India has finally concluded a USD4b agreement with the US for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance drones manufactured by General Atomics. The deal was signed on 15 October, alongside a contract to establish an MRO facility for the unmanned aerial vehicles in India.
Brazil’s Ministry of Defense signed a strategic partnership agreement on 8 October with the National Industry Observatory, under the National Confederation of Industry. The cooperation agreement is valid for six years and aims to strengthen Brazil’s defence agenda and identify opportunities for its Industrial Defense and Security Base in domestic and export markets.
Saudi Arabia has expressed an interest in the purchase of over 100 of Turkey’s indigenously developed and built KAAN fighter jets. The potential collaboration could include technology transfers and support for local production of the jets. Subsequently, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef met with Italy’s Leonardo to discuss expanding relations between the two parties.
Romania has awarded Turkey’s Otokar its USD934m light armoured vehicles programme contract for the Cobra II 4X4 vehicle. Under the agreement, the first 278 out of 1,059 vehicles will be produced at Otokar’s facilities in Turkey. The remaining units will be manufactured in Romania in cooperation with local companies under a framework that is yet to be determined.
The UK and Germany will strengthen long-term defence industry cooperation under an agreement signed on 23 October. The agreement outlines joint production opportunities and proposes plans for Germany’s Rheinmetall to open a new factory in the UK.
Poland is facing delays in the delivery of 36 FA-50PL combat aircraft from Korean Aerospace Industries, as the US has yet to provide legislative approvals for components requested on the aircraft by Poland.