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• Casey Nicastro
An analyst argues that the budgetary histories of the F-15 and F-22 offer lessons as the Air Force prepares to procure the F-47. The comparison highlights the difficult funding and acquisition choices that may confront the new fighter program.
Defense Budgets & Spending
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An analyst argues that the budgetary histories of the F-15 and F-22 offer lessons as the Air Force prepares to procure the F-47. The comparison highlights the difficult funding and acquisition choices that may confront the new fighter program.
Lithuania’s RSI Europe and Estonia’s Odin Defence have secured €29.5 million in European Union funding to expand production of warheads for loitering munitions. The award supports increased manufacturing capacity at two Baltic defense companies, linking EU industrial funding to production of a key component for unmanned weapons.
Klaus-Peter Willsch discusses Germany’s planned €35 billion investment in defense space, the push for European independence and the future of the continent’s space industry. The discussion frames the commitment as a potential turning point for Germany’s role in space, though the available summary provides no program-level allocations or procurement details.
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The service’s plan calls for F-47s to replace F-22s and says steady funding and a healthy industrial base are needed to reach the target. Lt. Gen. David Tabor confirmed the Air Force is considering a new-build F-16, but said that decision is not urgent.
The Royal Thai Air Force wants to include funding for eight additional Saab Gripen E/F fighters in its 2027 budget, earlier than previously planned. The purchase would bring its planned Gripen fleet to 12 aircraft, replacing older F-16s.
The Air Force is preparing to select a contractor to build and equip U.S. Space Command’s new headquarters in Alabama, a project now estimated to cost approximately $4 billion. The selection will advance a major military facility project, though no contractor or schedule is identified in the available report.
Australia’s Department of Defence announced a A$2.4 billion (about US$1.7 billion) investment over six years for a system to monitor the country’s airspace and coordinate responses to air and missile threats. The system is intended to connect Royal Australian Air Force F-35As with the missile defense network.
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