Saab CEO Micael Johansson shared detailed information with Canada about its Gripen E/F fighter jets as part of a 'dual fleet' pitch. The initiative aims to capitalize on US-Canada tensions and offers domestic production to sweeten the deal.
Saab has presented an industrial proposal to support up to 12,600 jobs in Canada by localizing production of its Gripen fighter jet and GlobalEye airborne surveillance aircraft. According to AeroTime, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed that Ottawa is examining the proposal as part of its broader Canada-Sweden aerospace and defense partnership.
Saab is developing AR3, an AI-assisted after-action review platform designed to provide real-time performance feedback to warfighters during training exercises. The minimum viable product will launch in Q2 2026, leveraging artificial intelligence to analyze vast amounts of training data from exercise control systems, sensors, and GPS devices.
Sweden is expected to choose a new frigate design this spring, with Saab and Babcock offering the Arrowhead 120 variant. The Luleå-class frigates will strengthen the navy's capabilities in the Baltic Sea and High North amid threats from Russia.
Sabena Technics has secured a 10-year support contract from France's Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAé) to provide long-term maintenance and operational support for the Franco-German C-130J Super Hercules fleet. The CAROLUS program, framed as a Franco-German cooperation model, includes performance expectations on operational availability, supported onboard capabilities, turnaround times, and logistics services.
Safran and Embraer have agreed to end their aircraft interior partnership in Chihuahua, Mexico, as Safran sells its stake in EZAir subject to regulatory approvals. According to AeroTime, the facility will be wholly owned by Embraer, while non-Embraer related engineering services activities will remain with Safran.
Safran has significantly expanded its industrial presence in India through two landmark agreements that underscore New Delhi's commitment to defense sovereignty. The French aerospace giant will co-develop a new engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft stealth fighter alongside the Defence Research and Development Organisation, with full technology transfer and Indian intellectual property retention.
Safran has announced plans to build a new landing gear facility in Morocco, valued at over $332 million, to support Airbus A320 production. The facility will be located near Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport and is scheduled for operation in 2029.
Safran.AI and the UAE's Technology Innovation Institute have announced a strategic partnership to develop next-generation agentic AI for geospatial intelligence. The collaboration combines Safran.
Dassault Aviation is hosting the Saint-Jean-de-Luz air show, which will celebrate its 29th edition in 2025. Nearly 100 members of the armed forces will participate in the event, showcasing various military units and aerobatic teams.
Samaritan's Purse has retired its last US-registered DC-8, marking a significant chapter in humanitarian aviation. The organization held a decommissioning ceremony on November 14, 2025, at its Airlift Response Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, where it formally parked the DC-8 for the final time and dedicated the Boeing 767.
SAMI has announced a transformation into a strategic group, launching two new entities: SAMI Land Company and SAMI Autonomous Systems. The new land entity will focus on producing vehicles for the land forces, while the autonomous systems company will develop capabilities across all platforms.
Defense technology company Saronic is investing $300 million to expand a Louisiana shipyard into a major autonomous vessel production hub. The revamped facility at the former Gulf Craft shipyard in Franklin will add over 300,000 square feet of production capacity and create approximately 1,500 jobs.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and WestJet have formed a codeshare agreement, expanding connections between their networks in Scandinavia and Canada. The partnership allows SAS customers to travel through Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and SAS gateways in the US, while WestJet travelers can reach SAS hubs in Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm with ease.
A Scandinavian Airlines flight was abandoned after a lithium battery ignited in a suitcase during boarding at Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Eight passengers were hospitalized with suspected inhaling toxic fumes.
SAS Scandinavia Airlines is exploring a potential widebody order with Boeing and Airbus, according to Bloomberg. CEO Anko van der Werff has hinted at a large order to meet growing demand for long-haul travel.
As Europe begins to invest more in military space capabilities, British thermal imagery startup SatVu and Spanish tech firm GMV are among the latest companies to benefit from the trend. SatVu secured $40 million in funding from the NATO Innovation Fund, while GMV expanded its space surveillance program with a new satellite tracking antenna.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contracted four C-27J maritime patrol aircraft from Leonardo, which will integrate a dedicated mission suite for detection and tracking. The acquisition comes after a $200 million torpedoes deal with WASS, and is expected to enhance the Royal Saudi Naval Forces' capabilities in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
Saudi Arabia has kicked off the Spears of Victory 2026 multinational military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Kingdom's Eastern Region. The Royal Saudi Air Force is leading the exercise, which runs from January 18 to February 5, 2026, and involves 15 countries, including Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is expanding its aviation sector with plans for two additional airlines, bringing the total number of carriers to seven as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. Speaking at the Cityscape Global conference, Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin revealed the expansion plans, which complement existing carriers Saudia, Riyadh Air, flynas, and flyadeal.