Americas
The US Navy is evaluating the operability of the Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU) aboard the USNS Cody (EPF 14) Spearhead-class fast transport vessel. The trial supports the service’s objective to improve medical care capabilities for combat and humanitarian missions from sea to shore. Being held at the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, the evaluation focuses on the EMU’s Role 2 (R2) level healthcare function, which covers patient decontamination, biomedical repair, sterile supply, information technology, and command and control tasks.
China said Wednesday it had suspended negotiations with the United States on nuclear non-proliferation and arms control in response to Washington’s weapons sales to Taiwan. The US and China in November held rare talks on nuclear arms control, part of a bid to ease mistrust ahead of a summit between leader Joe Biden and Xi Jinping. Further dialogue had not been publicly announced since, with a White House official in January urging Beijing to respond “to some of our more substantive ideas on risk reduction.” But China’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said recent US sales of arms to self-ruled Taiwan were “seriously undermining the political atmosphere for continued arms control consultations between the two sides.”
Middle East & Africa
French defense contractor Arquus has signed an agreement with Doha-based Barzan Holdings to upgrade the Qatar Armed Forces’ Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé (VAB) infantry fighting vehicles. Under the contract, Arquus will cover modification and repairs for 54 Qatari VABs domestically and in France. The firm will also deliver associated training for industrial and military personnel managing the upkeep and operation of the vehicles. Arquus wrote that the initial VABs under the project are now receiving modernization work in France.
Europe
The US State Department has backed the possible sale of hellfire missiles and other weapons worth $138.26 million to the Czech Republic via contractors Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. The possible sale also included an Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System and related logistics and program support, according to the Defense Security Cooperation agency statement dated Wednesday.
Greece is considering the potential transfer of 32 older F-16 Block 30 fighter jets to Ukraine as the war-torn nation seeks to bolster its air defense capabilities. This decision comes as Greece embarks on a significant modernization of its own air force, upgrading existing F-16s and acquiring new Rafale and potentially F-35 fighter jets. The transfer of 32 F-16 Block 30 jets would represent a significant portion of Greece’s current fighter jet fleet. With an ongoing modernization program and the acquisition of advanced fighter aircraft, the Hellenic Air Force is aiming to maintain a robust air defense capability. The potential departure of these older jets could create a temporary gap in air defense capabilities until the upgraded F-16s and new acquisitions become fully operational.
Asia-Pacific
The Australian military will soon begin accepting Hawkei protected mobility vehicles from Thales, as their reported mechanical issue has finally been resolved. The federal government said a “fix” has been identified for the vehicle’s troubled braking system, which caused the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to stop accepting them in 2020. According to Brigadier John-Paul Ouvrier, the Australian Army worked closely with the manufacturer to identify the fault with the modulator and quickly find a solution.
