The White House has long needed a helipad of its own to safely land Marine One and preserve the South Lawn's pristine grass, but President Trump's vision for the project has just taken a dramatic turn. He's ordered contractors to start over from scratch, reportedly due to concerns over the helipad's appearance and slope.
European countries are pushing for greater autonomy in defense procurement, seeking to buy, sell, and operate military systems without being bound by US export controls, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The ITAR "see-through rule" is a major pain point, allowing US regulators to track and control American-made components even when they're integrated into foreign-built systems.
Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Farnborough Airshow as Breaking Defense's Multimedia Director Daniel Woolfolk takes you on a tour of the grounds. In this episode of The Break Out, Daniel gives you a firsthand glimpse of the action on the show floor.
As social media giants face mounting criticism nationwide, a coalition of nearly 100 organizations is urging lawmakers to take bold action, arguing that current laws aren't doing enough to protect users' wellbeing. The Senate Commerce Committee is now taking a major step forward with a package of five bills aimed at overhauling online safety, privacy, and AI regulations.
New research suggests that space operators may be making critical safety decisions based on orbital data that's less reliable than they think, putting them at risk of catastrophic collisions. In fact, a recent analysis found that typical operators are only mitigating a mere 7 percent of actual collision risk.
Italy has made a significant move in the Gulf region, deploying around 700 troops in a covert military operation to boost surveillance and defense against Iranian threats. This substantial show of force marks one of Italy's most notable Gulf deployments in years.
US senators are warning that the unpredictable approach to AI security is undermining America's competitiveness and inadvertently driving businesses to adopt Chinese alternatives, which could create new security risks. This lack of clarity is prompting concerns that customers may be pushed towards less secure options.
Iran and Oman are cooking up a plan to shake up shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with vessels entering the Persian Gulf taking one route near Iran's coast and those leaving taking another near Oman. The proposed deal would also involve service fees to cover environmental impact, cargo security, and more.
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End the scramble
China's military reach is expanding at an alarming rate, with the People's Liberation Army now actively projecting power into the Pacific beyond the First Island Chain, a development that Japan's government has identified as a critical threat to its peace and security.
Colombia's Aerospace Force has sealed a $336 million deal with Embraer for two KC-390 Millennium airlifters, with deliveries set for 2029 and 2030. This strategic move is part of a broader modernization plan, with the FAC choosing the KC-390 after a rigorous analysis.
Anduril is taking flight in Ohio with the launch of its FQ-44A Fury combat aircraft production, marking a major milestone just 557 days after breaking ground on its 500-acre Arsenal-1 facility. The company's $910.5 million investment is set to create a hub for autonomous air power, with plans to employ thousands in the region.
Canada is stepping up its counter-drone game with a cutting-edge missile that's ITAR-free, and the latest specs for the CM-70 counter-unmanned aerial system missile are out now. The updated design boasts impressive stats, including a 3.5 km range, 900 km/h speed, and a 3 kg mass, making it a top contender to take down Group I to III drone threats.
Meet Iryna Terekh, CEO of Fire Point, who's on a mission to supercharge Ukraine's defenses with a bold plan to ramp up missile and drone production - and she's not letting Russian threats get in her way. From humble garage beginnings to a nationwide production network, Fire Point's innovative approach is turning the tide in the fight for freedom.
China's grip on critical minerals has sent shockwaves through the market, with prices skyrocketing 250 percent since Beijing introduced export controls in April 2025 - and the threat of a sudden flood of supply looms large, as China can flip the switch and crush prices at any moment.
Pakistan's drone industry took a dramatic turn in the late 2000s when the government deliberately shifted its focus from a thriving private sector to state-owned enterprises, led by the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), ultimately building a centralized industrial capability that would change the game. This strategic pivot, which began with licensed-manufactured designs like the Selex ES Falco in 2010, stifled some private innovation but paved the way for NESCOM's current dominance.
In a groundbreaking test, the Soviet submarine S-49 launched a Vodopad missile-torpedo from a depth of 50 meters in December 1972, marking the beginning of a decade-long experiment that transformed a Romeo-class attack submarine into a cutting-edge underwater weapons lab. This pivotal moment kicked off a major conversion project, turning S-49 into a purpose-built testbed for exotic underwater armaments.
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Talk deployment
It's time for Australia to shake up its China strategy by asking a new question: what actions will truly advance the country's national interests? Instead of getting stuck in a friend-or-foe debate, Australia should focus on what really matters - its own prosperity and security.
India is poised to take a major leap in its defence capabilities as the proposed Safran-GTRE fighter engine venture advances to the final approval stage, with a likely clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security before August 15, 2026. This high-stakes project has reached the prime minister-led CCS, which will make the final financial nod for the ambitious programme.
The US Navy has upgraded the status of its Virginia-Class subs equipped with Virginia Payload Modules (VPMs) to guided-missile submarines, recognizing the game-changing firepower they bring to the underwater battlefield. This move signals a major boost to the Navy's strike capacity, operational flexibility, and deterrence capabilities.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway, has been crippled, with traffic plummeting to just 10 percent of its normal volume, leaving around 500 merchant ships stranded in the Gulf. This severe disruption has inflicted immense economic and strategic damage, forcing extraordinary political decisions, including President Trump's sudden reversal on a military strike.
With 95 percent of international data traffic flowing through undersea cables, it's clear that protecting against cross-domain attacks requires a collaborative effort that goes beyond the realms of navies, border commands, and telecom companies. The recent Digital Defence Symposium in Singapore sounded the alarm: it's time for a unified approach to counter the complex threats that blur the lines between cyber, physical, and information domains.
Get ready for takeoff: BAE Systems has started ramping up production of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for Türkiye, with manufacturing already underway in the UK and beyond. The first delivery is slated for 2030, with component manufacture kicking off at BAE's Samlesbury site in Lancashire.
The Space Force is pushing the boundaries of space tech with a $22.9 million contract awarded to California startup K2 Space, to test standardized satellite laser-link terminals - a game-changing innovation that could revolutionize satellite communication. This deal, running through 2028, will see K2 integrate and launch the cutting-edge tech on two of its large satellite buses.
The USS George Washington's visit to Vietnam marks a milestone in the growing US-Vietnam relationship, showcasing the US Navy's capabilities and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. As Capt. Nicholas DeLeo noted, the ship's presence represents a stronger bond between the two nations across a wide range of interests.