The U.S. Department of Defense released its National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS) on 11 January 2024. This strategy document will guide the DoD’s engagement, policy development, and investment over the next three to five years. Separately, the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DUI) released its “DUI 3.0” strategy on 7 February.
Making the most out of WDS 2024, South Korean arms manufacturers Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems, Kia Corporation, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and LIG Nex1 have secured deals with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Australia has awarded three support and maintenance contracts amounting to AUD830m (USD540m) to Lockheed Martin and Boeing for its fleet of Black Hawks, Apaches, and Chinooks.
The USD4bn General Atomics MQ-9B drone sale to India is finally moving forward. The sale received approval from the U.S. State Department on 1 February after a hold-off in December because of diplomatic concerns. GA has been informed of the sale, following the completion of the State Department’s “tiered review”.
Holland’s Damen Shipyards Group signed a strategic partnership agreement (SPA) with South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) as part of the National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP), South Africa’s civil offset programme. Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) will work on localisation and industrial participation to the benefit of the South African shipbuilding industry.
European primes Rheinmetall and Airbus are expanding their local involvement in Romania. While Rheinmetall has acquired a majority stake in Romanian vehicle manufacturer Automecanica Medias, Airbus has extended its partnership with Industria Aeronautică Romană (IAR) on its H215M helicopters.