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DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta, Valerie Insinna

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; Rear Adm. Mat Winter named successor

Deputy director Rear Adm. Mat Winter will succeed F‑35 program chief Bogdan, who is retiring, the F‑35 office announced. Winter joined the program in 2016 after serving as chief of Naval Research and will assume leadership amid ongoing fleet readiness and sustainment challenges.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.705753-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Defense Acquisition Board to review CH-53K King Stallion LRIP for first 24 aircraft on March 30

2026-03-23T06:05:47.384219-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy

2026-03-23T06:05:47.366247-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defence minister

2026-03-23T06:05:46.498383-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; Rear Adm. Mat Winter named successor Deputy director Rear Adm. Mat Winter will succeed F‑35 program chief Bogdan, who is retiring, the F‑35 office announced. Winter joined the program in 2016 after serving as chief of Naval Research and will assume leadership amid ongoing fleet readiness and sustainment challenges.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.705753-07:00

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; Rear Adm. Mat Winter named successor

DefenseNews.com

Defense Acquisition Board to review CH-53K King Stallion LRIP for first 24 aircraft on March 30 On March 30 the Defense Acquisition Board will decide whether to approve low-rate initial production for the CH-53K King Stallion, covering an initial lot of 24 helicopters. The decision will determine whether the heavy-lift programme proceeds into early production and contract commitments.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.384219-07:00

Defense Acquisition Board to review CH-53K King Stallion LRIP for first 24 aircraft on March 30

DefenseNews.com

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy The Trump administration has approved an F-16 sale to Bahrain, reversing prior human-rights reservations and prioritizing support for Sunni-led Gulf partners seen as bulwarks against Iranian influence. The decision signals a shift from the Obama-era emphasis on rights to a security-first approach in regional arms policy.

2026-03-23T06:05:47.366247-07:00

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy

DefenseNews.com

India and Russia advance plan to produce Ka-226T helicopters in India; production awaits Putin approval India and Russia have advanced a plan to produce Kamov Ka-226T light helicopters in India, pending formal approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Once authorised the partners will establish Indo-Russian Helicopters Private Limited to manage local production and assembly of the Ka-226T in India.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.745425-07:00

India and Russia advance plan to produce Ka-226T helicopters in India; production awaits Putin approval

DefenseNews.com

Air Force: F-15 retirement unlikely before late 2020s as threat environment hardens Air Force officials say retirement of the Boeing F-15 fleet is unlikely before the late 2020s, citing the type’s aging airframes and a deteriorating threat environment that sustains demand for its capabilities. The stance will shape transition timing for follow-on fighters and sustainment planning.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.646488-07:00

Air Force: F-15 retirement unlikely before late 2020s as threat environment hardens

DefenseNews.com

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defence minister Serbia's defence minister said President Putin will approve Russian weapons deliveries to the Balkans as Belgrade seeks to buy a Russian air‑defence system and open a repair centre for Mil helicopters in Serbia — moves that deepen military‑technical ties with Moscow.

2026-03-23T06:05:46.498383-07:00

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defence minister

Bloomberg

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions The Pentagon's weapons testing office reports F‑35 software upgrade efforts “stagnated” last year, with no new combat capability delivered even as F‑35s continued to fly missions over Iran. The finding highlights a disconnect between operational employment and software delivery timelines.

2026-03-22T07:12:35.010222-07:00

Pentagon tester: F‑35 software upgrades stagnated — no new combat capability fielded last year despite Iran missions

Air Data News

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion Peru’s government said it has not yet selected a new fighter jet, reversing comments made by President José that had suggested a decision. The clarification walks back earlier public statements and leaves the procurement process for replacing legacy fighters unresolved.

2026-03-22T03:20:34.661805-07:00

Peru backtracks on F-16 fighter selection after president's remarks spark confusion

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

F-35 program chief Bogdan to retire; Rear Adm. Mat Winter named successor

Defense Acquisition Board to review CH-53K King Stallion LRIP for first 24 aircraft on March 30

Trump administration to allow Bahrain F-16 deal, signaling security-first shift in Gulf arms policy

Putin to approve weapons delivery to Balkans, says Serbian defence minister

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