NATO met with company leaders in Belgium this week to explore potential collaboration in maritime surveillance. Over 200 representatives from government and industry convened at NATO Headquarters in Belgium to discuss how to better protect vital communications in sea lanes and other infrastructures. The event is part of the military alliance’s Digital Ocean initiative, launched...
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Category: Geopolitical Issues
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Rheinmetall Signs Agreement to Build Ammunition Factory in Lithuania
Rheinmetall intends to build a 155 mm ammunition factory in Lithuania to support the country’s security partnership with Germany. On Tuesday, Maximilian Froch, coordinator for strategic program management at Rheinmetall, signed a memorandum of understanding with Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovations Ausrine Armonaite and Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasciunas to begin the processes...
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Microsoft Invests $1.5B in Emirati Tech Company G42 to Accelerate AI Innovation in the Middle East
Microsoft is partnering with an Emirati company to develop artificial intelligence for various applications. The Redmond, Washington-based company said it will invest $1.5 billion in g42, an AI company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, is joining G42’s board of directors as part of the deal....
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US Grants Samsung $6.4B to Manufacture Semiconductors in Central Texas
The United States government is awarding up to $6.4 billion in direct funding to Samsung. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited the company’s new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Texas, where she announced the investment. “We’re saying for the first time ever, Samsung can conduct in the United States of America core...
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Iraq Secures US Approval for Proposed $140M Aircraft Contractor Logistics Support
The United States has approved the Iraqi government’s request for aircraft contractor logistics support worth $140 million. Under the proposed foreign military sale, Baghdad will receive aircraft sustainment services for its C-172 and AC/RC-208 fleet. The requirements include technical and proficiency training for Iraqi maintainers and aircrews, spare and repair components, engineering and technical services,...
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China Announces New Round of Sanctions on US Companies Over Arms Sales Deal With Taiwan
China has sanctioned U.S. companies General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and General Dynamics Land Systems over arms deals with Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. The economic action bans senior executives from both defense technology providers from entering China and freezes access to company assets in the country. General Dynamics operates Gulfstream and jet...
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Saudi Arabia Looks to Improve Surveillance Capability With $101M Proposed FMS
The United States has cleared a potential $101.1 million sale of multifunctional information distribution systems to Saudi Arabia. The Department of State approved Wednesday Riyadh’s latest request to purchase 50 MIDS-low volume terminal Block Upgrade 2 terminals and 100 MIDS-LVT BU2 retrofit kits. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the new order will be...
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NATO Adopts New Force Augmentation Concept Offering More Flexibility to Allies
NATO’s North Atlantic Council has approved a new framework providing more flexibility for partner nations to augment the alliance’s forces. The concept, dubbed Partners Augmentation Forces to NATO, was announced at the opening of the Military Strategic Partnership Conference scheduled from April 8 to 12 in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, National Defense Magazine reported Tuesday. NATO’s Allied...
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RTX, ProjectXYZ Named as Prime Contractors for US-Ukraine HAWK Deal
RTX and ProjectXYZ are the principal contractors for the potential $138 million sale of sustainment-related articles and services to Ukraine for the HAWK Phase III Missile System. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Department of State has approved Kyiv’s request to procure HAWK sustainment support. Requested products and services include engineering and integration...
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Poland Strengthening Military’s Drone Capabilities Based on Learnings From Ukraine-Russia War
Poland is incorporating lessons learned from the war between Ukraine and Russia into its military by strengthening drone capabilities. Warsaw plans to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles at every level of its armed forces, including at the smallest formations of soldiers. In a statement to Defense News, a spokesperson for the National Ministry of Defense said...