LOCATIONS
LAND
15 Oct 24. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced that Danish counter Unmanned Air Systems (c-UAS) company, MyDefence, has selected Oklahoma City for its second U.S. based offices. The company is planning an initial investment of more than $1.2m. The expansion, which was facilitated by Commerce, will create 48 new jobs and provide military and defense companies with counter-drone technology to combat Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other threatening drone technology.
“From an overall perspective, it is great news that MyDefence sets up its second US-based facility less than a year after its first,” said Defense Industry Attache, His Royal Highness brigadier general Prince Joachim. “Having chosen Oklahoma City to expand production, MyDefence will find itself at the heart of innovation and R&D in the field of counter-UAS. This move will undoubtedly inspire other Danish high-tech defence-industries.”
MyDefence has identified the newly constructed Convergence development near downtown Oklahoma City for its offices and plans to be housed in the building by 2025. The Convergence multi-phase project is located within the newly established Oklahoma City Innovation District. When finished, Convergence will include 950 new offices, along with an amphitheater, retail space and Hilton-Curio affiliated hotel.
16 Oct 24. Australia said on Wednesday it would invest billions of dollars over the next two decades to expand a shipyard in Western Australia that would become the maintenance hub for its nuclear-powered AUKUS submarine fleet.
The government will make an initial investment of A$127m ($85m) over three years to upgrade facilities at the Henderson shipyard near Perth, Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement.
“The Defence Precinct at Henderson will optimise Australia’s shipbuilding and sustainment industry while supporting continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine pathway,” Marles said.
The facility will also build the new landing craft for the Australian army and the new general-purpose frigates for the navy, he said.
The shipyard “will underpin tens of billions of dollars of investment in defence capabilities” over the next 20 years and create about 10,000 local jobs, Marles said.
The AUKUS defence pact signed in 2021 between Australia, Britain and the U.S. will see Australia buy up to five nuclear-powered submarines from Washington in the early 2030s before jointly building and operating a new class, SSN-AUKUS, with Britain, roughly a decade later.
AUKUS will be the first time Washington has shared nuclear-propulsion technology since it did so with Britain in the 1950s though the submarines would not be nuclear armed. The deal is expected to cost Australia up to about A$368bn ($245.8bn) by 2055, according to government estimates. ($1 = 1.4975 Australian dollars) (Source: Google/Reuters)
16 Oct 24. MyDefence marked a significant milestone today by opening a new R&D office in Oklahoma, further strengthening the state’s role as a hub for advanced defense technology. In the heart of Oklahoma, Danish MyDefence has opened a new office in close collaboration with Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce and its Department for Aerospace and Defense. The strategic move aims to enhance technology intended to address national security challenges and preserve critical infrastructure, as well as getting access to Department of Defense (DoD) projects.
Oklahoma has quickly established itself as a hub for Counter-UAS Center of Excellences utilizing resources across the state of Oklahoma and works with academia, industry and federal agencies to coordinate and evaluate technological innovation. MyDefence is now set to become an active part of an ecosystem that enables collaboration of resources to develop, test and refine counter-drone technology.
MyDefence has successfully created a solid position in the C-UAS market as the leading provider of wearable and integrated solutions to protect humans, vehicles, and critical assets against malicious use of drones. Earlier this year, products from MyDefence were chosen in a historic procurement agreement signed between COBBS BELUX, a company specializing in marketing and selling defense and military equipment to NATO armed services, and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
Leveraging local counter-drone expertise for US expansion
Oklahoma, a key hub for counter-drone technology and research, serves as an ideal location for MyDefence’s R&D efforts. This creates a strong synergy between the company’s mission to expand its US operations and the state’s expertise in unmanned aerial systems defense.
– The technological intelligence available right here in Oklahoma offers new opportunities for MyDefence to support our market and enable an even closer collaboration with the American defense and our industry partners, says Jan Dorn Johansson, CTO at MyDefence.
To mark the official opening of the new R&D office, H.R.H. Prince Joachim, Defense Industry Attaché in Washington D.C. attended the event alongside the Danish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen.
MyDefence will expand its US operations and hire more people in the coming years and contribute to the American counter-UAS technology innovation.
MARITIME
14 Oct. 24. Russia Admiralty Shipyards launches Project 636 sub Yakutsk.
Yakutsk will undergo outfitting works, followed by mooring, factory sea trials, and state trials. Admiralty Shipyards in Russia has launched a new diesel-electric submarine of the modified 636 Project, Yakutsk, marking a new phase in the vessel’s construction.
Yakutsk is the sixth submarine in the series for the Pacific Fleet.
The submarine was laid down in August 2021.
The five other submarines in the series – Petropavlovsk–Kamchatsky, Volkhov, Magadan, Ufa, and Mozhaisk – are already in active combat service. Following its launch, the Yakutsk will now undergo various outfitting works at the shipyard’s berth, followed by mooring, factory sea trials, and state trials. Upon completion of these stages, the submarine will join the Russian Navy. The shipyard is also responsible for the vessel’s warranty and after-sales service.
Russian Navy deputy commander-in-chief Igor Mukhametshin said: “Project 636 submarines are equipped with high-precision weapons that are capable of solving problems of any complexity in different areas of the World Ocean.
“They have confirmed their high seaworthiness and combat characteristics by thousands of nautical miles travelled, repeated combat missions and brilliantly completed combat missions. I express my gratitude to everyone involved in the construction of the ship for their contribution to strengthening the defence capability of our country.”
The Project 636 submarines are claimed to have enhanced combat effectiveness compared to their predecessors.
The boats feature a mix of acoustic stealth and target detection range, an inertial navigation system, an automated information and control system, and powerful torpedo-missile weaponry.
United Shipbuilding general director advisor Vladimir Korolev said: “The ships of this series have proven themselves exceptionally both during the events in Syria and during the special military operation.
“All the tactical and technical characteristics invested in the ship by the designer, all combat capabilities and combat potential have been confirmed.”
Meanwhile, Russia Admiralty Shipyards acting general director Andrey Bystrov noted that two Project 677 ships are currently under construction at the shipyard, with new contracts expected.
(Source: naval-technology.com)
14 Oct. 24. RMC begins construction of Finnish Pohjanmaa-class corvette.
This is part of the Squadron 2020 project which aims to replace seven ageing vessels with new high-performance corvettes. A steel cutting ceremony was held to mark the commencement of the construction phase. Credit: Rauma Marine Constructions.
Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) has initiated the construction of the second Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvette for the Finnish Navy.
This is part of the Squadron 2020 project which aims to replace seven outdated vessels. The complete project is anticipated to be completed in 2029.
RMC and its subsidiary, RMC Defence, are responsible for delivering four corvettes for the Finnish Navy.
A steel cutting ceremony was held to mark the commencement of the construction phase.
The multi-purpose corvettes will be designed to navigate the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea.
Designed to cruise at a speed of 26 knots (48km/h), the 117 metre (m) long ships feature a 16.5m beam, have a draught of 5m and can accommodate a crew of 70. (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
16 Oct 24. Airbus to cut up to 2,500 jobs in defence and space, sources say. Airbus (AIR.PA) plans to cut up to 2,500 posts in its Defence & Space division after spiralling losses on satellite projects, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
The European planemaker aims to implement the cuts, which represent 7% of its workforce in the Defence & Space unit, by the middle of 2026, they said, asking not to be identified on measures that have not yet been publicly announced.
Airbus declined to comment.
Airbus builds satellites, transport planes and has key shares in European missile, fighter and space launch programmes.
Its business has been hit by heavy charges in space systems, including OneSat, and delays and rising costs in defence.
The job cuts, first reported by French news agency AFP, follow a longstanding efficiency review in the defence and space business, code-named ATOM.
Airbus has also been drawing up a specific turnaround plan for its struggling Space Systems business, without waiting for the outcome of recent satellite consolidation talks that include Italy’s Leonardo (LDOF.MI), as well as France’s Thales (TCFP.PA).
But the job cuts will not be confined purely to the space business, which has had 1.5 bn euros in charges in recent quarters, the sources said.
Reuters reported in July that Airbus had launched an urgent cash containment plan across the wider Defence and Space unit, where managers have declared the cost situation “critical”.
CEO Guillaume Faury told reporters earlier this year that Airbus was looking at opportunities to create scale in defence, space and particularly satellites where traditional players have been heavily disrupted by the success of new constellations.
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Oct 24. Mr Jon Dean has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in succession to Ms Harriet Cross, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.
11 Oct 24. Ms Joëlle Jenny has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark in succession to Ms Emma Hopkins OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Jenny will take up her appointment during October 2024.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
16 Oct 24. Scott Morrison has become the new chairman of Space Centre Australia, the planned spaceport in far north Queensland. The former prime minister, who recently joined a Washington-based security and defence think tank, also immediately hinted it had been in discussions with SpaceX over future launches. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Oct 24. British UAV manufacturer Evolve Dynamics announce the appointment of Victor Chavez CBE as the new Chairman of its Board. Mr Chavez, a former CEO and Chairman of Thales UK, brings with him a wealth of experience across the defence, aerospace and security sectors, having previously worked at the highest levels of UK government and alongside UK MOD on defence industrial strategy, capability management, technology and acquisition. In his new role, Mr Chavez will support Evolve Dynamics’ continued growth and expansion into new global markets and territories. It is now ten years since Evolve Dynamics’ Founder & CEO Mike Dewhirst began his support for Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014. At that time, Mike utilised his passion for, and deep knowledge of, technology to provide sUAS support to the Ukrainian military. The Surrey-based company now employs over 70 people and counts among its global customer base all the services of the UK MoD – the Royal Navy, the British Army and the RAF. Evolve Dynamics has recently incorporated in Ukraine, where it continues to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
17 Oct 24. SEA has appointed experienced defence industry professional Simon Gould as Business Development Director to drive growth within the company’s defence business in the UK and overseas. Simon joins SEA following more than three decades at the heart of the UK defence industry. Starting out as an apprentice in the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), he spent 16 years progressing to management roles working on some major submarine weapon system contracts. More recently, he served as the Managing Director of maritime firm BMT’s UK defence business, where he spent 21 years.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
11 Oct 24. Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) today announced that U.S. Space Force Colonel (Ret.) Kalliroi Landry has joined Iridium as Government Programs Director. In this new role, Col. Landry will engage Department of Defense (DoD) communities to help drive continued collaboration, data sharing, transparency and simpler adoption of commercial solutions.
15 Oct 24. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) today announced that David S. Regnery, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Trane Technologies plc, has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Regnery, 62, was appointed CEO of Trane Technologies in July 2021, and named Chair of its Board of Directors in January 2022. Previously, Mr. Regnery served as Trane Technologies’ President and Chief Operating Officer, with direct responsibility for its three regional reportable segments and entire portfolio of businesses, as well as mission-critical company operations, including supply chain, engineering and information technology. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
11 Oct. 24. U.S. Army Special Operations veteran + drone expert joins Red Cat’s Board of Advisors. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) has announced that Brett Velicovich has joined the firm’s Board of Advisors — he is a drone industry expert, national media personality as well as the best-selling author of Drone Warrior, a first-hand account that chronicles the U.S. military’s evolution between 2001 – 2016 and the technology driving it. Velicovich left the military in 2010 after a distinguished career in the United States Army, where he received numerous service-related medals while serving in Tier 1 special operations units and conducted six combat deployments overseas. He serves on several other advisory boards focused on the implementation of drone technology to solve complex issues globally including the African Eye Project, Humanitarian Aid and Rescue Project (HARP), SAFE Shelter for Domestic Violence Services, LIFT Aircraft, Cyberlux Corporation, and PteroDynamics Inc. He holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) in International Business from Duke University. (Source: Satnews)