DefenceTalkThe FREMM Normandie multi-mission frigate, second of the series ordered by OCCAR (*) on behalf of the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) and the French Navy, left the DCNS site in Lorient on 14 May on its way to the DCNS site in Toulon. Over the next few weeks, DCNS will perform a new series […]https://www.defencetalk.com/second-french-fremm-frigate-pursues-sea-trials-59611/

DefenceTalkFrench Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius defended Tuesday in Washington the sale of two warships to Russia, despite US opposition — while leaving open the door to re-examine the contract in October. Per a 2011 agreement worth $1.2 billion, France is to deliver two Mistral warships — an advanced helicopter assault ship — to Russia. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/french-foreign-minister-defends-sale-of-warships-to-russia-59592/

DefenceTalkUS officials voiced concern Thursday at the sale of French warships to Moscow as they mulled tougher sanctions on Russia for the political upheaval triggered by the Ukraine crisis. “We have regularly and consistently expressed our concerns about this sale even before we had the latest Russian actions and we will continue to do so,” […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-concerned-at-sale-of-french-warships-to-russia-59534/

DefenceTalkRenault Trucks Defense said Wednesday its project to develop an armored infantry fighting vehicle together with a Russian manufacturer is on hold due to the Ukraine crisis. “The project is on hold because of the political situation, but that is not saying it has been halted,” RTD marketing director Marc Chassilian told journalists in Paris. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/french-russian-tank-project-on-hold-due-to-ukraine-crisis-59218/

DefenceTalkBritain and France will develop new anti-ship missiles in a 500-million project that stems from a major defence cooperation agreement, Britain’s Ministry of Defence said Thursday. The multi-national group MBDA has been awarded the contract to produce the helicopter-mounted missiles, which use sophisticated homing technology to attack small and medium-sized targets. The Royal Navy will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britain-france-sign-anti-ship-missile-deal-59161/

DefenceTalkQatar will buy 22 NH90 military helicopters from European aerospace group Airbus worth nearly two billion euros ($2.8 billion), the French defense ministry said Thursday. It said 12 of these would be transport helicopters and the other 10 would be the frigate version. Qatar will also acquire two Airbus-made refueling tankers. The decision was conveyed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/qatar-to-buy-french-nh90-military-helicopters-59159/

DefenceTalkMBDA welcomes the signature of the Demonstration and Manufacture contract for the FASGW(H) / ANL (Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy)/ Anti Navire Léger) missile on 27th March 2014. This jointly funded Anglo-French contract, valued at more than £500 million (€600 million) has been awarded to MBDA by the UK DE&S (Defence Equipment & Support) […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mbda-to-develop-fasgwh-anl-nexgen-anglo-french-anti-ship-missile-59163/

DefenceTalkFrance has suspended most of its military cooperation with Russia, the French defence minister said Friday, as Paris was still mulling whether to nix the sale of two Mistral warships to Moscow. Paris has suspended “the majority of its military cooperation with Russia” in the wake of Moscow’s takeover of Crimea, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-suspends-most-military-cooperation-with-russia-59106/

DefenceTalkParis will consider canceling a 1.4-billion-euro deal to deliver two Mistral-class warships to the Russian Navy if Moscow provokes further escalation in Ukraine, the French foreign minister has said. In the interview with France’s TF1, Laurent Fabius denied the legitimacy of Sunday’s referendum in Crimea to join Russia and urged Moscow to take urgent measures […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-may-scrap-russian-warship-deal-over-ukraine-crisis-59076/

DefenceTalkThales and DCNS announce the comprehensive modernization program of the Colombian Navy’s four Almirante Padilla class frigates has been concluded with a successful Sea Acceptance Test of the class’s fourth ship. The contract with the Colombian authorities was signed early 2009, with DCNS acting as prime contractor and Thales as the lead systems integrator for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/successful-sea-acceptance-trials-of-colombian-almirante-padilla-class-frigates-59062/