QinetiQ Australia has opened its ninth Army MakerSpace facility at the Australian Army’s Simpson Barracks in Melbourne, Victoria, supporting both organizations’ goal of fostering innovation and problem-solving skills among soldiers. The new site allows every personnel to develop their creativity and problem-solving capabilities. The new Melbourne site will be equipped with the latest technologies, including...
Category: National Security
US, UK, Canada Collaborative R&D Seeks to Accelerate Emerging Technology Development
The United Kingdom, the United States and Canada have established an initiative to fast-track the three countries’ advanced defense technologies from concept to production, with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and information domain-related technologies. The three-way collaboration will tackle: human-AI teaming, development of trustworthy AI systems, initiatives related to the health of the information...
NATO Military Committee Chair Promotes Stronger Collaboration With Indo-Pacific Partners
Royal Netherlands Navy Adm. Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO Military Committee, highlighted the importance of strengthening the alliance’s cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific, noting how the developments in the region could impact Euro-Atlantic security. Bauer made the remarks at the 26th annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference in Hawaii, where senior military...
Lithuania Prepares to Host Northrop Grumman Ammunition Factory
The Lithuanian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Northrop Grumman to develop, manufacture and supply medium-caliber ammunition in the Baltic country. A Northrop Grumman ammunition production project could bring significant U.S. investment to Lithuania, its Ministry of National Defence said in a statement Monday. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said partnering with companies...
In Groupe in Talks Over Possible Idemia Smart Identity Acquisition
French multinational technology company Idemia has entered into negotiations with In Groupe over the possible sale of Idemia Smart Identity, one of its three business units. Idemia said closing the deal would expand In Groupe’s size, geographic presence and cutting-edge solutions offered to customers worldwide. According to Idemia Group CEO Pierre Barrial, the transaction is...
NATO Countries Test Autonomous Maritime Systems in REPMUS 24 Experimentation Exercise
NATO allies are participating in the ongoing Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems 2024 experimentation exercise in Portugal to test the capability of various autonomous systems in collaborating and defeating new maritime threats. Activities during the three-week REPMUS 24, which began on Sept. 9, include connecting maritime surveillance assets from allied nations and...
Italy Boosts Defense Procurement Outlay to $10.38B With More F-35 Jetfighters
The Italian government has earmarked $10.38 billion of its 2024 budget of $23.3 billion for defense procurement, up 16.8 percent from 2023. According to Defense News, the budget provides $7.8 billion to acquire 15 F-35As and 10 F-35Bs, bringing Italy’s F-35 fleet to 115 aircraft. The report said the Italian Air Force will operate the...
AUKUS Members Seeking to Expand Collaboration With Other Allies to Advance Military Capabilities
The AUKUS trilateral security partnership, which involves the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, is now in its third year and is seeking collaboration with Canada, New Zealand and South Korea under its second pillar. Pillar 2 focuses on strengthening cooperation in critical technologies, including cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and hypersonics, to...
US, Allies Agree to Strengthen Cooperation in the Arctic to Deter Russian Military Activities
Air force leaders from the United States, Sweden and Norway have highlighted the need to boost technology innovation, domain awareness and collaboration in the Arctic amid a Russian military buildup in the polar region. In a panel discussion during the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference on Tuesday, U.S. Air Forces in Europe...
Indonesian Air Force Procures Four Airbus H145 Helicopters for Pilot Training, SAR Missions
Airbus will provide four units of the latest Airbus H145 helicopter variant to PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Also known as PDTI, the state-owned aerospace company is under contract with the Indonesian Air Force to deliver the aircraft customized for military pilot training and search and rescue missions. PTDI will install mission equipment and perform other aircraft...