The US has signed a Strategic Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia, which includes the sale of F-35 fighters and 300 Abrams tanks to the Middle East ally. The deal was announced by President Donald Trump during his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who pledged to invest $600 billion in various US industries.
President Donald Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in American defense policy in the Middle East. The planned sale comes on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House.
A US Navy F-35C fighter jet shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels and a Mohajer drone approaching a US-flagged commercial tanker hours later.
The US State Department announced two large-scale military aid packages worth almost $15.7 billion for Israel and Saudi Arabia. The deals include significant orders of AH-64E Apache helicopters, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, and PAC-3 Patriot missile interceptors.
The US State Department has approved a potential sale of almost $6.7 billion in new weapons for Israel, including large orders of AH-64E Apache helicopters and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. The announcement, made late Friday evening, is broken into four Foreign Military Sales cases and includes an estimated cost of up to $3.
The US ambassador in Lisbon has urged Portugal to buy the F-35 as a potential replacement for its aging F-16 fleet. Defense Minister Nuno Melo said no purchase decision had been made, but internal work is moving ahead.
President Donald Trump has issued a warning to defense firms about limits on share repurchases and executive compensation, citing concerns over investments in modernizing weapons production facilities. The move comes as the administration plans to issue an executive order targeting defense company share buybacks, dividends, and executive compensation.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order for a new 'America First Arms Transfer Strategy', aiming to prioritize American production and defense spending in arms exports. The policy centers around three prongs: creating clear direction, establishing criteria, and streamlining processes.
US President Donald Trump called for immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland from Denmark, citing national security and strategic interests. Trump emphasized the importance of protecting the island and developing its resources, while also questioning the strength of NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause.
Taiwan has decided to purchase 10 Lockheed Martin C-130J transport aircraft from the US instead of upgrading its existing C-130H fleet. The decision comes amid rising threats from China and follows the shelving of an extensive upgrade plan due to high costs.
Switzerland has decided to cut an order of 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets due to a price increase of roughly $610 million enforced by the US government, following a contract dispute between the two sides. The Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport stated that 'due to foreseeable additional costs, it is not financially viable to maintain the originally planned number' of aircraft.
The Space Force is urging lawmakers to speed up improvements and launch new GPS III satellites that can better withstand growing adversary jamming and spoofing threats. Despite steady progress in GPS updates, lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill fret that the current strategy is not moving fast enough.
Slovakia is considering purchasing four additional F-16V fighter jets from the US, a potential follow-on buy that would expand its planned Viper fleet. The move comes amid concerns over NATO membership and reliance on allied air policing, Breaking Defense reports.
Singapore has acquired used legacy Lockheed-Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from Blue Aerospace to replace older C-130s in its inventory. The acquisition began in mid-December and includes three C-130Hs bearing US registrations N974BA, N973BA, and N977BA.
Sikorsky has proposed converting aging Black Hawks into pilotless S-70 UHawks, leveraging its Matrix autonomy kit and fly-by-wire software. The company aims to work with local industry in the Gulf region for these conversions, which could extend aircraft life and reduce costs.
The Space Development Agency's Tracking Layer program is facing challenges due to overestimation of technology readiness, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The agency has awarded contracts worth $4.
The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced four new contracts worth $3.5 billion for 72 new satellites as part of the Tranche 3 constellation. The Other Transaction Authority (OTA) awards went to teams led by Lockheed Martin, Rocket Lab USA, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems President David Alexander discussed potential deals with Saudi Arabia, including up to 200 CCAs and 130 MQ-9Bs. The program would include production localization in the Kingdom, which is seen as a key part of the deal.
Sabena Technics has secured a 10-year support contract from France's Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAé) to provide long-term maintenance and operational support for the Franco-German C-130J Super Hercules fleet. The CAROLUS program, framed as a Franco-German cooperation model, includes performance expectations on operational availability, supported onboard capabilities, turnaround times, and logistics services.
The Dubai Airshow brought together top defense contractors from around the world, with Russia and China stealing the spotlight. Breaking Defense provides comprehensive coverage of the airshow, including Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II, Su-57 stealth fighter, Wing Loong WL-X hunter-killer drone, Saab's GlobalEye jet, and UAE-based Calidus' B-250 trainer and light attack aircraft.
The US Army has selected Rafael, Lockheed Martin, and the Boeing-Anduril team for Phase I of the second Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) interceptor program. The program aims to develop a more capable second interceptor to target lower flying, supersonic cruise missiles.
Poland and Romania scrambled fighter jets after detecting Russian drone strikes along NATO's eastern border. The Polish Operational Command launched quick reaction alert fighter pairs and an airborne early warning aircraft, while Romania detected a drone entering its national airspace amid the attacks.
Pilatus and Lockheed Martin have partnered under an offset project to develop an advanced next-generation pilot training system. This will allow Pilatus to provide a bespoke solution to customers operating fifth-generation frontline aircraft, such as the F-35.
The Singapore Airshow is underway at Changi Exhibition Centre, with over 1,000 defense and aviation businesses from around the world participating. Breaking Defense has been providing coverage of the show, including photos and updates on various aircraft displays.
Peru is moving toward selecting the Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70 Viper as its next-generation fighter jet, marking a significant pivot in modernizing the Peruvian Air Force. According to local media, the Peruvian government has decided to proceed with the purchase of up to 24 F-16 Block 70 aircraft valued at approximately $7 billion.
The Defense Department and Lockheed Martin have agreed to a framework for tripling PAC-3 production over seven years, with an initial capacity increase of 2,000 missiles per year. The contract award is still forthcoming, pending Congressional appropriations.
US President Donald Trump is expected to approve a deal allowing Saudi Arabia to acquire dozens of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets despite Pentagon concerns. The proposal faces resistance inside the US government due to links with China and Israel's 'qualitative military edge'.
The Pentagon has agreed to invest $1 billion into L3Harris's solid rocket motors business, with plans to spin off the division as a separate company later this year. The department will take a direct ownership stake in the business, which will be publicly traded.
The Pentagon has created a new role for managing the Air Force's next-gen bomber, fighter, and ICBM programs, with Lt. Gen.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is facing a gap between procurement and delivery of new THAAD missile defense interceptors, with deliveries not expected until April 2027. The agency has a backlog of 100 THAAD missiles, and experts warn that the shortage may be due to inconsistent funding and production processes.
The National Football League is exploring the potential of supersonic commercial aviation as part of its long-range planning for European expansion. According to the Wall Street Journal, the league has taken an interest in new aircraft programs and faster transatlantic travel, driven by the desire to ease logistical challenges.
Navy investigation reports on the Harry S. Truman carrier strike group's recent deployment reveal systemic training deficiencies and command failures contributed to multiple serious incidents, including friendly fire near-misses, collisions with commercial vessels, and two F/A-18 losses during Red Sea operations against Houthi forces.
Mexico has confirmed the acquisition of its first C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifter from Lockheed Martin, becoming the first country in Latin America to operate this latest-generation variant. The aircraft will support disaster relief and humanitarian response missions as well as military transport tasks.
The LongShot program, led by General Atomics, is aiming for early flight tests with its X-68A aircraft. The program, originally set to begin in December 2023, has pivoted towards a more direct approach focused on F-15 integration.
Lockheed Martin has signed an agreement with the Pentagon to quadruple production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors over the next seven years. The deal, worth $4 billion, will allow THAAD interceptor production to grow from its current rate of 96 missiles a year to an annual rate of 400 interceptors.
Lockheed Martin has successfully tested an artificial intelligence feature on its F-35 Lightning fighter, designed to quickly identify unknown contacts for pilots. The system uses machine learning to resolve ID ambiguities and improve situational awareness.
Lockheed Martin and Diehl Defence have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on maritime air defense capabilities. The partnership aims to explore how the firms can fuse together their systems, with a focus on enhancing air defense solutions for surface vessels.
Lockheed Martin has agreed to supply the Taiwan Air Force with 55 Legion infrared search and track (IRST) pods under the US Foreign Military Sales program. The delivery strengthens the F-16 fleet's ability to detect and track airborne targets using passive sensors, addressing an urgent operational need described by the US Department of Defense.
Lockheed Martin has successfully tested an AI-enhanced Combat Identification (Combat ID) capability on an F-35 during a test flight at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The company used an AI/machine learning model to resolve identification ambiguities among emitters, aiming to improve situational awareness and reduce pilot decision-making latency.
Lockheed Martin has opened a new 17,000-square-foot Hypersonic System Integration Lab in Huntsville, Alabama, representing a $17.1 million investment in accelerating US Army hypersonic weapon development. The facility consolidates advanced testing, simulation, and integration capabilities to shorten development cycles for critical defense programs including the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (Dark Eagle) and Navy's Conventional Prompt Strike missile.
Lockheed Martin has announced plans to launch a command and control software factory in Saudi Arabia, as part of Riyadh's efforts to localize defense production. The facility will introduce Lockheed's advanced software development ecosystem to the Kingdom, enabling rapid development of sovereign software applications.
Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025, the highest annual total in the program's history, as more countries move to expand or introduce the fifth-generation jet into their air forces. The company reports that annual production is now running at a pace around five times higher than any other allied fighter currently in production.
Lockheed Martin announced a record 191 F-35 deliveries in 2025, exceeding previous year's total by more than 70%. The company cited a backlog of jets held in storage as the primary cause.
Lockheed Martin has finished production of all F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia's initial fleets, according to AeroTime. The company announced the completion on December 15, 2025, noting that every aircraft has passed US government acceptance through the Foreign Military Sales program.
Lockheed Martin has appointed Jeremy King as its next chief executive for Australia and New Zealand, succeeding Warren 'Macca' McDonald. According to Breaking Defense, King previously served the Australian Defence Force for over 30 years and led major capability programs such as the MRH-90 and Chinook project.
Lockheed Martin has successfully demonstrated control of an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) from the cockpit of an F-22 Raptor during a flight from Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas. According to AeroTime, the test marks a significant step toward future air-combat concepts built around human-machine coordination.
Lockheed Martin has maintained its current F-35 production rate, citing a focus on economic stability. The company's vice president of aeronautics strategy and business development stated that increasing production would be 'whipsaw supply,' referring to the potential for sudden changes in demand.
Lockheed Martin successfully completed the first flight test of its Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI), a potential replacement for the US Army's Stinger missile system. The program aims to deliver an advanced air defense capability designed to counter unmanned aerial systems, rotary-wing aircraft, and fixed-wing threats.
Lockheed Martin is partnering with ERAF to explore the development of a combat vehicle-mounted unmanned turret that can be produced in Saudi Arabia. The turret has counter-UAS and self-protection capabilities and features a modular design for mounting on different platforms.
L3Harris has announced that its F-16 electronic warfare system, Viper Shield, has been cleared for low-rate production by the US Air Force. The company plans to deliver the first batch of systems in December 2026, with a total of 219 systems on order.
Breaking Defense reports that the Israeli defense industry is poised for growth in 2026, driven by lessons learned from the recent conflict. The country's ability to deliver advanced systems on time has led to record sales in 2024, with a focus on European markets.
Breaking Defense reports that Israeli officials are exploring a new 20-year military aid commitment from the US, sparking debate about the future of the relationship. Experts suggest recalibrating the dynamic to focus on partnership rather than aid, citing benefits for both countries in defense technology cooperation and reduced dependence on taxpayer funding.
The Pentagon announced it was adding Xai's Grok to GenAI.mil, a secure version of popular AI tools, amid concerns about defense spending. Meanwhile, North Korea unveiled its first nuclear-powered submarine, while China conducted a large-scale exercise in Taiwan's airspace.
The Global Positioning System has been the backbone of the modern world for decades, powering everything from stock trades to power grids. The U.
GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin have completed ground tests of a liquid-fueled rotating detonation ramjet (RDRJ) intended for next-generation hypersonic missile applications. The campaign, conducted at GE Aerospace's Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, represents the first project completed under a wider technology development agreement between the two companies.
France has conducted a series of experimental trials assessing the feasibility of releasing drones from an Airbus A400M, using inert mock-ups and manual releases. The campaign was led by the French defense procurement agency, Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), in collaboration with DGA Techniques aérospatiales (DGA TA) and DGA Essais en vol (DGA EV).
Firefly Aerospace has welcomed two new members to its Advisory Board, including Terry Boardman and General James Cartwright. Breaking Defense reports that the appointments reflect the company's growing presence in the launch services market.
Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Alpha FLTA005 rocket as part of the Venture-Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 contract with NASA. The mission, called Noise of Summer, lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on July 3, 2024.
Firefly Aerospace, an end-to-end space transportation company, has signed a launch agreement with Lockheed Martin to support a technology demonstration mission aboard its Alpha vehicle. The partnership represents a significant expansion of Firefly's services, Breaking Defense reports.
Firefly Aerospace is preparing to launch its Alpha FLTA004 Fly the Lightning mission, which will deploy an Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) payload developed by Lockheed Martin. The mission aims to demonstrate rapid delivery of on-orbit capabilities for U.
Firefly Aerospace has closed a third tranche of Series C funding, valuing the company at $1.5 billion pre-money. The round is being led by existing investors AE Industrial Partners and new investor Mitsui & Co.
Firefly Aerospace is set to launch its Alpha FLTA006 mission for Lockheed Martin's LM 400 spacecraft, with a scheduled launch date no earlier than March 15. The mission will demonstrate the company's risk-reduction and pathfinding efforts.
Firefly Aerospace has secured an oversubscribed $175 million Series D funding round led by RPM Ventures. The round valued Firefly at over $2 billion, solidifying the company's position as a leader in responsive space services.
Firefly Aerospace has announced a multi-launch agreement with Lockheed Martin for 25 launches on its Alpha rocket through 2029. The partnership commits Lockheed Martin to 15 launch reservations and 10 optional launches.
Finland's first Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, JF-501, has arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, marking a historic day for the Finnish Air Force. The aircraft was received by Colonel Tuukka Elonheimo, head of Finland's F-35 Liaison Office.
Finland has unveiled its first Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter at a rollout ceremony held on December 16, 2025, at Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft, serial JF-501, is part of Finland's HX Fighter Program, which will replace the Finnish Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet fleet.
Newly released evaluation data reveals the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II scored 95% compared to Saab's Gripen E at 33% across all major capability categories in Canada's Future Fighter Capability Project. The F-35 dominated mission performance, upgradability, and sustainment metrics, significantly outperforming its competitor.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems demonstrated a pilot controlling an MQ-20 Avenger drone from the F-22 Raptor's cockpit at the Nevada Test and Training Range on Oct. 21. The demonstration leveraged Lockheed Martin and L3Harris teaming up for the internal research and development, according to Breaking Defense.
Experts warn that US space-based interceptors (SBI) will need to be defended from adversary attack. Patrick Binning, Todd Harrison, and Todd Stevens emphasized the importance of passive measures such as stealth technologies and active measures like laser attacks or maneuvering.
Despite delivery delays, Estonia remains committed to acquiring six additional M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the US, according to Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur. The country has allocated €2.
The Defense Innovation Unit is seeking firms that can supply drones capable of carrying fighter-sized munitions for maritime strikes. The initiative aims to address the growing threat of anti-ship weapons and constraints on long-range strike capabilities for naval forces.
The World Defense Show will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring a diverse range of exhibitors including Saudi Arabian Military Industries, AIC Steel, China, Russia, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, L3Harris, and many others. The event is expected to include product demonstrations, announcements, and partnerships, with a focus on regional security and defense capabilities.
Breaking Defense reports that seven major defense contractors generated $21.2 billion in free cash flow in 2024, with RTX issuing the most in dividends at $3.2 billion. The data suggests that these companies are prioritizing shareholder returns over investments in production lines, which could impact the president's demands for increased production capacity.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle emphasized the need for an accelerated F/A-XX program due to the rapid spread of advanced anti-aircraft systems.
China has made its first test flight of the long-rumored Y-30 turboprop airlifter, according to AeroTime. The aircraft is believed to be a product of Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation and features a high-wing design with four turboprop engines.
Breaking Defense reports that China will likely dominate defense and security headlines in 2026, given ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Expect standoffs and encounters between Chinese ships and Philippine counterparts, as well as increased PLAN presence in Japan's waters.
The US approval of a $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan has elevated tensions across the Taiwan Strait. China's layered approach to GPS disruption using terrestrial and fiber-based assets provides an operational tempo advantage if US forces operate under degraded or deceptive GPS conditions.
Breaking Defense reports that Canada is still interested in taking part in the Golden Dome missile defense program, despite tensions between Washington and Ottawa. The US Department of Defense has not responded to questions about how it is currently factoring Canada into ongoing Golden Dome planning.
Canada has confirmed it is making payments tied to long-lead components for 14 additional F-35A fighters, Prime Minister Mark Carney said in Parliament. The move preserves production timing and options, but the review of the full 88-jet plan continues.
The Royal Australian Air Force has declared final operational capability on the Block 8.1 upgrade program for its C-130J Hercules fleet, operated by No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales. The upgrades, performed by Lockheed Martin and Airbus Australia Pacific, encompass critical improvements to aircraft systems, safety-critical software and hardware, and enhanced communications and navigation suites.
The British Ministry of Defence has invited seven firms to pitch their ideas for 'futuristic' drone helicopters to fly alongside Apaches into combat. Project NYX, announced on Saturday, aims to create Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) with AI-powered capabilities.
Belgium is seeking additional F-35A fighter jets as part of discussions with Lockheed Martin, Breaking Defense reports. Brussels is pushing for significant domestic industrial returns, including production at Cameri Air Base in northern Italy.
The US Army tested the first prototype for its Next Gen C2 data layer as part of its modernization initiative. The test involved dispersed command post operations to evaluate transport resiliency and effectiveness supporting the data layer.
The US Army has selected three companies to move on to the next phase of its Flight School Next competition, which aims to train 900-1,500 rotary wing pilots per year with a period of performance of 26 years. Lockheed Martin will partner with Robinson for the program, while Bell and M1 are competing as their own entities.
The Army has selected three companies - Bell, M1, and Lockheed Martin - to move on to the next phase of the Flight School Next program. The companies will provide more information about their proposals and illustrate their full-scale solutions.
The US Air Force has selected nine companies for an early stage of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, awarding contracts worth an unspecified amount. The successful firms will now compete for a prototyping deal, which could be offered to more than one company.