French electronic defense contractor Thales has secured a $2.3 billion, 15-year contract to keep the British Royal Navy’s fleet at sea longer. The company said the new Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team contract, which started Jan. 1, responds to the rising need to boost the availability of RN ships and submarines amid growing uncertainties in the...
Category: Europe
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US OKs Netherlands’ Proposal to Purchase Hellfire Missiles
The U.S. Department of State has cleared the way for the potential sale of Hellfire missiles to the Netherlands. The proposed $150 million foreign military sale would deliver 386 air-to-ground missiles to the Dutch government. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Hellfire missile deal also includes technical, integration, logistics and program support. The...
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Saab, MBDA Collaborate to Develop Advanced Anti-Tank, Air Defense Capabilities
Saab and MBDA have signed letters of intent to strengthen their collaboration in advancing anti-tank and air defense capabilities. The companies finalized the agreement on Wednesday to support a new strategic partnership that France and Sweden sealed the day before as part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Sweden. The two countries identified...
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Germany, Poland and Netherlands Aim for Rapid Military Deployment to NATO’s Eastern Flank
Germany, the Netherlands and Poland have agreed to accelerate the deployment of troops and weapons to NATO’s eastern flank in the event of a conflict with Russia. The three NATO members signed a letter of intent for closer cooperation on Tuesday to establish a condition that supports swift military maneuver across Europe. The deal would...
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Westinghouse, Bechtel Gain Support for Nuclear Reactor Projects in Czechia
Westinghouse Electric and Bechtel will tap the Czech Republic’s nuclear industry capabilities to pursue their proposal to supply the Balkan country with up to four nuclear reactors. The American companies will draw support from the local industry base via an agreement signed with the Czech Power Industry Alliance in Washington on Wednesday, Westinghouse said. The CPIA,...
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UK Wants to Develop New Defense Materials for Extreme Environments
The United Kingdom’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has established the Defence Materials Centre of Excellence, a $54 million government partnership with 23 industry and academic organizations to develop new defense materials for extreme environments. Dstl said DMEx, which also includes research organizations, like the Catapult Network, will operate under the Henry Royce Institute, a...
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Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Plant to Start IFV Ammo Production in 2024
Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions, a joint venture of the German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and the Hungarian holding company N7, will begin manufacturing ammunition in 2024 at its new plant in Varpalota, Hungary, which is now in its second phase of construction. According to Rheinmetall, the plant’s completed first phase will produce 30 mm medium-caliber...
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Czech Republic Signs Deal to Purchase 24 F-35s From Lockheed Martin
The Czech Republic has formalized an agreement with the United States to acquire 24 F-35 Lightning II aircraft. According to Lockheed Martin, the European nation sealed the deal by signing a letter of offer and acceptance on Monday. Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed, confirmed that the Czech...
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Greece Wins US Approval to Acquire 40 F-35 Fighter Jets
The U.S. Department of State has given the green light on Greece’s plan to purchase 40 F-35 fighter jets from the United States. Details of the proposed foreign military sale worth $8.6 billion have been sent to Congress for review and approval, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Under the deal, Athens is also...
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Sen. Ben Cardin Lauds Turkey’s Approval of Sweden’s NATO Bid
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., has welcomed Turkey’s decision to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO. Cardin, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the Turkish Parliament for voting in favor of Sweden’s accession protocol and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who signed the legislation on Thursday. “My approval of Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 aircraft...