UAV Development & Drone Programs   Dassault Aviation   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

French Rafales reportedly shoot down ~60 Iranian 'Shahed' drones over UAE, raising MICA cost and supply concerns

French Rafale fighters reportedly intercepted roughly 60 Iranian Shahed loitering drones over the United Arab Emirates, relying heavily on MICA air‑to‑air missiles. The engagement exposed the high per‑kill cost of using MICA against cheap expendable drones and raised questions about missile stocks and resupply.

2026-03-20T06:59:42.625199-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US approves up to $16.5 billion in weapons sales to UAE, Kuwait and Jordan amid strikes on Iran

By FlightGlobal: The US government has approved more than $16.5 billion in potential weapons sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, including air-launched munitions and advanced missile-defence systems, as strikes against Iran continue.

Also: Janes, Unmanned Airspace, f-16.net, defence-blog.com and Army Recognition
2026-03-20T00:29:25.116006-07:00
Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Boeing  
Aviation Week • Brian Everstine

U.S. Deploys A-10s and AH-64s as Iran's Air Defenses Weaken

By Aviation Week: A U.S. Lockheed Martin F-35 was forced to make an emergency landing at a Middle East base following a combat mission over Iran on March 19.

Also: Janes, CBS News, the-independent.com, abcnews.com, aerospaceglobalnews.com, news.ssbcrack.com, intellinews.com, defensemirror.com, indiatoday.in, asiatimes.com and 4 more
2026-03-19T08:19:38.504032-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Indonesia to order 16 KF-21 fighters during presidential visit: Yonhap

By FlightGlobal: Indonesia is poised to become the first export customer for the Korea Aerospace Industries KF-21 fighter, with a deal for 16 aircraft expected during President Prabowo Subianto's visit to South Korea from 31 March to 2 April.

Also: Army Recognition
2026-03-19T21:05:31.785140-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters • Mike Stone

Anduril to begin FURY ‘loyal wingman’ combat drone production at new Ohio facility

By Reuters: Anduril Industries will begin building its new FURY, "loyal wingman," high-speed combat drones in the coming days at a new facility in Ohio, as the U.S.

Also: c4isrnet.com, news.ssbcrack.com, Military Times, Defense One and realcleardefense.com
2026-03-19T15:29:03.882056-07:00
Hypersonic   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Tony Capaccio

Pentagon testing office: insufficient data to assess combat effectiveness of first U.S. hypersonic missile

By Bloomberg: The Pentagon testing office said it won’t get enough data to evaluate the combat effectiveness of the US’s first hypersonic missile until early next year, another troubling sign as the US struggles to catch up with China and Russia in deploying the weapon.

2026-03-19T14:12:30.884783-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

India Joining One Of Europe’s Fighter Programs Is Anything But Easy

By The War Zone: India has an urgent need for new combat aircraft but the European next-generation fighter offerings may not be the answer. India has an urgent need for new combat aircraft but the European next-generation fighter offerings are not the answer.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com, news.defcros.com and defence.in
2026-03-19T13:45:35.797163-07:00