The US Air Force has officially received its first Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, marking a pivotal modernization milestone for pilot training. The sophisticated aircraft replaces the aging T-38C Talon and will prepare aviators for fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation fighter and bomber operations.
Sweden's defense minister Pål Jonson stated that a Ukrainian peace deal will not impact delivery times for Saab Gripen-E fighters. However, Stockholm continues to explore sending older C and D models to Ukraine as part of its efforts to shore up air capabilities.
Sweden is targeting early 2026 for selecting a design partner for four new Luleå-class frigates, with France emerging as a leading contender. Defence Minister Pål Jonson confirmed the ambitious timeline during talks with French counterpart Catherine Vautrin in Stockholm, with deliveries planned for 2030-2035.
Sweden will deploy a Gripen fighter unit to Iceland in February and March 2026 to support NATO's incident preparedness mission. This is the first time Skaraborg Air Flotilla has participated with a fighter unit in a NATO operation, Breaking Defense reports.
Sweden's Defence Minister Pål Jonson said Wednesday that Canada's strong avionics sector makes it an ideal partner for Saab to expand Gripen production. The initiative comes amid Ukraine's request for 100-150 Gripen fighters, and Sweden cannot ramp up production alone if a Western coalition green-lights the transfer.
Sweden and Ukraine are making progress on a multi-billion-crown deal for up to 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters. The two governments are exploring funding mechanisms that combine Ukrainian payments with Swedish military assistance and multilateral support, Breaking Defense reports.
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.
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.
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 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 CEO Micael Johansson is pushing for the GlobalEye aircraft as an alternative to the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, following NATO's rejection of the latter. The Swedish firm claims that SHAPE has looked into using GlobalEye for future AWACS operations and believes it can fill a gap left by retiring E-3 Sentry fleet.
The Dubai Airshow brought together top defense contractors from around the world, with Russia and China stealing the spotlight. Breaking Defense provides comprehensive coverage of the airshow, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II, Su-57 stealth fighter, Wing Loong WL-X hunter-killer drone, Saab's GlobalEye jet, and UAE-based Calidus' B-250 trainer and light attack aircraft.
The French Air and Space Force has deployed two Dassault Rafale fighters to Uppsala, Sweden, as part of France's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. The detachment includes around 30 personnel and will conduct experimental flights in cold weather conditions for the Rafale F4.
Poland has officially selected Sweden's Saab A26 Blekinge-class submarine for its Orka program in a roughly $2.52 billion defense investment. The decision to acquire three next-generation submarines marks a strategic shift for Poland's Baltic Sea capabilities and a major boost for Saab's submarine program.
The Empire Test Pilots' School is a leading training centre for test pilots, operated by QinetiQ in Boscombe Down. The PC-21 is an integral part of the training provided to students from all over the world.
Peru is moving toward selecting the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 Viper as its next-generation fighter jet, marking a significant pivot in modernizing the Peruvian Air Force. According to local media, the Peruvian government has decided to proceed with the purchase of up to 24 F-16 Block 70 aircraft valued at approximately $7 billion.
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has jointly ended the acquisition of six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft with several NATO partner countries due to loss of strategic and financial foundations. The decision comes amid cost and survivability concerns, as well as the US Air Force's withdrawal from the Wedgetail effort.
Helsing has released new footage showing its HX-2 loitering munition undergoing military-led field tests in four countries across Europe. Published on November 10, 2025, the video focuses on autonomous targeting, networked operations, and rapid operator adaptability.
Saab and Embraer, in partnership with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), have completed the certification flight test campaign for in-flight refueling between the F-39 Gripen E and the KC-390 Millennium. The campaign was carried out at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto facility, home to the Gripen Flight Test Centre.
Airbus Defence and Space's works council in Germany has renewed its call to end the partnership with Dassault on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), citing ongoing disagreements over workshare and responsibilities. The union is seeking clear-cut arrangements, while German officials have indicated that a choice must be made on whether and how the program proceeds.
Germany has selected Munich-based defense software company Helsing to support its Eurofighter EK program with an artificial-intelligence-enabled electronic warfare suite, marking one of the most significant attempts yet to integrate advanced AI into a front-line European combat aircraft. The program teams Helsing with Saab, which supplies its Arexis electronic warfare system, under a contract intended to replace Germany's retiring Tornado ECR fleet.
Breaking Defense reports that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is at the forefront of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) innovation for modern warfare. The company's MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian platforms are being adopted by nations worldwide, while its Mojave STOL platform enables runway independence for expeditionary operations.
France is testing combat AI on its upgraded Mirage 2000D RMV fighter jet, with the goal of developing more effective human-machine teaming capabilities. According to Colonel Alexandre Ribot, the Air and Space Force asked Dassault Aviation to replace one of the aircraft's mission computers with an open-architecture system capable of hosting new digital applications.
France has finalized an order for two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft from Saab in a $1.3 billion contract. The deal includes ground equipment, training, and support, and deliveries are expected to take place between 2029 and 2032.
France has finalized a $1.3 billion USD contract with Saab to purchase two GlobalEye radar planes. The deal marks the second export customer for the aircraft, following the UAE's fleet of five.
Newly released evaluation data reveals the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II scored 95% compared to Saab's Gripen E at 33% across all major capability categories in Canada's Future Fighter Capability Project. The F-35 dominated mission performance, upgradability, and sustainment metrics, significantly outperforming its competitor.
Former Airbus CEO Tom Enders has warned Germany against launching a national fighter program, citing the high costs and timeline. He argues that prioritizing uncrewed combat aircraft is crucial for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
Czech President Petr Pavel confirmed Prague's intention to supply Ukraine with combat aircraft capable of intercepting incoming drones, as part of a broader effort to bolster Kyiv's defenses against long-range drone attacks. According to Breaking Defense, Pavel said Prague could provide several medium combat planes in a relatively short time, describing them as effective against drones.
The Czech Republic has ruled out donating its L-159 light combat aircraft to Ukraine, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said in a statement. The decision follows President Petr Pavel's suggestion that Prague could provide 'several medium combat planes' effective against drones in a relatively short time.
Saab has signed a €3.1 billion contract with the Colombian Government to supply 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, marking one of the largest defense acquisitions in Colombia's history. The deal includes 15 single-seat Gripen E fighters and two dual-seat Gripen F aircraft, as well as support services and training.
Canada has confirmed it is making payments tied to long-lead components for 14 additional F-35A fighters, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in Parliament. The move preserves production timing and options, but the review of the full 88-jet plan continues.
Saab, Boeing, and BAE Systems have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the UK's next fast-jet trainer, proposing the T-7 Red Hawk as the core of a new training system for the Royal Air Force. The partnership aims to meet the UK Ministry of Defence's Advanced Jet Trainer requirement, with BAE Systems leading industrial activity as prime contractor.