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DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Air Force chief warns sequestration-level caps would 'devastate' service; long CR also threatens readiness

Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein warned sequestration-level budget caps would "devastate" the service, and said a long-term continuing resolution would likewise inflict serious harm to readiness, modernization and force posture by constraining operations, procurement and training, and risk long-term program delays.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.758727-07:00

Reuters

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits

2026-03-16T09:00:47.534622-07:00

AeroTime

Argentina awards $33M contract to Top Aces for F-16 pilot training

2026-03-16T06:54:32.457138-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon increases Raytheon protected satcom terminals contract by $2 billion

2026-03-15T06:17:45.046914-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

Air Force chief warns sequestration-level caps would 'devastate' service; long CR also threatens readiness Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein warned sequestration-level budget caps would "devastate" the service, and said a long-term continuing resolution would likewise inflict serious harm to readiness, modernization and force posture by constraining operations, procurement and training, and risk long-term program delays.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.758727-07:00

Air Force chief warns sequestration-level caps would 'devastate' service; long CR also threatens readiness

Reuters

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits Greece's parliamentary armament committee approved a roughly €4–4.6 billion defence package that green‑lights purchase of an Israeli Achilles Shield air‑defence/drone‑counter system, funds frigate refits and supports the upgrade of 38 F‑16s to the modern Viper standard, plus C‑27 fleet FOS.

2026-03-16T09:00:47.534622-07:00

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits

AeroTime

Argentina awards $33M contract to Top Aces for F-16 pilot training Buenos Aires has awarded Top Aces a multi‑year $33 million contract to provide basic and advanced F‑16 pilot training at Argentine Air Force bases, using the ex‑Denmark jets and deployed Top Aces instructors. The program covers the full qualification cycle from B‑course through advanced weapons and instructor qualifications.

2026-03-16T06:54:32.457138-07:00

Argentina awards $33M contract to Top Aces for F-16 pilot training

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon increases Raytheon protected satcom terminals contract by $2 billion The U.S. Department of Defense has increased Raytheon’s contract for protected satellite communications terminals by $2 billion, the Pentagon said. The modification expands program funding for delivery and sustainment of military-grade satcom terminals to support secure, resilient satellite links.

2026-03-15T06:17:45.046914-07:00

Pentagon increases Raytheon protected satcom terminals contract by $2 billion

FlightGlobal

Pentagon reveals LUCAS loitering munition — Shahed-136 derivative with 434 nm range and sub-$55k unit cost The Pentagon has released specifications for LUCAS, a one-way loitering munition reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136. The system offers a 434 nm range, a per-unit cost the department places between $10,000 and $55,000, and has been employed operationally in the Middle East.

2026-03-13T10:23:53.030335-07:00

Pentagon reveals LUCAS loitering munition — Shahed-136 derivative with 434 nm range and sub-$55k unit cost

AeroTime

Raytheon completes $115M, 26,000 sq ft expansion of Redstone missile integration facility Raytheon has finished a $115 million, 26,000 sq ft expansion of its Redstone Missile Integration Facility in Alabama, a project the company says could lift delivery capacity by more than 50% and support roughly 2,200 new jobs to help replenish U.S. munitions stocks.

2026-03-13T07:15:02.920796-07:00

Raytheon completes $115M, 26,000 sq ft expansion of Redstone missile integration facility

Aviation Week

USAF awards Boeing contract modifications totalling just over $5B for E-7A Wedgetail development and production On March 12 the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing multiple contract modifications — an initial $2.4–$2.43 billion package plus a separate $3.3 billion award — bringing cumulative program spending to just over $5 billion. The funds support continued development, production and procurement of the E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft.

2026-03-12T16:28:41.049844-07:00

USAF awards Boeing contract modifications totalling just over $5B for E-7A Wedgetail development and production

Bloomberg

Pentagon requests $12B through 2031 and directs $1B spares push to restore F‑35 readiness The Pentagon has requested an additional $12 billion through 2031 to restore declining F‑35 readiness and is directing $1 billion in 2026 reconciliation funds to buy spares and raise dismal F‑35A mission‑capable rates. Officials say the measures target sustainment shortfalls that have degraded strike availability.

2026-03-12T13:12:39.385621-07:00

Pentagon requests $12B through 2031 and directs $1B spares push to restore F‑35 readiness

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

Air Force chief warns sequestration-level caps would 'devastate' service; long CR also threatens readiness

Greece approves €4–4.6bn defence package including Achilles Shield, 38 F‑16 Viper upgrades and frigate refits

Argentina awards $33M contract to Top Aces for F-16 pilot training

Pentagon increases Raytheon protected satcom terminals contract by $2 billion

News Timeline