🌌 Space and Defense #4

Happy Monday 👋

Poland is expanding its defense with a $1.23B Patriot missile contract and plans to buy AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles and Apache helicopters. Turkey is developing an AI-equipped Steel Dome to rival Israel's Iron Dome. In drone advancements, AUKUS partners successfully tested AI-enabled UAVs, Australia intends to finish the Ghost Shark XL-AUV project by 2025, and ELTA North America showcased radar systems for multi-drone environments. Bulgaria's Samel-90 introduced the SAMJET loitering munition drone. In space tech, Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission, launched with SpaceX, signals new avenues for international cooperation. Nigeria's NASRDA is developing satellites with Proforce to enhance national security and technology.

🛩️ Air Defense Contracts

🚀 Poland signed a $1.23B contract to build 48 Patriot missile launchers. It aims to boost its defense capabilities amid regional tensions. The launchers will be delivered by 2029, with Poland's defense spending exceeding four percent of GDP.

🚁 Poland is set to purchase AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles for $850M. Deliveries are set to start in 2029. Additionally, Poland is expected to finalize a $9B deal for 96 Apache helicopters to enhance its military capabilities.

🛡️ Turkey announced the building of a high-tech layered defense system, Steel Dome. To rival Israel’s Iron Dome, this AI-equipped, network-centric system aims to protect Turkey’s airspace from all altitude and range threats.

🚁 Drone Advancements

💡 AUKUS partners successfully trialed AI-enabled UAVs, marking the first real-time military AI application within the alliance. This exercise enhanced interoperability, reduced target engagement time, and strengthened defense capabilities against evolving threats in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.

🛸 Australia is accelerating the Ghost Shark XL-AUV project with Anduril Australia. They are aiming for production by 2025. The initiative strengthens undersea defense, supported by a new facility, significant investment, and collaboration with the Royal Australian Navy.

📡 ELTA North America showcased its advanced radar systems at the JCO demonstration. The Modular Air Defense System Kit and On-the-Move System are advanced radar systems capable of autonomously detecting, tracking, identifying, and classifying threats in challenging environments with up to 50 converging drones.

🪖 Bulgarian company Samel-90 launched the SAMJET, a new loitering munition drone developed with Swiss partner ALIDRONE SAGL. The SAMJET features autonomous rocket-assisted takeoff, high-speed flight, and a stabilized camera for target identification, offering enhanced precision and ease of use in military operations.

🪐 Space

📡 SpaceX successfully launched Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM). With two U.S. military payloads for enhanced Arctic connectivity, the Northrop Grumman-built satellites, launched on a Falcon 9, feature secure communications for both military and commercial use, marking a milestone in international space collaboration.

🌍 Nigeria's NASRDA is teaming with Proforce to develop NigeriaSAT 3, 4, 5, and a SAR satellite. This initiative aims to enhance national security, agriculture, and technology transfer, boosting Nigeria's aerospace capabilities and economic growth.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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