February, 2026 - currentdefencenews.com

February 25, 2026
Admin
Missile & Missile Defence
Mergers & JV

EDGE, Safran Join for Smart Weapons

The UAE’s EDGE Group and France’s Safran Electronics & Defense have signed an MoU to jointly develop and commercialize next-generation smart weapons. The partnership will combine EDGE’s manufacturing scale...

February 25, 2026
Admin
Land Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

BAE Plans Scalable Anti-Drone Arms

BAE Systems has signed an agreement with startup Frankenburg Technologies to explore scalable, low-cost counter-drone interceptors. Rather than relying solely on bespoke air defense systems, the partnership aims to...

February 25, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

BAE Delivers 100,000 APKWS Kits

BAE Systems has delivered its 100,000th Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kit, marking a major production milestone. The laser-guidance kit converts standard 70mm rockets into precision munitions capable of...

February 25, 2026
Admin
Land Platforms
New Product Launches

Germany Unveils Anti-Drone Vehicle Shield

Germany’s Mehler Protection has introduced SCILT, a vehicle-integrated counter-drone system built to defeat close-range unmanned threats. Designed to counter FPV drones, loitering munitions, and kamikaze systems, the platform embeds...

February 25, 2026
Admin
Naval Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

Sweden Selects Freire for 4 Naval Ships

Sweden has contracted Spain’s Freire Shipyard to build four naval support vessels designed for icy and harsh-weather operations. The 47-meter ships will carry 16 crew, operate for up to...

February 25, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
R&D

US Army to Upgrade Black Hawks for 2050+

The US Army is exploring a commercially driven midlife overhaul for its UH-60M Black Hawk fleet to keep the helicopters operational beyond 2050. Under a proposed plan, industry would...

February 24, 2026
Admin
Soldier Systems
New Product Launches

Rheinmetall Reveals Lighter Combat Gear

Rheinmetall has unveiled a new lightweight combat helmet and modular body armor system, designed to improve soldier protection while reducing fatigue. The equipment offers configurable protection levels, improved comfort,...

February 24, 2026
Admin
Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

Taiwan Plans 9 More Advanced SAM Systems

Taiwan’s planned acquisition of nine additional NASAMS air defense systems represents a major expansion of its layered air defense network. The systems will provide enhanced coverage of key radar...

February 24, 2026
Admin
Unmanned Systems
R&D

MQ-9B Gains Long-Range Naval Strike Role

General Atomics is adapting its MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian drones to carry long-range precision strike weapons such as JASSM and LRASM missiles. This capability will enable extended-range strike, maritime...

Rolls-Royce Wins Merkava Power-Pack Deal

Rolls-Royce Solutions America has secured a $73.5-million contract to deliver power-pack kits for Israel’s Merkava main battle tanks. The agreement supports sustainment and lifecycle maintenance of Israel’s armored fleet,...