R&D - Weeklydefencenews

November 27, 2025
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Naval Platforms

France Upgrades Navigation Suite on Mistral Carriers

France’s three Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers will receive upgraded navigation capabilities under a partnership between CNN MCO, Thales, and CS GROUP. The modernization covers the Mistral, Tonnerre, and Dixmude,...

November 25, 2025
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Weapons and Munition

Nigeria Unveils First 1,000 DG-103 Made-in-Country Rifles

Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation–D7G (DICON-D7G) has produced nearly 1,000 upgraded DG-103 assault rifles within the first two months of operations at its Kaduna manufacturing plant, local reports confirmed. The...

November 25, 2025
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Unmanned Systems

Ukraine Turns Heavy Protector Into Armed Combat Robot

Ukraine has equipped its largest unmanned ground vehicle, the Protector UGV, with a remotely operated Tavriia-12.7 turret, transforming it from a support platform into a frontline combat system. The...

November 25, 2025
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Missile & Missile Defence

Leidos, Kongsberg Study Missile, USV Integration in Australia

Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have signed an MoU to explore integrating the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with Leidos’ Sea Archer and Longbow uncrewed surface vessels. The initiative...

November 21, 2025
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Training and Simulation

Rheinmetall Wins $70M German CTC Deal

Germany is modernizing its Army Combat Training Center to prepare its forces for fully digital, next-generation land warfare. As part of this effort, the Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall a...

November 21, 2025
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Land Platforms

Israel Taps Elbit for $210M Merkava Upgrade

Elbit Systems has secured a six-year, $210-million contract to modernize Israel’s Merkava main battle tanks, marking one of the fleet’s most extensive upgrade programs in recent years. The initiative...

November 19, 2025
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Air Platforms

Boeing KC-46 RVS 2.0 Completes Test Flight

Boeing’s upgraded RVS 2.0 for the KC-46 tanker has taken its first flight, marking a major step toward Air Force qualification. The enhanced system uses 4K cameras, stereoscopic imaging,...

November 19, 2025
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Naval Platforms

Portugal’s First Warship Enters Build in Turkey

Turkey has started building Portugal’s first imported military ship under a contract for two logistics and replenishment vessels. Designed for global operations, the ships boast long endurance, a 14-knot...

November 18, 2025
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Air Platforms

German Eurofighters Get Saab EW Upgrade

Saab has secured two Airbus contracts worth a combined €549 million to equip German Eurofighters with its Arexis electronic warfare suite. One order extends a 2024 agreement for Eurofighter...

November 15, 2025
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Land Platforms

Peacekeepers Claim Israeli Fire in South Lebanon

UNIFIL announced that Israeli troops opened fire at its personnel from a Merkava tank stationed at a position Israel maintains inside Lebanon. The peacekeeping team, working with the Lebanese...