General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has agreed to work with the United Arab Emirates’ Edge Group to equip its remotely piloted aircraft with precision-guided munition and guided-glide weapon solutions. According to GA-ASI, the agreement will lead to the deployment of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian featuring Edge smart weapons. The effort expands the existing defense cooperation between...
Category: Defense Security Cooperation
US Navy Official Says Australia Could Get First Virginia-Class Sub in 2032
The United States will deliver Virginia-class submarines to Australia starting in 2032 under the trilateral AUKUS security agreement, according to Vice Adm. Bill Houston, commander of Naval Submarine Forces. Speaking to reporters at the Naval Submarine League on Tuesday, Houston revealed that Australia will receive at least three submarines throughout the 2030s. Following the initial...
US, Czech Republic Strengthen Defense Partnership, Reaffirm Ukraine Support
The United States and the Czech Republic have reaffirmed their friendship and shared commitment to upholding democratic principles and human rights. On Tuesday, Spencer P. Boyer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy, welcomed Jan Jireš, director general for defense policy and strategy at Czechia’s Ministry of Defense, at the Pentagon for the...
Comtech Secures Spectra Group Deal to Equip NATO, European Union Customers With BLOS Capabilities
Comtech has secured a $20 million deal from United Kingdom-based Spectra Group to provide NATO and European Union customers with the Compact Over-the-Horizon Transportable Terminal system. The agreement will deliver secure and resilient beyond-line-of-sight capabilities to military users, according to Comtech President and CEO Ken Peterman. The company’s Troposcatter Family of Systems will provide blended...
PNNL Official: Cyprus Security Center’s Benefits Extend Beyond Cypriot Borders
The Cyprus Center for Land Open Seas and Port Security, CYCLOPS for short, contributes not only to securing the host country but also its neighbors and beyond, a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory official said. In a feature article on PNNL’s footprint on world security posted on the lab’s website, James Spracklen, principal advisor at PNNL’s...
BAE Systems Partner With Australian SMEs to Support Hunter Class Frigate Program
BAE Systems Australia is working with small and medium enterprises to build local workforce capability to support the Hunter-class frigate program. As part of its commitment to develop Australian Industry Capability, the company is taking part in “Targeted Tasks” in which participating SMEs are assigned specific work scopes that enable knowledge transfer. The tasks may include large-scale...
NATO, US Suspend Obligations Under CFE Treaty After Russia Quits As Signatory
Nearly two years into its war with Ukraine, Russia has officially withdrawn from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. In response, NATO is suspending operations for the Cold War-era security pact. The CFE Treaty was ratified in 1990, a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and entered into force in 1992. The treaty...
Australia’s Silentium Defence Completes Lockheed Martin’s 12-Month Mentorship Program
Australian tech company Silentium Defence has completed the Lockheed Martin Mentor Protégé Program, a project designed to help small innovative businesses advance their technical and operational capabilities. Lockheed Martin Australia confirmed that Silentium Defence finished the MPP, with LMA’s Office of Australian Industrial Participation sponsoring the company’s participation in the development program. Under the 12-month...
Netherlands Lends F-16s for Training Ukraine, Romania Pilots
The Netherlands has deployed five F-16 fighter jets to train pilots at the European F-16 Training Centre in Romania. The deployment is part of the Dutch government’s collaboration with the United States and Denmark to provide Ukraine with F-16 capabilities. Under the program, the EFTC will use the aircraft to give flight instructors a refresher course,...
MBDA UK, PGZ Ink $4.9B Deal to Bolster Poland’s Air Defense System
MBDA UK has signed a $4.9 billion agreement with Polish defense firm PGZ to build up Narew, Poland’s next-generation air defense program. The deal will support Poland’s plans to establish a powerful ground-based air defense system that can neutralize threats from cruise missiles and fighter jets, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. The defense...