Belgium’s new federal government, known as the Arizona coalition finalised the Arizona agreement 2025 - 2029 on 31 January, which introduces efforts to enhance the country's defence capabilities. Belgium intends to increase efforts to stimulate its domestic defence industry by prioritising local manufacturing and technological development.
The UK’s Defence Committee published a report on 14 January assessing the viability of the Global Combat Air Programme. The report cautioned that for the programme to be delivered on time and to budget, governments and industry partners must clearly define workshare agreements and carefully navigate “the complex web of relationships”.
Indonesia is facing issues in financing its offset-heavy defence procurement projects owing to budget restraints under President Prabowo Subianto. The lack of government funding and planned budget cuts may delay upcoming defence procurements which include technology transfer and local production offers from foreign primes.
The Netherlands’ Damen Shipyards Group signed a strategic partnership agreement on 12 February with South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, as part of the country’s National Industrial Participation programme.
CTO attended the AERO India 2025 air show and aviation exhibition in Bengaluru on 10-14 February. This issue features updates from the event, covering India’s cooperation with UK firms, and France’s Safran.
Turkey is bolstering its defence cooperation with partners in Hungary and Germany. Turkey and Hungary have established an industry working group, and have signed an agreement to promote cooperation, while Turkish defence company Repkon has signed an agreement to build an artillery filling factory in Germany.