NEWS - defencenews.online

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
R&D

India’s SFDR-powered Astra Mk3 missile moves toward live combat-envelope testing

India’s next-generation long-range air-to-air missile programme, Astra Mk3 — officially associated with the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)-based “Gandiva” project — is now entering its most crucial phase of...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
Procurement & Contracts

DMRL works on next-generation tank protection for Future Ready Combat Vehicle

India’s Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) programme is set to receive a major leap in battlefield survivability as the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) confirmed work on advanced next-generation...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
New Product Launches

India’s indigenous Viper sniper rifle receives next-generation modernization

Bengaluru-based SSS Defence, one of India’s leading private-sector small arms manufacturers, has unveiled a major upgrade to its sniper rifle lineup with the introduction of the Viper Mach 2....

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
Procurement & Contracts

Royal Thai Air Force to operate additional Airbus C295 tactical airlifters

Thailand is set to expand its fleet of Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft to five platforms after placing an order for two additional aircraft. The Royal Thai Army has...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
New Product Launches

Hanwha’s next-generation KAAV II boosts amphibious mobility and battlefield survivability

After more than a decade of development, South Korea has unveiled a prototype of its next-generation Korea Amphibious Assault Vehicle, known as KAAV II. Developed by Hanwha Aerospace, the...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
Procurement & Contracts

Greece considers C-390 as Embraer expands European sustainment network

Embraer has signed an agreement with Greece’s Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) to explore establishing local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
R&D

Lockheed Martin to support USCG high-power microwave anti-smuggling project

The US Coast Guard (USCG) is planning to collaborate with Lockheed Martin to develop a craft-mounted high-power microwave (HPM) weapon designed to counter small, high-speed smuggling vessels. The initiative...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
R&D

US Special Operations Command arms MQ-9 drones with Small Diameter Bombs

The US Air Force Special Operations Command has integrated the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb onto MQ-9 Reaper drones, significantly enhancing the platform’s long-range precision strike capability for operations in...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
R&D

UK tests crewed-uncrewed teaming in Tamber Shield exercise against maritime threats

During the exercise, Puma unmanned aerial systems carried out forward reconnaissance missions, transmitting real-time targeting information to Wildcat helicopter crews. The UK Royal Navy’s Wildcat helicopter teams recently trained...

May 25, 2026
G.Krish
Procurement & Contracts

Canberra plans retirement of Spartan transports as RAAF shifts toward long-range capabilities

Australia has decided to retire its fleet of Leonardo C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft and replace them with commercial airframes under the country’s updated defense strategy. Announced in April,...