International Procurement Opportunities

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

May 1, 2026 by

Sponsored by

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EUROPE

24 Apr 26. Chess Dynamics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CHSnor, establishing a framework for collaboration that strengthens in-country support in Norway and reinforces the company’s long-term investment in the Nordic region. The MOU focuses on training, maintenance support and lifecycle capability development, supporting operational availability and sustained readiness for Norwegian customers.

This collaboration reflects Norway’s industrial cooperation principles, under which international suppliers contribute to national capability and industrial development. Through this MOU, Chess Dynamics will invest in knowledge transfer, structured training and in-country sustainment expertise, strengthening sovereign maintenance capability and supporting continuous operational readiness.

Andy Smith, Managing Director at Chess Dynamics said, ‘This agreement reflects our role as a long-term capability partner in the Nordic region. Our focus is on operational availability and sustained performance in demanding environments. By investing in local training, technical expertise and in-country support with CHSnor, we are strengthening our ability to keep equipment operational and mission ready, while building enduring regional relationships that support future growth’

Chess systems are engineered for long service lives in demanding operational environments, where availability is mission critical. Ensuring that equipment remains operational and combat ready throughout its lifecycle is central to the company’s approach.

Through collaboration with CHSnor, maintenance and support activities can increasingly be conducted within Norway, reducing turnaround times, improving responsiveness and supporting sustained operational readiness. CHSnor will also be positioned to hold appropriate spares locally, enabling faster in-service support and greater resilience.

Morten Eggen, CEO of CHSnor said, ‘This Memorandum of Understanding represents more than a formal agreement. It demonstrates close cooperation between Norway and the United Kingdom in delivering sustainable defence capability. By working in partnership with Chess Dynamics, we can build local maintenance and support expertise in Norway, ensuring rapid response, high availability and long-term value for Norwegian operators.’

Training and knowledge transfer form a core part of Chess’ customer support model. The company routinely delivers structured operator and maintainer training packages alongside system delivery, ensuring customers can maximise performance, reliability and longevity from their equipment. Under the MOU, the companies will explore opportunities to extend this approach, building technical expertise within Norway and supporting long-term sustainment capability across the region.

The framework establishes a structured framework for collaboration and mutual assessment. The parties will work together to calibrate CHSnor’s market access capabilities and explore potential future cooperation in support of Nordic defence programmes, subject to appropriate governance and commercial processes.

29 Apr 26. Otokar Strengthens Its Commitment to Romania, Signs Acquisition Agreement. Otokar, Türkiye’s leading land systems exporter and a key supplier to NATO and the United Nations, announced the signature of the acquisition agreement of Automecanica S.A. and its manufacturing facility in Mediaș, Romania. The acquisition process is expected to be completed following the local regularity approvals. This investment will mark a defining step in Otokar’s European industrial strategy and reinforce the company’s long-term commitment to building sovereign defense manufacturing capabilities in Romania, in line with its obligations under the COBRA II ATBTU Program.

A Strategic Investment in Romania’s Defense Industry

Following the process initiated in January, the share purchase agreement for the acquisition of shares representing 96.77% of the capital of Automecanica S.A. was signed on April 29, 2026 for an approximate of 85 million EUR. Through this investment, Otokar becomes a defense manufacturer with production operations inside the European Union -a strategic milestone that positions the company to play a more active role in European military procurement processes. With the established production infrastructure, licensed facilities, and experienced industrial workforce, Otokar will not only deliver its contractual commitments but also make a lasting contribution to Romania’s defense industrial base.

“This investment is a concrete expression of Otokar’s long-term commitment to Romania,” said Mr. Aykut Özüner, Otokar CEO. “With this agreement, we are not simply fulfilling a contract -we are contributing to Romania’s industrial sovereignty and its capacity to support allied defense on NATO’s Eastern flank.”

COBRA II Production in Romania: Program on Track

The acquisition process has not slowed the pace of the program. Vehicles produced in Türkiye under the COBRA II ATBTU Program had already been manufactured, delivered to Romania, and are now deployed with the Romanian Armed Forces. In parallel, all production preparations at the Mediaș facility have been completed, and the initial phases of production are underway. Full assembly operations are scheduled to begin in June 2026.

NATO-Standard Production Infrastructure in Mediaș

Otokar is providing Romania with a modern, NATO-standard production infrastructure for armored vehicles -an asset that serves not only the current program but also the country’s broader defense industrial ambitions. The production scope at Mediaș covers the full manufacturing cycle -from metal cutting and welding through painting, assembly, and quality testing. To ensure local teams meet Otokar’s global standards, the company has implemented dedicated on-the-job training and knowledge-transfer programs for Romanian technical staff.

The Mediaș manufacturing site spans approximately 140,000 square meters landsize and currently employs more than 250 workers and technical staff. The facility is fully equipped with NATO-standard infrastructure and licenses required for serial armored vehicle production.

An Investment with Long-Term Impact

This investment represents Otokar’s commitment to Romania as a long-term industrial partner. The project brings advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities directly into Romania. Every stage of the COBRA II production cycle will be carried out on Romanian soil, by Romanian teams trained to international standards. This is not a transfer of finished products; it is a transfer of know-how, industrial process, and technical competence.

In a defense landscape where countries increasingly seek to develop sovereign production capabilities rather than depend on imported equipment, this model positions Romania as an active manufacturing nation within NATO’s industrial ecosystem. It also opens new export opportunities: vehicles produced in Mediaș can serve as a platform for Romania’s integration into European and NATO supply chains, generating lasting economic and strategic value well beyond the scope of the current contract.

About the COBRA II ATBTU Programme

In November 2024, Otokar signed a contract with C.N. Romtehnica S.A. for the delivery of 1,059 COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Light Armored Vehicles to the Romanian Ministry of National Defense. The contract, valued at approximately 4.26 billion RON (around EUR 857 million, excluding VAT), is one of the most significant military vehicle procurement programs in Europe in recent years.

Under the program, a significant share of vehicles is to be produced locally, within a comprehensive industrial cooperation framework designed to support the development of Romania’s defense sector and strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defense posture on the Alliance’s Eastern flank.

Otokar’s European and Global Presence

Otokar is a supplier to NATO and the United Nations, with more than 33,000 military vehicles actively serving in nearly 50 countries and in the inventories of over 80 end-users worldwide. The company’s armored vehicles are proven in diverse climates and high-risk operational environments, and are currently exported to nine European countries. This acquisition will mark the next step in a global growth strategy built on local partnerships, co-development, and in-country production — a model Otokar is committed to advancing across its allied and partner nations.

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30 Apr 26.The Department of the Air Force and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence have formalized a partnership to acquire prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft, advancing a shared strategy to bring greater affordable mass to deter, and if necessary, defeat adversaries.

The agreement solidifies the Netherlands as a key international partner in the CCA program, a crucial step in the DAF strategy to strengthen alliances and enhance interoperability. The collaboration will focus on shared development of platform-agnostic, open architecture based, autonomous capabilities enabling seamless data sharing and interoperability in combined operations. The DAF is accelerating collaboration with international partners on multiple areas of CCA capabilities development.

“The future fight will be fought with allies and partners,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “By aligning our approaches early, we ensure interoperability and shared advantage in the era of human-machine teaming.”

The prototype CCA aircraft will be part of the Netherlands contribution to the CCA program in which the Netherlands will learn alongside the U.S. at the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU), headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The EOU serves as the engine for developing concepts of operations for CCA, creating a tight feedback loop between the warfighter and developer. This experimental approach allows for continuous refinement of mission autonomy in realistic scenarios demonstrating safe and effective human-machine teaming.

“CCA will fundamentally change how we project airpower. Working with trusted allies allows us to field these capabilities more effectively,” said Col. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft. “The collaboration on open architecture based autonomous platforms is critical to ensuring our forces are interoperable and ready for combined operations.”

This landmark agreement underscores a mutual commitment to a future where CCA expand combat mass, increase survivability, and deliver a decisive advantage for the Joint and Coalition Force.

(Source: CLARION

30 Apr 26. Belgium is looking for a new industrial partner to help create a new, comprehensive counter-UAS (C-UAS) system-of-systems solution to protect its infrastructure and troops.

To discover the appropriate partner, Belgium’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a competition on 21 April, inviting interested companies to submit their requests to participate by 11 May.

Spanning a 10-year period, the successful partner will be required to deliver, install, maintain, and iterate the C-UAS system, which will feature a broad range of C-UASs, from active and passive sensors to effectors.

What is the requirement?

The operational requirement is driven by the rapid proliferation of uncrewed systems, which now pose a persistent threat to frontline units, infrastructure, and assets.

To address this, Belgium is demanding a multi-tiered C-UAS solution capable of shielding forces in any state – whether at fixed sites, semi-permanent bases, or for highly mobile deployments, the MoD said.

At the heart of this system-of-systems will be a C-UAS command-and-control architecture. It is “the vital component”, ensuring that “all subsystems are integrated and remain integrated within one overarching operational capability.”

The chosen partner must act as the integrator, ensuring all the technologies cooperate effectively.

Additional systems will be procured as the technology and threat evolves, so the C-UAS solution must be highly modular, the MoD said.

Despite not attributing any financial value to the competition, the requirement for a multi-tiered solution that can protect a range of different forces and sites over a 10-year period will require significant investment.

Belgium has been a defence spending laggard. However, following in the footsteps of its allies, Belgium increased defence spending from 1.3% to 2% of GDP last year.

It also unveiled a EUR33.8 billion defence spending programme to significantly enhance its military capabilities in July. The plan details the MoD’s spending priorities for 2026 through 2034. (Source: CLARION

REST OF THE WORLD

24 Apr 26 DSA 2026: Artillery duel awaits resolution in Malaysia

The Malaysian Army currently has a tender out for two regiments’ worth of 105mm towed howitzers to replace ageing OTO Melara Mod 56 guns. Several contenders showed their respective solutions at DSA 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur from 20-23 April.

KNDS of France could be considered the incumbent, since it – when still known as Nexter – supplied 18 LG1 Mk III 105mm artillery pieces to Malaysia via a 2018 contract. These were duly allocated to the 1st Regiment, Royal Artillery (Para).

KNDS is competing for this latest requirement too, which constitutes 36 artillery pieces. At its booth at DSA, the company exhibited one of the 1,650kg LG1 howitzers supplied to Malaysia.

KNDS has partnered again with Malaysian firm Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) for this tender. The two signed a memorandum of understanding at DSA 2026 covering cooperation regarding the LG1 and CAESAR. The MoU aims to increase the competency of ADS in assembling, integrating and testing the LG1 gun.

Asked whether having the LG1 already in service gives an advantage, Amaury de Poncins, Director of Global Export Business Development at KNDS, told Asian Military Review: “For sure in terms of compatibility, in particular with the existing [Thales] fire control system called AS4000, which is already deployed in the first regiment and currently installed on all systems such as the G5 from Denel.”

KNDS/Nexter supplied 18 LG1 Mk III 105mm towed howitzers to the Malaysian Army via a 2018 contract, and it is hoping for repeat success. (Gordon Arthur)

De Poncins also highlighted how KNDS has developed local capabilities related to maintenance and servicing through ADS. “It will only facilitate the partnership and the serviceability of the system in the future,” he shared.

Another strong contender is MKE of Turkey, which brought a Boran 105mm artillery piece to DSA 2026. This 1,775kg weapon system entered Turkish service in 2021, and it has also been delivered to Bangladesh and North Macedonia.

Regarding Malaysia’s requirement, Tolga Çelic, Deputy General Manager at MKE, told AMR, “We’re in that tender, and we’re shortlisted with Boran. We’d like to deliver Boran to Malaysia, and we’re ready to have strategic cooperation with Malaysia as well.” This includes maintenance and even extends to local assembly.

The Boran conducted a live-fire demonstration alongside other competitors in Malaysia in May 2025, where it fired twelve rounds in just 46 seconds. The air-transportable Boran can be ready to fire within one minute. MKE is also promoting the Boran to the Philippines.

Also of relevance to Malaysia, Hyundai WIA from South Korea displayed a scale model of its KH178 105mm towed gun at the same DSA exhibition.

Although a company representative declined to discuss Hyundai WIA’s interest in the Malaysian tender, it is notable that the company showcased an actual example of its mobile 105mm light self-propelled howitzer (SPH).

This is the 105mm self-propelled howitzer from Hyundai WIA, which comprises a KH178 mounted on a Kia KLTV 4×4 vehicle. (Gordon Arthur)

This 7-tonne weapon comprises a digitised KH178 105mm howitzer mounted on a Kia Motors KLTV K351 4×4 tactical vehicle. Such a solution offers superior mobility to a towed howitzer, and it can be transported under-slung from a Chinook helicopter.

This Malaysian tender for 36 105mm towed howitzers was issued in late 2025, and the selection of a winner is awaited.

Staying with artillery, Malaysia also issued a tender for a truck-mounted 155mm SPH and this closed in late 2025. Six systems were tested, and media reports indicate that KNDS’s CAESAR 6×6 and the Konstrukta Defence Eva M2 from Slovakia are the two most likely options.

The CASEAR has attracted 14 customers to date. Nearby, the Indonesian Army possesses three battalions of CAESARs, plus Thailand is also an operator of the French SPH.

Despite expectations, no SPH contract was announced at DSA 2026.

source ADJ

23 Apr 26. UK–Indonesia Launch Flagship Maritime Partnership Programme. Together with the British Embassy Jakarta, British Chamber of Commerce and Indonesian partners we’ve formally launched the Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP), a flagship agreement to deepen UK–Indonesia cooperation across maritime defence, fisheries, industrial capability and skills development.

The event, held in Jakarta, was attended by Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, UK Minister for Aviation, Maritime, and Decarbonisation Keir Mather, Babcock Chief Executive David Lockwood OBE, British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey CVO OBE, businesses, senior government officials, academia and others.

We signed four landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading universities, industry partners and key programme stakeholders. The MOUs span workforce development, education, scholarships, and industrial capability – supporting Indonesia’s maritime goals and the delivery of the MPP, and include:

Chevening Scholarships: We’ll fund 30 UK Government Chevening Scholarships for Indonesian students over three years, supporting future maritime and industrial leaders.
University Consortium: We’ve partnered with six UK and Indonesian universities to build maritime education and skills capacity aligned to MPP capability priorities, enabling education, research and innovation opportunities. The consortium comprises Newcastle University, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, Universitas Indonesia, and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember.
Naval and Maritime Technology: We’ll collaborate with PT Len Industri on naval and maritime technology development, including the potential use of DEFEND ID facilities.
Shipbuilding Collaboration: An MOU has been signed with PT Citra Shipyard to explore shipbuilding, skills, technology transfer and supply chain cooperation.

The MOUs reflect a deliberate strategy to invest across the full spectrum of Indonesia’s maritime development launch and build on the £4bn UK-Indonesia maritime deal signed in November 2025, reinforcing commitments under the UK-Indonesia Strategic Partnership launched by President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London on 20 January 2026.

Our Chief Executive, David Lockwood OBE, said: “Indonesia is a key strategic partner for Babcock, and these milestone agreements underscore the depth of our global experience and world-class capabilities. We’re here for the long haul – investing in Indonesian people, Indonesian industry and Indonesia’s future as a leading maritime nation. These partnerships will help bring that commitment to life and we look forward to continuing our strong and enduring relationship.”

British Ambassador to Indonesia, Dominic Jermey CVO OBE, said: “The Maritime Partnership Programme is the Strategic Partnership in action, an example of how our strong international relationships are delivering real benefit for people at home in jobs, opportunity and growth. It highlights the UK and Indonesia’s shared commitment to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, upholding freedom of navigation and supporting a rules-based international order.

“Together we are strengthening maritime resilience, supporting industry, and expanding opportunities for the next generation of Indonesian leaders. This is a partnership built on shared ambition, one that will deliver lasting benefits for Indonesia and the UK. Diplomasi, Kolaborasi dan Prestasi!”

Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, Ian Betts, said: “The British Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia warmly welcomes the launch of the UK-Indonesia Maritime Partnership Programme, which marks a significant step forward in deepening our bilateral economic and industrial ties. Babcock’s investment, including its role in advancing Indonesia’s frigate capability through the Arrowhead 140 programme, demonstrates the strength of UK maritime expertise and its long-term commitment to Indonesia’s maritime ambitions. This partnership goes beyond defence, supporting local industry development, skill transfer, and broader maritime ecosystem growth across Indonesia. In doing so, it reflects a shared vision for resilient, sustainable, and secure maritime infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific. Britcham looks forward to supporting the continued collaboration between UK and Indonesian partners as this programme progresses.”

The post UK–Indonesia Launch Flagship Maritime Partnership Programme appeared first on Babcock International Group.

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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.

From rapid prototyping of custom designs to full-scale production runs, IEE, produces displays with advanced features like low-latency video processing, high-bright and NVIS backlighting, and lightweight rugged enclosures. Their SWaP-C products employ the latest lightweight composite materials; low power, high performance integrated ARM processors; standard Ethernet and USB communication, in a low cost, highly producible design.

In-house California facilities include optical bonding, clean rooms for display assembly, a dark room for optical measurements and environmental chambers for pre-compliance and customer acceptance testing. On-site manufacturing includes PCB assembly and flow soldering. IEE has manufactured handheld, in-vehicle, airborne and naval LCD displays for all military branches as well as leading aerospace firms both domestically and internationally.

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management

Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs

Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements

Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards

Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

March 27, 2026 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

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USA

25 March 25, 2026. Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced it has signed a groundbreaking supplier framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to rapidly increase the production of critical defense technologies. This agreement includes a $500 million multi-year investment to upgrade the company’s production capacity. Honeywell Aerospace is among the first Tier 1 suppliers to sign a framework agreement of this nature with the DoW. This underscores Honeywell Aerospace’s focus on delivering critical capabilities to American and allied forces at the speed and scale national defense requires.

“Honeywell Aerospace is proud to embrace the challenge and meet this urgent need,” said Jim Currier, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace. “Our commercial operating system enables us to invest in advanced technologies and manufacture at scale and speed, delivering a substantial and enduring benefit to the customer and taxpayers.”

Under this agreement, Honeywell Aerospace will ramp production of the following:

Navigation systems: Honeywell is a global leader in resilient navigation technology, particularly in challenging environments. The company’s wide range of inertial navigators can be found in diverse industries across the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. Honeywell Aerospace navigation systems are critical enablers on most precision munition platforms globally.
Assure™ actuators: Honeywell Assure missile maneuverability actuation and electronic control systems are the most precise and speed-responsive systems available. These actuators are used for interceptor, tactical and other strategic high-performance missiles.
Electronic Warfare solutions: Electronic Warfare solutions from Honeywell Aerospace provide critical functionality on U.S. military platforms from fighter jets to the Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program and on AMRAAM missiles. Advanced technologies also support Signals Intelligence and Electronic Intelligence domains.

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IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

March 24, 2026 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

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USA

10 Mar 26. US Air Force seeks sources for Stand-in Attack Weapon compatible with F-47, B-21. An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies with a Stand-in Attack Weapon on its rail Nov. 7, 2024, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles/U.S. Air Force)

The U.S. Air Force is seeking additional industry sources capable of producing a Stand-in Attack Weapon or equivalent system compatible with the future F-47 fighter and B-21 Raider stealth bomber, according to a sources sought notice posted Wednesday on SAM.gov.

The notice, issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s weapons office at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is not a solicitation but a market research tool to identify firms capable of producing a system with “similar or improved capabilities” to the SiAW. Responses are due March 19.

The SiAW is a supersonic air-to-ground missile designed to rapidly strike mobile targets, including integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers, GPS jammers and antisatellite systems in contested environments.

The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $705 million contract to develop and test the SiAW in September 2023, following an initial phase that also included Lockheed Martin and L3Harris. Northrop Grumman delivered the first SiAW test missile to the Air Force in November 2024, and completed a successful F-16 separation test in December 2025.

The sources sought notice lists platform compatibility requirements that include the F-35, F-16, F-47 and B-21. This marks the first time the F-47, Boeing’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, has appeared by name in a public Air Force acquisition document tied to a specific weapon system. The F-35 is the initial platform for the SiAW, and the Air Force has previously indicated the B-21 bomber may also carry the weapon.

The SiAW program is currently executing a Middle Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping phase. The notice calls for a 48-month period of performance from contract award, with a first production lot delivery targeted for 2030. Fiscal 2026 budget documents show prototype development is slated to continue through the first quarter of fiscal 2027.

Required capabilities outlined in the notice include extended standoff range, an advanced antiradiation seeker capable of targeting frequency-agile and low-probability-of-intercept radar systems, precision GPS/INS navigation with antijamming capabilities, robust electronic counter-countermeasures and the ability to reattack. The Air Force is seeking production capacity of up to 600 all-up-rounds per year with a 15-year service life requirement.

The outreach comes as Operation Epic Fury against Iran has heightened concerns about munitions stockpiles and industrial base capacity, according to a Center for Strategic and International Studies report published Thursday.

The notice does not explain why the Air Force is seeking alternate sources for a SiAW equivalent, or whether identifying additional vendors could affect the Northrop Grumman program.

(Source: Defense News)

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IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.
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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

March 6, 2026 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

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EUROPE

04 Mar 26. Dassault CEO says FCAS fighter project ‘dead’ if Airbus refuses to cooperate

Summary
Dispute worsening in troubled European fighter jet project
Dassault and Airbus at odds over industrial control
Dassault could build standalone jet for under 50 bn euros

The head of France’s Dassault Aviation (AM.PA) declared a troubled warplane project with Germany “dead” if Airbus (AIR.PA) did not back down from what he ‌described as the European planemaker’s refusal to cooperate.

The comments from France’s longstanding national warplane champion are the latest sign that plans for the next phase of the 100 bn euro ($116 bn) programme are near collapse amid rivalry between the two aerospace groups.

“Airbus doesn’t want to work with Dassault, full stop. I take note,” Eric Trappier told a news conference.

Airbus declined to comment but referred to earlier remarks as both companies seek to avoid blame for the unravelling ⁠of a flagship project launched by French President Emmanuel Macron and then-Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2017.

Although headquartered in France, where most of its civil airliners are assembled, Airbus represents Germany and Spain on the FCAS project.

Last month, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury denied relations with Dassault had broken down completely, but appeared to turn the page on FCAS in its current form, raising for the first time the possibility of two separate fighters.

Asked by reporters which comments had triggered his reaction, Trappier pointed to recent statements by Germany’s IG Metall union and aerospace lobby group BDLI.

“They had BDLI and IG Metall say it; they didn’t have the courage to say it themselves,” he told reporters. An Airbus spokesperson declined to comment on third-party statements.

The ‌heads of ⁠BDLI and IG Metall published a joint op-ed last month titled “Excuse me, Dassault, but this is not ok,” warning of Germany’s “industrial self-abandonment”.

DASSAULT WANTS LEADERSHIP CLARITY

The dispute centres on leadership of the core fighter element of plans to build an interconnected fleet of crewed planes and armed drones under a common digital umbrella.

Trappier said he had proposed clarifying Dassault’s leadership of the core fighter, including choice of suppliers, while granting Airbus control over its own workshare.

He ⁠defended France’s record in making high-performance combat jets and accused Airbus of pushing for a more cumbersome Eurofighter-type partnership, referring to a four-nation jet.

“I have said from the start that I want clear leadership and not just on paper,” Trappier said.

Insiders expect Germany and France ⁠to abandon development of a joint fighter jet but continue cooperation on drones and the so-called combat cloud, or digital backbone. But rowing back the plan is seen as politically awkward for Macron.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz last month appeared to back ⁠this scenario, citing diverging strategic needs.

Trappier said he remained ready to work with Airbus but sketched out options for a standalone aircraft, saying this could be developed for less than 50 bn euros thanks to Dassault’s track record with independent programmes.

He also questioned how easy it would be to share common systems or engines. ($1 = 0.8621 euros) (Source: Reuters)

USA

02 Mar 26. SOCOM wants ‘Acoustic Rainbow’ Tech for Silencing Drones. Acoustic rainbows may sound psychedelic, but the concept has nothing to do with hallucinations. By dispersing sound waves, noisy objects can potentially be made far less audible. That promise has drawn the interest of U.S. Special Operations Command, which is seeking Acoustic Rainbow Emitters (ARE) for drones under a Small Business Innovation Research solicitation that closed March 25.

According to the notice, an ARE “would provide a means to redirect the acoustic signature of a UAS and change the frequencies of the acoustic signature.” While small tactical drones are difficult to see, the buzz of their propellers can alert targets and expose the aircraft to hostile fire. SOCOM noted that acoustic sensors are becoming increasingly common on the battlefield.

The project would attach emitters to Army Special Operations Forces drones. The devices should redirect sound upward, away from the ground, and filter frequencies to levels inaudible to the human ear. The goal is to reduce a drone’s acoustic signature by at least 50 percent. Weight limits are strict: no more than 1 kilogram for a Group 1 drone (under 20 pounds) and 3 kilograms for a Group 2 drone (under 55 pounds). The emitter must also maintain a low visual signature.

SOCOM appears particularly interested in quieter attack drones, citing use during terminal strikes. Phase I calls for a feasibility study; Phase II would produce a prototype. Researchers in Denmark and Spain recently demonstrated a 3D-printed emitter that passively scatters and redirects broadband sound without electricity. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense News.

REST OF THE WORLD

27 Feb 26. NZ orders unmanned air, land and sea platforms from Syos Aerospace. Syos Aerospace, a tech start-up originating in New Zealand, has won an important contract from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). The award covers a portfolio of unmanned platforms for the air, land and sea domains.

The contract is significant, not because of its size, but because the NZDF is putting its faith in local technologies and expertise.

As Sam Vye, CEO of Syos, pointed out to Asian Military Review, “This is the first substantial [NZ] contract that actually has some weight really behind it.” He described it as strategic for the country, plus it is valuable to Syos as it represents “the stamp of approval of our home country”.

The contract incorporates the following platforms: the SG400 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), the SM300 unmanned surface vessel (USV) and the SA2 reconnaissance drone and the SA7 one-way effector.

The SG400 is a 6×6 vehicle possessing a 200km range and payload capacity of 400kg. As for the SM300 USV, it can carry 300kg payloads.

Announcing the deal on 26 February, Defence Minister Judith Collins affirmed, “We’re partnering with New Zealand businesses to ensure the defence force can protect our people into the future,” adding that the Syos platforms will “enable access to mission-ready, combat-proven technology”.

The NZDF said the army and navy “will conduct trials in a range of scenarios, such as transporting supplies, performing maritime patrols and completing route reconnaissance”. Collins added, “This will inform future capability decisions on a technology that has rapidly become central to modern military operations.”

Vye confirmed these platforms will be used for structured experimentation and evaluations, including developing concepts of operation. “The NZDF’s programme of structured experimentation aligns strongly with how we operate – working shoulder to shoulder with customers and end-users to develop solutions that move beyond traditional approaches, to tackle complex, real-world challenges.”

No details have been released on quantities or dollar value, but Vye shared, “We’re laser focused for minimum viable capability. We don’t really give two hoots about exquisite, and we really go after the minimum viable capability requirement. What that means is the vehicles can deliver the capability, but the cost is really cheap – an order of magnitude more cost effective than our American competitors.” He emphasised that the capability-to-cost ratio is very important for nations such as New Zealand.

As the new Syos platforms are rolled out in coming months, local firm Sysdoc was contracted to supply training support, and Hirtenberger Defence Technology for advanced systems support. The NZ Army is exploring integration of Hirtenberger’s Arcfire fire control system and an indigenous battle management system on its unmanned platforms.

The CEO said countries “must listen to what’s happening in Ukraine and any of the other conflicts around the world, because the rate of change of technology is so quick”. He said it is wise to “purchase a few vehicles of the latest technologies and trends to learn how to use them”.

He made a second point that countries can either stockpile for deterrence, or develop the industrial capacity to rapidly build such systems. Of course, “This contract isn’t about stockpiling, this isn’t about industrial capacity. This contract is about really providing them low-volume units across multitude of vehicles and domains, really just to understand more and grow their own capabilities.”

Syos attempts to avoid bespoke components, and is agnostic in terms of subsystems and sensors so as to avoid supply chain problems.

This deal also reinforces the country’s Defence Industry Strategy published last year, one aim of which is to boost local defence industry capability and involvement.

Drones and USVs from Syos are being utilised in combat by Ukraine. For example, its interceptors are countering Shahed drones flown by Russia. Last year, the company produced around 140 USVs too, many likely destined for Ukraine.

Furthermore, Syos has a presence in the UK, supplying a batch of 7.2m-long Rattler USVs to the Royal Navy. Furthermore, it was one of seven companies shortlisted in January for the British Army’s Project Nyx, which is seeking “wingman drones” to accompany Apache attack helicopters.

Asked about which parts of the world his company is currently targeting, Vye said, “I won’t go into too much detail on that for commercial reasons, but we’re very heavily focused on the Asia-Pacific region as well as Europe.”

Syos was founded just four years ago, and won the 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year award. (Source: AMR)

27 Feb 26. Indian Army eyes drone interception systems and armed UAVs. The Indian Army is seeking to strengthen its counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and simultaneously it is pursuing additional armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) possessing a surveillance capability.

On 20 February, India’s Ministry of Defence issued a request for information (RfI) for up to 45 drone interception systems plus up to 50 drone catcher systems for the army. They will be deployed across varied Indian terrain – such as plains, deserts and high-altitude areas – in support of field formations and to protect vital installations.

The army is faced with a growing aerial threat from drones with a low radar cross-section (RCS) and employed individually or in swarms. This was experienced last year during operations against Pakistan as part of Operation Sindoor.

The requested drone interception system is required to detect and counter hostile low-RCS drones and UAVs through kinetic means. The system must also be capable of operating independently or in conjunction with existing army air defence systems and other C-UAS assets.

Key performance parameters listed by the army are simultaneous detection and tracking of at least 20 drones. Nor should its deployment time exceed ten minutes. The minimum slant range listed for the drone sensor should not be less than 4km for a 0.001m² RCS, and a minimum of 10km for 0.05m² RCS targets.

The interceptor must defeat hostile drones by direct impact or proximity detonation.

As for the drone catcher system, it should incorporate four net catcher modules per system. A jammer subsystem will also provide C-UAS electronic attack capabilities, including radio frequency denial, and selective global navigation satellite system denial and deception.

Tactical UAV procurement

In a separate RfI issued late last year, the army expressed interest in procuring 20 tactical UAVs in the 800kg weight category. The procurement is targeted at domestic vendors and calls for vertical-take-off-and-landing or short take-off-and-landing configurations.

The platforms will be distributed equally across army formations operating in plains and mountainous terrain. Key requirements include a minimum endurance of eight hours and the ability to carry two different payload types simultaneously. It also needs to be able to carry a minimum weapons package of 200kg on at least two hardpoints.

Payload options for the sizeable UAV include electro-optic/infrared sensors, communication intelligence, foliage penetrating radar, synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence and communications relay.

A single system will comprise one ground control station that controls two UAVs, associated payloads and two remote vehicle terminals.

High-altitude performance requirements specify the ability for the unmanned aircraft to be launched from high-altitude elevations of 4,500m above mean sea level, and the ability to undertake sustained operations at altitudes not less than 7,315m. (Source: AMR)

03 Mar 26. Italy says Gulf countries have requested air defence systems.

Summary
Gulf states seeking Franco-Italian SAMP/T system
Italy is already supplying it to Ukraine
Minister says availability is limited

Italy has received requests for air defence ‌and anti-drone systems from Gulf countries caught up in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States, Rome’s defence minister told lawmakers on Monday.

The war against Iran is expanding as Israel has attacked Lebanon in response to strikes by militant group Hezbollah, Tehran has ⁠fired missiles and drones at Gulf states, and an Iranian-made drone has hit a British air base in Cyprus.

“The Gulf countries are expressing strong concern about the evolution of the crisis and have indicated the urgent need to strengthen their defence capabilities, particularly air defence and anti-drone,” Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said.

The minister said requests included the SAMP/T, a Franco-Italian battery also known as MAMBA that can track dozens of targets ‌and ⁠intercept 10 at once. It is the only European-made system that can intercept ballistic missiles.

Italy is already supplying SAMP/T systems to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russia, so further availability for Gulf states is difficult.

“It is a ⁠very delicate issue, considering that these capabilities are already heavily strained and limited in light of European needs and the support provided so far to Ukraine,” ⁠Crosetto said in a parliamentary hearing.

Crosetto – who returned on Sunday from Dubai, where he had been stranded with his family following the attack ⁠on Iran – spoke to lawmakers along with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who said the conflict was a direct threat to Italy’s security. (Source: Reuters)

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IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

February 27, 2026 by

Sponsored by

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

24 Feb 26. Babcock’s Back-to-Back Milestones Signal Sustained Pace in Type 31 Programme. Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has achieved a major moment in the delivery of the Royal Navy’s Type 31, Inspiration Class programme, as two key milestones – the Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog and the Rollout of HMS Active – took place at its Rosyth facility in Scotland.

Underlining the rapid pace of delivery across the programme and the maturity of the modern, modular construction approach, the ceremonial Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog marked the official start of build on the fourth of five Inspiration-class frigates, while the rollout of HMS Active saw the momentous emergence of the second frigate from the purpose-built ship assembly hall, ahead of entering the water for the first time.

Guests from the UK and beyond had the opportunity to see first‑hand the innovation and expertise driving the programme, as well as the world-class infrastructure and technology across Babcock’s advanced manufacturing facility at Rosyth, that underpin the design and build activity.

With each ship, the lessons learned, practical knowledge and experience in sequencing, integration and supply chain management is further embedded into the programme, informing the planning and delivery of future builds. Design improvements arising from the first two ships are already enhancing build efficiency for ships three and four. Increased compartment and system outfitting in the manufacturing bays before the main blocks are assembled will help to reduce integration time in the build hall by making the most of earlier outfitting, supporting programme delivery times.

David Lockwood, CEO, Babcock, said: “Delivering the Steel Cut for HMS Bulldog and the Rollout of HMS Active on the same day is a powerful demonstration of the drive and delivery focus of our Type 31 programme as we build the next modern, future ready fleet for the Royal Navy. These milestones show the maturity of our facility, the success of the design and build process, and the skill and dedication of our Babcock team.

“We are not only building a new class of ship at Rosyth, we are also at the forefront of a national endeavour that is strengthening the UK’s shipbuilding industry, supporting sovereign and allied maritime capability, while creating an advanced industrial footprint and expertise that will support the future of global shipbuilding for generations to come.”

The Type 31 programme plays a significant role in supporting the UK’s sovereign defence capability. With the majority of work taking place in Fife, Scotland, it is supported by a network of UK and international suppliers, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The programme sustains c.2,500 highly skilled jobs, deepens domestic expertise and strengthens the UK’s ability to design, build and integrate complex warships and export this knowledge.

Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate design, on which the UK’s Type 31 ship is based, is also proving a continued success overseas. The design has already been selected by Poland for its Miecznik frigate programme and firmly established in Indonesia, where multiple Arrowhead 140‑based frigates are now in build, including two new design and build licences recently secured.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “These milestones show Scottish shipbuilding at its best. From starting construction for HMS Bulldog to rolling out the impressive HMS Active, this programme is delivering world-class warships for the Royal Navy and real economic benefits for communities across Scotland and the wider UK. The frigates will serve our nation for decades to come, and the skills and infrastructure we’re building here will secure the future of Scottish shipbuilding for generations.”

Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, said: “Today’s ceremony is testament to the skill, dedication and innovation of the workforce at Babcock – and a powerful symbol of Scotland’s enduring contribution to security in an uncertain world. Babcock’s work to develop future talent by supporting apprenticeships and engaging with local colleges on skills is absolutely vital. But the company’s efforts to ensure that talent is retained in Scotland is even more crucial to our communities and our economy. Investing in shipbuilding and the wider defence sector is investing in the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers, ensuring Scotland remains a global leader in advanced manufacturing. That’s why the Scottish Government has provided more than £90 m to aerospace, defence, marine and space companies through enterprise agency funding since 2006.”

EUROPE

23 Feb 26. Airbus unveils next generation rotorcraft concepts for NATO studies. Airbus Helicopters has unveiled its next generation rotorcraft concepts to address the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capabilities (NGRC) study requirements. Airbus’ proposal to NATO, developed in collaboration with RTX businesses Collins Aerospace and Raytheon, and MBDA, includes two concepts: a high-performance conventional helicopter alongside a novel high-speed compound concept, ensuring operational efficiency and fleet complementarity for military partners. Modularity and simplicity are core tenets of the Airbus NGRC proposal. The design philosophy aims to deliver platforms that are simple to manufacture, maintain, and upgrade, ensuring long-term affordability, thanks to its Modular Open System Architecture approach. The two concepts will be highly connected and will share commonalities in terms of maintenance, training, weapons and systems.

“We want to ensure that Europe is in a position to propose a platform that will best fit our military partners’ needs in terms of affordability, operational efficiency and maximum availability for both the conventional helicopter and for the high speed rotorcraft. These two concepts are a basis to further exchange with our military partners on their vision and need for future military operations,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Airbus Helicopters is actively working on the future of its military range. On the one hand, we are preparing the evolution of our legacy range with a continuous improvement policy. With the Block 1 and 2 studies, we have a long-term NH90 evolution roadmap. Our dual product range, the H145M, the H160M, and the H225M, is setting new standards for military helicopters in terms of affordability, connectivity, and maintenance,” he explained. “On the other hand, we are working on the next generation of rotorcraft systems, leveraging modular multi-platform technologies such as connectivity, cybersecurity, crewed-uncrewed teaming, multi-domain collaborative combat, survivability and battle damage repair,” he added.

In July 2024, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters to lead a concept study in the frame of the NGRC project under which the participants combined efforts to work on the design, development, delivery and support of a medium multi-role helicopter.

Airbus’ advanced concept leverages the company’s extensive experience in military rotorcraft and high-speed flight, particularly from its compound configuration demonstrators, the X3 and Racer, This configuration not only guarantees significantly higher speeds than conventional designs but also provides a significant extension of the flight envelope, offering unique capacity to accelerate and decelerate rapidly, as well as enabling fast climb and descent capabilities. The benefits of the added wings and propellers have been confirmed through flight evaluations by military pilots on Racer in the frame of the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies programme. This extensive flight-test knowledge, based on Airbus customers’ operational feedback, solidifies the basis for the proposed next generation capability.

20 Feb 26. Airbus allude to ‘uncertainties’ in future orders of A400M.Undaunted, the leading military aircraft builder still identifies an airlift capability gap across European fleets.

Airbus presented its fiscal year 2025 results this week in which it alluded to “uncertainties” regarding the level of A400M orders
Although the programme is fiscally stable, the company will assess the potential impact on the programme’s manufacturing activities
The chief executive downplayed the medium-term slump, characterising it as a “classical situation” in the transition from launch contracts to a second wave of export orders

Airbus have noted “uncertainties” when it comes to future A400M aircraft orders in its fiscal year 2025 results.

While the airlift programme remains stable at present, driven by an agreement to advance seven French and Spanish units, company executives alluded to a mid-term slump. The chief executive, Guillaume Faury, characterised this outlook as a “classical situation” for any programme transitioning from initial launch contracts to a second wave of global export orders.

Despite optimistic rhetoric conveyed during the press conference, the results indicated the company would continue to assess the potential impact on the aircraft’s manufacturing activities.

A400M: present and future

So far, Airbus has delivered 137 of 178 aircraft orders from among launch customer nations (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Türkiye, and the UK) and three export customers, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia.

The A400M already represents the last major shift in the global transporter market: it uniquely straddles the line between a tactical and strategic airlifter. Meanwhile, competitors scramble to find their own niche in a market that is differentiated by marginal percentage points in fuel, size and weight efficiencies.

Yet Airbus briefly touched on its plans to enhance the A400M further in the 2025 results.

This includes broadening the scope of the aircraft to new roles. Airbus is already looking into developments such as standoff jamming, a payload increase to 40 tonnes, and functionality as a “mother ship” for uncrewed air systems.

Transition or slump?

There has been a trend in the market toward competing tactical transporters, either advancing legacy Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft or opting for Embraer’s C-390 Millennium.

The Royal Australian Air Force will benefit from new training equipment for its upgraded C-130J-30 units while last month (albeit this year) Mexico announced it will become the first latin American nation to operate the aircraft.

While there were no new A400M contracts at all last year, Embraer secured the production of eight C-390s (four for Sweden, three for Lithuania, and one KC-390 tanker for Portugal).

Pictured is a C-390 on display at the Paris Air Show 2025. Credit: Author.

Faury summarised the potential difficulty going forward:

“We are coming not far from the end of the launch contract so we continue to have aircraft delivered but we see that this is for the next few years, and we’re… enaged with a number of campaigns that are promising but take time to materialise, especially in this overall environment.”

This is true: Airbus is moving closer to striking a deal to replace seven legacy C-130J tactical transporters still in service with the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

Airbus told Airforce Technology on the sidelines of the IDEX exhibition last year that it intends to work with Emirati suppliers – naming Strata, AMMROC, and EPI – to build between 30 to 40 of its aircraft in the Gulf nation, allowing the company to tap into a new market across the Middle East and North Africa.

Europe tackle airlift gap

“We see that Europe has defined airlift needs as one of the capability gaps,” reflected Thomas Toepfer, Airbus’ chief financial officer.

Toward the end of 2025, the European Defence Agency suggested employing an EU Civilian Reserve Air Fleet to mitigate heavy airlift shortfalls. A study is scheduled to begin in the spring which will assess operational, legal, and financial aspects of such a concept.

“So we hear very clearly that there will be a need for additional A400Ms,” Toepfer affirmed.

This is especially true since the A400 offers greater capacity and range as an aircraft that can be used in some of the same roles as a fully fledged strategic airlifter, much like the C-17 Globemaster III, a coveted capability no longer in production. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

20 Feb 26. Airbus open to two-fighter option for FCAS to keep program alive. Airbus is open to a “two-fighter solution” to break the deadlock on the future air-combat system that France, Germany and Spain are developing, Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said, as work on the next-generation fighter (NGF) that’s part of the program has stalled amid infighting between Airbus and Dassault Aviation.

The Future Combat Air System program, or FCAS, is at “a difficult junction,” Faury said at the Airbus full-year earnings press conference in Toulouse, France, on Thursday. Work is divided into multiple areas, and Faury said other than the future fighter segment, other pillars such as the combat cloud, remote drone carriers and engine are “working well and making good progress.”

“The deadlock of a single pillar should not jeopardize the entire future of this high-tech European capability, which will bolster our collective defense,” Faury said. “If mandated by our customers, we would support a two-fighter solution, and are committed to playing a leading role in such a reorganized FCAS delivered through European cooperation.”

The program for a sixth-generation air combat system, first announced in 2017, has been dragging for years amid disputes over work share, leadership and issues around technology transfer.

Frustrations have mounted recently as a deadline by France and Germany to clarify the program’s future by the end of 2025 slipped by without an announcement.

There are also questions “under a certain governance, on the ability to reach the objective of the program for the different customers,” according to Faury, who said it’s up to the program clients to comment on the that issue.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in an interview this week his country doesn’t currently need the same aircraft as France.

Officials in Paris have stated from early on in the project that the nation requires a fighter able to operate from an aircraft carrier and fire nuclear weapons to ensure sovereign capabilities.

Merz said if the requirement profile can’t be solved, the project can’t be maintained.

Belgian Minister of Defence Theo Francken summarized the Merz interview as meaning “FCAS is dead according to the German Chancellor,” in a social media post, saying there will be no French-German fighter aircraft, and Belgium would reassess its observer status in the program.

“We continue to believe that the program as a whole makes sense and that we should not jeopardize the progress and the relevance of the other pillars,” Faury said. “And we need to find a way forward on the NGF pillar, expecting decisions from customers. And then we’ll see. We are not at the point of deciding next before this step is passed.”

Asked whether Airbus would prefer to develop a new fighter alone, do so together with Sweden, or join the British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme, Faury said “we would be wrong to be right too early.” He said Airbus has invested “a lot of time, energy” into the FCAS program.

“We believe if there’s a way forward with two fighters, it could be an opportunity to have other partners with us,” the Airbus executive said. “But it belongs to our customers to decide with whom they want to join forces, would it be the case. Again, we are not yet at that point.”

The European need for an “ambitious” future combat air system is unchanged, according to Faury, who said a project of the scale of FCAS can only be delivered through cooperation.

A number of air forces face the question of whether to move directly to a future of unmanned aircraft, with the risk of becoming irrelevant for a period of time due to a lack of modern manned fighters, or invest “a lot of money” in crewed fighters before moving to the next capability, Faury said.

While autonomous technology is moving fast, “the belief at this stage is that there is still a need for a manned fighter, besides growing capabilities in unmanned flight,” Faury said. He said there is an expectation that at some point “quite far in the future” manned capabilities will be largely replaced by unmanned capabilities.

Regarding the troubled Eurodrone program to develop a long-range drone led by Airbus, Faury said discussions are ongoing between customers “about the way forward,” though he expects the program to continue as the majority of partners still back the project.

France is in negotiations with Germany, Italy and Spain to exit the program, Challenges reported earlier this month. (Source: Defense News)

USA

19 Feb 26. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and Embraer (NYSE: EMBJ; B3: EMBJ3) are working together to evolve the multi-mission KC-390 Millennium aircraft, to provide advanced tanking capabilities for the United States Air Force and allied nations. Together, the two companies are addressing the need for agile combat employment through joint investment and a focus on quickly delivering capabilities to the warfighter.

The companies are joining forces to combine their insights and experiences to rapidly advance the initiatives required to deliver a next generation air-refueling system.
Drawing on the companies’ extensive expertise in aircraft design, development and production with systems integration and industry-leading manufacturing capabilities, this collaboration sets the stage for the development of the KC-390 Multi-Mission Tanker for the U.S. and allied air forces and shapes the requirements for future aerial logistics architectures.
Key features will include an advanced autonomous aerial refueling boom, enhanced communications, situational awareness and survivability options, as well as adaptable mission systems. These improvements will expand the range of aircraft supported by KC-390 refueling operations and broaden its mission scope in operational environments.

Experts:

Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems: “Northrop Grumman, together with Embraer, is making strategic investments to address the gap in advanced air mobility solutions globally. We’re listening to our customers, particularly in allied nations who seek greater operational autonomy and efficiency, and we’re exploring new technologies that will increase the versatility of the proven KC-390 platform and deliver that greater operational independence our customers need.”

Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO, Embraer Defense & Security: “Together, we will leverage the strengths of two leaders in the defense industry, with a focus on developing a boom refueling system for the KC-390 Millennium so that we can bring the right capability to the U.S. Department of War and other allied nations. The KC-390 is an operationally proven and cost-effective platform that could quickly be added to the U.S. Air Force inventory.”

REST OF THE WORLD

16 Feb 26. India seeks net-capture ‘drone catcher’ system. India’s Ministry of Defence has issued an urgent Request for Information (RFI) for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) equipped with nets to neutralise rogue drones. The RFI details a three-part system comprising a drone sensor, drone catcher and ground control station.

According to the RFI, systems should be able to deploy independently or in conjunction with in-service air defence weapon systems and other C-UAS weapon systems in challenging terrains. They must be capable of surveillance, detection and tracking as well as targeting and deploying a net capture system.

The drone sensor, which the RFI says should be based on electronically scanned array technology or better, should be able to “detect the target drones all around with a minimum detection, tracking capability of 20 drones/ and UAS simultaneously”. In addition, “the drone sensor should be able to detect, track and prioritise and thereafter designate the hostile targets to the drone catcher through a ground control station.”

The ground control station will feed information, data received from the drone sensor to the drone catcher remotely via a data link.

In addition, “a jammer subsystem shall provide electronic attack capabilities against hostile UAS, including RF denial, selective GNSS denial, and GNSS deception, across standard and non-standard frequency bands,” the RFI continues. “The system shall support controlled and selective application of soft-kill measures and be capable of operating concurrently with hard-kill effectors without mutual interference.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

20 Feb 26. New partnerships enhance Canada’s readiness for future naval projects. The agreements create a joint framework to develop Ontario as a key defence shipbuilding hub. Ontario Shipyards and Hanwha Ocean have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at increasing large-vessel construction in Ontario and advancing Canada’s capacity to undertake future naval projects.

Through the MoU, Hanwha Ocean will provide technical and operational support to Ontario Shipyards.

The collaboration will cover areas such as design and engineering, production planning, construction sequencing, quality management systems, and advanced shipyard processes.

These efforts aim to strengthen production readiness and improve performance at Ontario Shipyards.

As part of the cooperation framework, Hanwha Ocean will assist with the design and construction of a Training and Recruitment vessel, scheduled for assembly by Ontario Shipyards from 2026.

This vessel is intended to demonstrate updated shipbuilding practices in the province.

Should the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) be awarded, Hanwha Ocean has indicated plans for further investment in Ontario, including the creation of a dedicated training facility and expanded collaboration with local suppliers.

Alongside this, both companies have also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Mohawk College. The partners will establish an integrated training hub at the Hamilton shipyard, develop industry-led credentials, support apprenticeships aligned with production needs, and consider applied research in automation and digital manufacturing. Under this arrangement, Mohawk College will lead academic instruction across trades such as welding, electrical work, robotics, logistics, and other disciplines.

Ontario Shipyards will provide access to facilities and support workforce integration, while Hanwha Ocean will offer technical advisory services and connection to international standards. The partnerships are aligned with both Ontario’s advanced manufacturing strategy and Canada’s broader objective to develop sovereign defence industrial capabilities. The framework is expected to generate skilled employment opportunities, expand marine supply chains within Ontario, support regional small and medium-sized businesses, and increase Canada’s capacity to build and maintain complex naval platforms. Long-term plans under this initiative aim to establish the Golden Horseshoe area and wider Great Lakes region as a central hub for advanced marine manufacturing and shipbuilding activity.

Ontario Shipyards president and CEO Shaun Padulo said: “With Hanwha Ocean working alongside our teams and Mohawk College training the next generation in a live shipyard, we are building the Canadian workforce that will deliver and sustain Canadian ships for decades to come. That is how sovereign capacity is created.

“This partnership activates Ontario’s industrial strength in direct support of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the future of the Royal Canadian Navy and creates meaningful long-term careers for Canadians.” (Source: naval-technology.com)

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IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

February 20, 2026 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

18 Feb 26. UK outlines steps to speed up Type 31 frigate build. The Ministry of Defence has outlined measures it says are helping to accelerate delivery of the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates, including major investment in Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard and the creation of a new integration facility to reduce risk on the programme. Responding to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said progress was being made on the Type 31 programme through “substantial investment” in Rosyth, where the ships are being built. Pollard said the work includes “digitising the shipyard, new manufacturing facilities and a new purpose-built Assembly Hall that enables two T31s to be built simultaneously.” He added that the MOD has also established a new Shore Integration Facility at Portsdown Technology Park, intended to support the integration of the ships’ combat systems and reduce risk before equipment is installed on the vessels. According to Pollard, the facility is designed “to mitigate risks to the integration of the combat system.” The minister said the MOD continues to work closely with Babcock as the prime contractor to ensure the programme meets requirements and delivers value for money, stating that officials are working to ensure the Type 31 programme delivers capability “at a value for money price, in a timescale that is competitive with other international warship procurement programmes.” The Type 31 frigate, officially known as the Inspiration-class, is designed to provide the Royal Navy with a flexible general purpose warship able to operate globally across a wide range of tasks, including maritime security, escort operations, forward presence missions, and defence engagement. The class is based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design, itself derived from the Danish Iver Huitfeldt-class, and is intended to deliver a capable platform at a lower unit cost than more complex specialist warships such as the Type 26. Each ship is expected to displace around 5,700 tonnes and will be built around a modular design approach intended to support future upgrades over its service life. The frigates will be equipped with a Mk41 Vertical Launch System for missiles, a medium calibre main gun, and a mission bay capable of supporting additional payloads, boats, and unmanned systems, as well as a flight deck and hangar designed to operate a Merlin helicopter and support aviation operations. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)

EUROPE

19 Feb 26. Germany seeks more F-35 jets as European fighter program falters, sources say.

Summary
Germany and France may abandon joint fighter jet project FCAS
German F-35 purchase would follow 2022 order for 35 jets
Move would buy Germany time to find an alternative to FCAS jet

Germany is considering ordering more U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, two sources told Reuters, a move that would deepen Berlin’s reliance on American military technology as its joint next-generation fighter program with France falters. One source said Berlin was in talks that could lead to the purchase of more than 35 additional jets. A second source did not specify the number. Both sources cautioned the outcome was still uncertain. In 2022, Germany purchased 35 of the aircraft, which are due to begin delivery later this year. The potential acquisition of more Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) stealth fighters, at a cost of more than $80 m each, comes as Germany and France are deadlocked on their Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program. The 100-bn-euro-project, launched in 2017 to replace France’s Rafales and Eurofighters from 2040, has been stalled by industrial rivalries. Insiders expect Germany and France to abandon the development of a joint fighter jet but continue cooperation on drones and the so-called combat cloud, the digital backbone linking manned and unmanned platforms within the FCAS system. Purchasing more F-35 jets would buy Germany time to figure out a solution for the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet and finding a partner for such a project. Germany’s Defence Ministry did not immediately comment while a Pentagon spokesperson referred questions to Germany. A spokesperson for defence contractor Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) said the company was focused on building F-35s already ordered by Germany. Expansion of Germany’s F-35 fleet would mark a significant strategic shift toward deeper military integration with the United States and away from European defence autonomy, a priority for fellow European Union member France. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on Wednesday whether developing a manned sixth-generation jet, as FCAS has sought to do, still made sense for his country’s air force.

“Will we still need a manned fighter jet in 20 years’ time? Do we still need it, given that we will have to develop it at great expense?” Merz said on the Machtwechsel podcast published on Wednesday.

The F-35 aircraft will succeed the Tornado jets in their role of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs stored in Germany in the event of a conflict. The F-35 is the only Western fighter jet certified to carry the most modern B61 nuclear bombs. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said last week the fate of FCAS would become clear within days. (Source: Reuters)

USA

18 Feb 26. US Navy seek vessel construction manager for new LSM programme. The chosen VCM will manage initial LSM construction at Bollinger Shipyards and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. The US Navy has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) to supervise the procurement and construction of its new Medium Landing Ship (LSM) fleet. The Navy expects to award the contract in mid-2026. Under the acquisition plan, the selected VCM will oversee initial LSM production at two sites, namely Bollinger Shipyards and Fincantieri Marinette Marine. Bollinger Shipyards under a contract awarded in September 2025, will play a role in LSM long lead time procurement and engineering design, while Fincantieri Marinette Marine will be responsible for constructing four vessels. The VCM will determine the allocation strategy for the remaining three ships authorised under the base contract. In addition, the VCM will act as the primary contractor with the Navy, issuing and managing subcontracts directly with the shipyards. This direct contractual control is intended to streamline project oversight, and combined with a standardised design, aims to address cost and schedule risks. US Navy ships programme executive officer rear admiral Brian Metcalf said: “The VCM approach not only accelerates construction timelines but also strengthens our industrial base by engaging multiple shipyards.

“By providing a mature, ‘build-to-print’ design and empowering a VCM to manage production, we are streamlining oversight for this acquisition. This approach accelerates the timeline and strengthens our industrial base, ensuring we have the capacity and expertise needed for sustained maritime advantage.”

The acquisition strategy represents a shift from traditional Navy contracting and oversight practices in shipbuilding. The VCM will coordinate all phases of LSM construction, from design through delivery and post-delivery support, across several shipyards concurrently, utilising commercial shipbuilding procedures and requiring fewer Navy personnel than previous programmes. The Navy will supply a mature vessel design in a “build-to-print” format to reduce technical challenges and scheduling uncertainties. In December 2025, the Navy and Marine Corps jointly identified Damen Naval’s LST 100 as the baseline model for the LSM programme. The LSM is intended to bridge the operational gap between short-range landing craft and larger amphibious warfare vessels. The new ships will support Marine Corps operations by providing littoral mobility in contested areas and are expected to form a fleet of 35 vessels aimed at increasing agility in expeditionary logistics and distributed manoeuvre. In December last year, the US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) selected Damen Shipyards Group’s Landing Ship Transport (LST)100 design for its LSM programme.(Source: naval-technology.com)

18 Feb 26. DOD eyes commercial satellites that can spy on other satellites. The Pentagon is looking for cheap commercial satellites that can maintain surveillance on other satellites in orbit, including close-range inspections, according to a Defense Innovation Unit solicitation published Tuesday. The Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance project — also referred to as “Ghost Recon” (as in the Tom Clancy novels and video games) — is intended to address a vulnerability in America’s space-monitoring capabilities. The problem is that DOD “lacks sufficient satellites capable of providing high-resolution space-to-space imagery and maintaining custody of both friendly and adversarial satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO),” according to the solicitation. Hence, the Pentagon is looking for commercial satellites that can be launched within two years after the contract begins. Within three years, those satellites would become government owned and operated. Within four years, they will have to demonstrate the ability to “perform at least one drive-by (Sub or Super Sync) or an inclined track design reference mission (DRM) per week through the first year of government operations,” the solicitation states. The goal is relatively inexpensive and scalable designs, including space vehicles, satellite buses and payloads that offer “high-resolution space-to-space imagery and accurate object characterization,” DIU said.

“These systems must reduce costs compared to existing and planned programs of record while achieving high-resolution image collection, allowing for increased collection frequency and detailed characterization of resident space objects (RSOs) in GEO. The successful deployment of these capabilities will significantly improve GEO RSO Characterization, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), Positive Identification (PID), and Combat Identification (CID),” the solicitation notes.

DIU envisions a spacecraft that can move close to other satellites. The result would be “fully resolved imagery of an ESPA Grande-sized spacecraft and its key subsystems (i.e. star tracker, communications payload, mission payload) from a distance of no closer than 10 kilometers,” according to the solicitation. Ghost Recon satellites would also need to maneuver above or below GEO altitude to maximize solar lighting of the target. Interestingly, DIU suggests satellites from other nations may be less than cooperative when it comes to having their picture taken, such as moving away from American space vehicles. The solicitation cites the possibility of using “several [space vehicles] to support collection of tasked RSO, [which are] used to support collection for uncooperative RSOs.” While Ghost Recon satellites would mainly track space objects that have already been detected, they may have to search for targets themselves, including “detection and localization of untracked or non-cooperative RSOs,” according to the solicitation. Contractors are asked to detail the capabilities of their designs, including the cost for a Ghost Recon satellite to revisit another space object every 30 days for 10 years. Companies must also specify slew rate, mission payload angular resolution and modular transfer function.Minimum requirements include the ability to “successfully perform rendezvous and proximity operations,” according to the solicitation. Satellites must also be capable of operating for at least three years in GEO, meet National Security Space Launch medium and large standards for launch integration, and use Unified S-Band protocols. Though DIU wants affordable spacecraft that can be deployed within two years, the solution mentions the possibility of refueling these platforms “to extend spacecraft lifespan, increase maneuverability for follow-on missions, and reduce replacement cadence.” The project deadline is March 3. (Source: Defense News)

13 Feb 26. Pentagon wants counter-drone sensors to protect US infrastructure — and fast. The Pentagon wants sensors that can detect small drones threatening military installations across the United States. And it wants them fast.

“Due to the urgency of the threat and the need to assess capability readiness,” the Defense Innovation Unit needs products in time for a spring 2026 demonstration a Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, according to a DIU solicitation. Invited companies may have 30 days or less between notification and execution of the demonstration,” the solicitation adds.

The project, titled “Counter UAS Sensing for Homeland and Mobile Defense,” seems aimed at both civil defense and battlefield protection. The first track is protection of installations in the U.S. In this case, the sensors must detect Group 1 UAVs — the smallest category, weighing less than 20 pounds — at a minimum range of 2 kilometers. A secondary attribute is the ability to spot Group 2 and 3 drones, or those weighing less than 1,320 pounds. Sensors should also be able to screen out ground clutter and birds, according to the request.

“Solutions may employ single or multimodal sensing to enhance the radar solution, however the solution must include a radar sensor as part of the total proposal,” the DIU solicitation states.

The goal appears to be deploying sensors that can be used for both detection and destruction of drones, including “rapid integration capability with government designated CUAS fire control systems.” The solicitation did not specify whether this would involve protecting military or civilian sites. However, it did state that systems must “operate safely near populated areas, within congested airspace, and across complex electromagnetic environments dominated by lawful emitters.” The DIU project’s second track aims to provide mobile counter-drone sensors for small military units that are on the move. Equally important, these sensors themselves have to avoid being detected and targeted by enemy fire, which has been a problem for electronic warfare emitters in the Ukraine war.

“The solution’s ability to deliver early warning, allowing units to take protective action, is critical and depends upon a low physical and spectral signature to prevent targeting by enemy forces,” said DIU. “All sensing modalities are welcome, with preference for passive approaches.”

Sensors must detect Group 1 and 2 drones flying below 50 meters. Other desired attributes include multiple and redundant sensors, minimal setup time and “broadspectrum RF [radio frequency] sensing (e.g., approximately 400 MHz–8 GHz) for passive solutions, including adaptability to evolving UAS data links.” DIU is also looking for robust systems that troops can maintain themselves.

“The system must reduce operator burden with intuitive controls for detection, tracking, and alert management,” the solicitation said. “It must be configurable and adaptable by tactical operators to the dynamic front-line RF environment without requiring support from engineering personnel.”

Interestingly, these C-UAS sensors seem aimed more at trucks and light vehicles than armored vehicles. The system, the solicitation states, must be capable of being mounted on the Infantry Squad Vehicle, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck. (Source: Defense News)

12 Feb 26. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) is accelerating the migration of eight additional Defense Agencies and Field Activities to DODNet, the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) modern network environment. Building on the successful transition of five agencies this year, this effort will help DISA enhance user experience and advance Zero Trust compliance while bolstering mission readiness. Over the next 18 months, Leidos is expected to transition more than 100,000 users to DODNet including the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Manpower Data Center, Defense Media Activity, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and Missile Defense Agency. This next phase of accelerated migration marks a significant step forward in the $11.5 bn, 10-year Defense Enclave Services program.

“Launching the next phase of transformation means executing faster, more seamless migrations to DODNet and advancing the Department of War’s goal to achieve greater savings and efficiencies through enterprise IT consolidation,” said Heidi VanNoy, vice president and division manager at Leidos. “This accelerated effort will help defense agencies realize the full potential of a unified and resilient network, strengthening security, data access and mission outcomes.”

Leidos has been leading operations for the DODNet program since February 2022, consolidating 26 separate networks and 12 help desks into a single, optimized environment. Digital modernization and cyber solutions are key elements of the company’s NorthStar 2030 growth strategy. (Source: PR Newswire)

16 Feb 26. US defence department seeks C-UAS for Spring 2026 demonstration. The United States defence department, through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), is seeking counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) products for a Spring 2026 test at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Proposed solutions are organised into two Lines of Effort (LOE). LOE 1 solutions are intended to establish a persistent, high‑fidelity protective sensing layer over fixed installations within the United States. The solicitation calls for systems that will operate safely near populated areas, within congested airspace and across complex electromagnetic environments dominated by lawful emitters. The intended application includes replacement or augmentation of legacy fixed‑site sensing systems. Solutions may employ single or multi‑modal sensing to enhance the radar solution, however the solution must include a radar sensor as part of the total proposal. LOE 1 solutions must be able to consistently detect and track all Group 1 UAS types at ranges of 2 km or greater. Autonomous classification of detected tracks, distinguishing small UAS from non‑UAS objects is required, as is effective discrimination of biological clutter, ground clutter and false tracks to maintain a clean air picture. Systems should provide simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple UAS threats. They should also be capable of being rapidly integrated with government-designated C-UAS fire control systems. Additional, secondary capabilities are also desired and include the capability to detect, track and classify Group 2 and Group 3 UAS with actionable data on threat disposition. The second LOE solutions are intended to provide small units with resilient, mobile sensing capabilities while stationary and on the move. LOE 2 systems must function in GNSS‑denied or degraded environments and maintain low physical and spectral signatures to support survivability in contested battlespaces. “The solution’s ability to deliver early warning, allowing units to take protective action, is critical and depends upon a low physical and spectral signature to prevent targeting by enemy forces,” the solicitation states. All sensing modalities are welcome, with a preference for passive approaches. LOE 2 solutions should be able to rapidly adapt to evolving threats. The preference is for solutions with reduced set-up for initial operation including calibration time, reconfiguration time, mean time between failures and efficient operator level repairs. Simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple UAS threats is required and systems must discriminate from biological and ground clutter to maintain a usable air picture. Teaming is encouraged and the government may seek to team companies with AI/ML solutions with companies that are integrators in the C-UAS technology space or request collaboration between two or more solutions. Responses are due by February 26, 2026. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

REST OF THE WORLD

18 Feb 26. Australia seeks venture capital partners to co-invest in Australia’s defence innovation. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has moved to unlock new sources of private capital for the nation’s defence industry, calling for proposals from the venture capital market to co-invest in Australian companies developing next-generation defence and dual-use technologies. In a move aimed at accelerating sovereign industrial capability, the Australian government has opened a request for expressions of interest (REOI) seeking one or more private capital partners to help channel investment into Australia’s growing defence innovation ecosystem. The initiative comes as the Albanese government continues to lift defence spending and deliver record investment in domestic industry, as part of a broader effort to strengthen Australia’s ability to design, build and sustain critical capabilities at home. Under the proposal, the government is considering co-contributions of up to $500 m, to be invested alongside private capital into Australian businesses developing advanced and export-ready technologies. Final investment decisions and terms would be determined in partnership with the selected fund manager or managers and remain subject to further government consideration.

Minister Conroy said the move recognised the strategic importance of mobilising private capital in an increasingly contested global environment, saying, “Australia’s current strategic environment tells us that we need to do all we can to drive investment in new capabilities. Joint investment between the government and private sector has enormous potential to unlock Australian jobs and innovation.”

Targeted capability areas include cyber security, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, electronic warfare, quantum technologies and undersea warfare – all seen as critical to Australia’s future military edge and increasingly central to allied defence supply chains.

Defence officials said investing in advanced capabilities with export potential is key to building a larger, more resilient defence industrial base. By backing Australian firms early, the government aims to grow local supply chains, support high-skill jobs and reduce dependence on overseas suppliers in strategically sensitive areas. The REOI is now open via AusTender, with interested private capital firms invited to submit proposals outlining how they would manage and deploy the co-investment funding. Once selected, successful firms will work closely with Defence to further develop an investment proposal for government consideration, including governance arrangements, investment focus areas and mechanisms to support Australian small and medium enterprises.

Minister Conroy added, “In developing potential options for co-investment, the government is looking for ways to grow Australia’s defence industry and put money back into Australian pockets. The government will explore options to partner with private capital to invest in eligible Australian small and medium enterprises that are developing the capabilities we need.”

The initiative directly reflects commitments made in the Defence Industry Development Strategy 2024, which emphasises deeper collaboration with venture capital and institutional investors to scale Australian businesses developing critical defence technologies. (Source: Defence Connect)

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

12 Feb 26. UK seeking containerised armouries for overseas bases.

The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking containerised armouries, ammunition storage facilities, and workshops.

The containerised units will be situated within existing UK military locations located overseas
The UK operates a string of overseas bases across Europe, the South Atlantic, the Middle East, and into the Indo-Pacific
Such armoured units would be useful for locations that may not have established infrastructure

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking the provision of armoured containers for use at overseas sites operated by the British military, to be operated as armouries, ammunition stores, and workshops. Contracted via Unite Procurement UK and published on the UK Government tender site in late-January, the UK MoD listed a requirement for a 20ft containerised armoury, a 10ft containerised ammunition store, and a 10ft containerised workshop. According to the contract tender the deadline for submissions is 13 February, with the deal valued at between £250,000 to £500,000 ($340,000 to $680,000). Delivery of the containerised weapons depot units is due for completion by February 2028. All containers should be JSP 440, AASTP-1 (Edition C), DSA OME Part 2 and NSPA compliant as appropriate, the tender stated. The containerised units will be stationed to UK personnel overseas and installed in a static capacity within existing UK-managed infrastructure in replacement of older system that are no longer considered suitable. Such armoured containers are used by militaries around the world, offering secure storage in remote or unprepared locations. The addition of armour plates and polymer coatings provide a degree of physical resistance to kinetic threats, with other measures such as security doors and in-built security systems also commonly fitted.

Where are the UK’s overseas bases?

The UK operates a range of overseas bases and military/mixed use sites, from the Norwegian Arctic in the High North to the RAF base at Mount Pleasant on the Falkland Islands. Military sites in warmer climes include the Sovereign Base Areas of Dhekelia and Akrotiri on Cyprus, Gibraltar naval base, the Duqm training area in Oman, and British Defence Singapore Support Unit. The UK also maintains a naval support facility at Mina Salman in Bahrain, although a recent draw down of naval vessels in the region leaves its fate in the balance. It is unknown where the containerised units will be deployed. (Source: army-technology.com)

EUROPE

11 Feb 26. Cuashub.com said today that Greece plans competitive bids for anti-drone and maritime programs in 2026. The Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (HCDI) has announced plans to move three defense development programs into competitive bidding in 2026, with a focus on counter-drone capabilities and maritime surveillance.

The priority efforts include the development of a portable maritime surveillance system, an integrated solution to counter hostile drones and electromagnetically guided weapons, and an underwater surveillance system designed to monitor subsurface threats. According to HCDI, the underwater program is intended to address both traditional submarines and emerging threats such as unmanned underwater vehicles.

In addition to the three flagship programs, the center identified nine further initiatives that will continue development at a slower pace due to their earlier levels of technological maturity. Among these are plans to enhance the General Staff’s Cyber Security Operations Center with artificial intelligence tools, the development of surveillance UAVs for intelligence collection and the creation of loitering munitions to support ground force tactical operations.

Other projects under consideration include the design of a national patrol vessel that could be shared by the Hellenic Navy and Coast Guard, the development of unmanned underwater vehicles for intelligence gathering and threat identification and interceptor drones intended to neutralize hostile UAVs.

HCDI also outlined more experimental concepts aimed at improving battlefield resilience, including autonomous mobile drone construction units. These would be deployable in forward areas and use generator-powered 3D printers to rapidly manufacture or replace drones close to the front line.

The announcement highlights Greece’s growing emphasis on indigenous defense innovation and on addressing emerging threats across the air, maritime, cyber and subsurface domains through a mix of near-term capabilities and longer-term research programs.

C-UAS Hub’s annual review of national counter-drone capabilities, Countering the Threat: A Comprehensive Review of National C-UAS Programs, explores some of the key developments and priorities of Greece’s national counter-drone program.

https://cuashub.com/en/content/greece-plans-competitive-bids-for-anti-drone-and-maritime-programs-in-2026/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/

09 Feb 26. Babcock pitches Arrowhead-120 variant for the Swedish Luleå-class frigate programme. The Luleå class frigate programme marks a decisive shift by the Swedish Navy to a larger, long-range surface combatant optimised for NATO operations in Northern Europe. Here, we consider Babcock and Saab’s joint proposal to meet the Swedish requirement.

From stealth corvette to frigate

The Luleå class began life as a follow-on to the unique Visby-class corvettes, often described in early reporting as ‘Visby Generation 2’. Since becoming a NATO member, Swedish requirements have evolved sharply. Rather than a modest increment on a stealth corvette, Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration, FMV, made clear that the future surface combatant needed to be substantially larger, with greater endurance and the ability to operate far beyond the Baltic Sea. The new ships are no longer being sized purely for archipelagic defence and coastal warfare but are intended to support persistent NATO tasks in the Baltic approaches, the High North and wider Northern European waters. Air defence capability, endurance, habitability and sustained operations are a key part of the specification. With four ships planned, the programme, with a value estimated at up to 6bn Krona (c£4.4bn), represents the most significant warship project for Sweden in a generation. Babcock and Saab are in competition with bids from the French, with Naval Group offering their FDI frigate and the Spanish, with Navantia offering their Alpha-400 light frigate. The industrial partner will be selected in the first quarter of 2026, with the first two ships targeted for delivery in 2030. The four confirmed ship names are HMSwS Luleå, Norrköping, Trelleborg and Halmstad. Key features of the new AH-120 include the Bofors 57mm Mk3 gun, Saab integrated mast including Giraffe Radar, ESM and communications aerials, 8 x RBS15 Anti-ship missiles, space allocated for a VLS silo and flight deck, probably for MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter (Sweden is abandoning the unreliable NH90) (Image: Babcock).

Arrowhead-120 re-emerges

The Arrowhead-120 design has been developed through a close collaboration between Babcock and Saab. The Arrowhead-120 has its roots in early work undertaken by Babcock during the formative stages of what later became the UK’s Type 31 frigate programme. That earlier concept was set aside in favour of the larger Arrowhead-140, but the Swedish requirement has provided a natural context for revisiting and updating the slightly smaller but still high-end design. Although it was assumed Babcock would offer the Type 31/AH-140 option, there was always recognition that it was likely to be rejected as too large. Instead, the Arrowhead-120 solution is a concept tailored specifically for Swedish needs. Babcock has described the design as well beyond the conceptual stage, not just a paper design but significant initial design work has been completed and early attention given to long-lead items that would need to be ordered to maintain the schedule. While a fully detailed, production-ready design would only be finalised following contract award, the level of maturity is notable for an export bid. The emphasis has been on de-risking the schedule, understanding industrial sequencing and ensuring that the design genuinely meets Sweden’s specific and in some areas unique requirements.

The result is a high-end frigate design characterised by a predominantly Swedish combat system, weapons and sensor configuration while drawing on British ship design and build experience.

Babock said: “Together, we have co‑developed a platform design that integrates a highly advanced and capable combat management suite, unmatched by any vessel of this size. Saab is leading the combat system elements and brings its recent design and integration experience from international projects, including Singapore’s Multi-Role Combat Vessel and Poland’s SIGINT ship. It is also supplying the fully equipped composite superstructures, as well as anti‑ship missiles and lightweight torpedoes. Babcock is providing design, build and integration expertise derived from the successful Arrowhead 140 frigate programmes being built for the UK, Poland, and Indonesia”.

Measuring 124 meters in length, built with a steel hull and lightweight composite superstructure, the 4,650‑ton vessel combines high long endurance and survivability with exceptional manoeuvrability. The AH120 is equipped to counter sophisticated air threats, including ballistic missiles, and delivers strong defensive capability against complex manned or unmanned surface and underwater threats (Image: Saab).

Split build strategy

Central to the Arrowhead-120 offer is the depth of collaboration between Babcock and Saab. The relationship between the two companies was formalised in a joint venture signed in 2024, and the Luleå proposal is framed explicitly as a joint endeavour rather than a prime contractor with a subordinate national partner. Saab has integrated combat systems for more than 20 navies worldwide, and as an equal partner, maximising industrial participation and sovereign control carries significant political weight and may provide a competitive edge.

If the consortium was successful, the ship hulls would be built by Babcock at Rosyth in Scotland, utilising the new facilities developed for Type 31, also potentially justifying investment in a new ship hall at the yard. Much of the superstructure, however, would be built in Karlskrona using composite construction techniques aligned with Swedish naval practice. That composite superstructure would then be transported to the UK for integration with the hull. Once structurally complete, the fully assembled ship would sail to Sweden for final combat system outfitting, integration and acceptance. Swedish industry retains a major role in superstructure construction and combat system integration, while the UK undertakes the core hull build and integration work. It also reflects practical considerations around facilities, workforce skills and programme tempo. (Source: Google/https://www.navylookout.com/)

05 Feb 26. Czech Army looking to replace Pandur IIs with new APC.

The new wheeled APC will be operated by the Czech Army’s restructured 4th Plans are afoot for the Czech Army to ditch its Pandur II armoured personnel carriers for a new 8×8 platform

The Czech Army has experienced maintenance difficulties with the Pandur II, which was first introduced in 2010
A feasibility study is exploring options, which will likely include the Boxer 8×8 as well as options like the Patria AMV

The Czech Army will look to replace the in-service Pandur II 8×8 armoured personnel carrier (APC) with a new wheeled platform due to deficiencies encountered since it was introduced into service in 2010. Problems with the Pandur II in Czech service include poor availability, with the vehicle software also still based on Windows 98. These issues have been compounded by the initial decision by the Czech Army not to initiate a fleet maintenance programme for the new Pandur IIs early on in their service. A feasibility study with defence providers was completed around one month ago, with new recommendations to be put to the Czech Government in the coming months. It is thought that a procurement programme could deliver the wheeled armoured vehicles in the 2029-30 timeline. (Source: army-technology.com)

USA

12 Feb 26. US Navy on the hunt for strike drones that can launch from any warship. The U.S. Navy wants long-range strike drones that can be launched from destroyers and other warships that lack large flight decks, according to a Defense Innovation Unit solicitation. The concern is that the Navy lacks enough aircraft carriers, aircraft and missiles to sustain an extended conflict against an adversary armed with long-range antiship missiles. Thus, the service is looking for armed drones that can be launched from austere locations or from surface warships other than aircraft carriers.

“Naval surface combatants are constrained in their ability to support long-range strikes over extended combat operations due to reliance on single-use missile systems, with limited magazine depth and limited at-sea munition replenishment capability,” according to the solicitation by DIU, a Pentagon agency charged with developing new technologies. “The long-range strike methods able to persistently support naval surface combatants require infrastructure and assets which are vulnerable, limited or in high demand; including runways, and ships with large flight decks.”

Runway Independent Maritime and Expeditionary Strike, or RIMES, would solve this problem by fielding reusable drones capable of “long-range strikes with standard munition payloads while providing tactical flexibility by operating from expeditionary locations with minimal infrastructure, or from ships without large flight decks,” according to the solicitation. The solicitation cites surface combatants such as the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, littoral combat ship and the FF(X) frigate based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class cutter as potential platforms. While these vessels can launch helicopters, they don’t have large flight decks. The drone itself would pack a considerable punch when armed with existing 1,000-pound bombs that already equip F/A-18 and F-35C fighter jets, or with palletized munitions. Range would also be comparable to manned aircraft. The unmanned aerial vehicle should have a “one-way, no-reserve range of at least 1,400 nautical miles in order to allow an approximate 600 nautical mile radius,” DIU specified. As for the UAV’s speed, DIU would only state it should “cruise at a speed comparable to existing long-range strike methods.” The Navy also appears concerned that the drone be autonomous enough to operate amid jamming and GPS denial. A RIMES drone should “incorporate mission autonomy to execute all mission phases in a highly contested environment,” according to the solicitation. One question is how sophisticated — or expendable — a system the Navy wants. The solicitation cites cost-effectiveness as a consideration, yet it also mandates that drones should “demonstrate viability to operate in airspace with adversary threats, such as through survivability or attritability.” Other criteria include a system that can be launched from a ship amid strong winds and waves, minimal need for servicing equipment and personnel, and quick turnaround from storage to launch, and recovery back to storage. The design should use open-system architecture to facilitate easy upgrades. In line with the Pentagon’s push for speedy development of drones, DIU seeks a UAV that can be quickly mass-produced. “Solutions should demonstrate readiness for significant physical prototyping within 12 months of agreement award,” the solicitation said. The deadline is Feb. 27. (Source: Defense News)

11 Feb 26. USSOCOM, CIA Set April Event to Tackle Future ‘Field-Forward’ Challenges. The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) will host the 17th Rapid Capability Assessment (RCA17) from April 20–24 in Chantilly, Virginia. This year’s event will center on the theme, “Field-Forward Operations – Future Challenges for SOF and the IC in Data-Dense Environments.” Participants are expected to develop, describe, and evaluate capabilities aimed at meeting the projected needs of SOF and CIA operators and analysts in the 2035 timeframe, with a focus on operations in global forward areas that may be austere. In the notice, officials defined field-forward operations as “the real-time or near real-time collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence information in the field or at the source to support mission planning and tactical decision making.” Officials emphasized that such efforts frequently rely on advanced technologies, ranging from diverse sensors and smart systems to distributed networks, communication platforms, and AI tools. Focus areas include advanced analytics, building mapping, novel energy sources, and secure data exfiltration. The event will also explore how AI could assist with intelligence analysis. The event is open to developers, technologists, engineers, and other experts from industry, academia, government, and national laboratories, as well as those with specialized experience in SOF or CIA missions. Interested participants are invited to join RCA17 by submitting an application that includes a CV (Curriculum Vitae) no later than 26 February 2026. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

02 Feb 26. Space Development Agency Issues RFI for Space-to-Air Optical Communication Terminals. The Space Development Agency (SDA), the “constructive disruptor” of Department of Defense space acquisition, has published a high-priority Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry solutions for airborne optical communication terminals. The initiative aims to integrate military aircraft directly into the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a resilient mesh network of hundreds of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The RFI, posted on January 28, 2026, marks an aggressive move to transition laser communication from experimental demonstrations to an operational multi-domain capability. Industry responses are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 27, 2026.

Expanding the Optical Mesh to the Cockpit

Currently, most military aircraft rely on radio frequency (RF) systems for beyond-line-of-sight communication. However, RF links are increasingly vulnerable to electronic jamming and are limited by narrow bandwidth. Optical communications—or lasercom—use modulated infrared light to transmit data at rates 10 to 40 times higher than traditional RF, offering a “fiber-like” connection to platforms in flight. The SDA is specifically interested in Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) that can be rapidly demonstrated—within a 12-month timeframe—and are compatible with the SDA’s established OCT standards. Key technical areas identified in the RFI include:

Manufacturing Readiness: Availability of products already in production or late-stage development.
Airframe Integration: Preferred installation locations and the ability to handle platform jitter (vibration) while maintaining a precise laser lock.
Environmental Testing: Proven performance in extreme thermal and atmospheric conditions, including thermal, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing.
Link Budgets: Notional scenarios for stable, high-data-rate transmissions between 500 km and 1,000 km altitudes.

Building on Proven Success

This RFI follows a breakthrough proof-of-concept demonstration conducted in August 2025. During that test, the SDA, in partnership with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) and Kepler Communications, established a bi-directional optical link between a commercial satellite and an airborne terminal. The success of that mission proved that optical links could maintain high-bandwidth stability despite atmospheric turbulence—traditionally the biggest hurdle for space-to-air lasercom. The SDA now aims to normalize this capability across its Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 satellite deployments, with a potential initial operational capability targeted as early as 2027.

Strategic Impact: Secure, High-Speed Data for the Warfighter

By connecting aircraft directly to the PWSA, the Space Force intends to solve the “bandwidth bottleneck” for data-intensive missions. Optical links provide a significantly smaller illuminated “footprint” than RF, making them nearly impossible for adversaries to detect or intercept—properties known as Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Interception (LPI). This capability will allow drones, intelligence-gathering aircraft, and command-and-control platforms to downlink massive volumes of sensor data in real-time, providing an unprecedented “information advantage” on the modern battlefield. (Source: Satnews)

REST OF THE WORLD

12 Feb 26. Erdoğan pitches KAAN fighter jet as an alternative to Western warplanes. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt earlier this month, marking fresh steps in the normalization of relations with key regional powers and opening the door to new defense deals. The first stop of the two-day tour was Riyadh, where Erdoğan met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to official statements, both sides emphasized the need to activate existing defense cooperation agreements and expressed a shared intention to deepen military and security ties. Speaking to reporters during his return to Turkey, Erdoğan highlighted growing defense-industrial cooperation between Ankara and Riyadh, including potential joint investment in Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter program, KAAN. He described KAAN as a symbol of Turkey’s strategic autonomy, noting that discussions with Saudi Arabia included the possibility of shared investment in the program. Cooperation on a fifth-generation fighter plane like KAAN fits into the broad agendas of both countries and would be financially, strategically, and industrially transformative for both sides, according to retired Turkish Air Force Brig. Gen. Hüseyin Fazla , president of the Center for Strategic Research and Analysis (STRASAM), an Ankara based think tank. According to Fazla, Saudi participation could fundamentally reshape the KAAN project’s economics and export prospects.

“A large Saudi order would slash unit costs, accelerate production, and turn KAAN into a serious global competitor,” Fazla said.

For Riyadh, the appeal goes beyond acquiring a new aircraft.

“KAAN offers Saudi Arabia a strategic escape from over-reliance on Western arms suppliers and technology transfer built into the partnership, it directly supports Vision 2030 and Riyadh’s ambition to build a domestic defense industry.” Fazla stated.

Following his Saudi visit, Erdoğan travelled to Cairo to attend the second meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. During the meeting, the two countries signed a Military Framework Agreement, formalizing expanded cooperation in defense and security. The agreement was signed by Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and his Egyptian counterpart, Gen. Abdel Megeed Saqr.

“This is not a strategic realignment — it is strategic-economic normalization driven by pragmatism on both sides,” sad Serhat Süha Çubukçuoğlu, a senior fellow at the Abu Dhabi-based TRENDS Research and Advisory consultancy.

“Cairo and Ankara are deepening ties horizontally across trade, defense, and diplomacy without redrawing their strategic red lines,” he added.

Alongside the political and military dialogue, Turkey’s state-owned defense manufacturer Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) concluded a $350 m defense export and industrial cooperation package with the Egyptian Ministry of Defense. Under the agreement, Egypt will acquire the MKE TOLGA Close-In Air Defense System to counter low-altitude threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles, loitering munitions, precision-guided weapons, and cruise missiles, in a deal valued at approximately $130 m, marking the system’s second international export following its earlier sale to Qatar. Beyond the air defense procurement, the broader package includes the construction of a 155mm long-range artillery ammunition production plant in Egypt, as well as a facility for the local manufacture of 7.62mm and 12.7mm small-caliber ammunition. MKE and Egyptian authorities also agreed to establish a joint company to manage the new production facilities and support defense exports from Egypt to regional markets, signaling a shift toward long-term industrial cooperation rather than one-off arms sales.

“While Egypt is deliberately diversifying away from Western arms suppliers constrained by political conditions, Turkey is strengthening its role as a regional defense exporter and technology partner, said Çubukçuoğlu. (Source: Defense News)

12 Feb 26. Armscor war room to boost project oversight. Armscor now has a war room in its inventory of equipment to transform project oversight. The Pretoria headquartered defence and security acquisition and project management company has it the war room is an integrated physical and digital command centre “designed to consolidate project intelligence, enable early risk identification and enhance reporting”. Phase one of the war room and its associated monitoring system was launched in November, according to the December edition of the Armscor newsletter Inside Out. The launch event saw some insight into how “the new system leverages dashboards, predictive analytics and automated tracking to modernise project execution, providing leadership with a clear line of sight across the project portfolio”. The war room was symbolically taken into service by way of a ribbon cutting with Armscor Deputy Chair Margaret Ndlovu wielding the scissors after what the newsletter said was “months of preparation”.

“This milestone aligns with Armscor’s commitment to improving project delivery and restoring stakeholder confidence through measurable performance excellence,” according to the newsletter.

The final newsletter of 2025 also welcomes the appointment of Sipho Mbhokota as Chief Operations Officer (COO) and a new non-executive board member, Professor Mfanelo Ntsobi.

Mbhokota’s appointment signals his return to Armscor where his “extensive experience” – over 25 years – in the defence and security sector with research and development, operations management and strategic leadership knowledge and know-how will strengthen operational capabilities. His CV includes a stint at the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) as Executive Manager of its defence and security cluster. According to the CSIR he joined the organisation in 2014 as Competence Area Manager for the Integrated Systems Group what was then its Defence, Peace, Safety and Security unit.

“His career in the defence and security sector spans over 20 years, with 10 of those years spent as a member of the SA Air Force (SAAF), where he was a Systems Engineer in the VIP Squadron [21], as well as a Project Engineer on the RSA Airbus A400M Aircraft Acquisition team. Prior to joining the CSIR, he was Divisional Manager for Engineering Services at the Armscor Dockyard in Simon’s Town,” according to the CSIR.

Mbhokota has Bachelor and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Pretoria along with a Master of Business Administration qualification from Stellenbosch University.

Ntsobi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. The Johannesburg centre is acknowledged as South Africa’s largest science centre. It supports maths, science and technology education and offers innovative, dynamic learning experiences that contribute to building South Africa’s science, engineering and technology capacity. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

09 Feb 26. India Set To Sign Biggest Arms Deal: 114 Rafale Fighter Jets For Rs 3.25 Lakh Crore. A Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal to buy 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft programme is likely be cleared by the Defence Ministry this week – days before France President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Delhi – sources told NDTV Tuesday morning. Once approved, the deal will not only be India’s biggest ever weapons agreement but will also include provisions to manufacture a certain number, around 100, of them in India, which will involve the transfer of high-grade fighter jet tech and a strategic partnership to enhance the ‘make in India’ programme. And, once confirmed, this deal will also underline India’s status as one of the largest non-French operators of the Rafale, a twin-engined, multi-role fighter jet widely regarded as one of the deadliest in the world and known for executing air superiority and precision strike missions. India already has 36 Rafales – the Air Force took delivery of the last ‘C’ variant in December 2024 – and has ordered 26 naval variants, the ‘M’ version, in a deal worth Rs 63,000 crore. (Source: NDTV/NrewNow)

09 Feb 26. Taiwan favours acquisition of new C-130J aircraft. Taiwan has shelved a plan to upgrade its legacy Lockheed Martin C-130H fleet in favour of acquiring new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, according to Taiwanese state-owned media. The Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) originally intended to upgrade 18 C-130H aircraft in service under a programme called Taiwushan No 3 (Taiwu Mountain III). However, on 8 February, the “military announced that it will procure 10 C-130J aircraft from the United States” owing to concerns that an upgrade of the legacy fleet will not be cost-effective, the state-owned Central News Agency (CNA) said. According to the agency, the RoCAF’s decision was based on threat assessments and an appraisal of requirements. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense (MND) began inviting tenders to upgrade the C-130H fleet in December 2024. Taiwushan No 3 was intended to start in 2025 and conclude in 2030. The programme aimed to enhance the C-130H fleet’s maritime search-and-rescue capabilities. The upgrades included a glass cockpit, a new GPS, and a ground collision avoidance system (GCAS), according to CNA. An RoCAF’s appraisal, however, determined that the C-130H fleet also requires structural reinforcement in addition to software and avionics upgrades, which increased costs. The RoCAF now seeks to involve domestic industries in a “basic upgrade” of the C-130H aircraft, the state-owned media said. (Source: Google/https://www.ndtv.com/

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

05 Feb 26. Janus Allies (Janus), the UK Accelerator for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), in partnership with UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), has welcomed a new cohort of innovators. In 2025 NATO DIANA received a record-breaking 3,680 submissions, the latest NATO DIANA cohort emerged from a highly selective process, placing them in roughly the top 4% of applicants and among the most competitive dual-use innovators in the Alliance. The launch event for the 2026 NATO DIANA Cohort was hosted at the Churchill War Rooms, highlighting the link between historic resilience and today’s defence innovation realities. At the event, Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse, KCB, CBE, MC, Commander of the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), spoke about the innovation and adaptation needed for the warfighter. The evening then continued with remarks on building global advantage through collaboration, exports, and innovation, before concluding with John Cunningham, Director of Defence Innovation at the Ministry of Defence, on accelerating capabilities to the front lines.

John Cunningham, Director of UK Defence Innovation within the Ministry of Defence, said: “Throughout my time in the Royal Air Force, I was a direct beneficiary of some of the UK’s most cutting-edge technologies, witnessing first-hand the transformative power of collaboration between technologists, academics, defence industry personnel and policymakers. The purpose of UK Defence Innovation is to place innovative solutions into the hands of the warfighter at speed and the pace at which innovation must be developed and deployed into capability is only accelerating. The opportunity for rapid improvement lies in strategically exploiting commercial technologies through a unified public-private sector approach. The NATO DIANA challenge, UKDI and UK Accelerator embody this shift, adopting a ‘fail fast’ startup mentality to test emerging capabilities at pace. The NATO DIANA programme has already generated incredible successes within the dual-use defence sector, sending a clear message of innovation, strength and agility.”

This year, Janus, the UK Accelerator is uniquely focused on solutions for Contested Electromagnetic Environments, one of the ten priority areas defined by NATO DIANA. The electromagnetic spectrum serves as an invisible frontline for adversaries to disrupt communication channels and mask emerging threats, and, in turn, represents an all-important battle for information control.

Commencing a six-month programme to rapidly integrate their technologies into the UK dual-use sector, and with talent from seven different nations across the NATO alliance, the innovators

are:

Slipstream Design, United Kingdom – SME delivering secure, reconfigurable digital-RF sensing and communications for contested electromagnetic environments.
CX2 Inc., United States of America – delivering spectrum dominance to the battlefield by providing AI-enabled hardware and software that characterises, disrupts and defends the electromagnetic domain in contested environments.
FOSSA Systems, Spain – delivering sovereign, multi-mission LEO satellite constellations that combine secure low-power SatCom (IoT/D2D) with space-based signals intelligence (SIGINT).
LSMedical, Estonia – a deep-tech materials science company founded to solve one of the most critical strategic vulnerabilities facing NATO and its allies: the dependence on rare earth permanent magnets.
Oledcomm, France – a deep-tech pioneer and a global leader in optical wireless communications, specialising in Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) technology.
SDQ Solutions Canada – future-proofing the next generation of global navigation: Quantum-Resistant Anti-Spoofing Solution for Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing.
Tern AI Inc, USA – Independently Derived Positioning System (IDPS™) provides assured, live vehicle positioning in contested and degraded environments operating without GNSS, satellites, signals, infrastructure or spectrum.
Testnor AS, Norway – developing a modular, dual-use platform designed to validate advanced technologies in GNSS-denied, electromagnetically contested, and extreme conditions.

Tanya Suarez, CEO of IoT Tribe and lead of the Janus accelerator, said: “Overcoming modern adversaries demands the right technological capabilities being deployed by the right people at the right time. By aligning mission with margin, the NATO DIANA accelerator ensures that startups don’t just innovate, but scale to help us gain a competitive advantage. The programme created by NATO DIANA supports the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, with a focus on accelerating innovation, enabling faster access than traditional procurement strategies and strengthening industrial defence capabilities. At Janus, we are committed to bridging the gap between innovation and deployment, ensuring that technologies are battlefield-ready to protect our allies.”

NATO DIANA has been running accelerators across Allied nations for three years, with the UK

Accelerator, delivered by Janus on behalf of UDKI, launching two years ago. The first cohort, launched in 2025, is already making headlines across the ecosystem:

Slovakia-founded RV Magnetics, which specialises in developing and manufacturing the world’s smallest passive sensors. A year on from joining the UK Accelerator, RV Magnetics has now successfully tested its flagship ‘Microwire’ technology at the National Physics Laboratory and has already secured strategic defence contracts.
AI Verse has secured €5 m in new funding to scale its synthetic data platform for high-performance computer vision. The round was led by Supernova Invest, with participation from CAIT, Amundi AAI4, Creazur and returning investors Innovacom and Bpifrance Digital Venture.

AI Verse’s Vice President of Sales, Ilya Ostrovsky, said:

“This milestone is a strong signal of confidence in our technology and our team. It also builds on the momentum we’ve gained through programmes like NATO DIANA, which have helped accelerate our growth and refine our approach to defence partners. Grateful to all our investors and collaborators for believing in what we’re building.”

The 2026 cohort will follow the same path of real-life deployment, testing exercises and supply chain integration to accelerate technology adoption across the dual-use ecosystem and, ultimately, across NATO. In this way, the UK Accelerator delivered by Janus, on behalf of NATO DIANA and in collaboration with UKDI, is helping to support NATO’s innovation and technology strategy and the UK’s defence innovation goals.

Jyoti Hirani-Driver, Acting Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Civilian Deputy Director, NATO DIANA said: “We have a collective responsibility to strengthen our Armed Forces, defend our nations, and protect our people – that is our purpose. At NATO DIANA, we exist to turn innovation into impact, connecting government, industry and cutting-edge innovators to deliver the capabilities our warfighters need to protect themselves and others. When these partnerships work well, the results are exceptional. As we launch the 2026 programme, we are focused on accelerating those collaborations and ensuring the most promising technologies reach the front line faster.”

This work is only possible because of the NATO DIANA team, who lead the end-to-end process of selecting and supporting innovators across the Alliance. Their accelerator, communications, events, challenge and project teams and managers work continuously across the regions to find the companies uniquely qualified to join the programme, before dispersing them across the 16 accelerator sites. Their efforts ensure every accelerator site across the 16strong network is powered by the kind of innovation that truly moves defence forward – bringing forward technologies that strengthen protection, enhance interoperability and advance the next generation of defence and dual-use innovation.

03 Feb 26. £1.85m competition launched to counter illegal UAS use around prisons and sensitive sites. Novel technology to counter illegal drone use around prisons and sensitive sites is needed – do you have an innovation that could help?

UKDI has launched a new Themed Competition called ‘Countering illegal use of UAS around prisons and sensitive sites’
This competition is run on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the Home Office, Police, Innovate UK, Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider UK security stakeholders
Up to £1.85m in funding available (excluding VAT)
We expect to fund a number of proposals across two challenge areas

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), has launched a new themed competition to tackle the illegal use of drones around prisons. The ‘Countering illegal use of UAS around prisons and sensitive sites’ competition is looking for practical, low‑collateral technologies that can safely stop hostile drones once they breach secure prison airspace. Up to £1.85m (excluding VAT) is available, with funding expected to support several projects across two challenge areas. The competition is delivered by UKDI on behalf of the MOJ, working with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and wider UK security partners including the Home Office, Police, NDA, Ministry of Defence, Innovate UK and others.

Why this matters

Criminal groups are increasingly using drones to deliver contraband into prisons, carry out surveillance and disrupt operations. These drones are cheap, easy to use and difficult to stop — creating a direct risk to prison safety and wider national security. Traditional counter‑drone methods, such as kinetic interceptors or wide‑area jamming, are often unsuitable in custodial and urban environments. They can carry unacceptable risks to people, infrastructure and communications. This competition focuses on last‑line‑of‑defence solutions — technologies that can safely neutralise a drone after other protective measures have failed, without causing unnecessary disruption or harm.

What we’re looking for

We’re seeking solutions that:

Act as a last line of defence once a drone has entered a secure area
Can be used within the powers available to prison officers
Neutralise drones with minimal risk to people, buildings and communications
Are safe to use in prisons, urban areas and near critical national infrastructure
Can be deployed quickly by a small team, without specialist training
Are legally and ethically compliant, with clear consideration of operational constraints

Integrated detect, track and identify capabilities are welcome, but this competition is focused on defeating drones — not detection alone.

What we’re not looking for

We will not fund:

Paper‑based studies or literature reviews
Unchanged resubmissions of previous UKDI or DASA bids
Off‑the‑shelf products with no experimental development (unless applied in a genuinely novel way)
Solutions with no realistic path to operational use
High‑collateral kinetic approaches, such as firearms or explosives
Static physical measures like netting or fixed capture systems
Concepts requiring major infrastructure changes
Solutions that are not scalable or adaptable to real‑world operations

Two challenge areas

Challenge 1: Higher‑readiness solutions

Must reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 by project end
Project length: 3–6 months
Expected to demonstrate a working prototype in an operational environment
Clear route towards deployment

Challenge 2: Medium‑readiness concepts

Must reach TRL 4 or 5 by project end
Project length: up to 12 months
Focused on ideas with strong potential for future capability

Key dates

Competition closes: 12:00 midday (BST), 31 March 2026
Launch webinar: Tuesday 17 February 2026 (register via Eventbrite)
Projects start: Expected early July 2026

Interested?

If you have an idea that could help prisons safely counter hostile drone activity, we want to hear from you.

Read the full competition document and submit your proposal by 31 March 2026. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

30 Jan 26. ‘Madness’: Italy’s Crosetto slams British secrecy on GCAP fighter jet. Italy’s defense minister has claimed the U.K. is not doing enough to share its cutting-edge technology with its partners on the tri-nation GCAP fighter program and called the alleged British secrecy “madness.” Guido Crosetto warned that as long at the U.K. refrained from sharing top tech with its Italian and Japanese partners on the sixth-generation jet program it risked benefiting adversaries around the world.

“It’s a huge favor to the Russians and the Chinese,” the minister told Defense News.

Crosetto’s accusation was the second time he has singled out the U.K. for holding back on GCAP tech-sharing. In April 2025 he told Reuters the U.K. needed to bring down the “barriers of selfishness.” He said at the time, “Italy has broken them down totally, Japan almost totally. It seems to me that the U.K. is much more reluctant to do this, and that’s a mistake because selfishness is the worst enemy of nations.” Asked this week by Defense News if he had changed his mind about the U.K.’s alleged reluctance to share technology, he said nothing had changed.

“They don’t want to do it,” Crosetto said, adding, “At a moment like this, not sharing technology with allies is madness.”

Crosetto said that he was trying to set an example in discussions with Leonardo, the Italian firm leading Italy’s contribution to the jet.

“I have ordered Leonardo to share its technology, let’s see if the others follow. That way we take the first step,” he said.

The Italian minister’s comments come as progress on GCAP appeared to be smooth, particularly in comparison with the French-German-Spanish FCAS fighter program, which is bogged down in work share rows. In the U.K., a tri-nation GCAP government office is now working closely with industrial consortia handling sensors, propulsion and integration, with the aim of getting the plane delivered by 2035. One other blip this month has been Italy’s announcement that the bill it is facing for designing and developing the jet has risen from a forecast €6 bn ($7.1 bn) in 2021 to €18.6 bn, triggering criticism from Italian opposition parties. Nevertheless, in a meeting this month between Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese prime minister Takaichi Sanae, the two leaders “expressed satisfaction for the progress of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).” (Source: Defense News)

30 Jan 26. GCAP…Still No Development Contract. A vital contract to allow the development phase of the tri-national Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) appears to have stalled in the London Ministry of Defence, threatening progress on the effort to build a next generation combat aircraft. As predicted by Defence Eye last September, the development contract for the GCAP remained unsigned at the end of 2025, despite all the predictions from industry and government. This is the second most expensive British defence procurement after the Dreadnought-class nuclear deterrent submarines. Yet there has been very little information forthcoming from officialdom and industry about the cost or the contracting process and timescale. We currently have more up-to-date figures about the huge, planned expenditure from Italy and Japan, the other GCAP partner nations, although the sums are confusing and difficult to compare like with like. The Italian government says that it now expects its share of the cost of the concept and assessment phase, which it terms “Phase 1” plus development “Phase 2”, to be €18.6bn (just over £16bn). Five years ago, the Italian parliament was told that this would cost only one-third of that. The difference is due to the increase in costs of technology maturation, testing, development and design, according to the Rome government. Separately, an official defence budget document shows total Italian spend on GCAP of nearly €9.6bn (£8.3bn) up to 2035. Meanwhile, the Japanese government has allocated ¥700bn (over £3.3bn) for the fiscal years 2023 to 2027. Tokyo joined the project in 2023, after Sweden baulked at the cost and timescale.

All we know for certain about the UK’s expenditure is that the MoD has calculated the cost of the concept and assessment phase as nearly £2bn, of which industry is contributing £6-800m, depending on which MoD statement you believe. Phase 1 was supposed to end last year. The British government had previously said that it expected to spend £12bn over ten years. That sum was revealed in November 2023, and so is already out of date, and it’s unclear whether it includes some of the above-mentioned phases. It’s also unclear what the relative share of the GCAP is by country. That is a little more understandable, given that both government and industry have stated that it must not be another Eurofighter-style procurement, where a rigid “juste retour” percentage model was applied. The British government says it will adopt a “flexible approach” to workshare. The ‘best athlete” approach should certainly be worthwhile. Ultimately, though, there will have to be an accounting. Some unofficial estimates are 40% for the UK and Japan, and 20% for Italy. The UK MoD told the House of Commons Defence Committee last year that an in-service date of 2035 for GCAP was “militarily crucial”. The Tempest – is that UK-declared moniker still in use? – is supposed to replace the RAF’s Typhoons. But the MoD has awarded BAE Systems a £453.5m contract to upgrade the Tranche 3 Typhoons with the Leonardo ECRS Mk2 radar. That’s nearly £12m per jet. The official out-of-service date for Typhoon remains 2040. The 2035 in-service date for GCAP is mainly driven by Japan, which says it must replace its F-2 fighters (a version of the F-16) starting then. The Tempest is billed as being part of the Future Air Combat System (FCAS) that also features enhanced connectivity to a range of other cross-domain platforms. The most significant of these are the Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) that are already being developed. But it’s not clear whether these uncrewed aerial vehicles are being funded through by the GCAP spend, or by another budget. In any case, the RAF is not waiting for 2035 to introduce ACPs – and rightly so. They are being integrated with the service’s Typhoon and F-35 now. So, when will get some clarity on the GCAP? Hopefully, when the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is finally revealed. But don’t expect the DIP to offer the degree of transparency that should be required of such an expensive enterprise.

Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons Defence Committee on 27 January, that he was “still working on GCAP and am absolutely determined that the momentum of the programme is maintained. I have been in communication with both the Italian and Japanese Defence Ministers within the last 24 hours.”

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson told Defence Eye, that “the Global Combat Air Programme is a flagship example of a capability partnership – strengthening alliances, enhancing our security – both in the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific. Delivering this vital military capability is highly complex, therefore it is vital we have the right foundations in place. Work will be distributed proportionally based on each country’s financial and technical contributions, acting under a spirit of equal partnership.”

A senior defence source in Whitehall told Defence Eye, that the financial projections for the GCAP are dependent on the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan spending round. “We are working flat out to finalise the DIP, which will be published shortly”, said the source. (Source: Defence Eye)

USA

03 Feb 26. US Navy wants commercial satellites for nighttime Earth observation. The U.S. Navy wants commercial satellites that can perform nighttime observation of the Earth, according to a Naval Research Laboratory Request for Information.

“The objective is to understand the availability of systems that can provide data and services related to the remote sensing of nighttime scenes from space to inform potential future collaborations and acquisitions for a technology demonstration,” according to the RFI.

The Navy is looking for space-based sensors on sensor-ready platforms.

“This RFI is focused exclusively on electro-optical (EO) systems,” the service emphasized. Specifically, the Navy is interested in systems that have reached a Technology Readiness Level, or TRL, of 6 or higher. TRL 6 indicates a system that has progressed to the stage of having a functioning prototype.

The spectral response and range of each satellite’s sensors are among the details that the Navy is asking contractors to provide. In addition, companies should specify whether sensors are panchromatic or multispectral, and how many frames per second the imaging systems takes. The Naval Research Laboratory is also concerned about whether a commercial satellite can perform onboard processing of sensor data. Not surprisingly given that the Navy is dealing with commercial providers rather than government-owned systems, the Naval Research Laboratory also wants to know how users can submit tasking requests for the satellite, and how long those requests will take to be fulfilled.

“How is the collected data processed and/or exploited (both on-board and on the ground)?” the RFI asked. “How is the final data product disseminated to the end-user, and in what format is it delivered?

Security is also key. In addition to the level of security for data links and the satellite’s onboard systems, contractors must state whether their ground stations are located in the continental United States. The U.S. government already conducts nighttime Earth observation for civilian purposes, notably the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, or VIIRS, on NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites. These platforms “acquire global daily measurements of nocturnal visible and near-infrared (NIR) light that can be used for Earth system science and applications studies,” according to NASA. The data is used for estimating population, monitoring disasters and understanding the impacts of increased light pollution. However, nighttime satellite imagery can also be useful to the military and intelligence agencies. For example, VIIRS has detected the wakes left by ships sailing in the North Sea at 2:30 a.m., a capability that could be used for tracking and targeting of warships. That’s because vessels leave “‘ship tracks — narrow clouds brightened by small airborne pollution particles emitted from the vessels,” NASA said. “Water vapor condenses around the tiny particles of pollution to form thin, winding clouds.” Night imaging from space can also detect lights on the ground that might indicate whether strikes against an adversary’s electrical grid have been successful or, for example, track wildfires that could hamper ground and air operations. (Source: Defense News)

03 Feb 26. Amid mounting concerns about U.S. critical mineral and rare earth element supply chains, Supra Elemental Recovery, Inc. (“Supra”) announces its launch as a spinout from the University of Texas at Austin focused on selectively recovering high-purity critical minerals from waste streams. The company is initially targeting elements such as gallium (Ga) and scandium (Sc), which are essential to semiconductors, aerospace, energy, defense, and communications Supra has developed a non-toxic approach in which dissolved industrial waste is pumped through proprietary, reusable, sponge-like cartridges that selectively capture and release critical minerals in sequence The U.S. is currently 100% import-dependent for both gallium and scandium. China dominates the critical minerals market through capital-intensive and environmentally hazardous refining processes. Supra has developed a non-toxic approach in which dissolved industrial waste is pumped through proprietary, reusable, sponge-like cartridges that selectively capture and release critical minerals in sequence. Early results indicate up to 100 times greater selectivity and speed compared to incumbent refining methods, enabling higher purity and lower costs.

“Every year, bns of dollars worth of critical minerals are trapped in domestic waste streams, from industrial byproducts and mine tailings to electronic waste,” said Katie Ullmann Durham, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Supra. “By profitably recovering these elements, we can secure the inputs needed for America’s advanced manufacturing future.”

“While rare earths aren’t rare, they’re notoriously difficult and expensive to refine at high purity,” said Jordan Sessler, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Supra. “We’re making this easier and more affordable by applying advances in supramolecular chemistry, materials science, and fluid dynamics to build a versatile platform technology. By refining multiple elements from multiple sources, we believe we can deliver much-needed supply chain resilience.”

Supra’s technology builds on federally supported research conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, one of the nation’s leading institutions in materials science and engineering. The technology is also being validated for additional elements, including cobalt, lithium, and lanthanides used in batteries, magnets, and other common electronics.

“Supra exemplifies how world-class university research can be translated into commercially scalable solutions that advance U.S. industrial leadership,” said Mark Arnold, Associate Vice President, Discovery to Impact, and Managing Director, Longhorn Ventures at The University of Texas at Austin. “This work underscores UT Austin’s commitment to move groundbreaking discoveries into the market to have lasting impact on the world.”

In conjunction with its launch, Supra announced the close of an oversubscribed $2 m pre-seed round, led by Crucible Capital, with participation from the UT Seed Fund, Climate Capital, Portmanteau Ventures, and Pew Protection Trust. The funding will support continued technology development and preparation for commercial pilots, expected in 2026.

“The key to restoring America’s rare earth leadership is building refining capacity, the bottleneck standing between domestic raw resources and secure supply,” said Meltem Demirors, Founder and General Partner at Crucible Capital. “Supra is building this exact capability with a proprietary new approach. We’re proud to back a team that is positioned to reshape how critical materials are produced in the United States.”

Companies interested in supplying feedstock, purchasing critical minerals, or exploring partnerships can learn more at www.getsupra.com.

About Supra Elemental Recovery, Inc.

Supra Elemental Recovery, Inc. is a U.S.-based technology company building the future of critical minerals recovery and refining. Its modular, high-selectivity, and non-toxic systems turn overlooked U.S. waste streams into secure domestic supply of high-value elements. Learn more at www.getsupra.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

03 Feb 26. War Department Announces Vendors Invited to Compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program. When Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took office a year ago, matching new technologies to threats was one of his core priorities. He commissioned an acquisition strategy to swiftly outfit our combat units with lethal drones. The War Department today announced the 25 vendors invited to compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), an acquisition reform effort designed to rapidly field low cost, unmanned one way attack drones at scale as part of strengthening America’s Arsenal of Freedom.

“Drone dominance is a process race as much as a technological race,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote in his July 2025 memorandum, Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance. “We are buying what works—fast, at scale, and without bureaucratic delay. Lethality will not be hindered by self imposed restrictions.”

The Phase I evaluation—the Gauntlet—will begin 18 February at Fort Benning, where military operators will fly and evaluate vendor systems. The Gauntlet will conclude in early March, when approximately $150 m in prototype delivery orders will be placed, with deliveries beginning shortly thereafter and continuing over the following five months. Drone Dominance operationalizes the Secretary of War’s acquisition reform priorities by sending a clear demand signal to industry—$1.1 bn over four phases, placing warfighters at the center of evaluation, and driving competitive, iterative cycles measured in months, not years. Across the program’s four phases, unit prices decrease, production volumes increase, and operational capability rises. By 2027, the Department will be fielding hundreds of thousands of weaponized, one way attack drones ready for combat. The Drone Dominance Program is sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of War and executed by the Defense Innovation Unit, the Test Resource Management Center, and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.

The funding is ready and steady. The timeline to build combat power is compressed. The competition begins now. The Department has invited 25 companies to Gauntlet I, listed below alphabetically.

ANNO.AI, INC.

ASCENT AEROSYSTEMS INC

AUTERION GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC

DZYNE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

EWING AEROSPACE LLC

FARAGE PRECISION, LLC

FIRESTORM LABS, INC.

GENERAL CHERRY CORP

GREENSIGHT INC.

GRIFFON AEROSPACE, INC.

HALO AERONAUTICS, LLC

KRATOS SRE, INC.

MODALAI, INC.

NAPATREE TECHNOLOGY LLC

NEROS, INC.

OKSI VENTURES, INC.

PALADIN DEFENSE SERVICES LLC

PERFORMANCE DRONE WORKS LLC

RESPONSIBLY LTD

SWARM DEFENSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC

TEAL DRONES INC

UKRAINIAN DEFENSE DRONES TECH CORP

VECTOR DEFENSE, INC

W S DARLEY & CO

XTEND REALITY INC.

(Source: U.S. DoD)

30 Jan 26. Department of War Launches LYNX to Help Businesses Enter and Compete in Defense Markets. The Department of War (DoW) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) today announced the launch of LYNX, a new digital platform designed to strengthen supplier readiness, improve visibility into business capabilities, and expand participation across the defense industrial base. Registration is now open at https://www.lynxconnect.io for businesses seeking to connect with mission-aligned partners and opportunities. Businesses begin by creating a company profile and completing an initial assessment to establish a readiness baseline and identify next steps.

“LYNX turns readiness into action,” said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi. “It’s designed to help companies present their capabilities clearly, prioritize the right steps, and move toward mission-aligned opportunities with greater speed and confidence.”

LYNX is built for new entrants, small businesses, non-traditional suppliers, and growing defense contractors that have strong technical capabilities but face challenges navigating defense requirements, readiness expectations, and partner discovery. For many companies, the barrier to entry is not innovation or expertise, it is understanding how to move from capability to credible participation in mission-aligned opportunities.

LYNX is a platform designed as a comprehensive suite that empowers businesses to navigate the complex government contracting landscape with greater confidence and precision. The platform also benefits the Department by addressing long-standing challenges such as limited visibility into supplier readiness and fragmented pathways to engagement. LYNX creates a shared environment where companies can demonstrate readiness and DoW can more effectively identify, assess, and engage suppliers aligned to priority mission and technology needs.

“LYNX reflects OSBP’s commitment to reducing barriers to entry and expanding participation across the defense industrial base,” said James Mismash, Director of Small Business Programs. “By providing a common framework for readiness and capability, LYNX supports faster engagement, smarter collaboration, and more resilient supplier growth.”

Through LYNX, companies can present their capabilities with confidence, assess readiness across key dimensions, and receive Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)-informed roadmaps that help focus investment on actions most likely to advance defense participation. At the same time, the platform improves discovery and connection which enables more precise partner matching and opportunity alignment tied to mission and technology priorities.

LYNX supports supplier readiness and Department priorities by helping companies to:

Increase visibility with a credible company profile that is easy to build, update, export, and share
Clarify readiness through in-depth assessments that identify needs and prioritize actions
Turn goals into execution using AI/ML-informed roadmaps aligned to business objectives
Accelerate discovery of teaming partners and opportunities through advanced search and AI-driven matching
Pursue more strategically by evaluating opportunity fit against capabilities and readiness
Build capability and confidence through training resources and access to expert support

LYNX is part of DoW’s broader effort to improve visibility into supplier capabilities and support industrial base growth in priority technology areas. Register now at https://www.lynxconnect.io.

About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP))

The Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (ASD IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future.

About the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)

The Department of War Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) expands small business participation in defense acquisition by reducing barriers, accelerating pathways, and connecting companies with mission needs.

(Source: U.S. DoD)

REST OF THE WORLD

02 Feb 26. Adani partners with Leonardo to build helicopters in India. Indian firm Adani Defence and Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Leonardo to develop, manufacture, and sustain military helicopters in India. Adani announced on 3 February that the joint project aims to address India’s increasing military requirements and position the country as a “future hub of helicopter manufacturing”. The partnership will support military platforms, particularly Leonardo’s AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM utility helicopters, enabling their local development; maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO); and pilot training, Adani said. Leonardo cited Indian Navy requirements as the reason for the selection of light-intermediate weight-class AW169M for its partnership with Adani. The company highlighted the aircraft’s ability to meet the navy’s demand for a ready, mature, and compatible platform for maritime/ship environmental conditions. The AW169M’s compact dimensions, folding rotor, and tricycle landing gear enable the platform to operate with “superior safety margins”, Leonardo said. The aircraft offers the Indian military “safer and cheaper” maritime multirole capabilities from land and ships, the company added.

“[The AW169M] is designed with dual-use technology in mind, which brings added high certification and safety standards combined with military-qualified configuration and mission capabilities,” Leonardo said.

The AW109 TrekkerM, however, with its “rugged airframe and skids”, allows to meet military requirements in the light aircraft segment, including for operations on unprepared terrains, Leonardo added. Adani Defence and Aerospace CEO Ashish Rajvanshi said the collaboration supports domestic manufacturing, which aligns with the India’s projected demand for more than 1,000 helicopters in the next 10 years. “[The partnership] will accelerate indigenisation, strengthen supply chains, and establish India as a world-class production base,” he added. (Source: Janes)

04 Feb 26. Majority of BMA equipment acquired through R150m CARA fund has been delivered. The Border Management Authority (BMA) received R150m in funding from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) – against R500m requested – and has used it to acquire vehicles, firearms, body cameras, scanners, boats, and drones, amongst others. However, it still requires much more. This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber in a December reply to a Parliamentary question posed by ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni. She was informed more than R60 m has been spent on acquiring vehicles, and these have all been delivered. They include 20 Volkswagen Polo GTIs (R10 m); ten Volkswagen T-Rocs (R6.3 m); 33 Volkswagen Polo Vivos (R9.4 m); 12 Prison Carrier vehicles (R1.3 m); 32 quad bikes (R2.9 m); five Audi S4 sedans (R4.9 m); seven tractors (R9 m); four 65-seater buses (R10 m); and four 35-seater buses (R8.3 m). Armscor helped the BMA acquire weapons and personal kit for BMA border guards, including 700 Beretta Px4 Storm pistols (R17 m), which will be delivered by the end of March, and 150 R5 assault rifles (R8 m), also expected by the end of March. Ten Scorpio firearms worth R667 000 are being procured. Regarding ammunition, 100 000 rounds of ammunition for the Px4 pistols and 48 000 rounds of R5 ammunition worth a combined R1.1 m have been delivered. Personal equipment acquired through Armscor includes 400 tactical helmets and 72 binoculars worth a combined R3.3 m; 100 tactical vests (R5 m); and 400 elbow and knee guards and 400 tactical gloves (R1.1 m for both). The procurement of 2 500 body cameras worth R8 m is underway. Sensors and scanners acquired include eight fibre scope inspection kits and three infrared telescopic cameras (worth a combined R8.9 m) and eight X-ray scanners (R3.5 m). The video scopes/fibre scopes are typically used for remote visual inspection of inaccessible areas by inserting a flexible, fibre-optic cable with a lens and light source. The BMA has fibre scopes at the Beitbridge, Lebombo, and Maseru Bridge ports of entry. Eight multi-rotor drones have been acquired for R7.6 m, while procurement of two fixed wing drones worth R6 m is underway. The procurement, also via Armscor, of three inshore patrol boats worth R14 m is ongoing. These will be nine metres long and be powered by two 200 horsepower engines. Schreiber explained to Ngobeni that the BMA is under capacitated in terms of Human Resources for Ports of Entry and the Border Law Enforcement Area. “The BMA is further under-capacitated in terms of the Information Technology resources; technology for border management and control; and general resources for the efficient and effective management of South African borders,” he stated.

“The National Treasury has not allocated the full requested funding, particularly for goods, services, and capital expenditure, which affects the BMA’s ability to invest in necessary operations and technology,” Schreiber continued.

In July last year, the BMA told Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations (JSCA) and the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs (PCHA) its 2023/24 budget request was R2.9 bn but it received less than half (R1.34 bn). This allocation increased marginally to R1.4 bn in 2024/25, with R1.47 bn allocated for the current 2025/26 financial year.

To make up for the shortfall, the BMA requested R500 m from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account in 2023 but only R150 m was approved. The BMA has requested another R3.4 bn in CARA funding, to be used for the procurement of additional resources.

According to Schreiber, “there is a significant lack of investment in modern surveillance technology, such as drones, high-definition cameras with facial recognition, and artificial intelligence capabilities across all 71 ports of entry. The current situation, with multiple non-interfacing legacy networks inherited from different departments, severely hampers information sharing and operational efficiency.”

He said many of the port of entry facilities are in an unsatisfactory state and require significant funding for repair and maintenance to meet international standards.

These resource constraints result in a number of negative impacts, including porous borders vulnerable to illegal immigration, human trafficking, smuggling of illicit goods (like firearms, contraband, and cigarettes), and a heightened risk to national security and the economy.

Replying to another question by Ngobeni, Schreiber said the funding shortfall has been, and continues to be, a significant barrier to the BMA’s ability to effectively fulfil its mandate. “While some successes have been achieved, adequate funding would enable the entity to invest in critical areas such as human resources, tools of trade, and ICT resources that are urgently needed to ensure sustainable service delivery.” The Minister explained that obsolete ICT infrastructure and unreliable network connections at the Ports of Entry poses a serious risk to national security, as it compromises the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of systems that support border management, surveillance, data protection, and communication. “The current outdated technology is vulnerable to cyber threats, lacks compatibility with modern security protocols, and hinders real-time information sharing across border stakeholders.” The absence of essential trade tools within the impairs efficient and secure processing. Without key equipment like scanners, inspection devices, and ICT systems, officials face challenges in accurately verifying and clearing shipments, resulting in delays and congestion. This deficiency also hampers the ability to detect contraband, counterfeit goods, or security threats, increasing the likelihood of illegal activities going unnoticed. Additionally, the lack of proper tools diminishes the effectiveness of border control efforts, hampers operational efficiency, and undermines international trade protocols ultimately affecting national security and economic stability, Schreiber stated. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

04 Feb 26. HAL out, Indian private firm to make Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft fighter, all eyes on lowest bidder. As per the timeline decided, 5 prototypes of India’s own fifth-generation fighter are set to be rolled out by 2031, with the first by 2028 using the GE 414 engine. State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is out of India’s Rs 15,000-crore project to build five prototypes of the 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Private firms like Tata Group, Bharat Forge-led, and L&T-led consortiums are now competing. This move aims to establish a parallel fighter aircraft manufacturing line in India, with the lowest bidder being selected.

*AI-generated summary. Check context in original text.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is out of the Rs 15,000-crore project to build five prototypes of India’s 5th generation fighter aircraft Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

The ones who are in competition now to bag the project are the TATA group, a solo bidder, followed by a consortium led by Bharat Forge Ltd, a part of the Kalyani Group, with defence public sector undertaking (DPSU) BEML Ltd and private-sector defence electronics firm Data Patterns (India) Ltd. Another consortium led by private firm L&T, with DPSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and private firm Dynamatics Technologies, is also in the race. Among the companies in the fray, only TATA has the experience of setting up a final assembly line which they have done for the C-295 transport aircraft in partnership with Airbus. Other firms, (including TATA), have experience of making components, wings and fuselage for various foreign original manufacturers besides for the Tejas programme. Sources in the defence establishment said that all three private players who have made it to the final list have very little technical differences and the final selection will be based on who the Lowest Bidder is. This means that India’s 5th generation fighter project will be built by an Indian private firm which will work in tandem with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO. This would be a mega contract and opens up the country to have two distinct fighter aircraft manufacturing lines—HAL with the Tejas fleet and a private firm with the AMCA.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had last May decided to open up AMCA to both State-owned and private players. This went against the established practice, where HAL would have been the natural choice as the production agency, which would have then tied up with private players for manufacturing components and parts. Sources said it was felt that HAL already has a large order book and should focus on delivery of those. It was also felt that there needs to be a parallel assembly line of fighter aircraft in the country. In total, there were seven firms who were vying for the contract that will make them eligible for manufacturing the series production which is slated to begin by 2035.

The other contenders were Adani Defence & Aerospace in the lead with private precision engineering company MTAR Technologies, engineering solutions provider Goodluck India Ltd with defence firm Axiscades Technologies Ltd, and State-run BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd; and another tie-up comprising ICOMM Tele Ltd — a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd and PTC Industries Ltd. The sources explained that the reason why HAL got out of the race despite being seen as a front-runner by some, was the revenue to order book calculations. As per the requirements, this ratio mattered and it was made clear that order book size cannot be three times the revenue, which is in the case of HAL.

What happens next

The sources said that the final winner would be selected within three months and the contract would be signed. Asked whether the companies would be setting up their own assembly line first because it will take time, the sources said that certain arrangements are being made.

It was not yet clear what these arrangements are. The sources said that ADA’s facilities would be used for various stages of the prototype development including testing and certification. As per the timeline decided, the five prototypes of India’s own fifth-generation fighter are set to be rolled out by 2031. The first prototype is expected to be rolled out by 2028 using the GE 414 engine. The IAF plans to have seven squadrons of the AMCA, starting 2035, when the series production will start. As per the expression of interest issued by ADA last year, the duration of the contract for development, prototyping, flight test and certification of AMCA shall not exceed eight years from the effective date of contract. (Source: News Now/https://theprint.in/)

04 Feb 26. HAL’s exit from AMCA programme marks pragmatic shift for industry rather than setback, says GlobalData. Following the news that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) exited the race to make Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft fighter; Akash Pratim Debbarma, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform, offers his view:

“Recent reporting on HAL not proceeding as the development-cum-production partner for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme has triggered understandable questions among stakeholder groups about the initiative’s viability. From an industry and programme management perspective, this development should be viewed as a pragmatic realignment rather than a setback for HAL and investors. India’s combat aircraft roadmap over the past decade, particularly through the LCA Mk1A and Mk2 programmes, offers useful context to understand why a private-sector-led execution model may be better suited for AMCA at this stage.

“HAL is currently managing several high-priority combat aviation programmes in parallel, including orders for over 180 LCA Mk1A aircraft, the upcoming LCA Mk2 prototype and flight-test phase, assembly of the GE-F414 engine, and ongoing support for legacy fleets and test activities. While capacity expansion, such as the new Mk1A production line in Nashik, will improve output, recent experience shows that concurrency across development, production, and supply-chain stabilization creates schedule pressure even when technical progress is sound.

“The 16-month delay in Mk1A deliveries, largely driven by engine unavailability, illustrates how external bottlenecks can cascade across programmes. A fifth-generation platform like AMCA carries substantially higher systems-integration and coordination complexity. Decoupling AMCA execution from HAL’s already dense workload reduces competition for production bandwidth, infrastructure, and supplier attention. This structural separation improves execution focus and lowers programme-level risk.

“Opening AMCA to private firms including major industrial consortia introduces competitiveness and diversifies technical capabilities, which can help address historical bottlenecks in large, complex aerospace programmes. The private sector’s flexible project management, manufacturing innovation, and supply chain discipline are critical in meeting ambitious timelines for prototype build, flight testing, certification, and eventual production roll-out. Private sector leadership in AMCA development is expected to catalyze the growth of a comprehensive domestic vendor network across avionics, composites, precision machining, systems integration, and software engineering. By decentralizing work packages and engaging specialized suppliers, India can nurture a robust aerospace supply chain that supports not only AMCA but future defense platforms, facilitating scalability and resilience.

“Building this extended industrial base also supports ‘Make in India’ and export-oriented aspirations. A wider supplier network expands quality benchmarks, enhances interoperability across projects, and reduces single-point dependencies, thereby increasing overall sectoral productivity.

“The AMCA execution model encourages partnerships that facilitate technology absorption, skill enhancement, and knowledge creation within Indian firms. With private players driving design, prototyping, and manufacturing, there is greater opportunity for embedded technology transfer across multiple disciplines, including stealth materials, avionics integration, and systems engineering. This diffusion of expertise directly contributes to job creation across engineering, advanced manufacturing, and high-end services, positively impacting the broader Indian technology workforce and attracting further private investment in defense R&D.

“HAL remains a central pillar of India’s aerospace ecosystem, particularly in serial production and systems integration. However, freeing the AMCA programme from capacity overlap while empowering capable private players increases the probability of on-time delivery, scalable production, and industrial spillovers.” (Source: GlobalData)

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

28 Jan 26. Search for Britain’s next defence unicorn kicks off with new £20m fund.

New routes for small businesses into Defence with £7.5bn investment into the defence sector.

Government opening up new routes for small and growing businesses into the defence sector.
British innovators who can create the tech of tomorrow for UK Armed Forces sought.
Backed by Ministry of Defence’s commitment to spend an additional £2.5bn through to May 2028, taking total spend with small and medium enterprises to £7.5 bn.

The search for the UK’s next defence unicorn has kicked off with the launch of a bespoke £20m fund to offer accelerated contracts to small, innovative British startups who have had limited or no business with the Ministry of Defence.

The fund is part of the government’s commitment to make Britain the best place to start and grow a defence business. A unicorn company is a privately held start up valued at over US$1 bn. The contracts agreed through the fund will help accelerate new defence technology to the UK’s Armed Forces and gives exciting new companies the foundation and confidence to raise private capital to expand more rapidly. To access the fund, businesses must be fully or part UK-owned.

Speaking to defence industry and innovators at the annual ADS dinner yesterday (Tuesday), Defence Secretary John Healey MP celebrated that the UK has some of the best big defence businesses in the world – many of which started decades ago with an idea – and have grown to create thousands of good jobs, thriving communities and strengthened Britain’s national security.

As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, defence is an engine for growth, and small businesses are the backbone of UK defence, bringing the innovation, agility and fresh thinking that UK Armed Forces need to transform and stay ahead of increasing and evolving threats.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “I am determined to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a defence business, and our military the fastest innovating in NATO. Backed by our record sustained increase in defence spending, we are delivering good jobs and growth across the UK by opening up new routes into the defence sector, giving small British-based businesses the jumpstart they deserve. If our entrepreneurs are willing to take chances, we must be willing to take them too. This is about a Britain that rewards risk takers and innovators and gives people the belief that this government will back them. This work demonstrates how the government is supporting the next generation of defence leaders and innovators by backing the British defence tech sector as the Ministry of Defence delivers on the Strategic Defence Review commitment to make the UK Armed Forces the most innovative military in NATO.”

Contracts awarded through the new fund will be driven by the requirements of the UK Armed Forces, led by UK Defence Innovation (UKDI). UKDI will lead the search for the best UK technology to exploit which is broken into sets of technology and capability themes, including AI, Machine Learning & data science; robotics & autonomy and Enhanced Precision Weapons

The fund, which comes alongside the £400 m ringfence for novel technology and the commitment to spend an additional £2.5 bn with SMEs through to May 2028 – taking MOD’s total SME spend to £7.5 bn – is in addition to a new ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event for Defence tech companies. The event aims to provide seed funding for new and novel ideas at an earlier stage of development, before businesses have got off the ground and will bring in the MoD’s Defence Investors’ Advisory Group – the first of its kind – to connect companies to private financing.

These efforts are part of the Defence Secretary’s drive to ensure the benefits of the government’s record sustained increase in defence spending can be captured by aspiring British entrepreneurs, and will helps to ensure those with exciting ideas and innovations that benefit UK warfighters aren’t locked out of the defence sector because of a lack of funding or contracts.

The Ministry of Defence has introduced new “Lite” Enterprise Agreements to support software and AI companies grow by reducing commercial barriers. These new agreements with companies including Adarga, Hadean, Oxford Dynamics and WhiteSpace were announced last year when John Healey MP became the first Defence Secretary to close trading at the London Stock Exchange.

The search for defence’s next unicorn comes as the Ministry of Defence launch the new Office of Small Business Growth to make it easier for SMEs to navigate the MOD procurement system and bring in new suppliers. The new office recognises that defence procurement has been too slow and complex to navigate, and will help to resolve these challenges to deliver real change to how the MOD procures – breaking down barriers and opening new avenues for innovation to ensure that SMEs can play a vital role in making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.

The government is delivery on the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, published last year – backing British jobs, British industry and British innovators. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

26 Jan 26. Red tape to be slashed as MOD launches new team to back British small businesses. A new team dedicated to supporting small British businesses to win more defence contracts has been established today by the Defence Readiness and Industry Minister, Luke Pollard MP, on a visit to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.

New team to transform how small businesses can bid for and win Defence contracts.
30 pathfinder SMEs across the UK initially selected for support and to represent different sectors and regions.
Work is part of the government’s drive to spend £2.5bn more with SMEs.

Known as the Defence Office for Small Business Growth (OfSBG), it will be made up of policy and commercial expert staff, who will support small and medium UK firms to bid for and win more defence contracts. The ambition is to reverse the decline in Ministry of Defence (MOD) spend on SMEs, as identified in the Defence Industrial Strategy. This will also help deliver on the Government’s pledge to increase defence spending with SMEs by 50% by 2028 and is a significant vote of confidence in around 12,000 SMEs across the UK, marking an important step in removing barriers faced by SMEs at a crucial time for national security and innovation. The team will help to simplify and speed up cumbersome processes, provide advice to SMEs, and encourage private sector investment, supporting the Defence Secretary John Healey’s pledge to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a defence business. The OfSBG will oversee a comprehensive programme of change, ranging from policy and commercial process simplification – such as improving cash flow when under contract – to encouraging private investment by providing long-term clarity on procurements. This work is in addition to enhancing transparency and knowledge sharing within the sector, all aimed at backing British SMEs. As well as visiting the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, which backs the manufacturing of innovative technology, Minister Pollard also visited SMEs on Monday, including Viper::Blast, based in Aberdour, who specialise in fast, high-fidelity simulation of air blast, explosive detonations, and structural loading.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “Small businesses told us defence procurement was too slow, too complex and too hard to navigate. We listened, and now we’re acting. We’re breaking down barriers and opening new avenues for innovation. We are ensuring that our SMEs can play a vital role in strengthening our defence capabilities. Defence is an engine for growth, and small businesses are the backbone of UK defence. This is a collective endeavour, and we are committed to supporting British businesses, enhancing our security, and driving prosperity for working people across the country.”

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The creation of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth is great news for Scottish businesses, workers and the economy as it will help boost opportunities and access to investment, supported by our pledge to increase spending with SMEs by £2.5bn by May 2028. Defence is already a key driver for renewal in Scotland, with the Ministry of Defence spending more than £2bn a year with the sector in Scotland, supporting nearly 12,000 industry jobs. Now with our historic uplift in spending to protect our own and European security and this new support for small and medium enterprises we will further transform the sector. As we up our game on defence, Scotland’s world class industry and supply chain and global demand for Scottish expertise will play a big role in ensuring Britain’s security, deterring our adversaries and driving economic growth for years to come. UK SMEs saw £1.2bn of direct investment from the MOD in 2024/25. To make defence even more of an engine for growth, the Government has set an SME spend target of an additional £2.5bn through to May 2028, taking total MOD spending with SMEs to £7.5bn.”

For both new and existing suppliers, the OfSBG will act as a central hub for advice and support on engaging with defence, ensuring procurement processes are faster, simpler and more effective. Services include structured guidance on tendering, contracting and working with the MOD and wider defence supply chain, mentoring schemes, networking opportunities with prime contractors, signposting to regional defence clusters and trade associations, and a confidential channel for SMEs to raise concerns.

A public-facing web portal and contact centre will initially support 30 SMEs, from carefully selected sectors, covering cyber to aeronautical engineering, and covering the whole of the UK from the south coast of England to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They represent a cross section of industry including those who have previously worked with the MOD and those who are new, ensuring industry is supplying the best of British capabilities to defence. These companies will help rapidly test, trial, and refine the service before planned expansion to embrace the wider business community over the coming weeks and months.

National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce, said: “SMEs are the backbone of UK defence, bringing the innovation, agility and fresh thinking that our Armed Forces need to stay ahead of evolving threats. A more vibrant SME supply chain means better capability for our Armed Forces, greater resilience in our industrial base, and economic growth for communities across the country. I look forward to working with businesses of all sizes to deliver on this ambition. By working across defence, government and with private investors, we will build a dynamic ecosystem of innovative, well-capitalised small businesses ready to deliver the capabilities our Armed Forces need. The work of the OfSBG will be reinforced by the newly introduced SME Commercial Pathway, providing clear, accessible guidance to ensure MOD teams are actively reducing barriers and increasing opportunities for SMEs to bid for and win MOD work.

The Pathway covers improved market engagement, reserving below-threshold procurements for SMEs, segmenting contracts to enable greater participation, engaging with prime contractors to manage SMEs within their supply chains, and strengthening SME resilience through improved cash flow when under contract.

The OfSBG will collaborate across defence, government departments, strategic partners and private investors to create a dynamic UK ecosystem of well-capitalised, high-growth small businesses.

These businesses will be encouraged to enter the defence market and contribute to rapidly delivering warfighting readiness to the UK Armed Forces – a key pillar of the Strategic Defence Review.

This government is delivering the largest sustained increase in Defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% of GDP from 2027. That will see £270bn invested into defence across this Parliament. Increased investment in Small and Medium enterprises will ensure defence is an engine for growth in all the regions of the UK. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

27 Jan 26. The Royal Navy and wider UK military has the opportunity to strengthen their institutional role in the testing and procurement of new military capabilities, allowing them to keep up with the rapid evolution of military tech, a report has found. The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) was supported by British advanced maritime technology company SubSea Craft (SSC) on work examining the increasing role of prototype warfare in responding to maritime threats and implications for the Royal Navy. The report, Prototype Warfare in the Maritime Domain, sets out the case for integrating novel protype warfare approaches into traditional capability development processes, marking a departure from their historical treatment as an internal R&D function within industry. Iterative prototyping forms a cornerstone amongst defence innovators like SubSea Craft, whose design philosophy of open architecture and interoperability allow for rapid testing and modification in collaboration with both end users and industry. To inform its recommendations, RUSI convened of a working group – comprised of Royal Navy, UK Government and industry representatives – to examine how this approach can be harnessed to ensure emerging maritime capabilities can progress more quickly into operational usage. The group – whose participants acted in their personal professional capacity – examined the combined role both industry and government can play to create active participation in the prototyping process, including how access to users, test infrastructure and regulatory environments can accelerate adoption. The Ministry of Defence has identified the importance of achieving progress towards prototype warfare to deliver an operational advantage in response to ever-changing threats, including in the Indo-Pacific and GIUK gap. Financing remains a key challenge for all stakeholders within the capability development process. While traditional procurement approaches remain lengthy and resource intensive – creating additional risk of decreased relevance once a product becomes operational – prototyping requires an availability of upfront capital to allow experimental systems to quickly mature towards production. Australia’s approach to part-financing its recent Ghost Shark UUV capability offers a potential route forward and a more radical model might involve partial UK state ownership of hardware production, according to RUSI. This could have the benefit of making the state a direct partner in scaling a product, rather than a customer, without stifling the advantages of prototype innovation. Following the recent UK Defence Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Defence is working to cut cycles for prototype warfare procurement down to three months alongside ringfenced funding. This is underpinned by a broader shift to spiral development evaluation becoming the default across the work of the National Armaments Director Group. To attain a functioning model for this approach, RUSI emphasises the importance of setting clear parameters on the transition from prototype to scaled production. Discussion between end users and industry highlighted the need for increased coordination between SMEs, defence primes and government, so that new systems can move into service within Ministry of Defence timelines.

Dan Alexander, Business Intelligence Lead at SubSea Craft, said: “It was a pleasure to contribute to a practitioner-led dialogue on accelerating operationally relevant maritime capabilities. There is a clear global need for the responsive development of advanced maritime platforms that can meet evolving force requirements and objectives. Maritime defence innovation will be determined not by individual technologies alone, but by the ability to test, integrate and scale credible capability at pace. We look forward to continuing to make the case for advancing prototype warfare approaches within the UK’s defence ecosystem.”

27 Jan 26. UK picks seven suppliers to design Apache ‘loyal wingman’.

Project NYX, as it is known, is the search for an autonomous collaborative platform to support the Army’s Apache attack helicopters.

Anduril, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever, and Thales have been selected to put forward a design for a loyal wingman to support the Apache helicopter
The drones will operate on a “command rather than control” principle
In March 2026 the shortlist will be down selected to four suppliers, when they will be offered contracts to participate in producing a concept demonstrator

Seven suppliers will put forward a design for an uncrewed air system (UAS) that will support the British Army’s Apache AH-64E attack helicopters. After a “rigorous” pre-qualification phase, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has called on Anduril, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever, and Thales to present a viable UAS design under Project NYX, which first launched in November 2025, titled the Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) project. In March 2026 the shortlist will be down selected to four suppliers, when they will be offered contracts to participate in research and development to produce a concept demonstrator, with initial operational capability for 2030. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

REST OF THE WORLD

22 Jan 26. Indonesia expands its Red White Frigate project. According to a new letter of intent, the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) plans to construct another two Red White Frigates. An associated licensing agreement was struck with Babcock, whose Arrowhead 140 design forms the basis for the Indonesian warship. The letter was signed on behalf of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was visiting the UK on a state visit at the time, and David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock. Babcock said in a press release issued on 21 January: “A letter of intent outlining Indonesian procurement aims for the Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) has been signed, alongside an initial agreement for the two licenses, to be delivered in the next few months.” The MMP project created in November 2025 is worth some £4 bn (US$5.4 bn), and this is the first agreement under its auspices. The MMP will “jointly develop maritime capability for Indonesia’s navy, fishing industry and, in turn, food security,” the British company stated. Babcock also noted that the letter “paves the way for further agreements,” plus it “underpins the growing momentum of Babcock’s frigate exports”.

Subianto said, “We’re pleased to proceed with the maritime partnership. I think this is very important and strategic for Indonesia. This is a vital part of our maritime economic development.” He envisages major investment in Indonesian shipbuilding, naval modernisation, revitalising fishing communities and enhancing defence and maritime security.

Lockwood added, “As the lead industrial partner in this programme, we’re creating a strong and enduring alliance that will not only support Indonesia’s maritime goals but will sustain and grow jobs in both countries. This first work order, within this landmark framework, signals the importance of the pace and progress needed to deliver President Prabowo Subianto’s maritime transformation and underpins the growing success of our Arrowhead 140 export design.”

Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL is already constructing a first pair of Red White Frigates (known locally as the Fregat Merah Putih). After that contract was signed in 2021, the first vessel (the future KRI Balaputradewa) was launched on 18 December 2025. Under a 2021 contract, the first vessel, the future KRI Balaputradewa, was launched on 18 December 2025. (PT PAL) While the overall ship design is British – the Arrowhead 140 design also forms the basis of the Royal Navy’s future Type 31 frigate – these Fregat Merah Putih heavily utilise Turkish systems and weapons. PT PAL told Asian Military Review that it changed about 60% of Babcock’s reference design in order to meet TNI-AL requirements. For example, there are two Leonardo Super Rapid 76mm naval guns, a 64-cell Roketsan MİDLAS universal vertical launch system amidships, and Indonesia sought a higher top speed of 28kt. Other armaments include a Rheinmetall Millennium 35mm close-in weapon system at the stern, four Leonardo Lionfish 12.7mm remote weapon stations, two Leonardo B515/3 triple torpedo launchers, and Aselsan Kartaca-N six-tube 130mm decoy launching systems. According to PT PAL, the frigate measures 140m long, has a 19.75m beam and 4.96m draught. It displaces 5,996 tonnes, a figure that rises to 6,626 tonnes at full load. The vessel has a complement of 177, and the frigate has a range of 7,560nm and 21-day endurance at its cruising speed of 15kt. Sensors to be installed are Aselsan’s Cenk 400-N S-band active electronically scanned array radar, Aselsan Mete Han X-band multifunction radar, Aselsan Mar-D helicopter control radar, Havelsan Advent combat management system, Aselsan Fersah 100-N/MF hull-mounted sonar, Aselsan Akrep fire control radar, Aselsan target designation sights and an ELT Group electronic warfare suite. The second frigate is expected to be launched this year. These are the most sophisticated warships that PT PAL has ever attempted to build. (Source: AMR)

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January 24, 2026 by

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

16 Jan 26. Royal Navy confirms nine nuclear subs in service. The Royal Navy currently has nine nuclear-powered submarines in service, including four nuclear-armed vessels maintaining the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.Responding to a question in the House of Lords, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said the submarine force consists of four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines and five Astute-class attack submarines.

“The Royal Navy has a fleet of nine submarines currently in service,” he told peers. “It operates four Vanguard class nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines in Operation Relentless, the continuous at-sea deterrent, which has been successfully maintained for over 56 years.”

Lord Coaker added that the Vanguard-class boats will be replaced by four Dreadnought-class submarines, which are scheduled to enter service in the 2030s. He also confirmed that two additional Astute-class submarines are currently under construction. The exchange followed a question from Lord Trefgarne, who asked how many nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed submarines are currently in service. In a follow-up, he asked whether the deterrent submarines are being maintained and operated to the required standard.In response, Lord Coaker emphasised the importance of the continuous at-sea deterrent, stating: “A key point for all of us in this House, our nation and our alliances is that it is a continuous at-sea deterrent, and I reassure everyone that we maintain that.” He described the deterrent as having underpinned peace and security for decades and said it has been sustained under successive governments. Lord Bruce of Bennachie later questioned how many submarines are operational at any one time, citing periods when boats have been unavailable due to maintenance, and raised concerns about the ability to sustain the programme while delivering future commitments such as AUKUS. Lord Coaker declined to give figures on operational availability, saying: “I will not go into the number of submarines that are operational for obvious reasons.” However, he referred to the Royal Navy’s submarine recovery plan, which aims to improve docking and maintenance capacity in order to increase availability. He said those measures are intended to ensure the fleet can meet current requirements while supporting future submarine programmes. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)

EUROPE

20 Jan 26. Italy faces GCAP warplane price tag topping $21bn. Italy’s outlay on the design and development of the tri-nation GCAP fighter has tripled from €6 bn to €18.6 bn — or from $7 bn to $21.8 bn — in the last five years, the country’s defense minister has told parliament. The announcement of the price hike came in a request to parliament to authorize the pay-out which prompted criticism from Italy’s opposition Five Star party.

“This is the most expensive program in the history of the Italian military, overtaking the F-35 where €18 bn was spent on 90 aircraft,” Five Star parliamentarians said in a statement.

Italy is a member alongside the U.K. and Japan of the sixth generation GCAP fighter team which aims to put a new jet into service by 2035. The document with the new pricing of Italy’s share in the program was sent this month to the defense commission of the Italian senate, where it is due to be discussed on Tuesday before a vote to approve the text is taken, likely next week. The document will also be voted on by the defense commission of the lower house of parliament. It will likely be approved in the commissions due to the majority enjoyed in both by Meloni’s coalition government. The document is an update on a previous version submitted to parliament in 2021, which said Italy would pay out €6 bn to cover its share of Phase1 and 2 of the program – respectively ‘Concept Assessment and Preliminary Design’, followed by ‘Full Development’. The new document states the outlay, “which was initially estimated to be €6 bn for program phases 1 and 2 has since been updated taking into account the increase in costs in technology maturation, testing and development and design, to an estimated €18.6bn (at 2025 prices).” The document, which has been seen by Defense News, reported that €2bn in funding had already been secured, partially covering Phase 1. A further €16.6 bn was therefore needed to complete Phases 1 and 2, it added. The document contains a request for approval for funding worth €8.8bn to be dispensed in annual payments stretching out to 2037. The remaining €7.8bn required to hit the €16.6 bn total would be arranged at a future date, the document added. In its statement, the Five Star party wrote, “We don’t doubt the value of this program, but it is not acceptable that our parliamentary commissions are used as cash dispensers which issue bns like peanuts, without even supplying an in-depth and detailed explanation of this enormous increase in the expected expenditure.”

During a Jan. 16 meeting in Tokyo between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, the two leaders “expressed satisfaction for the progress of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP),” and confirmed “the importance of achieving the goal of delivering the first aircraft in 2035.” (Source: Defense News)

16 Jan 26. German ministry issues call for urban and regional UAS development proposals. Germany’s Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has issued a call for proposals to support the development of urban and regional uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) applications. Funding is available for the conception and testing of new possibilities that can bring about lasting change through the innovative integration of UAS technologies, routines and practices of companies, public authorities and civil society.

“The sustainable development of our cities and communities is crucial for achieving the German government’s climate protection and sustainability goals—as mandated, among other things, by the Climate Protection Act,” BMFTR states in its call for proposals. “However, increasing traffic volumes, high CO₂ emissions in the mobility and building sectors, demographic aging, a shortage of skilled workers, competition for land in densely populated areas and supply bottlenecks in sparsely populated regions pose significant challenges for many cities and communities.” The ministry says these challenges require a new approach and that UAS applications can increase efficiency and climate protection as well as bring improvements in addressing supply gaps and traffic optimisation and relief. Given the projected market growth, BMFTR says UAS-based innovations also offer very high added value potential for Germany. But these potential advantages are countered by negative consequences such as rebound effects, safety and data privacy concerns, noise emissions and challenges for urban planning.

Consequently, BMFTR aims to promote research and testing on the question of how socio-technical innovations based on the use of UAS have the potential to contribute to climate-friendly urban and regional mobility as well as sustainable urban and regional development.

“Socio-technical innovations refer, for example, to new commercial business models, non-profit applications, or municipal services that, through the innovative integration of UAS technology, sustainably change the routines and practices of businesses, public authorities, consumers, and citizens and offer new options for addressing the challenges of sustainable urban and regional development,” the ministry says. Examples include a UAS-supported delivery service that improves the supply situation in sparsely populated regions while simultaneously reducing net CO₂ emissions because consumers and suppliers forgo car journeys, or sharing models in which municipalities collaborate to jointly use UAS as efficiently as possible for sustainable urban development purposes such as traffic management, infrastructure or environmental monitoring.

The research objectives of the funding call are as follows:

Identify innovative UAS applications with potential for sustainable urban and regional mobility and sustainable development of cities and regions.
These UAS-supported innovations will be tested, researched, and their sustainability impacts assessed as comprehensively as possible, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with a view to opportunities and risks for sustainable development, as well as identifying possible rebound effects.
To test and research application and market potential as well as the social and economic feasibility/viability of UAS-supported innovations.
Promising socio-technical innovations, applications, and business models that are expected to have a positive impact on sustainable urban and regional development and offer ecological, social and economic added value should be further developed to the point of application through research funding. Direct practical application of such solutions is desirable.

Projects can relate to one or more of the following areas of action:

Regional delivery traffic / logistics

The research aims to determine whether and how UAS-supported logistics and the integration of UAS into delivery networks can relieve regional traffic congestion and reduce emissions, land use and resource consumption.

Sustainable applications and business models for municipal tasks

The intention is to identify UAS-based applications and business models that can help cities and municipalities fulfill their responsibilities as sustainably as possible. This could include, for example, UAS-based (automated and AI-supported) innovations in urban and transport planning, traffic flow management, environmental protection, urban development/construction, municipal administration or the improved provision of essential public services.

Sharing models / innovative operating concepts

The research aims to explore the extent to which UAS can be shared to conserve resources and utilise them as efficiently and economically as possible. At the municipal level, this could involve, for example, municipal “fleets” and operational centres that multiple city authorities can access for their specific needs.

Projects in areas not listed here are also possible, provided their contribution to the sustainable development of cities and regions is clearly evident. Passenger transport using UAS is explicitly excluded from this call for proposals.

The process is two-stage. In the first stage, project outlines must be submitted electronically by April 1, 2026 at the latest. In the second stage of the process, the authors of the positively evaluated and selected project outlines are asked to submit a formal funding application. Grants will be awarded as non-repayable subsidies through project funding for a period of usually 45 months.

A public information event addressing content-related and administrative questions is scheduled for January 30, 2026.

For more information: Call for proposals at BMFTR: https://www.bmftr.bund.de/SharedDocs/Bekanntmachungen/DE/2026/01/2026-01-09-foerderaufruf-drohnengestuetzte-innovationen.html (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

REST OF THE WORLD

21 Jan 26. Babcock signs initial agreement under Indonesia Maritime Partnership Programme. Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence company, has secured its first agreement under the £4 bn Maritime Partnership Programme (MPP) with Indonesia, for the sale of two Arrowhead 140 frigate licences, to be delivered over the coming months. A Letter of Intent outlining Indonesian procurement aims for the MPP has been signed, alongside an initial agreement for the two licences, to be delivered in the next few months. These build on Babcock’s original export of two Arrowhead 140 licences in 2021. The announcement underpins the growing momentum of Babcock’s frigate exports and comes just weeks after the first ship, in the Merah Putih frigate class programme, undertook its initial launch in Indonesia. The Letter of Intent, that paves the way for further agreements, was recently signed on behalf of Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto and CEO of Babcock, David Lockwood, and follows the landmark MPP that was announced in November 2025 between Babcock and the Indonesian Government to jointly develop maritime capability for Indonesia’s navy, fishing industry and in turn, food security. In this short period, significant progress has been made between Babcock and Indonesia’s Ministry of Defence. Babcock continues to play a key role in cementing international defence partnerships, while delivering and driving economic and social benefits to communities across the UK. This new agreement recognises Babcock’s strategic part in delivering Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto’s important maritime and prosperity plans, which will see major investment in Indonesian shipbuilding to support further modernisation, revitalising fishing communities, enhancing the country’s defence and maritime security, and boosting food security.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “No matter where I am, delivering for working people at home is always in my mind’s eye. Today’s next phase of our partnership with Indonesia is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK, securing hundreds of high‑skilled jobs right here in Rosyth and strengthening our world-class shipbuilding future.”

President Prabowo Subianto, said: “I met with the CEO of Babcock. We are pleased to proceed with the maritime partnership. I think this is very important and strategic for Indonesia. This is a vital part of our maritime economic development.”

David Lockwood, Babcock CEO, said: “The Maritime Partnership Programme between Babcock and Indonesia is focused on advancing Indonesia’s defence and maritime capabilities, infrastructure and supply chain, while creating jobs and prosperity for local communities.

“As the lead industrial partner in this programme, we are creating a strong and enduring alliance that will not only support Indonesia’s maritime goals but will sustain and grow jobs in both countries. This first work order, within this landmark framework, signals the importance of the pace and progress needed to deliver President Prabowo Subianto’s maritime transformation and underpins the growing success of our Arrowhead 140 export design.”

21 Jan 26. Germany’s TKMS seeks investment package to woo Canada over $12bn submarine tender.

Summary
Companies
TKMS in race for Canada submarine order
Expects Canada to decide in 2026
In talks with companies to offer ‘offset obligation’ package

Warship builder TKMS (TKMS.DE), is in talks with Norwegian and German companies to offer a multi-bn-dollar investment package to Canada in a fiercely competitive submarine tender, its CEO said, seeking to beat a rival South Korean bid. The talks go beyond submarines and cover possible investment commitments in rare earths, mining, artificial intelligence and battery production for the automotive sector, Oliver Burkhard told Reuters. The previously unreported investment package plan could boost TKMS as it vies to win the tender after being short-listed last year along with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean (042660.KS), to supply up to 12 state-of-the-art submarines to Canada’s navy. It reflects intensifying efforts by Germany to strengthen defence cooperation in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, with the U.S. seeking to claim Greenland and threatening to impose new import tariffs on European allies while Russia continues its war in Ukraine.

INVESTMENT PACKAGE GOES FAR BEYOND SUBMARINES

Burkhard said TKMS was in discussion with German space startup Isar Aerospace about the investment initiative but did not name the other companies involved in the talks. The submarine order alone is estimated to be worth more than 10 bn euros ($12 bn), according to industry sources. The total package could be worth significantly more depending on investment pledges from other sectors, according to people briefed on the discussions.

“It is no longer just about the submarines. It is primarily about what’s beyond,” Burkhard told Reuters on the sidelines of an event in Frankfurt, adding the aim was a “broad economic package” to convince the Canadian government of its offer.

TKMS is the world’s largest maker of non-nuclear submarines and accounts for around 70% of NATO’s conventional fleet.

Burkhard said TKMS was asking possible partners about foreseeable investment decisions in Canada and whether to include them in so-called offset obligations, or mandatory financial commitments, which are made over 30 years.

“Of course that also includes the defence sector,” he said.

Canada, which has the longest coastline in the world, has said plans to buy new submarines were aimed at maximising economic benefits as part of its defence strategy.

Burkhard, who will make his next trip to Canada in March for more talks, said Germany’s economy and defence ministries as well as the Chancellery were also part of the discussions, adding he expected Canada to make a decision in 2026.

“All defence procurements must advance Canada’s national and military interests as well as provide a clear, measurable net benefit to Canada’s economy,” the country’s ministry for innovation, science and economic development said in a statement.

Germany’s economy ministry referred Reuters to the defence ministry which said it did not comment on confidential consultations as a matter of principle.

Germany’s Chancellery did not respond to a requests for comment.

Hanwha Ocean declined to comment.

TKMS, which Burkhard said had between 30 and 40 staff working on the offset obligation package, is offering its 212CD class submarine as part of the tender, which it is also supplying to Norway’s navy under a joint modernisation initiative. ($1 = 0.8590 euros) (Source: Reuters)

20 Jan 26. Pakistan’s ‘combat tested’ jets boost weapons sales.

Summary
Pakistan negotiating weapons sales with 13 countries, sources say
Global supply chain shortages, conflict with India spurred interest
Pakistan working to increase production capacity of jets, drones

Pakistan’s defence manufacturing industry is running red hot since its jets, drones and missiles earned the coveted ‘combat tested’ tag in a conflict with India last year, attracting a slew of interested buyers. Islamabad has held talks with 13 countries, six to eight of which are in an advanced stage, for deals involving JF-17 jets made jointly with China as well as training aircraft, drones, and weapons systems, said three Pakistani sources who have knowledge of defence sales. Pakistan’s military and defence ministry did not provide details on any deals but the country’s defence production minister confirmed that several countries were interested in jets and other military equipment. China’s defence ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Analysts believe countries are searching for new supply chains following disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East. Pakistan’s weapons have become a viable alternative after they were tested in a massive air battle with India in May, in which Pakistan’s air force squadrons flew JF-17s alongside the advanced Chinese-made J-10s. Reuters spoke to six sources privy to defence deals, three retired air force officials, and a dozen analysts who provided insight into Pakistan’s rising weapons industry, including unreported details of negotiations. While some expressed scepticism about whether Pakistan could navigate geopolitical pressures and increase production capacity, there was consensus that interest in Pakistani military hardware had surged. However, most analysts cautioned talks would not necessarily lead to signed deals.

“These talks are taking place (but) they can fall through due to international pressures,” Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj told Reuters, terming any negotiations “guarded secrets”.

“There are a lot of queries but we are negotiating,” he said, adding interest had been expressed in air force equipment, ammunition and training.

Harraj also stressed the price difference between Pakistani jets and weapons and alternatives made in the U.S. and Europe. While some Western options may be more technologically advanced, they cost more than three times as much as an approximately $30 m to $40 m JF-17.

GROWING LIST OF BUYERS

The sources said countries engaged in talks include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Morocco, Ethiopia, and Nigeria as well as the government in eastern Libya led by Khalifa Haftar. Discussions on JF-17s and other weapons with Bangladesh and Iraq have been publicly acknowledged by Pakistan’s military, although more details have not been made public. Almost all the potential buyers are Muslim-majority nations, like Pakistan. Many are from the predominantly Muslim Middle East, where Pakistan has historically been a security provider.

Asim Suleiman, a retired Air Marshal who remains briefed on defence sales, said “there are also three African countries lined up” as buyers, which do not include deals with the Libyan National Army and Sudan previously reported by Reuters.

Three defence sources said among the most advanced talks is a wide-ranging arms, defence cooperation and intelligence-sharing deal with Bangladesh, which gained independence from Pakistan after the 1971 civil war. The talks include JF-17 Block III multi-role fighter jets, MFI-17 Mushshak aircraft, Pakistani-made drones including the Shahpar reconnaissance and attack UAVs, air defence systems, and Mohafiz mine-resistant armoured vehicles, two of the sources said.

GROWING SUPPLY CHAIN

A key hurdle will be whether Pakistan can scale production of the JF-17, which has become the cornerstone of its weapons production programme, with training aircraft and drones also in demand.

Suleiman said that by the end of 2027 Pakistan’s jet production rate will increase significantly, even possibly double from the current 20 or so aircraft manufactured annually , due to upgrades and expansions at the main factory.

Analysts said there were few visible constraints on increasing defence manufacturing and with backing from Beijing, Pakistan should be able to overcome most hurdles. Pakistan “is becoming more relevant as a flexible, mid-tier provider of defence capacity,” said Andreas Krieg, a lecturer at King’s College London’s security studies department.

“It can train forces, provide advisers, run joint exercises, support maritime operations, and offer a menu of cost-effective platforms. For fragile African partners, that combination can be attractive: it is faster than Western capacity-building, less politically encumbered, and often cheaper.”

Partnerships with a rising private sector specialising in defence, particularly drones, will also speed up growth. At Sysverve Aerospace in the city of Rawalpindi, where Pakistan’s army also has its headquarters, workers build hundreds of kamikaze and reconnaissance drones a year that are primarily supplied to the military.

“The trend in the army is naturally moving toward engaging the private sector,” company director Saad Mir told Reuters.

THE CHINA QUESTION

Siemon Wezeman, a senior arms transfer researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said it was unclear how many reported talks over JF-17 sales would firm into hard deals, adding that Beijing could object to sales to certain clients.

While Pakistan was a natural partner for China to market the aircraft across the Middle East and Africa, “it’s the ones to Sudan and Libya that are really problematic”.

Both Libya and Sudan’s Darfur region are subject to U.N. arms embargoes.

Alongside juggling ties with China, Pakistan is navigating Middle East tensions between allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Islamabad has signed a mutual defence pact with Riyadh and is discussing another defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia and Turkey, although details have not been made public.

“On the ideological side, Islamabad is more aligned with Saudis on overall narrative,” said Emadeddin Badi from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

“But where things get murkier is on the business, ports, mineral sides, all those supply chains are very much dominated by UAE, that’s where the battle is playing out and Saudis have to play catch-up.” (Source: Reuters)

18 Jan 26. Saab offers 72 Gripen fighters and six GlobalEye aircraft to Canada amid F-35 review. On January 14, 2026, CBC News reported that Saab has submitted a proposal to Canada covering 72 Gripen fighter aircraft and six GlobalEye airborne early warning platforms, a proposal that could support an estimated 12,600 Canadian jobs. On January 14, 2026, CBC News reported that Saab has submitted a proposal to Canada covering 72 Gripen fighter jets and six GlobalEye airborne early warning platforms. The company stated that the purchase of this joint package could support an estimated 12,600 Canadian jobs. The proposal is being reviewed as Canada reassesses its planned F-35 fleet and evaluates defence procurement options based on operational and industrial criteria. Saab’s new proposal to Canada includes the sale of 72 Gripen fighter jets and six GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft, an order size that the company says would generate or guarantee up to 12,600 jobs in Canada, an offer now examined as the country reassesses its future combat aircraft mix and the domestic industrial impact linked to large defense programs. The proposal also clarifies that both aircraft types are required to reach the stated employment figure, after earlier public references to roughly 10,000 potential jobs had not specified the volume of aircraft needed. The offer enters a policy environment where defense procurement, either from Lockheed Martin or Saab, is being weighed by Canada not only against operational needs but also against employment distribution and industrial resilience. Deployable from shorter runways and with a logistics concept oriented toward rapid turnaround, the Gripen E’s combined attributes would provide Canada with a multirole fighter capable of air defence, joint operations, and interoperability with allied forces across the country’s large geographic areas. This 4.5-generation fighter jet, capable of Mach 2 speeds, possesses a Raven ES-05 radar and an infrared search and track sensor that provide continuous target detection and tracking, while onboard avionics share information across units in near real time, enhancing situational awareness and coordination with other platforms such as the GlobalEye. Furthermore, with up to ten external hardpoints for a wide mix of NATO weapons, including beyond-visual-range missiles and precision guided munitions, the Gripen would allow Canada to perform air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship roles. Based on the Canadian Bombardier Global Express jet, the Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft would fill a capability gap for Canada, providing a persistent airborne node for integrated air and maritime awareness and enhancing coordination with allied surveillance networks. Integrating an Erieye ER radar system mounted on the fuselage, the GlobalEye can detect and track airborne and surface targets at distances of up to about 450 km or more at altitude, with an endurance of up to about eleven hours. In addition to its primary AEW radar, the GlobalEye carries a Seaspray 7500E maritime surveillance radar for surface tracking, while its multi-sensor suite enables simultaneous surveillance of air, sea, and land targets. Therefore, the GlobalEye’s extended range and persistence could make it well-suited for monitoring Canada’s vast northern and maritime approaches, where terrestrial radar coverage is limited by geography and curvature of the Earth. This new Gripen and GlobalEye package is being reviewed alongside Canada’s existing plan to acquire 88 F-35 fighters, ordered in 2022 with total costs now estimated at more than $27 bn. Canada is preparing to receive the first 16 F-35 aircraft starting this year, while the remainder of the order remains under review, with no confirmed decision to date on whether the total number will be reduced or maintained. Like other countries, the potential introduction of a second fighter type raises practical questions in Canada related to training, sustainment, and the simultaneous integration of two new fleets into service structures already under pressure. However, Saab’s industrial proposal for the Gripen in Canada would see final assembly, integration, test operations, and sustainment carried out with Canadian partners, including IMP Aerospace, GE Aviation, CAE, and Peraton. By building aircraft domestically, with facilities planned in Ontario and Quebec, Canada would also gain greater control over sustainment, upgrades, and supply chain timing, potentially reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The industrial component of the offer centers on producing aircraft in Canada for both national use and export markets, with planned production centers in Ontario and Quebec supported by a pan-Canadian supplier network. Saab has linked this structure to more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs over time, with GlobalEye aircraft produced in partnership with Bombardier using the Global 6500 business jet as the base platform for airborne early warning and control missions. Saab has also pointed to external demand, including Ukraine, which marked its interest in more than 100 Gripen aircraft and potential GlobalEye customers in Egypt, France, and Germany. On the other hand, Lockheed Martin’s position is that maintaining the full 88-aircraft F-35 order would generate $15bn in work for Canada, with discussions between the company and the Canadian government continuing during the review period. At the moment, Canada evaluates the credibility, scale, and long-term sustainability of job and supplier commitments associated with each option. The debate unfolds against a backdrop of rising defense expenditure, with Canadian defense spending expected to increase by $82 bn over the next five years and the federal government seeking to maximize domestic economic returns from that growth. The appointment of Christiane Fox as deputy minister at the Department of National Defence has been interpreted in Ottawa as a signal of a shift in procurement approach. At the same time, concerns have been raised that aircraft fleet size and composition should be determined primarily by military requirements, including the question of whether Swedish-built Gripen aircraft could be fully integrated into NORAD-linked defense systems if Canada retained only a limited number of F-35s. Public opinion adds political context, with an Ekos survey showing 43% support for acquiring a Gripen fleet and 29% support for a mixed Gripen and F-35 fleet, while a single-fleet F-35 option attracted 13% support nationally. Support for Gripen-only peaked at 49% in British Columbia, while support for a mixed fleet was strongest in Quebec at 35%, and regional backing for an all-F-35 fleet remained lowest in Quebec and British Columbia at 9%. Partisan differences were also evident, with single-fleet F-35 support highest among Conservative voters and Gripen or mixed options leading among Liberal, NDP, and Green supporters, reinforcing that the current review reopens a choice Canada formally settled in 2023 when it selected the F-35 after a competition that assessed capability, cost, and economic benefits. (Source: Google/https://www.armyrecognition.com/)

19 Jan 26. India’s MRTT procurement set to boost IAF long-range airpower. GlobalData estimates that India will invest about $82.6bn in fixed-wing aircraft over the next decade. The HERO-90 loitering munition will participate in the US Army’s LASSO program. Credit: Niyazz/Shutterstock.com. India’s decision to procure six multirole aerial refuelling aircraft (MRTT) is anticipated to significantly improve the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) long-range operational capabilities, according to data and analytics firm GlobalData. The $1.1bn acquisition, to be handled by Israel Aerospace Industries in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will replace the ageing Il-78MKI fleet. Current figures from GlobalData reveal that the Il-78MKI tankers, inducted in 2003, now average over 22 years in service and are no longer able to meet the endurance and interoperability needs of frontline aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30MKI and Tejas platforms. As these platforms reach the end of their effective operational life, the introduction of new tankers is seen as essential for maintaining India’s airpower projection across strategic regions such as the Indo-Pacific. GlobalData Aerospace and Defence Analyst Harpreet Sidhu said: “The selection of a converted Boeing 767-based MRTT reflects a pragmatic and capability-driven approach by India. The Il-78 fleet, now over two decades old, has struggled to meet the endurance, availability, and interoperability demands of modern air operations. Replacing it with a modern alternative will improve mission readiness while reducing long-term sustainment risks.

“While the aircraft itself is of foreign origin, the structured involvement of HAL is strategically important as it allows for integration of indigenous systems and seamless MRO during the operational lifespan of the aircraft fleet.”

GlobalData’s market data projects India will invest about $82.6bn in fixed-wing aircraft over the next decade.

The company expects this acquisition to improve the nation’s air-to-air refuelling capability for undertaking long-range operations outside its borders.

“Aerial refuelling aircraft are force multipliers rather than frontline platforms, but their impact on airpower projection is profound. By modernising this capability, India enhances the effective range, endurance, and deterrence as it allows other frontline aerial platforms to conduct missions over hostile airspaces that are further away from its terrestrial borders,” Sidhu added.

According to a GlobalData report released last year, India’s defence expenditure is forecast to total $543.1bn between 2026 and 2030 as part of the country’s ongoing military modernisation. The report, titled India Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2025-30, indicates that acquisition spending will represent 31% of the projected total. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

January 16, 2026 by

Sponsored by

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

12 Jan 26. Britain aims to arm Ukraine with new shoot-and-scoot ballistic missile system. Standing in front of a blackened block of flats in Kyiv, Defence Secretary John Healey saw first-hand the devastation wrought by Russia’s arsenal of drones and ballistic missiles. With temperatures plunging to -20°C, Moscow has bombarded Ukrainian cities with waves of drones and missiles, targeting key infrastructure and cutting heat and light to thousands of homes. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly asked for more long-range weaponry to hit back. American Tomahawks and German Taurus cruise missiles would help, but there is no sign they are coming. Built in Britain for use in Ukraine What is though, it has emerged, is a new British-built ballistic missile. The new ground-launched, tactical ballistic missile – part of what is being called Project Nightfall – will be one of the most ambitious missile programmes the UK has seen in decades. The MOD issued an initial contract notice for this new system back in early December, setting out what it wants it to be able to do, and when it wants it delivered. It was very specific, and, interestingly, it reflects a lot of the hard lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. The contract notice calls for a “cost-effective, tactical (>500km) ballistic missile system, capable of being safely ground-launched from a mobile platform in a high-threat tactical environment, navigating to and accurately striking a user-programmed fixed target coordinate”. So essentially what the MOD is after is a missile system on the back of a truck, that can drive onto the battlefield, fire at least two missiles – known as “effectors” – 300 miles into Russian lines, and then escape within 15 minutes.

Shoot, then scoot

This so-called shoot-and-scoot way of fighting reflects the way the battlefield in Ukraine has developed over the past four years. Anything that is stationary for any period runs a high chance of being seen and targeted by Russian counter-battery fire, attack drones or loitering munitions like the Lancet. The other core requirement of this new system is the ability to resist electronic warfare (EW). Russian forces are tactically poor in lots of areas, but EW is one of their strengths. The contract notice says the new system must be “resilient in a complex electromagnetic environment (EME), including within a GNSS contested/degraded environment, and resistant against targeted EW attack and spoofing”. Before Ukraine, electronic warfare was a rather exquisite, nice-to-have capability. Four years on, GPS denial and jamming are so common that having the ability to combat electronic attack is now a non-optional, baseline expectation.

Destructive capability

In terms of payload and performance, the MOD says Nightfall’s effector must be able to “carry a high-explosive payload of around 200kg over more than 500km on a ballistic trajectory at supersonic speeds, with some basic manoeuvrability”. Defence planners say Nightfall missiles must be able to strike targets within 10 minutes of launch. That implies that it could well be used to engage time-sensitive targets such as mobile headquarters, air defence systems or logistics nodes. Russia’s most effective and frequently used short-range ballistic missile is the Iskander-M. It routinely uses them to attack both military and civilian targets. Compared to the Iskander’s 480kg payload, Nightfall’s missiles will carry less punch, but like many Western weapons, there is an emphasis on precision over sheer explosive mass. The calculation is clear that accuracy and speed will be able to offset the British missile’s lower payload weight. In fact, the MOD contract notice also specifies how accurate the Nightfall missile must be. It says it should be able to operate in a “GNSS contested/degraded environment” and must be able to hit within 10 metres of a provided target coordinate 50% of the time. The MOD is stipulating that the Nightfall missile system also needs to be upgradeable, so that its range, in-flight manoeuvrability and on-board telemetry can all be improved over time. It also wants production to be scalable to at least 10 systems a month – another indicator that these will be going onto a highly attritional battlefield.

Going to Ukraine, but what about the UK?

So is the British military also going to get its hands on this missile system in the future? For now, ministers are saying this is a short-term project, purely for Ukraine. The real benefit for Britain will be the boost in missile expertise that this project brings. Following the announcement, Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard said Nightfall would “keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about”. In terms of timescale, the Government is planning to award three competing contracts, each worth £9m, by March. Each team will then be expected to design and build three missiles within the next 12 months for test-firing. (Source: forces.net)

16 Jan 26. Red tape to be slashed for British robotics and defence innovators.

Robotics and defence tech announced as the RIO’s 2 new priority areas.

Outdated red tape blocking robotics and defence innovation will be cut under new priorities for the Regulatory Innovation Office
£52m for new hubs to drive robotics adoption in British business – backing farming, healthcare and beyond
Direct portal launched for businesses to report regulatory barriers holding back innovation and growth

Red tape holding back innovations like robots for inspecting wind turbines in stormy seas and autonomous vessels for patrolling British waters is to be curbed as part of a new drive to remove roadblocks to innovation. The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) has unveiled robotics and defence as new priorities that will make Britain safer and more productive. This builds on its mission to seek out and remove outdated rules which hold back the technologies that drive growth, to lift living standards and improve public services as part of our national renewal and the central mission of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The RIO, which launched in October 2024, has already engaged with over 150 businesses and is working to unlock the potential of sectors worth over £100 billion across its initial priority sectors. For example, it worked with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to simplify the approval process for drone flights, helping companies like Apian cut their medical delivery time from 30 minutes by van to 2 minutes by drone. Robotics and defence tech are 2 areas where British companies are world-leaders. Firms like CMR Surgical are already using robots to reduce the need for invasive surgery, transforming patient care. But across these sectors, outdated and complex regulations can hold back innovation and slow the path to market. Many essential jobs also put workers at risk or take place in hard-to-reach locations – from inspecting offshore wind turbines to checking pipes in nuclear facilities. Robots can take on these tasks, keeping people safe while getting the job done faster. Currently, businesses developing robotic technologies must navigate different regulatory frameworks across multiple bodies. A company building autonomous inspection drones, for example, may need separate approvals for aviation, data protection, and sector-specific safety rules – a process that can take months and cost significant resources. The RIO will aim to streamline overlapping requirements to bring products to market safely, but more quickly, to improve lives and grow our economy. Autonomous technologies – such as self-operating sea vessels – can strengthen UK defence capabilities while reducing risks to military personnel. Many of these technologies also have civilian uses, from environmental monitoring to search and rescue.

Minister for Digital Economy, Liz Lloyd said: “British innovators shouldn’t be held back by needless red tape. We have world-leading robotics and defence tech firms, but regulations haven’t kept pace with their innovations. We’re updating the rules so they work for modern technologies, cutting the barriers that stop these firms from growing and competing globally.”

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: “When we said we would make it easier for defence firms to innovate we meant it. By cutting red tape, we’re delivering on the Strategic Defence Review’s ambition to fast-track the military equipment our forces need. We want the UK to be one of the best places in the world to start and grow a defence business – making defence an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK.”

Research suggests that wider adoption of robotics across just 7 sectors could add £150 billion to the UK economy. But many businesses – particularly smaller firms – don’t know where to start with adopting these technologies. Building on commitments in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan as part of the Modern Industrial Strategy, the government is launching a £52 million competition for around 5 new Robotics Adoption Hubs across the country. Many businesses can see the potential of robotics but need support to take the first step – whether that’s a small manufacturer looking to automate part of their production line, a farm wanting to explore new ways to monitor crops, or a hospital considering how robots could free up staff time. Run by universities, businesses, or public sector organisations selected through an Innovate UK competition launching in the coming weeks, these Hubs will give companies of all sizes access to expert advice, live demonstrations, and networking opportunities to help them take the first steps towards adopting robotics, and in turn help grow our economy and improve lives. Each Hub will receive at least £2m per year over 4 years, with additional funding available for ambitious bids. Hubs are expected to be operational from the second half of 2026.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: “From manufacturing to healthcare, robotics can help British businesses work smarter and grow faster. These Hubs will make sure companies of all sizes can access the support they need to embrace automation, wherever they are in the country.”

Businesses in both these sectors will also be able to raise regulatory barriers directly to RIO through a a new portal – helping the Office target the rules causing the most problems and unlock growth in robotics and defence technologies.

The Regulatory Innovation Office has focused on 4 fast-growing areas of technology since it was established: engineering biology, space, artificial intelligence and digital in healthcare, and drones and other autonomous technology.
Innovate UK is launching a competition in the coming weeks to identify organisations to run the Robotics Adoption Hubs.
The Robotics Adoption Hubs was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan in June 2025.
The £150bn GVA figure is based on 2 reports:

– The UK RAS Landscape

– The economic impact of robotics and autonomous systems across UK sectors

Naomi Weir, Technology and Innovation Director, CBI, said: “The CBI welcomes RIO’s new front door for business and announcement of its new priority sectors. Developed in partnership with industry and technology experts, zeroing in on defence technology and robotics – which are strategically important areas for Industrial Strategy sectors – can really accelerate innovation and unlock growth. We look forward to working with RIO to help deliver on this ambition.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

12 Jan 26. BAE Systems is seeking to identify potential new UK-based suppliers within the treatments and testing space and has asked for support with initial market exploration. Due to programme requirements, it would be advantageous for suppliers to offer all of the following capabilities:

Phosphating
Anodising
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
Eddy Current Testing

Make UK Defence members with relevant experience, or those able to deliver a combination of these services, are encouraged to come forward to support this exploration activity.

Deadline: ASAP

If your organisation may be suitable, or you would like to be considered, please fill out this form.: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5rXxzeLwcEeqV9_qMXlCS74NB7JLOKtEogeWrzzQ06ZUQUxZQ1o0OFlXOUFRTzFMRDI4RTk0MzlMSC4u&route=shorturl (Source: MakeUK Defence)

05 Jan 26. UK Space Agency Seeks Satellite Direct-to-Device Solutions for Delayed Emergency Services Network. The UK Space Agency (UKSA), acting on behalf of the Home Office’s Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP), has officially invited industry input to integrate satellite direct-to-device (D2D) technology into the national Emergency Services Network (ESN). The move aims to leverage Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations to eliminate terrestrial coverage gaps that have plagued the project for over a decade. The ESN is intended to replace the aging Airwave TETRA-based radio system with a modern 4G/5G platform provided by EE (BT Group). While terrestrial infrastructure covers most of the population, significant “not-spots” remain in rural and coastal areas. By utilizing D2D technology, the UKSA hopes to provide emergency personnel with seamless connectivity using standard smartphones, bypassing the need for specialized satellite handsets or external antennas. The integration focuses on Mission-Critical Messaging, SMS and location data in remote locations. Further, future-proofing for high-bandwidth video and voice-over-LTE via satellite as constellations mature. Providing a redundant backup to terrestrial cell towers during network outages or natural disasters will be a critical component of the project.

Key Contenders and Partnerships

Several major space players are positioned to support the ESN expansion:

SpaceX (Starlink): Currently the most mature D2C provider. Notably, BT Group (EE’s parent company) signed a broadband agreement with Starlink in 2025, making them a front-runner for any ESN satellite extension.
AST SpaceMobile: Partnered with Vodafone Group, AST expects to provide “intermittent nationwide” LEO service in 2026, with continuous service planned for later in the year as more BlueBird satellites are deployed.
Eutelsat OneWeb: The UK-backed LEO operator is also developing D2D capabilities to complement its existing enterprise and government broadband offerings.

Regulatory and Program Milestones

The timing of the UKSA’s request for information coincides with Ofcom’s new regulatory framework, which came into force in late 2025. This framework allows Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to use their existing terrestrial spectrum for satellite-to-phone links, removing legal barriers for a 2026 commercial launch. However, the ESN project itself remains a “high-risk” endeavor. Originally slated for 2017, the full transition from Airwave is now not expected until December 2029, with total program costs estimated to exceed £11 bn.

Looking Ahead

The Home Office is currently finalizing a £1.11 bn framework for ESN-compliant end-user devices, which is expected to be awarded in summer 2026. These devices will likely be the first to feature the integrated satellite-terrestrial roaming capabilities currently being explored by the UKSA. (Source: Satnews)

EUROPE

15 Jan 26. French President Emmanuel Macron fired a warning shot to the country’s defense industry, saying France’s armed forces could turn to European suppliers if those can deliver equipment faster or more efficiently, as the country seeks to bolster its military. With global threats increasing, France needs to speed up its rearmament, the president told gathered military personnel in a New Year’s speech at Istres Air Base in southern France.

“To remain free, one must be feared. To be feared, one must be powerful,” Macron said. “And to be powerful in such brutal world, one must act faster and strike harder.”

Macron said Europe needs to develop very long-range strike capability in order to deter Russia, whose Oreskhnik intermediate-range missile puts European countries in range of an attack, and called for bolstering France’s military space assets as well as air defenses. France famously sticks to a policy of so-called strategic autonomy, buying most of its military kit from local suppliers such as Thales, Safran and Airbus. That has given the country one of Europe’s largest defense industries, but has also fostered skepticism among some partners that French calls for European strategic autonomy are in part self-serving, something Macron’s remarks may address. France’s Armed Forces Ministry made just over 80% of its supplier payments in 2023 to firms domiciled in France, official data show. Macron said he needs France’s defense industry to be more adaptable, and warned local defense firms not to consider the French armed forces as captive customers, “because we may seek European solutions if they are faster or more efficient.”

“I need defense manufacturers who also take a more clear-eyed view of the competition, and to whom I say, go faster, go stronger, mass produce, produce lighter, respond to demands,” Macron said. “I will always with our armed forces be at your side, but we also must be more European, and so we must be more European in our own purchases.”

The president repeated a goal for France to accelerate plans to reach a defense budget of €64bn ($74bn) in 2030 by three years, to reach that level of spending in 2027 already. Macron said a planned update of France’s military spending law will increase the budget for the 2026-2030 period by €36bn in a bid to speed up the country’s rearmament, including an additional €3.5bn for the defense budget as of 2026. Priorities will be to increase stocks of all types of ammunition, based on the experience from Ukraine and the Red Sea, as well as boost operational preparation of the armed forces. France will invest in early warning, combining space-based warning and a system of ground-based radars, and Macron said the effort will include the French-German Joint Early Warning for a European Lookout project.

“But we are building this early warning system for ourselves,” Macron said. “We are building a partnership with the Germans so that we can also offer it to all Europeans, and this is what will also allow us to further consolidate the space dimension of our military strategy.”

France will speed up the use of low-orbit satellite constellations for connectivity and for intelligence gathering, the president said. The goal is to work with Germany, Italy and others to reduce “dependencies on everything that is non-European.” Another area of investment will be “additional means of action” from the ground or in space to protect French space assets.

The additional budget will also allow to continue work on the European Long-range Strike Approach, with Macron saying the project to develop very long-range fires “takes on its full meaning” with Russia’s second use of the Oreskhnik intermediate-range ballistic missile in Ukraine.

“This message is clear, and for all those who think that Russia is not our concern, it must be received loud and clear: We are within range of these missiles,” Macron said.

“If we want to remain credible in this area as well, we Europeans, and particularly France, which has certain technologies at its disposal, must seize upon these new weapons, which will change the situation in the short term,” Macron said. “With our German and British partners in particular, we must move forward with determination on these deep-strike capabilities, capabilities that enhance our credibility and support our nuclear deterrence.”

Macron also called to accelerate production of the SAMP/T air-defense system, which he called more effective than the American Patriot system, saying increased production and deployment of the French-Italian system, including by other European countries, would strengthen strategic autonomy and reduce dependencies. France will further work on improving the capacity of the armed forces to commit to operations on short notice, including by providing the forces with additional anti-drone and electronic warfare capabilities. Macron said France’s military model must be modernized, particularly regarding drones for all three branches of of the armed forces, with French drone production falling behind that of some other European countries.

“We must move faster on this, because we have seen the capacity for innovation and acceleration on the Ukrainian battlefield, and let’s be clear, we are behind,” Macron said. “We are behind because the Ukrainians have innovated tremendously, because partners and manufacturers from other nations moved faster than we did, and perhaps treated them with less condescension.” (Source: Defense News)

12 Jan 26. Saab to parallelize production of its submarines to meet targets. Saab (SAABb.ST)will parallelize production at multiple manufacturing plants for its new A-26 submarines in order to meet delivery targets for three vessels Poland has decided to buy, the company’s CEO said on Monday. Poland said in November it had chosen Sweden’s Saab (SAABb.ST) to supply it with three submarines, in a multi-billion-dollar deal that forms a key element of Warsaw’s efforts to bolster its defences in the Baltic Sea. Poland said the first submarine would be delivered in 2030, but some analysts see it as a tight time frame. Sweden has also ordered two submarines

Saab CEO Micael Johansson said the company had taken investments to be able to produce sections of the new submarines in more than one location. “We will absolutely parallelize production to increase capacity,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of an annual security conference in Northern Sweden, adding that parts of the submarine would be manufactured at the plant in Landskrona.

Johansson also said maintenance, some upgrades and yearly controls would also be done at a shipyard in Poland. (Source: Reuters)

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

January 9, 2026 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

USA

07 Jan 26. In a record-breaking year for the F-35 Lightning II program, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) delivered 191 F-35s in 2025, surpassing the previous delivery record of 142 jets. Annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production, underscoring the program’s scale and maturity. The milestone comes on the heels of the program reaching one m flight hours earlier in the year. In 2025, the program team also delivered the most advanced software to date with the completion of TR-3, as they sustained the global fleet of almost 1,300 aircraft and growing.

Most importantly, the F-35 continued to prove its performance in real-world combat operations, including:

Playing a key role in suppressing Iran’s air defenses during Operation Midnight Hammer;
Recording nearly 5,000 mishap-free flight hours during a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B deployment;
Eliminating Russian drones over Poland, marking the first time NATO F-35s have engaged threats in allied airspace.

Growing global demand

Customers displayed continued confidence in the F-35 as they expanded their fleet size, with Italy and Denmark increasing their programs of record by adding 25 and 16 aircraft to their fleets, respectively. And across the program, international customers met major program milestones:

Finland celebrated the rollout of its first F-35.
Belgium welcomed its first in-country aircraft.
Norway completed deliveries of its F-35 fleet.

In September, the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed Martin reached final agreement of Lots 18-19 for the production and delivery of up to 296 F-35s for $24 bn, marking the finalization of the largest production contracts in program history. The JPO and Lockheed Martin also agreed to an Air Vehicle Sustainment Contract award this year, which supports annualized sustainment activities across the F-35 enterprise for 2025 and beyond.

“I’m immensely proud of the F-35 enterprise for delivering on our production commitments, performing with excellence and growing our global partnerships in 2025,” said Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program. “As our warfighters continue to employ the F-35 to protect the interests of America and our allies around the world, we’re committed to continuing to push the latest technology into the hands of the warfighter to defeat any threat.”

REST OF THE WORLD

09 Jan 26. Malaysia could fast-track next-generation fighter programme. The RMAF currently operates seven F/A-18D Hornets based at Butterworth in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia. (ADF) The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) may accelerate its Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) acquisition programme, as uncertainty persists over the timeline for acquiring ex-Kuwaiti Hornets intended as a stopgap. Speaking at an event in late December, the RMAF Chief General Muhamad Norazlan Aris said, “If we feel that the aircraft we are looking at are still not enough to fulfil our operational needs, we will push forward our MRCA programme.” Under the Capability Development Plan 2055, the RMAF aims to operate two squadrons of next-generation fighters to replace its existing Sukhoi Su-30MKM and Boeing F/A-18D Hornet fleets between 2030 and 2035. Indications suggest Malaysia is seeking a fifth-generation fighter platform. Potential contenders may include China’s J-35A, South Korea’s KF-21EX and Turkey’s Kaan. It is worth noting that Malaysia’s previous MRCA programme in the 2010s had considered the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen. However, that effort was ultimately shelved due to a lack of funds. Malaysia’s interest in acquiring Kuwait’s Hornets dates back to 2017, when the RMAF placed its MiG-29 fleet into storage, a move that created a fighter capability gap. It is understood that Malaysia sees the Middle Eastern nation’s Hornets as the most economical and fastest option to inject new fighters. It was also keen to acquire all 33 of Kuwait’s aircraft. The RMAF operates eight F/A-18Ds delivered in 1997, and which were upgraded in the past decade. However, one aircraft was lost in 2025 following a bird strike during take-off. Norazlan, who visited Kuwait in November to assess the situation, said Kuwait will only release its F/A-18C/D Hornets 12-18 months after taking delivery of the F/A-18E/Fs it has on order. Unfortunately, Kuwait does not yet know when that will occur. Beyond the uncertain timeline, Norazlan said the USA, the country of origin of the Hornets, has stipulated that even after the aircraft have been transferred to Malaysia, mandatory equipment modifications are required. That will add a further 15 months before they can become operational. Separately, Norazlan said Malaysia will receive six of 18 ordered FA-50M light combat aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries later this year. (Source: AMR)

08 Jan 26. Bangladesh is in discussions with Pakistan about the possible acquisition of the Chengdu/Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 fighter. The potential acquisition was discussed during a visit by Bangladesh’s air chief Hasan Khan to Pakistan, where he met with Pakistani air chief Zaheer Sidhu, according to Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) agency. Pakistan is by far the biggest operator of the JF-17

“The Bangladeshi Air Chief praised [the Pakistan air force’s] combat record and expressed interest in benefiting from its operational expertise, seeking assistance in maintenance support for Bangladesh’s ageing fleet and integration of air defence radar systems to enhance air surveillance,” says the ISPR.

“Detailed discussions were also held on [the] potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft.”

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Cirium, an aviation analytics company, shows that Bangladesh operates 55 fixed-wing aircraft with a combat role. These comprise 35 Chengdu F-7s, six RAC MiG-29s, and 14 Hongdu K-8W trainers that also have a secondary ground attack capability. The average age of the overall fleet is 19.1 years. The average age of the F-7s is 22.4 years, and the MiG-29s 25.8 years. Separately, news agency Reuters cites unnamed sources as saying that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert about $2 bn in Saudi loans to the South Asian nation into JF-17s., Given that Riyadh has traditionally relied on Europe and the USA for combat aircraft, obtaining a jet with substantial Chinese involvement would be a significant departure. Overall, 172 JF-17s are in service globally. The main operator is Pakistan with 155 examples, with small numbers operated by Azerbaijan, Myanmar, and Nigeria. The type is powered by a single Klimov RD-93 engine, although a Chinese engine, the Guizhou WS-13 Taishan, is in development. Block III versions of the JF-17 feature a Chinese active electronically scanned array radar, the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A. NRIET has said that the KLJ-7A can track dozens of targets simultaneously and is resistant to jamming. (Source: News Now/https://www.flightglobal.com/)

09 Jan 26. Indonesia looks to revive KF-21 contract with Block 2 acquisition. Indonesia’s involvement in South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter programme looks set to deepen, with fresh indications that Jakarta may procure 16 Block 2 variants of the aircraft as part of a package to revive a long-stalled contract. This development emerged from a closed-door meeting at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Jakarta on 7 January, which was held following a proposal broached by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae-myung during a private meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in October 2025. According to documents provided to Janes, the 7 January meeting was led by the head of Programme and Evaluation at the MoD’s Defence Logistics Agency, Air Commodore Jon Ginting. Also in attendance at the meeting were representatives from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Indonesia’s state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI). According to the notes of discussion, the meeting centred around expectations that the South Korean government would extend an export credit facility through the Exim Bank of Korea to support Indonesia’s financing of its KF-21 fighter aircraft obligations. A part of the facility will also be used to fund the purchase of 16 Block 2 airframes, with this number of units being the complement for a full squadron under Indonesian Air Force nomenclature. No details were provided regarding the export credit facility that might be extended. Similarly, there have been no details about whether an earlier agreement for Indonesia to procure up to 48 aircraft will be amended to reflect this consideration for 16 Block 2 units. (Source: Janes)

07 Jan 26. Pakistan eyes defence pact with Bangladesh, sale of JF-17 jets. The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held talks on a potential pact covering the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka, Pakistan’s military said, as Islamabad widens its arms supply ambitions and beefs up ties with Bangladesh. The talks in Islamabad come as Pakistan looks to capitalise on the success of its air force in the conflict with arch-foe India in May last year, the worst fighting in nearly three decades between the nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmood Khan had detailed talks on procurement of the JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed with China, the military’s press wing said.

Pakistan has also assured Bangladesh of the “fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem,” it added in Tuesday’s statement.

WARMING RELATIONS

The talks signal improving ties as the South Asian nations have grown closer since massive protests in August 2024 drove then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India, shattering Dhaka’s relationship with New Delhi.

“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defence cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” the military said.

In the wake of Hasina’s ouster, Islamabad and Dhaka have resumed direct trade for the first time since the 1971 war that brought independence for Bangladesh, while their military officials have held several meetings.

Under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh is set for general elections on February 12 that could lead to a significant government role for a once-banned Bangladeshi Islamist party with links to Pakistan.

EXPANDING WEAPONS SALES

The JF-17s have become the cornerstone of the Pakistani military’s weapons development program, figuring in a deal with Azerbaijan and a $4-bn weapons pact with the Libyan National Army.

On Tuesday, Pakistan’s defence minister said the success of its weapons industry could transform the country’s economic outlook.

“Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months,” Khawaja Asif told broadcaster Geo News. (Source: Reuters)

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

January 2, 2026 by

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REST OF THE WORLD

31 Dec 25. Indian MoD procures carbines, torpedoes in USD519m deal. India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth INR46.66bn (USD519m) on 30 December to procure close quarter battle (CQB) carbines and heavyweight torpedoes (HWTs) for the Indian Armed Forces. The MoD said it signed a contract worth INR2.77 bn with Indian firm Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) and PLR Systems, a joint venture between Indian company Adani Group and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), to deliver at least 425,000 carbines to the Indian Army and the Navy. An IWI spokesperson told Janes that the company will deliver 170,000 carbines to the Indian Armed Forces over a span of five to six years. The carbines will be produced domestically and will be based on the IWI’s Galil Ace carbine. The Galil Ace is a selective-fire, air-cooled, magazine box-fed, gas-operated weapon of a conventional design. It is configured for either automatic or semi-automatic fire via the use of a fire-selector lever. In June 2025, the MoD also selected the locally developed 5.56×45 mm carbine produced by BFL as the lowest bidder in a requirement for the Indian Army. The carbine is designed and developed by the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), an agency under the state-owned Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The carbine weighs 3.25 kg, which makes it “one of the lightest carbines in the market”, according to BFL. The weapon – based on Thales’ F90 assault rifle – is a gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed carbine of a bullpup design. It features single and automatic fire modes and is fitted with a 40 mm grenade launcher attachment. (Source: Janes)

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

December 28, 2025 by

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

16 Dec 25. UK MOD announces new USD190m spend on drones and C-UAS systems. UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) – launched earlier this year – will inject over UKP142m (USD 190m) rapid investment into drones and anti-drone weapons this year, its first year in operation. This includes around UKP30m investment this year into counter-drone technology to protect the UK homeland and allies, in the face of increasing Russian-linked drone incursions across Europe, said a UK Ministry of Defence press release. UKDI was launched by Defence Secretary John Healey MP in July this year to be the focal point for innovation within the Ministry of Defence, backed by a ringfenced annual budget of at least UKO400 m. It takes a new approach, using different ways of contracting, to enable UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly.

“While many of the companies involved remain anonymous, the drones investment this year includes 20 British SMEs, 11 British ‘Micro-SMEs’, and 2 British Academic institutions,” said the MoD. “The rapid investment delivers on the Strategic Defence Review which set out how the UK must take the lessons from the war in Ukraine – such as rapidly advancing drones and unmanned systems – to put the UK’s Armed Forces at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.”

Around UKP 20 m to support development of additional laser weapons to complement the UK’s ‘DragonFire’ system, according to defence secretary John Healey. “This follows the signing of a UKP300m contract to install the first DragonFire anti-drone systems onto Type 45 destroyers from 2027, five years earlier than previously planned, creating and sustaining almost 600 jobs across the country.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

USA

18 Dec 25. GAO: US should track partner feedback on their use of America’s legacy equipment. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that the US Department of Defense (DoD), restyled the War Department, track information regarding the status and efficacy of its legacy excess defence articles (EDA) transferred to foreign nations. While the Department does conduct “end-use monitoring” of the systems sold or donated to foreign nations on a quarterly basis, ensuring the recipient complies with the conditions of the transfer agreement, the government does not systematically collect key information related to the continued performance of this equipment.

“Such information would allow DoD to make better-informed recommendations on future EDA transfers,” the GAO report contends.

This assertion is valid at a time of geopolitical confrontation with China and other adversaries. Spread thinly, with a large portion of the Navy situated aimlessly off the shores of Venezuela, a limited albeit declining presence in Europe and the Middle East, and a large-scale pivot to the Indo-Pacific, the US must ensure its allies can operate efficiently.

Military success in this context, the GAO said, is “based in part on foreign partner abilities to support [these legacy] items”.

To this end, the watchdog recommends that the Department, firstly, improve information recorded on EDA in its database and, secondly, develop and implement a process to manage each programme’s performance.

Case study: Abrams

However a platform’s effectiveness is not limited to its performance but includes logistics, sustainment and an alignment in doctrine. When these elements are neglected, even advanced American assets can disappoint the foreign end user in particular circumstances. Ukrainian troops have raised issues concerning protection when it comes to the M1 Abrams main battle tank (MBTs). Yet Ukraine’s military are fighting in a wildly different environment saturated with one-way attack drones. In Ukraine, these MBTs, designed for combined arms manoeuvre, lack sufficient artillery and air support to operate as effectively as the platform did in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the full potential of the tank was unrestricted. Since the US first donated the M1 Abrams to Ukraine in September 2023, America have had to invest even more in localising support services for the large and complicated albeit powerful platform. Last year, the US announced plans to build an “Abrams competence centre” to primarily support the the Polish and US forward presence units in Poznan but also sustain Ukrainian fleets and others in region interested in the platform (like Romania). (Source: army-technology.com)

REST OF THE WORLD

17 Dec 25. Pakistani F-16s receive US upgrade approval. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is set to upgrade and refurbish its Block 52 and Midlife Upgrade (MLU) F-16 fleet, following US approval for the supply of equipment worth up to US$686m. These upgrades will allow the PAF to address critical flight safety concerns related to its F-16 fleet, and to also extend the life of the upgraded aircraft through till 2040. The PAF is estimated to have an operational fleet of more than 70 F-16s, across different variants. According to a US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification of the sale, the deal will include up to 92 Link 16 systems and six Mk-82 inert 500lb general-purpose bomb bodies. Link 16 incorporates high-capacity, jam-resistant, digital communication links that provide near real-time tactical information (including both data and voice) among air, ground and sea elements. The Mk-82 bomb bodies, meanwhile, will be used for integration testing. In its notification to Congress, the DSCA stated that, if a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop a system with similar or advanced capabilities, or develop countermeasures. However, the DSCA stated that a determination had been made that Pakistan can provide a comparable level of protection as the US government for the sensitive technology that is being released. Other items to be included in the upgrade are aircraft hardware and software modifications to support F-16 operational flight programme and mandated avionics updates; AN/APX-126 (or equivalent) advanced identification friend or foe; KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic appliques; AN/APQ-10C simple key loaders; and additional secure communications. A full mission simulator will also be delivered to Pakistan. The PAF’s F-16s were originally delivered in the early 1980s under the Peace Gate deal, which saw 40 aircraft acquired. Pakistan’s fleet today comprises approximately 40 F-16A/B Block 15 MLU aircraft and an estimated 36 F-16C/D Block 50/52 aircraft. The former were used in combat operations against India in 2019, while the latter are thought to have been deployed during recent cross-border strikes against India in May. (Source: AMR)

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

December 18, 2025 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

16 Dec 25. Emerging disruptive technologies NATO competition. We are looking for young people’s thoughts and ideas on the opportunities and risks of emerging and disruptive technologies. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is leading a NATO research project called ‘Youth Perspective on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies’ (reference SAS-AVT-SET-HFM-205). The goal is to gather ideas from young people across NATO countries about how emerging and disruptive technologies might affect the future.

What the competition is asking for

To gather these future ideas, we want you to write an original think piece, which answers the question: ‘What do you think are the opportunities and risks of emerging and disruptive technologies?’

Eligibility

The competition is open to citizens of NATO member countries, as well as Australia, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Ukraine. You must also be aged between 18 and 34.

Background information on emerging and disruptive technologies

Emerging and disruptive technologies are just starting to develop and could have a big impact in the future. They might change markets and industries so much that current practices, tools, or even companies become outdated. Key characteristics of emerging and disruptive technologies include:

rapid development
societal impact
transformation of existing paradigms

Historical example of emerging and disruptive technologies: The Ford Model T

The first affordable car made motoring publicly accessible. This new innovation transformed the transportation market, but became disruptive, making horse-drawn vehicles old-fashioned, and drove significant societal change on a large scale.

How to present your think piece

You can choose to write about opportunities or risks, or both. There is no right or wrong format for your think piece, but we suggest any of the following:

essays
news articles
advocacy briefs
bullet point lists
brainstorms

Suggested themes to think about

You could include any of the following themes:

legal, ethical, technical, moral or policy implications of these technologies
societal reactions to advancements in technology or changes in policy
potential benefits for society
potential harm for society
implications on industry
potential misuse of these technologies
impact on individual privacy
strategic advantage and competition arising from these technologies
prosperity and economic strength arising from these technologies

Word count

There is a 1000 word limit (10% allowance, not including references or abstract). We also recommend including a short abstract to explain your think piece.

Marking criteria

You are not allowed to use AI. If it is detected, your entry will be dismissed.

Think pieces will be marked based on the following factors:

how original your ideas are
whether you include real-world examples or case studies (including your own experiences)
how credible and relevant your ideas are
how convincing your arguments are
the level of academic quality and accuracy

How to enter

Email your think pieces to: by Friday 6 February 2026. We will annouce the winners in May 2026.

If your submission makes the top 10, you will need to submit a picture of your ID.

Next steps

Writers of the 3 best think pieces will be invited to present their entry at a future NATO event. The overall winner will be determined by a panel at this event. Writers of the top 10 think pieces will receive certificates of commendation that can be included as part of a curriculum vitae. The top 10 think pieces may be published in the NATO Journal for Science and Technology: https://review.sto.nato.int/ (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

15 Dec 25. UK Space Agency goes global with 23 new projects. A new batch of 23 projects will strengthen international space partnerships, develop national capabilities and boost economic growth, the UK Space Agency announced today. This is the second round of projects from the successful International Bilateral Fund (IBF), representing a £6.5m boost for UK companies and universities collaborating internationally on space innovation with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania, and the USA. From autonomous 3D printing and lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection, biotech manufacturing, medical research and deep space radar, these collaborations span life sciences, communications, in-orbit servicing, Earth observation and advanced materials. They showcase the breadth of expertise across the UK’s vibrant space sector, which employs more than 55,000 people and generates £18.6bn in annual revenue.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “This £6.5m boost shows Britain leading the way in space innovation. From improving mobile coverage to monitoring Earth’s forests, these 23 projects will create jobs, strengthen partnerships with our allies, and keep the UK at the cutting edge of space technology. It’s an exciting time for our space sector and great news for British businesses reaching for the stars. The space funding boost, announced during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, demonstrates the UK’s commitment to international partnerships and a wide range of areas where the space sector can contribute to economic growth. As set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is increasing bilateral research & development funding with international allies. The IBF is a critical mechanism for this, providing targeted support for UK-led international collaborations and building capabilities and partnerships across the global space sector.”

Today’s announcement follows the agreement between NASA and the UK Space Agency to develop AI models to support future exploration missions, under the Transatlantic Tech Prosperity Deal, as well as the successful launch of the NASA IMAP mission on 23 September, for which UK scientists contributed a key instrument.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “These new projects span the full spectrum of UK space expertise, from telecommunications, propulsion and environmental monitoring to cutting-edge technologies that could change how we develop treatments for deadly diseases using microgravity. By combining home-grown talent with global expertise, we want to strengthen our capabilities, support growth, and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UK Space Agency, ahead of its integration into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) from 1 April 2026. The merger will create a single civil space unit, streamlining strategy, policy, and delivery, building on recent achievements and ensuring the government supports the UK space sector effectively.2

UKspace Executive Director, Colin Baldwin, said: “The UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund is going from strength to strength, providing a stimulus for the UK’s space sector to forge new partnerships with organisations around the globe, covering such a broad range of space interests. We are pleased to see so many of UKspace’s members and partners involved in the selected projects, enabling them to bring their world-class expertise to these exciting collaborations.”

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said: Advancements in space technology make our world smaller, our society more innovative and our lives more prosperous. We are delighted to see the IBF enabling international partnerships to that end. ADS has worked extensively to champion the UK’s thriving space sector in key strategic markets such as Japan and Lithuania. We look forward to working in close collaboration with government to build on this important work further.”

Call 2 Projects to date

Preparing to launch an Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator, University of Leicester x NASA Glenn Research Centre x Perpetual Atomics x Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory – £499,000

Advancement of Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator (Am-RSG) technology towards a near-term flight opportunity, and accelerating commercial, civil and defence applications of the Am-RSG to provide further opportunities and increase the customer base for the technology. This project will establish a strategic UK sovereign capability and help build international partnerships for export and trade.

UK-India-5G-from-orbit, AccelerComm Ltd x Radisys India Ltd (India) – £498,000

The next generation of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) is dependent on 5G base stations operating on board satellites. Making this happen in the extreme environment of an orbiting satellite requires technology developed by AccelerComm and Radisys. This project will integrate the latest versions of AccelerComm’s technology into Radisys’s lab in India, providing a valuable resource for joint research and demonstrations to customers and partners around the world.

AquaWatch AUK: Satellite Mission Development for Water Monitoring Innovation, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) x Pixalytics Ltd x Assimila Ltd x University of Stirling x RAL Space x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Deloitte (Australia) – £479,000

Building on the successes of earlier AquaWatch-AUK projects, this initiative strengthens the UK-Australia Space Bridge, enabling satellite development to address global water quality challenges through innovative Earth Observation technologies. By integrating satellite and in-situ measurements, it creates a scalable monitoring system that improves data access, supports better decision-making, and benefits industries like tourism and agriculture.

Long Baseline Multistatic Radar for Deep Space Domain Awareness, University of Birmingham x Goonhilly Earth Station x University of Manchester x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Lincoln Laboratory (USA) – £452,000

This project proposes Long Baseline Multistatic Radar (LBMR), linking powerful transmitters (e.g., Millstone Hill, Kwajalein) with sensitive receivers in the UK and Australia. The system will enable real-time detection and tracking of smaller, distant GEO objects. The project will deliver a live demonstration, a significant step towards validating LBMR as a scalable, low-cost solution for operational Space Domain Awareness.

SLOSH-CAT: Slosh Control Algorithm Testing, Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd x Space Machines x University of Sydney (Australia) – £447,000

SLOSH-Cat explores how liquid fuel moves inside spacecraft and how that movement affects their ability to stay stable and point accurately in space. Using advanced sensors and motion tracking, the team studies how shifting fuel can cause small disturbances. These insights help improve the software that controls spacecraft, making them safer and more precise as Space Machines prepares for its MAITRI mission launch next year.

ARGUS: Autonomous Rendezvous for GEO Utility & Surveillance, Lunasa Ltd x Space Machines Company PTY Ltd (Australia) – £392,000

This project will develop a key technology for an upcoming ISAM mission, integrating Lúnasa’s autonomous StarLogic RPO kit into Space Machines’ commercial GEO inspection satellite, GEO-Viper. The system will be upgraded for the GEO environment, advancing from TRL-5 to TRL-7 to deliver a flight-ready rendezvous, proximity, and operations solution.

RANGER: Relative Autonomous Navigation for GNSS-Enabled Rendezvous, Lunasa Ltd x Infinite Orbits (France) – £367,000

This project aims to advance Lúnasa’s high-precision R-GNSS relative navigation technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through integration with Infinite Orbits’ servicing satellite, in preparation for a forthcoming commercial in-orbit servicing mission. The project will encompass hardware-software integration, simulation and performance analysis, as well as testing and qualification for space readiness.

PROJECT BRIDGE, Frontier Space Technologies Ltd x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) x Undisclosed US Pharma (USA) – £366,000

This project will design a Cargo Handling System for next-generation space infrastructure, enabling safe, repeatable life sciences research in orbit. By combining UK engineering with real-world pharma input, BRIDGE supports the future of space-based drug development and biomanufacturing, positioning the UK as a leader in microgravity-enabled health innovation and shaping how biological science is done in space after the ISS.

Project MITHRIL: Avionics Integration and Control Demo on the Impulse Mira Platform, Lodestar Space Ltd. x University College London x Impulse Space (USA) – £363,000

This project integrates Lodestar’s MITHRIL onto the Impulse Mira spacecraft and develops formation flying techniques to enable responsive Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for UK and US dual-use needs. It culminates in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop validation campaign, de-risking the future orbital launch while strengthening joint US and UK on-orbit response capacity. This project is being catalysed through private investment.

UK detector technology for NASA high-resolution imaging of the Moon and Mars, Open University x BAE Space Mission Systems x University of Arizona (USA) – £362,000

This project will design a TDI rolling scene simulator and conduct radiation testing of the CIS125 detector at Moon/Mars mission representative doses to advance the UK-developed CIS125 ‘CCD in CMOS’ detector for future high-resolution imaging missions to the Moon, Mars, and Earth. This international collaboration builds on strong US-UK partnerships and aims to lay the foundation for HiRISE2, a next-generation imaging instrument delivering a world-leading resolution for planetary science, commercial, and defence applications.

In-Orbit Distributed Additive Manufacturing with Manufacturability Intelligence (IN-DAMMI), Autonomous Manufacturing Ltd x Photocentric, APWorks GMBH (Germany) – £330,000

A UK-Germany collaboration that will connect space-ready 3D printers to Earth-based control software, allowing engineers to remotely manufacture parts in orbit. It will also use AI to identify which spacecraft components are suitable for in-space production. By reducing reliance on Earth-based supply chains, this innovation will lower launch costs, increase mission flexibility, and strengthen the UK’s position in space manufacturing.

Cosmic Maker II: International Demonstration of Autonomous Multi-Material 3D Printing in Microgravity, Photocentric Ltd x Voyager Space Nanoracks (USA/Italy) x Novespace (Germany) – £299,000

Cosmic Maker II will demonstrate autonomous 3D printing in space-like conditions using advanced ceramic and polymer materials. Building on the success of the ESA- and BSGN-supported Cosmic Maker I, this next phase will validate the system during real microgravity through a parabolic flight campaign. The 3D printing platform designed to enable in-orbit manufacturing of tools, components, and research parts for the International Space Station and future platforms like Starlab.

Edit 15 December 2025: Voyager Technologies Europe is not participating in the delivery of this project.

BioPTSS: Biofeedback Integrated Personalised Tourniquet System For Spaceflight, Northumbria University x Western Clinical Engineering Group x Delfi Medical Innovations Inc. x Canadian Space Agency x European Space Agency x NASA (Canada, Germany, USA) – £287,000

This project aims to improve astronaut health on missions beyond low Earth orbit by developing and optimising blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) with the associated Personalised Tourniquet System for Spaceflight (PTSS). Building on the recent SpaceX launch evaluating BFRE in orbit, it will integrate biofeedback technology into space-qualified PTSS hardware for real-time monitoring and optimisation of the exercise stimulus.

ISAM Biotech Pilot Project: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Solutions in a New Commercial Space Incubator, Kayser Space Limited x Kings College London x COMAT (France) – £252,000

This project will develop a commercial platform to support biotech research and in-orbit manufacturing in microgravity, demonstrating vascularised tissue growth in a relevant environment. It will also mature the business case for future Low Earth Orbit customers, creating a scalable asset for drug development, organoids, and tissue engineering beyond the ISS.

Beam-Steering Conformal Antenna Array Integrated with Flexible LoRa Electronics for Lightweight Satellite Communication, University of Leeds x University of New South Wales (UNSW) (Australia) – £150,000

This project will create a lightweight, curved satellite communication system by integrating a printed beam-steering antenna with a flexible long-range wireless circuit on a carbon fibre structure. The prototype will demonstrate low power use, reduced weight, and improved reliability for next-generation nano/pico-satellites and mobile platforms, paving the way for more agile and cost-effective space missions.

ETV Phase 1 – Preliminary Design Review of the Economical Transfer Vehicle, Meridian Space Command x Alpha Impulsion (France) – £150,000

This project will advance the development of the Economical Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the world’s first “self-eating” spacecraft. he ETV is a next-generation logistics and payload-hosting spacecraft powered by an autophage engine that actively consumes its own structural tank during flight. Designed for high delta-V missions, it will transport payloads across Earth orbits and beyond, supporting future in-orbit servicing, infrastructure, and deep space logistics.

QUIVER – Derisking High-Rate Intersatellite Links for Realtime Collaborative Constellations, Open Cosmos Ltd x Panasonic Operational Excellence Co. (Japan) – £147,000

This project will explore higher-frequency, high-bandwidth radio links to enable satellites to work together for faster, more comprehensive monitoring and data collection. It will combine the advantages of radio and optical links while avoiding some of their limitations. A key focus will be designing a suitable antenna and developing tools to analyse and optimise constellation operations.

Project Oracle of Nyx: Onboard Threat Characterisation for Dual-Use Applications for Nyx, Lodestar Space Ltd. x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) – £135,000

Project Oracle of Nyx will pioneer new approaches to Space Domain Awareness (SDA) through the development of a dual-use sensor suite to detect and characterise orbital threats. Lodestar’s sensor suite will be designed to interface with TEC’s Nyx spacecraft, laying the groundwork for future missions to the ISS.

Flora Fidelity: Advancing Hyperspectral Forestry Monitoring Through UK-Canada Space Collaboration, Gentian (UK) x Bullfinch Earth (Canada) – £127,000

A UK–Canadian collaboration applying Earth Observation, wearable sensors and AI technologies to solve long-standing challenges in forest monitoring: the lack of efficient forest surveys combining below-crown and above-crown forest data and the difficulty in obtaining accurate, low-cost, precisely-located ecological data for training satellite-based models.

IGNITE – Innovative GaN-based Wireless Transmission for Space Energy, Bumblebee x MDA Space (Canada) – £127,000

This project will create a proof-of-concept high-frequency Inductive Wireless Power Transfer (IWPT) system that replaces failure-prone mechanical connectors on lunar rovers, robotic arms and payload interfaces. The system has the potential to significantly extend the service life of this equipment which will increase scientific knowledge and reduce mission costs.

Physical Emulator Interface for Scalable Microgravity-R&D Modules for Quantum and Advanced Materials, Elethron x Atmos Space Cargo GmbH (Germany) – £127,000

Elethron is developing an integrated solution comprising powerful computational engines and autonomous, space-based advanced materials fabrication laboratories designed to integrate with the emerging free-flyer supply chain.

Astro-SANITAS (Stable Anti-Necrotic for In-space Tissue Augmentation and Survival): Halting Aging and Safeguarding Life in Space, LinkGevity x Delta Biosciences (Lithuania) – £120,000

A groundbreaking pharmaceutical that blocks tissue degeneration and halts aging -poised to redefine human resilience under extreme stress. Astro-SANITAS is advancing a world-first technology to protect astronaut cells from death, enable in-orbit tissue manufacturing, and unlock transformative health applications on Earth.

RootSpace: A UK–Canada Innovation Incubator for Space Biosystems and Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Take Root Bio Limited x University of Guelph (Canada) – £99,000

A UK–Canada collaboration exploring how space farming technologies could support future human missions and sustainable food systems on Earth. The project will deliver a prototype digital twin of a Martian biosphere, expand a Lunar Crop Catalogue of resilient plants, and design an incubator to accelerate startups, linking space science with climate-resilient agriculture. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

15 Dec 25. Rapid £140m boost for drone and counter-drone tech from newly-formed UK Defence Innovation.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will invest over £140m in drone and counter-drone technology in its first year of operation

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) invests over £140m in its first year into new drone systems
Rapid innovation investment supports British SMEs, Micro-SMEs and universities
Advanced drone and counter-drone systems for UK Armed Forces and to counter Russian drone threat

Britain’s Armed Forces will be better equipped and small British defence businesses will grow rapidly as the Government boosts investment into innovative drone systems this year. UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) – launched earlier this year – will inject over £142m rapid investment into drones and anti-drone weapons this year, its first year in operation. This includes around £30m investment this year into counter-drone technology to protect the UK homeland and allies, in the face of increasing Russian-linked drone incursions across Europe. UKDI was launched by Defence Secretary John Healey MP in July this year to be the focal point for innovation within the Ministry of Defence, backed by a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 m. It takes a new approach, using different ways of contracting, to enable UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly. While many of the companies involved remain anonymous, the drones investment this year includes 20 British SMEs, 11 British ‘Micro-SMEs’, and 2 British Academic institutions.

The rapid investment delivers on the Strategic Defence Review which set out how the UK must take the lessons from the war in Ukraine – such as rapidly advancing drones and unmanned systems – to put the UK’s Armed Forces at the leading edge of innovation in NATO.

John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, said: “After years of hollowing out and underfunding, I am determined to put Britain’s Armed Forces, and British businesses, at the leading edge of defence innovation. The Strategic Defence Review was clear that we must learn the lessons of the war in Ukraine, which is why we’re surging investment into drone and counter drone systems. Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukrainian civilians and their grey-zone drone incursions across Europe show why this drone drive is so urgent. In a new era of threat, this rapid investment will make the UK secure at home and strong abroad, while making defence an engine for growth, ensuring the UK is the best place in the world to start and grow a defence business.”

Specific examples of this year’s investment includes:

Investment of over £25m delivering a new Royal Navy uncrewed AI submarine ‘Excalibur’, which will play a key role defending against Putin’s fleet as part of the transformative Atlantic Bastion programme to establish a new hybrid Navy. Excalibur was recently unveiled in Portsmouth alongside other capabilities forming part of the Atlantic Bastion programme.
£20m to support development of additional laser weapons to complement the UK’s ‘DragonFire’ system. This follows the signing of a £300m contract to install the first DragonFire anti-drone systems onto Type 45 destroyers from 2027, five years earlier than previously planned, creating and sustaining almost 600 jobs across the country.
£7.5m for a new uncrewed helicopter, part of the Royal Navy’s move towards future ‘hybrid air wing’ aircraft carriers, with flight trials already underway. The project will deliver one of the world’s first full-sized autonomous helicopters.
£12m to support development of an air-launched collaborative Uncrewed Air Vehicle (UAV), increasing the UK’s effectiveness against air-to-air threats.
£5m seedcorn investment into prototypes for Land Autonomous Collaborative Platforms – such as autonomous drones to support British Army Apache helicopters.

The rapid investment into emerging British uncrewed systems businesses comes alongside further commitments to industry through the Defence Industrial Strategy that the UK aims to be the best place in the world to launch and grow a defence business.

For example, Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer, Ukrspecsystems, recently announced £200 m investment to create a new drone factory and training site in East Anglia, creating up to 500 jobs and apprenticeships. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

EUROPE

12 Dec 25. Swiss to reduce F-35 fighter jet order from US as costs rise.

Summary
Switzerland to limit purchases of F-35 jets to original budget
Door left open to reaching original target of 36 jets later on
Further increase in Swiss fighter jet numbers possible

Switzerland said on Friday it would reduce the number of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets it is buying from the United States so it can stick to the original budget plan after the cost of the order rose. Bern chose the F-35A as its next-generation fighter plane in 2021 for what it considered a fixed price of 6bn Swiss francs ($7.54bn) for 36 jets. The United States later said that sum was a misunderstanding. Following a cabinet meeting, the government said it had instructed the defence ministry to procure the highest possible number of F-35As within the 6 bn franc budget for new jets that was narrowly approved by the public in a 2020 referendum.

“Due to foreseeable cost overruns, maintaining the originally planned number of 36 F-35As is not financially feasible,” the government said in a statement.

Still, the government said that pending examination of whether further steps are needed to boost Switzerland’s defence capabilities, the cabinet could make a decision that would potentially enable it to reach the original target of 36. The Swiss government this summer restated its commitment to buying the jets even after the United States put 39% tariffs on Swiss goods exports. Following a deal last month, the Swiss said on Wednesday those tariffs had now been reduced to 15%. The government also said that given changes in the security situation, the defence ministry will take steps to modernize Switzerland’s air defences under planning that envisaged the country requiring 55 to 70 modern fighter jets. That potential increase in the number of aircraft on top of the F-35A purchase would be reviewed independently of the aircraft type, the government said. (Source: Reuters)

USA

17 Dec 25. US Air Force to buy two more 747-8s for presidential fleet support. The U.S. Air Force said on Tuesday it was acquiring two Boeing 747-8 jumbo jets for $400 m to establish a training and sustainment program for its future presidential airlift fleet. The purchase is part of the service’s efforts to accelerate the presidential airlift program as it prepares to transition to the newer and larger 747-8 model from the aging 747-200, the Air Force said in a statement. The first aircraft is expected to arrive in early 2026, with the second delivery scheduled before year-end. The Air Force said the acquisition was necessary because the 747-8i was no longer in active production by Boeing and it differed significantly from the 747-200 aircraft currently used in the presidential fleet. The two planes will be used for crew training and as a source of spare parts, officials said. Several published reports suggested the Air Force was buying the planes from Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) one of the few passenger airlines to have bought the 747-8 model, which was more popular with cargo carriers before Boeing ended production in early 2023. A spokesperson for the German airline declined to comment. The purchase is separate from two 747-8i aircraft that Boeing is currently modifying under the VC-25B program, which will serve as the next generation of Air Force One. The first of those heavily modified aircraft is expected to be delivered in mid-2028, the Air Force said. An Air Force official, speaking on background, said the two training aircraft were also distinct from a 747-8i aircraft gifted to the United States by Qatar. The Air Force One program has faced delays and cost overruns since Boeing agreed to a $3.9bn fixed-price contract in 2018 to deliver two modified 747-8s to replace the current fleet. The Air Force said on Friday the delivery of the first of the two new Air Force One jets from Boeing had been delayed by another year to mid-2028. (Source: Reuters)

12 Dec 25. US president’s new Air Force One jet from Boeing delayed again

Summary
Trump wants new jets before term ends in January 2029
Air Force tasked with upgrading Qatar’s gifted 747 for presidential use
Air Force One program four years behind schedule with 2028 delivery

The U.S. Air Force said on Friday the delivery of the first of two new Air Force One jets from Boeing (BA.N)has been delayed by another year to mid-2028, the latest in a series of delays. The latest delay risks further upsetting President Donald Trump who said he wants to fly in the new planes before the end of his term in January 2029. The cost for Boeing’s current effort to build the two new jets is over $5 bn. The current Air Force One airplanes entered service in 1990. The Air Force One program, which involves converting two 747-8 aircraft into specialized jets equipped with advanced communications and defense systems to serve as the next generation of U.S. presidential air transport, would be four years behind schedule with a 2028 delivery. Boeing said in a statement it is making progress on the program. “Our focus is on delivering two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country.” Boeing in 2018 received a $3.9bn contract to build the two planes for use as Air Force One, though costs have since risen. Boeing has posted $2.4 bn in charges against earnings from the project. In May, the United States accepted a luxury Boeing 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar. The White House asked the Air Force to rapidly upgrade the gift for use as Air Force One. The government tapped defense contractor L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N) to overhaul the 747 from Qatar. Trump expressed his displeasure with Boeing over the delays earlier this year but ruled out European rival Airbus (AIR.PA) as an alternative. Around the same time, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to Trump, was “helping us a lot” in navigating delivery of the presidential jet. In June, Boeing hired a former Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) executive, Steve Sullivan, to lead the Air Force One program, according to two people briefed on the matter. Sullivan, who previously worked on key Northrop programs including the B-21 bomber, replaced Gregg Coffey, who moved to another role at the U.S. planemaker. (Source: Reuters)

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

December 12, 2025 by

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

11 Dec 25. The UK Accelerator welcomes eight companies into the 2026 NATO DIANA Programme. A new cohort of innovative companies specialising in Contested Electromagnetic Environments is joining the UK Accelerator 2026 NATO DIANA Programme. Janus Allies consortium (Janus), in partnership with the Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA), welcomes a new cohort of innovative companies into the 2026 NATO DIANA Programme. This year NATO DIANA received a record-breaking 3,680 submissions across all NATO member states for this year’s call. The 2026 NATO DIANA cohort has emerged from a highly selective process, placing them in roughly the top 4% of applicants and among the most competitive dual-use innovators in the Alliance.

The eight companies joining the Janus UK Accelerator Programme are:

LSMedical from Estonia
Slipstream Design from the United Kingdom
FOSSA Systems from Spain
Tern AI Inc. from the United States of America
Testnor AS from Norway
Oledcomm from France
SDQ Solutions Canada from Canada
CX2 Inc. from the United States of America

Tanya Suarez, Founder and CEO of IoT Tribe, lead of Janus consortium welcomes the new Janus cohort: “As we enter our second year delivering the NATO DIANA programme with UKDI-DASA, we’re building on the momentum to strengthen the UK’s role in NATO priorities in line with the Strategic Defence Review. More contact with the end-user and better interoperability for adoption at pace. We are welcoming a new cohort with technologies that address the contested electromagnetic environments that can deny, degrade and disrupt operations. They are absolutely critical to maintaining operational advantage for the UK and NATO allies. These innovators shape capabilities that matter, and our goal remains clear: ensure the UK leads in defence innovation, while reinforcing allied technological sovereignty.”

Anita Friend, Head of UKDI-DASA said: “We are delighted to welcome another cohort of innovators to the UK Accelerator, and are excited to see how their innovative technologies could help shape the future of defence. The UKDI-DASA partnership with NATO DIANA and the delivery of the UK Accelerator programme, is key to unlocking the potential of dual-use technologies to solve critical defence challenges and create solutions that strengthen security across the Alliance and we look forward to supporting these innovators in their innovation journey. Over the next six months, the innovators will work closely with the Janus Allies team and partners to support the scaling of their solutions and accelerate adoption across the Alliance. The Janus programme offers a mix of in-person and virtual training: workshops, lectures, mentorship, and guidance aimed to support their dual-use strategies.”

By working with experts from defence innovation ecosystems in the UK and the wider NATO alliance, the 2026 cohort will be prepared for defence procurement while broadening their commercial opportunities. The strongest dual-use ventures learn to align mission and margin, and the London site is set up to help them do exactly that.

More about the NATO DIANA 2026 Innovators:

All the companies selected to start in January 2026, will receive contractual funding and gain access to DIANA’s expanding network of 16 accelerator sites and more than 200 test centres across the 32 NATO nations. They will be working on solutions across 10 areas drawn from key priorities identified by Allies.

They are:

Energy and Power
Advanced Communication Technologies
Contested Electromagnetic Environments
Human Resilience and Biotechnologies
Critical Infrastructure and Logistics
Operations in Extreme Environments
Maritime Operations
Resilient Space Operations
Autonomy and Unmanned Systems
Data Assisted Decision Making

Information about the companies can be found at 2026 Cohort of Companies. For further information, please contact .

About NATO DIANA

NATO DIANA finds and accelerates cutting-edge technologies to deliver battle-winning defence and security solutions for the Alliance, while fostering deep-tech innovation. As a cornerstone of NATO’s innovation and technology strategy, DIANA brings together world-class talent and the latest advancements to maintain the Alliance’s technological edge. Leveraging a network of leading accelerator sites, test centres, expert mentors, and Allied expertise across 32 nations, DIANA empowers innovators working at the intersection of defence readiness, commercial potential, and technological breakthroughs.

About Janus

Named after the Roman god of duality to reflect its approach to support dual-use applications, the Janus consortium is a four-partner, delivery-ready consortium with skills and expertise across business support and growth, science and technology, defence and security and deeptech investment.

Led by the Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA), Janus is a consortium in partnership with IoT Tribe, a specialist deeptech accelerator ecosystem; Atmos Ventures, a trans-Atlantic deeptech and defence investor; and the SETsquared Partnership, a dynamic collaboration between six leading research-led UK universities.

Janus aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of NATO’s defence industrial base and expand the range of innovative capabilities available for acquisition and deployment by civilian, defence and security customers in the UK and internationally by strengthening the pipeline of talent and new, innovative companies operating in the defence and security markets. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

10 Dec 25. MakeUK Defence has a major opportunity exclusively available to MUKD Members: the UK SME Vanguard Programme, launched by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Beginning Spring 2026, AWS will select 5 SMEs from the Make UK Defence network. Each will benefit from up to £750,000 of combined support over three years, including:

AWS cloud credits
Dedicated technical training
Access to AWS engineers and sector specialists
Business development mentorship

This support will help member companies integrate cloud technology into areas such as simulation, document management, data analytics, and production optimisation which are all essential for scaling UK defence capability.

AWS has already helped modernise manufacturing across multiple sectors, delivering real gains in efficiency, quality, and throughput. Now, they’re bringing that same transformative power to UK defence SMEs.

Learn More About Amazon Web Services:

What is AWS?
AWS for Manufacturing
Customer Case Studies

Want to Be Considered?

If you’d like to apply for the AWS UK SME Vanguard Programme, please submit your Expression of Interest here: SME Vanguard Programme – Expression of Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5rXxzeLwcEeqV9_qMXlCS74NB7JLOKtEogeWrzzQ06ZURFFJS1hCRDRJN1c4NTBONElYSkdJRFU3RC4u&route=shorturl

Please note the deadline for all responses is on the 31st of December 2025.

19 Nov 25. Strategic Defence Review – Energetics Information Notice

Ministry of Defence

Published date: 19 November 2025

Last edited date: 19 November 2025

This notice was replaced on 19 November 2025

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Early engagement (published 19 November 2025, last edited 9 December 2025)

Open early engagement – This means that a procurement idea is currently active, it is in the early stage of development and judging interest from potential suppliers.

Contract summary

Industry

Military research and technology – 73410000

Location of contract

BS34 8JH

Procurement reference

tender_512494/1533156

Published date: 19 November 2025

Closing date: 15 December 2025

Contract is suitable for SMEs? Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs? No

Description

UK government is acting on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations by investing in an ‘always on’ pipeline for munitions including building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK.

The User requires the manufacture of the following Energetic Materials:

RDX (Bachman or Woolwich)
HMX
Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
Nitrocellulose (NC)
Nitroglycerine (NG)
Nitroguanidine (NQ)
Hexanitrostilbene (HNS)
Ammonium Perchlorate (AP)
Boron Potassium Nitrate (BKNO3)

Other materials in the following classes: High explosives, Propellants, Ignitors, Detonators, Pyrotechnics, may be considered on an exceptional basis. Proposals will be sought which demonstrate economic and technical viability with capital available for investment.

Additionally, the Authority welcomes expressions of interest from consumers who wish to establish a supply of these materials for current facilities (domestic or exports) or aim to establish a capability in the UK which will rely on them.

Overview:

The Strategic Defence Review sets out the ambition of moving to warfighting readiness through a whole-of-society approach ensuring an engine for growth through a new partnership with industry, radical procurement reforms, and backing businesses to establish and grow in the UK.

The MoD aims to achieve this through a coherent set of significant multi-year investments in onshore energetic materials synthesis through UK-based or overseas-based suppliers. These investments will typically form part, but not all, of the funding required for the establishment of a facility.

During the formal tender documentation process, suppliers should consider how they will generate UK growth. Companies with established order books/markets will be prioritised. Proposals must demonstrate that they are economically and technically viable to progress.

Consideration should also be given to:

The scale of the proposed facility and the market demand required to support it:

1.1 Proposals should assume a range of scenarios such as surge demand and reduced or minimal UK MoD demand.

1.2 Other offtakes, such as exports and civilian markets, should be considered and are expected to form the majority of the demand signal. UK government, via the MoD’s Defence Exports team, will actively support export campaigns.

2 Economic viability including fluctuating demand and market prices.

2.1 Proposals should be economically viable as further support funding for facilities is not envisioned.

3 The level of investment required (VROM) and how this will be raised:

3.1 Including internal company investment and external venture capital

3.2 It is expected that MoD funding will not form the majority of funding for proposals.

4 Wider requirements to establish a facility including:

4.1 Regulatory

4.2 Skills

4.3 Export support (including UKEF)

4.4 Technology

4.5 Sites

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

19 Nov 25. Strategic Defence Review – Energetics Information Notice

Early engagement
Published 19 November 2025, last edited 19 November 2025

Additional text

Next steps are for suppliers to register their interest in one-to-one engagements with MOD in Q1 2026 via the email address shown below. Companies should provide a 15 minute pitch covering proposed materials, scale and approach to manufacture, as well as economic viability.

Formal tender process is targeted to commence in Q1 2026.

Proposals which can demonstrate economic and technical viability with available capital for investment will be prioritised. For viable proposals, further support in the following areas may be available: identifying sites, engagement with regulators, export support, energy relief under the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) Compensation Scheme, and access to R&D funding sources.

Suitable proposals will be invited to complete a funded feasibility study (subject to commercial and affordability requirements). Details of what is involved in this feasibility study will be provided in the initial meeting.

Companies that continue to demonstrate technical and financial credibility and a commercially viable proposition will be invited to complete a funded Front End Engineering Design (FEED) -again subject to commercial and affordability requirements.

Following successful competition of a FEED and on final agreement of wider commercial terms required for investment a contract may be placed for MoD investment into the production facility (factory).

Timelines will be dependent on the complexity of the proposals. MOD anticipates that construction will begin in 2026

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

09 Dec 25. Boost for defence businesses and European cooperation as UK joins defence exports treaty.

The UK has joined a defence exports treaty with European allies which will make it easier for UK defence businesses to export

British defence companies to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with our European allies France, Germany and Spain.
Agreement will make it easier for businesses to export to our allies and highlights the UK’s role in supporting Europe’s collective defence.
Comes after huge export deals with Norway and Türkiye, securing thousands of jobs and making defence an engine for growth.

Britain’s defence industry will be strengthened as the UK joins a European defence export treaty alongside our NATO allies.

The Agreement on Defence Export Controls, which the UK has joined alongside France, Germany and Spain, will make it easier to grant export licenses between our nations, reinforcing the UK’s close cooperation with its European allies on developing the continent’s defence industries. The UK is committed to reinforcing its leading role in NATO and defending Europe’s security, including through boosting defence trade and industrial cooperation with our allies. This will reduce the administrative burden of granting export licenses, opening opportunities for UK businesses, helping boost economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs across the country.  Joining the Agreement will facilitate the UK’s defence cooperation with some of our closest European partners and will ensure better coordination on defence exports to other countries.  It will provide more certainty for British businesses and supply chains involved in multinational defence programmes, whilst preserving UK sovereignty over key military capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlined the ambition to see the UK become Europe’s leading defence exporter, bolstering our prosperity and security.

Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “The UK’s defence industry is essential to ensuring that our Armed Forces can keep us secure at home and strong abroad. This agreement will strengthen our crucial defence businesses and make it easier to export to Germany, France and Spain.

On the back of our frigate deal with Norway and Typhoon deal with Türkiye this new Treaty will make it easier for the UK to export our world class platforms. When the government said we would make defence an engine for growth we meant it, and this Treaty is yet more evidence of us delivering for British jobs and security. Since the SDR’s publication, the UK has already signed agreements with our NATO allies to export Type 26 frigates to Norway for £10 bn and Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye for up to £8 bn, both securing thousands of jobs across the UK. The government is making defence an engine for growth across the country including through the Defence Industrial Strategy’s commitments to create a new Office for Defence Exports and boosting the help available to businesses through UK Export Finance.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

09 Dec 25. UK Space Agency launches pilot programme to accelerate commercial growth within the UK’s space ecosystem. Eighteen space businesses across the UK will receive funding and support from their local space cluster to accelerate their commercial growth, as part of a pilot initiative designed to strengthen the UK’s space sector supply chain. The UK Space Agency’s new Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme (SECP) is delivered in partnership with 6 of the UK’s local space clusters and managed by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. The programme provides targeted research and development funding alongside strategic and commercial business guidance.

Supporting innovation and growth

The 18 organisations will each receive up to £30,000 to invest in technology development, market validation, and customer engagement. Participating businesses will also benefit from dedicated support from their space cluster leads – locally embedded sector experts – who bring a deep knowledge of supply chains, partnership opportunities, and insight into market demand for space-enabled services. This will enable them to refine their products and services in line with specific commercial opportunities, and establish new growth-driving partnerships within the UK’s connected space ecosystem.

Jon Hulks, Space Ecosystem Development Manager at the UK Space Agency, said: “The Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme harnesses the networks and expertise found across the UK’s space cluster network to drive local economic growth. Working together, we are enabling individual space companies to take the next step in their commercial journey and enhancing the unique capabilities and supply chain resilience that underpin the UK’s national space ecosystem.”

Strengthening local economies

The UK Space Agency has worked with each space cluster partner to ensure the programme addresses their particular market needs and strengthens their local economy, delivering on the government’s commitment to enhance the resilience of the space sector supply chain as outlined in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.

In the Cornwall Space Cluster, the programme prioritises projects that boost the region’s recognised strength in satellite communications. Kernow Enterprises Ltd is developing a space-enabled autonomous communication system, and, through the cluster support enabled by the programme, has already established new partnerships with leading Cornish organisations including Goonhilly Earth Station, the National Drone Hub, Selletronics, and Skentel.

In the Midlands Space Cluster, harnessing the region’s local advanced manufacturing expertise, Future Aerospace Engineering are developing acid-resistant laminate and coating systems for next-generation spacecraft through its HESPERIA Materials Demonstrator project. The £11,200 award will help the company advance materials that could prove crucial for long-duration space missions and harsh orbital environments. Likewise, Space South Central is supporting Lunasa’s ECLIPSE project with £29,844 to develop an orbital testbed for advanced payload validation and inspection. This technology will enable more thorough testing and verification of space hardware in orbit, potentially reducing mission risks and improving satellite performance.

In the North West Space Cluster, which is home to leading expertise in nuclear power for space, Cerberus Nuclear is creating the Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) with £14,220 in funding. This database tool will help engineers design more radiation-resistant space systems, addressing one of the key challenges facing satellites and spacecraft operating in harsh space environments.

The programme also supports the wider space community. Every company that applied receives bespoke guidance from their cluster to refine and pursue the commercialisation opportunities they identified.

Andrew Mair, Chief Executive Officer of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, said: “We are pleased to be able to build on the success of the “Pivot into Space” R&D grant programme that the UK Space Agency previously supported in the Midlands by playing our part in this wider programme. For us, it’s all about mobilising local clusters across the country’s space ecosystem system to work closely with small companies that already have their own brilliant ideas and benefit from the kickstart of a small R&D grant, some key expertise and access to the wider network to accelerate their journey towards commercialisation.”

The UK Space Agency’s Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme is supporting the following companies:

Midlands Space Cluster

Third Planet Orbital: TPOD Capability Expansion – £19,680 New 16U deployer and release sequencer test kit.

PGM Reball: 3D Printed Unitary Ball Nut – £29,074 3D printing a unitary ball nut that incorporates geometry only additive manufacturing can achieve.

Future Aerospace Engineering: HESPERIA Materials Demonstrator – £11,200 Acid-resistant laminate and coating systems for next-generation spacecraft and habitats.

NDE Clarke Pitchline: LIFTAR Launcher Integrated Flexible Transport and Rotation Drive System – £30,000 Designing and testing a flexible launch drive system.

South Central Space Cluster

Lunasa: ECLIPSE – £29,844 Orbital testbed for advanced payload validation and inspection.

Lodestar: ECLIPSE AI-Driven On-Orbit SDA Payload – £30,000 LiDAR integration to enhance space situational domain awareness.

Satraka Ltd: Satcom Dual-band Feed System – £30,000 Manufacturing and verifying a compact Ka/Ku dual-band feed system for satellites.

Space West

Space AM: LoRa as an alternative to GNSS/GPS – £28,200 LoRa tested as positioning alternative to GNSS/GPS.

Cornwall Space Cluster

Skentel Group Ltd: Remote Sensing With Non-Terrestrial Networks – £8,193 5G connectivity to augment existing terrestrial network sensor devices.

Kernow Enterprises Ltd: Emdrone – Space Domain – £29,923 Developing a space-enabled autonomous communication system with defence applications.

Flann Microwave Ltd: Compact 3-Way Waveguide Switch – £20,000 Design and development of a prototype electro-mechanical 3-way waveguide switch.

Piran Composites Ltd: Dual-Use Composite Development – £30,000 Digitally traceable composite manufacturing process for dual use in UAVs and small satellites.

Space North East England

Digventures Ltd: Deep Time: Citizen-Powered Earth Observation – £29,985 Refining citizen science platform to include enhanced QA validation.

Nascent Semiconductor: Enhanced Performance Satellite Electronics – £30,000 Novel scalable semiconductor fabrication process for satellites.

ViperRF: Ka-Band Amplifier for EO Telemetry – £12,734 Developing production tooling techniques for a Ka-Band amplifier chip.

North West Space Cluster

SmartIR Ltd: VER : Enabling Next-Generation CubeSat Thermal Control – £26,400 Thermal control system for next-generation CubeSats.

ThinkITTech: AM Powder Optimiser AI – £18,000 AI-driven optimisation for 3D printing metal powder for the space sector.

Cerberus Nuclear: Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) – £14,220 Database tool for radiation-resistant space system design. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

09 Dec 25. Boost for defence businesses and European cooperation as UK joins defence exports treaty.

The UK has joined a defence exports treaty with European allies which will make it easier for UK defence businesses to export

British defence companies to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with our European allies France, Germany and Spain.
Agreement will make it easier for businesses to export to our allies and highlights the UK’s role in supporting Europe’s collective defence.
Comes after huge export deals with Norway and Türkiye, securing thousands of jobs and making defence an engine for growth.

Britain’s defence industry will be strengthened as the UK joins a European defence export treaty alongside our NATO allies. The Agreement on Defence Export Controls, which the UK has joined alongside France, Germany and Spain, will make it easier to grant export licenses between our nations, reinforcing the UK’s close cooperation with its European allies on developing the continent’s defence industries. The UK is committed to reinforcing its leading role in NATO and defending Europe’s security, including through boosting defence trade and industrial cooperation with our allies. This will reduce the administrative burden of granting export licenses, opening opportunities for UK businesses, helping boost economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs across the country.  Joining the Agreement will facilitate the UK’s defence cooperation with some of our closest European partners and will ensure better coordination on defence exports to other countries.  It will provide more certainty for British businesses and supply chains involved in multinational defence programmes, whilst preserving UK sovereignty over key military capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlined the ambition to see the UK become Europe’s leading defence exporter, bolstering our prosperity and security.

EUROPE

10 Dec 25. SEATOM (seatomtech.com) today announced its selection in the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) 2026 Challenge Programme Cohort. SEATOM’s solution, an affordable modular micro nuclear reactor system for marine and extreme environments, was chosen under NATO DIANA’s Operations in Extreme Environments Challenge program, reflecting the company’s commitment to developing dual-use technologies for critical defence and security challenges especially in harsh environments like the Arctic. SEATOM Technologies is building nuclear propulsion systems for dual-use and the maritime industry. Over the next six months, SEATOM will participate in DIANA’s Core Programme, working with the DualTech Accelerator in Turin, Italy and engaging with DIANA’s extensive network of experts, mentors, and test centres across the Alliance. The programme provides access to world-class testing infrastructure, defence market expertise, and direct engagement with NATO end-users.

“This is the right time for nuclear, as national and international regulations are being reformed and public perception now favors maritime nuclear more than any other viable option out there”, said Roope Marttila, cofounder & co-CEO

As part of the programme, SEATOM will receive an initial €100,000 in contractual funding, with potential access to additional funding for testing, evaluation, validation and verification (TEVV) activities. The company will also have opportunities to participate in operational experiments and exercises alongside Allied forces. The DIANA Challenge Programme serves as a pathway for emerging technology innovators enter the defence and security sector across NATO’s 32 member nations. Through the programme, SEATOM will deepen its technological readiness and strengthen its defence and dual-use offering. SEATOM joins a cohort of innovative companies working on cutting-edge solutions in areas critical to Western defence and security. The programme kicks off on January 19, 2026, with an International Demo Day in Paris in June 2026. For more information about the 2026 NATO DIANA cohort, visit: https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html

10 Dec 25. On November 18, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and its Blue Magic Netherlands (BMNL) partners held their second “shark tank” style event in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The event brought together emerging Dutch companies and attracted more than 350 attendees. BMNL provided Dutch businesses with an opportunity to present their capabilities for possible investment from GA-ASI, as well as other companies. The 16 companies that made pitches were selected from a pool of more than 70 companies that represented the best of the best of Dutch industry.

“Blue Magic uncovers new technologies within the Dutch ecosystem,” said Brad Lunn, GA-ASI Managing Director. “The quality of the innovation we’re seeing is improving rapidly. The growth of the event is a testament to the quality it brings forward.”

During the second BMNL event, held at Brainport Eindhoven — a center of the Dutch high-technology industry — GA-ASI and its partners heard firsthand from Dutch companies about the important capabilities they are developing. GA-ASI issued an open invitation to Dutch businesses in July for Netherlands-based businesses to apply for the opportunity to present their innovative technologies at BMNL. Key areas of focus for the presentations were Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Autonomy, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Sensors, Space, and Counter-UAS. GA-ASI was joined for the second BMNL event by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin, Brainport Development, Brabant Development Agency (BOM), and the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV). GA-ASI expects to announce technology partnerships stemming from the second BMNL event and intends to continue holding this event on an annual basis in the Netherlands.

10 Dec 25. Turkey in talks to rejoin US F-35 fighter jet programme, envoy says. The U.S. is in discussions with Turkey regarding Ankara’s rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme and Washington hopes that talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday. Washington removed Ankara from Lockheed Martin’s advanced F-35 programme and imposed the sanctions in 2020 over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems. Turkey has said the move was unjust and voiced hope that the sides could overcome the issue during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.

“The United States is in ongoing discussions with Türkiye regarding their desire to rejoin the F-35 program and their possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system,” said Ambassador Tom Barrack in a post on X.

Barrack said U.S. law will not permit Turkey to operate or possess the S-400 system if it wants to return to the F-35 programme. He also said the relationship between Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, which has led to “the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade.”

“Our hope is that these talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Türkiye,” he said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has told Reuters that he believed Turkey and the U.S. would find a way to remove American sanctions “very soon” and the NATO allies had started working on the issue. Turkey’s possession of the S-400s has remained the main obstacle to rejoining the F-35 programme. Washington says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and to NATO’s broader defence systems. Turkey rejected that and said the S-400s will not be integrated into NATO. Turkish officials have repeatedly rejected the idea of reversing their decision to possess S-400s to return to the F-35 programme. (Source: Reuters)

09 Dec 25. Germany and France could use own fighter jets to save defence project, lawmaker says. A senior German lawmaker on Tuesday urged Germany and France to salvage a 100bn euro ($116bn) defence project by developing a shared combat system while allowing each country to use its own fighter jets. Time is ticking for Berlin and Paris to agree a way forward on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), an ambitious next-generation fighter jet programme launched eight years ago but stalled by disputes. Failure to break the deadlock risks exposing Europe’s inability to forge defence unity at a time when war has returned to the continent and the U.S. under President Donald Trump wants Europe to take more responsibility for its own security. Defence ministers of Germany, France and Spain are expected to meet this week, followed by talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron next week. Siemtje Moeller, a senior lawmaker in Merz’s coalition and a former junior defence minister, told Reuters the project was in a phase of “adaptation” not “termination”. It was logical for Germany and France to use different fighter jets to suit their particular needs, she said, for example, France needs fighters to have the ability to carry nuclear weapons or land on an aircraft carrier. (Source: Reuters)

08 Dec 25. Merz and Macron to discuss fate of FCAS fighter jet, industry source says. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are planning to discuss the fate of the troubled Franco-German fighter jet project FCAS – or SCAF – in the week of December 15, an industry source told Reuters on Saturday. The 100bn-euro ($116bn) Future Combat Air System (FCAS), floated more than eight years ago, has been mired in disputes between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus over workshare and technology rights. The defence ministers of the participating nations – Germany, France and Spain – are set to meet on December 11 to discuss the project, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters this week. A German government spokesperson declined to comment on the date, saying only that the chancellor’s appointments would be made public in time. The French government was not immediately available for comment. EU leaders are scheduled to meet for several summits in Brussels from December 17 to 19. Merz has said he wants a decision on whether and how to proceed with the project by the end of the year. German business leaders are intensifying their lobbying efforts in the hope of preventing the project collapsing, the source said. (Source: Reuters)

08 Dec 25. Germany approves further Sturmgewehr G95, headset, Wolf vehicle, and trailer procurements. The budget committee of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, approved the procurement of more Sturmgewehr G95 assault rifles, intercom sets, and Wolf all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) announced on its website on 3 December. The BMVg said the Heckler & Koch HK416A8 assault rifle is being introduced into service as the G95, replacing the G36 assault rifle equipped with a main combat sight featuring a reflex sight and laser light module. This follows the Bundestag budget committee’s approval of the procurement of nearly 120,000 G95s in 2022. Procurement of more G95s is expected to expedite the use of the rifle throughout the Bundeswehr, according to the BMVg. The Bundeswehr announced on its website on 5 December that Panzergrenadierbataillon (Armoured Infantry Battalion) 122 based in Oberviechtach became the first unit to be equipped with the G95 during an exercise in Grafenwöhr before intensive training on the new weapon. The German Army is receiving the G95KA1 short-barrel version of the assault rifle. Additional intercom sets with integrated hearing protection will be procured under an existing framework contract for delivery in 2026. In addition to providing hearing protection, the intercom sets enable communication during combat with awareness of ambient sounds. Under an existing contract, additional Wolf vehicles will be procured in the command vehicle and military police vehicle variants in 2026–27. The vehicles will be equipped with the Digitalization of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) system. The Bundestag budget committee approved the amendment of an existing framework agreement on 70 tonne semi-trailers so more can be ordered as well as procuring the first trailers. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026. (Source: Janes)

05 Dec 25. Norway to spend $6.4bn on two more submarines, long-range strike. Norway plans to spend 65 bn Norwegian kroner, or $6.4 bn, to buy two additional submarines on top of four already ordered from Germany’s TKMS, as well as acquire a long-range precision strike capability for the Army. The government proposes to parliament to increase the cost framework for Norway’s submarine program by 46 bn kroner to cover the expense of adding two boats, it said in a statement on Friday. Norway will help finance a second production line in Germany to ensure the new submarines can be built quickly enough. The Norwegian plans come amid ongoing Russian provocations including airspace violations of NATO allies, and worries that Russia will shift attention to the Baltic region after Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying this week his country was ready for war with Europe should the continent seek a fight.

“Norway is a coastal and maritime nation, and submarines are absolutely central to the defense of our country,” Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said in a statement. “With six submarines, the armed forces will be able to operate more vessels in more locations at any given time. This will have a strong deterrent effect on any potential adversary.”

The country is seeing increased activity from Russian forces in the North Atlantic and the Barents, the minister said. Additional submarines will help strengthen NATO’s overall ability to ensure control and defense in the North Atlantic and the northern areas, according to Sandvik.

“As NATO’s eyes and ears in the north, this places greater demands on our ability to show presence, monitor, and deter in our neighboring areas,” Sandvik said. “In this context, submarines are absolutely indispensable.”

In neighboring Denmark, the country’s Arctic commander warned that he expects Russia to turn to arming in the High North if and when the Ukraine war ends, in an interview published this week.

The so-called Bear Gap in the waters north of Norway, between Svalbard and the Norwegian mainland, is considered a key transit area for Russian ballistic-missile submarines moving from the relatively shallow waters of the Barents Sea to the deeper waters of the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Norway earlier this year agreed to buy at least five British-made Type-26 frigates, which are optimized for anti-submarine warfare, in a deal worth around $13.5 bn. The United Kingdom and Norway earlier this week announced an agreement to operate a joint fleet of the frigates to hunt Russian submarines and protect the North Atlantic. Two of the four submarines previously ordered by Norway from TKMS in 2021 are under construction in Germany, with the first expected to be delivered in 2029, the government said. The unit price of the submarines and associated weapon systems has increased as a result of critical raw materials and equipment becoming more expensive from when the contract for the first four submarines was signed in 2021, Norway said. Weapon systems and upgrades for the six submarines are also adding to the cost, as well as an exchange-rate impact, according to the government. The government is also proposing to spend 19 bn kroner on long-range precision fires for the Army that are able to hit targets up to a distance of 500 kilometers, without providing details on what equipment Norway plans to buy. The proposed budget includes launchers and missiles as well as training and support systems, the government said.

“We live in increasingly turbulent times, and it is important that we have defense capabilities that can deter a potential adversary,” Sandvik said. “Long-range precision weapons have a deterrent effect because they can strike targets deep inside an adversary’s territory if necessary.”

Denmark said in September it needed long-range strike weapons to strengthen its defense posture as well as the collective deterrence of NATO, with details on the planned systems still to be decided. (Source: Defense News)

USA

11 Dec 25. AMTI ASAP: Space Force readying multi-source acquisition for satellites to track aircraft. “So the focus is going to be on delivering AMTI [airborne moving target indication] capability very quickly,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said. The Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) are working to craft an acquisition strategy based on multiple contract awards for developing and fielding satellites that can track aircraft and drones, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said today.

“The drivers we’re getting in the department is: deliver capability very quickly. So the focus is going to be on delivering AMTI [airborne moving target indication] capability very quickly. But we also have to make sure that we have a long-term strategy that goes with that. So we’re in the process of researching what that looks like,” he told reporters during the Space Force Association’s Spacepower 2025 conference here in Orlando.

“It’s going to be a competitive acquisition, probably be multiple awards to different contractors so we don’t end up with a single source. So that’s what we’re going through right now,” Meink added. “We’re gonna start building the capability pretty quickly.”

He explained that one of the challenges is that because the program is being jointly funded by the service and the spysat agency, it requires getting authorizations and appropriations from different congressional committees.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said during the press briefing that there are also technical challenges to AMTI.

“So GMTI [ground moving target indication] and AMTI sound like they’re really close, just because one little letter that is all you changed, [but it] turns out they’re pretty different. What it takes to accomplish AMTI is different than what it takes to accomplish GMTI,” he said. “Things on the ground move slower than things on the air, so require different levels of fidelity tracks.”

Meanwhile, Meink said, the Department of the Air Force is working with Congress to address lawmakers’ concerns about the Trump administration’s plan announced in June to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail program in favor of a space-based system. The E-7 had been envisioned as a replacement the outdated E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System fleet, with Boeing winning a whopping $2.6 billion award last August for two rapid prototypes to be delivered by fiscal 2028. Along with provisions aimed at preventing the Wedgetail’s termination, the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would also authorize a total of $846.7m to continue the radar plane’s development and procurement. The House passed the policy bill on Monday; it now is in the hands of the Senate.

Meink said the Air Force would complete the E-7’s “rapid prototype test” as directed by the NDAA. In addition, he stressed that the Wedgetail “already is being flown by some of our allies and partners,” and the Air Force is “working with them to see how they fit into the production run going forward on each set of new capability that the rapid prototypes will bring on.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

08 Dec 25. US Navy wants new railroad car to transport unarmed ballistic missiles. The U.S. Navy wants a special railroad car to transport unarmed ballistic missiles, according to a recent request for information. The problem is that existing railcars are almost 50 years old, and will soon be retired. But the Navy still has a need to transport Active Inert Missiles, which are dummy rockets used to practice tasks such as loading missile tubes. Currently, the Navy uses the DODX 40000, a 150-ton flatbed designed by the U.S. Army in 1981 to carry cargo such as tanks, and which is slated to be demilitarized in 2031.

“The Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program initially procured these flatcars for the transportation of Active Inert Missiles (AIMs) between facilities,” according to the Navy RFI published Nov. 24. “However, the current 3-axle, 6-wheel truck design is now obsolete, and the American Association of Railroads (AAR) will not grant an extension of their service life.”

While the RFI did not provide specific requirements for the next-generation railcar, the DODX 40000 is 68 feet long, and has a maximum loading capacity of 140 tons. It is designed to carry two M1 Abrams tanks, and can haul cranes, shipping containers and other large items. In recent years, the Navy has sought other rail improvements. Navy Munitions Command Atlantic plans to replace its 200-strong fleet of boxcars and flatcars that haul munitions.

“Critical brake system components are no longer manufactured, requiring cannibalization of parts from decommissioned railcars to keep the fleet operational,” noted Military News. “Several railcars have recently been retired due to structural frame cracks and issues caused by accelerated wear, gradually reducing the fleet size.”

Meanwhile, the Navy and the Department of Energy have collaborated to design armored railcars to transport spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. The Atlas system includes a 12-axle railcar to carry nuclear material. Riding shotgun is the Rail Escort Vehicle, which will carry security guards, cameras and communications equipment. The impending retirement of the DODX 40000 is just one more strain on the military rail system, which remains the most efficient and economical mode of transports for tasks such as moving heavy equipment from bases to training ranges or to ports for overseas assignments. A 2021 GAO report on Army rail found numerous problems that are hampering the network.

“Although the Army moves the majority of what it needs for a large-scale combat operation over its rail network in CONUS [continental U.S.], much of that track is in ‘red’ or poor condition,” Diana Moldafsky, an acting director of GAO’s Defense Capabilities and Management Team, told Defense News. “Additionally, DOD hadn’t figured out how many rail operating crews it needed to support this type of movement and lacked elements of a quality assurance and quality control program for conducting its inspections.”

“We didn’t focus on the flatcars specifically, but the issue of using aging flatcars was brought up as a challenge as well,” Moldafsky added.

While the 2021 study only looked at Army rail, the Navy will face the same obstacles.

“Due to the condition of the rail track, any designing of special rail cars to transport items such as dummy ballistic missiles would require a number of considerations to ensure the safe movement of those type of loads,” Moldafsky said. (Source: Defense News)

REST OF THE WORLD

10 Dec 25. AUKUS Defense Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement. Today the Honorable Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War, hosted the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and the Right Honourable John Healey MP, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm the shared commitment to the AUKUS partnership. In line with shared intent to move “full steam ahead” on AUKUS, the Principals recognized the work underway to deliver priority infrastructure and workforce uplift in support of an enhanced trilateral submarine industrial base. Through the discussions today, the three Principals discussed ways to continue to strengthen AUKUS and reiterated their shared commitment to inject pace and focus on delivery to ensure the long-term success of the AUKUS partnership. The Principals recognized the critical importance of submarine cooperation under AUKUS Pillar I to ensure a robust deterrent. Additionally, they recognized the importance of advanced capabilities development under AUKUS Pillar II and discussed opportunities to further accelerate delivery of such projects, with particular focus on near-term warfighting objectives. (Source: U.S. DoD)

10 Dec 25. Hegseth Hosts AUKUS Meeting With Australia, U.K. Counterparts. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and the United Kingdom’s Defense Secretary John Healey to the Pentagon today for a meeting concerning a trilateral partnership between the three countries. Announced in September 2021, the Australia, U.K. and U.S. trilateral security agreement, known as AUKUS, is a partnership intended to promote freedom, security, stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific region. The pursuit of those objectives involves two lines of effort, or pillars. Pillar one focuses on the rotational basing of nuclear-powered attack submarines in Australia, as well as Australia working to acquire its own nuclear-powered attack subs; and pillar two focuses on the collaborative development of multiple advanced capabilities. AUKUS partners gather frequently throughout the year to manage the security pact through ministerial meetings and joint steering groups.

“I can’t count how many meetings we’ve had at this point, and I say that only out of goodness,” Hegseth told his counterparts at the meeting’s outset.

“Because the strength of our alliances … trilateral relationships are as strong as they’ve ever been,” he added.

Hegseth went on to praise a recent Pentagon review of AUKUS that was endorsed by President Donald J. Trump with guidance for the program to carry on “full steam ahead.”

“You see through AUKUS and the review that we conducted a continued commitment to a pragmatic, practical application of hard power between our countries that reflects peace through strength, and also hard power — real capabilities — that demonstrate a deterrent effect that we all want,” Hegseth explained.

Under the AUKUS security pact, the U.S. is scheduled to begin selling a limited number of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s. Following that, an entirely new class of nuclear submarines — the AUKUS-class — is planned to be delivered to the U.K.’s Royal Navy in the late 2030s and the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s. During his brief remarks, Marles — the Australia defense minister — spoke optimistically about the three AUKUS partners ability to deliver on the program’s stated goals.

“This is a massive project, and there is so much more to do; and I think delivery is very much the focus of the conversation that we will be having today,” Marles said.

“I’m very excited about what we can do together, the progress that we’re making the challenges that we all need to grab hold of as we move forward,” he added.

Healey, the U.K. defense secretary, called AUKUS the most important military collaboration since the U.S. and U.K. agreed to share nuclear technology in 1958.

“The reviews are now done, and all three of us are now determined to reboot AUKUS with a new commitment and a new determination, in particular, to deliver,” Healey said.

“We need more subs in the Indo-Pacific and in the Euro-Atlantic. We need more burden sharing by America’s closest allies in Australia and the U.K. And, as the U.K. steps up on European security, we know that each of the three nations have a role to play to protect our people, keep our citizens safe and to reinforce that global deterrence,” Healey continued.

Increasing burden sharing between the U.S. and its allies and partners is one of the “four key lines of effort” that Hegseth laid out last week during a speech previewing the War Department’s new National Defense Strategy.

“We may lead our departments of war … but our goal is peace on behalf of the American people, the Australian people and the U.K.; and we pursue that on behalf of our leadership,” Hegseth told his counterparts.

“So, it’s a privilege to have you at the Pentagon look forward to talking more in-depth about AUKUS and our partnerships,” he added. (Source: U.S. DoD)

09 Dec 25. BAF, Leonardo S.p.A sign LOI for Eurofighter Typhoon. Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and Leonardo S.p.A., an Italian multinational company specialising in aerospace, defence and security, today signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Headquarters here today. Through this LOI, Leonardo S.p.A will supply Eurofighter Typhoon to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) as a step to include modern Multi-Role Combat . Aircraft at its frontline war craft,” said a release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate here this evening. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division (BAFD) and relevant representatives of Italy were present at the event, the ISPR added. (Source: News Now/https://www.bssnews.net/news/340315)

10 Dec 25. Australia says it will meet ‘challenges’ of AUKUS nuclear submarine timeline. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was “very self-critical” as it looked to address challenges, including skilling its workforce, for the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme, ahead of AUKUS defence ministers meeting in Washington. A Pentagon review of AUKUS had found areas to put the deal on the “strongest possible footing,” a U.S. official said last week, although the findings have not been made public. Announced in 2021, AUKUS is Australia’s largest-ever defence project and will see U.S. commanded Virginia submarines based in Australia from 2027, several Virginia submarines sold to Australia from around 2030, and Britain and Australia build a new class of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine. Defence ministers from Australia, Britain and the U.S. will meet in Washington on Wednesday local time to discuss “how we can take it forward with urgency”, Marles said in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation interview on Wednesday. Whether or not Australia is moving fast enough to build its nuclear submarine base, and whether the U.S. can build enough Virginia submarines to meet its own needs, were major themes in the review undertaken by the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, a source with knowledge of the matter said. The Pentagon review made recommendations on how “we can do AUKUS better”, Marles said. He was confident Australia would meet a deadline to host four U.S. Virginia submarines at its Indian Ocean naval base in Perth at the end of 2027, although the “enormous uplift” required was a challenge, he said.

“There are going to be challenges for us around skilling our workforce to be able to do everything that we’re seeking to do, both in terms of building but also maintaining the submarines,” he said.

“We need to be looking at that in a granular way… we continue to do that and be very self-critical along the way,” he added.

Other challenges for AUKUS include building supply chains, and lifting production rates for submarines in the United States, he said. (Source: Reuters)

08 Dec 25. South African defence industry to trial solutions for Border Management Authority. The South African defence industry (SADI), through companies such as DCD Protected Mobility, Aselsan South Africa, and Unipro Protective Wear, will this week be taking part in a groundbreaking capability demonstration to assist the Border Management Authority (BMA) as it gears up for a bumper festive season. The companies will be deploying an integrated suite of advanced surveillance, mobility and protective technologies at the Beitbridge and Lebombo border crossings. This was revealed by BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, who briefed the media on its festive season plan in Pretoria on Sunday. The initiative at two of South Africa’s highest-volume land ports forms part of a structured pilot project aimed at enhancing visibility, accountability, and situational awareness during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, the SADI companies said. DCD Protected Mobility will be providing three vehicles for border patrol operations namely two Springbuck Standard Duty (SD) Personnel Carriers SD for patrol and one Sherp All-terrain Vehicle – designed for operations in challenging terrain. The Springbuck vehicles are available in different variants such as Command & Control, Ambulance and Weapon Platform configurations. DCD vehicles have been delivered to 26 countries across five continents. Unipro Protective Wear, in collaboration with Aselsan South Africa, will support the Border Management Authority through the deployment of state-of-the-art body-worn camera systems at selected ports of entry. Beyond traditional video and audio capture, the body camera system is designed to support advanced analytical functions — including facial recognition and number-plate recognition — implemented strictly in accordance with South Africa’s laws, cyber policies, and operational mandates. Body-worn cameras will be mounted on Unipro’s bullet-resistant vests, worn by BMA patrol officers and members operating DCD patrol vehicles and static border control points. Throughout the pilot period, the system will ensure secure data transfer, streamlined monitoring, and improved decision support for frontline and supervisory teams. To safeguard data, all information flows will be protected through active cyber-defence technologies, and the companies will have aerial range extension for improved communications, all delivered by collaboration partners Snode Technologies, A2D Geoscan, and Battlecopter — all members of the Aerospace, Maritime & Defence (AMD) Industries Association of South Africa. Snode will supply cyber security technology while A2D Geoscan will provide a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and Battlecopter a VTOL UAV with optics.

“This collaboration represents a growing model of South African–global technology partnership, combining a world-class international camera OEM with high-quality locally manufactured protective vests. These capabilities will strengthen real-time situational reporting, improve incident documentation and enable higher levels of operational transparency across the border environment,” the companies said.

This collaborative effort between DCD, Unipro, Aselsan, Snode, A2D Geoscan and Battlecopter demonstrates the emerging strength of South Africa’s security and defence industrial partnerships. It highlights the BMA’s commitment to adopting modern tools that enhance safety, efficiency, and law enforcement excellence at the country’s borders. The pilot is expected to serve as a foundation for broader integration of innovative technologies across the national border management system, reinforcing the BMA’s mandate as South Africa’s third national armed law enforcement service responsible for immigration control, port health, biosecurity, access control, risk management, and the safe movement of people and goods across all ports of entry.

BMA expecting a bumper festive season

In his briefing on Sunday, Masiapato said South Africa is facing one of its busiest travel periods in recent years, with traveller movements increasing sharply and enforcement operations yielding thousands of interceptions.

“Historically, the December and January festive periods remain characterized by a significant increase in traveller volume which always places significant pressure on our ports of entry. In fact, South Africa continues to confront a range of complex border-related challenges, including illegal migration, increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal activities, as well as the smuggling of illicit goods. These challenges place a significant strain on our already limited resources, hinder economic growth, and undermine efforts toward deeper regional economic integration. It is against this backdrop that the BMA continues to engage our neighbouring states to ensure the development of robust, integrated, and well-resourced border management system that is free from criminal interference,” Masiapato said.

“The festive period always positions us to anticipate risks, improve processing times, refine command and control, and elevate our responsiveness to the high-volume and complex border management environment. At this time, our strategy places deliberate emphasis on enhanced capacity, improved queue management, strengthened traffic control, and inter-structural collaboration.”

The BMA’s Festive Season Operational Plan will be executed from 10 December and end on 15 January. Particularly from January, the BMA will intensify measures to detect and seize narcotics, illicit goods, and even stolen vehicles. “We therefore want to warn all travellers to desist from committing any act of criminality around the ports or even in the border law enforcement areas as they will be detected and arrested,” Masiapato cautioned.

He noted that Border Guards have been able to stop about 505 065 individuals from entering South Africa illegally since the deployment of the first contingent in July 2022, intercepted 349 vehicles, and seized R220 m worth of counterfeit clothing and footwear, amongst other successes. Masiapato also announced a key operational development. The BMA, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority, has secured permanent operational space for Coastal Guards at the ports of Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Richards Bay and East London. “This is a critical development towards establishing BMA’s full-time presence in these important seaports,” he said. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

03 Dec 25. Drone Major has launched a first-of-its-kind managed procurement services platform for the global drone industry, which will help power Britain’s procurement process and drive innovation across Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK’s drone sector. The launch of the new managed procurement platform will enable buyers and suppliers in the UK drone industry to efficiently fast-track major projects and unlock new opportunities for SMEs to participate in previously inaccessible large-scale projects. Drone Major, which secured approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the UK’s first beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure in May 2025, has enhanced its existing supplier platform to connect global suppliers with high-value procurement opportunities in robotics, drones, and unmanned systems.

Robert Garbett, Founder and Chief Executive of Drone Major, commented on the new launch: “The UK has the talent and technologies, many of which reside within our own SME base, but it has lacked the mechanism to bring them to the front line effectively. The launch of our new platform marks a major step forward in empowering British SMEs and startups, giving them a powerful tool to navigate and simplify complex procurement processes in the drone industry. It will help place the UK at the forefront of the global drone industry, while also strengthening the UK’s supply chain independence… and reducing reliance on China.”

The global drone and robotics market is projected to grow from a current size of £55bn in 2024 to £121bn in 2030, presenting British SMEs with a major opportunity. Drone Major’s new platform is centred around a business-to-business marketplace to connect buyers and suppliers globally with vetted, trusted partners in the drone and robotics ecosystem. It enables the delivery of end-to-end programmes, with Drone Major coordinating the complete supply chain process, ensuring on-time and on-budget project completion. Drone Major will evaluate supplier bids, select the most capable vendors, and then manage the entire supply-chain execution, in addition to handling compliance, regulatory approval (including harnessing Drone Major’s experience with BVLOS authorisation where needed), project management, logistics, quality control, and final delivery.

Robert Garbett continued: “The new platform showcases the full breadth of our technical capability, enabling us to deliver virtually any solution in the Unmanned Systems domain. By opening up access to major opportunities, we’re putting the cards in the hands of the innovators. This platform will help drive a procurement revolution in the UK – cutting costs, saving time, and transforming how enterprise engages with the SME supply chain.”

The new Drone Major platform can be accessed here: https://dronemajor.net/

01 Dec 25. Digital Catapult has named five startups that will join its accelerator programme to improve industrial supply chain resilience in the defence industry and drive the practical application of deep tech innovation to equip the sector to be future ready. The Digital Supply Chain Hub Defence Testbed Accelerator will address secure data sharing challenges to support faster, more agile additive (3D printing) manufacturing across the UK’s defence supply chain and enable participating companies to scale. The accelerator programme is delivered by Digital Catapult as part of the Made Smarter | Digital Supply Chain Hub alongside the Ministry of Defence (MOD), other major defence manufacturers, and cutting-edge UK-based small businesses. The programme will convene capabilities, with support from the National Composites Centre (NCC) and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), to unlock new opportunities for the MOD and its partners to securely manage and share manufacturing design data. As it stands, the UK defence sector faces increasingly long lead times to secure military and defence assets, and fragmented data systems which constrain equipment availability, disrupt supply chains and threaten the UK’s defence and security capabilities. To solve these challenges, the MOD is looking to identify innovative ways to create a federated digital inventory of manufacturing information which will give authorised partners a single and secure view of essential technical data, enabling distributed 3D printing of defence components. The five participating startups will work on two separate challenges to validate and trial new solutions that explore the applications of deep tech to achieve secure, connected, and responsive defence manufacturing. Dataline Labs, CamyPro and TECHNIA will work to address the Technical Data Packs (TDP)-Digital Inventory Connectors challenge, developing software solutions to securely extract and standardise metadata from Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. Vistory Group and Quaisr will tackle the Federated Digital Inventory challenge to consider the best way to develop a unified, permissioned platform to view and share technical data across the entire supply chain. Both challenges will bolster industrial supply chain resilience, building on Digital Catapult’s success in this space to date, which has seen 37 Digital Supply Chain Hub projects delivered, and 135 engagements with manufacturing and technology SMEs, which represents a year-on-year increase of 44. Technology companies on the Digital Supply Chain Hub have also secured over £6m in funding since participating on the programme, reflecting the value of the intervention in enabling companies to commercialise their solutions and scale.

Annie Iakovaki, Head of Industrial Supply Chains at Digital Catapult, said: “One area of defence innovation that requires immediate attention is the supply chain, responsible for the delivery of assets, information and people that underpin the success of the UK defence sector. Interventions like this accelerator programme demonstrate the value of convening capabilities across the sector, and bridging the gap between industry, startups and government to better solve some of the most pressing challenges in the space, and to unlock new opportunities that maintain the UK’s position as a leading player in defence innovation and success.”

Richard Hamber, Advanced Manufacturing Lead in Defence Support, National Armaments Director Group said: “This is an exciting moment in the evolution of the ideas stated in the MOD’s recently issued Advanced Manufacturing Strategy. The testbed provides the basis to bring to life some of those ideas so we can see the art of the possible and understand the next steps to make them a reality. The Catapults have provided energy, pace and buckets of expertise to get us this far very quickly whilst adding another five Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) into the Defence sphere, consistent with wider Governmental objectives, and the Defence Industrial Strategy.”

02 Dec 25. £1m competition launched to advance autonomous sensor technologies.

UKDI-DASA seeks autonomous sensor solutions to detect and counter ISR deception

UKDI-DASA has launched a new Themed Competition called Autonomous Sensor Management and Sensor Counter Deception – Phase 2
This competition is run of behalf of the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
£1m funding available (excluding VAT) provided by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) budget. We expect to fund 2 collaborative contributions.
Participation in Phase 1 is not a requirement to submit a proposal in Phase 2 of this competition.

The Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA) is delighted to launch Phase 2 of the Themed Competition, Autonomous Sensor Management and Sensor Counter Deception. Run on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), this competition seeks innovations which will deliver practical autonomous sensor management methods to counter activity designed to deceive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).

Understanding Autonomous Sensor Management in Defence

Military decisions depend on knowing the current and future tactical, operational, and strategic environment. This awareness comes from effective ISR. Modern operations need faster, more automated ISR processes. Moving from human-led methods to systems with greater autonomy speeds up the cycle of collecting, processing, and sharing information and allows personnel to focus on higher-level tasks and decision-making.

However, military environments are complex. Adversaries often hide, mislead, or modify the environment to conceal their intentions. This is clearly a challenge for autonomous processes and current sensor management systems which are largely designed for benign environments. MOD has committed to integrate our Armed Forces through a new Digital Targeting Web by 2027. This will connect sensors, deciders and effectors to create choice and speed when operating in any contested domain. Achieving autonomy in sensor management and resilience against deception is critical to maintaining situational awareness in these environments.

What are we looking for?

This competition seeks solutions for autonomous sensor management in scenarios where deception is present. Building on Phase 1, which focused on developing algorithmic solutions and simulated demonstrations, Phase 2 of this competition is looking for:

autonomous sensor management solutions to counter activity which intends to deceive ISR operations
solutions to be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 by project completion which can be demonstrated using real sensing networks.
use of open standards to interface with the wider ISR enterprise via the SAPIENT standard
innovations capable of being brought to market by an appropriate collaboration between development partners
suppliers to look beyond Phase 2 by using collaborative demonstration opportunities with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Successful participants will have the opportunity to work with Dstl to integrate their solutions into a large-scale demonstration utilising the SAPIENT standard and compatible sensors. As part of the MOD’s ‘NATO first’ approach, showcasing innovations via the NATO Innovation Continuum series of events is strongly encouraged. These events help accelerate the adoption of new and disruptive technologies and provide a high-profile opportunity to demonstrate innovations to defence stakeholders. Please note: Dstl and NATO cannot guarantee that sensors or other appropriate infrastructure will be available for successful participants to demonstrate their innovations. Participants should ensure their demonstration is fully prepared and self-sufficient should integration be impeded by issues beyond our or their control.

Could your innovation be of interest? Read the full competition document to learn more.

Key dates

Deadline for submission is 12:00 midday (GMT), 10 February 2026.
Launch webinar: 16 December – register via Eventbrite.
One-to-one sessions: 15-minute technical Q&A slots available following the webinar.
Projects are expected to run from May 2026 to December 2027 and should deliver at TRL 6 by completion.

Do you have an innovation?

Read the full competition document and submit your proposal before 10 February 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autonomous-sensor-management-and-sensor-counter-deception-phase-2 (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

EUROPE

04 Dec 25. Germany, France, Spain to tackle fighter dispute next week, says source.

Summary
Companies
Trio of nations plans to build fighter and drone system
Airbus and Dassault Aviation still seen at loggerheads
Airbus CEO tells Reuters nobody should “dominate” project
France’s Dassault Aviation declines to comment

German, French and Spanish defence ministers are set to meet on December 11 to discuss FCAS, Europe’s next-generation fighter project, whose future is threatened by industrial turf battles, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

The €100bn ($117bn) Future Combat Air System (FCAS), floated more than eight years ago, has been mired in disputes between the companies involved over workshare and prized technology.

Bloomberg first reported the planned meeting.

At stake is the next phase of plans to deliver a fighter flanked by drones for France, Germany and Spain by 2040, mirroring a UK-Italian-Japanese initiative called GCAP. Disagreements between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus mean the project, also known by its French acronym SCAF, has hit an impasse.

Last month, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the project in a bid to try to make progress. They have asked ministers to intervene.

‘YOU DO THIS, YOU DO THAT’

Airbus (AIR.PA), represents the industrial interests of Germany and Spain in the project. It currently helps build the four-nation Eurofighter. France’s traditional fighter champion, Rafale maker Dassault Aviation (AM.PA), represents Paris. German sources say Dassault is trying to grab 80% control of the project, a figure the French company denies. French sources accuse Airbus of exploiting its position as the anchor for two out of three countries to gain too much say. A person close to lower-level preparatory talks said the two manufacturers remained at loggerheads, with “no change”.

Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said “the jury is out” on the outcome of the negotiations, which he described as a matter for participating governments.

But he reiterated calls for existing governance arrangements to be kept for the next stage of the project, which involves costly plans to build a flyable demonstrator model.

“We don’t want to be in a situation where there is one partner dominating the others and telling (them) ‘you do this, you do that’,” Faury said in an interview.

Dassault declined comment. CEO Eric Trappier has said Dassault should be free to take key decisions on the core fighter part of the project for which it is accountable, while conceding that Airbus should have an equally important say over the unmanned and other areas for which it has the lead role. ($1 = 0.8574 euros) (Source: Reuters)

USA

01 Dec 25. Marines seek Osprey-portable GPS landing system for austere airfields In the austere desert or island outpost of the future, the U.S. Marine Corps wants its aircraft to land on a functioning airfield 90 minutes after the required equipment is flown in via an MV-22 Osprey or CH-53 King Stallion. That’s the vision behind the Expeditionary Precision Approach Landing Capability (EPALC) it’s looking to acquire. In a new request for information published Monday, Naval Air Systems Command is asking industry for details about available flight line navigation systems that would allow the Corps to land any of its aircraft, manned or unmanned, in all weather conditions. According to the solicitation, the navigation system must fit inside an MV-22, CH-53, or C-130 transport and take a four-person team no more than 90 minutes to set up. It has to be able to provide precision approach guidance to aircraft during bad weather that limits visibility to half a mile, and have an operating range of 20 nautical miles. The gear has to be rugged, according to specifications, with “environmentally hardened” features capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -20 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit and at humidity levels of 85%. The requirements all align with Marine Corps “Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations,” a forward-looking operating concept the Corps has developed over the last decade that emphasizes dispersed operations with self-sufficient small units in the littorals, or coastal regions. EABO “involves the employment of mobile, low-signature, operationally relevant, and relatively easy to maintain and sustain naval expeditionary forces from a series of austere, temporary locations ashore or inshore within a contested or potentially contested maritime area in order to conduct sea denial, support sea control, or enable fleet sustainment,” according to a description published by the service in 2021. The idea of operating in contested areas also informs security requirements, which include a friend-or-foe identification system, resistance to jamming or spoofing, and the ability to operate silently and with minimal detectable signature. The new capability described in the RFI parallels the ship-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing (JPALS) system that has revolutionized aircraft carrier landings by providing GPS-based guidance in to the flight deck, taking much of the guesswork (and terror) out of catching the wire, particularly at night or in low-visibility weather conditions. That’s no coincidence. JPALS is made by RTX-owned Collins Aerospace, which also has developed the land-based expeditionary Joint Precision Approach Landing System (eJPALS), built for rapid deployment and “full functionality within just 90 minutes,” according to the company.

Collins’ “land-based eJPALS and ship-based JPALS systems complement each other seamlessly, working in conjunction with the JPALS airborne software and providing pilots with familiar instrumentation,” an eJPALS fact sheet states. It adds that the system can come with an optional surveillance feature to support air traffic control.

The Marine Corps has already had an opportunity to test out a version of eJPALS. In 2021, the system was quietly shipped to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, for a three-week demo involving 50 landings, including the vertical approaches performed by the service’s F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, according to a report from Breaking Defense. An executive told the outlet at the time that the Marine Corps was “looking at ways of incorporating [eJPALS] into the next budget request.” The company has also pitched eJPALS to the U.S Air Force. The new RFI, which will “allow NAVAIR to conduct and identify possible sources in the commercial marketplace capable of providing Expeditionary Precision Approach Landing Capability,” according to the solicitation, represents an early step toward actually investing and fielding the technology. Interested companies have until Jan. 16 to respond with descriptions of tech that matches NAVAIR’s requirements. (Source: Defense News)

03 Dec 25. USAF seeks advanced data fusion capability for PWSA. A SpaceX Falcon 9 loaded with a Tranche 0 payload variant for the Space Development Agency’s PWSA sits on the launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. (Space Development Agency) The US Air Force (USAF) is looking to industry to develop a large-scale data fusion system and associated digital architecture that meet the massive information-sharing requirements for the Pentagon’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The effort “seeks innovative solutions to develop and demonstrate a secure, adaptable software environment capable of ingesting, integrating, and analysing high-volume, low-latency data streams from diverse space-based sources”, according to a presolicitation notice issued in November. The programme is scheduled to begin officially accepting proposals on 3 December.

“While various data fusion tools exist, few are designed to meet the scale, velocity, and multivendor integration demands of PWSA,” service officials wrote in the presolicitation notice. This [effort] seeks innovative solutions to develop and demonstrate a secure, modular, and extensible data fusion environment specifically tailored to support proliferated low Earth orbit (pLEO) space vehicles (SVs), they added.

In the end, USAF programme officials are aiming to develop “an extensible fusion platform that enables real-time situational awareness, advanced analytics, and dynamic mission adaptability” in support of PWSA command-and-control (C2) capabilities, the presolicitation noted.

The PWSA consists of several capability sections (or layers) within the architecture, each one supported by constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The sections include the tracking layer, the transport layer, the battle management layer, the navigation layer, the deterrence layer, the support layer, and the custody layer. (Source: Janes)

REST OF THE WORLD

04 Dec 25. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia had received the United States’ review of the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership and is “working through it”. President Donald Trump’s administration said in June it had launched a formal review into the AUKUS defence deal – worth hundreds of bns of dollars – that will allow Australia to acquire U.S. nuclear-powered submarines, and also involves Britain. Trump signaled his support for the programme in a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House in October.

“We are in receipt of the AUKUS review now. We’re working through the AUKUS review, and we very much thank the United States for providing it to us,” Marles told reporters on Thursday. “What’s really important here is the United States is completely supportive of AUKUS.”

The review was led by the Pentagon’s Under Secretary Elbridge Colby, who said last year that submarines were a scarce, critical commodity, and U.S. industry could not produce enough to meet American demand. AUKUS is Australia’s biggest-ever defence project, with Canberra committing to spend A$368 bn ($240 bn) over three decades to the programme, which includes bns of dollars of investment in the U.S. submarine production base. Australia announced on Monday that it will reorganise its defence bureaucracy, forming a Defence Delivery Agency that reports directly to ministers, to improve defence spending and speed up delivery of projects. (Source: Reuters)

03 Dec 25. Ukraine’s DOT-Chain delivers as Russia claims Pokrovsk capture.

The DOT-Chain programme enables Ukraine’s defence suppliers to pitch to combat brigades, cutting out lengthy procurements.

DOT-Chain has proved a notable success in bringing agility to Ukrainian defence procurement
Russia claims to have seized the strategic city of Pokrovsk after more than a year of heavy fighting
Washington is attempted to push through a peace deal that is thought to heavily favour Moscow

Ukraine’s Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) has revealed that in nearly four months of operation, the DOT-Chain defence marketplace has supplied equipment worth UAH 6.154bn ($145.4m) to the country’s military. Including in the equipment are first-person view (FPV) drones, electronic warfare systems, fixed-wing UAVs, and other equipment. In total more than 143,000 pieces of equipment have been delivered, the DPA stated in a 2 December social media post.

“The next step is to scale up its functionality,” said Arsen Zhumadilov, director of the DPA.

It is likely that UAVs and FPV represent a significant proportion of equipment delivered, with 17,000 UAVs packaged off to frontline units in the first two months of the DOT-Chain initiative. Of note, the average delivery time of equipment ordered is around ten days, although instances of deliveries inside of three days have been recorded. Earlier this autumn, Army Technology was in Ukraine to learn more about the DOT-Chain system, which enables specific deployed units to remotely access and order non-lethal equipment via an online marketplace. This direct link allows for rapid feedback and iteration, a critical requirement on the frontline of the near four-year-old Ukraine-Russia war.

Russia claims Pokrovsk capture

Russia claimed on Monday to have captured the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Oblast after more than a year of fierce fighting, although Ukraine subsequently issued a denial that it had lost control of the key city. Pokrovskhas been a focal point of intense fighting as it offers potential access to the cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, among the last holdouts of Ukrainian forces in Donetsk. It is notable that Russia’s claim comes as US official are set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Washington attempts to negotiate a peace deal, amid fears any agreement will be heavily in favour of Moscow. On 1 December, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence claimed that since the start of 2025, Russia’s military had sustained the equivalent of “32 divisions of troops” in combat casualties, or more than 383,000 personnel. This is likely a combined combat casualty figure, including wounded and those killed on operations. In addition, during November Ukraine claims to have destroyed 617 artillery systems; 70+ tanks; 157 armoured fighting vehicles; and 2,400+ assorted other vehicles, throughout the frontline. Ukraine’s own combat losses are a closely guarded secret, although they are likely to be into the hundreds of thousands of personnel to date, and potentially significantly more. The nature of the war, as it shifts into a drone-centric conflict, has seen fewer Western military vehicles, such as tanks, artillery, and infantry fighting vehicles, provided in recent months. Indeed, some Western military platforms have suffered extremely high attrition, such as the US M1A1 Abrams, of which no less than 22 of 31 tanks delivered have been destroyed, according to war tracker site Oryx. Highlighted Ukraine losses include more than 5,300 armoured combat vehicles throughout the war, including nearly 200 US-supplied M2A2 Bradley IFVs, and tens of thousands of other military vehicles. (Source: army-technology.com)

01 Dec 25. European defence startups have long faced challenges in accessing realistic operational environments where new technologies can be tested and validated with end users. 17Tech.fi is now opening a structured, and legally compliant pathway to Ukraine’s battlefield testing ecosystem, enabling innovators to gather direct insights from active front-line units and iterate mission-critical solutions faster than traditional procurement processes allow. Through structured collaboration with Ukrainian defence innovation bodies, including Defence Builder, 17Tech.fi provides a framework for controlled field testing, pilot deployments, and systematic front-line feedback. The approach significantly shortens development time, improves product relevance, and supports the alignment of European capabilities with urgent Ukrainian operational needs.

17Tech’s team brings extensive experience from defence industry knowledge and startup innovations and accelerations globally. The team has designed and operated accelerators in Europe and Asia, financed hundreds of early-stage companies, and supported defence forces in multiple countries in building new innovation models and technology evaluation frameworks.

Comment from 17Tech Founding Partner Sami Luukkonen

Sami Luukkonen, Founding Partner at 17Tech and former Global Head of Defence, Aerospace & High Tech at the world’s largest consulting firm, emphasises the importance of structured access:

“For years, European innovators have lacked a safe, legal, and operationally relevant environment to validate defence technologies. Ukraine offers a uniquely demanding testbed, and our role is to create a professional, transparent, and responsible pathway for companies to work with official defence counterparts. This is not about speed alone – it is about ensuring that the right technologies reach the right users with real data behind them.”

Perspective of an experienced accelerator manager

Antti Kosunen, an experienced accelerator manager and co-founder of 17Tech, emphasises the importance of operating at the intersection of defence innovation, startup financing, and rapid deployment cycles:

“Over the past decade, I’ve seen hundreds of startups succeed or fail depending on how quickly they gain access to real users and real operational environments. Nowhere is this more critical than in defence technology. Ukraine provides an unmatched opportunity for structured, responsible, and data-driven testing that simply cannot be replicated in simulators or domestic training grounds. Our role is to ensure that companies enter this environment with the right preparation, the right partners, and a clear framework that benefits both innovators and front-line users.

This accelerator is, in my view, the most effective way for defence startups to find real product–market fit. In defence, true demand is defined by the battlefield—not by presentations, prototypes, or theoretical use cases. When companies receive direct feedback from units operating under real combat conditions, they quickly learn what works, what fails, and what must be improved. That level of validation shortens development cycles by months or even years and prevents teams from investing in the wrong features. Nothing brings a product to market readiness faster than exposure to actual operational needs.”

Application Pathway for Startups

Defence startups in Europe and allied countries can now apply for inclusion in the 17Tech Defence Tech Accelerator till December 15th, 2025. Selected companies will gain access to structured testing programs, front-line feedback loops, and opportunities to deploy prototypes in controlled operational scenarios in Ukraine as well as business support and access to several defence forces.

Startups interested in participating can apply at:

https://www.f6s.com/17tech-defense-tech-accelerator-2526

17Tech Oy, Helsinki, Finland 17tech.fi

Sami Luukkonen, +358 400 464 669

Antti Kosunen, +358 400 850 200

17TECH OY is a defence technology accelerator and a venture capital firm.

17Tech runs structured programs to help early- to mid-stage startups grow rapidly by providing investment, mentorship, workspace, and connections to investors, future users and a peer network in the defense industry. 17Tech provides up-to date knowledge for the situation and technolgies used on real battlefields in Ukraine.

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

November 28, 2025 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

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EUROPE

27 Nov 25. Sweden and Netherlands seek long-range strike capabilities. Sweden and the Netherlands are seeking long-range strike capabilities. The Swedish Armed Forces submitted a report to its government on 24 November listing these capabilities as one of their priorities, while Dutch State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman called at the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV) Exhibition Defence & Security (NEDS) held in Rotterdam on 20 November for industry to deliver an alternative to the Tomahawk cruise missile.
The Swedish Armed Forces report said, “Enhancement of strike capability consists of investments in long-range fires and unmanned platforms. The ability to conduct strikes at strategic depth contributes to deterrence and enables, among other things, the degradation of an adversary’s critical infrastructure and military installations. The long range also makes it possible to reach more targets, complicating the opponent’s ability to effectively protect all important assets.
“The distribution between different types of strike systems requires further analysis and a balance between effect, cost, quantity, and innovation before choices are made. Strike capability is further strengthened through the procurement of various types of munitions, such as artillery and mortar ammunition, navy-specific ammunition, and combat engineering ammunition.”
A Swedish Ministry of Defence spokesperson told Janes on 26 November that the long-range fires referred to in the report would have the ability to strike targets at distances beyond the reach of artillery at a strategic depth up to approximately 2,000 km.
At NEDS, Tuinman challenged industry to “deliver an alternative to Tomahawk within three months, a precise deep-strike capability with a 100 kg payload [by] a missile that can be launched at a target 1,000 km away”. (Source: Janes)

26 Nov 25. Poland picks Sweden’s Saab to supply it with three submarines.
• Summary
• Poland deputy PM says deal worth around $2.7bn
• First submarine expected to be delivered in 2030
• Poland tries to build a Baltic alliance
• Submarines could help NATO prevent attacks in Baltic watersSAAB CEO hails “milestone” first submarine export
Poland said on Wednesday it had chosen Sweden’s Saab to supply it with three submarines, in a multi-billon-dollar deal that forms a key element of Warsaw’s efforts to bolster its defences in the Baltic Sea.
Warsaw has been ramping up investments in the armed forces to counter what it sees as a growing threat from Russia after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The deal with Sweden under the “Orka” programme to boost Poland’s military exemplifies Warsaw’s efforts to build a Baltic alliance, as its traditional Central European ties are pressured by divisions over Russia and approaches towards the European Union.
“Sweden presented the best offer in terms of all criteria, delivery time, and operational capability, especially in the Baltic Sea,” Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told a press conference.
He estimated the value of the deal at around 10bn zlotys ($2.73bn), and said Sweden had committed to buy some armaments from Poland as part of a wider cooperation agreement, and to provide a “gap-filler” submarine for the Polish army to train on.
It is the first submarine export order for Saab since it acquired the submarine division in 2014 and CEO Micael Johansson said Poland’s announcement marked a “fantastic milestone” for the company.
“It’s a real breakthrough,” he told Reuters. “It’s incredibly important for the security of the Baltic Sea and to have this ability on both sides of the sea means a lot.”
Saab, which makes a wide range of military equipment including fighter jets, surveillance systems, missiles and submarines, will supply Poland with its A26 submarines.
Kosiniak-Kamysz said he would like the commercial deal concluded no later than the second quarter of 2026 and he expected the first delivery in 2030.
Johansson stressed that no contract had been signed but that Poland’s estimate of the value was in the “right ballpark”. He said Saab could meet the 2030 delivery date and that the deal would not affect the timeline for delivery of two submarines Sweden has ordered.
HEIGHTENED BALTIC SEA SECURITY CONCERNS
The Baltic region is on heightened alert following a string of cases of suspicious damage to underwater infrastructure since 2022, but authorities have been unable to find sufficient proof of deliberate malicious intent to press charges.
“This shows that Europe is taking responsibility for its own security and that Poland and Sweden are making it possible for us to take a stronger responsibility for our own region, for the Baltic region and for Northern Europe,” Sweden’s ambassador to Poland, Martina Quick, told Reuters.
The Swedish submarines are designed to deal with seabed warfare and could help NATO prevent attacks. Sweden’s government said Russian aggression made it more important than ever to have an expanded defence cooperation in the Baltic Sea.
“This deal creates a common system for underwater operations in the Baltic Sea and strengthens interoperability between the Swedish and Polish navies,” Defence Minister Pal Jonson said in a statement.
The submarines will feature equipment from Britain and the three countries together will be a strong force in the Baltic region, the statement said.
Saab shares rose on the news and were up 2.6% at 1616 GMT.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding on defence collaboration with Polish armaments group PGZ in September.
Warsaw had also received offers from Germany, Italy, France, Spain and South Korea. Britain had lent its support to the Swedish bid.
($1 = 3.6571 zlotys) (Source: Reuters)

26 Nov 25. Boeing [NYSE: BA] will produce AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for international customers, including 96 for the Polish Armed Forces, under a Foreign Military Sales contract awarded by the U.S. Army valued at nearly $4.7 bn. Poland’s order represents the largest number of Apache aircraft ordered outside of the United States in the program’s history.
With deliveries expected to begin in 2028, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) is already training pilots and maintainers on the attack helicopter. The MND currently leases eight aircraft from the U.S. Army.
“This important agreement allows us to begin building one of the largest and most formidable Apache fleets that the world has ever seen,” said Christina Upah, vice president of Boeing’s Attack Helicopter Programs. “Working closely with the Polish Armed Forces, we’re focused on disciplined execution to help enhance Poland’s defense capabilities and keep up with the strong demand for the most advanced attack helicopter.”
Through an offset agreement announced last year between Boeing and the Polish MND, local industry will play a key role in performing maintenance and support of the Apache fleet. Boeing will also establish training programs and help develop a composite laboratory.
Boeing recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apache’s first flight at its Mesa production facility. Today’s E-model Apache has evolved to become the most proven, advanced configuration that brings unmatched lethality, survivability, connectivity and interoperability to the battlefield. In recent months, Boeing has delivered new Apaches to customers around the world, including the Australian Army, Indian Army and Royal Moroccan Air Force. Poland is the 19th global operator.
There are currently more than 1,300 Apaches operating worldwide, with sustainment and training support provided by Boeing Global Services.

26 Nov 25. EDA Project Aims to Design Quieter Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a four-year research project to reduce the noise produced by autonomous underwater vehicles, aiming to boost naval stealth and limit the impact of human-made sound on marine life. The SPHYDA (Submarine Hull/Rudder/Propeller Hydrodynamics Interaction and Hydroacoustics) project brings together four EU Member States and Norway, with Italy as lead nation, along with Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. There are nine industrial and research partners. The consortium will develop advanced numerical models and experimental methods to predict and analyse how hull shapes, rudders and propellers generate noise. SPHYDA, a €4.8 m programme, runs until late 2029. It seeks to provide higher-fidelity simulations and improved measurement techniques to help designers build quieter and more efficient underwater platforms. The project also supports compliance with EU environmental rules.
The initiative builds on earlier EDA projects and EU-funded projects, focused on propeller noise and hydrodynamic performance, while broadening the scope to whole-vehicle acoustics. It also supports wider European capability priorities in underwater warfare, as well as complementing NATO research on sonar and autonomous systems. The project will design and construct an autonomous underwater vehicle to carry out towing-tank experiments and manoeuvring-basin tests. It will conduct outdoor trials to measure far-field noise under realistic conditions. Reducing radiated noise is increasingly important for navies seeking to avoid detection. Quieter vehicles offer a tactical advantage by reducing the range at which enemy sonar can identify them. SPHYDA is expected to deliver tools, datasets and design guidelines to support the next generation of low-noise underwater vehicles.
“SPHYDA is a crucial step toward developing the capability to diagnose and predict the complex hydrodynamic mechanisms responsible for the generation and propagation of noise from underwater vehicles in real operating conditions,” said Riccardo Broglia, Research Director at the Institute of Marine Engineering of the Italian National Research Council, the project manager.
The consortium:
• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche – Istituto di Ingegneria del Mare
• Maritime Research Institute Netherlands
• Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research
• Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
• Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons
• Technische Universität Hamburg
• thyssenkrupp Marine Systems
• NAVANTIA
• CEHIPAR – El Canal de Experiencias Hidrodinámicas de El Pardo
EDA’s broader role
Founded in 2004, the Agency helps fostering defence cooperation across Europe. It serves as the hub for EU countries to develop their defence capabilities together. EDA’s activities span from harmonising requirements and developing operational capabilities to research, technology, innovation, training, and supporting EU military operations. The Agency also works closely with the EU defence industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and industrial base. (Source: ASD Network)

24 Nov 25. Sweden sees frigate decision early next year as France touts 2030 date. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson expects a decision early next year on the country’s planned purchase of four frigates, with the government awaiting advice from procurement agency FMV and the armed forces after a survey of available options, he said on Monday, following a meeting with his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin. The ministers discussed the Swedish frigate program, French interest in Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft, as well as aid to Ukraine, they said in a press conference in Stockholm following their meeting. Vautrin said France would be able to supply a fully equipped and armed frigate in 2030, the target set by Sweden for first deliveries.
“We’re looking what frigates there are that are available, that would also suit our quite ambitious timeline,” Jonson said. He said the FMV completed a market survey, but no decision has been made. “The ambition is to have two frigates ideally by 2030 and another two by 2035.”
The air-defense component of the new frigate will also be important, and a step for Sweden towards integration into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence program, Jonson said.
Sweden in May 2024 announced a change in plans to buy surface combatants, with the FMV saying the new vessels would be larger than the current Visby-class corvettes, and with the country prepared to consider off-the-shelf designs rather than an entirely Swedish solution.
France in October offered Naval Group’s FDI frigate to Sweden, and is proposing a partnership with the Swedish defense industry, notably Saab, according to Vautrin. The Swedish program is a new chance for Naval Group to sell its frigate with a distinctive inverted bow, after Norway picked the British Type 26 frigate over the smaller French design earlier this year.
The FDI has a strong focus on anti-air capabilities, with a Thales Sea Fire radar designed to support long-range air defense and equipped with 16 to 32 vertical-launch cells that can fire MBDA Aster 15 and 30 missiles. Meanwhile, the primary role of the Type 26 is anti-submarine warfare.
The French Navy took delivery of its first FDI frigate, the Amiral Ronarc’h. in October, the first of five planned vessels. The Hellenic Navy earlier this month signed a contract for a fourth FDI frigate, on top of three vessels currently under construction.
Vautrin said the Amiral Ronarc’h will visit the Swedish seaport of Göteborg at the start of next year.
Naval Group’s Defense and Intervention Frigate has a length of 122 meters and displaces around 4,500 tons, making it smaller than new-generation frigates being built or planned in Spain, the United States, Italy, Germany and the United States.
The ministers also discussed Saab’s GlobalEye, which France is looking at “with a lot of interest” as the country seeks to replace existing equipment, Vautrin said. “GlobalEye is a product that interests us in terms of surveillance, and that’s the reason why France will have announcements to make on the topic.”
France currently operates four Boeing E-3F planes in the AWACS role, and signed a letter of intent in June concerning the GlobalEye.
France seeks to build up its relation with Sweden and be a partner, not just be a client, and “it’s in this spirit that we’re heading towards the acquisition of a program such as GlobalEye,” Vautrin said, with the minister expressing hope that Sweden could similarly be a partner for frigates.
Jonson and Vautrin also discussed aid to Ukraine, and both said letters of intent by Ukraine to acquire Saab’s Gripen and Dassault Aviation’s Rafale are complementary.
“The Ukrainian side has been very clear from the onset that they expect to have a mixed fleet of about 250 aircraft,” Jonson said. “This is not yet a business deal between any of the countries, it’s a letter of intent, but it’s a strong political message on both sides that we want to make this happen.”
Europe’s interest is for Ukraine to have strong air-defense capability, according to Jonson, who said he and his French counterpart touched on financing, with both agreeing the time is right to use Russian immobilized assets to provide support to the embattled country.
Vautrin said Ukraine will need to equip itself to ensure long-term security, including after a ceasefire or peace deal, “and it’s in this spirit that you should see these agreements.” (Source: Defense News)

25 Nov 25. France and Germany step up pressure on arms firms to resolve fighter impasse.
• Summary
• Companies
• France, Germany, Spain aims to build new jet fighter system
• Progress marred by dispute between Dassault and Airbus
• CEOs urged to reach written accord in ‘decision roadmap’
• Alternatives include separate jets under common combat cloud
France and Germany are ratcheting up pressure on their industrial champions to rescue Europe’s next-generation fighter as the €100bn-euro ($115bn) project teeters on the brink of collapse, sources close to the matter said.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), floated more than eight years ago, has been mired in disputes between France’s Dassault Aviation (AM.PA), and Airbus (AIR.PA), over workshare and prized technology.
Following talks last week between French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Berlin has drafted a “decision roadmap” as part of a mid-December deadline to strike a deal, sources told Reuters.
“The objective is that the CEOs of the participating industrial partners find and sign a written agreement on the core principles of cooperation for the next programme phase by mid-December,” the document reads, according to excerpts provided to Reuters.
A government source said the roadmap, which also tasks air force chiefs with a review of their respective requirements, was designed to reassert political control.
Airbus and Dassault declined to comment.
‘DECISION ROADMAP’ AIMS TO END INDUSTRIAL IMPASSE
At stake is the next phase of plans to deliver a fighter flanked by drones for France, Germany and Spain by 2040, mirroring a UK-Italian-Japanese initiative called GCAP.
Talks have stalled amid mistrust between Rafale manufacturer Dassault and Airbus, which represents both Germany and Spain in the project, known in France as SCAF.
Dassault insists on leading design and development of the core fighter, citing blurred lines of responsibility and its track record of building fighters from start to finish. It says Airbus is free to lead its own uncrewed areas of the project.
Airbus says this goes against agreements that each nation has an equal say.
The family-owned French fighter firm and partially state-owned jetliner giant have both sharpened their rhetoric, inviting the other to leave if they don’t like the agreed arrangements and pledging to go it alone if necessary.
German sources say Dassault wants 80% control, a figure Dassault denies. They accuse Dassault of limiting access to high-value work.
French sources want to retain parity with Airbus, which stood at 50% before Spain’s arrival. They suspect Berlin of wanting to blunt Dassault’s technological advantage.
“What seems to have happened was that a very close and strong political relationship between Paris and Berlin has weakened somewhat and the industrialists were let off the leash and are really having a go at each other,” Douglas Barrie, IISS senior fellow for military airspace, said in a recent interview.
Failure to break the deadlock risks exposing Europe’s inability to forge defence unity at a time when war has returned to the continent.
After weeks of political turmoil in Paris, the capitals are deepening efforts to avoid a damaging blow to Franco-German co-operation.
Still, doubts persist whether Macron, nearing the end of his term and weakened by political crises, can strong-arm Dassault into concessions. Cushioned by strong Rafale exports, Dassault is under less immediate pressure to act and may be playing for time before 2027 elections, some officials and executives said.
Dassault declined to comment.
PLAN B
As FCAS faces pivotal decisions over its future, options are being prepared for a repeat of the schism that saw France quit Eurofighter in 1985, leaving Dassault and Airbus to compete.
Dassault has been a cornerstone of France’s defence since World War Two, building all generations of jets carrying its nuclear deterrent, and could most easily go alone.
German industry has threatened to tap Berlin’s growing defence budget to bankroll a rival project.
People familiar with the plans said these included a standalone stealth fighter. Other options included teaming with Sweden’s Saab (SAABb.ST), currently without a partner, or BAE Systems-led (BAES.L) GCAP. Airbus has maintained regular CEO-level contacts on the issue with both camps, they said.
A minimalist compromise increasingly touted would narrow FCAS to a “combat cloud” of secure connectivity while letting Airbus and Dassault develop separate jets – a partial divorce allowing Paris and Berlin to save face and avoid a public split.
Each side continues to call the other’s bluff.
French planners doubt Germany can easily build a competitive stealth fighter or engine alone, nor fit into the swiftly advancing GCAP project.
Yet even though France has a track record of standalone developments, its budget crisis poses major funding hurdles.
Before Berlin’s latest push, one German source put the chances of a joint fighter at “less than 50%”. Both capitals are now racing to salvage the project. “We can’t afford to let this project fail,” a French government source said. ($1 = 0.8680 euros) (Source: Reuters)

21 Nov 25. Germany and France are piling pressure on industrial leaders to find a solution for the troubled joint fighter jet project FCAS – or SCAF – by mid-December, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters on Friday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the sources said the CEOs of the companies involved were meant to agree on a deal by December 18. France’s Dassault, Airbus and Indra the latter two representing Germany and Spain respectively – are among the main companies participating in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) to replace France’s Rafale and German and Spanish Eurofighters with a next-generation fighter from 2040. Initiated in 2017 as a model for European defence collaboration, the project has been plagued by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights between France and Germany and their national industries. Options now under discussion include fully terminating the project or significantly scaling it down by eliminating important elements including the development of the joint fighter jet, according to sources familiar with the matter. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron aim to decide by year-end whether to proceed with the project or pursue an alternative approach.
“The political process has repeatedly passed the buck from the chancellor and president to the ministers, then back to the ministries and procurement agencies,” an industry source said, expressing frustration.
“The only real change is that French politics has become more unstable. Now, industry is supposed to find common ground that has long since disappeared from the political process.”
Berlin has blamed Dassault for blocking the programme’s next phase by seeking sole leadership of the project. Sources said France had demanded a workshare of some 80% but Dassault denied this.
The second source noted that the countries’ air chiefs had been tasked with checking whether national requirements for the future fighter jet converge, and underscored that convergence had been established at military level. (Source: Reuters)

USA

25 Nov 25. FAA Wants Two More UAS Test Sites. The FAA has issued a Screening Information Request (SIR) 697DCK-26-R-00019 for the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site (UASTS) Selection 2.0.
This procurement is in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Office (AUS).
The FAA-designated Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site (UASTS) program originated via the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95) and is currently codified in 49 U.S.C. § 44803 (“Unmanned aircraft system test ranges”).
After conducting a competitive selection process, the FAA designated six UAS Test Sites, which became operational in 2014 and began to conduct test flights. In 2016, the FAA added a seventh test site as mandated by the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-63) recently updated the UASTS program and under 49 U.S.C. § 44803(a)(2)(B) established that the “Administrator may select and designate as a test range under this section up to 2 additional test ranges . . . through a competitive selection process”.
The FAA may select and designate up to two additional test sites for expansion to the existing UASTS program. The FAA is seeking partners who can meet all requirements set forth as responsibilities of test range sponsors in 49 U.S.C. § 44803(e), as well as partners who have demonstrated expertise and future plans in the focus areas outlined in the Executive Order mandates. Selected Test Sites will be expected to demonstrate advances in technological capabilities as well as operational concepts and comply with the resulting OTA, a draft version of which is included as an attachment for review with this SIR.
The objective of the FAA UAS test site program is to enable a broad variety of development, testing, and evaluation activities related to public and civil UAS and associated technologies; and to the extent consistent with aviation safety and efficiency, support the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the NAS.
The FAA intends to conduct this competitive selection process through a phased proposal submission and phased evaluation process, with the potential to authorize and designate up to two new UAS Test Sites.
The FAA intends to competitively award up to two (2) Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) with SLTTs under this SIR.
The Government will make OTA awards to the Offeror’s determined to best meet the selection criteria which are included in this SIR and reflected in the evaluation of the proposals. (Source: UAS VISION/SAM.gov)

25 Nov 25. Navy kills four ships in Constellation-class frigate program in ‘strategic shift.’ The $22bn shipbuilding program has been under increasing scrutiny for years by lawmakers and top Pentagon brass.
Navy Secretary John Phelan today said the service will terminate the last four ships in the Constellation-class frigate program, keeping only the two vessels already under construction.
“From day one I made it clear: I won’t spend a dollar if it doesn’t strengthen readiness or our ability to win,” Phelan said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “To keep that promise, we’re reshaping how we build and field the fleet—working with industry to deliver warfighting advantage, beginning with a strategic shift away from the Constellation-class frigate program.”
A new “framework,” the Navy secretary said, “puts the Navy on a path to more rapidly construct new classes of ships and deliver the capability our war fighters need in greater numbers and on a more urgent timeline. This is an imperative, and I hope to have more to share very soon.”
Wisconsin-based Fincantieri Marinette Marine won the initial design and construction contract for the frigate in 2020, beating out a crowded field of competitors. Since then, the $22 bn program has received increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and top Pentagon brass — at one even President Donald Trump weighed in — due to a series of schedule delays and cost overruns stemming from, among other things, a litany of design changes the Navy has implemented. A 2024 Navy report found the program was 36 months behind the schedule.
Fincantieri is currently building the first two ships in the class, Constellation (FFG-62) and Congress (FFG-63), and the secretary said those ships would continue to be built. The first ship is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2029, according to a 2024 Government Accountability Office report [PDF].
Phelan’s move drew praise from at least one key lawmaker, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker.
“I commend [the Navy secretary] for canceling the troubled Constellation-class frigate program—a tough but vital call,” he wrote on X. “Biden-era design changes derailed the contractor, but Fincantieri Marinette Marine will remain key to our shipbuilding future. This is a clear signal that Navy program management is being fixed and accountability restored.”
George Moutafis, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, said in a statement to Breaking Defense that the company “has been a committed partner, and the Navy values this partnership, our investment and together we want to rapidly deliver capabilities to warfighters, so we believe that the Navy will honor the agreed framework and channel work in sectors such as amphibious, icebreaking, and special missions into our system of shipyards, while they determine how we can support with new types of small surface combatants, both manned and unmanned, that they want to rapidly field. The key is to maximize the commitment and capabilities our system of shipyards represents.”
The company later said it expected “to receive new orders to deliver classes of vessels in segments that best serve the immediate interests of the nation and the renaissance of U.S. shipbuilding.”
The decision is one in a series of major acquisition shake ups the Pentagon has undertaken in recent months. It also comes at a time that the White House and Navy are seriously considering a new class of “battleships” that would be much larger than the frigate and heavily armored for a fight in the Indo-Pacific.

25 Nov 25. Army asks industry for c-UAS parts, eyes potential small drone interceptor program.
The Army is looking for interceptor component parts with the “primary objective” of providing a database that may be “leveraged in support of a future C-sUAS Interceptor program,” a recent RFI states.
The Army is asking industry for counter-unmanned system components that it can use to support a potential small drone interceptor program in the future, according to a recent request for information.
As part of the solicitation, the Aviation and Missile Center within the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command is probing industry for components such as seekers, control actuation systems, batteries, mission computers and more, with the “primary objective” of providing the government with a database of “readily available component technologies that may be leveraged in support of a future C-sUAS Interceptor program,” the RFI reads.
“The evolution and proliferation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in mass attack scenarios is currently being demonstrated in global warfare engagements. These types of engagements can quickly overwhelm current defense architectures and drive the need for deep magazines with versatile deployment options at low cost per kill,” the solicitation continues.
The RFI comes as the service makes strides to ramp up its c-UAS efforts in line with the expansion of global drone warfare, specifically in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia. Small drones, especially those in Groups 1 and 2 weighing up to 55 lbs., have demonstrated increasing levels of lethality as they’ve been able to take out multi-m dollar armored vehicles.
Already the Army has two ongoing counter-drone interceptor programs, the eXtended Range Counter-sUAS (XRC) Missile program and the Next-Generation Counter-UAS Missile (NGCM) program, which are designed to take down drones in the Group 2-3 range. (Group 3 drones can weigh up to 1,320 lbs.)
The XRC Missile program is still in the early stages as the Army released an RFI last fall searching for a missile that would work with the Stinger missile launcher, and eventually replace the Stinger missile, but no further update has been provided to date. The NGCM program is further along with Aeronvironment winning the contract for the program last month for its Freedom Eagle missile.
This leaves the Army still searching for an interceptor program that can defeat Group 1 drones, which can be more difficult to shoot down given their small size and the fact they emit less heat, making them harder to detect. But last week’s solicitation indicates that the Army may be gearing up to begin a new interceptor program for the smaller family of drones.
According to the solicitation, the Army is looking for mature commercial off-the-shelf and government off-the-shelf missile components that are at a Technology Readiness Level 5 or above and have the “immediate availability” to be demonstrated in a lab environment. The service also said its looking for components that can be packaged within 40 millimeter to 70 millimeter diameter missiles, are “tolerant” to military environments and “launch accelerations of 30 G” and can be produced at high volumes with a low cost per unit.
Responses to the RFI are due no later than noon on Dec. 19. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

21 Nov 25. Fortem Technologies, the global leader in airspace security and counter-drone solutions, today announced that it has been selected as one of the first companies admitted to the U.S. Army’s new Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Marketplace, a next-generation contracting framework designed to move cutting-edge technology to operational users faster than ever before.
The designation can dramatically shorten procurement timelines for Fortem’s counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) solutions. Under Fortem’s agreement with G-TEAD, Army organizations and other U.S. Government agencies with contracting and ordering authority can now rapidly acquire Fortem products through the Marketplace without additional competition. Certain NATO and allied agencies may also place orders under applicable laws and security agreements.
“This is transformational for our customers and for the mission of saving lives,” said Fortem Technologies CEO Jon Gruen. “The Department of the Army has created a new model for getting critical technology to the tactical edge, and Fortem is honored to be among the first companies selected. G-TEAD gives commanders a way to procure proven C-UAS capabilities like DroneHunter® and SkyDome® in weeks rather than years – which means they can field what they need at the pace the threat is evolving.”
The G-TEAD Marketplace is a central component of the Army’s sweeping acquisition modernization effort, which pushes decision-making to the field, accelerates testing and iteration, and enables rapid follow-on production under authorities such as 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f). Fortem’s admission to the Marketplace reflects the Army’s assessment that the company’s autonomous counter-UAS systems have been vetted by the Army and have met the competitive standards required for rapid scaling.
Fortem will work closely with Army Contracting Command, capability leads, and operational units as the G-TEAD framework expands across theaters and mission sets. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

21 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that US Army seeks industry partners for C-UAS field support services. The United States Army is exploring industry interest in providing international field services and technical support for its counter-UAS operations. A newly released sources sought notice outlines the service’s need for vendors capable of supporting the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space C-UAS Product Office across multiple overseas locations.
According to the notice, modern counter-drone missions rely on a system-of-systems approach that blends sensors, effectors and command-and-control platforms to detect, track and defeat unmanned aircraft. These capabilities are routinely deployed in complex multinational environments, and the Army says maintaining them requires field personnel with expertise in integration, sustainment and operational support.
The Army anticipates needing field service representatives with technical fluency in RF detection, radar, EO/IR tracking, kinetic and non-kinetic defeat technologies and C2 integration. Their responsibilities would include on-site sustainment such as diagnostics, repair, calibration and performance optimization of interconnected subsystems. The notice adds that field support may extend to interoperability engineering to ensure systems can integrate with host nation and allied networks.
Training is another key component of the anticipated work. Vendors would be expected to deliver operator and maintainer instruction tailored to partner-nation forces, with an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. The Army also plans for ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programs intended to help countries cultivate their own long-term counter-UAS expertise.
Logistics and lifecycle management form a third pillar of the requirement. The vendor would be responsible for forecasting and provisioning spare parts, consumables and other mission-critical components, in addition to managing international shipments, customs processes and compliance with ITAR and host nation regulations. Software and firmware updates and configuration management across integrated systems are also included.
The notice describes a need for in-country operational coordination as well. The field representative would serve as the primary program contact for host-country military leadership and the liaison to the U.S. country team and combatant command units. Their role could include assistance with mission planning and participation in post-mission reviews.
The Army is currently gathering information from industry and has not yet issued a formal solicitation.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/us-army-seeks-industry-partners-for-c-uas-field-support-services/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/

REST OF THE WORLD

27 Nov 25. South Korea to strengthen presence in Poland’s defense market with proposed submarine transfer, says GlobalData
Following the news that South Korea has reportedly proposed transferring one of its decommissioned submarines to Poland;
Abhijit Apsingikar, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
“Despite the selection of the Swedish A26 submarine for the Orka contract by Poland, South Korea’s proposal to transfer the decommissioned ROKS Jang Bogo, an HDW Type 209 submarine, to Poland at no cost after its retirement is expected to help the European nation to address its immediate capability shortfalls. It is also expected enable the country to restructure its crew training regime and support the transition from Kilo-class submarines to Western submarine technology standards. This, in turn, will enable Polish crews to swiftly adapt to the new A26 submarines when they enter service in the future.
“As per GlobalData’s dataset Global Submarine Market Forecast 2025-2035, the Polish submarine market is valued at around $2.4 bn, and the country plans to acquire four submarines under the Orka-class program. South Korea has already established a strong foothold in Poland’s defense market, with its defense export deals to the country exceeding $10 bn in 2022 alone and totaling an estimated $13–14 bn overall till date. The proposed transfer of the Jang Bogo is likely to further strengthen South Korea’s presence in Poland’s defense market and pave the way for expanded sales to the country.
“Poland has already concluded major defense contracts with South Korea, including 180 K2 Black Panther main battle tanks, 48 FA-50 jet trainers, 212 K239 Chunmoo MLRS systems, and 212 K9 self-propelled howitzers, with an additional 162 K9 howitzers announced. The Polish Krab self-propelled howitzer is also based on the South Korean K9 chassis, and Poland has signed a licensing agreement to produce the K9A1 variant domestically. Against this backdrop, South Korean defense companies have strong prospects for successfully promoting their other defense equipment, as they are already well acquainted with Poland’s defense procurement framework.
“If realized, the transfer is therefore also expected to pave the way for expanded future acquisitions of South Korean defense equipment by Poland and to support follow-on orders. The move also demonstrates South Korea’s intent to go the extra mile to empower its allies and strategic partners, especially at a time when Poland expressed concerns about possible spillover of the Russia-Ukraine conflict at its borders.”

26 Nov 25. Taiwan says it has discussed with US arms purchases for extra defence budget.
• Summary
• Taiwan proposes extra $40bn in defence spending to 2033
• Talks with US on new arms sales have begun, minister says
• Spending must be passed by opposition-dominated parliament
Taiwan has already held preliminary talks with the United States about what weapons it wants to buy as part of a $40bn supplementary defence budget, Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Thursday.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te announced the previous day the new spending plan, which runs from 2026-2033, to underscore the island’s determination to defend itself in the face of a rising threat from China. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects.
Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Koo said purchases from the United States naturally constitute a significant part of the spending plans.
“We have already completed preliminary coordination with the United States on the planning for this military procurement project,” he said.
Taiwan has formally obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense the procurement item quantities, quotation information, transaction timelines, and other relevant details, showing the United States is willing to provide the weapons, Koo added.
But no details can be revealed before a formal notification to the U.S. Congress, he said.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of business hours in Washington.
PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL NEEDED
The spending will need to be passed by Taiwan’s opposition-dominated parliament.
Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, on Wednesday criticised the announcement, which Lai made first in a Washington Post op-ed, saying he had not told parliament first.
“National defence investment is essential, but leaning primarily on massive borrowing is neither fiscally prudent nor responsible governance,” the party said in a statement.
Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai, speaking at the same news conference as Koo, appealed for legislative support for the spending given the threat level from China.
“If you don’t have a country, how can you have a home?” Cho said.
Koo said the budget would also generate 90,000 jobs and bring a direct economic benefit to Taiwan of T$400bn.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
As Taiwan faces calls from Washington to spend more on its own defence, mirroring U.S. pressure on Europe, Lai said in August he hoped for a boost in defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2030.
But since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, only one new arms sale to Taiwan has been approved, a $330 m package for fighter jets and other aircraft parts announced this month.
The United States plans to ramp up weapons sales to Taipei to a level exceeding Trump’s first term, as part of an effort to deter China, two U.S. officials told Reuters in May.
China has condemned Taiwan’s new defence spending plans, as it always does.
Lai says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future. Beijing has rejected his repeated offers of talks, saying he is a “separatist”.
(Source: Reuters)

21 Nov 25. Saab, Wright Technologies sign MOU to boost New Zealand’s maritime and defence capabilities. Saab Australia has partnered with New Zealand maritime electronics firm Wright Technologies, signing an MOU aimed at expanding collaboration across defence and maritime projects as Wellington embarks on a major rebuild of the New Zealand Defence Force.
The agreement brings together Saab’s global expertise in advanced defence technology, particularly underwater and complex systems integration, with Wright Technologies’ six decades of local experience in maritime engineering, installation, repair and maintenance across New Zealand and the wider South Pacific.
Saab is internationally recognised for its cutting-edge underwater systems, including autonomous and remotely operated vehicles, mine countermeasure technology and advanced sonar platforms designed for harsh ocean conditions.
Above the surface, Saab’s 9LV combat management system is a mainstay of navies worldwide, while its TactiCall integrated communications suite provides secure, interoperable voice and data networks for ships, aircraft and joint forces.
Wright Technologies, a trusted partner to both defence and commercial operators, has played a key role in supporting New Zealand’s naval fleet, coastal surveillance capabilities and commercial maritime industry. Its engineering teams provide life cycle support for a range of mission-critical sensors, communications systems and vessel platforms.
Under the MOU, Saab and Wright Technologies will explore opportunities to support the New Zealand government’s Defence Policy and Strategy Statement and the multi-year plan to rebuild capability across the NZDF’s land, air and maritime forces.
This includes strengthening maritime domain awareness, modernising naval platforms and enhancing New Zealand’s ability to operate in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.
Saab already has a footprint in New Zealand, with the TactiCall communications system in service and Saab remotely operated vehicles employed for underwater inspection, repair and intervention tasks.
The new partnership aims to expand this presence by aligning Saab’s proven technologies with Wrights’ local workforce, maintenance capability and regional knowledge.
Industry observers said the agreement reflects a broader trend of New Zealand’s deepening cooperation with trusted international defence partners as it faces rising strategic pressures, ageing military equipment and increasing demands on its maritime forces across the Southern Ocean and South Pacific.
Further project announcements are expected as the two companies begin joint assessments of current capability gaps and emerging requirements within the NZDF. (Source: Defence Connect)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

• Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management

• Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs

• Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements

• Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards

• Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

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INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

November 14, 2025 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

12 Nov 25. UK’s Fleet Solid Support ships will begin production.

After the completion of the critical design review, manufacturing will begin in Belfast for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary FSS ships.

UK’s Fleet Solid Support programme will begin construction
The first of the three logistics ships will be built in Belfast and Cadiz
The FSS vessel will be the second largest in the fleet, after the aircraft carriers

The UK’s Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme will now begin production after completing the critical design review stage, covering the overall structural integrity, safety, and risk minimisation. FSS will provide three support ships built to deliver munitions, supplies and provisions to the Royal Navy while at sea. Overlooked by more lethal programmes, such as the £1bn Digital Targeting Web, the logistics arm of Britain’s naval force offers a much-needed crutch for global reach. The UK’s flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, recently returned to the Mediterranean after leading a carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific in the last five months which was largely bolstered by allied vessels – double the number featured in the 2021 mission. It does not help that the Ministry of Defence were forced to axe several ships late last year, forcing the the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) to repurpose its Bay-class landing ships for combat.

FSS programme

Each FSS vessel can reach speeds of 19 knots, they are 216 metres long (the length of two football pitches), with a displacement of 39,000 tonnes. They will be the largest UK military ships with the exception of aircraft carriers. The fleet will be inducted into the RFA, run by a crew of 101 people per ship, and accommodation provided for an additional 80 personnel operating helicopters, boats, or performing other roles when required. Manufacturing of the first FSS will now begin across different shipyards – Navantia in Cadiz, Spain and by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Northern Ireland – and all three ships will enter service after final equipment fits and military trials by 2032. BMT produced the FSS design, which is intended to be adaptable from the outset to achieve a carbon zero status by the end of their 30-year operational lifespan. In the meantime, FSS’s predecessor, RFA Fort Victoria, will continue operations to maintain some semblance of an operational solid support ship availability during the transition. (Source: naval-technology.com)

11 Nov 25. UK rejects EU demand for £5bn to join key defence fund. Snub means British defence firms could miss out on lucrative contracts. Britain has rejected a €6bn (£5.28bn) demand from the European Union to join the bloc’s €150bn rearmament scheme. The Telegraph understands that UK officials have warned that Brussels risks endangering efforts to deter Russian aggression by limiting British involvement in the programme. However, the snub means British defence firms could miss out on lucrative contracts being funded through the programme’s first round of loans. The European Commission’s €150bn loan scheme, known as Security Action For Europe (Safe), will fund purchases of weapons, such as long-range missiles and air-defence systems for participating members. Under the deal, 65 per cent of the end cost of the weapons must have been made by firms inside the EU. In exchange for up to €6bn and a smaller €150m administration fee, Brussels had offered Britain the opportunity to unlock greater access for its defence firms. By agreeing to the offer, it would have allowed British subcontractors to provide up to 50 per cent of the value of any contracts funded by the loan schemes.

Britain holding out for a better deal

But the demand was not deemed “fair or balanced” by British negotiators. A Government spokesman said: “The UK is committed to a broad and constructive relationship with the EU and we are working together to implement the package agreed at the UK-EU Summit.

“We will only agree deals that provide value to the UK and UK industry. Nothing has been agreed, and we will not give a running commentary on talks.”

In the coming weeks, ministers and officials will try to drive the price down, until they reach a compromise. It is understood that British negotiators have argued it is in the interest of the EU’s long-term security to capitalise on British expertise in the defence industry and not break up the long-running partnerships. Because of the deep integration between Britain and the EU’s defence industries, UK firms will continue to benefit from Safe regardless of a deal, officials have warned Brussels. Norway and Ukraine are the only non-EU countries permitted unfettered access to the bloc’s scheme. France has been lobbying to limit any international involvement as it attempts to drive through plans to make the bloc less reliant on international partners, mainly the United States. The European Commission has approved plans to negotiate membership deals with the UK and Canada. South Korea and Turkey have also signalled a willingness to gain access to the scheme if it is further enlarged. Access to Safe was sold as a major victory from Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit “reset” deal with Brussels, which gave away fishing rights to EU boats in British waters for 12 years. Failure to secure a deal to join the defence loans scheme will probably pile pressure on the Prime Minister to demonstrate what the UK has gained from his EU pact. Many of the wins championed by the Labour Government are yet to be agreed, such as a deal to ease checks on food exports to the bloc. (Source: Daily Telegraph)

09 Nov 25. UK and Norway deepen naval ties on carrier mission. Six months of combined operations aboard HMS Prince of Wales have strengthened cooperation between British and Norwegian naval forces, the Royal Navy have stated. The Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen has spent the past half-year as a key element of the UK Carrier Strike Group during Operation Highmast, providing protection for the Royal Navy’s flagship as the force deployed through the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific. Throughout the deployment, the Amundsen has embarked a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, along with its flight crew and engineers from RNAS Yeovilton. The team has operated as part of the Norwegian ship’s company, supporting missions across several regions, including Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

Commander Senior Grade Stian Schnelle, commanding officer of Roald Amundsen, described the experience as a successful demonstration of Anglo-Norwegian naval integration. “Working with the crew from the 815 Squadron has so far been a real pleasure, and is truly a proof of concept for Norwegian-UK cooperation,” he said. “They are true professionals and make a decisive contribution to make HNoMS Roald Amundsen a credible and effective contribution to the Carrier Strike Group and our mission.”

He added that the partnership had built momentum toward the future Type 26 frigate era, when both navies will operate UK-built warships in the North Atlantic. Oslo has ordered five of the same class, intended to patrol alongside Royal Navy vessels and allied P-8 maritime patrol aircraft.

UK Carrier Strike Group Commander Commodore James Blackmore said the collaboration had been “seamless”. “Their professionalism, skill and commitment to collective defence make them an integral part of the team,” he stated. “The integration of our Norwegian partners not only strengthens the group operationally but also demonstrates our collective resolve to uphold the security and stability of the North Atlantic as allies.”

The Royal Navy said recent years have seen closer cooperation with Norway across multiple domains, from Royal Marines’ annual Arctic training to joint operations involving patrol boats, Wildcats, and the testing of the Naval Strike Missile.

Commander Hjalmar Rasmussen, Amundsen’s executive officer, noted in the news release that the British helicopter team had been fully absorbed into life aboard. “The helicopter crew has grown to be part of the crew and fully included in everything on board,” he said. “There are surprisingly few cultural differences, and we really appreciate benefiting from their viewpoints on how to run a naval vessel and crew.” (Source: UKDJ)

07 Nov 25. Royal Navy upgrades to boost warship lethality. The Ministry of Defence has outlined ongoing work to enhance the firepower of the Royal Navy’s surface fleet as part of a broad modernisation drive. In response to a written question from Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the Navy is “undertaking a significant programme to modernise and increase the lethality of the Fleet.” He noted that “the introduction of Sea Venom and the Naval Strike Missile are key aspects of this programme, which will be followed by further capability upgrades over the next few years.” According to the Ministry of Defence, these efforts form part of a wider strategy to ensure the Royal Navy retains the ability to counter evolving maritime threats through next-generation precision weapons and system upgrades. The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) recently achieved its first successful live firing during Exercise Aegir 25 in Norway’s Arctic region, where HMS Somerset launched the weapon alongside Norwegian and Polish allies. The test marked what the Royal Navy described as a major milestone in strengthening its strike capability, demonstrating the deep cooperation between the UK and Norway in maritime defence. Pollard said at the time that “the NSM is one of the most advanced missiles in our naval arsenal” and that its introduction “will give the Royal Navy and our allies an edge against our enemies.” The missile can engage both sea and land targets at ranges beyond 100 miles and is being integrated across the Type 23 and Type 45 fleets. (Source: UKDJ)

EUROPE

12 Nov 25. France, Germany, Spain to resume delayed fighter talks, sources say. France, Germany and Spain are set to resume high-level talks on the next phase of a major fighter project after delays caused by the recent political crisis in France, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. A ministerial meeting is planned for the week of November 24 as the three nations try to bridge differences over the next phase of the Future Combat Air System, which calls for a flying demonstrator model, two of the people said. A third source said a meeting was planned but that its date had not yet been announced.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is separately due to meet his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, in Paris next Monday, two of the sources said.

No comment was immediately available from the three defence ministries involved in the 100-bn-euro project to develop a system of crewed stealth fighters and packs of armed drones.

Pistorius told reporters last week that no new date for a trilateral ministerial meeting had been set, but he reiterated Germany’s call for a decision on the next phase by end-year.

Berlin has blamed French industry for blocking the programme’s next phase by demanding sole leadership of the project, in a coded reference to Dassault Aviation. Dassault, which handles France’s industrial participation in the project while Airbus (AIR.PA) represents Germany and Spain, has denied reports that it wants to control 80% of the project.

Pistorius said last week that he had discussed the topic with France’s Vautrin, who had stated her intention to continue with the project, which is widely known as FCAS, or its French acronym, SCAF. Speaking ahead of a recent meeting with Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles, Vautrin said there was urgency to move ahead because France’s current Rafale warplanes would need to be replaced by 2040. (Source: Reuters)

12 Nov 25. Germany to spend €26.5bn on clothes for soldiers, armoured vehicles. Germany plans to allocate nearly 19bn euros ($22.16bn) to kit out soldiers with new clothes and personal equipment in the coming years, in addition to 7.5 bn for new wheeled armoured vehicles, said a finance ministry document. The government justifies the troop apparel project known as FASER – with expenditures spread out until 2034 – with its ambitious recruitment goal of 460,000 soldiers by the mid-2030s, from the around 280,000 who now make up the Bundeswehr. According to the ministry’s budget documents seen by Reuters on Tuesday, Germany will also authorise some 7.5bn euros through 2037 for the procurement of new wheeled armoured vehicles. That will likely involve the purchase of between 3,000 and 5,000 Boxer vehicles manufactured jointly between Germany’s Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE), and Franco-German defence company KNDS, according to parliamentary sources. Germany has been on a defence buying spree after Chancellor Friedrich Merz secured the backing needed to exempt such spending from debt limits and build up its underequipped army in a bid to take greater responsibility for European security. (Source: Reuters)

07 Nov 25. French air force official says FCAS industry kerfuffle is overblown. Reports of infighting between partners on the French-German-Spanish FCAS fighter program have been exaggerated and the platform will see the light of day with all members on board, a leading French air force official has said.

“There are differences but don’t believe all you are reading,” said Brig. Gen. Phillipe Suhr, the French Air Force point man for the program.

“We are still fully committed to this program with our partners and we will do our best to find a solution to move forward because we have to.

It is important to deliver in the 2040s,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the International Fighter conference in Rome.

Launched by France and Germany in 2017, with Spain subsequently signing up, the FCAS 6th-generation fighter is needed to replace France’s Rafales and Germany’s Eurofighters by 2040. But Germany and France have squabbled over control of the project, with French prime contractor Dassault pushing for a bigger stake. Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, which will contribute to Germany’s workshare, last month said Dassault should pull out if it was unsatisfied with its share.

“So if they’re not happy with what was decided and they don’t agree to continue in this setup, they are free to decide to move out of FCAS,” he said.

Suhr sought to play down the ruckus and said Dassault’s ambitions were more contained than reported. “When you read Dassault wants 80 percent, it is not reality,” he said.

As the continental FCAS program stalls, the parallel sixth generation GCAP fighter being developed by Italy, the UK and Japan appears to be making progress after the establishment of three industrial consortia to handle the work this autumn.

In a conference call with analysts on Wednesday, Italy’s lead contractor Leonardo said it will have booked over €1 bn in national contracts on the fighter program by December.

“Our competitors are slowing down,” CEO Roberto Cingolani told analysts.

Addressing the Rome International Fighter conference, one Italian military official provided insight on how Rome views GCAP as a chance to balance building sovereign technologies as well as sharing them with its U.K. and Japanese partners.

Col. Antonio Vivolo, the GCAP senior technical representative at the Italian defense ministry armaments office said that if nations were to keep abreast of fast changing, crucial technologies they needed a degree of national autonomy, even in partnerships like GCAP.

“The goal is not only to obtain a new fighter, the goal is to obtain and keep technological and industrial sovereignty so that when scenarios, threats and partners changes we can reconfigure our capability without renegotiating our freedom of action with a third party,” he said in his speech, which he cleared for publication.

“Without this depth of sovereignty, sixth-generation would remain a beautiful concept governed by someone else, and this was not an option,” he said.

At the same, he added, “By arriving at the table with a clear ability-based requirement set … We make ourselves a reliable, predictable and useful partner.” (Source: Defense News)

USA

13 Nov 25. USAF’s New Low-Cost Anti-Air Missile Program Aims for $500K Target Price. The U.S. Air Force has put out a new call for concepts for a future anti-air missile that costs no more than $500,000 and that could be built at a rate of at least 1,000 per year. The service says the planned Counter-Air Missile Program (CAMP) will build upon frameworks it has been using to develop cheaper cruise missiles for striking targets on land and at sea. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Armament Directorate recently released a contracting notice regarding CAMP. The directorate has stressed that it is still in the very early stages of laying out the effort. However, “the United States Government has identified a need … for the development, procurement, and integration of a low-cost counter-air capability as a future class of the Affordable Mass Munitions portfolio,” according to the notice. “It is the Government’s expectation that the initial CAMP system will provide a ground-launched capability that is a viable pathway to a low-cost air-to-air missile.”

“Low-cost” here is defined as less than $500,000 per unit for a production run of at least 1,000 complete missiles. The target annual production rate is between 1,000 and 3,500 of the CAMP munitions.

“The highest priority of this effort is the development and demonstration of an affordable, open system, modular, and highly producible ground-launched capability. Ground-launch efforts will serve as a risk reduction effort expediting missile design maturation and evaluation for future affordable air-to-air missile capabilities,” the contracting notice adds. “A ground-launch system will also serve as a new weapon class of Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV), providing a lower cost, rapid capability to integrate and demonstrate future sub-systems and components in a relevant environment prior to integration into a Program of Record weapon.” In June 2024, the Air Force and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced they had hired four companies – Zone 5 Technologies, Anduril, Leidos subsidiary Dynetics, and Integrated Solutions for Systems, Inc. – to design and deliver prototype ETVs. Ostensibly low-cost cruise missiles, the designs in question skirt an increasingly blurry line separating traditional cruise missiles from uncrewed aerial systems, especially longer-range kamikaze drones, as well as decoys. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

REST OF THE WORLD

12 Nov 25. Hanwha Ocean/Canada’s PCL Construction MoU will advance CPSP. If contracted in 2026, Hanwha Ocean will deliver four KSS-III submarines to replace the Victoria-class fleet by 2035. South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Canada’s PCL Construction to advance infrastructure development for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). Hanwha Ocean’s KSS-III submarine and Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems from Germany were two of the qualified suppliers selected by the Canadian government for the CPSP. The project, announced in July 2024, aims to provide the Royal Canadian Navy with up to 12 new submarines to enhance maritime security and operational capabilities along Canada’s coastlines. Hanwha Ocean aims to deliver four of its KSS-III submarines to Canada before 2035 if awarded a contract in 2026, according to a 10 November 2025 statement from PCL. This would allow for replacement of the existing Victoria-class fleet within that timeframe, with a projection that earlier retirement of the submarines could result in estimated maintenance and support cost savings of C$1bn ($714m). After delivery of the initial four submarines, Hanwha Ocean plans to supply the remaining eight vessels at a rate of one per year, targeting full fleet delivery by 2043. PCL has asserted that no alternative supplier currently offers a comparable delivery timeline. PCL Construction Canadian operations chief operating officer Mike Wieninger stated: “PCL Construction is proud to join Hanwha Ocean’s Team to collaborate on the planning and construction of infrastructure for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project.

“Our company has significant experience partnering with the government of Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces on projects across Canada. We believe PCL’s expertise and collaborative approach will be a great asset to Hanwha Ocean’s proposal for this critical project.”

Hanwha Ocean has signed teaming agreements and MoUs with more than 12 Canadian companies since 2023 for long-term cooperation on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. The company also signed contracts with Canadian companies Modest Tree and Hepburn Engineering. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

07 Nov 25. SA defence firms urge SANDF to embrace public-private partnerships. The Global Industrial Cooperation Association (GICA) 2025 Conference, held in Cape Town from 14 to 16 October, placed the spotlight on public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a viable tool for revitalising South Africa’s defence sector. Presenting on behalf of the South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD), Dr Mthobisi Zondi, CEO of Sandock Austral Defence, outlined a framework to operationalise the new PPP regulations within the Department of Defence (DoD). His presentation drew on lessons learned from past initiatives and international best practice.

“Between 2005 and 2015, the Department of Defence attempted eight PPP projects,” said Zondi. “All of them focused on buildings, not on equipment or capability, and none progressed beyond feasibility stage. Affordability was the main stumbling block.”

Zondi highlighted that while the DoD controls some 9.2 m m² of buildings and 480,000 hectares of land, “buildings are not necessarily a priority when it comes to mission readiness – the availability of equipment and prime mission equipment (PME) is.”

He noted that South Africa’s previous PPP efforts in defence were hindered by complexity, long contracting periods, high unitary fees and leadership turnover.

“Feasibility studies sometimes took nine years,” he explained. “By the time they were completed, priorities and leadership had changed.”

Zondi emphasised that the new PPP regulations, gazetted earlier this year, create opportunities for the defence sector to pursue smaller, performance-based projects aligned with operational needs.

“The amendments empower the Department of Defence to establish its own PPP Directorate, something that did not exist before,” he said. “Projects under R2 bn no longer need full Treasury approvals 2A and 2B, which can save up to a year in process time.”

Industry-driven Unsolicited Proposals (USPs) are also now possible, enabling companies to pitch directly to defence clients.

“As industry, this is a game changer,” Zondi said. “We can go to the Chief of the Army with a concrete proposal to improve the availability of logistic support vehicles, and he must consider it through an objective framework.”

Central to Zondi’s proposal is the adoption of Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) models, widely used in international defence environments, such as Contracting for Availability (CfA) and Contracting for Capability (CfC).

“Performance-based contracts focus on outcomes, not processes,” he explained. “Instead of telling a contractor how to maintain equipment, you specify the result, for example, that a ship must be available whenever needed, in the required state, and for the required duration. The contractor is then incentivised to achieve that availability.”

CfA contracts, Zondi said, are already used effectively by the UK Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces, allowing militaries to sustain capabilities at agreed levels of readiness while encouraging efficiency and innovation.

“In the UK, for example, the Royal School of Military Engineering is run under such a model,” Zondi added. “The private partner delivers an end-to-end training solution, from classroom to practical application, while the Army focuses on outcomes.”

Under the new framework, Zondi proposed that the DoD standardise feasibility templates and establish a defence-specific PPP framework covering categories such as training, PME supply and upkeep, facilities, and simulation.

He stressed the importance of robust risk management and shared accountability.

“Risk must be allocated at the start of a project to the party best able to manage it,” Zondi said. “Misallocation of risk was one of the main reasons our earlier projects failed.”

The benefits of adopting PPPs in defence, he concluded, include reduced capital expenditure, improved operational readiness, enhanced access to commercial technology, and the ability to leverage underutilised assets for revenue generation.

“The PPP framework gives us an opportunity to align public needs with private innovation,” Zondi said. “The aim is not to outsource defence, it’s to make it more effective, more responsive, and more sustainable.”

Arising from the Public-Private Partnerships for Defence and Security Conference Hosted by DefenceWeb and AMD in March this year, the South African defence industry is showing renewed interest, waiting to see if the Department of Defence can seize the opportunity to transform intent into implementation.

“There’s definitely appetite,” Zondi affirmed. “Industry is ready, now we need the Department to fast-track its internal processes so we can start delivering.” (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

IEE’s Advantage:

Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

November 7, 2025 by

Sponsored by

https://ieeinc.com/

UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO

06 Nov 25. Britain looking to buy 20 new naval drone vessels. The Royal Navy has launched early market engagement for a new fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) as part of its shift toward a hybrid naval force, according to a Ministry of Defence notice published on 5 November. Known as Project Beehive, the initiative aims to support training, tactics, and warfare development while providing an experimental platform for autonomous systems. The vessels will be used by the Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT) in UK and overseas operations, serving as testbeds for emerging technologies and new operational concepts. According to the notice, “these platforms will be utilised for training, tactic development, warfare development, capability development, and operations in the UK Area of Responsibility and beyond.” The project will be run as a spiral development programme, with the first USVs expected to reach technology readiness levels 4 to 5 and to feature open architecture systems for future upgrades. The Ministry of Defence stated that the USVs are “key to maintaining operational relevance against peer threats.” The new fleet will allow the Navy to trial advanced autonomous and hybrid capabilities under its ongoing “Hybrid Navy” transition, which aims to combine crewed and uncrewed systems across surface, subsurface, and air domains. Work on the project will focus primarily in southern and southwestern regions of the UK. Engineering support for original equipment manufacturer integration and spiral upgrades will form part of the procurement process. The estimated value of the contract is £10 m, including VAT, with funding to be drawn partly from UK Defence Innovation. The MOD added that while the participation phase is moving forward, no tender will be issued until final spending approval is granted. This follows a major trial in which five uncrewed boats, remotely piloted from over 500 miles away, surrounded HMS Tyne during a three-day demonstration off the Scottish coast. The exercise, led by the Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technology Office and the Fleet Experimentation Squadron, marked what the service called a milestone in its move toward a Hybrid Navy of crewed and uncrewed platforms. During the trial, live data and video from the 7.2-metre Rattler vessels were transmitted to controllers aboard the research ship Patrick Blackett in Portsmouth, enabling real-time coordination with HMS Tyne, HMS Stirling Castle, HMS Biter, and a Merlin helicopter. Commander Michael Hutchinson, who leads the Fleet Experimentation Squadron, said it was “a really important moment for the Royal Navy as we progress towards a Hybrid Navy of crewed and uncrewed platforms.”

Brigadier Jaimie Roylance, the Royal Navy’s Chief Technology Officer, described the event as “the first time we have been able to field a capable, mission-ready, deployable uncrewed system at sea.” He called it “an important moment in the history of the Royal Navy” and said that uncrewed systems will be vital for maintaining the UK’s maritime edge against evolving threats. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)

04 Nov 25. Tech challenge launched to counter drone threats in prisons. A new innovation challenge aimed at combatting the growing threat of drones to prisons has been launched by the Ministry of Justice through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre Co-Creation.

Industry challenge to find innovative solutions to tackle drone scourge
£60,000 funding prize to develop proposal
Builds on £40m investment to bolster prison security, part of Plan for Change

A new innovation challenge aimed at combatting the growing threat of drones to prisons has been launched by the Ministry of Justice through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) Co-Creation. The Counter-Drone Challenge invites industry to find cutting-edge solutions to detect drones designed by criminals to evade current detection methods available on the market. Successful applicants will receive £60,000 funding to develop proof-of-concept systems over a 12-week period.

It comes as the number of incidents at prisons involving drones skyrocketed by over 770% between 2019 and 2023, with the devices increasingly being used by organised crime groups to smuggle contraband like drugs and phones into jails.

The Government is already investing £40 m this year to bolster prison security, including £10 m on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows.

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson, said: “We have taken decisive action to combat the scourge of drones in prisons – investing heavily in physical security and cutting-edge technology.

This challenge will help us harness innovation to keep staff safe, disrupt criminal networks and support prisoner rehabilitation.

Solutions put forward for the challenge must be simple to use and legally compliant.

This challenge is part of the Ministry of Justice’s wider ambition to engage with industry to source innovative security solutions.

It follows a July showcase where businesses presented cutting-edge technologies to ministers, aimed at tackling prison violence, improving monitoring, and strengthening frontline safety.

Further information

For more information about the challenge, please contact HMGCC.
HMGCC Co-Creation is a partnership with the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), created to deliver a new bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community.”
It works by sharing OpTech challenges with wide-ranging networks of academia and industry, then working closely with them on solutions.
The idea is about using networks to tap into a huge pool of expertise, to help wider government keep pace with rapid advances in technology.
Businesses showcase tough justice tech to Government ministers – GOV.UK (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

EUROPE

06 Nov 25. Portugal wants US, European fighter jet makers to compete for future deal. Portugal wants to foster competition between makers of U.S.-made F-35s and European advanced fighter jets in the replacement of its ageing fleet of F-16s in order to maximise benefits, Defence Minister Nuno Melo said on Wednesday. His latest remarks appeared more open to a possible deal with the U.S. than comments in March, when he suggested President Donald Trump’s unpredictable policy shifts towards NATO and Europe could make Portugal pick a European fighter. Trump has since reaffirmed commitment to NATO while forcing the alliance’s European members to up military spending. Melo told a parliamentary committee the process to select new jets was yet to kick off, and when it does, the government will consult the Air Force and take into account “returns for the country and its industries”. Benefits to both manufacturers and purchasing countries can include industrial participation, technology transfers and financing. (Source: Reuters)

03 Nov 25. Norway reaches settlement with Airbus-led NHIndustries in NH90 helicopter case. Norway and three leading European aerospace groups have reached a settlement over the country’s 2.86 bn euro ($3.3 bn) damages claim following its cancelled order for NH90 submarine-hunting helicopters, the Norwegian government and the companies said. The settlement with NHIndustries and owners Airbus (AIR.PA), Leonardo (LDOF.MI), and GKN Fokker will avoid a rare public trial over defence procurement as well as a countersuit by the manufacturers for hundreds of ms of dollars. Norway will now receive 305 m euros from NHI in addition to amounts previously paid of around 70 m euros, the government said in a statement. The Norwegian defence ministry has said the delivery of the 14 helicopters ordered in 2001 should have been completed by the end of 2008 but that it faced more than a decade of delays and missing parts. The government cancelled the order in 2022 and had been seeking damages and compensation from NHIndustries and its shareholders in a case that had been due to begin in Oslo on November 10. NHIndustries will take back the NH90 helicopters it had delivered, along with associated spare parts, tools, and mission-specific equipment, Norway said. (Source: Reuters)

USA

03 Nov 25. Give ’em E-HEL: Army seeks industry ideas for counter-drone laser systems. The Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program is the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers. In the Army’s latest step to beef up its counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities, the service has formally asked industry for ideas to field high-energy laser systems capable of blasting small- to medium-sized drones out of the sky. According to a request for information filed late last week, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is seeking solutions to protect “semi fixed” and maneuver forces from Group 1 and 2 drones and Group 3 “one way attack” drones for its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, the Army’s first program of record for a new family of high-energy lasers. RCCTO said it’s looking to acquire 20 E-HEL systems using a modular open systems approach, with an award expected to be “initiated” in the second quarter of fiscal year of 2026 “or later.”

“Interested sources responding to this RFI must have demonstrated expertise in the production of technically sophisticated laser weapon system components, supply chain management, integration, and assembly, a secret facility clearance, strong configuration management and quality controls, HEL weapon system experience, test experience, and the ability to support multiple concurrent weapon system integration activities,” the RFI read.

In addition to the E-HEL having to protect “semi fixed” and maneuver forces, it also must be able to mount on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and be deployed as a “palletized” unit. It must also be ground transportable and meet requirements for C-17 transport. Vendors will have to demonstrate their solutions in front of the Directed Energy Project Office (DEPO), which is under RCCTO, if they do not have recent government-witnessed test data, per the RFI. The demonstrations are taking place at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah from Dec. 8-19 and Jan. 5-30. Responses to the RFI are due Nov. 21.

“DEPO will also witness the key attributes of fluence, tracker performance, engagement track range and laser quality track to determine if systems that do not achieve a hard kill on Group 3 UAS have the potential to scale and be lethal against Group 3 OWA [one way attack] threat UAS,” the RFI read.

Though the RFI does not guarantee solicitations, it does signal that the Pentagon is moving forward with its plans to field more directed energy weapons, which have long held hope that they could serve as a more affordable solution to shooting down drones. However, the Defense Department has struggled to bring the technology past initial development and demonstrations. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

03 Nov 25. US working overtime to speed up delayed F-16 deliveries, Taiwan says.

Summary
Companies
Taiwan has long complained of weapons delays by US
Taiwan waiting for 66 new F-16V fighter jets
US is Taiwan’s main international arms supplier
HIMARS delivery running ahead of schedule, Taiwan minister says

The United States is working overtime to speed up the production of delayed F-16V fighter jets to Taiwan, while advanced U.S.-made glide bombs have also been delayed due to supply-chain issues, the island’s defence ministry said on Monday. Taiwan, which faces a rising military threat from Beijing, has complained of repeated delays to weapons ordered from the United States, the Chinese-claimed island’s most important international backer and arms supplier. (Source: Reuters)

REST OF THE WORLD

06 Nov 25. Australian navy sizes up high-risk submarine transitions under AUKUS. Australia has its work cut out keeping aging Collins-class diesel-electric submarines in service as it transitions to nuclear-powered submarines, firstly to second-hand Virginia-class boats from the United States, and then to SSN-AUKUS submarines designed and built in conjunction with the U.K. Asked about the risks for the Collins-class life extension and the SSN programs, Rear Adm. Stephen Hughes, head of naval capability for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), said he holds a “half-glass-full view” about the path ahead. “There are always the naysayers, but you’ve got to remember we’re pretty focused on delivering both outcomes.” Hughes spoke to Defense News at the Indo-Pacific 2025 naval exhibition, held in Sydney from Nov. 4-6.

“Are they high risk? Sure – schedules, demanding technologies, the workforce is demanding,” he added. “I can list all the things that could go wrong, but one thing we’re really good at in Defence, despite maybe some other commentators’ views, is we’re really good at risk management.”

Defense officials have taken an “integrated approach” to orchestrating the two programs, from legacy submarines to nuclear-powered boats, which puts the spotlight on getting the transition right, he said.

Australian industry excitement

Much attention was paid at the Indo-Pacific 2025 event here to agreements over potential involvement in the SSN-AUKUS submarine program. One announcements was about a teaming arrangement on Nov. 5 by four major primes to compete for the SSN-AUKUS combat system.

The team comprises BAE Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Raytheon Australia and Thales. The quartet stated they would design a trinational command system as a “shared solution for Australia and the U.K.,” building on General Dynamics’ existing AN/BYG-1 system.

Incidentally, the AN/BYG-1 is already installed on Australia’s six Collins-class submarines.

Another announcement on Nov. 4 covered a strategic agreement paving the way for South Australian firm PMB Defence to supply nickel zinc batteries. PMB Defence is working with BAE Systems, designer of the SSN-AUKUS boat, to enable potential integration of its batteries. Contracts between the two are already valued in excess of $22 million.

Certifiable progress

With Australian companies hoping to seize a slice of the submarine pie, the Australian navy remains optimistic of the capability it will obtain.

“My view is, based on what Trump said publicly, he’s committed to the AUKUS program,” said Hughes, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose government had initiated a review of the tri-national program. “We’re investing in the U.S. industry base, the U.S. is driven to ensuring we have the best capability, because it’s in their benefit to have us with a submarine that can survive in the future threat.”

HII and Babcock have joined forces to support the AUKUS submarine endeavor, creating a joint venture called H&B Defence in June 2024. To qualify Australian businesses as suppliers for the U.S. nuclear submarine enterprise, it issued an expression of interest to which 378 Australian companies responded. A handful have already been validated against HII’s standards.

Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president for maritime systems and corporate strategy, said the company has increased throughput at its shipyards by 15%.

“We’re continuing to hit that acceleration,” he said. “One of the important strategies we have to do that is the distributed shipbuilding model where we’re outsourcing.”

Industry experts have suggested that some bottlenecks in U.S. production could be alleviated by help from new Australian suppliers.

Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce, the only private company in the world producing nuclear reactors for submarines, is providing PWR3+ power plants for SSN-AUKUS boats.

Steve Carlier, Rolls-Royce Submarines president, told Defense News that the improved PWR3+ provides greater operational flexibility since it gives crews more options in how to use the energy, plus it brings greater safety levels.

Carlier also confirmed the SSN-AUKUS’s preliminary design review is expected to be achieved in September 2026.

Hughes confirmed the first Collins-class submarine, HMAS Farncomb, will enter a two-year life-of-type extension (LOTE) program next year. The effort is designed to stretch the life of boats by ten years, as the new SSN fleet is gradually slated to arrive. (Source: Defense News)

05 Nov 25. India and Israeli boost defence cooperation with new MoU. The MoU sets a framework and policy for expanded cooperation in strategic talks, training, defence industry, R&D, and AI. India and Israel have formalised a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding their defence, industrial, and technological cooperation. The MoU was signed at the annual meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 4 November 2025, which was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Major General (Res) Amir Baram, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMoD). The newly signed MoU provides a policy direction and vision to guide both countries in deepening their existing partnership in defence. It identifies several specific areas for expanded cooperation, including strategic dialogues, training arrangements, defence industrial initiatives, science and technology efforts, research and development activities, AI, and cyber security collaboration. The agreement will enable technologies sharing and encourage co-development and co-production. During the JWG meeting, delegates reviewed ongoing defence projects and existing initiatives between India and Israel. Both sides noted that past and present cooperation has been mutually beneficial. Discussions included potential areas for further collaboration in advanced technologies and steps to improve operational capabilities within both defence sectors. Participants also addressed shared concerns such as terrorism, underlining a coordinated commitment to addressing security threats. A dedicated panel involving chief executives of major Israeli defence industries was also convened during the visit. Industry leaders presented recent technological developments and proposed collaborative projects intended to further strengthen industrial-defence partnerships between Israeli firms and Indian counterparts.

Major general (Res) Amir Baram said: “This strategic dialogue with India takes place at a critical juncture for both countries. Our strategic partnership is based on deep mutual trust and shared security interests. We view India as a first-rate strategic partner and are determined to continue deepening cooperation in the fields of defence, technology, and industry.”

Representation at the meeting included high-ranking officials from both governments. The Israeli side comprised senior members from the Political-Military Bureau, Directorate of Defence Research & Development (DDR&D), Directorate of Security of the Defence Establishment, International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT), as well as participants from the IDF Planning Directorate and other defence officials.

The Indian delegation included senior representatives from India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Armed Forces.

In a post on X, India’s Ministry of Defence said: “Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Israeli Defence Minister Mr. Israel Katz and briefed him on the key outcomes of the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, aimed at further strengthening the robust and enduring defence cooperation between India and Israel.”

Earlier in 2025, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and DCX Systems established a new joint venture named ELTX, aimed at bolstering the Indian government’s self-reliance initiative, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, and its ‘Make in India’ campaign. (Source: army-technology.com)

05 Nov 25. ASC and BAE Launch Joint ICN Portal for the Nuclear – Powered Submarine Program. Australia’s sovereign submarine partners ASC and BAE Systems today announced a new-look Industry Capability Network (ICN) Portal for Australian businesses seeking to participate in the Nuclear-powered Submarine Program (NPS). The NPS ICN Portal information has been transferred from the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and is now jointly managed by the sovereign submarine partners. The portal provides a central hub for suppliers to register their interest, showcase their capabilities, and access upcoming opportunities across the program. Under ASC and BAE Systems’ joint management, the portal will deliver continuity for the hundreds of companies already registered, while opening new pathways for small and medium enterprises to qualify for work packages in one of the most complex industrial programs in Australia’s history.

ASC Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Stuart Whiley: “This portal is a gateway for Australian industry to play a direct role in our nation’s nuclear-powered submarines. By working with our partners at BAE Systems, we are ensuring suppliers have a clear, simple, and continuous pathway to engage with the program and be part of Australia’s sovereign submarine capability.”

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Lockhart: “Australian industry will be at the heart of delivering the SSN-AUKUS submarine enterprise. The transition of the ICN Portal ensures Australian businesses can register once and remain connected as opportunities grow, giving them the confidence to invest in the skills, standards and innovation needed to succeed in global submarine supply chains.” (Source: ASD Network)

05 Nov 25. Turkey, UAE and China expand influence in Africa’s defence market. The shifting dynamics of Africa’s defence procurement landscape came under the spotlight at the recent Global Industrial Cooperation Association (GICA) 2025 Conference in Cape Town, where Erwan de Cherisey, Principal at Janes Strategic Services, presented an in-depth analysis titled “Major Players in Africa – A Look at the Defence Equipment Suppliers Active on the Continent.” His research painted a picture of an African continent where traditional non-African suppliers are being displaced by new entrants offering cheaper, more adaptable, and politically neutral alternatives.

“In the last 10 to 20 years, there’s been a real shift in suppliers when it comes to defence equipment throughout Africa,” de Cherisey told delegates.

“Countries that previously did little defence trade have become significant players, while historical suppliers have moved away or been pushed out,” he explained

He attributed the shift to a combination of cost, capability, and political pragmatism.

“African countries are seeking suppliers able to deliver cost-effective solutions without imposing constraints on their use,” he clarified. “There’s also a growing desire for localisation, offsets, and industrial return to help build domestic defence capacity.”

Among the fastest-growing suppliers is Turkey, whose defence industry has expanded its reach from a handful of niche sales before 2015 to supplying more than 20 African nations today. Turkish companies are delivering a diverse portfolio of products, from armoured vehicles and UAVs to helicopters, ships, communication systems, and small arms.

Key customers include Nigeria, Rwanda, and Morocco, with Nigeria emerging as a flagship client, operating Turkish UAVs, attack helicopters and patrol vessels.

“Turkey offers the right balance between technological sophistication and ruggedness,” said de Cherisey. “It comes without colonial baggage and is seen as an affordable, dependable partner that respects African sovereignty.”

He added that Turkey’s success has also been fuelled by favourable financing terms and its ability to engage diplomatically through cultural and religious ties, particularly with Muslim-majority countries.

The United Arab Emirates has likewise expanded its role, blending arms exports with diplomatic outreach. Once limited to a few sales in North Africa, the UAE now supplies armoured vehicles, drones, ammunition, and small arms across the continent, with growing footprints in Uganda, Nigeria, and Egypt.

“The UAE is using defence cooperation as a diplomatic tool,” de Cherisey observed. “It provides donations, financing, and even establishes local production partnerships to strengthen long-term ties.”

Companies such as Streit Group have established manufacturing operations in Uganda, with discussions underway in Tanzania to expand joint vehicle production. Some of these deals, he noted, are part of broader political strategies to deepen bilateral relationships rather than strictly commercial transactions.

Despite growing competition, China remains the single largest supplier of defence equipment to Sub-Saharan Africa and is steadily increasing its footprint in North Africa. Chinese defence exports include tanks, artillery, drones, ships, and combat aircraft, often bundled into broader infrastructure and investment packages.

“Chinese equipment may offer 75% of Western capability at 50% of the price,” de Cherisey said, quoting feedback from African militaries. “For many countries, that trade-off is good enough.”

Malian CS/VP14 MRAPs.

China’s approach relies heavily on long-term, low-interest loans backed by its export-import banks, with arms sales serving as an extension of its wider foreign policy objectives.

The war in Ukraine has placed significant pressure on Russia’s ability to supply new equipment or even maintain existing systems in Africa. Spare parts shortages and sanctions have disrupted logistics, prompting African operators of Russian hardware to seek alternative sources. Still, Russia maintains a presence through symbolic deliveries, bilateral defence agreements, and its close alignment with military regimes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia.

Israel continues to be a visible player, particularly in small arms, communications, and intelligence systems. It has successfully displaced the AK-series rifle in several countries and supports local assembly through technology transfer deals in Rwanda and Zambia.

Meanwhile, the United States remains focused on capacity building rather than large-scale arms sales, providing donated equipment such as ISR aircraft and mine-resistant vehicles to partners in West and East Africa. France, once dominant in its former colonies, has refocused its efforts on North Africa, notably through recent helicopter and patrol vessel sales to Morocco and Egypt, while pulling back from the Sahel following political upheavals.

De Cherisey concluded that Africa’s defence market mirrors the continent’s evolving geopolitical landscape.

“China will remain difficult to dislodge because its defence sales are part of a wider foreign policy strategy,” he said. “Russia seeks to retain relevance, while the US and France are recalibrating their approach to focus on specific strategic partners. Meanwhile, Turkey and the UAE have demonstrated that agility, flexibility, and respect for sovereignty can be just as influential as technology.” (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

04 Nov 25. All apparently not well with new SA Army border patrol APC tender. Fingers are being pointed at State-owned defence and security procurement company Armscor for the way it handled what is apparently a R500 m tender to improve SA Army mobility on the country’s land borders. One of the people doing the pointing is Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentarian Chris Hattingh who, along with two other MPs from the same party, are delegated as oversight watchdogs on Parliament’s two defence committees. He has it South Africans have reason to be alarmed by what he’s found out about the acquisition. This, he maintains, is because the R500 m Armscor tender for new troop carriers seems to be plagued by the same lack of accountability and transparency that doomed past defence projects. His reaction comes after DefenceWeb last month made public that Centurion-based defence equipment manufacturer and supplier Milkor was confirmed as the “winning bidder” for the border control armoured personnel carrier (APC) tender issued by Armscor. The confirmation was contained in what was called a “media response” by Armscor to reports in this publication and Johannesburg daily The Citizen regarding the tender. Hattingh and party researchers investigated the project, reaching the conclusion that the evaluation process for the new APCs was compromised. This was because, among others, field trials meant to verify vehicle performance were “cancelled without explanation”.

“Several local defence companies, including Paramount, SVI and DCD Protected Mobility, had already deployed their vehicles for testing when the process was abruptly halted. The eventual winner, Milkor SA, did not participate in the trials and has only limited experience in armoured vehicle production. Aside from a small sale of five vehicles to Namibia, the company has no operational record.

“It is even more concerning that Milkor’s vehicle has not undergone comparative land mine blast testing — a basic requirement for mine resistant troop carriers. Without such tests, there is no evidence that the vehicles meet the protection standards needed to keep SANDF members safe during deployment. Despite this, Armscor has approved the project and awarded Milkor a contract worth half a bn rand,” he said in a statement.

Hattingh notes the “situation” around the latest landward force acquisition by Armscor “mirrors the R7 bn Project Hoefyster fiasco”.

“Not a single Badger infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was delivered after nearly two decades of broken promises and ballooning costs. The same acquisition authorities – Armscor and the Department of Defence (DoD) – oversaw that project,” he said adding “warning lights are flashing again”. These he identifies as untested products, shifting evaluation rules and a lack of accountability.

“South Africa cannot afford another costly procurement failure while soldiers patrol our extensive borders, often on foot or in bakkies, due to the lack of suitable vehicles. Public funds, soldier safety and the integrity of our defence industry are at stake.”

First up in attempting to establish what did – or didn’t – happen with the border APC tender will be a call for a full investigation into Armscor’s handling of it. Hattingh also wants access to all evaluation and testing records as part of an effort to press for defence procurement reform to make acquisitions transparent, technical sound and accountable. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

04 Nov 25. Indo Pacific 2025: Japan, New Zealand begin talks on potential frigates acquisition. Japan and New Zealand have begun government-to-government talks on the improved Mogami-class frigate and how it might fulfil the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN’s) requirements. A representative from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) who spoke to Janes at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2025 on 4 November in Sydney confirmed that the talks centre around the frigate’s capabilities and a potential acquisition. Confirmation of the government-to-government discussions comes on the back of a statement issued by the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) on 2 November. In the statement, which was issued after the meeting between Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjirō Koizumi and his New Zealand counterpart Judith Collins in Malaysia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), the Japanese MoD said that Tokyo is aware of “New Zealand’s intention to replace their naval frigates and agreed to remain in close communication going forward”. Meanwhile in response to questions from Janes, a spokesperson from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) clarified that while there was also a discussion between the RNZN’s Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding and Koizumi on the Mogami-class frigate, among other topics, no decisions have been made.

“As outlined in New Zealand’s 2025 Defence Capability Plan (DCP), most of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet will reach their end of life by the mid-2030s, which is why a maritime fleet renewal programme has been established,” the NZDF spokesperson said in a reply that was issued just ahead the Indo Pacific 2025. (Source: Janes)

03 Nov 25. Brazilian lawmakers eye additional BRL30 bn for military modernisation. The Brazilian National Congress is soon expected to approve a bill aimed at delivering significant additional funding for the modernisation of the armed forces. Complementary Law Project No 204/2025 (Projeto de Lei Complementar n° 204/2025: PLC n° 204/2025) would provide an additional BRL30bn (USD5.6bn), or BRL5 bn annually over the next six years, exclusively for the modernisation of the army, navy, and air force, according to the Federal Senate. The bill is designed to establish a budget programme that is not subject to fiscal targets, enables funds from part of a specific federal tax to be used for defence acquisition, and prohibits limitations on commitments to strategic projects for national defence, the Federal Senate said. The measure was formally approved by the Federal Senate on 22 October and submitted to the Chamber of Deputies on 27 October for review. Once approved at the National Congress level, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has 15 business days to approve or veto it.

Minister of Defence José Múcio Monteiro Filho has welcomed the legislation, stressing that it would help boost the modernisation of the armed forces and strengthen the Brazilian defence industrial base.

The BRL30 bn is intended to fund acquisition programmes, including the SISFRON (Sistema Integrado de Monitoramento de Fronteiras) border monitoring system, construction of the nuclear-powered attack submarine SNCA Almirante Álvaro Alberto by Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), development of cruise missiles, and the procurement of Saab F-39E/F Gripen fighter jets and surface ships. (Source: Janes)

03 Nov 25. Pakistan eyes 2026 launch for first Chinese submarine in $6.5bn arms deal. The Pakistan navy expects its first Chinese-designed submarine to enter active service in 2026, the country’s top admiral told the Chinese state media, bolstering Beijing’s bid to counter regional rival India and project power towards the Middle East. A deal under which Islamabad will take delivery of eight Hangor-class submarines by 2028 is “progressing smoothly”, Admiral Naveed Ashraf told the Global Times in an interview published on Nov 2, adding that the submarines would boost Pakistan’s ability to patrol the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The update on the Chinese submarine deal follows Pakistan’s air force using Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets in May to shoot down an Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft, made by France. The altercation between the nuclear-armed neighbours surprised many in the military community and raised questions over the superiority of Western hardware over Chinese alternatives. Under the terms of the submarine agreement – reportedly worth up to US$5 bn (S$6.5 bn) – the first four diesel-electric attack submarines will be built in China, with the remaining vessels assembled in Pakistan to improve the South Asian nation’s technical capabilities. Pakistan has already launched three of the submarines into China’s Yangtze River from a shipyard in the central province of Hubei.

“Chinese-origin platforms and equipment have been reliable, technologically advanced and well-suited to Pakistan navy’s operational requirements,” Adm Ashraf told the tabloid, which is published by the ruling Communist Party’s People’s Daily.

“As modern warfare evolves, emerging technologies such as unmanned systems, AI (artificial intelligence) and advanced electronic warfare systems are becoming increasingly important. The Pakistan navy is focusing on these technologies and exploring collaboration with China,” he was also quoted as saying.

Islamabad has long been Beijing’s top arms customer, and over the 2020 to 2024 period bought more than 60 per cent of China’s weapons exports, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute showed.

Billon-dollar build-up

Along with billions in arms sales, Beijing has heavily invested in building out its connections to the Arabian Sea through a 3,000km economic corridor stretching from China’s Xinjiang to Pakistan’s deep-water port of Gwadar. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of President Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, aims to secure a route for the world’s largest energy importer to bring in supplies from the Middle East, bypassing the Strait of Malacca – a strategic chokepoint between Malaysia and Indonesia that could be blocked in wartime. The initiative also extends China’s sphere of influence towards Afghanistan and Iran and onto Central Asia, and effectively encircles India, given Beijing’s ties to the junta in Myanmar and good relations with Bangladesh. India currently operates three indigenously developed nuclear-powered submarines, along with three classes of diesel-electric attack submarines acquired or developed over decades with France, Germany and Russia.

“This cooperation (with China) goes beyond hardware; it reflects a shared strategic outlook, mutual trust and a longstanding partnership,” Adm Ashraf said. “In the coming decade, we expect this relationship to grow, encompassing not only shipbuilding and training, but also enhanced interoperability, research, technology sharing and industrial collaboration.” (Source: News Now/https://www.straitstimes.com/)

03 Nov 25. Indonesia may buy four more Airbus A400M military planes, president says. Indonesia may start negotiations to buy four more units of Airbus’ A400M military aircraft, President Prabowo Subianto said on Wednesday, as the country continues to revamp its ageing military through a string of hardware deals. The purchase of military equipment has picked up since Prabowo, a former special forces commander, became defence minister in 2019 and then president last year, with multiple deals struck for new fighter jets as well as submarines.

“We may negotiate so we can sign for four more units,” Prabowo told reporters after a ceremony to inspect the arrival of the first of two new A400s at an air force base in Jakarta. He did not provide further details on the timeline of the planned negotiations. The second plane in the deal, signed in 2021 when Prabowo was the Minister of Defence, is expected to arrive next year, Airbus said in a statement.

The A400M is a large airlifter able to deliver heavy loads such as fuel trucks and excavators, food, clothes and medical supplies and can use damaged or short runways, Airbus says on its website. (Source: Reuters)

02 Nov 25. Russia Receives Sixth Su-35S Fighter Jet Batch in 2025 Signaling Rapid Combat Fleet Expansion. United Aircraft Corporation, part of Rostec, delivered another batch of Su-35S fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces on November 1, according to TASS. Open-source tallies indicate this is at least the sixth Su-35S delivery reported in 2025, a faster tempo with implications for force readiness and procurement timelines. On 1 November 2025, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the state tech conglomerate Rostec, delivered another batch of Su-35S multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces, according to the Russian news agency Tass. This delivery is at least the sixth Su-35S transfer to Russian units reported since the start of the year and reflects a clearly accelerated production rhythm aimed at reinforcing frontline airpower. This tempo, noticeably higher than the one publicly reported in 2024, has immediate consequences for force readiness, procurement timelines and regional airpower balances, making the development relevant for military planners, intelligence communities and policymakers following Russia’s wartime industrial output. The Su-35S is Russia’s advanced multirole fighter jet featuring supermaneuverability, long-range sensors, and powerful air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities (Picture Source: Russian MoD/Rostec) The Su-35S is a deeply modernized evolution of the Su-27 family, optimized for air superiority while retaining significant capabilities for strike missions and maritime target engagement. Powered by twin engines with thrust-vectoring nozzles, featuring long combat radius and high maneuverability across the envelope, the aircraft combines a high-performance radar and sensor suite with the ability to employ long-range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided surface-attack weapons. Rostec’s statement emphasized the aircraft’s capacity to operate day and night, in adverse weather and at extended ranges from home bases. Russian pilots and officials have repeatedly described the type as a reliable and versatile platform suited to the wide mission set currently required of operational-tactical aviation, from air defense of key regions to combat sorties in expeditionary theaters.

The Su-35S program followed a pragmatic path that reused a proven airframe while integrating updated avionics, improved propulsion, and modernized weapons, reducing time to serial production and limiting costs compared with designing a new platform from scratch. In operational service, the aircraft has been employed in homeland air defense, long-range patrols, deterrent shows of force and combat support roles, including air-to-air engagements and missions against enemy air defenses. The current rise in output points to an industrial shift from a steady, moderate production rate to a sustained higher one, enabling faster squadron formation, replenishment of aircraft lost or worn in operations, and a larger pool of mission-ready fighters available to commanders. Compared with earlier Su-27/Su-30 derivatives, the Su-35S offers significantly improved sensor range, more capable onboard electronics and a broader weapons integration portfolio, which together increase situational awareness and engagement flexibility. In comparison with fifth-generation aircraft, it deliberately accepts higher observability in exchange for immediate availability, larger payload capacity and lower unit cost, positioning the Su-35S as a practical solution for generating massed combat aviation. When set against contemporary Western fourth-generation fighters such as the F-15 or Rafale, the Su-35S remains competitive in thrust-to-weight ratio, range and maneuverability, while differences persist in areas such as sensor fusion, data-centric sustainment, networked operations and interoperability with allied air forces. Its key operational advantage lies in the combination of high sortie generation, integration of long-range weapons and the existence of a mature domestic industrial base capable of scaling deliveries on short notice. The strategic implications of six publicly reported deliveries in a single year are non-trivial. At the regional level, a faster-growing fleet of high-performance fighters improves Russia’s ability to impose air denial, protect critical infrastructure and project power into contested or NATO-proximate airspaces, complicating air defense planning in neighboring states. At the broader geostrategic level, building up a large non-stealth but powerful fighter inventory supports a layered deterrence posture: it raises the number of credible interceptors and long-range strike platforms available for both defensive counter-air and offensive strike taskings. From a force-generation standpoint, concentrated deliveries shorten the time needed to field complete units, facilitate rotational deployments, and mitigate the operational effects of attrition, enabling Russian planners to maintain more resilient and dispersed air groupings. Overall, the pattern of deliveries signals a choice to prioritize numbers alongside capability, a choice that will influence operational doctrine and regional airpower calculations. Financial and contracting specifics in the latest disclosure remain deliberately general. Rostec and UAC framed the handover as part of the ongoing state defense order without indicating the exact number of aircraft delivered in the batch or the specific recipient regiments. UAC leadership has, however, repeatedly underlined the goal of meeting elevated production targets for operational-tactical and transport aviation in 2025, which suggests high state prioritization of combat aircraft output. Although the Su-35 family has been the subject of export interest and previous foreign contracts, current official reporting is focused on domestic deliveries to the Russian Aerospace Forces, with no new export transactions announced in connection with this latest batch. The renewed, high-frequency deliveries of Su-35S fighters over the past year therefore represent more than an industrial milestone; they amount to an operational shift that materially increases the number of modern, mission-capable aircraft available to Russian air commanders. This increase will shape squadron basing and deployment options, accelerate replacement of aircraft lost in ongoing operations, and feed into deterrence calculations in Europe, the Arctic and adjacent theaters. For defense ministries, intelligence services and allied air forces, the Su-35S production surge will remain a key indicator of Russia’s ability to regenerate and sustain tactical aviation despite sanctions and wartime expenditure and will continue to be monitored accordingly. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)

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