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US Air Force performs first F-35A rapid crew swap exercise
A USAF F-35A pilot from the 388th Fighter Wing goes through pre-flight checks. Pilots and maintainers recently completed the first F-35A rapid crew swap exercise, which reduces the time between sorties. Source: US Air ForceFrance proceeds with Reaper weaponisation
Until now France has used its Reaper UAVs for surveillance and reconnaissance only. However, by the end of September 2020 it will be able to also employ weapons from the unmanned platform. Source: French Air ForceFrance drives MMP for EU BLOS capability
MBDA is keen to position its MMP as an anchor for the PESCO-supported user club. Source: MBDALIMA 2019: Malaysia downsizes Littoral Mission Ship ambitions
Malaysia’s Boustead aims to secure a new partnership with the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company to support Chinese-built Littoral Mission Ships (pictured). Source: IHS Markit/Ridzwan Rahmat
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Indian Navy commissions facility to train against NBC contamination
The Indian Navy (IN) inaugurated its first facility designed to train personnel in detecting, monitoring, and cleansing nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) contamination on its platforms on 25 March. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), the NBC facility is called Abhedya
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Australian industry to benefit from RAF E-7 acquisition
The Australian government has stated that the UK’s selection of the E-7A as its airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) replacement is expected to generate 100 jobs at Boeing Defence Australia in Brisbane and Newcastle. Furthermore, more than 200 Australian companies are involved in
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Groundwork laid on new Turkish weapons plant
Turkish firm Aselsan and 24 local companies uniting under the Konya Defence Industry Inc brand have established a plant in the central Anatolian town of Konya. The new plant will locally produce weapons systems that Turkey currently imports, Aselsan said in a 22 March press release. Groundwork was
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Japan sets up three military camps on southwestern islands
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) launched three camps on two of Japan’s remote southwestern islands on 26 March to bolster the country’s defence capabilities amid China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Two of the outposts are located on Amami Oshima Island
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Rheinmetall acquires IBD Deisenroth
Rheinmetall has acquired vehicle protection system manufacturer IBD Deisenroth Engineering for an undisclosed amount, the company announced on 26 March. The acquisition will bolster Rheinmetall’s force protection portfolio, the company noted, adding the active and passive vehicle protection
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Triton Bidco reach agreement on acquisition
Inmarsat has confirmed that it has reached an agreement with a newly formed joint venture (JV) that has proposed the acquisition of the satellite communications manufacturer for USD3.4 billion in cash. The offer from the Triton Bidco JV is formed of funds from Apax Partners, Canada Pension Plan
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Striking fresh: Finland’s combat aircraft procurement programme
Finland is in the midst of a thorough campaign to overhaul its air combat capability through the HX programme, under which the country will procure aircraft, weapons, and sensors to completely replace its current fleet of Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornets. Charles Forrester reports -
Back in the saddle: manned spyplanes make a comeback
Manned aerial surveillance aircraft are making a comeback as East-West tensions rise, bucking the trend towards unmanned aerial vehicles. Tim Ripley reports -
France bolsters cyber capabilities and commitment through new doctrine
France unveiled its first offensive cyber doctrine in January 2019, joining other Western states that are avowing a readiness to strike in cyberspace. William Moray surveys the doctrine's likely effects and its differences from the Anglosphere approach
FEATURED REPORT
Platforms Platforms
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US Air Force performs first F-35A rapid crew swap exercise
Key Points The US Air Force recently performed its first operational rapid crew swap exercise with thanks to a F-35A prognostic system The exercise was not previously possible in legacy fourth-generation aircraft due to engine inspection requirements US Air Force (USAF) maintainers and pilots
Weapons Weapons
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France drives MMP for EU BLOS capability
European missile consortium MBDA is continuing to develop potential opportunities for expanding the userbase of its Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) fifth-generation man-portable land-combat missile system. Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA told Jane’s, “We have an ambition to develop the
C4iSR & Missions Systems C4iSR & Missions Systems
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US Marine Corps modifies weapons loader adapter for F-35B
The US Marine Corps (USMC) modified support equipment to allow the guided bomb unit (GBU)-49 munition to be used on the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant. When the USMC chose GBU-49 for the F-35B, it needed a piece of
CBRNE & EOD Defence CBRNE & EOD Defence
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Russian deploys new CBRN vehicle to Syria
Russia has deployed its newest chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance vehicle to Syria to operate with military police units patrolling the Idlib de-escalation zone. An RKhM-6 vehicle was seen in footage shown by the Russia 24 television network on 7 November that was
Jane's Defence Weekly Jane's Defence Weekly
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US Air Force performs first F-35A rapid crew swap exercise
Key Points The US Air Force recently performed its first operational rapid crew swap exercise with thanks to a F-35A prognostic system The exercise was not previously possible in legacy fourth-generation aircraft due to engine inspection requirements US Air Force (USAF) maintainers and pilots
Jane's International Defence Review Jane's International Defence Review
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First upgraded French VBL due this year
Arquus are due to deliver the first Panhard General Defense upgraded Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL) scout cars to the French Army in the second half of 2019. Arquus was formed in mid-2018 by ACMAT, Panhard General Defense, and Renault Trucks Defense. The VBL production remains at the
Jane's Navy International Jane's Navy International
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US Marine Corps modifies weapons loader adapter for F-35B
The US Marine Corps (USMC) modified support equipment to allow the guided bomb unit (GBU)-49 munition to be used on the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant. When the USMC chose GBU-49 for the F-35B, it needed a piece of
Country Risk Country Risk
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Thailand’s election results indicate policy continuity with elevated protest risks and high likelihood of gridlock in parliament
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has announced the interim results of the 24 March general election, with official results to be announced before 9 May. The latest figures, with about 93% of votes counted, suggest that the pro-military Palang Pacharath Party (PPRP) has won the popular vote
Military Capabilities Military Capabilities
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MDA: Homeland missile defence system’s first salvo firing hits target
A first-ever salvo test of the US homeland missile defence shield, called the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, achieved a target intercept, according to the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The salvo test – designated FTG-11 – fired two interceptors from Vandenberg Air Force
CBRN Assessment CBRN Assessment
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USSTRATCOM commander paints dour future for New START
With just over five months to go before Washington withdraws from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the top US general charged with nuclear weapons oversight painted a gloomy forecast for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) set to expire in 2021. Air Force General John
Terrorism & Insurgency Terrorism & Insurgency
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Latest CAR peace deal unlikely to hold due to militia rivalry, with likely popular opposition triggering protests
Key Points The collapse of seven previous peace agreements in CAR indicates that the latest deal will fail due to continued lack of homogeneity among militias refusing to cede territorial control and financial profit, and probable rivalry for official posts. Likely entry into government of
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UNSC visit to Mali, Burkina Faso likely to prompt political over military focus as terrorism risk spreads
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Co-ordinated small-arms attacks on New Zealand mosques by suspected anti-Muslim perpetrators highly likely to be exceptional
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Disrupted Indonesian plot indicates improving IED capability and continued jihadist reliance on family units to plan attacks
Jane's Intelligence Review Jane's Intelligence Review
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Thailand’s election results indicate policy continuity with elevated protest risks and high likelihood of gridlock in parliament
Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) has announced the interim results of the 24 March general election, with official results to be announced before 9 May. The latest figures, with about 93% of votes counted, suggest that the pro-military Palang Pacharath Party (PPRP) has won the popular vote
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Growing public profile of Tajik president’s eldest son indicates increasing likelihood of dynastic succession in 2020
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Israel likely to respond to long-range rocket attack with airstrikes on Gaza, but ground operations unlikely
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Malian mass-killing deepens inter-ethnic conflict, raising government instability and military coup risk
Industry Industry
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LIMA 2019: Malaysia downsizes Littoral Mission Ship ambitions
Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS) and the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) are discussing the terms of a new partnership following the Malaysian government’s decision earlier this year to “minimise costs” in the programme to procure four
