Defense`s Feeds

The US Air Force contracted Boeing with $14.5 million for KC-135 engineering sustainment services. The contract modification provides for recurring engineering services for sustainment of the KC-135 aircraft for one option year. Work will take place in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Florida. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2022.

Tactical Air Support won a $265.3 million deal, which provides non-recurring engineering, inspection, modification, and block upgrade efforts for 16 F-5E and six F-5F Tiger II aircraft from a Swiss Confederation configuration to a Navy/Marine Corps N+/F+ configuration. Additionally, this contract procures eight block upgrade retrofits to existing fleet aircraft. Estimated completion will be in June 2027.

Turkey’s landmark Bayraktar Akinci attack drone successfully fired a new laser-guided missile in a recent trial. During the test, the drone took off from Corlu airfield in northwestern Turkey and flew at an average altitude of 30,000 feet (9.1 kilometers). It struck a floating target laser-marked by another Bayraktar drone flying below cloud-level.

Slovakia will sign a government-to-government deal to purchase 152 CV90 MkIV tracked infantry fighting vehicles fitted with 35mm cannons by BAE Hägglunds, the country’s ministry of defense has announced. Bratislava plans to acquire the vehicles from Sweden in an “effort to build [a] heavy mechanized brigade, and reinforce its defense and support local industry,” Slovakia’s Defence Minister Jaroslav Na? said in a tweet.

Lockheed Martin won a $192.4 million contract modification for technical engineering and management efforts for the Australia Surface Combatant program. The deal involves Foreign Military Sales to the government of Australia. Work will take place in New Jersey and Australia.

India’s Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has successfully flown for the first time. In a statement, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that the UCAV was flown by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, in the southern state of Karnataka, the same day.

WATCH: F5E Tiger II Best of Aviation Documentary

The first Energy Technology Solutions (ETS) conference and exhibition were organised last week by EDA, hosted in Bordeaux by the French Ministry of Armed Forces and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).  

Both events, the conference and the exhibition, were held in the framework of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS III) the plenary conference of which also took place this week in Bordeaux (Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables (europa.eu). 

Entitled “Strategic autonomy in the defence energy sector”, the first ETS conference allowed the CF SEDSS community to engage with the industry, academia, and other research and technology organisations to discuss ideas on how to make defence more energy-efficient and robust. The event was opened by Jean-François Ripoche, EDA Director of Research, Technology and Innovation, and Hélène Burlet (CEA). Christophe Poinssot, General Director of the French Geological Survey (BRGM), delivered the keynote speech.  

In his address, Mr Ripoche noted in particular that the Agency had already been engaged in collaborative innovation for many years and recently established a Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI), which will act as a platform to stimulate, facilitate and support collaboration on defence innovation, including energy foresight. 

Ms Hélène Burlet, in her welcome speech, underlined the potential of synergies in research to address the key challenges of the energy transition, both for civil and military applications.  

In his keynote speech, Mr Poinssot underlined the increasing need in strategic materials for feeding the energy and numeric transitions and the complexity of the minerals value chains. A national "observatory" dedicated to strategic mineral resources is under development in BRGM (OFREMI) to better know the global mineral value chains and assess/mitigate the potential risk.  

The ETS exhibition featured several stands where companies showcased innovative sustainable energy technologies, services and products suitable for the defence sector.  Custom-made photovoltaic solar panels, modular and scalable green hydrogen generators for decentralised energy generation for multiple purposes, electric and hybrid transmission technologies, virtual platforms for the management of defence energy data, energy-efficient and resilient military camps, electricity storage, micro-grids, hybrid and hydrogen solutions for mobility, wind powers and arctic solutions and radar interference mitigation measures were among the applications presented.

Next CF SEDSS III conference in December 

 The 5th CF SEDSS III Conference is scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 30 November and 1 December 2022 under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and hosted by the Czech Ministry of Defence.

More information:

• CF SEDSS website 

• Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables (europa.eu) 

• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu) 

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu) 

• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)  

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)  

• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding 

Federal Contracting won a $92.4 million deal for a B-21 Combined Mission Operations Planning Facility and Field Training Detachment Facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. The B-21 is a new high-tech bomber slated to replace or complement the US Air Force’s aging fleet of B-52s, B-1s, and B-2 bombers, and represents the first new US bomber design in 30 years. As with its predecessors, it is designed to be long-range, highly survivable and capable of carrying a mix of conventional and nuclear ordnance and be a key part of the US nuclear triad. Work will take place in South Dakota. Estimated completion date is September 7, 2024.

Edwards Air Force Base will hold its first airshow for the first time in 13 years on October 15 and 16. Besides the US Air Force, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center will be participating as well. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first supersonic flight, jets from the USAF and NASA will compete to determine which will be first to go supersonic during the airshow.

Israel’s Defense Attaché to Morocco, in addition to two IDF officers, participated as viewers in an international military exercise held in Morocco this past week. The “African Lion 2022” exercise, led by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), is the largest annual exercise held by both armies in Africa. Israel’s participation in the exercise is an additional step in strengthening the security relations between the two countries’ Defense Ministries and militaries. In addition, it constitutes a continuation of the FAR’s Counterterrorism Unit’s participation in the multinational exercise, which was held in Israel last year.

Oshkosh Defense won a $216.7 million contract modification to support fielding the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles for Foreign Military Sales. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2023. Fiscal 2020 Air Force procurement, Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Navy procurement, United States Marine Corps procurement and other procurement, Army funds; fiscal 2021 Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, and operation and maintenance, Army funds; and fiscal 2022 Air Force procurement European Deterrence, Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Navy procurement, United States Marine Corps procurement, Foreign Military Sales (Brazil, Lithuania and Montenegro), other procurement, Army, and research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Greece has signed the Letter of Request (LoR) to buy the F-35 fighter, local media reports. The letter was sent by the Greek defense ministry to Washington on June 29. Athens hopes to buy 20 aircraft with options for another 20.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $307.1 million deal by the US Army for repair and recertification of Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3 missiles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. Fiscal 2022 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) funds in the amount of $150,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award.

WATCH: New B-21 Raider: The Most Feared Bomber Ever Ready to Fly

Sikorsky won a $429.2 million deal from the US Army for maintenance and overhaul of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2027.

Raytheon won a $57.9 million contract modification to exercise options and incrementally fund existing contract line items for fiscal 2022 Standard Missile-2 Block IIIC low rate initial production and spares. The SM-2 missile is a surface-to-air missile primarily intended for fleet area air defence and ship self-defense. Work will take place in Alabama and Arizona. Expected completion will be by December 2024.

The Turkish Navy’s landing platform dock (LPD) Anadolu has started its official sea acceptance tests. Following the completion of its SATs, the future flagship of the Turkish Navy and the largest ship to be operated by the service is scheduled for commissioning in December 2022.

The Swedish government has inked a contract with Saab for two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The contract is worth $714 million and Sweden has the option to purchase another two GlobalEye. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to be in 2027.

The Swedish ambassador to Czech Republic Fredrik Jörgensen said in an interview with Seznam Správy that Czech can keep the Gripens that it leased from Sweden for free. The news comes as Czech is looking into buying 24 fighters as the lease for the Gripens will expire in 2027. According to the news report, the F-35 is the leading contender.

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has successfully sent three satellites from Singapore into space. The main satellite is the 365 kg DS-EO satellite which has an electro-optical digital imaging payload capable of 0.5 m resolution imaging capability.

WATCH: Turkish First Amphibious Assault Ship TCG Anadolu has Begins Sea Tests

The new European Defence Matters magazine (N°23) is now available, with a special focus on the EU’s Strategic Compass approved in March. The magazine features exclusive articles by the Head of EDA, HR/VP Josep Borrell, the French Chief of Defence, General Thierry Burkhard, and the new Chairman of the EU’s Military Committee (EUMC), General Robert Brieger. Our bi-annual publication also puts a spotlight on two EDA projects offering pragmatic solutions for specific problems faced by our Armed Forces: the sharing of spare parts and the organisation of collaborative Personnel Recovery training.

You can read the new magazine in PDF or in a slightly shorter digital (webzine) format.

In the cover story, the Head of our Agency, Josep Borrell, lays out why the Strategic Compass is essential for the EU’s security and defence ambitions, notably in times of instability and war, and how its implementation will boost defence cooperation and strengthen Europe’s military clout. We also analyse the Compass’ proposed measures and guidelines, before giving the floor to the French Chief of Defence, General Thierry Burkhard, and General Brieger (EUMC Chairman), to comment on the operational aspects. The academic views of Dr Jana Puglierin (senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations) round off this cover story.  

This magazine has even more on offer, though. We sat down for interviews with the Director of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), Matteo Bisceglia, and the CEO of Finnish defence company Patria, Esa Rautalinko. Articles on the European Medical Command, a PESCO project which reached full operational capacity, as well as on EDA’s Sharing of Spare Parts (SoSP) and Tactical Personnel Recovery Mission Simulator (TPRMS) projects also provide for an interesting read.

Have a look immediately – and enjoy!

• EDM Magazine Nr.23 (PDF)
• Digital (webzine) version of EDM Magazine Nr.23

More than 150 experts from 26 European countries and different institutions and organisations participate in the 4th  Conference of the third phase of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS III) which opened today. 

EDA is organising the 4th CF SEDSS III conference (29/ 30 June) under the auspices of the French EU Presidency and hosted by the Ministry of Armed Forces of France (FR MoD) and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). For the first time since the project's inception in 2015, the plenary conference is combined with an Energy Technology Solutions (ETS) Conference on 1 July 2022 and an onsite exhibition on 30 June and 1 July.

The two-day CF SEDSS plenary conference takes place at a very challenging geopolitical moment, with energy prices skyrocketing and many countries reconsidering their energy supplies and routes as a result of the Russian war in Ukraine. Consequently, the conference presents an opportunity for participants to finalise the first cycle of the project deliverables and explore new areas for strengthening the defence energy resilience and autonomy. The conference will also present an update on the European Commission’s 'Fit for 55’ package and the state of implementing of the EU's Climate Change and Defence Roadmap concerning the CF SEDSS associated work strands. During the separate working group sessions, delegates will share their expertise and insights on the group's work plan and support the development of the key deliverables.

In his opening speech, delivered via video message, EDA Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý emphasised that "now more than ever, the EU needs to fast track the green transition to avoid being held energy hostage. Similarly, in the spirit of the Versailles declaration and the REPowerEU Plan, the EU needs to increase its energy security by improving energy efficiency, diversifying its energy supplies and substituting fossil fuels by renewables". Despite this political momentum, "the green transition will only be successful if we bring fully on board the defence sector, which is an energy-intensive and large consumer of fossil fuel", he said. This becomes increasingly imperative as EU member states agreed in the Strategic Compass to develop national strategies to prepare the armed forces for climate change. Mr Šedivý expressed his satisfaction with the outstanding result of the Forum's first cycle of deliverables, including more than fifteen project ideas on defence energy-related projects, analyses of six research areas in sustainable energy and initial contributions to the Guidance Document on Sustainable Energy. He also commended the Forum’s substantial input to the EU's Climate Change and Defence Roadmap and reiterated the Agency's commitment to support the Ministries of Defence in advancing sustainable and circular energy models via EDA's key channels, namely the Energy Consultation Forum, the Energy and Environment Capability Technology Group and the Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence.

In his keynote address, General Francois-Alain Serre, general officer for sustainable development at the Joint Staff of the French Ministry of Defence, expressed his appreciation  for hosting this conference under the auspices of the French EU Presidency. He said the event offered an opportunity to "focus on EU sovereignty and strategic autonomy in two extremely vital sectors: energy and defence." Consequently, several topics will be addressed, including energy efficiency and building performance, renewable energy sources, resilience of defence-related critical energy infrastructure, and innovative energy technologies. He stressed that "energy and climate security are fields with a high potential for cooperation, both at the European and international levels, and that the Consultation Forum plays a major role in fostering this collaboration".

The 5th CF SEDSS III Conference is scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 30 November and 1 December 2022 under the auspices of the upcoming Czech EU Presidency.

The Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS) is a European Commission funded initiative managed by the EDA. This Forum was established with the primary goal to create a defence energy-related community to share information, knowledge and best practices on improving energy management, increasing energy efficiency and buildings performance, utilising renewable energy sources in the defence sector and enhancing the resilience of defence-related critical energy infrastructure. To address these objectives, and with the support of the European Commission, EDA has implemented two phases: the first phase took place from October 2015 to October 2017 and the second one from October 2017 to August 2019. Building on the successful outcome of these two phases and to address emerging and future challenges in the field of energy, EDA and the European Commission launched on 1 October 2019 the third phase, which will run over a period of four ears until 30 September 2023. CF SEDSS phase III is funded by the European Union's (EU) horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No. 882171.

• CF SEDSS website 

• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu) 

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu) 

• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)  

• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)  

• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding 

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $2.3 billion deal for procurement of 120 H-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related support for fiscal years 2022-2026, including options for an additional 135 aircraft. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. With more than 2,100 H-60 variants in the US Army’s inventory, the Black Hawk remains the workhorse and backbone of US Army aviation. As the US Army continues to develop its Futura Vertical Lift (FVL) programs – in which the company competes with its Raider X and SB-1 Defiant – they will continue to operate the H-60M for decades to come and alongside its future replacements. According to the US Department of Defense publication, the contract is multi-year and firm-fixed-price, and includes the aircraft and the logistics support ecosystem. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027.

Lockheed Martin won a $13.3 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5116 for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) efforts. Work will take place in New Jersey. Expected completion will be by December 2022. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Baykar, the Turkish manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2, will donate additional unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Ukraine, refusing to accept crowd-funded payment for the aircraft. Baykar announced the gifting of three UCAVs on June 27, saying that “The People’s Bayraktar” campaign to raise funding for the procurement should instead redirect the monies raised to “the struggling people of Ukraine”.

Djibouti has revealed itself to be an operator of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2, parading the Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at its independence day celebrations on June 27. Two Bayraktar UCAVs were showcased in a military parade to mark the 45th anniversary of independence for the east African country, with each being transported on the back of a flatbed truck.

At the recently concluded ILA Berlin Air Show, MBDA took the opportunity to unveil the Joint Fire Support Missile (JFS-M) that can be fitting inside the ammunition pods of the HIMARS or M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The company decided that a cruise missile solution is more desirable than using ballistic missiles as the latter require larger boosters.

According to Business World, the US has reoffered to co-develop the 110-kilonewton (kn) engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). An earlier US offer in 2019 to jointly develop the fighter engine was shelved after disagreements arose over technology sharing between the two countries. The US was reluctant to share “core or hot engine technology” with India, the outlet wrote.

WATCH: Joint Fire Support Missile – Growth of capability for the artillery

EDA has launched a second call for papers from defence industry, academia and research institutes on the topic of Integration of military air capabilities in a changing context of the civil aviation sector in the framework of EDA’s upcoming Single European Sky Workshops.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide industry with a deeper insight into the Strategic Context Case (SCC) 10 (Integration of military air capabilities in a changing aviation sector) and develop a common understanding by gathering industry proposals on new R&D and validation activities needed within the Single European Sky (SES) domain.

This call for papers is part of a broader approach to SCC 10, and aims to initiate and consolidate cooperative projects in this particular domain: The ability to protect confidentiality of mission critical information and ensure a resilient and robust data sharing network in the changing context of the civil aviation sector.

The responses to this call for papers will drive the maturation of potential project proposals during the second formal workshop which will take place at EDA on 12 September 2022*.

• Detailed information can be requested by email to “ise (a) eda.europa.eu”
• Deadline for submissions is 31st  August 2022.

Submissions are sought from a wide range of industries involved in ATM (Air Traffic Management)/SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research). Though responses to all questions in this call for papers are encouraged, submitters may develop answers to specific questions in greater detail based on their area of expertise.

Submissions will be judged on their innovativeness and relevance as well as ability to stimulate discussion on future ATM/SES in a military context. Participation in this call for papers is open to companies of any size as well as academic, research institutes and associations or groupings of industrial suppliers.

*The workshop will be subject to any recommendations put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check the EDA website for any updates.

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services won a $12 billion deal for Integration Support Contract (ISC) 2.0. The main function of ISC 2.0 is to support the government as the lead systems integrator and augment government resources for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system systems engineering and integration and professional services. According to solicitation documents, the Integration Support Contract 2.0 covers support for Minuteman III and the next-generation ground-based strategic deterrent missile or any future ICBM weapon system developed throughout the duration of the contract. Work will take place at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by December 24, 2040.

Five RQ-4 Block 30 unmanned air vehicles assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base have been transferred to Northrop Grumman for the Sky Range program. The US Air Force says a total of 20 Global Hawks are to be transferred and four Block 20 aircraft were transferred last year.

Lockheed Martin won a $22.1 million contract modification to procure modernized day sensor assembly kits and spares for Apache helicopters. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). It entered service with the US Army in 1984 and has been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the UK. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2024. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Egypt) funds; and fiscal 2021 and 2022 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $22,112,989 were obligated at the time of the award.

The United Kingdom has cancelled its Mosquito ‘loyal wingman’, deciding instead on a “change of direction” for the Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) programme from which it was being developed. Announced by the Ministry of Defense on June 24, the decision by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) not to take the Mosquito beyond its current design phase was decided on the basis that the desired additive capabilities can be better achieved by other means.

A senior military officer from Japan has revealed that the Philippines and Tokyo could soon explore space and surveillance as the countries’ next areas of defense cooperation. The plan comes in response to China’s increasing military activities in the Indo-Pacific region. During his recent visit to Manila, Japan Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff Shunji Izutsu said that the sea and skies are no longer safe for either nation.

IAI says that an Asian Air Force has ordered the ELTA ELL-8222SB Scorpius-SP jammer pod. Scorpius-SP is based on AESA technology with multi-beam operation – the ability to simultaneously detect and suppress multiple threats in different directions around the aircraft. It utilizes Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) and a range of sophisticated ECM techniques, providing protection against all types of Air-to-Air (A/A) and Surface-to-Air (S/A) threats in a dense radar-guided weapons environment.

WATCH: This is the $220 Million US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk Spy Plane

The US Navy awarded Raytheon $78.7 million to exercise options for additional fiscal 2022 guided missile assemblies in support of the fiscal 2021-2023 Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 full rate production requirements. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. Work will take place in Arizona, Australia, California, Canada, New Hampshire, Norway, Germany, New York, Turkey and Denmark. Estimated completion will be by March 2025.

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture won a $33.4 million contract modification for the low-rate initial production of lightweight command launch units in support of the Javelin Weapon System. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 30 2025. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has successfully doubled the Venµs satellite’s service life. In addition, IAI changed the Venµs satellite’s altitude in space, which initially decreased from its initial mission of 720km above Earth to 410km. Instead of returning the satellite to Earth and completing its mission, IAI’s engineers returned Venµs to higher altitude to continue carrying out its mission at 560km. This altitude increase allows for an addition of a new and unplanned phase in the satellite’s life.

Spain has ordered another 20 Eurofighter jets to bring its fleet to 90 aircraft. The Halcón contract will see Spain getting 16 single-seat aircraft and 4 twin-seat fighters. These jets will be equipped with e-scan radars and are intended to replace Spain’s Hornets. 48 new EJ200 engines will be bought as well. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) concluded their second Bilateral Training on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Execution exercise on June 24. In the exercise, both sides practice airdrop and ground load/offload utilizing PAF and JASDF C-130 aircraft. JASDF Chief of Staff, Gen. Izutsu Shunji, also joined a press conference held by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas on June 23.

The Pentagon has confirmed that a US Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft has flown over the Taiwan Strait on June 24. “A US Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on June 24. The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows including within the Taiwan Strait. By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” according to a statement from the Indo-Pacific Command.

WATCH: Javelin Missile | How a Javelin Missile works

As part of the upcoming revision of the EU’s Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS, adopted in 2014) and its action plan (2018), the European Commission, together with the European External Action Service and the European Defence Agency, have just launched a public consultation to gather ideas, suggestions and proposals from maritime security experts and the general public on how to further improve the EU’s policy in this important domain. The review will also have a ‘security and defence’ focus since one of the objectives is to align the EUMSS with the recently adopted EU Strategic Compass for Security and Defence.

To that end, a dedicated e-survey has just been launched to obtain the opinions of the general public, including experts in maritime security, academia and research, international bodies and organisations, on the challenges and possible responses to them. The link will be open until 8 September 2022. People or organisations interested in participating in the consultation will be asked to register. The questionnaire is available in all 24 EU languages, and replies may also be given in any of those languages. A factual summary report will be published on the consultation page 8 weeks after the public consultation is closed. Member States are being consulted through the Council Working Party and through the Member States Expert Group on maritime security and surveillance.

Background

A safe and secure maritime space is a prerequisite for preserving the EU’s freedom of navigation, external border control and the supply of essential materials. It is also crucial for protecting economic activities and citizens, both at sea and on shore. The EUMSS and its revised action plan are the framework in which the EU addresses current and future internal and external maritime security challenges. Capability development and defence research & innovation are identified in the EUMSS as important aspects to strengthen maritime security, both at national level and through collaborative projects, including at the European Defence Agency.

As requested by the European Council in June 2021, the EUMSS and the action plan - even though remaining valid - will now have to be aligned with other EU policies and instruments, including the Strategic Compass, to even better address the increasing maritime security challenges Europe is facing.

More information:

• Update of the EU maritime security strategy and its action plan

How to use and improve Additive Manufacturing (AM, commonly known as 3D-printing) for enhanced circularity in defence applications? To identify priorities for future collaborative triple helix projects in this domain, 50 experts from 13 European countries met on 21 June in Taranto (Italy) for a workshop organised under EDA’s “Incubation Forum for Circular Economy in European Defence” (IF CEED) and Materials CapTech.

The event was the first activity of IF CEED’s “Circular Additive Manufacturing” project circle. The meeting allowed participants from Ministries of Defence, industry, research and technology organisations as well as academia to exchange views on how AM can best help to reduce the military’s environmental footprint by promoting increased circularity of materials, optimisation of processes and the implementation of AM deployable solutions. Health and safety issues, as well as the quality of input data for Life Cycle Assessment were also addressed.

The EU’s wider research and innovation agenda was duly taken into account through to the participation of the European Commission’s DG RTD.

Several concrete proposals for future projects were identified during the meeting; they will be refined during the project circle’s next meetings. These project ideas confirm that innovation in technologies and logistics can contribute to improving the Armed Forces’ environmental impact as well as their operational efficiency. 

AM technologies are expected to enhance defence capabilities and have a strong potential for improved circularity: efficient use of resources, increased reusability, repairability and remanufacturing of products, as well as specific advantages for the logistics of spare parts.

More info:

EDA’s IF CEED website

EDA Materials CapTech

TV coverage in Italian (Resoconto in italiano) 

EDA’s Steering Board met yesterday at Member States Capability Directors’ level under the chairmanship of General Éric Bellot des Minières. Directors decided to launch the revision of the Capability Development Plan (CDP), the latest version of which dates to June 2018. The CDP contains the jointly agreed European capability development priorities (currently 11) which are updated on a regular basis under EDA’s auspices, in close coordination with the EU Military Committee and the EU Military Staff. 

The revision is scheduled to be completed by 2023 when the revised set of EU Capability Development Priorities is set to be agreed by EDA’s Steering Board. It will then serve as a reference for the third Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) cycle which will start in autumn 2023. 

The need to revise the CDP now stems not only from the new guidelines provided by recently adopted EU Strategic Compass, but also from a series of significant and strategic changes witnessed in the EU’s overall security environment, first and foremost the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. All those developments have implications on the four strands which will nurture the new CDP: two short-term based strands provided by the EU Military Committee with the support of the EU Military Staff (capability gaps identified in CSDP missions and operations, as well as lessons learned), a mid-term strand (assessment of the potential for cooperation, based among others on the latest CARD findings and Member States’ current defence plans and acquisition programmes) and a long-term strand (looking ahead at expected capability trends and development by 2040 and beyond). 

Capability Directors also assessed the state of implementation of the Strategic Compass which has seen its first measures implemented on the ground, with the establishment of the Hub for EU Defence Innovation (HEDI) within EDA, and the first European Defence Innovation Day organised end of May.  

Directors were also briefed on the (still ongoing) second CARD cycle which is set to be completed by the Agency’s final report to Ministers in November of this year.  

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control won a $130.5 million modification for the Advanced Radar Threat System – Variant 2 (ARTS-V2) systems. The contract modification is to provide for the exercise of Options 3 and 4 for an additional quantity of eight ARTS-V2 systems being produced under the basic contract. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion date is June 16, 2024. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.

Jane’s reports that Boeing sees foreign partners as potential customers for its updated MQ-25A Stingray drones. The MQ-25 UAV is designed to refuel carrier-based aircraft. The UK, France, and Italy are among allies with aircraft carriers. However, the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class carrier uses a ski-jump capability, which the MQ-25 design does not support.

Israel has confirmed that it is part of a regional military partnership focused on addressing Iranian threats. The move is Jerusalem’s effort to bolster its defense ties with Arab nations and recalibrate Middle Eastern alliances. Beyond the US, the other countries involved in the Middle East Air Defense Alliance (MEADA) have yet to be revealed.

Cyprus will be buying six H145M armed helicopters to replace the 11 Mi-35 attack helicopters that are currently in service with the Cyprus Air Command. Lawmakers approved the down payment of $55 million for the deal in a closed-door session in June 20. Media reports say the deal is worth $147 million and includes weapons for the helicopters. Cyprus has an option to buy six more H145Ms. The eleven Mi-35s will be sold to Serbia, according to news reports.

According to Defense News, the French Army began the process of quickly procuring American-made loitering munitions as part of a longer-term effort to field remotely operated weapon systems, according to officials. The service is looking to add AeroVironment’s Switchblade to its inventory within the next six months, Col. Arnaud Goujon, the Army’s chief of plans, told reporters at the Eurosatory.

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AGM-88E2 AARGM E2 Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $94 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to fifteen (15) AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) Guidance Sections; up to fifteen (15) AARGM Control Sections; up to fifteen (15) High Speed Anti Radiation Missiles (HARM) Rocket Motors; up to fifteen (15) HARM Warheads; and up to fifteen (15) HARM Control Sections. Also included are AGM-88E2 AARGM All Up Round (AUR) tactical missiles; AGM-88E2 AARGM Captive Air Training Missile (CATM); HARM G-Code AUR; HARM G-Code CATM; M-Code GPS receivers; containers; support and test equipment; EA-18G Growler test support; spare and repair parts; software (Classified and Unclassified); U.S. Government and contractor engineering support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total value is $94 million.

WATCH: H145M firing campaign: Spike ER2 missile

Canadian government documents have disclosed that Lockheed Martin is required to deliver nine F-35s to Canada by December 1, 2027. The last aircraft will have to be delivered before December 31, 2031. The Liberal government plans to purchase 88 U.S.-built F-35s as part of a project expected to cost taxpayers between $15 billion and $19 billion. Critics of the purchase have noted, however, the full lifecycle cost for the planes is estimated at $77 billion.

According to Defense News, Argentina has kicked-started the process for procuring four Boeing-made CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from the US. Aimed at fulfilling a requirement first issued in 2011, the helicopters are intended for Army and Air Force operations, both in tactical transport and special forces support roles, as well as disaster relief and civil support.

The Israeli Defense Forces’ Special Forces units are getting an upgrade. Israel will be purchasing new “Negeva” combat vehicles worth $28 million for their Special Forces. Israeli Deputy Director-General and the Directorate Head of Production and Procurement (DOPP) Avi Dadon signed the order for “hundreds of vehicles,” revealing that the new combat vehicles for the IDF SOF will be the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) ‘s Negeva vehicles. The contract for the purchase was signed during a ceremony at the IAI Land Division production line in Be’er Sheva. Commonly referred to as the Z-MAG and the ZD, manufacturing will be done in cooperation with Ido Cohen and The Armored Group.

German Dynamit Nobel Defense (DND), a subsidiary of Israeli defense giant Rafael, presented the final design of the RGW110 HH-T (HEAT/HESH tandem) shoulder-launched weapon, at the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition in Paris. The German website esut.de notes that the system has a new design of the grip and a spike protruding from the barrel. According to DND, the RGW110 HH-T is about to complete the company qualification, and it should be ready for series production in just over a year. The basic version intends to take over the strengths of the Panzerfaust 3-IT warhead and combine them with the ergonomics and operating concept of the RGW series.

According to a tweet by the Royal Air Force, testing started on the MESA sensor destined for the UK’s 1st E-7. The first of the E-7 Wedgetails purchased by the UK to replace the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control aircraft will arrive in 2023.

South Korea kicked off the biannual exercise Soaring Eagle on June 20. Around 70 aircraft are participating in the exercise held by the 29th Tactical Fighter Weapons Group. The theater-level “Soaring Eagle” combat training exercise is being staged over five days through Friday at the 29th Tactical Fighter Weapons Group located at an air base in the central city of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.

WATCH: This is What the E-3 Sentry Replacement Looks Like

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $20.5 million contract modification, which provides additional labor and material to incorporate production engineering change proposals that modify MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system production assets (B13-B15) to an Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 multiple intelligence configuration for the Navy. Work will take place in California, Virginia, New York, Utah, Wisconsin, North Dakota and various other locations within the continental US. Expected completion is in April 2023. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

The US Air Force will swap the A-10 mission computer with a new one from Raytheon Intelligence & Space. Common Open Secure Mission Computer will become the main central computer for the A-10C under a $46.2 million firm-fixed-price Project-Level Agreement.

Jordan has officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the sale of eight new production F-16 Block 70 aircraft, Lochheed Martin announced. According to the announcement, the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) is to receive eight Block 70 aircraft to be built at Greenville in South Carolina.

Dutch State Secretary Christophe van der Maat has informed lawmakers that the Embraer C-390M will be replacing the country’s aging C-130 fleet. Five aircraft will be acquired to replace the four C-130s, delivery will begin in 2026. Van der Maat explained that the extra aircraft is necessary due to increase flying hours projected. It was also found that the C-390M can already meet the minimum requirement of 2,400 flying hours with 4 aircraft. The rival C-130J needs 5 aircraft for this.

The first Meeting of States Parties to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) will take place at the Austria Center in Vienna, Austria from 21 to 23 June 2022.   The TPNW entered into force on 22 January 2021 – the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in more than two decades. The TPNW contains among other things, a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon-related activities. This includes undertakings not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty also prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons on national territory as well as the provision of assistance to any State in the conduct of prohibited activities.

Australia has sent the first four of a planned 14 M113AS4 Armored Personnel Carriers being donated to Ukraine. The armored vehicles were loaded onto a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 aircraft and took off from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley last week, the Australian Department of Defense announced on Sunday.

WATCH: Royal Netherlands Air Force to Replace C-130H Hercules fleet with C-390M Millennium

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $458 million deal for fiscal 2022-2026 shipyard field operations, program management, systems engineering, documentation, logistics and hardware production activities in support of the Columbia and Dreadnought Fleet Ballistic Missile Program. The contract action contains option line items. Work will take in California, Washington, Florida, Maryland, Georgia and the UK. Work will take place in November 30, 2027.

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won a $62 million deal for fiscal 2022 AEGIS modernization, DDG new construction, and Frigate new construction production requirements. Work will take in New Jersey and Florida. Estimated completion will be by September 2025.

An Iranian F-14A has crashed on June 18 after suffering engine issues near the city of Isfahan. Both pilots ejected safely, local media reports say. The pilots were taken to a local hospital. It said there was a technical failure in the engine of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat that led to the crash.

Lockheed Martin won a $13. 9 million deal for Apache helicopter refurbishment. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas, which is now Boeing. It entered service with the US Army in 1984 and has been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UK. Work will take place in Arizona with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement, Army; and 2010 Foreign Military Sales to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom funds in the amount of $13,883,140 were obligated at the time of the award. The US. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.

One of the two Hermes 900 in service with the Swiss Armed Forces has made its maiden flight in Switzerland on June 15. Designated as ADS 15, the first aircraft to go airborne, registration D-14, flew for 70 minutes with a Swiss pilot at the controls. The other aircraft, D-11, is expected to be flight tested soon and both will be transferred to the Swiss Air Force later this year. Delivery of four more ADS 15 will commence in 2023.

China unveiled its first homegrown aircraft carrier on Friday, a vessel with advanced aircraft launch technology similar to its US counterparts, in an event designed to symbolize the country’s expanding military might. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, officials unveiled the Type 003 warship, called “Fujian” according to the country’s defense ministry and state media.

WATCH: China launches its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian

Today, Portugal’s new Minister of Defence, Helena Carreiras, and her delegation were received at the Agency by Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý and Deputy Chief Executive Olli Ruutu. It was the first bilateral meeting between EDA’s top management and the Minister since her appointment last March. 

Mr Šedivý informed Minister Carreiras about EDA’s current work in support of collaborative defence research and capability development in Europe and thanked her for Portugal’s strong support and active participation in the Agency’s projects and programmes.  The Chief Executive also briefed the Minister about latest developments, such as the recent establishment of a Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI) within the Agency, the upcoming finalisation of the second Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), and the Agency’s involvement in the EU’s military response to the war in Ukraine, including joint efforts to fill defence investment and capability gaps in Europe.   

The Minister was also provided with short presentations of projects of specific relevance for Portugal, such as the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) which is currently being established at Sintra Airbase in Portugal and will be handed over EDA’s full range of helicopter training activities by October 2023. Among the other projects presented to the Minister were the European Detonation Code project (EuDetCode – in which Portugal is participating) as well as the PREMIUM project aimed at improving the Health and Usage Monitoring Systems-based management of munitions through the establishment of models for the estimation of the ageing and health status of munitions. 

“Portugal is an active and important contributor to EDA’s projects, programmes and activities. I gladly remember the very productive Portuguese EU Presidency in the first half of 2021 when we jointly organised a successful conference on disruptive technologies and a symposium on military mobility. I particularly want to commend Portugal for its leading role in the Agency’s helicopter training and exercise activities. I’m confident we can pursue the very good cooperation we always had in view of transferring EDA’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), its Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) and its Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC) to the new permanent Multinational Helicopter Training Centre in Sintra by autumn 2023. Another example of Portugal’s fruitful participation in EDA’s work is the Cyber Defence Training & Exercise Coordination Platform (CD TEXP), a web-based tool developed at the Agency to coordinate and deliver joint cyber training courses and exercises, which was handed over last month to the Portuguese Ministry of Defence which will host the new asset”, Mr Šedivý stated.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) published a request for information on June 14 seeking industry feedback on a concept to wirelessly recharge unmanned air vehicles using a high-powered laser mounted on an external pod. Agency officials want industry feedback on the possibility of retrofitting aerial refueling aircraft like the Air Force’s KC-46 and KC-135 with “an underwing power beaming pod” to wirelessly recharge a fleet of unmanned aerial systems. The benefits of having drones recharge their batteries in mid-air include extended range and having small energy storage capacities.

The installation of AN/APG-83 radars on 72 Air National Guard F-16s across nine bases in the United States has been completed. “The completion of these deliveries highlights Northrop Grumman’s continued commitment to rapidly field 5th generation radar capability to the fleet to counter and defeat increasingly sophisticated threats to our nation and its allies,” said Mark Rossi, director, SABR programs, Northrop Grumman.

Nir-Or, an Israeli company that designs, develops, manufactures and integrates electronic systems and products for land, air, and sea military applications, is launching a new product with another Israeli company, Axon-Vision, which develops AI for the defense sector. The two companies presented the EdgeRCWS, an AI system for Next-Generation Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations (NG RCWS).at the Eurosatory.

Germany has signed a statement of intent to join the Finnish-led Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme, Patria writes in a press release. The official joining agreement is due to be signed before the end of 2022. Germany will be the fifth country to join the first stage of the multinational cooperation. Finland, Latvia and Estonia entered into the programme in 2019 and Sweden in 2021. In the scope of the programme, Patria is responsible for system development.

South Korea intends to test-fire the SM-2 air defense missile interceptor from two warships during RIMPAC 2022 next month. Korean Herald reports that Sejong the Great and Munmu the Great destroyers will each fire one missile off Hawaii.

Charlie Battery, 1-1 ADA (Air Defense Artillery), 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade based in Japan successfully destroyed a cruise missile target using two PAC-3 air defense missile interceptors on June 15 in Palau. This is the first time the Patriot missile has been fired from Palau and the second time the US conduct such live-firing of the Patriot missile west of the International Date Line. According to the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, targeting data was provided from an F-35.

WATCH: Anti-ship Missile SM-2 in Action . US Navy Missile Launch Compilation | MFA

Northrop Grumman won a $15 million contract modification, which provides additional labor and material to incorporate production engineering change proposals that modify MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system production assets to an Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 multiple intelligence configuration for the Navy and the government of Australia. Work will take place in California, New York, North Dakotaand various locations within the continental. Expected completion will be in April 2025

The Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin with $450 million for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) production support. The contract will provide lifecycle support for all efforts related to JASSM in the areas of system upgrades, integration, production, sustainment, management and logistical support. Work will take place in Florida. Expected completion date is June 10, 2027.

The Israel Ministry of Defense will begin testing a robotic unmanned vehicle (M-RCV Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle), developed by the Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the Tank and APC Directorate, and Israeli security industries. The robotic combat vehicle was unveiled at Elbit Systems’ pavilion at the Eurosatory Defense and Security Exhibition. The vehicle includes a new robotic platform type BLR-2 made by BL, a 30 mm autonomous turret developed by the Tank and APC Directorate for the “Eitan” APC, Elbit’s “Iron Fist” Active Protection System, fire control and mission management systems, and robotic autonomous kit, in addition to situation awareness systems.

Jane’s reports that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) released a photograph on June 11. The picture showed a Cobra II 4×4 armoured vehicle made by the Turkish company Otokar deployed in Mozambique. The RDF did not explicitly identify the vehicle as one of its assets, but the photograph was one of four it released showing a Mozambican delegation visiting Rwandan forces in the northern districts of Mocímboa da Praia and Palma.

Sweden has committed to buying more Archer 155mm mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, having signed a letter of intent at the Paris-based defense exhibition Eurosatory this week. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and BAE Systems Bofors took the first step to establish an additional artillery battalion in line with Sweden’s defense strategy, which runs through 2025.

The last four F-16s that Taiwan is transferring back home from Luke Air Force Base have touched down on the island on June14. The F-16s landed at Hualien Air Force Base in eastern Taiwan around 3:40 p.m., a military official familiar with the matter told CNA.

WATCH: Swedish Armed Forces demonstrate the Archer Artillery System in the USA