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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK greenlights F-35B StormBreaker/SDB-II interim stand-off strike as corrosion, spare-parts gaps cut mission capability

The UK MoD approved StormBreaker for the F-35B and is equipping the fleet with Boeing Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) as an interim stand-off capability while SPEAR 3 integration slips into the early 2030s. Officials also detailed corrosion issues and spare-parts shortfalls that are reducing UK F-35 mission rates and carry deployment-support limitations.

2026-05-15T04:12:16.071143-07:00

AeroTime

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy

2026-05-14T03:55:50.606203-07:00

Air Data News

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement

2026-05-14T14:16:27.813591-07:00

AeroTime

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla

2026-05-14T05:47:09.534898-07:00

News Timeline

Yonhap News Agency

U.S. approves potential $4.2B FMS: MH-60R multi-mission helicopters and AH-64E Apache upgrades for South Korea The U.S. State Department has authorized potential Foreign Military Sales to South Korea totaling up to $4.2 billion, covering MH-60R multi-mission naval helicopters and an AH-64E Apache upgrade program. The notification positions the package as a way to enhance Seoul’s defense capabilities with rotary-wing modernization.

2026-05-18T13:32:52.052283-07:00

U.S. approves potential $4.2B FMS: MH-60R multi-mission helicopters and AH-64E Apache upgrades for South Korea

Reuters

U.S. State Department clears possible $198.2M Apache helicopter support services sale to India The U.S. State Department said it approved a possible sale of Apache helicopter support services and related equipment to India, estimated at $198.2 million. The approval signals continued U.S. sustainment support for Apache helicopter operations and life-cycle capability in the Indian fleet.

2026-05-18T13:24:21.538583-07:00

U.S. State Department clears possible $198.2M Apache helicopter support services sale to India

FlightGlobal

UK greenlights F-35B StormBreaker/SDB-II interim stand-off strike as corrosion, spare-parts gaps cut mission capability The UK MoD approved StormBreaker for the F-35B and is equipping the fleet with Boeing Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) as an interim stand-off capability while SPEAR 3 integration slips into the early 2030s. Officials also detailed corrosion issues and spare-parts shortfalls that are reducing UK F-35 mission rates and carry deployment-support limitations.

2026-05-15T04:12:16.071143-07:00

UK greenlights F-35B StormBreaker/SDB-II interim stand-off strike as corrosion, spare-parts gaps cut mission capability

Air Data News

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement Royal Thai Air Force officials visited Saab in Sweden to review progress on Thailand’s Gripen E/F acquisition. Saab says production has started, with assembly of the first jet beginning at the company’s Linköping facility under the program aimed at replacing RTAF F-16 Block 15 aircraft.

2026-05-14T14:16:27.813591-07:00

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement

AeroTime

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla South Korea’s Air Force is preparing for KF-21 deployment while planning to retire its aging F-5 fleet by the end of 2027—though cost overruns could delay timelines. Separately, Malaysia is expected to assess a new MRCA program in 2029 or 2030 to replace its F/A-18D Hornets and Su-30MKM, setting up a competitive field including KF-21, Su-57E, Rafale and Gripen.

2026-05-14T05:47:09.534898-07:00

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla

AeroTime

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Norway’s revocation of an export license for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy. The government framed the decision as unilateral and raised concerns about the disruption to planned defense procurement.

2026-05-14T03:55:50.606203-07:00

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy

Air Data News

Embraer KC-390 Millennium push: Colombia and Chile talks, UAE contract signing, and Lithuania industrial partnership Embraer is renewing KC-390 Millennium campaigns in Colombia and Chile, with the company citing near-term procurement discussions for tactical cargo aircraft. Separately, Embraer says it is pursuing a broad industrial partnership with Lithuania to strengthen its European footprint. A separate milestone: the UAE Air Force contract for C-390 Millennium aircraft was signed under the witness of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

2026-05-12T02:04:24.378715-07:00

Embraer KC-390 Millennium push: Colombia and Chile talks, UAE contract signing, and Lithuania industrial partnership

Air Data News

Turkey signs first KAAN fifth-generation fighter order as Spain probes KAAN partnership Turkey has formally signed its first domestic production contract for the TAI KAAN, covering the program’s initial jets (with further quantities expected to scale). Separately, Spain is reportedly studying a potential partnership and possible purchase of the Turkish stealth fighter, signaling growing European interest in KAAN’s next-generation combat-aircraft offering.

2026-05-11T15:28:17.474880-07:00

Turkey signs first KAAN fifth-generation fighter order as Spain probes KAAN partnership

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Defense Deals News

UK greenlights F-35B StormBreaker/SDB-II interim stand-off strike as corrosion, spare-parts gaps cut mission capability

Malaysia condemns Norway’s unilateral revocation of Naval Strike Missile export license for Royal Malaysian Navy

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla

News Timeline