Elbit Systems has secured a $190 million contract to deliver its Iron Sting mortar munition to Israel. The agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defense requires the Haifa-based defense contractor to complete the weapons delivery over the next two years. Elbit Systems Land General Manager Yehuda Vered said Iron Sting meets the international armed forces’...
Category: Defense Security Cooperation
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...
US Seeks to Modernize Alliance Command and Control in Japan; Lloyd Austin Quoted
The United States plans to convert U.S. Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters and expand U.S.-Japan missile co-production. The planned conversion was announced following the conclusion of the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee’s ministerial conference in Tokyo on Sunday. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a Wash100 awardee, described updating the alliance command and control as...
NATO Awards Contracts on Platform Concept Studies for Next-Generation Helicopters; Stacy Cummings Quoted
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency has awarded separate contracts to three teams led by Airbus Helicopters, Lockheed Martin Sikorsky and Leonardo to undertake a concept study on the design and execution of the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program. NGRC is geared to replace the military alliance’s helicopters by the mid-2030s. NSPA said in a...
Australian Shipbuilder ASC’s $1.4B Defense Contract to Create Over 1,100 Jobs in Submarine Sustainment; Pat Conroy Quoted
The Australian government has awarded Osborne-based submarine builder and maintainer ASC a $1.44 billion contract to sustain its Collins-class submarines for the next four years. According to Australia’s Department of Defence, the agreement ensures job security for over 700 workers in South Australia and another 400 in Western Australia. It also aligns with the government’s...
Report: US Must Prioritize FMS From NATO Members to Secure Regional Security
A report by RAND suggested that the United States adopt a framework systematically prioritizing NATO members’ foreign military sale cases to align with defense security goals in Europe. Apart from taking on the proposed framework, the report made additional recommendations to the United States Army Europe and Africa to improve regional security, including: Ensuring USAREUR-AF...
US Approves Possible Foreign Military Sale of Small Diameter Bomb-Increment II to Belgium
The U.S. Department of State has approved the Belgian government’s $115 million Foreign Military Sale request to procure Small Diameter Bomb-Increment II missiles and related logistics and program support services. Belgium, a NATO ally, asked to buy 196 Guided Bomb Unit-53/B SDB-II all-up-rounds, SDB-II weapons load crew trainers, spare and repair parts, and unclassified software...
Greece Advances Allied Interoperability With Lockheed F-35 Purchase, Bridget Lauderdale Quoted
The Greek government has signed a letter of offer and acceptance for the purchase of 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft through a U.S. foreign military sale, with an optional 20 additional F-35s. Washington approved the sale, valued at $8.6 billion, in January. Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and F-35 program general manager,...
Rheinmetall to Help Set Up Ammunition Factory in Ukraine; Armin Papperger Quoted
Rheinmetall has secured a contract from the Ukrainian government to help build an ammunition factory there. The company said the contract, valued at several hundred million euros, entails the facility’s complete technical outfitting and commissioning. The German defense firm will also oversee the factory operations through a joint venture with a Ukrainian partner enterprise. Rheinmetall...
Lockheed Martin Signs Cooperation Agreement With Germany’s Lufthansa Technik; Michael Williamson Quoted
Lockheed Martin has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lufthansa Technik, a provider of technical support for the aviation industry, to cooperate in delivering a range of services to global customers. The companies held a signing event at the Farnborough International Air Show. Michael Williamson, president of Lockheed Martin International, said the agreement combines the...