Lockheed To Support DDG 51 Programs | Iraq Inked Weapon Deals With France And US | UK Will Equip Coyotes With 105-mm Howitzers

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $14.5 million contract modification to exercise options for Machinery Control System production shipsets in support of both the DDG 51 modernization program and the DDG 51 new construction program. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 202. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington DC, is the contracting activity.

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $12.3 million modification, which exercises an option to provide production system engineering and program management support in support of CH-53K low-rate initial production. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be in May 2023. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Middle East & Africa

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced that it has signed contracts with the US and France to import advanced military weapons and equipment. According to senior military commander Major General Abd Al-Ardawi, the agreements include the supply of high-powered artillery systems that have recently proven effective in fighting extremist groups.

Europe

The British Army will reportedly soon see its Coyote six-wheeled tactical vehicles equipped with 105-millimeter Howitzer weapon systems. The Coyote is currently equipped with the Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon, currently used by Ukraine to destroy Russian tanks. Although the armored vehicle already has a powerful weapon, British Army experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria reportedly highlighted the need for the Coyote to have additional firepower.

The joint venture of Nexter and Texelis has handed over the first SERVAL 4×4 light armoured multi-role vehicles (véhicule blindé multi-rôles, VBMR) to the French Ministry of Defence. The companies have announced that a total of 70 vehicles will be delivered this year. The French procurement agency had ordered a first batch of 364 SERVALs in early 2021. The SCORPION programme, the objective of which is to renew the French Army’s medium armoured vehicles, foresees 689 vehicles in the first phase

Asia-Pacific

The militaries of Britain and Japan will “work more closely together” under a defense deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced during talks with his Japanese counterpart on May 5. Johnson hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at 10 Downing Street. He commented on the “strong stance” Japan has taken “against the Russian aggression in Ukraine” and drew a parallel with the security situation in Asia.

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