Americas
The US Coast Guard has received a stand-in icebreaker ship to support the service’s polar cutter fleet modernization program. Handed over by Offshore Service Vessels, the MV Aiviq’s primary role is to retain the force’s presence in the Arctic until the arrival of the service’s new Polar Security Cutters by the 2030s. The $125-million deal to procure the commercially-available system was awarded to the Louisiana-based maritime company in November. After its induction, the MV Aiviq will be renamed USCGC Storis, which makes the system the second to bear the name.
The US Army has chosen BAE Systems to prototype a new artillery cannon, envisioned to defend bases against a variety of threats including unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and other advanced air threats. The system has been dubbed the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC) and Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) prototype.
Middle East & Africa
The United States has officially greenlit a potential arms deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking another significant step in the Gulf nation’s efforts to modernize its naval capabilities. The deal, approved by the State Department and reported to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency [DSCA], involves selling twenty MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes [LWT], along with a comprehensive package of logistics and program support. The total estimated cost of the program is $78.5 million.
Europe
RTX has secured a $946-million contract to deliver additional Patriot missile systems to Romania to bolster the country’s air defense capabilities. The agreement marks Bucharest’s third order of Patriot systems, following previous purchases in 2017 and 2020. The latest deal covers the supply of Patriot fire units, which include advanced radars, control stations, and interceptor missiles.
Asia-Pacific
The US State Department has greenlighted a potential $3.64 billion sale of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Japan. Tokyo has requested 1,200 AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs. Apart from the missiles, up to 20 AIM-120D-3 guidance sections with precise positioning provided by either Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code and up to four AIM-120C-8 guidance sections are included.
