French military aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has secured a contract from Serbia for 12 Rafale combat aircraft. Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Serbian Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic signed the deal on Thursday in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, part of the two nations’ commitment to nurturing...
Category: Europe
Netherlands Boosts Missile Defense Capability With Planned Purchase of Patriot Launch Stations
The U.S. Department of State has approved the possible sale of two Patriot missile launching stations and related equipment to the Netherlands valued at an estimated $224 million. The request includes the acquisition of equipment and services to upgrade existing M901 LS to the M903 LS configuration, plus nonmajor defense equipment such as Patriot Advanced...
Advisory Report: Iran-Based Ransomware Actors Targeting US, Foreign Organizations
A joint U.S. advisory from the FBI, the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has identified Iran-based cyber actors conducting ransomware attacks on U.S. and foreign organizations. The cybersecurity advisory warned that the cyber actors, known as Pioneer Kitten, UNC757, Parisite, Rubidium and Lemon Sandstorm, perform ransomware and...
Capgemini to Improve Swedish Armed Forces’ SAP System
French multinational information technology services and consulting firm Capgemini has entered a multiyear framework agreement with Sweden to provide SAP consulting services. Under the deal, the vendor will improve the Swedish Armed Forces’ SAP system called PRIO, an operational management platform used by 25,000 individuals to manage daily activities, including finances, logistics and personnel. The...
Pentagon Holds Demos on Autonomous Naval Systems to Advance AUKUS Pillar II
The U.S. Department of Defense has kicked off the Maritime Big Play series to support Pillar II of the AUKUS security pact focused on promoting the advanced capabilities olf Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The defense chiefs of the three countries announced the MBP initiative in December, along with other directives for...
Exail Robotics Secures $67M NATO Underwater Mine Disposal Vehicle Contract
Paris-based technology group Exail Robotics has received a $67 million contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for K-STER C underwater mine disposal vehicles, K-Ster CT training vehicles and associated services. “This new contract is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for [mine countermeasure] operations,” said Antony Penn, Exail...
Virginia Hosts Army Training Facility for NATO Soldiers
A new army training facility for NATO soldiers has opened at a U.S. Navy base in Virginia. The 15,000-square-foot Army Combat Fitness Test site at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads provides capabilities to conduct the fitness tests and features sports facilities, including volleyball and pickleball courts, to enhance the quality of life for military personnel....
US Air Force Unit Leads Initiative to Upgrade Ukraine’s F-16 EW Capabilities
The U.S. Air Force’s 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron has partnered with Denmark and Norway to equip F-16 fighter jets, soon to be delivered to Ukraine, with critical electronic warfare capabilities. The effort follows the announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the transfer of F-16 aircraft from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine....
Juliette Wilcox Takes Lead Role at Ultra Intelligence & Communications’s UK Cyber Division
Juliette Wilcox, former cybersecurity ambassador of the U.K. Department for Business and Trade’s U.K. Defence and Security Exports, has been appointed president of Ultra Intelligence & Communications’ U.K. Cyber division. In her new position, Wilcox heads more than 200 employees in the division’s locations in Maidenhead, Farnborough and Gloucester. The company said the new cyber...
Lockheed Martin Lists F-16 Pilot Training Center in European Expansion Plans
Lockheed Martin plans to double the instructional capability of the F-16 pilot training center opened in November at the Romanian Air Force 86th Air Base to meet the demand from the United States and its allies. Frank St. John, chief operating officer at Lockheed, told Defense One that expanding the training facility, which graduated its...