Asia-Pacific
The US Navy has awarded Boeing Co., based in St. Louis, Missouri, a $12,943,999 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00383-25-F-YY1F) for the repair of the leading edge flap antenna used on F/A-18 aircraft. This sole-source contract was issued under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), with Boeing as the only offeror. Work will be conducted at three locations: Mesa, Arizona (60%); Lansdale, Pennsylvania (31%); and St. Louis, Missouri (9%). The project is expected to be completed by March 2030. Funding from Navy working capital funds was fully obligated at the time of award and will remain available beyond the current fiscal year. The Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is managing this contract.
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $4.9 billion contract by the USArmy for the production of its long-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) under Increment One. The contract follows a competitive solicitation process, with only one bid submitted. The award builds on successful tests, including a live-fire exercise in mid-2024 where the PrSM engaged a moving maritime target, and a production qualification flight test in 2023. Work will be completed by March 2030 at an undisclosed location.
Middle East & Africa
A senior Hamas official on Monday called on supporters worldwide to pick up weapons and fight US President Donald Trump‘s plan to relocate more than two million Gazans to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. “In the face of this sinister plan – one that combines massacres with starvation – anyone who can bear arms, anywhere in the world, must take action,” Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement. “Do not withhold an explosive, a bullet, a knife, or a stone. Let everyone break their silence.” Abu Zuhri’s call comes a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered to let Hamas leaders leave Gaza but demanded that the Palestinian militant group disarm in the final stages of the war in Gaza.
Europe
Germany’s thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Norway’s Ulstein Verft have collaborated on a potential bid to build the Royal Norwegian Navy’s next-generation frigates. The navy requires five to six vessels to replace its Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates, which focus on anti-submarine warfare and feature eight Naval Strike Missiles. The requirement has been outlined in the 2024 Fleet Plan. Potential candidates include the British Type 26, the German F127, the American Constellation class, and the French FDI.
Asia-Pacific
An Egyptian diplomatic official has confirmed that Cairo is in advanced talks with South Korea for the purchase of up to 100 FA-50 light attack aircraft. Egyptian Ambassador to Seoul, Khaled Abdelrahman, stated that discussions between the two countries are progressing positively after months of negotiations for an initial order of 36 aircraft. “We hope the technical and detailed discussions between our institutions and Korean firms will lead to a successful outcome,” Abdelrahman said. Egypt’s interest in the FA-50 reportedly began after the August 2022 Pyramids Air Show, where South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatic team performed over the pyramids.