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20 Jun 25. Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) marks major milestone: Industry partners launch Joint Venture company Edgewing to deliver next generation combat aircraft
A new chapter in global defence collaboration began today with the official launch of Edgewing, a joint venture bringing together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan).
Edgewing will be accountable for the design and development of the next generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070.
The newly formed entity will play a central role in achieving the programme’s ambitious goals—including the in-service date of 2035—while setting a new benchmark for trilateral industrial partnership across Europe and Asia.
Marco Zoff will be the first Chief Executive Officer of Edgewing. Formerly the Managing Director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, Zoff brings extensive leadership experience in international aerospace collaboration and innovation.
Marco Zoff, Chief Executive Officer Edgewing said: “We are incredibly excited to launch Edgewing at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme.
“By uniting the strengths of our talented people in UK, Italy, and Japan, we are not only delivering the next-generation combat air system—we aim to set a new global standard for partnership, innovation and trust. Together, we will push boundaries, embrace agility, enhance our national supply chains and create a legacy of security and prosperity for our nations and future generations.”
Masami Oka, Chief Executive, GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) said: “We welcome the launch of Edgewing, which represents an important step forward in what will be a truly international joint development programme. Effective and empowered collaboration between the GIGO and Edgewing will be critical for the success of GCAP. I am confident that together we can establish a new model of partnership that will promote international integration, mutual trust and a shared commitment to our future.”
The Company will have operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations and will be headquartered in the UK, to ensure maximum alignment and collaboration with the GIGO.
GCAP is a hugely significant programme for the security and economic prosperity of each nation and through effective knowledge and technology transfer, it will help to evolve and build resilient supply chains and deliver important sovereign combat air capability in each nation for generations to come.
18 Jun 25. Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo are joining forces to carry out an architecture study to define the basis of the NH90 long-term evolution, known as Block 2, responding to a request from NAHEMA (NATO Helicopter Management Agency). The Block 2 upgrade will include key structural improvements to the aircraft such as modular avionics, greater configuration commonality, improved maintenance and performance, as well as new capabilities in the field of collaborative combat, connectivity and crewed-uncrewed teaming. The study, which is expected to be contracted with NAHEMA before the end of the year, should allow nations to decide the next steps for the Block 2 evolution in a timeframe coherent with other ongoing studies on next-generation capabilities and technologies.
“There are several studies running at the moment at NATO, EU, and national levels to assess the future of military helicopters,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Together with Leonardo we believe that the NH90 will have a central role to play in the future of European defence capabilities. The NH90 Block 2 evolution will benefit from some of the technologies being investigated by the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies study that we are collaborating on in partnership with Leonardo,” he added.
“The NH90 Block 2 study clearly complements on the longer term the evolution roadmap of the NH90 for which a major step based on the Software Release 3 contract (also called Block1) had already been outlined last year,” said Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. “We’re committed to delivering a study able to meet NAHEMA’s expectations as well as bearing in mind Nations’ needs and their evolving rotorcraft capability requirements,” he concludes.
In May 2024 NAHEMA and NHIndustries (NHI) signed a short-to-medium term programme enhancement plan known as Block 1 (also called Software Release 3), involving various nations, to boost their in-service fleets’ capabilities in terms of tactical information, data exchange, sensors, navigation and weapon integration. The Block 2 architecture study will of course capitalise on the Block 1 upgrade. The teaming between the two manufacturers stems also from the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two partners in July 2024, with the ultimate goal to perform an extensive analysis of the NH90 helicopter programme status and explore future potential solutions for its evolution.
17 Jun 25. British aerospace manufacturers to benefit from UK-US trade deal. British aerospace manufacturers to benefit from UK-US trade deal as further details announced.
- UK aerospace sector to see tariffs removed completely as further progress is made on the UK-US trade deal
- Benefits of deal to be felt by UK auto sector also, who will be able to export to the US by the end of the month under the newly lowered 10% tariff quota
- It will save hundreds of ms annually for plane and car makers with lowered tariffs and protect tens of thousands of jobs across both sectors , delivering on our Plan for Change
For the first time, the US has committed to reducing tariffs on UK aerospace goods such as engines and similar aircraft parts from the general 10% tariff being applied to all other countries, which is expected to come into force by the end of the month. This deal is a huge win for the UK’s world-class aerospace sector currently facing additional 10% tariffs, helping make companies such as Rolls Royce more competitive and allowing them to continue to be at the cutting edge of innovation. British car manufacturers can also breathe a sigh of relief as they will be able to export to the US at a 10% tariff rate as part of the recently agreed landmark UK-US trade deal by the end of the month. The UK is the only country to have secured this agreement with the US which reduces car export tariffs from 27.5%, saves car manufacturers hundreds of ms a year, and protects tens of thousands of jobs, delivering on our Plan for Change. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
18 Jun 25. Eurofighter CEO hopes export push could lead to doubled production by 2028. Eurofighter is chiefly targeting four export campaigns to dramatically increase production long term: Austria, Poland, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The four-country Eurofighter consortium plans to ramp up production of the Typhoon fourth generation fighter jet at a rate of 30 aircraft per year beginning in 2028, more than doubling existing output — a boost contigent on new business from customers around the world, from Europe to the Middle East.
“We are eyeing already a [production] rate of 30” aircraft, “once [new] export orders start kicking in,” Eurofighter CEO Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt told reporters at the Paris Air Show today. He shared that 14 of the combat jets are currently produced annually, with plans in motion to reach 20 units a year over the coming three years.
“We need to do it [ramp up production] fast,” said Degenhardt. “Since these deliveries are happening within the next decade or decades, we need to sustain this increase of industrial throughput, [by developing] the best new manufacturing technologies, and we need to strengthen as well, our supply chain of 400 critical suppliers.”
In addition to Eurofighter’s current order total of 729 jets, the consortium of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK is chiefly targeting four export campaigns to dramatically increase production long term: Austria, Poland, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
“The interesting concept is that if we start delivering jets, say, now, these jets will be fine until well into the” 2060s, added Degenhardt. “We need to accelerate and define what’s the root of capabilities enhancement for the future.
The prospect of a future deal with Austria could take a step forward once Vienna develops a procurement plan, potentially launched next year, and as proposed by a national defense report, published earlier this year, to replace ageing Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 jets. As Breaking Defense previously reported, Poland’s air dominance acquisition, which pits the Eurofighter against Boeing’s F-15EX, centers around procurement of 32 new fighter jets, though it remains to be seen when an aircraft selection decision will be made. In the case of Turkey, the UK has made a bid to supply the aircraft to Ankara, which could result in a deal for 40 aircraft. Additionally, BAE Systems said last year that it is in the process of collaborating with the UK government on a formal Statement of Requirements in support of prospective new deal with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia already operates a fleet of 72 Eurofighters after a first sale with BAE was agreed in 2007.
Besides export business, the key to keeping the aircraft “operationally relevant” for decades more, is a yet to be defined, midlife upgrade, shared Degenhardt. At a technical level, Eurofighter is “reaching the limit” of its existing hardware architecture, while pressure relating to a “computing capacity issue” needs to be resolved long term.
Despite the ambition of the upgrade and supporting requirements clearly “articulated” by the four home Eurofighter nations, they have yet to put forward any funding for it, according to Degenhardt. He was also clear that the Eurofighter consortium is not expecting a new order to be placed by the UK, the only nation of the four partners to publicly decide against buying additional aircraft. The recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR) instead revealed that “more F-35s will be required over the next decade,” and “could comprise a mix of F-35A and B models,” depending on requirements.
“Our leverage to influence the UK’s SDR is limited, and they are … really moving towards F-35 operations and GCAP,” said Degenhardt, referring to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme. “We anticipate there will be knock-on effects after the SDR, which are positively affecting the Eurofighter, but not in the form of new orders.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
18 Jun 25. Ulstein, Larsnes Mek to build 28 vessels for Norwegian Navy. The Norwegian Navy seeks standard vessels that can be customised for a range of tasks. Shipyards Ulstein Group and Larsnes Mek Verksted have partnered to supply the Norwegian Navy with 28 standard vessels, aiming to meet the Navy’s future requirements.At the beginning of 2025, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) surveyed domestic industry capabilities to meet their ambitious shipbuilding programme’s needs. In response, Ulstein and Larsnes presented a unified proposal and have engaged in multiple discussions with NDMA to strategise on accomplishing this project collaboratively.
Ulstein Verft managing director Lars Luhr Olsen and Jarle Gunnarstein, General Manager of Larsnes Mek, said: “We see this as a strategically important opportunity for the Norwegian shipbuilding industry and are ready to deliver both quality and capacity in line with the Armed Forces’ needs.”
The Norwegian Navy is seeking vessels that can be customised for a range of tasks including logistics, support, surveillance, and readiness operations. These ships are expected to perform reliably in the challenging conditions of Norwegian waters, thereby enhancing the armed forces’ operational capacity and resilience. NDMA representatives have visited both shipyards and discussed their collaboration to meet the armed forces’ standards for quality, delivery reliability, and national value creation. Both shipyards feature modern facilities with covered dry docks, suitable for constructing and outfitting naval vessels. The two shipyards have worked on “complex newbuilding projects” and provide “aftermarket services, including repairs and conversions”. A key aspect of their collaboration is the established business relationships in the Gdynia–Gdansk region of Poland, facilitating efficient and cost-effective hull production.
This arrangement allows for flexibility and scalability in deliveries, with final assembly and outfitting taking place in Norway, noted the two companies.
Importantly, despite hull production occurring in Poland, 75-80% of the overall value creation for the commercial projects will remain within Norway.
In a statement, Ulstein and Larsnes representatives said: “Our strength lies in complementing each other and having a common ambition to contribute to national preparedness and industrial development.
“Together, we can deliver a robust and future-oriented vessel programme for the Navy.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
17 Jun 25. Airbus and OCCAR have reached an agreement with the A400M launch nations to secure production for the programme for the foreseeable future, improve the cost of operations, and jointly develop new capabilities. Through the agreement, France and Spain stated their intention to advance four and three A400M aircraft respectively in their delivery schedule. As key enablers, Airbus has committed to work on operational cost improvements through maintenance optimisation and efficiency measures, and make A400M future developments faster and more cost-effective, enhancing Europe’s defence capabilities and ensuring its strategic autonomy in air transport and mobility. Through the agreement, both Airbus and OCCAR will review the industrial status of the programme on a yearly basis, giving the A400M production set-up stability to pursue the evolution of the platform and open export opportunities. Among these new capabilities, Airbus is already looking into developments like standoff jamming, payload increase to 40 tonnes, mothership for remote carriers and firefighting – developments that will further widen the A400M applications and are key to the present and future global requirements for both current and future operators.
16 Jun 25. Row erupts between France and Germany over next-generation fighter jet. Pact between Dassault and Airbus ‘risks turning toxic’ amid public leadership spat. A Franco-German pact to build Europe’s next-generation fighter jet is in danger of falling apart after a public spat between the two companies leading the programme. A war of words has broken out between France’s Dassault Aviation and the German arm of Airbus over who should lead work on the €100bn (£85bn) project and how it should be run. Eric Trappier, Dassault’s boss, suggested that Berlin was more concerned with the cost of the fighter jet than its ability to succeed in battle.
Mr Trappier said: “We have to see whether we may be capable to be together. Because we are not developing peanuts, we are developing fighters the armed forces need to get the best from. In defence there is no need to look at profit. You need to look at performance. When you have to face Russian fighters and even Chinese fighters tomorrow, you need to be the best. The idea of cooperation is not only to cooperate. It’s also to design and develop the best fighters in the world.”
He added that Germany must accept French leadership on the programme or leave. Paris-based Dassault makes the Rafale fighter jet, the successor to the iconic Mirage, and Mr Trappier suggested this made his company uniquely qualified to run the project.
Mr Trappier told Bloomberg TV: “We should be the leader, not because we want to be the leader but because we are the only ones to really master the technology.”
Airbus hit back by saying Dassault risked turning the alliance “toxic”.
‘It doesn’t have to become toxic’
The embarrassing public spat threatens to undermine the alliance at a time when European leaders are seeking closer alignment on rearmament. It may also boost the fortunes of a rival British fighter jet project, led by BAE Systems. Mr Trappier, who was speaking at the Paris Air Show, said that Airbus was free to join a rival group led by Britain’s BAE if it could not accept a secondary role on the project. Airbus is already a member of the Eurofighter consortium alongside BAE, alongside Italy and Japan. He suggested that Dassault was a reluctant partner of Airbus on the fighter programme known as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which was borne out of the Brexit vote in 2016.
Mr Trappier said: “At that time in 2017 we were with BAE to try to develop a future combat vehicle. But there was a change in politics, they wanted to get us to be with Germany.”
He added that Dassault would be prepared to “go alone.”
“I am French, I support the French armed forces. The French air force has a certain experience in Europe, we have the deterrence capability, the nuclear capability. Which means that we have independent technology, this long outstanding experience in fighters, if Europe wants to do something they need to rely on this experience.”
Speaking at a separate briefing during the exhibition, Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus, said: “It doesn’t have to become toxic. But the political will has to be there, otherwise it doesn’t happen.”
The spat comes as EU leaders scramble to spend €800bn rearming the continent by the end of the decade. Brussels has approved a massive spending commitment to build new tanks, ammunition and weaponry founded on a promise to “buy European”. The rift threatens to undermine the united front EU leaders have sought to present on defence. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
REST OF THE WORLD
18 Jun 25. Armscor extends SA Army APC bid validity. The long-delayed search for new armoured personnel carriers (APCs) for the South African Army continues, with bid validity being extended to the end of September. In January 2023, Armscor issued a Request for Information (SA Army/R/403/6) for a 2+8 seat APC capable of counterinsurgency operations with variable ballistic and mine protection able to defeat an 8 kg mine. Armscor was originally supposed to place the procurement contract from 1 April 2024, but this was delayed. On 23 July 2024, Armscor issued tender ELWS/2024/71 for personnel carrier vehicles for border patrol, to be utilised for internal and external missions of the SA Army. Nearly 500 vehicles are to be acquired, in three variants: 210 Section variants, 144 Command variants, and 108 Ambulance variants. Bids were initially due to close on 23 August last year, with deliveries expected on or before 15 March 2025. However, the tender has faced numerous challenges, including changing requirements – Armscor revised specifications, reducing the combat weight as the original user requirement was mostly taken from that of the Badger infantry fighting vehicle for the SA Army, and this was not practical for the vehicles required for border patrol. Bid validity has been extended before, and in a letter to bidders dated 17 June 2025, Armscor’s Supply Chain Management announced another extension. “There is a likelihood that the bid process will not be concluded before the expiry of the currently validity period. You are therefore requested to extend the validity period until 30 September 2025,” according to Samson Mahlangu on behalf of Executive Manager: Supply Chain Management.
“In the event that you are willing to hold your bid valid for the extended period, you undertake not to vary/modify the bid. Armscor may at its discretion, only consider the escalation of the prices provided the reason for such escalation is clearly (sic)”, the notice read.
The bid calls for a vehicle with a 13.5 ton Gross Vehicle Mass, while catering for a minimum payload of 1.5 tons. Ballistic protection must be to NATO STANAG Level 1 that covers 7.62 x 51 mm and 5.56 mm ball ammunition. Mine blast protection must be to Level 2 (single 6 kg surrogate mine placed under the vehicle). Market entry and bid proposal consultant James Kerr believes the bid’s requirements are a stretch for the industry to meet. He believes it would take at least a year for the first 60 vehicles to be delivered after tender award, and the remaining vehicles following at least three years after that. The new APCs will replace the troop pack vehicles previously acquired for border patrol – over 400 Toyota Land Cruisers were originally bought for this purpose. National Treasury allocated R500 m in 2024/25 for the procurement of vehicles to replace the troop packs. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
13 Jun 25. Indonesia, South Korea sign revised KF-21 development agreement.
“We will do our best to strengthen defense industry cooperation with Indonesia in various areas such as submarines, firepower, and air defense systems, and expand cooperation to the entire Southeast Asia region in the future,” DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun said in an announcement.
South Korea and Indonesia have signed a restructured agreement on Indonesia’s participation in the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 Boramae fighter jet development program, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced today. Both countries signed a revised “Project Agreement on Joint Development” for Indonesia’s continued participation in the KF-21 program, just days after the Southeast Asian country agreed to purchase the KAAN fighter jet from Turkey. The new agreement includes revision to Indonesia’s share of payments for its involvement in the program, following years of failing to make payments in line with the original agreement it had made in 2016. DAPA said that Indonesia’s defense ministry was “currently initiating administrative procedures to pay the remaining share for the joint development of the KF-21,” and added that defense industry cooperation between the two countries would gain momentum again if Indonesia kept up with its share of payments. The agreement was signed at the Indo Defence expo that took place in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, and follows meetings between DAPA Minister Seok Jong-gun and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, as well as Indonesian Deputy Minister of Defense Donny Ermawan Taufanto. Seok discussed the potential for future cooperation between both countries in naval and other systems during his meetings with the Indonesian ministers, according to the announcement.
“We will do our best to strengthen defense industry cooperation with Indonesia in various areas such as submarines, firepower, and air defense systems, and expand cooperation to the entire Southeast Asia region in the future,” he said in the DAPA announcement.
DAPA’s announcement did not indicate what Indonesia’s share of development costs for the KF-21 would be, although it had earlier been reported in South Korea that it would be reduced to 600bn won ($437.8m). Indonesia had previously committed to footing 20 percent, or approximately 1.7trn won, of the KF-21’s development costs when it signed onto the program in 2010, in exchange for receiving one of the prototype aircraft and technology transfer. However, it has repeatedly failed to pay its instalments on time and by August 2020 it was said to be 500 bn won in arrears. It subsequently asked for its share of the program to be reduced to 7.5 percent in May 2024, which South Korea agreed to in August. It had also been reported that Indonesia sought to stretch its share of payments in installments out to 2034, although South Korea did not confirm it had committed to this timeline when it agreed to a reduced Indonesian share of the program. Further controversy erupted when some of the Indonesian engineers sent to South Korea to study the KF-21 program were accused of attempting to steal KF-21 technical data. In July 2024, a senior KAI official said an internal review found no major problems but said the investigation was ongoing. (Source: Google/Breaking Defense.com)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
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