Canada has purchased MQ-9B SkyGuardian aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. Quebec recently signed a contract with GA-ASI for the acquisition of a fleet of next-generation remotely piloted aircraft systems and associated certified ground control stations. SkyGuardian is capable of conducting persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, including law enforcement, defensive counter air, airborne early...
Category: General News
Treasury Sanctions Entities for Export of US-Made UAV Components to Iran
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is imposing sanctions on companies and individuals based in the Middle East and East Asia for the export of American and foreign-made components to support Iran’s unmanned aerial vehicle production. In a notice published Tuesday, OFAC named Iran-based Hossein Hatefi Ardakani, Mehdi Dehghani Mohammadabadi...
DASA-Backed Company Flare Bright Brings Machine Learning-Powered Digital Twin Software for Drones to US, Spain
Flare Bright, a machine learning digital twin company based in the United Kingdom, has secured contracts from defense organizations globally, bringing its technology from Spain to the United States. In 2021, the small business received initial funding from the U.K. Defense and Security Agency to explore the feasibility of true autonomy in drones. DASA followed...
US Thumbs Up Potential $1.9B Sale of Black Hawk Helicopters to Greece
The U.S. Department of State has endorsed a proposed $1.9 billion foreign military sale of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Greece. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Athens’ shopping list includes 35 UH-60M Black Hawks and 80 T700-GE 701D engines. Seventy engines will be shipped installed with the helicopters while 10 units will be...
US Approves Italy’s Acquisition of M142 HIMARS Rocket Launchers for $400M
Italy is set to acquire M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to aid in maintaining stability in Europe. The U.S. Department of State approved on Friday the possible foreign military sale of 21 HIMARS rocket launchers and related equipment valued at $400 million to the Italian Army. Lockheed Martin, as the primary contractor, will manufacture...
BAE Systems Selects AMS to Repair, Restore Ukraine’s Artillery Systems
BAE Systems has signed an agreement with AMS Integrated Solutions to provide artillery systems support within Ukraine. Under the deal, finalized in Kyiv, the partner companies will repair BAE-built artillery systems donated by the United Kingdom to the Ukrainian armed forces. The arrangement calls for AMS to use its existing maintenance facilities in Ukraine to...
Rheinmetall Secures $314M Contract From Hungary to Develop Next-Generation Tank
Rheinmetall will work with the government of Hungary to develop the next-generation tank, Panther KF51. The German arms and land systems manufacturer recently signed a development contract valued at $314.5 million in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. “The Panther KF51 is the world’s most advanced main battle tank. It sets a new standard for the combat effectiveness of...
US Expects Canada’s Defense Bill Update to Increase Military Spending
The United States is confident that Canada’s upcoming defense policy update will increase military spending to boost capabilities and meet its responsibilities as part of NATO. David Cohen, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, shared in a recent interview that sources from Ottawa made assurances that the policy change will address concerns among military officials over...
US Approves Proposed $59M Sale of Tactical Missiles to Japan
The Department of State has approved a proposed $59 million foreign military sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles to Japan. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Tokyo wants to purchase 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block IIs and 29 AIM-9X Sidewinder captive air training missiles. The deal also involves providing Japan with missile containers,...
NATO Increases Military Budget to $2.2B to Better Address Security Challenges
NATO has announced a 12 percent increase in its 2024 military spending, setting a budget of $2.2 billion to support defense operations across the globe. NATO member states also agreed to allocate $480.1 million for the alliance’s civil budget next year, providing for an 18.2 percent hike to cover personnel, operating costs and program expenditures...