Americas
According to the Defense Post, the US Air Force is seeking a vendor to integrate the upcoming Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear missile on the B-52H Stratofortress bomber. The service expects the vendor to build and integrate the Bomber Weapon Interface Equipment (BWIE) on the aircraft in support of the LRSO.
The US military remains the world’s most powerful in 2024, according to a global ranking recently released by Global Firepower. The ranking evaluated 145 countries based on over 60 factors, such as number of troops, military equipment, and financial stability.
Middle East & Africa
The US military said that it seized Iranian-made missile parts en route to Houthi rebels from a boat in the Arabian Sea. The parts, which were seized in a Navy SEAL operation Thursday in international waters near the coast of Somalia, consisted of both “Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components,” US Central Command said in a statement on X.
Europe
According to Defense News, Spain awarded local defense contractor Rheinmetall Expal Munitions a multimillion-dollar contract for 120mm munitions and issuing tenders for 155mm artillery shells. For months, defense officials across the continent have urged European Union members to pressure their arms industries to increase munitions production to alleviate the supply chain crisis.
The European Union is set to launch a military mission in the Red Sea to safeguard navigation along the critical route leading to the Suez Canal. This decision comes in light of increasing attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Spain, which had earlier resisted similar plans, has now acquiesced, paving the way for the mission to commence.
Asia-Pacific
The Royal Malaysian Navy has taken delivery of its first locally built G2000 Mk II fast interceptor craft. The vessels were handed over by local shipbuilder Gading Marine on January 12, the service disclosed on the same day. Gading Marine received a contract for 13 G2000 Mk II FICs from the Malaysian government in 2022. The contract is a repeat order following the delivery of six older G2000 Mk I vessels in April 2021.
