Americas
Bell Boeing won a $21.3 million order, which provides for the production and delivery of 59 line clearance kits, 18 integrated aircraft survivability equipment (IASE) A-Kits, and installation of 16 IASE A-Kits, allowing increased infrared countermeasure and radar warning capability and aircraft survivability, in support of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft sustainment efforts for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania; Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; Jacksonville, North Carolina; San Diego, California; Fort Worth, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; and Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in June 2027. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,300,446; and fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $91,389, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Wartsila Defense Inc. won a $12.1 million modification to exercise Option Year One of a previously awarded firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity contract N55236-23-D-0002 in support of the original equipment manufacturer for the Littoral Combat Ships Independence variant for waterjets, shafts, and seals. The overall total contract value ceiling remains unchanged at $60,582,873. Work will be performed at Mayport, Florida; San Diego, California; and various locations that will be determined at the delivery order level. No funds will be obligated at the time of award of contract modification; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has requested additional Apache attack helicopters from the US to aid its aerial operations against Hamas militants. According to local news outlet Ynetnews, the request was discussed by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during their recent meeting in Israel. The United States has rejected an Israeli request to acquire new Apache attack helicopters, according to Israeli media on Tuesday, Anadolu Agency reports.
Europe
Spain has inked a contract with TESS Defence to renew the country’s TOA M-113 armored vehicle fleet. The company will design and manufacture the Spanish Army’s Vehículo de Apoyo de Cadenas (VAC) tracked support vehicles under the $2.2 billion deal.
The US Navy has hired Saab to provide the Double Eagle undersea vehicle to Kuwait, according to a December 11 news release from the Swedish firm. The Kuwait Naval Force is to receive the semi-autonomous, remotely operated system through the Pentagon’s Foreign Military Sales program.
Asia-Pacific
L3Harris has announced a partnership with Korean Air and ELTA Systems to develop new high-altitude airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) planes for the South Korean Air Force. The proposed aircraft will employ modular digital capabilities, allowing Seoul to conduct affordable and rapid upgrades to keep pace with evolving threats and newer operational approaches.