Breaking Defense

Golden Dome, out-years and lots of missiles: Details of Trump’s $1.5T defense budget request

By Ashley Roque, Valerie Insinna, Theresa Hitchens, Michael Marrow, Diana Stancy and Carley Welch

Space

EXCLUSIVE: SDA’s Sandhoo likely to lead Space Force Missile Warning & Tracking portfolio

It is unclear whether Gurpartap "GP" Sandhoo will keep his role as SDA acting director under a double-hat, but one industry source said that is the most likely solution at least in the near term.

By Theresa Hitchens

Global

Villagers in South Lebanon hang on to hope and their homes as war continues

“My house is my only shelter, and I don’t want to leave it,” one villager told Breaking Defense.

By Agnes Helou

Air Warfare

US F-15E fighter jet downed by Iran, rescue operations underway

The loss of an American fighter jet over Iran would appear to be the first manned American aircraft downed over Iran during Operation Epic Fury.

By Michael Marrow and Ashley Roque

Latest News

Networks & Digital Warfare

For defense AI, bubble, bubble, toil and … bargains?: 2026 preview

“The bubble is real,” said the founder of the Pentagon’s Joint AI Center, retired Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan. “[But] for the DoD, there could be new opportunities to partner with all kinds of tech companies…if their commercial opportunities start to evaporate.”

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Air Warfare

The drone wingman race kicks into high(er) gear: 2026 preview

Sometime in 2026, the Air Force will make a decision about what designs to produce for the first round of its drone wingmen program. The service is also expected to home in on what it wants next.

By Michael Marrow

In this episode:

What NATO wants most, and how Breaking Defense is expanding in Europe

Air Warfare

France finalizes $1.3B USD contract for 2 Saab GlobalEye radar planes

Initially announced at the Paris Air Show in June, the deal makes France the second customer for the Swedish Airborne Early Warning and Control planes after the UAE.

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Global

Middle East fighter jet deals, missile defenses and peace talks: 2026 preview

Next year could see Turkey and Saudi Arabia joining the F-35 club, war in Lebanon and more.

By Agnes Helou

Naval Warfare

What’s next for America’s icebreakers: 2026 preview

The White House in 2024 and 2025 prioritized rebuilding America's icebreaker fleet. But how long will that last?

By Justin Katz

Announcement

Breaking Defense announces Breaking Defense Europe, a new, distinct, European edition

Breaking Defense Europe will launch May 4 with Tim Martin and Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo as co-editors.

By Breaking Defense

Land Warfare

Army’s new acquisition structure, a new tank prototype and more drones: 2026 preview

Many pledges were made about changing how the Army does things in 2025. Will 2026 see them happen?

By Carley Welch

Global

Israel’s new laser system goes active

The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems delivered the first Iron Beam system to the Israeli Air Force on Dec. 29.

By Seth J. Frantzman

Global, Air Warfare

EDGE CEO lays out global expansion plans for 2026

In a wide-ranging interview, EDGE Group CEO Hamad Al Marar discusses the company’s $7 billion Indonesia deal, its partnership with Anduril to expand into the US market, and how EDGE is pushing into space as part of its long-term global growth strategy.

By Breaking Defense Video

Pentagon

From National Defense Strategy plans to acquisition overhaul findings: 2026 preview

The coming 12 months could shake up where US troops are positioned and new details about the Golden Dome initiative.

By Ashley Roque

All Domain

China showed off its nukes and caused problems in the region: 5 Indo-Pacific stories from 2025

China was once again at the forefront of Indo-Pacific news in 2025.

By Mike Yeo

Space

Tory Bruno to lead new Blue Origin national security unit

The company's announcement did not explain how the new National Security Group would change, if at all, Blue Origin's current organization and/or practices under its national security unit headed since August by Tom Martin.

By Theresa Hitchens

Land Warfare

Israel’s multi-front war, lasers and unmanned systems: 2025 review

Amid controversial conflicts, Israel's defense industry powered through 2025, expanding its international customer base.

By Seth J. Frantzman

Congress

Industry chaos, congressional clampdowns and secret CCA contracts: 2025 review

I didn't include Taylor Swift song recommendations this time, but if you're asking me my favorite tune off "The Life of A Showgirl," it's "Ruin the Friendship."

By Valerie Insinna

Global

NATO allies oppose US peace deal for Ukraine as FCAS falters: 2025 review

From spikes in European military spending to the push for a virtual wall to protect NATO countries from Russian drones, the continent faces a new era in defense.

By Tim Martin

Featured:

Golden Dome, out-years and lots of missiles: Details of Trump’s $1.5T defense budget request

EXCLUSIVE: SDA’s Sandhoo likely to lead Space Force Missile Warning & Tracking portfolio

Villagers in South Lebanon hang on to hope and their homes as war continues

US F-15E fighter jet downed by Iran, rescue operations underway

Latest News

For defense AI, bubble, bubble, toil and … bargains?: 2026 preview

The drone wingman race kicks into high(er) gear: 2026 preview

What NATO wants most, and how Breaking Defense is expanding in Europe

France finalizes $1.3B USD contract for 2 Saab GlobalEye radar planes

Middle East fighter jet deals, missile defenses and peace talks: 2026 preview

What’s next for America’s icebreakers: 2026 preview

Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy: A New Era in Defense

First set of defensive cyber kits to be delivered to CYBERCOM units

Judge grants Anthropic preliminary injunction but Pentagon CTO says ban still stands

Companies to enter negotiations to build commercial data centers on Army installations

Swiss Destinus, Shield AI wrap European drone autonomy test campaign

Trump admin’s comments could undermine case against Anthropic in court: Experts

Pentagon CTO ‘pretty confident’ about life after Anthropic

Baykar unveils K2 Kamikaze drone with AI, swarming capabilities

Anthropic CEO says Pentagon ban less harsh than Hegseth had threatened

Pentagon’s new chief data officer to push ‘AI capabilities to warfighters’

AI giant Anthropic says it ‘cannot in good conscience’ agree to Pentagon demands

Breaking Defense announces Breaking Defense Europe, a new, distinct, European edition

Army’s new acquisition structure, a new tank prototype and more drones: 2026 preview

Israel’s new laser system goes active

EDGE CEO lays out global expansion plans for 2026

From National Defense Strategy plans to acquisition overhaul findings: 2026 preview

China showed off its nukes and caused problems in the region: 5 Indo-Pacific stories from 2025

Pentagon Buzz News Video

Will the Pentagon have to cut exercises to pay for the Iran war?

Pentagon comptroller says a ‘generational investment’ is coming, but when?

The Pentagon wants to buy 30,000 new drones. Here are the key questions.

Watch Pentagon Buzz, Breaking Defense’s new show on DoD policies, personalities and power

Tory Bruno to lead new Blue Origin national security unit

Israel’s multi-front war, lasers and unmanned systems: 2025 review

Industry chaos, congressional clampdowns and secret CCA contracts: 2025 review

NATO allies oppose US peace deal for Ukraine as FCAS falters: 2025 review