Weekly Defense Insights

Nigeria To Receive Three Wing Loong II UCAVs And Six T-129 Helicopters

Nigerian Air Force to take delivery of three Wing Loong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and six T-129 Atak helicopters before the end of the first quarter of 2023. The arrival of the latest birds was announced by Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao.

Nigeria’s Armed Forces are undergoing a massive modernization program and all these latest acquisitions are part of that program. He said the new and modern air assets were instrumental to the successful bombing campaign against terrorists and insurgents. READ MORE

Pakistan Navy Receives 2nd Modernized Submarine by STM

STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.?., one of the leading companies in the Turkish defence sector, has completed another critical milestone in its successful export projects. The second submarine, PNS/M KHALID (S-137), was delivered to Pakistan Navy at a ceremony held, marking the latest step in the project to modernize three AGOSTA 90B class submarines.

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U.S. Army Awards Epirus $66.1M Contract for Leonidas Directed Energy System

Epirus, a high-growth technology company, announced yesterday a $66.1 million contract award from the U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) in support of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High-Power Microwave Program. Epirus Leonidas Leonidas, Epirus’ breakthrough counter-electronics system, pictured at a U.S. government testing site.

As part of the Other Transaction Authority, Epirus collaborates with the RCCTO to rapidly deliver several prototype systems of Leonidas for $66.1 million in 2023 with options to acquire additional support services. Epirus plans to deliver and support prototypes of integrated HPM capability and, as part of the contract’s design, work with the RCCTO to transition Leonidas into a future program of record after a successful demonstration of the prototypes. READ MORE

Karachi Shipyard Lays Keel of 1st Indigenously Designed Gun Boat

Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) laid the keel of 1st indigenously designed gunboat in a ceremony held at Karachi Shipyard. Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami graced the occasion as Chief Guest. This boat is part of the massive contract of 20 gunboats for the Pakistan Navy.

KS&EW is manufacturing these boats in partnership with Swift Ships. A tweet from Swift Ships says, “Swift ships is providing Value-Added #Engineering services, KITs supply, and supervisory assistance. The first boat is expected to be commissioned in 2023, and the total requirement is 20 Gun Boats for Pakistan Navy”. READ MORE