Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Gordon Arthur

Tanker gap and regional tug-of-war: IAF's aging Il‑78s, Pakistan Il‑78s in China, and heightened Indian air-defence posture

India faces a looming aerial-refuelling shortfall as its six Ilyushin Il‑78MKI tankers (acquired 2003–04) near end of life, while Pakistan's Il‑78s were photographed in China's Sichuan on Jan 19–20. New Delhi has reinforced air defences—deploying ~20 fighters, AEW and SAMs—for Republic Day and readiness drills.

2026-01-26T02:47:52.358535-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal

Air forces must overhaul doctrine to unlock the combat advantage of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By FlightGlobal: Militaries eager to introduce unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft will fail to gain a combat edge unless they transform their entire operating concept, argues Fahad ibne Masood.

2026-01-26T01:52:25.821523-08:00
Supply Chain   L3Harris   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

RAAF accepts first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine ISR/EW aircraft after programme delays

By FlightGlobal: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has accepted its first L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (ISREW) aircraft, with the Bombardier G550-derived platform arriving at RAAF Edinburgh on 24 January following delays to the programme.

Also: AeroTime, Aviation Week and asdnews.com
2026-01-25T19:53:42.950941-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   BAE Systems  
defencetoday.com • Neil Ritchie

UK selects seven industry partners for Project NYX to develop 'loyal wingman' helicopter drones for Apache

By defencetoday.com: The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced the selection of seven industry partners for Project NYX, a programme to develop "loyal wingman" helicopter drones.

2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00