Americas
Longbow won a $156.4 million deal for procurement of Apache Attack Helicopter Fire Control Radar and other support hardware and auxiliary services. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Linthicum Heights, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2027. The Apache attack helicopter is a combat proven aircraft manufactured by American aerospace and defence company Boeing for the US Armed Forces.
Raytheon won a $192 million deal for purchase of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). This contract provides for Raytheon purchasing fielded AMRAAM weapons from various sources. Work will be performed at Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by November 29, 2024.
Middle East and Africa
The United Nations Security Council on Thursday renewed the mandate for its peacekeeping force in Lebanon for another year after tense debate around the troops’ freedom of movement. The vote, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday but postponed for further negotiations, came only a few hours before the mission’s authorization was set to expire. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in place since 1978, is tasked with creating a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, which are technically at war.
Europe
The US State Department approved the sale of $1.5 billion in armored vehicles to Bulgaria, its latest major deal with an eastern NATO ally as war rages in Ukraine. The State Department informed Congress of its green light to Bulgaria’s request to buy 183 Stryker vehicles, more than half of them infantry carrier vehicles. “The proposed sale will improve Bulgaria’s rapid infantry deployment and force projection capability. Bulgaria will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats,” it said in a statement.
Asia-Pacific
North Korea staged a “simulated tactical nuclear attack” drill at the weekend with mock atomic warheads attached to two long-range cruise missiles that were test-fired into the ocean, state-controlled media reported Sunday. The drill took place just as the joint exercises conducted by Seoul and Washington concluded. Pyongyang’s intent was to show strength and “warn enemies.” The exercise was a show of strength to “warn enemies” and let them know that the country is prepared in case of a nuclear war, the state news agency said on Sunday.
Airbus Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) agreed to start serial production of their jointly developed Light Armed Helicopter, Airbus said in a statement on Thursday. Deliveries to the Republic of Korea Army of an initial 10 helicopters will begin in December 2024, with follow-on orders to continue into the next decade, Airbus spokeswoman Belinda Ng said in an emailed response to questions.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Pentagon orders AMRAAM missiles for Ukraine
