UAV Development & Drone Programs   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
The Aviationist • David Cenciotti

Ukrainian drone strike reportedly destroys rare Russian Il‑38N ASW aircraft

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says a drone strike destroyed a rare Russian Il‑38N anti‑submarine warfare aircraft as Kyiv expands strikes on high‑value enablers behind the front line. The SBU released footage and said the attack eliminated a scarce maritime patrol and ASW testbed.

2025-12-24T08:43:03.492499-08:00
Supply Chain   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

DAPA Approves Indigenous 16,000 lb / 24,000 lb Turbofan Engine Program for South Korean Fighter

By Aviation Week: The Advanced Aviation Engine Development Project will develop, test and certify a turbofan engine with 16,000 lb.-thrust at military power and 24,000 lb.-thrust on afterburner.

2025-12-23T11:57:17.125142-08:00
China   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
India Defense News • Indian Defence News Staff

India Commits to 200 Tejas Mk-1A Fighters — Assessing Combat Effectiveness Versus China and Pakistan

By India Defense News: India is placing a substantial wager on the TEJAS MK-1A, with an order for nearly 200 jets poised to bolster the Indian Air Force's capabili...

2025-12-24T08:50:31.642872-08:00
Aircraft Carrier   China   Satellite   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Pentagon report highlights China’s sixth-generation fighter progress

By FlightGlobal: The US Department of War's latest annual assessment of Chinese military capabilities reveals significant progress in airpower development, including testing of two sixth-generation fighter aircraft and advances in airborne early warning systems.

Also: Aviation Week, aeroxplorer.com, news.defcros.com, insidedefense.com, USNI News and Aviation Week
2025-12-24T09:52:50.024415-08:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Federal News Network • Anastasia Obis

US Air Force abandons sweeping reoptimization as Army, Marines push forward with transformation efforts

By Federal News Network: This year the Army has embarked on one of its biggest transformations in decades, while the Air Force dropped most of its sweeping plans.

2025-12-24T12:47:32.550990-08:00