LOCATIONS
LAND
18 Feb 26. Elbit Systems and TKMS have inaugurated a new production line in Israel for the manufacture of underwater structural components for submarines. As part of the cooperation, Elbit Systems will establish a new manufacturing facility for underwater GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) components for submarines. The facility constitutes an additional step in deepening the ties between the two companies and is part of TKMS’s industrial cooperation activities under the framework of offset procurement in Israel.
Paul Glaser, CFO of TKMS: “This is a landmark moment for TKMS in Israel. The establishment of this facility symbolizes a long-term partnership with Israel’s defense industry, built on trust, commitment, and shared values. The facility strengthens Israel’s ability to independently manufacture underwater components and creates infrastructure that will enable technological progress and deep cooperation, as part of a joint effort to strengthen stability and security in the maritime domain.”
The entire initiative is carried out under an industrial agreement between the companies, under which new production facilities will be established and advanced technologies developed based on TKMS’s knowledge and experience.
Yoram Shmuely, General Manager of the Aerospace Division at Elbit Systems: “Elbit welcomes the partnership with TKMS. This cooperation will expand local manufacturing capabilities and serve as an anchor for global activity in the underwater domain. The expansion of the plant in the Galilee, as part of the company’s policy of maintaining a strong presence in the Galilee and the Negev, will provide livelihoods for dozens of additional households and strengthen the northern economy.”
The agreement enables Elbit Cyclone to expand its product portfolio, market them in new international markets, and establish local expertise in the production of advanced underwater components – a field that has not been manufactured in Israel until now. The cooperation strengthens northern Israel as a strategic industrial and technological center. The facility’s activity constitutes a regional growth engine, integrating advanced industry, innovation, and defense manufacturing under one roof.
Ze’ev Landau, Head of the Directorate of Production and Procurement at the Ministry of Defense: “The partnership with TKMS shipyard spans many years, during which the strength of the Israeli Navy has been built and continues to be built for the years ahead. The establishment of the facility as part of industrial offset procurement constitutes part of the Ministry of Defense’s strategy to expand the defense manufacturing base as part of the lessons of the war and will assist in strengthening the IDF, promoting Israeli industries, and developing the economy . We hope that the establishment of the plant will serve as fertile ground for continued successful industrial, technological, and economic cooperation with TKMS shipyard.”
The establishment of the facility represents a significant milestone in the development and expansion of Israel’s defense manufacturing base and reflects a broad investment in advanced infrastructure and industrial innovation. The plant, located in a national priority area, is expected in its initial phase to employ dozens of workers and will contribute to strengthening the Israeli economy, creating high-quality jobs in northern Israel, and deepening the regional industrial ecosystem.
Nurit Tzur Rabino, Director of the Industry Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry: “The establishment of the new production line for underwater GRP components constitutes a significant leap in the advanced manufacturing capabilities of the State of Israel. This is not merely the construction of a physical facility, but the implementation of some of the most advanced technologies in the world, positioning local industry at the forefront of global naval engineering. This project represents a precise integration between a critical security need and long-term industrial development in the periphery, leading to the creation of high-quality jobs and the expansion of the local supply chain. We are proud to see Israeli industry becoming an inseparable strategic and technological partner in some of the most complex and prestigious projects in the world, thereby ensuring the economic and competitive future of Israeli industry in international markets.”
18 Feb 26. Tata and Airbus launch H125 helicopter final assembly line in India. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is set for delivery in early 2027 and will be available for export throughout South Asia. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus have opened India’s first private-sector final assembly line for the Airbus H125 helicopter at Vemagal in the state of Karnataka. The assembly line was virtually inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, in the presence of India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, French Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Catherine Vautrin, India’s Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, and senior executives from both Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The facility aims to produce both the civil H125 and potentially its military variant, the H125M, with deliveries of the first ‘Made in India’ H125 scheduled for early 2027. Tata and Airbus plan to make these helicopters available for domestic use as well as export across South Asia. The collaboration marks the first instance of an Indian private company manufacturing, integrating, testing, and maintaining an advanced rotary-wing platform within the country. This initiative is expected to offer Indian operators direct access to technology, local maintenance support, and increased helicopter availability. Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said: “We are proud to establish the H125 Helicopter Final Assembly Line, a first in the private sector in India – a landmark step in the nation’s journey towards self-reliance in aerospace and defence.
“This facility reflects the growing depth of India’s industrial capabilities and the strength of our long-standing partnership with Airbus. Together, we are contributing to the creation of a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India.”
Minister Rajnath Singh expects investment in the H125 programme to exceed Rs10bn ($110m) and anticipates the creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities for youth.
The Airbus H125, part of the Ecureuil family with over 40 m flight hours globally, serves as a high-altitude force multiplier across a range of critical missions. It is utilised by military forces for training, as well as by law enforcement agencies for surveillance, border patrol, search operations, command and control activities, rescue efforts, and special operations. The civil configuration supports tasks such as firefighting, aerial survey work, crop spraying, passenger transport, emergency medical services, and business aviation.
“The H-125 has proven to be one of the most effective and trusted single-engine helicopters globally,” Rajnath Singh said.
This venture follows a previous collaboration between Tata and Airbus on the C295 military transport aircraft final assembly line in India. (Source: army-technology.com)
15 Feb 26. Australia commits multi-billion investment to build Adelaide submarine yard. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a major funding investment to develop Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine construction yard at Osborne, South Australia. Defence Connect can officially confirm that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government will invest AU$30bn (US$21.3bn) to develop the nation’s nuclear-powered submarine construction yard as part of the multi-bn dollar, multi-decade AUKUS trilateral partnership with the United Kingdom and United States. The construction of the state-of-the-art facility is expected to generate up to 5,500 jobs across the 75 hectare site. It is expected that as part of the multi-bn dollar investment, the total foot print is estimated to cost more than AU$15 bn. Construction on ‘Area One’ worth AU$5bn, ‘Area Two’ worth approximately AU$8bn, with “site enabling” works to be valued at more than AU$2bn as part of what is being described as the world’s “most advanced submarine yard” is already underway, with ‘Area 2’ construction to begin this year, while ‘Area 3’ construction set to begin in 2027, with construction of areas one and two expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. Rather than being built as a single structure, it is expected that the submarines will take shape as massive modular sections, resembling enormous steel cylinders. These modules will move progressively through the three areas of the Osborne shipyard, largely in a vertical build sequence, transported on self-propelled modular platforms purpose-designed for the task. Area 3 is responsible for the most technically demanding work take place inside the tightly controlled nuclear precinct, including the welding of the submarine’s sealed reactor, with the reactor never opened again for the vessel’s entire service life. The highly sensitive and secure, nuclear area and consolidation halls, are expected to be completed by the late-2030s. Speaking to Paul Starrick of The Adelaide Advertiser, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “Investing in the Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne is critical to delivering Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.” The Prime Minister stressed his emphasis on supporting the development of the nation’s continuous naval shipbuilding industry, adding he would, “always back continuous naval shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing, which is vital to South Australia’s economy and long-term growth in local industry.” (Source: Defence Connect)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
16 Feb 26. UK confirms parachute force to be cut to one battalion. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the UK’s airborne parachute capability will be retained but narrowed in scope, with future capacity focused on specialist forces and a single battalion group. In a written parliamentary answer published on 16 February 2026, minister Al Carns said the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) “considered all aspects of Defence, including military parachuting capabilities” and concluded that “airborne parachute capability and capacity should remain focused on specialists and a single battalion group.” The response was issued after Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked what assessment had been made of the potential negative impact of removing parachute infantry deployment as a capability. Carns said the government had accepted the SDR’s recommendations in full and that implementation details would be outlined in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. “The Government accepted the recommendations of the SDR in full and will publish the Defence Investment Plan as soon as possible to set out the plan for its implementation,” he said. The statement comes amid reports that the Army is restructuring its airborne forces, with indications that 2nd and 3rd Battalions of The Parachute Regiment may lose their routine parachute jumping qualification. Under the emerging model, parachute insertion would remain a specialist capability, rather than a mass infantry deployment method held across multiple battalions. While supporters of the change argue this reflects modern operational realities and could generate cost savings, critics have warned it risks eroding a key rapid-entry capability and could represent a long-term decline in conventional airborne forces. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
19 Feb 26. USAF BG Erica R. Austin for appointment to the grade of major general. Austin is currently serving as mobilization assistant to the Deputy Judge Advocate General, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Feb 26. Cohort plc, the independent defence technology group, has appointed former Leonardo UK senior executive Chris Axcell as its first chief operating officer (COO) as it looks to accelerate the growth of its seven subsidiaries, pursue strategic acquisitions and strengthen operational delivery amid rising UK and allied nation defence spending. As COO, Chris will work alongside the Group Chief Executive to provide oversight and strengthen operational performance across the Group. This will see him provide advice and expertise on manufacturing and operational efficiency, as well as support the increase of production capacity as demand for the Group’s defence solutions grows. He will also play a key role in identifying future acquisition targets. Chris joins Cohort plc from Leonardo UK where he held multiple technical and leadership roles including VP Surveillance & Protection Technologies, VP Sensors and most recently, SVP Integrated Sensing & Protection (ISP). As SVP, Chris was responsible for the £300 m revenue ISP line of business, along with its 1,000 employees and two UK sites, delivering sustained organic growth ahead of market Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). In Chris’ portfolio were products across electro-optics (EO), electronic warfare (EW) and communications, technology domains directly relevant to Cohort plc.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
13 Feb 26. Motshekga announces new Denel board. Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga has announced a new Board of Directors for Denel, who she hopes will strengthen governance, restore operational performance, rebuild stakeholder confidence and guide Denel towards long-term sustainability. The Minister made the announcement on Thursday 12 February, simultaneously expressing appreciation to the outgoing Board for their service “during a particularly challenging period in the company’s history.” Their efforts in maintaining stability and laying groundwork for recovery are acknowledged and appreciated, Motshekga stated. The new board will serve from 2026 to 2029 and is chaired by Tshidi Mokgabudi in an interim capacity. Mokgabudi was appointed as Acting Board Chairperson on 1 July 2025 having joined the Board on 25 June 2022. She is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and has a Diploma in Tax Law, Honours BSc, Bachelor of Accounting Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Economics and Industrial Psychology, Integral Couch, Diploma in Nutritional Supplementation, iEQ9 Integrative Enneagram. She was a member of Audit and Risk and Social and Ethics Committees. She has been a director in various companies like Truworths International, Adcorp Holdings, Lanseria Airport, Vukile Property Fund, Hensoldt SA and Alcutech Engineering (Pty). Tsepo Monaheng continues as Group Chief Executive Officer and Matodzi Mukwevho continues as Group Chief Financial Officer. New board members are Rita Lesenyeho, Honey Mamabolo, Pfumelani Mbulayeni, Thando Motlhabane, Justice Nkonyane, Mxolisi Sambo, Louwressè Specht, and Edna van Harte. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)