Military Aircraft Procurement News

Breaking Defense • Tim Martin

Germany accelerates NH90 Sea Tiger deliveries after first ASW helicopter handover

Germany has received the first of 31 NHIndustries NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters and is accelerating testing and training to replace Sea Lynx by 2030. Berlin aims to field Sea Tigers in the antisubmarine role by the end of next year, with Software Release 3 fitment by 2029.

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

investors.lockheedmartin.com

Lockheed completes F-16 Block 70 production for Bulgaria and Slovakia, boosting NATO air capability

2025-12-15T11:49:15.284860-08:00

Airbus

Germany exercises option for 20 Airbus H145M light combat helicopters, Bundeswehr fleet reaches 82

2025-12-15T02:07:36.424344-08:00

Aviation Week

China’s CH-7 flying‑wing stealth drone completes maiden flight, advancing strategic ISTAR capability

2025-12-15T03:32:32.189397-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

Aviation Week

China's Y-15 makes first flights — previously unknown four‑engine medium transport hints at PLAAF airlift expansion China has flown the Y-15, a previously unpublicized four‑engine turboprop medium transport, with recent test sorties and a reported maiden flight at Xi'an Aircraft Corporation. The design—visibly influenced by the Airbus A400M and aimed at replacing Y‑8/Y‑9 types—signals a step up in PLA airlift capacity.

2025-12-16T06:56:21.199702-08:00

China's Y-15 makes first flights — previously unknown four‑engine medium transport hints at PLAAF airlift expansion

Breaking Defense

Germany accelerates NH90 Sea Tiger deliveries after first ASW helicopter handover Germany has received the first of 31 NHIndustries NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters and is accelerating testing and training to replace Sea Lynx by 2030. Berlin aims to field Sea Tigers in the antisubmarine role by the end of next year, with Software Release 3 fitment by 2029.

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

Germany accelerates NH90 Sea Tiger deliveries after first ASW helicopter handover

Airbus

Airbus delivers first H160 to France’s Gendarmerie Nationale from 10‑ship order Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of ten H160 medium‑twins ordered in December 2021 for France's Gendarmerie Nationale; the helicopter, the GN's largest ever, was handed to the defence procurement agency and will undergo a six‑month evaluation at Istres.

2025-12-16T05:17:34.396707-08:00

Airbus delivers first H160 to France’s Gendarmerie Nationale from 10‑ship order

FlightGlobal

Lockheed: C-130J 'uniquely positioned' to meet IAF Medium Transport Aircraft requirement Lockheed Martin says its C‑130J is 'uniquely positioned' to fulfil the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft requirement, citing existing relationships with India’s defence industrial base and sustainment partners. The company pitched those industrial ties as a decisive competitive advantage in the MTA contest.

2025-12-16T03:33:07.282993-08:00

Lockheed: C-130J 'uniquely positioned' to meet IAF Medium Transport Aircraft requirement

Reuters

Dassault CEO: SCAF/FCAS future uncertain as Airbus row and German procurement choices stall programme Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier said he does not know whether the Franco‑German‑Spanish SCAF/FCAS fighter programme will proceed, blaming a persistent industrial‑control clash with Airbus that has politically stalled the project. He said its fate also depends on whether Germany rethinks reliance on U.S. arms imports.

2025-12-16T02:10:15.322394-08:00

Dassault CEO: SCAF/FCAS future uncertain as Airbus row and German procurement choices stall programme

AeroTime

Rolls‑Royce begins ground tests of AE 1107F for US Army FLRAA MV‑75 Rolls‑Royce has begun ground testing of its AE 1107F turboshaft for the US Army's FLRAA MV‑75 tiltrotor, according to an Axiom report. The developmental ground‑run campaign initiates engine validation ahead of integration and subsequent flight testing on the MV‑75 programme.

2025-12-16T01:49:32.633810-08:00

Rolls‑Royce begins ground tests of AE 1107F for US Army FLRAA MV‑75

Air & Space Forces Mag

Major USAF acquisition programs losing substantial civilian talent, raising schedule and cost risks Program executive officers across multiple U.S. Air Force acquisition organizations report a significant exodus of experienced civilian acquisition staff. Officials warn the loss of institutional knowledge is increasing near-term risks to program schedules, cost estimates and overall contract execution for major procurements.

2025-12-15T19:46:55.081659-08:00

Major USAF acquisition programs losing substantial civilian talent, raising schedule and cost risks

Air & Space Forces Mag

Congress fixes USAF primary-fighter requirement at 1,145, rejects revised jet-counting method Congress set a statutory U.S. Air Force requirement of 1,145 primary-mission fighter aircraft and rejected a Pentagon proposal to change how jets are counted. The provision directs service force-structure planning and constrains retirement and procurement options tied to fighter inventories.

2025-12-15T18:48:17.431432-08:00

Congress fixes USAF primary-fighter requirement at 1,145, rejects revised jet-counting method

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