The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
17,000
Troops taking part in Talisman Sabre 21, Australia’s largest military exercise with the US
£250m
Value of the contract the UK MOD awarded to develop and design the Future Combat Air System
1,304
The number of newly advertised artificial intelligence job postings by defence companies in Q1 2021
4,000
The combined number of personnel participating in the Kolkan naval exercise in the India Ocean
124km
The range of the Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile that the US recently sold to India
From our sites
BAE Systems develops advanced version of APKWS guidance kit
BAE Systems has developed an advanced version of its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit to boost strike capabilities. The upgraded version of the combat-proven system will improve the range of APKWS guided rockets by up to 30%. This capability will enable warfighters to hit targets located at a greater distance.
US Indo-Pacific Command commences Large Scale Global Exercise 21
The all-domain exercise is witnessing participation of forces from the US Army, US Air Force, US Navy, and US Marine Corps, as well as the UK Army, Australian Defence Force, and Japan Self-Defence Force. It includes activities such as field training, amphibious landings, airborne and ground manoeuvres, air operations and logistical support activities.
NATO fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea
NATO has announced the tracking and intercepting of four Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea. It noted that the Russian aircraft travelled without flight plans or transponder codes. After the Russian fighter jets left the Baltic Sea enclave of Kaliningrad, they were tracked and identified by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem in Germany.
In quotes
The current changes that have been put in place by the Ministry of Defence are only sticking plasters on a system that is broken.
It is important that the recommendations of my report, along with previous reviews, are now implemented.
MP and former soldier Sarah Atherton on the investigation into the abuse women experience in the armed forces.
Credit: U.S. Air Force
NATO is stepping up deliveries of military equipment to Afghanistan.
So far this year, NATO has donated over US$70m in supplies and equipment to the Afghan forces, ranging from medical supplies to high-tech equipment.
NATO spokesperson Ona Lungescu commenting as NATO withdraws its forces from Afghanistan.
Credit: L3Harris
On TWitter
In Pictures
An MQ-4C Triton flew its first test flight in its new hardware and software configuration on 29 July at NAS Patuxent River. Credit: US Navy.
A CH-47F Chinook helicopter is unloaded from a Dover Air Force Base C-5M Super Galaxy at Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville in Australia. Credit: USAF photo by Senior Airman Faith Schaefer.
The Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat receives fuel from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during a fuelling-at-sea in support of flight deck operations during Talisman Sabre 21. Credit: US Navy/Petty Officer 2nd Class Vincent Zline.
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