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.
amehta@breakingmedia.com
“Sure, the Liberals opposed this plane while in opposition, but it was an ‘opposing to be opposing’ kind of stance,” Steve Saideman, director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network, told Breaking Defense.
Poland says it will accept planes with “corresponding operational capabilities” in return for giving the US it’s MiG-29s to transfer to Ukraine. The problem is, no one seemed to have told the Americans about this plan.
STRATCOM head Gen. Chas Richard said he’s “very concerned” about “opportunistic aggression” with regards to China and Russia. He also noted the government has whiffed on its plutonium pit production goal.
After Finland’s prime minister noted that the Ukraine invasion may energize public interest in joining NATO, a Russian spokeswoman threatened “military and political repercussion” if Sweden or Finland join the alliance.
Given the increased rate of inflation, the situation in Ukraine and the fact Congress has acted decisively to increase defense spending in the last year, it’s no surprise that the DoD budget has increased over the FY22 request of $715 billion.
“I think there is a lack of focus on the issue of not just megaconstellations, but on the future role of commercial space, and how we, as an international community regulate commercial space so that it fits the international security and national security priorities and needs.”
In its third year, Space Force is going to have to prove to those inside the Pentagon and at major contractors that it’s making progress on acquisition reform.
![IFPC-HPM [2]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/IFPC-HPM-2-e1698843558272-225x150.jpeg)
![Watch the Breaking Defense Military Space Survey roundtable [Video]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/image012-e1638896117893.jpg)
![Megaconstellations may prove a wildcard for Pentagon space planners [Video]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2022/01/elon_space-scaled.jpg)
![Industry and Pentagon have different views on space acquisition [Video]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2022/01/gpsIII_encapsule.jpg)
![Watch the Breaking Defense Military Space Survey roundtable [Video]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2021/12/image012-e1638896117893-225x150.jpg)
![Megaconstellations may prove a wildcard for Pentagon space planners [Video]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2022/01/elon_space-scaled-225x150.jpg)
![Industry and Pentagon have different views on space acquisition [Video]](https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2022/01/gpsIII_encapsule-225x150.jpg)
