European next-gen GCAP fighter program pushes ahead with $6.1 billion contract
After the collapse of rival European fighter program FCAS, the new infusion means GCAP's future "has never been more assured," a program official said.
Japan to rename air force in nod to growing space capabilities
The name change will take effect in 2027.
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Built for another era, our air-and-missile-defense industrial base needs more builders
New entrants are filling unmet needs in air-and-missile defense.
UK eyes sixth-generation GCAP fighter contract signing in weeks
Italy, Japan and the UK are committed to the future fighter effort, with a timeframe of 2035 marked for entry into service.
Reintroduce nuclear weapons to the Pacific to reduce the chances of war with China
By reintroducing US theater nuclear forces first in South Korea, and then more gradually in Japan, Washington can reassure its anxious allies and bolster its own national security interests, argue Kyle Balzer and Robert Peters.
Japan’s defense minister rebuffs ‘militarism’ allegation, defends defense policies
Shinjiro Koizumi says arms sales, more visible regional military presence aims to help partners defend themselves.
EXCLUSIVE: OMB could use $1.9B in reconciliation to buy foreign-made ships
“The fact is, no one spends $1.85 billion studying something. That money is there for procurement of assets,” an OMB official told Breaking Defense in an interview.
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How defensive cyber responds to hockey-stick growth of AI-driven threats
Artificial intelligence is reshaping adversarial cyber operations at machine speed, requiring defenders to increase operational tempo while imposing pain and cost.
Japan loosens arms exports rules in major shift
Tokyo's shift clears the way for arms exports to partners and allies.
Edgewing receives first GCAP next-gen fighter international contract to boost design activities
The new funding invests in "key design and engineering activities and enables the trilateral partnership to build momentum and accelerate pace of delivery."
State Department clears $340M FMS request for hypersonic missile testing support for Japan
The Japanese government has earmarked $769 million in its defense budget for HVGP development and deployment for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on April 1.
How Takaichi’s supermajority in Japan rewrites the strategic map of Southeast Asia
A unified force in Japan's House of Representatives opens the door for widespread military reform under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, writes analyst Ronny Sasmita.
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Speed, AI, and the platform that makes it operational
These are the five root causes that account for most of the delay in cognitive operations staffing.
Grok for DoD and subs for North Korea: What you missed in defense over the break
Successfully tune out the news over the holidays? We don't believe you, but just in case ...
China to once again dominate the headlines: 2026 preview for the Indo-Pacific
China will almost certainly dominate the defense and security headlines in the coming months, as tensions continue to simmer in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
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.
Hung Cao and the new Pacific defense architecture
Robbin Laird and Edward Timperlake discuss newly-appointed Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao’s thoughts on Guam and Vietnam’s roles in the Indo-Pacific when it comes to deterring China.