Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $81.3 million modification to exercise options for Littoral Combat Ship class design support and integrated data and product model environment support. Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia; Washington, DC; Marinette, Wisconsin; and Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by August 2024.
The F-15EX Integrated Test & Evaluation (IT&E) Phase I has reached a milestone with the successful deployment of three Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs). During this phase, the F-15EX participated in 19 Large Force Exercise events, showcasing its capabilities and integration with 5th generation aircraft. This accomplishment demonstrates the aircraft’s prowess in both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground missions, underlining its importance in modern combat scenarios.
Middle East and Africa
The Algerian Air Force, known as Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza’iriya, has finalized an agreement to acquire four Beriev Be-200ES Altair multirole amphibious aircraft, commonly referred to as water bombers. This significant procurement decision comes in response to a series of wildfires that have plagued several regions of the country.
Europe
Lockheed Martin is partnering with the governments of Romania and the Netherlands to establish a European F-16 training center in Bucharest. The facility would help ensure the safety and effectiveness of Romanian military personnel flying and operating the multi-role fighter aircraft. It could also expand to training aviators from other European nations, including Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific
Japan’s Defense Ministry has requested another record defense budget, with the agenda featuring naval vessels, F-35 fighter jets, hypersonic weapons development and armored vehicles. The ministry announced August 31 that it submitted a request for $52.9 billion to the Finance Ministry for the coming fiscal year, which starts April 1, 2024. The dollar figure continues a decade-long trend of record defense budgets as Japan continues its modernization drive in the face of North Korea’s missile threat and China’s growing military might.
According to The Defense Post, the Taiwanese government plans to invest $4.1 billion in researching and developing defense equipment. In a report about its military and policy plan for fiscal 2024, the country’s defense ministry said $3.5 billion will be earmarked to continue previously approved projects. These include the development of AIDC T-5 advanced jet trainers, an indigenous submarine prototype, and light frigates.
Today’s Video
WATCH: What Makes New America’s F-15EX So Excellent