South Korea’s Hanwha Corp. and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on developing an infantry fighting vehicle and a long-range precision fires system. The companies, including Hanwha’s division in Australia, which have already fulfilled several Australian procurements, are responding to similar Norwegian Defence Material Agency plans. [node:read-more:link]
Additional medium-range missile systems are part of the latest U.S. military aid for Ukraine. The $450-million package was announced today, a week after $1 billion military aid was confirmed. Ukrainian leader has repeatedly asked for the more advanced, precision rocketry to better fight their Russian invaders. [node:read-more:link]
President Joe Biden’s administration is aligning itself more closely with an international treaty against the use of anti-personnel landmines. Reversing a more-permissive policy of the former administration, the June 21 announcement says their use would still be permitted in South Korea as a deterrent to invasion by its northern neighbour. [node:read-more:link]
Does Russia prefer cruise missiles over ballistic when targeting Ukrainian air force and ground based air defence assets? Israeli missile expert comments on Russia's targeting tactics in Ukraine. One thing is clear, either equal destruction of Ukraine assets, infrastructure, and lives. [node:read-more:link]
Defence Minister Anita Anand announced today that 229 new cutting edge multi-calibre bolt-action sniper rifles are on their way to the Canadian Army. This successful procurement milestone represents the final major piece of Canada’s Sniper Systems project. The contract, valued at $2.6 million was awarded to Stoeger Canada. [node:read-more:link]
Saudi Arabia has expressed its interest in the immediate purchase of some Israeli made air defence systems. According to an Israeli senior defence source there are advanced negotiations about some of the systems. In recent weeks, media coverage of Israel's ties with Saudi Arabia has increased ahead of US President Biden's possible visit to Saudi Arabia during his Middle East visit in late June. [node:read-more:link]
North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles May 12 in the latest of a series of demonstrations. They fell into the sea outside Japan’s economic management zone. [node:read-more:link]
The European Union is giving Ukraine another €500 million to buy heavy weapons to fend off the Russian invasion, the bloc's foreign policy head said today against the backdrop of a G-7 meeting in Germany. Also, Canada and the other bloc members are planning to examine how to gain access to millions of tonnes of globally-critical grain in the besieged country. [node:read-more:link]
Marine Corps snipers are getting set to adopt a new bolt-action rifle which gives them the choice of three calibres while reducing the need for two weapons. USMC Command said today that the Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 has nearly completed testing before being issued next year. The Army previously announced that it had opted for the Mk22. [node:read-more:link]
Marine Corps snipers are getting set to adopt a new bolt-action rifle which gives them the choice of three calibres while reducing the need for two weapons. USMC Command said today that the Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 has nearly completed testing before being issued next year. The Army previously announced that it had opted for the Mk22. [node:read-more:link]
Seventeen years after a previous Liberal government rejected participation in the U.S. ballistic missile defence system, Defense Minister Anita Anand says Canada is re-examining the possibility. “We are certainly taking a full and comprehensive look at that question as well as what it takes to defend the continent across the board,” she said May 10. “We are leaving no stone unturned in this major review.” [node:read-more:link]
With Russia’s invasion well into its third month, the U.S. is trying to figure out how best to supply weapons and train Ukrainian troops. Hundreds have either completed or are undergoing training on an array of weapons and a Pentagon official says the challenge is not to “overload their system” by delivering more than the Ukrainians can handle. [node:read-more:link]
As the U.S. sends Javelin anti-tank missiles from its military stockpiles to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders, Lockheed Martin aims to nearly double production at the Alabama plant it operates with Raytheon Technologies. Current annual output of the weapons, each of which contains 250 microprocessors, is 2,100 but LM CEO Jim Taiclet said May 8 the goal is 4,000, which will require its supply chain to “crank up.” [node:read-more:link]
Having reversed a long-standing policy of not sending heavy weapons to war zones, Germany will deliver seven self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine. Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said today that the combat-proven 155mm Panzerhaubitze 2000, capable of hitting targets at 40km, will be drawn from Bundeswehr inventory. [node:read-more:link]
A new artillery weapon being developed by the U.S. Army has struck a target at 70 kilometres on the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The Excalibur extended-range shell manufactured by Raytheon is fired with supercharged propellant through a 58-calibre 30-foot gun tube mounted to an M-109A7 howitzer. [node:read-more:link]
