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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
22 Feb 24. New UK strategy to deliver drones to armed forces. UK Defence Drone Strategy launched to deliver unified approach to uncrewed systems across all three military services, supported by £4.5bn of investment.
A new strategy backed by at least £4.5bn of investment over the next decade will accelerate access to uncrewed systems for the UK Armed Forces, rapidly equipping them with innovative technology across air, sea, and land.
The UK Defence Drone Strategy, born from lessons learned in Ukraine, will harness innovative capabilities across UK defence. It will enable the rapid experimentation, testing and evaluation of uncrewed platforms, unifying the approach of the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, integrated by UK Strategic Command, while crucially working in lockstep with industry.
Drones are a game-changing technology that are constantly evolving, and it is crucial that the UK continues to invest in and maintain our position on the cutting edge of drone development to stay one step ahead of our adversaries.
The new approach will see uncrewed systems delivered at pace into the hands of the British Armed Forces, equipping personnel with critical intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, strike and logistical capabilities. This will leave behind long development timelines and lengthy requirement discussions. Once operational, the systems will be able to be developed and upgraded – or ‘spiralled’ – to keep pace with the rapid evolution of technology and changing threat picture.
Our initial priority remains the successful delivery of the Ukraine-UK uncrewed systems initiative, building on the UK’s donation of over 4,000 drones for Ukraine. The UK Defence Drone Strategy will help Armed Forces personnel meet the relentless cycle of battlefield adaptation, as has been repeatedly underpinned as Ukraine continues to successfully resist the Russian invasion.
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said: “The conflict in Ukraine has been an incubator for new ways of war and we need to learn and implement those hard-fought lessons. Rapidly being able to develop and upgrade uncrewed systems will be key to gaining battlefield advantage and we must seize this opportunity to grow and sustain such skills and capabilities in the UK. The strategy brings together a clear, unified focus – backed by bns in funding – while providing the flexibility to meet different requirements in the air, over land and at sea.”
Ultimately, this is about learning the lessons from the Ukrainian frontline to procure drones at scale for the UK’s Armed Forces.
Of the £2.5bn pounds to be spent on supporting Ukraine this coming financial year, more than £200m will go towards supplying Ukraine with uncrewed systems. As the Defence Secretary announced last week, the UK will include work to scale up the Drone Capability Coalition’s provision of ‘first-person view’ (FPV) drones to Ukraine. This will help to scale the UK’s domestic drone industry across manufacturing and software development whilst giving Ukraine cutting-edge, battle-tested capabilities to defend their citizens and target the invading Russian forces.
Working with international partners and leading uncrewed systems designers, the UK’s ambition to be a world-leader in uncrewed systems will enable exports in a rapidly growing global market and create onshore investment opportunities, supporting UK jobs and backing the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.
Commander of UK Strategic Command, General Jim Hockenhull said: “This strategy, backed by significant investment, offers the opportunity to transform our approach to the acquisition, integration, and exploitation of uncrewed systems. The partnership with industry will be vital to ensure we harness innovation and generate world-leading capability.
Integrating advanced uncrewed systems into our suite of capabilities will protect the force, deter our adversaries and, when necessary, help us to fight and win.”
Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK MOD, has played a key role in helping develop the new UK Defence Drone Strategy and will be pivotal in ensuring its successful ongoing delivery.
Chief Executive, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Andy Start said: “DE&S has supported the rapid procurement of large numbers of uncrewed aerial systems for Ukraine, and it is clearer than ever that unhindered access to battle-winning uncrewed systems is absolutely crucial in modern day combat. We are delighted to be working with frontline commands and industry partners to identify, test and deliver platforms that will give the UK Armed Forces the competitive edge they require to protect the nation and support our allies.”
A comprehensive partnership with industry is at the core of the Drone Strategy, and building on the UK’s extensive industrial, robotics and digital heritage. Through regular, clear industry engagements, we will incentivise industry to support the rapid manufacture and adaptation at a scale and capability able to deliver operational advantage for our Armed Forces.
As part of the Strategy, we will work across government to make the UK more competitive in the global export market for uncrewed systems and their development.
Today’s Strategy builds on the UK’s rich history of developing and operating uncrewed systems, including the use of Reaper MQ-9s by the Royal Air Force, and small to medium uncrewed aerial systems by the Army and particularly the Royal Navy who have developed a growing array of surface and sub-surface capabilities, including autonomous minehunters. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
19 Feb 24. UK to review Chinook buy in Q1 2024. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to review its plan to acquire new Boeing H-47 Extended Range (ER) Chinook helicopters later in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, ahead of any decision on final numbers.
Minister of State at the MoD James Cartlidge made the disclosure on 15 February, telling the House of Commons, “The Review Note for the Chinook extended range helicopter programme is due to be assessed by the MoD Investment Approvals Committee in quarter 1 2024, and will inform any future decisions affecting the current programme of record.”
Cartlidge added that as the assessed costs and schedule for the programme are currently under consideration, he would not disclose the figures and programme timelines until a full review has taken place. (Source: Janes)
19 Feb 24. Helping defence contractors fulfil their new statutory reporting obligations. We have released a consultation that explains forthcoming changes to our reporting guidance and to the Defence Contract Analysis and Reporting System (DefCARS).
These changes will allow contractors to meet their reporting obligations in response to the new reporting requirements in the Single Source Contract Regulations, which come into force on 1 April 2024 (1).
We are consulting stakeholders, ahead of formally issuing the new reporting guidance for consideration in March.
The guidance covers the new reporting implications following the introduction of:
- Alternative pricing methods for contracts, which will see non-competitive defence contracts able to be priced in new ways. For example, an item could be priced by reference to competitive markets: simplifying and speeding up procurement.
- More flexibility and transparency through broadening the ability for a contract to be split into different components or parts, each with its own profit rate and price (known as componentisation). This will allow contract prices to better reflect the risk-sharing between the MOD and defence contractors.
- Rationalisation of how the contract profit rate is to be calculated, removing two steps from the existing six step process, and simplifying the agreement of contract profit rates.
The consultation issued today takes account of industry and MOD views shared in workshops and meetings, and in their responses to our working papers issued in 2023.
Akhlaq Shah, Head of Compliance and Reporting, said:
“The MOD is bringing considerable changes to the existing regulatory framework to increase transparency within the regime, including new provisions that update the information which contractors are required to report on.
We will support industry and the MOD in the implementation of these reporting changes and facilitate efficient reporting through our Defence Contract Analysis and Reporting System (DefCARS).
Our engagement on the reporting guidance will be ongoing while contractors make use of the guidance and as a result we will be providing practical support as stakeholders navigate the new legislation. You will see us on the ground working closely with our stakeholders to ensure that these reporting changes are understood and to support contractors so that reports are provided in a timely manner. We are keen to hear your feedback, which will help us to better support you.”
The consultation is available here.
The consultation runs until 28 June 2024 and we welcome your views.
To discuss any aspect please contact Akhlaq Shah ( or 020 3589 4550).
The SSRO is hosting a series of Teach In and Q&A sessions for stakeholders on reporting topics. Dates and registration details are provided on the webpages linked below and have also been sent directly to stakeholders.
The guidance will be further updated later in 2024 – to incorporate feedback from this consultation. The early practical experience of both the MOD and defence industry contractors as they apply the new guidance and the legislation will also feed into this updated guidance.
Notes to Editors:
(1) The consultation has been released following the changes introduced through Schedule 10 of the Procurement Act, which builds on the Secretary of State for Defence’s periodic review of the Defence Reform Act 2014. The guidance also draws on the draft Single Source Contract (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which were laid for consideration in Parliament on 22 January 2024.
(2) Implementation timeline:
24 January 2024
Consultation opened on new and updated pricing guidance.
19 February 2024
Consultation opens on changes in reporting requirements
20 February 2024
Pricing Guidance Teach In and Q&A session.
Topics include: the new features of pricing contracts, including what componentisation means and the seven new alternative pricing methods.
12 March 2024
Stakeholder Teach In and Q&A session on reporting guidance consultation.
Topics include: a focus on the new legislation; SSRO’s new and updated reporting guidance; and changes to DefCARS.
25 March 2024
Details of reporting guidance changes issued
1 April 2024
New and updated pricing and reporting guidance comes into force
10 April 2024
Pricing Guidance Teach In and Q&A session.
Topics include: the changes to existing features of pricing contracts, including the cost risk adjustment and POCO; and responding to areas of interest raised at the 20 February Teach In / subsequent feedback from stakeholders.
17 April 2024
Consultation on new and updated pricing guidance closes
8 May 2024
Stakeholder Teach In and Q&A session on reporting guidance consultation.
Topics include: responding to areas of interest raised at 12 March Teach In / feedback from stakeholders; and clarification of any aspects of the guidance.
28 June 2024
Consultation on changes in reporting requirements closes
Later in 2024 (currently forecast Oct 24)
Updates to pricing and reporting guidance, incorporating consultation feedback and guidance user experience
Due to the short time period between the legislation being presented to Parliament and when it comes into force in April 2024, the guidance will take effect during the early part of the consultation period. Given the scale of the changes to the regulatory framework, we want to ensure stakeholders have a familiarisation period with the guidance.
After the close of the consultation, the SSRO will consider the responses it receives and make updates to the guidance later in 2024. This is to minimise disruption and ensure that the SSRO is doing all it can to make it easy for those who use the framework to familiarise themselves, understand, comply with and realise the benefits from the changes. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
13 Feb 24. On 06 February 2024, two years behind schedule, Team Leidos on behalf of UK MoD issued the Supply of Combat Footwear Contract Notice.
The Supply of Combat Footwear [extracts from]
Short description: Team Leidos are proud to be delivering the logistics commodities and services transformation (LCS(T)) Delivery partner contracts (LCS (T)/0001 dated 16.4.2015) on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (the ‘Prime Contract’). Delivery of other parts of the LCS(T) contract are delivered by Leidos Europe Ltd (LEL) and other partners (together ‘Team Leidos’). This requirement is subject to the Public Procurement Regulations and respective advertising action.
The requirement is a complex one and the need to conduct a series of lengthy product testing phases during the tender process means that the overall length of the procurement is estimated to be approximately two and half years, from tender publication to contract award. This includes a full user trial which has been allocated a time period of one year.
This in turn means that prospective bidders will need to make a substantial up-front commitment into the manufacturing of samples required for the trial periods. It has been estimated that this could be within the region of £100,000.00 with, for example, the Full User Trial phase alone likely to require the following samples:
- Boots Combat, High Liability – 100 pairs of each solution
- Boots Combat, Patrol – 100 pairs of each solution
- Boots Desert Combat High Liability – 50 pairs of each solution
- Boots Combat Cold Wet Weather – 50 pairs of each solution
- Boots Combat Jungle – 50 pairs of each solution
In order not to deter new entrants to the market and in order to allow the prospect of those up-front costs to be recouped during the lifetime of the contract, it is felt, following extensive market engagement, that a longer contract term is needed.
A seven year framework would allow a five year period between contract award and beginning market engagement for the future contract; assuming that all proposed option periods are taken up.
Estimated total value – Value excluding VAT: £70,000,000
Description of the procurement: The Defence Clothing team, which forms part of Leidos Supply Ltd. is considering the potential requirement for the supply of Combat Boots on behalf of the UK MOD, consisting of multiple lots.
Jungle Boots – Lot No 1
Jungle Combat Boots: Primarily used for patrolling and combat use, although the boots may also be used for more general duties within camp and the office space. The main four categories of jungle are captured in Annex A.1a to ITB specification DCPS 6933. Unisex full sizes 3 to 15, 2 width fittings medium and large. (UK sizes).
Options/solutions for outsizes: Size 16 plus (UK sizes).
The framework length should not exceed 7 years.
The value of this framework is estimated to be between £1,387,000 – £3,470,000 (ex. option years)
Cold Wet Weather Boots – Lot No 2
Cold Wet Weather Boot: Primarily for use in cold/wet environments by Tri-Service personnel, captured in Annex A.1b to ITB specification DCPS 6934. Male full sizes 5 to 15, Female full sizes 3 to 9, 2 width fittings medium and large. (UK sizes).
Options/solutions for outsizes: Size 16 plus (UK sizes).
Spacers/footbed: To be provided per pair facilitating optimal fit.
The framework length should not exceed 7 years.
The value of this framework is estimated to be between £13,090,000 – £19,625,000.
Patrol Boots – Lot No 3
Patrol Boots: Typically worn in and around the barracks, the range and for driving, also public order training, captured in Annex A.1c to ITB specification DCPS 6935. Male full sizes 5 to 15, Female full sizes 3 to 9, 2 width fittings medium and large. (UK sizes).
Options/solutions for outsizes: Size 16 plus (UK sizes).
Spacers/footbed: To be provided per pair facilitating optimal fit.
The framework length should not exceed 7 years.
The value of this framework is estimated to be between £5,362,752 – £10,000,000
Desert High Liability Boots – Lot No 4
High Liability Desert Combat Boots: Issued to Tri-Service personnel this is the designated boot for dis-mounted high intensity close-combat tasks, captured in Annex A.1d to ITB specification DCPS 6936. Male full sizes 5 to 15, Female full sizes 3 to 9, 2 width fittings medium and large. (UK sizes).
Options/solutions for outsizes: Size 16 plus (UK sizes).
Spacers/footbed: To be provided per pair facilitating optimal fit.
The framework length should not exceed 7 years.
The value of this framework is estimated to be between £6,934,000 – £13,000,000.
High Liability Combat Boots – Lot No 5
High Liability Combat Boots: Issued to Tri-Service personnel, primarily for high intensity combat tasks, captured in Annex A.1e to ITB specification DCPS 6937 Male full sizes 5 to 15, Female full sizes 3 to 9, 2 width fittings medium and large. (UK sizes).
Options/solutions for outsizes: Size 16 plus (UK sizes).
Spacers/footbed: To be provided per pair facilitating optimal fit.
The framework length should not exceed 7 years.
The value of this framework is estimated to be between £37,152,000 – £51,100,000
Administrative Information
- Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate: 21 March 2024
- Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates: 2 April 2024
- Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender: Duration in months: 21 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
joint-forces Editor’s Comment: The constantly shrinking total number of UK combat troops requiring footwear (which contrasts markedly with the ever-increasing number of UK MoD civilian staff) coupled with the requirement for potential suppliers to commit an estimated £100,000 up-front with no guaranteed prospect of success in all or any category, appears to be making some manufacturers of excellent quality combat boots think long and hard about whether the time and cost involvement in supplying footwear for British Forces is now worth it. Although it is stated in the documentation that “price is not the only award criterion”, it is our understanding that cost, not ‘fitness for task’, has the highest weighting (50%?) in the assessment criteria… which of course in a competitive tender process often equates to a lowering of quality and a subsequent race to the bottom.
By 2012 the best part of a decade of combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq led to the British Army, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment being issued a range of superb combat and patrol boots in alternative fits across the different categories, and although five years later it looked like there had been a minor hiccough with the decision on one of the replacement Lots, on the whole at the end of the last decade UK Forces still had combat boots that some other NATO Allies looked upon with envy; though most were quickly catching up.
Looking at things positively, by the time the next batch of UK combat boots eventually percolates down to the frontline troops, hopefully sometime in 2026, a little part of the UK defence procurement machine will have managed to keep itself in a job for an additional four or so years. (Source: joint-forces.com)
16 Feb 24. UK frigate HMS Sutherland needed 600 structural inserts in drydock. The ageing Type 23 frigates are being kept operational far beyond their expected service life to limit the reduction in overall fleet numbers.
leaves service in the 2032 timeframe. Credit: UK MoD/Crown copyright
The UK Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland has required around 600 structural inserts during the vessel’s extensive upkeep programme currently being carried out at Babcock’s Royal Naval Dockyard located inside HMNB Devonport.
The frigate is one of a number of Type 23 class undergoing service life extension (LIFEX), recertification, or upkeep work at Babcock’s frigate halls at Devonport. The material state of some Type 23 frigates has been questioned previously, with HMS Iron Duke requiring more than 1,000 structural inserts during its own upkeep process.
Structural inserts typically remove degraded or rusted sections of hull or the ship’s superstructure, ranging in size from a small hand-sized plate to large panels.
Arriving on-site in April 2021, HMS Sutherland is due to be removed from drydock in the coming weeks and delivered back to the Royal Navy in the Q3/Q4 timeframe. Among works carried out include the installation of four new diesel engines under the Power Generation Machinery Upgrade (PGMU) programme.
The ageing Type 23 frigates have served far beyond their expected service life, with LIFEX carried out across a number of vessels in an attempt to ensure fleet number continuity until the new Type 31 and Type 26 frigates begin to come online later this decade.
Other Type 23 frigates at Babcock’s facility include HMS St Albans, which will begin sea trials on 1 March, three months ahead of the vessel’s contracted date. HMS Argyll meanwhile is in the process of post dock work up and activity.
Later in 2024, HMS Northumberland will arrive at Babcock’s site in the middle of March, where it will rest in 5 Dock, followed in mid-June, when HMS Kent and head in to 7 Dock. Both vessels are scheduled to undertake the PGMU process.
During a media tour of Babcock’s facilities on 8 February, there was no mention or sight of HMS Westminster, one of the Type 23 frigates purportedly ready to be cut from the fleet due to its poor condition.
Final refurb for Type 23s as OSD nears
In a written UK parliamentary written response on 15 January, it was revealed that the UK Royal Navy had 11 Type 23 frigates ‘in service’ – of these, seven platforms were described as being ‘operational’.
The remaining four vessels – HMS Argyll, HMS Westminster, HMS Sutherland, and HMS St Albans – were either in or awaiting a refit process, vital to the recertification efforts intended to extend the type’s service life.
It was previously reported by Naval Technology that the overall length of time that a Type 23 frigate is spending in refit and refurbishment programmes is increasing, as the fleet ages and becomes more difficult to maintain. Each ship of the class was originally intended to have an 18-year service life before replacement, but this has been extended through a series of refits.
From 2011-2017 each of the then 13 Type 23 frigates underwent a LIFEX or refit period, with the duration of each programme ranging from 12 months up to 36 months. From 2018 onwards the figures increase, with the first three vessels to undergo earlier work returned to the shipyards for between 37-49 months.
In line with vessel class certification rules, the out-of-service date of warships can be extended for a maximum of six years following completion of each upkeep maintenance programme.
The cost to refit and maintain the ageing class is also a factor, with HMS Iron Duke’s 2023 refit costing more than £100m. By comparison, in the financial year 2023-24, £100m has been allocated for Type 23 refits and of this sum about £50m has been expended, according to official figures. (Source: naval-technology.com)
EUROPE
21 Feb 24. HYDEF users narrow requirements for hypersonic interceptor.
OCCAR’s meeting studied Diehl Defence’s missile capabilities as the consortium narrowed down its requirements for the future hypersonic air defence system. Four of the five participating nations in the Hypersonic Defence (HYDEF) programme – namely Belgium, Germany, Poland and Spain (excluding Norway) – came to Nuremburg, Germany for their second, two-day core stakeholder’s workshop on the 13 and 14 February, 2024.
Launched in 2021, the HYDEF project calls for an endo-atmospheric (within Earth’s atmosphere) interceptor to eliminate hypersonic threats.
Led by the Spanish missile supplier, SMS, the consortium includes 14 companies from seven different European countries, including the Czech Republic and Sweden, specialised in air defence applications.
The first core stakeholder’s meeting commenced at the end of November 2023 in Madrid, where all five states participated in sessions aimed at fostering communication and understanding of one another’s requirements.
Under the attentive eye of Europe’s programme management body, the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR), the countries narrowed down their national requirements for the future hypersonic air defence system as part of the conceptual design phase.
It was agreed that the next core stakeholder workshop will take place in June 2024 within the ongoing continuous alignment process between the stakeholders and the HYDEF consortium.
Over the next three years the HYDEF consortium will work on the first phase of the programme, the concept study, for which the main objective is to assess the feasibility.
This first phase will be divided into two main activities, leading to MDR (pre-feasibility) and PRR (feasibility or Phase A), plus a parallel activity on the early maturation of critical technologies and designs.
According to GlobalData, the impetus to acquire a hypersonic interceptor stems from the reality that the US, Russia, and China are all testing hypersonic technology, “generating fears of escalating global competition for weaponry that has the potential to render current defences inadequate.”
Learning from existing missile defence programmes
Likewise, another part of the gathering saw the attendees explore the capabilities of the IRIS-T air defence system in a factory tour held by the original, German equipment manufacturer, Diehl Defence.
Currently, Diehl’s IRIS-T surface-launched, medium-range (SLM) system has seen a growing number of adopters in the past year, the most recent customer was Slovenia at the end of January 2024. Others include Germany, Estonia and Latvia – with systems donated to Ukraine – throughout 2023.
The launcher unit is based on a MAN 8×8 truck with eight missile container launchers mounted at the rear. The arrangement of the missile container launchers consist of two banks of four missiles.
(Source: army-technology.com)
21 Feb 24. Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet conducts first flight. Turkey’s KAAN, its first national combat aircraft, completed its first flight on Wednesday, part of the country’s efforts to upgrade its air force.
NATO member Turkey launched its TF-X project to produce a national combat aircraft in 2016. Turkish aerospace firm TUSAS signed a deal with Britain’s BAE Systems (BAES.L), opens new tab worth $125 m in 2017 to develop the next-generation fighter jet.
TUSAS shared a video showing a KAAN fighter jet taking off and then returning to an air base in the north Ankara.
“With KAAN, our country will not only have a fifth generation fighter jet, but also technologies that few countries in the world have,” Haluk Gorgun, head of Turkey’s Defence Industries Directorate (SSB), said in a post on social media platform X.
The new fighter jet will initially be powered by two General Electric (GE.N), opens new tab F-110 engines, which are also used on fourth-generation Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), opens new tab F-16 jets.
Turkey aims to use domestically produced engines on KAAN in serial production, Gorgun has said, with that expected to start in 2028.
Turkey recently secured a deal to procure 40 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernisation kits for its existing F-16s from the United States, after a long-delayed process.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on NATO member Turkey’s defence industry in December 2020 over its acquisition of Russia’s S-400 missile defence system and expelled Ankara from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, where it was a manufacturer and buyer.
Ankara is also interested in buying 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus (AIR.PA), opens new tab, BAE Systems and Leonardo (LDOF.MI), opens new tab. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Reuters)
19 Feb 24. Türkiye integrates national systems to its Gür class submarines. At the heart of Türkiye’s domestic defence industry, STM will deliver systems that will prolong the life of the Republic’s eight Type-209 submarines. Türkiye’s domestic naval engineering supplier, STM, will integrate indigenous combat systems to the republic’s Gür class diesel electric attack submarines. The Gür class is a Turkish designation for the German-manufactured Type 209 submarine.
Its sister – the Preveze class – is similar, however, GlobalData Defence Analyst, Wilson Jones, points out that “Türkiye considers the Gür to be a separate class because of a handful of advanced features.”
The class incorporates a new fire control system integrated with sonar, data links, target acquisition and tracking capabilities.
Türkiye is the largest adopter of the Type 209, having purchased four lighter Type 209/1200 (the suffix denotes the tonnage displacement of the submarine) between 1994 and 1999, and eight heavier Type 209 T1 and T2/1400 boats (four of each) between 1994 and 2007.
STM’s latest contract will evolve the nation’s Type 209/1400 submarines. These boats have a maximum speed of 10 knots (kt) surfaced and 22kt dived. There are eight 533-millimetre bow torpedo tubes and the submarine can carry up to 14 torpedoes.
Mid-life modernisation
STM’s integration service programme is due to be completed in the next six years.
Previously, STM was contracted to perform similar sevrices in the Mid-Life Modernisation Program of Türkiye’s Preveze class submarines in 2019.
Acceptance of the Inertial Navigation System, CTD Probes, Chilled Water System and Static Inverters, which have been procured and integrated on board TCG Preveze by STM, was completed in 2023, and the modernisation of the submarines under the project continues.
The Preveze class Mid-life Modernisation Programme covers the developemnt of four submarines, namely, TCG Preveze (S-353), TCG Sakarya (S-354), TCG 18 Mart (S-355) and TCG Anafartalar (S-356). STM takes the role of co-ordinator partner in the project with responsibilities of procuring nine systems, and the platform integration of all systems procured under the project.
Likewise, the new contract will bring STM to the forefront of Türkiye’s indeginsing defence industry as it looks to modernise all four Gür class boats: TCG Gür (S-357), TCG Canakkale (S-358), TCG Burakreis (S-359) and TCG Birinci Inonu (S-360). (Source: naval-technology.com)
USA
22 Feb 24. Pentagon requests $300m for secret drone programme. The U.S. Department of Defense submitted a classified request to Congress last week, to redirect $300m of approved funding from other budgets to its Replicator programme.
The programme aims to enable the military to field thousands of autonomous drones across multiple domains. Replicator was announced last August by Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks, as one of the measures the Pentagon is taking to counter China’s drone capabilities.
Replicator aims to scale up the military’s drone capabilities dramatically, in particular the numbers of drones available to operations, in a programme focused on matching the relatively high volume of unmanned systems that the People’s Liberation Army is able to draw on. In the process, Replicator must find ways to mass produce drones quickly and cost-effectively.
In response to congressional concerns voiced last year about how Replicator would be funded, Deputy Defense Secretary has already intimated that the programme would be run out of existing approved funding during 2024. However, even the reprogramming of funding must be approved by the four US Congress defence committees.
Funding is not the only concern that has been voiced about Replicator. The DoD initial announced last year prompted a report from the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) entitled: “Can it Work? Outside Perspectives on DoD’s Replicator Program.”
The primary finding of the AUVSI report is that the U.S. may currently lack the domestic industrial base to meet the goals of Replicator. It cited pace, scaling production levels as two of the key challenges.
The U.S. military, of course, operates some of the most sophisticated and effective drones in the world, across air, land and sea. However, the focus of Replicator is to mass produce smaller, cheaper drones. In Hicks’s words the vision is for “small, smart, cheap, and many”, and to fill a substantial gap in capability by August 2025.
The timing of the funding request, more than five months into that two-year timeframe, seems to cast doubt over whether the Pentagon is able to move quite that fast. (Source: Armada)
REST OF THE WORLD
22 Feb 24. Foreign firms vie for South Korea’s airborne early warning contract. Several international vendors are intent on helping South Korea bolster its airborne early warning and control capability, as the country’s Air Force plans to spend at most $2.26bn on four aircraft.
After the Defense Acquisition Program Administration issued a request for proposals in November, companies had until Feb. 22 to submit their bids.
South Korea is taking on more self-defense responsibilities from the U.S., and the new quartet of AEW&C aircraft will supplement four Boeing E-737 planes delivered around the 2011-2012 time frame. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the new platforms would enhance the South’s “ability to monitor North Korean missiles and defend its airspace.”
Boeing is competing with a 737-based platform again, its E-7 having the advantage of aerial refueling to give on-station times stretching to 20 hours.
“Regarding the capability, the unmatched E-7 multirole electronically scanned array radar sensing and tracking provides the most powerful multidomain surveillance, communications and networked battle-management capabilities of any aircraft,” a Boeing spokesperson told Defense News.
The American company, which is the fifth-largest defense contractor in the world, said the E-7 “is production-ready and offers lower operating and sustainment costs, higher mission readiness rates, and unmatched interoperability.”
Boeing executives at South Korea’s Seoul ADEX defense expo last year claimed a 96% availability rate for the E-7. They also highlighted commonality with existing Korean E-737s. “In addition to crew training efficiencies, the E-7 offers life-cycle cost savings inherent with fleet continuity and a global, common logistics model.”
Saab’s GlobalEye is also competing, with the Swedish company proposing a Bombardier Global 6500 airframe.
Saab believes its design, which mounts an Erieye extended-range radar atop the fuselage, is ideal for South Korea’s Air Force. As well as a hot production line, Saab touted its willingness to transfer technology to enhance Korea’s strategic independence. It also highlighted rapid delivery and affordability.
Saab is the 33rd biggest defense contractor worldwide.
The other contender is American firm L3Harris Technologies in tandem with Korean Air and Israel Aerospace Industries. Its Phoenix solution also uses a Global 6500 and integrates Elta Systems-made conformal radars and artificial intelligence algorithms. L3Harris claimed its design will have low sustainment costs and at least a 95% operational availability rate.
L3Harris is the ninth-largest defense company in the world, while IAI lands at 29. The former noted that an initial two aircraft would undergo modifications in Texas before receiving radar integration in Israel. Korean Air would lead work on the two remaining aircraft in-country, as well as perform sustainment.
“Through L3Harris’ agreements with Korean Air, LIG Nex1 and Ace Antenna, and ongoing discussions with additional Korean partners, the team intends that the aircraft and mission system equipment will be fully supported in Korea,” a spokesperson for the group told Defense News. “This … paves the way for independent domestic research and development, and fostering excellence in aircraft system integration, upgrades and modifications, which will contribute significantly to the advancement of South Korea’s research and development program.”
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration declined to provide Defense News with further details. The agency is now proceeding with evaluations. (Source: Defense News)
22 Feb 24. Philippines hints at fresh fighter fleet amid negotiations with Sweden. The Philippines is nearing a breakthrough in negotiations to buy fighter jets from Sweden after two decades of efforts to refresh its fleet. The two governments are now ironing out the final terms of defense cooperation based on a memorandum of understanding signed in June and ratified in September, the Philippines’ Defense Department explained in a Feb. 16 news release. The arrangement is key to Sweden’s participation in the Philippines’ multirole fighter jet program, the department said, and the governments are to ink a deal at a meeting next month.
Negotiations had stalled while the Philippine military finalized its new defense acquisition program, dubbed Horizon 3 — the last phase of the government’s massive push to modernize its armed forces. In January, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved a 2 trn peso (U.S. $35bn) budget for the decade-long plan.
The Defense Department has not shared a specific list of assets and platforms it wants under the program, but Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters last month the budget will focus on building assets and capabilities to address threats to Philippine resources and vessels. Capabilities will focus on raising domain awareness; connectivity; maritime and aerial deterrence; command and control; communications; computer technology; and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.
The military previously told Defense News most of its assets and platforms are deployed to the country’s western and northern borders.
Following the approval of Horizon 3, the department said it had changed its requirements for the fighter jet and had not disclosed the total number it planned to acquire, nor the price tag.
The Philippines retired its fleet of Northrop F-5 fighters in 2005, and in 2013 it spent 18.9bn pesos for 12 FA-50 light attack aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries as fighter jet negotiations continued.
While the government has not identified the final choice for the fighter jet, the Swedish firm Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen was reportedly among the top choice.
The country had its eyes set on Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon in the 1990s, but economic troubles and a lack of prioritization stalled negotiations.
In 2021, the U.S. approved the sale of 10 F-16C Block 70/72 and two F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft in a $2.43bn package. However, the Philippines has only earmarked $1.1bn for the acquisition.
Sweden instead proposed the JAS 39 Gripen in 2022.
Saab has not participated in negotiations thus far, according to Andrew Wilkinson, the company’s Gripen campaign director. Speaking to Defense News during the Singapore Airshow this week, Wilkinson said Saab will join the discussions once the bilateral agreement is signed and after the Philippines reaches a decision on its preferred fighter jet.
“We are at the very first phase, but right now there is no official decision, no requests,” he added.
Previous negotiations were over the aircraft, but Saab officials said there is an array of systems to provide a “holistic defense solution,” like the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control plane that can provide long-range air, sea, and land surveillance in real time.
“We have ground radars, airborne radars, other types of sensors, and you can fuse all this information to provide one aviation awareness picture that you can distribute to the navy, to the army, even to the coast guard,” Anders Dahl, who leads Saab’s branch in the Philippines, told Defense News. The company has a history in the region. In 2008, Saab signed a $309m deal to supply aircraft and surveillance systems to the Royal Thai Armed Forces. (Source: Defense News)
21 Feb 24. Singapore Airshow 2024: Singapore to embark on Apache life extension programme. Singapore’s fleet of Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters will soon undergo a life extension programme (LEP).
The matter was confirmed by the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF’s) outgoing chief, Major General Kelvin Khong, in a statement ahead of the Singapore Airshow 2024, held from 20 to 25 February.
“The AH-64D Apache helicopter continues to be a versatile multimission aircraft that is effective in both day and night, against threats from air, land, and sea, and under all weather conditions,” said Maj Gen Khong, who will step down as chief of the RSAF in March 2024.
“The RSAF has been operating the AH-64D since 1999 and it continues to play an important role for [the] SAF [Singapore Armed Forces]. The RSAF will embark on a life extension programme for our AH-64Ds to ensure it remains operationally ready beyond 2030,” he added. (Source: Janes)
20 Feb 24. Seeking local production, Israel to buy new assault rifles. Israel plans to buy “tens of thousands” of assault rifles from local businesses as part of a “requirement to renew and strengthen the [Israel Defense Forces’] stockpile of weapons,” the Defense Ministry announced this week.
The push to ensure independent production of weapons comes as the Biden administration says the U.S. is working on a deal aimed at securing at least a six-week halt to hostilities and releasing all hostages.
A spokesman for the ministry said the call for local weapons does not represent a policy change. The ministry noted “the procurement of American weapons will also continue.”
But retired Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi, chairman and founder of the Israel Defense And Security Forum, which works to promote Israel’s weapons production, has a different view.
“The defense leadership already understands that the State of Israel cannot afford to depend on others in terms of armaments,” Avivi said. “Besides what Israel has experienced since Oct. 7, the Russia-Ukraine war also strengthens this thesis.”
He noted Ukraine, which has relied on foreign aid, has been in a challenging position.
“Israel is paying the price for neglecting its own production capacity,” Avivi explained. “Now it has a desire to bridge over the gaps.”
“It starts with a tender for assault rifles, and will continue to shells and missiles,” he added.
Two domestic companies — Israel Weapon Industries in central Israel and Emtan from the northern part — manufacture assault rifles from the AR-15 family and may compete. Neither could immediately be reached for comment.
The new procurement is intended to replace rifles worn out in the war against Hamas. The chosen would join the current inventory, which includes, among others, the M16 and Tavor rifles. (Source: Defense News)
20 Feb 24. Embraer and SNC demonstrate Super Tucano to Ghana Air Force.
Embraer and the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have demonstrated their A-29 Super Tucano close air support, reconnaissance and trainer aircraft to the Ghana Air Force (GAF), which has for years considered purchasing the type.
The static and flying demonstration took place at Air Force Base Accra on 19 February – it was previously scheduled for 5 December 2023. The Super Tucano (PT-ZTU) was joined by a number of GAF aircraft, including Mi-171 and Z-9 helicopters as well as K-8 jet trainers.
In his welcome address, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Frederick Asare Kwasi Bekoe, expressed enthusiasm about the static and flight display, emphasising the importance of acquiring light attack aircraft in the face of increasing terrorism threats within the sub-region.
He added that the partnership with SNC and Embraer was timely, considering the A-29 Super Tucano was a strategic offensive platform to enhance the Ghana Air Force’s deterrent and offensive posture within the sub-region.
“It is our earnest hope at the end of the demonstration that the Super Tucano will be considered high on our decision making for acquisition,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, underscored the importance of prioritising counter-terrorism efforts. He said the Super Tucano presents itself as a suitable aircraft to augment the Ghana Air Force’s capabilities in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism.
Ghana in June 2015 announced an order for five Super Tucanos, but the contract never went through. The GAF has also considered acquiring half a dozen L-39NG light combat jets from Aero Vodochody.
Embraer has recorded a number of orders for its Super Tucano from African countries, which see it as a low cost light attack aircraft that can also be used as a trainer. The Super Tucano is capable of performing a broad range of missions that include light attack, aerial surveillance and interception, and counter-insurgency.
The Super Tucano is equipped with a variety of sensors and equipment, including an electo-optical/infrared system with laser designator, night vision goggles, secure communications and data-link package.
Armament comprises one .50-caliber machinegun in each wing. Five hardpoints can carry a maximum external load of 1 550 kilograms (3 420 lb). Weapons options include gun pods, bombs, rocket pods, and (on the two outboard stations) air-to-air missiles. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
20 Feb 24. Australia commits to modern and lethal general purpose frigates. The Australian federal government has announced the intended acquisition of 11 new general purpose frigates to complement the country’s combat-ready fleet of warships.
The 11 new general purpose frigates will provide maritime and land strike, air defence and escort capabilities, according to information released by the government in a statement on 20 February.
The new general purpose frigates will be accelerated to replace the Anzac Class frigates commissioned in the 1990s and early 2000s, with planned transition capability assurance upgrades no longer required.
The new general purpose frigates will be modern, capable and more lethal, requiring smaller crews than the Anzac Class (177 crew members). Eight new general purpose frigates are planned to be built at the Henderson precinct in Western Australia.
Current Anzac Class vessels include HMAS Anzac and sister frigates HMAS Arunta, Ballarat, Parramatta, Perth, Stuart, Toowoomba, and Warramunga.
“The enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet will ensure the Navy is optimised for operations in our current and future environment, underpinned by the meticulous assessment conducted by the Independent analysis team,” according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
“Australia’s modern society and economy rely on access to the high seas: trade routes for our imports and exports, and the submarine cables for the data which enables our connection to the international economy.
“The Royal Australian Navy must be able to ensure the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and trade routes as they are fundamental to our way of life and our prosperity.”
The first general purpose frigates are expected to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy by the end of the decade, Minister Marles said.
Minister Marles said the first three vessels will be built offshore in the interest of speedy acquisition. Four potential designs are up for evaluation from Spain, Germany, South Korea, and Japan; the design decision will be made next year, he said.
The announcement is part of larger changes recommended by the Australian government’s “Surface Fleet Review” unveiled on 20 February.
Under the plan, the Australian Defence Force’s 26 major surface combatants will consist of three Hobart Class air warfare destroyers with upgraded air defence and strike capabilities, six Hunter Class frigates, the 11 new general purpose frigates, six new large optionally crewed surface vessels, six remaining Anzac Class frigates with the two oldest ships to be decommissioned as per their planned service life, and 25 minor war vessels to contribute to civil maritime security operations, including six offshore patrol vessels.
“This significant advancement in Navy capability that will be delivered under this plan requires a strong, sovereign defence industry,” said Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
“This plan ensures Navy’s future fleet can meet our strategic circumstances by delivering a larger and more lethal fleet sooner and secures the future of naval shipbuilding in Australia, supporting 3,700 direct jobs over the next decade and thousands of indirect jobs for decades to come.”
The new general purpose frigates will be approximately the same size to 50 per cent bigger than the Anzac Class, with twice as many missiles, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
The four platforms identified by the independent analysis as exemplars to form the basis of a selection process for this new general purpose frigate include Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ Meko A-200 frigate, the Mogami 30FFM Japanese multi-mission stealth frigate, the South Korean Daegu class FFX Batch II and III, or Navantia’s ALFA3000 (Tasman Class Corvette, announced at IndoPac 2023).
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said the size, lethality and capabilities of the future surface combatant fleet ensure that the Royal Australian Navy is equipped to meet the evolving strategic challenges of the region.
“A strong Australia relies on a strong navy, one that is equipped to conduct diplomacy in our region, deter potential adversaries, and defend our national interests when called,” he said. (Source: Defence Connect)
20 Feb 24. Australia has announced that it will procure six large optionally crewed surface vessels to increase the Navy’s Tier 1 vertical launching system cell capacity, acquired through a formal engagement with the United States Navy.
The new acquisition of six large optionally crewed surface vessels (LOSVs) is hoped to increase the Royal Australian Navy’s long-range strike capability, with the new acquisition announced alongside 11 new Tier 2 general purpose frigates.
The Commonwealth has highlighted that the LOSVs will be built at the Henderson precinct in Western Australia, alongside eight of the new general purpose frigates.
They will be armed with 32 vertical launching system cells, and use the Aegis Baseline 9 system or later in keeping with the Hunter class and Hobart class destroyers post-upgrade.
The acquisition was prompted by a recommendation within the review that the Royal Australian Navy: “Increase the vertical launching system cell capacity of the Tier 1 surface combatant fleet by acquiring six LOSVs.”
It was recommended that the acquisition take part in concert with the United States Navy: “Large Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels (LOSVs) should be acquired through formal engagement with the United States Navy program as a fast follower to enable construction of the LOSVs at either the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia or overseas.”
New surface fleet acquisitions announced by the Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy will more than double the size of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet from 11 to 26.
The 26 major combatants will also be supported by 25 “minor war vessels” which will include six offshore patrol vessels to support maritime security operations.
To deliver the boost, the Albanese government has pledged an additional $11.1 bn for the “future surface fleet alone” over the coming decade.
The announcement was not without cuts, with the beleaguered Hunter Class frigate program being reduced from nine vessels to six.
It follows an independent analysis of Navy’s surface fleet capabilities that were delivered to the Commonwealth in September. The independent analysis was led by US Navy Vice Admiral (Ret’d) William Hilarides, Rosemary Huxtable, AO, PSM, and Vice Admiral Stuart Mayer, AO, RAN.
According to Labor’s Defence team, the analysis highlighted that the Royal Australian Navy was operating the oldest fleet in the service’s history, and pressed the need for more air defence, long-range strike, presence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The acquisition of the 11 new general purpose frigates is expected to be expedited, removing the need for the Anzac Class to undergo the transition capability assurance upgrades.
In announcing the program, the government addressed concerns over continued workforce shortages as identified in last year’s Defence Strategic Review, noting that the new general purpose frigates will require smaller crews.
Australia’s increased surface fleet will protect Australia’s vital trade routes and lines of communication which underpin our way of life, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles explained.
“The enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet will ensure the Navy is optimised for operations in our current and future environment, underpinned by the meticulous assessment conducted by the independent analysis team,” the Minister for Defence said.
“Australia’s modern society and economy rely on access to the high seas: trade routes for our imports and exports, and the submarine cables for the data which enables our connection to the international economy.
“The Royal Australian Navy must be able to ensure the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and trade routes as they are fundamental to our way of life and our prosperity.”
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of Navy, noted that the review will enable them to protect Australia.
“A strong Australia relies on a strong navy, one that is equipped to conduct diplomacy in our region, deter potential adversaries, and defend our national interests when called,” VADM Hammond said.
“The size, lethality and capabilities of the future surface combatant fleet ensures that our Navy is equipped to meet the evolving strategic challenges of our region.” (Source: Defence Connect)
20 Feb 24. Australia to build biggest navy since World War II.
It will get a navy of 26 major surface combatant ships, up from 11 toda. Australia on Tuesday outlined a decade-long plan to double its fleet of major warships and boost defence spending by an additional US$7 bn, in the face of a quickening Asia-Pacific arms race.
Under the plan, Australia will get a navy of 26 major surface combatant ships, up from 11 today.
“It is the largest fleet that we will have since the end of the Second World War,” said Defence Minister Richard Marles.
The announcement comes after a massive build-up of firepower by rivals China and Russia, and amid growing confrontation between nervous US-led allies and increasingly bellicose authoritarian governments.
Australia will get six Hunter class frigates, 11 general-purpose frigates, three air warfare destroyers and six state-of-the-art surface warships that do not need to be crewed.
At least some of the fleet will be armed with Tomahawk missiles capable of long-range strikes on targets deep inside enemy territory – a major deterrent capability.
The plan would see Australia increase its defence spending to 2.4 % of gross domestic product, above the 2% target set by its NATO allies.
Some of the ships will be built in Adelaide, ensuring more than 3,000 jobs, but others will be sourced from US designs and a still undecided design to come from Spain, Germany, South Korea or Japan.
Change, or more of the same?
In 2021, Australia announced plans to buy at least three US-designed nuclear-powered submarines, scrapping a years-long plan to develop non-nuclear subs from France that had already cost bns of dollars.
While the Virginia-class submarines will be nuclear-powered, they will not be armed with atomic weapons and are instead expected to carry long-range cruise missiles. They represent a step-shift for the country’s open water capabilities.
Experts say that taken together, Australia is poised to develop significant naval capability.
But the country’s major defence projects have long been beset by cost overruns, government U-turns, policy changes and project plans that make more sense for local job creation than defence.
Michael Shoebridge, a former senior security official and now independent analyst, said the government must overcome past errors and had “no more time to waste” as competition in the region heats up.
Shoebridge said there must be a trimmed-down procurement process, otherwise, it will be a “familiar path that leads to delays, construction troubles, cost blowouts – and at the end, ships that get into service too late with systems that are overtaken by events and technological change”.
Wooing specific electorates with the promise of “continuous naval shipbuilding” cannot be the priority, he said.
“This will just get in the way of the actual priority: reversing the collapse of our Navy’s fleet.” (Source: News Now/https://timesofmalta.com/)
14 Feb 24. Indonesia backtracks on Mirage 2000-5 acquisition. Indonesia has withdrawn from a contract to procure the Qatar Emiri Air Force’s (QEAF’s) combined force of 12 Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter aircraft.
On 15 June 2023 the Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced a EUR733m (USD787m) contract for the 12 aircraft. However, on 11 February 2024 Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, spokesperson for Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, said in a statement that the procurement had been paused.
“The purchase plan for the Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets is temporarily postponed due to fiscal limitations in Indonesia,” Dahnil said, according to local media reports.
Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Muhammad Herindra (retd) clarified on 12 February that the planned procurement of the 12 Mirage 2000-5s had been “cancelled … due to fiscal or budgetary constraints”.
(Source: Janes)
19 Feb 24. Sri Lanka Air Force plans new aircraft acquisitions. The head of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has announced the launch of several programmes to induct new aircraft and technologies.
Air Marshal R A Udeni P Rajapaksa, Commander of the SLAF, said during a press conference on 14 February that the SLAF is moving away from its erstwhile development of major combat capabilities to focus on maritime surveillance, transport, and territorial defence.
“We do not intend to develop a huge fighting force. We need to protect our land, and [consequently], we need to have maritime domain awareness. Peace in the Indian Ocean is one of the key elements for the sustainable development of our country… Therefore, we are looking at acquisitions falling in line with [these requirements],” he said.
“We are [also] discussing with certain other countries [about the possible acquisition] of … helicopters and also some training aircraft,” Air Mshl Rajapaksa added. (Source: Janes)
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