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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

How oil wealth and geopolitics turned the Gulf into a global arms market

Gulf states have become dominant buyers in the global arms market, driven by concentrated oil wealth and persistent regional tensions. With limited indigenous defence industries, their militaries are largely equipped with foreign systems, making Saudi Arabia the world’s largest arms importer and reshaping procurement and supplier relationships across the region.

2026-01-27T05:11:31.960668-08:00

AeroTime

Lithuania delays Embraer C-390 buy, will modernize C-27J Spartans and defer new transport until after 2030

2026-01-27T02:53:11.380742-08:00

The War Zone

USAF drafts requirements to replace Navy E-6B for 'Looking Glass' airborne ICBM‑launch role

2026-01-26T17:09:25.064259-08:00

Reuters

Airbus Helicopters posts 544 gross (536 net) orders in 2025, captures 51% civil-market share

2026-01-26T09:05:27.316015-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

How oil wealth and geopolitics turned the Gulf into a global arms market Gulf states have become dominant buyers in the global arms market, driven by concentrated oil wealth and persistent regional tensions. With limited indigenous defence industries, their militaries are largely equipped with foreign systems, making Saudi Arabia the world’s largest arms importer and reshaping procurement and supplier relationships across the region.

2026-01-27T05:11:31.960668-08:00

How oil wealth and geopolitics turned the Gulf into a global arms market

AeroTime

Lithuania delays Embraer C-390 buy, will modernize C-27J Spartans and defer new transport until after 2030 Lithuania has postponed its planned purchase of Embraer C-390 transport aircraft and will modernize its C-27J Spartan fleet to keep it flying until 2036. Formal talks on a replacement medium transport are expected to begin around 2030, effectively deferring acquisition until after the decade.

2026-01-27T02:53:11.380742-08:00

Lithuania delays Embraer C-390 buy, will modernize C-27J Spartans and defer new transport until after 2030

The War Zone

USAF drafts requirements to replace Navy E-6B for 'Looking Glass' airborne ICBM‑launch role The U.S. Air Force is drafting operational and technical requirements for a replacement airborne command post to assume the 'Looking Glass' ICBM-launch and nuclear command-and-control mission after the Navy retires its E-6B fleet. The work marks the start of a USAF-led effort to restore an airborne launch capability.

2026-01-26T17:09:25.064259-08:00

USAF drafts requirements to replace Navy E-6B for 'Looking Glass' airborne ICBM‑launch role

The War Zone

U.S. Navy Flies Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighters The U.S. Navy has flown Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, with at least one airframe bearing NAVY markings — an uncommon sight. The activity reflects cross‑service use of the F‑35A and highlights inter‑service interoperability and test support. No additional operational details were provided.

2026-01-26T16:35:06.793357-08:00

U.S. Navy Flies Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighters

Reuters

Airbus Helicopters posts 544 gross (536 net) orders in 2025, captures 51% civil-market share Airbus Helicopters recorded 544 gross (536 net) orders in 2025 from 205 customers across 50 countries and delivered 392 aircraft, claiming 51% of the civil and public-service market and 50% of the medium twin segment — a performance underscored by Spain’s 100-aircraft procurement.

2026-01-26T09:05:27.316015-08:00

Airbus Helicopters posts 544 gross (536 net) orders in 2025, captures 51% civil-market share

AeroTime

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Indonesia receives first three Dassault Rafale fighters, opening deliveries of 42‑jet order Indonesia has taken delivery of its first three Dassault Rafale fighters, the opening tranche of a 42‑aircraft contract to modernize the TNI‑AU. The arrivals mark a milestone in Jakarta’s stepped‑up defence spending and are billed as strengthening its air‑deterrence posture in the Indo‑Pacific.

2026-01-26T05:57:28.540119-08:00

Indonesia receives first three Dassault Rafale fighters, opening deliveries of 42‑jet order

DefenseNews.com

India nears $1B deal for six IAI‑converted Boeing 767 tankers The Indian Air Force is closing in on a roughly $1 billion contract to buy six second‑hand Boeing 767s converted to tankers by Israel Aerospace Industries, its fifth attempt to field new aerial refuelling capability. The move aims to replace an ageing Il‑78MKI tanker fleet obtained from Uzbekistan in 2003–04.

2026-01-26T02:47:52.358535-08:00

India nears $1B deal for six IAI‑converted Boeing 767 tankers

FlightGlobal

Air forces must overhaul doctrine to unlock the combat advantage of Collaborative Combat Aircraft Militaries rushing to introduce Collaborative Combat Aircraft risk failing to gain a meaningful combat edge unless they transform their entire operating concept, argues Fahad ibne Masood. He warns that without doctrinal, organisational and operational overhaul, CCA programmes will underdeliver on their promised force‑multiplying effects.

2026-01-26T01:52:25.821523-08:00

Air forces must overhaul doctrine to unlock the combat advantage of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

How oil wealth and geopolitics turned the Gulf into a global arms market

Lithuania delays Embraer C-390 buy, will modernize C-27J Spartans and defer new transport until after 2030

USAF drafts requirements to replace Navy E-6B for 'Looking Glass' airborne ICBM‑launch role

Airbus Helicopters posts 544 gross (536 net) orders in 2025, captures 51% civil-market share

News Timeline