Tim Martin is Breaking Defense's European Bureau Chief, leading regional coverage of the NATO nations and European industry. He joined Breaking Defense in 2022 after a three year spell at Shephard Media as Air Editor. Based in Belfast, Tim holds two Defence Media Awards to his name, and has bylines with a number of B2B and print media publications, including the Irish Times newspaper.
A company official told Breaking Defense that the micro AUV market is relatively niche, but new startups are beginning to pop up, and it’s likely a similar trend to the proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems and uncrewed ground combat systems will soon emerge in the naval domain.
Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero told Breaking Defense the modularity approach shortens production time against a general frigate market trend of 40 months, and he “strongly believes” Saudi Arabia stands as a key “addressable market” to secure a future FCx30 sale.
Discussions with Saudi Arabia are part of wider efforts to expand business in the Middle East and Europe, which also includes a plan to “set up shop” in the United Arab Emirates, according to Milkor’s Harry Cassidy.
European Council documents show that the funding, allocated to support reconstruction and boost immediate economic needs, is split between €33 billion ($36 billion) in loans and €17 billion ($18 billion) of “non-repayable support.”
“The French Ministry of Armed Forces will benefit from technological breakthroughs and innovations in the fields of robotics, drones and artificial intelligence, in order to evaluate a new naval capability,” said French manufacturer Naval Group.
The apparent confirmation that Riyadh has delivered firm requirements to the UK marks a major step forward on the path to closing the long delayed fighter jet deal.
Prototypes of the new air defense system are due for qualification in 2027 so serial production can start in 2028, according to Germany’s military procurement arm BAAINBw.
The British Army has shared how it plans on reshaping a dismal land vehicle and equipment export track record that saw it contribute just 4 percent, equivalent to $4.5 billion, toward all UK military exports between 2012 and 2021.
“We think they [Russian army] have a [reconnaissance strike] response time that sits between three and six minutes at the moment, and it’s getting better over time,” said a senior UK military official.
“The Challenger 3 program will deliver the best tank in NATO … and deliver a network enabled, digital main battle tank, providing the soldier with a step changing capability,” said Rory Breen, strategy and future business director at RBSL.
A Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) official at the IQPC International Armoured Vehicles conference in London today said that while they had “some sympathy for industry covering excessive supply chain challenges” caused by COVID-19 and cyber hacking, manufacturers only reacted after feeling an “impact.”
The UK lauded the test of the laser air defense weapon, developed by Britain’s defense innovation unit, just weeks after an American admiral said it was time to be more “intellectually honnest” about what the class of weapons can do.
Despite the UK MoD not signing off on any orders for the latest drone package, aircraft likely to be under consideration are smaller size systems, particularly soldier portable or “over the hill” drones similar to Teledyne FLIR Black Hornets, one analyst said.
With a first flight planned for this year, manufacturers BAE Systems and Leonardo said the advanced radar will be “able to locate and deny use of an adversary’s radar with a powerful electronic jamming attack, whilst staying beyond the reach of threats.”
DoD uses FAR Part 12 acquisitions to save hundreds of millions of dollars in “of a type” systems like civil landing systems with applicability to military aircraft.
DoD uses FAR Part 12 acquisitions to save hundreds of millions of dollars in “of a type” systems like civil landing systems with applicability to military aircraft.
