Japan Shows Interest in Producing Mk70 Containerised VLS
Lockheed Martin and Japan are on the table for joint production of the newly fielded Mk70 Payload Delivery System (PDS), a containerised version of Mk41 VLS.
USA News
Weapon / Missile
Air
Bilateral Relations
Canada and Portugal Consider Gripen Amid F-35 Doubts
Saab said NATO members Canada and Portugal are reviewing the JAS 39 Gripen E/F as they reconsider their dedication to the US-made F-35A Lightning II fighter.
Navy / Maritime
Weapon / Missile
BAE Systems Offers Plug-and-Play Bofors 40 mm to USN
Gradually ditching the Phalanx CIWS for RAM launchers in close-range defence role, USN is seeking palletised solutions as the next gun-based CIWS systems.
Air
US Deploys Bombers in the Pacific to Protect Japan
In reaction to China's growing Pacific Ocean activity, especially towards Japan and Taiwan, the US sends B-1B Lancer strategic bombers to Japan.
Navy / Maritime
Unmanned Systems
Saronic Prepares for MUSV Construction with New Shipyard
The U.S.-based Saronic has announced the acquisition of the Gulf Craft shipyard to build new Medium USVs (MUSVS) and its new 150-foot MUSV design, Marauder.
Weapon / Missile
USMC Deploys NMESIS Coastal Defence System in Philippines
The USMC has deployed the NMESIS unmanned coastal defence system fitted with NSM anti-ship missiles in the Philippines, marking the first deployment abroad.
Air
Bilateral Relations
Turkiye Pivots Towards F-35s, Slows F-16 Deal with the US
Turkish Air Force to form its future with stealth jets. Ankara may reroute $1.4bn F-16 payment to F-35 programme if readmitted under Trump administration.
Air
Investment
Belgium Seeks to Shift Future F-35A Assembly from US to Italy
Citing economic returns and strategic autonomy objectives, Belgium suggests moving the manufacture of more F-35As to Italy’s FACO site.
Air
Bulgaria Gets Its First New-Built F-16 Block 70 Fighter
Marking a major turning point in Bulgaria's attempts to rebuild its air force, the country has received its first newly built F-16 Block 70 fighter plane.
Weapon / Missile
USN Cancels HALO Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile Programme
The U.S. Navy has pulled the lever on the HALO hypersonic cruise missile programme intended for carrier-based fighter jets because of costs running rampant.
Weapon / Missile
Australia Buys 400 AMRAAMs to Increase Aerial Capacity
The $1.04B deal allows Australia to buy 200 AIM-120D-3 and 200 AIM-120C-8 missiles, improving air-to-air combat capability probably against Chinese fighters.
Country
Defence Politics
Trump to Ease Defence Exports Amid Economic Protectionism
The new executive order aims to simplify arms sales procedures, potentially boosting U.S. defence exports while raising concerns about technology leaks.
Weapon / Missile
Unmanned Systems
The Tactical Ascent of Guided Rockets in Drone Warfare
As UAVs become eminent players in combat zones, laser-guided munitions like Roketsan’s Cirit may offer Turkiye a scalable solution for counter-UAS missions.
Country
Defence Politics
Trump Signs Order to Review Delayed Defence Projects
Trump ordered the review and potential cancellation of overbudgeted or delayed defence projects. The new approach may not match the nature of such projects.
