Americas
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $22.5 million contract change to continue its support for international partners in the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program. The funding will go toward operating and maintaining special labs used by Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom to reprogram their F-35 systems. This includes providing supplies and on-site technical support. Most of the work (80%) will be done in Eglin, Florida, with the rest (20%) in Fort Worth, Texas. The project is expected to finish by April 2026. The full amount is being funded by the participating countries, not the US Department of Defense. The contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process by the Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland.
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, located in Moorestown, New Jersey, has received a $62.6 million contract modification to continue work on modernizing the AEGIS system, building new DDG-51 Navy destroyers, and producing systems for allied navies. This is part of an existing contract, and if all options are used, the total contract value could reach $80.5 million. The work is being done for both the US Navy, which covers 46% of the cost, and the Australian government, which covers 54% through the Foreign Military Sales program. Most of the work will take place in Moorestown, New Jersey (80%), with the rest in Clearwater, Florida (20%). The project is expected to be completed by June 2028. The funding includes money from Australia’s FMS program, as well as various parts of the U.S. Navy’s 2024 and 2025 budgets for shipbuilding, procurement, and defense programs. All the funds will be committed when the contract is awarded and will remain available after the current fiscal year ends. The contract is being managed by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC.
Middle East & Africa
The Nigerian military has unveiled Africa’s “first and largest” attack drone, marking a major milestone in the continent’s ability to develop advanced defense technologies. Developed in collaboration with Nigerian tech firm Briech UAS, the drone was recently showcased at the company’s headquarters in Abuja. Though technical specifications were not disclosed, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa emphasized that the drone will serve as a force multiplier, significantly enhancing the Nigerian military’s operational effectiveness.
Europe
The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk – FMV) has signed a contract with Thales for the delivery of Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radar systems (GM200 MM/C). The agreement, valued at approximately one billion Swedish kronor, was finalized on April 3. This acquisition represents the first contract under FMV’s medium-range radar procurement initiative and is part of Sweden’s broader sensor system modernization program known as “Sensorsystem Ny.” The new radar systems will replace the Swedish Armed Forces’ aging PS-871 systems that are approaching the end of their operational life.
Asia-Pacific
Thales Australia has integrated its BlueSentry thin-line towed sonar array into the Surveyor-class uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) developed by American firm Saildrone. During a 26-day mission off the coast of California, the USV provided continuous surveillance in high-traffic areas, effectively detecting and tracking surface vessels, submarines, and uncrewed underwater vehicles. “Saildrone and Thales Australia are ready to deploy these systems at scale, creating a network of autonomous, self-sustaining surveillance assets to enhance national security,” Thales Australia stated.