NATO-operated Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters will be assigned to Lithuania's Zokniai AB following the country's entry to the expanded alliance on 1 May. To provide limited air defence services to the Baltic states, the four-aircraft commitment will be rotated between the air forces of Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, with Norway to provide air traffic control services. Russia has voiced its opposition to the 17 March agreement.
Source: Flight International
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration has awarded Saab a SKr466 million ($42 million) contract to support further development of the nation’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
Madrid has signed a project Halcon II contract covering the production of a further batch of 25 Eurofighter combat aircraft.
The German air force’s three Airbus A350 VIP transports are to be protected by Elbit Systems-supplied directed infrared countermeasures equipment.
