Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $74 million contract modification for the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ground equipment to support the US government. Under this contract modification, Lockheed Martin will provide six launchers, THAAD Fire Control and Communication (TFCC), and associated Peculiar Support Equipment (PSE) under firm-fixed-price and fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract line items. The THAAD terminal (formerly theatre) high-altitude area defense missile system is an easily transportable defensive weapon system to protect against hostile incoming threats, such as tactical and theatre ballistic missiles, at ranges of 200km and altitudes of up to 150km.
The US State Department approved a possible $73 million Foreign Military Salt to Argentina of T-6 Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment. The equipment will improve airframe and avionics improvement for reliability and integration of training munitions and external fuel tanks; aircraft and engine support equipment, components, consumables, spare parts and repair/return; publications and technical documentation; heavy maintenance support; other U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services, and related elements of program support.
Middle East & Africa
Israel and Middle Eastern allies are reportedly working to develop a joint defense system to shield their territories against Iranian missiles and drones. The joint airborne defense agreement comes in the wake of normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Europe
The UK has taken command of NATO’s air policing mission in Romania. RAF Typhoons, along with their pilots and ground crew, will lead the Enhanced Air Policing mission for the fourth time since it began in 2014 – following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The UK is taking over from Italy at a time of massive tension across NATO’s eastern flank due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper reports that Germany has almost exhausted its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons from its army reserves, but is working on direct deliveries from the arms industry. “For deliveries coming from the Bundeswehr’s stocks, I have to say honestly that we have reached a limit”, Defense Minister Christine Lamprecht said in an interview.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Air Force has completed its inquiry into the accidental firing of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile into Pakistan on March 9. The findings by the Court of Inquiry (CoI) is now under legal vetting before they are submitted to the government.
Today’s Video
WATCH: THAAD Missile Test • Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
