LOCATIONS
MARITIME
24 Mar 26. US Navy’s Newest Destroyer Arrives at Naval Station Norfolk Ahead of Commissioning. The Navy’s newest destroyer, the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., arrived at its home port, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, March 20, ahead of its commissioning ceremony, scheduled for April 11.
The warship’s namesake, retired Marine Corps Col. Harvey Curtiss Barnum Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient, was on the pier to welcome the ship and its crew.
“To be on the pier and welcome this incredible crew to their new home port is monumental,” Barnum said. “This warship represents the enduring bond between the Marine Corps and the Navy, and I have the utmost confidence in the crew to carry on the legacy of service and courage that defines our naval forces. I look forward to seeing them ‘bring her to life’ and join the fleet.”
The destroyer is the first ship to bear Barnum’s name. It honors his gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War.
On Dec. 18, 1965, then-1st Lt. Barnum assumed command of his company after the commander was mortally wounded. With two helicopters under his control, he moved fearlessly through deadly fire to lead air attacks against the enemy’s well-entrenched positions while directing one platoon in a successful counterattack on the key positions.
Having cleared a small area, Barnum requested and directed the landing of two transport helicopters to evacuate the deceased and wounded. He then assisted in accomplishing the battalion’s objective. He is among the few living namesakes to witness his warship’s commissioning.
“It is an honor to bring this warship to Norfolk and to be welcomed by Col. Barnum himself. His heroism is the standard we strive to meet every day,” said Navy Cmdr. Benjamin R. Cantu, the ship’s commanding officer. “This crew has trained relentlessly to prepare for this moment. We are ready to join the fleet and carry the name of a true American hero as we defend our nation’s interests around the globe.”
The warship’s sponsor is Barnum’s wife, Martha Hill, who has maintained a close relationship with the crew since the keel-laying ceremony in 2021. In keeping with naval tradition, she will give the order during the commissioning to “man our ship and bring her to life.” At that command, the crew will hoist the commissioning pennant, and the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. will officially become a warship in the Navy’s fleet.
The ship is designed to conduct a wide range of maritime operations, including antiair warfare, antisubmarine warfare and antisurface warfare in support of national security and global maritime stability. Once commissioned, the warship will be capable of operating independently or as part of a carrier strike group, surface action group or an expeditionary strike group.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
19 Mar 26. Marshall Land Systems and Tecnove Business Group join forces to deliver critical deployable infrastructure and vehicle solutions. Marshall Land Systems and the Tecnove Business Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore and develop collaborative opportunities across the defence, medical, and industrial sectors. Marshall Land Systems, a Canadian-owned global company with a proud 100+ year heritage of British engineering excellence, designs, develops, delivers, and supports robust deployable infrastructure and platform-integrated solutions that meet the needs of defence and national security personnel worldwide. Spain-based Tecnove Business Group has more than 35 years of experience designing, manufacturing, and maintaining special vehicles, custom containers, and modular mobile units. The partnership is founded on strong strategic alignment, complementary capabilities, and well-established distribution networks. By combining their expertise, the two companies aim to expand market access, enhance their portfolios, and deliver greater value to customers.
18 Mar 26. Babcock and S.A.F.E sign Memorandum of Understanding to explore international training opportunities. Babcock has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Belgian defence company S.A.F.E. to explore collaboration on international training opportunities.
The MOU, announced at the Brussels European Defence Exhibition and Conference (BEDEX), brings together our extensive international training experience with S.A.F.E.’s unique national and regional expertise in the design and delivery of defence and resilience training.
The collaboration supports our growing international training portfolio, which currently includes the training of pilots in the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy and delivering collective training and wargaming expertise to NATO establishments in Norway and Poland.
We work with suppliers who use experienced subject matter experts with local and regional knowledge to deliver compelling solutions which fulfil our customers’ training requirements. We also add social value by contributing to local communities and delivering economic benefits from the creation of new, skilled roles in-country.
S.A.F.E. is a Belgian company which specialises in providing training capability development, infrastructure security and secure operations support solutions to defence organisations.
Aimee McGaughey, Managing Director for our Training Business, said: “Nations need to know their armed forces are equipped with the skills to complete their missions – and high-quality training needs to be delivered at pace.
“As a leading provider of training to the UK’s armed forces, we’re delighted to have signed this MOU with S.A.F.E. to target new opportunities, working with an innovative business where we can collaborate to deliver first class training in Belgium and other NATO member nations.”
Tom Hendrickx, Partner at S.A.F.E., added: “S.A.F.E. is excited to have signed this MOU with Babcock. Together we form a strong international partnership supporting Belgian defence and NATO training activities. We look forward to working together.”
Pictured at BEDEX: Tom Hendrickx, Partner at S.A.F.E., Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Anthony Pittman, Director for Collective Training, Babcock
The post Babcock and S.A.F.E sign Memorandum of Understanding to explore international training opportunities appeared first on Babcock International Group.
24 Mar 26. Axon Vision, a leading provider of AI-based operational solutions for defense applications, and Haller Defence, a long-established German industrial company with defense-related activities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore strategic cooperation opportunities in Germany and across the broader European defense market.
The MOU establishes a strategic partnership framework through which the companies will jointly develop and support technology-driven initiatives for the German armed forces and other European defense customers. The cooperation will focus on the possible integration of advanced AI-driven capabilities into military platforms and modernization programs, combining Axon Vision’s expertise in perception, autonomy, and decision-support technologies with Haller’s footprint and longstanding presence in the German defense ecosystem.
Haller Defence, a business unit of the Haller Group, combines state-of-the-art zero -emission vehicle technology, artificial intelligence, and circular energy systems to offer next-generation defence and security solutions. The company consistently uses dual-use technologies and positions itself as a software-defined integrator of defence systems across multiple areas of applications. The focus is not on individual products, but on holistically integrated defence capabilities. All technologies are designed to function coherently across land, air, water, and stationary deployment scenarios.
The agreement reflects Axon Vision’s continued expansion across Europe, where the company is strengthening partnerships with established local industry players and increasing its engagement with European defense stakeholders.
“This cooperation marks an important step in reinforcing our presence in Germany and deepening our engagement across Europe,” said Axon Vision CEO Neri Zin. “By working with experienced local partners such as Haller, we aim to align advanced AI-based operational solutions with the specific needs and structures of the German market.”
“With Haller Defence, we are expanding our activities in the defence sector. Through our partnership with Axon Vision, we can explore innovative technological opportunities that complement our industrial expertise and help us meet changing defence requirements,“ said Andreas Haller, CEO & owner of Haller Group.
Founded in 2017, Axon Vision develops AI-powered solutions designed to enhance situational awareness, survivability, and operational effectiveness across land and multi-domain defense platforms and is actively expanding its footprint throughout Europe and other strategic markets.
Haller Defence is part of the Haller Group, a German industrial and technology group with activities spanning mobility, energy, digital solutions, and advanced defence technologies. The division focuses on next-generation defence capabilities by combining vehicle platforms, artificial intelligence, and resilient energy systems to support governmental and institutional customers in Germany and across Europe.
PERSONNEL
24 Marc26. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) announced today Jenna McMullin as senior vice president and chief communications officer, effective immediately. In this role, McMullin will lead the company’s global communications organization and oversee enterprise communications strategy, media relations, brand, digital engagement, employee communications and stakeholder communications in support of Lockheed Martin’s business priorities and mission.