LOCATIONS
LAND
MARITIME
24 Jun 24. USN names future Constellation-class frigate USS Gálvez.
The US Secretary of the Navy announced the sixth Constellation-class frigate, FFG 67, will be named the USS Gálvez.
The US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the name of the next Constellation-class frigate (FFG 67), the future USS Gálvez on 21 June 2024, at the US embassy in Madrid.
The ship was appropriated in May 2024. The option to procure FFG 66 and FFG 67, the fifth and sixth vessels in this class, came at a cost of $1.04bn.
Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM), the US division of the Italian shipbuilder, laid steel of the first of the Constellation-class vessels (FFG 62), the future USS Constellation, in April 2024, after winning a $795m contract in 2020 for the lead frigate, with options for nine further ships that would bring the total cost up to $5.5bn.
So far, the US Navy has ordered five additional ships, including the future USS Hamilton (FFG66), USS Congress (FFG 63), USS Chesapeake (FFG 64), and USS Lafayette (FFG 65), and the most recently named USS Gálvez. Four vessels remain on option.
Constellation-class frigates will perform in a variety of missions, including anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and electronic warfare, operating in both littoral and blue water environments. The frigates will be the first to join service with the US Navy since the Oliver Hazard Perry-class FFGs left service in 2015.
The Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) were intended to overtake the capability left by the Oliver Hazard Perry-class FFGs, but the LCS programme was curtailed early following a series of issues in their first few years of operations.
The US Congressional Research Service stated that a seventh vessel is requested in the US Navy’s proposed budget, which seeks funds of $1.2bn for the ship.
The rate of development of the Constellation-class frigate programme has been notably faster than typical US Navy procurements. The development has drawn on the access to mature component systems and the experience of US and Italian Navies with the Italian-French FREMM frigate, which serves as a template for the design of the Constellation-class ships.
The high pace of development speaks to the US Navy’s requirement to match China’s naval posture, which maintains a numerical lead in naval vessels and continues to produce ships at a high rate. (Source: naval-technology.com)
25 Jun 24. Japan launches ninth Mogami-class frigate. Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has launched the ninth Mogami-class guided-missile frigate on order for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The frigate, which will be in service as JS Natori once it is commissioned, was launched at MHI’s facilities in Nagasaki on 24 June, the JMSDF announced on the same day. Natori is one of 12 Mogami-class frigates that have been planned for the JMSDF. The new warships will replace the JMSDF’s fleet of Abukuma-class frigates that have been in service since the late 1980s and early 1990s.
First-of-class JS Mogami was commissioned in April 2022, while the second frigate, JS Kumano, was inducted in March 2022 ahead of the lead frigate.
The Mogami class displaces about 5,500 tonnes at full load, and it has an overall length of 132m with an overall beam of 16m.
Each warship has been designed for a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion configuration comprising two MAN 12V28/33D STC diesel engines and one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine engine. It has a top speed of 30 kt and a crew complement of 90. The class is armed with a BAE Systems 127 mm naval gun in the primary position. It is also equipped with a vertical launching system (VLS) for the Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile and two quad launchers for anti-ship missiles. Besides the JMSDF’s existing arsenal of anti-ship missiles, Japan also has plans to arm the Mogami-class frigates with a naval variant of the Type 12 missile to improve the class’s long-range strike capabilities. (Source: Janes)
AIR
25 Jun 24. Bangladeshi C-130J fleet reaches full strength with Marshall support. Marshall has delivered the last of five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), marking a key moment in the nation’s long-term investment in sovereign airlift capacity. Representatives from the Bangladesh High Commission in London and the BAF joined the Marshall team at the company’s headquarters in Cambridge yesterday to formally celebrate the handover of the final aircraft. Marshall’s multi-million pound programme to upgrade and enhance the BAF C-130J fleet originated in 2018 and 2019, following the acquisition of the aircraft from the UK Ministry of Defence. The most substantial work packages have included decommissioning the aircraft from their previous service within the UK Royal Air Force’s fleet, while integrating state-of-the-art avionics and installing capability enhancements including passenger transport and survival equipment.
“I am delighted to be here to preside over a proud moment for the entire Bangladesh Air Force, as we mark the culmination of a multi-year Investment into our fleets towards realisation of Forces Goal 2030 as envisioned by Prime Minister Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina,” said Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK and Ireland.
“The work performed here in Cambridge will directly support us in fulfilling our operational commitments for decades to come, and I would like to thank the Marshall team for their expertise and commitment.
“The BAF-Marshall relationship perfectly exemplifies the collaborative spirit and commitment to shared interests that underpin the growing UK-Bangladesh defence relationship.”
While all five aircraft are now in active service with the BAF, Marshall is scheduled to deliver further modifications in the near future. Marshall will also continue to support the BAF with a range of technical services including global engineering support, supply chain and logistics management, spare parts procurement and provision of training.
“It has been a privilege to partner with the Bangladesh Air Force over the last six years as they have created a world-leading tactical airlift capability,” said Marshall Chief Growth Officer Bob Baxter. “Fielding these five C-130J Super Hercules aircraft with a range of sophisticated upgrades will ensure the BAF’s mission-readiness to support UN peace-keeping and humanitarian missions around the world, and this is something we are proud to have contributed to.”
25 Jun 24. First UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopters arrive for Nigerian Army’s new aviation win. Nigerian Army Aviation has received its first aircraft – two Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopters – which were formally handed over in a ceremony last week at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The aircraft (NA 010 and NA 011) were formally received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Thursday 20 June in what the Nigerian Army said was a significant step forward in enhancing its operational capabilities. The arrival of the helicopters “marks a significant milestone in the development of the Nigerian Army Aviation’s capacity to provide air support for ground operations,” it said.
Lagbaja noted that the renewed drive to establish a Nigerian Army Aviation wing was conceived by the then-former COAS, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah (rtd), in 2014, with a three-phase ten-year implementation plan.
In March last year, MD Helicopters announced that the Nigerian Army had awarded it a contract for the supply of 12 Cayuse Warrior Plus scout/attack helicopters to assist in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country.
The aircraft were due to be delivered from the fourth quarter of 2023, but deliveries have yet to transpire.
Nigeria in 2023 budgeted NGN3.1 bn (then about $6.6 m) for three UH-1 helicopters and NGN2.8 bn for three Magnus MF-212 surveillance and attack aircraft for the Army. The 2024 budget allocated NGN2.6 trillion ($2.8 bn at the time) for establishing the Nigerian Army’s aviation wing.
Nigeria plans to locally assemble Magnus light aircraft at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, with $5m allocated towards this in January 2023.
Belarussian company BVST (Belspetsvneshtechnika) developed the Magnus Fusion into the MF 212 armed aircraft ideal for homeland security, surveillance and patrol tasks. It can apparently be fitted with an iSKY-30 HD electro-optical gimbal, and R-60-NT-L or R-60-NT-T-2 missiles. Although BVST has not provided any detail on its development of the aircraft, Greek company International Armour lists the BVST MF 212 in its sale catalogue. BVST has previously worked with the Nigerian Air Force, providing maintenance for Mi-35 helicopters as well as training. The Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, Brigadier General Musa Alkali, during the UH-1 delivery ceremony stated that the acquisition of the platforms is a clear demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s aviation resolve, adding that this will boost its reconnaissance, surveillance, and air mobility capabilities. The Nigerian Army said the UH-1H helicopters are equipped with advanced sensors and enablers to conduct a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, rescue, logistics, transportation, and medical evacuation. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
26 Jun 24, Quickstep Holdings has informed the ASX that it intends to slash its local workforce as demand for F-35 components slows, with those impacted to be consulted “in due course”.
According to the filing, the company will reduce headcount in their direct production and operational support units by 20 per cent each.
Meanwhile, the aerospace composite business is also expected to reduce staff within its corporate support teams by 35 per cent.
The engineering development and services business units will not be impacted by the announcement.
ASX filings revealed that the restructure will save the ASX-listed company $5 m in annualised costs.
According to filings, impacted staff members have yet to be notified.
The announcement comes days after the company told the market it hoped to maintain “consistent” margins despite the reduced demand for F-35 parts.
“In line with customer requirements, overall demand for F-35 components will be circa 8 per cent lower than average demand over the FY23/FY24 period,” a statement from the company read. (Source: Defence Connect)
24 Jun 24. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol as commander of the joint forces of the country’s army hours after complaints about his conduct in the war with Russia were made by a prominent soldier. Zelenskyy announced on Monday evening that Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov would replace Sodol, in the latest shake-up to Ukraine’s senior military leadership. The changes came shortly after Bohdan Krotevych, chief of staff of the Azov national guard brigade, accused Sodol of incompetence on the battlefield and blamed him for the deaths of “thousands” of Ukrainian soldiers under his command. (Source: FT.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
28 Jun 24. Mr Nick Abbott has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Albania in succession to Mr Alastair King-Smith who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Abbott will take up his appointment during September 2024.
26 Jun 24. NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general on Wednesday, putting the outgoing Dutch prime minister in charge of the world’s biggest security organization at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine. Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts will formally welcome him to their table at a summit in Washington on July 9-11. (Source: Defense News)
25 Jun 24. Mr Colin Wells has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Eswatini in succession to Mr Simon Boyden, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Wells will take up his appointment during August 2024.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
24 Jun 24. Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Appointment of Derek Chollet as Chief of Staff. I am delighted that Derek Chollet will start in July as my Chief of Staff. He is one of the most distinguished, far-sighted, and skillful national-security practitioners of his generation, and I am grateful to him for taking on this key assignment at such an important moment. Derek has served with distinction in senior policy roles at the White House, the Pentagon, and the Department of State, including his current role as Counselor of the Department of State, where he has performed superbly as one of the top policy advisers to my friend Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Derek will be returning to the Pentagon after serving from 2012-15 as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. He has also served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Strategic Planning on the National Security Council staff and as the Principal Deputy Director of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff. Until 2020, he was Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor for Security and Defense Policy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. He is a proud son of Lincoln, Nebraska.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
26 Jun 24. Safran, MTU team up to power Europe’s next-gen military helicopter. France’s Safran and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines created a joint venture to develop a new power unit for Europe’s next-generation military helicopter project. The 50/50 venture will work on a “100% European engine” to power a military helicopter set to enter service by 2040, and will provide the core for a partnership with industrial firms from several other European countries, the companies said in a joint statement. The companies said the future heavy engine will be “significantly” more efficient with lower operating and maintenance costs, and allow for faster and more maneuverable helicopters with increased range. Safran and MTU are members of the Airbus Helicopters-led European Next Generation Rotorcraft consortium, which was awarded €40m by the European Defense Fund in 2021 to study future vertical-takeoff needs and capabilities. The joint venture “will enable us to start developing new technologies such as hybrid-electric propulsion and high-temperature materials, to meet the specifications of future helicopter projects,” Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet said in the statement. The new joint venture, called EURA for European Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance, will be based in Bordes in France at the Safran Helicopter Engines headquarters, and its CEO will come from within MTU, the companies said. Creating EURA will encourage a future call from the European Defense Fund for military helicopter engines, to which Safran and MTU would respond via the new joint venture, the companies said. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency, meanwhile, is working on its Next Generation Rotorcraft Program to develop a new-generation medium-lift helicopter, and in December awarded a first study on a new engine for the rotorcraft to GE Aerospace. The European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation scheme last year kicked off yet another project called the Next Generation Medium Helicopter which seeks to “provide coherent solutions for future EU rotorcraft capabilities” though both new platforms as well as upgrades of existing ones, particularly the NH90, and prepare the European next-generation rotorcraft program. Safran and MTU are already working together in a joint venture with ITP Aero to develop a next-generation engine for the Future Combat Air System. Safran supplies helicopters engines to Airbus and Leonardo, while MTU has been a partner for Safran on the power plant for the Tiger attack helicopter and with GE Aerospace on the engine for the Sikorsky CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. (Source: Defense News)
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
24 Jun 24. Chemring the FTSE 250 aerospace, defence and technology company today announces the appointment of a non-executive director and Chair-Designate, Tony Wood. Tony will succeed Carl-Peter Forster as Chairman of the Board on 1 December 2024, following Carl-Peter’s retirement on 30 November 2024. Tony is a member of the Board of Directors of Airbus SE, the CAC 40 aerospace and defence firm, and National Grid plc, an energy company operating in the UK and the US. From 2018-2022 he was Chief Executive of FTSE 100 Meggitt plc, where he led the operational and cultural transformation of the company.
24 Jun 24. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Management Board has elected Koen Milis, Director General of the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority, as its new Chair in a vote held at its regular half-yearly meeting on June 6-7, 2024. Anelia Marinova, Director General of the Bulgarian Civil Aviation Administration, was elected to the position of Deputy Chair. The Chair and Deputy Chair are elected by the EASA Management Board members from among their members. Their mandate runs for four years. The election was necessitated as the previous incumbents are leaving the Management Board. The Management Board is responsible for the definition of the agency’s priorities, the establishment of the budget and for monitoring the agency’s operation. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
27 Jun 24. Austal Limited announced the appointment of a former US secretary of Navy as the company’s new chairman following the retirement of its inaugural chair and founder, John Rothwell. Austal Limited has announced that former US secretary of Navy Richard Spencer has been selected as the chairman of ASX-listed Austal Limited, who will also join the board of Austal USA. The announcement comes as the company’s inaugural chairman, John Rothwell, retired from his position, though will serve on the Austal board as a non-executive director. Rothwell served as chairman of the company for 37 years, having founded Austal in 1987. (Source: Defence Connect)