The Australian government released its first-ever National Defence Strategy and its updated Integrated Investment Programme on 17 April. The documents set out a revised approach for the Australian Defence Force following the release of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review.
Hanwha Aerospace is making progress in its cooperation with the Polish defence industry through a comprehensive and offset-heavy programme relating to the K9 howitzers. Poland has commissioned a modified variant of the self-propelled howitzers from Hanwha, which will now be fitted with subsystems supplied by local Polish companies.
Rheinmetall will establish a new factory in Lithuania for the production of 155mm artillery shells. The ammunition produced in Lithuania will also be exported. Once completed, the facility will be the only 155mm ammunition plant in the Baltics.
The Austrian MoD signed a contract with Dutch OEM and manufacturer of light tactical vehicles, Defenture BV, for the delivery of Ground Force vehicles for its Special Operations Forces. Under the contract signed on 8 April, Defenture will collaborate with local vehicle construction company Achleitner Gruppe to deliver and provide service support for the LTVs.
Lockheed Martin has deepened its collaboration with Spanish multinational engineering company, Grupo Oesía. The two companies signed an MoU on 16 April for the future production of Lockheed’s PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile segment enhancement components in Spain. Lockheed will transfer know-how and assistance to Tecnobit - Grupo Oesía to facilitate the local production of the missile parts.
Italy’s Leonardo is expanding its operations in Africa, with plans to use Nigeria as a base to carry out M-346 jet maintenance services for its regional clients. Leonardo will provide maintenance support for a minimum of 25 years for Nigeria’s fleet of M-346s. Leonardo will also use its physical presence in Nigeria as a maintenance hub to carry out services for other customers in Africa.