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Americas
According to Defense Post, AeroVironment has been contracted to deliver Switchblade loitering munitions as part of the US Army’s Directed Requirement for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The $55.3-million contract is the second order of the 5-year contract awarded to the company in August with a ceiling of $900 million. The LUS requirement is intended to enhance infantry soldiers’ ability to neutralize fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks.
The US Army has approved the full-rate production of its M1147 120mm Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round, designed to provide next-generation firepower to M1 Abrams main battle tanks. Announced on Friday, the decision moves the M1147 program beyond low-rate initial production, providing a critical capability to meet the needs of both the US Army and its international partners.
Middle East & Africa
The Turkish navy wrapped up the weeklong Mavi Vatan 2025 exercise, a large-scale operation meant to showcase Ankara’s strategic maritime ambitions in the region and beyond. The Mavi Vatan (Blue Homeland) doctrine, introduced in 2019, symbolizes the country’s shift from a land-focused power to a maritime force, prioritizing the protection of its maritime zones. It reflects a broader transformation of the Turkish navy into a high-seafaring force capable of extended operations.
Europe
Airbus Helicopters has delivered to the French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) defence procurement agency the first two of eight H225M Caracal helicopters ordered in 2021, Airbus announced on January 17, 2025. The helicopters will be operated by the French Air and Space Force, replacing Pumas currently in service overseas (in French Guyana, Djibouti and New Caledonia) and will contribute to the harmonisation of the French Air and Space Force’s helicopter fleet. They will be used for operational missions, search-and-rescue duties and utility missions.
Asia-Pacific
Japan has awarded Kawasaki Heavy Industries a contract to produce 17 CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for the armed forces. Under the deal, Tokyo will invest $458.1 million for five aircraft in the CH-47J custom-built Japanese variant and $1 billion for 12 platforms in the CH-47JA extended-range variant. The agreement requests the company build the fleet locally and adopt the Chinook Block II configuration, which features a more advanced airframe, fuel system, and drivetrain, increasing the system’s overall weight to boost its lift capability.
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