The U.S. has reached an agreement with Qatar to build training and maintenance facilities at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho for Qatari troops operating F-15QA jets, which has sparked controversy among some political figures. The facility is part of longstanding international training programs, with security and operations managed by the U.S. Air Force, and aims to enhance military cooperation and readiness between the two countries.
Romania's Ministry of National Defence has requested parliamentary approval for the purchase of 32 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, estimated to be worth $6.5 billion. The acquisition aims to enhance Romania's security architecture on NATO's eastern flank and in the Black Sea region. The potential deal will be carried out under the foreign military sales framework and requires approval from the United States Department of State. If successful, Romania would become the third Eastern European ally, after Poland and the Czech Republic, to operate the fifth-generation aircraft. The first aircraft could be delivered to Romania's military by 2030.
The US Air Force has awarded a $1.2 billion contract to RTX to produce the next lot of AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, with part of the deal covering missiles for sale to multiple foreign allies and partners, including Ukraine. RTX will produce AMRAAM weapons, telemetry systems, and spare parts in Tucson, Arizona, under the contract, and is expected to finish work on Lot 37 of the missiles by the end of January 2027.
Raytheon Technologies has been awarded a $264 million contract by the US Navy to produce and deliver 571 short-range AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, with the bulk of the work to be completed by August 2026. The Sidewinder modification is a triple-threat missile that can be used for air-to-air engagements, surface-attack and surface-launch missions, and has 31 foreign military sales partners. However, Raytheon also announced that it will take a $500 million hit to free cash flow due to supply chain issues with the GTF engine made by its Pratt & Whitney subsidiary.
The US Navy's latest long-range shipbuilding plan includes the decommissioning of two nuclear aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the sale of two Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships to foreign militaries. The plan also clarifies that the Navy only needs 15 Independence-class ships for mine countermeasure missions, leading to the decommissioning of USS Jackson and USS Montgomery. The Navy is conducting a Battle Force Ship Assessment and Requirement Report to inform future shipbuilding plans.
