As reported by Yonhap on April 15, 2025, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea held a joint air defense exercise on Emirati territory involving the South Korean Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The activity marks the first publicly confirmed instance of operational integration of this system in a Middle Eastern setting. Discussions are ongoing regarding a potential UAE acquisition of the KF-21 Boramae multirole fighter, indicating a broader defense cooperation agenda between the two countries. The joint air defense exercise, held in early 2025 in a classified location in the UAE, was the first publicly known instance of a South Korean missile system being operated as part of a multilateral regional air defense setup in the Middle East. Officials from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed that the drill involved real-time coordination between Emirati command centers and the Cheongung-II systems delivered in 2023 under a $3.5 billion contract signed in January 2022. These exercises reportedly included scenarios simulating cruise missile and tactical ballistic missile threats, further validating the system’s ability to operate in desert conditions and integrate with UAE’s layered air defense architecture. This cooperation builds on sustained political and strategic engagement between Abu Dhabi and Seoul over the past decade. In January 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol conducted a state visit to the UAE and announced $30 billion in investments, with defense named as a key pillar of the relationship. South Korea has supplied a range of systems to the UAE in recent years, including K9 self-propelled howitzers and possibly ISR-related technology. The Cheongung-II is the most prominent example of this collaboration and, according to South Korean defense officials, serves as a strategic test case for future Middle Eastern deployments. Military attachés from both sides have held recurring meetings to discuss extended training cycles, operational adaptation, and potential export follow-ups. Looking ahead, South Korea and the UAE are discussing multiple avenues for continued defense cooperation. The most prominent of these is the UAE’s expressed interest in the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet. As of early 2025, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and South Korean officials have presented a comprehensive package including technology transfers, training programs, and regional maintenance infrastructure. For the UAE, the KF-21 represents a potential alternative or complement to Western fighters, particularly amid growing delays and restrictions associated with U.S. and European systems. For South Korea, the UAE is both a strategic export market and a platform to raise the global profile of its high-tech defense sector in a competitive region.

On April 10, 2025, the Swedish government submitted a proposal in its spring 2025 budget to authorize the government to enter into a bilateral agreement with Denmark for the sale of up to four S 106 GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems and associated support equipment. The proposed transaction is intended to be conducted as a government-to-government sale in response to Denmark’s stated requirement to improve its airborne radar surveillance capabilities. Like the Gripen proposal for Peru, the Swedish government’s request includes parliamentary authorization to carry out the agreement, which would involve Sweden ordering and delivering the systems. Revenues from the sale are expected to cover all related costs incurred by the Swedish state. The proposal builds on an existing defense cooperation framework between Sweden and Denmark. The S 106 GlobalEye is the designation used by the Swedish Air Force for the Saab GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft. The system is based on the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet and integrates Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar with a range of sensors and a multi-domain command and control (C2) system. The platform is designed to conduct simultaneous surveillance operations in air, sea, and land domains. Key operational features include a radar detection range exceeding 458 kilometers from an altitude of 35,000 feet, endurance of more than 11 hours, and the ability to detect both low- and high-altitude targets. The Erieye ER radar uses an Adaptive Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) design, offering improved performance under electronic countermeasures and in cluttered environments.

On April 4, 2025, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) began fielding the new F9 Sidearm Weapon System (SWS), a modular 9mm pistol system based on the SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry Pro platform. The F9 replaces the long-serving 9mm Browning Mk3 pistol and is part of a broader modernization effort under the LAND 300 Lethality System Program (formerly known as LAND 159). This initiative, valued at over AUD 500 million, includes the acquisition of new small arms, training tools, and support systems to enhance the ADF’s deployable capabilities. The F9 system integrates a range of components and training elements and is being distributed to Army, Navy, and Air Force units. Based on the SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry Pro, a semi-automatic, striker-fired pistol, the F9 SWS incorporates a Romeo 2 red dot sight, Foxtrot 2 white light torch, holster, and retractable lanyard. Additional elements of the system include a simulation pistol for the Weapon Training Simulation System (WTSS), a paint-marking round conversion kit, and a red-colored weighted replica for use in the Army Combatives Program (ACP). The pistol features ambidextrous controls and is designed for modular integration with optical systems. The F9’s selection followed testing conducted by NIOA and the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), with initial delivery occurring at the Army’s School of Infantry in December 2024. The first operational rollout took place it February 2025 with Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks-based 7th Brigade. The system is supplied by NIOA Group, a Queensland-based company that acts as the prime contractor for LAND 300 Tranche 1. NIOA sources components from five Australian suppliers, including Victoria-based Aquaterro and Platatac. The company provides armourer familiarisation, technical support, and training validation based on previously conducted training needs analysis. NIOA personnel are responsible for direct delivery to user units. According to NIOA Australia-New Zealand CEO Ben James, the rollout coordination with CASG was completed ahead of schedule. Planning is ongoing to equip units across the ADF by December 2025, with the full rollout expected to continue through 2026.

On April 16, 2025, Moldovan Defense Minister Anatoly Nosaty announced that the Moldovan National Army will soon receive a new batch of military assistance from the European Union, which will include modern air defense systems. This aid, provided in the form of a grant, represents a major step forward in Moldova’s efforts to strengthen its national defense and safeguard its airspace amid growing regional security threats. According to Moldovan Defense Minister Nosaty, the incoming air defense systems can intercept and destroy a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and certain types of missiles. “The new air defense systems will be equipped with the functions of intercepting and destroying aircraft, airplanes, helicopters, and some models of missiles,” he stated after a government meeting on Wednesday. However, no specific details have been disclosed regarding the exact types or models of air defense systems that will be delivered to Moldova as part of this European assistance package. Nosaty emphasized that European military support is crucial for Moldova to ensure the safety of its citizens and to build a credible defense capability. “European support is necessary for Moldova to ensure the safety of citizens and strengthen the country's defense capability,” he noted. He also reaffirmed that air defense remains one of the country’s top military priorities. “In this context, in addition to the airspace monitoring systems, we found an opportunity to discuss the transition to the next stage, which concerns the systems of direct defense of airspace,” Nosaty added. The Moldovan government and its European partners are expected to coordinate the logistics and transfer of this assistance in the coming days. The decision comes at a critical time for Moldova, a country that remains under significant geopolitical pressure from Russia. Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia continues to regard the country — which lies sandwiched between Ukraine and European Union member Romania — as part of its traditional sphere of influence. This perspective has created ongoing tensions, especially as Moldova seeks closer integration with European institutions and aligns more closely with NATO member states. In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and repeated threats from Moscow, Moldova has been prioritizing the modernization of its military, particularly its air defense capabilities. The acquisition of EU-funded systems marks a significant step in building a defense architecture capable of responding to evolving regional threats, including potential airspace violations and missile attacks. Currently, Moldova’s air defense capabilities rely heavily on obsolete Soviet-era systems. The Moldovan Armed Forces operate a single regiment equipped with the S-125M1 Neva-M1 (NATO reporting name: SA-3 Goa) surface-to-air missile system. While functional, this Cold War-era system lacks the sophistication and coverage needed to counter modern aerial threats, including high-speed aircraft, precision-guided munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

On April 10, 2025, the Swedish government included in its spring 2025 budget proposition a request to authorize a government-to-government agreement with Peru for the sale of up to 12 JAS 39 Gripen E/F multirole fighter aircraft and associated air defense systems. The request outlines Sweden’s intention to respond to a formal inquiry from the Peruvian government, which has stated its preference for such an intergovernmental agreement structure. If approved by the Riksdag, the Swedish Parliament, the Swedish state would be responsible for the procurement and delivery of the aircraft and systems, with the total costs expected to be covered by the revenues from the sale.   This proposed sale is part of a broader export strategy developed by Sweden and Saab AB to expand their defense industry presence in Latin America, as well as in Canada. Following Brazil's ongoing Gripen E program and Colombia’s recent selection of the platform to replace its IAI Kfir fleet, Sweden is now seeking to position the Gripen as a competitive option in Peru’s fighter jet modernization effort. According to the official proposition, the government’s involvement aims to align with Peru’s procurement preferences while opening new markets for Swedish defense systems. The offer includes not only the fighter aircraft but also unspecified air defense systems, which may reflect a broader package tailored to meet the Peruvian Air Force's operational needs. In October 2024, Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Enrique Astudillo Chávez publicly confirmed plans to procure 24 new multirole fighters to replace the aging MiG-29 and Mirage 2000P fleets. The Gripen E/F is one of three shortlisted platforms, along with the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 and the Dassault Rafale F4. To finance the acquisition of these new fighters, Peru has submitted a request for a loan of 7.58 billion soles (approximately USD 2 billion) from the Banco de la Nación. The funding would cover the first phase of the program, including the procurement of 12 aircraft, which corresponds to the proposed Swedish government-to-government sale.

According to L'Opinion on April 12, 2025, Morocco formally expressed interest in acquiring South Korea’s K2 Black Panther main battle tank. The announcement came during a visit by Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, to Seoul, where he held high-level talks with South Korean officials, including Trade Minister An Deok-geun and Economic Diplomacy Coordinator Kim Hee-sang. According to an undisclosed source, Mezzour explicitly mentioned the K2 tank during meetings. Should Morocco pursue procurement negotiations, it would become the first African country to formally express official interest in the K2 Black Panther. The meetings also covered broader bilateral issues, such as the negotiation of a new Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the establishment of a Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF). The visit included a meeting with Hyundai Rotem, the K2’s manufacturer, where Mezzour discussed both industrial and defense-related cooperation. This marks the first time Morocco’s interest in the K2 seems to have been officially acknowledged in a South Korean publication. The K2 was one of three South Korean defense systems identified by Morocco during the April 2025 meetings. Alongside the tank, Mezzour expressed interest in the KSS-III diesel-electric submarine and the Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system. The mention of these three platforms indicates a widening of Morocco’s defense procurement options and a diversification of its potential suppliers. The visit also coincided with Morocco’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with South Korea, and the defense discussions took place within this broader strategic framework. Hyundai Rotem, which manufactures both the K2 and civilian rail vehicles, signed a $1.5 billion contract with Morocco’s state-owned railway company ONCF in February 2025 to deliver 168 double-decker electric trainsets. This civilian agreement may provide a platform for deeper defense cooperation.

On April 1, 2025, the Italian Ministry of Defense authorized a new contractual action to acquire an additional U.S.-made MQ-27 ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS) for integration aboard two FREMM-class naval units. This acquisition falls under the operational requirement defined by the Italian Navy in 2022 to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the deployment of light and tactical-class shipborne UAS. It also represents a continuation of the initial ScanEagle integration program, which began with a U.S. Purchase Order (No. 2565 and amendments) that is still in execution. The mandate issued by the Italian Navy to the Directorate for Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) aims to complete and expand the initial acquisition by providing additional systems and associated materials. This includes progressing with the installation and integration of the MQ-27 ScanEagle UAS aboard FREMM-class vessels while ensuring operational continuity. The initial procurement took place on September 18, 2013, when Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, announced a contract with the Italian Navy for the delivery of two complete ScanEagle systems and related training services. Each system includes four UAVs, a ground control station, a remote video terminal, and launch and recovery equipment. The ScanEagle was one of several unmanned systems introduced into the Italian Navy's inventory following initiatives such as Operazione Mare Nostrum, during which it operated alongside other UAVs like the Camcopter S-100. The revised program reduces the number of ships to be equipped from three to two and modifies the sensor configuration. Specifically, it increases the number of aircraft with Electro-Optical (EO) sensors and removes the previously planned integration of the ViDAR sensor. The spare parts package will be aligned with expected flight hours, and additional training modules will be included, covering both basic operator instruction and instructor-level qualification. Italy became the sixth ScanEagle customer in Europe, and this drone is already used in ISR roles, benefiting from a cruise speed of 140 km/h and a 20-hour endurance. The UAV does not require a runway, as it uses a pneumatic catapult launcher compatible with naval vessels. The total estimated cost of the acquisition is €19,500,000. Of this amount, €19,305,426.59 is allocated to the Purchase Order, which corresponds to $20,077,643.65 using a conservative exchange rate of 1.04. An additional €194,573.41 is allocated for technical function incentives under Article 45 of Legislative Decree 36/2023. These incentives include €155,658.73 for personnel (as defined in paragraph 3) and €38,914.68 for activities described in paragraph 5. The residual 20% of the contract amount not used for the core acquisition may be reallocated to unplanned requirements, such as repairs and spare parts, within the same contractual framework. The contract will be executed through a negotiated procedure without prior publication, identified as a Purchase Order type under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. It qualifies for exemption from several standard procurement publication requirements, as the materials are classified as military equ

The Spanish military vehicle manufacturer Urovesa has signed a new contract, the third already, with the Royal Oman Army (RAO) for the supply of Vamtac in different configurations. The company announced this agreement during an official visit to its facilities in Valga (Pontevedra) by a delegation led by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence of the Sultanate of Oman, Mohamed bin Nasser bin Ali Al-Zaabi, with the rank of minister. With the visit, Urovesa also puts the finishing touch to the second contract with the RAO, after the delivery of the last Vamtacs. Urovesa also highlights that the collaboration with MARH, as a local partner, guarantees the long-term sustainability of these vehicles with extensive life cycle support, while remarking that the visit "paves the way" to continue the collaboration in the coming years.

On April 14, 2025, the official visit of French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu to Athens reaffirmed the strength of the strategic partnership between Greece and France, particularly in the naval domain. During his meeting with Greek Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, discussions focused on ongoing deliveries of French defense systems, including Belharra-class frigates, Rafale fighter jets, NH90 helicopters, and Exocet missiles. The Greek side also expressed its intention to finalize the acquisition of a fourth frigate. Greece signed a contract with Naval Group in March 2022 for three frigates, and negotiations for a fourth unit—expected to be named HS Themistocles—are nearing completion. This addition would significantly enhance Greece’s naval capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean amid ongoing regional tensions, notably in the Aegean and the Levant. Originally developed in response to priorities outlined in France’s 2013 Defense White Paper, the Belharra-class frigate—known in Greek service as the Kimon-class FDI HN—is a new-generation surface combatant designed for high-intensity operations. Measuring 122 meters in length with a displacement of 4,500 tons, the frigates are equipped with a CODAD propulsion system that enables a top speed of 27 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. The Greek variant is armed with 32 Sylver A50 vertical launch system (VLS) cells for Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, a 21-cell RAM Block 2B launcher, MM40 Block 3C Exocet anti-ship missiles, MU90 torpedoes, a 76mm main gun, and CANTO anti-torpedo countermeasures. Each vessel includes a flight deck and hangar designed to accommodate either an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter or a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAV. On the sensor side, they are equipped with the Sea Fire fixed-panel AESA radar, Kingklip hull sonar, CAPTAS-4 towed array sonar, and the PSIM (Panoramic Sensors and Intelligence Module), which has already been installed on the first unit.  

On April 8, 2025, at the port of Durrës, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the formal launch of bilateral naval cooperation with Italy, marked by two significant milestones: the signing of a Letter of Intent for the transfer of the Italian Navy’s Libra (P402), a Cassiopea-class offshore patrol vessel, to the Albanian Naval Force, and the establishment of a strategic joint venture between the Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri and the Albanian firm KAYO. These agreements were presented as part of a broader strategy to deepen defense cooperation, enhance naval capabilities, and strengthen industrial partnerships between Albania and Italy. The offshore patrol vessel Libra (P402) was officially handed over by Italy to Albania during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Rama, Albanian Defence Minister Niko Peleshi, and Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. The ship docked in Durrës after departing Italy accompanied by the iconic training ship Amerigo Vespucci. Minister Crosetto emphasized the strategic value of the gesture, describing it as a reflection of mutual trust and deepening defense collaboration between two NATO member states. Prime Minister Rama welcomed the transfer as a turning point in bilateral relations, describing the evolving ties as a transformation of an ancient friendship into a strategic partnership based on trust and sharing.