Spain rules out F-35 order, prioritizes Eurofighter and FCAS
A Lockheed Martin executive previously told Breaking Defense that the F-35 was Madrid's only real option to replace aging Harrier jets for ship-based operations.
In Paris, Airbus makes new MRTT+ progress, French Navy drone breakthrough
On the helicopter front, Airbus and Italian manufacturer Leonardo announced they are collaborating on a NH90 Block 2 multirole rotorcraft upgrade architecture study to determine the long term evolution of the type.
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An FCAS fracas and Embraer’s European embrace: Paris Air Show Day 2 [Video]
Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and Senior Reporter Valerie Insinna run down the biggest news from the second day of the Paris Air Show.
FCAS drama: ‘Difficulties’ between Airbus and Dassault again hit sixth-gen fighter effort
“Clearly, we have observed with this [1B] phase, difficulties in the execution," Jean Brice Dumont told reporters during an Airbus media briefing at Le Bourget today.
The F-35’s future: Can the fifth-gen fighter withstand political, technological headwinds? [Video]
The F-35 has won every competition it's been in, but now is facing new hurdles from geopolitics and new sixth-gen fighters. What's the best path forward?
Belgian defense minister: FCAS, GCAP 6th-gen fighter projects show Europe failing to integrate
"There's [got] to be one European sixth-generation fighter jet, and then we can sell it to all the world. [That's] not the way we're doing it for the moment, and it's very frustrating," Minister Theo Francken said.
Michigan: Arsenal of Democracy for dangerous times
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
MBDA wants common weapons flying on SCAF, GCAP: Executive
MBDA’s Vice President for Europe Arnaud Rousset said that there needs to be “commonality” between both programs, as well as elsewhere across Europe.
Saab teases future fighter demonstrator concepts, awaits direction from Sweden
Sweden has yet to tell the defense firm exactly the capabilities it needs, but Saab knows "they want us to be fast and quick," a senior company official said.
A 7th-gen fighter? BAE has thoughts on what that could look like.
“We need to lose the generational name because aircraft are going to be evolving all the time," said BAE Systems’ combat air strategy director Mike Baulkwill.
Sweden asks Saab to study ‘future fighter concepts’
As Stockholm plots its way forward, Saab CEO Micael Johansson had called for such a study in a previous interview with Breaking Defense.
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France’s Thales and Spain’s Indra announce new collaboration agreement
The companies said they aim to work together on cyber defenses and other “critical [defense] systems” to strengthen Europe’s defense industrial base.
UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details
The joint effort to get a sixth-gen stealth fighter in the air by 2035 is to be headquartered in the UK, while a Japanese official will be the first program leader.
Spain signs $500M-plus deal for SIRTAP drones from Airbus
The Spanish Ministry of Defence said the aircraft will enter service in 2026 — an aggressive timeline considering Airbus only plans to have a prototype in the air by 2025.
Belgium to join Europe’s FCAS next-gen fighter program in June 2025
Once Brussels joins the program, details about the role it will play at both a funding and an industrial level are expected to be shared.