USS Arleigh Burke enters Spanish dry dock, first Europe-based U.S. destroyer maintenance in region
The U.S. Navy placed the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) into dry dock at Navantia's Cadiz shipyard on October 8, marking the first time a Europe-based U.S. destroyer has been dry-docked in the region since the Navy began stationing them in Spain over a decade ago.
Rheinmetall opens medium-caliber ammunition production line in Albacete, Spain, under Project Firepower expansion
Rheinmetall Expal Munitions inaugurated a new medium-caliber ammunition facility at its Albacete site in Spain, attended by Spanish State Secretary for Defense Amparo Valcarce and German Ambassador Heiko Thoms. The plant is part of Rheinmetall's multi-site Firepower expansion programme and will nearly double the Albacete footprint. Production is scheduled to begin within October 2026.
Why it matters: Albacete joins Unterlüß and other nodes in Rheinmetall's distributed-production hedge against supply shocks—medium-caliber lines are cheaper to replicate than 155mm forges, so Spain becomes a fallback if German capacity is directed east.
RheinmetallSpainGermanyAmparo ValcarceHeiko Thoms Hartpunkt →Soldat & Technik →
U.S. Navy accepts first C-130J-30 for conversion into E-130J Phoenix II nuclear command aircraft
Lockheed Martin delivered the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the U.S. Navy for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II, which will assume the Take Charge And Move Out airborne nuclear communications mission from the aging E-6B Mercury fleet. The turboprop platform replaces the jet-powered E-6, a Boeing 707 derivative. The Navy plans a fleet of E-130Js to maintain constant radio contact with ballistic missile submarines.
United StatesU.S. NavyLockheed Martin The War Zone →Defence Industry Europe →The Aviationist →
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.
Navantia signs contract to modernize two Mandume-class patrol vessels for Angolan Navy
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.