Taurus KEPD 350E missile sees upgrade for German armed forces
Taurus Systems, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Saab, was awarded a $161 million 10-year contract in January 2025 to modernise the Taurus 350 missile.
NATO E-3A operations have stepped up a notch since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (Photo: NATO)
NATO’s E-3A AWACS fleet may need to operate beyond its retirement date of 2035, depending on the introduction of replacement E-7 aircraft, and while it will have the technological capability the battle remains to sustain an ageing airframe and engines, according to NATO’s AEW commander.
The E-3As have been in service for more than four decades and as the US rapidly retires its fleet NATO is set to become the largest operator of the type with 14 aircraft in its fleet.
The platform has undergone a shift in operational concepts since the end of the Warsaw Pact but, according to
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Taurus Systems, a joint venture between MBDA Germany and Saab, was awarded a $161 million 10-year contract in January 2025 to modernise the Taurus 350 missile.
Delays, dwindling squadrons and global competition spur belated momentum in airpower procurement.
The $510 million partnership will see Hanwha invest to co-develop and manufacture the Gray Eagle STOL, with a maiden flight test expected by 2027.
The country was reportedly “months” away from an official aircraft selection, as of mid-March 2025.
The ongoing study was first announced by Embraer in late 2024 with the Brazilian Air Force, with this latest addition announced during the LAAD defence and security exhibition.
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.