Defense and Space

The Serbian government is to order nine H145M helicopters from Airbus as it pushes to modernize the country’s defenses after years of under investment.

Leonardo acquires full control of Sistemi Dinamici in a bid to widen its unmanned helicopter portfolio and consolidate its capabilities as a systems integrator.

The U.S. Air Force has launched another multi-billion dollar aircraft competition, this time to replace its fleet of second-hand Boeing 707-300-based Northrop Grumman E-8C Jstars tank hunters that first deployed as part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

The Sukhoi Su-35 is taking its place as China’s most powerful fighter, following the beginning of deliveries on Dec. 25.

Missile shields are second to the F-35 when it comes to international revenue for Lockheed Martin.

The Tu-154B-2 belonging to the Russian air force had stopped off in Sochi en route to Russia’s coastal airbase in Latakia, Syria, but went down less than one mile (1.5 km) from shore moments after takeoff.

A new Chinese satellite will give China an independent way to monitor carbon dioxide levels worldwide.

The Pentagon has selected Boeing to develop a tactical pod for a laser weapon system planned to one day equip the U.S. Air Force’s fighter aircraft.

The company plans to launch either a Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank weapon or the Cirit 70mm lightweight missile from one of the prototype Hurkus-As before the IDEF 2017 defense show in Istanbul.

The new deal for 30 of the advanced jet trainers would follow previous orders for 66 aircraft in 2004 and 57 in 2010.

Whether the Trump election in the U.S. or the Brexit vote in the UK, 2016 delivered shocks to the global aerospace and defense industry that will reverberate through 2017.

Applications for small satellites—from Earth observation to virtual reality—will continue to expand in 2017.

Russian aggression is prompting stronger European defense relationships and greater spending on military equipment modernization.

With new UAVs, P-8s and Apaches, Britain is ticking off its defense review shopping list.

Ongoing terrorist threats in the Middle East and at home motivate increases in French defense spending on equipment and to support military personnel.

The cost of operational demands—from Eastern Ukraine to Syria—are adding up

Despite the oil and gas price slump and two costly regional conflicts, the Middle East is still an influential fighter market.

Ankara continues its defense modernization, but is facing fiscal and political challenges, especially with Western allies.

Surrounded by increasingly sophisticated air defenses, Israel beefs up its air force and electronic warfare prowess.

The first Japanese F-35A was delivered to the Japanese air force detachment at Luke AFB, Arizona, in November 2016

South Korean Parliament Refuses To Lift F-35 Budget

Despite slower budget growth in 2016, new fighter jets, UAVs and missiles are likely to begin operations in 2017.

Berlin is planning to spend an extra €10 billion on defense by 2020.

Purchase of Rafale fighters and rising personnel costs consume much of India’s limited modernization funds.

Australia and Thailand in spending moods, buying new maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and subs.