Saab receives order to continue future fighter concept studies out to 2027
The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
The Indian Navy's Chetak utility helicopters are well overdue for replacement. (Gordon Arthur)
The Indian Navy’s (IN) Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) programme is years old but it has made little discernible progress. However, the project took another fork in the road when an RfI was released on 23 April to lease 24 utility helicopters.
Directed at OEMs, leasing firms and government export agencies, the RfI noted that the leasing period is for an initial five years, and will include the helicopters as well as maintenance support, performance-based logistics, ground support equipment and crew training.
This effort is one of the first after the MoD approved the leasing model by modifying the Defence Acquisition
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The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
The Gray Eagle STOL will be made available to several international militaries, with initial customer delivery planned for 2028.
The new Switchblade 400 was on display alongside new variants of existing drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20.
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
While the F-35s will help strengthen Denmark’s NATO contribution, other equipment such as a maritime patrol aircraft and additional drones were listed to further boost its Arctic defence capabilities.
The OmniRaider uncrewed aerial system is described by Israel Aerospace Industries as an “Americanised” version of its ThunderB-NG vertical take-off and landing UAS of which there are hundreds in service.