The British armed forces participated in the Operation Chelonia military exercise, improving its collaborative capabilities with NATO allies in the Western Balkans. Soldiers from the United Kingdom’s Strategic Reserve Force joined the exercise held close to Pasha Liman Naval Base in southern Albania. They arrived at the location using amphibious vehicles and proceeded to service...
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Category: National Security
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NATO Holds Commercial Space Forum to Explore Opportunities, Threats
NATO hosted space industry representatives for a Commercial Space Forum at its headquarters in Brussels last week to discuss the sector’s potential opportunities, vulnerabilities, new risks and threats. The talks focused on areas including investment possibilities in cybersecurity and the sharing of information on space-based threats, such as GPS spoofing and satellite communication jamming. The alliance...
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Saab Receives $116M Additional Order for Air Defense Solution From Lithuania
Lithuania has awarded Saab a new contract for an additional mobile short-range air defense system valued at $116 million. Lithuania placed the first $123.3 million order for the air defense system in July after delivering Bolide missiles for the Lithuanian Armed Forces Air Defence Battalion’s existing MSHORAD. Under the new deal, the Baltic state will...
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Boeing Light Attack Helicopter for Thai Army Takes Maiden Flight at Arizona Production Site
Boeing has conducted the first flight of the AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopter for delivery to the Royal Thai Army. The company will supply eight AH-6s to Thailand under a $103.7 million Foreign Military Sales contract that the U.S. Department of Defense awarded in February 2022. The contract includes Thai pilot training at Boeing's facilities in Mesa, Arizona, where the helicopters are under production. Thailand is the second international customer for the Little Bird helicopter. According to the defense contractor, the aircraft is integrated with advanced data processing technology, offering enhanced safety and situational awareness for faster decision-making.
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Saab, Korea Aerospace Industries to Collaborate on Seoul’s Airborne Early Warning Program
Saab has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace Industries to signify its commitment to advancing South Korea's Airborne Early Warning & Control 2 program. The Stockholm-based defense company is among the vendors vying for a contract under the program and, if selected, will work with KAI on GlobalEye, an AEW&C solution offering real-time information to warfighters, improving situational awareness and enabling early detection of threats. "[The MOU] will increase critical radar technology competence and create domestic capability and self-sustainability to secure strategic independence for the Republic of Korea in the airborne surveillance segment," said Markus Borgljung, Saab Business Area Surveillance deputy head.
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SkyAlyne Taps CAE for Canadian Air Force Training Under $1.2B Contract
Global defense and security firm CAE has secured a 25-year subcontract worth $1.2 billion from SkyAlyne to support the Royal Canadian Air Force's Future Air Crew Training program. The contract's tasks include delivering training devices and services for the program involving live flights, simulation and ground school instructions. CAE also expects a follow-on order for maintenance support services apart from the initial subcontract. CAE President and CEO Marc Parent said the company's participation in FAcT will help support the mission readiness of the Canadian forces.
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Northrop Grumman, Terma Collaborate to Advance EW, Unmanned Systems, Other Key Capabilities
Northrop Grumman and Danish aerospace company Terma have entered a memorandum of understanding to advance several key capabilities, including electronic warfare, unmanned aerial systems and the F-35 Lightning II jet. The new MOU, which follows a collaboration to produce, modernize and sustain the F-35 jets, also includes an initiative to support small to medium businesses in Denmark looking to participate in the global supply chain of U.S. government contractors. Terma Executive Vice President Steen Lynenskjold said the new agreement follows a longstanding and strong relationship between the two businesses, bringing the partnership into new areas.
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Planet Labs, Brazil Renew Earth Observation Monitoring Deal to Protect Rainforests
The Federal Police of Brazil has renewed Earth data and insights provider Planet Labs' contract to continue providing daily monitoring of the country's rainforests for another 12 months. The extension, granted under the Brasil MAIS Program, will see Planet Labs work with its local partner SCCON Geospatial, providing organizations in the South American nation with continuous monitoring of 8.6 million square kilometers of Brazilian territory and marine coast areas. With satellite imagery, the Brazilian police has collected $3 billion in fines associated with illegal logging, mining and other activities affecting the Amazon forest.
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US, Australia, Japan Join Exercise to Ensure Free, Open Indo-Pacific
The naval services of the United States, Australia and Japan participated in a six-day multilateral exercise last week aimed at enhancing interoperability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. The event saw participant ships from the three nations, including U.S. Navy's USS Dewey Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, the HMAS Stuart Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's JS Ariake Murasame-class destroyer. A wide range of training was held throughout, including combined communication, formation sailing and replenishment-at-sea.
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US Includes Data Centers in Preapproval Program to Boost AI Development, National Security
The U.S. Department of Commerce has expanded its Validated End User program to include foreign data centers, allowing for general authorization of imported designated items rather than requiring multiple individual permits for exporters. The Bureau of Industry and Security within the department said data centers seeking to be part of the VEU program must pass through an interagency review, a rigorouse process that aims to establish safeguards that prevent the diversion or misuse of U.S. technology in ways that could harm national security. “This update will contribute to the development of a trusted ecosystem for the responsible use of advanced computing and artificial intelligence,” said the BIS announcement.