FY2015 US Foreign Arms Sales Up 36% | Stratofortresses Get JASSM in $9.1M Deal | US Readying $1B Deal with Taiwan

Americas

• US arms sales abroad have increased by 36% in the 2015 fiscal year to $46.6 billion. According to the Pentagon, these projections are going to continue over the next number of years as foreign states rush to replenish stocks and upgrade equipment. The news comes as US companies have complained that the process of approving sales by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) is too slow and can not keep with demand. However it has been said that this process will be streamlined to ease the backlog. Recent purchases have seen a shift in the types of sales being sold. Previous years had seen a focus on helicopters, munitions and equipment sales, but recently shifts have been made towards fighter jets and missile defense systems amid regional tensions in the Middle East and Asia.

• Lockheed Martin has been put on contract to upgrade the B-52H to carry its new extended-range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff (JASSM) Weapon in a deal worth $9.1 million. The facelift will allow the B-52 to carry missiles that will double the bombers strike distance. The JASSM takes advantage of several concurrent digital upgrades that will allow every B-52 to carry smart weapons internally for the first time and on its pylons, giving the 54 year old a new lease on life and usability.

Middle East North Africa

• Russia is to install the S-400 missile defence system in Syria it has been announced. The system will be installed at the Latakia airbase in the aftermath of the shooting down by Turkey of one of its fighters this week, and coincides with the moving of the Moskava guided missile cruiser from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Last week we called out the Daily Mail for hysteria after it claimed the system was already in place in Syria, but unfortunately this has turned out to more of a prophecy. What else does the Mail know?

Europe

• Switzerland is to buy six Hermes 900 Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) UAVs from Elbit Systems in a deal worth $200 million. The delivery of the UAVs is expected to be completed by 2020 when the current UAVs in service are retired. The Hermes are thought to provide a considerable increase in the capability of the Swiss Air Force, who currently operate the Ruag Aerospace ADS 95 Ranger for their reconnaissance and surveillance needs. The Hermes saw extensive action during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza last year as well as being used by Brazil when it hosted the World Cup.

• Airbus is to offer surveillance and intelligence reconnaissance upgrades for its A400M and A330 Airborne tanker planes. The announcement comes at a time when governments are seeking a short-cut to enhance intelligence gathering capabilities, as action against the Islamic State increases along with operational requirements. The ability for these aircraft to hold all required fuel in their wings allows for existing off the shelf equipment to be installed with ease. Airbus has orders for these planes from France, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, all of whom are currently taking action in the Middle East. This could be seen as an attempt by Airbus to boost the usability of their aircraft amid a decrease in sales of the A400M. The drop is a result of the crash of one of the planes in Spain earlier this year.

Asia Pacific

• India is to sign a deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighters from France it has been announced. The signing coincides with French President Hollande’s visit to New Delhi to celebrate Republic Day. It is expected that the delivery of the Rafale fighters will be completed within seven years and is part of India’s move to increase its air force strength to maintain effectiveness against both China and Pakistan.

• A new arms sale is being prepared between Taiwan and the US, in a move that is likely to increase tensions with China. Details of the $1 billion deal have yet to be announced, but it is likely to include missile frigates, amphibious assault vehicles, and various missiles. The sale will be the first between the two in four years; however, over the duration of the Obama administration, $12 billion of arms transactions have been completed. The announcement comes after Obama came under criticism for not doing enough to support Taiwan in the region where tensions between China and its neighbors have been rising. This has seen increased militarization efforts by both South Korea and Japan, and the completion of several arms deals with the US.

• Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani has raised the possibility of installing the THAAD missile defence system in the country. The system would be installed to protect against any threat that may come potentially from North Korea, who have raised the possibility of testing missiles. Pyongyang announced a no sail zone off the east coast of the peninsula earlier this month between November 11 and December 7. Nakatani’s comments come along with speculation that South Korea and the US have been discussing the installation of THAAD by Seoul during talks over deterrence methods to threats from the North. These rumors have been downplayed by both countries.

Today’s Video

• With Kurdish forces making gains against the Islamic State, its Mad Max inspired home made armor has been getting some traction in the press recently.

Thanksgiving 2015

It’s that time of year again. For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving, or who just want a feast, the US Defense Commissary Agency has some tips for cooking turkey, and ham .

DID offers thanks to all of our readers, and to all American and allied soldiers in uniform. We will return on Friday.

Tensions Mount Over Syria | Russia Installing Comm Systems for Chinese Su-35s | Iran: Russia Delivering S-300s

Americas

• One of two Lockheed Martin X-56A Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) has crashed during testing in California. According to a US Air Force statement, the UAV crashed shortly after take off and sustained significant damage. The aircraft had already made 16 successful test flights and spent a total of 6 hours in the air prior to the accident, since its first flight in July 2013. Testing will continue with the USAF’s second X-56A.

• The Mexican Navy has completed an Airbus C295W flight from Mexico to Bolivia. Landing in El Alto airport in La Paz, the flight was aimed at demonstrating the aircraft’s ability to operate in extremely hot and high conditions. With La Paz located at over 4,000 meters above sea-level, the ability to operate in such conditions is important for missions in several countries in the region, and has been hailed as quite the success by both Airbus and the Mexican Navy.

Middle East North Africa

• Vladimir Putin has called the downing of one of its fighters by Turkey (in Syria) a “stab in the back.” Turkey defended the decision to down the Su-24 after repeated warnings that the Russians had violated Turkish airspace on the Syrian border. The shooting of the plane is the first time a NATO member has downed a Russian or Soviet aircraft since the 1950s. World stock markets fell as a result, as investors worried that tensions could escalate, and as a growing cast of characters continue maneuvers, air strikes and missile launches in the skies of Syria.

Europe

• The US Army has begun the second phase of its training and equipping mission in the Ukraine. The $265 million “Operation Fearless Guardian” aims to allow Ukrainian forces to operate more safely and effectively in the field and to monitor and secure its borders. At present, there are 300 US troops in western Ukraine facilitating the mission along with other NATO members and other US personnel. Escalating conflict in the eastern Donbass region has gone mostly unnoticed by a media focused on Russian and NATO intervention in Syria.  Since violence erupted last year, over 6,000 people have been killed in the Donbass region alone with many more either internally displaced or having fled to Russia.

• Russia is to install communications systems for China as part of the $2 billion sale of Su-35 fighters. The deal includes the delivery and installation of the NKVS-27 communications system which will begin in 2016. The delivery of the 24 fighters will follow in 2017. It has been speculated that the Chinese may attempt to reverse engineer and copy the design of the aircraft as it did Su-27SK and could include the communications system. The NKVS-27 is designed to ensure information interaction between CPs and crews of any aircraft.  Interaction may be by means of conversations through voice communications radio networks as well as data exchange through data exchange radio networks.

• A Pakistani Air Force (PAF) pilot has died during a training flight. Muarium Mukhtiar died after her FT-7PG crashed due to an unspecified in-flight emergency. Muhtiar was one of 20 female pilots in the PAF since females were allowed combat roles in 2006. The accident has been one in a series of crashes of PAF aircraft this year which included another fighter in September, and two military helicopters in August and May. Pakistan is currently revamping its older aircraft in service and co-developing new fighters with China to reduce dependence on western companies.

• Indonesia has announced plans to purchase a new AW101 in 2016. The helicopter will replace the air force’s aging AS332 Super Puma and will be used as presidential transport as well as for other VVIPs. The purchase will be followed by the sale of two more AW101s in 2017, replacing the remaining Super Pumas which have been in service for the last 25 years. Its nice to see President Widodo treating himself to a new luxury aircraft.

• According to the Iranian Ambassador to Russia, the delivery of the S-300 missile defense system has begun. The first of five shipments of the system comes months ahead of schedule and in advance of the lifting of some economic sanctions against Iran. An expansive interpretation of the July agreement between Iran and six other nations over its nuclear program paved the way for the $600 million sale earlier this month. Russia had previously and repeatedly used the prospect of selling the system to Iran as a bargaining chip on other matters over the past three years.

Today’s Video

• The commencement of sorties from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft
  

LCS Program Picks up Speed with a Launch and a Commission | UK Announces Defense Spending Increase | Indonesia Inks Deal with KAI as Part of KF-X Program

Americas

• The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Class (LCS) program is picking up speed with a launch and a commission in the last few days. November 20 saw the USS Omaha enter the water in Mobile, Alabama and the USS Milwaukee was commissioned the following day. There are now five LCS class ships operational and they are being completed at an average of four per year. It is hoped that by 2018, 38 of the ships will have undergone construction in only 13 years and will be operating in shallow and coastal waters throughout the world.

Middle East North Africa

• Pakistan is to keep using the the Russian made RD-93 engine for its series of JF-17 fighters. The confirmation comes after hints made by Chinese officials that Pakistan would revert back to an original arrangement with China but Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officials are happy with the Russian engine. PAF officials have said that improvements to the JF-17 along with the reliability of the RD-93 engine has resulted in a number of interested parties. Russia on the other hand will be happy to see product solidarity due to economic sanctions over Ukraine closing many export markets.

• A task force led by French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has commenced operations against the Islamic State. The 261.5m nuclear-powered vessel, commissioned in 2001, is the largest warship in deployment by any Western European country. Aircraft on board the vessel include Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard, Dassault Rafale M and E 2C Hawkeye aircraft, as well as EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar helicopters. This is in addition to the six Rafale and six Mirage 200 already stationed in Jordan and UAE. Both Russia and the UK have offered assistance to the French with the UK allowing the French Air Force to conduct air strikes from their RAF base in Cyprus.

Europe

• The UK has announced an increase in defense spending as part of the Strategic Defence & Security Review. Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged an extra $18.15 billion, bringing planned spending to $269 billion over the next ten years. Plans have been made to purchase nine new Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to aid in surveillance and anti-surface ship warfare as the government scrapped its Nimrod spy-plane program in 2010. The review also includes plans to create two ‘Strike Brigades’ for rapid troop deployment and eight BAE warships. In order to keep within budget spending, civilian staff will be cut at the defence ministry by 30%.

• QinetiQ has been awarded a $231 million contract to deliver technical services to the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) fast jets and A400M aircrafts. The contract comes as part of an agreement developed jointly between QinetiQ and the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) called the Strategic Enterprise. The agreement is aimed to increase cost effectiveness in providing services to the RAF. The A400M recently replaced the C130-J fleet and a total number of 22 will be operational by 2019. Fast jets to be maintained involve the Tornado and Typhoon which have recently had their life expectancy extended under the Strategic Defence & Security Review.

Asia Pacific

• A deal has been signed between between Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the Indonesian government as part of South Korea’s KF-X fighter program. The agreement includes details of shared costs of the joint engineering and development phase of the fighter. Indonesian contributions to the costs amount to $1.5 billion, about 20% of the costs. KAI was announced as preferred in March by the South Korean Defence Acquisition Production Administration (DAPA) and will collaborate with Indonesia with design and some part production. Planned production of the indigenous fighter will commence in 2025 with Indonesia as one of the first customers as export. Indonesia hopes the collaboration will help their own indigenous development capabilities in future.

• India announced the latest test of their Advance Air Defence (AAD) Interceptor missile, although its success has yet to be announced by officials. This is the 11th test of the missile and follows the April 6 failure. Tests scheduled for September and then October had been postponed due to the system not being ready. The AAD missile is part of India’s two tier and indigenously developed missile defence system with both high and low altitude anti-ballistic missile capabilities.

• Task Force Talon, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery in Guam have completed their replacement of missiles. The exercise took place between September and November and involved a total replacement of its existing Interceptor stock to help maintain combat readiness. With a force of 200 soldiers, Task Force Talon is about a third of the size of the traditional air defense Patriot battalion. The exercise comes at a time of increased activity in the Pacific region and talks of installing further THAAD systems in South Korea which may be seen as a threat to an increasingly aggressive China.

Today’s Video

• The sky is getting pretty crowded in Iraq. Flights between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan have been cancelled due to increased Russian air strikes and cruise missiles in the area.

Boeing E-3 Sees First Deployment | Denmark Expected to Confirm F-35 Order Shortly | Japan to Get RQ-4 UAVs Through FMS

Americas

• US Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work has suggested that Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter will take part in Canada’s latest jet selection competition. The announcement comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he would not be purchasing the jet as part of Canada’s replacement of older CF-18s. Work’s comments appear contrary to the Canadian administration but seems to be coming across as part of US efforts to rescue Canadian participation in the program.
  
• Raytheon has announced the completion of the First Program Planning Review for the Multi-Object Kill Vehicle (MOKV) program. The news comes ahead of the concept review in December and when completed will allow for defense from long range ballistic threats and penetration aids. The MOKV contact was awarded in Raytheon in August at a cost of $9.7 million.
  
• The latest upgrade of the Boeing E-3 Sentry has seen its first deployment in south-west Asia. The E-3G model reached Initial Operation Capacity (IOC) in July and was the product of developments costing $2.7 billion dollars. Improvements included updates to the aircraft software and hardware, some of which dated back to the 1970s. The upgrades have been hailed as a game-changer in airborne surveillance and air battle management. The E-3G is said to begin combat missions immediately.

Middle East North Africa

• The development of Turkey’s indigenous long range missile defense program may involve helpfrom either France or China. President Recip Erdogan made the announcement a week after the cancellation of a $3.4 billion development deal with China prior to hosting G-20 leaders. The news was a relief to NATO members but renewed cooperation with the Chinese in the development of the system may raise fresh concerns. Further details have yet to be announced but the new deal may either be opening a tender process or by inter-governmental agreement. The news comes among claims by Erdogan that Turkey will shortly be able to export rather than import armaments.

Europe

• While rumours continue over the fate of Canada and the F-35 program, Denmark is expected to confirm an order for the aircraft this December. It was reported last year that the order would be for 30 of the aircraft and would be replace the F-16s that are currently in service in the Royal Danish Air Force. Other European countries expected to make purchases include Norway and the Netherlands.
  
• The Swiss Air Force have banned the use of their jets by civilians in the wake of a crash last month. The crash of the F-18 Hornet during training exercises in eastern France had no civilians on board and the pilot safely ejected from the aircraft. According to Swiss television station SRF, a number of civilians have ridden in military jets over the last number of years. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Asia Pacific

• Japan is to receive three RQ-4 Block 30 (I) UAVs after the sale was cleared by the US State Department on Friday. The deal will also include associated parts, equipment and training costing $1.2 billion in total. The purchase comes at a time when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been beefing up his country’s defense spending to counter Chinese influence. It was announced earlier this year that Japan is planning its largest ever defence budget which, if approved, will be in the region of $41 billion.
  
• The long awaited death of India’s indigenous Nishat UAV program has come to pass. The final of four UAVs in use by the Army has crashed less than a week after the program was officially cancelled. The final nail in the program’s coffin occurred earlier this month after a third UAV crashed amid technical problems cited by the Indian Army. However, these claims have been refuted by the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), who claim army incompetence and poor handling by the army. While the blame game continues, we do know that we won’t be seeing any more Nishats in the Indian sky.

Today’s Video

• George Lucas meets the Navy. The crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower try their hand at Star Wars.

Swiss F-18s Grounded

Swiss F/A-18Cs

Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Corp. in St. Louis, MO received a $6 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price delivery order issued under basic ordering agreement N00019-00-G-0148. This modification provides for support for the Phase II C/D fleet retrofit effort to upgrade a variety of systems for 24 F/A-18C and 6 F/A-18D Hornet aircraft for the Government of Switzerland under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, MO and is expected to be complete in March 2009. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD is the contracting activity.

CSBA Releases US Navy/Marine Tipping Point Report | Thales Intros Spy’Ranger Mini-drone | China Signs $2B+ Contract with Russia for Su-35s

Americas

• The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAV has reached a significant stage as it now enters the program’s Milestone C review. Operational tests will involve six test flights and if successful will lead to the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT & E) phase. Successful testing of the UAV will lead to a production contract (albeit at low levels initially) with the Navy committed to ordering three in 2016 but will increase orders to 68 in 2017. Overseas contracts potentially include seven of the Tritons being procured by Australia with Germany, India and the UK also looking at purchases.

• Boeing has reached an important milestone in the development of the latest Harpoon Block II+ missile after successful tests carried out by the US Navy. The main feature of the missile is the ability to receive in-flight updates through a network enabled data link as well as an upgraded GPS guidance kit. The missile will receive more rigorous testing in the new year, but all seems to be pointing to the positive for Boeing, who also this month received increased orders of its existing systems from foreign buyers worth $124.6 million.

• The Center for Strategic & Budgeting Assessment has released a report titled “Deploying Beyond Their Means: America’s Navy and Marine Corps at a Tipping Point.”  The report highlights fears that at its present state, the Navy and Marine Corps are approaching a point at which the fleet cannot meet the demand for forces from the regional combatant commanders and may face the need to reduce presence abroad, leaving interests and allies vulnerable. One solution suggests an increase in the portion for the fleet that is forward deployed as fewer ships are required to maintain a given level of presence. This would include having two instead of one aircraft carriers in Japan, which would save about 20 percent in the deployment length by not having to transit from the West Coast and boost presence in the region. One of the main concerns and remits of the CSBA is the growing influence and threat of China in the Pacific Theater.

Middle East North Africa

• Combined efforts are being made between Britain and France in the wake of a recent increase of action against the Islamic State (IS). In the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy HMS Defender has been sent to provide air defense cover for a French naval task force led by the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. This adds to ongoing air strikes by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Iraq as well as providing surveillance support by sending RAF MQ-9s over the IS capital of Raqqa to aide French bombing runs. At present the RAF have not taken part in bombing IS positions in Syria but recent opinion polls suggest that Prime Minister David Cameron may have enough support to win a House of Commons vote to start a campaign before Christmas.

Europe

• The Thales Group has unveiled its newest surveillance and reconnaisance mini-drone, the Spy’Ranger. According to the company, this new tactical UAV comes from the need for a response to an increase in battlefield anti-drone measures. Designed in collaboration by a team of European UAV developers from both Thales and French aerospace SME Aviation, the Spy’Ranger follows a decade of experimentation on micro and mini UAV systems used by the French armed forces, and is fitted to build on endurance and provide increase security and survivability in hostile environments.

• MBDA has pushed back the first use In-Service Date (ISD) of the Brimstone 2 missile by six months after testing on Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornados. Problems sited with the warhead involved technical issues that had lead to detonation failures and the Inital Operational Capability (IOC) has been pushed back to May 2016. The Brimstone missile has seen successful use in Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq and had been looked at by both the US and French Air Forces. $10 million worth of the RAF stockpile was bought by Saudi Arabia, the only other nation to have the Brimstone currently in its arsenal.

Asia Pacific

• China has signed a substantial contract with Russia to purchase 24 Sukhoi Su-35 fighters in a deal that is said to be worth $2 billion. The agreement comes shortly after speculation that a number of countries were interested in purchasing the advanced fighters, including Pakistan, Indonesia and UAE, during the Dubai Air Show. This comes at an important time for Russia who have been suffering economically from falling oil prices and frosty trade relations with western nations and Ukraine. Arms sales have been one constant in this rather bleak financial outlook as the Kremlin looks to find new buyers for its military technologies.

• Following China and their inking of contracts for the Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, the Indonesian ambassador to Russia announced that they too are interested in making a purchase. Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun told news agency RIA Novosti that a delegation will be sent from Russia to Jakarta to discuss contracts for the purchase of a number of the aircraft. No further details about the deal are known but seem to be part of a plan to increase trade between the two in 2016 by $5 billion.

Today’s Video

• With Thales big unveiling of the Spy’Ranger Mini UAV what will it mean for frontline forces?

Aurora Flight AACUS Program Soars with $11M Contract | Argentina Gets US Approval for 4 Bells | LM Visits SK Re: Tech Xfer for KF-X Fighter Program

Americas

• The US Navy has awarded Aurora Flight Sciences a contract worth $11 million to support flight testing of the Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) program. The flight testing will take place as part of the governments development of the latest generation of unmanned cargo UAS which are able to land in more rugged terrain and will forgo the need for trained operators. The issue of safe resupply in remote areas has been a question for some time with the Marines requesting such a need while in Afghanistan.

• Argentinas updating of its air force continued today after the $80 million sale of 4 Bell 412EP Helicopters was approved by the US State Department. The sale follows the recent delay in upgrading its fighter fleet after problems concerning the quality of Kfir Block 60 fighters from Israel which were set to replace its aging Rafales.

Middle East North Africa

• The Israeli Knesset has begun deciding on this years budget which will see a vote on a major overhaul of defense spending and funding of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The changes will see a shift from shorter defense budgets to a long-term one fixed at $15 billion over the next five years. This will allow for greater long term acquisition and training programs as well as increased efficiency in the awarding of longer term fixed contracts. The measures come as the government is looking to increase technological abilities and cost effectiveness of existing defense systems such as its Iron Dome batteries to counter regional threats. Recent upgrades to the system which increased threat sensitivity caused an interceptor to launch after a false alarm caused by gun-fire within the the Gaza Strip. The rocket exploded mid-air resulting in an expensive firework display.

• The US State Department has approved a sale worth $157 million to the Kingdom of Morocco. The deal includes TOW 2A, Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles (BGM-71E-4B-RF), M220A2 TOW Launchers as well as the associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support with the principal contractor being Raytheon. The sale goes as part of the cooperation between the two countries and aiming to help against security threats in the region.

Europe

• Andreas Heeschen, majority shareholder of German arms manufacturer Heckler and Koch (H&K), is set to invest $74.6 million of his own money into the company. The move comes in an effort to reduce the large debt at H&K, increase the firms liquidity and boost credit ratings. H&K have had a tough time of it lately with the German Army dropping the G36 model as the primary rifle of the force and export restrictions imposed by chancellor Angela Merkel. This saw exports to the middle east grind to a halt; however it may not be all doom and gloom for H&K. The most recent installment in the 007 franchise saw James Bond drop his trusted Walther PPK in favor of Heckler’s VP9. The switch may see an increase in sales of the $719 pistol among US gun enthusiasts leaving the company shaken but not quite stirred.

• Russia has successfully launched the new EKS-1 satellite as part of the upgrade of the Oko early warning system. The satellite is set to be able to operate in the highly elliptical Tundra orbit and is the first in a series of replacements in its aging missile defense system which dates back to the Soviet era.

Asia Pacific

• Indonesia’s PT Pindad has continued its recent spate of industrial collaborations after announcing that it is to team up with South Australia defense industry body the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC). This follows announcements in September and October that PT Pindad was to collaborate with BAE Systems and PT Len Industri respectively which aim at increasing the capabilities and technologies at PT Pindad who are the largest suppliers of military equipment and systems to the Indonesian National Armed Forces. The nature of the most recent deal is said to focus on the production of 4×4 and 6×6 vehicles and comes at a time where the company has received increased interest from international customers looking to do business.

• Lockheed Martin staff are visiting South Korea this week to further discuss the transfer of technologies in relation to the development of the $6.9 billion KF-X fighter program. The talks come following a recent refusal by the US to allow the transfer of the four core technologies necessary for the program which could put the future of its development in jeopardy. Despite this, both Lockheed and the South Korean government are confident that the transfer of another 21 technologies will go ahead as planned with possibly some minor alterations to the technologies initially listed. The State Department however did approve the sale of 19 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II All-Up-Round Missiles and 13 Block II upgrade kits totally $110 million.

Today’s Video

• A look at AACUS and its capabilities.

Uruguay Interested in Elbit UAVs to Monitor Terror | UAE Uses Patriot Missiles to Defend Yemini Targets | Brit PM at G20: $3B for SAS/Special Forces

Americas

• Northrop Grumman have selected Swiss company Garmin’s GSX70 weather radar as part of a contract to modernize and retrofit the USAF RQ-4 Global Hawk fleet. The GSX70 was selected for its ability to better recognise weather threats and allow for better decision making as well as its easy integration capabilities with the RQ-4. The installation of the the radar is said to begin in the first quarter of 2016 with Northrop’s contract running until 2020.

• Argentina’s drive to replace its aging Mirage fighter fleet with second hand Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighters has come under criticism from Argentine Air Force number three, Brigadier Mario Roca. Argentina had planned to purchase fourteen of the fighters (which included two  two-seat traners) with the deal to have cost between $220-360 million. The criticisms arose when the first six fighters would arrive within 18 months, but without weapons systems, and all upgrades needed to be completed in Israel. The deal has for now been put on hold indefinitely with Defence Minister Agustin Rossi deciding to leave the deal to be concluded by the next administration. Opposition politicians have stated that if elected, they would look into replacing the fleet independently.

• Uruguay has expressed an interest in purchasing a number of the Elbit Skylark I UAV after watching them being deployed by the Israeli Defence Forces. The UAV has been deployed extensively by the IDF at battalion-level system in support of artillery units and is operational in many militaries worldwide including Australia, Sweden and Canada. Uruguay would deploy the UAV in order to monitor areas which may potentially host terrorist threats. In August of this year, the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas captured one of the drones after it fell into the Gaza Strip. They claimed to have been able to make its services operational after checking it wasn’t booby trapped.

Middle East North Africa

• UAE Patriot missiles have been credited with shooting down two ballistic missiles launched by Houthi militants in Yemen. The UAE have had the Patriot battery deployed in the Marib provence of Yeman since September as part of a Saudi led coalition against the Shia insurgency there. The sale of the Patriot missile systems to various Gulf nations by the US has been part of a concentrated effort to counter Jihadist activity in various countries in the region. Earlier this month, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) cleared the sale of $380 million worth of munitions to the UAE who it sees as an “important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East”.

Europe

• French multi-national Safran S.A. has cancelled its plan to build engine parts for the Rafale combat aircraft in India. The decision came after an initial order of 126 jets worth $15 billion was reduced to only 36 in June. Negotiations since then have stalled repeatedly over pricing offset clauses as well as civilian investments made by French firms in Indian industry. These investments would have seen $4.5 billion worth of offsets by French companies in India under Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India initiative which was launched last year. Safran’s participation would have seen a co-venture of a plant in Bangalore with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd but it seems Safran want you to buy in bulk if they’re to Make in India.

• Ukraine is seeking to license produce the Chinese Hongdu L-15 and assemble the fighter craft locally at the Odessa Aviation Plant. The cost and number of planes are unknown but the Ministry of Defense hopes to start production in 2016. While it had been speculated last year that the Ukraine may go with western companies to help modernize their forces, the Chinese deal will provide a cheaper alternative. Producing the L-15 will have the added the bonus of familiarity due to its similarity to the Russian Yak-130. The early 2000s saw discussions of the possibility of joint production between Russia and Ukraine of the Yak-130 however recent tensions over the Crimean annexation and fighting in Ukraine’s eastern region has seen an end to any military cooperation. The deal with China will see an increase in the production of the aircraft amid earlier deals with Zambia and Pakistan.

• Fresh from the G20 summit British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced an extra $3 billion for the SAS and other special forces in the wake of the Paris attacks by the Islamic State. The funding will be spread out over the next five years and is said to be spent on weapons, vehicles (including perhaps helicopters), protective equipment, night-fighting kit and improved communications. None of this funding will be used on a recruitment drive and it is earmarked singly to tackle terrorist threats. Specifics of what exact equipment and helicopters have yet to be released, but spread out over five years, one wonders how much this will help in the short to medium term besides giving Cameron the image as the best option for a safe Britain.

Asia Pacific

• The Indian Army has decided to cancel a two decade long indigenous Nishant UAV program after the third of four in use by the army crashed near the city of Jaisalmer on November 4. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) had been developing the Nishant UAV since 1995 with the aim of developing India’s own reconnaissance and intelligence gathering abilities. Phase 1 had seen four of the UAVs introduced in 2011 and continuation would have seen 8 more orders of the UAV by the army. The announcement comes shortly after Prime Minister Modi’s recent push to increase development within India’s private defense industry and the sharing of  indigenously designed Rustom UAVs by the government. In the wake of the Nishant duds,  these companies may be best served looking elsewhere for design ideas.

• Boustead DCNS Naval Corporation has been awarded a $279 billion dollar submarine refit contract by Malaysia. The refit will take place upon the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN’s) two Scorpène-class diesel-powered attack submarines over the next 18 months. The joint venture between the Malaysian Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC) Defence Technologies and French shipbuilder DCNS is said to also greatly improve Malaysia’s shipbuilding and refit capabilities for further modernization of their fleet and future cooperation in the development of its own indigenous naval capabilities.

Today’s Video

• A look at the Skylark I, one of the world’s smallest drones that may be making its way to the Uruguayan Air Force.

US to Sell $1.29B in Smart Bombs to Saudis | Turkey-China T-LORAMIDS Collaboration Kaput | Australian DoD Issues RFI on IFVs Worth $7.1B

Americas

• The US State Department has cleared the sale of $1.29 billion worth of smart bombs to Saudi Arabia. The purchase will replenish supplies used in recent air strikes against both Iranian backed Houthi insurgents in Yeman and Islamic State forces in Syria. Details of the sale were posted by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) last Friday and follow last months shopping spree by the Saudis which totalled $11.25 billion. Last months sale included four multi-mission Littoral combat ships as well as various equipment and munitions which came in the wake of the US-Iranian nuclear agreement. Several Gulf nations made requests to the US to help modernize their military before they acquiesced to the deal.

• A crack has been found on the wing of the F-35C fighter during durability testing earlier this month. The crack was located on one of the 13 wing spars of the aircraft but the Pentagon has assured that the government and engineering teams are working on a solution and retrofits are being planned for existing aircraft. The US Navy does not see the setback impacting upon the planned Initial Operating Capability (IOC) of the C model set for August 2018. One does wonder will this impact upon Canada’s order of the aircraft which has been put into question since the election of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month. Trudeau announced that he would put an end to their participation in the F-35 program for a more costly alternative during campaigning. This may increase the cost by US$1 million per aircraft.

Middle East North Africa

• Turkish officials have announced that a program to develop a long-range air and missile defense program (T-LORAMIDS) with China has been cancelled . The program, which was to be worth $3.4 billion had faced competition from US company Raytheon as well as Franco-Italian company Eurosam but neither will be revisited as Ankara has decided to continue developing a defense system independently. The tender, which was initially awarded earlier this year was a cause for concern by other NATO members who expressed issues over security and compatibility with existing NATO systems. It is still unknown as to whether Turkey’s indigenous system will fit into the existing NATO infrastructure but we may know sooner rather than later after this weekend’s G-20 summit which concluded on Monday.

Europe

• Saab has announced the successful full integration of its RBS 70 NG into the air defense system of the Czech Republic, the first time the company has done so for any country. The integration comes as part of efforts by the Czech ministry of defense to modernize it’s existing systems and military hardware in order to become a NATO -interoperable force which has been under way since 2006. Saab will no doubt look to emulate such co-operation with future clients and cater to their needs in future contracts.

• Russia has test fired two ballistic Bulava SLBM from a submerged position in the White Sea hitting targets in the Kura test range in the Russian Far East. The launch was conducted on the 4th generation strategic nuclear submarine, the Vadimir Monomakh and was hailed as a success by the Russian Ministry of Defense, who wish to have eight of these vessels in operation by 2020. The Russian tests follow a week after the US Navy tested its own Trident II SLBMs in California, which one nightscape photographer initially mistook for the world ending.

• Vladimir Putin has used the G20 summit in Turkey to claim that the Islamic State has been funded by up to 40 different nations, including members of the G20 group. Data supplied by Russian security analysts was circulated to attending diplomats however Putin did not mention any by name during his speech to the public or relay details to the media so it’s difficult to ascertain how accurate his claims are or to what extent they are being funded. Putin also used the meeting to highlight the extent of IS oil sales, which amount to about $50 million per month and how integral these are to funding their operations in the region. The Pentagon stated on Monday that they have already started targeting IS routes confirming they had hit 116 fuel trucks in strikes on Sunday. The G20 nations vowed to up cooperation and security steps in the wake of the attacks in Paris last week but this fell short of agreeing on any joint strategy for Syria.

Asia Pacific

• The Australian Department of Defense have issued a request for information for 450 tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) as part of the Australian Defence Force’s largest ever land systems acquisition program. Project LAND 400, which is now in its third phase, has been a major overhaul of existing aging equipment of the ADF and in total will cost approximately USD $7.1 billion. Phase Three will aim to replace the existing M113AS4 and it is hoped that these will be replaced by 2025 and the M113AS4 LOT by 2030, but the Australian DoD find the machinery decaying given current and emerging threats.

• South Korea has warned that North Korea may be planning to launch an SLBM in the near future following the issuance by Pyongyang of a no-sail zone off the east coast which has been in place for the last month. The warning comes alongside the visit by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to the hermit kingdom this week. Moon oversaw multinational negotiations over the North’s nuclear capabilities during his tenure as South Korean foreign minister between 2004-06 but these deals ultimately fell through. South Korea has also announced its plan to introduce its own UAV development program starting in 2017 and costing $674 million. The UAVs will help monitor the 4 kilometre De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) between the two nations which has been in place since 1953.

Today’s Video

• Saab and Czech Army RBS 70 Test Fire.