Walid Abukhaled has retired as CEO of the state-owned defense company Saudi Arabian Military Industries. Abukhaled took over as chief of the Saudi defense business in 2020, succeeding Andrew Schwer, a German national and former executive at Rheinmetall. Before leading SAMI, Abukhaled was CEO of the Middle East unit of Northrop Grumman. Under his leadership,...
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Author: Brianne Monterey (Brianne Monterey)
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US Hosts Offensive Cybersecurity Operations Training for Five Eyes Partners
The U.S. Cyber Command’s latest leg of its Cyber Flag cyber training exercises concentrated on improving the offensive cybersecurity operations of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Cyber Flag 24-2 was participated in by cyber units from the five nations, with New Zealand sitting...
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Poland Plans to Continue Military Modernization With $42B Investment
The Polish government plans to spend $41.6 billion to modernize its military capabilities in 2024, upgrades that cover the purchase of equipment, including: new fighter jets for the Polish Air Force, combat and surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles to power the newly established Drone Force, training helicopters and ship-based helicopters to replace aging aircraft, and submarines...
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Leonardo Remains Only Bidder in UK Helicopter Modernization Program
Airbus and Lockheed Martin have bowed out from the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s New Medium Helicopter procurement, leaving Leonardo as the sole bidder for the $1.3 billion program. In a statement, Airbus Helicopters UK said the decision to withdraw from contention was driven by its inability “to formulate a responsible bid that would in parallel...
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Australia Signs Agreement With Indonesia to Improve Defense Cooperation; Richard Marles Quoted
Australia has entered into a treaty-level agreement with Indonesia to improve defense cooperation amid regional threats. Signed by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto on Thursday, the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement would elevate the cooperation and interoperability between the nations in several aspects, including: counterterrorism, education and training, humanitarian and...
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Serbia Acquires New Dassault Combat Aircraft
French military aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has secured a contract from Serbia for 12 Rafale combat aircraft. Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Serbian Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic signed the deal on Thursday in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, part of the two nations’ commitment to nurturing...
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Capgemini to Improve Swedish Armed Forces’ SAP System
French multinational information technology services and consulting firm Capgemini has entered a multiyear framework agreement with Sweden to provide SAP consulting services. Under the deal, the vendor will improve the Swedish Armed Forces’ SAP system called PRIO, an operational management platform used by 25,000 individuals to manage daily activities, including finances, logistics and personnel. The...
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US, Canada Sign Consumer Privacy Enforcement Agreement
The United States and Canada have agreed to improve information sharing and law enforcement cooperation in protecting consumer privacy. The Federal Communications Commission and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada formalized the plan on Wednesday by signing a memorandum of agreement. Under the deal, the two nations aim to smoothen the exchange of...
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Exail Robotics Secures $67M NATO Underwater Mine Disposal Vehicle Contract
Paris-based technology group Exail Robotics has received a $67 million contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for K-STER C underwater mine disposal vehicles, K-Ster CT training vehicles and associated services. “This new contract is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for [mine countermeasure] operations,” said Antony Penn, Exail...
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US Air Force Unit Leads Initiative to Upgrade Ukraine’s F-16 EW Capabilities
The U.S. Air Force’s 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron has partnered with Denmark and Norway to equip F-16 fighter jets, soon to be delivered to Ukraine, with critical electronic warfare capabilities. The effort follows the announcement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the transfer of F-16 aircraft from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine....