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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
11 Apr 25. Future A400M procurement remains under review. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that plans to acquire additional A400M Atlas aircraft remain under review as part of the ongoing Strategic Defence Review, amid continued concerns about fleet availability and long-term capability. In response to a written parliamentary question from Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Conservative – Huntingdon), Minister of State for Defence Maria Eagle stated:
“All capability requirements, including those for tactical airlift, are being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review process.”
The question referred to earlier proposals made by a former Secretary of State to expand the RAF’s fleet of A400M transport aircraft—plans that have previously faced financial obstacles. Back in 2022, the Ministry of Defence’s Equipment Plan noted that procurement of further A400M aircraft was contingent on affordability. A concurrent National Audit Office (NAO) report later confirmed that the option had been assessed as unaffordable, prompting Air Command to instead pursue a more modest Availability Improvement Programme (AIP). More recently, the House of Commons Defence Committee has expressed renewed concern over the RAF’s ability to sustain operational availability across its 22-strong fleet. In a letter dated 27 March 2025, Committee Chair Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP highlighted that the current availability target—ten aircraft per day—represents less than half the fleet and falls short of past performance levels. Committee members have requested clarity on the rationale behind this target, how it compares to earlier figures (which suggested availability of 13 to 16 aircraft in 2023), and how it aligns with current and future operational requirements. In her earlier correspondence to the Committee, Maria Eagle pointed to improvements since the launch of the AIP in 2022, describing the current period as “a very positive period for the A400M programme.” She stated that the target of ten aircraft per day reflects a 66% improvement on the 2021–22 financial year, and a 26% increase on the previous year. The A400M fleet also achieved its projected 9,280 flying hours for 2023–24. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
17 Apr 25. UK spells out Corvus UAS requirement to replace Watchkeeper. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed details of its requirement for a new Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to succeed the British Army’s legacy Watchkeeper system across the Divisional and Corps Deep battlespace. In a prior information notice (PIN) published on 15 April, the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation outlined the scope of the persistent surveillance capability – known as Project Corvus – and revealed a ‘stretch target’ of fielding a minimum deployable capability by the end of 2025. Industry engagement is intended to inform the acquisition strategy and identify potential tenderers ahead of starting a competitive procurement. The MoD in November 2024 announced that the Thales UK Watchkeeper intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) UAS would be retired by the end of March 2025. Operated by 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, the Watchkeeper system suffered significant attrition in service and was seen as increasingly obsolete. Project Corvus – valued at up to GBP130m (USD172m) over a five-year period – envisages the acquisition of a “modern, deployable, easily supportable, and cost-effective [LTDF] capability” from the end of December to replace the Watchkeeper. The initial requirement covers two task lines, each able to provide 24 hours of persistent surveillance, plus five years of support from minimum deployable capability. (Source: Janes)
EUROPE
17 Apr 25. Portugal approaches Saab to purchase Gripen fighter jets following withdrawal from US F-35 program. On April 6, 2025, Saab Chief Executive Officer Micael Johansson confirmed during an interview with Dagens Industri that negotiations are ongoing with Portugal and Canada regarding the potential acquisition of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. This confirmation follows Portugal’s cancellation of its planned procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and reflects a shift in Lisbon’s defense planning priorities amid evolving geopolitical circumstances. Portugal’s interest in the Gripen dates back to at least 2013, when Saab identified Portugal among a group of countries with potential interest in the Gripen C/D variant. (Picture source: NATO Allied Air Command) Portugal’s reassessment of its air combat capability modernization began in March 2025, when Defense Minister Nuno Melo announced the cancellation of the acquisition of 27 to 28 F-35A aircraft. The original decision to procure the F-35A had been included in the “Air Force 5.3” modernization program, presented in November 2023. In April 2024, General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), confirmed the selection of the F-35A as the replacement for the F-16AM/BM fleet, with a multi-year implementation plan including pilot training and technical workshops in coordination with Lockheed Martin and the United States Air Force. The cancellation was attributed to concerns regarding the United States’ political reliability within NATO under President Donald Trump’s administration. Minister Melo cited potential restrictions on the use, maintenance, and supply of U.S.-origin components as a risk to operational autonomy. These concerns were part of a broader reevaluation of strategic dependencies and led to the decision to explore European-made alternatives to the F-35A. In response, the Portuguese government initiated an assessment of available fighter aircraft from European manufacturers. The options currently under consideration include the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale, and the Saab Gripen. While these platforms do not incorporate the low-observability features associated with fifth-generation aircraft, they are being evaluated for their performance characteristics, industrial cooperation potential, and compatibility with European Union strategic defense initiatives, including calls from the European Commission to prioritize intra-European procurement. Portugal’s interest in the Gripen dates back to at least 2013, when Saab identified Portugal among a group of countries with potential interest in the Gripen C/D variant. In the current context, both the Gripen C/D and Gripen E/F models are being assessed. The Gripen C and D variants are in service with multiple operators, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and Thailand. These variants have undergone periodic capability upgrades, including the MS 20 block configuration adopted by the Swedish Air Force. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
16 Apr 25. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced that two businesses that it will invest in from the inaugural Blue Magic Netherlands (BMN) event last November: Emergent Swarm Solutions and Saluqi Motors.
“The technologies presented by Emergent and Saluqi really stood out to us, and we’re proud to be working with them,” said Brad Lunn, managing director for GA-ASI. “I expect several other companies from the Blue Magic Netherlands event to emerge and we hope to make additional announcements in the near future.”
At the Blue Magic investment and innovation conference in the Netherlands, GA-ASI and its partners heard pitches from innovative Dutch companies about the important technologies they are developing. The event was organized collaboratively between GA-ASI, the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Brainport Development in Eindhoven, and Brabant Development Agency (BOM). The key areas of focus were Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Autonomy, Advanced Materials, Sensors, Advanced Manufacturing, and Space. Close to 50 companies applied and after reviewing the applications, 16 companies were selected to pitch their capabilities. Emergent Swarm Solutions and Saluqi Motors were selected by GA-ASI to make investments after both companies made compelling pitches about their respective technologies at the BMN event and following months of detailed business and technology discussions with the two companies. Emergent Swarm Solutions develops innovative software solutions for autonomous flight and intelligent, decentralized swarming capabilities for a variety of unmanned vehicles. GA-ASI is partnering with Emergent to develop critical autonomy skills for GA-ASI’s current and future portfolio of aircraft.
“It is a pleasure to partner with General Atomics to develop and deploy our autonomy and swarming capabilities on the current and next generation of unmanned aircraft,” said Lennart Bult, Co-founder and Managing Director at Emergent Swarm Solutions. “Collaborating with the General Atomics team has been a fantastic experience, and we look forward to delivering advanced capabilities through this partnership.”
Saluqi Motors builds high-density motors with integrated electronics that significantly increase power and torque in small packages, which is well-suited for airborne platforms. GA-ASI is partnering with Saluqi to qualify their existing products within the strict environmental demands of aerospace applications and to develop new products for specific applications.
“We are deeply honored to be selected by GA-ASI from such a strong field of innovative companies,” said Matthijs de Haan, CEO at Saluqi Motors. “Our ultra-compact and high-performance motors are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of aerospace applications. This collaboration enables us to further validate our technology and develop new solutions for the defense and aerospace industries.”
GA-ASI is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems and related mission systems. The company hosted its first Blue Magic event in 2019 in Belgium, with subsequent events held in 2020, 2021, and 2023. GA-ASI is delivering eight MQ-9A aircraft to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF).
“GA-ASI is committed to continue working with the Dutch government and Dutch industry in supporting the growth of technology innovation in the Netherlands. GA-ASI anticipates holding additional BMN events in the near future,” Lunn added.
15 Apr 25. Italy says Britain is not sharing technology on fighter project.
- Summary
- Companies
- Italy defence minister says ‘selfishness’ can harm cooperation
- Italy in favour of Saudis joining GCAP jet fighter project
- Joint company will develop new combat jet
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has said Britain is not fully sharing technologies with Italy and Japan in a major project to develop a new fighter jet and urged London to bring down the “barriers of selfishness”.
In an interview with Reuters, Crosetto underscored the importance of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which aims to develop by 2035 an aircraft that incorporates the most advanced technologies.
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The defence minister, a senior member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s rightist Brothers of Italy party, said sharing technology when making investments together was crucial to a “serious relationship”.
“There is no longer anyone who can be considered first and second class and who wants to defend old legacies,” he said.
“You have to break down some barriers of selfishness. Italy has broken them down totally, Japan almost totally. It seems to me that the UK is much more reluctant to do this, and that’s a mistake because selfishness is the worst enemy of nations.”
He did not give any specifics about what technologies the British might be holding back. (Source: Reuters)
14 Apr 25. Belgium asks Italy to produce its future F-35 fighter jets as alternative to US assembly line in Texas. In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws on April 14, 2025, Belgium’s Defense Minister, Theo Francken, formally proposed that future F-35 fighter jets ordered by Belgium be assembled in Italy rather than in the United States. The minister also revealed that he had already made the request to his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto. Francken emphasized that this initiative could create jobs within Europe and help align Belgium’s defense investments with broader European industrial and strategic objectives, ensuring that Belgium remains a credible and dependable NATO ally, particularly given its hosting of major NATO institutions such as SHAPE and NCIA in Mons. While specific production rates are not publicly disclosed, the Cameri FACO has demonstrated its operational capability by delivering the first. Belgium’s involvement with the F-35 program began in 2018 when then-Defense Minister Steven Vandeput (N-VA) signed a contract for 34 F-35A fighter jets from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The decision followed a multi-vendor competition in which the F-35 was selected over the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale. According to the Belgian government, the choice was based on price and alignment with all seven evaluation criteria. The total value of the initial contract was estimated at €3.6 bn, later revised to approximately €4bn when factoring in aircraft, pilot training, infrastructure upgrades, and maintenance through 2030. The first deliveries were scheduled for 2023. These jets are intended to replace Belgium’s aging fleet of 54 F-16s, of which 30 are expected to be transferred to Ukraine beginning in 2026, increasing the urgency of transitioning to the F-35 platform. The per-unit cost of the aircraft was around €76 m, reportedly lower than the amounts paid by the Netherlands or Italy. Despite initial expectations, the economic returns for Belgian companies from the F-35 procurement have not met projections. In 2018, then-Minister of Economy Kris Peeters stated that the acquisition would pay for itself through contracts awarded to the Belgian aerospace sector. However, by mid-2022, these contracts had reached only €700 m, less than 20% of the procurement cost. A revised agreement signed in 2024 estimates economic returns of €66 m per year, totaling €2.7 bn over 40 years, still far below the estimated €12.4 bn lifetime cost of the fleet. Nonetheless, the program has been described by the current government as too advanced to reverse. As of early 2025, Belgium has received eight F-35A aircraft built at Lockheed Martin’s main production site in Fort Worth, Texas. These are currently stationed in the United States at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for pilot and technician training. The aircraft are expected to be transferred to Belgium in autumn 2025, where they will contribute to NATO operations, including air policing on the alliance’s eastern flank. To prepare for their arrival, Belgium has initiated infrastructure upgrades at Florennes and Kleine-Brogel air bases. The upgrades are estimated at €275m and include new hangars, four simulator rooms, maintenance facilities for six aircraft, sixteen covered aircraft stands, a Quick Reaction Alert zone, and accommodation for pilots and technicians. These works are financed through the existing multi-year military budget. Belgium also recently purchased $115 m worth of GBU-53/B bombs for its future fleet of F-35s. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
11 Apr 25. Greece in talks to buy two ‘Bergamini’ frigates from Italy – defense minister. Greece is in talks to buy two used ‘Bergamini’ class frigates from Italy, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said at a conference on Friday, as the NATO member seeks to modernise its armed forces. Greece aims to spend 25bn euros as part of a multi-year defense plan that will include the purchase of submarines, drones and the development of an anti-aircraft and anti-drone dome. It already spends about 3% of its GDP on defense, nearly double the EU average. It is also in discussions with France to buy a fourth French Belharra frigate armed with cruise missiles. (Source: Reuters)
11 Apr 25. EU considers defence fund to ease debt concerns for military gear.
- Summary
- EU finance ministers discuss European Defence Mechanism proposal
- EDM aims to reduce national debt impact of military spending
- Fund could include non-EU members such as UK, Ukraine, Norway
European Union finance ministers started talks on Saturday over a joint defence fund that would buy and own defence equipment and charge members a fee for its use, as a way to spend more on defence without burdening national accounts with more debt. The fund, called the European Defence Mechanism, was proposed by the Bruegel think tank in a paper for the ministerial discussions as a way of addressing concerns about how highly-indebted countries could pay for costly military equipment. (Source: Reuters)
USA
17 Apr 25. Defense Innovation Unit seeks undersea drone capable of ‘long-range’ payload deployment. The new solicitation broadly outlines what Navy leaders for years have sought from unmanned vehicles: multi-purpose trucks capable of carrying any payload of their choosing. The Pentagon’s conduit agency to Silicon Valley is seeking a commercially available unmanned undersea vehicles capable of “deploying large payloads” across ranges further than 1,000 nautical miles.
“Current UUV capabilities present limitations in range and payload capacity, hindering the effective deployment of critical resources in certain operational scenarios,” according to a Defense Innovation Unit solicitation posted today dubbed the “Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform.” “The DoD seeks commercially available, demonstration-ready uncrewed systems that address these limitations, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution for long-range, high-capacity payload deployment.”
The UUV should be capable of employing payloads of varying sizes; conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; operating in a GPS-denied environment as well as bathymetric surveys and mapping. In addition to the 1,000 nautical mile range, the solicitation also states a vendor’s solution should be able to dive deeper than 200 meters (656 feet) underwater and operate autonomously to navigate and avoid obstacles or collisions. Responses are due by May 1. The solicitation’s goal — seeking a multi-purpose unmanned system capable of carrying a variety of payloads — largely matches what US Navy leaders for years have repeatedly sought from industry as the service’s leaders tout the concept of a future hybrid fleet.
“The government understands that companies will likely not be able to meet all of the specifications in this solicitation, but encourage companies with demonstrable capability applicable to one or more of these specifications to apply,” the solicitation says.
For its part, industry as of late has been unveiling a spate of unmanned surface and subsurface vehicles — Leidos’ Sea Dart, Saronic’s Maruader, Anduril’s Copperhead. But while the service has experimented widely with different offerings through agencies like Task Force 59, only a select few vehicles have made their way into programs of record such as HII’s Lionfish or been broadly incorporated into fleet operations like Saildrone’s part in Operation Southern Spear. As a research agency, DIU’s function is to help the services find and assess technologies on the market. Whether the Navy chooses to invest time and money advancing a given product further into its fleet is a decision for service brass to make. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
16 Apr 25. US Army kicks off expanded NBC sensor upgrades beyond Stryker. As the US Army is planning upgrades to its initial sensor suite, service officials are looking towards the future and how the package can be added to other vehicles, according to a request for information (RFI) published on 9 April. A new Teledyne FLIR USD78m contract supports the development of “an expanded sensor suite upgrade design” called Capability Set 2.2, according to the company’s announcement on 9 April. At the same time, the government is doing market research on what it calls the Vehicle Integrated Point Enhanced RADIAC (VIPER) for integration on multiple land and air platforms, according to a Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) press release. The new contract requires a delivery of six Capability Set 2.2 prototypes and will provide “added support for government testing”, according to Teledyne FLIR’s press release. Upgrades to the technology include “advanced sensing”, autonomous flight control for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) SkyRaider, and hazard prediction software upgrades. The VIPER system would replace AN/VDR-2 and AN/UDR-13. Developed by Canberra Industries in the last century, both systems are no longer in production. They also do not have the ability to determine prompt dose, according to the RFI. The first VIPER has already been fielded through the Stryker Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) Sensor Suite Upgrade (SSU) as the proof of concept, according to JPEO-CBRND’s press release from January 2025. (Source: Janes)
11 Apr 25. Trump to cancel projects 15% behind schedule and over budget. Many established defence programmes will be put at risk, including Constellation-class frigates and F-35 upgrades. President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday (9 April 2025) to hasten the the acquisition of defence equipment. Hidden among his lengthy policy agenda, under section six, subsection A, the document stipulates that existing defence programmes that are more than 15% behind schedule, 15% over the budget threshold, or are failing to deliver will be put at risk and potentially cancelled. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will submit this “potential cancellation list” to Russel Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, for consideration. In line with Trump’s loosely defined ‘America First’ doctrine, Hegseth has already implemented sweeping changes to the institutional structures inside the Department of Defense (DoD) during their three months in power. The administration is striving to make efficiencies by eliminating any form of bureaucracy that adherents see as impeding the overall lethality of the Armed Forces. In essence, there is a narrower focus on delivering capability, it seems, at the cost of everything else. Such policies include the ongoing financial audit of legacy policies and, as a result, extensive cuts to DEI protocols and up to 8% of the DoD’s probationary workforce. The new funds generated from the cuts will make more room to focus on projects like the Golden Dome air defence network, long-range hypersonic weapons and uncrewed autonomous systems. Now, the administration will tackle what is rightly considered an enduring issue: the Pentagon’s slow, often impotent, procurement processes. But this new measure will put major platforms at risk.
Constellation-class
What immediately comes to mind is the Constellation-class (FFG-62) frigate programme. This shipbuilding endeavour has fallen behind schedule by three years, exceeding Trump’s 15% schedule threshold. The programme began in April 2020 and the Navy inititally aimed to receive its first vessel in 2026. Likewise, the Navy had initially aimed for one ship to cost $1bn, however this estimate has inflated to $1.4bn per vessel – costs have already grown by 40%. The Navy aims to procure 20 ships at first, with six already under procurement, with a seventh ship proposed in the Navy’s FY2025 Budget request – all in the hands of a single contractor, Fincantieri/Marinette Marine. The design of the Constellation frigate was modelled on the European FREMM design, put forward by Fincantieri, the Italian parent company, however this concept has barrelled into a far larger and more costly platform. In December 2024, the Navy said they expect a mature design by May 2025. Reports from inside the Navy have suggested that the US government will contract a second shipyard to help with production by 2027. This mismanagement will have the Trump administration scaling back their frigate ambitions at a time when ships count for everything amid a prospective conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific region. It may be that Trump and Hegseth decide on simplifying the design to complement baseline capabilities for the guided-missile warship. Speaking to Raytheon UK, a British entity of the American defence prime, Naval Technology found that militaries are beginning to prioritise capability over customised and costly platforms.
F-35 software
One major air force programme that similarly falls well outside the bounds Trump has set to keep existing projects going is the software upgrades needed to improve the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft. The global Joint Strike Fighter, with its highly sophisticated sensor suite, is operated all over the world from the United States, Canada, many in Europe as well as Australia. Crucially, though, the aircraft must be upgraded under the Block 4 modernisation programme. Originally due to be completed in 2026 and determined to cost $10.6bn, the Government Accountability Office found that Block 4 has risen to $16.5bn and is estimated to conclude in 2029, after already having voiced concern back in May 2023. There has been some slow progress recently with Lockheed Martin, the original equipment manufacturer of the jet responsible for its servicing, had reached 90% of the prerequisite Technology Refresh- 3 software and hardware upgrades, which would then enable the new features under Block 4. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
14 Apr 25. DIU selects 8 ‘eligible’ companies for nuclear microreactors that could power US bases. “Projecting power abroad demands ensuring power at home and this program aims to deliver that,” said DIU’s Andrew Higier. A budding effort between the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Air Force and Army to shore up homeland installations with nuclear energy powered by microreactors is moving forward after the DoD determined eight vendors are now qualified to proceed with demonstrating the technology. Under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) initiative, the DIU team aims to field nuclear microreactors that can support operations across domains by supplementing energy sources at DoD installations, whose power is typically drawn from commercial grids. The Department of Energy describes microreactors as providing 1-20 megawatts of power, while being a transportable size — think of something that could fit within a shipping container. The ANPI effort aims to build more resilient energy grids for military bases with “fixed on-site microreactor nuclear power systems.” Among other goals, the program intends to “field a decentralized scalable microreactor system” that can “meet 100 percent of all critical loads” and invigorate the commercial market for nuclear microreactor technology, according to the DIU release. According to an April 10 announcement, eight different awardees have now been deemed eligible to offer designs under the ANPI program. Those companies are:
- Antares Nuclear, Inc
- BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
- General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
- Kairos Power, LLC
- Oklo Inc.
- Radiant Industries Incorporated
- Westinghouse Government Services
- X-Energy, LLC
The firms are now each “eligible” to receive contracts for “commercially available dual use microreactor technology” for the ANPI program, and can potentially work with DoD to “design, license, build, and operate one or more microreactor nuclear power plants on military installations,” the DIU release says. It’s not clear what the timeline for fielding those reactors may be, and a DIU spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
“Projecting power abroad demands ensuring power at home and this program aims to deliver that, ensuring that our defense leaders can remain focused on lethality,” Andrew Higier, DIU’s energy portfolio director, said in the release. “Microreactors on installations are a critical first step in delivering energy dominance to the Force. Tapping into the commercial sector’s rapid advancements in this area is critical due to the significant private investment in this space over the last few years. The U.S. and the DoD must maintain the advantage and leverage the best of breed nuclear technology for our national security.”
The program could enhance national security by strengthening DoD’s energy sources, supporters of the effort have said, though critics have argued that ANPI’s benefits are illusory, and come with too much cost and risk. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
16 Apr 25. South Korea offers UAE key role in KF-21 fighter program. South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening military ties through new agreements involving the Cheongung-II air defense system and the KF-21 fighter jet, according to South Korea’s Air Force. On Tuesday, South Korean Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su held talks with Maj. Gen. Rashed Mohammed A. Al Shamsi, commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, at Air Force Headquarters in Gyeryong. The meeting, held 140 kilometers south of Seoul, focused on expanding bilateral defense cooperation. According to a release from the South Korean Air Force, Lee reaffirmed support for the UAE’s ongoing integration of the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system, which Abu Dhabi purchased in 2022. The system is designed to intercept aircraft and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 40 kilometers. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding committing their air forces to regular consultations. On Wednesday, the partnership is expected to advance further as the two nations prepare to sign a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on South Korea’s next-generation KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. The KF-21, which is currently in limited production, is scheduled to enter service with the South Korean Air Force in 2026. As noted by the Air Force, the agreement will grant UAE personnel access to air drills involving the KF-21 and allow them to observe operational units managing the platform.
Brig. Gen. Azzan Ali Abdulazeez Alsharhan Alnuaimi, head of the UAE’s Air Force Warfare Center, is expected to take part in a test flight aboard a KF-21 prototype during the signing event at Sacheon Air Base, approximately 290 kilometers south of Seoul.
Defense ties between Seoul and Abu Dhabi have grown in recent years, with both sides emphasizing the strategic value of technology-sharing and industrial cooperation. Al Shamsi is also scheduled to meet South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration Minister Seok Jong-gun on Thursday to discuss further collaboration in the arms sector, the Air Force said. South Korea is increasingly positioning itself as a competitive supplier of advanced defense systems, and the UAE, a major regional buyer, has shown interest in expanding its partnerships beyond traditional Western vendors. (Source: Google/https://defence-blog.com/)
16 Apr 25. Japan Announces Ship-Launched UAV Tender. Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), a department within Japan’s Ministry of Defence responsible for advanced and emerging technology procurement, recently announced an open competitive tender for the provision of a proof of concept for a ship-launched UAVs. Bidding will be held at ATLA’s Bidding Room at the Ministry of Defence’s Building D in Shinjuku at 1030 on 14 May, with applications via the Japanese government’s centralised Procurement Portal (GEPS) open between 7 and 13 May. Specification details and the specification document, both of which are subject to information security provisions, can be accessed by qualified parties via ATLA’s Department of Procurement Operations’ Aircraft Procurement Office. Bidding is restricted to companies that have attained a Unified Supplier Qualification ranking of A, B or C – a ranking based on factors including business capital and earnings. The ATLA tender is in line with Ministry of Defence plans to expand the role of unmanned assets. It also comes on the back of growing concerns that Japan’s maritime UAV capabilities are behind those of its neighbours, with some apportioning blame to drone procurement inefficiencies in Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF). Japan’s Cabinet-approved late 2022 National Defence Strategy called for the expanded use of unmanned assets to reduce costs and minimise casualties, stating that their combined use with AI ‘can be a game-changer… enabling Japan to gain asymmetrical advantages’. These priorities were reflected in the concurrently released Defense Buildup Program, and were reinforced in last December’s Ministry of Defence 2025 Outline of Budgetary Appropriation Requests. Ship launched assets in particular have received growing attention in recent months, following increased emphasis on the security of the nation’s Ryukyu Island chain, which would be more exposed in the event of a Taiwan contingency. During the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in mid-October 2024 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) displayed a rendering of its Gambit 5 drone being launched from an Izumo-class helicopter carrier, now being modified to accommodate Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) multirole combat aircraft. In January the JMSDF announced that it had agreed to purchase an undisclosed number of V-BAT intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drones from US firm Shield AI, in what the company has touted as Japan’s navy’s first ship-launched ISR platform. That announcement came in the wake of scrutiny of the JSMDF’s decision in early December to procure 23 MQ-9B SeaGuardian surveillance drones from GA-ASI without having decided on their base location or payload. Criticisms of the JMSDF’s drone procurement procedures were voiced elsewhere in the leadup to the ATLA tender offer. In late December Shinichi Kiyotani, a prominent Japanese defence writer, claimed that the navy’s slow acquisition time-frames risked it being saddled with obsolete technology, that an absence of manufacturer contracts risked cancellations due to production discontinuation, and that an unwillingness to package training, parts and payload could result in new systems being retrofitted with legacy payloads. He claimed that such factors had contributed to the JMSDF becoming a maritime UAV “backwater”.
Concerns that Japan’s maritime drone capacity has fallen behind have been amplified by recent developments among Japan’s neighbours. South Korea’s launched a General Atomics MC-1Q Gray Eagle multipurpose UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) from a Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship in November. China has become a leading exporter of combat drones, and in January a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) source confirmed that China’s Sichuan-class amphibious assault ship will serve as a drone carrier, with experts predicting that it will carry Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV). In early March Japan’s Ministry of Defence stated that 2021-2024 saw a 700 per cent rise in JASDF assets scrambling to respond to Chinese drone incursions near the Ryukyu Islands. ATLA was formed in 2015 to advance technological superiority by expediting acquisitions of advanced military and dual use technology, and implementing a full life-cycle approach to scheduling, cost and performance management. In line with the priorities set out in the 2025 Outline of Budgetary Appropriation Requests, the last few months have seen the Agency make a number of drone-related announcements, including a 12bn yen ($135m) deal with the US Air Force for a contractor logistics support (CLS) package for long-endurance UAVs, a $170m (roughly $1.9m) deal with Japan’s ACSL to secure SOTEN light aerial photography drones, a competitive tender for research and prototype development on vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone technology, and scoping studies for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) and surface drones. (Source: UAS VISION/Australian Defence Magazine)
16 Apr 25. Gripen E/F deal for Peru edging closer? In its new Vårändringsbudget för 2025 Sweden outlined a proposed mechanism under which the Saab Gripen E/F might be sold to Peru. In its Vårändringsbudget för 2025 Bill, published on 15 April 2025, the Ministry of Finance authorized the Government is to enter into an agreement with Peru for the sale of up to 12 Saab JAS39 E/F Gripen fighters and associated air defense systems. Peru is considering replacing its fighter aircraft with up to 24 new fighters (12 in the first batch) and the JAS39 E/F is one of the types under consideration. Because Peru wants a government to government sale, it is proposed that the Riksdag should authorize the Swedish Government to enter into an agreement with Peru for the sale of up to 12 JAS39 E/Fs and associated air defense systems. This would mean that the Swedish State would order and deliver the aircraft, equipment and training and support activities, with the revenue from the sale then covering the state’s costs. Like a US DSCA notification to Congress, this does not mean that a sale has been agreed, it merely ‘pre-authorises’ and lays the groundwork for a potential contract. Peru has not yet down-selected a favoured bidder. (Source: Google/https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/)
16 Apr 25. Is the UAE preparing to purchase the South Korean KF-21 Boramae fighter jet for its Air Force? As reported by Yonhap on April 15, 2025, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea held a joint air defense exercise on Emirati territory involving the South Korean Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The activity marks the first publicly confirmed instance of operational integration of this system in a Middle Eastern setting. Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential UAE acquisition of the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter, indicating a broader defense cooperation agenda between the two countries. The joint air defense exercise, held in early 2025 in a classified location in the UAE, was the first publicly known instance of a South Korean missile system being operated as part of a multilateral regional air defense setup in the Middle East. Officials from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed that the drill involved real-time coordination between Emirati command centers and the Cheongung-II systems delivered in 2023 under a $3.5bn contract signed in January 2022. These exercises reportedly included scenarios simulating cruise missile and tactical ballistic missile threats, further validating the system’s ability to operate in desert conditions and integrate with UAE’s layered air defense architecture. This cooperation builds on sustained political and strategic engagement between Abu Dhabi and Seoul over the past decade. In January 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol conducted a state visit to the UAE and announced $30 bn in investments, with defense named as a key pillar of the relationship. South Korea has supplied a range of systems to the UAE in recent years, including K9 self-propelled howitzers and possibly ISR-related technology. The Cheongung-II is the most prominent example of this collaboration and, according to South Korean defense officials, serves as a strategic test case for future Middle Eastern deployments. Military attachés from both sides have held recurring meetings to discuss extended training cycles, operational adaptation, and potential export follow-ups. Looking ahead, South Korea and the UAE are discussing multiple avenues for continued defense cooperation. The most prominent of these is the UAE’s expressed interest in the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. As of early 2025, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and South Korean officials have presented a comprehensive package including technology transfers, training programs, and regional maintenance infrastructure. For the UAE, the KF-21 represents a potential alternative or complement to Western fighters, particularly amid growing delays and restrictions associated with U.S. and European systems. For South Korea, the UAE is both a strategic export market and a platform to raise the global profile of its high-tech defense sector in a competitive region. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
15 Apr 25. Egypt close to acquiring FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea. According to a statement from the Egyptian ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdelrahman, Cairo is on the verge of concluding a deal with Seoul for up to 100 FA-50 light combat aircraft. The agreement should also include technology transfer. An official from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the jet manufacturer, claimed that this procurement would “advance the Egyptian aviation industry and strengthen strategic partnerships across Africa and the Middle East”. The fighter, which has 70% commonality with the classic Lockheed Martin F-16, would likely replace ageing Alpha Jets and K-8E trainers. According to industry analysts, Egypt could start by ordering a first batch of 36 aircraft worth around $1bn, before potentially procuring more. If Cairo finally buys the whole 100, around 70 would be built directly in Helwan, Egypt after KAI signed an agreement in early 2023 with Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), an Egyptian state-owned company. Military cooperation between South Korea and Egypt is not limited to this procurement. In 2016, Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and then South-Korean president Moon Jae-in signed a comprehensive agreement aiming to deepen military and trade cooperation. The result was the gift of a second-hand Pohang-class corvette to the Egyptian Navy in 2017, and a $1.66bn deal in 2023 for the procurement of around 216 Hanwha K9 self-propelled howitzers, an undisclosed number K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, and 51 K11 fire direction control vehicles. The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cairo and Seoul. In recent years, the two countries strengthened a lot their relations. In fact, some Egyptian officials see the South Korean development since the end of the Korean War in 1953 as a path to follow for their nation. On Seoul’s side, Egypt is perceived as an investment opportunity for South Korean companies, as well as an entry point for Middle East and North African markets. For example, in August 2022 Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company won a $2.25 bn contract alongside a Rosatom subsidiary to build the first Egyptian nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, while Samsung got a “golden licence” in august 2023 to build a factory in Beni Suef. Written by ADIT – The Bulletin and republished with permission. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
16 Apr 25. Philippine SSKs will be a “game-changer,” say naval suppliers. Fincantieri and TKMS raised the possibility of the Navy procuring U212 NFS submarines. Fincantieri and Thyysenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), Italian and German naval suppliers, agreed to partner on delivering subsea capabilities to the Philippine Navy. An industrial cooperation agreement was signed by the two European defence companies to support the archipelago’s strategic defence objectives laid out in the Horizon III military modernisation initiative according to a press report released today, 16 April 2025. The two will strengthen infrastructure and expand operational capabilities. Looking ahead, the duo said that introducing modern submarines into the Philippine fleet would be a “game-changer” in securing its territorial waters from Chinese infringement in the South China Sea. Manila plan to acquire at least two conventional diesel-electric submarines (SSKs) as well as various underwater defence capabilities; the Philippines have never operated submarines before. GlobalData intelligence indicate the estimated contract allocation for this future procurement to be worth $1.4bn (79.2bn pesos) over the next decade – just over a quarter of Philippine defence spending in 2024. At present, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) contest Philippine sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, the Second Thomas Shoal and the Sabina Shoal. The PRC have employed dangerous tactics to challenge Philippine control and disrupt their resupply missions, including the use of water cannons and a military-grade laser. The Italian Navy are the only country that plan to operate the U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS). Four submarines will enter service between 2029 and 2032. The SSK is modelled on the previous Italian and German Type 212A design, which dates back to 1996. This earlier model first featured Air Independent Proulsion technology, enabling the submarines to submerge for longer periods of time. (Source: naval-technology.com)
16 Apr 25. AUKUS exemption to US defence trade controls doesn’t cover nuclear subs, officials say. Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN-783) is seen off the coast of Western Australia, Australia. U.S. controls on sensitive defence exports, relaxed for AUKUS partner Australia last year, still apply to submarines, creating hurdles to defence industry collaboration on U.S. Virginia-class sub production, officials and executives said. Whether the United States can overcome production delays to meet U.S. Navy targets is key to whether Australia can buy three Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines under AUKUS, Defence Minister Richard Marles said last month. Australia faces a 2025 deadline to pay $2bn of the $3bn it has pledged to improve the U.S. submarine industrial base. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been tasked by U.S. President Donald Trump with reviewing Navy procurement, in an executive order on shipbuilding that also refers to American-made components and reducing regulations. Attempts to bring Australian companies into the Virginia submarine’s U.S. supply chain have made slow progress. Australia, the United States and Britain removed significant barriers on defence trade between AUKUS countries in August, with 70% of defence exports from the United States to Australia, previously subject to (Source: Reuters)
11 Apr 25. Indonesia eyes joining Turkish 5th-generation fighter jet program KAAN.
“Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the ‘KAAN’ 5th-generation fighter jet and submarine development with the Turkish industry,” the Indonesian president said at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said his nation is interested in joining Turkey’s 5th-generation combat aircraft program KAAN, after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday.
“Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the ‘Kaan’ 5th-generation fighter jet and submarine development with the Turkish industry,” the Indonesian president said at a press conference, according to Indonesia’s Anatara News Agency.
The high-profile KAAN program is under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and is seen as Turkey’s response to being ousted from the US F-35 program following Ankara’s purchase of the S-400 Russian-built air defense system. (TAI declined to comment to Breaking Defense on Subianto’s remarks about the KAAN.)
Subianto made the remarks at a joint press conference with Erdogan, amid deepening relationships between Ankara and Jakarta. Also on Thursday the two nations signed three pacts on “culture, disaster management [and] media,” which followed 13 agreements signed in February, according to Turkish media.
“We want an even stronger partnership,” Turkish media outlet quoted Subianto saying during the press conference.
KAAN had successfully completed its maiden flight in February 2024, where it reached 8,000 feet altitude and 230 knots speed, according to TAI. The second and third prototypes are expected to “be flying by the end of the year and early next year, and we’ll be heavily testing these prototypes,” TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroglu told Breaking Defense in a February interview. He said then that the firm plans to “shorten the testing period, because we need to do lots of testing and to be able to deliver our first production to [the] Turkish air force in 2028-2029 time frame.” At the time Demiroglu told Breaking Defense in the interview that many countries are interested in joining KAAN program but he didn’t specify them and said, “these things are taking a lot of time and high-level decisions.” Still, he was confident that that KAAN “will be a joint program.” The ability to produce an indigenous, advanced fighter has been a big push from Turkish President Recep Erdoğan, who has made nationalization of Turkey’s defense industry a key part of his leadership. KAAN, which is described as a 5th-generation fighter jet will have 6th-generation features, Demiroglu said, adding that that the firm is working on manned-unmanned teaming concept between KAAN and Turkish UAV maker Baykar. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)
12 Apr 25. Uzbekistan picks Chinese jets to replace old Soviet air fleet. Reports surfaced recently that China has greenlit the sale of advanced fighter jets to Uzbekistan, a move that signals a deepening military partnership between Beijing and the Central Asian nation. According to sources close to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defense, cited by regional defense outlets, the deal could involve modern aircraft such as the JF-17 Block III, J-10C, or even the fifth-generation J-35, though no official confirmation has pinned down the exact model. Alongside this, Uzbekistan has been steadily integrating Chinese air defense systems, including the HQ-9B, FM-90, and KS-1C, as part of a broader shift away from its aging Soviet-era arsenal. This development, emerging just days ago, underscores a strategic pivot for Uzbekistan, a country historically tethered to Russian military hardware, and raises questions about the evolving balance of power in Central Asia. For a region long caught between global powers, this deal could mark a new chapter, not just for Uzbekistan’s air force but for China’s ambitions as a global arms supplier. Uzbekistan’s air force has relied heavily on Soviet-designed aircraft like the Su-27 and MiG-29, both of which are nearing the end of their operational lives. These fourth-generation fighters, introduced in the 1980s, were once cutting-edge but now struggle to match the capabilities of modern platforms. The Su-27, a twin-engine heavy fighter, was designed for air superiority, boasting a top speed of Mach 2.35 and a combat radius of about 1,500 kilometers. Its counterpart, the lighter MiG-29, excels in dogfights with its agility and thrust-vectoring engines but lacks the range and payload of heavier jets. Both aircraft, however, are hamstrung by outdated avionics and high maintenance costs, issues that have plagued post-Soviet militaries for decades. Uzbekistan’s need for replacements has been clear for years, with earlier reports suggesting interest in Russia’s Su-30SM or France’s Rafale. Yet, the potential turn to China reflects a pragmatic choice, driven by cost, availability, and shifting geopolitical realities. The JF-17 Block III, one of the aircraft reportedly under consideration, is a lightweight, single-engine multirole fighter developed jointly by China and Pakistan. Priced at roughly $30 m per unit, it’s a budget-friendly option compared to Western or Russian alternatives, which often exceed $80m. Powered by a Klimov RD-93 engine, the JF-17 can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 and carries a combat load of up to 4,000 kilograms, including air-to-air missiles like the PL-12 and precision-guided munitions. Its KLJ-7A radar, with a detection range of about 170 kilometers, supports beyond-visual-range engagements, a critical feature in modern air combat. The Block III variant, introduced in the early 2020s, includes upgrades like an active electronically scanned array radar and improved electronic warfare systems, making it competitive with older Western jets like the F-16 Block 50. For Uzbekistan, the JF-17 offers affordability and versatility, though its reliance on Chinese supply chains raises questions about long-term logistics. The J-10C, another contender, is a more advanced 4.5-generation fighter, designed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation. With a delta-wing configuration and canard foreplanes, it’s highly maneuverable, and capable of sustaining 9G turns. Its WS-10B engine delivers a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of about 550 kilometers, extendable with aerial refueling. The J-10C’s standout feature is its AESA radar, paired with the PL-15 missile, which has a reported range of up to 300 kilometers in its domestic version, though export models may be limited to 90 miles due to international restrictions. This missile gives the J-10C a significant edge in long-range engagements, rivaling systems like the AIM-120D carried by American jets. (Source: Google//bulgarianmilitary.com/)
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