Americas
The US Navy has provided upgrades to three Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers to extend their service life for 10 years from 2026 to 2029. Revealed by US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the modernization will sustain the American surface fleet’s capability as the force and industry partners build more advanced platforms. Selected vessels under this initiative are the USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Chosin (CG 65), and the USS Cape St. George (CG 71), which were all built in the 1980s.
As part of the Army’s quest to boost weapons production, it is reestablishing TNT production on US soil, inking a deal to build out a new facility in Graham, Ky. “For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil, manufacturing the explosive material our military uses for everything from hand grenades to 155mm artillery,” outgoing Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a press release.
Middle East & Africa
Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of understanding with BQ Solutions to support Italian-led military training programs for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces. The partnership builds on the Trieste-based company’s contract in 2016 to build seven tactical vessels for the service and address advanced proficiency requirements for its future crews. Under the framework, the Doha-based defense contractor will assist Fincantieri in “elevating the quality and breadth” of related industrial, operational, and language training programs available to Qatari teams.
Europe
Ukrainian drone manufacturers have conducted flight tests of their proposed Chinese Mavic drone replacement for the armed forces. Eight domestic drone developers at various stages of readiness presented solutions resembling DJI Mavic unmanned aerial vehicles at a demonstration organized by the Ministry of Strategic Industries.
Asia-Pacific
Lockheed Martin segment Sikorsky Aircraft is planning to establish a CH-53K King Stallion assembly line in South Korea to support the East Asian country’s military helicopter needs. The announcement follows Seoul’s launch of a $2.6-billion program to obtain new heavy-lift special operations aircraft from overseas through 2031, a report from Yonhap News Agency said. Lockheed’s bid, the CH-53K, will compete with Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook for the award.
