Newly appointed Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday to discuss the congressional approval process for Japan’s planned Tomahawk cruise missile purchase. According to Kihara, the Japan Ministry of Defense decided to purchase the U.S. Tomahawks to beef up its counterstrike capabilities while still working on completing the...
Author: Arthur McMiler (Arthur McMiler)
Thales Acquires Australia’s Tesserent as It Looks to Strengthen Its Global Cybersecurity Portfolio
French defense and aerospace company Thales has finalized its acquisition of Australian cybersecurity firm Tesserent, a deal that it said will contribute to building its cybersecurity business worldwide. Tesserent’s full suite of cybersecurity solutions and services delivered a 2022 turnover of $117.4 million, making it one of the leading industry players in the country. Its...
French Company Delta Drone Rebrands As It Shifts Focus on Military UAS
The French unmanned aircraft systems company Delta Drone announced Wednesday that it has rebranded to Tonner Drones, reflecting a new strategy with military drone design and development as a key component. The new name, approved by company shareholders during their Sept. 29 general meeting, was chosen in honor of World War II French Resistance fighter...
US State Department Okays Potential $70M Missile Sale to Oman
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress about a potential $70 million sale of tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided missiles to Oman. The planned foreign military sale, which the Department of State has approved, calls for the delivery of 301 TOW 2B radio frequency missiles (BGM-71F-7-RF) as well as government and contractor support on...
In Post-Digital Age, Governments Urged to ‘Think Beyond Innovation’
Government leaders have to shift focus to mission outcomes and think beyond innovation to manage government operations in the post-digital age, Software AG executives shared in a commentary on Federal News Network. Hank Bailey, Software AG Government Solutions president and board chairman, and Aaron Mazzatenta, company vice president, wrote that the digital concept remains important...
Cyber Analysis Center Beefs Up European Digital Domain’s Shield
The European Commission’s continuous cyberattack risk monitoring of the digital infrastructure in Europe can now be accomplished via the continent’s first cyber analysis center, U.K. aerospace, defense and security company Leonardo announced Tuesday. The facility is part of a $20 million project that the EC’s DG Connect awarded to a consortium comprising Leonardo and Spanish transport,...
US Chamber of Commerce Wants Clear-Cut Implementing Regulations in Treasury Provisions on Outbound Investments for Critical Tech
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has suggested that the Department of the Treasury issue clear-cut implementing regulations in its “Provisions Pertaining to U.S. Investments in Certain National Security Technologies and Products in Countries of Concern.” The provisions, published on Aug. 14, follow the Aug. 9 issuance of Executive Order 14105 on “Addressing United States...
NATO Chief: Defense Industry Offers A Way to Ukraine Peace
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a speech to address the International Defence Industry Forum in Kyiv on Friday that “weapons for Ukraine are the way to peace.” Stoltenberg also praised the Ukrainian defense industry’s resourcefulness, noting that “from drones to demining,” Ukraine’s defense innovation proceeded at “lightning speed.” The NATO chief, who addressed the...
US Courts Administrative Office Awards $143M Contract for CGI Momentum
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has awarded CGI Federal an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for its Momentum software solution to support the office’s financial management and acquisitions processes. Authorized under the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, Momentum offers automation and data capabilities for contracting and financial management. CGI Federal said the IDIQ contract provides...
Capgemini Report Bares E-Government Obstacles EU Users Face
Cross-border users of European Union government websites face various obstacles, such as language issues and fewer electronic identification options, according to Capgemini’s “eGovernment Benchmark 2023” report contracted by the European Commission. The annual report, which analyzes more than 15,000 EU government sites, showed that cross-border users have access to just 49 percent of the evaluated...