Airports   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
al-monitor.com • Mar, Uditha Jayasinghe

Sri Lanka refuses landing for two U.S. combat aircraft carrying anti‑ship missiles

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament Colombo denied permission for two U.S. combat aircraft, reportedly flying from Djibouti with eight anti‑ship missiles, to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport between March 4–8. He framed the decision as a reaffirmation of Sri Lanka’s neutrality amid regional tensions.

2026-03-20T08:06:28.799541-07:00
Aircraft Carrier   Middle East   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)   Defense Policy  
lemonde.fr

Le Monde Uses Strava to Track French Carrier Charles de Gaulle in Real Time, Exposing Operational-Security Flaw

By lemonde.fr: As the Charles de Gaulle and its strike group approach the Middle East, Le Monde identified a French sailor using the Strava fitness application in the Mediterranean Sea.

Also: thelondoneconomic.com, The Independent, Times of India, BBC, UK Defence Journal, ANI News Agency, indiatoday.in, TechCrunch and 4 more
2026-03-20T05:00:14.144377-07:00
China   Safran   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
Reuters

US House Panel Asks Pentagon to Review Safran’s China Joint Ventures Over National‑Security Concerns

By Reuters: A congressional committee chair has asked the Pentagon to review Safran's joint ventures in China, saying the French aerospace company's commercial ties with Chinese companies raise concerns in light of its U.S.

2026-03-20T08:34:07.808880-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Dassault Aviation   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

By AeroTime: French Rafale jets reportedly shot down around 60 Iranian drones over the UAE, exposing the cost of using MICA missiles against Shahed threats.

2026-03-20T06:59:42.625199-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   F-16   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US approves up to $16.5 billion in weapons sales to UAE, Kuwait and Jordan amid strikes on Iran

By FlightGlobal: The US government has approved more than $16.5 billion in potential weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, including air-launched munitions and advanced missile-defence systems, as strikes against Iran continue.

Also: Aviation A2Z, Aviation Week, Unmanned Airspace, f-16.net, defence-blog.com, Army Recognition and Janes
2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Indonesia to order 16 KF-21 fighters during presidential visit: Yonhap

By FlightGlobal: Indonesia is poised to become the first export customer for the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighter, with a deal for 16 aircraft expected during President Prabowo Subianto's visit to South Korea from 31 March to 2 April.

Also: Army Recognition
2026-03-19T21:05:31.785140-07:00