US lawmakers are criticising the US Navy's decision to cut a Virginia-class submarine, similar to the one shown here, from the recent budget request. (Janes/Michael Fabey)

US lawmakers are continuing to question the US Navy (USN) fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget request that cuts a Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN) from its funding proposal.

Initially, the USN had planned for two Virginias for the fiscal year, but now the service is asking for only a single submarine in the FY 2025 request submitted earlier in 2024.

In recent hearings on the budget US lawmakers have criticised the Virginia submarine cut.

Washington State Congressman Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), continued the criticism on 1 May during a HASC hearing on the USN FY 2025 budget request.

The AA signed a second executive contract with Hanwha on 25 April for 72 K239 Chunmoo MRLs (pictured), several thousands of missiles, and technology transfer. (Hanwha Aerospace)

The Polish Armaments Agency (AA) signed a second executive contract with Hanwha Aerospace for 72 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on 25 April, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) and the South Korean company announced the same day. The USD1.6 billion contract also covers the delivery of several thousands of missiles with ranges of 80–290 km, including the 600 mm CTM290, and technology transfer.

The Polish MND said on its website that it expected the contract to have a significant impact on the development of the Polish defence industry, with the technologies acquired allowing the establishment of a capability to carry out repairs and modernisation, as well as produce spare parts for the MRLs and launch pods for 122 mm rockets produced by MESKO, part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).

Saab has developed an autonomy package for its CB 90 fast boat and demonstrated its ability to navigate the Swedish coast. Pictured above is a CB 90 that was delivered to Malaysia. (Dockstavarvet)

Saab has established a new business function to revamp how it develops and delivers products to meet changing customer requirements. Skapa, a Swedish word that means “to create, to make, or to shape”, will focus on solving customer and stakeholder problems at speed, Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the United States, told reporters on 23 April. “Skapa will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge solutions to our warfighters” at pace, he said.