Earlier, Saab announced that it had secured a contract to provide several defense systems, including the Carl-Gustaf® multi-purpose shoulder-launched weapon, the RBS 70 NG short-range air defense system, and the Giraffe 1X radar, to an undisclosed country. The delivery of these systems is scheduled between 2023 and 2026. Based on recent developments, Canada could be the recipient of these systems.
On Mar. 10th, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram visited Kyiv, Ukraine, and announced that Norway will be sending two NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine. Gram noted that Ukraine is in dire need of additional air defense systems and Oslo is providing assistance. The United States also previously announced in January that they will be transferring NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine as part of a new aid package.
The U.S. Army has plans to develop a next-generation Stinger missile as a replacement for the current inventory, which is in decline. The Biden administration is expected to deliver its budget request to lawmakers soon, with additional details about the next-generation Stinger program expected to emerge. The Army plans to begin the design, development, and testing of a replacement missile in FY23, leading to the production of 10,000 M-SHORAD Inc 3 missiles beginning in FY27. The future missile will be launched from the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher to target rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and Group 2-3 unmanned aircraft systems.
On Mar. 5, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) moved approximately 150 vehicles, including launchers for surface-to-ship and surface-to-air guided missiles, to its new base on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, news media in Japan reported.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has proposed a relaxation of the self-defense force’s weapons use policy in response to the threat of foreign drones and balloons violating Japanese airspace. The country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party have agreed to the proposal, which would allow for the use of weapons against drones and balloons that obstruct the safe flight of aircraft, even if such action doesn’t qualify as legitimate self-defense. The lawmakers were briefed on the proposal on Feb. 16 and approved the idea on the same day.