Navy Procures Blackjacks Ans ScanEagles | French Navy Wants Commercial Drones | Submarine Life Extension Contract for Saab

Americas

General Dynamics won a $21.6 million modification for additional hours of Abrams system technical support. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of September 22, 2023. M1A1/2 Abrams main battle tank is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems. The first M1 tank was produced in 1978, the M1A1 in 1985 and the M1A2 in 1986.

The Navy awarded Insitu a $191.8 million modification, which procures 13 RQ-21A Blackjack air vehicles, 25 ScanEagle air vehicles, 48 RQ-21A and ScanEagle payloads and turrets, support equipment, spares and sustainment spares and tools in support of RQ-21A Blackjack and ScanEagle unmanned aircraft platforms for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will take place in Washington. Estimated completion will be in June 2026.

Middle East & Africa

Language Associates won a $10.6 million deal for English language training in support of the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron. Work will be performed in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to be completed by September 20, 2025. This contract involves 100% Foreign Military Sales to the United Arab Emirates.

Europe

The French Navy is setting its sights on commercially developed drones and laser weapons to field new capabilities before the end of the 2020s, a senior service officer said on Monday. “We need to go faster to keep up with the threats and to keep up with our competitors. We cannot wait until 2030 for some capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Eric Malbruno, the deputy for planning and programs in the office of the Navy Chief of Staff.

Saab announced that it has received a contract for submarine life extension and upgrades from Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV). The contract was valued at $43.8 million and comprises life extension and upgrade works on the submarine HSwMS SÖDERMANLAND, along with new batteries and battery development.

Asia-Pacific

Yomiuri news from Japan says Tokyo intends to import loitering munitions for trials and the American Switchblade and Israeli Harop are being considered. If trials are successful, Japan will induct loitering munitions into service from 2025 and deploy them in large numbers.These munitions are expected to be deployed in the Ryukyu Islands, close to China and Taiwan.

Today’s Video

WATCH: The Södermanland-class submarine – one of the submarines in operation by the Swedish Royal Navy