Acquisitions
Norway selects MH-60R Seahawk to partially replace NH90 fleet
Norway has announced plans to acquire six Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission utility helicopters to replace some of its now-retired fleet of NHIndustries NH90 rotorcraft, which were withdrawn from operational use in June 2022
Spain opts to acquire additional PC-21s
Having already ordered an initial batch of 24 turboprop-driven Pilatus PC-21s in early 2020, the Spanish Air and Space Force has further bolstered its commitment to the platform by acquiring a further 16 examples from the Swiss aircraft manufacturer, making it the largest operator of the PC-21 in Europe
Malaysian Army chief announces Black Hawk acquisition
Chief of the Malaysian Army, Gen Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zamrose Mohd Zain, announced on March 11 that the service’s Army Aviation branch will get four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, with the newly acquired utility helicopters expected to arrive in-country from May or June 2023
Nigeria orders Cayuse Warrior Plus light attack helicopters
MD Helicopters Inc announced on March 7 that the Nigerian Army had placed an order for 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus light attack/scout helicopters in an effort to bolster its counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations in-country
AFSOC becomes latest MQ-9B SkyGuardian customer
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc announced on March 6 that it will provide three MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS to US Air Force Special Operations Command, making it the first US customer to acquire the type
USAF orders first E-7A AEW&C aircraft from Boeing
Having selected Boeing’s E-7A to replace its ageing fleet of E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft last year, the USAF has awarded the US-based aircraft manufacturing giant a contract to begin working on the first two aircraft using a rapid prototyping acquisition pathway
India green lights mass HTT-40 basic trainer acquisition
India’s Union Cabinet has approved the procurement of 70 new-build, turboprop-driven HTT-40s from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in a bid to mitigate the shortage of basic training aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s fleet
Singapore green lights additional F-35B purchase
Having concluded its evaluation of the F-35B Lightning II, the Republic of Singapore Air Force revealed it would exercise its option to acquire another eight examples of the STOVL-configured variant of the fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter family on February 24
Cost of UK's final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning IIs to increase
The price of the final Tranche 1 F-35B Lightning II fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters to be acquired by the UK is set to rise by 6%, the Ministry of Defence has revealed
USAF awards $2.25bn contract to Boeing for additional KC-46As
The USAF awarded Boeing a contract - worth $2.25bn - on January 27 for the manufacture and delivery of 15 more KC-46A Pegasus tankers under Production Lot 9