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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
28 Feb 25. GBN at final stage of Small Modular Reactor selection process. Great British Nuclear at final stage of Small Modular Reactor selection process. Great British Nuclear (GBN) has entered the final stage of the UK’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) selection process and is on track to make final decisions in the Spring. An Invitation to Submit Final Tender (ISFT) has been issued to the four remaining vendors, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC, Holtec Britain Ltd, Rolls-Royce SMR Ltd, and Westinghouse Electric Company UK Ltd. Earlier in February, the Prime Minister pledged to put Britain back in the global race for nuclear energy, and to reform planning rules to make it easier to build fleets of SMRs in England and Wales. SMRs are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants and their modular construction could provide a way of delivering nuclear more quickly and cost-effectively. They could also be built in a greater variety of locations, and be co-located with energy-intensive industrial sites such as AI data centres.
GBN’s Chair, Simon Bowen, said: “This is an exciting moment for Great British Nuclear and the UK as we reach the final stage of the technology selection process for the Small Modular Reactor programme. Nuclear energy is vital for economic growth and delivering secure, reliable, home-generated power that is capable of meeting future demand, enabling Net Zero, and reducing the UK’s dependence on importing fossil fuels. Since GBN was launched in 2023, the team has made huge strides in delivering a fair, robust, and transparent process for technology selection.”
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, said: “Small modular reactors will support our mission to become a clean energy superpower. That’s why we are backing new nuclear technology to help secure our energy independence and grow the economy.”
For more information, please contact:
Cory Reynolds, Director of Communications and Government Relations
e: m: 07701 235045
Ieuan Williams, Head of Stakeholder and Media Relations
e: m: 07889 108555
- GBN has now concluded the negotiation phase with the four bidders participating in SMR competition
- To reach this stage, each of the four designs was subject to a robust analysis
- GBN has evaluated each technology, including aspects such as safety, deliverability, and their ability to support development of a fleet of SMRs
- GBN considers the designs, each of which is proceeding through the UK’s regulatory process, are viable options for development
- GBN owns land for potential new nuclear development at both Wylfa on Ynys Môn/Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire. GBN is working closely with the local communities at these sites to consider how future new nuclear projects could benefit their communities
About Great British Nuclear (GBN)
Great British Nuclear (GBN) is the Government delivery body dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in the UK. As an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), GBN plays a crucial role in ensuring the UK’s energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. GBN focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
25 Feb 25. Updated guidance for DASA Open Call for Innovation. The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has published updated guidance for its Open Call for Innovation service. The refreshed guidance includes updates to the submission cycles for 2025-26, as well as other updates to information and pre-sift requirements contained within. These updates aim to streamline the application process and provide clearer parameters for innovators. The new guidance will take effect from 1200hrs 25 February 2025 (GMT). All submissions from this date will need to align with the updated requirements.
We encourage potential applicants to:
- Review the new guidance before submitting proposals
- Check the submission deadlines for 2025-26
- Contact the DASA team with any questions via
For full details of the updated guidance, visit DASA Open Call for Innovation and select the link for the current open cycle: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/apply-for-funding#open-call-for-innovation (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
20 Feb 25. British Army to get new infantry machine gun and sniper rifle The UK MoD has issued two PQQ notices seeking industry responses for “assault machine gun” and sniper rifle replacement. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has asked industry to provide solutions for new 5.56mm “assault machine gun” and a replacement for the legacy L115 and L118 sniper rifle through its respective Project’s Shamer and Troubler. Each of the Project Shamer and Troubler pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), published in mid-February 2025, has a maximum contract value of £4m ($5.5m), with industry responses due by 24 March 2025. The proposed contract start dates for each programme is stated to begin on 1 June 2026 and conclude on 2 June 2033. The 5.56mm assault machine gun requirement, intended for use by the “dismounted user” is the replacement effort of the L110 A2 Light Machine Gun (LMG), known as the Minimi in UK service, which was axed in 2018. In the place of the Minimi, infantry sections were tasked to use the L129A1 Sharpshooter and the L7A2 GPMG 7.62mm heavy machine gun. However, it now appears the UK MoD is seeking an alternative infantry machine gun, chambered in 5.56mm, and more easily carried by dismounted troops. Meanwhile, the current variant of the L115 sniper rifle, the A3 version, was first deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 as part of the Sniper System Improvement Programme (SSIP). Designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres, Accuracy International’s L96 sniper rifle was teamed with with a new x3-x12 x 50 sight and spotting scope. Manufactured by Accuracy International, the L115A3 long range rifle fires an 8.59mm bullet which is heavier than the 7.62mm round of the L96 system. Other elements of the SSIP included night sights, spotting scopes, laser range finders and tripods.
Grayburn, Upham, Hunter, Shamer, and Troubler – increasing lethality
These programmes are running concurrent with a wider effort replace the SA80 battle rifle in British Army service under Project Grayburn. Project Grayburn is thought likely to go on contract in the Q4 2026 – Q1 2027 timeframe, for around 150,000 weapons, deliverable in batches. Similarly, it is anticipated that the British Army will receive a new optical sensor for its current SA80 and future Armalite-style battle rifle under the little-known Project Upham. Solutions will include a need for infrared capability, a significant improvement over the current basic zoom optics. In November 2024 the British Army was announced to be receiving new thermal scopes for SA80A3 and Hunter battle rifles via the TALON thermal imaging sights, with the deal for around 10,000 units. Other industrial players are known to be looking at optics solutions for the British Army, such as Thales with its EXTRAIM system.
Projects Shamer and Troubler also follow on from the 2023 award under Project Hunter of the L403A1 KS-1 as the Alternative Individual Weapon (AIW) for the UK military’s Special Operations Brigade. The programme was thought likely to influence the replacement of the SA80 rifles under Project Grayburn.
The selection of the KS-1 battle rifle for the Royal Marines is thought likely to influence the decision for the wider replacement of the legacy SA80 bullpup rifle used by the UK Armed Forces. The UK military has long sought to introduce new personal weapons for use in special operations units as well as regular forces. In mid-2021, a contract notice was issued detailing the planned procurement and support of an Armalite-style rifle platform AIW system. First entering service in the 1980s, the SA80 bullpup assault rifle has gone through a series of upgrades and iterations, with the SA80A2 being created in 2002 following a mid-life upgrade, followed by the SA80A3 in the mid-to-late-2010s. The latest variant, known as the L85A3, has been gradually rolled out across the British Army. Manufactured by Heckler and Koch, the SA80 fires the Nato standard 5.56×44 ammunition. In January 2022 a Parliamentary written response revealed that the UK had a total inventory of 134,912 SA80A2 variants and 17,900 SA80A3 variants, held across defence. (Source: army-technology.com)
20 Feb 25. Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Exposition – RFI
Ministry of Defence
Published date: 20 February 2025
Open early engagement – This means that a procurement idea is currently active, it is in the early stage of development and judging interest from potential suppliers.
Contract summary
Industry
• Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment – 35000000
• Command, control, communication and computer systems – 35710000
• Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance – 35720000
Show additional CPV codes for this notice
Location of contract: PO10 8DH
Procurement reference: tender_483975/1454140
Published date: 20 February 2025
Closing date: 21 March 2025
Contract is suitable for SMEs?: Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?: No
Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
Customer: Jt C-UAS Office (JCO), HQ AIR Command, Spitfire Block, RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4UE and 7th Air Defence Gp, Baker Barracks, Thorney Island, Emsworth, PO10 8DH.
Please submit your response via (up to OFFICIAL) email to Maj Benjamin Hellmers at . If your response is at OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, you must submit this via Defence Share (Defence Share – Defence Share). You will need to be provided access to Defence Share to submit a response. Please contact Maj Benjamin Hellmers in the first instance who will be able to arrange this.
Date response required: 21st March 2025
7th Air Defence Gp and The Joint Counter-UAS Office are holding a Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) exposition to discuss current and emerging technologies and strategies for countering UAS threats. The event will seek to clarify current and emerging Defence thinking and funded programmes and provide a forum for Industry to represent their approaches. This will develop the knowledge base and help fuel discussion points for future lines of effort for C-UAS measures. The exposition will be for MoD internal stakeholders, Home Office, and Industry with the purpose of discussing specific topic areas in depth with the opportunity to demonstrate equipment.
The JCO and 7AD Gp invites expressions of interest from attendees from companies specialising in and/or supplying equipment relevant to these C-UAS topic areas:
o Detection – Active and passive
o Situational awareness
o Planning support
o Command & Control systems
o Effectors – lethal/nonlethal and kinetic/non-kinetic
o Jamming
o RF
o Novel approaches
o Generalist and specialist capabilities
The exposition will be held on 16th July 2025 hosted by 7AD Gp at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island, PO10 8DH. Attendees will be provided with a standard sized ‘pitch’ indoors, with opportunities for demonstration of capabilities outdoors, if required. Further details and arrangements for the day will be provided later when the attendee list has been finalised.
The exposition is not indication of intent to place future work with Industry – it is an opportunity for Industry to support the work of MoD and Home Office stakeholders. It will not provide any new information on MoD procurement which will be managed separately and in line with UK government legislation and policy, as relevant.
This Request for Information (RFI) seeks responses from companies wishing to attend that can provide valuable input to discussion on the above topics. Respondents are requested to provide the following information:
– The names of proposed attendees (max 4 per company)
– Confirmation of proposed attendees security clearance
– Confirmation of Nationality and any dual National status of proposed attendees
– A summary of the company’s area of expertise and equipment supply related to the listed C-UAS topics
More information
Additional text
Please note the following general conditions:
– All costs associated with the production of a response to this RFI and attendance at the exposition shall be borne entirely by the respondent.
– No information provided in response to this RFI will be carried forward, used, or acknowledged in any way for the purpose of evaluating the respondent in any subsequent formal procurement process.
– All information provided by respondents shall be treated as commercially sensitive and not shared with any third parties
– Discussion at the event will be limited to a maximum classification of Official-Sensitive; responses to this RFI should be limited to the same.
– Attendance at the event is entirely at the discretion of the Authority
– The Authority reserves the right to cancel or amend the forum events at any time and without liability for costs of production of RFI responses.
TIMETABLE
The RFI will be open for the period until 21st March 2025.
How to apply
Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.
About the buyer
Address
RAF High Wycombe
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
HP14 4UE
England
Email:
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
24 Feb 25. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between BAE Systems and Hamek that will see the two companies work together to support Norway’s maritime requirements. The signing was completed at an industrial collaboration event at Hamek’s Harstad site in the north of Norway, where the company plans to invest in its dry-docking and ship facilities. British and Norwegian defence and government delegates attended the event, which took place alongside Royal Navy ship RFA Lyme Bay. Subject to the outcome of Norway’s procurement process for advanced maritime capability, in which the UK’s Type 26 frigate is being considered, BAE Systems and Hamek will explore enhanced ship support and maintenance solutions that could generate further economic benefit in the region.
Bruce Balchin, Norway Campaign Director, BAE Systems, said: “Norway and the UK share a strong maritime relationship built over decades of cooperation as close allies. This MOU enables us to build on our two-nations’ industrial relationship as Hamek develops its plans for facilities investment in support of the current and future Norwegian fleet.”
Jan Oddvar Olsen, Managing Director, Hamek, said: “This MOU forms the basis for future growth and development of our company. Furthermore, implementation of the agreement will give Norway as a nation increased preparedness in the north.”
- The Type 26 is one of the world’s most advanced warships. It is designed for anti-submarine warfare and high-intensity air defence and can adapt its role quickly to transport high volumes of humanitarian aid and house medical facilities.
- Work on the first five UK ships is already well under way.
- Partnership on the Type 26 offers the opportunity of an enhanced strategic relationship alongside a substantial increase in interoperability and joint operational capability in the region and in further areas of common interest.
- The Commonwealths of Australia and Canada have selected the Type 26 design, which, together with the UK, provide an anticipated 29-ship programme across the three nations. Sharing build and transition into service lessons across all three programmes will benefit all parties in this multinational effort.
USA
21 Feb 25. SOCOM Wants Drone-Launched Glide Bombs. SOFWERX, in collaboration with US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), will host an assessment event to advance efforts in developing and producing an advanced light-weight precision glide munition.
Background/Synopsis
USSOCOM is seeking industry submissions for a precision glide munition that is smaller than the GBU-69 and that can be delivered by light-weight uncrewed aircraft.
Objective
The government is interested in the development and eventual fielding of a low-cost, light-weight, precision, unpowered, air-launched glide munition to fill the gap for glide munitions smaller than the GBU-69 for use by U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Why You Should Participate
USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USASOC and USASMDC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204.
Event Timeline
Phase 1 – 18 February 2025 to 10 March 2025 Submissions to the Assessment Event (AE) Open:
Interested respondents who could potentially provide solutions that meet the needs of USSOCOM are encouraged to submit their capability for USSOCOM review. To submit your technology for potential Phase 3 attendance, please review the assessment criteria and follow the submission instructions at the bottom of this webpage.
Phase 1a – 26 February 2025 Q&A Telecon: Interested offerors may participate in a virtual Q&A session to better understand the PM’s specific technology objectives. The telecon will take place on 26 February from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET. RSVP at the bottom of this webpage.
Phase 2 – 11 March 2025 to 18 March 2025 Downselect: USSOCOM will downselect those respondents/submissions they feel have the highest potential to satisfy their technology needs. Favorably evaluated submissions will receive an invitation to attend the AE on/around 18 March 2025.
Phase 3 – 08 April 2025 to 10 April 2025 Assessment Event (AE): During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favorably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 4 may immediately begin.
This event will be held in person at TBD in Tampa, FL.
Phase 4 – Path Forward: Successfully negotiated awards may fall under any combination of these categories:
- Business to business research and development agreement as a sub-award through the SOFWERX Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) (15 U.S. Code Section 3715)
- OTA for research or prototype projects (10 U.S. Code Sections 4021, 4022)
- An award under 10 U. S. Code, Section 4022 may result in the further award of a follow-on production agreement without additional competition based on successful prototype completion. The Government may make this follow-on production award based upon successful prototype criteria, which will be determined for each prototype project.
- Procurement for experimental purposes (10 U.S. Code Section 4023)
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (15 U.S. Code Section 3710a)
- Prizes for advanced technology achievements (10 U. S. Code Section 4025) and/or prize competitions (15 U.S. Code 3719)
- FAR-based procurement contract
NOTE:
Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations
How You Can Participate
Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees
- RSVP to the 26 February Virtual Q&A Telecon: Click Here to RSVP (NLT 25 February)
- Review Assessment Criteria: Click Here to Review
- Download the White Paper Template: Click Here to Review
- Download the Quad Chart Template: Click Here to Review
- Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (NLT 10 March 2025 11:59 PM ET) (Source: UAS VISION/SOFWERX)
REST OF THE WORLD
27 Feb 25. The Brazilian Army’s “Strategic Projects. The Brazilian Army’s “Strategic Projects” are medium to long-term initiatives supported by a broad portfolio of programs. These projects contribute to achieving one or more of the Army’s strategic objectives, enabling it to fulfill its missions in accordance with the Federal Constitution. Strategic Projects aim to modernize and transform the Army to better defend Brazil.
The Strategic Projects sub-portfolios include:
Societal Defense
Force Generation
Human Dimension
There are several examples of Strategic Projects:
ASTROS 2020 Program: Equipping the Ground Force with a high-tech missile and rocket artillery system capable of reaching between 15 and 300 km. The program includes research and development, acquisition and modernization projects for military vehicles and facilities.
Army Aviation Program: Aims to modernize Army Aviation, providing better conditions to fulfill its missions.
Cyber Defense Program in National Defense: Its purpose is to increase training, doctrine, science, technology and innovation activities within the scope of National Defense.
GUARANI Program: Its purpose is to transform the Motorized Infantry and modernize the Mechanized Cavalry, recovering the capacity of the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base.
SISFRON Program: Integrated Border Monitoring System Program, aiming at the implementation of a system that enhances the State’s actions in the land border area. (Source: Paulo Dominonni via LinkedIn)
27 Feb 25. Japan is willing to purchase US military transport aircraft for its Self Defense Forces (SDF), said government sources, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported Thursday.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba indicated this during a meeting on Feb. 7 in Washington, DC with US President Donald Trump, said the sources, in a possible attempt to reduce pressure from Washington to boost defense spending.
Ishiba’s idea to purchase the aircraft, believed to be C-17s, was welcomed by the US side at the meeting, which marked the first summit between the two leaders since Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Tokyo is bracing for a US push to increase defense spending, considering Trump’s repeated demand for NATO allies to spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) for defense.
Japan, which has been following a pacifist post-World War II constitution since 1947, had long capped its defense budget at around 1% of GDP, or around 5trn yen ($33.5 bn).
But in recent years, it has raised the defense budget towards a goal of 2% of GDP in 2027 amid growing security challenges posed by China and North Korea.
Ishiba, a former defense minister, has been a proponent of C-17 procurement, given its superior transport capacity to the domestically produced C-2 planes currently operated by the SDF.
Japan would be getting secondhand aircraft if the purchase plan is realized, as Boeing Co. stopped manufacturing C-17s in 2015.
(Source: News Now/aa.com)
25 Feb 25. Malaysia face decisions for future maritime rotary fleet. Currently in search of a new Maritime Combat Helicopter to replace the Super Lynx, the Malaysian Navy look to balance its combat capabilities at sea. The Malaysian Navy will balance capabilities across its maritime helicopter fleet to secure its exclusive economic zone, stretching across two theatres that are seperated by the South China Sea. This strategy is largely prompted by the geopolitical contention playing out in the region between China and the United States. Right now, Kuala Lumpur face major decisions in shaping what it describes as its ‘Future Force’. Principally, Malaysia’s rotary strategy will depend largely upon the forthcoming ‘Maritime Combat Helicopter’ (MCH) – exclusively for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) – for which the service is expected to select a model in 2026. At present, Malaysia is exploring acquisition and leasing prospects for certain platforms on the market. Some of the factors in the country’s calculus include the potential for technology transfers and the ability to open the programme up to local industry. MCH will replace the Navy’s five existing multi-role Super Lynx helicopters, which have now exceeded 20-years of service. Malaysia has not ruled out the possibility of extending the lifecycle of Super Lynx to work alongside MCH in the coming years, albeit the Navy is unwilling to invest in the legacy rotorcraft if it will only operate for another five years or less. The service has also considered the use of uncrewed autonomous systems. The nation’s Defence White Paper, a government guide introduced in 2020, expressed interest in acquiring autonomous underwater vehicles and mine disposal vehicles in particular. Likewise, the country is similarly open to using rotary drones – but only in a secondary capacity as part of a crewed-uncrewed teaming model wherein a crewed platform directs operations.
A footprint in Malaysia
Whichever helicopter manufacturer Malaysia tasks with delivering MCH will need to have a footprint in the Malaysian economy and industrial base. The kingdom views offset agreements as one of the most important factors to achieving self-reliance in the defence sector according to GlobalData’s ‘Malaysia Defense Market 2024-2029’ report. In an attempt to both reduce the country’s dependence on foreign arms supply and enhance domestic defence capabilities, the Malaysian government has implemented mandatory offsets for all defence procurements exceeding $13.2m (RM14.1m). Moreover, the national offset policy requires foreign investors to invest a minimum of 50% of the contract value into the Malaysian economy, and half of the total offset value may take the form of countertrade to purchase Malaysian goods. Furthermore, foreign companies must also pay 5% of the total contract value at the beginning of the agreement, as protection against the non or under-performance of the offset obligation. Numerous global defence contractors have an established presence in Malaysia including Leonardo, Airbus, and Safran among others. Currently, the Malaysian Navy is considering Leonardo’s AW149 for the MCH. (Source: naval-technology.com)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
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