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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
07 Aug 24. UK unveils precursor work for Tempest fighter jet with demonstrator. Manufacturing begins on the first crewed combat aircraft in 40 years. The UK has officially embarked on the production of its first crewed combat air demonstrator in four decades. This initiative was spearheaded by industries such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and MBDA UK in collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence.
The newly commenced project aims to introduce a piloted supersonic aircraft designed to test and showcase technologies, including stealth capabilities and next-generation avionics. The demonstrator will validate these technologies, paving the way for the Tempest fighter jet, which is scheduled for deployment by 2035.
‘Tempest’ will be highly modular and optionally unmanned. According to GlobalData’s intelligence on the UK defence market, Team Tempest aims to incorporate advanced and upcoming technologies, including AI, directed energy weapons, and swarming technology, to control accompanying drones.
The UK Government’s commitment to this project, announced in July 2022, has seen tangible progress. More than half of the aircraft’s structure, encompassing the fuselage and wings, is already under construction.
The project’s focal point is its emphasis on integrating manufacturing processes. BAE Systems is leveraging additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies to expedite production and reduce costs. This approach includes using Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) to create metal parts with minimal waste.
Additionally, Rolls-Royce is set to provide two EJ200 engines for the demonstrator. These engines will be integral to the aircraft’s test flights and operational assessments and will be delivered within the following year. The demonstrator aircraft is set to fly between 2026 and 2027. The collaborative effort involves more than 100 UK suppliers.
For example, BAE Systems chose Wind River to enhance the RAF’s Tempest programme in 2022. Wind River will provide VxWorks 653 platform and safety certification evidence packages to support the programme’s technology demonstration phase.
Test pilots have already accrued more than 215 hours in simulators, providing data to refine the aircraft’s design before its maiden flight.
Furthermore, MBDA UK is developing digital weapon integration processes in tandem with BAE Systems. This collaboration aims to streamline the integration of weaponry into the demonstrator, potentially reducing future costs and development time. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
04 Aug 24. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed its commitment to continue developing the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm Wheeled Artillery Systems (RCH 155) in partnership with Germany.
This announcement came in response to a parliamentary question posed by Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford.
Rosindell asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the policy to develop the RCH 155 with Germany would be maintained.
Maria Eagle, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, responded affirmatively, underscoring the importance of the collaboration.
“Working with Germany through this landmark defence agreement to collaborate on the Boxer based Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm Wheeled Artillery Systems (RCH 155), the Defence Secretary will build on existing cooperation, and develop this important programme to strengthen our respective artillery capabilities and promote shared national and European security objectives,” stated Eagle.
The RCH 155, also known as the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155 mm, represents an advancement in artillery technology. Developed and manufactured by the German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the RCH 155 was designed based on the successes of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the Donar artillery system. Utilising the Boxer chassis.
Specifications and Features
- Type: Self-propelled artillery
- Designer: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
- Unit Cost: Approximately €12 m for initial orders
- Mass: Under 39 tonnes
- Dimensions: Length of 10.4 metres, width of 2.99 metres, and height of 3.60 metres
- Crew: Two (commander and driver)
- Armament: Main armament consists of a 155 mm calibre L/52 gun from Rheinmetall, capable of a firing range up to 54 km with enhanced projectiles. Secondary armaments include an optional remote-controlled weapon station.
The RCH 155 is not only powerful but also highly automated, designed to function with minimal human intervention.
Its automation allows for operations like firing on the move—a first for most howitzers—significantly increasing its operational effectiveness by minimising the time stationary, thus reducing vulnerability to enemy fire.
Operational Capabilities
- Engine Power: Equipped with an MTU 8V199 TE21 diesel engine, delivering up to 816 horsepower.
- Mobility: Can reach speeds up to 103 km/h on roads, with an operational range of 700 km.
- Ammunition Capacity: Carries 30 fused rounds and 144 modular propellants, with a maximum rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute.
- Protection: Crew protection against heavy machine gun fire, artillery fragments, mines, and equipped with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection.
Interestingly, the builders say it is designed for future adaptations to be operated remotely, reducing the need for crew exposure in hazardous conditions. (Source: UKDJ)
04 Aug 24. The Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has initiated a competitive tender process for the procurement and support of Boresight kits for the AJAX armoured fighting vehicle.
The announcement outlines an opportunity for suppliers to engage with the MoD on this project.
DE&S has confirmed an immediate requirement for 295 Boresight kits, with an initial delivery of 50 kits needed within four to six months to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the AJAX. The contract, which is set to be awarded under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSCPR) 2011, also includes options for other teams within the MoD to purchase additional quantities of the kits to meet their own needs.
According to the tender notice, the overall estimated quantity for these optional purchases is around 400 kits, although this figure may change as the requirements of other teams mature. The MoD estimates the contract value to be between £2 m and £5 m, with a potential duration of one to five years, depending on the confirmed needs and scaling from other teams.
A Cyber Risk Assessment has classified this project as ‘Very Low’ risk. The tender notice advises potential bidders to review DEFSTAN 05-138 to ensure they can comply with the necessary control measures associated with this classification.
Interested suppliers are invited to express their interest by completing the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) available on the Contracts Finder website. The MoD will assess the PQQs using specified selection criteria and plans to down select between three and five suppliers who will then be invited to tender.
“It is the intention of the Authority to down select to between three and five suppliers and Invite to Tender only those economic operators who successfully complete the PQQ,” the notice states. (Source: UKDJ)
EUROPE
05 Aug 24. Poland closer to buying Apache helicopters after offset deals with GE and Boeing. Poland’s defence ministry signed offset deals with Boeing (BA.N) and General Electric (GE.N), worth nearly 1 bn zlotys ($255m) on Monday, bringing it closer to finalising a $12 bn agreement to buy 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters. Offset deals are designed to compensate the country buying arms from abroad through cooperation between the supplier and domestic companies.
“The Polish Army is about to acquire these helicopters, which will really strengthen our readiness, our security in the face of what is happening beyond the borders of the Republic of Poland, I mean the war in Ukraine,” said deputy defence minister Pawel Bejda.
The offset agreement with Boeing worth 400m zlotys ($102m) will cover maintenance support for the helicopters and AH-64E maintenance training.
The deal with General Electric worth 530m zlotys ($135m) will focus on engine support for the Apaches and for power units in other Polish military helicopters. The agreements are part of Poland’s offset strategy related to the purchase of Apache helicopters, dating from September 2022 when it announced plans to buy 96 of the aircraft. In August 2023 the U.S. approved the sale of 96 AH-64E Apaches and related equipment to Poland for about $12bn. Later that year, Poland secured its first offset agreements with Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), enabling domestic firms to service and repair radars and missile guidance systems in the AH-64E. (Source: Google/Reuters)
02 Aug 24. Indra Adds Celestia TTI to the FCAS Program to Accelerate the Development of Next-generation Satellite Communications
- Indra and Celestia TTI will explore new concepts and technologies to incorporate them into developing the combat cloud, a concept set to revolutionize the industry
- This is a strategic agreement that will contribute to driving innovation in Spain and developing cutting-edge technologies Europe in the coming decades
Celestia TTI and Indra, as the national industrial coordinator of the NGWS/FCAS program in Spain, have reached a collaboration agreement to jointly develop next-generation antennas, enabling them to design advanced communications systems for the FCAS program.
More specifically, they will work on multi-purpose antennas capable of meeting civil and military needs and bands and establishing links with satellite networks in geostationary, high, medium and low orbits. They will also develop internal links to facilitate the integration of the aircraft’s onboard systems, thereby enhancing the distributed data processing and improving situational awareness.
Alejandro Serrano, Indra’s Program Manager, stated: “Developing the combat cloud will lead to creating a collaborative space involving multiple air, naval and ground platforms and mark a turning point in the world of defence. The agreement we’ve reached with Celestia TTI will enable us to accelerate its development in the field of communications and explore new concepts and technologies that will shape the future of defence”.
As for Miguel Peña, Sales Director at Celestia, he declared: “This strategic agreement will enable the two companies to join forces to move the nationwide industry forward, positioning it as a market leader. Without a doubt, it’s a major opportunity to further the cutting-edge technology we’ve developed at Celestia TTI in the area of next-generation antenna arrays over the years”.
The NGWS/FCAS is a program driven by Germany, Spain and France as equal partners. These countries have appointed Airbus GmbH, Indra and Dassault Aviation as national coordinators, placing them at the helm of their respective industries. The purpose of the NGWS/FCAS program is to develop a “system of systems” made up of a fighter aircraft and several unmanned aerial platforms or carriers coordinated by a Combat Cloud, allowing all of the elements of the defence ecosystem to act as a single entity in a combined and collaborative manner. It will be a revolutionary concept that will address the challenges to be faced by defence over the course of the century. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
07 Aug 24. Counter-drone missile competition possible in 2025, Army officials say. The U.S. Army is considering holding a competition in fiscal 2025 for a next-generation interceptor to take out threats from unmanned aerial systems, Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for missiles and space, told an audience Aug. 6 at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.
The Army uses its Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center to evaluate systems such as Raytheon’s Coyote and Blue Halo’s Next-Generation C-UAS Missile. But according to Lozano, “there are other companies out there working on [counter-UAS] interceptors that might actually also have some growth potential to intercept rockets, large caliber rockets, as well as potentially cruise missiles.”
A competition next year would be held “to see if there’s anything out there better that we should be pursuing,” he said. “[It’s] a way to confirm that our investment is yielding the outcome that we’re trying to achieve.”
The Army released an objective requirement in March 2023 through the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium — managed by Advanced Technology International — to develop a Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor prototype, according to an AvMC spokesperson.
The service and the Joint Counter-small UAS Office are requiring the development and testing of the prototype NGCM, the spokesperson told Defense News.
The vendors selected for immediate funding came from a pool of 16. Eleven others were placed in a “basket” for potential future selection, the spokesperson said.
The Army is also planning on holding a competition for a new handheld device to take out drones, Lozano noted.
“Inherently, a handheld system has limited power,” he said, but Lozano noted the Army recently observed promising capabilities in the handheld realm during a fielding exercise with the 101st Airborne Division.
Prior to a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation the service provided the unit with handheld capabilities that could go up against small UAS, according to Lozano.
A competition for a mobile flat-panel array radar to detect drone threats is also in the works for FY25.
The Army already has such equipment incorporated in the Stryker combat vehicle’s mobile counter-UAS system, but officials are seeking to establish a reliable system for future operations, Lozano said. (Source: Defense News)
07 Aug 24. US Army to hold new counter-drone battle command system competition. The U.S. Army is planning to hold a competition to replace its command-and-control system capable of managing drone threats for the maneuver force in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano, the service’s program executive officer for missiles and space, said Tuesday at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.
“One of the technological advancements that we’re working on is a critical decision aid process,” he said. “The integration of [artificial intelligence] algorithms help operators make decisions in a much more timely fashion.”
As a result, the Army is looking for a more capable Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control, or FAAD C2, capability that is like its Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, but focused on countering drones within the maneuver force, Lozano said.
IBCS is the C2 system for the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System but will also tie other sensors and shooters together on the battlefield. IBCS reached full-rate production in 2023.
“The intent … is to take what we have in IBCS where we leverage a track fusion engine, multiple engagement calculators, self-healing mesh network and leverage that into a smaller package for counter-[unmanned aircraft systems] applications,” Lozano described.
The intent is to begin with “something easily digestible, easily achievable, that many in industry can compete and participate in with the hopes of winning an award,” Lozano said. “I’m looking forward to a lot of participants in this room being able to compete for that capability.”
(Source: Defense News)
REST OF THE WORLD
09 Aug 24. AUKUS takes another step forward with real-time AI trials.
AUKUS nations test AI-enabled uncrewed aerial vehicles that allow a human operator to locate, disable and destroy targets on the ground.
- AI-enabled aerial vehicles support the disabling of ground targets
- Trials saw seamless exchange of data between AUKUS nations
- Ground-breaking exercise highlights continued progress on Pillar 2 technology work
In a significant landmark for AUKUS, the 3 nations have trialled a futuristic integration of autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) for the first time.
Testing saw the deployment of a series of AI-enabled uncrewed aerial vehicles that allow a human operator to locate, disable and destroy targets on the ground.
This ground-breaking exercise, which included AUKUS partners and experts from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is the first use of autonomy and AI sensing systems in a real-time military environment.
The successful trial focused collaborative AI and autonomy with our allies, to ensure we achieve the best possible outcomes. AI and autonomous systems were used to reduce the time it takes to identify enemy targets and operate with reduced risk to life. This included several drones from each nation operating together in the same airspace to achieve a common outcome, whilst being augmented by an AUKUS AI team, which retrained and deployed AI onto the platforms.
The seamless exchange of data and control between the 3 nation’s technologies demonstrated the progress that has been made by AUKUS in the trilateral adoption of AI and autonomous systems.
Commodore Rachel Singleton, Head of the Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC), and UK lead for AUKUS AI and Autonomy Working Group, said:
“Resilient and Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technologies provides the opportunity to develop, test and trial AI models on autonomous systems.
“The AUKUS partnership is key to ensuring that the systems designed by each nation are interoperable into the future. Service personnel from one nation will be supported by capabilities that have been developed across all 3 nations.”
The trial, which is part of a series of trials named AUKUS Resilient and Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Technologies (RAAIT), took place as part of the annual US-hosted multinational Project Convergence experimentation exercise. AUKUS continues to develop and deploy AI and autonomy technologies in a safe and responsible manner that ensures context-appropriate meaningful human control.
The trial demonstrated the significant improvements AUKUS partners have made to the application and viability of RAAIT since the first UK trial in April 2023. The technology has been developing at rapid pace and once proven, will be incorporated onto national platforms, providing the military with operational advantage through a quicker response to current and future threats.
Through AUKUS, new capabilities are being tested to protect platforms. For example, protecting armoured vehicles from electronic warfare, laser and GPS attacks. Working across the AUKUS nations in this way means our militaries have greater interoperability and access to the most advanced AI across all 3 nations. It also opens up opportunities for sovereign industry partners.
AUKUS is a landmark defence and security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US that supports both Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security and the rules-based international order. Under Pillar 2, AUKUS partners are deepening cooperation on a range of cutting-edge military technologies, which is enhancing military edge for the UK and our allies. This makes sure we have the capabilities needed to defend against rapidly evolving threats.
Participants of Project Convergence
Around 500 British Army personnel were deployed on Project Convergence, drawn from:
- 1 Deep Recce Brigade Combat Team
- 2nd Battalion the Royal Yorkshire Regiment
- Ranger Regiment
Dstl was supported by a variety of industry partners including:
- Deloitte
- Cambridge Consultants
- IQHQ
- Blue Bear Systems Research
- Frazer Nash Consulting
Government participants included Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group. And from the US:
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
- Research and Engineering
- Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
- Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office
- Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center
- Ground Vehicles System Center
- Army Research Laboratory (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
08 Aug 24. AUKUS trilateral statement. Trilateral statement on the signing of an agreement for co-operation on naval nuclear propulsion.
On 5 August 2024, AUKUS partners signed the trilateral Agreement Among the Government of Australia, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation Related to Naval Nuclear Propulsion (the “Agreement”).
In March 2023, the AUKUS Leaders announced an ambitious plan to support Australia’s acquisition of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability at the earliest possible date, while ensuring Australia’s capacity to safely operate, maintain, and regulate this technology. The Agreement will enable AUKUS partners to continue to share submarine naval nuclear propulsion information between the partners, and allow the United Kingdom and the United States to transfer material and equipment to Australia required for the safe and secure construction, operation and sustainment of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership.
Since the announcement of this endeavour, the AUKUS partners have been resolute that this initiative will be undertaken in a way that sets the highest non-proliferation standard, while protecting classified and controlled information, material, and equipment. To this end, the Agreement re-affirms, and is consistent with, AUKUS partners’ respective existing international non-proliferation obligations. As a non-nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Australia has re-affirmed unequivocally that it does not have and will not seek to acquire nuclear weapons.
The Agreement is a significant milestone and a demonstration of the AUKUS partners’ commitment to delivering this critical capability.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
08 Aug 24. US green-lights AUKUS naval nuclear systems transfer. The newfound agreement will extend the existing exchange of information to include the transfer of nuclear material.
The White House has officially issued authorisation for the future sale of nuclear material, contained in welded power units, to Australia under the auspices of the trilateral AUKUS alliance.
In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate detailing the new ‘Agreement’ on 7 August 2024, US President Joe Biden urged Congress to give it “favourable consideration.”
The newfound agreement will extend the existing exhange of naval nuclear information among the three partners, enshrined in the original treaty, signed in November 2021, to the transfer of nuclear material.
This nuclear material will enable the Royal Australia Navy to operate its own naval nuclear propulsion plants for its own future conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines – the primary objective of the Pillar I commitment.
Biden’s presidential approval is just one of several conditions affecting the implementation of an agreement, and procedures for Congress to consider and approve the agreement.
Next, Congress has the opportunity to review the nuclear cooperation agreement for 60 days of continuous session. Similarly, in this period, the committees are to hold hearings on the proposed agreement and submit a report to their respective bodies recommending whether it should be approved or disapproved.
Optimal pathway ahead
An ‘optimal pathway’ was laid out in a joint statement on 13 March 2023. AUKUS nations determined that the future SSN (nuclear-powered attack submarine) programme would be based on the UK’s next-generation design.
The statement added that the submarines would be built in the UK and Australia, with work to begin by 2030, with a view to entering service towards the end of the 2030s (UK) and the early 2040s (Australia).
Royal Australian Navy graduates
So far RAN officers and sailors alike have participated in a range of UK Royal Navy and US Navy training programmes that qualify them to operate a naval nuclear propulsion plant.
The first cadre of Australians graduated from the US Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, South Carolina on 12 January 2024.
Likewise, Australian personnel have also served onboard British and American SSNs. Following their British naval nuclear training, three Australian officers were assigned to Royal Navy Astute-class submarines in July. (Source: naval-technology.com)
07 Aug 24. Report calls for B-21 acquisition, ANZUS expansion. The Institute of Public Affairs, Peter Jennings, and Strategic Analysis Australia have called for Japan to join ANZUS and for Australia to acquire B-21 Raiders as part of a recent research paper.
National Security and Australia’s Northern Defence is the first of six major research papers compiled by the group.
Authored by Peter Jennings, Michael Shoebridge, and Marcus Hellyer, the paper laid out a “blueprint” for the Australian government to deter conflict in the region and laid out a series of recommendations to protect Australia’s national sovereignty.
The paper recommended bringing Japan into ANZUS and enabling elements of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces to deploy in northern Australia.
An expansion of ANZUS would signal to regional partners that friendly nations can succeed by working together, encouraging others not to succumb to “Beijing’s bullying”, the authors note.
The report also highlighted the risk of delays in developing an Australian nuclear-powered submarine capability, encouraging the Australian government to develop a “Plan B” including the acquisition of B-21 Raider stealth bombers. The acquisition will be further boosted by hosting a contingent of US Raiders to reinforce Australian deterrence.
The acquisition will be crucial for regional stability as the B-21 can perform many of the same tasks as nuclear-powered submarines in a shorter time frame, the report notes.
Jennings explained that contingency planning was necessary as geopolitical uncertainty continues to grow, increasing the likelihood of conflict.
“Whichever party forms the next government in 2025, our worsening strategic outlook means that it is timely to take a fresh look at Australia’s defence needs and the difficult decisions that future government will face on strategy, budgets, alliances and partners, on understanding the threats we face and how we position our forces to meet them,” Jennings said.
“If there is a conflict over Taiwan, we think it highly unlikely that war can be localised to the island of Taiwan and the straits which separate it from the mainland. A significant war would draw in the US and neighbouring states Japan and the Philippines. Australia will be involved to some degree, however reluctantly.”
The group also recommended greater integration and collaboration with Australia’s regional partners, including the development of a Pacific Response Force, while reinforcing Australia’s ability to project power with the development of defence capabilities in Northern Australia as well as the Cocos and Christmas Islands and Norfolk Island.
This would be supported by an expansion of US deployments in Australia, increasing the US Marine Corps rotational presence to 16,000. The authors tout the increase is “the cheapest boost to deterrence Australia could possibly buy”.
The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) executive director Scott Hargreaves warned that Australia remains unprepared for a regional conflict.
“Australia is facing its most challenging security environment since the Second World War, yet the country is dramatically underprepared for the possibility of conflict in the Indo-Pacific,” Hargreaves said.
“For well over a decade, governments of all persuasions have struggled to translate changing regional geopolitical considerations and rising security concerns into decisions and action. It is time for a reboot, one built on a sense of urgency, that can be delivered quickly,” Hargreaves said.
“Over the coming months, the IPA and Strategic Analysis Australia will publish research that contains concrete and practical recommendations that will be achievable in the next term of government.” (Source: Defence Connect)
05 Aug 24. Defence Digital Engineering Strategy launched to push capability acquisition, address operational gaps. Australia will push to speed up capability acquisition and address operational gaps with the defence industry under the launch of a Defence Digital Engineering Strategy. The Defence Digital Engineering Strategy is a key outcome of the Defence Industry Development Strategy and 2024 National Defence Strategy, which identified the need for Defence to accelerate digital technologies.
Built upon digital transformation programs undertaken by the United States Department of Defense, the engineering strategy outlines Defence’s commitment to streamline processes through an approach that better connects people, tools, and data.
The outcome is expected to result in increased collaboration with industry, better decision making, and faster introduction of capability across the Australian Defence Force.
Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Chris Deeble said the Defence Digital Engineering Strategy was a critical step in further developing how Defence and industry work together.
“By working more closely with industry in this space, existing partners and small to medium enterprises will have the opportunity to contribute to the design of shared collaborative platforms, delivering speed to capability in a secure and streamlined digital environment,” Deeble said.
“The Defence Digital Engineering Strategy is about leveraging technologies to enhance efficiency, accessibility and innovation.
“This strategy marks an important milestone in Defence’s digital transformation journey in line with the National Defence Strategy, and further opens the door for industry-wide digital engineering consultation and collaboration.”
Under the strategy, Defence will work in close consultation with industry and universities to develop a greater understanding of digital engineering practices for collaboration.
Last month, Australian defence industry leader Travis Reddy challenged the Department of Defence to find domestic rather than international solutions during a charged call to arms public address.
The chief executive officer of Australian defence technology developer DefendTex recently accepted the prestigious “Defence Innovator of the Year – Company” award at the 2024 Australian Defence Industry Awards in Canberra last month.
“It’s an honour to receive this award and on behalf of all the Australian companies that work on innovation for defence, I want to take this opportunity to say that innovation is a mindset and it applies to everything we do,” Reddy said during a speech acknowledging the award.
“There’s no point coming up with innovative solutions if the processes around us aren’t innovative, and I’m referring specifically to acquisitions. There’s no point operating at a rate that’s relative to the problem if we don’t acquire at the same rate.
“My appeal to (the Department of) Defence is that while you’re looking for defence innovation, look to the many Australian companies and many universities that are innovative in what they do before you look overseas.
“The answers to most of your problems are probably here in this room (of defence industry).
“To the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are the reason we are all here, thank you and we continue to serve you in our own way.”
(Source: Defence Connect)
01 Aug 24. Malaysia is issuing tenders to acquire over 300 vehicles of 11 different types as part of efforts to recapitalise and restructure its ground forces. Malaysia issued a number of tender invitations for the supply of various transport and support vehicles for the Malaysian Army and Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters in late July as it seeks to recapitalise its fleet along with addressing new requirements.
The vehicles required are 83 Weapons Carrier (Heavy Machine Gun), 80 Weapons Carrier (Automatic Grenade Launcher), 18 Mortar (81mm) Transporters, 82 one-tonne General Service (GS) Cargo trucks, 30 seven-tonne GS Cargo trucks, 21 Forward Repair Vehicles, 14 ten-tonne GS Cargo trucks, six Medium Recovery Vehicles and seven 8×8 Amphibious All Terrain Support Vehicles. (Source: Shephard)
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