defence industry europe

HII and Thales demonstrate autonomous mine hunting with integrated detection and neutralization systems HII and Thales have demonstrated a mine-countermeasures system that brings autonomous search, AI-assisted analysis and remotely operated neutralization equipment under common mission control.

Saab says its own AI autonomously controlled Gripen E in beyond-visual-range combat trials Saab has flown its own AI agents aboard Gripen E, with an agent autonomously controlling the fighter during beyond-visual-range combat scenarios.

Germany orders two Patriot fire units to replace air defence systems supplied to Ukraine Germany has signed a contract for two Patriot fire units to replace systems transferred to Ukraine in August 2025.

MBDA to build airborne laser demonstrator for Germany to assess future aircraft weapons capability Germany's defence procurement agency has awarded MBDA Deutschland a contract to build an airborne laser demonstrator, laying the technical groundwork for potential laser weapons aboard aircraft.

F-35 Joint Program Office says new software enables transition to upgraded fleet maintenance system The F-35 Joint Program Office is beginning to retire the remaining elements of its ALIS logistics system after delivering the first ODIN operating software release and securing validation from the operational test squadron.

GE Aerospace receives orders for eight engines for Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers GE Aerospace has received orders for eight LM2500 marine gas turbines to power two future U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, extending its role as propulsion supplier for the class.

RENK acquires David Brown Defence to expand naval propulsion business in the UK RENK Group has completed its acquisition of David Brown Defence, adding submarine propulsion technology to its portfolio and extending its involvement in British and international naval programmes.

Navantia UK opens new Belfast fabrication hall to build three Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships Navantia UK has opened a new fabrication hall at Belfast's Harland & Wolff shipyard to support construction of three Fleet Solid Support ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

Spain's Indra introduces next-generation Prisma-S naval radar Indra is introducing its Prisma-S naval radar at Euronaval, with a design that combines air and surface surveillance with long-range target designation.

Safran says its navigation technology will support three French nuclear deterrence programmes Safran Electronics & Defense has been selected for three inertial navigation programmes supporting France's nuclear deterrent, covering third-generation ballistic-missile submarines, M51.4 missiles and Rafale fighters.

France's DGA receives Rafale aircraft for future F5 radar and weapons testing France's defence procurement agency DGA has delivered Rafale B374 to its flight-test centre for conversion into a flying laboratory for future F5 equipment and weapons.

L3Harris to equip German and Norwegian submarines with mast systems under TKMS contracts L3Harris Technologies has received two multimillion-dollar contracts from TKMS for mast-raising equipment and electronic control units for German and Norwegian submarines.

Leonardo DRS to support AeroVironment's LOCUST X3 production for U.S. Army's first high-energy laser weapon production program AeroVironment has selected Leonardo DRS to help integrate mobile laser weapons for the U.S. Army's Enduring-High Energy Laser program.

Greece orders three Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft with options for three more The first delivery is scheduled for 2027, adding airlift and air-to-air refuelling capacity to the Hellenic Air Force.

Lockheed Martin uses automation to shorten production time for its Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor Lockheed Martin is refining production of its QuadStar interceptor at Camden, Arkansas, using automation to shorten assembly times and prepare for higher output.

U.S. Navy says ESSM Block 2 deliveries reach 1,000 for 12-nation NATO SeaSparrow Consortium The NATO SeaSparrow program has delivered its 1,000th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Block 2, doubling cumulative deliveries since June 2025.

U.S. Navy pursues SSN(X) attack submarine with greater speed, stealth and weapons capacity The U.S. Navy is pursuing a larger, faster and more heavily armed successor to its Virginia-class attack submarines, while assessing whether its industrial base can build the new design.

Lithuania receives first Thales GM200 MM/C multifunction radar for its national division Lithuania has received its first Thales GM200 MM/C multifunction radar, adding to its national division's ability to locate enemy indirect-fire positions and improve artillery effectiveness.

ASELSAN signs cooperation agreements to support defence market expansion in Australia and Canada ASELSAN has signed agreements with Australian engineering company ECLIPS and Canadian investment firm CIEL Capital as it pursues growth in both defence markets.

Hypersonica raises €100 million to accelerate development of European hypersonic deep-strike systems Hypersonica has raised €100 million to step up testing and development of hypersonic deep-strike systems it aims to develop by 2029.

Ericsson introduces 5G drone detection system for defense and critical infrastructure protection Ericsson has introduced a system that uses mobile networks to detect and track low-flying drones, including those not connected to the network.

Elbit Systems to build SIGMA and PULS artillery training facility under 15-year Israeli agreement Israel's Ministry of Defense has signed a contract worth more than $190 million with Elbit Systems to establish a training facility for SIGMA self-propelled howitzer and PULS rocket launcher crews.

U.S. Navy selects Thales subsidiary for $53.9 million remote mine-hunting systems contract The U.S. Navy has awarded Thales subsidiary Advanced Acoustic Concepts a $53.9 million contract to produce and deliver two Remote Mine Hunting modules and provide engineering support.

Saab says new CB90 CX combat boat is in production for Sweden with strike and air defence roles Production is already under way for Sweden, the launch customer, which will operate the new vessel alongside the smaller CB90 NG.

U.S. Army prioritizes industrial modernization, supply-chain resilience and research partnerships The U.S. Army is pursuing closer ties with commercial businesses and research institutions as it modernizes production facilities and strengthens supply chains.

Lockheed Martin examines F-16 variant tailored to Ukraine with AESA radar and European weapons Lockheed Martin is considering an F-16 variant tailored to Ukraine, with an AESA radar, greater range and compatibility with a wider range of European weapons.

UK nuclear defence investment to rise by over £20 billion as submarine and warhead work expands Britain will invest more than £20 billion extra in its Defence Nuclear Enterprise over four years as submarine construction and warhead development increase demand for skilled workers and manufacturing capacity.

Indra backlog tops €22 billion as defence revenues double and IRIS² contracts lift orders Indra Group's backlog reached €22.165 billion at the end of September 2026, up from €9.512 billion a year earlier, as orders grew across its businesses.

From APKWS to LADAC: France joins the race for cheap laser-guided rockets to down drones France has fielded its own answer to the American APKWS, a low-cost guided rocket intended to spare expensive air-to-air missiles in the fight against one-way attack drones.

Boeing CEO says order for 22 more F-15EX fighters brings total under contract to 120 Boeing received a U.S. Air Force contract for 22 additional F-15EX fighters in the third quarter, bringing the number of aircraft under contract to 120, Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg said.