Zuko Godlimpi, South Africa’s Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition, stated in a presentation at the GICA Autumn conference that industrial participation must not be treated as a compliance exercise but, rather, “embraced as an engine of inclusive growth”. According to Godlimpi, industrial participation strengthens small and medium enterprises, expands skills pipelines, and stimulates investment in R&D.
MBDA is doubling down on defence localisation in the UAE. The prime plans to establish a wholly owned company in the UAE; it has signed an agreement with France’s Fly-R to co-develop loitering munitions through this new company; and it will set up a thermal battery manufacturing plant in the UAE.
Thailand is setting up a selection committee to look into the planned purchase of two frigates under the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) Light Frigate Procurement Project. This was ordered by the RTN Chief Admiral Pairote Fuengchan, who announced progress on the project on 20 November. He noted that the project will include an offset element that requires construction in Thailand to generate economic benefits.
Sweden’s Saab has signed a contract with the Colombian MoD for the supply of 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. The two parties simultaneously signed two offset agreements relating to the procurement, which cover both defence and civil projects.
Rheinmetall is investing EUR1.5bn (USD1.73bn) to establish joint production facilities in Bulgaria and Romania. The German prime is partnering with VMZ in Bulgaria to produce energetic materials and artillery shells, and with Pirochim Victoria to co-produce modular propellants and propellant powder in Romania.
The UK’s BAE Systems has won a contract for the supply of 18 BvS10 Sindhu all-terrain vehicles to the Indian Army. The OEM will partner with India’s Larsen and Toubro, which will locally manufacture the vehicles at its Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, through a transfer of technology.