Washington is buying drones at wartime scale. Europe still debates workshare.
Top story
France to develop next-generation combat aircraft domestically after FCAS collapse. France will proceed with a domestic next-generation fighter, following the collapse of the joint Future Combat Air System programme with Germany and Spain earlier this year. The French armed forces ministry confirmed on October 15 that it has no plans for “structural” international cooperation on the Avion de combat du futur. Paris had previously signaled openness to partners such as Sweden or India, but has now opted for full autonomy. Why it matters: Europe’s second sixth-generation fighter programme in two years has fragmented. GCAP is now the Continent’s only multi-national sixth-gen effort, and France—Europe’s only operational carrier air wing—will field its next fighter alone. Workshare disputes killed FCAS; the lesson for GCAP is blunt. (Corroborated) Defense News → · Opex360 →
The rundown
PROCUREMENT — Saab presented the first of three GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft ordered by Sweden, replacing the two ASC 890 aircraft donated to Ukraine. The Bombardier Global 6000-based radar jet, unveiled October 15, will now undergo testing and verification ahead of its maiden flight and delivery. Sweden ordered three GlobalEye in 2022; the United Arab Emirates operates the type. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence Industry Europe →
PROCUREMENT — The Netherlands and France held the first meeting of a new bilateral Nuclear Steering Group on October 14, opening talks on integrating French nuclear forces and European conventional forces for deterrence. The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced the meeting on October 15, emphasising that the cooperation will complement NATO’s existing nuclear arrangements. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Defence Industry Europe →
NAVAL — Spanish shipbuilder Navantia signed a contract with Angola on October 15 to repair and modernize two Mandume-class patrol boats. The work will take place at Navantia’s San Fernando (Cádiz) shipyard. No value was disclosed. (Corroborated) Naval News → · EDR Magazine →
PROCUREMENT — Israel’s Ministry of Defence instructed its U.S. mission to sign an agreement with the Pentagon for the procurement of 12 Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters for the IDF. The deal was announced October 15. No delivery timeline or contract value was disclosed. (Corroborated) EDR Magazine → · Airforce Technology →
AUTONOMY — The head of U.S. Army Cyber Command announced that the service will build a second expeditionary cyber battalion, replicating the 11th Cyber Battalion, within the next few months. The move expands the Army’s forward-deployed cyber capability. (Corroborated) Defense News → · C4ISRNET →
DRONES — The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division flew a drone through mission tasks and landed it autonomously on a moving ship at sea with GPS jammed, using only the aircraft’s cameras, motion sensors and software. No value, platform type or timeline details were provided beyond the October 15 announcement. (Corroborated) Defence Blog → · Naval Technology →
PROCUREMENT — The British Army has dropped plans for armored mortar, repair and recovery, and anti-tank overwatch versions of the Boxer wheeled armored vehicle, and has ruled out using Boxer in the armored cavalry role. Defence Minister Luke Pollard confirmed the cuts in written Parliamentary answers on October 15, following budget constraints. (Single source) Defence Blog →
Signals
INDUSTRY — KNDS Deutschland and Norwegian specialist RITEK officially opened Leopard 2 A8 main battle tank production in Levanger, Norway, on October 15. The facility will produce 37 of the 54 Leopard 2 A8 tanks ordered by Norway, with production and test infrastructure now complete. (Single source) Hartpunkt →
By the numbers
9 events in this issue · 7/9 corroborated · 6/9 European · busiest beat: procurement
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