The European Commission is joining forces with the European Space Agency to address global challenges with innovative technologies. Timo Pesonen, director-general for defense industry and space, for the EC and Josef Aschbacher, director general of the ESA, signed a collaboration agreement to combine resources and competence to enhance the European capacity to protect critical infrastructure,...
Author: Elodie Collins (Elodie Collins)
Anduril Ready to Deliver First Ghost Shark Underwater Drone to Royal Australian Navy; Shane Arnott Quoted
Anduril Australia will deliver a prototype of the Ghost Shark underwater drone to the Royal Australian Navy. Alongside industry partners, Anduril is building the first of three unmanned undersea vehicles co-developed by the Australian Department of Defence under an $89.7 million contract. Shane Arnott, engineering senior vice president at Anduril Industries, noted that up to...
NATO Meets With Industry Leaders to Discuss Ways to Enhance Maritime Surveillance
NATO met with company leaders in Belgium this week to explore potential collaboration in maritime surveillance. Over 200 representatives from government and industry convened at NATO Headquarters in Belgium to discuss how to better protect vital communications in sea lanes and other infrastructures. The event is part of the military alliance’s Digital Ocean initiative, launched...
Microsoft Invests $1.5B in Emirati Tech Company G42 to Accelerate AI Innovation in the Middle East
Microsoft is partnering with an Emirati company to develop artificial intelligence for various applications. The Redmond, Washington-based company said it will invest $1.5 billion in g42, an AI company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, is joining G42’s board of directors as part of the deal....
US Grants Samsung $6.4B to Manufacture Semiconductors in Central Texas
The United States government is awarding up to $6.4 billion in direct funding to Samsung. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited the company’s new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Texas, where she announced the investment. “We’re saying for the first time ever, Samsung can conduct in the United States of America core...
UK Accelerates Development of DragonFire Laser Weapon for Royal Navy
The United Kingdom is accelerating the delivery timeline of its DragonFire lasers. Grant Shapps, British defense secretary, says speeding up the program is a response to the “rapidly changing threat environment” in the region. The DragonFire laser was initially scheduled to be rolled out by 2032. With the new timetable, the weapon system will be installed...
China Announces New Round of Sanctions on US Companies Over Arms Sales Deal With Taiwan
China has sanctioned U.S. companies General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and General Dynamics Land Systems over arms deals with Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. The economic action bans senior executives from both defense technology providers from entering China and freezes access to company assets in the country. General Dynamics operates Gulfstream and jet...
South Korea Plans to Address Dwindling Military Personnel With Unmanned Ground Robots
South Korea plans to acquire unmanned ground vehicles for its Army and Marine Corps to address the military’s dwindling recruits and conscripts. A tender recently published by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration lists a budget of $36.56 million for multipurpose ground robots. The South Korean Armed Forces will purchase the required technology domestically. Kim Jae...
Japan to Build Pressurized Lunar Rover for NASA’s Artemis Missions
The United States will work with Japan to develop and launch a rover for crewed and uncrewed lunar exploration. On Tuesday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Masahito Moriyama, Japan’s minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, signed an agreement to cooperate on efforts to expand their understanding of the moon. Under the agreement, Japan...
Idemia to Develop Advanced Biometric System for Nigerian Government; Olivier Charlanes Quoted
Physical and ditial identity solutions company Idemia Smart Identity is building one of the most advanced biometric systems in the world in Nigeria. According to the Courbevoie, France-based company, it has renewed its long-time partnership with the Nigerian National Identity Management Commission to upgrade the African nation’s biometric system. It said the upcoming system will...