Priya Shah, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jade M. Caldwell

First Images Of China’s Y-30 Turboprop Transport Reveal A New PLA Tactical Airlift Platform

Footage circulating on Dec. 16, 2025 shows a new Chinese four turboprop transport aircraft in flight testing. The designation stays unofficial, with Y-30 and Y-15 both in use among watchers. The airlifter appears sized between the Y-9 and the larger Y-20, with

December 16, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Monique Stober

Defense Budgets / Policy

Swiss Government Orders a Revised F-35A Buy Plan After Rising Program Costs

Switzerland has told its defense ministry to stay inside the six billion Swiss franc cap for its new fighter purchase, even if that means buying fewer than the planned 36 F-35A Lightning II jets. The Federal Council said it wants the highest

December 12, 2025

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Harstad

Middle East

Six EA-18G Growlers Deploy to Puerto Rico as US Caribbean Military Posture Expands

Six US Navy EA-18G Growler jets sat on the ramp today. They parked at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The detachment arrived during a wider US force push across the Caribbean. Senior defense leaders tie it to

December 10, 2025

Defense Budgets / Policy

Congress Advances NDAA Language to Block E-7 Wedgetail Cancellation and Limit E-3 AWACS Retirements

Draft language in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act would block the Department of Defense from ending the Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail effort during fiscal 2026. The same draft would also stop the Air Force from retiring any E-3 Sentry aircraft

December 8, 2025

Aircraft

Germany’s PEGASUS Surveillance Jet Reveals Full SIGINT Layout on Global 6000 Airframe

Germany’s PEGASUS program has moved from drawings and component testing to a visible fleet in flight-test, and the first aircraft now shows the full external layout of its signals intelligence fit. The Luftwaffe’s new platform is based on the Bombardier Global 6000

November 7, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

U.S. Army Expands Drone Buying Plan With Goal of One Million Systems by 2028

The U.S. Army plans to move from buying roughly tens of thousands of drones a year to acquiring at least one million in the next two to three years and then more than one million every year by 2028. Secretary of the

November 7, 2025

New York Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Rector

Europe & NATO

Swedish Air Force Chief Warns NATO Must Accelerate Innovation to Match Ukraine

The commander of the Swedish Air Force warned allied capitals that slow development cycles will cost them in a high-end war. “If we can’t develop at a faster pace, if we cannot innovate and learn under pressure like Ukraine does, we may

November 5, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Reagan Hardy

Contracts & Deals

Trump Administration Reviews Saudi Request for Up to 48 F-35A Fighters, Sources Say

Saudi Arabia’s latest request for F-35 fighters is now in formal review in Washington, and U.S. officials are examining a proposed sale of up to 48 aircraft. According to industry sources, the case cleared initial Pentagon vetting and reached the secretary level.

November 5, 2025

Europe & NATO

France Commissions M51.3 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

France has placed the M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile into operational service. Officials confirm the commissioning order was signed on Oct 24 and announced on Oct 28. The Armed Forces Ministry said this week: “The M51.3 ensures the continued credibility of the ocean-based

October 28, 2025

Missiles / Drones / Directed Energy

U.S. Navy hints at air-launched Blackbeard hypersonic missile as services fund integration

As of 28 October 2025, Castelion holds U.S. Navy and U.S. Army awards to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic weapon on operational platforms, with live-fire events in scope. A Navy study conducted in 2024 defined strict size and weight limits for an air-carried

October 28, 2025

Priya Shah

First Images Of China’s Y-30 Turboprop Transport Reveal A New PLA Tactical Airlift Platform

Swiss Government Orders a Revised F-35A Buy Plan After Rising Program Costs

Six EA-18G Growlers Deploy to Puerto Rico as US Caribbean Military Posture Expands

Congress Advances NDAA Language to Block E-7 Wedgetail Cancellation and Limit E-3 AWACS Retirements

Germany’s PEGASUS Surveillance Jet Reveals Full SIGINT Layout on Global 6000 Airframe

U.S. Army Expands Drone Buying Plan With Goal of One Million Systems by 2028

Swedish Air Force Chief Warns NATO Must Accelerate Innovation to Match Ukraine

Trump Administration Reviews Saudi Request for Up to 48 F-35A Fighters, Sources Say

France Commissions M51.3 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile

U.S. Navy hints at air-launched Blackbeard hypersonic missile as services fund integration

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer