LCS 32 To Get Industrial Post-Delivery Availability Support | Israel’s President Visited Turkey | Philippines Receives ATAK Helicopters

Americas

Austal won a $12.3 million contract modification to exercise an option for littoral combat ship (LCS) industrial post-delivery availability support for USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32). The USS Santa Barbara is the US Navy’s 16th Independence littoral combat ship (LCS) variant. The LCS programme will see the construction of the vessels in the Freedom-class and the Independence-class variants. Work will take place in Alabama and Massachusetts. Expected completion will be by December 2022.

A joint exercise between the air forces of Pakistan and the United States was concluded recently. F-16s from Shaw Air Force Base participate in the exercise which started on February 26. The exercise aimed to promote interoperability when faced with complicated realistic scenarios.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog travelled to Turkey on Wednesday, where he spent a 24-hour visit. “The relationship with Turkey has had its ups and downs in recent years — we will not agree on everything, but we will try to restart relations,” Herzog said in a statement ahead of his departure. The last visit by an Israeli president to Turkey took place in 2007.

Europe

The United Kingdom is sending more weapons to Ukraine to help in the defensive effort against Russia’s invasion, the Defense Secretary has said. Ben Wallace told MPs that the UK has delivered 3,615 anti-tank weapons and will shortly be supplying a “small consignment” of Javelin anti-tank missiles.

Asia-Pacific

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has reportedly commissioned two new Type 052D Destroyers. The destroyers are to be named the Zhanjiang and the Jiaozuo, Chinese military reported. After the decommissioning of the old Zhanjiang, a Type 051 destroyer with the hull number of 165, in August 2020, the new Zhanjiang, a new-generation destroyer with the same hull number as the old ship, entered service more than a year later.

The Philippines has received the first batch of two Turkey-made T129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopters (ATAK). The country had ordered six helicopters designed and developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). The Philippines is the first country abroad to use the ATAK. It is buying the six choppers worth approximately $280 million.

Today’s Video

WATCH: PAF-USAF BILATERAL AIR EXERCISE FALCON TALON CULMINATES AT AN OPERATIONAL AIR BASE