Dassault Aviation   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Vietnam evaluates Dassault Rafale as successor to Sukhoi-era fighters

Vietnam is conducting talks with Dassault and reviewing purchase of Rafale fighters as it moves to diversify from decades operating Sukhoi jets. Hanoi says the Rafale would strengthen air-to-ground strike and surveillance capabilities and could become the next international Rafale customer.

2026-02-06T09:49:15.166123-08:00
Event   UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Singapore Airshow   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
DefenseNews.com • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Shield AI and ST Engineering partner to apply AI for optimizing drone-swarm and human–drone interactions

By DefenseNews.com: The companies will use artificial intelligence to optimize the interactions of drones with drones, and drones with humans.

Also: c4isrnet.com, news.ssbcrack.com and news.defcros.com
2026-02-06T06:58:33.555370-08:00
Event   China   Singapore Airshow   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Reuters • Julie Zhu, Jun Yong, Jun Yuan Yong, Tim Hepher

China Showcases Military and Civil Aviation Capabilities at Singapore Airshow, Undermining U.S. Influence

By Reuters: China used this week's Singapore Airshow to flex its military and aviation muscle, drawing heavy attention from regional delegations as Beijing sharpens its bid for influence in Southeast Asia.

2026-02-05T23:29:00.278108-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Saab to fly fighter‑sized unmanned demonstrator in 2027 to inform Sweden’s 2030 Future Fighter decision

By FlightGlobal: Saab will fly an unmanned fighter-sized demonstrator aircraft in 2027 as part of Sweden's Future Fighter System programme, informing Stockholm's decision on its next combat aircraft by 2030.

Also: Air Data News, Shephard Media and Aviation Week
2026-02-05T19:54:45.052759-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters

Taiwan and U.S. firm Kratos test jet-powered attack drone to rapidly scale low-cost strike capability against China

By Reuters: U.S.-based Kratos Defense and Taiwan's military have successfully tested a new jet-powered attack drone, a move aimed at rapidly boosting the island's ability to field "large numbers" of low-cost drone amid a rising Chinese threat.

2026-02-05T19:08:14.500278-08:00