UAV Development & Drone Programs   Supply Chain   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

France places first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design

France's military has placed its first order for long‑range loitering munitions from MBDA and Aviation Design, aiming to build domestic production capacity. The procurement, prompted by lessons from Ukraine's conflict, marks a policy shift toward sovereign supply of expendable strike systems and faster fielding of tactical UAS.

2026-01-22T07:07:56.355508-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Shield AI starts wind-tunnel tests of X‑Bat tail-sitting autonomous tactical jet

By FlightGlobal: American autonomy specialist Shield AI has begun windtunnel testing on its X-Bat uncrewed tactical aircraft, three months after unveiling the tail-sitting jet platform that will operate using the company's Hivemind artificial intelligence software.

2026-01-22T08:10:30.684429-08:00
Middle East   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Policy & Regulation   Boeing   Boeing 747  
Wall Street Journal • Marcus Weisgerber

Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8I jet expected to begin carrying US President Trump this summer

By Wall Street Journal: Such a delivery means the plane could be part of the nation’s 250th birthday festivities that are planned for July.

Also: AirForceTimes, Aviation Week, Flying Magazine, news.ssbcrack.com, Military Times, insidedefense.com, The Guardian, san.com and The Independent
2026-01-21T23:36:21.213456-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

EDGE awarded landmark contracts to supply ~170 VTOL UAVs and a logistics gyrocopter to UAE armed forces

By FlightGlobal: EDGE has received a pair of new contracts to produce almost 170 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the United Arab Emirates' armed forces.

Also: edrmagazine.eu, defence-industry.eu, calibredefence.co.uk and aljundi.ae
2026-01-22T00:35:29.797211-08:00
Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Workforce & Skills Development   BAE Systems  
Reuters

UK awards £453m radar upgrade contract for Typhoon to BAE Systems and Leonardo

By Reuters: Britain handed military contractors including BAE Systems and Leonardo a 453 million pound ($608 million) contract to upgrade radar systems on Typhoon fighter jets, in a move it said would strengthen defences against Russian threats.

Also: asdnews.com, The Aviationist, Aviation Week, Aviacionline, Satellite Evolution, Aerospace Testing Intnl, Air Data News, euro-sd.com, This is Money, edrmagazine.eu, defence-industry.eu, UK Defence Journal and Janes
2026-01-21T16:20:53.492245-08:00