The forthcoming modifications follow concerns that the 747 jumbo jet rapidly modified by defense contractor L3Harris lacked security measures typical for transporting the US president.
The planned buy is not designed to supplant work with Germany on a Deep Precision Strike weapon, the UK said.
As NATO and European governments accelerate investment in space-based intelligence, decision advantage will depend on how quickly sovereign and commercial capabilities can be fused into a trusted operational picture.
The air power shift also comes as allies attempt to come to terms with the US opting to scale back some of its military assets in Europe and as they brace for Trump’s Summit address where he will reportedly urge them to increase defense spending.
L3Harris modified the jet in 10 months, with 400 employees working 24/7 to deliver the plane by a July 4 deadline, the head of the company's ISR division said.
“The hardest part is just to time phase it because there's so many things hitting the enterprise all at once,” said Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy.
"Our commitment to the law of armed conflict is not a constraint on our lethality," Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM head, wrote in a memo.
GA-ASI will build Gambit aircraft in Europe, partnered with European-based companies, with airframes available for international procurement starting in 2027.
“It is good that Europe is doing more, but there’s a need to remind our good friends on the other side of the Atlantic that NATO is also good for them,” said the Nordic official.
“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a brief statement.
While Europe saw a 14 percent increase in defense spending, US expenditure declined by 7.5 percent.
The service pledged it would demonstrate an “initial capability” for the orbital missile killers by 2028.
While humans must stay in the loop for kinetic decisions, empowering drones to operate autonomously is a force multiplier.
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said the service is in talks with two vendors for the battleship.
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Pål Jonson signaled that defense cooperation between Sweden and the US has not been impacted by recent political tensions.
It's unclear whether President Donald Trump's meeting with defense executives at the White House pushes munitions production beyond previously-announced agreements.
One way for Greenland and the US to have defense cooperation is through a Compacts of Free Association agreement, writes Jeffery M. Fritz in this op-ed.