HII Nuclear Australia has launched a $684 million supplier capability uplift program to drive the development of the defense industry supply chain in South Australia, focusing on capabilities to support Canberra’s nuclear submarine initiatives. HII said in a statement on Monday that five companies have been selected to participate in the program, the initial effort...
Author: Arthur McMiler (Arthur McMiler)
Lithuania Prepares to Host Northrop Grumman Ammunition Factory
The Lithuanian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Northrop Grumman to develop, manufacture and supply medium-caliber ammunition in the Baltic country. A Northrop Grumman ammunition production project could bring significant U.S. investment to Lithuania, its Ministry of National Defence said in a statement Monday. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said partnering with companies...
Italy Boosts Defense Procurement Outlay to $10.38B With More F-35 Jetfighters
The Italian government has earmarked $10.38 billion of its 2024 budget of $23.3 billion for defense procurement, up 16.8 percent from 2023. According to Defense News, the budget provides $7.8 billion to acquire 15 F-35As and 10 F-35Bs, bringing Italy’s F-35 fleet to 115 aircraft. The report said the Italian Air Force will operate the...
Austal Australia Forges Commercial Partnership With Greenroom Robotics
Austal Australia has established a strategic commercial partnership with Greenroom Robotics, advancing their previous collaboration in the completed Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial for the Royal Australian Navy. The latest partnership will extend the two companies’ cooperation to develop watercraft-based products, services and technologies geared toward crew reduction and safer operations of autonomous vessels that Austal...
Kongsberg Expands Missile Production Capacity With New US Factory
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace plans to build a U.S. missile production facility in James City County, Virginia, following the Norwegian company’s establishment of a similar factory in Australia. The Pennsylvania facility will be equipped to assemble, upgrade and repair Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. It was established on Kongsberg’s expectation that it could...
Telesat Satellite Constellation Project Secures $1.9B Funding From Canadian Government
The Canadian and Quebec governments have awarded Telesat $1.9 billion in total funding for its low Earth orbit broadband satellite constellation project, completing the financing for the planned global network, including satellites, space launch vehicles and ground stations. Under the funding agreements for the project, dubbed Telesat Lightspeed, the Canadian central government will invest $1.6...
Australia Extends KBR Service Contract at HMAS Stirling Naval Facility
The Australian Department of Defence’s Security and Estate Group and the Australian Submarine Agency have renewed the contract of global engineering, construction, and services company KBR to provide technical design services at the HMAS Stirling naval base south of Perth. The company said its work supports the base’s facilities and infrastructure programs for nuclear submarines...
Liz Baker Joins Ultra Maritime as International Business Development VP
Ultra Maritime has appointed Liz Baker as vice president of international business development to manage its businesses in NATO countries and other global markets. Ultra Maritime’s worldwide operations cover 15 locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Before joining the company, Baker spent nine years at Thales, serving leadership roles in...
Adm. Rob Bauer: NATO, Indo-Pacific Allies to Boost Military Partnerships
NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand “will further intensify” their military cooperation to deter adversarial moves by Russia and China, Royal Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer said on Tuesday. In his keynote address at the opening of the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea, the admiral, who serves as NATO Military Committee chair, stressed how security in the European and Asian regions is inextricably linked. Setting up multiple layers of cooperation will help better prepare against all types of scenarios in any geographical area, he added.
Serco Completes Babcock Vessel Maintenance Task on Two P24s for British Royal Navy
Serco has completed the maintenance and repair of two British Royal Navy Pacific 24 rigid hull inflatable boats deployed in Australian waters, a task awarded by Babcock Australia & New Zealand. According to Clint Thomas, Defence managing director at Serco Asia Pacific, the contract provided the company opportunity to demonstrate its maritime capabilities across Australia....