“Capital follows confidence” as defence courts private money
Outside investment and the direction in which venture money flows may reveal what defence will buy years before formal programmes begin.
AirTran Airways has announced a partnership with American Express OPEN and the OPEN Savings programme, with the deal being celebrated by OPEN Savings sponsoring free onboard Wi-Fi on all AirTran Airways flights between 13 March and 27 March.
Effective immediately, American Express OPEN card holders will be eligible for a 5% discount on all of the low-fare airline’s more than 700 daily flights. Any ticket purchased via the airline’s website, its toll-free number or at any AirTran Airways ticket counter with an American Express Business Card will receive the discount.
“As the only airline with business class and Wi-Fi on every flight, we are the perfect partner for OPEN Savings members,” said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways’ vice president of marketing and sales. “OPEN Savings members can now enjoy a significant discount while staying productive in the air and reaping the benefits of affordable Business Class.”
“Time-pressed small business travellers who are weary of coupons or special offer codes now have a better and simpler way to save, with OPEN Savings,” explained Kirk Fitzsimmons, VP OPEN Savings. “With this new partnership, small businesses can reduce their airline expenses just by using their American Express Business Card.”
Outside investment and the direction in which venture money flows may reveal what defence will buy years before formal programmes begin.
The Department of National Defence expects initial contracts to deliver thousands of uncrewed systems, but has yet to establish the quantities, capability mix or deadline behind Ottawa’s promised tenfold expansion.
The company told Shephard that Ukraine is operating modified Protector weapon stations originally supplied for armoured vehicles, with human operators authorising engagements from hundreds of kilometres away.
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.