Americas
Raytheon and Lockheed have received $267-million in contracts for a full-rate production of the Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LWCLU) for the US Army and foreign military sales programs with Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. The LWCLU is part of the man-portable Javelin anti-tank weapon system used to survey and scan targets on sight.
The US Army has selected five companies to demonstrate their existing self-propelled howitzers, which could potentially fill the gap left by the discontinued Extended-Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. BAE Systems, Hanwha Defense, Rheinmetall, Elbit Systems, and General Dynamics have received contracts totaling $4 million to prepare their artillery weapons for demonstrations beginning next month. According to Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer for ground combat systems, the demonstrations will guide the army’s shift from development to the procurement of a mature and readily available artillery system. They will also inform the service’s Cannon Transformation Strategy, aimed at addressing current capability gaps.
Middle East & Africa
The Biden administration sent a letter to the Israeli government demanding it act to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza within the next 30 days or risk violating US laws governing foreign military assistance, suggesting US military aid could be in jeopardy. The Sunday letter, jointly written by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, is addressed to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. It marks a significant new step by the US to try to compel Israel to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Europe
Germany’s defense procurement agency has signed a framework agreement with Junghans Microtec for the procurement of 180,000 time fuses for 155mm artillery projectiles. The ten-year production and delivery agreement covers the DM52 electronic time artillery fuse designed for illuminating, smoke, and sensor fused ammunition.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Ministry of Defense has announced that its First Training Squadron will participate in multiple training activities and events in Bahrain and the UAE, deepening ties with the Gulf nations. Indian’s First Training Squadron has reached both the Port of Manama in Bahrain and Port Rashid, Dubai, in the UAE.