Japan has revised its defence export framework, Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, to permit the transfer of lethal systems to partner countries and the export of non-lethal equipment without restriction. Previously, exports from Japan had been limited to five non-combat categories.
France’s Thales has announced defence initiatives with Malaysian industry partners to expand local assembly, technology transfer, and in-country sustainment capabilities for communications and surveillance systems for the Malaysian Armed Forces.
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and Germany’s TKMS are increasing efforts to secure the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project contract through deeper engagement with Canadian industry and expanded local partnership networks. As part of this push, TKMS announced a strategic collaboration with Canada’s QNX, while Hanwha held discussions with Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax to strengthen industrial partnerships.
The Australian government has selected Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) as the winner of its Project LAND 8113 Phase 2. Their bid beat Thales’s and Kongsberg’s joint offer to sell the StrikeMaster.
The Spanish MoD has awarded IDV, a subsidiary of Italy’s Leonardo, and Spain’s Indra Land Vehicles a contract to supply 34 IDV SuperAV 8x8 platforms for its new Marine Infantry Amphibious Combat Vehicle (VACIM) requirement. Under the EUR370m contract, signed on 17 April, IDV will supply the base vehicle platforms, while Indra will act as the prime integrator.
The Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has signed a JV agreement in Azerbaijan focusing on lifecycle support activities, including repair, servicing, and modernisation of Azerbaijan’s existing fleet of armoured vehicles and selected land systems. The agreement, announced on 27 April, establishes a new joint venture in Azerbaijan called VEXA DS.