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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Royal Air Force to boost A400M fleet readiness via extended support deal with Airbus Defence & Space. Follow-on deal runs until April 2029 and will get 13 fully mission-capable Atlas on the ramp each day by end of next year (from 10). Pic by AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Azerbaijan signs weapons production agreements with Aselsan - includes Tolun guided munition. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

UK base security in spotlight after attempted attack at RAF Fairford. US Air Force B-1B bomber image from earlier this year used courtesy of AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Canada, Saab to enter full negotiations for six GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft; first time we've had an indication of how many the RCAF will field. Good times for Global 6500-producer Bombardier too; already on contract for 6 transport examples. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Dassault pitches Rafale at Portuguese fighter opportunity. Lisbon's F-16 replacement need is going to launch a proper dogfight, with other contenders being the Lockheed Martin F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen E/F. www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Paramount launches VTOL V-Raven, with light-attack version to follow. Looks cool with the LongClaw glide bombs fitted. www.flightglobal.com/africa/2026/...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

In our Falkland Islands-themed FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, we note the permanent UK garrison there now, Royal Air Force Typhoons and Voyager tanker + aircraft carriers and F-35Bs on call. Argentina now has a handful of vintage F-16s. Keep calm... open.spotify.com/episode/7l1U...

open.spotify.com

What would a second Falklands War look like?

FlightGlobal Focus · Episode

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Don't miss the new podcast episode from FlightGlobal Focus, where our defence team discusses Argentina's renewed push to claim the Falkland Islands. We recap what happened in 1982 and look at the current state of the UK and Argentina's armed forces. open.spotify.com/episode/7l1U...

open.spotify.com

What would a second Falklands War look like?

FlightGlobal Focus · Episode

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Canada welcomes its first two Pilatus PC-21 'Siskin II' trainers - future Royal Canadian Air Force assets acquired via SkyAlyne-delivered FaCT programme have touched down in Quebec. www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/2...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Nigeria's first Bell AH-1Z attack helicopter enters production. Lead 'Viper' is part of a $455 million purchase by Abuja. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Thales targets LMM [aka Martlet missile] exports as it launches new UK technology strategy - story from my attending Thales Tech Summit event in London yesterday. www.flightglobal.com/europe/2026/...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

First Turkish air force pilots begin conversion training on Eurofighter Typhoon. Lead pair will be among a cohort of 10 instructor pilots to work with Royal Air Force's OCU at Coningsby. Generic Typhoon shot courtesy of AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/europe/2026/...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Embraer unveils first C-390 airlifter for Uzbekistan air force. And of course it's grey! www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

New contract with G2E advances development work on GCAP fighter's electronics suite. 18-month award placed by Edgewing covers sensing and communications systems. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Angolan navy receives six Anavia HT-100 uncrewed helicopters from UAE's EDGE Group - surveillance and reconnaissance assets will be flown from the service's trio of new corvettes. www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Netherlands announces plan to field single Saab GlobalEye from 2031. New LoI announced, with contract yet to be signed. Will establish a pooled capability with Swedish GlobalEyes, enabling Dutch access from 2028. Also supports future NATO fleet. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Europe needs to get serious about Russian drone incursions - a great analysis piece by my FlightGlobal colleague Ryan Finnerty about Moscow's new 'shadow war' tactics: www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Saab, GKN land new Swedish future fighter system study contracts - worth roughly a combined $344 million - cover work through 2028, including on autonomous flying demonstrators. Pic shows recently unveiled A3 'loyal wingman' concept. www.flightglobal.com/europe/2026/...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Dassault transfers French navy's first two Albatros-model Falcon 2000LXS jets. Twinjets have been handed over to the DGA ahead of service entry. All 12 'Avsimar' assets are due to be delivered by 2031. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Pilatus flies first PC-7 MKX military trainer for the Netherlands. Deliveries of 8 examples to the RNLAF will run from May 2027. Pilatus also has orders from France (22) and Belgium (18), so we'll be seeing plenty of these getting airborne! www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Boeing delivers first F-model Chinooks for Egyptian air force. Five of an eventual 12 new transport helicopters have been handed over so far. Hoping to update story with image of actual aircraft at El Alamein air show soon! www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Middle East unrest forces two-year slip to Bahrain air show schedule. Event organiser diplomatically makes no reference to why it wasn't getting international traction amid US-Iran conflict. Hoping we'll be back at Sakhir air base in November 2028! www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Greek air force F-4E Phantom crew killed in air show crash - incident occurred at Tanagra air base on 5 September. File image use (shot is of accident aircraft taken in June 2026) courtesy of AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Sierra Nevada to design ski-equipped LC-130J modification for US Air Force. Company has landed contract running until March 2028 in support of 'Skibird' successor need. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Spain orders Alpha Unmanned Systems' lightweight A900 rotorcraft for uncrewed maritime surveillance evaluation. Will supply three of the sub-25kg rotorcraft for use by navy's CEVENTA experimentation unit. www.flightglobal.com/europe/2026/...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Tekever buys UK hydraulic propulsion technology developer Flowcopter - follows their development partnership on the heavy-lift AR6, unveiled at Farnborough. I resisted the obvious 'Tekever takeover' headline... www.flightglobal.com/europe/2026/...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit signs autonomy pact with Turkish partner TUALCOM - MoU spans 'advanced communications, resilient navigation and electronic warfare technologies' for use with future uncrewed aerial systems. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Future UK military aircrew training system could boost international provision. From recent interview with MFTS provider Ascent discussing demand coming via the NATO NFTE system - soon to reach 20 member nations. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

There's been a lot of noise about the Royal Air Force Hawk T2 and Red Arrows replacement candidates not including a British-designed jet; not sure it's realised widely that all of the other 82 aircraft within the UK MFTS training fleet are imported? www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Inside MFTS: how UK aircrew training system is evolving after first 10 years. My analysis from a recent visit to RAF Cranwell with Affinity and Ascent - turned out rather timely re the Royal Air Force Hawk JTS request just emerging! www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

In the latest FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, our defence reporting team chats 'The tactical case for hybrid-electric aircraft', after the Anduril Thunder and Beta MV250 reveals at Farnborough last month. Grab a brew and enjoy! open.spotify.com/episode/3Qym...

open.spotify.com

The tactical case for hybrid-electric aircraft

FlightGlobal Focus · Episode

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Portuguese air force readies for Tekever AR5 introduction under new surveillance deal. Deliveries to start in September under deal announced today. Follows recent AR5 selection for British Army use. www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

UK Ministry of DefenceHQ Hawk replacement battle with industry engagement phase. Need is to replace Royal Air Force Hawk T2s (photo courtesy of AirTeamImages) and Red Arrows T1s. Surprised this is still at the initial market interest phase... www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Paramount Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission. Integration work has been completed with the ASELFLIR-500 payload. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Royal Navy advances Leonardo Helicopters Wildcat integration with uncrewed assets for Dragon Rider trial - relayed real-time data from multiple drones in support of Hybrid Navy assessment work. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

2Excel Aviation eyes Electra Aero's EL9 Ultra Short as potential fleet addition - UK company will provide airworthiness and support during European tour next year involving smaller EL2 demonstrator, with the activity a 'pathfinder' effort. www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/20...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Colombia signs for two KC-390s, marking key Latin America win for Embraer. Story by my colleague Ryan Finnerty. Bogota becomes the 13th customer for the Millennium so far. www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to the British Army before year-end under Corvus deal. Company says yet to be signed contract could value up to £400 million over a full decade, with 'continuous capability evolution' model to enable regular updates. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Upgraded NH90 helicopter makes first flight in enhanced Block 1 guise - lead example is an Italian navy example, flown by Leonardo Helicopters in late July. Upgrade activity also referred to as SWR3. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Airbus Helicopters delivers first Standard 2 NH90 for French army special forces use. The prototype used in earlier flight testing was in a super-cool all-black scheme - is that bright green SF-friendly? 18 to be delivered, along with Spanish purchase. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Inzpire lands international training deal for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian and Royal Air Force Protector RG1 fleets at RAF Waddington. Deal with NATO agency could grow to the Qinetiq-owned company providing up to 37 instructor crews. www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Airbus chief Guillaume Faury sees extra orders potential through NATO allies' pooled A400M plan. Comments from Q2 results briefing yesterday, plus others from Airbus Defence & Space's Jean-Brice Dumont at last week's Farnborough air show. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

BAE Systems order backlog has hit a record £84 billion, after recording sales worth £15.8 billion in the first-half. CEO Charles Woodburn also notes its stake in @MBDAGroup, where backlog is up at €48 billion, with sales of over €6.5 billion to mid-year.

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

GKN Aerospace reveals wing production role on BAE Systems Brontanax CCA - UK company supplied 'flight-ready wings, fins and control surfaces' for prototype to fly in 2027. Parts were manufactured in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

US Marine Corps receives its final MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor from Bell Boeing partnership. The 359th example was handed over on 28 July. I remember how insanely cool it was when the first one debuted at RIAT - oof, 20 years ago! www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Team Tempest partners power ahead with FCAS funding boost from UK Ministry of Defence. Here's my wrap-up from Farnborough air show briefing between BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

MGI Engineering spins up autonomous Vortex for UK competition. I didn't manage to get to this one last week amid all the Farnborough happenings, but another ACP/CCA design for us to take note of! www.flightglobal.com/military-uav...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

FalconWorks boss details BAE Systems' 25-year journey to Brontanax CCA. My round-up from a batch of briefings at the Farnborough air show last week, where the new design broke cover. Some great insight as ever from BAE's Dave Holmes. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Today's surprise 2-unit Middle East GlobalEye order maintains serious momentum for the Saab-developed airborne, land and maritime surveillance platform. The UAE already received 5, Sweden has ordered 3 and France 2, with plans from NATO (up to 10), and Canada (unknown).

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FlightAcesHigh @flightaceshigh.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Undisclosed Middle East buyer signs $1 billion deal for two Saab GlobalEyes - good news also for Global 6500 producer Bombardier. Where are we speculating for this deal: Saudi Arabia (current Saab 2000 AEW&C user); Qatar? UAE jet pic from AirTeamImages. www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026...

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