Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Airbus Embraer

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

C-390, C-130J and A400M compete for India’s potential 60-aircraft airlifter requirement

India is preparing what could become one of the world’s largest military transport aircraft purchases, with Embraer’s C-390, Lockheed Martin’s C-130J and Airbus’ A400M competing for a requirement of up to 60 aircraft. The decision is likely to weigh industrial, strategic and support considerations alongside performance.

1 Source

2026-08-29T00:12:22.324901-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals Boeing

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

By Breaking Defense: The Defense Department anticipates it will spend an additional $51 billion to acquire the stealth fighter, though revised estimates have pulled the program’s total cost beneath $2 trillion, according to a recent Pentagon report.

DefenseNews.com

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

AirForceTimes

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

8 Sources

2026-08-28T07:19:49.963989-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy Boeing Boeing 747

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

By The War Zone: The investment comes after Spain would not allow the U.S. to use Moron for long-range bomber missions against Iran.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:20:06.893260-07:00

North America Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

By FlightGlobal: The C$230 million ($165 million) project will lengthen the Northwest Territories airstrip by over 900 metres (3,000ft). The Canadian federal government is moving ahead with plans to extend the length of a dual-use airfield above the Arctic Circle as part of the country's Arctic defence strategy.

1 Source

2026-08-28T12:35:32.463761-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

By The War Zone: Jolly Green II rescue helicopters offer a capability boost for VIP airlift and continuity of government roles, but there are questions about the plan.

1 Source

2026-08-28T11:06:32.279430-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

Unmanned Airspace • Kylie Bielby

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

By Unmanned Airspace: Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB), operating under US Northern Command in support of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shot down three "cartel-linked" uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) using directed energy capabilities this week.

aviationnews.eu

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

AeroTime

US military laser shoots down three drug cartel drones along southern border

Also: AirForceTimes and Defense Scoop

5 Sources

2026-08-28T04:36:15.099043-07:00

Aircraft Carrier Military Aircraft Procurement

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

By The War Zone: Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club. Indonesia is about to join Southeast Asia’s small but unusual aircraft-carrier club.

1 Source

2026-08-28T10:13:13.501336-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Accident

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

By AeroTime: Two South Korean attack drones crashed into the sea seconds after launch during their first naval test.

1 Source

2026-08-28T09:05:03.238787-07:00

C-390, C-130J and A400M compete for India’s potential 60-aircraft airlifter requirement

F-35 lifetime price tag dips beneath $2 trillion even as buying costs rise

Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing F-15 contract with $131 billion ceiling through 2037

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Shoot Down 3 Cartel Drones in Texas

US military laser shoots down three drug cartel drones along southern border

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

Two South Korean attack drones crash seconds after launch in first naval test

C-390, C-130J or A400M: What could decide India’s huge airlifter competition?

Progress continues on Inuvik airport runway extension under Canada’s Arctic defence push

USAF Establishes HH-60W Unit for Washington VIP Evacuation and Continuity-of-Government Missions

U.S. Expanding B-52 Bomber Capacity At Moron Air Base In Spain

Indonesia’s First Aircraft Carrier Is On Its Way From Italy

US military shoots down “cartel-linked” drones with high-energy laser

With AI hackers in mind, Air Forces Cyber develops defensive 'campaign plan'

Sweden to send Gripen fighters to patrol Finland’s border with Russia, SVT reports

Gripen F Flies for the First Time

Lockheed outlines industrial package for Peru F-16 buy

HAL and Safran launch Aravalli turboshaft engine for India’s 13-ton military helicopters

Navy begins F/A-18 Super Hornet testing of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile

China’s J-35A Enters Service as F-35 Program Costs Rise 10%

Boeing Wins Potential $131.2B F-15 Sustainment Contract as Air Force Funds $766M B-52 Radar Upgrade

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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