Event   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Chilean KC-135 Refuels U.S. F-35As En Route to FIDAE 2026

In early April 2026 a Chilean KC-135 tanker performed the first aerial refuelling of two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighters over international airspace, topping up the jets as they transited to Santiago for FIDAE 2026. The operation underscored practical interoperability between the services.

2026-04-08T08:51:13.888631-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   BAE Systems  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

BAE Systems test fires APKWS rockets from RAF Typhoon

By FlightGlobal: BAE Systems has successfully conducted a test firing of its APKWS laser-guided rockets from a Eurofighter Typhoon. Performed from the company’s Warton site in the UK using a Royal Air Force Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft, the trial saw the multi-role fighter strike a ground-based target using the weapon.

Also: euro-sd.com, UK Defence Journal and 7 more
2026-04-08T06:31:40.868043-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   M&A   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines acquires AeroDesignWorks to enter UAV and guided‑missile propulsion market

By MTU Aero Engines: Aircraft propulsion expert MTU Aero Engines AG is acquiring AeroDesignWorks GmbH. The provider of drone propulsion systems is based in Cologne, Germany, and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MTU.

Also: Reuters
2026-04-08T06:06:39.393704-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Textron  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Belgium selects five Cessna SkyCouriers for Special Forces — first European military sale

By AeroTime: Belgium has ordered five Cessna SkyCourier turboprops for its Special Operations Forces, the type's first military sale.

Also: marketforecast.com and 3 more
2026-04-08T01:06:21.755397-07:00
Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Business Wire

Redwire Expands European Footprint, Opens UK Office to Support Ministry of Defence Programs

By Business Wire: Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW), a global leader in aerospace and defence technology solutions, today announced the company has opened an office in the Unite...

Also: SpaceWatch Global and suasnews.com
2026-04-07T05:24:24.961024-07:00