UAV Development & Drone Programs   Airports   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

Iran-launched kamikaze drones strike Nakhchivan International Airport; two civilians injured

Two Iranian-launched kamikaze drones crossed into Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave and struck Nakhchivan International Airport on March 5, damaging the terminal and injuring two civilians. A second drone landed near a school in Shakarabad; Baku has summoned Iran's ambassador and Azerbaijan's military vowed a response.

Also: Kyiv Independent, defence-blog.com, Economic Times, airlive.net, miragenews.com, prm.ua and azernews.az
2026-03-05T01:53:27.514928-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   F-16   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Tom Balmforth

Exclusive: US missile shortfalls left Ukraine’s F‑16s underarmed during Russian winter air offensive

By Reuters: Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets didn't have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles for more than three weeks after supplies from Kyiv's partners dried up just as Moscow was preparing a massive winter air campaign, three sources said.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com and Kyiv Independent
2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00
Europe   Airports   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Portugal’s PM Defends Allowing US Use of Lajes Airbase for Iran Campaign, Diverging From Spain

By Reuters: Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro defended his decision to let the United States use the Lajes airbase on Portugal's Azores Islands during the Iran bombing campaign, a position at odds with that of neighbour Spain which refused such requests.

2026-03-04T23:22:05.601667-08:00
MRO   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

HAL wins INR29 billion contract to supply six Dhruv ALH Mk-III to Indian Coast Guard with PBL support

By FlightGlobal: Hindustan Aeronautics has won a INR29 billion ($319 million) contract to supply six Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III rotorcraft to India's coast guard, including performance-based logistics support, marking renewed confidence in the type following safety modifications after a fatal crash in 2025.

2026-03-05T00:06:49.213794-08:00