19 février 2019 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre
By: Jeff Martin
ABU DHABI--In a massive announcement, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces announced more than $1.3 billion in both orders for new equipment and sustainment of existing ones at the 2019 International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi.
Some of the highlights include $355 million worth of Patriot interceptors for the UAE Air Force and Air Defense Force, a $39 million award to the Russian Joint Stock Company for EM150 Kornet antitank missiles for the UAE Army, and a $109 million deal with Lockheed Martin to upgrade radars in the UAE Air Force, presumably for the country's F-16 fighter fleet.
The deals, announced on the first day of the massive exposition in the UAE's capital city, also included more than $300 million worth of awards to local companies. Highlights included a $2.1 million contract with NIMR automotive for vehicle maintenance and a $15 million deal with Al Fattan Ship Industries to purchase an unnamed amount of vessels for the UAE Navy.
In total, 15 of the 33 deals announced, totalling $1.05 billion, were with international companies, while 18, totalling $300 million, were with local countries.
The makeup of the announced deals also offers a window into the unique place in the world's militaries that the UAE occupies, operating a mix of America, European, Russian, and Chinese equipment. What's notable is that at past shows like IDEX, many announced deals for the UAE Armed Forces were for new equipment, but this year, a vast majority were for support. That marks a big shift as the UAE appears to be pivoting to supporting existing systems, not just buying new ones continually.
17 août 2022 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité, Autre défense
Congress aims to pass defense appropriations before the end of September. if not, a continuing resolution freezing spending at current rates is likely.
14 juin 2019 | International, Autre défense
By: Cal Pringle Defense contractor QinetiQ will rely on networking technologies from Persistent Systems as part of a contract to help the Army build a small robot that will help soldiers on the battlefield. The Army's Common Robotic System - Individual program aims to build a small robot that soldiers can fit in a backpack and assist in reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. But for these robots to perform these duties effectively, they will need to have consistent communication with soldiers and other robots. In a June 12 press release, Persistent Systems announced that it will supply networking technology to QinetiQ as a subcontractor. QinetiQ has an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract worth up to $164 million on the Army program. Persistent's networking technology is what is known as a mobile ad-hoc network, or MANET, said Leslie Hulser, director of programs at Persistent. The ad-hoc nature of the network means that each device is both a transmitter and a receiver, removing the need for fixed communications infrastructure, she said. MANET technology allows a soldier to communicate with ground and aerial robots as well as other soldiers in the field, Hulser said. Persistent will roll out the fifth generation of its Wave Relay MANET technology for the project, which includes an on-board Android operating system, a change from single input single output (SISO) to multiple input multiple output (MIMO), the introduction of a new form factor, full duplex audio, an on-board video encoder and decoder and a reduction in size and weight. The change from SISO to MIMO increases bandwidth and range of operation and increases the probability of sending a message successfully, Hulser said. The Army expects to field the program in fiscal 2020. https://www.c4isrnet.com/battlefield-tech/2019/06/13/a-small-army-robot-could-use-this-new-networking-technology/
22 octobre 2024 | International, Terrestre
The contract has a one-year base period of performance with four one-year option periods. The contract has a total value of $331 million if all options are exercised.