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Saudi Arabia inks first defense ‘cooperation’ agreement with Syria’s new leadership

“The agreement will likely initially focus on military training, intelligence sharing, equipment transfers and assistance in rebuilding Syria's armed forces," one expert told Breaking Defense.

By Agnes Helou

Air Warfare, Opinion

The Navy’s trainer is now the biggest test of the Pentagon’s acquisition reform efforts

With the competition effectively reduced to one bidder, the Navy faces a choice between falling back on old acquisition habits and showing that its reforms can work under pressure, writes Robbin Laird.

By Robbin Laird

In this episode:

Another busy week for the defense industry, with Euronaval underway in Paris and the International Fighter Conference convening in Germany
A closer look at the Hollywood star who became an Air Force general

Space

Key Space Force satellites can’t talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources

To translate between the SpaceX-built SDN Backbone and other Pentagon communications and missile tracking satellites, sources said the Space Force is eyeing 12 or 13 Space Exchange Point birds.

By Theresa Hitchens

Air Warfare

Europe nears decision on competing hypersonic interceptor programs

The European Commission is expected to select one of two competing consortia by the end of November to advance development of a European interceptor targeting hypersonic and ballistic missile threats, with a system-level demonstrator targeted for 2030.

By Andrew White

Congress

Republicans have a ticking clock. What can they get done on defense?

Reconciliation, defense appropriations and the NDAA will all fight for attention as Congress considers the impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

By Valerie Insinna

Pentagon

The Pentagon wants a massive new military base. Where will it go?

A nationwide search for a new installation and a sweeping base-hardening initiative are taking shape inside the Defense Department.

By Breaking Defense Video

Air Warfare, Pentagon

Ukraine eyeing new SpaceX Starshield deal by mid-2027, still no answers about October problems

“I hope that the contract will be signed," Ukraine's Chargé d'Affaires Denys Sienik said, even as Kyiv considers potential alternatives to SpaceX.

By Ashley Roque

Naval Warfare

Saildrone inks agreement with Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal to produce USVs

The agreement is the latest in a series of moves by Saildrone to expand into Europe.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Naval Warfare

Fairbanks Morse Defense in talks with Navy about Seawolf-class submarine repairs

Fairbanks Morse Defense is already conducting repairs on the Ohio- and Los Angeles-class submarines.

By Diana Stancy

Air Warfare

Shield AI acquires radar firm Echodyne in $5.3B deal

The deal, which is expected to close in early 2027, will give Shield an in-house counter-UAS offering

By Aaron Mehta

Air Warfare

Eurofighter eyes sales of 200 additional aircraft

Potential new deals include second batch orders for Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, jointly amounting to 78 units, while closing an order from Austria would add a further 36 aircraft.

By Tim Martin

Naval Warfare