Kongsberg Maritime, a Norwegian maritime solutions manufacturer, announced that it has secured a contract to power the Indonesian Navy’s two KCR-70 Fast Attack Crafts with advanced propulsion and maneuvering technology. The KCR-70, with the Kongsberg solution, is expected to offer improved maneuverability, propulsion speed and speed. The Norwegian company’s technology features an innovative propulsion system,...
Category: Asia
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IonQ, Busan Partner to Advance Quantum Computing in South Korea
Quantum computing firm IonQ and the Busan Metropolitan Government have signed a memorandum of understanding to drive quantum transformation in South Korea’s second-largest city. As part of the partnership, IonQ said it will provide quantum computing cloud services, support joint quantum initiatives and help develop the workforce, while the Busan Metropolitan Government will be in...
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Japan Selects Shield AI’s V-BAT Drone for Maritime Surveillance
Japan has selected Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft system as the country’s first maritime-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Shield AI said the award marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership, enabling the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to acquire multiple V-BAT units. The Diplomat previously reported that the Japanese cabinet had approved the purchase of...
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Japan Ministry of Defense Taps Smiths Detection for Chemical Detectors
Japan has awarded Smiths Detection, a provider of screening security technology, a contract to supply LCD 4 personal chemical detectors for the Ministry of Defense. The contract covers 462 units of the lightweight chemical detector, which will be deployed by the Ground Self-Defense Force. The deliveries are scheduled in stages through January 2026, with distribution...
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PQShield Joins Research Initiative to Strengthen Quantum Cybersecurity in Japan
Cybersecurity firm PQShield has joined the Cyber Research Consortium in Japan to participate in a program to strengthen the nation’s defenses against quantum-enabled cyberattacks. A grant from NEDO, a national research agency and innovation accelerator funds the CRC initiative. As a member of the CRC, Oxford-based PQShield will work on projects to implement post-quantum cryptography protocols...
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US Tightens Export Controls on Advanced Computing Semiconductors
The United States has implemented two new regulations aimed at tightening export controls on advanced computing semiconductors and restricting additional entities from China and Singapore. The Bureau of Industry and Security said the measures build on previous actions and limit China’s access to crucial high-end chips for military applications. The updates include broader licensing requirements...
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Argonne, South Korea’s ETRI Collaborate on Silicon Sensor Research
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory has partnered with South Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute to advance research in silicon sensors. Argonne Director Paul Kearns and ETRI President Bang Seung Chan signed a five-year memorandum of understanding on Jan. 6 at the lab’s Illinois campus to formalize the partnership. The two research...
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GM Defense to Supply Armored Vehicles to Qatar Military
GM Defense is set to supply the Qatar Armed Forces and Special Forces Command with its next-generation Suburban Shield armored vehicles. Built on the foundation of General Motors’ commercial trucks and sport utility vehicles, the Suburban Shield serves as an armored protected mobility solution tailored for diplomatic security and VIP transport. The manufacturer said the vehicle incorporates...
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Japan Allocates $51M FY25 Budget for International Defense Aid
Japan has increased its defense aid program budget for fiscal year 2025 by 60 percent compared to the previous year. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba allocated $51 million under the Official Security Assistance framework to help the country’s international allies and partners acquire military technologies to enhance their national security and promote regional stability, according to...
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White House Halts Proposed Nippon Steel-USS Merger
President Joe Biden has halted Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel’s planned acquisition of U.S. Steel due to national security concerns. On Friday, the Biden administration issued an order prohibiting the proposed takeover of the American steel company. The order referenced a report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which assessed that the...