June 5, 2023 | International, C4ISR
Q&A: Maxar execs discuss US Army simulation, Project Maven
C4ISRNET reporters interviewed a pair of Maxar Technologies leaders on the sidelines of the GEOINT Symposium in St. Louis.
August 1, 2018 | International, Naval
France confirms Fincantieri-STX shipyard deal, cautious on defense merger
ROME (Reuters) - The French government continues to support Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's (FCT.MI) takeover of STX France, finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday, but cautioned against hastening a related defense naval merger.
Speaking in Rome after a meeting with the Italian government, he told journalists France had not changed its position on the deal, quelling concerns the takeover could be hampered by tenser relations between Paris and Italy's new anti-establishment government.
However, he warned against hastening a merger between Fincantieri and French military shipyards operator Naval Group which has been seen as a possible follow-up to the takeover of STX.
“It would not be wise” to discuss a defense merger now, Le Maire told reporters, stressing that this was not part of the deal reached in 2017.
Under the terms of that agreement between France and Italy, Fincantieri bought a 50 percent share in STX, but it took effective control of the French shipyards thanks to a 12-year loan of a 1 percent stake by the French state, which is subject to review clauses.
Relations between France and Italy have soured in recent weeks over spats on migrants and after the Italian government raised doubts on the TAV French-Italian rail link project which would connect Lyon and Turin.
Le Maire said after his meeting on Wednesday with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio that Paris was still waiting for Italy's position on the project.
On the same subject
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October 15, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Israel's Elbit Systems sells $153M worth of mini-drones to unnamed country
ByEd Adamczyk Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems announced the sale of over 1,000 THOR mini-drones to an unnamed Southeast Asian country in a $153 million deal. The contract for the unmanned aircraft systems, including other unmanned aircraft manufactured by the company, will be executed over a 22-month period, Elbit said earlier this week. The contract calls for THOR multirotor vertical-takeoff-and-landing mini-drones, as well as larger Skylark LEX, Skylark 3 and Hermes 450 tactical models and ground control stations. The drones are light and small, and suited for reconnaissance missions. At nine pounds, it can carry a 1.5-pound payload, typically a camera, to an altitude of 2,000 feet. It features a 4-mile range and can stay aloft for up to 55 minutes. The Israel Defense Force uses the aircraft extensively on its northern border with Lebanon. "This contract award underlines our competitive edge as armies increasingly view multi-layered UAS [unmanned aerial systems] solutions as key to providing superior intelligence and maintaining a high level of operational flexibility," said the Bezhalel Machil, Elbit president. While the receiving country was not named, Asia is a burgeoning market for the aircraft. Israel is a leading developer of unmanned aerial vehicles, once selling up to $500 million per year, a figure reduced in recent years by competition from China. The Philippines reportedly were nearing a deal with Elbit worth $180 million in the summer. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/10/11/Israels-Elbit-Systems-sells-153M-worth-of-mini-drones-to-unnamed-country
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June 9, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Security
Equinor extends CHC Helicopter contracts in Norway
Recently, Equinor confirmed extensions for both its Tampen/Oseberg and Heidrun contracts with CHC for one year, effective from September 2020 to August 2021. This is for three Sikorsky S-92 search and rescue aircraft and three super puma A332L/L1. The aircraft are located at the Johan Sverdrup, Oseberg, Statfjord B and Heidrun rigs, and cover the area expanding from the Northern North Sea into the Norwegian Sea. The contracts offer the opportunity for further extensions. “We are delighted that we continue to enjoy Equinor's confidence in our ability to not only execute their service safely but also with outstanding efficiency and levels of customer service,” said Per Andre Rykhus, general operations manager, CHC Helikopter Services Norway. “We will continue to evolve our services and embrace the latest technology to best meet customer needs, building on our decades of experience in Norwegian oil and gas activity.” https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/equinor-extends-chc-helicopter-contracts-in-norway/