Breaking Defense
• Michael Marrow
Colombia has signed a $366 million contract for two Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission airlifters, becoming the 13th country worldwide and the second in Latin America to select the type. The aircraft will replace part of Colombia’s aging C-130 fleet and support in-flight refueling of its Gripen E/F fighters.
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Colombia has signed a $366 million contract for two Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission airlifters, becoming the 13th country worldwide and the second in Latin America to select the type. The aircraft will replace part of Colombia’s aging C-130 fleet and support in-flight refueling of its Gripen E/F fighters.
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Airbus has completed ground vibration testing on the A350F, validating the freighter’s aeroelastic and structural-dynamics models ahead of its maiden flight. The manufacturer plans to use two aircraft in the certification campaign for the new twin-engine cargo jet.
Archer Aviation’s piloted, all-electric Midnight prototype flew roundtrip between Salinas Municipal and Monterey Regional airports on July 30. Separately, Korean Air is exploring a military transport version with Archer, while Indonesia’s Whitesky Group ordered 60 Volant VE25-100 aircraft in a deal valued at approximately $221 million.
Jin Air is scheduled to take delivery of an A321-200 transferred from Asiana Airlines on September 10, 2026, according to South Korean outlet iNews24. The aircraft would mark the low-cost carrier’s first Airbus jet and introduce the A321ceo to its fleet.
Vietnam Airlines is planning a future widebody fleet expansion, targeting the addition of 20 to 30 aircraft during the 2031-2035 period. The plan signals a long-term commitment to expanding or renewing its widebody capability, though the available reporting does not specify aircraft types, suppliers or routes.
Boeing received a two-notch upgrade from BNP Paribas to Outperform, with the bank citing improving free cash flow, progress on aircraft certifications and easing defense risks. The shift comes as Boeing and Airbus report stronger delivery performance, although Airbus continues to lead in orders and total deliveries.
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The FAA has approved Boeing’s 737 MAX 7, clearing the smallest and longest-range variant of the MAX family for entry into service after a certification process delayed by years of scrutiny following two fatal crashes, quality lapses and required changes to its engines and cockpit alert systems.
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United Aircraft Corp. has flown the first production-standard MC-21-310 built on the serial assembly line in Irkutsk, advancing Russia’s import-substitution narrowbody program. The aircraft is part of an initial batch of 18, but the type still requires certification before deliveries—planned for Aeroflot from 2027—can begin.
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