DefenceWeb

The first new Block 72 F-16 Fighting Falcon for the Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) has made its maiden flight as Lockheed Martin prepares for first delivery. The company on 6 October announced what it said was a key milestone in the programme as the aircraft progresses through flight testing.

Healthcare providers to the Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund (RFMCF) are, in an email seen by DefenceWeb, assured an interim reimbursement mechanism is in place. This will, according to the undated electronic correspondence signed by RFMCF Principal Officer, Dr Anushka Jamuna, see Fund-approved healthcare providers paid for services to members. It notes further that the mechanism will operate while long term funding solutions are “developed”.

Armscor is looking at AI solutions to create predictive maintenance, smart logistics and enable digital military supply chains for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which it hopes will boost operational availability of prime mission equipment and lower costs too.

Amid the growing proliferation of one-way attack munitions, armed drones and other aerial threats, Türkiye’s ASELSAN is promoting its KORKUT Tactical Air Defence System, equipped with twin 35 mm guns capable of firing programmable airburst ammunition, as an ideal solution that has already been extensively proven in combat. ASELSAN is one of a limited number of manufacturers producing programmable 35 mm airburst ammunition.

Uzbekistan’s Electronic Autonomous Solutions JSC (EAS) used the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition to demonstrate counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) solutions, which are receiving increased attention globally. Marketing Manager of EAS Anaskhonov Khojiakbarkhon explained that the private Uzbek company is licensed and accredited by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defence and specialises in countering UAS. “We flew to Africa to showcase our products,” Khojiakbarkhon explained.

Airbus and ALT Academy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore cooperation in aircraft maintenance training. The agreement, signed at the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition in Pretoria, establishes a framework to strengthen technical training capacity and support the development of essential aviation maintenance skills across the African continent, Airbus said.

The 287 exhibitors at last month’s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition are working on contacts made as they seek buyers for products and services displayed at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof from 16 to 20 September. On the other side, the organising committee for the silver anniversary edition of the exhibition, its 13th as it is held biennially, reports the five days of AAD 2026 confirmed the event as Africa’s premier aerospace and defence platform.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has formally taken into service two H125 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters as it continues to expand its rotary wing fleet. The aircraft were seen arriving partially disassembled in early September and subsequently reassembled at NAF Base Ikeja, Lagos, with support from Airbus technical personnel.

The recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition afforded Bushtec the opportune moment to reveal a singular brand with an eye on taking the business forward. Several new and innovative designs in the company’s range of tent solutions and redeployable camp structures were shown on its stand. Among these novel systems was a solar water purification plant system that can provide clean water off-the-grid for groups ranging from 30 personnel to brigade-level deployments.

Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) used the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition to highlight different aspects of modern defence as well as to signal its interest in partnerships, localisation and further involvement in Africa.