1 février 2021 | International, Aérospatial
PARIS – The French Air and Space Force will be getting 12 new Rafales to replace those being removed from its inventory to sell to Greece, Defense Minister Florence Parly said on Friday.
The announcement comes a few weeks later than originally planned. Florence Parly had told the National Assembly's Defense Commission last fall that the order would be placed with Dassault Aviation, the Rafale's manufacturer, before the end of 2020. But that was on the provision that the $3 billion contract with Greece for 18 Rafales had been signed by then.
That Greek contract was signed four days ago so Parly took the opportunity of a visit to Dassault Aviation's flight controls factory in Argonay, in the French Alps on Jan. 29 to announce the new order. Eric Trappier, Dassault's CEO, had earlier underlined the fact that “Dassault is the only aircraft manufacturer in the world to design and produce its own flight controls.”
Contracts to Dassault Aviation, Safran (the engine manufacturer) and Thales (the electronics) will be sent out by the DGA procurement agency in the next few days. While no price tag was given during Parly's announcement, Trappier has previously said one fully equipped fighter costs around 100 million euros, or $121 million, which would put the total package at just under $1.5 billion.
Parly said the 12 new aircraft would be built to the latest F3R standard. She added, “We sold 18 Rafales to Greece so it is indeed 18 Rafales that Dassault will have to produce.” Speaking at the factory, the defense minister said one Rafale would come off the production line per month, “which represents 7,000 jobs, jobs within Dassault of course, but also within the 500 or so small and medium enterprises that work with you.” She added that in the current economic context “this is good and reassuring news”.
The French Air and Space Force will have its 12 new aircraft by the end of 2025. Together with the 28 Rafales that Dassault is to deliver between 2022 and 2024, this will bring the total to 129, as projected in the 2019-2025 military program law.
30 mars 2022 | International, Aérospatial
Paris et Madrid s'inquiètent du retard du programme SCAF causé par les tensions entre Dassault et Airbus. L'avion du futur doit remplacer les Rafale français et les Eurofighter allemands et espagnols dès 2040.
21 septembre 2018 | International, Aérospatial
By: Daniel Cebul WASHINGTON — The U.S. strategic bomber program plays a vital role in U.S. nuclear and conventional posture, providing both penetrating and standoff capabilities that allow the U.S. to hit targets almost anywhere in the world. But as the Air Force expands from 312 to 386 operational squadrons — planning to increase the bomber squadron from nine to 14 — how can the service keep costs within reason? A key to keeping down modernization costs will be the force's ability to field systems that can easily be updated as new technology develops, according to Gen. Timothy Ray, commander of Global Strike Command. “What I really want to drive home is that if we have a force, whatever the size of the force, it has to be affordable,” Ray said at the Air Force Association's annual Air, Space and Cyber Conference on Sept. 18. Ray believes prices will be affordable depending on the service's “ability to field a relevant force as part of our integrated capabilities, both nuclear and conventional, that has a rapid capability to be updated and modified.” Communications systems, weapons, sensors and defensive capabilities are very sensitive to technological change, which “is already going on much faster than what we can field right now using the old legacy processes,” Ray said. Ray pointed to the B-21 bomber as having "the right attributes that are going to set us up for success.” Others suggest that looking at the unit price for bombers is deceptive and does not allow the Air Force to address its critical modernization needs. “It is very easy to look at individual unit cost [per bomber], but that does not equate to value," Retired Lt. Gen David Deptula said. "People, particularly programmers, like to talk about cost, but they don't talk about the effectiveness piece.” This sentiment was echoed by retired Lt. Gen. Bob Elder Jr., who feels the public and some military members do not appreciate the active role bombers play in defending the U.S. As busy as these bombers are, Edler said, “it's a bargain” for how much the Air Force pays for them. Deptula also believes that if the Air Force is serious about modernization, it is past time that requirements for meeting U.S. strategic goals determine force structure, rather than depending on “arbitrary budget lines.” “For way too long our force structure has been solely driven by the budget and not the war-fighting demands of our nation's security strategy,” he said. “I dare say no one will argue with the preamble of the Constitution, which basically talks about how we form government to provide for the common defense, and then to promote the general welfare. It doesn't say the other way around.” “People will say the new enterprise is going to be too expensive, so don't keep it. I don't agree,” Ray said, adding that a more competitive approach will enable the Air Force to drive down procurement and modernization costs. “I have got to know our competitive nature of our approach will draw the talent from industry; or if I'm not quite certain with a technical capability or the capability is so far advanced I can't draw the talent from industry, now I find myself with an important issue,” Ray noted. In regard to ensuring the service can get the funding to grow its squadrons, Ray added: “Where you drop cost down and have a rapid modification capability or a relevant force for an extended period of time, then you begin to tell a more complete story,” which he explained should help dollars keep flowing into necessary programs. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/2018/09/20/how-does-the-us-air-force-plan-to-keep-bombers-affordable
25 septembre 2019 | International, Terrestre
Madrid, September 25, 2019 - The Spanish Ministry of Defence has awarded Star Defence Logistics & Engineering (SDLE) the contract for the maintenance of the Leopard 2A4 vehicle towers. This service for the Spanish Army covers the repair of assemblies and sub-assemblies of the vehicle's fire control systems, as well as the preventive and evolutionary maintenance of the systems. The preventive maintenance will be carried out at the different Army Operating Units, while the corrective and evolutionary maintenance will be fulfilled at SDLE main headquarters, located in Móstoles (Madrid). The company's facilities are fitted with infrastructure for the repair of complete vehicles. Within this contract, all systems failures will be repaired, as well as the obsolescences and product improvements will also be done. This contract, with a total budget of 1.5 million euros, will be developed until the end of 2021. During the last year, SDLE tripled its workforce, currently having 160 employees. This growth has come from the strong commitment and investment in R&D, which earned the company the recognition of Innovative SME in 2018. SDLE has recently expanded its facilities and opened new Optronics, Electronics and Communications & Security Departments, which join the company's Engineering Department for the development of logistical support software at military operations. About SDLE Star Defence Logistics & Engineering (www.sdle.info) has an extensive experience as independent distributor of spare parts for military vehicles and equipment. SDLE is one of the main suppliers of the military sector in Spain, and is already exporting products and services to more than 25 countries. Its continuous growth and commitment to innovation have led the company to also be a leader in logistical and technological support services, as well as in the development of UAVs. Aeronáutica SDLE is the Group Divison specialized in the development and integration of unmanned aerial systems for Defence and Security use. In this field, it stands out for the development of anti-drone systems and solutions to improve the situational awareness of land vehicles. Communication Department Star Defence Logistics & Engineering S.L. Tel. (+34) 914 989 196 tmartinez@sdle.es www.sdle.info https://www.epicos.com/article/486812/sdle-has-been-awarded-contract-maintenance-leopard-2a4-towers