Canada released "Security, Sovereignty and Prosperity," its first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), on 17 February. The strategy introduces reforms to Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy and introduces a new procurement framework described as “build-partner-buy.”
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean has signed agreements with Canada’s Ontario Shipyards and Mohawk College to strengthen local industrial collaboration and talent development in Canada’s maritime sector, as part of its bid for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
The Indian MoD released the much-anticipated draft of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026 on 10 February. DAP 2026 proposes a major overhaul of India’ existing defence procurement policy. The draft, which will replace DAP 2020 once finalised, removes mandatory offset requirements and seeks to move away from technology transfer and licensed production to co-development and IP ownership.
The World Defense Show featured panellists from foreign partners and primes with a presence in Saudi Arabia. They all showed a strong belief in wanting to help Saudi Arabia achieve its localisation goals and, similar to Saudi representatives, they emphasised the need to build long-term partnerships and collaborate with the Saudi government and industry on technology transfer, human capital development, and joint ventures.
Italy’s Leonardo was announced as the winner of the UK’s long-running New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme on 2 March. Under the GBP1bn (USD1.35bn) contract announced by the MoD, the Italian prime will deliver 23 aircraft to the Royal Air Force, with more than 40 percent of the work carried out in the UK.
France’s Safran announced on 13 February the establishment of a landing-gear manufacturing facility in Morocco. The facility, to be built in the Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport zone, will specialise in producing landing systems for short- and medium-haul aircraft, including landing gear components, modules, and hydraulic equipment.