Americas
Sikorsky won a $34 million modification, which exercises an option to provide validation and test tooling in support of achieving a production quantity at full rate of up to 24 CH-53K aircraft per year. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (86%); and Stratford, Connecticut (14%), and is expected to be completed in December 2024.
Triumph Engine Control Systems won a $9.9 million deal to overhaul/repair fuel engine controls for the CH-47 Chinook. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2024.
Middle East & Africa
The Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Command has signed a deal to buy 12 Block 70 F-16 fighter jets from the US in a bid to help modernize its aging air force. As announced by the armed forces’ official website, the deal was signed Thursday by Royal Air Force Commander Brigadier General Pilot Muhammad Fathi Hiasat and US Deputy Chief of mission in Amman Rohit Nepal.
Europe
Ukraine’s efforts to obtain F-16 fighter jets have received a boost, as Poland has expressed willingness to supply the combat jets to the country. Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s top advisor, announced that the country has received “positive signals” from Poland. However, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has stressed that any decision on the transfer of fighter jets would be made in full coordination with NATO allies. In addition, French President Emmanuel Macron has not ruled out the possibility of delivering fighters to Ukraine, but has set out conditions such as the request being made by Ukraine and the arms not being escalatory or hitting Russian soil. The Netherlands has also expressed openness to a request for the F-16s.
Finland has awarded German-Israeli weapons provider Eurospike to deliver anti-tank missiles for the Finnish armed forces. Under the agreement, Eurospike will supply Finnish warfighters with its Spike fire-and-forget anti-tank precision guided missiles. The Spike missile system is designed to penetrate armored targets. The projectile’s latest multi-role light guided missile variant can engage threats between 4,000 and 5,500 meters (13,000 to 18,000 feet).
Asia-Pacific
North Korea on Sunday denied providing arms to Moscow after the United States said the nuclear-armed state supplied rockets and missiles to Russia’s private military group Wagner. Washington earlier this month designated the Wagner group as a “transnational criminal organisation,” citing its weapons dealings with Pyongyang in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The White House showed US intelligence photographs of Russian rail cars entering North Korea, picking up a load of infantry rockets and missiles, and returning to Russia, according to national security spokesman John Kirby.
Today’s Video
WATCH: The Boeing CH-47 Chinook
