Blacklists, corruption and frontline needs: Ukraine tackles an arms-export puzzle
After years of struggling to arm its one million active-duty soldiers, Kyiv has been wary of allowing its domestic producers to sell their weapons abroad.
Israel to extend F-35I range amid war with Iran
Elbit Systems was awarded the development contract, valued at approximately $34 million (100 million NIS).
Japan fires first-ever missiles from Philippine soil
The first Type 88 missile hit its target – a former minesweeper dating from WWII – 47 miles away after a six-minute flight.
US Army recovers remains of second soldier reported missing during Moroccan exercise
The Army identified the remains of Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, one of the two soldiers reported missing on May 2.
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Air
Israel to extend F-35I range amid war with Iran
Elbit Systems was awarded the development contract, valued at approximately $34 million (100 million NIS).
Land
US Army abruptly cancels deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland
The Army has abruptly halted a planned deployment to Poland, bringing U.S. personnel numbers in Europe to pre-2022 levels — before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Pentagon
Iran military threat is diminished but not eliminated, CENTCOM chief says
Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. had severely degraded Iran’s warfighting capacity, including the elimination of roughly 90% of its inventory of naval mines.
Pentagon reaches agreements with defense firms on containerized missiles
The Pentagon is announcing framework agreements with Anduril, CoAspire, Leidos and Zone 5 to acquire over 10,000 containerized missiles.
US special operations leaders frustrated by inability to modify their own equipment
The military must wait for manufacturers to fix or upgrade equipment, leaving them with outdated capabilities as technology evolves quickly, they said.
Pentagon
Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield estimated to cost $1.2 trillion
A national missile defense system would cost $1.2 trillion to build and maintain over the next 20 years, a nonpartisan federal agency estimated.
Defense contractors have donated millions to members of Congress, new report finds
The defense industry donations make up only a small percentage of the cash going to Congress, however, according to OpenSecrets.
Pentagon seeks additional funding as cost of Iran war tops $29 billion
The increase from $25 billion just two weeks ago reflects “updated repair and replacement of equipment costs,” along with the “general operational costs."
Naval
US Navy could run out of money by July, top officer warns
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle told lawmakers at a budget hearing Tuesday that the Navy might have to modify training and operations.
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.
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The shape of shipbuilding for the US Navy | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.12.26
Prominent shipbuilders lay out their ideas for meeting the U.S. Navy’s demand for faster production at Sea-Air-Space 2026. Plus, Anduril’s new subsea drone.
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Iran military threat is diminished but not eliminated, CENTCOM chief says
Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. had severely degraded Iran’s warfighting capacity, including the elimination of roughly 90% of its inventory of naval mines.
By Tanya Noury
Blacklists, corruption and frontline needs: Ukraine tackles an arms-export puzzle
After years of struggling to arm its one million active-duty soldiers, Kyiv has been wary of allowing its domestic producers to sell their weapons abroad.
By Katie Livingstone
Israel to extend F-35I range amid war with Iran
Elbit Systems was awarded the development contract, valued at approximately $34 million (100 million NIS).
Japan fires first-ever missiles from Philippine soil
The first Type 88 missile hit its target – a former minesweeper dating from WWII – 47 miles away after a six-minute flight.
US Army recovers remains of second soldier reported missing during Moroccan exercise
The Army identified the remains of Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, one of the two soldiers reported missing on May 2.
Contractor awarded $3.5 billion to build out US Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutters fleet
The five cutters to be delivered by Davie Defense will represent a new class of Arctic icebreakers.
Air Force MQ-9 fleet drops to 135 aircraft after Iran combat losses
The Air Force is seeking to backfill the inventory of MQ-9 Reapers and field a cheaper, more expendable replacement.
By Michael Scanlon
Role of Indo-Pacific air defenders has evolved dramatically, US Army commander says
Brig. Gen. William Parker, 94th AAMDC chief, recalled an old air defense building bearing a "Will work for food" sign, a stark contrast to the role today.
US special operations leaders frustrated by inability to modify their own equipment
The military must wait for manufacturers to fix or upgrade equipment, leaving them with outdated capabilities as technology evolves quickly, they said.
By Michael Peck
Baltic nations ponder biggest bang for their bucks in $14 billion arms spending spree
"The factory floor and the frontline are now part of the same equation,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said.
Austrian jets intercept US military planes two days in a row
The May 10 intercept reportedly took place over the Totes Gebirge mountain range in Upper Austria, over 60 kilometers from the German border.
By Linus Höller
Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield estimated to cost $1.2 trillion
A national missile defense system would cost $1.2 trillion to build and maintain over the next 20 years, a nonpartisan federal agency estimated.
By Ellen Ioanes