Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell formally handing over the first batch of EU-funded military assistance to Moldova on 31 May. (European Commission)

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova has received its first batch of European Union (EU)-funded military equipment as part of the European Peace Facility (EPF), the EU announced on 31 May.

Over a 36-month period, Moldova will receive EUR40 million (USD42.87 million) worth of non-lethal military equipment in the areas pertaining to air surveillance, mobility and transportation, logistics, command-and-control (C2), and cyber defence.

According to a previous EU announcement, the military assistance includes unmanned aerial systems (UASs), radios, explosive ordnance disposal suits, and medical equipment such as field hospitals, ambulances, and pickup trucks.

The support package is part of an ‘Assistance Measure' ratified by the EU Council in December 2021 under the EPF, designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the armed forces and accelerate their compliance with EU standards and interoperability. The e-Governance Academy for cyber and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) are the primary benefactors.

KMW displayed a PULS MRL armed with a Kongsberg NSM at its site in Munich on the first day of Defence iQ's Future Artillery conference held in Munich from 29 May to 1 June. (Janes/Nicholas Fiorenza)

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann-Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) is proposing that the Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) multiple rocket launcher (MRL) be armed with Kongsberg's Naval Strike Missile (NSM). An Elbit Systems-Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) EuroPULS MRL mounted on an Iveco Trakker 8×8 chassis was displayed at KMW's site in Munich on the first day of Defence iQ's Future Artillery conference held in the Bavarian capital from 29 May to 1 June.

A KMW representative said the NSM could be used in a surface-to-surface role either against naval vessels or land targets. The NSM has a range of up to 250 km, according to KMW.

EuroPULS could also be armed with a Joint Fire Support Missile (JFS-M), a full-scale mock-up of which was displayed by MBDA Deutschland at Future Artillery 2023. The concept combines ground launchability, a long range of up to 499 km, great agility, and low observability because of low-level flight and a reduced airframe, according to MBDA Deutschland.

With a weight launch of 280 kg, the Blue Shark can hit targets at depths of up to 450 m and at a range of 6.5 n mile. The torpedo can travel at a speed of 45 kt. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

South Korea is prepared to deliver a second batch of Cheong Sangeo (K745/Blue Shark) torpedoes to the Philippine Navy (PN). However, Janes understands that the Philippines has delayed the procurement.

The deal was first announced in August 2021. At the time, the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) said that the deal was reported to cost around PHP722.3 million (USD12.9 million).

A source with knowledge of the process told Janes that the documentation for the second sale batch was prepared in December 2022. “However, six months on, there has not been movement on the procurement,” the source added.

The source was speaking at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023 held in Malaysia from 23 to 27 May.

Janes understands that the second batch of torpedoes is to equip the Leonardo AW159 helicopters in service with the PN and on the PN's two South Korean-made