All articles tagged with #aerospace and defence
Kyiv and Washington are negotiating a draft statement of intent to temporarily export Ukrainian drones for US testing and evaluation to shape US military requirements, a potential first step toward broader defense cooperation. The agreement is non-binding, lasts two years, and does not commit funding or transfers.
The Pentagon released 161 files—encompassing photos, witness testimonies, and investigative reports—on unidentified aerial phenomena, labeling them unresolved and inviting private-sector analysis. The staged disclosures come amid congressional pressure and White House interest to increase transparency, with the Defense Department planning rolling releases every few weeks and still noting no verified evidence of alien technology or life.
Turkey unveiled the 18‑meter Yıldırımhan ICBM at a defence expo, touting a 6,000km range and a 3-ton warhead, but defence officials and Western analysts say the system is still in testing and its advertised capabilities—promoted in an AI-generated promo video—are likely overstated; the longest-range Turkish missile (Tayfun) has only reached about 600km in tests.
AirAsia’s $19bn deal for 150 Airbus A220-300 jets marks Canada’s biggest-ever aircraft order, with potential to reach $38bn if AirAsia exercises options for the A220-500. The jets will be assembled at Airbus’s Mirabel, Quebec, and Mobile, Alabama sites as Airbus aims to ramp production to about 12–13 aircraft per month by 2026–28, despite integration challenges from Spirit AeroSystems. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hailed the deal as a win for diversifying Canada’s trade.
The US has warned European allies of long delivery delays for weapons as stockpiles depleted by the Iran conflict force reallocations, delaying munitions for systems like Himars and Nasams and even considering postponed shipments to Asia. The strain risks denting Ukraine support and deterrence against China, while US defense firms rush to boost production and Europe weighs more indigenous options as inventories remain tight.
The Pentagon told Congress that U.S. operations in Iran have cost about $25 billion, driven mainly by munitions use, which has depleted stockpiles and raised questions about readiness for other conflicts with China or Russia. The figure, tied to Operation Epic Fury, is not yet reflected in the broader $1.5 trillion budget request, and a further funding request will come after a full cost assessment, even as a fragile ceasefire and naval pressure operations continue in the region.
Boeing posted a 14% rise in quarterly revenue to $22.2 billion and narrowed its loss to $7 million in Q1, delivering 143 commercial aircraft—29 more than Airbus—marking its first quarterly delivery lead over the European rival since 2018. Defence revenue rose about 21%, underscoring progress in its turnaround as production ramps continue and FAA certification for new 737 MAX variants advances.
Tokyo approved a policy overhaul that allows Japanese firms to export lethal weapons for the first time since World War II, subject to buyer screening and not being in active conflict. The shift aims to boost defence manufacturing by companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki, expand exports to allies such as the US, UK and Australia, and bolster Japan’s security posture amid China and North Korea threats. Critics warn production capacity and domestic needs must be balanced with overseas deals, and exceptions exist for waiving exports only in rare cases if national security is involved.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv’s electronic warfare teams and interceptor drones helped in downing Iranian Shahed drones in Gulf states hosting US bases, with over 200 Ukrainian experts deployed and several long‑term security pacts formed. Kyiv argues its cheap interceptors (about $1,000–$3,000) are more cost-effective than Patriot missiles, and the country is pursuing defence partnerships in the Gulf while exploring mass production of interceptors and potential security exchanges for Patriot systems.
Boeing outsold Airbus on gross orders in 2025 for the first time this decade, booking 1,075 gross orders (Airbus: 1,000) as countries rushed to buy US aircraft to curry favor with the Trump administration. Boeing delivered 600 commercial jets, while Airbus delivered 793, and the backlog climbed to about 6,130. The turnaround has been aided by FAA relief allowing Boeing to certify its own jets again and by the Spirit AeroSystems acquisition, with large orders from carriers like Alaska Airlines helping late-year momentum.
The U.S. Pentagon is investing $1 billion in L3 Harris's missile-motors business via convertible preferred equity that will spin off into a new public company, with an IPO expected in late 2026. The move aims to bolster domestic rocket-motor supply for missiles like Patriot and Tomahawk, but it raises questions about conflicts of interest and competition in the defence industry.
The UK, Italy, and Japan have formed a joint venture to oversee the development of a next-generation fighter jet under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), aiming for completion by 2035. The venture, equally owned by BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co, will manage the design, development, and delivery of the aircraft. Discussions are ongoing about potentially involving Saudi Arabia as a financial partner. The project seeks to enhance defense capabilities against threats from Russia and China, with a focus on digital design and innovative engineering to reduce costs and time.