Category -- Air -- The Defense Post

Jul- 2026 -

8 July

Saab’s GlobalEye Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

NATO Selects Saab’s GlobalEye for Airborne Surveillance Fleet

NATO has selected Saab’s GlobalEye as its next airborne early warning and control aircraft, paving the way for the possible purchase of up to 10 systems.

7 July

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon carries a developmental test version of Norway’s Joint Strike Missile to its release point above the Utah Test and Training Range west of Salt Lake City.

Bea Castañeda

Joint Strike Missile: The Stealth Weapon Built for Modern Air Combat

Stealthy, versatile, and increasingly in demand: here's how the Joint Strike Missile went from a niche anti-ship concept to a cornerstone of allied precision-strike arsenals.

7 July

Christine Casimiro

Anduril to Establish Barracuda-500M Cruise Missile Production Hub in Poland

Anduril and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. have announced that they will establish a production facility for the surface-launched Barracuda-500M cruise missiles in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

7 July

Inder Singh Bisht

Portugal Signs Deal to Acquire Surplus US Army Black Hawks

The Portuguese Army has signed an agreement with Miami-based Sahar Group to acquire surplus US Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters.

6 July

Inder Singh Bisht

Finland Approves Procurement of Saab RBS 70 NG MANPADS

Finland has authorized the procurement of Saab RBS 70 NG man-portable air defense missile systems worth 108 million euros ($123.56 million).

6 July

Inder Singh Bisht

UK Abandons Meteor Mid-Life Upgrade for Next-Gen Missile

The UK has abandoned plans for a mid-life upgrade of the Meteor air-to-air missile, shifting its focus to a successor.

6 July

Tennessee Army National Guard Warrant Officer 1 Cedrick Pierson, a 948B Electronic Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer assigned to the 777th Maintenance Company, pilots a Skydio RQ-28A drone during a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Master Trainer Course in Tullahoma, Tennessee, June 23, 2026. Pierson attended the course to better understand how unmanned aircraft systems can support future sustainment operations and maintenance formations. Among the first courses of its kind in the Army National Guard, the SUAS Master Trainer Course prepares Soldiers to employ drone capabilities in support of reconnaissance, terrain analysis, and mission planning. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Bailey Breving)

Rojoef Manuel

Tennessee Army National Guard Trains First Wave of Military Drone Master Instructors

The Tennessee Army National Guard has graduated its first 12 soldiers from the Small Unmanned Aircraft System Master Trainer Course, expanding the US Army’s cadre of drone specialists.

6 July

The Penguin VTOL unmanned aerial system. Photo: Redwire Corporation

Rojoef Manuel

Redwire to Provide Taiwan’s Coast Guard With Penguin Tactical Drones

Redwire Corporation has received a contract to supply its Penguin Mk2.5 vertical takeoff and landing drone to the Republic of China Coast Guard.

6 July

Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) concept.

Christine Casimiro

Edgewing Lands Over $6B Contract to Advance GCAP Trinational Fighter Jet

Edgewing, the Global Combat Air Programme prime contractor and design authority, has secured a 4.6-billion-pound contract to drive the next phase of the trinational fighter jet’s development.

6 July

Christine Casimiro

Canada’s First CC-330 Husky Tanker Transport Aircraft Completes Maiden Flight

The Royal Canadian Air Force’s “Husky 006” — its first of four new incoming A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft — has completed its maiden flight at Airbus’ Getafe facility in Spain.

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