2026 - currentdefencenews.com

US Marines Procure Scorpion Mortar

The US Marine Corps has awarded Global Military Products a contract for the Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar system, designed to deliver rapid indirect fire support during distributed operations....

Netherlands Eyes Major Armored Deal

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence is evaluating a multi-billion-dollar program that could see Van Halteren Technologies selected to produce approximately 400 armored combat support vehicles for the Royal Netherlands...

March 2, 2026
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Land Platforms
New Product Launches

Hanwha Rolls Out Australian AS9 Howitzers

Hanwha Defence has unveiled the first three Australian-built AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers at its Geelong Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence, advancing Australia’s LAND 8116 artillery modernization effort. The program...

March 2, 2026
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Air Platforms
R&D

Rolls Completes F130 Tests for B-52J

Rolls-Royce has finalized altitude and operability testing for the F130 engine destined to power the US Air Force’s upgraded B-52J Stratofortress fleet. Conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex...

March 2, 2026
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Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

Belgium Deploys NASAMS at Antwerp Port

Belgium has announced plans to deploy a NASAMS air defense battery at the Port of Antwerp beginning in 2027 to safeguard critical logistics and industrial infrastructure from aerial threats....

UK Warship Neutralizes Drone Threats

The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan successfully intercepted multiple aerial and surface drone threats during a complex live and synthetic training exercise conducted off MOD Aberporth. Organized with Fleet...

Macron to Set Out How France Nuclear Arms

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to outline potential adjustments to France’s nuclear doctrine at the Ile Longue submarine base, signaling how the EU’s only nuclear arsenal could contribute...

February 28, 2026
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Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

Leonardo Set for $1.3B UK Contract

The UK government is expected to award Leonardo a £1 billion contract to produce 23 medium-lift military helicopters, safeguarding thousands of jobs at its Yeovil facility. The agreement secures...

February 27, 2026
Admin
Unmanned Systems
Procurement & Contracts

US Orders More AeroVironment Drones

AeroVironment has secured a $186-million order from the US Army for its Switchblade 600 and Switchblade 300 loitering munitions under a broader five-year contract potentially worth $990 million. The...

February 27, 2026
Admin
Naval Platforms
Mergers & JV

New EU Patrol Corvette JV Launched

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and Spanish defense firm Navantia have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture supporting the European Patrol Corvette (EPC) initiative. Backed by the...