Category: News

Italy Orders Six Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers

A Spanish Air Force A330 MRTT refuelling two Eurofighter aircraft | Photo: Airbus Defence and Space

Italy’s Ministry of Defence has awarded a €1.393 billion contract to Airbus Defence and Space for six A330 MRTT tanker aircraft and integrated logistics support under a Heavy Multi Role tanker fleet modernization program. The procurement process covered aircraft acquisition and long-term support arrangements over a planned period of 122 months.

MBDA SPEAR Completes First F-35B Flight

The MBDA Spear mounted in the internal weapons bay of the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B aircraft | Photo: Lockheed Martin

MBDA announced that the SPEAR air-to-surface missile completed its first flight aboard a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B test aircraft earlier this year. The flight at Naval Air Station Patuxent River marked another stage in the integration programme for the weapon onto the UK’s F-35B fleet, with additional testing activities planned.

Su-57D Two-Seat 5G Fighter Makes Debut

First flight of the two-seat Sukhoi-57D | Photo: United Aircraft Corporation

Russia’s Su-57D has completed its first test flight, marking the debut of what is considered the world’s first two-seat fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The new variant is intended to combine combat, training and command-and-control roles, including management of operations involving manned and unmanned aircraft.

DRDO Completes UAV-Launched PGM Trials

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 trials | Photo: Indian Ministry of Defence

DRDO has completed development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile was tested against ground and airborne targets and integrated with UAV systems.

Airbus Expands A330 MRTT Capacity

A330 MRTT Conversion Center Airbus Getafe site | Photo: Airbus Defence and Space/Vicente Ontoso - Mango Producciones

Airbus Defence and Space plans to open a new A330 MRTT conversion centre in Seville, Spain, by the end of 2027. The facility will increase annual aircraft conversion capacity, support maintenance work and upgrade aircraft already in service.

France Orders Giraffe 1X Radar Vehicles

Giraffe 1X radar | Photo: Saab

France has ordered Giraffe 1X radar systems integrated onto Scania tactical vehicles to strengthen low-altitude air defence and anti-drone detection capabilities. The systems will replace part of the French Army’s older radar fleet, with deliveries planned between 2026 and 2027.

APKWS Tested on MQ-9A Reaper

The BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) integrated on a USAF General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft | Photo: U.S. Air Force/General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the U.S. Air Force have completed flight tests of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System on the MQ-9A Reaper at the Nevada Test and Training Range, including multiple firing profiles and aerial target engagements.

MQ-9B Completes First AEW Test Flight

First flight of the world’s first unmanned Airborne Early Warning (AEW) solution with the General Atomics MQ-9B carrying the Saab LoyalEye radar sensor pod on May 19, 2026 at Desert Horizons in Southern California | Photo: GA-ASI

Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems have completed the first flight of an MQ-9B unmanned aircraft fitted with LoyalEye airborne early warning radar pods. The trial marks the beginning of a test programme leading to a full capability demonstration later this year.

Ukraine Rejects EU ‘Associate Membership’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on April 14, 2026 | Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a proposal for special EU associate status and renewed calls for full membership, saying Ukraine should have equal rights and a complete role within the bloc.