Today In Defense
Last Updated: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, 8:56 AM PDT
2025-10-29T08:56:02.414414-07:00 2025-10-29T08:56:02.414414-07:00 (2025-10-29T08:56:02.414414-07:00)
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.
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
• 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
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
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.
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.
The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick
Chinese Carrier-Capable Advanced Trainer/Light Combat Jet Emerges — Possible Addition to Growing Carrier Air Wing
By The War Zone: The advanced jet trainer may well be set to join China’s ongoing carrier air wing expansion. The advanced jet trainer and light combat jet may well be set to join China’s ongoing carrier air wing expansion.
