Posts Tagged ‘Defence’
Babcock and Frankenburg launch ambitious effort to deploy a next‑generation counter‑drone system
British aerospace and defence firm Babcock and Estonian defence company Frankenburg Technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the creation of a new and affordable air‑defence solution, prompted by the growing threat posed by one‑way attack drones.
As part of the MoU, Babcock will develop a cost-effective, containerised platform for launching Frankenburg’s new low-cost missiles, which it is manufacturing at pace, specifically to defend against one-way attack drones.
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Originally published on 15 Jan
Read MoreICEYE to deliver sovereign space-based intelligence capabilities to the Swedish Armed Forces
ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) have signed a contract to deliver sovereign SAR systems for the Swedish Armed Forces. The multi-million, multi-year agreement will strengthen Sweden’s national intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and resilience by providing timely, actionable insights in all weather and lighting conditions.
The agreement was signed in Stockholm by Brigadier General Carl-Fredrik Edström, Director of the Air and Space Systems Division, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Seppo Aaltonen, VP Nordics & NATO, ICEYE.
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Originally published on 12 Jan
Read MoreProposing a common defence Sweden’s SocDems call for Nato presence on Gotland
The leaders of Sweden’s Socialdemokraterna are calling for the establishment of a permanent multinational Nato force on the island of Gotland. Their plan, put forward on Sunday during the opening day of Folk och Försvar, an annual security conference, proposes establishing a contingent that could supplement the island’s existing defensive capabilities. They also suggest making the island the home base of an 800‑person amphibious battalion capable of operating throughout the Baltic.
Gotland, given its strategic location in the Baltic, has been a focal point of Sweden’s post-post-Cold War rearmament. Even so, the island remains only lightly defended—the Gotland Regiment, re-established in 2018, comprises only 350 soldiers. Gotland’s home-guard unit reckons it could muster another 500 soldiers in the event of a Russian attack, and the thinking in Stockholm had been that the combined force would be enough to hold any unforeseen Russian invasion in check until reinforcements from elsewhere in Sweden and the rest of Nato could arrive.
But, with Moscow expected to be antagonistic for the foreseeable future, and Washington looking increasingly unwilling help out, that strategy is up for revision. In practice, the military is already preparing for both of these scenarios: in September, Sweden held its first bilateral drill with Poland on Gotland (pictured above).
Politically, Socialdemokraterna are in the opposition, but the proposal aligns with the government’s own position that it would welcome a Nato contingent if the alliance decided to send one. Their hope is that they would do so before the Russians decided to send their own.
(📸 Försvarsmakten)
Read MoreEstonia Signs Contract with the First Manufacturer of the Future Defence Industry Park
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) and the company Nitrotol OÜ have signed a contract for the production of military explosives and ammunition, including mines and charges, in the defence industry park to be established in Ermistu, Pärnu County.
Deputy Director General of ECDI Asko Kivinuk thanked the company for the good and smooth cooperation. “Nitrotol OÜ has already started production in Ämari, and the first deliveries to the Estonian Defence Forces will arrive from there soon. The experience gained in Ämari will certainly help ensure that the new and larger production unit is completed smoothly and as quickly as possible,” said Kivinuk. “At the same time, I would like to thank ECDI’s partner notary office for their utmost precision and thoroughness in preparing such complex contracts,” he added.
In the first phase, four companies will be able to establish their factories in the defence industry park being developed in Ermistu, Pärnu County: Nitrotol OÜ, Frankenburg Technologies OÜ, Infinitum Strike OÜ, and Thor Industries Ltd via its Estonia-registered subsidiary Odin Defence OÜ.
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Originally published on 30 Dec
Read MoreSaab receives order for RBS 70 Bolide missiles from Lithuania
Saab has received an order for RBS 70 Bolide missiles from the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence. The order value is SEK 3 billion and deliveries are expected to take place 2028-2032.
Saab RBS 70 NG Air Defence Missile System
The order is placed within a framework agreement for Saab’s short-range air defence missile solution RBS 70 NG between Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence.
“With this order, we continue our commitment to supporting the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ with our world-leading RBS 70 missiles. These form a key part of the nation’s air defence capability and contribute to keeping Lithuania’s airspace safe,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.
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Originally published on 31 Dec
Read MoreSaab receives ground combat orders from Lithuania
Saab has received orders from Lithuania for the AT4 weapon as well as ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf weapon with a combined order value of SEK 1.3 billion. Deliveries are planned 2027-2029.
The orders are placed within a framework agreement initially signed between Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, which enables Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to place orders for Saab’s Carl-Gustaf M4 and ammunition as well as AT4 weapons.
“We look forward to continuing to provide the Lithuanian forces with the reliable, highly effective capabilities of our support weapon AT4 and specialised ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf system. Our solutions give soldiers precision and ease-of-use, enabling them to carry out their missions safely and with confidence, says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.
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Originally published on 23 Dec
Read MoreICEYE and Rheinmetall win major contract worth billions for space reconnaissance
Rheinmetall and ICEYE have received a major order from the German Armed Forces for the space sector. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions to supply the German Armed Forces with space-based reconnaissance data via exclusive access to a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation.
To deliver this capability, Rheinmetall has partnered with ICEYE – the world’s leading manufacturer and operator of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites – to establish Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions. Based in Neuss, the joint venture will provide a high volume of SAR images via its exclusive constellation, offering a comprehensive service solution that includes full operations, ground station management, and AI-driven image evaluation. The satellite constellation remains the property of Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions.
The current contract is valued at approximately €1.7 billion gross. Furthermore, an extension option is part of the contract. The space-based reconnaissance data will be used, primarily, to protect the ‘Lithuania Brigade’ and secure NATO’s eastern flank.
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Originally published on 18 Dec
Read MoreEstonia to Purchase at Least Six South Korean–Made Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launchers
The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) and representatives of the South Korean defence industry company Hanwha Aerospace have signed a contract for the procurement of six Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers. The contract, worth nearly €290 million, covers the launcher systems, three types of missile systems (CGR-080, CTM-MR, CTM-290), as well as operational and training support. In addition, modifications to the platforms will be ordered to ensure they meet Estonian conditions and traffic regulations. Deliveries will begin in the second half of 2027, and the framework agreement allows for the future procurement of additional systems.
“Estonia began developing its deep-strike capability this April with the acquisition of the U.S. HIMARS systems. Since multiple rocket launchers are of invaluable importance from a military capability perspective, I am extremely pleased that, in addition to U.S. HIMARS, we will now also acquire South Korean Chunmoo systems, thereby significantly enhancing both Estonia’s and NATO’s overall deterrence and defence capability,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
As part of the framework agreement, Hanwha Aerospace will also make investments in Estonia’s defence industry in accordance with the volume and conditions set out in the contract. “As part of the agreement, the company will invest one-fifth of the total procurement contract value in Estonian industry. The initial investment should return amount value of €40~60 million to Estonian defence industry companies,” explained Katri Raudsepp, Acting Director General of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI).
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Originally published on 21 Dec
Read MoreInsta & F-35 – Close cooperation far into the future
Starting in 2026, the first Finnish Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighters will arrive in Finland, and the first fighter was presented on 16th December 2026 in Texas.
The F-35 fighters will strengthen Finland’s defense capability and security of supply for decades to come. A total of 64 F-35 fighters will be delivered to Finland.
As a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces, Insta supports the building of the Defence Forces’ capabilities throughout the life-cycle of the systems. So far, Insta has been responsible for the maintenance of the avionics systems on the Hornet fighter jets. As a long-term partner, Insta’s cooperation with the Defence Forces will continue for decades into the F-35 era.
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Originally published on 15 Dec
Read MoreLeopard 2 A8 agreements signed by the MoD and international defence industry partners
The Ministry of National Defence and representatives of KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetal Landsysteme and EPSO-G state-owned energy group international partners signed a Memorandum on industrial cooperation concerning constructions of Lithuania-based assembly and maintenance infrastructure for the Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks. The project will be completed at a more efficient pace thanks to the major investment project statues granted by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation.
25.1% of stocks of Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) owned by KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetal Landsysteme are planned to be transferred to EPSO-G Invest. Parties prepare for agreement on cooperation terms in detail in 2026.
The Memorandum covers assembly of part of the tanks in Lithuania aiming for the shortest possible delivery terms and offer preconditions for capability development to the Lithuanian defence industry. In the wake of the agreement signature with the MoD, LDS will start building and assembly factory for the latest version of Leopard 2 A8. In its turn, Lithuania commits to contribute in developing the LSD manufacturing base and has signed an additional agreement on tank maintenance in combat-ready condition.
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Originally published on 11 Dec
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