The U.K. House of Commons defense committee has released a report urging the Ministry of Defence to swiftly address the recruitment and retention crisis in the British Armed Forces’ regulars and reservists. Titled “Ready for War?” the report pointed out that the Armed Forces, whenever asked to deploy, consistently overstretch, negatively impacting fighter retention and...
Author: Arthur McMiler (Arthur McMiler)
Combat Simulations Test AUKUS Robotic Vehicles’ Warfare Capabilities
AUKUS defense solutions scientists subjected the military alliance’s autonomous vehicles to a range of simulated attacks during the Trusted Operation of Robotic Vehicles in a Contested Environment test. The Department of Defense said the testing, held at the Cultana Training Area in South Australia in fall 2023, complemented the work on AUKUS artificial intelligence-powered drones...
BAE Systems Grows UAS Business With Malloy Aeronautics Purchase
BAE Systems has acquired Malloy Aeronautics, a Berkshire, U.K.-based manufacturer of all-electric, heavy-lift drones for civilian and military users. Malloy’s drone variations have interchangeable capabilities, offering flexibility, cost-reduction and more secure operations than traditional UAS, BAE said. The company sees the purchase further accelerating Malloy’s drone development to meet global customers’ advanced technology requirements. FalconWorks, the...
UK Awards Thales $2.3B Contract to Boost Royal Navy’s Readiness
French electronic defense contractor Thales has secured a $2.3 billion, 15-year contract to keep the British Royal Navy’s fleet at sea longer. The company said the new Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team contract, which started Jan. 1, responds to the rising need to boost the availability of RN ships and submarines amid growing uncertainties in the...
L3Harris, Edge Open Abu Dhabi Service Center for Wescam MX Sensor
L3Harris Technologies said it has opened a new Wescam Authorized Service Center in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates technology company Edge Group. The center will support users of the company’s Wescam MX reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition sensor system, such as the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and other military units...
US Names Hezbollah, Qods Force Financiers in Lebanon, Turkey
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has blocked the assets and stateside transactions of three companies and an individual based in Lebanon and Turkey for their association with Iranian and Hezbollah-affiliated terror groups. The entities generate funds from selling Iranian commodities, including sales to the Syrian government. Their revenues provide key opportunities for “hundreds of...
Westinghouse, Bechtel Gain Support for Nuclear Reactor Projects in Czechia
Westinghouse Electric and Bechtel will tap the Czech Republic’s nuclear industry capabilities to pursue their proposal to supply the Balkan country with up to four nuclear reactors. The American companies will draw support from the local industry base via an agreement signed with the Czech Power Industry Alliance in Washington on Wednesday, Westinghouse said. The CPIA,...
DOD Bares New List of Chinese Military-Linked Companies
The Pentagon has updated its list of Chinese military-linked businesses with either direct or indirect operations in the United States. The list is compiled in accordance with Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Department of Defense said Wednesday that the provision’s continuing implementation is important to counter China’s...
UK Wants to Develop New Defense Materials for Extreme Environments
The United Kingdom’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has established the Defence Materials Centre of Excellence, a $54 million government partnership with 23 industry and academic organizations to develop new defense materials for extreme environments. Dstl said DMEx, which also includes research organizations, like the Catapult Network, will operate under the Henry Royce Institute, a...
Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Plant to Start IFV Ammo Production in 2024
Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions, a joint venture of the German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and the Hungarian holding company N7, will begin manufacturing ammunition in 2024 at its new plant in Varpalota, Hungary, which is now in its second phase of construction. According to Rheinmetall, the plant’s completed first phase will produce 30 mm medium-caliber...