China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

US awards Lockheed $329M to supply 55 Legion IRST pods for Taiwan F-16Vs

The US has awarded Lockheed Martin a $329 million contract to deliver 55 Legion infrared search‑and‑track pods to Taiwan for its F-16V fleet, providing an immediate anti‑stealth detection capability as cross‑strait tensions and advanced PLA air threats rise.

2026-01-04T22:34:01.471584-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Associated Press • Associated Press

Trump says U.S. national security officials conclude Ukraine did not target Putin’s residence in alleged drone strike

By Associated Press: President Donald Trump said that U.S. national security officials have determined that Ukraine did not target a residence belonging to Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack last week.

Also: Stars and Stripes
2026-01-04T18:10:53.164192-08:00
Middle East   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France and UK conduct joint fighter strike on ISIS‑linked underground weapons site in central Syria

By AeroTime: France confirmed a joint strike with the UK on an ISIS-linked underground weapons site in central Syria, using fighters and precision munitions.

Also: Sky News and defence-industry.eu
2026-01-04T02:28:54.220335-08:00
ATC   Airports   Airline Industry & Market Trends   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy   Airlines  
Reuters • Reuters |

Unconfirmed military activity in Caracas: aircraft noise, smoke column and power outage reported

By Reuters: It was Washington's most direct intervention in Latin America in decades.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, Aviation Source, New York Times, Airways Magazine, The Hill, Paddle Your Own Kanoo, DefenseNews.com, FlightGlobal, Skift, Wall Street Journal, Air Data News, Aviation.travel and 69 more
2026-01-02T23:07:30.398137-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
JoongAng Daily • CHO YONG-JUN

KF-21 deliveries set for 2026, a key moment for Korea’s air defense ambitions

By JoongAng Daily: Korea's first fighter jet, built with domestic technology, is expected to be delivered to the Korean Air Force in 2026, a critical test for the country's competitiveness in air defense.

2026-01-03T22:48:55.936658-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   North America   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

RQ-170 Sentinel Stealth Drone Supported Maduro Capture Mission

By The War Zone: The RQ-170 was made for just the kind of mission that occurred in Venezuela last night and was present overhead during others like it in the past.

Also: Task & Purpose, defence-industry.eu, UK Defence Journal, avgeekery.com, Business Insider, news.ssbcrack.com and defence-blog.com
2026-01-03T14:30:57.356227-08:00