The Romanian government has signed a letter of offer and acceptance to formalize its plan to acquire 32 Lockheed Martin fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft through a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the United States. According to Lockheed, the F-35s will be integrated with the Romanian Air Force’s F-16 squadrons. Romania hosts the European F-16...
Category: National Security
US, Australia Publish Updated BianLian Ransomware Cybersecurity Advisory
U.S. and Australian agencies have updated a joint advisory on the tactics, techniques and procedures that the BianLian ransomware uses, informing organizations about new methods malicious actors employ to compromise critical infrastructure systems. The additional TTPs were discovered through industry threat intelligence and investigations by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI and the...
Report: Australia Faces Growing Cybersecurity Challenges
Australia continues to face a growing number of cybersecurity threats from state-sponsored hackers and criminal groups who are targeting government operations, critical infrastructure and businesses. According to the latest Annual Cyber Threat Report of the Australian Signals Directorate, while the number of reported cyberattacks has not changed much, the damage and costs they cause are worsening,...
Lithuania, Sweden Launch Subsea Telecommunications Cable Cut Probe
Lithuania and Sweden are investigating a damaged undersea telecommunications cable between the countries in the Baltic Sea. Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasciunas suspects that the incident, which occurred on Sunday, was an act of sabotage of critical infrastructure essential to national security. According to his office, a thorough investigation is necessary amid the...
North Macedonian Defense Chief Named NATO Deputy Secretary General
North Macedonia’s Radmila Shekerinska is set to join NATO as deputy secretary general before the end of 2024, succeeding Mircea Geoana of Romania. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the appointment in a statement Tuesday. Shekerinska brings years of international relations and diplomacy experience. She was North Macedonia’s defense minister from 2017 to 2022. The...
Bahrain Partners With Leonardo to Upgrade Air Traffic Control Systems
Bahrain has partnered with Italian manufacturer Leonardo to modernize the Mideast country’s air traffic control and radar systems at the Bahrain International Airport. Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifam formalized the deal on the sidelines of the Bahrain International Airshow. Under the deal, Leonardo will supply and install its advanced radar...
US Issues Rule Strengthening Foreign Investment Penalty, Enforcement Authorities
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a rule strengthening the penalty and enforcement authorities of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. CFIUS is an interagency committee that oversees transactions involving foreign actors purchasing real estate and assesses their impact on U.S. national security. “This rule enhances CFIUS’ ability to vigorously defend...
UK to Procure $70M Worth of Tactical Combat Training Systems, Related Equipment From US
The U.S. State Department has approved the United Kingdom’s request to purchase Tactical Combat Training System Increment II and related equipment worth approximately $70 million. The possible foreign military sale includes 46 TCTS II systems, spare parts, technical documentation, training equipment, integration support and other logistical services for the Royal Air Force. Collins Aerospace and...
Fluor-Led JV to Design New Units at Romanian Nuclear Power Plant
A joint venture led by U.S. engineering firm Fluor has received a limited notice to proceed with designing an expanded Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Romania. The JV, which also comprises AtkinsRealis, Ansaldo Nucleare, and Sargent & Lundy, will oversee the design of two additional units for the facility, including developing engineering and construction plans,...
Canada Taps BlackBerry to Train Malaysia, SEA Cyber Professionals
Canada will work with software firm BlackBerry to train cyber professionals from Malaysia and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to improve their capabilities in defending against digital threats. Under the $2.8 million investment, the Ontario-based cybersecurity company will collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to equip the ASEAN region’s...










