Military Aircraft Procurement News

Bloomberg • Ellen Milligan

UK Audit Office Flags £71 Billion F-35 Programme Cost and Persistent Readiness Gaps

The UK’s National Audit Office warns that the through-life cost of its F-35 Lightning II fleet for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy could exceed £70 billion, highlighting chronic availability shortfalls, technical delays—including a jet stuck in India—and carrier compatibility failures more than a decade into service.

2025-07-11T05:02:06.809993-07:00

politico.eu

Germany Rules Out Expanding F-35 Fleet to 50 Jets, Ministry Says

2025-07-10T22:05:48.462995-07:00

Breaking Defense

Belgium to retire four NH90 TTH helicopters by September 2025 after minister slams ‘bad purchase’

2025-07-10T10:50:03.196953-07:00

Breaking Defense

Denmark to Acquire at Least 10 Additional F-35 Jets by October Amid Ukraine Air-Defence Talks

2025-07-09T10:11:35.261739-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

Bloomberg

UK Audit Office Flags £71 Billion F-35 Programme Cost and Persistent Readiness Gaps The UK’s National Audit Office warns that the through-life cost of its F-35 Lightning II fleet for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy could exceed £70 billion, highlighting chronic availability shortfalls, technical delays—including a jet stuck in India—and carrier compatibility failures more than a decade into service.

2025-07-11T05:02:06.809993-07:00

UK Audit Office Flags £71 Billion F-35 Programme Cost and Persistent Readiness Gaps

politico.eu

Germany Rules Out Expanding F-35 Fleet to 50 Jets, Ministry Says Germany’s defence ministry said it has no plans to order additional F-35A jets, refuting a Politico report that the country intended to expand its fleet to 50 aircraft by purchasing 15 more. The statement highlights the government’s firm commitment to its current procurement schedule for the stealth fighters.

2025-07-10T22:05:48.462995-07:00

Germany Rules Out Expanding F-35 Fleet to 50 Jets, Ministry Says

Defense Scoop

Pentagon’s FY2026 Budget Backs USAF F-47 Development, Sidelines Navy Sixth-Gen Fighter The Trump administration’s FY2026 defense request directs major funding increases toward the Air Force’s next-generation F-47 stealth fighter, while effectively stalling the Navy’s planned sixth-generation carrier-based aircraft program. The reprioritization reflects an interservice budget competition that defers the Navy’s tactical aviation demonstrator to prioritize land-based air superiority capabilities.

2025-07-10T14:37:25.373387-07:00

Pentagon’s FY2026 Budget Backs USAF F-47 Development, Sidelines Navy Sixth-Gen Fighter

The Aviationist

Poland, Indonesia Embark on KAI’s KF-21 Boramae Evaluation Flights Polish Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Nowak and Indonesia’s first KF-21 test pilot Col. Rigonald completed backseat evaluation flights at Korea Aerospace Industries’ facilities. The visits mark the latest leg of KAI’s international marketing push for its 4.5-generation Boramae fighter amid export talks with Warsaw and Jakarta.

2025-07-10T14:24:31.734271-07:00

Poland, Indonesia Embark on KAI’s KF-21 Boramae Evaluation Flights

Air & Space Forces Mag

SOCOM Halves OA-1K Skyraider II Orders for Fiscal 2026 The U.S. Special Operations Command has cut its 2026 purchase of the OA-1K Skyraider II counterinsurgency turboprop aircraft by 50%, reflecting ongoing budget pressure and shifting priorities in its Armed Overwatch program. This follows initial deliveries and raises questions about the platform’s future acquisition plan.

2025-07-10T11:13:23.913449-07:00

SOCOM Halves OA-1K Skyraider II Orders for Fiscal 2026

Breaking Defense

Belgium to retire four NH90 TTH helicopters by September 2025 after minister slams ‘bad purchase’ Belgian MoD will deactivate its four NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters in September 2025 after Defence Minister Theo Francken criticised the multibillion-euro acquisition as a “bad purchase”. The move coincides with plans for the federal government’s largest-ever ammunition procurement.

2025-07-10T10:50:03.196953-07:00

Belgium to retire four NH90 TTH helicopters by September 2025 after minister slams ‘bad purchase’

Aviation Today

US Army Funds Electra to Advance Hybrid-Electric STOL Propulsion The U.S. Army has awarded Electra a research contract to mature hybrid-electric propulsion systems for its ultra-STOL aircraft, aiming to enhance performance and reduce fuel consumption in austere environments. The study will integrate electric assist with conventional engines to boost short-takeoff and landing capabilities.

2025-07-10T07:27:55.803511-07:00

US Army Funds Electra to Advance Hybrid-Electric STOL Propulsion

Janes

Indian Army Pushes AH-64E Apache Deliveries into 2025 After Further Delays New Delhi’s six-aircraft AH-64E Apache Guardian deal with Boeing, originally slated for early 2024, has been deferred again with first arrivals now expected in 2025. The postponement complicates the Army’s attack helicopter modernization amid ongoing border tensions.

2025-07-10T07:10:59.964263-07:00

Indian Army Pushes AH-64E Apache Deliveries into 2025 After Further Delays

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