Americas
The US Air Force is set to upgrade its F-22 Raptors to control unmanned aerial systems midflight, positioning it to become the first operational combat jet to team up with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones. Beginning in 2026, Raptors will get tablet-based control systems and undergo other relevant modifications to enable secure in-cockpit drone control.
The US Army is moving its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program into production and deployment, advancing efforts to strengthen long-range strike capabilities. The initiative is part of the service’s objective to match the lethality of evolving threats by replacing its legacy Army Tactical Missile System with a next-generation warhead.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s homegrown Arrow ballistic missile shield has been receiving improvements with each deployment in the country’s conflict with Iran, according to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). IAI CEO Boaz Levy explained in an interview with Business Insider that the state-owned company enhances the capability’s performance by analyzing all of Tehran’s airstrike operations against Tel Aviv, whether individual attacks or barrages.
Europe
The Danish government has opted to procure three different types of ground-based air defense systems from German, French, and Norwegian manufacturers as the country seeks to urgently fill critical air defense gaps. The decision comes almost two decades after Denmark decommissioned its ground-based air defense capability, in 2005, in an attempt to focus more on international operations. The void has left the Scandinavian country vulnerable to potential missile attacks, the thinking in Copenhagen goes.
Asia-Pacific
Philippines’ Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. announced on June 30 that the country’s PHP61 billion multi-role fighter program should proceed as a comprehensive “full package” that includes airborne warning and control systems and aerial tankers for mid-air refueling, expanding the scope significantly beyond the original fighter aircraft acquisition. The defense chief’s requirements, combined with the Philippine Air Force’s operational needs, appear to favor the Saab JAS-39C/D “Gripen” over the competing Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 in the ongoing selection process.