November 26, 2023 | International, Aerospace
Pentagon’s ‘Replicator’ gambit may speed decisions on lethal autonomy
The program presents immense technological and personnel challenges for procurement and development.
September 25, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Security, Other Defence
Dutch Patriot missiles, UK C-17 support cleared by US State Department
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department on Thursday OK'd two potential arms deals for a pair of NATO allies.
The Netherlands was cleared to purchase 34 Patriot Advanced Capability‑3 (PAC-3) missiles, with an estimated price tag of $241 million. The United Kingdom, meanwhile, was cleared to purchase $401.3 million worth of logistics support for its fleet of C-17 aircraft.
The announcements, posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, do not represent final locked-in sales. All Foreign Military Sales announcements must be cleared by Congress, after which dollar and equipment totals can change in final negotiations.
The Netherlands deal would include the 35 PAC-3 missiles, as well eight kitted 2-pack PAC-3 MSE Missile Round Trainers, six kitted 2-pack PAC-3 MSE Empty Round Trainers, four PAC-3 MSE Skid Kits, one lot of Classified PAC-3 MSE Concurrent Spare Parts and one lot of Unclassified PAC-3 MSE CSPs, along with logistics support.
“The Netherlands will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats, and provide direct support to coalition and security cooperation efforts,” per the DSCA. The Netherlands operates four Patriot batteries.
The prime contractor would be Lockheed Martin. The Netherlands typically requires industrial offsets when buying foreign-made weapons, which are to be negotiated later between Lockheed and the Dutch.
The U.K. request includes “aircraft component spare and repair parts; accessories; publications and technical documentation; software and software support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support” for its C-17s. Boeing will be the prime contractor.
“This proposed sale will improve the United Kingdom's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring the operational readiness of the Royal Air Force. Its C-17 aircraft fleet provides strategic airlift capabilities that directly support U.S. and coalition operations around the world,” per the DSCA announcement.
Since the start of fiscal 2017, the Netherlands has been cleared for 11 other FMS cases, totaling $1.95 billion in potential sales. In that same period the U.K. has been cleared for seven FMS cases, worth a potential $7.35 billion
On the same subject
-
-
February 4, 2024 | International, Aerospace
China's Geely launches 11 low-orbit satellites for autonomous cars
-
September 15, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
Le ministère des Armées reste mobilisé pour le soutien de la BITD
Air & Cosmos consacre un article à l'action de la «task force» mise en place en mars dernier par le ministère des Armées pour soutenir les entreprises de la BITD (Base Industrielle et Technologique de Défense) face aux conséquences de la crise sanitaire. 47 entreprises, dont l'activité est stratégique ou critique pour la BITD française, ont déjà été soutenues gr'ce à la cellule mise en place par le ministère des Armées, ce qui représente presque la moitié des «92 chantiers ouverts», indique Vincent Imbert, ingénieur général de l'armement, qui dirige la «task force». Depuis le mois de mars, «nous avons recueilli auprès des différents organismes acheteurs du ministère des Armées, de la DGA et des services de soutien leurs listes d'industriels stratégiques ou critiques qui pouvaient se retrouver en position délicate. Des contacts ont aussi été pris avec les grands maîtres d'œuvre, les groupements industriels comme le GIFAS, le GICAT et le CIDEF, afin d'obtenir de leur part une liste de sous-traitants qu'ils jugeaient en situation à risque», explique-t-il. «Nous devons être attentifs à ce qu'il y ait une vraie solidarité au niveau national, au niveau des entreprises, afin que le tissu industriel soit alimenté de la meilleure façon possible par les engagements et les investissements que nous allons faire», conclut-il. Air & Cosmos du 11 septembre