UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement
Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has signed an MoU with Avibras to develop long-range cruise missiles.
Avibras will create ‘a reliable, efficient and advanced technology product, in order to meet the operational needs of the Air Force’, the FAB noted in a 23 November statement.
It will assist Avibras in the initial concept development phase, with the ultimate aim of arming the Gripen E/F.
Called MICLA-BR, the air-launched cruise missile will be powered by a reaction engine. According to the FAB, experience gained in developing this missile will be used to develop a family of weapons, with a role for the Brazilian defence industrial base and potential overseas sales.
Specifications for the MICLA-BR are still to be defined, but images on the FAB website appear to show a missile resembling the AV-TM 300.
Lt Brig Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, FAB Deputy Chief of Staff, said: ‘We are currently aligning strategies and paths of action. Within FAB's strategic projects, this is one of the most important. It will be the realisation of a project for the… F-39 Gripen.’
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Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.
Contracts for the procurement of two platforms have been signed, and will be tested by the German armed forces.
The company has been negotiating the supply of TCTS II to US allies and partners.
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air Force have been undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid.
The two countries have already signed defence industrial partnerships in recent years, most recently between Republikorp and Turkish firm Baykar in February 2025.