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https://ieeinc.com/
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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
11 Mar 24. Urgent Request – Deadline: 18 March 2024.
A member needs to find a manufacturer who (ideally has experience of making Blank Firing Attachments – BFA’s) to give them a lead time and price on 1144 units to fit to a 5.56mm assault rifle which will catch 3 rounds.
The background is that the UK have acquired some old weapons from Eastern Europe for re equipping the Ukrainian Army and the supplied BFA’s do not work, neither do the in service SA80 variants. Please see the link below for images:
ARM9F_SBFS_Galil_Muzzle.jpg
SA80_SBFS_Galil_Muzzle.jpg
SA80_SBFS_Galil_Muzzle1.jpg
This is an urgent requirement for UK Gov.
If you are a supplier with these capabilities then please contact with the following details:
Company name
Contact name
Telephone number
Kind regards
The Make UK Defence Team
13 Mar 24. £35m boost for British semiconductor scientists and businesses on international chip research.
British semiconductor researchers and businesses now have enhanced access to research funding backed by the UK government and Horizon Europe, now the UK has joined the EU’s ‘Chips Joint Undertaking’.
UK becomes participating state in EU semiconductor chips joint undertaking.
- Semiconductor sector to benefit from up to £35m, plus European funds, in a boost to British leadership in research of cutting-edge chip technology
- UK joins European initiative to access €1.3bn Horizon Europe funding pot for collaborative semiconductor research projects
- Boost to help push boundary of semiconductor design, improving tech used in all digital devices and advances the government’s plan to secure long term growth
British semiconductor researchers and businesses now have enhanced access to research funding backed by the UK government and Horizon Europe, now the UK has joined the EU’s ‘Chips Joint Undertaking’.
The move provides the UK semiconductor sector enhanced access to a €1.3bn pot of funds set aside from Horizon Europe to support research in semiconductor technologies up to 2027.
Access to the one of the Chips Joint Undertaking’s funds is being backed by an initial £5m this year from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and delivered by Innovate UK. An additional £30 m is due to support UK participation in further research between 2025 and 2027.
By joining the fund and contributing in the same way as all other countries who take part, the UK sector has enhanced access to bid for funding support from the €1.3bn pot, funded by Horizon Europe.
Announcing the move at a conference of global semiconductor leaders in London, Technology Minister Saqib Bhatti said:
Our membership of the Chips Joint Undertaking will boost Britain’s strengths in semiconductor science and research to secure our position in the global chip supply chain.
This underscores our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and cements our important role in shaping the future of semiconductor technologies around the world.
This follows the UK joining Horizon Europe through a bespoke new agreement with the EU last year. The programme is giving UK companies and research institutions unrivalled opportunities to lead global work to develop new technologies and research projects, in areas from health to AI.
Tens of thousands of UK companies are now eligible for Horizon Europe grants, which are worth £450,000 to a business on average. UK firms already benefitting from Horizon funding include Nova Innovation, whose consortium won over £17m to develop tidal energy in Orkney, and South Yorkshire tech firm The Floow who are part of a project awarded just under £3m, looking into road safety.
Jari Kinaret, Chips JU Executive Director, said: “We are very happy to welcome the UK to the Chips Joint Undertaking as a participating state. We are looking forward to working with the UK partners to develop the European industrial ecosystem in microelectronics and its applications, contributing to the continent’s scientific excellence and innovation leadership in semiconductor technologies and related fields. This year, the Chips Joint Undertaking fund is well aligned to UK research expertise. In 2024, it includes two focussed calls for funding bids on semiconductors for cars and other vehicles as well as RISC-V, an open-source architecture that aims to accelerate semiconductor innovation by lowering the cost of chip design. It also provides more open opportunities for scientists and firms to bid for research support.”
Sean Redmond, Managing Partner at SiliconCatalyst, said: “UK Semiconductor startups have a rich history of collaboration with the European Union. Our semiconductor research base is the fourth largest in the world. Commercialising these inventions with the help of the EU Chips Joint Undertaking will significantly increase their probability of success, mitigating risks by local collaborations that provide a clear path from lab to fab.”
Jalal Bagherli, Chairman, PTSL, Chair, Williams Advanced Engineering and Co-Chair of UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel, said: “As the UK Semiconductor Strategy ramps up its implementation phase in support of a thriving industry, I believe this initiative is the next major step enabling engagement with our global partners to advance the state of the art in chip development and innovative packaging technologies in the UK.
The UK has joined the initiative as a “Participating State”, allowing the country to collaborate more closely with European partners on semiconductor innovation. As a Participating State, the UK will have a role in setting research priorities and funding decisions as the fund evolves in the years ahead.
This includes the opportunity for the UK to be a part of a new funding opportunity with the Republic of Korea to research ways to combine semiconductor chips to improve performance through advanced packaging – which the UK-Republic of Korea Semiconductor Framework, signed in November last year.
British research has elsewhere led global efforts to push semiconductor technology forward in fields like “silicon photonics”, which creates faster chips by using light instead of electricity, and compound semiconductors, which enable improved performance over silicon in key applications such as power transmission and radiofrequency communications.
Martin Kuball, Chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering in Emerging Technologies, professor in physics at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, and director of the Centre for Device Thermography and Reliability, said:
We are excited for the UK to participate in the EU Chips Joint Undertaking. This will enable us to work with key EU partners to advance and commercialize high voltage power electronics we develop within in the IKC REWIRE, as well as high power high frequency RF technology we develop within UK, US and European Space Agency (ESA) programmes.
This follows DSIT and UK Research and Innovation investing £22 m in two Innovation and Knowledge Centres located in Southampton and Bristol, aimed at reinforcing these key areas of British research leadership. These centres are dedicated to advancing cutting-edge chip technologies, such as silicon photonics and compound semiconductors, toward commercialisation.
Chris Meadows, Director, CSconnected, said: “CSconnected, the organisation representing the South Wales Compound Semiconductor sector, warmly welcomes the news that the UK is to join the EU Chips Joint Undertaking. Collaboration is at the very heart of our fast growing and rapidly evolving semiconductor sector that underpins technologies of today and is key to enabling our future connected world, AI, robotics, and in meeting global net-zero ambitions.”
Jen Walls, Chief Executive Officer Clas-Sic Wafer Fab, said: “This is good news for UK Semiconductors, opening up opportunities for UK Companies to compete with our European peers on a more level playing field. The UK has a lot to offer in this sector and we are grateful as this will foster a more supportive environment for innovation.”
Vaysh Kewada, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Salience Labs, said: “Semiconductors are critical to the UK’s economic and national security. They underpin crucial technologies such as advancement in AI. The UK produces world-leading research in silicon photonics, compound semiconductors and others. This government support is a good step forward to foster growth and to ensure that the UK remains relevant in the critical technologies of tomorrow.”
Martin McHugh, CEO at CSA Catapult, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for UK researchers and businesses to strengthen links with our EU partners and collaborate on cutting-edge semiconductor projects of national importance.
Access to the Horizon Europe funds will enable the UK to partner on projects where we have mutual and significant strengths, such as design, advanced packaging and compound semiconductors.
Dr. Giorgia Longobardi, Founder and CEO Cambridge GaN Devices, said: “The UK joining the European initiative to access €1.3bn Horizon Europe fund for collaborative research in semiconductors is an exciting news. Semiconductors are at the base of core technologies that can solve important societal challenges, among which net zero and electrification, and significant advancements in the field can be achieved only thanks to collaborative efforts and government support.”
The deadline for Phase 1 applications this year is 14 May.
Jari Kinaret, Executive Director of the Chips Joint Undertaking, will provide an online information session at 1pm on 19 March 2024. Sign-up is available via this link .
Innovate UK will also be hosting an information session on the 25 March.
Innovate UK has a Horizon Europe hub on its website with information on upcoming funding calls and details on how to receive advice and support from National Contact Points.
It also offers travel grants for SMEs who want to build networks in Europe. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
14 Mar 24. Capability boost for UK’s global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks.
The new helicopters will have double the range of the existing Chinooks in service among the UK Armed Forces
- 14 state-of-the art Chinook helicopters to provide versatile heavy-lift capability over double the range of a standard Chinook.
- Programme now confirmed to bring in an estimated £151 m of extra investment to UK economy.
- UK companies will produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the helicopters.
Britain’s heavy lift capability will be bolstered with the purchase of 14 extended-range Chinooks (CH47-ER), which will pump an estimated £151 m into the UK economy.
The new Chinooks significantly enhance the UK’s strategic mobility with its ability to operate in challenging environments. From the desert to the arctic, the helicopter has double the range of a standard Chinook and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, with the ability to carry up to 55 personnel or 10,000 kg of cargo.
With a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the new helicopters will have a range of new capabilities, including an advanced digital cockpit and a modernised airframe to increase stability and survivability.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the commitment to proceed with the contract after meeting crew members from one of the Chinooks in the Royal Air Force’s existing fleet.
Through successful negotiations between MOD’s procurement arm – Defence Equipment & Support – and the US Government, the UK has reduced costs for elements of the programme by more than £300 m, ensuring value for money whilst providing our armed forces with a cutting-edge heavy lift capability.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK Armed Forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe. The Chinook is one of our most iconic aircraft, having been operated in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal not only enhances our capability, but will boost UK industry and skills.”
The Defence Secretary also visited Poland yesterday and met his counterpart to discuss international support for Ukraine, and made a further visit to meet British troops currently exercising in Poland.
As part of the deal, UK companies will also produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the Chinooks, supporting jobs in areas such as aircraft avionics and electric power, supporting skills development and wider UK industry.
Beyond the Chinook, the Government’s extensive negotiations with United States has helped to enshrine critical reforms into law that will benefit the UK. These laws will increase the speed and predictability of military procurement from the US going forward, and will strengthen shared partnerships like AUKUS through technology sharing. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
08 Mar 24. UK MoD sets aside £40m for new VIP helicopter capability.
Currently, military and government VIP rotary-wing capability is provided by 32 Sqn RAF, based at RAF Northolt air base, operating the AW109 helicopter.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is seeking options to fulfill its Rotary Wing Command Support Air Transport Helicopter Service (RWCSAT) contract worth up to £40m ($51.3m) over a five-year period, as the latest Public Accounts Committee report reveals a near-£17bn black hole in military funding.
In a contract notice published in mid-February, the MoD stated that it was seeking solutions for the RWCSAT requirement to provide point-to-point flights for “high priority military personnel, ministers and government officials within the UK and near Europe”, which would be performed by “British military aircrew” from 32 Sqn based at RAF Northolt and tasked through Air Command HQ.
According to the contract requirements, aircraft should be capable of operating in restricted airspace such as prohibited areas, restricted areas, and danger areas, as well as being able to operate within a control zone such as London’s Heathrow Airport.
Delivery of the solution is intended to occur “as soon as practicable” from December 2024. The contract end date is set at November 2029.
The aircraft should be able to operate in the UK and near European civilian airspace, including over water, at a minimum range of 250 nautical miles. The RWCSAT capability should provide up to 500 flight hours, the MoD notice added.
It is not known whether any incoming RWCSAT capability would come at the expense of the existing AW109 helicopters operated by RAF 32 Sqn at RAF Northolt. At the time of publishing, the UK MoD had not responded to questions from Airforce Technology on the planned acquisition.
On 8 March, the UK Public Accounts Committee published a damning report into the MoD’s Equipment Plan, stating that there was a £16.9bn funding black hole between its intentions and the reality of available finances.
32 Sqn: the RAF’s little known VIP transport fleet
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps created headlines at the end of February when he was reported by The Mirror to have utilised an RAF AW109 helicopter to fly from RAF Northolt to attend a meeting on public transport in the north of England.
A widely travelled member of the UK Government Cabinet, Shapps has previously been Transport Secretary from 2019-2022, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy for four months between October 2022 and February 2023, and home Secretary for six days during the chaotic administration of former Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Currently providing rotary-wing VIP transport with 32 Sqn, the AW109 provides site-to-site transportation for senior military commander and government ministers in the UK and Europe, according to the RAF. The platform has a maximum endurance of two hours 40 minutes, with up to six passengers on board.
In addition, 32 Sqn also operates two Dassault 900LX business jets, known as the Envoy CC Mk1 in RAF service, which were acquired to replace the Bae146 which went out of service in March 2022.
The 2021 Integrated Review committed to retire the fleet of four BAe146 aircraft and provided funding for two Dassault 900LX Falcon replacements. The Envoy CC Mk1s are military owned and tasked, civilian registered, and commercially operated from 1 June 2022; with a transition to full military registered and operated service from 1 April 2024. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
EUROPE
14 Mar 24. Türkiye continues its efforts to get the F-35 fighter jet funds reimbursed while working with allies to procure Eurofighter Typhoons, a Turkish defense official said on Thursday, emphasizing the ongoing focus on the 5th generation fighter aircraft KAAN.
At a press briefing, Defense Ministry’s Public Relations Advisor Admiral Zeki Akturk stated that negotiations on F-35 fighter jets were ongoing with the US but there was no change in the positions of both countries. However, Akturk noted that they hoped to recover the money they had paid for the jets.“At this stage, we need to focus on KAAN,” he said.
Regarding the status of the requested Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from the UK, he stated that the efforts to procure Eurofighters are ongoing and that discussions between the UK and German officials on this matter are continuing.
“Our expectation is for our allies to take decisions in line with the spirit of the alliance and common security perspective. We believe that positive results will be achieved,” he added.
Counterterrorism, border security
The official said the upcoming visit of Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and the President of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Ibrahim Kalin to Iraq will involve discussions on counterterrorism efforts, border security, and diverse topics, including energy.
“As you know, a Security Summit was held in Ankara with Iraqi officials last December. The second summit will take place in Iraq today. These discussions will prioritize developing a joint understanding of counterterrorism, with security and military cooperation being key topics,” he said.
“The meeting held by Turkish commanders across the border took place within the Claw-Lock Operation zone boundaries. During the meeting with Iraqi officials, measures to enhance the security of the Iraq-Türkiye border and improve the safety of Iraqi citizens were discussed. Such cooperation and coordination meetings will continue,” he added.
Akturk stated that operations targeting all terrorist organizations, primarily PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG, Daesh, and FETO, resulted in the neutralization of 63 terrorists in the past week, including in northern Iraq and Syria.
He mentioned that since Jan. 1, 2024, a total of 582 terrorists have been neutralized, with 229 in northern Iraq and 353 in northern Syria.
Illegal border crossing
Akturk disclosed that in the past week, 138 people, including four members of terrorist organizations, were apprehended while attempting to illegally cross the borders, and 2,861 others were prevented from crossing.
“Thus, the number of individuals apprehended while attempting to illegally cross our borders since Jan. 1 has risen to 1,747. The number of individuals prevented from crossing the border has reached 34,447,” he said.
Top Turkish officials are attending a security summit with Iraqi officials in Baghdad on Thursday.
The meeting, attended by Hakan Fidan, Yasar Guler, and Ibrahim Kalin, will focus on security and military cooperation, in addition to eradicating the presence of the PKK terrorist group in Iraq, a top goal set by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The meeting will see both sides discussing a common understanding of the fight against terrorism.
(Source: News Now/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye)
13 Mar 24. Dutch government to decide on the purchase of four French submarines. The Dutch government will decide tomorrow, Friday, if it will buy four French-made submarines from the Paris-based Naval Group after deliberations lasting nine years.
Dutch media outlet RTL Nieuws, quoting “informed sources” reported that France’s Naval Group is likely to be the one to replace the thirty-year old Walrus class fleet of Dutch subs, beating rivals Saab from Sweden and Germany’s Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS.)
Saab would have partnered with Dutch Damen Shipyards, while Naval cooperates with shipbuilder Royal IHC, another Dutch constructor.
Dutch submarines
According to Jaime Karremann, editor of Dutch navy monitor portal Marineschepen.nl, the Dutch navy has three submarines which all entered service in the early 1990s. A fourth sub was retired in December last year.
“They are ageing. They really need replacement. That should have happened a long time ago,” he told RFI.
“They are not primarily used for coastal defence,” he says, “but rather deployed far from home, in the Atlantic, the Caribbean or the Persian Gulf.”
“They collect intelligence and can be used to drop special forces.
Some fifteen years ago, the Dutch weren’t convinced that they wanted to replace the vessels at all. (Source: News Now/Yahoo!)
USA
10 Mar 24. US Army seeks suppliers of Titan and Dronebuster C-UAS systems for export to foreign partners.
The United States Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, anticipates a requirement to provide Titan™ Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) in support of foreign partners.
According to a request published on the US government tender portal sam.gov:
“The contractor shall be capable of delivering at least three (3) Titan™ C-UAS systems to ensure mitigation of control, video, and navigation signals. Each system requires:
- Two (2) main Titan units with fitted cases
- One (1) User Guide
- Four (4) Smart Cards (2 primary, 2 spare)
- One (1) 2590/5590 Battery Power Cable
- One (1) 8-foot LAN cable
- One (1) 50-foot LAN cable
- One (1) GETAC user-interface tablet with AC adapter cord
- One (1) Standard Frequency Antenna – 2.4/5.8GHz receive/transmit
- One (1) Standard Frequency Antenna – GPS
- One (1) Standard Frequency Antenna – WiFi
- One (1) Extended Frequency Antenna Kit (433/868/95 MHz, 1.2GHZ receive/transmit antenna) with fitted case.
- One (1) main unit power supply
“The overall requirement includes software and machine learning upgrades, customer support and training, and a hardware warranty. On-site Operator Training with Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM), and spare parts are also required.”
AMCOM Redstone Arsenal has also issued a requirement to provide Dronebuster® Block 3/B, Block 4, and/or Block 4Fixed Site (FS), Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) equipment.
“The contractor shall be capable of delivering 20 each C-UAS systems (Dronebuster®) used to defeat Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) drones. Each Dronebuster® Kit shall include:
One (1) Dronebuster® (Block 3B, Block 4, or Block 4FS) and the following items appropriate for the Dronebuster® version ordered:
- One (1) Combat Sling
- One (1) Battery Charger, Li-Ion
- Two (2) Batteries, Li-Ion, 7.2VDC
- One (1) User’s Manual
- One (1) Quick Reference Card
- One (1) Shipping Case
“Additional User Manuals and Quick Reference Cards may be required based on quantity of Dronebuster® Kits purchased.”
Deadline for responses to both requirement is April 5.
For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/746bfcf14e7e4574b1f762efbe115a30/view; https://sam.gov/opp/725c25f837624130954441c4c1ed816f/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
14 Mar 24. Navy delays next-generation submarine start to early 2040s.
The U.S. Navy is pushing back the start of construction on its next-generation attack submarine by nearly a decade, citing tight budgets and a need to fund current and near-term operations.
A Navy spokesperson told Defense News construction on the lead ship of the SSN(X) program, which will follow the Virginia-class attack submarine, is now planned to start in the “early 2040s.” The Navy last year planned to begin the ship class in 2035, and it was previously set for a 2031 start.
In its fiscal 2025 budget, the Navy is seeking to delay spending on several modernization programs, including SSN(X), the DDG(X) next-generation destroyer, and the F/A-XX next-generation fighter.
Three years ago, in the spring of 2021, the Navy was readying for a FY28 start for DDG(X), an FY31 start to SSN(X), and a generic 2030s start to F/A-XX, the manned fighter that fits into a larger Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems.
The service has already delayed the DDG(X) program to a FY32 start, reflected in last year’s budget request. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro previously told Defense News he didn’t want to rush the DDG(X) program and wanted to ensure the technology and workforce are ready for the transition from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to the follow-on program.
The Navy spokesperson said the DDG(X) is still planned to go into construction in FY32, despite delayed research and development dollars in the FY25 budget.
The spokesperson did not have an updated timeline for F/A-XX, though the Navy has historically been tight-lipped about the program.
Navy Undersecretary Erik Raven spoke about the budget request on March 8, noting “our guidance directs us to take risk in future modernization when there are hard choices to be made.”
“If you look at F/A-XX, or the other X [next-generation] programs, we knowingly took risk in the schedule for development of those programs in order to prioritize those key investments — whether that’s readiness, or investing in our people, or undersea, to make sure that we make those programs whole,” he added.
Raven on March 13 told Defense News that, for “any acquisition program, we are looking to move out in the most responsible way forward. And that includes the ability to develop the technologies to the right level of maturity, to make sure that they are inserted in programs at the right point.
“That does take investment, and again, we are taking risk in some of these areas. But fundamentally, no matter what our budget levels, we have to run good acquisition programs,” Raven continued.
The Navy is asking for $586.9 million for SSN(X) design and development efforts in FY25, up slightly from the $544.7m it requested in FY24.
It seeks $102.7m for DDG(X), down from FY24′s $187.4m request. And for F/A-XX, the Navy wants $454m in FY25, compared to $1.5bn in FY24. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
11 Mar 24. Tech maturing too fast for multiyear drone buys, Army’s Bush says. Unmanned technologies are maturing at such a rapid rate that multiyear purchases would likely leave the U.S. Army with outdated devices, according to a service acquisition official.
Militaries the world over are increasingly developing and deploying drones and robotics, with the systems posing a threat on land, at sea and in the air. The growing importance of uncrewed systems has been on display for two years in Ukraine and is at the heart of the Defense Department’s clandestine Replicator initiative.
In discussions about the Army’s fiscal 2025 spending plans, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush said a multiyear procurement for something that changes as fast as unmanned aerial systems “may not be appropriate.”
“There’s also a lot of new entrants in that space,” Bush said in a briefing at the Pentagon. “Committing to one, as good as that company might be, would perhaps foreclose other options because there’s so much innovation with new companies in that space.”
Multiyear procurements are typically used to secure mass amounts of munitions. They are thought to motivate defense suppliers, who can count on longer-term demands and ramp up production as a result, and save money by buying in bulk over the long run.
But locking in on the same drone year after year is a different circumstance, according to Bush. Demands for technology can change month to month, let alone year to year.
“What you buy in one year, I’m not sure you’d want to buy that exact same [unmanned aerial system] for five years,” Bush said. “We might be heavy one year in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and heavy the next year in strike.”
The Army’s fiscal 2025 budget blueprint totals nearly $186 bn, an uptick of $400 m compared to the year prior. The service is asking for $175.4 bn in its base budget and another $10.5 bn to pay for overseas operations.
The budget levels also presume the congressional passage of supplemental funding to cover the costs of funneling military aid to Ukraine and to support increased operations in the Middle East, Defense News reported.
(Source: Defense News)
12 Mar 24. Defense Logistics Agency Strengthens Allies, International Security Through Foreign Military Sales.
A program that transfers America’s defense equipment to international partners gives the U.S. and its allies an upper hand on the battlefield.
“We want to be interoperable with our NATO partners, and the Foreign Military Sales program allows us to work succinctly and without delay in a time of crisis,” said Andre Hinson, FMS account manager for the Defense Logistics Agency and liaison to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
FMS is authorized by the Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act. The U.S. Department of State oversees the program while DSCA administers it on behalf of the Defense Department. Most individual cases are implemented by the Army, Navy and Air Force as they transfer service-managed platforms like F-16 fighter aircraft and M777 howitzers to global FMS customers. DSCA and the services then lean on DLA to meet international needs for repair parts that keep FMS equipment running.
South Korea and Canada are among the allied partners that DLA supports through FMS, but current crises in Ukraine and Israel also drive some of the agency’s current FMS work.
“A large amount of our support is toward sustainment and material readiness for both ground and aviation equipment in those regions,” said Hinson.
Though repair parts make up the bulk of DLA’s participation in FMS cases managed at service levels, two DLA entities manage cases of their own: DLA Disposition Services and the Defense Logistics Information Service. DLA Disposition Services provides excess material to eligible countries on an as-is, where-is basis. Typical examples include medical equipment, office equipment, basic field equipment, clothing and spare parts. Excess tactical vehicles may also be transferred if available.
DLIS provides foreign customers with coding and cataloging data for DLA-managed items, as well. The information shared ranges from national stock numbers and maximum-release quantities to item description and weight. DLIS can also provide tailored information depending on nations’ unique needs.
“DLIS has assisted countries that are looking for alternate items when the current NSN they have is no longer available, for example,” said Ray Woods, also a DLA FMS account manager and DSCA liaison. “They can even help get cataloging data translated and provide maintenance instructions. That type of support has been significant for Ukraine.”
Requesting Support
For an FMS case to begin, a letter of request must be sent from the eligible foreign nation’s embassy to the U.S. Embassy. Each case is unique and may require discussions to develop requirements and an actionable agreement. The State Department helps determine what the requester may or may not have. From there, requests are filtered down to a case manager through DSCA, and the case manager works with the nation to build a letter of acceptance outlining the transaction, to include how much of an item the customer needs, when they want it and other terms.
All requests include the amount the buyer will spend and indicate whether the partner knows what they’ll buy. A request that outlines which items will be purchased is known as a Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Agreement, which helps DLA project future demand and invest in additional stock.
“With CLSSA, they’re telling us, ‘I’m going to buy these things and I’m going to give you 30% upfront to use toward my future purchases,'” Woods said.
Requests that don’t identify the specific items needed are non-CLSSA, or blanket-order cases for designated timeframes. Customers are aware such orders can take longer to fulfill, Woods said, adding that the agency tracks material availability to measure how well it meets needs. The goal for CLSSA items is 85% although it’s currently at 89% for the four major weapons systems DLA supports in Israel.
“Currently, non-CLSSA has a material availability of 65.8%, which is very good for items we do not demand plan for,” he continued.
Hinson pointed out that DLA can sometimes overcome availability obstacles, especially for urgent needs.
“When there’s been an aircraft on the ground that a particular nation needed for mission support, for example, we were able to move material out much quicker than normal, even within 30 days.”
In cases where foreign partners use equipment U.S. forces no longer use, FMS requests include an agreement that DLA will continue to support sustainment needs despite low demands.
“If parts are no longer in our inventory, DLA item managers will work with industry to procure them, but the customer understands the lead time for those items can be potentially long and they’re willing to wait if it’s not a readiness priority,” said Woods.
Orders for FMS items enter DLA through the same automated systems used by U.S. military customers but include a unique code that identifies the buyer as an FMS customer. Woods added that DLA charges FMS customers the same it does other organizations, but the customer relies on a third-party logistics provider to pick up material from DLA locations and ship it internationally.
Foreign partners are also required to use items as specified in the agreement and must dispose of material on their own.
“We constantly remind countries that once items have been received, they can’t return them to us,” said Hinson. However, DSCA’s Worldwide Warehouse Redistribution Service allows FMS customers to resell excess spare parts to other allied partners.
“So if one nation purchases five widgets but only needs two, it can make the other three available through WWRS,” he continued.
Monthly and quarterly meetings with international customers help make DLA’s support successful, Woods added. Discussions focus on whether the agency is doing enough to meet sustainment requirements and possible supply discrepancies.
“The countries have invested in their supply chains by sending what we consider security liaisons or senior logisticians here to the United States on two-year rotations, so those are the representatives that we’re in touch with on a continual basis,” said Hinson. “They also have points of contact at our major subordinate commands to resolve issues as they surface.”
The benefits of DLA’s participation in FMS surpass interoperability. Larger orders for similar items help the agency achieve better prices for all customers while also supporting U.S. foreign policy, said Woods.
“We’re not the only nation with a robust supply chain. If we don’t stay in close ties and collaboration with our NATO countries, they have the option to go elsewhere to procure sustainment for their equipment,” said Hinson, pointing to adversaries such as China. “But any time we share parts for weapons systems that are similar or the same as those used by our allies, we’re more effective as a team.” (Source: U.S. DoD
12 Mar 24. Pentagon budget 2025: US Navy continues F-35 investments, but rephases F/A-XX. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 US Navy (USN) budget requests include USD16.2bn for the procurement of 75 aircraft, modifications, spares, and support equipment, including 13 F-35Cs, 13 F-35Bs, and 15 CH-53Ks, according to budget documents released on 11 March.
However, the FY 2025 request represents a slight financial retreat for the USN, which requested USD17.3bn in FY 2024 for 88 aircraft, including 19 F-35Cs and 16 F-35Bs.
In addition, the USN now plans to rephase the development of F/A-XX across the Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP), budget documents show.
“We’re still committed to the F/A-XX,” Rear Admiral Ben Reynolds, deputy assistant secretary of the navy for budget and director of the USN Fiscal Management Division, said during an 8 March media briefing of the proposed budget.
“We’re rephasing as the technology matures,” he said.
The USN plans to buy 82 F-35Cs and 82 F-35Bs across the FYDP, the budget documents show. (Source: Janes)
12 Mar 24. F-35 Program Achieves Milestone C and Full Rate Production. Earlier today, the Milestone Decision Authority, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William A. LaPlante, approved the Milestone C / Full Rate Production (MSC/FRP) of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the signing of an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) after a meeting with the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB).
The F-35 achieved this milestone after considering the results from the F-35 Combined Initial Operational Test and Evaluation and Live Fire Test and Evaluation Report, System Development and Demonstration exit criteria, statutory/regulatory documentation compliance, future production strategy, and draft acquisition program baseline details. Proceeding to MSC/FRP requires control of the manufacturing process, acceptable performance and reliability, and the establishment of adequate sustainment and support systems.
The DAB, which met on March 7, 2024, was chaired by Dr. LaPlante, and is the department’s senior-level forum for critical decisions concerning acquisition programs at the Department of Defense.
“This is a major achievement for the F-35 Program,” LaPlante said. “This decision—backed by my colleagues in the Department—highlights to the Services, F-35 Cooperative Program Partners, and Foreign Military Sales customers that the F-35 is stable and agile, and that all statutory and regulatory requirements have been appropriately addressed. The F-35 Program is the premier system that drives interoperability with our allies and partners while contributing to the integrated deterrence component of our National Defense Strategy.”
With this milestone, the program is now well positioned to efficiently produce and deliver the next generation of aircraft to meet the evolving needs of our services, partners, and FMS customers.
“I am very proud of our team, and this is a huge accomplishment!” said Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, Director and Program Executive Officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. “The F-35 enterprise has made significant improvements over the last decade, and we will always be driven to continuously improve sustainability, interoperability, and lethality so warfighters have the capability needed to fight and win when called to do so. Moreover, the Program and our great people can now focus on the future of the F-35 instead of the past.”
In September 2023, a key gateway for MS C/FRP was achieved when F-35 Runs for Score in the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) and initial trial validation were completed.
“DOT&E conducted analysis of the results from Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) and Live Fire Test and Evaluation and delivered a comprehensive, combined report as required by statute to inform the Milestone C / Full Rate Production decision. DOT&E also provided a separate annex that assessed post-IOT&E Block 4 operational testing of the 30P06 and 30P07 software.” said Dr. Raymond D. O’Toole, Jr., Acting Director, Operational Test & Evaluation. “The Program is working to address DOT&E’s findings and recommendations contained in the report. One of DOT&E’s concerns is to continue to improve test infrastructure for support development and to ensure readiness to test of the upcoming Block 4 capabilities. This includes timely deliveries of the next iterations of F-35-In-A-Box for integration into the JSE.”
Achieving MSC/FRP is important to the program, and it helps to validate the aircraft’s capabilities for present and future partners of the F-35 enterprise.
To date, over 990 F-35 aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. Services, F-35 Cooperative Program Partners, and Foreign Military Sales customers.
The F-35 offers multi-mission capability, including strategic attack, suppression/destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD), offensive/defensive counter air, anti-surface warfare, strike coordination and reconnaissance, and close air support. It brings stealth, sensor fusion, and interoperability to enable access in contested environments and enhances situational awareness. (Source: U.S. DoD)
12 Mar 24. Department of Defense Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Military Intelligence Program Budget Request. Today, the Department of Defense released the Military Intelligence Program (MIP) top line budget request for fiscal year 2025. The total is $28.2bn and is aligned to the strategic priorities of the Secretary of Defense. The department determined that releasing this top line figure does not jeopardize any classified activities within the MIP. No other MIP budget figures or program details will be released, as they remain classified for national security reasons. (Source: U.S. DoD)
12 Mar 24. Pentagon budget 2025: US Air Force requests to divest 250 aircraft. The US Air Force (USAF) is requesting to retire 250 aircraft in fiscal year (FY) 2025 as the service attempts to shed older aircraft to gear up for future purchases.
The largest intended divestment is of 65 Boeing F-15C/Ds, which have reached the end of their service lives. The USAF is in the process of replacing the 1980s-vintage F-15C/Ds with brand-new F-15EXs, which can fly farther, carry more, and come equipped with the latest electronics.
The service also hopes to retire 26 F-15Es. While the ground-attack version is newer than the air-superior F-15s, the USAF intends to retire the Eagle subfleet powered by Pratt & Whitney F110-PW-220s while maintaining the F110-PW-229-powered aircraft. The 220-powered aircraft are older and less capable than the 229-powered aircraft, a USAF spokesperson told reporters on 10 March. (Source: Janes)
13 Mar 24. Pentagon budget 2025: US Navy spending request includes slight decrease for weapons procurement. The fiscal year (FY) 2025 US Navy (USN) budget request includes USD6.6bn for weapons procurement, according to budget documents released on 11 March. This request is a slight decrease from the USD6.9bn requested in FY 2024, budget documents show.
The USN is seeking to buy 2,656 weapons in FY 2025, compared with the 2,773 weapons the service sought to buy in FY 2024.
“The [FY 2025] focus is to continue to build up critical munitions inventories while increasing line capacity through facilitisation,” the USN said in budget proposal documentation.
“By partnering with industry in weapons procurement, we are able to increase capacity of critical munitions, allowing the DoN [Department of the Navy] to meet inventory requirements on a more efficient timeline,” the USN said. “This delivers critical capabilities to maintain our warfighting advantage.” (Source: Janes)
08 Mar 24. USSF seeking new GEO satellite, payload capability. The US Space Force (USSF) is looking to industry to provide inputs in support of its efforts to develop an operational architecture for a new slate of satellites and payloads operating at geosynchronous orbit (GEO), according to a 5 March USSF request for information (RFI). USSF’s Space Systems Command Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power (SSC/SZ) directorate is culling industry inputs for the development of “a constellation of free flyer, Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)” space vehicles (SVs) and associated electro-optic (EO) payloads, the solicitation stated. “The primary objective of this notional multi-SV, replenishable constellation will be to detect, track, and characterise resident space objects” at GEO, it said. (Source: Janes)
08 Mar 24. Department of Defense Announces Fiscal Year 2024 University Research Funding Awards. The Department of Defense today announced $221m in awards for basic defense-related research projects as part of the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program. At an average award amount of $7.5m over five years, these competitive grants will support 30 teams located at 73 U.S. academic institutions, subject to satisfactory research progress and the availability of funds.
“The science and engineering challenges we face today are highly complex and cross disciplinary,” said Dr. Bindu Nair, director of the Basic Research Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. “The MURI program acknowledges these complexities by supporting teams whose members have diverse sets of expertise as well as creative scientific approaches to tackling problems.
“This cross-fertilization of ideas can accelerate research progress to enable more rapid scientific breakthroughs and hasten the transition of basic research funding to practical applications. The program is a cornerstone of DoD’s basic research portfolio and a strong contributor to its legacy of scientific impact.”
Since its inception in 1985, the Department’s MURI program has allowed teams of investigators from multiple disciplines to generate collective insights, facilitating the growth of cutting-edge technologies to address the Department’s unique challenges.
The highly competitive program, which complements the Department’s single-investigator basic research grants, has made immense contributions to current and future military capabilities and produced numerous commercial sector applications.
Notable MURI achievements include breakthroughs in cold-atom quantum methods with potential applications in quantum sensing and communication, as well as advances in pulsed magnetic field propagation and Doppler radar detection leading to new detection physics for landmines.
The Fiscal Year 2024 competition identified six topics that received an additional $1.5m each over the five-year award term specifically to support the participation of historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions (HBCU/MIs). Seven proposals selected across the six topics will receive support for HBCU/MI participation on the MURI projects.
The Army Research Office, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and Office of Naval Research solicited Fiscal Year 2024 proposals in 25 topic areas of strategic importance to the Department. After a merit-based review of 276 white papers, a panel of experts narrowed the pool to a subset of 102 full proposals, from which the 30 final awards were selected. The list of winning teams can be downloaded here.
About USD(R&E)
The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) is the Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Defense. The USD(R&E) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the U.S. military’s technological advantage. Learn more at www.cto.mil, follow us on Twitter @DoDCTO, or visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre. (Source: U.S. DoD)
REST OF THE WORLD
12 Mar 24. Armscor to acquire speedboats for Border Management Authority. The newly established Border Management Authority (BMA) has tasked state defence materiel agency Armscor with acquiring speedboats so its Coastal Guards can patrol South Africa’s maritime borders.
This is according to BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato, who on 6 March briefed the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) on cooperation between the BMA and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on the border environment.
With regard to sea borders, Masiapato’s presentation revealed that BMA Coastal Guard units have been deployed to eight sites along the South African coastline, with an initial personnel strength of 50.
The Coast Guards have been deployed at the various maritime ports of entry (main harbours like Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha) and are also protecting marine resources. “Coast Guards conduct maritime border law enforcement functions such as preventing and combating of human trafficking and the illegal movement of vessels,” the BMA said
The BMA is, through state defence materiel agency Armscor, in the process of acquiring patrol boats to patrol the maritime environment and to ensure domain awareness, Masiapato said.
The BMA added that, “the role of the Maritime Border Guards will not clash with that of the SA Navy of border safeguarding and defending the territorial integrity of South Africa.”
The BMA has cooperation agreements in place with the South African National Defence Force, South African Police Service (SAPS) and SA Revenue Service (SARS) to strengthen the safeguarding of the country’s borders, with the SANDF responsible for monitoring vulnerable sections of the borderline.
Masiapato explained that in May 2022 the BMA signed an ‘implementation protocol’ with the SANDF to monitor the vulnerable portions of the land border. Border guards are deployed along eight areas of the border (primarily Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique), with joint operations and collaboration envisaged with the SANDF as deployments are co-located along SANDF Operation Corona border safeguarding deployments.
Challenges regarding BMA/SANDF collaboration exist, however, and these include the absence of coherent surveillance technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the absence of integrated radio communication system between the BMA and SANDF; limited capacity in a huge borderline terrain (4 772 km of land and 3 900 km of sea borders); and operational budgets constraints. Masiapato did say the SANDF is in the process of acquiring some UAVs for border surveillance.
In fact, R700 m has been allocated by National Treasury to the SANDF for border surveillance technology, including radars, UAVs, and cameras, as well as vehicles.
Masiapato said capacitation of the SANDF is needed to take care of the areas in which the BMA, SAPS and SARS do not operate and ensure the country’s territorial integrity is preserved.
The BMA said it aims to support the SANDF deployment as well as share information with other forces in the border enforcement area, and engage with neighbouring countries on matters related to border security.
“The BMA have formalised collaboration with other law enforcement authorities to strengthen border law enforcement such as the SANDF, SAPS and SARS as well as co-ordination with other organs of state, entities and communities,” Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in response to a recent parliamentary question from ANC MP Anthea Ramolobeng.
An initial 200 border guards were deployed in July 2022 ahead of the BMA’s full establishment in July 2023 and official launch in October. Masiapato said the BMA has from 14 July 2022 to date apprehended and processed 240 000 undocumented migrants. Significant quantities of illicit goods and drugs have also been seized. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
11 Mar 24. New not-for-profit launches to help industry navigate export and trade controls. The Export Controls Australia Group was launched in early March and is expected to help industry and academia play a greater role in global defence supply chains.
The new not-for-profit has pledged to support industry and academia with advocacy, influence policy, and create collaboration opportunities to inform export control discourse.
The advocacy group also confirmed in a recent media release that it aims to support industry through the upcoming Australian Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill.
Export Controls Australia Group chief executive officer and founding director Jessica Rankin outlined that the not-for-profit will play a critical role in supporting growth in the Australian defence industry, often hampered by trade controls.
“We recognise it’s tough for the Defence and advanced tech and R&D sectors in Australia, especially SMEs, to navigate sometimes tricky export and trade control information,” Rankin said.
“AUKUS presents a huge opportunity for Australian companies, businesses, as well as our research sector– and we’re seeking to simplify the requirements and contribute to an easier export controls process for them.
“Export Controls Australia Group is a one-stop shop source to support industry and academia on all aspects of export and trade controls and ensure they are well-placed to maximise their opportunities under the inaugural AUKUS agenda.”
Rankin explained that her goal was to help businesses leverage the benefit of the tripartite AUKUS alliance.
“We’re really excited to be launching Export Controls Australia Group, an Australian-first not-for-profit group that will make life easier for the university, Defence, and advanced tech sectors in Australia who are wanting to support the AUKUS trilateral partnership.
“Our non-profit status is really important to us because it’s a strong signal to our stakeholder and member base of our mission to provide commercially unbiased trusted insights and unwavering advocacy in the area of export controls and strategic trade.”
(Source: Defence Connect)
13 Mar 24. AUKUS submarine fears resurface after US defence budget scare. The US defence budget 2025 has thoroughly reignited Australia’s own corroding fear of being hung out to dry in the AUKUS Virginia Class submarine deal.
US President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2025 defence budget, unveiled on 11 March and based on the 2022 National Defense Strategy, detailed an $849.8bn budget request to fund US military investment and operations during the 2025 fiscal year.
It outlined major investments such as $5.3bn for the US Air Force’s B-21 long-range strike bomber, $9.9bn for the Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine, $3.7bn for the LGM-35 Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system, $12.4bn for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and other costings.
For Australia, the big news was always going to be contained in the drawdown of funding for the Virginia Class submarines.
Would the US have enough stock to allow the transfer of three Virginia Class submarines to Australia in the 2030s, promised under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, and avoid a capability gap left by the retirement of ageing Collins Class submarines?
More than $8.2bn was marked for SSN 774 Virginia Class nuclear-powered submarine in the US defence budget request, more than $4bn in funding allocated to the US submarine industrial base, and $11.1bn over five years in funding to expand production.
The defence budget request confirms that the US Navy is likely on track for only one fast-attack submarine in 2025 and US industry is unlikely to produce two submarines per year until 2029.
“Department of Defense conducted the 2025 Submarine Industrial Base study to determine how to complete the once-in-a-generation recapitalisation of the Submarine Force needed to increase the United States’ ability to build and sustain attack submarines to meet US military requirements,” said a statement from the White House on 11 March.
“These investments will also support the administration’s commitments under AUKUS, the first major deliverable of which was the historic decision to support Australia acquiring conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“In line with the results on this study, the budget includes $3.4 bn for the SIB in 2025.”
US Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller and chief financial officer Michael McCord, speaking during a press briefing on President Biden’s fiscal 2025 defence budget in 11 March, said Virginia Class submarine production remains a priority as the administration refocuses on industry support.
“Virginia Class was not a budget-driven decision. And (the) Virginia Class is probably the primary example of something that was a management decision,” he said.
“Boats that are delivering, are supposed to deliver this year, are averaging over 30 months late. And we have more than a dozen on order that are still in production already.
“The question was, really, what can we do to get a better result, other than keep doing the same thing and hoping for a different result than what was [has] happened in the last couple of years?
“We’ve already had some beginnings of submarine industrial base investments. It was a priority in last year’s budget.
“Look at last year’s budget, this year’s budget, and the AUKUS supplemental, there’s a big investment in sort of three parts in the industrial. In the sub industrial base that we think is going to be money better spent than putting another submarine on order, that all analysis indicates we can’t get two submarines if we order them in 2025 any sooner than if we wait.
“Virginia Class (submarines), to be clear, was trying to sort of get to a better, healthier dynamic, where we can get to the two submarine-a-year production rate. And we thought that going a different direction was our best move.”
Aside from submarines, the fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Department of Defense also includes $143.2bn in research, development, test, and evaluation, as well as $167.5bn for procurement.
More than $61.2bn is allocated for airpower to continue developing, modernising, and procuring lethal air forces; $48.1bn for sea power, including new construction of six battle force fleet ships; and $13.0 bn for land power, supporting the modernisation of Army and Marine Corps combat equipment.
The FY 2025 budget requests $49.2bn to modernise and recapitalise all the nuclear triad and provide a safe, secure, effective, and credible nuclear deterrent.
Other critical investments include $9.8bn in long-range fires capability, $33.7bn for vital space capabilities, and $14.5bn for cyber space activities focused on three portfolios covering cyber security, cybers pace operations, and cyber research and development.
Outside mainland USA, the budget request outlines funding for ballistic missile defence activities in support of Guam, $9.9bn for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, $2.9 bn for the European Deterrence Initiative, $625.6m in NATO military contribution, $434m for the NATO Security Investment Program, and $300 m to fund the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
“On Pacific deterrence, probably the biggest new news … was that we now have funding into follow in on or fall in or the NDAA authorisation of drawdown for Taiwan,” said US Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller McCord, during the press briefing.
“We now have $500m in this budget to put funding against that, possibly, you know, would have liked to done [do] a little more, but this being a capped year we thought that was a good way to start against the $1 bn a year ceiling in the authorisation.”
Other investments in US military personnel include a 4.5 percent pay increase for service members and annual rate increases for both housing and subsistence allowances; $245.3m for a proposed substantial increase to the income eligibility threshold for basic needs allowance; more than $120 m in additional funding for commissaries to provide service members with food savings of over 25 per cent compared to the local marketplace; $2 bn to support family housing to provide safe, high-quality residences for service members and their families; $1.1bn in unaccompanied housing or barracks construction; $547m to prevent suicide in the military; and $1.2 bn to prevent sexual assault and other harmful behaviours.
“The budget has, this year, a 4.5 per cent pay raise. (This is) the largest pay raise in 20 years combined across the last three years that’s now up to 15 per cent pay raise for the troops in addition to a very substantial increases in housing allowances and subsistence allowances,” said US Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller McCord, during the press briefing.
In support of the defence industrial base, funding has been allocated with $29.8 bn for conventional and precision-guided munitions, $4.0bn in investments in the submarine industrial base, and $2.5bn for microelectronics.
More than $19.8bn is set aside to sustain, restore, and modernise DOD facilities and support readiness improvements.
“The President’s budget request for the Department of Defense is once again rooted in our 2022 National Defense Strategy, which continues to enable us to match our national resources to our national objectives,” said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III on 11 March.
“This request will bolster our ability to defend our country, paced to the challenge posed by an increasingly aggressive People’s Republic of China. It will better posture us to deter aggression against the United States, or our allies and partners, while also preparing us to prevail in conflict if necessary.
“It will continue to forge a more resilient joint force and a modern defence ecosystem, built for the security challenges of the 21st century. And it will strengthen the unmatched global network of alliances and partnerships that magnifies our power and deepens our security.
“Our budget request reflects targeted reductions to programs delivering key capabilities in later years to support the joint force’s ability to fight and win in the near term.
“We must continue to invest in cutting-edge defence capabilities and to advance new operational concepts across domains, from advanced cyber systems and enhanced space capabilities to a modernised nuclear triad. This budget request also reflects a deep commitment to our people, who will always be the department’s greatest strategic asset; we hope to raise basic pay, boost quality-of-life initiatives, and promote safety and accountability.
“Moreover, this request will enable the department to deepen cooperation with our interagency colleagues, industry, academia, allies, and partners. Through cooperative defence initiatives, multilateral joint exercises, and shared technology development, we will enhance our capabilities and help make America and the world more secure.”
(Source: Defence Connect)
13 Mar 24. Japan to order new combat vehicles in 2024. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will procure two new vehicles based on the Type 16 8×8 wheeled Mobile Combat Vehicle (MCV) in 2024, a Japan Ministry of Defense’s (MoD’s) Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) spokesperson told Janes in early March. In the fiscal year (FY) 2024 plan, the MoD has allocated JPY24.2 bn (USD164 m) to procure 24 infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) and JPY8 bn to procure eight manoeuvre mortar combat vehicles (MMCVs) for the JGSDF, the spokesperson said. Both vehicles are based on the Type 16 MCV. The MoD intends to sign a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in FY 2024 to procure the ICVs and MMCVs, and the delivery of vehicles will start in 2027, with the final delivery in 2028, the spokesperson added. (Source: Janes)
12 Mar 24. Naval Group form joint development agreement for UAE NCMS.
Naval Group will form a Joint Development Agreement for the provision of UAE’s National Combat Management System. Tawazun Council, Naval Group, and Marakeb Technologies have formalised a Joint Development Agreement aimed at advancing the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) defence capabilities through the creation of the National Combat Management System (NCMS).
This collaboration emphasises the transfer of technology and expertise to enhance the UAE’s defence sector, particularly in developing national defence solutions.
The partnership was officially sealed in Abu Dhabi by executives Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi of Tawazun Council, Lilian Brayle of Naval Group, and Basel Shuhaiber of Marakeb Technologies, alongside senior officials. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s strategy to fortify its defence and security industries and meet the growing demands for innovative defence solutions.
Naval Group is set to collaborate with Marakeb Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of the Strategic Development Fund Company, which has been selected as the national partner for this project. The development aims to equip the UAE Navy with a custom National Combat Management System for integration into their naval fleet, including both new and existing ships.
H.E. Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, CEO of Tawazun, underscored the project’s role in strengthening the UAE’s defence and security sector by providing advanced technology and equipment. The NCMS is designed to enhance operational capabilities, offer national defence solutions, and support the armed forces with cutting-edge products. Abushehab highlighted the sovereignty benefits of the project, including control over customisation and system updates to meet the Naval Forces’ evolving needs.
Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, expressed his company’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s defence ambitions with advanced naval combat system capacities. Meanwhile, Basel Shuhaiber of Marakeb Technologies highlighted the significance of transferring Naval Group’s expertise to the UAE, marking a milestone in the nation’s maritime capabilities and setting new regional standards for maritime excellence.
(Source: naval-technology.com)
07 Mar 24. Brazil shortlists four competitors for its artillery effort. The Brazilian Army has shortlisted four companies as part of its VBC OAP 155 mm SR (Viatura Blindada de Combate Obuseiro Autopropulsado 155mm Sobre Rodas) 155 mm/52 wheeled self-propelled armoured combat vehicle howitzer project.
Brazilian logistics command – responsible for the multiphase project together with the army artillery command – has shortlisted Nexter CAESAR 6×6, Elbit Systems ATMOS 6×6, Norinco SH15 6×6, and Excalibur International/Konštrukta-Defence Zuzana 2 proposals, according to an announcement on 4 March.
Negotiation rounds with the four competitors will take place separately in March and April 2024. A winner is scheduled to be announced by 3 May after a Best and Final Offer (BAFO) is submitted by each of the bidders between 15 and 19 April. The army is expected to award a contract to perform trials on the initial two weapon systems on 7 May, according to logistics command. (Source: Janes)
08 Mar 24. New vessels needed for the SA Navy more than ever. With Houthi rebels attacking ships off the Horn of Africa and Red Sea and consequently diverting shipping around the Cape, SA Navy (SAN) Chief Monde Lobese believes more than ever that additional vessels are needed to fulfil the Navy’s constitutional mandate and protect South Africa’s maritime environment.
Speaking at a 20 years long service medal parade in Simons Town on 29 February, the incumbent Chief of the SA Navy said he has made it a priority to see his ships sailing at sea, conducting the roles for which they were designed and procured for. However, “I do not have to say to you that this will be difficult under the current financial situation that we are subjected to, but we must not allow ourselves to lose hope.
“Each of you who are following the news each day will notice that the message spread by the leadership of the SANDF [South African National Defence Force] – namely that the constant budget cuts must stop – is slowly filtering through the news media, and reaching the ears of the Government leadership,” he told those at the parade. “We must spread the message with every opportunity that the SAN stands ready and willing to do our duty. However, we are not always able to do our duty, because of the constant budget cuts,” Lobese cautioned.
Nevertheless, the Chief believes the tide is slowly turning, “and within a few months our ships will be sailing and doing what they are supposed to do.”
Some positive news on the SA Navy’s fleet was the blessing ceremony of the third and final Multi Mission Inshore Patrol (MMIPV) at Damen Shipyards Cape Town on 1 March. This vessel (P1573, future SAS Chief Adam Kok) will join her sister ships, SAS King Sekukhune I and SAS King Shaka Zulu, in leading the rejuvenation of the South African Navy along with the acquisition of a new hydrographic survey vessel under Project Hotel.
“Although we are grateful for our Government to procure these ships for us, we must repeat the message that in order to do our Constitutional Mandate effectively, we need at least 15 of these vessels [MMIPVs], as well as 15 larger Offshore Patrol Vessels,” Lobese emphasised.
“This requirement is again made clear with the current geo-political tensions that are taking place in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. These tensions have resulted in many of the world’s largest shipping companies diverting their cargo around our coastline.”
Lobese explained that on 28 February, there were 1 528 ships in South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and this is what the picture looks like each day of the year.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, our country is located at a strategic geographic choke-point around the world. We are living in a world where tensions can easily escalate into conflict. Our country is ravaged by international fleets of ships who come at night and strip our seas of fish that belong to us,” Lobese said.
“International terrorists can threaten the ships traveling past our coastline, thus dragging us into their conflicts. Our country’s largest external security threat will come from our seas, and not from land. If we cannot secure our coastline, the consequences for our country will be disastrous. That is why our government must capacitate the South African Navy with more funds, more ships, better and more modern equipment and more personnel.
“If all of us do our part, then the South African Navy can again deploy our ships at sea, and together we can take the Navy to Greatness,” Lobese told those at the parade.
Defence expert Dean Wingrin believes that further acquisitions in such numbers “is just wishful thinking with no chance of fruition. But, he must say it. Inshore patrol vessels and offshore patrol vessels are more useful than frigates for local patrols and many anti-piracy duties.”
Lobese’s comments came a day after Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise hinted at the procurement of offshore patrol vessels during a question and answer session in Parliament. While the defence budget has shrunk in real terms, National Treasury has allocated some additional funding for things like border protection equipment and transport aircraft maintenance, suggesting the possibility that additional funding could theoretically be allocated for additional naval vessels. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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