Europe Ammunition News
- December 2022: A European NATO customer entered into a contract with Rheinmetall to supply a maximum of 300,000 rounds of 40mm ammunition, consisting of LV (low velocity) and HV (high velocity) variants. The contract includes a first call-off of approximately 75,000 cartridges.
- January 2022: The German Bundeswehr signed a contract with Rheinmetall AG to modernize its mortar systems and provide 120mm mortar ammunition. The contract is worth approximately EUR 27 million (USD 30 million) and will be completed by 2023.
Related Defense Industry News
- January 2023: The police chiefs of some states in India approached the commerce ministry's Government e-marketplace (GeM) to permit the sale of small arms so that states can procure them at competitive prices from the public procurement platform. Currently, GeM is not authorized to allow the sale of small caliber or any type of weapons from its platform.
- January 2023: The Indian Army requested to indigenously source 5,000 9×19 mm machine pistols as an ‘Emergency Procurement’ via the Fast Track Procedure (FTP) of the Defense Acquisition Procedure for an estimated USD 6 million.
- May 2024: Japan and the US signed a formal agreement on jointly developing the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) system to counter hypersonic weapons. Japan will manufacture the rocket engines and other propulsion subsystems and is working on a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the development of the systems. The agreement focuses on balanced work-sharing, potentially reaching 50% each between Japan and the US. This will strengthen the defense industry's capability in the region.
- May 2024: Craig International Ballistics secured a USD 19.82 million contract to supply the Australian Defence Force with advanced body armor to protect against low- and high-velocity projectiles and fragmentation. The protective suits will be distributed among troops engaged in combat and counter-terrorism operations. This contract aligns with government initiatives to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises and sustain local employment within Australia.
- April 2024: Lockheed Martin Australia secured a significant USD 330.29 million contract with the Department of Defence to establish Australia's future Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) under project AIR6500 Phase 1 (AIR6500-1). The initiative aims to advance Australia's air and missile defense capabilities by incorporating cutting-edge technologies to neutralize high-speed aerial threats.
- January 2024: The US Air Force awarded RTX Corporation a USD 407.6 million contract modification further to develop the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), following its initial delivery slated 2027. This contract supplements the nearly USD 1 billion deal secured by RTX Corporation in 2022 for the same project.
- January 2024: Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced it had formally signed a contract worth JPY 254 billion (USD 1.7 billion) with the US Government to acquire up to 400 U.S.-made long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles from fiscal year 2025 to 2027.
- November 2022: The Indian Army tested a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands. The Western Command of the Army tested the extended-range version of the missile. Moreover, according to the Indian army, the tested Brahmos cruise missile can hit targets at 450 km or more.
- August 2022: Russia unveiled a new cruise missile at the Army-2022 military exhibition near Moscow. The missile, codenamed the Kh-69 stealth missile, was displayed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation at the exhibition. Moreover, the missile has been developed to engage stationary targets with known coordinates and additional information about the environment near the target.
- February 2024: Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) secured a contract from the US Defense Department's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop and deliver a series of prototypes for Small Tactical Universal Batteries (STUB). This delivery of STUB prototypes is part of the DIU's Family of Advanced Standard Batteries (FAStBat) initiative, underscoring the Army's ongoing endeavor to create a unified battery family.
- January 2024: L3Harris Technologies Inc. clinched a potential seven-year contract valued at USD 479 million from US Special Operations Command. The contract is for the production and delivery of advanced tactical communications radios, complemented by associated sustainment and support services.
- February 2024: The US Marine Corps awarded BAE Systems an extra USD 25 million as a firm-fixed-price modification on top of their original USD 181 million contract. This additional funding is specifically designated for producing more amphibious combat vehicles (ACVs) and falls under the Marine Corps' fourth order for full-rate production (FRP).
- February 2023: The General Dynamics Mission Systems segment secured a substantial USD 481.6 million contract from the US Army Contracting Command. The contract aims to sustain the AN/MLQ-44 Prophet-Enhanced SIGINT vetronics systems.
- December 2023: The Indonesian Air Force significantly upgraded its fleet by introducing eight H225M helicopters. These helicopters are specifically intended to bolster the Indonesian Air Force's capabilities, primarily focusing on strengthening Air Squadron 8 of Air Wing 4, stationed at Atang Sendjaja Air Base.
- August 2023: The Indonesian government solidified its commitment to modernizing its fleet by signing a memorandum of understanding with Boeing. This agreement paved the way for Indonesia to acquire 24 F-15EX jets, a crucial step in the nation's strategic fleet enhancement plan.
May 2024: During the DSA 2024 Exhibition in Malaysia, FNSS displayed its latest innovation, the PARS III 6x6 vehicle. This vehicle highlights the TEBER-II 30/40 Remote-Controlled Turret (RCT) and the SANCAK 30 mm Remote-controlled Turret. Notably, the PARS III 6x6 comes with standard automatic fire suppression systems.
February 2024: At WDS 2024 in Saudi Arabia, Otokar revealed its Ural A Tactical Armored Vehicle. The Ural, designed to accommodate a team of eight, including two crew members and six infantrymen, excels in reconnaissance, patrol, and assault missions. Engineered for resilience, it thrives in harsh terrains, boasting advanced safety features like an engine fire suppression system, ensuring its durability in combat.
March 2024: Australia pledged AUD 4.6 billion (USD 3 billion) to assist Britain in constructing nuclear-powered submarines, a vital component of the AUKUS agreement with the UK and the US. Under this, Australia is set to procure up to five nuclear submarines from the US by the early 2030s, followed by a collaborative effort with Britain to develop and operate a new SSN-AUKUS class.
March 2024: Indonesia awarded the Naval Group and PT PAL the contract to enhance the Indonesian Navy's capabilities. As part of this collaboration, PT PAL will construct two Scorpène submarines in Indonesia, leveraging technology transferred from the Naval Group.
April 2024: The Israel Defense Forces announced plans to increase the number of regular army tank companies within each battalion of the armored corps. This strategic move stemmed from insights gained during a six-month conflict in Gaza, with a clear focus on preparing for future engagements.
February 2024: Italy announced its intention to procure 132 Leopard 2A8IT main battle tanks with a budget of EUR 8.2 billion. The project is slated to span around 14 years.
March 2022: India inked a deal worth USD 1.9 billion to acquire 350 Light Battle Tanks (LBTs). The challenges of deploying heavy main battle tanks (MBTs) in mountainous terrains spurred India's focus on its light tank initiative.
February 2024: ST Engineering signed agreements with Airbus to support the C295 and Embraer to support the C-390. Airbus will support the regional C295 fleets with depot-level maintenance and turnkey solutions at its existing facility in Singapore.
February 2023: The Republic of Singapore Air Force revealed plans to procure eight F-35B fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corporation, with deliveries slated for completion by 2030.