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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

India and France in advanced talks for 114 Rafales ahead of Macron visit

India and France are in advanced talks on a proposed 114‑aircraft Rafale purchase for the Indian Air Force, a deal expected to gain momentum around President Macron’s upcoming visit. The discussions signal a potential major expansion of India’s Rafale fleet in the near term.

2026-01-12T02:44:18.757765-08:00

dassault-aviation.com

Dassault leads $200M Series B in Harmattan AI, values the startup at $1.4B to fast‑track combat autonomy

2026-01-11T22:52:34.837852-08:00

FlightGlobal

Elbit wins ~$275M contract to equip Asia‑Pacific helicopters with EW and DIRCM self‑protection systems

2026-01-12T00:17:15.204003-08:00

APAC Defence Reporter

Lockheed Martin names Jeremy King as chief executive for Australia and New Zealand

2026-01-11T16:09:17.197993-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

India and France in advanced talks for 114 Rafales ahead of Macron visit India and France are in advanced talks on a proposed 114‑aircraft Rafale purchase for the Indian Air Force, a deal expected to gain momentum around President Macron’s upcoming visit. The discussions signal a potential major expansion of India’s Rafale fleet in the near term.

2026-01-12T02:44:18.757765-08:00

India and France in advanced talks for 114 Rafales ahead of Macron visit

FlightGlobal

Elbit wins ~$275M contract to equip Asia‑Pacific helicopters with EW and DIRCM self‑protection systems Elbit Systems has been awarded approximately $275 million in contracts to supply an airborne self‑protection electronic warfare suite, including its DIRCM (direct infrared countermeasure) system, to an undisclosed Asia‑Pacific nation's helicopter fleet. The work will be performed over five years to boost survivability against infrared‑guided threats.

2026-01-12T00:17:15.204003-08:00

Elbit wins ~$275M contract to equip Asia‑Pacific helicopters with EW and DIRCM self‑protection systems

dassault-aviation.com

Dassault leads $200M Series B in Harmattan AI, values the startup at $1.4B to fast‑track combat autonomy Dassault Aviation is leading a $200 million Series B in French defence AI specialist Harmattan AI, valuing the company at $1.4 billion and creating France's first defence unicorn. The strategic partnership will accelerate integration of controlled autonomy and AI into combat aviation systems.

2026-01-11T22:52:34.837852-08:00

Dassault leads $200M Series B in Harmattan AI, values the startup at $1.4B to fast‑track combat autonomy

Stars and Stripes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to visit Lockheed Martin Fort Worth plant and SpaceX Brownsville on 'Arsenal and Freedom' tour Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility and SpaceX’s Brownsville site as part of his nationwide 'Arsenal and Freedom' tour, underscoring direct Pentagon engagement with major defense primes and commercial launch providers during industry-facing stops.

2026-01-11T17:11:30.100079-08:00

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to visit Lockheed Martin Fort Worth plant and SpaceX Brownsville on 'Arsenal and Freedom' tour

APAC Defence Reporter

Lockheed Martin names Jeremy King as chief executive for Australia and New Zealand Lockheed Martin announced Jeremy King will assume the role of chief executive for Australia and New Zealand. The move places King in charge of the company's activities across both countries as Lockheed Martin continues to manage regional programmes and partnerships.

2026-01-11T16:09:17.197993-08:00

Lockheed Martin names Jeremy King as chief executive for Australia and New Zealand

AeroTime

Sweden to pledge $1.6bn to strengthen air-defence posture and protect critical infrastructure The Swedish government will invest about $1.6 billion to strengthen national air-defence capabilities, prioritising systems and measures to safeguard critical infrastructure. The funding signals a focused procurement, integration and deployment push to harden national resilience against growing aerial and missile threats.

2026-01-11T08:28:44.881024-08:00

Sweden to pledge $1.6bn to strengthen air-defence posture and protect critical infrastructure

Space.com

ISRO’s 2026 kickoff: PSLV‑C62 to launch Anvesha (EOS‑N1) military EO satellite ISRO will conduct its first orbital launch of 2026 with PSLV‑C62 on Jan. 12 (late Jan. 11 ET), carrying Anvesha (EOS‑N1), described as an advanced military reconnaissance / Earth‑observation satellite. The flight is PSLV’s return to operations after a May 2025 failure.

2026-01-11T03:03:58.945016-08:00

ISRO’s 2026 kickoff: PSLV‑C62 to launch Anvesha (EOS‑N1) military EO satellite

The War Zone

Ukraine's rare Mi-24RKhR 'Hind' radiation‑detection helicopters still operate on front lines Ukraine operates a tiny force of Mi-24RKhR 'Hind' helicopters originally fitted for nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance. Although the specialized NBC detection gear has been removed, these rare platforms remain active in frontline roles, providing rotary‑wing mobility and legacy sensor capability in high‑threat environments.

2026-01-10T13:25:46.173557-08:00

Ukraine's rare Mi-24RKhR 'Hind' radiation‑detection helicopters still operate on front lines

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

India and France in advanced talks for 114 Rafales ahead of Macron visit

Dassault leads $200M Series B in Harmattan AI, values the startup at $1.4B to fast‑track combat autonomy

Elbit wins ~$275M contract to equip Asia‑Pacific helicopters with EW and DIRCM self‑protection systems

Lockheed Martin names Jeremy King as chief executive for Australia and New Zealand

News Timeline