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DefenseNews.com • Lars Hoffmann

Germany Air Force shortlists Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F as CH-53 heavy-lift successors

The German armed forces have shortlisted the Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F Chinook as potential successors to its aging CH-53 heavy-lift helicopter fleet, a German Air Force spokesman confirmed. The move sets up an options review for Germany’s next heavy-lift rotorcraft capability.

2026-04-22T17:50:08.096809-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Denmark F-16 replacement plan sparks NATO and domestic budget concerns over future affordability

2026-04-22T17:50:05.224280-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Bulgaria seeks to replace aging Soviet-era fighter fleet with new jets by 2019

2026-04-22T17:50:04.276566-07:00

Aviation Source

Jet2 adds nonstop London East Midlands–Paris for Summer 2027

2026-04-22T15:57:46.637810-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

Germany Air Force shortlists Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F as CH-53 heavy-lift successors The German armed forces have shortlisted the Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F Chinook as potential successors to its aging CH-53 heavy-lift helicopter fleet, a German Air Force spokesman confirmed. The move sets up an options review for Germany’s next heavy-lift rotorcraft capability.

2026-04-22T17:50:08.096809-07:00

Germany Air Force shortlists Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F as CH-53 heavy-lift successors

DefenseNews.com

Denmark F-16 replacement plan sparks NATO and domestic budget concerns over future affordability Denmark’s planned investment to replace its aging F-16 fleet is drawing scrutiny at home and in NATO circles, with critics warning the capital-heavy procurement could materially strain the country’s future “core” defense budgets. The concern centers on long-term tradeoffs between recapitalization and other priority programs.

2026-04-22T17:50:05.224280-07:00

Denmark F-16 replacement plan sparks NATO and domestic budget concerns over future affordability

DefenseNews.com

Bulgaria seeks to replace aging Soviet-era fighter fleet with new jets by 2019 The Bulgarian Air Force plans to retire aging Soviet-designed fighter aircraft and acquire a replacement fleet, targeting entry into service by 2019. The move signals an urgent need to recap combat capability as legacy airframes age out and sustainment becomes more challenging.

2026-04-22T17:50:04.276566-07:00

Bulgaria seeks to replace aging Soviet-era fighter fleet with new jets by 2019

DefenseNews.com

Putin invites Orban to Moscow as Hungary pushes back on EU sanctions; Russian oil flows via Druzhba continue Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has invited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to meet in Moscow next month, framed as a way to offset EU sanctions. Separately, a European intelligence brief says Hungary and Slovakia still receive Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline while Slovakia’s Robert Fico demands sanctions relief, with knock-on pressure on Europe’s fuel bill.

2026-04-22T17:50:03.779485-07:00

Putin invites Orban to Moscow as Hungary pushes back on EU sanctions; Russian oil flows via Druzhba continue

DefenseNews.com

Pakistan to bid JF-17 Thunder fighters for Bulgaria’s tender for 16 combat aircraft Pakistan says it plans to offer its PAC JF-17 Thunder fighters to Bulgaria in response to the country’s tender to acquire 16 combat aircraft for the Bulgarian military. The offer frames the JF-17 as a potential candidate for a new-generation fighter fleet procurement.

2026-04-22T16:49:52.389834-07:00

Pakistan to bid JF-17 Thunder fighters for Bulgaria’s tender for 16 combat aircraft

Aviation Source

Jet2 adds nonstop London East Midlands–Paris for Summer 2027 Jet2 will expand its network from London East Midlands Airport with new direct services to Paris for the Summer 2027 season, positioning the airport as a growing UK point of access to the French capital. The schedule targets the summer travel peak with year-ahead planning centered on nonstop demand.

2026-04-22T15:57:46.637810-07:00

Jet2 adds nonstop London East Midlands–Paris for Summer 2027

DefenseNews.com

US clears potential F-35 sale of 34 jets to Belgium; country still lacks a replacement decision The U.S. State Department has cleared a potential Foreign Military Sale covering 34 F-35 fighters to Belgium. Belgium has not yet selected a new fighter type, keeping the follow-on acquisition decision open even as the authorization moves the program forward.

2026-04-22T15:23:54.838805-07:00

US clears potential F-35 sale of 34 jets to Belgium; country still lacks a replacement decision

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland The UK has picked Lockheed Martin to help develop its first domestic commercial spaceport in Melness, Scotland. The effort is framed as potential future support for U.S. military satellite launches, as governments seek reliable routes to orbit.

2026-04-22T14:34:54.280650-07:00

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

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Europe News

Germany Air Force shortlists Sikorsky CH-53K and Boeing CH-47F as CH-53 heavy-lift successors

Denmark F-16 replacement plan sparks NATO and domestic budget concerns over future affordability

Bulgaria seeks to replace aging Soviet-era fighter fleet with new jets by 2019

Jet2 adds nonstop London East Midlands–Paris for Summer 2027

News Timeline