News

DefenseNews.com

Saab FMV denies Botswana Gripen C/D sale reports amid “in talks” claims

Sweden’s state procurement agency FMV is denying that a deal has been reached to sell 12 Saab JAS Gripen C/D multirole fighters to Botswana, despite reporting that talks are underway. The denial keeps the prospective order unconfirmed as the supplier seeks clarity on scope and timelines.

2026-05-05T04:24:10.914917-07:00

DefenseNews.com

USAF launches “full and open” competition to replace entire UH-1N Huey fleet

2026-05-05T04:24:02.581442-07:00

AeroTime

French armed forces’ US dependency risk highlighted as 20 years of budget cuts force reliance on US ISR and carrier catapult cap

2026-05-05T04:01:26.965776-07:00

defence-industry.eu

USAF approves T-7A Red Hawk low-rate initial production, releases $219M for first 14 aircraft

2026-05-04T16:10:58.451980-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Saab FMV denies Botswana Gripen C/D sale reports amid “in talks” claims Sweden’s state procurement agency FMV is denying that a deal has been reached to sell 12 Saab JAS Gripen C/D multirole fighters to Botswana, despite reporting that talks are underway. The denial keeps the prospective order unconfirmed as the supplier seeks clarity on scope and timelines.

2026-05-05T04:24:10.914917-07:00

Saab FMV denies Botswana Gripen C/D sale reports amid “in talks” claims

DefenseNews.com

MBDA wins UK MoD deal to develop a medium-range strike missile for future F-35 force MBDA has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract to develop a medium-range strike weapon intended for its upcoming F-35 aircraft fleet. The deal extends MBDA’s role in arming UK stealth jets with a longer-range precision capability, aligning with ongoing UK investment in long-range effects.

2026-05-05T04:24:07.499374-07:00

MBDA wins UK MoD deal to develop a medium-range strike missile for future F-35 force

DefenseNews.com

USAF launches “full and open” competition to replace entire UH-1N Huey fleet The U.S. Air Force says it will run a “full and open” competition to replace the entire UH-1N Huey helicopter fleet. The move signals a wholesale recapitalization effort and sets the framework for follow-on rotorcraft selection and sustainment planning.

2026-05-05T04:24:02.581442-07:00

USAF launches “full and open” competition to replace entire UH-1N Huey fleet

DefenseNews.com

F-35 readiness push under scrutiny as USAF targets year-end operational declaration As the US Air Force races to declare its F-35 fleet operational by year-end, pilots and maintainers are weighing progress against reported risks: schedule delays, a faulty logistics system, and software glitches. The debate echoes prior warnings about software delivery timelines and fielding gaps.

2026-05-05T04:24:00.438799-07:00

F-35 readiness push under scrutiny as USAF targets year-end operational declaration

AeroTime

French armed forces’ US dependency risk highlighted as 20 years of budget cuts force reliance on US ISR and carrier catapult cap A new French parliamentary report argues that two decades of defense budget restraint have left France leaning on US aerospace for core capabilities spanning drones (including MQ-9 Reaper), early warning (E-2 Hawkeye), and aircraft carrier launch systems (EMALS). It maps capability gaps and sovereignty shortfalls that policy makers can’t close with mere “requirements” language.

2026-05-05T04:01:26.965776-07:00

French armed forces’ US dependency risk highlighted as 20 years of budget cuts force reliance on US ISR and carrier catapult cap

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Firefly unit SciTec wins OTA award supporting US Space Force Golden Dome space-based interceptors Firefly Aerospace says its SciTec subsidiary has received an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement from U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command for the Golden Dome space-based missile defense program under the US “Space-Based Interceptor” effort. In parallel, Firefly plans to debut the Alpha Block 2 upgraded rocket late this summer amid strong demand.

2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00

Firefly unit SciTec wins OTA award supporting US Space Force Golden Dome space-based interceptors

defence-industry.eu

❗️

USAF approves T-7A Red Hawk low-rate initial production, releases $219M for first 14 aircraft The U.S. Air Force cleared Boeing/Saab’s T-7A Red Hawk for belated low-rate initial production. A Milestone C decision will release a $219 million contract for the first 14 production models, setting up the long-awaited T-38 Talon replacement path for advanced jet training.

2026-05-04T16:10:58.451980-07:00

USAF approves T-7A Red Hawk low-rate initial production, releases $219M for first 14 aircraft

Via Satellite

Lockheed Martin joins Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space to develop sea-based national security launches Lockheed Martin said it is partnering with Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space to develop sea-based launch capabilities for national security missions. The three-way collaboration builds on Firefly’s small-launch-vehicle offshore infrastructure concept, adding Lockheed’s strategic and missile defense systems footprint to the effort.

2026-05-04T14:04:28.560841-07:00

Lockheed Martin joins Firefly Aerospace and Seagate Space to develop sea-based national security launches

Menu

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Saab FMV denies Botswana Gripen C/D sale reports amid “in talks” claims

USAF launches “full and open” competition to replace entire UH-1N Huey fleet

French armed forces’ US dependency risk highlighted as 20 years of budget cuts force reliance on US ISR and carrier catapult cap

USAF approves T-7A Red Hawk low-rate initial production, releases $219M for first 14 aircraft

News Timeline