UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The German Navy F123 frigate Brandenburg. (Photo: US DoD)
Through a contract signed by ARCHE and German defence procurement agency BAAINBw, OSI Maritime Systems will supply navigation solutions to upgrade legacy ships and shore establishments.
The RadEA 2 programme covers over 40 platforms, including tankers, Brandenburg-class F123 frigates, and other vessels. Upgrades will begin in Q1 2023 and are due for completion in 2028.
The RadEA award follows recent contracts for integrating OSI’s Integrated Navigation & Tactical System (INTS) into F126 frigates and K130 corvettes.
ARCHE will use OSI’s Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (ECPINS) 7 to power the navigation system and, as prime contractor, the company will be responsible for integration, testing and delivery.
The German Navy began modernising navigation systems under RadEA in 2006.
On 2 December, Poland’s PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ SW) shipyard awarded OSI a contract to provide its INTS for vessels four to six of the Polish Navy Kormoran programme.
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.