On August 17, the first Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopter was delivered to the Czech Republic. The helicopter was transported from the United States by the U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft.
In December 2019, Prague signed a contract for 12 Bell helicopters: eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper. The deal was valued at USD 629 million, making it the largest defence procurement contract ever signed with the United States in the history of the Czech Republic. The contract also covers a package of simulators, weapon systems, and logistics support. The contract is expected to be concluded by 2024.
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Additionally, the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic will receive an additional eight helicopters (two UH-1Y Venom and six AH-1Z Viper) from the United States under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme. This is compensation for military equipment that Prague transferred to Ukraine after February 24, 2022.
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In July of this year, American company Bell secured a contract with the Czech Republic to support the fleet of U.S.-made helicopters until July 2025. This agreement is valued at USD 22.5 million.
Origin Robotics has secured a multi-year framework agreement with the Latvian Armed Forces for the continued supply of its BLAZE autonomous interceptor drone systems.
Sweden has selected France’s Naval Group as the preferred supplier for its future Luleå-class frigates, moving the country’s next-generation surface combatant programme into a new phase.
Helsing and OHB are establishing a joint venture to develop a space-based tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting system for European defence requirements.
The Albanese Government will begin a life-of-type extension programme for Australia’s Collins-class submarine fleet, starting with HMAS Farncomb at the end of the month.
The U.S. State Department has approved Belgium’s request for a possible purchase of AGM-184 Joint Strike Missiles for its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multirole combat aircraft.
The U.S. Navy has formally included a new class of nuclear-powered guided-missile battleships, known as the Trump-class BBG(X), in its fiscal 2027 shipbuilding plan.
Air Force Special Operations Command has added the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Weapon System to MQ-9 Reaper aircraft assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing.
The Pentagon is pushing back against a Congressional Budget Office estimate that placed the 20-year cost of the Golden Dome missile defense program at $1.2 trillion.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $398 million firm-fixed-price contract to develop and build the Enhanced Protected Tactical Satellite Communications – Prototype.
NATO allies completed Exercise NATO Tiger Meet 2026 at Araxos Air Base in Greece, where aircraft and personnel from across the Alliance trained from 4 to 15 May.
TKMS and Elbit Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a strategic framework for cooperation on advanced naval defence solutions.
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