Saab receives order to continue future fighter concept studies out to 2027
The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Patriot systems are operated by 17 countries with Spain the latest state to order more. (Photo: US DoD)
The US State Department has approved the sale of Patriot Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units and related equipment to Spain for an estimated cost of US$2.8 billion.
Spain requested four units consisting of 51 Patriot Advanced Capability 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles including one Fly-to-Buy missile and 24 Patriot M903 launch stations.
The request included four AN/MPQ-65 radar sets, four AN/MSQ-132 engagement control stations, two information coordination central, eight antenna mast groups, four electrical power plants and four energy power units.
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The order would also include a range of other equipment and services including training, communications, technical documents and US Government and contractor technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services.
Patriot systems have been in high demand over the past five years including a deal worth $2.4 billion to Bahrain in May 2019 and five systems to Switzerland. In 2022, the US announced an additional $1.85 billion of military assistance to Ukraine including the transfer of Patriot systems.
Last month, Poland won approval for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) MSE missiles and 48 Patriot launchers. Lockheed Martin delivered PAC-3 MSE interceptors to Sweden in April 2021 and Kuwait receiving support for the systems in the same year.
The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
The Gray Eagle STOL will be made available to several international militaries, with initial customer delivery planned for 2028.
The new Switchblade 400 was on display alongside new variants of existing drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20.
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
While the F-35s will help strengthen Denmark’s NATO contribution, other equipment such as a maritime patrol aircraft and additional drones were listed to further boost its Arctic defence capabilities.
The OmniRaider uncrewed aerial system is described by Israel Aerospace Industries as an “Americanised” version of its ThunderB-NG vertical take-off and landing UAS of which there are hundreds in service.