L3Harris plans next electronic warfare Viper Shield ‘drop’ in December

L3Harris plans next electronic warfare Viper Shield ‘drop’ in December
L3Harris plans next electronic warfare Viper Shield ‘drop’ in December

The new Viper Shield electronic warfare suite, meant to help foreign F-16 customers fend off modern EW threats, will be ready for production in late 2025, L3Harris told Breaking Defense in Dubai.

At Dubai Airshow, Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE does nearly $2B in deals

At Dubai Airshow, Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE does nearly $2B in deals
At Dubai Airshow, Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE does nearly $2B in deals

The lion’s share of the total dollar figure is due to a $1.1 billion (4.1 billion AED) arrangement EDGE signed with the UAE Ministry of Defense for aircraft munitions.

As Bell Textron delivers helos to Jordan, firm inks another Middle East deal for militarized birds

As Bell Textron delivers helos to Jordan, firm inks another Middle East deal for militarized birds
As Bell Textron delivers helos to Jordan, firm inks another Middle East deal for militarized birds

“We have seen a lot of interest in military trainers… since every country in the region is looking to modernize their military trainers,” Bell’s Patrick Moulay told Breaking Defense.

Emirati firm inks deal with Sikorsky for Black Hawk maintenance in-country

Emirati firm inks deal with Sikorsky for Black Hawk maintenance in-country
Emirati firm inks deal with Sikorsky for Black Hawk maintenance in-country

“Having high quality local capabilities supported by the OEM [original equipment manufacturer], will help reduce lead times significantly and translate into better service and availability for the UAE,” a Sikorksy official said.

General Atomics exec eyes Williams, Pratt engines as company searches for CCA propulsion

General Atomics exec eyes Williams, Pratt engines as company searches for CCA propulsion
General Atomics exec eyes Williams, Pratt engines as company searches for CCA propulsion

David Alexander, president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, told Breaking Defense several options could power the company’s Gambit drone offering, and that the Air Force has been more forthcoming with cost expectations behind closed doors.

UAE air force makes first order for Emirati firm Calidus’s B250 trainer aircraft: CEO

UAE air force makes first order for Emirati firm Calidus’s B250 trainer aircraft: CEO
UAE air force makes first order for Emirati firm Calidus’s B250 trainer aircraft: CEO

Calidus CEO Khalifa Alblooshi told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview the company hopes to start delivering the turboprop aircraft in mid-2026.

For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’

For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’
For beleaguered T-7A trainer, Boeing sees global customers, others in DoD as ‘part of the strategy’

The company has incurred some $1.3 billion in charges on the delayed program, but a senior official at the Dubai Airshow sees much clearer skies ahead.

Russian industry in plain sight at Dubai Airshow, US won’t challenge UAE on ‘sovereign decisions’

Russian industry in plain sight at Dubai Airshow, US won’t challenge UAE on ‘sovereign decisions’
Russian industry in plain sight at Dubai Airshow, US won’t challenge UAE on ‘sovereign decisions’

Though mostly absent from the official exhibitor list, Russian firms are out in force in Dubai, including a flyover by a squad of Russian fighter jets.

MBDA reveals joint smart missile plan with UAE, 2030 production target

MBDA reveals joint smart missile plan with UAE, 2030 production target
MBDA reveals joint smart missile plan with UAE, 2030 production target

An MBDA official here tells Breaking Defense how the company sees the missiles swarming into combat, and how MBDA is eyeing a new subsidiary in the UAE.

In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet

In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet
In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet

Three different munitions — the Mk81, Mk82 and longer-range Mk83 guided bombs made by EDGE subsidiary Al Tariq — will all be integrated on the fourth generation plane in due course, Al Tariq CEO Theunis Botha told Breaking Defense.

SAMI exec on Saudi Arabian localization push, Turkish deal prospects and future plans

SAMI exec on Saudi Arabian localization push, Turkish deal prospects and future plans
SAMI exec on Saudi Arabian localization push, Turkish deal prospects and future plans

Walid Abukhaled, CEO of Saudi Arabia Military Industries, told Breaking Defense the conglomerate is “investing in developing our own products across all domains, but the key ones now are really AI and command and control systems.”

F-15EX not currently at risk of schedule breach, despite delivery delays: USAF

F-15EX not currently at risk of schedule breach, despite delivery delays: USAF
F-15EX not currently at risk of schedule breach, despite delivery delays: USAF

The first four lots of jets — almost half the total expected buy — will not come with conformal fuel tanks, a key part of the operational profile for what the service hopes will be its missile truck going forward. 

UAE firm EDGE Group rolls out 11 new drones, missiles at Dubai Airshow

UAE firm EDGE Group rolls out 11 new drones, missiles at Dubai Airshow
UAE firm EDGE Group rolls out 11 new drones, missiles at Dubai Airshow

“We’re always looking at making investments in autonomous capabilities, precision guided munitions and electronic warfare,” Miles Chambers, Edge Group vice president of international business, told Breaking Defense.

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Using RPAs and more to achieve stability in the Arabian Gulf and beyond

Using RPAs and more to achieve stability in the Arabian Gulf and beyond
Using RPAs and more to achieve stability in the Arabian Gulf and beyond

General Atomics’ commitments to the UAE go beyond the long-term support it’s planning for additional aircraft systems.