All Defence articles
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News
Qatar to permanently station F-15QAs at US base
Qatar and the USA have reached an agreement allowing the Gulf state to permanently station Boeing F-15QA fighters at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, with Doha constructing its own facility at the base.
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News
Top Canadian defence officials back F-35 acquisition
Senior Royal Canadian Air Force and defence ministry officials have voiced support for Canada’s planned F-35 acquisition, even as deteriorating Canada-US relations under Donald Trump cast doubt over the full 88-aircraft programme.
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Interview
Pratt & Whitney begins assembling XA103 adaptive engine prototype
RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney has started fabricating its XA103 prototype under the US Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion programme, incorporating advances in materials, fan technology and control systems for potential sixth-generation fighter applications.
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News
Dassault hails Rafale’s success as 300th example clears production
French airframer Dassault Aviation has marked the completion of its 300th Rafale fighter.
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In depth
Indian air chief outlines combat aircraft priorities amid regional tensions
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh discusses indigenous fighter programmes and potential overseas acquisitions following a recent conflict with Pakistan, as India faces growing regional security challenges from China’s expanding stealth fighter capabilities.
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News
Irish Air Corps receives C295 third tactical transport
Ireland has taken delivery of its third C295 from Airbus, the first in transport configuration, as part of a €300 million fleet modernisation programme that represents the largest single equipment project in Irish Defence Forces history.
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News
Canada will field initial 16 F-35As, still weighing options for remaining 72 aircraft
Ottawa confirms it will take delivery of 16 Lockheed Martin F-35As already under contract but is reviewing plans for the remaining 72 aircraft originally planned under its fighter modernisation programme.
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News
Sikorsky reveals ‘Nomad’ rotor-blown aircraft, with full-scale demonstrator in ground testing
Sikorsky has revealed the ‘Nomad’ trade name for its family of autonomous rotor-blown wing aircraft, with full-scale testing of the Group 3 variant expected in the coming months as the manufacturer targets US Army reconnaissance requirements.
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News
Royal Navy plans ‘loyal wingman’ carrier tests as it pushes ahead with hybrid air wing plan
The UK Royal Navy (RN) hopes to perform a demonstration next year from one of its two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers of an attritable ‘loyal wingman’-type drone ultimately capable of fulfilling multiple roles, including strike or refuelling missions.
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In depth
Embraer developing options for KC-390 assembly in USA
Brazilian airframer Embraer is developing plans for local assembly of its KC-390 Millennium tanker-transport aircraft as part of a bid to secure a US Air Force contract for the Next Generation Air Refuelling System programme.
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Analysis
US Navy exploring seawater-to-jet fuel conversion technology
The US Navy is funding research into a process for converting seawater into jet fuel, awarding a $9.4 million contract to Sea Dragon Energy to develop shipboard fuel production systems that could in theory sustain carrier strike group operations indefinitely.
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News
Australia receives first two AH-64E Apaches
Australia’s army has received its first two Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters at RAAF Townsville, marking the start of deliveries from a 29-aircraft order under the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter programme.
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News
Polish air force pilots demo F-15EX during US visit
Polish air force officers including inspector general Ireneusz Nowak travelled to Boeing’s Missouri facility to evaluate the F-15EX Eagle II multi-role fighter, conducting familiarisation flights as Warsaw considers the twin-engined jet alongside its F-35A acquisition programme.
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News
White House taps Pacific veteran to lead US Air Force amid China tensions
General Kenneth Wilsbach, former Pacific Air Forces commander with extensive Indo-Pacific experience, has been nominated to lead the US Air Force as tensions with China escalate in the Western Pacific region.
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News
US Army moves forward with operational fielding of CH-47F Block II
The US Army has authorised procurement of Boeing’s CH-47F Block II Chinook using fiscal 2025 and 2026 funds, planning to outfit two combat aviation brigades with the upgraded heavy-lift helicopters.
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News
Honeywell heartened by new Madrid MRO centre for F124 engine as it eyes CCA potential
Honeywell says a newly opened MRO facility in Madrid for the F124 engine that powers the Leonardo M-346 trainer will result in better service for customers through quicker turnaround times.
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Analysis
Engine makers accelerate plans for new class of small turbofans targeting autonomous fighters
Pratt & Whitney, GE Aerospace and Honeywell are advancing small turbofan designs as the Pentagon emphasises rapidly fielding low-cost, autonomous fighter jets known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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News
South Korea picks L3Harris-led team for new AEW&C jet
Seoul has selected a team comprising Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta Systems unit, Korean Air and prime contractor L3Harris Technologies to supply its future batch of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
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News
Lockheed Martin secures contract for 296 F-35 fighters
Lockheed Martin has secured a $12.5 billion contract modification covering 296 F-35 Lightning II fighters across lots 18 and 19, with deliveries to US and international customers beginning in 2026.
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News
E-2D conducts air-to-air refuelling tests with three French types
The Northrop Grumman E-2D airborne early warning and control aircraft has successfully conducted refuelling tests with three French military types.