The European Commission has received proposals to improve defense solution acquisitions through a program established under the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act. On Friday, the commission announced that 12 submissions from member states and Norway after it called for proposals to regulate the EDIRPA Work Program. The entries focused on three areas:...
Author: Brianne Monterey (Brianne Monterey)
Canada Names New Defense Staff Vice Chief; Gen. Jennie Carignan Quoted
The Canadian Armed Forces has named Lt. Gen. Stephen Kelsey as vice chief of the defense staff, succeeding Lt. Gen. Frances Allen. Kelsey took over the command in a Thursday ceremony at National Defence Headquarters Carling. Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of the defense staff, presided over the event attended by military and civilian personnel....
US OKs Slovakia’s Possible $600M Purchase of AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters
Slovakia is set to purchase 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States to strengthen its defense capabilities and address current and future threats. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the Department of State has approved the possible foreign military sale to the Slovakian government. Apart from the AH-1Z Viper helicopters, the proposal also...
James Hursch to Retire as Defense Security Cooperation Agency Director
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that James Hursch will retire as director after 39 years of civil service. Michael F. Miller, the agency’s incumbent deputy director, will temporarily fill the vacant position. Hursh, who continues the foreign arms sales office’s trend of preferring civilian leaders, held the DSCA directorship beginning January 2, 2022. During...
UK Space Command Explores Commercial ISR Integration at Its First Space War Game; Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman Quoted
The UK Space Command held its first space war game to explore strategies for integrating commercial space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance into existing programs such as ISTARI. The ISTARI satellite network for ISR use is a core element of the Ministry of Defence’s space strategy. Dubbed “Space Warrior,” the activity at Southwick Park’s Defence Experimentation...
New UAV to Improve ISR Capabilities at Royal Australian Air Force
Australia has introduced its first MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system, complementing its existing crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet as it defends its maritime borders. The Royal Australian Air Force unveiled the AUS 1, the first of the four unmanned aerial systems, at a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The system provides the...
BlackBerry Names New Chief Financial Officer; John Giamatteo Quoted
BlackBerry has named Tim Foote as chief financial officer, reporting directly to CEO John J. Giamatteo. In a press release on Monday, the company announced that Foote and two other executives are joining the finance team. Foote has been with the company since it acquired Good Technology in 2015. Before his new role, he held...
Fluor, RoPower Nuclear Partner for Phase 2 of Romanian Small Modular Reactor Facility
Fluor is collaborating with RoPower Nuclear for Phase 2 of the front-end engineering and design work at a small modular reactor facility in Doicesti, Romania. The partnership will focus on customizing a six-reactor SMR power plant with NuScale technology, which, according to European codes and standards, could produce up to 462 megawatts. The two companies...
Switzerland Taps Rheinmetall to Deliver Mortar Ammunitions
Switzerland has awarded Rheinmetall a contract to deliver 81 mm mortar cargo ammunition. Under the deal, Rheinmetall Expal Munitions will supply the Swiss armed forces with 81mm MX2-KM mortar weapons and 81 mm mortar cartridges cargo for illumination white light, illumination infrared and smoke discharge using red phosphorus. Deliveries are expected to be completed by...
Leonardo Exec Sees MBDA-Style Consolidation for Europe’s Defense Industry
Leonardo co-general Manager Lorenzo Mariani said significant consolidation among European defense companies in the future will lead to a healthier defense sector in the region. In an interview with Breaking Defense published on Thursday, Mariani discussed how consolidation differs from the mergers and acquisitions practice in the United States and how it is more similar...