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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

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

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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

FlightGlobal

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

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

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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 F404-IN20 engine depot in India for HAL Tejas Mk1A GE Aerospace and the Indian Air Force have signed a contract to establish a dedicated depot for the F404-IN20 engines powering the HAL Tejas Mk1A. The IAF will create the repair capability in India, targeting improved sustainment and supporting MRO localisation amid delivery delays.

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

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

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

FlightGlobal

France places follow-on order for five Schiebel S-100 Camcopter shipborne ISR systems for FREMM frigate integration The French Navy has ordered five additional CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial systems for use from FREMM-class frigates under its naval unmanned aviation programme. Each system includes two VTOL S-100 Camcopters, to be supplied by Schiebel via prime contractor Naval Group with progressive deliveries.

2026-04-10T07:48:23.956107-07:00

France places follow-on order for five Schiebel S-100 Camcopter shipborne ISR systems for FREMM frigate integration

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

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

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

News Timeline