Americas
Argentina has officially declared its aim to buy 156 Guarani armored vehicles produced in Brazil, having signed a letter of intent on Dec. 23, according to an Argentine government release dated January 23. The agreement, made in Buenos Aires between Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana and Brazilian Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira, took place during an official visit to Argentina’s capital by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The recently elected president was attending a summit of South American heads of state.
Oshkosh Defense won an $85 million modification for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 U.S. Air Force baseline procurement funds; and fiscal 2023 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $84,953,107 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Mali early Tuesday for talks with its junta leaders seeking Moscow’s help in battling an Islamist insurgency that remains entrenched despite years of fighting. Lavrov, who was in Iraq on Monday, was welcomed upon his arrival by his counterpart Abdoulaye Diop. The two men did not make any statements to journalists.
Europe
The German Navy has received its final NH90 Sea Lion naval utility helicopter. The delivery completes the contract for a total of 18 aircraft awarded by Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) to NHIndustries in June 2015. Germany selected the Sea Lion, which is based on the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) variant, as the successor to the navy’s ageing Westland Mk 41 Sea Kings in March 2013. Airbus Helicopters delivered the first Sea Lion to BAAINBw in October 2019, and the Germany Navy officially accepted the first unit into service in June 2020.
Asia-Pacific
The Australian government has taken a significant step towards upgrading Australia’s airborne electronic warfare capability. The country’s Defense Force has selected local firm CEA Technologies to help perform the upgrades to the EA-18G as part of the $6 billion Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 project. Currently approved funding for the project sits at around $2 billion, with CEA’s cut being $277 million. The upgrades to Australia’s EA-18G Growler will bring the aircraft up to the latest US capabilities. The upgrades will include a Next-Generation Jammer to replace the aging AN/ALQ-99, sensor upgrades, increasing the stockpile of anti-radiation missiles, and new anti-radiation missiles. Electronic warfare training ranges and facility upgrades at Amberley base and the Delamere Air Training Area near Katherine will also be part of the project.
The US Air Force has awarded a deal to Polish firm PZL Mielec to produce and deliver two M28 Skytruck transport aircraft to Nepal. Valued at $30.3 million, the light cargo planes will replace the only M28 in service with the Nepalese Air Force. According to the US Department of Defense, the company will also provide associated aircraft training, spare parts, and six months of field service representative services.
Today’s Video
WATCH: (4K) NH90 NTH Sea Lion Marine German NAVY 79+68 arrival at Manching Airport IGS ETSI
