defense production • Page 17 of 18

Jul- 2025 -

22 July

Concept of Hadrian’s factory in Mesa, Arizona. Photo: Hadrian

LA Defense Startup Lands $260M for Massive AI-Enabled Factory Buildout

Los Angeles-based defense startup Hadrian has secured $260 million in funding to grow its AI-enabled manufacturing footprint in Arizona and California.

Jun- 2025 -

10 June

Americas

Joe Saballa

Skyways Lands $37M USAF Deal to Mass-Produce Cargo Drone

Texas-based aerospace firm Skyways has secured a $37-million contract from the US Air Force to advance its V3 autonomous cargo drone from prototyping to full-rate production.

2 June

Arms

A Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron loaded and fired flares from HMS Prince of Wales, while embarked for Exercise Steadfast Defender. Flares are one element of the Defensive Aid Suite (DAS). The flares make up one portion of the DAS system, they are specifically designed to defeat Infra-Red seeking missiles (MANPADS). The aircraft carrier is taking part in Exercise Steadfast Defender. Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2024 will be the largest NATO exercise in decades. NATO forces will be exercising across multiple regions and in multiple domains (maritime, land, air, space, and cyber). The vast scale of this exercise will occur over several months and over thousands of kilometres and will involve tens-of-thousands of Allied troops, all showcasing NATO capabilities to deter adversaries and defend allied territory.

Rojoef Manuel

Britain to Build Six ‘War-Ready’ Weapons and Ammo Factories

The UK is investing $2 billion in the construction of six new weapon manufacturing centers in response to rising security concerns.

Apr- 2025 -

10 April

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Mahindra to Produce Airbus H130 Helicopter Cabins in India

Airbus Helicopters has signed an agreement with Mahindra Aerostructures to set up production of the H130 fuselage in India.

1 April

Europe

South Korean Army K9 self-propelled howitzers fire rounds

Rojoef Manuel

Hanwha to Open K9 Howitzer Factory in Romania

Hanwha Defense plans to establish a regional hub in Romania to support the production, sustainment, and repair of the country’s future K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers.

Mar- 2025 -

25 March

Europe

Rojoef Manuel

Anduril Open to Establishing Factory in UK

American drone developer Anduril has revealed its intent to open a production facility in the UK to support the EU’s collective military modernization strategies.

Jan- 2025 -

23 January

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

The Quantum Systems Vector 2-in-1 and Sypaq Systems CorvoX *** Local Caption *** The Quantum Systems Vector 2-in-1 and Sypaq Systems CorvoX will provide the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force with small uncrewed aerial systems designed to operate across a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, enhancing situational awareness, force protection and the potency of Defences capabilities across land and littoral operations. These systems will be able to operate from or within confined areas, including small marine craft, urban environments and close vegetation, and work together with and complement crewed systems on a range of missions. This enables Army and Air Force to secure and control strategic land positions without placing our people in harms way, hold potential adversaries at risk, and support a broader strategy of denial. These capabilities are acquired as part of Project Defence 129 and deliver enhanced situational awareness and increased force protection through the acquisition and sustainment of tactical to nano-UAS platforms capable of operating across the spectrum of maritime and land force operations.

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Open Radio Factory for Future Tactical Small Drones

Australia has revealed the construction of a communications manufacturing facility to support the armed forces’ small unmanned aerial systems expansion project.

3 January

Asia Pacific