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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Airbus delivers 25th A400M to French Air and Space Force as programme sustainment continues

Airbus has handed over the 25th A400M tactical transport to the French Air and Space Force, marking the halfway point of France’s procurement. The delivery highlights ongoing efforts to stabilise and sustain the A400M programme while Airbus balances in‑service support and production demands.

2026-01-20T00:32:48.449749-08:00

FlightGlobal

Germany extends Top Aces adversary-air training contract for 10 years, up to €420M

2026-01-19T23:28:20.741925-08:00

ch-aviation

US Air Force receives first Boeing 747-8

2026-01-19T11:13:18.244459-08:00

ga.com

GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger conducts mission-autonomy flight, completing simulated autonomous aerial intercept

2026-01-18T18:16:05.054826-08:00

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Air Data News

Airbus delivers 25th A400M to French Air and Space Force as programme sustainment continues Airbus has handed over the 25th A400M tactical transport to the French Air and Space Force, marking the halfway point of France’s procurement. The delivery highlights ongoing efforts to stabilise and sustain the A400M programme while Airbus balances in‑service support and production demands.

2026-01-20T00:32:48.449749-08:00

Airbus delivers 25th A400M to French Air and Space Force as programme sustainment continues

FlightGlobal

Germany extends Top Aces adversary-air training contract for 10 years, up to €420M Germany has awarded Top Aces a 10‑year extension to deliver adversary air training services, a contract worth up to €420 million (about $490 million). The deal secures continued contractor-provided advanced air-combat training for the German armed forces, preserving long-term readiness capacity.

2026-01-19T23:28:20.741925-08:00

Germany extends Top Aces adversary-air training contract for 10 years, up to €420M

ch-aviation

US Air Force receives first Boeing 747-8 The U.S. Air Force has received its first Boeing 747-8, formally adding the long-range widebody to USAF inventory. The delivery marks a procurement milestone for the service and starts standard acceptance, inspection and integration activities ahead of operational assignment.

2026-01-19T11:13:18.244459-08:00

US Air Force receives first Boeing 747-8

FlightGlobal

Qinetiq wins £205m, five-year follow-on MoD contract to sustain RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fleet Qinetiq has secured a five-year, £205 million follow-on contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to continue delivering mission-critical engineering services in support of the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet. The award extends Qinetiq’s sustainment role for the combat aircraft into the next operational cycle.

2026-01-19T07:27:33.012785-08:00

Qinetiq wins £205m, five-year follow-on MoD contract to sustain RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fleet

Reuters

Leonardo chairman floats potential merger with state-controlled Fincantieri, signaling possible Italian defence consolidation Leonardo's chairman on Monday publicly floated a potential future combination with state-controlled shipbuilder Fincantieri, raising the prospect of a major consolidation in Italy's defence and aerospace sector. The proposal would unite an electronics-to-aviation prime with the country's naval shipbuilder, prompting strategic and regulatory scrutiny.

2026-01-19T06:45:48.184449-08:00

Leonardo chairman floats potential merger with state-controlled Fincantieri, signaling possible Italian defence consolidation

AeroTime

Ukraine expands access to ICEYE high‑resolution SAR imagery under new MoD agreement ICEYE has signed an expanded agreement with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to broaden provision of high‑resolution synthetic‑aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery, delivering day–night, all‑weather tactical ISR from its constellation and increasing tasking priority and delivery to Ukrainian defence customers.

2026-01-19T04:07:39.813552-08:00

Ukraine expands access to ICEYE high‑resolution SAR imagery under new MoD agreement

ga.com

GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger conducts mission-autonomy flight, completing simulated autonomous aerial intercept General Atomics conducted a mission-autonomy flight with its MQ-20 Avenger on 18 January 2026, loading a mission profile and using the government reference autonomy software to execute a simulated air‑to‑air intercept. The company framed the sortie as an advance in human–machine teaming and autonomous engagement tactics.

2026-01-18T18:16:05.054826-08:00

GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger conducts mission-autonomy flight, completing simulated autonomous aerial intercept

Financial Times

European defence stocks jump ~15% as Greenland tensions fuel bets on higher military spending European defence stocks have surged nearly 15% this month as mounting geopolitical tensions over Greenland prompt investors to expect sustained rises in national military spending. The rally signals growing market anticipation of accelerated procurement and orders for European defence contractors and suppliers.

2026-01-17T22:52:19.486826-08:00

European defence stocks jump ~15% as Greenland tensions fuel bets on higher military spending

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Airbus delivers 25th A400M to French Air and Space Force as programme sustainment continues

Germany extends Top Aces adversary-air training contract for 10 years, up to €420M

US Air Force receives first Boeing 747-8

GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger conducts mission-autonomy flight, completing simulated autonomous aerial intercept

News Timeline