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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Italy approves €8.77bn to fund GCAP next‑generation fighter with UK and Japan

Italy’s parliament approved €8.77 billion (about $10.7 billion) to finance its contribution to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the trilateral UK–Japan–Italy next‑generation fighter development effort. The vote secures Italian funding for industrial participation, programme development and procurement planning.

2026-02-12T23:40:36.270218-08:00

Aviation Week

HENSOLDT and Helsing to equip CA‑1 Europa UCAV with AI‑enabled sensor suite

2026-02-12T08:40:20.749023-08:00

indiatoday.in

India clears ₹3.6 trillion ($39–40B) defence package to buy 114 Dassault Rafales

2026-02-12T02:10:28.210360-08:00

Breaking Defense

Saudi Arabia in final-stage talks to join Türkiye's KAAN fighter programme

2026-02-12T08:49:13.870004-08:00

News Timeline

Air Data News

Italy approves €8.77bn to fund GCAP next‑generation fighter with UK and Japan Italy’s parliament approved €8.77 billion (about $10.7 billion) to finance its contribution to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the trilateral UK–Japan–Italy next‑generation fighter development effort. The vote secures Italian funding for industrial participation, programme development and procurement planning.

2026-02-12T23:40:36.270218-08:00

Italy approves €8.77bn to fund GCAP next‑generation fighter with UK and Japan

Breaking Defense

Saudi Arabia in final-stage talks to join Türkiye's KAAN fighter programme Turkish Aerospace says Saudi Arabia is in the "final stages" of talks to join Türkiye's KAAN indigenous fighter programme, signalling Ankara is being considered as a supplier for Riyadh's combat-aircraft modernisation. Riyadh has stayed tight‑lipped and is reportedly weighing several international options to upgrade its fleet.

2026-02-12T08:49:13.870004-08:00

Saudi Arabia in final-stage talks to join Türkiye's KAAN fighter programme

Aviation Week

HENSOLDT and Helsing to equip CA‑1 Europa UCAV with AI‑enabled sensor suite HENSOLDT has signed a strategic partnership with Helsing to integrate its sensor package onto Helsing’s CA‑1 Europa unmanned combat air vehicle and jointly develop AI‑enabled combat‑air systems. The deal is positioned within a sovereign European technology architecture to strengthen autonomous sensing and strike capability.

2026-02-12T08:40:20.749023-08:00

HENSOLDT and Helsing to equip CA‑1 Europa UCAV with AI‑enabled sensor suite

FlightGlobal

Spain fields first A400M fitted with Indra InShield DIRCM; operational evaluation begins Airbus Air Power has completed installation of Indra's InShield directed-infrared countermeasures suite on the Spanish Air and Space Army's first A400M. Madrid will begin an operational evaluation of the modified airlifter; Indra says the national system can detect and neutralise missile attacks.

2026-02-12T08:34:06.772649-08:00

Spain fields first A400M fitted with Indra InShield DIRCM; operational evaluation begins

Reuters

NATO launches Arctic Sentry: Germany deploys four Eurofighters and tanker; Sweden sends Gripens and special forces NATO has launched Arctic Sentry to reinforce security across the High North. Germany will initially dispatch four Eurofighter jets and a tanker, while Sweden is contributing JAS 39 Gripens and special-forces elements to patrol waters around Iceland and Greenland amid heightened strategic tensions.

2026-02-12T03:40:06.997548-08:00

NATO launches Arctic Sentry: Germany deploys four Eurofighters and tanker; Sweden sends Gripens and special forces

AeroTime

Australia opens $253M MQ-4C Triton base at RAAF Tindal to boost northern maritime surveillance The $253 million base at RAAF Tindal will host MQ-4C Triton operations, providing persistent high‑altitude maritime surveillance over Australia’s northern approaches. The facility expands RAAF maritime ISR reach and sustainment, tightening integration with regional defense and patrol operations and supports coalition interoperability.

2026-02-12T03:14:07.077015-08:00

Australia opens $253M MQ-4C Triton base at RAAF Tindal to boost northern maritime surveillance

FlightGlobal

Royal Danish Air Force selects 2Excel to deliver MH-60R conversion training The Royal Danish Air Force has selected UK-based 2Excel Aviation to provide conversion training for personnel transitioning to the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare helicopter. The program will train aircrews and maintenance personnel to operate and sustain Denmark’s incoming MH-60R maritime ASW capability.

2026-02-12T03:04:53.222846-08:00

Royal Danish Air Force selects 2Excel to deliver MH-60R conversion training

Air Data News

SNC, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics form team to offer Freedom Trainer™ for U.S. Navy UJTS Sierra Nevada Corporation has signed an executive charter with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to form an industry team to deliver its Freedom Trainer™, an advanced jet trainer. It will bid for the U.S. Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) competition.

2026-02-12T02:54:20.812899-08:00

SNC, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics form team to offer Freedom Trainer™ for U.S. Navy UJTS

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Italy approves €8.77bn to fund GCAP next‑generation fighter with UK and Japan

HENSOLDT and Helsing to equip CA‑1 Europa UCAV with AI‑enabled sensor suite

India clears ₹3.6 trillion ($39–40B) defence package to buy 114 Dassault Rafales

Saudi Arabia in final-stage talks to join Türkiye's KAAN fighter programme

News Timeline