Event   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Pitch Black 26 to run July 20–Aug. 7 in Australia’s Northern Territory with 20 nations, 100 jets and Japan F-35 debut

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will take place over northern Australia from July 20 to August 7, drawing 19 partner nations for a three-week air combat training program. The exercise is slated to involve 100 jets and about 2,500 personnel, including first-time F-35 participation by Japan and Indonesian T-50Is.

Also: India Defense News, ANI News Agency and newsable.asianetnews.com
2026-07-17T04:16:24.962132-07:00
Leadership   Europe   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
NEW
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

France and Germany seek new defense dynamic after fighter jet project failure

By AeroTime: France and Germany have formally shifted their defense relationship away from the wreckage of a failed joint fighter jet program. President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz met near Cologne on July 17, 2026, to move toward new areas of cooperation, including nuclear deterrence.

2026-07-17T06:27:28.898464-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   BAE Systems  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Canberra advances plans to replace Hawk trainer fleet

By FlightGlobal: The Australian government will explore several financing models to fill trainer requirement. Canberra has reached out to airframers as it explores possibilities to replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF's) fleet of BAE Systems Hawk 127 advanced jet trainers.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-07-17T03:17:53.748915-07:00
F-16   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

DARPA and US Air Force fly frontline F-16 modified for autonomous flight

By FlightGlobal: The VENOM jets use an aftermarket kit that allows a pilot to switch between traditional human flight controls and autonomous flight with the flip of a switch.

Also: The Aviationist
2026-07-17T02:58:38.844464-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

RAF’s second Wedgetail gets airborne as Boeing lands new support contracts

By FlightGlobal: Second surveillance aircraft completes functional check flight. Boeing Defence UK has completed the first flight of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) second E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, and received a new contract to support the type’s introduction to service.

2026-07-17T02:28:57.895130-07:00
Helicopter   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals   Defense Policy   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Airbus Helicopters on target with first H160M firing campaign

By FlightGlobal: Manufacturer and DGA validate integration of weapons and defensive aids on developmental medium-twin. Airbus Helicopters has completed the first firing campaign with its developmental H160M Guepard medium-twin.

2026-07-17T02:44:54.607053-07:00
Event   Europe   Farnborough Airshow   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Boeing   Embraer  
Reuters • Cassell Bryan-Low, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher

Wars shift focus from jets to weapons at giant Farnborough Airshow

By Reuters: Spiralling security risks are expected to push defence ​to the forefront of Britain's Farnborough Airshow, as aerospace and arms makers struggle to keep pace with demand for weapons while cementing a fragile recovery in ‌civil jet and engine production.

Royal Aeronautical Society

Farnborough International Airshow 2026

Also: DefenseNews.com, Aviation Business News, Aviation Week, Aeronews and 7 more
2026-07-16T23:44:00.863030-07:00