The Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET), a government-funded entity, has issued a warning that South Korea will fall short of the “top four global exporters” of military hardware unless it urgently reinforces its offset policy. KIET released its findings on 28 July in a 14-page report on the policy’s weaknesses and loopholes.
The US Senate has passed legislation mandating that one hundred percent of components for all US Navy ships must be manufactured in the US by 2033. The legislation was passed as an amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in late July.
In its quest to build its defence-industrial capabilities, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is turning to Brazil. Brazilian manufacturers Avibrás Indústria Aeroespacial and Taurus Armas have each signed agreements with SCOPA Defence. SCOPA will save Avibras from bankruptcy in exchange for support on a Saudi-made Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), while Taurus will establish a joint venture for the production and export of weapons.
Turkey and Azerbaijan have signed a “cooperation protocol” to facilitate joint production of defence hardware, including the fifth-generation TF-X fighter, known in Turkey as the Milli Murharip Uçak (MMU). The two nations “will determine working procedures and principles of cooperation on joint production and development.”
Three years after a blanket ban on Chinese apps in India, Chinese state-backed telecoms conglomerate ZTE has initiated talks with Indian partners for a potential joint venture on the subcontinent. The move may help ZTE circumvent the freeze on its business activities and build a “critical trust factor” with the Indian government, according to an unidentified company official.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles has confirmed that the US will help Australia develop a “missile manufacturing and exporting industry” from scratch “within two years.” As part of joint development, Australia will undertake MRO for critical US-sourced munitions, while the US will work on streamlining an acquisition process for priority munitions for Australia.