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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor

The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin a 12-month joint study into a successor to MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The study will assess future threat environments and define requirements for a next-generation BVR weapon for Typhoon and Rafale fleets.

2026-04-02T03:21:24.464331-07:00

Reuters

Haftar forces deploy Chinese- and Turkish-made combat drones at eastern Libya airbase despite UN embargo

2026-04-02T00:10:30.805311-07:00

Aviation Week

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany

2026-03-31T00:45:43.158031-07:00

AeroTime

US redirects over CHF100m in Swiss F‑35 funds to cover frozen Patriot payments

2026-03-27T02:38:12.188468-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor The UK and France have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin a 12-month joint study into a successor to MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The study will assess future threat environments and define requirements for a next-generation BVR weapon for Typhoon and Rafale fleets.

2026-04-02T03:21:24.464331-07:00

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor

Reuters

Haftar forces deploy Chinese- and Turkish-made combat drones at eastern Libya airbase despite UN embargo Satellite imagery shows at least three new combat drones—experts identify Chinese and Turkish types—parked at an eastern Libyan airbase under Khalifa Haftar's control. The placement appears to contravene a UN arms embargo and signals continued external support to forces in Libya's contested east.

2026-04-02T00:10:30.805311-07:00

Haftar forces deploy Chinese- and Turkish-made combat drones at eastern Libya airbase despite UN embargo

Aviation Week

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Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia have formed a strategic partnership to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft as an uncrewed 'loyal‑wingman' for the Bundeswehr, targeting Germany's fast‑track Luftwaffe CCA requirement and opening the door to wider European sales.

2026-03-31T00:45:43.158031-07:00

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany

AeroTime

US redirects over CHF100m in Swiss F‑35 funds to cover frozen Patriot payments The US redirected more than CHF100 million in Swiss F‑35 payments into funding for the Patriot air‑defence programme, bypassing a 2025 Swiss freeze tied to delivery delays. The reallocation covers blocked Patriot bills and deepens a fiscal dispute over bilateral procurement timelines.

2026-03-27T02:38:12.188468-07:00

US redirects over CHF100m in Swiss F‑35 funds to cover frozen Patriot payments

Air Data News

Saab presses Gripen bid in Peru as country signals lean toward F-16 amid no formal decision Saab is intensifying its campaign to sell Gripen fighters to Peru even as officials have shown signs of leaning toward F-16s. No formal procurement decision has been announced, leaving the contest open while Saab continues to press its case, including offers of industrial cooperation.

2026-03-27T02:30:58.150691-07:00

Saab presses Gripen bid in Peru as country signals lean toward F-16 amid no formal decision

AeroTime

Pentagon seeks ~$1.5B to buy interceptors, may divert Ukraine-bound missiles to Middle East The Pentagon is seeking roughly $1.5 billion in reprogramming to buy critical missile interceptors from Lockheed and RTX as combat operations related to Iran deplete US stocks. Officials are weighing diverting interceptors earmarked for NATO’s PURL air‑defence program for Ukraine to meet Middle East demands.

2026-03-26T07:31:30.062613-07:00

Pentagon seeks ~$1.5B to buy interceptors, may divert Ukraine-bound missiles to Middle East

AeroTime

Western intel: Russia nearing deliveries of modified Shahed drones to Iran; Iran adopts Russian-style barrage tactics Western intelligence says Russia is nearing delivery of modified Shahed-type drones to Iran, a claim the Kremlin denies. Analysts note Iran’s recent drone-and-missile barrages mirror tactics used in Ukraine, posing fresh challenges for Gulf and Levant air-defence networks.

2026-03-26T03:20:33.561731-07:00

Western intel: Russia nearing deliveries of modified Shahed drones to Iran; Iran adopts Russian-style barrage tactics

FlightGlobal

US clears $16.5bn+ arms sales to UAE, Kuwait and Jordan — air‑launched munitions and missile‑defence systems The US has approved more than $16.5 billion in potential weapons sales to the UAE, Kuwait and Jordan, covering air‑launched munitions and advanced missile‑defence systems. The approvals come as strikes against Iran continue, underscoring US efforts to bolster Gulf partners' strike and air‑defence capabilities.

2026-03-24T12:54:51.854471-07:00

US clears $16.5bn+ arms sales to UAE, Kuwait and Jordan — air‑launched munitions and missile‑defence systems

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Defense Deals News

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for Meteor beyond-visual-range missile successor

Haftar forces deploy Chinese- and Turkish-made combat drones at eastern Libya airbase despite UN embargo

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany

US redirects over CHF100m in Swiss F‑35 funds to cover frozen Patriot payments

News Timeline