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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
16 May 24. UK continues search to sell surplus Hercules airlifters.The UK is continuing its search to find buyers for its fleet of retired Lockheed Martin C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules airlifters, with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) telling Janes that it has identified several potential buyers. The Royal Air Force (RAF) retired one ‘short’ C-130J (C5 in UK service) and 13 ‘stretched’ C-130J-30 (C4) airframes on 31 March 2023 (with the type’s final farewell flypast following in June 2023), all of which, along with an additional C5 aircraft carried over from the previous round of retirements in 2015, are now available to overseas buyers. “The Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) is managing the sales programme on behalf of the MoD and continues to actively pursue sales with a number of potential buyers,” the ministry said on 10 May. (Source: Janes)
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14 May 24. New Golden Age of shipbuilding as new UK-built warships boost Navy building programme to up to 28 ships and submarines .
With up to 28 warships and submarines in the pipeline, backed by defence spending rising to 2.5% of GDP, Britain is seeing a new Golden Age of shipbuilding.
- Defence Secretary announces Royal Navy shipbuilding programme to rise to up to 28 ships and submarinesto deliver a more secure future
- Up to six new amphibious warships for the Royal Marines to be built in the UK
With up to 28 warships and submarines in the pipeline, backed by defence spending rising to 2.5% of GDP, Britain is seeing a new Golden Age of shipbuilding, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will say today [Tuesday].
Speaking at the annual Sea Power Conference in central London, the Defence Secretary will announce that up to six new state-of-the-art warships will be built in the UK to strengthen Royal Marines special operations, as part of the Government’s plan to deliver a secure future for families across the United Kingdom.
Backed by defence spending rising to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade, the announcement means that there are now up to 28 warships and submarines planned or in build to benefit the Royal Navy.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “With up to 28 ships and submarines being built or in the pipeline, this is a new Golden Age for British shipbuilding.The new vessels for the Royal Marines will help our brave Commandos fight the conflicts of the future. This is all possible because this government has committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by the end of the decade, as part of our plans to deliver a more secure future for you and your family.”
The Defence Secretary will also announce that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will not be scrapped or mothballed before their planned out of service dates of 2033-2034.
Today’s new ships are known as Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS) – specialist warships designed to rapidly deliver the famous Royal Marines Commando Force onto coastlines around the world to conduct special operations.
It brings the total number of UK-built ships and submarines in the pipeline to benefit the Royal Navy to up to 28, with Type 26 and Type 31 in Scotland, Astute and Dreadnought submarines in Barrow-in-Furness, and Fleet Solid Support ships in Belfast and Devon.
The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State has cemented the future of our Royal Marines by committing to this new class of up to six amphibious vessels. These will be the most capable amphibious warships the nation has ever owned, designed to be fully interchangeable with our closest allies in Europe, and in NATO. I also pay tribute to the sterling service of the two Type 23 frigates that were announced for retirement today – collectively they have deployed worldwide, conducted dozens of live operations, and have far surpassed their expected service life. While always sad to pay off such fine warships, their decommissioning marks the next stage of our reinvestment in new, more modern frigates.”
MRSS will be highly flexible warships, able to deploy on a wider variety of operations, and designed to carry vehicles, aircraft, insertion craft and a broad range of uncrewed systems for complicated missions. They will also be able to act as primary casualty receiving ships, providing urgent medical care to our forces wherever they are deployed.
The MOD has entered the first, or Concept, phase of the MRSS Programme and will work with industry as part of early market engagement ahead of developing the vessel design.
In line with the National Shipbuilding Strategy, there will be up to six MRSS built overall, which will replace current capabilities, including the two Landing Platform Docks, three Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliaries) and the Aviation Support Ship RFA Argus, in the early 2030s.
Defence Equipment & Support CEO, Andy Start said: “With the MOD’s new Integrated Procurement Model in place and DE&S undergoing its biggest transformation in a decade we are aiming to be faster, more efficient, more innovative, more integrated and more productive when delivering new equipment such as the Multi-Role Support Ships for the Royal Marines. Our MRSS team has already begun engaging with the potential shipbuilding market to lay the groundwork for this versatile and essential future capability.”
The Defence Secretary will also announce that HMS Argyll and HMS Westminster, that have a combined service of 63 years, will be retired. HMS Argyll has been sold to BAE Systems and will be used within the UK’s vibrant shipbuilding sector, supporting apprentice training in line with the Government’s agenda on skills and shipbuilding capacity. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
14 May 24. Industry begins bidding on contracts in UK hypersonics.
This £1bn framework will select suppliers to support research, development and testing of hypersonic technologies right through to a capability at pace.
Some 90 organisations from across industry and academia have secured a place within Britain’s new £1bn ($1.25bn) hypersonics and capability development framework (HTCDF).
Hypersonic refers to aerial objects – aircraft, missiles, rockets – that can reach speeds through the atmosphere greater than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, (nearly 4,000 miles per hour). At the same time, this high-speed tech must also be manoeuvrable mid-flight.
China, Russia and the US are all testing hypersonic technology, generating fears of escalating global competition for weaponry that has the potential to render current defences inadequate.
In an effort to develop a sovereign hypersonic strike capability, the UK has opened up the bidding process for contracts under HTCDF in line with the government’s new procurement ecosystem known as the Integrated Procurement Model (IPM).
The HTCDF initiative is led by the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Team Hypersonics UK, while the award of contracts on the framework will be managed by commercial experts at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).
The HTCDF will also re-open to new suppliers every six to 12 months to ensure that the MoD can continue to draw upon new technologies and emerging market capabilities.
DE&S stress the importance of delivering in a timely manner.
Under the newIPM, which is still due to reach minimal viable product in early 2025, the government hopes to confront presumptions right from the outset by taking a cross-departmental approach to the programme form the start of acquiring a solution from the contractor.
The new model is a proven concept given DE&S received the first of its new Archer howitzer systems from Sweden just six months after the government signed the contract. However, it may prove more complicated to deliver an evolving technology, which has yet to enter the global defence market in a fully fledged state of application.
Although Russia’s use of its ‘hypersonic’ Kinzhal missile in Ukraine has been confirmed, while Ukraine’s Armed Forces have also claimed the first successful interception of such missiles, this is slightly misleading. Kinzhal is not technically a hypersonic weapon; while it does reach Mach 5 it is not as manoeuvrable as it ought to be to qualify as a hypersonic missile.
Likewise, the US has culminated in fielding its first hypersonics platform in 2023, theConventional Prompt Strike(CPS) system – a glide vehicle with a boost system – for itsZumwalt-class destroyers. GlobalData intelligence projected this system to dominate proposed spending in 2023, accounting for 44.1% of the nation’s missiles and missile defence budget.
Yet, it should be understood that the installation of the CPS is part of a middle tier of acquisition in the US Navy’s second phase of development. This is a pathway used to rapidly develop fieldable prototypes within an acquisition programme which means the programme remains at a very early stage.
Nonetheless, “hypersonics will be a landmark capability of the future and it is essential that we keep pace with the developments of our adversaries,” the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, stated. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
14 May 24. UK confirms it will build six new warships for Royal Marines. British defence minister Grant Shapps said he would order up to six new warships for the Royal Marines, as the government starts to indicate where a recently announced rise in defence spending will be directed.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announcedin Aprilthat he would lift defence spending to 2.5% of GDP a year by 2030, saying the British arms industry must be on a “war footing” when the world is at its most dangerous since the Cold War.
Shapps said on Tuesday that the new vessels, known as Multi Role Support Ships, will be built in Britain and will help strengthen Britain’s amphibious special operations commando force for the battles of the future. The government had said in 2022 it would build new ships for the Royal Marines.
“It’s something we’re now able to do because the money’s been pledged to defence,” Shapps told the BBC.
He will speak at the Sea Power Conference in central London later on Tuesday, where he will also say that two current Royal Marine assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will not be scrapped or mothballed before their planned out of service dates in 2033-2034.
The six new vessels are part of a programme of 28 ships and submarines being built or in the pipeline for Britain’s Navy, which Shapps said represented “a new Golden Age for British shipbuilding”.
BAE Systems(BAES.L), Britain’s biggest military contractor, and another UK defence company, Babco*ck(BAB.L), are amongst the companies involved in building those 28 ships. (Source: Reuters)
13 May 24. UK seeks new partner to maintain RAF Fylingdales radar. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is looking for a new partner to support the operation and maintenance of the Solid-State Phased-Array Radar (SSPAR) at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fylingdales. RAF Fylingdales provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service to the UK and the US. It also functions as a space surveillance and tracking (SST) system, capable of detecting objects the size of a can 3,000 miles into space. The SSPAR building and a significant number of the ancillary systems were built or installed over 35 years ago. A new partner is therefore required to operate, maintain, and possibly sustain the radar going forwards as the current support contract is coming to an end, a request for information (RFI) issued by the MoD on 6 May detailed. (Source: Janes)
10 May 24. UK reopens Fleet Helicopter Support Unit tender. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reopened its requirement for a Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) provider to deliver a crewed rotary-wing service to the Royal Navy (RN), having seemingly failed to do so on previous occasions. A notification posted on the UK government’s Contract Finder website on 8 May calls for bids for a contractor-owned service to deliver military and non-military personnel for the RN and to enable the conduct of operational sea training and supporting tasks, including the transportation of freight. The MoD requires the successful bidder to be ready to deliver an initial service to specified ships from 1 April 2026, with the contract expected to run for six years. (Source: Janes)
EUROPE
14 May 24. Poland plans to acquire two squadrons of Boeing F-15EX Eagle II Fighter Jets. Since the MSPO 2023 Defense Exhibition, Poland has been in discussions with the American company Boeing regarding the potential acquisition of 32 F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets. This news comes shortly after Lockheed Martin announced that the first F-35A “Husarz” jets destined for Poland are expected to be assembled by next summer in Fort Worth, Texas, before being moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, for pilot training. According to sources at Boeing, discussions took place with representatives from the Polish Armament Agency and the Air Force at the beginning of 2024. Rob Novotny, a Boeing official, stated in an interview with the specialized site Defence24 that the talks also focused on investment opportunities in Poland and cooperation with the local defense industry, notably with WZL Nr 2 and the PGZ group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa) The discussions would explore new areas of cooperation, particularly in the production of components and engineering work for the F-15EX, as well as technical support, as highlighted by Mr. Novotny. These talks could lead to strengthening Boeing’s supply chain and industrial base in Poland, thereby offering mutual benefits. Poland’s choice of the F-15EX could significantly boost its military capabilities. The F-15EX is an advanced version of the proven fighter aircraft, equipped with two F110-GE-129 engines, electronic flight controls, a digital co*ckpit, and an AESA APG-82(V)1 active antenna radar. It also features an advanced electronic warfare suite and can carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles. Poland’s interest in the F-15EX is part of a broader modernization of its military aviation. General Ireneusz Nowak, the chief of staff of the Polish Air Force, had previously indicated that the current capabilities were insufficient to meet the current threat level, necessitating ten fighter squadrons, or 160 aircraft. Currently, the F-16s, the already ordered F-35As, and the F/A-50s form eight squadrons, with plans for future expansion. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Warsaw has heavily invested in modernizing its military hardware. Among the significant purchases were Abrams tanks, Apache combat helicopters, and HIMARS rocket launchers from the United States, South Korean-made K2 tanks, Chunmoo rocket launchers, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and FA-50 combat aircraft, and at least two Swedish early warning aircraft to complement additional tethered warning systems. (Source: Google/https://www.armyrecognition.com/)
USA
14 May 24. US Army’s race for new howitzers, munitions takes off after modernisation effort scuttled. US land forces want an artillery system that is more mobile and more lethal. While cutting-edge technology development failed to produce a production-ready system, the US Army is readjusting its acquisition approach and concepts of operations for artillery. The army has determined that its Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Program of Record is not an option for future artillery warfare, Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, logistics, and technology, announced in March 2024. This decision and more on advanced artillery technology stemmed from a tactical fires study that was completed in 2023 and has not been publicly released, said General James Rainey, commanding general of Army Futures Command (AFC). ERCA was scheduled to transition to the major capability acquisition pathway after five years of research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E), according to the US Government Accountability Office. The army applied for a waiver for an additional year of RDT&E but was denied by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. (Source: Janes)
16 May 24. USSOCOM seeks new mounted, dismounted EW capabilities. US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) electronic warfare (EW) Family of Systems (FoS) is the “newest” programme in the Program Executive Office (PEO) – SOF Warrior portfolio and was initially approved in November 2023 to focus on the “ground domain” operations, the command announced on 7 May. SOF Warrior documents stated the EW FoS will include “dismounted/body-worn; mounted; unattended sensor; and small unmanned payloads to enable electromagnetic surveillance (ES), electromagnetic attack (EA), and electromagnetic protection (EP) capabilities”. The documents were presented at Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week 2024 in Tampa, Florida. Officials suggested aspects of EP would be “pertinent” to countering unmanned aircraft systems as well as electromagnetic countermeasures (ECM). Other areas of interest include jamming-resilient radar capabilities. (Source: Janes)
REST OF THE WORLD
14 May 24. EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, signed a USD 27m (AED 99m) agreement today to supply an ammunition production line to PT Pindad, an Indonesian state-owned enterprise and one of Asia’s leading defence manufacturers.
The agreement is for the production of 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm calibre ammunition, and is aligned with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence’s objective to increase local job creation and sovereign manufacturing capabilities. The ammunition facility is scheduled to commence production in 2026. The agreement is part of an ongoing effort between both countries that aims to increase bilateral trade to USD10bn by 2030 under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. (Source: Defense Arabia)
14 May 24. Malaysia strengthens defence with $1.5bn contracts. The Ministry of Defence signed an MOU and contracts worth RM7.3bn while eyeing Hanwha Aerospace’s technology for the Malaysian Army’s rocket launcher programme.
The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is bolstering the nation’s defence capabilities through a series of contracts valued at RM7.3bn ($1.5bn).
Concurrently, a promising partnership with South Korea’sHanwha Aerospaceemerges, marking a potential leap in Malaysia’s military technology landscape.
MINDEF sealed 40 deals during the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition & Conference 2024 and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2024.
The Malaysian Army stands to benefit from 18 units of anti-tank guided weapon—medium range (ATGW-MR) from Türkiye, enhancing infantry battalion capabilities. Meanwhile, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is gearing up for a technological overhaul, replacing its air surveillance radar (ASR) and air traffic management system in an effort to ensure airspace sovereignty and modernised air traffic services.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force recently benefited fromLockheed MartinandBoeingclinching an $80m contract with Malaysia to procure ten AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods tomoderniseits F/A-18D platform. The deal, approved by the US State Department, emphasises America’s support for its partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
In addition, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has secured contracts to refit vessels such as KDJEBAT, KDPERAK, and KDBAUNG. Moreover, the in-service support contract forPrime Minister’sclass submarines signals a proactive stance towards maintaining mission safety and operational availability.
Amidst these developments, Hanwha Aerospace’s entry onto the Malaysian defence stage sparks intrigue. The South Korean defence giant, known for its Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS), formalised a cooperative agreement with Widad Business Group, a Malaysian investment company. This collaboration holds promise for Malaysia’s MRLS acquisition programme, aiming to replace ageing fleet systems by 2026.
The K239 Chunmoo MRLS, with its track record of service in various nations, presents a solution for Malaysia’s defence needs. Capable of firing a range of rockets and missiles, including the 290km CTM-290 ballistic missile.
Malaysia has a brief history of acquiring military equipment from Hanwha Defence, acquiring 111 K200A1 armoured personnel carriers between 1993 and 1995, according to GlobalData’s “Malaysia Defense Market 2023-2028”report.
Tan Sri Dato Muhammad lkmal Opat Abdullah, Chairman of Widad Business Group, expressed confidence in Hanwha Aerospace and is foreseeing a fruitful partnership. Similarly, Hanwha Aerospace’s Executive Vice President, Go Sang-hwe, emphasised the company’s dedication to elevating Malaysia’s military capabilities through collaborative efforts. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
13 May 24. DSA 2024: Malaysian Army’s 6×6 self-propelled howitzer procurement faces delay.The Malaysian Army has expressed its willingness to initiate the 6×6 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) procurement programme – which is facing delays since it was announced in 2010 – in 2024 at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held at Kuala Lumpur from 6 to 9 May. The Malaysian Army’s 6×6 SPH procurement programme is “important” for the service as determined by “our doctrine”, General Tan Sri Dato’ Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, chief of the Malaysian Army, toldJanesat the exhibition.
“But we [the Malaysian Army] are still waiting for the government approval to procure the systems. We are in the final stage of talks with the government to procure the SPHs and the government may approve the procurement by the end of 2024,” Gen Jantan said. (Source: Janes)
13 May 24. Former ambassador advocates Japan to build RAN’s general purpose frigates. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Mogami Class frigate JS Noshiro (FFM 3) breaks away from formation with the US Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the Philippine Sea, 4 October 2023. Photo: US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Caroline H. Lui. The former Japanese ambassador to Australia, Yamagami Shingo, has advocated for his country’s defence industry to build the Royal Australian Navy’s next general purpose frigates. Earlier this year, the Australian federal government announced the intended acquisition of 11 new general purpose frigates to complement the country’s combat-ready fleet of warships.
The ships are expected to provide maritime and land strike, air defence and escort capabilities, according to information released by the government in a statement on 20 February. In addition, the first three ships have been planned to be constructed offshore, while eight new general purpose frigates are planned to be built at the Henderson precinct in Western Australia.
The new general purpose frigates will be accelerated to replace the Anzac Class frigates commissioned in the 1990s and early 2000s and are expected to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy by the end of the decade.
The four platforms identified as exemplars to form the basis of a selection process for the new general purpose frigate include Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ Meko A-200 frigate, the Mogami 30FFM Japanese multi-mission stealth frigate, the South Korean Daegu Class FFX Batch II and III, or Navantia’s ALFA3000 (Tasman Class Corvette, announced at IndoPac 2023).
Ambassador Yamagami said the construction of Japanese frigates for the RAN would be mutually beneficial for both countries.
“Will Australia’s next frigates come from Japan? (The) time is ripe to put (the) bitter experiences of submarines behind us. It will make a big push to solidify Japanese–Australian defence and security cooperation. (And) also conducive to Pillar 2 cooperation of AUKUS.”
Last year, ambassador Yamagami was recalled as ambassador of Japan to Australia, he held the title from December 2020, and was replaced by current ambassador of Japan to Australia, Suzuki Kazuhiro.
Suzuki had previously acted as Japan’s ambassador to Turkey since October 2020 and was Japan’s ambassador to Ethiopia from 2013 to 2016
The new general purpose frigates will be modern, capable and more lethal, requiring smaller crews than the Anzac Class (177 crew members), according to a previous statement from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
“The enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet will ensure the Navy is optimised for operations in our current and future environment, underpinned by the meticulous assessment conducted by the independent analysis team,” he said earlier this year.
“Australia’s modern society and economy rely on access to the high seas: trade routes for our imports and exports and the submarine cables for the data which enables our connection to the international economy.
“The Royal Australian Navy must be able to ensure the safety and security of our sea lines of communication and trade routes as they are fundamental to our way of life and our prosperity.”
Japanese media have also speculated that the country is reportedly planning to participate in Australia’s replacement program for the Anzac Class frigate. (Source: Defence Connect)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
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