China   Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

China boosts fighter production to 300–400 jets annually after major factory expansion

Commercial satellite imagery shows China's state-owned aviation conglomerate has dramatically expanded facilities producing military combat aircraft — including the fifth-generation J‑20 — raising reported fighter production capacity toward roughly 300–400 airframes per year, according to recent imagery analysis, a sizable increase in PLA-AF industrial output.

2026-03-17T14:53:54.217969-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Reuters

WSJ: Russia Providing Iran Satellite Imagery and Advanced Drone Technology to Improve Targeting of U.S. Forces

By Reuters: Russia has been expanding its intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, providing satellite imagery and improved drone technology to aid Tehran’s targeting of U.S.

2026-03-17T13:32:20.547465-07:00
Satellite   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon’s ‘Golden Dome’ Space Layer Cost Soars to $185B — Major Budget and Program Risks

By SpaceNews.com: Golden Dome cost estimate rises to $185 billion as Pentagon expands space layer Golden Dome cost estimate rises to $185 billion as Pentagon expands space layer.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Week and Seeking Alpha
2026-03-17T11:47:23.494561-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Baykar demonstrates AI-enabled K2 'kamikaze' drone swarm in multi-aircraft flight tests

By FlightGlobal: Turkish uncrewed aerial vehicle developer Baykar Technology has unveiled what it describes as the "largest 'kamikaze' platform in its class", after performing a two-day campaign of multi-aircraft flight tests.

2026-03-17T10:38:24.251826-07:00
Honeywell   Supply Chain   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Reuters

Honeywell and Howmet say they can expand capacity to meet surge in defense and commercial aerospace demand

By Reuters: Executives from Honeywell Aerospace and Howmet Aerospace said on Tuesday they could grow capacity to meet strong commercial demand for plane parts and munitions as the defense sector ramps up due to geopolitical strife.

2026-03-17T09:26:14.569865-07:00
Middle East   Accident   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Airbus  
AeroTime

Israel says it destroyed Airbus A340-300 used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader

By AeroTime: Airbus A340-300 Israel says it destroyed Airbus A340-300 used by Iran’s late leader Israel said it destroyed an aircraft used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an overnight… ByStephen PopeMarch 16, 2026.

Also: The Aviationist
2026-03-17T00:45:06.678576-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

F-35A Loses External Panel During Training Flight ~65 Miles East of Okinawa

By DefenseNews.com: An aircraft panel measuring approximately 12 inches by 24 inches dropped from an F-35A sometime during a “routine training mission” about 65 miles east of Okinawa.

2026-03-16T22:40:06.535857-07:00