Today In Defense
Last Updated: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, 3:38 AM PST
2025-12-16T03:38:19.286878-08:00 2025-12-16T03:38:19.286878-08:00 (2025-12-16T03:38:19.286878-08:00)
Unmanned Airspace
• Kylie Bielby
Rheinmetall showcases counter‑UAS capabilities at Finnish GBAD Demo Days in Lohtaja
By Unmanned Airspace: Rheinmetall has successfully demonstrated its capabilities in counter measures against small unmanned aerial systems (c-sUAS) at the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) Demo Days at the firing range in Lohtaja, Finland.
Reuters
Dassault CEO casts doubt on FCAS future, urging Germany to reconsider reliance on U.S. arms imports
By Reuters: The head of Dassault Aviation raised doubts on Tuesday over the future of a troubled Franco-German-Spanish fighter programme, saying it partly depended on whether Germany was willing to rethink its reliance on U.S.
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
Rolls‑Royce begins ground tests of AE 1107F for US Army FLRAA MV‑75
By AeroTime: Rolls-Royce has begun ground testing AE 1107F engines for the US Army’s FLRAA MV-75 tiltrotor program, according to an Axiom report.
Air & Space Forces Mag
• Greg Hadley
Congress Fixes U.S. Air Force Fighter Requirement at 1,145, Rejects New Jet-Counting Method
By Air & Space Forces Mag: Congress will require the Air Force to have 1,145 primary mission aircraft fighters, rejecting a change to how the service counts jets.
Lockheed Martin Completes Production of Initial F-16 Block 70 Fleets for Bulgaria and Slovakia, Boosting NATO Air Integration
By investors.lockheedmartin.com: F-16 platform strengthens national defense, deepens NATO and allied air integration GREENVILLE, S.C. , Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has completed production of all F‑16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia's initial fleets, equipping both air forces with advanced.
Federal News Network
• Josh Funk
US Senators Cruz and Cantwell push military-flight restrictions into funding bill; Thune aims for vote this week
By Federal News Network: Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he hoped to hold a vote to add the legislation Cruz and Cantwell introduced to a government funding package this week.
FlightGlobal
• Craig Hoyle
BAE Systems to supply updated IFF system for Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighter
By FlightGlobal: Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has awarded BAE Systems Inc an $11 million contract to provide updated identification friend or foe (IFF) equipment for integration with its in-development KF-21 fighter.
