Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Lockheed unveils first Finland-bound F-35A at Fort Worth, advancing Helsinki's Hornet replacement programme

FlightGlobal reports: 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.

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Lockheed Martin unveils first F-35A fighter for Finland

Janes

Lockheed Martin rolls out first F-35A Lightning II for Finland at Fort Worth facility

2025-12-16T15:46:20.285809-08:00

Today In Defense

Last Updated: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, 6:55 AM PST

2025-12-17T06:55:42.061997-08:00 2025-12-17T06:55:42.061997-08:00 (2025-12-17T06:55:42.061997-08:00)

Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

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SpaceNews.com • SpaceNews Editor

Speed, risk, and the future of national security space

By SpaceNews.com: Speed, risk, and the future of national security space.

2025-12-17T06:51:25.472327-08:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

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politico.eu • Ketrin Jochecová; Laura Kayali

Trump Presses Czech PM to Preserve F-35 Purchase Despite PM’s Campaign Pledge to Scrap Deal

By politico.eu: US president congratulates new Czech leader, who campaigned to scrap deal to buy American fighter jets.

2025-12-17T05:03:47.907088-08:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

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FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Leonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition

By FlightGlobal: Leonardo is to start work on the Austrian air force's future fleet of 12 M-346 F Block 20 training and light-attack aircraft, having received a contract award via Italy's Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness.

Aviacionline

Austria signs for 12 Leonardo M-346 F Block 20 advanced trainers; deliveries from 2028

Janes

Leonardo signs contract to deliver M-346F Block 20 light combat and advanced trainer aircraft to Austria

Also: The Aviationist, Shephard Media, avionews.it and edrmagazine.eu

2025-12-17T02:25:37.788163-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

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Janes

Ukraine claims successful UUV strike on Russian Kilo-class submarine

By Janes: The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed to have damaged a Russian Navy Kilo II (Project 636.3 Varshavyanka) conventionally powered submarine (SSK) in port in...

The War Zone

Satellite imagery shows Ukrainian underwater drone nearly strikes Russian submarine in protected harbor

swarajyamag.com

Satellite images show damage to Russian Improved Kilo submarine after Ukrainian underwater drone strike at Novorossiysk

Also: Business Insider, BBC, news.ssbcrack.com and NBC News

2025-12-16T09:35:43.316861-08:00

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

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ch-aviation • CH-Aviation Staff

Trump commissions L3Harris to refurbish ex‑Qatari Boeing 747‑8 BBJ as interim Air Force One

By ch-aviation: US President Donald Trump has commissioned L3Harris Technologies, a defence contractor, to prepare and refurbish a second-hand B747-8(BBJ) as an interim...

2025-12-16T16:02:56.682265-08:00

Leadership North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

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Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

US President Trump nominates General John Lamontagne as Air Force Vice Chief of Staff

By Breaking Defense: Air Mobility Command chief Gen. John Lamontagne — one of several new military nominees submitted by the White House on Monday — would fill a role left vacant since the firing of Gen.

DefenseNews.com

Air Mobility Command head nominated as U.S. Air Force vice chief to fill post-vacancy after 2021 firings

Air & Space Forces Mag

Gen. John D. Lamontagne Nominated as Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force; Guardsman Named for Top JAG Post

Also: AirForceTimes, Defense One and 6 more

2025-12-16T10:49:47.522479-08:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs North America Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC)

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DefenseNews.com • Zita Fletcher

U.S. Marines Begin Production of MADIS 'Drone Hunter‑Killer' Counter‑UAS Vehicles

By DefenseNews.com: The Marine Air Defense Integrated System is designed to destroy unmanned aerial systems as well as manned aircraft, including helicopters.