Breaking Defense reports that the Israeli defense industry is poised for growth in 2026, driven by lessons learned from the recent conflict. The country's ability to deliver advanced systems on time has led to record sales in 2024, with a focus on European markets.

Changi Airport Group has unveiled an underground people-mover system connecting Terminal 5 and Terminal 2 within four minutes, according to AeroTime on December 30 2025. The automated system will operate similarly to the existing Skytrain, with trains running every four to eight minutes.

China has successfully completed the first flight of its large unmanned 'mothership' aircraft, Jiutian, which is designed to carry dozens of smaller drones. The platform can deploy up to 100 UAVs in flight and has a range of several thousand miles.

Thai Airways has welcomed its first Airbus A321neo aircraft, marking the beginning of a significant fleet expansion for Thailand's flag carrier. The airline plans to operate the A321neo on regional routes across its Asia-Pacific network.

Lockheed Martin has agreed to supply the Taiwan Air Force with 55 Legion infrared search and track (IRST) pods under the US Foreign Military Sales program. The delivery strengthens the F-16 fleet's ability to detect and track airborne targets using passive sensors, addressing an urgent operational need described by the US Department of Defense.

The US military has awarded Boeing a $2.7 billion contract for post-production support services related to Apache helicopters. The firm fixed-price contract was solicited online and is valued at $2,728,234,918.

Russia has delivered two modernized Tu-160M strategic bombers to the Russian Aerospace Forces, according to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. The delivery is part of a larger effort to replenish and upgrade Russia's long-range aviation fleet, which has been used extensively in cruise missile strikes during the war in Ukraine.

Breaking Defense reports that China will likely dominate defense and security headlines in 2026, given ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Expect standoffs and encounters between Chinese ships and Philippine counterparts, as well as increased PLAN presence in Japan's waters.

Gogo has completed flight testing and validation of its next-generation air-to-ground (ATG) 5G connectivity network, clearing the way for commercial service across the contiguous US and parts of southern Canada beginning in January 2026. The company said the test campaign included over 30 flight hours across 20 routes to verify network performance and coverage under normal operating conditions.

The US Army has expanded its Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort through a series of experiments designed to test new technologies before a culminating exercise. In 2026, smaller-scale experiments for one prototype and testing with an entire division will take place.

The European Union plans to create a 'Space Shield' program as part of its readiness roadmap. ESA will fund development of space-based ISR technologies in support of this effort.

Dassault Aviation has released a new book titled 'Le Rafale Marine' that pays tribute to the aircraft and its capabilities. Former Dassault employee Cyrille Cosmao worked on the project, which includes detailed explanations of the Rafale Marine's technology, operational phases, and the roles of personnel aboard the Charles de Gaulle.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed the first flight of its Dhruv New Generation (NG) multi-role helicopter, marking a key step in the Indian manufacturer's push into the civil helicopter market. The helicopter features advanced technology and is intended for various roles including passenger transport and emergency medical services.

Textron Aviation has officially delivered the first Cessna Citation Ascend private jet to its first customer. The aircraft features Garmin G5000 avionics and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW45D engines, and was granted type certification by the FAA in November 2025.

Malaysia has resumed the search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in the southern Indian Ocean, with marine robotics company Ocean Infinity leading the effort under a previously announced operational agreement. The renewed mission builds on new technical assessments and focuses on a targeted area identified by Malaysian authorities as having a higher probability of locating the aircraft's wreckage.

The United States has approved the sale of up to three Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to NATO ally Denmark, valued at an estimated $1.8 billion. According to AeroTime, the State Department made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale on December 29, 2025.

Cessna Citation Ascend enters service with its first delivery on December 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the aircraft. With its new cockpit, improved performance, and luxurious flat floor cabin, the Ascend is poised to redefine the midsize business jet market.

Air India and airBaltic have announced a new codeshare partnership, expanding customers' access to the Baltic region. The agreement enables travelers to fly to Tallinn in Estonia and Vilnius in Lithuania via select Air India gateways in Europe.

France has finalized an order for two GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft from Saab in a $1.3 billion contract. The deal includes ground equipment, training, and support, and deliveries are expected to take place between 2029 and 2032.

American Airlines has acquired a minority stake in Republic Airways Holdings following its merger with Mesa Airlines earlier this year, according to a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Breaking Defense reports that American received approximately 9.