Today In Defense
Last Updated: Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, 1:56 PM PST
2025-12-08T13:56:09.716720-08:00 2025-12-08T13:56:09.716720-08:00 (2025-12-08T13:56:09.716720-08:00)
Aviation Week
• Steve Trimble
Chinese Scientists Show New Focus On Space-Based Interceptors
By Aviation Week: While Beijing is criticizing the U.S. pursuit of space-based interceptors as reckless, China’s academic institutions are quietly researching similar concepts.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Military Aircraft Procurement
Defense Budgets & Spending
Policy & Regulation
insidedefense.com
• Dan Schere;
Defense authorization bill would curtail some US Army aviation restructure plans
By insidedefense.com: The compromise version of the fiscal year 2026 defense authorization bill would restrict the Army's ability to divest from its legacy Gray Eagle unmanned aerial system fleet and would put limits on how the service could deactivate certain combat aviation brigades.
Air & Space Forces Mag
Congress Blocks A-10 and F-15E Retirements in NDAA, Halting Air Force Divestment Plans
Europe
Military Aircraft Procurement
Aircraft Finance & Leasing
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
Babcock to fly L-39 trainers in support of France’s DGA and EPNER test pilot school
By FlightGlobal: Babcock International has secured a contract to operate Aero Vodochody L-39 jet trainers in support of France's EPNER test pilot school and the nation's DGA defence procurement agency.
ATC
North America
Accident
Aviation Safety & Regulation
Defense Budgets & Spending
Policy & Regulation
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Reuters
• David Shepardson
US Congress may require countries military helicopters to broadcast safety alerts near Reagan National after reported near-misses
By Reuters: U.S. military helicopters on training missions would need to broadcast alerts to nearby commercial aviation aircraft around Reagan Washington National Airport to avoid collisions under annual defense policy legislation unveiled late Sunday.
Supply Chain
Military Aircraft Procurement
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
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Air Data News
• JCC; ADN
Lockheed Martin secures $1.14bn contract modification for 198 F-35s
By Air Data News: Lockheed Martin has received a US$1.14 billion contract modification from the US Department of War for materials supporting the production of 198 F-35.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Military Aircraft Procurement
Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)
Defense Industry & Major Contractors
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
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smh.com.au
• Matthew Knott
Ghost Bat drones take flight in $1 billion bid to modernise Australian military
By smh.com.au: The successful firing of an air-to-air missile on an aerial target in test exercises has paved the way for a major investment in the Ghost Bat program.
FlightGlobal
• Greg Waldron
Royal Thai Air Force conducts multiple strikes on Cambodian military positions amid escalating border clashes
By FlightGlobal: Royal Thai Air Force combat aircraft have struck military targets in Cambodia as border tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbours escalate, with Thailand conducting multiple missions against Cambodian forces.
