*The US Air Force signed a contract to add 15 KC-46 Pegasus refueling aircraft worth $2.3 billion with Boeing Airlines. Accordingly, batch KC-46 will be handed over in August 2026. This is the 9th batch of KC-46 refueling aircraft the Pentagon has ordered from Boeing and will bring the total number of KC-46 refueling aircraft of the US Air Force that have been, are and will be put into service to 128. Among them This KC-46, there are 68 currently in service in several regions of the world, including the Middle East. KC-46 is often used to refuel F-15E Strike Eagle fighters.
| Boeing will continue to provide 15 more KC-46 refueling aircraft to the US Air Force. Photo: US Air Force |
* Information on 1-2 days on Defense News said: Aircraft manufacturer General Atomics has successfully test-launched the Eaglet unmanned aerial vehicle (ALE) system from another unmanned aerial vehicle. According to General Atomics President David Alexander, “ALE is a low-cost, survivable and highly versatile drone. The device can be deployed from helicopters or ground vehicles, allowing for extended reach of the sensor system and increased lethality.”
*Japan and NATO strengthen partnership: Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg is on a visit to Japan. This is an important visit to strengthen NATO-Japan relations, towards solving regional issues and common security issues. During the visit, Japan and NATO signed a new cooperation agreement in the field of cybersecurity, maritime security, and expanded forces participating in the two sides’ exercises. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will establish a permanent Japanese delegation at NATO headquarters this year to promote specific cooperation activities.
*Peru tries to develop domestic warship building industry: According to Shephardmeida, the Peruvian defense industry is moving towards autonomy in providing shipbuilding and modernization services for the country’s navy. Accordingly, the initial phase of Lima will still need the support of foreign experts for the program to be successful in the long term. Specifically, under the program, the domestic SIMA shipyard has received an order to build 5 new warships for the Peruvian Navy (MGP), including 1 offshore patrol boat, 2 coastal patrol boats and 2 rear ships. need. The total contract value is 153 million USD.
*Turkey firmly opposes Sweden’s entry into NATO, making the hope of Stockholm and Helsinki that the National Assembly of this country will approve the application to join NATO of the two countries become remote. Already strained relations between Turkey and Sweden became even more acute following Danish politician Rasmus Paludan burned a Koran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.
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| Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: Archyde.com. |
Workforce shortage threatens US Navy’s ability to modernize
The US Navy and defense contractors currently face a huge challenge as there are thousands of jobs backlog at government repair shops as well as private defense industry facilities specializing in shipbuilding and repair. It is difficult to recruit and retain high-quality skilled human resources for the military sector.
