Defense

Defense engineering and support company Babcock has acquired 11 Aero Vodochody L-39 jet trainers as part of an effort to grow European training capacity.

Marshall Aerospace says it has secured a two-year contract extension to support Lockheed Martin C-130Js in the Danish and Norwegian air forces.

Elbit Systems says it has secured a $60 million contract for counter-uncrewed air system (C-UAS) equipment from an undisclosed buyer.

The International Defence Conference (IDC) 2025 will take place on 16 February under the theme "Defence Reimagined: Innovation, Integration and Resilience.”

A lawsuit and battlefield images reveal radar availability problems in Russia’s helicopters—and the vulnerability of its aerospace industry to sanctions.

FAB accident investigation experts are extracting data from the flight recorders recovered from the Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan.

The U.S. Commerce Department is considering imposing a rule that could restrict or ban drones made in China due to the national security risks they pose.

The Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) lists spacecraft as one of 15 priority areas in its Fiscal 2025 Investment Strategy.

The U.S. State Department has approved a $3.6 billion AIM-120 Amraam package to Japan, in what will be one of the largest foreign exports of the missile.

Some observers think the coming years could see more industry fragmentation and the rise of up-and-coming middle-market players.

EMBRAER secured contract from an undisclosed customer for two C-390s in deal that includes training/spares support, plus two orders for total of 10 A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainers from undisclosed customers. It has now booked orders in 2024 for 19 C-390s and >30 Super Tocanos and will end year with D&S backlog of US$4.9b.

AIR INDUSTRIES GROUP announced new $2.6m contract from an undisclosed customer to supply aftermarket landing gear assemblies for US Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. It booked three contracts worth $45m in December.

Kendall took over as the service’s top civilian in 2021 and will leave office in the next few weeks.

The Israeli Defense Ministry has set up a new research unit to focus on AI and autonomy while also ramping up production of Arrow-3 missile interceptors.

Flight testing of LIG Nex1's ESR-500A active electronically scanned array radar with the Netherlands Aerospace Center has now begun.

The announcement indicates either a third African operator for the A-29 or top-up orders by Mauritania or Nigeria.

The manufacturer said the first flight took place on Dec. 30 from the company’s Ankara campus.

Dublin has ordered four Airbus H145Ms for the Irish Air Corps through a €91.7 million ($95.2 million) contract to replace the force's EC135/H135 helicopters.

Embraer has signed a contract for the sale of four A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainer aircraft to an undisclosed customer in Africa.

After being passed over by Spain, Leonardo nets an Austrian purchase of 12 M-346 trainers.

Iraq is to become the first export customer for the Korea Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter.

This completes the trifecta of China’s key state-owned aircraft companies unveiling its new capabilities.

Turkish drone-maker Baykar has acquired Italy’s beleaguered Piaggio Aerospace, just over six years after the latter entered extraordinary administration.

This year the Qatar Emiri Air Force is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To spread the word of this rapidly-expanding air arm on its golden anniversary, the QEAF has sent aircraft to two big air shows recently. Alan Warnes reports.

Sierra Nevada Corp. can move forward on the U.S. Army ’ s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System contract.