LOCATIONS
LAND
18 Apr 25. Homes fit for heroes: Raft of news measures to improve military family housing. Living conditions for families in military housing will be transformed under a new Consumer Charter, as Defence Secretary John Healey promised to “stop the rot” in military housing.
- New Consumer Charter for families in military homes, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
- Measures will include higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs, renovation of the worst homes, and a named housing officer for every family – all in place before the one-year anniversary of 36,000 military homes being brought back into public ownership.
- Pledge comes alongside the announcement of an independent, expert team appointed to help deliver a rapid Defence Housing Strategy – with work already underway.
The Charter will be part of a new Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, which will set out further plans to improve the standard of service family homes across the country. Under the Charter, basic consumer rights, from essential property information and predictable property standards, to access to a robust complaints system, will be rapidly introduced. These will be underpinned by new, published satisfaction figures, putting forces families front and centre. The wider Defence Housing Strategy – overseen by the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns – will also turbocharge the development of surplus military land, creating opportunities for Armed Forces homeownership. It will further support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain as part of the government’s Plan for Change. It follows the Government’s landmark deal, completed in January, to bring back 36,000 military homes into public ownership, reversing a 1996 sale described by the Public Accounts Committee as “disastrous”, and saving the taxpayer £600,000 per day by eliminating rental payments to a private company. The announcement follows the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to deliver “homes for heroes” and means that under this government, support will be there for veterans at risk of homelessness. This included removing local connection tests for veterans seeking social housing, meaning as of November, veterans will have access to the housing support they need. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
MARITIME
11 Apr 25. STM begins construction of three Royal Malaysian Navy corvettes. The vessels are part of the Littoral Mission Ship Batch-2 programme and their construction will take place in Türkiye. Türkiye’s naval engineering company STM has initiated the construction of three corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy, as part of the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch-2 programme. The keel-laying ceremony took place at the Istanbul Shipyard. The three corvettes are custom-designed by STM to suit the specifications of the Royal Malaysian Navy and expected for construction in Türkiye, with delivery expected by 2027. On 10 June 2024, Ankara played host to the signing of the government-to-government memorandum of understanding concerning the procurement of defence products between Türkiye and Malaysia. This event also included the handover of the letter of acceptance for the LMS Batch-2 project. The steel-cutting ceremony for these corvettes was subsequently held in Istanbul on 4 December 2024. As the main contractor, STM’s responsibilities encompass the entire project lifecycle, from design and performance to construction and final delivery. This includes ship design, project management, procurement of materials and systems, integration design and assembly, testing, and Integrated Logistic Support. Additionally, STM is tasked with preparing design and ILS documentation pertinent to the project. (Source: naval-technology.com)
15 Apr 25. The multi-role frigate Spartaco Schergat was officially delivered at Fincantieri’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), the joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%). Spartaco Schergat is the ninth FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigate) delivered under the Italian-French international cooperation programme managed by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement). The programme began in 2005 and represents the most ambitious and technologically advanced collaboration in European naval defence to date. As Prime Contractor, Whole Warship and Combat System Design Authority, OSN oversees the delivery of ten units for the Italian Navy. The ceremony was attended, among others, by Dario Deste, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessels Division, Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of OSN, OCCAR Director General Joachim Sucker, Admiral Vincenzo Montanaro, Commander of the Interregional Maritime Command South, Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte, Director of Naval Armaments and General Francois Watteau, DGA representative. Built at the Fincantieri Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, Spartaco Schergat is the first of two vessels in the Enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) configuration. The ship combines advanced systems from Fincantieri, Leonardo, MBDA, and Elettronica and integrates both General-Purpose and ASW capabilities. It is designed for superior operational flexibility across all domains—from sea control and naval interdiction to complex command and control operations. With a length of 144 metres, a beam of 19.7 metres, and a full-load displacement of approximately 6,700 tons, the frigate reaches speeds over 27 knots and hosts a crew of up to 200. Enhanced automation, cyber resilience, and human-centric design make it a next-generation platform tailored for sustained deployment beyond the Mediterranean theatre. This delivery reaffirms Italy’s industrial and technological leadership in the naval sector, where the integration of innovation, modularity, and interoperability continues to shape the evolution of European defence.
AIR
14 Apr 25. Lockheed Martin and the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence formally celebrated the arrival of the first F-16 Block 70 in Bulgaria on Sunday, commemorating the beginning of F-16 operations in Bulgaria. F-16 Block 70 fighter jets will enable Bulgaria to ensure the protection of its airspace and strengthen European security cooperation across allies. Bulgaria has ordered 16 total F-16 fighter jets. The first eight will be delivered by the end of 2025.
Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, emphasized during the ceremony, “This is not just a celebration of a new aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force – it represents a new era of enhanced security, advanced capabilities and strengthened partnerships in the region. Lockheed Martin has been proud to serve as a bridge between the United States and Bulgaria as we work together to achieve peace through strength around the globe.”
The F-16 Block 70 jets are equipped with the Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA Radar, advanced avionics, an extended structural service life of 12,000 hours, and critical safety features like the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS). Since its integration into the U.S. Air Force in late 2014, the Auto GCAS has been instrumental in saving 13 pilots across 12 F-16 incidents, exemplifying the aircraft’s unparalleled safety and performance standards. Bulgaria’s new F-16s join a global network of more than 700 F-16s operating in Europe today and more than 3,100 operating around the world. Lockheed Martin has a backlog of 114 F-16 Block 70/72 jets to be produced in Greenville, South Carolina, with 26 total jets delivered to-date for international partners.
11 Apr 25. France declares upgraded Mirage 2000D operational. The French Air and Space Force has declared its upgraded Dassault Mirage 2000D combat aircraft to be fully operational. Announced on 10 April, the milestone brings to an end a decade-long mid-life upgrade (MLU) programme that was launched in 2015.
“The renovated Mirage 2000D is officially operational. A fleet of 50 modernised aircraft will be in service by the end of 2025 from Air Base 133 in Nancy-Ochey,” the service said.
The Mirage 2000DRMV (D Rénovation Mi-Vie), as the upgraded platform is designated, features enhancements to the weapons and avionics systems as France looks to maintain the airframe as a force multiplier to the Dassault Rafale in the close air support, and interdiction and strike roles. For weapons, the Mirage 2000DRMV has been fitted with a 30 mm cannon pod; the retired MBDA R550 Magic 2 short-range air-to-air missile (AAM) has been replaced with the newer MBDA MICA InfraRed (IR) AAM; and the Sagem Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (AASM) Hammer precision-guided munition (PGM) has been integrated. The aircraft has also been made compatible with the Thales Talios laser designation pod as fitted to the Rafale. The French Air and Space Force described the upgraded avionics as comprising “a renovated architecture, a more intuitive and digitalised dashboard, [and an] ergonomic and real-time tactical vision [system]”. There has been no announcement on the possible integration of the Astac electronic intelligence pod previously fitted to the now-retired Dassault Mirage F1 and trialled on the Mirage 2000D. The Mirage 2000D has been in service since 1993, and the now modernised Mirage 2000DRMV is slated to remain in service through to beyond 2030. (Source: Janes)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
15 Apr 25. Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave and was escorted out of the Pentagon by security on Tuesday, two defense officials said. The officials said Caldwell’s sudden downfall was tied to an investigation into unauthorized disclosure of department information. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Caldwell, who served in the Marine Corps, was one of several senior advisers who worked closely with Hegseth. Caldwell’s ties to the secretary go back to Hegseth’s time as the head of Concerned Veterans for America, a nonprofit that fell into financial difficulty during his time there. Caldwell worked at CVA beginning in 2013 as policy director and later as executive director. (Source: Defense News)
11 Apr 25. The commander of a Space Force base in Greenland was fired Thursday, hours after the revelation that she had sent an email distancing the base from Vice President JD Vance’s comments during a recent visit. Pituffik Space Base commander Col. Susan Meyers was removed from command “for loss of confidence in her ability to lead,” the Space Force said in a statement Thursday evening. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
14 Apr 25. Sir Thomas Drew KCMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the French Republic in succession to Dame Menna Rawlings DCMG CVO. Sir Tom will take up his appointment in August 2025.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
14 Apr 25. The Space Force will reinstate Space Development Agency Derek Tournear this week after an investigation into past contracting practices involving the agency’s proliferated satellite constellation, officials said. Tournear, who has been on administrative leave since mid-January, will resume his duties as SDA director April 17, according to an Air Force spokesperson. William Blauser, deputy director of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, had been serving as the agency’s acting director. (Source: Defense News)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
16 Apr 25. Fincantieri announced its new strategic partnership with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, following the signing of an Industrial Collaboration Agreement. This partnership aims to provide the Philippine Navy with advanced subsea solutions as part of the Horizon III military modernisation programme, which seeks to strengthen defence capabilities and secure the country’s territorial waters in contested areas such as the South China Sea. The partnership will focus on the delivery of the advanced U212 NFS submarines, which are currently being built by Fincantieri in Italy. These submarines incorporate the latest technologies, including Air Independent Propulsion and advanced stealth features, offering unparalleled operational advantages. This collaboration will not only enhance the Philippine Navy’s operational capabilities but also contribute to the development of local infrastructure and promote long-term industrial cooperation between the partners. The agreement extends to comprehensive support for the Philippine Navy, including specialised training, doctrine and logistics, facilitated by the Italian Navy. Furthermore, against the backdrop of the Philippine Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Revitalisation Act, the partnership will assist the Philippine government in the development of a new naval base, leveraging decades of experience in shipbuilding and naval collaboration. Fincantieri and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have a long-standing relationship, dating back to their successful collaboration on the U212A submarines for the Italian Navy. This new agreement extends that partnership, bringing together the strengths of both companies in the design, construction and operational support of the U212 NFS submarines. Commenting on the announcement, Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Fincantieri, said: “With decades of experience in submarine con struction, Fincantieri has developed a solid expertise in delivering high-performance marine solutions. This cooperation is a key milestone in promoting our international export strategy, leveraging the latest cutting-edge Italian and German technologies and quality.”
15 Apr 25. Saab and Omnigo sign supplier agreement to expand production. Saab Grintek Defence (SGD) has doubled its turnover in the last two years and witnessed a five-fold increase in its order backlog, precipitating a supplier agreement with electronic manufacturing company Omnigo that paves the way for greatly increased component production. The supplier agreement was signed at SGD’s Centurion facilities on Wednesday 9 April by Jan Widerström, President and Managing Director of Saab Grintek Defence, and Trevor Raman, Segment Chief Executive Officer at Reunert Applied Electronics. Widerström explained that the supplier agreement supports SGD’s growth as the company is seeing exponential demand from all over the world across the air, land, and sea domains. “We have taken a decision to grow the supply chain. This is one important step with Omnigo,” he said.
The supplier agreement is seeing Omnigo further commit to providing turnkey electronic manufacturing services to Saab, and Saab Grintek Defence committing to certain business volumes for Omnigo, which will have “bigger responsibility,” Widerström noted. “It’s a win-win. They get more predictable sales volumes, more turnover – we get security of supply,” he told defenceWeb. Raman said SGD and Omnigo have had a tight partnership for many years. “Given instability in global supply chains, now is a good time for Omnigo and Saab to forge deeper partnerships. We’ve seen over the last seven years significant downturn in local defence work but we are now experiencing an uptake in defence contracts. We have a versatile workforce to meet demand,” Raman told defenceWeb.
Omnigo started out as Factum Electronics in the 1980s, becoming Omnigo in 1999 through a joint venture with Grintek (subsequently Saab Grintek Defence). In 2015, Omnigo was acquired as a wholly owned subsidiary and became a part of the JSE-listed Reunert Group under the Reunert Applied Electronics segment, with Reunert injecting a large investment into the company. Omnigo specialises in the manufacture of printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies (PBAs), and offers clients a complete turnkey manufacturing solution including production design for manufacture (DFM) services, sourcing and procurement of materials, automated assembly, and design and industrialisation of production and test systems. Omnigo is one of the preferred suppliers to companies in the defence and mining industries The new supplier agreement with Omnigo covers manufacturing for Saab’s self-protection systems for air, land, and sea. Saab Grintek Defence foresees continuous growth due to the strong global need for electronic warfare self-protection systems, and has numerous multi-year contracts with international customers. The company has for many years manufactured laser warning and missile approach warning sensors for ships, submarines, and aircraft. These are incorporated into its Land Electronic Defence System (LEDS) modular active protection system for land vehicles, and its Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) for helicopters, transport aircraft and combat aircraft. SGD carries out full research and development as well as manufacturing, creating local intellectual property and products that are sold globally. More than 90% of its products go to international markets, and Saab’s South African operation has exported to nearly 20 countries. About 80% of Saab Grintek Defence’s supply chain is sourced locally through companies like Omnigo. Securing the supply chain is an important consideration given the need to adapt to the rapidly changing global situation, Widerström said, adding that the agreement with Omnigo could be expanded further down the line. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
15 Apr 25. Fincantieri has formalised a strategic investment in WSense, a cutting-edge Italian deep tech company specialising in underwater monitoring and communication. The transaction includes a €2.5m convertible loan, with the option to increase the investment by an additional €2.5m. This partnership, initiated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2023, is already delivering tangible results. The two companies have jointly secured three tenders issued by the Italian National Centre for the Underwater Domain. These projects draw on the complementary expertise of Fincantieri and WSense to develop and deploy advanced underwater communication technologies. The collaboration also extends to further national and European innovation tenders and joint commercial initiatives. The investment marks a significant milestone in Fincantieri’s underwater strategy, reinforcing its commitment to developing next-generation solutions for underwater monitoring and surveillance — a sector of increasing strategic importance, particularly for dual-use applications. With this move, Fincantieri strengthens its competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape, confirming its role as a leader in maritime and underwater innovation. Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, commented: “This investment is another step forward in our innovation and digitalisation strategy. The WSense technologies open up new possibilities for the monitoring and security of maritime infrastructure and act as key enablers for the advancement of the entire underwater domain. With this transaction, we are confirming our commitment to investing in pioneering solutions that can define the future of shipbuilding and underwater defence, while simultaneously supporting the growth of an Italian centre of excellence and reinforcing Fincantieri’s leading role in our country’s industrial landscape.”
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
17 Apr 25. Clare Partridge has joined Canny Comms as the new Delivery Excellence Manager. Clare brings over 20 years of industry experience from her previous roles, including Director at Morgan Stanley and Business Efficiency Manager at BNP Paribas. Clare will be working with Helena to develop and maintain the operational frameworks that ensure consistent project quality and client satisfaction across our delivery system. Her expertise in resource management, quality assurance, and continuous improvement approaches will directly enhance how we deliver for their clients.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
16 Apr 25. Academy Securities, the nation’s first Post-9/11 veteran owned and operated investment bank, today announced the addition of Gerry Byrne to its Advisory Board. Gerry Byrne brings a wealth of experience in media, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership to Academy Securities. Throughout his accomplished career, he has played pivotal roles in shaping and expanding several influential media organizations. As publisher of Variety, he led the brand’s transformation into a global force in entertainment journalism. He was instrumental in launching Crain’s New York Business, held senior leadership positions at ACT III Communications, and founded the NBC Quill Awards. He later oversaw a major division at Nielsen that included The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, and AdWeek. Today, he serves as Vice Chairman of Penske Media, where he guides strategic initiatives across its diverse media portfolio, while also serving on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations dedicated to veterans, such as the Bob Woodruff Foundation. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Apr 25. Allison Transmission (ALSN), a leading designer and manufacturer of commercial and defense vehicle propulsion solutions, announces the appointment of Scott Mell as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Treasurer, effective April 14, 2025. This announcement follows the June 2024 appointment of Fred Bohley to Chief Operating Officer (COO), who continued to serve as CFO and Treasurer while the company sought a successor. (Source: PR Newswire)
17 Apr 25. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has named Evan Scott as the company’s senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) succeeding Jesus “Jay” Malave, who advised the company that he is pursuing other opportunities. Scott, a 26-year Lockheed Martin finance executive has served as the company’s treasurer and the CFO of two business areas. The appointment is effective immediately.