American defense and aerospace giant
Since July 18 Ukraine has struck multiple Wildberries warehouses across Russia, causing fires, deaths and major stock losses. The campaign has put at least 1.5 million sq m of warehouse space out of operation, forced evacuations and pushed merchants toward bankruptcy. Wildberries and Russia are discussing compensation and possible state support.
Global stocks have rallied this month after officials reported progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a string of strong corporate earnings has bolstered investor sentiment. Treasuries and oil prices have fallen as traders pare back expectations for near-term Fed hikes; strategists warn valuations and one-off earnings boosts limit further upside.
Japan has bolstered its military capabilities, prioritizing domestic drone development and long-range missiles as deterrence against China. Cabinet defence paper stresses speed, expanded arms production, and a shift toward homemade unmanned weapons to offset a shrinking workforce.
The U.S. Army has demonstrated a maritime variant of a portable jam system that disrupts positioning, navigation and timing signals to blindingly accuracy of long-range weapons. The test off the West Coast shows the system can be deployed, operated and recovered in real-world maritime environments, with a secure communications network to keep friendly forces connected.
The FAA has opened a safety review after Marine One, carrying the president, has had a momentary loss of separation with a commercial regional jet departing Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Both aircraft have landed safely; the NTSB is gathering information and considering an investigation.
The White House is renovating its helipad amid questions over design choices and funding. New, more powerful Marine One helicopters have accelerated repairs, and President Trump has publicly linked the project to protecting the South Lawn. Reports indicate a seal was removed and contractors are reworking the site.
Zelenskyy has warned that air-defence shortages could worsen as Russia launches a wave of ballistic missiles and drones. Ukraine is relying on allies for Patriot interceptors, with talks about domestic production and European partnerships intensifying. At least 17 people have been killed across Kyiv and surrounding areas, while drones have been largely shot down.
The Pentagon has urged defense firms to dramatically speed up production to replenish reduced stockpiles amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Feinberg has called for plans within 21 days to boost capacity, signaling a push to rebuild the defense industrial base as Congress debates funding.
Al Jazeera reports that after a meeting in Washington, the Pentagon backs a project to ensure Western alignment from mine to finished product. Sunrise Energy Metals seeks to develop the Syerston Scandium Project in New South Wales to supply defence, aerospace and 5G/6G tech, with US and Australian investments and a deal with Lockheed Martin.
Scientists have tested a wearable radiation-shielding vest in lunar mission data, showing it could reduce an astronaut’s exposure by about 60% during severe solar events, with significant implications for long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars.
The government has announced that White House renovations are funded with a mix of private donations, federal funds and other sources. The ballroom project is bolstering security upgrades, with estimates rising toward $600 million. Lawmakers are pushing for oversight and transparency while the administration asserts security needs drive the work.
A round-up of market commentary from CNBC and Business Insider UK shows mixed outlooks on AI, semiconductors and defense, with investors weighing short-term volatility against longer-term growth catalysts. Several executives stress caution as valuations remain volatile.
The Lamerd strikes on Feb. 28, reportedly involving U.S. Lockheed Martin PrSMs, killed civilians as far as 50 meters from detonation and caused damage beyond that radius. Airwars has mapped the blast footprint and warns that the weapon’s midair explosion spreads thousands of metal pellets, risking civilian harm even when aimed at military targets. Officials differ on responsibility, while experts urge avoiding populated areas.
Kyiv and its region endure a sixth night of Russian air attacks, with drones and missiles targeting infrastructure and housing. Ukrainian officials report dozens killed or wounded, while authorities warn of ongoing strikes as air defences contend with jet-powered drones and long-range missiles. Western allies face pressure over interceptor stockpiles as Moscow pursues strategic disruption.
Trump’s White House modernization, including a 22,000-square-foot ballroom, faces legal scrutiny as the National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks a halt pending formal reviews. NCPC leadership shifts and ongoing construction prompt questions about approvals, timelines, and the project’s scope.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has raised national-security concerns about Ford’s ties to Chinese battery tech and plans with Geely in Spain, prompting political and regulatory scrutiny. Ford defends its approach, while lawmakers press for clarity on independence from Chinese tech.
Iran and the United States have intensified hostilities. US strikes on Iran’s southern coast target military assets while Iranian forces respond with missiles at bases in Jordan, Bahrain and elsewhere. A wedding party in Kuhestak has been hit, killing several civilians and injuring dozens, including children. Both sides warn of further actions as tensions flare around the Strait of Hormuz.
Covenant has announced Anthem, a ground-launched cruise missile capable of carrying a 200+ kg payload. With multiple production sites and a goal of 5,000 missiles per year, the program aims to lower costs while expanding long-range reach, including Indo-Pacific defense considerations.
Major moves in autonomous mobility involve Bolt and Lucid, May Mobility, and Lyft-Waymo partnerships, with deals aimed at scaling fleets, public listings, and international expansion.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has placed President Trump on speaker during a tech conference conversation with All-In podcast hosts and defended continued data centre and AI development. Trump has warned against what he called efforts to block data-centre construction and has pledged support for the industry, while polling shows strong local opposition to new data centres over environmental and cost concerns.
The State Department has notified Congress about a proposed sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, part of a broader package that could include engines and support. The deal aims to strengthen Saudi defense capabilities and interoperability with US forces, while lawmakers warn it could expose sensitive technology to China and disrupt regional balance.
Germany and European allies have formalized a defense-industrial cooperation pact with the United States while rolling out plans for a broader European arms industry. Berlin has expanded purchases of U.S.-built platforms, including the F-35A, linking Germany more closely to NATO nuclear-sharing and recent US arms production momentum.
A US-led operation to board a Chinese vessel is aborted after officials confirm an AI-generated report misidentified cargo as nuclear components. The incident underscores growing concern about AI-driven errors in military decision-making.
The incident has prompted a Pentagon investigation into how cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door parts from an Australian F-35 ended up in Hong Kong. Australia says it is assisting in the inquiry; there is no public evidence of deliberate Chinese diversion, and officials stress the parts are not considered highly sensitive.
US ambassador to China David Perdue has said President Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping whether China would like to buy US weapons. The State Department has reiterated that US law prohibits arms sales to China and there is no plan to sell. The comments come as Washington has paused a roughly $14bn arms package to Taiwan.
A shipment of unserviceable F-35 components, including a radar‑coated cockpit canopy and a weapons‑bay door, has been unexpectedly rerouted from Australia to Hong Kong and remains unreturned. The Pentagon, Lockheed Martin and Australian authorities have opened investigations and are working to retrieve the parts as Congress presses for answers.
The F-35 Joint Program Office has confirmed a shipment issue with unserviceable components. A cockpit canopy and a weapons-bay door have ended up in Hong Kong during transport from Australia to the United States. Officials are retrieving the components and reviewing safeguards as legislators scrutinize the incident.
The upcoming US-China talks are focusing on artificial intelligence safety and governance as leaders consider dialogue mechanisms and potential safety standards, with a chorus of tech executives weighing in on how to pace AI development.
Israel has established a dedicated Space Division under its Planning Directorate to oversee space-based military operations, sensors, and space warfare development. The move follows concerns about space as a combat domain and aims to enhance monitoring, defense, and potential attacks from space, with implications for Palestinians and regional security.
The U.S. State Department has approved a foreign military sale of up to 500 Patriot missiles, with donations from Canada, Germany, and Norway. The sale aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian attacks, with U.S. officials stressing no American funds are involved. Deliveries and ongoing support are part of a broader package, and Kyiv has pressed for faster delivery amid tensions.
The US State Department has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors to Ukraine for about $2.1 billion, to be paid with donations from Canada, Germany and Norway routed through the US JUMPSTART programme and EU financing. Delivery schedules have not been set; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned missiles could arrive only in a few years and urged immediate transfers from allied stockpiles.