Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

F-35 lifetime cost falls below $2 trillion as Pentagon projects $51 billion more for procurement

The Pentagon’s revised estimate puts the F-35 program’s total lifetime cost below $2 trillion, even as expected spending to acquire the stealth fighter increases by $51 billion. The figures underscore the program’s scale and the continuing tension between lower long-term estimates and higher near-term purchasing costs.

1 Source

2026-08-28T07:19:49.963989-07:00

Leadership L3Harris Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Wall Street Journal • Jinjoo Lee

The L3Harris Shake-Up Is an Opportunity to Bet on Missile Rearmament

By Wall Street Journal: The abrupt departure of L3Harris’s LHX -0.37%decrease; down pointing triangle chief executive officer has landed the defense company’s shares in the discount bin.

1 Source

2026-08-28T05:36:36.900093-07:00

F-16 SAAB Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Sweden to send Gripen fighters to patrol Finland’s border with Russia, SVT reports

By AeroTime: Sweden will send Gripen fighters to patrol areas near Finland's border with Russia after Helsinki requested military support, SVT reports.

Also: Reuters

4 Sources

2026-08-28T02:50:07.102452-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs F-16 MRO Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

By FlightGlobal: F-16 Block 70 acquisition will help support nation's aerospace sector. Lockheed Martin has put forward an industrial offset package related to Peru’s decision to obtain the F-16 Block 70 fighter.

aviationnews.eu

Lockheed Martin Outlines $1.8 Billion Industrial Package for Peru’s F-16 Block 70 Program

Rio Times

Peru F-16 Deal: Lockheed Martin Unveils US$1.8 Billion Industrial Package

12 Sources

2026-08-28T01:50:07.244663-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Poland Rules Out Hosting Nuclear Warheads Despite Push to Join NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft Mission

By AeroTime: Poland insists that it will not host nuclear warheads but has secured an opening to join NATO’s dual-capable aircraft mission with its F-35As.

1 Source

2026-08-28T03:20:05.037594-07:00

Europe Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Julian Harris, Lucy White

UK Chancellor Declines to Commit to Previously Endorsed Defense Spending Target

By Bloomberg: Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey insisted fiscal discipline is “the bedrock” of the UK’s Labour government and declined to commit to a spending target for the defense sector that he previously endorsed.

1 Source

2026-08-28T00:51:02.825323-07:00

Europe Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

MBDA claims Akeron missiles seized from French van in Italy were inert

By AeroTime: MBDA says three Akeron missiles seized from a French-registered van in Bari were inert test units, despite an Italian army classification as weapons of war.

1 Source

2026-08-28T01:05:01.635180-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Airbus

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Poland weighs A400M acquisition as separate airlift competition continues

By Air Data News: Poland is considering the acquisition of Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft through European financing, a potential deal separate from the country’s competition for a new medium transport aircraft.

1 Source

2026-08-27T23:05:21.138712-07:00

F-35 lifetime cost falls below $2 trillion as Pentagon projects $51 billion more for procurement

The L3Harris Shake-Up Is an Opportunity to Bet on Missile Rearmament

Sweden to send Gripen fighters to patrol Finland’s border with Russia, SVT reports

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

Lockheed Martin Outlines $1.8 Billion Industrial Package for Peru’s F-16 Block 70 Program

Peru F-16 Deal: Lockheed Martin Unveils US$1.8 Billion Industrial Package

Poland Rules Out Hosting Nuclear Warheads Despite Push to Join NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft Mission

UK Chancellor Declines to Commit to Previously Endorsed Defense Spending Target

MBDA claims Akeron missiles seized from French van in Italy were inert

Poland weighs A400M acquisition as separate airlift competition continues

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

The L3Harris Shake-Up Is an Opportunity to Bet on Missile Rearmament

Poland Rules Out Hosting Nuclear Warheads Despite Push to Join NATO’s Dual-Capable Aircraft Mission

Sweden to send Gripen fighters to patrol Finland’s border with Russia, SVT reports

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

MBDA claims Akeron missiles seized from French van in Italy were inert

Golden Dome experiments with new technology, acquisition models

GAO details Space Force’s growing purchases of commercial space data

What Europe Needs Next In Beyond-Visual-Range Air-To-Air Missiles

Boeing rolls out second RAF Wedgetail in full livery

HAL and Safran launch Aravalli turboshaft engine for India’s 13-ton military helicopters

Navy begins F/A-18 Super Hornet testing of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile

China’s J-35A Enters Service as F-35 Program Costs Rise 10%

Boeing Wins Potential $131.2B F-15 Sustainment Contract as Air Force Funds $766M B-52 Radar Upgrade

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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