Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $19.9 million contract for PATRIOT missile software support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2028. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $4,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
Airtronics LLC in Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded a $7,941,037 contract to overhaul UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter modulating valves. The Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, awarded the contract after receiving three bids online. Work locations and funding will be decided with each order, with an estimated completion date of February 27, 2030. The contract number is W58RGZ-25-D-0018.
Middle East & Africa
The US on Friday approved potential foreign military sales to Israel worth $3 billion, according to the State Department. The sales include munitions, guidance kits, and Caterpillar D9 bulldozers, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. The agency stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined an “emergency exists,” requiring the immediate sales to Israel, waiving the Congressional review requirement. The largest portion of the deal—valued at $2.04 billion—includes 35,529 MK 84 or BLU-117 general-purpose bomb bodies and 4,000 I-2000 penetrator warheads. Another $675.7 million package includes MK 83 and BLU-110 bomb bodies and JDAM kits guidance kits, with deliveries estimated to begin in 2028.
Europe
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, believes he can still fix his relationship with the United States after a heated argument with President Donald Trump. Trump was upset and yelled at Zelensky, accusing him of not trying hard enough to make peace with Russia. Zelensky said on Fox News that the relationship could be repaired. He emphasized that Ukraine needs America’s help to fight against Russia’s larger army. “It will be hard without your support,” he said. This happened after a surprising argument in the Oval Office, which raised questions about the U.S. continuing to strongly support Ukraine against Russia.
Asia-Pacific
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu in Beijing, Chinese state media said. Shoigu’s trip comes days after Xi spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with the Chinese leader hailing Moscow’s “positive efforts to defuse” the Ukraine crisis. Speaking to Shoigu at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Xi called China and Russia “friendly neighbors” and said the two sides would “maintain close communication at all levels,” according to Xinhua.
Today’s VIdeo