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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Galls Acquires Uniform Works, Expands Into Canada

Sunday, September 14th, 2025

LEXINGTON, KY—September 9, 2025 —GALLS®, the leading uniform and tactical gear supplier serving America’s public safety and military professionals, has announced a strategic acquisition that marks GALLS’®expansion into Canada. GALLS® is now Proud To Serve Those Who Serve in both the US and Canada.

“With Uniform Works’ trusted reputation in Canada, the move brings together two mission-driven organizations dedicated to serving law enforcement, fire, EMS, and security professionals with the uniforms and gear they need when they need it. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for GALLS®, and we take our brand and our commitment to public safety across the border,” said Mike Fadden, GALLS® CEO. “Will Melnyk and his team have built an impressive company with values that align with ours, along with that passion for serving heroes that keep us all safe. Will and team will stay on to lead GALLS® Canada, so our Canadian customers will get the best of both worlds, the trusted service of Will and his team with the Galls eQuip solution and the power of the industry leader.”

Will Melnyk said, “Uniform Works has always been guided by integrity, service, and relationships, and those values have shaped our reputation as a trusted partner to first responders across Canada for more than two decades. Becoming GALLS®’ first acquisition in Canada is an important milestone; one that underscores both the strength of what we have built and the opportunity ahead. We are especially excited to bring GALLS®’ unparalleled eQuip platform to the Canadian market, as it will provide our customers with new levels of efficiency, convenience, and service. This partnership ensures that Uniform Works will continue to grow while delivering greater value and expanded solutions to the Canadian public safety community.”

With over 50 years of experience serving over one million public safety professionals annually, GALLS® continues to grow as the trusted source for public safety and military uniforms, gear, and equipment. Integrating Uniform Works with GALLS® will provide Canadian customers access to GALLS®’ extensive curated inventory, exclusive customizable agency solutions, and relentless customer focus.

Savox Communications and Nokia Announce Agreement to Explore Joint Development of Tactical Communications Solutions

Sunday, September 14th, 2025

Espoo, Finland – September 12, 2025 – Savox Communications Oy Ab (Ltd) (Savox) and Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy (Nokia) today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of joint solutions in the defense communications space.

By combining their technical expertise, Savox and Nokia aim to create innovative solutions for tactical communications that provide unmatched connectivity, speed, and reliability for mission-critical operations. Under the agreement, this collaboration will explore:

Enhanced Connectivity: Leveraging 5G and 6G networks to provide seamless and ultra-fast communication channels for tactical operations, ensuring real-time data exchange and improved situational awareness.

Advanced Solutions: Developing innovative solutions that combine the strengths of both companies, such as secure communication devices, advanced encryption technologies, and robust network infrastructure.

Global Reach: Expanding the reach of tactical communication solutions to global markets, enabling defense and security forces worldwide to benefit from state-of-the-art technology and enhanced operational capabilities.

“By integrating Savox mission-critical audio, command and control solutions with Nokia´s advanced networks, we will deliver reliable, scalable communications tailored for the most demanding operations,” said Jerry Kettunen, CEO at Savox.

“Nokia is committed to innovation and excellence in communications technology,” said Giuseppe Targia, Head of Space and Defense, Nokia. “We look forward to working with Savox to create new and innovative solutions that will benefit our customers and the industry as a whole.”

Nokia and KONGSBERG Sign Agreement to Advance Defense Communications with 5G Technology

Saturday, September 13th, 2025
  • Collaboration combines the companies’ expertise in tactical communications and mobile networks to deliver advanced capabilities to defense forces and allied nations.
  • Focuses on deployable 5G solutions for field operations today, while exploring future technologies like 6G to boost situational awareness and military readiness

Espoo, Finland, September 11, 2025

Nokia and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG), Norway’ leading defense technology provider, specializing in advanced systems across land, sea, air, and space domains, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on enhancing tactical communications solutions for the defense sector. The agreement brings together KONGSBERG’s expertise in military tactical communications and Nokia’s leadership in commercial 4G, 5G, and private wireless technologies to deliver secure, resilient, and high-performance networks for defense organizations and allied nations.

The collaboration will aim to simplify the deployment of 5G in tactical systems, enhancing reliable and interoperable battlefield communications. It will also explore opportunities including tactical 5G capabilities, integration with unmanned systems and sensors, and participation in European Defense Fund initiatives like 5G COMPAD and the Federated Advanced Cyber Physical Test Range (FACT) program. Longer term, the companies will look at future technologies such as Nokia’s 6G “network as a sensor” (Integrated Sensing and Communication) to enhance situational awareness and military readiness.

“By combining KONGSBERG’s tactical communication assets with Nokia’s leadership in industry-standard technologies, we can speed up the use of civilian telecom solutions in defense. Together, we’ll explore how 5G and 6G can support the developing connectivity requirements in tactical systems, from secure voice and real-time data to unmanned systems and advanced sensors,” said Kjetil R. Myhra, EVP Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

“Many of our products in Nokia are inherently dual-use, serving both commercial and military needs. This collaboration with KONGSBERG underscores our commitment to providing advanced, secure and fast 5G mobile networks and integrating Nokia’s Banshee radio portfolio to strengthen operations capabilities for a range of tactical scenarios,” said Giuseppe Targia, Head of Space and Defense at Nokia.

Royal Visit Celebrates Pincroft Role in Military Textiles

Friday, September 12th, 2025

Pincroft Dyeing and Printing, a global leader in military fabric printing, dyeing and finishing, welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to its Adlington site in Lancashire on Tuesday 9 September 2025, to showcase a £1.5 million investment in advanced camouflage printing technology.

The Princess Royal, who serves as President of theUK Fashion and Textile Association, toured the upgraded production line, which includes a new rotary printer and laser engraving equipment. The visit highlighted how the company’s innovations support defence forces worldwide, with camouflage fabrics supplied to the UK Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Army, Estonian Defence Forces, Australian Defence, and others.

The visit was hosted by Group CEO John Vareldzis and Managing Director Mike Collins, with Her Royal Highness meeting technical managers, dyehouse and engraving specialists, as well as a select number of guests during the tour.

John Vareldzis said: “We are extremely privileged and honoured to have hosted Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at our factory and to showcase our latest investment in printing camouflage fabrics. This moment also highlights the dedication of our people, whose expertise underpins more than 130 years of textile heritage.”

The event concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion, celebrating Pincroft’s commitment to British manufacturing and global military excellence.

For more information and to view the photo gallery of the event, please visit pincroft.co.uk

GM Defense Reveals New General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) for the First Time Globally

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

LONDON – GM Defense, which formed Team LionStrike with BAE Systems and NP Aerospace to compete for the UK’s Light Mobility Vehicle Programme, is launching its new General Support Utility Platform (GSUP) at DSEI in London, to equip the armed forces with the most advanced technology.

The new General Support Utility Platform is a rugged, high-performance, multi-mission vehicle designed for rapid configuration and deployment across a range of operational scenarios – delivering mobility, payload, capacity and flexibility. It is equipped with STORM Vanguard’s modular Rapid Adapt and Deploy System (RADS) – a game-changing modular system offering – and features GVA comms integration with Ultra PCS.

The vehicle is backed by Team LionStrike, a new collaboration focused on offering the UK MoD a mobility solution to rapidly modernize its ground vehicle fleet. The team is working together in pursuit of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme and will also address broader opportunities across NATO and allied nations. Team LionStrike will also deliver economic growth as part of the Land Industrial Strategy, and significant export growth potential.

Team LionStrike is building a sustainable supply chain and delivery ecosystem in the UK. The team will be supported by GM’s leading industry partners, NP Aerospace and BAE Systems and is also anchored by GM’s worldwide parts distribution system.

“Our objective with Team LionStrike is to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s goal of rapidly modernizing its ground vehicle fleet, providing soldiers the best tools to perform their mission,” said Steve duMont, President of GM Defense. “Vehicles like our General Support Utility Platform and our flagship Infantry Squad Vehicle are designed to deliver major advancements in operational capability and performance, along with unmatched safety and reliability.”

The new General Support Utility Platform is a high-performance, customizable multi-mission vehicle built on GM’s advanced technologies.

Key features include:

• GVW of 3500kg

• Payload of up to 1339kg

• Multi-variant solution

• Live 2,000 vehicle per month production line

• LHD and RHD options

Learn more about Team LionStrike and GM Defense’s strategic initiatives by visiting GM News.

Origin Robotics Unveils BLAZE, a Cost-Effective Drone Interceptor with AI-powered Computer Vision

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

RIGA, Latvia (May 6, 2025) – Defence tech startup Origin Robotics has launched BLAZE, an autonomous counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) interceptor designed to neutralize fast-moving aerial threats with precision and speed. As drones become an increasingly dominant force on the modern battlefield, BLAZE offers a cost-effective solution to counter them, filling the gap between traditional gun-based air defence and high-cost missile interceptors. The interceptor is aimed to strengthen the defence capabilities of European countries amid rising threats and geopolitical uncertainty.

Drones have reshaped modern warfare, dictating battlefield strategies and shifting the balance of power. Their widespread use, particularly in Ukraine, has demonstrated both their effectiveness and the high cost of countering them. In January 2025 alone, Russia launched over 2,500 drones into Ukrainian territory – an average of 80 drones per day. This escalation underscores the urgent need for advanced yet cost-efficient air defence solutions.

Agris Kipurs, CEO and co-founder of Origin Robotics, said, “In asymmetric warfare, drones are relatively inexpensive and widely deployed to overwhelm air defenses and strike targets both at the frontline and deep behind it, making it challenging and costly to counter. We designed BLAZE specifically to address this threat—a fast, intelligent, and cost-effective addition to existing air defense systems. We remain committed to delivering cost-efficient and adaptable solutions to support Europe and NATO allies in addressing existing and future security challenges.”

BLAZE is a man-portable, rapidly deployable interceptor designed to defeat fast-moving aerial threats, including loitering munitions and hostile UAVs. The system combines radar-based detection with AI-powered computer vision, delivering autonomous target acquisition and operator-approved interception. Equipped with a high-explosive (HE) fragmentation warhead, it ensures precise and effective threat elimination, even in contested environments.

The system autonomously detects, acquires, and locks onto targets using a combination of radar tracking and AI-powered computer vision. Upon operator confirmation, the system executes a precisely calculated attack—either destroying the target on direct impact or engaging it with an airburst fragmentation detonation.  BLAZE delivers high mobility, scalability, and cost-efficiency for modern armed forces.

As an operator-supervised autonomous system, it ensures the operator retains final-stage control, including the ability to issue a wave-off command that directs the BLAZE to either return safely or self-destruct. This capability allows immediate deployment even in scenarios with uncertain target identification, significantly reducing the risks of friendly fire and minimizing collateral damage.

The interceptor is designed for quick deployment and high-intensity operations. The first drone can be launched in under five minutes, with subsequent launches taking less than a minute. Compact and portable, BLAZE’s transport case doubles as a launch station and charging dock. Its tool-less setup ensures it is flight-ready in under ten minutes.

Following the battlefield-proven success of its flagship drone system, BEAK, currently deployed by the Ukrainian and Latvian Armed Forces, Origin Robotics continues to develop scalable, next-generation technologies for modern warfare. Thanks to BEAK’s rapid deployment and proven capabilities, Origin has quickly earned recognition for its technology and built trust in its autonomous aerial systems—reflected in an R&D contract from the Latvian Ministry of Defence and a grant from the European Defence Fund.

DSEI 25 – Thales ACAR

Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

Thales exhibited the lasted version of their Australian Combat Assault Rifle manufactured by Lithgow.

They caliber, twist rate, finish, and performance for any mission.

Calibers offered include:

5.56mm, 458 SOCOM, 6.5 Grendel, 6mm ARC and 300 BLK.

The ACAR features a cold hammer forged for superior accuracy and chrome-lined barrel for durability, and is designed Future-ready and transfer-of-technology capable to continually evolve against emerging threats.

Landmark Upgrade to Copehill Down Village Underway

Tuesday, September 9th, 2025

London, 9th September, 2025 – Defence technology specialists, 4GD, have begun work on a significant upgrade to the military training environment at Copehill Down Village on Salisbury Plain. Copehill Down, a purpose-built “village”, is used to train for urban operations in built-up areas. The Urban Training facilities are being fitted with an Audio and Visual Closed Circuit Television capability and incorporated After Action Review (AAR) system.

Once complete, the modernised facility will support urban training serials. 4GD is delivering these improvements on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), together with Landmarc Support Services (Landmarc) and the Land Warfare Centre.

The village upgrades will provide a much more realistic, high-fidelity training environment which will enhance the war fighting ability of military personnel and help prepare troops for future potential operational deployments. . The utilisation of 4GD’s flagship products will elevate the quality of urban training on the site. Included in this upgrade is 4GD’s 4GAV After Action Review (AAR) system, which provides unrivalled visibility of all training exercises. These works will also deliver special effects to simulate both battlefield effects as well as pattern of life.

The expansion of 4GD products across the UK’s military training estate continues at pace. The news of the Copehill Down delivery adds further credibility to the quality of 4GD’s technology, which is now in use at Merville Barracks in Colchester, Catterick Training Area in North Yorkshire and Rollestone Camp on Salisbury Training Area. This represents a geographic reach covering the South West, East and North of England. The expansion presents an opportunity for an increasing number of soldiers across the country to be booked into 4GD facilities, to hone their urban fighting skills, close to their garrison base.

At over 94,000 acres, Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) is the UK’s largest training area. It offers live firing and other facilities for armoured vehicles, artillery, engineers, infantry and aircraft. The regular Army, Army reserves and cadets use the training area, as do NATO allies.

Rob Taylor, 4GD Founder and Director, said:

“4GD is at the forefront of delivering technology updates to the military training estate. Starting this work to Copehill Down Village is another major contract for the business and proves the suitability of 4GD’s products for modern defence training. This all serves to enhance training for the warfighter and help prepare the British Army for urban combat.”

DIO’s Colonel Richard Gibb, Deputy Head UK Defence Training Estate, said:

“We are delighted to see this project taking shape.

“DIO supports our Armed Forces by providing what they need to live, work and train. Current operational requirements identified that there was a need for further investment and development in the urban training infrastructure.

“This upgrade in technological systems is a significant milestone in evolving the British Army’s urban warfare capability. It offers a highly realistic space and the ability for immediate after-action reviews which will better prepare military personnel for operations around the world.”