The US military plans to utilize artificial intelligence, but the question remains who will lead on this development - the government or industry? Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and AI expert Sydney Freedberg joined Joshua Wallin of the Center for a New American Security to discuss the future of military AI. For more insights, watch Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the series.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
ARES Shipyard plans to launch ARES Naval in Saudi Arabia with two shipyards: one in Dammam and the other in Jeddah. The company aims to establish a stronger presence in the GCC region through co-production partnerships.
President Donald Trump threatened to cut federal defense contracts awarded to Raytheon unless the company increases production and redirects capital toward manufacturing capacity. The comments come amid growing concerns about the health of the domestic defense industrial base, with Pentagon officials and lawmakers warning that US weapons production has failed to keep pace with rising global demand.
Israel Aerospace Industries has secured a major defense contract with Thailand's Royal Thai Air Force to supply the Barak MX air defense system, valued at approximately $108 million USD. The advanced system provides up to 150 kilometers of coverage against tactical ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, fighter aircraft, and cruise missiles.
The Spanish Air Force has decided to buy another 16 PC-21s from Pilatus, following an initial order in early 2020. The contract makes Spain the largest operator of the PC-21 in Europe.
Spain has formalized four contracts for 100 Airbus helicopters under the National Helicopter Plan announced in May 2025. The deal covers four different models intended for all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces.
Spain has acquired four Patriot fire units for $1.7 billion, as confirmed by RTX's Raytheon, and 200 F-404 engine fans for its F/A-18 fleet from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The deals follow Spain's recent defense shopping spree, which allocated €3.
Spain has agreed to purchase 100 Airbus helicopters worth an estimated €4.5 billion, including 50 new H145M aircraft for its army. The order is part of a national helicopter plan aimed at modernizing local defense assets.
Singapore has announced plans to acquire three Gulfstream maritime surveillance aircraft based on the G550 business jet, with Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing citing the need for enhanced capabilities in the maritime domain. The acquisition is part of a broader effort to strengthen Singapore's defenses amid rising tensions in Southeast Asia.
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.
As Europe begins to invest more in military space capabilities, British thermal imagery startup SatVu and Spanish tech firm GMV are among the latest companies to benefit from the trend. SatVu secured $40 million in funding from the NATO Innovation Fund, while GMV expanded its space surveillance program with a new satellite tracking antenna.
SAMI has announced a transformation into a strategic group, launching two new entities: SAMI Land Company and SAMI Autonomous Systems. The new land entity will focus on producing vehicles for the land forces, while the autonomous systems company will develop capabilities across all platforms.
Safran has significantly expanded its industrial presence in India through two landmark agreements that underscore New Delhi's commitment to defense sovereignty. The French aerospace giant will co-develop a new engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft stealth fighter alongside the Defence Research and Development Organisation, with full technology transfer and Indian intellectual property retention.
Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks Research and Technology is adapting to modern airpower needs with faster R&D cycles. The company's rapid prototyping capabilities are crucial for rapid development, deployment, and advancement of technologies.
Dassault Aviation recently conducted a Rafale demonstration at Le Bourget, providing a glimpse into the capabilities of the French fighter jet. Breaking Defense reports that the event was a high-speed display of the aircraft's performance.
As the US and allied partners push to develop, produce, and field military technologies, they are leaning on lessons learned from Ukraine and other recent global conflicts. The challenge lies in how these technologies fit into existing military operations and how warfighters can trust them.
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.
Norway has presented a new bill to parliament proposing to add two more submarines to its program, with a total cost expected to reach $9.69 billion. This move comes amid growing tensions with Russia in the North Atlantic region.
Norway has selected Hanwha Aerospace's Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system over prominent Western competitors for its ground-based long-range precision fires system. The $2 billion deal includes 16 launch systems and an unspecified number of missiles across three range variants, according to Breaking Defense reports.
Northrop Grumman's CEO Kathy Warden stated that her company has no plans to follow L3Harris' lead in allowing the Pentagon to take a financial stake in its solid rocket motors business. However, some suppliers may consider similar investments.
The U.S. Navy is hosting an industry day on December 9-10 in Washington, D.
The Missile Defense Agency has selected over 1,000 companies as qualifying offerors for the Golden Dome contracting vehicle, a $151 billion initiative designed to rapidly develop innovative homeland air defense capabilities. Under the SHIELD (Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense) framework, selected contractors will compete for staggered awards across 19+ work areas including prototyping, weapon design, cybersecurity, and AI-enabled applications.
When British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkey's purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoons worth roughly $10 billion, the optics were triumphal. However, for London, the sale looks like an industrial success story that masks a strategic loss.
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.
L3Harris has begun converting two Bombardier business jets into Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft for South Korea. The work is part of a $1 billion contract awarded to the US firm in September 2025, with four Global Express 6500 jets to be converted in total.
JPMorgan Chase is committing $10 billion in direct investments over the next decade to bolster U.S. defense and advanced manufacturing capabilities, part of a broader $1.5 trillion Security and Resilience Initiative. The financial giant plans to back both venture-backed startups and legacy defense suppliers, with particular focus on submarine production, missile manufacturing, and critical supply chain resilience.
Major Japanese maritime stakeholders have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a standardized design framework for liquefied CO₂ carriers and alternative fuel vessels. The initiative, leveraging MILES as a coordinating platform, aims to accelerate decarbonization in shipping by enabling multiple Japanese shipyards to efficiently manufacture next-generation vessels using common design specifications.
Israel has announced plans to purchase 30 new AH-64E Apache attack helicopters worth an estimated $3.8 billion. The decision comes after lessons learned from recent multi-front wars, Breaking Defense reports.
Germany has approved an expansion of the Arrow 3 defense system contract with Israel, valued at approximately $3.1 billion, to complement the initial purchase agreement signed two years ago. The combined value is now $6.
Indonesia has signed a Letter of Intent with Leonardo to support its ambition of acquiring M-346 F Block 20 fighter aircraft. The agreement comes after the Ministry of Defense selected the M-346 to respond to Indonesia's training and combat capability needs.
Howmet Aerospace has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing (CAM), the aerospace division of Stanley Black & Decker, for approximately $1.8 billion. CAM provides critical fasteners, fittings, and other engineered components for the aerospace and defense industries.
Germany has officially received the first operational Arrow 3 air defense system from Israel in a historic delivery that marks the largest defense export deal in Israeli history. The $4 billion contract, finalized in late 2023, represents a significant milestone in Israel-Germany defense cooperation.
Germany is set to acquire 20 additional Airbus H145M helicopters worth €931 million ($1 billion) as part of its military modernization efforts. The funding proposal will be presented to the Bundestag's budget committee in 2026.
France is reportedly negotiating its withdrawal from the Eurodrone program, a joint development project with Germany, Italy, and Spain. The move could increase the programme bill by more than €700 million, according to reports.
France and Germany are considering scaling back their involvement in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, according to a report from the Financial Times. The two governments may cancel the joint New Generation Fighter (NGF) component and focus on the 'combat cloud' architecture instead.
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.
Embraer has dropped its proposal for a final assembly line in Saudi Arabia, opting instead to pursue a similar facility in the UAE. This move comes after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Saudi Arabian Military Industries in 2023.
Egypt's state-owned Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) has announced a major expansion of its defense manufacturing capabilities, signing multiple international co-production agreements at the Egypt Defence Expo. Key partnerships include French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation for Rafale fighter jet component localization, Chinese defense giant Norinco for tactical drone production, and Turkish defense contractor Havelsan for unmanned ground vehicles.
EDGE Group unveiled several new systems at the Dubai Airshow and announced over a dozen new deals or cooperation agreements, including a $7 billion deal with Indonesia. CEO Hamad Al Marar emphasized the importance of exports in covering EDGE's expenses and diversifying its clientele.
Senate Democrats have raised concerns over the Pentagon's rare earth mineral equity deal with MP Materials, citing questions about the legal basis and financial terms of the arrangement. The deal, valued at $400 million, aims to shore up the US supply chain for rare earth magnets.
Dassault Aviation unveiled its latest products at the Paris Air Show, including the FALCON 10X, FALCON 8X, and FALCON 6X in civil models, as well as the RAFALE C and RAFALE M in military models. The company also showcased a range of workshops and virtual reality experiences, including a 'Rafale Experience' area and a 'DNA' area highlighting major programs and export successes.
Dassault Aviation has signed a deal to supply the Ukrainian military with Rafale fighter jets, following a declaration of intent from the Ukrainian authorities. The French defense contractor has expressed confidence in the operational capabilities of the aircraft, which have been recognized by both countries.
Saab has signed a €3.1 billion contract with the Colombian Government to supply 17 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, marking one of the largest defense acquisitions in Colombia's history. The deal includes 15 single-seat Gripen E fighters and two dual-seat Gripen F aircraft, as well as support services and training.
AeroTime spoke with Kirk Schultz, Regional Director for International Business Development at Boeing Defense, Space and Security, during WDS 2026. Schultz emphasized the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key market for Boeing, citing the country's largest user internationally of both F-15 and AH-64 Apache.
Boeing announced a $565 million loss on its KC-46 tanker program, driven by higher production support and supply chain costs. The company attributed the charge to increased cost on commercial airplane production, citing improvements in factory rework levels.
Boeing is abandoning plans to sell its F-15EX fighter jet to Indonesia, a deal that was announced years ago but never materialized due to lack of formalization. The State Department cleared the sale in 2022, but Boeing appears to be ditching the campaign.
Barzan Holdings showcased its new business strategy and unveiled agreements with Qatari armed forces valued at $3.3 billion, as well as partnerships with international firms like Aeralis and Turkish shipyard TAIS. CEO Omar Al Qadi emphasized the company's focus on local investments and exports, while also highlighting its commitment to innovation and collaboration.
Saab, Boeing, and BAE Systems have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the UK's next fast-jet trainer, proposing the T-7 Red Hawk as the core of a new training system for the Royal Air Force. The partnership aims to meet the UK Ministry of Defence's Advanced Jet Trainer requirement, with BAE Systems leading industrial activity as prime contractor.
Auterion has released new footage of a coordinated drone swarm strike, demonstrating its Nemyx product line and AuterionOS software stack. The company's work aims to enhance sensor coverage, complicate adversary defenses, and mitigate risk through advanced swarm operations.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
The US Army has selected three major defense contractors to compete for a new rotary-wing training program worth up to $500 million. Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky will advance to the next phase of competition, Breaking Defense reports.
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 US Army has paused its decision to move forward with the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program, instead opting to assess multiple competing designs and consider non-traditional vendors. The Request for Information (RFI) aims to explore innovative solutions for rapid design, production, and delivery of ground combat vehicles.
Archer Aviation has launched a new UK subsidiary and recruited Vertical Aerospace's Director of Engineering Limhi Somerville. The move aims to build a team in South West England and support the development of eVTOL aircraft.