The project coincides with the acquisitions that Germany, France and Germany are also considering of up to 37 more aircraft in total The good performance that the A400M military transport aircraft has demonstrated in Greenland has opened the door to its possible acquisition by Denmark. A French Air and Space Force aircraft has landed in the Arctic sea ice to the north of the island this year, offering new perspectives for military air mobility in the polar regions. Previously, in March 2025, an A400M also tested "its capabilities in extreme conditions" in northern Greenland. In this way, the French Air and Space Force obtained the certification of the aircraft to land on ice runways. In addition, during Operation Pegase 2026, which has been underway since September by France, the A400M has demonstrated its ability to deploy in Greenland. The Pegase 26 is the seventh edition of the French Air and Space Force's long-range aerial projection mission, which on this occasion has been taking place since 8 September and concludes on 15 October, and involves a journey of 40,000 kilometres, passing through the Arctic, the Indo-Pacific region and the Near and Middle East. with stops in Greenland, Canada, Alaska, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Qatar, the French island of Reunion and Egypt. Two A400Ms are taking part in this mission alongside four Rafale fighters and in-flight transport and supply aircraft and three A330 MRTTs. These are some of the tests with which the Airbus model has proven its effectiveness in the polar cold and that has led the country's authorities to be interested in the possible acquisition of some units with which to replace its current fleet of C-130J aircraft, manufactured by the American Lockheed Martin. Specifically, Copenhagen is considering the purchase of between four and five A400Ms, according to the French newspaper Le Tribune, which points to Denmark's shift towards a "somewhat more Francophile position in its arms acquisitions", "after having been firmly Atlanticist". It cites the acquisition and selection of several French systems, such as the Mistral 3, VL-MICA and SAMP/T air defence systems, from manufacturers MBDA and Thales, for an estimated value of around one billion euros.  

MMI, a Moroccan company with Israeli capital, will begin delivering turrets for TATA 8x8 armored vehicles to the Moroccan army in 2027 The company, linked to Elbit Systems, has a weapons systems facility near Casablanca and is preparing another dedicated to medium and large-caliber ammunition. The Moroccan Military Industry (MMI) company plans to begin deliveries of turrets for 8x8 armoured vehicles to the Moroccan Army in March 2027. The company, linked to the Israeli group Elbit Systems, is also developing a version of these systems to combat drones and is preparing new facilities to manufacture medium and large-caliber ammunition on Moroccan territory. MMI CEO Kadouri Naor confirmed these plans in statements reported by Reuters during the Marrakech Air Show, held this week in Morocco. The company has reached an agreement with the Moroccan National Defence Administration to produce the turrets for the 8x8 armoured vehicles that the Indian company Tata assembles in the North African country. The person in charge has not detailed the number of units contracted or the amount of the agreement. The programme is part of Rabat's strategy to develop a self-defence industry through agreements with international manufacturers. Local manufacturing of turrets and ammunition will bring industrial capabilities into the country, while opening up the possibility of meeting the future needs of the Royal Armed Forces and other customers. Two facilities for manufacturing weapons systems and ammunition MMI has a dedicated weapons systems facility in the Midparc industrial park near Casablanca. The company is building a second plant in Sidi Yahya, north of Rabat, for the production of medium and large-caliber ammunition. The creation of these facilities responds to the objective of developing an industrial chain in Morocco capable of manufacturing different components and systems for the Armed Forces. MMI's activity is related to industrial cooperation between Morocco and Elbit Systems, an Israeli group specialising in defence systems, military electronics, unmanned vehicles and armaments. The two countries signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2021, after re-establishing diplomatic relations in 2020.  

Officers of the Lao People’s Army protest that a new military airport being built north of the capital, Vientiane, is just a place to train its air-force pilots. That is why, they say, China has been laying out a long runway there since late 2025. But Western governments and their Asian allies are not so sure. An announcement on September 29th that China and Laos had established what they called a “joint support centre” at Ban Keun, the site of a CIA airfield during the Vietnam war, has some analysts concerned that Laos may have opened the door to the first Chinese air base in mainland South-East Asia. That would be a huge step for China, which has only one overseas military base of its own at present, a logistics hub in Djibouti that lets its navy operate near sea lanes it uses to ship goods to Europe. Another naval base in Cambodia is jointly operated with the Cambodian navy. Chinese equipment there may also serve a signals-intelligence function, snooping on American forces operating from nearby U-Tapao air base in Thailand, an American ally. But it is not yet clear what China would want with an air base only about 300km from its southern border. For the moment it is uncertain how many troops or planes there are at Ban Keun. But if China did want to base them in Laos, the host government might find it difficult to object. One of South-East Asia’s poorest countries, Laos is indebted to its northern neighbour to the tune of $5bn, around 30% of its GDP. It blew much of that by placing bad bets on hydropower dams and a high-speed rail line to the southern Chinese city of Kunming. When Laos’s currency, the kip, collapsed under the weight of all that debt in 2022, China rescheduled it and thus saved its neighbour from default. Laos has yet to report that it has resumed payments. One Asian diplomat in Laos says that the government does not answer questions about the airfield beyond reciting talking points from the thin statement announcing the facility last month. But that is not unusual in Laos, where an ambassador posted to the capital from a friendly country says that the government is a black box. “One of the great challenges of operating in Laos is that it’s so opaque that you end up relying on rumours,” he explains. One rumour that has been doing the rounds in Vientiane is that China has been looking for an air base in the country for some time. Speculation centred for a while on the airport at Xieng Khouang, where a Chinese company began lengthening the runway to 3km, long enough for military jets, in 2024. But AVIC, the Chinese company, completed the works in June 2025 and handed the airfield back to Laos. When asked by your correspondent, one Lao military officer says that Western fears of a Chinese base are overblown. “Our current constitution doesn’t allow foreign militaries to be present in the country.” The party leadership is said to be furious about media reports to the contrary. But merely pointing to laws will do little to smooth over Western anxieties about the intentions of the communist party that rules Laos.

The three countries will finance with eight million euros the second phase of an initiative that took its first steps in 2022 with the support of Spain and Germany. The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a second phase of its automatic in-flight refuelling project, in which Spain, Germany and Belgium will work to move towards the transfer of fuel to unmanned aircraft during flight. The initiative has an estimated budget of eight million euros and gives continuity to the work started in 2022 to automate refueling operations using the hose and basket system. The incorporation of Belgium expands on the cooperation initiated by Spain and Germany, which led the first phase of the programme. The aim is to develop technologies that allow the automation of a manoeuvre that requires high precision: the receiving aircraft must approach the tanker, maintain a stable position and establish contact with the fuel basket under variable flight conditions. In this new stage, the work will focus on transferring these advances to the resupply of unmanned aerial systems. The capability would allow the autonomy of drones compatible with this procedure to be extended and facilitate their use in longer missions, without relying exclusively on their initial fuel reserves. The initiative is part of EDA's activities to strengthen European air capabilities through multinational research and development projects. The agency considers in-flight refueling a force multiplier that allows expanding the range, persistence and operational flexibility of military aircraft. From fighter tests to unmanned systems The first phase of the project, launched in 2022 with Spain and Germany, had a budget of four million euros and an expected duration of two years. The programme brought together Airbus Defence and Space, GMV, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and AES Technology to develop and evaluate technologies aimed at automating hose and basket refuelling. The tests included the use of an Airbus A330 MRTT tanker and a German Tornado fighter, in addition to Spanish participation in the tests with an F-18. The work focused on technologies to locate and track the fuel basket, improve the stability of the system during flight and facilitate the approach of the receiving aircraft.  

The company is participating for the first time in the Marrakech Air Show with a specific space for the aircraft, while Moroccan media point to a possible interest from Rabat in acquiring the aircraft Morocco is reportedly studying the acquisition of the FA-50 from South Korea's Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to renew part of its advanced training capabilities and have a light combat platform. The possibility of an operation between Rabat and the South Korean manufacturer has gained strength coinciding with KAI's first participation in the Marrakech Air Show 2026, although at the moment there is no official confirmation of a procurement contract by the Moroccan authorities or the company. KAI has attended the show, which will be held from 7 to 10 October, with the FA-50 as one of its main proposals for the Moroccan market. The company has reserved a specific space for this aircraft taking into account, according to the company itself, the programme for the acquisition of advanced training aircraft being carried out by the Moroccan Air Force. Information published on October 8 by KAI confirms that the company is using the show to present the capabilities of the FA-50 to the Moroccan government and establish contacts with military and government officials. The South Korean manufacturer says that it seeks to take advantage of the fair as a platform to generate new business opportunities both in Morocco and in other African markets.

Romania has signed a purchase order with France’s arms procurement agency for 12 Airbus H225M multi-mission helicopters. Valued at approximately 757 million euros ($847 million), the order is funded under the European Union’s SAFE program and includes an initial logistics support package and personnel training. The deal will partially replace Romania’s aging IAR-330 Puma fleet, which is used for conventional and special operations. The H225Ms will be configured for ground-attack missions and equipped to conduct attack, reconnaissance, surveillance, tactical protection, and specialized airborne assault operations during day and night. SAFE Funding The helicopter order is Romania’s second project approved under the European Commission’s SAFE program. The first covers the procurement of 12 Thales Ground Master 200 MM/A air-surveillance radars for approximately 247 million euros ($277 million). Part of Thales’ Ground Master family, the GM200 MM/A is a 4D active electronically scanned array radar capable of detecting and tracking drones, aircraft, and missiles at ranges of up to 350 kilometers (217 miles). Thales will also establish a Radar Competence Centre to strengthen Romania’s long-term industrial capacity and radar expertise, with the first system expected to be delivered in 2027.

Indonesia has inaugurated six regional military commands (Kodam) to expand its armed forces’ administrative reach, while drawing scrutiny from civil society groups over potential military encroachment into civilian governance. Announced by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the restructuring adds headquarters across Yogyakarta, Riau Islands, East Nusa Tenggara, North Maluku, Central Papua, and West Nusa Tenggara. The expansion brings the nationwide total of commands to 27, while incorporating 204 new units across the force. Those units include 30 territorial development infantry brigades, 150 territorial development infantry battalions, and three combat support units. Additional units are one marine brigade and four battalions under the Indonesian Navy, as well as 10 units, including a Rapid Action Forces division and radar sites, under the Indonesian Air Force. ‘Necessary’ Changes Officials framed the expansion as an essential move to secure the Southeast Asian country’s archipelago and enhance disaster response capabilities.

British off-road vehicle manufacturer INEOS Automotive has secured its first supply orders for military versions of its Grenadier 4×4 from the Italian Army and the Austrian government. Italy is the first NATO member to order the vehicles, with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2027. The Austrian government has awarded a contract for enhanced-protection versions of the Grenadier, with local armoring and conversion specialist Valentin Tusch adapting them for the Austrian Defense and Interior security forces. Initial deliveries and trials are scheduled to begin by the end of this year. INEOS said the Grenadier was selected for its versatility, easy maintenance, and robust axles suited to heavy loads and challenging terrain, without disclosing further details. The company is also in advanced talks with other European and NATO forces for the vehicle. The Team Grenadier consortium, including SMT Defence and NMS UK, has entered trials for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle program. Armored Grenadier 4×4 INEOS has developed the Grenadier-based Enhanced Protection Vehicle (EPV), an armored variant designed to protect troops from bullets, shell fragments, and blasts. The EPV features an integrated armored cabin reportedly meeting NATO STANAG Level 2 protection requirements. Imagery shows a fully enclosed body, snorkel, and front-mounted recovery winch.  

A Raytheon-Rafael Advanced Defense Systems facility in Camden, Arkansas, has delivered its first fully US-made Tamir interceptor to Israel, marking a milestone in efforts to establish a second production source for the Iron Dome air defense system. The US has supplied components for Tamir production for years, but the Camden facility is the first outside Israel capable of producing complete Iron Dome interceptors. The plant is intended to accelerate deliveries and strengthen US-Israeli missile defense capabilities. It will also produce SkyHunter, the US version of Tamir, for the US Marine Corps’ Medium-Range Intercept Capability system. Developed by Rafael with Raytheon support, the Tamir intercepts rockets and other short-range threats at ranges of 4 to 70 kilometers (2 to 43 miles) using radar guidance, a command datalink, and a blast warhead.

Greece has reached a deal with the US worth up to $4 billion for weapons purchases and F-16 upgrades, Reuters reported. The package would upgrade older F-16s to the Viper configuration and supply advanced missiles and bombs for the country’s F-16 Vipers, planned F-35 fleet, and Black Hawk helicopters. Greece spends nearly 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense, according to Reuters, and plans to invest approximately 28 billion euros ($31 billion) in modernizing its armed forces through 2036. European Defence Agency figures put the country’s defense expenditure last year at 6.9 billion euros, equivalent to 2.8 percent of GDP. Greece’s F-16 Upgrade Program Greece received its 60th F-16 Viper in September, as Lockheed Martin and Hellenic Aerospace Industry continue converting the country’s existing fighters to the upgraded configuration. The aircraft feature APG-83 electronically scanned radars, new mission computers, and updated cockpit displays. Conversion work takes place at Hellenic Aerospace Industry’s Tanagra facilities, north of Athens, with technical support from Lockheed Martin. Deliveries of upgraded fighters are scheduled to continue through 2027. Greece received its first two Vipers in September 2022, four years after approving the conversion program.