LOCATIONS
LAND
26 Jan 24. Airbus partners with Tata Group to set up India’s first helicopter Final Assembly Line in the private sector. In a major boost to ‘Make in India’, Airbus Helicopters has announced that it is partnering with the Tata Group to establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for helicopters in the country. The FAL will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 helicopter from its civil range for India and export to some of the neighbouring countries.
The FAL will be the first instance of the private sector setting up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, providing a major boost to the Government of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) programme. Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the facility along with Airbus Helicopters.
The announcement was made during the two-day visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India as Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The FAL in India will undertake the integration of the major component assemblies, avionics and mission systems, installation of electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system and the engine. It will also do testing, qualification, and delivery of the H125 to customers in India and the region. The FAL will take 24 months to set up and deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125s are expected to commence in 2026. The location of the FAL will be jointly decided by Airbus and the Tata Group.
“Helicopters are crucial for nation building. A ‘Made-in-India’ civil helicopter will not only be a symbol of the confident New India but will also unlock the true potential of the helicopter market in the country,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. “This helicopter final assembly line, which we will build together with our trusted partner Tata, is a reaffirmation of Airbus’ commitment to developing the full spectrum of the aerospace ecosystem in India. This will be the second final assembly line Airbus is building in India after the ‘Make in India’ C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat.”
- Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, said, “The Tata Group is delighted to set up India’s first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. This facility will have the final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the world’s bestselling Airbus H125 single engine helicopter for the Indian as well as export markets.”
Undisputed in its class, the H125 produced in India will catalyse the use of helicopters in the country. This multi-mission workhorse will revolutionise passenger and goods transportation and will also be used for segments such as emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, tourism and aerial work missions. Providing last mile connectivity to remote areas, the H125 will significantly contribute to the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) that will further promote the tourism sector in the country.
The H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter that outclasses other helicopters in its category. This high-performing versatile helicopter is a member of Airbus’ Ecureuil family, which has accumulated more than 38 m flight hours worldwide. It can operate in high-and-hot and extreme environments and can be easily reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, rescue, air ambulance, passenger transport, and many others.
The H125 is the only helicopter to have landed on Mount Everest, demonstrating its agility in operating in high altitude, extreme environments.
The proposed helicopter manufacturing facility will be the second FAL to be established in India by Airbus, leveraging TASL’s capabilities in aerospace and defence. The two companies are building the C295 military transport aircraft FAL in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The latest announcement is part of Airbus’ efforts to develop a holistic aerospace ecosystem in India, where the company is expanding its industrial footprint with aircraft assembly, component manufacturing, engineering and digital design and development, MRO support, pilot and maintenance training as well as academic collaboration to foster human capital.
23 Jan 24. Belcan Opens Aerospace-Focused Technology & Innovation Center in Bangalore. Belcan, LLC (“Belcan”), a global supplier of full product lifecycle digital engineering, today launched its first aerospace-focused Technology and Innovation Center in Bangalore. The new state-of-the-art facility located at Whitefield Bangalore will augment Belcan’s global delivery footprint and serve as a hub for collaboration and technological development within the aerospace industry. Lance Kwasniewski, CEO of Belcan, who attended the event, commented, “We are delighted to inaugurate our new Technology and Innovation Center in Bangalore, highlighting our commitment to growing and developing engineers around the globe. Over the last 60 years, Belcan has consistently earned the trust of our customers by providing high-quality technical solutions across the full product lifecycle. I am very excited about the new opportunities this center creates to foster innovation and drive digital advancements that will help shape the future of the aerospace industry. “With a growing delivery center in Hyderabad and now Bangalore, Belcan is poised to further increase its capacity and capabilities, adding a substantial number of high-end aerospace engineers with niche competencies in product, software and digital engineering. The Bangalore center is a key milestone in Belcan’s global expansion, allowing the company to tap the best aerospace talent pool and develop and deliver cutting-edge digital solutions for its customer base worldwide. (Source: PR Newswire)
MARITIME
23 Jan 24. Malaysia recommissions retired patrol boats amid dearth of assets. Malaysia has recommissioned two modified Kris-class patrol boats that were retired in the mid-2000s as its navy continues to reconcile increasing operational requirements with a lack of assets. These vessels, which are now in service as KD Sri Sabah (46) and KD Sri Sarawak (48), were re-inducted in a recommissioning ceremony at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN’s) Tanjung Gelang Naval Base on 19 January. Sri Sabah and Sri Sarawak were first inducted into the RMN in 1966. The vessels were subsequently transferred to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in 2006 after being retired from naval service. Both vessels were once again transferred to the RMN in 2019 and made to undergo refurbishment works at local shipbuilder MSET Shipbuilding Corporation from 2020 at Kuala Terengganu. The RMN has not responded to questions from Janes on what the refit constitutes. However, in a statement released by the service on 19 January citing its chief, Admiral Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, the RMN described the recommissioning of both Sri Sabah and Sri Sarawak. (Source: Janes)
AIR
24 Jan 24. Indonesia boosts air defence with C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft. Indonesian defence minister Prabowo’s handover marks a step in strengthening the Indonesian Air Force. Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, present at the ceremony, highlighted the aircraft’s versatility, capable of carrying 120 soldiers and tons of cargo, which is important for an archipelagic nation like Indonesia with diverse terrains and short runways.
This C-130J-30, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Global Inc., USA, features glass cockpit technology and a Rolls Royce AR2100D3 turboprop engine, enabling up to 410 MPH or 356 KTAS speeds. The aircraft’s capability to fly non-stop for 11 hours and operate on short runways addresses the unique challenges posed by Indonesia’s vast and geographically diverse landscape.
Other notable countries to have procured the C-130J-30 Super Hercules in recent years include the Indo-Pacific neighbour Philippines, who acquired three C-130J-30 Super Hercules, Japan, receiving the final C-130J-30S from Lockheed Martin, and Germany, Egypt, and Australia, all seeking C-130J-30s.
Lockheed Martin officially delivered the first of five C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft to the Indonesian Air Force on February 21, 2023.
In addition to the C-130J-30 handover, Minister Prabowo symbolically presented the results of refurbishing the Fennec AS 550 and Panther AS 565 MBE helicopters. The defence strategy involves thorough preparation, as highlighted by President Jokowi, ensuring optimal functionality for both war and peace scenarios. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
23 Jan 24. Georgia Air National Guard receives first of eight C-130J-30 Super Hercules. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 530 C-130J Super Hercules in 18 mission variants to a range of customers around the world.
Lockheed Martin has delivered the first of eight C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters to the Georgia Air National Guard on 22 January 2024, which first received earlier variants of the long-serving design in 1975.
The 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard will be the first all-C-130J-30 Super Hercules fleet in the US state of Georgia, with the stretched variant adding 15ft of additional cargo space compared to other iterations of the platform.
According to manufacturer Lockheed Martin, the delivery marks the first US Air Force C-130J-30 aircraft to receive the Block 8.1 configuration during its initial production. The Block 8.1 configuration improves interoperability across the fleet with features such as a new flight management system, enhanced navigation and inter-communication systems and updated friend-or-foe identification, Lockheed Martin states.
The US Air National Guard continues to operate a mixed C-130J and C-130H fleet.
To date, 26 operators in 22 nations are part of the C-130J global fleet, with manufacturer Lockheed Martin delivering more than 530 C-130J Super Hercules in 18 mission variants. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
23 Jan 24. ROLLS-ROYCE Faces Strike Threat. GMB members working on the company’s nuclear submarine programme will begin balloting in the dispute over pay. GMB union has today announced Rolls-Royce members working in the company’s submarine sector will begin balloting for industrial action. The vote at the Derby-based company comes as workers rejected the latest offer in an ongoing dispute on pay. Rolls-Royce is a world leader in the field of submarine technology, as well as being the supplier to Britain’s domestic nuclear submarine fleet. In agreement with the company, any industrial action will not jeopardise the UK’s continuous at sea nuclear deterrent, safety of submarines or operational submarines at sea. Workers will begin balloting on Monday 29 January with a result expected after four weeks. GMB is Britain’s largest union in defence and nuclear manufacturing.
Mick Coppin, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “These are highly skilled workers doing vital work for Britain’s defence infrastructure. They’ve been driven to balloting after months of managers stubbornly refusing to shift on pay, despite repeated attempts to get back around the table. Workers will now have their say on the next steps in their campaign to deliver the pay and recognition they deserve”.
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
23 Jan 24. Scott Morrison to retire from Australian Parliament, eyes roles in defence sector. Former prime minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce his upcoming retirement from Parliament, with sources speculating a move into the defence sector.
The Australian Financial Review has today (23 January) revealed that former prime minister and Member for Cook Scott Morrison has been selected for “several” advisory roles related to defence and geopolitics.
The roles are expected to relate to the United States and Indo-Pacific.
Speculation over the former prime minister’s future career mounted in 2022, with the Member for Cook establishing Triginta and being the company’s sole shareholder.
In 2023, The Sydney Morning Herald then reported that Morrison was considered by a UK defence organisation to assume a senior position in the company, related to the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
The former prime minister was a central figure behind the creation of AUKUS, appearing alongside former British prime minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden to launch the trilateral security partnership in 2021.
Morrison told The Australian, he was looking forward to “new challenges” in global strategic advisory roles and private boards, drawn from a network established through AUKUS and the QUAD, while spending more time with his family in the Shire.
“I am thankful to all those who supported me in what we were able to achieve in government, from the early days of stopping the boats to delivering tax cuts for individuals and small business, leading Australia successfully through the global pandemic, saving lives and livelihoods, and delivering AUKUS, the single most significant defence agreement in 70 years,” Morrison said. (Source: Defence Connect)
19 Jan 24. Canada assumes command of CTF 150, combating transnational crime and terror. Royal Canadian Navy Captain Collin Matthews assumed command of Combined Task Force 150 from France during a recent ceremony in Bahrain, overseeing anti-crime and terrorism operations.
Combined Task Force 150 conducts maritime security operations and capacity building in the Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea, spanning 5 m square kilometres and overseeing some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
It was established in 2001 to counter transnational crime elements operating around the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. It conducts activities against criminal and terrorist groups operating in the region, keeping civilian transit safe.
The command rotates on a six-monthly basis and Canada will receive support from the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces during the tenure.
CTF 150 is one of five current Combined Task Forces, making it one of the world’s largest multi-nation maritime partnerships. It consists of 39 member nations.
CAPT Matthews wants to continue building on the success of CTF 150 under French leadership.
“It is an honour to take command of CTF 150 and a privilege to lead this collection of dedicated CAF personnel for the next six months. We are eager to build on the achievements of the French command team,” CAPT Matthews said.
“The success of this operation lies with our ability to work with like-minded nations toward the same goals, ensuring that legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region free from non-state threats and we are ready to face this task.”
Canada will head the task force until July 2024.
Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command, welcomed the opportunity to provide leadership over the international operation.
“I am proud to see Canada take the lead of CTF 150 once again. This opportunity demonstrates Canada’s dedication to maritime security and the confidence our Royal Canadian Navy personnel inspire with our international allies and partners,” he explained.
“I wish Captain (Navy) Matthews, his fellow CAF personnel, and our partners from Australia and New Zealand, fair winds and following seas.”
(Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
26 Jan 24. Moro Hub and ServiceNow Collaborate to Streamline Digital Transformation for Public and Private Enterprises in the UAE. Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (PJSC), announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW). Under the terms of the MoU, ServiceNow will be Moro Hub’s preferred partner for Digital Transformation projects aimed at boosting engagement and productivity for internal stakeholders. The companies will also work together to extend cutting-edge services to entities, in both the public and private sectors, that will enable them to navigate complex business challenges and maximize operational technology efficiencies.
The MoU which was signed between Mohammad Bin Sulaiman, Chief Executive Officer of Moro Hub and Ali Kaddoura, UAE Country Manager at ServiceNow, on the sidelines of Intersec, will see the companies work together to develop state-of-the-art engagement platforms tailored to the unique needs of public and private sector entities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These platforms, which will also leverage ServiceNow’s Now Assist GenAI capabilities, will help streamline communication and collaboration across multiple business functions, facilitate end-to-end automation of digital processes and facilitate faster time-to-market for citizen service applications.
“Moro Hub has always been committed to driving digital transformation projects that ensure employee happiness and engagement. This partnership with ServiceNow is another effort to reinforce our commitment to empowering organizations with the right digital tools that will not only enhance productivity of the enterprises, but also ensure that employees feel valued,” said Mohammad Bin Sulaiman Chief Executive Officer of Moro Hub.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Moro Hub to embed capabilities of the Now Platform into digital solutions that will help break down information silos and simplify processes, ultimately enabling employees and suppliers to work more efficiently and UAE residents and private sector customers to seamlessly avail of services and enjoy exceptional experiences. This joint collaboration reflects our shared vision of transforming the way organizations engage with their stakeholders, and we look forward to delivering impactful results together,” added Ali Kaddoura, UAE Country Manager at ServiceNow.
PERSONNEL
24 Jan 24. RDUK supporting early STEM careers.
Rheinmetall Defence UK has been working hard to improve support and opportunities to early careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in the UK.
Apprenticeship and Graduate Opportunities
Last year, we launched our graduate scheme, taking on three graduates in September 2023 from different universities across the UK. During their time at Rheinmetall, they will be rotating through diverse engineering projects and the wider business, getting valuable support and experience by working with our team, attending events and contributing to ongoing projects.
An engineering apprentice also joined our team in September 2023 and they have been working on key projects, learning from the vast experience our employees have. Marton Handa, Engineering Apprentice, said ‘My apprenticeship with Rheinmetall is giving me the opportunity to develop systems that protect and support armed forces, providing valuable hands-on experience to further develop my skillset and contribute to the company.’
University Relationships
As our headquarters are located in Bristol, we have been building a relationship with both the University of West England and Cardiff University. A Cardiff University undergraduate joined us for a summer placement, working in our Business Development team, learning the process of identifying contract opportunities and reacting to customer product needs.
With the University of West England, we have recently become their Formula Student team lead sponsor. The team are aiming to become the first hybrid electric Formula Student team in the UK, and our donation is going towards achieving this, as well as providing new driver suits, motors and safety systems for the 2024/25 season. Their vision towards leading the reduction of carbon emissions in the sport aligns with our own, and we will be considering members of the team for future recruitment opportunities.
This year, we will continue to support early careers in the industry by opening up our summer placement opportunity, and recruiting new apprentices and graduates to join our team in the autumn.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
25 Jan 24. Academy Securities, a registered broker-dealer, certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), today announced the addition of Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck to its Advisory Board and Geopolitical Intelligence Group. Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck retired from the United States Navy after more than 40 years of commissioned service. His active-duty career culminated with his role as the 63rd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. He has over a decade of service in the Pentagon with tours of duty on the Navy Staff and the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he specialized in strategy and policy development as well as personnel management. He additionally leveraged unique opportunities in his career by earning a designation as a member of the Navy’s Space Cadre while serving at the National Reconnaissance Office. Admiral Buck’s operational service was as a Naval Flight Officer in the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance naval aviation community, where he accumulated over 4000 flight hours and command-level leadership including command of the US FOURTH Fleet. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Jan 24. DCS Corporation announced the promotion of Bill Protzman to President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 1, 2024. In this new role, Bill will oversee the execution of customer initiatives and sustain a robust operating organization. Other key duties include financial management, making profit-oriented bid decisions, and driving strategic growth through sector and department targets. Bill will also support business development and annual budgeting. He will chair the Quality Council, emphasizing compliance and process improvement. (Source: PR Newswire)
25 Jan 24. ECS, a leader in advanced technology, science, and engineering solutions, has named Ryan Garner its new chief financial officer (CFO). As a key member of the executive leadership team, Garner will play a strategic role in the overall growth and management of the company and work closely with ECS’ president. He will oversee all accounting and finance operations, contracts, legal, pricing, procurement functions, financial planning and analysis, facilities management, and compliance activities. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 Jan 24. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, today announced the appointment of Stuart Kupinsky as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, effective Jan. 29, 2024. Reporting to Mercury Chairman and CEO Bill Ballhaus, Kupinsky will be responsible for the company’s legal strategy, including M&A, intellectual property, and enterprise contracts. Previously, Kupinsky served as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for five public and private technology companies, including Blackboard Inc. through its sale to Anthology Inc., now one of the largest global education technology companies, and Tekelec, Inc., a public global telecommunications technology company serving the U.S. Department of Defense until its sale to Oracle. Kupinsky was also Chief Counsel for FirstNet, a multibn-dollar independent government agency building a nationwide network for first responders. Earlier in his career he served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and as a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Kupinsky holds a J.D. with honors from The George Washington University Law School and a B.S. in electrical engineering from Lehigh University.
23 Jan 24. The NIOA Group has announced the appointment of United States-based executive Dan Olson to its advisory board. Olson, formerly the vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman’s Weapon Systems Division, joins NIOA as a full-time adviser with a focus on developing the company’s US strategy. His appointment follows NIOA’s recent move into the US Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey and comes on the first anniversary of the company’s 100 percent acquisition of Tennessee-based Barrett Firearms. (Source: Google/APDR)