Americas

BAE Systems Land & Armaments won an $18 million deal to exercise options for MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems Mechanical Design Agent. This modification combines purchases for the Navy, the government of Australia; the government of Japan; the government of Germany; the government of the Netherlands; and the government of Korea, under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work is expected to be completed by April 2025.

The US Army must prepare its soldiers for the “relentless” challenges of jungle warfare as threats in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise. This is according to a new paper published by the Association of the US Army (AUSA), drawing on lessons from the second World War. Maj. Karl Rauch, a student at the School of Advanced Military Studies and the author of the paper, “Welcome (Back) to the Jungle,” said the tropical environment has specific impacts on the tactical and operational levels of war.

Middle East & Africa

Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra will supply 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft to Zimbabwe. The business completes a multi-million dollar transaction that was sealed when Harare participated in a security and defence exhibition hosted by Islamabad two years ago. In November 25, 2022, a high-powered delegation of military officers led by Air Vice Marshall Biltim Chingono was in Karachi to acquire modern aircraft and armaments during the International Defence and Exhibition Seminar (IDEAS) where over 30 contracts were signed.

Europe

The French Navy and European missile developer MBDA achieved a significant feat on April 18, 2024, with the first-ever synchronized launch of Naval Cruise Missiles (NCM) from two distinct platforms during a training exercise. This historic test involved launching NCMs from both the multi-mission frigate Aquitaine (FREMM ASM) and a Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine. Both missiles successfully struck the designated target simultaneously with pinpoint accuracy, showcasing the NCM’s impressive capabilities. The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) provided crucial technical support for the exercise.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) are gearing up for the second iteration of Exercise Udarashakti, a bilateral air combat training exercise. According to a social media post by the RMAF, preparations were underway following a Concept Development Conference (CDC) held at the Kuantan Air Base in Malaysia from April 25th to 27th.

New Zealand’s first C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft has conducted its initial flight test in the US. The demonstration saw the vehicle fly for 246 minutes over Georgia and Alabama. It achieved a range of approximately 990 kilometers and an altitude of 3,200 meters. The demonstration followed the 18-month construction of the platform under American defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

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