Americas
The US Air Force has contracted Raytheon Technologies to produce new advanced propellers for its C-130 Hercules aircraft. Valued at $135 million, the agreement will require the company to deliver NP2000 propeller systems, including electronic control systems and spare parts. According to Raytheon, the eight composite-bladed propeller system will improve the performance of the military transport aircraft. Its composite blades can be removed individually without removing the entire system, making maintenance work more efficient.
Oshkosh Defense will showcase its upgraded 4-door Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2023 in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after the American firm lost an $8.7 billion decompose deal to supply the US Army with 20,000 JLTVs. According to Oshkosh, the vehicle will be equipped with an Objective Gunner Protection Kit (OGPK).
Middle East & Africa
Burkina Faso announced on Sunday that operations by the French army in the jihadist-hit West African state were officially over, after bilateral relations soured in recent months. Senior officers from Burkinabe and French forces in the country held a flag-lowering ceremony to mark the occasion at a camp on the outskirts of the capital Ouagadougou on Saturday, Burkina’s army said in a statement. Last month France confirmed it would withdraw its contingent of hundreds of troops stationed in Burkina Faso, after the junta ruling the Sahel country demanded the force pull out within four weeks.
Europe
German manufacturer Rheinmetall said Friday it had reached an agreement with US arms company Lockheed Martin to supply components for the F-35 fighter jet, which Germany has chosen to replace its aging Tornado fleet. The two companies have signed a letter of intent for Rheinmetall to produce “centre fuselage” parts for the aircraft, the German group said in a statement. The fuselage is the main body of a plane and the part that normally holds passengers and crew.
The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to the Netherland for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, according to a Thursday statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Under the deal, the Netherlands would purchase 20 Lockheed Martin-made M142 HIMARS launchers, along with 17 Humvees. The package also included support and communications equipment, as well as 29 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System alternative warhead missile pods with the insensitive munitions propulsion system.
Asia-Pacific
The United States on Sunday accused China of considering arming Russia in its war against Ukraine, ratcheting up tensions as the conflict hits its one-year mark this week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken leveled the allegations as US-Chinese relations have been further tested by Washington’s shooting down this month of what it said was a large Chinese spy balloon. The European Union also sounded the alarm over munitions in the Ukraine conflict — saying that severe ammunition shortages facing Ukrainian forces had to be overcome within weeks.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Germany replaced Turkey’s industrial role in building the F-35 body
