Americas
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won a $32.3 million deal for F-16 Systems Program Office Foreign Military Sales support. This contract provides for FMS support to Poland for the F-16 Multifunction Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio System Integration. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas; and Poland, and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2029.
The 187th Fighter Wing proudly welcomed three state-of-the-art F-35A Lightning II fighter jets on Dec. 5, marking a significant leap in their capabilities. The Red Tails, as the unit is fondly known, now stand as the third Air National Guard unit to transition to the highly advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The arrival of the F-35A fighters is the culmination of over a decade of meticulous preparation and planning by the dedicated members of the 187th Fighter Wing and the state of Alabama. Lt. Col. Richard Peace, a seasoned pilot for the wing, expressed his honor, saying, “It is an honor to be able to fly one of the first F-35’s home. I have always looked up to the Tuskegee Airmen and can confidently say we will continue their legacy using the F-35’s.”
Middle East & Africa
The US State Department has approved the emergency sale of 14,000 rounds of tank ammunition to Israel for about $106.5 million, the Biden administration said Saturday. The State Department said it had notified Congress of the sale late Friday after Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale” of the munitions in the U.S. national security interest.
Europe
The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of up to 80 MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes to Germany under an FMS (Foreign Military Sale) program, according to a US DSCA’s (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) announcement made on December 7, 2023. The total cost of the program is estimated to be $300 million.The Government of Germany has requested to buy up to eighty (80) MK 54 All Up Round Lightweight Torpedoes (LWT). Also included are MK 54 Mod 0 LWT spare parts; Recoverable Exercise Torpedoes (REXTORPs) with containers; handling shapes and containers; torpedo spare parts; tools for mounting and dismounting of Air Launch Accessories (ALAs); equipment for analysis of REXTORP exercise shots; REXTORP maintenance equipment; training; publications; support and test equipment; US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
Asia-Pacific
Australia has awarded Hanwha Defence Australia a $2.4 billion contract to deliver and support 129 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV). Representing the single largest investment in Australian Army capabilities to date, the contract also includes training and support system components.
Viasat has announced the integration of its secure broadband SATCOM onto an Irish Air Corps’ Airbus C295 MSA aircraft. The flexible broadband Ku- and Ka-band was installed on the jet in collaboration with Airbus, integrating the communication company’s flexible dual-band broadband terminal, the GAT-5530, to provide the C295 with “enhanced capability.”
