The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
$25bn
The amount that US lawmakers want to be invested in the country’s shipyards
30
Number of Rafale fighters Egypt is buying from Dassault
26,000nm
Distance to be travelled by UK’s Carrier Strike Group
€9bn
Bid ceiling for Finland’s HX Challenge
15%
Increase in Kratos Defense & Security’s Q1 revenues
From our sites
British Army outlines how Boxer will fill Warrior capability gap
The British Army’s head of strategy Brigadier John Clark shared more detailed information on how the Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle will fill the capability gap left by the decision to cancel the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme during a press briefing.
General Dynamics unveils Brimstone-equipped Ajax variant developed with MBDA
The demonstrator, dubbed ‘Overwatch’ and funded by General Dynamics and MBDA, could potentially operate as part of the British Army’s new Heavy and Deep Recce Brigade Combat Teams. General Dynamics has integrated the Brimstone missile onboard the Ares variant of the Ajax vehicle family, making use of its electronic architecture, which it said enables the rapid insertion of new technologies and capabilities.
UK F-35B jets to support counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria
The UK F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft are set to support counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria.
In quotes
Credit: MOD
When our Carrier Strike Group sets sail next month, it will be flying the flag for Global Britain – projecting our influence, signalling our power, engaging with our friends and reaffirming our commitment to addressing the security challenges of today and tomorrow.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace ahead of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s first operational deployment.
Credit: U.S. Air Force
This department has an open door to any qualified American who wants to serve. That's a matter of both national principle, and national security. Diversity throughout the force is a source of strength. We can't afford to deprive ourselves of the talents and the voices of the full range of a nation that we defend.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during a press conference reviewing the first 100 days of the Biden Administration.
Credit: L3Harris
On TWitter
In Pictures
The first of eight F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from No. 617 Squadron (‘Dambusters’) landed on Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth on Sunday 2 May 2021 ahead of Exercise Strike Warrior. Credit: MOD
The Challenger 3 turret demonstrator, seen here during trials in Germany. Credit: MOD
Richard Browning, Gravity founder and chief test pilot, taking off towards Royal Marines raiding boats. Credit: MOD
A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wings of Victory, flies over the Black Sea for maritime operations crew certification flights off the coast of Bulgaria on May 5, 2021, during Exercise Swift Response 21, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21. Credit: US Army
The British Army has sent almost 2,000 troops to Liverpool to help with the mass testing of residents for Covid-19. Image: Crown Copyright / MOD