Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration revised the country’s Offset Trade Guidelines on 29 October to help foster its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and help them enter global supply chains.
Australia is boosting the local production of weapons under its Guided Weapons Explosive Ordnance Enterprise. The Australian government announced on 30 October that it had selected France’s Thales to construct a domestic forging capability for the production of artillery ammunition and that Lockheed Martin would establish a facility for the local manufacture of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.
The Indian government is deciding between a government-to-government contract or a multi-vendor and competitive tender process for the procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft for the Indian Air Force. To avoid a “Rafale-like controversy” related to the contract, India is considering adopting a “transparent procurement method” for the deal.
Swedish defence prime Saab and solar energy firm Midsummer AB signed an MoU on 4 November to explore a long-term partnership and industrial cooperation in Thailand. This is part of Saab’s adherence to Thailand’s offset policies which demand benefits for its defence industry and economy against foreign purchases.
Morocco will establish local aerospace R&D and MRO facilities in partnership with US prime Boeing and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines under agreements signed at the Morocco-France Entrepreneurial Meeting in Rabat on 28 October and during the Marrakech Air Show on 30 October–1 November.
Germany’s Rheinmetall announced a strategic partnership on 28 October with Croatian manufacturer of unmanned ground systems (UGS) DOK-ING to develop and market advanced UGS solutions. Separately, Croatia will procure Leopard tanks from Germany at a discounted price, against the delivery of used tanks and IFVs to Ukraine.