Statement of Intent to collaborate on the Enhanced Kinetic Energy (EKE) round at the Honourable Artillery Company in London. The EKE round will provide a significant improvement in the Army's ability to defeat evolving enemy threats.

Grand Prairie, Texas, United States, April 29, 2023 - Lockheed Martin Corp. has been awarded a $194,121,470 hybrid contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, to upgrade Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) to the advanced M270A2 configuration. The contract includes both cost-plus-fixed-fee and fixed-price-incentive components.

United States, DALLAS, April 28, 2023 – American Company Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $615 million full-rate production contract by the U.S. Army for the manufacture of additional M142 HIMARS rockets/missiles launchers and related equipment. The production will take place at Lockheed Martin's Precision Fires Center of Excellence in Camden, Arkansas, and aims to expand the U.S. Army's fleet of launchers as well as fulfill international orders.

MBDA has been contracted by the Polish Armament Agency to supply CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) missiles and iLaunchers for Poland’s PILICA+ air defence upgrade programme. In total, MBDA will provide missiles and missile launchers valued at £1.9 billion to support Poland’s modernisation and manufacture of a total of 22 PILICA+ air defence batteries – making it the largest European short-range air defence acquisition programme in NATO.

According to a statement published by NATO on April 28, 2023, more than 98 percent of the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine have already been delivered. That means over 1,550 armored vehicles, 230 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), and other equipment, including vast amounts of ammunition. According to the Army Recognition editorial team count, Ukraine will receive 808 MBTs.

The Australian Defence Ministry on April 27 published that Defence chiefs have described the release of the Defence Strategic Review as a significant moment in Australia’s approach to developing its military capability. The Government released the review on April 24, saying it “sets the agenda for ambitious, but necessary, reform to Defence’s posture and structure”.

The Czech Ministry of Defense on April 27 announced that two more Leopard 2A4 tanks arrived in Přáslavice, Czech Republic. This is another part of the donation of 14 main battle tanks and one recovery tank (Büffel) that the Czech Republic received from the Federal Republic of Germany for helping Ukraine. The first tank already passed military tests a month ago, so there is nothing more to prevent the deployment of new units for training.

The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) has entered into a contract with Sako Ltd. for the acquisition of new 8.6mm sniper rifles for the Estonian Defence Forces and Defence League. The upgraded rifles offer enhanced accuracy and stability compared to their predecessors. The framework agreement spans seven years and is valued at €40 million.

April 26, 2023 – ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Company AeroVironment, Inc. has secured an additional $64.6 million in funding from the U.S. Army Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) project office, bringing the total contract value for the procurement of Switchblade® 300 loitering missile systems to $231.3 million. This latest contract marks the first instance of foreign military sales of Switchblade 300 systems to France and another allied nation, further expanding the system's international presence.

According to information published by the Slovenian news website "24UR.com" on April 26, 2023, the Slovenian government has secretly delivered 20 Valuk 6x6 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles to Ukraine. The Valuk armored vehicle, used by the Slovenian Armed Forces, is a Pandur-type armored personnel carrier manufactured by Sistemska Tehnika Armas of Slovenia.

Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, a Spanish company specializing in innovation and cutting-edge technologies in the Aerospace, Defence and Safety sectors, on April 26 hosted the event to present the results of the European iMUGS (Integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System) project at its facilities in El Viso: the deployment of unmanned systems.

The U.S. Department of Defense on April 26 announced that the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the U.S. Department of Defense have formalized a framework for cooperation through the signing of an Administrative Arrangement (AA). The EDA-DoD AA provides for stronger transatlantic cooperation in defense in specific areas, including in the exchange of information.

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has secured a conditional contract to supply Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) to Ukraine valued at up to US$80m. The company has secured the contract with SpetsTechnoExport (STE), a Ukrainian state-owned foreign trade enterprise to supply up to one hundred of its heavy RWS to Ukraine, including spares and related services.

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