Contracts and Agreements

• Issues surrounding the assault rifle contract. The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the signing of contracts worth €973 million under the SAFE program. However, the published list does not include the assault rifle procurement or drones from Romanian manufacturers. According to MAS sources, the Ministry of National Defence (MoND) reportedly requested an increase in the order volume, leading to prolonged negotiations. Meanwhile, Defapt.ro reports that Sig Sauer offered a lower level of production localization in Romania, which was considered unacceptable by the MoND. (MAS / Defapt.ro)

• Record contract for hypersonic drones: Hermeus accelerates Pentagon plans. Hermeus has secured a $219 million contract, one of the largest ever awarded by the Defense Innovation Unit, to demonstrate that unmanned aircraft can achieve high-Mach speeds while deploying tactical payloads in flight. Working alongside the U.S. Air Force and Navy, the company will conduct testing through 2027, with results expected to contribute to future military capabilities, including deep-strike operations and rapid-response missions. (The Drone Front)

• Canada strengthens its anti-submarine warfare capabilities with advanced sonar for new destroyers. Lockheed Martin Canada has awarded Thales Canada a contract to provide the S2087 towed-array sonar system for the Royal Canadian Navy’s future River-class destroyers. Designed to detect and track submarines at long range in both littoral and open-ocean environments, the system is already in service with the Royal Navy and will enhance interoperability among Five Eyes allies. Canada becomes the 20th nation to adopt the CAPTAS sonar family. (The Defense Post)

• The United Kingdom replenishes anti-drone missile stocks following intensive use in the Middle East. The British government has ordered hundreds of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) from Thales under a £36 million contract aimed at rebuilding inventories and strengthening air defense capabilities for forces deployed in the Middle East. The decision follows the successful use of these missiles to destroy more than 100 drones in recent months, underscoring their importance in countering low-cost aerial threats on the modern battlefield. (The Defence Blog)

• Romania acquires military mobility and civil protection capabilities through SAFE. Romania will equip the Ministry of Internal Affairs with military mobility assets, operational intervention vehicles, mass-casualty management systems, CBRN protection equipment, uncontrolled population movement management capabilities, critical communications, command-and-control systems, and civil defense assets under the SAFE program. (MAS)

• Poland accelerates rearmament with a major Borsuk IFV order. Poland has signed a 7.5 billion zloty contract for 146 Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles, expanding a previous order for 111 units. The procurement forms part of a broader 60 billion zloty modernization package that also includes Krab self-propelled howitzers, Rak self-propelled mortars, and support vehicles for Homar-K multiple rocket launchers, financed through the European SAFE program. (The Defense Post)

Innovation

• Skyhammer enters the U.S. Army’s spotlight in key air defense evaluation. The U.S. Army has tested Cambridge Aerospace’s Skyhammer interceptor system to assess its potential to expand engagement options and improve air defense effectiveness. Conducted by the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the trials were intended to gather operational data for possible future evaluations while developers continue refining the system based on soldier feedback. (The Drone Front)

• Spain unveils its first Halcon I Eurofighter, marking a new generation of European combat aircraft. The first Eurofighter produced under Spain’s Halcon I program has rolled out from Airbus’ Getafe facility near Madrid and is preparing for ground testing and its maiden flight. The aircraft is the first of 20 Tranche 4 Eurofighters ordered in 2022, with deliveries set to begin this year and continue from 2026, strengthening the Spanish Air Force’s combat capabilities.

• The United States seeks autonomous solutions for stand-off naval mine neutralization. The U.S. Navy and the Defense Innovation Unit have launched a $10 million challenge to identify commercial autonomous systems capable of detecting and neutralizing naval mines without exposing personnel to danger. Designed for deployment from unmanned surface vessels, the solutions must be resistant to jamming and fieldable within six months, targeting both near-surface and seabed mines. (The Defense Post)

• FN modernizes the legendary MAG machine gun for future battlefields. Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal has introduced the FN MAG Tactical with Long Rail, an upgraded version of the renowned 7.62 mm machine gun used by armed forces in 90 countries. The key enhancement is an extended rail system allowing the simultaneous integration of day, night, and thermal optics, alongside ergonomic improvements such as an adjustable stock and redesigned feed cover. The upgrade enables MAG, M240, and L7A2 variants to meet modern warfare requirements without altering their proven core performance. (Next GenDef)

Events and Debates

• London hosts the inaugural Global Defence Satellite conference focused on space security. Taking place on 2–3 June 2026, the first edition of Global Defence Satellite (GDS) will bring together government, military, and industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies and innovations shaping military space operations. The conference will explore the growing role of space-based capabilities in ISR, satellite communications, navigation, and missile warning, as well as threats posed by anti-satellite weapons and cyberattacks. Participants will examine the future of competition and conflict in the space domain.