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Major Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri exploring nuclear-powered vessels, CEO says

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero also touched on several other topics during a closed-door roundtable, including lessons learned from the war in Ukraine regarding naval drones and the future of a common European patrol corvette.

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Pentagon

Pentagon review asks Congress to fence off $5B over 5 years to rebuild ‘deteriorating’ labs

The armed services raid lab funding for more urgent needs like barrack repairs, the study says, leaving researchers in aging, outdated labs “that pose documented safety risks.”

By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

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

White House budget director calls for fifth public shipyard amid push to expand fleet

“From a maintenance standpoint, we're pushing hard for an additional public shipyard,” the OMB director said.

By Diana Stancy

Congress

House appropriators approve $1T defense bill, adopt ‘War Department’ renaming

No amendments offered by Democrats survived the long mark up session for the fiscal 2027 spending bill.

By Valerie Insinna

Land Warfare

Lockheed inks massive THAAD deal worth up to $35B

The company said the contract “puts in action” the THAAD framework agreement Lockheed signed with the DoD in January designed to quadruple interceptor output.

By Carley Welch

Congress

White House sends $87.6B supplemental to Congress, with $67B for defense

The request includes $21 billion to recoup munitions used in the conflict, as well as other pots of money - some related to the Iran war, some not.

By Valerie Insinna and Ashley Roque

Naval Warfare

Germany nixes multi-billion-dollar F126 frigate program, opts for MEKOs instead

Germany wants to purchase eight MEKO frigates to conduct anti-submarine warfare and satisfy NATO requirements instead.

By Diana Stancy

Space

Boeing wins $2B Space Force contract for 2 new MUOS satellites

Set to be launched "no earlier" than 2031 and 2032, the new satellites will extend the life of the MUOS constellation through 2035, according to SSC.

By Theresa Hitchens

Congress, Pentagon

Pentagon races to spend $152B reconciliation pot — or face cuts

Pentagon program offices are under pressure, juggling the urgency of getting reconciliation funding under contract by Oct. 1 while making sure those contracts include fair pricing and adequate oversight, one defense official told Breaking Defense.

By Ashley Roque and Valerie Insinna

Land Warfare

Army’s top general in Europe set to retire next week

Gen. Christopher Donahue is the latest esteemed officer to leave the military under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s tenure.

By Carley Welch

Air Warfare

Air Force could spend $1.5B, get ‘Doomsday Plane’ data in T-7 engine ‘horse trade’

“There’s goodness in it, but not as a taxpayer," a source told Breaking Defense about the prospective deal. "And only if the Air Force gets it right with its requirements.”

By Michael Marrow

Opinion