Defence Contracts Digest: Top Reads 14/03
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Top reads from last week's edition of the Defence Contracts Digest, published 14.03.2024.
Japan looking to pave the way for GCAP sales | British ministers call for 2.5% GDP defence budget | US finds $300 million for Ukraine munitions.
Japan is reportedly considering further defence export reforms to pave the way for future international sales relating to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Japanese PM Fumio Kishida said that the reforms would help reduce the programme’s costs and help ensure that the country is seen as an equal partner in joint development initiatives.
British ministers have called for defence spending to rise to 2.5% of GDP. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP and Tom Tudgenhat MP wrote that “…our industrial complex must grow and strengthen at a much greater pace than at present”. Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP, stated that the rise would come “as soon as economic conditions allow”.
Ukraine is “not running out of courage and tenacity,” says CIA Director William Burns, as the US finds $300 million in savings to help fund a further weapons package. The package is reported to include 155 and 105mm artillery rounds, plus munitions for guided missile and Stinger systems. Meanwhile, following weeks of negotiations, the European Union has approved additional funding for the European Peace Facility, with a €5 billion budget to help support Ukraine in 2024.
The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security has given the go-ahead for continued development of its new 5th Generation fighter jet programme, after committing $1.8 billion for design, development, flight testing, and certification. Five prototypes are expected to be produced, with a maiden flight expected before 2028.
Top Contracts last week:
Bell secures $455 million contract for AH-1Z helicopters for Nigeria - Defence Blog
The US DOD has announced a contract award to Bell, a division of Textron, for the production and delivery of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to the government of Nigeria. Under the terms of the contract, Bell will provide not only the AH-1Z Viper helicopters but also associated engineering, programme management, logistics support, and non-recurring engineering for obsolescence.
SAIC receives $444 million contract to provide modernisation for space launch ranges - ASD News
Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has been awarded a $444 million contract to support Digital Transformation, Acquisition, Modernisation and Modification for the US Space Force's Space Systems Command and Space Launch Deltas 30 and 45.
BAE Systems secures $317 million contract for M109 howitzer services - Defence Blog
The US DOD has announced a new contract award to BAE Systems for the continuation of system technical services for the M109 family of self-propelled howitzers. Dan Furber, director of ground vehicle production for BAE Systems’ Combat Mission Systems business, highlighted the importance of the M109 on the battlefield, referring to it as the “King of Battle.”
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