

Today In Defense
Last Updated: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, 8:17 PM PDT
2025-09-17T20:17:35.231090-07:00 2025-09-17T20:17:35.231090-07:00 (2025-09-17T20:17:35.231090-07:00)

Israel’s Iron Dome Cleared for Production Deliveries After Graduation Exercise
By Aviation Week: Iron Beam prime contractor Rafael, along with the Israeli Air Force and the Directorate of Defense Research & Development, have completed weeks of testing in southern Israel.

US Space Force chief warns U.S. satellite tracking is 'too slow' for modern threats
By SpaceNews.com: Space Force chief: Current satellite tracking ‘too slow' for modern threats Space Force Chief: Current satellite tracking ‘too slow' for modern threats.

Pentagon Completes Golden Dome Outline, Though Silent on Costs
By Bloomberg Law: Space Force General Michael Guetlein, the four-star general leading President Donald Trump’s effort to build the Golden Dome air and space missile defense network, has completed a blueprint for the program, but the Pentagon declined to give any details about its scope or cost.

Portugal signs for sixth KC‑390 and secures 10 NATO purchase options
By AeroTime: Portugal and Embraer have signed an amendment confirming a sixth KC-390 and 10 purchase options first announced in June, reinforcing its NATO role.

China Orders Firms Including Alibaba and ByteDance to Halt Purchases of Nvidia RTX Pro 6000D, FT Reports
By Bloomberg: China’s internet watchdog has instructed companies including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and ByteDance Ltd. to terminate orders for Nvidia Corp.’s RTX Pro 6000D, the Financial Times reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

EU Moves to Prevent ESG Rules From Disfavoring Defense Firms, Protecting Capital Flows to the Arms Industry
By Bloomberg: The European Commission is taking steps to ensure that regulations meant to support sustainable investing don’t clash with the bloc’s efforts to pump capital into its defense industry.

Swiss audit flags 2022 F-35 contract cost surprise; Pentagon cites inflation as higher prices may shrink Swiss buy
By DefenseNews.com: The Pentagon has cited inflation, rising raw material prices and supply chain disruptions as issues that led to price increases for F-35 production.