French Arms Firms Grapple With Virus Lock Down

03/25/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - French arms companies have taken major steps following a national lock down ordered last week against the coronavirus, with some factories closed or cutting back, staff working from home, and shipyards working at a slower pace. The government has declared a state of emergency in…

Political Will Is Key To European MALE UAV

03/11/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - Political support has been vital for a European medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, and even with that backing, years have passed before a program contract appears to be in reach, analysts said. France expects to green light a deal by mid year, which would clear…

A President of Brazil Visits SOUTHCOM for the First Time: An Update on Brazil 2020

03/08/2020
The occasion of President Jair Bolsonaro's visit to Miami with President Trump and then to SOUTHCOM provides an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing Brazil in 2020. Prior to providing that assessment by Kenneth Maxwell, it is important to highlight the historic visit of Brazil's President to SOUTHCOM. The video…

Morocco Begins Harfang UAV Operations

03/04/2020
By defenceWeb Morocco’s military has apparently taken delivery of three Harfang (Heron) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a number of years after expressing interest in acquiring them from France. According to Intelligence Online, the Moroccan military received the three Israel Aerospace Industries-built UAVs on 26 January. The aircraft will most likely…

Audit Office Calls on France to Boost UAV Fleet – With Caution

03/02/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris - France should reach agreement on a European project for a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone, while keeping close budgetary watch and ensure military needs were met, the national audit office said in a Feb. 25 report. That report was published just a few days before Airbus presented…

French-Australian Naval Cooperation, 2020

03/01/2020
By LEUT Jessica Craig THE strength of French and Australian defence cooperation was on show when HMAS Parramatta and Marine Nationale ship FNS La Moqueuse sailed into Sydney Harbour in company on January 31. The 3600-tonne frigate Parramatta manoeuvred seamlessly with the 480-tonne patrol vessel La Moqueuse, entering Sydney heads…

An Update on the Nigerian Air Force: Anticipated Arrival of JF-17 Fighter Jets

02/25/2020
By defenceWeb The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will take delivery of its JF-17 Thunder fighter jets in November this year, and A-29 Super Tucano turboprops in 2022, according to the Chief of Air Staff. Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, speaking during the graduation of 2 079 new recruits on 15 February…