The country’s air force department head Col. Hovhannes Vardanyan discussed possible areas of cooperation with Indian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan at the International Defence Aviation Exposition 2024 in Jodhpur in early September. 

“We are looking at modernising our Su-30s with the help of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as it has a lot of expertise in the field,” Vardanyan told Hindustan Times.

Though the talks are still in the early stages, an unnamed source from India’s defense ministry informed The Print that Yerevan was looking to upgrade their Su-30s and integrate Indian-made weapons, including guided air-to-surface munitions.

The source noted that first addressing missile export protocols and the regional conflict surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh is crucial.

Tensions in the South Caucasus

Armenia and Azerbaijan, both former Soviet republics, have been engaged in a long-standing territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh that has resulted in significant civilian displacement.

Russia acted as a broker for ceasefires and deployed peacekeepers in affected areas.

In the two countries’ 44-day war in 2020, Baku launched a military offensive that was backed by Turkey and also reportedly by Pakistan. 

Meanwhile, Yerevan failed to deploy its four Su-30s bought from Moscow due to their lack of firepower, which significantly contributed to Baku’s ability to regain control over the region. 

The results of this loss, coupled with the landlocked country’s frustrations with delayed Russian imports, prompted its push to diversify its defense partnerships.

India looked to supply arms to Armenia to boost its growing self-reliant defense industry and counterbalance Turkey and Pakistan’s influence in the region.

Since 2020, they have enhanced their military relationship through various arms agreements and announced plans to appoint defense attachés in each other’s countries. 

In the same year, Armenia signed a $40-million defense deal and a $2-billion military partnership with India that included provisions for various Indian-made weapon systems.

Among various munitions supplied recently, India sold its first indigenously designed Pinaka Multiple-Barrel Rocket Launchers to Armenia for around $265 million, facilitated through transfers via Iran. 

“The former Soviet Republic of Armenia has become the largest importer of weapons from India after concluding deals on the purchase of Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and Akash anti-aircraft systems,” according to an Indian Finance Ministry report. 

Azerbaijan’s Concerns

In July 2023, the assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department Hikmat Hajiyev urged Indian Ambassador Sridharan Madhusudhanan to reconsider how their actions may contribute to Armenia’s militarization and impact ongoing peace negotiations between the two South Caucasus nations.

Hajiyev emphasized that India’s arms supply contradicts its stated foreign policy principles grounded in international law and the Bandung Principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, of which the South Asian country is a member.

In response, Madhusudhanan acknowledged Hajiyev’s concerns while underscoring the necessity for dialogue among involved parties.

The post Armenia Seeks India’s Support to Modernize Air Force: Report appeared first on The Defense Post.

Around 2,000 experts and government representatives from over 90 countries attended the event.

In his opening address, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun highlighted how AI use in military operations could strengthen capabilities but also bring potential harm if misused. 

Ukraine’s use of AI-enabled drones in the ongoing conflict with Russia was cited as an example.

The Blueprint

The REAIM Blueprint for Action outlined 20 clauses divided into three sections: the impact of AI on international peace and security; implementing responsible AI in the military domain; and envisaging future governance of AI in the military.

It acknowledged that “AI capabilities in the military domain must be applied in accordance with applicable national and international law.”

Further, the document highlighted that “appropriate human involvement needs to be maintained in the development, deployment and use of AI in the military domain, including appropriate measures that relate to human judgment and control over the use of force.”

Among the topics discussed were risk assessments, confidence-building measures, and preventing AI from being used in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, especially by terrorist groups.

China Opts Out, Russia Not Invited

South Korea, the US, Japan, France, Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Pakistan, and Ukraine were among the 61 countries that endorsed the document.

China was one of 30 to opt out. 

Meanwhile, Russia was not invited for the second year in a row due to international condemnation of its Ukraine invasion.

“We also need to be realistic that we will never have the whole world on board,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said, adding that this dilemma must be part of further discussions.

This Seoul summit, co-hosted by the Netherlands, Singapore, Kenya, and the UK, follows the inaugural session at The Hague last year that initiated guidelines about AI use on the battlefield. 

This year’s summit’s declaration is said to be more action-oriented. “Last year … was more about creating shared understanding, now we are getting more towards action,” Brekelmans said.

South Korea aims to continue discussions based on the summit document in the upcoming UN General Assembly later this month.

The post Responsible AI in Military Summit Highlights Human Control, Endorsed by 61 Countries appeared first on The Defense Post.

Tallinn will spend nearly 30 percent of its defense budget — 1.55 billion out of 5.3 billion euros ($1.7 billion out of $5.7 billion) — to replenish its weapons and ammunition stockpiles, half a billion more than stipulated in the previous version of the plan.

Structure development for the new capabilities will also be a part of the initiative.

The replenishment efforts come amid Estonia’s ongoing military aid to Ukraine.

“Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine coupled with its ability to replenish lost materiel shows that we need to focus even more on the resilience of our troops and replenish both our weapons and ammunition stockpiles, as well as continue to support Ukraine,” Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.

Pevkur addd that Estonia will continue to provide long-term military aid to Kyiv, having reserved an allocation of 0.25 percent of the country’s GDP per year for the cause.

Specific Improvements

During the development plan’s implementation, the Baltic nation will upgrade its fire capabilities by creating a third mobile artillery battalion as well as mounting artillery guns on wheeled platforms.

An intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) battalion will also be established, creating a nexus for intelligence assets operating in Estonia for better situational awareness.

The ISTAR group will allow maneuver and support units to be deployed more sparingly and efficiently to help maintain the battlefield initiative.

Additionally, the upgrades of major capabilities detailed in the previous version of the development plan will continue. This includes new projects for Estonia’s HIMARS missile launchers, medium-range air defense systems, aerial offensive weapons, and mechanized maneuver units.

The post Estonia to Focus on Weapons, Ammo Procurement for Next Four Years appeared first on The Defense Post.

The BMC Defence-produced tanks enter production a year earlier than previously expected.

The tanks are fitted with a fire control system that includes a laser range finder and an advanced image stabilization system, which boosts the vehicle’s ability to fire accurately at long range.

It is also equipped with hybrid composite and active protection system armor, providing a lightweight penetration-resistant defense that can actively counter guided missiles and other anti-tank weapons.

SSB President Haluk Görgün stated that the production of the Altay underlines Turkey’s strength in producing land vehicles.

“We are very strong as a country in the field of land vehicles. We have multiple companies exporting abroad. All their products have advantages that can compete with their global counterparts,” he said.

Görgün added that SSB currently has multiple NATO countries pursuing procurement of their personnel carriers and armored vehicles.

The Altay is expected to enter service by 2025.

Developing the Altay

The tank’s development has gone through multiple revisions since 2007, including incorporating a tank engine and transmission from South Korea.

Seoul’s Doosan Infracore and S&T Dynamics were part of the development phase through preliminary deals to supply the tank’s components.

BMC eventually opted for a self-produced, 1,500-horsepower engine to power the vehicle.

Other companies tapped for the program include Rheinmetall, which produces the Altay’s 120 mm main gun.

The post Turkey Begins Mass Production of Altay Main Battle Tanks appeared first on The Defense Post.

The inauguration is a joint project between Romanian aerospace firm Aerostar SA and Lockheed Martin, launched to provide technical support for the HIMARS systems purchased by Bucharest from the US.

Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr explained that the hub is part of the ministry’s goal of linking the local defense industry to opportunities for capability procurement, management, and generation.

The Bacău facility is expected to employ 2,000 local workers, contributing to the economic development of the area.

Romania currently owns two HIMARS systems, with one more scheduled for delivery later this year.

Romania’s Air Defenses

Romania has bolstered its air defense posture amid rising tensions in the region, collaborating with NATO and allied countries to promote security through modernization.

In May, local firm IAR Brasov and MBDA signed a deal to integrate the latter’s Marte ER missile systems into Romanian Naval Forces helicopters.

The navy plans to utilize the weapons as anti-surface warfare capabilities to counter threats in Romanian waters.

Earlier that same month, the US also approved a $340-million sale of 300 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles to the country. The Raytheon-produced weapons will be fitted onto Romania’s F-16 fleet.

The post Romania Launches First HIMARS Maintenance Center in Europe appeared first on The Defense Post.

The $18-million, 122,000-square-foot (11,334 square meters) site will house 500 employees who will take on upgrade, readiness, and sustainment works for the US Army’s Black Hawk helicopters, as well as the Missile Defense Agency’s Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system.

It will also be responsible for the modeling and simulation framework for the Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Additionally, the facility will be a part of Lockheed’s 1LMX Program to digitize engineering tools for faster delivery of critical capabilities.

“Alabama is proud to support our military and defense sectors, and Lockheed Martin’s presence in our state plays a crucial role in advancing national security, ensuring that our nation remains at the forefront of technological advancement,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said.

“Lockheed Martin’s continued investment in Alabama is a testament to the strength of our workforce and the strategic importance of Huntsville in shaping the future of defense,” she added.

Lockheed currently has 30 work sites in Alabama, employing over 3,300 workers.

Expanding in Alabama

One of Lockheed’s recent projects in the region includes the launch of the Missile System Integration Lab in 2023.

The new laboratory focuses on the product lifecycle and flight phases of US missile defense, particularly the Next Generation Interceptor set to be fielded as early as 2027.

The lab is also responsible for studying future upgrades to the C2BMC system to keep up with emerging threats. Lockheed’s C2BMC contract is estimated to be worth $4.1 billion.

The post Lockheed Martin Opens $18M Engineering Facility in Alabama appeared first on The Defense Post.

It will serve as the framework for the Philippines’ purchase of multi-role fighter aircraft for the Philippine Air Force, which was discussed in a memorandum of understanding in 2023.

The Philippines is also looking to purchase command systems and airborne early warning capabilities through the agreement.

“We are now taking a concrete and important step forward in the cooperation with the Philippines. The door is now open for Swedish defense companies to participate in procurements for the Philippine defense,” Swedish Materiel Administration exports head Joakim Wallin stated.

The arrangement is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Horizon 3 project, which highlights a decade of modernization plans for the country’s defense capabilities.

The Horizon 3 Modernization Plan

The Philippines’ Horizon 3 initiative, which currently has a 2-trillion peso ($35 billion) budget, seeks to address China’s aggression in the South China Sea by purchasing state-of-the-art ships, aircraft, and radar systems.

The country plans to utilize the acquisitions to protect its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Horizon’s previous phase saw the integration of India’s BrahMos cruise missiles and Turkey’s T129 ATAK helicopters into the force.

The post Philippines, Sweden Boost Ties With Aircraft Procurement Logistics Deal appeared first on The Defense Post.

The country’s Guest Mission Partner status, received via sponsorship from NATO, will allow it to take part in the network’s training events and interoperability drills.

The country joins 39 other mission partners, including Austria, Australia, and more than 30 NATO countries, in establishing a permanent global network used to simulate training environments and de-risk command and control capabilities.

“Our cooperation with NATO is expanding its scope. We aspire towards interoperability with partners, and our systems have long proven themselves during joint exercises,” Ukraine Deputy Minister of Defence Kateryna Chernohorenko said.

“We are grateful for Ukraine’s invitation to yet another initiative.”

A Multinational Platform

The CFBLNet’s partnership with Ukraine opens the possibility for sharing interoperability expertise among its members, offering a cost-effective global federated network infrastructure.

Initially built in 1999 as a permanent support infrastructure for US command and control demonstrations, the network is now made up of more than 400 sites in 26 nations, overseen by NATO, the US, and the Combined Communications Electronics Board.

No single nation owns the CFBLNet infrastructure, and it is instead funded and maintained independently by each member nation via segmented networks and systems.

The post Ukraine Joins Combined Federated Battle Labs Network appeared first on The Defense Post.

Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command said a Russian Il-20 surveillance aircraft took off from an airport in Kaliningrad for a reconnaissance flight over international airspace.

The Il-20 did not enter Poland’s territorial waters.

The same plane was intercepted by two F-16 jets from the 31st Tactical Air Base in Krzesiny just three days prior to the latest incident.

The command shared that its air defense crew continues to watch over the country’s security.

“Thanks to the efficient operation of ground staff and aircraft crews, we can be sure that we are protected against airborne threats,” its statement read.

Intercepting Russia in the Baltic

An uptick in Russian air activity over the Baltic region has been observed in recent months, with national and allied defense forces intercepting non-corresponded flights from the country.

In March, two German Air Force Typhoon jets conducted NATO’s first-ever scramble from Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia to escort two Russian military aircraft operating close to NATO territory.

Moscow’s planes did not file a flight plan or use transponders to reveal their identities prior to flying.

The interception occurred just a few hours after the German fighter planes went live to conduct air policing for NATO.

Portugal also escorted two Russian aircraft flying close to the alliance’s airspace until they flew into Russia’s Kaliningrad Flight Information Region in April.

Since 2004, 18 countries have participated in NATO’s air policing missions in the region.

The post Polish Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Planes Over Baltic Sea appeared first on The Defense Post.

The acquisition seeks to bolster the Spanish Armed Forces’ air defense by integrating additional systems into its current four.

The contract is expected to be signed next month.

Spain became the first international NASAMS user following the delivery of its first systems in 2003. The country’s NASAMS are currently deployed in the Baltic region as part of NATO’s Air Shielding Mission.

NASAMS on the Battlefield

Operated by 12 countries worldwide, the NASAMS is considered a premier ground-based networked air defense capability with an effective missile range of up to 31 miles (50 kilometers) and a radar tracker that can observe targets as far as 75 miles (120 kilometers) away.

The battle-tested system has been integrated into the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s defenses, deployed on the frontlines as part of military aid from countries such as Lithuania, Norway, and the US.

To address the growing need for the system in recent months, the Norwegian government has announced a plan to invest 940 million kroner ($88 million) to reduce Kongsberg’s NASAMS delivery times.

The post Spain to Boost Air Defense With $438M NASAMS Deal appeared first on The Defense Post.