January, 2026 - latestdefencenews.com

January 19, 2026
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R&D
Naval Platforms

Finland Begins Construction of Fourth Pohjanmaa-Class Corvette

Rauma Marine Constructions has begun building the fourth Pohjanmaa-class corvette for the Finnish Navy, marking a key milestone as all four vessels under the Squadron 2020 program are now...

January 19, 2026
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Mergers & JV
Missile & Missile Defence

Rheinmetall, EM&E Propose Indigenous Option for Spain’s Mobile Rocket Launcher

Rheinmetall Expal Munitions and EM&E Group have jointly proposed an indigenous solution to Spain’s Ministry of Defence for the SILAM high-mobility rocket launcher program, positioning it as a national...

January 19, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts
Land Platforms

EuroTrophy Selected to Provide APS for Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tanks

EuroTrophy has signed a €330 million contract with KNDS Deutschland to deliver Trophy Active Protection Systems for the Leopard 2A8 programs of Lithuania, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and...

January 19, 2026
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R&D
Naval Platforms

US Clears $1.5B Modernization of Peru Naval Facility Near Chinese-Operated Port

Washington has approved a proposed $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sale aimed at supporting the relocation and redevelopment of Peru’s Callao Naval Base, located near a Chinese-run port facility. The...

US Army Chooses Israeli HERO-90 for Accelerated Anti-Tank Trials

Under its LASSO program, the U.S. Army has placed the HERO‑90 loitering munition into an accelerated evaluation track aimed at strengthening infantry anti‑armor firepower. The move underscores the service’s...

US Navy Rolls Out Upgraded SM-2 Block IIIC/CU Missiles

Displayed publicly at the Surface Navy Association 2026 symposium, the SM‑2 Block IIIC/CU represents the most recent configuration of the U.S. Navy’s medium‑range air‑defense missile. Also known as the...

January 18, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts
Air Platforms

Poland Confirms MiG-29 Fighter Handover to Ukraine

Poland has announced plans to send up to nine MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, marking the first delivery once technical checks and operational arrangements are completed. While the government has...

January 17, 2026
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New Product Launches
Unmanned Systems

Proteus Helicopter Becomes UK Navy’s First Pilotless Flight

Leonardo UK and the British Royal Navy successfully conducted the first autonomous flight of the Proteus full-size unmanned helicopter at Predannack Airfield, Cornwall. The flight represents a key step...

Army Approves XM204 for Top-Attack Anti-Armor Missions

The U.S. Army has approved accelerated operational use of the XM204 top‑attack terrain‑shaping munition, issuing an Urgent Materiel Release that speeds the system’s deployment to Europe. The decision reflects...

January 17, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts
Land Platforms

Türkiye Rolls Out Low-Signature E-ZPT Armoured Vehicle

The first serial-produced E-ZPT electric armoured personnel carrier, developed by MKE, has been delivered by Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense following acceptance trials in Ankara. The program reflects a...