MBDA’s Post

And that's a wrap: NATO's largest live exercise in decades, Steadfast Defender #STDE24 has come to an end.   Across air, land and sea, #STDE24 gathered forces from all 32 NATO Allies: +90,000 troops +80 aircraft flying hundreds of sorties, +1100 combat vehicles who demonstrated remarkable unity and preparedness.   We have supported Steadfast Defender complex multi-domain operations through our #fuel and #food services throughout its duration, across thousands of kilometers, from the High North to Central and Eastern Europe, and in any condition.   Read more about how we support NATO exercises and operations: https://lnkd.in/ecHfYQYu   #WeAreNATO and we are #StrongerTogether

SYDNEY — In a major breakthrough for Australia’s efforts to build and maintain complex precision-guided munitions and missiles on its shores, the government here plans to invest up to $850 million in partnership with Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture and service the advanced Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. The Australian investment was announced by Pat Conroy, minister for defense procurement, in Canberra today. A factory will be built close to where Australia maintains its F-35 fleet, at the Newcastle Airport in New South Wales, with about 100 people employed. The move is strategic for Australia, as now the countries throughout the Indo-Pacific that use the weapons will be able to rely on a much shorter supply chain. The Joint Strike Missile is a key weapon for the F-35, which carries it internally, meaning the aircraft can maintain its advanced stealth characteristics until firing. (Australia first expressed interest in the JSM in 2014.) Current or future Pacific F-35 operators include Japan, Singapore, South Korea and, of course, the United States. See https://lnkd.in/gryR4hr9 #AUKUS 🇦🇺🇬🇧🇺🇸

NATO wraps up Steadfast Defender 24 - Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) "STEADFAST DEFENDER was the first large-scale NATO exercise series where new regional defence plans, adopted at the Vilnius Summit, were put into action. More than 90,000 forces, more than 50 ships, more than 80 aircraft flying hundreds of sorties, and more than 1100 combat vehicles from all 32 NATO Allies were involved in the exercise. Training focused on promoting readiness across all domains and at all levels of command from strategic, to operational, to tactical." The Calian team supported NATO's STEADFAST DEFENDER 24 exercise with scenario development to provide a relevant, realistic training experience. In April 2022, Calian Group was a primary recipient of the NATO 360° contract. Calian continues to be a Mission Partner for the NATO Joint Warfare Centre (JWC), located in Stavanger, Norway - the Alliance's hub for collective training at both the operational and strategic levels of warfare, supporting NATO readiness. Calian contributes to every step of exercise development - from concept and scenario development, to content and inject development. Calian also delivers for major training events based at other major NATO commands. To learn more about our extensive commitment to NATO training, please visit us @https://lnkd.in/eZcQ-bDU and @https://lnkd.in/eYbKzM2d #defence #defense #nato #nato360 #natojwc #steadfastdefender Note: Articles posted or shared on this Calian Defence Solutions site are for informational purposes only. Any views or opinions expressed herein are those of the articles’ authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Calian Group. https://hubs.li/Q02zHpny0

My newest for KOREA PRO on how Polish local assembly of its military purchases from Korea probably isn't happening by 2026: "As other European nations, such as Romania and Latvia, currently assess South Korean armored vehicles, they may emerge as alternative regional hubs for the maintenance or assembly of Korean armored vehicles. If these countries choose Korean equipment and request local assembly, they could potentially replace Poland in this role. While it now appears unlikely that Poland will become the South Korean defense industry’s primary launch pad for the European market by 2026, the ongoing modernization efforts of European NATO member states suggest that there will likely be no shortage of prospective launch pads in the future." https://lnkd.in/gtgi2XpW

The next 18 to 24 months will see Japan and Australia not only test and share new technologies and capabilities, including during more frequent and complex exercises. It will also see increased military deployments to each other’s territories. That move will be facilitated by a visiting-forces pact — formally known as a Reciprocal Access Agreement — that entered into force in August last year. https://lnkd.in/dQC4zUpS

Sweden has officially decided to join the European Long Range Strike Approach (ELSA) initiative. The announcement was made following a recent meeting of NATO defence ministers, during which Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson signed a letter of intent formalizing Sweden’s participation in the European missile development project. “The war in Ukraine has underscored the importance of long-range deep strike capabilities, not only for deterrence but also for preventing adversaries from launching attacks from beyond our defensive reach,” Jonson shared on X (formerly known as Twitter). The ELSA initiative was originally unveiled in June 2024 when defense ministers from the Weimar Triangle countries—France, Germany, and Poland—signed a letter of intent to jointly pursue the development of a ground launched cruise missile. This missile is expected to have a range between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometers. Image: MBDA. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dgU8sTHB #defence #industry #military #aerospace #technology #longrange #deepstrike #LCM #cruisemissile #missile #Europe

The concept of military mobility encompasses the efficient and rapid deployment of military resources across borders. It’s a cornerstone for ensuring effective defense and response capabilities, particularly in the context of NATO ‘s Eastern Flank. The success of military mobility relies heavily on leveraging existing networks—such as transportation and logistics infrastructure—and addressing specific operational requirements to ensure forces can be moved quickly and effectively where needed. Here an example of what can be used and why looking for synergies with the EU is essential.

Czech Republic Secures Deal for 24 F-35 Aircraft** The Czech Republic has solidified its place in the F-35 program by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the US for the acquisition of 24 F-35 fifth-generation fighters. This landmark deal marks a significant milestone for the Czech Armed Forces, elevating them into the premier league of European NATO Allies. The agreement, valued at $5.6 billion, underscores the Czech government's commitment to enhancing combat readiness and modernizing its military capabilities. With the Czech Republic becoming the 18th nation in the global F-35 program, interoperability and security cooperation within NATO are further strengthened. While the delivery of the first aircraft is slated for 2031, with full operational capability expected by 2035, t the procurement marks a transformative step towards bolstering the Czech Republic's defense capabilities for the future. #CzechRepublic #F35 #DefenseDeal #NATO #MilitaryModernization

🔥 ELSA Project Launched: Europe United in Long-Range Strike Development and Industrial Expansion 🚀 At the recent #NATO Summit, defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and Poland signed a joint declaration, with potential interest from Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA) initiative aims to develop missiles with ranges between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometers, including advanced ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles. France's Missile de Croisière Naval (#MdCN), manufactured by MBDA, is proposed as a foundational model, and MBDA is also developing a new Land Cruise Missile with advanced capabilities. This effort addresses critical gaps in European defences highlighted by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 💪This collaboration represents a significant step towards strengthening European defence capabilities and expanding the continent's industrial base to produce weapons at scale and speed, addressing major challenges for European military planners. The project, potentially drawing on European funding, is open to other partners and aims to distribute costs effectively. 📸 by MBDA #EuropeanDefence #Innovation #MilitaryTechnology #ELSA #Collaboration #Security #MBDA #DefenseIndustry #EuropeanLongRangeStrikeApproach

Opinion: The B-21 now represents the only pathway for the U.S. military to regain its long-range strike capability and capacity.