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EUROPE
16 Aug 24. HD HHI Submarines in the Poland’s ORKA Program.
HD HHI Submarines in the Poland’s ORKA Program
Overview of the HD HHI submarines proposal for Poland’s ORKA program. The Korean shipbuilder is proposing both the KSS-III PL and the HDS-2300 submarine designs.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
Established in 1972, Hyundai Heavy Industries (now HD Hyundai Heavy Industries) of the Republic of Korea is an integrated heavy industry company consisting of four business units: civil shipbuilding, naval and special vessels, offshore, and engines and machinery. HHI Group is the leading shipbuilder in terms of the number of vessels built annually and maintains its position at the forefront of the global shipbuilding market. Since the beginning of its operation, the company has delivered a total of 63 warships, including guided missile destroyers with the Aegis system, new generation frigates, corvettes and patrol ships, as well as submarines of several types, to the Korean Navy, as well as to foreign customers. More importantly, in the HHI cooperation model, the delivery of a vessel does not end the cooperation with the customer.
In 2007, the company handed over the first unit with AIP (Air Independence Propulsion) – ROKS Son Won-il – to the South Korean fleet. It was built under a German license (Type 214, referred to by the manufacturer as HDS-1800) and thanks to foreign support at the time, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is now capable of independently designing and manufacturing submarines equipped with the AIP system. The fact that the Korean tycoon has made good use of the lesson on technology transfer is evidenced by the fact that there are already three KSS-III ships in service with the Republic of Korea Navy, the latest of which was built by HHI. These are modern units with high autonomy and long submerged times, armed with vertical ballistic missile launchers. Today, HD HHI is one of the largest manufacturers of conventional AIP-powered submarines on a global scale.
More than two decades of experience in the construction of AIP submarines (production of the first HDS-1800 began in 2002) make HHI ready to transfer this knowledge to other countries and extensive industrial cooperation. Therefore, in the program of the new Orka submarine, intended for the Polish Navy, HHI can propose not one project, but several. For the time being, the detailed requirements for Orka are not known, but based on the issues raised during the initial market consultations, HHI can offer units of the KSS-III PL type (based on the proven KSS-III Batch 1) and a completely new design: The HDS-2300. In addition, the HHI portfolio includes a number of other, smaller units: HDS-1500, HDS-700 and HDS-500. The latter is already offered as a ready-made project, the others are proposed as part of research and development projects carried out together with the contracting authority. (Source: News Now/https://www.navalnews.com/)
14 Aug 24. Ireland issues tender for small rotary UASs. The Irish Defence Forces has issued a tender for 14 small, rotary unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) to equip its Corps of Engineers.
Posted on the European Union (EU) Tendering website on 13 August, the tender requires manportable UASs that are easy to use, capable of delivering high-resolution imagery, and designed with an emphasis on operator safety.
The procurement – valued at approximately EUR600,000 (USD657,132) – is divided into two separate lots and each will result in a separate contract: lot 1 requires commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UASs, while lot 2 seeks UASs with additional data encryption, such as Advanced Encryption Systems (AESs). The supplier will be required to provide accessories, software, and training.
Tenders must be submitted no later than 12 September, with deliveries to Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, by 31 December 2024.
According to the tender, the UASs will be used for a range of purposes including surveillance, survey, inspection, and search and rescue (day and night). The precise applications envisaged for these systems are operationally sensitive. The UASs procured under lot 2 may also have to operate in ‘security sensitive’ locations and/or GPS-denied environments. (Source: Janes)
13 Aug 24. The Government of Poland has signed a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 96 Boeing [NYSE: BA] AH-64E Apache combat helicopters, as part of the Polish KRUK Attack Helicopter program.
“We are honored the Government of Poland has placed their confidence in us,” said Vince Logsdon, vice president, International Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “The AH-64E Apache helicopters will strengthen Poland’s operational capability and interoperability with the U.S., NATO and allied nations. We look forward to delivering this unmatched capability.”
The LOA comes a week after the Polish Ministry of National Defence announced an offset agreement with Boeing. The agreement includes maintenance and support of the Polish Armed Forces fleet of Apache helicopters by Polish defense industry along with the establishment of training programs and supporting the development of a composite laboratory.
The offset projects aim to enhance the sustainment capabilities of the Polish defense industry, support creation of highly skilled jobs within this field, and facilitate technological advancements, leading to significant economic benefits.
“Poland’s commitment to procure 96 aircraft represents the largest FMS order in the history of Boeing’s Vertical Lift division and will not only make Poland our 19th global Apache customer but the largest operator outside of the United States,” said Kathleen Jolivette, vice president and general manager, Vertical Lift.
Boeing has been building the AH-64 Apache for more than 40 years in Mesa, Arizona. The AH-64E is the most modern configuration of the Apache and combines a battle-tested design with transformational technologies to deliver an unmatched mix of performance and versatility. There are currently more than 1,290 Apaches operating worldwide, with sustainment and training support provided by Boeing Global Services.
The Government of Poland selected the AH-64E Apache for the Polish Armed Forces’ new attack helicopter fleet in September 2022.
12 Aug 24. Turkish Army chief visits England; Eurofighter interest soars. During an official visit to England, the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Army, General Metin Gürak, made a significant stop at Royal Air Force Coningsby Base, according to Turkish sources. The visit included a thorough inspection of the EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon, a military aircraft that Turkey has expressed interest in purchasing.
Since 2022, the Turkish Air Force has been eyeing the Eurofighter Typhoon jets, although Germany has temporarily blocked the delivery. Initially, Turkey aims to procure 40 of these combat aircraft, with plans to source them entirely from the United Kingdom. Turkish analysts suggest that General Gürak’s visit indicates ongoing supply negotiations between the two countries.
While the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy have approved the transfer of Eurofighter jets to Turkey, the German government remains opposed. Interestingly, German workers at the Airbus factory, where the aircraft is built, are in favor of the deal. They see the order of 40 planes from Turkey as a much-needed boost, given the dearth of new orders for the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Eurofighter program
The Eurofighter Typhoon program is a multinational collaborative effort aimed at developing a highly advanced, multi-role combat aircraft. Initiated in the 1980s, the program involves several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. These nations came together to create an aircraft that could meet the diverse operational requirements of their air forces while sharing the financial burden of development and production.
The development of the Eurofighter Typhoon has not been without challenges. The program has faced delays and cost overruns, partly due to the complexity of coordinating among multiple nations with differing requirements and industrial capabilities. Despite these hurdles, the program has successfully delivered a cutting-edge aircraft that continues to evolve with upgrades and new technologies.
The Eurofighter Typhoon program also has significant economic and industrial implications. It has created thousands of jobs across Europe and has fostered technological innovation in the aerospace sector. The program has also led to the development of a robust supply chain involving numerous subcontractors and suppliers, further boosting the economies of the participating countries.
(Source: Google/https://bulgarianmilitary.com/)
12 Aug 24. Turkey pleased with F-16 jets deal with US, defence minister says. Turkey is pleased with its deal with the United States regarding the procurement of Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and modernisation kits, and the process is continuing as planned, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said. “We hope the project will be completed without any problems until the last jet is delivered,” Guler said in written responses to Reuters questions, adding that officials from the two NATO allies are still discussing details of the deal. (Source: Google/Reuters)
USA
12 Aug 24. US defence research official calls for more C-UAS solutions. Heidi Shyu, the United States undersecretary of defence for research and engineering, says autonomous systems remain a threat and something the Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking solutions for.
“If you look at the situation now, which is something easily predictable back in, I will say, two decades ago, you’re already seeing the increase in the number of unmanned systems,” she said. “With that increasingly growing, exponentially worldwide, the obvious thing we have to think about is how are we going to counter that. Because we already have unmanned systems that are intruding into our installations.”
Shyu was speaking at a discussion on August 9 at the National Defense Industrial Association’s 2024 Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C.
There are rules for how the US military services can engage with autonomous systems if they are deemed a threat, and defeating them will mean complying with those rules. “What we’re trying to do is figure out [the] different rules,” Shyu said. “We can’t really shoot it down with a missile.”
The undersecretary said that while there are solutions available now, the DoD is interested in having industry proffer even more options for it and the military services to consider.
“We have to figure out solutions,” she said. “I think counter-[UAS] is never going to die, because it’s a cat and mouse game. As soon as you figure something out, your adversary will do something different. This is going to be a growing need and there isn’t one solution that can counter every single scenario. Therefore, you need to have an integrated solution of multiple capabilities. This is one area, which is not even classified … where if you have great ideas, this is a great opportunity.”
Another area where Shyu said the DoD needs ideas is in contested logistics, where adversaries attempt to disrupt, destroy or defeat friendly force logistics operations. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Aug 24. Missile Defense Agency to pick hypersonic interceptor vendor this year. The Missile Defense Agency is planning to choose a single vendor to deliver an interceptor capable of taking out a hypersonic weapon in its glide phase of flight, Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, the agency’s director, said Aug. 8 at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.
“We will be making a down-select, resource-driven decision later this year,” Collins said.
“As we came into [FY]25, the Fiscal Responsibility Act … put pressure on the entire department to make really tough prioritization and resource-informed decisions,” Collins told Defense News in an interview at the conference. “We were no exception, so we had to take a look at how we balance and make decisions on the capability we bring.”
The MDA, as part of that assessment, decided to halt its SM-3 Block 1B production line and down-select a winning vendor earlier than planned — rather than carry two teams farther into the development process, which tends to drive down program risk — in a competition to build a Next-Generation Interceptor. Such munitions are designed to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles aimed at the homeland.
“The risk inherent with an early pre-[preliminary design review] down-select is reflected by the express reference to this being ‘resource driven,’” Tom Karako, missile defense analyst at the Center for International and Strategic Studies, told Defense News. “Defeating high speed maneuvering threats in many respects reflects the future of missile defense broadly, so we have to get this capability right.”
Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman both won contracts to continue developing the Glide Phase Interceptor, or GPI, in June 2022. Each company was awarded a firm-fixed price modification to a previously awarded contract for rapid prototyping. Every modification is worth roughly $41.5m, bringing the total contract value to around $61m each.
The U.S and Japan signed a cooperative agreement in May to co-develop the GPI, with MDA’s budget plan envisioning a first fielding in the mid-2030s. Congress, meanwhile, has mandated MDA reach full operational capability by the end of 2032 and provide no fewer than 12 GPIs for tests by the deadline.
“We’ll have to assess the risk of that design, any corrective actions … or mitigation activities we want to take,” Collins said, discussing next steps after MDA chooses a single vendor. “And then we would re-baseline the program based on that with an updated, independent cost estimate … to inform that program.”
Hypersonic weapons are difficult to counter, not because of their speed, Collins said, but because their ability to maneuver in flight.
Some ballistic missiles are already able to fly at hypersonic speeds. The SM-6 missile currently in the inventory is capable of defeating hypersonic threats in the terminal phase of flight, but an interceptor capable of knocking out a hypersonic earlier in flight remains a high priority for the Defense Department. (Source: Defense News)
09 Aug 24. Some Replicator tranche 2 systems have already been selected, DIU head says. The Pentagon has selected a unknown number of systems to be part of Replicator’s second tranche, but will be keeping details quiet for the foreseeable future, according to the Defense Innovation Unit.
Doug Beck, director of the DIU, said over 500 companies have expressed interest in being involved in the Replicator program through proposal responses. He added that out of these companies, the innovation hub has selected an undisclosed number of systems to partake in the program’s second tranche.
“We now have two tranches of systems across domains,” Beck said at the National Defense Industrial Association conference Thursday. He added that DIU has “selected some systems already,” however “there’s other things that we are still kind of finalizing.”
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He added that 30 unique prime contractors have been selected across the hardware and software realms, and over 50 subcontractors have signed on.
Though he didn’t disclose the names of the companies or the systems, Beck did offer some teases.
He said the range of companies selected include manufacturers of PRIME sUSV systems, a category he said stands for production-ready, inexpensive, maritime expeditionary small unmanned surface vehicles. He added that out of the other companies involved, one is a venture-backed startup, another is a growth stage software led “nontraditional” company and one is a “more established player.”
It’s been nearly one year since the Replicator program — designed to counter China’s military capabilities by producing thousands of “attritable autonomous systems” across multiple domains by August 2025 — was announced. It has drawn significant attention from industry and Congress, including a healthy dose of skepticism about whether the effort has real weight behind it or is simply grouping together a number of items the department already planned to buy.
Advances in RPA technologies signal a future where aircraft could operate from a variety of austere locations, making it much more difficult to find and target large air bases.
With just one year until the program is scheduled to be deployed, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told the audience at the NDIA conference Wednesday that the program is on track.
“Although we have lots more work to do, we are on track to meet Replicator’s original goal of enabling ‘multiple thousands in multiple domains in 18-24 months’. That is, by the end of August 2025. In so doing, Replicator is demonstrating from the top and across the enterprise how to deliver all kinds of capability at speed and scale,” Hicks said. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
12 Aug 24. US Army’s high-energy laser competition to kick off early next year. The U.S. Army plans to choose a few teams from a larger pool to compete to develop its Enduring High Energy Laser, or HEL, system for short-range air defense in early 2025, Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office director, said last week.
The Army will carry teams through design and development and plans to select a winner to build an enduring HEL for short-range air defense in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, according to a broad agency announcement for the effort posted to Sam.gov.
The service held an industry day in July and has been collecting proposals with “a lot of interest from those industry partners we’ve seen and some that we hadn’t necessarily seen before,” Rasch told Defense News in an interview at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium here.
“Some of them are teaming up together. Some of them are on their own. But they see what other folks are doing and trying to get better,” Rasch added. “That is where innovation occurs and that’s where we maintain that leap ahead capability over our adversaries.”
The service has spent years developing lasers for various weapons systems and recently deployed four Directed Energy Maneuver-SHORAD Stryker Combat Vehicle-based prototypes to the U.S. Central Command area of operations to evaluate how well a 50-kilowatt laser could fulfill the mission of taking out short-range air threats.
The first prototypes consist of a 50-kilowatt laser from Raytheon. Kord Technologies, a KBR company, is the lead integrator.
Rasch’s office is currently evaluating 10-, 20-, 50- and 300-kilowatt options for a wide variety of threats and missions. The 300-kilowatt laser is designed for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability, which is a system that will use kinetic, laser and high-powered microwave weapons to destroy threats including rockets, artillery, mortars, drones and cruise missiles. The Army is to receive that laser weapon next year.
“That informed the Enduring High Energy Laser [broad agency announcement] that we put out,” Rasch said. “You’ll notice… that we didn’t reference kilowatts, right? It’s easy to talk about lasers in regards to kilowatts because it’s easy to get your head wrapped around more kilowatts, probably better, less kilowatts, probably not as effective or lethal, but that’s only one factor that comes into how effective the system is downrange.”
For example, Rasch noted, a 50-kilowatt system might have an ideal beam director “so it’s not making all the proper utilization of beam forming and getting that power down range. You might not be as effective as a 30-kilowatt, so there’s multiple components and multiple levers… that come into play.”
The extensive evaluations have led the Army to see “how those systems perform from the different designs at the system level and at the component level and sub-component level. It’s really, I think, opened up the aperture on what we know about how to make effective laser systems,” Rasch said.
The Army has also learned about what will be needed to sustain directed energy systems in the Middle East.
“It’s a big step to go from lab demonstration of a capability or even taking it out to a range for a week or two to giving it to soldiers for good and then having them take it, quite frankly, in some of the most austere places that you would ever want to put equipment,” Rasch said.
“We’ve actually made some big inroads on how to do sustainment repairs in a really ugly environment where dust particles are really high,” he added. “Ultimately we want to get these systems to … where your soldiers can pull out a piece and put in another piece in a fight.”
In addition to the four prototypes already downrange, Rasch’s office will soon receive prototypes from two additional teams – Lockheed Martin and nLight – each offering different design solutions, which the office will evaluate over the next several years in addition to the original DE M-SHORAD prototyping effort. (Source: Defense News)
09 Aug 24. US to lift ban on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. The Biden administration has decided to lift a ban on U.S. sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, the State Department said on Friday, reversing a three-year-old policy to pressure the kingdom to wind down the Yemen war.
The State Department was lifting its suspension on certain transfers of air-to-ground munitions to Saudi Arabia, a senior department official confirmed. “We will consider new transfers on a typical case-by-case basis consistent with the Conventional Arms Transfer Policy,” the official said.
Reuters was first to report the decision earlier, citing five sources.
The administration briefed Congress this week on its decision to lift the ban, a congressional aide said. One source said sales could resume as early as next week. The U.S. government was moving ahead on Friday afternoon with notifications about a sale, a person briefed on the matter said.
“The Saudis have met their end of the deal, and we are prepared to meet ours,” a senior Biden administration official said.
Under U.S. law, major international weapons deals must be reviewed by members of Congress before they are made final. Democratic and Republican lawmakers have questioned the provision of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia in recent years, citing issues including the toll on civilians of its campaign in Yemen and a range of human rights concerns.
But that opposition has softened amid turmoil in the Middle East following Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel and because of changes in the conduct of the campaign in Yemen.
Since March 2022 – when the Saudis and Houthis entered into a U.N.-led truce – there have not been any Saudi airstrikes in Yemen and cross-border fire from Yemen into the kingdom has largely stopped, the administration official said.
“We also note the positive steps that the Saudi Ministry of Defense have taken over the past three years to substantially improve their civilian harm mitigation processes, in part thanks to the work of U.S. trainers and advisors,” the State Department official said.(Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
15 Aug 24. Historic Breakthrough in defence trade between AUKUS partners. A historic breakthrough in defence trade between the UK, US, and Australia has been announced today following landmark export control changes. A historic breakthrough in defence trade between the UK, US, and Australia has been announced today following landmark export control changes to benefit the AUKUS partners.
The milestone will enable all three nations to work more closely together to develop next-generation technologies, compete with adversaries and support interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.
It is estimated the reforms – which will lift certain export controls and restrictions on technology sharing – will cover up to £500 million of UK defence exports each year, and billions of dollars of trade across all three nations, helping boost UK economic growth.
Built on strong bonds with Australian and US allies, AUKUS seeks to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Today’s defence trade breakthrough comes via the publication of the UK’s AUKUS Nations Open General Licence, combined with a new exemption to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for the UK and Australia, and new national exemptions for the UK and US in Australia’s export control framework. This will lift license requirements for the export and sharing of certain defence products, including advanced capabilities, technical data and defence services.
Together, these historic changes allow AUKUS partners to significantly reduce barriers to defence trade and technology sharing, allowing for faster, more efficient collaboration between scientists, engineers and defence industries. This will benefit all three nations and help deliver the full economic, innovation and security potential of AUKUS.
Defence Secretary, John Healey said: “As tensions increase, and conflicts continue around the globe, our partnerships with our allies are critically important. This is a breakthrough that will allow our three nations to deepen our collaboration on defence technology and trade. Our new government will reinforce the UK’s role in AUKUS to boost Britain’s military capabilities and economic growth.”
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said: “Today’s historic announcement demonstrates how AUKUS is taking our relationship with the US and Australia to even greater heights. By breaking down barriers to defence trade and cooperation, we’re unlocking huge opportunities for UK jobs and growth – while bolstering global security and stability.”
Today’s announcement follows bilateral meetings between the Defence Secretary John Healey and his US and Australian counterparts last month – meeting US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the NATO Summit in Washington DC and hosting the Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Defence Minister Richard Marles in Sheffield.
The defence trade changes announced today allow for fewer licences for exports, re-transfers, and re-exports within and between the UK, US, and Australia.
This will significantly enhance collaborative opportunities between the governments and defence industries in the three countries and reduce compliance costs and delivery timelines for UK programmes.
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group said:
Since AUKUS’ inception, industry has been consistently clear: closer collaboration between our nations is critical to the successful delivery of the trilateral programme, reiterated at the recent Advanced Capabilities Industry Forum. This is a potentially groundbreaking moment for the UK defence sector, widening our access to our closest allies and increasing opportunities for international trade.
With the third anniversary of the programme approaching, AUKUS partners are committed to working with stakeholders to ensure the changes reap benefits, unlock opportunities, and promote outcomes that support shared interests.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
14 Aug 24. South Korea UH/HH-60 upgrade project spurs KAI-Hanwha collaboration. South Korea’s plan to upgrade its military Sikorsky UH/HH-60 helicopters for increased survivability and operational efficiency has attracted a joint interest from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems. However, the bidding process has been delayed to later in 2024 or 2025, according to KAI.
The draft proposal for the upgrades, which South Korea announced in 2022, was valued at KRW960 bn (USD701 m). At the time, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that the programme was slated to start in 2023 and end in 2030.
However, Janes understands that bidding for the programme is “expected to be opened at the end of this year”, but could be delayed until 2025 depending on the government, according to a KAI spokesperson.
KAI and Hanwha Systems announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the Farnborough Airshow in July 2024 to work together to win the tender.
If awarded the project, KAI will be lead systems integrator while Hanwha Systems will “be in charge of the development of avionics systems”, KAI said in a release. A Hanwha Systems spokesperson told Janes that the company will “participate in [the] integration of all avionics systems for UH/HH-60s”.
The programme calls for the development and production of key systems for the helicopters, including “digitalisation and integration of avionics systems”, according to KAI. The objective is to improve “operational capabilities and continuous operations of special operation helicopters of the [Republic of Korea: RoK] Army and Air Force,” KAI said in a release. (Source: Janes)
14 Aug 24. Armscor seeking personal protective equipment for BMA. The Border Management Authority (BMA) is acquiring equipment for its border guards, with state defence materiel agency Armscor issuing multiple tenders for protective and other equipment.
Tender EWSD/2024/78, issued on 29 July with bids closing on 12 August, called for 303 tactical vests and 103 maritime bulletproof vests, to be delivered to the BMA by 30 November 2024. The vests must offer ballistic protection to NIJ Level II or better and incorporate hard armour plates. (NIJ Level II provides protection against 9 mm and .357 Magnum ammunition, but not assault rifle ammunition.)
The majority of vests will be in medium size, with small, large and extra-large acquired in smaller numbers along with several testing samples. According to the Armscor tender, the tactical vests must weigh no more than 6 kg. The maritime vests need to contain a flotation device and have positive buoyancy.
Tender EWSD/2024/77, issued on 29 July and closing on 16 August, calls for 400 elbow and knee guard sets and 400 tactical gloves to be delivered to the Border Management Authority in Pretoria.
The elbow and knee guard sets are required to have a polycarbonate outer shell while the gloves need to be of thermal plastic rubber (TPR) material with palm reinforcement, fingertip protection, and touch screen capability.
Of the elbow and knee guard sets, 300 need to be in green and 100 in black, with the green for border guards and black for maritime guards.
Armscor also has a tender out for tactical equipment and gear, including electronics (EWSD/2024/76, closing 16 August).
The Border Management Authority is getting a range of new equipment for its border guards. Funding from the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) is being used to acquire “critical security and ICT equipment,” which includes unmanned aerial systems, body cameras, and speed boats, with procurement being done through Armscor.
In March, BMA Commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato told the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) that the BMA is, through Armscor, in the process of acquiring patrol boats to patrol the maritime environment and to ensure domain awareness.
An initial 50 BMA Coastal Guards have been deployed to eight sites along the South African coastline to monitor the various maritime ports of entry (main harbours like Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha) and also protect 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
An initial 200 border guards were deployed in July 2022 ahead of the BMA’s full establishment in July 2023 and official launch that October. In June 2024, 400 junior border guards joined the BMA’s ranks after eight months of training.
From July 2022 to July 2024, the BMA intercepted and deported over 296 000 individuals, who had attempted to enter the country illegally. Additionally, the BMA recovered 303 vehicles which were in the process of being illegally smuggled across the border, and seized significant quantities of illicit goods and drugs. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
13 Aug 24. Colombian naval industry takes step with frigate construction deal. The new vessel, the Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie, will be constructed at COTECMAR’s facilities in Cartagena.
Colombia is set to become the third Latin American country capable of constructing naval vessels domestically, following the signing of a contract between COTECMAR and Damen Shipyards.
Colombia joins regional naval powers with frigate construction deal
Colombia has embarked on a journey toward maritime self-reliance as its first domestically built frigate project begins. The contract, signed by the Corporación de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo de la Industria Naval, Marítima y Fluvial (COTECMAR) and the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group, marks a milestone in the nation’s naval history.
The new vessel, the Plataforma Estratégica de Superficie (PES), will be constructed at COTECMAR’s facilities in Cartagena, following Damen’s SIGMA 10514 design. The PES will span 107.5 metres (m) in length with a 14.02m beam, positioning Colombia alongside Mexico and Brazil as one of the few Latin American countries capable of producing such naval platforms.
According to GlobalData’s global naval vessels and surface combatants market intelligence, Colombia is anticipated to lead the market in the region with its frigate and logistic support vessel procurements, undertaken as part of its initiative to build a naval fleet of 100 vessels before 2042.
By enhancing its naval capabilities with locally built vessels, Colombia is strengthening its defence infrastructure and asserting its sovereignty in regional maritime affairs.
Colombia is increasing its defence spending, projected to reach $18bn by 2029, to address rising security threats from border disputes. The country’s defence market is set to grow at a 7% CAGR, with investments in naval vessels, military aircraft, and land vehicles.
Colombia’s first domestically built frigate
The Colombian Ministry of Defense anticipates these frigates will provide enhanced protection during anti-submarine warfare, with enhanced self-defence and commando-projection capacities, per GlobalData’s “Colombia Defense Market 2024-2029” report.
The collaboration also serves as a catalyst for the country’s burgeoning maritime industry. The construction of the PES is expected to drive local employment, spur technological development, and foster specialised skills in naval engineering—an investment promising long-term economic and strategic benefits for Colombia.
Vice Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón, Commander of the Colombian Navy, hailed the event as a “historic day,” underlining the project’s significance for national security and industry. The sentiment was echoed by COTECMAR President Vice Admiral Luis Fernando Márquez Velosa and Damen Naval Managing Director Roland Briene, who highlighted the partnership between their organisations as a promising sign of the project’s future success.
The PES project follows the recent cooperation between COTECMAR and Damen on the oceanographic and arctic research vessel Simón Bolívar, further solidifying the bond between the Colombian and Dutch naval industries. This continuity in collaboration suggests an alignment beyond individual projects, aiming for a sustained enhancement of Colombia’s naval capabilities.
As construction begins, the PES frigate symbolises more than just a new addition to the Colombian Navy’s fleet—it represents a step towards national self-sufficiency in defence production and progress in the evolution of Colombia’s maritime industry. Completing this project will bolster Colombia’s naval defences but could also pave the way for further advancements in the country’s strategic sectors, marking Colombia as a player in the regional maritime landscape. (Source: naval-technology.com)
11 Aug 24. SAAB is ready to produce 25 Gripen-E jets per year for India. SAAB, the Swedish firm behind the renowned SAAB JAS 39 Gripen-E, has revealed its production capabilities to the Indian government. Should New Delhi choose SAAB for its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft [MRFA] program, the company promises to manufacture between 20 and 25 fighters per year for the Indian Air Force
SAAB India highlights its readiness to meet the Indian Air Force’s high demand for Gripen-E fighters if it secures the MRFA contract, reports IDRW. The Swedish aerospace giant underscores that its Linköping facility can produce up to 25 Gripen-E fighters annually, according to the Indian source.
Various reports, particularly from Indian sources, indicate that New Delhi aims for a swift and significant boost to its air combat fleet within the next 6-7 years. Therefore, the search is on for a quality manufacturer capable of producing at least 18 fighters annually.
India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft [MRFA] program is an ambitious initiative aimed at modernizing the Indian Air Force’s [IAF] fleet by acquiring advanced multi-role fighter jets. The program seeks to enhance the IAF’s operational capabilities across various combat scenarios, including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
The MRFA program is part of India’s broader defense modernization efforts, which include upgrading existing platforms and acquiring new technologies to address emerging security challenges. The program is expected to involve significant investment and collaboration with international defense manufacturers.
Several global aerospace companies have expressed interest in participating in the MRFA program. These companies are offering their latest and most advanced fighter jets to meet the IAF’s requirements. The participants and their respective aircraft include:
Lockheed Martin offers the F-21, a variant of the F-16 specifically tailored for India. Boeing presents the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, known for its versatility and advanced avionics. Dassault Aviation markets the Rafale, a twin-engine fighter already in service with the IAF. Eurofighter GmbH showcases the Typhoon, a highly agile and technologically advanced aircraft. Saab provides the Gripen E, known for its cost-effectiveness and advanced features. The Russian United Aircraft Corporation features the MiG-35, an advanced version of the MiG-29. Sukhoi offers the Su-35, a highly maneuverable and powerful fighter jet.
The MRFA program is not just about acquiring aircraft but also involves technology transfer, local production, and collaboration with Indian defense industries. This aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to boost indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.
The SAAB Gripen E is a modern multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the Swedish aerospace company SAAB. It represents the latest iteration in the Gripen series, designed to meet the evolving demands of modern aerial combat and defense. The Gripen E is known for its advanced avionics, superior agility, and cost-effectiveness, making it a competitive option in the global fighter market.
The dimensions of the SAAB Gripen-E include a length of approximately 15.2 meters [49.9 feet], a wingspan of around 8.6 meters [28.2 feet], and a height of about 4.5 meters [14.8 feet]. These dimensions contribute to its compact and agile design, allowing it to operate effectively in various environments.
The propulsion system of the Gripen-E is powered by a single General Electric F414-GE-39E engine. This engine provides a maximum thrust of 22,000 pounds, enabling the aircraft to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 2 [approximately 1,522 mph or 2,450 km/h] and a service ceiling of 16,000 meters [52,500 feet]. The F414 engine is known for its reliability and performance, contributing to the aircraft’s overall effectiveness.
The Gripen-E features advanced technical characteristics, including a digital fly-by-wire control system, which enhances its maneuverability and stability. The aircraft is also equipped with an integrated electronic warfare suite, providing robust defensive capabilities against various threats. Additionally, it has a modular avionics architecture, allowing for easy upgrades and integration of new systems. (Source: Google/https://bulgarianmilitary.com/)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
From rapid prototyping of custom designs to full-scale production runs, IEE, produces displays with advanced features like low-latency video processing, high-bright and NVIS backlighting, and lightweight rugged enclosures. Their SWaP-C products employ the latest lightweight composite materials; low power, high performance integrated ARM processors; standard Ethernet and USB communication, in a low cost, highly producible design.
In-house California facilities include optical bonding, clean rooms for display assembly, a dark room for optical measurements and environmental chambers for pre-compliance and customer acceptance testing. On-site manufacturing includes PCB assembly and flow soldering. IEE has manufactured handheld, in-vehicle, airborne and naval LCD displays for all military branches as well as leading aerospace firms both domestically and internationally.
IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.
IEE’s Advantage:
- Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
- Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
- Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
- Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
- Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.
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