After U.S. Vetoed Poland's AIM-120 Missiles, KAI Still Promises Them to Malaysia for FA-50 Fleet
South Korean aerospace firm KAI is pitching integration of U.S.-made AIM-120 AMRAAM for a potential second batch of Malaysia's FA-50 light combat jets, despite Washington's earlier refusal to permit the same upgrade for Poland's FA-50 order. The proposal was highlighted at the Singapore Airshow 2026 as Kuala Lumpur negotiates a follow-on contract for 18 additional aircraft, though it remains unclear whether the U.S. will grant export approval this time around or if the plan is primarily a sales strategy.
New Threat to Ukraine: russia Unveils Skorlupa USV with Fiber-Optic FPV Drones, Claims Serial Production
russia unveils new Skorlupa naval drone system with fiber-optic FPV capabilities, claims it is in serial production. Moscow's Ushkuynik Scientific and Production Center has showcased trials of an uncrewed surface vessel designed to carry fiber-optic first-person view drones controlled through a tethered optical cable, a technology that resists electronic warfare and emits no radio signal. Russian media say Skorlupa USV is already being produced in quantity and could be used to counter Ukrainian sea drones or potentially strike targets along Ukraine's Black Sea coast, though performance details remain limited.
Read more: Defense Express' Weekly Review: Missiles Meant for India, Drones Over Ukraine, and New Tank Deals
Gripen Beat Rafale in Colombia at $220M Each: F-16 and Typhoon Aircraft Didn't Provide Full Data
Colombia's state audit confirms Sweden's Saab Gripen E/F fighters won its recent fighter procurement over France's Rafale aircraft, pricing the 17‑unit deal at about $220 million per jet, after the country's F‑16 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft manufacturers failed to submit full technical data. The Comptroller General found Gripen offer the most advantageous in terms of operational and financial criteria, though the contract's execution could still hinge on U.S. approval for key components.
russia Once Again Patents Ukrainian-Derived Hood for Armored Vehicles, but with Critical Flaw
Russia has again filed a patent for an armored vehicle hood design clearly derived from Ukrainian anti-drone protection system, but the new version suffers a critical flaw that would hinder combat use. The patented structure largely copies Ukraine's combat‑proven protective hood, yet Moscow's iteration mounts the cover to the hull rather than the turret, preventing the turret from rotating and effectively crippling the vehicle's ability to fire while protected.
Over 1,000 Tomahawk, 1,900 AIM-120, 500 SM-6 Units per Year: U.S. Moves to Multiply Missile Production
The United States and Raytheon are dramatically expanding missile production, with plans to build over 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles, at least 1,900 AIM‑120 air‑to‑air missiles and more than 500 SM‑6 air‑defense missiles annually under new multiyear agreements with the Pentagon. The move aims to replenish U.S. stockpiles and boost industrial capacity for long‑range strike and air defense systems used by U.S. and allied forces after years of high demand and shrinking inventories.
Read more: Defense Express' Weekly Review: Ukraine Strengthens Air Shield as Drones Redefine Strikes from Donetsk to Venezuela
