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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
11 Dec 25. The UK Accelerator welcomes eight companies into the 2026 NATO DIANA Programme. A new cohort of innovative companies specialising in Contested Electromagnetic Environments is joining the UK Accelerator 2026 NATO DIANA Programme. Janus Allies consortium (Janus), in partnership with the Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA), welcomes a new cohort of innovative companies into the 2026 NATO DIANA Programme. This year NATO DIANA received a record-breaking 3,680 submissions across all NATO member states for this year’s call. The 2026 NATO DIANA cohort has emerged from a highly selective process, placing them in roughly the top 4% of applicants and among the most competitive dual-use innovators in the Alliance.
The eight companies joining the Janus UK Accelerator Programme are:
- LSMedical from Estonia
- Slipstream Design from the United Kingdom
- FOSSA Systems from Spain
- Tern AI Inc. from the United States of America
- Testnor AS from Norway
- Oledcomm from France
- SDQ Solutions Canada from Canada
- CX2 Inc. from the United States of America
Tanya Suarez, Founder and CEO of IoT Tribe, lead of Janus consortium welcomes the new Janus cohort: “As we enter our second year delivering the NATO DIANA programme with UKDI-DASA, we’re building on the momentum to strengthen the UK’s role in NATO priorities in line with the Strategic Defence Review. More contact with the end-user and better interoperability for adoption at pace. We are welcoming a new cohort with technologies that address the contested electromagnetic environments that can deny, degrade and disrupt operations. They are absolutely critical to maintaining operational advantage for the UK and NATO allies. These innovators shape capabilities that matter, and our goal remains clear: ensure the UK leads in defence innovation, while reinforcing allied technological sovereignty.”
Anita Friend, Head of UKDI-DASA said: “We are delighted to welcome another cohort of innovators to the UK Accelerator, and are excited to see how their innovative technologies could help shape the future of defence. The UKDI-DASA partnership with NATO DIANA and the delivery of the UK Accelerator programme, is key to unlocking the potential of dual-use technologies to solve critical defence challenges and create solutions that strengthen security across the Alliance and we look forward to supporting these innovators in their innovation journey. Over the next six months, the innovators will work closely with the Janus Allies team and partners to support the scaling of their solutions and accelerate adoption across the Alliance. The Janus programme offers a mix of in-person and virtual training: workshops, lectures, mentorship, and guidance aimed to support their dual-use strategies.”
By working with experts from defence innovation ecosystems in the UK and the wider NATO alliance, the 2026 cohort will be prepared for defence procurement while broadening their commercial opportunities. The strongest dual-use ventures learn to align mission and margin, and the London site is set up to help them do exactly that.
More about the NATO DIANA 2026 Innovators:
All the companies selected to start in January 2026, will receive contractual funding and gain access to DIANA’s expanding network of 16 accelerator sites and more than 200 test centres across the 32 NATO nations. They will be working on solutions across 10 areas drawn from key priorities identified by Allies.
They are:
- Energy and Power
- Advanced Communication Technologies
- Contested Electromagnetic Environments
- Human Resilience and Biotechnologies
- Critical Infrastructure and Logistics
- Operations in Extreme Environments
- Maritime Operations
- Resilient Space Operations
- Autonomy and Unmanned Systems
- Data Assisted Decision Making
Information about the companies can be found at 2026 Cohort of Companies. For further information, please contact .
About NATO DIANA
NATO DIANA finds and accelerates cutting-edge technologies to deliver battle-winning defence and security solutions for the Alliance, while fostering deep-tech innovation. As a cornerstone of NATO’s innovation and technology strategy, DIANA brings together world-class talent and the latest advancements to maintain the Alliance’s technological edge. Leveraging a network of leading accelerator sites, test centres, expert mentors, and Allied expertise across 32 nations, DIANA empowers innovators working at the intersection of defence readiness, commercial potential, and technological breakthroughs.
About Janus
Named after the Roman god of duality to reflect its approach to support dual-use applications, the Janus consortium is a four-partner, delivery-ready consortium with skills and expertise across business support and growth, science and technology, defence and security and deeptech investment.
Led by the Defence and Security Accelerator, part of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI-DASA), Janus is a consortium in partnership with IoT Tribe, a specialist deeptech accelerator ecosystem; Atmos Ventures, a trans-Atlantic deeptech and defence investor; and the SETsquared Partnership, a dynamic collaboration between six leading research-led UK universities.
Janus aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of NATO’s defence industrial base and expand the range of innovative capabilities available for acquisition and deployment by civilian, defence and security customers in the UK and internationally by strengthening the pipeline of talent and new, innovative companies operating in the defence and security markets. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
10 Dec 25. MakeUK Defence has a major opportunity exclusively available to MUKD Members: the UK SME Vanguard Programme, launched by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Beginning Spring 2026, AWS will select 5 SMEs from the Make UK Defence network. Each will benefit from up to £750,000 of combined support over three years, including:
- AWS cloud credits
- Dedicated technical training
- Access to AWS engineers and sector specialists
- Business development mentorship
This support will help member companies integrate cloud technology into areas such as simulation, document management, data analytics, and production optimisation which are all essential for scaling UK defence capability.
AWS has already helped modernise manufacturing across multiple sectors, delivering real gains in efficiency, quality, and throughput. Now, they’re bringing that same transformative power to UK defence SMEs.
Learn More About Amazon Web Services:
- What is AWS?
- AWS for Manufacturing
- Customer Case Studies
Want to Be Considered?
If you’d like to apply for the AWS UK SME Vanguard Programme, please submit your Expression of Interest here: SME Vanguard Programme – Expression of Interest Form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=5rXxzeLwcEeqV9_qMXlCS74NB7JLOKtEogeWrzzQ06ZURFFJS1hCRDRJN1c4NTBONElYSkdJRFU3RC4u&route=shorturl
Please note the deadline for all responses is on the 31st of December 2025.
19 Nov 25. Strategic Defence Review – Energetics Information Notice
Ministry of Defence
Published date: 19 November 2025
Last edited date: 19 November 2025
This notice was replaced on 19 November 2025
This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:
Early engagement (published 19 November 2025, last edited 9 December 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
- Military research and technology – 73410000
Location of contract
BS34 8JH
Procurement reference
tender_512494/1533156
Published date: 19 November 2025
Closing date: 15 December 2025
Contract is suitable for SMEs? Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs? No
Description
UK government is acting on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations by investing in an ‘always on’ pipeline for munitions including building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK.
The User requires the manufacture of the following Energetic Materials:
- RDX (Bachman or Woolwich)
- HMX
- Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
- Nitrocellulose (NC)
- Nitroglycerine (NG)
- Nitroguanidine (NQ)
- Hexanitrostilbene (HNS)
- Ammonium Perchlorate (AP)
- Boron Potassium Nitrate (BKNO3)
Other materials in the following classes: High explosives, Propellants, Ignitors, Detonators, Pyrotechnics, may be considered on an exceptional basis. Proposals will be sought which demonstrate economic and technical viability with capital available for investment.
Additionally, the Authority welcomes expressions of interest from consumers who wish to establish a supply of these materials for current facilities (domestic or exports) or aim to establish a capability in the UK which will rely on them.
Overview:
The Strategic Defence Review sets out the ambition of moving to warfighting readiness through a whole-of-society approach ensuring an engine for growth through a new partnership with industry, radical procurement reforms, and backing businesses to establish and grow in the UK.
The MoD aims to achieve this through a coherent set of significant multi-year investments in onshore energetic materials synthesis through UK-based or overseas-based suppliers. These investments will typically form part, but not all, of the funding required for the establishment of a facility.
During the formal tender documentation process, suppliers should consider how they will generate UK growth. Companies with established order books/markets will be prioritised. Proposals must demonstrate that they are economically and technically viable to progress.
Consideration should also be given to:
- The scale of the proposed facility and the market demand required to support it:
1.1 Proposals should assume a range of scenarios such as surge demand and reduced or minimal UK MoD demand.
1.2 Other offtakes, such as exports and civilian markets, should be considered and are expected to form the majority of the demand signal. UK government, via the MoD’s Defence Exports team, will actively support export campaigns.
2 Economic viability including fluctuating demand and market prices.
2.1 Proposals should be economically viable as further support funding for facilities is not envisioned.
3 The level of investment required (VROM) and how this will be raised:
3.1 Including internal company investment and external venture capital
3.2 It is expected that MoD funding will not form the majority of funding for proposals.
4 Wider requirements to establish a facility including:
4.1 Regulatory
4.2 Skills
4.3 Export support (including UKEF)
4.4 Technology
4.5 Sites
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
19 Nov 25. Strategic Defence Review – Energetics Information Notice
- Early engagement
- Published 19 November 2025, last edited 19 November 2025
Additional text
Next steps are for suppliers to register their interest in one-to-one engagements with MOD in Q1 2026 via the email address shown below. Companies should provide a 15 minute pitch covering proposed materials, scale and approach to manufacture, as well as economic viability.
Formal tender process is targeted to commence in Q1 2026.
Proposals which can demonstrate economic and technical viability with available capital for investment will be prioritised. For viable proposals, further support in the following areas may be available: identifying sites, engagement with regulators, export support, energy relief under the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) Compensation Scheme, and access to R&D funding sources.
Suitable proposals will be invited to complete a funded feasibility study (subject to commercial and affordability requirements). Details of what is involved in this feasibility study will be provided in the initial meeting.
Companies that continue to demonstrate technical and financial credibility and a commercially viable proposition will be invited to complete a funded Front End Engineering Design (FEED) -again subject to commercial and affordability requirements.
Following successful competition of a FEED and on final agreement of wider commercial terms required for investment a contract may be placed for MoD investment into the production facility (factory).
Timelines will be dependent on the complexity of the proposals. MOD anticipates that construction will begin in 2026
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Dec 25. Boost for defence businesses and European cooperation as UK joins defence exports treaty.
The UK has joined a defence exports treaty with European allies which will make it easier for UK defence businesses to export
- British defence companies to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with our European allies France, Germany and Spain.
- Agreement will make it easier for businesses to export to our allies and highlights the UK’s role in supporting Europe’s collective defence.
- Comes after huge export deals with Norway and Türkiye, securing thousands of jobs and making defence an engine for growth.
Britain’s defence industry will be strengthened as the UK joins a European defence export treaty alongside our NATO allies.
The Agreement on Defence Export Controls, which the UK has joined alongside France, Germany and Spain, will make it easier to grant export licenses between our nations, reinforcing the UK’s close cooperation with its European allies on developing the continent’s defence industries. The UK is committed to reinforcing its leading role in NATO and defending Europe’s security, including through boosting defence trade and industrial cooperation with our allies. This will reduce the administrative burden of granting export licenses, opening opportunities for UK businesses, helping boost economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs across the country. Joining the Agreement will facilitate the UK’s defence cooperation with some of our closest European partners and will ensure better coordination on defence exports to other countries. It will provide more certainty for British businesses and supply chains involved in multinational defence programmes, whilst preserving UK sovereignty over key military capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlined the ambition to see the UK become Europe’s leading defence exporter, bolstering our prosperity and security.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “The UK’s defence industry is essential to ensuring that our Armed Forces can keep us secure at home and strong abroad. This agreement will strengthen our crucial defence businesses and make it easier to export to Germany, France and Spain.
On the back of our frigate deal with Norway and Typhoon deal with Türkiye this new Treaty will make it easier for the UK to export our world class platforms. When the government said we would make defence an engine for growth we meant it, and this Treaty is yet more evidence of us delivering for British jobs and security. Since the SDR’s publication, the UK has already signed agreements with our NATO allies to export Type 26 frigates to Norway for £10 bn and Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye for up to £8 bn, both securing thousands of jobs across the UK. The government is making defence an engine for growth across the country including through the Defence Industrial Strategy’s commitments to create a new Office for Defence Exports and boosting the help available to businesses through UK Export Finance.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Dec 25. UK Space Agency launches pilot programme to accelerate commercial growth within the UK’s space ecosystem. Eighteen space businesses across the UK will receive funding and support from their local space cluster to accelerate their commercial growth, as part of a pilot initiative designed to strengthen the UK’s space sector supply chain. The UK Space Agency’s new Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme (SECP) is delivered in partnership with 6 of the UK’s local space clusters and managed by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. The programme provides targeted research and development funding alongside strategic and commercial business guidance.
Supporting innovation and growth
The 18 organisations will each receive up to £30,000 to invest in technology development, market validation, and customer engagement. Participating businesses will also benefit from dedicated support from their space cluster leads – locally embedded sector experts – who bring a deep knowledge of supply chains, partnership opportunities, and insight into market demand for space-enabled services. This will enable them to refine their products and services in line with specific commercial opportunities, and establish new growth-driving partnerships within the UK’s connected space ecosystem.
Jon Hulks, Space Ecosystem Development Manager at the UK Space Agency, said: “The Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme harnesses the networks and expertise found across the UK’s space cluster network to drive local economic growth. Working together, we are enabling individual space companies to take the next step in their commercial journey and enhancing the unique capabilities and supply chain resilience that underpin the UK’s national space ecosystem.”
Strengthening local economies
The UK Space Agency has worked with each space cluster partner to ensure the programme addresses their particular market needs and strengthens their local economy, delivering on the government’s commitment to enhance the resilience of the space sector supply chain as outlined in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.
In the Cornwall Space Cluster, the programme prioritises projects that boost the region’s recognised strength in satellite communications. Kernow Enterprises Ltd is developing a space-enabled autonomous communication system, and, through the cluster support enabled by the programme, has already established new partnerships with leading Cornish organisations including Goonhilly Earth Station, the National Drone Hub, Selletronics, and Skentel.
In the Midlands Space Cluster, harnessing the region’s local advanced manufacturing expertise, Future Aerospace Engineering are developing acid-resistant laminate and coating systems for next-generation spacecraft through its HESPERIA Materials Demonstrator project. The £11,200 award will help the company advance materials that could prove crucial for long-duration space missions and harsh orbital environments. Likewise, Space South Central is supporting Lunasa’s ECLIPSE project with £29,844 to develop an orbital testbed for advanced payload validation and inspection. This technology will enable more thorough testing and verification of space hardware in orbit, potentially reducing mission risks and improving satellite performance.
In the North West Space Cluster, which is home to leading expertise in nuclear power for space, Cerberus Nuclear is creating the Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) with £14,220 in funding. This database tool will help engineers design more radiation-resistant space systems, addressing one of the key challenges facing satellites and spacecraft operating in harsh space environments.
The programme also supports the wider space community. Every company that applied receives bespoke guidance from their cluster to refine and pursue the commercialisation opportunities they identified.
Andrew Mair, Chief Executive Officer of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, said: “We are pleased to be able to build on the success of the “Pivot into Space” R&D grant programme that the UK Space Agency previously supported in the Midlands by playing our part in this wider programme. For us, it’s all about mobilising local clusters across the country’s space ecosystem system to work closely with small companies that already have their own brilliant ideas and benefit from the kickstart of a small R&D grant, some key expertise and access to the wider network to accelerate their journey towards commercialisation.”
The UK Space Agency’s Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme is supporting the following companies:
Midlands Space Cluster
Third Planet Orbital: TPOD Capability Expansion – £19,680 New 16U deployer and release sequencer test kit.
PGM Reball: 3D Printed Unitary Ball Nut – £29,074 3D printing a unitary ball nut that incorporates geometry only additive manufacturing can achieve.
Future Aerospace Engineering: HESPERIA Materials Demonstrator – £11,200 Acid-resistant laminate and coating systems for next-generation spacecraft and habitats.
NDE Clarke Pitchline: LIFTAR Launcher Integrated Flexible Transport and Rotation Drive System – £30,000 Designing and testing a flexible launch drive system.
South Central Space Cluster
Lunasa: ECLIPSE – £29,844 Orbital testbed for advanced payload validation and inspection.
Lodestar: ECLIPSE AI-Driven On-Orbit SDA Payload – £30,000 LiDAR integration to enhance space situational domain awareness.
Satraka Ltd: Satcom Dual-band Feed System – £30,000 Manufacturing and verifying a compact Ka/Ku dual-band feed system for satellites.
Space West
Space AM: LoRa as an alternative to GNSS/GPS – £28,200 LoRa tested as positioning alternative to GNSS/GPS.
Cornwall Space Cluster
Skentel Group Ltd: Remote Sensing With Non-Terrestrial Networks – £8,193 5G connectivity to augment existing terrestrial network sensor devices.
Kernow Enterprises Ltd: Emdrone – Space Domain – £29,923 Developing a space-enabled autonomous communication system with defence applications.
Flann Microwave Ltd: Compact 3-Way Waveguide Switch – £20,000 Design and development of a prototype electro-mechanical 3-way waveguide switch.
Piran Composites Ltd: Dual-Use Composite Development – £30,000 Digitally traceable composite manufacturing process for dual use in UAVs and small satellites.
Space North East England
Digventures Ltd: Deep Time: Citizen-Powered Earth Observation – £29,985 Refining citizen science platform to include enhanced QA validation.
Nascent Semiconductor: Enhanced Performance Satellite Electronics – £30,000 Novel scalable semiconductor fabrication process for satellites.
ViperRF: Ka-Band Amplifier for EO Telemetry – £12,734 Developing production tooling techniques for a Ka-Band amplifier chip.
North West Space Cluster
SmartIR Ltd: VER : Enabling Next-Generation CubeSat Thermal Control – £26,400 Thermal control system for next-generation CubeSats.
ThinkITTech: AM Powder Optimiser AI – £18,000 AI-driven optimisation for 3D printing metal powder for the space sector.
Cerberus Nuclear: Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) – £14,220 Database tool for radiation-resistant space system design. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Dec 25. Boost for defence businesses and European cooperation as UK joins defence exports treaty.
The UK has joined a defence exports treaty with European allies which will make it easier for UK defence businesses to export
- British defence companies to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with our European allies France, Germany and Spain.
- Agreement will make it easier for businesses to export to our allies and highlights the UK’s role in supporting Europe’s collective defence.
- Comes after huge export deals with Norway and Türkiye, securing thousands of jobs and making defence an engine for growth.
Britain’s defence industry will be strengthened as the UK joins a European defence export treaty alongside our NATO allies. The Agreement on Defence Export Controls, which the UK has joined alongside France, Germany and Spain, will make it easier to grant export licenses between our nations, reinforcing the UK’s close cooperation with its European allies on developing the continent’s defence industries. The UK is committed to reinforcing its leading role in NATO and defending Europe’s security, including through boosting defence trade and industrial cooperation with our allies. This will reduce the administrative burden of granting export licenses, opening opportunities for UK businesses, helping boost economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs across the country. Joining the Agreement will facilitate the UK’s defence cooperation with some of our closest European partners and will ensure better coordination on defence exports to other countries. It will provide more certainty for British businesses and supply chains involved in multinational defence programmes, whilst preserving UK sovereignty over key military capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlined the ambition to see the UK become Europe’s leading defence exporter, bolstering our prosperity and security.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “The UK’s defence industry is essential to ensuring that our Armed Forces can keep us secure at home and strong abroad. This agreement will strengthen our crucial defence businesses and make it easier to export to Germany, France and Spain.
On the back of our frigate deal with Norway and Typhoon deal with Türkiye this new Treaty will make it easier for the UK to export our world class platforms. When the government said we would make defence an engine for growth we meant it, and this Treaty is yet more evidence of us delivering for British jobs and security. Since the SDR’s publication, the UK has already signed agreements with our NATO allies to export Type 26 frigates to Norway for £10 bn and Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye for up to £8 bn, both securing thousands of jobs across the UK. The government is making defence an engine for growth across the country including through the Defence Industrial Strategy’s commitments to create a new Office for Defence Exports and boosting the help available to businesses through UK Export Finance.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
10 Dec 25. SEATOM (seatomtech.com) today announced its selection in the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) 2026 Challenge Programme Cohort. SEATOM’s solution, an affordable modular micro nuclear reactor system for marine and extreme environments, was chosen under NATO DIANA’s Operations in Extreme Environments Challenge program, reflecting the company’s commitment to developing dual-use technologies for critical defence and security challenges especially in harsh environments like the Arctic. SEATOM Technologies is building nuclear propulsion systems for dual-use and the maritime industry. Over the next six months, SEATOM will participate in DIANA’s Core Programme, working with the DualTech Accelerator in Turin, Italy and engaging with DIANA’s extensive network of experts, mentors, and test centres across the Alliance. The programme provides access to world-class testing infrastructure, defence market expertise, and direct engagement with NATO end-users.
“This is the right time for nuclear, as national and international regulations are being reformed and public perception now favors maritime nuclear more than any other viable option out there”, said Roope Marttila, cofounder & co-CEO
As part of the programme, SEATOM will receive an initial €100,000 in contractual funding, with potential access to additional funding for testing, evaluation, validation and verification (TEVV) activities. The company will also have opportunities to participate in operational experiments and exercises alongside Allied forces. The DIANA Challenge Programme serves as a pathway for emerging technology innovators enter the defence and security sector across NATO’s 32 member nations. Through the programme, SEATOM will deepen its technological readiness and strengthen its defence and dual-use offering. SEATOM joins a cohort of innovative companies working on cutting-edge solutions in areas critical to Western defence and security. The programme kicks off on January 19, 2026, with an International Demo Day in Paris in June 2026. For more information about the 2026 NATO DIANA cohort, visit: https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html
10 Dec 25. On November 18, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and its Blue Magic Netherlands (BMNL) partners held their second “shark tank” style event in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The event brought together emerging Dutch companies and attracted more than 350 attendees. BMNL provided Dutch businesses with an opportunity to present their capabilities for possible investment from GA-ASI, as well as other companies. The 16 companies that made pitches were selected from a pool of more than 70 companies that represented the best of the best of Dutch industry.
“Blue Magic uncovers new technologies within the Dutch ecosystem,” said Brad Lunn, GA-ASI Managing Director. “The quality of the innovation we’re seeing is improving rapidly. The growth of the event is a testament to the quality it brings forward.”
During the second BMNL event, held at Brainport Eindhoven — a center of the Dutch high-technology industry — GA-ASI and its partners heard firsthand from Dutch companies about the important capabilities they are developing. GA-ASI issued an open invitation to Dutch businesses in July for Netherlands-based businesses to apply for the opportunity to present their innovative technologies at BMNL. Key areas of focus for the presentations were Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Autonomy, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Sensors, Space, and Counter-UAS. GA-ASI was joined for the second BMNL event by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin, Brainport Development, Brabant Development Agency (BOM), and the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV). GA-ASI expects to announce technology partnerships stemming from the second BMNL event and intends to continue holding this event on an annual basis in the Netherlands.
10 Dec 25. Turkey in talks to rejoin US F-35 fighter jet programme, envoy says. The U.S. is in discussions with Turkey regarding Ankara’s rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme and Washington hopes that talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday. Washington removed Ankara from Lockheed Martin’s advanced F-35 programme and imposed the sanctions in 2020 over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems. Turkey has said the move was unjust and voiced hope that the sides could overcome the issue during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
“The United States is in ongoing discussions with Türkiye regarding their desire to rejoin the F-35 program and their possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system,” said Ambassador Tom Barrack in a post on X.
Barrack said U.S. law will not permit Turkey to operate or possess the S-400 system if it wants to return to the F-35 programme. He also said the relationship between Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, which has led to “the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade.”
“Our hope is that these talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Türkiye,” he said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has told Reuters that he believed Turkey and the U.S. would find a way to remove American sanctions “very soon” and the NATO allies had started working on the issue. Turkey’s possession of the S-400s has remained the main obstacle to rejoining the F-35 programme. Washington says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and to NATO’s broader defence systems. Turkey rejected that and said the S-400s will not be integrated into NATO. Turkish officials have repeatedly rejected the idea of reversing their decision to possess S-400s to return to the F-35 programme. (Source: Reuters)
09 Dec 25. Germany and France could use own fighter jets to save defence project, lawmaker says. A senior German lawmaker on Tuesday urged Germany and France to salvage a 100bn euro ($116bn) defence project by developing a shared combat system while allowing each country to use its own fighter jets. Time is ticking for Berlin and Paris to agree a way forward on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), an ambitious next-generation fighter jet programme launched eight years ago but stalled by disputes. Failure to break the deadlock risks exposing Europe’s inability to forge defence unity at a time when war has returned to the continent and the U.S. under President Donald Trump wants Europe to take more responsibility for its own security. Defence ministers of Germany, France and Spain are expected to meet this week, followed by talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron next week. Siemtje Moeller, a senior lawmaker in Merz’s coalition and a former junior defence minister, told Reuters the project was in a phase of “adaptation” not “termination”. It was logical for Germany and France to use different fighter jets to suit their particular needs, she said, for example, France needs fighters to have the ability to carry nuclear weapons or land on an aircraft carrier. (Source: Reuters)
08 Dec 25. Merz and Macron to discuss fate of FCAS fighter jet, industry source says. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are planning to discuss the fate of the troubled Franco-German fighter jet project FCAS – or SCAF – in the week of December 15, an industry source told Reuters on Saturday. The 100bn-euro ($116bn) Future Combat Air System (FCAS), floated more than eight years ago, has been mired in disputes between France’s Dassault Aviation and Airbus over workshare and technology rights. The defence ministers of the participating nations – Germany, France and Spain – are set to meet on December 11 to discuss the project, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters this week. A German government spokesperson declined to comment on the date, saying only that the chancellor’s appointments would be made public in time. The French government was not immediately available for comment. EU leaders are scheduled to meet for several summits in Brussels from December 17 to 19. Merz has said he wants a decision on whether and how to proceed with the project by the end of the year. German business leaders are intensifying their lobbying efforts in the hope of preventing the project collapsing, the source said. (Source: Reuters)
08 Dec 25. Germany approves further Sturmgewehr G95, headset, Wolf vehicle, and trailer procurements. The budget committee of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, approved the procurement of more Sturmgewehr G95 assault rifles, intercom sets, and Wolf all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) announced on its website on 3 December. The BMVg said the Heckler & Koch HK416A8 assault rifle is being introduced into service as the G95, replacing the G36 assault rifle equipped with a main combat sight featuring a reflex sight and laser light module. This follows the Bundestag budget committee’s approval of the procurement of nearly 120,000 G95s in 2022. Procurement of more G95s is expected to expedite the use of the rifle throughout the Bundeswehr, according to the BMVg. The Bundeswehr announced on its website on 5 December that Panzergrenadierbataillon (Armoured Infantry Battalion) 122 based in Oberviechtach became the first unit to be equipped with the G95 during an exercise in Grafenwöhr before intensive training on the new weapon. The German Army is receiving the G95KA1 short-barrel version of the assault rifle. Additional intercom sets with integrated hearing protection will be procured under an existing framework contract for delivery in 2026. In addition to providing hearing protection, the intercom sets enable communication during combat with awareness of ambient sounds. Under an existing contract, additional Wolf vehicles will be procured in the command vehicle and military police vehicle variants in 2026–27. The vehicles will be equipped with the Digitalization of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) system. The Bundestag budget committee approved the amendment of an existing framework agreement on 70 tonne semi-trailers so more can be ordered as well as procuring the first trailers. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026. (Source: Janes)
05 Dec 25. Norway to spend $6.4bn on two more submarines, long-range strike. Norway plans to spend 65 bn Norwegian kroner, or $6.4 bn, to buy two additional submarines on top of four already ordered from Germany’s TKMS, as well as acquire a long-range precision strike capability for the Army. The government proposes to parliament to increase the cost framework for Norway’s submarine program by 46 bn kroner to cover the expense of adding two boats, it said in a statement on Friday. Norway will help finance a second production line in Germany to ensure the new submarines can be built quickly enough. The Norwegian plans come amid ongoing Russian provocations including airspace violations of NATO allies, and worries that Russia will shift attention to the Baltic region after Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying this week his country was ready for war with Europe should the continent seek a fight.
“Norway is a coastal and maritime nation, and submarines are absolutely central to the defense of our country,” Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said in a statement. “With six submarines, the armed forces will be able to operate more vessels in more locations at any given time. This will have a strong deterrent effect on any potential adversary.”
The country is seeing increased activity from Russian forces in the North Atlantic and the Barents, the minister said. Additional submarines will help strengthen NATO’s overall ability to ensure control and defense in the North Atlantic and the northern areas, according to Sandvik.
“As NATO’s eyes and ears in the north, this places greater demands on our ability to show presence, monitor, and deter in our neighboring areas,” Sandvik said. “In this context, submarines are absolutely indispensable.”
In neighboring Denmark, the country’s Arctic commander warned that he expects Russia to turn to arming in the High North if and when the Ukraine war ends, in an interview published this week.
The so-called Bear Gap in the waters north of Norway, between Svalbard and the Norwegian mainland, is considered a key transit area for Russian ballistic-missile submarines moving from the relatively shallow waters of the Barents Sea to the deeper waters of the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Norway earlier this year agreed to buy at least five British-made Type-26 frigates, which are optimized for anti-submarine warfare, in a deal worth around $13.5 bn. The United Kingdom and Norway earlier this week announced an agreement to operate a joint fleet of the frigates to hunt Russian submarines and protect the North Atlantic. Two of the four submarines previously ordered by Norway from TKMS in 2021 are under construction in Germany, with the first expected to be delivered in 2029, the government said. The unit price of the submarines and associated weapon systems has increased as a result of critical raw materials and equipment becoming more expensive from when the contract for the first four submarines was signed in 2021, Norway said. Weapon systems and upgrades for the six submarines are also adding to the cost, as well as an exchange-rate impact, according to the government. The government is also proposing to spend 19 bn kroner on long-range precision fires for the Army that are able to hit targets up to a distance of 500 kilometers, without providing details on what equipment Norway plans to buy. The proposed budget includes launchers and missiles as well as training and support systems, the government said.
“We live in increasingly turbulent times, and it is important that we have defense capabilities that can deter a potential adversary,” Sandvik said. “Long-range precision weapons have a deterrent effect because they can strike targets deep inside an adversary’s territory if necessary.”
Denmark said in September it needed long-range strike weapons to strengthen its defense posture as well as the collective deterrence of NATO, with details on the planned systems still to be decided. (Source: Defense News)
USA
11 Dec 25. AMTI ASAP: Space Force readying multi-source acquisition for satellites to track aircraft. “So the focus is going to be on delivering AMTI [airborne moving target indication] capability very quickly,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said. The Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) are working to craft an acquisition strategy based on multiple contract awards for developing and fielding satellites that can track aircraft and drones, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said today.
“The drivers we’re getting in the department is: deliver capability very quickly. So the focus is going to be on delivering AMTI [airborne moving target indication] capability very quickly. But we also have to make sure that we have a long-term strategy that goes with that. So we’re in the process of researching what that looks like,” he told reporters during the Space Force Association’s Spacepower 2025 conference here in Orlando.
“It’s going to be a competitive acquisition, probably be multiple awards to different contractors so we don’t end up with a single source. So that’s what we’re going through right now,” Meink added. “We’re gonna start building the capability pretty quickly.”
He explained that one of the challenges is that because the program is being jointly funded by the service and the spysat agency, it requires getting authorizations and appropriations from different congressional committees.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said during the press briefing that there are also technical challenges to AMTI.
“So GMTI [ground moving target indication] and AMTI sound like they’re really close, just because one little letter that is all you changed, [but it] turns out they’re pretty different. What it takes to accomplish AMTI is different than what it takes to accomplish GMTI,” he said. “Things on the ground move slower than things on the air, so require different levels of fidelity tracks.”
Meanwhile, Meink said, the Department of the Air Force is working with Congress to address lawmakers’ concerns about the Trump administration’s plan announced in June to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail program in favor of a space-based system. The E-7 had been envisioned as a replacement the outdated E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System fleet, with Boeing winning a whopping $2.6 billion award last August for two rapid prototypes to be delivered by fiscal 2028. Along with provisions aimed at preventing the Wedgetail’s termination, the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would also authorize a total of $846.7m to continue the radar plane’s development and procurement. The House passed the policy bill on Monday; it now is in the hands of the Senate.
Meink said the Air Force would complete the E-7’s “rapid prototype test” as directed by the NDAA. In addition, he stressed that the Wedgetail “already is being flown by some of our allies and partners,” and the Air Force is “working with them to see how they fit into the production run going forward on each set of new capability that the rapid prototypes will bring on.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
08 Dec 25. US Navy wants new railroad car to transport unarmed ballistic missiles. The U.S. Navy wants a special railroad car to transport unarmed ballistic missiles, according to a recent request for information. The problem is that existing railcars are almost 50 years old, and will soon be retired. But the Navy still has a need to transport Active Inert Missiles, which are dummy rockets used to practice tasks such as loading missile tubes. Currently, the Navy uses the DODX 40000, a 150-ton flatbed designed by the U.S. Army in 1981 to carry cargo such as tanks, and which is slated to be demilitarized in 2031.
“The Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program initially procured these flatcars for the transportation of Active Inert Missiles (AIMs) between facilities,” according to the Navy RFI published Nov. 24. “However, the current 3-axle, 6-wheel truck design is now obsolete, and the American Association of Railroads (AAR) will not grant an extension of their service life.”
While the RFI did not provide specific requirements for the next-generation railcar, the DODX 40000 is 68 feet long, and has a maximum loading capacity of 140 tons. It is designed to carry two M1 Abrams tanks, and can haul cranes, shipping containers and other large items. In recent years, the Navy has sought other rail improvements. Navy Munitions Command Atlantic plans to replace its 200-strong fleet of boxcars and flatcars that haul munitions.
“Critical brake system components are no longer manufactured, requiring cannibalization of parts from decommissioned railcars to keep the fleet operational,” noted Military News. “Several railcars have recently been retired due to structural frame cracks and issues caused by accelerated wear, gradually reducing the fleet size.”
Meanwhile, the Navy and the Department of Energy have collaborated to design armored railcars to transport spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. The Atlas system includes a 12-axle railcar to carry nuclear material. Riding shotgun is the Rail Escort Vehicle, which will carry security guards, cameras and communications equipment. The impending retirement of the DODX 40000 is just one more strain on the military rail system, which remains the most efficient and economical mode of transports for tasks such as moving heavy equipment from bases to training ranges or to ports for overseas assignments. A 2021 GAO report on Army rail found numerous problems that are hampering the network.
“Although the Army moves the majority of what it needs for a large-scale combat operation over its rail network in CONUS [continental U.S.], much of that track is in ‘red’ or poor condition,” Diana Moldafsky, an acting director of GAO’s Defense Capabilities and Management Team, told Defense News. “Additionally, DOD hadn’t figured out how many rail operating crews it needed to support this type of movement and lacked elements of a quality assurance and quality control program for conducting its inspections.”
“We didn’t focus on the flatcars specifically, but the issue of using aging flatcars was brought up as a challenge as well,” Moldafsky added.
While the 2021 study only looked at Army rail, the Navy will face the same obstacles.
“Due to the condition of the rail track, any designing of special rail cars to transport items such as dummy ballistic missiles would require a number of considerations to ensure the safe movement of those type of loads,” Moldafsky said. (Source: Defense News)
REST OF THE WORLD
10 Dec 25. AUKUS Defense Ministers’ Meeting Joint Statement. Today the Honorable Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War, hosted the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and the Right Honourable John Healey MP, United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm the shared commitment to the AUKUS partnership. In line with shared intent to move “full steam ahead” on AUKUS, the Principals recognized the work underway to deliver priority infrastructure and workforce uplift in support of an enhanced trilateral submarine industrial base. Through the discussions today, the three Principals discussed ways to continue to strengthen AUKUS and reiterated their shared commitment to inject pace and focus on delivery to ensure the long-term success of the AUKUS partnership. The Principals recognized the critical importance of submarine cooperation under AUKUS Pillar I to ensure a robust deterrent. Additionally, they recognized the importance of advanced capabilities development under AUKUS Pillar II and discussed opportunities to further accelerate delivery of such projects, with particular focus on near-term warfighting objectives. (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Dec 25. Hegseth Hosts AUKUS Meeting With Australia, U.K. Counterparts. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth welcomed Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and the United Kingdom’s Defense Secretary John Healey to the Pentagon today for a meeting concerning a trilateral partnership between the three countries. Announced in September 2021, the Australia, U.K. and U.S. trilateral security agreement, known as AUKUS, is a partnership intended to promote freedom, security, stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific region. The pursuit of those objectives involves two lines of effort, or pillars. Pillar one focuses on the rotational basing of nuclear-powered attack submarines in Australia, as well as Australia working to acquire its own nuclear-powered attack subs; and pillar two focuses on the collaborative development of multiple advanced capabilities. AUKUS partners gather frequently throughout the year to manage the security pact through ministerial meetings and joint steering groups.
“I can’t count how many meetings we’ve had at this point, and I say that only out of goodness,” Hegseth told his counterparts at the meeting’s outset.
“Because the strength of our alliances … trilateral relationships are as strong as they’ve ever been,” he added.
Hegseth went on to praise a recent Pentagon review of AUKUS that was endorsed by President Donald J. Trump with guidance for the program to carry on “full steam ahead.”
“You see through AUKUS and the review that we conducted a continued commitment to a pragmatic, practical application of hard power between our countries that reflects peace through strength, and also hard power — real capabilities — that demonstrate a deterrent effect that we all want,” Hegseth explained.
Under the AUKUS security pact, the U.S. is scheduled to begin selling a limited number of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the early 2030s. Following that, an entirely new class of nuclear submarines — the AUKUS-class — is planned to be delivered to the U.K.’s Royal Navy in the late 2030s and the Royal Australian Navy in the early 2040s. During his brief remarks, Marles — the Australia defense minister — spoke optimistically about the three AUKUS partners ability to deliver on the program’s stated goals.
“This is a massive project, and there is so much more to do; and I think delivery is very much the focus of the conversation that we will be having today,” Marles said.
“I’m very excited about what we can do together, the progress that we’re making the challenges that we all need to grab hold of as we move forward,” he added.
Healey, the U.K. defense secretary, called AUKUS the most important military collaboration since the U.S. and U.K. agreed to share nuclear technology in 1958.
“The reviews are now done, and all three of us are now determined to reboot AUKUS with a new commitment and a new determination, in particular, to deliver,” Healey said.
“We need more subs in the Indo-Pacific and in the Euro-Atlantic. We need more burden sharing by America’s closest allies in Australia and the U.K. And, as the U.K. steps up on European security, we know that each of the three nations have a role to play to protect our people, keep our citizens safe and to reinforce that global deterrence,” Healey continued.
Increasing burden sharing between the U.S. and its allies and partners is one of the “four key lines of effort” that Hegseth laid out last week during a speech previewing the War Department’s new National Defense Strategy.
“We may lead our departments of war … but our goal is peace on behalf of the American people, the Australian people and the U.K.; and we pursue that on behalf of our leadership,” Hegseth told his counterparts.
“So, it’s a privilege to have you at the Pentagon look forward to talking more in-depth about AUKUS and our partnerships,” he added. (Source: U.S. DoD)
09 Dec 25. BAF, Leonardo S.p.A sign LOI for Eurofighter Typhoon. Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and Leonardo S.p.A., an Italian multinational company specialising in aerospace, defence and security, today signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) at the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Headquarters here today. Through this LOI, Leonardo S.p.A will supply Eurofighter Typhoon to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) as a step to include modern Multi-Role Combat . Aircraft at its frontline war craft,” said a release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate here this evening. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division (BAFD) and relevant representatives of Italy were present at the event, the ISPR added. (Source: News Now/https://www.bssnews.net/news/340315)
10 Dec 25. Australia says it will meet ‘challenges’ of AUKUS nuclear submarine timeline. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was “very self-critical” as it looked to address challenges, including skilling its workforce, for the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme, ahead of AUKUS defence ministers meeting in Washington. A Pentagon review of AUKUS had found areas to put the deal on the “strongest possible footing,” a U.S. official said last week, although the findings have not been made public. Announced in 2021, AUKUS is Australia’s largest-ever defence project and will see U.S. commanded Virginia submarines based in Australia from 2027, several Virginia submarines sold to Australia from around 2030, and Britain and Australia build a new class of AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine. Defence ministers from Australia, Britain and the U.S. will meet in Washington on Wednesday local time to discuss “how we can take it forward with urgency”, Marles said in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation interview on Wednesday. Whether or not Australia is moving fast enough to build its nuclear submarine base, and whether the U.S. can build enough Virginia submarines to meet its own needs, were major themes in the review undertaken by the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, a source with knowledge of the matter said. The Pentagon review made recommendations on how “we can do AUKUS better”, Marles said. He was confident Australia would meet a deadline to host four U.S. Virginia submarines at its Indian Ocean naval base in Perth at the end of 2027, although the “enormous uplift” required was a challenge, he said.
“There are going to be challenges for us around skilling our workforce to be able to do everything that we’re seeking to do, both in terms of building but also maintaining the submarines,” he said.
“We need to be looking at that in a granular way… we continue to do that and be very self-critical along the way,” he added.
Other challenges for AUKUS include building supply chains, and lifting production rates for submarines in the United States, he said. (Source: Reuters)
08 Dec 25. South African defence industry to trial solutions for Border Management Authority. The South African defence industry (SADI), through companies such as DCD Protected Mobility, Aselsan South Africa, and Unipro Protective Wear, will this week be taking part in a groundbreaking capability demonstration to assist the Border Management Authority (BMA) as it gears up for a bumper festive season. The companies will be deploying an integrated suite of advanced surveillance, mobility and protective technologies at the Beitbridge and Lebombo border crossings. This was revealed by BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, who briefed the media on its festive season plan in Pretoria on Sunday. The initiative at two of South Africa’s highest-volume land ports forms part of a structured pilot project aimed at enhancing visibility, accountability, and situational awareness during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, the SADI companies said. DCD Protected Mobility will be providing three vehicles for border patrol operations namely two Springbuck Standard Duty (SD) Personnel Carriers SD for patrol and one Sherp All-terrain Vehicle – designed for operations in challenging terrain. The Springbuck vehicles are available in different variants such as Command & Control, Ambulance and Weapon Platform configurations. DCD vehicles have been delivered to 26 countries across five continents. Unipro Protective Wear, in collaboration with Aselsan South Africa, will support the Border Management Authority through the deployment of state-of-the-art body-worn camera systems at selected ports of entry. Beyond traditional video and audio capture, the body camera system is designed to support advanced analytical functions — including facial recognition and number-plate recognition — implemented strictly in accordance with South Africa’s laws, cyber policies, and operational mandates. Body-worn cameras will be mounted on Unipro’s bullet-resistant vests, worn by BMA patrol officers and members operating DCD patrol vehicles and static border control points. Throughout the pilot period, the system will ensure secure data transfer, streamlined monitoring, and improved decision support for frontline and supervisory teams. To safeguard data, all information flows will be protected through active cyber-defence technologies, and the companies will have aerial range extension for improved communications, all delivered by collaboration partners Snode Technologies, A2D Geoscan, and Battlecopter — all members of the Aerospace, Maritime & Defence (AMD) Industries Association of South Africa. Snode will supply cyber security technology while A2D Geoscan will provide a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and Battlecopter a VTOL UAV with optics.
“This collaboration represents a growing model of South African–global technology partnership, combining a world-class international camera OEM with high-quality locally manufactured protective vests. These capabilities will strengthen real-time situational reporting, improve incident documentation and enable higher levels of operational transparency across the border environment,” the companies said.
This collaborative effort between DCD, Unipro, Aselsan, Snode, A2D Geoscan and Battlecopter demonstrates the emerging strength of South Africa’s security and defence industrial partnerships. It highlights the BMA’s commitment to adopting modern tools that enhance safety, efficiency, and law enforcement excellence at the country’s borders. The pilot is expected to serve as a foundation for broader integration of innovative technologies across the national border management system, reinforcing the BMA’s mandate as South Africa’s third national armed law enforcement service responsible for immigration control, port health, biosecurity, access control, risk management, and the safe movement of people and goods across all ports of entry.
BMA expecting a bumper festive season
In his briefing on Sunday, Masiapato said South Africa is facing one of its busiest travel periods in recent years, with traveller movements increasing sharply and enforcement operations yielding thousands of interceptions.
“Historically, the December and January festive periods remain characterized by a significant increase in traveller volume which always places significant pressure on our ports of entry. In fact, South Africa continues to confront a range of complex border-related challenges, including illegal migration, increasingly sophisticated cross-border criminal activities, as well as the smuggling of illicit goods. These challenges place a significant strain on our already limited resources, hinder economic growth, and undermine efforts toward deeper regional economic integration. It is against this backdrop that the BMA continues to engage our neighbouring states to ensure the development of robust, integrated, and well-resourced border management system that is free from criminal interference,” Masiapato said.
“The festive period always positions us to anticipate risks, improve processing times, refine command and control, and elevate our responsiveness to the high-volume and complex border management environment. At this time, our strategy places deliberate emphasis on enhanced capacity, improved queue management, strengthened traffic control, and inter-structural collaboration.”
The BMA’s Festive Season Operational Plan will be executed from 10 December and end on 15 January. Particularly from January, the BMA will intensify measures to detect and seize narcotics, illicit goods, and even stolen vehicles. “We therefore want to warn all travellers to desist from committing any act of criminality around the ports or even in the border law enforcement areas as they will be detected and arrested,” Masiapato cautioned.
He noted that Border Guards have been able to stop about 505 065 individuals from entering South Africa illegally since the deployment of the first contingent in July 2022, intercepted 349 vehicles, and seized R220 m worth of counterfeit clothing and footwear, amongst other successes. Masiapato also announced a key operational development. The BMA, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority, has secured permanent operational space for Coastal Guards at the ports of Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Richards Bay and East London. “This is a critical development towards establishing BMA’s full-time presence in these important seaports,” he said. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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