Supply Chain   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
Reuters

Pentagon, Boeing sign 7-year framework to triple PAC‑3 MSE seeker production; concurrent Lockheed agreement

The U.S. Department of Defense signed a seven‑year framework with Boeing to triple production of PAC‑3 MSE seekers, scaling manufacture to meet rising U.S. and allied air‑and‑missile‑defence demand. A concurrent agreement with Lockheed Martin formalizes industrywide expansion under a new industrial push.

Also: AeroTime, Boeing, edrmagazine.eu, insidedefense.com, defence-industry.eu, Military Times and DefenseNews.com
2026-04-01T04:51:59.110748-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK accepts final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightnings, completing initial 48-aircraft buy as future procurement plans remain undecided

By FlightGlobal: The UK has taken delivery of its last of 48 on-order Lockheed Martin F-35Bs, as firm details around its future purchase plans remain to be outlined. On 27 March, the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) procurement body announced that the “final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning has been accepted, completing the UK’s first batch of….

2026-04-01T04:01:25.324818-07:00
Dassault Aviation   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   Airbus  
Reuters

Dassault CEO sets two‑to‑three week deadline to salvage Franco‑German‑Spanish FCAS fighter program

By Reuters: The head of Dassault Aviation said he was giving his company between two-to-three weeks to see if a deal could be reached over salvaging the crisis-hit FCAS fighter jet project between France, Germany and Spain.

Also: lemonde.fr and spacewar.com
2026-04-01T01:45:22.332370-07:00
Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Russian Air Force An-26 transport crashes in Crimea, 29 killed

By FlightGlobal: An Antonov An-26 tactical transport of the Russian air force has crashed in Crimea, killing all 29 aboard. The crash occurred during a “routine flight” in the early evening of 31 March, according to Russian news agency Tass, citing the country’s defence ministry.

Also: AeroTime, The Independent, tass.com, newsable.asianetnews.com and 3 more
2026-03-31T21:46:12.272146-07:00
Supply Chain   Europe   M&A   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Arcline withdraws bid for Senior Plc — aerospace and defence supplier draws fresh interest from rival suitors

By Reuters: The field of suitors for British aerospace and defence supplier Senior Plc narrowed after private equity firm Arcline Investment Management dropped out of buyout talks on Wednesday, though negotiations with other bidders remained ongoing.

2026-04-01T02:45:25.380321-07:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

MH-60R enters South Korean service

By FlightGlobal: The South Korean navy has inducted the Sikorsky MH-60R naval warfare helicopter as it eyes an increasing submarine threat from Pyongyang. The induction ceremony for the type took place at the naval air command unit in Changwon, South Korea, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

Also: Yonhap News Agency
2026-03-31T22:50:24.970121-07:00