Aaron Mehta

Aaron Mehta is editor in chief of Breaking Defense. He previously served as deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, as well as a staff writer for the non-profit Center for Public Integrity. Over his career, Mehta has interviewed dozens of defense leaders from around the globe, covering the intersection of policy, industry and technology at the highest national security levels.

Mehta has a particular interest in nuclear issues, foreign weapon sales and NATO issues. Originally from outside Boston, Mass., he now lives in the Washington, D.C. area.

[email protected]

Posts by Aaron Mehta

Land Warfare

CHAOS Industries joins low-cost interceptor parade with VESPID design

The system comes in two sizes: man-portable Mk 0, and the vehicle-launched Mk 1.

Networks & Digital Warfare

GDIT replaces longtime president Gilliland

Paul Nedzbala, who joined GDIT in 2018, has been appointed acting president.

Announcement

Breaking Defense adds Mikayla Easley as additional editor, supporting continued growth

Mikayla Easley to join the world’s largest news organization dedicated to defense.

Air Warfare

First German F-35 rolls off the line

German defense minister Boris Pistorius called the F-35 “a promise that Germany will step up to defend itself and defend its allies.”

Pentagon

‘They overreached’: Amid industry worry, new Feinberg memo tweaks accounting regime

A Sept. 15 memo from Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg walks back some changes from a previous memo, while moving reforms forward, analysts tell Breaking Defense.

Pentagon

‘Hundreds’ of buildings, ‘dozens’ of aircraft destroyed or damaged during Iran ops: DoD IG

Operation Epic Fury has "resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls" of key munitions, Pentagon officials told investigators.

Air Warfare

Northrop drops off SNC-led Navy trainer team

SNC will continue moving forward with its Freedom trainer offering for the Undergraduate Jet Training System program.

Naval Warfare

Trump to formally nominate Cao as Navy Secretary

Navy veteran Hung Cao has been the service's acting secretary since April.

Pentagon

Feinberg requested defense industry board members for briefing

The request by the Pentagon's No. 2 official that CEOs for defense firms bring their board members in for discussions is unprecedented, but in line with Feinberg's industrial maneuvering.

Air Warfare, Pentagon

Pentagon wants ‘expanding options’ for nuclear weapons, officials say

“There's, you know, a review or sort of relook at the employment guidance, which is more about the commander of STRATCOM and his responsibilities and [the defense] secretary's authorities, etcetera,” said Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby.