Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
The Intercept • Matt Sledge

Congress advances pilot program allowing federal payment of defense contractors' interest despite Pentagon opposition

Congress advanced a pilot program permitting the federal government to pay defense contractors' interest costs, upending an 80‑year prohibition and moving forward over explicit Pentagon objections. The limited measure could shift financing burdens across primes and subcontractors on major weapon and sustainment contracts.

2025-12-24T20:21:16.549007-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
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The Intercept • Sam Biddle

Anduril’s UAE Partnership Raises Human‑Rights and Export‑Control Concerns

By The Intercept: Anduril calls itself an “arsenal of democracy.” So why is it partnering with the United Arab Emirates, an authoritarian monarchy to build drones?.

2025-12-24T20:21:15.847095-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   China   Satellite   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Pentagon report highlights China’s sixth-generation fighter progress

By FlightGlobal: The US Department of War's latest annual assessment of Chinese military capabilities reveals significant progress in airpower development, including testing of two sixth-generation fighter aircraft and advances in airborne early warning systems.

Also: Aviation Week, maritime-executive.com, aeroxplorer.com, news.defcros.com, insidedefense.com, USNI News and Aviation Week
2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

DAPA Approves Indigenous 16,000 lb / 24,000 lb Turbofan Engine Program for South Korean Fighter

By Aviation Week: The Advanced Aviation Engine Development Project will develop, test and certify a turbofan engine with 16,000 lb.-thrust at military power and 24,000 lb.-thrust on afterburner.

2025-12-23T11:57:17.125142-08:00
China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
India Defense News • Indian Defence News Staff

India Commits to 200 Tejas Mk-1A Fighters — Assessing Combat Effectiveness Versus China and Pakistan

By India Defense News: India is placing a substantial wager on the TEJAS MK-1A, with an order for nearly 200 jets poised to bolster the Indian Air Force's capabili...

2025-12-24T08:50:31.642872-08:00