RENK Systems won a $49 million deal, which is for the design, development, fabrication, and testing of three test stands to include: one for testing the main gearbox assembly, one for testing the tail/intermediate gearbox assemblies, and one for testing the nose gearbox assemblies, as well as associated logistics, calibration, maintenance, and sustainment support; equipment and installation of equipment; end item spares; technical and operational manuals; and associated data in support of the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Augsburg, Germany, and is expected to be completed in November 2025.
The US Special Operations Command is seeking information on drone tech that takes down ground-based enemy electronic warfare systems. The Counter-Electronic Countermeasure Seeker should be capable of detecting, identifying, and targeting EW systems preying on “GPS, command data link, communications frequencies, and counter-battery radars,” the solicitation notice stated.
Middle East & Africa
The UK and Turkey have inked a statement of intent to work closely on improving their bilateral defense partnership and enhancing regional and international security. The countries will collaborate in their defense industries and identify opportunities for joint training exercises in the Mediterranean, according to the UK Ministry of Defense.
Europe
The Netherlands wants to join Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Co-Operation, as it seeks to be a driver of European defense cooperation and better position its industry, the Dutch Defense Ministry said. Joining the group, known by its French acronym OCCAR, is an important step towards stronger European defense cooperation and to properly position the Dutch defense industry, according to the ministry. Both are “badly needed due to the war in Ukraine and the tightness in the defense market,’’ the ministry said.
Asia-Pacific
Australia and the Philippines announced Saturday the start of joint air and sea patrols off the Southeast Asian nation, as they seek to deepen their defense cooperation to counter China’s assertiveness in the region. The “maritime cooperative activity” comes days after the United States held a similar exercise with the Philippines in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely. In a joint statement, the Australian and Philippine defense chiefs said the three-day patrols showed their “shared commitment to exercising freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law.”
Australia has announced a “game-changing” plan to boost the country’s digital capabilities in response to increased cyberattacks. Revealed by Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister Clare Ellen O’Neil, the draft focused on steps to improve Australia’s critical infrastructure resilience, networking solutions, and associated coordination methods to protect civilians and small businesses nationwide.
