Americas
Raytheon won a $34.4 million modification to exercise options and provide incremental funding for engineering and technical services in support of SeaSparrow missile systems programs. This contract action combines purchases for the US government; and the governments of Japan, and Chile, under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work is expected to complete December 2025.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has conducted the full-scale fatigue testing of an MQ-9B aerial drone in Kansas to support NATO’s unmanned system standards. The milestone validated the remotely piloted system’s capability at its “first-lifetime” stage, a timeline equivalent to the platform’s initial 40,000 operating hours.
Middle East & Africa
The US has reached an agreement to extend its military presence at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar for another 10 years. The deal was unofficially unveiled by US defense sources to CNN. The Al Udeid Air Base is the largest US military installation in the Middle East, capable of housing more than 10,000 troops.
Europe
The Finnish Defense Forces are buying 40 more Patria 6×6 armored vehicles on top of a deal signed in June. The $222 million agreement, which saw Finland purchase 91 vehicles last year, included an additional purchase option of up to 70 more carriers. Primarily designed for troop transport roles, the 6×6 is also suitable for company command, medical evacuation, and other combat support roles.
Raytheon won a $34.2 million contract for hardware, services and documentation for Poland’s PATRIOT Cable Center of Excellence capability. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of December 28, 2026.
Asia-Pacific
Pakistan has announced it will integrate the FC-31 Gyrfalcon fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation into its air force “in the near future.” The framework agreement was announced by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu during an induction ceremony of new military capabilities on January 2. Articles presented during the event included Beijing-made J-10C firebird jets and business-class planes.
