FlightAcesHigh
@flightaceshigh.bsky.social
European Defence Editor and Flight International Editor for FlightGlobal.com, covering all things military aviation. And a lapsed biker.
UK Ministry of Defence signs ECRS Mk2 radar production deal for Royal Air Force Tranche 3 Eurofighter Typhoon upgrade. Covers 38 sensors from Leonardo for integration by BAE Systems' Air unit. Service entry will be the late-2020s. www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-s...
UK signs ECRS Mk2 radar production deal for Royal Air Force’s Tranche 3 Typhoon upgrade
The UK Royal Air Force will operationally field an active electronically scanned array radar on a portion of its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet from late this decade, via an integration contract announced ...
www.flightglobal.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:09 AM
UK Ministry of Defence signs ECRS Mk2 radar production deal for Royal Air Force Tranche 3 Eurofighter Typhoon upgrade. Covers 38 sensors from Leonardo for integration by BAE Systems' Air unit. Service entry will be the late-2020s. www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-s...
I've just updated my story from yesterday about the UAE military ordering a variety of VTOL UAVs, as the numbers are significant - EDGE says it will provide 76 of the ANAVIA HT-100 and 92 of the larger HT-750; both pictured. www.flightglobal.com/defence/edge...
January 22, 2026 at 8:27 AM
I've just updated my story from yesterday about the UAE military ordering a variety of VTOL UAVs, as the numbers are significant - EDGE says it will provide 76 of the ANAVIA HT-100 and 92 of the larger HT-750; both pictured. www.flightglobal.com/defence/edge...
EDGE awarded contracts to supply uncrewed HT-100 and logistics gyrocopter to UAE military. 'Logistics gyrocopter' sounds fun - trying to find out more details on the design. And EDGE also has signed a new JV with Qatar's Barzan Holdings. www.flightglobal.com/defence/edge...
EDGE awarded contracts to supply uncrewed HT-100 and logistics gyrocopter to UAE military
EDGE has received a pair of new contracts to produce uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the United Arab Emirates' armed forces.
www.flightglobal.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:48 AM
EDGE awarded contracts to supply uncrewed HT-100 and logistics gyrocopter to UAE military. 'Logistics gyrocopter' sounds fun - trying to find out more details on the design. And EDGE also has signed a new JV with Qatar's Barzan Holdings. www.flightglobal.com/defence/edge...
Germany awards Top Aces 10-year contract extension for adversary air training services using A-4N Skyhawk and Alpha Jet fleets. Canadian company has been supporting Bundeswehr mission training since 2015. www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...
Germany awards Top Aces 10-year contract extension for adversary air training services
Top Aces has landed a 10-year contract extension worth a potential €420 million ($490 million) to continue its delivery of advanced adversary air training services to the German armed forces.
www.flightglobal.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:27 AM
Germany awards Top Aces 10-year contract extension for adversary air training services using A-4N Skyhawk and Alpha Jet fleets. Canadian company has been supporting Bundeswehr mission training since 2015. www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...
GA-ASI advances MQ-20 Avenger autonomy tests with simulated air-to-air engagement against crewed aggressor platform. Demonstration included use of Anduril-supplied IRST sensor. www.flightglobal.com/defence/ga-a...
GA-ASI advances Avenger autonomy tests with simulated air-to-air engagement
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' (GA-ASI's) MQ-20 Avenger remotely piloted air system has conducted a successful 'mission autonomy flight' culminating with a simulated air-to-air engagement.
www.flightglobal.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:32 PM
GA-ASI advances MQ-20 Avenger autonomy tests with simulated air-to-air engagement against crewed aggressor platform. Demonstration included use of Anduril-supplied IRST sensor. www.flightglobal.com/defence/ga-a...
QinetiQ gets follow-on engineering support contract for Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fleet: worth £205 million over a five-year duration. (Crown Copyright image credit). www.flightglobal.com/defence/qine...
Qinetiq gets follow-on engineering support contract for RAF’s Typhoon fleet
Qinetiq has secured a five-year contract extension from the UK Ministry of Defence to provide "mission-critical engineering services" in support of the Royal Air Force's (RAF's) Eurofighter Typhoon fl...
www.flightglobal.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:17 PM
QinetiQ gets follow-on engineering support contract for Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fleet: worth £205 million over a five-year duration. (Crown Copyright image credit). www.flightglobal.com/defence/qine...
Royal Danish Air Force prepares to send its final Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters into retirement, with 18 Jan event to be staged at Skrydstrup base. Nation now relies on growing fleet of stealthy F-35s. www.flightglobal.com/defence/roya...
Royal Danish Air Force prepares to send its final F-16 fighters into retirement
The Royal Danish Air Force will stage a farewell event at its Skrydstrup air base on 18 January as the service prepares to conclude operations with the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter.
www.flightglobal.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Royal Danish Air Force prepares to send its final Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters into retirement, with 18 Jan event to be staged at Skrydstrup base. Nation now relies on growing fleet of stealthy F-35s. www.flightglobal.com/defence/roya...
Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where the defence team discusses the US special forces raid on Venezuela - and has a bit of chat about Trump's expansionist ambitions re Greenland, and probably beyond... open.spotify.com/show/4FH4ee7...
Breaking down the US raid on Venezuela
open.spotify.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where the defence team discusses the US special forces raid on Venezuela - and has a bit of chat about Trump's expansionist ambitions re Greenland, and probably beyond... open.spotify.com/show/4FH4ee7...
EDGE, Indra sign pact to establish Spanish loitering munition joint venture. Will draw on UAE company's expertise with products like the Hunter 2-S. www.flightglobal.com/defence/edge...
EDGE, Indra sign pact to establish Spanish loitering munition joint venture
United Arab Emirates defence house EDGE has signed an agreement with Spanish company Indra "focused on the development, production and lifecycle support of loitering munitions and smart weapons for Sp...
www.flightglobal.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:24 PM
EDGE, Indra sign pact to establish Spanish loitering munition joint venture. Will draw on UAE company's expertise with products like the Hunter 2-S. www.flightglobal.com/defence/edge...
Swedish military to field first space-based ISR capability in 2026, having signed multi-year contracts with ICEYE and Planet Labs. Stockholm had previously planned to do so by 2030 only. www.flightglobal.com/defence/swed...
Swedish military to field first space-based ISR capability this year
Sweden has signed deals with Finland's ICEYE and Planet Labs of the USA to field a space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability from later this year.
www.flightglobal.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Swedish military to field first space-based ISR capability in 2026, having signed multi-year contracts with ICEYE and Planet Labs. Stockholm had previously planned to do so by 2030 only. www.flightglobal.com/defence/swed...
Germany orders eight General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs, for delivery from 2028. Will operate alongside its navy's incoming Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet. Story by my colleague Greg Waldron www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...
Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs
Germany has ordered eight General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft.
www.flightglobal.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Germany orders eight General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs, for delivery from 2028. Will operate alongside its navy's incoming Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet. Story by my colleague Greg Waldron www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...
Denmark advances on $45m Hellfire missile acquisition from USA - presumably for integration with its future four MQ-9B SkyGuardians, rather than defence of Greenland... www.flightglobal.com/defence/denm...
Denmark advances on $45m Hellfire missile acquisition from USA
Denmark has secured approval from the US Department of State to advance a planned acquisition of up to 100 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R Hellfire air-to-surface missiles.
www.flightglobal.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Denmark advances on $45m Hellfire missile acquisition from USA - presumably for integration with its future four MQ-9B SkyGuardians, rather than defence of Greenland... www.flightglobal.com/defence/denm...
Malta signs deals for extra @TextronAviation King Air maritime patrol aircraft and @Leonardo_live AW139 helicopter. Will boost nation's Air Wing fleet of each type to 4 examples. Photo use courtesy of Peter Foster www.flightglobal.com/defence/malt...
Malta signs deals for extra King Air maritime patrol aircraft and AW139 helicopter
The Armed Forces of Malta Air Wing is to expand its fleets of Beechcraft King Air maritime patrol aircraft and Leonardo Helicopters AW139 rotorcraft, via follow-on contracts signed last month.
www.flightglobal.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Malta signs deals for extra @TextronAviation King Air maritime patrol aircraft and @Leonardo_live AW139 helicopter. Will boost nation's Air Wing fleet of each type to 4 examples. Photo use courtesy of Peter Foster www.flightglobal.com/defence/malt...
ProMedia Group expands internationally with acquisition of transport and HR titles from DVV Media International - an exciting new era for us at FlightGlobal! www.flightglobal.com/promedia-gro...
ProMedia Group expands internationally with acquisition of transport and HR titles from DVV Media International
Dutch professional publisher ProMedia Group has acquired the aviation, transport and HR portfolios of the UK-based DVV Media International. With the acquisition of renowned titles such as FlightGlobal...
www.flightglobal.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:56 AM
ProMedia Group expands internationally with acquisition of transport and HR titles from DVV Media International - an exciting new era for us at FlightGlobal! www.flightglobal.com/promedia-gro...
How @TEKEVER is driving UAS innovation as AR3 Evo testing accelerates at West Wales Airport site. From my visit for flight demonstration event late last year. I'd last been there in 2004, as the-then 'ParcAberporth' opened its doors! www.flightglobal.com/defence/how-...
How Tekever is driving UAS innovation as AR3 Evo testing accelerates at West Wales Airport site
With more than 50,000h of operational experience having been accumulated by its uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) over the battleground in Ukraine, Tekever is certainly no stranger to its equipment being ...
www.flightglobal.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:09 PM
How @TEKEVER is driving UAS innovation as AR3 Evo testing accelerates at West Wales Airport site. From my visit for flight demonstration event late last year. I'd last been there in 2004, as the-then 'ParcAberporth' opened its doors! www.flightglobal.com/defence/how-...
Germany signs deal to launch production of Taurus Neo cruise missiles for Luftwaffe. MBDA and Saab will be updating 500km-range weapon from the current KEPD 350 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...
Germany signs deal to launch production of Taurus Neo cruise missiles for Luftwaffe
Europe's Taurus Systems joint venture has been awarded a contract by the German BAAINBw defence procurement body to produce Taurus air-launched cruise missiles in an enhanced Neo-version standard.
www.flightglobal.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Germany signs deal to launch production of Taurus Neo cruise missiles for Luftwaffe. MBDA and Saab will be updating 500km-range weapon from the current KEPD 350 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/germ...
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of F-16 Block 70 deliveries for Slovakia, and first-batch shipments of the type to Bulgaria. Bratislava has fielded 14, and Sofia 8 (with a follow-on deal in place for another 8). www.flightglobal.com/defence/lock...
Lockheed completes F-16 deliveries for Slovakia and first batch shipments to Bulgaria
Lockheed Martin has completed deliveries of F-16C/D Block 70 fighters to Slovakia, and also handed over the last jets from an initial-tranche buy placed by Bulgaria.
www.flightglobal.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of F-16 Block 70 deliveries for Slovakia, and first-batch shipments of the type to Bulgaria. Bratislava has fielded 14, and Sofia 8 (with a follow-on deal in place for another 8). www.flightglobal.com/defence/lock...
Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where the defence team looks back at some of the biggest stories from 2025 - from new Chinese jets and the F-47 to Ukraine's fighter interest, India/Pakistan clash, Midnight Hammer, CCAs and more! open.spotify.com/show/4FH4ee7...
2025 defence in review - the best and worst of the year
open.spotify.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where the defence team looks back at some of the biggest stories from 2025 - from new Chinese jets and the F-47 to Ukraine's fighter interest, India/Pakistan clash, Midnight Hammer, CCAs and more! open.spotify.com/show/4FH4ee7...
Brazilian army takes delivery of its first of 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Pic shows rotorcraft's arrival in the country on 20 November, via US Air Force C-17. www.flightglobal.com/defence/braz...
Brazilian army takes delivery of its first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter
Brazil's army has formally taken delivery of its first Sikorsky UH-60M utility helicopter, one month after the rotorcraft arrived in the country aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17 strategic transport.
www.flightglobal.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Brazilian army takes delivery of its first of 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Pic shows rotorcraft's arrival in the country on 20 November, via US Air Force C-17. www.flightglobal.com/defence/braz...
Spain formalises 100-unit order with Airbus Helicopters, becomes H175M launch customer. Deal also includes H135s, H145Ms and NH Industries NH90s. Story (and image) by my colleague Dominic Perry www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/...
December 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Spain formalises 100-unit order with Airbus Helicopters, becomes H175M launch customer. Deal also includes H135s, H145Ms and NH Industries NH90s. Story (and image) by my colleague Dominic Perry www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/...
Worth noting that Embraer handed over the first five (of 12) A-29Ns to Portugal one year and one day after Lisbon signed a contract for the NATO-standard aircraft. New type will replace its aged TB30 Epsilon trainers, also taking on close air support role. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Worth noting that Embraer handed over the first five (of 12) A-29Ns to Portugal one year and one day after Lisbon signed a contract for the NATO-standard aircraft. New type will replace its aged TB30 Epsilon trainers, also taking on close air support role. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
Portugal takes delivery of first five Embraer A-29N Super Tucanos and eyes potential for in-country final assembly line. Would support sales to prospective extra European customers if established at Beja air base. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
Portugal takes delivery of first Embraer A-29Ns and eyes potential for final assembly line
Portugal has taken delivery of its first five of 12 A-29N Super Tucano training and close air support aircraft, with Lisbon also announcing a partnership with Embraer to explore the establishment of a...
www.flightglobal.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Portugal takes delivery of first five Embraer A-29N Super Tucanos and eyes potential for in-country final assembly line. Would support sales to prospective extra European customers if established at Beja air base. www.flightglobal.com/portugal-tak...
Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition - deliveries of 12 training and light-attack aircraft to start in 2028. Austria is launch customer for the enhanced Block 20 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition
Leonardo is to start work on the Austrian air force's future fleet of 12 M-346 F Block 20 training and light-attack aircraft, having received a contract award via Italy's Directorate of Aeronautical A...
www.flightglobal.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition - deliveries of 12 training and light-attack aircraft to start in 2028. Austria is launch customer for the enhanced Block 20 standard. www.flightglobal.com/defence/leon...
UK launches low-cost cruise missile test flights for Ministry of Defence's Brakestop requirement. No details on bidder involved; image of MBDA Crossbow purely for illustration. Plus, Defence Investment Plan completion expected "within days". www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-l...
UK launches low-cost cruise missile test flights for Brakestop requirement
The first test firing of a low-cost cruise missile candidate for the UK Ministry of Defence's Brakestop programme has been conducted.
www.flightglobal.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
UK launches low-cost cruise missile test flights for Ministry of Defence's Brakestop requirement. No details on bidder involved; image of MBDA Crossbow purely for illustration. Plus, Defence Investment Plan completion expected "within days". www.flightglobal.com/defence/uk-l...
C-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says. Points to nation's experience with 12-strong in-service fleet, JV with Tata producing aircraft's empennage, and investment in new Bengaluru MRO site. www.flightglobal.com/defence/c-13...
C-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says
Lockheed Martin is confident that its C-130J is best placed to meet the Indian air force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement, with the US company highlighting its existing relationship with ...
www.flightglobal.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
C-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says. Points to nation's experience with 12-strong in-service fleet, JV with Tata producing aircraft's empennage, and investment in new Bengaluru MRO site. www.flightglobal.com/defence/c-13...