Today In Defense
Last Updated: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, 6:31 AM PDT
2025-10-19T06:31:50.970873-07:00 2025-10-19T06:31:50.970873-07:00 (2025-10-19T06:31:50.970873-07:00)

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine to fly an F‑16; Pete Hegseth to ride in an F/A‑18 during Nevada demonstration
By Washington Post: Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, who patrolled D.C.’s skies during 9/11, will again fly the Air Force’s F-16, and Pete Hegseth will be a passenger in a Navy F/A-18.

US Department of Homeland Security awards $200M Gulfstream G700 contract for executive transport despite $50M request
By Washington Post: The new Coast Guard contract for two Gulfstream G700 jets far exceeds the $50 million the Coast Guard had requested earlier this year to purchase a new jet.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Selected to Support U.S. Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Design Effort
By Seapower Magazine: GA-ASI Selected to Support U.S. Navy CCA Design Effort Front Page.

Lightweight Martlet missile cleared for frontline use with Royal Navy Wildcats
By FlightGlobal: The Royal Navy (RN) has declared full operational capability (FOC) for the Thales UK-produced Martlet missile with its Leonardo Helicopters Wildcat rotorcraft.

RAF’s MQ-9B Protector RG1 Conducts First Known Overseas Deployment to RAF Akrotiri
By The Aviationist: Activity visible on flight tracking websites reveals that the Royal Air Force's MQ-9B Protector RG1 has been deployed to RAF Akrotiri as the type ramps up.

Embraer and Mahindra partner to bring C-390 Millennium to India for IAF Medium Transport Aircraft bid, with local manufacturing plans
By Economic Times: Mahindra Group and Embraer Defense & Security have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to introduce the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.

Russia to Begin Assembly of First Su-75 "Checkmate" Prototype in 2025 — Sukhoi’s Light Stealth Fighter Advances
By Air Data News: Russia will begin assembly of the first prototype of the Su-75 Checkmate fighter in 2025, according to an announcement by Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry.