Richard Marles, Australia’s minister for defense, has introduced in Parliament proposed legislation to tighten the transfer of military technology to foreign interests except AUKUS allies the United States and the United Kingdom. Marles filed the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023 ahead of his U.S. visit to attend the AUKUS Defense Ministers’ Meeting in California. The...
Author: Arthur McMiler (Arthur McMiler)
Airbus Advancing NH90 Sea Tiger Tests After Frigate Chopper’s Maiden Flight for German Navy
Airbus Helicopters is advancing the multirole frigate chopper NH90 Sea Tiger to the qualification phase after the aircraft’s maiden flight at the company’s site in Donauworth, Germany. According to an Airbus press release issued on Thursday, Germany’s Bundeswehr ordered 31 NH90s in 2020 for the German Navy’s shipborne operations. Airbus earlier supplied 18 NH-90 Sea...
Spain Inks Purchase Contract for Airbus’ SIRTAP Drones
The Spanish defense ministry has signed a contract for the purchase of Airbus’ tactical SIRTAP unmanned aerial systems. An Airbus press release issued on Wednesday said the purchase order calls for the delivery of a total of nine UAS, with each composed of three unmanned aerial vehicles, plus one ground control station. The ministry said...
Germany Okays Budget for EW Upgrades on Eurofighter Warplanes
The German Parliament’s budget committee has approved funding to equip its Eurofighter warplanes with electronic combat capability. Airbus, who is building the planes for Germany, said in a press release announcing the development that among the Eurofighter equipment to be provided are Saab’s transmitter location and protection system and Northrop Grumman’s antiradar missiles. The approved...
Pratt & Whitney Canada Woos Military Customers With New Engine Overhaul Solutions
Pratt & Whitney Canada, an RTX business, has launched new add-ons to its P&WCSMART engine overhaul program, specifically for military users of Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters with mature PT6T-3 or PT6T-6 Twinpac engines. According to Irene Makris, Pratt & Whitney Canada vice president of customer service, the new additions to the P&WCSMART portfolio...
Germany and Israel Finalize Arrow 3 Acquisition
German and Israeli officials, led by Israel Ministry of Defense Director General Eyal Zamir, have signed a final agreement for Germany to acquire the Israeli-manufactured and U.S.-developed Arrow 3 missile defense system. In its announcement via social media, the Israeli Ministry of Defense valued the deal at about $3.6 billion and described the signing as...
Australia Agrees to Explore Strategic Shipbuilder Agreement With Austal
The Australian government has signed a heads of agreement with Austal to create a strategic shipbuilder agreement, which if ultimately forged would install the company as the government’s strategic shipbuilder in Henderson, West Australia. According to Austal’s announcement of the preliminary agreement, the HoA defines the SSA’s key principles and sets the discussion points and...
Elbit to Equip Canada’s New Refueling Planes With Missile Shield
Airbus Defense and Space has awarded Elbit Systems a five-year contract for the installation of Direct Infrared Counter Measures and Infrared Missile Warning Systems on Canada’s Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport refueling aircraft. Elbit did not disclose the value of the contract it announced Monday but noted that the missile protection systems have been...
Thales Surveillance Tech to Secure New French Navy Patrol Ships
The French Defence Procurement Agency or DGA has awarded a contract for Thales to supply the French Navy’s seven new offshore patrol vessels with surveillance solutions. The company’s contract announcement did not specify its value but said the sensors for delivery include Thales’ Bluewatcher hull sonar, the new NS50 compact multi-mission surveillance radar and the...
UK Space Agency Taps Airbus for Space Industry Development Initiatives
The UK Space Agency has awarded $4.9 million to Airbus Defence and Space for the development of a space and connectivity catalyst, which will be accessible to new and current space industry players. An Airbus press release said the new Space Catalyst will be created on a 14-acre site with a range of facilities at...