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UNITED KINGDOM
10 Jan 25. UK LMV RFI. The UK Ministry of Defence has a requirement for the production, supply, in-service support and training for a Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV). The Ministry of Defence has a requirement for the production, supply, in-service support and training for a Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) as part of the Land Mobility Programme (LMP).
LMV will explore multiple options including delivery of a wheeled utility platform to modernise capability in roles currently filled by Land Rover and Pinzgauer with a Common Based Platform delivering warfighting roles across the Joint Force.
As part of this option analysis, the Authority is inviting industry to participate in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise in support of the development of our acquisition strategy. Specifically, we seek information from industry to help us:
- Establish the potential for an Off The Shelf (OTS) solution to meet the LMV requirement.
- Obtain a greater awareness of what the market can currently provide to inform the LMV requirement.
- To inform through life cost and cost of ownership.
- To potentially inform further pre market engagement activity.
This Request for Information has been issued to enable industry to receive the PME and to respond within a specific timeline.
¤ Next Steps ~ Any suppliers who have an interest in this PME should express an interest to: DES-LandMobilityProgramme-LightM[at]mod[dot]gov[dot]uk (Source: joint-forces.com)
EUROPE
08 Jan 25. Rafale jets, submarines push France’s defense exports to $19bn in 2024. French defense export orders had their second-best year ever in 2024, rising to more than €18bn (US$18.6bn) on demand for Rafale fighter jets and submarines, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu told troops in his traditional New Year’s address in Paris on Tuesday. Lecornu called for 2025 to be a new record year, driven by exports of surface vessels, submarines, radars, artillery, helicopters and yet more Rafale jets. Export efforts will also focus on the latest version of the French-Italian SAMP/T air-defense system, which the minister said is fundamental to defending against future ballistic-missile threats, particularly from Iran and Russia. France counts on exports to help pay for what it calls strategic autonomy, allowing the country to maintain capabilities such as building an entire fighter jet or nuclear-powered submarine, with an economy a fraction that of the United States or China. France was the second-largest arms shipper in the 2019-2023 period after the United States, accounting for 11% of global arms exports, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
“Exporting our weapons is vital to developing our defense industrial and technological base,” Lecornu said. “It is just as vital for our trade balance, and for creating jobs throughout France. But it is also a prerequisite for our sovereignty.”
Last year’s orders included nearly €10 billion for Dassault Aviation’s Rafale jet and Naval Group submarines, according to Lecornu. France’s overall defense export orders more than doubled from €8.2bn in 2023, after a record €27 billion in 2022.
Separately, Dassault Aviation reported export orders for 30 Rafale fighters in 2024 from 18 a year earlier. Export deliveries rose to seven aircraft from two, on total deliveries of 21 Rafale jets in 2024 and 13 a year earlier.
Lecornu warned the government’s failure to pass a 2025 budget last year in a divided parliament threatens France’s ability to fund the military sufficiently. He called on lawmakers to assume their legislative responsibility, saying the armed forces should “at the very least” receive the budget set out in the 2024-2030 military spending law “to ensure France’s real military effectiveness.”
The annual defense budget increase of €3bn over the planning period should seen as a floor, “certainly not a ceiling,” the minister said. With security threats mounting, “we must not weaken.”
Arms production is rising in countries at war and authoritarian regimes, but also the large democratic powers, some of which are allies and export competitors alike, according to the minister. France is “only at the beginning” of reaching the level of a true war economy, despite this being essential to the survival of the country’s sovereign defense industry, Lecornu said.
“The war economy we are implementing should also make our defense industry more competitive on the export market, particularly in terms of lead times and prices, when there is a brutal competition being played out as the world rearms itself.” Lecornu has previously said that slow delivery times have caused French firms to lose orders to foreign rivals.
European Union plans to support the defense industry are useful but shouldn’t result in European taxpayers’ money being spent on producing American equipment under license, the minister argued. The latter might provide “the illusion of European autonomy” but would put the continent at the mercy of a potential strategic U-turn by its U.S. ally, according to Lecornu.
EU countries must remain sovereign in defining operational and capability requirements, Lecornu said. The European Commission’s role should be to speed up and simplify the development of European defense industries, “not to take the place of member states by creating additional complexities or constraints.”
The minister called on manufacturers to take more risks in weapons innovation, rather than count on the government to pay for new projects. “Where there is a market, there is by definition an economic model to be found, and the taxpayer alone cannot be systematically called upon in any form of precondition.”
French priorities in 2025 will include deployment of artificial intelligence throughout the defense department, starting in operational intelligence and cyber. The goal is to make AI available for all operational uses, including in anti-drone warfare, operational decision making, fire control for terrestrial robots and piloting aids for fighter jets, Lecornu said.
“The year 2025 should allow us to move up a gear and make France one of the world’s leading countries in the field of military artificial intelligence.”
France is also betting on quantum technologies, which will have a major impact on how war is waged, according to Lecornu. The armed forces will deploy quantum inertial units in submarines and Rafale jets, and quantic atomic clocks in its satellites.
Space will also be key in 2025, with the first commercial flight of the Ariane 6 launcher lifting the military surveillance satellite CSO-3 into orbit. France plans to organize a military space summit in the first half to bring together the French space industry and prioritize the military’s needs.
Drones will be another area of focus, with France seeking to ensure that “every Army unit, every Navy surface vessel or every aircraft of the Air and Space Force” has its accompanying drones and corresponding anti-drone system. Industry must move quickly and, if necessary, turn to existing, cheap, off-the-shelf systems rather than going through years of development and certification, Lecornu said. “The situation is urgent, and here too, only results will count.”
France isn’t where it needs to be in terms of anti-drone electronic warfare, and Lecornu said he expects a leap forward in this area in 2025. “Where drones are present, they must be mirrored by electronic warfare capabilities, either for jamming or detection. All our platforms and forward bases will be targets tomorrow, and must have their own electronic warfare capabilities.” (Source: Defense News)
07 Jan 25. Sweden Faces Crucial Decision on Future of Fighter Jets: Will Saab Continue Development or Explore New Options?
A Pivotal Moment for Sweden’s Fighter Jet Development: A Look Back and Forward
The last critical discussion regarding the direction of Sweden’s fighter aircraft took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this time, the government, led by Prime Minister Ola Ullsten, was contemplating the discontinuation of fighter jet development in Sweden. This decision was on the verge of being finalized, which would have significantly altered the trajectory of Sweden’s aerospace industry.
Martin Lundmark, a lecturer at the Swedish Defence University, reflects on this pivotal moment. “It was actually quite close to the point where the development of the first version of the Gripen was set to begin. It wasn’t far off that we could have ended up with an American-made aircraft instead,” he remarks. This period was fraught with uncertainty, as the future of Sweden’s aerial defense capabilities hung in the balance.
For Saab, the company responsible for manufacturing these aircraft, the implications of such a decision would have been catastrophic. In response to the looming threat of cancellation, Saab quickly devised a solution that they hoped would persuade politicians to reconsider their stance. This led to the introduction of a groundbreaking new aircraft designed for combat, attack, and reconnaissance purposes: the JAS. This initiative ultimately succeeded, and in 1982, the Swedish Parliament made the decision to allow Saab to continue developing what would become the Jas Gripen fighter jet. Now, over 40 years later, the country finds itself at another crossroads, facing a similar debate.
Per Olsson, a defense economist at the Total Defence Research Institute (FOI), emphasizes the financial stakes involved, stating, “We are talking about bns of taxpayer dollars here.” By 2030, Swedish politicians must decide how the next generation of fighter aircraft will be developed. Three main options are on the table: allow Saab to manufacture the next aircraft, collaborate with other countries to develop a new plane, or purchase one from abroad. There is strong political support within the Parliament for Saab to continue its role in developing Swedish fighter jets, but an investigation into the available options is currently underway to inform this critical decision.
Unmanned Fighter Aircraft: The Future of Aerial Combat
At Saab, testing is already underway for the technology that will power the next generation of fighter jets, set to enter service following the retirement of the Jas Gripen E after 2050. A key question remains: should the next fighter aircraft be piloted or unmanned?
Peter Nilsson, head of a division at Saab known as Advanced Programs, believes that we will soon see a mix of both piloted and unmanned aircraft operating together. “I think we’re going to see unmanned systems flying alongside manned ones within a few years. So, a combination of both will be part of our journey forward,” he explains. His team, comprising around 250 skilled professionals, has been tasked by the Swedish government with envisioning what the next Swedish fighter might look like.
Saab is set to prototype an unmanned aircraft, exploring a variety of innovative technologies. This includes advancements in 3D-printed metals and the integration of artificial intelligence in the cockpit to alleviate the pilot’s workload, among other developments.
The stakes are high for Saab, as not being allowed to continue producing Swedish fighter jets would be a significant setback. Regardless of the political outcome, the decision will have far-reaching implications for Sweden’s defense landscape.
Elisabeth Braw, a senior researcher in security policy at the Atlantic Council think tank, highlights Sweden’s unique position in the global aerospace industry. “Sweden is one of the very few countries that manufactures fighter jets, which makes it quite unique on a global scale,” she notes.
Conclusion
As Sweden stands at a critical juncture in its defense aviation history, the choices made by its leaders will shape not only the future of the country’s military capabilities but also its standing in the global aerospace community. The discourse surrounding the next generation of fighter aircraft is not merely a matter of technological advancement; it is deeply intertwined with national security, economic investment, and international collaboration. (Source: Google/https://nord.news/)
06 Jan 25. No air defense: Six Spanish Santa Maria class ships at risk. The Spanish Navy is making a bold move by retiring its aging SM-1 surface-to-air missiles, long stationed aboard the F-80 frigates. This decision marks the end of an era for the Santa Maria-class ships, which now find themselves without the critical long-range air defense they once
officially entering the demilitarization phase. This step, confirmed through recently accessed Spanish documents linked to a December contract with defense giant Indra, reflects a broader shift in naval strategy. Indra’s task will now include the upkeep of the Mouga workshop’s inventory, covering everything from torpedoes to auxiliary support gear.
What’s intriguing is the timing. Just a few months ago, in mid-2023, the SM-1 was still part of the Navy’s active maintenance list, according to another Indra contract. The sudden pivot raises questions about the Navy’s future plans for these frigates, which have played a pivotal role in Spain’s maritime defense for decades.
With the SM-1 out of the picture, the Santa Maria-class frigates are now left exposed to airborne threats. Designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, these vessels will no longer have the long-range missile shield that the SM-1 provided. The implications are significant: without a suitable replacement, these ships could become sitting ducks in a high-threat environment.
The retired SM-1s—considered cutting-edge in their heyday—are now labeled obsolete, with Lockheed Martin having long ceased their support. This obsolescence leaves a gap in the Navy’s defense capabilities that must be filled, and quickly.
Meanwhile, the Navy is not entirely leaving its air defense to chance. Indra’s new framework agreement includes the maintenance and fine-tuning of more modern missile systems, like the SM-2 Block IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, and the ESSM RIM-162, deployed on the newer F-100 frigates. There’s also attention being given to the MK-46 Mod5A torpedoes used by both the F80 and F100 classes.
This contract, with a budget of 1.6 m euros over two years, underscores the ongoing commitment to maintaining a robust naval arsenal. However, the Navy acknowledges that the list of equipment under Indra’s care might evolve, depending on the introduction of new systems or the phasing out of old ones. Any such changes will be coordinated with Indra, ensuring flexibility in the face of rapidly changing defense needs.
The bigger question looming over this development is how the Spanish Navy plans to backfill the capability gap left by the SM-1’s retirement. Will there be a new system, or is a more comprehensive overhaul of the Santa Maria-class ships on the horizon? One thing’s for sure: the Navy’s strategic choices in the coming months will be critical to maintaining its operational readiness and regional influence.
The Santa Maria-class frigates are a vital component of the Spanish Navy, representing a modified version of the American Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates. These vessels were constructed between the 1980s and early 1990s, with the Spanish shipyard Bazán, now Navantia, leading the production. (Source: News Now/https://bulgarianmilitary.com/)
03 Jan 25. Turkish aerospace and defence industry achieves record export growth in 2024. The Turkish aerospace and defence industry recorded exports totalling USD 7.154bn USD in 2024. This marks an increase of USD 1.6bn USD, or 29%, compared to the previous year. The export performance significantly exceeded projections, which had anticipated revenues between USD 6.5bn and USD 6.7bn USD. The industry now exports its products, including armaments, military equipment, and services, to 180 countries worldwide. This success is attributed to strong state support, which has fostered international collaboration without imposing substantial political restrictions. Both state-owned and private companies have contributed to the industry’s global achievements. Technological advancements in Turkish products have been steadily increasing year-on-year. A notable acceleration occurred after the imposition of economic sanctions by the United States and allied nations, spurring domestic innovation. (Source: Google/https://defence-industry.eu/)
03 Jan 25. Türkiye begins work on MUGEM carrier, TF-2000 destroyer, MILDEN Sub. Ceremonies marked the start of construction that took place at Istanbul Naval Shipyard for MUGEM and TF-2000. This upward trajectory is anticipated to continue, with the budget expected to reach $73.2bn by 2029, equating to a CAGR of 16.4%. The acquisition budget for Türkiye’s defence is set at $8.3bn for 2024 and is forecasted to increase from $7.6bn in 2025 to $12.5bn by the end of the 2025–29 period. Türkiye has also recently obstructed the passage of Ukraine’s new mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs), which were donated by the UK to enhance the Ukrainian Navy’s coastal defence capabilities. (Source: naval-technology.com)
USA
08 Jan 25. Lockheed Martin delivers 110 F-35 fighter jets in 2024. Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) delivered a total of 110 F-35 fighter jets to the United States and its allies in 2024, the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense contractor said in a statement on Wednesday. The delivery total achieves the higher end of the range of 75 to 110 jet deliveries CEO Jim Taiclet gave in an earnings call last summer. Lockheed lifted its sales target in July after the Pentagon resumed taking F-35 deliveries following a months-long pause on delays on its software upgrade. Lockheed has been upgrading the jets under the Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3 program, which gives the F-35 better displays and processing power. Lockheed’s F-35 program contributes around 30% of the company’s revenue.
“Lockheed Martin is fully committed to advancing and delivering unmatched air dominance solutions to the United States and our allies, helping to ensure America continues to own the skies,” the company said in a statement. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
04 Jan 25. US plans $8bn arms sale to Israel, US official says. The administration of President Joe Biden has notified Congress of a proposed $8 bn arms sale to Israel, a U.S. official said on Friday, with Washington maintaining support for its ally whose war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands. The deal would need approval from the House of Representatives and Senate committees and includes munitions for fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as artillery shells, Axios reported earlier. The package also includes small-diameter bombs and warheads, according to Axios. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment. Protesters have for months demanded an arms embargo against Israel, but U.S. policy has largely remained unchanged. In August, the United States approved the sale of $20 bn in fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel. The Biden administration says it is helping its ally defend against Iran-backed militant groups like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. (Source: Reuters)
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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.
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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:
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