Leonardo bets on Ukraine as a long-term defence market, not just a charity case.
Top story
RENK inaugurates new machining centres at Rheine to triple transmission output by 2030. German drivetrain manufacturer RENK opened three new machining centres at its Rheine facility on August 31, part of a plan to exceed 2,000 transmission units annually at its Augsburg headquarters by 2030 — more than triple current capacity. RENK has been shifting machining work from Augsburg to Rheine to free up space for final assembly. The expansion responds to demand from tracked and wheeled armoured-vehicle programmes across NATO. Why it matters: RENK’s bottleneck has been limiting delivery of German and allied armour; tripling capacity by 2030 assumes orders hold and supply chains cooperate. (Single source) Defence Blog →
The rundown
EW — Polish F-16s intercepted a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft roughly 30 kilometres north of Łeba on the Baltic coast on August 31, Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed. The minister said Russia had once again tested Poland’s deterrence and air-defence systems. The intercept follows a pattern of Russian probing flights along NATO’s eastern flank. (Single source) Defence Blog →
DRONES — Ukrainian company Drone Fight Group has delivered three HMMWVs retrofitted with its Kaban remote-control system to Ukrainian formations, including the 3rd Army Corps, the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment and the 49th Brigade. The conversions turn the iconic vehicle into a remotely operated platform. Drone Fight Group did not disclose technical specifications or the source of the HMMWV chassis. (Single source) Defence Blog →
NAVAL — Swedish composites manufacturer Aston Harald Composite completed the first test flight of an unmanned hydrofoil craft called GhostFoiler in Stockholm’s archipelago last week. The company said the vessel performed well during initial trials, navigating among ferries and recreational traffic. The design lifts the hull above the water on hydrofoils during forward motion. No performance figures or intended military applications were disclosed. (Single source) Defence Blog →
MUNITIONS — The HYDEF programme to develop a European effector against hypersonic weapons completed its Preliminary Requirements Review on August 26 at Diehl Defence facilities, OCCAR confirmed. The milestone marks the end of the programme’s feasibility phase. HYDEF is a multi-nation effort managed by the European defence procurement agency OCCAR, with Diehl Defence among the participating firms. No technical specifications or deployment timeline were published. (Single source) Hartpunkt →
MUNITIONS — Tata Advanced Systems and the Javelin Joint Venture — a Raytheon and Lockheed Martin partnership — signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co-production of the Javelin All Up Round missile in India. Under the agreement, the parties will examine setting up final assembly and testing facilities in India. No timeline, production volumes or contract values were disclosed. The deal would mark India’s first domestic assembly of the Javelin system. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence Industry Europe →
INDUSTRY — Rolls-Royce has completed a decade-long $1 billion investment programme expanding manufacturing, assembly and engine-test capacity in Indiana. The facilities support military aircraft including the B-52, C-130J, V-22 and MQ-25A. The investment increases production throughput and test-cell capacity for turboprop and turbofan engines used across the US military fleet. Rolls-Royce did not break out individual facility costs or employment figures. (Single source) UK Defence Journal →
INDUSTRY — The US Air Force activated a new helicopter squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, for the first time since 1966. The unit will operate the new HH-60W Jolly Green II alongside the base’s existing UH-1N Huey fleet in the combat rescue role. The Air Force did not specify the squadron’s numerical designation, aircraft totals or transition timeline from the Huey. (Single source) UK Defence Journal →
Signals
NAVAL — British offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar visited Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base for a week, becoming the first Royal Navy ship to call at the facility. The ship conducted joint training with Cambodian personnel during the visit. Ream has attracted international attention as the site of a Chinese-funded naval expansion, though Cambodia maintains the base remains under national control. (Single source) UK Defence Journal →
By the numbers
9 events in this issue · 1/9 corroborated · €910m in stated deal values · 7/9 European · busiest beat: industry
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