Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

2026 Outlook: Can U.S. Acquisition Reform Deliver for Military Space?

U.S. lawmakers and defense leaders are pushing acquisition reforms in 2026 to speed how military space capabilities are procured and fielded. This outlook examines whether changes to authorities, budget flexibility and contracting practices can shorten timelines and reduce program risk for contested-orbit operations.

2026-01-07T04:17:07.441786-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France’s DGA conducts A400M flight trials, dropping 72 inert drones to validate launch simulations and aircraft safety

By AeroTime: France’s DGA has conducted flight trials releasing 72 inert drone mock-ups from an Airbus A400M to validate simulations and aircraft safety.

2026-01-07T04:34:25.333280-08:00
F-16   Military Aircraft Procurement   Accident   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Taiwan searches for missing F-16V pilot after crash

By AeroTime: A ROCAF F-16V Block 20 crashed off Hualien during a night training flight. The pilot remains missing as SAR crews search in rough seas and high winds.

Also: Space Daily, news.ssbcrack.com and South China Morning Post
2026-01-07T01:17:08.771825-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Reuters • Saad Sayeed

Pakistan eyes defence pact with Bangladesh, sale of JF-17 jets

By Reuters: The air force chiefs of Pakistan and Bangladesh held talks on a potential pact covering the sale of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Dhaka, Pakistan's military said, as Islamabad widens its arms supply ambitions and beefs up ties with Bangladesh.

Also: Air Data News and english.kyodonews.net
2026-01-06T23:33:07.447053-08:00
AI   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Sydney J Freedberg Jr

Air Force says AI tools outperform human planners in 'battle management' experiment

By Breaking Defense: In a complex multi-service, multi-domain scenario — not typically covered in Air Force training — the best of several AI tools generated tactical “courses of action” not only faster than military professionals but also with fewer errors.

Also: Breaking Defense and realcleardefense.com
2026-01-06T13:54:10.499707-08:00
Airports   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
asiatimes.com • Gabriel Honrada

As China sharpens Pacific kill chain US revives island airfields

By asiatimes.com: As the US races to "island-hop" its airpower back across the Pacific, the real contest is whether US dispersal can stay ahead of China's.

2026-01-06T11:37:46.234198-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Russia adds anti-aircraft missile capability to Shahed one-way attack drones

By FlightGlobal: Russian forces appear to have modified Shahed-136 one-way attack drones to carry man-portable air defence missiles, marking a tactical evolution aimed at threatening Ukrainian fighter aircraft deployed to intercept the slow-moving UAVs.

Also: militarywatchmagazine.com and defensemirror.com
2026-01-06T13:55:10.665852-08:00
aviation   Europe   North America   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Howard Altman

U.S. Coast Guard Pursues Fleeing Russian Oil Tanker as U.S. Deploys Aviation Assets to U.K. Ahead of Potential Boarding

By The War Zone: The pursuit of the tanker Marinera comes as the U.S. continues pouring aviation assets into the U.K. ahead of a potential boarding effort.

Also: UK Defence Journal and UK Defence Journal
2026-01-06T15:40:53.668526-08:00