F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC)

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Taiwan grounds F-16 fleet, pushes U.S. to fast‑track Auto‑GCAS retrofits after F‑16V loss

Taiwan has grounded its entire F-16 fleet and halted training after an F-16V went missing on Jan. 6; the pilot reported computer malfunctions before transmissions ceased. Taipei is pressing the U.S. to accelerate Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System retrofits across its F-16V fleet.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com

2026-01-07T22:04:51.597809-08:00

Accident Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

New York Times • Eric Schmitt

Damaged U.S. Helicopter Nearly Crashed During Maduro Raid, Raising Questions About Trump’s Venezuela Plan

By New York Times: As a damaged U.S. helicopter struggled to stay aloft over Venezuela’s capital, the success of the entire operation hung in the balance.

2026-01-07T20:06:17.295096-08:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

Reuters • Megavarshini G. Somasundaram

Lockheed reports record 191 F‑35 deliveries in 2025 as production pace accelerates for U.S. and allies

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin said on Wednesday it delivered 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025 to the United States and its allies, a record for the program.

Air Data News

Lockheed Martin delivers 191 F-35s in 2025, breaking previous production record

asdnews.com

F‑35 Sets Delivery Record with 191 Jets in 2025, Cites Continued Combat Success

Also: Aviation Week, worldairnews.co.za, defensehere.com, english.defensearabia.com, defence-industry.eu, investors.lockheedmartin.com, Lockheed Martin and arabiandefence.com

2026-01-07T14:42:49.406814-08:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick; Tyler Rogoway

MH-6 Night Stalker 'Little Bird' Demonstrates Rapid, Maritime Deployability in Tanker Raid

By The War Zone: The Little Bird helicopter's small size and incredible transportability mean that it can appear from virtually anywhere, on land or at sea.

2026-01-07T15:50:27.346411-08:00

Supply Chain North America Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Policy & Regulation Defense Policy

CNBC • Kevin Breuninger

Trump says he would bar dividends and stock buybacks by defense contractors

By CNBC: Shares of General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman each fell following Trump's comments.

AeroTime

Trump warns Raytheon it could lose defense contracts unless it boosts production and reinvests in manufacturing

Reuters

Trump threatens to cut Raytheon’s government contracts over stock buybacks

Also: Aviation Week, news.ssbcrack.com, Stars and Stripes and news.ssbcrack.com

2026-01-07T11:34:40.397445-08:00

M&A Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

TransDigm to Acquire RF and Microwave Amplifier Maker Stellant Systems for $960M

By Via Satellite: Stellant Systems, a manufacturer of radio frequency (RF) and microwave amplification products, is set to be acquired by TransDigm Group.

2026-01-07T12:25:05.560969-08:00

aviation Event Europe North America Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing

The War Zone • Howard Altman

U.S. Forces Seize Russian‑Flagged Tanker Marinera After Weekslong Pursuit in North Atlantic

By The War Zone: The tanker Marinera was boarded after a weekslong pursuit and after U.S. aviation assets had poured into the United Kingdom.

AeroTime

US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker Bella 1 in North Atlantic Amid Russian Naval Presence

FlightGlobal

US seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker in North Atlantic after protracted pursuit; P-8A, U-28A and special-ops helicopters involved

Also: Janes

2026-01-07T06:11:38.641179-08:00

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 crashed off Hualien during a night training flight. The pilot remains missing as SAR crews search in rough seas and high winds.