French President Emmanuel Macron announced a €4.2 billion ($4.9 billion) increase in military space spending between 2026 and 2030. The funds will support the launch of counter-space satellites in 2027, as well as the development of early warning capabilities with Germany.
SkySafe has launched a new cloud-based forensic tool designed to help law enforcement agencies and security organizations determine who operated a drone during an incident and build cases that hold up in court. The service extracts data from recovered drones, decrypts logs, and provides attribution, following digital forensics best practices and chain-of-custody protocols consistent with federal, state, and international guidelines.
Qantas has announced plans to set up a new Product Innovation Center in Adelaide, backed by the Government of South Australia. The facility will house over 420 technology professionals and serve as the hub for the airline's technology product development.
Joby Aviation has successfully flown its first hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, with plans to pitch it to military customers through an agreement with L3Harris. The autonomous system will be produced by Joby but missionized for military users.
Dassault Aviation is participating in the Dubai Airshow, showcasing its military capabilities with the Rafale fighter jet and business jets like the Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X. An interactive 'Battle Lab' simulator will be on display, highlighting the company's vision for collaborative combat.
beOnd has announced a $100 million funding round, a strategic partnership with New Pacific Airlines, and a new nonstop service from Milan Malpensa to Red Sea International Airport. The airline aims to expand its operations beyond its core Maldivian market, with a focus on obtaining multiple Air Operator Certificates in different jurisdictions.
Airbus Defence and Space's works council in Germany has renewed its call to end the partnership with Dassault on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), citing ongoing disagreements over workshare and responsibilities. The union is seeking clear-cut arrangements, while German officials have indicated that a choice must be made on whether and how the program proceeds.
US airlines have welcomed news of a government shutdown end, but warned of lingering delays and cancellations. The 43-day shutdown had significant impacts on air traffic controllers, with staff absences due to illness and stress.
Anduril, a US defense tech firm, has partnered with UAE-based EDGE Group to establish an organization called the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance. The alliance aims to manufacture drones for commercial applications, with orders already booked and plans for full rate production by 2028.
The United States government shutdown ended with the House vote to approve a funding bill, restoring pay to hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Airlines, airports, and the Federal Aviation Administration expect delays as staffing stabilizes, but the agency will begin lifting capacity restrictions on a rolling basis.
The US House voted to end the longest government shutdown in history, passing a stopgap funding bill that includes nearly $200 million for the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail program. The legislation also provides roughly $1.
Malaysia Aviation Group announced that its long-serving Group Managing Director, Izham Ismail, will retire at the start of 2026 after nearly five decades with the company. Captain Nasaruddin Bakar has been named as the incoming Group CEO and President, bringing over 30 years of experience to the role.
Senator Mazie K. Hirono is the ranking chair of the Readings & Management Support Subcommittee in the 119th Congress.
The US military plans to utilize artificial intelligence, but the question remains who will lead on this development - the government or industry? Breaking Defense Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta and AI expert Sydney Freedberg joined Joshua Wallin of the Center for a New American Security to discuss the future of military AI. For more insights, watch Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the series.
Experts warn that US space-based interceptors (SBI) will need to be defended from adversary attack. Patrick Binning, Todd Harrison, and Todd Stevens emphasized the importance of passive measures such as stealth technologies and active measures like laser attacks or maneuvering.
Seasats has announced a reselling agreement with Australian professional services firm Elysium EPL to expand its presence into Australia and New Zealand. According to Breaking Defense, the partnership combines operational experience with regional expertise, enabling faster delivery and support for customers seeking autonomous maritime capabilities.
The US Army has selected Red Cat for its Short Range Reconnaissance Program, which aims to provide cutting-edge capability to warfighters. The program's focus on small UAS at scale represents a significant shift in the Army's doctrine.
XTI Aerospace has acquired Drone Nerds, a leading US drone distributor, in a $40 million deal. Unusual Machines has also invested $25 million in XTI as part of the acquisition.
TAV Airports, a subsidiary of French airport group ADP, has unveiled a comprehensive revamp of its Primeclass lounges, which will be rolled out across its international network starting in early 2026. The project, implemented through TAV Operation Services (TAVOS), involves a thorough transformation of the physical spaces and customer touchpoints.
Avianca has announced its leadership succession plan following CEO Frederico Pedreira's confirmation of his resignation on February 28, 2026. In this new role, Gabriel Oliva will run alongside his current position as CCO.