UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
14 Nov 23. The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has placed a new £20m order with BAE Systems for the supply of additional small arms munitions over the next two years. The 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds will be produced at Radway Green, the Company’s state of the art manufacturing facility which offers some of the most advanced ammunition production capabilities in the world. The announcement follows the signing of a £410m order for the supply of vital battlefield munitions to the MOD in September when it exercised an option to increase a £280 m supply order announced in July.
EUROPE
LAND
14 Nov 23. Bittium Wireless Ltd, a subsidiary of Bittium Corporation, and the Finnish Defence Forces have signed a Framework Agreement on the purchase of the software-defined radio based Bittium Tactical Wireless IP Network™ (TAC WIN) system’s products and Bittium Tough Comnode™ communication devices and related accessories. The Framework Agreement concerns the years 2023–2028 and the products will be used by all troops of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Framework Agreement has a maximum value of EUR 51.6m (excluding VAT), and based on the Framework Agreement, the Finnish Defence Forces will issue separate purchase orders in several batches during the validity period of the Agreement. The Framework Agreement does not change Bittium’s financial outlook for the year 2023 (updated on September 15, 2023).The previous Framework Agreement between Bittium and the Finnish Defence Forces for the products of the TAC WIN system covered the years 2021–2024 and had a total maximum value of approximately EUR 30m, and the Framework Agreement for Tough Comnode devices covered the years 2018–2022 and had a maximum value of EUR 8.3m. The maximum order quantities according to both Framework Agreements have been realized in full.
14 Nov 23. Galvion, a world leader in integrated head systems and intelligent power and data management solutions, has received major orders for its Batlskin Caiman® head system from Norway, Finland and Sweden through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) contract, and announced the first delivery has recently shipped to Norway. In December 2022, Galvion was awarded a framework contract that facilitates the procurement of their high performance Batlskin Caiman® head system and accessories, typically used by Special Operations Forces (SOF) and dismounted light forces, for NATO countries and partners. This announcement marks the placement of multiple orders off the framework contract and the commencement of deliveries that are expected to total over 80,000 helmet systems. The NSPA contract was awarded following extensive user trials conducted by Norway, acting as the lead user nation, under the supervision of the NSPA. Selected to meet the higher performance bracket of four specified helmet categories, Galvion’s Caiman® helmet system comes in five sizes and is equipped with Galvion’s very latest APEX lining system, an intuitively adjustable design that enables a customized fit for users and is designed to offer unparalleled stability for the latest visual augmentation devices. The Caiman helmet is scalable for highly dynamic operations with mission-specific accessories, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment, now and into the future.
10 Nov 23. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.53bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
The Government of Romania has requested to buy:
— fifty-four (54) M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks;
— fifty-four (54) M1A1 Structures;
— four (4) M88A2 HERCULES Combat Recovery Vehicles;
— four (4) M1110 Joint Assault Bridges;
— four (4) M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles;
— four (4) Heavy Assault Scissor Bridges (HASB);
— fifty-four (54) M240C 7.62mm machine guns;
— ten (10) AGT1500 Gas Turbine engines;
— five thousand nine hundred forty (5,940) 120mm M1147 High Explosive, Multipurpose, Tracer (HEMP-T) cartridges; and
— four thousand two hundred thirty (4,230) 120mm M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose, Tracer (TPMP-T) cartridges.
Also included are mine rollers; Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter (EHET) M1300 tractors with M1302 trailer with B-Kit/Frag Kit; Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) M978A4 with B-Kit/Frag Kit; Tank Rack Modules (TRM) M107A1 fuel trailer (2500 gal) with B-Kit/Frag Kit; HEMTT A4 M1120 Load Handling System (LHS ) with B-Kit/Frag Kit; Ml076Al with flat rack and B-Kit/Frag Kit; Forward Repair Systems; trailer mounted generators; Common Remote Operated Weapons Station Low Profile (CROWS-LP); M2A1 .50 caliber machine guns; communications equipment; global positioning system (GPS) receivers; service and training ammunition; spare and repair parts; Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE); technical manuals and publications; maintenance trainers; gunnery training systems; tank driver’s trainers; new equipment training; U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics personnel services; concurrent spare parts; Field Service Representative (FSR) support; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); Next Generation Automatic Test System (NGATS); logistics products; tank range upgrade; Intensive Management Office (IMO); Foreign Liaison Officer (FLO); Program Management Reviews (PMR); test measurement and diagnostic equipment; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $2.53bn.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, MI; BAE Systems, York, PA; Leonardo DRS, Arlington, VA; Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, AZ; Raytheon Company, McKinney, TX; Lockheed Martin, Orlando, FL; L3 Harris, Melbourne, FL; American Apex Corporation, Delaware, OH; Allison Transmissions, Indianapolis, IN; Pearson Engineering, New Castle, United Kingdom; Amentum, Chantilly, VA; CAE, Chantilly, VA; Palomar, Carlsbad, CA; Boeing Company, Arlington, VA; Fibrotex, Stearns, KY; and US Ordnance, McCarran, NV. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require approximately (22) U.S. Government and (52) U.S. contractor representatives to travel to Romania for a duration of up to five years to support equipment fielding and training. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Defense Security Cooperation Agency)
13 Nov 23. The Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel (Ret.) Eyal Zamir, signed the contract for the sale of the David Sling air defense system to Finland for approximately 1.3bn NIS (approximately 317m euros). (Unofficial edited translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Israeli Ministry of Defense; issued Nov. 11, 2023)
16 Nov 23. MBDA has signed a contract in Sweden to deliver Common Anti-air Modular Missiles (CAMMs) for the Swedish Armed Forces. The contract – signed between MBDA and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration FMV (Swedish: Försvarets materielverk) – will see MBDA supply CAMM for the Royal Swedish Navy’s five Visby Class Corvettes, which will deploy them from MBDA’s Sea Ceptor naval air defence system. Sea Ceptor is a latest generation naval air defence system, providing robust self- and local area- air defence against simultaneous attacks, including saturation attacks, across the full 360° threat axis. With a wide target set from supersonic anti-ship missiles to attack helicopters and un-crewed air vehicles, the system has been designed to counter advanced threats.
15 Nov 23. MBDA subsidiary TDW GmbH has been awarded a contract to produce and deliver 2,600 PARM to the German Armed Forces. TDW and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support signed the contract on 14 November 2023, marking the beginning of the procurement.
USA
LAND
15 Nov 23. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $100,886,401 modification (P00016) to contract W31P4Q-23-C-0014 for HIMARS/MLRS fire control systems and launcher-loader module logistics support. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas; Budd Lake, New Jersey; Palm Bay, Florida; Brownsboro, Alabama; Whippany, New Jersey; Fort Worth, Texas; Boca Raton, Florida; York, Pennsylvania; Jackson, Mississippi; Laurel, Maryland; Irving, Texas; Clearwater, Florida; Hauppauge, New York; Arlington, Texas; Irving, Texas; North Richland Hills, Texas; Binghamton, New York; Orlando, Florida; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; Valencia, California; and Clinton, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2025. Fiscal 2010 operation and maintenance, defense-wide funds in the amount of $6,724,076 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
16 Nov 23. Oshkosh Defense, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $160,851,512 modification (P01054) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, packaged and installed kits, and trailers. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 25, 2025. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Macedonia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania and Mongolia); and Army working capital funds in the amount of $160,851,512, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
SEA
16 Nov 23. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $130,000,000 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract action for advance procurement of long lead time material and associated engineering and design activities in support of one Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) Replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 10). Work will be performed in Beloit, Wisconsin (36%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (32%); Brunswick, Georgia (26%); and Walpole, Massachusetts (6%). Work is expected to be completed by July 2028. Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funding in the amount of $130,000,000 will be obligated at award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. This contract is awarded based on 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-24-C-2467)
AIR
16 Nov 23. The Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded a maximum $41,217,704 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for V-22 platform engineering and logistics sustainment support. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Texas and Pennsylvania, with a Nov. 30, 2024, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2025 operations and maintenance funds from Air Force, Special Operations Command, Navy, and Foreign Military Sales funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPRPA1-24-D-9001).
13 Nov 23. Hermeus has been awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to mature hypersonic aircraft subsystem and mission system technology. Hermeus will utilize its commercial high-speed flight test prototype, Quarterhorse, to support technical maturation and risk reduction for future hypersonic aircraft. The contract is part of DIU’s Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT) initiative, which aims to utilize commercial flight test capabilities to expand the Department of Defense’s high-speed flight test capacity. The multi-year award will feature Hermeus’ iterative approach to technology maturation and aircraft development. Through this contract, Hermeus will demonstrate key enabling technologies for hypersonic aircraft in relevant environments preparing them for introduction into future programs. These technologies include propulsion and propulsion integration; thermal management; power generation; and hypersonic mission system capabilities. This effort will transition the world’s fastest aircraft to an operational flight test capability for hypersonic capability experimentation, and validation (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
09 Nov 23. Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, will soon provide the U.S Army with new, flexible, and fully managed multi-orbit satellite communications (SATCOM) support, following the award of the Army’s first-ever Satellite Communication (SATCOM) as a Managed Service (SaaMS) contract. The scope of the Army’s SaaMS pilot includes end-to-end managed subscription services to support connections with commercial teleports and internet services. The Intelsat solution includes Intelsat Flex services for geostationary (GEO) connections and a well-known commercial low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite service provider for a LEO option. The pilot will provide world-wide coverage via leased satellite terminals and services with 24x7support. (Source: ASD Network)
15 Nov 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rocket Center, West Virginia, was awarded a $93,400,000 five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the BLU-138 fuze production. Work will be performed at Rocket Center, West Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2029. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 ammunition procurement funds in the amount of $9,845,692 and Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $350,037 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management CenTer, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA8681-24-D-B002).
15 Nov 23. Northrop Grumman Corp., Chandler, Arizona, is being awarded a $52,486,564 modification (P00022) to a previously awarded (HQ0851-22-9-0002) agreement to exercise an option. The value of this contract is increased from $239,372,502 to $291,859,066. Under this modification, the contractor will continue to develop and refine their Glide Phase Intercept concept during the Technology Development Phase. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Huntsville, Alabama; San Diego, California; Boulder, Colorado; and Linthicum, Maryland. The performance period is from Nov. 15, 2023, through Feb. 15, 2025. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $16,000,000 are being obligated on this award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
14 Nov 23. Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX Corp., East Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price and cost-type contract for TF33 engine supplies and program management and engineering services. This contract has an estimated initial award value of $40,660,994 with a potential total spend estimated up to $870,000,000 over the life of the contract. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a six-year base contract with one six-month transition period and one four-year option period. The performance completion date is April 30, 2034. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2024 through 2034 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4AX-24-D-9000).
15 Nov 23. Raytheon Technologies, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $52,462,958 modification (P00022) to a previously awarded (HQ0851-22-9-0003) agreement to exercise an option. The value of this contract is increased from $241,486,454 to $293,949,412. Under this modification, the contractor will continue to develop and refine their Glide Phase Intercept concept during the Technology Development Phase. The work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; El Dorado Hills, California; Aurora, Colorado; Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Woburn, Massachusetts; Andover, Massachusetts; McKinney, Texas; and Huntsville, Alabama. The performance period is from Nov. 15, 2023, through Feb. 15, 2025. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,000,000 are being obligated on this award. The Missile Defense Agency, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
09 Nov 23. Solestial awarded NASA SBIR Ignite contracts for nexgen solar array. The winning proposal titled, “Next Generation Silicon Based Solar Arrays for Space Stations and Other Permanent Space Infrastructure,” comes on the heels of a $149,987 Phase I contract in January of 2023. The contracts are from a new pilot program, SBIR Ignite, that funds commercially viable technologies from U.S. startups to support research and development and promote economic growth. The 18-month SBIR Phase II contract will provide funds to support development of nexgen, 50 kW class solar array wings. Solestial’s silicon solar blanket technology will allow for arrays larger than any ever built, while also maintaining lower mass and competitive efficiency. The array will be developed in collaboration with Opterus Research & Development (“Opterus”) who will develop a low-cost, novel deployment system for Solestial’s ultrathin, flexible, silicon solar blankets. Solestial’s proposal focuses on integrating the company’s ultrathin, low mass, radiation-hardened, solar blankets with Opterus’ patent pending Retractable-Rollable Mast Array (R-ROMA) advanced, deployable, solar array structure. The R-ROMA is a highly scalable, tensioned, solar blanket array with double z-folding panels deployed by a single, state-of-the-art, rollable composite boom. (Source: Satnews)
TECHNOLOGY
15 Nov 23. The Department of Defense today announced an award of $39.9m via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program to Calumet Electronics Corporation to enhance capabilities to produce High-Density Build-Up (HDBU) substrates, which include High-Density Interconnect Printed Circuit Board (PrCB) cores and HDBU build-up layers. The award will enable Calumet to scale up engineering, tooling, and manufacturing operations to establish domestic production capabilities for HDBU substrates. HDBU substrates and advanced packaging are critical enabling technologies for sixth generation systems and applications, including for radar, electronic warfare, processing, and communications. The place of performance is Calumet, Michigan. To date, in calendar year 2023, the DPAI Program has made 22 awards totaling $714m. DPAI is overseen by the ASD(IBP)’s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Program (MCEIP), in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. For more information on MCEIP, please visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html.
13 Nov 23. Micross Advanced Interconnect Technologies, Durham, North Carolina, was awarded an Other Transaction Authority agreement with a ceiling of $134,269,798 to develop a domestic, trusted, pure-play, and open-access advanced packaging ecosystem for low-volume/high-mix production of 2.5-D and 3-D Advanced System Integration and Packaging secure solutions. Work will be performed in Durham, North Carolina, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 2, 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $45,580,580 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-24-9-2005).
13 Nov 23. Sypris Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq/GM: SYPR), announced today that it has recently received a follow-on award from a U.S. global defense contractor to manufacture and test embedded circuit card assemblies that will perform certain of the cryptographic functions for the Army Key Management System (AKMS). Production is expected to begin in 2024. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The AKMS is a fielded system that consists of three subsystems: local communications security management software (LCMS), automated communications engineering software (ACES) and the simple key load device. Under the umbrella of our nation’s Electronic Key Management System, the AKMS provides tactical units and sustaining bases with an organic key generation capability and an efficient secure electronic key distribution means. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
14 Nov 23. Electro Optic Systems Holdings (EOS) has recently secured a contract valued at approximately A$28m to supply spare units for the R600 Remote Weapon System (RWS) to a Southeast Asian customer. The R600, known for its dual weapon configuration, provides operational flexibility and various weapon options suitable for diverse mission requirements. Initially developed for a Southeast Asian client, the R600 RWS has undergone continuous innovation and development. Equipped with EOS’ advanced pointing and tracking technology, the RWS significantly enhances first-round hit probability. This sophisticated ballistic solution considers a comprehensive range of variables, including weapons, ammunition, range, atmospheric environment, vehicle attitude, and target motion. Scheduled deliveries under this contract will commence in late 2024 and extend into 2025 and 2026. This contract aligns with EOS’ strategic initiatives to expand its product and customer base and enhance its manufacturing capabilities. The products specified in this agreement will primarily be manufactured in EOS facilities located in the United States. (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
10 Nov 23. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed a major $1.2bn agreement to supply air defense systems to a foreign customer, IAI announced Thursday. “In the wake of the Iron Swords War, IAI is in an accelerated process of supplying systems and solutions for the Israeli defense system in all areas – on land, sea, air, and in space – and at the same time, it is also working with its customers around the world,” Levy added. The transaction between IAI and the foreign customer is being carried out through the Israeli Defense Ministry. The IAI will serve as the primary contractor in the project. The air defense system has advanced technological capabilities, which have been operationally proven. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Jerusalem Post)
16 Nov 23. India to supply more arms to Armenia. 150,000 units of 30mm and 40mm grenades will be supplied to Armenia by India. The arms will be supplied by Munitions India Limited, the company that had supplied 5m units of 7.62mm caliber rounds to Armenia two months ago, according to Indian Aerospace Defence News. (Source: Google/https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news)
14 Nov 23. Rheinmetall to Supply Ukraine with Leopard 1 Systems on Behalf of German Government. The Ukrainian government has awarded Rheinmetall a contract for Leopard 1 systems, including 25 main battle tanks Leopard 1A5, five armoured recovery vehicles (Bergepanzer 2) and two driver training tanks. The order, financed by Germany and worth a figure in the upper-two-digit m-euro range, also includes training, logistics, spare parts, maintenance and other support services. Delivery is due to take place in 2024. The Leopard 1 systems are currently being overhauled and readied for use at Rheinmetall’s plants in Unterlüß and Kassel. Rheinmetall thus continues to support Ukraine with a steady flow of tactical vehicles. The Group has previously been tasked with supplying Ukraine with a total of eighty Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Most of these are already in-country, where they have proved their mettle in ongoing operations. Rheinmetall is ready to supply a further twenty Marder IFVs as soon as it receives an order to this effect. In late 2023 and early 2024, Ukraine will also be taking delivery of five Caracal airmobile-capable vehicles. On behalf of the Dutch and Danish governments, moreover, next year the Group will be supplying Ukraine with fourteen Leopard 2A4 tanks. In addition to vehicles, Rheinmetall is aiding the Ukrainian armed forces with ammunition, drones, medical facilities, etc. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Rheinmetall Defence)
SEA
16 Nov 23. BAE Systems has received a contract to deliver multiple shipsets of the Mk 45 Medium Caliber Gun and automated Ammunition Handling System (AHS) for the Royal Australian Navy’s new Hunter class frigates. The Mk 45 gun system will equip the Royal Australian Navy with a common, adaptable gun system that can easily integrate advanced munitions to provide the firepower required to meet the Hunter class deterrence mission. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
14 Nov 23. EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, has announced the sale of extended-range National Surface Anti-Ship Missiles (MANSUP-ER), and the sale of the shorter-range version of the advanced system, to the Brazilian Navy in a deal worth approximately AED 0.6bn (approx. $163.5m–Ed.) The Letter of Intent (LOI) was officially signed at EDGE’s stand at Dubai Airshow, currently taking place at Dubai World Central, and was signed by Mansour AlMulla, Managing Director & CEO of EDGE Group, and Rear Admiral Marcelo Menezes Cardoso, Director of Navy Weapons Systems of the Brazilian Navy. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/EDGE)
10 Nov 23. Hanwha Ocean CEO and Vice Chairman Kwon Hyuk-woong signed a main contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on the 10th for the Ulsan-class Batch-III 5th and 6th ship construction project. The contract amount is 791.73bn won. The construction project concluded this time is the final project of the ‘Ulsan-class Batch-III’ program to replace the Republic of Korea Navy’s aging patrol ships and frigates. Hanwha Ocean was selected as the preferred negotiating party for the Ulsan-class Batch-III 5th and 6th ships construction project last July, and reached the main contract after going through a process of technical negotiations. Once full-scale construction begins, the 5th ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy and put into service in December 2027, and the 6th ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy around June 2028. The ship for which Hanwha Ocean received orders this time is the final ship of the Ulsan-class Batch-III project and is significant in that it will also play a leading role in the exploration and development of the follow-up frigate project to be developed in the future. Hanwha Ocean will not only build and successfully deliver the 5th and 6th ships of the Ulsan-class Batch-III as superior follow-up ships to the lead ships, but will also do its best in detailed design and winning orders for the next Korean destroyer, KDDX, which is expected to be tendered next year. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Hanwha Ocean; issued Nov. 10, 2023)
14 Nov 23. The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Standard Missile 6 Block I to South Korea for an estimated $650m, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RTX.N), the Pentagon said. (Source: Google/Reuters)
AIR
10 Nov 23. India orders Hermes 900 for army, navy. The Indian government has ordered Elbit Systems Hermes 900 StarLiner unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) for the Indian Army and Indian Navy, according to a defence source. The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), however, said it could not comment on how many of the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being procured. Janes was told that the acquisition is part of an emergency procurement tranche. Indian media has reported that the contract covers the delivery of two Hermes 900 each for the Indian Army and Navy. Janes understands that delivery of the UASs will start in 2024. Elbit Systems did not respond to a Janes query for information at the time of publication. However, it is possible that the acquisition is connected to a 7 March announcement by Elbit about the 120th order of its Hermes 900 UAS. (Source: Janes)
15 Nov 23. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ (Plus) Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.1m. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested to buy forty-two (42) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles; ten (10) AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); five (5) AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder Tactical Guidance Units (GU); and three (3) AIM-9X Sidewinder CATM Guidance Units (GU). Also included are missile containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor representatives’ technical assistance and engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $52.1m. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region. The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD), Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: ASD Network)