Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $22 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This modification adds scope to provide continued maintenance and sustainment operations of the US Reprogramming Laboratory facilities and partner support complex facilities and systems, to include consumables and field service representative support for the F-35 Lighting II programs for the Department of Defense (DOD), non-DOD partners and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work is expected to be completed in April 2026. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
The US Air Force has awarded Indra Air Traffic Inc. a contract worth up to $198.36 million to replace its military air navigation systems used in harsh environments. Under the deal, the US-based branch of Spanish defense firm Indra will provide the design, engineering, commissioning, technical maintenance, and potential future upgrades of the man-portable (MP) Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) through 2032. Able to be carried by two soldiers, the MP TACAN enables advanced military technology to continue its navigation on missions where Global Positioning System or satellite signals are unavailable.
Middle East & Africa
The United States has lost seven multi-million-dollar MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Yemen area since March 15, a US official said Monday, as the US Navy announced a costly warplane fell off an aircraft carrier into the Red Sea. Washington launched the latest round of its air campaign against Yemen’s Houthis in mid-March, and MQ-9s can be used for both reconnaissance — a key aspect of US efforts to identify and target weaponry the rebels are using to attack shipping in the region — as well as strikes.
The Turkish Armed Forces has officially inducted the BAHA unmanned aerial vehicle following inspection and acceptance procedures. A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform, the BAHA was developed by Turkish defense firm Havelsan for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It was already exported to Africa, Central Asia, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region in 2023 and 2024.
Europe
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has formally adopted the “Hromylo Optic” unmanned aerial system for deployment with Kyiv’s army. Previously used in combat under various configurations, these domestically produced drones have demonstrated high effectiveness in striking enemy equipment and fortified positions. To meet operational needs, the manufacturer developed a larger version with a 10-inch (24-centimeter) frame.
Asia-Pacific
India has signed a contract to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets from France, New Delhi’s defense ministry said Monday, with the multi-billion-dollar deal to include both single and twin-seat planes. When delivered, the jets would join 36 French-made Rafale fighters already acquired by New Delhi as part of its efforts to rapidly modernize its military hardware.