Drone

Two unmanned aircraft heading toward the UK's sovereign base areas in Cyprus were intercepted on March 2, 2026, as authorities responded to a drone alert that also triggered an evacuation at Paphos Airport and prompted Greece to announce additional military deployments to Cyprus. According to local reporting and regional media citing Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the drones were aimed at the British bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia and were destroyed before reaching them.

A Swedish Navy unit neutralized an unauthorized drone near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during its port visit to Malmö, Breaking Defense reports. The incident occurred while the ship was transiting Swedish territorial waters and was confirmed by Swedish authorities.

Windracers has been awarded a contract by the World Food Programme to support humanitarian efforts in Madagascar using its ULTRA MK2 drone. The drone will be used to deliver supplies, including food, to areas where traditional methods are challenging.

Windracers CEO Stephen Wright discussed the company's drone development and future plans during a visit to its manufacturing facility in December 2025. The UK government has worked closely with Windracers since the first drone was delivered to Ukraine in 2023, and the company is aiming to produce 10 ULTRA drones each month in 2026 and 20 a month in 2027.

The US Department of Commerce has withdrawn its proposed rule on Chinese drone imports, easing fears of a sweeping ban. However, DJI and other major manufacturers remain blocked from introducing new models due to FCC restrictions.

Skyfall, a Ukrainian drone maker, showcased its tech at the Dubai Airshow, aiming to garner international attention and opportunities in the US military market. The company's products have garnered recognition for their effectiveness, particularly in real-time feedback.

Turkey's Ministry of National Defense reported shooting down a UAV approaching its airspace over the Black Sea. According to AeroTime, Turkish authorities scrambled F-16 fighter jets on an alert mission after detecting the air track as part of routine monitoring procedures.

Renault is preparing to manufacture Chorus strike drones in France under a partnership with defense company Turgis Gaillard. The move follows earlier discussions about using automotive capacity to scale drone production, including approaches highlighted by the French government as part of its support to Ukraine.

Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets after detecting Russian drone strikes along NATO's eastern border. The Polish Operational Command launched quick reaction alert fighter pairs and an airborne early warning aircraft, while Romania detected a drone entering its national airspace amid the attacks.

The IDF Search and Rescue Brigade has been conducting large-scale training exercises at a specially designed site near Zikim, Israel. The drills simulate scenarios such as missile strikes or natural disasters, with the aim of preparing for unexpected events.

Germany's fast-track strike drone hunt has slowed as the Luftwaffe shortlist takes shape. The procurement effort has gained an extra review round involving three candidates for further evaluation.

The French Directorate General of Armament has ordered a new version of Airbus Helicopters' Aliaca drone system, which will feature vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in May 2026.

Egypt's state-owned Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) unveiled its latest defense systems at World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia. The Hamza-3 drone has an extended range and swarming capabilities, while the Sakr 105 rocket launcher offers anti-tank and thermobaric missions.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force unsuccessfully attempted to intercept unidentified drones over Volkel Air Base, a strategic NATO installation, during the night of November 17-18, 2025. Despite using live ammunition under standard counter-UAS protocols, multiple unmanned aircraft escaped after penetrating restricted airspace.

The Dubai Airshow continued into its second day, with attendees seeing aircraft they might not otherwise encounter. Russia showcased its Su-57 stealth fighter and China displayed its CH-9 drone.

France's Ministry of the Armed Forces is investigating an incident involving five unidentified drones detected over Île Longue, the primary operational base for the country's nuclear-armed ballistic-missile submarines. Security personnel at the heavily fortified western French naval facility activated counter-drone procedures and opened fire on December 4, 2025.

Göteborg Landvetter Airport in Sweden was closed temporarily on November 6, 2025, due to drone activity in its airspace. The airport reopened after three and a half hours, with some flights diverted or canceled.

The US Army has signed an agreement with the UK establishing ground rules for sharing intelligence on drone and counter-drone operations. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll plans to expand this partnership to a couple of other countries, aiming to build and buy similar tools as its partners.

The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking firms that can supply drones capable of carrying fighter-sized munitions for maritime strikes. The initiative aims to address the growing threat of anti-ship weapons and constraints on long-range strike capabilities for naval forces.

Denmark has formally stood up 729 Squadron to operate long-range drones, including the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SkyGuardian. The squadron will support surveillance of Danish interests in the Arctic and beyond, with deliveries expected from 2028.

The Army plans to harness more of America's cutting-edge companies to focus their talent and technologies on national-security problems. However, a provision under consideration in the 2026 NDAA could undermine this effort by establishing government-owned production facilities for drones.

Breaking Defense is releasing an eBook featuring a curated roundup of its most consequential stories from 2025, plus a reporting-driven outlook on what's next for global defense in 2026. The publication explores key issues such as acquisition reform and drone warfare, which will shape the direction of the US military.

Daher has successfully completed the first flight of its EyePulse MALE drone demonstrator, a rapid-prototype unmanned system developed in partnership with Thales for French defense procurement. The TBM-derived platform, assembled and flight-tested in under six months, executed a fully autonomous flight including automated landing capabilities.

The British Ministry of Defence has invited seven firms to pitch their ideas for 'futuristic' drone helicopters to fly alongside Apaches into combat. Project NYX, announced on Saturday, aims to create Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) with AI-powered capabilities.

The British Army has partnered with the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering to launch a new drone degree, starting in September 2026. The three-year course will train 15 civilian students and up to five soldiers each year as drone technology specialists.

Australia has opened a major new unmanned aircraft facility at RAAF Base Tindal in Northern Territory, investing AUD 355.7 million (US $253 million) in next-generation drone technology. The project was officially opened by Assistant Minister for Defense Peter Khalil, who highlighted the facility's role in supporting Australia's 2024 National Defense Strategy.

Canberra has approved a third tranche of the Australian-designed and -built MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft from Boeing, worth AUS $754 million. The deal includes seven additional drones to be delivered over three years, supporting the development of an operational capability by 2028.

The US Army has selected Red Cat for its Short Range Reconnaissance Program, which aims to provide cutting-edge capability to warfighters. The program's focus on small UAS at scale represents a significant shift in the Army's doctrine.

The US Air Force has begun flight testing with a drone wingman carrying an inert weapon underwing. Anduril's YFQ-44A and General Atomics' YFQ-42A are part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to develop drones for future combat.