Today In Defense
Last Updated: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 9:33 AM PDT
2025-10-29T09:33:42.592050-07:00 2025-10-29T09:33:42.592050-07:00 (2025-10-29T09:33:42.592050-07:00)
Breaking Defense
• Michael Marrow; Valerie Insinna
Congressional Review: Air Force Needs Up to 1,558 Combat-Ready Fighters, Urging Increased F-15EX and F-35 Purchases
By Breaking Defense: A congressionally mandated review of the Air Force’s fighter force obtained by Breaking Defense finds that as many as 1,558 combat-ready jets are needed to fulfill global obligations, requiring greater procurement of aircraft like the F-15EX and F-35.
Air Data News
• JCC; Ricardo Meier
Embraer cuts first metal for Sweden’s C-390 Millennium in Gavião Peixoto
By Air Data News: Embraer held a ceremony on October 28, in Brazil, to cut the first metal piece of the C-390 Millennium for the Swedish Air Force. The event marks the.
Reuters
• Mike Stone
Lockheed Martin invests $50M in Saildrone to equip long-range sea drones with Tomahawk missiles
By Reuters: Lockheed Martin is investing $50 million in sea drone maker Saildrone to help equip its biggest surveillance drones with missiles, marking the first time the long-distance autonomous ships will carry high-powered missiles aboard.
FlightGlobal
• Dominic Perry
French navy to lease trio of Pilatus PC-24 business jets from Jet Aviation
By FlightGlobal: Jet Aviation is to acquire a trio of Pilatus PC-24 midsize business jets for lease to the French navy as transport and training assets.
Reuters
Ukrainian drone attacks target Russian energy infrastructure and Moscow, officials say
By Reuters: Ukraine targeted Russian energy infrastructure with drones, disrupting air traffic across the country and sending several drones towards Moscow for the third straight night, Russian authorities said on Wednesday.
FlightGlobal
• Dominic Perry
Italy awards €1.22bn follow-on order for 29 Leonardo AW249 Fenice attack helicopters
By FlightGlobal: Italy has begun the process of contracting a third batch of Leonardo AW249 Fenice attack helicopters for its army in a deal valued at €1.22 billion ($1.41 billion).
Reuters
Polish jets intercepted a Russian aircraft over Baltic Sea, army says
By Reuters: Polish jets intercepted a Russian aircraft on Tuesday that was flying a reconnaissance mission in international airspace over the Baltic Sea without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off, the Polish army said on Wednesday.
