Canada is reconsidering its F-35 fighter jet procurement to replace its CF-18s, according to former defense chief Gen. (Ret’d) Tom Lawson. Defense Minister Bill Blair’s announcement has sparked concern over the potential impact on Canada’s defense readiness and its role in the multinational F-35 program. More than 36 Canadian companies have earned over US$3.3 billion through supply contracts, with each F-35 including about US$2.3 million in Canadian parts. Lawson warns that withdrawing could delay aircraft replacement and diminish capabilities, while Lockheed Martin would likely find other buyers. He argues that continued participation is vital for Canada’s defense and industrial interests. […]
Month: March 2025
MBDA CEO Calls for European Unity on Laser Weapons, Highlights Independence from U.S. Supply Chain
MBDA CEO Eric Béranger urged European countries to collaborate on laser weapon development during a speech in Paris. He noted that while nations like the UK, France, Germany, and Italy are not yet cooperating on such systems, he remains confident they eventually will. Béranger emphasized MBDA’s readiness to lead these joint efforts and pointed to the company’s role in national programs like the UK’s DragonFire and France’s HELMA-P. He also stressed MBDA’s capability to deliver sovereign systems without relying on American supply chains. This independence aligns with growing European calls for defense autonomy amid shifting global alliances. Original news
Australia Accelerates Defense Spending with Historic Boost, Receives First HIMARS Units
Australia will fast-track A$1 billion in defense spending as part of its federal budget, Defense Minister Richard Marles announced on Monday. This move is part of a broader A$10.6 billion increase over four years to strengthen the country’s military capabilities. Key priorities include development of the AUKUS submarine base, expansion of the frigate program, and domestic missile manufacturing. Marles described the investment as the largest defense boost since World War II. Australia also received its first two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from Lockheed Martin and plans to begin producing GMLRS later this year. Original news
Saab Integrates AI Co-Pilot in Gripen E, Reveals Next-Gen Drone Development
Saab is preparing to equip its Gripen E combat aircraft with an advanced AI agent developed in partnership with European defense AI company Helsing to assist pilots in beyond-visual-range (BVR) air combat. The AI system has been trained on data equivalent to 1.2 million flight hours—about 140 years of BVR training—using high-performance GPUs. While specific pilot-assist functions remain undisclosed, the AI may suggest optimal missile engagement maneuvers, such as cranking, to improve kill probability. Saab, a 5% stakeholder in Helsing, is also progressing with an uncrewed demonstrator aircraft, codenamed Ruby, developed through additive manufacturing and powered by a GE J85 […]
Italy Pauses Starlink Talks Amid Geopolitical Concerns and Political Pushback
Italy has paused its negotiations with Elon Musk’s Starlink over a potential deal to provide encrypted satellite communications for the Italian government. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto cited geopolitical tensions and controversial remarks related to Musk as reasons for the stall. Despite Starlink’s leading role in satellite technology, Italian opposition parties raised concerns about relying on a foreign businessman for national security infrastructure. Talks are expected to resume at a technical level once tensions ease. Meanwhile, Musk’s representative in Italy, Andrea Stroppa, stated Starlink could still serve as a short-term solution for the country’s satellite needs. Original news
Rolls-Royce Weighs U.S. Expansion to Counter Trump-Era Tariffs
Rolls-Royce is considering expanding its manufacturing operations in the United States to offset the impact of tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump. The British company already employs 6,000 people across 11 U.S. sites and is looking to shift production from countries like China to avoid additional trade penalties. Rolls-Royce supplies key U.S. defense firms, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The move highlights growing concerns about the economic fallout from escalating tariffs between the U.S. and Europe. John Denton of the International Chamber of Commerce cautioned that such tariffs could trigger broader economic contraction, particularly affecting the UK. Original news
Anduril Considers New UK Drone Factory Amid Surge in Defense Tech Manufacturing
Defense tech firms are increasingly investing in factory infrastructure, with Anduril having announced a billion-dollar “megafactory” in Ohio earlier this year. Following this trend, Anduril is now exploring plans to build a new drone production and R&D facility in the UK, potentially near Oxford or Cambridge. The move would depend on securing sufficient orders, according to Rich Drake, Anduril’s general manager for the UK and Europe. This comes as other firms like Saronic also plan factories to mass-produce autonomous warships, signaling a broader industry push toward scaled manufacturing. The UK facility would further strengthen Anduril’s presence in Europe’s expanding defense […]
Trump Weighs Lifting Sanctions on Turkey, Reviving F-16 and Potential F-35 Fighter Jet Sales
President Donald Trump is considering lifting sanctions on Turkey and resuming U.S. fighter jet sales after talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Negotiations are ongoing for a $23 billion deal involving 40 new F-16s and upgrade kits for 79 existing jets. Trump is also open to reintroducing Turkey into the F-35 program if a solution is found to neutralize its Russian S-400 missile system, such as disassembling or relocating it. Legal and technical consultations are underway to avoid violating the CAATSA sanctions law. Erdogan’s office emphasized Turkey’s goal of ending the sanctions and completing both the F-16 and F-35 […]
Europe Races to Rearm Amid U.S. Uncertainty, Embracing Drones and Defense Startups Over Legacy Systems
In response to shifting U.S. policies and rising threats from Russia, Europe is investing €800 billion to rapidly rearm and build defense autonomy, including a €150 billion loan package and fiscal reforms to boost military spending. Traditional European defense firms like Rheinmetall and Thales have seen their stocks soar, but the Ukraine war has revealed a new kind of warfare dominated by cheap, effective drones rather than tanks or heavy systems. This shift is fueling a boom in European defense-tech startups, such as Quantum Systems and Helsing AI, which are developing AI-powered drones and other cost-effective battlefield technologies. The European […]
Hanwha Aerospace Launches $2.5 Billion Stock Sale to Fund Global Expansion
Hanwha Aerospace announced plans to raise 3.6 trillion won ($2.5 billion) through a record stock sale approved by its board on Thursday. The capital will support investments in the defense, maritime, and aerospace sectors. The company aims to establish strategic production bases in regions such as Europe and the United States. Hanwha targets 70 trillion won in sales and 10 trillion won in operating profit by 2035. CEO Son Jae-il stated the initiative will position the company as a “global top-tier” player. Original news
MBDA to Expand Italian Operations to Meet Rising Defense Demand
MBDA plans to boost production capacity in Italy to keep pace with growing defense needs and increasing competition from firms like Lockheed Martin and Saab. The investment includes expanding research labs in Rome and opening new production lines near Naples and Parma. MBDA Italy Managing Director Giovanni Soccodato stressed the importance of strengthening Italy’s role in the European defense industry. The company also aims to hire 300 new employees by 2025 to support the expansion. The move reflects a broader push to enhance European defense capabilities amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Original news
Sweden Boosts Air Defense with New Meteor Missile Deal for Gripen Jets
Sweden’s FMV has signed a third procurement agreement with MBDA for Meteor missiles to equip the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. The missiles will be delivered by MBDA UK through the international Meteor program, with deliveries beginning in 2025. FMV’s Martin Anderberg emphasized that the deal strengthens Sweden’s national and NATO-integrated air defense capabilities. MBDA CEO Éric Béranger highlighted increased production to meet surging demand, noting the company’s €37 billion backlog. He described the current climate as a “historic” era for European rearmament. Original news
France to Acquire More Rafale Jets and Upgrade Luxeuil Air Base for Nuclear-Capable Operations by 2035
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to purchase more Dassault Rafale fighter jets and invest approximately €1.5 billion to upgrade the Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur air base. The investment aims to prepare the base for hosting nuclear weapons and equipping French Air Force squadrons with advanced nuclear missile capabilities. Although Macron did not specify the number of jets to be ordered, the base is expected to host two squadrons of F5-standard Rafale jets. These jets will be armed with ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missiles, developed by MBDA France. The upgrades and deployments are planned to be completed by 2035. Original news
Sweden’s prime minister says that buying US weapons is not a security risk
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk but emphasized the need for Europe to lessen its reliance on American defense equipment. His remarks come as Canada reviews its Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet contract amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, Kristersson called for bolstering Europe’s own defense industry. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed the urgency of action, urging European leaders to increase support for Ukraine. Her call follows a brief pause in U.S. intelligence sharing and arms shipments to Kyiv. Original […]
Danish Defense Chair Urges NATO to Rethink U.S. Arms Purchases
Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of Denmark’s parliamentary defense committee, warned NATO countries against buying U.S. military equipment like Lockheed Martin’s F-35s, citing security risks over American control of spare parts. Jarlov expressed regret over Denmark’s 2016 decision to procure the F-35, for which 27 units were funded in 2017 and eight have been delivered. He argued that such dependency could compromise national sovereignty. His comments come amid rising concerns in Europe, with Portugal’s defense minister also questioning U.S. reliability. The remarks add to growing skepticism across the continent regarding future U.S.-supplied defense platforms. Original news