DefenseNews

Australia prepares for next batch of ‘Ghost Bat’ warplane buddy drones

SINGAPORE — Australia is one of the pioneers exploring collaborative combat aircraft, or CCAs, as it throws its full weight behind Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat platform. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) already has eight Block 1 aircraft in testing. In addition, the first of three Block 2 aircraft ordered in February 2024 is currently performing ground testing and will fly…
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DefenseNews

Pentagon official blesses Europe’s push to spend defense money at home

PARIS — The United States has changed its attitude on European allies funneling defense funds to local arms industries, and will be “pragmatic” about governments choosing to buy military equipment domestically, according to a senior U.S. defense official. If countries spend 3.5% or 5% on defense, “we understand that you’re going to need to indigenize a large fraction of that…
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DefenseNews

Fincantieri predicts strong growth despite ding to US warship business

ROME — Italian shipyard Fincantieri will boost revenue by 40%, hit profits of €500 million ($593 million) and double its defense production in Italy by 2030 as global defense spending booms, the firm has said. In a new business plan covering 2026-2030, the Italian state-controlled yard said it expected annual revenue to rise from €9 billion in 2025 to €12.5 billion in 2030, while it will…
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DefenseNews

China’s new maritime combat drone poised for global success: analysts

SINGAPORE — Beyond China’s ostentatious display of its J-35A fighter jet at the Singapore Airshow was a lower-profile piece of equipment, the new Wing-Loong X combat drone, which experts say is far more likely to find international success. Beijing banked on Asia’s largest aerospace event, organized here from Feb. 3-7, to flex its aviation muscle, in a bid to attract more customers. At the…
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