April 2024 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 

The United States Department of Defense unveiled a new military aid package for Ukraine on April 26, 2024, valued at a historic $6 billion. This substantial security assistance is designed to meet Ukraine's pressing battlefield needs and reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to Ukraine's sovereignty and defense capabilities. Central to this package are additional Patriot and NASAMS surface-to-air missiles, marking a crucial enhancement in Ukraine's ability to defend its skies amid ongoing conflicts.

According to recent information released by the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, the first modernized Apache AH-64E attack helicopters are now combat ready. These updates have been applied to four helicopters stationed at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, preparing them for both national and international missions. These aircraft are the pioneers in a group of 20 undergoing renovations, and they will continue to serve until 2050. Additionally, six helicopters are currently utilized for training by the Defence organization at the Texas Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) in the United States, with plans to add two more aircraft to the fleet in 2025.

Following the recent capture of a Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tank by Russian forces, the Russian Ministry of Defense has released a detailed video on April 23, 2024, showcasing the tank now under the meticulous examination of Russian military engineers. According to the information provided, the tank, which was previously operated by Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade, is undergoing a deep analysis to explore its advanced technological capabilities and design features. This significant event highlights the ongoing efforts of Russian engineers to study and potentially integrate these insights into their own armored vehicle developments.

The Greek Ministry of Defense is currently in negotiations with the Israeli defense company Rafael to finalize an agreement that would include the company's Spyder air defense system. The war in Ukraine has spurred international demand for this battle-tested air defense system. Some time ago, we already mentioned Greece's desire to emulate Israel's Iron Dome system as of April 19, 2024, on Army Recognition.

On April 23, 2024, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a strategic increase in defense spending to 2.5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the end of the decade. Sunak highlighted this move as a response to escalating global threats and aims to place the UK's arms industry on high alert.

While the conflict in Ukraine is still raging, the long-promised F-16s have still not been delivered, and the pilots are still undergoing lengthy training, which may be speeded up by this latest news. Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing initial training on F-16 multirole fighter jets in southwestern France, as reported by BFM TV on April 24, 2024.

The Turkish president, Recep Erdogan, will travel to the United States on May 9 to discuss the Pentagon's payment for the supply of T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzers to Kyiv. Much information in this regard was provided in February 2024, as reported by Middle East Eye, although discussions seem to have progressed in this direction before the Turkish president's visit. This initiative comes at a time when Türkiye while advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, is strengthening its commercial ties with Russia while also supplying arms to Ukraine.

In an interview with a Ukrainian television channel on 24 April 2024, the deputy commander of a tank company in the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently sparked interest by praising the Russian army's use of Soviet T-55 tanks, which are considered obsolete. This comment comes as the Russian armed forces modernize these armored vehicles, with numerous reports indicating that Russian forces are using the old Soviet tanks as an effective alternative to self-propelled artillery on the battlefield. Their use remains an attempt to compensate for the significant losses in armored vehicles announced by the Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine is set to step up its long-range attacks inside Russia as a wave of Western military aid aims to strengthen Kyiv's position and shape the conflict more decisively. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the UK's Chief of Defence, outlined this strategy in an interview with the Financial Times on April 25, 2024, acknowledging the difficult circumstances surrounding Ukraine's defense against advancing Russian forces.

On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Dassault Aviation announced that the first six Rafale F3R fighter jets, part of a total purchase of twelve units, landed at an airbase near Zagreb. This delivery fulfills a contract signed in 2021 with Dassault Aviation, valued at over one billion euros, which includes not only the aircraft but also armament systems, spare parts, and logistical and training services.

On April 25, 2024, Denmark decided to increase its military support to Ukraine by allocating an additional 4.4 billion Danish kroner (about $634 million) for the year 2024. This decision was reached with the consensus of a broad majority in the Danish Parliament, including the government, the Danish Democrats, the Liberal Alliance, the Conservatives, the Radicals, and the Danish People's Party.

On April 19, 2024, a picture posted on Chinese social media platforms quickly gained widespread attention by depicting a Chinese H-6 bomber, a pillar of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), carrying an unidentified large, dark-colored aircraft underneath its fuselage. This revelation has prompted discussions and debates regarding the nature and purpose of the mysterious payload.

On April 18, 2024, the Spanish media outlet Infodefensa reported that the European defense company MBDA submitted a proposal for the Brazilian Marines’ tender for the Mistral 3 SHORAD system. This proposal was presented during FIDAE2024, highlighting MBDA's strategy to broaden its market presence in the region.

In April 2023, a Vietnamese delegation visited the Hanwha Aerospace facilities in Hanoi to inspect the K9 howitzer, signaling Vietnam's need for 108 units of this 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. On April 23, 2024, the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense intended to purchase the K9 self-propelled howitzer, developed and manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea, for the People's Army of Vietnam.

According to El Pais on April 26, 2024, Spain has agreed to supply a batch of 50 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, adhering to requests from NATO and the EU for European countries equipped with this American-made system to support Ukraine's air defense against potential Russian attacks. Government sources disclosed that Spain's Ministry of Defense has decided to supply only the missiles, each valued at over one million euros.

CNIM Systèmes Industriels, a French defense and security manufacturer, will be showcasing its latest innovations at Eurosatory 2024. The event will take place from 17 to 21 June at the Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, where the company will be showcasing advanced solutions designed to effectively support military operations, including Motorized Floating Bridges, the ROCUS unmanned system and the AUROCH 8X8 vehicle. 

The Swedish company Saab has finalized the delivery of a fourth GlobalEye airborne surveillance and control aircraft to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on April 25, 2024, marking the continuation of a delivery series that began in 2020. The latest aircraft was handed over on April 18, 2024, according to statements from Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, who emphasized the efficiency of the GlobalEye program in meeting delivery deadlines. This advanced surveillance system is the result of Saab's comprehensive control over the entire process, from design to integration.

According to a post published on April 25, 2024, by Gabriele Molinelli on his X Account, the British Army's newest main battle tank, the Challenger 3, has completed its first qualification firing trials in Germany. The significant milestone was witnessed by James Cartlidge, British Minister of State for Defence Procurement, emphasizing the advanced military asset's importance.

On April 24, 2024, the US Department of Defense (DoD) announced a significant new tranche of security assistance for Ukraine, following the President’s signing of a national security supplemental law. This assistance, marking the fifty-sixth delivery of equipment from DoD stocks to Ukraine since August 2021, is designed to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs. The Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package, valued at one billion dollars, includes a variety of equipment to address Ukraine's most urgent needs, including air defense missiles, infantry fighting vehicles, and anti-tank missiles.

The US State Department has approved the sale of advanced anti-radiation missiles to two NATO countries in Europe, the Netherlands and Poland, in deals potentially totaling nearly $2 billion. Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on April 24, these foreign military sales mark a significant step in enhancing the defense capabilities of both nations.

According to a Politico article dated April 24, 2024, the United States quietly shipped long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine last month, marking a first during the two-year conflict. Kyiv's forces have already used these weapons to strike deep behind Russian lines. The United States, via Jake Sullivan, advisor to President Biden, confirmed this information on 25 April 2024.

On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Navy announced the first deployment of the new T-54A multi-engine training system aircraft at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The arrival of the first two operational T-54A aircraft marks the beginning of the transition from the aging T-44C Pegasus models, with a complete replacement anticipated within the next six months.

On April 24, 2024, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense commemorated the 93rd anniversary of the Air Force’s establishment with a ceremony attended by notable figures including the Prime Minister, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Minister of Defense, among other senior leaders and officers. A significant highlight of the day was the first official public display of the Chinese-made Cai Hong-5 UAV (CH-5), along with a drill display featuring the Iraqi Air Force's Rafale and F-16IQ fighter jets.

Page 1 of 15