Albania Buys Eurocopters

December 21, 2009 by Matthew Potter · 4 Comments
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, EADS, Events, Military Aviation, logistics, production program

The former Eastern European satellite countries of the Soviet Union have made a hodgepodge of strides over the last twenty years to a more modern military. Some of the more Western ones like Czech Republic and Hungary have begun buying NATO standard weapons and equipment. Others due to their poor economies and situations have not been able to do much.

It was announced yesterday that Albania which is one of the poorest countries in Europe will spend what must be a significant portion of their defense budget on five Eurocopter aircraft. The Cougar medium transports will be delivered in about three years at a cost of almost $100 million. They will represent a major upgrade over what old and less capable Russian Mil aircraft.

The market in this part of Europe had been hoped to be a big one for U.S. and European defense contractors. Unfortunately the global recession along with economic and political problems has limited the amount of funds available to be spent on new weapons. Perhaps as NATO continues its expansion and the world’s economy picks up there will be more orders like this.

Tags: 100 million, albania, cougar, countries in europe, Czech Republic, defense budget, defense contractors, european satellite, global recession, hodgepodge, poorest countries, russian mil, soviet union, strides, twenty years

Pomerleau To Build New Facility For C-130 Training

November 5, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Canada, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, logistics, production program, training

The Canadian government has invested in several C-130J transports from Lockheed Martin. These are to improve their tactical and operational mobility. The aircraft are to be built in the United States but the contract has significant offset requirements so that Lockheed will have to spend money in Canada. As part of their plans to stimulate the economy due to the global recession Canada also planned to invest in defense infrastructure and this kind of project is the kind of thing that they proposed doing.

The Ontario based company Pomerleau, Inc received a contract worth about $40 million Canadian to build the facilities to support C-130J aircrew and maintenance training at the Trenton. The hanger based facility will be completed in 2012.

The U.S. military has been able to utilize some of the stimulus bill money from Congress to build or rehabilitate facilities. These seem to be the kind of project that will generate jobs and investment in the local economy. At the same time like Canada they are getting an enhanced capability.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/httpblogsinacomcnhomeofbeijingpeople/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Tags: aircrew, c 130j, Canada, canadian government, contract worth, defense infrastructure, global recession, Lockheed Martin, maintenance training, money, stimulus bill, transports, United States

Dassault Hopes Brazilian Sales Lift Company

October 19, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: BNET

The worlds aerospace companies have been hurt badly by the global recession. This has not only caused sales of civil aircraft to fall but also...

Tags: aerospace companies, BNET Government Industry, civil aircraft, global recession

Argentine military renewal plans hit by economic woes

August 19, 2009 by admin · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News

BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Argentina's ambitious plans to renew and upgrade its defense structures have suffered a setback because of protracted economic problems and the impact of the global recession.

Tags: ambitious plans, argentina, buenos aires, defense structures, economic problems, global recession, setback, upi

English Defense Industry Looking Bleak

July 23, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, England, Events, Military Aviation, Scotland, Services, VT Group, production program

It is true that the United States defense budget does dominate the world’s spending on arms and equipment but the U.K. has always had large spending plans as well. Now that the U.K. government of Gordon Brown is facing massive deficits due to social spending and attempts at stimulating their own economy since the global recession began twelve months or so ago defence spending may get a little tight. There has already been discussion of canceling some large programs as well as cutting back on general spending. Like in the U.S. ending these kind of programs will lead to more job losses on top of those already gone in the civilian economy.

That is why stories like this one about the U.S. military buying BAE Systems artillery pieces that will be made in the U.K. will become more common. When you are relying on foriegn sales to keep up jobs for six months at a time it is not a good sign. There are bigger programs at risk for the U.K. such as the Eurofighter or A400M transports. The government is scrambling to maintain the new aircraft carrier contract as the jobs at Scottish shipyards are key to that part of the nation’s economy.

There is no doubt that the U.S. will also see a fall in defense spending as the pressures of debt, health care reform and other priorities will limit the money available from the Obama Administration’s budget.

Tags: a400m, aircraft carrier, artillery pieces, bae systems, carrier contract, civilian economy, defence spending, defense budget, defense spending, eurofighter, global recession, gordon brown, health care reform, job losses, new aircraft, no doubt, obama, priorities, shipyards, twelve months

IMT Expands into New Manufacturing Facility

March 21, 2010 by Business Wire Defense: Contracts News · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News

GARNER, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Iowa Mold Tooling Co. Inc. (IMT), an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK), announced today that it has expanded its manufacturing operations into McIntire, Iowa, by opening a new facility to handle its increased welding activities. The plant opening created about 40 welding jobs. IMT has also hired more welders at its main facility in Garner, Iowa. Despite the global recession, business at IMT increased significantly in 2009, primarily due to a partnership betwee