Aaron Mehta

Editor in Chief, Breaking Defense

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]

Stories by Aaron Mehta

Global, Land Warfare, Pentagon

Putin orders ‘peacekeeping’ units into Ukraine, WH won’t call it invasion

“Russian troops moving into the Donbas would not itself be a new step,” a senior Biden administration official said.

By Aaron Mehta

Congress, Pentagon

$770-$780 billion likely for Pentagon budget topline: Source

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.

By Aaron Mehta

Air Warfare, Pentagon, Space

New Pentagon report sends warning shot for defense consolidation, especially in hypersonics

The report comes just days after a major deal between Lockheed Martin and Aerojet Rocketdyne was scuttled thanks to government pressure.

By Aaron Mehta

Space

Watch the Breaking Defense Military Space Survey roundtable [Video]

Our hour-long roundtable debates all the hot military space issues.

By Aaron Mehta

Space

Megaconstellations may prove a wildcard for Pentagon space planners [Video]

“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.”

By Aaron Mehta

Global

Baltic nations sending US-made Stingers, Javelins to Ukraine

Estonia will provide Javelin anti-armor missiles, while Lithuania and Latvia will provide Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and adjacent equipment.

By Aaron Mehta

Space

Industry and Pentagon have different views on space acquisition [Video]

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.

By Aaron Mehta

Space

Is Space Force playing nice with others? [Video]

“Someone has to make a decision. If all of these decisions are made by committees and committees and committees, then they are often dependent on personality and not actually how they will fulfill the mission.”

By Aaron Mehta

Space

Is the Space Force doing what it’s supposed to? [Infographics]

Respondents to the Breaking Defense Space Survey have differing opinions on how effective the Space Force has been, two years in.

By Aaron Mehta

Global, Space

Is China really the greatest threat to the US in space, or is Russia? [Video]

Seventy-eight percent of survey respondents said China is the greatest threat in space. But our panel of experts is less convinced.

By Aaron Mehta

Space

The major threats and challenges for America in space [Infographics]

A first-ever Breaking Defense space survey asked professionals in defense- and space-related fields about what worries them the most, and where America is falling behind.

By Aaron Mehta