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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Edgewing wins £686m GCAP joint design contract as programme moves to next phase

The three-nation Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has awarded a £686 million ($904 million) joint design contract to design-and-development authority Edgewing, announced 2 April. The award funds core design and engineering activities to move the UK–Japan–Italy partnership into its next programme phase and build industrial momentum.

2026-04-02T04:20:53.455568-07:00

FlightGlobal

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for a successor to MBDA's Meteor BVR missile

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

Reuters

Sweden launches SEK 8.7bn GUTE II C‑UAS programme; Saab named lead systems integrator, BAE wins Tridon Mk2 order

2026-04-02T01:01:25.894511-07:00

New York Times

Iran conflict spotlights LIG Nex1 interceptors’ strong performance at a fraction of U.S. cost

2026-04-01T21:21:27.909537-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Edgewing wins £686m GCAP joint design contract as programme moves to next phase The three-nation Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has awarded a £686 million ($904 million) joint design contract to design-and-development authority Edgewing, announced 2 April. The award funds core design and engineering activities to move the UK–Japan–Italy partnership into its next programme phase and build industrial momentum.

2026-04-02T04:20:53.455568-07:00

Edgewing wins £686m GCAP joint design contract as programme moves to next phase

FlightGlobal

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for a successor to MBDA's Meteor BVR missile 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 scenarios and technical options to arm Typhoon and Rafale fleets with a next-generation BVR weapon.

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

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for a successor to MBDA's Meteor BVR missile

Reuters

Sweden launches SEK 8.7bn GUTE II C‑UAS programme; Saab named lead systems integrator, BAE wins Tridon Mk2 order Sweden has launched a SEK 8.7 billion GUTE II counter‑drone programme, awarding supply‑chain contracts to Saab, BAE Systems Bofors, Nammo and SISU. Saab will act as lead systems integrator on a SEK 2.6 billion mobile, modular C‑UAS (deliveries 2027–28); BAE secured a roughly $180 million Tridon Mk2 award.

2026-04-02T01:01:25.894511-07:00

Sweden launches SEK 8.7bn GUTE II C‑UAS programme; Saab named lead systems integrator, BAE wins Tridon Mk2 order

New York Times

Iran conflict spotlights LIG Nex1 interceptors’ strong performance at a fraction of U.S. cost South Korea’s LIG Nex1-made missile interceptors are reported to be performing effectively in the Iran conflict while costing only a small fraction of comparable U.S. interceptors, drawing attention to lower-cost alternatives for regional air-defence procurement and potential export opportunities for Seoul’s defence sector.

2026-04-01T21:21:27.909537-07:00

Iran conflict spotlights LIG Nex1 interceptors’ strong performance at a fraction of U.S. cost

Reuters

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Pentagon signs seven‑year framework with Boeing to triple PAC‑3 MSE seeker production; Lockheed pact runs concurrently The Defense Department signed a seven‑year framework with Boeing to triple production of seekers for the Patriot PAC‑3 Missile Segment Enhancement, aligning with Lockheed Martin’s parallel agreement to surge all‑up round output. The pacts aim to rapidly expand U.S. missile‑defense inventory and industrial capacity.

2026-04-01T04:51:59.110748-07:00

Pentagon signs seven‑year framework with Boeing to triple PAC‑3 MSE seeker production; Lockheed pact runs concurrently

Reuters

Outgoing Airbus Helicopters chief urges Europe to unite on defence procurement Airbus Helicopters' outgoing chief called for deeper European collaboration on defence procurement, warning that splitting programmes into national projects will drive costs beyond what countries can afford. He urged pooled buying and coordinated programmes to preserve industrial capabilities and deliver affordable capability.

2026-03-31T05:46:20.993295-07:00

Outgoing Airbus Helicopters chief urges Europe to unite on defence procurement

Reuters

US Navy: Virginia‑class subs, carrier and frigates delayed years by labor and supply‑chain shortfalls The U.S. Navy warned Tuesday that construction of Virginia‑class attack submarines, a new aircraft carrier and a class of frigates is now years behind schedule because of skilled labor shortages, design problems and pandemic‑related supply‑chain disruptions, forcing longer timelines for delivery and fleet recapitalization.

2026-03-30T21:12:38.663435-07:00

US Navy: Virginia‑class subs, carrier and frigates delayed years by labor and supply‑chain shortfalls

Air Data News

India approves $25bn defence package including Su-30MKI upgrade India's Defence Acquisition Council has approved roughly $25 billion in defence procurements, including a major upgrade programme for the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet. The move advances New Delhi's ongoing force-modernisation drive across combat and support platforms.

2026-03-30T01:15:38.050624-07:00

India approves $25bn defence package including Su-30MKI upgrade

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

Edgewing wins £686m GCAP joint design contract as programme moves to next phase

UK and France launch 12-month joint study for a successor to MBDA's Meteor BVR missile

Sweden launches SEK 8.7bn GUTE II C‑UAS programme; Saab named lead systems integrator, BAE wins Tridon Mk2 order

Iran conflict spotlights LIG Nex1 interceptors’ strong performance at a fraction of U.S. cost

News Timeline