Defense News

Satellite Supply Chain Europe Accident Orders Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Thales

Reuters • Florence Loeve

Thales surges: 21% jump in first-half 2026 order intake as European defense spending lifts surveillance and satellite demand

Thales reported a 21% increase in first-half 2026 order intake versus the prior year, with growth concentrated in its defense and aerospace units. The company linked the momentum to rising global military spending, as well as sustained demand for surveillance and satellite systems.

Also: Wall Street Journal, Aviation Week and CNBC

4 Sources

2026-07-22T22:19:42.168035-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy Boeing

politico.eu • Chris Lunday

Germany wants combat drones. Government officials can’t agree where to get them.

By politico.eu: Internal divisions over whether to buy Boeing Australia’s Ghost Bat or wait for European alternatives could delay Germany’s plan to field a new combat drone.

1 Source

2026-07-22T19:33:31.539607-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Air-To-Ground Capabilities Are Already Creeping Into The F-15EX's Mission Set

By The War Zone: The F-15EX's current job is the same as its F-15C predecessor, strictly air-to-air combat, but that is going to change.

1 Source

2026-07-22T16:25:56.433783-07:00

F-16 Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Ukrainian F-16 Scored First Air-To-Air Kill Against A Russian Fighter: Top U.S. General

By The War Zone: General Dan Caine’s disclosure bolsters reports that a Ukrainian F-16 downed a Russian Su-35S this month. Gen. Dan Caine’s disclosure bolsters reports that a Ukrainian F-16 downed a Russian Su-35S this month.

defence-blog.com

Pentagon’s top general confirms historic Ukrainian dogfight win

The Aviationist

Ukrainian F-16 Shot Down Russian Fighter for the First Time

Also: defcrosnews.com, Sandboxx and 3 more

10 Sources

2026-07-22T11:26:10.974937-07:00

Aircraft Carrier UAV Development & Drone Programs Helicopter Defense Policy

The War Zone • Howard Altman

Mothership Sought By Navy For Southern Command Operations

By The War Zone: The ship will be capable of launching and recovering helicopters, drones and small boats, and acting as a sea base for operations.

1 Source

2026-07-22T10:09:56.548261-07:00

Aircraft Carrier North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Michael Peck

US Navy moving forward on West Coast dock for aircraft carriers

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. Navy is moving forward with plans to build a new dock for aircraft carriers on the West Coast.

Also: Navy Times, defcrosnews.com and Military Times

4 Sources

2026-07-22T12:40:29.322997-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Lite Coms Wins $22M Contract to Support Operational Readiness

By Via Satellite: Lite Coms has recieved a $22 million contract from an unnamed government and defense customer to provide satellite communications to support operational.

Also: Satellite Evolution, aviation-defence-universe.com and spaceanddefense.io

4 Sources

2026-07-22T13:22:06.181315-07:00

F-16 Farnborough Airshow Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Elbit Systems touts ‘F-35-like’ situational awareness boost for legacy fighters

By FlightGlobal: Sensor update brings "fifth-gen" capabilities into existing fleets. Elbit Systems is offering to provide operators of legacy fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-16 with an “F-35-like” situational awareness and self-protection capability, with the company showcasing its technology at the Farnborough show.

1 Source

2026-07-22T10:43:25.945757-07:00