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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Canada opens negotiations with Italy for Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer for RCAF fighter-lead-in

The Canadian government has launched talks with Italy to acquire the Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s future fighter lead-in training program. The negotiations follow Canada’s prior decision to retire the BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk in 2024.

2026-06-17T08:04:26.592031-07:00

Reuters

Leonardo and EDGE map a joint venture to target €4B+ in orders over five years

2026-06-17T08:24:00.561034-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets

2026-06-17T05:48:44.189341-07:00

FlightGlobal

KF-21 receives initial type certification after five-year South Korea airworthiness review

2026-06-16T21:17:21.880597-07:00

News Timeline

Reuters

Leonardo and EDGE map a joint venture to target €4B+ in orders over five years Leonardo and Abu Dhabi’s EDGE group outlined plans for a joint venture aimed at securing more than €4 billion in orders across five years, the companies said at a Paris event. The update signals how both firms intend to industrialize and scale their defense portfolios through a structured partnership.

2026-06-17T08:24:00.561034-07:00

Leonardo and EDGE map a joint venture to target €4B+ in orders over five years

FlightGlobal

Canada opens negotiations with Italy for Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer for RCAF fighter-lead-in The Canadian government has launched talks with Italy to acquire the Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s future fighter lead-in training program. The negotiations follow Canada’s prior decision to retire the BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk in 2024.

2026-06-17T08:04:26.592031-07:00

Canada opens negotiations with Italy for Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer for RCAF fighter-lead-in

DefenseNews.com

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets Poland is considering joining X-BAT, an autonomous vertical-takeoff fighter program, at the same time the government is evaluating plans to acquire up to 32 new fighter jets. The decision signals continued search for next-step modernization beyond its current procurement pipeline.

2026-06-17T05:48:44.189341-07:00

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets

FlightGlobal

Aura Aero eyes first-flight window for collaborative combat aircraft as CCA design work targets 2028 Aura Aero says it has begun early design work on a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), describing a potential first flight in 2028. The Toulouse firm frames the effort as it continues to build out its wider military aviation pipeline, alongside its emerging training and defense adaptation activities.

2026-06-17T00:32:37.492811-07:00

Aura Aero eyes first-flight window for collaborative combat aircraft as CCA design work targets 2028

FlightGlobal

KF-21 receives initial type certification after five-year South Korea airworthiness review Korea Aerospace Industries’ KF-21 has obtained its initial type certification in South Korea after a five-year airworthiness review process. The decision marks another step toward service entry for the indigenous fighter as the program continues moving from development toward operational deployment.

2026-06-16T21:17:21.880597-07:00

KF-21 receives initial type certification after five-year South Korea airworthiness review

FlightGlobal

Embraer to open C-390 Millennium assembly in India, targeting six deliveries in 2026 and up to 10 per year by 2030 Embraer expects to deliver six C-390 Millennium tankers/transports this year and scale production to as many as 10 aircraft annually by 2030. A formal Indian tender is not yet out, but the company says New Delhi’s planned fleet recapitalisation could cover up to 80 transport aircraft, supported by an assembly site in Gavio Peixoto.

2026-06-16T14:17:17.484427-07:00

Embraer to open C-390 Millennium assembly in India, targeting six deliveries in 2026 and up to 10 per year by 2030

The Air Current

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as scalable counter-UAS platforms, from Airbus H160M “agnostic” drone integration to H145 Global conflict lessons are driving fresh counter-drone concepts built around lower-cost platforms, with the Pentagon increasingly looking to helicopters as aerial shooters and sensing nodes. At Eurosatory 2026, Airbus Helicopters highlights a “agnostic” H160M Guépard approach targeting first delivery in late 2028, plus plans to broaden the H145M into anti-drone roles and to team rotorcraft with drones for missions including life-saving operations and wildfire response.

2026-06-16T13:24:11.122201-07:00

Eurosatory 2026 spotlights helicopters as scalable counter-UAS platforms, from Airbus H160M “agnostic” drone integration to H145

Air Data News

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet A new push in Congress targets the Air Force’s plan to retire the Cold War-era U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, setting up another clash with service leaders who want to end the program. The legislative effort would preserve U-2 fleet capacity amid continuing debate over mission needs.

2026-06-16T09:44:21.780860-07:00

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Canada opens negotiations with Italy for Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer for RCAF fighter-lead-in

Leonardo and EDGE map a joint venture to target €4B+ in orders over five years

Poland weighs joining X-BAT autonomous VTOL fighter program as it considers up to 32 new jets

KF-21 receives initial type certification after five-year South Korea airworthiness review

News Timeline