Today In Defense
Last Updated: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, 9:25 PM PST
2025-12-17T21:25:18.974518-08:00 2025-12-17T21:25:18.974518-08:00 (2025-12-17T21:25:18.974518-08:00)
USNI News
• Dzirhan Mahadzir
PLA Carrier Fujian Transits Taiwan Strait; Taiwan Monitors Passage
By USNI News: The People’s Liberation Army Navy newest aircraft carrier CNS Fujian (18) sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.
Bloomberg
• Anthony Capaccio
US Army on track to field first hypersonic ground‑launched weapon 'Dark Eagle' by end of 2025
By Bloomberg: US Army Says It’s On Track to Deploy First US Hypersonic Weapon The Dark Eagle, the first US hypersonic weapon, and soldiers from a Australian-U.S. bilateral military exercise in Northern Territory, Australia, on July 9, 2025.
NASA Spaceflight
• Justin Davenport
Northrop Grumman tests fast-developed SMART motor, looks ahead to future applications
By NASA Spaceflight: Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), one of the largest space and defense contractors in the United….
english.defensearabia.com
Embraer delivers first A-29N Super Tucanos to Portuguese Air Force; eyes final assembly line in Portugal
By english.defensearabia.com: Portugal becomes the first country to operate the new variant of the A-29 configured to meet NATO's operational requirements New final assembly line would.
Air Data News
• JCC; Ricardo Meier
Saab offers to build Gripen fighters and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in Canada, pledging 12,600 jobs
By Air Data News: Saab submitted proposals to the Canadian government to build Gripen fighters and GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in Canada, with a potential to create 12,600.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
RAAF C-130J fleet achieves FOC with Block 8.1 upgrade
By FlightGlobal: The Royal Australian Air Force has achieved Final Operational Capability for its upgraded C-130J tactical transport fleet, with 12 aircraft brought to Block 8.1 configuration under the AIR 5440 programme.
FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
Lockheed unveils first Finland-bound F-35A at Fort Worth, advancing Helsinki's Hornet replacement programme
By FlightGlobal: Lockheed Martin has displayed the first F-35A Lightning II destined for Finland at its Fort Worth facility, marking a milestone for the Nordic nation's 64-aircraft programme to replace its Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.
