Gripen E Enters Operational Service in Brazil | Japan Donates UH-1J helicopters To Philippines | Russia And China Hold Joint Drills

Americas

The Saab Gripen E was inducted into operational service at Anápolis Air Base, Brazil on December 19. Brazil marked the milestone during a 19 December ceremony at Anapolis air base, the home to its First Air Defense Group. During the event, two of its locally designated F-39Es (registrations 4103 and 4104) were displayed before being parked alongside a Dassault Mirage 2000C – the already retired type that they are replacing.

Northrop demonstrated the inflight integration of two of its most advanced sensor and communication systems, enhancing the survivability and lethality of the US Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms. The demonstration saw a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter transmitting sensor data and communications to the ground through the Re Scalable Aperture for Precision Targeting Radar and Mini-Communications, Navigation, Identification systems.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon Missiles won a $20.8 million contract modification for fiscal 2022 Egyptian Navy Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Mod 5 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) requirements and German Navy power supply spares. Work will be performed in in Germany, Arizona, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Texas and various other US locations. Expected completion date will be March 2025.

Europe

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has delivered virtual battlespace (VBS) software to the Belgian Directorate General Material Resources. The handover builds on a deal awarded to Bohemia Interactive Solutions to integrate the Spike LR Anti-Tank Guided Missile’s visual representation and associated features into the VBS. The delivery followed the software’s acceptance phase conducted by the company and NSPA at the Belgian Army Simulation Center.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippine Army will receive a donation of UH-1J helicopters from Japan as part of a grant, according to Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Army chief. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has agreed to transfer the Japanese-made helicopters to the Army Aviation Regiment of the Philippine Army (PA) to enhance the PA’s disaster response capabilities. The transfer will be made through a government grant, according to a statement by Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad.

Moscow announced Monday that several of its warships were participating in naval exercises starting this week with Beijing’s navy, as Russia and China deepen ties amid pressure from the West. The Russian defense ministry said the drills would take place between December 21 and 27 in the East China Sea, with the aim of “strengthening naval cooperation” between Moscow and Beijing.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Japan Ground Self Defense Force UH-1J hover taxi and take off at Ustunomiya Air field