Americas
The US Army will receive more next-generation thermal weapon sights from Leonardo as part of a new $134-million deal. According to the company, the device provides rapid target acquisition capabilities to soldiers, especially during missions in low-light environments.
BAE Systems has landed a $5-million contract to develop electronic warfare solutions for the US Navy’s Common-architecture Amplifier for Low-cost, Efficient, SWaP-Constrained Environments (COALESCE) program. Under the agreement, the company’s research and development segment FAST Labs will produce advanced monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MIMICs) based on Gallium Nitride and corresponding module electronics.
Middle East and Africa
Sikorsky won an $8.5 million deal for UH-60M retrofit and maintenance support services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will take place in Connecticut with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2026. Fiscal Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.
Europe
Ukraine lawmakers voted to approve a 2024 government budget that will see half of all state spending go to defense, as Kyiv drives resources into the war effort. According to Ukraine’s finance ministry, almost $47 billion will be spent on defense, around the same amount as in 2023.
The US State Department approved Romania to buy 54 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, with a potential price tag of $2.53 billion. The potential sale was announced on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Announcements made by DSCA are not final, as Congress can still weigh in and oppose the sale, though that is almost certainly not going to happen with three NATO nations. Importantly, final quantities and dollar totals can shift during negotiations.
Asia-Pacific
BAE Systems Australia has chosen Anschütz to deliver advanced, customized navigation systems for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)’s Hunter-class frigates. Anschütz will fit the anti-submarine ships with its Synapsis Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems (WINBS), a multi-functional control panel for charting, navigation, and naval radar operations.
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