April, 2026 - Weeklydefencenews

April 17, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
New Product Launches

New Weapon Kits for Black Hawk Debut

New mission kits from Sikorsky will let operators convert UH-60 Black Hawks into armed support helicopters without needing separate dedicated gunship fleets. The production-ready packages add up to six...

April 17, 2026
Admin
Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

Sentinel ICBM Flight Test Set for 2027

The next-generation Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile is moving toward a planned 2027 flight test as the US prepares to retire the Minuteman III fleet. Designed by Northrop Grumman, Sentinel...

Dutch Fund Joint Drone Build With Ukraine

The Dutch government will invest €248 million in collaborative drone production with Ukraine, expanding earlier commitments to jointly manufacture long-range strike systems. Factories are expected in both Ukraine and...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Naval Platforms
R&D

New Coating Boosts Submarine Stealth

India has achieved an important milestone in naval technology by producing domestic rubber tiles for submarines, a key feature for acoustic stealth. Mounted on the outer hull, these tiles...

US Navy Orders Four Landing Ships

Fincantieri’s US subsidiary has received a $30-million Navy contract to launch development of the new Medium Landing Ship fleet. The initial phase includes procurement of long-lead components plus engineering...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Missile & Missile Defence
R&D

NIOA-L3Harris Boost Missile Production

NIOA and L3Harris Technologies have deepened cooperation to manufacture missile components in Australia, supporting the country’s drive for defense self-reliance. Their renewed agreement targets local production of solid rocket...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Air Platforms
Procurement & Contracts

Apache, Chinook Fleet Support Deal

Boeing Defence UK has secured a major 879-million-pound support contract covering Britain’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and Chinook transport aircraft. The agreement includes maintenance services, engineering support, logistics, and...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Communication and Electronics
R&D

GaN Radars to Track Drone Threats

India has announced plans to develop an advanced 4D AESA long-range radar powered by Gallium Nitride semiconductors to enhance strategic surveillance. The proposed radar would offer detection ranges exceeding...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Communication and Electronics
R&D

Brazil Army Gets Improved SABER Radar

The Brazilian Army has received the first two upgraded SABER M60 radar systems after Embraer completed their conversion to the 2.0 configuration. The contract covers eight radars and follows...

April 16, 2026
Admin
Land Platforms
R&D

Inside the JLTV Tactical Platform

The JLTV was introduced to solve a long-standing battlefield challenge: how to combine armored protection with light-vehicle mobility. Intended to replace many Humvees in United States service, the platform...