Skip to content
Defence Industry Europe - HomepageDefence Industry Europe - Homepage link
Defence Industry Europe
  • Air
  • Land
  • Sea
  • Space/C4ISR
Defence Industry Europe - HomepageDefence Industry Europe - Homepage link
Defence Industry Europe
Corporate
Lockheed Martin is adding four Vectis autonomous aircraft and developing a lower-cost PAC-3 interceptor as part of its investment in defense technology and manufacturing. The company’s third-quarter update also highlighted Germany’s first F-35A rollout, marking progress in an established program alongside development of new systems.

Lockheed Martin says Vectis, F-35 and PAC-3 underpin defense industrial investment strategy

Corporate

Lockheed Martin says Vectis, F-35 and PAC-3 underpin defense industrial investment strategy

Skunk Works is expanding Vectis production ahead of the aircraft’s planned first flight in 2027.

Lockheed Martin wants to upgrade the F-35 to deliver 80% of the capability of a newly designed sixth-generation fighter at half the cost, Chief Executive Jim Taiclet said. He said a proposed ten-year procurement arrangement would support investment in the aircraft’s production, maintenance and modernization.

Lockheed Martin CEO targets 80% of sixth-generation fighter capability in upgraded F-35

Finland took delivery of two more F-35A Lightning II fighters on Oct. 23, bringing the number of jets in the country to four. The aircraft landed at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi, where domestic pilot training is due to begin in January 2027.

Two more Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters arrive in Rovaniemi, Finland

The Department of the Air Force announced that the B-21 Raider, the nation’s newest long-range strike bomber, will officially operate with a two-pilot crew. The service said the decision followed careful analysis of the aircraft’s advanced capabilities and mission profile.

Northrop Grumman CEO says factory expansion will increase B-21 Raider bomber production

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney has completed a risk-reduction design review for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade. The decision confirms design maturity and moves the F-35 propulsion upgrade closer to production.

Pratt & Whitney expands Polish plant to boost production of F-35 engine components

Air and missile defence

Read more
Long Wall has received a $75 million Missile Defense Agency award to complete flight testing of Cyclops, a surface-launched interceptor designed to destroy missiles outside Earth’s atmosphere. The startup will invest another $75 million of its own funds in design and development during the award’s performance period.

Missile Defense Agency awards startup Long Wall $75 million for Cyclops interceptor flight testing

The U.S. government has awarded Lockheed Martin a seven-year undefinitized contract action worth up to $35 billion for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors. The award is intended to quadruple production of THAAD interceptors and accelerate delivery of critical missile defense capability for the United States and its allies.

Lockheed Martin signs $218 million agreement with Karman to support THAAD interceptor production

Spain’s ARACNE counter-drone system linked with the country’s air defence network during ATLAS 26, allowing it to coordinate with anti-aircraft artillery against unmanned threats. Developers Indra and EM&E said the trials demonstrated how shared information and coordinated engagements could strengthen defences against drone swarms and saturation attacks.

Indra and EM&E integrate ARACNE system into Spain’s air defence network to counter drone attacks

The U.S. Army has activated the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment on Guam, strengthening its permanent air and missile defense presence on the island. The battalion succeeds Task Force Talon, which operated there for more than a decade before deactivating in July 2026.

U.S. Army activates Guam air and missile defense battalion, building on THAAD operations

Top Stories

Quantum Systems has completed a two-week exercise coordinating unmanned air, land and maritime systems through its MOSAIC UXS software. Forward Edge 26 brought equipment from several manufacturers into four operational scenarios and demonstrated remote piloting of systems in Ukraine, the United States and Australia.

Quantum Systems demonstrates unmanned air, land and sea operations with MOSAIC UXS software

Italy has ordered 30 Panther-based main battle tanks and 48 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles from Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, according to Milano Finanza. The Italian financial daily reported on 22 October that the two contracts are worth a combined €3.7 billion.

Italy places first order for Rheinmetall Panther-based main battle tanks in €3.7 billion deal, report says

EDGE has integrated a range of autonomous systems for a UAE Navy demonstration in which the US Navy also took part. Emirati and allied systems were brought under a single command structure for reconnaissance and force protection missions.

EDGE integrates autonomous vessels and counter-drone systems in demo with UAE and U.S navies.

Canada has taken delivery of its first two F-35A Lightning II fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where the aircraft will support military personnel training. The jets are the first arrivals in a planned 88-aircraft fleet that will replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 Hornets.

Canada receives first two F-35 fighters as planned 88-aircraft fleet begins taking shape

RAF Typhoons have taken part in a French nuclear air exercise for the first time, escorting French Air and Space Force Rafales on a simulated nuclear strike mission over the Mediterranean. Exercise Rummy is the latest step in the closer cooperation Britain and France agreed under the Northwood Declaration.

RAF Typhoons join French nuclear exercise for first time, escorting Rafale strike mission

Retired Gen. David Petraeus, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, has warned that the United States’ dependence on foreign primary aluminum is a national security risk, and called for the country to produce more of the materials its military and wider economy rely on.

Petraeus says U.S. can’t be ‘held hostage’ on aluminum as domestic smelting revives

The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 23, ending an 11-month deployment to Europe and the Middle East. During that time, the ship conducted combat missions in Operation Epic Fury and operated with three U.S. carrier strike groups.

USS McFaul completes 11-month deployment after combat operations with three carrier groups

Britain will return the Royal Air Force to a nuclear role with the purchase of at least 12 F-35A aircraft for NATO’s nuclear mission. British pilots could carry US nuclear weapons during a crisis, although the weapons would remain under American control.

Swiss government acknowledges failings in F-35 purchase and agrees procurement reforms

L3Harris Technologies has received a three-year contract worth up to $60 million to advance a long-range drone interceptor for the U.S. Army. The company has reached the program’s second phase, which covers flight performance testing of a fully integrated interceptor.

U.S. Army funds L3Harris long-range drone interceptor development and flight testing

Ukraine has joined a NATO procurement partnership that gives it a new route to buy military equipment and support services. Ukrainian manufacturers can also compete for contracts with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, known as NSPA.

Ukraine joins NSPA partnership to speed military purchases and open tenders to its defence industry

Saab has signed a teaming agreement with CAE to jointly pursue Canada’s future Airborne Early Warning and Control programme. The effort is based on Saab’s GlobalEye platform.

Saab plans to triple GlobalEye deliveries and offers Canada a second conversion center

Australia is developing and integrating mission payloads for Anduril’s Ghost Shark as deliveries of the uncrewed underwater vehicle to the Royal Australian Navy gather pace. The government disclosed the work on October 19, with some payloads due to participate in Exercise Maritime Big Play Pacific.

Australia expands Ghost Shark payload capabilities as Anduril ramps up navy deliveries

Featured

U.S. tests SpaceX Starfall capsule for rapid military resupply under Rocket Cargo program

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has tested a SpaceX-designed Starfall capsule carrying survival equipment under its Rocket Cargo program

October 25, 2026

L3Harris supplies power systems for U.S. Navy’s Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines

L3Harris Technologies is supplying power systems for the U.S. Navy’s Columbia-class submarines, extending work established across the Virginia-class fleet

October 25, 2026

Ukraine’s defence ministry confirms stable Starlink and Starshield connections above 400 km/h

Ukraine’s defence ministry confirms that Starlink and Starshield operating performance has been restored after previously recorded restrictions

October 24, 2026

General Atomics partners with Spirit Defense on FQ-42 uncrewed fighter production

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has partnered with Spirit Defense to expand manufacturing capacity for the U.S. Air Force’s FQ-42 Vengeance uncrewed fighter

October 23, 2026

NATO holds Helsinki talks on nuclear capability modernisation and stronger planning

NATO’s senior nuclear advisers met in Helsinki on 21 October to discuss modernising the alliance’s nuclear capabilities and strengthening its planning capacity

October 23, 2026

Lockheed Martin delivers 43 F-35 Lightning II fighters in Q3, accounting for most of its 72 aircraft handovers

Lockheed Martin delivered 43 F-35 Lightning II fighters in the third quarter, bringing its total for the year so far to 94

October 22, 2026

EDGE’s 40mm ammunition line reaches full-rate production with capacity for 1.5 million rounds a year

An automated line producing 40x53mm grenade ammunition at EDGE Group’s LAHAB has entered full-rate production and can now turn out up to 1.5 million rounds a year

October 22, 2026

Seaspan Shipyards lays keel for the largest polar icebreaker ever built in Canada

Seaspan Shipyards held a ceremonial keel laying on 14 October for CCGS Imnaryuaq, the Canadian Coast Guard’s future flagship and the largest polar icebreaker ever designed and built in Canada

October 20, 2026

Industry spotlight

Air and missile defence

Combat-proven air defense: recent Patriot® contract awards signal surge in demand across Europe

European demand for proven air and missile defense systems is rising and Raytheon, an RTX business, is investing heavily to meet that need with higher production capacity.

September 23, 2026
Land

U.S. Army’s Bradley replacement race enters troop-testing phase with first XM30 prototypes from Rheinmetall and General Dynamics

September 17, 2026
Land

Lockheed Martin CEO says ATACMS production could move to Germany, opening Arkansas capacity for faster PrSM missile output

August 2, 2026
Corporate

L3Harris secures record $4.7 billion PAC-3 MSE propulsion deal from Lockheed Martin to expand U.S. interceptor production capacity

September 8, 2026
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. These include ALKON 122, ALKON 122L and EGM120, three solutions aimed at providing greater precision and new possibilities of use.
Land

EM&E Group drives indirect fire accuracy with ALKON 122, ALKON 122L, and EGM120

Lockheed Martin is pursuing a two-track expansion of its PAC-3 missile business, raising production of the PAC-3 MSE while developing a lower-cost interceptor for allied forces. The approach is intended to increase missile availability without relying on a single interceptor for every air and missile threat.
Air and missile defence

Lockheed Martin says lower-cost PAC-3 ACE and expanded PAC-3 MSE production will increase allied missile defense capacity across NATO

Air

Read more Read more about Air category
Canada has taken delivery of its first two F-35A Lightning II fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where the aircraft will support military personnel training. The jets are the first arrivals in a planned 88-aircraft fleet that will replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 Hornets.

Canada receives first two F-35 fighters as planned 88-aircraft fleet begins taking shape

October 24, 2026
Read more about Canada receives first two F-35 fighters as planned 88-aircraft fleet begins taking shape

Two more Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters arrive in Rovaniemi, Finland

Finland took delivery of two more F-35A Lightning II fighters on Oct. 23, bringing the number of jets in the country to four.

October 24, 2026

RAF Typhoons join French nuclear exercise for first time, escorting Rafale strike mission

RAF Typhoons have taken part in a French nuclear air exercise for the first time, escorting French Air and Space Force Rafales on a simulated nuclear strike mission over the Mediterranean.

October 24, 2026

Swiss government acknowledges failings in F-35 purchase and agrees procurement reforms

Switzerland’s government has accepted changes to defense procurement after a dispute over the promised fixed price for its F-35A fighters.

October 23, 2026

Saab plans to triple GlobalEye deliveries and offers Canada a second conversion center

Saab plans to increase GlobalEye deliveries from two to six aircraft a year as it pursues further orders and negotiates a potential six-aircraft sale to Canada.

October 23, 2026

Ukraine prepares to receive its first 16 Gripen fighters from Sweden in early 2027

Ukraine and Sweden are continuing preparations for Gripen fighter deliveries, with Ukrainian Defence Minister Evgeniy Khmara identifying Russian glide-bomb carriers as a priority target for the aircraft.

October 23, 2026

Denmark to arm F-35 fighters with Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile to reach deep into enemy territory

Denmark plans to buy Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for its F-35 fighters as part of a wider purchase of long-range precision weapons.

October 22, 2026

Land

Read more Read more about Land category
Italy has ordered 30 Panther-based main battle tanks and 48 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles from Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, according to Milano Finanza. The Italian financial daily reported on 22 October that the two contracts are worth a combined €3.7 billion.

Italy places first order for Rheinmetall Panther-based main battle tanks in €3.7 billion deal, report says

October 25, 2026
Read more about Italy places first order for Rheinmetall Panther-based main battle tanks in €3.7 billion deal, report says

EDGE’s 40mm ammunition line reaches full-rate production with capacity for 1.5 million rounds a year

An automated line producing 40x53mm grenade ammunition at EDGE Group’s LAHAB has entered full-rate production and can now turn out up to 1.5 million rounds a year.

October 22, 2026

CSG unveils Meander, a 33-tonne amphibious vehicle for crossing rivers and wetlands

The prototype made its debut at the Future Forces Forum 2026 exhibition in Prague.

October 22, 2026

Kongsberg to arm Poland’s K2 tanks and support vehicles in NOK 700m Hyundai Rotem deal

Kongsberg has signed a contract worth about NOK 700 million with Hyundai-Rotem Company to supply remote weapon stations for K2 vehicles ordered by the Polish Armed Forces.

October 22, 2026

U.S. Army orders six Weibel C-band radars to modernize tracking at military test ranges

The U.S. Army has ordered six MRR-LP C-band instrumentation radars from Weibel Scientific to expand tracking and measurement capabilities at its test ranges.

October 21, 2026

U.S. Army tests XM1180 guided artillery rounds at Yuma with seeker technology planned for XM1230 extended-range projectile

The U.S. Army has tested three XM1180 prototype artillery rounds at Yuma Proving Ground, evaluating seeker technology designed to find targets and guide a projectile toward them.

October 20, 2026

Lithuania’s first tank crews complete Leopard 2A6 live firing as Iron Wolf brigade prepares to become a heavy combat formation

Lithuania’s first tank crews have carried out loading drills and live firing with Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area in Pabradė.

October 20, 2026

Sea

Read more Read more about Sea category
L3Harris Technologies is supplying power systems for the U.S. Navy’s Columbia-class submarines, extending work established across the Virginia-class fleet. The company provides power distribution systems and universal modular masts for every Virginia-class submarine. The company provides power distribution systems and universal modular masts for every Virginia-class submarine.

L3Harris supplies power systems for U.S. Navy’s Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines

October 25, 2026
Read more about L3Harris supplies power systems for U.S. Navy’s Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines

USS McFaul completes 11-month deployment after combat operations with three carrier groups

The guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul returned to Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 23, ending an 11-month deployment to Europe and the Middle East.

October 24, 2026

Spanish Navy and Navantia develop F110 IAMD frigate with expanded air and missile defence

The Spanish Navy and Navantia are developing an F110 frigate variant with more missile-launch capacity and a larger role in defending naval forces against air and missile attacks.

October 23, 2026

Sweden orders four Bofors 57Mk3 naval guns and programmable ammunition from BAE Systems

Sweden has ordered four Bofors 57Mk3 naval guns and programmable 3P ammunition from BAE Systems Bofors, with deliveries scheduled for 2028–2029. The contract includes training and services to bring the equipment into operation, but its value has not been disclosed.

October 21, 2026

Royal Navy leads AUKUS trials of crewed and autonomous systems to track enemy submarines

The Royal Navy is leading anti-submarine warfare trials in San Diego during the largest AUKUS demonstration of interoperable maritime autonomous systems.

October 20, 2026

Seaspan Shipyards lays keel for the largest polar icebreaker ever built in Canada

Seaspan Shipyards held a ceremonial keel laying on 14 October for CCGS Imnaryuaq, the Canadian Coast Guard’s future flagship and the largest polar icebreaker ever designed and built in Canada.

October 20, 2026

General Dynamics to develop fire control for U.S. Navy’s future nuclear cruise missile on Virginia-class submarines

General Dynamics Mission Systems has received a $194 million contract modification for work on the fire control subsystem that will support the U.S. Navy’s future nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile.

October 20, 2026

Space/C4ISR

Read more Read more about Space/C4ISR category
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has tested a SpaceX-designed Starfall capsule carrying survival equipment under its Rocket Cargo program. The trial supports efforts to develop rapid military supply deliveries from space to locations without runways or roads.

U.S. tests SpaceX Starfall capsule for rapid military resupply under Rocket Cargo program

October 25, 2026
Read more about U.S. tests SpaceX Starfall capsule for rapid military resupply under Rocket Cargo program

Ukraine’s defence ministry confirms stable Starlink and Starshield connections above 400 km/h

Ukraine’s defence ministry confirms that Starlink and Starshield operating performance has been restored after previously recorded restrictions.

October 24, 2026

Ukraine signs letter of intent with Nokia and ICEYE on sovereign satellite communications

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has signed a letter of intent with Nokia and ICEYE to explore satellite communications under Ukrainian control.

October 23, 2026

Why Europe observation is now Europe’s biggest satellite market [OPINION]

Some say that the war in Ukraine is reaching its ‘endgame’; others, that Russia believes it can finally crush Ukraine this winter.

October 22, 2026

Canada expands military space launch access and funds Arctic satellite communications

Canada has signed a 10-year agreement with NordSpace to give its armed forces access to a domestic spaceport.

October 22, 2026

Saab launches Allied Mission System to monitor space threats and command operations

Saab has launched the Allied Mission System, a cloud-based platform that brings space surveillance, mission management and command and control into a single system.

October 20, 2026

BlackSky expands HEO contract with higher-resolution satellite imagery to inspect spacecraft and track other objects in orbit

BlackSky has signed a seven-figure annual contract extension with HEO, adding higher-resolution Gen-3 imagery to a service that monitors spacecraft and other objects in orbit.

October 17, 2026

Categories:

  • Air
  • Land
  • Sea
  • Space/C4ISR
  • Air
  • Land
  • Sea
  • Space/C4ISR
Defence Industry Europe - Homepage link
  • Air
  • Land
  • Sea
  • Space/C4ISR
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 Defence Industry Europe