The UK MoD released a new defence procurement strategy on 22 February, developed in collaboration with defence practitioners and industry stakeholders. Under the strategy, the MoD aims to enhance collaboration and innovation across uncrewed systems for its armed forces.
Turkish defence suppliers Ramsa Defence, Havelsan, and TAI have secured deals with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) against the backdrop of the WDS. Concurrently, new information was released regarding agreements signed between SAMI and Baykar last year.
Phase II of Poland’s WISŁA programme will begin following the Polish Ministry of National Defence and US defence prime Northrop Grumman signing an offset agreement encompassing eight projects collectively valued at approximately USD75m. Under the agreement signed on 20 February, Northrop will transfer technology to Polish industry, which will then manufacture, integrate, and test components of the IBCS systems.
Slovak engineering company CSM Industry has successfully begun the local production of Patria 8x8 armoured vehicles through a transfer of technology. Apart from CSM, over 40 Slovak companies are slated to participate in the project. The contract involves a 43 percent local industry participation level.
Ukraine recently signed several industry cooperation agreements with German companies during the Munich Security Conference. Agreements were signed with Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND) to cooperate on anti-tank weapons, with MBDA Deutschland to explore air defence collaboration opportunities, and with Rheinmetall to establish a joint venture focused on ammunition production in Ukraine.
Italy is embarking on a 14-year project to develop an ‘Italianised’ version of the Leopard tanks. The Leopard 2A8 procurement programme involves the purchase of 132 tanks from KNDS. Leonardo is the local partner under the USD9bn deal and will manufacture the tanks at its facility in La Spezia.