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DroneShield Joins AUKUS Export Framework, Unlocking New Defense Trade Opportunities

Monday, February 17th, 2025

Sydney, Australia – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counter-drone defense technology has officially been registered with both the United States and Australian government under AUKUS, enabling the export of most military and dual-use goods, technologies, and services to the United States and the United Kingdom without the need for an export license.

This development marks a significant milestone in enhancing defense trade and cooperation between AUKUS partners. By eliminating licensing requirements for qualifying products and technologies, the agreement streamlines trade, reduces administrative barriers, and accelerates the delivery of critical capabilities to allied defense forces.

The AUKUS trilateral export agreement, which took effect on September 1, 2024, represents a generational shift in defense industry collaboration. By creating seamless trade environment between Australia, the US, and the UK, this initiative strengthens industrial partnerships, enhances interoperability, and supports rapid deployment of cutting-edge defense technologies.

With registration now in place, DroneShield is positioned to leverage the full benefits of this agreement. The removal of export licensing requirements provides a competitive advantage by reducing lead times, simplifying regulatory processes, and expanding opportunities to engage with defense and security partners across the AUKUS nations. This streamlined approach allows for more efficient collaboration on joint projects, research initiatives, and advanced technological developments.

Hon. Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, signs Australian flag at DroneShield headquarters in Sydney, Australia

“Being officially registered under AUKUS strengthens our ability to contribute to global defense initiatives by enabling a more rapid and efficient delivery of advanced capabilities,” remarked Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive Officer of DroneShield. “The simplified export process enhances collaboration, fosters innovation, and reinforces the shared security objectives of Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.”

The Australian government has committed $28 million in the 2024-25 budget to support industry engagement and implementation of the new framework. This investment reflects the commitment of AUKUS nations to fostering deeper defense collaboration and ensuring that key capabilities are delivered swiftly and effectively.

As a leading provider in advanced counter-drone technology, DroneShield is well-positioned to capitalize on this agreement, strengthening its role in delivering defense solutions and driving technological advancements across the industry.

Hon. Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, is briefed on the innovative counter-drone products at DroneShield headquarters in Sydney, Australia

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

UF PRO Partners with Conservationists to Protect Wildlife Using Tactical Expertise

Saturday, February 15th, 2025

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (12.02.2025)

UF PRO is unveiling a new campaign, Pro’s Guide to Tracking with Rangers and K9s, showcasing the critical role of tactical tracking in wildlife conservation and the efforts of those on the frontlines protecting endangered species.

The four-part series premieres on February 12, 2025, with new episodes airing weekly. It follows Boris Vos, former Royal Netherlands Marine and founder of LEAD Conservation, and his team as they track threats across south Africa’s challenging terrain. The goal? To demonstrate how tactical tracking, paired with K9 units, community collaboration, and cutting-edge technology like helicopters, plays a crucial role in safeguarding wildlife.

“It’s not just about the chase, it’s about making a real impact. This is about saving species from extinction,” says Vos. “We’re using our skills to track, catch, and top poachers—and we’re showing the world how tactical expertise can make the difference.”

Each episode will provide an inside look at the tools, techniques, and relentless drive of the team. From extreme heat to unforgiving terrain, this campaign is a tribute to the men and women using tactical tracking to protect wildlife, day in and day out.

To further the cause, UF PRO is launching the exclusive Ranger’s Band, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting LEAD Conservation, an organization dedicated to empowering wildlife rangers in Africa. These wristbands serve as a symbol of commitment to wildlife protection and to those risking everything to ensure endangered species survive.

“Wearing the wristband means you’re standing with us. You’re standing with the rangers, the trackers, the teams who are out there every day making sure that poaching doesn’t win,” Vos adds.

The campaign will run across social media channels and on the UF PRO website, providing updates and insights into how tactical tracking is helping shape the future of wildlife conservation.

For more information, visit the campaign’s website. To support the cause and make a difference, get a Ranger’s Band here.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Allen-Vanguard Launches Its Next-Generation RF Multi-Function Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) Platform at IDEX 2025

Friday, February 14th, 2025

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customised solutions and enabling technology for Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum monitoring and RF defeat of Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) and Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) threats employed by terrorists and extremists, is launching its next-generation core technology at IDEX 2025. As modern battlefield threats evolve, Allen-Vanguard is responding by launching the cornerstone of their latest RF multi-function CEMA platform that provides the necessary flexibility and adaptability for front-line troops to quickly and easily dominate the CEMA space; a capability that is particularly important when providing security in the Middle East.

Allen-Vanguard is very excited to announce at IDEX 2025, the advanced core that will underpin its next-generation family of multi-function CEMA platforms. This new capability leverages the very latest in analogue signal processing technology and is the culmination of significant strategic investment and massive engineering development that the company has placed in its future program of systems, the ‘NXT’ family. This technology delivers a highly integrated mixed-signal front-end technology, combined with enhanced RF processing power to deliver increased flexibility and improved detect and defeat capability for the end user. This new technology enables direct RF sampling, without the use of tuners, across the entire RF spectrum used by UAS and RCIED devices.

Allen-Vanguard has engaged best-in-class experts to collaborate on this exciting new project which enables this new more powerful software-defined radio (SDR) platform to form the core of their new products and help dominate the EW space. The new platform comprises of an RF System on Module (SOM) and a customisable product-specific application interface card which means users can detect, protect and defeat a wider range of threats from each system. Allen-Vanguard will be showcasing this and its current range of products at IDEX 25 on stand C3-006 from 17-21 February at the ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi.

Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard said: “The Middle East has been a core market for Allen-Vanguard for a long time, and we have used our experience gained from supporting our clients in the region to help design and develop this new technology. Not only is it exciting from an engineering perspective and enables the EW capabilities that our customers demand, but it also should be of interest to any OEM in the EW sector. This card delivers best of breed metrics in a small, customisable footprint at a fraction of the price of standardised formats. I am very grateful to our partners and our in-house design team, who together, have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the CEMA space.”

www.allenvanguard.com

Posted in CEMA, Industry, International, Press Release, Tradeshow | No Comments »

Barrett Firearms Secures MRAD Contract with Colombian National Army

Thursday, February 13th, 2025

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc., is proud to announce that the Colombian National Army has awarded the company its largest international military contract for the acquisition of the MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) sniper rifle and AM338suppressors. Deliveries of the systems are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.

The Colombia Contract MRAD rifle in OD Green paired with a Leupold Mark 5HD optic.

The contract includes MRAD rifles chambered in 7.62x51mm and .338 Lapua Magnum, paired with the AM338Suppressor and Leupold Mark 5HD optics. This adoption marks a pivotal step in the Colombian military’s efforts to standardize its precision rifle systems with a modular, multi-caliber, modern solution. Barrett’s MRAD rifles were selected following their proven success in special forces and army deployments worldwide, having earned a reputation for unparalleled performance and adaptability.

“We are deeply honored to have secured this new contract with our professional customers in Colombia,” said Cooper Thompson, Barrett’s Director of International Sales. “This collaboration is a monumental moment for us, as this contract sets our record for the largest single acquisition of MRAD systems from any international military end user to date. We look forward to reinforcing our already successful relationship with the Colombian military, and we anticipate overwhelming success and growth together.”

This milestone reflects Barrett’s ongoing commitment to supporting international defense forces and expanding its presence internationally. The adoption of the MRAD platform will enhance the Colombian National Army’s capabilities, providing state-of-the-art precision and modularity to meet the demands of modern military operations.

For more information, please visit www.barrett.net.

Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »

New Technology Enables US Soldiers to Keep Head Up, Eyes On Target and Hands On Weapon

Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

KordUSA Inc., a member of the Australian-based Kord Group of companies, announced today it secured an Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide its remote technology to the US Army.

The cutting-edge RACU System Technology equips soldiers with a centralised point of control for all their weapon-mounted and body-worn electronic devices. The groundbreaking technology significantly benefits soldier performance, lethality and situational awareness.

“Think of it as a simple, common remote for the soldier, which gives them quick, easy and intuitive control.” said Dr Peter Moran, Group Managing Director at Kord. “It’s a force multiplier, simple to learn, and rugged. It allows soldiers to keep head up, eyes on target and hands on weapon.”

The contract, awarded by Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) as part of the EDITS Program, is valued at up to US$7m [AU$11m]. The Program provides warfighter solutions to a number of US Army agencies including PEO Soldier. Kord will supply its RACU System Technology for evaluation by the US Army as the Common Remote for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW).

Screenshot

RACU has been developed and tested over many years by the Australian Army and US Marine Corps. While the technology is Australian, it will be manufactured in the U.S. through Kord’s production office in Ogden, Utah, in partnership with a range of local industries.

“This is more than just about securing an important technology contract,” says Dr Moran. “It’s a wonderful example of the collaboration between Australia and the US across militaries, innovation and industry for the benefit of both countries. We’re proud to advance our AUKUS agreement goals and continue to strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”

Kord Group has a long-standing relationship with the United StatesCongress and Defense Force, including support for rapid procurement (National Defense Authorization Act 2019-2023); authorized US$20m in 2023 for operational evaluation, US$5m appropriated in 2024 budget (House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee).

Posted in Comms, International, Optics, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

Milrem Robotics Unveils Cutting-Edge 8×8 Robotic Combat Vehicle at IDEX 2025

Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, will launch its highly anticipated 8×8 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) at IDEX 2025. Representing the pinnacle of next-generation hybrid unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology, the new HAVOC RCV is set to revolutionize modern combat operations.

“The HAVOC RCV has been engineered to deliver unparalleled agility and high-speed manoeuvrability, enabling commanders to project force effectively across extended distances,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics. “Its robust design and advanced hybrid propulsion system allow for integrating large-calibre weaponry while maintaining precision and superior lethality on the battlefield. As a versatile and reliable force multiplier, this platform redefines operational effectiveness for today’s dynamic and complex combat scenarios.”

At the heart of HAVOC is an advanced hybrid electric powertrain, which ensures an extended operational range and near-silent movement capabilities. These features enhance stealth and make the vehicle adaptable for various mission requirements.

By sharing common subsystems with other Milrem Robotics platforms, such as the tracked RCV, HAVOC significantly reduces development, procurement, and maintenance costs, ensuring cost efficiency and streamlined logistics.

Weighing substantially less than conventional manned 8×8 vehicles, the RCV boasts superior off-road performance, making it highly effective in rugged terrains. Its cutting-edge electric driveline delivers instantaneous torque, enabling faster response times and enhanced mobility. Additionally, the vehicle’s pivot steering capabilities allow for a dramatically reduced turning radius, ensuring optimal manoeuvrability in environments ranging from open deserts and urban combat zones to high-altitude mountain passes.

The 8×8 RCV is designed with a baseline payload capacity of five tons, offering exceptional flexibility for integrating mission-specific payloads or weapon systems. Importantly, modifications within this payload limit do not compromise the vehicle’s performance, ensuring seamless adaptability to operational needs. Furthermore, it operates on a unified autonomy ecosystem that aligns with Milrem’s existing platforms, guaranteeing compatibility and scalability across a diverse range of autonomous solutions.

“With the launch of the HAVOC RCV, we are setting a new standard in unmanned ground combat systems,” said Henrik Kotkas, Chief Product Officer at Milrem Robotics. “This platform combines cutting-edge technology with practical design considerations to deliver unmatched operational capabilities. It exemplifies our commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of modern armed forces.”

The debut of the HAVOC 8×8 Robotic Combat Vehicle at IDEX 2025 underscores Milrem Robotics’ position as a pioneer in autonomous military technology. As defence forces worldwide seek solutions to enhance operational efficiency and survivability, the 8×8 RCV emerges as a transformative asset capable of reshaping the future of ground combat operations.

Posted in International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

Meprolight Unveils MCO Sight and MVO Family of Variable Power Riflescopes, Enhancing Precision and Versatility in Combat Optics

Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

New Sights Offer Exceptional Performance Through Compact Design and Optical Precision

IDEX, 17 – 21 February 2025, Abi Dhabi, Booth # 02-A02

Enforce Tac, 24-26 February 2025, Nurmberg, Germany, Booth # 7A-520

IWA, 27 February – 2 March 2025, Nurmberg, Germany, Booth # 3A-308

Israel, February 11 , 2025 Meprolight (1990) Ltd., a member of the SK Group, founded by Mr. Samy Katsav, and a leading manufacturer of electro-optical systems, thermal and night vision equipment, as well as self-illuminated sights for military, law enforcement, and civilian applications, introduces two innovative optical sights designed to elevate operational effectiveness across diverse scenarios.

The MCO Meprolight Carbine Optic, a compact closed emitter optic for assault rifles, offers significant weight and size advantages. Engineered to meet the demands of rapid close-quarters engagements, it features a compact and lightweight design (5.23 cm x 5.8 cm x 4.05 cm and weighs only 151.7 grams). This closed emitter sight is particularly suited for assault rifles, offering a distinct advantage in size and weight, which is critical in variousscenarios. Its robust system ensures protection against sand, dust, and moisture, making it ideal for harsh environments. With 10 daylight and 2 night-vision brightness settings, the MCO adapts to various lighting conditions, providing flexibility for target acquisition in all circumstances. Powered by a long-lasting battery, the sight ensures extended operational readiness without the need for frequent replacements.

For mid-range engagements, the MVO 1-8X riflescope offers unparalleled versatility with seamless magnification transitions from 1x to 8x. A family of high-performance variable power riflescopes, the MVO 1-8X delivers outstanding optical clarity and precision across various magnification ranges. Designed formarksmen, and assault rifle operators, it provides exceptional optical performance, ensuring clear, distortion-free sight pictures even at long distances. The first focal plane reticle guarantees precise ranging and accurate holdovers at all magnification levels, which is crucial for long-range shooting. The optical continuity between 1x and 8x magnification ensures a high-quality visual experience, maintaining a clear, sharp sight picture for superior shooting accuracy.

“Meprolight continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of various forces,” said Golan Kalimi, SVP Marketing at Meprolight. “We are proud to develop sights that meet the diverse needs of operators in the field, offering precision and adaptability across different conditions. The MCO addresses the critical size and weight requirements for close-quarters operations.. The MVO 1-8X delivers exceptional performance and versatility for extended-range engagements. These sights ensure accuracy and effectiveness in the most demanding environments.”

www.meprolight.com

Posted in Enforce Tac, International, IWA, Optics, Press Release | 1 Comment »

UK Government Leaders Unveil Pincroft’s £1.5m Military Textile Printing Expansion

Tuesday, February 11th, 2025

(Adlington, United Kingdom): Global leader in military fabric printing, dyeing and finishing, Pincroft, has reinforced its position in camouflage fabric manufacturing with a £1.5 million investment in cutting-edge rotary printing technology. During a high-profile visit from UK government officials, the company also announced it has brought rotary laser engraving technology in-house, further strengthening its domestic capabilities in camouflage fabric production.

(L-R) John Vareldzis (CEO), Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Maria Eagle MP, Mike Collins (MD).

The event was attended by prominent figures including Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Chorley, Maria Eagle MP, Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry, and Pincroft’s CEO John Vareldzis, alongside Managing Director Mike Collins. In a symbolic moment marking the company’s military printing expansion, the officials cut the ribbon in front of a small group of directors and industry guests, underscoring the significance of UK-based expertise in military textiles. Discussions focused on the importance of reshoring camouflage fabric production, reinforcing national supply chains and the wider benefits for local employment.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “This is a major investment creating high quality jobs, but most of all, producing the best camouflage in the world being printed here. We look forward to the United Kingdom wearing printed uniforms from Adlington.”

Maria Eagle MP added: “The impact of having the capability in the UK to make uniforms to these standards is quite clear. It means that you can keep the intellectual property of how you’re designing your uniforms local, instead of them being sent around the world. To have the capability to do that here is a very powerful sovereign strength.”

John Vareldzis commented: “The scale of today’s visit and the calibre of attendees demonstrate the strategic importance of this investment—to ourselves, the local area and the UK. With many decades of military printing experience, we now have one of the best rotary printing technologies available. This positions us to meet our customers’ evolving needs, explore new markets and offer greater versatility, including lighter fabrics.”

Mike Collins highlighted: “This investment presents a huge opportunity for growth. By adding this additional equipment, we have increased our annual capacity to over eight million metres, ensuring we are well-positioned to meet growing customer demand.”

Pincroft’s new investment includes a Rotascreen TG by Austrian manufacturer Zimmer, with 12 printheads and a magnet system to ensure greater precision, faster reorders and uniform coverage. To further enhance production, Pincroft has also brought screen-making in-house with the SPGPrints bestLEN direct rotary engraving system. This allows for greater flexibility, creativity and speed when producing new designs for customers – from concept to printed fabric.

Posted in Industry, International, Materials, Press Release | No Comments »