Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

ISTANBUL — Turkish armored-vehicles manufacturer Otokar Otomotiv is expanding its European industrial footprint by signing a memorandum of understanding to acquire a controlling stake in Romania’s Automecanica, according to a disclosure filed on the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) this week.The memorandum sets out the core principles for acquiring 96.77% of Automecanica’s shares, a Romanian defense company with established production infrastructure and licenses. The targeted closing date for the share purchase agreement is by the end of April 2026, subject to standard closing conditions such as due diligence and regulatory approvals in Romania.Otokar has won a major contract for the supply…

Canadian officials are weighing a mixed fighter fleet that could see Sweden’s Saab account for roughly half of the eventual replacement program by value, according to a National Post column by John Ivison published on January 28, 2026, citing unnamed sources.  The column argues that Ottawa is unlikely to follow through on the full 88-jet F-35 plan announced in 2022 and instead could buy fewer F-35As while adding the Gripen E as a second type. Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty told the outlet that no final decision has been made.  Ivison links the procurement debate to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent Davos remarks…

Portugal’s Air Force said Air Base No. 5 at Monte Real suffered “significant” material damage after Storm Kristin hit the Leiria region on January 28, 2026. Officials confirmed that no one was injured   Photos circulating online appear to show multiple F-16 airframes inside a hangar, with large sections of hangar cladding and structural elements displaced or collapsed inward, and at least two jets apparently impacted by fallen debris.   The Portuguese Air Force has not disclosed how many aircraft were damaged or the extent of the damage.  Another photo from inside the hangar https://t.co/SH4xAYu23F pic.twitter.com/s6XaxDdqT9— Drecas (@Drecas_2000) January 28, 2026 Portuguese Air Force confirms “major material damage” at Monte…

Subscription Required  By Bjorn Fehrm January 29, 2026, © Leeham News: Rolls-Royce has posted a string of increasing profits over the last few years after a tough period that started in 2017, when its Trent 1000 engines on ANA’s Boeing 787s developed a turbine-corrosion problem, cutting time on wing to a fraction of what it should be. These turbine problems escalated into a global issue, affecting all Trent 1000-equipped 787s. The Trent 1000 on Boeing’s 787 has since experienced a series of problems, beginning with the need to replace turbine blades, followed by compressor vibration that required replacing blades on…

The U.S. Space Force is positioning its Space Warfighter Operational Readiness Domain, or SWORD, as a cornerstone for maintaining space superiority in an increasingly contested domain. Col. Corey Klopstein, program executive officer for Operational Test and Training Infrastructure and commander of System Delta 81, described the program’s focus on realism and readiness during a media roundtable at Space Industry Days in Los Angeles, California, on Friday.SWORD, the Space Force’s primary synthetic training environment, is a cloud-enabled, digital simulation platform designed to replicate contested space operations, including orbital dynamics, electronic warfare, cyber effects and adversary tactics. It allows guardians to train…

Boeing reported a new $565M loss on the KC-46 program, while looking to a reprice because of supply chain costs, production support, and ongoing RVS 2.0 upgrades. Boeing has once again reported a significant financial charge on its KC-46A Pegasus tanker program, following the long-running challenges associated with what has become one of the U.S. Air Force’s most troubled major acquisition efforts. In fact, in its fourth quarter 2025 earnings release, Boeing disclosed a $565 million loss tied to the KC-46. According to the company’s statements, the loss is driven primarily by higher supply chain costs and increased production support…

President Trump has announced that Visa cash back credit card rewards can soon be deposited into Trump Accounts, thanks to a new platform. Say what now?! Visa partners with Trump on credit card rewards Today, Trump announced Visa is creating a new platform that will allow credit card holders to deposit their cash back rewards directly into Trump Accounts. Here’s how Trump explained this development, during an announcement: “I’m pleased to announce that Visa is creating a brand new platform which will allow credit card holders to deposit their cash back rewards directly into Trump Accounts. That’s a big deal.…

Four Dutch F-35 Lightning II fighters and a tanker operated from the Netherlands’ main international airport, one of Europe’s busiest, during the NATO-led exercise Avatar. Schiphol Airport, located just 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam, is one of the busiest airports in Europe. Over the past couple of days, alongside its usual flow of civilian airliners, the airport also hosted some unusually loud and uncommon visitors: four Dutch F-35 fighter jets. According to details released by the Dutch Ministry of Defense and reported by local Dutch media, a quartet of RNLAF F-35 fighter jets operated from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Jan.…

A chartered Bombardier Learjet 45 carrying a senior Indian political figure crashed while attempting to land at the uncontrolled Baramati airfield on January 28, 2026, killing all five people on board, Indian aviation authorities said.  Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra state, was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, his home constituency, where he was scheduled to campaign ahead of local elections. Two members of his staff and two flight crew members were also killed in the crash.  India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft crashed during its second approach to Baramati after the crew executed a go-around on the initial attempt.…

A few weeks ago, I covered how Aer Lingus announced that it might end transatlantic flying out of the United Kingdom, which was an unusual announcement (airlines usually announce what they’re going to do, not what they might do). Well, there’s now an update, and the decision has been finalized, and this is officially happening. Aer Lingus cuts long haul Manchester flying In late 2021, Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus commenced transatlantic flying out of Manchester (MAN), including to Bridgetown (BGI), New York (JFK), and Orlando (MCO). Aer Lingus operates transatlantic flights out of Manchester The airline was looking for…