ELBIT SYSTEMS

It is reported that Israeli defence company Elbit Systems could possibly net a $180 million deal for drones with the Philippines Army. Sources apparently say, that the deal, which includes the Hermes 900, Hermes 450, Skylark 1 and Skylark 3 UAV, could possibly be signed in the near future. The Philippine Army will use these UAVs for intelligence gathering, patrols, and border defence missions.

GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has won a $22 million modification for support services on the Gray Eagle UAV for procurement of performance based logistics support services. The Gray Eagle is a 3,600-pound, 28-footlong drone with a 56-foot wingspan. It has a range of 2,500 nautical miles and a ceiling of 25,000 feet. Work is expected to be completed by June 30, 2020.

GENERAL ELECTRIC

General Electric has won a $24.9 million modification by the US Naval Air Systems Command to procure 72 F-414-GE-400 engines for the F/A-18 Super Hornets of the Navy and the government of Kuwait. 24 will be for the US Navy and 48 for Kuwait. Kuwait will underwrite 69 per cent of the figure or $17.5 million, under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Work is scheduled to be finished in December 2020.

ISRAEL AIR FORCE

Israel has taken the first step towards replacing its old Boeing-707 aerial tankers by submitting a Letter of Request to the US Government, for the acquisition of two new Boeing KC-46 aerial tankers. The request is for the acquisition of two aircraft with an option for the future acquisition of an additional six. Israel Defence reports that aerial refueling tankers are vital for the Israel Air Force to extend its long strategic reach.

LOCKHEED MARTIN

Lockheed Martin has launched the latest version of an advanced visualisation and training tool for Apache AH-64 sensor system maintainers, called Rely3D which is an interactive suite of applications that supports Apache aircraft maintainers with M-TADS/PNVS virtual guides, 3-D animations, wiring diagrams and more. The advanced tool is aimed at reducing maintenance time on the Apache M-TADS/PNVS system.

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence has released its Defence Capability Plan 2019 on June 11, 2019, outlining the investment priorities for the New Zealand Defence Force to 2030. Top priority is the replacement of the five Hercules transport aircraft. The preferred option for this replacement is the C-130J-30 Super Hercules, which is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft by Lockheed Martin.

The New Zealand Government said it has made progress in its programme to procure Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the US government. New Zealand agreed to procure four P-8A aircraft in July 2018. It said at that time that the acquisition - including training systems, infrastructure and introduction into service costs would total $1.5 billion. Delivery of the first P-8A to the RNZAF is expected by April 2023.

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

According to the local media, Philippines will take delivery of the A-29 Super Tucano in February 2020. Philippine Air Force(PAF) Commander, Lt GenRozzano Briguez speaking during the PAF’s 72nd founding anniversary said that the Super Tucanos “will be a game-changing platform, which will perform surface strike support to ground troops”. They are expected to support the remaining North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco attack aircraft being used by the PAF in strike missions.

RUSSIA

The Russian Defencse Ministry has confirmed the purchase of 76 Su-57 multirole fighter jets under a contract with Sukhoi Company at the Army 2019 Forum. The jets will be supplied by 2028. In May 2019, President Putin had said that Russia planned to purchase 76 SU-57s instead of 16 by 2028 without increasing the price. The SukhoiSu-57 is the country’s first indigenously designed and built fifthgeneration stealth fighter jet.

TAIWAN

Lara Seligman from Foreign Policy Magazine has reported that Taiwan’s request to buy F-16V jets was expected to move forward this month, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the request is still being reviewed by the US. According to the article, although the deal for 66 F-16 Block 70 jets has been stalled, it is expected to move forward before the US Congress begins its traditional recess next month.

US

The US State Department has approved a possible FMS to Morocco for continuing sustainment support to its current F-16 fleet for an estimated cost of $250.4 million. Morocco had purchased the F-16s in 2011. In March 2019, the US State Department has also approved the upgrade of 23 Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 Block 52+ to the F-16V configuration for an estimated cost of $985.2 million.

USAF

The US Air Force has awarded AAR Supply Chain a $210 million ceiling contract for contractor logistics support for the Afghanistan Air Force. The contract will provide the Afghanistan Air Force with full C-130H contractor logistics support to include maintenance and repair, as well as on the job training for local Afghan nationals. Work is expected to be completed by January 29, 2025.