Kinetic IT names new MD for critical, state infrastructure: Australian technology services company Kinetic IT has appointed Jeremy O’Donohue as Managing Director, State Government and Critical Infrastructure, strengthening executive leadership across two of its most strategically significant and sovereign-critical markets. The appointment reflects the continued growth, scale, and complexity of Kinetic IT’s government and critical infrastructure portfolio, and forms part of a broader evolution of the company’s executive leadership model to support long-term growth, customer outcomes and national priorities. He joins Kinetic IT from Capgemini, where he most recently led the firm’s public sector business across Australia and New Zealand. He brings more than 20 years’ experience leading growth, transformation, and large-scale delivery across government, health, education, and critical infrastructure, spanning both global system integrators and Australian-owned organisations. O’Donohue will be responsible for driving growth strategy, strengthening executive-level customer partnerships, and overseeing delivery outcomes across Kinetic IT’s state government and critical infrastructure customers nationwide.
Advanced Navigation names chief technology officer: Advanced Navigation has announced the appointment of Pawel Michalak as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead the next phase of its technology evolution. As CTO, Michalak will lead Advanced Navigation in shifting toward an approach rooted in scientific resilience: a Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) architecture that ensures reliable navigation without reliance on any single signal. This will include the global expansion of engineering teams, powering the creation of entirely new navigation capabilities for the most extreme and contested environments. Speaking of the appointment, Advanced Navigation CEO Chris Shaw said, “There was once a time where we could rely solely on satellite data for navigation, however that’s no longer the case. In today’s world, we need to treat signal anomalies, disruptions and unreliability as a given. This requires a fundamental shift in the way we go about building resilience and autonomy.” Michalak will spearhead Advanced Navigation’s mission to industrialise a multi-sensor, inertial-centric architecture, fusing inertial sensing, photonics, robotics, artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, underwater acoustics, and advanced GPS antennas and receivers, among other PNT technologies. Together, these sensors form the “nervous system” of autonomous platforms operating across subsea, land, air and space.
Denmark commissions Rheinmetall to supply ammunition: Rheinmetall has been commissioned by Denmark, a member of the EU and NATO, to supply ammunition. The signing of a large-volume framework agreement was marked by a ceremony on 30 January 2026. The agreement has a term of seven years. It covers the supply of several types of ammunition. These include medium-calibre ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, 120 mm ammunition for main battle tanks and 155 mm ammunition for artillery. The first orders in the medium-calibre ammunition sector include various types of cartridges in 30 mm x 173 and 35 mm x 228 calibres. The total number is in the high five-digit range, with the order value in the low three-digit million-euro range. In the area of 120 mm tank ammunition, Rheinmetall will supply over 1,000 rounds of kinetic-energy ammunition. The order value is in the high single-digit million euro range. “We are grateful for the trust Denmark has placed in us for its ammunition supply,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “Rheinmetall sees this as confirmation of its role as one of the world’s leading ammunition manufacturers.”
QDSA adds University of Southern Queensland to roster: The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) has added the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) as the newest member of its network, bringing the total number of university members across Queensland and the Northern Territory to six. The inclusion of UniSQ significantly bolsters QDSA’s expertise and facilities, particularly in the areas of hypersonic design, testing capabilities for propulsion systems, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing and materials essential for Defence applications. QDSA Director Stuart Blackwell said the partnership with UniSQ expands the research capabilities available to industry partners across Northern Australia, providing a broader pool of collaborators and further advancing Defence innovation. As the Queensland and Northern Territory node of the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN), QDSA continues to gain momentum, doubling its network of member universities in the last 18 months. This growth signifies the alliance’s commitment to aligning with the Defence Innovation Science and Technology strategy, facilitating research and industry collaboration to advance Defence solutions.
Uzbekistan named as customer for C-390 Millennium: Embraer announced at the Singapore Airshow that the Republic of Uzbekistan is the customer of an order for the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft previously announced as undisclosed. The Uzbek Air Force will primarily use the C-390 in transport and humanitarian missions, significantly improving its capabilities. The Republic of Uzbekistan becomes the first Central Asia nation to operate the aircraft that is revolutionizing the military transport market segment. “We officially welcome the Republic of Uzbekistan to the group of C-390 operators as the Uzbekistan Air Force modernizes its transport capabilities”, said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “We are honoured by the choice of this leading Central Asia Air Force and will work in close coordination with them to ensure flawless operation of this revolutionary aircraft.” Built and designed in the 21st century, the C-390 Millennium is the most modern military transport aircraft in its class and can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft, flying faster (470 knots) and farther. It can perform a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport, equipment and personnel airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations. It can also operate from temporary or unpaved runways. The aircraft configured with quick-installation air-to-air refuelling equipment under the designation KC-390 can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver. The Millennium is fully interoperable within the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) environment and especially suitable for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations.
French Navy to be first operator of Airbus’ Aliaca vertical uncrewed aerial system: The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has ordered a new version of the SMDM (“Onboard Mini Aerial Drone Systems for the Navy”) from Airbus Helicopters (via its subsidiary Survey Copter). This UAS will now be delivered in the new vertical take-off and landing configuration (VTOL). The DGA has ordered a total of 34 Aliaca systems for the French Navy since 2022. Deliveries of this new version will begin in May 2026, following a qualification campaign. The Aliaca VTOL was tested on land and at sea at the end of 2024 and throughout 2025. Unveiled in April 2025, the Aliaca VTOL was developed in less than a year from a version already proven in operations within the French Navy. This tactical mini-drone is equipped with four propellers, allowing for vertical take-off and landing while maintaining its fixed-wing propulsion mode during the mission. It has a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg, a wingspan of 3.5 m, and a length of 2.1 m. With an endurance of two hours, a range of 50 km, Aliaca is equipped with a camera, a high-performance gyro-stabilised electro-optical/infrared system, and an Automatic Identification System that is capable of identifying a ship within a radius of several hundred kilometres. This evolution of the SMDM maintains the performance and architecture of the existing system while offering faster deployment and a reduced logistical footprint due to the absence of launch-and-recovery systems. Operators retain the same ground station, which is already proven and recognised for its ease of use.
Embraer Hungarian service agreement: Embraer signed a service agreement to support the Hungarian Air Force’s C-390 Millennium fleet. This contract will provide maintenance, logistical and technical support to Hungarian Air Force using Embraer European footprint. In November 2025, the country, which is the second NATO operator of the C-390, became the first nation to receive all its contracted multi-mission aircraft, now having two units. Since its entry into service in late 2024, the first Hungarian aircraft has performed a wide variety of missions at a completion rate above 99%. “This agreement marks another important step in our partnership with the Hungarian Air Force. We are committed to building a long-term relationship that ensures sustained operational excellence through comprehensive support services. Hungary has demonstrated the aircraft’s outstanding reliability and versatility, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration to meet all current and future mission requirements,” says Douglas Lobo, VP Customer Support & Aftermarket Sales, Embraer Services & Support.
ST Engineering partners with Airbus on A330 MRTT+ cabin mods: ST Engineering announced that its Commercial Aerospace business has entered into an MoU with Airbus Defence and Space to carry out a cabin modification programme for an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport Plus (A330 MRTT+) aircraft in support of the latter’s customer. The A330 MRTT+ is the A330neo-based evolution of the combat-proven A330 MRTT aerial refuelling and transport platform. This MoU sets forth the preliminary understanding between both companies regarding the provision of engineering design, certification and aircraft modification services for the cabin modification programme. Kevin Chow, Head of Aerostructures and Systems, ST Engineering, said, “This A330 MRTT+ cabin modification marks the latest milestone in our longstanding partnership with Airbus, which includes passenger-to-freighter conversion through our joint venture in Germany. We will build on our successful partnership in freighter conversion and tap on our extensive capabilities in integrated cabin interiors solutions to deliver a product that meets the operator’s exact specifications and mission requirements, executed to the highest standards of quality.”
Advanced Navigation wraps up US test: Advanced Navigation has successfully demonstrated its inertial-centric intelligent navigation as part of the U.S. Army’s All-Domain Persistent Experiment (APEX), underscoring the ability to deliver reliable, high-accuracy navigation in GNSS-degraded and -denied conditions. Designed for the DDIL (Degraded, Denied, Intermittent and Low-bandwidth), APEX provided Advanced Navigation with an operationally relevant testbed to evaluate the performance of its Boreas D90 Fibre-Optic Gyroscope (FOG) Inertial Navigation System (INS) when fused with complementary aiding sensors, including the Laser Velocity Sensor (LVS) and a Wheel Speed Encoder. The results reaffirm Advanced Navigation’s intelligent software-defined approach as a resilient foundation for APNT on the modern battlefield. Chris Shaw, Advanced Navigation CEO, said, “In today’s contested environment, the adversary will deny, degrade, and spoof GNSS signals. Relying on a single technology for navigation is a mission-ending vulnerability. Assured PNT is non-negotiable. The only path to operational advantage is an intelligent, multi-sensor fusion anchored by a resilient inertial core. We deliver this with our sophisticated AdNav Intelligence software. It is the adaptive nervous system for your platform. It continuously validates all sensor inputs, adjusts in real time to the operational environment, and autonomously counteracts spoofing and jamming. This ensures unwavering PNT integrity, enabling you to operate decisively through an evolving, multi-domain threat landscape.”
IFS chosen by SkyAlyne to drive Canadian aircraft readiness: IFS announced that it has been selected by SkyAlyne, the prime contractor for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), to provide a fully digital aviation maintenance and asset management platform in support of the Canadian Department of National Defence’s new training initiative. The collaboration marks a major milestone in the modernisation of Canada’s military pilot and aircrew training system. Through the implementation of IFS Cloud for Aviation Maintenance, SkyAlyne will gain advanced digital capabilities to streamline fleet maintenance, ensure airworthiness, and sustain maximum aircraft availability across its nationwide training operations. Awarded to SkyAlyne in 2024, the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme represents a next-generation approach to military flight training, uniting Canada’s top aviation, training, and defence organisations under a single, modernised framework. As the FAcT programme’s provider, SkyAlyne’s team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation experts is working in partnership with the RCAF to build an entirely new training ecosystem from the ground up, introducing new aircraft, digital technologies, and innovative learning methodologies across multiple bases nationwide. SkyAlyne’s new training programme will span a diverse fleet of Grob G 120TP, Pilatus PC-21, Airbus H135, Beechcraft King Air 260, and De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft—each selected for their performance, reliability, and versatility to meet Canada’s evolving defence and training requirements.
Honeywell, LIG Nex1 sign MOU on unmanned aerial vehicles: Honeywell announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LIG Nex1 to explore opportunities for future collaboration on the development and commercialisation of solutions for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), as well as selected space, electromagnetic defence and cybersecurity applications. The MOU outlines a non-exclusive framework for potential cooperation, combining Honeywell’s advances in unmanned technologies — including resilient navigation, drone management systems and advanced communications — with LIG Nex1’s expertise in advanced precision electronic systems and its experience across unmanned air, surface and marine platforms. The companies intend to explore opportunities to assess market needs, identify potential customers and evaluate pathways for adapting existing commercial unmanned capabilities to support defence-specific applications, subject to further evaluation and applicable approvals. LIG Nex1 is a leading developer of advanced precision electronic systems in the Republic of Korea and works with major aircraft and defence original equipment manufacturers. The framework also considers potential export opportunities, leveraging LIG Nex1’s established customer base, subject to further assessment and regulatory review.
Germany and Sweden order KONGSBERG Remote Weapon Stations: Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has signed a contract with Patria for the delivery of PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) to support the German and Swedish Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) 6×6 programmes. The total volume in this procurement amounts to several hundred PROTECTOR RS4 stations. The contract has a value of about EUR 140 million and includes the potential for substantial follow-on orders throughout 2026 and the years to come. “This contract positions the RS4 as the standard weapon station configuration across the multinational CAVS fleet. We are pleased to extend our cooperation with the Swedish and German armed forces. Combined with growing interest from participating and prospective CAVS nations, this agreement confirms KONGSBERG’s standing as a leading supplier of remote weapon stations,” said Kjetil Reiten Myhra, Executive Vice President at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The PROTECTOR RS4 delivered under this contract is a modernised version of the Nordic configuration already selected by several European forces. It features advanced integrated sensors, multi-weapon capability, and the possibility to upgrade with Counter-UAS functionalities to battle aerial drones.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at simon.hadfield@venturamedia.net
