More JDAMs Headed for Middle East | Russia’s USC Plans to Begin Aircraft Carrier Production in 2019 | Pakistan Looks to Procure F-16s Over Home Grown JF-17s

Americas

• Lockheed Martin has been given an additional order to provide an undisclosed number of production lots 7 and 8 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, one-shot weapons and related support services to the Missile Defense Agency. The $528.5 million contract modification sees an extra $144.6 million added to a pre-existing contract and will be completed by September 30 2019. The THAAD system protects the US and allied customers from short, medium and intermediate ballistic missile threats, and is operated and developed under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency.

• More Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) look to be on their way to the Middle East. Boeing has won a $357.9 million contract to produce Lots 4-8 of the DSU-38 A/B Precision Laser Guided Sets (PLGSs) for the US Navy, US Air Force and foreign military sales to UAE, Belgium, Turkey, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. When the PLGS are combined with the KMU-572 guidance set, air forces are able to cheaply convert unguided munitions into smart munitions as part of the JDAM system. Work is scheduled to be completed by December 2021.

Middle East North Africa

• Turkish company Otokar has been awarded a $52 million contract to provide COBRA II tactical wheeled armored vehicles to the Turkish security forces. Delivery of the vehicles is expected to be completed by the first half of 2017, although it is unspecified how many have been ordered. The COBRA is in service with fifteen countries worldwide, and has been utilized in counter-insurgency operations such as by Nigeria against Boko Haram, and by Turkish forces in Turkey as well as Afghanistan and Northern Iraq.

Europe

• Russia’s state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) believes it will commence manufacturing aircraft carriers from 2019, according to the company’s president, Alexey Rakmanov. USC is currently undergoing modernization works of their technological capabilities, and if completed on time, will be able to commence building the vessels required to transport and launch helicopters and aircraft. The only Russian aircraft carrier in service is the Soviet era Admiral Kuznetsov and is expected to be in service until 2030 after mid life refits over the last few years. The announcement comes alongside projected 2015 income for the company at between $4.48-4.5 billion, and as much as $212.34 million in net profits. In 2014, the US Department of Treasury added USC to the Financial Sanctions List as a result of Russia’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Africa

• Zambian airmen have completed their conversion to the Hongdu L-15 advanced jet trainer. The news comes as the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) published photos of the pilots and maintenance crew completing their training. It is believed that the Zambian Air Force (ZAF) have ordered six of the L-15 aircraft, and this order follows a number of other recent Chinese made military procurements. Zambia has also ordered 16 K-8 Karatoum jet trainers and seven Z-9 light attack helicopters, showing a continued growing preference for Chinese made hardware.

Asia Pacific

• After bungling November’s submarine launched KN-11 ballistic missile test, North Korea is focusing their energies on developing their KN-06 surface-to-air missile system. A South Korean official told the Yonhap news agencies that the system has also been set in place to defend the eastern coast of the hermit kingdom from potential attacks directed from either Seoul or the US. The system, which has a similar appearance to the Russian produced S-300 and Chinese made HQ-9 systems, has an operational range of approximately 100km. While the successful testing of future developments of the KN-06 system remains to be seen, Pyongyang no doubt will be hoping it won’t shoot another dud.

• While praising the abilities of the home made JF-17 Thunder fighter, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal, Sohail Aman has said that they are in negotiations with the US government to procure some of the latest F-16s. The announcement was made as the 16th JF-17 aircraft was unveiled and handed over to the Pakistan Air Force. Manufactured locally in cooperation with China, the JF-17 has been lauded as being able to compete with the best of other lightweight multi-role aircraft, and has been marketed heavily by Pakistan at recent air shows. While production for export seems to be on the increase, one wonders exactly why Islamabad is looking to purchase foreign made fighters ahead of locally produced ones, as well as planning to retire older aircraft simultaneously.

• The US Air Force has hailed a new era for the Afghan Air Force when the first class of A-29 Super Tucano combat-ready attack pilots graduated training this December. The eight pilots graduated after eleven months of training, and will be the first of 30 Afghan troops trained by the 81st Fighter Squadron over the next three years. Despite the short term of training, the graduates will see service almost immediately as Afghanistan’s current light air support aircraft, the Mi-35 attack helicopter, reaches the end of its service life in January 2016. The ceremony comes at a time when US participation in combat in the country becomes an ever increasing advisory capacity as the Afghan Armed Forces tackle security threats on the ground and in the air.

Today’s Video

• Russian MiG-29K doing a ski-jump take-off :

Black Sea Fleet, Corvette Plans Highlight Russian Industry Issues

The Steregushchy

In April 2010, a RIA Novosti’s “Russia’s Black Sea Fleet may lose all warships by 2015” suggested that the fleet might be unfit for missions at sea by that date, as age takes its toll on existing ships. One solution would be to build new Project 20380 Steregushchy Class corvettes, but Russian shipyards wouldn’t be able to deliver them in time. It was a vivid and consequential demonstration of the near to mid-term issues and trends profiled in “Russia’s Military Spending Jumping – But Can Its Industry?”

The first-of-class Steregushchy was put into service with Russia’s Baltic Fleet in October 2008. It was followed by the Soobrazitelny, which was floated out on March 31/10; the Boyky and the Stoyky, are under construction. A Gazeta article quoted a Russian Navy source, who said that:

Raytheon AN/ALR-67(V)3 RWR

AN/ALR-67 V3

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in Goleta, CA received an $89.5 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-09-C-0052) for 96 Lot 12 full-rate production AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receivers (RWRs) for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

A majority of the receivers, 68, are for the US Navy, but Switzerland is getting 25 and Australia 3. Switzerland is currently engaged in a program to upgrade its F-18 fleet, which includes purchases of the AN/ALR-67v3. And Australia is upgrading its radar after abandoning efforts to develop its own ALR 2002 radar warning system for the RAAF’s F/A-18 Hornets.

Raytheon’s AN/ALR-67v3 is a RWR that provides visual and audio alerts to F/A-18 aircrew when it detects ground-based, ship-based, or airborne radar emitters…

LA Times Busts on MDA’s PTSS Program | LM: Multiple Contracts Provide Product and Support in Middle East | Mitsu’s ATD-X Stealth Set for Maiden Flight February 2016

Americas

• The LA Times has been investigating the huge monetary waste on the abandoned Precision Tracking Space System program conducted by the Missile Defense Agency. The program aimed at developing a satellite system capable of deterring ballistic missile threats from rogue states such as North Korea and Iran beginning in 2009. The system was abandoned by the Obama administration four years later at a cost of $231 million. While the program had been initially lauded as a cost effective defense from potential nuclear attacks, the findings included that the initial twelve satellites needed for adequate protection was not enough. Furthermore, budgetary predictions set at $10 billion over twenty years was way off, with extra costs running to $24 billion over the same time period.

• Raytheon has been granted a $41.9 million contract to provide work for both the US Navy and the government of Switzerland. The deal will see Raytheon manufacture, test and deliver full rate production lot 15 AN/ALR-67(V)3 radar warning receivers to the US Marine Corps worth $36.1 million. Switzerland will receive weapon replaceable assemblies in a foreign military sale worth $5.9 million. Work is to be completed by December 2017.

Middle East North Africa

• Egypt is to receive the President-S missile Approach warning system according to an official from the Russian Radioelectronic Technologies Group (KRET). Contracts for the purchase are currently being drafted with delivery of the system due to commence in the near future. The President-S system will provide protection to both military and civilian aircraft and helicopters from airborne missile threats, as well as those launched from ground and sea based defense systems. It can destroy and suppress the optical homing warheads of air and anti-aircraft missiles, including the homing warheads of man-portable air defense missile systems. The purchase of the system coincides with the procurement 50 Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopters, with deliveries to be carried out between 2016-2018.

• Kuwait is to receive technical assistance for the PATRIOT system after Raytheon was awarded a $9.27 million foreign military sales contract by the US Department of Defense. The contract shortly followed a previous $74.5 million award to provide pre-PATRIOT training classes to Kuwaiti military personnel ahead of the delivery of batteries of the missile defense system in July 2016, and will run until December 2016.

• Lockheed Martin is to provide AH-64 modernized sensor assemblies for the government of Qatar. The foreign military sales contract worth $130.6 million is to be completed by March 2019. The Gulf Emirate purchased 24 AH-64D APACHE Block III LONGBOW Attack Helicopters in 2014 in a deal worth $3 billion as part of a massive modernization of its helicopter fleet, giving them multi-mission attack capabilities.

• In addition to the $130.6 million contract to provide AH-64 modernized day sensor assemblies to the government of Qatar, Lockheed Martin has been awarded over $227 million in additional contracts by the US Department of Defense to provide work to Saudi Arabia. The first, worth $117.2 million, is a modification of a previously existing fixed price contract for the manufacture and delivery of 10 MH-60R Mission Avionics Systems and Common Cockpits to Riyadh. The second is for non-recurring engineering to support the MH-60R aircraft. The contract, worth $110.2 million, is for the development, test and qualification of the MH-60R Mission Avionics Systems and Common Cockpits configuration for production. Both contracts will run until April and June 2016 respectively. The US State Department approved the sale of the multi-mission helicopters back in May 2015, in a deal worth $1.9 billion as part of a modernization of the Saudi navy’s eastern fleet.

Europe

• The UK is to receive contractor logistics support from General Atomics for the MQ-9 Reaper UAVs currently in service by the Royal Air Force. The work is to be completed by March 2017, costing $57.4 million. The ten Reapers in operation by the RAF are all currently being used in operations in the Middle East, first seeing service in Afghanistan in 2008 until the British withdrawal in 2014. They are currently being used in armed reconnaissance and strike missions in Iraq and Syria, targeting jihadists fighting for the Islamic State.

Asia Pacific

• Mitsubishi’s ATD-X stealth fighter is to make its maiden flight in February 2016 according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. The indigenous fighter is set to complete taxiing and ground trials in late January prior to the voyage. The demonstrator model is Japan’s first attempt at developing an entirely domestically produced stealth fighter, but has been suffering from delays. It is hoped that the ATD-X program will eventually lead to their own F-3 fighter to be produced by 2027.

Today’s Video

• The US military recently sent two Ah-64 helicopters to Qatar to conduct operations in the region:

Reap and Sow… The British RAF’s MQ-9 RPAS

RAF MQ-9, armed

Britain decided to stand up a full Reaper flight in late 2007, after positive early experience with 3 unarmed MQ-9s in Afghanistan. The British initially saw the MQ-9 only as a high-end surveillance drone to complement their mid-range , and short-range Desert Hawk and RQ-11 Raven mini-UAVs. That changed, as the RAF eventually bought 10 Reapers – and armed them…

NG Gets $93M for Tern UAV | Japan Defense Budget Highest Ever at $41.4B | SK’s DAPA Signing with KAI for KF-X Following Tech Txfr Approval

Americas

• Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $93 million military contract for the Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node (Tern) Phase III program. The DARPA program will see the development of a UAV capable of being launched by US Navy destroyers and frigates. The Tern UAV will possess the ability to lift off vertically in a tail-down configuration allowing it to operate from ships without aircraft carrier type runways. The contract will focus on the design, fabrication, and testing of a prototype Tern Demonstration System.

Middle East North Africa

• Russia is to commence delivery of the S-300PMU-2 air defense system to Iran from January 2016. The first regiment of the system is expected to be completed by February, with a second expected to come in either August or September 2016. The sale follows an April 2015 decree by Russian President Vladamir Putin which lifted an export ban to Iran following progressive international negotiations over Iran’s nuclear energy program. An $800 million defense system contract signed in 2007 was suspended by Moscow in 2010 over the international sanctions imposed on Tehran, causing them to sue Russia for $4 billion. The delivery of the system will now see the case dropped.

Europe

• After two decades, General Atomics will cease production of the RQ-1 Predator UAV after the final two were delivered to the Italian Air Force. While not officially confirmed, it is believed that the Italians operate nine RQ-1s for intelligence gathering. Furthermore, they have procured six of the RQ-1’s successor, the MQ-9 Reaper which have recently been approved by the US government to carry weapons. The aircraft are primarily utilized by the Italians over the Mediterranean Sea and in support of NATO operations.

Asia Pacific

• Japan announced its highest ever defense budget with spending for the fiscal year 2016/2017 set at $41.4 billion. The cabinet’s approval sees an increase of 1.5% from this year’s spending which ends in April 2016. Driven by attempts to counter an increasingly assertive China, Tokyo plans to step up procurement of military hardware including six Lockheed Martin F-35A Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters, four Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, 17 Mitsubishi SH-60K helicopters, the start of a multi-year procurement of three Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a Boeing KC-46A Pegasus refueling tanker. The new equipment will mostly be used in the monitoring of the Japanese controlled Senkaku Islands which is contested by China, Japan and Taiwan.

• South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is set to sign a development contract with Korea Aerospace Industries for the continued production of the indigenous KF-X fighter. The news follows the granting by the US government for the transfer of 21 technologies used in Lockheed Martin’s F-35 which had been the subject of much wrangling over the last number of weeks. Washington had denied the transfer of four key technologies back in April citing security concerns. The contract will see the production of six prototypes by 2025 with an expected 120 jets produced by 2032.

• Indian manufacturer Reliance Defense Limited is to partner with Russia’s Almaz-Antey in the development of air defense missile and radar systems for the Indian military. Both companies will cooperate on the entire range of the Russian produced systems required by New Delhi including the TOR-1M missile program, radars and automated control systems under the “Make in India” initiative. Also discussed was the joint implementation of modernization, repair and deep overhauls of currently existing Almaz-Antey systems in use by India.
  
• Elbit Systems is to supply a $50 million intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) package to an unnamed Asia-Pacific country. The contract will be carried out over a three year period and includes work on existing Elbit systems in use by the purchaser. Upgrades are to be carried out to long-range electro-optical (EO) cameras and sensors currently in use and supplementing them with ELTA Systems Ltd.’s, subsidiary and division of IAI, advanced SAR/GMTI Reconnaissance systems. This will allow the customer to perform advanced functions such as mission planning, battlefield management, terrain analysis and simulation modeling, both before and during intelligence-gathering operations.

• Vietnam has unveiled a new indigenous high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV. Named, the HS-6L, it is believed that development of the UAV had been aided by Belarus as the unveiling coincided with a visit by the chairman of the Presidium of the Belarus Academy of Science, Professor Vladimir G. Gusakov. Flight testing will be conducted during the summer of 2016 and will eventually engage in both civilian and military operations over the South China Sea.

Today’s Video

• Promo for the Royal Thai Air Force Air Tactical Operations Competition 2016:

DISA Awards $4.3B in Telecom Network Solutions | France Orders More Tigers, Plans $41.6B Budget Increase | US Intel Reveals China’s ICBM Tests

Americas

• Canada’s recent exit of the F-35 fighter program may not be as cut and dried as promised on the campaign trail by the Liberal Party government. During a recent interview, defense minister Harjit Sajjan sidestepped answering questions on whether the Lockheed Martin F-35 jet would be excluded from a competition to replace the CF-18 fleet. The government hopes to replace the aging CF-18 flight before they become obsolete. Recent promises by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to back out of the F-35 development program and find a replacement that was more cost effective has resulted in a new selection process. However, it was unclear whether the F-35 could come under consideration again. Canada has yet to set the terms for the replacement competition, but Lockheed may just have a second chance in 2016.

• The Defense Information System Agency (DISA) has awarded a combined contract of $4.3 billion to provide telecommunications network solutions and services that support the transmission requirements of the Defense Information System Network enterprise-level infrastructure. Companies involved in the work include Artel, AT&T, BT Federal, Qwest Government Services, GTT Americas, CapRock Government Solutions, Level 3 Communications and Verizon Business Network Services. Work will continue until December 2025 and will be performed globally with a primary focus on regions outside of the continental United States.

• Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $1.17 billion advance acquisition contract for the F-35 fighter. The contract includes the advance procurement of long lead time materials, parts, components and effort to maintain the planned production schedule for F-35 low rate initial production lot 11 aircraft. It will see the production of 80 of the F-35A variant, seven of the F-35B variant and four F-35C aircraft that are destined for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps as well as sales to foreign allies.

Middle East North Africa

• The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) have announced the successful completion of a series of tests of the David’s Sling Weapon System. David’s Sling is part of Israel’s multi-layered defense systems which include the Iron Dome, the Arrow-2 and currently under development Arrow-3. The series of tests were the final assessments of the weapons capabilities at countering multiple threats in real time environments and will be in operation by the Israeli Air Force in 2016. David’s Sling Interceptor missiles can target threats up to 160 miles away.

Europe

• Finland has begun to start the process of selecting a replacement fighter for its F-A 18 fleet. Helsinki will issue Requests for Information to manufacturers in March 2016 on several potential options. These include Eurofighter’s Typhoon, Dassault’s Rafale, Saab’s Gripen, Boeing’s F-18 and F-15, and Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and F-16. The winner will be selected by the time the F-A 18 fleet is decommissioned in 2021, and it is expected full implementation of the new fleet may take fifteen years. Surrounding neighbours Norway and Denmark are both modernizing their air forces with the new F-35 while Sweden uses its indigenous Gripen.

• France has ordered an additional seven Airbus Tiger attack helicopter after additions to an updated budget. The new acquisitions will bring the total number of Tigers in France’s service to 67. In 2015, France has spent $35 billion on defense, but plans to increase its budget by $41.6 billion between 2016-2018. The increase is said to save 18,500 jobs in the defense industry as Paris seeks to maintain and increase activity in security operations at home and abroad.

Asia Pacific

• Malaysia’s defense minister has said that his government is not interested in purchasing Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter as part of their air force modernization plans. The denial comes after a Malaysian diplomat was reported to have said that his country may look at procuring the JF-17 to help increase the amount of bilateral trade between the two nations. While Malaysia is looking to replace its fleet of F-5E/F and MiG-29 planes with a modern fighter, the Sino-Pakistan produced JF-17 had not been under consideration.

• US intelligence has reported that China has tested a D-41 Inter Continental Ballistic Missile from a train mounted mobile launcher. The canister ejection test was carried out on December 5 from a system that included a command carriage and launch carriages, and was disguised as a passenger train. It is believed that the missile-train also has MIRV [multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle] potential. The mobile missile system would help Beijing evade US missile interceptors stationed in Alaska.

Today’s Video

• Israel’s David’s Sling defense system:

$2.35B to Raytheon for SM-3s | Australia Gets FMS Approval for $180M in Chinooks | Saab Sweetens the Deal to Sell Gripens to India

Americas

• Raytheon has been awarded a $2.35 billion contract to deliver 52 SM-3 Block IB missiles. The contract finalizes a preliminary one for 44 missiles valued at $541 million. The addition of 8 further missiles comes as the US military is increasing its stocks of SM-3s in the wake of increased missile threats, and orders by foreign allies of its weapons systems.

• General Atomics will conduct logistical support for Predator (MQ1) and Reaper (MQ9) unmanned aerial systems for the US Air Force. The one year contract is worth $338.2 million. Work to be carried out includes program management, logistics support, configuration management, technical manual and software maintenance, contractor field service representative support, inventory control point management, flight operations support, depot repair, and depot field maintenance. The MQ1s and MQ9s will also see sensors contractor logistics support provided by Raytheon for the year in a contract worth $49.4 million.

Middle East North Africa

• Raytheon Corp. has been awarded a $74.5 million foreign military sales contract to provide English language training and a series of Pre-PATRIOT military occupational specialty training classes to the government of Kuwait. Training is to be completed by December 17, 2018. The contract coincides with the expected June 2016 delivery from Lockheed Martin of fourteen four pack Patriot missiles and seven launcher modification kits to Kuwait. The training will increase the Gulf nation’s military integration and interoperability as it conducts military intervention as part of the Saudi Arabian led coalition in Yemen.

Europe

• Germany is looking to develop the replacement of the Tornado jet, with planning discussion set to begin in 2016. Like the Tornado, the replacement may be manufactured by a consortium of European manufacturers. The announcement was made as part of a government draft document on “military aviation strategy” although a decision on whether the fighter would be manned or unmanned was not noted. It is possible that a version of both will be designed. The document also mentions the idea of extending the life of the German Tornado fleet until the mid-2030s, a decade longer than their planned retirement.

• The purchase of Javelin missiles and command launch units by Lithuania has been cleared by the US State Department in a deal worth $55 million. The acquisition includes 220 anti-tank missiles, 74 launch command units, 10 fly-to-buy missiles, and aims to help modernize the capabilities of the Lithuanian Army to participate in future NATO operations. Recent Russian military action in Ukraine and the annexation of the Crimea in 2014 has resulted in neighboring countries increasing their defensive capabilities against any future Russian aggression.

Asia Pacific

• The US State Department has approved the sale of three CH-47F Chinook helicopters to Australia. The $180 million foreign military sale includes six Aircraft Turbine Engines and three Common Missile Warning Systems, as well as three Infrared Signature Suppression Systems and logistical support. Australia has ordered seven of the latest CH47F model to replace the existing CH-47Ds currently in service with the Royal Australian Air Force. Delivery is expected to be completed by 2017.

• Malaysia may consider purchasing Pakistan’s JF-17 aircraft as part of its current fighter replacement program. Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. Hasrul Sani made the announcement citing the excellent relations both nations currently have in terms of defense cooperation. The sale would also see further increase in the bilateral trade between the two, which currently stands at over $2 billion per annum. Other options currently being considered are the Dassault Rafale, Boeing’s F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin’s F-16V. The interest in the JF-17 comes alongside the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which will see over $40 billion invested in Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic development. Dr. Sani stated that the whole region would stand to benefit from the CPEC project.

• Saab has made another bid to sell its Gripen fighters to India, after it lost out a tender to Dassault’s Rafale in 2011. With a deal to buy 36 Rafale fighters just signed last month, Saab has claimed that India will require more fighters to maintain an at capacity fleet. The offer comes sweetened with a technology transfer, giving full system and software control and an offer to help develop India’s aerospace industry for the next 100 years. This deal would see Saab help in the development of India’s own indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The promise of a Saab base in India and full technology transfer is a tempting one as it would mark a big success for President Modi’s “Make in India” program after tough negotiations with France and Dassault over the Rafale purchase.

Today’s Video

• NATO has conducted the maiden flight of NATO’s RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk as part of the Alliance Ground Surveillance program, marking an important milestone for them and Northrop Grumman.

Australia Ordered CH-47F Chinooks Contract Fulfilled; Housing Under Construction

Australian CH-47D:
Afghanistan, 2006

In December 2005, Australia decided to upgrade its CH-47D Chinook fleet, in preparation for use on the front lines. Afghanistan’s high altitudes and sometimes-scorching temperatures reduce rotor lift. That made the Chinooks a far better choice than upgrading the ADF’s S-70 Black Hawk helicopters, whose reduced carrying capacity would limit their tactical uses. Those CH-47D Chinooks have gone on to play an important role in Afghanistan, amidst a general shortage of useful helicopters. Now, Australia seems determined to supplement its older CH-47D fleet with new and improved CH-47F models, which feature more modern electronics, uprated engines, and numerous other improvements.

The question was when the DSCA request would become an actual contract. That question has just been answered.

Congress Cuts JLENS Funding by $30M | FMS Approval Backlog Results in UAE, SA Buying China’s UAVs | India to Buy Five S-400 Systems

Americas

• US Congress has voted to slash the funding for the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) program by $30 million. This leaves just $10.5 million in funding for development of the project. Last Wednesday’s 2016 defense spending bill cited “test schedule delay” as reason for the cut in finance. The announcement runs contrary to recent vocal support made by retired admirals and general for continuing the program despite recent snafus involving the breaking free of a radar blimp from its mooring and floating more than 100 miles.

Middle East North Africa

• A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Antonov Aviation and Taqnia Aeronautics. The agreement will see the Ukrainian firm sell thirty An-178 aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force. Saudi Arabia is the first nation to make a purchase of the short-range military aircraft who said it was chosen for its overall and low maintenance costs in comparison to competitors. But not all are happy. Russian news sources have said the An-178 is likely to be named “Bandera” in honor of famous Nazi collaborator, Stepan Bandera.

• After some delay, Qatar has finally made their down-payment on their order of 24 Rafale fighters. The $7 billion deal had undergone a number of delays after initially being agreed upon in May. It had been feared that the deal would have stalled in the new year, but with only four shopping days left until Christmas, any issues over the deal seem to have been ironed out.

• The backlog in US approval of foreign arms sales has had UAE and Saudi Arabia turning toward China for supply. Urgent operational requirements by the UAE and Saudi military has seen them both purchase and operate Chinese made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for their ongoing campaign in Yemen. Recent pictures of UAVs at Saudi military airports seem to look like Chinese CH-4 UAVs. Predator XPs ordered from the US have not been received by either military.

Europe

• Estonia has taken delivery of their first batch of Mistral M3 missiles from MBDA missile systems. The sale, worth $25.8 million, is the first foreign export of the next generation missile after testing by the French Army. The Mistral air-defense system is used in thirty countries world wide so this is the first of many.

• PIT-RADWAR has received an order for 79 Poprad self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems from Poland. The $273 million contract will also include the upgrade of two previously delivered systems. The short-range anti-aircraft system uses the Polish-made Grom MANPADS. Poland’s new government, led by the right-wing Law & Justice Party, has sought to increase military spending as part of NATO directives, but also holds a desire to increase production of armaments domestically.

• The first of Sweden’s NHIndustries’ NH-90 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variant helicopter has been delivered. The Swedish Air Force hopes to have nine out of a total eighteen NH-90s ordered to have ASW capabilities. The delivery coincides with the the Swedish procurement agency, FMW, signing an agreement with NHI to convert four existing NH-90 Search and Rescue variants to have ASW capabilities.

Asia Pacific

• India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given the go-ahead for the purchase of five S-400 air-defense systems after a meeting chaired by India’s Defence Minister. The deal is said to cost New Delhi about $6 billion. After China, India is only the second foreign nation to purchase the next generation missile defense system since Russia’s recently relaxed transfer restrictions on the export of new technology. It was also decided to request a modernization of 24 aging Pechora S-125M air-defense systems in an upgrade set to cost $180 million.

Today’s Video

• Turkey joins the club of countries to develop an armed indigenous UAV when the Bayrakter TB2 successfully fired a UMTAS missile: