China UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

China completes first flight of Jiutian unmanned 'mothership' capable of deploying dozens of combat UAVs

China has completed the first flight of the Jiutian unmanned 'mothership', a large drone designed to carry and deploy dozens of smaller combat UAVs. The sortie validates an air‑launched 'mothership' concept intended to field concentrated drone swarms in a single operation.

2026-01-02T05:21:28.367430-08:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Lockheed Martin Contracts Terran Orbital for Satellite Buses for SDA's Tranche 3 Tracking Layer

By SpaceWatch Global: Lockheed Martin has contracted Terran Orbital for satellite buses for the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer under SDA's PWSA.

2026-01-02T02:45:43.422368-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Supply Chain Policy & Regulation Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Aviation Week • Michael Bruno

U.S. Ban on Foreign UAS and Parts Could Disrupt Users — Won’t Necessarily Revive Domestic Suppliers

By Aviation Week: A new ban on foreign UAS, parts or systems in the U.S. will have far-reaching effects for UAS users but may not lead to a renaissance of American providers.

2026-01-01T18:08:35.382130-08:00

Leadership Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

ANI News Agency • Asian News International

Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor takes over as Vice Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force

By ANI News Agency: The Air Marshal graduated from the National Defence Academy in December 1985 and was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in the fighter stream of the Flying Branch on December 6, 1986.

defencestar.in

India’s IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Retires After 40+ Years

indiastrategic.in

Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas takes over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command, Indian Air Force

Also: Economic Times, ANI News Agency and 3 more

2026-01-01T03:57:33.342238-08:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Space.com • Kenna Hughes-Castleberry

US Space Force unveils new radar post in snowy Alaska

By Space.com: "I am the watcher on the walls.".

2026-01-01T06:06:32.596755-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Russia delivers two upgraded Tu-160M strategic bombers to Air Force

By Air Data News: Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced that the country’s Air Force received two Tu-160M strategic bombers that are intended to.

Also: AeroTime and news.ssbcrack.com

2026-01-01T06:25:54.451274-08:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Reuters • Kanishka Singh

Pentagon awards Lockheed $328.5M contract for urgent foreign military sale to Taiwan

By Reuters: The Pentagon said on Wednesday that Lockheed Martin was given a contract involving foreign military sales to Taiwan to meet what Washington calls "an urgent operational need" of the Taiwan Air Force.

AeroTime

Lockheed Martin to deliver 55 Legion IRST pods to Taiwan for F‑16 fleet upgrade

airforce-technology.com

U.S. Defense Department awards Lockheed Martin $328.5M contract for advanced sensor pods and support equipment for Taiwan Air Force

Also: defensehere.com

2025-12-31T15:14:34.282656-08:00

SAAB Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Boeing

latribune.fr • La Tribune

France orders two Saab GlobalEye radar aircraft for €1.1 billion

By latribune.fr: Le contrat pour deux avions de surveillance GlobalEye scelle le divorce avec Boeing pour le guet aérien. En choisissant Stockholm plutôt que Washington, la France accélère son autonomie stratégique et propulse Saab au rang de partenaire industriel de premier plan.

Breaking Defense

France finalizes $1.3B USD contract for 2 Saab GlobalEye radar planes