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Transformed Leonardo is primed for major growth, CEO Cingolani says Looks can be deceiving. Take as an example Leonardo's choice of venue for the launch of its new five-year industrial plan by chief executive Roberto Cingolani.

Transformed Leonardo is primed for major growth, CEO Roberto Cingolani says - my take from attending yesterday's industrial plan launch event in Rome. The day was almost wet enough to actually need a maritime patrol aircraft... www.flightglobal.com/defence/tran...

Leonardo to demonstrate M-346 commanding two Baykar uncrewed fighters by mid-year Leonardo will conduct the first demonstration flight later this year pairing its M-346 platform with a pair of representative collaborative combat aircraft.

Leonardo to demonstrate M-346 commanding two Baykar uncrewed fighters by mid-year, CEO Cingolani reveals. Work will involve Turkish company's Kizilelma design.
www.flightglobal.com/leonardo-to-...

Syos ready to launch serial production of autonomous SA200 rotorcraft Syos Aerospace is ready to launch serial production of its SA200 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), following the conclusion of a five-year development effort.

Syos Aerospace ready to launch serial production of autonomous SA200 rotorcraft, after wrapping-up five-year development effort. Forms basis for Project Nyx demonstrator pitch to UK Ministry of Defence www.flightglobal.com/defence/syos...

Germany orders CIRCM self-protection equipment for bulk of CH-47F Chinook fleet Germany has ordered Northrop Grumman-produced self-protection equipment to defend its future operational fleet of Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters against missile attack.

Germany orders Northrop Grumman CIRCM self-protection equipment for bulk of Boeing CH-47F Chinook fleet: will equip 47 of 60 rotorcraft ordered for Luftwaffe www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...

Royal Navy helicopters arrive to boost defence of UK’s Akrotiri base in Cyprus The UK has bolstered its defensive capability in the eastern Mediterranean, with new rotary-wing assets and an airborne surveillance and control platform having arrived.

Nice to see the first Royal Navy Wildcat airborne over Cyprus with its weapons wing and Martlet missile launchers fitted. One of its Crowsnest-configured AW101s also is now at RAF Akrotiri to boost counter-drone capability. www.flightglobal.com/defence/roya...

Extra Mirage 2000-5 fighters to boost Ukrainian air force’s defences Ukraine expects to take delivery of additional Dassault Aviation Mirage 2000-5 fighters from France, following the arrival of its first donated examples early last year.

Extra Mirage 2000-5 fighters to boost Ukrainian air force’s defences. No detail on when next French air force fighters will be transferred, but comes as Kyiv's donated F-16 fleet also continues to grow (approx 37 currently). Pic thanks to AirTeamImages! www.flightglobal.com/defence/extr...

UK to dispatch extra Typhoons to Qatar as Iran conflict rages Another four of the UK Royal Air Force's (RAF's) Eurofighter Typhoons are to be flown to the Middle East, as the US and Israeli air campaign against Iran continues to impact security across the wider ...

Royal Air Force to dispatch extra Typhoons to Qatar as Iran conflict rages. The UK already has some of its Eurofighter jets in the country as part of the joint RAF/QEAF 12 Sqn. And Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters will arrive in Cyprus tomorrow www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-t...

Israeli F-35I downs Iranian Yak-130 in clash over Tehran Israel has recorded its first air-to-air success with the Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir, with one of its stealth fighters having destroyed an Iranian aircraft over Tehran on 4 March.

Israel has claimed its first air-to-air 'kill' with the F-35I Adir - an Iranian Yak-130 downed over Tehran earlier today. www.flightglobal.com/israeli-f-35...

BAE launches Silver Link conformal antenna solution for ‘air dominance’ platforms BAE Systems has launched its Silver Link range of conformal antennas, which it says is suitable for a range of applications, inlcuding future "air dominance programmes".

BAE Systems Inc launches Silver Link conformal antenna solution for ‘air dominance’ platforms. flightglobal.com/defence/bae-...

European Defence Agency picks Capa-X for multi-mission UAS assessment The European Defence Agency is to explore the potential of Airbus Helicopters' Capa-X uncrewed aerial system, via an assessment activity announced on 4 March.

European Defence Agency picks Survey Copter-developed Capa-X for multi-mission UAS assessment. Now classed as an Airbus Helicopters product. www.flightglobal.com/defence/euro...

UK F-35Bs down Iranian drones in defensive action over Jordan The UK has performed its first aerial engagements with the Lockheed Martin F-35B, with aircraft from the Royal Air Force's 617 Sqn having successfully engaged one-way attack drones launched from Iran.

UK Royal Air Force F-35Bs down Iranian drones in defensive action over Jordan, Ministry of Defence announces. Marks first aerial 'kill' for type in UK service. www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-f...

Pilatus announces certification approval for PC-7 MKX trainer Pilatus has reported achieving initial certification for its PC-7 MKX basic trainer, after enjoying a bumper orders year for the new model in 2025.

Pilatus announces certification approval for PC-7 MKX trainer. Intrigued that its orders split for the type now cites 23 for France (was given as 22 at the time of contract award last March...) www.flightglobal.com/defence/pila...

Qatar's air force downs two Iranian Su-24 ground-attack aircraft Qatar has reported the destruction of two Iranian combat aircraft during operations to defend its territory against attack by Tehran.

Qatar's air force downs two Iranian Su-24 ground-attack aircraft. Seems to be a bit of uncertainty around this one, but as reported by Doha's defence ministry earlier today... With thanks to AirTeamImages for the picture use. flightglobal.com/defence/qata...

Kuwaiti air defences shoot down three USAF F-15Es in friendly fire mishap The US Air Force (USAF) has lost three Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles during "an apparent friendly fire incident" over Kuwait, but all crew members survived being shot down.

Kuwaiti air defences shoot down three US Air Force F-15Es in friendly fire mishap. Thankfully all 6 crew ejected safely, CENTCOM says. Fog of war aside, highlights serious lack of coordination with twitchy Gulf-nation hosts? www.flightglobal.com/defence/kuwa...

RAF advances crew training capability as delayed E-7A Wedgetail nears service entry The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has edged closer to reinstating its lapsed airborne early warning and control capability, following the arrival of an Indra-produced simulator at its Lossiemouth base in S...

Royal Air Force advances crew training capability as delayed
Boeing E-7A Wedgetail nears service entry. The UK's AEW&C "capability gap" feels a bit glaring under the current operational situation... flightglobal.com/defence/raf-...

French navy receives final upgraded ATL-2 maritime patrol aircraft France has completed a major upgrade to its navy-operated fleet of Dassault-Breguet ATL-2 maritime patrol aircraft, with the type expected to remain in operational use until a replacement capability e...

French navy receives final upgraded ATL-2 maritime patrol aircraft - type due to be replaced by 'Patmar Futur' (developed from Airbus A321XLR) by 2035. www.flightglobal.com/defence/fren...

Canada’s first Pilatus PC-21 Siskin II trainer enters flight-testing in Switzerland Pilatus has completed the first flight of a PC-21 trainer produced for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), ahead of starting deliveries in the second half of this year.

Canada’s first Pilatus PC-21 Siskin II trainer enters flight-testing in Switzerland. Part of 19-aircraft purchase by SkyAlyne for the Royal Canadian Air Force's FAcT programme. Photo by Stephan Widmer www.flightglobal.com/defence/cana...

New Zealand Defence Force picks Syos to deliver uncrewed systems capability Syos is to equip the New Zealand Defence Force with a variety of uncrewed systems, including its SA2 and SA7 quadcopters.

New Zealand Defence Force picks Syos to deliver uncrewed systems capability. Nice win for UK/New Zealand company, including SA2 vehicle (pictured) for ISR tasks. www.flightglobal.com/defence/new-...

Draken boosts UK 'Red Air' service delivery with L-159E after completing first depot-level inspection Adversary training specialist Draken has completed a first depot-level inspection on one of the Aero Vodochody L-159Es it uses to deliver 'Red Air' services in support of training by the UK Royal Air ...

Draken boosts UK 'Red Air' service delivery with L-159E after completing first depot-level inspection at its Teesside International airport facility. Work supported by OEM Aero Vodochody. www.flightglobal.com/defence/drak...

BAE Systems expands UAS technology pact with US partner Survice Engineering BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit is to expand its collaboration with US partner Survice Engineering, after a successful pact based on the T-150 uncrewed aerial system.

@BAESystemsplc expands UAS technology pact with US partner Survice Engineering; to explore opportunities beyond the T-150 platform. And the @RoyalNavy has meanwhile been using the Malloy Aeronautics-built type during training in Norway... www.flightglobal.com/defence/bae-...

BAE officials upbeat over follow-on Typhoon prospect with Saudi Arabia UK airframer BAE Systems remains confident that Saudi Arabia will place a long-anticipated follow-on order for the Eurofighter Typhoon, as Riyadh also eyes a possible future role in the currently thre...

BAE Systems officials upbeat over follow-on Eurofighter Typhoon prospect with Saudi Arabia - ending the week with a round-up from interviews at the World Defense Show in Riyadh around 54-aircraft need and GCAP interest. www.flightglobal.com/defence/bae-...

Leonardo targets fresh contract opportunities with Eurofighter and M-346 platforms With campaigns under way in Bangladesh, the Philippines and Poland, Eurofighter partner company Leonardo is optimistic of further boosting the Typhoon's order backlog.

Leonardo targets fresh contract opportunities with Eurofighter and M-346 platforms. Typhoon prospects are Bangladesh, the Philippines and Poland (has already equipped Kuwait, pictured). From interview at World Defense Show near Riyadh. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...

Dronamics to adapt Black Swan cargo drone for surveillance tasks Dronamics is to equip its Black Swan uncrewed aerial vehicle with a new intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance payload supplied by German company Hensoldt.

Dronamics to adapt Black Swan cargo drone for surveillance tasks, in partnership with Hensoldt. Aircraft - which has 350kg maximum payload and 24h-plus endurance - will gain PrecISR equipment package. www.flightglobal.com/defence/dron...

New Greek navy frigates to deploy Schiebel’s S-100 Camcopter UAS Athens has ordered Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) for operation from its navy's incoming fleet of French-built frigates.

New Greek navy frigates to deploy Schiebel’s S-100 Camcopter UAS. Company to supply systems for use on three Belharra-class vessels from operations from later this year. www.flightglobal.com/defence/new-...

Helsing’s CA-1 Europa UCAV to fly with Hensoldt sensor package Helsing is to integrate sensor technology from fellow German company Hensoldt aboard its CA-1 Europa unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), the companies have announced.

Helsing’s CA-1 Europa UCAV to fly with Hensoldt sensor package - strategic partnership announced by German companies, touting "clear offer for credible European deterrence". First flight due during 2027. www.flightglobal.com/defence/hels...

Spain to launch operational evaluation of InShield DIRCM system on modified A400M airlifter The Spanish air force is set to launch an operational evaluation of its first Airbus Defence & Space A400M to have been equipped with a new directed infrared countermeasures suite.

Spanish air force to launch operational evaluation of Indra's InShield DIRCM system on modified Airbus Defence & Space A400M airlifter. Indigenous DIRCM solution for self-protection need. www.flightglobal.com/defence/spai...

L3Harris details RE-3A upgrade activity for Royal Saudi Air Force L3Harris is using the third biennial World Defense Show to underscore its decades-old presence in Saudi Arabia, as work continues to upgrade Riyadh's most sophisticated airborne intelligence, surveill...

L3Harris details RE-3A upgrade activity for Royal Saudi Air Force; work is similar in scope to latest RC-135 Rivet Joint updates for the US Air Force and UK Royal Air Force. From interview at World Defense Show near Riyadh today. [Library image used of the jet]. www.flightglobal.com/defence/l3ha...

Saudi Hawks aerobatic display team returns with replacement jets The Saudi Hawks aerobatic display team has returned to the air show circuit, making its first appearance using newly-fielded BAE Systems Hawk 165 advanced jet trainers.

Saudi Hawks aerobatic display team returns with replacement jets - now flying BAE Systems Hawk 165s. www.flightglobal.com/defence/saud...

Lockheed Martin promotes F-35 capabilities at Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show Lockheed Martin is exhibiting a full-sized replica of its F-35 at the World Defense Show (WDS), just months after US President Donald Trump suggested that Riyadh could gain approval to acquire the ste...

Lockheed Martin promotes F-35 capabilities at Saudi Arabia’s World Defense Show. Full-scale replica proving very popular with showgoers - but any discussions remain government-to-government... www.flightglobal.com/defence/lock...

Riyadh considering EX-standard upgrade for bulk of F-15 fleet, Boeing officials say Saudi Arabia is eyeing further updates to its large fleet of F-15 combat aircraft, with Boeing seeing strong potential for new upgrades - or even an order for its "latest and greatest" EX-model versio...

Riyadh considering EX-standard upgrade for bulk of F-15 fleet, Boeing officials say. Potentially could see 145 jets enhanced for Royal Saudi Air Force. Story from World Defense Show. www.flightglobal.com/defence/riya...