Air
Boeing wins U.S. Navy F/A-XX contract worth more than $20 billion, securing second sixth-generation fighter program after F-47
The award gives Boeing a second sixth-generation combat aircraft program following its selection for the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 in 2025.
Air and missile defence
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Royal Navy says Naval Strike Missile and Sea Venom hit former U.S. frigate during first operational firings off Scotland in Atlantic Thunder
Shield AI’s Hivemind coordinates two Kraken K3 SCOUT vessels in UK maritime surveillance trial ahead of planned tests with NATO partners
Robin Radar Systems triples operational capacity with 9,000-square-metre Delft hub to expand counter-drone radar production for allied customers
Kongsberg signs contract with Oshkosh to fit Dutch JLTVs with Protector counter-drone systems for mobile force protection
U.S. Navy says USS Idaho completes first Sixth Fleet deployment less than six months after commissioning, sailing more than 19,000 nautical miles
EU Council approves first five joint defence projects eligible for funding, from counter-drone systems to missile-warning satellites
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HII wins $5.1 billion contract to refuel and modernize USS Harry S. Truman for the second half of the aircraft carrier’s service life
HII has received a $5.1 billion contract to refuel and overhaul USS Harry S. Truman, preparing the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for the second half of its service life
U.S. Navy shipyard rebuilding plans stretch beyond 2080, with some fleet maintenance facilities deferred into the 2070s, GAO says
The U.S. Navy’s plan to rebuild its four public shipyards stretches beyond 2080, leaving some maintenance facilities decades from completion, the Government Accountability Office said
Russia’s Rosoboronexport to display Iskander-E ballistic missile system, Su-35 fighter and drones at Azerbaijan’s ADEX defence show
Russia’s Rosoboronexport will present missiles, aircraft and drones at the ADEX defence exhibition in Baku, where it plans talks with Azerbaijan and other participating countries
Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashes near Ukrainka air base used for missile strikes on Ukraine, killing six crew members
A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashed near Ukrainka air base in the Far East on 29 September, killing six crew members, according to a report citing Russian state media
BAE Systems gains U.S. certification for next-generation F-16 friend-or-foe system, with first production deliveries expected this year
BAE Systems’ new identification friend or foe system for the F-16 has received AIMS certification from the U.S. Department of War, the company said
U.S. Army and NATO plan four-country eastern flank command drill with 4,000 personnel and more than 2.2 million simulated forces
U.S. Army Europe and Africa and NATO allies will run a command exercise from October 6 to 15 across France, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland
Estonia says Russian special services commissioned arson at Milrem Robotics site in Tallinn, with three suspects in custody
Estonia has accused Russian special services of commissioning an August arson attack on a Tallinn building used by defence company Milrem Robotics
Anduril Industries says Voyager orders top $60 million as partners plan to scale U.S. missile-defense propulsion production
Anduril Industries and Voyager Technologies have formalized a partnership covering technologies for advanced U.S. weapons and missile defense
Industry spotlight
LandEM&E Group drives indirect fire accuracy with ALKON 122, ALKON 122L, and EGM120
EM&E Group has developed a range of guided munition solutions aimed at increasing the capabilities of different types of munitions by incorporating advanced navigation and trajectory correction technologies.
U.S. Army’s Bradley replacement race enters troop-testing phase with first XM30 prototypes from Rheinmetall and General Dynamics
Lockheed Martin CEO says ATACMS production could move to Germany, opening Arkansas capacity for faster PrSM missile output
L3Harris secures record $4.7 billion PAC-3 MSE propulsion deal from Lockheed Martin to expand U.S. interceptor production capacity
U.S. Air Force says F-15EX Eagle II will replace aging F-15C/D fighters with upgraded avionics and survivability, supporting future modernization
The U.S. Air Force is expanding its F-15EX Eagle II fleet to replace aging F-15C and F-15D aircraft while retaining a platform for future modernization.
Boeing says $2.38 billion contract adds 22 F-15EX fighters, bringing U.S. Air Force orders to 120 aircraft across seven production lots
The award follows Boeing’s recent delivery of F-15EX-22, the first aircraft under the Lot 3 contract.
Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashes near Ukrainka air base used for missile strikes on Ukraine, killing six crew members
A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashed near Ukrainka air base in the Far East on 29 September, killing six crew members, according to a report citing Russian state media.
Ukraine and Lockheed Martin discuss F-16 Block 70/72 fighters as Kyiv reports more than 3,150 aerial targets downed in combat
Ukraine’s Air Force has discussed the prospect of moving to newer F-16 Block 70/72 fighters with Lockheed Martin, according to a statement by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
RTX’s Raytheon wins AMRAAM missile contract worth up to $20.7 billion as U.S. targets output of at least 1,900 a year
The award is intended to support a rise to record production levels as demand grows from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and international customers.
Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk advances to flight training after first instructor class completes 31-day simulator course at Texas air base
Boeing said flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California has reached the test points needed for the graduates to begin training in a T-7A delivered to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
Italy lists potential €5.14 billion contract for new main battle tanks, raising prospect of the KF51 Panther’s first production order
Italy has disclosed an estimated €5.14 billion value for a prospective contract covering new main battle tanks and related vehicles, bringing a potential order for the KF51 Panther closer into view.
U.S. Army reverses plan to end Stryker DVH A1 purchases with 20-vehicle order as service reshapes forces for Pacific operations
General Dynamics Land Systems has secured a $49.3 million U.S. Army contract modification for 20 additional Stryker Double V-Hull A1 vehicles.
Lockheed Martin says twin Javelin launcher reaches first integration milestone on Kongsberg MCT turret after Norway demonstration
Lockheed Martin said on September 22 that a twin launcher for FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missiles had completed a successful demonstration on Kongsberg’s Medium Caliber Turret in Norway.
KNDS delivers first R3-standard Jaguar armoured vehicles to French Army, adding full combat capability under SCORPION programme
KNDS France has begun delivering R3-standard EBRC Jaguar armoured vehicles to the French Army, with close to 25 vehicles delivered or upgraded by 18 September 2026.
BAE Systems secures UK artillery support agreement to sustain British Army’s 105mm Light Gun and restore domestic barrel production
BAE Systems has secured a four-year agreement to supply components for UK artillery and armoured vehicle weapon systems.
Deutz and Hypercraft target global unmanned ground vehicle market with new strategic partnership and European production plans
Deutz and US tactical mobility specialist Hypercraft have agreed to deepen their cooperation on unmanned ground vehicles and mobile drive systems through a new strategic partnership
U.S. Navy says John F. Kennedy carrier gains preliminary acceptance for sea testing ahead of formal delivery in spring 2027
The U.S. Navy has taken preliminary acceptance of the future USS John F. Kennedy, allowing the aircraft carrier and its crew to conduct further testing and training at sea while construction testing continues.
Royal Navy says Naval Strike Missile and Sea Venom hit former U.S. frigate during first operational firings off Scotland in Atlantic Thunder
HMS Portland and its Wildcat helicopter fired Naval Strike Missile and Sea Venom weapons at the retired US frigate Klakring during Exercise Atlantic Thunder off Scotland.
U.S. Navy says missile and torpedo strikes sink former frigate off Scotland during Atlantic Thunder 2026 live-fire exercise
U.S. and British forces sank the retired frigate ex-USS Klakring off Scotland during Atlantic Thunder 2026, a joint exercise involving ships, aircraft and a submarine.
U.S. Navy says USS Idaho completes first Sixth Fleet deployment less than six months after commissioning, sailing more than 19,000 nautical miles
USS Idaho, one of the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class attack submarines, returned to Groton, Connecticut, on September 28 after its first deployment.
U.S. Navy decommissions Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown in San Diego
The U.S. Navy has decommissioned the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and dock landing ship USS Germantown in separate ceremonies in San Diego.
Kongsberg secures U.S. Marine Corps Naval Strike Missile launcher agreement with potential value of $404 million through 2034
Kongsberg has signed a framework agreement to supply and support Naval Strike Missile launch equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps, with a potential value of up to $404 million.
ICEYE invests more than PLN 120 million in Warsaw satellite technology hub to expand R&D production and constellation operations
ICEYE has opened a new Satellite Technology Center in Warsaw as it expands research, development and production activities in Poland
Saab targets central role in Swedish defence space integration with SSC Space, OHB Sweden and Ericsson for multi-domain operations
Saab plans to take a broader role in Sweden’s defence space sector by integrating technologies from across the domestic industrial base.
Indra Space wins ESA backing for two IRIS2 Low LEO projects targeting future government and defence communications services
The European Space Agency has selected two projects led by Indra Space, ATLAS and SELENE, to enter the consolidation phase of the IRIS2 Low LEO Pre-Operational and De-Risk Activities programme
UK Ministry of Defence says new RAF space warfare squadron will disrupt hostile operations and defend critical satellites in orbit
Britain has established its first military unit dedicated to disrupting, degrading and denying hostile activity in space, marking a shift from monitoring threats to acting against them.
U.S. Space Force seeks $71.1 billion to double force in five years and expand combat units amid rising counter-space threats
The U.S. Space Force plans to double in size over the next five years. Two-thirds of the expansion will go to Combat Forces Command.
SSC Space secures prime ground segment role for Airbus Pléiades Neo and next generation Earth observation missions
SSC Space has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space to expand its ground-segment support for the Pléiades Neo mission and the new Pléiades Neo Next programme