ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — GM Defense has signed an agreement with Edge Group to build a local manufacturing capability for some of its light tactical vehicles, which could be integrated with Emirati weapons.
The General Motors subsidiary will work on the project with NIMR Automotive, an arm of the Emirati defense conglomerate, to assess demand for military platforms in the Middle East…
General Atomics eyes ‘huge’ MQ-9 sale to Saudi Arabia
February 20, 2025
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates —General Atomics is preparing to offer a package deal to Saudi Arabia to acquire a number of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones, company executives said in an interview at the IDEX arms fair in Abu Dhabi.
“We are still in the very early stages but…
Fincantieri, Edge nab $500M-plus maintenance deal for UAE Navy fleet
February 19, 2025
A picture taken in February 2019 in Monfalcone shows Fincantieri’s logo on a crane at the company’s shipyard. (Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)
ROME — The United Arab Emirates has handed a five-year, €500 million ($524 million) contract to a joint…
Japan has ordered 17 of the latest variant of the Boeing-manufactured CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter, the company said Thursday. The CH-47 Block II Chinook is an extended-range version of the aircraft that is used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Special Operations Command. Japan is the fourth customer for the new variant.
Germany purchased 60 of the helicopters in a $4 billion deal in 2022, and the U.K.
PARIS — Belgium’s new government vows to boost the defense budget over the coming years to ensure the country, notoriously one of NATO’s worst performers on military spending, starts pulling its weight in the alliance.
The government of Prime Minister Bart De Wever…
Navy League urges rapid expansion of battle fleet for future wars
February 10, 2025
The Navy League of the United States urged Congress on Thursday to invest in a buildup of the military’s battle force fleet. Here, a welder with Newport News Shipbuilding works on a steel panel. (Ashley Cowan/HII)
U.S. leaders should invest at least $40 billion…
The F-35 program is working to get the latest jets capable of carrying out combat missions, but important tests for its upgrades may not begin until next summer. (Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo/Air Force). The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation said in its annual report, submitted to Congress on Jan. 31, that dedicated operational tests for the F-35 Technology Refresh 3, or…
US Navy hits drone with HELIOS laser in successful test
February 5, 2025
The U.S. Navy successfully tested its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, system on one of its warships in fiscal 2024, according to a recently released report.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Preble fired its HELIOS system to zap…
In response to multiple audience questions about recent presidential executive orders involving the military, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George told a crowd of nearly 200 on Wednesday that he remains focused on preparing the service for future conflict.
At a previously…
Cummings Aerospace releases its Hellhound for Army competition
January 31, 2025
Huntsville, Alabama-based Cummings Aerospace is readying its Hellhound for submission to the U.S. Army’s loitering munition competition set to kick off later this year, having recently wrapped up flight tests of its turbo-jet powered, 3D-printed kamikaze drone.
The company took its S3 version of its man-portable loitering munition out to the Pendleton Unmanned Aircraft Systems test range in…
