NATO’s North Atlantic Council has approved a new framework providing more flexibility for partner nations to augment the alliance’s forces. The concept, dubbed Partners Augmentation Forces to NATO, was announced at the opening of the Military Strategic Partnership Conference scheduled from April 8 to 12 in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, National Defense Magazine reported Tuesday. NATO’s Allied...
Category: Europe
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RTX, ProjectXYZ Named as Prime Contractors for US-Ukraine HAWK Deal
RTX and ProjectXYZ are the principal contractors for the potential $138 million sale of sustainment-related articles and services to Ukraine for the HAWK Phase III Missile System. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Department of State has approved Kyiv’s request to procure HAWK sustainment support. Requested products and services include engineering and integration...
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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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Canada to Boost Military Spending Under New Defense Policy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair have released an updated defense policy that puts Ottawa on track to meet NATO’s goal of 2 percent military spending-to-GDP ratio, Canada’s Department of National Defence announced on Monday. The new policy, titled “Our North, Strong and Free,” aims for a defense spending of 1.76 percent...
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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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Saab Secures $76M UK MoD Deal for Simulation Systems Support to British Army; James Passmore Quoted
Saab has secured a $76.2 million contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defence to provide the British Army with live simulation systems support. Under the three-year deal, the Swedish company will deploy its Instrumented Live Training capability, which simulates direct and indirect fire effects using laser and geometric pairing technology. The ILT-D tactical engagement system...
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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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Italy’s Fincantieri Prepares for Opportunities in Undersea Market Growth; Pierroberto Folgiero Quoted
Italian ship manufacturer Fincantieri is preparing for the anticipated growth of the undersea market over the coming years, according to company CEO Pierroberto Folgiero. In an interview with Breaking Defense, Folgiero predicted that the market would be worth up to $400 billion by 2030. “Underwater will be what was space 40 years ago,” the CEO...
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Rheinmetall Breaks Ground on $68M Hybrid Production Plant in Hungary; Christoph Mueller Quoted
Rheinmetall is investing $68 million in a new production facility in Szeged, Hungary. According to Christoph Mueller, CEO of Rheinmetall Power Systems, the site will expand the company’s presence in the country, noting that it already has operational plants in Budapest, Zalaegerszeg and Varpalota. “We are delighted to further expand our presence in Hungary, one...
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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...