The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified the U.S. Congress of the Department of State’s approval of a potential $780 million foreign military sale of 940 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missiles and related equipment to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. NSPA is making the acquisition on behalf of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. The purchase...
Category: National Security
Netherlands Plans $274M Investment to Protect Cables, Pipelines in North Sea
The Netherlands wants to invest $274 million to fortify security in the North Sea, where there are thousands of miles of cables and pipelines. In a letter to the Dutch Parliament, Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren and State Defence Secretary Christophe van der Maat said that the government will install cameras, radar systems and automatic identification...
Czech Republic Partners With Germany for Joint Acquisition of Leopard 2A8 Tanks
The Czech Republic has initiated discussions with Germany about a joint acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks. Defence Minister Jana Cernochova told local news media CZDefence that the talks with the German government are in an advanced stage. “The negotiations are ongoing at the moment, and we anticipate that there should be clarity over the course...
Spain Purchases $1.86B Worth of Airbus’ C295 Aircraft for Maritime Patrol, Surveillance
Spain is purchasing Airbus C295 aircraft for maritime patrol and surveillance. The Spanish Ministry of Defence placed an order valued at about $1.86 billion for a fleet of 16 C295 in the Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Maritime Surveillance Aircraft configuration. The maritime patrol version of the new aircraft is capable of conducting anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, and...
Canada Acquires MQ-9B SkyGuardian ISR Aircraft Fleet From General Atomics
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...
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...
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...
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...
UAS Purchases To Sharpen New Zealand Army’s Surveillance Capabilities
The New Zealand Army will deploy uncrewed aircraft systems and remote ground sensors starting in 2024, with the country’s Ministry of Defence awarding purchase contracts for the equipment to three companies. The ministry announced on Thursday that the contracted suppliers include EPE New Zealand for backpack portable quadcopter micro UAS and remote ground systems. U.S.-based...
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...