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Americas

The US has completed assembly of its first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb, almost a year ahead of its scheduled production and about two years after the program was launched. Its production timeline was accelerated by more than 25 percent, “while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security, and without disrupting our other six modernization programs,” said Acting Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs David Hoagland.

General Dynamics NASSCO won a $199 million firm-fixed-price contract action for maintenance, modernization, and repair of USS America (LHA 6) Fiscal 2026 Docking Selected Restricted Availability. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $209,233,949. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by July 2027. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Middle East & Africa

Turkish defense firm STM unveiled a model for its Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) for the first time in Malaysia. In a statement, STM said the vessel is designed to “support amphibious operations” through armored unit transportation, to deliver logistical support and can be used for search and rescue operations.

Europe

Austria and Italy have finalized the Government-to-Government agreement for the sale of the M-346FA (Fighter Attack) to the Austrian Air Force. The development follows the signing of a Letter of Intent in December 2024, as part of the increased military cooperation between the two countries. The procurement of the new training jet for the armed forces is under scrutiny. Previously classified documents from the Ministry of Defense show that the internal audit department has repeatedly expressed clear criticism of the jet selection process.