France

Airbus has described 2026 as a “year of testing” for the latest addition to its portfolio, the H140 twin-engine light helicopter.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants the military to do a proper requirements assessment for a potential next-generation fighter.

The procurement of Safran Hammer bomb kits for Ukraine follows on from a broader strategic partnership between Norway and France that was agreed to last summer.

Several European countries have signed an agreement to jointly develop long-range loitering munitions, the German defense ministry said.

An incident involving a Hop!-operated Embraer E170 at Toulouse Airport on May 11, 2024, prompted inspection of the entire fleet and ensuing part replacements.

France’s next aircraft carrier will rely on multiple uncrewed aircraft systems, making their combination central to operations.

Eutelsat has secured about $1.2 billion in export credit backing for its order for 440 Airbus-made satellites for its OneWeb LEO broadband constellation.

The French ministry of armed forces is pushing its prime contractors to ramp up weapons production.

German aerospace lobby BDLI is calling for a dual-fighter strategy under FCAS, effectively urging France and others to go separate ways while maintaining the veneer of cooperation.

Airlines serving the Brazil-France market are set to gain new flexibility after the countries reached agreement on a modernized air services framework.

France’s navy has ordered more uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) from Airbus Helicopters.

France warship builder Naval Group and UAS developer Turgis Gaillard are exploring the development of a carrier-borne version of the latter’s Aarok MALE UAS.

ArianeGroup is accelerating the production of strap-on boosters to ramp up the launch cadence of the two-booster Ariane 62 and four-booster Ariane 64 versions.

With the Airbus H160M set to embark on French navy warships in the 2030s, work has begun to prove the rotorcraft’s compatibility with operations at sea.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz says Berlin and Paris will make a decision in a few weeks on whether to jointly pursue a future combat aircraft.

ESA's head says a space summit French President Emmannuel Macron plans to host could provide direction on efforts to independently launch astronauts into space.

Two French space companies are forming a strategic partnership to build deorbiting systems for use in low Earth orbit.

Volotea is opening its 12th base in France, and 21st in Europe, in Limoges, basing one Airbus A319 at the airport in the southwest of central France.

French startup Alpha Impulsion was awarded a $1.1 million EU prize for its self-consuming propulsion system on future launchers and satellites.

The fatal crash of an ATR 42-500 turboprop in Indonesia followed an erratic initial approach, France's BEA says in an opening note to its investigation.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

French metallic parts supplier Mecadaq is to take over cabin and seat component specialist Echeverria and helicopter engine maintenance expert Lopez.

FCAS is suffering due to a slow pace of decision-making rather than political will to work together, France’s ambassador to Germany says.

Daher will provide industrial services on a second Airbus A321 final assembly line in Toulouse, the Paris-based company announced Jan. 21.

The Airways Aviation Academy pilot training organization in Montpellier, France, will enter court-ordered liquidation Jan. 23.