Dassault Aviation   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

India clears 114‑aircraft Rafale purchase; Dassault aims to finalise deal by year‑end

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighters in a deal valued at roughly ₹3.25 lakh crore. Dassault Aviation says it is hopeful the contract can be finalised this year, which would extend the company’s Rafale production backlog.

Also: Aviation Week and India Defense News
2026-03-04T09:31:30.060266-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Mutable Tactics raises $2.1 million for AI drone coordination in satellite-denied environments

By SpaceNews.com: British startup Mutable Tactics has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI software enabling groups of military drones to operate autonomously, even when satellite navigation and communications are disrupted.

Also: Satellite Evolution
2026-03-04T08:33:15.681829-08:00
SAAB   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Saab offers Canada an industrial role in sixth‑generation fighter effort as Ottawa reviews F‑35 purchase

By AeroTime: Saab says Canada could play a role in developing sixth-generation fighter technologies as Ottawa continues reviewing its F-35 acquisition plans.

Also: CBC
2026-03-04T07:53:30.933447-08:00
Israel   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The Aviationist • David Cenciotti

Israeli F-35I Downs Iranian Yak-130 Over Iran — First Recorded F-35 Air-to-Air Kill

By The Aviationist: This is the first time an F-35 has shot down a manned fighter jet. We will probably get more details throughout the day, but on Mar. 4, 2026, the Israeli.

Also: Aviation A2Z, India Defense News, news.ssbcrack.com, Military Times, defensemirror.com, defence.in, aerospaceglobalnews.com, ibtimes.com, newsable.asianetnews.com, intellinews.com and defensemirror.com
2026-03-04T01:14:57.533662-08:00
Dassault Aviation   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Airbus  
Reuters

Dassault warns Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is 'dead' unless Airbus agrees to cooperate on next‑generation fighter

By Reuters: The head of France's Dassault Aviation declared a troubled warplane project with Germany "dead" if Airbus did not back down from what he described as the European planemaker's refusal to cooperate.

Also: AeroTime, Aviation Week, news.ssbcrack.com, spacewar.com, The Guardian, Daily Sabah, Economic Times, spacewar.com and spacewar.com
2026-03-04T02:02:50.752788-08:00