Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

PARIS — European sovereignty in defense and security is within reach and would require investing around €50 billion (US$59 billion) a year for the next decade, according to a paper by five prominent German defense investors, experts and industry executives.The paper identified ten key areas where Europe faces strategic capability gaps, including command and control, autonomous systems and deep strike. Reaching defense autonomy would cost an estimated €150 billion to €200 billion by 2030, and €500 billion over the next decade, according to the paper published by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.Germany and Europe depend on the United…

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced that Exercise Pitch Black will return later this year, bringing together aircraft and personnel from multiple countries for nearly three weeks of large-scale military training across northern Australia. The biennial exercise will run from July 20 to August 7, 2026, with operations based out of RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory, as well as RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. Exercise Pitch Black 2026: What to expect Exercise Pitch Black is the RAAF’s flagship international flying exercise. It is designed to improve coordination between Australia and its regional and global partner…

The European Commission has rebuffed industry pressure to ease passenger compensation rules during the jet fuel crisis, telling airlines that the cost spike from the war in Iran does not qualify as an “extraordinary circumstance” under EU261 and that canceled flights still trigger payouts.  EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas set out the position in an interview with the Financial Times published on May 7, 2026, ahead of new Commission guidelines due this week. According to the FT, the draft text clarifies existing rules rather than carves out new exemptions, framing fuel cost management as a normal part of running an airline.  The intervention…

The Department of Defense is looking for AI-enhanced target recognition to help troops, vehicles and ships destroy drones. The C-UAS Close-In Kinetic Defeat Enhancement project focuses on aided target recognition, or AiTR. This uses concepts such as AI, machine learning and computer vision to create a system that can detect threats — and distinguish them from non-threats such as birds — faster than a human operator can. The first phase of the project is aimed at remote weapons stations, and specifically the ubiquitous Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station, or CROWS, turrets fitted to a variety of military vehicles. “The primary…

Baltic Ground Services (BGS), a leading provider of ground handling and aircraft fueling services, has extended its long-term partnership with SkyUp Airlines, further strengthening cooperation across key Baltic airports. Under the renewed agreement, BGS will continue to provide aviation fuel supply services at Tallinn (TLL), Riga (RIX), and Palanga (PLQ) airports. The contract will run from April 2026, supporting SkyUp MT’s ongoing charter operations in the region. The partnership between BGS and SkyUp Airlines dates back to 2018, when the companies first began working together in Ukraine, where BGS provided into-plane fueling services across several airports. Following a temporary pause…

Airbus and Embraer are reportedly battling to win an order from KLM Cityhopper for 25 regional jets with both the A220 and E2 family aircraft in contention. According to Valor International, KLM Cityhopper’s Managing Director Maarten Koopmans said during an interview that negotiations are ongoing with a decision likely to be finalized before the end of the year. KLM Cityhopper currently operates an all-Embraer fleet of 61 aircraft, although six are currently parked, according to Planespotters.net. The active fleet is comprised of 20 E195-E2s, 19 E190s and 17 E170s. KLM Cityhopper is looking to replace the older generation of Embraer…

The United States has approved a potential $150 million sale of Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters to the Philippines, a deal aimed at strengthening the country’s rotary-wing training capabilities. The US Department of State announced the approval on May 5, 2026, in a notice to Congress. The proposed sale covers 22 helicopters along with spare parts, flight simulators, pilot and maintenance training, and logistics support. What the package includes The deal includes pilot training for 22 personnel, covering ground and flight instruction, instrument meteorological conditions, and helicopter upset recovery. Maintenance training is also part of the package, with courses…

Scoot has placed orders for 11 additional Airbus A320neo family aircraft as the Singapore-based low-cost carrier looks to expand its regional network over the coming years. The airline announced on May 7, 2026, that it has firmed up orders for five A320neo family aircraft and exercised options for six more from its 2014 agreement with Airbus.Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028. The new jets, powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, will bring Scoot’s total A320neo family orderbook to 20 aircraft. Expanding Scoot’s regional reach Scoot said that the additional aircraft will be configured in a single-class layout, with…

A Boeing 747-8i gifted to the United States by Qatar is expected to make its grand entrance as Air Force One before the US’ historic 250-year anniversary celebrations. According to Reuters, a US official and an individual familiar with developments, explained that the controversial 747-8 is due to be delivered in time for Independence Day, on July 4, 2026. The sources added that President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One aircraft could even arrive in time for his birthday on June 14, 2026. The US Air Force, which is undertaking preparation of the aircraft, announced on May 1, 2026, announced…

The F-15E Strike Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing, recently painted to commemorate Operation El Dorado Canyon’s 40th anniversary, took off on May. 7, 2026 with a heavy load of inert training rounds. F-15E Strike Eagle 93-0311’s new camouflage paint scheme was officially unveiled on Apr. 28, 2026 to mark forty years since RAF Lakenheath took part in Operation El Dorado Canyon. The scheme is representative of the one worn by the F-111 Aardvarks employed on the long-range strike mission against Libya, with a special tribute paid to KARMA 52 – the only F-111 lost during the raid, resulting in…