Defense Budgets & Spending News

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

U.S. Space Force plans major NSSL Phase 3 expansion: 170 launches (2025-2034) vs. 60, with contract total up to $17B

The U.S. Space Force is tripling the scale of its NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch procurement, projecting 170 launches from 2025-2034—up from 60—with a reported contract value growing to $17 billion to meet rising demand. One analyst also frames the broader plan as reaching ~500 launches by end of 2027.

4 Sources

2026-07-22T10:27:13.914035-07:00

Payload

Burnham-led UK government signals higher defense investment and renews support for GCAP at Farnborough, while moving to restruct

4 Sources

2026-07-22T06:11:42.567655-07:00

Breaking Defense

At Farnborough, US lawmakers question the Pentagon’s reconciliation spending request

1 Source

2026-07-22T07:43:55.528067-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing

8 Sources

2026-07-21T09:21:56.674010-07:00

Defense Budgets & Spending News Timeline

Washington Post

1 source

Republicans block bill seeking to halt retrofit spending on Qatari-gifted Air Force One Democrats moved to stop the Pentagon from funding additional work on Air Force One, calling the Qatari-gifted aircraft an “illegal” gift. Republicans blocked legislation intended to halt the retrofit process, keeping Pentagon spending on the modification program on track.

2026-07-22T11:40:38.476239-07:00

Republicans block bill seeking to halt retrofit spending on Qatari-gifted Air Force One

Breaking Defense

4 sources

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U.S. Space Force plans major NSSL Phase 3 expansion: 170 launches (2025-2034) vs. 60, with contract total up to $17B The U.S. Space Force is tripling the scale of its NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch procurement, projecting 170 launches from 2025-2034—up from 60—with a reported contract value growing to $17 billion to meet rising demand. One analyst also frames the broader plan as reaching ~500 launches by end of 2027.

2026-07-22T10:27:13.914035-07:00

U.S. Space Force plans major NSSL Phase 3 expansion: 170 launches (2025-2034) vs. 60, with contract total up to $17B

Breaking Defense

1 source

At Farnborough, US lawmakers question the Pentagon’s reconciliation spending request As lawmakers visited Farnborough, several signaled hesitation toward the Pentagon’s reconciliation spending request in Congress. The comments underscore how budget strategy and the legislative path for defense funding remain unsettled as the US heads toward key fiscal decisions.

2026-07-22T07:43:55.528067-07:00

At Farnborough, US lawmakers question the Pentagon’s reconciliation spending request

Payload

4 sources

Burnham-led UK government signals higher defense investment and renews support for GCAP at Farnborough, while moving to restruct Newly installed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first full day in office at the Farnborough International Airshow to reiterate government backing for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and frame an “industrialise” agenda tied to defense growth. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting delivered a keynote emphasizing defense investment, air power and innovation, as the UK also moved to scrap the department in charge of UKSA.

2026-07-22T06:11:42.567655-07:00

Burnham-led UK government signals higher defense investment and renews support for GCAP at Farnborough, while moving to restruct

DefenseNews.com

8 sources

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing President Trump says the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 used as Air Force One will be temporarily removed from service while it undergoes “maxed out” upgrades focused on security and communications. The move follows reported concerns about security features, with Trump also flagging a spending envelope of roughly $400M. Separately, Boeing says two next-generation presidential jets remain targeted for delivery in 2028, but that additional spending will likely be required.

2026-07-21T09:21:56.674010-07:00

Trump’s Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 ‘Air Force One’ pulled for $400M-plus security, communications and avionics upgrades; Boeing

Reuters

3 sources

Northrop Grumman lifts 2026 sales and profit outlook on sustained weapons demand Northrop Grumman increased its 2026 sales and adjusted profit forecast, citing sustained demand for weapons amid a continuing wave of global geopolitical conflicts. The company’s updated guidance points to resilient spending across defense programs and ongoing procurement demand.

2026-07-21T04:24:49.904325-07:00

Northrop Grumman lifts 2026 sales and profit outlook on sustained weapons demand

SpaceWatch Global

1 source

ESA 2026 Space Economy Report: 53% of government space spending tied to defence as Europe weighs “shareholder vs customer” polic An #SpaceWatchGL Opinion piece cites ESA’s 2026 Space Economy Report, estimating that 53% of government space spending goes to defence. Torsten Kriening argues Europe must decide whether it prioritizes a “shareholder” approach or a “customer” approach to shape future European space capability and demand.

2026-07-21T01:08:50.456627-07:00

ESA 2026 Space Economy Report: 53% of government space spending tied to defence as Europe weighs “shareholder vs customer” polic

AINonline

1 source

NATO Allies Push New Multinational Fleets to Meet AEW and Airlift Requirements NATO member coalitions are accelerating proposals for new multinational fleets designed to close collective gaps in airborne early warning (AEW) and airlift capabilities. The focus is on enabling shared deployment of AEW and strategic/tactical airlift assets to support alliance operations across member priorities.

2026-07-20T23:41:45.903334-07:00

NATO Allies Push New Multinational Fleets to Meet AEW and Airlift Requirements

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