Update: Russia to upgrade Slovakian MiG-29s
Two contracts have been awarded to RAC MiG by the Slovak Air Force for the maintenance and support of its MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighter aircraft. The contracts, announced by MiG on 2 September, will see the...
View ArticleMSPO 2013: Polish, Czech industry join forces for Mi-17 upgrades
A consortium of two Czech firms and one Polish company unveiled its programme to upgrade Mil Mi-17/171 helicopters at MSPO 2013. Within the consortium, Czech company Lom Praha performs the full-scale...
View ArticleAVIC issues new bonds for international M&A
AVIC International, the global investment arm of state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has issued another round of bonds to support overseas acquisitions. The group said on 6...
View ArticleUS Navy awards contract to increase monthly BAMS-D operations
The US Navy (USN) awarded Northrop Grumman a USD9.9 million contract on 6 September to increase the number of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations (ISR) for the Broad Area Maritime...
View ArticleUS Army to provide Link 16 capability to AH-64E Apache helicopter
The US Army is buying 96 Small Tactical Terminal (STT) KOR-24As to allow the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter to satisfy requirements for an Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station (AMF) Small Airborne Link...
View ArticleUK Royal Navy F-35s to be flown by Immortal pilots
On 9 September the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed that 809 Naval Air Squadron will be the first UK Royal Navy unit to fly the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). 809...
View ArticleTHAAD, Aegis missile defence systems team in successful intercept
Key Points Aegis BMD and THAAD systems worked in conjunction to intercept two incoming medium-range ballistic missile targets The event trialled various layers of the overall US BMDS The US Department...
View ArticleRoyal Navy Chief says corvettes do not meet UK requirements
A corvette capability does not meet UK defence policy requirements, the new head of the UK Royal Navy has said. Speaking to a Royal United Services Institute conference held in London on 9 September...
View ArticleReports of Su-35 sale to China met with scepticism
A contract for the delivery of 24 Sukhoi Su-35 'Super Flanker' fighter aircraft to China may be realised sometime in 2014, Viktor Komardin, deputy director of Russian state-run arms export monopoly...
View ArticlePakistani political parties back Taliban peace process
A conference of leaders from Pakistan's main political parties hosted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formally endorsed the government's controversial plan to begin peace negotiations with Taliban...
View ArticleNATO maritime chief calls for member states to do more to support Alliance...
The head of NATO's Allied Maritime Command has called on NATO member states to commit more forces to support the Alliance's growing maritime activity. Vice Admiral Peter Hudson told a Royal United...
View ArticleJordan refuses to back US strike on Syria
Jordan has said it will play no part in a US-led strike on Syria and is trying to downplay its support for the insurgency. "In case the strike takes place, we will not be part of it and we do not have...
View ArticleEU boosts aid for Somali counter-terrorism
The EU is stepping up its support for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) as violence continues to rock the country and its fledgling government. The European Commission said on 8 September...
View ArticleDSEI 2013: USN, Northrop Grumman mulling new SIGINT payload for MQ-4C Triton
Key Points Northrop Grumman is in discussions with the USN to put a new SIGINT payload on the MQ-4C Triton A SIGINT-capable MQ-4C would be part of a family of systems to replace the USN's EP-3 Orion...
View ArticleCzech Gripen lease renewal close
The Czech Republic's extension of its lease of 14 Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft is now only two steps away, Defence Minister Vlastimil Picek has told IHS Jane's . "I am now submitting the...
View ArticleBell announces teaming with Lockheed for V-280 Valor tilt-rotor
Bell Helicopter, a subsidiary of Textron Inc, revealed that it has partnered with Lockheed Martin on development of its V-280 Valor tilt-rotor design. Lockheed Martin, Bell's first 'tier one' team...
View ArticleAustralia's new government to boost defence spending
Australia's incoming coalition government has undertaken to increase defence expenditure from the current level of 1.59% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 2% over the next decade, but will delay...
View ArticleASEAN counter-terrorism exercise kicks off in Indonesia
The first Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Counter-Terrorism Exercise kicked off in Jakarta on 9 September. Scheduled to last until 13 September, it will...
View ArticleANZAC ASMD upgrade package completes final acceptance trial
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ANZAC-class frigate HMAS Perth has completed the final Operational Acceptance Trial for the Australian-designed phased array radar (PAR) and combat management system...
View ArticleDSEI 2013: US military buys new backpack-friendly signals tracking system
Key Points L-3 Linkabit recently completed tests of a new backpack-friendly system to track enemy communications The company has signed a contract with an unnamed US customer for PRD-13 (V)3 US Special...
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