Europe   Airports   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Portugal's PM Defends Allowing US Use of Lajes Airbase for Strikes on Iran, Diverging From Spain

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro defended allowing US forces to use Lajes airbase in the Azores during the campaign against Iran, a policy at odds with neighbouring Spain, which refused similar basing requests. The decision underscores a split in allied basing stances in Europe.

2026-03-04T23:22:05.601667-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   F-16   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Tom Balmforth

Exclusive: US missile shortfalls left Ukraine’s F‑16s underarmed during Russian winter air offensive

By Reuters: Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets didn't have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles for more than three weeks after supplies from Kyiv's partners dried up just as Moscow was preparing a massive winter air campaign, three sources said.

Also: aviationnews.eu, news.ssbcrack.com and Kyiv Independent
2026-03-04T22:26:51.840671-08:00
MRO   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
NEW
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

HAL wins INR29 billion contract to supply six Dhruv ALH Mk-III to Indian Coast Guard with PBL support

By FlightGlobal: Hindustan Aeronautics has won a INR29 billion ($319 million) contract to supply six Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-III rotorcraft to India's coast guard, including performance-based logistics support, marking renewed confidence in the type following safety modifications after a fatal crash in 2025.

Also: Naval News and naval-technology.com
2026-03-05T00:06:49.213794-08:00
Reuters • Yimou Lee

Chinese military flights around Taiwan fall, Trump-Xi meeting may be factor

By Reuters: Chinese air force activity around Taiwan has fallen sharply in recent weeks, with no flights at all in the past week, a sudden drop in what had been daily military manoeuvres that could signal Beijing is recalibrating its pressure on Taipei.

2026-03-04T21:52:06.662825-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pentagon shifts from long‑range missiles to GPS‑guided gravity bombs amid intensified US air campaign on Iran; officials say stockpiles remain sufficient

By FlightGlobal: The Pentagon says it will transition from expensive long-range missiles to GPS-guided gravity bombs as its air campaign against Iran intensifies, though senior officials insist munitions stockpiles remain strong despite heavy use of precision weapons.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and Air & Space Forces Mag
2026-03-04T16:06:31.365199-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Embraer  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Embraer adds AI-based counter-drone system to A-29 Super Tucano

By Air Data News: Embraer will integrate an artificial intelligence-based counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) suite into the A-29 Super Tucano under a partnership with.

Also: APAC Defence Reporter, Unmanned Airspace and 3 more
2026-03-04T11:14:16.481821-08:00