Military Aircraft Procurement News

aerospaceglobalnews.com • Joanna Bailey

Ukraine and Sweden sign LOI for 100–150 Saab Gripen E fighters

Ukraine and Sweden signed a government-to-government letter of intent on Oct. 22 in Linköping that clears the way for Kyiv to acquire 100–150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters. Swedish officials call the LOI their largest potential defence export and say deliveries could start from 2026 or within three years.

2025-10-22T10:36:51.695690-07:00

Reuters

Sweden, Ukraine sign LOI for 100–150 Saab Gripen E fighters; deliveries expected post-war

2025-10-22T06:36:24.341329-07:00

The War Zone

Shield AI unveils X-BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

Reuters

Embraer backlog hits record US$31.3 billion as commercial orders drive 38% growth

2025-10-21T04:43:59.199620-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

Breaking Defense

Rep. Trent Kelly chairs HASC subcommittee overseeing seapower and projection-force acquisitions Rep. Trent Kelly chairs the House Armed Services Committee subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces, the body responsible for oversight of Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs. That portfolio gives Kelly influence over major shipbuilding, aviation and projection-force procurements that shape defense industrial priorities.

2025-10-22T12:48:47.447260-07:00

Rep. Trent Kelly chairs HASC subcommittee overseeing seapower and projection-force acquisitions

aerospaceglobalnews.com

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Ukraine and Sweden sign LOI for 100–150 Saab Gripen E fighters Ukraine and Sweden signed a government-to-government letter of intent on Oct. 22 in Linköping that clears the way for Kyiv to acquire 100–150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters. Swedish officials call the LOI their largest potential defence export and say deliveries could start from 2026 or within three years.

2025-10-22T10:36:51.695690-07:00

Ukraine and Sweden sign LOI for 100–150 Saab Gripen E fighters

The War Zone

General Atomics shows MQ-20 Avenger with nose‑mounted laser; signals laser fit across Gambit drone family General Atomics depicted an MQ‑20 Avenger fitted with a nose‑mounted laser and says it is exploring laser armament options across its new Gambit family of autonomous combat aircraft. The imagery and company signalling indicate directed‑energy weapons are being assessed for offensive and self‑protection roles across its UAS portfolio.

2025-10-22T10:34:11.252821-07:00

General Atomics shows MQ-20 Avenger with nose‑mounted laser; signals laser fit across Gambit drone family

Air Data News

France to lift Rafale fleet to 286 under 2026 defense budget; orders 61 jets and accelerates UCAV/F5 development France's 2026 defense budget proposes ordering 61 additional Dassault Rafale fighters, raising the national fleet to 286 jets and accelerating UCAV and F5 development to bolster airpower through 2035. The move targets both the Air and Space Force and the Navy as part of capability expansion.

2025-10-22T07:51:54.035499-07:00

France to lift Rafale fleet to 286 under 2026 defense budget; orders 61 jets and accelerates UCAV/F5 development

Reuters

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Sweden, Ukraine sign LOI for 100–150 Saab Gripen E fighters; deliveries expected post-war Sweden and Ukraine signed a government-to-government letter of intent on Oct. 22 in Linköping to export 100–150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters, with Swedish officials saying deliveries would follow the end of hostilities and could begin from 2026, subject to export approvals and implementation timelines.

2025-10-22T06:36:24.341329-07:00

Sweden, Ukraine sign LOI for 100–150 Saab Gripen E fighters; deliveries expected post-war

Business Wire

USAF taps Merlin to deliver takeoff‑to‑touchdown autonomy and assured contingency management for tanker retrofit The U.S. Air Force has signed a cooperative research and development agreement with Merlin to advance assured autonomous contingency management and develop a takeoff‑to‑touchdown autonomy system intended to retrofit existing tanker aircraft, aiming to reduce crew workload and enable more resilient, autonomous tanker operations.

2025-10-22T06:09:00.793559-07:00

USAF taps Merlin to deliver takeoff‑to‑touchdown autonomy and assured contingency management for tanker retrofit

theaviationgeekclub.com

US Navy: Super Hornet 'simple to fly' but constrained by five operational shortcomings US Navy Super Hornet pilots say the F/A-18E/F is straightforward to fly but demanding to employ in complex combat roles. Analysts list five key shortcomings — most notably limited stealth and maneuverability — that blunt its effectiveness against fifth‑generation adversaries.

2025-10-22T03:40:39.984056-07:00

US Navy: Super Hornet 'simple to fly' but constrained by five operational shortcomings

FlightGlobal

South Korea issues early requirement for six maritime patrol aircraft; Boeing P-8A, Embraer and KAI emerge as contenders Seoul has issued an early-stage requirement for six maritime patrol aircraft to bolster ASW and maritime surveillance, opening a contest that could pit Boeing’s P-8A against conceptual MPA proposals from Embraer and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with potential domestic workshare implications.

2025-10-22T00:44:25.221547-07:00

South Korea issues early requirement for six maritime patrol aircraft; Boeing P-8A, Embraer and KAI emerge as contenders

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