Saab and MBDA have signed letters of intent to strengthen their collaboration in advancing anti-tank and air defense capabilities. The companies finalized the agreement on Wednesday to support a new strategic partnership that France and Sweden sealed the day before as part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Sweden. The two countries identified...
Category: Europe
US OKs Netherlands’ Proposal to Purchase Hellfire Missiles
The U.S. Department of State has cleared the way for the potential sale of Hellfire missiles to the Netherlands. The proposed $150 million foreign military sale would deliver 386 air-to-ground missiles to the Dutch government. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Hellfire missile deal also includes technical, integration, logistics and program support. The...
UK Awards Thales $2.3B Contract to Boost Royal Navy’s Readiness
French electronic defense contractor Thales has secured a $2.3 billion, 15-year contract to keep the British Royal Navy’s fleet at sea longer. The company said the new Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team contract, which started Jan. 1, responds to the rising need to boost the availability of RN ships and submarines amid growing uncertainties in the...
Idemia New Divisions Look to Accelerate Growth in Biometrics, Cryptography
The Idemia Group has established three new divisions to accelerate growth and develop new offerings that address the needs of their specific segments. The three divisions are Idemia Secure Transactions, Idemia Public Security and Idemia Smart Identity. “Over the past few years, the group has clearly demonstrated its ability to perform and confirmed its changes...
Sweden Finalizes Military Budget, Puts Focus on Innovation, Private Sector Tech
The Swedish government has released its 2024 budget bill, which proposes an added military defense funding of about $63 million. The increase, considering final adjustments, would add over $2.43 billion to the Swedish defense budget, an increase of 28 percent at $10.72 billion from $8.24 billion in 2023. This doubles the country’s military appropriations since...
Expert: Europe Needs to Strengthen Defense Industrial Sector
The European Union needs a new operational program that will strengthen its defense industrial sector and prepare for future conflicts, according to Christian Moelling, head of the Center for Security and Defense at the German Council on Foreign Relations. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown weaknesses in Europe’s capacity to produce military goods as allies scramble...
NATO To Prioritize Arms Standardization in New Action Plan
The Defence Production Action Plan that the heads of state of NATO members agreed to during their Vilnius summit in July prioritizes standardization of materials and weapons interoperability, according to Wendy Gilmour, the alliance’s assistant secretary general for defense investment. Gilmour told Defense News that the plan does not seek to have every NATO member...
Saab, Kongsberg Note Swedish Interest on New Missile Systems for Amphibious Battalions
Saab will look into Sweden’s request for information in early September for a military requirement to beef up its Amphibious Corps’ coastal defense capabilities, a company spokesperson told Defense News. The report said Saab has already supplied several variants of its RBS15 missile to the Swedish Navy. Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg also expressed interest in...
UK Reviewing Additional Actions Against China After Spy Arrests
The United Kingdom is considering increasing background checks on individuals working for the Chinese government and could add China to a new registration scheme that aims to crack down on foreign political influence activities, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said in a statement. The official’s remarks were in response to reports that the Metropolitan Police...
Lockheed Creates Team for UK New Medium Helicopter Contract Bid
Lockheed Martin UK has established its own team of British companies to compete for the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s $1.27 billion New Medium Helicopter contract award, under which the MOD would procure up to 44 aircraft as part of its modernization efforts. The team proposes the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter to replace MOD’s aging aircraft...