Rapid Fire: 2011-02-25

* Boeing takes the $30 billion KC-X aerial tanker contract back from Airbus, an outcome that left several observers surprised. More to come on Monday. * UAE defense contracts announced at IDEX 2011. See the full lists from Day 1 (AED 4+ billion), Day 2 (AED ~4 billion), and Day 3 (AED 3.7 billion). 1 dirhan = $0.2723. * Russian defense ministry announces 19 trillion ruble ($651 billion) arms procurement program for 2011-2020 that includes plans to buy 100 ships, over 600 aircraft, and 1,000 helicopters. * Jordan kicks off orders and manufacturing for the RPG-32 Hashim 105mm/ 72mm shoulder-fired rocket system, jointly developed with Russian firms. The new Jordan Russian Electronic Systems Company (JRESCO) facility is expected to have a capacity of 60,000 weapons per year. * UAE and Russia sign $74 million contract for the modernization of 135 Russian BMP-3 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles used by the UAE armed forces. * France and Russia are in talks about Russia purchasing Felin advanced “future soldier” system produced by Sagem Défense Sécurité; the equipment includes body armor, ballistic helmet, and portable C4ISR equipment. * Russia has abandoned its Geo-IK-2 satellite – designed to gather gravitational data to improve guidance of […]