Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
Rheinmetall has been contracted to deliver 9,640 VarioRay LLM (laser light modules) to the Swiss Army between May 2020 and Q4 2022.
The contract also covers the provision of accessories, spare parts and training services.
In Switzerland the device is known as LLM19. It is used on assault rifles and can discover, identify and mark targets. It weights approximately 240g. Night vision and thermal imaging modes are also available with the VarioRay LLM.
Although no set value for the contract has been made public, it is reported to be in the low double- digit million euro range.
The VarioRay LLM is also in service with soldiers from the British and German armies.
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
New counter-drone technologies, autonomous launchers and manufacturing modernisation initiatives highlighted emerging opportunities for defence suppliers, while the UK advanced a major military vehicle procurement programme.
Non-US companies are increasingly looking to establish subsidiary and partnerships to access the potential billions of dollars of vehicle and land systems contracts and there has already been some success.
Pearson Engineering has provided equipment and engineering expertise to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. The British company is now working to deepen engagement with the Ukrainian defence industry, expanding its support for the country’s population and laying the foundations for future technological innovation.
Rather than developing entirely new weapons, defence companies are looking to build on existing weapons and systems to deliver greater capability, control costs and accelerate fielding.
With a production rate of more than 10 million vehicles annually, the US commercial car and vehicle manufacturing base is second only to China. Defence companies are looking at how the vehicles, technology and manufacturing capability can support programmes.