Dr Andrew Salerno-Garthwaite

Freelance Defence Reporter.



Highly commended by the Royal Statistical Society in the statistical excellence in journalism awards, 2020, investigative journalism category.

Twitter: @ASGtypes

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Army Technology •

Netherlands prioritises army in defence budget spending hike - Army Technology

The Netherlands is set to increase its defence budget to an estimated €22bn in 2024, with plans to further raise spending to €24bn ($27bn) by 2025. This decision comes as global tensions escalate, particularly in Europe, prompting the Dutch government to reinforce its military capabilities in response to emerging threats.The defence white paper previously reported additional F-35 jets for the Air Force, NH90 helicopters, and the reestablishment of the Army’s tank battalion, as part...
Airforce Technology •

Romania receives US approval to purchase its first F-35 fighter jets - Airforce Technology

Romania has secured US State Department approval for its first acquisition of F-35 fighter jets on 13 September 2024, at a cost of $7.2bn (32.2bn lei). The agreement covers 32 F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft and 33 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines.Romania’s geographic position and proximity to the ongoing war in Ukraine  puts a strong focus on the country’s role in Eastern European security.  The F-35 aircraft, known for their advanced ste...
Naval Technology •

Austal USA wins $450m US Navy Submarine Industrial Base contract

Austal Limited, the parent company of Austal USA, announced on 16 September 2024, that its American subsidiary has been awarded a contract worth approximately A$670m (US$450m) by General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to support the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB).  The contract aims to boost Austal USA’s production capacity at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard as part of a strategic partnership to deliver key components for the US Navy’s Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines.Const...
Airforce Technology •

14 Ukrainian pilots begin F-16 training in Romania in defence coalition effort - Airforce Technology

Some 14 out of 18 F-16 fighter jets, provided by the Netherlands, are now in use at a European training centre in Romania, where the first group of Ukrainian pilots has commenced their theoretical training. The pilots are being trained at Fetesti Air Base, a facility established under a coalition led by the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States to bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has confirmed that practical lessons for the Ukrainian pilots...
Naval Technology •

UK MoD awards £60m upgrade to anti-submarine Sting Ray torpedoes

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a £60.1m ($78.7m) contract to BAE Systems for the upgrade of the Royal Navy’s Sting Ray lightweight torpedo, announced 13 September 2024. The contract, facilitated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), marks the start of the four-year assessment phase of the Sting Ray Mid Life Upgrade (SRMLU) programme.“This programme is an essential part of the daily mission that protects the nuclear deterrent and our undersea cables,” said Commodore Richard Harris,...
Naval Technology •

Seven Project 17 Bravo frigates to join Indian Naval strength

India is set to enhance its naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with the recent approval of next generation Project 17 Bravo frigates. This initiative, approved by the Defence Acquisition Council, aims to improve deterrence against an increasing Chinese presence in the region.The project involves the construction of seven frigates, at a cost of Rs700bn ($8.34bn). These new vessels will feature significant advancements over the existing Nilgiri-class frigates, currently in serv...
Airforce Technology •

FLIT: Canada begins training Ukrainian F-16 pilots - Airforce Technology

Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, announced on 6 September 2024, that Ukrainian pilots have begun F-16 fighter training in Canada as part of a multinational effort to strengthen Ukraine’s air force capabilities in the ongoing conflict. Canada’s participation in the training initiative is part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), a coalition of more than 50 countries aimed at providing military assistance to Ukraine. Canada’s contribution includes $389m over five years...
Naval Technology •

Netherlands white paper heralds Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates purchase

Netherlands will acquire addition anti-submarine warfare frigates (ASFW) for its Navy as part of new investment announced in the Defence White Paper 2024, published 5 September.  The report also detailed additional F-35 jets for the Air Force, NH90 helicopters, and the reestablishment of the Army’s tank battalion, as part of an additional €2.4bn ($2.7bn) – an investment that brings the total defence spending up to €24bn per year.With Russia’s attack on Ukraine having put into focus the potent...
Army Technology •

GlobalData analysis highlights Q2 growth in defence, rising global tensions - Army Technology

GlobalData’s latest analysis of the aerospace, defence, and security sectors, delivered 2 September in a live-streamed event, reveals significant growth opportunities driven by heightened global tensions. Key players, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Rheinmetall, are seeing increased demand for advanced defence technologies and military hardware. Free Buyers Guide...
Army Technology •

German air defence turns corner with IRIS-T SLM commissioning - Army Technology

Germany’s Chancellor Scholz and Defence Minister Pistorius together presided over the commissioning ceremony of the IRIS-T Surface Launched Medium Range (SLM) air defence system on 4 September 2024 at Todenhorf, marking a milestone for the Bundeswehr’s capability versus airborne threats, including drones, helicopters, aircraft, and cruise missiles. The IRIS-T SLM is equipped with advanced missile interception technology. The system’s infrared imaging capability allows it to track and target a...
Naval Technology •

EDGE Partners with Brazilian Navy for development of MANSUP

EDGE Group signed a strategic partnership on 4 September 2024 with the Brazilian Navy to complete the development of the Navy’s National Anti-Ship Missile (MANSUP) by the end of 2025, with the intentions of enhancing the defence capabilities of both Brazil and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). EDGE originally signed a letter of intent for the deal – worth approximately Dh0.6bn ($164m) – with the Brazilian Navy on 15 November 2023.Under the terms of the contract, EDGE Group, in collaboration wit...
Naval Technology •

US clears $150m sale to Japan for AEGIS Combat Systems patch

The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Japan on 3 September 2024, that would provide follow-on technical support for the AEGIS Class Destroyer, with an estimated cost of $150m.  Securing the sale is critical to ensuring the AEGIS Destroyer fleet remains an effective part of Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), stated a release from the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).The DCSA specified that the provision of software patches and adaption data support was...
Army Technology •

Netherlands send 28 Viking BVS10 amphibious vehicles to Ukraine - Army Technology

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (Mod) announced on 31 August 2024, the donation of 28 an amphibious tracked vehicles to Ukraine.  The BVS10 Bandvagn Viking  all-terrain vehicles were donated from Netherland stocks with the Marine Corp, and the Marine Corp have been involved in the training of Ukrainian personnel for both operational purposes and technical maintenance.The announcement from the MoD was clear that while Ukraine adhere’s to international humanitarian law, the Vikings are to b...
Naval Technology •

Austal turns profitable in FY2024, faces execution challenges

Austal Limited has announced on 30 August its financial results for the fiscal year ending June 2024, reporting a notable improvement in earnings despite a slight decline in revenue.  The company announced on an Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) for 2024 of $56.5m, a significant turnaround from the $4.8m loss in the previous financial year. This improvement was achieved on a revenue of $1.47bn, which was down by 7% from the $1.59bn reported in FY2023. Those low revenues wer largely due...
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