Defense News

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

Trump administration approves $24.3 billion Saudi F-35 deal as Riyadh seeks to counter Houthi threat

The Trump administration says its approval of a $24.3 billion F-35 deal will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s self-defense capability as the kingdom faces the continuing Houthi threat. The agreement advances a major U.S. arms transfer with implications for regional security and defense technology controls.

1 Source

2026-09-22T04:51:13.321443-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Airbus A330

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

RAF Voyager tanker to refuel Saudi fighter jets amid Houthi attacks

By Air Data News: UK will deploy an Airbus A330 MRTT tanker for a limited mission after Riyadh requested defensive air-to-air Royal Air Force (RAF) will deploy a Voyager tanker to provide air-to-air refueling for Saudi fighter jets as the kingdom responds to a new wave of Houthi drone and missile attacks.

Also: AeroTime, BBC and UK Defence Journal

4 Sources

2026-09-22T00:15:46.654705-07:00

Satellite AI Europe Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Marble Imaging and msg Systems Partner on European Sovereign ISR Capabilities

By SpaceWatch Global: Marble Imaging and msg Systems signed an MoU to combine Earth observation, AI and secure IT infrastructure for European ISR applications.

1 Source

2026-09-22T01:16:01.593401-07:00

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Think tank calls for specialised, missile-toting CCA to escort support aircraft

By FlightGlobal: Collaborative combat aircraft could neutralise Chinese investments in long-range air-to-air capabilities designed hit vulnerable support aircraft.

Also: FlightGlobal

2 Sources

2026-09-21T22:05:16.689107-07:00

Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Chinese Next-Generation Submarine Developments Spotted In New Satellite Imagery

By The War Zone: A Chinese submarine now taking shape at Bohai Shipyard has a number of significant features and offers new insights into China's undersea ambitions.

1 Source

2026-09-21T17:37:00.209478-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters

Lockheed wins US Army missile contract worth up to $1.2 billion

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin said on Monday it had secured a contract worth up to $1.2 billion from the US Army to produce the Increment 2 variant of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).

Aviation Week

Lockheed Enters Production Mode For Next PRSM Variant

defensemirror.com

U.S. Army Awards $1.2B to Lockheed Martin for Next-Gen Precision Strike Missile

Also: worldairnews.co.za, Economic Times, defence-industry.eu, defence-blog.com, Seeking Alpha and 3 more

11 Sources

2026-09-21T15:36:25.324727-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

UK's Burnham agrees to Saudi request for refuelling support

By Reuters: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday he had agreed to a request from Saudi Arabia to provide defensive air-to-air refuelling for a limited time period, a move he described as helping to stabilise the wider region.

2 Sources

2026-09-21T14:20:06.121097-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Intellian to Develop Multi-Band WGS Terminals With Network Innovations

By Via Satellite: Intellian Technologies and Network Innovations plan to jointly develop and distribute multi-band Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) flyaway terminals for military and government customers under a new strategic partnership announced last week.

1 Source

2026-09-21T13:16:03.009208-07:00

Trump administration approves $24.3 billion Saudi F-35 deal as Riyadh seeks to counter Houthi threat

RAF Voyager tanker to refuel Saudi fighter jets amid Houthi attacks

Marble Imaging and msg Systems Partner on European Sovereign ISR Capabilities

Think tank calls for specialised, missile-toting CCA to escort support aircraft

Chinese Next-Generation Submarine Developments Spotted In New Satellite Imagery

Lockheed wins US Army missile contract worth up to $1.2 billion

Lockheed Enters Production Mode For Next PRSM Variant

U.S. Army Awards $1.2B to Lockheed Martin for Next-Gen Precision Strike Missile

UK's Burnham agrees to Saudi request for refuelling support

Intellian to Develop Multi-Band WGS Terminals With Network Innovations

F-35 Fighter Buy Approved As Saudis Struggle to Counter Houthi Threat

Marble Imaging and msg Systems Partner on European Sovereign ISR Capabilities

RAF Voyager tanker to refuel Saudi fighter jets amid Houthi attacks

Think tank calls for specialised, missile-toting CCA to escort support aircraft

Chinese Next-Generation Submarine Developments Spotted In New Satellite Imagery

Lockheed wins US Army missile contract worth up to $1.2 billion

General Atomics FQ-42A Vengeance CCA Now Flying Together With USAF Fighters

Space Development Agency opens $369 million competition for missile-tracking ground network

Why the Sale of US F-35 Jets to Saudi Arabia Isn’t a Sure Thing

US Air Force retires its last EC-130H

F-35A components diverted from Australia to Hong Kong, prompting U.S. congressional probe

Space Force seeks commercial satellites for on-demand orbital inspection and electronic-interference tracking

US Air Force to field Collaborative Combat Aircraft in large-scale exercise for first time

China’s J-50/XDS tailless fighter may be testing a new radar

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says

Ukraine’s Starlink experience offers a lesson for the Pentagon

Finland’s first F-35 delivery leaves one jet stranded in the Azores

Pentagon plans phased Golden Dome buildout through 2035

F-35 Parts Diversion to Hong Kong Under Probe in US Congress

China’s J-50/XDS may be testing new radar

Lockheed Martin Offers Rapid Armed-Conversion Kits for UH-60M and S-70i Black Hawks

Tekever and UK MoD sign Corvus contract