Craig Hoyle
Craig Hoyle joined Flight International in 2003, and has edited the now monthly title since 2015. He has reported on the UK, European and international military aviation sector for more than 25 years, and produces our annual World Air Forces directory.
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NewsSaab boss Johansson upbeat on Aeronautics unit opportunities
Saab’s Aeronautics business unit enjoyed a strong first-quarter performance, with highlights including a Gripen C sale to Hungary and the transfer of a first Saab 340-based airborne early warning aircraft to Poland.
NewsCroatian air force welcomes its first six Rafale fighters
Croatia’s first six of 12 Dassault Aviation Rafales were transferred to Velika Gorica near Zagreb on 25 April.
NewsUK defence spending hike should set new standard for NATO partners, London says
The UK government has outlined a plan to boost the nation’s military expenditure by an additional £75 billion ($93.5 billion) through the rest of this decade.
NewsTanker, T-7A charges continue to impact Boeing’s defence unit
Boeing’s defence unit incurred losses of $222 million against a pair of fixed-price contracts in the first quarter of this year, but was buoyed by strong order performance during the same period.
NewsSaab delivers fourth GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to the UAE
The United Arab Emirates’ fourth GlobalEye surveillance aircraft departed Saab’s Linkoping modification site on 18 April.
NewsLeonardo lands new combat air mission data deal with UK
Leonardo has secured a 10-year contract to deliver continued combat air mission data management services to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF).
NewsNetherlands, Poland cleared for AARGM-ER missile purchases
The US Department of State has approved requests from two European NATO nations to acquire Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) weapons, via potential deals worth almost a combined $2 billion.
NewsF-35 deliveries set for third-quarter resumption in interim ‘combat training’ standard, Lockheed says
Lockheed Martin is confident that it will be able to resume deliveries of its F-35 stealth fighter in the third quarter of this year, with the US Department of Defense to begin by taking updated aircraft in an interim “combat training-capable” standard.
NewsArgentina seeks Basler BT-67s for Antarctic resupply duties
Argentina could be set to acquire Basler BT-67 transport aircraft via a potential $143 million Foreign Military Sales deal with the US government.
NewsKazakhstan’s lead A400M emerges with ‘glossy grey’ livery
Kazakhstan’s first A400M tactical transport has emerged from the paint shop at Airbus Defence & Space’s San Pablo final assembly site in Seville, Spain.
NewsAustralia signs $139m deal to enhance P-8A Poseidon fleet’s capabilities
Boeing is to upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force’s 12-strong fleet of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, under a contract worth $139 million.
NewsItaly sends its last AMX light strike aircraft into retirement
Italy has withdrawn the last of its AMX light combat aircraft from use, after 35 years of service with the single-engined type.
NewsCanada set to launch search for new trainer to support future F-35A fleet
The Royal Canadian Air Force will start engaging with industry from next month as it starts work towards defining its requirements for a future fighter lead-in trainer to enter service early next decade.
NewsSweden orders more Litening 5 targeting pods for Gripen fleet
Sweden has placed a SKr390 million ($36.6 million) contract to acquire additional Rafael Litening 5 targeting pods for integration with its Saab Gripen fighters.
AnalysisNATO Flight Training Europe scheme gets ready for take-off
The first students to be placed via a NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) initiative will begin receiving instruction later this year, after a multinational agreement was reached on 25 March.
NewsSaab gets Arexis contract for Germany’s Eurofighter EK update
Saab has received a contract to supply 15 Arexis electronic warfare systems for integration with the German air force’s future fleet of Eurofighter EK aircraft.
AnalysisHow combat helicopter losses in Ukraine brought down US Army’s FARA strategy
Washington is renewing its investment in current rotorcraft platforms instead of funding a high-speed armed scout – but do lessons from the war in Ukraine support its decision?
NewsUK to proceed with at-risk Chinook purchase following cost reduction
The UK Ministry of Defence will continue with its planned acquisition of 14 extended-range CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters from Boeing, after agreeing a significant price reduction from Washington.
NewsPoland gets US approval for $3.7bn air-launched weapons package
Poland has secured US Department of State approval for a trio of air-launched weapon acquisitions with a potential combined value of almost $3.7 billion.
NewsMBDA boosted by European spike in air-defence system demand
MBDA secured contracts worth €9.9 billion ($10.8 billion) last year, with increased demand for air-defence equipment dominating its business.