The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
147
Number of CB90 combat boats the Swedish Armed Forces currently operate.
36,030kg
Weight of the Minuteman III long-range ICBM.
$87bn
Value of the takeover agreement Parker Hannifin signed to acquire Meggitt.
2023
Expected arrival of Britain’s new Protector ‘SkyGuardian’ aircraft at RAF Waddington.
120
Strokes per minute Leonardo’s OTO 76/62 medium-calibre naval gun can sustain.
From our sites
Rheinmetall to upgrade Germany’s Fuchs reconnaissance vehicle
Rheinmetall has secured a contract from Bundeswehr, the unified German Armed Forces, to upgrade Fuchs (Fox) armoured nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle. Under the contract, Rheinmetall will modernise five A6A1 versions of the vehicle to the new A8A7 configuration.
Rolls-Royce and HAL sign agreement for ‘Made in India’ Adour engine parts
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Rolls-Royce have signed an agreement to expand the Adour engine parts supply chain in India. The latest contract will support international military customers. Adour is a twin-spool, counter-rotating turbofan engine.
Thales to provide Searchmaster radar for French Navy aircraft
Dassault Aviation has awarded Thales a contract to provide its Searchmaster surveillance radar and the mission navigation system for the Albatross Maritime Surveillance and Intervention Aircraft programme. The contract and the programme aim to renew the French Navy’s fleet of maritime surveillance aircraft.
In quotes
// Credit: Twitter
The announcement of the AUKUS enhanced security partnership is vital for the Indo-Pacific region and builds upon our longstanding bilateral ties with our most trusted friends. As the previous Minister for Defence, I was honoured to work with the PM to establish this partnership.
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services Australia Linda Karen Reynolds CSC on the Australia, US and UK submarine deals.
// Credit: Ilyas Tayfun Salci / Shutterstock
Credit: U.S. Air Force
This agreement is an exciting step forward for the frigate export programme which will see our international partners benefit from the best of British design and engineering skills.
Former First Sea Lord Sir Tony Radakin on the design licence agreement signed between Babcock and PT Pal Indonesia.
On TWitter
In Pictures
The General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely-piloted air system is to operate in UK unsegregated airspace. Credit: UK Ministry of Defence
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey operating from the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Philippine Sea. Credit: Twitter @HMSQNLZ
The Czech Republic buys Israeli Spyder air-defence weapon for $627m. Credit: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
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