Richard Marles, Australian deputy prime minister and defense minister, has acknowledged challenges in Australia’s trilateral partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom but remains optimistic about its progress. One of the issues Marles raised in an interview with Breaking Defense was the delay in the production of Virginia-class submarines, which represents the...
Category: Defense Security Cooperation
Raytheon Secures $478M Patriot GEM-T Missile Contract, Replenishing European Stock Donated to Ukraine
NATO Support and Procurement Agency has tapped Raytheon to deliver Patriot guidance enhanced missiles to Germany under a $478 million contract award, replenishing the stock donated to Ukraine. Preferred by the U.S. armed forces and other governments due to its significant capabilities, the Patriot GEM-T can address tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and enemy drones...
Italian Navy Adds Fourth Vessel in Purchase Contract With Fincantieri-Leonardo Joint Venture
The Italian Navy has notified Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture of Fincantieri and Leonardo, that it is exercising its option for a fourth offshore patrol vessel under a shipbuilding contract initiated in July 2023. The additional order under the military branch’s next-generation OPV program is worth about $258 million, including related logistical support. The...
Poland Secures Offset Commitments to Sustain GE-Powered Apache Guardian Helicopters
GE Aerospace has offered Poland with training support as part of the Ministry of National Defence’s upcoming contract to acquire 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters. Under an offset deal, GE said it will work with two local entities — Military Aviation Works and the Military University of Technology — to equip the local workforce...
Canberra Co-Funds Anduril’s Ghost Shark Program to Fast-Track Undersea Drone Development; Pat Conroy Quoted
The Australian government will provide $13 million to co-fund Anduril Australia’s Ghost Shark program, which aims to develop an autonomous vehicle for undersea intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. Anduril is co-investing over $13 million in the program’s early works contract with the Department of Defence. The first manufactured prototype of Ghost Shark was unveiled...
US Extends $500M Package to Aid Philippine Military’s Maritime Modernization; Lloyd Austin Quoted
The United States said a $500 million package under the Foreign Military Financing program is in the works to aid the Philippines in advancing its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for maritime domain awareness. Defense Secretarty Lloyd Austin was in Manila alongside State Secretary Antony Blinken in late July to announce the measure. According to Philippine...
US, SKorea Test Common Unmanned Surface Vessel, Poniard Rockets at RIMPAC Multinational Exercise
The U.S. and South Korean navies performed a live-fire exercise on July 12 as part of the Rim of the Pacific multinational exercise to test the capabilities of a common unmanned surface vessel as a unit escort in high-level unmanned scenarios. The exercise also aimed at validating the capabilities of the Poniard weapon system as...
EU Members, Norway Propose Regulations for Common Defense Procurement Initiative
The European Commission has received proposals to improve defense solution acquisitions through a program established under the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act. On Friday, the commission announced that 12 submissions from member states and Norway after it called for proposals to regulate the EDIRPA Work Program. The entries focused on three areas:...
US OKs Slovakia’s Possible $600M Purchase of AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters
Slovakia is set to purchase 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States to strengthen its defense capabilities and address current and future threats. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the Department of State has approved the possible foreign military sale to the Slovakian government. Apart from the AH-1Z Viper helicopters, the proposal also...
Italian Navy Modernization Advances With $1.6B Twin Frigate Purchase From Fincantieri-Leonardo Joint Venture
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture of Fincantieri and Leonardo, has secured a $1.6 billion contract to build two Italian Navy warships through FREMM, a European multipurpose frigate program. According to a Naval News report, the Italian Navy has ramped up its modernization activities over the past 10 years, and Fincantieri is involved in most of...