Aircraft Carrier   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Wall Street Journal • Alexander Ward, Michael R Gordon, Shelby Holliday

Trump seeks 'decisive' options as U.S. fighters arrive and carrier strike group heads to Middle East

President Trump is pursuing "decisive" options against Iran as U.S. jet fighters have arrived in the region and an aircraft carrier strike group is en route to the Middle East. The moves represent a rapid escalation in U.S. military posture with immediate operational and alliance implications.

2026-01-20T23:00:52.920678-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

South Korea launches W1.9 trillion EW aircraft programme led by LIG Nex1, targeting 2034 deployment

By FlightGlobal: South Korea has formally commenced development of its new electronic warfare aircraft, with defence contractor LIG Nex1 leading a W1.9 trillion ($1.3 billion) programme targeting deployment in 2034.

2026-01-20T22:16:25.738030-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Middle East   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

GA-ASI and Calidus sign UAE MOU to explore co-production of MQ-9B SkyGuardian and Gambit combat aircraft

By FlightGlobal: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with UAE-based Calidus Aerospace covering potential co-production of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft and Gambit collaborative combat aircraft in the Emirates.

Also: ga-asi.com and 3 more
2026-01-20T20:51:25.985574-08:00
Event   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense

Break Out: Who’s Who in Air Force Acquisition and New Surface Navy Tech

By Breaking Defense: ![](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/01/tbo203-play-300x169.png) Who’s who in Air Force acquisition, and new surface Navy tech The Weekly Break Out digs into the Air Force's alphabet soup and visits the annual Surface Navy Association expo.

2026-01-20T20:04:56.134118-08:00
North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Boeing   Boeing 737  
Breaking Defense • Carley Welch, Michael Marrow, Theresa Hitchens, Valerie Insinna

FY26 defense bill adds $8B, backs F/A-XX and E-7 Wedgetail while rejecting $28B munitions emergency request

By Breaking Defense: Appropriators threw a lifeline to the Navy’s F/A-XX fighter and Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail programs while slamming the door on the Army’s agile acquisition request.

Also: Aviation Week, Air & Space Forces Mag, AirForceTimes, insidedefense.com, marinecorpstimes.com, Military Times, Defense Daily and 3 more
2026-01-20T10:31:57.070247-08:00
Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Defense appropriations bill funds Space Force at $26B and presses Pentagon on 'Golden Dome' oversight

By SpaceNews.com: Defense appropriations bill for 2026 funds Space Force at $26 billion, presses Pentagon on Golden Dome Defense appropriations bill for 2026 funds Space Force at $26 billion, presses Pentagon on Golden Dome.

2026-01-20T14:19:00.482812-08:00
Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Denmark touts Arctic special forces' ability to operate across Greenland as US presses for control

By FlightGlobal: Denmark is emphasising the capabilities of a newly formed Arctic special forces unit that can operate throughout Greenland's demanding terrain, as Copenhagen faces increasing pressure over control of the strategic territory from US President Donald Trump.

2026-01-20T15:50:36.784718-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Deals   Boeing  
Reuters

U.S. approves potential $2.3B sale of maritime patrol aircraft and torpedoes to Singapore

By Reuters: The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and lightweight torpedoes and related equipment to Singapore in a deal valued at an estimated $2.3 billion, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

Also: CNA, defensemirror.com and Seeking Alpha
2026-01-20T12:46:05.172260-08:00