TRAINING

Saab in the mix for any potential Australian interim submarine

// Australia's Collins class are in need of replacement. Credit: US Navy

Swedish OEM Saab will seek to be a part of any competition to fill a potential gap between the out-of-service date (OSD) of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Collins-class conventional submarines, and the future introduction of a planned new class of nuclear-powered hunter killers.


Australia’s fleet of six Collins-class diesel-electric submarines, which were designed by Kockums, now owned by Saab, in the 1990s and early-2000s, first entered service with the RAN in late-1990s.


Speaking during Saab’s Q2 market performance briefing on 21 July, CEO Micael Johansson said: “In my view there will be a gap. Potentially there will be a need for a gap filler, call it ‘son of Collins’ or something else, but we absolutely want to be in that [competition],” Johansson said.


Johansson added that Saab’s existing work on the Collins class meant there was already a core industry capacity in Australia that would be able to “build that capability locally” and include technology transfer.

PROCUREMENT

BAE to supply more M109A7 howitzers and M992A3 carriers to US Army


BAE Systems has secured a contract from the US Army for 40 sets of M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers and M992A3 ammunition carriers.


Under the $299m contract, BAE Systems will be responsible for the production and delivery of the vehicles, including spare parts.


The M109A7, a next-generation artillery system, is an upgraded version of the M109A6 Paladin cannon artillery system. It provides the US Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) with consistent fire support in all weather conditions.


With built-in growth potential for electrical power and weight capacity, the howitzers are suitable to operate in conventional, hybrid, and counterinsurgency combat environments. The vehicle design features a new chassis, engine, transmission, suspension, and high voltage architecture.

Rotary

NH90 not delivering for Sweden, says Air Force chief


The Swedish Air Force is assessing the effectiveness and performance of its NH90 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, with the platform deemed as not currently delivering its planned capabilities to the country’s military.


In 2001, the Swedish Air Force signed the purchase contract for 18 NH90 helicopters, classified as the HKP14, as well as seven on option, receiving the first ASW platform in 2015.


Speaking at a Swedish Air Force event in London on 17 July, Major General Carl-Johan Edstrom, commander of the Swedish Air Force, said the NH90 was “not delivering what it should deliver at the moment”, as the service conducts a wider review of its rotary requirements.

Space

GA-EMS’ satellite completes test and Argos-4 payload integration


General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has successfully completed environmental testing of its orbital test bed (OTB) satellite platform.

The company also finished Argos-4 hosted payload integration as it readies for the spacecraft launch later this autumn.


In 2019, GA-EMS received a contract from the US Air Force (USAF) and the Space Systems Command (SSC) to launch a satellite and integrate the Argos-4 Advanced Data Collection System (A-DCS) hosted payload. This Argos-4 payload was provided by France’s National Centre for Space Studies (CNES).


Awarded on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this hosted payload solutions delivery order is aimed to facilitate the placement of government payloads aboard commercial satellites.

Procurement

Indian DAC clears proposals worth $3.59bn for arms purchase


The Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved proposals worth $3.59bn (Rs287.32bn) to procure arms, including swarm drones, bulletproof jackets, and carbines.


In a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals of the armed forces.


According to the Defence Ministry, the AoN seeks to achieve self-reliance in defence under the Buy (Indian Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) and Buy (Indian) categories.


The DAC gave approval for the Indian Army’s proposals to buy Defence Research and Development Organisation-developed (DRDO) Guided Extended Range Rocket Ammunition, Area Denial Munition Type I, and Infantry Combat Vehicle-Command.


The three proposals are valued at $1.07bn (Rs85.99bn).


While Guided Extended Range Rocket Ammunition offers a range of 75km, the Aerial Denial Munition is capable of neutralising tanks and armoured personnel carriers.

Delivery

Navantia delivers RSNF’s second Avante 2200 vessel Al-Diriyah


Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia has delivered the second of five vessels, Al-Diriyah, under the Royal Saudi Navy Forces’ (RSNF) Avante 2200 programme.


The vessel’s delivery was marked by a ceremony hosted by Navantia at its shipyard in San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain.


It was attended by various officials from the RSNF and Spanish Navy, including RSNF commander vice-admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily and Spanish Navy procurement director admiral Aniceto Rosique.


Delivery of vessel 547 or Al-Diriyah comes after three years of its first steel cut, which was performed in May 2019.

Procurement

Poland to procure 180 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea


Poland’s National Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has announced plans to procure 180 K2 Black Panther tanks, reported Reuters.


Blaszczak said the first instalment of the 180 K2 Black Panthers will be procured this year. It will also include 48 FA-50 fighter jets and howitzers from South Korea.


“Ultimately, these tanks will be produced in Poland,” reported the news agency, citing Blaszczak’s interview with Sieci, a weekly published online.


The K2 Black Panther main battle tank (MBT) is developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s affiliate Hyundai Rotem and features a hunter-killer function, auto-target detection, and tracking systems, as well as electric gun and turret driving systems.

Q2 RESULTS

General Dynamics reports $766m net earnings in Q2 2022


Aerospace and defence company General Dynamics (GD) reported net earnings of $766m in Q2 of 2022, a a 3.9% increase from the $737m reported in the same quarter a year ago. In the three-month period that ended on 3 July 2022, GD’s diluted earnings per share stood at $2.75, up 5.4% from Q2 of 2021.

Saab reports strong order intake in Q2 2022


Sweden-based Saab reported a strong order intake in Q2 2022 as a result of large- and medium-sized orders across business areas. In the quarter, the company received orders worth $1.697bn (Skr17.363bn), a growth of 76%. The company saw total sales of $994.62m (Skr10.171bn) which was in line with the same period a year ago, while operating income rose 3% to $72.16m (Skr738m).

Raytheon Technologies posts sales of $16.3bn in Q2 2022


Aerospace and defence solutions manufacturer Raytheon Technologies has reported sales of $16.3bn in Q2 this year, a 3% jump compared to the $15.9bn reported in the same quarter in 2021. The company also recorded a 4% organic growth in the quarter. In the three-month period that ended on 30 June 2022, the US-based company’s net income was $1.3bn, 25% more than the previous year’s $1.04bn.

Lockheed Martin reports $15.4bn net sales in Q2 2022


Lockheed Martin has reported $15.4bn in net sales in the second quarter of 2022, compared to $17bn in the corresponding period last year. Net earnings in the three-month period that ended on 26 June 2022 were $309m, or $1.16 per share. The figure was $1.8bn, or $6.52 per share, in the same quarter a year ago. The company said that net earnings included non-operational charges of $1.7bn ($1.4bn after-tax).

Delivery

Navantia delivers RSNF’s second Avante 2200 vessel Al-Diriyah


Spanish shipbuilding company Navantia has delivered the second of five vessels, Al-Diriyah, under the Royal Saudi Navy Forces’ (RSNF) Avante 2200 programme.


The vessel’s delivery was marked by a ceremony hosted by Navantia at its shipyard in San Fernando, Cádiz, Spain.


It was attended by various officials from the RSNF and Spanish Navy, including RSNF commander vice-admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily and Spanish Navy procurement director admiral Aniceto Rosique.


Delivery of vessel 547 or Al-Diriyah comes after three years of its first steel cut, which was performed in May 2019.

Projects

US Navy plans to use UAS for cargo transport

The US Navy is assessing the feasibility of using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for cargo transport between vessels or from ship to shore. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division has acquired a logistics UAS prototype to demonstrate the transfer of cargo over long ranges. The vehicle will be tested and upgraded for military sealift requirements.

Naval Group delivers first Suffren-class submarine to French Navy 

French shipbuilder Naval Group has delivered the first of six Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines for the French Navy. This delivery marks an important milestone in the Barracuda programme, which upgrades the submarine component of France's nuclear deterrent.

Iran unveils domestic ballistic missile launcher

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has reportedly unveiled a domestically built ballistic missile launching system. Tasnim news agency reported that the air force manufactured thdine automated system, which is used for launching long-range ballistic missiles.

Exercises

Australian Navy tests robots for counter-disaster operation

The Royal Australian Navy has tested robots in a simulated counter-disaster operation. As part of exercise Autonomous Warrior Genesis, the navy tested uncrewed land, air and sea vehicles in response to a simulated humanitarian relief scenario.

US and Japan complete exercise Keen Sword 21 

US Indo-Pacific Command units and the Japan Self-Defense Force have completed exercise Keen Sword 21, a joint-bilateral field training exercise in Japan. It involved maritime and air operations, amphibious landings, missile defence exercises, resupply, cyber and space operations.

Royal Air Force concludes Exercise Crimson Warrior 

The Royal Air Force has concluded Exercise Crimson Warrior, a three-week training operation involving fast jets, helicopters and unmanned air systems with involvement from the British Army, US Air Force and US Marines. Exercise Crimson Warrior has been adapted from Cobra Warrior with missiodinns being added to support the F-35B and helicopters that form part of the Carrier Strike Group Air Wing.

In brief

Fabri-Kal launches Recycleware Containers to expand sustainability

Food packaging solutions provider Fabri-Kal has expanded its sustainable product offerings with the launch of its new Recycleware Containers. Manufactured in the US, the products contain a minimum of 20-50% post-consumer recycled PET material and are recyclable.

Burger King and TerraCycle’s Loop to pilot new reusable packaging 

Fast-food chain Burger King has partnered with TerraCycle’s circular packaging service, Loop, to pilot new reusable packaging. The partnership is part of the brand’s Restaurant Brands for Good framework to help reduce packaging waste.

Stora Enso launches take-away bowls for food service packaging 

Pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has partnered with wholesale company Tingstad to market its new food service take-away bowls, PureFiber. The packaging is designed to replace plastic on-the-go food packaging. It is free from plastic and PFAS.

H&M presents new Looop garment-to-garment recycling system

Swedish clothing-retail company H&M is introducing a garment-to-garment recycling system that helps transform old textiles into new ones. Known as Looop, the container-sized machine promotes circularity in fashion and keeps unwanted garments from turning into waste.

Procurement

Poland to procure 180 K2 Black Panther tanks from South Korea


Poland’s National Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak has announced plans to procure 180 K2 Black Panther tanks, reported Reuters.


Blaszczak said the first instalment of the 180 K2 Black Panthers will be procured this year. It will also include 48 FA-50 fighter jets and howitzers from South Korea.


“Ultimately, these tanks will be produced in Poland,” reported the news agency, citing Blaszczak’s interview with Sieci, a weekly published online.


The K2 Black Panther main battle tank is developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s affiliate Hyundai Rotem and features a hunter-killer function, auto-target detection, and tracking systems, as well as electric gun and turret driving systems.