FlightAcesHigh
@flightaceshigh.bsky.social
European Defence Editor and Flight International Editor for FlightGlobal.com, covering all things military aviation. And a lapsed biker.
Germany signs deal to launch production of Taurus Neo cruise missiles for Luftwaffe. MBDA and Saab will be updating 500km-range weapon from the current KEPD 350 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...
Germany signs deal to launch production of Taurus Neo cruise missiles for Luftwaffe
Europe's Taurus Systems joint venture has been awarded a contract by the German BAAINBw defence procurement body to produce Taurus air-launched cruise missiles in an enhanced Neo-version standard.
www.flightglobal.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Germany signs deal to launch production of Taurus Neo cruise missiles for Luftwaffe. MBDA and Saab will be updating 500km-range weapon from the current KEPD 350 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of F-16 Block 70 deliveries for Slovakia, and first-batch shipments of the type to Bulgaria. Bratislava has fielded 14, and Sofia 8 (with a follow-on deal in place for another 8). www.flightglobal.com/defence/lock...
Lockheed completes F-16 deliveries for Slovakia and first batch shipments to Bulgaria
Lockheed Martin has completed deliveries of F-16C/D Block 70 fighters to Slovakia, and also handed over the last jets from an initial-tranche buy placed by Bulgaria.
www.flightglobal.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of F-16 Block 70 deliveries for Slovakia, and first-batch shipments of the type to Bulgaria. Bratislava has fielded 14, and Sofia 8 (with a follow-on deal in place for another 8). www.flightglobal.com/defence/lock...
Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where the defence team looks back at some of the biggest stories from 2025 - from new Chinese jets and the F-47 to Ukraine's fighter interest, India/Pakistan clash, Midnight Hammer, CCAs and more! open.spotify.com/show/4FH4ee7...
2025 defence in review - the best and worst of the year
open.spotify.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where the defence team looks back at some of the biggest stories from 2025 - from new Chinese jets and the F-47 to Ukraine's fighter interest, India/Pakistan clash, Midnight Hammer, CCAs and more! open.spotify.com/show/4FH4ee7...
Brazilian army takes delivery of its first of 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Pic shows rotorcraft's arrival in the country on 20 November, via US Air Force C-17. www.flightglobal.com/defence/braz...
Brazilian army takes delivery of its first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter
Brazil's army has formally taken delivery of its first Sikorsky UH-60M utility helicopter, one month after the rotorcraft arrived in the country aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17 strategic transport.
www.flightglobal.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Brazilian army takes delivery of its first of 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Pic shows rotorcraft's arrival in the country on 20 November, via US Air Force C-17. www.flightglobal.com/defence/braz...
Spain formalises 100-unit order with Airbus Helicopters, becomes H175M launch customer. Deal also includes H135s, H145Ms and NH Industries NH90s. Story (and image) by my colleague Dominic Perry www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/...
December 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Spain formalises 100-unit order with Airbus Helicopters, becomes H175M launch customer. Deal also includes H135s, H145Ms and NH Industries NH90s. Story (and image) by my colleague Dominic Perry www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/...
Worth noting that Embraer handed over the first five (of 12) A-29Ns to Portugal one year and one day after Lisbon signed a contract for the NATO-standard aircraft. New type will replace its aged TB30 Epsilon trainers, also taking on close air support role. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Worth noting that Embraer handed over the first five (of 12) A-29Ns to Portugal one year and one day after Lisbon signed a contract for the NATO-standard aircraft. New type will replace its aged TB30 Epsilon trainers, also taking on close air support role. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
Portugal takes delivery of first five Embraer A-29N Super Tucanos and eyes potential for in-country final assembly line. Would support sales to prospective extra European customers if established at Beja air base. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
Portugal takes delivery of first Embraer A-29Ns and eyes potential for final assembly line
Portugal has taken delivery of its first five of 12 A-29N Super Tucano training and close air support aircraft, with Lisbon also announcing a partnership with Embraer to explore the establishment of a...
www.flightglobal.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Portugal takes delivery of first five Embraer A-29N Super Tucanos and eyes potential for in-country final assembly line. Would support sales to prospective extra European customers if established at Beja air base. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition - deliveries of 12 training and light-attack aircraft to start in 2028. Austria is launch customer for the enhanced Block 20 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition
Leonardo is to start work on the Austrian air force's future fleet of 12 M-346 F Block 20 training and light-attack aircraft, having received a contract award via Italy's Directorate of Aeronautical A...
www.flightglobal.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition - deliveries of 12 training and light-attack aircraft to start in 2028. Austria is launch customer for the enhanced Block 20 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
UK launches low-cost cruise missile test flights for Ministry of Defence's Brakestop requirement. No details on bidder involved; image of MBDA Crossbow purely for illustration. Plus, Defence Investment Plan completion expected "within days". www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-l...
UK launches low-cost cruise missile test flights for Brakestop requirement
The first test firing of a low-cost cruise missile candidate for the UK Ministry of Defence's Brakestop programme has been conducted.
www.flightglobal.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
UK launches low-cost cruise missile test flights for Ministry of Defence's Brakestop requirement. No details on bidder involved; image of MBDA Crossbow purely for illustration. Plus, Defence Investment Plan completion expected "within days". www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-l...
C-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says. Points to nation's experience with 12-strong in-service fleet, JV with Tata producing aircraft's empennage, and investment in new Bengaluru MRO site. www.flightglobal.com/defence/c-13...
C-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says
Lockheed Martin is confident that its C-130J is best placed to meet the Indian air force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement, with the US company highlighting its existing relationship with ...
www.flightglobal.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
C-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says. Points to nation's experience with 12-strong in-service fleet, JV with Tata producing aircraft's empennage, and investment in new Bengaluru MRO site. www.flightglobal.com/defence/c-13...
BAE Systems Inc to supply updated IFF system for Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighter. Deliveries of KAI-developed fighter are due to commence during 2026. www.flightglobal.com/defence/bae-...
BAE Systems to supply updated IFF system for Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighter
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has awarded BAE Systems Inc an $11 million contract to provide updated identification friend or foe (IFF) equipment for integration with its in-development KF-21 fight...
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December 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
BAE Systems Inc to supply updated IFF system for Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighter. Deliveries of KAI-developed fighter are due to commence during 2026. www.flightglobal.com/defence/bae-...
US Air Force places $240 million Lot 2 order for Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles, with production in Norway to run through November 2028. For internal carriage by Lockheed Martin F-35As. www.flightglobal.com/defence/us-a...
US Air Force places $240m Lot 2 order for Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles
The US Air Force has awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace a $240 million contract for Lot 2 production of its air-launched Joint Strike Missile.
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December 15, 2025 at 9:19 PM
US Air Force places $240 million Lot 2 order for Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles, with production in Norway to run through November 2028. For internal carriage by Lockheed Martin F-35As. www.flightglobal.com/defence/us-a...
Switzerland to trim F-35A purchase, with cost rises leaving 36-unit buy ‘not financially feasible’. No word from Bern detailing how many of the Lockheed Martin fighters its fixed SFr6 billion budget will now cover. Pic courtesy of AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/defence/swit...
Switzerland to trim F-35A purchase, with cost rises leaving 36-unit buy ‘not financially feasible’
Switzerland's acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters will fall short of its contracted 36 examples due to budget limitations, the nation's Federal Council has announced.
www.flightglobal.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Switzerland to trim F-35A purchase, with cost rises leaving 36-unit buy ‘not financially feasible’. No word from Bern detailing how many of the Lockheed Martin fighters its fixed SFr6 billion budget will now cover. Pic courtesy of AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/defence/swit...
Saab innovation unit The Rainforest details 2026 flight-test plan for Ruby vehicle with ‘software-defined fuselage’. Design makes use of 'laser powder fusion additive manufacturing with universal robotic assembly'; not easy to say on a Friday afternoon... www.flightglobal.com/defence/saab...
Saab innovation unit details 2026 flight-test plan for Ruby vehicle with ‘software-defined fuselage’
Saab's internal innovation start-up The Rainforest will fly an unmanned platform next year employing what it describes as "the world's first software-defined aircraft fuselage".
www.flightglobal.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Saab innovation unit The Rainforest details 2026 flight-test plan for Ruby vehicle with ‘software-defined fuselage’. Design makes use of 'laser powder fusion additive manufacturing with universal robotic assembly'; not easy to say on a Friday afternoon... www.flightglobal.com/defence/saab...
Australia awards CAE 10-year contract to deliver Future Air Mission Training System. Service provision will support personnel instruction for RAAF platforms including new MC-55A Peregrine. www.flightglobal.com/defence/aust...
Australia awards CAE 10-year contract to deliver Future Air Mission Training System
CAE has been awarded a more than A$300 million ($200 million) contract to deliver the Royal Australian Air Force's Future Air Mission Training System capability.
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December 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Australia awards CAE 10-year contract to deliver Future Air Mission Training System. Service provision will support personnel instruction for RAAF platforms including new MC-55A Peregrine. www.flightglobal.com/defence/aust...
Another potential good bit of orders news for the Eurofighter programme partners - Bangladesh signs LOI with Leonardo for Typhoon purchase. Suggested need is an initial 12-16 jets, to start replacing obsolete F-7 fighters www.flightglobal.com/defence/bang...
Bangladesh signs LOI with Leonardo for Eurofighter Typhoon purchase
Bangladesh has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Leonardo signalling its interest in acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.
www.flightglobal.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Another potential good bit of orders news for the Eurofighter programme partners - Bangladesh signs LOI with Leonardo for Typhoon purchase. Suggested need is an initial 12-16 jets, to start replacing obsolete F-7 fighters www.flightglobal.com/defence/bang...
Anduril Industries UK picks GKN Aerospace as manufacturing partner for its British Army ACP bid, with Archer Aviation also bringing eVTOL experience. Would see additional work placed at GKN's Cowes site on the Isle of Wight. www.flightglobal.com/defence/andu...
Anduril picks GKN Aerospace as manufacturing partner for British Army ACP bid
Anduril Industries UK and GKN Aerospace are to collaborate in pursuit of an opportunity to produce an autonomous collaborative platform (ACP) demonstrator for the British Army.
www.flightglobal.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Anduril Industries UK picks GKN Aerospace as manufacturing partner for its British Army ACP bid, with Archer Aviation also bringing eVTOL experience. Would see additional work placed at GKN's Cowes site on the Isle of Wight. www.flightglobal.com/defence/andu...
Belgium advances on 240-round Hellfire missile acquisition from Lockheed Martin. We reckon these would have to be for use with its new General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardians; the weapon hasn't been integrated with the on-order Airbus Helicopters H145... www.flightglobal.com/defence/belg...
Belgium advances on 240-round Hellfire missile acquisition
Belgium has secured clearance from the US Department of State for a potentially $79 million acquisition of Lockheed Martin-produced AGM-114R2 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles.
www.flightglobal.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Belgium advances on 240-round Hellfire missile acquisition from Lockheed Martin. We reckon these would have to be for use with its new General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardians; the weapon hasn't been integrated with the on-order Airbus Helicopters H145... www.flightglobal.com/defence/belg...
Babcock to fly L-39 trainers in support of France’s DGA and EPNER test pilot school. www.flightglobal.com/defence/babc...
Babcock to fly L-39 trainers in support of France’s DGA and EPNER test pilot school
Babcock International has secured a contract to operate Aero Vodochody L-39 jet trainers in support of France's EPNER test pilot school and the nation's DGA defence procurement agency.
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December 8, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Babcock to fly L-39 trainers in support of France’s DGA and EPNER test pilot school. www.flightglobal.com/defence/babc...
Royal Air Force hails Boeing P-8A Poseidon capability after completing NATO deployment to Keflavik, Iceland - its largest commitment to date, with 3 of the type deployed from RAF Lossiemouth www.flightglobal.com/defence/raf-...
RAF hails P-8A Poseidon capability after completing NATO deployment to Iceland
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has hailed the performance of its Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft after completing its biggest international deployment to date with the type.
www.flightglobal.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Royal Air Force hails Boeing P-8A Poseidon capability after completing NATO deployment to Keflavik, Iceland - its largest commitment to date, with 3 of the type deployed from RAF Lossiemouth www.flightglobal.com/defence/raf-...
Leonardo lands new support contract for Italian air force's 12-strong C-27J Spartan fleet - deal will run until 2028. Pic courtesy of AirTeamImages www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
Leonardo lands new support contract for Italian air force C-27J Spartan fleet
Leonardo has been awarded a new multi-year contract to provide continued in-service support for Italy's 12-strong fleet of C-27J tactical transports.
www.flightglobal.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Leonardo lands new support contract for Italian air force's 12-strong C-27J Spartan fleet - deal will run until 2028. Pic courtesy of AirTeamImages www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
MBDA Meteor missile integration nears flight-test phase with stealthy F-35A; ground-based integration work is close to completion after recent activity at Edwards AFB www.flightglobal.com/defence/mbda...
MBDA Meteor missile integration nears flight-test phase with stealthy F-35A
MBDA's Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile has moved a step closer to commencing flight trials with the Lockheed Martin F-35A, following a recent integration test activity.
www.flightglobal.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
MBDA Meteor missile integration nears flight-test phase with stealthy F-35A; ground-based integration work is close to completion after recent activity at Edwards AFB www.flightglobal.com/defence/mbda...
Austria to field 12-strong M-346FA fleet from 2028 under $1.75 billion deal. Confirms purchase of Leonardo type first flagged at the end of last year. www.flightglobal.com/defence/aust...
Austria to field 12-strong M-346FA fleet from 2028 under $1.75 billion deal
Austria has finalised a roughly €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) deal that will lead to its air force fielding a dozen Leonardo M-346FA trainer and light combat aircraft from later this decade.
www.flightglobal.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Austria to field 12-strong M-346FA fleet from 2028 under $1.75 billion deal. Confirms purchase of Leonardo type first flagged at the end of last year. www.flightglobal.com/defence/aust...
Brazilian air force picks Ace Aeronautics to expand and modernise UH-60L Black Hawk fleet - 13 in-service assets and 11 former-US Army examples will get Garmin G5000H avionics fit www.flightglobal.com/defence/braz...
Brazilian air force picks Ace Aeronautics to expand and modernise UH-60L Black Hawk fleet
The Brazilian air force is to significantly expand its inventory of Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk utility helicopters, via a late-November deal signed with US company Ace Aeronautics.
www.flightglobal.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Brazilian air force picks Ace Aeronautics to expand and modernise UH-60L Black Hawk fleet - 13 in-service assets and 11 former-US Army examples will get Garmin G5000H avionics fit www.flightglobal.com/defence/braz...
Leonardo Helicopters’ Proteus demonstrator poised to make first flight for UK Royal Navy - AW09-derived vehicle has undergone ground runs at company's Yeovil site. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
Leonardo Helicopters’ Proteus demonstrator poised to make first flight for UK Royal Navy
Leonardo Helicopters has edged a step closer to flying its AW09-based Proteus technology demonstrator for the UK Royal Navy, with the unmanned aircraft having successfully undergone its first ground r...
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December 2, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Leonardo Helicopters’ Proteus demonstrator poised to make first flight for UK Royal Navy - AW09-derived vehicle has undergone ground runs at company's Yeovil site. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...