British defense contractor Babcock International said it has secured a five-year contract extension from the U.K. Ministry of Defence worth about $1.3 billion to support the British Army’s operational readiness. The contract extension will directly support London’s Defence Industrial Strategy and contribute significantly to the U.K.’s economic growth, the company said Wednesday. The Defence Support...
Category: National Security
US Approves Potential $2B Sale of MQ-9B Drones to Qatar
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment to Qatar for an estimated $1.96 billion. Qatar requested eight MQ-9B drones, along with a comprehensive package of munitions, including Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, general-purpose bombs, Paveway II guidance kits, Hellfire missiles and training...
BAE Systems, Repkon USA Sign Pact on Ammunition Manufacturing
British multinational BAE Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with turnkey complete production plant provider Repkon USA to develop and manufacture advanced munitions. The two companies will also explore ways to enhance the range, precision and performance of ammunition. To achieve the agreement’s objective, BAE and Repkon will bring their expertise and experience to...
Lockheed Martin Unit to Modify Israeli CH-53K Helicopters
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin business, has secured a contract from Israel’s Ministry of Defense to modify 12 CH-53K Pere helicopters, integrating systems used by the Israeli Air Force. Once completed and delivered, the aircraft will replace the nation’s Yas’ur heavy transport fleet. According to the ministry, the CH-53Ks are already at Sikorsky’s Stratford, Connecticut, facility....
GA-ASI Completes First Flight of Belgium’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has completed the first flight of an MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft destined for Belgium‘s Ministry of Defence. The flight, conducted on Feb. 20 at GA-ASI’s facility in El Mirage, California, validated the aircraft’s controllability and safe landing capabilities. According to the company, the initial flight is part of a...
Booz Allen Hamilton Partners With Singapore’s HTX on Technology Projects
HTX, the science and technology arm of Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, is enhancing its Home Team’s capabilities under a memorandum of understanding with Booz Allen Hamilton. The agency said the focus areas for collaboration under the MOU signed last week cover cybersecurity, firefighting and forensic investigations. Key Partnership Objectives Five key goals were defined...
IQT Invests on Cerabyte’s Ceramic Data Storage Development
In-Q-Tel, a nonprofit investor focused on advancing U.S. national security, has extended financial support to the development of Cerabyte’s ceramic data storage technology to meet the data storage needs of government and military customers. Greg Shipley, managing director at IQT Munich, said the innovative Cerabyte technology shows potential for extended lifespan and reliability in data...
Planet Labs to Support Greek Small Satellite Initiative Under ESA Deal
Earth imaging firm Planet Labs has secured a contract from the European Space Agency to deliver Earth observation data to support Greece’s development of a national satellite program. Made on behalf of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance, the transaction will be funded by Recovery and Resilience Fund Greece 2.0. Dimitris Bliziotis, Earth observation officer...
KBR’s Byron Bright on Australia’s Need to Prioritize Tech Innovation for Defense
Byron Bright, president of KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions unit, says Australia needs to invest more in technological innovation for its defense and security, especially amid rising global tensions. In an opinion piece in The Australian published Tuesday, Bright, a 2025 Wash100 awardee, stressed the need for the country to quickly adopt new technologies and build...
Australia Upgrades Long-Range Strike Capability With HIMARS Acquisition
The Australian Defence Force has received its first two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from the United States, marking a significant upgrade to its long-range strike capabilities. The delivery comes less than two years after the Albanese government announced a $1.6 billion investment to accelerate and expand the HIMARS acquisition, in response to the Defence...










