Main headlines from this issue

Canadian Defence Policy Update released, ITB to apply to newly funded capabilities

The Canadian government released its Defence Policy Update (DPU), Our North, Strong and Free, on 8 April. The DPU builds on the 2017 document, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), which outlined plans for projects and new investments amounting to CAD164bn (USD118bn) over 20 years. The Canadian government intends to update the DPU every four years.

Australian companies seek US collaboration under AUKUS alliance

Australian defence companies such as NIOA Group, EOS Defence Systems and 3ME Technology are aiming to expand their presence in the US market, underpinned by the increased opportunities for collaboration driven by the trilateral AUKUS defence partnership between the US, the UK, and Australia. Challenges over technology transfer, however, remain a concern for industry partners.

Finnish and Czech companies join F-35 supply chain

Two future F-35 Lightning II customers are being added to Lockheed Martin’s supply chain for the fifth-generation fighter aircraft as its deployment across Europe accelerates. Local industry partners in Finland and the Czech Republic have successfully obtained workshare as part of their respective F-35 procurements.

Indonesia to locally produce submarines with tech transfer

Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL and France’s Naval Group will collaborate to boost the Indonesian Navy’s submarine capabilities. Indonesia awarded the contract to the Naval Group–PT Pal consortium on 28 March for the delivery and local production of two Scorpène-class submarines.

Turkish arms company to establish joint venture in Congo

Turkish arms company Ateşçi is investing in a Congolese joint venture with state-owned mining explosives company, Africaine d’explosifs (Afridex) for the local production of munitions of various calibres. A new ammunition production line will be installed at the Afridex site in Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo, where production of Ateşçi's products is expected to begin in July.

Embraer collaborates with Chile on local production and MRO

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer announced the signing of two industrial and services cooperation agreements with Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile (ENAER) on 11 April. The agreements have been signed for the A-29 Super Tucano and the C-390 Millennium aircraft. They cover the local manufacture of aircraft parts, as well as the establishment of a new service centre in Chile.