The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
$350m
Additional US military aid to Ukraine
42%
Extra power in the DEFIANT X helicopter’s engine compared to previous models
7
Number of countries involved in the Combined Space Operations Vision 2031
2025
The start of the Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 Mk951 engine upgrades
80
Number of uncrewed system deployed during NAVCENT exercise
From our sites
Nexter to develop Caesar 6X6 Mark II NG artillery system
Nexter has secured a contract to develop the Caesar 6X6 Mark II new generation (NG) artillery system. The contract was awarded by the programme’s prime contractor French Direction générale de l’armement. The contract will include an initial four-year development and qualification phase, following which, the artillery system will enter production.
Read more at Army Technology
Serbia signs deal for two Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft
The Serbian Ministry of Defence has placed a $91m (€81m) order for two Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft, as well as associated pilot equipment and training services. The contract was signed in Madrid, Spain, in the presence of senior Serbian and Spanish government members.
Read more on Air Force Technology
Fincantieri conducts technical launch of Italian Navy’s fourth PPA ship
Fincantieri has announced the technical launch of the Italian Navy’s new multipurpose offshore patrol ship (PPA-Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura). The event took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso, Genoa, Italy.
Read more on Naval Technology
In quotes
// US States Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III. Credit: Wikimedia
I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I can honestly say that I have never seen the NATO Alliance more united and more resolute than I see it today.
US States Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III on NATO’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
// Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas. Credit: Twitter
Credit: U.S. Air Force
To stop aggression in Europe, we must all do more for its defence. I welcome the landmark decision by the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz to increase Germany’s defence spending above 2% of its GDP. I hope many other will follow suit.
Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas on the war in Ukraine and Germany’s announcement to increase its defence spending as a response to Russia’s aggression.
On TWitter
In Pictures
// Apache recently conducted cold weather training. British Embassy Oslo on Ex Clockwork Norway. Pilots, engineers and groundcrew were taught how to operate in the most challenging conditions. Credit: 4 Regiment Army Air Corps. Twitter.
// Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons have take to the skies as part of NATO’s mission to secure NATO airspace, part of the Allied response after Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Credit: NATO Air Command. Twitter
// US Army soldiers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade travelled from Aviano Air Base in Italy to Latvia to support NATO allies. Credit: US Department of Defence. Twitter
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