Sweden will next year contribute a reduced battalion to NATO forces in Latvia to help support the Baltic state following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Thursday. The Swedish troop contribution was the first to be announced since the Scandinavian country joined NATO in March. Kristersson had in January announced that Sweden would likely send a battalion to take part in NATO’s permanent multinational mission in Latvia, dubbed the Enhanced Forward Presence, aimed at boosting defense capacity in the region. “The government this morning gave Sweden’s armed fo ..read more

Croatia took delivery Thursday of six Rafale fighter jets it has bought from France in the country’s biggest arms purchase since its 1991 war of independence. The used warplanes — the first part of a 12-jet deal — touched down in the capital Zagreb, heralding a major overhaul of Croatia’s air force, which is replacing its fleet of ageing Soviet-era MiGs. Outgoing Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and other top officials held an arrival ceremony for the planes, which were flown by Croatian pilots after months of training in France. Plenkovic hailed what he called “the biggest day for the strength ..read more

The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a $344-million contract to develop a pair of Standard Missile variants featuring a common guidance section for increased targeting capabilities. Increased targeting will enable the defensive SM-2 Block IIICU and SM-6 Block IU missiles to see additional types of threats. The missiles will also share a newly-designed target detection device, independent flight termination system, and electronics unit.  Common Production Line Their commonality will allow Raytheon to manufacture the missiles on a common production line, enabling flexibility, scalability, and c ..read more

A bunch of Ukrainian engineers settled abroad are testing an armed submarine prototype they claim can incapacitate a large ship with one of its six Black Scorpion torpedoes. Featuring an agile design, the Kronos submarine can make an instantaneous 180-degree turn at full speed, a world first, according to its developers. “If someone shoots a torpedo at us, Kronos can avoid it because of this sheer maneuverability and small size,” Fast Company quoted a spokesperson of the vessel’s developer Highland Systems. Features The electrically-power sub is built to operate in waters as shallow as 50 feet ..read more

Kongsberg Discovery’s first production HUGIN Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle has completed factory acceptance trials. Launched in 2021, the largest HUGIN family vessel completed its six-month-long sea trials in March with a demonstration for the customer. Kongsberg Discovery President Martin Wien Fjell said that the project was completed in record time and has attracted interest from both defense and commercial operators. “Endurance can accommodate whatever kind of payload a customer wants, whether for seabed mapping or inspection, oceanography, continuous surveys of offshore wind park ..read more

Babcock has been awarded a contract to manage the UK Royal Navy’s Type 23-class Refit Support Group, a team that will oversee the upkeep of the newly-upgraded frigates. The company’s leadership in the maintenance efforts will free up navy personnel for frontline operations and create new roles for 40 engineering technicians and managers. The support group will work at the Devonport Naval Base in southwest England, handling routine maintenance and contracted upkeep projects, and addressing emergent defects. Babcock Marine Support Technical Director Martin Burns said that the deal will help de-r ..read more

Soldiers in Burkina Faso’s jihadist-hit north killed at least 223 villagers, including 56 children, in two attacks on February 25, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday. Burkinabe officials contacted by AFP did not comment on the allegation, which the New York-based group described as “among the worst army abuse in Burkina Faso since 2015.” “These mass killings… appear to be part of a widespread military campaign against civilians accused of collaborating with Islamist armed groups, and may amount to crimes against humanity.” It said: “Soldiers killed 44 people, including 20 children ..read more

Poland’s Ministry of National Defence has signed a 13.5-million-euro ($14 million) deal with WB Group for the acquisition of seven FlyEye unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. Each drone system is composed of four reconnaissance drones and one ground station, all of which will be delivered by the end of 2024. The contract also covers repair, logistics, and training packages for the UAVs. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the drones will be used to strengthen Poland’s deterrence and defense capabilities to address would-be security threats. Przed c ..read more

The US State Department has cleared both Poland and the Netherlands to purchase extended-range Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) from Northrop Grumman. In an announcement Wednesday, Washington said it is granting Warsaw’s request for 360 AARGMs, dummy training missiles, and associated support equipment worth $1.3 billion. The US is also providing GPS receivers, software, and engineering and logistical support services in relation to the potential deal. According to the announcement, the extended-range weapons will allow Poland to strengthen its ability to suppress and destroy lan ..read more

CACI has received a $1.3-billion contract to deliver communications and information technology (IT) expertise for the US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and European Command (USEUCOM). Under the task order, the company will upgrade vital hardware and software performance and optimize communications and IT assets for the agencies. The firm will also provide end-user support for more than 11,000 US personnel stationed across 60 locations in Africa and Europe. Additional services will focus on cybersecurity and zero trust solutions implementation, Joint All Domain Command and Control integration, clou ..read more