Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

DAPA approves W3.4trn programme to develop 16,000/24,000 lb turbofan for KF‑21 Block 3 (2027–2040)

Seoul's DAPA has approved the Advanced Aviation Engine Development Project, committing W3.4 trillion (≈$3.4 billion) to develop, test and certify a turbofan delivering 16,000 lb thrust at military power and 24,000 lb with afterburner. The 2027–2040 programme targets integration on the KF‑21 Block 3.

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

South Korea commits $3.4bn to develop 24,000-lb thrust indigenous fighter engine for KF-21 Block 3 (2027–2040)

2025-12-23T11:57:17.125142-08:00

Aircraft Carrier China Satellite Military Aircraft Procurement 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.

AirForceTimes

Pentagon annual report: China’s 'historic' military buildup leaves U.S. increasingly vulnerable

satnews

DoD: China Now Operates >1,189 Satellites, 510+ Dedicated to ISR as 'Informatized' Warfare Advances

Also: Aviation Week, news.defcros.com, insidedefense.com, USNI News and Aviation Week

2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00

Aircraft Carrier

The Aviationist • Kai Greet

USS Nimitz to Be Decommissioned After Returning to Bremerton; HII Awarded Contract Modification

By The Aviationist: The 50 year old nuclear-powered aircraft carrier returned to Bremerton, Washington on Dec. 16, 2025 after its final scheduled deployment. USS Nimitz.

2025-12-24T10:08:41.215059-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs

The Aviationist • David Cenciotti

Ukrainian Drone Strike Reportedly Destroys Rare Russian Il-38N ASW Aircraft

By The Aviationist: Rare Il-38N ASW aircraft reportedly destroyed as Kyiv targets high-value enablers behind the front line. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has released.

2025-12-24T08:43:03.492499-08:00

China

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

India Defense News • Indian Defence News Staff

IAF Eyes Russian Sukhoi Upgrades Amid Shrinking Fighter Fleet

By India Defense News: The Indian Air Force confronts a shrinking fighter fleet, prompting urgent measures to modernise its Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, the backbone of ...

Also: defence.in

2025-12-24T08:50:32.954426-08:00

Federal News Network • Anastasia Obis

US Air Force abandons sweeping reoptimization as Army, Marines push forward with transformation efforts

By Federal News Network: This year the Army has embarked on one of its biggest transformations in decades, while the Air Force dropped most of its sweeping plans.

2025-12-24T12:47:32.550990-08:00

MRO AI Helicopter Sikorsky Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Skyryse Achieves First SkyOS-Equipped Black Hawk Flight

By Flying Magazine: Black Hawk completes automated pickup, hover, and landing after Skyryse integrated its system in 91 days.

2025-12-24T06:09:16.731183-08:00

Menu

DAPA approves W3.4trn programme to develop 16,000/24,000 lb turbofan for KF‑21 Block 3 (2027–2040)

South Korea commits $3.4bn to develop 24,000-lb thrust indigenous fighter engine for KF-21 Block 3 (2027–2040)

Pentagon report highlights China’s sixth-generation fighter progress

Pentagon annual report: China’s 'historic' military buildup leaves U.S. increasingly vulnerable

DoD: China Now Operates >1,189 Satellites, 510+ Dedicated to ISR as 'Informatized' Warfare Advances

USS Nimitz to Be Decommissioned After Returning to Bremerton; HII Awarded Contract Modification

Ukrainian Drone Strike Reportedly Destroys Rare Russian Il-38N ASW Aircraft

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

IAF Eyes Russian Sukhoi Upgrades Amid Shrinking Fighter Fleet

US Air Force abandons sweeping reoptimization as Army, Marines push forward with transformation efforts

Skyryse Achieves First SkyOS-Equipped Black Hawk Flight

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

IAF Eyes Russian Sukhoi Upgrades Amid Shrinking Fighter Fleet

Ukrainian Drone Strike Reportedly Destroys Rare Russian Il-38N ASW Aircraft

USS Nimitz to Be Decommissioned After Returning to Bremerton; HII Awarded Contract Modification

US Air Force abandons sweeping reoptimization as Army, Marines push forward with transformation efforts

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

How the AC-130J Ghostrider and MQ-9 Reaper Are Being Used in U.S. Counter‑Narcotics Boat Strikes

Inside the US Air Force Plan to Start a One-Way Attack Drone Unit

Russia launches 635 drones and 38 missiles; Ukraine shoots down most as strikes trigger widespread power cuts

China rebuilds Micronesian runway, sparking US national‑security concerns

Libya's army chief killed as Dassault Falcon 50 crashes near Ankara

USAF designates Northrop Grumman's Project Talon as YFQ-48A, enters CCA Increment 2 competition

Spain orders 18 Airbus C295 transports to replace CN235/C212 and bolster domestic aerospace base

Russia begins flight tests of Su-57 with new Izdeliye 177 fifth‑generation engine

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

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US Air Force Designates Northrop Grumman Talon as YFQ-48A, Calls It a ‘Strong Contender’ for CCA Increment 2

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