Defense`s Feeds

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $74.7 million deal, which procures 28 V-22 AE1107C engines (24 for production aircraft and 4 spare engines) in support of the V-22 Osprey for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in December 2023. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. Bell Helicopter Textron is responsible for the wing and nacelle, propulsion, rotor, empennage (complete tail system), ramp, overwing fairing and the dynamics.

Lockheed won a $43.4 million modification, which exercises options for the production and delivery of one MH-60R aircraft, and to procure one Australia unique modification kit in support of modifying the MH-60R aircraft from standard Foreign Military Sales configuration to a unique configuration for the Commonwealth of Australia. Work will be performed in Owego, New York; Stratford, Connecticut; and Troy, Alabama, and is expected to be completed in May 2026.

Middle East & Africa

Israel has grounded eleven of its F-35A stealth fighters following the advice of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO). The data and findings from the recent crash of a US F-35B fighter jet in Texas indicate the need for a dedicated inspection to determine if the Israeli system is at risk of a similar malfunction. “The Israeli Air Force (IAF) will analyze the findings from the incident and will draw conclusions and recommendations for the safe return of the aircraft to operational duty,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said. Israel has 33 F-35A delivered so far and they are assigned to the 116th Lions of the South Squadron and the 140th Golden Eagle Squadron.

Europe

The Netherlands on Friday pledged $2.7 billion to help war-torn Ukraine in 2023, with most of the money earmarked for military aid. “Nearly two billion is intended for military support,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told a press conference in The Hague. The rest will go towards humanitarian aid, rebuilding infrastructure as well as ensuring accountability, he said.

American technology firm Palantir has been awarded a $90-million contract to support the British military’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. As part of the three-year agreement, the company will utilize its cutting-edge software to help the army make real-time decisions and predict how battlefield decisions will play out. The software will allow the armed forces to treat data as a strategic asset, delivering military advantage and greater efficiency.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea accused North Korea of flying “several” drones across their border on Monday, prompting Seoul’s military to deploy warplanes and fire warning shots to ward them off. “Our military first detected a North Korean unmanned aerial vehicle around the Gimpo airspace at 10:25 am,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. “Several North Korean unmanned aerial vehicles invaded our airspace” in the border areas around Gyeonggi province, it added.

Today’s Video

WATCH: V-22 Osprey – The Helicopter and Airplane That Changed The Game

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $26.4 million contract modification for Triton electronic protection enhancements. Under this modification, the contractor will continue to work to further develop and demonstrate enabling technologies for the Triton MQ-4C Unmanned Aircraft System Multi-Function Active Sensor (MFAS) radar systems. The proposed effort is for the non-recurring engineering required to establish the hardware baseline for the technical refresh for the MQ-4C Triton MFAS Radar Signal Processor (RSP) on the AN/ZPY-3(v) 2 Mercury Power Stream 7000 Signal Processor, 272K300G01 in order to implement advanced capabilities developed by the Office of Naval Research.

Lockheed Martin won a $16 million modification to previously awarded contract N00024-15-C-5151 to exercise options for ship integration and test of the AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) for AWS baselines through Advanced Capability Build 16. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; Washington, DC; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Mayport, Florida; Bath, Maine; and various locations and is expected to be completed by September 2023.

Middle East & Africa

L3Harris Technologies has secured a $29-million contract with Bahrain, Jordan, and Morocco to upgrade their F-16 fighter jets. As part of the deal, the American tech firm will integrate 105 smart weapon release systems into the F-16s. The system enables the F-16 to carry double the number of smart munitions and makes it compatible with 500-pound (226-kilogram) and 1,000-pound (453-kilogram) guided weapons.

Europe

Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract to supply four F-16 Full Mission Simulators (FMS) to the Polish Air Force. The contract is worth approximately $36 million and will be delivered over a 28-month period. These simulators will provide a high fidelity, immersive real flight experience for F-16 pilots by featuring a 360-degree display system and having the FMS interconnected. One of the primary purposes of FMS is to allow pilots to become familiar with the controls and systems of the aircraft. This can include learning how to navigate, operate the various systems, and understand the aircraft’s capabilities and limitations. FMS can not only help pilots to become familiar with the aircraft, but also enable them to acquire advanced combat flight competencies. This can involve training in tactics and techniques used in various operational environments, as well as practicing the utilization of weapons and other systems. Through the simulation of various scenarios and challenges, pilots can improve their ability to make quick decisions and react to pressure, in addition to enhancing their skills in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

Austria’s Ministry of Defense has taken delivery of its first AW169M light utility helicopter from Italian defense firm Leonardo. The aircraft is the first of 18 under order as part of a 2021 Italy-Austria government-to-government agreement. The country chose the AW169M over Bell’s 429 Global Ranger and Airbus’ H145M twin-engine battlefield helicopters because of logistical issues. The new helicopters will succeed the aging Alouette III light liaison and transport helicopters, which will be decommissioned next year.

Asia-Pacific

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed a $235 million deal with Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration to provide the South Korean military with 10 light armed helicopters (LAH). The newly produced LAH will replace the South Korean military’s aged 500MD and AH-1S helicopters in performing air strike missions against armored vehicles. The contract requires KAI to provide integrated product support, including training for first-time operators and a maintenance float.

Today’s Video

WATCH: AW169M helicopter delivery to Austria

Americas

The US Air Force Research Laboratory has contracted California-based Pacific Defense to provide and demonstrate a sensor for space situational awareness missions. As part of the program, the company will deliver its small, lightweight power sensor “Moonraker” to operate in the cislunar region, or the space between the Earth and the moon.

The US Air Force Global Strike Command has announced a safety stand-down for all operations of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet. The temporary halt follows an incident where a B-2 encountered an in-flight malfunction on December 10. According to the command, the aircraft was damaged upon an emergency landing at a runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems has been awarded a framework contract with a maximum value of $410 million to supply up to seven “Watchkeeper X” tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the Romanian Ministry of National Defense. The contract is valid for five years. The Watchkeeper X UAS is the British export variant of the British army’s UAS and is made by UAV Tactical Systems Limited, a UK subsidiary of Elbit Systems. It is compatible with NATO standards, which enables essential interoperability with NATO and other allied forces.

Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully flew its new NATO Pod for the first time on November 23, 2022. The test flight took place at the Yuma Proving Grounds using a GA-ASI-owned MQ-9A aircraft. The NATO Pod is a joint development between GA-ASI and Sener Aeroespacial of Spain, and was designed to meet NATO airworthiness standards while increasing configuration and payload options for GA-ASI’s MQ-9A and MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

Sweden has awarded Saab a $33.8 million contract to provide life extension services for two Swedish Navy Koster-class minehunter vessels. The agreement will see the replacement and integration of new equipment to “ensure continued operability” of the ships. Among the capabilities to be updated are radar navigation, combat systems, and surface sensors.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Navy has officially launched its first indigenously built anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessel known as “Arnala.” A ceremony was held in eastern India to mark the milestone, with Ministry of Defence representative Rasika Chaube in attendance. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), the vessel has been named Arnala to signify the strategic maritime importance of the island of Arnala in west India.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Watchkeeper X delivering maritime ISR

Americas

Sikorsky won a $676.7 million deal for the supply chain management that includes 196 weapon replaceable assemblies/shop replaceable assemblies in support of the CH-53E and MH-53E helicopters. The contract will include a five-year base period with one two-year option. If the option is exercised, the contract will be a not-to-exceed amount of $752,324,052. Work will be performed in North Carolina Connecticut. Work is expected to be completed by December 2027.

Bell-Boeing won a $18 million deal, which provides technical analysis, engineering, and integration support for the V-22 aircraft program. Work will be performed in Texas and Pennsylvania and is expected to be completed in December 2023. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued.

Middle East & Africa

The Turkish government has completed a “successful” test-firing of its first domestically-developed air-to-ground ballistic supersonic missile. Turkey’s Bayraktar Ak?nc? unmanned combat aerial vehicle struck a target at 100 kilometers (62 miles) with the TRG-230 missile, Daily Sabah reported. The 12-meter (39-foot) aircraft took off from a base in Tekirdag province, traveling 700 kilometers (434 miles) to the northern Black Sea province of Sinop.

Europe

Italian aerospace firm Leonardo has finished the delivery of M-346 advanced trainer aircraft to the Polish Air Force, boosting Poland’s fleet to 16. The third and final delivery of four advanced jet trainers last week made the Polish Air Force’s the second largest fleet of M-346 aircraft in Europe. “We are very proud to have equipped the Polish Air Force with an advanced training system based on our M-346,” Senior Vice President Dario Marfè said.

Asia-Pacific

The Japanese government has decided to acquire submarine-launched long-range missile capability, The Mainichi reported. The decision, to be detailed in three security documents, will be approved soon. The underwater capability is part of Tokyo’s “counter-strike” strategy to take out enemy missile launch sites before attack.

Indian armed forces are set to acquire a tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) away. The military’s proposal to acquire the conventionally-armed Pralay missile could be approved at a meeting this week, Asia News International revealed, citing sources. The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed flight tests of the missile in December 2021 following four years of development.

Today’s Video

WATCH: A Day in the Life of the Most Feared US Drone

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has kicked-off a new research project, led by Spain and in collaboration with Germany, to develop an automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) operation with the hose and drogue system. The two-year EDA project which has a budget of €4 million, will involve an industry consortium of Airbus Defence and Space (Spain and Germany), GMV, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and AES Technology (Germany). A limited number of flight tests will be carried out in 2024 with an Airbus A330 MRTT tanker and Tornado aircraft provided by the two participating countries.

Innovation in the air

Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) is one of the main pillars of air mobility and a key force multiplier. AAR is an operation that demands tanker and receiver pilots operate in close formation, flying in variable flight conditions, during the day or at night and performing high precision manoeuvres to achieve the contact. While the hose and drogue system of AAR operations has evolved in terms of new systems that provide better information to the Tanker Operator and better operational awareness, the way in which the refuelling is performed has been the same for the last 70 years. For instance, there have not been substantial improvements in providing greater assistance to the aircraft involved, in the different phases of the AAR operation.

Although nowadays the success rate of the hose and drogue contacts is high, the impact of unsuccessful contact is significant, often resulting in mission cancellations, damage to assets and hindering operational effectiveness. In view of maximising its operation effectiveness, introducing innovative automation features to the AAR systems will provide new ways to better assist the aircraft during this operation and will increase the success rate of AAR missions.

The feasibility of greater AAR automation has already been shown by Airbus when achieving a fully automatic contact with the boom system in 2020, and recent certification in 2022 of a fully automatic boom. Launching research into the hose and drogue system will prepare air-to-air refuelling tankers, such as A330 MRTT, A400M or C295, to cope with more demanding operations and be ready for the next generation of unmanned platforms.

A3R: Trade-offs, Technology and new Concepts of Operation

The first phase of the project is focused on the technology trade-off, which will be needed to perform the future automation of the operation, such as the levels of automation or assistance to be implemented for manned and/or unmanned platforms.

The technologies will be evaluated, prototyped and tested in real scenarios such as flight test. This will allow the proper identification and tracking of the hose and drogue system and the receiver aircraft. The technical gaps to be addressed will include sensors, computing capability and suitability in all weather conditions.

A simulation environment will also be developed to evaluate the optimum trajectory of the receiver aircraft towards the drogue, analysing the interaction between them. Technology gaps have already been identified around the data/communication link needed between the tanker and the receiver aircraft and how factors such as latency, integrity or accuracy of the data could affect it.

Within the current project plan, a concept to increase the drogue’s stabilisation will be developed, also evaluated in a representative environment such as in a wind tunnel.

Lastly, the project will also align this technological development with operational needs, and explore new ways of performing the AAR operation to increase its efficiency and within new scenarios to be considered in the future.

Background

The project started in December 2022 and is executed under the CapTech Aerial Systems of the European Defence Agency. More information here. 

 

EDA’s Tactical Personnel Recovery Mission Simulator (TPRMS) has achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) on 7 December. The TPRMS is used for rehearsing Personnel Recovery missions, tactics, techniques and procedures usually considered too risky to be practiced in live training events. 

TPRMS consists of twenty posts that replicates the elements of the Personnel Recovery (PR) Forces package (rotary and fixed air-wings crew, land soldier and crew of land combat vehicles, PR planners) employed when conducting military operations. Located at the Italian Air Force Base Poggio Renatico, the achievement of FOC completes the TPRMS project that begun in April 2019 with its initial set-up and subsequent declaration of Initial Operational Capability in November 2021.

EDA Chief Executive, Jiri SEDIVY, said; “TPRMS is a major achievement for European defence cooperation and the personnel recovery community. The simulator is a unique and powerful training capability to enhance European expertise in Personnel Recovery through the innovative use of training simulations, an expertise that has clear operational value in most difficult threat environments.” 
 
FOC Ceremony 

 The FOC ceremony, held on 7 December, was attended by representatives from eight Member States (AT, CY, DE, HU, IT, PO, RO and SE) and five international organisations with proven expertise on PR (EPRC/ European Personnel Recovery Centre, US JPRA/Joint Personnel Recovery Agency and NATO JAPCC/Joint Air Power Competence Centre, CASPOA/Air Operations Centre of Excellence and CAOC/Centre of Combat Air Operations UEDEM). 

On this occasion, an ITAF team presented a live-demo training session within the TPRMS by using a special designed Virtual Reality (VR) scenario, showcasing TPRMS performances and familiarisation with the VR technology. 

Pilot Course

On the same day, and as a direct follow up to the TPRMS FOC, a new EDA project, TPRMS Pilot Course, kicked off. Coupled together, they mark a major step towards to the creation of a European common approach in how PR forces gear up for an upcoming deployment or conduct PR mission rehearsals. 

 

Americas

The Saab Gripen E was inducted into operational service at Anápolis Air Base, Brazil on December 19. Brazil marked the milestone during a 19 December ceremony at Anapolis air base, the home to its First Air Defense Group. During the event, two of its locally designated F-39Es (registrations 4103 and 4104) were displayed before being parked alongside a Dassault Mirage 2000C – the already retired type that they are replacing.

Northrop demonstrated the inflight integration of two of its most advanced sensor and communication systems, enhancing the survivability and lethality of the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms. The demonstration saw a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter transmitting sensor data and communications to the ground through the Re Scalable Aperture for Precision Targeting Radar and Mini-Communications, Navigation, Identification systems.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon Missiles won a $20.8 million contract modification for fiscal 2022 Egyptian Navy Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Mod 5 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) requirements and German Navy power supply spares. Work will be performed in in Germany, Arizona, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Texas and various other US locations. Expected completion date will be March 2025.

Europe

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has delivered virtual battlespace (VBS) software to the Belgian Directorate General Material Resources. The handover builds on a deal awarded to Bohemia Interactive Solutions to integrate the Spike LR Anti-Tank Guided Missile’s visual representation and associated features into the VBS. The delivery followed the software’s acceptance phase conducted by the company and NSPA at the Belgian Army Simulation Center.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippine Army will receive a donation of UH-1J helicopters from Japan as part of a grant, according to Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Army chief. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has agreed to transfer the Japanese-made helicopters to the Army Aviation Regiment of the Philippine Army (PA) to enhance the PA’s disaster response capabilities. The transfer will be made through a government grant, according to a statement by Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad.

Moscow announced Monday that several of its warships were participating in naval exercises starting this week with Beijing’s navy, as Russia and China deepen ties amid pressure from the West. The Russian defense ministry said the drills would take place between December 21 and 27 in the East China Sea, with the aim of “strengthening naval cooperation” between Moscow and Beijing.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Japan Ground Self Defense Force UH-1J hover taxi and take off at Ustunomiya Air field

Under the European Cyberspace Situational Awareness Platform (ECYSAP) project, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has recently signed a new implementing contract with a nine-member industrial consortium, led by Indra. To increase European cyberspace situational awareness, EDA is supporting four contributing Member States as the project manager of the ECYSAP project. The contract is an important step forward for the project, as it implements contributing Member States’ co-financing of the ECYSAP action launched under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP).

Enabling real-time Cyber Situational Awareness

Armed forces increasingly rely on the ability to operate in cyberspace across the entire spectrum of cyber operations. Today, cyber awareness is a crucial aspect of modern operations, given the rise in cyber threats and the potential significant impact of a cyber-attack. The main objective of the ECYSAP project is to develop and implement a European operational platform for enabling real-time cyber situational awareness for both national and European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations.

It will provide military end-users with rapid response defensive capabilities and decision-making support. Indeed, an integrated and modular Cyber Situational Awareness (CSA) picture for national and European CSDP operations will be developed, which shall become a real-time defensive system capable of providing an automated cyber response and deployable in the same area of operations interconnected between envisaged and identified intelligent nodes.

ECYSAP is co-financed by the European Commission (under EDIDP) and four contributing Member States: Estonia, France, Italy, and Spain. It is developed in parallel with the ESC2 project which aims at the creation of a European Strategic Command and Control system from strategic to tactical level.

Background

The signature of the ECYSAP Project Arrangement was completed in December 2021. The most recent step came with the signature of the relevant implementing contract with the nine-member industrial consortium comprising Indra, Leonardo, Airbus Cybersecurity, Cybernetica, Innotec System, S2 Grupo, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, the Polytechnic University of Valencia and University “Carlos III” of Madrid.

The signature is conducted under the EDA’s “ad-hoc legal framework” to accommodate the project’s complex co-funding structure in compliance with applicable project- and security- management rules, and conducted in compliance with of Regulation 2018/1092 establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), the European Defence Fund (EDF) precursor for development of defence products and technologies.

The successful signature of the implementing contract highlights the unique role and expertise of EDA in the management of strategic European projects that rely on co-funding between EU institutions and Member States and paves the way for a similar construct under development actions co-funded  by the EDF.

Americas

General Atomics won a $65.5 million order, which provides for the procurement, transportation, and installation of Ground Control Stations (GCSs), materials, support equipment, as well as associated training, engineering, non-recurring engineering, and integrated logistics support. Additionally, this order procures 18 mission kits, spares, ground support equipment, and communications gear for site setup in support of the operational capability of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Unmanned Aircraft System Expeditionary Medium Altitude Long Endurance MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper air vehicles and GCSs for the Navy. Work will take place in California. Expected completion will be in November 2024.

US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Raytheon a $171 million contract modification to a previous Tomahawk missile deal.  The modification exercises the option to deliver 111 full-rate production Tomahawk Block V missiles to the US military: 50 to the US Army, 48 to the US Navy, and 13 to the US Marines by November 2025. This army and the marines will receive the missiles for the first time.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey has developed a supersonic missile called the TRG-230-?HA, which was produced by the defense company Roketsan. It was launched from Baykar’s Ak?nc? unmanned air vehicle and successfully struck its target with full accuracy at a range of over 100 kilometers The TRG-230-?HA is the air-to-surface version of the TRG-230. The TRG-230 is designed to be launched from tubes that are 230 millimeters wide and can travel a distance of between 20 and 70 kilometers.

Europe

Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) inked a contract on December 16 for Saab to conduct upgrades to Swedish JAS-39C/D fighters. The contract is valued at approximately $414 million and will run from 2023 to 2029. The contract also includes options for FMV to place additional orders for capability enhancements during 2023. The upgrade to the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft will include installing a new engine version to improve flight performance and a more effective electronic warfare system.

Lithuania has ordered 18 Caesar Mark II wheeled artillery guns from Nexter, French news outlet La Tribune reported. A formal announcement is expected shortly, according to the outlet. The development comes after the Baltic nation inked a letter of intent in June, joining the Mark II development program with France.

Asia-Pacific

Since 2015, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has had 92 of its P-3K2 missions intercepted by foreign jets in the Middle East and East Asia regions, according to information provided by the RNZAF’s Chief of Staff, Air Commodore AJ Woods. The exact locations and identities of the foreign powers involved in the intercepts have been withheld by the RNZAF due to national security concerns under the Official Information Act. In June, the Herald requested information from the New Zealand Defence Force (Defence) about all intercepts of their aircraft in recent years. The request was prompted by an incident in May when a Chinese J-16 fighter jet intercepted a Royal Australian Air Force P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft in international airspace, leading to a deterioration of relations between China and Australia. In July, Defence denied the request in full, citing national security concerns. The Herald appealed the decision to the Ombudsman and asked for at least some broad details to be released, even if the exact locations were withheld. The Ombudsman conducted an investigation, but ultimately upheld Defense’s decision to keep the information confidential.

Today’s Video

WATCH: The Best JAS 39 Gripen Demo I’ve Ever Seen [4K]

Americas

Bell Textron won a $48.3 million deal, which provides for the installation of Structural Improvements and Electrical Power Upgrades Phase II Part 3 kits, as well as ground and flight test for one AH-1Z and one UH-1Y aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland; Fort Worth, Texas; and Amarillo, Texas, and is expected to be completed in August 2025. The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra that features a four-blade rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system. It has upgraded avionics, weapons, and electro-optical sensors designed to find targets at long ranges and attack them with precision weapons.

Lockheed Martin won a $302 million contract action for the proof of manufacture, production, spares, production support material, and engineering support for components related to the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo all up round. This contract combines purchases for the Navy; and the Royal Australian Navy. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York; Clearwater, Florida; and Braintree, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by October 2026.

Middle East & Africa

The Nigerien Air Force (Armée de l’Air du Niger) has taken delivery of the third and final C-130H from the United States. On December 12, the aircraft completed an extensive four year overhaul with Sabena Aerospace in Brussels and departed for its delivery flight to Base Aérienne 101 (BA101) in Niamey/Diori Hamani, Niger. The C-130H, formerly designated as a WC-130H with the United States Air Force with the serial number 65-0985 and construction number 382-4140, will now be known as 5U-MTU within the Nigerien Air Force. It was a HC-130H that was converted into a WC-130H and had served with the 169th Operations Group of the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Europe

The French army on Friday officially awarded the contract to develop a new European combat jet, a key project in the push to integrate the continent’s military capabilities and reduce its reliance on American equipment. French and German officials announced the deal last month, burying the hatchet after months of dispute over how the industrial work would be shared out for the stealth delta-wing aircraft. European planemaker Airbus and France’s Dassault Aviation, joined by Spain’s Indra and a host of subcontractors, will collaborate on the so-called Future Combat Air System against a rival project, Tempest, pursued by Britain, Italy, Sweden, and Japan.

Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has received a $137-million contract to deliver Naval Strike Missile (NSM) coastal defense systems to Romania. The contract award follows the signing of a letter of acceptance for the weapon system between Bucharest and the US government. According to Kongsberg president Eirik Lie, the selection of its NSM defense system is an important milestone for the company and the Eastern European nation.

Asia-Pacific

The relocation of around 4,000 Okinawa-based Marines to Guam is on course for 2024 as construction of the military base in the US Pacific territory is proceeding at “full steam again,” Marine Commander Benjamin Nicholson said. Japanese media outlets reported that US base Camp Blaz is halfway complete following a two-year construction slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Today’s Video

WATCH: The AH-1Z Viper: Most Advanced Attack Helicopter in the World

Americas

Boeing won a $255 million modification by he Defense Logistics Agency Aviation for the F-15 depot program. This is a fixed-price-incentive and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The ordering period end date is May 17, 2027. Using military service is Air Force.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced it is funding Aurora Flight Sciences’ active flow control (AFC)-based aircraft development phases 2 and 3. Aurora will perform “detailed engineering design work” for a full-scale version of its experimental aircraft (X-plane) under the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program phase 2.

Middle East & Africa

The Baykar Bayraktar K?z?lelma, also known as the “Red Apple,” is an unmanned fighter aircraft currently under development by Turkish defense company Baykar. The jet took off for the first time on December 14. The airframe of the K?z?lelma features a canards-delta configuration, which is similar to that of the Chinese Chengdu J-20 fighter. This type of configuration, which is also known as a “delta-canard,” combines the benefits of both delta wings and canard foreplanes. Delta wings are characterized by their triangular shape and are known for their high lift and low drag properties, making them well-suited for supersonic flight. Canard foreplanes, on the other hand, are small winglets located near the nose of the aircraft that help to improve stability and control. The combination of these two wing types allows the K?z?lelma to achieve high maneuverability and agility while also maintaining good stability and low drag.

Europe

A team led by MBDA and the European Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has signed a contract amendment to produce Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles for the UK Ministry of Defense. The agreement follows an initial contract for $371 million inked by the UK, France, and Italy in May. Used by French and Italian forces, the Aster weapon system will be converted into maritime missile variants for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, enhancing the fleet’s capability to identify and engage anti-ship ballistic threats.

A team led by Airbus has carried out Europe’s first large-scale multi-domain flight demonstration supporting the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program at Rovajärvi artillery practice range in Finland. Funded by the German BAAINBw procurement agency, the test was conducted to develop a remote flying carrier that will operate alongside German Eurofighters and New Generation Fighters. The demonstration involved manned and unmanned aircraft in realistic scenarios against a rogue adversary.

Asia-Pacific

The government of Japan has decided to build a submarine with a vertical launcher (VLS) capable of launching long-range missiles from underwater. The improved version of the domestically-produced Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, as well as foreign-made missiles such as the Tomahawk cruise missile purchased from the United States will be installed on the VLS. The VLS system will allow for more missiles to be launched than the traditional torpedo launcher method.

Today’s Video

WATCH: What is Europe’s new MEGA Air Defense Project?

Americas

Lockheed Martin win a $24.4 million contract modification, which adds scope for maintenance and support of F-35 chase aircraft necessary to support F-35 aircraft acceptance and delivery, including all pre and post-flight activities, the removal and replacement of failed components, and return the aircraft to a clean and compliant condition suitable for first-time delivery of F-35 Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, non-US Department of Defense participants, and Foreign Military Sales customer’s operational aircraft. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

The Pentagon has delivered “threat emitters” to Ukraine to help deceive Russian fighter jets. The training tool emits radio frequency signals, imitating air-defense and anti-aircraft artillery radar systems, helping pilots identify hostile signatures and hone their skills to defeat them. In a real-life scenario, the emitters confuse pilots as to which is a real electromagnetic signal and which is fake.

Middle East & Africa

The US warrant and 2017 indictment of a former US Marine Corps Harrier pilot accused of helping China to train its military pilots have been unsealed by the District of Columbia court. According to information in the indictment of Daniel Duggan, the US government had allowed a T-2 Buckeye trainer to be exported to South Africa due to false information given. The North American T-2 was used extensively by the US Navy to train pilots on landing and taking off from aircraft carriers.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Aeralis a $11 million contract to deliver an integrated digital enterprise capability for the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). Called “Digital Aviation Learning from Experience,” the system will digitally design, engineer, and certify fixed-wing aircraft under UK military standards. Furthermore, the capability’s cost-effective, risk-reduction approach will be integrated with other ministry projects, including the UK Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

The Royal Dutch Navy will receive new naval strike missiles (NSM) from Norwegian aerospace firm Kongsberg, replacing its current Boeing-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Under the agreement, Kongsberg will supply an undisclosed number of missiles for the navy’s Air Defence & Command Frigate fleet.

Asia-Pacific

Boeing has awarded Lufthansa Technik a contract to support sustainment services for the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s future P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft fleet. The agreement stipulates the provision of Boeing’s Total Component Support (TCS), a service program that covers over 400 common parts and configurations intended for the P-8A commercial variant 737. By leveraging TCS, Boeing expects to enhance the air force’s readiness rates. The approach will also expand market support and provide easier access to the global supply chain dedicated to more than 4,000 737 planes for customers with smaller P-8A fleets.

Today’s Video

WATCH: T-2 Buckeye / T-45 Goshawk Legacy Flight – EAA AIrVenture Oshkosh 2019

Today, the European Commission, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) signed Contribution Agreements to delegate the implementation, under indirect management, of four strategic defence projects under the European Defence Fund. 

For EDA, the agreements involve two research projects:

ARTURO - The project ARTURO will provide a solution to fulfil future operational needs for advanced radar technologies in Europe.

ECOBALLIFE - The project ECOBALLIFE will research eco-designed ballistic systems for durable lightweight protection against current and new threats in platform and personal applications.

For OCCAR, the agreements involve two development projects:

European Patrol Corvette (EPC) - The EPC will focus on the initial phase of a European innovative, modular, flexible, interoperable, green, multirole vessel, enabling European navies to face the 21st century challenges. 

European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor (EU-HYDEF) - The project EU HYDEF will define the concept for a European Interceptor to achieve the highest maneuverability and capability to respond to high velocity threats.

Selected under the €1.2 billion European Defence Fund 2021 calls for proposals, these projects are highly important for the development of key EU defence and technological capabilities. The EU funding contribution to these four projects amounts to €190 million (almost 17% of the total EDF 2021 budget).

The signing ceremony was attended by Timo Pesonen, Director-General of DG DEFIS; Jiří Šedivý, EDA Chief Executive; and Matteo Bisceglia, OCCAR EA Director.

During the ceremony, they stated:

“This Contribution Agreement is an excellent opportunity for the European Commission and EDA to join forces and expertise, unlock synergies and build mutual trust again after the Pilot Project and the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR). This agreement can also pave the way for a continuous long-term cooperation, based on the governance framework and taking advantage of expertise and resources of the two organisations.” - Jiří Šedivý, EDA Chief Executive.

 “The collaboration with the EDA and OCCAR under the EDF's precursor programmes EDIDP and PADR has already proven to be fruitful. The high-level expertise of both the EDA and OCCAR is crucial to implement projects of a very strategic nature and help to make the implementation of the European Defence Fund a resounding success. That is why the Commission is very happy to continue to work together to show the EU Defence community that cooperation among European/International Institutions is active in delivering tangible capabilities through EDF.” - Timo Pesonen, Director-General of DG DEFIS, European Commission.

“I strongly share the objective that cooperation between OCCAR and the Commission should grow more and more in order to strengthen the European Defence Industry and to assist Europe in making its defence environment more independent from our strategic partner across the Atlantic.” - Matteo Bisceglia, OCCAR EA Director.

Background and More Information

With the adoption, on 2 December 2022, of the first award of 61 projects supported by the European Defence Fund (EDF), the Commission has approved an investment of around €1.2 billion in collaborative defence research and development projects. Read the individual project factsheets and general information on the EDF 2021 calls for proposals results here.

Americas

Rolls-Royce won a $31 million modification, which exercises an option for the depot repair of T56-A-427A engines utilized on E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the Navy. The depot repair includes the repair of the power section, torque meter, gearbox, accessories and all related over and above and material support. Work will take place in Texas, Canada, Indiana. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

Lockheed Martin won a $14 million deal for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent efforts, which include the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by May 2023.

Middle East & Africa

A contract has been entered into by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply the fleet of Air Defence & Command Frigates with the Naval Strike Missile. Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, said, “We are very proud to have been chosen by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply the NSM to the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) Air Defence & Command Frigates. This is another fantastic accomplishment for the NSM program and we are delighted to welcome the RNLN as a member of the NSM User Group.”

Europe

The Ukrainian Army has apparently received Titan-S armored personnel carriers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ukraine’s weapons tracker uploaded a short video showing Kyiv’s forces maneuvering several Titan-S vehicles in the abandoned city of Pripyat, near the Ukraine-Belarus border. The account did not specify how many of the UAE-made personnel carriers were delivered to the war-torn nation or show supplied them.

As numerous Eastern European allies are accelerating acquisitions of weaponry in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Croatia’s announced an “urgent procurement of short-range anti-aircraft missile systems.” The acquisition of Mistral surface-to-air missiles, made by MBDA Missile Systems, is valued at close to $76 million. It is to be financed from the Croatian budget in the 2024 to 2026 period, the government said in a statement.

Asia-Pacific

The Japanese government is considering a Patriot missile system radar upgrade with counter-hypersonic capabilities. Tokyo is planning to upgrade some Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) – 3 radars with the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, citing sources. The US Army purchased six LTAMDS in 2019 for $384 million and accepted the first of the lot in May for operational testing.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Mistral – Air Defence Missile System

Americas

General Atomics Aeronautical won an $8.5 million deal for MQ-9 Reaper launch and recovery services by the US Army. The MQ-9 Reaper provides Marines with a long-range ISR capability in support of maritime domain awareness and expeditionary advanced based operations in contested environments. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of September 1, 2023.

Textron Systems has delivered the first Cottonmouth advanced reconnaissance vehicle (ARV) prototype to the US Marine Corps at Silver Springs, Nevada. The handover follows the completion and contract verification testing of the vehicle last August in New Orleans, Louisiana. It will now enter the government evaluation phase that will run throughout 2023.

Middle East & Africa

The United States on Friday expressed alarm over a “full-scale defense partnership” between Moscow and Tehran, describing it as “harmful” to Ukraine, Iran’s neighbors, and the world. Iran stands accused by Western powers of supplying drone to Russia – which rejected the US allegations – as Moscow batters Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in search of an advantage in the bloody conflict.

Europe

Finland is spending $235 million to procure additional Spike SR, LR2, and ER2 missiles from Rafael. The acquisition of the additional missile systems will be carried out through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and the Land Combat Missiles partnership program, Finland’s Ministry of Defense said in a press release on December 9.

Asia-Pacific

Textron Aviation won a $12.5 million deal for AT-6 components. This contract provides for the procurement of components not included in the original Thailand AT-6 direct commercial sale contract. AT-6 Wolverine is a new light-attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft designed and manufactured by Beechcraft, a brand of Textron Aviation. The location of performance is in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed by February 28, 2024.

The Japanese government is planning to enhance its PAC3 air defense missile systems to intercept hypersonic threats by acquiring the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) made by Raytheon. The government plans to include the modifications to the PAC3 in its defense buildup plan, which will be approved by the Cabinet on December 16. Tokyo also intends to improve the capabilities of existing fixed warning and control radars and develop next-generation warning and control radars to deal with hypersonic threats. The LTMADS has a longer detection range and can better identify high-speed and irregular trajectory missiles. The radar system has three antenna arrays: a primary array on the front and two secondary arrays on the back. These arrays work together to detect and engage multiple threats from any direction at the same time. This allows the LTAMDS to provide comprehensive coverage and protection against a wide range of air and missile threats, including hypersonic weapons.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine light attack at RIAT 2022

Share My Space, a ‘NewSpace’ company founded in 2017 and part of the emerging commercial space industry, wins this year's European Defence Agency (EDA) Defence Innovation Prize. This year’s €30,000 prize focused on space-based surveillance and reconnaissance defence technologies. It was awarded to Share My Space at EDA's annual conference in Brussels on 8 December, 2022.

Most space debris is tracked from earth and relies  on  NASA  and  the  U.S.  Department  of  Defence’s  Space  Surveillance  Network,  as  well  as  the  U.S.  Air  Force’s  space-tracking  system  that  uses  ground-based  sensors.  In  Europe,  Toulouse-based  company  Share  My Space is among a small group of private companies   offering   the   service,   tracking   artificial  satellites  and  space  debris,  using  its ground-based telescopes.

But  it  wants  to  go  one  step  further.  With  the  help  of  EDA,  it  could  develop  a  project  to   put   12   microsatellites   into  space   to   monitor   space   junk   with much   greater   accuracy.  If  successful,  every  90  minutes, the  satellites  would  be  able  to  send  back  a  full  scan  of  a  region  in  space  and  allow  companies  to  make  trajectory  decisions.  “No  sensor  at  ground  level  can  give  that  kind  of  precision,”  says  Norbert  Pouzin,  a  Spaceflight Dynamics Engineer at Share My Space.  “To  have  precise  and  accurate  data  on  all  orbits,  at  a  high  time-frequency,  you  need  the  combination  of  a  ground-based  and  space-based  observation  system.  A  surveillance  constellation  will  only  be  high-performance  with  a  full  network  of  ground-based sensors linked to it,” Pouzin says.

Collisions are not  theoretical     either.   According  to  the  European  Space  Agency,  the   first-ever   accidental   in-orbit   collision   between two satellites occurred in February 2009   above   Siberia,   when   a   privately-owned      U.S.      communication satellite, Iridium-33,  and  a  Russian  military  satellite,  Kosmos2251, collided. Both were destroyed.

The   microsatellites   form   the   essence   of   Share   My   Space’s   winning  proposal for   the  EDA’s  2022  Innovation  Prize.  While  the  €30,000  prize  money  can  only  be  seed  money    considering    the    potential    €720    million  cost  of  the  project,  it  does  bring  the    company    publicity    and    credibility,    Pouzin  says.  “It  shows  we  have  the  know-how  and  will  help  us  put  this  proposal  at  the  ministerial  level  in  France,  and  at  the  European level.”

Competitive field

Share  My  Space’s  proposal  involves  sending  up  the  microsatellites  with  three  crucial pieces of technology: a narrow field of view photo sensor telescope, a ‘fish-eye’ wide  angle  camera,  and  a  laser  to  track  objects. If Share My Space could secure an EDA-led  project  with  funding  from  Member  States,  it  would  likely  create  a  consortium  to build the satellites – a so-called Category B  project  that  would  allow  Member  States  to  opt-in  to  the  project  and  in  which  only  participating   states would   pay   towards   the  costs  of  the  project.  Share  My  Space  is   working   on the   basis   of   a   30-month   development cycle, with a five-year mission.

As in previous years, EDA’s Innovation Prize competition was very high, not just in terms of  the  number  of  proposals  –  15  in  all  –  but  also in terms of quality. “This year, we added an  incentive  to  promote  the  participation  of   small   and   medium-sized enterprises, including   start-ups,   and   give   them   the   opportunity     to     bring  their     innovative     proposals to the defence sector,” says Jean-François Ripoche, EDA Director for Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI).

Ripoche  says  that  Share  My  Space  was  selected   because   “it   proved   to   be  very   innovative,  proposing  a  solution  based  on  a  dedicated  satellites’  constellation  which  would  provide  more  continuous  coverage  and high accuracy position of the detected objects. By combining this architecture and the  latest  optical  sensors  technology,  this  proposal will put EU defence at the forefront in  space  surveillance.  ”As  the  amount  of  space junk is set to steadily increase, Share My  Space’s  proposal  could  not  have  come  sooner. 

A full version of this article is available in EDA's magazine European Defence Matters, Edition 24.

Americas

Airbus US Space & Defense won a $297.5 million modification for UH-72 Lakota contractor logistics support and engineering services. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2023. The UH-72A Lakota is a light utility helicopter specifically designed to meet the requirements of the US Army. The UH-72A Lakota helicopters were acquired to replace the UH-1H Iroquois and OH-58 A/C Kiowa helicopters.

A B-2 stealth bomber had an in-flight malfunction on December 10 and the aircraft made an emergency landing at Whiteman Air Force Base. During the landing, the runway of the base was damaged and a fire broke out, which was extinguished by Whiteman’s fire department. No one was injured in the accident. Whiteman Air Force Base is located in western Missouri, near the city of Knob Noster. The base is home to the 509th Bomb Wing, which operates the B-2 stealth bomber.

Middle East & Africa

Russia has provided flying training for the Su-35 fighter to Iranian pilots this spring, the Biden administration said. Russia is providing Iran with military support in exchange for weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine. Russia may also be looking to collaborate with Iran on weapons development and potentially establish a joint production line for drones in Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Iran has been providing significant military support to Russia, including the sale of several hundred drones since August. These drones have been used by Russia to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and energy facilities, causing civilian casualties.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense has awarded Saab a $278 million contract to provide next-generation light anti-tank weapons  (NLAW) for the British Army. Delivery will take place between 2024 and 2026. Thales will then assemble them at its facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. “Demand is increasing for anti-tank systems such as NLAW. We look forward to further strengthening our close relationship with the UK and are proud to continue delivering our proven and trusted anti-tank capability,” Saab CEO and President Micael Johansson said.

Lockheed won a $328.5 million deal for the US and United Kingdom to provide Strategic Weapon System Trident Fleet support, Trident II Shipboard Integration Increment 8, and navigation subsystem development efforts. The contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will take place in New York, California, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia.

Asia-Pacific

Northrop Grumman won a $32.5 million order, which procures spare Wet Outer Wing Panels for the government of Japan’s configuration of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. An additional two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) arrived by ship on 18 October, bringing to six the number of these aircraft completed for Japan to date. Work will take place in New York, Florida, North Carolina, California, Oklahoma, Utah and various other locations within the continental US. Expected completion will be in July 2027.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Su-35: a guest from the future. The fastest and the most maneuverable fighter of the Air Force

Americas

Austal USA and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) have partnered on production work to support the US Navy’s Virginia-class and future Columbia-class nuclear-powered submarine fleet at Mobile, Alabama. As part of the collaboration, Austal will develop and integrate electronic deck modules and command and control systems for both submarine classes. Work on the sub-surface components is being conducted at Austal’s facility in Mobile, Alabama.

US Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded Silvus Technologies a $5 million contract to provide advanced radios for networking on-the-move (NOTM) capabilities for its joint tactical and amphibious combat vehicles. Under the agreement, the California-based firm will provide its StreamCaster 4400 MANET, which provides a self-organizing mesh network throughout multiple bandwidths with high data rates.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems has taken delivery of a cutting-edge mine disposal system to be installed on the Seagull unmanned surface vessel. Subsea specialist Acteon’s data and robotics division Seatronics revealed it has sent two Mine Identification and Detonation Solutions (MIDS) to the Israeli-based defense firm. The MIDS can detonate multiple charges acoustically using state-of-the-art components.

Europe

Raytheon won a $10 million modification for procurement of the country unique scope of Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) technical publications, new equipment training and logistics management information in support of Romania 3-Lot. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2024. Foreign Military Sale To Romania in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Asia-Pacific

Two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15J fighters have deployed to Clark air base, Philippines for the first time. NHK reported that the fighters took off from southwestern Japan and were refueled in mid-air before arriving in Luzon Island. This is likely to be JASDF Ny?tabaru Air Base, based on the tail numbers of the two F-15J fighters. This deployment is called “Pareho-22?, which means “together” in Talago. Clark Air Base was a United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines. It was one of the largest American military facilities in the Pacific, and served as the main US base in the Philippines from 1903 until 1991. The base was closed in 1991 due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, but was later reopened as Clark International Airport.

The final draft of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act includes up to $12 billion in security assistance to Taiwan over the next five years. The bill includes the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act authorizing up to $2 billion in “security assistance over the next five years to modernize Taiwan’s security capabilities,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) wrote in a statement.

Today’s Video

WATCH: $3.6 Billion US Gigantic Submarine – Virginia Class Submarine

Act fast. Face up to war in Ukraine. Prepare for 2040. Those were the messages from industry panelists and experts gathered on Thursday to discuss strategic autonomy and defence industrial gaps at the European Defence Agency (EDA) annual conference.

As years of underspending take their toll on Europe’s defence capacities, Member States face the challenge not only of building back their armed forces but ensuring a certain level of strategic autonomy - relying less on the United States. That burden also falls on the European defence industry that has long been geared to peacetime production, the panel heard.

“The war in Ukraine has highlighted our capability shortfalls,” said Jean-Pierre Maulny, Deputy Director, French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS). “The United States has larger stocks of anti-tank missiles and air defence systems. Sometimes we in Europe don’t do more because we cannot do more,” he told the panel.

In the search for more self-reliance, Tuija Karanko, Secretary General, Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries, reminded the 300 participants in Brussels and the 1,000 registered online viewers that: “all the military people in this room have known about their gaps for many years … We need more of that transparency.”

For industry, strategic autonomy needs to exist at different levels, but that is difficult because the EU cannot control everything at every level. “We are not fully autonomous because we have key companies depending on third parties,” said Pablo Gonzalez, Director NATO and EU Defence & Space, Indra. There is a need for younger, skilled engineers, the panel heard.

So what to do? More European collaboration will lower costs, as well as joint research and joint development. Joint procurement for strategic assets made in Europe could help. But having a “Buy European” law, as in the United States, brings risks of isolation for the European continent, Karanko said.

For Laurynas Šatas, Chief Executive at Aktyvus Photonics, Europe has the potential to improve, but there is a need for more emphasis on the defence sector. As a Lithuanian laser company, Aktyvus Photonics is an example of a small- and medium-sized company that would benefit from a better environment with less European bureaucracy to bridge ambition and reality as it seeks to pass innovation up to bigger companies. “We have the intellectual capacity. Tomorrow is in our hands,” he said.

European armed forces are not fully prepared for a large-scale conflict with Russia, Major General Karel Řehka, Chief of Defence, Czech Republic, told the European Defence Agency (EDA) annual conference on Thursday. “We must primarily prepare for the most difficult and most dangerous scenario: that is the large-scale war against an advanced adversary,” General Řehka told the conference. Despite EU support to Ukraine, the Union must also do more for Kyiv, he said. “If Ukraine does not succeed, our security will be at risk for decades.”

Joint procurement to replenish weapons' stocks is central to that. “The area of joint procurement has already proved its added-value. And EDA has expertise for this,” he said.

"When it comes to military capabilities I need the following: I need timely delivery of military equipment, I need interoperability of systems on the battlefield. And I also need the possibility of gradual upgrades throughout the whole lifecycle, especially with the speed of changing technologies," General Řehka said. 

In his keynote speech to 300 participants at EDA’s annual gathering in Brussels, as well as some 1,000 registered online, General Řehka also urged the European defence community to consider the future. EU Member States must focus on advanced weapons’ systems for a horizon of three decades' time. “We have faced strategic shocks every 10 to 15 years. So it would be very naïve to think that would not happen again,” General Řehka warned.

 

HYBRID THREATS

Shining a spotlight on transatlantic ties, EDA's Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý discussed security and defence cooperation with Ambassador Julianne Smith, the United States' Permanent Representative to NATO, who stressed the need for resilience and adaptation to hybrid threats, particularly from Russia and China. "I think the priority for us is really looking at ways in which we can come together to address some of these hybrid tactics that nations around the world are increasingly relying on," Ambassador Smith said. 

In a later panel debate moderated by EDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Olli Ruutu, senior officials also discussed how to develop, procure and operate together. Stacy A Cummings, General Manager at NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), cautioned that, despite the war in Ukraine, governments were still not coming together as one to coordinate and agree a single contract for the defence industry.

She said that in the area of ammunition, countries are “coming to us individually to give a demand signal for a specific type of ammunition. The nations are coming one at a time. What we need is a convening mechanism.” Cummings said she hoped to see that change in the next five years across the defence spectrum as processes and policy adapt from peacetime to the more demanding security environment. “We can’t afford to invest in individual solutions.”

Kim Jorgensen, Director-General and Permanent Representative to the EU at the European Investment Bank, made a pledge for an end to duplication.  But he said that there were constraints on where the bank can invest when it comes to defence. “In the area of military mobility, we can see a big role for us,” he said, referring to EDA-led work on standardising cross-border military transport procedures.

Vice Admiral Arie Jan de Waard, National Armaments Director and Director of the Defence Materiel Organisation, the Netherlands, was also clear at the conference on the need for collaboration, saying: “Don’t duplicate. Do it (develop weapons) with EDA, do it with NSPA. Strive for interoperability. Use the same systems.”

Timo Pesonen, Director General, DG DEFIS, European Commission, said he welcomed the political guidance at the highest political level on defence. He urged for the EU to press forward on innovation, highlighting EDA’s innovation hub. “We need to have a common programme with Member States and EDA to attract young engineers and change the image of the defence industry.”