The Spanish MoD has signalled a new approach to defence procurement. The move is intended to overcome EU legislation on competition laws. The MoD will incorporate Indra Sistemas, Sapa Placencia, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, and Santa Bárbara Sistemas into a joint venture. The ministry will then require bidders for the Wheeled Combat Vehicle 8x8 program to allocate at least 70 percent work share to the joint venture, which will also be the VCR design authority...
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has entered into an exclusive teaming agreement with Harland & Wolff, a Northern Ireland shipyard, to support the company’s bid for the UK’s forthcoming Fleet Solid Support (FSS) tender. The companies pledged to inject “significant investment” into ship design and construction across the UK if their bid is successful.
A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office into the F-35 fighter program has found ongoing problems with the aircraft’s supply chain. Turkey’s removal from the industrial participation program has exacerbated the issue... Trump called for F-35 manufacturing to be brought back to the U.S., noting that having it carried out overseas is an example of “stupidity.”
Dr İsmail Demir, President of Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), has questioned the legal basis for removing his country from the F-35 program. “Unilateral decisions related to the partnership have no legal basis, and are not logical or reasonable,” he said.