Americas
Lockheed Martin won an $8.3 million modification by the US Navy to exercise options for shipboard integration and test of the AEGIS Weapon System. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; Washington, DC; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Mayport, Florida; Bath, Maine; and various places each below one percent, and is expected to be completed by February 2025. Fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount $4,516,523 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
In a bid to bolster its continental defense capabilities, the Government of Canada has awarded Airbus Defence and Space a contract for four newly-built Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT) and the conversion of five used A330-200s. With an order value of approximately CAD $3 billion, this Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) initiative aims to replace the ageing CC-150 Polaris (A310 MRTT) fleet currently operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The cutting-edge A330 MRTT was deemed the perfect fit for Canada’s requirements to safeguard its sovereignty and enhance operations within the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and NATO. “As the world’s most advanced multirole tanker aircraft, the A330 MRTT perfectly matches Canada’s needs,” stated Mike Schoellhorn, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defence and Space. The aircraft’s superior technological capabilities, combined with its interoperability with other allied A330 MRTT customer nations, position it ahead of global competition.
Middle East
France is exploring a new deal with Qatar for the supply of additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets, according to Reuters. Qatar has expressed its desire to acquire more Rafale fighter jets after purchasing 36 aircraft in 2015 and 2017. A source in the French defense ministry confirmed to Reuters that Qatar has shown interest in buying 24 additional Rafale jets. The French source stated that there was a feeling that Doha was satisfied with the purchase of Rafale jets, and their impression was that Qatar wanted to continue the partnership. This could imply the acquisition of new aircraft and upgrades to the existing fleet, potentially to the F4 standard.
Europe
France said its arms exports hit a record last year, helped by Rafale aircraft sales, in a context of rising global defense spending after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. French weapons exports totaled $30 billion in 2022, up from 11.7 billion euros the previous year, the ministry said in its annual report to parliament, seen by AFP.
Asia-Pacific
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has taken delivery of its first Invincible-class (Type 218SG) submarine at Changi Naval Base. The Impeccable is the second of four vessels ordered in 2013 from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to replace the navy’s Archer and Challenger line of submarines.
Boeing has received a $793-million US foreign military sale contract to produce the final Block I CH-47 Chinook helicopters for South Korea and Spain. Under the agreement, the company will manufacture 18 aircraft for South Korea and one for the Spanish government. Deliveries of the helicopters are expected to be completed by 2027.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Low level Flying French Air Force Dassault Rafale at Iniochos 2023
