Defensehere Weekly: Top Global Defense News (20-26 Oct 2025)
Bulgaria has received two more F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the United States, bringing its total to six. The remaining two will arrive by the end of 2025.
The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation has signed a 4.5 billion euro deal to expand the Boxer program for Germany and the Netherlands, adding 270 new vehicles.
Türkiye has chosen Marshall Aerospace to maintain its 12 newly acquired C-130J Super Hercules aircraft under a multi-year support deal.
Britain's Martlet multirole missile completed live trials in the United Kingdom and France and is now cleared for front line deployment.
Germany has awarded General Dynamics European Land Systems a 3 billion euro contract to supply LUCHS 2 reconnaissance vehicles to replace the Fennek fleet.
Sweden has received its first Saab Gripen E fighter jet, marking a key step in modernizing its air force and strengthening national defense.
Singapore’s ST Engineering has launched the first Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel for the Navy, the first of six to be delivered from 2028.
Türkiye’s Bayraktar KIZILELMA has completed a test flight with ASELSAN’s MURAD 100-A AESA radar, boosting its air and ground combat capabilities.
France will order 61 additional Rafale fighter jets under its 2026 defense budget, expanding the fleet to 286 aircraft for air and naval forces.
South Korea has launched its first 3,600-ton attack submarine built by Hanwha Ocean, enhancing its underwater strike and deterrence capabilities.
Spain has deployed its S-81 submarine built by Navantia for its first NATO mission under Operation Sea Guardian.
The U.S. Army has ordered nine more CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing in a $461 million deal, expanding its heavy-lift helicopter fleet.
Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene has resigned after a policy dispute with the Prime Minister over defense spending and budget priorities.
Sweden and Ukraine have signed a letter of intent to explore the export of up to 150 Gripen fighter jets, marking Sweden’s largest potential arms deal.
Korea Aerospace Industries and MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding at Seoul ADEX to integrate the SPEAR missile on the KF 21 fighter.
Shield AI has unveiled X-BAT, an AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet revealed in Washington, designed for autonomous operations in denied and maritime environments.
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales have agreed to merge their space activities into a single European company by 2027 to strengthen Europe’s role in the global space sector.
Russian company Yakovlev has completed fabrication of the second prototype of the Yak-130M advanced trainer light combat aircraft.
Estonia has signed an agreement with South Korea to acquire Hanwha’s Chunmoo rocket system.
Kongsberg has opened a national F-35 maintenance hub in Norway, providing independent heavy maintenance and upgrade capability for the Norwegian Air Force.
Türkiye’s ASFAT has announced the successful live firing tests of PNS Khaibar, the second corvette built for Pakistan under the MILGEM Project.
Kongsberg and Thales reported a successful Naval Strike Missile live fire from the StrikeMaster launcher, supporting Australian production.
Saab has appointed former astronaut and Swedish Air Force pilot Marcus Wandt as Senior Vice President to lead its new Group Strategy and Technology division.