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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
08 Jul 25. UK leaves door open to more F-35A purchases. The UK government has signalled that further purchases of the F-35A stealth fighter remain under consideration, following confirmation that an initial batch of 12 aircraft will be drawn from existing F-35B procurement plans. In a written answer to Parliament, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would acquire 12 F-35A jets as part of the UK’s entry into NATO’s nuclear sharing mission. However, she added that future orders would be subject to review under the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
“The Ministry of Defence will initially purchase 12 F-35A aircraft from within previously agreed F-35B purchase schedules,” Eagle said. “Future F-35 purchases will be reviewed as part of the Defence Investment Plan, which will conclude in the autumn.”
The statement suggests that while the UK remains committed to a long-term fleet of 138 F-35 aircraft, the balance between the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) B variant and the conventional take-off A variant remains undecided. The F-35A is the only variant certified to carry the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, making it a requirement for NATO’s dual-capable aircraft role. The UK’s decision to join that mission has prompted a shift in procurement priorities, with some F-35Bs now being replaced by the A variant. The MoD has not confirmed how many F-35As it may ultimately acquire, but officials have indicated that the fleet mix will be assessed in light of operational needs, alliance commitments and the performance of the A variant once it enters UK service. Although the first 12 F-35As will be assembled in the United States at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility, the UK remains a key industrial partner in the programme. Eagle noted that “UK industry contributes approximately 15 percent by value of F-35 production,” including work by over 100 UK suppliers and more than 20,000 jobs across the country. (Source: ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
07 Jul 25. Global Combat Air Programme. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Japanese Defense Minister NAKATANI Gen and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey took part in a virtual meeting. On 7 July 2025, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, Japanese Defense Minister NAKATANI Gen and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey took part in a virtual meeting and confirmed the following points:
- The three Ministers welcomed the announcement on 20 June by industry to officially launch Edgewing, a Joint Venture that brings together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan).
- The three Ministers also welcomed the opening of the new headquarters in Reading for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) International Government Organisation (GIGO) and Edgewing. The GIGO and Edgewing will work together from the HQ, under the streamlined governance structure, delivering the programme at pace alongside teams from across the three nations.
- The three Ministers reaffirmed their strong and personal commitment to the programme, and confirmed to accelerate all the necessary work to conclude the first international contract between the GIGO and Edgewing by the end of this year. They also spoke of deepening trilateral cooperation for the shared objectives of GCAP and ensuring its continued success. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
EUROPE
11 Jul 25. Germany plans to buy additional 15 F-35 fighter jets, Politico reports. Germany plans to buy 15 additional F-35 fighter jets, Politico reported on Friday citing several people familiar with the matter, a move that would increase the country’s planned fleet of the U.S.-made jet to 50. The report comes amid tensions between Germany and France on the joint Franco-German fighter jet FCAS project, after a report earlier this week that France now wants a workshare of 80%. The German defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. So far, Germany has ordered 35 F-35 to replace a total of 85 ageing Tornado fighter jets that will be decommissioned. A military source told Reuters that the figure of 15 additional F-35 had been part of previous considerations, but that the numbers needed to be adapted after NATO recently agreed new targets for weapons and troop numbers. (Source: Reuters)
07 Jul 25. Paris demands 80% workshare in Franco-German fighter jet, says source.
- Summary
- Project has been delayed by infighting over workshare
- Lawmaker in defence minister’s party says latest trouble might be last ‘nail in coffin’ of project
- Changes to workshare could be setback for Hensoldt, MTU
France has told Germany it wants a workshare of some 80% in the joint Franco-German fighter jet FCAS, a defence industry source told Reuters, backing up a report by respected German defence publication Hartpunkt. The project, with an estimated volume of more than 100 bn euros, has been plagued by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights between France and Germany as well as their respective national industries. France’s Dassault Aviation, Airbus and Indra – the latter two representing Germany and Spain, respectively – are involved in the scheme to start replacing French Rafale and German and Spanish Eurofighters with a fifth-generation fighter jet from 2040. A spokesperson for the German defence ministry said that the intergovernmental agreements on the FCAS development remained the binding framework for Berlin’s participation in the programme. He referred all questions regarding the French perspective to the French side.
France’s defence ministry declined to comment.
An Airbus spokesperson declined to comment but said the company remained committed to FCAS and all previous agreements.
“The coming months until the end of the year will be crucial to swiftly launch the actual development phase of the program,” he added.
Should France follow through with its demand of an 80% workshare, this would scrap the agreed division of tasks, the source said, adding the resulting differences among project partners would make it unlikely that the project can enter its next phase as scheduled by the end of the year. Tasks and workshare have been split up so far along specific pillars of the project such as the development of the aircraft itself, the engine, accompanying remote carrier and the air combat cloud, the digital backbone connecting the systems.
TENSIONS
Shifting workshares could mean a setback for German companies such as Hensoldt and MTU. French President Emmanuel Macron and then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel first announced plans in July 2017 for FCAS, which will include a fighter jet and a range of associated weapons, including drones.
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In past years, the project – originally meant to unify Europeans after the migration crisis and Britain’s decision to leave the European Union – has been a source of tension between France and Germany. In 2022, Macron cancelled a joint Franco-German ministerial meeting over disagreements with Berlin on a wide range of issues including defence and energy projects. Should Paris not back away from its 80% demand, this might constitute the last “nail in the coffin” of the joint project as Berlin could not accept such a wish and go on funding a French project with German money, German lawmaker Christoph Schmid, a member of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius’ Social Democratic Party, told Hartpunkt. The works council at Airbus Defence & Space has called a union meeting for Monday in Manching, the most important plant for the Eurofighter production, according to a second source. The latest turmoil surrounding FCAS is likely to fuel fresh speculation over a merger of the program with the rival GCAP project, in which Britain, Italy and Japan are seeking to develop, design and build an advanced stealth jet. (Source: Reuters)
04 Jul 25. Sweden call for information before combat vehicle procurement. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) – the country’s defence procurement office – has issued a request for information (RFI) before it procures the Army’s next generation combat vehicle, according to a statement on 3 July 2025. Sweden will soon acquire a new fleet of ground vehicles to replace and complement the existing Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90) system, which together with the Stridsvagn 122, forms a central part of the Swedish Army’s ground mobility. According to GlobalData intelligence, the Swedish Army operate around 500 CV90s, some of which were first procured 30 years ago, while there are more than 100 Stridsvagn 122 tanks. Sweden last procured 50 units of the latest CV90 Mk. III C variant from BAE Systems Hägglunds in December 2024 as part of a three-party framework agreement alongside Denmark.
“In order to assess the possibilities of procuring new combat vehicle systems from 2030 onwards, we need to gain an increased understanding of the market’s ability to deliver. That is why we are now publishing an RFI,” said Ola Almesjö, project manager in the Army Materiel business area.
An RFI is essentially market research, where suppliers are asked to describe their products, technologies or concepts. It is an important part of FMV’s preparation work for potential procurements, but does not guarantee a procurement. The responses received will be analysed in the autumn of 2025, as a basis for further planning and possible future inquiry documents. The Swedish army needs to increase its number of combat vehicles. Currently, both upgrading of existing combat vehicles and the procurement of additional equipment and replacement of combat vehicles donated to Ukraine are underway. This is currently being done in various international collaborations. Looking ahead, Sweden is currently involved in the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program, aiming for a 6×6 armored vehicle platform to replace older vehicles like the Patria XA-203 and XA-360. The FMV will acquire 321 CAVS form the Finnish supplier, Patria. Another solution that Sweden is considering to augment its armoured mobility capability, specifically its main battle tank fleet, is the Main Armoured Tank for Europe (MARTE) consortium. MARTE recently gained €20m ($23.6m) in funds from the European Defence Fund. However; the German-led initiative is at a nascent stage, having just entered the initial study and preliminary design phase. (Source: army-technology.com)
01 Jul 25. Frontex announces shortlist for C-UAS contest and details of Phase 2. Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, has selected five companies advancing to Phase 2 of its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Prize Contest, which Unmanned Airspace reported on earlier this year.
Frontex said that Adevex Soluciones, Dat-Con, Hertz Systems, MBDA France and Nordic Air Defence were selected for their “exceptional technical proposals” submitted in Phase 1. “Their proposals showed technical maturity (minimum TRL 7), alignment with European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) operational needs, and readiness for deployment in live trials.” Each finalist is awarded EUR 20,000 for their submission.
“Out of all the applications submitted, 10 high-quality technical proposals met the predefined eligibility, exclusion, and admissibility criteria, and underwent a merit-based evaluation by Frontex’s Evaluation Committee,” the agency said on June 30. “All the evaluated proposals possessed significant potential to address the capability gap in neutralising unauthorised UAS threats, such as illicit surveillance and smuggling, thereby enhancing secure and effective EU external border protection.”
In Phase 2, scheduled for October 2025, the top five finalists will compete in live operational trials, lasting three – four weeks, at a designated test site in Europe. These trials will assess the performance, effectiveness, and reliability of their technologies against simulated UAS threats, including off-the-shelf and custom-made UAS. This phase will conclude with a two-day workshop, where finalists will present their solutions to EBCG authorities, EU Member State representatives and other stakeholders. The winners of Phase 2 will be announced in November 2025, with prizes ranging from EUR 100,000 to EUR 270,000. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
USA
30 Jun 25. New York Police Department “plans to purchase C-UAS technology” The New York Post reports that the New York Police Department is planning to purchase a counter-drone system to protect the city. The article continues that Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Kaz Daughtry, said the city is in talks with Maryland-based American Robotics to buy technology that can detect, track and intercept hostile drones. American Robotics has developed the Iron Drone Raider, a portable station that can launch two or three small drones that are capable of intercepting a suspect drone and firing a lightweight mesh net at it, entangling its rotors and preventing it from flying. A parachute is then activated, bringing the drone down safely. The drones would be launched from wherever cops are patrolling, and piloted remotely from One Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan, the article says. To deploy the system in New York, restrictions that ban local jurisdictions from taking down drones would need to be lifted, but Daughtry told the New York Post that the Trump administration is “open to it”. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
REST OF THE WORLD
08 Jul 25. SAAF looking to Pakistan for training and aircraft maintenance. SA Air Force (SAAF) Chief, Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, was in Pakistan earlier this month (July) where, reports have it, “revamping” of the South African airborne service’s training regime was an agenda item. The South African three-star expressed his “desire” for support from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to develop a modern and comprehensive training framework, beginning at academy level. During his meeting with PAF Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Mbambo requested the participation of SAAF officers as observers in major PAF operational exercises to enhance learning and foster collaboration, according to Pakistan Armed Forces ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations). Also on the agenda was increased technical collaboration between the two air forces, with aircraft maintenance a high priority. “Acknowledging the technical excellence and cost-effective maintenance capabilities offered by PAF’s engineering infrastructure, he also conveyed the intent of the South African Air Force to undertake the inspection and maintenance of its C-130 fleet in Pakistan,” the ISPR department said of Mbambo.
Defence and aviation expert Dean Wingrin noted that Pakistan operates a fleet of five elderly C-130B Hercules transports, similar to what the SAAF operates. The PAF also has nine C-130E and four C-130H. India, on the other hand, operates 12 of the much more modern C-130J variant. “So there is some commonality between South Africa and Pakistan,” he stated.
During the 2 July meeting, the South African air boss “lauded” the PAF’s operational readiness, commending its multi-domain warfare capabilities and success in maintaining a credible deterrence posture. He acknowledged the high standards maintained by the PAF and expressed his admiration for its technical excellence, according to ISPR. In turn, Sidhu highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between Pakistan and South Africa, emphasising shared values and aspirations underpinning the two nations’ “deep-rooted friendship”. He reiterated the PAF commitment to strengthening SAAF aerial combat capabilities through tailored training and capacity-building initiatives, ISPR reported. Pakistan and South Africa hold regular military engagements – for example in August 2024 Sidhu spent six days visiting his counterpart in South Africa, and in October, South African Special Forces were in Pakistan for a two-week long exercise with their Pakistani counterparts, with a focus on counter-terrorism. South African and Pakistani military representatives have made numerous visits to each other’s respective countries over the years – notably, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, visited Pakistan in July 2021. In March 2017, South Africa and Pakistan signed a government-to-government defence co-operation agreement which included industrial co-operation. The Pakistani military has sent students to the Army College in South Africa while Pakistan accepted South African officers for staff college training. Pakistan has also trained South African personnel in special forces roles. In 2019 the SANDF said around 40 South African commanders were trained in Pakistan. This included counter-terrorism training. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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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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