Americas
* Boeing has announced that they have developed a hardware and software fix for the KC-46A aerial tanker, allowing it to pass fuel to C-17 aircraft. The company encountered problems regarding a boom axial load issue during an earlier test to refuel the C-17, causing a setback to the already delayed flight test program. A “milestone C” decision on low rate production by the Pentagon is now expected in June after initially planned for April and now May.
* The US Army has awarded General Dynamic Land Systems a $329 million contract for the production, logistics product development, and test support for the Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) 30mm lethality upgrade. Upgrading the lethality and durability of the Army’s Strykers has become a recent priority for the service as the Pentagon looks to increase the vehicle’s operational capabilities. General Dynamic’s work on the project is expected to run until January 15, 2021.
* A bipartisan group of US senators has urged the Pentagon to expedite the sale of fighters to Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. In a letter written to President Barak Obama, the lawmakers warned that delaying the deals could result in the Gulf States looking elsewhere to shop for new fighters. Only last month, Kuwait signed a deal to buy 28 Eurofighter Typhoon jets made by a consortium of European firms. The contracts, worth a massive $9 billion, haven’t been finalized over the last two years as the US government is required by law not to sell any military equipment to the Middle East that might undermine Israel’s military advantage.
Middle East North Africa
* Tunisia is to receive $100.8 million in equipment, training and support for its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters after the sale was cleared by the US State Department. Military Defense Equipment (MDS) to be procured includes 25 Embedded GPS/Inertial (EGI) Navigation Systems (INS), 24 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS), ten AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles and 82 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Rounds. The equipment will be installed on 24 OH-58 helicopters destined for the Tunisian Armed Forces in a separate contract under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program.
* Harris Corp has been awarded a $405.5 million foreign military sales contract by the US Army for the Government of Morocco. Under the contract, Harris Corp will provide Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINGARS) including ancillary items, spare parts, installation kits, training and fielding support services with a completion date expected for April 21, 2021. The Royal Moroccan Army has been undergoing a large scale military modernization program with the SINGARS deal following an October 2015 purchase of 150 upgraded M1A1 main battle tanks at a cost of $358 million.
Africa
* Approval is being sought by the Pentagon for the sale of up to 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Nigeria in order to increase military support for the West African nation’s fight against Boko Haram militants. Congress, which needs to approve the sale, has not yet been notified of the foreign military sale. Increased support from Washington comes as new Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari moves to reform a government and military notorious for graft and corruption.
Europe
* Poland’s Ministry of Defense has signed contracts for the production and delivery of 64 self-propelled 120mm RAK (Cancer) mortar vehicles and 32 artillery command vehicles at a cost of $252 million. The domestically produced vehicles will be provided by a consortium led by local manufacturer Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. (HSW) and the state-run defense manufacturer Rosomak S.A. Due to be completed in 2019, the vehicles will increase the country’s mortar capabilities as the country modernizes its armed forces following Russia’s intervention in Ukraine.
Asia Pacific
* Warships of Iran’s Navy are to get an indigenous close-in weapon system (CIWS). The nativized version of the Phalanx system, military vessels will be equipped with a locally-developed Gatling gun dubbed Moharram which has a rate of fire of 2,000-2,500 rounds per minute. The machine gun can also be mounted on a broad range of military vehicles, choppers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), warships and destroyers.
Today’s Video
* The A-29 Super Tucano during a life fire exercise