Eric Fanning, president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association provides insights on the state of defense procurement reform with the Air Power Podcast, noting that streamlining acquisitions will require "sustained focus" from leadership. "It's about the top leadership holding the system accountable, and that's easier to do if you are focusing on the key, important areas where you need to move faster."

Israel and the US are set to accelerate production of Iron Dome interceptors and David's Sling missiles amid concerns over Israel's interceptor stockpile. The Israeli government has also announced plans to expedite the deployment of the Iron Beam laser defense system.

President Donald Trump has presented a peace plan for Ukraine that includes a security guarantee similar to NATO's Article 5. The plan, which is being discussed with European partners, would commit the US and allies in Europe to a joint response in the case of an attack on Ukraine for 10 years.

Boeing has secured a $877.74 million contract to produce MH-47G rotary wing aircraft for US Special Operations Command. The project, primarily based in Ridley Park, Pa., is set to be completed by November 2030.

The Pentagon is throwing its weight behind MP Materials' joint venture with Maaden to build a refinery for rare earths in Saudi Arabia. It will hold a 49% interest in the venture with MP, while Maaden will hold the remaining stake. The investment aligns with the Pentagon's broader effort to back MP and help secure rare earth supplies to reduce the US' reliance on China.

Air Astana has signed off on an agreement to purchase up to 50 A320neo family aircraft, consisting of 25 firm orders and an additional 25 options. Deliveries are expected to start in 2031. "The Airbus A320neo family has proven to be an outstanding success in service with Air Astana over many years and I'm confident that the new fleet will continue to boost sustainable growth and profitability in the long term," CEO Peter Foster says.

Centaurium Aviation has confirmed plans to acquire a Bell 407GXi helicopter as a customer demonstration model that will later be offered for sale. "We are seeing a growing level of interest in the Bell 407GXi across Switzerland this year, particularly from private and corporate customers who value its performance and refined comfort," said CEO Ivan Schmidhalter.

The US Space Force is working to streamline acquisition by simplifying requirements and reducing test and validation timelines. "A capability that is good enough and ready now will always be better than a perfect solution that arrives too late for the fight, or one that never arrives at all," says Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.