Microsoft is partnering with an Emirati company to develop artificial intelligence for various applications. The Redmond, Washington-based company said it will invest $1.5 billion in g42, an AI company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, is joining G42’s board of directors as part of the deal....
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Author: Elodie Collins (Elodie Collins)
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US Grants Samsung $6.4B to Manufacture Semiconductors in Central Texas
The United States government is awarding up to $6.4 billion in direct funding to Samsung. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited the company’s new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor, Texas, where she announced the investment. “We’re saying for the first time ever, Samsung can conduct in the United States of America core...
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UK Accelerates Development of DragonFire Laser Weapon for Royal Navy
The United Kingdom is accelerating the delivery timeline of its DragonFire lasers. Grant Shapps, British defense secretary, says speeding up the program is a response to the “rapidly changing threat environment” in the region. The DragonFire laser was initially scheduled to be rolled out by 2032. With the new timetable, the weapon system will be installed...
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China Announces New Round of Sanctions on US Companies Over Arms Sales Deal With Taiwan
China has sanctioned U.S. companies General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and General Dynamics Land Systems over arms deals with Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. The economic action bans senior executives from both defense technology providers from entering China and freezes access to company assets in the country. General Dynamics operates Gulfstream and jet...
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South Korea Plans to Address Dwindling Military Personnel With Unmanned Ground Robots
South Korea plans to acquire unmanned ground vehicles for its Army and Marine Corps to address the military’s dwindling recruits and conscripts. A tender recently published by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration lists a budget of $36.56 million for multipurpose ground robots. The South Korean Armed Forces will purchase the required technology domestically. Kim Jae...
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Japan to Build Pressurized Lunar Rover for NASA’s Artemis Missions
The United States will work with Japan to develop and launch a rover for crewed and uncrewed lunar exploration. On Tuesday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Masahito Moriyama, Japan’s minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, signed an agreement to cooperate on efforts to expand their understanding of the moon. Under the agreement, Japan...
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Idemia to Develop Advanced Biometric System for Nigerian Government; Olivier Charlanes Quoted
Physical and ditial identity solutions company Idemia Smart Identity is building one of the most advanced biometric systems in the world in Nigeria. According to the Courbevoie, France-based company, it has renewed its long-time partnership with the Nigerian National Identity Management Commission to upgrade the African nation’s biometric system. It said the upcoming system will...
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Poland Strengthening Military’s Drone Capabilities Based on Learnings From Ukraine-Russia War
Poland is incorporating lessons learned from the war between Ukraine and Russia into its military by strengthening drone capabilities. Warsaw plans to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles at every level of its armed forces, including at the smallest formations of soldiers. In a statement to Defense News, a spokesperson for the National Ministry of Defense said...
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Japan Orders Multimillion-Dollar Unmanned Ground Vehicles From Rheinmetall Canada; Pietro Mazzei Quoted
Rheinmetall will manufacture autonomous unmanned ground vehicles for Japan. The German defense company recently secured a multimillion-dollar contract from the Japanese Ministry of Defence to deliver Mission Master SP UGVs by early 2025. Japanese company Marubeni Aerospace, the program’s prime contractor, will train under and collaborate with Rheinmetall on the UGVs’ delivery and support. The...
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Norway Responds to ‘Deteriorating’ Security Environment With Increased Defense Spending Plan
Norway wants to increase defense spending in preparation for a potential conflict with Russia. “As our security environment is deteriorating, we need to spend more on and pay more attention to defense and preparedness,” said Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, the country’s minister of finance. Under the Norwegian government’s long-term defense plan, about $60 billion will be invested over...