DefenseNews

It's Official: Lloyd Austin Is the First Black Defense Secretary

January 23, 2021
Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III reacts to a question during his Senate Armed Forces Committee confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C. Jan. 19, 2021. (DoD/EJ Hersom) Members of the Senate on Friday confirmed Lloyd Austin, a retired Army four-star general, to run the Defense Department — a historic move that gives the military its first Black defense secretary. Senators confirmed Austin’s…
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DefenseNews

Army chief teases new Arctic strategy

January 22, 2021
WASHINGTON — Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville teased the recently completed Arctic strategy emphasizing it would provide the U.S. with capabilities to compete and deter conflict in the region. The Army’s strategy recognizes “where our national interests are,” McConville said during an Association of the U.S. Army virtual event on Jan. 19, “and we certainly have and share…
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DefenseNews

Australia selects Boeing Apache as next armed reconnaissance helicopter

January 20, 2021
MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia has selected Boeing’s AH-64E Apache Guardian as it’s next armed reconnaissance helicopter, replacing its Airbus Helicopters Tiger fleet under the Land 4503 program estimated to be worth AU$4-5 billion (U.S. $3–3.8 billion). The selection of the Apache follows the release of a request for information in July 2019 and was announced by Australian Defence…
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American warship, F-35 jets to deploy with British fleet

January 20, 2021
LONDON — U.S. combat jets and a destroyer are to join the British Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier on its maiden operational deployment to the Asia-Pacific region later in 2021, after officials formally approved the deployment Tuesday. British Defence Secretary Ben…
DefenseNews

US Navy halts deliveries of Freedom-class littoral combat ship

January 20, 2021
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has halted deliveries of Lockheed Martin’s Freedom-class littoral combat ship, citing a design flaw with the ship’s transmission. In a statement to Defense News, the Navy pointed to “a material defect” with the ship’s combining gear…
DefenseNews

French Army orders 364 Serval armored vehicles

January 16, 2021
PARIS — The French Army is expected to receive 108 Serval armored vehicles in 2022 as part of an order from manufacturers Nexter and Texelis totaling 364. The contract was finalized through the DGA procurement agency on Dec. 23 but was not announced until Jan. 15. The two companies, which formed a temporary joint operation to build the light-armored, multirole Serval, will deliver the…
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