ArianeGroup   Safran   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

France enters “exclusive” talks with MBDA-Safran for long-range strike multi-rocket launcher role, sidelining Thales, ArianeGrou

France has selected the MBDA–Safran combination for a multi-rocket launcher supply effort and moved into “exclusive” negotiations. The decision is set to replace France’s current LRU arsenal, effectively knocking out competitors including Thales, ArianeGroup, Lockheed Martin and Hanwha Aerospace.

2026-06-15T05:46:44.348989-07:00
F-16   Europe   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Ukrainian F-16 fighters set for IRIS-T missile integration

By FlightGlobal: Donated fighters appear set to gain German-built weapon. Ukraine plans to begin arming its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters with the German-produced IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile, according to the weapon’s manufacturer.

2026-06-15T06:02:33.285688-07:00
Helicopter   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Engine issues ground South Korea’s Light Armed Helicopter fleet

By FlightGlobal: The LAH is replacing legacy types in South Korea's military. South Korea’s military has suspended flights of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) Miron owing to engine defects.

2026-06-15T00:03:58.966591-07:00
Helicopter   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The Aviationist • Kai Greet

UK Seizes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in the English Channel

By The Aviationist: A joint operation by the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, and the National Crime Agency saw the 244 metre oil tanker Smyrtos boarded and seized off the UK's south coast.

Also: AeroTime, ibtimes.com and nationalsecurityjournal.org
2026-06-14T03:34:20.611234-07:00
Hypersonic   M&A  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Undisclosed buyer finalises deal for Reaction Engines’ assets

By FlightGlobal: Industry interest is likely to centre on collapsed developer's thermal management technology and patent portfolio. An undisclosed buyer has snapped up the intellectual property of UK hypersonic propulsion developer Reaction Engines, the company’s administrators have disclosed.

2026-06-14T06:17:04.534005-07:00