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EUROPE
28 May 25. European Defence Fund Commits Up to €10.09m to Advanced Long-Range UAV Project VANTAGE. A pan-European consortium, coordinated by Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), has secured substantial funding from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to launch the VANTAGE project – an ambitious initiative to develop the next generation of tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for European defence. Awarded under the EDF’s 2024 call for collaborative defence research and development, the VANTAGE project brings together leading partners from across Europe. With an estimated total project cost of €10.88 m and a maximum EU contribution of €10.09m, this project marks a significant step forward in Europe’s pursuit of technological superiority and operational autonomy on the modern battlefield. The VANTAGE project will deliver a modular, long-range, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone platform, capable of executing a broad range of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) missions, as well as kinetic strikes. The platform is being designed for maximum adaptability, allowing for the seamless integration of new sensors and navigation systems to ensure optimal performance in diverse environments, including GPS-denied scenarios.
“The VANTAGE project goes beyond technological innovation; it marks a strategic leap that positions Europe at the forefront of defence development,” said Kaspars Pollaks, Director of the Defence Technology Department at Latvijas Mobilais Telefons. “By bringing together our unique experience, expertise, and resources from across borders, we are building a future-ready capability that will strengthen Europe’s security, enhance operational flexibility, and set new standards for cooperation within the defence industry. As we have seen in Ukraine, UAVs play a critical role on the modern battlefield. We are honoured to lead this visionary consortium and contribute to a safer, more secure Europe.”
Spanning 36 months, the VANTAGE project encompasses a comprehensive development lifecycle, from studies and system design to prototyping and rigorous testing. A key focus is on ensuring the system’s adaptability and interoperability, enabling rapid integration of new technologies and sustained effectiveness in the evolving threat environment.
About the Consortium:
The VANTAGE consortium brings together 8 renowned organisations from 7 countries across the continent and include: Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA (Coordinator), C&V Defence, CAVOK UAS, Centro de Observación y Teledetección Espacial SAU, Vegvisir, Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Aerospațială “Elie Carafoli” (INCAS București), M3 Systems Belgium, UAV Navigation – Grupo Oesía.
28 May 25. SAFE will enter into force on 29 May and address first list of priority areas outlined by the European Council on 6 March. The European Council has enacted a regulation establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a new financial tool designed to back EU member states keen to invest in defence capabilities via collective procurement. SAFE is poised to underwrite significant and immediate investments within the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), aiming to enhance production capacities to ensure timely availability of defence equipment and to mitigate current capability shortfalls. The EU has earmarked as much as €150bn ($170.34bn) for SAFE, which will be allocated to participating member states based on requests and aligned with their national strategies. The funding will be provided through long-term loans at competitive rates, which will subsequently need to be repaid by the nations receiving the assistance. Additionally, the fund will enable the EU to extend support to Ukraine by incorporating its defence industry into the framework from inception. To promote scale economies and ensure interoperability while minimising EDTIB fragmentation, recipient member states are generally required to engage in joint procurements involving at least two countries to be eligible for the funding. SAFE will temporarily permit procurements by individual member states considering the pressing geopolitical climate and the critical need for substantial defence investment. In addition, SAFE heralds a novel phase in collaboration with non-EU countries, making Ukraine and European Economic Area – European Free Trade Association (EEA-EFTA) nations eligible equally with EU members. This includes not only participating in joint procurements but also offering their industrial goods for purchase. Moreover, SAFE extends participation in joint procurements to acceding nations, candidates, potential candidates, and countries with established Security and Defence Partnerships with the EU, such as the UK. Additionally, the instrument allows for the possibility of forming supplementary bilateral or multilateral agreements with these third-party states to broaden eligibility conditions.
Funded activities through SAFE will address priority areas outlined by the European Council on 6 March 2025 and will fall into two categories of defence products namely ammunition and missiles as well as air and missile defence system.
Products in air and missile defence system category will face more stringent eligibility criteria, necessitating contractors capable of managing product design decisions.
For both product categories, procurement contracts must limit the cost of non-EU/EEA-EFTA/Ukraine components to no more than 35% of the end-product’s component costs.
SAFE is set to be effective from the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, which is 29 May 2025.
Recently, the UK agreed to additional negotiations towards accession to EU defence funds, although a roadmap is expected in a matter of weeks.
(Source: army-technology.com)
26 May 25. Europe is plagued by too many naval yards, French Navy chief says. Europe has too many naval shipyards competing for business, and the industry needs to consolidate to a handful of players that can win export contracts, French Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Nicolas Vaujour said in a parliamentary hearing last week. The Naviris joint venture between Italy’s Fincantieri and France’s Naval Group, created in 2020 and meant as a first step in wider European naval consolidation, “unfortunately didn‘t quite live up to expectations,” Vaujour told the National Assembly’s defense committee on Wednesday.
“Today in Europe, we have around 14 shipyards that are competing with each other pretty much everywhere,” Vaujour said. “In an ideal world, we would have three or four that challenge each other, but would above all be winning export market share abroad.”
Europe lacks a single naval strategy, with countries having their national strategies and struggling to converge, the French Navy commander said. With governments keen to safeguard regional industrial activity and economies, political initiatives are probably not the way to consolidating military shipbuilding, according to Vaujour.
“We have the political ambition to be more coherent, from an industrial point of view, and to divvy up the market a little, so to say,” Vaujour said. “But the reality is, we all agree here that if we must choose between Naval Group and Fincantieri, obviously it’s Naval Group. And when you’re in Italy, they of course say Fincantieri.”
France also wants to protect the smaller naval yards along its coast, such as Piriou, Socarenam and CMN, according to the admiral.
That means creating a naval equivalent of European aircraft maker Airbus would depend on the shipbuilding companies first and foremost, “that is, if they manage to merge,” Vaujour told lawmakers. “We didn‘t succeed with Fincantieri.”
When Naval and Fincantieri created Naviris, they said the joint venture would serve the French and Italian navies, but also pursue export opportunities outside Europe and be a leader in shipbuilding consolidation. While Naviris won part of a €1.5 bn contract to upgrade the French-Italian Horizon-class frigates in 2023, success in the latter two areas has been more elusive. France and Italy have “very, very different” strategies for shipbuilding and vessel size, according to Vaujour. France has been moving towards smaller frigates, with the newest Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention, or FDI, displacing 4,500 metric tons, whereas Italy’s new PPA offshore patrol vessel displaces 7,000 tons and the DDX destroyer design is for 14,000 tons, Vaujour said.
“We consider that the size is a little too large,” Vaujour said. He said the FDI is drawing interest from European countries because the frigate is suitable for small navies, an accessible vessel that can be operated by a small crew. “So we have divergence in our vision of the vessel of the future.”
France and Italy also use different economic models, with the Italians buying “a lot of ships” for their navy that they can resell, allowing to rapidly fill potential export orders, according to Vaujour.
The French are in discussion with Naval Group about ordering a “blank hull” that would be either available for export, or join the French fleet ahead of schedule if there’s no buyer, Vaujour said. Naval Group currently has a minimum production rate of one FDI per year at its yard in Lorient, and says it can raise capacity to two per year, according to the admiral. France has ordered five FDI frigates from Naval Group, with the lead vessel of the class Amiral Ronarc’h completing sea trails last month. The first of three FDI frigates for the Hellenic Navy, HS Kimon, started sea trails on May 21 in Lorient.
“The first thing partners interested in the FDI ask about is the lead time – how soon can you supply me with a frigate?” Vaujour said. “That’s the only question the Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes ask when they ask for the FDI: `When can you deliver?’”
Naval Group is convinced of the blank hull concept, while the Directorate General for Armament considers the model “really relevant,” Vaujour said. He said the idea of ordering an FDI hull without a guaranteed buyer does carry risk, and the Finance Ministry still requires convincing.
“The acceleration of new contracts, we have to be able to do that,” Vaujour said. “Lorient is capable of moving to two per year, and we can help with that.”
A recent partnership agreement between Naval Group and Norway’s Kongsberg should be seen in the context of a potential sale of frigates to the Royal Norwegian Navy, according to Vaujour. Norway is “quite interested” in the FDI, which is in competition with British, German and Italian designs, and should France win the deal, there will be work sharing with Kongsberg, Vaujour said. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
27 May 25. Italy seeks new recon vehicle, possibly as Puma replacement. Reports indicate that Ukraine could have received an unknown number of Puma 4×4 and 6×6 reconnaissance vehicles from Italy. The Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has published a contract notice to industry for solutions for the procurement of a new reconnaissance vehicle for the Italian Army, with the acquisition potentially reaching hundreds of vehicles. Indicated in a 19 May 2025 notice, the Italian MoD said up to 600 new reconnaissance vehicles were to be acquired, with the initial deal worth €140m ($157.8m), although this could rise to over €300m with the inclusion of options and other supplies related to the deal. At the conservative estimate, each of the Italian Army’s new reconnaissance platforms would cost around €212,000 per unit, with industry required to provide a deposit of 2% of the value of the contract. Selected industry proposals will be taken through to phase two of the programme, for further consideration. No specific timelines for the introduction of a new reconnaissance platforms into service were stated. The Italian Army currently operates the four-person VBL Puma 4×4 in the armoured reconnaissance role, with 180 units delivered from 2003 onwards by Iveco Oto Melara. Italy also operates 380 of the 6×6 Puma as armoured personnel carriers, able to embark up to six soldiers, plus the driver. However; the procurement of hundreds of new reconnaissance platforms indicates a potential replacement for the Puma 4×4 and 6×6 could be on the cards. At the time of publishing, the Italian MoD had not responded to requests for comment by Army Technology regarding a timeframe for delivery of the new reconnaissance vehicle. Reports in April, including from Ukrainian outlet United 24, stated that an unknown number of Italian Puma 4×4 and 6×6 vehicles had been donated to Ukraine. When contacted, the Ukrainian armed forces communications secretariat declined to comment as to whether Italian Puma 4×4 and 6×6 reconnaissance vehicles were in service with Ukraine. In January, the Italian government confirmed the provision of its latest military assistance package to Ukraine, although exact platforms and capabilities were not disclosed. Italy’s declining defence spending According to GlobalData’s 2024 report on the Italy’s defence forecast, the country was expected to see a slight decline in military spending from 2025-2029, making it an outlier among major Western European nations. From 2025-29, a steady decrease in expenditure from $29.2bn to $27.8bn was anticipated, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.3%. Despite these constraints, Italy maintains a capable military, with significant air, naval, and international commitments shaping its future defence planning. (Source: army-technology.com)
USA
30 May 25. US Army eyes new helicopter trainer amid aviation overhaul. The US Army is looking at ways to strengthen its initial helicopter pilot training through its Flight School Next programme. The programme would use single-engine helicopters to bolster pilots’ basic flying skills. At the same time, the service is seeking to bring next-generation aviation platforms into service, which could change the requirements for Flight School Next. The service issued a request for information (RFI) to industry in October 2024 seeking input to improve its flight school, with a focus on cost and safety, Joel Magsig, senior business development manager, Global Military Programs for Airbus US Space & Defense, told Janes on 16 May. The RFI sought industry input on “creative methods and means to reduce costs and to provide better outcomes for students”, he added. Under Flight School Next, the army is looking at foundational helicopter pilot skills in the initial phase of training. The service is considering using a single-engine helicopter for this phase to replace the current twin-engine UH-72 Lakota, built by Airbus US Space & Defense. The army is not acquiring a new helicopter for the programme, but rather a contractor-owned, contractor-operated solution, a spokesperson for the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence, told Janes on 29 May. The service will set the requirements that the solution will need to meet, the spokesperson added. (Source: Janes)
28 May 25. US Army seeks to test launched effect with 1,000 mile range. The US Army confirmed its intent to test a launched effect (LE) that can fly over 1,000 miles later in 2025, the service told Janes on 27 May. The confirmation adds detail to an 8 January request for information (RFI) for an LE capable of launching from a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet – the same model selected for the service’s ME-11B High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES).
“HADES provides exceptional depth to army sensing as designed today,” the service said. “We are conducting a demonstration later this year to extend that sensing depth much further, not just incrementally further, but dramatically further. This dramatic increase will provide army and joint [force] commanders new options for creating sensing vectors against a variety of mobile and fixed targets.”
The first HADES aircraft is undergoing modification by Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), fitting the Bombardier Global 6500 with the Rapidly Configurable-X (RAPCON-X) electronic intelligence-gathering system. The aircraft is expected to be redelivered to the army in ME-11B standard in January 2026. In addition to two aerodynamic stabilising fins mounted beneath the aircraft’s fuselage, the modification entails fittings for pylons on the inner and outer wing. The January RFI requested information on an LE weighing up to 1,800 lb (816.5 kg) if mounted on inboard wing pylons or 600 lb (272.2 kg) if using outboard pylons; it is also meant to survive exposure to (and likely launch from) an altitude of 41,000 ft or higher and speeds of 400 kt or more. Such an LE would outweigh and likely outperform by a wide margin any of those publicly unveiled to date. (Source: Janes)
27 May 25. King Stallion improves capability say USMC, but global users are less sure. The service is in the middle of a phased conversion period, updating its heavy-lift capability to the King Stallion. Sikorsky’s CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter will support US Marine Corps (USMC) missions as the United States pivot towards the Indo-Pacific theatre, where capabilities will be stretched. Major Joshua Banks, US Naval Air Systems Command, who sits within PMA-261, which manages through life support of the King Stallion, examined details of the capability that the new helicopter offers users during the Helicopter Technology Central and Eastern Europe conference, hosted by SAE Media, on 22 May. The helicopter has an overall length of 30.2 metres (m), fuselage width of 5.3m, and height of 8.6m. It is capable of lifting more than 14 tonnes at a mission radius of 203 kilometres in marine environments. Banks mentioned that the platform can lift payloads weighing up to 36,000 pounds, that is, he said, three times the capacity of the E variant. Moreover, the design is simpler with 63% fewer parts needed compared to its predecessor. At present, the USMC is undertaking a phased transition from the legacy E variant – the Super Stallion – to the K variant across its six heavy-lift squadrons, of which there will be at least 16 helicopters in each. However, there are 253 K units in the pipeline. The conversion began in 2019-20 and will continue well into the 2030s, Banks confirmed. Five squadrons have already made the transition. Notably, there will be no mixed configuration of Es and Ks at any point of the conversion. Once a squadron is undergoing the transition, the unit will not be deploy in that time, Banks stressed. The service will need the advanced heavy-lift capability; according to the US Indo-Pacific Command, the region covers one hundred m square miles, within which the USMC and the Navy will jostle with China over contested logistics, according to expert observers. In confronting the problem of contested logistics, the USMC is already exploring options to use uncrewed systems to support manoeuvre, mobility, and sustainment of forward deployed forces. There are a number of countries that operate the legacy Super Stallion, including Germany, Israel, and Japan, which leaves open the prospect of a global transition to the King Stallion. But despite Banks’ glowing assessment of the advanced helicopter, only Israel has committed to buying 18 units in a $3.4bn Foreign Military Sales agreement made in July 2021. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force has yet to commit to the transition, while the German Air Force has opted for a different helicopter entirely: Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook Block II helicopters.
“This decision wasn’t solely based on performance data but also on other factors like international cooperation potential and operational flexibility and resilience,” a spokesperson for the German Air Force told Naval Technology.
Germany will be the 21st Chinook user nation, along with eight other Nato allies, including the United States.
“Furthermore, when focusing on pricing/budget and fleet performance, Germany will receive a larger number of CH-47 airframes, compared to the number of CH-53K helicopters. Both helicopters fulfill the German selection criteria, but a larger fleet size offers greater operational flexibility, strengthening rotary wing heavy lift support to the armed forces”. (Source: army-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
28 May 25. France-Indonesia pact could lead to new Rafale jet orders, says Macron.
- Summary
- Companies
- Jakarta is main French arms client in Southeast Asia
- Indonesia previously placed order for 42 Rafale jets
- Orders could also include French frigates, submarines
- Macron, Prabowo also discuss deepening crisis in Gaza
- More than 20 MOUs worth at least $11bn signed – minister
France and Indonesia have signed a preliminary defence pact that could lead to new orders of French military equipment including Rafale fighter jets and Scorpene submarines, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday.
“I am delighted that the letter of intent signed today could open up a new perspective with new orders for Rafales, Scorpenes, light frigates,” Macron said at a joint press conference alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Prabowo said France was one of Indonesia’s main partners as it upgrades its military hardware and develops its defence industry through joint production and technology transfers.
Macron arrived in Jakarta from Vietnam on Tuesday night on the second leg of his Southeast Asia tour. The French president is scheduled to fly to Singapore on Thursday.
Dassault Aviation shares were up 3.4% in the morning session in Paris. The jets’ performance came under scrutiny last month after reports that Rafales used by the Indian air force were shot down by Pakistan’s Chinese-made jets in clashes.
Indonesia has yet to receive any of the Rafale jets from the 2022 deal. The chief of the Indonesian Air Force Mohamad Tonny Harjono said in February that six jets would arrive in early 2026, state news agency Antara reported. (Source: Reuters)
27 May 25. Saab Australia, TKMS sign MOU to support German pitch for SEA 3000. German naval shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saab Australia, strengthening their ongoing cooperation in the maritime defence sector. The agreement, formalised at the consulate-general of the Federal Republic of Germany in Sydney, aims to explore opportunities for collaboration on the MEKO A-200 frigate platform, with a focus on joint innovation, integration and enhancing naval capabilities. The signing ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, Director-General for Armaments in the German Federal Ministry of Defence, who underlined the strategic importance of such partnerships.
“Collaborations like this one show how international industry partnerships can strengthen national defence capabilities,” Vice Admiral Stawitzki said.
The agreement builds on a long-standing working relationship between TKMS and Saab Australia and underscores both companies’ commitment to supporting sovereign industrial capability in naval defence.
Saab’s Australian Combat Management System (AusCMS), already operational across the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet, will play a key role in the collaboration. AusCMS provides integrated interoperability, training, sustainment and operational benefits, reinforcing Australia’s sovereign defence capability.
“This MOU with Saab Australia reflects our proven approach to naval shipbuilding and long-term collaboration with trusted partners,” said Dr Oliver Juckenhöfel, executive vice president of operating unit surface vessels at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “We are proud to contribute to a robust and sovereign naval capability through a model that has proven successful across multiple navies.”
TKMS brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously delivered the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates and supported similar projects for 16 navies worldwide, including six NATO members, with their model supporting partner nations by enabling domestic build, maintenance and upgrade of naval vessels. This MOU comes as Australia continues to shape the future of its naval capabilities through programs like the SEA 3000 initiative aimed at replacing the ageing Anzac Class frigates with advanced, multi-role warships for the Royal Australian Navy. The SEA 3000 program is a multibn enterprise pitting Germany’s TKMS MEKO 200 against Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ evolved Mogami guided missile frigate to deliver the Royal Australian Navy a fleet of “Tier Two” general purpose frigates to expand the navy’s surface combatant fleet. This has Australia’s strategic environment becoming increasingly contested, particularly in the Indo-Pacific; the government has signalled its intent to explore additional options for future frigate designs. The thyssenkrupp-Saab partnership reflects a shared strategic vision to deliver mature, low-risk and proven solutions to meet these evolving requirements.
“This collaboration aligns with our broader commitment to providing Australia with cutting-edge, sovereign naval capabilities, designed to keep our people and society safe,” Juckenhöfel added. (Source: Defence Connect)
27 May 25. Australian defence tech ventures complete Defence Trailblazer program. Australian defence technology ventures Breaker Industries, Extag, Advent Atum, Ghost Fire Systems and Seitec have successfully completed the Defence Trailblazer advanced commercialisation program to accelerate sovereign defence capabilities. The Defence Trailblazer High Growth Incubation (HGI) program is the final stage of the Defence Trailblazer’s 18-month commercialisation pathway, DINAMIC. Throughout the DINAMIC pathway, participants have access to more than 120 experts that provide in-kind support. Each company is advised by a minimum of five experts throughout their journey to high growth incubation.
“We were very pleased to have such an outstanding group of founders participate in the program,” Defence Trailblazer Entrepreneurship program manager Paul Daly said.
“It culminated in tailored one-on-one meetings with receptive investors in Sydney.
“We will follow the progress of these exciting ventures with great anticipation and will continue to assist them.”
The HGI program supports ventures with products at advanced levels of technical development. HGI provides founders with deep insights, teaching them the skills needed to lead and manage a high growth enterprise.
All participants benefit from weekly access to two highly experienced coaches to help them plan for the stages of business growth ahead.
Seitec chief executive officer Daniel Stevens, who leads 12 employees in developing exciting seismic sensor technology for military and civilian applications, said the HGI program has been instrumental in helping plan for rapid growth in the defence market.
“The Defence Trailblazer team should be proud of the program they have developed and run,” Stevens said.
“Seitec has extracted an exceptional amount of value from the program, which will aid in the company’s approach to investment and scaling.”
Defence Trailblazer provides each of the ventures with up to $150,000 in grant funding to implement their high growth strategies. Ventures are also provided with the opportunity to pitch to Defence Trailblazer’s investor network.
Ghost Fire Systems, a start-up that develops and manufactures electronic battlefield simulators, has also benefited from the support and guidance of Defence Trailblazer. Selection for HGI is highly competitive, with the cohort chosen from ventures that have successfully completed earlier phases of DINAMIC.
“My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the Defence Trailblazer team,” Ghost Fire Systems co-founder Brett Harrex said.
“Today, we have manufactured our first eight prototypes and conducted two Defence trials; we travelled to the US to showcase with Team Defence Australia at Special Operations Forces Week 2025; and we’re starting the R&D for several more products.”
To ensure that there are strong prospects for defence procurement, Defence personnel are actively engaged in the selection process. (Source: Defence Connect)
28 May 25. India approves stealth fighter programme amid tensions with Pakistan. India’s defence minister has approved a framework for building the country’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, the defence ministry said on Tuesday, amid a new arms race with Pakistan weeks after a military conflict between the neighbours. Indian state-run Aeronautical Development Agency, which is executing the programme, will shortly invite initial interest from defence firms for developing a prototype of the warplane, envisaged as a twin-engine 5th generation fighter, the ministry said. The project is crucial 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. Pakistan has one of China’s most advanced warplanes, the J-10, in its arsenal. Militaries of nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan faced-off in four days of fighting this month, which saw use of fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery by both sides before a ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. It was the first time both sides utilised drones at scale and the South Asian powers are now locked in a drones arms race, according to Reuters’ interviews with 15 people, including security officials, industry executives and analysts in the two countries. India will partner with a domestic firm for the stealth fighter programme, and companies can bid independently or as a joint venture, the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that the bids would be open for both private and state-owned firms. In March, an Indian defence committee had recommended including the private sector in military aircraft manufacturing to shore up the capabilities of the Indian Air Force and reduce the burden on state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HIAE.NS which makes most of India’s military aircraft. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has previously criticised Hindustan Aeronautics for slow delivery of light combat Tejas aircraft, a 4.5 generation fighter, which the firm blamed on slow delivery of engines from General Electric (GE.N) due to supply chain issues faced by the U.S. firm. (Source: Reuters)
23 May 25. New Zealand eyes cargo planes, helicopters, Javelins in new budget. New Zealand’s 2025 Budget, released this week, is slated to bring defense spending to NZ$4.2bn (US$2.4bn), Defence Minister Judith Collins announced. “To achieve this, the government has allocated $2.7bn of capital and $563 m of operating funding for priority projects identified in the Defence Capability Plan we released last month,” she said. Spending priorities include replacing the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s only strategic airlifters, two Boeing 757s-2K2, acquired second-hand in 2003 and updated in 2007. Replacing the fleet of eight Seasprite SH-2G(I) maritime helicopters is also on the docket. Operated since 2015, only five remain operational, with three now used for parts as they near the end of their service life, Collins recently stated. Also on the shopping list: New versions of the Javelin anti-armor missile, encrypted radios to provide deployed Army units with secure voice communication, and a counter-drone system. Officials also want to upgrade Devonport Naval Base, invest in homes for defense families, modernize the defense vehicle fleet and grow digital and information management projects. The Ministry of Defence, with roughly 200 staff, receives nearly $26m. New Zealand’s defense spending is scheduled to reach 2% of GDP by 2032/33. That level of military spending was last achieved in 1982. (Source: Defense News)
23 May 25. Taiwan commits to multi-layered defense modernization amid heightened regional tensions, observes GlobalData. Taiwan is undertaking a comprehensive, multi-layered defense modernization effort, driven by rising security threats and the imperative to deter potential aggression from China. With defense spending projected to reach $23.5bn in 2030, Taiwan is prioritizing advanced air, naval, and unmanned systems, while also strengthening logistics and support infrastructure to enhance resilience and sustain prolonged military operations, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. GlobalData’s latest report, “Taiwan Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2025-30,”Australia Defense Market Size and Trends, Budget Allocation, Regulations, Key Acquisitions, Competitive Landscape and Forecast, 2022-27’ reveals that the country’s cumulative defense spending is anticipated to reach $112.2 bn during 2026-30, out of which the acquisition budget share is estimated to be approximately average 14.7%, amounting to $16.5bn. Abhijit Apsingikar, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Persistent Chinese incursions into territorial waters and airspace, along with the constant threat of a potential naval amphibious invasion, have compelled Taiwan to make substantial investments in strengthening its overall defense posture.” Against this backdrop, Taiwan placed a contract to procure 66 new F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft in 2020 and first of the new aircraft were delivered in March 2025. The country has also completed modernizing its existing fleet of 139 F-16 A/B multirole aircraft to F-16 Block 70/72 standard as a part of the first phase of Peace Phoenix Rising program, last of which was delivered in December 2023. Taiwan is also in the process of reinforcing its sea denial capabilities by investing in Hai Kun-class submarines, while also investing in acquisition of Harpoon Coastal Defense System. Over the period 2020-25, Taiwan sanctioned a large defense investment fund disbursed over multiple years. The key focus of these investments was directed towards strengthening the defense infrastructure and to revitalize defense R&D capabilities within the country, with its Navy being a key beneficiary. Taiwan is also in the process of building a new 2,500-ton light frigate to bolster its naval defense capabilities. Apsingikar continues: “The ongoing Russo-Ukraine war offers a template for Taiwan to adopt proven methods for defending against a stronger adversary by deploying unmanned platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles. These platforms can assist Taiwan to compensate for its relatively smaller military strength and combat potential” Although Taiwan’s defense RDT&E spending is modest with a budgetary allocation of $530 m for 2025, its anticipated to be directed mainly towards R&D in automated unmanned systems. For instance, Taiwan is developing Huilong uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV), the Endeavor Manta Unmanned Surface Vessel, and Tu-40 Fixed Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Apsingikar concludes: “Taiwan is strategically focused on building a resilient and multi-layered defense posture. The emphasis is not only on acquiring advanced platforms but also on investing in robust logistics, maintenance, and support infrastructure. This integrated approach is critical to sustaining prolonged defense operations and delaying potential aggression long enough to enable allied intervention. By learning from modern conflict scenarios, Taiwan is prioritizing asymmetric warfare capabilities, particularly unmanned systems and sea denial strategies, to offset its numerical disadvantage and enhance its deterrence credibility in the region.” (Source: GlobalData Media Centre)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
From rapid prototyping of custom designs to full-scale production runs, IEE, produces displays with advanced features like low-latency video processing, high-bright and NVIS backlighting, and lightweight rugged enclosures. Their SWaP-C products employ the latest lightweight composite materials; low power, high performance integrated ARM processors; standard Ethernet and USB communication, in a low cost, highly producible design.
In-house California facilities include optical bonding, clean rooms for display assembly, a dark room for optical measurements and environmental chambers for pre-compliance and customer acceptance testing. On-site manufacturing includes PCB assembly and flow soldering. IEE has manufactured handheld, in-vehicle, airborne and naval LCD displays for all military branches as well as leading aerospace firms both domestically and internationally.
IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.
IEE’s Advantage:
- Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
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- Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
- Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.
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