Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Wall Street Journal • Dov Lieber

Saudi Arabia Eyes F-35s as Israeli Combat Success Underscores the Jet’s Regional Impact

Wall Street Journal reports: Israel has dominated battlefields across the Middle East for the past two years. A major reason is the F-35.

2025-11-19T04:27:52.935405-08:00

Today In Defense

Last Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, 7:25 AM PST

2025-11-19T07:25:04.164041-08:00 2025-11-19T07:25:04.164041-08:00 (2025-11-19T07:25:04.164041-08:00)

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

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Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow; Tim Martin

Lockheed to keep F-35 production rate steady to support suppliers, exec says

By Breaking Defense: “It’s not just a single issue," said Lockheed executive Steve Sheehy. “We want to keep our suppliers at a steady rate.".

2025-11-19T07:20:13.321050-08:00

Dubai Airshow Middle East M&A Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

Reuters

Leonardo and EDGE to launch defence joint venture in UAE in 2026

By Reuters: Italian defence and aerospace company Leonardo and Abu Dhabi's EDGE group will launch a joint venture in the United Arab Emirates next year to design, develop and produce defence systems, the companies said at the Dubai Airshow on Wednesday.

2025-11-19T07:21:46.692352-08:00

Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters

European defence stocks drop over 3% amid signs of U.S.-led push to end Russia-Ukraine war

By Reuters: European aerospace and defence stocks fell more than 3% on Wednesday on signs of a fresh U.S.-led push to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which also lifted Ukraine's government bonds.

2025-11-19T06:08:02.951028-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Airbus

Uzbekistan awards Airbus contract for Flexrotor unmanned rotary‑wing system

By Airbus: Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract by Uztechtrade for the delivery of an undisclosed number of Flexrotor systems.

Also: Vertical Mag and asdnews.com

2025-11-18T21:24:49.774776-08:00

Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

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Reuters

Airbus chairman René Obermann urges European states to acquire tactical nuclear weapons in response to Russian Iskander deployments in Kaliningrad

By Reuters: Airbus chairman Rene Obermann has called on European countries to acquire tactical nuclear weapons in response to the threat posed by Russian Iskander missiles deployed at Kaliningrad that can carry nuclear warheads.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2025-11-19T03:52:06.096053-08:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Finance & Leasing Orders

Vertical Mag

Helicopter Alliance and Skyrise Leasing to acquire 12 UH‑60 Black Hawk helicopters; deliveries slated for 2026–27

By Vertical Mag: The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.

2025-11-19T05:31:50.578228-08:00

Event UAV Development & Drone Programs Dubai Airshow Middle East Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Aviation Week • Tony Osborne

MBDA, Fly‑R and Tawazun Council to develop loitering munitions in UAE

By Aviation Week: MBDA plans to develop loitering munitions in the UAE through a partnership with French startup Fly-R and the Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement.

AeroTime

Tawazun, MBDA and FLY‑R to localize missile production in UAE, co‑develop AI loitering munition and build thermal‑battery plant

Army Recognition

MBDA establishes MBDA UAE to produce Raijin loitering munitions and thermal batteries locally

2025-11-18T14:24:34.210524-08:00

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Saudi Arabia Eyes F-35s as Israeli Combat Success Underscores the Jet’s Regional Impact

Today In Defense

Lockheed to keep F-35 production rate steady to support suppliers, exec says

Leonardo and EDGE to launch defence joint venture in UAE in 2026

European defence stocks drop over 3% amid signs of U.S.-led push to end Russia-Ukraine war

Uzbekistan awards Airbus contract for Flexrotor unmanned rotary‑wing system

Airbus chairman René Obermann urges European states to acquire tactical nuclear weapons in response to Russian Iskander deployments in Kaliningrad

Helicopter Alliance and Skyrise Leasing to acquire 12 UH‑60 Black Hawk helicopters; deliveries slated for 2026–27

MBDA, Fly‑R and Tawazun Council to develop loitering munitions in UAE

Tawazun, MBDA and FLY‑R to localize missile production in UAE, co‑develop AI loitering munition and build thermal‑battery plant

MBDA establishes MBDA UAE to produce Raijin loitering munitions and thermal batteries locally

Leonardo and EDGE to launch defence joint venture in UAE in 2026

Lockheed to keep F-35 production rate steady to support suppliers, exec says