Breaking Defense

Latest News

Pentagon readies contingency plans for government shutdown

The department’s 'highest priorities' will revolve around operations securing the US Southern border, operations in the Middle East, designing Golden Dome, depot maintenance, shipbuilding and critical munitions, according to the guidance.

By Ashley Roque

Air Warfare

The latest from EDGE Group and an interview with Aselsan’s CEO: Middle East Defense Digest [Video]

Breaking Defense's Agnes Helou runs down the latest from the Middle East after Israel's attack on Qatar. Then she speaks to the CEO of Aselsan.

By Breaking Defense Video

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

Naval Warfare

Pentagon, Sikorsky ink $10 billion deal for 99 CH-53K heavy lift helos

The new multi-year buy is the first of its kind for the program of record, which is slated to purchase 200 helicopters in total.

By Justin Katz

Global

As Lebanese military prepares to disarm Hezbollah, France supports Saudi conference

A French source told Breaking Defense the meeting is expected take place before the end of 2025 and will gather several countries, including Gulf and Arab states, European states, commonwealth countries and the US.

By Agnes Helou

Pentagon

From directed energy to AI and hardening, JIATF-401 is widening counter-UAS options

There is no single answer to the drone threat, pushing the Pentagon toward a broader mix of defenses.

By Barry Rosenberg and Casey Laughman

Networks & Digital Warfare

To ‘harmonize’ better: Air Force developing new defensive cyber campaign plan

The plan will synchronize defensive cyber activities and focus especially on critical infrastructure, an Air Force official said.

By Mark Pomerleau

Air Warfare

What’s in a pin? Trump dons golden F-22 during Erdogan meeting

Fashion aside, the president said he and the Turkish leader would discuss Ankara rejoining the F-35 program, suggesting Erdogan would be "successful" in buying jets he wanted.

By Lee Ferran

Air Warfare

Air Force AI writes battle plans faster than humans can — but some of them are wrong

“While we're getting faster results and we're getting more results, there's still going to have to be a human in the loop for the foreseeable future to make sure they’re all viable,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Claude.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Opinion

From gridlock to greener pastures: How a full-year CR could empower warfighters

A full-year continuing resolution is not necessarily a bad thing for the Pentagon, John Ferrari writes. But the DoD has to be prepared to take advantage of it.

By John Ferrari

Air Warfare

Wilsbach expected to become next Air Force chief of staff: Sources

Former Air Combat Command head Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach had emerged as the frontrunner for the Air Force’s top uniformed job shortly after Gen. Dave Allvin announced his retirement in August.

By Valerie Insinna and Aaron Mehta

Air Warfare

State clears Germany for $1.2 billion worth of AMRAAMs

The sale would cover up to 400 copies of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile produced by defense giant RTX, which the Defense Security Cooperation Agency says will “provid[e] increased air-to-air capability for the German F-35 program” and other NATO requirements.

By Michael Marrow

Congress

Is it time to bet on a government shutdown? [Video]

In the latest edition of the Congressional Roundup, Aaron Mehta walks you through the state of play around a government shutdown.

By Breaking Defense Video

Space

German military to invest $41B in space capabilities

"Satellite networks today are an Achilles' heel of modern societies. Whoever attacks them paralyzes entire nations,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.

By Theresa Hitchens

Air Warfare

Amid strike, Boeing taking rare step of hiring permanent replacements for union workers

“We've had our first hiring event. We've received hundreds of qualified applicants. We're working through that now,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing's vice president of its air dominance portfolio.

By Valerie Insinna

Breaking Defense

Latest News

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

Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy: A New Era in Defense

Pentagon Buzz News Video