The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
£695m
The amount the UK invests to support the RAF’s Hawk fleet
35,000
The number of participants in exercise Cold Response in northern Norway
2028
The year when Australia will receive four Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels
3
The number of French air bases where the Indra radar system will be installed
13%
Elbit Systems’s annual revenue increase
From our sites
SAIC reports 5% increase in FY22 revenues
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a US-based company that offers government services and IT support, has reported a 5% year-on-year increase in annual revenues for the full fiscal year 2022. The company’s revenues totalled $7.39bn in the year that ended on 28 January 2022, compared to $7.06bn recorded a year ago.
Read more at Army Technology
Dutch Navy selects Leonardo’s Lionfish system for naval platforms
The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has selected Leonardo to equip its new naval units with the Lionfish family of defence systems. The system will be equipped on the navy’s Holland-class patrol vessels, HNLMS Johan de Witt landing platform dock, joint logistic support ship, Den Helder-class combat support ship and Karel Doorman-class frigates.
Read more on Naval Technology
Australia establishes defence space command
Australia has established Defence Space Command to further develop its military space capabilities and counter emerging threats. The newly established arm will be led by Defence Space Commander Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts. It will include navy, army and air force personnel, members of the Australian Public Service and contractors.
Read more on Air Force Technology
In quotes
// German Foreign Minister on Ukraine and Afghanistan. Credit: Twitter
Even if all eyes in the world are on Ukraine at the moment, Afghanistan is still in our sight. Today Nancy Freaser and I met in large groups with organisations that work for the people of Afghanistan.
German Foreign Minister on Ukraine and Afghanistan
// Office of the President of the Republic of China
Credit: U.S. Air Force
Facing a growing authoritarian threat, the people of Taiwan are committed to defending our nation and way of life.
President of the Republic of China Tsai Ing-wen on her visit to Taiwan’s reservists and new military training.
On TWitter
In Pictures
// The first of six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats was delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessel will strengthen Australia’s naval capability while providing greater reliability and effectiveness to patrol force to keep boarders safe. Credit: Austal
// US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress pilots approach the runway at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, after a mission with the Swedish air force in support of Bomber Task Force Europe. Credit. US Department of Defense.
// Dusk till dawn: NATO member states’ personnel honed their skills at Grafenwoehr Training Area (GTA) in Germany. 3rd Infantry soldiers deployed to the GTA are among the 100,000 US troops operating in Europe in support of NATO. Credit. SHAPE NATO
A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wings of Victory, flies over the Black Sea for maritime operations crew certification flights off the coast of Bulgaria on May 5, 2021, during Exercise Swift Response 21, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21. Credit: US Army
The British Army has sent almost 2,000 troops to Liverpool to help with the mass testing of residents for Covid-19. Image: Crown Copyright / MOD