Defence Contracts Digest: Top Reads 08/02
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Top reads from last week's edition of the Defence Contracts Digest, published 08.02.2024.
Billions for missile defences | Launch of new US defence show for innovation
The outline stage for an opportunity for UK SMEs to provide innovative sustainable flight solutions closes in less than two weeks. The industry call is part of partnership between Innovate UK, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Aerospace Technology Institute. Successful applicants could win a share of £1.5 million in grants, designed to encourage and support the sector’s development.
AI development and regulation remain high on the agenda of policymakers, with the UK Government concluding a consultation with industry on its ‘pro-innovation approach to AI regulation’. The policy is designed to ensure guardrails keep pace with a market that is predicted to be worth $1 trillion in the UK alone by 2035, trailing only the US and China. In tandem with cross-government AI regulation, the UK MOD released its new ‘Defence AI Playbook’, setting out a variety of cases in which AI may come to revolutionise defence, alongside the hurdles that will have to be overcome.
Top contracts last week:
Saudi agrees $3.2 billion deal to buy South Korean missile defence systems - Economic Times
South Korea's LIG Nex1 secures a $3.2 billion contract to supply Saudi Arabia with 10 batteries of the Cheongung M-SAM II mid-range surface-to-air missile defence system, capable of countering ballistic missiles and aircraft.
DE&S rapidly procures 500 new MAN trucks for British Army - Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)
Under a £282 million contract, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles will deliver the multipurpose trucks that will allow personnel to load flat racks onto the platform, which can carry essential logistics such as ammunition, food, water, and support materiel, to operational locations.
Norway orders $133 million in NASAMS to replace systems sent to Ukraine - Janes
The Norwegian government has ordered new National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMSs) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to replace systems donated to Ukraine. Kongsberg won the contract from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA), and deliveries are expected in 2026–27.
