April, 2026 - currentdefencenews.com

April 21, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
R&D

India to Get Rafale F5 With 6 Meteors

Dassault’s upcoming Rafale F5 variant may gain the ability to carry six Meteor air-to-air missiles instead of the current four, greatly strengthening long-range combat capability. The change is linked...

Brazil, EDGE Team on Naval Cyber

The Brazilian Navy has partnered with EDGE of the UAE to enhance protection of military networks and maritime infrastructure against cyber threats. Signed in São Paulo, the agreement covers...

Shield AI V-BAT Eyes $800M Navy Deal

Shield AI has announced participation in a US Navy intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance program valued at up to $800 million, offering its V-BAT drone system. The VTOL platform features...

April 21, 2026
Admin
Unmanned Systems
R&D

Rheinmetall, Kraken Start K3 Production

Rheinmetall has launched full-rate manufacturing of the Kraken K3 Scout autonomous surface vessel, signaling growing demand for unmanned maritime platforms. Built in Hamburg through Rheinmetall Kraken GmbH, the vessel...

April 21, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

Australia Gets New Growler Jammer Pods

Australia has taken delivery of the first Raytheon Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods intended for integration with its EA-18G Growler aircraft. The pods form part of a broader modernization...

April 21, 2026
Admin
Weapons and Munition
R&D

Leonardo Adds Full C-UAS for Ships

Leonardo DRS has introduced its Maritime Mission Equipment Package as a fast-fit naval counter-UAS solution for manned and unmanned vessels. The package merges radar and EO/IR sensors to locate,...

April 21, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
R&D

Talon IQ Switches AI Mid-Flight

Northrop Grumman recently completed a flight test in which the Talon IQ aircraft transferred control between multiple AI “brains” mid-mission. The aircraft moved from Prism autonomy software to separate...

US Clears $11.9B Aegis Sale to Germany

Germany has moved closer to fielding advanced missile-defense frigates after Washington cleared an $11.9 billion Aegis combat system package. The proposed deal includes eight shipsets featuring SPY-6 radars, Mk...

April 21, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

Bell Opens Ukraine Unit for H-1 Sales

Bell Textron has created a Ukrainian subsidiary to advance potential rotorcraft sales and local aerospace cooperation. The initiative centers on possible AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom deliveries for Ukraine,...

Echodyne Supplies Radar for C-UAS

Echodyne has been selected to supply EchoShield radar systems for Trust Automation’s SUADS counter-UAS program under a US Air Force framework valued at up to $490 million. The radar...