The French Air and Space Force officially accepted its 50th and final upgraded Mirage 2000D RMV fighter jet from the Directorate General of Armaments on June 16, 2026. This delivery marks the structural conclusion of a mid-life renovation program launched in 2015 to sustain France's conventional strike capabilities during the transition to an all-Rafale fleet. The comprehensive modernization addresses critical electronic obsolescence, integrates standardized guided munitions, and extends the operational viability of the specialized ground-attack platform until 2035. Read full defense news at this link... The Mirage 2000D RMV replaces obsolete electronics with a modern digital cockpit, adds new precision weapons and a 30 mm cannon, upgrades self-defence with MICA IR missiles, and extends the fighter jet's operational service until 2035. (Picture source: French Air Force) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/XPFeuHw via IFTTT
International GCAP stealth fighter jet moves into full engineering phase following $6.14 billion contract
The GCAP Agency officially awarded a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) international contract to industrial joint venture Edgewing to advance the next 18 months of development on the Global Combat Air Programme. Funded jointly by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, the package establishes long-term funding stability to freeze the aircraft's principal configuration and complete its baseline engineering design. This phase transitions the trilateral initiative from preliminary program establishment into full-scale technical definition ahead of scheduled prototype manufacturing and a 2035 entry-into-service target. Read full defense news at this link... The GCAP Agency has awarded a £4.6 billion contract to the company Edgewing, securing long-term funding from the UK, Italy, and Japan to complete the design of their shared sixth-generation stealth fighter jet for an entry into service by 2035. (Picture source: Edgewing) Read more... from World Defence News https://ift.tt/CiY3fAs via IF...