France has advanced its next-generation aircraft carrier program to the realization phase, with President Emmanuel Macron confirming construction approval on December 21, 2025. The Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération (PANG) is expected to be significantly larger than the Charles de Gaulle and will feature US-developed electromagnetic aircraft launch systems.
Rise Air has become the first Canadian operator of the ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft, marking a significant upgrade for the charter carrier. The airline received its first delivery in [insert date] and plans to expand its fleet with two more brand-new aircraft under lease in 2026.
Philippine Airlines has received its first Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the airline's fleet modernization and global expansion strategy. The delivery was made by Airbus, with whom PAL has partnered for over 40 years.
Leonardo has successfully completed the first flight of its Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor - Technology Demonstrator (NGCTR-TD), a project conducted in collaboration with the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking program of the European Union. The technology demonstrator took place on December 19, 2025, at Leonardo's facility near Milan Malpensa International Airport.
ZeroAvia has secured funding from investors including Barclays Climate Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures to power the next phase for the company. The British-US technology firm will continue to industrialize its hydrogen power and propulsion technology for the aviation and defense markets.
EDGE Group, the United Arab Emirates' defense conglomerate, made several announcements at this year's Dubai Airshow, including a partnership with Indonesia and an alliance with Anduril. According to Breaking Defense, CEO Hamad Al Marar and President Waleid Al Mesmari discussed EDGE's plans for expansion beyond the Middle East.
Textron Aviation Defense has secured its first contract to deliver the Beechcraft T-6JP Texan II integrated training system to Japan's Air Self-Defense Force, in coordination with Kanematsu Corporation. The initial contract includes two aircraft and training materials, with deliveries scheduled for 2029.
The US Air Force has selected nine companies for an early stage of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, awarding contracts worth an unspecified amount. The successful firms will now compete for a prototyping deal, which could be offered to more than one company.
Bombardier's Global 8000 has received FAA certification, clearing the way for customer deliveries in the US. The aircraft boasts record-breaking speed and range figures, including a top speed of Mach 0.
President Trump signed an executive order directing NASA to return astronauts to the Moon by 2028, establish a permanent lunar base by 2030, deploy nuclear power systems on the Moon, and accelerate development of the administration's 'Golden Dome' missile defense program. The order aims to attract at least $50 billion in private investment into US space markets by 2028 and pursue a commercial pathway to replace the International Space Station by 2030.
The US Senate has passed the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act in response to a fatal midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025. The legislation aims to eliminate exemptions for certain government aircraft operating without ADS-B Out, increasing situational awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers.
The Missile Defense Agency (AeroTime) has announced that it has qualified 1,086 more companies to compete for future awards under its Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program. The new awards bring the total number of firms granted an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) SHEILD contract to over 2,100.
The Space Development Agency (SDA) announced four new contracts worth $3.5 billion for 72 new satellites as part of the Tranche 3 constellation. The Other Transaction Authority (OTA) awards went to teams led by Lockheed Martin, Rocket Lab USA, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies.
President Trump has released a new executive order setting national space policy, focusing on civil and commercial sectors. The goal is to establish an 'initial' Moon base by 2028 and reiterates the Golden Dome plan for a comprehensive air and missile defense shield over America.
The Pentagon has failed its eighth consecutive audit, restating its goal for a clean audit by 2028. The yearly audit identified 26 material weaknesses and two significant deficiencies in the department's controls for financial reporting in fiscal 2025.
The Senate confirmed Adm. Kevin Lunday as the Coast Guard's new commandant after a nomination was clarified to remove references to hate symbols from policy.
EVE Air Mobility, Embraer's advanced air mobility subsidiary, has completed its maiden flight of an eVTOL prototype at Embraer's test facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. The aircraft successfully exercised control laws and assessed energy management, with behavior matching predictions from models.
The US Navy has announced plans to pursue a new frigate class based on HII's Legend-class national security cutter. The goal is to have the new ship in the water by 2028.
Changi Airport has launched an immersive exhibition showcasing the ambitious design and innovations planned for its new Terminal 5. Jointly organized by Singapore's Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and Changi Airport Group, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the vision behind one of the airport's most ambitious expansions through interactive displays, scale models and experiential zones.
In 2025, Breaking Defense covered several high-profile stories that resonated with its audience, including the Army secretary's views on prime contractors, a canceled wearable solicitation, AFRICOM chief warnings about China's efforts to replicate US assistance, potential termination of General Dynamics' oversight of 155mm production lines, and questions surrounding future Gripen sales. These stories reflect the shifting landscape of defense spending and policy changes in 2025.