Americas
The US Air Force has unveiled plans to beddown up to 12 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 fighter jets at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam. The decision is part of a revised proposal for the base’s infrastructure upgrades, aligning with strategic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region. The proposal, first announced on April 20, 2021, faced a temporary halt after an initial scoping period to reassess its scope. During the strategic pause, officials considered evolving strategic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, leading to a revised proposal that now includes the RSAF F-15 beddown and associated mission support.
Mack Defense has announced a partnership with BAE Systems to provide fuel-saving solutions for its US Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) prototype. The companies are set to integrate BAE Systems’ Gen3 propulsion and accessories power management systems into the vehicle, reducing fuel demand through “innovative power electronics.”
Middle East & Africa
The Egyptian air force shot down a drone off the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday down the coast from the Israeli border, state-linked media reported. Witnesses said they had seen a second flying object crash on land further up the coast. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they had fired multiple drones at southern Israel.
Europe
Greece recently completed a major defense agreement with the United States, securing the purchase of 35 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. This transaction with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, was brokered by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and is prized at an astounding $1.95 billion. This purchase represents a significant upgrade for the Greek Land Forces, as it replaces the older Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters. Originally, it was speculated that 49 helicopters would be purchased, but the final agreement, confirmed in a DSCA statement on December 15, 2023, settled on 35 helicopters.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced two contracts to the Government of Japan for the sale of air-to-air missiles: a $224m contract for 120 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and a $59m contract for 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles and 29 AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM).
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) Life Cycle Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
