Americas
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has finalized the qualification trials of its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine (HFE 2.0) for the Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aerial system in El Mirage, California. HFE 2.0 provides a 40 percent increase in the drone’s service life, 50 percent more power to mission payloads, and longer maintenance-free, low-sustainment capability — all required to meet the user requirements in multi-domain operations.
NATO member Romania inked a deal with Washington to buy 32 F-35 jets, an unprecedented expenditure for the country neighboring Ukraine. Romania is the latest to acquire the combat jets, more than two and a half years after Russia invaded Ukraine. With an estimated cost of $6.5 billion approved by Romania’s parliament, it is the most expensive military purchase by the eastern European country.
Middle East & Africa
Iran said Friday it would launch a series of “new and advanced” centrifuges in response to a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog that censures Tehran for what the agency called lack of cooperation. The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany, and the US at the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) follows a similar one in June.
Europe
The UK has unveiled plans to decommission Royal Navy warships, helicopters, and drones to free up budget for other key defense initiatives. Defense Secretary John Healy confirmed the decision during a recent parliamentary hearing, saying the move could save up to $625 million in maintenance and repair costs over the next five years. Among the vessels to be axed are the amphibious warfare ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, as well as the HMS Northumberland frigate, which has sustained structural damage “that makes her simply uneconomical to repair.”
Asia-Pacific
American firm Shield AI has partnered with JSW Defence, a subsidiary of India’s JSW Group, to locally produce the V-BAT drone for the Indian Armed Forces. Under the agreement, JSW Group will invest $90 million over two years, with $65 million allocated in the first year. The investment will focus on establishing a manufacturing facility, workforce training, and developing a local supply chain.
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