BLUF:
The European Commission is expected to publish a legal proposal to simplify EU-wide defense procurement rules in the coming months. Insiders say the Commission will probably propose replacing the current ‘directive’ with a ‘regulation,’ which leaves less room for the national variations that SMEs say get in their way. But member states will have to agree to the new rules before they can become law.
The Estonian Navy tested lightweight, soldier-portable, automated counter-drone turrets on August 26. The turrets, which can use a variety of off-the-shelf firearms, were developed by Thistle and are fitted with rocket launchers made by Tempterno Defence – both Tallinn-based startups.
Finnish defense firm Patria demonstrated the remote operation of its 8x8 Armored Modular Vehicle XP. While the vehicle was in Finland, the operators were 7,800 km away in Japan.
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Simplifying the EU’s procurement rules isn’t simple
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Roque Carmona, previously chief procurement officer at French defense giant Thales, has taken up a new role as the company’s senior vice president for “international operations and group competitiveness.”
Mylène Pion Bosio has been appointed head of product for in-orbit services at French space startup Exotrail in Toulouse. She previously served as vice president for sales and marketing at Aldoria, another French space startup.
Ukraine’s former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has accepted an advisory role at the Italian Ministry of Defense.
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Defense SMEs and trade associations have until 23:59 Brussels time on 11 September to respond to the European Commission’s targeted consultation on revising the EU’s Dual-Use Regulation, an export control law. There’s also an open public consultation, which closes on 15 October.
Poland—which has resisted ‘European preference’ provisions in EU defense funding programs—is now pivoting toward domestic and European military procurement, Reuters reports.
German drone maker Quantum Systems made inroads in the United States with help from a CIA-linked investor, In-Q-Tel, CEO Sven Kruck told Reuters.
German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch plans to offer the British Army up to three different candidates to succeed the aging SA80 rifle—which the government plans to replace—including the HK416 and an updated version of the SA80 itself, the Financial Times reports.
British military and police forces are testing a NATO Rescue Submarine System (NRSS) informally known as ‘Nemo,’ used to rescue submarine crews at depths of up to 610 meters, The Times reports.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to blame Russia this week for a recent attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport, POLITICO reports.
Satellite manufacturer OHB secured a €1.1 billion contract under the EU satellite communications project IRIS2, and expects more orders, Reuters reports.
The European Commission has opened registration for the next hackathon of the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) on Oct. 15-17. Details here.
