Defense News
Breaking news and developments across global defense programs.
Half of the US Navy's Japan-Based Destroyers Are Now Tied to the Iran Crisis, and Another Pacific Carrier Group Is Heading West
Five of the 10 US destroyers based in Japan and the carrier USS George Washington are in the Middle East, Defense One reports. The Theodore Roosevelt strike group, fresh from a major exercise with Japan, is expected to follow, sharpening questions about Washington's Pacific priorities.
Türkiye's First New-Build Typhoon Takes Shape as Front Fuselage Assembly Gets Underway in Britain
BAE Systems says assembly of the front fuselage for Türkiye's first new Eurofighter Typhoon is underway in northern England, while Airbus builds the centre fuselage in Germany. It is the first visible industrial step in a program meant to reshape the Turkish Air Force before KAAN arrives.
Italy Unveils VBM 155, a 10×10 Automated Howitzer Built for the Drone Era
Italy has revealed the VBM 155, a new 10×10 self-propelled howitzer combining Leonardo’s automated HITFIRE 155 turret with an Iveco Defence Vehicles chassis, designed for rapid shoot-and-scoot operations in drone-heavy battlefields.
Britain Leads European Push for Long-Range Strike Weapons
Britain is taking a leading role in Europe’s ELSA deep-strike initiative as France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden move eight long-range capability projects toward development and procurement.
U.S. Air Force Moves FQ-42 and FQ-44 Combat Drones Into Production
The U.S. Air Force has selected General Atomics and Anduril to produce its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, moving the FQ-42 and FQ-44 from prototype development into production as part of a plan to field more than 150 semi-autonomous combat aircraft by the end of the decade.
FNSS and CSG Launch Danube Defence Systems to Bring KARPAT Tank to Europe
FNSS and CSG Defence are creating Danube Defence Systems, a Slovakia-based joint venture that will bring the KARPAT 120 Medium Tank and other FNSS armored vehicle platforms into European production and NATO markets.
Lockheed Martin Unveils HIMARS FLEX as Launcher Evolves Into Multi-Mission Fires Platform
Lockheed Martin’s new HIMARS FLEX concept adds a dual-pod configuration, expanded munition compatibility and potential air defense roles, turning the combat-proven launcher into a more flexible offensive and defensive fires platform.
NATO Adds Italian SAMP/T System to Türkiye’s Air Defense Shield
NATO is reinforcing Türkiye’s air defense network with an Italian SAMP/T system at Konya’s 3rd Main Jet Base, adding a European-made layer to existing allied Patriot deployments.
Malaysia Orders 18 CAESAR Howitzers as Army Moves Into Self-Propelled Artillery Era
Malaysia has ordered 18 CAESAR self-propelled artillery systems from KNDS, with local assembly and technology transfer included as part of the country’s push to modernize artillery and strengthen domestic defence industry.
Italy to Buy Surplus U.S. Marine AAVs to Strengthen Amphibious Command and Recovery Fleet
Italy is moving to buy seven retired U.S. Marine Corps AAVs, focusing on three command vehicles and four recovery vehicles to strengthen the support structure of its amphibious fleet.
China’s Z-21 Attack Helicopter Signals a New Heavy Gunship Push
China’s Z-21 appears to mark a major shift in PLA rotary-wing aviation, moving beyond the lighter Z-10 toward a heavier attack helicopter built for endurance, survivability and contested battlefield operations.
Denmark Eyes 200 JASSM-ER Missiles to Give Its F-35s Long-Range Strike Reach
Denmark is moving to equip its F-35A fighters with 200 AGM-158 JASSM-ER cruise missiles, a long-range precision strike weapon capable of reaching targets more than 900 kilometers away.
Australia Fires First Home-Built AS9 Huntsman Howitzers in Live-Fire Milestone
Australia has completed the first live-fire training exercise with domestically built AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers, moving the Geelong-built artillery system from production line to trained Army crews in only months.
US Looks to Japan, South Korea and Turkey to Ease Navy Shipbuilding Crisis
The United States is exploring whether allied shipyards in Japan, South Korea and Turkey could help expand naval production capacity as the U.S. Navy faces growing shipbuilding delays and China accelerates its fleet expansion.
Canada Rethinks F-35 Fleet as Gripen Offer Promises Local Production
Canada is reportedly considering a mixed fighter fleet of around 30 F-35s and 60 Saab Gripens, with Saab’s local production offer emerging as a key factor in Ottawa’s reassessment.
US Air Force Pushes F-47 Funding Past $5 Billion as Sixth-Generation Fighter Moves Toward First Flight
The US Air Force is increasing F-47 development funding by about 65 percent in FY2027, pushing the Boeing sixth-generation fighter programme past $5 billion as it moves toward construction, testing and a planned 2028 first flight.
Australia Shifts AUKUS Plan Toward Three In-Service Virginia-Class Submarines
Australia is moving toward a revised AUKUS submarine plan that would see it acquire three in-service Virginia-class submarines from the United States before transitioning to SSN-AUKUS.
Romania Signs Major Rheinmetall Deal for Lynx Vehicles and Drone Defence Systems
Romania has signed a major SAFE-funded defence package with Rheinmetall-linked companies, including 298 Lynx KF41 armoured vehicles, Skynex and Skyranger air defence systems, AHEAD ammunition and naval support vessels.f
Poland Signs Massive $15 Billion Defence Package to Expand Army Firepower and Mobility
Poland has signed nearly 60 billion PLN in SAFE-funded contracts for Borsuk IFVs, Krab howitzers, Rak mortars, Homar-K and K9PL support vehicles, Waran command vehicles and additional Baobab-K mine-laying systems.
Türkiye Sees Drone Cooperation With Japan as New Defence Industry Opportunity
Türkiye is seeking deeper defence industry cooperation with Japan, with unmanned aerial systems and anti-drone technologies emerging as key areas for possible joint development and production.