Americas
Applied Visual Technology won a $28 million firm-fixed-price contract for Targeted Fidelity Apache Tactical Trainer simulators, the Tactical Control Centre, and the Network Simulation Environment. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Kooiweg, Netherlands, with an estimated completion date of September 15, 2026. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity.
The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $451-million contract to upgrade its M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Lockheed’s MLRS overhaul will include new engines, improved armor cabs, and the Common Fire Control System, which is compatible with current and future MLRS munitions. The upgrade will be performed for both domestic and international launchers. “The modernization effort will add additional capability to the combat-proven launcher and ensure the M270-series launcher remains highly effective, reliable and interoperable with NATO forces for decades to come,” Lockheed Martin Precision Fires VP Jay Price said.
Middle East & Africa
According to Defense News, the Israel Aerospace Industries workers’ union has announced a labor dispute and is threatening to disrupt the company’s supply to its customers. The dispute, announced Monday, follows the Israeli Finance Ministry’s demand that it regulate so-called salary anomalies found within the state-owned defense company. The government is seeking the return of hundreds of millions of shekels that IAI employees received over multiple years without governmental approval, contrary to what is customary in state-owned firms.
Europe
Estonia is “seriously” considering deploying troops to Ukraine to take on non-direct combat roles, according to Tallinn’s national security advisor Madis Roll. The move would aim to free up more Ukrainian soldiers so they can support combat operations on the front. “Discussions are ongoing,” Roll told Breaking Defense. “We should be looking at all the possibilities. We shouldn’t have our minds restricted as to what we can do.”
Asia-Pacific
South Korea has announced it is reviewing Indonesia’s proposal to reduce its financial contribution to their joint KF-21 Boramae jet fighter program. The country’s defense acquisition agency stated the cut may be possible under the condition of providing fewer technology transfers to Jakarta, since the project’s estimated cost is about $366 million cheaper than previously expected.
