Americas
Textron Aviation has delivered a Cessna Grand Caravan EX utility aircraft to the Belize Defense Force as part of a $7.84-million US Army foreign military sale. The handover was conducted at the Williamson Hangar Complex in Ladyville. The delivery includes spare parts, training support, and on-site maintenance services. The aircraft will be flown for maritime patrol and related missions under the Belize Ministry of National Defense and Border Security.
Oshkosh Defense has filed a protest against the US Army award of an $8.6-billion Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) contract to AM General. The Wisconsin-based company, which initially received the deal in 2015, recently lost a recompute deal to deliver 20,000 JLTVs to the US Army. The service exercised the option to open bidding again in an attempt to find other defense firms that could build the product at a reduced cost.
Middle East & Africa
The United States is increasing its military assistance to Somalia as the country sees success in battling what the US calls “the largest and most deadly al-Qaida network in the world.” Sixty-one tons of weapons and ammunition arrived Tuesday in Mogadishu, the US said in a statement of support for a historic Somalia-led military offensive against al-Shabab extremists that has recaptured dozens of communities since August.
Europe
Poland will procure 1,400 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and specialised variants from a consortium of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa companies led by Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) and the Armaments Agency (AA) announced on their websites on February 28. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz B?aszczak approved a framework agreement between the AA and the consortium at the HSW headquarters on 28 February for the delivery of the 1,400 vehicles.
Asia-Pacific
On March 5, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) moved approximately 150 vehicles, including launchers for surface-to-ship and surface-to-air guided missiles, to its new base on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, news media in Japan reported. This move was met with protests by around 30 local citizens who are against the base. Riot police belonging to the Okinawa prefectural police were deployed to guard the area. Previously, the JGSDF had transported vehicles by civilian cargo ships to the port of Ishigaki, where they had been kept since late last month.
The Indian government has approved the acquisition of 70 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). In an announcement on March 1, the government said that the procurement has a value of $827.78 million. HAL is required to supply the aircraft over a six-year period. The acquisition also includes associated equipment and training aids such as simulators.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Meet the JLTV: America’s $333K Badass Military Vehicle
