Americas
Sikorsky won a $13 million deal for the procurement of nine input module gearboxes in support of the CH-53K aircrafts. All work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut. This contract contains no options, and work is expected to be completed by December 2028. This announcement involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from Israel. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace is building a new missile production facility in the US to cater to rising global demand amid conflicts in Eastern Europe and West Asia. The state-of-the-art facility in James City County, Virginia, will enhance the Norwegian firm’s production capability for Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) and Joint Strike Missiles (JSM). More importantly, it will bring the capability to the US, including sustainment and tech refresh capabilities for the missiles. “Kongsberg is investing in a big way in the US market by making Virginia the US home of our new missile factory, which will entail hiring more than 180 people,” president and general manager of Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace Heather Armentrout said.
Middle East & Africa
A US MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed near Yemen, the Pentagon said Tuesday, after Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed to have downed several of the aircraft in recent days. “Yesterday, an MQ-9 did crash in the vicinity of Yemen. That is being investigated, but I don’t have any additional details to share,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists. The Houthis claimed Tuesday that they had shot down three MQ-9s over the past week — a figure Ryder described as “too high.”
Europe
The Italian government has budgeted a total of $7.79 billion for the acquisition of 25 additional F-35 fighter jets in 2024. If approved by Parliament, the procurement will expand the Italian Air Force’s F-35 fleet to 115. Also included is the purchase of engines, equipment and logistics support until 2035, il Giornale reported, citing a defense budget document.
Asia-Pacific
Canada has announced its plan to send a CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol detachment to Japan to support a multinational security effort in response to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s illicit activities. For four weeks, the Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft and its team will monitor suspected movements in violation of UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea.
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