DefenseNews

Size matters: KNDS pitches long-barreled artillery for 60-kilometer base range

PARIS — KNDS, the French-German maker of the Leopard tank and the Caesar truck-mounted gun, pitched a new howitzer with a barrel longer than any NATO production artillery, which the company said gives the weapon a range of up to 60 kilometers (37 miles) with standard high-explosive shells. The howitzer uses KNDS Germany’s Artillery Gun Module mounted on a tracked Boxer chassis and fitted with…
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DefenseNews

India touts new ballistic missile defense prowess after tests

NEW DELHI — India says recent trials have demonstrated the country’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles, placing it among a select group of countries with advanced capabilities to that effect. In a statement over the weekend, the Ministry of Defense said it conducted three consecutive flight tests on June 10 and 11 to demonstrate “multi-layered defense” against long-range ballistic…
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DefenseNews

Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz

The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed to terms to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, news that brought relief to markets — although the pact may hinge on an end to hostilities in Lebanon and defers talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. While still a…
DefenseNews

Australia forges ahead with 155mm ammo production

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Amid efforts to ramp up ammunition production in Australia, the government announced a A$72 million – around US$51 million – contract to set up an M795 155mm artillery projectile production line there. The deal with Rheinmetall Nioa…
DefenseNews

France picks MBDA-Safran combo to supply multiple rocket launcher

PARIS — France has started exclusive negotiations with French defense firm Safran and missile maker MBDA to supply domestically produced rocket artillery as well as munitions, Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin announced at the Eurosatory defense show near Paris on Monday. France snubbed a competing offer for a multiple-rocket launcher from a team of Thales and ArianeGroup as well as…
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DefenseNews

Only 1 in 4 F-35s is fully mission capable, GAO finds

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025, with the fleet’s full mission capable rate falling to 25%, according to a new Government Accountability Office report released Thursday. The mission capable rate, which…
DefenseNews

Paris defense show may be last chance to buy before war, CEO says

PARIS — This year’s Eurosatory defense show near Paris may be the last chance for European countries to shop for weapons that will still be delivered in time for a possible conflict with Russia, according to the retired French general who heads the company running the event. With some military experts warning Europe risks a direct confrontation with Russia in the next two years, defense…
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