Sikorsky prepares X2 offer for NATO’s next generation rotorcraft competition

Sikorsky prepares X2 offer for NATO’s next generation rotorcraft competition
Sikorsky prepares X2 offer for NATO’s next generation rotorcraft competition

The manufacturer is shifting attention to alliance requirements in the aftermath of the US Army cancelling its next-generation Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) effort.

Fincantieri CEO looks to tap growing undersea market

Fincantieri CEO looks to tap growing undersea market
Fincantieri CEO looks to tap growing undersea market

“Underwater will be what was space 40 years ago,” company CEO Pierroberto Folgiero told Breaking Defense during a recent visit to Washington.

In Poland, jets return to the road – with Italian friends in tow

In Poland, jets return to the road – with Italian friends in tow
In Poland, jets return to the road – with Italian friends in tow

Italian Eurofighters, as well one of Poland’s Turkish-made TB2 drones, joined Poland’s fleet of Su-22s and MiG-29s on doing road landings during a recent exercise.

Japan cabinet OKs country’s first fighter export plan, for GCAP

Japan cabinet OKs country’s first fighter export plan, for GCAP
Japan cabinet OKs country’s first fighter export plan, for GCAP

Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says sales will come “down to cost and capability – how much does GCAP cost in terms of both unit cost and sustainment over the life of type.”

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans
Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Roberto Cingolani appeared to question UK secrecy, suggesting London has been unwilling to share how it will contribute to developing GCAP system of systems-type aircraft and technology.

EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb
EXCLUSIVE: F-35A officially certified to carry nuclear bomb

The designation marks the first time that a stealth fighter can carry a nuclear weapon, in this case the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

Ukraine advisory group pushes for NATO accession, countering 3 key concerns

Ukraine advisory group pushes for NATO accession, countering 3 key concerns
Ukraine advisory group pushes for NATO accession, countering 3 key concerns

A former NATO leader argued that not inviting Ukraine into NATO for fear of Russian response, for example, is giving Vladimir Putin a “de facto veto” over the alliance’s decisions.

Fincantieri launches modular FCx30 frigate concept, targets Saudi Arabia order

Fincantieri launches modular FCx30 frigate concept, targets Saudi Arabia order
Fincantieri launches modular FCx30 frigate concept, targets Saudi Arabia order

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero told Breaking Defense the modularity approach shortens production time against a general frigate market trend of 40 months, and he “strongly believes” Saudi Arabia stands as a key “addressable market” to secure a future FCx30 sale.

Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem

Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem
Amid high-tech talk, US and European navy chiefs bemoan the people problem

Western naval leaders gathered in Paris to present their priorities — and agree that recruiting and retention are among the chief challenges of the digital age.

UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details

UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details
UK, Italy, Japan ink GCAP stealth fighter treaty, reveal new program details

The joint effort to get a sixth-gen stealth fighter in the air by 2035 is to be headquartered in the UK, while a Japanese official will be the first program leader.

Sweden commits to future fighter procurement decision in 2031: Official

Sweden commits to future fighter procurement decision in 2031: Official
Sweden commits to future fighter procurement decision in 2031: Official

A decision has not been made so far on an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) date for a future fighter, but a wide range of planning activities will inform the 2031 procurement decision, an official said.

Germany inks Artemis Accords, citing ‘security impact’ in space

Germany inks Artemis Accords, citing ‘security impact’ in space
Germany inks Artemis Accords, citing ‘security impact’ in space

Germany is not the first European country to join, but as a political and economic center of the continent, Berlin’s move could convince several others to follow suit.

New missiles, radars: French and Italian Horizon-class frigates to receive $1.6B mid-life upgrades

New missiles, radars: French and Italian Horizon-class frigates to receive $1.6B mid-life upgrades
New missiles, radars: French and Italian Horizon-class frigates to receive $1.6B mid-life upgrades

“The [Horizon-class] ships as they are right now, do not have an anti-ballistic missile defense capability, so that is the main improvement,” Enrico Gottardo, Bids Director at Naviris, told Breaking Defense.

Now that Italy has lifted its arms embargo aimed at Saudi Arabia, could defense deals follow?

Now that Italy has lifted its arms embargo aimed at Saudi Arabia, could defense deals follow?
Now that Italy has lifted its arms embargo aimed at Saudi Arabia, could defense deals follow?

The Italian government cited changed conditions on the ground in Yemen as its reason to lift the years-long block.