Military Aircraft Procurement News

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

China’s AVIC AG600 Amphibian Earns Production Certificate, Clears Path to Mass Production

China Aviation Industry Corporation’s AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, has secured its production certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, marking a critical step towards serial manufacturing of the four-engined seaplane designed for maritime patrol, search-and-rescue and aerial firefighting missions.

2025-06-10T23:23:28.351578-07:00

Bloomberg

Canada’s F-35A acquisition cost nearly doubles to C$33 billion amid pilot shortfall

2025-06-10T10:03:35.323612-07:00

Bloomberg

Pentagon halves FY25 F-35 jet procurement, cutting request to 24

2025-06-10T20:43:20.273763-07:00

AINonline

Rafale, Typhoon and Gripen Order Books Surge as Europe Boosts Fighter Exports

2025-06-10T04:59:15.057832-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

The Aviationist

Italian Air Force Retires MB-339A Trainer After 45 Years, Welcomes T-345A Successor The Italian Air Force has formally retired its venerable MB-339A jet trainer after 45 years of service, celebrating the induction of its modern successor, the T-345A. The ceremony underscores Rome’s push to modernize pilot training through enhanced performance, advanced avionics and maintenance efficiencies.

2025-06-12T13:47:37.058727-07:00

Italian Air Force Retires MB-339A Trainer After 45 Years, Welcomes T-345A Successor

edrmagazine.eu

Italian Air Force Inducts Leonardo M-345 as T-345A, Phasing Out MB-339A On June 12, 2025, the Italian Air Force officially inducted Leonardo’s single-engine M-345 advanced trainer, designated T-345A, into service with its 61st Wing at Lecce-Galatina air base. Replacing the 45-year-old MB-339A, the new integrated training system melds the M-345 with ground simulators to modernize pilot instruction across Europe.

2025-06-12T08:59:06.333071-07:00

Italian Air Force Inducts Leonardo M-345 as T-345A, Phasing Out MB-339A

Aviation Week

US Navy Pauses F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter Program Amid Industry Confidence Doubts The US Navy has paused its F/A-XX sixth-generation stealth fighter program after its top civilian official expressed doubts about the defense industry’s capacity to undertake a new, complex combat aircraft development. The decision freezes work on the carrier-based project intended to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the early 2030s.

2025-06-12T01:55:20.431770-07:00

US Navy Pauses F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter Program Amid Industry Confidence Doubts

kptv.com

Oregon Guard First to Field-Test Army’s Next-Gen Medevac Helicopters Oregon’s National Guard medics are conducting research on the Army’s next-generation medevac helicopters—becoming the first Guard unit to test the new aircraft ahead of fielding. The 18-member team will evaluate rotorcraft capabilities for search-and-rescue, hoist operations and wildfire medevac, replacing legacy Black Hawks in critical missions.

2025-06-11T22:44:16.749887-07:00

Oregon Guard First to Field-Test Army’s Next-Gen Medevac Helicopters

DefenseNews.com

Boeing Advances CH-47F Block II Flight Tests Ahead of First Production Contract Boeing has resumed flight testing of its upgraded CH-47F Block II Chinook as it anticipates the US Army will award the initial production contract this fiscal year. The Block II variant features improved rotor blades, engines and avionics designed to enhance lift capacity and operational range.

2025-06-11T19:47:24.890628-07:00

Boeing Advances CH-47F Block II Flight Tests Ahead of First Production Contract

Air & Space Forces Mag

F-35’s Next Chapter: Navigating Program Hurdles and Strategic Opportunities As debates intensify around technical setbacks and evolving mission needs, stakeholders are weighing the F-35’s Block 4 upgrade delays, sustainment costs and allied autonomy concerns against its long-term role in modern air forces.

2025-06-11T17:13:08.141714-07:00

F-35’s Next Chapter: Navigating Program Hurdles and Strategic Opportunities

Breaking Defense

GAO flags new delays to USAF B-52 radar upgrade amid 2027 hypersonic missile push The Government Accountability Office’s annual weapon system assessment found fresh delays in the U.S. Air Force’s B-52 radar modernization program, squeezing a compressed flight-test schedule just as the service aims to field its first hypersonic attack cruise missile by 2027.

2025-06-11T14:24:37.076451-07:00

GAO flags new delays to USAF B-52 radar upgrade amid 2027 hypersonic missile push

globalnews.ca

Canada’s Defence Minister Stands by F-35 Plan as AG Warns of C$33 Billion Cost Surge Defence Minister David McGuinty today defended Canada’s plan to buy 88 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters, arguing that the jets’ advanced capabilities justify rising costs and schedule pressures. His remarks come after the Auditor General’s report warned acquisition expenses have swollen to over C$33 billion, flagging pilot shortages and base delays.

2025-06-11T14:23:46.456384-07:00

Canada’s Defence Minister Stands by F-35 Plan as AG Warns of C$33 Billion Cost Surge

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