Defense News

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

The Atlantic • Isaac Stanley-Becker, Simon Shuster

Pentagon watchdog declines probe into Starlink disruptions to Ukraine

The Pentagon inspector general said it would not investigate disruptions to Ukraine’s access to Starlink and Starshield or the related interruption in U.S. intelligence sharing, describing the matter as a business dispute outside its purview. The refusal came after a bipartisan request and leaves questions about oversight of a critical communications service.

Associated Press • Konstantin Toropin

Pentagon watchdog tells lawmakers it won't investigate Starlink slowdowns to Ukraine

Bloomberg • Courtney McBride

Pentagon Watchdog Declines to Probe Ukraine Intel, Starlink Cuts

Also: CNN, Defense One, pilotonline.com and tass.com

7 Sources

2026-10-28T15:43:41.298719-07:00

Satellite Space Force Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force missile-tracking satellite launch slips to 2027 as SDA reassesses acquisition approach

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force’s first operational missile-tracking satellites are now expected to launch in spring 2027, nearly two years later than originally planned, as the government considers additional flight demonstrations before committing to large purchases of next-generation sensors.

1 Source

2026-10-28T15:35:42.769972-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Reuters • Mark Trevelyan

Putin salutes Musk's genius as Russia plays catch-up with Starlink

By Reuters: President Vladimir Putin hailed Elon Musk as a genius on Wednesday, acknowledging Russia is only beginning to roll out its ‌answer to his Starlink satellite internet system.

Bloomberg

Putin Says Russia Coordinates With ‘Genius’ Musk on Satellites

Kyiv Independent

Putin calls Musk 'genius' as Ukraine recovers from Starshield throttling

Also: The Independent, CNA, The Guardian, RTE and 3 more

11 Sources

2026-10-28T09:04:33.637674-07:00

China Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

The War Zone • Howard Altman

U.S. Intel Warns China's Space-Based Directed Energy Weapons Could Soon Threaten Satellites

By The War Zone: Battlefield space is heating up as the DIA warns that China could use orbital directed energy weapons to take down satellites by the end of the decade.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag

2 Sources

2026-10-28T12:55:32.088317-07:00

Africa Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

Aviation Week • Tony Osborne

Ethiopia Takes Delivery Of Su-35s From Russia, S-400s To Follow

By Aviation Week: Ethiopia has taken delivery of the first two of 12 planned Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali has revealed.

The War Zone

Ethiopia Gets 12 Russian Su-35 Fighters, Eyes S-400 Air Defenses

defence-blog.com

Ethiopia receives its first Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets

Also: tass.com

5 Sources

2026-10-28T08:34:27.844178-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Airbus

Reuters

Airbus working with Germany, Spain on European fighter jet

By Reuters: Airbus is working closely with ‌the German and Spanish governments on a next-generation fighter jet ⁠for Europe, the company's chief executive said on Wednesday.

Also: Aviation Week

2 Sources

2026-10-28T12:04:20.392948-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Hardened Shelters Critical To Survival Of USAF's Tanker Fleet: Study

By The War Zone: An independent assessment calls for new action to prevent critical aerial refueling assets from being neutralized before they even get in the air.

1 Source

2026-10-28T10:35:10.290174-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense

Giving counter-UAS operators 75 km of advance warning throws the advantage to them

By Breaking Defense: CACI’s SkyValor extends counter-UAS RF detection range to 75 km, giving operators more time to assess and respond to evolving drone threats and swarms.

1 Source

2026-10-28T14:04:36.735144-07:00

Pentagon watchdog declines probe into Starlink disruptions to Ukraine

Pentagon watchdog tells lawmakers it won't investigate Starlink slowdowns to Ukraine

Pentagon Watchdog Declines to Probe Ukraine Intel, Starlink Cuts

Space Force missile-tracking satellite launch slips to 2027 as SDA reassesses acquisition approach

Putin salutes Musk's genius as Russia plays catch-up with Starlink

Putin Says Russia Coordinates With ‘Genius’ Musk on Satellites

Putin calls Musk 'genius' as Ukraine recovers from Starshield throttling

U.S. Intel Warns China's Space-Based Directed Energy Weapons Could Soon Threaten Satellites

Ethiopia Takes Delivery Of Su-35s From Russia, S-400s To Follow

Ethiopia Gets 12 Russian Su-35 Fighters, Eyes S-400 Air Defenses

Ethiopia receives its first Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets

Airbus working with Germany, Spain on European fighter jet

Hardened Shelters Critical To Survival Of USAF's Tanker Fleet: Study

Giving counter-UAS operators 75 km of advance warning throws the advantage to them

How Elon Musk Turned on Ukraine

Space Force missile-tracking satellite launch slips to 2027 as SDA reassesses acquisition approach

Giving counter-UAS operators 75 km of advance warning throws the advantage to them

Risk, Reward, and Agility: The New Themes for European Nations in Space Defense

U.S. Intel Warns China's Space-Based Directed Energy Weapons Could Soon Threaten Satellites

Airbus working with Germany, Spain on European fighter jet

Launch executives warn Pentagon faces capacity crunch through 2030s

MQ-9B drone tracks fighter jets at long range with Saab’s LoyalEye radar

Risk, Reward, and Agility: The New Themes for European Nations in Space Defense

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

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

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

Confessions Of An SR-71 Blackbird Pilot

Boeing says new fighter contracts will avoid costly mistakes of past defense programs

Boeing to be awarded sole-source deal worth up to $946 million to maintain military satellites

How General Atomics views Europe's unmanned future

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

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