12 Nov 14. Research into Integrated Survivability (IS) and Platform Systems (PS) is the new focus of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) contracting framework, R-Cloud (Research-Cloud). Following previous calls for suppliers, the R-Cloud framework is now moving onto its fourth capability call. Dstl spends around £15m on IS and PS research each year. It is now inviting suppliers to join R-Cloud to gain access to Dstl’s latest research requirements in these areas. Further roll out, across Dstl’s other capability areas, is expected during 2015. Suppliers working in the areas of Integrated Survivability or Platform Systems can apply to be part of R-Cloud via the Defence Contracts Online (DCO) pre-qualification portal: www.contracts.mod.uk from 12 November until 10 December 2014. Access is via the DCO response manager using the following access codes. Platform Systems: GJ2XQDNZPF, Integrated Survivability: NB6355B687. New users will need to create a supplier account within the DCO portal in order to access each contracting opportunity and provide the necessary pre-qualification information. If successful, suppliers will then be considered for future R-Cloud IS or PS research contract opportunities with mini-competitions being run where suppliers will be invited to express interest and tender for different tasks. Dstl’s R-Cloud Project Manager, Neil Higson, said: “R-Cloud is really beginning to establish itself as a marketplace for Science and Technology research. We have successfully completed three calls for suppliers within the technical areas of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN); Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) and Counter Terrorism and Security (CT&S). I am pleased we are now in a position to move into this new area. R-Cloud needs a broad supplier base across all its capability areas, so I would encourage suppliers to look at these latest opportunities.”
08 Nov 14. Argentina Buying Gripens? Brits Say ‘No Way.’ Argentina’s Defense Minister Agustin Rossi surprised just about everybody when he announced on Oct. 21 that his government intended to buy 24 Saab Gripen E fighters to re-equip his nation’s ancient Air Force. But Rossi’s request appeared to ignore a likely insurmountable hurdle to the sale: Britain, its longtime foe, has a near veto on the export of the combat jet as a result of the substantial number of UK systems in the jet. More than 30 percent of the new version of the Gripen being developed by Saab is supplied by British industry. Selex ES key active electronically scanned array radar, landing gear, ejection seat, electronic system and other sub-systems would all be hit by a British block on military exports to Argentina. British business secretary Vince Cable invoked the ban on the sale of all military and dual-use technology for use by Argentina in 2012. That export license is still in place and will likely remain given the impasse between the two nations over resolving the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. “We are determined to ensure that no British-licensable exports or trade have the potential to be used by Argentina to impose an economic blockade on the Falkland Islanders or inhibit their legitimate rights to develop their own economy,” said a spokesperson for the UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The Argentinean defense minister made the purchase of the aircraft dependent on his country participating in the Gripen E program signed by Saab and the Brazilian government, which will see South America’s biggest nation buy at least 36 fighters. The deal involves an assembly line set up by Embraer in Brazil, joint development of a two-seat version of the Gripen and an export drive to other South American air forces. Ironically, the UK government supported the Gripen sale to Brazil due to the high level of British material in the aircraft. Doug Barrie, the senior air analyst at the Inter