SANTA ROSA, CA. -- Keysight Technologies has been awarded a contract with NATO’s Naval Forces Sensor and Weapons Accuracy Check Sites (FORACS) to modernize its testing capabilities for critical radar and electronic support measures (ESM) systems. Under this agreement, Keysight will deliver Radar Target Generator and Electronic Warfare testing (EW) solutions to be deployed at NATO Navy bases, enabling the calibration and maintenance of NATO radar systems and the assessment of ESM effectiveness.

The contract encompasses the integration and delivery of next-generation Radar Target Generators and EW threat simulators. Notably, the Radar Target Generator leverages commercial-off-the-shelf Keysight components, featuring customized firmware and a graphical user interface developed entirely in Europe and tailored to meet NATO’s specific requirements.

Source: Keysight Technologies
Associated URL: https://www.keysight.com/us/en/about/newsroom/news-releases/2025/04-28-pr25-066-keysight-awarded-nato-foracs-contract-to-enhance-operational-readiness.html

WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of a PATRIOT Air Defense System. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

The Government of Romania has requested to buy one AN/MPQ-65 Configuration 3+ Increment 3 radar set; one AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Station; two M903 launching stations; and one Electrical Power Plant (EPP) III. Along with other equipment and services, this deal is worth an estimated total of $280 million.

The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by enabling it to field a credible force to deter adversaries and support its participation in NATO operations. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The principal contractors will be RTX Corporation, located in Andover, MA, and Lockheed Martin, located in Bethesda, MD.

Source: DSCA
Associated URL: https://www.dsca.mil/Congressional-Notification-Archive/Article/4167631/romania-patriot-air-defense-system

BERLIN - The German government has formally requested to trigger the E.U.'s budget escape clause to enable a boost in defense spending.

POLITICO reported on April 28 that the German government has sent a letter to the E.U. requesting the action, pointing to the war in Ukraine and the "changing environment" of global security as requiring a build-up in German defense capabilities that will have "a major impact on [Germany's] public finances. Acting Finance Minister Jörg Kukies sent the letter to the E.U. on April 24.

Earlier this year, the E.U. rolled out a new policy geared towards supporting its members' defense spending drives. One core component of the E.U. plan is to enable governments to trigger the escape clause in order to avoid falling afoul of the bloc's tight budget deficit and debt rules. E.U. members are expected to keep budget deficits to under 3 percent of GDP, and national debt should not exceed 60 percent of annual economic output.

Germany's own budget rules -- limiting deficits to no more than 0.35 percent of GDP -- were relaxed under agreements between the incoming CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats.

The changes could enable Berlin to ramp up its defense spending, while also making significant investments in German infrastructure.

Source: Politico
Associated URL: https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-jorg-kukies-eu-emergency-clause-defense-spending/