Texelis Defense and its Finnish partner unveil the SCATA Mk1

France’s Texelis Defense and Finnish partner SCATA announced the launch of a new a new 18-ton class multi-purpose tactical vehicle on 17 March 2026: the SCATA Mk1 (see image above).

Positioned between light tactical vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 14 tons and heavier 6×6 or 8×8 armoured platforms, the SCATA Mk1 is designed to combine protection, payload capacity, mobility and modularity.

Based on Texelis Defense’s Celeris mobility solution, SCATA Mk1 programme enables the establishment of new sovereign production capacity in Finland while mobilising the local industrial ecosystem.

Developed in less than a year, the SCATA Mk1 will be officially unveiled at the Eurosatory 2026 defence exhibition in Paris in June.

Leonardo completes acquisition of Iveco Group’s defence business

Leonardo announced on 18 March 2026 that it has completed the acquisition of Iveco Group’s defence business (the IDV and ASTRA brands) for a price of EUR 1.6 billion in line with the agreed enterprise value disclosed of EUR 1.7 billion minus agreed contractual adjustments.

The transaction has been financed through available cash resources. The acquisition marks a significant step in Leonardo’s plan to strengthen its role as a leading, fully integrated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the land defence domain. The acquisition further enhances the group’s portfolio of defence and security solutions, covering both tracked and wheeled platforms.
The press release can be found here.

Damen contracted to provide new vessels for Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard

Following a competitive tender the Netherlands Ministry of Defence contracted Damen Shipyards Group on 12 March 2026 to provide three Damen Stan Patrol 5009 vessels for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The new vessels will replace three Damen Spa vessels that have been in service for more than 25 years.

The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard is a joint effort comprising the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the region. The coast guard will operate the SPa 5009 vessels, which are expected to be delivered in early 2029, for maritime surveillance, detection, and assistance at sea, such as police duties, border patrol and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.
The press release can be found here.

BAE Systems to modernise U-2 spy plane’s defensive aids

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by Robins Air Force Base in Georgia to support and sustain the AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System (ADS) for the US Air Force’s U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, the company announced on 17 March 2026. Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide continuous field service support for the aircraft’s electronic warfare system, complete repairs to maintain system availability, and provide software updates so it can detect and engage new threats.

The AN/ALQ-221 system provides integrated radar warning and electronic countermeasures that equip U-2 pilots with situational awareness and self-protection capabilities.
The press release can be found here.

GA-ASI and USAF demonstrate autonomy at USAF exercise using IR sensing for CCA

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) and the US Air Force have held another autonomy flight exercise yielding new and important developments in the operation of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), GA-ASI announced on 17 March 2026.

The demonstration, which took place on 24 February and featured both the latest government Autonomy Start Kit (ASK) and a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger jet unmanned aerial vehicle 9UAv) to represent a testbed CCA, proved the aircraft’s ability to use a tactical proliferated low-Earth-orbit datalink for seamless co-ordination with autonomy behaviours, with complex infrared sensing as part of a large force exercise.
The press release can be found here.

BAE Systems starts working with Knightec Group Brazil

BAE Systems Hägglunds – the Swedish company behind the BvS10 all-terrain vehicle and CV90 infantry fighting vehicle – has begun working with Knightec Group Brazil (formerly Semcon Brazil), the company announced on 18 March 2026.

Through this pilot programme, Knightec Group is initially developing new conceptual designs for gear housings for the BvS10, with a focus on production cost optimisation and improved design performance, before moving on to more complex components. This could help BAE Systems to scale production further given recent contract successes in multiple countries.
The press release can be found here.

Orbit unveils MPT40 compact satcoms terminal

Israel’s Orbit Communication Systems has launched the MPT40 Multi-Platform satellite communications (satcoms) terminal. Launched on 17 March 2026, the system is a compact, lightweight and cost-effective satcoms system designed to deliver high performance across diverse military operational environments.
The press release can be found here.