2026 - currentdefencenews.com

April 17, 2026
Admin
Naval Platforms
R&D

Rheinmetall Starts Final Type 424 Ship

Naval Vessels Lürssen has started production of the third and final Type 424 signals intelligence vessel for the Germany Navy. The ships will replace the aging Type 423 Oste-class...

April 17, 2026
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Unmanned Systems
Mergers & JV

DeltaQuad Expands Baltics via Meridein

DeltaQuad has partnered with Meridein Group OÜ to expand access to its unmanned aircraft across the Baltic region. The agreement centers on the DeltaQuad Evo, a long-range VTOL drone...

April 17, 2026
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Air Platforms
New Product Launches

Sikorsky Unveils Armed Black Hawk Kits

Sikorsky has introduced modular upgrade kits that allow the UH-60 Black Hawk to shift rapidly between transport and armed missions using the same airframe. Reconfiguration can reportedly be completed...

April 17, 2026
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Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

US Targets 2027 Sentinel Test Flight

The United States Air Force and Northrop Grumman are targeting a first flight of the LGM-35A Sentinel in 2027. The missile will replace the aging Minuteman III and modernize...

Netherlands Invests $293M in Drone JV

Netherlands has announced a €248 million investment in joint drone manufacturing with Ukraine. Production is planned in both countries under the Build with Ukraine initiative, which allows Ukrainian defense...

April 16, 2026
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Naval Platforms
R&D

India Develops New Submarine Coating

India is strengthening naval self-reliance through indigenous production of specialized submarine rubber tiles used to enhance underwater stealth. These advanced synthetic tiles are fixed to submarine hulls and help...

Fincantieri Wins $30M Landing Ship Deal

The US Navy has awarded Fincantieri Marine Group a $30-million contract to begin the first phase of its Medium Landing Ship program. The award funds long-lead materials and engineering...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

Australia Expands Missile Output Plan

Australia is accelerating sovereign missile manufacturing as NIOA and L3Harris renewed a strategic partnership to locally produce rocket motors and warheads. The agreement builds on a 2023 initiative supporting...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

UK Awards Boeing $1.2B Support Deal

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Boeing Defence UK an 879-million-pound contract to maintain the British Army’s Apache helicopters and Royal Air Force Chinook fleet. The three-year agreement...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Communication and Electronics
R&D

India Bets on 450km GaN Radars

India is moving to strengthen national early warning capability through plans for a new 4D Active Electronically Scanned Array surveillance radar using Gallium Nitride technology. The system is expected...