Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Airbus Boeing

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

NATO next‑generation rotorcraft project finalises ~90% of requirements as RfP nears; Boeing re‑emerges as potential bidder

A six‑member NATO programme to develop a next‑generation military rotorcraft has agreed roughly 90% of its requirements ahead of a planned request for proposals to industry this summer. The milestone narrows design scope, accelerates the procurement timetable and has reopened the field to major OEMs, with Boeing re‑emerging as a possible bidder.

2026-03-02T02:26:22.982794-08:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

NEW

CNBC • Elsa Ohlen

Global defense stocks surge as U.S.–Iran attacks raise risk of wider regional conflict

By CNBC: The defense sector was a rare bright spot amid a broader market sell-off triggered by fears of a wider regional conflict following U.S. attacks on Iran.

2026-03-02T03:02:25.094828-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Europe Airports Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Iranian-made drone hits British air base in Cyprus, causing limited damage

By Reuters: A drone strike hit a British air base in Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties, Cypriot and British officials said on Monday, in a marked escalation effectively dragging an EU member state into the conflict surrounding Iran.

DefenseNews.com

Iranian drone strike hits RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus during retaliatory attacks

AeroTime

Shahed-type drone strikes RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus; limited damage, no injuries

Also: Unmanned Airspace, aa.com.tr, defence-industry.eu, spacewar.com, Sky News, India Defense News, The Guardian and 5 more

2026-03-01T22:11:38.405811-08:00

Middle East Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

USAF F-15E Crashes in Kuwait in Reported Friendly-Fire Incident; Crew Ejects and Survives

By AeroTime: Social media footage suggests a US Air Force F-15E crashed in Kuwait in what is reported as a friendly fire incident. Both crew members ejected and survived.

The Aviationist

Three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles Shot Down In Apparent Friendly Fire Incident in Kuwait

aviationnews.eu

USAF F-15E Strike Eagle Crashes in Western Kuwait During Regional Operations; Pilot Ejects Safely

Also: Air Data News, Aviation24, AeroTime, defence-blog.com, aerospaceglobalnews.com, swarajyamag.com, airlive.net, newsable.asianetnews.com, news.ssbcrack.com, UK Defence Journal, The Independent and 5 more

2026-03-01T22:11:41.246223-08:00

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

The Guardian • Alex Daniel

Rolls‑Royce says Germany could still join UK fighter programme

By The Guardian: Tufan Erginbilgiç says decision is for the government but German participation remains a possibility.

Air Data News

Rolls-Royce CEO open to Germany joining GCAP fighter program

2026-03-01T21:35:29.709156-08:00

Supply Chain Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Leonardo AW149 selected for UK New Medium Helicopter programme — 23 to be built at Yeovil in £1bn deal

By FlightGlobal: Leonardo Helicopters has finally been declared the winner of the UK's £1 billion ($1.34 billion) New Medium Helicopter contest, which will see a reported 23 AW149s built at its Yeovil plant in southwest England.

aviationnews.eu

UK Awards £1bn Contract to Leonardo for 23 Medium‑Lift Military Helicopters, Safeguarding 3,300 Yeovil Jobs

Air Data News

UK expected to approve £1bn Leonardo AW149 helicopter order

Also: Vertical Mag, Reuters, Shephard Media, Aviation Week, UK Defence Journal, defencetoday.com, portsmouth.co.uk, defence-industry.eu, defensehere.com, army-technology.com, miragenews.com, spacewar.com and UK Defence Journal

2026-03-01T05:34:42.656693-08:00

F-16 Israel Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Israel deploys RAMPAGE stand-off missiles on F-16I jets in large-scale Iran strikes

By Air Data News: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released images showing an Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa armed with RAMPAGE stand-off missiles ahead of strikes on Iran as.

Also: news.defcros.com

2026-03-01T04:46:18.153891-08:00

Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Taliban says Pakistani jets entered Afghan airspace and attempted to bomb Bagram airbase

By AeroTime: Taliban officials say Pakistani military jets entered Afghan airspace near Bagram and were driven off, as blasts were reported over Kabul amid border fighting.