At first glance, counting international airbases sounds like a straightforward exercise. In reality, it is anything but.
Defense
US Special Operations forces have detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, triggering a leadership crisis, legal action in New York, and strong international reaction as interim authority forms inside Venezuela.
Lockheed Martin has been contracted to deliver 55 Legion IRST pods to the Taiwan Air Force, marking a significant enhancement in the island’s aerial surveillance and targeting capabilities amid growing regional tensions.
Northrop Grumman’s Talon drone has received the YFQ-48A designation and is now a leading contender in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, supporting future operations alongside crewed fighters.
U.S. Army awards Boeing $2.7B contract to sustain AH-64 Apache helicopters, ensuring readiness, reliability and support to 2030.
A December 19 inspector general audit found that the Department of Defense did not consistently hold Lockheed Martin accountable for poor F-35 sustainment performance under a 2024 contract.
US approves $1.8B sale of three Boeing P-8A patrol jets to Denmark, boosting NATO maritime surveillance and Arctic monitoring.
France has finalized a major airborne surveillance procurement, signing a contract worth 12.3 billion Swedish kroner, or about $1.3 billion, for two Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Taiwan is preparing for major aviation disruption as officials warn that up to 100,000 passengers could be affected by large-scale live fire military exercises announced by mainland China.
Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft has received a temporary lifeline after the U.S. Congress blocked Pentagon plans to terminate the troubled program.