Global Industry

IIT-Kanpur & PSU, USA to Host Indo-US Defence Workshop

India and the United States have collaboratively taken a significant step towards enhancing defence excellence and collaboration by convening the INDUS-X (India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem) workshop on August 29, 2023. The event, co-facilitated by IIT Kanpur, Pennsylvania State University, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence, India; and the US Department of Defence (DoD), was supported by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

India calls for Increased Israeli Investment

Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh met with an Israeli delegation, led by Foreign Minister Mr Eli Cohen, in New Delhi on May 09, 2023. During the meeting, the Raksha Mantri underlined Government of India’s priority towards indigenisation in accordance with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Policy’. He acknowledged the cooperation being extended by Israeli companies and encouraged them for more investments in India and for forging joint ventures with Indian partners to manufacture defence equipment in India.

Boeing to Upgrade USAF KC-46A

Boeing will enhance the KC-46A advanced communications capabilities through a Block 1 upgrade under a $184 million contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force.

Upgrades include line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications technologies with antijamming and encryption features. These capabilities will further enhance the data and communications connectivity the KC-46A provides to joint and allied forces for battlespace situational awareness.

Navantia's S-81 submarine First Dive

The S-81 'Isaac Peral' submarine carried out its first static dive this Thursday as part of the test schedule agreed between Navantia, the Navy and the Ministry of Defence. The dive took place in the waters of the La Algameca naval station, opposite the Navy's Diving Centre. It forms part of the safety milestones in the construction and testing of the S-80 submarine programme and is carried out after surface navigation and prior to the dive.

First Belgium-Dutch Anti-Mine Vessel Launched

On 29 March 2023, the first of the twelve mine countermeasure vessels of the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme, the M940 Oostende intended for the Belgian Navy, was floated out in Concarneau. The launching ceremony took place in the presence of Ludivine Dedonder, Belgian Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, Dutch Minister of Defence, and Patricia Mirallès, French Secretary of State for Veterans and Memory. During this day, Naval Group also laid the keel for the third of the twelve vessels, the M941 Tournai, intended for the Belgian Navy.

Boeing, Shield AI Set to Collaborate on Defence

Boeing and Shield AI, US based venture-backed defense technology company, have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore strategic collaboration in the areas of autonomous capabilities and artificial intelligence on current and future defense programs. The agreement, signed at the Air Force Association Warfare Symposium, will be managed by Boeing Phantom Works.

France to Buy 50 Renovated Leclerc tanks

  • On 29 December 2022, the French defense procurement agency (DGA) awarded Nexter an order for 50 renovated Leclerc tanks (XLR);
  • Industrial qualification tests are continuing in close collaboration with the DGA and the French army;
  • A first prototype tank was delivered to the DGA at the end of 2022, and the first 18 operational tanks will be delivered to the Army in 2023, according to

First P-8A Poseidon to New Zealand

New Zealand today received the first of four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in a ceremony at the Museum of Flight.

“As a maritime nation, delivery of the P-8A will ensure New Zealand maintains a patrol and response capability that will protect and support law enforcement in our Exclusive Economic Zone and Southern Ocean,” said Sarah Minson, acting Deputy Secretary Capability Delivery, New Zealand Ministry of Defence. “The P-8A will also assist our South Pacific neighbors and deliver long-range search and rescue capability.”

Navantia to Build Naval Ships for Saudi

With the presence and patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, and Her Excellency Mrs. Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Industry of Spain, the Ministry of Defense and the General Authority for Military Industries signed a memorandum of understanding with the Spanish company Navantia to acquire and build a number of multi-mission combat ships for the Royal Saudi Naval Force.

First Block of FDI HN Frigate Laid

the first block of the first FDI HN frigate (Defense and  Intervention Frigate) for the Hellenic Navy was laid down in dry dock at Naval  Group’s shipyard in Lorient in presence of Vice Admiral Stylianos Petrakis,  Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff. This important step marks the beginning  of the assembly of the ship in the building hall.