Tunisia has approved a new framework for military procurement that could mandate industrial participation in major foreign contracts. According to intelligence analysis and security consultancy firm African Security Analysis, the policy seeks to replace the country’s previous multi-layered procurement approval procedure with a streamlined system.
Sudan has offered Russia the opportunity to establish a naval base on its territory in exchange for weapon systems. The Wall Street Journal reported on 1 December that under the 25-year proposal, Russia would be able to dock up to four vessels and station up to 300 navy personnel at the Sudanese base.
The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MoND) has selected Sweden’s Saab to supply three A26 submarines for its much-anticipated Orka submarine programme. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Saab’s proposal, involving cooperation with Polish industry and knowledge transfer, was the only one that fully met the Polish Navy’s requirements.
France’s Safran is expanding its footprint in India. The OEM made a series of localisation announcements on 26 November, including the setting up of MRO facilities for LEAP and M-88 engines, and a joint venture for Hammer missile production in partnership with India’s Bharat Electronics Limited.
The UK and Indonesia have signed an agreement to jointly develop maritime capability, covering both defence and civilian applications, for the Indonesian Navy under the Maritime Partnership Programme. British prime Babcock will lead the GBP4bn (USD5.3bn) programme.
Austria has finalised a EUR1.5bn (USD1.74bn) contract with Italy for the procurement of 12 Leonardo M-346FA light fighter jets under a government-to-government procurement. The purchase, announced on 29 November, includes an industrial cooperation agreement expected to generate around EUR400m (USD465m) through orders for the Austrian industrial base.