The initiative now requires specific technology that excludes certain hardware that is important to some NATO members that have not signed up for it yet.

There has been an ongoing debate between the services and commands on the Air Force’s plan, Brown said during his July 11 nomination hearing.

About 650 U.S. military officers are caught up in a blanket hold on nominations.

The letter urges the Pentagon to weigh in on the merger, citing its considerable influence with the antitrust agencies on military-related deals.

Ukrainian pilots will begin training to fly F-16 combat aircraft this summer in a school to be set up in Romania.

France will provide Ukraine with MBDA-made Scalp missiles, which are essentially the same as the Storm Shadow missiles already transferred by the UK.

India is France's leading defense export customer, receiving 30% of French armament exports over the 2018-22 period.

Concerns about China are driving a projected surge in U.S. defense spending over the next four years.