Defence & Space

Steep growth at Rheinmetall in the first quarter of 2025 – operating result in defence business almost doubled

The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall AG technology group concludes the first quarter of 2025 with new record values in both sales and…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 9 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Run-flat inserts – an essential component of modern military wheeled vehicles

For many years, it has been observed that wheeled chassis purchased and operated by the armed forces require additional equipment to enable…

2025-03-07 | Radosław Niesobski | 4 minutes

When Trump Plays with Putin – Europe Must Arm Itself

Donald Trump makes it clear that Europe must defend itself and take care of its own security. It has taken…

2025-02-21 | Sławek Zagórski | 4 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Poland: K2GF Tanks Arrive in the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade

The first K2GF Heuk-Pyo (Black Panther) tanks have arrived in the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade. This is the third unit…

2025-05-06 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Rohde & Schwarz enhances military spectrum monitoring capabilities

Rohde & Schwarz advances their military spectrum monitoring portfolio by launching easily deployable monitoring systems, designed to help armed forces optimize their spectrum management,…

2025-04-21 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rohde & Schwarz unveiled postprocessing platform RAMON IQzoom

RAMON IQzoom from Rohde & Schwarz is redefining the boundaries of signal analysis, by empowering armed forces to delve deeper into the…

2025-04-20 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Rheinmetall cooperates with DSTA in Singapore – innovation in simulation and training systems

German-based Rheinmetall AG and Singapore-based Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) agree on cooperation. Memorandum of Understanding signed on simulation…

2025-05-06 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Rheinmetall at DEFEA 2025: Strong partner for international armed and security forces

The DEFEA defence trade fair will take place in Athens from 6 to 8 May2025. Rheinmetall will be there as a strong partner for…

2025-05-05 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Steep growth at Rheinmetall in the first quarter of 2025 – operating result in defence business almost doubled

The Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall AG technology group concludes the first quarter of 2025 with new record values in both sales and…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 9 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Illegal Migration to Europe in the First Quarter of 2025

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) has published statistics on attempted illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders…

2025-05-05 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Galvion’s European Production Hub in Poland is declared Fully Operational

Canadian-based Galvion company has announced that their European Production Hub in Poland is now fully operational.

2025-04-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

ST Engineering to Deliver a Suite of Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Systems for Singaporean Navy

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that it has been awarded contracts by Singapore Ministry of Defence to deliver a suite of Mine Countermeasure…

2025-05-08 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

L3Harris Technologies Radios for the Czech Republic

The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale to the Czech Republic of a package including a large number of handheld,…

2025-05-06 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

CV90 Among Topics in Swedish-Lithuanian Defense Talks

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas paid a visit to Stockholm, where he held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on defense…

2025-04-23 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Media: Australian Abrams Tanks for Ukraine Delayed

As reported by the Australian public broadcaster ABC, the delivery of 49 M1A1SA Abrams tanks promised last year to the Armed Forces…

2025-03-25 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

WB Group Delivered Components for ESA Satellites

WB Group delivered primary structures for the CHIME satellite developed by Thales Alenia Space on behalf of the European Space Agency…

2025-05-06 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Creotech Instruments to Build the National Satellite Constellation CAMILA

The Polish company Creotech Instruments has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to build a national constellation of at least…

2025-04-15 | Redakcja | 4 minutes
Shooting

Direct Action Curtiss — chest rig for a heavier caliber

Direct Action offers a variety of chest rigs, each optimized for specific tasks. The Curtiss model is designed to carry three HK…

2025-04-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

New logo of Belgian arms manufacturer FN

The Belgian company FN (part of the FN Browning Group) has presented a new company logo and brand tagline.

2025-04-18 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Michael F. Dineen Promoted to President of Streamlight

Streamlight, Inc. announced that it has promoted Michael F. Dineen to President. Formerly Chief Revenue Officer, Dineen succeeds Raymond L. Sharrah.

2025-04-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Direct Action Curtiss — chest rig for a heavier caliber

Direct Action offers a variety of chest rigs, each optimized for specific tasks. The Curtiss model is designed to carry three HK…

2025-04-23 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025: Source Tactical with Ballistic Protection for Women

At the Source Tactical booth, not only popular hydration systems were showcased, but also personal ballistic protection—including armor specifically designed…

2025-02-26 | Michał Ihnatów | 2 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

New logo of Belgian arms manufacturer FN

The Belgian company FN (part of the FN Browning Group) has presented a new company logo and brand tagline.

2025-04-18 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Semi-automatic designated marksman rifle MSBS Grot .308 S20 for civilian shooters

Fabryka Broni Łucznik-Radom, a member of the Polish Armaments Group, has introduced the semi-automatic designated marksman rifle MSBS Grot .308 S20…

2025-03-11 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

TEST: Direct Action Vanguard Uniform

The Vanguard is a uniform set from the Polish brand Direct Action, designed in collaboration with special forces soldiers. There are…

2025-01-19 | Michał Gaweł | 18 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft Delivery Contracts for Export Customers

Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins have signed additional contracts in the delivery programs of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft for their two sole foreign operators: Japan and France.

On Friday, January 31, 2025, the American companies Northrop Grumman and Rockwell Collins signed additional contracts in the delivery programs of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft for the two, currently sole, export users: the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Kōkū Jieitai) and the French Navy (Marine Nationale).

Japanese E-2D Advanced Hawkeye / Photo: Northrop Grumman

Japan

The first contract, valued at 57,360,906 USD, was signed between Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. Military Aircraft Systems (a division of Northrop Grumman) based in Melbourne, Florida, and NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) of the U.S. Navy, headquartered in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Its scope includes the integration of second-generation SATURN (Second Generation Anti-Jam Tactical Ultra-High Frequency Radio) radios, compliant with NATO standards and successors to HAVE QUICK II systems, as well as the acquisition of a systems integration laboratory for the configuration of Japanese aircraft.

The work will be carried out in Melbourne, Florida (47.9%), West Chester, Ohio (29.5%), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (11.6%), Woodland Hills, California (5%), McLean, Virginia (1.6%), Falls Church, Virginia (1.1%), and various locations within and outside the continental United States (3.3%). Completion is expected by February 2030. The contract is fully funded through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and its funding will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year (September 30, 2025).

Japan operates 13 aircraft of this type, with a contract for the production of five additional units signed on July 19, 2024. Deliveries of the first aircraft began in May 2019. The modernized E-2D aircraft complement and will eventually fully replace the older E-2C Hawkeye, which were originally ordered in 1981 and 1983 in a total of 13 units and have been in service since January 1987. The aircraft are assigned to the 601st and 603rd Squadrons, based at Misawa and Naha Air Bases. They are supplemented by larger Boeing E-767 aircraft, which have been in operation since 2000 and are stationed with the 602nd Squadron at Hamamatsu Air Base. All these units fall under the Airborne Early Warning & Control Group (Keikaikoukuutai) of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

Visualization of one of the future French E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft / Image: Northrop Grumman

France

The second contract, valued at 65 million USD, is set to be signed between Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions (a division of Collins Aerospace and RTX) based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in Orlando, Florida.

The contract is expected to include the HITS-A (Hawkeye Integrated Training System for Aircrew) combat training system for French E-2D crews, as well as related technical data and training (instructor/operator, maintenance, and cybersecurity). The work will be carried out in Sterling, Virginia (70%), Tampa, Florida (20%), and Lorient, France (10%), with completion expected by July 2028. Funding will come entirely from the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Let us recall that on December 10 of last year, Northrop Grumman announced the start of production for the first of three French E-2D aircraft.

The French Naval Aviation (Aéronavale) currently operates three older E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, assigned to Flottille 4F squadron. Typically, two of them are permanently stationed aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91). The squadron was established on July 2, 2000, at Lann-Bihoué Air Base, near the town of Quéven in the Morbihan department. France is the only country outside the United States that operates Hawkeye aircraft from an aircraft carrier. In February and March 2022, a U.S. E-2D conducted test takeoffs and landings on the French carrier.

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye

Compared to the E-2C, the Advanced Hawkeye features new electronic equipment, including an upgraded radar, avionics, color cockpit displays, as well as enhanced Allison/Rolls-Royce T56-A-427A turboprop engines and fuel tank-equipped wings. As a result, the maximum flight endurance without aerial refueling has increased from 5 to 8 hours.

As mentioned, Japan and France are the only export users of the E-2D. The U.S. Navy operates 51 aircraft (out of 76 ordered), reflecting its status as the operator of the largest carrier-based aviation fleet in the world.

The manufacturer is currently conducting marketing efforts for the E-2D, particularly in India, Egypt, Taiwan, and Poland. Although Poland has introduced into service two used Saab 340B AEW-300 aircraft purchased from Sweden, it remains interested in acquiring brand-new aircraft in the long term (such as the competing Saab GlobalEye, which is attracting growing interest from various countries). Israel has opted not to proceed with the E-2D purchase. If no additional customers emerge, the E-2D production line in St. Augustine, Florida, will be shut down following the completion of the French and Japanese contracts.

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