FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
On 27 March the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support accepted the final aircraft from its Tranche 1 F‑35B programme, completing the initial 48‑jet Lightning II purchase. DE&S said firm decisions on any further UK F‑35 purchases or Tranche 2 commitments have not yet been finalised.
Reuters
By Reuters: The Pentagon on Wednesday said it had reached a framework seven-year deal with Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp to triple production capacity for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement seekers.
Washington Post
• Alex Horton, Dan Lamothe, Tara Copp
By Washington Post: “No punishment. No investigation,” the Pentagon chief wrote on social media hours after military officials announced they had grounded the pilots involved.
Reuters
By Reuters: The head of Dassault Aviation said he was giving his company between two-to-three weeks to see if a deal could be reached over salvaging the crisis-hit FCAS fighter jet project between France, Germany and Spain.
Reuters
By Reuters: The field of suitors for British aerospace and defence supplier Senior Plc narrowed after private equity firm Arcline Investment Management dropped out of buyout talks on Wednesday, though negotiations with other bidders remained ongoing.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
By FlightGlobal: An Antonov An-26 tactical transport of the Russian air force has crashed in Crimea, killing all 29 aboard. The crash occurred during a “routine flight” in the early evening of 31 March, according to Russian news agency Tass, citing the country’s defence ministry.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
By FlightGlobal: The South Korean navy has inducted the Sikorsky MH-60R naval warfare helicopter as it eyes an increasing submarine threat from Pyongyang. The induction ceremony for the type took place at the naval air command unit in Changwon, South Korea, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
Reuters
By Reuters: The United States is sending nearly 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East from the 82nd Airborne Division as a precaution amid rising threats to American forces in the region, the Pentagon said on Friday.
