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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

Gentex Corporation Selected by Czech Ministry of Defence for Integrated Headborne Systems, Reflecting Global Trust in Proven Ops-Core Integrated Ballistic Helmet Solutions

Tuesday, October 28th, 2025

CARBONDALE, PA, October 27, 2025 – Gentex Corporation has been selected by the Czech Ministry of Defence to deliver next-generation Ops-Core integrated ballistic helmet systems and AMP® Communication Headsets to soldiers across the Czech Armed Forces. This order was placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) under the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE) contract, which is available to all NATO member nations strengthening interoperability across allied forces. The contract valued at over 1 billion CZK is scheduled for completion by October 2026. The official announcement of the selection by the Czech Ministry of Defence can be viewed here, with additional Q&A information here.

“As a global leader of integrated headborne systems, this selection reinforces what all our NATO customers already know, that Ops-Core systems deliver unmatched modularity, reliability, and operational flexibility,” said Tom Short, Senior Vice President of Global Defense at Gentex Corporation. “The Czech Republic is investing in a combat-proven solution with a global pedigree and strong NATO user base. We’re proud to be a trusted part of that modernization effort.”

The contract includes Ops-Core’s lightweight ballistic helmets, engineered for modern tactical operations, paired with a full suite of advanced, interoperable accessories including AMP Communication Headsets with Push-to-Talk capability, ballistic visors, full-face shields, mandible protection, and SOTR respirators with integrated microphones for contaminated environments. Together, they create a fully modular headborne protection system that enhances soldier safety, communication, and mobility in demanding combat conditions and are trusted by elite forces worldwide. This acquisition marks a significant step in the Czech Armed Forces’ modernization efforts, replacing legacy helmets with Ops-Core’s state-of-the-art protective solutions that deliver the next level of mission readiness and battlefield performance.
“Gentex was selected for our proven ability to deliver reliable, mission-ready solutions that meet the highest standards of protection and performance,” said Jim Clarke, EMEA Ground Systems Sales Director, Gentex Corporation. “We offer more than just advanced equipment, we deliver confidence on the battlefield. Our systems are already fielded across multiple NATO forces, ensuring seamless interoperability, simplified training, and streamlined sustainment.”

The purchased helmets and accessories are designated for brigade task forces within the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and the 7th Mechanized Brigade, as well as for personnel across the ground forces, support elements (including cyber and information forces, air forces, and medical units), special operations forces, the Military Police, and the Cyber and Information Operations Command. Their considerable variability ensures that each set can be adapted to the specific needs of the individual user, enhancing operational effectiveness across diverse mission profiles.

Program Highlights

Customer: Czech Ministry of Defence (via NSPA competitive procurement).
Products and Integrated Accessories: Ops-Core ballistic helmet systems in two color variants, AMP headsets, AMP PTTs and radio cables; Step-In® Visors; SOTR respirators; ballistic mandible protection; and additional compatible mission accessories.
Operational Flexibility: Scalable from routine ground operations to contaminated/CBRN environments (compatible with protective masks and oxygen equipment).
Delivery Timeline: Program completion targeted by October 2026.
Procurement Transparency: Managed through NATO’s NSPA, which aggregates allied demand, runs international competitions, negotiates pricing, and addresses intellectual property considerations on behalf of member nations.

Fielding to the Czech Armed Forces will occur under the schedule coordinated by NSPA and the Czech Ministry of Defence. Gentex Corporation will support fit, training, sustainment, and lifecycle needs as defined in the program agreement. Organizations interested in similar integrated headborne solutions should contact Gentex Corporation.

Jumping for Gold at Skydiving Titles

Monday, October 27th, 2025


ADF and civilian skydivers compete in a formation skydiving serial during the New South Wales Skydiving Championships in Moruya. Photo: Rod White.

Australian Defence Force personnel dominated at the NSW and Queensland State Formation Skydiving Championships held in Moruya, Tully and Toogoolawah.

Personnel from Army, Navy and Air Force won gold in formation and vertical formation events at the championships, held from October 3 to 6.

Plummeting towards Earth at terminal velocity, competitors performed a predetermined set of formations in about 35 seconds.

ADF Parachuting Association president Major Holly Godwin said a camera person jumps out with them, filming the team doing the formations. The footage then goes to a judge who scores the routine.

“The team that completes the most moves within the time allocated scores the most points. You need to finish with the highest score to win,” Major Godwin said.

A serial begins with kit preparation on the ground: suit up, altimeter, parachute, check. 

Then it’s 15 minutes in a plane to 14,000 feet. Fifty seconds in freefall. Thirty-five seconds to perform. Deploy parachutes at 4500 feet and float back to the ground in about two minutes. 

“Then everyone high-fives each other when they land safely,” Major Godwin said.

For formation, a team of skydivers builds geometric patterns in the sky with their bellies to the Earth.

Vertical formation is similar, except divers adopt high-speed positions, with their head or feet pointed straight towards the ground. This reduces drag, increases speed, and makes for a more challenging serial.

The association is looking for new skydivers to join. An Australian Parachute Federation B-licence is required to get on board.

While skydiving can be expensive, the association covers members’ costs for competitions and events while representing the ADF.

Anyone interested in joining the ADF Parachuting Association should email sky.diving@defence.gov.au

By Sergeant Matt Bickerton, Australian Army

NP Aerospace Launches Their Upgraded Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 Armoured Vehicle

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025

NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has announced the launch of their upgraded armoured Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 vehicle. NP Aerospace acquired the IP for this product, along with certain other assets of Jankel Armouring Limited from Administration, in 2024.

Since then, NP Aerospace has applied their acclaimed vehicle engineering and integration, production and supply chain skill sets to this vehicle and is now launching it as a significantly refined and upgraded NP Aerospace platform. This announcement coincides with the Civilian Armoured Vehicle (CAV) Forum taking place in Geneva, 21-23 October 2025.

Delivering unprecedented levels of protection, functionality and reliability based upon many years of user feedback, the NP Aerospace LC300 is already being sought after and contracted by a multitude of global defence ministries and Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s). Having qualified the LC300 to the latest Edition 3 of the international VPAM BRV and ERV (VR7) standards as well as PAS 300 ballistic and blast and PAS 301 vehicle performance criteria, NP Aerospace has ensured the platform provides optimum protection and remains road-legal for NATO and European-based NGO customers, maximising the export potential to wider international user groups. The vehicle was the very first to be certified to VPAM VR7 BRV and ERV with a 2m side blast with a third row of seats in accordance with Edition 3 which uses biofidelic dummies, to understand the true impacts to the vehicle occupants.

The LC300 has been designed with a bolt in armour solution, delivering efficiency during the assembly process, electrical systems modularity, and unique patented technologies to provide customers with a 10-year service life. In recent months, the NP team has been delivering a range of structural upgrades to account for increased vehicle mass and payload, such as double cab and extended chassis variants. In addition, NP Aerospace has also integrated complex communications systems to meet a range of customer needs.

Throughout this process, NP Aerospace has further refined the vehicle design and the production practices to optimise the vehicle and bring it up to the very best standards in terms of capability, production efficiency, quality and through life supportability. To achieve this, the team in Coventry has been expanded. In July 2025 NP Aerospace launched the CAV support capability offering, to ensure that the very best support services can be delivered to current customers but also to expand that proven service offering across the global fleets. Potential new CAV support clients range from ministries of defence to NGO’s, and individual vehicle fleets are widely spread in terms of deployed geography. This service is offered with the LC 300 armoured platform.

David Petheram, MD & SVP, NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services and Spares said: “our newly upgraded armoured LC300 is based on the vehicle we inherited as a result of our acquisition of certain assets of Jankel Armouring Ltd last year. Since then, we’ve further enhanced and refined the platform, adding in the NP Aerospace DNA, as we have responded to complex customer requirements. Specifically, our integration, production and supply chain skill sets have been applied to this project to optimise the benefits to the procurer, the fleet manager and the user. What we now have is a better platform when viewed from all perspectives and we’re pleased to be able to offer it to global markets. The Civilian Armoured Vehicle (CAV) market offers great growth potential and is a significant area of focus for us as we continue to expand our team.”

222 Jackals (Schakal) for Germany and the Netherlands – order value at €3.4 billion

Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

The European defense organization OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en Matière d’Armement) has commissioned Artec GmbH to deliver a total of 222 Schakal infantry fighting vehicles to the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands. This new combat vehicle combines the chassis of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle with the turret of the tracked Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The main contractor for the Boxer is Artec GmbH, a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Germany. 150 Schakal vehicles are to be delivered to the German Armed Forces and 72 to the Dutch Army.

The total order for the German and Dutch armies is worth €3.41 billion gross, with Rheinmetall’s share amounting to almost €3 billion. The contract also includes a logistics package containing spare parts, training materials, and specialised tools. Furthermore, it covers optional additional services such as protection against anti-tank hand weapons, firing attack detection and firing attack identification as well as drone defence. The call-off of up to 248 additional vehicles is also included as an option.

Within the German Armed Forces, the Schakal armoured infantry fighting vehicle, consisting of the 8×8 Boxer platform and the 30mm Puma turret with Rheinmetall’s MK 30-2/ABM machine gun, is the main weapon system for the Army’s newly established medium forces. The new armoured personnel carrier combines mobility, protection and firepower to the highest degree. This enables the medium forces to cover large distances at own pace within the shortest possible time. The 30mm turret allows a wide variety of targets to be effectively combated in dynamic combat situations.

Artec GmbH, a 64:36 joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS, is also to be the future main contractor for the RCH 155 (Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 Millimeter), yet another combination of the proven drive module of the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle and equipped with the weapon system of the Panzerhaubitze PzH 2000. 

Major Order Worth Over €300 Million: Rheinmetall to Supply Armoured Medical Facilities for Deployment Near the Front Line

Sunday, October 19th, 2025

Rheinmetall has received an order from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to supply highly mobile medical facilities to the German Armed Forces. The framework agreement concluded in September 2025 has an initial call-off value of over €300 million. The first of these protected, highly mobile medical facilities, which meet NATO Role 2B standards, is scheduled to be delivered to the Bundeswehr as a series model in 2029. The systems are intended for use by the German brigade in Lithuania, among others. The contract will be implemented by Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH.

Each of the medical facilities consists of a total of eleven vehicles with associated multifunctional containers. The contract is valid until 2040 and allows for the ordering of additional systems.

The containers remain on the vehicles during operation. These are military HX trucks from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles. This makes the medical facilities highly mobile and allows them to be deployed in national and alliance defence operations in line with the threat situation. Seriously injured personnel can thus be treated close to the front line. In terms of mobility and protection, there is currently no comparable system available in NATO.

With the Role 2B medical facilities now on order, the Bundeswehr will have a highly mobile, protected system for life-saving emergency surgery and intensive care in the immediate vicinity of mechanised land forces. ‘This will enable us to provide our soldiers on the ground with the best possible medical care,’ said Dr Deniz Akitürk, Managing Director of Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH.

Kopin and THEON International Advance Alliance Following Regulatory Approval of $15M Agreement & Additional $8M Joint Development

Sunday, October 19th, 2025
  • Kopin gains significant access to the European and NATO defense market
  • Accelerates development of critical technologies
  • Further strengthens Kopin’s balance sheet
  • Fixed conversion price of $3.00 per share on $7 million convertible preferred stock issuance

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN) a leading provider of application-specific optical systems and high-performance microdisplays for defense, training, enterprise, industrial, consumer and medical products, announces a $15.0 million strategic investment agreement by Theon International Plc (Euronext Amsterdam: THEON), a globally recognized developer and manufacturer of advanced thermal imaging and night vision systems for global defense and thermal imaging markets.

Upon closing the parties will enter into a licensing and development agreement and funding agreements. Theon will invest $8.0 million into Kopin’s subsidiary in Dalgety Bay, Scotland, supporting co-developed products for Europe, Southeast Asia, and NATO countries, enabling collaborative initiatives across key global regions. In exchange for the $8.0 million Theon will receive a 49% equity interest in Kopin Europe. The parties anticipate performing joint development and production activities at Kopin’s wholly owned subsidiary in Reston, Virginia USA.

In addition, Theon will purchase $7.0 million of preferred shares from Kopin convertible into common stock at a fixed conversion price of $3.00 per share. Kopin will have the ability to force the conversion to common stock, once Kopin’s stock trades at $4.50 or higher for a period of 10 trading days within a 30 consecutive trading day period as defined in the agreements. The preferred shares carry an annual dividend of 4% payable in cash and stock. The $15.0 million investment is subject to standard closing conditions including obtaining necessary regulatory approval and is expected to close in Kopin’s fiscal third quarter.

“We are glad to be partnering up with KOPIN to realize their strategy of supplying complete systems directly to end users using novel micro-displays,” said Christian Hadjiminas, THEON’s CEO. “THEON’s extended A.R.M.E.D. product line of Augmented Reality solutions for the dismounted solder will be a vehicle for co-developments between the two companies enabling and expanding resources on KOPIN’s facilities in Reston (VA) that becomes Theon USA ‘s new industrial location. KOPIN’s engineering, components, and market reach will increase THEON’s US market penetration, while THEON’s global footprint in the rest of the world, along with the European jointly owned company KOPIN Europe (Scotland, UK) will ensure KOPIN’s products as well as the new co-developed products by KOPIN and THEON will be globally promoted. A true U.S. and European alliance for the present and future in the digital man portable space.”

Michael Murray, Chairman and CEO of Kopin stated, “Theon’s investment reflects our confidence in the relationship and the value we see in working together. The investment is expected to accelerate revenue growth in new markets, scale existing operations and better leverage our manufacturing infrastructure. Partnering with a world class international organization like Theon – one that believes in our future and shares in our vision – comes at a pivotal time as global defense spending continues to rise and a transformative milestone in Kopin’s evolution.”

This strategic relationship is expected to elevate Kopin’s position as a global player in microdisplays and application specific optical solutions for defense applications, and drive innovation, expand market reach, and reinforce Kopin’s role in delivering mission-critical optical technologies to allied defense forces worldwide.

Advisors

Stifel is acting as exclusive financial advisor and placement agent to Kopin.

GA-ASI and Dutch Ministry of Defense Sign Agreement To Develop New Defense Capabilities

Friday, October 17th, 2025

WASHINGTON – 16 October 2025 – On October 16, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed an agreement to develop innovative defense capabilities starting with a small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) designed to provide multi-role intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The new platform will be low cost and able to host a variety of operationally relevant payloads and capabilities.

The partnership envisions implementing a business model that will enable the platform to scale up to high-volume production to meet demand.

“This contract is the first step in a strategic partnership with the Dutch MoD that will ultimately contribute to the defense of Ukraine and NATO by creating a versatile European defense system,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.

GA-ASI is the world leader in UAS products and capabilities. The company is building on its established relationship with the Netherlands to create an urgently needed partnership to help defend Europe.

As part of the first phase of the contract, the Dutch MOD will collaborate with GA-ASI to establish UAS manufacturing capability.

Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel Gijs Tuinman mentioned that this partnership is important: “Together with GA we will be increasing innovative SUAS capabilities and advancing technical knowhow in the Netherlands. This project is an example of strategic trans-Atlantic collaboration that supports our defense and technological base as we contribute to the defense of Ukraine and NATO by creating a versatile European defense system and working with a strong U.S. partner.”

VDL Defentec has been selected by GA-ASI to provide contract manufacturing of the new SUAS. VDL Defentec is based in the Netherlands and specializes in the development, engineering, subcontracting and production of military and special-purpose vehicles and other platforms. GA-ASI will work closely with VDL and provide detailed knowledge about the design, manufacture, logistics, and support of the new SUAS.

“We are excited having been selected by General Atomics and we are proud to support Dutch MOD to create, together with GA-ASI, this unique capability for the Netherlands making our country and our allies more resilient,” said Paul Malcontent, managing director of VDL Defentec.

The new aircraft is expected to fly before the end of this year with low-rate initial production expected to commence in 2026 in both the U.S. and the Netherlands.

Kopin Secures $3.2M in New Program Orders to DELIVER MicroLED Displays for Combat Aircraft HUD Upgrade

Thursday, October 16th, 2025

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN) a leading provider of application-specific optical systems and high-performance microdisplays for defense, training, enterprise, industrial, consumer and medical products, announced it has secured approximately $3 million in orders from a tier one aerospace company for MicroLED displays, marking the first production order for this technology in combat aircraft, a new technology offering and a burgeoning market, for Kopin.

Scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026, the displays will upgrade legacy Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) in fielded aircraft, providing pilots with high-resolution imagery projected onto a screen directly in their line of sight, enhancing situational awareness, safety and mission effectiveness.

Kopin’s MicroLED display is fully flight-qualified and offers both unparalleled brightness for high-glare daylight missions, and ultra-low dimming for nighttime missions. With up to 1 million foot lambert (fL) brightness-100 times brighter than organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays-the MicroLED display ensures superior performance in the brightest daylight/sunlight conditions. With a dimming range, exceeding 30,000:1, the display ensures seamless adaptability from bright daylight to low-light night missions. The advanced backplane architectureensures exceptional image uniformity and eliminates motion artifacts providing smooth, high-fidelity visuals for the pilot when it matters most.

The Kopin MicroLED’s extreme brightness and true black offer superior see-thru performance for HUDs and augmented reality systems, even in the most extreme conditions.

Kopin’s MicroLED also sets a new standard for energy-conscious performance, with up to five times greater power efficiency compared to competing microdisplay technologies. Each display offers 4-megapixel resolution and supports 120 frames per second, delivering ultra-sharp, real-time imagery for mission-critical applications.

“This order reflects the growing demand for advanced display solutions in aerospace applications and validates the readiness of our MicroLED technology for field deployment,” said Bill Maffucci, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at Kopin. “MicroLED represents a transformative leap in display performance, offering unmatched brightness, durability, and image clarity-capabilities that are essential for today’s high-performance aircraft. We’re proud to support our customers in modernizing the fielded aircraft, replacing legacy systems with cutting-edge HUD technology that enhances pilot situational awareness and safety, and mission effectiveness. This milestone underscores Kopin’s leadership in developing and delivering field-ready, military-grade MicroLED displays.”