Americas
Northrop Grumman won a $16.5 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for the KC-135 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Generation 3 Pods. This effort supports the production of the LAIRCM pod for the KC-135 aircraft. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is expected to be completed by March 23, 2026.
The US Army has awarded Minnesota’s 3M Company a $34.2-million contract to develop medical solutions for traumatic wounds, infection, and associated healing processes. The agreement aims to produce treatments applicable to austere environments, specifically during mass casualty and delayed evacuation scenarios, as outlined in the US Department of Defense’s Combat Casualty Care Capability Assessment (CCCRP).
Middle East & Africa
The US State Department has approved the possible sale of light tactical vehicle chassis and 28-metre patrol craft kits to the government of Egypt, as part of two sales estimated at $329 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the greenlight to Congress for the possible sale of the capabilities on January 10. Under the recent announcements, the government of Egypt has requested the purchase of additional light vehicle chassis and fleet build, expanding on a previous sale. The original sale included 4-Man REV1-B Rolling Chassis with 190 horsepower diesel engines upgraded to 205 horsepower turbocharged engines, training for chassis assembly process, operation and maintenance, spare and repair parts, testing equipment, US government and contractor engineering as well as support services. Under a separate sale, confirmed on the same day, the DSCA approved the sale of 28-metre patrol craft kits and related equipment to Egypt. The DSCA outlined that the kits include rigid hull inflatable boats, forward-looking infrared systems, computer packages, support services and parts. The package is valued at $129 million.
Europe
Indonesia has inked a deal to buy 18 more Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, completing a 2022 order for 42 of the planes. Delivery of the final batch is scheduled to begin by early 2026. The acquisition began in September 2022 after Jakarta signed a contract for six Rafale jets. The second batch, consisting of 18, was ordered in August 2023.
Asia-Pacific
The US State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale of weapon system support for Australia’s Tomahawk cruise missiles. Valued at $250 million, the possible sale covers the provision of general weapons support services, logistics support management, and material support. The US will also carry out associated engineering services, management of technical data, and other related program support.
South Korea is charging ahead with its ambitious KF-21 fighter jet program, aiming to begin large-scale production this year. This marks a significant step in the country’s quest for self-sufficiency in advanced military technology and could potentially position it as a major player in the global aerospace market. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is expected to finalize a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the jet’s manufacturer, within the first half of 2024, paving the way for full-fledged production. This comes after the successful test flights of all six KF-21 prototypes, which have undergone rigorous assessments including supersonic runs and weapon separation trials.
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