Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The Slovenian MoD is postponing the acquisition of the German-made Boxer 8x8 IFV, intended to form the base vehicle in a medium-sized Middle Battalion Battle Group.
The announcement was made by the MoD at the end of the second week of January 2019. The MoD informed Shephard that the postponement will last ‘until further notice’ but no explanation for this was given.
Next steps for the Slovenian 8x8 heavily-armoured utility vehicle programme may have to wait until after the publication of an upcoming government White Paper.
‘The ministry is planning to prepare the White Paper on Defence that will chart
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Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
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.