Defense News

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Valerie Insinna

Defense executives see bipartisan support for higher munitions spending despite FY27 budget uncertainty

RTX CEO Chris Calio said defense executives remain confident in Pentagon spending prospects despite uncertainty over the mechanics and topline of the fiscal 2027 budget. In a July earnings call, Calio cited bipartisan congressional support for increased munitions funding as lawmakers consider future allocations.

1 Source

2026-08-04T12:44:28.912057-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals Embraer

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

By Breaking Defense: The Colombian Aerospace Force said the first aircraft is expected for delivery in 2029, and that a second will follow in 2030.

aviationnews.eu

Embraer Lands Colombian Air Force Deal for Two KC-390 Millennium Multi-Mission Jets

Aviation24

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft to modernise airlift fleet

Also: FlightGlobal, Reuters and english.defensearabia.com

13 Sources

2026-08-04T10:31:43.614320-07:00

Supply Chain Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Reuters • Divya Rajagopal, Ernest Scheyder

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin is in talks to buy supplies of two critical minerals from U.S. mines, two sources familiar with the discussions said, as President Donald Trump pressures defense contractors to cut reliance on China.

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed seeks US mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Also: Seeking Alpha and newsable.asianetnews.com

4 Sources

2026-08-04T10:15:59.261711-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

By Air Data News: Request for information signals possible challenge to decades-long Pratt & U.S. Air Force (USAF) is exploring alternative engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and Lockheed Martin F-16 , opening the door to new suppliers for fighter aircraft that have long relied on powerplants from Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace .

Also: AeroTime and Defense Daily

3 Sources

2026-08-04T02:51:25.014795-07:00

Event Farnborough Airshow Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

By Breaking Defense: We review a few final insights and observations from this year's Farnborough International Airshow.

1 Source

2026-08-04T07:59:38.158964-07:00

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

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

By FlightGlobal: UK-built tactical UAS is heading for operational service within the coming months.

Also: Aerospace Testing Intnl and calibredefence.co.uk

3 Sources

2026-08-04T06:35:11.418324-07:00

eVTOL Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Archer Aviation

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

2026-08-04T01:45:09.889798-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Hypersonic Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

By AeroTime: Australia’s new 10-year defense technology strategy prioritizes the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, hypersonic weapons, high-energy lasers, AI and quantum systems.

1 Source

2026-08-04T04:44:56.482847-07:00

Defense executives see bipartisan support for higher munitions spending despite FY27 budget uncertainty

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

Embraer Lands Colombian Air Force Deal for Two KC-390 Millennium Multi-Mission Jets

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft to modernise airlift fleet

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Lockheed seeks US mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

Archer, Korean Air to work on militarised Midnight eVTOL

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL Prototype Completes California Round Trip

Archer’s Midnight completes city-to-city flights in California

Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

Defense execs feel good about Pentagon spending despite uncertainty on FY27 budget

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

US eyes alternative engines for F-15EX, F-16

Anduril Weighs Baltimore Shipyard Investment to Build Drone Boats

K2 Selected for Space Force Satellite Laser-Link Testing

Northrop gets $3B framework deal to increase motor production for PAC-3, THAAD

Northrop Grumman Signs $3 Billion Framework Deals to Ramp Patriot and THAAD Interceptor Production

NH90 Block 1 begins flight testing with Link 22, upgraded sensors and enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities

Satellite communications deals span Spain’s secure SpainSat NG-III, Europe’s IRIS² network, Starlab and LATAM connectivity

US Air Force engine programs face delays, quality problems and material shortages

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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