The UK MoD plans to boost the country’s defence-industrial capabilities by strengthening ties with European defence partners, including by promoting closer cooperation and joint investment into the UK and European defence-industrial bases.
US firm GM Defense and the UK’s BAE Systems and NP Aerospace have formed ‘Team LionStrike’ to compete for the British Army’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) requirement. Announced on 3 September, Team LionStrike is expected to offer GM Defense’s General Support Utility Platform for the requirement.
The Czech Republic is procuring 18 British Supacat HMT Extenda light armoured vehicles for its army’s special forces, under a CZK1.9bn (USD920m) deal announced on 3 September. The Czech defence industry will be involved in component integration on the vehicles, and a maintenance hub will also be set up in the country.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has submitted a formal proposal to the MoD to acquire 114 Dassault Rafale jets under the Make in India programme. The proposal, submitted last month, is estimated to cost over INR2tr (USD22bn).
Denmark has chosen the Franco-Italian consortium Eurosam’s SAMP/T NG system for its long-range ground-based air defence system (GBAD) requirement. Eurosam, a joint venture between Thales, MBDA France and MBDA Italy, will deliver offset projects with Danish industry as part of the contract.
RENK America, the US division of Germany’s RENK Group, and Ukrainian Defense Industry (UDI) have agreed to jointly support the development of an infantry fighting vehicle in Ukraine. Separately, US aerospace and defence company AIRO Group will form a joint venture with Ukraine’s Nord Drone to co-develop combat-proven drones.