First Gripen E fighter produced in Brazil is rolled out

On 25 March 2026 Saab, Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) officially presented the first Saab Gripen E fighter produced in Brazil during a ceremony held at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State (see image above).

The aircraft, license-produced by Embraer, is the first supersonic fighter ever to be produced in Latin America.

Under a contract signed in 2014 the FAB is acquiring 36 Gripens – 28 single‑seat Gripen Es and eight two‑seat Gripen Fs – of which deliveries began in 2020. Embraer’s industrial site in Gavião Peixoto produces Gripen Es and will manufacture another 14 of the type under the current contract.

You can read the press release here.

US DoW secures deal to speed up THAAD seeker production

On 25 March 2026 the US Department of War (DoW), in partnership with BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, announced a framework agreement to quadruple the production rate of seekers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor.

The agreement follows a recent announcement by Lockheed Martin that it would quadruple THAAD interceptor production and provides BAE Systems with the stability required for long-term investment to guarantee the delivery of THAAD seekers.

Demands for THAAD interceptors have skyrocketed due to the US/Israeli war with Iran being added to demands from Ukraine due to its conflict with Russia.

You can read the press release here.

MBDA CEO signals further rise in missile production

During MBDA’s annual press conference in Paris on 26 March 2026 company CEO Eric Béranger signalled that MBDA would meet the increased demand for missiles. While the company’s production of missiles had already doubled between 2023 and the end of 2025, Béranger said there would be a 40% projected rise in missile production in 2026 alone.

Béranger also announced a doubling of the company’s investment plan compared to what was announced in 2025, reaching EUR 5 billion to be spent on European sites over the 2026-2030 period, and the hiring of 2,800 personnel in 2026.

MBDA’s financial figures for 2025 include total revenues of EUR 5.8 billion, and order intake of EUR 13.2 billion and a backlog of EUR 44.4 billion.

You can read the press release here.

Uvision establishes Uvision Europe in Munich

Israeli loitering munition manufacturer Uvision announced on 26 March 2026 the establishment of a new European subsidiary in Munich, Germany.

The new entity will serve as an anchor for Uvision’s activities in Europe and builds on the company’s growing activity in the region and the momentum generated through its strategic partnership with Germany’s Rheinmetall, which has helped expand the company’s European footprint and reinforced the value of a stronger presence on the continent.

The CEO of Uvision Europe will be Roman Didenco.

Leonardo completes acquisition of GEM Elettronica

On 23 March 2026 Leonardo announced that it had completed a full acquisition of GEM Elettronica, increasing its stake from 65% to 100%.

Leonardo has stated that the acquisition will enable it to “strengthen its full suite of radars and systems for naval and coastal applications thanks to the full integration of the product portfolio”.

With revenues of more than EUR 45 million in 2025, GEM Elettronica focuses on the development and production of navigation systems, situational awareness systems, radars, optronics and inertial sensors used in the naval domain and for coastal surveillance.

Spectra Group launches final production version of GENSS tactical comms system

The UK’s Spectra Group formally launched the production version of its GENSS software-defined tactical communications system on 23 March 2026.

First introduced as a concept in 2024, the system has since undergone extensive development, testing and refinement in collaboration with specialist user groups.

GENSS extends tactical communications beyond the traditional line-of-sight ‘bubble’, enabling secure voice and data connectivity across challenging operational environments. The system currently supports secure L-band tactical satellite networking (L-TAC) and beyond-line-of-sight voice and data communications, while also enabling MANET network extension and bridging to allow mission systems such as the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) to operate across dispersed units.

You can read the press release here.

Steadicopter launches dedicated UAS academy

Israeli rotary-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer Steadicopter announced on 23 March 2026 the launch of its dedicated Steadicopter UAS Academy, described as a “comprehensive training programme designed to equip customers with the operational expertise required to maximise the capabilities of the company’s advanced rotary-wing UAV platforms”.

The courses, which are accessible from anywhere using a secure learning management system, are designed to provide operators, mission commanders and technical teams with deep knowledge of rotary-wing UAS operations, enabling them to optimise the deployment of such systems across a wide range of operational environments.

KNDS and Elbit Systems launch EuroPULS joint venture

Franco-German land systems provider and Israel’s Elbit Systems have agreed to establish a joint venture to market the EuroPULS rocket artillery system, the companies announced on 26 March 2026.

The joint venture, to be named EuroPULS GmbH, is planned as a 50:50 partnership headquartered in Kassel, Germany.

Under a government-to-government agreement between the Netherlands and Israel, Germany, as a partner, has ordered five EuroPULS initial operational capability (IOC) launchers, with delivery and qualification scheduled for 2027.

You can read the press release here.