Defensehere Weekly: Top Global Defense News (13-19 Oct 2025)
Belgium received its first F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, with three aircraft landing at Florennes Air Base and a fourth delayed due to a technical issue.
Sikorsky has converted the UH-60L Black Hawk into an unmanned aircraft. The new system, completed in 10 months, eliminates the cockpit to increase cargo capacity by 25% and integrates Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy technology for remotely controlled flight.
General Atomics and Hanwha Aerospace signed an agreement to co-develop and co-produce the Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft.
Poland’s PGZ and Germany’s Rheinmetall signed an agreement to establish a European Support Vehicles Center in Poland for the joint production of armored recovery, engineering, and bridge-laying vehicles.
NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels to address deterrence, counter-drone measures, defense investments and continued support for Ukraine, agreeing to expand integrated counter-drone testing under Eastern Sentry.
Belgium and the Netherlands will jointly acquire the Norwegian NASAMS air defense system, developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon.
Germany and France signed an agreement to advance “Odin’s Eye,” a satellite-based early warning system designed to strengthen Europe’s missile detection capabilities.
Patria has completed its F-35 engine assembly and maintenance facility in Linnavuori, Finland, built under U.S. security standards to support F135 engine production and servicing as part of Finland’s F-35 program.
Germany ordered 20 additional Eurofighter aircraft, with deliveries from Airbus’s Manching facility set to begin in 2031.
Türkiye confirmed the purchase of 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the UK’s Royal Air Force. The aircraft will undergo modernization in the UK before entering service with the Turkish Air Force.
Indonesia’s Defense Minister has confirmed that Jakarta will acquire China’s J-10 fighter jets, marking the country’s first known purchase of Chinese-built combat aircraft.
The Netherlands joined the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program to develop autonomous unmanned systems, and partnered with General Atomics and VDL to produce ISR drones.
