Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Airbus Embraer

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

C-390, C-130J and A400M compete for India’s potential 60-aircraft airlifter requirement

India is preparing what could become one of the world’s largest military transport aircraft purchases, with Embraer’s C-390, Lockheed Martin’s C-130J and Airbus’ A400M competing for a requirement of up to 60 aircraft. The decision is likely to weigh industrial, strategic and support considerations alongside performance.

1 Source

2026-08-29T00:12:22.324901-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing Boeing 747

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

By The War Zone: The investment comes after Spain would not allow the U.S. to use Moron for long-range bomber missions against Iran.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:20:06.893260-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

By The War Zone: Jolly Green II rescue helicopters offer a capability boost for VIP airlift and continuity of government roles, but there are questions about the plan.

1 Source

2026-08-28T11:06:32.279430-07:00

North America Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

By FlightGlobal: The C$230 million ($165 million) project will lengthen the Northwest Territories airstrip by over 900 metres (3,000ft). The Canadian federal government is moving ahead with plans to extend the length of a dual-use airfield above the Arctic Circle as part of the country's Arctic defence strategy.

1 Source

2026-08-28T12:35:32.463761-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

By The War Zone: Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club. Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:13:13.501336-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals Boeing

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

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

By Breaking Defense: The Defense Department anticipates it will spend an additional $51 billion to acquire the stealth fighter, though revised estimates have pulled the program’s total cost beneath $2 trillion, according to a recent Pentagon report.

DefenseNews.com

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

AirForceTimes

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

8 Sources

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

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Unmanned Airspace • Kylie Bielby

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

By Unmanned Airspace: Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB), operating under US Northern Command in support of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shot down three "cartel-linked" uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) using directed energy capabilities this week.

aviationnews.eu

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

AeroTime

US military laser shoots down three drug cartel drones along southern border

Also: AirForceTimes and Defense Scoop

6 Sources

2026-08-28T04:36:15.099043-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

By AeroTime: Two South Korean attack drones crashed into the sea seconds after launch during their first naval test.

1 Source

2026-08-28T09:05:03.238787-07:00

C-390, C-130J and A400M compete for India’s potential 60-aircraft airlifter requirement

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

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

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

US military laser shoots down three drug cartel drones along southern border

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

C-390, C-130J or A400M: What could decide India’s huge airlifter competition?

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

With AI hackers in mind, Air Forces Cyber develops defensive 'campaign plan'

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

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

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

Saab’s Gripen F two-seater completes maiden flight as Brazil orders eight

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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