Tim Martin

Though planned purchases are short of a targeted 131-plane fleet, the ministry of defense says the buy will "improve Italy's geopolitical positioning" in the context of European security.

French manufacturer Thales, which makes the air defense platforms under the Eurosam joint venture with European missile house MBDA, welcomed the French order, calling it “an additional step towards the renewal of the European Medium-Range Air Defence ground capabilities.”

The cooperation agreement builds off steps taken by both parties in September 2023 to set “prerequisites” for the development of a “first laser weapon” including a commitment to make “internal preparations” for the new platform’s development phase.

The UK said that “without” the new agreement signed today, “the long-term, secure operation of the [Diego Garcia] military base would be under threat, with contested sovereignty and legal challenges — including through various international courts and tribunals.”

NHIndustries has suffered high-profile blows as three capitals backed out of helicopter deals, but CEO Alex Aloccio said he sees "lots of commercial opportunities" as the helos get outfitted with new tech and capabilities.

Northrop has developed a prototype of the new gun, completed a phase of "internal live firing" and plans on new live fire trials based off a 4x4 sized vehicle, "similar to a JLTV [Joint Light Tactical Vehicle]" type, in the "next six months," said a company representative.

"The message from industry that we have to share the risk of building war capacity between government and industry has been well heard," said Morten Brandtaeg, Nammo CEO.

"We’re aiming for cross-development, cross-buying and cross-use basically, because we need to align and ease up the supply chains and be able to sustain the vehicles," Maj. Gen. Jonny Lindfors, Commander of the Swedish Army, told Breaking Defense.

WESTERLY — The United's Halloween celebration is so monstrous this year that it is spread over three nights, beginning with the “Witch, Please” drag

“I'm confident in the [T-7A] capability such that we have the facilities. It's not technical problems. It's more … stop-and-go in production that we need to get the flow going right," Saab CEO Micael Johansson told investors.