The government of New Zealand has introduced two new rules to its procurement regulations. Rule 18A requires government procurement agencies to consider job creation when buying goods, services, or works. Mandated agencies must consider “quality employment opportunities for New Zealanders,” particularly displaced workers and groups with traditionally high rates of unemployment or low labour force participation... will also apply to defence procurements.
Counsel for Airbus Defence and Space and Lockheed Martin have filed separate motions to dismiss a lawsuit from Blenheim. The suit alleges conspiracy between those parties together with South Korea’s DAPA and the South Korean government, to cut Blenheim out of an F-35 fighter jet offset deal with DAPA. Airbus accuses Blenheim of filing “a fantasy-based complaint” in a court that “lacks subject matter jurisdiction” and relies on antitrust claims that are time-barred.
A duck-and-dive Q&A in Australia during a Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee hearing last month produced an important confession. Penny Wong, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, forced Greg Sammut, the Defence Ministry’s General Manager, Submarines, to concede that the government has not yet agreed local content levels for each vessel in the Naval Group submarine programme.
Babcock International Group has signed a so-called tripartite Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) agreement in Odessa with the Ukrainian MoD and the UK government. The two nations will now push forward a major programme of Ukrainian naval projects, with Babcock as their designated prime industrial partner.
The U.S. Navy has stressed its commitment to Greece’s shipbuilding industry. The statement came as the Hellenic Navy considers an offer from Lockheed Martin for four Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships.