BAE Systems Hägglunds and Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic collaboration for the introduction and localized production of the BvS10 all-terrain vehicle for the Italian Armed Forces. This industrial partnership will leverage the technical expertise of both companies and Italy’s domestic manufacturing capabilities to develop Italian-specific variants of […]
Belgium; MoD mulls acquiring 21 more F-35A jet fighters
the Belgian government is preparing to finalize a strategic order for 21 additional F-35A fighter aircraft, bringing its total fleet to 55 units. This move is part of a broader €36 billion investment plan aimed at modernizing the country’s armed forces by 2035. Scheduled ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, the decision […]
Sweden; Navy orders air defense systems for its Visby corvettes
Saab announced in 2021 that it had signed an agreement with Swedish defence procurement for the development of plans for a Visby upgrade. One aspect of the upgrade is for the introduction of a surface-to-air missile capability. The Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes are to be equipped with an anti-aircraft capability under a SEK1.6 billion (US$166 […]
Europe; PESCO to develop an anti-aircraft laser weapon
Italy and Spain will be in charge of the European Directed Energy Systems (DES) project announced in the new wave (the sixth) of initiatives of the European Union’s permanent structured cooperation tool (Pesco). This is one of the eleven new projects of this tool launched by the Council of the European Union agreed on 27 […]
Russia; Army tests tungsten based shotgun cartridges in C-UAV Role
Russia is testing a family of tungsten-based gun cartridges on the battlefield in Ukraine designed to destroy small drones. The IGLA family of counter-drone cartridges consists of pellets made of a harder substance to inflict greater damage. According to TASS, the pellets are made of an alloy of tungsten, nickel, and iron. State conglomerate Rostec […]
Netherlands; Army orders M4 ATRL from Sweden
The Netherlands has ordered Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Materiel and IT Command: COMMIT spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 27 May. An NSPA spokesperson told Janes that the order is for Carl-Gustaf launchers, various types of munition, and training material. Staarink said the call-off purchase order was placed […]
Ukraine; Germany lifts embargo on long range cruise missile sales
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Monday that Berlin and its Western allies were lifting range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, though the practical implications of the apparent policy shift were not immediately clear. Speaking at a European forum in Berlin, Merz declared that “there are no longer any restrictions on the range of weapons […]
Europe; EU ministers approve new 150 bln-euro arms fund for SAFE Europe
The European Union on Tuesday approved the creation of a 150 billion-euro ($170.7 billion) EU arms fund, driven by fears of a Russian attack in the coming years and doubts about U.S. security commitments to the continent. The approval, by ministers from EU countries meeting in Brussels, was the final legal step in setting up […]
Germany; Army orders development of future 5G tactical communication networks
Finland’s Nokia and defence technology firm blackned, majority-owned by Rheinmetall , will jointly develop next-generation tactical networks for the German armed forces, the companies said on Wednesday. The new mobile communication systems will be specifically “tailored” for Germany’s defence requirements, Nokia said, with potential for adaptation to other countries’ defense needs. Financial details of the […]
Greece; Navy orders Israeli BlueWhale unmanned submarine
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer the BlueWhale autonomous submarine system to the Hellenic Navy. This agreement formalizes a bilateral defense cooperation project involving the integration of IAI’s BlueWhale unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) into Greek naval operations, with HAI assuming a key role […]