Australia awards contracts for counter-drone tech based on lasers, interceptors
Both products will eventually integrate into a command-and-control system developed under the Army’s umbrella Land 156 counter-unmanned aerial system push.
US Navy is reviewing cost of future Ford-class carriers to ensure they ‘make sense’
The service is looking at how superior Ford-class carriers are to Nimitz-class carriers, said the recently ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan.
In first, Ukrainian unmanned vessel launches interceptor to knock out Shahed drone
Ukraine unleashed a powerful new defense against Shahed drones that could blunt Russia's ability to force concessions in future negotiations.
US Marine Corps, Navy join forces to combat insufficient amphibious fleet size
The two services will work together to boost the country's amphibious fleet size and availability after the readiness rate of its ships dropped in 2025.
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Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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Whitepaper: The Ongoing Evolution of Ground Vehicles
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Air
NATO eyes Swedish-Canadian jet for AWACS role in shift away from Boeing
The political momentum behind the GlobalEye had been building for a while.
Land
As Iran saps US focus, the troop math for monitoring a Ukraine peace deal looks grim
The coalition has also not resolved the question of what any of its forces would be authorized to do once a ceasefire takes hold.
Pentagon
Pentagon seeks funds for Golden Dome, drones, AI in largest-ever budget request
According to Pentagon officials, the president's key priorities include the Golden Dome, drones, AI, data infrastructure and the defense industrial base.
Space Force’s 15-year vision calls for more personnel, simulators and survivability
A new Space Force vision document grapples with the future of space warfare and how the service can prepare for it.
Vessels report being hit by gunfire as Iran says Strait of Hormuz shut again
Merchant vessels attempting to cross the strait on Saturday received radio messages from Iran’s navy telling them they were not allowed to pass.
Pentagon
US to delay weapons deliveries to some European countries due to Iran war, sources say
Some European counterparts have been told that select U.S. weapons deliveries may be delayed as the Iran war continues to draw on weapons stocks.
Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX
Last August, a global outage across Elon Musk’s satellite network left U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessels bobbing off California, halting operations.
White House offers no hint of Iran war cost as it seeks military funding surge
"I don't have a ballpark," White House budget director Russell Vought told lawmakers Wednesday about the cost of the Iran war.
Naval
US Navy is reviewing cost of future Ford-class carriers to ensure they ‘make sense’
The service is looking at how superior Ford-class carriers are to Nimitz-class carriers, said the recently ousted Navy Secretary John Phelan.
Space
US Space Command provides update on phased headquarters relocation to Alabama
The command plans to break ground on a new headquarters facility on an approximately 60-acre site near the center of Redstone Arsenal in 2027.
VIDEOS
Beating UAV threats starts with time—and better radar
Leonardo DRS explains how radar range and speed are critical to countering UAV threats.
Featured Videos
More Stories
Key tests for latest F-35s will begin in 2026, two years after rollout
This is the latest in a series of delays for the Lockheed Martin-made fighter, causing modernization efforts to slip further behind.
Hegseth to host Australian leader in first visit with a foreign peer
The visit between Hegseth and the defense minister of Australia comes during a moment of uncertainty for U.S. allies.
India raises defense budget by nearly 10%, pushes local manufacturing
Although Delhi says modernization is a priority, funding for capital acquisitions has grown just 4.65% compared to last year.
Opinion
Preventing China’s DeepSeek in Space
The government should ensure that U.S. tech firms eying national security contracts can keep American technology secrets from China and Russia.
By Erin C. Conaton
Canadian shipyard in talks to buy US shipbuilder amid trade war talk
Quebec-based Davie looks to play a prominent role in a US-Canadian-Finnish agreement to jointly build new icebreakers.
US, Philippine fighter jets patrol disputed South China Sea shoal
The joint patrol on Tuesday over the Scarborough Shoal was the first by the longtime treaty allies since President Donald Trump took office again.
US Navy hits drone with HELIOS laser in successful test
The destroyer Preble successfully test-fired its HELIOS system on a drone target, according to a recently released report.
By Riley Ceder
Turkey’s defense exports hit record high of $7.1 billion in 2024
The growth reflects the sector’s expanding global footprint reaching 180 countries last year.
Marine Corps passes second straight audit as other services lag behind
The Marine Corps has passed its second annual audit, the only service yet to accomplish the goal. The DOD has until fiscal 2028 to pass.
By Jen Judson