In addition to turning its offset policy into law, Switzerland is preparing to amend its core armaments policy before 2030, armasuisse representatives announced at the DKF Conference in Zurich.
Turkish missile maker Roketsan was awarded Malaysia’s missile contract for 108 Karaok anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) on 2 October. This is the first export contract for the Karaok system, which will be produced locally in collaboration with Ketech Asia. Additional procurements of the missile systems could follow the current order.
In its continued efforts to establish a stronger presence in Latin America, UAE’s EDGE Group has acquired a 50-percent stake in Brazil’s SIATT. This collaboration will focus on the joint development and production of smart weapons and solutions for Brazil’s MANSUP missile project. The deal was officially signed at SIATT’s headquarters in Sao Jose do Campos on 29 September.
Industrial cooperation is at the core of the Czech procurement of the F-35 aircraft from US prime Lockheed Martin. The government approved the purchase of 24 F-35s from the US on 27 September. Fourteen offset projects with Czech industry are already in place following negotiations with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney.
The German Bundeskartellamt approved a joint venture between Rheinmetall and Ukraine’s state-owned Ukrainian Defence Industry group (UDI) on 28 September. The JV will be based in Kyiv and will focus on the development, production, assembly, and MRO services of military vehicles.
BAE Systems has received funding from the UK government to begin working on the detailed design phase of the SSN-AUKUS submarines, for use by the UK and Australia. The submarines will be built at its Barrow-in-Furness shipyard in the UK, and will incorporate technology from all three member nations.