Diego Ramos

The U.S. Air Force on Aug. 25 released three Aircraft Accident Investigation Board reports on the KC-46A. Each cites the same failure: the Pegasus boom stuck in a receiver’s receptacle-“nozzle binding.” Investigators linked the binding to the tanker’s long-standing “stiff boom” issue and to crew actions under breakaway. The mishaps occurred Oct. 15, 2022; Nov. 7, 2022; and Aug. 21, 2024. All crews landed safely. Estimated damage across the three events: about $22.8 million.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is heading to Washington on August 25 for his first face-to-face with U.S. President Donald Trump since winning June’s snap election. The two leaders are expected to strengthen the 72-year-old defense alliance and wrap up a July trade deal that lowers U.S. tariffs on Korean goods to 15%. That agreement also sets the stage for at least $350 billion in South Korean investment and $100 billion in U.S. energy exports.

Germany has passed a new law to speed up military spending. On July 23, the cabinet approved the Bundeswehr Procurement Acceleration Act. It now heads to the Bundestag, where coalition leaders expect a vote by the end of August. The law will stay in place until 2035 and will take the place of a more limited fast-track measure passed back in 2022.

The House Appropriations Committee circulated its full fiscal 2026 defense draft late on 28 June, two days before the Pentagon is expected to send over its own request. The text assigns $832 billion in discretionary authority, matching last year’s enacted figure and staying under the current spending cap. Senior committee aides state the panel relied on the continuing-resolution baseline while it waited for a complete budget package from the administration. Defense officials confirm the bill will serve as the chamber’s opening position when conference talks begin this autumn.