Following AESA radar first flight on F-16, Aselsan eyes 5th-gen aircraft integration

Following AESA radar first flight on F-16, Aselsan eyes 5th-gen aircraft integration
Following AESA radar first flight on F-16, Aselsan eyes 5th-gen aircraft integration

“The radar program will also prove critical for the nation’s advanced strategic drone programs,” one expert said.

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.

With Somalia naval defense deal, Turkey eyes power projection, future business: Analysts

With Somalia naval defense deal, Turkey eyes power projection, future business: Analysts
With Somalia naval defense deal, Turkey eyes power projection, future business: Analysts

The deal may have been announced in response to tensions in east Africa, but analysts told Breaking Defense it fits with Turkey’s long investment in the region and its aim to be a maritime player beyond its shores.

‘Historic day’ sees Sweden on brink of NATO entry after clearing final Hungarian hurdle

‘Historic day’ sees Sweden on brink of NATO entry after clearing final Hungarian hurdle
‘Historic day’ sees Sweden on brink of NATO entry after clearing final Hungarian hurdle

With the Hungarian vote, all NATO members have supported Sweden’s bid, clearing the way for Stockholm to join the alliance.

UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis

UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis
UK launches military drone strategy backed by $5.7 billion funding and Ukraine analysis

“We have learnt, and will continue to learn, important lessons relating to uncrewed technology from Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, including developing and delivering long range air and maritime strike uncrewed systems,” notes the new 11 page UK military drone strategy.

Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight

Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight
Turkish 5th-gen fighter KAAN completes maiden flight

The indigenously-produced fighter “reached an altitude of 8,000 feet and achieved a speed of 230 knots,” according to a statement.

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite
As US funding remains in limbo, Northrop chases exports for F-16 EW suite

Two international customers so far have signed on to buy Northrop’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, and the company hopes more could be in the works.

Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move

Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move
Biden unfreezes huge F-16 deal for Turkey, OKs F-35s for Greece in major geopolitical move

Lawmakers have not been shy about directly tying Turkey’s F-16s to Anakara’s approval of Sweden’s NATO bid.

Turkish parliament votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing key hurdle

Turkish parliament votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing key hurdle
Turkish parliament votes in favor of Sweden’s NATO bid, clearing key hurdle

NATO members Turkey and Hungary cleared the way for Finland’s formal accession in April 2023 but left Sweden behind at the time.

Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey join forces for Black Sea mine countermeasures coalition

Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey join forces for Black Sea mine countermeasures coalition
Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey join forces for Black Sea mine countermeasures coalition

Todor Tagarev, Bulgaria’s minister of defence, directly tied the establishment of the new MCM task force to Russian actions in the Black Sea, amid Moscow’s continued blockade of maritime traffic in the area.

Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview

Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview
Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview

Once entry has been approved, Stockholm is widely expected to make a substantial military contribution to NATO, especially across air and sea domains.

Gaza war, increased production and unmanned proliferation: Middle East 2023 in review

Gaza war, increased production and unmanned proliferation: Middle East 2023 in review
Gaza war, increased production and unmanned proliferation: Middle East 2023 in review

From tectonic geopolitical shifts to billion-dollar-defense deals, here’s just some of the key events in the Middle East in 2023.

Tanks may face new threats on the modern battlefield, but they’re already adapting

Tanks may face new threats on the modern battlefield, but they’re already adapting
Tanks may face new threats on the modern battlefield, but they’re already adapting

Tactics may change daily in modern combat, but tanks will always find a role, argues former senior Turkish officer Yavuz Turkgenci in this op-ed.

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.”