Poland’s Balancing Act: A Briefing for the Defense Sector – Part 1

(click to visit)

Guest Article by Christina Balis, Avascent

This is a pivotal year for the Polish defense market. Russia’s actions in Ukraine have underscored the urgency of Poland’s $44 billion military modernization program, and accelerated planned purchases. Critical defense procurement decisions will be made in 2014, testing the government’s ability to successfully manage big international tenders that pit Americans against Europeans. This year will also see the implementation of the country’s highly ambitious plans to consolidate most of its domestic industrial base under one roof, with significant implications for foreign suppliers seeking industrial arrangements with local partners.

Naturally, foreign companies are eager to secure a share in Europe’s most promising defense market. To compete effectively, defense primes and their subcontractors need to understand the financial, industrial, and political landscape they face in Poland.

UH-60V: Upgraded Avionics Coming to Legacy Black Hawks

UH-60V Cockpit

The US military is ordering new UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters at a rapid clip, but it still has a large legacy fleet of UH-60Ls. Upgrading UH-60L performance etc. isn’t cost-effective, but upgrading their avionics to a common standard will save money by cutting down on training, removing dependence on out-of-production parts, etc. As a bonus, new digital technologies take up less space, weigh less, and draw less power. Northrop Grumman has been picked for the program.