Americas
Huntingon Ingalls said in a press release that the completion of builder’s trials on the amphibious assault ship Tripoli or LHA 7 was successful. Builder’s Trials is the Navy’s first opportunity to assess the operational readiness of the ship. During the trials, the multipurpose amphibious assault ship underwent dock trials followed by more than 200 at-sea test events. Tripoli is the second ship of the America Class. It is built to facilitate forward presence and power projection. LHA 7 is the last Flight 0 ship planned for construction and features an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, an increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. LHA 8 will be the first Flight I ship, reincorporating a well deck to enhance expeditionary warfighting capabilities while maintaining the principal aviation characteristics of the Flight 0 ships. The Tripoli completed four days of trials in the Gulf of Mexico to test its main propulsion, combat and other systems before returning to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where it was constructed. It will later undergo acceptance trials and formal delivery to the US Navy.
Flight Global reports, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has not received any confirmation that it has won an order to supply the FA-50 to Argentina. A person familiar with the requirement says that no confirmation has been received, and that the deal, if concluded, would cover eight aircraft. KAI says the contract covers the installation of fire-control radar, radar warning receivers and defensive countermeasures. A few days ago, several media reported that Argentina had chosen the FA-50 to purchase as a light fighter. The aircraft is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Should the FA-50 win the deal, it would mark the type’s first sale in the Western Hemisphere, the Flight Global article states.
Middle East & Africa
Jane’s reports that the naval ship designer CMN held a launch ceremony for first two of the 39 boats that are being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The deal, announced in April last year, half of the 39 boats built by Zamil Shipyard in Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast as part of the Kingdom’s plan to indigenize 50% of its defense procurement by 2030. Photographs of the launch show the vessels to be HS132 fast patrol boats. They are part of the CMN’s DV Interceptor family. HS132 is designed to conduct sea strike operations, search and rescue, maritime security, sea safety, convoy protection, sea policing, anti piracy, protection of vulnerable vessels and offshore installations, and control of illegal immigration, trafficking and smuggling.
Several hundred US Air Force personnel are expanding an operating base in Saudi Arabia, which will host fighter planes and Patriot missiles. According to reports, increasing threats by Iran prompted the US to establish an expeditionary annex at the Prince Sultan Air Base. Central Command said in a statement Friday, “In coordination with and at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Secretary of Defense has authorized the movement of US personnel and resources to deploy to Saudi Arabia.” The deployment focuses on defensive capabilities, with Patriot batteries for missile defense and the fighter jets intended to defend US Forces on the ground.
Europe
The German military procurement organization commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to supply nine Mungo N/C Recce vehicles for the Bundeswehr. The procurement is valued at $57 million. The Mungo N/C Recce is a nuclear-chemical detection-capable reconnaissance vehicle with a range of equipment including mass spectrometer, radiation detector and weather sensors at the disposal of the three-man crew. Capable of detecting, tracking and identifying nuclear and chemical threats, the vehicle provides the crew with a safe shelter throughout the reconnaissance and identification process. The crew is also able to conduct such activities as lane and/or contaminated ground marking from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2022.
Asia-Pacific
The British defense company Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group rolled out the first of a number of C-130J Hercules aircraft it is preparing for delivery to the Bangladesh Air Force, during an official ceremony last week. Some of the other C-130Js the Bangladesh Air Force recently purchased from the UK Ministry of Defense were also on view. Marshall is carrying out comprehensive depth maintenance and important modifications on all the aircraft including capability enhancements such as MEDEVAC, avionic upgrades and the provision of a Passenger Transport Configuration.
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