News

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Israel funds extended-range external fuel tank modification for F-35I Adir fleet via Elbit Systems contracts

Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed contracts worth more than $34 million with Elbit Systems and its Cyclone subsidiary to develop and field an extended-range capability for the Lockheed Martin F-35I “Adir.” The program will modify the fleet to carry domestically developed external fuel tanks to increase range and expand operational reach.

2026-05-14T02:37:13.070339-07:00

FlightGlobal

GMR Aero Technic and Boeing Defence India sign Phase-56 heavy maintenance deal for Indian Navy P-8I

2026-05-14T02:11:44.032868-07:00

ch-aviation

Thailand government takes delivery of two Textron Cessna SkyCourier 408s

2026-05-13T19:42:54.943649-07:00

Aviation Week

USAF awards $18.5M Aevex contract for autonomous one-way attack drones and engineering support

2026-05-13T11:36:11.175536-07:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla South Korea’s Air Force is preparing for KF-21 deployment while planning to retire its aging F-5 fleet by the end of 2027—though cost overruns could delay timelines. Separately, Malaysia is expected to assess a new MRCA program in 2029 or 2030 to replace its F/A-18D Hornets and Su-30MKM, setting up a competitive field including KF-21, Su-57E, Rafale and Gripen.

2026-05-14T05:47:09.534898-07:00

South Korea readies KF-21 operational rollout as F-5 retirements target end-2027; Malaysia MRCA race starts toward 2029–30 repla

FlightGlobal

Israel funds extended-range external fuel tank modification for F-35I Adir fleet via Elbit Systems contracts Israel’s Ministry of Defense has signed contracts worth more than $34 million with Elbit Systems and its Cyclone subsidiary to develop and field an extended-range capability for the Lockheed Martin F-35I “Adir.” The program will modify the fleet to carry domestically developed external fuel tanks to increase range and expand operational reach.

2026-05-14T02:37:13.070339-07:00

Israel funds extended-range external fuel tank modification for F-35I Adir fleet via Elbit Systems contracts

FlightGlobal

GMR Aero Technic and Boeing Defence India sign Phase-56 heavy maintenance deal for Indian Navy P-8I GMR Aero Technic (GAT) has signed an agreement with Boeing Defence India Private Limited (BDIPL) to perform Phase-56 heavy maintenance checks for the Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft fleet. The work is set to be carried out locally at GAT’s Hyderabad facilities.

2026-05-14T02:11:44.032868-07:00

GMR Aero Technic and Boeing Defence India sign Phase-56 heavy maintenance deal for Indian Navy P-8I

ch-aviation

Thailand government takes delivery of two Textron Cessna SkyCourier 408s Thailand has taken delivery of two SkyCourier 408 twin-turboprop aircraft under the government’s procurement of the type, according to ch-aviation data. The handover extends the SkyCourier’s defense and utility footprint as governments evaluate the aircraft for missions beyond commercial cargo.

2026-05-13T19:42:54.943649-07:00

Thailand government takes delivery of two Textron Cessna SkyCourier 408s

Aviation Week

USAF awards $18.5M Aevex contract for autonomous one-way attack drones and engineering support The U.S. Air Force has awarded Aevex an $18.5 million contract for autonomous one-way attack drones and associated support services. Aevex, which has supplied thousands of similar systems to Ukraine, is positioned to deliver expendable strike capability as the USAF scales uncrewed autonomy and engineering support.

2026-05-13T11:36:11.175536-07:00

USAF awards $18.5M Aevex contract for autonomous one-way attack drones and engineering support

Air Data News

Embraer plots KC-390 ramp to 10 aircraft/year by 2030; explores US and India assembly, while Colombia and Chile show C-390 inter Embraer expects to lift KC-390 Millennium production to 10 aircraft annually by the end of the decade, and is studying potential assembly-line moves in the U.S. and India contingent on major contract wins. The airlifter’s forward-operational concept—ACE, FARP and multi-domain task-force sustainment—targets demand for expeditionary airlift, with Colombia and Chile signaling interest in the platform.

2026-05-13T11:03:21.286759-07:00

Embraer plots KC-390 ramp to 10 aircraft/year by 2030; explores US and India assembly, while Colombia and Chile show C-390 inter

Vertical Mag

❗️

SkyAlyne, Airbus Helicopters mark RCAF FAcT milestone as first CT-153 Juno completes initial Canadian test flights The first CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) completed initial Canadian test flights in Fort Erie, Ontario, including display of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) livery. SkyAlyne is also set to acquire 19 CT-153s for RCAF Future Aircrew Training, with deliveries beginning mid-2026.

2026-05-13T09:42:50.981310-07:00

SkyAlyne, Airbus Helicopters mark RCAF FAcT milestone as first CT-153 Juno completes initial Canadian test flights

DefenseNews.com

❗️

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics The Pentagon announced framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 to develop and accelerate production of 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles, alongside plans to buy 500 hypersonic missiles annually. The awards expand the industrial base, with the U.S. Army set to procure 3,000 containerized Barracuda 500M cruise missiles from Anduril.

2026-05-13T09:09:38.870409-07:00

Pentagon rolls out framework and annual buys for 10,000 low-cost cruise missiles plus 500 hypersonics

Menu

Military Aircraft Procurement News

Israel funds extended-range external fuel tank modification for F-35I Adir fleet via Elbit Systems contracts

GMR Aero Technic and Boeing Defence India sign Phase-56 heavy maintenance deal for Indian Navy P-8I

Thailand government takes delivery of two Textron Cessna SkyCourier 408s

USAF awards $18.5M Aevex contract for autonomous one-way attack drones and engineering support

News Timeline