Breaking Defense
LightNews LightNews
banner
breakingdefense.com
Breaking Defense
@breakingdefense.com
4.1K followers 310 following 1.1K posts
Breaking Defense: The essential source for military, political, & industry leaders seeking in-depth coverage of global defense strategy & technology.
Sign up for our newsletters: http://bit.ly/2WSlrJK
Posts Replies Media Videos
breakingdefense.com
Lessons learned from the US raid on Venezuela breakingdefense.com/2026/01/us-m...
Lessons learned from the US raid on Venezuela
CSIS' Mark Cancian weighs in on lessons learned from Operation Absolute Resolve and what may lie ahead for US defense.
breakingdefense.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:06 PM
breakingdefense.com

After US raid on Venezuela, analysts weigh lessons about Russian air defenses
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/after-us-raid-on-venezuela-analysts-weigh-lessons-about-russian-air-defenses/

After US raid on Venezuela, analysts weigh lessons about Russian air defenses
Venezuela's air defenses failed to down a single American aircraft, though experts said that could be more credit to US proficiency than the systems' own failures.
breakingdefense.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:16 PM
breakingdefense.com

Pentagon, Lockheed Martin announce plans to triple PAC-3 production
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/pentagon-lockheed-martin-announce-plans-to-triple-pac-3-production/

Pentagon, Lockheed Martin announce plans to triple PAC-3 production
The deal comes as the Defense Department seeks to overhaul its acquisition apparatus to prioritize speed and as top officials have promised industry steady demand signals — and bigger awards — if companies make deeper investments into developing new products and expanding infrastructure.
breakingdefense.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

DARPA seeks universal translator between different kinds of quantum computer
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/darpa-seeks-universal-translator-between-different-kinds-of-quantum-computer/

DARPA seeks universal translator between different kinds of quantum computer
With rival tech giants building different kinds of “quantum bits,” from superconductors to photonics to trapped ions, DARPA program manager Justin Cohen worries no one approach will work for every purpose — so he wants to find a way to make them work together.
breakingdefense.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:46 PM
breakingdefense.com

Grok for DoD and subs for North Korea: What you missed in defense over the break
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/grok-for-dod-and-subs-for-north-korea-what-you-missed-in-defense-over-the-break/

Grok for DoD and subs for North Korea: What you missed in defense over the break
Successfully tune out the news over the holidays? We don't believe you, but just in case ...
breakingdefense.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

The year that was and the year that will be, according to our reporters
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/the-year-that-was-and-the-year-that-will-be-according-to-our-reporters/

The year that was and the year that will be, according to our reporters
2025 was a year of change, both for the defense community and for Breaking Defense. Let's catch you up.
breakingdefense.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:16 AM
breakingdefense.com

150 aircraft, cyber effects and ‘overwhelming force:’ How the Venezuela operation unfolded
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/venezuela-150-aircraft-cyber-effects-maduro-operation-how-it-happened-caine/

150 aircraft, cyber effects and ‘overwhelming force:’ How the Venezuela operation unfolded
"Failure of one component of this well-oiled machine would have endangered the entire mission," Gen. Dan Caine said of Operation Absolute Resolve.
breakingdefense.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:16 PM
breakingdefense.com

US military attacks Venezuela, captures Maduro, Trump says
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/us-military-attacks-venezuela-captures-maduro-trump-says/

US military attacks Venezuela, captures Maduro, Trump says
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts."
breakingdefense.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

More turmoil in Congress? Probably: 2026 preview
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/more-turmoil-in-congress-probably-2026-preview/

More turmoil in Congress? Probably: 2026 preview
As Stanley Tucci famously quipped in The Devil Wears Prada: "All right, people, gird your loins!"
breakingdefense.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
breakingdefense.com

US-European relations will define the next year: 2026 preview
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/us-european-relations-will-define-the-next-year-2026-preview/

US-European relations will define the next year: 2026 preview
Transatlantic political turbulence could disrupt orders from European customers for US defense equipment over the long term, but if the last year is anything to go by, business is likely to be relatively predictable.
breakingdefense.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

Israeli defense industry looks to capitalize on hard-won combat lessons: 2026 preview
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/israeli-defense-industry-looks-to-capitalize-on-hard-won-combat-lessons-2026-preview/

Israeli defense industry looks to capitalize on hard-won combat lessons: 2026 preview
Officials in European capitals have said they need to procure systems quickly that have relevance on the modern battlefield, and Israel is well-placed to provide solutions that are often proven because Israel has used them in its multi-front wars. 
breakingdefense.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

China to once again dominate the headlines: 2026 preview for the Indo-Pacific
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/01/china-to-once-again-dominate-the-headlines-2026-preview-for-the-indo-pacific/

China to once again dominate the headlines: 2026 preview for the Indo-Pacific
China will almost certainly dominate the defense and security headlines in the coming months, as tensions continue to simmer in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
breakingdefense.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:31 AM
breakingdefense.com

Europe’s time to shine in space? 2026 preview
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/europes-time-to-shine-in-space-2026-preview/

Europe’s time to shine in space? 2026 preview
Germany is sprinting to pump up its military space systems, perhaps changing the balance of power in setting European-wide priorities.
breakingdefense.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
breakingdefense.com

Israel’s new laser system goes active
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/israels-new-laser-system-goes-active/

Israel’s new laser system goes active
The Israeli Ministry of Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems delivered the first Iron Beam system to the Israeli Air Force on Dec. 29.
breakingdefense.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
breakingdefense.com

EDGE CEO lays out global expansion plans for 2026
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/uaes-edge-group-plans-next-steps-of-expansion-beyond-middle-east/

EDGE CEO lays out global expansion plans for 2026
CEO Hamad Al Marar mused that EDGE could make an appearance at a future Association of the US Army exposition.
breakingdefense.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

From National Defense Strategy plans to acquisition overhaul findings: 2026 preview
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/from-national-defense-strategy-plans-to-acquisition-overhaul-findings-2026-preview/

From National Defense Strategy plans to acquisition overhaul findings: 2026 preview
The coming 12 months could shake up where US troops are positioned and new details about the Golden Dome initiative.
breakingdefense.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM
breakingdefense.com

China showed off its nukes and caused problems in the region: 5 Indo-Pacific stories from 2025
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/china-showed-off-its-nukes-and-caused-problems-in-the-region-5-indo-pacific-stories-from-2025/

China showed off its nukes and caused problems in the region: 5 Indo-Pacific stories from 2025
China was once again at the forefront of Indo-Pacific news in 2025.
breakingdefense.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
breakingdefense.com

Tory Bruno to lead new Blue Origin national security unit
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/tory-bruno-to-lead-new-blue-origin-national-security-unit/

Tory Bruno to lead new Blue Origin national security unit
The company's announcement did not explain how the new National Security Group would change, if at all, Blue Origin's current organization and/or practices under its national security unit headed since August by Tom Martin.
breakingdefense.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
breakingdefense.com

Israel’s multi-front war, lasers and unmanned systems: 2025 review
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/israels-multi-front-war-lasers-and-unmanned-systems-2025-review/

Israel’s multi-front war, lasers and unmanned systems: 2025 review
Amid controversial conflicts, Israel's defense industry powered through 2025, expanding its international customer base.
breakingdefense.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:16 PM
breakingdefense.com

Industry chaos, congressional clampdowns and secret CCA contracts: 2025 review
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/industry-chaos-congressional-clampdowns-and-secret-cca-contracts-2025-review/

Industry chaos, congressional clampdowns and secret CCA contracts: 2025 review
I didn't include Taylor Swift song recommendations this time, but if you're asking me my favorite tune off "The Life of A Showgirl," it's "Ruin the Friendship."
breakingdefense.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
breakingdefense.com

China military buildup leaves US ‘increasingly vulnerable’: Pentagon report
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/china-military-buildup-leaves-us-increasingly-vulnerable-pentagon-report/

China military buildup leaves US ‘increasingly vulnerable’: Pentagon report
The assessment also says that in 2024 China "tested essential components" of Taiwan invasion options, "including through exercises to strike sea and land targets, strike U.S. forces in the Pacific, and block access to key ports."
breakingdefense.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
breakingdefense.com

Middle East missiles, large contracts and space ambitions: 2025 review
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/middle-east-missiles-large-contracts-and-space-ambitions-2025-review/

Middle East missiles, large contracts and space ambitions: 2025 review
There was no shortage of news in the Middle East in 2025.
breakingdefense.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
breakingdefense.com

From less business with primes to a better-funded Army network: 2025 review
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/from-less-business-with-primes-to-a-better-funded-army-network-2025-review/

From less business with primes to a better-funded Army network: 2025 review
In 2025, the Army experienced some of its biggest changes in decades, and with this came new programs and new attitudes toward acquisition at large.
breakingdefense.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
breakingdefense.com

From Army contracting pause to Pentagon acquisition overhaul: 2025 review
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/from-army-contracting-pause-to-pentagon-acquisition-overhaul-2025-review/

From Army contracting pause to Pentagon acquisition overhaul: 2025 review
In 2025, the Pentagon issued a series of directives giving the Army top cover to move out on a larger acquisition restructuring and host of program terminations.
breakingdefense.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
breakingdefense.com

UAE’s EDGE Group plans next steps of expansion beyond Middle East
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/uaes-edge-group-plans-next-steps-of-expansion-beyond-middle-east/

UAE’s EDGE Group plans next steps of expansion beyond Middle East
CEO Hamad Al Marar mused that EDGE could make an appearance at a future Association of the US Army exposition.
breakingdefense.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:16 AM