Contract signed for delayed US Air Force E-7A deal
The UK and US have ordered the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system which is already operated by Australia (E-7 Wedgetail), South Korea (Peace Eye) and Turkey (Peace Eagle).
The 3SM Tyrfing will be a long-range, manoeuvrable supersonic strike missile. (Photo: Kongsberg)
Kongsberg has received a NOK1.5 billion (US$141 million) contract for the initial development phase of the Tyrfing SuperSonic Strike Missile (3SM) for Germany and Norway.
3SM is the next-generation missile system which is set to be deployed on future vessels from 2035 and is planned to compliment Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile.
Kongsberg has been awarded the contract as the lead industry partner, with significant involvement from German and Norwegian industry, including Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland. The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and Nammo will also contribute to the project.
Although specific technical or performance specifications of the 3SM remained undisclosed, an illustrative concept unveiled by the Norwegian MoD and Kongsberg last year suggested that the missile will harness advanced solid-fuel ramjet propulsion, showcased through the collaborative Norwegian/US Tactical High-speed Offensive Ramjet for Extended Range (THOR-ER) initiative.
Thomas Gottschild, managing director of MBDA Deutschland, said: “As we have seen over the last two years, stand-off weapons are crucial for credible deterrence and defence. Joining forces between our companies will strengthen the Norwegian, German and European armed forces, improving the defence of our home nations.”
The UK and US have ordered the Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system which is already operated by Australia (E-7 Wedgetail), South Korea (Peace Eye) and Turkey (Peace Eagle).
HIMARS weapons have been in high demand with systems provided to Ukraine, Poland placing an order, Australia and Morocco being approved for Foreign Military Sales, Taiwan ordering more and the Netherlands requesting systems.
The US plans to deploy a suite of long-range precision strike missiles, including developmental hypersonics, to counter the advanced precision strike systems of Russia and China. It will form part of the US Army’s Multi Domain Task Force (MDTF) to enhance European long-range fires capabilities and include SM-6 air defence, Tomahawk cruise missiles and HIMARS batteries.
The Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) is already in service on BAE Systems Hägglunds CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and is being used on Israeli vehicles conducting operations in Gaza.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency will allow other nations to replenish German stock donated to Ukraine.
Estonia, Finland and Latvia are undertaking joint development of a new Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) based on Patria’s 6x6 APC design, with Latvia’s vehicles being made by Defence Partnership Latvia.