Breaking Defense

Pentagon inks pair of rare earth mineral loans for $1.2 billion

Embraer ramping KC-390 production, plans Czech, Uzbek, Korean deliveries this year

At some point, company officials will need to discuss the fate of a separate production line for the A-29 Super Tucano in Jacksonville, Fla., but “[t]hat time has not come yet,” said Embraer’s Marcio Monteiro.

By Michael Marrow

Space

Rheinmetall, Vantor plan joint ISR venture for Bundeswehr

The memorandum of understanding with Vantor marks the third partnership Rheinmetall has signed in recent months in the military space domain.

By Theresa Hitchens

Air Warfare

Dwindling stockpiles of solid rocket motors highlight industrial base challenges

Supply shortages, damaged radars raise concerns about air and missile defense.

By Casey Laughman

Latest News

Naval Warfare

Navy Secretary Phelan leaving post immediately, Pentagon says

In a surprise move, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said John Phelan's departure was "effective immediately."

By Diana Stancy

Congress

FY27 budget request negates need for INDOPACOM spending wishlist: Commander

INDOPACOM Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo's comments come as the department begins detailing plans to spend $12 billion next year for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

By Ashley Roque

In this episode:

A review of small unmanned systems as well as space-launch options showcased at ILA Berlin 2026.

Space

Space Force shifts from SDA transport layer to new Space Data Network ‘backbone’

A project previously called MILNET will now be funded in a budget line labeled “proliferated LEO SATCOM,” which the Space Force is seeking $1.6 billion in reconciliation funding to kick off.

By Michael Marrow

Naval Warfare

The sights of Sea Air Space Day 3

A selection of photos from day three of Sea Air Space.

By Breaking Defense Staff

Space

Trump taps defense firm execs to lead space acquisition, NRO

Erich Hernandez-Baquero has been selected to serve as the Space Force’s next acquisition czar, while Roger Mason has been nominated as the next director of the National Reconnaissance Office.

By Michael Marrow

Networks & Digital Warfare

Safeguarding federally funded innovation: navigating the new era of research security

New webinar Safeguarding funded innovation in research security

Join us 6/24 as experts discuss evolving US research security policy and innovation protection. 1 CPE credit eligible.

By Breaking Defense

Air Warfare

Italy lists Ukraine among top buyers for arms, while eyeing drone deal

In 2025, Kyiv rose to become the 4th largest importer of Italian military equipment, up from outside the top 10 the year prior, with exports reaching €349 million ($409 million).

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Pentagon

OMB director rebukes shipbuilders over production delays

OMB Director Russ Vought pointed to large shipbuilding backlogs as one way defense contractors are benefiting from program delays.

By Valerie Insinna

Land Warfare, Networks & Digital Warfare

Army unveils sweeping XM30 push, $4B bet on NGC2 in newly released budget materials

“The Army is in the midst of its most significant modernization in over 40 years,” Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, director of the Army budget, told reporters during the Pentagon’s budget rollout Tuesday. “This involves developing and fielding new capabilities while adapting formations, training and concepts to the character of modern warfare.”

By Carley Welch and Mark Pomerleau

Naval Warfare

Not one-drone-fits-all: Admirals stress unmanned systems tailored to the mission

“As we start fleshing out these concepts, what we start to understand is that … something that is a really great capability over in EUCOM or CENTCOM right now may not translate over to the Pacific, where the distances are way, way greater,” Rear Adm. Douglas Sasse told the Sea-Air-Space conference.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Air Warfare

Rheinmetall lands multibillion dollar FV-014 loitering munitions framework contract

The framework contract signing comes after Rheinmetall announced in February a FV-014 demonstration in collaboration with a potential undisclosed NATO customer.

By Tim Martin

Global

Turkish firms boost defense ties with Malaysia in missiles, comms and AI

“Malaysia chose Turkish suppliers because they offered a rare combination of combat-proven capability, affordability, speed of delivery, and eagerness to build long-term industrial partnerships rather than simply sell end products systems,” one expert said.

By Agnes Helou

Networks & Digital Warfare