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FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

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

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

FlightGlobal

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

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

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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

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, IAF to set up India-based F404-IN20 depot for HAL Tejas Mk1A sustainment GE Aerospace has agreed with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country maintenance, repair and overhaul depot for F404-IN20 engines powering HAL Tejas fighters. The facility is positioned to boost Tejas sustainment, localise MRO capabilities and improve fleet readiness.

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

GE Aerospace, IAF to set up India-based F404-IN20 depot for HAL Tejas Mk1A sustainment

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

FlightGlobal

White House FY2027 request puts Boeing’s F-47 NGAD on a near-term path: prototype flight in 2028 as F/A-XX slips The White House’s fiscal year 2027 budget request reiterates commitment to fielding a US Air Force sixth-generation fighter, with Boeing tasked to fly an F-47 prototype in 2028. The materials also indicate the parallel F/A-XX effort is lagging, even as Washington frames NGAD as an “air dominance” paradigm shift.

2026-04-10T14:24:07.465746-07:00

White House FY2027 request puts Boeing’s F-47 NGAD on a near-term path: prototype flight in 2028 as F/A-XX slips

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

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

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

News Timeline