The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
$1.58bn
Value of the contract for F-15EX Eagle II engines awarded to General Electric.
200,000
Number of IT customers new UK MOD service centres will support.
12,000
Flight hours completed by two MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 UAS being transferred to the US Marine Corps.
100
Number of industry partners Rheinmetall worked with to design the Australian-built Lynx CSV.
20
Number of Martlet laser-sensor anti-boat swarm missiles the Wildcat HMA Mk2 can carry.
From our sites
UK sells Royal Navy ships to Egypt for first time in 30 years
The UK Defence Equipment Sales Authority has sold the retired Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships Fort Austin and Fort Rosalie to Egypt. The UK Government hailed the landmark deal as part of its Global Britain vision. DESA is part of Defence Equipment and Support, the Ministry of Defence’s procurement arm, and is responsible for the disposal of the UK Armed Forces’ surplus military equipment and vehicles.
Lockheed Martin test-fires long-range PrSM missile for fifth time
Lockheed Martin has test-fired the next-generation range Precision Strike Missile from its HIMARS launcher for the fifth time at the US Army’s Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It flew an extended range mission over the Pacific Ocean. This is the longest flight so far that exceed the maximum threshold and moves the missile towards early operating capability in 2023.
USAF conducts first operational test mission of F-15EX Eagle ll fighter
The US Air Force is conducting the initial operational test and evaluation mission for its newest fighter aircraft, F-15EX Eagle ll. The mission was carried out along with F-15Cs and F-15Es at Nellis Air Force Base on 18 to 25 October. The USAF currently has F-15EXs. The service officially accepted the delivery of the first F-15EX fighter jet at Florida’s Eglin AFB in March this year.
In quotes
// Credit: Australian Government, Department of Defence
There’s a jobs boom coming to the Northern Territory thanks to the Scott Morrison Govt's $747m upgrade of four key defence training areas. The project will support a remarkable 2000 jobs and generate exciting opportunities for local businesses.
Melissa Price Minister for Defence Industry Australia on boosting jobs in the country
// Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Credit: U.S. Air Force
I’m looking forward to attending the change of command ceremony as Gen Laura Richardson becomes the first woman to lead this COCOM and to wish Admiral Craig Faller fair winds and following seas after four decades of service to our nation.
28th US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. on the appointment of Gen Laura Richardson as commander of US Southern Command and on the retirement of Admiral Craig Faller.
On TWitter
In Pictures
Blue Angels F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft flight demonstration over Huntington Beach, California. Credit: Twitter @DeptofDefense.
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey operating from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Philippine Sea. Credit: Twitter @HMSQNLZ10
Rheinmetall has launched its Lynx Combat Support Vehicle. Credit: Rheinmetall AG.
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