Defence Notes
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Defence Notes
Read the latest general defence news and company announcements from our team of expert journalists and analysts, giving you the 'so what' behind the latest headlines.
Air Warfare
Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies
Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) industrial plan is ambitious and promises big spending in an effort to create a local and sovereign capability. Companies at last week’s Australian International Airshow near Melbourne were making their pitches.
Naval Warfare
Russia and Ukraine agree maritime ceasefire – then Russia attaches strings
Tentative peace in the Black Sea broke down almost immediately amid Russian demands for a financial climb-down from the EU.
Defence Notes
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
Land Warfare
Babcock secures £1.6 billion MoD contract extension to support British Army readiness
The five-year contract extension will be applied to the existing 10-year DSG Service Provision and Transformation Contract.
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Defence Notes
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
26th March 2025
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
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Defence Notes
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
24th March 2025
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
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Air Warfare
Sweden procures third batch of Meteor missiles for Gripen aircraft
20th March 2025
This third order from the FMV for the long-range anti-aircraft missile system is part of the Swedish Armed Forces’ effort to increase its air defence capabilities.
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Air Warfare
Canada risks “bloodying its nose” should it forgo F-35 buy, says Canadian ex-defence chief
19th March 2025
Canada has stated its intention to reassess its acquisition of the F-35, amid the ongoing US-trade war, with Defence Minister Bill Blair saying it is “examining alternatives” with other aircraft manufacturers.
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Naval Warfare
Royal Navy follows US Navy lead, invests in VR training to mitigate watchkeeping skill fade
19th March 2025
VR naval training is growing more accepted as it maintains bridge skills in a safe, virtual environment.
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Defence Notes
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
19th March 2025
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
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Defence Notes
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
18th March 2025
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
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Defence Notes
MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog
18th March 2025
MBDA CEO Éric Béranger stressed the company’s role supporting European countries with complex weapon systems and focused on boosting production against the backdrop of “shifting” geopolitical alliances.
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Defence Notes
Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
13th March 2025
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
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Naval Warfare
US Navy shipbuilding branded “too slow” and “too expensive” by acquisition chief
12th March 2025
Several of the US Navy’s leading programmes, including the Constellation-class frigate and the Virginia-class submarine, are significantly behind schedule.
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Defence Notes
Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
12th March 2025
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
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Air Warfare
Dassault considers boosting Indian presence to support future Rafale production
11th March 2025
Discussion of any new production line in India would reportedly be for the F5 jet, although India is also closing in on cementing a deal for 26 Rafale-M aircraft for its Navy.
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Naval Warfare
Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare
11th March 2025
A new concept of underwater warfare could be needed to take naval defence to its next evolution.
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Air Warfare
Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems
6th March 2025
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
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Air Warfare
Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause
6th March 2025
Europe’s capacity to fill the capability gaps created by the US pause on military aid to Ukraine is uncertain, according to analysts, but European defence industry leaders have stressed their readiness to meet demand.
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Land Warfare
World Defense Show 2026 to unite global and local innovation
5th March 2025
Saudi Arabia’s showpiece event for the defence industry will return in 2026 as it attempts to foster global defence collaboration, promote opportunity within the Kingdom and demonstrate technological innovation from across the Middle East.
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Defence Notes
UK Parliament told that Europe needs to do more within NATO and undertake reforms
5th March 2025
Speaking before a committee on European affairs, the speakers addressed recent developments following an eventful few days. During this period, the UK pushed for increased support for Ukraine, while the EU eased budget constraints to allow for greater defence spending. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump introduced tariffs that could impact the defence industry.
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Air Warfare
USAF tests Harpoon missile integration on F-16 aircraft
4th March 2025
The integration of the Harpoon missile on the Lockheed Martin fighter worked to showcase the rapid speed at which a ‘gateway system’ integration can add new capabilities to aircraft.
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Defence Notes
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
4th March 2025
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
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![Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies]()
Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies
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![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
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![Russia and Ukraine agree maritime ceasefire – then Russia attaches strings]()
Russia and Ukraine agree maritime ceasefire – then Russia attaches strings
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![Babcock secures £1.6 billion MoD contract extension to support British Army readiness]()
Babcock secures £1.6 billion MoD contract extension to support British Army readiness
