Sponsored by
https://ieeinc.com/
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
18 Feb 25. UK MoD issues tender notice for Project Wayfind. The project’s objective is to explore alternative sources of position, navigation, and time. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched a tender notice for Project Wayfind, a programme aimed at countering the disruption of global navigation and positioning systems (GPS or equivalent) signals in uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV). With a budget of up to £10m ($12.59m), the project is aimed to be executed over a two-month period. Project Wayfind is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of multi- position, navigation, and time (PNT)-sensor fusion engines and establish a common data standard such as all source position and navigation for these systems. The initiative is concerned with enhancing the operation of (UAVs) in scenarios where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) functionality is compromised. The Space Delivery Team, which oversees the project, is searching for an industry partner capable of identifying existing PNT sensor fusion products and alternative PNT sensors, as well as collating and disseminating information about their performance and availability. The selected partner will be responsible for organising and conducting repeated trials to gather solid evidence of the performance of these products and sensors under GNSS-challenged conditions. The Space Delivery Team plans to award short-term contracts, each lasting six weeks, to an estimated five suppliers. These preliminary contracts will serve as a basis for selecting one or more suppliers for a full-term contract, anticipated to last between one and two years. The procurement process will not include options within the short-term contracts. In the tender notice, UK MoD stated that “the Wayfinder short-term contract will be run primarily at OFFICIAL with an option to use higher classification of information, if the preferred supplier is able to operate at that level of classification”. The ministry added that “the Cyber Risk Level for the short-term contract has been assessed as Not Applicable. As the Statement of Work for the main contract is still being finalised, the Cyber Risk Level for the main-contract will be identified and communicated at the appropriate point of industry engagement”. This comes after the UK MoD awarded Airbus’ Defence and Space division the Oberon satellite system contract, boosting the armed forces’ access to new space-based imagery earlier this month. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
17 Feb 25. Armed Forces seeking new 5.56mm lightweight machine gun for dismounted troops. Procurement officials at the Ministry of Defence have issued an open tender to purchase a new lightweight assault machine gun for dismounted troops. The notice, under the name Project Troubler, says: “The Authority is running a project to procure a 5.56mm lightweight (current system 7.1kg) assault machine gun capability for the dismounted user.” In 2018 the MOD confirmed it was dropping the use of the L110 A2 Light Machine Gun (LMG), which is better known to personnel as the Minimi. This weapon weighs 7.2kg and saw widespread use in Afghanistan and Iraq. FN Herstal’s latest Mark 3 variant of the Minimi weighs around 8kg and would not meet the criteria of the procurement notice due to its weight. However, some defence commentators have suggested a likely contender to replace the Minimi would be FN Herstal’s brand new FN Evolys Ultralight Machine Gun. This has been developed in two calibres, 5.56x45mm Nato and 7.62x51mm Nato ammunition. According to the manufacturer, the FN Evolys 5.56mm has a much lighter weight of approximately 5.5kg, while the 7.62mm variant weighs 6.3kg. FN says it “fires like a machine gun, handles like a rifle”. Nato ammunition refers to the standardised cartridges that are designed to certain size specifications for use by all Nato armed forces members. This reduces the logistical challenge of having to providing many different calibres and in theory means any soldier can be issued with another nation’s ammunition on the battlefield. The new contract is valued at up to £4m and weapons manufacturers and suppliers have until 24 March 2025 to submit their proposals. No details have been given on when any new weapon system will enter service or be trialled, however a contract start date of 1 June 2026 was provided in the notice. (Source: forces.net)
BATTLESPACE Comment: The Editor fired the FN Evolys at Close Combat Symposium (CCS) 2023 and 24 It is lightwright, easily deployed with excellent balance and control surfaces, easy to operete and very accurate.
12 Feb 25. UK government seeks pocket-sized drone detectors for urban, rural environments. His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC) is seeking uncrewed aerial system (UAS) detectors that are small enough to fit inside a pocket or a hand. HMGCC’s Co-Creation unit, which invites applications from industry and academia to help solve national security problems, has set up the challenge.
“There have been high profile news reports detailing the use of off–the-shelf and disposable UAS used in international conflicts as well as to disrupt life here in the UK,” HMGCC says. “There is constant innovation in the disruptive use of UAS, with motivations including examples such as secret surveillance or even damage leading to casualties. The first stage to countering the UAS threat, is to detect their presence. To scale this across national security, a miniaturised UAS detector, ideally that fits in a pocket and alerts the user, is required to operate in rural and urban environments.”
The team wants to hear from organisations who are developing miniature devices to detect UAS. The challenge is not interested in devices used to disrupt or effect UAS flight paths. Organisations are being asked to apply if, over a 12 week period, they can develop and demonstrate technology to meet this challenge. HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses. Applications are now open and close on February 20. The challenge has a total budget of up to GBP 60,000. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
EUROPE
14 Feb 25. Brussels to exempt defence spending from EU budget constraints.
- Summary
- EU to propose suspending spending limits for defence investments
- US has pressed for increased NATO military expenditure
- Move would have wider implications for government spending
- Concerns over market reaction; Italy hails step towards joint financing
The European Commission will propose exempting defence from EU limits on government spending, the head of the EU executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Friday, amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for Europe to finance its own defence.
The U.S. wants European members of NATO to more than double military expenditure to prepare for a potential Russian attack, rather than counting on help from Washington, because the U.S. is now more focused on threats from China.
Von der Leyen said the lifting of restrictions on defence spending would follow the same logic as the removal of borrowing limits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I believe we are now in another period of crisis which warrants a similar approach. This is why I can announce that I will propose to activate the escape clause for defence investments,” she said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference. (Source: Reuters)
14 Feb 25. Polish officials offer US more defense buys, joint ammo production. As Poland’s defense budget is set to reach an unprecedented level in the country’s history, at 4.7 percent of gross domestic product, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on countries in the region to similarly ramp up their military expenditures. Polish defense leaders, in turn, said they want to engage the U.S. industry in joint ammunition manufacturing. On the last leg of his European tour, during which he also stopped in Germany and Belgium, Hegseth visited Poland where he held talks on Friday with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the country’s deputy prime minister and defense minister. In the aftermath of Russia’s attack against Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has positioned itself as one of the invaded country’s staunchest allies. Warsaw has delivered large volumes of weapons and gear to Kyiv, but also pushed for Ukraine’s future accession to the alliance. However, on Feb. 12, two days before Hegseth’s talks in Warsaw, Kosiniak-Kamysz conceded during a press conference in Brussels that, as Washington opposes inviting Ukraine to join NATO, “there will be no such invitation.” In Warsaw, Hegseth praised Poland for continuing to raise its defense spending, saying the country was “leading by example on a lot of things.”
“I do want to emphasize that it’s quite intentional that our first European bilateral is right here, in Poland. The symbolism is not lost. In fact, it is intentional,” Hegseth said at a joint press conference with Kosiniak-Kamysz. “We see Poland as the model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense, but in our shared defense, and the defense of the continent.”
In 2025, the Polish government plans to spend a total of PLN 186.6bn ($47.1bn) on the country’s military. This would represent an increase of PLN 27.8bn compared with a year earlier, according to data released by the Polish Ministry of National Defence.
“Europe must spend more to protect its territory better. The United States wants to cooperate, and the United States will do everything possible for the alliance to be stronger. But Europe also must demonstrate its contribution,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
The deputy prime minister also said his country is preparing “further acquisitions in the United States” for its military.
“We also want to develop the cooperation of our defense industries, we also talked about that. Investments in joint ventures, Polish-American investments to increase the capabilities for our production, especially the capacity to produce ammunition,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
The Polish official gave a nod to his country’s new fund of around PLN 3bn ($758m) to support investments by domestic and foreign players in expanding the country’s ammunition manufacturing capacities, with a particular focus on 155 mm artillery shells. Hegseth replied that Washington is looking for additional ways to intensify the U.S. defense industry’s cooperation with Poland, and mentioned a number of major defense contracts Poland has awarded to the U.S. over the past years.
“Apaches, F-35s, HIMARS, Patriots, you name it. The more you have, the stronger we are,” he said. “The more we can cooperate with those systems, the more interoperable our capabilities are, the better.”
“We’re looking for new ways to partner. You mentioned joint ventures, strategic partnerships. We are open” to such cooperation, Hegseth said.
Following Duda’s meeting with Hegseth on the same day, the Polish president’s office released a statement in which it said local officials are looking forward to the forthcoming visit by retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s special envoy for the war in Ukraine. Kellogg is expected to visit Poland to discuss “the beginning of serious talks on stopping Russian aggression against Ukraine,” Duda was quoted in the statement. (Source: Defense News)
USA
19 Feb 25. Pentagon’s $96m wearable contract sparks protest, accusations of vendor preference. In January, WHOOP issued a second, previously unreported, protest over what it says is DoD preference for Oura rings. A response is due by mid-April. A contract to provide the Defense Health Agency (DHA) with ms of dollars of biometric trackers has been hit with a second protest, with accusations that the agency is seeking to tailor the contract to give it to a preferred vendor. The issue puts a spotlight on the Pentagon’s attempts to work with new technology firms, and has raised the ire of a member of Congress — all against the looming backdrop of expected cuts to acquisition programs at the Department of Defense, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, team get the knives out. Last August, the DHA put up a notice on the government contracting site Sam.gov, announcing it was going to sole-source a $96m contract for wearable devices and a “wellbeing platform” to Ouraring, the US subsidiary of Finnish firm Oura Health. The wellbeing platform refers to a system that takes data from a user’s wearable device, for example a ring, watch or band, and creates a custom plan based on what the user’s biometrics indicate needs improvement. The company’s rings had become a popular device among members of the military during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, it seemed DHA planned to outfit its team of nurses and doctors with the items in order to better track biometric data. While $96 m isn’t major by Pentagon standards it was a big win for Oura; for comparison, its December series D round of fundraising was $200m. But it didn’t take long for the deal to hit a snag. Wearable company WHOOP contacted the Government Accountability Office, protesting the award, saying the intent to sole source lacked sufficient information. Shortly after, the DHA wrote to GAO that they were going to cancel the sole source contract and requested that the WHOOP protest be dismissed. (Breaking Defense obtained a copy and verified the protest documents.) Then, when the initial contract was cancelled, another request for information and subsequent request for proposal was posted to Sam.gov by the DHA in November and December respectively, specifying that the wearable must be a ring — something WHOOP says was designed to still hand the award over to Oura by default. DHA has acknowledged to lawmakers that Oura is the only wearable ring company that is cleared by DoD for use in secure facilities, according to documents reviewed by Breaking Defense. So in January, WHOOP issued a second, previously unreported, protest. A response is due by mid-April.
“WHOOP is eager to compete on a level playing field for the opportunity to provide wearables and wellbeing solutions to our warfighters and all those who support them. We regret that DHA leadership has decided, for no discernibly valid reason, to effectively sole source this requirement to a foreign company,” a WHOOP spokesperson wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense.
“In this case, the agency’s ‘ring-based form factor’ requirement is unnecessarily restrictive, excluding companies constituting more than 97% of the current commercial market. We hope that DHA leadership reconsiders its approach and allows innovative American companies like WHOOP to compete.”
Neither Oura nor DHA responded to requests for comment by press time.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, a member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation subcommittee, told Breaking Defense that he was alarmed by what seems to be a push to sole-source the deal.
“It is the responsibility of the Department of Defense to ensure that our warfighters have access to the newest biometric technology by spreading funding across multiple wearable biometric companies, rather than relying on a single provider,” Luttrell wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense.
“Competition drives innovation, strengthens national security, and ensures our warfighters get the best gear possible. Relying on a single provider limits options and slows progress,” he added.
When Breaking Defense asked Luttrell’s office if he plans on advising the DHA to reconsider their choice in exclusively soliciting for a ring option, a spokesperson told Breaking Defense, “Rep. Luttrell thinks that different biometric monitoring devices serve distinct purposes and exclusively investing in the Oura Ring raises concerns. Our office is reviewing the matter and will provide updates soon!”
One Ring To Rule Them All?
The Pentagon’s interest in wearable technology puts Oura and other wearable creators in good company.
According to one report, the wearable technology market size is worth roughly $70.3bn. Another report puts that number at $74.6bn. Regardless of the actual figure, it’s clear it’s a growing business — and one that the DoD can find many uses for, given the focus on health and fitness in the military.
But wearables come in many sizes and shapes, so to get the best results, the user should be given choices to find what fits best for them, Sam Howell, an associate fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), told Breaking Defense.
“Having continuous data is the most important thing. People aren’t going to wear the device unless it’s comfortable [for] them. So, I do think there is a lot of benefit in giving folks some flexibility to choose what’s most comfortable for them and their lifestyle,” said Howell.
“Another big component is they have to trust that the device is accurate, or they’re not necessarily going to put any stock in the insights that are gleaned from them, and then the whole point is kind of defeated. So if there’s a service member that, for example, trusts the Ouraring more than, let’s just say, a Garmin, I do think there’s value in allowing them to use the device they personally trust the most.”
Asked to speculate why DHA may be emphasizing the ring option, Howell said in her experience rings “probably give the most accurate heart rate reading, because it’s directly on your finger.” However, she noted that doctors usually take off rings to perform surgeries — the kind of situation where you most want biometric data, if you’re trying to understand how someone is operating at their peak.
Jerry McGinn, executive director of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University, told Breaking Defense that though there is “likely” a reason the DHA is choosing a ring, “it would be helpful if they explain their rationale in their RFI and RFP,” something both solicitations did not include.
“Whether that’s grounds for GAO to uphold the protest, I don’t know,” he added. “It is a little surprising that after the protest of the sole source award, that the government wouldn’t explain a bit more their rationale for seeking a ring solution as opposed to other solutions.”
No one involved could have realized it when the protest began, but the contract dispute may be coming at a bad time. Members of DOGE, the Elon Musk-organized group that has been actively seeking government cuts on behalf of the White House, arrived at the Pentagon this week. And while $96 m may not seem like a lot of money, it feels like everything in the so-called “fourth estate” —the parts of the Pentagon that, like DHA, don’t fall under the services — is at risk.
“I think pretty much every contract or solicitation that’s out there has got a lot of uncertainty now, so that is for darn sure,” McGinn said.
And while he said he could see reasons for the wearable contract to go through, “there’s bound to be some kind of changes” with DoD acquisition spending. Which potentially means that whomever ends up prevailing in this fitness tracker dispute may still have to sweat out if they’ll be getting their money. Source: Breaking Defense.com)
17 Feb 25. Boeing’s Air Force One program could be delayed until 2029, or later, White House official says.
- Summary
- Companies
- Supply chain issues and changing requirements cause delays
- Boeing faces over $2 bn in costs due to fixed-price contract
- Trump’s involvement may lead to further Boeing challenges
The Air Force One program may be further delayed until 2029 or years later, a senior administration official said, citing supply chain issues and changing requirements, after the White House said the project failed to deliver a new plane on time over the weekend. The delays are frustrating, but not much can be done to speed delivery, the official told Reuters, noting that Boeing faced problems getting components since some manufacturers had gone out of business. Some requirements for the aircraft had also changed, given evolving potential threats, the official said. Boeing referred questions about the schedule of the program, known as VC-25B, to the U.S. Air Force which was not immediately available for comment.
“Clearly, the president would like the airplane earlier, and so we’re working to see what could be done to accomplish that,” Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told Reuters in January.
The first aircraft was slated for delivery in December 2024, but Boeing has pushed its delivery off until at least 2027 or 2028 – towards the end of Trump’s second term in office. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
19 Feb 25. IDEX 2025: Airbus prep to propose A400M to UAE Air Force. Conversations between the two led to an understanding that a decision on the selected platform may be made in 2025. In an exclusive media briefing, Airbus revealed its intention to deliver the A400M military airlift aircraft to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when the time comes. On the margins of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025) in Abu Dhabi on 18 February, the company’s newly appointed president for Africa and the Middle East, Gabriel Semelas, was joined by the head of the programme, Gerd Weber, to offer details behind their preparations for the future bid. The A400M, known as the Atlas in UK service, can carry payload up to 37 tonnes, fly a maximum range of 4,800 nautical miles, and perform air drop tasks, among other roles. Currently, the UAE Air Force operate six C-130H transport aircraft provided by the American defence prime Lockheed Martin; the oldest of them entered service in 1981 according to intelligence from GlobalData’s ‘UAE Defense Market 2024-2029’ report.
“The A400 is a natural successor to C-130,” the duo asserted. Out of ten A400M users, only three – Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, and Spain – have not operated the alternative legacy aircraft before.
In the UK, the previous House of Commons’ Defence Committee had criticised the early retirement of C-130J seven years before its planned out-of-service date, leading members to “closely scrutinise the performance of the A400M.” Soon, the UAE will need to replace the C-130 beginning in 2028. Airbus’ conversations with the Gulf nation left the European prime with an understanding that a decision on the selected platform may be made, Weber stated, “in the course of this year”. In addition, he pointed to another fact that would attract the UAE Air Force to Atlas: “the cockpit is very familiar to the UAE, because it is basically [that of] an A330,” another Airbus tanker, three of which the UAE acquired in 2013 according to GlobalData. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
19 Feb 25. UK-India defence agreements boost ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ ambition. The UK-India strategic partnership has taken another major step forward with the formal launch of Defence Partnership – India (DP-I) and the signing of several defence agreements at Aero India 2025. Announcing DP-I, UK Defence Minister Lord Vernon Coaker opened the UK-India Defence Partnership Pavilion, establishing a dedicated programme office within the UK’s Ministry of Defence that will serve as a one-stop shop for strengthening bilateral defence collaboration between the two countries. The UK and India have today agreed to expand their collaboration on next-generation weapons with Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Thales and BDL have signed a contract that will deliver Laser Beam Riding MANPADs (LBRM), with an initial supply of High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and launchers to be delivered this year. This contract represents an important next step for UK-Indian defence co-operation in the critical area of air defence.
Lord Vernon Coaker, UK Defence Minister, said: “It was a pleasure to visit India and continue to grow our already strong defence relationship. Our Defence Partnership and the UK-India Defence Partnership Pavilion will help strengthen our cooperation further, supporting economic growth in both our countries and India’s Atmanirbhar ambition. This event showcases our collaboration in next generation capability, and the massive potential the UK and India can unlock by working together.”
Following the signing of this initial LBRM contract, both Thales and BDL will further collaborate to produce Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). This develops and expands the partnership between Indian and British industry, laying the foundation for BDL and Indian industry to form an integral part of Thales’ global supply chain. It will address mutual security concerns, create jobs in both countries and enable interoperability by both armies.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said: “India is taking significant steps in its journey to become Atmanirbhar in its defence capabilities. The UK is really looking forward to working with India as a partner of choice in supporting this ambition: collaborating on defence technologies lies at the heart of this. These are landmark agreements that support our economic growth and joint security.”
In a separate development, MBDA UK and BDL have been working together on the installation of a first of its kind Advanced Short-Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) assembly and test facility in Hyderabad, arming current fleet of India’s fighter jets as well as exporting to the world.
On the maritime front, the UK and India have signed a Statement of Intent to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s next generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. As next steps, GE Vernova and BHEL are working to develop India’s first maritime Land Based Testing Facility to deliver LPD in the water by 2030. The strengthening of UK-India partnership will directly support India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ ambition and deliver the UK Government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
17 Feb 25. Taiwan considering multi-billion dollar arms purchase from US, sources say.
- Summary
- Arms purchase could be between $7bn and $10bn, source says
- Purchase could include coastal defense missiles, HIMARS rockets, source says
- Package would send message that Taiwan is committed to its defense
Taiwan is exploring buying arms worth bns of dollars from the United States, sources briefed on the matter said, hoping to win support from the new Trump administration as China continues to apply military pressure on the island. Three sources familiar with the situation, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation, told Reuters that Taiwan is in talks with Washington. The package is meant to demonstrate to the United States that Taiwan is committed to its defense, one of the sources said. A second source said the package would include coastal defense cruise missiles and HIMARS rockets. (Source: glstrade.com/Reuters)
14 Feb 25. Turkish government racks up naval, drone deals during Asia trip. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s trip to Asia has yielded a number of defense cooperation agreements meant to bring new business to Turkish defense companies. Earlier this week, Erdoğan visited Malaysia and Indonesia before moving on to Pakistan. He is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, and Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat. In the first stop of the delegation’s visit to Malaysia, a total of 11 agreements were signed between the two countries. One of them was a preliminary acceptance letter for the procurement of multipurpose mission ships between Desan Shipyard and the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs. The commercial value of the contract has not been disclosed by the parties involved. The Malaysian government said the vessel is expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2027, and it will be capable of operating continuously for 30 days. Its onboard features include a helideck, two aerial drones and four fast interceptor boats.
“This 99-meter-long vessel, capable of carrying 70 crew members and 30 passengers, will focus on monitoring activities in the South China Sea, particularly in countering foreign vessel intrusions, illegal fishing activities, and cross-border crimes such as smuggling and human trafficking,” a senior navy official said.
The shipbuilding project is an addition to the continuing LMS batch 2 corvette construction project in Turkey, led by STM shipyard. In the second leg of his trip, Erdoğan visited Indonesia, where leaders from both nations signed 13 agreements. Among them was a joint venture pact between Republikorp and Baykar for the construction of a drone factory in Indonesia. According to the press release by Republikorp, the joint firm will focus on manufacturing and maintaining unmanned aerial vehicles. The primary products to be localized include up to 60 sets of Bayraktar TB3 and up to nine sets of Bayraktar Akinci drones. Baykar will contribute its expertise in manufacturing, technology transfer and training, while Republikorp will ensure regulatory compliance, infrastructure development, local expert certification, and integration into Indonesia’s defense ecosystem. (Source: Defense News)
14 Feb 25. India seen seeking global bids this year for 114 fighters.
- Summary
- Companies
- Effort to upgrade air force’s inventory began in 2007
- Offerings could include fifth-generation stealth jets
- Companies prepare to work with local partners
India is likely to seek bids this year for 114 multi-role fighters, two sources said, marking a major step in a process to bolster the country’s stock of combat aircraft that has gone on for nearly two decades. The project is critical for the Indian Air Force, whose squadrons of mainly Russian and ex-Soviet aircraft have fallen to 31 from an approved strength of 42 at a time when rival China is expanding its air force rapidly. On the sidelines of the Aero India aerospace exhibition in Bengaluru, many of the companies who expressed interest in 2018 – when the government last sought planemakers for the project – said they were still in the hunt.
“The Chinese are inducting modern fighters and Pakistanis are also getting some Chinese support whereas the Indian Air Force, in terms of combat squadrons, is deficient. There is no doubt about it,” said Laxman Behera, a defence expert at government-funded Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. (Source: Reuters)
14 Feb 25. Mapping South Africa’s arms exports: trends, key markets, and regional demand. South Africa’s long struggling defence industry has, in recent years, experienced somewhat of a revival. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee’s (NCACC’s) annual reports have shown that the country’s arms exports have grown yearly since 2020, with the NCACC’s 2023 annual report indicating the near doubling of exports year on year. What is particularly notable is that the industry appears to be showing significant growth in both old and new markets.
Trends in South African Arms Exports
South African defence exports have experienced growth in general: the major sources of growth can largely be ascribed to ammunition exports and to a lesser extent armoured combat vehicles as well as electronic warfare equipment. This is largely in line with global trends, with demand for munition – 155 mm shells in particular – growing significantly since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reporting that global military spending rose to $2 443 bn in 2023, “the highest level ever recorded by SIPRI.”
While the state-owned arms manufacturer Denel appears to have somewhat stabilised, the majority of South Africa’s export growth can be attributed to the private sector with companies such as Paramount Group and Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) expanding their production capabilities to keep up with the growth in international demand. This includes Rheinmetall’s decision to acquire a majority stake in the South African firm Resonant which is a “specialist in plant engineering for chemical applications.” Rheinmetall described this decision as a “response to the growing global demand in the ammunition sector and the resulting customer requirements for the construction of corresponding production facilities.”
Europe Remains a Key Market
Europe has been and remains a primary export destination for South African produced arms is due to a range of factors such as the fact that South African arms conform to NATO standards and the significant increase in European military spending since 2022. According to SIPRI, Central and Western European military spending has increased by some 10 percent between 2022 and 2023 while Eastern European countries have increased spending by approximately 31 precent during the same time period.
This being said, the primary South African export remains various types of ammunition such as Rheinmetall Denel Munitions’ 155 mm Assegai artillery ammunition as well as mortar bombs, with Germany, Estonia and Hungary all placing major orders since 2022.
Notably, in 2023 orders from Hungary and Germany represented some 24 and 26 percent of South Africa’s arms exports with Europe as a whole representing some 56% of South African arms export licences approved in 2023 by the NCACC.
Strong Growth in the African and Emerging Markets
South African defence firms have also increasingly focused their export efforts on the African and other emerging markets to drive their revenue. While neighbouring states such as Mozambique remain regular customers, defence firms such as Paramount Group and DCD Protected Mobility have been experiencing success in exporting to other African states
Unlike the European market, South African exports in Africa have largely been dominated by the export of military vehicles, such as Paramount Maatlas to Ghana, while DCD has experienced particular success through the export of their Springbok range of armoured personnel carriers and Husky mine clearance vehicles, with Côte d’Ivoire in particular placing orders exceeding R500 m recent years.
The most current figures available indicate that Africa represented some 20 percent of South Africa’s defence exports in 2023. Africa has evidently emerged as key source of growth and revenue for the South African defence industry. Other emerging markets in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East represented approximately one quarter of South Africa’s arms exports in 2023.
Middle East Demand Still Strong
While sales to Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia were lower in 2023 when compared to previous years, South African firms continue to export significant amounts of arms to the region. While the Middle East and North Africa represented approximately 8% of South African arms exports in 2023, the region represented well over a quarter of South African arms exports between 2018 and 2022, according to the various annual reports released by the NCACC.
The primary export markets for South African arms in the region remain the UAE and Saudi Arabia with orders totalling just under R5bn between 2018 and 2023 between the two of them. More recently, Türkiye has emerged as an increasingly prominent importer of South African arms, ordering some R377m worth of arms in 2023 alone.
Additionally, the Middle East remains a key market for some of South Africa’s more advance weapons systems. These range from artillery systems such as the G6 self-propelled howitzer to imaging and countermeasures equipment. It is important to note that the 2023 decline of exports to the Middle East, proportionally and in real terms, is likely reflective of cyclical pressures as similar year on year declines can be observed over the past decade.
Although the South African defence industry remains a shadow of its former self, recently the industry has, because of a range of factors, begun to see a significant uptick in its fortunes. From renewed European demand to expansion in emerging markets, the industry seems to be healthier than it has been in recent times. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–