DefenseNews

Ukraine agrees on plan to acquire 16 Rafale jets, France’s Macron says

PARIS — Ukraine has agreed on a plan to acquire 16 Rafale fighter jets from France together with the accompanying weapon systems, French President Emmanuel Macron said at a press conference here late Monday following a meeting of the group of countries that have pledged support to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Macron agreed on a roadmap between their two countries that…
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DefenseNews

Europe’s Hydis project settles on concept for hypersonic interceptor

PARIS — The Hydis project to develop a European interceptor against hypersonic threats settled on a concept based on a solid-propellant rocket motor, according to MBDA, Europe’s biggest missile maker, with the program’s steering committee validating the final concept review milestone on Friday. The remaining year of the Hydis program will focus on advancing critical technologies to at least…
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DefenseNews

Rheinmetall, MBDA to develop laser weapon for German Navy

PARIS — Rheinmetall and MBDA will develop a high-energy laser weapon for the Germany Navy that builds on previous work by the two companies on a laser demonstrator, with the weapon system expected to be operational in 2029. The equipment office of the German armed forces…
DefenseNews

Italy busts Russian spy ring collecting data on Ukrainian air defense vulnerabilities

ROME — Russia has told one of its spies in Europe to find out more about air defense capabilities western nations are sending to Ukraine, Italian investigators have reported after breaking up an alleged espionage ring in Rome. Police who filmed and wiretapped an alleged Russian military intelligence officer quizzing an accused informant in Italy heard him demanding information on systems like…
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DefenseNews

Ukrainian ground robot maker doubles production, eyes ventures with foreign partners

WARSAW, Poland — Ukraine’s unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) manufacturer Trinity Robotics plans to double its production to some 2,200 units this year, benefiting from the rapidly rising use of ground robots in the Ukrainian Army’s operations. The company is in talks with a French producer to launch manufacturing of its solutions abroad and is also looking for partners in other European…
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