Global wrap-up: Japan to buy F-35Bs; Egypt secures deal for Apaches

Asia-Pacific: 

• Japan is preparing to expand its order of F-35 jets, with an order of 100 more jets to include both the F-35A and the short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B variant to operate of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force large JS Izumo helicopter carrier.  
• Japan is expected to take delivery of its first V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft despite concerns about safety and basing locations.
• The joint Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) took place in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, focusing on a range of sea engagements, including live-fire drills, missile launches, heavyweight torpedo and medium-range gun/anti-submarine rocket firings; advanced anti-submarine warfare exercises, submarine rescue demonstrations; integrated surface and anti-air warfare; UAV operations; and cross-deck helicopter flights.
• The Chinese government has announced that construction has started on the nation's third aircraft carrier. The vessel is expected to be larger than the existing Liaoning and follow-on Type 01A aircraft carriers and is expected to be a CATOBAR style carrier, similar to US Navy aircraft carriers. 
• Vietnamese Army Paratroopers will soon be trained to Russian Paratrooper standards following a visit by Vietnamese Army officials to the Gen VF Margelov Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School. 

Middle East: 

• Egypt has signed a deal with the US to buy 10 AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters worth about US$1 billion. Also included in the request are avionic-related software support for the Aviation Mission Planning Systems (AMPS), survivability equipment, communication and electronic equipment, communication/electronics technical assistance, tools and test equipment, integration and checkout, spares and repair parts, training and training equipment, ferry and fuel support, publications and technical documents, US government and contractor technical assistance, quality assurance, construction services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
• Egypt has also signed a deal worth US$201 million for 46,000 M831A1  and M865 120mm tank rounds and 10,000 APFSDS-T rounds. Also included are 4,500 120MM Insensitive Munitions High Explosive with Tracer (IM HE-T) tank rounds, field implementation, testing inspections, spares and repair parts, support and test equipment, field support publications and technical data, US government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, personnel training and training equipment, quality assurance team support services, preparation of ammunition for shipment, ammunition delivery, component improvement program and repair, other associated equipment and support
• Qatar has secured a US$215 million deal with the US for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS). The deal also includes 40 AIM 12C-7 AMRAAM missiles, classified software for the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar, spare and repair parts, cryptographic and communication security devices, precision navigation equipment, other software, site surveys, weapons system equipment and computer software support, publications and technical documentation, common munitions and test equipment, repair and return services and equipment, personnel training and training equipment, integration support and test equipment, and US government and contractor, engineering, technical and logistics support services.
• Iran will commission two Ghadir Class submarines and a Jamaran Class destroyer marking a major increase in the combat power of the Iranian Navy. 
• The Pentagon is continuing to pursue cutting Turkey out of the F-35 program, as the nation continues to pursue the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system. 
• The Turkish Navy has received a new corvette, the TCG Burgazada, which is the third of the Ada Class anti-submarine warfare corvettes.  

Europe: 

• Russia has deployed S-400 surface-to-air missiles to the Crimea following a heated week, which saw Russia attack and board three Ukrainian Navy vessels in the Sea of Azov.
• BAE Systems expects operational trials on an augmented reality system onboard a Royal Navy warship as part of a US$27 million investment to advance combat systems technology aboard warships. 
• The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have successfully completed a suite of training and at-sea acceptance trials for the F-35B aircraft to be based aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers. 
• Rheinmetall has confirmed that it is in the early stages of acquisition talks for rival Kraus-Maffei Wegmann, which will mark a major shift in the European defence industry landscape. 
• The Sea Lion variant of the NH-90 (MRH-90) helicopter operated by the German Navy has passed two major milestones prior to delivery with at the end of 2019. 
• The Slovenian Armed Forces has placed an order for the Carl Gustaf M4 multi-role weapon system to provide heavy-fire support for the Slovenian Armed Forces out until 2020.
• Saab has successfully tested the second of its Gripen E test aircraft. The Gripen E is the most advanced variant of the company's multi-role Gripen aircraft. 

North America: 

• The US Navy will celebrate two major launches, with the delivery of the USS South Dakota, a Virginia Class fast attack submarine, and the USS Thomas Hudner, an Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer.
• Lockheed Martin has secured a US$7.1 million contract to manufacture spare and repair parts used in MK-41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) used on board major US Navy warships. 
• The US Army has signed a US$1.69 billion deal with Oshkosh Defense to supply over 6,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV). 
• The US Marines are currently looking for enhanced night vision optics to support faster, smother target acquisition at the individual marine level.
• Bell-Boeing has been awarded a US$20.5 million contract to provide logistics support for US Marine MV-22 and Air Force and Special Forces Operation Command CV-22 Osprey aircraft. 
• The Canadian Navy's $60 billion purchase of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship has seen formal dispute being lodged by other bidders following dispute of the legitimacy of the tendering process. 

Australia: 

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.

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