Pentagon audit questions sustainability of F-35 programme
Pentagon’s audit found weak oversight, low readiness rates and continued payments within the F-35 programme, raising questions systemic risk for the US.
USA News
Analysis
Air
Logistics
Navy / Maritime
Weapon / Missile
Pentagon: China’s DF-27 ICBM has Anti-Ship Capabilities
A report on China’s ballistic missiles and hypersonic weaponry by Pentagon revealed that the new DF-27 ICBM with a hypersonic glide vehicle can hit ships too.
Analysis
Navy / Maritime
POTUS Makes Proposal for a Modern “Battleship” Official
US President Donald Trump unveiled the official proposal for a guided missile battleship with a considerable displacement and an array of new weaponry.
Air
Türkiye prioritises F-35s as F-16 Block 70 path stays open
MoD Güler said Ankara does not foresee problems in the ongoing F-16 procurement process, while Türkiye’s primary objective is returning to the F-35 programme.
Land
Defence Politics
US State Department Approves Massive Arms Sale to Taiwan
DSCA announced multiple arms sales’ approval by the US State Department, including ALTIUS UAVs, ATGMs, and artillery systems to Taiwan on its official page.
Air
US Army Continues UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Orders
While the MV-75 tiltrotor selected for FLRAA continues its tests, the US Army, planning to keep its fleet of UH-60 helicopters, is continuing with new orders.
Land
Unmanned Systems
US Marines Test New Amphibious UGV at TCE 25.2 Event
Images recently published on DVIDS show the USMC’s new amphibious UGV, designated as Unmanned Swarming Amphibious Craft, tested during the TCE 25.2 event.
Air
Unmanned Systems
Engine and Transmission
Avio Aero and GE Provide H80 Turboprops for AKINCI UCAV
GE Aerospace stated in a presentation for the 2024 GE Aerospace Investor Day that Baykar’s AKINCI UCAV is to be supplied with 800 hp H80 turboprop engines.
Ammunition
Canada to acquire $2.68 billion air-strike weapons package
Canada to pay $2.68 billion for precision-strike and guided-munition package from the United States, including SDBs, JDAM kits and general-purpose bomb bodies.
Weapon / Missile
Belgium seeks $79 million Hellfire missile package from U.S.
Belgium to acquire up to 240 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles and support services in a deal valued at up to $79 million to reach precision-strike capabilities.
Weapon / Missile
US clears $730m sale of AIM-120C-8 missiles to Denmark
The U.S. DSCA has approved a potential FMS to Denmark involving 200 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles and associated equipment worth an estimated $730 million.
Defence Politics
US House approves record £901bn defence budget for 2026
The US House of Representatives has passed the 2026 National Defense Authorisation Act with a record £901 billion defence budget. Senate is next step.
Navy / Maritime
Engine and Transmission
Rolls-Royce’s CASP Deal Signals Stronger AUKUS Momentum
Rolls-Royce’s $400 million CASP agreement follows Washington’s renewed backing for AUKUS and signals reinforced assurance in the trilateral submarine programme.
Unmanned Systems
Australia inks $930m deal for MQ-28A Ghost Bat fleet
Australia signs a USD 930m deal for 6 MQ-28As after a guided AMRAAM shot, though off-board sensors raise questions over Boeing’s “autonomous” engagement claim.
