European Defence Editor & Flight International Editor for FlightGlobal. And a lapsed biker

Joined March 2010
1,211 Photos and videos
What's the apt Westminster description for the hugely-delayed DIP and now the resulting departure of defence secretary John Healey? "Omnishambles" is probably not forceful enough. The bean-counters are winning again and underinvestment in defence continues.
My letter to the Prime Minister
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Quantum Systems brings Pulse P19 turboprop to life for counter-drone duties. Optionally-piloted German design unveiled during opening day of the ILA Berlin air show. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Craig Hoyle retweeted
The first 'Made in India' Airbus C295 military transport aircraft has conducted its first test flight from the Final Assembly Line in Vadodara 🇮🇳, marking a milestone for Indian aviation and defence. This maiden test flight is a crucial step in the aircraft's post production testing process. As the first of 40 aircraft to be built in India, the test flight advances the programme's objective of delivering the first 'Made in India' C295 aircraft this year to the Indian Air Force. A game changer in the Government of India's 'Make in India' vision, the C295 India programme is the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector. The programme's progress reflects the steady and dedicated work of Airbus, Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the several Indian MSMEs, which are manufacturing parts for the aircraft across India. We thank the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence and Government of India, for their unwavering trust in us. We are building the future of Indian aerospace. #Airbus #TASL #C295 #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat
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Helsing aims electronic attack version of CA-1 Europa at 2031 service entry - EA development will follow the initial CA-1KA ("kinetic attack") UCAV. Experimental, optionally-piloted air vehicle will fly next March, company says at ILA show. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Interesting choice of music ahead of a Eurofighter getting airborne at the ILA Berlin air show (which opens tomorrow) - Deutschland by Rammstein. Hopefully they weren't also running the music video for that one (or someone's losing their job)... Plus Foo Fighters, Led Zep...
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FCAS industrial spat causes termination of Europe's New Generation Fighter project. No surprise to see the NGF effort fold, as the conflicting interests of @Dassault_OnAir and @AirbusDefence were never going to get resolved. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Don't miss our latest FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode, where our defence team delves into the world of airborne early warning - includes Canada backing @Saab GlobalEye purchase, and revived @usairforce interest in @BoeingDefense E-7 Wedgetail. open.spotify.com/episode/5zZ…
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Denmark targets @LockheedMartin JASSM-ER missile purchase for F-35A fleet. Requested deal for 200 precision-strike weapons would be worth around $842 million. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Craig Hoyle retweeted
The first Islander to roll off our fully reshored UK production line at Bembridge is now 75% complete and on schedule for delivery to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service. Read more: britten-norman.com/first-uk-…
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Germany, Spain launch live testing with @eurofighter's new ECRS Mk1 radar. "First results demonstrate the advantages in robustness and performance of the new radar hardware and software architecture", say industry partners @hensoldt and Indra. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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German UAS developer Avilus demonstrates long-range control of optionally-piloted Bussard. Adapted ultralight was flown approx 800km from ground controllers during recent demo. Hoping to find out more while attending ILA show in Berlin next week. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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French government blocks Israeli participation at Eurosatory defence show - MoD and government officials banned, and Israeli companies can only exhibit air defence equipment, not offensive kit; repeat of stance at Paris air show last year. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Spain's first Halcon I-programme @eurofighter rolled out by @AirbusDefence. Aircraft ST015 is the first of 20 on order (with another 25 Halcon II jets to follow from 2030). flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Swedish armed forces welcome two @Bombardier Global 6500s in VIP transport fleet renewal. Ex-demonstrators delivered to Swedish air force just over one year after purchase was announced, with local designation TP 106. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Don't miss our new FlightGlobal Focus podcast episode - an exclusive interview with Chris Raymond, chief executive of @Boeing's Global Services business unit. We talk commercial MRO demand, Spirit Belfast integration work, UK rotary-wing support and more. open.spotify.com/episode/3kS…
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Romania orders two extra @Leonardo_live C-27J transports for civil contingency missions - for use by its Ministry of Internal Affairs' aviation unit. Will add to Bucharest's current fleet of 7 Spartans, which are flown by its air force. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Kyiv, Stockholm advance plans to equip Ukrainian air force with @Saab Gripens. Latest proposal covers up to 20 new-build jets, and the transfer of potentially 16 Swedish air force Gripen C/Ds; with service to get newer replacements. Negotiations ongoing. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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A big announcement at CANSEC yesterday, with Canada announcing @Saab as preferred supplier for its AEW&C requirement. GlobalEye feels a good fit, using the @Bombardier Global 6500 - but does @RCAF_ARC want 360° coverage adding? Nb: no deal signed yet. flightglobal.com/archive/202…
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Israel welcomes first @BoeingDefense KC-46A 'Gideon' tanker, ahead of local systems installation work. Arrival of aircraft 301 was announced by @IAFsite yesterday. Israel follows the @usairforce and Japan in receiving the 767-based tanker: will take 6. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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Royal Thai Navy orders two surveillance-roled @AirbusDefence C295 airlifters. Follows Bangkok's 22 May order for another pair of the twin-turboprops for air force use. flightglobal.com/defence/202…
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