FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
Qinetiq-owned Inzpire has been awarded an initial three-year contract to deliver multinational training for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ MQ-9B and the RAF Protector fleets. The company says the program could eventually support up to 37 instructor crews as it scales training capacity.
Military Aircraft Procurement
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Qinetiq-owned Inzpire has been awarded an initial three-year contract to deliver multinational training for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ MQ-9B and the RAF Protector fleets. The company says the program could eventually support up to 37 instructor crews as it scales training capacity.
The Israeli Air Force has restarted Squadron 193, which operates maritime helicopters for the Israeli Navy, following the delivery of new SH-60F Seahawks from Sikorsky. The move points to renewed ASW and maritime air support capacity aligned to navy helicopter operations.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury says he sees “good hope” for additional A400M tactical airlifter orders through a currently seven-nation NATO initiative to cooperate on combined operations. Airbus officials expect the pooled A400M plan to translate into incremental procurement among participating allies.
High activity
The European Commission has disbursed a further €3.47 billion (€3.9B) to Ukraine under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan to fund drones (including long-range jet-powered models), missiles, air defence and procurement of Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets. The announcement follows renewed Russian strikes and reported missile activity near Poland.
The Royal Australian Air Force is using its Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in the anti-submarine and anti-surface roles during current RIMPAC naval exercises. The activity gives the RAAF P-8A community its first experience with a newly introduced anti-ship capability.
Turkish Aerospace (TAI) says it will restart production of the T-70 utility helicopter—a Turkish variant of the Sikorsky S-70—after US sanctions relief. The move follows improved Ankara–Washington ties and is expected to restart a program constrained by export and licensing restrictions.
Poland’s first Italy-built F-35A—part of a 32-jet program—has completed its maiden test flight as deliveries continue. In parallel, Nigeria’s air force has completed factory acceptance tests on the first batch of three Leonardo M-346FAs at Venegono, Italy, after earlier delivery timing expected in 2025.
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