Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing   Boeing 737  
Breaking Defense • Carley Welch, Michael Marrow, Theresa Hitchens, Valerie Insinna

FY26 appropriations add ~$8B, lift Boeing E‑7 to ~$1.1B and back Navy F/A‑XX while rejecting $28B munitions request

Conference appropriators added roughly $8 billion to the FY2026 defense bill, including a $900 million boost that raises Boeing’s E‑7 Wedgetail funding to about $1.1 billion and provides congressional support for the Navy’s F/A‑XX effort. Lawmakers rejected the Army’s agile acquisition request and a $28 billion munitions emergency package.

Also: marinecorpstimes.com, Military Times, Defense Daily, Navy Times and insidedefense.com
2026-01-20T10:31:57.070247-08:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
NEW
DefenseNews.com • Omaha World-Herald, Steve Liewer

Offutt airmen bid farewell as OC-135B Open Skies observation jets retire

By DefenseNews.com: The OC-135B spent the last 20 years flying aerial photography missions — primarily over Russia — in carrying out the international Open Skies Treaty.

2026-01-20T12:25:21.081978-08:00
Supply Chain   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation  
Bloomberg • Ellen Milligan, Kate Duffy

UK Defense Funding Delay Threatens Key Leonardo Site, Union Says

By Bloomberg: Leonardo SpA’s British helicopter factory will close if UK funding delays prevent a contract with the Italian manufacturer before March, union leaders said in a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, showing how the government’s failure to commit cash is throwing plans for a revamped defense sector in doubt.

2026-01-20T08:35:29.189354-08:00
MRO   Bombardier   BizAv   Leadership   M&A   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Jon Hemmerdinger

Bombardier restructures leadership to advance defence and M&A ambitions

By FlightGlobal: The Montreal-based business jet manufacturer has appointed new executives to lead restructured divisions encompassing aircraft sales, aftermarket services, engineering and defence, while hiring a former Leonardo DRS strategist to drive mergers and acquisitions.

Also: Wings and Bombardier
2026-01-20T08:56:30.699498-08:00
ATC   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
UK Defence Journal • Craig Langford

UK confirms limits on military access to Irish airspace

By UK Defence Journal: The Ministry of Defence has said UK military aircraft do not enter Irish airspace for operational purposes without the express agreement of the Irish Government, following a parliamentary question on air interception arrangements.

2026-01-20T03:54:24.850255-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Renault to manufacture Chorus long-range strike drones in France under potential €1bn defence contract

By AeroTime: Renault will manufacture Chorus long-range strike drones with Turgis Gaillard under a French defense initiative that could lead to a €1-billion contract.

Also: news.ssbcrack.com
2026-01-20T05:35:28.702076-08:00