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Feb 08, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Argentina has officially declared its aim to buy 156 Guarani armored vehicles produced in Brazil, having signed a letter of intent on Dec. 23, according to an Argentine government release dated January 23. The agreement, made in Buenos Aires between Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana and Brazilian Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira, took place during an official visit to Argentina’s capital by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The recently elected president was attending a summit of South American heads of state.
Oshkosh Defense won an $85 million modification for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 U.S. Air Force baseline procurement funds; and fiscal 2023 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $84,953,107 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Mali early Tuesday for talks with its junta leaders seeking Moscow’s help in battling an Islamist insurgency that remains entrenched despite years of fighting. Lavrov, who was in Iraq on Monday, was welcomed upon his arrival by his counterpart Abdoulaye Diop. The two men did not make any statements to journalists.
Europe
The German Navy has received its final NH90 Sea Lion naval utility helicopter. The delivery completes the contract for a total of 18 aircraft awarded by Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) to NHIndustries in June 2015. Germany selected the Sea Lion, which is based on the NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) variant, as the successor to the navy’s ageing Westland Mk 41 Sea Kings in March 2013. Airbus Helicopters delivered the first Sea Lion to BAAINBw in October 2019, and the Germany Navy officially accepted the first unit into service in June 2020.
Asia-Pacific
The Australian government has taken a significant step towards upgrading Australia’s airborne electronic warfare capability. The country’s Defense Force has selected local firm CEA Technologies to help perform the upgrades to the EA-18G as part of the $6 billion Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 project. Currently approved funding for the project sits at around $2 billion, with CEA’s cut being $277 million. The upgrades to Australia’s EA-18G Growler will bring the aircraft up to the latest US capabilities. The upgrades will include a Next-Generation Jammer to replace the aging AN/ALQ-99, sensor upgrades, increasing the stockpile of anti-radiation missiles, and new anti-radiation missiles. Electronic warfare training ranges and facility upgrades at Amberley base and the Delamere Air Training Area near Katherine will also be part of the project.
The US Air Force has awarded a deal to Polish firm PZL Mielec to produce and deliver two M28 Skytruck transport aircraft to Nepal. Valued at $30.3 million, the light cargo planes will replace the only M28 in service with the Nepalese Air Force. According to the US Department of Defense, the company will also provide associated aircraft training, spare parts, and six months of field service representative services.
Today’s Video
WATCH: (4K) NH90 NTH Sea Lion Marine German NAVY 79+68 arrival at Manching Airport IGS ETSI
Feb 07, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin has announced the successful firing of its Spike NLOS (Non Line-of-Sight) missile from the Apache Echo Model V6 helicopter. The demonstration was performed by the company’s Precision Strike team at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. During the trial, the chopper launched two Spike missiles towards a stationary target in two different scenarios.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has asked General Atomics to build and flight test its unmanned aircraft for the Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program. The AFRL awarded General Atomics and Kratos identical $17.6 million OBSS development contract in October 2021. The development period was for 12 months.
Middle East & Africa
Israel has reportedly integrated a “smokeless” and “silent” gravity bomb into its combat drones to make them more lethal on the battlefield. The development was unveiled after Iran accused Jerusalem of attacking one of its unmanned systems facilities using combat drones last month. According to a report by Reuters, the bomb was developed domestically and can travel as fast as the speed of sound in free fall.
Europe
Environmental Chemical Corp won a $20,3 million contract for taxiway and apron upgrades. This contract provides for the repair and upgrade of existing airfield pavement to support the P-8A mission at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. Work will be performed at Sigonella, Italy, and will be completed by November 2025. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website with four offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, Norfolk Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-23-C-0001).
Ukraine announced it is sending service members to train on the Franco-Italian Samp-T air defense system after the countries announced its delivery. Ukrainian Air Force Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that personnel are “already on their way” to training. “I sincerely thank the governments of France and Italy for the decision regarding the provision of SAMP/T-Mamba anti-aircraft systems to protect Ukraine from Russian missile terror and strengthen the country’s air defense system,” Oleshchuk said.
Asia-Pacific
A US decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon that Beijing claimed had veered off course has “seriously impacted and damaged” relations between the two countries, China’s foreign ministry said Monday. The aircraft, which Washington said was a spy balloon, had spent several days flying over North America, leading the United States to call off a planned visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Today’s Video
WATCH: P-8 Poseidon | The new submarine hunter of the West
Feb 03, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
The US Air Force (USAF) has chosen Electra Aero for a Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) award, securing up to $85 million in investment funding. This award will go towards the rapid development of a full-scale pre-production prototype of Electra’s electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. The eSTOL aircraft represents a new class of aircraft, characterized by helicopter-like operational flexibility and better performance and operating costs than comparable fixed-wing aircraft. The eSTOL aircraft is designed for operations from small spaces and can fly missions ranging from urban air mobility to cargo logistics and disaster response. The STRATFI award funds the rapid development, test, and evaluation of the eSTOL aircraft, which can be used by the Air Force to validate requirements and operational use cases. The award will also accelerate the transition path for Electra’s commercial nine-passenger eSTOL product aircraft.
The Argentian government will pay Bell approximately $32 million for six 407 GXi helicopters for search-and-rescue duties in mountainous regions. The contract covers training services, manuals, tooling, and ground support equipment.
Middle East & Africa
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview aired Tuesday he was considering military aid to Ukraine and was willing to serve as a mediator, following US calls for more active involvement. Netanyahu made no firm commitments to Ukraine and Israel has preserved a relationship with Russia, which controls the skies in neighboring Syria and has turned a blind eye to Israeli strikes on targets of arch-nemesis Iran.
Europe
A leading US maker of advanced military surveillance drones announced Wednesday that it was willing to sell two to Ukraine for just $1, and called on the US government to approve the deal. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems said it had been urging Washington for months to provide Ukraine its powerful Grey Eagle and Reaper drones, which US forces have used to great effect in surveillance and targeted attacks over Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and other conflict zones.
France and Australia will supply Ukraine with 155mm shells needed for artillery pieces by the West sind Russia’s invasion, defense ministers Sebastien Lecornu and Richard Marles said Monday. “Several thousand 155 mm shells will be manufactured jointly” by French arms supplier Nexter, France’s Lecornu said, while Marles said the plan would come with a “multi-million-dollar” price tag.
Asia-Pacific
Boeing won a $36.6 million modification, which adds scope to procure three P-8A increment 3 retrofit A-kits, to include associated special tooling, in support of anti-submarine warfare capabilities upgrades for the Navy. Additionally, this modification procures 12 P-8A Nose Radome retrofit kits for the government of Australia. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (79.6%); St. Louis, Missouri (10.9%); and Mesa, Arizona (9.5%), and is expected to be completed in August 2025.
Today’s Video
WATCH: U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon Sqn. VP-4 169542 at Tampere-Pirkkala
Feb 02, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Bae Systems won a $651.6 million contract for sustaining engineering services. This contract provides for services support for both the Minuteman III and Sentinel Systems Directorates to ensure the integration of current and future hardware, software, testing, and modifications with the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Weapon Systems. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by January 31, 2025.
Boeing won a $24.3 million deal to remanufacture/recapitalize selected CH-47F components to the CH-47F Block II configuration, and to remanufacture CH-47F aircraft to the CH-47F configuration for Ordering Periods I and II to satisfy the congressional requirement. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of January 30, 2026.
Middle East & Africa
MBDA won a $118.7 million deal for the production of the Common Anti-Air Module Missile (CAMM) for Multi-Mission Surface Combatants (MMSC) ships. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative not-to-exceed value of this contract to $145,552,474. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Stevenage, England; Indian Head, Maryland; Huntsville, Alabama; Arlington, Virginia; and Mayport, Florida; and is expected to be completed by January 2027. Foreign Military Sales funds for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the amount of $65,786,821 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Europe
General Atomics won a $11.6 deal for logistics support activities including depot repair, engineering services, field team support and software maintenance services for the Italian Air Force MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be complete by January 31, 2024.
Poland has ordered an additional batch of Javelin missiles from the US. The $103.5-million purchase follows the receipt of a previous order worth $54.5 million in October. The latest purchase comprises 50 launchers, and 500 missiles, with additional logistics and training packages, according to MILMAG. The deliveries are expected to be complete by 2026.
Asia-Pacific
The US is poised to reach an agreement with the Philippines to open as many as four military sites to counter increasing threats from China. The move is part of Washington’s efforts to expand its strategic footprint in the Asia Pacific as Beijing ramps up its military presence in the South China Sea. Two of the proposed military facilities will be situated on the northern island of Luzon to give US forces a “strategic advantage” in case of a conflict in Taiwan or the South China Sea.
Today’s Video
WATCH: US Air Force launches Minuteman III ICBM from Vandenberg in unarmed test
Feb 01, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Sikorsky won a $34 million modification, which exercises an option to provide validation and test tooling in support of achieving a production quantity at full rate of up to 24 CH-53K aircraft per year. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (86%); and Stratford, Connecticut (14%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024.
Triumph Engine Control Systems won a $9.9 million deal to overhaul/repair fuel engine controls for the CH-47 Chinook. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2024.
Middle East & Africa
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Command has signed a deal to buy 12 Block 70 F-16 fighter jets from the US in a bid to help modernize its aging air force. As announced by the armed forces’ official website, the deal was signed Thursday by Royal Air Force Commander Brigadier General Pilot Muhammad Fathi Hiasat and US Deputy Chief of mission in Amman Rohit Nepal.
Europe
Ukraine’s efforts to obtain F-16 fighter jets have received a boost, as Poland has expressed willingness to supply the combat jets to the country. Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s top advisor, announced that the country has received “positive signals” from Poland. However, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stressed that any decision on the transfer of fighter jets would be made in full coordination with NATO allies. In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out the possibility of delivering fighters to Ukraine, but has set out conditions such as the request being made by Ukraine and the arms not being escalatory or hitting Russian soil. The Netherlands has also expressed openness to a request for the F-16s.
Finland has awarded German-Israeli weapons provider Eurospike to deliver anti-tank missiles for the Finnish armed forces. Under the agreement, Eurospike will supply Finnish warfighters with its Spike fire-and-forget anti-tank precision guided missiles. The Spike missile system is designed to penetrate armored targets. The projectile’s latest multi-role light guided missile variant can engage threats between 4,000 and 5,500 meters (13,000 to 18,000 feet).
Asia-Pacific
North Korea on Sunday denied providing arms to Moscow after the United States said the nuclear-armed state supplied rockets and missiles to Russia’s private military group Wagner. Washington earlier this month designated the Wagner group as a “transnational criminal organisation,” citing its weapons dealings with Pyongyang in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The White House showed US intelligence photographs of Russian rail cars entering North Korea, picking up a load of infantry rockets and missiles, and returning to Russia, according to national security spokesman John Kirby.
Today’s Video
WATCH: The Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Jan 31, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Raytheon won a $72.8 million order, which provides non-recurring engineering in support of early identification, development, and qualification of corrections to potential and actual F135 propulsion system operational issues, to include safety and reliability/maintainability problems identified through fleet usage. Additionally, this order provides for continued engine maturation, evaluates component life limits based on operational experience, improves operational readiness, and reduces engine maintenance and life cycle costs in support of the F-35 Lightning II program. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be in December 2026.
The US Department of Defense awarded Textron Aviation to produce and deliver 10 T-54A multi-engine training system (METS) aircraft for the US Navy. The training jets will provide naval aviation students with advanced instrument and asymmetric multi-engine handling instruction. The initial contract, worth $113.1 million, covers the development and acquisition of 10 jets, with an optional extension of up to $677.2 million for as many as 64 planes.
Middle East & Africa
According to Jane’s, Ethiopia has acquired dozens of Chinese-built 155 mm SH15 wheeled, self-propelled howitzers, images of a joint military exercise revealed. Columns of howitzers were pictured at the Awash Arba war technical school during the exercise 165 kilometers (102 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa. Satellite imagery showed 32 howitzers lined up in four columns at the Harar Meda Air Base.
Europe
Belgium announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine on Friday, promising cash, missiles, machine-guns, and armored vehicles to help fight off the Russian troops. But DefenSe Minister Ludivine Dedonder had to admit that Belgium has no main battle tanks to match the latest offers from NATO allied like Britain, Germany, Poland, and the United States. The Belgian shipment, she said, would notably include “anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missiles, machine guns, grenades and other military equipment.”
Asia-Pacific
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force is set to decommission its J-7 fighter jets this year, according to a report from Global Times. The J-7, China’s first supersonic fighter jet, has been in use by the PLA Air Force and the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) for many years, but has been gradually retired since 2018 as the country’s production capacity of new aircraft has increased.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed an agreement with Northrop Grumman to cooperate on vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system development. The domestically-developed drones will be deployed on naval destroyers and coast guard patrol ships for various missions, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition. Northrop has extensive experience in VTOL drone technology. Its MQ-8 Fire Scout VTOL system is currently operated by the US Navy.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Pratt & Whitney F135 Overview
Jan 30, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Blue Force Technologies (BFT) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have successfully completed a ground test for a novel carbon fiber composite propulsion flow path system for BFT’s Fury uncrewed fighter under the AFRL Bandit program. “On an uncrewed fighter like Fury, proper integration of the propulsion flow path is the most significant design driver for the overall vehicle. It was crucial to us to demonstrate, prior to building flight test aircraft, that we could correctly predict the interaction between the propulsion flow path components and the Williams International engine,” said Scott Bledsoe, President of Blue Force Technologies.
Boeing won a $2 billion modification for KC-46A Air Force Production Lot 9 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses. The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46A aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2026.
Middle East & Africa
After pledging all 19 of its French-made Caesar howitzers to Ukraine, Denmark is in talks with Israeli arms maker Elbit Systems for new mobile artillery to plug a “critical gap.” The defense ministry said late Thursday that negotiations were on “with the manufacturer Elbit Systems for the delivery of ATMOS artillery pieces and PULS rocket launcher systems as soon as possible.”
Europe
Poland will deliver an additional 60 tanks to Kyiv to help it fend off Russia’s aggression, in a move hailed on Friday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Thank you… Poland for these important decisions to deliver to Ukraine 60 Polish tanks — 30 of which are the famous PT-91 Twardy, along with 14 Leopards,” Zelensky said on Twitter. Ukraine has also been promised battle tanks from Germany and the US, announced this week.
The French defense procurement agency has awarded a $26-million contract to Saab for the delivery of AT4 anti-armor weapons. According to the Swedish firm, the man-portable weapon system can neutralize enemy tanks and heavy combat vehicles. It can also be used to attack buildings and protected infrastructure where enemy troops are hiding.
Asia-Pacific
The US Navy’s lead America-class amphibious assault ship LHA 6 has conducted a live firing demonstration in the Philippine Sea. During the trial, the vessel launched its RIM-116 rolling airframe missile to identify, track, and intercept decoys. The event was held to validate the weapon system’s capability and sailors’ warfighting readiness.
Sikorsky won a $656.8 million modification for UH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Australia) funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Elbit Systems / ATMOS
Jan 27, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
According to news reports in Israel, the United States had approached Israel to release its stockpile of MIM-23 HAWK air defense missiles and transfer them to Ukraine. But the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s political-Military Bureau, Dror Shalom, reportedly told the Pentagon that Israel has not changed its policy of not sending weapons to Ukraine and that the missile interceptors are obsolete anyway.
Textron won a $113 million deal to provide for the production and delivery of 10 Multi-Engine Training System aircraft, initial spares, peculiar support equipment, instructor pilot training, and maintenance personnel training to provide intermediate and advanced training for accession into P-8, EP-3, KC-130, E-6, E-2, CMV-22 and MV-22 aircraft in support of the mission of Chief Naval Air Training for the Navy. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas (99%); and Corpus Christi, Texas (1%), and is expected to be completed in June 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Sallyport Global Holdings won a $235.6 million deal for base operations support, base life support and security services in support of the Iraq F-16 program. The contract modification is for an additional 12 months of service being provided under the basic contract. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract $360,780,574. Work will be performed at Martyr BG Ali Flaih Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be completed by January 30, 2024.
Italian shipbuilding firm Fincantieri has launched the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces’ 143-meter (469-feet) landing platform dock (LPD). Named “Al Fulk,” the amphibious vessel is one of the seven ships that Fincantieri is building for Doha as part of a 4-billion-euro $4.3-billion contract signed in 2016. It will be tasked to ensure “extremely efficient” land-air-marine connections to support a wide range of military missions.
Europe
Spain said Wednesday it was ready to send some of its German-made Leopard tanks to bolster Ukraine’s fight against Russia after Berlin granted approval for their European transfers. “Spain is ready… to deal with our allies in any way necessary, whether that means sending Leopards, training in the use of Leopards or help in their maintenance and upkeep,” Defense Minister Margarita Robles said. Her remarks came shortly after Berlins confirmed it would sent 14 Leopard tanks to Kyiv and cleared other European nations to send their own stocks to Ukraine. The US ist to send 31 Abrams to Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific
Australia will soon buy sea mines to help deter potential Chinese aggression. The country’s defense department is accelerating the purchase worth up to $712 million, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed, citing sources. The department has confirmed the upcoming purchase, the outlet wrote, adding that the mines will be procured from a European supplier.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Leopard 2 technical details you wanted to know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1ETv4ulADc
Jan 26, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky has delivered its 5,000th Hawk medium-lift helicopter to the US armed forces. The chopper is a variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter deployed for international military and civilian operations. “For more than 40 years the Black Hawk has remarkably supported Soldiers in every major contingency operation the Army has executed,” US Army Program Executive Office Aviation Helicopter Project Manager Col. Calvin Lane stated.
Epirus has been awarded a $66.1-million contract to supply its Leonidas high-power microwave weapon to the US Army. The counter-drone weapon can neutralize targets by zapping their electronics, making them lose contact with their operators. The Leonidas outperformed six other counter-drone systems during a series of test events to win the sole-source contract.
Middle East & Africa
Israel has submitted a formal request to the US government for 25 F-15EX fighter aircraft, according to industry sources who spoke to Breaking Defense. An official letter of request was reportedly sent by the Israeli Ministry of Defense last week, marking the first step in the foreign military sale process. Jerusalem will now have to wait for an initial decision by the US before quantity and pricing are discussed.
The US and Israel have begun Exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea amid increased tension with Iran, featuring more than 140 aircraft including strategic bombers, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft. The major live-fire drill, running from January 23-27, also includes Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and 12 naval vessels, the US Central Command said.
Europe
Finland’s defense ministry said Wednesday the country had issued the first commercial export license for military material to Turkey since 2019 — a key demand for Ankara to approve Helsinki’s NATO bid. Riikka Pitkanen, special adviser at the ministry, told AFP that the export license granted concerned steel that would be used for armor. Finland had suspended new licenses for military exports to Turkey in October 2019 due to Turkey’s military operation in Syria.
Asia-Pacific
The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 5 Squadron put on a three-ship P-3K2 formation flight on January 24 to mark the end of an era as the fleet prepares to retire at the end of the month. The flight took off from RNZAF Base Auckland at Whenuapai and flew over a variety of locations, including Waikato, Manawat?, Napier, Tauranga, Coromandel Coast, Great Barrier Island and Whang?rei. Spectators were treated to close formation fly-pasts over Ohakea, Wellington and Auckland harbors.
Today’s Video
WATCH: RNZAF Orion P3 Farewell Fly past of Wellington Harbour – Te Whanganui a Tara
Jan 25, 2023 05:00 UTCAmericas
Raytheon won a $21.6 million modification, which adds hours to finalize the design, integration, and to conduct test and evaluation in support of Phase Two for the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) rapid deployment capability. Additionally, this effort provides for joint flight test to be performed which will provide additional data for MST integration of hardware and software. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed in September 2024.
Virginia-based firm TenCate Advanced Armor has introduced its latest body armor plate. The Cratus Wave body armor ballistic insert offers enhanced heat stress reduction upon collision and features the company’s proprietary Trauma Reduction Technology, enabling thinner plates to be effective against rifle ammunition.
Middle East & Africa
The Royal Jordanian Air Force has announced the purchase of 12 Block 70 F-16s from American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The US State Department approved the sale in February last year, stating that the agreement could reach $4.21 billion. It included communication systems, targeting pods, and munitions components such as guided missile tail kits.
Europe
The EU launched Monday a civilian mission to help monitor Armenia’s volatile border with Azerbaijan, bolstering the bloc’s role in a region viewed by the Kremlin as Russia’s backyard. The move comes as Moscow — focused on its war in Ukraine — has been losing influence after decades of domination over its neighborhood. Brussels said it hoped to “contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence on the ground, and ensure an environment conducive to normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”
The Estonian Center for Defense Investment has signed a new contract for the procurement of 12 more K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers manufactured by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense. This, according to local media. The new K9 Thunder 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzers will be deployed with an Estonian Infantry Brigade. The final delivery of these new howitzers is scheduled for 2026. On June 2018, Estonia had already signed a contract with Hanwha to purchase 12 K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers for a total amount of €46 million.
Asia-Pacific
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense has announced plans to reduce its number of military personnel by a third starting next year. The move aims to slash the operational costs of the armed forces as the country continues to experience a deep economic crisis. The Sri Lankan army, which currently has 200,783 personnel, will be reduced to 135,000 by 2024 and 100,000 by 2030.
Today’s Video
WATCH: K9 Thunder: The howitzer that could replace the British Army’s AS-90
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