The UK Space Command held its first space war game to explore strategies for integrating commercial space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance into existing programs such as ISTARI. The ISTARI satellite network for ISR use is a core element of the Ministry of Defence’s space strategy. Dubbed “Space Warrior,” the activity at Southwick Park’s Defence Experimentation...
Category: Europe
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UK Royal Navy Achieves Milestones in Autonomous Mine Hunter Technology Tests
The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy has reached milestones in fielding autonomous maritime technologies. In recent trials, engineers from its Mine and Threat Exploitation Group evaluated three platforms’ maneuverability and adaptability to new systems. MTXG’s Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team reached a Degree Three level of autonomy on the uncrewed surface vessel Apollo. In its latest round...
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Hensoldt Receives $108M Contract to Integrate Spexer Radars Into Rheinmetall’s Turret System
Rheinmetall Air Defence has awarded Hensoldt a $108.2 million contract to equip the new Skyranger 30 gun tank system with the Spexer 2000 air defense radar. The radar will be integrated with the German and Austrian builds of the FlakPz gun tank, the latest Rheinmetall turret system engineered to neutralize low-flying enemy aircraft. Hensoldt said...
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Netherlands Reaches Agreement With US to Procure Lockheed’s Extended Range Missiles
The United States has formalized an agreement with the Netherlands to procure the latest version of Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range for the Dutch military forces. According to Lockheed, the missile, developed in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, provides continued significant long-range precision engagement capabilities for air-to-ground missions. The weapon can...
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Israeli Ministry of Defense Awards Elbit Systems $190M Contract to Acquire Laser-Guided Iron Sting Mortar System
Elbit Systems has secured a $190 million contract to deliver its Iron Sting mortar munition to Israel. The agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defense requires the Haifa-based defense contractor to complete the weapons delivery over the next two years. Elbit Systems Land General Manager Yehuda Vered said Iron Sting meets the international armed forces’...
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Fluor, RoPower Nuclear Partner for Phase 2 of Romanian Small Modular Reactor Facility
Fluor is collaborating with RoPower Nuclear for Phase 2 of the front-end engineering and design work at a small modular reactor facility in Doicesti, Romania. The partnership will focus on customizing a six-reactor SMR power plant with NuScale technology, which, according to European codes and standards, could produce up to 462 megawatts. The two companies...
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Switzerland Taps Rheinmetall to Deliver Mortar Ammunitions
Switzerland has awarded Rheinmetall a contract to deliver 81 mm mortar cargo ammunition. Under the deal, Rheinmetall Expal Munitions will supply the Swiss armed forces with 81mm MX2-KM mortar weapons and 81 mm mortar cartridges cargo for illumination white light, illumination infrared and smoke discharge using red phosphorus. Deliveries are expected to be completed by...
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NATO Awards Contracts on Platform Concept Studies for Next-Generation Helicopters; Stacy Cummings Quoted
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency has awarded separate contracts to three teams led by Airbus Helicopters, Lockheed Martin Sikorsky and Leonardo to undertake a concept study on the design and execution of the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program. NGRC is geared to replace the military alliance’s helicopters by the mid-2030s. NSPA said in a...
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Leonardo Exec Sees MBDA-Style Consolidation for Europe’s Defense Industry
Leonardo co-general Manager Lorenzo Mariani said significant consolidation among European defense companies in the future will lead to a healthier defense sector in the region. In an interview with Breaking Defense published on Thursday, Mariani discussed how consolidation differs from the mergers and acquisitions practice in the United States and how it is more similar...
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Report: US Must Prioritize FMS From NATO Members to Secure Regional Security
A report by RAND suggested that the United States adopt a framework systematically prioritizing NATO members’ foreign military sale cases to align with defense security goals in Europe. Apart from taking on the proposed framework, the report made additional recommendations to the United States Army Europe and Africa to improve regional security, including: Ensuring USAREUR-AF...