New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
ATR 42-600 takes to the air
The ATR 42-600 pre-series aircraft has had a successful first flight from Toulouse.
The aircraft, powered with Pratt & Whitney PW127M engines, completed a two-hour flight, thus starting a flight test campaign of approximately 75 hours. Among other checks, the aircraft underwent tests regarding engine performance and the function of its specifically developed Thales avionics suite, which integrates the newest computer systems and software for navigational aids, flight data recording, automatic piloting and communications. The pilots also tested hydraulic and electrical systems and blades balancing.
“The first flight of the ATR 42-600 is the culmination of the dedication and strong efforts of our team and our partners in order to prepare this new aircraft for its flight test campaign,” emphasised Stéphane Mayer, ATR’s chief executive officer. “With the ATR 42-600, we are proud to develop a new aircraft that has been specifically designed to optimally match the 50-seat regional market requirements, both in terms of comfort and performance.”
The ATR ‘-600’ series was launched in October 2007 since when ATR has gained 59 firm orders (5 ATR 42-600s and 54 ATR 72-600s).
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia]()
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
