This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and additional industry data.

Germany Pivots to Startups for €536 Million Strike Drone Order

The German government has initiated a significant shift in its defense procurement strategy, moving to acquire strike drones worth approximately €536 million ($638 million) from domestic startups rather than established defense giants. According to reporting by Reuters, the deal involves two German technology companies, Helsing and Stark Defence, and is part of a broader rearmament effort following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This procurement is intended to equip the Bundeswehr’s 45th Tank Brigade, which is currently stationed in Lithuania to bolster NATO’s eastern flank. The decision highlights a growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and software-defined warfare, as the selected systems are designed to operate in environments where GPS signals are jammed, a critical lesson learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The initial order is reportedly part of a larger framework agreement that could eventually reach a value of €4.3 billion over seven years. By selecting agile, tech-focused firms, Berlin is signaling a departure from traditional procurement cycles, though the move has generated scrutiny regarding the maturity of the technology involved.

Details of the Procurement Deal

According to the proposal submitted to the Bundestag’s Budget Committee, the initial contract is split between the two companies, with deliveries expected to begin by early 2027. The framework agreement sets high ceilings for future spending, indicating a long-term commitment to these platforms.

• Total Framework Potential: Up to €4.3 billion.
• Stark Defence Share: A potential ceiling of €2.86 billion.
• Helsing Share: A potential ceiling of €1.46 billion.

Reuters notes that this investment is a direct response to the “Zeitenwende”, Germany’s historic turning point in defense policy. The goal is to rapidly field “loitering munitions,” often called kamikaze drones, that can provide tactical advantages to forward-deployed units.

The Companies and Capabilities

The selection of Helsing and Stark Defence represents a bet on “sovereign tech” and AI capabilities over traditional hardware manufacturing.

Helsing and the HX-2

Helsing, a Munich-based defense AI “unicorn” backed by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, will supply the HX-2 strike drone. The system is catapult-launched and features a range of up to 100 kilometers. Its primary differentiator is advanced artificial intelligence that allows terminal guidance without reliance on GPS, making it resilient against electronic warfare.

However, the choice has not been without controversy. Industry reports indicate that Helsing’s drones have faced mixed reviews in operational environments. According to reporting summarized by Bloomberg, some units deployed in Ukraine experienced issues with takeoff and susceptibility to jamming, leading to a pause in certain orders. Helsing has disputed these characterizations, citing successful combat trials.

Stark Defence and the “Virtus”

Berlin-based Stark Defence, backed by investors including Peter Thiel and the NATO Innovation Fund, will provide the OWE-V “Virtus.” This system offers Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) capabilities, eliminating the need for a catapult and increasing mobility for ground troops.

Like Helsing, Stark Defence has faced scrutiny during the testing phase. Reports from comparative trials in October 2025 suggested the system suffered failures, including crashes and missed targets. In response to these reports, the company has described such incidents as part of a “disciplined experimentation” process typical of rapid agile development.

Strategic Implications and Industry Impact

A notable aspect of this procurement is the exclusion of Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest defense contractor. Reports suggest that Rheinmetall was unable to provide a functioning demonstrator of its competing drone in time for the trials, leading the government to favor the faster-moving startups.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this procurement decision as a high-stakes gamble by the German Ministry of Defense. By bypassing a titan like Rheinmetall in favor of venture-backed startups, Berlin is prioritizing software speed and AI integration over traditional industrial reliability. This aligns with the modern battlefield reality where software updates are as critical as ammunition.

However, the reported test failures and operational hiccups in Ukraine introduce significant risk. If these startups cannot scale production or resolve technical glitches by the 2027 delivery target, the 45th Tank Brigade may be left without critical capabilities. This deal serves as a litmus test for whether European defense procurement can successfully adapt to the “Silicon Valley” model of development.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the drones be delivered?
The first operational systems are scheduled for delivery to the Bundeswehr by early 2027.

Why was Rheinmetall excluded?
Reports indicate Rheinmetall was excluded from this specific contract because it could not present a working demonstrator of its drone in time for the comparative trials.

What is the total value of the contract?
The immediate order is valued at €536 million, but the framework agreement allows for spending up to €4.3 billion over seven years.

Sources

Reuters

This article summarizes reporting by Daily Sabah.

Türkiye and Saudi Arabia Sign Historic Deal for Joint Gökbey Helicopters Production

In a significant move for regional defense cooperation, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly produce the T625 Gökbey multirole helicopter within the Kingdom. The agreement was finalized on February 10, 2026, during the World Defense Show (WDS) in Riyadh, marking the first international Manufacturing deal for Türkiye’s indigenous utility helicopter.

According to reporting by Daily Sabah, the deal involves Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Saudi counterparts, including the Ministry of Investment and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). The Partnerships aims to establish a production line in Saudi Arabia that will serve both military and civilian sectors, aligning with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to localize defense manufacturing.

Agreement Details and Scope

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for Technology transfer and industrial collaboration. As reported by Defense Here, the agreement was signed by Gökhan Uçar, Deputy Head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and TAI Board Member, alongside Saudi officials. The deal is not merely a purchase agreement but a strategic industrial partnership designed to enhance Saudi Arabia’s domestic aerospace capabilities.

Key elements of the agreement include:

• Local Production: The T625 Gökbey will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia, with TAI partnering with a local manufacturer once national demand is consolidated.
• Dual-Use Application: The production line will cater to various configurations, including military transport, VIP transport, air ambulance, and search and rescue (SAR) operations.
• Export Potential: The Saudi-based production line may eventually serve as a hub for exports to neighboring countries in the region.

“The agreement covers the production of the Turkish indigenous Gökbey multirole helicopter… [and] involves the transfer of technology and industrial know-how.”

, Summary of reporting by Daily Sabah

The T625 Gökbey: Capabilities and Specs

The T625 Gökbey is a 6-ton class, twin-engine light utility helicopter designed and built by TAI. It is Türkiye’s first indigenous multirole helicopter, engineered to operate effectively in challenging environments. This makes it particularly well-suited for Saudi Arabia’s “hot and high” conditions, which often degrade the performance of standard rotorcraft.

Based on technical data summarized from the World Defense Show reports, the aircraft features:

• Capacity: 12 passengers plus 2 crew members.
• Performance: A maximum speed of approximately 306 km/h (165 knots) and a range of roughly 740 km (400 nautical miles).
• Endurance: Capable of staying airborne for over 3.8 hours.
• Avionics: A modern glass cockpit with wide-screen displays and advanced navigation systems.

While initial models are powered by LHTEC CTS800 engines, Türkiye is actively transitioning to its indigenous TEI-TS1400 engine to ensure full export independence and immunity from foreign restrictions.

Strategic Alignment with Vision 2030

This partnership is a direct reflection of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which mandates the localization of 50% of the Kingdom’s defense spending by the end of the decade. By securing the rights to manufacture the Gökbey locally, Riyadh reduces its reliance on traditional Western suppliers and builds a skilled industrial workforce.

For Türkiye, the deal represents a major export milestone. Following the global success of its drone platforms like the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı, the Gökbey agreement validates the commercial viability of its manned aviation sector. TAI General Manager Mehmet Demiroğlu previously noted that negotiations had been ongoing, with Saudi interest extending specifically to offshore configurations for the oil and gas sector.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to manufacture the Gökbey in Saudi Arabia signals a deepening of the Ankara-Riyadh defense axis. Historically, Gulf nations have relied heavily on American and European rotorcraft. This shift towards Turkish platforms suggests a desire for more flexible technology transfer terms and a diversification of supply chains.

Furthermore, the inclusion of technology transfer is critical. Unlike simple off-the-shelf purchases, this deal embeds Turkish aerospace engineering into the Saudi industrial base. If successful, the Saudi production line could become a secondary supply node for the Gökbey, potentially mitigating production backlogs in Türkiye as global demand for affordable, non-ITAR-restricted utility helicopters grows.

Sources

Sources: Daily Sabah, Defense Here, Turkish Minute, TurDef

This article is based on an official press release from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Marine Corps Unveils 2026 Aviation Plan: Major F-35 Fleet Restructuring and Safety Overhaul

The U.S. Marine Corps has officially released its 2026 Marine Corps Aviation Plan (AVPLAN), marking a significant transition from strategic theory to concrete implementation. Released by Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. William H. Swan, the document outlines the service’s aviation roadmap through 2040, prioritizing integration with the Joint Force and a “data-driven” approach to modernization.

According to the official release, the 2026 AVPLAN signals the entry into “Phase 3: Execution” of Project Eagle, the Corps’ long-term aviation Strategy. While the total procurement number for the F-35 Lightning II remains steady, the plan reveals a major pivot in the mix of variants, favoring carrier-based capabilities over short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) platforms to better align with U.S. Navy carrier strike groups.

In a statement regarding the plan’s release, Lt. Gen. Swan emphasized the shift in focus:

“The 2026 AVPLAN moves away from broad directives and toward concrete, data-driven implementation.”

, Lt. Gen. William H. Swan, Deputy Commandant for Aviation

Strategic Pivot: F-35 Procurement Changes

The most notable operational change detailed in the 2026 AVPLAN is the restructuring of the tactical fighter fleet. While the Marine Corps maintains its total procurement objective of 420 aircraft, the specific composition of the fleet is changing significantly to support distributed maritime operations.

According to the plan, the service is reducing its procurement of the F-35B (the STOVL variant capable of operating from amphibious assault ships) from 353 to 280 aircraft. Conversely, the Corps is more than doubling its acquisition of the F-35C (the carrier variant), increasing the target from 67 to 140 aircraft.

This adjustment will result in a force structure of:

• 12 F-35B Squadrons (down from previous estimates)
• 8 F-35C Squadrons (up from 4)

This shift suggests a deeper commitment to integrating Marine aviation assets directly into Navy Carrier Air Wings, leveraging the F-35C’s extended range and payload capacity compared to the F-35B.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to swap 73 F-35Bs for F-35Cs represents a tacit acknowledgement of the changing Pacific threat landscape. While the F-35B offers unique flexibility for island-hopping campaigns and operations from L-class amphibious ships, the F-35C brings greater fuel capacity and a more robust landing gear structure suitable for high-tempo carrier operations. By increasing the F-35C buy, the Marine Corps is effectively tying its fixed-wing future more closely to “big deck” Navy carriers, ensuring relevance in long-range conflicts where the shorter combat radius of the F-35B might be a limiting factor.

Modernization and Distributed Operations

Beyond fleet numbers, the AVPLAN formalizes Distributed Aviation Operations (DAO) as the service’s central warfighting concept. This doctrine relies on dispersing aircraft across small, austere expeditionary sites to complicate enemy targeting cycles. To support this, Aviation Ground Support (AGS) has been formally designated as the “7th Function of Marine Aviation,” highlighting its critical role in sustaining dispersed forces.

The plan also details the integration of unmanned systems and AI:

• MQ-9A Reaper: Continued expansion for long-range surveillance.
• Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA): Integration of the MQ-58B to serve as “loyal wingmen” for manned fighters.
• Decision-Centric Aviation Operations (DCAO): Utilizing AI and machine learning to accelerate tactical decision-making and predictive maintenance.

Col. Derek Brannon, Cunningham Group Branch Head, noted the importance of this technological integration in the official release:

“Project Eagle prepares us to embrace technological innovation while ensuring we can deliver combat power across all domains.”

, Col. Derek Brannon

“26 in 26”: A New Safety North Star

Addressing a series of aviation mishaps across the military in recent years, the 2026 AVPLAN introduces a specific Safety initiative titled “Safety North Star: 26 in 26.”

The initiative aims to drastically reduce Class A-D mishaps during the calendar year 2026. The plan cites internal data indicating that 78.8% of historical mishaps involved human factors, with nearly 30% of major mishaps linked to procedural non-compliance. The “26 in 26” program focuses on a “back-to-basics” approach, enforcing strict discipline and adherence to established procedures to mitigate human error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the new plan reduce the total number of F-35s the Marines will buy?

No. The total procurement objective remains fixed at 420 Military-Aircraft. The change is only in the mix of variants (fewer F-35Bs, more F-35Cs).

What is the difference between the F-35B and F-35C?

The F-35B is a Short Take-off/Vertical Landing (STOVL) jet designed for amphibious ships and short runways. The F-35C is the Carrier Variant, featuring larger wings, folding wingtips, and stronger landing gear for catapult launches and arrested landings on Navy aircraft carriers. The F-35C generally has greater range and payload capacity.

What is Project Eagle?

Project Eagle is the Marine Corps’ overarching aviation strategy. The 2026 AVPLAN marks the beginning of “Phase 3,” which focuses on the execution and delivery of the modernization goals set in previous years.

Sources

• U.S. Marine Corps