French IT company Atos has confirmed that it is in discussion with Airbus over the potential sale of its data and cybersecurity business BDS for $1.97 billion, including debt. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Atos said it is in preliminary negotiations with the French aircraft maker. Airbus also confirmed that it had submitted a...
Category: General News
NATO Selects RTX-MBDA Joint Venture to Expand Patriot Missile Production in Europe
COMLOG, a joint venture between Raytheon and MBDA Germany, has received a potential $5.6 billion contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to supply select European countries with the new Patriot GEM-T missiles. Under the agreement, COMLOG will expand the production of GEM-T missiles, also known as Patriot Advanced Capability 2 missile interceptors, in...
Ukraine War Boosts German Arms Exports to $12.8B Record High
Germany’s 2023 arms exports hit a record $12.8 billion as of mid-December, with the bulk of sales going to Ukraine, according to preliminary figures for the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, as reported by Defense News. Total exports included weapons valued at $6.6 billion and $6.2 billion listed as “other defense articles.” The previous record...
North Korean Leader To Military: ‘Annihilate’ Hostile Forces
Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, has leveled new threats against the United States and South Korea. During a meeting with commanding officers on Sunday, Kim told his military to “thoroughly annihilate” enemy forces if provoked by mobilizing “the toughest means and potentialities without moment’s hesitation.” He also said it is necessary...
US, Qatar Extend Al Udeid Air Base Operation for 10 Years
The United States has reached an agreement with Qatari officials to maintain American military presence at Al Udeid Air Base, people familiar with negotiations confirmed. The agreement grants Al Udeid, which can house over 10,000 American troops, another 10 years of operations. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III visited the site in December and thanked...
Korea Seals Agreement to Acquire More F-35As From Lockheed
South Korea has finalized a contract with Lockheed Martin to purchase 20 more F-35A fighters, adding to the 40 aircraft it acquired between 2019 and 2022. The Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration greenlit the acquisition three months after obtaining clearance from the U.S. Department of State in September, paving the way for the Asian country...
US, Allies Condemn Increased Production of Enriched Uranium in Iran
The United States has condemned the increased production of enriched uranium in Iran. Together with international allies France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the U.S. addressed in a statement a recent report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which warned that the Middle Eastern nation has been generating 9 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium a...
Turkish Parliamentary Commission Supports Sweden’s NATO Bid
The Turkish Parliament’s foreign affairs commission has approved Sweden’s bid to join NATO, likely clearing the way for Stockholm to gain membership into the military alliance after nearly two years of delay. Reuters said the panel voted to advance the bid for consideration by the Parliament’s general assembly, which could deliberate on the matter after...
UK Sending Air Defense Missiles to Protect Ukraine’s People, Critical Infrastructure
The United Kingdom has started shipping air defense missiles to Ukraine to help the country protect its people and critical infrastructure from Russia’s drone attacks and bombing runs. The UK Ministry of Defence announced the new package of defense assistance following intensified assaults in Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa from hundreds of Russian drones and missiles....
Treasury Issues New Round of Sanctions Over Houthi Attacks in Red Sea
The Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions against entities aiding Iran in providing financial assistance to Houthi forces in Yemen. In a press release posted on Thursday, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Nabil Ali Ahmed Al-Hadha pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which prohibits transactions with terrorists. According to OFAC, Al-Hadha serves...