The Italian government has earmarked $10.38 billion of its 2024 budget of $23.3 billion for defense procurement, up 16.8 percent from 2023. According to Defense News, the budget provides $7.8 billion to acquire 15 F-35As and 10 F-35Bs, bringing Italy’s F-35 fleet to 115 aircraft. The report said the Italian Air Force will operate the...
Tag: Air Force
US, Allies Agree to Strengthen Cooperation in the Arctic to Deter Russian Military Activities
Air force leaders from the United States, Sweden and Norway have highlighted the need to boost technology innovation, domain awareness and collaboration in the Arctic amid a Russian military buildup in the polar region. In a panel discussion during the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference on Tuesday, U.S. Air Forces in Europe...
Indonesian Air Force Procures Four Airbus H145 Helicopters for Pilot Training, SAR Missions
Airbus will provide four units of the latest Airbus H145 helicopter variant to PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Also known as PDTI, the state-owned aerospace company is under contract with the Indonesian Air Force to deliver the aircraft customized for military pilot training and search and rescue missions. PTDI will install mission equipment and perform other aircraft...
Kongsberg Expands Missile Production Capacity With New US Factory
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace plans to build a U.S. missile production facility in James City County, Virginia, following the Norwegian company’s establishment of a similar factory in Australia. The Pennsylvania facility will be equipped to assemble, upgrade and repair Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. It was established on Kongsberg’s expectation that it could...
US OKs Japan Order for KC-46A Refueling Aircraft
The U.S. Department of State has authorized the Japanese government’s request to acquire aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment under the Foreign Military Sales program. The contract, with an estimated value of $4.1 billion, will see Japan acquire several major defense equipment: up to nine KC-46A aircraft, up to 18 PW4062 turbofan engines, up to...
Norway Orders Additional TPY-4 Multi-Mission Air Defense Surveillance Radar From Lockheed Martin
Norway has exercised an option in its TPY-4 radar contract with Lockheed Martin to expand the order from nine to 11 of the air defense radar. Chandra Marshall, vice president for radar and sensor systems at Lockheed Martin, said the additional order confirms how the radar forms a vital part of the Northern European country’s...
Lockheed Secures FMS Contract to Deliver Two C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft to Egypt
Lockheed Martin will deliver two C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters to Egypt under a Foreign Military Sales contract from the U.S. Air Force. The Egyptian Air Force will receive the two air vehicles from Lockheed, making the country the 23rd nation to operate the Super Hercules. “With these new C-130J-30s, the Egyptian Air Force’s tactical...
New Zealand Announces Appointments for Defence Force Senior Leadership
The New Zealand Ministry of Defence has selected senior officers of the New Zealand Defence Force to lead the country’s navy, army and air force for three years. Cdre. Garin Golding, appointed chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, has been the NZDF maritime component commander since 2021. His previous roles include director of maritime...
SAIC Enables US Military Partners to Access Indopacom Joint Fires Network
Science Applications International Corp. served as the lead system integrator during the Valiant Shield 2024 exercise in June, enabling international military partners to connect into a prototype of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Joint Fires Network battle management platform. JFN provided the Royal Canadian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and French Navy with the capability to...
Virginia Hosts Army Training Facility for NATO Soldiers
A new army training facility for NATO soldiers has opened at a U.S. Navy base in Virginia. The 15,000-square-foot Army Combat Fitness Test site at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads provides capabilities to conduct the fitness tests and features sports facilities, including volleyball and pickleball courts, to enhance the quality of life for military personnel....