News

Reuters • Forrest Crellin

Safran Aircraft Engines invests €150m in a 30,000-ton Gennevilliers forging press for critical LEAP and Rafale engine parts

Safran Aircraft Engines says it will invest €150m to upgrade its historic Gennevilliers forging operation with a 30,000 metric ton hydraulic press. The added capacity is aimed at producing strategic engine components for both commercial programmes (including LEAP) and military applications, including Rafale engine parts.

2026-04-13T05:55:44.542193-07:00

FlightGlobal

France signals Eurodrone MALE pullback as LPM 2024-2030 procurement plan revised

2026-04-13T08:38:10.063517-07:00

AeroTime

Swiss air force chief: Switzerland “not defense-ready” on ballistic-missile threat as F-35 and Patriot delays mount

2026-04-13T04:57:18.502149-07:00

FlightGlobal

UK MoD to begin Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor deliveries from Cambridge Aerospace to counter one-way attack drone threats

2026-04-13T02:39:28.009036-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

France signals Eurodrone MALE pullback as LPM 2024-2030 procurement plan revised France appears to be moving toward leaving the multinational Eurodrone MALE UAS programme, with the medium-altitude, long-endurance platform removed from the latest 2024-2030 LPM revision presented to the conseil des ministres on 8 April. The update formalises a shift away from the programme’s shared demand base.

2026-04-13T08:38:10.063517-07:00

France signals Eurodrone MALE pullback as LPM 2024-2030 procurement plan revised

Reuters

❗️

Safran Aircraft Engines invests €150m in a 30,000-ton Gennevilliers forging press for critical LEAP and Rafale engine parts Safran Aircraft Engines says it will invest €150m to upgrade its historic Gennevilliers forging operation with a 30,000 metric ton hydraulic press. The added capacity is aimed at producing strategic engine components for both commercial programmes (including LEAP) and military applications, including Rafale engine parts.

2026-04-13T05:55:44.542193-07:00

Safran Aircraft Engines invests €150m in a 30,000-ton Gennevilliers forging press for critical LEAP and Rafale engine parts

AeroTime

Swiss air force chief: Switzerland “not defense-ready” on ballistic-missile threat as F-35 and Patriot delays mount Switzerland’s air force commander Christian Oppliger said the country has “no answer” to ballistic missile threats and warned that delays affect both the F-35 and Patriot programmes. The assessment underscores gaps in national air and missile defence planning amid worsening regional threats.

2026-04-13T04:57:18.502149-07:00

Swiss air force chief: Switzerland “not defense-ready” on ballistic-missile threat as F-35 and Patriot delays mount

FlightGlobal

Portugal selects Tecnam P-Mentor for Air Force elementary training, orders 7 with synthetic systems and 5-year logistics Portugal has selected the Tecnam P-Mentor as its air force basic (elementary) trainer, with an agreement to supply seven piston-powered aircraft through Spanish training provider World Aviation. The deal also covers synthetic training systems, flight instructors, and a five-year integrated logistics support package.

2026-04-13T02:39:28.018304-07:00

Portugal selects Tecnam P-Mentor for Air Force elementary training, orders 7 with synthetic systems and 5-year logistics

FlightGlobal

UK MoD to begin Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor deliveries from Cambridge Aerospace to counter one-way attack drone threats The UK Ministry of Defence has contracted Cambridge Aerospace to deliver Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor missiles and launchers on a rapid schedule, with a first tranche due in May and additional deliveries within the first six months. The system is designed to defeat one-way attack drones, including those linked to Iranian Shahed-type threats.

2026-04-13T02:39:28.009036-07:00

UK MoD to begin Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor deliveries from Cambridge Aerospace to counter one-way attack drone threats

FlightGlobal

GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force to set up an in-country depot for F404-IN20 engine maintenance for HAL Tejas GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force have agreed to establish a dedicated depot facility in India for repairing and maintaining the F404-IN20 engines that power the HAL Tejas Mk1A. The move is positioned to localise Tejas engine sustainment, support MRO capability in-country, and improve fleet readiness.

2026-04-13T00:23:16.850644-07:00

GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force to set up an in-country depot for F404-IN20 engine maintenance for HAL Tejas

FlightGlobal

HAL hands over four Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mk IIIs to India’s Coast Guard; follow-on order adds six more Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has delivered four Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mk IIIs to the Indian Coast Guard, bringing the service’s total to 16 aircraft since deliveries began in 2022. HAL says the handover follows a March follow-on order for six additional Dhruvs.

2026-04-12T19:59:14.108586-07:00

HAL hands over four Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mk IIIs to India’s Coast Guard; follow-on order adds six more

AeroTime

Pakistan Air Force deploys F-16s and support aircraft to Saudi Arabia under joint defense framework as Iran tensions intensify The Pakistan Air Force has dispatched fighter jets—reported F-16s—and accompanying support aircraft to a Saudi base under a bilateral defense agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense. Multiple reports link the move to escalating regional security talks and intensifying activity tied to Iran.

2026-04-12T07:21:27.648131-07:00

Pakistan Air Force deploys F-16s and support aircraft to Saudi Arabia under joint defense framework as Iran tensions intensify

Menu

Military Aircraft Procurement News

Safran Aircraft Engines invests €150m in a 30,000-ton Gennevilliers forging press for critical LEAP and Rafale engine parts

France signals Eurodrone MALE pullback as LPM 2024-2030 procurement plan revised

Swiss air force chief: Switzerland “not defense-ready” on ballistic-missile threat as F-35 and Patriot delays mount

UK MoD to begin Skyhammer counter-drone interceptor deliveries from Cambridge Aerospace to counter one-way attack drone threats

News Timeline