Defense News

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

Reuters • Tamiyuki Kihara

Merz signals German interest in Japan-UK-Italy fighter program as Tokyo raises EV trade concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed to deepen strategic cooperation in areas including AI and critical minerals during a meeting in Tokyo. Merz expressed interest in joining the three-country fighter development program, while Takaichi raised concerns over Japanese EVs being excluded from preferential treatment in Europe.

1 Source

2026-10-28T07:28:27.690200-07:00

aviation Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Startup Biosphere wins Pentagon contract to scale up production of key chemicals

By Breaking Defense: The biomanufacturing facility will boast 20,000 liters of UV-sterilized vats, able to brew anything from “bio-cement" for helipads to explosives for Hellfire missiles.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:50:38.494065-07:00

China Satellite Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

U.S. intelligence report publishes clear image of China’s secretive spaceplane

By SpaceNews.com: You’ll also receive our weekly Editor’s Choice, SpaceNews This Week and Opinions newsletters. Opt-out at any time.

Leonard David

New Report Flags Chinese Spaceplane Development

The Independent

China’s top secret space plane revealed in rare unclassified image

Also: interestingengineering.com and The Independent

6 Sources

2026-10-28T04:30:49.190519-07:00

aviation Military Aircraft Procurement

AINonline • Hanneke Weitering

Components Ready for Starfighters’ F-104 Mach 2 Testbed

By AINonline: Italian-made parts will form underwing carriers for ’Wind Tunnel in the Sky’.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:04:57.937239-07:00

AI Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Dan Knight

The attrition advantage: Why passive mobility is essential for resilient sensor architectures

By SpaceNews.com: mage by Michala Garrison The modern battlefield has reached a dangerous tipping point. Our most expensive assets are now often our most vulnerable. For decades, United States defense strategy has relied on exquisite, stationary radar installations that delivered performance.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:15:52.337145-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Shield Space Launches UK Space Superiority Coalition

By Payload: The UK Space Superiority Coalition brings together space companies across the UK in an effort to build a space-based carrier strike force.

1 Source

2026-10-28T06:05:39.685231-07:00

Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Bloomberg • Grace Asenov

Jake Paul Backs Project to Revive US Titanium Sponge Output

By Bloomberg: Social media influencer turned professional boxer Jake Paul is backing a Silicon Valley startup that’s planning to revive US production of titanium sponge, a semi-processed form of a metal used in jet engines and missiles.

2 Sources

2026-10-28T05:05:21.897818-07:00

Satellite Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Axios • Colin Demarest, Thomas Novelly

2026-10-28T02:17:37.348674-07:00

Merz signals German interest in Japan-UK-Italy fighter program as Tokyo raises EV trade concerns

Startup Biosphere wins Pentagon contract to scale up production of key chemicals

U.S. intelligence report publishes clear image of China’s secretive spaceplane

New Report Flags Chinese Spaceplane Development

China’s top secret space plane revealed in rare unclassified image

Components Ready for Starfighters’ F-104 Mach 2 Testbed

The attrition advantage: Why passive mobility is essential for resilient sensor architectures

Shield Space Launches UK Space Superiority Coalition

Jake Paul Backs Project to Revive US Titanium Sponge Output

Ukraine's Starlink woes spur Europe to look for non-Musk alternatives

HIMERA, GomSpace Advance Ukraine’s Independent Satellite Communications Initiative with OBRIA NANO

Nearly 50 companies involved in producing Russia's Starlink alternative, 23 not under international sanctions, HUR says

(JA) Japan and Germany leaders meet; Merz signals interest in fighter jet development program, while Takaichi raises strong concerns over EV issue

Startup Biosphere wins Pentagon contract to scale up production of key chemicals

Components Ready for Starfighters’ F-104 Mach 2 Testbed

The attrition advantage: Why passive mobility is essential for resilient sensor architectures

Shield Space Launches UK Space Superiority Coalition

Jake Paul Backs Project to Revive US Titanium Sponge Output

#SpaceWatchGL Recap: Germany Stops Whispering About Space Defence

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Highlights Growing Threats to Space Security in New Security Report

DefTech Day 2026 - Major General Dr. Volker Pötzsch on the Nervous System of the German Armed Forces

US rocket motor maker with Trump family ties valued at $1.4 billion

Philippines grounds SF-260 fleet after training collision kills four pilots

US Air Force awards Lockheed Martin $694 million to put once-canceled ARRW hypersonic missile into production

Cosmos 2612’s close approach to ICEYE-X36 raises questions about NATO’s response to Russian space operations

Astroscale proposes 'bodyguard' spacecraft to protect satellites from orbital attacks

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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