General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has completed the “first lifetime” of fatigue testing for the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft. The company conducted the full-scale testing from Dec. 13, 2022, through Dec. 5, 2023, at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research in Kansas using a production airframe built for the test program. During the...
COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon and MBDA Germany, has received a potential $5.6 billion contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to supply select European countries with the new Patriot GEM-T missiles. Under the agreement, COMLOG will expand the production of GEM-T missiles, also known as Patriot Advanced Capability 2 missile interceptors, in...
South Korea has finalized a contract with Lockheed Martin to purchase 20 more F-35A fighters, adding to the 40 aircraft it acquired between 2019 and 2022. The Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration greenlit the acquisition three months after obtaining clearance from the U.S. Department of State in September, paving the way for the Asian country...
The Turkish Parliament’s foreign affairs commission has approved Sweden’s bid to join NATO, likely clearing the way for Stockholm to gain membership into the military alliance after nearly two years of delay. Reuters said the panel voted to advance the bid for consideration by the Parliament’s general assembly, which could deliberate on the matter after...
The United Kingdom has started shipping air defense missiles to Ukraine to help the country protect its people and critical infrastructure from Russia’s drone attacks and bombing runs. The UK Ministry of Defence announced the new package of defense assistance following intensified assaults in Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa from hundreds of Russian drones and missiles....
EPE New Zealand has received a contract to provide the New Zealand Defence Force with enhanced reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. Under the agreement with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence, EPE will collaborate with U.S.-based Skydio to deliver the X2D unmanned aircraft system to the New Zealand Army. The advanced micro UAS will improve the...
Japan has announced plans to send Patriot air defense missiles to the United States following the government’s decision to revise its arms export policy, according to a Reuters report. In a statement, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the imminent weapons shipment will bolter Japan’s security and improve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region....
The Netherlands wants to invest $274 million to fortify security in the North Sea, where there are thousands of miles of cables and pipelines. In a letter to the Dutch Parliament, Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren and State Defence Secretary Christophe van der Maat said that the government will install cameras, radar systems and automatic identification...
The Czech Republic has initiated discussions with Germany about a joint acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks. Defence Minister Jana Cernochova told local news media CZDefence that the talks with the German government are in an advanced stage. “The negotiations are ongoing at the moment, and we anticipate that there should be clarity over the course...
General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada has received four contracts worth around $1.3 billion to support the Canadian Army’s modernization efforts. Under the four agreements finalized with the Canadian government, GDMS-Canada will provide digital services for the Army’s Land Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance system. Awarded as part of the Land Command Support System...
