Europol powers to increase under new agenda

by Brooks Tigner

European law enforcement agency Europol’s mandate is set to substantially widen, while the organisation’s budget and human resources will grow considerably in the coming years if new proposals by the European Commission proceed as planned. New powers for the agency to analyse big data, develop new encryption tools, unilaterally request the launch of European Union-relevant investigations at national level, exchange investigative information with the private sector, and exploit stronger links to other EU entities are all part of the plan.

The expanded tasks for Europol, as well as many other measures to strengthen Europe’s security, form part of the European Commission’s new Counter-Terrorism Agenda, unveiled in Brussels on 9 December. It would amend Europol's most recent legal framework, encapsulated by EU Regulation 2016/794.

EU commissioner for promoting the European way of life and European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas (left) and EU commissioner for home affairs Ylva Johansson (right) reveal new counter-terrorism measures and a stronger Europol mandate at the Berlaymont in Brussels, Belgium, on 9 December 2020. Europol will deliver better operational support to EU member states' investigations under the proposed revised mandate. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

EU commissioner for promoting the European way of life and European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas (left) and EU commissioner for home affairs Ylva Johansson (right) reveal new counter-terrorism measures and a stronger Europol mandate at the Berlaymont in Brussels, Belgium, on 9 December 2020. Europol will deliver better operational support to EU member states' investigations under the proposed revised mandate. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)


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Australia passes law to boost AUKUS defence trade

by Jon Grevatt

New Australian legislation aims to support defence trade between partners working on the AUKUS submarine. A visual concept of the submarine is pictured above. (BAE Systems)

Australia's parliament passed legislation on 27 March that will support the country's AUKUS partnership with the United Kingdom and United States but toughen rules on the transfer of technologies to other foreign countries.

The Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra said the new Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 (DTC Act) will enhance the protection of “Australian technology and information as well as that of key partners”.

It added that the law will “fast-track the delivery of high-end capabilities to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by streamlining trade and collaboration with our AUKUS partners, maintaining Australia's capability edge”.

The cornerstone of the legislation, which amends the existing Defence Trade Controls Act 2012, is the easing of red tape in defence trade between AUKUS partners by supporting the establishment of a “licence-free environment for Australian industry”, the DoD said.


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GA-ASI sets out Reaper upgrade plan for Netherlands

by Gareth Jennings

One of four Reaper UAVs now operated by the RNLAF. As well as doubling its fleet to eight, the Netherlands plans to upgrade its Reapers with a raft of enhanced capabilities. (Royal Netherlands Air Force)

The Netherlands is to equip its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a raft of enhancements over the next three years, the manufacturer said on 27 March.

Following previously disclosed plans by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to double its fleet size from four to eight air vehicles, GA-ASI spelled out some of the capability upgrades that the service intends to add.

“Upgrades to their aircraft [will] include capabilities such as maritime radars, a communications relay, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures (ESM), and weapons,” the manufacturer said.

As noted by Lieutenant Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, the commander of the RNLAF's 306 Squadron that operates the type, the Netherlands plans to use its Reapers across an increasing range of mission sets for its national and NATO needs. “With these upgrades, we will support NATO's ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] and maritime surveillance missions throughout Europe,” he was quoted as saying by GA-ASI.


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Airbus contracts Saab to deliver Eurofighter EK electronic attack payload

by Gareth Jennings

Saab has been contracted to deliver its Arexis electronic suite for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter EK aircraft, a mock-up of which was displayed at the ILA Berlin Air Show in 2022 (pictured). (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus Defence and Space (DS) has contracted Saab to deliver its Arexis electronic warfare (EW) suite for the Luftwaffe's Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) requirement, the Swedish company announced on 26 March.

The award came about nine months after Saab was selected in June 2023 by the Luftwaffe, along with its German partner for the Helsing project, to provide the Arexis suite for 15 of the service's existing Eurofighter Tranche 2/3/4 combat aircraft to provide them with an initial electronic attack (EA) capability. As the prime contractor for the Eurofighter EK programme, Airbus DS will integrate the suite.

Saab first told Janes


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