Military Aircraft Procurement News

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Finland rolls out first F-35A (JF-501) at Lockheed Fort Worth; deliveries begin 2026

Finland's first F-35A, designated JF-501, was rolled out at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth F-35 production facility on 16 December 2025. The jet will enter testing and training ahead of deliveries to Finland's 64‑aircraft Hornet replacement programme, scheduled to begin in 2026.

2025-12-16T15:46:20.285809-08:00

Vertical Mag

SUBARU Bell 412EPX begins Middle East demo tour, highlighting firefighting and multi‑mission fit

2025-12-17T05:34:11.379559-08:00

Breaking Defense

Air Mobility Command chief Gen. John D. Lamontagne nominated as U.S. Air Force vice chief; Brig. Gen. Eason tapped as JAG

2025-12-16T10:49:47.522479-08:00

Breaking Defense

German Navy receives first NH90 Sea Tiger, accelerates deliveries for 31‑helicopter fleet

2025-12-16T06:05:47.758387-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

Air Data News

Saab offers to build Gripen fighters and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in Canada, pledging 12,600 jobs Saab has submitted industrial proposals to the Canadian government to manufacture its JAS 39 Gripen fighter and GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft on Canadian soil, offering to create up to 12,600 jobs through local production and supply‑chain participation if Ottawa accepts the plan.

2025-12-17T10:49:43.042446-08:00

Saab offers to build Gripen fighters and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in Canada, pledging 12,600 jobs

AeroTime

Norway to fund F-16 munitions and S-300 missiles for Ukraine Norway has announced a new support package to finance F-16 munitions and S-300 surface‑to‑air missiles for Ukraine, covering procurement and delivery costs as part of Oslo's continued military assistance. The contribution strengthens Kyiv's ability to sustain F‑16 operations and bolster layered air‑defence.

2025-12-17T07:46:13.630731-08:00

Norway to fund F-16 munitions and S-300 missiles for Ukraine

Vertical Mag

SUBARU Bell 412EPX begins Middle East demo tour, highlighting firefighting and multi‑mission fit Bell Textron’s SUBARU Bell 412EPX has launched its first Middle East demonstration tour after a Dubai Airshow display, visiting rotorcraft facilities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. Shown in firefighting and multi‑mission configurations, Bell expects the tour to attract hundreds of public‑safety and defence prospects.

2025-12-17T05:34:11.379559-08:00

SUBARU Bell 412EPX begins Middle East demo tour, highlighting firefighting and multi‑mission fit

politico.eu

Trump presses Czech PM to preserve planned F-35 purchase despite campaign pledge to cancel President Trump congratulated the Czech Republic's newly elected prime minister and privately urged him to preserve Prague's planned purchase of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters, despite the PM having campaigned on a pledge to cancel the American jet deal, and discussed broader defence cooperation.

2025-12-17T05:03:47.907088-08:00

Trump presses Czech PM to preserve planned F-35 purchase despite campaign pledge to cancel

FlightGlobal

Austria signs government-to-government deal with Leonardo for 12 M-346F Block 20 trainers Austria has signed a government-to-government contract with Italy and Leonardo for 12 M-346F Block 20 advanced trainer/light-attack aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. The deal formalizes Austria’s earlier G2G decision and restores a modern jet-training and light-strike capability for the Luftstreitkräfte.

2025-12-17T02:25:37.788163-08:00

Austria signs government-to-government deal with Leonardo for 12 M-346F Block 20 trainers

ch-aviation

Trump commissions L3Harris to refurbish ex‑Qatari Boeing 747‑8 BBJ as interim Air Force One President Donald Trump has commissioned L3Harris Technologies to prepare and refurbish an ex‑Qatari Boeing 747‑8 BBJ as an interim Air Force One. The defence contractor will convert the second‑hand VIP airliner to serve as presidential transport until a permanent replacement enters service.

2025-12-16T16:02:56.682265-08:00

Trump commissions L3Harris to refurbish ex‑Qatari Boeing 747‑8 BBJ as interim Air Force One

FlightGlobal

Finland rolls out first F-35A (JF-501) at Lockheed Fort Worth; deliveries begin 2026 Finland's first F-35A, designated JF-501, was rolled out at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth F-35 production facility on 16 December 2025. The jet will enter testing and training ahead of deliveries to Finland's 64‑aircraft Hornet replacement programme, scheduled to begin in 2026.

2025-12-16T15:46:20.285809-08:00

Finland rolls out first F-35A (JF-501) at Lockheed Fort Worth; deliveries begin 2026

DefenseNews.com

Marines field MADIS 'hunter‑killer' short‑range air‑defence to 1st LAAD as full‑rate production begins The U.S. Marine Corps has begun fielding the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), with two systems delivered to 1st Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion on Dec. 12, 2025, following full‑rate production, NET training and a live‑fire exercise. MADIS is designed to defeat UAS and low‑altitude manned aircraft, including helicopters.

2025-12-16T10:51:39.914122-08:00

Marines field MADIS 'hunter‑killer' short‑range air‑defence to 1st LAAD as full‑rate production begins

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