Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France deploys Rafale fighters to UAE to secure French bases as Paris reinforces Cyprus defences

France has deployed Dassault Rafale fighters to the United Arab Emirates to carry out "air security" over French bases and protect hundreds of navy, air force and army personnel, Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot said on March 3, 2026, as Paris also boosts defences in Cyprus.

Also: al-monitor.com, The Independent, Military Times and lemonde.fr
2026-03-03T05:11:37.122249-08:00
Satellite   Europe   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Thales  
Reuters

Thales posts higher-than-expected core profit as defence, avionics and space demand lift margins

By Reuters: French aerospace and technology company Thales reported slightly higher than expected annual core profit on Tuesday and predicted higher profit margins for this year.

Also: AeroTime
2026-03-02T22:21:46.804836-08:00
Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Iran drones, missiles could test rivals’ magazine depth

By FlightGlobal: Iran may be absorbing heavy strikes, but its drone and missile launches are targeting a vulnerability that airpower alone cannot fix: the magazine depths of the adversaries ranged against it.

Also: news.defcros.com
2026-03-03T01:11:17.646094-08:00
Supply Chain   Africa   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
Reuters

US Struggles to Secure DRC Strategic Minerals After Pact as Conflict, Licences and Compliance Slow Progress

By Reuters: The U.S. has made progress in its push to prise Congo's strategic minerals from China's orbit, but conflict, contested licences and compliance demands are still slowing Washington's advance into a region its rival dominates, diplomats and industry officials said.

2026-03-03T00:07:37.374004-08:00