UAV Development & Drone Programs   M&A   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

EDGE acquires 100% of Brazil’s Akaer, strengthening UAE’s UAV engineering footprint in South America

UAE state-owned defense and technology company EDGE says it has acquired 100% of Brazilian aerospace and engineering firm Akaer, expanding its presence in Brazil. The deal is positioned as added impetus for UAV development, deepening EDGE’s international expansion beyond the UAE.

Also: Aviation Week and quwa.org
2026-07-16T21:28:44.375037-07:00
SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Stephen Pope

UK pledges €300 million to fund 16 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine

By AeroTime: The UK has pledged $345 million to help Ukraine field 16 Saab Gripen E fighter jets by 2029, including training, simulators and spare parts.

2026-07-16T13:43:36.482386-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   AI   Europe   LEO   ESA   Defense Budgets & Spending   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Integration and Sovereignty: How Defense is Reshaping the Earth Observation Market

By Via Satellite: As defense and security needs drive demand for Earth Observation (EO) data, experts from Europe’s leading space and security organizations say challenges remain with integrating EO data into larger systems and finding the right balance with sovereignty.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, SpaceQ and 3 more
2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00
Saudi Arabia   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy   BAE Systems  
defence-blog.com • Colton Jones

Saudi Arabia cleared to buy 20,000 laser-guided rockets

By defence-blog.com: Key Points The State Department approved a possible $1.96 billion sale of up to 20,000 APKWS II guidance sections to Saudi Arabia. The deal covers 10,000 air-to-air and 10,000 air-to-ground guidance kits, with BAE Systems as the principal contractor.

2026-07-16T05:16:58.169481-07:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

White House Helipad to Stop Copter from Burning Lawn, Navy Says

By Bloomberg: The landing pad under construction on the White House South Lawn will allow the new Lockheed Martin Corp. VH-92 helicopter designed to carry the president to meet a key unmet performance requirement — not damaging the grass, the US Navy said.

2026-07-16T13:16:22.740013-07:00
Space Force   Leadership   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Trump's pick to lead Space Force defends plan to more than double budget

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Space Force backed the administration’s proposal to more than double the service’s budget, telling senators on Thursday that a $71.1 billion request was “exactly what we need” to counter China’s rapidly expanding military capabilities in space.

Also: Breaking Defense, Defense Daily and insidedefense.com
2026-07-16T08:14:50.576553-07:00
SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Starmer says UK to help fund 16 Gripen fighter jets for Ukraine

By Reuters: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on ​Thursday pledged €300 million ($345 million) to help ‌equip Ukraine with a squadron of 16 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, making one of ​his final commitments to Kyiv before leaving ​office.

2026-07-16T05:45:44.051100-07:00