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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
29 Jan 25. Aiming Far and High: New DASA Market Exploration seeks revolutionary uncrewed systems.
Novel solutions are being sought by the British Army to boost the range and effectiveness of uncrewed systems
- DASA has launched a new Market Exploration called ‘Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems’
- This Market Exploration is being run on behalf of the British Army to help them identify Uncrewed Systems (UxS) capable of operating at extended ranges
- The deadline for submissions is midday 12:00 (GMT) on 5 February 2025
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Market Exploration called ‘Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems’. Run on behalf of the British Army, this Market Exploration is seeking to identify Uncrewed Systems (UxS) with extended range capabilities. They aim to discover cutting-edge UxS technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above that could potentially be deployed within the next 12 months.
Current events have demonstrated the importance of UxS in modern conflict and have shown that relatively low-cost UxS solutions can defeat more expensive systems. The UxS space is evolving at a rapid pace and, therefore, platforms and components must undergo rapid iterations to keep up with the latest battlefield adaptations and requirements. This Market Exploration reflects the growing importance of uncrewed systems in defence strategies and the need for agile, innovative solutions in the face of evolving global security challenges.
Do you have an innovation that could be of interest to the British Army? Read the full Market Exploration document and submit a proposal.
What technologies is this Market Exploration seeking?
The British Army is actively pursuing cutting-edge technologies to enhance their operational capabilities. A key initiative of this endeavour is the development of an uncrewed Deep Recce Strike platform capable of operating at ranges greater than 80 kilometers. This platform should also be able to deliver shorter-range one-way effectors onto designated targets.
In addition to its strike capabilities, the system needs to have the ability to incorporate sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) functionalities. These features will enable the identification of dynamic targets and facilitate post-strike Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA).
The British Army is seeking a solution that allows for rapid development, testing, production, deployment, and iterative improvement. To ensure longevity and adaptability, the platform should feature a modular design, providing resilience against advancements in Counter Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining operational effectiveness in EW-contested and GPS-denied environments.
Innovation capabilities that only rely on the supply chains of the UK and its allies are preferred.
Submit a proposal
Do you have an innovation that matches the requirements? Read the full Market Exploration document to learn more and submit a proposal.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
29 Jan 25. Full Operating Capability Declared for Upgraded Royal Navy Commando Merlin Helicopters.
- Upgrades completed by Leonardo working with DE&S means aircraft are “ship optimised” for global maritime deployment.
- Total of 25 AW101 “Commando Merlin” helicopters upgraded to Mk4/Mk4a standard with new Mission Planning System and benefitting from upgraded synthetic training equipment.
- FOC means Commando Merlin is fully capable of operating from a greater range of RN and RFA ships in support of 3 Commando Brigade.
Upgrades enabling Royal Navy Commando Merlin helicopters to embark in and operate from vessels anywhere in the world in support of 3 Commando Brigade – a capability called littoral strike – have achieved full operating capability (FOC).
The Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP), overseen by Defence Equipment & Support, the procurement arm of the MOD, has now fully transitioned the AW101 MK3/Mk3a Commando Merlin helicopters to a ship optimised in-service capability platform designated the Mk4/Mk4a Commando Merlin.
In total,19 Mk3 and six Mk3a Commando Merlins were upgraded to the Mk4/4a standard – ensuring the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) has the capability to provide air manoeuvre support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces, anywhere in the world.
The work was overseen by DE&S working closely with industry partner Leonardo and the Royal Navy.
The Commando Helicopter Force, the wings of the UK Commando Force, also support the Carrier Strike Group, carry out search and rescue operations and take part in counter-narcotics and anti-piracy operations, maritime security and hurricane relief support if required.
Following delivery of the final aircraft conversion in 2022, DE&S has overseen retrofit after delivery activity including integrated Mission Planning System installation and integration of type-leading Synthetic Training Equipment. The declaration of FOC confirms achievement of the Royal Navy’s requirement and the achievement of system acceptance.
Key original upgrades to the aircraft include a new folding main rotor head and folding tail which allows two of the aircraft to fit on just one of the carriers’ aircraft lifts, and an improved defensive aid suite with a system that warns against and locates hostile laser guided weapons. These upgrades and the latest system integrations contribute to the Merlin Mk4/4A’s reputation as the world’s most advanced amphibious battlefield helicopter.
Capt Neil Mathieson RN Merlin DT Team Leader at DE&S: “The key difference between the Mk3/Mk3a and the new variant is the fact that the Mk4/Mk4a has been fully ‘ship optimised’ to allow it to in embark and more efficiently operate from Royal Navy vessels. This means that the Mk4/Mk4a aircraft are globally deployable for all maritime operations. There have been significant changes to enable this, including a new folding main rotor head and folding tail. In addition, a brand-new suite of avionics has been integrated and obsolescence removed, aligning the cockpit to the Mk2 and extending the life of the platform to 2030.”
Clive Scott, SVP UK Business, Leonardo Helicopters UK: “Our workforce is proud to have delivered these upgrades for the Royal Navy Merlin fleet from our site in Yeovil, the Home of British Helicopters. Decades of investment in the site have ensured that we have the highly-specialised design skills onshore, meaning we can modify helicopters to UK specifications and help preserve our nation’s Freedom of Action and Operational Independence. The AW101 sets the standard for maritime operations and, as well as being one of the UK Armed Forces’ core helicopters, has been acquired by allies including Japan, Italy and Poland. Our export customers benefit from continuous investment in the platform, as well as their ability to interoperate with the Royal Navy.”
The synthetic trainer includes two new pilot simulators, a procedures trainer and a rear crew training device, employing augmented reality systems. For the first time, this is co-located at RNAS Yeovilton with CHF providing a step change in training capability for new aircrew and front-line mission training.
Merlin is now cleared to operate from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, Type 23 frigates, Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and will operate from the Type 45 destroyer.
Littoral manoeuvre, sometimes termed littoral strike, is the term applied to amphibious operations – using both air and surface craft – that are launched from a ship to an objective.
An example would be aircraft deployed from the deck of a ship flying to complete its operation (usually land based) and then returning to the ship.
The upgrade has enabled Merlin to be a more effective component in the future conduct of littoral manoeuvre operations, allowing the CHF to generate, sustain and field a more modern aviation capability.
In addition to the operational benefits, the aircraft now share a higher commonality across all marks of Merlin with an upgraded cockpit and avionics suite that provides efficiencies within supply chains, effective maintenance cross platform knowledge and training while also enabling further interoperability when deployed.
MLSP was delivered through a single source contract with Leonardo worth £399m.
28 Jan 25. Threat detection systems on Royal Navy warships upgraded.
More than 200 UK jobs will be supported through a new contract to boost the Royal Navy’s warship combat systems and increase their ability to track, analyse and respond to threats in combat.
More than 200 UK jobs will be supported through a new contract to boost the Royal Navy’s warship combat systems and increase their ability to track, analyse and respond to threats in combat.
The contract, worth £285m, has been awarded to BAE Systems, to maintain and modernise vital combat management systems (CMS) on Royal Navy vessels, including Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and Type 26 frigates.
Such systems provide warship crews with all the information they need to track, analyse and respond to threats in combat. The contract will support hundreds of jobs across the UK delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP said: “This significant investment in our industry is another example of how our Government is making defence an engine for growth. We are strengthening the UK’s defences while supporting growth, with hundreds of high-skilled jobs, to help deliver on our Plan for Change. By working with British industry we’re ensuring our Royal Navy has the advanced technology it needs while strengthening our domestic defence industrial base.”
The project, dubbed RECODE (Real-time Combat System Open Data Enablers), will sustain more than 200 highly skilled UK jobs at BAE Systems in Filton, Dorchester, New Malden, Frimley and Portsmouth. It will also create additional investment in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and high-tech suppliers across the UK.
The CMS is the primary method for Royal Navy operators to interact with weapons and sensors. The system supports operators in their Decide and Enable functions by providing a range of tools including:
- Situation awareness.
- Tactical picture compilation.
- Threat evaluation and weapon assignment.
- Navigation and blind pilotage.
- Weapon direction and control.
The upgrades announcement comes just a week after the Royal Navy was tracking a Russian spy ship, Yantar, in British waters. The Royal Navy was able to follow its every move before the Russian ship left for the Mediterranean waters. Crucial upgrades such as RECODE will further improve the Royal Navy’s crucial deterrence capabilities.
This builds on the strategic aims of the Government’s upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, aligning national security with a high-growth economy to support the Plan for Change.
The combat management systems provide Royal Navy crews with essential situational awareness and operational capabilities. The new contract builds on 25 years of BAE Systems’ combat management expertise supporting the Royal Navy.
The Government is developing a full Defence Industrial Strategy, which the Defence Secretary launched in December, to ensure Defence is an engine for UK growth. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
28 Jan 25. BAE Systems has been awarded a £285m contract by the Ministry of Defence to support the Royal Navy’s Shared Infrastructure, Combat Management Systems (CMS) and warship networks.
RECODE is an eight-year programme ensuring the Navy’s fleet is armed and ready for evolving military challenges. It is tailored to meet the Royal Navy’s future operational needs and will deliver a modernisation programme at pace to enable the agile deployment of capabilities.
The contract award builds on 13 years of collaboration with the Royal Navy in which the BAE Systems’ CMS is used across a wide range of naval assets.
The core elements of RECODE include:
- Maintaining high levels of safety, security and availability of combat systems across 20 Royal Navy ships. Architectural and capability changes delivered directly to the fleet to keep pace with the operational tempo.
- Delivering BAE Systems’ CMS on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, Type 45 destroyers and Type 26 frigates. The whole RECODE enterprise will adopt the engineering principles of DevSecOps1, with security integrated at every phase of the software development and operational lifecycle. This agile methodology will deliver the best CMS capability in the shortest amount of time.
- A new collaborative working philosophy with DE&S Maritime Combat Systems and Navy Command which will mean closer working, joint decision-making and increased communication and collaboration between both parties.
RECODE will support more than 200 highly-skilled jobs at BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business across the Company’s sites in Filton, Dorchester, New Malden, Frimley and Portsmouth. It will also create additional investment in UK SME and high-tech suppliers across the UK.
Steve Carter, Naval Ships Combat Systems Director, BAE Systems, said: “RECODE represents a huge stride forward in our partnership with the Royal Navy and will help to realise warfare capability of the future. The global threat picture, advances in commercial technology and the immense volume of data available to crews means we need to become even more ambitious and far-reaching in our services and support. We are excited and privileged to secure this programme that will sit at the heart of the Navy’s ambition to be a protean force.”
Commodore Phil Game, Interim Director of Sense, Decide and Communicate, DE&S, said: “We are pleased to announce that this essential programme is underway to sustain the current Combat Management Systems on board in-service Royal Navy vessels, to enhance their capability and make them fit for the future. This new programme will take on proactive management of obsolescence, ensuring that at its core it is evergreen, robust and flexible. Through our close collaborative work with industry colleagues, this contract will also help to upskill the programme’s workforce and sustain UK jobs. The improvements made will be instrumental in making the UK Royal Navy more agile and more capable in our rapidly changing global Defence environment.”
Captain Kevin Miller, Combat Systems Design Authority and Surface Ships Combat Systems Group Team Leader, Royal Navy, said: “We have a long and successful history with Naval Ships Combat Systems and RECODE represents an important next phase of our collaboration. Today’s challenging landscape means we must adapt and evolve at pace. Agility is at the heart of the programme in three ways – equipment to maintain our capability, process so we can adapt that capability at the pace of relevance and a mindset to ensure we deliver. Those are the key facets that will enable the military advantage our crews are relying on.”
27 Jan 25. UK monitoring demand for new Typhoon fighter jets. The Ministry of Defence is evaluating the future demand for the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4+, both domestically and internationally, according to a written parliamentary response from Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence. The assessment, perfectly routine and normal, is part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review, which examines the future capability and relevance of the UK’s combat air fleet. Responding to a question from Ian Roome, Liberal Democrat MP for North Devon, regarding the potential demand for the Typhoon Tranche 4+, Eagle stated that “the Ministry of Defence continually reviews the demand for Combat Aircraft, including through the ongoing Strategic Defence Review.” She noted that future combat aircraft will need to operate in increasingly demanding threat environments, making such evaluations essential for maintaining the UK’s operational edge. Despite the emergence of 5th generation aircraft like the F-35, the UK remains committed to sustaining and upgrading the Typhoon to meet modern challenges. Eagle explained, “The UK is committed to upgrades to ensure the Typhoon aircraft remains competitive into the future, including the introduction of the European Common Radar Standard 2 radar.” The minister highlighted the role of the UK’s Combat Air strategy in determining the balance between 4th and 5th generation aircraft. She emphasised the importance of delivering a “relevant and capable force mix” to counter evolving threats. These efforts ensure that the Typhoon remains a cornerstone of UK airpower alongside newer platforms. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/) (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
USA
29 Jan 25. U.S. Space Force Rapid Capabilities Office selects companies for tech accelerator. The Space RCO tapped 10 companies for its inaugural Prime Fusion Pilot Accelerator. The U.S. Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) announced Jan. 29 it selected 10 companies to participate in its inaugural Prime Fusion Pilot Accelerator Program, an initiative aimed at fast-tracking technologies to protect military satellites from orbital threats. The program, run in partnership with defense contractor FedTech, is designed to identify emerging space technologies that could enhance the safety of satellites in orbit. Space RCO, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, focuses on the rapid acquisition and delivery of critical space systems. The accelerator will focus on satellite defense technologies, including onboard satellite sensors, anomaly detection software, and ground-based tracking systems to monitor and report potential threats such as space debris and adversarial activity.
“The goal is to seamlessly integrate new and innovative technologies into satellites offered by prime integrators, creating adaptable space assets with built-in awareness,” the Space RCO said in a statement on Jan. 29.
The Space RCO, established by Congress in 2018, serves as a specialized unit within the Space Force dedicated to the expedited development and deployment of space capabilities.
Companies team up
The accelerator’s first cohort consists of five two-company teams, each bringing specialized expertise in satellite technology and situational awareness:
Active Vigilance – Turion Space: Active Vigilance specializes in automated onboard anomaly detection. Turion Space develops spacecraft capable of docking and maneuvering.
Digantara – Anduril: India-based Digantara is focused on space situational awareness, using a network of nanosatellites and a cloud-based analytics platform to track and assess space debris. Anduril Industries, a U.S. defense technology firm, is known for integrating artificial intelligence into defense systems.
Geost – Impulse Space: Geost manufactures space domain awareness payloads that track and identify objects in space. Impulse Space specializes in in-space transportation.
Raptor Dynamix – True Anomaly: Raptor Dynamix, a defense contractor leveraging AI for geospatial intelligence, teams up with True Anomaly, which develops spacecraft designed for military orbital operations and space domain awareness.
TRL11 – BlackVe: TRL11 is working to bring full-motion video capabilities to space for applications like satellite docking and debris removal. BlackVe focuses on developing spacecraft technologies for military applications.
The accelerator will culminate in a March 2025 pitch event in Albuquerque, where teams will present their solutions to Space RCO leadership and industry representatives. (Source: glstrade.com/Space News)
28 Jan 25. Predator drone maker asks Musk’s DOGE to cut Pentagon red tape, letter shows. A leading defense manufacturer has asked the Trump administration to reform the Pentagon’s contracting system, saying it was too slow and bureaucratic to combat threats from China and Iran, a letter reviewed by Reuters showed. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. sent the letter dated January 24 to billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has been tasked with streamlining U.S. government efficiency as co-head of the Department of Operational Guidance and Efficiency. The company, which makes the popular Predator drone, joins a growing list of firms that have viewed the DOGE efficiency panel as a route to lobby for the removal of rules that slow the sale of military equipment. L3Harris Technologies (LHX.N), one of the world’s biggest defense contractors, called on the panel to reform the Pentagon’s contracting system earlier this month, citing similar concerns. In the letter, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems CEO Linden Blue urged Musk to reform the defense acquisition system to enhance its efficiency and contribution to national security. (Source: Reuters)
28 Jan 25. US Army issues OASIS+ contract opportunity special notice for C-UAS. The United States Army, via the Department of Defense, has issued a contract opportunity special notice for counter-uncrewed aerial systems solutions. The notice serves to inform industry of two upcoming potential acquisitions that are going to be solicited off of the OASIS+ Vehicle. The two acquisitions are the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) SETA Support-Recompete & the Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineering (MSSE) SETA Support-Recompete. The current incumbent for the C-UAS is Axient LLC. OASIS+, or One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus, is a suite of governmentwide, multi-award contracts designed to support federal agencies’ procurement requirements. The contract base period is five years with one option period of five years that may extend the cumulative contract ordering period to 10 years.
Responses are required by January 30.
- Contract Opportunity
o General Information
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ACC-RSA Secure Environment Contracting (SEC) OASIS+ Opportunities
Active
Contract Opportunity
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Department/Ind. Agency
DEPT OF DEFENSE
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DEPT OF THE ARMY
General Information
- Contract Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Original)
- Original Published Date: Jan 16, 2025 12:22 pm CST
- Original Response Date: Jan 30, 2025 03:00 pm CST
- Inactive Policy: 15 days after response date
- Original Inactive Date: Feb 14, 2025
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Redstone Arsenal, AL
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Description
ACC-RSA SEC EXPRESS/OASIS Contracting Branch is issuing this Special Notice to inform industry of two upcoming potential acquisitions that are going to be solicited off of the OASIS+ Vehicle. The two acquisitions are the Counter-Unmanned Airial Systems (C-UAS) SETA Support-Recompete & the Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineering (MSSE) SETA Support-Recompete. The attached PDF pipeline provides an estimated ceiling range, historical information, ACC POCs, and estimated Milestones for these acquisitions.
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ACC-RSA SEC OASIS Plus Opportunities.pdf (opens in new window)
63 KB
Public
Jan 16, 2025
Contact Information
Primary Point of Contact
- Brandon Lee
- Phone Number520-714-9204
Secondary Point of Contact
- Latoya Pryor
- Phone Number520-725-7470
History
- Jan 16, 2025 12:22 pm CSTSpecial Notice (Original)
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info
24 Jan 25. US arms exports hit record in 2024 on Ukraine-related demand.
- Summary
- Ukraine and Israel conflicts underpin global demand
- Jets, drones, helicopters, tanks and air defenses popular
- Foreign military sales up 45.7%
- Direct commercial sales up 27.5%
U.S. military equipment sales to foreign governments in 2024 surged 29% to a record $318.7bn, the State Department said on Friday, as countries sought to replenish stocks sent to Ukraine and prepare for major conflicts. The figures from the Biden administration’s final year underpin expectations of stronger sales for U.S. weapons makers like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman, whose shares are forecast to climb amid rising global instability. During his presidential campaign, Republican Donald Trump said allies should spend more on their own defenses. Trump wants other members of NATO to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense – a huge increase from the current 2% goal and a level that no NATO country, including the United States, currently reaches. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
30 Jan 25. WA state government launches new Defence and Defence Industry Strategy. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook and WA Minister for Defence Industry Paul Papalia CSC have formally launched the WA state government’s long-awaited Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025 to boost local jobs growth and enhance the state’s position as a defence industry hub. The Cook Labor government has unveiled its Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025, an ambitious plan aimed at driving local jobs and strengthening Western Australia’s role in the national defence sector. The WA government has made significant strides by establishing the defence industry portfolio, creating Defence West, appointing a senior retired military officer as a defence advocate, and releasing the first Defence and Defence Industry Strategy in 2018.
Premier Cook said, “WA’s defence industry continues to go from success to success, and through the new Defence and Defence Industry Strategy we aim to grow the sector’s presence and create more jobs for Western Australians.”
These efforts have firmly positioned Western Australia as a key player in Australia’s sovereign defence capability, ensuring the state’s strategic importance continues to grow. At the core of this, the Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025 also outlined six key pillars in partnership with the Commonwealth, the Department of Defence and the defence industry:
- Workforce
- Infrastructure
- Industry
- Community
- Research and innovation
- Veterans
Premier Cook added, “Our state is set to become home to the largest naval shipbuilding and sustainment location in the southern hemisphere, and we will need thousands of skilled workers to support its operations.”
The updated 2025 strategy sets out a long-term vision for WA’s defence and industry landscape through to 2040, with a strong focus on Western Australia’s critical role in homeporting Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
“The industry has already seen more than 1,000 jobs created in Western Australia since AUKUS came into effect, and through this strategy we aim to grow that figure to 10,000,” Premier Cook said.
Minister Papalia expanded on the comments made by Premier Cook, stating, “The release today of the Defence Industry Strategy is an enormously significant outcome for the state’s defence industry. I have advocated tirelessly for Western Australia to get a greater share of the shipbuilding and submarine sustainment work.”
Recognising the growth path of the defence industry in the state, the WA government’s strategy identifies a number of key objectives to deliver by 2040, including:
- Be the homeport and sustainment location for Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered sovereign submarines delivered under AUKUS (Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) Pillar 1 and continue to homeport and sustain Collins Class conventional submarines through to retirement.
- Continue to host Australia’s largest operational naval base and provide sustainment for the Navy’s surface fleet, including the new Hunter Class and general-purpose frigates, and deliver highly capable maritime capabilities to the Navy and Army in support of the Australian government’s continuous naval shipbuilding enterprise.
- Be established as a vital contributor to the nation’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance production capability, including substantial weapons and ordnance stockpile sites.
- Host robust and resilient defence capabilities in northern WA, aligned to the Australian government’s defence priorities.
Minister Papalia added, “As a result of the advocacy, the state succeeded in both securing depot-level sustainment of nuclear-powered submarines, alongside a continuous naval shipbuilding guarantee from the Commonwealth. These successes will allow us to build a globally significant defence industry that will provide high-paying jobs to Western Australia’s young people for generations to come.”
It is anticipated that these central pillars, combined with the priority objectives, will steer the state towards achieving each of the 2040 outcomes.
The Western Australian government is committed to contributing meaningfully to the nation’s defence priorities and needs as well as advancing the state’s defence industry while ensuring significant benefits for local industries and communities, including veterans.
The full Defence and Defence Industry Strategy 2025 is available here: https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2025-01/wa_defence_and_defence_industry_strategy_2025_final.pdf
(Source: Defence Connect)
29 Jan 25. The Royal Thai Navy aims to purchase two frigates, with a budget for fiscal year 2026, will likely to receive parliamentary approval. On January 18, at the National Memorial, Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, provided an update on the progress of procuring two frigates. He stated that the process is currently in the budgeting phase, which exceeds 1 bn baht and requires Cabinet approval before being forwarded to Parliament for consideration. The decision will rest with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who will evaluate the proposal. If necessary, the Navy is prepared to provide further clarification.
“I believe the public and the government alike will agree on the need for these frigates to strengthen naval capabilities and safeguard maritime sovereignty. Our naval power has been declining year by year. Without reinforcements, neighboring countries may no longer respect our position,” he stated. When asked if he was confident the procurement would pass all parliamentary stages, Admiral Jirapol said it depends on lawmakers’ understanding of the Navy’s roles and responsibilities. “We are making every effort to communicate our position clearly and are optimistic that the proposal will ultimately be approved,” he said. (Source: Asian Defence)
27 Jan 25. Brazilian Army RFI for Special Vehicles. The Brazilian Army has just announced an RFI (Request for Information) for the acquisition of Special Engineering Vehicles, marking a significant step towards the modernization of its engineering capabilities. This is urgent news for military defense engineering companies looking to expand their presence in the Brazilian market and participate in high-impact projects. The RFI requests quotes for newly manufactured vehicles, with detailed specifications that will be provided to interested companies. This is an invitation to present innovative and high-quality solutions aligned with the needs of the Brazilian Army.
Participation in this RFI offers companies the opportunity to:
Access a major contract: The Brazilian Army is one of the largest buyers of defense equipment in the region.
Showcase your technology: Demonstrate what your company does best in developing cutting-edge engineering vehicles.
Establish strategic partnerships: Build connections with a major customer and strengthen your position in the market.
Contribute to national security: Actively participate in the development of Brazil’s infrastructure and military capabilities. (Source: Paulo Dominonni via LinkedIn)
28 Jan 25. KDX-II modernization to enhance South Korea’s combat readiness amid rising maritime tensions, says GlobalData.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has launched a significant performance improvement program (PIP) for its Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers (KDX-II), aiming to modernize critical systems and enhance combat readiness. The KDX-II upgrade underscores South Korea’s focus on leveraging indigenous technologies to maintain a modern and effective naval fleet amid rising regional maritime tensions, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest Fleet Size dashboard reveals that approximately 23% of the Republic of Korea Navy’s fleet comprises vessels with an average age exceeding 20 years. The KDX-II upgrade program is part of a broader effort to modernize South Korea’s naval fleet, ensuring it remains capable of countering emerging threats from adversarial forces.
Harpreet Sidhu, Aerospace and Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The replacement of outdated combat systems with advanced domestic alternatives is particularly significant, as it aligns with South Korea’s ambition to establish itself as a regional naval manufacturing powerhouse.
“With North Korea’s increasingly complex undersea threats and growing range of ballistic missiles arsenal, the integration of advanced sonar and missile systems improves anti-submarine and air-defense capabilities of the destroyer fleet. Additionally, this upgrade addresses vulnerabilities that were made public during high-profile exercises such as the RIMPAC 2022, where weaknesses around operational readiness owing to system malfunctions were brought to light.”
A key point to note in the PIP program is the simultaneous integration of advanced domestic technologies and selective reliance on critical components like the MK 99 fire-control system procured via Foreign Military Sales (FMS). This hybrid approach supplements local innovations by utilizing relationships with global OEMs, thus reflecting a more nuanced strategy.
Sidhu concludes: “While the current program does not include a radar upgrade, it leaves room for future enhancements such as integrating advanced AESA radar systems like SPS-560K or AN/SPY-7. This multi-phased strategy demonstrates South Korea’s intention to develop capabilities of its naval platforms in line with technological breakthroughs it achieves over the future years, guaranteeing the fleet’s long-term viability.
“The KDX-II upgrades, in essence, are not just about modernizing older naval platforms, but are a cornerstone of South Korea’s broader strategy to assert its presence in the increasingly contested waters of the Indo-Pacific.” (Source: GlobalData)
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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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