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AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Chinese fighter sales surge after India-Pakistan conflict boosts demand for China-built aircraft

China’s fighter-jet manufacturers are reporting a sharp rise in sales after the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, in which Pakistan credited China-built aircraft with playing a decisive role in aerial combat. The reported sales uptick points to translating combat credibility into export momentum for Chinese platforms.

2026-04-30T07:45:07.940758-07:00

FlightGlobal

Hungary receives first two additional Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighters under 2024 fleet-expansion deal

2026-04-30T04:04:19.204103-07:00

The Aviationist

USAF shows AGM-183 ARRW on external carriage from B-1B Lancer for first visual confirmation

2026-04-29T18:28:28.884658-07:00

Bloomberg

Report: CENTCOM seeks first combat use of the Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile against Iran from the Middle East

2026-04-30T01:10:05.906728-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

Chinese fighter sales surge after India-Pakistan conflict boosts demand for China-built aircraft China’s fighter-jet manufacturers are reporting a sharp rise in sales after the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, in which Pakistan credited China-built aircraft with playing a decisive role in aerial combat. The reported sales uptick points to translating combat credibility into export momentum for Chinese platforms.

2026-04-30T07:45:07.940758-07:00

Chinese fighter sales surge after India-Pakistan conflict boosts demand for China-built aircraft

FlightGlobal

Hungary receives first two additional Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighters under 2024 fleet-expansion deal Hungarian Defence Forces have taken delivery of two new Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighters for basing at the 101st Aviation Wing at Kecskemét Air Base. The jets are the first deliveries under a 2024 agreement between the Hungarian defence ministry and Saab’s procurement partner FMV to expand the country’s combat fleet.

2026-04-30T04:04:19.204103-07:00

Hungary receives first two additional Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighters under 2024 fleet-expansion deal

Bloomberg

Report: CENTCOM seeks first combat use of the Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile against Iran from the Middle East US Central Command has reportedly asked to deploy the Army’s long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for a potential strike role against Iranian ballistic-missile launchers beyond current US standoff range. The request reflects a push for deeper target reach inside Iran using a longer-range hypersonic capability.

2026-04-30T01:10:05.906728-07:00

Report: CENTCOM seeks first combat use of the Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile against Iran from the Middle East

The Aviationist

USAF shows AGM-183 ARRW on external carriage from B-1B Lancer for first visual confirmation A newly released U.S. Air Force video clip provides the first visual confirmation of a B-1B Lancer carrying an AGM-183 ARRW hypersonic weapon externally. The appearance—tied to maintenance activity at Edwards AFB—signals potential expansion of the bomber’s hypersonic-armed role as the service prepares to broaden B-1B employment.

2026-04-29T18:28:28.884658-07:00

USAF shows AGM-183 ARRW on external carriage from B-1B Lancer for first visual confirmation

FlightGlobal

Hegseth: Pentagon plans F/A-XX next-gen naval fighter contract decision in August US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon expects a contract decision for the US Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation fighter in August. The reaffirmation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the carrier fighter’s strategic value and the state of the domestic industrial base that has already delayed program milestones.

2026-04-29T17:41:48.277750-07:00

Hegseth: Pentagon plans F/A-XX next-gen naval fighter contract decision in August

DefenseNews.com

MBDA and Safran complete first live firing test for Thundart long-range rocket artillery, targeting French deployment by 2030 MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense say the French long-range surface-to-surface rocket artillery system Thundart achieved its first successful firing on April 14 at the Île du Levant test site. The partners position Thundart as fully designed and produced in France, with a 2029 delivery to support French capability fielding by 2030, aligned to the DGA’s FLP-T (land long-range strike) requirement to replace MLRS.

2026-04-29T14:29:45.975317-07:00

MBDA and Safran complete first live firing test for Thundart long-range rocket artillery, targeting French deployment by 2030

The War Zone

USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft set for 2029 delivery with conventional landing gear The U.S. Marine Corps’ MQ-58 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft will begin arriving in 2029, kicking off the service’s operational CCA journey. The platform will use conventional landing gear, with additional CCA variants expected to follow as the programme scales.

2026-04-29T11:47:54.142269-07:00

USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft set for 2029 delivery with conventional landing gear

Vertical Mag

Sikorsky and Near Earth Autonomy selected with Autonomous 505 and R66 Turbinetruck finalists for U.S. Marine Corps MARV-EL resup Sikorsky and Near Earth Autonomy are developing two autonomy-enabled platforms—Autonomous 505 and the R66 Turbinetruck—selected as finalists in the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next for manned variants. The pair will now support development for the U.S. Marine Corps’ MARV-EL contested logistics resupply mission.

2026-04-29T11:21:14.219573-07:00

Sikorsky and Near Earth Autonomy selected with Autonomous 505 and R66 Turbinetruck finalists for U.S. Marine Corps MARV-EL resup

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Chinese fighter sales surge after India-Pakistan conflict boosts demand for China-built aircraft

Hungary receives first two additional Saab JAS 39 Gripen C fighters under 2024 fleet-expansion deal

USAF shows AGM-183 ARRW on external carriage from B-1B Lancer for first visual confirmation

Report: CENTCOM seeks first combat use of the Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile against Iran from the Middle East

News Timeline