The U.S. Department of the Treasury has blocked the assets and stateside transactions of three companies and an individual based in Lebanon and Turkey for their association with Iranian and Hezbollah-affiliated terror groups. The entities generate funds from selling Iranian commodities, including sales to the Syrian government. Their revenues provide key opportunities for “hundreds of...
Category: FOCI
Saab, MBDA Collaborate to Develop Advanced Anti-Tank, Air Defense Capabilities
Saab and MBDA have signed letters of intent to strengthen their collaboration in advancing anti-tank and air defense capabilities. The companies finalized the agreement on Wednesday to support a new strategic partnership that France and Sweden sealed the day before as part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Sweden. The two countries identified...
DOD Bares New List of Chinese Military-Linked Companies
The Pentagon has updated its list of Chinese military-linked businesses with either direct or indirect operations in the United States. The list is compiled in accordance with Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. The Department of Defense said Wednesday that the provision’s continuing implementation is important to counter China’s...
Airbus Secures French Contract to Deliver 42 H145 Helicopters in 2024
The French government has ordered 42 new H145 helicopters from Airbus, which will start delivering the aircraft in 2024. Under the finalized deal with the Directorate General of Armaments, the manufacturer will provide Sécurité Civile, France’s rescue and emergency response agency, with 36 units of the multi-mission helicopter. The other six H145s will be for...
Ultra Intelligence & Communications Names Randy Fields as VP and Chief Technology Officer
Randy Fields has joined Austin, Texas-based Ultra Intelligence & Communications as vice president and chief technology officer. In announcing his appointment on social media, Fields said he brings to Ultra his expertise in airborne datalinks, joint fires and tactical edge technology. His LinkedIn profile lists prior work with Cubic Digital Intelligence, the U.S. Navy Reserves,...
Foreign Suppliers Compete to Supply Romania’s Tracked IFVs, Howitzers
Several foreign suppliers are competing for Romania’s projected procurement of tracked infantry fighting vehicles and howitzers in 2024. Bucharest’s plan calls for purchasing up to 298 IFVs worth about $3.3 billion and 54 self-propelled 155 mm howitzers with related equipment valued at $920 million. The government expects to increase defense spending for the year by...
QinetiQ Lands UK Contract to Enhance British Army Vehicles’ Protection Capabilities
QinetiQ said it has secured a contract from the U.K. Defence Science and Technology Laboratory to enhance the protection capabilities of the British Army’s land armored vehicles. The deal serves as Phase II of the Modular Integrated Protection System program, which aims to develop an active protection system for British tanks and armored personnel carriers...
UK Advances DragonFire Laser-Directed Weapon Development
The development of the United Kingdom’s DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon advanced another step with the prototype’s first high-power firing against aerial targets completed at the Ministry of Defence’s Hebrides Range in Scotland. The U.K. Defence Science and Technology Laboratory with the DragonFire partners, composed of MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ, conducted the trial following earlier tests...
Swedish Military Places Order for Two Saab Mobile Air Defense Systems
Saab is equipping the Swedish military with its mobile short range air defense system. In late 2023, the defense company received an order for two MSHORAD configurations. The technology will be integrated into the BvS10 armored vehicle used by both the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and the Swedish Armed Forces. The order value is around $28.7 million, with...
Nokia Eyes $392M Investment in Two German Plants to Advance European Microelectronics Competitiveness
Finland-based network technology company Nokia said it plans to invest $392 million at its Ulm and Nuremberg manufacturing facilities in Germany to develop energy-efficient software and hardware. The investment is part of a European Commission Important Projects of Common European Interest initiative, with funding from Nokia, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, and the...