The Jamaica Defence Force commissioned the Damen Stan Patrol Patrol Vessel HMJS Norman Manley (CG 427) 2607 (Spa 4207) and was officially incorporated into the Coast Guard fleet operating three other units of the same class. As reported by Infodefensa.com,the vessel arrived in the Caribbean country from Vietnam aboard a heavy cargo ship on November 7. The Jamaica Coast Guard received its first three Spa 4207 patrol boats between 2005 and 2006. It is one of the oldest users of this type of vessel in the Americas. Subsequently, in November 2016, the three vessels were withdrawn from service and handed over in payment to Damen, for two recently built, which were incorporated in January 2017. A new order was placed with the Dutch group more than three years ago for the supply of four patrol boats: two new Spa 4207s and two larger FCS 5009 Patrols. The first of the Spa 4207s, HMJS Alexander Bustamante, was received in August 2021, and now HMJS Norman Manley. In this regard, the Jamaican Coast Guard currently has four patrol boats of this type. Regarding the two FCS 5009 Patrols, the first arrived in Jamaica in July 2020 and the second is scheduled to do so by 2024 at the latest.

Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense, has revealed the Ukrainian defense industry's latest achievement: a new land-based version of the renowned Neptune anti-ship cruise missile. This development marks a significant advancement in the Neptune missile system, highlighting Ukraine's continuous efforts in defense innovation. The project, a collaborative endeavor between the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Strategic Industries, aims to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities. Defense Express reports that the adaptation primarily involves the R-360 missile from the Neptune complex, now tailored for ground target engagement. This modified version of the missile boasts impressive enhancements. Its potential range is estimated at 400 km, a substantial increase from the 300 km range of its naval counterpart. Furthermore, the warhead's weight has been upped to 350 kg, more than doubling the original 150 kg. These figures, however, might not be the final specifications, as ongoing developments could lead to further refinements. Production of these advanced missiles is currently in its nascent stage, with only a few dozen units manufactured as of late August. Notably, the new Neptune variant retains the thermal imaging-based homing system for target acquisition, a feature that uses pre-loaded images for precise targeting. Additionally, it employs the same launcher as the anti-ship version, ensuring seamless integration into existing systems. The Neptune missile gained international acclaim following the destruction of the Russian cruiser Moskva on April 13, 2022, a testament to its effectiveness. These missiles, products of Ukroboronprom enterprises, were launched from Neptune's coastal missile system, demonstrating their strategic impact.

Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev has announced that, after Parliament on Friday approved the $1.208 billion purchase of Stryker armored vehicles, the contract will come into forrce as soon as Bulgaria makes the $263 million down payment. The Bulgarian National Assembly today, December 1, ratified the International Agreement (LOA) for the procurement of Stryker combat vehicles with 148 votes in favor, 54 against and 5 abstentions. Defense Minister Todor Tagarev thanked the people's representatives who supported the Investment Expenditure Project and the ratification of the contract. "Today you will hold a small celebration for the Ground Forces, who have been waiting for a new combat vehicle for more than 35 years," he addressed the deputies. The contract was drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the American military sales legislation under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program, which regulates the acquisition of American military equipment and technology. The estimated value of the Letter of Offer and Agreement (LOA) for the procurement of Stryker combat vehicles is $1,208,560,357.00, or $1.208 billion. The contract will become effective upon the payment of the down payment, in the amount of US$263 million. The contract provides the balance to be paid in annual instalments in the period 2023-2027. The guarantor of the process for providing US defense products, services and training under the contract is the US government.

Its new Air Force 5.3 plan calls for the replacement of its F-16s with 5th-generation aircraft, although the decision will come in the next decade The Portuguese Air Force's new modernization plan includes the acquisition of fifth-generation fighter jets. The revelation, made by the head of the service, Gen. João Cartaxo Alves, last week, puts Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter on the Portuguese horizon. If this advanced acquisition comes to fruition in this plan, called Air Force 5.3, it would be the thirteenth European country to acquire this model in which Spain has also shown interest, but without specifying anything yet. The future Portuguese fifth-generation aircraft will replace its current fleet of 27 F-16 AM/BMs still in service in the country from the 45 it received in the 1990s, according to the French-language portal Zone Militaire. It is foreseeable that there will be 24 aircraft, which would make up two squadrons. There is not expected to be any big news surrounding this project until the Portuguese military programming law is updated, which will happen in 2027. The Portuguese Air Force's schedule now also includes the acquisition of a medium-altitude, high-endurance drone (MALE) model, which will probably end up being the MQ-9 Sea Guardian, from the also American firm General Atomics, as suggested by an image included in the presentation of the Air Force 5.3 plan. And it also brings forward the planned purchase of light attack aircraft, which will probably end up being A-29N Super Tucano, from the Brazilian company Embraer, according to the aforementioned media in French. This same manufacturer could also provide JAS-39 Gripen E/F fighter jets, as a projection of the agreement it has with the Swedish firm Saab that has developed them. However, Portuguese plans point towards the F-35 option, because of that mentioned mention of fifth-generation aircraft.

France in 2022 won arms export orders worth an “exceptional” €26.97 billion ($28.79 billion), more than double the €11.72 billion booked in the previous year, the government’s annual report to parliament said. “Our orders for armaments in 2022 reached an historic level close to €27 billion,” Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said in the introduction to the report. That record amount reflected an appreciation by client nations for French-built weapons which went beyond the Rafale fighter jet, extending to missiles, frigates, submarines, artillery, helicopters, radar, and spy satellites, he said in the report. There was also a note of caution further into the report, pointing up the figures for a single year should not be taken as representative, as the trend in arms exports was set over time. The long-term basis for orders was set on a steady flow of contracts worth less than €200 million, based on service support, training, or upgrades on large contracts signed in the previous decade, with the value lying in the long term, the report said. Exports also depended on orders for less glamorous equipment in a particularly competitive market, namely “low cost” equipment sold by emerging markets, the report said.

The Council of Ministers adopted a decision to approve the Defense Investment Program until 2032 in a closed session today, November 29, and will present it for adoption by the National Assembly. It was developed in implementation of the Management Program of the Government, approved by the supporting majority, as well as in implementation of the decision of the National Assembly of January 31, 2023, with which the Government is tasked to prepare a comprehensive and financially justified program for investments in defense by 2032. During its development, the process of defense planning in NATO and the development of the military capabilities of the European Union were taken into account. Preliminary lessons from the war in Ukraine are also reported. With the adoption of the Program by the National Assembly, a complete integrated framework of capital expenditures and the main long-term investment directions will be set to achieve the set goals related to the urgent rearmament of the Bulgarian Army, as well as order, predictability and transparency in the spending of capital funds. The appendix to the Program presents the main directions for investments until 2032 with an estimated value of over BGN 100 million, arranged by funding priority.

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced Embraer's C-390 Millennium as the winner of the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II public tender to provide the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) with new military transport aircraft. South Korea is the C-390 Millennium's first customer in Asia.. Under the signed contract, Embraer will provide an undisclosed number of C-390 Millennium aircraft specially configured to meet ROKAF's requirements, as well as services & support including training, ground support equipment and spare parts. The value of the contract will be included in Embraer's backlog in the fourth quarter of 2023. Embraer will also provide a comprehensive consortium and offset package including a significant amount of C-390 Millennium parts to be locally manufactured by Korean partner companies and the development of a local Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider. South Korea is the seventh nation to select the C-390 after Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic. Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and most recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has proven its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 10,800 flight hours, with operational availability of around 80% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category.

As tensions with China continue to escalate, Taiwan is proactively enhancing its military capabilities with the assistance of the United States. According to a report from "Taiwan News" on November 30, 2023, Taiwan is preparing to send a contingent of 114 soldiers to the U.S. in the coming year for specialized training. This training will focus on the high-mobility-artillery-rocket systems (HIMARS) and the advanced M1A2T Abrams tanks. In a significant move for 2024, Taiwan is set to receive an initial shipment of 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks and 11 HIMARS systems. This development is part of a larger agreement with the U.S., as reported by Up Media, which includes the training of Taiwanese military personnel in the operation and maintenance of these sophisticated weapons systems starting in January. These trained individuals will play a crucial role back in Taiwan, serving as instructors for both the tank and rocket systems. The defense arrangement, outlined in the "2024 Taiwan Ministry of National Defense Budget," indicates that the 108 M1A2T tanks agreed upon in a 2019 deal with the U.S. will begin arriving in Taiwan from next year. The delivery schedule includes 38 tanks in the first batch, followed by 42 in 2025 and the final 28 in 2026. The M1A2 Abrams is an upgraded version of the original American M1A1 Abrams tank, extensively used by the United States military. This advanced main battle tank features significant enhancements in various aspects, including armor, firepower, and electronics. Its armor is notably advanced, comprising a sophisticated composite that integrates depleted uranium layers, providing superior protection against diverse threats. The firepower is also a key aspect, with a powerful 120mm smoothbore cannon capable of firing a range of ammunition types. Additionally, the M1A2 is equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, including advanced targeting and communication systems, which enhance its battlefield capabilities. Furthermore, Taiwan's strengthening of its arsenal includes the acquisition of 11 HIMARS systems, a deal approved by the U.S. in 2020, with an additional 18 units subsequently agreed upon for purchase. The first batch of these rocket systems is slated for delivery starting next year, with the entire order to be fulfilled by 2025. The additional 18 units are expected to arrive in 2026.

In Tunisia, the presence of Dongfeng Mengshi CSK-131 armored vehicles, originating from China, has been observed in the capital city, Tunis. These vehicles are distinguishable by their digital camouflage and the display of the Tunisian flag, indicating that they are currently undergoing evaluation by the Tunisian armed forces. Besides the Chinese vehicles, the Tunisian military has incorporated a range of tactical vehicles into its fleet, mainly from Turkey. This includes the Vuran armored vehicles from BMC, used in various roles such as troop transport and medical evacuation. Tunisia also operates other Turkish armored vehicles like the BMC Kirpi and the Ejder Yalçin. In 2021, a significant contract was signed for the delivery of Kirpi mine-resistant vehicles and ambulances to Tunisia, making it one of the largest operators of Kirpi vehicles outside of Turkey. The Dongfeng CSK131 is a light-protected vehicle developed by Dongfeng company as a private venture. It is an armored version of the Dongfeng EQ2050 tactical vehicle, which is widely used by the Chinese armed forces. At the time of its introduction, this vehicle was also called Mengshi, the Chinese word for "brave soldier". The CSK131 is commonly used by China's armed forces and is also available for export. Equipped with an armored hull, the Dongfeng CSK131 provides effective protection to its passengers against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. This vehicle is sometimes seen with armored windscreen shutters. It offers total protection against 7.62x39 mm rounds fired from a distance of 100 meters, and its frontal arc can withstand hits from armor-piercing rounds of the same caliber. The Dongfeng CSK131 is considered China's equivalent of an armored Humvee.

According to the Liberty Times on November 25, 2023, Taiwan is currently undergoing a significant upgrade of its M60A3 main battle tanks, which have been part of its military inventory for decades. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Taiwan to enhance its defense capabilities, particularly in light of potential threats from China. Recent reports indicate that Taiwan has chosen an American proposal, likely from Renk America, to replace the engines of 400 M60A3 tanks. The plan involves replacing the current 750hp AVDS-1790-2C engines with the more powerful 1,050hp AVDS-1790-8CR engines. This upgrade is expected to introduce digital and mobility enhancements, addressing concerns about the tanks' aging systems and reinforcing their capabilities in potential defensive scenarios. The M60A3 tanks, nearing the end of their service life in 2023, have been a key component of Taiwan's tank inventory, which includes a total of 1,000 tanks. In addition to the M60A3s, the inventory comprises 400 CM-11s and 250 CM-12s. As reported by Army Recognition on August 21, 2023, Taiwan is set to receive a total of 108 American M1A2T Abrams tanks, a modified version of the M1A2 SEP v2 tank. Specifically, 38 Abrams M1A2T tanks are scheduled to arrive on the island in 2024, followed by 42 tanks in 2025, and another 28 in 2026. Introduced in 1976, the M60A3 marked a significant technological advancement within the M60-series tanks. While retaining the mobility, performance, and weapons systems of the M60A1, the M60A3 incorporated substantial engineering upgrades and improvements. The tank's electronics and fire control systems were notably enhanced, featuring a laser-based rangefinder and a solid-state M21 ballistic computer. The turret's hydraulic fluid was replaced with a non-flammable alternative, and the tank was powered by the AVDS-1790-2D RISE engine, ensuring reliable performance. Two configurations of the M60A3 were built, with the earlier version, known as the M60A3 Passive, equipped with a passive gunner's sight similar to the A1 RISE Passive. The later version integrated a Tank Thermal Sight (TTS), replacing the gunner's sight with the advanced Raytheon AN/VSG2 Tank Thermal Sight. This infrared detector allowed for improved visibility in challenging conditions such as fog, smoke, and low-light scenarios, significantly enhancing the tank's night-fighting capabilities.