Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Jon Gambrell, Josh Lederman

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy

The Trump administration has approved an F-16 sale to Bahrain, reversing prior human-rights reservations and prioritizing support for Sunni-led Gulf partners seen as bulwarks against Iranian influence. The decision signals a shift from the Obama-era emphasis on rights to a security-first approach in regional arms policy.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.366247-07:00
Helicopter   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Dusan Stojanovic

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defense minister

By DefenseNews.com: Serbia is also interested in buying a Russian air defense system as well as opening a repair center for Russian MIL helicopters.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.498383-07:00
Helicopter   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
DefenseNews.com • Vivek Raghuvanshi

India and Russia advance plan to produce Ka‑226T helicopters in India; production awaits Putin approval

By DefenseNews.com: The joint production of the helicopters in India now awaits formal approval by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will lead to the new production entity Indo-Russian Helicopters Private Limited.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.745425-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Tony Capaccio

Pentagon Testing Office: F-35 Software Upgrades Stagnated — No New Combat Capability Delivered Last Year as Jets Fly Missions over Iran

By Bloomberg: Attempts to provide upgraded software for F-35 jets have “stagnated” and no new combat capability was delivered last year, according to the annual report by the Pentagon’s testing office, even as the fighter jets fly missions over Iran.

Also: Aviation A2Z
2026-03-22T07:12:35.010222-07:00