Non-US Aerospace/Defense Companies & Contracts

BRUSSELS -- QinetiQ announced that a new joint program will be established after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the United Kingdom and Belgium last week in support of a sovereign Joint Electromagnetic Warfare Support Centre (JEWSC) in Belgium.

The program is anticipated to run for the next five years.

Through its role in Project SOCIETAS, QinetiQ will work with the Belgian Ministry of Defence, the UK Ministry of Defence and industry partners in both nations to help establish, operationalize and sustain the new JEWSC in Belgium.

Source: QinetiQ
Associated URL: https://www.qinetiq.com/en/news/qinetiq-to-establish-belgian-mission-data-factory

STOCKOLM - Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for a mobile and modular counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS). The system is designed to protect the Swedish Armed Forces as well as civil infrastructure from threats posed by drones. The order value is approximately SEK 2.6 billion and deliveries will take place 2027-2028.

In partnership with the Swedish Armed Forces and FMV, Saab is developing and deploying an advanced C-UAS system that offers proven, adaptable and cost-efficient layered defense against modern drone threats. The system will strengthen and complement Sweden’s current air defense and drone defense posture.

Saab’s C-UAS is a modular, mobile platform designed to detect and neutralise low-flying small- to medium-sized drones. It integrates field-proven Saab sensors and effectors, as well as selected third-party technologies, into a single interoperable solution that seamlessly connects with existing defence assets. Built on established components, the system is fully operational and ready for deployment.

Source: Saab
Associated URL: https://www.saab.com/

READING -- The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral effort between the UK, Italy, and Japan to develop a sixth-generation fighter by 2035, has entered a new phase with a EUR686 million ($904 million) contract awarded to Edgewing, the program’s design and development authority. Announced on April 2, the contract funds critical design and engineering work through June 2026 and is intended to accelerate progress and maintain development momentum.

This marks a shift from earlier nationally funded efforts to a unified international program managed through the GCAP Agency and its International Government Organization. According to GCAP leadership, this transition reflects growing program maturity and stronger trilateral coordination. Edgewing, established in June 2025 as a joint venture between BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement, is now fully empowered as the industrial lead. The company emphasizes maintaining engineering milestones while scaling operations to meet long-term delivery goals for the advanced combat aircraft.

Source: Flight Global
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026/04/gcap-advances-as-edgewing-lands-first-joint-contract-from-partner-nations/
Author: Craig Hoyle