Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

UK moves to arm F-35B with SDB-II via FMS as SPEAR 3 integration slips and corrosion hits availability

The UK Ministry of Defence has approved an interim standoff weapons procurement for its F-35B fleet, choosing Boeing Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II) under a U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route to bridge delays integrating the European-produced alternative and the SPEAR 3 missile. MoD also tied reduced mission rates to corrosion management backlogs and spare-parts shortfalls after maritime deployment.

Aviation Week • Tony Osborne

Corrosion Issues Harming UK F-35 Mission Rates

Also: UK Defence Journal, UK Defence Journal and aerospaceglobalnews.com
2026-05-15T04:12:16.071143-07:00
Event   Satellite   AI   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
NEW
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

#SpaceWatchGL analysis: GEOINT 2026: The Pipeline Is the Mission - And Europe Is Falling Behind on the Plumbing

By SpaceWatch Global: Collection is no longer the bottleneck- integration, governance and trustworthy agentic AI are. What the Aurora symposium means for Europe, Germany and the BMVg.

2026-05-15T04:11:09.934718-07:00
Satellite   AI   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

AGO's McMullan Warns GEOINT Agencies Face Existential Test of Pace and Relevance

By SpaceWatch Global: AGO Director Kathryn McMullan's GEOINT 2026 keynote: Australia's strategic paradox, maritime domain awareness, and partnerships from Five Eyes to Japan.

2026-05-15T01:23:42.652946-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Australia, New Zealand, USA in C-130J support pact

By FlightGlobal: The C-130J is operated by all three nations, creating scope for cross-servicing of the aircraft. The air forces of Australia, New Zealand, and the USA have entered a pact to enhance cooperation concerning the Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport, a type all three operate.

2026-05-15T00:23:06.538041-07:00
SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Deals  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Thailand reviews Gripen E production in Sweden as Saab begins assembly of first jet

By Air Data News: A delegation from the Royal Thai Air Force visited Sweden this week to review progress on Thailand’s Gripen E/F fighter acquisition program, including the start of assembly work on the country’s first aircraft at Saab’s facility in Linköping.

2026-05-14T14:16:27.813591-07:00