Breaking Defense’s 5 most-clicked stories of 2025
From an Army leader's harsh warning to AFRICOM's worries, here are a few stories that broke out of containment this year.
Hanwha plans to build US facility to manufacture modular 155mm howitzer charges
“By bringing this state-of-the-art manufacturing line to the US, we will be able to provide the US Army with a domestic source of triple-base propellant,” Hanwha ammo plant manager Lee Woo Jin told reporters.
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Breaking the Pentagon’s new bottleneck of time
As threats evolve, the winning model ties digital engineering to manufacturing capacity and a reindustrialized supply chain.
Army ‘hitting stride’ with 155mm production, but general worries over what’s needed next
When it comes to predicting the needs of future conflicts, Maj. Gen. John Reim said, “the Army’s gotten it wrong 100 percent of the time.”
Startup Union eyes share of 155mm shell production at new Texas facility
“By far, the most difficult thing [has] been pulling together these different pieces and parts, and mapping supply chains and onshoring all of this education back to the United States,” said Union co-founder Joe Musselman.
Drones and ammunition: Army chief hands lawmakers $4.3 billion wish list for FY26
The Army's Unfunded Priorities List features, for instance, an additional $581 million for small drones and counter-unmanned aerial systems, as both are “changing faster than our budget can react," according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
Sweden commits $500M to artillery ammo in biggest munitions boost since Cold War
One agreement with Rheinmetall Denel Munition includes shells and propellants for Sweden’s Archer artillery system, while a separate framework deal with Nordic manufacturer Nammo Sweden involves 155 mm high-explosive extended-range shells.
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Voyager is accelerating access to space
After manifesting 1,400 payloads aboard the ISS, Voyager is applying its mission management expertise to the next generation of space stations, ensuring uninterrupted mission readiness and success from the ground to space.
Poland invests $662M to up production of 155mm ammunition
"We are intensively expanding our production capacity, increasing the quantitative volume and dynamically acquiring competences and technologies to produce the necessary types of weapons," said Adam Leszkiewicz, president of the management board of PGZ, in a statement.
Army ‘considering terminating’ General Dynamics’ oversight of new 155mm production lines
An Army "show cause" letter, obtained by Breaking Defense, threatens to cancel General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems management of a government-owned production facility.
Army inks $435 million deal for new TNT production facility
“Reshoring TNT production gives us the ability to control and secure our supply chain for this vital component, especially in an era of increasing global challenges,” said Army acquisition head Doug Bush.
‘New Indo-Pacific missile age’ drives Australia to domestic GMLRS, munition production deals
"Producing GMLRS missiles in Australia is the stepping stone towards local production of more advanced, longer-range strike weapons in the future – local production that is essential to our sovereignty and our security," Minister of Defense Industry Pat Conroy said.
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Meeting Zero Trust goals while maintaining information dominance
Balancing security and access to data are critical to providing users with trustworthy, reliable data for real-time decisions.
Australia to award 155 shell production contract in coming ‘weeks,’ minister says
Speaking to Breaking Defense, defense procurement minister Pat Conroy said Australia is building in “scalability beyond our domestic need” to be able to help supply international customers for munitions production.
Australian Maj. Gen. Richard Vagg on domestic weapons production and new vehicles
"What characterizes war, it's a battle of will and magic bullets don't exist. There is certainly a need for precision and really high-end weapon systems, but there's also a need for mass, relatively inexpensive weapon systems." Australian Maj. Gen. Vagg told Breaking Defense.
Aussie ammo company NIOA eyes expansion of 155mm shell production amid sky-high demand
"So I think we could, with some additional investment, we could significantly increase our output, and we could do more to support the combined allied effort. ... I think Australia could lean forward more and actually support the Allied effort, including the US and its preparations in the Indo-Pacific region," NIOA CEO Rob Nioa said.
Spanish army orders half a million 155mm ammo charges from Rheinmetall
The "framework agreement" is the latest in a recent series of ammo-related international moves by the German defense giant.