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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
20 Nov 25. UK will not buy off-the-shelf from foreign companies, says NAD official. Instead, the Defence Investment Plan will prioritise sovereignty but also joint development and procurement with allies.
* Deputy director of UK Defence Innovation and head of technology transition at the National Armaments Directorate (NAD), James Gavin, said the government will not purchase commerical off the shelf systems from foreign companies
* However the UK will still pursue agreements with allies to jointly develop and procure equipment and platforms
* A cost breakdown of priority defence programmes will be published in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan before the end of November 2025
ABritish defence procurement chief dismissed any prospect that the UK will buy off-the-shelf systems directly from foreign companies.
Speaking at the Future Armoured Vehicles Survivability conference in London on 19 November, James Gavin maintained that all activity with foreign suppliers will benefit the UK economy in turn through jobs, consistent with the new offset policy established in the Defence Industrial Strategy in early September.
“I will not be funding something abroad which is bought off the shelf,” he stated with conviction, “full stop.”
But this does not wholly dismiss the UK’s exploration of emerging technology trends in the global defence industry or tapping into innovation derived from allies, Gavin assured, replying to a question posed by Army Technology.
“Certainly, the UK and European countries can’t all afford to invest in everything in [research and development] that eventually results in their viable products,” the NAD offical contended.
This is especially true given that, two years ago, the UK accounted for its largest deficit in the history of publishing the annual Equipment Plan: a shortfall just shy of £17bn ($22.2bn).
“We’ve got to spread out and co-invest with core partners,” he granted, pointing to strategic partnerships such as the trilateral AUKUS pact as a prominent example, or the Trinity House Agreement with Germany. In passing, Gavin then alluded to a significant international project currently in the works, hinting there is “a big intent to do similar [technology partnerships] with Nato in certain [unspecified] areas.”
Currently, the UK operate several platforms purchased off the shelf from abroad. Many of these are American-made, including the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, and MQ-9B Protector drones.
Others include the Swedish Archer 155mm howitzers which were rapidly procured off the shelf to replace the AS-90s. (Source: army-technology.com)
EUROPE
17 Nov 25. Berlin, Paris discuss scrapping plan to jointly build fighter jet, FT reports. Germany and France are discussing downsizing their 100bn euro ($115.99bn) flagship air defence project by dropping plans to jointly build a fighter jet and focusing on a command and control system, the Financial Times reported on Monday. The FT, which said the partners could focus on developing the combat cloud control system, cited officials in both countries. People familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that France, Germany and third partner Spain were set to resume high-level talks on the next phase of the project, known as FCAS, or its French acronym SCAF, after delays caused by the recent political crisis in France. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is due to meet his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, in Paris on Monday, two of the sources said at the time. Berlin has previously blamed French industry for blocking the programme’s next phase by demanding sole leadership of the project, in a coded reference to Dassault Aviation <AM.PA. The German defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the FT report. ($1 = 0.8621 euros) (Source: Reuters)
14 Nov 25. UK lobbying Poland to buy Swedish submarines, sources say. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is lobbying Poland to award a multi-bn-euro submarine purchase contract to Swedish defence group Saab (SAABb.ST) that may include some deals with UK defence group Babcock (BAB.L) sources said. Babcock declined to comment on its possible involvement in the bid. A British government spokesperson did not comment directly on the report, but said warship and fighter jet export deals were bringing bns of pounds to the UK economy.
“We are making defence an engine for growth – delivering jobs and boosting the UK economy whilst strengthening our commitment to NATO allies and European security,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Saab told Reuters on Friday that the company’s submarines are tailored to the specific conditions prevailing in the Baltic Sea, but referred any questions about the UK’s position to the British authorities. Polish officials have said a decision on the “Orka” programme, a key part of Warsaw’s drive to modernise its navy and bolster NATO ties as tensions with Russia escalate, could be taken within weeks.Saab, which makes a wide range of military equipment including fighter jets, surveillance systems, missiles and submarines, is among a handful of short-listed contenders for the contract, along with manufacturers from Italy, Spain, France, Germany and South Korea. Two officials close to the matter told Reuters that Starmer had signed a letter of support, together with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, which was included in Saab’s final offer, submitted in late October.
POLITICAL JOCKEYING
Starmer is keen to boost the British economy, but his involvement is also an example of political jockeying around Europe for a slice of lucrative defence contracts as countries increase military spending in the face of tensions with Russia.
“The UK’s Babcock, among other British partners, will participate in Sweden’s bid,” one of the sources said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
Starmer and Kristersson said in their joint letter they were confident that the Swedish proposal would boost security in the Baltic Sea, according to an official who has seen the document. Polish media have reported that the offers from Germany, Italy and Sweden are frontrunners in the multi-bn-dollar programme. All three countries are partners of Poland in NATO and the European Union. (Source: Reuters)
14 Nov 25. Germany Gives Up on FCAS Joint Fighter, Turns to Battle Cloud of European Combat Drones. Germany shifts FCAS vision from joint project to unified European cloud infrastructure for current jets and future UAVs. Taking into account the heap of problems cooperating with France, Germany has soberly assessed the prospects of the sixth-generation FCAS aircraft project. And they’ve transformed it into a program for jointly uniting European unmanned fighters like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) into a “battle cloud.” Several stages are planned, with the first deploying national cloud infrastructure for combat aviation. This will serve as a base for further project scaling. The second stage will be creating two unmanned aircraft. One will weigh 4-5 tons and be intended for reconnaissance and EW tasks, meaning fighting air defense. The other will weigh 10 tons and will be capable of both striking ground targets and conducting air combat. Prototype delivery for testing is expected in 2029. Then the plan is to integrate existing combat aircraft into the system, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35A. The final stage is creating a new fighter with potential cooperation with Sweden and Spain. In parallel, contacts will be maintained with another sixth-generation project GCAP from the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy, to ensure the ability to work jointly with their systems. This could help with the universality that the British want to see in their development. Overall, this change of approach in Germany is caused by the fragmentation of FCAS component development from joint work to national efforts. So thanks to the new perspective, they supposedly will be able to adjust their own expectations to others’ desires. Defense Express adds that at first glance it looks like everything is correct and allows both independently filling the capability gap and saving what’s possible from the joint project. However, the question remains whether the Germans are capable of independently creating a wingman UAV. Also, a good question regarding industry remains the engine issue, which Germany, or even Spain or Sweden, cannot make independently something the French actively exploit. However, theres always the option of purchasing a foreign analogue, which would put development in additional dependence. It turns out that FCAS participants are indeed preparing to part ways and each pursue their own developments, despite attempts by French official representatives to dismiss everything as exaggeration. The only question remaining is how successful the separate projects will prove and whether everything will end with purchasing an American alternative. (Source: News Now/https://en.defence-ua.com/)
USA
17 Nov 25. US will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, Trump says. President Donald Trump said Monday he will sell F-35 advanced fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Washington visit, as he praised the kingdom for its long partnership with the United States.
“I will say that that we will be doing that,” Trump said when asked if he would sell the jets to Saudi Arabia. “We’ll be selling F-35s.”
The crown prince, who is set to make a White House visit Tuesday, had been expected to arrive with a wish list that includes receiving formal assurances from Trump defining the scope of the U.S. military protection for the kingdom and an agreement to buy U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, one of the world’s most advanced aircraft. The Republican administration, however, has been wary about upsetting Israel’s “qualitative military advantage” over its neighbors, especially at a time when Trump is depending on Israeli support for the success of his Gaza peace plan. Another long-standing concern, which also derailed a potential similar sale to the United Arab Emirates, is that the F-35 technology could be stolen by or somehow transferred to China, which has close ties to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. (Source: Defense News)
REST OF THE WORLD
19 Nov 25. Brazil: APCs, LMVs, and the search for new IFVs and MBTs
Each vehicle family is based on a common platform.
Brazil will induct around 1,800 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APC) by the end of 2025
* The country signed a deal last year for 420 light multirole vehicles (LMV)
* In search of a new infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and main battle tank (MBT), Brazil’s Army will continue operating legacy M113s as an intermediary
Brazil is moving forward with several armoured vehicle programmes according to personnel presenting their progress on acquiring three vehicle types during the Future Armoured Vehicles Survivability conference in London on 18 November 2025. Each vehicle family is based on a common platform. Each of these baseline vehicles are designed to be fitted with different mission modules, said Captain Rebeca Camurco Coehlho, technical manager for one of the platforms, the 6×6 APC, which comes under the auspices of the Brazilian Army’s manufacturing directorate. It is worth noting that the presentation took place in the UK, which prompted serious consideration over lessons for the British Army’s own efforts to simplify and replace its convoluted force structure comprising many different legacy vehicle types through the Land Mobility Programme.
Guarani 6×6 APC
Guarani are a family of six-wheeled APCs jointly developed by Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV), based in Sete Lagoas, and the Brazilian Army, which can carry up to 11 fully equipped troops. Notably, the platform can be transported by a KC-390 Millennium tactical airlifter. There is an option for one of three weapon station configurations: the UT30BR 30mm cannon, REMAX 7.62mm/12.7mm, and the ringmount PLATT/REMAN of the same calibre. Coehlho also drew attention to a new 81mm mortar transport version of the Guarani APC, which was designed by the Army arsenal in Rio de Janeiro. The concept was tested in the Army’s test and evaluation centre, and the service anticipate the production of 60 units by the end of this year.
Guaicurus 4×4 LMV
Brazil initially procured 48 four-wheeled LMVs in 2019, all of which are now in service, this was followed up with a $240m contract in July 2024 for an additional 420 units and delivery of this tranche is expected to begin in 2026. Much like the 6×6, the 4×4 LMV will feature both manual and remote controlled weapon systems tailored to meet the demands of modern warfare scenarios. With a decade-long horizon, this contract enhances operational readiness and stimulates economic growth through localised production and technology transfer.
M113 intermediary
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Army are also exploring the market to fill gaps in the heavier firepower segment of its force structure. A “prospection” is ongoing for a new IFV and MBT, Coehlho said, insisting that the two armoured fighting vehicles will be based on a common platform. In the meantime, the Army will continue to operate American-made legacy M113 A2 Mk 1 combat vehicles, of which GlobalData intelligence indicates there are 386 in active service, but these were acquired between 1962-76. Nevertheless, the Army will integrate the indigenously developed remote controlled weapon system, REMAX 4, jointly developed by the Army and a local company called ARES. (Source: army-technology.com)
17 Nov 25. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and BAE Systems announced today that they have signed a teaming agreement to offer the BvS10 Beowulf platform for the Canadian Army’s Domestic Arctic Mobility.
19 Nov 25. Armscor to collaborate with Republic of Korea defence acquisition agency. 2025 will go down as a key year for Armscor outreach with this week’s announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) marking another successful offshore foray for the State-owned defence and security acquisition company. It comes on the heels of an October inaugural South African defence industry (SADI) seminar in Japan which had its origin in the May Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan exhibition. Before that Armscor, as part of a stated aim to reposition South African defence and security acquisition and project management in Africa, was in Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia at defence conferences, exhibitions and seminars. The Côte d’Ivoire visit saw Armscor and that country’s defence ministry sign a letter of co-operation to explore potential business opportunities The RoK MoU, signed at Armscor’s head office in Pretoria, has a duration of five years and commits Armscor and DAPA (Defence Acquisition Programme Administration) to enhancing defence industry co-operation and defence development and research collaboration. This, as per an Armscor statement, will focus on production and exchange of defence materiel, knowledge and technologies, guided by the principle of reciprocity. A Joint Committee on Defence Industry Cooperation with Korean and South African expertise will “give effect to the MoU”. Additionally, Armscor and its South Korean counterpart DAPA will promote cross country defence industry collaboration. Armament systems acquisitions as well as joint defence research initiatives are said to be “appropriate”.
Commenting on what is termed “a significant milestone”, Armscor Chief Executive Solomzi Mbada stressed the importance collaboration and strategic partnerships across the defence sector globally.
“We [Armscor] play a pivotal role in capacitating the [SA National] defence force with the materiel required to execute its mandate. Our ability to consistently deliver on this mandate is rooted in our commitment to providing quality and fit-for-purpose solutions. This is achieved through strong partnerships with industry, supported by our acquisition and research and development capabilities,” he is quoted as saying.
The MoU, the statement continues, provides a platform for Armscor to leverage its decades of acquisition expertise to deliver key solutions that support the broader defence ecosystem. The collaboration is seen as an opportunity to strengthen bonds of friendship and mutual interest with DAPA and further reinforces Armscor’s position as “a gateway to defence solutions for South Africa and the African continent at large,” according to Mbada. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
18 Nov 25. F-35, tank sales part of new US-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement. As part of the defense deal, Riyadh will purchase nearly 300 tanks from Washington.
“The SDA is a win for the America First agenda, making it easier for U.S. defense firms to operate in Saudi Arabia, securing new burden-sharing funds from the Saudi Arabia to defray U.S. costs, and affirming that the Kingdom views the United States as its primary strategic partner,” the White House wrote in a statement.
As part of the deal, Riyadh will purchase an unspecified number of F-35 fighters — a long-sought commitment from the Kingdom and a major boost to the Lockheed Martin-produced jet. The kingdom will also purchase “nearly” 300 Abrams tanks “enabling Saudi Arabia to build up its own defense capabilities and safeguarding hundreds of American jobs,” the White House added. While not announced, other weapon sales may be part of the agreement as well. A top executive from General Atomics told Breaking Defense today that his company is in talks to sell up to 130 MQ-9Bs in addition to 200 Gambit loyal wingman drones to the Saudis. Details on the F-35 will be closely scrutinized, as the US has pledged to maintain Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge — effectively, making sure Israel has better kit than its neighbors — in the region. The F-35I, which Israel has used operationally in recent years, is believed to have special sensors on board.
Asked about the QME, US President Donald Trump said in the Oval Office today that “When you look at the F-35, and you’re asking me is it the same, I think it’s going to be pretty similar, yeah.
“This is a great ally, and Israel’s a great ally, and I know they’d like you to get planes of reduced caliber. I don’t think that makes you too happy,” Trump said, directing his comments to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “We‘re looking at that exactly right now, but as far as I’m concerned, I think they are both at the level where they should get top of the line.”
The announcement of the deal followed that high-profile meeting today between Trump and the crown prince, on what is MBS’s first official visit to the US since the CIA found that Saudi agents killed Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. While MBS is the kingdom’s de facto ruler, this week’s red-carpet visit is not an official head of state event since King Salman holds that post.
While details from the ongoing visit and ensuing deals are still emerging, MBS announced he is pushing a May pledge to invest $600 bn in various US industries towards the $1 trillion mark.
“Today and tomorrow, we will announce that we are going to increase that $600 bn to almost $1 trillion for investment, real investment and real opportunity, by details in many areas, and the agreement that we are signing today in many areas, in technology, AI, in materials, magnet, etc, that will create a lot of investment opportunities,” MBS said in the Oval Office.
In addition to signing the SDA, the White House said the two leaders also inked a Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation, a Critical Minerals Framework and an AI Memorandum of Understanding.
The two countries have been hammering out a defense pact to deepen military and intelligence ties for some time. In April 2024, for example, then-US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that a new defense pact between the two countries was “potentially very close to completion.” However, the question of Saudi normalization with Israel has proven to be a sticky wicket in any such agreement.
That issue seems to remain one to be worked out: MBS today seemed to hold off on Trump’s bid for Saudi Arabia to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel by signing onto the Abraham Accords, initially signed in 2020 by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.
In the Oval Office this afternoon, MBS said that while he is still interested in signing on — a move opening up avenues for cross coordination of military capabilities like air defense weapons — doing so is contingent on a two-state solution for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
“We want, also, to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution,” he added.
For his part, Trump has been pushing for Riyadh to sign on, reupping his comments during a late October interview on 60 Minutes. “I think we will have a solution. I don’t know if it’s gonna be two-state. That’s gonna be up to Israel and other people, and me,” Trump said. “But look, the main thing is you could’ve never had any kind of a deal if you had a nuclear Iran. And you essentially had a nuclear Iran. And I blasted the hell out of ’em.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
18 Nov 25. Indian Army to procure domestically manufactured UAVs for ISR. The Indian Army has awarded two contracts to Mumbai-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer ideaForge to procure two types of UAVs that can enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). ideaForge will supply to the Indian Army its Zolt UAV under a contract worth INR750m (USD8.5m) and its Switch V2 UAV under a contract worth INR300 m, the company announced on 17 November. Both these vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAVs were launched during the Aero India 2025 show in Bangalore in February. A spokesperson for the ideaForge told Janes that the company intends to complete deliveries of Zolt within a year and of the Switch V2 UAVs within six months. ideaForge said Zolt was selected by the Indian Army following “extensive field trials in electronic warfare (EW) environments”. In addition to ISR, Zolt can be deployed to deliver payloads, the company added. According to company specifications, Zolt has an operational range of up to 50 km, a payload capacity of 10 kg, an endurance of 180 minutes, and offers 80 km of secure data downlink. It can operate in GPS-denied environments and can be equipped with electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR), signals intelligence (SIGINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), laser rangefinders (LRFs), laser designators, or tactical resupply payloads, depending upon mission requirements. (Source: Janes)
17 Nov 25. On the opening day of the 19th edition of the Dubai Airshow, Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement (Tawazun) – the national authority mandated to enable, regulate, and sustain the UAE’s defence and security industrial ecosystem – announced the signing of eight contracts on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, totalling AED 3.776 bn, with both local and international companies. The announcement was made during a press conference attended by Majed Ahmed Al Jaberi, Abdulla Ahmed Al Saeei and Manea Abdulkarim Al Mansoori, the official spokespersons of the Council. They underscored that the Directorate of Planning and Procurement serves as the central pillar overseeing the execution of these agreements, ensuring a unified approach towards excellence in procurement services – from strategic planning and supplier engagement to operational implementation – all conducted with transparency and efficiency to achieve tangible national impact. Abdulla Al Saeedi revealed details of the local contracts signed for the Ministry of Defence on the first day, which comprised six deals, worth AED3.041bn. These included agreements with Global Air Navigation Services (GANS) , at a total value of AED1.294 bn to provide Air Navigation Services & Specialised Manpower, and with Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) to provide follow-on support, spare parts and technical support worth AED600m. Also announced were two contracts with International Golden Group, the first one is for provision of follow-up support for Aircrafts at a total value of AED415 m and the second is an AED299 m contract to produce Airdrop Parachutes. The local deals also included an AED293 m contract with Mximus Air to rent aircraft and a contract worth AED137 m with Abu Dhabi Shipping Agency to rent aircraft. Manea Al Mansoori highlighted the international deals announced on the first day, including two contracts with a total value of AED725 m, an AED512 m contract with French company Airbus Helicopters to provide H Care services for helicopters and a contract with Brazilian company Embraer to produce VIP aircraft at a value of AED212 m. Meanwhile, Majed Al Jaberi emphasised that through these agreements, Tawazun continues to strengthen its strategic partnerships with national and global defence firms, supporting the enhancement of the UAE’s defence and security capabilities through an integrated national ecosystem that bolsters the competitiveness of the Emirati defence industry on both regional and international levels. The spokespersons reaffirmed that the Dubai Airshow serves as a leading global platform for advancing innovation and future technologies across the defence and aerospace sectors. It also reinforces the UAE’s position as a regional and international hub for advanced industries and knowledge-based economies. This year’s edition places particular focus on sustainability, artificial intelligence-driven innovation, advanced mobility, and space exploration, making it the largest and most future-oriented edition to date. (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/)
14 Nov 25. Trump says he is considering F-35 fighter jet deal with Saudis. U.S. President Donald Trumpsaid on Friday that he is considering agreeing to a deal to supply Saudi Arabia with F-35 stealth fighter jets, which are made by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N).
“They wanna buy a lot of jets,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
“I’m looking at that. They’ve asked me to look at it. They want to buy a lot of ’35’ – but they want to buy actually more than that, fighter jets.”
The potential sale comes as Trump plans to host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House next week, when they are expected to sign economic and defense agreements. Asked about the talks, Trump told reporters it was “more than meeting, we’re honoring” Saudi Arabia. He repeated that he hoped Saudi would soon join the Abraham Accords, which have normalized relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations. Riyadh has resisted such a step absent agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood. A Pentagon intelligence report has raised concerns over the potential F-35 deal, warning that China could acquire the aircraft’s technology if the sale proceeds, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the assessment. (Source: Reuters)
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