In this episode of The Weekly Defence Podcast, we look at how armed forces respond to the growing grey zone threats to critical communications; and in an interview with Leonardo we get an update on their Falco Xplorer MALE UAV programme. 

Newsround [00:36]

In Brussels, where the European Council has established a set of common features for export end-user certificates for small arms and related ammunition.

Authorised exports of this equipment from the EU also now require more stringent checks of the end-user certificate.

The French defence procurement agency DGA has ordered the first batch of 364 Serval lightweight multi-role armoured vehicles from Nexter Systems and Texelis.

In the Netherlands, plans are progressing to replace the Goalkeeper naval point defence system from 2025.

Bulgarian special forces expect to receive their first batch of new armoured tactical vehicles by mid-2021, after the MoD placed an order via local manufacturer Samel 90 in late 2020.

In focus 

At last week’s virtual Surface Navy Symposium, the head of  US Coast Guard called for a $1 billion budget boost to address the need of replacing the USCG ageing fleet. 

Senior Editor Naval Richard Thomas looks at how realistic  this request might be and the broader context it falls in. 

In news from the air desk, Air Editor Tim Martin reports on the UK MoD to acquire two repurposed Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, previously used by commercial airline operators in China. 

Tim looks at the acquisition itself, in the context of the upcoming UK defence integrated review and where it fits into RAF modernisation efforts.

Land Reporter Flavia Camargos Pereira discusses the recent tests carried out by the UK MoD of the Merlin UGV. This fully autonomous and AI-driven platform has been developed for chemical reconnaissance over large areas. 

Interview: NSSL Global [22:24]

News Editor Ben Vogel is on the line with Neil Fraser, Director of Defence and Space Programmes at NSSL Global for an insights on how the UK armed forces are answering the robust and secure communication pathways posed grey zone warfare threats. 

https://www.nsslglobal.com/

Interview: Leonardo S.p.A. [42:28]

Tim Martin speaks to Fabrizio Boggiani SVP of Airborne Systems - Electronics Division at Leonardo about the company’s Falco Xplorer MALE UAV programme.

this episode was produced by Noemi Distefano with music and sound mixing by Fred Prest.