Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Jon Gambrell, Josh Lederman

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy

The Trump administration has approved an F-16 sale to Bahrain, reversing prior human-rights reservations and prioritizing support for Sunni-led Gulf partners seen as bulwarks against Iranian influence. The decision signals a shift from the Obama-era emphasis on rights to a security-first approach in regional arms policy.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.366247-07:00

Helicopter Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Dusan Stojanovic

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defense minister

By DefenseNews.com: Serbia is also interested in buying a Russian air defense system as well as opening a repair center for Russian MIL helicopters.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.498383-07:00

Sikorsky Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Rachael Kalinyak

Defense Acquisition Board to decide on CH-53K 'King Stallion' LRIP for initial 24 helicopters on March 30

By DefenseNews.com: On March 30, the Defense Acquisition Board will review whether the low-rate production for the initial 24 King Stallion helicopters will be approved.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.384219-07:00

Leadership Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta, Valerie Insinna

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; deputy director Mat Winter named successor

By DefenseNews.com: Navy Rear. Adm. Mat Winter joined the F-35 office in 2016, after serving as the chief of Naval Research.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.705753-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Air Force officials say F-15 retirement unlikely until late 2020s amid rising threat environment

By DefenseNews.com: The F-15's age and growing threat environment could influence its retirement date.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.646488-07:00

Helicopter Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC)

DefenseNews.com • Vivek Raghuvanshi

India and Russia advance plan to produce Ka‑226T helicopters in India; production awaits Putin approval

By DefenseNews.com: The joint production of the helicopters in India now awaits formal approval by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will lead to the new production entity Indo-Russian Helicopters Private Limited.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.745425-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Tony Capaccio

Pentagon Testing Office: F-35 Software Upgrades Stagnated — No New Combat Capability Delivered Last Year as Jets Fly Missions over Iran

By Bloomberg: Attempts to provide upgraded software for F-35 jets have “stagnated” and no new combat capability was delivered last year, according to the annual report by the Pentagon’s testing office, even as the fighter jets fly missions over Iran.

Also: Aviation A2Z

2026-03-22T07:12:35.010222-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Defense Policy

Reuters

Taiwan says delayed US F-16s to start arriving this year

By Reuters: Taiwan has complained of repeated delays to weapons ordered from the U.S.

aviationnews.eu

U.S. F-16V Production Hits Full Capacity; Delayed Jets to Taiwan Begin Deliveries

Also: CNA

2026-03-21T18:39:16.128149-07:00

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Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defense minister

Defense Acquisition Board to decide on CH-53K 'King Stallion' LRIP for initial 24 helicopters on March 30

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; deputy director Mat Winter named successor

Air Force officials say F-15 retirement unlikely until late 2020s amid rising threat environment

India and Russia advance plan to produce Ka‑226T helicopters in India; production awaits Putin approval

Pentagon Testing Office: F-35 Software Upgrades Stagnated — No New Combat Capability Delivered Last Year as Jets Fly Missions over Iran

Taiwan says delayed US F-16s to start arriving this year

U.S. F-16V Production Hits Full Capacity; Delayed Jets to Taiwan Begin Deliveries

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal

Air Force officials say F-15 retirement unlikely until late 2020s amid rising threat environment

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; deputy director Mat Winter named successor

Defense Acquisition Board to decide on CH-53K 'King Stallion' LRIP for initial 24 helicopters on March 30

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defense minister

India and Russia advance plan to produce Ka‑226T helicopters in India; production awaits Putin approval

Denmark Was Ready to Blow Up Airfields to Stop a U.S. Invasion of Greenland

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president’s remarks spark confusion

Sikorsky delivers first H-60Mx Black Hawk with optionally‑manned/autonomous capability to U.S. Army

Iranian Strike Damages Five U.S. Air Force Tankers at Prince Sultan Air Base, Officials Say

Denmark secretly planned to destroy Greenland runways to deter U.S. seizure during 2019 talks

U.S. Army accepts first H-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk as ALIAS autonomy testing begins

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions

Iranian strike damages five USAF refuelling tankers at Prince Sultan AB; Saudi Arabia downs inbound drones

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

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